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

IRELAND

Elaine Kelly became the first woman principal of St Vincent’s Castleknock College in its 190-year history RollingNews.ie RollingNews.ie

• Tánaiste Simon Harris has said he is “entirely focused” on presidential election campaigning despite a motion of no confidence looming over him. 
• New officers joining the Defence Forces are paid “far below” the troops they will lead, causing a military group to warn that it may be time to stop recommending leadership as a career. 
• A High Court judge has suggested that Enoch Burke could be forced to pay for a security guard who has been hired to keep him away from the grounds of his former employer.
• The Dáil heard that residents in the area near the disused Baggot Street Hospital will be “horrified” and “scandeled” if no consideration was given to use the building for housing. 
• The Department of Agriculture has confirmed that samples taken from captive birds which died at Fota Wildlife Park have tested positive for avian influenza virus.
• The Green Party has confirmed that its deputy leader, Róisín Garvey, has resigned from her role. 
• Two Pro-Palestine activists were in court after breaking into and damaging the offices of a company in Cork city whose parent operation has supplied equipment and technologies to Israel.

INTERNATIONAL

People gather to welcome Palestinians released from Israeli prisons under a Gaza ceasefire Alamy Alamy

#CEASEFIRE THREATENED Israeli forces have killed six Palestinians in separate incidents, after troops opened fire on people they called “suspects” who approached their positions.

#COUP Madagascar’s military has taken control of the state after its embattled president fled the country and went into hiding.

#REJECTED Israel’s gymnasts will not be able to compete at the upcoming world championships in Indonesia after sport’s highest court today rejected requests from the Israeli federation (IGF) to “guarantee the participation” of its team.

#NOBEL SPAT Venezuela has announced it has closed its embassy in Oslo, days after opposition leader Maria Corina Machado was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.

PARTING SHOT

RollingNews.ie RollingNews.ie

The presidential election candidates continue their campaigning, with less than three weeks left until polls open.

On the campaign trail today, Catherine Connolly took part in a Chair Yoga session at the McAuley Community Centre in Naas.

She was joined by Sinn Féin spokesperson for the arts Réada Cronin, who is pictured behind Connolly in black suit.