Advertisement We need your help now Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open. You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough. If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it. One-off amount I already contribute Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you. An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more. Investigates Investigates Money Diaries Daft.ie Property Magazine Allianz Home Magazine The 42 Sports Magazine The Journal TV Climate Crisis Cost of Living Road Safety Newsletters Temperature Check Inside the Newsroom The Journal Investigates The Explainer A deep dive into one big news story Sport meets news, current affairs, society & pop culture have your say Or create a free account to join the discussion Advertisement More Stories Good Morning The 8 at 8 Here’s all the news to know as you start your day. 8.04am, 24 Apr 2025 Share options GOOD MORNING. Here’s all the news to know as you start your day. A Russian missile attack on Kyiv overnight killed at least nine people and wounded dozens in one of the deadliest strikes on the Ukrainian capital since Russia launched its invasion more than three years ago. Ukraine has been battered by Russian aerial attacks through the war, but deadly strikes on Kyiv, which is better protected by air defences that other cities, are less common. 2. SNA allocations Special needs assistants (SNAs) who lose their jobs due to falling enrolment or reduced care needs will soon be able to be redeployed to a school which has a vacant post. SNAs support pupils who have care needs resulting from a disability, behavioural difficulties or a significant medical issue. Education Minister Helen McEntee has confirmed that work is underway on a redeployment scheme for SNAs. Counterterrorism police in the UK are reportedly reviewing footage of Kneecap performing in the UK in November after complaints following the group’s expressions of support for Palestine and condemnation of Israel. Belfast rap trio Kneecap have made headlines over the last week after their performance at US music festival Coachella on Friday, during which their screen displayed messages that included “F**k Israel. Free Palestine.” Footage from another one of the group’s performances, this time purportedly from a gig in London last November, is being reviewed by the Metropolitan Police’s counterterrorism unit, Sky News has reported. 4. Vaccine trust Parents with children under the age of 18 are the most sceptical demographic of vaccines, though overall trust of vaccines in Ireland is higher than the global average. Advertisement Acceptance of vaccines that use mRNA — such as some vaccines against Covid-19 — is slightly lower than acceptance of more ‘traditional’ vaccine technologies, but nonetheless, a majority of people express trust in both types of vaccines. That’s according to polling conducted by Red C, which surveyed nearly 34,000 people in 38 countries, including a representative sample of 1,000 adults in Ireland. 5. Pope Francis Close to 20,000 people had viewed Pope Francis’s coffin in St Peter’s Basilica as of 7.30pm yesterday evening, according to the Vatican. By the afternoon, the wait to enter the church was more than four hours, as the long line of pilgrims and tourists wishing to pass by the pontiff’s open coffin circled the vast St Peter’s Square. It will close to the public at 7pm on Friday, ahead of Irish-born Cardinal Kevin Farrell presiding over the rite of the closing of Francis’ coffin at 8pm. His funeral will take place at 10am on Saturday. India has taken a raft of punitive diplomatic measures against Pakistan today, accusing it of supporting “cross-border terrorism” after a deadly attack on civilians in Kashmir. India’s measures, including the suspension of a key water-sharing treating and closure of the main land border crossing, came a day after gunmen opened fire at tourists in Indian-administered Kashmir. The gunmen killed 26 men – all Indian except one Nepali – in the deadliest attack on civilians in the Himalayan region for a quarter of a century. 7. Harvey Weinstein retrial Opening statements began in Harvey Weinstein’s rape and sexual assault retrial yesterday, five years after his original trial delivered a searing reckoning for one of Hollywood’s most powerful figures. The retrial, which began with jury selection last week, will require survivors who helped spark the “MeToo” movement to testify against Weinstein once more. The 73-year-old former Miramax studio boss is charged with the 2006 sexual assault of former production assistant Mimi Haleyi and the 2013 rape of aspiring actress Jessica Mann. He also faces a new count for an alleged sexual assault of a 16-year-old in 2006. People living in Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown have the highest incomes for a council area, according to the Central Statistics Office. The median gross household income in the area was €84,991, according to CSO figures for 2022. This compared with Longford, which had the lowest in Leinster at €47,217. 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. Support The Journal Lauren Boland Send Tip or Correction Embed this post To embed this post, copy the code below on your site Email “The 8 at 8: Thursday”. Recipient's Email Feedback on “The 8 at 8: Thursday”. Your Feedback Your Email (optional) Report a Comment Please select the reason for reporting this comment. Please give full details of the problem with the comment... News in 60 seconds lions and tigers and bears Irish researchers discover proof that Roman gladiators fought with large animals 30 mins ago Man (30s) to appear in court in connection with murder of Willie Moorehouse in Wicklow 43 mins ago Human Rights Bobby McDonagh: To avert our eyes from Gaza would be a moral travesty 52 mins ago Premier League Liverpool just a draw away from title this weekend as Arsenal are held by Crystal Palace pope francis Huge crowds expected at Vatican for second day of pope lying in state Harvey Weinstein Weinstein 'was not going take a no for an answer', jury told as rape retrial begins in New York Dublin Fire Brigade Woman in her 80s dies in house fire in Tallaght Trial underway for Dublin man charged with murder of girlfriend while on holiday in Spain War in Ukraine Trump blasts Zelenskyy for refusing to formally cede Crimea to Russia as part of peace talks The Daily Poll Have you reconsidered a trip to the US? Government criticises 'speculation' that Irish jobs are at risk as Intel set to cut 20% of staff more from us Investigates Daft.ie Property Magazine Allianz Home Magazine The 42 Sports Magazine Money Diaries The Journal TV Journal Media Advertise With Us About FactCheck Our Network FactCheck Knowledge Bank Terms & Legal Notices Terms of Use Cookies & Privacy Advertising Competition more from us TV Listings GAA Fixtures The Video Review Journal Media Advertise With Us Our Network The Journal FactCheck Knowledge Bank Terms & Legal Notices Terms of Use Cookies & Privacy Advertising Competition © 2025 Journal Media Ltd Terms of Use Cookies & Privacy Advertising Competition Switch to Desktop Switch to Mobile The Journal supports the work of the Press Council of Ireland and the Office of the Press Ombudsman, and our staff operate within the Code of Practice. You can obtain a copy of the Code, or contact the Council, at https://www.presscouncil.ie, PH: (01) 6489130, Lo-Call 1800 208 080 or email: mailto:info@presscouncil.ie Report an error, omission or problem: Your Email (optional) Create Email Alert Create an email alert based on the current article Email Address One email every morning As soon as new articles come online