Every morning, TheJournal.ie brings you all the news you need with your morning coffee.

1. #COWEN: After two days of intense talks with colleagues, Taoiseach Brian Cowen is expected to announce later today whether he plans to lead Fianna Fáil into the next general election.

Last night, TD Noel O’Flynn publicly called on Cowen to step down, saying that Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin would be the best person to lead the party. However, Cowen had his supporters too: Minister for Children Barry Andrews said that he would support the taoiseach.

2. #MIRIAM REIDY: The funeral of a woman who died from suspected carbon monoxide poisoning in a Cork hotel last week will take place today.

Miriam Reidy, 35, had been staying in the Trident Hotel in Kinsale with several other women for her cousin’s hen party. Reidy and her sister Patricia had both complained of feeling unwell in the early hours of Sunday 9 January, and had been attended to by a doctor. However, when friends called on the sisters at about 1pm on Sunday afternoon they found Miriam dead and Patricia unconscious.

It was revealed that three doctors were called to the hotel within hours of each other to attended a total of six guest who had complained of headaches, nausea, shortness of breath and vomiting. One couple, who were believed to be staying in the room above the Reidy sisters, were sent to hospital.

Experts are examining the hotel for the source of the suspected gas leak.

3.#ELECTION11: Senator Shane Ross has confirmed that he will run as an Independent for the South Dublin constituency in the upcoming general election.

The author and commentator said that he had been approached by Fine Gael but had decided to run as an Independent, however he added that he would consider forming a technical group in the Dáil.

Markets analyst Paul Somerville is also considering contesting the election, as is chartered accountant Peter Matthews. Economist David McWilliams, who is speculated to be considering running, has denied his interest to contest the election as either a Fine Gael candidate or as an Independent, the Sunday Independent reports

4. #ARIZONA: A man who was shot in last week’s shooting spree in Arizona has been brought for an involuntary mental evaluation after allegedly making threatening comments to a Tea Party leader.

James Eric Fuller, 63, was shot twice on Saturday 8 January during an attack that left six people dead and congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords in intensive care.

During the taping of a television show about the tragedy in a town hall, Fuller confronted Trent Humphries – the  leader of the conservative Tea Party movement in Tucson - after Humphries made comments that Fuller considered objectionable. Some reports indicate that Fuller stood taking pictures of Humphries and then began to shout threats at him, saying: “You’re dead”. Other reports indicate that Fuller was removed from the scene after mumbling something.

He was arrested for disorderly conduct and forced to seek a mental evaluation.

5. #BANK OF IRELAND: Chief executive of Bank of Ireland Richie Boucher has admitted that information given to the Dáil regarding the bonuses of staff was misleading and incorrect, the Sunday Business Post reports.

Boucher has said that Brian Lenihan was supplied with erroneous information which indicated that there were no performance-related bonuses paid to staff at the bank. The information was subsequently included on the Dáil record.

The Minister for Finance has launched an investigation.

6. #TUNISIA: As the army continues trying to regain control over violent protests in Tunisia, the new leadership of the country had moved to form a coalition.

Fouad Mebazza was sworn in yesterday as interim president, following the ousting of President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali and his unpopular wife Leila. A presidental election should take place within the next 60 days.

7. #ABORTION: The majority of Irish people are in favour of abortion in the case of a mother’s life being put at risk by a pregnancy. In a Red C poll for the Sunday Times, more than 8 of 10 were in favour of liberalising abortion law in Ireland.

8. #BRAZIL: More than 600 people have been killed in powerful floods and mudslides that have swept across the region of Serrana, north of Rio de Janeiro, in Brazil.

Rescue workers fear that the overall death toll could exceed 1,000, and the authorities have warned that the remains of some victims may never be recovered.

Three days of mourning have been announced by the president, Dilma Rousseff.

9. #HOLLYWOOD: The award season in Hollywood kicks off today with the Golden Globes.

The King’s Speech, The Social Network and The Fighter will battle it out with other films in a ceremony hosted by comedian Ricky Gervais. Colin Firth, who stars in The King’s Speech, is widely expected to leave with the Best Actor award tonight.

Television shows will also be celebrated, with popular show Glee receiving a short list nomination in no fewer than five categories.