NEED TO CATCH up? TheJournal.ie brings you a round-up of today’s news.

It's officially the start of the festive period whether you like it or not. Here's Santa arriving at Arnotts department store in Dublin today. Arnotts Arnotts

• Al Porter resigned from Today FM.
• A youth was arrested after a man was shot in Athlone, Westmeath.
• Some Ryanair customers are still waiting for their refunds two months after the airline announced it had to cancel thousands of flights.
• Dublin, Cork and Limerick’s Christmas lights were turned on this evening but organisers had to change the procedures this year after overcrowding problems last time.
• The Capuchin Day Centre has reported a surge in demand for nappies as demand from struggling parents increases.
• A 12-year-old girl died in Newry after a beach buggy crashed into a car.
• CopperFaceJacks had another bumper year as accumulated profits at the firm soared to €72 million.
• Gerry Adams announced that he will not stand in the next presidential election.

WORLD

Protesters demanding President Robert Mugabe stand down. SIPA USA / PA Images SIPA USA / PA Images / PA Images

#ZIMBABWE: Robert Mugabe has been removed as leader of his power but hasn’t resigned his presidency yet.

#TURKEY: The Government banned all LGBT events in the Ankara region.

#FRANCE: A police officer killed three people before turning the gun on himself in Paris.

PARTING SHOT

There is just something Irish people love about Peter Kay. The Bolton comic (who’s mammy is Irish) sells out shows here no matter when or how he announces them.

His tickets only went on sale today. They sold out. He announced three more dates. That seems to be the natural way of things for him.

This is the comic’s first tour in eight years. Looks like a lot of people got on t’internet – searched it, booked it and fecked right off.