Woman arrested by police investigating Lyra McKee murder released unconditionally

A woman arrested by police investigating the murder of journalist Lyra McKee in Derry last week has been released unconditionally.

The 29-year-old journalist was shot dead during riots in the city last Thursday night.

A group calling itself the New IRA has taken responsibility for the killing.

This evening, the PSNI said a 57-year-old woman arrested in connection with the investigation has been released.

Jury in Tipperary murder trial begins deliberations

The jury in the Tipperary murder trial has been sent home for the evening.

They began deliberating on a verdict this afternoon - three months to the day after the case was opened to them.

They’ve been asked to consider whether 50-year-old farmer Patrick Quirke from Breanshamore, County Tipperary is guilty of murdering local DJ Bobby Ryan sometime between June 3rd 2011 and April 30th 2013.

Mr Quirke denies murdering Mr Ryan – a man described by the prosecution as his “love rival.”

Islamic State claims responsibility for Sri Lanka terror attacks

It has been claimed the Sri Lanka bombings were carried out in "retaliation" for last month's terror attacks in New Zealand.

The country's ministry of state for defence Ruwan Wijewardene says preliminary investigations indicate the suicide bombings at three churches and four hotels were carried out in response to the attacks at New Zealand mosques last month.

Two domestic Islamist organisations are believed to be behind the Sri Lankan killings.

Islamic State has claimed that its "fighters" were responsible, but has provided no evidence.

Mr Wijewardene called for one of the groups accused of being involved to be banned and listed as a terrorist organisation.

New paid parental leave scheme to be introduced from November

New parents are to get two weeks paid parental leave during their baby's first year, the Government has announced.

Under new plans published today, all parents in employment or self employment will be entitled to the two week scheme from November.

Parents who avail of the benefit will receive €245 per week, the same rate as the maternity and paternity benefits.

There are plans for the paid parental leave and benefit to be incrementally extended up to seven weeks over the next three years.

Pay equality tops agenda at annual conferences of teachers unions

The country's largest teachers’ union claims pay parity for teachers is finally in sight, as the issue dominates this week's teachers' union conferences.

Teachers who entered the profession between 2011 and 2014 have been on lower rates of pay than their colleagues due to cuts during the recession.

The INTO says the Government has acknowledged the need to resolve pay inequality by way of a pay review process.

Minister Joe McHugh told primary school teachers at the INTO conference in Galway this morning that the issue of pay is 'unfinished business'.

However, he made no promises that pay equality would be achieved, adding that he can't commit to a timeline to end the inequality.