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

IRELAND

A mural in support of Ukraine in their fight against the invasion of their country by Russia, on Canal Road in Dublin. Sam Boal Sam Boal

• Foreign Affairs minister Simon Coveney flew to Poland today to discuss the war in Ukraine and what supports can be provided to the country and its neighbours.
• Gardaí launched an appeal after a mother and her two children went missing from Drogheda, Louth.
• A woman died following a road crash in Mayo last night.
• A man died and another man has been hospitalised following a collision between an articulated truck and a car in Co Limerick.
• Rachael Blackmore made history by becoming the first female jockey to win the Gold Cup at Cheltenham.

WORLD

Destroyed apartment in a residential area after shelling in Kyiv on March 18, 2022, as Russian troops try to encircle the Ukrainian capital as part of their slow-moving offensive. Raphael Lafargue Raphael Lafargue

#UKRAINE: Joe Biden and Chinese leader Xi Jinping have begun a phone call in which Biden will pressure his counterpart to join Western pressure against Russia over the invasion of Ukraine, warning of “costs” if Beijing goes to the Kremlin’s aid.

#RUSSIA: Vladmimir Putin Putin appeared at a huge flag-waving rally in Moscow and praised his country’s troops today as they pressed their lethal attacks on Ukrainian cities with shelling and missiles.

#POLAND: Peter Paul Rubens 17th century masterpiece Portrait Of A Lady has sold for the equivalent of €3.1 million at a Warsaw auction, becoming the most expensive artwork ever bought on the Polish art market.

PARTING SHOT

There was a special Paddy’s Day instalment of The Late Late Show last night and it did not disappoint. 

Many were left spellbound by the singing performances of John C Reilly and gold medallist Kellie Harrington. 

Beautiful 💚 🇮🇪

Raglan Road - John C. Reilly #LateLate pic.twitter.com/O9KBcE9eGH

— The Late Late Show (@RTELateLateShow) March 17, 2022