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

Ireland

A march against austerity in Jobstown Tallaght today. Sam Boal / Photocall Ireland Sam Boal / Photocall Ireland / Photocall Ireland

• Socialist Party TD Ruth Coppinger said the country may be heading towards a unofficial day of general strike over water charges. 
• A five-metre tall steel cross on top of Carrauntoohil has been cut down with an angle-grinder.
• Support for Fine Gael has fallen by 4% in the last month according a new opinion poll.
• The DUP politician who mocked the Irish language earlier this month has said he would treat a proposed Irish Language Act “as no more than toilet paper”.
• The union representing about 40,000 electrical and engineering workers says it will do ‘whatever is necessary’ to get a 5% pay rise.
• There were anti-water charge protests in Waterford, Wexford and Jobstown.
• Medical staff left for Sierra Leone today to man the first Irish-run Ebola treatment centre in the region.
• Bertie Ahern made an appearance on the front page of the South China Morning Post.
• The Irish Rugby team secured a tight win over Australia but Ireland’s International Rules team couldn’t prevail despite a strong fightback.

International

A child kicks a ball in the village of Meliandou, Guinea. AP / Press Association Images AP / Press Association Images / Press Association Images

#LONDON: A suspected gas explosion at a London hotel 14 injured people.

#DEADLY: An outbreak of bubonic plague has killed 40 people on the African island of Madagascar.

#COSBY: Bill Cosby was applauded by an audience at a show in Florida last night despite allegations of sexual assault.

Innovation

• A new Android texting app will let your recipient see the message you’re writing live as you type it.
• Google has unveiled a project that offers web users the option to pay to visit sites rather than see adverts. [BBC] 

Parting Shot

Twitter / Fergohall Twitter / Fergohall / Fergohall

Dublin, you’re looking only gorgeous in this photo sent in by Fergal O’Halloran.