EVERY DAY, TheJournal.ie brings you a round-up of all the day’s main news as well as the bits and pieces that you may have missed.

• As talks between UN envoy Kofi Annan and Syrian President Bashar Assad failed to yield any sign of a ceasefire today, government troops are said to have launched a fresh assault on the northern region of Idlib.
• A proposed bill which could see a ban on Irish beef lifted in the US has been emphatically welcomed by the Department of Agriculture and the Irish Farmers’ Association (and probably many meat-lovers in America who can’t get their hands on Irish-reared, grass-fed Hereford and Angus beef).
• A 32-year-old man has been arrested after Gardaí discovered €500,000 worth of crack cocaine, ecstasy and cannabis in a major drug raid in Finglas this afternoon.
• The Oireachtas Public Accounts Committee has heard that sick leave across the civil and public service costs the State more than €551 million annually.
• Ireland’s rugby team beat Scotland 32-14 at the Aviva Stadium this evening in the penultimate game of the Six Nations championship. Adrian Russell of TheScore.ie followed every tackle, penalty and try from high in the stands.

Also there enjoying the game were President Michael D Higgins and Princess Ann. Image: INPHO/Morgan Treacy

• Government Ombudsman Emily O’Reilly has called for more transparency in State organisations, including the Gardaí and NAMA.
• Sinn Féin’s president Gerry Adams has said a referendum on a united Ireland is ‘inevitable’.
• One year on, see how much the earthquake and tsunami has cost Japan.
• US preacher Harold Camping – he of two bogus apocalypse predictions – has said he will give up on forecasting the end of the world.
• In our evening column, Anne B Ryan says we are wasting our money on ‘retail therapy’ that won’t make us happy. She has a list of 26 questions that consumers should ask themselves before making a purchase.
• Can you think of other ways we can rein in our spending? Share your ideas on TheJournal.ie open thread.
• A woman has given birth to healthy twins – Iga and Ignacy – after 75 (75!) days in labour.
• Yesterday’s Daily Fix gave you a dog in pyjamas, and now here’s 10 more awesome images from the largest dog show in the world.
• In a totally unrelated slideshow, TheJournal.ie has put together some photos to best illustrate the latest Dáil’s first year in Government.
• Although Ireland didn’t need it today, this ultimate pep talk (courtesy of Friday Night Light’s Coach Eric Taylor) may be one to inspire the boys in green on their next outing:

YouTube Credit: donnieblog

Hat tip: Vulture, NY Mag

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