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

IRELAND

Lauren Kiely, left, Aoife Scanlon and Fiadh Driver, at The Killarney Races May Festival today. Valerie O'Sullivan Valerie O'Sullivan

• The Government is reviewing payments made to asylum seekers, Paschal Donohoe said.
• Fingal councillor Tania Doyle told The Journal about how she and her husband feared for their lives when they were attacked while putting up election posters. 
• Firefighters extinguished a large gorse fire in the Mourne Mountains in Co Down.
• A Status Yellow thunderstorm warning came into effect in eight counties.
• A man was arrested in connection with a fatal assault of another man in Co Kildare.
• Ireland’s Bambie Thug excoriated the European Broadcasting Union for its stance on Israel’s status in the Eurovision, speaking in the wake of last night’s Grand Final in Malmö.

INTERNATIONAL

Russian emergency service employees work at the scene of a partially collapsed block of flats after a missile attack by the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the Russian city of Belgorod, Russia. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

#RUSSIA A Ukrainian strike on a residential building in Russia killed at least five people, the Russian emergency situations ministry said as the Kremlin’s forces made gains in northeastern Ukraine.

#PALESTINE Israel continued its bombardment of Gaza as world leaders urged it not to invade Rafah city.

#GEORGIA Tens of thousands of people rallied on the streets of the Georgian capital Tbilisi, protesting against a “foreign influence” bill.

PARTING SHOT

IT’S A DAY of rest, and you may be in the mood for a quiet corner and a comfy chair.

We’ve hand-picked some of the week’s best reads for you to savour.