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

IRELAND

People watch on a television screen in Buswells Hotel in Dublin as the Fianna Fáil Minister for Finance, Jack Chambers presented the budget in the Dáil. RollingNews.ie RollingNews.ie

• Budget 2025 is in the books after being read out in the Dáil this afternoon. Between increases in social welfare, baby boosts, and college fee cuts: here’s the main things you need to know.
• The Irish Defence Forces has said that all of its troops in Lebanon are safe and accounted for as Israel continues with its border incursion across the south of the country.
• The price of motor fuel is set to rise after Finance Minister Jack Chambers announced tax increases on both petrol and diesel in Budget 2025 today. 
• A former member of the Defence Forces who sexually assaulted two army colleagues at an overseas military base three years ago has been given a suspended six-month sentences by a military court.
• Homeless prevention charities have criticised the Government over what they say is a lack of housing measures included in Budget 2025.
• Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphreys has defended the provision of two double child benefit payments to all families with children this year, saying that families that don’t need it can “give it back”.
• A daughter and son of prominent publican Charlie Chawke were charged in court today with violently assaulting two men, at the Dunraven Arms Hotel, in Adare, Co Limerick.
• Women impacted by the CervicalCheck scandal will be exempt from income tax and inheritance tax on any monies received in relation to the screening programme. 
• The price of a packet of cigarettes is to increase by €1 from tomorrow in measures announced in Budget 2025.
• A garda investigation has been launched following a serious assault at a retail premises in Dublin that resulted in the hospitalisation of a teenager.
• Taoiseach Simon Harris took aim at Sinn Féin during a heated exchange with Pearse Doherty when discussing the Budget in the Dáil this afternoon.
• A man in his 70s has died from the injuries he sustained in a road traffic collision in Co Roscommon yesterday.
• Ex-Republic of Ireland footballer Anthony Stokes’ sentencing for a cocaine seizure and a high speed drink-driving chase in Dublin has been delayed pending drug test results.

INTERNATIONAL

Demonstrators wave Hezbollah flags a they celebrate Iran's missile strike against Israel during a gathering at Felestin (Palestine) Sq. in Tehran, Iran. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

#IRAN: Israel has vowed to retaliate when earlier this evening, Iran launched a series of missiles targeting Israel, where warning sirens sounded across the country.

#LONDON: A 14-year-old girl has been left with potentially life-changing injuries after a suspected acid attack outside a school in London in the UK.

#THAILAND: A devastating fire tore through a school bus in Thailand carrying 44 children and teachers on a school trip today, with up to 25 feared dead.

#JIMMY CARTER: Tributes have poured in for former US President Jimmy Carter, who became the first US President, sitting or former, to reach the centenary mark.

PARTING SHOT

“NO ONE KNOWS what’s going to happen next in Lebanon. My advice is to leave now,” said Charbel, an armed soldier standing watch in a Christian neighbourhood in East Beirut on Monday evening.

You can read Hannah McCarthy’s report from Beirut here.