NEED TO CATCH up? The Journal brings you a roundup of today’s headlines.

IRELAND

RTÉ interim deputy director general Adrian Lynch and director of strategy Rory Coveney arriving at Leinster House for the Oireachtas Media Committee this afternoon. Sam Boal / RollingNews.ie Sam Boal / RollingNews.ie / RollingNews.ie

• RTÉ representatives appeared before the Oireachtas Media Committee to face further questions over the ongoing payments scandal. 
• It came after newly released spreadsheets for the RTÉ barter accounts revealed thousands of euro was spent on luxury priced goods like flip flops and a private members’ club in London. 
• Documents provided by RTÉ also revealed that last year’s Toy Show The Musical made a loss of €2,203,231.
• The Oireachtas Media committee heard that a staff member in RTÉ yesterday returned a car which had been “loaned” to them by the company for the past five years.
• Three men were arrested in relation to assaults and a number of public order incidents at a pub in Co Sligo.
• A man was sentenced to a minimum of 18 years in prison for murdering his wife in Co Derry by setting her alight in a car after throwing petrol over her.
• Fianna Fáil put forward a budget wishlist after holding a half-day meeting on the matter, with Tánaiste Micheál Martin and Finance Minister Michael McGrath both in attendance.
• There were calls for the Government to step in and stop the practice of ‘influencer teachers’ filming paid partnership social media posts in collaboration with Horse Racing Ireland in classrooms.
• Gardaí are working with the UK’s National Crime Agency to identify the body of a man found off the coast of Sliabh Liag in Co Donegal.
• Two prayer services were held to pay respect to Andrew O’Donnell and Max Wall, two former students who died in Greece over the weekend. 

INTERNATIONAL

A Just Stop Oil protester is carried off court 18 after throwing confetti on to the grass during Katie Boulter’s first-round match against Daria Saville on day three of the 2023 Wimbledon Championships. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

#JUST STOP OIL Climate activists disrupted two tennis games at Wimbledon by running onto the court and throwing what appeared to be confetti onto the grass.

#ZAPORIZHZHIA Ukrainian and Russian officials accused each other of planning to attack one of the world’s largest nuclear power plants.

#CHONGQING At least 15 people were killed by floods in south-western China as seasonal torrents hit mountain areas, authorities said.

#JENIN Israel’s army declared the end of a large-scale military operation in the occupied West Bank that killed 12 Palestinians and one Israeli soldier over the previous two days.

PARTING SHOT

RTÉ were not the only visitors at the Oireachtas today.

Leinster House today welcomed Aaron O’Shea and his parents Fidelma and Martin with Make-A-Wish Ireland, who granted Aaron’s wish of visiting the Dáil.

Aaron had time for a quick addition to his smart suit and bow tie with a fine flat cap - a nod to one of our elected Members. Can you guess which one? #SeeForYourself #OireachtasMakeAWish pic.twitter.com/W6iFXqmmHr

— Houses of the Oireachtas - Tithe an Oireachtais (@OireachtasNews) July 5, 2023

Aaron was welcomed as a Distinguished Visitor and received a Garda escorted motorcade via Merrion Lawn courtesy of the US Embassy.

The 12-year-old met the broadcasting team and helped out in the Oireachtas studio, met a number of TDs and the Ceann Comhairle Seán Ó Fearghaíl.

Aaron and his Mum & Dad were escorted to the Dáil chamber where they got to sign the Distinguished Visitors Book, getting to see the State Art and former Taoisigh Portraits a long the way. #SeeForYourself #OireachtasMakeAWish pic.twitter.com/hMlOU52Ovl

— Houses of the Oireachtas - Tithe an Oireachtais (@OireachtasNews) July 5, 2023

Aaron also got to sit in the Dáil gallery, where he was welcomed by Ó Fearghaíl, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and other members of the Dáil. 

Ó Fearghaíl thanked Make-A-Wish Ireland for granting Aaron’s wish and “for all the work they do for the brave children of Ireland”. 

Finally, Aaron got to meet the Ceann Comhairle in his office for a quick chat before heading home.

And to Aaron, from Everyone in the Parliamentary Community in the Houses of the Oireachtas, we hope you & your family had a great day & we welcome you back anytime. #SeeForYourself pic.twitter.com/PLZZE9BqfB

— Houses of the Oireachtas - Tithe an Oireachtais (@OireachtasNews) July 5, 2023

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