EVERY MORNING, TheJournal.ie brings you the stories you need to know as you start your day.

1. #PAY DEALS: Unions representing thousands of public sector workers will meet today to plan the next steps in speeding up their pay restoration.

2. #ALLIES: Bashar al-Assad said that Donald Trump will be a “natural ally” if the US president-elect fulfils his pledge to fight “terrorists”.

3. #DEFENCE PLAN: EU Ministers have approved a planning centre for military operations.

4. #NORTH DUBLIN: Two boys, both aged 17, have been charged with false imprisonment of a teenage girl.

5. #DESTROYED: Almost €1 million was spent seizing 2,683 horses last year and the vast majority of them (2,191) were shot and disposed of.

6. #DEMANDING ANSWERS: Tipperary TDs are raging after Semple Stadium was omitted from the list of stadia making up Ireland’s 2023 Rugby World Cup bid.

7. #OPEN LIBRARIES: Librarians say the roll out of 23 staffless libraries is ‘the beginning of the end’ for them.

8. #DESIGNS: A design guidelines book has been launched to help people living with persistent mental health conditions.

9. #KERRY: A pub in Listowel absolutely nailed the Mannequin Challenge last night.

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The 9 at 9 Here’s everything you need to know as you start your day.

Making a difference

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.