Society’s obsession with celebrity has never been more intense. But what is central to any understanding of celebrity is the crucial and formative role of the media, says TP O’Mahony

On March 3, it will be 150 years since the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation opened for business. Normally such a milestone would prompt celebration: After all, the bank founded by colonial merchants now ranks among the world’s largest financial institutions. However, any merriment is likely to be mute. For HSBC, the birthday brings challenges as great as any it has ever faced.

The elites in British life are increasingly drawn from a class privileged by the school their parents sent them to, while the prospect of social mobility for the poorer in society decreases steadily, writes Jill Lawless.

THE Irish contingent in Rally Estonia, that begins today, has been whittled down to two drivers following the withdrawal of Kris Meeke and his co-driver Paul Nagle in their Mini John Cooper Works WRC.

British driver Steve Fleck in a Subaru WRC, took a nine second win over Glen Allen (Escort WRC), who led most of the way in the Sligo Rally..