When WhatsApp groups go horribly wrong in Andrea Mara's brilliant thriller It Should Have Been You
'Ten days, four deaths, one teenager in hospital, one in police custody, my family destroyed. And all because of a text.' This is the shocking introduction to Irish crime author Andrea Mara's new thriller.
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RTÉ News
2 hours ago
- RTÉ News
Ukraine says 'massive' Russia drone attacks hit Kyiv, Odesa
Russia carried out "massive" drone attacks on Ukraine's capital Kyiv and port city of Odesa, killing one person and hitting a maternity hospital, Ukrainian officials said, calling for further sanctions. Russia has kept up its attacks on Ukraine, which has hit back with strikes deep inside Russian territory, while peace talks held over the weekend failed to yield a breakthrough towards ending the three-year war. Aside from an agreement to exchange prisoners, progress has stalled and Russia has repeatedly rejected calls for an unconditional ceasefire. "Russia lies every day about its desire for peace and attacks people every day. Time to impose sanctions. Time to support Ukraine with weapons. Time to prove that democracy has power," Andriy Yermak, head of the Ukrainian presidential office, said on Telegram. A 59-year-old man was killed in the Russian strikes on residential buildings in Odesa, and at least four others were wounded, said Governor Oleg Kiper. "The enemy massively attacked Odesa with strike drones. There is damage to civilian infrastructure and fires," Mr Kiper wrote on Telegram. "The Russians hit a maternity hospital, an emergency medical ward and residential buildings," he said, adding the maternity hospital had been evacuated in time. In central Kyiv, an AFP journalist heard at least 12 explosions, anti-aircraft fire and the buzzing of drones. "Stay in shelters! The massive attack on the capital continues," Mayor Vitali Klitschko said on Telegram, adding in a separate post around 3am local time (1am Irish time) that "a new batch of UAVs (drones) is flying to the capital". Several people were reported wounded in the attacks that hit at least seven districts, with buildings and cars on fire. Prisoner swap Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine triggered the biggest European conflict since World War II, forcing millions to flee their homes and decimating much of eastern and southern Ukraine. Ukrainian cities are targeted by Russian air strikes almost daily. On Sunday, Russia launched a record 479 explosive drones at Ukraine, according to the Ukrainian Air Force. Despite efforts by US President Donald Trump to reach a ceasefire agreement, a second round of peace talks in Turkey are at a standstill. The only concrete agreement reached at the talks over the weekend was for the release of all seriously wounded or sick prisoners of war and those under the age of 25 - a deal that did not specify the number of soldiers involved. While welcoming exchanges, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky said last week it was "pointless" to hold further talks with the current Russian delegation - who he previously dismissed as "empty heads" - since they could not agree to a ceasefire. On Sunday, the Russian army also claimed to have attacked the Ukrainian region of Dnipropetrovsk, which borders the regions of Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia, already partially under Russian control, a first in more than three years of conflict. "Time for everyone to finally accept the fact that Russia understands only strikes, not rational words," Ukraine's Mr Yermak said. As a condition for halting its invasion, Russia has demanded that Ukraine cede the territories Russia claims to have annexed and forswear joining NATO. It has also rejected a proposed 30-day unconditional ceasefire sought by Ukraine and the European Union, arguing that it would allow Ukrainian forces to rearm with Western deliveries. Ukraine is demanding a complete Russian withdrawal from its territory and security guarantees from the West, describing Russia's demands as "ultimatums".
