Lean business consultancy Leading Edge has signed five contracts worth a combined $350,000 (€275,000) with clients in their Canadian territories.

More than 1,000 international businesses are expected to spend over €35m snapping up the latest Irish crafts at a major trade show in Dublin.

Europe’s population grew by a mere 0.23% in 2003, with two million immigrants making up for a negative natural population growth, according to a Council of Europe study published today.

The ISEQ index of Irish shares closed up 21.49 points today to 5439.61.