Sean O’Curneen Cañas
@ocurneen.bsky.social
Sec Gen, Renew Europe (🇪🇺‘s centrist political family, liberals & democrats) at CoR (the EU’s assembly of cities & regions). Democracy is more than just voting. United 🇪🇺, free trade, equal ops, science, culture, education, local leaders/local communities.
Reposted by Sean O’Curneen Cañas
My Charlemagne column this week: REQUIEM
The Atlantic alliance, storied as it might be, is increasingly unworthy of the name. It is dead, or dying.
Europe is going through the five stages of grief: denial, anger, bargaining, depression -- and soon acceptance.
www.economist.com/europe/2026/...
The Atlantic alliance, storied as it might be, is increasingly unworthy of the name. It is dead, or dying.
Europe is going through the five stages of grief: denial, anger, bargaining, depression -- and soon acceptance.
www.economist.com/europe/2026/...
Europe’s five stages of grief for the transatlantic alliance
From denial to bargaining to acceptance that the world has changed
www.economist.com
January 22, 2026 at 2:46 PM
My Charlemagne column this week: REQUIEM
The Atlantic alliance, storied as it might be, is increasingly unworthy of the name. It is dead, or dying.
Europe is going through the five stages of grief: denial, anger, bargaining, depression -- and soon acceptance.
www.economist.com/europe/2026/...
The Atlantic alliance, storied as it might be, is increasingly unworthy of the name. It is dead, or dying.
Europe is going through the five stages of grief: denial, anger, bargaining, depression -- and soon acceptance.
www.economist.com/europe/2026/...
Reposted by Sean O’Curneen Cañas
Worth remembering when looking at the horrific scenes in the US right now that both Reform and the Tories have pledged to bring in ICE-style organisations to the UK if they win power
January 24, 2026 at 10:33 PM
Worth remembering when looking at the horrific scenes in the US right now that both Reform and the Tories have pledged to bring in ICE-style organisations to the UK if they win power
Reposted by Sean O’Curneen Cañas
Oulu has a year-long programme of events putting the spotlight on Sámi culture and climate change. #Destinations
➡️ https://l.euronews.com/JMti
➡️ https://l.euronews.com/JMti
January 21, 2026 at 8:25 PM
Oulu has a year-long programme of events putting the spotlight on Sámi culture and climate change. #Destinations
➡️ https://l.euronews.com/JMti
➡️ https://l.euronews.com/JMti
Reposted by Sean O’Curneen Cañas
Some of the world’s biggest megacities are located in river deltas threatened by subsidence due to excessive groundwater extraction and urban expansion, compounding the threat they face from sea-level rise.
Sinking river deltas put millions at risk of flooding
Some of the world’s biggest megacities are located in river deltas threatened by subsidence due to excessive groundwater extraction and urban expansion, compounding the threat they face from sea-level rise
www.newscientist.com
January 20, 2026 at 10:51 PM
Some of the world’s biggest megacities are located in river deltas threatened by subsidence due to excessive groundwater extraction and urban expansion, compounding the threat they face from sea-level rise.
Reposted by Sean O’Curneen Cañas
The message of Trump’s letter to the prime minister of Norway signals that the president “genuinely lives in a different reality, one in which neither grammar nor history nor the normal rules of human interaction now affect him,” @anneapplebaum.bsky.social argues.
Trump’s Letter to Norway Should Be the Last Straw
Will Republicans in Congress ever step in?
bit.ly
January 19, 2026 at 2:50 PM
The message of Trump’s letter to the prime minister of Norway signals that the president “genuinely lives in a different reality, one in which neither grammar nor history nor the normal rules of human interaction now affect him,” @anneapplebaum.bsky.social argues.
Reposted by Sean O’Curneen Cañas
Europe asked Trump to sanction Russia and his answer was tariffs on NATO members.
January 17, 2026 at 9:36 PM
Europe asked Trump to sanction Russia and his answer was tariffs on NATO members.
