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

SFA predicts major slump in job creation

Small businesses are set to create fewer jobs this year than any other year since records began, new survey evidence suggests.

The Small Firms' Association (SFA) published its national employment survey yesterday, showing that only 7,787 jobs will be created by the sector this year, far lower than the 50,243 jobs created last year.

Launching the report yesterday, SFA director Patricia Callan said businesses were turning to better use of information technology in an effort to avoid hiring more staff. But she added that high inflation and high labour costs were also hurting the ability of Irish business to create jobs.

Thomson in talks to buy Reuters

Canadian publisher Thomson is in talks to buy Reuters for about £8.8 billion (€12.9 billion), to create the world's biggest news and financial data company, the two firms said yesterday.

Under the terms of the proposed deal, Reuters chief executive Tom Glocer would become chief executive of a dual-listed group to be called Thomson-Reuters, the companies said in a joint statement.- (Reuters)

Profits slip at Connacht Gold

Operating profits at dairy and food service company Connacht Gold Co-op slipped marginally last year, despite a 13 per cent rise in turnover to €309.3 million.

The company posted an operating profit of €3.2 million for 2006, around €90,000 down on 2005, due largely to a €3 million rise in operating costs to €28.7 million. Personnel costs also increased by €1.4 million to €25.3 million during 2006.

82% increase in profits at Allianz

Allianz, the German insurer that sells products in Ireland, yesterday revealed an 82 per cent jump in first-quarter profits, boosted by capital investment gains.

The company had net income of €3.2 billion in the first three months of the year, compared with €1.8 billion in the same period last year. Total revenues fell 1.1 per cent to €29.3 billion.

Long-haul numbers down at Aer Lingus

Long-haul passenger numbers fell 3.8 per cent to 100,000 at Aer Lingus in April compared to the same month in 2006, the airline said yesterday. Short-haul traffic, however, was up by 3.3 per cent to 679,000.

The load factor - the number of seats filled on each plane - last month fell to 78 per cent, from 82.8 per cent in April 2006.

ESB shortlisted for Nigerian deal

The ESB's international division's bid to manage Nigeria's electricity transmission system has been shortlisted by the African country's government. Its two competitors are the Power Grid Corporation of India, and Manitoba Hydro International of Canada.

Island adds to stake in gas field

Exploration group Island Oil & Gas yesterday confirmed the purchase of an additional 20 per cent interest in the Schull gas field in the Celtic Sea.