EVERY DAY, TheJournal.ie brings you a round-up of the day’s biggest stories as well as the bits and pieces you may have missed.

• Independent TD Shane Ross has heavily criticised the government over its forthcoming Budget proposals, which were revealed by TheJournal.ie today. The documents, which outlined the Irish government’s plans for next month’s Budget, had been circulated to the Departments of Finance in the other 26 EU member states ahead of the national announcement. Read our full coverage on the Budget leaks here.
• Gardaí are appealing for information on the whereabouts of John Griffin, who is believed to have faked his own death following the murder of 23-year-old Co Clare woman Emer O’Loughlin seven years ago.
• CERN’s physicists have ruled out a possible error that could have distorted their surprising measurements – which indicated that some sub-atomic particles can travel faster than light – and have found that neutrinos are still travelling faster than light itself. Sorry Einstein.
• Two European Space Agency contracts have been won by two Irish men in Dublin universities, to help them undertake research on ‘accelerated ageing’ and lack of exercise in space. Dr Dónal O’Gorman of DCU and Dr Brian Caulfield of UCD received the contracts from the ESA totalling €135k to research ways to keep astronauts healthy in space.
• Syria says that it will allow observers into the country – but only in principle. The news comes as France called for the UN Security Council to act against President Bashar Assad.
• A 35-year-old man has been arrested following a fire at a Sydney nursing home, which killed four people. Eighty eight people were evacuated from the home after fire broke out, including residents who were bedridden and had dementia.

The work of some of Ireland’s leading artists will come under the hammer at an art auction fundraising event for Marriage Equality; entitled ‘Art for Marriage Equality’, the auction takes place on Saturday 26 November and features pieces from Anne Madden, Pauline Bewick, Steven Mannion, Jim Fitzpatrick and many more.

Pictured with Rebecca Hughes, centre, from Lillies Bordello are, from left, Dawn Quinn, Paul Smith, Moninne Griffith and Darina Brennan with Marriage Equality. Photo: Mark Steadman/Photocall Ireland

• The investigation into the 1981 death of US actress Natalie Wood has been suddenly reopened. It was assumed that 43-year-old Wood drowned after falling into the water accidentally, following an evening drinking with her husband Robert Wagner and friend Christopher Walken on a yacht. However the boat’s captain Dennis Davern said on US TV today that he lied to investigators about the events of that day, and has blamed Wager for her mysterious death.
• Pakistanis will have to think twice before texting about “love pistols” or, em, “headlights” under new regulations banning naughty words that are being brought in the country’s telecommunications authority.
• Because it’s Friday, because they’re fluffy, and because you can’t feel anything but pure and wholesome happiness while looking at one (fact) – please enjoy our slideshow of koalas from around the world…
• Every Friday, TheJournal.ie presents a brilliant Irish short film for you to enjoy as you ease into the weekend… This week: Rapunzel – The Blonde Years.

Final thought – does science ruin the magic of life? Robin Ince doesn’t think so…