Author Archives: Bodger

This afternoon.

Stormont, Northern Ireland.

“Today we, as representatives of the state, say that we are sorry We are sorry that the state’s systems failed to protect you from abuse.”

Michelle McIlveen (top), Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) education minister

Northern Ireland: Victims of historical abuse to receive long-awaited public apology (Sky News)

This morning.

Capel Street, Dublin 1.

Traffic free by May?

Only YOU can decide.

Capel Street Traffic Proposal Consulation (DCC)

Last night.

Chicago, Illinois, USA.

Via NPR

Former Empire actor Jussie Smollett has been sentenced to 150 days in jail after he was convicted in 2021 on five felony counts of lying to the police.

In January 2019, Smollett, who is Black and gay, said he had been a victim of a racist and homophobic attack in Chicago, though evidence presented in court revealed he staged the attack and then told a false story to law enforcement.

Smollett is sentenced to a total of 30 months of felony probation, in which he will be allowed to travel. He also must pay a fine of $25,000 and more than $120,000 in retribution to the city of Chicago.

“I’m not suicidal, I am innocent. I did not do it, your honor,” Smollett said after the sentence was handed down by Judge James Linn.

Jussie Smollett will serve 150 days in jail for lying about an attack on him (NPR)

ABC

European leaders met in Versailles, Paris, France to discuss Russia’s invasion, as well as EU membership for Ukraine

This morning.

RTÉ reports the Government supported the fast-tracking of Ukraine’s application to join the European Union during talks at an informal EU summit in France.

Via RTÉ News:

However, the application for a swift accession procedure was blocked by several larger states, including France, Germany and the Netherlands.

Eastern states, including Lithuania, supported an expedited process.

In the early hours of this morning, EU leaders meeting in Versailles, issued a declaration on Ukraine which once again condemned Russian aggression.

However, it stopped far short of agreeing to the Ukrainian request to urgently begin the accession procedure.

Govt supported fast-tracking Ukraine’s EU bid (RTE)

Meanwhile…

 

This morning.

The 96FM Opinion Line with PJ Coogan.

Fiona Corcoran writes:

PJ talks to Minister Simon Coveney (above) on the pain for listeners from shortages and price rises and the government efforts to help.

RollingNews

Ah here.

This morning.

Fuel industry engaging in profiteering ‘simply not the case’ (RTE)

RollingNews

Meanwhile…

Anyone?

Meanwhile…

30 bio-weapons labs were commissioned by the Pentagon in Ukraine, The Russian MOD has claimed

This morning.

Via AP:

The U.N. Security Council scheduled a meeting today at Russia’s request to discuss what Moscow claims are “the military biological activities of the U.S. on the territory of Ukraine,” allegations vehemently denied by the Biden administration.

U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said  that the World Health Organization, which has been working with the Ukrainian government, “said they are unaware of any activity on the part of the Ukrainian government which is inconsistent with its international treaty obligations, including on chemical weapons or biological weapons.”

Meanwhile…

A network comprised of some 30 bioweapons laboratories was formed in Ukraine, with the activities conducted in these labs being commissioned by the US Ministry of Defense, Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed.

UN council to meet on Russian claim of US labs in Ukraine (AP)

Meanwhile..

Via Reuters:

The World Health Organsation advised Ukraine to destroy high-threat pathogens housed in the country’s public health laboratories to prevent “any potential spills” that would spread disease among the population, the agency told Reuters on Thursday.

Biosecurity experts say Russia’s movement of troops into Ukraine and bombardment of its cities have raised the risk of an escape of disease-causing pathogens, should any of those facilities be damaged.

In response to questions from Reuters about its work with Ukraine ahead of and during Russia’s invasion, the WHO said in an email that it has collaborated with Ukrainian public health labs for several years to promote security practices that help prevent “accidental or deliberate release of pathogens.”

“As part of this work, WHO has strongly recommended to the Ministry of Health in Ukraine and other responsible bodies to destroy high-threat pathogens to prevent any potential spills,” the WHO, a United Nations agency, said.

The WHO would not say when it had made the recommendation nor did it provide specifics about the kinds of pathogens or toxins housed in Ukraine’s laboratories. The agency also did not answer questions about whether its recommendations were followed.

Anyone?

Exclusive: WHO says it advised Ukraine to destroy pathogens in health labs to prevent disease spread (Reuters)

Yesterday: “In The Words Of My Irish-Catholic Grandfather, A Bunch Of Malarkey”

This afternoon.

Griffith Avenue, Dublin.

G’wan Fran and Tommy.

Thanks Deirdre Henchey

London Plane?