December 12: Today’s top stories in 60 seconds

‘It’s rampant’: GP urges parents to be aware of RSV symptoms due to surge in cases
A GP has urged parents to be aware of symptoms of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in their children due to a surge in the number of cases, which has put pressure “on all parts of medical care”. Dr Máire Finn told The Journal that the virus is “rampant” in communities across the country and while it is not dangerous for everybody, it is very contagious and can make small babies very sick. RSV is a common, seasonal virus that causes coughs and colds. It is the main cause of bronchiolitis and pneumonia in very young children.
The Journal

Young man arrested after fatal stabbing in Tallaght
A young man has been arrested after a fatal stabbing in Tallaght in Dublin last night. A man in his 40s died following a row at a house in Castle Park. Gardaí and the emergency services were called to the area just before 9pm last night. They discovered a man inside the house with injuries following a stabbing. Paramedics treated the victim at the scene, but he was pronounced dead a short time later. A young man was arrested at the scene and is being detained at Tallaght Garda Station.
RTÉ

Second cut from big energy firm will pull rivals into price war
One of the big four energy companies has announced a second price cut in a move that will force its rivals to respond, with expectations that a price war will now break out. SSE Airtricity is to reduce its electricity prices by 12.8pc and its gas tariffs by 11.5pc. It follows a 12pc cut in electricity prices from the same supplier that took effect on November 1. Experts said Electric Ireland, Bord Gáis and Energia will now be left with no choice but to announce new price reductions.
Independent.ie

Feeder schools: School-leavers from disadvantaged areas progress to college in near-record numbers
School-leavers from disadvantaged areas progressed to university in close to record numbers this year. The figures were compiled as part of The Irish Times Feeder Schools 2023, which provides a school-by-school guide of progression rates to third level this year. Overall, this year’s data shows about 80 per cent of school-leavers nationally progressed to third level in 2023. College participation rates among Deis schools — which receive additional Government assistance and are typically based in more disadvantaged areas — are significantly lower than other schools, but there are signs in this year’s data that the gap may be narrowing.
The Irish Times

Ireland’s lack of sonar forced British navy to chase Russian sub away from Cork Harbour
A Russian submarine which positioned itself directly outside the entrance to Cork Harbour was “chased off” by a British helicopter and warship because our depleted navy doesn’t have the equipment to detect potential underwater threats. The submarine was just outside the 12-mile limit, so it didn’t break any international laws, but military sources have indicated that such events around the Irish coast are becoming more common. Details of the Russian underwater operation and subsequent British intervention, which took place six months ago, have just emerged. Military insiders say the Russians are probing British defence systems as they realise the UK is vulnerable on its western flank because the Irish navy has no sonar capabilities on the two ships that are still operational, meaning they cannot detect what’s going on underwater.
The Irish Examiner

Intense Gaza fighting as US urges Israel to put ‘premium’ on civilian life
Israel has continued its bombardment of Gaza, with the main focus on Khan Younis in the south. There’s also been fighting in Rafah near the Egyptian border. The US is “pressing” the Israeli government to “[put] a premium on civilian life”, a state department spokesman says. Nathaniel Tek says clearer instructions are needed to allow people to move away from the conflict – though he says Hamas too has a responsibility to protect civilians.
BBC News

WTO chief urges countries to prioritise subsidies that tackle climate crisis
Governments must start to distinguish between the good subsidies they need to fight the climate crisis and the bad ones that are increasing greenhouse gas emissions, the world’s trade chief has said. Subsidies and other incentives to burn fossil fuels and encourage poor agricultural practices, amounting to about $1.7tn a year, are distorting world trade and hampering the fight against climate breakdown, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the director general of the World Trade Organization, told the Guardian.
The Guardian

Rishi Sunak battling to avoid potentially fatal rebellion ahead of crunch vote on Rwanda plan
Rishi Sunak hosts right-wing Tory MPs for breakfast as he tries to stop them voting down his emergency legislation to get the embattled Rwanda scheme off the ground. A crunch vote on the bill will take place this evening.
Sky News

Today’s forecast
Mostly cloudy today with scattered showers, some of them heavy. Some limited bright spells this morning, but areas of mist and fog too, gradually clearing. Highest temperatures of 8 to 10 degrees with light, variable breezes, becoming moderate to fresh northwesterly later. Tonight will start off mostly cloudy with a few showers in a moderate to fresh northerly breeze. Clearer breaks will develop overnight and the showers will become increasingly isolated. The winds will gradually ease overnight and it will become cold with lowest temperatures of 0 to 5 degrees, leading to a touch of frost.
Met Éireann