Every morning, TheJournal.ie brings you nine things you really, really need to know with your morning coffee.
1. #COWEN: The Taoiseach is continuing to consult his Fianna Fail colleagues today about his future, as he comes under further pressure following disputed claims by the former Anglo boss, David Drumm. Drumm is claiming that Brian Cowen asked the National Treasury Management Agency to invest in Anglo in April 2008 at the banker’s request, the Irish Daily Mail reports – claims which have been vehemently rejected by a spokesman for the Taoiseach. The head of the NTMA Michael Somers has also said that no such request was made of him. In the Dáil on Wednesday, the Taoiseach specifically denied having any recollection of Drumm asking him to talk to Michael Somers.
The Irish Times reports that David Drumm and Sean Fitzpatrick met Central Banker Alan Gray privately the day before the banking guarantee was introduced. Meanwhile, Michéal Martin has sent a clear signal that he believes the battle for the Fianna Fail leadership is not over, according to the Examiner.
2. #MICHAELA: The body of Michaela McAreavey has arrived in London, and she will be brought to the Harte family home for a private service later today. Meanwhile, several newspapers report this morning that she was killed for her purse.
3. #CIVIL PARTNERSHIP: More than 80 same sex couples have applied to have their partnership recognised in law, the Irish Times reports.
4. #SWINE FLU: The rate of swine flu has doubled again in the last week, and two people have died from the illness. Elevated flu activity is likely to continue for several weeks, the Health Protection Surveillance Unit is warning.
5. #INQUIRY: A consultant radiologist has been found not guilty of professional misconduct following the death of a 23-year-old man from brain damage. A consultant physician who gave evidence at the inquiry into the actions of Dr John Hanson in March and April 2008 said an earlier scan may not have saved Mark Haran, the Irish Times reports. A second doctor said Dr Hanson had not been given an impression of how sick Mark Haran really was.
6. #MURDER INVESTIGATION: Two separate murder investigations are underway, after the body of a man was discovered with stab wounds to the throat and neck in a flat which had been set on fire in Youghal, Co. Cork, the Independent reports. Separately, a second murder investigation is likely to be launched today after the body of a man was discovered on waste ground in West Dublin yesterday.
7. #BRAZIL: More than 500 people have died in flooding in Brazil, the BBC reports.
8. #PIRATES: At last, a sector of the global economy that appears to be thriving. Piracy is costing the global economy between $7 and $12 billion per year, researchers in London have claimed, as pirates haul in an average of $5.4 million per ransom. In November 2010, the highest ransom on record — $9.5 million — was paid to release a South Korean oil tanker, up from $7 million to release a Greek supertanker in January, Reuters reports.
9. #SCHADENFREUDE: The opening date for U2′s Spiderman the Musical has been delayed again, to 15 March. However, the producers of the $65 million show, which has been beset by problems, do have something to cheer about – it’s already brought in $1.5 million during its preview run. Much of this may be attributable to schadenfreude on the part of theatre-goers, reports suggest. ”It’s like Formula One. You want to see the car crash,” one fan of the musical told the New Yorker.
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