More than 5m jobs will be lost by 2020 as a result of developments in genetics, artificial intelligence, robotics, and other technological change, according to World Economic Forum research.

Italian premier Mario Monti will set the tone for beleaguered business and political leaders gathering in Davos this week for the annual World Economic Forum (WEF), with a speech entitled ‘Leading against the odds’.

Internationally acclaimed playwright Brian Friel celebrated Bloomsday at James Joyce’s alma mater today where he received the university’s highest honour.

The world’s foremost gathering of the best and brightest in government and business failed to come up with any new plan to stem, much less reverse, the global financial meltdown today.

The World Economic Forum settled back into even-tempered discussion of global warming, help for Africa and the faltering world economy today, a day after Middle East tensions ruffled the elite gathering.

IRELAND’s global competitiveness could be in danger of being eroded by the failure to address “basic requirements” such as infrastructure, health and primary education as well as macro-economic stability, according to the World Economic Forum (WEF).

BERTIE Ahern edged back into the international limelight as he took up a global peacemaking role.

U2 front man and activist Bono was today poised to unveil his latest effort to combat the spread of Aids in Africa while Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf was to give a speech about the war on terror.

The leading representatives of capitalism will meet tomorrow in the Swiss Alps, guarded by helicopter gunships and 2,000 troops, to discuss the challenges facing the world.