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

IRELAND

Ahead of World Ocean Day tomorrow, Abigail Nwogu and Jasmine Zaghloua Ramadan Ibramim from YMCA Dublin cleared marine litter from Sandymount Strand. Leon Farrell Leon Farrell

• Gerry “The Monk” Hutch failed in a bid to recoup his legal costs from the State after he was acquitted seven weeks ago of the murder of Kinahan Cartel member David Byrne at the Regency Hotel.
• Minister Heather Humphreys said island communities are to benefit from “positive discrimination” in her department when applying for investment in local projects so that they “get their fair share of the cake”.
• Transport Minister Eamon Ryan said he had no engagement with toll companies since the announcement of planned price hikes coming in July, it is understood.
• The Stardust Inquests heard from its first witnesses today as the process progresses from pen portraits of victims to testimony from families, management, fire personnel and gardaí.
• Forecasters at Met Eireann predict the weather will remain warm and sunny this coming weekend but that the high temperatures will also mean hot, humid nights. 
• Meanwhile, the Defence Forces have said that it has a crew and aircraft available “at all times” to respond to wildfires if needed.
• The Tanaiste said Sinn Féin “needs to ask itself some hard questions” amid criticism of one of its MPs attending an IRA commemoration event this weekend.
• The Central Bank released the first Financial Stability Review (FSR) of 2023 which says uncertainty caused by the pandemic, Russia’s war against Ukraine and inflation still weighs heavily on the global economy.
• A teaching expert said that sixth years faced a “well-pitched and broadly appealing” English paper one today in their first exam of the Leaving Certificate.

INTERNATIONAL

Kiss star Gene Simmons in the UK's Houses of Commons. Alexander Stafford MP Alexander Stafford MP

#UKRAINE Thousands of people were evacuated after an attack on a major Russian-held dam unleashed a torrent of water, inundating two dozen villages and sparking fears of a humanitarian disaster.

#POPE FRANCIS The Pontiff underwent an operation today on a painful abdominal hernia, which was completed without complications within three hours.

#LONDON Prince Harry “would feel some injustice” if a judge found that people suing the Daily Mirror’s publisher did not have their phones hacked by its journalists, the High Court in London has heard.

#PARLIAMENT Kiss star Gene Simmons said he witnessed “controlled chaos” during his “insane” visit to the UK’s Houses of Parliament as a guest of the DUP’s Ian Paisley Jr.

#THIS MORNING Irish presenter Craig Doyle appeared alongside Holly Willoughby on the This Morning sofa today as he co-presented the breakfast show in the wake of Phillip Schofield’s departure.

PARTING SHOT

Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

Climate activist Greta Thunberg has been nominated for the Freedom of the City of Dublin.

Lord Mayor Caroline Conroy put Thunberg forward alongside Irish environmentalist Duncan Stewart to receive the accolade in recognition of their efforts to protect the earth, the first time nominations have been made for work in the area.

Past recipients include Father Peter McVerry, the four members of U2, and Eamon de Valera.

The historical privileges, which are mostly symbolic in modern times, include being exempt from tax on goods brought through the city gates and permission to graze sheep on College Green and St Stephen’s Green.

The nominations were made this morning at a meeting of Dublin City Council’s Protocol Committee.