In Short

A round-up of today's other stories in brief.

Green light for electricity price rises

The energy regulator Tom Reeves has signed off on electricity price rises for next year of 4.1 per cent. The rises - which were announced last month - will kick in from the new year.

The 4.1 per cent figure is an average, with householders having to pay 3.1 per cent. However large industrial users are facing hikes of up to 8.04 per cent.

Oil steadies on weaker demand

Oil steadied near $62 yesterday as the market sought to balance weakening fuel demand in the United States against lost supplies of gasoline and heating oil from US and French refiners.

Washington's readiness to use emergency oil reserves this winter has helped drag prices $5 lower this week, although they are still 42 per cent higher than the start of the year.

US crude was up 34 cents at $61.70 a barrel after a five-day losing streak. Prices are now nearly 13 per cent below their all-time high of $70.85 struck in late August. London's Brent crude was up 35 cents at $58.72.

Prices fell this week after US data showed the world's top consumer was burning less gasoline and other fuels. - (Reuters)

Dell gives systems as hurricane relief

Computer giant Dell has shipped more than 20,000 systems to the New Orleans region as part of the Hurricane Katrina relief effort. A portion of the systems were shipped from Dell's facility in Limerick.

The company donated some of the systems, while others were loaned. Some were sold at cost, including laptops supplied to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (Fema) for the management of evacuees.

Separately, Dell has said it expects to join with its employees to donate up to $2 million (€1.6 million) to the American Red Cross. The company's founder, Michael Dell, has pledged a further $5 million through the Michael and Susan Dell Foundation.

Salesforce names Conway to board

Salesforce.com, the online marketing services group, yesterday announced the appointment of Craig Conway to the group's board of directors.

Mr Conway, formerly chief executive of PeopleSoft, will take up the position immediately, bringing the number on Salesforce's board to seven.

Salesforce, a US company that employs more than 60 people at its Irish operation in Dublin, said it had 16,900 customers and 308,000 paying subscribers as of the end of July. This compares with 15,500 customers 267,000 paying subscribers at the end of April.

Competitiveness 'key' to economy

Competitiveness is key to the Republic's continuing economic success, the secretary general of accountancy body ACCA said yesterday. In an address to ACCA's annual lunch in Dublin, Tom Considine said a competitive economy was essential both for the protection of existing jobs and for generating new investment.

Delphi facing bankruptcy threat

Delphi shares plunged 53 per cent yesterday amid concerns the largest US auto parts supplier may be unable to reach a deal with former parent General Motors (GM) and its unions to avert a bankruptcy filing.

Delphi is seeking financial help from GM and concessions from the United Auto Workers to restructure its money-losing US operations and has said it needs at least the framework of a deal in place by October 17th.- (Reuters)