Author Archives: Bodger

Entrepreneur Jack Ma

This morning/afternoon.

Jack Ma, the billionaire co-founder of China’s most successful tech empire, the Alibaba Group, has apparently gone missing.

Via CNN

Ma hasn’t made a public appearance or social media post since late October, just over a week before a much anticipated stock market listing of Alibaba’s (BABA) financial affiliate, Ant Group, was blocked at the last minute by Chinese regulators.

…It was Ma’s last major appearance, though, that China tech observers suspect landed his business in hot water. At a conference in Shanghai in late October, Ma publicly criticized Chinese regulators for stifling innovation by being too risk averse…

That’ll learn him.

Where is Jack Ma? Tech tycoon silent as China gets tough with his business (CNN Business)

Getty

Oh.

This afternoon.

Very Krankie.

Meanwhile…

They were telt, in fairness.

Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly

This afternoon.

After you.

No, I Insist.

Etc.

Daily Covid-19 case rate heading for 6,000, says HSE chief (RTÉ)

Earlier: Windows Of The Soul

RollingNews

Over the weekend.

The Two Norries podcast met traveller Catherine Coffey O’Brien.

Catherine spent a large part of her childhood in an industrial school and then in Cork’s Bessborough mother and baby home as a pregnant 16 year old. She has called for Bessborough – earmarked for a housing development – to be preserved and appropriately maintained as a memorial site.

Catherine (@1.07) explains why she believes medical histories should be provided to all adoptees but the identity of birth mothers must remain confidential.

The report of the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes will be published next week.

Previously: Unto Us A Child Is Born

The Two Norries


US Congressman Rep. Emanuel Cleaver

Yesterday.

The 117th US Congress kicked off with a Democrat representative delivering the opening prayer concluded by saying “amen,” before adding “a-woman.”

Via Washington Examiner:

Rep. Emanuel Cleaver, Missouri Democrat, ended his prayer “in the name of the monotheistic god,” then added what sounded like “Brahma,” before finishing with “and god known by many names by many different faiths. Amen and a-woman.”

Critics, led by Republican lawmakers, were quick to point out that “amen” means “so be it,” and does not refer to the male gender, while “a-woman” doesn’t mean anything.

FIGHT!

‘Amen and a-woman’: House opening prayer goes gender-inclusive (Washington Examiner)

Reuters

This morning.

A British judge has rejected the United States’ request to extradite WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange to face espionage charges, saying it would be “oppressive” because of his mental health.

Via AP:

District Judge Vanessa Baraitser said Monday Assange was likely to commit suicide if sent to the U.S. The U.S. government said it would appeal the decision.

More as we get it.

Getty

Yesterday.

The Grand Canal at Inchicore, Dublin 8.

Meanwhile…

Met Eireann is forecasting snow four days in a row this week with temperatures dropping to as low as -3C in a drastic weather change.

The forecast comes as the weather event that was responsible for Ireland’s Beast from the East in 2018 is predicted to happen again in the next few days.

Four snow days confirmed with event causing ‘Beast from East happening again’ (DublinLive)

Thanks Davy Keane

This morning.

Blanchardstown, Dublin.

Earlier…


Yesterday.

Blanchardstown, Dublin.

The fourth day of protest outside Blanchardstown Garda Station over the killing of George Nkencho during stand-off at Manorfields Drive Dublin last week.

According to a report yesterday’s Sunday Times, officers claim that lethal force was their only option as they feared that the 27-year-old could stab a garda or take hostages if allowed into his family home.

Social media posts over the weekend falsely claimed Nkencho – who suffered from mental health issues – had a number of criminal convictions.

TD Brid Smith said:

“What saddens me is the number of decent people that believe the lies. George Nkencho, shot dead by Gardai last week, was a man with mental health issues, but NO CRIMINAL RECORD.”

Protests over George Nkencho death continue as TD slams social media posts falsely claiming he had several convictions (The Irish Sun)

Gardai ‘had to shoot’ George Nkencho under public safety protocols (Sunday Times)

Leon Farrell/RollingNews