EVERY MORNING, TheJournal.ie brings you the stories you need to know as you wake up.

1. #TERROR THREAT: Brussels will stay at the highest security threat level for another week over fears of an imminent attack, the Belgian government has said.

2. #TRAVEL ADVICE: The Department of Foreign Affairs has updated its advice for Irish citizens in or travelling to France and Belgium, as the US issued a worldwide travel alert for American citizens.

3. #IFA PAY ROW: The president of the Irish Farmers’ Association, Eddie Downey, is stepping back from his position to allow a review of his annual pay package of €147,000.

4. #BANKRUPTCY APPEAL: Former Anglo Irish Bank chief executive David Drumm has failed to appeal the decision to deny him bankruptcy in the US.

5. #RELIGION: RTÉ reports that a Limerick secondary school has agreed to allow a student opt out of religion classes, having previously denied her request to withdraw from lessons.

6. #STRIKE: The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation is to announce the results of a nationwide strike ballot later this morning, with union members expected to support industrial action.

7. #US PROBE: The Irish Daily Mail reports that the US investigation into the death of Irishman Jason Corbett has now been completed. A police spokesperson told the paper that authorities expect to see new developments in the case within the next two to three weeks.

8. #COURTS: A Carlow resident who was part of a team of fraudsters that overcharged an elderly man by over €13,000 for construction work has been jailed for 18 months.

9. #SHOPPING: The average Irish adult will spend almost €600 in the run-up to Christmas, according to a new survey.