September 18: Today’s top stories in 60 seconds

‘Random knife attack’ at Dublin Airport – victim was smoking outside Terminal 1 when he was stabbed seven times
The victim of a random attack at Dublin Airport was smoking a cigarette outside the departures hall when he was stabbed multiple times yesterday. Sources say a penknife was used in the attack and that the man suffered seven stab wounds. Emergency services were alerted to the incident outside Terminal 1 at approximately 11.30am yesterday.
Independent.ie

Budget 2024: Pensioners, carers, and people with disabilities tipped to get €15 increase
Coalition leaders are considering a €15 increase in supports for pensioners, carers, and people with disabilities in the budget. Senior Coalition sources said the cost-of-living crisis has not abated and that the approach of last year’s budget is “likely to be replicated”.
The Irish Examiner

Start talks with private hospitals now to avoid disastrous winter, INMO chief to tell Minister
The general secretary of the Irish Nurses and Midwives Association (INMO) is asking Stephen Donnelly to initiate early talks with private hospitals on contracting additional bed capacity for the winter at a high-level meeting set for today. Speaking to The Journal ahead of the multi-stakeholder meeting, Phil Ni Sheaghdha said that if the Government waits until December to start negotiations with private hospitals, as it did last year, it will be “too late – with disastrous consequences for patient outcomes”.
The Journal

Agency to tackle domestic violence in place by January – McEntee Minister for Justice Helen McEntee has said a new agency to drive and co-ordinate the Government’s response to domestic, sexual and gender-based violence will be up and running by the end of January. Ms McEntee has secured Government approval to publish the DSGBV bill, which is part of the Government’s commitment to tackling gender-based violence. The new agency will be tasked with planning the delivery of refuge accommodation for victims of domestic violence and providing supports, including financial, for services for victims and people at risk of DSGBV.
RTÉ

Trinity debating society gets official recognition as oldest in the world
It has been banned, criticised and expelled from the university over the years. Today, however, the College Historical Society of Trinity College Dublin – better known as The Hist – is celebrating its official status as the world’s oldest college debating society. The society, founded 253 years ago, has secured Guinness World Records recognition after providing extensive documentary evidence of its continuous existence. Its foundation in 1770 preceded the Cambridge Union, established in 1815, which is often cited as the oldest continuously running debating society in the world.
The Irish Times

Russell Brand: More women come forward after comedian accused of rape and sexual assault
Russell Brand is facing fresh allegations about how he treated women just days after being accused of rape, sexual assaults and emotional abuse. Four women have made allegations of sexual assaults between 2006 and 2013 as part of an investigation by The Times, The Sunday Times and Channel 4 Dispatches – allegations he denies. Since publication, The Times said it has been contacted by “several women” with claims about Brand, but said their allegations have not yet been investigated and “will now be rigorously checked”. He denies all the allegations against him.
Sky News

Labour will seek major rewrite of Brexit deal, Keir Starmer pledges
Keir Starmer has committed to pursuing a major rewrite of the Brexit deal with the EU if Labour is elected, citing his responsibility to his children and future generations. As the Labour leader begins to unveil his blueprint for power if the party wins the next general election, he told the Financial Times he would seek a closer trading relationship with Brussels when the agreement negotiated by then-prime minister Boris Johnson comes up for review in 2025.
The Guardian

China sends top envoy Wang Yi to Russia for security talks
China’s top diplomat Wang Yi is visiting Russia for security talks, as Moscow seeks continued support for its war on Ukraine. A close ally of Moscow, Beijing is accused of supporting Russia indirectly during the war, which it denies. His visit comes after Vladimir Putin’s meeting with North Korea’s Kim Jong Un that was thought to yield an arms deal.
BBC News

Today’s forecast
Dry for many this morning with well scattered showers and sunny spells. More frequent showers will spread from the west through the morning and afternoon, with some turning heavy. Breezy and cool with highest temperatures of 13 to 16 degrees in moderate to fresh westerly winds, strong on Atlantic coasts. Scattered showers and clear spells to start tonight. Cloud will thicken across the country early in the night with rain spreading from the Atlantic. The rain will turn heavy at times over the western half of the country. Becoming windy overnight with fresh to strong and gusty southwesterly winds developing as the rain spreads. Lowest temperatures of 8 to 12 degrees, but becoming milder by morning.
Met Éireann