EVERY EVENING, TheJournal.ie brings you a roundup of the day’s main stories – as well as any bits and pieces you may have missed…

The death of Kim Jong-il:

• North Korean leader Kim Jong-il has died. There were extraordinary scenes on the streets of Pyongyang as citizens mourned his passing – watch the incredible video here.
• In the wake of his death, we’ve been looking at the isolated nation’s up-and-down relationship with Ireland – did you know they sent best wishes to Michael D Higgins on his election? – and pulling together what we know about his son and successor, Kim Jong-un.
• Living in South Korea, Hayley Millar was surprised nobody was celebrating the death of their long-time enemy. So she asked around for some answers.
• And remember the time Kim Jong-il shot 38 under par at Pyongyang Golf Course? His day out included five holes in one… or at least that’s what the North Korean media said.

And the day’s other news:

• Comprehensive statistics were released today, charting some dramatic changes in Ireland’s health and hospitals over the last decade. We’ve pulled out the key figures.
• Will Ireland get a better bailout deal in return for passing any referendum? The Government says maybe.
• Meanwhile, it’s emerged finance ministers including Michael Noonan will hold a teleconference over the recent agreement – and one official has ditched the project in disgust.

Our best friends… The new headquarters of the European Central Bank under construction in Frankfurt, Germany (Michael Probst/AP/Press Association Images)

• Can you guess how many people have been jailed for not paying fines this year?
• The Garda Ombudsman is still seeking help in identifying a mystery man who was found unconscious outside a Dublin hotel at the weekend.
• People call their cigarettes all kinds of things – but “sports socks”? Customs seized nine million in a disguised consignment over the weekend…
• The Government has published the last remaining sections of the Cloyne report, including allegations surrounding the behaviour of ‘Fr Ronat’ as late as 2009.
• A man has been arrested by police investigating the murder of a New York woman burned to death in her apartment lift on Saturday.
• Heading away for Christmas? Social media users have been warned not to broadcast their plans online – you never know who might be reading. And if you’re driving, check out our essential checklist.
• Many of us may be putting in some quality time with the telly over the next couple of weeks. So do you leave appliances on standby, or turn them off completely?
• It may be a bit early to be thinking about New Year’s resolutions, but singer Jessie J has revealed an unusual one: to gain more weight.
• And finally: Can your cat do this?

(Video: TheCOCOandLEON)

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