Every morning, TheJournal.ie brings you the nine stories you need to know as you start your day.

1. #BACK ON TRACK: Strikes at Irish Rail have been called off after late-night talks.

2. #HORROR: Islamic State has released a video purporting to show the beheading of American journalist Steven Sotloff.

3. #PAYBACK TIME: Despite €1 billion in unexpected extra tax revenue, Taoiseach Enda Kenny says we won’t be getting a giveaway budget (Irish Times)

4. #BACK IN THE SADDLE: The Cabinet meets today for the first time after the summer. Here’s what they’ll be talking about.

5. #ISRAEL: An Oireachtas committee will grill the Israeli and Palestinian ambassadors later today. Here’s what to expect.

6. #WORLD STAGE: Ireland is at its most competitive in five years, moving up to 25th in the World Economic Forum’s Global Competitiveness Index (WEF)

7. #UKRAINE: President Obama is in Estonia to discuss the crisis in Ukraine, ahead of NATO talks tomorrow. (BBC)

8. #RIP: Jim White, former Fine Gael TD for Donegal, has died. The Taoiseach has paid tribute to him.

9.#GAY OKAY: New York City’s controversial St Patrick’s Day parade is to allow at least one group of LGBT people to march with a banner, for the first time. (Irish Central)

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