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

Flooding in Cork this evening. Pic: Richard Jacob/Twitter

IRELAND

• The PSNI said it was investigating a controversial ‘foreign nationals’ sign as a hate crime.
• Coastal cities were warned to brace themselves for flooding, while Cork city centre was flooded.
• Ireland was put on ‘Orange Alert’ due to the expected gale force winds and strong rain.
• The artistic director of the Limerick National City of Culture quit, along with two others.
• The prices of houses in Dublin are almost a third higher than in the rest of the country.
• Police appealed for witnesses after a man was stabbed in the neck last night in Belfast.
• Concerns were raised over staffing levels at the new Child and Family Agency.
• The mystery winner of €1 million in the Christmas Millionare Raffle draw has still not come forward.
• Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams urged all parties to accept the Haass agreement.
• A man assaulted in Tallaght on New Year’s day died in hospital today.
• Ireland is to send 40 tonnes of emergency aid to violence-stricken South Sudan.

WORLD

Michael Schumacher’s manager Sabine Khem, center, speaks to journalists. Pic: AP Photo/Laurent Cipriani

#SCHUMACHER Michael Schumacher remains in hospital, but little new is known about the comatose sportsman’s condition.

#ANTARCTIC The stranded Antarctic ship passengers have been rescued by helicopter.

#CHINA Wal-Mart China stores recalled ‘five spice donkey meat’ as it was found to contain fox meat.

#CAR At least two beheaded children were among 16 found dead in the Central African Republic, according to Unicef.

#ISRAEL Former Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, who is in a coma, is experiencing organ failure.

#PRAGUE The Palestinian ambassador in Prague was killed by an exploding safe.

INNOVATION

(hankgames/YouTube)

• Would you post clips of yourself playing video games on YouTube? These people do, and it brings in big money. [The Guardian]
• These sharks alert Australian beachgoers of their presence… by tweeting about it. Here’s how.

PARTING SHOT

Ever wanted to know the story behind your favourite gifs? This might help (and it’s a little more heartbreaking than you’d expect). [Buzzfeed]