Derek Brauders
@derekbrauders.bsky.social
Explorer of new horizons. Irish, EU, Retd Irish Military. Interests in politics, wine, photography, and really anything else of interest. On Mastodon, Threads, IG. Same name.
Reposted by Derek Brauders
Fascinating timing now: X have contacted Niamh Smyth to tell her they will met with her in the coming weeks.
January 9, 2026 at 4:27 PM
Fascinating timing now: X have contacted Niamh Smyth to tell her they will met with her in the coming weeks.
Reposted by Derek Brauders
Niamh Smyth also says Apple and Google should remove Grok and X from their stores while it is generating CSAM and nonconsensual intimate images of women.
A much tougher government stance than we've heard from some colleagues in recent days.
A much tougher government stance than we've heard from some colleagues in recent days.
January 9, 2026 at 2:44 PM
Niamh Smyth also says Apple and Google should remove Grok and X from their stores while it is generating CSAM and nonconsensual intimate images of women.
A much tougher government stance than we've heard from some colleagues in recent days.
A much tougher government stance than we've heard from some colleagues in recent days.
Reposted by Derek Brauders
🚨 AI Minister Niamh Smyth says it isn't appropriate for the Government to maintain a presence on X and will speak to the Taoiseach on the matter.
Says the European Commission should immediately suspend Grok while investigations are continuing.
More on @virginmedianews.bsky.social
Says the European Commission should immediately suspend Grok while investigations are continuing.
More on @virginmedianews.bsky.social
January 9, 2026 at 2:42 PM
🚨 AI Minister Niamh Smyth says it isn't appropriate for the Government to maintain a presence on X and will speak to the Taoiseach on the matter.
Says the European Commission should immediately suspend Grok while investigations are continuing.
More on @virginmedianews.bsky.social
Says the European Commission should immediately suspend Grok while investigations are continuing.
More on @virginmedianews.bsky.social
Reposted by Derek Brauders
‘It was a matter of conscience’: Ahmed al-Ahmed’s family reveal why he risked his life to disarm alleged Bondi shooter
‘It was a matter of conscience’: Ahmed al-Ahmed’s family reveal why he risked his life to disarm alleged Bondi shooter
Family say Ahmed ‘doesn’t discriminate’ and would have done anything to save lives during the attack
www.irishtimes.com
December 15, 2025 at 10:00 PM
‘It was a matter of conscience’: Ahmed al-Ahmed’s family reveal why he risked his life to disarm alleged Bondi shooter
Reposted by Derek Brauders
European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas has said that that taking over Ukraine's Donbas region will "not be [Vladimir] Putin's end game".
Donbas region is 'not Putin's end game', EU's Kallas says
European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas has said that that taking over the Donbas region will "not be [Vladimir] Putin's end game".
www.rte.ie
December 15, 2025 at 7:47 AM
European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas has said that that taking over Ukraine's Donbas region will "not be [Vladimir] Putin's end game".
Reposted by Derek Brauders
“Silicon Valley isn’t building apps anymore.
It’s building empires.
How Tech Billionaires Are Building a Post-Democratic America — And Why Europe Is Next”
www.authoritarian-stack.info
It’s building empires.
How Tech Billionaires Are Building a Post-Democratic America — And Why Europe Is Next”
www.authoritarian-stack.info
The Authoritarian Stack
How Tech Billionaires Are Building a Post-Democratic America — And Why Europe Is Next
www.authoritarian-stack.info
December 15, 2025 at 11:53 AM
“Silicon Valley isn’t building apps anymore.
It’s building empires.
How Tech Billionaires Are Building a Post-Democratic America — And Why Europe Is Next”
www.authoritarian-stack.info
It’s building empires.
How Tech Billionaires Are Building a Post-Democratic America — And Why Europe Is Next”
www.authoritarian-stack.info
Reposted by Derek Brauders
Reposted by Derek Brauders
Claus for concern: should we be worried about Santa's health? www.rte.ie/brainstorm/2...
Claus for concern: should we be worried about Santa's health?
While Santa's appearance may be synonymous with the season of goodwill, it doesn't suggest that he's in the best of health
www.rte.ie
December 15, 2025 at 12:26 PM
Claus for concern: should we be worried about Santa's health? www.rte.ie/brainstorm/2...
Reposted by Derek Brauders
A very special piece of frontline reporting open.spotify.com/episode/0vZq...
Kherson...
open.spotify.com
December 15, 2025 at 4:54 PM
A very special piece of frontline reporting open.spotify.com/episode/0vZq...
Reposted by Derek Brauders
Even when confronted with a 🇺🇸 #NationalSecurityStrategy planning their ouster, our centrist leaders have been silent in response.
Merz's much-lauded 'end of the Pax Americana' speech only spoke of US isolationism, not aggression.
But the 🇪🇺Defence Commissioner just said the quiet part out loud:
Merz's much-lauded 'end of the Pax Americana' speech only spoke of US isolationism, not aggression.
