Cathy
@cathyby.bsky.social
"We must, indeed, all hang together or, most assuredly, we shall all hang separately." - Benjamin Franklin
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#SpéirGorm 🇮🇪 🇪🇺
Header description with alt-text: https://bsky.app/profile/cathyby.bsky.social/post/3m6s24wtixc27
#SpéirGorm 🇮🇪 🇪🇺
Reposted by Cathy
Home sweet home. Back in Dublin.
January 17, 2026 at 8:39 PM
Home sweet home. Back in Dublin.
Reposted by Cathy
Emergency meeting of EU leaders to take place this week over US threats - Antonio Costa, european council president
www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/pre...
www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/pre...
Statement by President Costa on Greenland
The President of the European Council, António Costa, issued a statement on Greenland.
www.consilium.europa.eu
January 18, 2026 at 8:04 PM
Emergency meeting of EU leaders to take place this week over US threats - Antonio Costa, european council president
www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/pre...
www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/pre...
Reposted by Cathy
🚨 Just in: António Costa has decided to convene an extraordinary meeting of EU leaders to address a Trump's 10% tariff announcement.
Costa says his consultations with other leaders demonstrated a "readiness to defend ourselves against any form of coercion".
Costa says his consultations with other leaders demonstrated a "readiness to defend ourselves against any form of coercion".
My consultations with member states on the latest tensions over Greenland reconfirm our strong commitment to the following:
▪️ Unity on the principles of international law, territorial integrity and national sovereignty;
▪️ Unity in support of and solidarity with Denmark and Greenland;
▪️ Unity on the principles of international law, territorial integrity and national sovereignty;
▪️ Unity in support of and solidarity with Denmark and Greenland;
January 18, 2026 at 8:01 PM
🚨 Just in: António Costa has decided to convene an extraordinary meeting of EU leaders to address a Trump's 10% tariff announcement.
Costa says his consultations with other leaders demonstrated a "readiness to defend ourselves against any form of coercion".
Costa says his consultations with other leaders demonstrated a "readiness to defend ourselves against any form of coercion".
Reposted by Cathy
European countries threaten €93bn tariffs on Trump - FT www.rte.ie/news/2026/01...
European countries threaten €93bn tariffs on Trump - FT
Keep up to date with the latest developments and reactions after Donald Trump stepped up threats of taking over Greenland and announced a series of tariffs against European countries
www.rte.ie
January 18, 2026 at 7:14 PM
European countries threaten €93bn tariffs on Trump - FT www.rte.ie/news/2026/01...
Reposted by Cathy
Pulling the car over was the only option when the sky turned this colour. I was just heading home, minding my own business, when the sun decided to put on a massive show behind the hedgerows. #photography #EastCoastKin #Wicklow #sunset #smartphonephotography
January 18, 2026 at 6:21 PM
Pulling the car over was the only option when the sky turned this colour. I was just heading home, minding my own business, when the sun decided to put on a massive show behind the hedgerows. #photography #EastCoastKin #Wicklow #sunset #smartphonephotography
Reposted by Cathy
A stunning sundog on Sunday afternoon from the Sperrins.
🎥 Rachel Cassidy
🎥 Rachel Cassidy
January 18, 2026 at 4:42 PM
A stunning sundog on Sunday afternoon from the Sperrins.
🎥 Rachel Cassidy
🎥 Rachel Cassidy
Reposted by Cathy
Last year involved what many of Europe’s decisionmakers now admit resembled cognitive dissonance: arguing that they needed to tolerate Trump’s attacks on them as allies in order to keep him as an ally
“There is a point where the possibilities of dealing with each other sensibly have been exhausted”
“There is a point where the possibilities of dealing with each other sensibly have been exhausted”
How Trump's economic attack on Nato allies convinced Europe its strategy had failed.
"It looks like the days of trying to appease Trump are finished"
"This is about a lot more than just Greenland. It’s about security relations, it’s about economic ties: it’s about trust"
as.ft.com/r/42892965-8...
"It looks like the days of trying to appease Trump are finished"
"This is about a lot more than just Greenland. It’s about security relations, it’s about economic ties: it’s about trust"
as.ft.com/r/42892965-8...