Reposted by Sean O’Curneen Cañas
Europe should embrace the idea of going it alone ft.trib.al/zVWWKZs | opinion
Europe should embrace the idea of going it alone
The more the EU has to pay for ingratiation with Trump, the less convincing its strategic rationale for doing so
ft.trib.al
January 11, 2026 at 4:05 PM
Europe should embrace the idea of going it alone ft.trib.al/zVWWKZs | opinion
Reposted by Sean O’Curneen Cañas
our number 2 risk might surprise you: overpowered.
the defining technologies of the 21st-century economy run on electrons, and that includes ai.
china has mastered post carbon tech. the united states is ceding its leadership.
in 2026, that divergence will become impossible to ignore.
the defining technologies of the 21st-century economy run on electrons, and that includes ai.
china has mastered post carbon tech. the united states is ceding its leadership.
in 2026, that divergence will become impossible to ignore.
January 5, 2026 at 7:45 PM
our number 2 risk might surprise you: overpowered.
the defining technologies of the 21st-century economy run on electrons, and that includes ai.
china has mastered post carbon tech. the united states is ceding its leadership.
in 2026, that divergence will become impossible to ignore.
the defining technologies of the 21st-century economy run on electrons, and that includes ai.
china has mastered post carbon tech. the united states is ceding its leadership.
in 2026, that divergence will become impossible to ignore.
Reposted by Sean O’Curneen Cañas
One of the 1st sediment cores from Greenland shows a 500m thick ice dome melted entirely at warming similar to what we'll likely see by 2100.
"This is very direct evidence that the ice sheet is as sensitive as we feared to even a relatively small amount of warming." newscientist.com/article/2510...
"This is very direct evidence that the ice sheet is as sensitive as we feared to even a relatively small amount of warming." newscientist.com/article/2510...
Northern Greenland ice dome melted before and could melt again
Prudhoe Ice Dome disappeared during a warm period 7000 years ago. Global warming could cause similar temperatures by 2100, showing the ice sheet’s vulnerability
newscientist.com
January 5, 2026 at 6:55 PM
One of the 1st sediment cores from Greenland shows a 500m thick ice dome melted entirely at warming similar to what we'll likely see by 2100.
"This is very direct evidence that the ice sheet is as sensitive as we feared to even a relatively small amount of warming." newscientist.com/article/2510...
"This is very direct evidence that the ice sheet is as sensitive as we feared to even a relatively small amount of warming." newscientist.com/article/2510...
Reposted by Sean O’Curneen Cañas
Anyway, it's hard to see how this makes the US more secure. And I can't help looking at the pictures of this massive naval deployment and thinking about how much it cost relative to giving Ukraine what it needs to defend itself. 10/10
January 3, 2026 at 2:37 PM
Anyway, it's hard to see how this makes the US more secure. And I can't help looking at the pictures of this massive naval deployment and thinking about how much it cost relative to giving Ukraine what it needs to defend itself. 10/10
Reposted by Sean O’Curneen Cañas
Anarchy is the basis of IR because there's no world government. But for better or (often) for worse, the US has dominated world order for nearly a century. The sudden vacuum will have consequences. And Trump is wielding diminished US military and diplomatic power wildly, with no constraints. 7/
January 3, 2026 at 2:37 PM
Anarchy is the basis of IR because there's no world government. But for better or (often) for worse, the US has dominated world order for nearly a century. The sudden vacuum will have consequences. And Trump is wielding diminished US military and diplomatic power wildly, with no constraints. 7/
Reposted by Sean O’Curneen Cañas
If that logic prevails, who will be next? Taiwan? Ukraine? And what kind of world will follow?
Still, one truth must guide us forward: Venezuela’s future does not belong to dictators or foreign powers. It belongs to its people.
Still, one truth must guide us forward: Venezuela’s future does not belong to dictators or foreign powers. It belongs to its people.
January 3, 2026 at 10:34 AM
If that logic prevails, who will be next? Taiwan? Ukraine? And what kind of world will follow?
Still, one truth must guide us forward: Venezuela’s future does not belong to dictators or foreign powers. It belongs to its people.
Still, one truth must guide us forward: Venezuela’s future does not belong to dictators or foreign powers. It belongs to its people.
Reposted by Sean O’Curneen Cañas
During the New Year’s Eve fireworks organised by Sir Sadiq Khan in London, the European Union flag was projected onto the London Eye, with its twelve stars lighting up the city skyline.
January 1, 2026 at 4:36 PM
During the New Year’s Eve fireworks organised by Sir Sadiq Khan in London, the European Union flag was projected onto the London Eye, with its twelve stars lighting up the city skyline.
