Trump refuses to back down on North Korea threats

US President Donald Trump has said North Korea "better get their act together" or the country will be in trouble "like few nations have ever been."

President Trump has faced criticism for threatening to unleash "fire and fury" if Pyongyang puts America at risk – however speaking today he doubled down on the comments.

"It's about time that somebody stuck up for the people of this country and for the people of other countries, so if anything, maybe that statement wasn't tough enough," he said.

The President was speaking ahead of a meeting with security advisers.

Climate change fuelled hottest year on record in 2016

Global warming helped make last year the hottest since records began, according to a US government report.

It marks the third year in a row of record highs for both land and sea surface temperatures.

The report from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said a strong El Nino cycle was also a factor in the record heat.

The report, based on the work of over 450 scientists in nearly 60 countries, also warned that greenhouse gases are now at the highest level ever documented.

Over a quarter of homeless population under the age of 18

17% of homeless people were employed when the census was taken last year, data from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) has revealed.

The CSO says more than 6,900 people were homeless on April 24th 2016, including 896 families.

1,846 children and teenagers were homeless, of which 1,594 were with their families.

The average age of the homeless population was 31 years - six years younger than the average age of the general population. 14% of homeless people were non-Irish.

English firm chosen to operate 10% of Dublin Bus routes

English firm Go-Ahead has been selected as preferred bidder for 10% of Dublin Bus routes, the National Transport Authority has announced (NTA).

The company is expected to begin operating in Dublin by the end of next year, and will operate all routes by February 2019.

The firm is one of the largest bus operators in London. It is also one of the two partners in Govia, the parent company that runs British railway lines such as the Gatwick Express and Southern.

70,000 SIPTU members back new public service pay deal

Members of the trade union SIPTU have voted to support a new public service pay deal, an extension of the Lansdowne Road Agreement.

The union says members voted "by a large majority" to accept the proposals, which will run from 2018 to 2020.

SIPTU vice-president, Gene Mealy, said 76% voted in favour with 24% against.

The agreement provides for pay restoration and other improvements for workers in the public service.