Opinion Pieces | Belfast Media

Sectarian chanting by Dublin fans prompts three BBCNI on-air apologies

BBCNI issued three live on-air apologies for offensive singing during their broadcast of last night’s Linfield-Shelbourne Europa Conference League qualifier at Windsor Park – all in relation to sectarian chants from the away fans.

WE SAY: An English lesson in symbols

THE rise of authoritarianism and the far right in Britain – and in England more particularly – has for some time had the side effect of highlighting the insane nonsense that we take for granted here in the North.

SQUINTER: Flag fever takes hold in Blighty

THERE’S a massive business opportunity for Loyal Ulster as Operation Raise the Colours continues apace. Bare-bellied, Stella-swigging legions of stout English yeomen are painting St George’s flags on roundabouts and erecting flags on lampposts from Birmingham to Bradford and from Liverpool to Leeds, but while their intentions are honourable and their hearts are as big as their livers, they are complete amateurs.

JUDE COLLINS: Testing times for our education system

THAT sighing sound you hear is not a late-summer breeze, or a parent relaxing as finally, finally their cherished children head back to school. It’s the sound of thousands of GCSE, Leaving Certificate and A-Level students the length and breadth of Ireland gasping their relief that, for better or worse, their life-defining exam torture has finally ended.

DÚLRA: A bird’s window on the world can be deadly

IT’S a heartbreaker – and it’s totally Dúlra’s fault.

GERRY ADAMS: I’m in awe of these extraordinary people

THE eight months of the 1981 hunger strike campaign changed the political landscape in Ireland. It was, as Síle Darragh, former OC of the republican women prisoners in Armagh Women’s Prison, said recently, “our 1916”.

HEALTHWISE: Diet is key to young learning as schools return

WHAT children eat can affect their mood, behaviour and even learning in school. A regular eating pattern with diversity of food groups is key. Eating regular meals helps to regulate our blood sugar which controls our mood and ability to concentrate. Children that don’t eat regular meals or, say for example, skip breakfast, will find it harder to concentrate in school.

EYE ON THE PAST: September 1984 – Sammy Wilson attempts to remove IRA plaque

We look at the stories that were making the headlines in the Andersonstown News this week in 1984

BBCNI silent on whether it will cut live audio if Linfield fans sing anti-Catholic songs tonight

BBCNI has yet again refused to say whether it will cut the sound if Linfield fans sing anti-Catholic songs during its live coverage of a Euro tie at Windsor Park tonight.

ANDRÉE MURPHY: Neutrality is about how we view ourselves as a people

ONE of the surprises of Féile this year was the repeated reference to Irish neutrality and the passionate response every time it was mentioned. It became clear by the end of the week that this is an issue that Irish people feel strongly about, an issue that they view in the context of the diminishing of the peace and security of the globe, and that it matters in the constitutional debate.

ROBIN LIVINGSTONE: Jamie Bryson's cunning plan will leave only more anger and grief

IT’S the endless fun that keeps non-unionists coming back for more. Every time Stephen Nolan hits up Jamie Bryson on speed-dial, drivers in their cars turn the volume up a couple of beeps; tradesmen nod at their dust- and paint-stained radios and smile at each other; joggers roll their eyes to no-one in particular, but press their ear buds a little bit tighter.

EYE ON THE PAST: August 1984 – Calls grow to ban plastic bullets following Downes murder

We look at the stories that were making the headlines this week in 1984

GOD ALMATY! Celtic's strategic failings leave Champions League hopes hanging by a thread

CELTIC'S lacklustre 0-0 draw with Kazakhstan outfit Kairat Almaty has left fans, players and coaching staff concerned and anxious in equal measure as the second leg looms. A relatively straightforward tie on paper instead turned into another long night of frustration, raising more serious questions about the direction of the team under the current regime.

DÚLRA: Fragrant lavender a late summer bee treat

THESE photos don’t do justice to what is an amazing sight. The lavender plants in Dúlra’s garden are like bee airports with all the coming and going. There are hundreds of bees buzzing around the pungent purple flowers at any one time – you’d need a video to truly appreciate it.

WE SAY: End the attacks on 5G mobile masts

TWO more 5G mobile phone mast have been targeted in West Belfast in the past week.

Soccer: Cliftonville kickstart their season with victory over Glenavon

Gaelic Games: Pearse's survive spirited Éire Óg rally to clinch top spot

Gaelic Games: Antrim announce new GAA Operations Manager

Soccer: Intermediate leagues are back as DC and Swifts enjoy opening round wins

Sectarian chanting by Dublin fans prompts three BBCNI on-air apologies

WE SAY: An English lesson in symbols

SQUINTER: Flag fever takes hold in Blighty

JUDE COLLINS: Testing times for our education system

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