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

IRELAND 

RollingNews.ie RollingNews.ie

• Glen Hansard was joined by Hozier, Chris Dignam, Kodaline, and others for an impromptu performance at Apollo House
• A man who raped and brutally beat his wife was jailed for five years
• The gardaí were given new powers to test drivers for drugs
• The Barracuda in Bray was given a full publicans drinks licence certificate
• ESB said it would replace 27,000 meters that may be overcharging customers
• The four star Slieve Russell Hotel was forced to close its doors temporarily because of a winter vomiting bug

WORLD

Markus Schreiber Markus Schreiber

#GERMANY: The so-called Islamic State group claimed responsibility for a fatal attack on a Christmas market in Berlin yesterday evening that killed 12 people.

#RUSSIA: President Vladimir Putin vowed to step up the fight against terrorism after the assassination of Russia’s ambassador to Turkey in Ankara yesterday.

#NORTH KOREA: A North Korean diplomat vowed to devote himself to exposing the cruelties of the Pyongyang regime and encouraging others to escape.

PARTING SHOT

President Michael D Higgins released his Christmas address to the nation, and as you’d expect – it’s thoughtful, political, and delivered passionately.