NEED TO CATCH up? TheJournal.ie brings you a roundup of today’s news…

Health Minister James Reilly gets his flu vaccine. Pic: Nick Bradshaw of Fotonic.ie

IRISH

• Junior Doctors began their one day strike today – and the HSE and IMO might be meeting on the issue. [RTE]
• Minster Ruairí Quinn said of Budget 2014 that the government wants “to minimise the suffering as quickly as we can”.
• The HSE is to close a children’s unit in Monaghan following an inspection.
• Gardaí had to negotiate with a man who barricaded himself into his home in Galway.
• There have been 1,900 ‘welfare tourists‘ caught in Ireland in three years.
• Almost 180 jobs were lost at Honeywell Turbo in Waterford.
• An examiner was appointed to the fashion chain A|wear.
• Seven businesses, including two restaurants, were handed closure orders over food safety last month.
• The Government will not oppose the Child Sex Offenders Bill, which was put forward by a Reform Alliance member.
• A new national postcode will be rolled out by Spring 2015.
• The Criminal Assets Bureau has begun selling items belonging to criminals on eBay.

INTERNATIONAL

A new $100 bill featuring Benjamin Franklin is illuminated from behind at the Franklin Institute, Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2013, in Philadelphia. Pic: AP Photo/Matt Rourke

#ENGLAND It emerged today that gender-selective abortion is not illegal under English law.

#NOBEL PRIZE The Nobel Prize in Physics was awarded to Peter Higgs and Francois Englert – yes, they predicted the Higgs boson.

#USA Democrats in the US plan to force Republicans into a showdown on the country’s debt ceiling.

#ITALY The EU has demanded extra search patrols after 300 people are feared to have died in the migrant boat tragedy.

INNOVATION

• The world’s first malaria vaccine could be available for African children – GlaxoSmithKline is to seek regulatory approval.
• Fox has replaced desks in its newsroom with… unbelievably huge touchscreens. What do you make of them? [Mashable]

(warning video/YouTube)

PARTING SHOT

Thought engagement rings were just a great way of showing your future wife how you feel about her? Well, turns out that they have hidden meanings as well… and not good ones.  [Salon]

Here’s What Happened Yesterday…>