Ireland is missing a “golden opportunity” to ramp up investment in infrastructure that could help make it “Brexit-proof”, according to the chief executive of business and employer association Ibec.

So “When’sa your Dolmio day?” Apparently, it shouldn’t be every day.

USA: A truck driver was caught using a fishing line to flip his licence plate in a bid to avoid paying tolls into New York City.

On China’s version of Valentine’s Day, big international chocolate makers like Hershey are not feeling the love.

Ferrero, maker of Nutella, has offered to buy British chocolate firm Thorntons for £112m (€155m), marking a rare acquisition by the Italian group.

Half of us will drink alcohol and eat red meat today – Good Friday.

An Irish shortlisted candidate for a one-way ticket to Mars has spoken out against the Mars One mission, fearing its actions could damage the future of science.

The number of Permanent TSB mortgage holders who will face repossession is set to increase in the coming years, the bank’s head of asset management confirmed yesterday.

Extremely challenging trading conditions at the Irish arm of food giant Mars last year contributed to a slump in sales and profits.

The Irish operation of KBC bank has reported losses of €40m for the first three months of the year following on from a loss of €766m for the last three months of 2013, due mainly to its residential loan book.

USA:

Arctic Monkeys lead the field for this year’s NME Awards with eight nominations.

CORK firm BioTector Analytical Systems saw 2013 out with a bang after winning the Irish Exporters’ Association’s Manufacturing Exporter of the Year award.

Towards better rights for domestic workers

The world’s largest food companies are failing to meet ethical standards, a report has warned.

The global food giant Heinz, which famously makes beans and tomato sauce, has been bought for $23bn (€17.2bn) by Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway and Jorge Paulo Lemann’s 3G Capital

The makers of Lucozade and Ribena are to reduce the amount of sugar and calories in their drinks by up to 10% as part of efforts to curb obesity levels.

The Irish Bank Resolution Corporation will only know what the implications of a restructuring of the €29bn in promissory notes will have on the bank when the deal is finalised, chief executive Mike Aynsley told the Oireachtas Finance Committee yesterday.

Brands including Baileys and Thorntons have been criticised as the worst for using recyclable products in their Easter egg packaging.

WITH Sky Atlantic debuting on Tuesday, it’s been quite a while since the launch of a new subscription channel created such a fuss.

Confectionery giant Cadbury remained silent today amid reports that US-based food group Kraft was set to launch a hostile takeover bid for the firm.

The Football Association have announced a five-year sponsorship deal with confectionery giants Mars.

The chief executive of US giant Kraft will sound out major shareholders in London this week over its potential takeover of Dairy Milk maker Cadbury.

US food giant Kraft has said it hopes to keep open Cadbury's Somerdale facility near Bristol in England, which is scheduled to close in early 2010, saying it will remain "financially disciplined" in its £10.2bn (€11.6bn) pursuit of the chocolate maker.

Takeover excitement made a long-awaited return to the City today after US food giant Kraft revealed details of a £10.2bn (€11.5bn) bid for Cadbury.

Toulouse 26 Newport Gwent Dragons 7

Paul McCartney was named the “Ultimate Legend” at a prestigious awards ceremony in in his home city.

Anglo-Dutch company Unilever says it is recalling some of its Lipton-brand milk tea powder in Hong Kong and Macau after they are found to contain traces of an industrial chemical.

Confectionery giant Cadbury became the latest victim of China’s poisoned milk scandal, reporting findings of melamine in its Chinese-made chocolates.

SCIENTISTS launched a five-year project yesterday aimed at safeguarding the world’s chocolate supply by dissecting the genome of the cocoa bean.

Dairy Milk maker Cadbury today began life once more as a pure confectionery firm after spinning off its American drinks arm.

Chocolate giant Mars is poised to announce a US$22bn (€14m) bid to buy the Wrigley chewing gum group, it was reported today.

ION Equity is in talks with Reox Holdings that could lead to the €200 million purchase of its consumer brands that include Galtee, Dairygold, Mitchelstown, Shaws and Calvita.

DALE FARM, the Northern Irish ice cream and dairy business, has expanded its interests in the Republic via the acquisition of ice cream distribution business, Superchill for an undisclosed sum.

Dairy business Dale Farm in the North has expanded its business into the Republic, it was announced today.