The Olympics archery competition kicks off at the Lord’s Cricket Ground. Entrants entered trials today to determine the draw for the individual and group phases. (Adam Davy/PA Wire)

THINGS WE LEARNED:

#BANKS: AIB is to close 67 branches – and raise its variable mortgage interest rates by 0.5 per cent – after revealing another disappointing set of financial results, losing €1.1 billion in the first half of the year. The bank has been criticised for its branch closures, which have been seen by many as targeting rural areas.

#JAPAN: An American 19-year-old is to face a full trial over the murder of DCU student Nicola Furlong in Tokyo in May. The American, who has not been named, could have been considered a juvenile under Japanese law – but, as an adult, could face life in jail if convicted.

#QUINNS: Bankrupt former billionaire Seán Quinn has admitted he made a “conscious decision” to try and put his overseas assets beyond the reach of IBRC to stop it from taking his wealth – in breach of court orders. He told Shannonside radio, however, that he felt his family had been turned into “scapegoats” as IBRC seeks to recoup some of the money it’s lost.

#COLORADO: James Holmes, the chief suspect in last week’s cinema massacre in Colorado, has told prison guards he has absolutely no recollection of the massacre – and that he’s not sure why he’s in prison. Prison staff believe his claims are a ruse to try and escape a harsh sentence.

#LONDON 2012: Well, need we say more? The opening ceremony kicks off in just an hour’s time – with all eyes on whatever Danny Boyle has managed to come up with for the opening spectacle. Katie Taylor will lead the Irish team into the arena.

THINGS WE LOVED:

• Yesterday we took the mick out of the New York Times – so today we’re offering some balance. With the night that’s in it, here’s a profile of Irish Olympic gymnast Kieran Behan – and how he’s made the Olympics, despite doctors once saying he’d never walk again.
• The headline on this piece from USA Today: ‘Belarus admits air invasion by teddy bears‘. Way to make a point…
• The way that Bray is getting behind its favourite daughter. Here’s Hilpa Adams, Stephen McDonald and Pauline Hughes getting into the Olympic spirit. The town council has organised a public screening of tonight’s Olympic Opening Ceremony on the main street, while local heroine Katie Taylor carries the Irish flag into the stadium in London. (Sasko Lazarov/Photocall Ireland)

Many hands join in to help as an anaconda snake at the Oklahoma City Zoo has dental floss taped to its head and along its body as it is measured. The floss and tape are necessary because it would be nearly impossible to stretch out the snake. The anaconda weighed 152 lbs – that’s almost 11 stone – and measured 16 feet. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

THINGS WE SHARED:

• This ‘worst case scenario’ video. What happens if you’re choking, and there’s nobody around to save you? Well, this former boxer reckons he has an idea. What’s the worst that could happen?
• The ‘Five Year Photo’ project, where the same five friends meet up at Copco Lake in California every five years, to take the same photo every time, as a tribute to their friendship. (h/t Gawker)
• This cartoon from ‘Sminky Animation’, aka Cork IT student Andrew James. Oirishly brilliant, brilliantly Irish. More on his YouTube.

(SminkyAnimation/Youtube)

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