By Sarah Finnan
19th Dec 2023
19th Dec 2023
Your speedy summary of today's must-read stories.
UN Security Council set to vote again today on calls for ceasefire in Gaza
Israel faces another round of global pressure for a ceasefire in Gaza as the UN Security Council are set to vote and fresh Western diplomatic efforts, although the United States vowed to continue arming its ally. The UN Security Council is set to convene a call for a ceasefire this morning in the besieged Palestinian territory, after a previous bid was vetoed by the United States.
The Journal
One dead, two injured, following collision in Donegal
A man in his 30s has died and two people have been injured following a two vehicle collision in Co Donegal on Monday. The incident occurred on the N14 near Manorcunningham at around 7pm.
The Irish Examiner
Gardaí believe Galway hotel fire the work of local opposed to immigration
The fire which gutted much of a historic Galway hotel earmarked for asylum seeker accommodation was the work of a local person, gardaí believe. The blaze, which broke out at the Ross Lake House Hotel in Rosscahill, near Oughterard, on Saturday night is being treated by gardaí as arson. The 13 bedroom house, which is in private ownership, was the site of protests last week following an announcement it was to be used for temporary accommodation for 70 asylum seekers, including some who have been forced to sleep rough due to a lack of beds. The building will now be assessed by the Department of Integration to determine when, if ever, it can be used for accommodation.
The Irish Times
Central Bank predicts economy will shrink this year
The Central Bank has become the latest economic forecaster to predict that the economy will shrink this year. Its latest Quarterly Bulletin also shows that lower income families have seen their real incomes decline over the past two years due to inflation while higher income groups have seen a faster recovery. Multinational companies exporting pharmaceutical products made here have seen exports fall this year following years of exceptional growth during the pandemic. Also, so-called ‘contract manufacturing’ where goods are made abroad for multinationals located here but counted as Irish exports have fallen by 50%. That all means that the economy measured by GDP is expected to shrink this year by 1.3%, according to the Central Bank.
RTÉ
John Magnier ‘gave €50,000 in brown envelopes to beneficial owners of farm’, court told
Bloodstock billionaire John Magnier sent brown envelopes of cash to two of the beneficial owners of Barne Estate in a bid to secure the purchase of the 751-acre Golden Vale tillage farm and mansion, the Commercial Court has been told.
A defence filed by the estate’s owners claims Mr Magnier and his son JP delivered two envelopes, each containing €25,000, for the personal use of Richard Thomson-Moore and his sister Alexandra last September, only for the €50,000 to be swiftly returned.
Independent.ie
Gansu earthquake: Over 100 killed in China’s deadliest quake in 13 years
At least 118 people have been killed in north-west China in the country’s deadliest earthquake in 13 years. The 6.2 magnitude quake hit mountainous Gansu province around midnight on Monday (16:00 GMT), also shaking neighbouring Qinghai. Fatalities may rise with hundreds reported injured in icy conditions. Chinese President Xi Jinping has ordered thousands of rescue crew to the region, among the poorest and most diverse in China.
BBC News
Iceland volcano – latest: Incredible footage shows lava spewing from two-mile crack – as thousands evacuated from nearby town
Lava is emerging from a crack in the earth’s surface which is around 3.5km (two miles) long and has grown rapidly. The Icelandic Meteorological Office has warned the nearby town of Grindavik may be at risk.
Sky News
Today’s forecast
Any lingering rain and drizzle will clear from the southeast this morning, with sunshine and showers following from the northwest. A noticeably colder day with highest temperatures of 7 to 9 degrees with west to northwest winds increasing moderate, occasionally fresh. Clear spells and a few showers at first tonight, but becoming cloudier from the Atlantic overnight with outbreaks of rain and drizzle developing. Lowest temperatures of 3 to 6 degrees, occurring early on. Windy overnight with westerly winds increasing moderate to fresh, strong to near gale in coastal parts of the west and north.
Met Éireann
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