“Exclusive extracts from a new book by Gary Murphy recall a fascinating journey to power that saw Haughey win against the party establishment candidate” https://t.co/kTS9AYA0hN pic.twitter.com/ZNROdW7aa5
— Independent.ie (@Independent_ie) November 21, 2021
Vanessa writes:
Can you name those Haughey loyalists?
Anyone?
Yesterday.
International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach held a video phone call with three-time Olympian Peng Shuai amid a wave of global concern about Peng’s wellbeing and whereabouts.
Via CNN:
Since Friday evening, a steady stream of photos and videos purporting to show a smiling Peng going about her life in Beijing have surfaced on Twitter — all posted by individuals working for Chinese government-controlled media and the state sport system, on a platform blocked in China.
The apparent propaganda push was followed Sunday by a video call between Peng and International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Thomas Bach, during which the three-time Olympian insisted she is “safe and well, living at her home in Beijing” and “would like to have her privacy respected,” according to a statement from the IOC.
The flurry of “proof of life” videos came amid a firestorm of global concern for Peng, who disappeared from the public eye for more than two weeks after taking to social media to accuse former Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli of coercing her into sex at his home — an explosive and politically sensitive allegation that triggered blanket censorship in China.
BBC
This morning.
Lough Rynn, county Leitrim.
Thanks Carlosfandango
🔵REVEALED: Dates we understand that are being discussed to fully close pubs and a full lockdown again – https://t.co/0Ud7FRTnm6 pic.twitter.com/Krq30lIA7a
— TheLiberal.ie (@TheLiberal_ie) November 21, 2021
As it stands, we have been informed that the date that would see pubs, nightclubs and restaurants being closed is December 13th.
It’s understood that the economy will be allowed continue for another week with a full lockdown being discussed for December 20th.
It must be stated that dates cannot be taken as fact but we have been reliably informed by two separate sources from within Leinster House that they are being actively discussed.
An outlet is reporting some dates for prospective pub closures, and outright lockdown, based on suggestions from people ‘in Leinster House’.
Worth remembering that Leinster House is not where such dates are decided, but Government Buildings. There’s no parliamentary role in it.
— Gavan Reilly (@gavreilly) November 22, 2021
Anyone?
This morning.
A compilation of protests across the world over the weekend against covid response measures .
Meanwhile..
…via The Irish Times:
Crucial to understanding the political alienation manifest in the riots is that close correlation between declining trust, or persisting mistrust, in government and institutions and low vaccination rates. Mainstream parties throughout Europe have yet to understand how to tackle that.
The undermining of trust is also an important function of the reliance on social media, with 72 per cent of Americans and 83 per cent of Europeans using the internet as a source for health information.
Users fall prey to an echo chamber effect where tailored recommendations based on their personal “watch history” feed individuals’ concerns and rarely provide alternative or expert views. One of the challenges of the age is how to provide compelling online narratives to cut through the forest of quack medicine.
Um.
The Irish Times view on Europe’s Covid-19 protests (Irish Times)
Meanwhile…
Saturday.
City Hall, Belfast.
Meanwhile…
Just for the record, we won’t EVER be checking anyone’s claimed vaccine status, and if @niexecutive ever try to force us to, we’ll make alternative arrangements to trade outdoors at markets and car boot sales.
— Belfast Books (@BelfastBooks) November 21, 2021
In fairness.
Um.
ESB writes;
The RTÉ Player is now checking for a TV Licence before I can watch Angela Scanlon’s Ask Me Anything? Is this for real?
Anyone?
‘Sleepwatch’
A beautiful animation of an unusual story (that you can help complete).
Fergal Brennan writes:
As a documentary filmmaker, I’m always on the lookout for stories about the unusual in everyday life. A few years ago I recorded interviews with friends about strange part-time jobs they had had. I couldn’t believe my ears when my friend, Dee, told me her story.
When she was 19-years-old, she took a job sleeping in the same bed as an elderly man, who had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. The reason being to prevent him from injuring himself at night.
Having had no previous training for the job, she described its challenges with sincerity and compassion — her initial aversion to the situation, but also her growing empathy as she came to know Mr Goldsmith. Despite his struggle to communicate, the strong bond of love between this man and his wife was clear and poignant for Dee to see.
Dee’s incredibly honest story and emotive voice got an amazing reaction when I played it to friends — I needed to make this into a film!
Fast forward seven years, and that recording became the foundation of my film, which has led to the launching of a Kickstarter campaign to complete the story. The campaign launched this Tuesday, and finishes on December 14 [At Link below]. Thank you!
President Joe Biden will receive a routine colonoscopy today while he is undergoing a physical at Walter Reed. The process, which requires anesthesia, means that he will temporarily transfer power to Kamala Harris, who will briefly become the 1st woman President.
— Daniella Diaz (@DaniellaMicaela) November 19, 2021
This afternoon.
Take that, glass ceiling.
Canada.
“Marlene, why are leaving the school today?”
“I was told that I didn’t have the vaccine and I wouldn’t comply to rapid testing, so, my day is short.”
After almost 35 years, Marlene Brod leaves her place of work for the final time.
That’ll learn her.
Earlier: No Pass, No Go
