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Irene Braam

@irenebraam.bsky.social
256 followers 210 following 280 posts

Executive Director Bertelsmann Foundation North America, writing in a personal capacity on all things transatlanctic and that matter.

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Reposted by Irene Braam
Bertelsmann Foundation @bertelsmannfdn.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
What makes democracy resilient? Former Minneapolis mayor and Minneapolis Foundation CEO R.T. Rybak argues it starts locally, with civic participation, strong communities, and local leadership. 🎧 Listen to our latest How to Fix Democracy episode: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/r...
podcasts.apple.com
R.T. Rybak | Standing Up for Democracy
Podcast Episode · How to Fix Democracy · August 26 · 33m
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Irene Braam @irenebraam.bsky.social · 05/08/2026
People’s greed seems to have no boundaries www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
theguardian.com
My son has cancer. Kalshi wants you to be able to bet on his medical future | Joshua Pederson
The predictions market is planning to allow betting on clinical trial results and regulatory decisions as our family fights for his survival
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Irene Braam @irenebraam.bsky.social · 05/08/2026
Excellent read, hits the nail on the head 👇
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Irene Braam @irenebraam.bsky.social · 29/07/2026
Resistance to data centers is growing across the U.S. - and now Willie Nelson has joined the fight 👇
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Irene Braam @irenebraam.bsky.social · 22/07/2026
$3,000 per book seems peanuts
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Irene Braam @irenebraam.bsky.social · 06/07/2026
Obvious 👇https://www.wsj.com/tech/ai/ai-workers-tech-ceos-job-losses-afc71e15
wsj.com
Big Tech Has Suddenly Flipped on the AI Jobs Wipeout Scenario
As public opinion of AI has shifted into the negative, warnings of mass employment reductions have also diminished.
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Reposted by Irene Braam
Anne-Marie Pronk @klimaatzuster.bsky.social · 04/07/2026
Europa zoekt overal naar kritieke grondstoffen, terwijl we ze hier weggooien”, zegt Klaske Kruk, directeur van de NVCE: www.ad.nl/binnenland/w... #afvalisgrondstof #stopecocide
ad.nl
We zoeken overal naar lithium, maar sturen 1.184.000 kilo in oude batterijen doodleuk naar China
Hoewel iedereen begrijpt dat Nederland minder afhankelijk moet worden van China voor zeldzame metalen, blijkt een fors deel van het lithium uit onze oude batterijen en accu’s juist weg te lekken naar ...
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Irene Braam @irenebraam.bsky.social · 04/07/2026
If the media would just do their job
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Reposted by Irene Braam
Dare Obasanjo @carnage4life.bsky.social · 28/06/2026
Ford has rehired hundreds of senior engineers after replacing them with AI backfired and has cost the company billions of dollars. AI adoption is blamed for Ford being the most recalled automaker in the U.S. with 51 recalls covering over 11 million vehicles in the first half of 2026 alone.
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Irene Braam @irenebraam.bsky.social · 23/06/2026
www.wsj.com/politics/ele...
wsj.com
The Generational Clash Pitting Democrats Against Democrats Across the U.S.
Younger candidates are challenging older incumbents in primaries as the party continues to fight over its identity.
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Irene Braam @irenebraam.bsky.social · 15/06/2026
Respect! www.nytimes.com/athletic/736...
nytimes.com
Japan soccer fans pick up litter after game, continue World Cup tradition
Japan opened their World Cup on Sunday with a draw against the Netherlands in Houston.
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Irene Braam @irenebraam.bsky.social · 12/06/2026
Hard to make up 👇
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Irene Braam @irenebraam.bsky.social · 12/05/2026
Why Americans dread AI- excellent read by @edwardluce.bsky.social giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/...
giftarticle.ft.com
Why Americans dread AI
Silicon Valley encourages the view that the technology is unstoppable — and Trump seems to agree
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Irene Braam @irenebraam.bsky.social · 11/05/2026
But buying increased amounts of Russian LNG does not seem to bother Spain…..
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Reposted by Irene Braam
Governor Gavin Newsom @governor.ca.gov · 06/05/2026
A 46-year national high in antisemitic assaults should alarm EVERY American. We must confront hate and antisemitism directly and reject hate wherever it appears. Every person deserves to feel safe in our country.
