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

IRISH

Sisters Charlotte (8) and Chloe Flegg (4) from Rathgar are pictured at the launch of the National Concert Hall's 2015 Education, Community and Outreach (ECO) programme. Mark Stedman / Photocall Ireland Mark Stedman / Photocall Ireland / Photocall Ireland

• The Transport Minister said he’s open to offers for Aer Lingus.
• An anniversary mass was held for Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe.
• The Health Minister voiced support for lifting the ban on gay men donating blood.
• The Tánaiste said USC will not be abolished ‘overnight’.
• An escaped prisoner was returned to Portlaoise prison.
• A poll showed a soft lead for the Yes side in the Marriage Equality referendum.
• Three were rescued from the summit of Carrauntoohil.
• Plans to amalgamate libraries were criticised.
• A man was found dead in Newry.

WORLD

Alexis Tsipras, leader of Greece's Syriza left-wing main opposition party at a polling station in Athens. Lefteris Pitarakis / AP/Press Association Images Lefteris Pitarakis / AP/Press Association Images / AP/Press Association Images

#EGYPT: More than a dozen people have died in protests on the anniversary of the 2011 uprising. [Reuters]

#GREECE: Far-left party Syriza has won a landslide victory.

#MIDDLE EAST: Islamic State said a second Japanese hostage could be executed.

#NIGERIA: Boko Haram launched fresh attacks on a key city as US Secretary of State John Kerry visited the country. [Vanguard]

#UKRAINE: Authorities have vowed to calm fighting in the east of the country. [BBC News]

#UNITED STATES: Bad news for Irish ex-pats – British-made Cadbury chocolate may no longer be available.

INNOVATION

• Nanobots powered by stomach acid have been developed. [Geek.com]
• A NASA probe is closing in on Pluto. [BBC News]
• Looking forward to payday? Here are some apps to help manage your money.

PARTING SHOT

Are children spending too much time on the internet? Taiwanese authorities think so, and have made it an offence to allow kids to “use electronic products for a period of time that is not reasonable.” [Quartz]