Alastair Kneale's blog

This article from Yn Commeeys Celtiagh - Celtic League Mannin by Allen Moore draws attention to the blight of plastic pollution on the worlds oceans and the urgent need for a world treaty on global waste.  He makes the point that until we get global agreement rubbish will continue to be thrown into the sea presenting major dangers to seabirds, cetaceans, fish, other marine life and also humans: 

"Hope for world treaty on global waste"

Hartes Ease is a group of Manx musicians who give regular concerts throughout the Island. Their performances include mainly renaissance music for recorders, viols and voice. Following a successful Christmas concert last year  Hartes Ease will give another concert at 8.00pm on Friday 5 January 2018 at Holy Trinity Church, Patrick, Isle of Man. Money raised will go towards the Isle of Man local charity www.knockaloe.im 

This news item from Yn Commeeys Celtiagh - Celtic League Mannin reports on those Irish soldiers who survived the Siege of Jadotville and were awarded with a special medal on 2nd December 2017 honouring their service. The Siege of Jadotville took place in September 1961, during the United Nations intervention in the Katanga conflict in Congo-Léopoldville, in Central Africa. The lightly armed and heavily outnumbered Irish soldiers fought bravely during the UN peaceckeeping mission until their ammunition and supplies were exhausted.

News from the Irish Branch of the Celtic League:

"Misneach stands with Cork Street Names Campaign"

"Councillor Diarmaid Ó Cadhla, and two colleagues, Tom O’Connor and Tony Walsh, will appear before the courts in Cork for the second time next week due to a direct action taken by them in relation to street signage last February. The three are members of Cork Street Names Campaign who damaged signs with Queen Victoria’s name on them at the beginning of the year. The state has charged the men with criminal damage. 

News from BeizhEire - Bretons in Eire:

Demat d'an holl / Bonsoir à tous / Dia dhaoibh uilig / Hi everybody,  

DUBLIN
Session Danses & Musique                                 Sun 26 Nov. 
 
GALWAY! Bertrand has organised this for you! 
Session Danses & Musique & Conversation       Mon 11 Dec.

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This news item from Yn Commeeys Celtiagh - Celtic League Mannin gives the latest information on the inquest into the sinking of the Breton trawler Bugaled Breizh. MFV Bugaled Breizh from Loctudy, Finistère, in Brittany sunk with the loss of all five crew in 90 metres of water on 15 January 2004. It is strongly suspected that the ship was pulled under by a submarine during a NATO excercise. The article points out this was one of a number of such incidents that many believe to be due to submarine activity around the Celtic coasts:

News from BreizhEire:

Demat d'an holl/ bonsoir à tous / dia dhaoibh uilig / Hi everybody

Remembrance Day is a memorial day observed on 11th November in many countries around the world. For most people the day is significant in that it brings to mind those that died and suffered in the First World War. Originating in Europe it became a global conflict that lasted from 28 July 1914 to 11 November 1918. Remembrance Day is observed on 11 November to mark the end of hostilities at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918.

The so-called Paradise Papers are revelations that are placing a spotlight on the tax affairs of some of the wealthiest people and companies in the world. In particular their use  of jurisdictions with low or zero-tax rates as a means of tax avoidance. At this stage the allegations from the media has focused on tax avoidance rather than tax evasion. While tax avoidance involves companies and people using legal ways to reduce their tax bill, tax evasion is an offence and involves illegal ways of paying less tax than required.

These images were published by the BBC. They were sent in by those witnessing natures light displays of the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) across northern and central Scotland on Tuesday night. At this time of year when artificial Christmas lights are being switched on in some great displays around the world, nature likes to remind us who can really do it better!