October 17: Today’s top stories in 60 seconds

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt to announce more U-turns in emergency statement today
Jeremy Hunt will make an emergency statement today as he sets out billions of pounds of savings to stabilise the public finances as the new Chancellor further shreds Liz Truss’s mini-Budget. The Treasury said the move – following talks over the weekend between Mr Hunt and the Prime Minister – was designed to “ensure sustainable public finances underpin economic growth”. Following his statement this morning, the Chancellor will address the House of Commons this afternoon ahead of the publication of his full medium-term fiscal plan on October 31.
The Telegraph

Russia hits Kyiv with ‘kamikaze’ drones
Russian-launched “kamikaze drones” attacked Kyiv on Monday morning, days after Russia’s president, Vladimir Putin, promised there would be “no need for more massive strikes” on Ukraine. Photos showed the drones swooping low across the skies of Ukraine’s capital as police officers fired at them from the ground and residents scurried to shelters. Other images showed smoke rising from explosions across the city.
The Guardian

Woman critical after being found unconscious in Mayo
A woman is in a critical condition in hospital, after being found unconscious at the side of a road in Co Mayo. Gardaí are appealing for witnesses who may have information about the incident to contact them. Emergency services were called to a section of the N5, near Islandeady, shortly after 4am on Sunday morning. They were alerted after a passer-by found a woman on the side of the road, with what are described as “unexplained injuries”. The woman, who is in her late 50s, is being treated at Mayo University Hospital.
RTÉ

Homecare sector begins planning for ‘all eventualities’ in event of winter blackouts
Preparations are underway in the home care sector to ensure that “lifesaving” equipment is not affected by potential winter blackouts. A number of companies have begun checks in recent weeks on whether some vital equipment used by patients may need to be upgraded to a newer version in the event of a blackout, or whether additional equipment needs to be provided as backups for patients. The homecare sector comprises private companies and agencies which are funded both by private payments and the HSE. The sector’s representative body has warned that the HSE and government need to “step up and take the sector as seriously as a hospital” to prevent failures if an emergency situation occurs.
The Journal

Government could approve an eviction ban as early as Tuesday 
A ban on evictions will go before Cabinet as early as tomorrow if Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien gets the go-ahead from Coalition leaders, the Irish Examiner has learned. The Government leaders are expected to decide tonight, Monday, about the ban which would likely be introduced in December and run until the end of March.
The Irish Examiner

Europe gas drops to 3-month low as EU plans more crisis measures
Natural gas prices fell on expectations that the European Union will bring more measures to curb volatility in its biggest marketplace in an attempt to rein in the energy crisis. Benchmark futures dropped as much as 6.9pc to the lowest level in more than three months. The European Commission plans to propose a temporary mechanism to prevent extreme price spikes in derivatives trading through a dynamic limit for transactions on the Dutch Title Transfer Facility, according to a draft document seen by Bloomberg News. The market has been sensitive to the EU’s interventions to contain the effects of the crisis that has fuelled inflation and put economies on the brink of recession. The bloc’s executive arm is due to propose a package on Tuesday to alleviate the impact of Russia’s steep supply cuts on companies and consumers. The plan will be discussed by EU leaders at their summit on October 20 and 21 in Brussels.
Independent.ie

Footballer Mason Greenwood due in court on attempted rape charge
Manchester United footballer Mason Greenwood is due in court charged with attempted rape, controlling and coercive behaviour, and assault. The 21-year-old faces three counts relating to the same woman. The player was first held in January over allegations relating to a young woman after images and videos were posted online. He had been on bail since then, but was arrested in the Trafford area on Saturday for an alleged breach of conditions. A few hours later the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said it had authorised Greater Manchester Police (GMP) to charge Greenwood. The attempted rape is alleged to have taken place in October 2021. The controlling and coercive behaviour relates to a period between November 2018 and October this year, while the charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm is dated December 2021.
The Independent UK

Today’s forecast
Windy at first this morning with fresh to strong and gusty southwest to west winds, strongest along Atlantic coastal counties, which will slowly ease through the rest of the morning and early afternoon. Scattered showers will also gradually clear northwards, becoming mainly dry with good spells of sunshine. Highest temperatures of 12°C to 15°C. Mainly dry and chilly with long clear spells and lowest temperatures of 0°C to 5°C generally. Mist and fog patches will form in light southeasterly or variable breezes. Milder in parts of the south and southwest with cloudier conditions developing along with freshening winds and patchy light rain or drizzle arriving towards morning.
Met Éireann