Here's What Happened Today: Friday

The most important Irish and international stories you need to know today.

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

Crowds assembled on Grafton Street to see a surprise performance by U2 this afternoon. Rolling News

IRELAND

An Orange Order parade is to be permitted to march down the predominantly nationalist Garvaghy Road in Portadown for the first time in almost 30 years.
The number of people in emergency accommodation increased by 358 last month to 17,885, a new record.
Jeffrey Donaldson’s barrister told a pre-sentence hearing that his sexual offences “obliterate” any achievements that the former DUP leader made in his life.
Aoife O’Rourke won gold at the European Elite Boxing Championships in Sofia.
U2 played a ‘secret’ gig this afternoon to mark the 50th anniversary of the band’s formation, playing a hit-laden 30-minute set at their former school.
Irish chef and food writer Darina Allen is one of more than 120 famous chefs from around the world who have signed a letter calling for ocean-farmed salmon not to be served in restaurants.

INTERNATIONAL

Students in Italy took to the streets to march on Montecitorio - Chamber of Deputies - to protest the new school decree-law issued yesterday by the Meloni government, arguing that the real issues facing schools lie elsewhere. © Marco Di Gianvito / ZUMA Press Wi

#ITALY: Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni’s cabinet adopted a decree law banning burqas and niqabs in schools and capping the number of students with a poor command of Italian per class.

#MANCHESTER CITY: Manchester City was found guilty on virtually all counts of breaching the Premier League’s financial rules, according to reports.

#STRAIT OF HORMUZ: Iran offered to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and resume talks on its nuclear programme in seven days if the US lifts its naval blockade, waives sanctions on Iranian oil sales and observes a ceasefire that would include Lebanon.

PARTING SHOT

Rich Fury

IT WAS, AT the same time, the best- and worst-kept secret in Irish show business.

A small crowd started gathering outside Mount Temple shortly after 9am in the hope of catching a glimpse of one of U2′s members, as word filtered out that something special might be in the offing to mark the day that the band celebrated its 50th anniversary.

The Journal’s Daragh Brophy was at the scene to report on the day.