By Sarah Gill
02nd Nov 2023
02nd Nov 2023
Your speedy summary of today's must-read stories.
Biden calls for ‘pause’ in Israel-Hamas conflict
US President Joe Biden has called for a “pause” in the conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza after a heckler pushing for a ceasefire confronted him at a campaign fundraiser. He was speaking to about 200 people when the heckler shouted: “As a rabbi, I need you to call for a ceasefire right now.” Biden responded: “I think we need a pause. A pause means give time to get the prisoners out.” The White House later clarified that he was referring to the hostages – not prisoners – held by Hamas after its 7 October attack on Israel in which 1,400 people were killed and more than 200 taken hostage.
Leo Varadkar visits Korea’s demilitarised zone
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has visited the demilitarised zone (DMZ) dividing South and North Korea as part of the Team Ireland Trade Mission to the Republic of Korea. He said the DMZ in Korea is a “sobering reminder” of the importance of multilateralism and peacekeeping. The visit is the first time a Taoiseach has visited the DMZ and takes place before Mr Varadkar meets the President of Korea Yoon Suk Yeol to discuss security issues and the importance of peacekeeping and multilateralism in an increasingly uncertain world.
Three teenagers charged in connection with assault
Three teenagers are being charged in connection with a serious assault on a 14-year-old boy in Sligo. It happened at the Apple Green Service Station on Mail Coach Road on Tuesday evening, shortly after 7pm. The boy sustained serious injuries and is currently being treated at Beaumont Hospital in Dublin. Two teenage boys were arrested yesterday evening, while another teenage boy was arrested earlier in the day. The three are due before Sligo District Court later this morning.
Waterford schoolteacher sentenced
A schoolteacher who accused gardaí of ‘turning a blind eye’ to various issues in Co Waterford has been dealt a five-year prison sentence for a campaign of ‘targeted harassment’ against the three men. Waterford Circuit Criminal Court heard that Lee Hutchinson had wrongly accused three gardaí serving a number of the county’s fishing villages of a range of deeds through a series of “abusive and vexatious” anonymous letters and phone calls.
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