Every afternoon, TheJournal.ie brings you 5 things you really need to know by 5pm.

1. #ANGLO: Ratings agency Moody’s downgraded Anglo bonds today, leaving one set of bonds within a single notch of junk status.

2. #BOND MARKETS: German newspaper Handelsblatt reports that the ECB had prepared EU countries to borrow money on behalf of Ireland, before dropping the plan.

And speaking of bonds, Ireland’s eight- and four-year bonds hit a new high today, reaching 6.23% and 5.124% by lunchtime respectively.

3. #CHILDREN: An investigation by the Health Information and Quality Authority into foster care services in Cork city accuses the HSE of breaching child protection laws.

In its report, HIQA says that “safeguarding and child protection standards were not met in full”.

4. #POLITICS: Labour TD Ruairi Quinn has offered to step in after Fine Gael’s decision to end its pairing arrangement with the government.

Quinn said he was willing to make a voting agreement which would allow the Tánaiste to participate in a US trade trip, so long as he can be convinced the trip is really worthwhile. Over to you, Mary.

5. #AFGHANISTAN: Three Australian commandos are facing manslaughter charges after killing six civilians during a night raid in Afghanistan in February 2009. The men are accused of entering the wrong compound and of shooting without identifying targets.