Catch-up with what you've missed so far today with our lunchtime briefing

Good afternoon. Here’s all the news you need to know this lunchtime.

Wed, 31 Aug, 2016 - 01:00

APPLE TAX

Yesterday, the European Commission said that Ireland gave illegal tax benefits to Apple worth up to €13bn and ordered the Government to recoup the money.

The Government is split over plans to appeal the European Commission ruling that technology giant Apple owes the State €13bn in tax amid a growing public backlash over the position.

The Government in its push back was telling anyone who was listening that the Apple case did not involve an assault on Ireland’s 12.5% headline corporate rate and that it had done no wrong in its dealings with the tech giant over the last 15 years.

If Apple wasn’t the most profitable company in the world, it is likely its tax arrangements would have attracted little attention, writes Seamus Coffey.

IRELAND

Gardaí are investigating a possible confession note left by Alan Hawe, 40, at the scene of the Cavan murder-suicide.

The Foreign Affairs Minister Charlie Flanagan is due to meet with Pat Hickey's family this afternoon.

Nineteen Irish people have pleaded not guilty to charges of racketeering in the US state of South Carolina.

The HSE has confirmed that two cabin crew and 10 passengers were taken to University Hospital Limerick after a transatlantic jet encountered turbulence over the Atlantic this morning.

A four-year-old boy from county Dublin has died after a drowning incident in the Caribbean.

WORLD

British Prime Minister Theresa May has told colleagues at the first meeting of Cabinet after the summer break: "Brexit means Brexit, and we're going to make a success of it."

North Korea has executed a vice premier and banished two other senior officials to rural areas for "re-education", according to South Korean officials.

SPORT

Hope Solo received a six-month suspension and had her contract terminated. Now it turns out her reaction to that decision last week was caught on camera.

Former Tipperary star James Woodlock has appealed for "fairness" from referee Brian Gavin in Sunday’s All-Ireland senior hurling final against Kilkenny

BUSINESS

Lidl has emerged as one of the big beneficiaries from the much-threatened cross-border shopping exodus failing to materialise in the Irish grocery market in the aftermath of the recent Brexit vote.

There are some strange things going on in financial markets around the world at present.

LIFESTYLE

If you’ve felt fashion has become like a uniform of late, this could be your season. The September issues of the big fashion mags want us to unleash our inner creativity, writes Carolyn Moore

ANALYSIS

Bereaved mother calls on the government to change laws on partner’s access to mental health treatment, writes Joe Leogue.

VIRAL

Sudocrem is an absolute staple in Irish households, seemingly used for every ailment imaginable. But how much do you really know about this wonderful white elixir, which turns 85 this year?

Take our test and find out if you are taking care of your personal hygiene in the correct way.

VIDEO

Guests at a wedding in County Derry were treated to ‘The A-Team’ of headline acts when Ed Sheeran joined Snow Patrol to perform live for the bride and groom’s first dance.