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

IRELAND

The Cork Book Festival was launched today. It runs from 23-29 April. Gerard McCarthy Gerard McCarthy

• Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin has said he does not want an election this year.
• A man in his 40s was killed after he was struck by a car on the M9 motorway in Kildare.
• A pregnant woman had a bottle smashed across her head by a burglar in Co. Down.
• It was estimated that around 1,200 Irish men and women are detained overseas at any time.
• A Sinn Féin councillor’s car was set alight at his home in Derry.
• An appeal has been lodged over the granting of planning permission for a residential property neat St. Stephen’s Green.
• Kilkenny beat rivals Tipperary to win the hurling league title in Nowlan Park.

WORLD

moke rises after the Syrian army's shelling targeted the Douma district in Eastern Ghouta. Xinhua News Agency / PA Images Xinhua News Agency / PA Images / PA Images

#DOUMA: There has been widespread condemnation of the Syrian government after an alleged chemical attack with US President Donald Trump warning there will be a ‘big price’ to pay.

#MUENSTER: Investigators have said that there is ’no terror link’ to a deadly van attack in Germany as the driver’s history of mental health issues have come into focus.

#NEW YORK: An elderly man died late last night and four firefighters were injured after a blaze erupted on the 50th floor of Trump Tower in New York.

PARTING SHOT

Iceland’s parliament recently passed passed a landmark bill, which makes sexual relations with a person illegal unless you have their explicit consent.

Under the new law, consent must be clearly and voluntarily expressed. We took at look at whether a similar law would work here in Ireland.