Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Kevin Cooper

@kevinc55.bsky.social

“I copied Keir Starmer into each request,” John McDonnell said. “Clear to me as secretary of the NUJ’s parliamentary group if true this is unacceptable.” What of openness, transparency and accountability. Journalism is Not a Crime.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

Starmer facing calls for inquiry into Labour thinktank’s investigation of journalists

Cabinet Office minister commissioned report that made ‘baseless claims’ about reporters who were investigating Labour Together

www.theguardian.com

February 15, 2026 at 11:52 PM

Kevin Cooper

@kevinc55.bsky.social

Sad day as dozens of the family members and friends of the 48 victims of the Stardust tragedy gathered at the site of the former nightclub in Artane for the 45th anniversary.

www.rte.ie/news/2026/02...

Stardust families seek justice on anniversary of fire

Dozens of the family members and friends of the 48 victims of the Stardust tragedy gathered at the site of the former nightclub in Artane for the 45th anniversary.

www.rte.ie

February 15, 2026 at 6:07 PM

Kevin Cooper

@kevinc55.bsky.social

Some young people with Special Educational Needs (SEN) are "at home 24/7" after they leave school due to a lack of supported education or training, research suggests. We all help and support for our future in the community.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

'Young people with SEN leaving school are left with nothing'

A study suggests one in 91 young people with SEN will be supported in education or training when they leave school.

www.bbc.co.uk

February 15, 2026 at 10:55 AM

Kevin Cooper

@kevinc55.bsky.social

Table in the Garrick looking at menus life is good.😎💃🏻🕺🏻

February 13, 2026 at 7:58 PM

Kevin Cooper

@kevinc55.bsky.social

Good to be out in Belfast with sunshine and blue skies. Could this be signs of spring?

February 13, 2026 at 3:19 PM

Kevin Cooper

@kevinc55.bsky.social

BBC News: Palestine Action wins High Court challenge against government ban
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Palestine Action wins High Court challenge against government ban

It remains in place for now to allow further legal argument and the government to consider an appeal.

www.bbc.co.uk

February 13, 2026 at 3:04 PM

Kevin Cooper

@kevinc55.bsky.social

Refugees are Welcome, No to Racism, Tax the Rich!

February 12, 2026 at 12:46 AM

Kevin Cooper

@kevinc55.bsky.social

Journalists’ ability to report court proceedings is essential in keeping the public informed and upholding the principle of open justice.

The National Union of Journalists @nujofficial.bsky.social · 4d

The NUJ has responded to the government’s order for the deletion of a large database of criminal court records, which many journalists use to track cases.
www.nuj.org.uk/resource/nuj...

NUJ responds to order for the deletion of large court reporting archive

The NUJ has responded to the government’s order for the deletion of a large database of criminal court records, which many journalists use to track cases.

www.nuj.org.uk

February 11, 2026 at 6:01 PM

Kevin Cooper

@kevinc55.bsky.social

Taoiseach Micheál Martin has named Freddie Scappaticci
www.rte.ie/news/2026/02...

Taoiseach names Freddie Scappaticci as Stakeknife

Taoiseach Micheál Martin has named Freddie Scappaticci as the former British army agent known as Stakeknife in the Dáil this afternoon.

www.rte.ie

February 11, 2026 at 2:47 PM

Kevin Cooper

@kevinc55.bsky.social

A wee bit of lunch in Krumb Bakery on the Ormeau Road.

February 11, 2026 at 2:09 PM

Kevin Cooper

@kevinc55.bsky.social

NUJ urges UK government to provide urgent funding security for BBC World Service

The National Union of Journalists @nujofficial.bsky.social · 5d

Laura Davison, NUJ general secretary, said:

"Members are worried that without secure and full funding, more jobs will be put at risk, workload and stress will increase, news output will be cut and the BBC's reputation will be damaged."

www.nuj.org.uk/resource/nuj...

NUJ urges government to provide urgent funding security for BBC World Service

The NUJ has urged the UK government to act swiftly to safeguard the future of the BBC World Service after the corporation warned that the service is on a financial cliff edge.

www.nuj.org.uk

February 10, 2026 at 5:24 PM

Kevin Cooper

@kevinc55.bsky.social

NUJ ICTU TUC NIC-ICTU ❤️ Unions 2026 for solidarity, support, press freedom, safety, equality, human rights, ant-racism, and a living wage. Derry & North West NUJ NUJ Belfast

February 10, 2026 at 4:15 PM

Kevin Cooper

@kevinc55.bsky.social

NUJ has condemned the 20-year prison sentence handed to Hong Kong media magnate, Jimmy Lai
www.nuj.org.uk/resource/hon...

