Your top stories on Wednesday; Irish universities face deficits of €15m; the climate case with big implications for Ireland

Irish universities face deficits of €15m as colleges struggle with rising costs

Universities are projected to run combined deficits this year of about €15 million, as some colleges struggle to cope with rising costs.

About eight of the 18 publicly funded higher education institutions were in the red last year, with some of the biggest spending concerns currently focused at TU Dublin, University College Cork (UCC) and University of Limerick (UL).

News

• Landmark climate case verdict from ECHR has big implications for Ireland: There is a global wave of litigation, as communities, especially young climate activists, attempt to secure their human rights and hold governments and fossil fuel companies accountable for a dangerously overheating world.
• Recognition of state of Palestine expected in weeks: The Government will formally recognise the state of Palestine in a long-awaited move expected to take place in the coming weeks.
• McKillen jnr completes sale of majority stake in Dean hotels: Developer Paddy McKillen jnr and his business partner, Matt Ryan, have completed the sale of the Dean Hotel Group to British property group Lifestyle Hospitality Capital (LHC) and Elliott Investment Management,
• Almost half the workforce considering changing jobs this year, report finds: The labour market looks set for more upheaval in the coming year with almost half the workforce considering changing jobs, and almost two-thirds mulling asking their employer for a salary increase, according to a new report.
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World

• MEPs to vote on divisive migration policy in ‘big moment for Europe’: The European Parliament is to vote on Wednesday on sweeping new laws to overhaul its migration policy amid renewed criticism that it is feeding the agenda of the extreme right rather than protecting vulnerable people.

The Big Read

• Scam listing on booking.com turns holiday dream into a nightmare: Last month a reader called Tom was trying to book a family holiday to Ibiza and went in search of a private villa.

Opinion

• Kathy Sheridan: Whose needs would a Progressive Democrats 2.0 serve?
• Michael McDowell: Escalation of the conflict in Gaza may be exactly what Netanyahu wants

Business

• Pension auto-enrolment could deliver a pot of up to €890,000 for workers, EY suggests: Compulsory workplace pensions could deliver a pot of close to €890,000 for a 23-year-old worker on the average industrial wage being signed up for the scheme when it comes into force, according to accountants EY.

Sport

• England’s patient methods show how far Ireland still have to go: Three moments that summed up Ireland’s first half at the Aviva. It’s 0-0. England think there’s been a foul just outside Ireland’s box but the referee surprises them by waving play on, writes Ken Early.
• In the queue at the Masters: $1.50 sandwiches, exclusive merchandise and a lot of garden gnomes keep the dollars rolling at Augusta, reports Philip Reid

Life & Style

• Why mid-range handbags are having a moment: Are you in the market for a new luxe-looking handbag without the designer price tag?

Podcast

In the News Podcast: Who is the Kennedy running for US president?

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