Catch-up with what you've missed so far today with our lunchtime briefing
IRELAND - #GE16
President Michael D Higgins and Taoiseach Enda Kenny officially signed the forms to dissolve the 31st Dail. Voters will go to the polls on Friday February 26 - in a first the date was confirmed by Taoiseach Enda Kenny on twitter.
The last General Election was held on February 25, 2011 so you might need a little refresher on how things work. Here’s what you need to know.
Tánaiste Joan Burton has urged the public to re-elect the current coalition if it wants what she says is the economic recovery to continue, saying "we inherited a ruin and we rebuilt it".
Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams has denied that the improvement in the economy will make it more difficult for his party to win seats.
The Anti Austerity Alliance – People Before Profit hope to get at least seven seats in the upcoming election.
WORLD
The only son of missing peer Lord Lucan has finally been granted a death certificate 42 years after his father vanished following the murder of his nanny.
A plane has had to make an emergency landing after an explosion ripped a hole in its fuselage. The flight had just taken off from Somalia's Mogadishu airport.
SPORT
Former Derry City striker Mark Farren has passed away following a long battle with illness. The player was suffering from cancer. Warm tributes are being paid to the 33 year old Donegal man from the football community.
Wales’ team to face reigning RBS 6 Nations champions Ireland in Dublin on Sunday includes starts for Rob Evans, Tom James and Justin Tipuric.
BUSINESS
Car giant Ford is to shed jobs across its European operations under plans to save $200m a year. The group said it is launching a voluntary redundancy programme as it looks to slash costs across “all areas” of the European business.
It appears the planned direct flights connecting Cork with New York and Boston are being put at risk due to a nasty bout of lobbying that unmasks an unedifying aspect of American culture.
ANALYSIS
Republicans have a history of recruiting celebrities into the party ranks going back 60 years, but find themselves at a crossroads with Donald Trump — who is using his celebrity power to attack rather than to revive the Grand Old Party, writes
LIFESTYLE
One of the joys of childhood is the lack of responsibility, aside from school. Not so for the 4,000 children who are carers. Arlene Harris meets one.
VIDEO
The Irish Examiner is pleased to exclusively unveil the new Martin's Life comic series video to coincide with the creators award as January Cork Person of the Month.
VIRAL
If you’ve been walking around with your head in the clouds over the last few days, you may have noticed some very pretty, vibrantly coloured ones.
It was a simpler time… but you didn’t know how many friends you have in common with your cousin’s best mate’s ex-girlfriend. On Twitter, #BeforeFacebookI has thrown up a few hilarious realisations…
TECHNOW
After a "last minute delay" back in January, Gone Home will launch in Europe on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One on February 12th.
Screen Junkies' latest Honest Trailer takes aim at Spectre and pulls the trigger.
Apple is rumoured to be hosting an event in March, which could be packed with announcements, and has apparently settled on a date.
SHOWBIZ
Another day, another carpool karaoke with James Corden - but this time, he’s taken it up a notch. Introducing ‘the ultimate karaoke roadtrip’ with Coldplay’s Chris Martin.
MOST READ RIGHT NOW
A land-zoning change in the Cork county development plan is being sought in a preliminary move to facilitate a €40m development.
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