The State of Us

• Kneecap new info & Julie Ann McIlwaine's sister fights murder verdict

  A member of Irish language hip-hop group Kneecap has been charged with a terror offence after allegedly displaying a flag in support of proscribed organisation Hezbollah at a London gig.Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, 27, has been charged by the Metropolitan Police after an incident on 21 November 2024 at the O2 Forum in Kentish Town, London.Mr Ó hAnnaidh, who performs under the name Mo Chara, is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Wednesday 18 June.In a statement posted on social media, Kneecap said: "We deny this 'offence' and will vehemently defend ourselves."Also on today’s episode:Julie Ann McIlwaine, of Hazel Close, Lagmore, stabbed James Joseph Crossley, 38, while he slept at her former home in Filbert Drive in Dunmurry on 2 March 2022.The 34-year-old had admitted to killing Mr Crossley but denied his murder.Her sister, Rachel McIlwaine, tells Tara Mills and Declan Harvey a "loss of control" defence should have been accepted in the case.During the trial the court heard how Julie Ann McIlwaine and James Joseph Crossley were in a relationship marred by domestic abuse and coercive control.If you’ve been affected by anything in this episode: www.bbc.co.uk/actionlineGet in touch: [email protected]

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  35:47
• John Campbell to the rescue! (The UK/EU deal explained)

  Will food prices come down? Will there be changes in migration? Can we buy more plants? And what of the £200 million spent on brand new port facilities in NI after Brexit? In other words, what will the new EU/UK deal mean for Northern Ireland?Our Economics and Business Editor John Campbell give Tara Mills and Declan Harvey the lowdown on what all of this means for us. Also on today’s episode:- Does John have a photographic memory? - Tara’s days writing for Ceefax - Did Declan break the law? Get in touch: [email protected]

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  28:13
• “I’ve lost 9 stone in 9 months using weight loss jabs”

  The Department of Health tells The State of Us podcast that the Health Minister will make an announcement on the availability of weight loss medication in Northern Ireland ‘shortly’. Marc McKee’s GP told him, aged 34, that he would be lucky to live to see his 40th birthday. Since then, he’s lost 9 stone in 9 months using weight loss injections. He says the drugs have been ‘life changing’.There are two drugs on the market - semaglutide, marketed under the brand name Wegovy, and tirzepatide, sold as Mounjaro. Semaglutide is also used in the type 2 diabetes treatment Ozempic.Tara Mills and Declan Harvey chat about the latest research in this area, and hear from Marc about how it has impacted both his physical and mental health.Get in touch: [email protected] you’ve been affected by any of the issues in this website, help is available at www.bbc.co.uk/actionline

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  31:23
• Lagan College accused of not doing enough to prevent abuse

  Victims of a former school welfare officer who was convicted of sexual assault and grooming have told ‘The State of Us’ they believe their school didn’t do enough to prevent the abuse. Neil Beckett groomed the schoolgirls and used his position as a welfare officer at Lagan College in Belfast to access vulnerable young women. He was found guilty on 17 counts last December. Lagan College have told the BBC “We pay tribute to the bravery of those pupils who came forward and we assure you that the school acted properly and promptly and in accordance with Lagan College’s Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy, which adheres to Department of Education guidance, at all times”. Two young women, who've spoken to us anonymously, believe the school wasted crucial opportunities to safeguard pupils from harm. Get in touch: [email protected] If you’ve been affected by the topics in this episode, help is available at www.bbc.co.uk/actionline

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  27:52
• Trans rights, toilets and NI councils

  Tara Mills and Declan Harvey take on the tricky trans rights debate in today’s episode of The State of Us. Two local councils have become embroiled in the discussion. Where does the law stand in Northern Ireland, and what might be coming next? They also chat about how the media reports on trans issues, and when the BBC has had to grapple with editorial decisions in this area. Also on this episode: Declan’s dodgy ties and Tara’s TV trolling. Get in touch: [email protected]

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  29:14

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