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

IRELAND

The Taoiseach, the Tánaiste and Minister Eamon Ryan at the launch of the Climate Action Plan. Julien Behal Photography Julien Behal Photography

• The Government published its long-awaited revised Climate Action Plan
• A man has been arrested on suspicion of the murder of a woman in north Dublin
• The National Ambulance Service paused a recruitment campaign after receiving anonymous letters raising claims about the way the process was being run
• Direct Provision residents claimed they are served meals in plastic bags
• The Government has approved a 2% cap on rent increases in Rent Pressure Zones
• The HSE gave out 33,000 first or second dose Covid-19 vaccines last week
• There were 3,024 new cases of Covid-19 confirmed today.

WORLD

A demonstration by Ocean Rebellion against the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) in Glasgow. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

#COP26: 19 countries have signed a pledge to end new funding for the unabated fossil fuel energy sector by the end of next year.

#AUSTRALIA: Police charged a 36-year-old man with the abduction of four-year-old Cleo Smith, hours after they released an audio recording of the moment she was rescued.

#SLEAZE: Former Northern Ireland Secretary Owen Paterson resigned as an MP after Boris Johnson u-turned to allow a fresh vote on his suspension for an alleged breach of lobbying rules.

#COVID TREATMENT: The first anti-viral pill for Covid-19 that can be taken at home has been approved for use in the UK.

PARTING SHOT

This potato is being assessed to see if it’s the biggest in the world.

PA Images PA Images

A New Zealand couple, who discovered the giant root vegetable while weeding their garden, are anxiously waiting to hear if this turkey-like spud is a record-breaker.

Weighing in at a remarkable 7.9kg, it’s equal to a couple of sacks of potatoes, or a small dog. The couple have named the potato ‘Doug’ and have built a small cart to tow it around.

PA Images PA Images

“We put a hat on him. We put him on Facebook, taking him for a walk, giving him some sunshine,” its finder Colin Craig-Brown said. “It’s all a bit of fun. It’s amazing what entertains people.”

When you read the rest of what’s in the news today, you can see why this might be exactly what people need.