A roundup of today's other stories in brief.
BA signs deal with BMI for Heathrow slots
British Airways has signed a major deal to acquire more take-off and landing slots at Heathrow Airport, in a transaction with rival carrier BMI British Midland.
BA is understood to have bought a package of 102 weekly slots to support its future growth at Heathrow, its global hub and one of the world's most congested airports, in a deal worth about £30 million (€44.16 million). - (Financial Times service)
Texas Pacific bids €3.4bn for Iberia
Texas Pacific Group made a €3.4 billion bid approach for Iberia yesterday, in a move which analysts say could trigger other bids for the Spanish airline.
The private equity firm turned around Continental Airlines in the 1990s and is part of a group finalising an $8.7 billion (€6.5 billion) takeover of Australia's Qantas Airways.
It is also looking over the books of troubled Italian airline Alitalia. - (Reuters)
Tysabri may not get UK approval
The British National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence has published its preliminary assessment of Elan's multiple sclerosis drug Tysabri, which suggests that it should not be approved for use within the British National Health Service.
The view, if confirmed, would be a blow for Elan and US partner Biogen Idec as the British market is the second-largest in Europe after Germany, with about 85,000 multiple sclerosis patients.
Sigmar buys health recruitment firm
IEX-listed support services group Newcourt has announced that its recruitment and aviation subsidiary, Sigmar, has acquired CCM International.
CCM International is a healthcare recruitment company based in Dublin and with offices in Britain and Sydney. This is Sigmar's third acquisition since the beginning of 2006.
Call for business to assist universities
The chief executive of Irish Life & Permanent, David Went, has called on the Irish business community to increase the level of financial support it provides to universities.
Mr Went, who is chairman of the Trinity Foundation, said such contributions supported the future success of the economy.
Providence to drill well at Hook Head
Providence, the AIM and IEX-listed oil and gas exploration and production company, has announced that it and its partners are to drill an appraisal well on the crest of the Hook Head prospect. Chief executive Tony O'Reilly jnr said success at Hook Head would open up other fields in the Celtic Sea for development.
Oil extends rally on UK-Iran tensions
Oil extended a nearly two-week rally yesterday amid escalating tensions over Iran's capture of British military personnel and worries over US petrol supplies ahead of summer driving season.
US crude rose 14 cents to $66.17 (€49.47) a barrel after rising 3 per cent to a six- month closing high the previous session. Prices have risen about 12 per cent since March 19th. - (Reuters)
26,521 new cars in February
There were 26,521 new private cars licensed in February, an increase of 0.6 per cent on the same month last year, the Central Statistics Office said yesterday. There were 5,575 new goods vehicles, an increase of 11.5 per cent.
