Drinks company Diageo which owns Guinness, Smirnoff and Baileys has said sales in the first half of its financial year in Ireland were flat but that its overall performance globally produced better-than-expected results.

Here's your morning bulletin.

Blizzard has revealed that its competitive team-based shooter Overwatch has 25 million registered players and counting.

Here's your morning bulletin.

If you needed a reminder as to why seatbelts are so important.

A two-year-old had an unbelievably lucky escape when he fell out the back of his grandfather’s van mid-traffic.

The UN Security Council condemned North Korea’s launch of a long-range rocket that world leaders called a banned test of ballistic missile technology.

Chinese New Year means a veritable Chinese banquet, writes Ciara Mc Donnell

Apple is expected to cut production of its latest iPhone models by about 30% in the January-March quarter due to mounting inventories, the Nikkei reported, rattling the nerves of investors in the US giant’s Asian suppliers.

Brendan O’Neill felt a sense of peace and wellbeing on a visit to the Treaty city.

A nursing home worker in China accused of killing three elderly residents with a brick and injuring 15 other people had argued with his boss over unpaid wages.

Chinese New Year is of particular significance to the thousands of adopted Chinese children living in Ireland and their parents writes 

AS we all know, St Patrick’s Day was last week and we were all able to celebrate our Irishness once again. It’s a festival celebrated globally and we, the Irish, should be honoured to have a festival celebrated so universally.

The Minister for Trade and Development said trade between Ireland and China is now worth €1bn.

China’s stocks fell, dragging the Shanghai Composite Index below 2,000 for the first time in almost six months, as factory output and business spending slowed while concern grew that share sales would divert funds.

Strong sales of alcohol in the Americas have helped European drinks firms to offset sluggish or non-existent growth in Europe and Asia.

Ireland is showcasing its food, drink and giftware as the ‘Country of Honour’ at the Beijing Chaoyang International Spring Carnival this week.

At least nine people have died when fireworks for Chinese New Year celebrations exploded on a lorry in central China, destroying part of an elevated motorway and sending vehicles plummeting 100ft to the ground.

Fireworks for Chinese New Year celebrations have exploded on a lorry in central China, destroying part of an elevated motorway and sending vehicles plummeting 100ft to the ground.

Extremely high pollution levels shrouded eastern China for the second time in two weeks today, forcing airlines in Beijing and elsewhere to cancel flights because of poor visibility and prompting government warnings for residents to stay indoors.

The mothballing of under-performing hotels has to be a last resort and instead efforts should be focused on increasing the numbers of tourists into Ireland.

Asian stock markets were mostly higher today after the US central bank pledged to keep interest rates low for another three years to nurture the country's stubbornly slow economic recovery.

THE Chinese are gearing up to celebrate their most important annual festival — Chinese New Year.

Asian stock markets were mostly higher today amid signs of a strengthening US economy and a solid earnings season there – along with relief that France will retain its sterling credit rating.

A PRESTIGIOUS award bestowed upon University College Cork could help fund a dedicated centre for Chinese culture and language on campus.

NEW YEAR celebrations may sound like old news, but for the Chinese community the fun is just beginning as festivities to mark the start of the Chinese New Year get into full swing today.

YOUR front page (February 15) featured a prominent picture of the Chinese New Year celebrations at a central Dublin location.

SINGLE people in China have come up with an innovative way of pleasing their pushy parents during the annual Lunar New Year holiday — they are renting fake dates.

PRO-TIBETAN protesters scuffled with police yesterday as Chinese premier Wen Jiabao arrived at the Chinese Embassy in London.

Pro-Tibetan protesters scuffled with police today as Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao arrived at the Chinese Embassy in London.

FOOD price inflation has become a recurring theme and with good reason.

An Post are ringing in the Chinese Year of the Rat with a new stamp, it was announced today.

Junior Minister, Conor Lenihan who has responsibility for integration has rejected claims that the Government's new immigration legislation is leaving some migrants confused over their residency rights.

Rail services returned to normal in southern China today after days of delays caused by the worst snow and ice storms in decades.

Snow and ice has caused chaos in China, disrupting the nation's busiest holiday travel season.

BLIZZARDS stranded more than half a million train passengers in a Chinese town yesterday.

Blizzards stranded more than half a million train passengers in a Chinese town today.

A packed line-up of arts, film and music was tonight unveiled in Dublin as part of the capital’s Chinese New Year Celebrations.

Suspected Muslim insurgents launched simultaneous attacks across four provinces in southern Thailand, killing six and wounding at least 50, an army spokesman said.

Celebrations for the Chinese New Year will take place in Smithfield in Dublin today from lunchtime today.

The UK firm whose chips appear in more than half of all Bluetooth headsets and devices delighted investors today by admitting it had under-estimated demand for the wireless technology.

THE High Court has fixed July 6 for the hearing of Smart Telecom’s claim that it is entitled to be awarded the lucrative 3G mobile phone licence.

Dublin will play host to a festival of Chinese art and culture this week as the Chinese New Year is celebrated around the world.