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

IRELAND

People walk near Poolbeg Lighthouse in Dublin as calmer weather returns following Storm Chandra RollingNews.ie RollingNews.ie

• Pope Leo apologised to abuse survivor David Ryan during a private audience today at the Vatican.
• Taoiseach Micheál Martin said the Government cannot “wave a magic wand and just deliver” flood relief schemes as he visited affected homes and businesses in Co Wexford.
• From rap to chamber music, Irish talent was well represented at last night’s Grammy awards.
• Queen’s University Belfast said it will cut ties with George Mitchell, who was honoured for his work in the Irish peace process, due his links to the Jeffrey Epstein scandal. 
• The trial of former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson and his wife on charges relating to alleged historical sexual offences is expected to start in May.
• A man in his 40s died in a road traffic collision in Co Cavan.
• Two cryptocurrency accounts have been frozen and a man arrested following a garda operation in Co Galway.
• Tourists to Ireland stayed here for a combined total of 4.8 million nights in December and spent around €427 million.
• Breaches of notification requirements by sex offenders is set to be added to the list of offences where bail can be refused.
• The numbers of wetland birds visiting Ireland during the winter has declined due to climate change, habitat loss and human activity, a new landmark study found. 
• Fact to File bounced back to form to lift the Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup, with stablemate Galopin Des Champs having to settle for a gallant third place.

INTERNATIONAL

Trevor Noah at last night's Grammy Awards Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

#GRAMMYS: Donald Trump threatened legal action against the host of the 68th Grammy Awards, Trevor Noah, over the comedian’s comment on the US president and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

#PETER MANDELSON: Keir Starmer ordered an urgent inquiry into the ties between London’s former ambassador to Washington, Peter Mandelson, and Jeffrey Epstein during the politician’s time as a government minister.

#GAZA: Sick and wounded Gazans began crossing into Egypt to seek medical treatment today after Israel permitted a limited reopening of the Palestinian territory’s Rafah border post.

PARTING SHOT

Groundhog Club handler AJ Dereume holds Punxsutawney Phil Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

Punxsutawney Phil is said to be predicting six more weeks of wintry weather in the US after seeing his shadow today.

The groundhog’s annual prediction was translated by his handlers at Gobbler’s Knob in western Pennsylvania.

The Punxsutawney Groundhog Club says that when Phil is deemed to have not seen his shadow, that means there will be an early spring. When he does see it, it’s six more weeks of winter.

Phil tends to predict a longer winter far more often than an early spring.

Tens of thousands of people were on hand at Gobbler’s Knob for the annual ritual that goes back more than a century, with ties to ancient farming traditions in Europe.

Punxsutawney’s festivities have grown considerably since the 1993 movie Groundhog Day, starring Bill Murray.