Reposted by Sean O’Curneen Cañas
This is not a regional conflict on Europe’s margins: it is a direct challenge to international law, to sovereignty, and to the idea that borders cannot be changed by force. Neutrality is no longer a moral shelter. Europe’s responsibility is to stand firm for peace, by standing with Ukraine. 🇪🇺🇺🇦
January 1, 2026 at 7:09 PM
This is not a regional conflict on Europe’s margins: it is a direct challenge to international law, to sovereignty, and to the idea that borders cannot be changed by force. Neutrality is no longer a moral shelter. Europe’s responsibility is to stand firm for peace, by standing with Ukraine. 🇪🇺🇺🇦
Reposted by Sean O’Curneen Cañas
Please give a thought to people whose New Year’s Eve was spent in bomb shelters because a criminal invader was trying to destroy their energy infrastructure.
‼️ How Russia attacked Ukraine on New Year's Eve: a map of the flight of enemy targets.
Main directions: Lutsk, Volyn, Odesa, Konotop, Zatoka. The main target is energy infrastructure.
Main directions: Lutsk, Volyn, Odesa, Konotop, Zatoka. The main target is energy infrastructure.
January 1, 2026 at 4:25 PM
Please give a thought to people whose New Year’s Eve was spent in bomb shelters because a criminal invader was trying to destroy their energy infrastructure.
Reposted by Sean O’Curneen Cañas
✨This NASA/ESA/CSA #Webb Space Telescope image shows the Westerlund 1 cluster, a group of massive stars located in our galaxy which are nearly as bright as a million Suns each. 🌌🎄🧪🔭
🔗 esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Images/2024/10/The_exotic_stellar_population_of_Westerlund_1
🔗 esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Images/2024/10/The_exotic_stellar_population_of_Westerlund_1
December 24, 2025 at 11:11 AM
✨This NASA/ESA/CSA #Webb Space Telescope image shows the Westerlund 1 cluster, a group of massive stars located in our galaxy which are nearly as bright as a million Suns each. 🌌🎄🧪🔭
🔗 esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Images/2024/10/The_exotic_stellar_population_of_Westerlund_1
🔗 esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Images/2024/10/The_exotic_stellar_population_of_Westerlund_1
Reposted by Sean O’Curneen Cañas
🗣️ "Energy has been one of the strongest and most consistent engines of job creation in the global economy during a period marked by significant uncertainties."
Read more from IEA's @fbirol on the latest trends in the world's energy workforce 👉 iea.li/4pQdXjq
Read more from IEA's @fbirol on the latest trends in the world's energy workforce 👉 iea.li/4pQdXjq
December 24, 2025 at 11:15 AM
🗣️ "Energy has been one of the strongest and most consistent engines of job creation in the global economy during a period marked by significant uncertainties."
Read more from IEA's @fbirol on the latest trends in the world's energy workforce 👉 iea.li/4pQdXjq
Read more from IEA's @fbirol on the latest trends in the world's energy workforce 👉 iea.li/4pQdXjq
Reposted by Sean O’Curneen Cañas
Under current climate policies, 79 per cent of the world’s glaciers will disappear by 2100, endangering the water supply for 2 billion people and raising sea levels dramatically
The world will soon be losing 3000 glaciers every year
Under current climate policies, 79 per cent of the world’s glaciers will disappear by 2100, endangering the water supply for 2 billion people and raising sea levels dramatically
www.newscientist.com
December 15, 2025 at 8:27 PM
Under current climate policies, 79 per cent of the world’s glaciers will disappear by 2100, endangering the water supply for 2 billion people and raising sea levels dramatically
Reposted by Sean O’Curneen Cañas
and national fragmentation that these voices celebrate.
Our Union protects citizens, strengthens democracies, and ensures that no single actor can rewrite the rules for their own benefit.
If this is the alliance forming against Europe, then Europe must stand firmer than ever. 2/2
Our Union protects citizens, strengthens democracies, and ensures that no single actor can rewrite the rules for their own benefit.
If this is the alliance forming against Europe, then Europe must stand firmer than ever. 2/2
December 6, 2025 at 6:34 PM
and national fragmentation that these voices celebrate.
