Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Jonah Blank @jonahblank.bsky.social · 9h

Thank you, Ghana, for standing up to Trump.

Any leaders of wealthier, more powerful nations feel emboldened to follow suit? Or just plan to keep right on folding to him?

Anna Bower @annabower.bsky.social · 18h

ICE official testifies that DHS “prematurely” sent Abrego Garcia a notice that he would be removed to Ghana.

Just this morning, Ghana’s foreign minister wrote on X that the country had “directly and unambiguously conveyed to US authorities” that Abrego cannot be deported there.

Sam Okudzeto Ablakwa &
@S
_OkudzetoAblak
X.com
Ghana is not accepting Abrego Garcia.
He cannot be deported to Ghana.
This has been directly and unambiguously conveyed to US authorities.
In my interactions with US officials, I made clear that our understanding to accept a limited number of non-criminal West Africans, purely on the grounds of African solidarity and humanitarian principles would not be expanded.
Ghana strongly objects to these misleading media reports.

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Jonah Blank @jonahblank.bsky.social · 9h

The richer they are, the more cowardly.

(I'm assuming, based on his past history, that Benioff knows better. But it's also quite possible that, like so many tech-bros, he actually believes what comes out of his mouth).

Heather Knight @heatherknightsf.bsky.social · 11h

For years, San Franciscans considered him the rare big-hearted billionaire. But days before his Dreamforce conference begins, Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff said he would support President Trump sending the National Guard to SF and that Trump is doing “a great job.”

www.nytimes.com/2025/10/10/u...

Marc Benioff Says Trump Should Send Guard Troops to San Francisco

www.nytimes.com

Reposted by Jonah Blank

Ian Boudreau @ianboudreau.com · 10h

I mean I'm glad Trump didn't get the Nobel Peace Prize but I am not super excited that the person who did win it has been going "Mr Trump please murder more Venezuelan fishermen with American missiles" since it was announced

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Jonah Blank @jonahblank.bsky.social · 11h

In a better timeline:
♦️Melania successfully negotiates Putin's unilateral withdrawal from Ukraine, and is awarded the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize.
www.thedailybeast.com/melania-has-...

Melania Has Been Secretly Working With Putin for Months

The first lady has been engaged in talks with the Russia leader over the war in Ukraine.

www.thedailybeast.com

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Jonah Blank @jonahblank.bsky.social · 12h

Did the daughter keep a diary?

Sophie Sherry @sophiesherry.bsky.social · 15h

During a military-style raid on a building in Chicago’s South Shore, one resident heard a knock on his door.   It wasn’t the feds — it was a mom and her 7-year-old daughter, pleading for help.

He let them hide in his unit for the next 3 days.

chicago.suntimes.com/immigration/...

Neighbor shielded 7-year-old during South Shore federal raid: ‘I didn’t want them to take her’

During the Sept. 30 raid one tenant protected a terrified girl and her mom. Remnants at the complex, including a detailed map of all the units, offer clues to what authorities may have known before th...

chicago.suntimes.com

Jonah Blank @jonahblank.bsky.social · 12h

Of course they did.
Which means the answer is: The shadiest one you can imagine.

Reuters @reuters.com · 12h

Three US law firms sidestep lawmakers' queries on Trump-related deals reut.rs/4nRvR4S

Three US law firms sidestep lawmakers' queries on Trump-related deals

Three large U.S. law firms did not answer questions from Democratic lawmakers over what kind of work they might have been doing for the U.S. government since entering into an agreement with President Donald Trump earlier this year, according to letters obtained by Reuters on Friday.

reut.rs

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Jonah Blank @jonahblank.bsky.social · 13h

So, there are presumably studies documenting far higher rates of autism in most Muslim societies than in ones which don't practice circumcision?

I mean, RJKJr wouldn't have tossed a seemingly-insane idea out there without checking to see if there were a ready-made real-life test-of-concept?

The Washington Post @washingtonpost.com · 13h

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is sparking debate with claims linking circumcision and Tylenol to autism, but scientists say the evidence is lacking.

Here’s what the science actually says:

RFK Jr. linked circumcision and Tylenol to autism. Here’s what scientists say.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. sparks debate with claims linking circumcision and Tylenol to autism, but scientists say the evidence is lacking.

wapo.st

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Reposted by Jonah Blank

The Tennessee Holler @thetnholler.bsky.social · 15h

CHICAGO — WGN News editor/producer Debbie Brockman grabbed by Trump’s ICE goons.. who then intentionally ram a bystander’s car as they peel away.

More: www.fox32chicago.com/news/wgn-new...

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Jonah Blank @jonahblank.bsky.social · 14h

One of the times I'd like Reuters to remove its paywall.

(But not enough to fight my way through their mandatory reconfigure-your-entire-computer-to-make-it-easier-for-our-advertisers-to-harass-you requirement).

