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

IRELAND

Rory Leadbetter, Jerpoint Glass Studio Ltd, Kilkenny, who won the Showcase Best Product Award for Oil / Dressing Bottle. Photorapher / Photocall Ireland Photorapher / Photocall Ireland / Photocall Ireland

• TDs who make up the five opposition technical groups in the Dáil are to make a joint submission to the Ceann Comhairle opposing the Regional Independents Group sitting in opposition. 
• Gardaí were expected to launch a murder investigation into the stabbing to death of a man in Bray, Co Wicklow yesterday.
• A member of the Irish Defence Forces was jailed for eight and half years for the rape of a fellow soldier at a Dublin hotel three years ago.
• Micheál Martin and Simon Harris both congratulated Donald Trump on his inauguration as US president today.
• Fine Gael’s parliamentary voted overwhelmingly in favour of ratifying the Programme for Government.
• There were fears for the future of hundreds of jobs in Co Wexford, with the jobs now “at risk” according to a government minister.
• An Atlantic jet stream causing strong winds was likely to bring “unsettled conditions” to Ireland later this week. 
• The controversial planned €9 million spend by the Department of Education to provide secondary school students with secure pouches for their mobile phones at post primary schools moved a step closer.

INTERNATIONAL

Members of the Trump family, his cabinet picks and some of the world's richest men applaud US President Donald Trump at his inauguration. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

#USA: Donald Trump was sworn in as US President today.

#SOUTHPORT: An 18-year-old accused of killing three girls at a dance class in Southport in the UK last year has admitted the attack on the first day of his trial.

#PARDONS: Outgoing US president Joe Biden issued preemptive pardons to Dr Anthony Fauci, the top US medical expert during the covid-19 pandemic, and members of his family just hours before he left the Oval Office.

PARTING SHOT

Kid Rock and Caitríona Perry on BBC today Screenshot Screenshot

AN INTERVIEW ON BBC took an unexpected turn for Irish journalist Caitríona Perry today when US musician Kid Rock asked her out on live television, saying she sounded “sexy”. 

Perry, formerly of RTÉ, was interviewing Kid Rock ahead of the inauguration of Donald Trump in Washington today. He played at an inauguration event yesterday alongside other pro-Trump acts, including Billy Ray Cyrus and The Village People. 

When asked about his plans for the day, Kid Rock, who is a vocal Trump supporter, said he would be celebrating “the rebirth of America”.

Read the full article here.