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

1. #RIP: Michael D. Higgins is among those who have paid tribute to former Israeli president Shimon Peres who died early this morning.

2. #BUDGET 2017: A reduction in USC is among the range of measures being mooted ahead of the budget in two weeks.

3. #JOBSTOWN: The trial of the 17-year-old for the false imprisonment of Joan Burton has been adjourned so the judge can decide if he is going to throw out the case.

4. #APPRENTICESHIPS: New figures have shown that less than 1% of Irish apprenticeships in 2016 have been taken up by women.

5. #BOX OFFICE: Monday’s presidential debate was the most watched in US history with 84 million people tuning in.

6. #INDIAN SUMMER: Temperatures are set to reach up to 23 degrees in some areas today, with the east of the county most likely to get the sun.

7. #RACE RELATIONS: A nine-year-old girl in Charlotte, North Carolina has delivered a tearful speech to city officials about police violence.

8. #DOUBLE DOWN: Tech giant Apple has reportedly completed a merger of its Luxembourg-based company with Apple Distribution International, which is located in Cork.

9. #FACE OFF: Disgraced cyclist Lance Armstrong has invited hugely-respected Irish journalist Paul Kimmage to interview him at a live event in Dublin next month.