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

IRELAND

Micheal Ryan, Angela Newman, Marie O’Donovan, & Andrew McCarthy, pictured at the the launch of adult panto 'Willy Wonky'. Directed by Ciarán Bermingham, it will run at An Spáilpín Fánach, South Main St, Cork from 29 Nov - 11 Jan. Michael O'Sullivan Michael O'Sullivan

• A man was arrested following the death of a man at an exclusive five star hotel in Co Laois.
• Tributes have been paid to songwriter Johnny Duhan, who died yesterday after drowning at Silverstrand beach at Galway Bay. A search continues for a second swimmer who went missing in a separate incident yesterday.
• Fine Gael promised to cap the cost of childcare at €200 per child per month within its first year in Government if re-elected, as the three largest parties go to battle on the issue.
• Meanwhile, Labour and Social Democrats sought the renters’ vote (with very similar plans) as prices skyrocket.
• It comes as a new Daft report revealed that average rents are 43% higher than pre-Covid levels, and rents nationwide have increased for the 15th consecutive quarter.
• Two people were arrested in south Dublin as part of an investigation into a large scale money laundering operation.
• A forensic analyst who examined the clothes worn by a woman who alleges she was sexually assaulted by Conor McGregor told the High Court that the straps of her jumpsuit had damages that were “consistent with pulling” and not normal wear and tear.
• An Irish woman won an award for her invention to help patients prevent hair loss during chemotherapy, inspired by her own mother’s cancer battle.
• A fig dating back over 2,000 years has been discovered in north Dublin. Professors from University College Dublin say it could be evidence of a food trade between the ancient Roman Empire and Ireland.
• US fast food chain Wendy’s is set to open in Ireland in the coming years, with the creation of 300 jobs.
• Iarnród Éireann unveiled images of the first trains of the new DART+ fleet, set to be in operation by 2026 onwards.

INTERNATIONAL

President Joe Biden meets with President-elect Donald Trump in the Oval Office of the White House. AP Photo / Evan Vucci AP Photo / Evan Vucci / Evan Vucci

#SHAKE ON IT: Donald Trump made his return to the White House in a handover meeting with US president Joe Biden.
#WHITE HOUSE: Elon Musk was appointed head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a new position in US President-elect Donald Trump’s cabinet, while Fox News host Pete Hegseth was nominated to serve as his defence secretary.
#OSLO: A woman in Norway is suing the state for a breach of human rights after she was switched at birth in 1965.

PARTING SHOT

Roisin Coughlan, Sarah Minihane, Caithiona Nc Carthaign, Tara Norton, Rachel O'Keeffe and Luisca Flaherty, enjoying Student Christmas Day in Limerick Brendan Gleeson Brendan Gleeson

Students from colleges in Limerick gathered in the city centre today to take part in annual ‘Christmas Day’ celebrations.

Though it’s about six weeks early, the celebration sees students flooding the main bars of the Treaty City. 

Images and videos this morning showed large groups of students dressed in Christmas jumpers queuing up early outside pubs.

Students were in place by the early morning, hoping to get a good spot for the day.

Read more about it here.