EVERY DAY, TheJournal.ie brings you nine things you need to know with your morning cup of coffee.
1. #LABOUR: The Labour Party’s 66th annual conference continues in Galway today, where the spotlight will be on fairness in education and healthcare, as well as the economy. Leader Eamon Gilmore will give a televised speech to the 800 grassroots members tonight from 8.30pm.
2. #SYRIA: The UN Security Council is to vote on a resolution to authorise the deployment of military observers to monitor a promised ceasefire between the Syrian government and opposition fighters. However, reports this morning suggest that fighting continued overnight as troops loyal to President Bashar Assad shelled areas of Homs.
3. #TITANIC100: Events are taking place over the weekend to mark the 100th year anniversary of the tragic sinking of the RMS Titanic during which 1,500 people died. We have put together a round-up of commemorations happening in Cobh, Belfast and Southampton.
4. #CHARGED: Two men have been charged in Northern Ireland for posting anti-Catholic message on Facebook, according to the Irish Examiner. The abusive posts were written during the loyalist marching season last summer and were reported to the PSNI by Sinn Féin member Daithí McKay.
5. #DEFAULT: Writing a column for TheJournal.ie this morning, economist Constantin Gurdgiev tries to answer one of today’s biggest questions: What would happen if Ireland walked away from its debts?
6. #SECRET SERVICE: US President Barack Obama has recalled a number of Secret Service agents from Colombia following allegations of misconduct. The Washington Post reports that the accusations relate to involvement with prostitutes in Cartagena.
7. #WEIGH-INS: The Irish Medical Organisation has heard calls for children to be weighed in school. Dr Edna Roche told the doctors’ union that one in four 9-year-olds are overweight or obese in Ireland and plans are underway to plot height and weight on appropriate charts in the classroom.
8. #GRAND NATIONAL: History could be made today at Aintree as Tony McCoy looks to ride Synchronised to victory, making it just the second horse to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup and Grand National in the same season. Two women are also vying to change the sport as Irish riders Katie Walsh and Nina Carberry are among the front runners, both hoping to become the first female jockey to take the title.
9. #WEDDING BELLS: Did you know that Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt still aren’t married? Well, they’re not but that is about to change. Hollywood’s power couple confirmed their engagement last night but failed to set a date for the nuptials.
Relive their first (fictional) taste of marriage:
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