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

President Michael D Higgins with other world leaders during The World Humanitarian Summit which took place in Istanbul today RollingNews.ie RollingNews.ie

• A young child was removed from the care of its grandparents and placed with foster carers despite protestations from the couple, the child’s school and doctors.
• Luas security workers rejected a pay deal but have said that they have no plans to take strike action.  
• The Junior Minister for for Training and Skills, John Halligan, earlier said that he may vote against the government in an upcoming motion on water charges – but now says he will vote with them.
• A mother of five was convicted of child cruelty for allowing her son to be locked in a box.
• A new report showed that there are 230,000 empty houses around Ireland.

WORLD

Smoke rises from Islamic State group positions after an airstrike by U.S.-led coalition warplanes in Fallujah Rwa Faisal / AP Rwa Faisal / AP / AP

#AUSTRIA: Norbert Hofer narrowly failed to become the EU’s first far-right president, after his ecologist rival scraped victory in a knife-edge election.

#FRANCE: The Axa Group has become the first global insurer to sever ties with the tobacco industry, due to its impact on people’s health.

#IRAQ: A major operation began in Fallujah to retake the city from the Islamic State group.

INNOVATION

• A wristband which monitors your alcohol levels and warns you to ease up on your drinking has been created.
• Here’s what to do when one pesky App starts to drain all of your phone’s battery.

PARTING SHOT

Thousands descended on Dublin city centre today to try out for the latest season of the hit historical drama ‘Vikings’ – but we went the check out how much do these bearded and long-haired hopefuls know about the real Vikings?
https://www.facebook.com/thejournal.ie/videos/1129588557061567/

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