Here's What Happened Today: Friday

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

IRELAND

Hats in the air as intake 252 graduate in Templemore Garda College today. James Treacy

• Taoiseach Micheál Martin revealed he received a formal invitation from US President Donald Trump to visit the White House on St Patrick’s Day.
• Drier conditions are expected for tomorrow but warnings of flooding for some areas remain.
• A man in his 80s who died after a Bus Éireann bus crashed in Dublin city centre was named as Frank Daly.
• A further 22 sets of infant remains were uncovered by forensic specialists excavating the site of the former mother and baby home in Tuam.
• An Irish Naval ship suffered damage in bad weather in Dún Laoghaire after it struck a quayside.
• As the Social Democrats party conference kicked off in Cork, leader Holly Cairns hit out at the government for allowing the Occupied Territories Bill to gather dust.
• The Garda Commissioner and Justice Minister have pushed back on the Taoiseach’s call for a review into the investigation that led to the Limerick road traffic cancelling trial.
• A rescue collie who was dumped in a Tesco bag as a pup has made history after being named Ireland’s top agility dog for the fourth year in a row, ahead of representing the country at Crufts next month.

INTERNATIONAL

Italian actress Sabrina Impacciatore at the Opening ceremony of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games at San Siro stadium in Milan. Alamy Stock Photo

#US The White House said that a post on President Donald Trump’s social media account sharing a video depicting Barack Obama and his wife Michelle as apes was made in error by a staff member, and has been removed.

#IRAN Iran and the US have begun talks in Oman, with Washington refusing to rule out military action against its foe if diplomacy fails while the Islamic republic vowed to defend itself against “any excessive demands”.

#SOCIAL MEDIA The EU warned that TikTok needs to change its “addictive design” or risk heavy fines under the bloc’s digital content rules, in the latest clash with major social media companies.

PARTING SHOT

Yes, that is Domhnall Gleeson alongside Taylor Swift in her new music video. Taylor Swift / X

You may have seen Taylor Swift had a new music video out today, with several familiar faces joining her.

Domhnall Gleeson, Cillian Murphy and Graham Norton all feature in their own way in the the US pop star’s Opalite video, but it all begs the question: how did this happen, and why is Lewis Capaldi there?

Turns out, as outlined by Andrew Walsh here, that it goes back to a joke cracked on Norton’s BBC chat show.