But the 🇪🇺Defence Commissioner just said the quiet part out loud:
The EU Commission's lone truth-teller explains what the US really wants
"Americans are planning to fight against the EU, against our strength through unity, since in their vision the EU can become threatening to American interests," says the EU Defence Commissioner.
davekeating.substack.com
December 15, 2025 at 3:32 PM
Even when confronted with a 🇺🇸 #NationalSecurityStrategy planning their ouster, our centrist leaders have been silent in response.
Merz's much-lauded 'end of the Pax Americana' speech only spoke of US isolationism, not aggression.
But the 🇪🇺Defence Commissioner just said the quiet part out loud:
Merz's much-lauded 'end of the Pax Americana' speech only spoke of US isolationism, not aggression.
But the 🇪🇺Defence Commissioner just said the quiet part out loud:
Reposted by Derek Brauders
Ukrainians on war, peace, the West, and elections
New data from a nationwide poll conducted by KIIS (November 26–December 13, 2025; 547 respondents) shows one simple thing: Ukrainians are ready for peace, but not for surrender.👇
New data from a nationwide poll conducted by KIIS (November 26–December 13, 2025; 547 respondents) shows one simple thing: Ukrainians are ready for peace, but not for surrender.👇
December 15, 2025 at 11:38 AM
Ukrainians on war, peace, the West, and elections
New data from a nationwide poll conducted by KIIS (November 26–December 13, 2025; 547 respondents) shows one simple thing: Ukrainians are ready for peace, but not for surrender.👇
New data from a nationwide poll conducted by KIIS (November 26–December 13, 2025; 547 respondents) shows one simple thing: Ukrainians are ready for peace, but not for surrender.👇
Reposted by Derek Brauders
Defence Forces has no rules of engagement for dealing with drones despite rising threat
Defence Forces has no rules of engagement for dealing with drones despite rising threat
Devices sighted in skies of Dublin Bay on night Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy landed in State
www.irishtimes.com
December 13, 2025 at 6:59 AM
Defence Forces has no rules of engagement for dealing with drones despite rising threat
Reposted by Derek Brauders
The Government's €1.7bn defence spending plan, announced this week, comes at a time when there is a widespread perception that Ireland lags far behind its neighbours when it comes to defence and security, writes Political Coverage Editor Joe Mag Raollaigh
Defence spending takes centre stage as weak links exposed
The Government's €1.7bn defence spending plan, announced this week, comes at a time when there is a widespread perception that Ireland lags far behind its neighbours when it comes to defence and secur...
www.rte.ie
December 13, 2025 at 7:45 AM
The Government's €1.7bn defence spending plan, announced this week, comes at a time when there is a widespread perception that Ireland lags far behind its neighbours when it comes to defence and security, writes Political Coverage Editor Joe Mag Raollaigh
Reposted by Derek Brauders
Star Trek: First Contact was released on this day in Ireland in 1996🖖
Given all that's going on, I can't wait for the Vulcans to arrive.
Given all that's going on, I can't wait for the Vulcans to arrive.
December 13, 2025 at 7:35 AM
Star Trek: First Contact was released on this day in Ireland in 1996🖖
Given all that's going on, I can't wait for the Vulcans to arrive.
Given all that's going on, I can't wait for the Vulcans to arrive.
Reposted by Derek Brauders
A+ trolling from Zelenskyy
December 13, 2025 at 2:33 AM
A+ trolling from Zelenskyy
Reposted by Derek Brauders
Ukrainian Defender Valentyn Symovyniuk, 30, spent nearly six months holding a position in Luhansk region. At times, the distance between him and Russians was just two meters, and the clashes were so frequent that he asked his command to pull their group back.
The evacuation lasted a week.
The evacuation lasted a week.
December 12, 2025 at 7:40 PM
Ukrainian Defender Valentyn Symovyniuk, 30, spent nearly six months holding a position in Luhansk region. At times, the distance between him and Russians was just two meters, and the clashes were so frequent that he asked his command to pull their group back.
The evacuation lasted a week.
The evacuation lasted a week.
Reposted by Derek Brauders
The world's richest 0.001% now control 3x as much wealth as the entire bottom half of humanity combined.
56,000 wealthy individuals have more than roughly 4 billion people.
Read that back.
56,000 wealthy individuals have more than roughly 4 billion people.
Read that back.
Just 0.001% hold three times the wealth of poorest half of humanity, report finds
Data from World Inequality Report also showed top 10% of income-earners earn more than the other 90%
www.theguardian.com
December 12, 2025 at 7:15 PM
The world's richest 0.001% now control 3x as much wealth as the entire bottom half of humanity combined.
56,000 wealthy individuals have more than roughly 4 billion people.
Read that back.
56,000 wealthy individuals have more than roughly 4 billion people.
Read that back.
