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

Michael Fitzmaurice with Councillor Ken O'Flynn and Independent Ireland TD Richard O Donoghue at the packed TUS Athlone International Arena is an indoor athletics sporting facility. Eamonn Farrell / © RollingNews.ie Eamonn Farrell / © RollingNews.ie / © RollingNews.ie

IRELAND

• Thousands of farmers and supporters came together in the centre of Ireland to voice anger over the EU’s incoming trade deal with South American countries.
• A 19-year-old man has been remanded in custody after he was charged with the murder of a grandfather who was stabbed at his home in west Dublin last year.
• Sinn Féin’s finance spokesperson Pearse Doherty has described the revelation that Paschal Donohoe gave the World Bank an extra €10 million while he was still a government minister as “very serious”. 
• A wind warning has been issued for eleven counties tomorrow.
• The death of Donegal businessman Stephen McCahill has left a “huge void” in the local community, his funeral mass was told following his murder earlier this week.
• A married couple were “traumatised” after being assaulted, stabbed and receiving death threats during a violent car hijacking on Dublin’s South Great George’s Street, a court heard.

INTERNATIONAL

French farmers' demonstration following the politicy of slaughter of cows, despite being vaccinated against DNC, and protesting against Mercosur deal. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

#GREENLAND: “We don’t want to be Americans,” Greenland’s political parties said after US President Donald Trump again suggested the use of force to seize the mineral-rich Danish autonomous territory.

#GROK: Critics of X “want any excuse for censorship”, Elon Musk has claimed as his social media site faces the threat of being shut down over deepfake pornography and child sexual abuse images.

#IRAN: Iran escalated its threats against anti-government demonstrators, with the country’s attorney general warning that anyone taking part in protests will be considered an “enemy of God” – a death penalty charge.

PARTING SHOT

IN IRELAND, WE’RE very familiar with the rhythm of the seasons.

We’re also very familiar with one particular sign of spring — the return of birds like swallows, swifts and martins. Their arrival marks the change in the year as clearly as lambs in fields or longer evenings. They come from Africa, nest here, raise their young, and leave again before the cold sets in. All of that is true.

What most people don’t realise is that just as many birds arrive in Ireland at the beginning of winter as arrive in spring.

For a few weeks every year coming into the colder weather, the skies over Ireland are extraordinarily busy, writes Jack Morley.