Today's other news in brief

‘No certainty’ on Dragon Oil offer

Dublin-listed oil and gas company Dragon Oil says it has received an approach in relation to a possible offer for the firm. In a statement yesterday, the company's board stressed the preliminary
nature of the approach and said there was "no certainty that any offer will be made". Dragon, which is 52 per cent owned by the Dubai government, is primarily focused on exploration and production in the Caspian Sea off the Turkmenistan coast.

Debenhams share sale raises £323m

British department store group Debenhams has raised £323 million (€369 million) in a share sale to cut debt, and said it was continuing to profit in a tough market Debenhams said yesterday it had raised the money in a placing and open offer of new shares. "The proceeds of the capital raising will reduce net indebtedness, increase the company's available cash, improve financial ratios and
increase financial flexibility," it said. – (Reuters)

Irish Times Ltd in IrishCentral.com deal

The Irish TimesLtd has agreed a partnership with New York-based website IrishCentral.com for the sale of advertising for the Irishtimes.com and Ireland.com websites.

The arrangement will see both parties sell online ads for the other in their respective markets.

IrishCentral.com was founded by Niall O’Dowd and is the online arm of the Irish Voice newspaper and Irish America magazine.

Maeve Donovan, managing director of The Irish TimesLtd, said: "We are delighted to work with IrishCentral to serve advertisers in the United States and Ireland.

“The combined strength of the three sites will create a unique opportunity for advertisers to communicate with the Irish diaspora,” she added.