EVERY WEEKDAY EVENING, The Journal brings you five of the biggest stories of the day. 

1. #COURTS: The Court of Appeal has refused to reveal the identity of a former TD who provided a character reference on behalf of a one-time government advisor convicted of sexually exploiting a 13-year-old boy.

2. #MIDDLE EAST: Donald Trump has said he “expects to be bombing” Iran if the country fails to reach an agreement with the United States to end the war.

3. #MODULAR HOMES: The Housing Minister said a proposed policy to allow homeowners to build modular units up to 45 square metres in their back gardens without planning permission will “cut red tape” and “see more housing delivered quicker”.

4. #GRA: The detective garda who was at the centre of the ‘bikegate’ scandal and seven gardaí from Limerick who were pursued over the termination of tickets received a standing ovation at the Garda Representative Association conference in Westport. 

5. #ISRAEL: Germany and Italy have rejected calls for the European Union to suspend its trade agreement with Israel at a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Luxembourg.