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

Ireland

Fog in Dublin City centre RollingNews.ie RollingNews.ie

• A Status Yellow low temperature and ice warning remains will remain in place for the entire country until the weekend, with a Status Yellow freezing fog warning also in place for 13 counties. 
• A Status Orange ice and cold weather warning is set to come into effect for 19 counties tomorrow evening, with temperatures to drop below -5 degrees.
• Environment Minister Eamon Ryan has said that households will not see a significant reduction in energy prices over the next two years as he published the Government’s long-awaited energy poverty plan.
• Cabinet has approved the drafting of a number of amendments that will seek to recognise families which are created through international surrogacy. 
• Ex-Sinn Féin councillor Jonathan Dowdall, a former co-accused of Gerard ‘The Monk’ Hutch who has turned State’s witness, has told the Special Criminal Court that it was neither the Kinahans nor the accused man who “started the shooting” in the Hutch/Kinahan feud.
• The Government have agreed on plans to overhaul the planning system, with changes to both the judicial review process and an rejig of An Bord Pleanála set to come in. 
• Student nurses and midwives will be paid at 80% of the payscale of a starting staff nurse or midwife during their final-year internships, under plans approved by Cabinet today.
• Jailed teacher Enoch Burke will remain behind bars for the festive period after he again refused to obey a court order to stay away and not try to teach at the secondary school he is employed at.

International

Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm Arati Prabhakar, the US president's science adviser, and National Nuclear Security Administration Deputy Administrator for Defense Programs Marvin Adams speaking on nuclear fusion breakthroughs J. Scott Applewhite J. Scott Applewhite

#QATAR SCANDAL The European Parliament has sacked one of its own vice presidents amid corruption accusations allegedly linked to World Cup host Qatar, as the institution tries to contain the scandal.

#NUCLEAR FUSION Researchers in California announced a historic nuclear fusion breakthrough today, hailing a “landmark achievement” in the quest for a source of unlimited, clean power and an end to reliance on fossil fuels.

#TWITTER BLUE Elon Musk has relaunched a Twitter subscription service after a first attempt saw an embarrassing spate of fake accounts that scared advertisers and cast doubt on the site’s future.

Parting Shot

This evening, people across the country will be able to enjoy a show of shooting stars as the Geminid meteor shower will be at its most visible this evening.

Astronomy Ireland’s David Moore has said:

“In past decades the Perseid Meteor Shower in August was the best but this has declined somewhat in recent years to leave the Geminids reigning supreme,” said David Moore of Astronomy Ireland.

“This is also good news for the public because that August shower cannot be well seen until 11pm but the Geminids begins as soon as it gets dark, around 5pm and runs until dawn.”

People seeking to view the meteor shower should be advised that the best time to see them will be after midnight tonight.

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