March 25: Today’s top stories in 60 seconds

Simon Harris on course to be Irish leader after party election
Simon Harris has been confirmed as the new leader of Irish political party Fine Gael, paving the way for the 37-year-old to become Ireland’s youngest taoiseach. Mr Harris, an Irish government minister, was the only candidate to seek the party leadership. He is replacing Leo Varadkar, who announced on Wednesday he was stepping down as party leader and taoiseach. Mr Harris said becoming Fine Gael leader was “the honour of my life”.
BBC News

Four young friends killed in Armagh road crash named as community left reeling from tragedy
Four young people who died in a Co Armagh road crash at the weekend have been named as Marina Crilly, Emma Mallon, Phil ­Mitchell and Keith Morrison. The four, all aged in their 20s, had been travelling in a grey Volkswagen Golf, which was involved in a single-vehicle accident in the early hours of Sunday. DUP MLA William Irwin told BBC Radio Ulster that the car hit a tree, with police confirming that the incident occurred on the Ballynahonemore Road at around 2.10am. All four reportedly died instantly.
Independent.ie

Rollout of free schoolbooks for Junior Cycle students ‘in doubt’
School principals have warned that many second-level schools may not be able to roll out the free schoolbooks scheme in time for next September due to inadequate supports around a “complicated procurement process”. Minister for Education Norma Foley announced recently that more than 200,000 students in the Junior Cycle years – first to third year – would be entitled to free books and ebooks from next September. Parents can expect to save about €300 a year on foot of the initiative. However, the National Association of Principals and Deputies (NAPD), which represents post-primary school leaders, said a new survey of members showed 83% of respondents felt the necessary supports and information were not available.
The Irish Times

More than 1,430 criminals being targeted by the Criminal Assets Bureau
More than 1,430 crime bosses and lieutenants across the country are being targeted by the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB), new figures show. The Dublin West Garda division has by far the greatest number of targets (301), with Limerick claiming the third-highest number of cases (105). The three Cork divisions have a combined caseload of 45 targets.
The Irish Examiner

Four men charged with terrorism over Moscow concert hall attack which left 137 people dead
Four men accused of involvement in a massacre at a Moscow concert hall that killed 137 people have been remanded in custody. All four suspects have been charged with terrorism, according to Moscow’s Basmanny district court, and face life imprisonment. Their detention is set until 22 May but may be extended depending on the date of their trial. The court said two of the defendants had pleaded guilty, and one of them, from Tajikistan, had “entirely acknowledged his guilt”.
The Journal

Israel blocks aid deliveries to north Gaza – UNWRA chief
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian refugees (UNWRA) has said that Israel had definitively blocked it from making aid deliveries in northern Gaza, where the threat of famine is highest. “Despite the tragedy unfolding under our watch, the Israeli Authorities informed the UN that they will no longer approve any UNRWA food convoys to the north,” Philippe Lazzarini, the head of the agency, said on X. “This is outrageous and makes it intentional to obstruct lifesaving assistance during a man-made famine,” he added.
RTÉ

Ecuador’s youngest mayor Brigitte Garcia and aide shot dead in latest bout of political violence
Ecuador’s youngest mayor and an aide were shot dead on Sunday, police in the South American country have said. Brigitte Garcia, 27-year-old mayor of San Vicente, and her communications director Jairo Loor, were found dead in Manabi province, officers said. Police added that the pair had both suffered gunshot wounds and that the gunfire had come from within the car, which was rented. Ms Garcia – a member of former president Rafael Correa’s left-wing Citizen Revolution Movement party – is the latest political figure assassinated in Ecuador.
Sky News

Sagrada Familia in Barcelona ‘will be completed in 2026’
Barcelona’s Sagrada Familia Basilica has a new completion date of 2026, which will come 144 years after the first stone was laid. The president of the organisation tasked with completing Antoni Gaudí’s masterwork announced the date last Wednesday, which coincides with the centenary of the death of the building’s architect. Esteve Camps said they had the money and materials to finish the building, including the 172.5-metre central tower dedicated to Jesus Christ, making the Sagrada Familia Barcelona’s tallest building.
The Guardian

Today’s forecast
Mostly cloudy today, Monday, with outbreaks of rain and drizzle becoming lighter and patchier as the day goes on. Bright or sunny spells developing in the southwest by this afternoon but scattered showers too, some possibly heavy. Highest temperatures of 7 to 10 degrees with mostly light to moderate variable winds, but with occasionally fresh easterly winds near eastern and northern coasts. Some clearer breaks in west and southwest for a time, but becoming mostly cloudy with outbreaks of rain and drizzle extending to most parts overnight. Areas of mist and fog too. Rain will become persistent and possibly heavy at times in southern and southeastern counties towards dawn. Lowest temperatures of 0 to 5 degrees, coldest where clear breaks occur. Winds becoming light to moderate northerly overnight. A Status Yellow Rain warning has also been issued for counties Clare, Cork, Kerry, Limerick and Galway.
Met Éireann