Good afternoon. Here’s all the news you need to know this lunchtime.

Should we aim to score a non-threatening seven out of 10, looking not too hot or too plain at work? Vicki Notaro asks if one woman’s controversial theory holds any truth.

Credit unions will aim to have issued 500,000 of their new debit cards within the next five years to make the project viable, according to the head of the company rolling out the project.

Almost 220 jobs are to be created by entrepreneurial start-ups over the next 12 months.

Venture capital chief says there’s plenty of money available for start-ups, writes John Hearne.

Ministers from around Britain and Ireland will convene in Stirling, Scotland today to discuss shared priorities in boosting energy generation and tackling unemployment.

Nico Rosberg has emerged as the man to beat in qualifying for the Bahrain Grand Prix on a morning when a full complement of cars again took to the track.

Armoured vehicles have been deployed onto the streets of the Bahraini capital Manama following another night of clashes between police and protestors.

A trio of Formula One’s world champions today refused to be drawn on the burning issue overshadowing this weekend’s controversial Bahrain Grand Prix.

Paul di Resta claims there is now “an edge” to this weekend’s Bahrain Grand Prix in the wake of Force India personnel being involved in a petrol bomb incident last night.

Police and anti-government protesters were again involved in a running battle on the outskirts of Bahraini capital Manama just days ahead of this weekend’s Formula One grand prix.

The onus on whether this year’s Bahrain Grand Prix goes ahead has been placed squarely on the shoulders of the FIA.

Bahrain International Circuit chairman Zayed R Alzayani believes the return of Formula One to the Gulf kingdom will bring new hope to the region.

The Bahrain Grand Prix has returned to this year’s Formula One calendar after a meeting of the FIA World Motor Sport Council in Bahrain today.

The season-opening race of the new Formula One campaign in Bahrain has today been officially called off.

OWN your own pothole – except that when you pay the €50 for the privilege, it will be properly filled in and have your name attached, so every tyre rolling smoothly over it will know who it must thank.

PAYMENT risk specialists Onformonics has raised €600,000 to fund its European growth plans.

DUBLIN Business Innovation Centre (BIC), assisted in the establishment of 16 new export-oriented hi-tech Irish start-up companies in 2008.

Leaders in the North were today edging towards a deal to ensure they can attend a high profile political meeting planned for Scotland on Friday.

The North's Assembly sessions are in danger of being cut back if the crisis facing the Executive is not tackled, it was warned today.

The fight against drugs will be one of the key issues on the agenda as political leaders from the Irish and British governments as well as other devolved administrations meet in Dublin today.

BUDDING entrepreneurs who are not sure where to go for finance to start off their new venture are being invited to a key event in Waterford.

The Good Friday Agreement has already been reviewed and must not be re-negotiated, An Taoiseach Bertie Ahern said today.

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern travels to Guernsey today for the sixth summit of the British-Irish Council.

NORTHERN technology firm BIC Systems has been sold to British Telecom for about €25 million.