EVERY MORNING TheJournal.ie brings you the stories you need to know as you wake up.

1. #RIP: Tributes are being paid to George Micheal, following the pop superstar’s death at the age of 53.

2. #PLANE CRASH: A massive search operation is under way in the Black Sea after a Russian military plane crashed. All 84 passengers and eight crew members are believed to have died.

3. #CRUMLIN: Gardaí are appealing for witnesses after a motorcyclist in his 20s died in a single vehicle road crash in Dublin the early hours of Christmas Day.

4. #CARRIE FISHER: Star Wars actress Carrie Fisher is in a “stable condition” following her heart attack, her mother, actress Debbie Reynolds, has tweeted.

5. #WINTER SALES: As shops open again this morning, consumers are being reminded that their rights remain the same during winter sales.

6. #FAKE NEWS: A fake news story has kicked off a Twitter row between nuclear powers Pakistan and Israel, the Guardian reports.

7. #THE DRONES: Did you get a drone for Christmas? Here’s some advice before you take flight.

8. #DEEPLY DIPPY: In case you missed it – here’s our roundup of photos from yesterday’s Christmas Day swims.

9. #THE OUTLOOK: Finally… Heading for a run or a swim today? It will be cold and windy with highest temperatures of 7 to 9 degrees, according to Met Éireann.