1/9 Just in case you thought Israel doing what it likes and being cheered on for doing it is a new thing, come with me back to 1992 and the worst aviation disaster in the history of the Netherlands. An El Al Boeing 747 suffered catastrophic dual engine separation from the plane. 2/9 The cargo plane plummeted into a flats complex in the Amsterdam suburbs. The number of dead remains unclear – estimated between 43 and 47 – as the flats housed a number of unregistered foreign nationals. The Israeli and Dutch governments told the world the cargo was benign.

1/10 If you don't like a thread, look away now. Otherwise, here's why imo the Ireland of @MichaelDHiggins is the one we're proud of. And why NATO fanboys who'd like a Washington poodle in the Áras don't understand that the Ireland the world knows isn't the Ireland they seek. 2/10 Bujumbura, Burundi, East Africa. Five or six years ago. A small bar. A steaming hot evening. Through the wide open windows the rain's coming down in sheets. The humidity is savage – every time I blot my forehead and face with my small towel the sweat instantly pops and runs.

1/6 A wee word to those elected reps posting pictures of themselves enjoying Armed Services Day at the weekend. Please stick with me and maybe we can meet somewhere along the way. And even if we don't meet, perhaps we can just see each other a little bit better. Worth a try... 2/6 As usual, part of the entertainment was children being instructed in the use of battlefield weaponry. I don't think that's a good idea, but if you think there's nothing wrong with it, or even if you think it's a good idea, we can agree to differ. It's a gun-mad world.

I've taken a bit of time to respond to this by @SJAMcBride today as he's a journalist whose work I admire and who deserves more than a drive-by tweet.
*Read all of Sam's article and not just this headline.🧵 Please get it right, Sam. Conflict compensation is clearly a moral issue for you, as it is for many others. And that’s fine. But say that. Too many with platforms presume to speak for all – and there lies the legacy roadblock. It's certainly not a moral issue for me and many.

1/9 Absolutely delighted the people of Ireland treasure Ireland's greatest global asset when the gombeen men of FF and FG would dump it tomorrow for a pat on the head from the most violent military alliance in the history of the planet. Indulge me with this illustrative thread... 2/9 About five years ago I'm in the bar of my hotel in Cibitoke, Burundi. It's raining heavily outside, I've got a cold beer and a good book. The humidity is savage. I've a large white hanky which I use to wipe my sweat-pumping forehead every five seconds. Cliche colonial image.

1. I think I've gone mad and you may as well come with me. I came across one of those insane home hacks sites. Plenty of them, you say, so what? Well, this one is only about bungee cords. Your life is never going to be the same again (and not in a good way). 2. You know the way shopping bags in the boot is the biggest problem in your life? Not any more. Long as your car has the requisite bungee cord shopping bag hooks specification, you're sorted

1/10 Wee thread re the Adam Street bonfire case. Bear with...
In July, a procession of unionists travelled to the site on the Tigers Bay/New Lodge interface to stand with bonfire-builders and supporters. This despite the fact that the bonfire was embroiled in controversy. 2/10 Golf balls were driven from the top of the bonfire across Duncairn Gardens into nationalist homes. Bricks were thrown. Sectarian songs were sung nightly and loudly by the crowd round the bonfire. A threat was issued on the bonfire to statutory agencies re potential removal.

1/12 I'm in River Island Boucher today where I bought a belt and a leather bracelet from the accessory stand near the tills. (That"s called 'colour' in the newspaper business. Don't say you didn't wanna know.) There's a middle-aged female customer at the left till on her phone. 2/12 She's complaining bitterly to friend or family that staff have said they won't refund a pair of sunglasses because they're marked. The senior member of staff she has demanded arrives. This staff member explains the manager's shift is finished and she can't override policy.