iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Brian Doherty @brianedoherty.bsky.social · 15m

Barnier warns: -the new conversation will not be fundamentally different from the last. “One thing is sure: -the more the UK diverges, the harder it will be to rejoin. Also -No cherry-picking -Single Market not à la carte UK perfectly knows the rules and the conditions.” www.ft.com/content/3d43...

ft.com

Does the EU want Britain back?

Burnham has reopened the Brexit debate. That doesn’t mean the UK will be welcomed back on its own terms

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Andrew Cutting @andrewcutting.coe.int · 30/09/2026

❗“The ECHR is not a constraint on British security. It is one of its foundations,” write 3 former Independent Reviewers of Terrorism Legislation👇 🔗 www.lawgazette.co.uk/commentary-a... via @lawsocietygazette.bsky.social “Walking away would not make Britain freer. It would make Britain weaker.”

lawgazette.co.uk

The ECHR is not a constraint on British security. It is one of its foundations

Britain should not be abandoning one of its greatest post-war achievements.

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Brian Doherty @brianedoherty.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Standing ovation after Leo praised integration& multiculturalism as far right is gains strength He urged Europeans to recall the EU's founding values inc. the rule of law and the equality of all people without distinction of race, colour, class or profession www.irishtimes.com/world/europe...

irishtimes.com

Pope Leo praises multiculturalism as far right gains strength across Europe

Pontiff urges Europeans to recall EU’s founding values including the rule of law and the equality of all

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UK in a Changing Europe @ukandeu.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

🎉NEW REPORT OUT🎉 ⬅️The latest edition of the UK-EU divergence tracker by @jreland.bsky.social is here ➡️ "There is plenty happening on the continent which is going to have a profound effect on the UK, whether [the UK] pays attention or not." ukandeu.ac.uk/reports/uk-e...

ukandeu.ac.uk

UK-EU Divergence Tracker Q2 - Q3 2026 - UK in a changing Europe

This is the seventeenth edition of UK in a Changing Europe’s regulatory divergence tracker, outlining how UK and EU rules and regulations have aligned and diverged in the period April-September 2026.

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Brian Doherty @brianedoherty.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Analysis by Bloomberg Economics found that Brexit may have cost the UK between 2 per cent and 4 per cent of GDP, with the central 2.5 per cent case equating to lost tax revenues of £30 billion (€35 billion www.irishtimes.com/world/uk/202...

irishtimes.com

Andy Burnham raises prospect of UK rejoining European Union after next election

Burnham says ‘all options’ on the table including rejoining customs union, single market or full membership

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Brian Doherty @brianedoherty.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Andy Burnham says rejoining EU an option for UK Labour’s 2024 manifesto contained promises for Britain not to rejoin a customs union, single market or the EU itself. Those so-called “red lines” are now up for grabs after Burnham’s conference speech - www.ft.com/content/d740... via @FT

ft.com

Andy Burnham says rejoining EU an option for UK

Prime minister says ‘going all the way’ is a possibility as government reviews relations with 27-country bloc

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Elena Adaal @elenaadaal.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Report on EU trade agreements and the trade that they facilitate. Generally looking good, with positive outliers being Canada, Japan and Chili. It looks like Mercosur is not showing up in the numbers yet.

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ProfGB @profgbarrett.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

At this stage, Trump's position is so pro-Russian as to be almost funny. Zelensky would need to be out of his mind to travel to Moscow. Has Trump ever heard of Navalny?

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The Bear @bearlypolitics.co.uk · 28/09/2026

Well, well, well - if it isn’t the consequences of our own actions. It would appear that migrants are not, in fact, the fiscal drain we’ve been told they are by years if we go by the £4bn to £6.5bn shortfall that’s been caused by the precipitous drop in numbers under this government. Funny that.

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Brian Doherty @brianedoherty.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

"Hybrid War demands Hybrid Defence" Andrius Kubilius EU Defence Commissioner With its troops and tanks grinding to a standstill in Ukraine, Russia over the past two years has expanded its so-called hybrid war of cyber attacks, arson and attacks on European infrastructure www.ft.com/content/1bc3...

ft.com

Can the EU help to build a ‘hybrid defence’ against Russia?

Also in this newsletter: Latvia under Moscow’s propaganda bombardment

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Brian Doherty @brianedoherty.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

"Deliberate Strategic Leadership" The EU needs a clearer strategy for partners like Canada www.ft.com/content/762c...

