GAMES FIRM TARGETS MOTOROLA STAFF - The Irish Times says Havok, a leading Irish supplier of interactive software and video games, is set to come to the rescue of some workers at the Motorola plant in Cork which is due to close at the end of May with the loss of 330 jobs.
The paper says Havok, which has provided the technology for top grossing films such as Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter and Troy, plans to interview a number of engineers from the Mahon plant over the next two weeks.
The interviews arise out of a jobs advertisement last month that Havok aimed at Motorola employees. Executives at Havok have vowed to open an office in Cork if they can attract over 10 staff from Motorola.
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BASF UPROOTS GM POTATO TRIALS - The Irish Independent reports that chemical giant BASF has abandoned its plans to grow genetically modified potatoes in Ireland. The paper says it is now opting to grow them in Britain where there are fewer restrictions.
According to the Indo, a company spokesperson confirmed that the company would not be going ahead with field trials in Co Meath which received approval from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) last year.
BASF delayed starting the trial last year citing the onerous monitoring requirements imposed by the EPA. The firm said at the time that it would assess whether it could find a way to proceed in 2007.
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HALLIBURTON TO MOVE TO KUWAIT - The Financial Times says Halliburton, the oil services company once run by Dick Cheney, the US vice-president, has provided further evidence that the focus of many big US companies is shifting overseas by announcing plans to move its chief executive to Dubai.
Dave Lesar, Halliburton's chairman and chief executive, said his decision to relocate reflected the faster growth in oil exploration and production in the eastern hemisphere. The FT says Halliburton, whose Middle East operations have been in Dubai for 15 years, is also considering a share listing in the region. Other top executives, including the chief operating officer and chief financial officer, will remain in Houston.
But the paper says the move is likely to be seen as a blow to the US oil and gas industry, in which the company has played a prominent role since it was founded in 1919.
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MIDDLE EAST MONEY FOR ASTON MARTIN - Most British newspapers report on the sale of car company Aston Martin. The Guardian says details of the Middle Eastern money backing the buyout emerged yesterday.
It says Ford is close to agreeing the £450m sale of the classic British car business to a consortium led by the motor enthusiast David Richards and an announcement could be made as early as today.
The British businessman has secured backing from, among others, the Kuwaiti firms Investment Dar and Adeem Investment, according to the Guardian.
The paper says the US auto manufacturer is being forced to sell off the luxury sports car brand in an effort to repair its balance sheet - but will hold on to a share of around 15%.
