Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Reposted by Ben Eltham

Josh Taylor @joshtaylor.bsky.social · 6h

Lol lmao

Herald Sun
Steve Price
Abbott return is what Libs need

29 28 160

Reposted by Ben Eltham

Matt Novak @paleofuture.bsky.social · 5h

I don't think there's any better example of leopards eating faces than the Lebanese immigrant who opened a Trump-themed burger restaurant and then got arrested by ICE.

Chron.com @chron.com · 6h

🍔 Houston’s Trump Burger appears to have shut its doors after a brief run on Chimney Rock: bit.ly/46LpQAx

15 100 410

Reposted by Ben Eltham

Sonja Drimmer @sonjadrimmer.bsky.social · 4h

People think the first thing Gutenberg printed was the Bible. This is false. The first things he printed were a political prophecy, propaganda about the Turks’ threat to Christendom, & a popular school text. If you want a parallel to AI, that’s it: making $ from conspiracies, racism, & school slop.

Olivia Guest · Ολίβια Γκεστ @olivia.science · 14h

really nice piece on this btw from @sonjadrimmer.bsky.social sonjadrimmer.com/blog-1/2025/...

"The Printing Press Democratized Knowledge": When Slogans Masquerade as History — Sonja Drimmer

The phrase is said so frequently it seems, like the mechanism it celebrates, to mechanically replicate itself.  It's become a favorite catchphrase among tech boosters of any sort (see my post on...

sonjadrimmer.com

6 63 180

Reposted by Ben Eltham

Municipal Fox @amunicipalfox.bsky.social · 2d

This frog is your FRIEND
He fights for FREEDOM

Person in a frog costume faces down ICE agents

30 320 1.6K

Reposted by Ben Eltham

Cameron Clark @cameronclark.bsky.social · 16h

I think the core question now regarding the AI bubble is: what's the catalyst?

If it's broader acceptance that revenues can't match investment, that might still be some way off

However, that's not usually how these crises unfold...

JP Morgan boss Jamie Dimon sounds warning on US stock market fall

Jamie Dimon said he was

www.bbc.co.uk

1 1 5

Reposted by Ben Eltham

stranger @strangerous.bsky.social · 19h

David Pocock grills ANU COO Jonathan Churchill on why he skipped out of previous #Estimates
DP “I’ve since seen notes…that your presence was not required, is that correct?”
JC “That’s correct”
DP “why did u tell this committee that noone from council was available…?”
JC “…”🙄

9 17 90

Reposted by Ben Eltham

Talia Lavin @swordsjew.bsky.social · 1d

in case you want some non bullshit about antifa here is something i wrote

buttondown.com/theswordandt...

We Keep Us Safe: On Antifa

This past Saturday, Donald Trump announced that his administration would be deploying federal troops to Portland, OR, authorizing the military to use “full...

buttondown.com

2 97 280

Reposted by Ben Eltham

Nekrởtzar @nekrotzar.bsky.social · 23h

ICE wasn’t prepared to face amphibious units.

10 86 770

Reposted by Ben Eltham

The Oregonian @oregonian.com · 23h

Things are happening at Portland's ICE facility tonight.

Read more of our protest coverage here: www.oregonlive.com/crime/2025/1...

550 5.7K 18K

Reposted by Ben Eltham

Asher Wolf @asherwolf.bsky.social · 23h

Federal Government officials have admitted they can’t identify Freedom of Information requests from artificial intelligence bots, or even if they are any, despite that being a reason given for changing FoI laws region.com.au/no-bots-abou...

No bots about it, government can't even identify if an FoI request is AI-generated | Region Canberra

Federal Government officials have admitted they can’t identify Freedom of Information requests from artificial intelligence bots, or even if they…

region.com.au

1 20 28

Reposted by Ben Eltham

Beddy @lancecalhoon.bsky.social · 1d

I did not realise that arms manufacturers sponsored the National Press Club until this story came out but jfc how compromised can you be

Donna Benenson @donnabenenson.bsky.social · 1d

"...the NPC’s list of sponsors reveals the problem. Among them are no less than ten firms with links to the arms industry that is profiting from Israel’s destruction of Gaza, including four of the very largest defence manufacturers in the world – BAE, Raytheon, Lockheed Martin and Thales."

Nick Feik @nickfeik.bsky.social · 1d

New:
Censorship by any other name.
The National Press Club cancelled a speaker, Chris Hedges, who planned to address the mass killing of journalists in Gaza. The mainstream press didn’t report it.
nickfeik.substack.com/p/censorship...

