Author Archives: Bodger

This morning.

Via RTE News:

The issue is causing great unease among TDs from rural constituencies in both Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael.

In a robust exchange of views at meetings with each of those parties yesterday, Minister for the Environment Eamonn Ryan insisted that the regulations will focus only on the large-scale commercial sales and not on the traditional use of turf in rural areas.

However, those words have not reassured many in Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael who already rejected a proposal to allow the sale of turf in small communities with a population of less than 500 people.

…Despite the concern of government TDs, it is not expected that they will break ranks with the Coalition in tonight’s vote.

Dáil to vote on Sinn Féin motion to scrap new turf restrictions (RTE)

Eamonn Farrell/RollingNews

P&O’s The European Causeway

This afternoon.

Five miles from Larne.

One month since P&O replaced 800 staff with cheaper crews.

That’ll learn them.

Lifeboat escorts P&O Ferry to safety after distress signal in Irish Sea (MailOnline)

Getty

Margaret Goodwin (centre) with 12 fellow runners who have raced in every Women’s Mini Marathon since its inception 40 years ago

Stop that.

This afternoon.

Iveagh Gardens, Dublin 2.

As the Vhi Women’s Mini Marathon celebrates its 40th anniversary, 13 women (representing counties Dublin, Wicklow, Galway, Kildare and Sligo) who have taken part in the event every year since it began, came together to celebrate the milestone.

The 2022 Vhi Women’s Mini Marathon – a 10km leisurely stroll dash through Dublin City Centre – returns on Sunday June 5.

Vhi Women’s Mini Marathon 2022

Leon Farrell/Photocall Ireland

Bolette Soborg, of the Danish health Authority

This afternoon.

Copenhagen, Denmark

Via AFP:

Denmark, which in February lifted all curbs related to the coronavirus pandemic, said today it was suspending its widespread Covid-19 vaccination campaign.

Noting that the epidemic was under control and that vaccination levels were high, the Danish Health Authority said the country was in a “good position”.

“Therefore, we are winding down the mass vaccination programme against Covid-19,” said Bolette Soborg, director of the authority’s department of infectious diseases.

Around 81% of Denmark’s 5.8 million inhabitants have received two doses of the vaccine and 61.6% have also received a booster.

While invitations for vaccinations would no longer be issued after May 15, health officials anticipate that vaccinations would resume after the summer.

“We plan to reopen the vaccination programme in the autumn. This will be preceded by a thorough professional assessment of who and when to vaccinate and with which vaccines,” Soberg said.

Denmark suspends Covid vaccination campaign (i24)

AP

Meanwhile…

Um.

Kane Tanaka

Via BBC

A Japanese woman officially certified as the world’s oldest person has died aged 119.

Kane Tanaka was born in 1903, the same year as George Orwell, at a time when Japan was emerging as a global power.

She got married a century ago, and had four children. She spent her later years in a Japanese care home, where she enjoyed board games and chocolate.

With her death, the world’s oldest person is now Lucile Randon, a 118-year-old French nun.

Meanwhile…

122.

In fairness.

Kane Tanaka: Japanese woman certified world’s oldest person dies (BBC)

This morning/afternoon.

RDS, Ballsbridge Dublin 4 Dublin.

Self help gurus, from top: author and philanthropist Sharon Lechter; Entrepreneur and Behavioural Change Expert Eric Edmeade; peak sports performance expert Shaun Edwards; explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes and spin doctor and much-admired alleged war criminal Alastair Campbell, kick off the Pendulum Summit and

Shaun Edwards: “Sometimes you need somebody to push you hard”(RTE)

Leah Farrell/RollingNews