A global biotech giant announced 40 new jobs yesterday as it began commissioning its new Irish manufacturing plant — its first outside the US.

A €30m research centre that will harness the power of light aims to create 200 jobs over the next six years.

Barclays led the FTSE 100 Index lower today after one of its biggest investors sold a major stake in the banking giant.

News of a planned sell-off by one of Barclays’ biggest Middle Eastern investors saw hefty share falls across the banking sector today.

One of English bank Barclays’ biggest Middle Eastern investors said today that it would maintain a “close” relationship with the banking giant despite announcing plans to offload part of its stake.