Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

GOOD MORNING

The 9 at 9 Nine things you really need to know this morning: The number of farm deaths doubled last year; Pakistan on high alert; 2010 a bumper year for Irish exports; and a new chilling world record set in China.

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

1. #FARM DEATHS: The number of people who died on farms in Ireland last year rose to 25, compared with 11 the year before. The number of annual farm inspections is expected to more than double this year, according to the Irish Times.

2. #HEALTH: A record number of 511 patients were on trolleys at Irish hospitals yesterday, according to the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO). Speaking on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland this morning, the INMO blamed political neglect, indifference and budget cuts for the figure.

3. #PROPERTY: The latest report from property website Daft.ie shows that asking prices fell by an average of 14% last year, with the last quarter of 2010 showing the biggest drop.

4. #WATER: Parts of Dublin, Cork, Clare, Sligo, Galway and Laois are still without full water service. Disruptions to water supplies will continue in Dublin for at least five more days as the replenishment of reservoirs has taken longer than anticipated.

5. #RESTRUCTURING: Toni & Guy staff are expecting news today on the future of some of the hairdressing chain’s salons. Up to 11 of its salons may be closed as part of the company’s restructuring, the Irish Examiner reports.

6. #EXPORTS: Irish exports hit the highest level of sales ever recorded last year at €161bn, RTÉ reports. Although exports to eurozone countries (bar Germany) dropped in 2010, overall exports were up 6.7% on 2009.

7. #NEW BILL: New legislation regarding the liability of corporations and managers is likely to cover not just deaths of employees in the workplace, but also the deaths of customers who use their products or services.

8. #PAKISTAN: Authorities in Pakistan are on high alert amid increased tensions following the murder of Punjab governor Salman Taseer yesterday, Al Jazeera reports. Taseer is believed to have been killed because of his opposition to the country’s controversial blasphemy law.

9. #BRRR: Not ready to face more snow? Sick of recurrent cold snaps? Then you might want to look away now… These two Chinese men have set a new world record for standing encased in ice – one for 118 minutes and the other for 120 minutes.