Morning briefing: North braced for snap election after resignation of Martin McGuinness. Catch up on all the headlines

Here’s a briefing on some of the stories and issues highlighted on irishexaminer.com today.

IRELAND

The North's political parties are preparing for a snap election after yesterday's resignation of Martin McGuinness.

The Cabinet will today approve accepting up to 40 children from the former refugee camp in Calais in France.

An Irish woman has died in Morocco.

School students have made an impassioned plea to Housing Minister Simon Coveney to end homelessness. They presented him with a petition with 10,000 signatures.

The biggest labour union in America has called on President Barack Obama to directly intervene and stop plans by Norwegian Air International to fly from Cork to the US as his term in the White House comes to an end.

TK Whitaker, a former public servant and economist, has died aged 100.

WORLD

A teenager has been arrested after the death of a seven-year-old girl, police have said.

President-elect Donald Trump's influential son-in-law Jared Kushner will join him in the White House as a senior adviser, transition officials said on Monday.

The Home Office has been accused of having its "head in the sand" over the position of EU citizens living in the UK, after an official said that guaranteeing their right to remain after Brexit would cost the UK "negotiating capital" in withdrawal talks.

SPORT

The Club Players Association (CPA) fixtures co-ordinator Derek Kavanagh insists the newly-formed group are going about their business with their eyes wide open.

Anyone doubting the value of the FA Cup would be hard-pressed to apply their theory on a clutch of Irish players involved over the weekend in the third round, particularly two of Plymouth’s Anfield heroes.

There’s more to training than sweat and tears, says Kieran Shannon.

The countdown to the 2017 Cheltenham Festival is on and the excitement ahead of the meeting continues to build. The fixture has become the jewel in the British racing crown in recent years and the Festival’s popularity continues to grow, but what makes it the most special meeting in the world, asks Peter Hodges.

OPINION

It is my privilege to ensure that every household benefits from the economic recovery, says Minister for Social Protection, Leo Varadkar.

Primary care centres need to become the place of first resort. They need to be open seven days a week, writes Fergus Finlay.

BUSINESS

Sterling plunged against the euro and the dollar, as the UK once again appeared to be setting course for a hard Brexit in divorce talks with the EU.

A partial sale of the State’s near-total ownership of AIB is still expected this year, with Goodbody Stockbrokers naming it as one of the 10 main events likely to affect the economy in 2017.

LIFESTYLE

Olwen Fouéré in Danse, Morob, opening this week at the Project.

While the 1981 hunger strikes are referenced in the new play Olwen Fouéré stars in, the Breton-Irish actress tells Alan O’Riordan that the work is about more than the North.

SHOWBIZ

Fans and celebrities across the globe will remember David Bowie today with a series of events and concerts marking a year since the musician died aged 69.

EXAMVIRAL

This guy forgot his date's name at the worst possible time - entering their details at a bowling alley.

If you are one of those who dreads the dentist’s drill and hates getting cavities filled, maybe this latest scientific breakthrough will bring joy to you and your pearly whites.

VIDEO - OUR CHOICE

The Age Friendly Towns Initiative was launched in Cork's County Hall yesterday morning.

TECHNOW

GAMES: The electronic sports network ESEA was apparently hacked in December after owners refused to pay a $50,000 ransom.

FILM & TV: The writer of the Uncharted video game movie adaption has completed the script and says "now the real work begins"

TECH: High end gaming computer and hardware manufacturer Razer was out in force at CES, and the company is claiming that two of their prototypes were stolen during the event. They're not ruling out industrial espionage.

MOST READ RIGHT NOW

Ankle trouble continues to dog bang-in-form Munster flanker Tommy O’Donnell. He looked to be in serious trouble when hobbling off in the New Year’s Eve win over Connacht and so it came as a pleasant surprise when the Tipperary man reported fit for Saturday’s game against Racing 92 and duly performed like a man inspired.