NEED TO CATCH up? The Journal brings you a round-up of today’s news.

IRELAND 

A pro-Palestine demonstration outside Leinster House today as the Dail returned after a break Alamy Alamy

• The Central Bank warned that the “loss of momentum” in homes being built was “greater than expected” at the end of last year and will continue into this year.
• Property prices rose by 8.1% in the 12 months to January this year, according to figures released by the Central Statistics Office (CSO).
• The Climate Change Advisory Council called for the establishment of a ‘National Climate Damage Register’ that would record damage done by major weather events, while also warning that the country needs to “radically improve preparedness” for such events.
• Workers at Bord na Móna Recycling announced a two-day strike over concerns related to job security if the State’s plan to privatise the company goes ahead.
• Tánaiste Simon Harris said he is “alarmed” by the Hungarian parliament’s overwhelming support for new legislation limiting the rights of the country’s LGBTQ+ community.
• Senators expressed strong support in the Seanad this evening for a bill that is seeking to require the HSE to establish a specialised treatment service for spinal scoliosis.
• Dunnes Stores issued a recall notice for 1,500 junior sock packs after it was revealed that a baby required an emergency operation due to a critical product design flaw.

THE WORLD

Destroyed homes in Khan Younis Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

#GAZA Long lines of fleeing civilians filled the roads of Gaza as Israel kept up its renewed bombardment for a second day. 

#UKRAINE President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Ukraine won’t hit Russian targets if Russia doesn’t hit Ukraine as efforts forge ahead to try to strike a ceasefire between the two countries.

#EU The EU detailed a major plan to boost its member states’ defence budgets with proposed financial loans for military kit and a loosening of fiscal rules on spending.

PARTING SHOT

Here are five key graphs showing the state of the climate in Ireland and the world from a new report released today.