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

IRELAND

Mairead Ronan and her two daughters Eliza and Bonnie pictured at the launch of Ice Skating Dún Laoghaire, which is open now until 14 January Leon Farrell / Photocall Ireland Leon Farrell / Photocall Ireland / Photocall Ireland

• Tánaiste Micheál Martin said he fully supports the Justice Minister Helen McEntee and that he is confident she will have the full backing of Fianna Fáil TDs if it comes to a vote of no confidence in her.
• A man was arrested after protesters surrounded Sinn Féin Leader Mary Lou McDonald’s car in East Wall last night. 
• Caio Benicio, the Brazilian Deliveroo driver who intervened to stop the knife attack on three children and their carer last week, has said he has been in touch with the family of the young girl who remains in a critical condition to offer any assistance that he can.
• The Government said there is a “real possibility” of a shortfall in asylum seeker accommodation in the coming days.
• Elsewhere, the Government is to provide €15m in funding to the Peter McVerry Trust (PMV) to ensure the organisation can continue to provide its services.
• The organisers of the Ironman triathlon have called off their race in Youghal, Co Cork after two people died at the event this year.
• Just 28% of Ireland’s plastic packaging is recycled, as the country remains some distance away from meeting mandatory EU targets.
• There are too “too many cars” on our roads and Dublin needs to “go on a car diet”, the CEO of Dublin Bus will tell an Oireachtas Transport Committee tomorrow.
• Woodpeckers, who have migrated from Wales to Ireland, have caused damage to ESB-owned poles which was led to the company having to carry out “substantial upgrade work” to sections of its network this year.

INTERNATIONAL

Israeli helicopter transporting released hostages Alamy Alamy

#GAZA A new group of hostages were freed from Gaza captivity in exchange for Palestinian prisoners under an extended truce, as mediators worked for a lasting halt to the seven-week Israel-Hamas war.

#INDIA All 41 construction workers who were trapped in a collapsed mountain tunnel in northern India for more than two weeks were pulled out today.

#BORDERS Finland’s Prime Minister today said the country will shut its last border crossing to Russia, following an influx of migrants which Helsinki claims is a hybrid attack orchestrated by Moscow.

#VATICAN Pope Francis cancelled his upcoming trip to Dubai for the COP28 climate talks after advice from doctors concerned about his recent flu-like symptoms, the Vatican said today.

PARTING SHOT

The Parthenon Marbles in the British Museum in London. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

A diplomatic row has erupted between the British and Greek governments in the last 48 hours over the British Museum’s holding of the Parthenon Marbles. 

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak unexpectedly cancelled a meeting with his Greek counterpart Kyriakos Mitsotakis after he called for the Parthenon Marbles to be returned to Greece. 

Find out more about what the Parthenon Marbles are how the diplomatic row has arisen in our Explainer from reporter Jane Moore. 

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