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

Members of Orange Order gather near Drumcree Church as the standoff over contentious Drumcree parade continues in Portadown. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

IRELAND

• Sinn Féin leaders Mary Lou McDonald and Michelle O’Neill met Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Tánaiste Simon Harris to urge the government to intervene over the proposed Orange Order parade down Garvaghy Road.
• Former taoiseach Bertie Ahern said the decision to allow the Drumcree parade to take place was “choreographed far too tight, far too dangerous”, and that the stand-off that followed was inevitable.
• A Dublin couple named as witnesses in a failed civil court rape appeal by Conor McGregor are to stand trial, accused of perjury.
• Thousands of homes and businesses were left without power as strong winds and heavy rain hit the country, with weather warnings in place across 12 counties.
• Gardaí said they believe a man was kidnapped and tortured over a drug debt in Tallaght by a gang linked to the Kinahans.
• Health Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill defended the context of a 2022 photograph with a man who led chants in support of the IDF at Ireland’s match against Israel on Sunday.
• Locals opposing plans for a data centre in Naas are promising to fight the proposal at “every step”, after they were dealt a setback to their campaign this week.
• A man in his 20s was arrested in connection with an alleged assault on a woman in Belmayne, Co Dublin on Monday afternoon.
• Tánaiste Simon Harris said he wants to lower home heating oil and gas prices, but added that one budget can only do so much.
• A solicitor for former Ireland rugby international Brendan Mullin told a court that CCTV footage in his alleged €158 perfume theft case from Brown Thomas was “inconclusive”.
• An Asian Hornet has been seen (and subsequently captured) in the Ringaskiddy area of Co Cork.
• Three GAA clubs in west Waterford are “delighted” by the announcement they will receive a donation totalling €150,000 from tech billionaire Mark Zuckerberg and his wife Priscilla Chan. 

INTERNATIONAL

Andy Burnham pictured at a Labour Party conference in Liverpool. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

#UK: Andy Burnham launched into an emotional defence of the unity and solidarity of the United Kingdom at his party’s conference.

#RAF: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said a suspected terror plot targeting a British air base involved a “foreign actor”.

#RANULPH FIENNES: Friends of the British explorer Ranulph Fiennes, including Britain’s King Charles, are concerned for his wellbeing as he has not been seen in public for two years.

#MURDER TRIAL: A lawyer for Lindsay Clancy asked a judge to acquit the US mother accused of killing her three young children after a jury failed to reach a verdict in her trial.

#DEATH ROW: A Utah man was released after spending 41 years on death row after DNA evidence cast doubt on his conviction.

#RIP: US actor Dennis Haskins, who played principal Richard Belding in the hit sitcom Saved By The Bell, has died aged 75.

PARTING SHOT

Eddie Vedder pictured with Florence Road members Lily Aron, Emma Brandon, Ailbhe Barry and Hannah Kelly. Florence Road Florence Road

Wicklow band Florence Road managed to play a California festival after all their gear was stolen from their van, thanks to a helping hand from Pearl Jam frontman Eddie Vedder.

After hearing what happened, Vedder insisted the Bray band borrow his own guitars for their set.

Florence Road later hailed him as “a true gentleman”.

Read the full story here.