LAST UPDATE | 4 Feb 2025

GOOD MORNING.

Here’s all the news that you need to know as you start your day.

1. Michael Shine victims

Victims of paedophile surgeon Michael Shine fear being forced into a battle for compensation as a congregation of nuns is trying to withdraw funds that were specifically designed to deal with abuse claims against the State.

It is understood to be the first time that a religious order in Ireland has sought to reverse its contribution to a redress scheme in a move described by one victim as ‘disgusting’.

2. Trade war 

China announced today that it was implementing counter tariffs against the US on multiple products while announcing other trade-related measures, including an investigation into Google.

3. Speaking rights row 

Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy has explained the reasoning behind her decision to deny a group of Regional Independents the ability to form a technical group on the Opposition side of the Dáil.

4. Netanyahu in Washington 

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to meet President Donald Trump later, as Israel and Hamas say they are ready for negotiations on a new phase in their fragile Gaza ceasefire.

Netanyahu, the first foreign leader to visit the White House since Trump returned to power last month, will discuss the truce’s future and efforts to end the Gaza war.

5. Power outages

Around 25,000 premises are still without power following damage caused by Storm Éowyn last month and some could face a wait until the weekend to have supply restored.

At the peak of the power outages on Friday, 24 January, around 768,000 customers were without power.

6. Lucy Letby

An international panel of experts in the care of newborn babies will present what they say is “significant new medical evidence” in the case of convicted child serial killer Lucy Letby.

7. Seanad votes

All seats on the Seanad vocational panels have now been filled and counting has concluded after five days.

Some TDs who failed to get elected in last year’s general election managed to win a seat in the Seanad, while others missed out. The losers include former junior minister Anne Rabbitte (FF) and former Independent TD Cathal Berry.

8. Neil Gaiman 

A woman has lodged civil lawsuits against Neil Gaiman and his wife in the US, accusing the British author of sexually assaulting her.

The lawsuits against Gaiman and Amanda Palmer were filed in Wisconsin, Massachusetts and New York.

9. World Cup forced kiss 

The trial of Spain’s former football chief Luis Rubiales, accused of giving a forced kiss to star forward Jenni Hermoso and subsequent coercion, is set to continue.