February 16: Today’s top stories in 60 seconds

15-year-old girl dies following two-vehicle collision in Co Tipperary
A 15-year-old girl has died following a two-vehicle collision in Co Tipperary yesterday evening. At around 6.45 pm, gardaí and emergency services were called to the scene of the two-car collision on the R503 at Rearcross. A 15-year-old girl, a passenger in one of the cars, was pronounced dead at the scene a short time later. The three other occupants of that car (a male in his 20s, a female in her 20s, and another female in her mid-teens), as well as the driver of the second car (an adult female) were transported by ambulance to Limerick University Hospital. Their injuries are not deemed to be life-threatening.
The Journal

Biden warns Netanyahu that Rafah civilians in Gaza must be protected
US President Joe Biden has told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that he should not proceed with military action in Rafah without a credible and executable plan to protect civilians, the White House has said. The call between the two leaders was the second time in less than a week that Mr Biden warned Mr Netanyahu about moving into the southern part of Gaza without a plan to ensure the safety of around one million people sheltering there.
RTÉ

Michael McGrath backs down in row with Irish Fiscal Advisory Council over pay
Minister for Finance Michael McGrath has backed down in a row over money with the State’s budgetary watchdog. He has scrapped pay proposals that led to claims he was “demoting” the top post in a body that accused the Government of “fiscal gimmickry.” Mr McGrath’s move came three weeks after the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council (Ifac) said his pay plan for the body’s chair would weaken the council and signal a lack of commitment to its work.
The Irish Times

Murder of Michael ‘Mickey’ Foley (61): Woman arrested by gardaí released without charge, man remains detained
A woman arrested by gardaí investigating the brutal murder of Michael ‘Mickey’ Foley (61) in a Cork sheltered housing complex has been released without charge. A file will now be prepared by Macroom Gardaí for the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). The man who was arrested remains detained at a Garda station in Co Cork. Detectives arrested the man and a woman in Cork city on Wednesday morning for questioning about Mr Foley’s death on February 6. The man and woman are both aged in their 30s and were arrested at an address in Cork city.
Independent.ie

UCC drops plans to move dental school and hospital to bigger site
University College Cork (UCC) has dropped plans for Cork University Dental School and Hospital to move to a bigger site, despite its dean warning that the current building is “untenable” without significant investment. The change in plans for the school, one of only two in Ireland, comes amid a national crisis in dentist numbers. One in six patients are already waiting over three months for routine appointments, the Irish Dental Association recently warned.
The Irish Examiner

Christian B: Madeleine McCann suspect in court on unrelated charges – as his lawyer tries to get judge thrown out
The prime suspect in the disappearance of Madeleine McCann is appearing in a German court, where he is accused of unrelated sex offences. Christian B – whose last name is withheld due to privacy laws – is standing trial over two counts of rape and three counts of sexual abuse. The prosecution alleges the offences took place in Portugal between 2000 and 2017. Shortly after proceedings began, Christian B’s lawyer announced they had an objection to one of the two lay judges.
Sky News

Ukraine Russia war: US warns Avdiivka could fall
The US has warned that Russia could seize Ukraine’s key eastern town of Avdiivka – the scene of some of the fiercest fighting in recent months. “Avdiivka is at risk of falling into Russian control,” National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said, citing Ukraine’s ammunition shortages. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky vowed to do everything to “save as many Ukrainian lives as possible”. Russian troops have made gains in Avdiivka, threatening to encircle it.
BBC News

Today’s forecast
Mostly cloudy to begin with some patches of light rain, drizzle and mist. Brightening up through the morning as it becomes drier, with sunny spells developing. However, in the southwest and west, increasing cloud with light rain or drizzle will develop through the afternoon. Highest temperatures of 11 to 14 degrees in light to moderate westerly winds, backing southerly and easing by the evening. Mostly cloudy tonight with patchy rain and drizzle extending eastwards across the country. Turning misty or foggy in places too. More persistent rain will move into the southwest and west towards morning. Lowest temperatures of 5 to 10 degrees in light southerly winds, increasing moderate overnight.
Met Éireann