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

IRELAND

The Lake class boats were sold by the New Zealand Government to the Irish State for €26m. Irish Naval Service Irish Naval Service

• A man was charged following a tense standoff yesterday between anti-immigration protesters and those demonstrating to voice their support for refugees.
• Gardaí are appealing for witnesses after a man died in a motorcycle crash in Co Leitrim yesterday morning.
• The Citizens’ Assembly on Drug Use has heard that drug use is happening “everywhere”, but that people from deprived areas face more difficulties within the criminal justice system.
• The Irish Times has confirmed that it has initiated a review over the publication of an article which said that using fake tan was “problematic”.
• Two newly purchased Irish Naval vessels are set to arrive in Cork Harbour tomorrow following a mammoth voyage from New Zealand on the back of a cargo ship. 
• Ben Healy added his name to an elite list of Irish cyclists as he soloed away to a brilliant breakaway win at the Giro d’Italia on Saturday.
• Gardaí in Wexford have seized €660,000 worth of cannabis after carrying out a search of a premises in Enniscorthy.

INTERNATIONAL 

Pope Francis meeting with Volodymyr Zelenskyy AP AP

#GAZA An NHS doctor has described worrying scenes in Gaza as “hundreds” of cancer patients go for days without treatment due to ongoing fighting between Israel and Palestinian militant groups.

#VATICAN Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in Rome today to meet with Pope Francis and Italian leaders, as Germany unveiled a new weapons package ahead of an expected Ukrainian counteroffensive. 

#SUDAN Air strikes pummeled Khartoum today, with representatives of Sudan’s warring factions meeting in Saudi Arabia for talks to prevent a “humanitarian catastrophe” as the fighting entered a fifth week.

PARTING SHOT 

A 99-year-old former circus worker has achieved her lifelong dream of having knives thrown at her during a live performance.

This is the moment Annie Duplock got in the ring at a @ZipposCircus performance in Coventry pic.twitter.com/uZux3pbAde

— PA Media (@PA) May 13, 2023

A 99-year-old former circus worker has achieved her lifelong dream of having knives thrown at her during a live circus performance.

Annie Duplock from Leicestershire in England got in the ring after the performance’s finale and stood against a board as blades were hurled at her by a professional knife thrower.

The circus founder told the audience Duplock had seen the show the night before and asked him to be part of the knife-thrower’s performance for her 100th birthday treat.

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