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Reposted by Irene Braam
Jan Rosenow @janrosenow.bsky.social · 25/04/2026
Denmark's coal-to-wind transition is one of the most dramatic energy transformations of the past three decades. In 1990, coal provided 90% of Danish electricity. Today it is under 3%. Wind now covers roughly 60% of electricity generation. The last coal plant is scheduled to close by 2028.
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Irene Braam @irenebraam.bsky.social · 13/04/2026
Change comes from bottom up
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Irene Braam @irenebraam.bsky.social · 12/04/2026
Illiberal democracy lost today 👍
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Irene Braam @irenebraam.bsky.social · 12/04/2026
👇
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Reposted by Irene Braam
David Becker @beckerdavidj.bsky.social · 31/03/2026
Some may freak out about this, but honestly, this is hilarious. It's clearly unconstitutional, will be blocked immediately, and the only thing it will accomplish is to make liberal lawyers wealthier. He might as well sign an EO banning gravity. dailycaller.com/2026/03/31/t...
dailycaller.com
EXCLUSIVE: Trump To Crack Down On Mail-In Voting With New Executive Order
President Donald Trump is expected to sign an executive order Tuesday cracking down on mail-in voting across the country, the Daily Caller learned first.
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Irene Braam @irenebraam.bsky.social · 25/03/2026
Big thing
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Irene Braam @irenebraam.bsky.social · 24/03/2026
Humanity will be fine without www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
theguardian.com
OpenAI shutters AI video generator Sora after just six months
App that allowed people to make and share AI videos was popular but received criticism for racist and violent content
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Irene Braam @irenebraam.bsky.social · 22/03/2026
www.wsj.com/world/the-ne...
wsj.com
The New Weapons of Global Power Are Oil, Rare Earths and Microchips
Iran has wielded crude as a cudgel on a scale unseen in decades, marking a new phase in the 21st-century competition for dominance.
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Reposted by Irene Braam
Katalin Halmai @eublogo.bsky.social · 17/03/2026
@euractiv.com has summarized which foreign policy dossiers Hungary is blocking in the Council of the EU: ✔️ the €90 billion loan for Ukraine ✔️ the use of the European Peace Facility to reimburse weapons donations to Kyiv, ✔️ the opening of accession talks with Ukraine 3/1
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Irene Braam @irenebraam.bsky.social · 12/03/2026
So we pay for “the intelligence” that is being built using the works of people who are not being paid, artists, writers, musicians, graphic designers, academia, journalists? the list is long….
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Irene Braam @irenebraam.bsky.social · 12/03/2026
He seems to have a real issue with women…..
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Irene Braam @irenebraam.bsky.social · 22/02/2026
Small countries punching well above their weight 👇
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Irene Braam @irenebraam.bsky.social · 16/02/2026
Something has been set in motion: www.theguardian.com/business/202...
theguardian.com
UK bank bosses plan to set up Visa and Mastercard alternative amid Trump fears
Exclusive: First meeting to be held over domestic payments system aimed at reducing reliance on US networks
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Irene Braam @irenebraam.bsky.social · 03/02/2026
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/02/o...
nytimes.com
Opinion | The Message From Texas Voters: We’re Neighbors, Not Enemies
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Reposted by Irene Braam
Financial Times @financialtimes.com · 18/01/2026
The retaliation measures are being drawn up to give European leaders leverage in pivotal meetings with the US president at the World Economic Forum in Davos. ft.trib.al/aKexyt2
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Irene Braam @irenebraam.bsky.social · 18/01/2026
‚Shared values no more‘
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Bastian Brauns @bastianbrauns.bsky.social · 17/01/2026
Was wir verstehen müssen: Es geht nicht nur um Europa. Klares Nein + Konsequenzen, haben Signalwirkung in die US-Gesellschaft. Große Mehrheit der Amerikaner will weder Grönland noch einen Bruch mit Europa. Mein Kommentar zu Trumps Grönland-Erpressung. @t-online.de www.t-online.de/nachrichten/...
t-online.de
Trump will Grönland erpressen: Europa darf nicht mehr schweigen
Trump droht Europa offen mit Strafzöllen, um Grönland zu erzwingen. Warum Beschwichtigung gefährlich ist und Europa jetzt ein Stoppschild setzen muss.
