EVERY EVENING, TheJournal.ie brings you the five stories you really should check out at 5pm.

1. #CENSUS: Preliminary results of the 2011 census show an estimated population in Ireland of 4,581,269 on census night in April – a growth of 8.1 per cent on the 2006 census. These early results also show that overall more people immigrated to Ireland than left the country over the five years, although this trend reversed in the later part of the period. The findings also suggest that the maximum number of TDs which could be cut from the Dáil is 13.

2. #GOOGLE PLUS: Google launched its long-awaited social networking service Google Plus earlier this week. Here’s everything you need to know about the new feature, which is seen as Google’s first serious challenge to Facebook.

3. #LOWRY: The son of Independent TD Michael Lowry says his father didn’t help him get elected mayor of North Tipperary. Instead, Micheál said his father treated him like any other councillor, but was there if he wanted his advice.

4. #GREECE: The Greek parliament has passed a second crucial vote over its €28bn austerity package. The government also aims to raise funds through the sale of state assets and increased taxation.

5. #WATCH: Some interesting videos on the web today as two world leaders came under attack; one verbally (Barack Obama), and one physically (Nicolas Sarkozy).