BP LAUNCHED a plan to repair its battered image in the United States yesterday, ditching its gaffe-prone chief executive and promising to slim down by trebling an asset sale target to $30 billion (€23bn).

TAOISEACH Brian Cowen has played down suggestions that the rejection of the Lisbon treaty could make US companies more reluctant to invest in Ireland.

The US government was tonight urged to close any loophole which would enable Gerry Adams to raise money at American fundraising events even if he is barred from attending them.