Danish racing driver Allan Simonsen has died as a result of injuries sustained in a crash during today’s Le Mans 24 Hours, race organisers Automobile Club de l’Ouest have confirmed.

A property developer is waiting to hear whether he has won the latest stage of a legal battle with two of the UK’s best-known businessmen over control of a £1bn (€1.16bn) company which owns three of London’s most famous hotels.

A British judge wants lawyers to write less in a case involving Irish property developer Patrick McKillen’s battle for a control of a £1bn (€1.16bn) firm that owns three of London’s top hotels.

Elizabeth Dunne

Dublin-based property developer Patrick McKillen who lost a British High Court battle with two of the UK’s best-known businessmen — the Barclay twins — is facing a legal bill of about £20 million (€25m), a judge was told yesterday.

An Irish property developer has lost a High Court battle with two of Britain’s best -known businessmen.

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.

Bono joined two businessmen and a billionaire Saudi prince on a yacht in the south of France as a multimillion-pound deal to sell one of the world’s most famous hotels was finalised, a British High Court judge was told yesterday.

A property developer embroiled in a High Court battle with two of Britain’s best-known businessmen has been accused of having “convenient amnesia”.

A businessman regarded as the face of Coroin, the hotel group, regularly used hotels owned by the firm and ran up a large unpaid bill, developer Patrick McKillen told the High Court in London yesterday.

Six soldiers are missing, believed killed, after an armoured vehicle was caught in an explosion in Afghanistan, the UK's Ministry of Defence said today.

Fulham have lodged an appeal in a bid to have their case against Premier League chairman Sir David Richards heard in open court, it was announced today.

NATO must broaden its range of bombing targets in Libya or run the risk of stalemate and Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi clinging on to power, Britain’s chief of defence staff said.

Nato must widen the target of air strikes in Libya to increase the pressure on the Gaddafi regime or risk allowing the dictator to cling to power, the head of the UK's armed forces said today.

BRITAIN and the United States planned to step up military pressure on Muammar Gaddafi, as the Libyan leader’s army pressed its bloody siege of the rebel-held city of Misrata.

A British government minister has today refused to rule out the deployment of British ground troops in Libya.

Coalition military forces were in action for a third consecutive night with reports of fierce anti-aircraft fire followed by explosions near Muammar Gaddafi’s compound in Tripoli.

Tony McCoy has doubts whether Synchronised is a good enough jumper to provide him with a second Aintree Grand National but the stayer has done enough for the champion’s career already by providing him with a first success in the Chepstow version.

THE head of Britain’s Armed Forces, has warned that the West will never be able to defeat al-Qaida and Islamic militants.

ALAN SHEARER does not expect to see Alex Ferguson on Match of the Day this season.

NORWAY’s Petter Solberg and Irish co-driver, Chris Patterson begin today’s second stage of the Neste Oil Rally Finland in first position after setting the fastest time on last evening’s opening stage.

TOTTENHAM boss Harry Redknapp has called on the country to get behind Fabio Capello as England manager – but implored the Italian to revamp his team.

ROY HODGSON could be about to slam the door on one of England’s management options.

There are widespread calls for Fabio Capello to step down as England manager following the team's disappointing exit from the World Cup yesterday.

Talks with the Taliban should begin "pretty soon" as part of the exit strategy for international forces in Afghanistan, the head of the British Army said today.

Protestant church leaders will today make a symbolic visit into the nationalist Bogside to meet with the families of the Bloody Sunday victims.

BRITAIN held its hands up yesterday to the killing of 14 civilians shot by soldiers from the Parachute Regiment on Bloody Sunday.

FOR Fabio Capello, the waiting is almost over, and the England coach is acutely aware that England expects.

FABIO CAPELLO has confirmed he knows the names of the players who will carry England’s World Cup hopes in South Africa – and they are the same ones he had in mind when he arrived in Austria a fortnight ago.

The international military effort in Afghanistan was under-resourced for years, the head of the British Army said today as US troops prepared to take over operations in an area which has seen some of the bloodiest fighting for British forces.

Entrepreneur Gerard Lopez has today confirmed his interest in purchasing Renault’s Formula One team.

THE World Motor Sport Council (WMSC) appear set to review their policy in relation to punishing team members following the latest scandal to blight Formula One.

Renault president and CEO Carlos Ghosn has presented a calm front in the wake of the storm currently surrounding the manufacturer’s Formula One team.

The new head of the British Army is warning that Britain’s mission in Afghanistan could last for up to 40 years.

Prodrive have officially confirmed lodging an entry for next year’s Formula One world championship.

THE leaking of secret documents found in the possession of an alleged spy could have cost the lives of coalition troops, a court heard yesterday.

Former Sunderland and Manchester City manager Peter Reid is set to be unveiled as the new coach of Thailand at the end of the month.

Manchester City have finally completed the signing of Portsmouth striker Benjani Mwaruwari for an initial fee of £3.87m.

FRESH doubt has been cast over Manchester United’s pre-season visit to Malaysia following the discovery of “new information” which prevents the Red Devils playing in the country without official approval from the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).

David Richards believes there is a chance Aston Martin could enter Formula One in five years’ time.

FORD is selling British luxury car maker Aston Martin in a deal worth £479 million (€701.25m), which returns the iconic brand to British ownership.

General Dan McNeill, the highest ranking US general to lead troops in Afghanistan, has taken command of 35,500 Nato-led soldiers, putting an American face on the international mission after nine months of British command.

The new commander of Nato-led troops in Afghanistan was installed in a ceremony in Kabul today.