Quick operational note: Since I’ve started writing a week in review column, ‘The Week in Five Points’ for Northern Slant on Sunday evenings, I’m going to take a break from doing the Note on Sunday nights from now on. Instead, I’ll cross-post to the NS column – Here’s this week’s:
Amid Vaccine Row, Europe Sees Worrying Covid Spikes
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🦠 Britain must brace for another wave of coronavirus infections being imported from Europe as cases rise on the continent, the Prime Minister has warned https://t.co/AUphxNTfvK
— The Telegraph (@Telegraph) March 22, 2021
If we see a third wave in the UK, it will not be the result of cases rising in Europe it will be the result of loosening restrictions in the U.K.
— Kit Yates (@Kit_Yates_Maths) March 22, 2021
A complete abdication of responsibility. https://t.co/c3WJ9Eh8cZ
Let's not damage the vaccine success story by importing cases/variants. Vaccination needs backing up by strong measures preventing import (quarantine for all travellers?), effective track/trace etc.
— Tom Van Agtmael (@TomVanAgtmael) March 20, 2021
Fears Europe’s latest surge will strike UK within weeks https://t.co/aiU5YDo9zd
Please shut the borders. We, the NHS, is begging you.
— Ben Lovell (@DrBenLovell) March 22, 2021
Or keep them open but make the hotel quarantine mandatory. We don’t have to do this 3rd wave.
Please please please don’t just stand by and let it hit us. https://t.co/NuyQfX6jC3
Boris Johnson spoke to Emmanuel Macron and Angela Merkel about vaccines row on Sunday, Govt sources have confirmed. We weren't told about this at No 10 lobby briefing because apparently these were "private calls". 🧐
— Pippa Crerar (@PippaCrerar) March 22, 2021
Boris Johnson sends envoy to seek vaccine deal with India to ease UK shortage https://t.co/JuoIecJRal via @financialtimes
— James O'Brien (@mrjamesob) March 22, 2021
✈️ New Covid rules will make it illegal to go to an airport without good reason with fines of £5,000 for anyone who breaks them https://t.co/ysYrXeMicu
— The Telegraph (@Telegraph) March 22, 2021
I think the biggest news from today's new Covid regulations is that international travel without a 'reasonable excuse' (holiday is not one) is now explicitly banned with fixed penalty notices starting at £5,000 for breaching the rule.
— Adam Wagner (@AdamWagner1) March 22, 2021
Previously was £100 https://t.co/MJR8Dg0F8o
Meanwhile…
BREAKING: Nicola Sturgeon cleared of breaching the ministerial code. https://t.co/AgibNi0359
— STV News (@STVNews) March 22, 2021
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon "delighted and of course, relieved" at inquiry findings
— BBC Politics (@BBCPolitics) March 22, 2021
"Some pretty grim allegations have been levelled at me… they've not been easy, they've been difficult to contend with"https://t.co/cUFPB9p40h pic.twitter.com/LL9d56tz2d
It’s not possible to walk around Westminster right now, what with all the broken glass that rained down on the Tories, chucking stones at this woman for acting improperly. https://t.co/yOk001RQrx
— Tim Walker (@ThatTimWalker) March 22, 2021
New Scotland Poll: 52% majority for Scottish independence and SNP on course for Holyrood majority. 57% believe Nicola Sturgeon has handled pandemic well compared to only 24% for Boris Johnson. Poll by @BMGResearch for @heraldscotland #SP21 #SNP #indyref2
— Angus Robertson (@AngusRobertson) March 22, 2021
No breaking of the ministerial code for Sturgeon then…..
— Rodders 🚩🌹🏴☠️ (@rodjgrimmer) March 22, 2021
tory's next line of attack….her net curtains are filthy
UK army, navy and RAF all to be cut back, defence review confirms https://t.co/h8d1p3C75J
— The Guardian (@guardian) March 22, 2021
In a 114-page review of Britain's foreign, security, defence and aid policy, the government is finally fleshing out what “Global Britain" means https://t.co/5LMKIHhhsb
— The Economist (@TheEconomist) March 22, 2021
"Two Planes" Johnson. Has to make sure he has a backup escape route?https://t.co/w996U7fzmN
— Neglectful Gardener: #BLM One Human Race, 1 Planet (@SimonPease1) March 22, 2021
Evelyn Waugh saw you coming 70 odd years ago. pic.twitter.com/mA2b0xNdpP
— Robin in Bristol (@robinkellett) March 22, 2021
Huw Edwards, His Flag and How the BBC’s Appeasement of its Enemies Backfired – Byline Times https://t.co/8Zi7LNUVF8
— Jane Davidson (@JaneBryngwyn) March 22, 2021
— Jonas Förare (@J0nasF) March 22, 2021
Tonight on RTE…
Great to see RTÉ exploring the United Ireland debate — with diverse Nationalist and Unionist voices from both sides of the Border. Vital that Irish media keeps a focus on Northern Ireland issues. #CBLive pic.twitter.com/253NwusP7Z
— Rodney Edwards (@rodneyedwards) March 22, 2021
Tonight’s discussion between McDonald and Varadkar was a pivotal moment in the journey to a United Ireland.
