UK defence giant BAE Systems will end days of speculation today by announcing around 3,000 job cuts.

Singapore today dropped the Eurofighter Typhoon from its list of jet fighters being considered for its air force, leaving only the US-made F-15 Strike Eagle and the French Dassault Rafale vying for the lucrative contract.

The FTSE 100 Index gave up another 40 points today after a clutch of stocks went ex-dividend and an update from a US tech giant knocked confidence.

Airbus to Eurofighter company EADS posted a €298m loss last year and plans to cut 1,700 additional jobs to help put it on an even financial keel.

Bula’s annual general meeting is set to be a stormy affair with irate investors intent on removing former Taoiseach Albert Reynolds as chairman of the board.