Behold: the 1967 Porsche 911S Targa, but not just any old 911S Targa – this one was the first of its kind to roll off the Stuttgart production line.

Bizarrely, not long after its purchase, it ended up in a US barn where it remained beneath a plastic sheet for four decades before hit was rediscovered and returned to Germany.

Commissioned by the current owner, a three year restoration by Porsche Classic, with access to over 60,000 genuine spare parts, the factory’s original straightening sets, frame gauges, data sheets, and technical drawings has returned Targa No.1 to its original 53 year-old condition.

Not currently for sale.

hiconsumption

UK’s Secretary of State for Health Matt Hancock

This afternoon.

The House of Commons, London, UK.

Britain’s Health minister Matt Hancock confirmed that the UK is experiencing a “new variant” of the coronavirus .

He said:

“Over the last few days, thanks to our world-class genomic capability in the UK, we have identified a new variant of coronavirus which may be associated with the faster spread in the South of England.

“Initial analysis suggests that this variant is growing faster than the existing variants.

“We’ve currently identified over 1,000 cases with this variant predominantly in the South of England although cases have been identified in nearly 60 different local authority areas.”

UK detects new virus strain as London to move to Tier 3 (RTÉ)

AP

Joe Biden and Kamala Harris

This afternoon.

In statehouses across America, 538 electors will formally cast their votes for either Joe Biden or Donald Trump based on the popular votes in their states.

Biden and Harris are expected to receive 306 electoral votes, topping 232 for Trump. The electoral votes will then be counted at a special joint session of Congress on January 6. before Biden and Harris are inaugurated Jan. 20.

Vermont kicks off voting as first ballots cast in Monday’s Electoral College meetings – live updates (USA Today)

Meanwhile…

Part of a 22-page preliminary report compiled by a  7-member team from Allied Security Operations Group

“The allowable election error rate established by the Federal Election Commission guidelines is of 1 in 250,000 ballots (.0008%). We observed an error rate of 68.05%. This demonstrated a significant and fatal error in security and election integrity.”

This afternoon.

Lansing, Michigan, USA

A Michigan judge has decided that supporters of President Donald Trump may publicly release and discuss information they’ve collected from an analysis of voting machines and data in Antrim County…

…Judge Kevin Elsenheimer of the 13th Circuit Court had ordered “forensic imaging” of the Dominion Voting Systems voting tabulators and related software after Antrim County resident William Bailey filed a lawsuit that challenged the integrity of the election equipment, citing errors in how the county initially reported its unofficial results.

Antrim, Michigan Forensic Reports

Michigan judge allows release of report on Antrim County voting (The Detroit News)

Free next Saturday?

Festival of Now.

A brand new film showcasing  a variety of Ireland’s best musicians, poets and performers, ‘focused on the collective experience of the past year’ and delving into the importance of music and art for mental health.

Jenny Headen writes:

Festival of Now, which streams this coming Saturday from 8 bells right here

Put together by POD/Collective Films and featuring performances/ interviews from artists like Blindboy. Gemma Dunleavy, James Vincent McMorrow, Panti and Pillow Queens performing in places like IMMA, Grogans (yeow) RDS, Wigwam.

The focus is the benefit of the arts on mental health and aims to raise money for Jigsaw (youth mental health charity) Streams free on Saturday, folks just need to register in advance to get involved.

Register here

Tag – not just a game for kids. Or chimps.

Director Phil Edwards explores the rules, strategies and origins of Professional Chase Tag – codified by brothers Christian and Damien Devaux – drawing on a ready-made athletic talent pool: parkour athletes .

kottke

Awkward, in fairness.

CETA?

Update:

Meanwhile…

Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore TD, who is the party’s spokesperson for Climate Action and Biodiversity, said:

“With this trade deal comes a very controversial mechanism which allows companies to sue an EU member state for potential profits lost if a Government decides to change their policies or regulations.

“This will be devastating for many reasons, including in the area of health and housing, but also in in relation to the Government drafting legislation and policies to tackle climate change and biodiversity. If a company feels a Bill or policy drafted to mitigate climate change might negatively impact on their profit margin, it could technically sue the Irish Government under CETA.

“Furthermore, all of this would be settled in special tribunals held outside our own justice system in a non-transparent manner. This is hardly appropriate in an age where transparency and due diligence is a basic requirement in a democracy.

“The chilling effect of this deal could be enormous as the Government is already wary of legislating strongly for climate action for fear of being held up in court. CETA will reduce the Government’s capacity for stronger decision-making, which is what we need in our fight against climate change.

“If companies can sue the Irish Government for compensation, not only will the taxpayer be out of pocket, but our ability to mitigate climate change and protect our biodiversity will be diminished. We cannot afford for that to happen.”

Previously: The Set Menu

Aftermath of the Belturbet Bomb, County Cavan, December 28, 1972

RTÉ Investigates – Belturbet: A Bomb That Time Forgot.

RTÉ Investigates writes:

In 1972, just three days after Christmas, a no-warning car bomb killed two teenagers and injured nine others in Belturbet County.Cavan. In a special documentary RTÉ Investigates uncovers a crippling lack of trust between police services north and south, questions the political will to bring those behind the Belturbet bomb to justice, and reveals new evidence that British security forces failed to act on credible information, allowing militant loyalists to operate freely in South Fermanagh.

RTÉ Investigates – Belturbet: A Bomb That Time Forgot at 9.35pm on RTÉ One

Pic: Paddy Ronaghan

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