Mubarak and Sons to face trial in August
Former Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak is to stand trial in August, alongside his two sons, Alaa and Gamal, for the role they played in the deaths of protestors during January and February. A date of August 3 has been set for the three mens’ initial appearance in court. The Egyptian state news agency reported that they will all face Judge Ahmed Rifat in a Cairo criminal court for corruption, and graft, as well as the killing of protestors. Mubarak has also been fined US$90m for cutting internet access and mobile phone services in the country during the 18-day uprising. If found guilty of “pre-mediated killing”- the most serious charge he…
Read MoreProtestors and soldiers dead as civil war looms in Yemen
Violent Crackdown in Yemen At least 20 people have been killed today in Yemen as security forces opened fire on a camp in the city of Taiz but some activists are claiming the actual death toll is much higher. Reports from the ground say that the soldiers tried to clear the area with water cannons, tear gas and sound bombs but then moved in with tanks and guns. Brutal Assault by Security Forces Tents used by the protestors were set on fire, according to witnesses, while others were bulldozed into the ground. Meanwhile, reports are emerging that Yemeni warplanes have attacked the town of Zinjibar, which officials say is under…
Read MoreStarbucks to roll out contactless payment from spring 2012
Starbucks customers in the UK and Ireland will be able to pay for their purchases by contactless payment from next spring, the coffee company has announced. Contactless payment will be enabled through Barclaycard, in partnership with Visa Europe. From early next year, customers in selected stores will have the option of paying for their coffees by holding their contactless credit or debit card over a payment terminal. Starbucks said that following last week’s launch of the UK’s first contactless mobile payment service by Barclaycard and Orange, customers will also be able to pay using their mobile phone. Subject to a successful initial pilot of contactless in Starbucks shops, the technology…
Read MoreObama continues European tour in London
US President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama left Ireland last night and flew to London to begin a three-day State visit. The presidential couple had to cut their whistlestop tour of Ireland even shorter on fears that the ash cloud hovering near Irish and UK airspace could prevent them from flying this morning. The Obama’s were greeted by Queen Elizabeth II this morning. The President’s itinerary in London may not be as celebratory as that seen in Ireland as he sits down with UK Prime Minister David Cameron to discuss NATO’s actions in the Libyan conflict and, more generally, the West’s policy toward Middle East political uprisings. Cameron…
Read MoreRyanair, Aer Lingus cancel Scottish flights
As another ash cloud from an Icelandic volcano appears across European skies, Scotland has been forced to close its airspace and many flights to and from the country’s airports have been cancelled. Irish carriers Ryanair and Aer Lingus have had to cancel multiple inbound and outbound flights at Shannon, Dublin and Cork airports until 1pm today. Irish airspace remains open but passengers are advised to check their airlines’ websites before travelling to the airport. Ryanair has continued its protests against the closure of airspace because of volcanic ash. Last year, the no-frills airline claimed the six day closure of European airspace, which resulted in the cancellation of thousands of flights,…
Read MoreGE buys Irish smart grid software firm
General Electric (GE), the world’s second largest company with annual revenues of US$150bn, has acquired an Irish smart grid software firm FMC-Tech for an undisclosed sum. FMC-Tech was one of the dozen investments resulting from GE’s 2010 ecomagination Challenge: Powering the Grid. The company, which is headquartered in Shannon, Co Clare, has developed an intelligent network monitoring system for the utilities network. A year ago GE’s CEO Jeff Immelt announced GE’s Ecomagination Challenge: Powering the Grid , a US$200m open innovation challenge to find and fund the best ideas for bringing the power grid into the 21st Century. Co-funded by four venture capital firms, the challenge aims to leverage GE’s scale, technical expertise and client relationships…
Read MoreEric Schmidt named Cannes Lions Media Person of the Year
Google’s executive chairman and former CEO Eric Schmidt is to receive The Media Person of the Year Award at next month’s Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, it has been revealed today. Each year, the festival presents the award to a prominent personality who is seen as an influential figure in the development of today’s media landscape, ultimately playing an integral part in shaping the future of the creative communications industry. Previous recipients include Mark Zuckerberg, founder and CEO of Facebook; Steve Ballmer, CEO of Microsoft Corporation; Tony O’Reilly, CEO of Independent News & Media; Tsuneo Watanabe, chairman and editor-in-chief of The Yomiuri Shimbun Holdings; Sumner Redstone, chairman and CEO…
Read MoreNew jobs expected for Roscommon
A jobs boost is expected to be announced in Roscommon today by the Minister for Enterprise, Jobs and Innovation Richard Bruton. The Minister will announce the creation of about 100 jobs by a US company, the IDA Ireland chief Barry O’Leary indicated this morning. The report today follows speculation that 10 multinational companies are expected to make significant investment announcements by the end of next month. During the first four-and-a-half months of the year, more than 25 multinationals have announced that they are either opening or expanding in Ireland.
Read MoreIrish consumers spent nearly €3bn online in 2010 – Visa
Irish adults spent €2.96bn on online purchases in 2010, up 39pc over the previous year, according to research published today by Visa Europe.
Read MoreTourism Ireland looks to capitilise on Queen and Obama visits
Tourism Ireland has launched major marketing drives in Britain and the United States to capitalise on the visits to Ireland this month by Queen Elizabeth II and President Obama. The organisation estimates that the visits will generate up to €150m in positive publicity worldwide. It said its promotional programme and publicity drive are being stepped up considerably, before, during and after the visits. Film footage has been commissioned of the various locations on the itineraries, which is being distributed to media in Britain and all over the US. This covers the sites being visited, landscape and scenery, culture and heritage, as well as themes like Irish food, equestrian Ireland, genealogy,…
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