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

IRELAND

President Catherine Connolly with elves as she switches on the Christmas lights at Aras an Uachtaráin. Rollingnews.ie Rollingnews.ie

• Eimer McAuley reports on the death of Naomi James. Naomi had given birth at home without the assistance of a medical professional after getting involved in the online freebirthing world. Her brother warns of the dangerous nature of such births.
• A number of questions have yet to be answered in relation to the secret deal to house former Garda Commissioner Drew Harris, Labour TD Eoghan Kenny has said.
• The Minister for Children Children is set to unveil her long-awaited childcare action plan later this month, but it is not expected to set out a strict timeline for cutting the cost of childcare to €200 per month.
• There is “no scientific support” for a mandatory waiting period for abortions in Ireland, according to the chief medical director of the Irish Family Planning Association (IFPA).
• Did you or someone you know buy a Daily Millions Plus ticket in Donegal in October? Do you remember where you were on 10 October? Were you perhaps in the Ardara area of Donegal – maybe even at Ardara Filling Station – where you purchased a Lotto ticket?
• The outgoing head of the Irish Naval Service has said his organisation must change and not be “stuck in its ways” to respond to what he termed was the new Cold War level of threat.
• A man “wrongly accused” of the murder of Ashling Murphy has suffered a range of mental health problems over recent years, a court heard as he rejected shoplifting allegations.
• As the Ukrainian President arrived in Ireland, the Irish Naval Service off the coast of Dublin were watching a nearby cargo vessel which had previously been linked to cable damage in the Baltic Sea.

INTERNATIONAL

People walk through Elhamedya market in Damascus, which is decorated by flags marking the first anniversary of the fall of Assad. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

#LEBANON The Lebanese Armed Forces has said it arrested six suspects they allege fired shots at Irish peacekeepers earlier this week. 

#WASHINGTON DC EU Foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said today that the United States is still Europe’s main ally as she sought to downplay a new US National Security Strategy critical of European institutions.

#SOUTH AFRICA A mass shooting carried out by multiple suspects in an unlicensed bar near the South African capital has left at least 11 people dead, including three children.

PARTING SHOT

This year’s Late Late Toy Show kicked off with a bang last night as viewers were transported to Whoville.

Patrick Kielty zip lined into the studio as the The Grinch and joined the hundreds of children singing Christmas songs. The night went on to feature CMAT, Roy Keane, Kingfishr and of course, children demonstrating their toys and personalities. 

If you missed it, we have the top moments here.

So today we asked you: What did you think of last night’s Late Late Toy Show?

And the results are in: