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

IRELAND

Former Minister for Health James Reilly (left) watches Taoiseach Micheál Martin on the television in Doheny & Nesbitt's, Dublin. Sam Boal Sam Boal

• Most Covid-19 restrictions, including curbs on hospitality and events, will be lifted tomorrow morning.
• Here’s everything you need to know about the reopening plans.
• Confused about why restrictions are being lifted now? Check out our latest explainer.
• 11,161 new Covid-19 cases were announced today, a total of 892 patients are in hospital with the disease and 88 are in ICU.
• Gardaí are probing claims that a man’s dead body was taken to a post office in a bid to withdraw his pension.
• St Patrick’s Day parades are set to return this year. 
• Medical students from universities in Northern Ireland and Britain cannot apply for internships in Irish hospitals due to Brexit.
• An investigation is under way following the discovery of a woman’s body outside a private home in Donegal.
• Irish arts and culture will play a key role in the national Covid commemorative day in March.

INTERNATIONAL

Anti-abortion activists in Washington, DC, for the annual March for Life on the anniversary of the Supreme Court ruling in Roe v Wade. Sipa USA / Alamy Live News Sipa USA / Alamy Live News / Alamy Live News

#UKRAINE: US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said he asked Russia to prove its intentions by pulling back troops deployed on Ukraine’s borders. 

#UK: Downing Street is resisting opening an investigation into allegations of Conservative MPs being blackmailed into supporting Boris Johnson as he faces a threat to his leadership, despite a Cabinet minister saying they need to be looked at. 

#MEAT LOAF: Tributes poured in after legendary entertainer Meat Loaf died at the age of 74.

PARTING SHOT

Government trying to tell people that this by no way means the pandemic is over pic.twitter.com/ywwj64Gu9Z

— Killian Sundermann (@killersundymann) January 21, 2022

After nearly two years of Covid restrictions, we’ll leave you head into the weekend with comedian Killian Sundermann’s take on this “good day“.