EVERY WEEKDAY evening, TheJournal.ie brings you a round-up of the day’s main news, as well as the bits and pieces you may have missed.

• Taoiseach Enda Kenny told the Dáil today that the government has not decided yet on exactly how much householders will be asked to pay under new property and water charges. Both are required under the terms of the EU-IMF bailout and will be introduced on a flat-rate basis. Here’s what we know so far about the new charges.
• Meanwhile, TheJournal.ie has been asking you for your view of the proposed taxes. Four out of ten who responded to the poll said they would refuse to pay, preferring to emigrate or face jail first.
• Bad news on the jobs front today with news that the unemployment rate rose in May, reaching 14.8 per cent. The number of people on the live register has risen by 2,600 since April.
• Sepp Blatter has been re-elected the president of FIFA for a fourth term. Mind you, he was the only person on the ballot… The FA’s push for the election to be postponed due to the shortage of candidates was defeated earlier today by 172 votes to 17.
• Germany has conceded that Spanish produce is not responsible for a deadly e.Coli outbreak which has killed 16 people. The source of the contamination has yet to be found. Spain, meanwhile, is considering legal action against the German regional authorities who initially blamed Spanish cucumbers for the disease.
• Fianna Fáil senator Denis O’Donovan has been elected the 24th Seanad Éireann’s Leas Chathaoirleach.
• Convicted murderer Mahendra Nath Das is awaiting execution in India after receiving a rare death sentence. So rare is a death sentence in India, that authorities have put out a nationwide call for a qualified hangman to carry it out.
• Suspected war criminal Ratko Mladic spent his first night in custody at The Hague in solitary confinement. Mladic is due to appear in the war crimes court for the first time on Friday morning, when he is given the opportunity to plead on the 11 charges facing him, the AP reports.
• Some unexpectedly positive news about the Irish economy: A senior director at the Standard & Poor’s ratings agency said Ireland stands a “good chance” of returning to the markets next year to raise funds – and thereby avoid a second bailout.
• A new study has found that big brands Tesco, Ryanair and UPC come bottom of the pile when it comes to engaging with their online customers via social media. At the other end of the scale with a high number of social media features are Amazon, HMV, eBay and Irish site Elverys.
• The minimum wage isn’t about equality, it’s an unfair tax on young men. So says businessman Gerard O’Neill in his column for TheJournal.ie today.
• Quiz! Which member of the last government did the then-US ambassador to Ireland describe as “bright and capable”? Which minister was thought by the ambassador to have “virtually no experience”? And whose “frugal lifestyle was apparent to all?” The answers and more of former ambassador Thomas Foley’s insights on the Irish cabinet can be found here.
• Facing an energy crisis, the Japanese government has taken the unusual step of launching a campaign to encourage their suit-loving countrymen to ditch their jackets and ties in favour of more light and casual attire which will be cool enough to endure the sweltering summer without resorting to strong air conditioning.
• Minister for Health James Reilly has announced a new health agency which will be responsible for cutting hospital waiting lists.
• Music, flowers, sheep, fun … and sun? Check out some of what the June Bank Holiday has in store and start planning your weekend now.
• The children’s cartoon character Pippa Pig is set to generate about $1bn for the brand’s owners through a merchandising deal. Here are five people who made their fortunes from children’s television.
• The space shuttle Endeavour made a safe return to Earth this morning after its 16-day space mission – the last in its career. Here it is, preparing to touch down at Florida’s Kennedy Space Centre in the wee hours:

(Image: AP Photo/Orlando Sentinel, Pool)

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