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.

Fri, 14 Nov, 2014 - 00:00

Steve Neville

BRIEFING TOP STORY

DÁIL SOAP OPERAFARCE MORE TOYTOWN THAN TENSE

As the Sinn Féin sit-in wore on the atmosphere in the Dáil chamber became slightly surreal — though it was always more toytown than tense.

IRISH NEWS

30,000 CANCELLED HEALTH COVER IN LAST 12 MONTHS

Around 30,000 people have cancelled their health insurance cover over the past 12 months.

RUSSELL BRAND WADES INTO WATER CHARGES ROW

British comedian and activist Russell Brand has waded into the Irish Water debate, claiming people are to be charged for "their most basic right" here because of "irresponsible government policies".

WORLD NEWS

IS CHIEF ENDS DEATH RUMOURS WITH AUDIO RELEASE

The head of the extremist Islamic State group has said it will fight to the last man.

SHADOW CAST OVER PROBE'S MISSION

Europe’s comet lander Philae has come to rest in the shadow of a cliff, posing a potential problem for its solar panels, scientists said as they published the first image ever taken from the surface of a comet.

SPORT

O'NEILL CALLS FOR COOL HEADS

It’s been quite a while since there has been such a feverish build-up to an Ireland game.

O'DONNELL BACK TO HIS RAMPAGING BEST FOR GEORGIA CLASH

Life may well be a game of inches but Tommy O’Donnell’s rugby resurgence this season has been taken ounce by ounce.

BUSINESS

BANK WARNS RULES WILL HURT FIRST TIME BUYERS

The chief executive of Ulster Bank, Jim Brown, has warned that the new Central Bank rules on 20% deposits will weigh on the ability of first-time buyers to get on the property ladder.

VIEWPOINTS

AN OVERLOOKED SCANDAL THAT HAD ECHOES OF EARLIER SHOTGUN KILLING

In 1982, the country was stunned by a series of scandals.

EXAMVIRAL

NOW THERE'S A RAP AGAINST THE WATER CHARGES

Dublin hip hop group, J E Syllable, have just uploaded a rap onto YouTube against the water charges.

SHOWBIZ

BOWIE REVEALS BRAND NEW VIDEO

David Bowie has today unveiled his brand new music video ‘Sue (Or In A Season Of Crime)’.

TOP FEATURES

THE EVERYDAY FACE OF ISLAM IN IRELAND

The bloodthirsty rise of ISIS has been uncomfortable for Muslims in Ireland. Ellie O’Byrne met up with some including a 16 year old who can’t chat to friends about his early years in Iraq and Syria.