A girl wearing kimono poses for her father at a festival to celebrate children’s growth and pray for their future well-being, at Meiji Jingu in Tokyo today. (AP Photo/Itsuo Inouye)

HERE ARE THE things you need to know as we round off the day in three easy steps.

THINGS WE LEARNED

#SAVITA The father of Savita Halappanavar has called for change in the abortion law in Ireland. In an interview today, he appealed to Taoiseach Enda Kenny to make the change and help save women’s lives. Health Minister James Reilly has said the Government is likely to make an X Case decision early next year, while separately more than 50 members of the European Parliament have signed a letter calling on the Irish government to change abortion legislation.

#RTÉ RTÉ has said it accepts the findings of the editorial review of the Frontline Presidential Debate, and that it regrets the mistakes made in the preparation and broadcast of the programme. It said that it now has best-practice rules, procedures and protocols in place to reduce the risk of any recurrence of the mistakes.

#ROADS Today was a sad day on Ireland’s roads. Four people were hospitalised after a serious crash in Wicklow; a man in his 50s died after the car he was in collided with a wall in Co Galway; and a woman in her 20s died in a traffic collision in Ennis, Co Clare. Tragically, today is also World Remembrance Day for road traffic victims.

#COURT A man will appear in court tomorrow morning charged in relation to an armed robbery at a financial institution in Portmarnock. A second man was arrested in connection with the same robbery this morning.

#CONFLICT Israeli air strikes killed 21 Palestinians today in the bloodiest day so far of its massive air campaign on the Gaza Strip. Egypt is at the centre of efforts to broker a ceasefire, and  Palestinian officials said it was possible a deal would be reached “today or tomorrow.” Rockets were fired into Tel Aviv and were intercepted by the Iron Dome.

THINGS WE LOVED

At the Tattoo Convention Dublin today, tattoo artist Tess Wahlstrom from Sweden is pictured tattooing Trish Vannon Thompson from Co Meath.  Trish is pictured getting a portrait of her parents on her arm – it took around 6 hours to complete. Photo: Sam Boal/Photocall Ireland

• We adore these vintage film signs from Dublin’s Ambassador cinema, such as Gone With the Wind, Star Wars and Rocky – plus, did you know they were all hand-painted by one man? Incredible.
• These two men are in their 80s, and they’re best friends. They’re also great craic (even if 7pm is their bedtime) as this interview shows. (via Reddit)

(Foxsdenvlog/Youtube)

THINGS WE SHARED

• Is the Girl Guides a feminist organisation? According to Jane Martinson in the Guardian, it certainly is - and here’s why.
• One Direction are a pop phenomenon – and their star is in the ascent in the United States. Even if you’re most certainly not a fan, you may find this New York Times article about their fans utterly fascinating.
• What happens when a Red Panda baby is surprised? This. Poor surprised panda! (via Buzzfeed)

(Mmovies21/Youtube)

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