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

IRELAND

Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald speaks at the launch of the party’s alternative budget in the Clayton Hotel this morning, with finance spokesperson Pearse Doherty and public expenditure spokesperson Mairéad Farrell. Eamonn Farrell / © RollingNews.ie Eamonn Farrell / © RollingNews.ie / © RollingNews.ie

• Status Orange wind warnings have now been issued for five counties along the west coast tomorrow ahead of the arrival of Storm Amy. 
• Tánaiste Simon Harris said that at least 14 Irish activists are among the roughly 400 Gaza flotilla participants who were detained by Israeli forces last night.
• Traffic has begun moving through the southbound lane of Dublin’s Port Tunnel following a demonstration in support of the people of Palestine, but congestion is still affecting much of the city centre and areas nearby.
• Catherine Connolly defended her attempt to hire a convicted criminal after the Taoiseach said her approach to the issue showed a “serious lack of judgement”.
• The long-awaited Metrolink project has been granted planning permission by An Coimisiún Pleanála.
• Armagh All-Ireland winner Aidan Nugent today denied a series of sexual assault charges.

INTERNATIONAL

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood speaking during a press conference at the scene near Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation synagogue in Crumpsall, Manchester, where two people died in a terror attack by a man who was shot dead by police. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

#ANTISEMITISM: UK prime minister Keir Starmer has promised Britain’s Jewish community he will do everything in his power to guarantee their safety and security in the aftermath of a terrorist attack at a Manchester synagogue.

#SHUTDOWN: Efforts to swiftly end the US government shutdown collapsed yesterday as Democrats in Congress went home without resolving a funding stand-off with President Donald Trump.

#COPENHAGEN: Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelenskyy is set to join talks with leaders from across Europe in Copenhagen as the EU seeks to bolster Kyiv’s fight against Russia in the face of dwindling US support.

PARTING SHOT

Patrick Kielty and Priscella Presley. Andres Poveda Andres Poveda

PRISCILLA PRESLEY WILL appear on the Late Late Show tomorrow night alongside a host of stars for the annual Country Music Special. 

National treasures Philomena Begley and Daniel O’Donnell will appear too, alongside Nathan Carter, Michael English and Cliona O’Hagan. 

The American actor John C. Reilly – a Late Late Show favourite – will also be part of the star-studded episode. 

RTÉ said the show will be the “ultimate hoedown” and that it will celebrate “ten unforgettable years of Irish country music”.