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

Killian O'Sullivan Liam O'Connor and Thomas Prentice of St Joseph's, Mardyke, taking part in the Cork Primary Science Quiz. Clare Keogh Clare Keogh

IRELAND

• The government gave its approval to sweeping new rules changes for asylum seekers.
• The Irish Fiscal Advisory Council warned that the government is “spending like there’s no tomorrow” despite “significant and predictable budgetary pressures”. 
• A list of transport projects that are on the priority list for this government was published today by Transport Minister Darragh O’Brien. 
• Children’s Health Ireland warned of a significant rise in flu among children over the past week.
• The Journal visited Ranelagh in Dublin, where residents have lodged a legal challenge against the MetroLink. They were not keen to talk. 
• The UK punk rap due Bob Vylan made a visit to Leinster House today at the invitation of a Sinn Féin TD.
• A new HSE report showed that the number of women who received caesarean sections jumped from 29.6% of all women in 2014 to 40.6% in 2024.

INTERNATIONAL

UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves delivers her budget to 10 Downing St in London today. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

#HONG KONG: A huge fire at a residential complex in Hong Kong killed at least 36 people. 

#UKRAINE: With negotiations grinding on, Ukraine’s army was struggling to hold onto positions on the front line.

#USA: A suspect was arrested after two members of the National Guard were shot near the White House in Washington DC.

PARTING SHOT

AH, YOUR LOCAL council – the library card in your pocket, the playground in your park, the lollipop at your school. Is there anything they can’t do?

Well, according to the government’s new housing plan, local authorities have one very important part to play: the scapegoat.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin recently lashed out at councils using their powers to decide which land should be for amenities and which land will be for housing.

The government’s new housing plan released last week is sadly more of the same: shifting blame onto local communities and local councils while pouring money into a broken system and rewarding land speculation.

You can read councillor Oisín O’Connor’s full Voices article here.