THERE has always been a strain of science fiction concerned with exploring the human condition via journeys to faraway places. 

Hopes have emerged that the Irish operations of HSBC will be unaffected by the bank’s plans to cut up to 50,000 jobs from its worldwide operations.

HSBC chief executive Stuart Gulliver has apologised to MPs for “unacceptable” practices at the bank’s Swiss subsidiary which he said had caused “damage to trust and confidence” in the company.

HSBC reported a 17% fall in annual pre-tax profit and cut its profitability target, saying that allegations its Swiss business had helped customers to dodge taxes had brought shame on the bank.

HSBC chief executive Stuart Gulliver has admitted the banking giant “disappointed” last year after its annual profits slumped 17%.

HSBC Holdings Plc chief executive Stuart Gulliver offered “sincerest apologies” following fresh details of how the bank’s Swiss unit helped customers evade taxes.

HSBC has issued a public apology amid a political row over its Swiss private banking arm, saying it has “no appetite” to deal with clients seeking to dodge tax.

Gary Oldman's fourth wife Alexandra Edenborough has filed for divorce.

Check out our spoiler-free guide to the best TV to watch tonight.

David Campese has uttered the odd verbal gaffe in his time, but the Wallaby legend was prescient enough to foresee the direction rugby was already taking when he announced his formal retirement from the game back in 1999 after one of the most wondrous of careers.

HSBC Holdings Plc, Europe’s largest bank by value, said third-quarter pretax profit rose 30% as the lender cut costs and focused on its most lucrative markets.

Gulliver’s Travels, Everyman, Cork

HSBC’s interim results reveal that the company made a $250m (€188m) settlement in the Irish High Court as a result of investments in Bernie Madoff’s Ponzi scheme.

HSBC revealed a £7.4m pay package for boss Stuart Gulliver today after a year in which the banking giant racked up more massive profits.

Banking giant HSBC today reported a 6% drop in full-year profits to $20.6bn.

A bank that was last year forced to set aside £950m to cover the cost of a mis-selling and money-laundering scandal has declined to comment on reports its chief executive will receive a bonus of around £2m.

Watching Cork-Down encounters over these last two years and the dreamer in you would be inclined to think Gulliver and Lilliput.

Hundreds of mourners yesterday turned out to celebrate the life of hurling great, Jimmy Smyth in his home Clare village of Ruan.

Damian Lewis' children are unimpressed by his role in 'Homeland'.

Composer Shaun Davey says his new musical dips in and out of Jonathan Swift’s most famous book, reports Richard Fitzpatrick

HSBC boss Stuart Gulliver apologised for “the mistakes of the past” today as the banking giant set aside a further $1.5bn to cover the cost of mis-selling claims and a money-laundering scandal in the US.

HSBC Holdings plc said a $1bn (€760m) increase in its wages bill in Brazil, China and other emerging markets was the price of avoiding the stagnant growth which has dogged some rival lenders more dependent on Europe.

Rapid growth in Asia and a resilient performance in the UK helped drive profits of £13.8bn (€16.3bn) at HSBC today.

HE’S a powerful back-row and an explosive runner who has become a cult figure among his supporters and the subject of tribute videos on the internet.

Mike Scott refuses to tread softly when distilling the work of W B Yeats for a new 14-track album, says Richard Fitzpatrick.

Banking giant HSBC was rebuked by shareholders today over plans that could see chief executive Stuart Gulliver earn up to £12.5m this year.

HSBC put its US branch network and credit cards business under review today as part of a multi-billion dollar cost cutting plan by new boss Stuart Gulliver.

HSBC’s new boss set the scene for an assault on the group’s costs today after the banking giant unveiled a 14% drop in first quarter profits.

Banking giant HSBC is considering selling off branches as it looks to slash costs in its UK retail arm, it was reported today.

Banking giant HSBC today announced plans to reduce maximum bonuses for top bosses, but revealed its chief executive would still be in line for a package worth up to £12.5m (€14.2m) this year.

That we know what happens in the much-filmed version of Irish clergyman Jonathan Swift’s timeless parody on human nature – and travel writing – somehow tells against this latest version … it is, sadly, predictable and disappointingly lacking in novelty.

Banking giant HSBC announced a new UK boss today as part of a management reshuffle by incoming chief executive Stuart Gulliver.

HSBC chief executive Michael Geoghegan is to step down by the end of the year in a major boardroom shake-up, the banking giant said today.

CROKE PARK on a non-match day can be a deceiving place.

Jack Black has signed up for a giant new role, playing Jonathan Swift's fictional adventurer in a new movie version of 'Gulliver's Travels'.

THE Northern Ireland Tourist Board (NITB) yesterday rejected stinging criticism from Gulliver Ireland that it is wasting taxpayers money.