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Brian Doherty @brianedoherty.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

"Pope Leo XIV will on Monday lend his voice to European integration and the fight against a resurgent Eurosceptic far right, visiting the hometown of Robert Schuman- a founding father of the EU who is on the path to Catholic sainthood." www.ft.com/content/6fe7...

ft.com

The Pope and the EU’s holy founding father

Pope Leo defends European unity in hometown of Robert Schuman, who is on a path to Catholic sainthood

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Brian Doherty @brianedoherty.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

At the UN, Poland's Foreign Minister, Radowslov Sikorski on Russia's Senseless Colonial War www.facebook.com/share/v/1Ck1...

facebook.com

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Le Foyer des Artistes @lefoyerdesartistes.bsky.social · 19/05/2026

“The trumpet shall be heard on high… and music shall untune the sky.” We launched our fourth season at St. Columb’s Hall with these transcendent bars—a promise of universal harmony. The music has only just begun to rise. The next chapter awaits.

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Le Foyer des Artistes @lefoyerdesartistes.bsky.social · 19/05/2026

This was the moment Rowel Friers brought the house down at Hillsborough Castle with his performance of Liszt’s Spanish Rhapsody. Midsummer Concert 6 June | 7:30 PM St Columb’s Hall, Derry www.ticketsource.com/stcolumbshal...

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Le Foyer des Artistes @lefoyerdesartistes.bsky.social · 19/05/2026

foyer/ˈfɔɪeɪ from French ≡ hearth, home An orchestra of musicians, from across the world, united to share extraordinary music. @lefoyerdesartistes #watchthisspace #season4 #music #finale www.lefoyerdesartistes.com

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Chris Grey @chrisgrey.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

In case you missed it 👇

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David Phinnemore @dphinnemore.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

"There is a cruel irony in how European concerns about Britain have evolved: from fears of a ‘Singapore-on-Thames’ to fears of a ‘Turkey-across-the-Channel'... The concern today is no longer a hyper-competitive, globalised Britain on Europe’s doorstep, but... www.ft.com/content/5453...

ft.com

EU urges UK to raise tariffs on Chinese cars to avoid ‘made in Europe’ barriers

London has lobbied intensely to secure equal treatment for British products but continues to rule out a customs union

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David Phinnemore @dphinnemore.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

"The government immediately made clear that it would respect the [August referendum] result and that there would be no resumption of EU accession negotiations during the current parliamentary term. The application for membership itself, however, has not been withdrawn" ukandeu.ac.uk/icelands-eu-...

ukandeu.ac.uk

Iceland still wants a close relationship with the EU - UK in a changing Europe

Margrét Einarsdóttir reflects on the result of the recent referendum in Iceland that saw the public narrowly vote against reopening accession talks with the European Union.

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Brian Doherty @brianedoherty.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

"Pope Leo has denounced leaders who he said twist the truth and disregard the rule of law. He was speaking at the start of a three-day trip to France" A very heartening read. This forthright pope is very well tuned in to current issues. www.irishtimes.com/world/europe...

irishtimes.com

Pope Leo condemns global leaders who disregard rule of law during papal visit to France

Pontiff addresses Unesco event, and sounds warning over use of AI as ‘yet another instrument of domination and injustice’

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Brian Doherty @brianedoherty.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

How resilient is Britain? - www.ft.com/content/ba80... via @FT

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Brian Doherty @brianedoherty.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Process begins in canonisation of two west Belfast priests shot dead in Army massacres Bishop Alan McGuckian has commenced this extremely rare process. – The Irish News share.google/LQIoDJoHglel...

share.google

Process begins in canonisation of two west Belfast priests shot dead in British Army massacres

Fr Hugh Mullan and Fr Noel Fitzpatrick were killed by gunfire as they help people lying wounded in separate mass shootings in 1971 and 1972

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David Phinnemore @dphinnemore.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Novel proposal to use future EU accession treaties to 'adjust' the EU's treaties to deny new member states veto rights in certain areas while simultaneously phasing out over a ten year period in these areas the current unanimity requirement and so the veto rights of existing member states.

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UCL Constitution Unit @conunitucl.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

David Torrance has published a new research briefing for the House of Commons Library covering the arguments for and against a 'written' constitution. The Prime Minister appeared to speak in favour of a written constitution last month. Read it 👇️

commonslibrary.parliament.uk

Why does the UK not have a "written" constitution?

The UK does not have a codified “written” constitution. What are the arguments for and against having one?

