NEED TO CATCH up? TheJournal.ie brings you a round-up of today’s news…

Gwen Connell (right) with two of her three daughters Lauren (left, 17) and Katie (10) protest outside the Department of Social Protetion on Store Street in Dublin today after being faced with homelessness due to a raising of their rent and a cut in rental allowance. (Image Credit: Laura Hutton/Photocall Ireland)

IRELAND

• Justice Minister Alan Shatter denied misleading the Dáil and defended his handling of claims of gardaí misconduct.
• The opposition wasn’t impressed, but the Taoiseach cautiously defended the Minister.
• IBRC found buyers for its €7 billion UK loan book.
• Three men were arrested by gardaí investigating the murder of Thomas Dooley in Edenderry.
• The government lost another Seanad vote, this time on upward only rent reviews.
• Bank of Ireland said customers affected by a recent skimming operation will be reimbursed.
• We learned that Irish people are working longer and earning less than in 2012, and the average weekly is now €687.
• A new report warned that the construction sector faces a skills shortage.
• The Pyrite Resolution Board began taking applications for remedial work.
• The worst financial institutions for handling complaints were named.
• A local election candidate was accused of confusing voters by distributing leaflets which refer to him as a ‘Independent Fine Gael’ candidate.
• Hopes faded for a successful re-floating of a baby porpoise in Co Donegal.
• JD Wetherspoon announced that it open its first discount pub in Ireland on July 8.

INTERNATIONAL

Thai police commandos participate in an anti-terrorism exercise at Crime Suppression Division in Bangkok. Violence spread yesterday to another anti-government protest site in Thailand’s capital following weekend explosions that left five people dead. (Image Credit: AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)

#UKRAINE: A new interim government has been revealed. [BBC]

#UNITED KINGDOM: A Muslim extremist was sentenced to life in prison for the murder of British solider Lee Rigby.

#BLACKPOOL: 14-year-old was charged with raping his mother.

#NORTHERN IRELAND: First Minister Peter Robinson threatened to resign unless there is a full inquiry into the collapse of the Hyde Park bombing trial.

#NIGERIA: 58 students were killed, many burned alive, in an attack on a school.

#CHINA: The smog in Bejing was bad. Really, really bad.

INNOVATION

• Twitter announced its US cinema debut.
• US and Japanese authorities investigated the troubled MtGox bitcoin exchange.
• A washing machine has been developed that buys detergent when you run out. Just what you’ve always wanted. [The Guardian]

PARTING SHOT
What are the favourite bands of the United States? This map shows each states’ preference, including Maine’s fancy for R.E.M. and Arizona’s undying love for Linkin Park. [Business Insider]

Originally published 9.00pm

Here’s what happened yesterday >