ADMINISTRATORS to bankrupt developer John Fleming’s British property empire have secured planning permission for a 225-bedroom three-star hotel, 158 residential units and commercial units on land owned by Fleming Developments UK on Olympic Way near Wembley stadium in north-west London.

Michael Bell travelled to France and completed a career milestone as Allied Powers provided him with his 1000th training success in the Grand Prix de Chantilly.

POPE Benedict XVI prayed yesterday for an end to all wars, making a pilgrimage to the site of a decisive World War II battle and decrying the destruction and lives lost there.

One of Ireland’s top bankers was pelted with eggs today as hundreds of angry shareholders attended a meeting.

Associated British Foods today said Kingsmill firm Allied Bakeries and clothing retailer Primark continued to make progress.

A chronic drug addict who shot himself in the foot after robbing three money bags from a Brinks Allied van has been remanded in custody pending sentence at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.

More than 20,000 residents in Nantes, one of the largest cities on France’s Atlantic coast, were evacuated from their homes today while experts defused an unexploded Allied bomb from the Second World War.

C&C GROUP has lost a €12 million contract to distribute Volvic and Evian bottled water in Ireland.

STRONG cider sales helped push up first-half earnings at C&C Group, offsetting falling profits at its Tayto crisps division.

British drinkers having their thirst quenched by Magners cider for the first time were today said to be behind an 8% rise in half-year revenues for maker C&C Group.

FRENCH drinks giant, Pernod Ricard, which formally took control of rival Allied Domecq on Tuesday, has reported good sales across its various regions in its first half-year.

Drinks giant Allied Domecq was today closer to being swallowed by rival Pernod Ricard after regulators in the United States gave the deal the green light.

DRINKS giant Pernod Ricard was given a clear run at Allied Domecq yesterday when a rival pulled out of the takeover race.

The London market held its nerve today to secure its best finish since the summer of 2002.

The FTSE 100 Index was on track to end the week at its highest level in three years today as the sky-high cost of crude boosted oil stocks.

Drinks giant Pernod Ricard was given a clear run at Allied Domecq today when a rival pulled out of the takeover race.

The FTSE 100 Index secured its highest finish for three months today as investors ignored claims of a consumer-led recession in the retail sector.

Pernod Ricard, the French drinks giant that owns the Midleton Jameson distillery, has sold off its Bushmills whiskey brand to Diageo for €298m.

Drinks giant Diageo led the London market higher today after news that Pernod Ricard’s proposed acquisition of Allied Domecq would allow it to cherry-pick key brands.

GUINNESS owner Diageo has swooped to buy Irish whiskey maker Bushmills for €295 million.

Drinks giant Diageo today backed the £7.4bn (€11bn) takeover of Allied Domecq by French rival Pernod Ricard after being allowed to cherry-pick key brands.

Drinks giant Diageo today confirmed it had expressed interest in funding one of the rival companies vying to take over Allied Domecq.

BRITAIN’S Takeover Panel yesterday set a June 29 deadline for a consortium headed by Constellation Brands to make a rival offer for spirits group Allied Domecq which has already agreed to be taken over by France’s Pernod Ricard.

A US-based consortium was today given an ultimatum to bid for drinks giant Allied Domecq within the month or walk away.

A rival to Pernod Ricard has moved closer to launching a counter-bid for drinks group Allied Domecq, it emerged today.

PERNOD RICARD, owners of Irish Distillers, have reported a better than expected 8.4% rise in first-quarter sales.

DRINKS and snack food group C&C says its Bulmers and Magners cider brands will be the main drivers of profit growth.

Two of the world’s biggest drinks companies today squared up to rival Pernod Ricard in the battle for UK firm Allied Domecq.

THE world’s largest wine company, Constellation Brands, said yesterday it was considering a possible counter bid for Allied Domecq , which agreed to be taken over by Pernod Ricard last week.

Drinks firms helped lift spirits on the London market today as investors warmed to the prospect of a possible bidding war for Allied Domecq.

The London market trod water below its opening mark today as high oil prices continued to take their toll on equities.

The world’s largest winemaker is in talks that could see it gatecrash the £7.4bn (€10.8bn) takeover of drinks group Allied Domecq, it was reported today.

DRINKS and snack food group C&C could see its profits hit following the takeover by Pernod Ricard of Allied Domecq, whose brands it distributes in Ireland.

The takeover of Allied Domecq will see a number of the most historic scotch whiskies coming under French ownership.

Drinks giant Allied Domecq is to be taken over by the French owner of Chivas Regal whisky and Jacob’s Creek wines for £7.4bn (€10.8bn), it was announced today.

Drinks giant Pernod Ricard should be ready to serve up a £7.4bn (€10.8bn) takeover deal for rival Allied Domecq later this week, reports indicated today.

The London market made modest gains today after lower oil prices offset the negative impact of several stocks going ex-dividend.

The FTSE 100 Index hugged the break-even mark today after a cluster of stocks going ex-dividend stymied progress.

Investors eyeing a potential £7.2bn takeover of drinks giant Allied Domecq helped stir the London market back into life today.

A potential takeover offer for drinks giant Allied Domecq today helped the FTSE 100 Index to bed in above the 4900 barrier.

Drinks giant Allied Domecq today confirmed it was the subject of takeover interest from rival French group Pernod Ricard, which counts Midleton, Jameson, Powers and Bushmills whiskeys among its brands.

Fresh takeover talk surrounding Allied Domecq failed to keep the FTSE 100 Index in the black today.

Drinks group Allied Domecq topped the list of blue-chip risers in London today after talk of possible bid interest sent its shares up by almost 3%.