December 07: Today’s top stories in 60 seconds

Strep A: CMO urges parents to ‘trust your instinct’ as HSE investigates link to death Dublin girl (4) in wake of Northern Ireland tragedy
The State’s chief medical officer has said an investigation is ongoing into whether a four-year-old girl in north Dublin died from strep A, as she urged parents to contact their GP if a child isn’t getting better and to “listen to your instincts.” It follows the death of a girl aged five in Northern Ireland from the bacterial infection. Professor Breda Smyth said that despite the growing concern about strep A, rates of infection are currently lower than pre-pandemic. However, she added that is was important for parents to communicate with their GP or health professional if there are “signs that a child is not getting better,” from symptoms of the bacterial infection.
Independent.ie

New appeal for information on whereabouts of 16-year-old missing since July
Gardaí have renewed their appeal for help from the public in tracing the whereabouts of a teenager who was first reported missing more than four months ago. Bobby Power was first reported missing from Waterford city on 26 July, but has still not been found. The 16-year-old’s family and Gardaí are concerned for his welfare. Bobby is described as being approximately five foot nine inches in height with a slim build, black hair and brown eyes. Anyone with information on his location is asked to contact Gardaí in Waterford on 051 305 300, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda station.
The Journal

Salaries of over €250k in new hospital consultant contract
Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly will seek the Government’s approval for a new public-only consultant contract. The salary on offer ranges from €209,915 to €252,150, along with on-call allowances of up to €38,000 a year. This contract will be offered to all new entrants and existing contract holders can also sign-up. It is understood the new contract will extend the core working hours consultants will be asked to work. It will include a 37-hour week and consultants can be rostered to work between 8am-10pm Monday to Friday and also on Saturday. It will be the first time consultants will be rostered on Saturdays as part of the normal working week. Doctors will also receive financial support for ongoing medical education through a fund of €20,000.
RTÉ

Germany arrests 25 accused of plotting coup
Twenty-five people have been arrested in raids across Germany on suspicion of plotting to overthrow the government. German reports say the group of far-right and ex-military figures planned to storm the parliament building, the Reichstag, and seize power. A minor aristocrat described as Prince Heinrich XIII, 71, is alleged to have been central to their plans. According to federal prosecutors, he is one of two alleged ringleaders among those arrested across 11 German states. The plotters are said to include members of the extremist Reichsbürger [Citizens of the Reich] movement, which has long been in the sights of German police over violent attacks and racist conspiracy theories. They also refuse to recognise the modern German state. An estimated 50 men and women are alleged to have been part of the group, said to have plotted to overthrow the republic and replace it with a new state modelled on the Germany of 1871 – an empire called the Second Reich.
BBC News

Man arrested after vehicle was ‘travelling the wrong way’ on Waterford bridge
A man has been arrested following a road traffic collision in Waterford city yesterday. The incident occurred shortly before 5pm on the Rice Bridge in Waterford on December 6. Gardaí confirmed that a vehicle was “travelling the wrong way” on the Rice Bridge. A spokesperson said it collided with another vehicle before mounting a footpath. “This vehicle then travelled along the footpath and collided with a third vehicle at Grattan Quay,” the Garda spokesperson added. One person was taken to hospital as a precaution. No other injuries have been reported.
The Irish Examiner

New York Irish couple to receive presidential award for work in highlighting dangers of sepsis
President Michael D Higgins will this week present a presidential distinguished service award to an Irish couple based in New York whose work to highlight the medical condition of sepsis has saved an estimated 16,000 lives in the state. Ciarán and Orlaith Staunton will be honoured for their work on the End Sepsis campaign which they established following the death of their son Rory in 2012. The couple were recommended to the Government for the award by the most powerful politician in the United States senate, majority leader Chuck Schumer. On foot of the work of the Stauntons, authorities in New York introduced rules for hospitals – known as Rory’s regulations – which set out how doctors should look out for sepsis in patients presenting for treatment.
The Irish Times

Today’s forecast
A cold start this morning with some frost and icy stretches. Many areas will have a dry day with spells of crisp winter sunshine. There will be a few showers in northern and northwestern coastal counties, some of hail or sleet. Highest temperatures of just 2°C to 6°C in light or moderate northerly breezes. Mostly dry across Leinster and Munster overnight, but scattered showers will affect Connacht and Ulster, some turning wintry, especially over high ground. Towards dawn, a band of wintry showers will push south over Ulster. Widespread frost and ice overnight with lowest temperatures of -4°C to 0°C. Some patches of freezing fog developing also.
Met Éireann