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

IRISH

Surfers braving the cold to ride the big waves at Killiney Beach at the weekend. John Fahy John Fahy

• Irish Water confirmed customers won’t be fined for not registering for water charges before tonight.
• IAG made promises in a bid to secure a takeover of Aer Lingus.
• A murder investigation was launched following the death of a man in Cabra.
• The Taoiseach said the Garda training college will never close again.
• It was predicted Ireland’s economy will hit its pre-recession peak this year.
• The Ceann Comhairle clarified remarks he made after blocking a Dáil debate.
• It was revealed that the Government made contact with Saudi Arabia after an Irish resident was arrested and tortured.
• Dissident republicans protested over prison conditions in Antrim.
• Ray D’Arcy returned to the airwaves.

WORLD

Winnie the Pygmy hippo tucks into a special veggie birthday cake on her first birthday at Bristol Zoo Gardens. Ben Birchall / PA Wire/Press Association Images Ben Birchall / PA Wire/Press Association Images / PA Wire/Press Association Images

#BRUSSELS: The European Parliament was evacuated after a bomb scare.

#CHINA: A father and daughter were executed over the cult killing of a woman.

#CROATIA: The country began writing off the debt of thousands of citizens.

#EGYPT: A freed Al-Jazeera journalist has spoken about his experience. [BBC News]

#FRANCE: Former IMF chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn went on trail, accused of pimping.

UNITED STATES: Obama announced plans to tax the offshore profits of US firms. [RTÉ News]

INNOVATION

• Schrödinger’s cat is both dead and alive, according to a new experiment. [NewScientist]
• You can now build your own real-life Mario Kart (kinda). [TNW]
• The Pirate Bay is back online. [Mashable]
• A study of bird’s flying patterns reveals a bit of altruism is at work in nature. [Science]

PARTING SHOT

Have you ever been so drunk you replied to a drunk text from yourself? This guy was. [DailyEdge.ie]