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

IRELAND

Emergency services responding to a wildfire at Killarney National Park. Valerie O'Sullivan Valerie O'Sullivan

• A woman and a teenage girl appeared in court charged with the murder of Scarlett Faulkner.
• The funeral of Jamey Carney, who was murdered in her home in Killarney last week,heard of how the mother-of-one was “bright, cheerful, full of life” and a “kind person” who was “selfless”.
• A high temperature warning is in effect for 20 counties and will remain in place until Friday morning.
• The Garda Commissioner said he “absolutely” supports an outright ban on e-scooters on Irish roads, a day after the Taoiseach said he was “leaning towards” imposing such a ban.
• The High Court has ruled that Enoch Burke owes the courts more than €200,000 in fines for repeatedly trespassing at Wilson’s Hospital School in recent years.
• The hosepipe ban has led to criticism of Ireland’s data centres, but how much water do they use?
• Ten people suspected of selling ‘dodgy boxes’ have been hit with legal letters by Sky as part of the latest efforts to curb the black market in streaming.
• A devastating wildfire at Killarney National Park was the result of human actions, according to Nature Minister Christopher O’Sullivan.

INTERNATIONAL

Keir Starmer leaving his final Prime Minister's Questions at the House of Commons Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

#UK: On his final appearance as prime minister at the House of Commons, Keir Starmer pledged to give his “wholehearted support” to his successor-in-waiting Andy Burnham.

#US: Former US president Joe Biden is publishing a book about his four years in the White House, as well as why he decided to withdraw from the presidential election in 2024.

#THAILAND: Australia will enact laws to regulate how artificial intelligence data centres use power and water.

PARTING SHOT

Matt Damon leads the cast of The Odyssey. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

“This is raw, ambitious filmmaking from a director operating at the height of his powers. Would it be too much to ask Nolan for a three-hour retelling of Cú Chulainn’s story next?”

Andrew Walsh got to spend one of his mornings in work this week at a screening of Christopher Nolan’s adaptation of The Odyssey, which opens in Irish cinemas on Friday.

Read his full take here.