The US district attorney who investigated the Berkeley balcony collapse in which five Irish students and one Irish American woman died has decided against bringing criminal charges.

Irish universities remain outside the world’s elite when it comes to reputation among global academics, according to the latest rankings.

John Joe Nevin and Berkeley Sports & Media of the UK have parted company.

The FTSE 100 Index held its position at a two-month high today as investors awaited direction from the latest update on the US economy.

London’s FTSE 100 Index surged 1.4% higher today as hopes of a resolution to the eurozone crisis offset another day of scandal for Britain’s banking sector.

The National Asset Management Agency is free to transfer loans without restriction, according to the English Court of Appeal ruling on the transfer of the Maybourne Hotel Group to the Barclay Brothers.

Property developer Patrick McKillen has told a judge that former British prime minister Tony Blair acted as an “honest broker” who he felt could “smooth over issues” for him in his court battle for control of three of London’s leading hotels.

Property developer Patrick McKillen has told a High Court judge in London about the hundreds of millions he had borrowed from banks.

Two billionaire brothers have been keeping afloat the developer Derek Quinlan, once one of Ireland’s richest men, a British court heard yesterday.

Engage: The Rise and Fall of Matt Hampson.

Royal Bank of Scotland shares slumped 12% today as litigation fears, weak economic data and the eurozone debt crisis drained market confidence.

UNLIKE many property developers, whose public profile matched the size of the buildings they were constructing, Paddy McKillen is the very definition of low key.

UK banking stocks slipped into the red today as the full level of public sector support for the financial sector was revealed.

Economic gloom and a huge jobs cull from banking giant Citigroup cast a pall over the London market today.

The FTSE 100 Index gained more than 1% today amid rising hopes that policymakers will hold off from tackling inflation with interest rate hikes.

The London market held firm above the 6500 barrier today as housebuilders and miners encouraged the blue-chip index to race ahead.

UK property developer Berkeley Group today unveiled double-digit profits growth as strength in its core London market helped offset weakness in the south east of the UK as interest rate rises started to bite.

Bid interest in British Gas owner Centrica reared up again today as investors took a punt on the possibility of a takeover move from Russia’s Gazprom.

The FTSE 100 Index moved back above the 5800 barrier today as investors welcomed the latest round of news from the United States over interest rates.

THE Four Seasons Hotel in Milan, which is owned by Irish investors, has been sold for around €200 million.

Oil stocks weighed heavily on the London market today despite efforts by the likes of PartyGaming to lift the mood.

THE number of bidders circling the Jurys Doyle Hotel Group increased yesterday with builder Sean Dunne and the Reubens brothers indicating separate bids for the company.

An Irish consortium, headed by former revenue inspector Derek Quinlan, is close to agreeing a deal to buy the Savoy hotel group in London from US investment firms the Blackstone group and Colony Capital.

In spite of the negative effects of a regulatory review into its British operations, IFG managed to report better than expected pre-tax profits of €8.1m for 2003.

The FTSE 100 Index appears to have put nerves behind it as top flight shares moved firmly into positive territory after an early dip.

Evidence of a turnaround in the economy and a raft of corporate news sent the FTSE 100 Index to the highest level seen for a year.

London’s FTSE 100 Index crept closer to the 4000 barrier today as the market’s recent crisis of confidence continued.

Investors were again struggling to find positive news to lift the mood in London today as the FTSE 100 Index edged closer to the 4000 barrier.

Blue-chip stocks will be back on the radar of UK market analysts this week when a clutch of heavyweight companies issues results or trading statements. In particular, the banking sector will be in focus.

Investors remained on the sidelines of the London market today as thin volumes and an absence of significant corporate news led to a subdued session trading.

Four bands have had their performances at the Witnness Festival cancelled because of bad weather.

The Footsie index of 100 leading blue-chip stocks is off 28.9 points following an hour's trading in London to stand at 5633.