August 01: Today’s top stories in 60 seconds

‘Heart-wrenching’: Tributes paid as two teen girls killed in crash before debs ball in Monaghan
Tributes have been paid after two teenage girls died and three others were injured in a fatal road crash in Co Monaghan yesterday evening. Gardaí attended the scene of the crash, that happened at 6.45pm yesterday evening, on the N54 road in Legnakelly. As of a Garda statement shortly after 11.20pm, one vehicle remained at the scene. Two girls, aged 16 and 17, who were passengers in the car, were fatally injured. Both bodies were taken to Monaghan General Hospital where post-mortems will take place today.
The Journal

Quality of public drinking water remains very high – EPA
The quality of drinking water from public supplies remains very high and the public can be confident that water supplied to their homes is safe to drink, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The latest Drinking Water Quality Report found that Uisce Éireann has made good progress in delivering necessary drinking water infrastructure, but warned that many water supplies still lack robust treatment measures to guarantee their long-term resilience and safety.
RTÉ

Garda visibility to be boosted in key areas to deter anti-social behaviour
Gardai are to review on a daily basis whether a higher police presence is a deterrent in key areas in Dublin prone to anti-social behaviour. It comes after a focus on the capital city’s safety following an assault on a US tourist, Stephen Termini, that left him seriously injured. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, Minister for Justice Helen McEntee, Garda Commissioner Drew Harris and Deputy Garda Commissioner Shawna Coxon met on Monday and discussed greater Garda visibility in Dublin.
Independent.ie

Profits at Diageo increase following price increases and higher premium sales
Despite a drop in sales volumes, Guinness-owner Diageo has posted strong growth in operating profit as it increased sales of premium drinks and increased prices, new financial results show. According to the company’s preliminary results for the year ending June, reported net sales increased by 10.7% to £17.1bn (€20bn) despite volume declining by 7.4%. The company said the growth in net sales was driven by strong organic growth and favourable foreign exchange impacts. Diageo’s operating profit grew by 5.1% to €4.6bn compared to the previous financial year. In February, the company increased prices on pints of Guinness by 12c.
The Irish Examiner

Angus Cloud: HBO Euphoria actor who played ‘Fez’ dead aged 25
Angus Cloud, who starred on HBO hit series Euphoria, has died aged 25. Cloud, who played drug dealer Fezco “Fez” O’Neill on the teen drama, died on Monday at his family home in Oakland, California, said a publicist. “It is with the heaviest heart that we had to say goodbye to an incredible human today,” said a statement from Cloud’s family. Cloud buried his father last week, according to family, and was in a “battle with mental health”. “The only comfort we have is knowing Angus is now reunited with his dad, who was his best friend,” the statement read. “We hope that his passing can be a reminder to others that they are not alone and should not fight this on their own in silence.” The cause of death has not been given.
BBC News

Mystery object found washed up on remote Australian beach identified as space debris
A large chunk of space debris that washed up on a remote West Australian beach is mostly likely from an Indian launch vehicle, the Australian Space Agency says. The cylinder, about 2.5m high and partly made of a gold-coloured woven material, was found earlier in July near Green Head, about 250km north of Perth. The discovery led to theories it could have been part of a downed airliner. But the space agency said after an investigation it had concluded it was most likely from an expended third stage of a polar satellite launch vehicle.
The Guardian

16 construction workers killed in India as crane collapses while new bridge is built
At least 16 construction workers were killed and several others feared trapped after a crane collapsed during the building of a bridge in India. Footage showed the mangled remains of the equipment on the ground as rescue workers pulled out bodies and searched for survivors at the site in Shahapur – about 50 miles (80km) from Mumbai in the western state of Maharashtra.
Sky News

Today’s forecast
This morning will be largely dry and bright with just a few lingering showers. Later this afternoon and evening, more persistent and potentially heavy outbreaks of rain will push in over Munster, extending to much of Leinster and Connacht by nightfall. Highest afternoon temperatures of 17 to 20 degrees. Light to moderate westerly breezes, gradually backing southeasterly. Outbreaks of rain will continue to spread northwards tonight, with some heavy falls bringing a risk of spot flooding. There will be some mist and low cloud about too. Lowest temperatures of 11 to 14 degrees with mostly light to moderate variable breezes, but stronger winds at times along southern and western coasts.
Met Éireann