Here's What Happened Today: Thursday

Here’s what made the headlines today.

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

IRELAND

0508 Covid 19 Updates Journalists distancing themselves at the Dept of Health's daily briefing. RollingNews.ie RollingNews.ie

A third death from Covid-19 was confirmed in Ireland, with 191 new confirmed cases bringing the total to 557.
The government said a rent freeze and temporary ban on evictions would be introduced during the crisis.
The Leaving Cert and Junior Cert orals and practical exams have been cancelled – and all students are to get fill marks.
Northern Ireland recorded its first death from Covid-19.
So-called vulture funds and non-bank lenders are to allow three-month mortgage break over Covid-19 outbreak.
Aer Lingus said it was cutting wages by 50% as the airline reduced working hours for the month of April.
The HSE instructed hospital and healthcare facilities to immediately suspend parking charges for staff.
Thousands of public sector workers weren’t paid on time today.
Two people died in separate road crashes in Kildare and Meath.
The HSE and two laboratories lost their Supreme Court appeal against Ruth Morrissey.
A man was remanded in custody after being charged with robbery in connection with a fatal road crash in Dublin.

INTERNATIONAL

coronavirus People walk past London's Covent Garden Station, one of 40 tube stations closed today. Luciana Guerra / PA Images Luciana Guerra / PA Images / PA Images

#COVID-19: The death toll in Italy has risen to 3,405 – overtaking China.

#US: Donald Trump says treatment “is not gonna kill anybody” as the US fast-tracked the use of anti-malaria drug for coronavirus.

#EUROPE: Michel Barnier confirmed he’d been diagnosed with Covid-19.

PARTING SHOT

When clicking into the Guardian’s David Bowie’s 50 Greatest Songs Ranked, I was certain I would disagree with whatever was ranked number one.

I didn’t.

Guess which song this description refers to: “A three-minute hit single that doesn’t even feature a lead vocal until halfway through, it twists a despondent lyric into something uplifting and, musically, transcends time. Completely original, nothing about its sound tethers it to the mid-70s. Its magic seems to sum Bowie up.”