The Briefing - Your Tuesday morning news catch up

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

BRIEFING TOP STORY

CANCER FEARS OVER HIGH LEVELS OF CHEMICALS IN LOOM BANDS

They have the adoration of kids and the blessings of parents but now loom bands — the quiet, creative toy craze — are at the centre of a cancer scare.

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IRISH NEWS

HALF OF YOUNG PEOPLE REGRET LIFE CHOICES AT 21

Forget the mid-life crisis and even the quarter-life precursor — today’s young people are already regretting their life’s choices at the age of 21.

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BRENDAN GLEESON: I WAS MOLESTED BY CHRISTIAN BROTHER

Brendan Gleeson has revealed he was molested as a child by a Christian Brother who "dropped the hand" on him in primary school.

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WORLD NEWS

BOY BORN WITHOUT EARS HAS PAIR MADE FROM OWN RIBS

Not many nine-year-olds desire to have a “big pair of ears” but before the operation it was Kieran Sorkin’s biggest wish.

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TODDLER WAS 'PATIENT ZERO' IN EBOLA CRISIS

A toddler known as ‘patient zero’ who died before Christmas is believed to be the first victim who sparked the ebola crisis.

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SPORT

CRONIN A 'VERY DOUBTFUL STARTER' AGAINST TIPP

Cork senior hurling captain Patrick Cronin looks a "very doubtful" starter for Sunday’s All-Ireland senior hurling semi-final with Tipperary.

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FORDE LEAVES BLUES FOR A NEW FIELD OF DREAMS

Mike Forde knows plenty about summer transfers. Over the last 15 years, he’s recruited some of the world’s greatest footballers to the Premier League.

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BUSINESS

CRIME COSTS SMALL FIRMS €1.5 BN

An acute lack of trust in law enforcement and the judiciary is contributing to a huge increase in crime against small and medium businesses which is costing the sector €1.5bn a year.

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VIEWPOINTS

PLAIN CIGARRETE PACKAGING: A BURNING ISSUE IN THE EU 

Political Reporter Juno McEnroe asks if the Government will have the courage to see plans for a ban on branded cigarette packets through in the face of mounting opposition to the move

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SHOWBIZ

KINGS OF LEON STAR INJURED IN BUS ACCIDENT

Nathan Followill feels "close" to death after breaking his ribs.

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TOP FEATURES

TAKE A TRIP BACK TO YOUR IRISH COLLEGE DAYS

Clare O’Reilly spent five summers of her teenage years at Irish college. This summer she went on a day-trip down memory lane

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MOST READ RIGHT NOW ...

PAYING TRIBUTE TO THE LATE ROBIN WILLIAMS: A LOOK BACK AT HIS BEST MOVIES

Late last night the world learned of the tragic death of actor and comedian Robin Williams.

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