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

IRELAND

Scenes at the Citizen's Assembly on Drugs today. MAXWELL'S MAXWELL'S

•  Mary Lou McDonald said that Children’s Health Ireland (CHI) and the HSE should have no role in “shaping the terms of reference” of the independent review into the children’s spinal surgery crisis at Temple Street.
• The Taoiseach defended the government’s approach of having a smaller package of one-off measures in the upcoming Budget.
• Gardaí arrested another man in connection with the €157 million drug seizure from a the cargo ship MV Matthew and the events surrounding it. 
• Tom Niland, the man who was seriously injured in an aggravated burglary in Co Sligo last year, died in hospital.
• Leo Varadkar offered his condolences to the family and community affected by the violent death of a woman in Co Offaly.
• The use of cannabis in Ireland is “of great concern”, the Chief Medical Officer said to the Citizens’ Assembly on Drug Use.
• Norther Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris said there is “still more work to do” on the Brexit Windsor Framework and called for the restoration of Northern Ireland’s institutions.

INTERNATIONAL 

Spectators wave their hats and caps at USA's Patrick Cantlay during the fourballs on day two of the 44th Ryder Cup in Rome, Italy. Mike Egerton Mike Egerton

#NAGORNO-KARABAKH Over 100,000 people fled Nagorno-Karabakh, meaning nearly all the official population of the ethnic Armenian enclave has left since Azerbaijan seized back control.

#ZIMBABWE Four people died and another five were trapped after a mine collapsed in Zimbabwe. 

#HUMPBACK WHALE A man was killed and another injured when a whale struck a boat off the coast of eastern Australia.

#SHUTDOWN The US government was on the brink of a shutdown after the far right of the Republican Party scuppered final attempts at a temporary budget agreement.

#UKRAINE A huge fire erupted at an oil pipeline in the western Ukrainian region of Ivano-Frankivsk, injuring three people.

PARTING SHOT 

U2 played their opening show in Las Vegas last night. Screenshot Screenshot

Surrealing in the Years: Leo Varadkar is not good at pop culture references.

Carl Kinsella gives his take on the week’s news stories. 

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