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

IRELAND

Sam Boal Sam Boal

• Public health officials confirmed a further two deaths and 769 new cases of Covid-19 in Ireland. 
• Gardaí raided a suspected shebeen in Limerick.
• A USB key containing CCTV footage from a patrol car following a suspect that was sent by the Garda Ombudsman (GSOC) to garda internal affairs went missing after being sent in the post. 
  
• Mandatory hotel quarantine is to come into effect by next weekend. 
• More than 10% of the population have now received at least their first dose of a Covid jab.
• HSE chief executive Paul Reid said hospitalisations from Covid are still a concern as the figure remains stalled at 360.

WORLD

Thousands from the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities and supporters gathered outside Atlanta's Capitol for a rally. Robin Rayne Robin Rayne

#ENGLAND: Buckingham Palace is to potentially consider appointing a diversity chief as “more needs to be done” to address the issue, a royal source has said.

#AUSTRALIA: Evacuation orders were sent to thousands following historic floods in New South Wales.

PARTING SHOT

Ever thought about living on Mars? Well, here’s what a city on the red planet could look like. You can read the whole piece here.