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

IRELAND

arty leader Holly Cairns and members of the Social Democrats parliamentary party launching their ‘Better Services, Stronger Communities – Alternative Budget 2026’ at the Dail today. Leah Farrell / © Rollingnews.ie Leah Farrell / © Rollingnews.ie / © Rollingnews.ie

• A flotilla carrying aid to Gaza is currently being intercepted by Israeli warships, according to flotilla organisers.
• Counter-terrorism gardaí intervened to stop Catherine Connolly from hiring a woman convicted of a gun crime to work in Leinster House.
• A Status Yellow wind warning has been issued for the whole country on Friday ahead of Storm Amy. 
• A man accused of stabbing a Garda in Dublin in July has been further charged with arson of Conor McGregor’s Black Forge Inn and engaging in terrorist activity during the two incidents.
• Senator Michael McDowell has said he didn’t nominate Maria Steen for the presidency because he has been “consistently liberal” and that her election would have been a “step backwards” for Ireland.

INTERNATIONAL

Smoke rises following an Israeli military strike in Gaza City, as seen from the central Gaza Strip. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

#CONGRESS: The US government has shut down after lawmakers failed to break a budget impasse during acrimonious talks that hinged on Democratic demands for health care funding.

#COLORADO: Authorities in Colorado have reopened a review into the death of acclaimed journalist and author Hunter S. Thompson, nearly 20 years after it was officially ruled a suicide.

#GERMANY: The Munich Oktoberfest grounds will remain temporarily closed today, German police said, hours after a fire and explosions rocked a building elsewhere in the city, leaving one person dead. 

PARTING SHOT

The members age between 10 and 14 years old at a guide level, and 14 and 30 years old at senior branch level. Irish Girl Guides Irish Girl Guides

IRISH GIRL GUIDE members across Ireland are teaching digital skills to older adults in their communities.

A partnership with the Vodafone Foundation has resulted in girl guides helping over 2,000 older people learn new digital skills.

The guides’ units host their teaching sessions in their community centres, in parish churches, in men’s and women’s sheds and active retirement groups.