The Briefing - Your Thursday morning news catch up

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.

Thu, 16 Oct, 2014 - 01:00

Greg Murphy

BRIEFING TOP STORY

3D PRINTED HEART HELPS TO SAVE BABY

The life of a baby boy born with a complicated congenital heart defect has been saved after his surgeons made use of a 3D-printed heart.

IRISH NEWS

CORK WATER CHARGE PROTESTER CALLS OFF HUNGER STRIKE

The young man who called off his anti water charges hunger strike last night has pledged to devote his energy to fighting the tax in an organised manner.

MOST CHILDREN UNDER SEVEN DON'T KNOW THEIR VEGETABLES

The majority of children aged under seven are unable to correctly identify common vegetables.

WORLD NEWS

APPLE EXPECTED TO LAUNCH REFRESHED IPAD AIR AND IPAD MINI TODAY

Technology giant Apple is expected to introduce more new hardware products at its live event in California today.

GOOGLE GLASS MAN TREATED FOR ADDICTION

An American man has been admitted into the US navy’s substance abuse programme after showing signs of addiction to Google Glass.

SPORT

O'GARA: I'LL BE AWAY FOR YEARS

Ronan O’Gara has no plans to follow Johnny Sexton home at the end of the season.

MCDOWELL MORE MOTIVATED THAN EVER FOR TITLES

Graeme McDowell outlined a renewed commitment and some ambitious career targets after making an ideal start to the defence of his Volvo World Match Play Championship title.

BUSINESS

IRISH BANKS CONCLUDE ECB STRESS TEST TALKS

Finance Minister Michael Noonan has said if Permanent TSB Group Holdings, the 99.2% government- owned lender, needs to raise capital after European stress tests this month, it can do so in the markets and not upset state finances.

VIEWPOINTS

MACHIAVELLI WANDERING ONTO SET OF KILLINASKULLY

The saga of the Taoiseach, the turbulent TD, his assistant/fiancee and her diamond ring is made for TV – except maybe it would be too far-fetched for a producer to consider, says Michael Clifford

EXAM VIRAL

IRISH PHOTOGRAPHER AMONG WINNERS IN ONE OF THE WORLDS BIGGEST PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITIONS

A striking black and white picture taken by a Dublin man has won an international urban photography competition.

SHOWBIZ

NEIL PATRICK HARRIS TO HOST OSCARS

Neil Patrick Harris is set to host the 2015 Oscars.

TOP FEATURES

MARY BLACK HAS MUSIC, BOOKS AND A LAST CALL

Depression, working mother guilt and working as a child to pay for her school uniform, the legendary Mary Black talks to Caroline O’ Doherty about her long-awaited autobiography.