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

IRELAND

The sun shines through the clouds in Dublin today. Sasko Lazarov Sasko Lazarov

• The Cabinet Covid-19 sub-committee agreed that schools should remain closed for January, except certain special schools and classes.
• The sub-committee also said construction should close until 1 February. 
• The Taoiseach said that up to 135,000 people will be vaccinated against Covid-19 by the end of February.
• A total of 17 deaths and 5,325 new cases new cases of the virus were confirmed today.
• The number of people in hospital with the disease is close to the peak reached during the first wave of the pandemic.
• It emerged that a Donegal vessel was prevented from fishing around Rockall by a Scottish patrol boat.
• Champagne Football was the biggest-selling Irish-published book in 2020.
• An investigation was launched after the family of the late George Nkencho received a threatening letter in the post.
• The Department of Finance reported an overall deficit of €19 billion for 2020.
• Aengus Mac Grianna apologised for his role in RTÉ’s controversial ‘God is a rapist’ comedy sketch.
• The funeral of former Real IRA leader Michael McKevitt took place in Co Louth.

WORLD

Rachel Stewart watches as her son, Mark Stewart, 4, grabs her ballot from a printer after voting in Georgia's runoff election. SIPA USA / PA Images SIPA USA / PA Images / PA Images

#USA: Voters in the state of Georgia are casting their ballots in two Congress election runoff races that will help determine Joe Biden’s capacity to enact his agenda as president.

#GERMANY: Chancellor Angela Merkel announced prolonged and toughened coronavirus restrictions with stricter limits on social contacts.

#SCOTLAND: First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said US President Donald Trump would not be allowed to visit Scotland to play golf to avoid the inauguration of his successor Joe Biden.