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

1. #THIN BLUE LINE: Representatives of rank-and-file and middle-ranking gardaí will be in talks today with Department of Justice officials, RTÉ reports.

2. #ITALY: A 6.6 magnitude earthquake has hit central Italy, with tremors felt in Rome.

3. #COUNTY KERRY: US Secretary of State John Kerry is visiting Ireland today to meet with Foreign Affairs Minister Charlie Flanagan.

4. #THE POPULAR KIDS: The Anti Austerity Alliance and People Before Profit received a boost in the latest Sunday Business Post/Red C Poll, up three points while Sinn Féin and Labour both dropped two points.

5. #RESPONSIBILITY: The chief executive of Tusla has said the agency wants to take a new approach, to encourage families to “own their problem”.

6. #DUBLIN MARATHON: More than 19,000 people are expected to take part in today’s marathon.

7. #MISSING: Gardaí are seeking the public’s help tracing the whereabouts of a 16-year-old boy who is missing in Cork.

8. #PAYBACK: Yahoo may be forced to pay back its State grant after failing to hire the required number of Irish staff.

9. #SOLITARY: Figures show nine inmates in Irish prisons have been held in solitary confinement for over a year.