Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

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Lauren MacIvor Thompson @lmacthompson1.bsky.social · 2d

I am writing this because it has swiftly become crystal clear to me that many people have no idea what is happening or how this works. Here is a thread for non-academics to put into context what just happened to Dr. Mark Bray, a fellow historian.

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Dean Baker @deanbaker13.bsky.social · 2d

This is exactly right. Trump wanted to hide his gutting of CDC staff because he knows the public would be outraged by getting rid of the people who monitor the spread of diseases. It's a bit more important than Trump's idiot ballroom.

Mark Histed @markhisted.org · 2d

When Russell Vought pushes something into the news on Friday night of a long weekend, is that a sign of strength — of a battle for public opinion he thinks he can win?

Sheryl Gay Stolberg @sherylnyt.bsky.social · 2d

BREAKING: Friday night massacre underway at CDC. Doznes of "disease detectives," high-level scientists, entire Washington staff and editors of the MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report) have all been RIFed and received the following notice:

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Angie Rasmussen @angierasmussen.bsky.social · 2d

I don’t know who needs to hear this but the CDC is being eviscerated right now. America is not going to have any kind of outbreak response capacity after tonight. Americans’ health data is no longer secure. Say goodbye to federal public health in any capacity. It’s a disaster. We won’t recover.

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Victor Silverman @victorsilverman.bsky.social · 2d

Isn't this Portland?

Al Jazeera English @aljazeera.com · 2d

Here are the key events from day 1,325 of Russia’s war on Ukraine.

Russia-Ukraine war: List of key events, day 1,325

Here are the key events from day 1,325 of Russia’s war on Ukraine.

bit.ly

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Middle East Eye (Unofficial) @middleeasteye-rss.bsky.social · 2d

Dozens of Muslim groups blocked from receiving federal security grants: Report - https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/dozens-muslim-groups-blocked-receiving-federal-security-grants-report

Dozens of Muslim groups blocked from receiving federal security grants: Report

The Trump administration has blocked Muslim nonprofits and houses of worship from grants to protect against hate crimes

www.middleeasteye.net

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The New York Times @nytimes.com · 3d

Breaking News: Israel’s cabinet approved the first phase of a cease-fire deal with Hamas, which includes the release of all hostages and a military pullback.

Follow live updates. nyti.ms/4nJML56

Live Updates: Israel Approves Gaza Deal That Trump Calls a ‘Momentous Breakthrough’

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu won cabinet approval for the first phase of a cease-fire agreement with Hamas, which includes the release of all hostages.

nyti.ms

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Victor Silverman @victorsilverman.bsky.social · 3d

If only there were an organization devoted to fighting antisemitism in the US....

Joel S. @joelhs.bsky.social · 3d

Out of nine groups targeted by the Trump admin in its initial crackdown on left-wing organizing, two - Jewish Voice for Peace and IfNotNow - are explicitly Jewish. Throw in Soros and it’s three of nine - one third. Trump thinks a third of the US left is Jewish. www.reuters.com/legal/govern...

www.reuters.com

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Joel S. @joelhs.bsky.social · 3d

Out of nine groups targeted by the Trump admin in its initial crackdown on left-wing organizing, two - Jewish Voice for Peace and IfNotNow - are explicitly Jewish. Throw in Soros and it’s three of nine - one third. Trump thinks a third of the US left is Jewish. www.reuters.com/legal/govern...

www.reuters.com

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Ian Bassin @ianbassin.bsky.social · 3d

Again, Trump has crossed a Red Line no president has ever crossed: personally ordering the criminal prosecution of an American he doesn't like despite DOJ not finding evidence of any crime.

If Trump can do this to the powerful, he can do it to you. That's not freedom, and its not America.

New York Attorney General Letitia James @newyorkstateag.bsky.social · 3d

This is nothing more than a continuation of the president’s desperate weaponization of our justice system.

I am not fearful — I am fearless.

We will fight these baseless charges aggressively, and my office will continue to fiercely protect New Yorkers and their rights..

