PLANET BUSINESS

THE NUMBERS: 1.5- the percentage that the European Central Bank will take euro-zone interest rates to this year, according to Ulster Bank economist Simon Barry - a forecast that bodes well for overburdened peak-property buyers.

 21- in as many months every person in the country will have access to broadband services as a result of a universal coverage deal between the Government and 3 Ireland, says Minister for Communications Eamon Ryan.

200- number of jobs that will be created by Gourmet Burger Kitchen in its first year of operation here. The Kiwi-based franchise opened its sixth Irish store this week in the expectation that more consumers will downgrade from white tablecloth restaurants to posh burger joints.

$44- the price of crude oil on global trading markets this week, with the low demand for oil on course to prompt lower fuel prices for motorists and householders in the months ahead.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

"I'm not saying I can see the green shoots of recovery, but there is a risk that we are starting to sound like a millennialist suicide cult." - Boris Johnson is turning away from the dark side.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK 2

"A solvency crisis is a low probability event." - Davy Research economist Rossa White dismisses recent "hysteria" and says the State still has plenty of options to meet its debt repayments.

GOOD WEEK

THE NEW YORK TIMES

The iconic newspaper has found the solution to its substantial debt problems: call in Carlos Slim, the Mexican multi-billionaire and world's second richest man, who is investing a cool $250 million (€192 million) to help keep the printing presses warm. The loan from the telecoms magnate makes him the second-largest shareholder in the paper.

TECH GIANTS

With sales of iPods hitting an all-time high and iTunes downloads reaching new peaks at Christmas, Apple wrapped up 2008 with the best quarterly revenue and earnings in the Californian company's history, while IBM has issued a 2009 profit outlook that exceeded Wall Street expectations.

SICK LEAVE STAFF

Employees on long-term sick leave are entitled to take all the holidays they have accrued during their absence when they return to work, the European Court of Justice has ruled. If workers are sacked or leave the company, they must receive holiday pay equivalent to the time they were unable to take while ill.

FIAT AND CHRYSLER

Italian carmaker Fiat and Chrysler - one of the US "Big Three" carmakers - have joined forces in a deal that will give Fiat a 35 per cent stake in Chrysler and Chrysler access to Fiat's fuel-efficient vehicle technology. The deal secures the survival of both companies, and protects tens of thousands of jobs, in what is a sticky time for the car industry.

BAD WEEK

To mark "the audacity of hope" inspired by Barack Obama's inauguration, Planet Business is taking a break from doom and gloom for one week only. Next week: more banking turmoil, more job losses, more cancellation of vital public services, more downgrades and more pronouncements of all-round economic misery.