If, as is being reported, NPHET is disbanded in October, there will be a national outbreak of praise and mourning, writes John McGuirk. But the truth is that NPHET deserve little praise, and Ireland's pandemic record has been - at best - bang average:
#gript
https://gript.ie/the-end-of-nphet-should-be-a-day-of-joy/

The next battle in the vaccine wars? American Health insurance companies are widely expected to dramatically increase monthly premiums for the unvaccinated, with one US airline raising premiums for staff by $200 per month:
#gript
https://gript.ie/us-airline-tells-unvaxxed-workers-your-health-insurance-is-going-up/

The remaining 60 Irish citizens who are left stranded in Afghanistan will be allowed to leave the country by the Taliban, according to the Irish government.

#gript

https://gript.ie/taliban-allowing-remaining-60-irish-citizens-to-leave/

US Vice President Kamala Harris warned last week that global supply chain issues could were leading to widespread shortages of products, and that parents should consider buying Christmas presents now in August while goods last.

#gript

https://gript.ie/us-vp-buy-christmas-presents-now-global-shortages-expected/

WATCH: Hostages tied to getaway cars as gang raid three banks in Brazilian city

#gript

https://gript.ie/watch-hostages-tied-to-getaway-cars-as-gang-raid-three-banks-in-brazilian-city/

The state is now leasing homes that it originally built from investment funds. The housing madness continues. MATT TREACY comments

#gript

https://gript.ie/the-state-is-now-leasing-homes-that-it-originally-built-from-investment-funds-the-housing-madness-continues/

According to a Clare TD, it is “worrying” that the government has failed to significantly expand the country’s ICU capacity in the lead up to winter, adding that the government could not use the pressure as an excuse for lockdown.

#gript

https://gript.ie/failure-to-expand-icu-capacity-before-winter-worrying-says-td/

POLL: Should non-residents be allowed to buy property in Ireland?

https://gript.ie/poll-should-non-residents-be-allowed-to-buy-property-in-ireland/

Japan has suspended use of 1.63m doses of the Moderna Vaccine, following two deaths, and reports that the doses were accidentally contaminated with metal flakes during the manufacturing process:
#gript
https://gript.ie/japan-suspends-use-of-contaminated-moderna-vaccine-after-two-deaths/

Yesterday's grovelling apology by Deputy Brian Leddin, who is not actually accused of making any derogatory comments, constituted a new low in Ireland's outrage culture, writes John McGuirk:
#gript
https://gript.ie/green-td-grovels-sorry-for-being-mean-in-a-whatsapp-group/

Inspirational: Champion Swimmer at Tokyo Paralympics Is an Abortion Survivor

#gript


https://gript.ie/inspirational-champion-swimmer-at-tokyo-paralympics-is-an-abortion-survivor/

Dr Jaushieh Joseph Wu, Taiwanese Foreign Minister, writes on the need for the UN to allow Taiwan a seat at the table. #gript

https://gript.ie/reimagining-a-more-resilient-un-system-with-taiwan-in-it/

“This Has Gotta Stop”: Eric Clapton releases new song protesting Covid lockdown

#gript


https://gript.ie/this-has-gotta-stop-eric-clapton-releases-new-song-protesting-covid-lockdown/

Crowds gathered to support Scottish feminist Marion Millar as she attended the first day of a case which could see her imprisoned for up to two years. #gript

https://gript.ie/crowd-gathers-in-support-of-scottish-feminist-facing-imprisonment-over-trans-tweets/

“I don’t back down if I’m right”: A Cork politician has called for Ireland to vet all Afghan refugees entering the country, dismissing cries from groups like People Before Profit.

#gript

https://gript.ie/cork-politician-calls-to-vet-afghan-refugees-slams-pbp/

DAVID THUNDER: Private Censorship Now One of the Single Greatest Threats to Social Progress

#gript

https://gript.ie/private-censorship-now-one-of-the-single-greatest-threats-to-social-progress/

TRSI 267 - Supply and demand believes in you

A shortage of truck drivers in the UK demonstrates that supply and demand is real, and perhaps could even influence the price of houses; the biggest story you're not hearing about is the issues the electrical grid is going to face this winter; and the ICCL's interesting views on protests are calling out in the Sunday Times.

#gript

https://gript.ie/podcasts/trsi-267-supply-and-demand-believes-in-you/

Children under the age of 18 will only be allowed to play online videogames for one hour on Fridays, weekends and national holidays, the Chinese state has said, dubbing videogames “spiritual opium.”
#gript https://gript.ie/new-chinese-law-limits-children-to-one-hour-of-online-gaming/

Groups engaged in ‘decolonising education’ among recipients of grants totalling €410,000

#gript

https://gript.ie/groups-engaged-in-decolonising-education-among-recipients-of-grants-totalling-e410000/

"Whatever the claimed benefits might be in the long term, it is hard to see how Ireland’s migration statistics can possibly be reconciled with the Government’s ambition to reduce housing prices"
#gript
https://gript.ie/population-surges-to-5m-migrants-13-of-total/

"Biden seems to believe that the Taliban spent 20 years hiding in the mountains of Afghanistan, dodging drone strikes and eating malnourished goats, just so that they could eventually ensconce themselves in Kabul and announce a Minister for LGBTI rights"
#gript
https://gript.ie/biden-to-taliban-i-expect-you-guys-to-build-an-inclusive-government/