An Afghan policeman demonstrates skills during a graduation ceremony in Herat west of Kabul, Afghanistan (AP Photo/Hoshang Hashimi)

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

THINGS WE LEARNED

#PERSONAL INSOLVENCY: Permanent TSB has hit back at criticism of its public interest director Ray MacSharry by Justice Minister Alan Shatter over the new personal insolvency law as more of the banks’ public interest directors were grilled by politicians today over their role and their pay.

#CANNABIS: There have been eight arrests following the seizure of thousands of cannabis plants with an estimated street value of €4.6 million. Raids were carried out in Longford, Westmeath, Louth, Wexford, Dublin and Mayo yesterday.

#DAVID BLACK: Two men have appeared in courts in Lisburn and Dublin charged in connection with the murder of prison officer David Black who was shot dead as he drove to work in Maghaberry prison in Northern Ireland on 1 November, BBC News reports. A 44-year-old man was arrested in Dublin yesterday and was due in court today.

#NURSES: The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation has slammed the HSE for a “cheap labour scam” following its proposal last week to recruit up to 1,000 graduates into the health service next year on 80 per cent of the starting salary for a staff nurse.

#HOME FOR CHRISTMAS: Jailed businessman Seán Quinn has been granted temporary release from Mountjoy Prison for Christmas. The former billionaire will be allowed spend the 24, 25 and 26 December with his family but will miss his granddaughter’s Christening this Saturday, RTÉ reports.

#POSTAGE STAMPS: An Post wants to increase the price of sending a standard letter from 55 cent to 65 cent – an 18 per cent hike. Under law, the postal service must seek approval for the increase from the Communications Regulator which it has written to and now a public consultation is under way.

THINGS WE LOVED

• This incredible piece of multimedia journalism from the New York Times on the avalanche at Tunnel Creek in Washington which killed three people last February.
• With Christmas days away houses up and down the country have their bright lights on display in gardens and on rooftops. These are six of the brightest houses in the country.
• Speaking of lights check out this picture from the Freedom Tower at the World Trade Center site in New York right now which is lit up like a Christmas tree for the holiday season. Beautiful:

Pic: Craig Kanalley/Huffington Post

THINGS WE SHARED

• These great photos of Enda Kenny making a visit to the veterinary hospital at the DSPCA in Rathfarnham in Dublin today.
• These great Christmas card designs from Jarlath Regan (click here for a bigger image). More of that sort of thing on his website and Twitter account:

• Finally, Fox News had a special guest this morning, this Santa Claus. He drives a ‘Santa Mobile’ and has a massive belt buckle but he’s not wishing you a ‘Happy Holidays’. Here’s why:

YouTube: ThinkProgress TP