The FTSE 100 Index drifted downwards today with little momentum for trading in the approach to the Christmas break.

OUR football correspondent LIAM MACKEY is back in top form and full of energy.

French group EDF today agreed a £12.5bn (€15.8bn) takeover of British Energy in a move set to kick-start the UK's nuclear power strategy.

French energy firm EDF was today said to be close to winning the shareholder support it needs to seal a £12bn (€15bn) takeover of British Energy.

The auction of nuclear power firm British Energy suffered a blow today after it emerged one of the potential suitors had pulled out of the running.

Nuclear power firm British Energy today dismissed a series of takeover approaches as not “representing shareholder value”.

Shares in retail stocks jumped ahead today as investors reacted to speculation over possible takeover interest in B&Q owner Kingfisher.

Nuclear power station operator British Energy was today said to be weighing up an £11bn (€13.7bn) takeover approach from German utility business RWE.

The FTSE 100 Index finished moderately higher after an unconvincing session for world markets today.

Mobile phone company O2 today said it added 474,000 customers in the UK in the second quarter, reinforcing its position as one of Britain's fastest-growing networks.

Mobile phone company O2 today announced its move into the broadband market with the £50m (€73.3m) acquisition of Be.

Shane Kelly was in hot water with the stewards at Lingfield after being caught in the shadow of the post on 1-2 favourite Just Logic in the division two of the Be Lucky littlewoodspools.co.uk Maiden Stakes.

A disgruntled investor in British Energy today gave up its bid to derail the troubled group’s UK government-backed debt restructuring package.

The European Commission today approved multi-billion-pound British government aid for a sweeping British Energy restructuring plan.

Disgruntled shareholders in troubled nuclear generator British Energy today moved to try to block its life-saving restructuring package.

Trainer Willie Mullins has lost his appeal against the disqualification of 2002 Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup winner Be My Royal.

Warnings over future liabilities at the nuclear generator British Energy were not properly heeded by a British government department, according to a report out today.

Gabriel Batistuta walked out of a love affair and into a marriage of convenience when he left Fiorentina for Roma.

Be Incorporated has launched legal action against Microsoft claiming it stifled its operating system.