Rodolphe Mertens
@rdlms.bsky.social
Architect. Not a hunter nor a fisherman. Drawn to qualities of places. Firm believer in Europe's project.
Reposted by Rodolphe Mertens
Europe is warming twice as fast as the global average. Climate change makes extreme fire weather more likely and intense — drying fuels, extending seasons, and turning landscapes into tinderboxes. Wildfires are burning more land, more fiercely, from California to Canada to the Mediterranean.
July 25, 2026 at 5:05 AM
Europe is warming twice as fast as the global average. Climate change makes extreme fire weather more likely and intense — drying fuels, extending seasons, and turning landscapes into tinderboxes. Wildfires are burning more land, more fiercely, from California to Canada to the Mediterranean.
Reposted by Rodolphe Mertens
Today I took a ride on Africa’s first (and only) high-speed train! Al-Boraq tops out at 320 km/h between #Casablanca and #Tangiers. Sweet ride! #trains #railway
April 30, 2026 at 5:39 PM
Today I took a ride on Africa’s first (and only) high-speed train! Al-Boraq tops out at 320 km/h between #Casablanca and #Tangiers. Sweet ride! #trains #railway
Reposted by Rodolphe Mertens
”developments … show that European nations are working with shocking speed to free themselves from dependence on America.”
The problem never was that Europeans cannot imagine European security without the US. The problem is that Americans can’t imagine that Europeans can do it.
The problem never was that Europeans cannot imagine European security without the US. The problem is that Americans can’t imagine that Europeans can do it.
Opinion | Meet the New Leader of the Free World
www.nytimes.com
April 26, 2026 at 8:43 PM
”developments … show that European nations are working with shocking speed to free themselves from dependence on America.”
The problem never was that Europeans cannot imagine European security without the US. The problem is that Americans can’t imagine that Europeans can do it.
The problem never was that Europeans cannot imagine European security without the US. The problem is that Americans can’t imagine that Europeans can do it.
Reposted by Rodolphe Mertens
French sapper killed in a Hezbollah ambush in 🇱🇧, 3 others WIA from the same para unit famed for its battlefield mine clearing expertise -a task not for the faint-hearted. All respect to our soldiers 🇨🇵. Brings back sad memories of the Hezbollah "Drakkar" attack in October 1982 killing 58 in Beirut
Liban : un militaire français de la Finul tué et trois autres blessés dans «une embuscade»
Liban : un militaire français de la Finul tué et trois autres blessés dans «une embuscade»
Emmanuel Macron accuse ce samedi 18 avril le Hezbollah d’être responsable de l’attaque visant des membres de la Finul dans le sud-Liban, au deuxième jour de cessez-le-feu entre le pays et Israël.
www.liberation.fr
April 18, 2026 at 2:25 PM
French sapper killed in a Hezbollah ambush in 🇱🇧, 3 others WIA from the same para unit famed for its battlefield mine clearing expertise -a task not for the faint-hearted. All respect to our soldiers 🇨🇵. Brings back sad memories of the Hezbollah "Drakkar" attack in October 1982 killing 58 in Beirut
Reposted by Rodolphe Mertens
Follow this thread.
Most likely, and of course, all speculation right now, this is why Melania did her 6 min statement today.
Amanda Ungaro was brought here as a 17-year-old model. She flew to NYC on Epstein's private plane.
1/2
Most likely, and of course, all speculation right now, this is why Melania did her 6 min statement today.
Amanda Ungaro was brought here as a 17-year-old model. She flew to NYC on Epstein's private plane.
1/2
April 10, 2026 at 6:53 AM
Follow this thread.
Most likely, and of course, all speculation right now, this is why Melania did her 6 min statement today.
Amanda Ungaro was brought here as a 17-year-old model. She flew to NYC on Epstein's private plane.
1/2
Most likely, and of course, all speculation right now, this is why Melania did her 6 min statement today.
Amanda Ungaro was brought here as a 17-year-old model. She flew to NYC on Epstein's private plane.
1/2
Reposted by Rodolphe Mertens
I just resigned from NASA. It breaks my heart to leave, but I’ve become convinced the best path forward is to do the best science I can, and that can’t be here anymore. I’m still in love with the promise of those four magic letters. Ad astra per aspera, and remember: Earth is the only good planet.
March 24, 2026 at 2:57 PM
I just resigned from NASA. It breaks my heart to leave, but I’ve become convinced the best path forward is to do the best science I can, and that can’t be here anymore. I’m still in love with the promise of those four magic letters. Ad astra per aspera, and remember: Earth is the only good planet.
