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

IRELAND

Emergency services including a Garda Rescue Helicopter pictured today at Tower Bay Beach, Portrane, where they were called to assist a member of the public became stuck at the base of the cliffs. Sasko Lazarov / Rolling News Sasko Lazarov / Rolling News / Rolling News

• Education Minister Helen McEntee said the government is ready to discuss public service pensions if Fórsa, the union representing school secretaries and caretakers, comes to the table
• Lawyers for Conor McGregor’s co-defendant James Lawrence issued High Court proceedings against Nikita Hand following a civil case in which a jury cleared him of sexual assault
• Bertie Ahern ruled himself out of the running for president, as has Joanna Donnelly
• On that note, nominations for president are officially open – here are the key dates coming up
• The Asian hornet nest located last month in Cork City was removed by the National Parks and Wildlife Service.
• A body was recovered in the search for a young rock climber missing off the coast of Baltimore in Co Cork
• Three people, including a teenager, were arrested over a shooting in west Dublin last week
• A British minister faced criticism in the House of Lords over defence cooperation with Ireland – he defended ongoing talks and Ireland’s growing defence efforts ahead of a refreshed 2026 agreement

INTERNATIONAL

Angela Rayner pictured last year. She resigned this afternoon. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

#GAZA: The Israeli military destroyed a high-rise building in Gaza City today, shortly after announcing it would target tall buildings it claims are being “used by Hamas”.

#UK: Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced a major cabinet reshuffle in the wake of the resignation of his deputy prime minister Angela Rayner earlier today

#USA: US President Donald Trump confirmed he is changing the name of the Department of Defense to the Department of War, insisting the rebrand will project a more powerful image

#UKRAINE: Russian President Vladimir Putin warned that any Western forces deployed to Ukraine would be a “legitimate” target for Moscow’s army, a day after Kyiv’s allies said they had committed to a troop presence in the event of a peace deal

PARTING SHOT

Boyzone may reunite in 2026, says Singer Ronan Keating.

The Boyz may be back – as singer Ronan Keating revealed Boyzone will “try” to reunite in 2026.

The 48-year-old, who began his career in the boyband in 1993, said the success of a Sky documentary mini-series about the band had prompted the surviving members to discuss reuniting.

Speaking on the Scott Mills Breakfast Show on BBC Radio 2, Keating said: “The reaction was unbelievable, so we’ve obviously been talking about our story for the last 30 years, and we felt like that was kind of it, that maybe that was the end of the story.”

“And well, we’ve all been chatting over the last few weeks, and I think 2026 might be a year for Boyzone to maybe try and do something.”