A tricolour blows in the wind as dark clouds appear in Dublin earlier today. Image: Sam Boal/Photocall Ireland.

THINGS WE LEARNED

#NO HAND, ACT OR PART: Under fire Health Minister James Reilly has told the Dáil that he had no role in choosing a site in Balbriggan for a primary care centre.

#JOBSWATCH: It was a mixed day on the jobs front with pharma giant MSD announcing that it will be looking for 90 voluntary redundancies from among its 455 staff at Brinny, county Cork over the next six months, while generic drug firm Aspen said it will create 44 jobs as it expands its Dublin operation.

#ABDUCTED: The search for five-year-old Welsh girl April Jones continues across the water with her mother making an emotional appeal for the return of her daughter. Police say they have 20 search sites and have received about 400 messages since an appeal for information earlier today.

#A CLINTON IN IRELAND: Hillary that is. The US Secretary of State is expected to be one of about 50 foreign ministers to visit Dublin in December for a two-day meeting just 24-hours after the Budget announcement.

#QUINNS IN COURT: According to RTÉ , the Supreme Court has been told by lawyers for IBRC that crucial new evidence about Seán Quinn Junior has emerged. They claim he had control over companies in the family group right up to and throughout a High Court case for contempt earlier this year.

#SCIENCE: Seeing this photo will make you more productive at work. So says science.

THINGS WE LOVED:

• The ISPCA just sent us this image of Jackie, a little Jack Russell who was recently rescued from a locked dog house. She had been shut inside for her whole life as the door of the small kennel was blocked by two pieces of concrete. She will be available for re-homing soon. Great news!
• The Cut has just started a new confessional series about the lies we’ve told in the past. Today’s offering from Jillian Goodman is one we can all probably relate to. Who didn’t want to swap their brown bread sandwich for a Cheesestring?
• This Opportunity of the Day. Turtle Power required.

THINGS WE SHARED:

• Are you staying up for the first debate of the US Presidential Election campaign? If so, Buzzfeed’s drinking game will keep you going.
• Speaking of Barack Obama and Mitt Romney:

• It’s been up for just 24 hours but Sminky Animation’s latest video on breast cancer awareness month is getting some attention. We’re not surprised:

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