Our Union protects citizens, strengthens democracies, and ensures that no single actor can rewrite the rules for their own benefit.
If this is the alliance forming against Europe, then Europe must stand firmer than ever. 2/2
Our Union protects citizens, strengthens democracies, and ensures that no single actor can rewrite the rules for their own benefit.
If this is the alliance forming against Europe, then Europe must stand firmer than ever. 2/2
Reposted by Sean O’Curneen Cañas
When Elon Musk calls for abolishing the EU and Dmitry Medvedev applauds, it’s a clear reminder of what’s at stake.
Authoritarians and self-styled disruptors always agree on one thing: a weaker Europe.
But let’s be honest — the EU exists precisely to prevent the kind of power games 1/2
Authoritarians and self-styled disruptors always agree on one thing: a weaker Europe.
But let’s be honest — the EU exists precisely to prevent the kind of power games 1/2
December 6, 2025 at 6:34 PM
When Elon Musk calls for abolishing the EU and Dmitry Medvedev applauds, it’s a clear reminder of what’s at stake.
Authoritarians and self-styled disruptors always agree on one thing: a weaker Europe.
But let’s be honest — the EU exists precisely to prevent the kind of power games 1/2
Authoritarians and self-styled disruptors always agree on one thing: a weaker Europe.
But let’s be honest — the EU exists precisely to prevent the kind of power games 1/2
Reposted by Sean O’Curneen Cañas
The penny has dropped FINALLY
December 5, 2025 at 6:30 PM
The penny has dropped FINALLY
Reposted by Sean O’Curneen Cañas
"My most vivid memories of my school life is Farage repeatedly coming up to me, knowing that I was Jewish, saying 'Hitler was right' and 'gas em' and that was frequently followed by imitating the sound of escaping gas."
Peter Ettedgui, ex classmate of Reform UK Leader Nigel Farage.
Peter Ettedgui, ex classmate of Reform UK Leader Nigel Farage.
November 25, 2025 at 11:09 PM
"My most vivid memories of my school life is Farage repeatedly coming up to me, knowing that I was Jewish, saying 'Hitler was right' and 'gas em' and that was frequently followed by imitating the sound of escaping gas."
Peter Ettedgui, ex classmate of Reform UK Leader Nigel Farage.
Peter Ettedgui, ex classmate of Reform UK Leader Nigel Farage.
Reposted by Sean O’Curneen Cañas
Luisa Neubauer argues that rolling back climate policies is economic suicide masquerading as pragmatism
The greenlash is built on lazy thinking, writes a climate activist
Luisa Neubauer argues that rolling back climate policies is economic suicide masquerading as pragmatism
econ.st
November 3, 2025 at 12:00 AM
Luisa Neubauer argues that rolling back climate policies is economic suicide masquerading as pragmatism
Reposted by Sean O’Curneen Cañas
Liberal Democrat MPs just defeated Nigel Farage’s Bill in Parliament to tear up people’s rights and withdraw from the ECHR.
Farage wants to do away with the Britain Churchill built and turn it into Trump's America. We won't let him.
Farage wants to do away with the Britain Churchill built and turn it into Trump's America. We won't let him.
October 29, 2025 at 3:26 PM
Liberal Democrat MPs just defeated Nigel Farage’s Bill in Parliament to tear up people’s rights and withdraw from the ECHR.
Farage wants to do away with the Britain Churchill built and turn it into Trump's America. We won't let him.
Farage wants to do away with the Britain Churchill built and turn it into Trump's America. We won't let him.
Reposted by Sean O’Curneen Cañas
Veteran Italian politician Carlo Calenda went viral over the weekend after a fiery televised clash over Russia and Ukraine with American economist Jeffrey Sachs on a talk show.
‘Truth is not optional’: Italy’s Calenda describes viral moment he stuffed Ukraine critic in a locker
American economist Jeffrey Sachs, a trenchant critic of Western policy toward Russia, met his match in a TV studio last week. Carlo Calenda told POLITICO about the clash heard round the world.
www.politico.eu
October 27, 2025 at 9:50 PM
Veteran Italian politician Carlo Calenda went viral over the weekend after a fiery televised clash over Russia and Ukraine with American economist Jeffrey Sachs on a talk show.