Reposted by Rodolphe Mertens
Rare photo of Russian warship part way through Ukraine's submarine conversion service.
March 25, 2026 at 7:40 AM
Rare photo of Russian warship part way through Ukraine's submarine conversion service.
Reposted by Rodolphe Mertens
Some entertaining solutions for a stupid problem.
Exhibit A
Exhibit A
If we could just raise sea levels by 150 meters we get a backup Strait of Hormuz
March 12, 2026 at 4:41 PM
Some entertaining solutions for a stupid problem.
Exhibit A
Exhibit A
Reposted by Rodolphe Mertens
I can’t believe how stupid everything is
So according to the WSJ a US Senator conspired with another country to manipulate the US into starting a war, am I getting this right
March 7, 2026 at 5:57 PM
I can’t believe how stupid everything is
Reposted by Rodolphe Mertens
To the surprise of some officials in Kyiv, no one from the U.S. bothered to ask Ukraine to share its expertise in how to defend against drones before starting the offensive in Iran, Simon Shuster and Nancy A. Youssef report.
Why Did No One Ask Ukraine How to Destroy Drones?
For all of the planning for war in Iran, the world’s most tested anti-drone technology was ignored.
bit.ly
March 7, 2026 at 8:15 AM
To the surprise of some officials in Kyiv, no one from the U.S. bothered to ask Ukraine to share its expertise in how to defend against drones before starting the offensive in Iran, Simon Shuster and Nancy A. Youssef report.
Reposted by Rodolphe Mertens
"Russia is providing Iran with targeting information to attack American forces in the Middle East, the first indication that another major U.S. adversary is participating - even indirectly - in the war, according to three officials familiar with the intelligence."
March 6, 2026 at 12:03 PM
"Russia is providing Iran with targeting information to attack American forces in the Middle East, the first indication that another major U.S. adversary is participating - even indirectly - in the war, according to three officials familiar with the intelligence."
Reposted by Rodolphe Mertens
But hey, Vlad and his consiglieri say we’re gonna make $16 trillion with them in Russia
March 6, 2026 at 12:26 PM
But hey, Vlad and his consiglieri say we’re gonna make $16 trillion with them in Russia
Reposted by Rodolphe Mertens
In the longest presidential address to Congress yet, Trump claimed he 'ended' eight wars, barely mentioned Ukraine, did not offer clarity on Iran plan and blamed Biden for high prices. Opinion polls show majority of Americans have soured on his performance reut.rs/4cHO0PG
February 25, 2026 at 10:30 AM
In the longest presidential address to Congress yet, Trump claimed he 'ended' eight wars, barely mentioned Ukraine, did not offer clarity on Iran plan and blamed Biden for high prices. Opinion polls show majority of Americans have soured on his performance reut.rs/4cHO0PG
Reposted by Rodolphe Mertens
Sometimes you wonder. Bloomberg this morning saying that you can't both believe that AI is a big deal and that we're in a bubble. But you absolutely can! That's exactly the story of the tech bubble of the 90s, major economic impact but not big profits. Sigh.
February 16, 2026 at 11:59 AM
Sometimes you wonder. Bloomberg this morning saying that you can't both believe that AI is a big deal and that we're in a bubble. But you absolutely can! That's exactly the story of the tech bubble of the 90s, major economic impact but not big profits. Sigh.
Reposted by Rodolphe Mertens
European media: Jeffrey Epstein once spent 6 hours in Brussels and met a retired former deputy minister - WE NEED ANSWERS. FRONT PAGE NEWS.
American media: Jeffrey Epstein partied for years with Trump, Lutnick, Clinton, Chomsky. Read a bit more, bottom of page 16.
American media: Jeffrey Epstein partied for years with Trump, Lutnick, Clinton, Chomsky. Read a bit more, bottom of page 16.
February 6, 2026 at 10:52 AM
European media: Jeffrey Epstein once spent 6 hours in Brussels and met a retired former deputy minister - WE NEED ANSWERS. FRONT PAGE NEWS.
American media: Jeffrey Epstein partied for years with Trump, Lutnick, Clinton, Chomsky. Read a bit more, bottom of page 16.
American media: Jeffrey Epstein partied for years with Trump, Lutnick, Clinton, Chomsky. Read a bit more, bottom of page 16.
Reposted by Rodolphe Mertens
Reposted by Rodolphe Mertens
Some ask about the difference between the US lack of regulation of social media and the EU regulation.
Notably in France, this would have been prosecuted for incitement to racial hatred—rightly so.
Freedom of speech doesn't allow racism, anti-Semitism, or any other form of hatred and discrimination.
Notably in France, this would have been prosecuted for incitement to racial hatred—rightly so.
