A round-up of today's other stories in brief...

Last-ditch bid to avoid B of I strike action

Trade union officials are to meet Bank of Ireland representatives this morning at the Labour Relations Commission in a last-ditch attempt to avert strike action over the bank's proposed new pension scheme.

Industrial action is planned for the bank's head office tomorrow and on November 22nd.

The Amicus trade union has said it will "explore any avenue" to secure its members' pension entitlements. Over 90 per cent of Amicus members employed by the bank voted in favour of striking.

Morris to resign as TV3 chairman

TV3 has announced that James Morris is to step down as its chairman, having held the position since 1998. Mr Morris is a founder of the broadcasting company.

TV3 was recently taken over by London-based private equity group Doughty Hanson, together with the station's management.

David McRedmond was recently appointed as chief executive.

Biotrin signs deal with US body

Dublin-headquartered diagnostics company Biotrin International has signed a licencing agreement with the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in Washington DC, which will enable it to test the effectiveness of the human papilloma virus cervical cancer vaccine.

The recently-launched vaccine is expected to eliminate 70 per cent of cervical cancers worldwide.

Medical devices group raises €1.6m

Ansamed, a Co Roscommon-based medical devices group, has raised €1.6 million to fund future research and development activity and to build its sales and marketing strategy.

The fundraising came from specialist investment groups such as WDC Investment Fund and Enterprise Ireland, as well as existing private shareholders Enterprise Equity and Glanbia.

Ansamed, which was established in 2001, specialises in the development and manufacture of plastic extrusions for the medical device industry. Chief executive Bairbre Meehan said the new funding will help the company increase its share of the market through new contract wins and product expansion.

New chief at Deutsche Telekom

Deutsche Telekom yesterday named René Obermann, the head of its mobile phone operations, as group chief executive in succession to Kai-Uwe Ricke.

Mr Obermann is expected to bring a new style of implementing restructuring measures rather than a new strategy, people familiar with the management and supervisory boards said.

Mr Obermann, who takes over with immediate effect, said he would concentrate on improving customer service while cutting costs. - (Financial Times service)

US carmakers warn Bush

The chief executives of the three Detroit-based US carmakers will tell president George W Bush today that US energy, healthcare and trade policies are blunting their competitive edge against fast-growing Asian rivals.- (Financial Times service)

Top Benetton officers quit

Benetton's chief executive and chief financial officer both quit yesterday as the Italian clothing group looks to move on from a large corporate restructuring and to expand in foreign markets. - (Financial Times service)