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

1. #LIFE SUPPORT: An Irishman remains in a critical condition today after he was allegedly punched by his brother in Sydney on Saturday morning.

2. #NO RISE: Employees of small businesses have been told that they can forget about a wage hike this year.

3. #SEARCH: A search operation for eight people is continuing of Scotland after a cargo vessel capsized yesterday.

4. #RESCUE: A young man was rescued after he broke his shoulder while kayaking with friends in Clare Glens.

5. #EBOLA: The UK nurse who was diagnosed with Ebola is in a critical condition. The Royal Free Hospital in London stated that her condition deteriorated yesterday.

6. #UNACCOUNTED FOR: An elderly man is still missing after a fire at a farmhouse in Down yesterday.

7. #GOING DOWN: Rent supplement payments have fallen by more than €150 million since 2010.

8. #BE CAREFUL OUT THERE: Freezing temperatures overnight have left icy paths and roads.

9. #OH CHRISTMAS TREE: The Irish Christmas Tree Throwing Championship takes place in Co Clare today.