EVERY DAY, TheJournal.ie brings you a roundup of the day’s main news – plus any bits and pieces you may have missed.

• The EU is to bring Ireland and the UK to the European Court of Justice over the “inadequate” infrastructure of gas lines in the two jurisdictions, which it claims pose a breach to EU competition regulation. If they are found t0 be in breach of EU law, both jurisdictions face daily fines.
• Most InterCity train fares are set to rise next month, Iarnród Éireann has confirmed. The new regime, kicking in on February 4, will see 143 fare bands increased by between 0.6 and 13.3 per cent – though 66 other fare bands will see prices fall, by between 0.8 and 29.4 per cent.
• The Data Protection Commissioner has launched a two-part investigation into the transfer of bin services from Dublin City Council to private waste disposal firm Greyhound earlier this month. The changeover has been plagued with problems, including complaints from residents that they were never informed about the change.
• Fianna Fáil have proposed the introduction of new legislation that would see individuals found guilty of involvement in tiger kidnappings facing a minimum of ten years in prison. The party’s Chief Whip Seán Ó Fearghaíl said harsher sentencing would bring criminals who subjected families to “terrifying ordeals” to justice.
• Junior Innovation Minister Seán Sherlock has said he remains committed to implementing new internet copyright legislation – but added that he is personally willing to bring forward full primary legislation, which would allow for full Oireachtas debates.
• The Central Bank has issued a commemorative coin featuring the likeness of Sligo artist Jack B Yeats – the €10 coin will set you back €46 though.
• US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has hinted that she will step down from “the high wire of American politics” soon -even if current president Barack Obama wins the upcoming election. Clinton said that, after 20 years of working in the demanding profession, she was ready to see “how tired” she really was.

Picture courtesy of Thomas Basquille (@mhuigheo) shows the village of Drumganagh, Co Mayo, this morning after snow fell last night. The white hump in the distance is the mountain of Nephin.

• A Bill is being prepared by the Government to repeal up to 3,000 obsolete laws which were passed before Irish independence.
• With increasing numbers of job applicants, companies are using the internet to cut down on face-to-face interviews. So, here’s all you need to know about online job interviews…
• Dublin Zoo has welcomed a host of new arrivals, including Tamworth piglets and a male Friesian calf – check out our slideshow here.
• A list detailing the 277 names of people who have refused British royal honours has been published for the first time - including people such as Roald Dahl, CS Lewis, David Bowie and Nigella Lawson.
• Launching its Spring schedule tonight, TV3 promised more than 50 hours of new, home-produced content to hit Irish screens each week. “Whatever you are into and whenever you are watching, this spring you can expect big themed entertainment every night of the week ,” said TV3’s Director of Programming, Ben Frow.
• Cinema trip this weekend? TheJournal.ie brings you Three-trailer Thursday – snippets from three new releases to help you decide where to put your money…

Northern Europe has been treated to the spectacular sight of the northern lights recently, following the most powerful solar storm in six years. Check it out:

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