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Eric Clapton has paid tribute to legendary blues musician BB King, who has died aged 89.

Welcome to your Thursday morning briefing. Let us ensure you’re up to speed on what’s happening and are prepared for the day ahead.

WE ARE that stereotypical Cork family that never leaves the confines of the county to venture to the bright lights of Dublin.

IRISH hotel operating group Choice Hotels have taken over management of the Blarney Golf Resort, which was snapped up this year by Northern Ireland-based investor Tommy O’Gorman for c€2.5m, after seeing a c€40 investment in its initial resort and hotel development.

Kya deLongchamps says resilient vintage or antique rosewood retains strong appeal.

Cork artist Fin Dac is building quite a reputation with his impressive murals, writes Marc O’Sullivan.

Dutch technology company Philips says it has struck a deal with music company Gibson Brands of the US to sell its audiovisual equipment business for $135m.

Snapchat plans to put out a more secure version of its application following a breach that allowed hackers to collect the usernames and phone numbers of around 4.6 million of its devotees.

The spirit of John Lennon was alive and well on Cork City’s northside yesterday when a mobile sound studio was laid on for some talented local musicians.

The long-awaited inquiry into British complicity in torture is to be scrapped following the launch of fresh criminal investigations into claims of ill-treatment in Libya, the Justice Secretary said today.

New albums from five acts show a genre thriving on the best US influences, says Gerry Quinn

GIBSON Guitar Corp renewed its plea of innocence yesterday after US agents raided its Tennessee plants and seized rare ebony wood from India used to make some of the world’s most coveted guitars.

ROCK legend Eric Clapton parted with 70 of his guitars in a charity auction that drew hundreds of fans and aficionados, and broke sale estimates.

THE festival season continues in Ireland over the coming month with a uniquely Irish event taking place across Cork, Tipperary and Limerick between July 30 and August 2.

DIVISION 1A:

Stars from the world of rock and roll have paid tribute to guitar legend Les Paul who has died aged 94.

Kylie Minogue has won two gongs at the BT Digital Awards, while Radiohead were named artists of the year.

FOR the second year in a row, the Edge is putting his money where the music is.

Rocker Paul McCartney has donated a 10-foot (three metre) tall guitar sculpture to charity.

“BRING us back a parrot!” was the cry of canal bank Dublin urchins years ago as they waved to barges seen heading to imagined exotic destinations. Like Meath. Or Kildare.

An accident at an air shaft under construction in a southern Indiana mine killed three people today, police said.

Noel Gallagher and James Blunt are joining forces for a new charity project.

A guitar played by George Harrison and John Lennon during Beatles recording sessions sold for more than a quarter of a million pounds at auction.

A recently-discovered guitar, played by George Harrison and John Lennon during Beatles recording sessions, will go under the hammer at Christie’s in New York, the auction house said today.

A 1986 Grammy award was the most expensive item in a three-day auction of the estate of Johnny Cash and his wife that captured nearly $4 million (€3.3 million), more than double its pre-sale estimate.

GIBSON’S film distribution outfit is suing Regal Entertainment Group for e33 million ($40m) or more, claiming the movie chain shortchanged the company on revenues from The Passion of Christ.

As Gibson Guitar Corporation launches a groundbreaking digital model, company chief executive Henry Juszkiewicz can close his eyes and almost hear the music.

THE Passion of Mel Gibson is almost over. Today is Ash Wednesday and his controversial film, The Passion of the Christ opens in cinemas across America. Irish cinemas will show it in early March.

WONDERING what the next ‘must have’ gadget will be? Experts believe a keyboard without any keys, a solar charger for your Gameboy, a talking smoke detector and a digital electric guitar are the next trend-setting products.

Diageo has gained approval for its £5.7bn purchase of Seagram's wine and spirits business.