A Beijing Opera actress applies makeup at the back stage before the show begins in Shanghai, China. Beijing Opera, Chinese theatrical performance, has been a popular entertainment with combination of theatrical performance, music, dance and acrobatics. Pic: AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko

HERE ARE THE things we learned, loved and shared today as we round off the day in three easy steps.

THINGS WE LEARNED

#ABORTION In excess of 15,000 people turned out for a pro-life vigil in Dublin city centre today. The event passed off peacefully and among those attending was Tyrone football manager Mickey Harte. Also today, Archbishop of Dublin, Diarmuid Martin, said he thinks that politicians should have a free vote on the Protection of Life During Pregnancy bill, but this was rejected by Taoiseach Enda Kenny.

#COURT A teenager will appear in court in connection with a serious assault that occurred last night on College Green in Dublin city centre. The 19-year-old was one of three people arrested last night following the incident. The other two people were released without charge.

#FUNERAL Gardaí in riot gear attended the funeral of the former IRA chief of staff, Ruairí Ó Brádaigh. There were no arrests at the funeral, and gardaí said the members of the force in riot gear were there for ‘operational reasons’.

#SHOOTING Five people were reported dead and five others injured after a domestic violence incident turned into a rampage in California. The killings began when the gunman shot his father and brother dead. He also killed two bystanders before carjacking a vehicle and going to Santa Monica College, where he fired on people.  The shooter was killed by police gunfire.

#MANDELA Former South African president Nelson Mandela is said to be in a ‘serious but stable’ condition in hospital. He is suffering from a recurrent lung infection, and was admitted to hospital in the early hours of today. Mandela turns 95 next month.

#MISSING A third sum of money has been reported missing from a garda premises. The money was recovered during an investigation in 2009 and searches are now underway in a north Dublin garda district, with a number of units used by gardaí for the storage of investigation exhibits being examined. It is believed the money totals around €27,000.

Cuchulainn battles Ferdia at Dundalk Town Square as part of the Tain March this afternoon. Pic: Jason McGee

THINGS WE LOVED

• Patrick Downes and Jessica Kensky Downes were both at the Boston Marathon when two bombs were exploded – and both lost a leg in the attack. Eight weeks into their healing, they have written a heartfelt message of thanks to everyone who supported them.

• Insert 'he didn't see it coming' joke here: Psychic Derek Acorah had a performance at the Carnegie Hall theatre in Fife cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances.
• Do you finish articles you read online? Or do you skim them before tweeting or Facebooking them? This article by Slate - cunningly called You Won't Finish This Article - delves further into the subject.
• How cute are these two fellas? They were out enjoying the summer sun yesterday. Thanks to Alan P Ludlow for sending this photo in.
  

THINGS WE SHARED

• Robert Conrad risked his freedom to sneak into the decaying bunker where Adolf Hitler spent his last days in Berlin, to take photographs of the building before it was demolished. The photos have surfaced online and give a glimpse into the dark history of World War II.
• Want to see a prankster photoshopping people into an ad... while they stand at a bus stop? Here you go:

(AdobeNordic/YouTube) via Gawker

• Every journalist has had a nightmare interview. These are some of the best examples of 'worst celebrity interviews' that we've read in a while, courtesy of the Guardian.

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