Millions take cover indoors as blizzard hits eastern US

A massive blizzard which forecasters say could be among the 10 worst to affect the north-eastern United States is hammering the country's capital.

Up to 2ft (60cm) of snow fell on Washington DC and Baltimore this morning, with schools closed, thousands of flights cancelled and a state of emergency declared across a vast area.

17-year-old charged with first-degree murder after Canada shooting

A 17-year-old boy has been charged with four counts of first-degree murder after a school shooting in Canada.

Police in Saskatchewan province say they found two more bodies in a property in La Loche after arresting the suspect.

18-year-old student hospitalised after drug overdose dies

An 18-year-old student who was hospitalised earlier this week after a drug overdose has died.

The student, from Milstreet, became critically ill after consuming what has been confirmed as 25I-NBOMe - a psychoactive substance - at a house party in Cork. 

Thousands take part in national day of protest against water charges and austerity

Water protesters staged a number of demonstrations across the country this afternoon, the largest of which was in Dublin city centre.

The protests were part of a sustained campaign planned for the weeks coming up to the general election, which will include another demonstration on the last Saturday before the election.

Enda Kenny's Ard Fheis speech - Fine Gael are the only option to "keep the recovery going"

In his Ard Fheis speech, Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny made it clear that as far as his party was concerned, there is only one choice to be made at the ballot box in the upcoming general election - that between recovery and risk.

The contrast is stark, the Taoiseach says, addressing party members in Citywest. The recovery the Irish people have "worked for, suffered for, and made so much personal sacrifice for" now lies in the hands of the electorate.