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

IRELAND

Housing Minister Darragh O'Brien uses a sword that is over 100 years old to cut the ribbon on new social houses in Swords. Sam Boal / RollingNews.ie Sam Boal / RollingNews.ie / RollingNews.ie

• Three teenage boys arrested in connection with the assault of a teenage boy in Meath have been released without charge, while a further two teenage boys have been arrested.
• Garda union AGSI sought clarity on the policing of protests as the Clare blockade continues.
• The High Court ruled that teacher Enoch Burke was lawfully suspended from his post at Wilson’s Hospital School.
• Sinn Féin are currently the party with the largest number of councillors as counting continues in the Northern Ireland local elections.
• A seaside village where a local authority was bleaching its streams as a method of “disinfectant” has lost its Blue Flag status.
• You can view a list of the 94 beaches and marinas have been awarded Blue Flags this year here.
• Two men were arrested over the attempted murder of a senior police officer in Omagh earlier this year.
• The head of the HSE agreed with the family of a young woman who died in a case of medical misadventure that an independent examination into the circumstances of her death should occur.
• Irish troops completed their first mission training Ukrainian soldiers in bomb disposal techniques at a base in Cyprus.

INTERNATIONAL

Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

#SUMMIT Zelenskyy accused some Arab leaders of ignoring the horrors of Russia’s invasion of his country during a speech Friday at an Arab League summit in Saudi Arabia.

#FIGHTER JET Biden told G7 leaders that Washington will support providing advanced warplanes including F-16s to Ukraine and will back efforts to train Kyiv’s pilots.

#BANNED Russia has banned entry to 500 Americans, including former president Barack Obama and TV host Jimmy Kimmel, in response to sanctions imposed by Washington.

#AUSTRALIA Police in Australia confirmed that one of its officers tasered a 95-year-old woman in her nursing home, leaving her in a “critical condition” in hospital with a head injury.

PARTING SHOT

Damon Albarn and Graham Coxon of Blur in Hyde Park in June 2015. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

“Here, which one do you prefer, Oasis or Blur?”

Blur will release their first album in eight years in July. 

The Ballad of Darren will be the band’s ninth studio album and will be available on various formats from 21 July.

Blur have remained regular fixtures for European tours and are set to play a sold-out show at Malahide Castle, Dublin on 24 June.