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

IRELAND

Leaders of the Opposition met with 14-year-old disability rights campaigner Cara Darmody ahead of her meeting with Simon Harris today. Sasko Lazarov Sasko Lazarov

• Gardaí carried out searches in north Dublin today as part of a major investigation into the suspected disappearance of a boy who is now feared dead
• Fine Gael MEP Seán Kelly withdrew from the party’s presidential race, saying it was clear that he would not receive the necessary votes from the parliamentary party
• The Central Bank of Ireland will not renew approval for Israeli bonds after it expires today, with Luxembourg now taking over authorisation to market them across the EU
• Strikes took place at schools across the country today, as indefinite strike action by school secretaries and caretakers continues
• Elsewhere, SIPTU members in Dublin Fire Brigade are planning to take industrial action due to “serious safety concerns” over the introduction of a new call-out and dispatch system

• Dublin City Council said it is to hold meetings with senior gardaí over the erection of the Irish national flag in public spaces, following a dispute over their use in parts of the capital
• The number of students to have their Leaving Certificate and Leaving Certificate Applied results permanently withheld this year because of cheating in this year’s exams doubled to 155
• Shane Lowry was selected for the Ryder Cup as captain’s pick by Luke Donald

INTERNATIONAL

An injured child is carried to a military helicopter following an earthquake in Afghanistan. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

#AFGHANISTAN: More than 800 people have been killed by a strong magnitude 6.0 earthquake and multiple aftershocks in eastern Afghanistan

#BULGARIA: A plane carrying the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen was hit by suspected Russian GPS jamming as it was readying to land in Bulgaria on Sunday

#GAZA: A flotilla featuring a number of Irish activists has departed from Barcelona towards Gaza, intending to “break the blockade”

#PALESTINE ACTION: A further 47 people in the UK have been charged with Terrorism Act offences linked to support for the Palestine Action group, London’s Met Police have said

PARTING SHOT

HUNDREDS OF MEDIA outlets, including The Journal, are calling for protection of Palestinian journalists in Gaza.

In a world first, around 250 media outlets from some 50 countries, alongside journalists and press freedom organisations, are uniting today to demand that Israel abides by its international obligations to protect journalists as civilians.

We are also demanding that the foreign press be granted independent access to the Gaza Strip.

This action was brought together by Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and the campaigning platform Avaaz.