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

IRELAND

Children from St Joseph’s Nursery and Lucan Gospel Choir perform at opening of Live Animal Crib at Mansion House RollingNews.ie RollingNews.ie

• A formal investigation was launched into the flying of four unidentified military-style drones into a no-fly zone and towards the flight path of Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s plane earlier this week.
• Taxi Drivers Ireland suspended plans for a six-day “national shutdown protest” pending a meeting at Government Buildings next week.
• Taoiseach Micheál Martin described Ireland’s withdrawal from the Eurovision Song Contest as an “act of solidarity”, but DUP deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly said it “won’t make a jot of difference” to the situation in the Middle East.
• The €1.3 billion Greater Dublin Drainage Project can now move forward after Uisce Éireann reached an agreement to settle judicial review proceedings initiated in the High Court.
• Health Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill said it makes “absolutely no sense” that the construction of the new National Children’s Hospital has not been finished on time. 
• Filings show the secondary school at the centre of the Enoch Burke case saw its insurance and legal costs soar last year.
• Excavators found evidence of a second burial site where child sized graves have been discovered on the grounds of the former mother and baby home in Tuam.
• The Arts Council will make supports available for comedy and comedians in upcoming funding rounds.
• RTÉ confirmed new presenters across a number of its flagship programmes.
• A street in the centre of Drogheda is closed to traffic as council crews deal with ‘pulled-down’ Christmas lights.
• Planning permission was granted for 49 units of housing in Dublin’s north east inner city, despite significant concerns raised by by TDs, councillors and local residents – including Olympic star Kellie Harrington – over the loss of a playground and sports pitch.
• Nine people have died and hundreds have been hospitalised with the flu so far this year. 
• A rare whale spotted at Donegal Bay last year has been sighted in waters in Massachusetts, almost 5,000km away.
• The Live Crib in Dublin City Centre officially opened today for the Christmas period.
• Eason’s on Pearse Street in Mullingar was revealed as the shop that sold the winning Lotto Jackpot ticket worth €6,241,505.

INTERNATIONAL

FIFA PresidentGianni Infantino shakes hands with Donald Trump as he receives the FIFA Peace Prize during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Official Draw FIFA via Getty Images FIFA via Getty Images

#WORLD CUP: The draw for the 2026 World Cup took place and should Ireland qualify, we’ll face face Mexico, Korea Republic and South Africa. Meanwhile, Trump was presented with the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize at the draw. 
#TECH FINE: The EU hit Elon Musk’s X with a €120m fine today for breaking its digital rules, in a move that risks a fresh clash with US President Donald Trump’s administration.
#LEBANON: Irish troops came under fire while on patrol near their base in South Lebanon, but none of the peacekeepers were injured in the incident.
#DARK HORSE: Justin Trudeau seemingly used a meeting with Japan’s former prime minister to hard launch his relationship with Katy Perry.

PARTING SHOT

This will be Patrick Kielty's third time on hosting duties Andres Poveda Andres Poveda

RTÉ this morning revealed the theme of tonight’s Late Late Toy Show, and it might just make your heart grow three sizes. 

The theme chosen for this year’s show is everyone’s favourite mean, grumpy and green creature who, as the song goes, is as cuddly as a cactus and as charming as an eel.

Yes, it’s the Grinch.

The Late Late Toy Show is always one of the most highly anticipated events in Irish televisionand tonight marks its 50th edition.

In our Daily Poll today, we wanted to know, will you be tuning in?

Take part in our poll here, or see how others have been voting.