Mubarak and Sons to face trial in August

Hosni Mubarak

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…

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Protestors and soldiers dead as civil war looms in Yemen

Business and Leadership Ltd.

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…

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Obama continues European tour in London

Business and Leadership Ltd.

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…

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Bank of Ireland Announces Latest Board Shakeup

Bank of Ireland

A Great Step Forward for the BoI. Five directors have stepped down from the board of the Bank of Ireland , a move that brings the group closer to meeting the terms of the government’s committee and management renewal plan. Michael Noonan told Irish banks last month to clear out the board members and management that had been in place through the financial crisis. The bank said it continues to be “engaged” in the ongoing programme of change required by the Department of Finance. To highlight this, the Bank of Ireland announced the resignation of three non-executive directors and two directors from its board. It said the resignations were accepted “in the interests of facilitating further…

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US CEO pay rose 11pc in 2010

Business and Leadership Ltd.

Chief executives in the US saw a significant jump in their pay last year as they received large bonuses for returning their companies to profit and growth. According to a study for the Wall Street Journal by management consultancy Hay Group, the median value of salaries, bonuses and long-term incentive awards for CEOs of 350 major companies rose 11pc to US$9.3m. In 2009, pay to CEOs was flat at the same companies. However, in 2010, chief executives were rewarded for increasing profits and share values. Company incomes, profits and share value increased by more than pay did. Top of the list was Viacom’s Philippe Dauman who earned $84.3m, double his…

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Japan asks for objective reporting from media

Business and Leadership Ltd.

Japanese authorities have asked the international media to refrain from sensationalist reporting on the continuing nuclear crisis at the Fukushima power plant. The Foreign Ministry blamed incorrect and sensationalist reporting for concerns that led to import restrictions on Japanese products. State Foreign Secretary Chiaki Takahashi said some of the reporting since the earthquake and tsunami hit on March 11 has been “excessive”. He cited one story – that the plant operator Tokyo Electric Power Co. has hired homeless people to tackle the ongoing crisis – to highlight how some erroneous reporting had been carried out. Meanwhile, at Fukushima, workers have successfully injected nitrogen into the number 1 reactor to avert…

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Moriarty report to be sent to DPP – Taoiseach

Business and Leadership Ltd.

Enda Kenny told the Dáil today that he has asked Minister for Communications Pat Rabbitte to refer the Moriarty report to the Director for Public Prosecutions and to the Garda Commissioner. The damning report found that Michael Lowry, the then minister for transport, energy and communications, “without doubt” helped Denis O’Brien secure Ireland’s second mobile phone licence for his company, Esat Digifone, in 1995. Opposition has seized the opportunity to criticise the new government as six current ministers were cabinet members at the time of the bidding war. “This was a government decision. The principle of collective cabinet responsibility applies here. Of the present Government, six ministers sat around that table including the…

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Gathering the diaspora

Business and Leadership Ltd.

There was never a more important time for this country to tap into the reservoir of goodwill represented by the US diaspora. Philippa Maister reports from Atlanta on the ongoing initiatives to encourage just this. By some estimates, there are 40 million men and women of Irish descent in the US. Now, more than ever, their ties to their distant homeland have become a strategic asset for Ireland  – one that diplomats here are actively working to exploit. It’s not a very hard sell. As Ambassador Michael Collins noted recently in Atlanta, Georgia: “There’s a reservoir of goodwill that wants to be mobilised”. Speaking to a crowded room exuding a…

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€14,000 Pay Cut for Enda Kenny

President Mary McAleese last night

In what is one of his first acts in the top position, Enda Kenny has slashed his own pay by €14,000. The new government has also decided to cut the pay of senior ministers. The Taoiseach’s pay is to be cut from €214,187 to €200,000. Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore’s pay is cut from €197,486 to €184,405. Ministers’ pay has been reduced to €169,275 (from €181,283), while pay for Ministers of State is cut from €139,266 to €130,042. In another cost-cutting measure, Kenny has asked the Garda, the Departments of Justice and Transport, as well as the Office of Public Works, to come up with a plan to reduce the amount spent…

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Ireland elects its first openly gay TDs

Business and Leadership Ltd.

Dominic Hannigan and John Lyons will enter the Dáil next week as the first ever openly-gay politicians to be elected as TDs in Ireland. The Labour Party members won seats in Meath East (Hannigan) and Dublin North West (Lyons). Today, Labour LGBT welcomed the “historic result” and thanked voters. “History was also made in the election of not one but two openly gay TDs,” said Paul McConnell, co-chair Labour LGBT. “The election of both Dominic Hannigan (Meath East) and John Lyons (Dublin North West) as TD’s for the Labour Party is a step forward for equality in Ireland and we look forward to their contributions in the Dáil.”

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