‘It’s about trust’: Donald Trump’s fresh tariff threats push Europe to harden its stance
[FREE TO READ] Aggressive US rhetoric over Greenland demands a change in strategy by the EU and UK, officials say
as.ft.com
January 18, 2026 at 6:42 PM
Last year involved what many of Europe’s decisionmakers now admit resembled cognitive dissonance: arguing that they needed to tolerate Trump’s attacks on them as allies in order to keep him as an ally
“There is a point where the possibilities of dealing with each other sensibly have been exhausted”
“There is a point where the possibilities of dealing with each other sensibly have been exhausted”
Reposted by Cathy
The EU's Anti-Coercion instrument has Wikipedia pages in English, French (created this afternoon), Danish (also created this afternoon and titled "EU's handelsbazooka"), and Indonesian (created last August)
January 18, 2026 at 5:45 PM
The EU's Anti-Coercion instrument has Wikipedia pages in English, French (created this afternoon), Danish (also created this afternoon and titled "EU's handelsbazooka"), and Indonesian (created last August)
Micheál Martin condemned the threat of tariffs but also said that he was "against a knee-jerk reaction", eg. EP not ratifying the EU-US trade deal.
Issue is, in what sense is it "a deal" if Trump will ignore it to shake down EU states?
www.rte.ie/news/politic...
#RTEThisWeek #SpéirGorm
Issue is, in what sense is it "a deal" if Trump will ignore it to shake down EU states?
www.rte.ie/news/politic...
#RTEThisWeek #SpéirGorm
Taoiseach 'against knee-jerk reaction' to tariff threat
The Taoiseach has described the threat of tariffs by US President Donald Trump on European countries that are resisting his stated desire to take over Greenland as "extraordinary" and "unacceptable".
www.rte.ie
January 18, 2026 at 6:21 PM
Micheál Martin condemned the threat of tariffs but also said that he was "against a knee-jerk reaction", eg. EP not ratifying the EU-US trade deal.
Issue is, in what sense is it "a deal" if Trump will ignore it to shake down EU states?
www.rte.ie/news/politic...
#RTEThisWeek #SpéirGorm
Issue is, in what sense is it "a deal" if Trump will ignore it to shake down EU states?
www.rte.ie/news/politic...
#RTEThisWeek #SpéirGorm
Reposted by Cathy
"Vladimir couldn't imagine this in his wildest dreams." says Euronews journalist @shonamurray.bsky.social on The Week at Politics today.
You can catch the re-run of The Week in Politics on RTÉ One at 11:05pm and at 3pm, 6:30pm and 10pm on RTÉ News.
#Greenland
📺
You can catch the re-run of The Week in Politics on RTÉ One at 11:05pm and at 3pm, 6:30pm and 10pm on RTÉ News.
#Greenland
📺
January 18, 2026 at 2:31 PM
"Vladimir couldn't imagine this in his wildest dreams." says Euronews journalist @shonamurray.bsky.social on The Week at Politics today.
You can catch the re-run of The Week in Politics on RTÉ One at 11:05pm and at 3pm, 6:30pm and 10pm on RTÉ News.
#Greenland
📺
You can catch the re-run of The Week in Politics on RTÉ One at 11:05pm and at 3pm, 6:30pm and 10pm on RTÉ News.
#Greenland
📺
Reposted by Cathy
This is a very good point. The November 2025 US National Security Strategy never mentions the Arctic at all. The idea that it's a genuine security priority for the Trump administration is not credible.
January 18, 2026 at 6:07 PM
This is a very good point. The November 2025 US National Security Strategy never mentions the Arctic at all. The idea that it's a genuine security priority for the Trump administration is not credible.
Reposted by Cathy
An Irish citizen has been detained by Russian authorities due to messages on his phone which expressed anti-Russian sentiment, according to his Ukrainian wife
Irish citizen detained in Russia over phone messages
An Irish citizen has been detained by Russian authorities due to messages on his phone which expressed anti-Russian sentiment, according to his Ukrainian wife.
www.rte.ie
January 18, 2026 at 6:05 PM
An Irish citizen has been detained by Russian authorities due to messages on his phone which expressed anti-Russian sentiment, according to his Ukrainian wife
What is absurd is that Truman got all the security asks he wanted and acknowledged Denmark's sovereignty BACK THEN.
The conversation was closed for over 65 years, until Trump restarted it. And Trump has no security asks, because Truman got them. He just wants ownership.
The conversation was closed for over 65 years, until Trump restarted it. And Trump has no security asks, because Truman got them. He just wants ownership.