Hong Kong: NUJ condemns sentencing of Jimmy Lai

The NUJ has condemned the 20-year prison sentence handed to Hong Kong media magnate, Jimmy Lai, following a “politically motivated” conviction to silence free speech.

www.nuj.org.uk

February 10, 2026 at 10:40 AM

Kevin Cooper

@kevinc55.bsky.social

RTÉ News: Sad day Jimmy Lai to 20 years in prison for press freedom
www.rte.ie/news/asia/20...

Global outrage as Jimmy Lai jailed for 20 years

The UN and EU have led a chorus of condemnation over the decision by a Hong Kong court to jail media mogul Jimmy Lai for 20 years following his high-profile national security trial.

www.rte.ie

February 9, 2026 at 10:30 PM

Kevin Cooper

@kevinc55.bsky.social

RTÉ News: MPs has called on the British government to name the former British army agent known as Stakeknife
www.rte.ie/news/ulster/...

Group of MPs urge UK govt to formally name Stakeknife

A cross-party group of MPs has called on the British government to name the former British army agent known as Stakeknife, saying it would be "appropriate, proportionate and strongly in the public int...

www.rte.ie

February 9, 2026 at 9:13 PM

Kevin Cooper

@kevinc55.bsky.social

❤️ Unions 2026 for solidarity, support and a living wage. Derry & North West NUJ NUJ Belfast
www.tuc.org.uk/blogs/heartu...

HeartUnions week matters more than ever

This HeartUnions week help spread the message. Talk about unions. Be proud of what we achieve together. Because the truth is simple: when unions do well, working people do well - and when working peop...

www.tuc.org.uk

February 9, 2026 at 10:54 AM

Kevin Cooper

@kevinc55.bsky.social

NUJ Reports of the thinktank Labour Together hiring a commercial firm to investigate journalists are deeply concerning
www.nuj.org.uk/resource/nuj...

NUJ statement on reports Labour thinktank investigated journalists

The NUJ has responded to reports that Labour Together hired PR firm APCO Worldwide to investigate journalists who were probing irregularities in the thinktank’s funding.

www.nuj.org.uk

February 9, 2026 at 10:37 AM

Kevin Cooper

@kevinc55.bsky.social

BBC News: Morgan McSweeney quits
www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c7...

McSweeney quits as PM's chief of staff, saying he takes 'full responsibility' for advising Mandelson appointment

Prime Minister Keir Starmer thanks McSweeney for his

www.bbc.co.uk

February 8, 2026 at 4:38 PM

Kevin Cooper

@kevinc55.bsky.social

International Women’s day 2026

'Strength in Solidarity' on Saturday 7th of March 2026 at 11.30am in Writers Square, Belfast. @nic-ictu.bsky.social @nujofficial.bsky.social @amnesty.org

Reclaim the Agenda @reclaimtheagenda.bsky.social · 8d

Delighted to announce the winning poster design by Caitlin Joyce. We love how its put together and speaks volumes to our theme 'Strength in Solidarity'

Saturday the 7th of March, we do every year, we will celebrate and we will amplify our campaigns. Look forward to seeing you all there.

February 7, 2026 at 12:03 PM

Kevin Cooper

@kevinc55.bsky.social

The Guardian: Shameful and disgraceful ‘Labour minister ordered intelligence reports on journalists’
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

Labour minister ordered intelligence reports on journalists

Exclusive: Material gathered was personally given to Josh Simons when chair of pro-Starmer thinktank, say sources

www.theguardian.com

February 6, 2026 at 10:04 PM

Kevin Cooper

@kevinc55.bsky.social

Five Women General Secretaries: Sheila Nunan, INTO, Bernadette Segol, ETUC, Frances O’Grady, TUC, Patricia King, ICTU, Sharan Burrow, ITUC, at BDC ICTU 2015 Thursday in Ennis Co Clare.

February 6, 2026 at 12:55 AM

Kevin Cooper

@kevinc55.bsky.social

Out for lunch again this time on the Antrim Road in Cafe Ceol.

February 5, 2026 at 2:00 PM

Kevin Cooper

@kevinc55.bsky.social

Overwhelming support for new legislation on workers’ rights and good jobs. Workers deserve protection. @nic-ictu.bsky.social
www.ictuni.org/news/major-n...

Major new opinion poll shows overwhelming support for new legislation on workers’ rights and good jobs

A LucidTalk poll published last week in the Belfast Telegraph revealed that just one in four people think Stormont has improved their lives since its restoration two years ago.

www.ictuni.org

February 5, 2026 at 10:30 AM

Kevin Cooper

@kevinc55.bsky.social

Solidarity with staff in the Washington Post and The New York Times large job cuts.

Press Gazette @pressgazette.co.uk · 11d

The Washington Post is cutting one-third of all staff across the company including “substantial newsroom reductions” believed to mean about 300 journalists

Read Washington Post executive editor Matt Murray's email to staff in full here pressgazette.co.uk/north-americ...