Soldier Killed

Alliance North Down MLA Stephen Farry has offered his condolences to the family of a soldier who was killed on duty in Afghanistan. The solider was from the 2nd Battalion of the Mercian Regiment and was based in Holywood barracks. "He was playing his part in bringing peace and stability to a troubled country. The courage shown by our soldiers in working in such a hostile environment to bring security to the region should be rightly commended and praised."

Sponsors Announced At University Awards

Accounting and Business students were given a boost this week after four top accountancy firms made sponsorship pledges to the University of Ulster. PwC, Ernst and Young, ASM Professional Services and CIMA Ireland are to sponsor six new awards in the Department of Accounting’s Annual Student Awards for High Achievement, beginning in 2012. Dr Gillian Armstrong, Head of Accounting at the Ulster Business School announced the new sponsors at this year’s Awards ceremony held in the Belfast campus last week.

Junior Certificate Scrapped

The Republic of Ireland's use of the current Junior Cert is to end with the process abolished and replaced. The Dáil Minister for Education Ruairí Quinn has described its replacement as a radical new system to address the problem of rote learning and provide for greater creativity and innovation. Strike Action Looms At Troubled Aviva

Under threat staff at Aviva who are members of the UNITE union have voted in favour of industrial action if jobs are put at risk or relocation measures are started ahead of any agreement with staff. The insurer announced two weeks ago that it was to cut 950 jobs in Ireland and potentially outsource a further 300. The job loses will all be in the Irish Republic, with Aviva's NI operation unaffected.

(BMcC)