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

Farmers in Bluebell protesting against the EU-Mercosur trade deal. Sasko Lazarov Sasko Lazarov

IRELAND

• Taoiseach Micheál Martin has hit out at what he called “selective and inaccurate” reporting on Fianna Fáil’s long-awaited review of its failed presidential campaign.
• A former Fine Gael councillor and cathaoirleach of Cavan County Council was jailed in relation to theft of money from a mental health housing charity.
• Newstalk announced a major shakeup to its daytime schedule with Anton Savage to replace Ciara Kelly and Shane Coleman as the host of Newstalk Breakfast. 
• The president of the Irish Farmers’ Association said he and his 11-year-old son were travelling to Brussels by tractor as part of a Europe-wide protest.
• Last month, the compulsory purchase order process commenced for just three properties in two council areas, despite the government’s stated intention to combat dereliction. 
• A man who “smiled directly” at his partner before cutting their daughter’s throat was given a life sentence.
• The policing ombudsman opened an investigation following a garda referral into the death of a man in an incident this weekend in the Temple Bar area of Dublin.
• Members of the Jewish community gathered in Herzog Park this evening to celebrate Hanukkah, just a day after a mass shooting targeting Jews in Australia. 

INTERNATIONAL

Leaders and envoys from a number of countries in Berlin for talks about the war in Ukraine. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

#AUSTRALIA: Ten of the 15 people killed in a mass shooting in Sydney yesterday were named.

#USA: Hollywood director Rob Reiner and his wife Michele were found dead in the California home. Their son Nick was arrested. 

#USA: US President Donald Trump was condemned for his “disgusting” response to the death of director Rob Reiner, who was a fierce critic of his. 

PARTING SHOT

I AM HALFWAY through my pregnancy with my second child and I have only one viable option for my birth care: to return to an understaffed and under-resourced maternity unit, which has some of the highest intervention rates of the country, where I experienced birth trauma.

Some women in my position are choosing to give birth at home without medical assistance, also known as freebirthing. While this is not my choice, I have compassion and understanding for those who feel backed into this option.

Lack of meaningful choice is the reality many pregnant women are facing in 2025 in Ireland, one of the wealthiest countries in the world.

You can read Adriana Casserly’s full Voices article here.