EVERY EVENING, TheJournal.ie brings you the five big news stories you need to know before you head out the door.

1. #POWER VACUUM: Halting talks on government formation are continuing. In the latest development the Independent Alliance has called for a meeting with Micheál Martin and Enda Kenny.

2. #AIRPORT: Some residents who live near Dublin Airport have expressed their disappointment with plans to build a new runway.

3. #COURTS: It was confirmed today that David Drumm will face two trials, one in 2017 and one in 2018, in relation to alleged offences committed during his time as CEO of Anglo Irish Bank. He has yet to enter a plea to the charges.

4. #FRANK TALK: Pope Francis has opted for no change in the Catholic approach to homosexuality but signalled a more open stance on cohabiting and divorced believers under new Church guidelines on family life.

5. #PUBLIC APPEARANCE: And in Cuba, Fidel Castro has appeared in public for the first time in nearly nine months.

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