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

IRELAND

Kite surfers enjoying the high temperatures and gusty conditions at Dublin's Dollymount Strand Sam Boal Sam Boal

• Ireland has recorded its hottest temperature in 135 years, with the Met Éireann site at Phoenix Park topping out at 33°C at 3pm. 
• The Government has required all refugees travelling to Ireland from safe European countries to have visas to enter, amid concerns around potential system ‘abuse’.
• Water conservation is in place in a dozen areas in parts of the midlands and south-east due to risks of drought.
• FreeNow has said that it will be adding an additional €1 charge to every taxi journey as taxi prices are set to rise in September.
• A man in his 50s has died following a fire in his home in Drumcondra.
• New documents show that over 95% of all vehicles driving through Phoenix Park are breaking the 30km/hr speed limit.

INTERNATIONAL

A firefighter battling a blaze in south-west France. PA PA

#HEATWAVE Both France and Spain are fighting wildfires amid the fierce heat, with French authorities scrambling more water-bombing planes to combat the spreading flames.

#UKRAINE Top EU diplomat, Josep Borrell said that Europeans should not tire in the effort to defeat Russia’s invasion of Ukraine as he warned that Vladimir Putin would seek to exploit “democratic fatigue”.

PARTING SHOT

Both College Green and Dame Street in Dublin City centre are set to go traffic-free early next month as part of plans for a family friendly Summer Sunday event.

The move means that bus stops as well as taxi ranks will be diverted for the day to ensure the areas remain without any car traffic. 

The event will give people a chance to ride on an antique carousel and attend circus skills workshops. There will also be face painting and outdoor furniture to relax, according to a statement from DCC.