An Egyptian youth yells at riot police during a protest held by Muslim Salafi groups against the French military attacks in Mali, in front of the French embassy in Cairo, Egypt. (AP Photo/Khalil Hamra)

HERE ARE THE things we learned, loved and shared today.

THINGS WE LEARNED:

#HOSTAGES: It is believed that around 32 foreign nationals are still unaccounted for as a hostage situation continues in eastern Algeria. Earlier, David Cameron revealed that, like Eamon Gilmore, he had not been not advised of the Algerian authorities’ attempts to free some hostages yesterday until the operation was underway. Irish hostage Stephen McFaul is due to arrive home later tonight.

#BULLYING: TDs are set to vote next week on approving legislation which will make it a legal requirement for the boards of management of Irish schools to adopt measures to counter and prevent bullying. Sinn Féin has tabled the legislation.

#INQUEST: An official inquest into the death of Savita Halappanavar has begun in Galway. The inquest will look at the circumstances surrounding Halappanavar’s death on 28 October last year. Her husband Praveen was among those in attendance today.

#SNEACHTA: Ireland has seen its first snow of 2013, with over 5cm of snowfall reported in areas in the east and south-east of the country. Met Éireann has warned of ‘blizzard conditions’ in the northeast and northwest of the country later today, while the Road Safety Authority has urged motorists to drive with caution. The Department of Transport website now includes a page with links to the most up-to-date travel information.

#GOLD MINE: Further tests on a site in Co Monaghan have returned “highly positive” results for the presence of gold. Conway Gold and Natural Resources says the development of a mine at Clontibret – where gold flotation rates are higher, and sulphur rates lower, than expected – may now be able to begin more effectively.

#APOLOGY: The Irish woman who was sued by Lance Armstrong after raising claims of his doping habits, while she worked as his masseuse, has rejected an apology from the shamed cyclist. Despite Armstrong telling Oprah Winfrey that Dubliner Emma O’Reilly was “one of these people that I have to apologise to”, O’Reilly told ITV that his confession was “old news” and said an apology was “not at all” enough.

THINGS WE LOVED:

• Irish roads can really vary in their, eh, roadworthiness, so what better way to let people know than by putting up a helpful sign. Good ‘ol Ireland.
• There was a 20-minute period earlier today when TheJournal.ie HQ became a bit of a giggle factory, and it was all down to this website. Browse to the page, enter the name of a website and try not to spill anything when you see the results. Fo shizzle.
• This friendly game of football needed something to give it a bit of a lift. It’s a good thing these two dogs came along so.

(Dudeabidez3/YouTube)

THINGS WE SHARED:

• Model Cameron Russell reveals the real story behind some of her most famous shots in a refreshing insight.
• IT’S SNOWING! Well, it was in parts of Ireland today anyway. Don’t believe us? Check out this footage from Wicklow. One word… brrrrrrr.

(Wick Low/YouTube)

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