81.   The league had also been considering bids from Houston and Oklahoma City.

82.   Turkey, a NATO member, has said it could delay expansion of the alliance if its EU bid is not seriously considered.

83.   Turkey, a member of NATO, also has suggested it could hold up expansion of the alliance if its EU bid is not seriously considered.

84.   Vickers PLC meets in London on Friday to consider bids for Rolls-Royce Motor Cars from suitors including BMW and Volkswagen.

85.   He added that takeover speculation was also boosting prices after news on Wednesday that the conglomerate Trafalgar House is considering a bid for Northern Electric.