IMF chief signals support for 20% mortgage deposit
IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde has signalled her support for the 20% mortgage deposit being considered by the Central Bank.
Speaking on RTÉ’s Prime Time, Ms Lagarde described the proposal as a "safe, secure, solid principle".
However, Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Brendan Howlin said it is up to Central Bank Governor Patrick Honohan to decide how much first-time buyers will need to purchase a house.
Speaking on RTÉ's News At One, Mr Howlin said he expected debate on exactly what percentage would be required and that Mr Honohan is listening to this debate but it was a matter for him to determine.
Boko Haram claim Baga attack
Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau claimed a massive attack on the northeast Nigerian town of Baga and threatened Niger, Chad and Cameroon in a video published online.
"We killed the people of Baga. We indeed killed them, as our Lord instructed us in His Book," Shekau said in a 35-minute video posted on YouTube.
In a direct message to Nigeria's neighbours and with talk of a regional force to combat the militants, he added: "The kings of Africa, you are late. I challenge you to attack me even now. I'm ready."
Four released in Antrim murder inquiry
Four men arrested by PSNI detectives investigating the murder of Brian McIlhagga in Co Antrim earlier this month have been released without charge.
The 42-year-old father of five was beaten and shot in the leg after being dragged out of a house in Riverview Park, Ballymoney.
A 32-year-old woman who was also in the house was also allegedly assaulted and forced to lie on the kitchen floor while the shooting took place.
Man fined €300 for stalking student
A student, who sent a woman a jar containing bloody animal organs during a year-long harassment campaign, has been spared a jail sentence.
Stephen Nesbitt, 21, with an address at Drumfinn Avenue, Ballyfermot, Dublin was fined €300, after he pleaded guilty to harassing the woman from 1 January until 20 December 2013.
Judge Michael Walsh also banned Nesbitt from contacting the woman and he was warned to stay away from her west Dublin home.
Taxi protest over new fare structure
Taxi drivers held a protest through the streets of Dublin today over a new fare structure.
Drivers represented by the National Private Hire and Taxi Association and the National Taxi Federation met in the Phoenix Park this afternoon.
Over 100 TAXI drivers have started a 'slow drive' from the Phoenix Park to the gates of the Dáil #rtenews pic.twitter.com/jxFBNfWXLj
— Colm Hand (@ColmHand) January 20, 2015From there they drove to the gates of Leinster House, where they were to hand in a letter to Minister for Transport Paschal Donohoe.
Taxi driver unions say new fares, which will come into effect on 30 April, will lead to a loss of 32c per km for drivers on journeys of over 30km.
Garda Deputy Commissioner posts to be filled
The Government has decided to fill the two vacancies for Deputy Commissioners in An Garda Síochána.
The positions, which are the second most senior in the force, are to be advertised for appointment by open competition.
They have been vacant since the retirement of one two years ago and the promotion of current Commissioner Nóirín O'Sullivan.
Minister for Justice Frances Fitzgerald says interviews will be conducted by an independent board and advertisements seeking candidates will be published in the coming weeks.
One post will deal with operational policing, and the other with professional standards, governance and accountability.
Eight drug traffickers sentenced to death in Vietnam
A Vietnamese court has sentenced eight member of a drug trafficking gang to death for smuggling heroin, with a further five people sentenced to life in prison.
The court also jailed 17 others to between six and 20 years in prison after a two-week trial.
The ring smuggled more than 200kg of heroin into Vietnam before their arrest in 2011.
'Truth potion' kills Kenyan bus driver
A Kenyan bus driver died after drinking a potion brewed by a "witchdoctor" to prove he had not stolen books, sparking angry protests.
The witchdoctor was hired by school directors in a village in Kenya's southwestern Kisii district to track down the thief of school books.
The bus driver volunteered to drink the mixture to prove he was innocent.
The 33-year-old died immediately after the drink, leading to angry villagers burning the school bus and the deputy school director's house.
Australia raises terror alert
Australia has raised the terrorism threat level against the police force to high for the first time.
The decision is based on the presence of a small but growing number of citizens involved with jihadist groups, according to Australian Federal Police.
The force added that recent events in France, Canada, and in Australia itself, highlighted the risks involved with policing.
62% pay rise for Chinese leader
Chinese President Xi Jinping and six other members of the Communist Party's elite have been given 62% pay rises as civil servants get their first increases since 2006.
Mr Xi's basic monthly pay will now go up to 11,385 yuan (€1,582), while the lowest paid civil servants will see their pay doubled to 1,320 yuan.
The increases come as a large number of officials have begun to leave the civil service over low pay.
Cabinet to discuss referendums tomorrow
The Cabinet is to reconvene tomorrow morning to discuss the forthcoming referendums.
Ministers are expected to decide on the wording and the date for the polls on reducing the age for presidential election candidates and same sex marriage.
The ballots are expected in early May.
