Pictured at the Project Arts Centre for Blue September – which challenges Irish men to face up to cancer – are the Rubberbandits, encouraging men to become more aware of their health. Photo: Sasko Lazarov/Photocall Ireland

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

THINGS WE LEARNED

#REILLY: Poor old James Reilly is in the wars again. The Health Minister has had to defend a decision to allocate two proposed primary care centres to his constituency despite the two areas – Swords and Balbriggan – not originally making a list submitted by the HSE.

#HOUSEHOLD CHARGE: The controversy over the household charge also rumbles on as the Department of Social Protection today had to assure welfare recipients that their benefit payments will not be linked to whether or not they have paid the €100 tax.

#IPHONE 5: Apple’s latest version of its revolutionary smartphone has gone on sale in some countries today with the usual degree of hysteria that will no doubt be repeated when it goes on sale in Ireland next week. Details here.

#MICHAELA: The husband of Michaela McAreavey, who was killed in Mauritius last year, has spoken of his “unwavering faith” and belief in God which has helped him since the tragic events of January 2011.

#RYAN: The brother of murdered Real IRA member Alan Ryan, Vincent Ryan, has been charged in connection with the 2011 death of Michael Kelly. Ryan appeared before a special criminal court today with co-accused Darragh Evans.

#PAKISTAN: At least 15 people have died following violent demonstrations in Pakistan where Muslims have been protesting against the US-made film and French cartoons which they say mocked their religion.

THINGS WE LOVED

• The ongoing fiasco over the new map software on Apple’s update to its iPhone and iPad operating systems led to this humorous sign at a London Underground station today.
• We were in fits of laughter after spending a bit of time with the excellent RTÉ Guide Twitter parody account.
• There was a presidential welcome for our golden girl Katie Taylor at Áras an Uachtaráin today:

Picture: Julien Behal/PA Wire

THINGS WE SHARED

• The next installment of the Scary Movie series looks like it could feature Charlie Sheen and Lindsay Lohan. Well then.
• And as it’s Friday we’re sticking with celebs or more accurately former celebs like that guy who played MacGyver. Whatever happened to that guy? This.
• Election day is almost upon us in the United States but how will one of America’s most famous dads, Homer Simpson, be voting?

YouTube: ANIMATIONonFOX

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