I really, truly hoped above all else that my last book would be redundant by now - that the toxic rhetoric so vital to the austerity project would have been consigned to history. But no. They just keep punching down. Despicable. shamegamethebook.com

Powerful video shown at opening of COVID-19 inquiry in Belfast which show families in Northern Ireland who were impacted by the pandemic

I’m at the start of the UK COVID-19 Inquiry in Belfast today. Marion Reynolds, NI COVID-19 Bereaved Families for Justice, will address the inquiry this afternoon.

The Covid-19 inquiry is due to sit in Belfast from tomorrow until Thursday, May 16. I sincerely hope that the issue of the lack of protection for residents at NI care homes is raised - viewdigital.org/latest-issue-o… Mary O'Hara Anne Cadwallader #truth #justice #humanrights

ARTS: Una Murphy takes a look at the Kabosh production of Mary Ann McCracken story - viewdigital.org/kabosh-brings-…

Is the reintroduction of fines the solution to this problem?
Libraries: Almost one million NI books not back on time bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northe…

.brendan byrne

Three weeks after my mum died, HMRC sent in the debt collectors to hound me for paye tax that I'd paid for her carers two months earlier. I'm sure others have experienced similar things
theguardian.com/money/2024/apr…

At Columbia University U.

I can’t help thinking that putting phones and tablets away and bothering our arses to engage with the people right in front of us would, in itself, be a good start.

Utmost respect for Abi Lyle for speaking out so powerfully about her horrific ordeal at the hands of Jonathan Creswell Keiron Tourish BBC News NI

We stand with the campus protesters.

We're now offering free ebooks on Palestine, mass protests, and student rebellions.

Look what arrived in the post today. I’m really looking forward to reviewing it for VIEWdigital - Vicky Spratt Verso Books

lsrael killed 79 people

In Gaza in the last 24 hours.

More are still under the rubble.

Lovely silver birch tree planted outside the Duncairn Arts centre in north Belfast in memory of those affected by suicide

The experts: librarians on 20 easy, enjoyable ways to read more brilliant books theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2…

This is about Tommy Nichol, a prisoner who took his life after saying he couldn't cope with the 'psychological torture' of a 99-year-sentence. It's the first in a series, and it feels weird writing it without teaming up with the much missed Eric Allison
theguardian.com/society/2024/a…

Need a co-ordinated, cross-dept, properly funded and evidenced based plan to improve children’s mental health and emotional wellbeing - from early to crisis interventions.
Piecemeal approaches are not sustainable & the voluntary sector can’t do it any more bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northe…

Impressive accounts at Forum for Adult Learning NI event today at NICVA offices in Belfast from four women about how getting involved in adult learning had a really positive impact on their lives

It’s Shakespeare’s 460th birthday today! we’re delighted to be bringing a brand new Lyric production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream to our brand new outdoor theatre THIS SUMMER, as part of the very exciting #Belfast2024

Tickets on sale very very soon 🤗

belfastcity.gov.uk/belfast2024/th…