EVERY MORNING, TheJournal.ie brings you the nine things you should know as you have your morning coffee…

1. #EU: European leaders failed to agree on common plans for an amendment to the European Union’s founding treaty last night, meaning a two-tier Europe could be on the horizon. Britain and Hungary vetoed plans for Treaty change, agreeing only to a new “fiscal compact” reinforcing previous rules on the limits for budget deficits. The 17 euro members, plus another six countries, will now sign up to what the eurozone leaders called an “international agreement”. Read the full text of the statement by the eurozone heads of government.

2. #MORTGAGES: Four Irish banks have said they will not pass on the full 0.25 per cent ECB interest rate cut to variable rate mortage holders. Bank of Ireland will pass on a 0.15 per cent rate to variable rate customers, while AIB, National Irish Bank and Ulster Bank have said they will only pass on the 0.25 per cent cut to tracker customers. KCB says it is reviewing the situation.

3. #PUBLIC SECTOR: Speaking at the Public Accounts Committee yesterday, Brendan Howlin said he believed 9,000 people will leave the public service in 2012. One thousand such workers are expected to be teachers, the Irish Examiner reports.

4. #PROTEST: Protesters will gather outside Leinster House later today to voice concerns that hundreds of Community Employment Schemes could fold as a result of the Budget for next year, reports RTÉ.

5. #CANCER: People living in the Republic are at greater risk of developing cancer than those living in Northern Ireland, according to new study. The All Ireland Cancer Atlas analysed 18 forms of cancer over a 12-year period and found that those in the Republic were significantly more likely to develop non-melanoma skin cancer, melanoma, leukaemia, bladder cancer, pancreatic cancer, and cancer of the brain or central nervous system. The likelihood of developing lung cancer was higher in Northern Ireland.

6. #RYANAIR: The airline has announced that it is to increase fees for baggage checked in during peak times. The fees will increase by €5 for baggage checked in online, while bag fees paid at call centres and airports will increase by at least €25 (from €35 to €60) per bag, during June, July, Aug, Sept and Christmas 2012.

7. #VIRGINIA TECH: The lockdown at Virginia Tech has been lifted this morning, following the deaths of two people during a shooting on campus. One of the dead has been confirmed to be Deriek W Crouse, a campus police officer and army veteran; unconfirmed reports have suggested the second person is the gunman.

8. #CLIMATE CHANGE: The Durban climate change talks are to wind-up today, with greater support for Europe’s call for a new deal to be agreed by all major nations by 2015, reports Reuters. Significantly, however, the US, China and India have showed resistance to the proposal.

9. #BAD REPUTATION: Rats conjure up all sorts of associations – disease, dishonesty and errant lovers – however you may be surprised to hear a new word applied to them: altruism.

A new study, during which test rats were given the opportunity to rescue others trapped in cages, appears to have uncovered their benevolent side. The rats seemed to show genuine empathy with their fellow-rodents – even passing up the temptation of chocolate in favour of helping to free their distressed friends, the Telegraph reports.