July 05: Today’s top stories in 60 seconds

RTÉ to face questions at media committee as more barter accounts revealed
Members of the RTÉ Executive and Board will face questions at the Oireachtas Committee on Media after a review of the organisation’s finances found a number of further barter accounts. This is the type of account at the centre of the controversy over undisclosed payments to presenter Ryan Tubridy. RTÉ has clarified that it has three and not one barter account as it informed a Dáil committee last week. The accounts are named Miroma, Astus and Active. The latest information has sparked a furious political reaction with some politicians describing the organisation’s finances as dysfunctional. Chair of the Oireachtas Committee on Media Niamh Smyth said it is “deeply disappointing” that the information given last week about barter accounts in RTÉ was “inaccurate”.
RTÉ

Landlords in call for action as dozens of tenants owe more than €350,000 in arrears
Landlords are “deeply concerned” about the level of rent arrears in Ireland after recent cases published by the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) showed dozens of tenants owe more than €350,000.
Property owners have criticised the length of time it is taking for disputes to be resolved, with some experiencing delays of up to a year. In one case, two tenants renting a property in Blackrock, Co Dublin, racked up arrears of €52,000. A valid eviction notice was served in October 2021, yet the tenants have remained in the house. The rent, which is €2,000 a month, has not been paid for months. The RTB ordered the tenants to pay the arrears and vacate the house in May this year. A woman renting a house in Limerick was ordered to vacate the property in November 2021. When the case came before the RTB in June this year, she was ordered to leave and pay arrears of €20,000. The Irish Property Owners’ Association (IPOA) said rent arrears are affecting several of its members and called for “urgent” action to address the growing arrears and over-holding problem.
Independent.ie

Three men charged in investigation into attempted murder of DCI John Caldwell
Three men have been charged in the investigation into the attempted murder of Detective Chief Inspector John Caldwell earlier this year. Detectives in the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) arrested the three men yesterday morning under the Terrorism Act. The men are aged 45, 47 and 58 and were arrested in Newtownabbey, Coalisland and Belfast respectively. All three have since been charged with preparatory acts of terrorism.
The Journal

Pints flow in Dáil bar as receipts double to more than €1.1m
TDs and senators were able to enjoy a lot more cheap pints in Leinster House last year as the lifting of pandemic restrictions saw revenues at the Dáil’s bars and restaurants more than double to more than €1.1m. The Houses of the Oireachtas annual report shows sales for 2022 stood at €1,134,928.
The Irish Examiner

Climate change: World’s hottest day since records began
The world’s average temperature reached a new high on Monday 3 July, topping 17 degrees Celsius for the first time. US researchers said the new record was the highest in any instrumental record dating back to the end of the 19th century. Scientists believe a combination of a natural weather event known as El Niño and mankind’s ongoing emissions of carbon dioxide are driving the heat. Last month has also been confirmed as the world’s warmest June yet recorded. Scientists at the US National Centers for Environmental Prediction said that the world’s average temperature had reached 17.01C on 3 July, breaking the previous record of 16.92C that had stood since August 2016.
BBC News

France riots: prosecutors investigate death of man hit by projectile in Marseille
French prosecutors have opened an investigation into the death of a 27-year old man who was hit by a projectile at the time of the riots on Saturday, the Marseille prosecutor’s office has said. The man died on Saturday night while Marseille was engulfed in riots and pillaging, but prosecutors said it was not possible to determine where the man was when he was shot or whether the victim had taken part in the riots. Prosecutors on Tuesday said the likely cause of the death in Marseille was a violent shock to the chest from a “flash-ball” projectile as used by riot police, but did not specify who fired or owned the gun. The impact led to cardiac arrest and sudden death.
The Guardian

Ukraine war latest: Ukrainians flee – as Russia ‘lays possible explosives on roof of nuclear plant’
Rhetoric around a possible attack at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant has ramped up, with President Zelenskyy accusing Russia of possibly planting explosives on the roof. Residents have fled the area amid fears Moscow is preparing a so-called false-flag attack.
Sky News

Today’s forecast 
Today will bring a mix of sunny spells and scattered passing showers, some heavy. Highest temperatures of 15 to 19 or 20 degrees Celsius, in moderate to fresh westerly winds, coolest closer to the Atlantic. Early tonight showers will become more isolated with clear spells for a time. However, scattered outbreaks of rain and drizzle will move in across much of the western half of the country later. Lowest temperatures of 11 to 13 degrees Celsius in light to moderate southwest breezes.
Met Éireann