February 29: Today’s top stories in 60 seconds

Over 30,000 people have been killed in Gaza

More than 30,000 people have been killed in Gaza since 7 October, the region’s health ministry has said. The latest overall toll for Palestinians killed in the conflict came after at least 79 people died overnight across the Gaza Strip. In a previous investigation, the Associated Press found that ministry’s counts in previous conflicts have held up to UN scrutiny, independent investigations and even Israel’s tallies. While mediators say a truce deal between Israel and Hamas could be just days away, aid agencies have raised serious concerns of a looming famine in Gaza’s north.

thejournal.ie

Tributes paid to 10-year-old boy who died after being hit by van

Tributes pour in after a 10-year-old boy died yesterday from injuries sustained from being struck by a van in Co Clare last weekend. He has been named locally as Dylan Coady Coleman. The young boy passed away yesterday morning at Children’s Health Ireland in Temple Street. The incident happened shortly after 2pm on Sunday in Purcell Park, Shannon, and involved a van and the 10-year-old pedestrian. Paying tribute to Dylan, his school St Tola’s NS said the boy was a “much loved” 4th class pupil. “His gorgeous smile and kind heart endeared him to everyone in our school community. He will be greatly missed,” the school wrote in a post on social media.

thejournal.ie

US Supreme Court to decide Trump presidential immunity claim

The US Supreme Court has agreed to decide Donald Trump’s claim of immunity from prosecution for trying to overturn his 2020 election loss, giving him a boost as he tries to delay criminal prosecutions while running to regain the presidency. The justices put on hold the criminal case being pursued by Special Counsel Jack Smith and will review a lower court’s rejection of Mr Trump’s claim of immunity from prosecution because he was president when he took actions aimed at reversing President Joe Biden’s election victory over him. Mr Trump’s lawyers had requested a stay of that ruling, warning of dire consequences for the presidency absent such immunity.

RTÉ

Storm Babet’s extreme rainfall linked to global warming

The extreme rainfall and resultant flooding which devastated Midleton and surrounding areas during Storm Babet last October was made more than twice as likely due to global warming, a new study has found. The study, carried out by leading international climate scientists found that, when comparing climate conditions from pre-industrial times to those of today, the chances of such heavy rainfall occurring are now 120% more likely.

Irish Examiner