From Phila. Inquirer this morning….“Fetterman and McCormick both rejected the idea, proposed by President Donald Trump, that the U.S. may use military force to acquire Greenland. It's also undeniable, that this is not a brand-new conversation, so it's not an absurd idea."
share.inquirer.com/zb5sfp
share.inquirer.com/zb5sfp
Asked about anti-ICE protests, McCormick says ‘dehumanizing language’ is leading to violence
Pennsylvania's two U.S. Senators discussed anti-ICE protests, Greenland, data centers, and other topics in a wide-ranging interview on CBS Evening News.
share.inquirer.com
January 18, 2026 at 6:05 PM
What is absurd is that Truman got all the security asks he wanted and acknowledged Denmark's sovereignty BACK THEN.
The conversation was closed for over 65 years, until Trump restarted it. And Trump has no security asks, because Truman got them. He just wants ownership.
The conversation was closed for over 65 years, until Trump restarted it. And Trump has no security asks, because Truman got them. He just wants ownership.
Reposted by Cathy
I think the White House badly underestimates the strength of the pan-European folk memory of 1930s appeasement, and how deep it still cuts. I suppose this is what happens when you learn in school that WW2 started in 1941 in Hawaii.
January 18, 2026 at 1:04 PM
I think the White House badly underestimates the strength of the pan-European folk memory of 1930s appeasement, and how deep it still cuts. I suppose this is what happens when you learn in school that WW2 started in 1941 in Hawaii.
Reposted by Cathy
1. Ukraine wouldn’t collapse. The US is already providing less and guess what: You lower your contribution, you lessen your leverage.
2. No state compromises on its territorial integrity. Not Ukraine, not the Kingdom of Denmark.
3. Good luck explaining all this to the US public in an election year
2. No state compromises on its territorial integrity. Not Ukraine, not the Kingdom of Denmark.
3. Good luck explaining all this to the US public in an election year
WELKER: Is Greenland or NATO more vital to natl security?
BESSENT: That's obviously a false choice
W: Not to European leaders
B: They will come around & understand they need to be under the US security umbrella. What would happen in Ukraine if the US pulled support? The whole thing would collapse
BESSENT: That's obviously a false choice
W: Not to European leaders
B: They will come around & understand they need to be under the US security umbrella. What would happen in Ukraine if the US pulled support? The whole thing would collapse
January 18, 2026 at 4:34 PM
1. Ukraine wouldn’t collapse. The US is already providing less and guess what: You lower your contribution, you lessen your leverage.
2. No state compromises on its territorial integrity. Not Ukraine, not the Kingdom of Denmark.
3. Good luck explaining all this to the US public in an election year
2. No state compromises on its territorial integrity. Not Ukraine, not the Kingdom of Denmark.
3. Good luck explaining all this to the US public in an election year
Reposted by Cathy
it’s like they’re trying to lose the tariff SCOTUS case
WELKER: What is the national emergency that justifies this new slate of tariffs?
BESSENT: The national emergency is avoiding a national emergency
BESSENT: The national emergency is avoiding a national emergency
January 18, 2026 at 3:18 PM
it’s like they’re trying to lose the tariff SCOTUS case
Reposted by Cathy
The U.S. tried to acquire information about Danish military installations on Greenland last year, going outside traditional channels & raising fears of an invasion. The 1500 strong 11th Airborne in Alaska now being readied for deployment—supposedly in Minnesota—are nicknamed the “Arctic Angels.”
January 18, 2026 at 11:32 AM
The U.S. tried to acquire information about Danish military installations on Greenland last year, going outside traditional channels & raising fears of an invasion. The 1500 strong 11th Airborne in Alaska now being readied for deployment—supposedly in Minnesota—are nicknamed the “Arctic Angels.”
Reposted by Cathy
A very interesting new @ecfr.eu report about countering Russian hybrid warfare in Africa by @willbrownecfr.bsky.social. I am glad to see that the report really underlines one of my recent pet peeves: The need to go on the offensive on cyber.+
The bear and the bot farm: Countering Russian hybrid warfare in Africa
Russia has many quiet enemies in Africa. Working together, like-minded Africans and Europeans can roll back its troublesome influence.
ecfr.eu
November 7, 2025 at 12:54 PM
A very interesting new @ecfr.eu report about countering Russian hybrid warfare in Africa by @willbrownecfr.bsky.social. I am glad to see that the report really underlines one of my recent pet peeves: The need to go on the offensive on cyber.+
Reposted by Cathy
Arm bomb disposal at Newcomen bridge North Strand closed for last 2 hours no idea when open. @dublincitycouncil.bsky.social @garda.ie
January 18, 2026 at 2:46 PM
Arm bomb disposal at Newcomen bridge North Strand closed for last 2 hours no idea when open. @dublincitycouncil.bsky.social @garda.ie
Reposted by Cathy
This is a mobster telling a shop owner that the police can't protect them, only they can.
