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

IRELAND

Leah Farrell Leah Farrell

• Health officials have confirmed a further 254 cases of coronavirus in Ireland, with three new deaths reported.
• Health officials are warning that deaths from Covid-19 and hospitalisations will see an “exponential growth” if the virus continues spreading at its current rate. 
• The State says that measures introduced by the Government in response to the Covid-19 pandemic do not impose a legal restrictions on travel in and out of the country.
• Ireland has no choice but to assume the UK and EU will fail to strike a trade deal, Minister for Public Expenditure Michael McGrath said today.
• The deferring of the valuation date for Local Property Tax (LPT) until 2021 means that taxpayers won’t face higher bills for next year.
• Rise TD Paul Murphy has introduced a new Bill that seeks to ban hare coursing in Ireland.
• Taoiseach Micheál Martin has said that there should be a nationwide policy on the advice for allowing partners into maternity hospitals during pregnancy and labour. 
• Ireland continues to generate significant amounts of waste, amounting to 14 million tonnes in 2018, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.
• The children’s ombudsman has said the State needs to ensure vulnerable children are not “left behind” with schools now reopened after the Covid-19 lockdown. 

INTERNATIONAL

A couple, standing in knee deep water, look back at a home surrounded by storm surge water in Fort Walton Beach SIPA USA / PA Images SIPA USA / PA Images / PA Images

#AMERICA Hurricane Sally strengthened to a Category 2 system with 100 mile-an-hour winds and heavy rain as it made landfall on the US Gulf Coast early today.

#EUROPE The president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, urged EU members to build a stronger health union, promising a biomedical research agency and a global summit.

#JAPAN Japan’s parliament has elected Yoshihide Suga as the country’s new prime minister, following the resignation of Shinzo Abe due to ill health.

Parting Shot 

If you’re still trying to get your head around what’s involved with the Living with Covid plan, as most of us are, check out this week’s The Explainer podcast where we discuss the ins and outs. 
https://soundcloud.com/the-explainer-podcast/what-you-need-to-know-about-the-new-covid-19-levels-and-restrictions