EVERY DAY, TheJournal.ie brings you nine things you should know with your morning cup of coffee.

1. #REFERENDUMS The government has expressed its disappointment after the referendum on Oireachtas inquiries was defeated yesterday. Fianna Fáil have lashed out at the government’s attitude to the referendum. with Justice Spokesperson Dara Calleary saying that “extreme arrogance” has been displayed. Yesterday the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform suggested that a ‘No’ vote might not be the end of the issue.

2. #PRESIDENT HIGGINS Michael D Higgins is waking up on his first full day as President-elect of Ireland, and preparations are now underway for his inauguration, which will take place in Dublin Castle on 11 November. RTÉ reports that the President-elect will attend a welcome home ceremony in Galway later today. Last night he hosted a reception in the Mansion House in Dublin.

3. #ARREST It appears that a man was arrested in the vicinity of the Occupy Dame Street camp in Dublin City Centre last night. The group explains on its Facebook page that police intervened after the man climbed a tree, and that several other people then became involved.

4. #FIRE A woman and two young children are in hospital in Cork this morning following a fire at their home in Cork City. It’s understood the blaze broke out on the ground floor of the house while the three slept upstairs. The three were given CPR at the scene and were taken to hospital in a critical condition.

5. #QANTAS The Australian government has sought a court order in try to resolve a dispute at the airline Qantas, which has grounded the entire fleet. Thousands of passengers are scrambling to get to their destinations after all Qantas flights were cancelled indefinitely.

6. #SYRIA The president of Syria, Bashar al-Assad has warned western governments that any action against his country would lead to “another Afghanistan”. In an interview with the Telegraph, Assad has warned of an “earthquake” that would “burn the whole region”.

7. #SNOW A rare snowstorm brought the east coast of America to a standstill yesterday, cutting power to more than 2 million homes. New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Massachusetts all declared weather emergencies, according to Reuters.

A Times Square Alliance worker clears snow in New York yesterday. Image: AP Photo/Tina Fineberg

8. #BIKERS A host of bikers took to the streets of Dublin City Centre yesterday in protest at proposed new rules for motorbike safety, which would make hi-vis clothing compulsory for all riders, and introduce new regulations on safety and maintenance. MAG, the Irish motorcyslists’ action group said thousands turned up at Leinster House for yesterday’s demonstration.

9. #CLOCKS Finally, did you remember that the clocks went back this morning? If you’re getting another hour in bed, enjoy!