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Middle East Eye (Unofficial) @middleeasteye-rss.bsky.social · 3d

We have assurances the war has come to a complete end: Hamas chief - https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/we-have-assurances-war-has-come-complete-end-hamas-chief

We have assurances the war has come to a complete end: Hamas chief

<article data-history-node-id="429917" about="https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/we-have-assurances-war-has-come-complete-end-hamas-chief" class="live-blog-update default clearfix"> <h2> <a href="https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/we-have-assurances-war-has-come-complete-end-hamas-chief" rel="bookmark"> <span class="field field-title">We have assurances the war has come to a complete end: Hamas chief </span> </a> </h2> <div class="content"> <div class="field field-field-text"><p>Hamas chief Khalil el-Hayya, in a video message on Thursday, said he has received assurances from the mediators - Qatar, Egypt, Turkey, and the US - that Israel's war on Gaza has come to a "complete end" via the implementation of the current ceasefire deal. </p> </div> </div> </article>

www.middleeasteye.net

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The Daily Show @thedailyshow.com · 3d

The following is REAL footage from Portland, 2025. Viewer discretion is advised.

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Victor Silverman @victorsilverman.bsky.social · 3d

"If history is any indication, however, expectations of a durable peace or even sustainable relief for Palestinians may well be disappointed"
A sobering warning in this hopeful moment from
@joosthiltermann.bsky.social @natashahall.bsky.social

Foreign Affairs @foreignaffairs.com · 3d

“To appease his right flank and ensure his own political survival, Netanyahu might be tempted to resume the war on Hamas once the hostages are freed and obstruct meaningful humanitarian aid once again,” write @joosthiltermann.bsky.social and @natashahall.bsky.social.

The Gaza Deal Is Not Too Big to Fail

How Israel’s military dominance could undermine America’s quest for regional peace.

www.foreignaffairs.com

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Foreign Affairs @foreignaffairs.com · 3d

“To appease his right flank and ensure his own political survival, Netanyahu might be tempted to resume the war on Hamas once the hostages are freed and obstruct meaningful humanitarian aid once again,” write @joosthiltermann.bsky.social and @natashahall.bsky.social.

The Gaza Deal Is Not Too Big to Fail

How Israel’s military dominance could undermine America’s quest for regional peace.

www.foreignaffairs.com

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Victor Silverman @victorsilverman.bsky.social · 3d

"An illiberal peace"?

It is hopeful news that a ceasefire should go into effect tomorrow, but will it lead to more permanent peace and a better life for Palestinians? There is little evidence for optimism there.

The Conversation U.S. @us.theconversation.com · 3d

New #Gaza peace proposal includes hostage exchange and pause in fighting, but avoids giving Palestinians a meaningful say in their future.

buff.ly/m0NVvKk
#news #polisky

Gaza peace plan risks borrowing more from Tony Blair’s failures in the Middle East than his success in Northern Ireland

The former British leader was tapped to lead redevelopment efforts in Gaza if a deal is agreed upon.

buff.ly

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The Conversation U.S. @us.theconversation.com · 3d

New #Gaza peace proposal includes hostage exchange and pause in fighting, but avoids giving Palestinians a meaningful say in their future.

buff.ly/m0NVvKk
#news #polisky

Gaza peace plan risks borrowing more from Tony Blair’s failures in the Middle East than his success in Northern Ireland

The former British leader was tapped to lead redevelopment efforts in Gaza if a deal is agreed upon.

buff.ly

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The Borowitz Report @borowitzreport.bsky.social · 3d

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Corey Rayburn Yung @coreyryung.bsky.social · 3d

In the "wake of the Charlie Kirk assassination," the Center for Renewing America says Congress should consider destroying every remaining somewhat-functioning institution in the United States.