— Ben Kelly (@BenKellyTweets) March 22, 2021
They were basically (cautiously) in agreement. Building that consensus is crucial to carrying forward this mammoth task. #CBLive
What happens if one community refuses to try to unite because division suits their agenda? Do we wait around begging for them to be reasonable? Because that's what is currently happening and it's being facilitated by the "middle ground" who are OK with the status-quo. #cblive
— Emma Rainey (@EmmaL_R90) March 22, 2021
“There are very hard mental barriers” – Diarmaid Ferriter
— Claire Byrne Live (@ClaireByrneLive) March 22, 2021
Historian Diarmaid Ferriter chats to Claire about the deep mental borders there are when discussing the idea of a united Ireand #CBLive pic.twitter.com/d8pQzLW10u
How many people in the South visit the North regularly and vice versa? (Pre & post #COVID19 obvs). As @DearbhailDibs rightly put it just now – people, North & South, need to understand each other better. #cblive https://t.co/dYZ8N2RmJ7
— Neale Richmond (@nealerichmond) March 22, 2021
Look, if Irish unionists were valued half as much as they should be within ‘the Union’, there would be multiple English politicians on #cblive making the case for them staying.
— Ash Stronge (@ashstronge) March 22, 2021
If it was a debate on Scotland, they would be
So important that we enter this conversation with generosity of spirit, in the words of John Hume;
— Emma DeSouza (@EmmandJDeSouza) March 22, 2021
"Let’s work together and build together, and as we do that, the real solution will begin… The real healing process will begin, and we will erode the distrust of the past."
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‘MANY KILLED’ IN SHOOTING AT BOULDER GROCERY STORE
Developing…
BREAKING: Police say multiple people killed in shooting at Colorado supermarket, including a police officer. https://t.co/KW7cJRwWzg
— The Associated Press (@AP) March 23, 2021
“He didn’t say shit,” said one witness. “He just came in and started shooting.” https://t.co/Eu8PRYUG9C
— The Denver Post (@denverpost) March 22, 2021
DEVELOPING: "Active shooter" reported at a King Soopers grocery store in Boulder, Colorado, police say. https://t.co/lXsjVjPAaf
— ABC News (@ABC) March 22, 2021
Heartbreaking news here in Colorado. Feels like the same tragedy on repeat over and over again, each time in a different town with different victims, and each time the government tells us nothing could have prevented it so why even bother trying.
— Anthony D'Amato (@anthdamatomusic) March 22, 2021
It doesn’t have to be this way.
This you? https://t.co/0YrnUuj2ej pic.twitter.com/x8XxvwNqTT
— Jemele Hill (@jemelehill) March 23, 2021
In other crime news…
Breaking News: Evidence in the Capitol riot investigation most likely supports sedition charges for some of the suspects, a federal prosecutor told "60 Minutes." https://t.co/Aca2s68xDl
— The New York Times (@nytimes) March 21, 2021
Analysis: Sedition charges for Capitol rioters? The government leans into a historic decision. https://t.co/b1YttHtZp1
— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) March 22, 2021
You can not separate the Seditionists from the leader of the Sedition. If Donald Trump doesn’t call his followers to DC on Jan.6, the attempt to overthrow the US government doesn’t happen.
— Rob Reiner (@robreiner) March 22, 2021
As a mob stormed the Capitol, the word “sedition” was on many people’s lips. Its force is clear, but its echoes across American history are more complex and ambiguous, writes @jennyschuessler https://t.co/OOUqmvCsw2
— Peter Baker (@peterbakernyt) March 22, 2021
Meanwhile…
With this confirmation, @POTUS @JoeBiden becomes the first President in 40 years to win confirmation of all of his nominees for the "statutory cabinet." https://t.co/AWR8hEo1aa
— Ronald Klain (@WHCOS) March 22, 2021
The @revolvingdoorDC is truly doing the Lord (of anti-corruption) work over here https://t.co/xwQZ1vTV1m
— Alina Utrata (@AlinaUtrata) March 22, 2021
“No Reasonable Person…”
She has a point. https://t.co/3UY9zMJ2GD
— David Corn (@DavidCornDC) March 22, 2021
Trump, 2017: "Without me, ratings are going down the tubes.” He was right.
— Bill Grueskin (@BGrueskin) March 22, 2021
News sites' traffic, Feb vs Jan:
Washpost ⬇️26%
NYT ⬇️17%
Cable audience, Feb vs Jan:
CNN ⬇️ 45%
MSNBC ⬇️ 26%
Fox ⬇️ 6%
via @farhip https://t.co/l6WYaSYcVa
New @Politico: Trump's Own Social Media Site Would Be Beyond Boring https://t.co/x3EF4oOMLd
— Jack Shafer (@jackshafer) March 22, 2021
The Overnight Note 