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

Emily Topka from Poland, sips on a mug of tea outside the Bastion Apartments. Residents were evacuated last night after the ESB disconnected the electricity, due to flooding from the River Shannon. Eamonn Farrell Eamonn Farrell

IRELAND

• Athlone floodwaters were at their highest level since records began. 
• Renua released its election manifesto.
• Michael Fingleton failed in his attempt to stop a Central Bank inquiry into alleged regulatory breaches.
• The trial of five care workers at the Áras Attracta residential centre began. [RTÉ]
• House prices outside of Dublin are soaring.
• A community in Dublin is mourning the loss of a woman killed by a drink-driver.
• There was outrage at the closure of the country’s only 24-hour service for children who were sexually abused.
• Businessowners are not happy about the new minimum wage.
• Over 600,000 people watched the first episode of Rebellion.

The anniversary edition of French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo. Charlie Hebdo Charlie Hebdo

WORLD

#TENSIONS: Saudi Arabia has broken diplomatic ties with Iran.

#OREGON: A group of gun-carrying ranchers are staging a siege on government property, and here’s why.

#JE SUIS CHARLIE: The Charlie Hebdo anniversary cover featured a cartoon of God with a gun.

#POLAND: More than 20 people died over the weekend due to -20 degree temperatures.

#TERRORISM: The so-called Islamic State released another execution video.

INNOVATION

• Pre-orders for the Oculus Rift virtual headset will open from this Friday. [BBC]
• Windows 10 has reached 200 million users in just six months.
• Mark Zuckerberg‘s response to the idea girls should “date the nerd” went down very well. [Vox]

PARTING SHOT

Reader Rebecca Bourke sent us this poignant video which was made to raise awareness about homelessness, and the difference a simple ’Hello’ can make.