In Short

A round-up of today's other stories in brief

EU regulator threatens to fine Microsoft

Europe's competition regulator threatened US software giant Microsoft with daily fines yesterday for failing to comply with antitrust sanctions a year after a top European Union court ruled it must obey.

The European Commission said it may fine Microsoft up to €2 million a day unless it complies with an order to provide key information to allow rivals' group servers to work with its ubiquitous Windows operating system.

The EU executive said Microsoft had until Janusary 25th to show it was in compliance with the EU demands. Any fines would be retroactive to December 15th, it said. - (Reuters)

JDH closes offer for Jurys Doyle

JDH Acquisitions, the Doyle-led consortium that is taking over Jurys Doyle, has closed its €18.90 offer for the company. JDH said yesterday that it said it had received acceptances in respect of 90.81 per cent of Jurys shares. The group expects to have compulsorily acquired the remaining shares by January 4th or shortly thereafter. Jurys's stock listing is expected to be cancelled on January 6th.

Eircom broadband reaches 200,000

Eircom said yesterday that it had recruited 200,000 DSL broadband users and was on target to reach 500,000 broadband customers by December, 2007. By March next year, the company said, 90 per cent of the Republic's telephone lines will be connected to an Eircom broadband exchange.

Oil prices fall on natural gas report

Oil prices slipped yesterday after a report showing a smaller-than- expected decline in US natural gas supplies last week, countering a disruption in crude exports from Nigeria.

US crude was down 36 cents to $58.20 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange at midday. London Brent crude was down 7 cents to $56.65 on the International Petroleum Exchange. -(Reuters)

Glanbia executive sells shares in firm

Brian Phelan, human resources director with Glanbia, has raised €8,845 by selling 3,625 shares in the food group at €2.44. Shares in Glanbia closed at €2.43 last night, down five cent.

Hilton confirms Ladbrokes contact

Hilton Group yesterday confirmed it had been contacted by several private equity houses interested in acquiring Ladbrokes, its betting shop chain that could be worth £3-£4 billion (€4.4-7.3 billion), including debt.

BC Partners, Blackstone and CVC Capital have all contacted Hilton in recent weeks, the group said.

Hilton is in the process of selling its hotels business to Hilton Hotels Corporation of the US, and could announce further details of the disposal as early as next week. - (Financial Times service)

Dublin PR firms agree merger

Two Dublin public relations firms have agreed a merger as consolidation continues in the sector.

Heneghan PR and Park Communications will be part of the same company from the New Year.

Nigel Heneghan, the majority shareholder in Heneghan PR, will become managing director of the new company, while another Heneghan director Rachel Watchorn becomes deputy managing director.

Seán O Riordáin, who established Park Communications in 1982 becomes a director of the new company.