Author Archives: Nick Kelly

Andy ‘Dazzler’ Mulligan.

he didn’t look the type.

Pause.

Suit yourselves.

Bono and The Edge – Walk On Ukraine

Lyrically-adjusted. acoustic rendering of ‘Walk On’ off U2’s All That You Can’t Leave Behind (2000).

Via Bono and The Edge:

“The brave people of Ukraine are fighting for their freedom — and for ours — in the face of unspeakable violence and an unjust invasion. More than 4 million people, mostly women and children, have had to flee for their lives — a population nearly the size of Ireland. World leaders must stand up and stand by Ukranians now … those who are fighting and those who have fled … and stand with refugees everywhere who have been forced from their homes and their lands.”

Alternatively…

An0maly – Ukraine Flag In The Bio

Uncompromising American rapper An0maly sets the cat among the pigeons in his topical new video.

Nick says: Broadsheet commenters assemble.

Um.

This morning.

Via BBC:

Wojtek Paprota., founder and chief executive of British-Polish chip firm, Walletmor, said:

“Chip implants contain the same kind of technology that people use on a daily basis

“From key fobs to unlock doors, public transit cards like the London Oyster card, or bank cards with contactless payment function.

“The reading distance is limited by the small antenna coil inside the implant. The implant needs to be within the electromagnetic field of a compatible RFID [or NFC] reader. Only when there is a magnetic coupling between the reader and the transponder can the implant can be read.

“RFID chips are used in pets to identify them when they’re lost,” he says. “But it’s not possible to locate them using an RFID chip implant – the missing pet needs to be found physically. Then the entire body gets scanned until the RFID chip implant is found and read.”

The microchip implants that let you pay with your hand (BBC)

BBC

Gulp.

Wallis Bird – The Power Of A Word

Word on a wire.

Berlin-based Irish songsmith Wallis Bird (top) gives us food for thought in this single from her forthcoming album Hands, due next month.

Wallis writes:

“I wrote it with the intention that it would feel like an embrace of safety, of walking towards complex relationships and situations with an open heart and patience and I’m so glad you feel its warmth. I love you. Peace.”

The video was shot in Berlin’s Grin & Bear Studios by Joseph Wright.

Wallis plays a Rock Against Homelessness charity gig in aid of Focus Ireland at the Little Theatre, Gorey, County Wexford, on April 16.

Nick says: Come fly with her.

Wallis Bird

Um.

Anyone?

Kathleen Clarke, widow of Tom Clarke, who was executed after the 1916 rising, with her sons from left: Tom Clarke Jnr, John Daly Clarke, and Emmet Clarke

 

 

‘Your birds are grand and singing all day long.’

On this day.

And for the week that’s in it.

Pic: National Library Of Ireland

Yesterday.

‘The Footy Show‘ on Australia’s Channel 9.

The first mainstream discussion on a possible link between the covid vaccine and the spate of cardiac issues among elite athletes.

KN writes:

Well, it’s start…(@1:06:18 )…

Fight!

Brownlow medallist speaks after Footy Show stars’ shock medical claim (News.com.aus)

Thank Fletch it’s Friday.

It’s that time of the week you’ve all been waiting for. I can feel your excitement through my keyboard.

And so without further ado, let’s get this voucher-free music party started.

This week, on the 45th anniversary of the release of the debut album by The Clash, I want to know: what’s your favourite punk anthem?

Here’s mine.

Please include video links if possible.

Lines MUST close on Saturday at Midday.

Last week, I asked for your favourite song with flowers in the title or lyrics. You answered in your tens.

Gorugeen won my esteem with this entry:

Led Zeppelin – Misty Mountain Hop

Gorugeen writes:

“Always makes me think of our holidays in France: Sitting at the top of the meadow, watching all the happy people arrive and as the sun dips behind the trees the music starts. My happy place.”

Nick says: Congratulations Gorugeen. Thanks to everyone who entered.

Last week: Win Nick’s Esteem

Pic: Bunker Vinyl, Cork

Clíona Ní Cheallaigh, Associate Professor in the Department of Clinical Medicine in Trinity College Dublin

Yesterday.

Via Extra Live:

The European Centre for Disease Control and the European Medicines Agency’s Covid-19 task force has concluded that it is too early to consider using a fourth dose of mRNA Covid-19 vaccines in the general population.

However, both agencies have agreed that a fourth dose (or second booster) can be given to adults 80 years of age and above, after reviewing data on the higher risk of severe Covid-19 in this age group and the protection provided by a fourth dose.

Whole population ‘likely’ to get booster in autumn (Extra Live)

Meanwhile…

‘At the moment we’re focusing all our efforts on vaccination. And NIAC’s advice so far has been sound. So I think it’s not unreasonable to look at giving a fourth dose to people who are at higher risk of getting severe COVID if they do get [the virus].

‘I suppose what we do have is that vaccines are really very safe. So if you’re thinking of an intervention like a fourth dose, the worst case scenario is that you give someone a vaccine that they didn’t 100% need — that’s not a particularly high-risk thing to do.

‘We can [also] see on the ground that immunity to coronaviruses like SARS-CoV2 wanes very rapidly. So I think, realistically, we are looking at the possibility of a fourth dose in the Autumn.’

Clíona Ní Cheallaigh, Associate Professor in the Department of Clinical Medicine in Trinity College Dublin

Hmm.

Protection against infection offered by fourth Covid-19 vaccine dose wanes quickly, Israeli study finds (CNN)

RollingNews

Meanwhile…

Ah here.