THE €45.6 million purchase of the John Cleary Developments’ Capitol development in Cork city by a German pension fund “is a major confidence boost for the city” and a positive omen for new development, according to Goodbody investment analyst Colm Lauder.

BUSINESS is booming in New York’s bars and restaurants with tax receipts up 12% since the introduction of the city’s smoking ban.

Security teams in New York are sealing off manholes and removing pillar boxes around Times Square in preparation for the New Year celebrations.