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One strategy, if you have unlimited data, is to use something like Skype to call over data. It will report your mobile number as the calling number and they sell bundles of minutes.

Had forgotten about that Skype offering, thanks.  At the min, I think I'll be sticking with the extra fiver a month for Vodafone Ireland Plus.

Looking at  an iPad to buy

Apparently there are  two types , a cellular  one where you can insert a  SIM card and make calls with

 The other one  I looked at doesn't take s SIM card
to allow you to make calls.

But  I wonder can you still  mAke calls/video calls via WhatsApp on the non-cellular iPad?

There should be a variety of apps like Whatsapp that allow you make calls on Wifi, but the sim card version might actually work like a big phone.

I think the cellular option is just to give you connectivity to email, browse etc. when out and about and away from WiFi.  The fact that you can hotspot it to your phone anyway, kind of makes me think cellular option is not needed ... but maybe I'm missing something.

https://www.moneysupermarket.com/mobile-phones/guides/roaming-charges-explained/


Nevertheless, there are still networks that offer inclusive EU roaming. Many budget networks – giffgaff, Tesco Mobile, Asda Mobile, iD Mobile, SMARTY, Lycamobile and Lebara – still include EU roaming for no extra charge in their plans. But there's usually a fair usage policy in place, which limits the amount of data you can use while you're away.

EU Roaming on the UK SIM is no help if you call a Freestate number from the North, although it might be useful if you are in the 26 counties.

Correct armaghniac ... my question is ref. calling a southern mobile from the north and not incurring an international rate, nothing to do with roaming charges.

Based in the north, I'm currently on the Vodafone mobile network.  As I tend to make a lot of calls to southern numbers, I also pay them for Vodafone Ireland Plus ... this means I can use my northern bundle to call/text numbers in the south without incurring international rates.  From memory, it's approx £5 a month additional.

Are Vodafone the only provider in the north who has such a service, or is anyone aware of other providers offering similar all Ireland type tariffs?  Thanks.

South Africa have filed a case of genocide against Israel in the "international criminal court". Wonder what will come of that. Fair play to them.

Not sure how it works but no doubt Yanks will try to scupper it.

Fair play to South Africa, at least one country had the balls to do it.  But as you say, the Yanks will scupper it and let's all stand idly by whilst Israel commits genocide in 2023/24. It really is incredulous how impotent the global community are that this is allowed to happen.  Whilst protests at football matches and in town centres across Ireland are done for the right reason, they have absolutely no impact on what happens.  This needs sorted at government level, the rest of us are powerless.  The US are not going to do anything to stop it, they've had their chance ... maybe the likes of China should stand up and say enough is enough and claim their spot as the global policeman, and let the yanks do as they wish.   I've no respect for Biden and his administration, it's long gone.

At Casement many moons ago at a county game, the announcer came over the Tannoy ... "Close all exits, the gate proceeds have been stolen" ... it got a cheer around the ground

Just shows how good a manager Ange actually was, he had that team purring along, unstoppable in Scotland ... and now this, shambles .... upcoming game against Rangers takes on even greater importance than usual.  Going 4 points behind them is a possibility based on today.  Not to forget Livingston and Dundee, nothing is a given at the minute.

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/dec/15/ufo-records-release-congress

Fairytale of New York
Thousands Are Sailing
Broad Majestic Shannon / Rainy Night In Soho .. just can't decide.

RIP Shane.  Thanks to a mutual friend, I had the experience of travelling to a Pogues gig once in the van with Shane, an experience indeed. 

He was a lyrical genius, and we won't see his likes again in our time anyway.

The narrative is this ... LHO fired the first shot and hit JFK in the shoulder.  The secret service agent in the car behind Kennedy's car, who was carrying a loaded rifle, jolted at the sound of the shot or was jolted by the car's driving at the sound of the shot, and discharged the fatal bullet that killed JFK from behind ... thus the cover up.

Either the above be correct, or something else, but there had to be two shooters.  The chance of LHO getting two shots off with the required precision are extremely remote.

So Paddy Cosgrave has resigned as CEO of Websubmit following multiple multi-nationals pulling out of the his event in Lisbon ... just because Paddy had the cheek to criticise western support for Israeli war crimes ...

https://www.rte.ie/news/business/2023/1021/1412190-web-summit-cosgrave/

Always seemed a decent skin Paddy

The shocking thing is if you read what he said and subsequently apologised for. You either support Israel's murderous rampage or your toast.

He only has himself to blame

His initial "apology" wasn't an apology and he actually doubled down in his initial comments

You for real?  So to call out a war crime is wrong?  wise up FFS, you should try growing a backbone.

Heard Mc Ginley on Radio 1 today talking about Jimmy might try to get a certain player back.

You never know.

It felt like a premature retirement when it happened.  However, irrespective if he does return, McGuinness will be working with a much less capable Donegal outfit than what he previously had.  Yes, he'll have them for 6 months before the Championship, if you don't have the calibre of player, time is irrelevant.  Interesting all the same, when or if Derry face Tyrone is the big question.

So Paddy Cosgrave has resigned as CEO of Websumit following multiple multi-nationals pulling out of the his event in Lisbon ... just because Paddy had the cheek to criticise western support for Israeli war crimes ...

https://www.rte.ie/news/business/2023/1021/1412190-web-summit-cosgrave/

https://twitter.com/vonderleyen/status/1714348558877352297?t=9TKTpeXvxwsL-fp4SXcuqw&s=19

She has no shame or humanity, hours after Israel targeted a Hospital

I find it beyond belief that Von der Leyen is standing so firmly behind Israel, they must have something on her. 

It's not that anyone needed convincing, but surely the bombing of a hospital with so much loss of life tells the world what was always known about Israel.  Unjustified, unjustifiable ... no words for it. How can Biden continue with his trip and stand with Israel is also incredulous!