“Many of us are frustrated with the nearly 80 million Americans who are still not vaccinated even though the vaccine is safe, effective and free.

“This is not about freedom, or personal choice. It’s about protecting yourself and those around you — the people you work with, the people you care about, the people you love… We cannot allow these actions to stand in the way of protecting the large majority of Americans who have done their part, who want to get back to life as normal.”

US President Joe Biden on new vaccine rules on federal workers, large employers and health care staff.

Last night.

The White House, Washington DC.

Probably sounds better in German.

Attacking anti-vaccine movement, Biden mandates widespread COVID shots, tests (Reuters)

Meanwhile…

Good times.

Yesterday: No Option

Davey Long – Last Train To Tupelo

Elvis has re-entered the building.

Davey Long (top) pays homage to the King of Rock’n’Roll on his new single.

The press blurb says:

“Last Train To Tupelo was inspired by Peter Guralnick’s definitive biography of Elvis. The song depicts Elvis on a Mississippi-bound train, headed back to his birthplace. It features a guitar solo and a piano solo and a percussion section.”

Nick says: From Ireland to Graceland.

Davey Long

Ireland, which usually exports wind power to the UK, is facing acute supply shortages and issued an amber warning yesterday signaling that the country could face blackouts

Enjoy, while you can, the sweet sight
Of your home being lit up at night
The sad reason why?
Our dwindling supply
Of power might turn out your light

John Moynes

RollingNews

This afternoon.

‘Dropped’ earlier.

The first official trailer for The Matrix Resurrections, the fourth film in the Matrix franchise reuniting Keanu Reeves and Carrie-Anne Moss as red pill-popping, bullet-stopping duo Neo and Trinity.

Release date: December 22

The Matrix Resurrections Trailer Wants to Free Your Mind (Again) (Gizmodo)

This afternoon.

Broadsheet is very saddened to hear of the death of former Magnetic Fields singer Susan Anway.

Her amazing voice lit up their early albums from the 1990s, including this masterpiece 100,000 Fireflies (above).

Somewhere a dobro is inconsolable today.

R.I.P. Susan Anway, Former Vocalist of The Magnetic Fields Has Died (CoS)

This afternoon.

Via CNN:

Among the steps the President will take is signing an executive order requiring all federal workers be vaccinated against Covid-19, with no option of being regularly tested to opt out of the requirement, according to a source familiar with the plans.

The President will also sign an executive order directing the same standard be extended to employees of contractors who do business with the federal government. The Department of Defense, the Department of Veterans Affairs, Indian Health Service and National Institutes of Health will also complete their previously announced vaccination requirements, which the White House estimates covers 2.5 million workers.

Biden to announce that all federal workers must be vaccinated, with no option for testing (CNN)

Reuters

Meanwhile…

Alternatively…

This afternoon.

George’s Street, Dun Laoghaire, county Dublin.

Damo writes:

Dun Laoghaire County Council ending disabled parking spaces without public consultation and without planning permission. New County Manager Tom McHugh & Council Management are breaking planning law.

Anyone?

The Letters.

Written and directed by Robbie Walsh.

Starring Mary Murray, Sarah Carroll and Kathleen Warner Yeates (above).

Kate Donnelly writes:

On Friday, 29th October, Irish feature film ‘The Letters’ will hit the big screen at the ODEON Cinema in Charlestown, Dublin.

Set against the backdrop of the CervicalCheck scandal, ‘The Letters’ is inspired by true events happening in Ireland and tells the story of 3 women from different walks of life, who have been given only weeks to live due to the false results of their cervical cancer checks.

Book here

Broadsheet.ie