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

Mr Ripple, also known as John Taylor, is originally from the north of Scotland but has been doing the Ice Cream rounds in south Dublin for 43 years. Donal Moloney Photography Donal Moloney Photography

IRISH

• Former Anglo Irish bank director Willie McAteer was arrested and charged in relation to financial irregularities.
• More than 15,000 people received news that they will have their discretionary medical cards restored.
• The Taoiseach apologised to those with serious medical conditions who previously lost these cards.
• Gardaí investigated an assault in which a teenager had three fingers cut off by a criminal gang.
• Reform of the penalty points system was announced.
• Socialist TD Joe Higgins replaced Stephen Donnelly on the banking inquiry.
• Labour leadership candidate Alex White told TheJournal.ie that he keeps a close eye on cannabis legislation abroad - and yes, he has tried it.
• The criticism of plans to tackle the housing crisis was described as “misleading and grossly inaccurate”.
• Minister Fitzgerald said she is ‘happy to meet with’ residents affected by last week’s shooting of a six-year-old.

WORLD

An employee of French national railway SNCF walks on a platform at Saint-Charles railway station, in Marseille, southern France. A weeklong strike by rail workers has caused one of the worst disruptions to the country's rail network in years. AP Photo / Claude Paris AP Photo / Claude Paris / Claude Paris

#IRAQ: It was confirmed that US troops will return to help American personnel and protect the embassy in Baghdad.

#LIBYA: The Pentagon said the suspected ringleader of the 2012 Benghazi attack has been captured.

#MALAYSIA: Officials shifted the search for MH370 to a new possible crash site.

#POLAND: The government launched an investigation into wiretapping. [BBC News]

INNOVATION

• Artists who haven’t signed up to license terms for YouTube‘s new music service could have their videos removed.
• Researchers have found a way keep vegetables crunchy after they’re frozen. Tasty. [Reuters]
• Apple dodged a massive $840 million price-fixing court case.

PARTING SHOT

Some songs have a way of getting into your head and refusing to leave for hours. Here’s an explanation, with case studies from Beyoncé and Usher, of how artists make a hit. [Buzzfeed]

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