InterContinental Hotels Group reported slower growth in revenue per room in the second quarter, sending its shares down 4%, as a late Easter weighed on its US performance.

The crutch that is Marks & Spencer Group’s food division is providing less of a prop.

European car sales in March rose briskly as Fiat Chrysler and Renault took advantage of a solid economy to lure more buyers.

Police in England broke up an underground rave with a difference after a party with lights and a sound system started on a Tube train.

European car sales rose 5.7% in March, industry data showed yesterday, helped by discounts and other incentives, although sales for Volkswagen’s core brand continued to fall in the wake of the emissions scandal.

Rising costs of clothing, transport and other services saw inflation move back into positive territory last month, with the annual rate rising to 0.2%, and prospects high for a further increase this month.

An explosion has struck a city in central Nigeria, causing unknown injuries, police said.

US car giant Ford has suspended production at its assembly plant in the Philippines partly due to a shortage of parts from Japan.

Guinness-to-Johnnie Walker drinks giant Diageo today said it had seen “some signs of recovery” after 12% sales growth in the first quarter of 2010.

Sports Direct International today said robust trading over the Easter holiday had kept it on course to meet its recently improved profits target.

John Lewis Partnership today said its UK department store sales jumped 30% after a “remarkable” week of trading over the Easter holiday.

British Airways cabin crew have ruled out taking strike action over Easter in their long-running row over jobs and working conditions, it was announced today.

The FTSE 100 Index broke a four-day losing streak today after US bank Wells Fargo gave the sector a surprise lift with forecast-beating results.

Gardaí are gearing up for a bank holiday blitz this weekend.

Airports operator British Airport Authority today counted the cost of tighter security measures and money spent on the troubled launch of Heathrow's Terminal 5 as it reported a £51m (€64.2m) operating loss for the first three months of the year.

HOLIDAYMAKERS are fleeing to the sun to take advantage of the earliest St Patrick’s and Easter holiday in living memory.

Labour leader Eamon Gilmore has warned the government against a long summer recess for the Dáil.

Children were accused today of deliberately starting a forest fire in a forest park.

A 87-year-old woman is in hospital with shock after a “tiger robbery” at her home in Derry.

The Israeli army sealed off the West Bank early today ahead of the week-long Passover holiday, restricting the movement of Palestinians into Israel.

No-frills airline easyJet today said profits could rise by as much as 15% this year, despite the soaring cost of jet fuel.

POPE John Paul II may have to return to hospital for tests on the tube inserted in his throat to help him breathe, an Italian newspaper reported yesterday.

The Pope may have to return to hospital for tests on the tube inserted in his throat to help him breathe, Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera newspaper reported today.

A loud explosion turned several buildings in a Beirut industrial area into raging infernos today and a military officer said at least three people were wounded. Arab TV stations cited security officials saying a bomb caused the blast.

Police and education authorities shut down 45 private schools across Zimbabwe today in a long-running dispute over fees.

The Passion Of The Christ rebounded at the box office in America during the Easter holiday – far beyond anyone’s expectations.

Traffic congestion is public enemy number one, according to the Small Firms Association.

Airports operator BAA heads another strong line-up of major UK companies reporting results this week, with a string of household names including high street chemist Boots and telecoms group Cable & Wireless.

No-frills airline easyJet sank into the red today after cutting fares to boost passenger numbers.

THE ISEQ Index of shares closed marginally down yesterday, falling 15.48 points to 4155.15.

Israeli and Palestinian negotiators moved into what could be the final phase of talks aimed at breaking the month-old deadlock at one of Christianity’s holiest shrines today, as Orthodox Christians marked their Easter holiday.

Five people were killed in Tenerife as torrential rains triggered mudslides and flash floods as high as traffic lights, sweeping away cars and toppling walls and trees.

Australia's competition watchdog is to ask the country's major oil companies to explain why petrol prices soared on the eve of the Easter holiday - one of the busiest times of the year for motorists.

Railtrack has announced a nationwide offensive to renovate miles of track over the Easter holiday.