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

IRISH

Bridie Clynes from Dominick Street meets with acrobatic and breakdancing duo Lords of Strut. They are pictured on Moore Street at the programme launch of Laya Healthcare's City Spectacular summer festival. Leon Farrell / Photocall Ireland Leon Farrell / Photocall Ireland / Photocall Ireland

• The banking inquiry discovered that former ministers cannot be questioned about a crucial 2008 cabinet meeting.
• The government was urged to examine over 100 institutions as part of the mother-and-baby home probe.
• The Irishman who died after a stabbing spree in Germany was named.
• The health minister said the HSE was €158 million over budget in May…
• … while the Taoiseach rejected accusations that the organisation is in disarray.
• Fr Peter McVerry warned that the homelessness problem will continue to grow.
• Injured passengers on a Ryanair flight had no access to a first-aid kit, it was revealed.
• Economists urged that €800 million in budget cuts is needed, not €2 billion.
• New figures revealed that property prices rose 10.6% last month.
• The favourite to win the Dublin South West by-election withdrew from the race.

WORLD

A fire plane drops fire retardant to extinguish fire burning in the forest in Jerusalem, Israel. AP Photo / Olivier Fitoussi AP Photo / Olivier Fitoussi / Olivier Fitoussi

#FRANCE: A strike by air traffic controllers was called off.

#IRAQ: US military advisers continued to arrive in Baghdad.

#NIGERIA: An explosion has hit a shopping centre in the country’s capital. At least 21 people have died. [Wall Street Journal]

#UNITED KINGDOM: The jury in the News of the World phone hacking trial was discharged after failing to reach a verdict on two further charges.

#UNITED STATES: The economy experienced its sharpest contraction in five years.

INNOVATION

• Facebook made its Snapchat-inspired app available worldwide.
• Toyota announced that it will begin selling its first fuel cell car.
• A US company said it carried out a successful test of a capsule that could be used for space tourism.
• A new device has allowed a paralysed man to move his fingers and hand using his own thoughts. [ScienceDaily]

PARTING SHOT

Almost $41 billion worth of food is sold each year in the United States under the label of “natural”… but labelling a food as that doesn’t actually mean anything. [Washington Post]