GOOD MORNING.

Here’s all the news you need to start the day. 

Flotilla controversy

1. The Taoiseach has written to European Council President Antonio Costa to put Israel’s treatment of EU citizens on the agenda for the next EU summit. It comes after outrage over footage posted by Israel’s national security minister, Itamar Ben Gvir, that shows detained activists from a Gaza-bound flotilla with their hands tied and foreheads on the ground.

Final canvassing 

2. Voters go to the polls in two byelections, in Dublin and Galway, in less than 24-hours time. Our Political Correspondent Jane Matthews has been on the trail with candidates in Galway West throughout this week. Fine Gael canvassers were given a gracious welcome by former president Michael D Higgins when they called to his door yesterday. 

Talks

3. Iran said on Wednesday it was examining a new US proposal to end the Middle East war, as President Donald Trump described the talks as being on the “borderline” between a deal and renewed strikes.

Sexual health

4. Rates of gonorrhoea and syphilis have surged since the pandemic across Europe.

Charities

5. One in four charities in Ireland are uncertain about whether they can sustain existing services due to financial difficulties. 

Soccer

6. Aston Villa ended their 30-year trophy drought in style as spectacular goals from Youri Tielemans and Emiliano Buendia inspired a 3-0 win against Freiburg in the Europa League final on Wednesday.

Bowing out 

7. Bruce Springsteen told Stephen Colbert he was the “first guy in America who lost his show because we got a president who can’t take a joke”, as the Late Show host prepares to present his final episode. 

The outlook 

8. Finally, we’ll see temperatures of up to 19 degrees today, and it’s set to get even warmer in days to come as high pressure settles over the country. Met Éireann’s latest forecast says it will be “very warm or even hot” well into next week.