NEED TO CATCH up? TheJournal.ie brings you a round-up of today’s news…

Sister and brother ZeJin Qu (age 4) and ZeKai Qu (age 6) from Clare Hall, Dublin joined with Oscar from the Garda Mounted Unit on the grounds of Aras an Uachtarain to launch the Chinese New Years. (Leon Farrell/ Photocall Ireland)

IRELAND

• A group representing fire fighters began a court action against Dublin City Council over failing breathing apparatus sets
• The government announced that it was to reopen the Vatican embassy, just 26 months after closing it
• Gardaí revealed that there were 805 drink-drive arrests during their Christmas operations
• A law that allows TDs and senators escape punishment when driving to or from Leinster House was criticised by a Labour senator
• The DSPCA said that it had been forced to put down three dogs after finding them living in ‘appalling conditions’
• The President defended his wife’s visit to jailed anti-war protester Margaretta D’Arcy
• The Central Bank unveiled plans for their new headquarters in Dublin’s Docklands
• Gardaí appealed for witnesses, particularly a taxi driver, to an assault in Dublin at the weekend
• Independent TD Mattie McGrath said that he would consider joining the Reform Alliance
• A Dublin hospital has apologised to a family over the death of their two-day-old son [RTÉ]

INTERNATIONAL

A pro-European Union activist speaks to police officers as they block a street in central Kiev, Ukraine. (AP Photo/Sergei Grits)

#UKRAINE: Clashes between pro-EU protesters and government forces entered a third day in the Ukrainian capital of Kiev today. The fighting came as new laws that restrict protest came into force.

#SYRIA: Three international prosecutors say that they have uncovered evidence that proves the Syrian regime authorised the torture and execution of over 11,000 people. The graphic images are contained in a report commissioned by Qatar.

#PARKED-UP PINTS: The first motorway pub in Britain opened its doors today. The Hope and Champion is on the main motorway between London and Birmingham. Road safety groups called the opening of the pub a “worrying development”.

INNOVATION

• The next-gen console wars have gotten dirty – and it seems like Microsoft has been a naughty boy. [TheGuardian]
• A new digital stethoscope can help spot heart murmurs, even extremely subtle ones. [Gizmodo]

PARTING SHOT

Ever wondered the extent of visual effects shots in films these days? Obviously, effects-laden comic book movies have their share, but what about dramas? Surely they would be at a minimum? Take a look inside FXGuide’s breakdown of The Wolf of Wall Street and be slightly shocked.