GOOD MORNING.

Here’s all the news that you need to know as you start your day.

Venezeula

1. Trump said that the focus is on oil firms going into Venezeula when asked if elections are planned in the South American country after the US deposed its leader.

Maduro in New York

2. Ousted Venezeulan President Nicolas Maduro is set to appear before a court in New York today after he was seized by the United States over the weekend.

Weather

3. Some schools will stay closed today as bitter temperatures bring a “very cold” start to the day. Cavan, Donegal, Monaghan, Louth and all of Connacht are under snow and ice warning until 11am.

Road despair

4. The Journal’s readers share their stories of facing gridlock across Ireland’s cities, from the Dunkettle Interchange to the M50, admist calls for interventionist measures. 

Irish actors

5. Jessie Buckley was named best actress and British drama Adolescence won four prizes at the 2026 Critics Choice Awards, setting the pace for the upcoming awards season.

Taoiseach visiting China

6. Micheál Martin has met Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing to mark the start of a four day official visit. During their exchanges he called for more open trade between the two countries. 

Fair Deal Scheme

7. Families of elderly people who are in nursing homes via the Fair Deal Scheme are to be disadvantaged by incoming rental reforms, campaigners have said.

Teen confirmed dead in Swiss fire

8. a Teenage girl who was educated in the United Kingdom has been confirmed as one of those dead in the Swiss ski resort fire that killed 40. The bodies of all those killed have now been identified by police. 

No Litterbugs here

9. Sligo has knocked Naas from the top spot on the Irish Business Against Litter’s (IBAL) latest anti-litter rankings, claiming the title of cleanest town.