THE NORTH suffered a major economic blow yesterday when it was confirmed one of its “blue ribbon” technology companies was closing a plant with the loss of nearly 1,000 jobs.

The North suffered a major economic blow today when it was confirmed one of its "blue ribbon" technology companies was closing a plant with the loss of nearly 1,000 jobs.

Wall Street overcame its recent caution today, with a raft of acquisitions propping up US stocks and lower-than-expected gross domestic product growth easing inflation fears.

A US technology company is investing €129m in its Derry plant in the development of next generation technology for the computer industry, it was announced today.

Emergency workers have carried out an evacuation of a factory in Co Derry.