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

IRELAND

Micheál Martin pictured this morning in Brussels Jane Matthews Jane Matthews

• A garda who falsely imprisoned and sexually assaulted a woman in a Co Wicklow garda station has been jailed for six years
• A man in his 20s remains in custody as gardaí continue to investigate a stabbing incident in Stoneybatter yesterday afternoon
• Around 200 premises are still without power due to the impacts of Storm Éowyn
• Samantha Mumba hit out at RTÉ’s Eurosong and said that the panel, apart from Bambie Thug, were “unnecessarily rude and vile”
• A man in his 50s has died following a single-vehicle collision in Offaly this afternoon
• Micheál Martin has moved to temper expectations around Rent Pressure Zones being abolished, stating that he was “surprised” by some headlines today
• Limerick hurler Kyle Hayes will have to wait until at least March to find out if he is going to jail for his conviction for violent disorder at a Limerick nightclub
• A 17-year-old has pleaded guilty to the attempted murder of Defence Forces chaplain Father Paul Murphy, who suffered multiple stab wounds following an attack last year
• Three Irish restaurants have joined the ranks of Michelin-starred eateries
• A man in his forties is in garda custody in connection with an attack on a woman in her twenties at Evergreen Road in Cork city

INTERNATIONAL

Israeli captives (from left to right) Ohad Ben Ami, Eli Sharabi and Or Levy, who have been held hostage by Hamas in Gaza since Oct. 7, 2023 Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

#GAZA AND ISRAEL: Hamas has announced that it would indefinitely postpone the next hostage-prisoner exchange under a fragile truce agreement with Israel, accusing Israel of failing to comply with ceasefire terms

#UNITED STATES: Donald Trump is escalating his threats against Palestinians in Gaza, saying that they would have no right of return under his proposed plan to seize control of the territory

#SUPERBOWL: The Philadelphia Eagles ended the Kansas City Chiefs’ bid to win an unprecedented three straight Super Bowls as they ran out 40-22 winners in New Orleans

#SPACE: Scientists have found a rare Einstein ring in “our cosmic backyard” using images from the Euclid space telescope

PARTING SHOT

British singer Seal rendered as a seal in the Mountain Dew Super Bowl ad. The Journal - Screenshot The Journal - Screenshot

A record 80 advertisements aired last night as the Philadelphia Eagles dominated the Kansas City Chiefs during this year’s Super Bowl. 

In one of the $8 million 30-second-long ads, British singer Seal became an actual seal, sad that he could not hold Mountain Dew with his flippers.