Department store chain Debenhams has approached a number of continental retailers about the possibility of a merger, it was reported today.

British Airways today confirmed its involvement in a consortium looking to buy Spain’s Iberia airline.

BIDS for fashion retailer New Look, which employs about 300 people in Ireland, have reportedly been received from two of the world’s largest buy-out groups.

The dramatic takeover attempt for iconic Australian airline Qantas collapsed today after the private equity firm bidding for the group admitted defeat.

AUSTRALIA’S takeover regulator has scuttled an A$11 billion (€6.64bn) bid for Qantas Airways after refusing yesterday to allow late support from a major shareholder who missed a deadline to accept the offer.

The takeover rumour mill is working overtime in Europe’s airline industry as the major players begin to jostle for top spot in a sector that is expected to see consolidation like never before.

The private equity consortium circling Sainsbury's is said to have upped its offer for the group to more than £10bn (€14.67bn), in a move which could spark tensions between shareholders of the supermarket chain.

The private equity group circling supermarket chain Sainsbury’s reportedly offered the group’s shareholders an equity stake sweetener in an attempt to see its rejected £9.7bn (€14.2bn) takeover attempt succeed, according to reports today.

Supermarket giant Sainsbury’s was today mulling a £9.7bn (€14.25bn) indicative offer from its private equity suitors amid reports that major shareholders of the firm are holding out for a higher bid.

The private equity consortium circling UK supermarket chain Sainsbury’s could table an indicative £9.5bn (€14bn) offer before the Easter weekend, reports suggested today.

A strong trading update from Associated British Foods along with positive corporate results from Persimmon and Old Mutual lifted the London market into positive territory today.

Supermarket giant Sainsbury is today said to be just days away from receiving an £11bn (€16.4bn) takeover offer from a private equity consortium.

Shares in Sainsbury’s staged a fresh surge today amid ongoing speculation about takeover interest in the supermarket chain.

Australian national carrier Qantas Airways said today it had accepted a €6.7bn takeover offer from a private equity consortium including the country’s Macquarie Bank and the Texas Pacific Group.

A bid consortium looking to land engineering group Amec was today being frustrated in its attempt to gain access to the company's books.

Tom Cruise and producing partner Paula Wagner have been put in charge of United Artists, a film studio formed by Hollywood actors including Charlie Chaplin and Mary Pickford.

Casino operator London Clubs International was on the verge of American ownership today after Las Vegas gaming giant Harrah’s Entertainment upped its bid.

MINER Anglo American has received bid approaches from at least two private-equity consortiums for its paper and packaging division Mondi, which it plans to list, the Sunday Times has reported.

UK department store Debenhams bucked the downward trend on the high street today as it more than doubled its profits.

The FTSE 100 Index racked up its fourth straight session of gains today despite dismay at the latest development in the O2 takeover.

Fading hopes of a bidding battle for mobile phone operator O2 drove the FTSE 100 Index into negative territory today.

Department store group Debenhams hailed the popularity of its designer-led strategy today after achieving further growth in sales and profits.

London investors applauded the news today that leisure group Whitbread is in talks to sell some or all of its Marriott hotels in the UK.

Department store group Debenhams said today it expected to report improved market share and profits following the Christmas and New Year period.

Collapsed US energy giant Enron took another step towards disappearing when the company closed the €1.4bn sale of its most prized remaining assets, making effective its plan to emerge from one of the most costly and complicated bankruptcies in history.

A DRAWN-OUT battle for control of Warner Chilcott looked less likely yesterday as one of the three bidders for the Northern drug firm dropped out of the race to join forces with the frontrunner.

Department store Debenhams has voted in favour of a venture capital-backed bid for the department store group worth £4.70 (€6.84) a share, or £1.72bn (€2.5bn).

The battle for control of Debenhams took a new twist today as a consortium led by CVC Capital Partners upped its recommended offer for the department store group to £1.72bn (€2.4bn).

THE board of department store group Debenhams has agreed to pay stg£6 million to a consortium which is considering launching a rival bid for the business, it emerged today.

Members of the management team at high street department store Debenhams were today thought to be scrutinising a long-awaited formal £1.54bn (€2.17) takeover offer.

BRITISH department store chain and bid target Debenhams Plc said yesterday its sales growth was accelerating, outpacing bigger rivals and lending weight to calls from shareholders for a higher takeover price.

British Airways executive Roger Maynard was behind his desk today studying the airline’s response to proposals of a Virgin-BMI link up.

US Airways Group, hit hard by a slump in travel after the September 11 terrorist attacks, filed for bankruptcy protection, the company said.

Diageo is reported to be in advanced talks to sell fast food giant Burger King for more than £1.3 billion.

TEXAS Pacific Group, the American venture capital firm headed by Ryanair chairman David Bonderman, have pulled out of an offer for Jefferson Smurfit.

MADISON Dearborn Partners (MDP) offered only 1.97 per Jefferson Smurfit share when it first approached the paper and packaging company.

Diageo PLC is seeking bids of more than stg£1.4bn for Burger King by the end of next week, sources say.

Marks & Spencer says the sell-off of its US chains will be delayed following last week's terrorist attacks.