The Briefing - Your Friday morning news catch up

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

BRIEFING TOP STORY

HEALTH CHIEFS BID TO AVOID EBOLA PANIC AS SUSPECTED VICTIM DIES IN DONEGAL

Health officials last night moved to allay fears of a potential ebola outbreak as it carried out tests on a Donegal man who died just days after returning to Ireland from a disease blackspot.

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IRISH NEWS

THIS STATESMAN LEFT US WITH A LEGACY OF PEACE

Albert Reynolds will be remembered not just for his conventional political failures in Ireland but equally for his success as a peacemaker and statesman, writes Gerard Howlin.

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ALBERT REYNOLDS: THE HIGH STAKES TAOISEACH

You could, if you wish, remember Albert Reynolds as the man who wrecked two governments. Or you could remember him as the man who built the peace process.

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WORLD NEWS

MUSLIMS JOIN HUNT TO IDENTIFY FOLEY KILLER

British Muslim leaders urged people to contact police if they knew the man with an English accent who appeared in a video showing the beheading of a US journalist.

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ISRAELI STRIKE KILLS THREE HAMAS COMMANDERS

An Israeli air strike killed three senior Hamas commanders in the Gaza Strip on Thursday, a clear sign of its intention to hit the group’s armed leadership days after a ceasefire failed.

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SPORT

O'NEILL FEARS ENGLAND LURE

Martin O’Neill says England have intensified their efforts to secure dual-eligibility players and has confirmed Jack Grealish, fresh from his Premier League debut for Aston Villa, has asked for more time to consider his international future.

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KINGDOM CHAMGES PUT MAYO ON ALERT

Kerry sources insist manager Eamonn Fitzmaurice has not picked a dummy team for Sunday’s All-Ireland SFC semi-final against Mayo.

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BUSINESS

RYANAIR TO TARGET AER LINGUS PASSENGERS ON BRUSSELS ROUTE

Ryanair is moving into the business passenger market and taking on Aer Lingus in one of its most profitable routes.

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VIEWPOINTS

IT'S AWFUL THAT A TRAGEDY MUST VIE WITH A PAGEANT FOR AN AUDIENCE

There was something surreal about being immersed in a TV discussion on the botched nature of our abortion law, while on another channel the nation indulged in it’s annual "lovely girl" fest, celebrating all that is wonderful, innocent and global-peace loving about young Irish women.

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EXAMVIRAL

BRYAN CRANSTON AND AARON PAUL STAR IN EMMYS PROMO VIDEO

Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul have sent themselves up in a hilarious promotional video for the Emmy Awards.

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SHOWBIZ

ALL THE BECKHAMS DO THE #ICEBUCKETCHALLENGE

Every member of the Beckham clan (except little Harper of course) has taken on theice bucket challenge to raise money and awareness for Motor Neurone Disease research.

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TOP FEATURES

MOVING TO A PLACE IN THE SUN COULD GET YOU LONGER HOLIDAYS

Who gets the most holidays worldwide? With 34 days leave, it’s time to move to Germany or Spain, says Conor Power.

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MOST READ RIGHT NOW ...

DONEGAL: MAN WHO MAY HAVE CONRACTED EBOLA HAD BEEN IN HIGH SPIRITS SINCE RETURN HOME

A man who died in Donegal, and who may have contracted Ebola while working in west Africa, "had been in high spirits since returning home", locals have said.

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