February 06: Today’s top stories in 60 seconds

Donnelly to tell Cabinet probability of introduction and spread of measles in Ireland is high
Cabinet will receive an update from Health Minister Stephen Donnelly today on the measures taken and being put in place to deal with any possible measles outbreak. Following a rapid risk assessment carried out by the HSE last month, the probability of the introduction and transmission of measles in Ireland is high, Donnelly is due to tell his Government colleagues. There have been increasing numbers of measles cases notified in Europe since the beginning of 2023.
The Journal

GP crisis investigation: Rural Ireland worst hit as two-thirds unable to take on new patients
More than two out of three GPs in rural Ireland are not taking on new patients and some have waiting times of up to two weeks for an appointment, a study by the Irish Independent has shown. The findings, from a survey of 275 registered GPs nationwide, showed more than half of the GPs cannot ­currently accept new patients, with many already balancing lengthy books with long waiting lists. But this number rises in rural areas. Just 32pc of practices outside of the country’s main cities are open to taking on new patients, compared with almost half of urban practices, reflecting a clear divide in access.
Independent.ie

Ireland could pay €13m instead of taking in 648 asylum seekers
Ireland could pay almost €13m instead of taking in 648 asylum seekers every year if the Government agrees to join the new EU migration pact. Justice Minister Helen McEntee is expected to bring a memo to Cabinet within weeks to advise government to opt in to the deal which was agreed in December. The aim of the Pact is to improve burden-sharing of asylum applications across the EU, with some member states currently receiving a disproportionate number of international protection applicants. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said the Government will “likely” opt to pay a financial contribution instead of accepting more migrants.
The Irish Examiner

King Charles’ cancer ‘caught early’, British PM says
The British Prime Minister said he is thankful the King’s cancer has been “caught early” as he wished him a full recovery. Charles, 75, is facing regular treatment for cancer after his shock diagnosis was uncovered during his recent hospital stay for a procedure on an enlarged prostate. The King, who has postponed all his public duties, returned to London from Sandringham yesterday and has already begun his medical care as an outpatient under the supervision of his specialist team of doctors.
RTÉ

Senegal on the brink after elections postponed
Senegal’s reputation as a bastion of democracy in an unstable region is on the line as protesters clash with police outside the National Assembly. Inside, lawmakers have passed a contentious bill to extend President Macky Sall’s tenure and delay elections after he called off a planned election with just three weeks to go. Khalifa Sall, a leading opponent and a former mayor of Dakar, who is not related to the president, called the delay a “constitutional coup” and urged people to protest against it. His political coalition has vowed to go to court.
BBC News

Today’s forecast
This morning will be wet in many areas with fairly widespread blustery rain, heavy at times, especially across the west and southwest with spot flooding. The rain will continue to gradually clear southwards during the afternoon and evening with clear but locally icy conditions into the evening. Turning colder through the day with highest afternoon temperatures of 5 to 8 degrees generally, milder in southern parts until later in the day. Fresh to strong and gusty southwesterly winds will veer northwest to north and ease as the rain clears. Most areas will be dry and clear but some wintry showers are possible near northern coasts. It will be cold with frost and ice as temperatures fall to between -2 and +2 degrees, in a light west-to-northwest wind.
Met Éireann