The Journal
2 hours ago
- The Journal
One killed after 'massive' Russian strikes on Kyiv and Odesa, Ukraine says
RUSSIA CARRIED OUT 'massive' drone attacks on Ukraine's capital Kyiv and port city of Odesa early this morning, killing one person and hitting a maternity hospital, Ukrainian officials said, calling for further sanctions. Moscow has kept up its attacks on Ukraine, which has hit back with strikes deep inside Russian territory, while peace talks held over the weekend failed to yield a breakthrough towards ending the three-year war. Aside from an agreement to exchange prisoners, progress has stalled and Russia has repeatedly rejected calls for an unconditional ceasefire. 'Russia lies every day about its desire for peace and attacks people every day. Time to impose sanctions. Time to support Ukraine with weapons. Time to prove that democracy has power,' Andriy Yermak, head of the Ukrainian presidential office, said on Telegram. A 59-year-old man was killed in the Russian strikes on residential buildings in Odesa on Tuesday, and at least four others were wounded, said Governor Oleg Kiper. 'The enemy massively attacked Odesa with strike drones. There is damage to civilian infrastructure and fires,' Kiper wrote on Telegram. 'The Russians hit a maternity hospital, an emergency medical ward and residential buildings,' he said, adding the maternity hospital had been evacuated in time. Advertisement A man reacts as he passes by burning debris following the strike. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo In central Kiev, an AFP journalist heard at least a dozen explosions, anti-aircraft fire and the buzzing of drones. 'Stay in shelters! The massive attack on the capital continues,' Mayor Vitali Klitschko said on Telegram, adding in a separate post around 3am (1am Irish time) that 'a new batch of UAVs (drones) is flying to the capital'. Four people were wounded in the attacks that hit at least seven districts, he said, with buildings and cars on fire. Prisoner swap Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine triggered the biggest European conflict since World War II, forcing millions to flee their homes and decimating much of eastern and southern Ukraine. Ukrainian cities are targeted by Russian air strikes almost daily. On Sunday, Russia launched a record 479 explosive drones at Ukraine, according to the Ukrainian Air Force. Kyiv has also carried out attacks on Russian territory, targeting transport and weapons production infrastructure. Russia's transport agency Rosaviatsia said today that flight operations were temporarily restricted at Saint Petersburg's Pulkovo airport. Similar restrictions were imposed on at least 13 other airports overnight, with four in Moscow reopening today. A car and a building destroyed in the strikes. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo Despite efforts by US President Donald Trump to reach a ceasefire agreement, a second round of peace talks in Turkey are at a standstill. Related Reads At least five killed as Russia launches major attack on Ukraine At least four dead and 20 wounded in overnight Russian drone strikes on Kyiv Trump-Putin phone call will not lead to 'immediate peace in Ukraine', US President says The only concrete agreement reached at the talks over the weekend was for release all seriously wounded or sick prisoners of war and those under the age of 25 – a deal that did not specify the number of soldiers involved. While welcoming POW exchanges, Zelenskyy said last week said it was 'pointless' to hold further talks with the current Russian delegation – who he previously dismissed as 'empty heads' – since they could not agree to a ceasefire. On Sunday, the Russian army also claimed to have attacked the Ukrainian region of Dnipropetrovsk, which borders the regions of Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia, already partially under Russian control, a first in more than three years of conflict. 'Time for everyone to finally accept the fact that Russia understands only strikes, not rational words,' Ukraine's Yermak said on Tuesday, in a thinly veiled criticism of the Trump administration. As a condition for halting its invasion, Russia has demanded that Ukraine cede the territories Moscow claims to have annexed and forswear joining Nato. It has also rejected a proposed 30-day unconditional ceasefire sought by Kyiv and the European Union, arguing that it would allow Ukrainian forces to rearm with Western deliveries. Ukraine is demanding a complete Russian withdrawal of from its territory and security guarantees from the West, describing Moscow's demands as 'ultimatums'. © AFP 2025
The Journal
2 hours ago
- The Journal
One driver arrested every hour for drink or drug driving in 2024, Garda Commissioner says
AT LEAST ONE driver was arrested every hour for drink or drug driving offences in 2024, according to Garda Commissioner Drew Harris. Harris is due to appear before the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Home Affairs and Migration this afternoon, where he is expected to address garda recruitment, community safety, roads policing, and organisational changes within the force. In his opening statement, Harris will confirm that over 7,500 drivers were arrested for intoxicated driving last year. He will also highlight road safety concerns, citing figures that show more than 60 drivers per day received Fixed Charge Notices for using a mobile phone while driving – an increase of 14% compared to 2023. In addition, over 85 vehicles were seized by gardaí each day for offences such as driving without insurance, without a licence, or unaccompanied on a learner permit. Harris will reference the death of Garda Kevin Flatley, describing it as 'a stark reminder of the risks our gardaí face while on duty' and a reflection of the dangers present on Irish roads. He will also point to recent CSO figures from the first three months of 2025, which show year-on-year reductions in what he calls 'key crimes' – including burglary, robbery, crimes against the person, and theft. Advertisement Garda Recruitment In his opening statement, Harris will tell the committee that as of 30 April, there are 18,194 staff members of An Garda Síochána. These include 14,221 gardaí, 304 garda reserves and 3,669 garda staff. He will note a modest increase in garda numbers (around 200 over the past year), along with a slowdown in resignations and fewer retirements than anticipated. A small number of former members have also re-enlisted. Harris says there have been 'positive developments,' including the raising of the recruitment age limit to 50. He will reveal that in the most recent garda recruitment campaign, 41% of applicants were over the age of 30. A total of 6,784 people applied during that campaign, which he says reflects continued interest in a policing career. A new recruitment drive is expected to launch this autumn. Harris will reaffirm that An Garda Síochána is committed to meeting the Government's recruitment targets. Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan previously acknowledged that the target of recruiting 1,000 gardaí per year until 2030 will be 'a challenge,' as outlined in the current Programme for Government. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
