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

IRELAND

Rainbow Drama School students take a break from the 1916 styled classroom in St. Stephens Green as part of the 100 year anniversary of the Easter Rising. RollingNews.ie RollingNews.ie

• The crowds were out in force today to celebrate the sacrifices Irish men and women made for the country 100 years ago. Here are some of the best photos from the day.
• Moment by moment, TheJournal.ie has been following what happened during the 1916 Rising.
• A group of angry protesters heckled Minister Heather Humphreys at the Moore Street commemoration.
• The funeral mass of Noel Duggan took place today.
• The Teachers Union of Ireland (TUI) has called for an end to unequal salaries for teachers.
• The parents of a young girl who died in a bouncy castle accident have released statements saying words just can’t explain how they are feeling right now.
• Five cars were involved in an accident today after a ‘freak’ sleet storm in Cork.
• More details emerged about Sean ‘Curly’ Sweeney and his three-year-old son. Both died yesterday afternoon in Ashington.

INTERNATIONAL

A surfer rides the waves at Tynemouth, Tyne and Wear, North Tyneside, as Storm Katie has packed winds of more than 100mph. PA Wire / Press Association Images PA Wire / Press Association Images / Press Association Images

#BRUSSELS: More information has been released about those who were killed in the terrorist attacks in Brussels.

#TAIWAN: A young girl has been beheaded in Taiwan, in what police are describing as a random attack.

#MADEIRA ISLANDS: A 65-year-old woman has been rescued after she tried to swim out to a passing cruise ship.

#BRITAIN: Storm Katie has been battering parts of Britain, leading to cancelled flights and a trail of disruption left in its wake.

#USA: A police officer has been shot at the US Capitol Hill in Washington DC.

INNOVATION

• Is there any truth to the ‘five-second rule’ and dropping food on the floor? [BBC]
• NASA are to test an inflatable living module on the International Space Station that could one day go to Mars.

PARTING SHOT

Cork artist Will Sliney, who has worked on many Marvel Comics projects, has turned his attention to the 1916 Rising leaders this week. Check out the comic-style images. [DailyEdge.ie]