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

1. #NSA LEAKS: Irish undersea internet cables were tapped by UK intelligence agencies, The Irish Times reports. The revelations are contained in new documents released by whistleblower Edward Snowden.

2. #SPLISH SPLASH: Irish Water says there was a ‘significant’ decline in water usage in the Dublin region from 1 October — the day water charges were originally due to come in – but within two weeks they were back to normal levels.

3. #RUGBY COACH: Police in Kent are still searching for missing Irishman Mick Finnegan.

4. #SECURITY: Cash-in-transit vans are now travelling without armed cover, previously provided by gardaí or the Defence Forces, the Irish Independent reports, sparking concern among bank workers.

5. #AIR STRIKES: Islamic State has not been significantly weakened after two months of US-led attacks, Syrian’s Foreign Minister has said.

6. #GARDAI: The strength of the garda force could fall below what former commissioner Martin Callinan said would be the minimum level for the force, according to the Irish Examiner. New recruits will not be trained in until 2016.

7. #SCRATCH CARDS: Rehab is to wind up its lottery scheme in an attempt to renew the charity’s image, the Irish Examiner reports. As many as 40 jobs could be affected.

8. #THE LOCAL: The Irish Daily Star reports that Taoiseach Enda Kenny can no longer visit his Dublin local for the occasional pint after his security arrangements were overhauled in the wake of the blockade of the Tánaiste’s car in Jobstown.

9. #JINGLE BELLS: Not feeling the Christmas spirit yet? You might need some appropriate music – Christmas FM returns to the airwaves this morning under a temporary licence from the Broadcasting Authority.