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

IRELAND

Cling film street art of Bono painted by João “Brutto” Adnet, Grafton Street.

• An unpublished report from April 2024, found that a majority of migrants living in Ireland believe that anti-migrant attitudes are “a significant issue”, and that they face a number of challenges in areas such as housing, employment, education and accessing public services.
  
• Criminal barristers across the country began a third day of strike action, in protest over cuts made to fees between 2009 and 2015 that have not been restored.
• A law banning the use of non-disclosure agreements came before the cabinet today. The law aims to address the power imbalance that can occur between employers and employees
• Five people appeared before the Criminal Courts of Justice today in relation to the riots which took place in Dublin last November.
• The Department of Finance has said that cutting of VAT for hospitality would be “unjustified” and too expensive, in an advisory paper published in advance of the upcoming Budget.
• RTÉ will receive €225 million in public funding next year, as part of a major government plan which will see them receive €725 million over the next three years.
• Two men have been charged after 18 firearms, including AR-15 rifles, were sezied by Gardaí in Louth last week.
• The search for a young boy missing at the Cliffs of Moher has been suspended for the evening.
• An Post are set to receive a further €6 million in funding to improve collection rates of tv license fees, as part of plans announced by the government today around public broadcast funding.
• The cabinet has approved a plan to allow women to defer their maternity leave by 52 weeks if they are suffering from a serious illness and need to take time to seek treatment.

INTERNATIONAL

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

#TRUMP Republican Presidential nominee has lodged a complaint with the United States’ Federal Election Commission which argues Vice President Kamala Harris cannot use donations which were given to President Joe Biden’s campaign.

#NETANYAHU Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu continued his United States trip amid increased protests. He is expected to meet with President Joe Biden tomorrow.

#PERU An Irish woman has been killed in a suspected hit-and-run in Peru.

#HUNGARY The European Commission has highlighted a number of issues in its annual Rule of Law Report regarding Hungary, saying that they say there has been no progress on the country’s justice system, media, civil liberties and corruption. 

PARTING SHOT

Donegal’s cult classic Football Special soft drink will see a nationwide roll-out, appearing on Lidl shelves from September for a limited time.

Until now the drink has been available only in its ancestral home of Donegal, with incursions made across the border into neighbouring Derry.

It was created to celebrate the successes of local club, Ramelton’s Swilly Rovers.

It has since become an integral part of Donegal culture.