Cathy
@cathyby.bsky.social
"We must, indeed, all hang together or, most assuredly, we shall all hang separately." - Benjamin Franklin
Header description with alt-text: https://bsky.app/profile/cathyby.bsky.social/post/3mdqweljkbc25
#SpéirGorm 🇮🇪 🇪🇺
Header description with alt-text: https://bsky.app/profile/cathyby.bsky.social/post/3mdqweljkbc25
#SpéirGorm 🇮🇪 🇪🇺
Reposted by Cathy
The Snowdrops really are out in force and I’m loving it! 🤍 Now all we need is for this relentless rain to stop!! 🌿
#photography #EastCoastKin #TeamPixel #Snowdrops #Spring #Ireland #Nature #Garden #Wildflowers #Hope
#photography #EastCoastKin #TeamPixel #Snowdrops #Spring #Ireland #Nature #Garden #Wildflowers #Hope
February 11, 2026 at 3:42 PM
The Snowdrops really are out in force and I’m loving it! 🤍 Now all we need is for this relentless rain to stop!! 🌿
#photography #EastCoastKin #TeamPixel #Snowdrops #Spring #Ireland #Nature #Garden #Wildflowers #Hope
#photography #EastCoastKin #TeamPixel #Snowdrops #Spring #Ireland #Nature #Garden #Wildflowers #Hope
Reposted by Cathy
Ireland is also open to a two-speed Europe, depending on “the specifics”.
“We saw evidence [of enhanced cooperation] last Christmas regarding the Ukrainian loan. And we do see the necessity in terms of delivery and getting proposals through the Council,” says Micheál Martin.
“We saw evidence [of enhanced cooperation] last Christmas regarding the Ukrainian loan. And we do see the necessity in terms of delivery and getting proposals through the Council,” says Micheál Martin.
Ahead of the summit, the Spanish government has expressed support for:
- A two-speed Europe
- European preference
- Joint debt (Eurobonds)
- A two-speed Europe
- European preference
- Joint debt (Eurobonds)
Here we go: EU leaders are meeting at the Alden Biesen castle in eastern Belgium to search for bold ways to revive the stagnant economy.
Follow our live blog: shorturl.at/OUsY6
Follow our live blog: shorturl.at/OUsY6
February 12, 2026 at 9:49 AM
Ireland is also open to a two-speed Europe, depending on “the specifics”.
“We saw evidence [of enhanced cooperation] last Christmas regarding the Ukrainian loan. And we do see the necessity in terms of delivery and getting proposals through the Council,” says Micheál Martin.
“We saw evidence [of enhanced cooperation] last Christmas regarding the Ukrainian loan. And we do see the necessity in terms of delivery and getting proposals through the Council,” says Micheál Martin.
Reposted by Cathy
Is a European Security Council putting the cart before the horse?
We need
- Common procurement ⬇️ costs and ⬆️ interop
- US-free cmd structure, doctrine, exercising
- Secure technology sharing between European and middle power allies (JP, SK, Aus, Ca)
Can an ESC achieve that?
We need
- Common procurement ⬇️ costs and ⬆️ interop
- US-free cmd structure, doctrine, exercising
- Secure technology sharing between European and middle power allies (JP, SK, Aus, Ca)
Can an ESC achieve that?
European Security Council: why creating a new institution is not the most realistic option. Making better use of existing formats can deliver just what Europe needs, argues @lscazzieri.bsky.social. 🔗 ow.ly/3AbV50YebZw
February 12, 2026 at 9:43 AM
Is a European Security Council putting the cart before the horse?
We need
- Common procurement ⬇️ costs and ⬆️ interop
- US-free cmd structure, doctrine, exercising
- Secure technology sharing between European and middle power allies (JP, SK, Aus, Ca)
Can an ESC achieve that?
We need
- Common procurement ⬇️ costs and ⬆️ interop
- US-free cmd structure, doctrine, exercising
- Secure technology sharing between European and middle power allies (JP, SK, Aus, Ca)
Can an ESC achieve that?
Reposted by Cathy
The fascinating history of the Claddagh ring and its creator. @marionmcgarry.bsky.social ATU looks at how a Galway goldsmith with a colourful past created an Irish design icon of love, jewellery and folklore www.rte.ie/brainstorm/2...
The fascinating history of the Claddagh ring and its creator
How a Galway goldsmith with a colourful past created an Irish design icon of love, jewellery and folklore
www.rte.ie
February 12, 2026 at 7:57 AM
The fascinating history of the Claddagh ring and its creator. @marionmcgarry.bsky.social ATU looks at how a Galway goldsmith with a colourful past created an Irish design icon of love, jewellery and folklore www.rte.ie/brainstorm/2...
