Iranian forces in Syria launched a rocket attack on Israeli army bases in the Golan Heights early on Thursday, Israel said, prompting one of the heaviest Israeli barrages in Syria since the conflict there began in 2011. The incident came after weeks of rising tension and followed US President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal on Tuesday, a move Israel had long advocated.

 

Three Americans detained in North Korea for more than a year are on their way back to the US with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. President Donald Trump, who had been hinting about an imminent release, said he would greet them at Joint Base Andrews outside Washington today.

 

Bus Éireann has announced that it is beginning a campaign to recruit almost 200 staff, including 190 driver positions and additional mechanic jobs.

 

Malaysian ex-leader Mahathir Mohamad, is expected to be sworn in as prime minister within hours, after his surprising win over the scandal-plagued coalition that has ruled for six decades - making him the world's oldest leader at age 92. 

 

The Irish Congress of Trade Unions have responded to new figures from Central Statistics Office’s latest Residential Property Price Index that showed a 12.7% rise in residential property prices across the state in the year to March. They said as property prices continue to rise across the country there is now an urgent need for the government to take on a greater role in the provision of affordable homes. You can read the full statement here.

 

Nominations for the 2018 IFTA Television Awards were announced yesterday and The Young Offenders leads the pack with six nominations including best comedy, female performance for Hilary Rose and male performance for Chris Walley. As well as a television series, The Young Offenders also has a film adaptation (available on Netflix last time I checked) and its trailer is your Zen today.