LAST UPDATE | 16 Aug
GOOD MORNING.
Here’s all the news you need to know as you start the day.
1. Gaza ceasefire negotiations are to continue today in Qatar, for a second day, as more pressure mounts on parties to reach an agreement after the death toll in the Palestinian enclave reached a new, harrowing high.
According to the health ministry in Gaza yesterday, 40,005 people have now been killed in the conflict which began as a retaliatory offensive by Israel to the 7 October attack. Global leaders, including the UN, have deplored the “grim milestone”.
2. In this morning’s lead story, Patricia Devlin of Noteworthy reveals that a man in Co Tipperary died of an asthma attack after there was a delay in the ambulance arriving.
Ian McCarthy, a father of three, could’ve survived if the ambulance has showed up sooner, his father Karl believes. The Roscrea man lived five minutes away from an ambulance hub. Read the full story here.
3. US investigators charged five people in connection with the death of Friends star Matthew Perry.
Among them are two medical doctors, Perry’s live-in assistant, a dealer nicknamed “Ketamine Queen” and a broker. It was known that Perry struggled with addiction, and the defendants “took advantage” of him.
4. Thailand’s Parliament has elected the 37-year-old daughter of billionaire Thaksin Shinawatra as prime minister, elevating a third member of the influential but divisive clan to the nation’s top job.
Paetongtarn Shinawatra, whose father and aunt have served as premier, is the youngest leader in Thailand’s history as a constitutional monarchy.
5. The Australian breakdancer who went viral for her performance at the Olympics in Paris has described the “hate” that has followed as “devastating”.
Rachael Gunn, also known as Raygun, drew mockery and criticism on social media after her performance in the round robin stage of the B-girls breaking event, losing all three of her bouts.
6. A brilliant long-distance Graham Burke extra-time strike ensured Shamrock Rovers beat Celje 3-1 in yesterday’s Europa League third qualifying round second leg encounter.
The thrilling 3-2 aggregate victory means the reigning Irish champions advance to the competition’s next round. Read the full, free match report now.
7. Thousands are arriving in Co Laois for Electric Picnic today as the music and arts festival kicks off for the weekend.
Some 75,000 revellers will make their way to Stradbally which will continue until Sunday night. Gardaí and festival organisers are advising to allow additional time for any journeys made in the area until Monday.
8. Donnacha Ó Beacháin, Professor of Politics at Dublin City University, this morning writes in our Voices section that though it is risky, Ukraine’s attack inside Russia’s borders shows that Putin is not invincible.
The professor goes through Ukraine’s options, Russia’s response and what this means for the war that has ranged in Eastern Europe for nearly three years.
9. The family of murdered Sinn Féin official, and former IRA/MI5 double agent, Denis Donaldson are pleading for answers in his unresolved case, almost 19 years after his death.
Donaldson was killed in April 2006 in Glentries, Donegal and a murder probe into the incident has never been solved. Since, 27 inquests into the death of the official have been adjourned due to the status of the investigation.
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