| It has rained all day in Belfast and in many of the venues for today's Last Saturday parades (we will have reports on the parades tonight online and in Monday's paper). The rain seems apt to me, because we have been in autumn for weeks. The Rev Martin Smyth's funeral was held yesterday. This week we have published multiple tributes to him. I admire how such politicians ignored the IRA threat (Smyth's predecessor was murdered, then a young MLA in his constituency). Kneecap, cocky as ever, have just played Belfast Vital, with fans clad in IRA balaclavas. I can think of no similarly divisive act to have performed at that event previously. Talking of the IRA, here is an excellent essay by Jeff Dudgeon that persistent, low-key critic of how legacy is justifying terror - he looks at Labour's handling of it. And Owen Polley's essay on Monday was excellent as ever, challenging disparaging references to 'flegs'. On a lighter note, here is Jackie McGregor on Taylor Swift's engagement. Enjoy your weekend, despite the weather, Ben | 
