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

1. #WORLD AT WAR North Korea has threatened to fire nuclear missiles if they are attacked by the US first.

2. #POWER STRUGGLE New poll shows that the race to replace Enda Kenny is hotting up and there’s little to split the leading candidates. 

3. #HAVE A HEART Mother begs burglars to hand back her stolen laptop which contains pictures of her dead son.

4. #ON THE STREETS Protesters will gather at Smithfield Square in Dublin this afternoon to protest against the ongoing political violence in Venezuela.

5. #STAND TO ATTENTION Under new rules, the tricolour will be illuminated and fly 24/7 outside Government Buildings.

6. #DISEASED Farmers have been warned that a deadly disease in lambs is on the rise across the country.

7. #ZOMBIES The once-legal high Spice is having a devastating impact on people living in the Manchester area of England as emergency services struggle to deal with callouts. 

8. #HEELY-GOOD THINKING The province of British Columbia in Canada has ruled that companies can no longer force women to wear high heels at work.  

9. #REBEL COUNTY Prominent politicians, celebrities and business owners in Cork have come together to protest against controversial flood relief plans for the River Lee.