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

SOMETHING RISING AT THE TECH MECCA

THE stars kept on coming yesterday at the Web Summit. Even as your correspondent was heading for the train, for instance, Adrian Grenier, better known as Vince from Entourage, was ascending the press conference stage to field questions.

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IRISH NEWS

COUNCIL WORKERS ON FLOOD ALERT FOR WEEKEND

Workers from Cork City and county councils will remain on flood alert for the next few days as high tides threaten coastal areas.

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ECB OFFICIALS URGED TO APPEAR AT BANK INQUIRY

The ECB has given a cool response to suggestions its officials should appear before the Oireachtas banking inquiry, whose members believe fresh questions have been raised with the release of correspondence from the height of the eurozone crisis.

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WORLD NEWS

FACEBOOK BUTTON TO AID EBOLA BATTLE FUND

Facebook is stepping up its efforts to fight ebola by adding a button designed to make it easier for its users to donate to charities battling the disease.

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READING AS A YOUNGSTER PAYS OFF LATER IN LIFE

Children who always have their nose in a book are likely to end up with a better vocabulary as adults, research has found.

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SPORT

CENTRES CALL A LEAP OF FAITH ADMITS SCHMIDT

Joe Schmidt admitted he was taking a step into the unknown by sending rookie Test centres Jared Payne and Robbie Henshaw up against South Africa tomorrow.

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REED IN HOT WATER AS G-MAC SHINES

Ryder Cup star Patrick Reed has apologised for an "unacceptable" foul-mouthed outburst on the opening day of the WGC-HSBC Champions Event in Shanghai, but is still set to be punished by the PGA Tour.

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BUSINESS

GLANBIA DEFENDS TAX STATUS AGAINST CLAIMS

Glanbia has defended itself against claims it used Luxembourg-based subsidiaries to lower its Irish tax bill, saying it had an effective corporate tax rate of 17% last year on its global earnings, with the majority of payments made to the Irish exchequer.

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VIEWPOINTS

GOVERNMENT MUST ACT SWIFTLY TO TURN BACK TIDE OVER IRISH WATER

OUR establishment politicians are now held so low in the public’s estimation that voters appear to favour a party led by a man who has been mired in rape and child abuse controversies and has outstanding questions to answer on both.

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EXAMVIRAL

VIDEO: MONTY THE PENGUIN WILL WARM YOUR HEART THIS CHRISTMAS

Monty is the star of the latest John Lewis Christmas advert and will steal your heart this year.

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SHOWBIZ

DISNEY PIXAR CONFIRMS PLANS FOR TOY STORY 4

Buzz Lightyear and Sheriff Woody are coming back to the big screen.

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TOP FEATURES

BAKE YOUR OWN CHRISTMAS CKAE WITH RACHEL ALLEN

Half of us think a home-made Christmas cake is out of reach – and Rachel Allen is out to prove us wrong. Claire Spreadbury dons an apron and discovers just how easy a festive bake can be

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MOST READ RIGHT NOW ...

14 LIFE SAVING FLIGHT SAFETY QUESTIONS WE NEVER BOTHER TO ASK IN FLIGHT

Think back to the last time you were on a plane. Did you listen to the safety demonstration? Or did you have your music in, face mask on, and choose to be oblivious to the world around you?

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