Reuters @reuters.com · 14h

Tennis player who used kissing as anti-doping defense banned reut.rs/3VZONC4

Tennis player who used kissing as anti-doping defense banned

A tennis player who blamed a tainted kiss for a failed drug test received a four-year suspension on Friday.

reut.rs

Jonah Blank @jonahblank.bsky.social · 14h

♦️Administration claims clean energy funds are a "scam," and part of "the Left's climate agenda." Yet they're only cancelling funds in 16 states-- 14 led by Democrats.
♦️At least 8 (more like 11) of these allegedly-Democratic govs have been MIGHTY silent throughout Trump 2.0. Any plans to stand up?

Jamie Dupree @jamiedupree.bsky.social · 9d

Next move from OMB - canceling $8 billion in clean energy funds. You will note, all of the projects are in states led by Democrats

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Jonah Blank @jonahblank.bsky.social · 14h

Inflatable costumes in #Portland: A++
♦️Do FAR more to highlight the absurdity of the crackdown than any sign or chant.
♦️Greatly increase protester safety: Will ICE/Guard fire on/beat down inflatable frogs?
♦️If they do: The video will be far more inflammatory than if victims could be labelled antifa.

dr. caitlin m. green @caitlinmoriah.bsky.social · 1d

there are SO many more inflatable costumes tonight. clearly we have settled on a motif

Wide shot of many people in inflatable costumes

Jonah Blank @jonahblank.bsky.social · 15h

1. True.
2. But her eagerness to (unnecessarily) salute Trump today shows she's quite willing to court an autocrat when useful to her.
3. Applauding a man who is illegally destroying civilian Venezuelan boats (no matter who's on board) is unlikely win the hearts of many Venezuelans.

Anne Applebaum @anneapplebaum.bsky.social · 22h

Nobel Peace Prizes have often been awarded to people who fight autocracy. Maria Corina Machado fits right into that tradition

www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archiv...

Why María Machado Deserved the Nobel Peace Prize

The Venezuelan opposition leader shows why participation matters.

www.theatlantic.com

Jonah Blank @jonahblank.bsky.social · 16h

♦️What's the rationale for Qatari air force facility in Idaho? We host long-term presence of allied military units frequently, without such arrangements.
♦️Regardless of the merits: Why does Laura Loomer have greater sway over US foreign and national security policy than nearly any Member of Congress?

Jonah Blank @jonahblank.bsky.social · 16h

Netanyahu appears to be trying to double-cross, in an attempt to make Hamas back out of a ceasefire deal that is already weighted overwhelmingly towards him.

Will he succeed? He already has.
♦️There is virtually nothing in the "deal" for #Palestinians, other than a (temporary) cease in IDF bombing.

Rima I Anabtawi @rimaanabtawi.bsky.social · 16h

Israel publishes list of 250 prisoners slated for release as part of Gaza deal
Several heavyweights demanded by Hamas, incl Barghouti, omitted; terror group reportedly claims list not approved; 11 Fatah convicts swapped out at last minute for Hamas members

www.timesofisrael.com/israel-publi...

Israel publishes list of 250 security prisoners slated for release as part of Gaza deal

Several heavyweights demanded by Hamas, including Barghouti, omitted; terror group reportedly claims list not approved; 11 Fatah convicts swapped out at last minute for Hamas members

www.timesofisrael.com

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Reposted by Jonah Blank

Leah Greenberg ❌👑 @leahgreenberg.bsky.social · 18h

"After a few moments of laughter, the No Kings Coalition issued the following statement"

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Jonah Blank @jonahblank.bsky.social · 17h

Slight edit for accuracy:
♦️BREAKING: Trump officials say the clearly-illegal mass federal layoffs have begun.

Axios @axios.com · 17h

🚨 BREAKING: Trump officials say mass federal layoffs have begun

Trump officials confirm mass federal layoffs have begun

Russell Vought announced the cuts Friday.

www.axios.com

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Jonah Blank @jonahblank.bsky.social · 17h

That's got to hurt.
Vlad won't even give Donnie his direct number.

Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 18h

Melania Trump: "President Putin and I have had an open channel of communication."

Jonah Blank @jonahblank.bsky.social · 17h

Burkina Faso is standing up to Trump.

If one of the poorest and most vulnerable nations on earth can resist, what excuse do the world's wealthiest tycoons and most powerful CEOs have for their abject submission?

Reuters @reuters.com · 17h

Burkina Faso refuses to receive foreigners deported from US reut.rs/48jJZ1L

Burkina Faso refuses to receive foreigners deported from US

Burkina Faso has said it rejected a proposal by the United States to take in foreigners being deported as part of President Donald Trump's immigration crackdown.

reut.rs

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Jonah Blank @jonahblank.bsky.social · 18h

GOP Senate Majority Leader:
♦️If the Democrats ever win, 4 million American citizens who are currently denied Congressional representation will be given the rights everyone else enjoys.

Democratic leadership:
♦️Um, well, about that-- hey, look over there!

#DCStatehoodNow
#PRStatehood

Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 18h

Thune: "If the Democrats had won the majority, they probably would've tried to nuke the filibuster. And then you'd have four new senators from Puerto Rico and DC, you'd have a packed Supreme Court, you'd have abortion on demand ... "

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Jonah Blank @jonahblank.bsky.social · 18h

Ivy Leaguers often look on #MIT as a bunch geeks doing nerdly things in a lab.

