Defenders of the earth risking their lives to save its precious sites, writes Alex Sores

The Egyptian Government has effectively halved its outstanding debt to Irish exploration firm, Circle Oil by paying it $15 million (€13m).

Barclays shares rose 3% today as chairman Marcus Agius’s decision to step down in the wake of the rate-rigging scandal was backed by investors.

The FTSE 100 Index leapt ahead today after US employers shed fewer jobs than feared in August.

Investors had fresh cause for celebration today after London’s second-tier FTSE 250 Index broke through the 10,000 landmark for the first time.