Bessent on Greenland: "Peace through strength. Make it part of the US and there will not be a conflict because the US right now, we're the hottest country in the world, we're the strongest country in the world. Europeans project weakness. The US projects strength."
January 18, 2026 at 2:29 PM
This is a mobster telling a shop owner that the police can't protect them, only they can.
Reposted by Cathy
As a colleague often likes to quip:
“It’s only depressing if you think about it.”
“It’s only depressing if you think about it.”
We now have a full-blown European-American crisis, and for no reason that the president is able to articulate
January 18, 2026 at 2:15 PM
As a colleague often likes to quip:
“It’s only depressing if you think about it.”
“It’s only depressing if you think about it.”
This is where balance over truth seeking and bought media get you.
"Harris would do the exact same thing" is the dumbest of dumbfuck takes.
No wonder the yanks are borked.
No wonder the yanks are borked.
January 18, 2026 at 1:57 PM
This is where balance over truth seeking and bought media get you.
Reposted by Cathy
With Trumps threats to Greenland’s independence growing every day, a strong EU response is vital.
I’m calling on the Taoiseach to urgently brief Opposition leaders on the possible use of the EU Anti-Coercion Instrument and the impact on Ireland of the new tariffs threat 🇮🇪 🇬🇱 🇪🇺
I’m calling on the Taoiseach to urgently brief Opposition leaders on the possible use of the EU Anti-Coercion Instrument and the impact on Ireland of the new tariffs threat 🇮🇪 🇬🇱 🇪🇺
January 18, 2026 at 1:42 PM
With Trumps threats to Greenland’s independence growing every day, a strong EU response is vital.
I’m calling on the Taoiseach to urgently brief Opposition leaders on the possible use of the EU Anti-Coercion Instrument and the impact on Ireland of the new tariffs threat 🇮🇪 🇬🇱 🇪🇺
I’m calling on the Taoiseach to urgently brief Opposition leaders on the possible use of the EU Anti-Coercion Instrument and the impact on Ireland of the new tariffs threat 🇮🇪 🇬🇱 🇪🇺
Reposted by Cathy
How sad is this? The CDC closed its FOIA office, so this story could only be published because a Danish journalist provided Rolling Stone with the documents, after obtaining them through a freedom of information request to the University of Southern Denmark
www.rollingstone.com/politics/pol...
www.rollingstone.com/politics/pol...
HHS Gave a $1.6 Million Grant to a Controversial Vaccine Study. These Emails Show How That Happened
Two Danish researchers faced accusations of “questionable research practices” as RFK Jr.’s top appointees made their study a “funding priority.”
www.rollingstone.com
January 18, 2026 at 4:11 AM
How sad is this? The CDC closed its FOIA office, so this story could only be published because a Danish journalist provided Rolling Stone with the documents, after obtaining them through a freedom of information request to the University of Southern Denmark
www.rollingstone.com/politics/pol...
www.rollingstone.com/politics/pol...
Reposted by Cathy
More on this meeting happening at 5 p.m. local time:
-It's 'restricted' format (no laptops, no minutes taken)
-it's 1+1 format (so each ambassador is allowed to bring their...plus one)
-It's on US tariffs and many hear that the trade bazooka option will be raised by at least one EU capital
-It's 'restricted' format (no laptops, no minutes taken)
-it's 1+1 format (so each ambassador is allowed to bring their...plus one)
-It's on US tariffs and many hear that the trade bazooka option will be raised by at least one EU capital
An extraordinary meeting of EU ambassadors has been called for tomorrow afternoon in Brussels following the recent announcement by the U.S. of tariffs on EU countries over Greenland, a spokesperson for the current EU Council presidency held by Cyprus confirmed
January 18, 2026 at 1:32 PM
More on this meeting happening at 5 p.m. local time:
-It's 'restricted' format (no laptops, no minutes taken)
-it's 1+1 format (so each ambassador is allowed to bring their...plus one)
-It's on US tariffs and many hear that the trade bazooka option will be raised by at least one EU capital
-It's 'restricted' format (no laptops, no minutes taken)
-it's 1+1 format (so each ambassador is allowed to bring their...plus one)
-It's on US tariffs and many hear that the trade bazooka option will be raised by at least one EU capital