NEED TO CATCH up? TheJournal.ie brings you a round-up of today’s news.

IRELAND

Laura Hutton Laura Hutton

• Political turmoil is unfolding over the Maurice McCabe whistleblowing smears and pressure is increasing on government ministers and Tusla over who knew what.
• The NBRU says it has no choice but to ballot its members at Dublin Bus for strike action.
• A new report shows house price growth in Dublin “unexpectedly slowed” in December, bucking the trend of accelerating price growth throughout 2016.
• An Bord Pleanála is overturning the decision by South Dublin County Council to grant permission for an expansion and new skating and multi-use event venue at Liffey Valley shopping centre.
• Two men have been arrested after drugs believed to be destined for the Galway “rag week” market were seized by gardaí.
• Trinity College Dublin has been announced as the only Irish university to make it into the world’s top 150 this year.
• The cold mornings are set to continue into the weekend with temperatures dropping to below zero tonight leading to severe frost and icy patches.
• Former president Mary Robinson has said that it was a mistake to leave her role as President early to take up the position of United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.
• Irish astronomy fans will be treated to a rare eclipse of the moon just after midnight tonight.

INTERNATIONAL

Stefan Pilipa Stefan Pilipa

#US: Experts say Donald Trump has “come to his senses” after a friendly phone call with China.

#UK: A huge amount of cocaine has washed up on two beaches in England.

#FRANCE: A 16-year-old girl is among four people arrested for allegedly plotting a terrorist attack in France.

#FOUND: A 39-year-old Canadian man who disappeared in 2012 has been found safe and sound near the Amazon jungle in Brazil.

PARTING SHOT

The people of Ballaghaderreen have begun to prepare for the arrival of Syrian refugees to their local town – by building a ‘wall of welcome’.