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

Sisters Naomi, left, and Dorcas Ekada are pictured voting in the European and Local Election today at Scoil Mhuire in Shankill, Co Dublin. Mark Stedman / Photocall Ireland Mark Stedman / Photocall Ireland / Photocall Ireland

IRELAND

• Polls opened for the local and European elections today, with turnout reportedly 30 per cent at the moment.
• Robert Corbet was sentenced to life in prison for the murder of Aoife Phelan. [RTÉ]
• Gardaí have joined with the HSE in sending an alert about a new killer substance found in ecstasy tablets.
• All Hallows College is to close ‘with immediate effect’ due to falling student numbers.
• Monaghan councillor Eoin Brannigan died while out canvassing today in Castleblayney.
• Creditors from Eden College have met over the closure the language school.
• A mother received a four-year sentence for the willful neglect of her three children.
• Paris Bakery staff in Dublin are staging a sit in over wages they say they are owed.
• The construction of the longest tunnel in Ireland, by Shell, has been mired in controversy.
• The UN has criticised Magdalene orders for their ‘refusal’ to contribute to redress.

INTERNATIONAL

Ukip party leader Nigel Farage enjoys a coffee at the Castlemayne Pub during a visit to Basildon, Essex, as his party make gains across the country following yesterdays voting in local elections. PA Wire / Press Association Images PA Wire / Press Association Images / Press Association Images

#MCDONALDS Many protests have been taking place across the United States against low wages at McDonalds.

#UK Former BBC presenter Stuart Hall has received a further two years in prison for indecent assault.

#AMERICA Kidnap survivor Michelle Knight has spoken about being held by Ariel Castro.

#GLASGOW A blaze engulfed the iconic Glasgow School of Art building.

#NEPAL A man fell down a 70ft crevasse while climbing in Nepal – and got help by posting on Facebook.

#DEATH PENALTY Tennessee has become the first US state to bring back the electric chair.

INNOVATION

• Samsung is working on its own Oculus Rift-style virtual reality headset, and here’s what we can expect. [TheJournal.ie]
• Should we store nuclear waste in… kitty litter? [The Verge]

PARTING SHOT

This year marks the centenary of the start of World War I, and these incredible unpublished photographs of the ‘war to end all wars’ give a look at the lives of its soldiers. [Business Insider]