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

IRELAND

Ed Sheeran lookalikes Katherine Looby and Tom Lynch, both from Dublin, wear Ed Sheeran masks, at a Support Palestine protest outside a Zara Deparment Store in Dublin today. Leah Farrell / RollingNews.ie Leah Farrell / RollingNews.ie / RollingNews.ie

• Thousands have taken to the streets of Portadown this afternoon, marching in opposing rallies, amid the ongoing stand-off in the Co Armagh town over a stalled Orange Order march. Garvaghy Road supporters, and Orange Order supporters, both took to the streets at a similar time.
• There were chaotic scenes at Ireland’s press conference ahead of the Ireland-Israel match tomorrow, after Israeli journalists asked questions about the attack of on the Flydubai flight last week, which led to the conference being ended early.
• Simon Harris and his wife Caoimhe Wade have welcomed a baby girl just days before the Budget 2026 announcement.
• Tributes have been paid to a mother-of-two, Danielle O’Keane, who died on Thursday in a rickshaw accident after returning from a Westlife concert in Dublin.
• The two people who died following a workplace incident in Co Down on Friday have been named as Joseph Hobbs (23) from the Comber area and Mark Glover (38) from Ballygowan.
• The Law Society has said that a judicial review should not cause the justice minister to delay “meaningful engagement” with striking solicitors.
• A landlord has been ordered to pay almost €20,000 to a former tenant after she evicted the man before then using the apartment for short-term lettings.
• RTÉ is set to spend an estimated €960,000 over four years on a string of five-star and four-star hotels around Dublin to accommodate celebrities and other contributors appearing on the station. 
• Two US Air Force fighter jets diverted to Shannon Airport this afternoon after one declared an emergency over the North Atlantic.

INTERNATIONAL

An estimated 70,000 people took to the main avenues of Madrid and marched to the Cibeles Fountain, where the headquarters of the Madrid City Council is located, over the housing crisis and evictions across Spain. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

#KENYA A road accident involving several vehicles killed 17 pilgrims travelling to a Catholic shrine in Kenya early this morning.

#AXE ATTACK The co-pilot on a FlyDubai flight that nearly crashed last week attacked the captain with the cockpit’s crash axe in a “terrorist” incident, according to United Arab Emirates officials.

#PROTESTS Tens of thousands of protesters have descended on Madrid and other cities in Spain to demand affordable housing.

PARTING SHOT

Today is World Romance Scams Prevention Day.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland is warning about “skilled manipulators” who “go to great lengths to build a fake relationship”, but “their sole aim is stealing people’s money”.

Last year, over £800,000 was lost as a result of romance scams in Northern Ireland, with over 60 people conned.

In Ireland, the average financial loss since 2020 is approximately €30,000. The highest reported loss by a female in Ireland was over €450,000 stolen in 18 transactions, while one male victim had more than €380,000 taken.

Superintendent Joanne Gibson of the PSNI said:  “Fraudsters seek to build a relationship of trust quickly before requesting money. Initially, they’ll appear charming and come across as being really interested in you, but they’ll have multiple excuses for not being able to meet face-to-face.

“They’ll hint at financial troubles and start asking for money by playing on victim’s emotions. For example, asking for help to pay for medical or legal bills, help a family member, pay for travel, or some sort of investment opportunity.

“They’ll promise to repay the money but have no intention of doing so. For some people who believe they’ve found a genuine, meaningful relationship, the stark reality is they’ve been emotionally and financially drained. Even if any money lost is recovered, the person is still left to cope with the emotional impact and distress.”