April 02: Today’s top stories in 60 seconds

Seven aid workers, including international citizens, killed in Israeli strike in Gaza
Seven aid workers have been killed after the car they were travelling in was hit by an Israeli strike in Gaza on Sunday evening, the World Central Kitchen has confirmed. The aid organisation said this morning that it is pausing its operations in Gaza until further notice. The seven killed are from Australia, Poland, United Kingdom, a dual citizen of the U.S. and Canada, and Palestine.
The Journal

Cost of State-owned accommodation for asylum seekers put at €5bn between now and 2044
The Government will spend €5 billion accommodating asylum seekers in State-owned properties in the coming decades, Ministers have been told – although this will be significantly cheaper than sourcing beds in the private sector. Briefing materials supplied to Ministers last week put the cost of supplying 10,000 beds for asylum seekers over 20 years at €5 billion, based on current prices – but argue that buying the same amount of accommodation sourced from the private sector would potentially cost billions more again. These savings are not expected to accrue for several years, but will increase significantly in a time frame of 15-30 years, Ministers were told.
The Irish Times

‘Good quality’ CCTV secured as net closes in on four suspects in horrific attack on two Croatian men in Clondalkin
Detectives have secured “good quality” CCTV footage in an effort to identify four suspects involved in a violent attack in west Dublin over the weekend. Two men, who are both Croatian nationals understood to be aged in their late 20s, were assaulted in Clondalkin on Saturday night. One of the young men suffered catastrophic head injuries and lost several teeth after being targeted in the Grange View Way area shortly after 10pm. Last night he remained in a critical condition in Tallaght Hospital and medical staff have grave concerns over his condition. His friend was also injured in the ­incident and received medical ­treatment for non-life-threatening injuries. At this stage, gardaí believe four males were involved in the vicious assault and have gathered “good quality” CCTV footage as part of the investigation to identify those involved.
Independent.ie

‘Complete change in thinking’ needed on teacher shortage, says ASTI
Minister for Education Norma Foley and the Department of Education need a “complete change in their thinking” to address the current shortage of teachers, ASTI General Secretary Kieran Christie has said. The ASTI will hold its annual conference in Co Wexford later today, while Teachers’ Union of Ireland members will gather in Killarney. Issues to be debated include what the unions say is the deepening teacher shortage crisis which is especially being felt by schools in urban areas. The unions will propose measures to entice teachers who have gone abroad to come home.
RTÉ

Charity develops recovery programme in Cork to combat surge in cocaine addiction
Cocaine addiction is on the rise, new figures from a national addiction charity show. Alcohol and drug treatment charity Coolmine has reported a 28% increase in the number of people who accessed its services in the Cork region alone in 2023 — up from 843 in 2022 to 1,079. Most were men, accounting for 68%, with 32% female. Nearly half (46%) sought help for alcohol-related addiction issues. But there was a 5% increase in the numbers seeking help for cocaine addiction, which accounted for 23% of Coolmine’s presentations in 2023. Support for alcohol dependency is still the main treatment provided but cocaine is now the second biggest addiction issue, the charity said.
The Irish Examiner

Today’s forecast
This morning will be mainly dry with sunny spells and any mist or fog patches clearing. This afternoon, cloud will increase from the south. Rain will develop in southern coastal areas and will move up over much of the southern half of the country this evening. Highest temperatures of 9 to 12 degrees with moderate southeast breezes developing. Tonight, rain will extend northwards over much of the country but parts of the northwest may hold dry. Lowest temperatures of 5 to 8 degrees with moderate to fresh northeast winds.
Met Éireann