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

IRELAND

Pictured at the Dublin Simon Community, Sing for Simon concert at The Helix Theatre. The event marked 55 years of service for the charity and is part of its campaign to help open doors for people experiencing homelessness this Christmas. Andres Poveda Andres Poveda

• The Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar has announced that the Israeli Embassy in Dublin is to be closed due to the Irish government’s “extreme anti-Israel policy”. 
• Two men suspected of murder have been arrested by police in Northern Ireland in connection with the investigation into the death of a woman in Co Down last night.
• A man in his 30s remains in custody as investigations continue into the assault and robbery of two off-duty gardaí in Dublin city centre yesterday, which has left one of the officers in critical condition.
• Police in the US city of Miami have confirmed they are investigating an Irish man for an alleged sexual assault incident at a hotel during an Armagh GAA visit.
• The government has agreed to a temporary extension of legal driving hours for hauliers for the next two weeks, as the effects of the Holyhead port closure continue to be felt over the Christmas period.
• A man in his 20s been hospitalised after he was attacked at a takeaway in Co Donegal.
• A centre for families in international protection in Athlone had its emergency exit deliberately sealed shut by an anti-migrant group in recent weeks, amid heightened tensions over expansions to asylum services in the town.

INTERNATIONAL

Fans in fancy dress during day one of the Paddy Power World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace, London. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

#US AMBASSADOR: US President-elect Donald Trump has announced that Edward Walsh, president of the construction services business the Walsh Company, will serve as Ambassador to Ireland.

#GAZA: Gaza’s civil defence agency has said that overnight Israeli strikes across the Palestinian territory killed at least 18 people, including four displaced individuals who had sought refuge in a tent.

#OIL SPILL: At least one person has died after two Russian oil tankers were badly damaged in a storm in the Kerch Strait, spilling oil and sparking an emergency rescue operation, Russian officials told state news outlets.

PARTING SHOT

Ali Parker (14) with Fiona Keatingz, Laura Treacy and Orlaith Cahalane. Kinsale Lions Club Kinsale Lions Club

SANTA ARRIVED AT the paediatric ward at Cork University Hospital (CUH) by coastguard helicopter, where he delivered hundreds of presents to children as a result of a Kinsale & District Lions Club toy appeal.

The appeal was in partnership with CUH Charity, supported by the team at MMD Construction.

Cork GAA sports personalities such as Sean Og O Halpin, Brian Hayes, Michael Martin, Dr Con Murphy and Orlaith Cahalane, Fiona Keating and Laura Treacy also made an appearance.