By Sarah Gill
12th Jan 2024
12th Jan 2024
Your speedy summary of today's must-read stories.
US and UK forces bomb Houthi targets in Yemen
US and British forces have bombed more than a dozen sites used by the Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen in a massive retaliatory strike using warship-launched Tomahawk missiles and fighter jets. US officials said the military targets included logistical hubs, air defence systems and weapons storage locations. The strikes marked the first US military response against the Houthis for what has been a persistent campaign of drone and missile attacks on commercial ships since the start of the Israel-Hamas conflict. US President Joe Biden overnight called the American and British strikes a “defensive action” after the Red Sea attacks and said he “will not hesitate” to order further military action if needed.
Israel at ICJ
Israel will defend itself at what it describes as “atrocious” allegations that it is committing “genocide” in Gaza, in a closely watched landmark case before the UN’s top court. South Africa launched an emergency case at the International Court of Justice arguing that Israel stands in breach of the UN Genocide Convention, signed in 1948 in the wake of the Holocaust. Israel and its ally the United States have dismissed the case as groundless and vowed a robust defence at the Peace Palace in The Hague, which houses the ICJ.
Ashling Murphy
The school where murdered teacher Ashling Murphy taught will remember her with a special Mass this morning to mark the second anniversary of her death. A commemorative walk to a memorial shrine in her honour on the Grand Canal in Tullamore will also take place on Friday afternoon. The tributes follow an anniversary Mass in her home parish of Mountbolus in Offaly on Thursday night.
Missing migrants
Over half the migrants rescued from a shipping container in Rosslare will not be pursued by the Department of Integration. They are reported to have fled an asylum centre in Dublin on Thursday. Responding to reports of the missing migrants, the Department of Integration has stated there is nothing requiring international protection applicants to remain in state provided care. At least eight of the 14 migrants found in a shipping container at Rosslare Harbour on Monday have fled State services, according to reports.
EU shuts climate case against Ireland
The European Commission has closed infringement proceedings against Ireland over the government being years-late in submitting its long-term climate strategy. The proceedings have been closed 15 months after they were first issued in 2022 as the government finally sent a version of the strategy to Europe. Despite missing an EU deadline by several years, the document does not reflect much of Ireland’s existing climate legislation and is set to be re-submitted as an updated version in the coming months.
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