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

Minister for Defence Helen McEntee TD attended the commissioning ceremony of the Defence Forces’ 101st Cadet Class at Military College, Defence Forces Training Centre (DFTC), in the Curragh, today. Sasko Lazarov / RollingNews.ie Sasko Lazarov / RollingNews.ie / RollingNews.ie

IRELAND

• Protests over the government’s response to rising fuel prices are continuing this evening, with the Defence Forces set to be deployed to remove vehicles blocking critical infrastructure. 
• Here are all the grim scenarios the government is preparing for if fuel blockades persists.
• The family of Limerick woman Scarlett Faulkner have said they were preparing to say their last goodbyes to her, three weeks after she was assaulted and suffered critical head injuries.
• A woman in her seventies has been seriously injured following a collision involving a car in Co Mayo.
• Dozens of people have been spotted walking along the hard shoulder of the M50 northbound with suitcases this afternoon, as the motorway remains heavily congested as a result of fuel price protests.
• The Minister for Justice is to consider holding an inquiry into the Creeslough explosion in which ten people died, the families of the victims have said.
• Talks are underway for a blockbuster fight between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua to be held at Croke Park, with Katie Taylor also featuring on the card.
• Up to 40 forecourts in Munster, as well as some in Connacht, have closed pumps or are running out of fuel due to shortages caused by the blockade at Foynes Port.
• Artificial intelligence could displace around one in every 14 jobs in Ireland in the coming years, with middle and higher-income households most exposed, according to new research.

INTERNATIONAL

US First Lady Melania Trump today made a surprise statement denying unspecified allegations about her and Jeffrey Epstein. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

#IRAN: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said he has instructed his cabinet to open direct talks with Lebanon to disarm Hezbollah and establish “peace relations” between the two countries.

#ANTARTICA: The Emperor penguin has been declared an endangered species as climate change pushes the icon of Antarctica a step closer to extinction, the global authority on threatened wildlife has announced.

#SPAIN: The alleged “Hutch criminal gang leader” arrested in Lanzarote yesterday has said he will fight extradition to Ireland.

#ARTEMIS: They took thousands of photographs and documented copious observations on their voyage around the Moon, but as they speed closer to home the Artemis astronauts say they’re still processing the extraordinary experience they shared.

PARTING SHOT

WhatsApp chats and Facebook groups are lighting up around the country with people wondering what impact the ongoing fuel protests might have on their journey.

One resource that could help those planning journeys is Transport Infrastructure Ireland’s (TII) traffic map.

It outlines all the incidents, roadworks and congestion spots across the country in real time.

The traffic map can be accessed here and TII have advised that the protest is “mobile at times and can impact different regions at different times”.