NEED TO CATCH up? The Journal brings you a round-up of today’s news.

IRELAND

Members of the No Child Left Behind campaign group gather outside Leinster House in Dublin to call for better funding for the childcare sector Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

• The latest draft text of the international agreement to on a minimum global tax for multinationals is to drop the wording that the new rate should be “at least” 15%, it is understood. 
• Gardaí have launched an investigation into claims an undercover sergeant stole from a female Deliveroo rider, The Journal has learned. 
• A prisoner has absconded from an open, low-security prison in Co Cavan. 
• Ireland seems to  be coming close to suppressing Covid-19, Professor Philip Nolan has said. 
• Public health officials have confirmed 1,124 new cases of Covid-19 in Ireland.
• The government has said the support package being prepared for families affected by the mica crisis will be “one of the largest ever”.
• Disadvantaged children are “falling through the cracks” under the Government’s National Childcare Scheme, experts have said.
• Heavy and persistent rain is en route as a weather advisory for 10 counties has been issued.  

INTERNATIONAL

Former Facebook employee Frances Haugen prepares to leave at the end of today's Senate Committee Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

#FACEBOOK: An ex-Facebook employee has told Congress that the social network’s products harm children and fuel polarisation in the US.

#CHURCH: An estimated 330,000 children were victims of sex abuse within France’s Catholic Church over the past 70 years, according to a major report.

#INQUIRY: An independent inquiry will be launched into the “systematic failures” that allowed Sarah Everard’s killer to be employed as a police officer, the UK Home Secretary has announced.

PARTING SHOT

After weeks of speculation, Adele has announced her return. 

Her new single – Easy on Me – is set to be released on 15 October. 

Easy On Me - October 15 pic.twitter.com/7HRvxAfEqy

— Adele (@Adele) October 5, 2021