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

Taoiseach Micheál Martin with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s on his official visit to Ireland at Government Buildings. Government Information Service Government Information Service

IRELAND 

• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed a joint sitting of the Oireachtas and attended a number of engagements across Dublin as part of his first official visit to Ireland. 
• Ireland’s media regulator launched investigations into TikTok and LinkedIn over concerns that the mechanisms to report illegal content are not user-friendly.
• A former teacher will be sentenced next week for the indecent assault of eight boys over 30 years ago at a private Dublin school.
• More than 100 gardaí are to be given taser guns as part of a new six-month pilot project.
• The funeral of Scottish student Chloe Hipson, who was among five young people who died in a crash in Co Louth, heard that she was “thriving” while living abroad.
• Met Éireann said last month was the fifth wettest November on record.
• Gardaí launched a major search operation in a Limerick town targeting money laundering by an organised crime group.
• An investigation was launched after a lit newspaper was stuffed through the letterbox of a house in Co Donegal in the early hours of this morning.

INTERNATIONAL

An origami crane at a makeshift memorial near Wang Fuk Court housing complex in Tai Po following a deadly fire. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

#UKRAINE: Vladimir Putin said Russia is “ready” for war if Europe seeks one, accusing the continent’s leaders of trying to sabotage a deal on the Ukraine conflict before he met with US envoys.

#INQUIRY: An investigation into the Hillsborough disaster found 12 police officers would have faced gross misconduct proceedings for “fundamental failures” on the day and “concerted efforts” to blame fans in the aftermath.

#JURY’S OUT: Jury trials are to be scrapped in England and Wales in cases that could have a likely sentence of three years or less.

#HONG KONG: Officials confirmed that a judge-led “independent committee” is being formed to investigate the devastating fire at an apartment complex in Hong Kong that killed 151 people last week.

PARTING SHOT

Claudia Winkleman is returning to host the popular reality gameshow. BBC media centre BBC media centre

O come, all ye Faithfuls… and Traitors. The ultimate game of trust and treachery is coming back to our screens soon after Christmas. 

The BBC confirmed the release date for the highly-anticipated fourth series of The Traitors today.