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

Bombardier’s $155m order to benefit Belfast

Canadian aircraft manufacturer Bombardier has confirmed a $155 million (€117 million) order for seven aircraft which should underpin component manufacturing jobs in Belfast, writes Dan Keenan.

Five medium-sized Learjet aircraft and two larger Challenger business jets have been ordered by German purchaser Jet Air Flug.

No new jobs are expected to be announced, but manufacturing positions at Bombardier’s Belfast plant should be made more secure.

Nama takes over loans on 139 hotels

The National Asset Management Agency has taken over loans secured on 139 hotels, according to Department of Finance figures.

Eighty-seven hotels are in Ireland, 37 are in Britain, five each are in Germany and France, two are in the Czech Republic and one each is in Belgium, Malta and Spain.

Nama plans to develop a hotel strategy towards the middle of next year and has acknowledged that some may not remain hotels.