EVERY DAY, TheJournal.ie brings you nine things you need to know with your morning coffee.
1. #EGYPT The Israeli ambassador to Egypt has fled the country with his family after the Israeli embassy was stormed by protesters in Cairo last night. Hundreds of people were injured in the rampage, which came amid deteriorating ties between Israel and post-Hosni Mubarak Egypt.
2. #9/11 The Twitter account of US broadcaster NBC was hacked yesterday and false details about an attack at Ground Zero in New York were tweeted before the account was suspended and an apology issued. The Script Kiddies, who previously hacked the account of Fox News, have claimed responsibility.
3. #USA Meanwhile there is heightened security in New York and Washington amid warnings of al-Qaeda car bomb attacks. The New York Times reports that vehicles have been searched and bomb-sniffing dogs deployed, while Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has said that there were “specific, credible, but unconfirmed reports that al-Qaeda is seeking to harm Americans”.
4. #PENSIONS The Irish Independent reports this morning that up to 55 senior civil servants stand to receive six figure retirement packages if they retire by February. The amounts will be slashed after February, but civil servants have until November to sign up for the current retirement deals. It comes in the wake of news of former Secretary General to the Government Dermot McCarthy’s retirement package of more than €700,000.
5. #SUICIDE It’s World Suicide Prevention Day and there are a number of events taking place around the country to remember those who have died by suicide and to raise awareness. The Console Memorial Walk will take place in the Phoenix Park this morning, while a ‘Climb of Hope’ is taking place at Croagh Patrick in Co. Mayo. Yesterday president Mary McAleese said that more needs to be done to tackle the issue.
6. #LIBYA Battles are continuing in the towns of Bani Walid and Sirte in Libya as a deadline for those loyal to Muammar Gaddafi to surrender approaches today. Anti-Gaddafi forces say they are close to taking Bani Walid, while fighters have clashed with loyalists outside the former leader’s home town of Sirte.
7. #HAPPY BIRTHDAY BERTIE Former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern celebrated his 60th birthday in style last night with a bash at Croke Park, organised by his daughters. According to the Irish Independent the guest of honour sneaked into the party away from the main entrance, while the Irish Times reports that Ahern’s ex-wife Miriam, Dublin football manager Pat Gilroy and Charlie McCreevy were among those on the guestlist.
8. #ANONYMOUS Want to know what some of the faces behind the hacker group Anonymous look like? They’re not so anonymous anymore after Talking Points Memo published the mugshots of 16 alleged members of the group arrested by the FBI in July.
9. #MASS And finally, if you’re a mass-goer you can expect a bit of a shake-up to services this weekend. According to the Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference there will be changes to a number of aspects, including the Gloria, the Apostles’ Creed, and the invitation to Communion. However the structure and order of the mass will not be changing. The changes will be made known to the congregation on cards handed out in churches this weekend.
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