Men Taken To Hospital After Attack

Two men have been taken to hospital following an attack in their east Belfast home. Both men who lived in the house received head injuries, although they are not thought to be life threatening. The incident took place at around 8pm on Wednesday, when three men arrived at a house in the Parklands complex armed with what is believed to be a wooden bat and an iron bar.

TA Troops Return

Medals in recognition of Afghanistan service are to be presented to TA soldiers who have just arrived back into Northern Ireland. The ceremony will take place at Hillsborough Castle at the end of the month and be followed by homecoming parades in Ballymena and Belfast, while 2nd Battalion RIR will be awarded the freedom of the borough of Larne. There were emotional scenes at Abbotscroft Territorial Army base in Newtownabbey this week - as well as in other locations - as the soldiers returning home from their six-month tour and were reunited with their loved ones. The men of 'Imjin' Company 2nd Battalion RIR were greeted by a piper's rendition of the regimental march, Killaloe, along with cheers from waiting friends and family.

Skills Aid For Belfast

Belfast City Council has just launched the third wave of its successful Strategy in Business Initiative. The initiative aims to help small businesses and social enterprises in Belfast develop the practical skills necessary to think strategically and plan for future growth. Delivered by TIME Associates on behalf of Belfast City Council, the programme will include interactive strategy workshops and business mentoring from experienced business consultants. Martin Magennis, Programme Manager and Director with Time Associates said: "This initiative is ideal for small businesses looking to move to the next level. Too often, we see small businesses 'getting stuck', when really all they need is the right type of expert advice and support to grow the business sensibly."

Asda Boost For Jobs

National food retailer, Asda has created more than 30 new jobs at a Co Antrim store with the expansion of the company's home delivery service. The announcement was made by Asda Chief Executive Andy Bond during his recent visit to Northern Ireland. Mr Bond revealed that the extension of the home shopping service to the Ballyclare store will eventually create up to 40 jobs for the area. It is understood that 31 new employees have been taken on in recent weeks, with several more positions yet to be filled. The latest recruitment drive brings the total number of people employed at the store to 273.

During his visit to Ballyclare, Mr Bond met South Antrim MP William McCrea, local MLAs and councillors, as well as staff and customers. Mr McCrea welcomed the Chief Executive's visit to Ballyclare, describing the latest job creation as "a positive development for the local area".

(BMcC/KMcA)