Catch-up with what you've missed so far today with our lunchtime briefing
IRELAND
Hopes of a grand coalition between Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil lay in ruins last night, meaning a second general election this year is now almost certain.
Caretaker Taoiseach Enda Kenny has decided to cut short his St Patrick’s Day visit to the US next week.
Fresh gangland raids were carried out by Gardaí this morning. The morning raids in south Dublin began at 7am. Gardaí were focusing on flats, apartments and house in Dublin 2, Dublin 8 and Inchicore.
Women called 'sugar babies' who date older men for money and gifts have taken part in an interview on Irish TV this morning. Ciara Doherty from TV3's Ireland AM spoke to two Irish women who have 'sugar daddies' - who are men they date for money.
There are almost 500 people waiting for hospital beds today. The daily trolley watch from the INMO shows the hospital with the worst overcrowding is the Midland Regional Hospital in Tullamore, with 50.
Gardaí are investigating reports that there were a number of people present in an apartment in Kerry where an 11-month-old baby died last Sunday.
Transdev has announced a special bus service in a bid to deal with the Luas strike on St Patrick's Day. The company has said it will operate from Park and Ride stops into and out of Dublin city centre.
A leading immunologist has called for a national food-allergy strategy to improve patient diagnosis and care.
WORLD
A former aide to Vladimir Putin who was found dead in a Washington hotel room died of blunt force trauma to the head, a post-mortem has found.
Combining two powerful breast cancer drugs could dramatically shrink or destroy tumours in just 11 days, British doctors have discovered.
A 23-year-old German man is in custody after falsely claiming to have a bomb inside a suitcase he was trying to take into the US Embassy in Berlin.
SPORT
Newcastle head coach Steve McClaren was finally put out of his misery on Friday morning when he was sacked six days after his position became untenable. His departure has been greeted with the sort of celebrations normally reserved for winning the league.
After Manchester United's loss to Liverpool former United player Rio Ferdinand was scathing about the club on BT Sport last night.
has explained in his column why he is staying in Paris for three more years. Meanwhile ahead of tomorrow's Six Nations clash, Leinster prop Cian Healy has been ruled out, less than 24 hours after being named among the replacements.
BUSINESS
Economists are warning that yesterday's cutting of the interest rates by the ECB may not stimulate economic activity as planned.
Commentators still expect the economy to continue its impressive growth surge this year following its best performance in 15 years despite domestic political uncertainty, the Brexit threat and a slowing global economy.
VIEWPOINTS
For anybody who had hoped a new day was dawning on politics, yesterday was little short of depressing, says
LIFESTYLE
and debate the question on many people’s lips right now - has Kim Kardashian gone too far this time?
VIDEO
Joe Schmidt picked a familiar starting XV for Ireland’s clash with Italy. But should more young players have been handed a starting place? Steve Neville and Neville O’Donoghue discuss.
VIRAL
Shane Leahy and Maddie Walsh are star-struck lovers separated by an ocean. But to get over it he has crowdfunded a trip to see his girlfriend in America
A guy had to spend the night in a police cell in Grimsby – but rather than let things get him down, he decided to take a glass-half-full approach and write a TripAdvisor-style review.
TECHNOW
: After letting players live out their football and ice hockey dreams, Rocket League is to add basketball to the mix later this year.
There's a whole lot of kicking, punching, and threatening in this whirlwind video that condenses the entire Taken trilogy into just 90 seconds.
Apple has officially confirmed when it will be making its next big announcement; it has sent out media invites for an event to be held on March 21st.
SHOWBIZ
The Saturday line-up for Forbidden Fruit has been revealed. The festival kicks off the summer season and will take place at Dublin’s Royal Kilmainham Hospital on the June Bank Holiday weekend.
MOST READ RIGHT NOW
Hopes of a grand coalition between Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil lay in ruins last night, meaning a second general election this year is now almost certain.
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