Freedom of speech doesn't allow racism, anti-Semitism, or any other form of hatred and discrimination.
February 6, 2026 at 12:25 PM
Some ask about the difference between the US lack of regulation of social media and the EU regulation.
Notably in France, this would have been prosecuted for incitement to racial hatred—rightly so.
Freedom of speech doesn't allow racism, anti-Semitism, or any other form of hatred and discrimination.
Notably in France, this would have been prosecuted for incitement to racial hatred—rightly so.
Freedom of speech doesn't allow racism, anti-Semitism, or any other form of hatred and discrimination.
Reposted by Rodolphe Mertens
The good news: The beginning of the end of Trump. The bad news: The end of the Atlantic alliance, American leadership, and the last remaining shreds of goodwill toward this country. open.substack.com/pub/davidrot...
Davos Was the Beginning of the End for Trump
It's all downhill for here for the America's aging mad king
open.substack.com
January 23, 2026 at 9:35 PM
The good news: The beginning of the end of Trump. The bad news: The end of the Atlantic alliance, American leadership, and the last remaining shreds of goodwill toward this country. open.substack.com/pub/davidrot...
Reposted by Rodolphe Mertens
French President Macron:
"France is committed to the sovereignty and independence of nations, in Europe and elsewhere. This guides our choices. It underpins our commitment to the United Nations and to its Charter.
"France is committed to the sovereignty and independence of nations, in Europe and elsewhere. This guides our choices. It underpins our commitment to the United Nations and to its Charter.
January 17, 2026 at 10:33 PM
French President Macron:
"France is committed to the sovereignty and independence of nations, in Europe and elsewhere. This guides our choices. It underpins our commitment to the United Nations and to its Charter.
"France is committed to the sovereignty and independence of nations, in Europe and elsewhere. This guides our choices. It underpins our commitment to the United Nations and to its Charter.
Reposted by Rodolphe Mertens
New Bellingcat investigation: Five Shots in Five Minutes. We analyse video evidence showing a federal agent firing a 40mm “less-lethal” launcher at protesters in Minneapolis repeatedly, including apparent head-level shots, following the killing of Renee Nicole Good
www.bellingcat.com/news/2026/01...
www.bellingcat.com/news/2026/01...
Analysing One Federal Agent’s Use of Less-Lethal Launcher in Minneapolis
After the fatal shooting of Renee Good, Border Patrol agent "EZ-17" was filmed shooting less-lethal munitions at protesters five times in five minutes.
www.bellingcat.com
January 16, 2026 at 5:03 PM
New Bellingcat investigation: Five Shots in Five Minutes. We analyse video evidence showing a federal agent firing a 40mm “less-lethal” launcher at protesters in Minneapolis repeatedly, including apparent head-level shots, following the killing of Renee Nicole Good
www.bellingcat.com/news/2026/01...
www.bellingcat.com/news/2026/01...
Reposted by Rodolphe Mertens
Trump to @reuters.com: "It's some deep psychological thing, but when you win the presidency, you don't win the midterms." He boasted that he had accomplished so much that "when you think of it, we shouldn't even have an election." @jamesoliphant.bsky.social www.reuters.com/world/us/fiv...
Five takeaways from the Reuters interview of President Trump
Reuters sat down with U.S. President Donald Trump for an interview in the Oval Office on Wednesday. Here are some takeaways from the 30-minute exchange:
www.reuters.com
January 15, 2026 at 6:17 PM
Trump to @reuters.com: "It's some deep psychological thing, but when you win the presidency, you don't win the midterms." He boasted that he had accomplished so much that "when you think of it, we shouldn't even have an election." @jamesoliphant.bsky.social www.reuters.com/world/us/fiv...
Reposted by Rodolphe Mertens
Let’s have one anyway and see what happens.
January 15, 2026 at 10:37 PM
Let’s have one anyway and see what happens.
Reposted by Rodolphe Mertens
This is the most thrilling podcast I’ve listened to in quite a while: we are in the threshold of something truly transformative (in a good way!)
Today on Volts: Swedish tech entrepreneur Jonas Birgersson was once known in his country as "broadband Jesus" for his efforts in spreading decentralized, low-cost broadband access. Now, he wants to bring the same decentralized, peer-to-peer revolution to the electricity grid.
Making the electricity grid work like the internet
Jonas Birgersson joins me to explain how "packet-switching" for electrons can lead to energy abundance and grid resilience.
www.volts.wtf
January 14, 2026 at 7:05 PM
This is the most thrilling podcast I’ve listened to in quite a while: we are in the threshold of something truly transformative (in a good way!)