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

IRELAND

Paul McNally from Dublin Fire Brigade plays during an RNLI Commemoration in Dun Laoghaire. Sasko Lazarov / Photocall Ireland Sasko Lazarov / Photocall Ireland / Photocall Ireland

• The High Court was today told an unborn’s right to life must take precedence over a mother’s “residual” right to dignity in death.
• A woman has been hospitalised after suffering serious stab wounds in Cavan.
• The teachers’ strike day was the busiest pre-Christmas shopping day this year.
• Tears and hugs aplenty as families fly in for Christmas.
• An elderly pedestrian was knocked down in Kilbarrack.
• After a last-minute plea to President Higgins not to sign to water bill, Sinn Féin and Fianna Fáil duked it out on Twitter.
• GAA club Tuam Stars are to hold a charity game between current players and emigrants home for Christmas.

INTERNATIONAL

An Aurora is seen on the horizon behind Bamburgh Lighthouse in Northumberland. Owen Humphreys / PA Wire Owen Humphreys / PA Wire / PA Wire

#FERGUSON: An 18-year-old black man was shot dead in Missouri. Police later released a video of him drawing a gun on an officer before the shooting.

#ISIS: A Jordanian pilot was captured after Islamic State militants shot down a coalition jet for the first time.

#DONATE: Homosexual men in the US will now be able to donate blood if they haven’t had sex in a year.

INNOVATION

• The Interview is now available to watch on Youtube (with a little help from Ireland) 
• Ryanair has set up a new website to cater for US customers, but transatlantic flights are still a while off.

PARTING SHOT

https://vine.co/v/OH7BIMXmYjq

Bono’s recent bike accident put pay to his usual annual involvement, but Glen Hansard, the Coronas and Paddy Casey still all busked on Dublin’s Grafton St for charity.