February 13: Today’s top stories in 60 seconds

Pressure mounts on Israel for Gaza ceasefire
Israel is facing growing international pressure to agree to a ceasefire with Hamas, as it planned an incursion into the southern Gaza city Rafah where more than a million Palestinians are trapped. CIA Director William Burns was due in Cairo for a new round of talks on a Qatari-mediated ceasefire that would temporarily halt fighting in exchange for Hamas freeing hostages. His planned visit comes after Washington and the United Nations warned Israel against carrying out a ground offensive into Rafah without a plan to protect civilians, who say they have nowhere left to go.
RTÉ

‘Genuine risk’ State will be unable to house women and children seeking asylum
There is a “genuine risk” that the State may soon be unable to accommodate women and children and families seeking international protection here due to the repeated arson attacks, the Government has admitted. Currently, the State is unable to accommodate all male international protection applicants (IPAs) due to a severe shortage of accommodation. However, the Department of Integration has said the repeated torching of buildings earmarked for refugees now poses a risk to accommodating women and children. Since 2018, there have been at least 25 arson attacks on accommodation either correctly or incorrectly linked to IPAs, six of which were carried out so far this year alone, with a property in Leixlip, Co Kildare, becoming the latest target last Wednesday.
The Irish Examiner

HSE to cut €250m spending on outside agency staff
The Health Service Executive (HSE) is to cut €250 million from spending on outside staffing agencies, under plans being considered by health officials and the Government. Pay costs will also be cut by €80 million through the conversion of agency staff to HSE employees, according to the HSE service plan for 2024. It is understood that proposals put forward for inclusion in the plan in recent weeks envisage a commitment to cut €250 million in spending on pay with outside staffing agencies.
The Irish Times

Plans to extend child benefit to over-18s still in education brought forward to May
Plans to extend child benefit to over 18s who are still in education is to be brought forward to May. Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphreys is to seek Cabinet approval to extend the payment for 18-year-olds who are in full time education or who have a disability, from 1 May. Government had announced in the budget that the payment would be extended until the person’s 19th birthday from September 2024.
The Journal

Top PSNI officer who lost sensitive documents on M2 after leaving them on roof of police car avoids punishment
A Top PSNI officer who lost documents relating to dozens of officers after leaving them on the roof of a police car and driving off has avoided punishment. The decision not to take action against the senior detective has caused disquiet among rank-and-file officers, with one source saying it had seriously damaged morale.
Independent.ie

Trump seeks Supreme Court pause in 2020 election case
Ex-US President Donald Trump has asked the Supreme Court to suspend a lower court ruling that he does not have presidential immunity from prosecution. He had claimed in his election interference case he could not be tried for acts carried out as president. Three lower court judges disagreed, ruling that he can be prosecuted like any other citizen. But Mr Trump’s lawyers said he should not be tried during an election campaign.
BBC News

Sweden: Man missing and 12 people injured as huge fire breaks out at Liseberg’s Oceana water park in Gothenburg
A man is missing after a powerful fire broke out at an amusement park in the Swedish city of Gothenburg. The blaze engulfed outdoor water slides and related facilities that were under construction, eyewitnesses and rescue services said. Twelve people sustained minor injuries during the incident on Monday. The missing man had been working at the Oceana water park, a new addition to Gothenburg’s Liseberg funfair, which had been scheduled to open later this year.
Sky News

Today’s forecast
Cold and dry at first today over the northern half of the country. Cloud and rain in the south will gradually spread northwards through the day. It will stay dry in northern counties all day. Highest temperatures of 7 to 11 degrees with light to moderate southeasterly winds. Tonight will be cloudy over the northern half of Ireland with outbreaks of rain and drizzle. Clear spells and showers further south. Lowest temperatures of 3 degrees in the north to 8 degrees in the south with moderate easterly breezes, becoming southerly.
Met Éireann