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

Luis Pinto from Venezuela paid 1,200 euro for a English course at Business and Computer Training Institute (BCT) before it closed Sam Boal / Photocall Ireland Sam Boal / Photocall Ireland / Photocall Ireland

IRISH

• Robert Corbet has told a court he did not set out to kill Aoife Phelan, who he is accused of murdering. [RTÉ.ie]
• A task force is being set up to protect students of private colleges that were closed down.
• The Taoiseach won’t say yet what he told the Secretary General to tell former Garda Commissioner Martin Callinan the day before he stepped down.
• SIPTU members at Irish Rail are to vote on strike action.
• Some European election candidates have said what their views on abortion legislation are.
• Enforcement action has been taken against Christmas Direct after customer complaints.
• Here’s how many homes had their gas and electricity disconnected last year.
• Stardust families hope that Minister Frances Fitzgerald will address their calls for a new investigation into the tragedy.
• ‘Shocking’ racist messages are to be removed from hoarding along the N7.
• Rory McIllroy called off his engagement to Caroline Wozniacki – after they issued wedding invitations.
• David Drumm faced fraud allegations in a Boston court today.
• Former developer Sean Dunne‘s wife Gayle Killilea could be questioned during her husband’s bankruptcy case.

INTERNATIONAL

An armed Thai soldier, right, helps an aged woman down the stairs of a pedestrian bridge near the pro-government demonstration site on the outskirts of Bangkok Wason Wanichakorn / PA Images Wason Wanichakorn / PA Images / PA Images

#TAIWAN Four people were killed and 21 wounded during a stabbing spree on a subway in Taipei. A student was arrested.

#EBAY eBay’s database was compromised earlier this year, meaning users have to change their passwords.

#JACKIE KENNEDY Letters written by Jackie Kennedy to an Irish priest have been withdrawn from an auction.

#GOOGLE Google has knocked Apple off the top spot to become the world’s most valuable brand

#HIRING The FBI is having problems hiring hackers who don’t smoke weed.

INNOVATION

• Your fridge, your car dashboard… there’s no end to where Google wants to bring ads to. Next stop: Your face? [TheJournal.ie]
• Why oh why are games like Candy Crush and Angry Birds so darn addictive? Here are some theories. [TheGuardian.com]

PARTING SHOT

AP / Press Association Images AP / Press Association Images / Press Association Images

Want to see Bruce Springsteen play in your living room? James Taylor serenade your mum at her 60th birthday party? Get Taylor Swift to play at your sister’s surprise bash? Here’s how much it costs to hire your favourite (or least favourite) band. [Twentytwowords.com]