By Sarah Gill
22nd Jun 2023
22nd Jun 2023
Your speedy summary of today's must-read stories.
31 killed a Chinese restaurant explosion
At least 31 people have been killed in a restaurant explosion in the north-western Chinese city of Yinchuan. According to a state new agency, “A leak of liquefied petroleum gas … caused an explosion during the operation of a barbecue restaurant.” Seven more people were receiving medical treatment, with one in a “critical condition”. Two others had suffered severe burns, two had minor injuries and two had scratches caused by flying glass.
Titanic submersible
Oxygen on the missing Titanic submersible — which lost communication with tour operators on Sunday — is expected to run out in hours, with rescue efforts to find the five people onboard in full force. As of yesterday afternoon it was thought just 20 hours of oxygen remained in the vessel, meaning it would run out at some point this morning.
Sexual exploitation of children in State care
A new study from UCD’s social policy school has sounded a warning about the targetting and sexual exploitation of children and teenagers in the care of the State by co-ordinated gangs.
An urgent investigation is needed into the organised targeting by sexual predators of children in care, according to independent research which has taken testimony from frontline workers. The research, which is based on interviews with staff and organisations working with children in care, found multiple cases where girls, some as young as 12, were being exploited by older men. Investigation by the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) is one of the main recommendations of the report ‘Protecting Against Predators’ by the Sexual Exploitation Research Programme (SERP).
Fianna Fáil deputy leader
The Fianna Fáil parliamentary party meeting has heard calls to appoint a deputy leader, while Tánaiste Micheál Martin was out of the country. It is understood Wexford senator Malcolm Byrne initiated the call and said he was putting forward the proposal ahead of election planning. Senator Malcolm Byrne has said that the focus was on finding ‘someone to lead on the strategic development of the party and election planning’.
Man arrested following Limerick attack
A man has been arrested by gardaí investigating a series of violent assaults on a woman who was kicked in the head in broad daylight in Limerick city centre yesterday. A video of the incident went viral after it was shared thousands of miles across social media platforms. The video begins with a male performing a dangerous “big-boot” wrestling move on the woman as she rushes towards him outside the front entrance of the shopping centre. The woman is sent backwards onto the footpath from the impact of the man’s kick to her face, as members of the public, including children, look on.
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