"It takes a couple of years, but then you can pretty much write your own ticket, " says Jay Wommack, president of Vertical Alliance Group, a placement service for blue-collar jobs.

FORBES: Magazine Article

"It came as a major disappointment to unionist councillors that the Alliance Party refused to support red, white and blue lighting for the Queen's official birthday and red and black lighting to mark Remembrance Day, " he said.

BBC: Rays of light over Belfast City Hall

The proposal includes a community relations commission, a blue-ribbon panel to represent community concerns, a diverse interfaith alliance and an anti-violence campaign.

CNN: STORY HIGHLIGHTS

The alliance members have a gentleman's agreement not to poach business in each others' blue-chip shares, but nobody expects that to last.

ECONOMIST: European stock exchanges