Thai Buddhist monks release lanterns in Bangkok, Thailand (Image: Wason Wanichakorn/AP).

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

THINGS WE LEARNED:

#BUDGET 2013: This afternoon the government’s Finance Team announced Ireland’s sixth austerity budget this afternoon with plans to increase tax to take in €1.1 billion in 2014 and reduce spending by just under €2 billion. The introduction of a new local property tax, increases in excise duty and a rise in PRSI contributions are just some of the main points of Budget 2013.

#GARDA STATIONS: One hundred garda stations are to close and 28 districts will be amalgamated into 14, Justice Minister Alan Shatter announced today. The garda station at Dublin Airport and six stations in Cork City will also have their opening hours revised.

#TOXIC: Eighteen people were injured today when a toxic gas was leaked from a vessel at Warrenpoint Harbour in Co Down. A 50 meter cordon was put in place, a number of homes were evacuated and residents nearby were advised to close all windows and doors.

#UNEMPLOYENT: The number of people on the Live Register fell in November, bringing the standardised unemployment rate marginally down to 14.6 per cent. Figures published by the CSO this morning show numbers on the register are currently 2,895 lower than October. The Taoiseach said the reduction in numbers signing on was attributable to the numbers in JobBridge or Tús placements.

#CORRUPTION: Ireland has been given its worst ever ranking on a global corruption index, ranked 25 out of 176 countries, suggesting that corruption here is a bigger problem than in some developing nations. The worst performing countries are Afghanistan, North Korea and Somalia, while Denmark, Finland and New Zealand are perceived to be the least corrupt countries of those surveyed.

Santas warm up in preparation for the Great Edinburgh Santa Run to be held at the Meadowbank stadium in Edinburgh on December 9th (Image: Davin Cheskin/PA Wire).

THINGS WE LOVED:

• These photos of life in the British Raj in India which were found in a shoe box. It is thought that the negatives remained untouched for almost 100 years.
• We’ve all had a good giggle at the odd pictures that often accompany safety instructions. These parodies really hit the nail on the head. We particularly loved the saucy CPR instructions ;)
• Our economic analyst Mr Steve TheCat was on hand today to give his assessment of the various budget announcements. And he suited up for the occasion.
• This video has Neil Patrick Harris, puppets and a truckload of innuendo. What’s not to love?

(Uploaded by Nerdist Channel)

THINGS WE SHARED:

• For anyone looking to escape from a the dreary Budget 2013 announcements, we shared these 12 foolproof ways to avoid Budget Day.
• A timelapse with a difference, this video made us feel a bit dizzy but it shows some incredible views from Cambodia.

(Uploaded by Andy Blalock)

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