Every afternoon, TheJournal.ie brings you five things you really need to know at 5 o’clock.

1. #NEW ZEALAND: Rescue attempts are ongoing overnight in Christchurch as workers try to see if there are survivors in some of the buildings worst affected by Tuesday’s earthquake.

The Canterbury TV building, local reports suggest, may have 100 people trapped inside – but as a fire ravages its basement, police believe the collapse of the building was “unsurviveable”.

2. #TRAGEDY: Proof that emigration doesn’t lead to the great lives that many hope for. The New York Times has profiled one Irish emigrant, Grace Farrell, who was found dead in a church alcove last weekend: it was thought she froze to death.

3. #GE11: As the election campaign reaches its final hours, the main party leaders have been making tracks around the country trying to pick up their final votes.

The five party leaders accrued nearly 1,300km of travel between them today – but John Gormley was being the most eco-friendly, with his official engagements bringing him the mere 400m from the Gaiety Theatre to the Shelbourne Hotel.

4. #IPAD: The successor to Apple’s hugely popular tablet device is set to be launched as early as next week, it has turned out – just a day after reports suggested its release could be delayed until June.

A US launch for the iPad 2 is set for next week at Apple’s main Cupertino headquarters in California; a UK one is due, it has emerged, at the BBC. Both take place next Tuesday.

5. #SIX NATIONS: Declan Kidney has announced his Ireland team to face Scotland in Murrayfield this Sunday, as his side keeps up the charge for yet another Triple Crown.

Jonny Sexton has been dropped to the bench with Ronan O’Gara coming in at out-half; he’ll be partnered by Eoin Reddan, who comes in to replace the still-injured Tomás O’Leary – Peter Stringer will be on the bench.

Tommy Bowe is back, meanwhile, meaning the unfortunate Fergus McFadden loses his spot in the matchday 22.