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

IRELAND

People attended a locally-organised vigil in Blanchardstown after a married couple died after a hit-and-run incident yesterday. Alamy Alamy

• A married couple who died following hit-and-run incident in Blanchardstown, Dublin were named locally as Anthony Hogg and Georgina Hogg-Moore.
• The HSE warned a surge in the number of people hospitalised with flu is ‘at upper end of predictions‘
• Dublin soup run operators reacted to a potential on-street food bank ban in the city
• A deceased man found in a flat in Co Down yesterday was named by police as Mark Dorrian
• A man appeared in court charged with causing the death of Marguerita O’Rourke in Rathkeale last week
• Sales are down for large retailers in Dublin, but the hospitality sector saw increases in the city centre ahead of Christmas
• The public were reminded to not be that person and check to make sure their passports are in date before making travel plans
• Documents released today show the final cost of the Government Buildings security hut was almost €300,000 above budget
• Did you get a gift card or voucher for Christmas? Well, over a third of people let them expire

INTERNATIONAL

This Israeli military launched an operation on Northern Gaza's last-functioning hospital. Alamy Alamy

#CHINA: A man who killed 35 people in car ramming attack in China was sentenced to death today

#RUSSIA: We compiled everything that’s currently known about the Azerbaijan Airlines jet crash in Kazakhstan.

#UKRAINE: A North Korean soldier who was captured in Russia-Ukraine war died from his wounds.

#IRAN: The Italian government slammed the ‘unacceptable’ arrest of a journalist Cecilia Sala in Iran.

#GAZA: Israeli military launched an operation on one of northern Gaza’s last functioning hospitals.

PARTING SHOT

Wild Nephin National Park was awarded today for having the lowest level of light pollution - leading to clear, starry nights in the mountains. Alamy Alamy

An area of the Wild Nephin National Park in Co Mayo today won and award for its lack of light pollution. The park was awarded the ‘Dark Sky Place of the Year Award 2024’ from DarkSky International.

The award recognises leadership and collaboration in advocacy and education on the importance of dark skies and the consequences of light pollution for biodiversity, nature and climate.