Markus Deibler of Germany looks through a window during a practice in the pool at the Aquatics Centre in London’s Olympic Park. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

THINGS WE LEARNED:

#NAMA: Ireland’s national ‘bad bank’ had to write down the value of its property assets by €1.28 billion last year – but still managed to turn a healthy profit. NAMA’s accounts for 2011 show a profit of €247 million, compared to a €1.18 billion loss in 2010.

#QUINNS: Justice Peter Quinn of the Commercial Court has issued orders freezing the assets of two of Sean Quinn’s sons, and two of his sons-in-law – while slamming the family’s “chicanery and dishonesty”. The court approved an application from IBRC to appoint a receiver to the worldwide assets of many of the Quinns.

#SCHOOLS: The Educate Together movement is celebrating this evening after confirmation that it would be allowed to run secondary schools for the first time. The multi-denominational body will take over the patronage of two new schools in the next two years.

#FREEDOM OF INFORMATION: Ireland’s State-owned banks could come under the scope of Freedom of Information law, under plans outlined by Brendan Howlin today. Howlin says non-public bodies which have benefited from significant public funding will be made subject to public requests for information as he tries to make government bodies more transparent.

#COUNCILS: Some of Ireland’s 80 town and borough councils could be up for the chop under Phil Hogan’s plans for local government reform. The environment minister gave a peek at his plans at the MacGill summer school today – and said some councils would have to go.

THINGS WE LOVED:

• The cracking vintageness of the discovery that the Irish government will (or, at least, used to) sell you a floppy disk for 51c.
• This straight-forward disclosure of what the fire alarm at the Santa Monica Place shopping centre sounds like.
• Buzzfeed’s very straightforward list with 42 reasons why Nicolas Cage is the greatest actor of our generation.

ALONE, the charity which provides support to older people in need, today held a Commemoration Event at Glasnevin Cemetery to mark its 35th anniversary. The event honoured the charity’s users and volunteers over its 35-year history. Picture: Jason Clarke Photography

THINGS WE SHARED:

• Finally, somebody did it! You may have heard that longstanding internet rumour that the words of Pink Floyd’s album ‘Dark Side of the Moon’ match the visuals to The Wizard of Oz. Well, now you can judge it in full for yourself.
• Many Irish people will admit they can’t follow the rules of cricket. Therefore, this video – proclaiming to be what Americans imagine cricket to be like – might ring some bells…
• Last week we shared Channel 4′s preview ad for its coverage of the Paralympics. Here’s another one, featuring wheelchair rugby. They don’t call it murderball for nothing…

• (briandenis1/Youtube)