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

IRELAND

A new survey found that 77% of women put more effort into their appearance around Christmas. /Photocall Ireland /Photocall Ireland

• Mortgage deposit requirements for first-time buyers were reduced by the Central Bank.
• Taoiseach Enda Kenny is set to meet Pope Francis in the Vatican next week.
• Locals in Maynooth are rallying around in support of student Kym Owens who was attacked in the town on Sunday evening.
• New figures show the number of families homeless in Dublin has trebled in two years.
• Taoiseach Enda Kenny says he didn’t have the opportunity to raise J-1 issue with either Donald Trump or Mike Pence.
• The Guerin report has been removed from government websites. Alan Shatter has welcomed the move.
• A woman was seriously injured when she was knocked down by a truck in Dublin.
• Ireland has given over €20 million in aid to Syria. The State’s largest response to any humanitarian crisis.
• The parks service is appealing a decision to award €40,000 to a woman who fell and injured herself while hillwalking.

WORLD

President Barack Obama, with his nephews Aaron Robinson and Austin Robinson at the annual White House turkey pardoning. Manuel Balce Ceneta Manuel Balce Ceneta

#JUSTICE: Thomas Lair was found guilty of the murder of Labour MP Jo Cox and sentenced to whole life term.

#RECOUNT?: Hillary Clinton is being urged to call for a recount in three crucial swing states because of “persuasive evidence” of possible hacking.

#TRUMP’S TEAM: Regardless, Donald Trump is continuing to build his administration and will appoint South Carolina governor Nikki Haley as UN ambassador.

INNOVATION

• The US Navy’s brand new $4.4 billion destroyer broke down in the Panama Canal.

PARTING SHOT

https://www.facebook.com/Channel4News/videos/10154270962066939/

Last night, Barack Obama dished out the hightest civilian honour to 21 deserving Americans. There were tears, but no moment quite as touching as when he handed the prized medal to Ellen DeGeneres.