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The Economist @economist.com · 24/09/2026

For decades America has enjoyed hegemony over the Middle East. That is about to end bit.ly/4hcZ49m

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Christopher Hale @christopherjhale.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

NEW: Cardinal Luis Tagle will beatify Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen, acting on behalf of Pope Leo XIV. A television star, Sheen defended the Second Vatican Council against a conservative revolt. In 1969, he was forced to resign after giving one of his churches to the government to house the poor.

thelettersfromleo.com

Fulton Sheen, a Staunch Defender of the Second Vatican Council and the Poor, to Be Beatified

Fifty-six years ago, he defended the Council to William F. Buckley on national television. On Thursday, the cardinal Pope Leo XIV sent will call him Blessed.

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Colin Harvey @cjharvey1.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Look forward to this ‘in conversation’ event with Philippe Sands KC at No Alibis bookshop next week. Further information here: noalibis.com/event/philip...

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Christopher Hale @christopherjhale.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

“The world is being ravaged by a handful of tyrants.” — Pope Leo XIV

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Jim Pickard @pickardje.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

my brilliant colleague @robertshrimsley.bsky.social on the threat from Elon Musk’s X platform www.ft.com/content/f270...

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Chris Grey @chrisgrey.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

Excellent as ever from @samuelmarclowe.bsky.social, and I'm sure he's right about the trade aspect. But, as he says, it's the "trade-adjacent" (and what I'd call geo-political) aspects which may be more practically significant and, certainly, which have more symbolic significance. 1/3

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Chris Grey @chrisgrey.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

A particularly interesting insight considering the role played by the "meaningful human judgement" of Vasili Arkhipov during the Cuban Missile Crisis: www.theguardian.com/science/2017...

theguardian.com

Soviet submarine officer who averted nuclear war honoured with prize

Vasili Arkhipov, who prevented escalation of the cold war by refusing to launch a nuclear torpedo against US forces, is to be awarded new ‘Future of Life’ prize

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Chris Grey @chrisgrey.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

This is a very alarming 🧵

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Sarah Murphy @13sarahmurphy.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

Rebuilding our relationship with the EU “is the cheapest way to boost the economy, the fastest way to unite Europe in the face of security threats and the best way to get leverage on a global system that no longer has an American anchor.” So obvious it hurts. www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...

independent.co.uk

Brexit has left Britain ‘impotent – a bobbing cork in the sea,’ says David Miliband

Exclusive: Former foreign secretary adds to mounting pressure for a new UK deal with EU to repair Brexit damage

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POLITICO Europe @politico.eu · 23/09/2026

Germany is keen for one of the main missiles used by the U.S.-made Patriot air-defense system to be produced in Europe, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius has said, as demand for the weapons surges across NATO and in Ukraine.

politico.eu

Germany wants PAC-3 missile production in Europe, Pistorius says

There is a global shortage of the interceptor missiles, so Germany is hoping for its own production line.

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Christopher Hale @christopherjhale.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

An Irish novelist’s satire has seemingly become Pope Leo XIV’s operating manual. Colm Tóibín advised silence on the Latin Mass, communion, and gay Catholics: “Just say nothing.” Sixteen months later, Vatican insiders cite it as a key to his quietly progressive approach.

thelettersfromleo.com

“Just Say Nothing” — What I Learned in Rome About Pope Leo XIV

An Irish novelist’s essay has become a key reading of this pontificate. Two weeks of Roman conversations revealed a pope building for decades — and watching the American Church closely.

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Brian Doherty @brianedoherty.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

Carney wants “seamless digital trade in non-agri. goods & range of services” -not wholesale dynamic adoption of EU standards like the UK nor a customs union Next month- 2 summits: EU leaders meet together & Carney I predict they will disappoint I hope they will surprise www.ft.com/content/5766...

ft.com

Sorry Carney, the world does need a great power with better manners

Calling for closer EU-Canada ties without pooling sovereignty is an abdication of European responsibility

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Brian Doherty @brianedoherty.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

Connolly ‘trolling’ Trump by giving him an obscure medieval book? US president given new edition of Voyage of St Brendan, a book which has a centuries-long backstory www.irishtimes.com/ireland/2026...

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Brian Doherty @brianedoherty.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

www.irishtimes.com/ireland/2026...

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Brian Doherty @brianedoherty.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

www.irishtimes.com/ireland/2026...

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Brian Doherty @brianedoherty.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

Healey urges the EU to include UK in ‘Made in Europe’ policy. ..sympathetic hearing- but 2 formidable obstacles: France & the EU parliament EU official: “Neither can easily explain to their voters how a car that could be made in the EU ends up being made in the UK instead” www.ft.com/content/267d...

ft.com

John Healey to urge Brussels to include UK in ‘Made in Europe’ policy

British finance minister will indicate to EU counterparts that London is willing to negotiate to reach ‘reset’ deal

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