Updated 9.25pm

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

Laura Hutton / Photocall Ireland Laura Hutton / Photocall Ireland / Photocall Ireland

Not an activity for the faint-hearted – crew line the sails of the Juan Sebastián de Elcano, the third-largest tall ship in the world, as it arrived in Dublin this morning. See more pictures here.

IRISH

• Further strike action at Aer Lingus was branded “a matter of grave concern” by Minister Leo Varadkar.
• It was confirmed that some discretionary medical cards will be reinstated within weeks.
• An opinion poll revealed that Sinn Féin is now the most popular party.
• The government said that “every effort is being made” to keep the garda budget under control.
• The possibility of an EU investigation in Ireland’s corporate tax was seen as a threat to the economy.
• Progress so far on the banking inquiry was described as “a dog’s dinner”.

WORLD

WWII-era planes drop paratroopers near the Normandy village of Ecausseville, western France, as part of commemorations of the 70 anniversary of the D-Day landing. AP Photo / Remy de la Mauviniere AP Photo / Remy de la Mauviniere / Remy de la Mauviniere

#AFGHANISTAN: Flash floods killed almost 60 people, with the death toll expected to rise.

#PORTUGAL: Reports suggest that a number of suspects are set to be questioned by police investigating the disappearance of Madeleine McCann.

#IRAQ: Gunmen have taken hundreds of students hostage at a university in the west of the country. [Reuters]

#UKRAINE: Petro Poroshenko was sworn in as the country’s fifth president, and issued a firm warning over Crimea.

#UNITED STATES: Comedian Tracy Morgan was critically injured in a car crash.

INNOVATION

• The first Vine was tweeted from space. [DailyEdge.ie]
• A device that allows humans to climb smooth walls has been developed by DARPA. [Geek.com]
• The CIA joined social media in attempt to make the agency “more accessible”. [BBC News]

PARTING SHOT

Someone has gone through the effort of making a quadcopter out of chocolate. What a time to be alive. [The Next Web]

Originally published 7.52pm

Here’s What Happened Yesterday >

Making a difference

A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

For the price of one cup of coffee each week you can make sure we can keep reliable, meaningful news open to everyone regardless of their ability to pay.

Support us Learn More