But half of the Ivy League-- Columbia, Dartmouth, U Penn and Brown-- have already bowed down to Trump. Harvard & Cornell in negotiations.

The nerds at MIT have stood strong. Read their note, and do the same.
💪🏼💪🏼💪🏼

Kathleen Clark @kathleenclark.bsky.social · 20h

A master class from MIT in responding to authoritarian overreach:

Your “premise … is inconsistent with our core belief that scientific funding should be based on scientific merit alone.
… America’s leadership in science & innovation depends on independent thinking & open competition for excellence.

Dear Madam Secretary,
I write in response to your letter of October 1, inviting MIT to review a "Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education." I acknowledge the vital importance of these matters.
I appreciated the chance to meet with you earlier this year to discuss the priorities we share for American higher education.
As we discussed, the Institute's mission of service to the nation directs us to advance knowledge, educate students and bring knowledge to bear on the world's great challenges.
We do that in line with a clear set of values, with excellence above all. Some practical examples:
• MIT prides itself on rewarding merit. Students, faculty and staff succeed here based on the strength of their talent, ideas and hard work. For instance, the Institute was the first to reinstate the SAT/ACT requirement after the pandemic. And MIT has never had legacy preferences in admissions.
• MIT opens its doors to the most talented students regardless of their family's finances. Admissions are need-blind. Incoming undergraduates whose families earn less than $200,000 a year pay no tuition. Nearly 88% of our last graduating class left MIT with no debt for their education. We make a wealth of free courses and low-cost certificates available to any American with an internet connection. Of the undergraduate degrees we award, 94% are in STEM fields. And in service to the nation, we cap enrollment of international undergraduates at roughly 10%.

source:
https://orgchart.mit.edu/letters/regarding-compact

• We value free expression, as clearly described in the MIT Statement on Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom. We must hear facts and opinions we don't like - and engage respectfully with those with whom we disagree.
These values and other MIT practices meet or exceed many standards outlined in the document you sent. We freely choose these values because they're right, and we live by them because they support our mission - work of immense value to the prosperity, competitiveness, health and security of the United States. And of course, MIT abides by the law.
The document also includes principles with which we disagree, including those that would restrict freedom of expression and our independence as an institution. And fundamentally, the premise of the document is inconsistent with our core belief that scientific funding should be based on scientific merit alone.
In our view, America's leadership in science and innovation depends on independent thinking and open competition for excellence. In that free marketplace of ideas, the people of MIT gladly compete with the very best, without preferences. Therefore, with respect, we cannot support the proposed approach to addressing the issues facing higher education.
As you know, MIT's record of service to the nation is long and enduring. Eight decades ago, MIT leaders helped invent a scientific partnership between America's research universities and the U.S. government that has delivered extraordinary benefits for the American people. We continue to believe in the power of this partnership to serve the nation.
Sincerely,
Sally Kornbluth

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Jonah Blank @jonahblank.bsky.social · 18h

Thank you, #MIT!
🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

Every institution that caves endangers all the rest of us.
Every institution that resists makes all the rest of us safer.
💪🏼💪🏼💪🏼

The Washington Post @washingtonpost.com · 18h

Breaking news: MIT’s president turned down the Trump administration’s offer of priority access for federal funding, publicly releasing a letter that emphasized the elite university’s values.

MIT rejects Trump administration deal for priority federal funding

MIT is one of the nine schools that were asked to agree to adopt conservative priorities and policies in exchange for funding perks.

wapo.st

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Reposted by Jonah Blank

David Rothkopf @djrothkopf.bsky.social · 20h

Machado's pro-Trump social post accepting the Peace Prize shows that she is apparently only pro-democracy in Venezuela and doesn't care that much about it anywhere else. Or alternatively, she is only against certain authoritarians and would prefer to pick her own. Ugly. Revealing.

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Jonah Blank @jonahblank.bsky.social · 20h

Maybe the Nobel Peeve Prize.

The world's wealthiest tycoons and the leaders of most nations on earth have knuckled under to him. But five ordinary Norwegians stood up for us all.

I rant more about the #NobelPeacePrize in @indianexpress.com: indianexpress.com/article/opin...

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Reposted by Jonah Blank

Chris Murphy @chrismurphyct.bsky.social · 2d

We aren't on the verge of an authoritarian takeover. We are in the middle of it.

But I worry people don't see the whole scheme. They just pay attention to each new daily outrage. So I went to the Senate floor to explain Trump's plan.

Here's a 🧵of the speech. It's important.

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Jonah Blank @jonahblank.bsky.social · 21h

I know nothing about #MariaCorinaMachado, the new #NobelPeacePrize laureate.

Except:
♦️She's Venezuelan, she's a woman, she fights for democracy...
♦️And she's not Donald Trump.

The New York Times @nytimes.com · 22h

María Corina Machado of Venezuela, the opposition leader who built a powerful social movement challenging President Nicolás Maduro and has been living in hiding since last year, was awarded the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize. Here's what to know: nyti.ms/47iFxzh

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