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Irene Braam @irenebraam.bsky.social · 17/01/2026
Timely forecasting question 👇
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Reposted by Irene Braam
Laura Kayali @laukaya.bsky.social · 14/01/2026
Sweden, Germany, the Netherlands, Canada and France will participate alongside Denmark to expanded military exercises in Greenland. Scoop with @victorjack.bsky.social and Chris Lunday www.politico.eu/article/denm...
politico.eu
Denmark and allies boost Greenland military footprint as Trump ramps up pressure
The deployment comes as U.S. President Donald Trump intensifies talk of taking over the Arctic island.
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Reposted by Irene Braam
Bloomberg News @bloomberg.com · 02/01/2026
Wall Street’s biggest banks made more money financing green projects than they did from working with fossil fuel companies for a fourth straight year, even as they faced ongoing pressure to pull back from the business
bloom.bg
Banks Notch Higher Fees From Green Bonds Than Fossil Fuel Debt
Wall Street’s biggest banks made more money financing green projects than they did from working with fossil fuel companies for a fourth straight year, even as they faced ongoing pressure to pull back from the business.
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Irene Braam @irenebraam.bsky.social · 02/01/2026
The Lotus Speculoos sandwich spread is even better 😄
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Irene Braam @irenebraam.bsky.social · 21/12/2025
Refreshing read 👇
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Irene Braam @irenebraam.bsky.social · 16/12/2025
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
theatlantic.com
The Entry-Level Hiring Process Is Breaking Down
Grade inflation and the rise of AI are making it impossible for employers to evaluate recent graduates.
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Irene Braam @irenebraam.bsky.social · 12/12/2025
It is ultimately up to us to decide in which world we want to live in and people clearly prefer to see real people and not AI creatures 👇
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Irene Braam @irenebraam.bsky.social · 11/12/2025
Took them a long time
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Irene Braam @irenebraam.bsky.social · 26/11/2025
Interesting read www.nytimes.com/2025/11/25/u...
nytimes.com
Fears About A.I. Prompt Talks of Super PACs to Rein In the Industry
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Reposted by Irene Braam
Ricardo Borges de Castro 🇺🇦🟧 @ricbdc.bsky.social · 11/11/2025
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Carl Quintanilla @carlquintanilla.bsky.social · 10/11/2025
Data-center projects that “may sit empty for years because the local utility isn’t ready to supply electricity.” @bloomberg.com @weisenthal.bsky.social $NVDA www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
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Irene Braam @irenebraam.bsky.social · 06/11/2025
Nobody protesting, no outcry by political leaders, no daily media headlines…..
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Irene Braam @irenebraam.bsky.social · 05/11/2025
Maybe more interesting than all other November 4 election results 👇
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Irene Braam @irenebraam.bsky.social · 05/11/2025
Democracy alive and kicking yesterday: www.npr.org/2025/11/05/n...
npr.org
Democrats had a big night. Here are 5 takeaways from the 2025 elections
Democrats had a good night, winning major races including governor's races in Virginia and New Jersey and a redistricting ballot measure in California, while also confronting the future of the party.
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Reposted by Irene Braam
The Wall Street Journal @wsj.com · 05/11/2025
Abigail Spanberger wins Virginia’s governor race, returning the state to Democratic leadership. She will be its first female governor. 🔗 on.wsj.com/493FVmD
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Irene Braam @irenebraam.bsky.social · 04/11/2025
Only in America
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Irene Braam @irenebraam.bsky.social · 04/11/2025
A bargain…..https://www.wsj.com/business/energy-oil/615-000-a-day-order-to-keep-coal-plant-open-ignites-debate-in-michigan-aa8bf2a6
wsj.com
$615,000 a Day: Order to Keep Coal Plant Open Ignites Debate in Michigan
Some consider the lakeside power station a dinosaur, while others are hoping to attract a data center.
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Irene Braam @irenebraam.bsky.social · 03/11/2025
Where are the protests?
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