EVERY DAY, TheJournal.ie brings you nine things you need to know with your morning cup of coffee, or tea…
1. #BANK DEBT: Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore is in Germany today to meet with the German foreign minister Guido Westerwelle. The issue of Ireland’s legacy bank debt is likely to be on the agenda with Ireland boosted by IMF comments yesterday. Our upcoming EU presidency and general bilateral relations are also likely to be discussed.
2. #GARDA STATIONS: Up to 80 garda stations across the country will be shut down before the end of the year according to a report in the Irish Independent today. Tom Brady and Fiach Kelly write that so-called garda ‘clinics’ will bet set up in areas where stations will close with officers manning these for a couple of hours, two days a week.
3. #SYRIA: A four-day ceasefire has come into effect in Syria today to mark the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha. The UN brokered truce began at 4am this morning but BBC News reports that the country’s army has warned that it will retaliate against any attacks from rebel forces. Previously brokered ceasefires have failed.
4. #ENERGY: The cost of electricity for businesses and consumers could rise by 9 per cent in peak months, the Irish Times reports this morning. The paper says that the energy regulator is considering plans to pass on charges for supplies of natural gas that electricity providers use in order to generate electricity. Providers have already hiked prices in recent weeks.
5. #HUMAN ARM: A human arm has been found on a beach in south Dublin. The arm was discovered on the beach in Shankill at around 12 pm yesterday by a member of the public, according to Gardaí.
6. #DUBLIN AIRPORT: Siptu workers at Dublin Airport could go on strike causing disruption for passengers travelling next month in a dispute with the Dublin Airport Authority and Aer Lingus over pensions. Siptu officials will meet today to discuss the timing and form of any action.
7. #US 2012: US President Barack Obama has made history by becoming the first incumbent to cast his vote early in his home town of Chicago yesterday. Meanwhile Mitt Romney was campaigning in the key swing state of Ohio with the latest Reuters/Ipsos tracking poll showing the Republican challenger holds a one percentage point lead over Obama – 47 to 46 per cent – while other polls have Romney with a three point lead.
8. #BANK HOLIDAY: Gardaí are urging motorists to be ‘winter ready’ as cold weather looks set to hit parts of the country this Bank Holiday weekend. Gardaí say they will be focussing on drivers with learner permits over the next few days as part of what they call a ‘high-visibility’ campaign.
9. #APPLE: If you use Apple’s iTunes App Store then you’re facing a price hike this morning as the company raised its lowest price from 79 cent to 89 cent overnight. The change is in line with changes in the value of the euro against the dollar over the last year with this graph from Twitter user @CamilloMiller outlining the price changes.
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