Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
GOOD MORNING> HERE’S everything you need to know as they day gets started.
1. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro was in a New York jail yesterday hours after American special forces seized and flew him out of his country – which US president Donald Trump said would come under effective US control.
The US president’s announcement followed a lightning pre-dawn attack in which commandos grabbed Maduro and his wife while air strikes pounded sites in and around Caracas.
2. A man in his 30s has died and another man has been injured in a collision between a van and two cars that took place yesterday evening in Co Longford.
The crash happened at about 7pm on the Longford Town side of the N4 after the Edgeworthstown Roundabout.
3. Many students have a positive outlook when it comes to learning the Irish language and want to improve their language skills — but their needs are not being met, according to a consultation done by Sealbhú, DCU’s research centre, in partnership with the Department of Education and Youth.
It was carried out as part of the Policy for Irish-Medium Education and Action Plan for Irish in English-Medium Schools, which was published in November.
4. An Taoiseach Michéal Martin is set to travel to China on an official visit later today.
Martin will visit trade and Government officials in Beijing and Shanghai.
The Taoiseach’s programme in Beijing will include meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Qiang, and Chairman of the National People’s Congress Zhao Leji.
5. Swiss authorities opened an investigation into the managers of the bar where a fire at a New Year party left 40 people dead, police said today.
The two are suspected of negligent homicide, negligent bodily harm and causing fire by negligence, police said in a statement. They said that the investigation was opened on Friday night, but did not give further details.
6. Violence surrounding protests in Iran sparked by the Islamic Republic’s ailing economy killed two more people, authorities said yesterday, raising the death toll in the demonstrations to at least 10 as they showed no signs of stopping.
The new deaths follow US President Donald Trump warning to Iran on Friday that if Tehran “violently kills peaceful protesters,” the United States “will come to their rescue”.
7. Gardaí were investigating yesterday after eight cars were set on fire in a car park in Duleek, Co Meath.
Gardaí and emergency services were called to the incident of criminal damage on Friday night at about 10.50pm. The blaze took place in the car park of a licensed premises off Main Street in the town.
No injuries were reported in the fire, and the scene has been preserved for a technical examination to be carried out.
8. A man has died following a single vehicle crash in which his car collided with a tree in Knockdooragh, Headford, Co. Kerry, last night.
The man was pronounced dead at the scene. The road is currently closed for examination by Forensic Collision Investigators. Local diversions are in place.
9. A number of status yellow cold weather warnings remain in place for much of the country this morning, with temperatures reaching freezing and below in many areas.
Met Éireann has warned that this morning will see treacherous conditions on the road, with a widespread sharp to severe frost, icy stretches and some fog too.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
have your say