In short

A roundup of today's other stories in brief.

German inflation cools unexpectedly

Consumer prices in five German states were softer than expected in December, suggesting annual inflation cooled by a tenth of a point to 1.4 per cent rather than quickening as predicted.

The data provided no real evidence of price gains feeding through ahead of an inflation-boosting, three-point hike in sales tax at the start of next year, analysts said. - (Reuters)

Ryanair in secret Derry airport deal

City of Derry Airport handed over at least £1.25 million (€1.86 million) of ratepayers' money in a secret deal. to promote Ryanair, it was revealed yesterday.

The deal reveals free landing, navigation, parking, passenger fee and security were all provided to Ryanair. - (PA)

Riverdeep finishes reverse takeover

Riverdeep announced yesterday that it had completed the acquisition of US educational publisher Houghton Mifflin in a reverse takeover

The vehicle through which the $1.75 billion (€1.32 billion) acquisition was conducted, HM Riverdeep, will now be renamed Houghton Mifflin Riverdeep. The Irish group, headed by Barry O'Callaghan, has also assumed debt of around $1.6 billion.

News clipping firm set to close

Dublin media monitoring company News Extracts is to close next month with the loss of around 60 jobs.

No further details were available, although it is expected that the company will make a full statement on January 19th.

News Extracts provides press clippings and media evaluation and analysis.

It is the Ireland subsidiary of the Sweden based Observer AB Group.

ComReg approves iTrip-type devices

The Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) has legalised the use of short range FM transmitter devices, such as Apple's iTrip, which can be used to connect MP3 players to car radios wirelessly.

Accountants from China recognised

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in Ireland has announced that it will recognise Chinese accountants.

The agreement allows qualified graduates of the Hong Kong institute to transfer that membership to the ICAI once they complete ICAI local taxation and company law exams.

Americans remain warily optimistic

US consumer sentiment slipped in December but was not far from the year's highs, a report said yesterday.

The University of Michigan said its consumer sentiment index declined to 91.7 in December from 92.1 in November.

Analysts said the data should provide further encouragement to the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates .- (Reuters)

Russia doubles Georgia gas rates

Russia said yesterday it had signed contracts to supply Georgia with the bulk of its gas needs in 2007, but had doubled the cost to the ex-Soviet republic.

The announcement by the export chief of Gazprom came shortly after the Russian gas monopoly said Georgia had snubbed it in talks about supplies.

A similar dispute last year led to massive cuts of Russian supplies to Ukraine in January and reduced gas transit to Europe. - (Reuters)