Irish mining company, Conroy Gold and Natural Resources is set to raise up to £3.15 million (€3.94m) in additional funding, via a new share placing.

Argos and Homebase owner Home Retail Group is set to lose its blue-chip status when the latest quarterly review of the FTSE 100 Index takes place next week.

The FTSE 100 Index ended the day almost 2% down today as the worst snow in 20 years meant thin trading volumes in London.

MINERS in the southern African kingdom of Lesotho have found one of the world’s largest diamonds, a near-flawless white gem weighing nearly 500 carats, mining group Gem Diamonds said.