July 26: Today’s top stories in 60 seconds

Back-to-school burden 
The cost of equipping children for a return to school is leaving thousands of families financially stretched according to the latest Barnardos back-to-school survey, which shows that the majority of parents are worried about meeting the costs this year. Parents are finding themselves under considerable financial pressure to meet costs with some having to take extreme measures like missing meals to meet the school-related expenditure.
The Irish Independent

Daa asked to clarify August Bank Holiday plans
Aer Lingus, the Daa and airport ground handlers have been asked to provide details of how they will manage the busy August Bank Holiday weekend. The Oireachtas transport committee is to question representatives on the up-to-date situation at Dublin Airport, including disruption and cancellation of Aer Lingus flight schedules, inconvenience for passengers and displaced baggage, ahead of this coming weekend.
The Irish Examiner

Sea swimming study
A new study is examining the benefits of prescribing outdoor swimming for people with depression as an alternative to medication. Experts at the University of Portsmouth are working with Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust to look at the use of ecotherapy – therapeutic intervention through nature – which is known to boost people’s moods. Volunteers are being sought for the trial looking at the impact of immersion in cold water, which has been shown to reduce stress levels. Some participants will be given a swimming course and then be compared to a control group who are receiving their usual care.
The Journal

Tributes pour in for Nobel Prize-winner David Trimble
Ulster Unionist Party leader Doug Beattie has said he will remember David Trimble as a man of courage and vision, and a man who put his country before his party. The Nobel Prize winner and former Stormont first minister died yesterday aged 77 following a short illness. Speaking on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland, Mr Beattie said there are people alive today because of the decisions Mr Trimble made in 1998 as one of the principal architects of the Good Friday Agreement.
RTÉ

Today’s forecast
Today will be partly cloudy with isolated light showers. Highest temperatures of 15°C to 19°C, coolest in the northwest, with a light northwesterly or variable breeze. Most areas will stay dry tonight as showers become very isolated. Lowest temperatures of 6°C to 11°C with a light and variable breeze.
Met Éireann