1. Trump
Donald Trump's predicted swing to the centre ground never materialised when he addressed the fouth day of the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, Ohio. Instead, the presidential candidate used his 75 minute speech to appeal to US fears over terrorism, lawlessness and security – and he reiterated his promise to build and anti-immigration wall.
2. Construction courses
Prospective college students moved away from construction courses in the wake of the economic crash some years ago but new figures show applicants are now flocking back to third level degrees linked to the economic recovery. Interest in architecture, engineering, construction and business has surged.
3. Hollande
French president Francois Hollande, on his visit to Dublin on Thursday, told the Irish what they wanted to hear: The land Border in Ireland, and the need to protect the peace process, means that special arrangements will at least be up for discussion when the EU and Britain begin negotiations on Brexit.
4. USC
Fine Gael pledged to cut USC in the October budget. But now the Department of Finance has said that doing so would leave the Government with limited room to meet other tax commitments. But the Government remains likely to push ahead with a reduction to the main 5.5 per cent rate.
5. Bins
Local authorities will be able to find and target households that do not pay bin charges, under regulations introduced from the beginning of July. When requested, waste companies will have to provide the names and addresses of people who do pay bin charges to local authorities.