Harris: Abortion “a reality” for many Irish women
Simon Harris has said that abortion is a reality for many Irish women - and that the question is now how we respond to that as a country.
Minister Harris spoke to On the Record Chris Donoghue in the wake of an Oireachtas committee vote that the 8th Amendment should not be retained in full in the Constitution.
The committee is considering the conclusions of the recent Citizen's Assembly, with the Government planning to hold a referendum on the amendment next May or June.
Minister Harris reiterated his personal view that he does not believe abortion is an issue that can be dealt with in the Constitution.
Hundreds of thousands protest over Spanish government's Catalonia decision
Hundreds of thousands of Catalans have demonstrated in Barcelona after Spain's government said it would begin the process to take away some of the region's autonomy.
Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy announced yesterday that the area's leaders would be dismissed, and suggested fresh elections would be held in the region within 6 months.
It comes in the wake of a disputed independence referendum.
It's estimated that up to 450,000 people took to the streets of Barcelona in the wake of yesterday's announcement, calling for independence and freedom.
WHO removes Robert Mugabe as goodwill ambassador after widespread criticism
The director general of the World Health Organisation (WHO) has rescinded the appointment of Zimbabwe's leader Robert Mugabe as a goodwill ambassador.
Activists had reacted with shock over the appointment of Mugabe (93) as a goodwill ambassador to help tackle noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) in Africa.
Mugabe's regime has been accused of & internationally sanctioned for a wide variety of human rights abuses & violations - and the Physicians for Human Rights group has previously reported that the health system in the country has 'utterly collapsed' under Mugabe's government.
Storm Brian brings spot flooding and disruption to West of Ireland
While the eye of the storm has now moved towards the UK, three separate weather warnings remain in place across the country until 9pm this evening - including a status orange wind warning for the coasts of Galway, Mayo, Clare, Cork and Kerry.
The National Emergency Coordination Group said that while today's rainfall has not finished, the "extent of damage, flooding and disruption has been limited and in line with expectations for this type of Atlantic storm."
Suspect arrested after four people stabbed in Munich
Police investigating a stabbing that left four people wounded in the German city of Munich have arrested a suspect.
Authorities said on social media that none of the injuries are believed to be life-threatening.
The suspect - who was described as a man in his 40s - fled the scene on a black bike, prompting police to launch a manhunt.
People were urged to avoid the area while officers searched for the suspect.
