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

Little Blues Heroes Foundation representatives Darcie Gavin (8) and Liam Tomney (7) both from Tallaght, switching on the Dublin Town’s Christmas lights alongside Santa Claus at Penneys, Mary Street. Sasko Lazarov / Photocall Ireland Sasko Lazarov / Photocall Ireland / Photocall Ireland

IRELAND

• The Government published its long-awaited housing plan, which aims to deliver at least 300,000 new homes by the end of 2030.
• Met Éireann issued weather warnings for 13 counties nationally from tomorrow, including a Status Orange rain warning for Dublin, Wexford, and Wicklow.
• Sinn Féin expelled a member of the party after her partner was arrested as part of investigations by the anti-terror Special Detective Unit into far-right extremism.
• The Oireachtas Justice Committee recommended a complete and unconditional ban on the use of counselling records in sexual offence trials.
• The body of a man in his 30s was discovered in Co Louth.
• Consumer prices in Ireland have risen by the highest annual rates since March 2024 – with prices of basic grocery items shooting up.
• The father of a young family who were inside the Ipas centre on George’s Street in Drogheda on the night of last month’s blaze said his family are still traumatised.
• The mother of Harvey Sherratt said the language in a protected disclosure over the care of her son was “disgusting” and made her feel as if he had been written off.
•  Alice Cairns, the mother of missing schoolboy Philip Cairns, died.  
• A Christmas market which has been held at Dublin Castle over the last few years will not be happening this winter or next “due to other Government business requirements”. 

INTERNATIONAL

People lay flowers at one of the sites of the attacks in Paris. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

#FRANCE: Commemoration ceremonies were held in Paris today to mark ten years since the deadly attacks on the city that resulted in the deaths of 130 people. 

#BACK TO WORK: US President Donald Trump signed a bill to end the 43-day government shutdown, the longest in the nation’s history. 

#ONLINE SHOPPING: EU finance ministers agreed to scrap a bloc-wide duty exemption on low-value orders from the likes of retail giants Temu and Shein to help tackle a flood of cheap Chinese imports.

#HITLER: Researchers concluded Adolf Hitler likely suffered from the genetic condition Kallmann Syndrome, that can manifest itself in undescended testicles and a micropenis, following DNA testing of the Nazi dictator’s blood.

PARTING SHOT

James O'Reilly at his graduation. DCU DCU

At the age of 82, James O’Reilly was among the oldest graduates at Dublin City University last month when he achieved his BA in English and History.

Seven years ago, his wife passed away and he fell into a deep depression. 

Speaking to The Journal, he said: “My two sons persuaded me to do something to occupy myself, suggesting maybe a course. I researched and came up with this course.”