Lebanese army soldiers with their armored personnel carrier, stand guard outside a Burger King as part of stepped up security measures in the southern port city of Sidon, Lebanon. Angry protesters attacked a Hardees and Kentucky Fried Chicken outlets on Friday to protest against a movie that insults Prophet Muhammad. (AP Photo/Mohammed Zaatari)

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

THINGS WE LEARNED

#STAR CONTROVERSY: Richard Desmond, whose company Northern And Shell, part-owns the Irish Daily Star has said he is “taking immediate steps to close down the joint venture” after the newspaper published controversial photographs of a topless Kate Middleton. The decision also upset its other owners Independent News & Media which called the decision “regrettable and in poor taste”.

#DEBT DEAL: Finance Minister Michael Noonan was in almost jubilant form today as his confidence in Ireland’s ability to strike a deal on its bank debt soared. The renewed faith came after he saw “very strong support” for making the country’s debt more sustainable among his European colleagues during a two-day trip to Cyprus.

#PENSIONERS While talking to reporters in Cyprus, Noonan refused to be drawn on comments by Junior Minister Brian Hayes that “very well off” pensioners still have their incomes in tact despite austerity measures. Noonan said it would be “bad practice” to comment on something he had not read in full, while he was abroad.

#IRA MEMBERSHIP: Three men, including the 22-year-old brother of murdered Real IRA member Alan Ryan, have been charged with membership of an unlawful organisation. The charges come after Gardaí launched an investigation into events at Ryan’s paramilitary-style funeral last week.

#GLOBAL PROTESTS: Protests over an anti-Islam film that mocks the prophet Mohammed continued across the globe today, spreading to Sydney in Australia where police clashed with demonstrators at Hyde Park. Meanwhile, Al Qaeda has used the opportunity to call for more attacks on US embassies in Muslim nations.

#POSSIBLE BIGAMY: Zimbabwean Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai has married his bride in a traditional wedding ceremony in Harare today despite a court ruling that cancelled his marriage license because of fears that he would be committing bigamy. The 60-year-old exchanged vows and rings with Elizabeth Macheka at a luxury location but did not sign the legal register. A court has declared the leader already married under tribal law after seeing video footage of another bride price being paid to a family last November.

THINGS WE LOVED

• This image of Dublin model Sheila McDonough as she fried some eggs on the roof of her car while it was parked at Seapoint in June 1959.
• The enterprise of a Donegal sweet shop which has hidden a ticket to the All-Ireland final in one of its Lucky Bags. And in case you think we’re biased, we also loved this picture of some Mayo kids getting ready for their big day out.
• We’re not sure if we’d like to live in these cave homes, but it is cool that somebody does – especially the Flinstones and Tellytubbies ones.

THINGS WE SHARED

• As election fever continues to gather momentum in the US, New York Magazine has compiled a slideshow of some of the most deliciously awkward moments provided by political kids. Complete with 1990s fashions by Chelsea Clinton and cute intentions from an 8-year-old Amy Carter.
• It’s Saturday night. You’re on the Internet. You’re obviously looking for a video of a cat sitting up straight and staring into the distance, right?