WHITE collar criminals in Ireland face a maximum jail term of 10 years in sharp contrast with the life sentences handed down to the leading executives of Enron in the US on Thursday.

Former WorldCom chief Bernard Ebbers, convicted last month of orchestrating the €8bn accounting fraud that sank the company, has asked for a new trial, citing unfair rulings by the judge.

THE US junk bond market is showing signs of life as bond prices edge up and more companies conduct sales.