Catch-up with what you've missed today with our evening briefing
ELECTION 2016
One of Joan Burton's constituency rivals says she hopes to be the candidate who "takes out" the Tánaiste's seat.
Fianna Fáil has ruled out propping up Fine Gael, and said it was aiming to get the Coalition out of office.
Micheál Martin is playing down the latest opinion poll which shows a rise in support for Fianna Fáil.
Fine Gael has published its long-term economic plan. It says the party would create 200,000 jobs over the next five years, abolish the Universal Social Charge and hire 10,000 extra nurses, Gardaí and teachers.
Now the date has finally been announced, we face a fairly short election campaign that will be split into what campaigners call the air war and the ground war.
A potential leadership rival slapped down publicly as an “obedient employee”, claims the recovery is the party’s not the people’s, a baby narrowly avoiding a politicians’ puckered lips, and a vase broken in the very first shop entered marked Labour’s first day on the campaign trail.
Back in 2009, Labour TD and Minister For Environment Alan Kelly was making his MEP bid and, as part of his campaign, released a rap song.
IRELAND
A man has lost his fight for life after being involved in a boating accident in the River Shannon in the early hours of this morning.
Two anonymous donations of €2,500 each were among hundreds of pledges to a fundraising page, after a young boy’s wish to see famous sites before he goes blind touched the hearts of a nation.
WORLD
A pregnant woman is among the seven people identified as being infected with the Zika virus in Spain after visiting affected countries.
You might expect hefty Russian tome War And Peace to be the book that people are most likely to have lied about reading. But children’s favourite Alice’s Adventures In Wonderland by Lewis Carroll is responsible for the most literary fibs, according to a BBC survey.
SPORT
President Michael D Higgins has personally extended sympathy to the widow of footballer Mark Farren after his death from cancer aged 33.
Munster Rugby has confirmed this afternoon that Duncan Casey has signed a two-year contract extension and Ulster Rugby's Sam Arnold will join the province on a two-year deal.
BUSINESS
Vodafone is offering Irish shareholders a chance to dispose of their shares at a much reduced, or in some instances, no cost.
Airlink is to get extra services in Dublin. Dublin Bus has also announced growth plans for its city and coastal tours services.
ANALYSIS
We haven’t heard a word so far from the Coalition about turning the economy around to value the work of caring for children, writes Victoria White
LIFESTYLE
Single and dreading Valentine’s Day? Don’t. There are plenty of positives about being single. It’s a great time to focus on you and what makes you happy, says Abi Jackson
VIDEO
For the very first time the winner of a Cork Person of the Month award has been given to someone who wishes to remain anonymous. But his work is known to multitudes.
VIRAL
Oscar-winning actress Reese Witherspoon has revealed that being offered the part of “girlfriend in a dumb comedy” was the final straw that pushed her into producing.
An Australian man has put himself on a potato-only diet in a bid to stop binge eating. He’s made a pretty good start by losing 10kg (1st, 5lbs) already, without taking any extra exercise.
TECHNOW
: Uncharted 4 is destined to be one of the biggest PS4 games ever, so it's fitting that it's getting a special edition console.
A lot of stuff happens in Star Wars The Force Awakens but that doesn't mean you can't tell it all in 60 seconds with some skill
GoPro launched more new products over the last 18 months than ever before, and the result has been falling profits for the action camera makers.
SHOWBIZ
Saoirse Ronan is doing her country proud as she brings Irish culture to America.
MOST READ RIGHT NOW
Arlene Harris is still reeling from her beloved dad’s death. As World Cancer Day approaches, she’s urging everyone to be aware of the symptoms of common cancers as most cancers, if caught early, can be treated.
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