Jenny Cohn @jennycohn.bsky.social · 10d

In the “wake of the Charlie Kirk assassination,” the Center for Renewing America (founded by Russ Vought) says that “Congress should consider:

Fully privatizing the financing of higher education, terminating all federal programs, including subsidies for student loans and grants, like Pell.” 1/

Policy Proposals in the Wake of the Charlie Kirk Assassination

The assassination of Charlie Kirk made clear that the radical Left’s long march through America’s institutions is no longer a matter of quiet subversion; it is a clear and present threat to the Republ...

americarenewing.com

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Garrett M. Graff @vermontgmg.bsky.social · 3d

You’d think a decade into all of this, the NYT would have figured out how to stop lauding the arsonist for helping to extinguish the fire.

Jack Mirkinson @jackmirkinson.bsky.social · 3d

there was a ceasefire when trump came in. he let israel blow that up, let famine spread, let his goons murder starving people, before using the power he'd had since he took office. grotesque to call this peacemaking. www.nytimes.com/2025/10/08/us/politics/trump-mideast-visit-israel-gaza.html

(from the nyt obvi) With Mideast Deal, Trump Is on the Brink of a Major Diplomatic Accomplishment

For President Trump, success in brokering a cease-fire is the ultimate test of his self-described goal as a deal maker and a peacemaker.

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Jack Mirkinson @jackmirkinson.bsky.social · 3d

there was a ceasefire when trump came in. he let israel blow that up, let famine spread, let his goons murder starving people, before using the power he'd had since he took office. grotesque to call this peacemaking. www.nytimes.com/2025/10/08/us/politics/trump-mideast-visit-israel-gaza.html

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Victor Silverman @victorsilverman.bsky.social · 3d

www.972mag.com/october-7-pa...

Two years after Oct. 7, Palestine is a graveyard of failed strategies

Even if Trump ends the war, Palestinians will face a deep, enduring void: of language, hope, and politics that proved futile in the face of genocide.

www.972mag.com

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Amnesty International UK @amnestyuk.bsky.social · 3d

After two years of a livestreamed genocide and unimaginable loss, agreement on the first phase of a ceasefire deal that allows some humanitarian aid into Gaza and releases the hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners is overdue.

However, this cannot be another brief pause in the violence.

Image reads "Breaking, ceasefire agreed. The UK government must ensure the deal respects the human rights of the Palestinian people."

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Philosopher Jersey Flight @jerseyflight.bsky.social · 4d

“The furor grew after Fox News reported on the petition. Dr. Bray’s home address was revealed on social media. He received several death threats, including one vowing to kill him in front of his students.”

Jon Vander Pol @americantimes.bsky.social · 4d

www.nytimes.com/2025/10/08/n...

Rutgers Expert on Antifa Tries to Flee to Spain After Death Threats

www.nytimes.com

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Mark Bray @mark-bray.bsky.social · 8d

I’ve received multiple death threats + doxing (including my home address) directly following harassment from Turning Point USA, Jack Posobiec, Andy NGO, + Fox News which called me an antifa ‘financier.’

I have been forced to move my classes online.

If journalists want to talk, DM me or reply here.

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Shane Burley (Blue Sky Edition) @shaneburley.bsky.social · 5d

The attack on Mark is another stunt by right-wing grifters to victimize a random person in an effort to use MAGA fear mongering to justify their existence. It should go without saying we should do anything possible to support his family.

Mark Bray @mark-bray.bsky.social · 8d

I’ve received multiple death threats + doxing (including my home address) directly following harassment from Turning Point USA, Jack Posobiec, Andy NGO, + Fox News which called me an antifa ‘financier.’

I have been forced to move my classes online.

If journalists want to talk, DM me or reply here.

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Victor Silverman @victorsilverman.bsky.social · 4d

Sad news

UC Berkeley Labor Center @ucblaborcenter.bsky.social · 4d

The UC Berkeley Labor Center mourns Kent Wong, our longtime colleague and friend. A passionate champion for workers—especially immigrants—and students, Kent dedicated his life to justice. Our hearts are with our colleagues at the UCLA Labor Center.

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