Reposted by Cathy
February 12, 2026 at 9:12 AM
Reposted by Cathy
Second HU opinion is out, too - AG Kokott says that while it's fine for a MS to have a Sovereignty Protection Office, data protection concerns, potential chilling effects (nice to see this term pop up again in an AG opinion) and other issues make the Hungarian SPO a breach of EU law. 3/
February 12, 2026 at 9:35 AM
Second HU opinion is out, too - AG Kokott says that while it's fine for a MS to have a Sovereignty Protection Office, data protection concerns, potential chilling effects (nice to see this term pop up again in an AG opinion) and other issues make the Hungarian SPO a breach of EU law. 3/
Reposted by Cathy
Reposted by Cathy
💶💶💶 In December 2023, the Commission lifted the suspension on the disbursement of approximately € 10.2 billion to Hungary after the country had, in his opinion, completed the required judicial reform. The EP has brought the case before the ECJ which today published its Advocate General’s opinion 👇
#ECJ #AG Ćapeta proposes that the #ECJ annul the @EU_Commission’s decision lifting the suspension on the disbursement of funds to #Hungary 🇭🇺 👉 curia.europa.eu/site/upload/...
curia.europa.eu
February 12, 2026 at 9:37 AM
💶💶💶 In December 2023, the Commission lifted the suspension on the disbursement of approximately € 10.2 billion to Hungary after the country had, in his opinion, completed the required judicial reform. The EP has brought the case before the ECJ which today published its Advocate General’s opinion 👇
Reposted by Cathy
Pity the French Far Right. After 15 years of Marine Le Pen cleaning house and four years of distancing her party from Moscow, the Rassemblement National can’t help admitting where its real instincts lie 1/
February 12, 2026 at 9:32 AM
Pity the French Far Right. After 15 years of Marine Le Pen cleaning house and four years of distancing her party from Moscow, the Rassemblement National can’t help admitting where its real instincts lie 1/
Reposted by Cathy
"February is the uncertain month, neither black nor white but all shades between by turns. Nothing is sure."
Gladys Hasty Carroll
#thursdaymorning #ThePhotoHour
Gladys Hasty Carroll
#thursdaymorning #ThePhotoHour
February 12, 2026 at 9:21 AM
"February is the uncertain month, neither black nor white but all shades between by turns. Nothing is sure."
Gladys Hasty Carroll
#thursdaymorning #ThePhotoHour
Gladys Hasty Carroll
#thursdaymorning #ThePhotoHour
ALT: Eastern Europe outline map. From Russia (tinted red) flies drones and missiles towards Ukraine...and a plane marked "neutral athletes" heading for the Olympic Rings in Northern Italy.
Such a powerful image in Le Monde.
(The writing on the plane says "Neutral athletes")
Cartoon by: Letton Gatis Sluka
(The writing on the plane says "Neutral athletes")
Cartoon by: Letton Gatis Sluka
February 12, 2026 at 9:21 AM
ALT: Eastern Europe outline map. From Russia (tinted red) flies drones and missiles towards Ukraine...and a plane marked "neutral athletes" heading for the Olympic Rings in Northern Italy.
"the measure is unlikely to have any practical effect given that Mr. Trump would almost certainly veto it."
They should try offering him another award for ending the national emergency.
They should try offering him another award for ending the national emergency.
“.. a largely symbolic but politically consequential rebuke that Republicans had fought for a year to prevent.”
@nytimes.com
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/11/u...
@nytimes.com
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/11/u...
February 12, 2026 at 9:17 AM
"the measure is unlikely to have any practical effect given that Mr. Trump would almost certainly veto it."
They should try offering him another award for ending the national emergency.
They should try offering him another award for ending the national emergency.
Reposted by Cathy
I said this quietly to senior officials in Ireland over the last 12 months. Now it requires public statement.
Ireland became rich because -among other reasons- it is the venue where US tech firms can operate in Europe with relative impunity. But this strategy may not last much longer.
Ireland became rich because -among other reasons- it is the venue where US tech firms can operate in Europe with relative impunity. But this strategy may not last much longer.
February 12, 2026 at 6:33 AM
I said this quietly to senior officials in Ireland over the last 12 months. Now it requires public statement.
Ireland became rich because -among other reasons- it is the venue where US tech firms can operate in Europe with relative impunity. But this strategy may not last much longer.
Ireland became rich because -among other reasons- it is the venue where US tech firms can operate in Europe with relative impunity. But this strategy may not last much longer.
Reposted by Cathy
EU Council approves defence assistance to Member States, defence assistance treaty with Canada 🇨🇦
www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/pre...
www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/pre...
