November 6: Today’s top stories in 60 seconds

Israel rejects ceasefire as Gaza death toll rises
Efforts to pressure Israel to spare civilians in Gaza are set to continue today after Israel rebuffed calls for a ceasefire amid a US diplomatic blitz to the region to help contain any escalation of the conflict. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken was due to meet Turkey’s foreign minister in Ankara today, hours after hundreds of people at a pro-Palestinian protest tried to storm an air base that houses US troops in southern Turkey. Yesterday, Mr Blinken made an unannounced visit to the West Bank to meet Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, who joined international calls for an immediate ceasefire. But after Mr Blinken repeated US concerns that a ceasefire could aid Hamas, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ruled that out unless hostages held by Hamas were released.
RTÉ

Emily Hand, believed killed by Hamas, now thought to be alive in Gaza, her Irish father says
Emily Hand, an eight-year-old girl from Kibbutz Be’eri in Israel, who was reported killed in the Hamas assault on October 7th, is now believed to be alive, among those held hostage in Gaza. Emily’s family, including her Irish father Tom Hand who was born in Dún Laoghaire, was informed of the development by Israeli authorities last week, and her father has confirmed that they believe this is the case. On October 31st, the family were informed that it was highly likely that Emily had actually been abducted. Natalie, Emily’s sister, said the Irish authorities have promised to do whatever they can to help.
The Irish Times

Two teenagers die and another hospitalised following crash in Co Donegal
Two teenagers have died following a single-vehicle collision in Co Donegal overnight. The incident happened on the R238 at Terrawee, Gleneely at approximately 12.30am. Terrawee is in the northern part of Donegal, 23km south of Malin Head. Two occupants of the car, a female and male aged in their late teens, were pronounced deceased at the scene. Their bodies have been taken to Letterkenny University Hospital. The third occupant of the car, a male aged in his late teens, has been taken to Letterkenny University Hospital to be treated for injuries believed to be non-life threatening. The R238 remains closed. Local diversions are in place.
The Journal

Man wanted for murder went on Irish crime spree before he died
An Irish fugitive who died before he could be brought to justice continued his involvement in crime after fleeing Spain for Ireland. Simon Fahy (31), from Kilkenny, who died suddenly in Ireland in October, was wanted over the killing of a Dubliner in the Costa Blanca. Shortly before his death Spanish authorities issued a new international arrest warrant against Fahy after a failed earlier bid to have him extradited from Ireland over the alleged “love triangle” murder of Carl Carr. It is suspected Fahy was operating as a drug dealer while back in Ireland and he was given a suspended sentence for assault and demanding money with menaces earlier this year.
Independent.ie

Varadkar: Inquiry into how state handled covid pandemic should be completed within a year
An inquiry into how the State handled the covid pandemic will be up and running next year with the aim to have it concluded within 12 months, the Taoiseach has said. The draft Terms of Reference of the inquiry have been “seen and cleared” by Coalition leaders with a memo set to go to Cabinet within weeks, Leo Varadkar said. Mr Varadkar has also said he regrets the decision by the Government to introduce Ireland’s third and final lockdown in December 2021 to battle the Omicron variant.
The Irish Examiner

Intense strikes and communication down as Israel says Gaza Strip cut in two
Huge explosions have been heard across northern Gaza as intense bombing continues – with Israel saying it has hit 450 “targets” in the past day. The BBC‘s reporter in the Gaza Strip says the air strikes on Sunday night felt like the most intense since the war began Internet and phone communication are also reportedly down in the territory.
BBC News

Australia: Five killed and six injured after car crashes into pub beer garden
Five people – including two children – have been killed and six others injured after a car crashed into a pub’s outdoor dining area in Australia. Four people, including a boy, two men in their 30s and a woman in her 40s died at the scene after a BMW SUV mounted a kerb and drove across a crowded beer garden outside the Royal Daylesford Hotel, in Daylesford, Melbourne, on Sunday night, police said. A teenage girl was flown to a hospital in Melbourne, where she later died. Police did not identify those killed, but said they were not local residents. It is unknown if any of the victims are related.
Sky News

Today’s forecast
Sunny spells and scattered blustery showers, today, Monday. Some of the showers will be heavy, which could cause some spot flooding, mainly in northwestern counties. Highest temperatures of 9 to 12 degrees, in a moderate to fresh westerly wind, gusty near Atlantic coasts. Scattered showers will continue tonight. Lowest temperatures of 4 to 8 degrees in a light to moderate westerly wind, occasionally increasing fresh.
Met Éireann