Here’s a quick round-up of today’s key news stories:
Donald Trump delivered his State of the Union address, proclaiming a “turnaround for the ages” as he aims to improve his poll numbers ahead of the upcoming midterm elections. During the address, a Democratic congressman was ejected for displaying a protest sign reading, ‘black people aren’t apes.’
In the UK, speaker Lindsay Hoyle forwarded information to the Metropolitan Police concerning Peter Mandelson, following Mandelson’s denial of being a flight risk.
Bill Gates, speaking to staff at the Gates Foundation, acknowledged a “huge mistake” in associating with Jeffrey Epstein and admitted to having affairs, but denied any involvement in Epstein’s criminal activities.
In Gaza, a record number of journalists were killed last year, with Israel accountable for two-thirds of these fatalities.
John Davidson criticized the BBC for not editing his verbal Tourette’s tics during the Baftas, calling it a “serious mistake.”
In Ireland, Sinn Féin councillor Donnachadh Mulcahy proposed making “Amhrán na bhFiann” a mandatory part of the primary school curriculum to ensure that children learn the national anthem’s words, meaning, and proper performance. Currently, its inclusion is at the discretion of individual teachers.