Coveney rejects claim he was open to Brexit backstop exit clause

The Tánaiste has insisted he has “always been on the same page” as the Taoiseach on Brexit.

It comes after the former British Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab claimed Minister Simon Coveney was open to an exit mechanism for the border backstop before Leo Varadkar overruled him.

Speaking on the BBC’s Andrew Maar show, Mr Raab said the Taoiseach ruled out an exit clause because he is “less moderate” than Minster Coveney.

Four men arrested in connection with Derry car bomb attack

The scene of a suspected car bomb on Bishop Street in Derry City, 20-01-2019. Image: Steven McAuley/PA Wire/PA Images

Detectives investigating a car bomb explosion in Derry have arrested a further two men.

It brings to four the total number of arrests.

In a press conference following Saturday's blast, PSNI Assistant Chief Constable Mark Hamilton said the device used was a "crude but also very unstable device."

He said the car used in the attack was hijacked by two armed men shortly before the explosion.

170 people feared dead in two separate Mediterranean crossing tragedies

A total of 120 people have died in two separate attempts to cross the Mediterranean Sea from Africa in recent days.

The International Organization for Migration said 117 people are believed to have drowned on Friday after a rubber that left Libya the previous day started to take on water.

The news came less than 24 hours after a ship carrying 53 people was confirmed to have sunk off the coast of Spain.

"More hostage taking" - Democrats reject Trump shutdown proposals

US President Donald Trump speaks in the Oval Office in the White House, 19-01-2019. Image: Sachs Ron/CNP/ABACA/ABACA/PA Images

Democrats in the US have rejected a proposal from President Donald Trump aimed at ending the Federal Government shutdown.

In a televised address, President Trump offered temporary protection to around a million immigrants in exchange for billions of dollars in funding for his border wall.

He offered the immigrants – including 700,000 so-called ‘Dreamers,’ brought to the US illegally as children – three years protection.

Vicky Phelan urges young women to stand up and "become your own leader"

Women’s health campaigner Vicky Phelan this weekend opened Ireland’s biggest conference for young women.

This year’s FemFest celebrated 100 years of women’s suffrage – and the centenary of the first Dáil Éireann.

Over 200 young women spoke at the event on the importance of the women in leadership and why young women in Ireland need more female role models.

During her opening speech, Ms Phelan described herself as an “accidental leader” – and said young people need to understand that leadership can come in any form.