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

1.#SHUFFLE ‘EM: The current cabinet meets today for what is likely to be the last time. Afterwards, the Taoiseach and Tánaiste meet to discuss the priorities of the government.

2.#LAST CHANCE: The IMPACT trade union has warned that a hearing at the Labour Relations Commission today is the “final opportunity” to avert strike action at South Dublin County Council.

3.#PAY UP: Those who wait until after they hit 35 to take out health insurance will have to pay at least 2% more than those who take it up earlier under new rules announced by the government.

4.#ALL ABOARD!: One Direction played a role in Irish Rail’s passenger numbers climbing by nearly 3% in the first six months of the year.

5.#ISRAEL: Israeli war planes have launched an offensive against Hamas in Gaza. Warplanes unleashed more than 50 strikes yesterday.

6.#ADRIAN FOLAN: A man remains in custody in connection with the discovery of a body in Clare yesterday. The body of 41-year-old Adrian Folan was found in a quarry near the Cliffs of Moher.

7.#JAPAN: Japan is braced for one of the worst storms in years. Typhoon Neoguri has reached the souther Okinawa island chain. The US Air Force base at Kadena has been evacuated.

8.#PISTORIUS: The defence in the case of former Olympian Oscar Pistorius will rest today.  The trial of Pistorius, accused of murdering his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, will now break while both sides prepare their closing arguments.

9.#GARTH BROOKS: The row rumbles on today, with the Irish Daily Mail reporting that some of the complaints made may have been faked and the Irish Mirror saying that a ship containing Brooks’ stage could be turned around.