The Briefing - Your Wednesday morning news catch up

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

Wed, 06 Aug, 2014 - 01:00

Robert McNamara

BRIEFING TOP STORY

UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE TIMETABLE 'TOO AMBITIOUS', ADMITS HEALTH MINISTER

The decision to push back the introduction of universal health insurance (UHI) was influenced by fear of imposing a fresh financial burden on families, Health Minister Leo Varadkar has admitted.

IRISH NEWS

MIS-SOLD PPI COULD COST BANKS €500M

The Government is being urged to bring in new laws to ensure banks who mis-sold payment protection insurance (PPI) are forced to compensate thousands of customers, after warnings the sums owed by financial institutions could amount to €500m

GOOGLE SCANS CONTENT OF YOUR GMAIL MESSAGES

Tens of thousand of Gmail account holders in Ireland may be using the email service without realising the company routinely scans the content of their messages.

WORLD NEWS

SURROGATE WOULD BE GLAD TO HAVE TWIN BACK

A Thai surrogate mother raising a Down syndrome baby that she claims was abandoned by his Australian biological parents, said she wants the boy’s healthy twin returned to her after learning the father is a convicted sex offender.

SPACE PROBE ON COURSE TO REACH COMET AFTER 10 YEARS

A European spacecraft is due to rendezvous with an icy comet today after an epic 10-year journey across the Solar System.

SPORT

VAN GAAL: DEFENDERS HARD TO FIND

Louis van Gaal admits it will not be easy to sign the players he thinks are needed to improve Manchester United.

MCGILL: REFERESS UNFAZED BY AN PRE-MATCH EFFORTS TO INLFUENCE THEM

Referees are above and beyond any pre-match attempts by managers or selectors to influence them, according to Feargal McGill, the GAA’s director of games administration and player welfare

BUSINESS

€67M PPI FIGURE 'A DROP IN THE OCEAN'

A leading claims firm has called for a public inquiry into the full extent of payment protection insurance (PPI) mis-selling in Ireland, forecasting that the true amount owed to consumers is around €500m; nearly eight times more than a recent determination.

VIEWPOINTS

RACE TO THE WHITE HOUSE 2016: HILLARY CLINTON VS ELIZABETH WARREN

Hillary Clinton’s political allies would like Democrats to believe she is closer to potential primary rival Elizabeth Warren on issues than her previous record would suggest, according to David Sirota.

SHOWBIZ

INJURY PUTS WINDSOR OUT OF STRICTLY

Strictly Come Dancing pro Robin Windsor has pulled out of this year’s show as a result of a back injury – and is being replaced by Australian dance star Trent Whiddon

TOP FEATURES