SAFE: Council clears path for financial assistance to eight member states and concluding the Canada agreement
The Council adopted a set of implementing decisions making the financial assistance under the SAFE regulation available to eight EU member states and adopted decisions authorising the EU to sign and c...
www.consilium.europa.eu
February 12, 2026 at 7:56 AM
EU Council approves defence assistance to Member States, defence assistance treaty with Canada 🇨🇦
www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/pre...
www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/pre...
Reposted by Cathy
Incorrect.
Robert Mueller testified under oath that there was Russian interference in the election. And, the Mueller Report revealed the same.
"The Russian government interfered in the 2016 presidential election in sweeping and systematic fashion."
www.justice.gov/storage/report_volume1.pdf
Robert Mueller testified under oath that there was Russian interference in the election. And, the Mueller Report revealed the same.
"The Russian government interfered in the 2016 presidential election in sweeping and systematic fashion."
www.justice.gov/storage/report_volume1.pdf
Bondi shamelessly lies: "Robert Mueller found no evidence of foreign interference in 2016. Have you apologized to President Trump?"
February 12, 2026 at 3:50 AM
Incorrect.
Robert Mueller testified under oath that there was Russian interference in the election. And, the Mueller Report revealed the same.
"The Russian government interfered in the 2016 presidential election in sweeping and systematic fashion."
www.justice.gov/storage/report_volume1.pdf
Robert Mueller testified under oath that there was Russian interference in the election. And, the Mueller Report revealed the same.
"The Russian government interfered in the 2016 presidential election in sweeping and systematic fashion."
www.justice.gov/storage/report_volume1.pdf
Reposted by Cathy
Trump has shown that Europe needs to be less reliant on the US.
The U.K. has agreed to buy American weapons for Ukraine, Britain’s Defence Ministry told POLITICO, becoming the latest ally to join NATO’s signature scheme to supply critical arms to Kyiv.
UK to join NATO’s US arms-buying scheme for Ukraine
London will contribute £150 million to the PURL program, as allies increasingly come under pressure to supply weapons to Ukraine.
www.politico.eu
February 11, 2026 at 2:41 PM
Trump has shown that Europe needs to be less reliant on the US.
“The Trump administration has a vested interest in strengthening anti-democratic movements abroad, as doing so helps advance its own agenda while lending legitimacy to these actors and their activities" - Léonie de Jonge, University of Tübingen.
February 12, 2026 at 9:14 AM
“The Trump administration has a vested interest in strengthening anti-democratic movements abroad, as doing so helps advance its own agenda while lending legitimacy to these actors and their activities" - Léonie de Jonge, University of Tübingen.
Reposted by Cathy
Breakdown of today's vote in the EP on the Ukraine loan facility with a new type of graph by member state.
This shows neatly the huge support in the Nordics and Baltics, the low one in France (due to the RN) and the stark exception of Hungary, where even the opposition Tisza Party voted against.
This shows neatly the huge support in the Nordics and Baltics, the low one in France (due to the RN) and the stark exception of Hungary, where even the opposition Tisza Party voted against.
February 11, 2026 at 8:45 PM
Breakdown of today's vote in the EP on the Ukraine loan facility with a new type of graph by member state.
This shows neatly the huge support in the Nordics and Baltics, the low one in France (due to the RN) and the stark exception of Hungary, where even the opposition Tisza Party voted against.
This shows neatly the huge support in the Nordics and Baltics, the low one in France (due to the RN) and the stark exception of Hungary, where even the opposition Tisza Party voted against.
Reposted by Cathy
February 11, 2026 at 8:58 PM
Reposted by Cathy
Reposted by Cathy
A grave danger
Warning over 'highly toxic' plant on Bettystown Beach
The public is being warned to be vigilant after reported sightings of a highly toxic plant Bettystown Beach in Co Meath.
www.rte.ie
February 12, 2026 at 6:19 AM
A grave danger
Reposted by Cathy
February 12, 2026 at 8:31 AM
Reposted by Cathy
Thousands gather with Buddhist monks at the Lincoln Memorial on day 109 of the monks' March for Peace in Washington, DC. A group of 18 monks began a 2,300-mile march on October 26 in Ft Worth, Texas 🧡☸️🙏🏼
February 11, 2026
📸 Heather Diehl #GettyImages
February 11, 2026
📸 Heather Diehl #GettyImages
February 12, 2026 at 4:46 AM
Thousands gather with Buddhist monks at the Lincoln Memorial on day 109 of the monks' March for Peace in Washington, DC. A group of 18 monks began a 2,300-mile march on October 26 in Ft Worth, Texas 🧡☸️🙏🏼
February 11, 2026
📸 Heather Diehl #GettyImages
February 11, 2026
📸 Heather Diehl #GettyImages