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

Aontú party leader Peadar Tóibín being congratulated by members before speaking at the party's Ard Fheis in the Midlands Park Hotel in Portlaoise. Sasko Lazarov / © RollingNews.ie Sasko Lazarov / © RollingNews.ie / © RollingNews.ie

IRELAND

• A Government-chartered flight destined for Ireland departed Oman carrying Irish citizens and is due to arrive in Dublin tonight.
• Former Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said the United States and Israel should “accept all the migrants” that may flow from the ongoing war on Iran, arguing that the countries responsible for the conflict should shoulder responsibility for refugees.
• Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín railed against Government and its “destroying” of the “social contract” in his leader’s address as his party’s Ard Fheis in Portlaoise this evening. 
• Former president of Ireland Mary Robinson called for solidarity to guard against “attacks on truth” as she criticised the US administration.
• The current rules for on street charging are preventing households in Dublin’s inner city from making to switch to electric vehicles, the city’s Lord Mayor Ray McAdam said.

INTERNATIONAL

President Donald Trump listens while Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth speaks at the Shield of the Americas Summit. AP Photo / Rebecca Blackwell AP Photo / Rebecca Blackwell / Rebecca Blackwell

#CUBA: As war rages, in the Middle East, US President Donald Trump told several Latin American allies that Cuba is in its “last moments of life” and a “great change” is coming to the nation.

#UKRAINE: At least seven people have died and 10 others, including three children, were injured after a Russian missile hit a five-storey residential building in Ukraine’s second-largest city, Kharkiv, officials said.

PARTING SHOT

Work on the project commenced in March 2024. Michael Dillon Michael Dillon

THE NEWLY-BUILT WESTPORT Coast Guard Station, constructed for the cost of €6.8m, was officially opened today.

Minister of State Seán Canney, who is responsible for the Irish Coast Guard, and Minister of State Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran, responsible for the OPW, opened the station.

The new station is two storeys high and includes offices, a training room, equipment stores, vehicle and boat storage, changing rooms and a kitchenette.