Every morning TheJournal.ie brings you the nine stories you need to know a little before 9am.

1.#STATE CARE 1: Children in State care are at risk of ‘abuse and exploitation’, the co-founder of Focus Ireland has warned. Sister Stanislaus Kennedy warned that the placement of homeless children in bed and breakfasts and the growing waiting lists for our of hours supports have opened them up to exploitation.

2.#STATE CARE 2: Meanwhile, the Mail on Sunday reveals 23 children died in State care in 2012. That is eight more than in 2011.

3.#MATERNITY HOMES: The government reminded local authorities that they had a responsibility to report deaths at mother and baby homes as far back as 1946.

4.#SHOWDOWN: British Prime Minister will reportedly force a vote on the EU presidency, a move that could have massive knock-on effects in Ireland.

5.#IRAQ: Iraqi insurgents have captured a key border crossing, despite Shi’ite fighters showing their strength across the country.

6.#DROWNING: The father of drowned 13-year-old Ricky Osagie has told the Sunday World that his son “should still be alive”. Kelly Osagie tells the paper that the water feature at Waterville in Blanchardstown should have been fenced off.

7.#ATHLONE: A fourth man has been arrested in connection with the discovery of a body in the River Shannon on Friday. Two men were released overnight while another remains in custody.

8.#MARQUEE EVENTS: Did you know that you can’t just put “The Phoenix Park” on a wedding licence? The issue is causing problems for hoteliers, says one TD. Here’s why.

9.#JOBBRIDGE: Which companies use JobBridge? Joan Burton’s department isn’t saying. The Department of Social Protection has refused to name 68% of the companies that use the internship scheme.