General Motors will cut 30,000 jobs and close nine North American assembly, stamping and powertrain plants by 2008 as part of an effort to get production in line with demand and position the world’s biggest carmaker to start making money again after absorbing nearly €3.4bn in losses so far this year.

KERRY Group's acquisition spend in March topped the half billion dollar mark with the purchase yesterday of two US companies for €78 million.

I WAS heartened to read Pat Brosnan’s column (Irish Examiner, Oct 31).