NEED TO CATCH up? TheJournal.ie brings you a round up of today’s news.

IRELAND

Julian Checkly dressed as Batman at Comic Con in the Convention Center in Dublin. RollingNews.ie RollingNews.ie

• The number of homeless families in Ireland has risen by 55% this year.
• Hundreds of people attended an anti-water charges protest in Nenagh, Co Tipperary. 
• A man died in a car crash in Kildare and another man was seriously injured in a crash in Galway.
• An elderly woman was rescued from a burning apartment in Dublin.
• The Anti-Austerity Alliance and People Before Profit are in talks to form a new political group.
• Denis O’Brien criticised The Irish Times in letter to the paper’s editor.
• The PSNI is no longer looking for anyone in Northern Ireland in relation to the murder of Jennifer Dornan.
• A rider died at the Ulster Grand Prix.
• An Irishman was seriously injured in a fight in Bulgaria.
• Ireland’s rugby team overcame Wales.

INTERNATIONAL

Gladiatorial performers engage in mock combat during a photo call for the launch of the Gladiator Games, Guildhall Yard, London. PA PA

#KABUL Some 51 people have been killed in a barrage of bombings in the Afghan capital.

#NEW YORK Four people died when a plane crashed in the the Adirondack Mountains.

#INDIA Villagers in a rural part of eastern India killed five women whom they accused of practising witchcraft.

#TAIWAN A powerful typhoon has killed at least six people in Taiwan.

#UK The details of up to 2.4 million Carphone Warehouse customers may have been accessed by hackers.

INNOVATION

• Did you know your phone’s battery lets advertisers track you online? [Geek]
• Here’s our pick of the five apps worth downloading this week. 

PARTING SHOT

Comic Con may be happening in Dublin, but RollerCon (the world’s largest roller derby) is taking Las Vegas by storm. Business Insider went along to see what all the fuss is about.

Originally published: 20.14