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

Ireland

The Poolbeg Lighthouse in South Dublin earlier today Leah Farrell Leah Farrell

• Immunologist Christine Loscher has said that the Government “missed a trick” by not strongly advising the public around the importance of mask wearing as hospitals face record levels of overcrowding in emergency departments.
• A director to lead the excavation of the Tuam mother and baby home site is likely to be appointed next month, with work on the site expected to begin shortly after.
• A woman in her 80s has died following a hit-and-run incident in Galway yesterday evening.
• Gardaí have renewed their appeal for information to assist their investigation into the death of 28-year-old Bruna Fonseca on New Year’s Day.
  
• Several counties are under Status Yellow weather warnings as Met Éireann is forecasting thunderstorms and high winds on the west coast this evening and tomorrow.
• Police in Northern Ireland have seized a car as part of their investigation into the murder of Natalie McNally on 18 December 2022.

International

Republican Kevin McCarthy was elected US House speaker in a historic post-midnight 15th ballot, overcoming holdouts from his own ranks Alex Brandon / AP Alex Brandon / AP / AP

#US CONGRESS After days of voting, the US House of Representatives have selected Republican Kevin McCarthy as the new speaker following political infighting among the new majority party.

#COMET A newly discovered comet could be visible to the naked eye as it shoots past Earth and the Sun in the coming weeks for the first time in 50,000 years, astronomers have said.

#IRAN EXECUTIONS Iran drew international condemnation  today as it executed two men for killing a paramilitary force member in November during unprecedented protests sparked by Mahsa Amini’s death in custody.

#SHOOTING A six-year-old boy opened fire in an elementary school classroom in the eastern US state of Virginia yesterday, seriously injuring a teacher, police said. No students were hurt in the shooting, with the child now in police custody.

#SOUTH SUDAN Media rights groups have called for South Sudanese authorities to release six journalists detained over a video reportedly showing President Salva Kiir urinating on himself.

Parting Shot

Film industry site Deadline has reported that Paul Mescal is set to star in Ridley Scott’s ‘Gladiator 2′.

The report, which was published last night, details that Mescal was Scott’s favourite to take the lead role following a meeting in November.

More details on the project can be found here.