The Examiner reports that the EU is now considering sanctions against Israel for the first time following the “barbaric” airstrike, which has sparked international condemnation.

Among the items on the Cabinet's agenda today is the formal recognition of the Palestinian state. Ireland’s recognition of the state  takes effect today and is being marked by the flying of the Palestinian flag alongside the Ukrainian flag outside Leinster House. 

In other news, Ireland's climate action plan is way, way off and that story is widely covered today.

Not covered in today's news is the Minister for Education's announcement yesterday that she has initiated "a critical step in the process to resolve the claim by school caretakers." Fórsa issued this response. 

Among the Irish Times top stories today is a report about the ESRI's research on young adolescents which says that young teens have “greater peer problems” and fewer friends than their counterparts a decade ago.

Local and European elections take place Friday week (7th June) and I've been out on the campaign trail myself since the end of February, knocking on doors for my local councillor. Everyone talks about housing, regardless of their own housing status. The Irish Times has this on the perspective of candidates and campaigners out and about this election cycle.

Zen

Your Zen moment today is a new tune from Matt Johnson's band The The. It's been a very long time since a release from this band, who are playing a show in Dublin's Collins Barracks in August. Always keen to blend the deeply personal and political into his music, Cognitive Dissident is no exception. It's also got a decent guitar riff.

Have a great day.

Niall