US gymnast Kyla Ross performs on the balance beam during the Artistic Gymnastics women’s qualification at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Sunday, 29 July, 2012, in London. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

THINGS WE LEARNED:

#QUINN: Peter Darragh Quinn, who has evaded a Garda arrest warrant since 20 July, was reportedly seen at a GAA match in his native Fermanagh on Friday night. Meanwhile,the bank formerly known as Anglo Irish has reportedly received a boost in its attempts to retrieve assets which the family had put beyond its reach after a Russian court revoked a Belize company’s legal claim to ownership of the 20-storey Kutuzoff Tower in Moscow.

#GREECE: Auditors from the International Monetary Fund, European Central Bank and European Union currently in Greece are to remain in the country until a credible reform programme is formed, a finance ministry source said today. The IMF’s Poul Thomsen said the troika would help Greece finalise the new measures and would then draft a report that will pave the way for the next installment of its loan agreement. Meanwhile, the leaders of Germany and Italy have pledged to do whatever it takes to protect the eurozone.

#AID: Ireland is to give conflict-ravaged Somalia €3 million in vital assistance as beleaguered country faces another humanitarian crisis. The funding, which will provide food, shelter and other essential assistance, was announced by the Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore during a visit to the capital Mogadishu today.

#SYRIA: The Pope has appealed for an end to violence as Syria’s army continues its ferocious attacks on the city of Aleppo – while the country’s Foreign Minister has issued another strongly defiant statement, warning rebel fighters that they “will definitely be defeated” in the city. According to activists, up to 20,00 people have died since unrest began 17 months ago.

#LONDON 2012: Day two saw sailors Peter O’Leary and David Burrows lie second after the first two races in the Star Class, while Irish swimmers Grainne Murphy, Melanie Nocher and Sycerika McMahon were met with disappointment. Paula Radcliffe confirmed she is out of  next Sunday’s Olympic marathon, Eoin Rheinischfinished 12th overall after two clean runs in the K1 slalom, and Showjumper Denis Lynch’s appeal to CAS has been dismissed. For all the latest, check in with TheScore.ie.

A general view of the Woman’s Archery, at Lord’s Cricket Ground, London, on the second day of the London 2012 Olympics.
Picture date: Sunday July 29, 2012. Photo credit should read: Julien Behal/PA Wire

THINGS WE LOVED:

• Ireland is one of a kind. Where else could Che Guevara be interviewed by the national broadcaster with the last-minute help of an air hostess because nobody thought to arrange a translator? Where else would you hear a collective gasp when a someone turns down tickets to the Toy Show live on air? Here are 12 classic TV moments that make Ireland unique.
• Are you responsible for your own behaviour or can you blame your brain? Writing in the New York Times, John Monterosso explores the  questions raised about in the debate about neurotransmitters and culpability.
• On this day every year, thousands of pilgrims scramble up Mayo’s Croagh Patrick for Reek Sunday. Photographer Sergey Sergeev set out to capture the climb in beautiful black-and-white.
• Smoke everywhere, non-monetised public space and chirpy bus conductors: Ian Martin writes in the Guardian about the ten things he’ll miss about the 20th century.

THINGS WE SHARED:

• The most ridiculously overpriced items being sold online – including a VHS tape for $99,999,94 and balloons for $49,999,90 – have been carefully and hilariously compiled by Cracked.com.
• A swearing hotline has been created by two German entrepreneurs for angry people wanting to blow off steam without ruing their relationships/job/lives. And, at €1.49 a minute, we think it’s worth every cent.
• This would probably be the last thing you expect to see while taking an evening stroll…

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