By Sarah Gill
08th Dec 2023
08th Dec 2023
Your speedy summary of today's must-read stories.
UN Security Council to consider urging Gaza ceasefire
The UN Security Council are set to meet on Gaza later today under acute pressure from Secretary-General Antonio Guterres ahead of a vote on urging an immediate ceasefire. Even though the civilian death toll in the Palestinian territory is mounting and living conditions are described as catastrophic amid Israel’s bombardment, the outcome of the session is up in the air.
Tánaiste to announce €50m in climate finance
Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin will announce €50 million in climate-related finance from Ireland for poorer and less developed countries at COP28 climate summit in Dubai, with half of that money to be delivered between 2025 and 2027. This includes just over €6 million to support a partnership strategy for small island development.
Cork heroin overdoses
The HSE has issued an “extreme risk” warning after a powerful drug has been linked to a number of heroin overdoses in Cork City. Nitazene is a synthetic opioid that was sold more than 60 years ago as an alternative to morphine but was never approved for the medical market. In a statement, the HSE national drug information source said “an analysis of the opioid has found a nitazene type substance”. It described nitazene as a “strong synthetic opioid that can cause serious overdoses, hospitalisation and drug related deaths”. The drug can “be found in pills or powder” and current overdoses are being linked to powder.
Shane MacGowan’s funeral
The funeral of Shane MacGowan will take place this afternoon in Nenagh, Co Tipperary. Fans of the singer will have an opportunity to pay their respects when the remains of MacGowan are driven through Dublin’s southside before heading to Tipperary. President Michael D Higgins, along with family, friends and colleagues of the singer, will attend the funeral mass.
Surge in respiratory illness
According to the Health Protection Surveillance Centre, there has been a massive surge in respiratory syncytial virus cases, with 368 people hospitalised last week. The common respiratory illness, that particularly affects babies and young children, saw 985 cases last week. The number of people infected with the virus was already at record levels. The HPSC said overall there have been 3,644 cases of the illness during the current winter season.
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