Reposted by Derek Brauders
Here’s Zelenskyy, freely walking in Kupyansk that Russia claimed to have occupied.
So when we talk about “occupied territories in exchange for peace”, what exactly are we talking about.
So when we talk about “occupied territories in exchange for peace”, what exactly are we talking about.
December 12, 2025 at 3:26 PM
Here’s Zelenskyy, freely walking in Kupyansk that Russia claimed to have occupied.
So when we talk about “occupied territories in exchange for peace”, what exactly are we talking about.
So when we talk about “occupied territories in exchange for peace”, what exactly are we talking about.
Reposted by Derek Brauders
Reposted by Derek Brauders
A tender, lyrical verse novel about love, loss, & finding your voice. 'Solo' follows Daisy, a gifted young musician, who feels like an outsider at home & school — until heartbreak shakes her world and leaves her drifting from the music that once grounded her.
@littleislandbooks.bsky.social
@littleislandbooks.bsky.social
December 10, 2025 at 3:43 PM
A tender, lyrical verse novel about love, loss, & finding your voice. 'Solo' follows Daisy, a gifted young musician, who feels like an outsider at home & school — until heartbreak shakes her world and leaves her drifting from the music that once grounded her.
@littleislandbooks.bsky.social
@littleislandbooks.bsky.social
Reposted by Derek Brauders
“This is a reset of the transatlantic relationship like nothing else in living memory. No one alive has gone through this. America’s foreign policy, on paper at least, is more overtly hostile to Europe than China or Russia’s.”
inews.co.uk/opinion/us-p...
inews.co.uk/opinion/us-p...
The US is now a potent threat to Europe. No one alive has ever seen this
The radicals in the White House have made their agenda plain
inews.co.uk
December 11, 2025 at 12:23 PM
“This is a reset of the transatlantic relationship like nothing else in living memory. No one alive has gone through this. America’s foreign policy, on paper at least, is more overtly hostile to Europe than China or Russia’s.”
inews.co.uk/opinion/us-p...
inews.co.uk/opinion/us-p...
Reposted by Derek Brauders
🚨 Huge news: the European Union has indefinitely immobilised the Russian Central Bank assets using Article 122 and a qualified majority.
This protects the EU against undesirable vetoes (Hungary, Slovakia) and external pressure (US, Russia).
Full story.
This protects the EU against undesirable vetoes (Hungary, Slovakia) and external pressure (US, Russia).
Full story.
EU agrees to indefinitely immobilise €210 billion of Russian assets
The EU has decided to keep the assets of the Russian Central Bank immobilised for the foreseeable future. The ban, which is based on a provision for economic emergencies, pushes back against external ...
www.euronews.com
December 11, 2025 at 3:40 PM
🚨 Huge news: the European Union has indefinitely immobilised the Russian Central Bank assets using Article 122 and a qualified majority.
This protects the EU against undesirable vetoes (Hungary, Slovakia) and external pressure (US, Russia).
Full story.
This protects the EU against undesirable vetoes (Hungary, Slovakia) and external pressure (US, Russia).
Full story.
Reposted by Derek Brauders
This just keeps escalating.
As far as I'm aware, this is the first time ever that a Eurovision winner has renounced their trophy.
As far as I'm aware, this is the first time ever that a Eurovision winner has renounced their trophy.
Nemo, the Swiss singer who won Eurovision in 2024 has announced that they are returning their trophy in protest at Israel's continued participation in the song contest. Their message to the European Broadcasting Union: "Live what you claim."
December 11, 2025 at 6:54 PM
This just keeps escalating.
As far as I'm aware, this is the first time ever that a Eurovision winner has renounced their trophy.
As far as I'm aware, this is the first time ever that a Eurovision winner has renounced their trophy.
Reposted by Derek Brauders
See the chilling list of information required from visitors to the US includes:
About the visitors;
Their families (parents, spouse, siblings, children);
Business - telephone numbers used in the last five years; email addresses used in the last ten years
Unprecedented state surveillance.
About the visitors;
Their families (parents, spouse, siblings, children);
Business - telephone numbers used in the last five years; email addresses used in the last ten years
Unprecedented state surveillance.
December 11, 2025 at 7:20 PM
See the chilling list of information required from visitors to the US includes:
About the visitors;
Their families (parents, spouse, siblings, children);
Business - telephone numbers used in the last five years; email addresses used in the last ten years
Unprecedented state surveillance.
About the visitors;
Their families (parents, spouse, siblings, children);
Business - telephone numbers used in the last five years; email addresses used in the last ten years
Unprecedented state surveillance.
Reposted by Derek Brauders
Irish Times journalist Mark Paul wins award for business news story of the year
Irish Times journalist Mark Paul wins award for business news story of the year
Mark Paul secures award for story relating to Irish property financier Derek Quinlan’s bankruptcy in the UK
www.irishtimes.com
December 8, 2025 at 6:15 PM
Irish Times journalist Mark Paul wins award for business news story of the year