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

1. #SIEGE: A hostage situation in Sydney is still ongoing after more than eight hours. At least five hostages have managed to flee from the gunman. Get all your updates here.

2. #ROADS: A 94-year-old man has died in a three-car collision in Wexford.

3. #CORK: Two bodies of a man and woman have been recovered from the River Lee.

4. #EMERGENCY: The CEO of Beaumont Hospital on Dublin’s northside has said “significant” overcrowding problems means ambulances may have to be diverted away again this week

5. #NOT FAIR: The Equality Tribunal has awarded €24,000 to a man who was forced to reduce his hours and then retire at 66.

6. #CHARGE IT: The Herald reports that Irish Water chief John Tierney has used the company credit card to drum up €12,000 in charges.

7. #JAIL TIME: Two learner drivers have been jailed for breaking the law and driving alone.

8. #GOOD DEED: The parents of a baby boy who spent time in Temple Street are raffling an Elsa doll to raise money for the hospital this Christmas.

9. #HACKED: An early version of the screenplay for the new James Bond film was the latest victim of a massive hacking attack on Sony Pictures Entertainment.