World famous food artist Prudence Staite putting the final touches to her life-size version of the iconic Molly Malone statue made out of Cadbury Dairy Milk chocolate in Dundrum Town Centre. Pic: Leon Farrell/Photocall Ireland

THINGS WE LEARNED

#PUSSY RIOT Hackers have targeted the website of the Russian court that sentenced Pussy Riot. The hackers, who are associated with the group Anonymous, targeted the Khamovnichesky District Court’s website and posted a message saying that ‘Justice system has to be transparent. Pussy [Riot's members] are alive’. They also uploaded a new song by Pussy Riot, called Putin Lights Up the Fires.

#AGE ACTION Age Action Ireland has become the latest charity to reveal it has had to ask staff to take two weeks’ unpaid leave. It said that cuts to its statutory funding have meant action is required to ensure services are not disrupted. Chief Executive Eamon Timmons said that its charity shops have held up particularly well this year but it has experienced cuts in statutory funding.

#MULLINGAR A second person who was involved in a single-vehicle crash outside Mullingar has died. The 29-year-old man was seriously injured in the crash, during which another man died. A third occupant was also injured in the crash. Gardaí have renewed their appeal for information from members of the public who may have been on the Kilucan to Mullingar road between 11am and 12.45pm on Saturday to contact them on 044 938 4000, or via the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111.

#SECURITY ALERT The defence forces’ army bomb disposal team was called out to four alerts today. It was called out to Tallaght twice to deal with reports of suspicious devices; once to the Israeli embassy for what turned out to be a false alarm; and once to Sallynoggin after a suspicious device was found in a laneway. A controlled explosion was carried out in the latter area, but the device was declared a hoax. Today’s events bring the total number of Defence Forces team call-outs to 133 so far this year.

#FARMERS Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív has called for a helpline to be set up for distressed farmers, following a difficult summer in which bad weather has led to low incomes. He said that the situation is having an effect on farmers’ mental health and that they need emergency action and support.

One of Edinburgh Zoo’s 19 chimpanzees tries out a pot of Onken’s fat free yogurt with probiotic cultures, as part of a health study to improve the chimps’ digestion. Pic: David Cheskin/PA Wire

THINGS WE LOVED

• With last week’s sad tale of the whale that died in Baltimore harbour, we were fascinated by this New York Times article on whale behaviour in parts of the USA. During the study, tags are stuck using suction cups to the side of a whale and track everything the animal hears and the sound it is making, as well as its orientation in the water.
• If you weren’t following the Rose of Tralee liveblog last night, then have no fear: you can catch up on it right now. And even better, why not read tonight’s blog, which is being looked after by Sinéad O’Carroll – while playing Rose of Tralee Bingo. Hopefully we can expect more dolphin noises and voodoo dolls, if last night was anything to go by…
• What were meals like before we had phones to take pictures of them? This spoof video introduces us to the concept of an iPhone that’s specifically created for food photos. (Thanks to Conor Barry for the tip).

(Adam Sacks/Youtube)

THINGS WE SHARED

• We’re quite a peaceful bunch here at TheJournal.ie, but there’s one subject that tends to get people very riled up in the office: cats vs dogs. Are you a cat person, or a dog person? This Buzzfeed article was doing the rounds this morning as it claimed that cats are better at dogs. Some of us disagree… what do you think?
• Are we alone? That’s a question that’s not just asked by X Files fans. Sure, the truth may be out there, but the BBC has a handy way for us to calculate the number of alien civilisations that may exist. Find out more and have a look here.
• Whether you’re a Game of Thrones fan or not, you’ll be mesmerised by this video of a cat singing the theme tune. Yes, it does exactly what it says on the tin.

(herbertcosta/Youtube)