Revellers dressed up in Santa outfits gather at Trafalgar Square in London during a Santacon festival parade through the streets of London (Sang Tan/AP).

HERE ARE THE things you need to know as we round off the day in three easy steps.

THINGS WE LEARNED

#SHOOTING: It emerged today that the gunman who shot and killed 26 people, including 20 children in a school in Newtown Connecticut “forced his way” into the school. All of the victims have now been identified but Connecticut Police have yet to release any names, including the name of the shooter.

#KEAVENEY: Labour TD Colm Keaveney has said comments by some ministers and Labour party members about his vote against the government on the Social Welfare Bill are “cynical” attempts to distract from issues around the budget.

#INDUSTRIAL ACTION: Trade Union SIPTU confirmed today that its members are set to ballot for industrial action against Bus Éireann over pay cuts and changes to their conditions of employment.

#FLOODS: High tides and winds are expected to continue along the Dublin coast this weekend with the Coast Guard urging people to avoid exposed cliffs or harbour walls. Recent rainfall levels across the country have varied from 10mm to 35mm.

#HOAX CALL: The family of a nurse who was found dead after being the victim of a prank call by Australian DJs while the Duchess of Cambridge was in hospital paid tribute to her today. After a memorial mass in London, Jacintha Saldanha’s husband said she was “the light in my darkness”.

#EGYPT: Egyptians began voting today on a new constitution supported by the ruling Islamists but contested by a secular-leaning opposition. International watchdogs have expressed concerns at loopholes in the new law that could weaken human rights in the country.

THINGS WE LOVED

• Buuzfeed’s 26 moments that restored our faith in humanity this year. Especially because Brian O’Driscoll’s hospital visit made it in.
• This made us feel very, very Christmassy. Watch Niamh Sharkey and a bunch of kids decorate the Hodges Figgis festive window display.

(YouTube/childrenslaureate)

THINGS WE SHARED

• Here’s one for the feminists, 10 things Irish women couldn’t do in the 1970s. We’ve come a long way ladies.
• Everyone has their own favourite Christmas film but today we’ve decided the best one is National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. Here are 9 reasons why.
• Forget onsies, they’re out. It’s all about the Christmas Sweatz this year people.

(YouTube/RhettandLink)

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