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

Ushering in the New Year in Sydney. Pic: AP Photo/Rob Griffith

IRELAND

• The Haass talks in Northern Ireland ended without agreement, and the Taoiseach and UK Prime Minister were united in disappointment.
• Three men were attacked by a masked gang in Co Derry.
• There was a big jump in the number of Irish people getting married abroad this year.
• 2013 was a record year for organ transplants.
• The Capuchin Day Centre fed 500 homeless people – we went behind the scenes.
• The body of a man was found on a strand in Ballybunion after a two-day search.
• Gardaí are searching for missing woman Pauline McLoughlin, from Ballyfermot.
• Ryanair’s calendar featuring scantily clad staff raised €100,000 for charity.
• Gardaí seized drugs after stopping a car on the Rathgar Road in Dublin.
• A 70-year-old pedestrian was killed in a road accident in Co Donegal.
• Dublin and Cork city councils warned that flooding could be on its way.
• A woman struck by a car in Co Mayo died in hospital.

WORLD

A press conference at the Grenoble hospital, in the French Alps, where former Formula One champion Michael Schumacher is being treated. Pic: AP Photo/Laurent Cipriani

#RUSSIA Putin told terrorists that they face ‘total destruction‘, in his New Year’s address.

#SCHUMACHER The manager of Michael Schumacher said that a journalist dressed as a priest tried to get near the seriously ill sports star in hospital.

#ANTARCTICA A helicopter was sent to rescue the passengers on a trapped science ship.

#SOUTH SUDAN The UN fears that many prisoners and civilians have been killed in South Sudan.

INNOVATION

• How did thieves hack into ATMs and steal cash from a major European bank? Their methods were unveiled at a conference in Germany.
• What can we expect in the Tech world in 2014? Here’s one guru’s predictions. (Hint: Expect even more smartphones) [The Guardian]

PARTING SHOT

A number of countries ushered in the New Year over the past few hours. Here are the spectacular fireworks at the Sydney Harbour. Happy New Year from everyone at TheJournal.ie, wherever you are!

Source: YouTube