A round-up of today's other stories in brief.
260 jobs at risk in Antrim medical firm
Up to 260 manufacturing jobs are at risk after a Co Antrim firm yesterday said it would begin its shutdown in February.
Ballymoney-based Tyco Healthcare, which manufactures medical equipment, told staff about the closure yesterday afternoon, according to local DUP Assembly member Mervyn Storey. He said the operation had been there for more than 40 years. "It is a devastating blow to the town. It looks as though the company is saying it will close." - (PA)
Regulator approves DCC acquisition
The £50 million (€73.64 million) acquisition by industrial holding group DCC of British oil distribution business CPL Petroleum has been cleared by the British Office of Fair Trading (OFT).
The deal, initially announced last month, was subject to OFT clearance.
CPL Petroleum is a leading supplier of transport fuels and heating oils to commercial, industrial, domestic and agricultural customers in Britain. It operates from 39 depots with a fleet of 200 road tankers and 481 employees.
ComReg appoints commissioner
Alex Chisholm has been appointed as a commissioner with communications regulator ComReg.
Mr Chisholm's appointment is for a four-year period beginning in October. He is currently commercial director of SkupeNet, an Irish provider of online advertising and e-commerce services, and has previously worked as a senior policymaker at the department of trade and industry in Britain.
He joins ComReg's two commissioners, chairman Mike Byrne and John Doherty.
10 BA executives may be extradited
The US government has identified 10 current and former British Airways executives who are liable to possible extradition and criminal prosecution over their alleged involvement in a price-fixing scandal that has already cost the airline a $300 million (€219.5 million) fine.
In a legal document filed at a federal court in Washington, the US department of justice singles out the 10 individuals as being exempt from a plea bargain granting immunity to prosecution for all other BA directors, officers and employees.
The most senior serving executive is BA's director of operations, Gareth Kirkwood, who oversees all in-flight services and crew planning at the national flag carrier. Others include Andrew Crowley, head of UK and Ireland sales; Ian Barrigan, business development manager; and Anthony Nothman, manager for international customer services at BA's cargo division.
A BA spokeswoman said the executives would continue to work for the airline full-time and the airline had agreed to let them co-operate fully with the investigation. - (Guardian service)
Appointments at Alanis Capital
Property investment and development group Alanis Capital has made two senior appointments. Anglo Irish Bank executive Marcus Ryan takes up the position of director and joins founder John McCormack and his sons as a partner in the firm.
Fergal O'Beirne joins as chief operations officer. He previously worked with NTR, Horizon technology and Bord na Móna.
Oil prices surge on supply concerns
Oil prices jumped more than $1 to over $71 (€51.96) a barrel yesterday as US refinery problems spurred concerns about fuel supplies.
US crude for October delivery settled up $1.26 to $71.09 a barrel, after a 57 cents gain on Thursday. London Brent crude rose 76 cents to $70.62 a barrel.
