EVERY DAY, TheJournal.ie brings you the nine stories you need to know as you kick off your day.
1. #INVESTIGATION: The details of the HSE’s probe into the death of Savita Halappanavar are expected later today. The woman’s family have called for a separate, independent inquiry to be carried out with her mother saying that Ireland’s abortion laws “killed her daughter”.
2. #GAZA: Despite agreeing to a three-hour truce in the Gaza Strip for the Prime Minister of Egypt’s visit today, rockets have been fired in the area over the past hour. The violence comes after a night of intensive fighting during which Israel struck at more than 130 targets and militants fired 11 rockets from Gaza. It is understood that an initial draft of some 16,000 reservists has started following the authorisation of a massive call-up by the Israeli government.
3. #TRANSPORT: The National Transport Agency has confirmed it will announce further bus and train fare increases later today, RTÉ reports. It is the second phase of price hikes after the cost of annual and monthly tickets rose at the beginning of this month.
4. #HEALTH: Health Minister James Reilly has outlined plans that will see free GP care extended to the entire public from 2015, as well as proposals for universal health insurance by 2016.
5. #PETRAEUS: Disgraced former CIA director David Petraeus is to testify in a closed session of the House and Senate Intelligence Committees today about the 11 September attacks on American personnel in Libya. The New York Times reports that his recently-revealed extramarital affair may be brought up as the CIA investigation into his behaviour begins.
6. #ASSET STRIP: After a 16-year court battle, the Criminal Assets Bureau has successfully seized a number of assets belonging to convicted gang boss John Gilligan. The Irish Independent reports that his prize property – Jessbrook Equestrian Centre – and a Lucan house will be sold.
7. #USA: Four people have died in Texas following a freak train crash. Seventeen others were injured when the freight train slammed into a parade float carrying wounded veterans who were on their way to an honorary banquet.
8. #SAY CHEEEEZE: The Daily Mail reports that Irish families will once again get a delivery of free cheese over the next 12 months. Some 342 tonnes of cheddar will be distributed across the country – the largest amount ever given by the EU food aid programme.
9. #ON THE MOVE: Are the Beckhams heading south? The Football Federation of Australia has claimed representatives of the player have approached them about a possible move. It said:
Beckham is a superstar on the world stage and he would be another massive signing for the Hyundai A-League after the arrivals of Alessandro Del Piero, Emile Heskey and Shinji Ono. But this approach remains at a very preliminary stage.
Beckham AND Heskey! No wonder they’re excited.
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