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

IRELAND

People enjoying the sun in St Stephen's Green in Dublin today. Leah Farrell Leah Farrell

• A proposed 6.5% increase in public sector wages was finalised last night, unions will now ballot members.
• A military operation is underway off the Cork coast as UK and US forces monitor two Russian warships patrolling in the area.
• Two people died and another was injured after a car transporter overturned in Co Cork.
• There is a similar risk of electricity blackouts in Ireland this year as there was last year, an Oireachtas committee heard.
• Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney backed more EU training of Ukrainian troops.
• Tribute were paid to two teenage boys who drowned in a Co Derry lake yesterday evening.

INTERNATIONAL

Mounds of garlic that were damaged in torrential rains dry on a roadside in Karachi, Pakistan. PPI PPI

#PAKISTAN: The UN and the Pakistani government launched an emergency appeal for €160 million to help those hardest hit by the devastating floods in the country.

#MISSISSIPPI: Officials in the US state of Mississippi declared a health emergency today after historic flooding damaged treatment systems and left 180,000 people in the state capital Jackson without safe drinking water.

#BORIS: UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has refused to rule out a political comeback as he faced his final few days in Downing Street.

PARTING SHOT

Over the past few months at our investigative platform Noteworthy, we have examined the companies associated with religious congregations and found that those involved in historic abuse have sold over 75 properties worth a total of over €90 million since 2016. 

In HOLY LAND, Noteworthy editor Maria Delaney and business reporter Ian Curran reveal details of millions worth of property sales, show who sold what and attempt to find out where the money went. 

This week, as a bonus episode of The Explainer brought to you by Noteworthy, Susan Daly chats with Delaney about the investigation’s findings.