Sad Journey

The bodies of two British soldiers killed in an explosion in Afghanistan are to be flown back to the UK. Sgt Stuart Millar, 40, from Inverness, and Pte Kevin Elliott, 24, from Dundee, died in a blast in Helmand province during an attack on 31 August. Both of the men served with the Black Watch, 3rd Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland. The two bodies are due to arrive at RAF Lyneham in Wiltshire for a formal repatriation ceremony.

Building 'Shaky'

The construction industry took a further knock this month as the Chartered Institute of Purchasing Supply (CIPS)/Markit Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) showed more declines, but at the slowest rate for 18 months. The headline figure of 47.7 was posted in August, up slightly from last month's 47. A posting below the 50 neutral mark shows contraction, above 50 is growth. Purchasing activity declined even though purchasing managers reported a drop in input costs and there was an expectation that more orders would come in.

Easyjet Hits Turbulence

Jobs are at risk as budget airline Easyjet plans to cut flights out of Luton airport. The airline said it would consult on a reduction of the number of flight crews at its bases in Belfast, Bristol, Newcastle and London Stansted. The airline also plans to close its base at East Midlands airport. The decision comes amid a row over landing charges at Luton. Easyjet said it would look to relocate the flights to more "profitable bases" elsewhere.

Britons Would Pay To be Green

Research released by the Energy Saving Trust reveals that a third of Britons are happy to speculate to accumulate when it comes to housebuying decisions. Of those polled, a third (35%) said they would be willing to pay more for a home where some of their energy supply came from renewable resources such as wind, solar or hydropower. Almost half of those surveyed (49%) said they would like to know if their home is suitable for renewable energy.

Bus Strike Talks

Further discussions are now to take place today (Friday) to try and avert a strike by First Aberdeen bus drivers. Aberdeen City Council's leadership board met both drivers and union officials on Thursday ahead of next week's planned industrial action over pay. The authority wants to avoid industrial action adding to traffic congestion, especially during next week's Offshore Europe conference.

Worker Killed

Construction union UCATT is urgently contacting the Health and Safety Executive about safety concerns following the death of a worker on Tuesday in Aberdeen. The 63-year-old worker died after he fell from scaffolding while working on the former Grampian Hotel Site in Carmelite Lane. The company currently operating the site is understood to be HBC Services Ltd.

Man-Of-War Warning

The shores of Wales are under attack. People are being warned to look out for poisonous Portuguese Man-of-War when they are at the beach. The move follows news that RNLI lifeguards closed Caswell Beach on Gower near Swansea on Tuesday afternoon after several were seen in the sea. Close to 50 of the jellyfish-like creatures were washed up earlier at beaches including Porthdafarch, Porth-y-Post and Rhoscolyn in Anglesey. The creatures deliver a painful sting which can lead to a dangerous allergic reaction. Meanwhile, across the Irish Sea, it has taken two years for an open sea salmon farming facility to recover from a devastating jellyfish 'attack' that destroyed £1m worth of fish.

See: Salmon Farm Lives Again

(BMcC/KMcA)