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

IRELAND

The 2024 RDS Dublin Horse Show launched today; it returns to the RDS from 14-18 August. Cara O’Connor (age 9) pictured with her horse Rathcoole Rupert. Photocall Ireland Photocall Ireland

• Former Taoiseach Leo Varadkar confirmed that he will not be standing in the next general election.
• The fallout of the disturbance seen in Coolock yesterday continued, with 15 people charged with public order offences and condemnation from the Taoiseach, Justice Minister and across the political spectrum.
• Some of the disinformation spread throughout the day by those at the scene in Coolock and online included claims about ‘unvetted males’ and ‘white destruction’.
• Only 158 new social homes were delivered in the first three months of this year. The Government has a target of building 9,300 new social housing units in 2024.
• A well-known GAA star was arrested for dangerous driving as he travelled at high speed trying to get to an event. 
• Gardaí in Waterford are investigating an alleged assault during a hurling match featuring underage players.
• Taoiseach Simon Harris said changes to inheritance tax “deserve to be considered” in the run up to October’s budget. 
• Transport Minister Eamon Ryan threatened to “pull” resources from local councils who do not implement their transport plans.
• The father of a young footballer who died suddenly during a match in Co Louth last week has described how their worlds “have been turned upside down”.
• The Government approved formal drafting of new bills that will end the need for paper tax discs and also “streamline” information on road traffic collisions.
• A Cork TD called on the DAA to facilitate extra flights between Cork and Dublin to facilitate people travelling to the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship final.

INTERNATIONAL

Kyle Gass, left, and Jack Black of Tenacious D performing in 2022. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

#TRUMP: The former US president appeared at the Republican National Convention with a bandage over his right ear, two days after surviving an attempted assassination. Meanwhile, Joe Biden admitted it was a “mistake” to say he wanted to put a “bullseye” on Trump.
#TENACIOUS D: Jack Black cancelled the Tenacious D world tour after his bandmate Kyle Gass joked about the assassination attempt on Donald Trump while on stage.

#GAZA: US Secretary of State Antony Blinken told two top Israeli officials that the number of civilian casualties in the country’s bombardment of the Gaza Strip is “unacceptably high”.

#MILKSHAKED: A young woman accused of throwing a milkshake over Nigel Farage denied assault by beating and criminal damage.

#EU PARLIAMENT: Maltese MEP Roberta Metsola, the newly-elected President of the European Parliament who will serve a second term for the next two and a half years, put housing at the top of the EU’s agenda in her first address to new MEPs.

PARTING SHOT

Department of Conservation Department of Conservation

The world’s rarest whale may have washed ashore in New Zealand.
If confirmed, this will be the seventh specimen of the male spade-toothed whale ever recorded.

On 4 July, New Zealand’s Department of Conservation (DOC) were notified that a type of beaked whale around five meters long had been discovered. 

Experts who examined the whale have agreed that it appears to be a spade-toothed whale – the species is so rare that next to nothing is known about them.