Norway’s Tom Hilde soars through the air during the trial jump at the first stage of the four hills ski jumping tournament in Oberstdorf, southern Germany. Image: Kerstin Joensson/AP/Press Association Images

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

THINGS WE LEARNED

#HATE CRIME: A 31-year-old woman from New York has been charged by police over the death of Sunando Sen, a 46-year-old man originally from India, who was pushed into the path of an oncoming train on Friday night. Erika Menendez was quoted as saying her actions were motivated by hatred of Muslims and Hindus after 9/11.

#IRISH ABROAD: The tragic and violent deaths of young Irish women Nicola Furlong, Jill Meagher and Catherine Gowing in Japan, Australia and Wales earlier this year shocked the nation. The victims were three of 194 Irish citizens who died abroad during 2012, the Tánaiste confirmed today.

#SEANAD DAYS: A Millward/Brown poll for the Sunday Independent has found that 53 per cent of Irish people would like to see the Seanad abolished. Another 30 per cent want reform in the upper house.

#NORTHERN IRELAND: A suspect device, thought to be a viable bomb, has been found under the car of a policeman in east Belfast. A number of homes in the Upper Newtownards Road have been evacuated.

#SHE LIT A FLAME: Newspapers in India have christened the 23-year-old student who passed away yesterday following a savage sexual assault, Braveheart. In a poignant front-page editorial, the Hindustan Times claimed the Delhi girl died “but she lit a flame that will burn on”.

#ELEPHANT DEATHS: Staying in India, we learned that dozens of elephants have died in recent years after being struck while crossing railroad tracks that often run through national parks and forests. Five more were killed in eastern India today. Here, onlookers gather around one of the creatures after it was hit by a passenger train in the Rambha forest area.

Image: AP/Press Association Images

THINGS WE LOVED:

• That Gizmodo has recognised Ireland’s “awesome-looking water towers”, thanks to photographer Jamie Young’s project.

• These images, taken by PA’s Niall Carson, during a Coast Guard, RNLI training event in Howth today. Transport Minister Leo Varadkar was the guest of honour as he thanked the rescue network for the services they provide year-round to the public.
• Obviously, we love these people (and animals) because they were our favourite things about the Internet this year.

THINGS WE SHARED:

• This alternative map of the world, using the most common word in every Wikipedia article titled History of ‘___’. To zoom in for a closer look, click here.
• Paul Hyland has picked the 20 deadliest longreads of 2012, promising to keep you company until at least New Year’s Eve.
• It is wet ‘n’ windy tonight so if you’re venturing outside, would you be better running or walking? Physics has the answer. Yay!

(YouTube: minutephysics)

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