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

1. #ELECTION 2016: The first ballot boxes have just been opened as counting begins in the general election. Follow our liveblog for the latest updates as we track the winners and losers in each constituency.

2. #BAD START FOR COALITION: Fine Gael and Labour look to be well short of an overall majority following two exit polls showing significant gains since 2011 for Fianna Fáil, Sinn Féin, independents and smaller parties.

3. #BATTLE LINES: With tallying kicking off at count centres across the country, these are the races we think will be the most interesting.

4. #SYRIA: The BBC reports that the first day of a temporary ceasefire in the Syrian conflict has brought calm across much of the country after fighting groups agreed to cease hostilities.

5. #TRAGEDY: Three British tourists found dead below a waterfall in Vietnam yesterday were reportedly sucked down by the surging stream.

6. #UNFAIR DISMISSAL: The Employment Appeals Tribunal has upheld a decision to award €12,000 in compensation to a former security guard who was rostered to work night shifts after having a baby.

7. #MASSACHUSETTS: A US teenager who raped and killed his maths teacher has been sentenced to life in prison.

8. #FINAL CALL: As the Screen cinema in Dublin heads into its final weekend of operation, read the dramatic story behind its demise here.

9. #SEATTLE: Reuters reports that a man killed four people believed to be members of his own family in Washington state yesterday before taking his own life.