News you need today: Dáil votes on abortion wait period
The Dáil (Ireland’s parliament) is set to vote on a significant change to abortion laws tonight, while a new environmental report warns of persistent water pollution across the country. Internationally, G7 leaders are concluding their summit with talks on artificial intelligence, and US President Donald Trump has issued a rare criticism of Israeli military tactics.
Members of the Dáil will vote this evening on a bill proposed by the opposition party Sinn Féin to remove the mandatory three-day waiting period for an abortion in early pregnancy. Under current law, a person must wait 72 hours between their first medical consultation and the procedure. If passed, this legislation would eliminate that requirement.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the national watchdog for the environment, has called for urgent action to address Ireland’s poor water quality. A new report shows that there was little improvement last year, with water quality remaining at unsatisfactory levels in many regions. The EPA identified runoff from farms and issues with wastewater treatment as the main factors preventing recovery.
In international news, G7 leaders in France are meeting today to discuss the security risks posed by artificial intelligence and social media. During the summit, US President Donald Trump criticized Israel’s bombing tactics in Lebanon, stating it was unnecessary to hit certain targets while pursuing Hezbollah militants. Elsewhere, the first Iranian oil tankers have left a US blockade zone in the Strait of Hormuz just days before planned talks between the US and Iran. Additionally, Israel’s top court has faced criticism for denying the release of Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya, a prominent doctor from Gaza.
For more on these stories and other updates, visit the app’s News section. Read about the upcoming centenary commemorations for a historic fire in Limerick that claimed 48 lives.