Catch-up with what you've missed today with our evening briefing
IRELAND
A sister of the teenager who is fighting for his life after taking a suspected designer drug has backed public health warnings to avoid so-called party pills.
Health Minister Leo Varadkar said today that the cancellation of operations is proof that measures to tackle hospital overcrowding are working. hAt least 30 non-urgent elective surgeries in Cork University Hospital have been cancelled.
Sinn Féin's Martin McGuinness has said he would seriously consider attending a Protestant loyal order Twelfth of July commemoration if invited.
Seventeen backroom political personnel in Taoiseach Enda Kenny’s department are earning almost €1.4m a year, with a number handed pay rises since entering office.
Musician Niall Breslin has asked politicians to “park the egos” and admit that mental health services are not even close to being adequate.
Serious allegations that vulnerable people with intellectual disabilities suffered decades of severe sexual abuse at the hands of a foster care family will be forwarded to the garda commissioner over claims the issue is being covered up.
Luas drivers and management will attend talks at the Workplace Relations Commission tomorrow in an effort to avert a strike at the company next month.
WORLD
Twelve migrants have drowned after a boat taking them to the Greek islands capsized in rough weather off Turkey.
Pope Francis is changing church law to correspond to his rule-breaking celebration of the Easter Week ritual of the washing of the feet. Vatican rules for the Holy Thursday rite had long called for only men to participate.
SPORT
There are fears that many Irish football fans who have applied for tickets for this summer’s European Championships may be disappointed, because they applied with debit cards.
The full financial details of Gareth Bale’s move to Real Madrid from Tottenham have been leaked with the player appearing to have cost the Spanish club more than Cristiano Ronaldo.
GPA secretary Paul Flynn hit back at Colm O’Rourke for comments about the players body’s mental health campaign.
BUSINESS
British pub operator JD Wetherspoon said its Irish bars are continuing to trade well and it remains “100%” committed to continually expanding its presence here.
Rent certainty measures introduced by the Government in a compromise move to ease the pressure on tenants could dissuade much-needed construction in the housing market, according to the IMF.
ANALYSIS
The hospitalisation of six people after allegedly taking 2C-B is a prime example of the potential dangers of consuming a so-called designer drug.
We handed a copy of Lorna Sixsmith’s How to be a Perfect Farm Wife and she came back shocked that such expectations, even tongue in cheek, could exist today.
VIDEO
Three weeks away from moving the first 270 Tyco staff of 700 proposed in the multinational giant’s global HQ into the €50 million-plus Cork office development One Albert Quay, the John Cleary Developments 170,000 sq ft landmark building “will act as a talent magnet for Tyco, and for Cork.”
VIRAL
A man being hailed as Cork's nicest bus driver has been identified, and he's completely bemused by the huge reaction to his small act of kindness towards an elderly lady.
Let us transport you back to primary school geography when knowing the most capitals in the class was a much sought after accolade. How well do you remember your capitals now? Take our quiz and find out if you're still king or queen of the capitals.
TECHNOW
: Shenmue III is a game that we never expected to see but the long awaited sequel is actually in the works and looks like this
Our Brand is Crisis lands in Irish cinemas this week. It's the story of an American campaign strategist who is coaxed out of retirement to help out the presidential race in Bolivia. And it's all true.
Drones are everywhere today, and soon they'll be coming for you when you drive. This new video gives us a glimpse of the future when robotic drones will hunt us for sport.
SHOWBIZ
Hollywood actor Will Smith has vowed to join a growing number of stars in boycotting this year’s Oscars. The Academy has been subject to criticism and calls for a boycott over its all-white line-up of acting nominees.
MOST READ RIGHT NOW
Yes, there’s evidence of a real ninth planet – and it’s pretty big. Researchers at Caltech – that’s the California Institute of Technology – have found evidence of a ninth planet. It was discovered through mathematical modelling and computer simulations – and at the moment it just has the nickname of, well, Planet Nine.
