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

IRELAND

Richard Boyd Barrett speaking during the People Before Profit-Solidarity conference at The Gresham Hotel Dublin. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

• Health Minister Stephen Donnelly has said his “focus” is on getting the National Children’s Hospital open next year and that BAM have “committed” to a June 2025 completion date. 
• Four gardaí were taken to St. Lukes Hospital for medical assessment last night following a road traffic incident in which a dangerous driver struck a number of garda vehicles in Co Carlow.
• Over $500,000 Australian Dollars has been raised in just a number of days for the family of a tragic Irishman man who was killed in a workplace accident in Australia.
• Minister Peter Burke has said he is seeking “urgent Government approval” to reopen the Emergency Business Flooding Scheme for businesses impacted by flooding in Bantry, West Cork.
• The Jackie Lennox’s chipper on Bandon Road in Co Cork is to close its doors for the final time tonight, after 73 years in business. 
• The Taoiseach and Minister for Health are to meet with parents and groups representing children on spinal waiting lists over ongoing “issues” in the provision of the children’s care.
• Striking plumbers, fitters and welders and apprentices will mount a picket outside the Intel project in Leixlip, Co Kildare tomorrow in a dispute over travel allowances.
• Police in the North have issued a renewed appeal for information in relation to a woman who went missing almost five months ago.
• A local grassroots group formed to help people seeking international protection settle into Newtownmountkennedy, Co Wicklow has appealed to the government to provide support and leadership.
• The Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council paid a consultant €235k over five years for two jobs despite conflict of interest risk.
• Russian activity in Ireland should come as no surprise to anyone, Taoiseach Simon Harris said today, commenting after a report that Russian intelligence allegedly recruited an Irish politician as an agent.

INTERNATIONAL

A car is submerged in mud following flooding in Buturovic Polje, Bosnia. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

#MIDDLE EAST: Flights from a number of Iran’s airports have been cancelled until Monday morning, according to reports from state media, as Israeli strikes on a Gaza mosque kill 21 and bombardment continues in Beirut.

#THE VATICAN: Pope Francis today named 21 new cardinals, further cementing his mark on the group of prelates who will one day elect his successor.

#LABOUR GOVERNMENT: Sue Gray has quit as Downing Street chief of staff because of fears she was “becoming a distraction” to Keir Starmer’s Government.

#MARSEILLE: A 15-year-old boy was “stabbed 50 times” and burned alive this week in the southern French city of Marseille in an apparent case of drug-related violence, prosecutors said today.

#EUROPE: France and Germany called for a ceasefire in Gaza in the lead up to anniversary of October 7.

PARTING SHOT

GAZA, ONE YEAR on: “I will never forget the sight of my children running towards the flames,” writes Dr Fidaa Ibrahim in Gaza.

She describes the horrific loss of her husband in an air strike, as she asks the international community to do something.

You can read the full Voices article here.