4 24 68

Ben Eltham @beneltham.bsky.social · 22h

I see America is now at the “dissident professors fleeing the regime” stage

Mark Bray @mark-bray.bsky.social · 1d

Our plane to Spain is in the air!

🙌🙌

Thank you so much to the countless people supporting us in every way and in particular all of the Rutgers students and faculty who have supported us every step of the way.

4 64 220

Reposted by Ben Eltham

David Pocock @davidpocock.bsky.social · 1d

Even after being found guilty of 'officer misconduct' for mishandling the Robodebt referral, Commissioner of the NACC continues consultancy role despite concerns of perceived conflicts of interest.

At $820k/year surely he can focus on doing one job well?

www.abc.net.au/news/2025-10...

Corruption watchdog head 'consulted' for ADF inspector general 11 times

Paul Brereton and Labor politicians had previously stated he had stepped away from the body and resigned as assistant inspector-general of the ADF prior to taking on the top integrity job.

www.abc.net.au

19 96 250

Reposted by Ben Eltham

Tim Lyons @picketer.bsky.social · 1d

This is hilariously stupid stuff. Real “the Gallery Midwinter Ball is not political” Braine Genius stuff.

Guardian Australia @australia.theguardian.com · 1d

Former Wallabies star David Pocock booted from parliamentary sports club

Exclusive: Senator accused of bringing social club into disrepute after raising concerns about its association with betting lobby Independent ACT senator David Pocock – a former Wallabies captain – been banned from attending parliament house’s social sports club after raising concern about its sponsorship by the gambling industry. The former rugby star was on Thursday night told he was no longer welcome at Australian Parliament Sports Club events, and accused of politicising the organisation. He has been removed from group chats discussing its events. Continue reading...

www.theguardian.com

7 17 81

Reposted by Ben Eltham

Willamette Week @wweek.com · 1d

Jack Dickinson, 26, says “we’re winning this.”

An Interview With the Portland Chicken

Rachel Saslow

www.wweek.com

32 290 1.2K

Reposted by Ben Eltham

Bill Browne @browne90.bsky.social · 1d

Making his point for him -- just asking about the power of the gambling lobby gets Senator David Pocock booted from sports club the Prime Minister heads. www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...

Former Wallabies star David Pocock booted from parliamentary sports club

Exclusive: Senator accused of bringing social club into disrepute after raising concerns about its association with betting lobby

www.theguardian.com

7 32 93

Reposted by Ben Eltham

Jill Blake @biscuitkitten.bsky.social · 2d

“the girlfriend of one of the founders of antifa”

Ingrid Bergman as Ilsa Lund in Casablanca

160 1.6K 8.1K

Reposted by Ben Eltham

Antipoverty Centre @antipovertycentre.org · 2d

"If they don't deliver, they don't get paid,"

The first flagrant lie from the employment department in today's senate estimates hearing about the welfare cops who profit from poverty. No doubt there will be much more bullshit to come!

Antipoverty Centre @antipovertycentre.org · 2d

If you want to watch the employment department defend their unlawful operation of compulsory activities (so-called mutual obligations), you can tune in to the senate estimates hearing here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=0WId...

Senate Education and Employment Legislation Committee [Part 1] | 09/10/2025

YouTube video by Australian Parliament House Streaming Portal

www.youtube.com

1 30 88

Reposted by Ben Eltham

Quinta Jurecic @qjurecic.bsky.social · 2d

he's going to come after you either way, so you might as well act with integrity

38 1.1K 5.2K

Reposted by Ben Eltham

Crikey @crikey.com.au · 1d

The Coalition is opposed in principle, although those members will reserve their judgement until a Senate committee finishes its inquiry into the bill.

Barely anyone except Labor supports the government's FOI reforms

www.crikey.com.au

6 14

Ben Eltham @beneltham.bsky.social · 1d

It’s important to post even when you’re happy and fulfilled

1

Reposted by Ben Eltham

Tom Cox @dj-acid-reflux.bsky.social · 2d

I'm giving away this signed 1st edition h/b of my new novel (it has a tiny jacket rip which means I wouldn't sell it) to one person who reposts this.

You might like it if you like:
Folkloric creatures
Old records
Intricate psychedelic stories
The idea of circular time

All shares much-appreciated.

Joe McLaren's fabulous cover for Everything Will Swallow You

A close up of the small tear on this first edition of Everything Will Swallow You

8 130 120

Ben Eltham @beneltham.bsky.social · 2d

You can almost guarantee that the AFP’s new taskforce for investigating things-that-aren’t-terrorism will be looking closely into climate activists

Lucy Hamilton @lucyham.bsky.social · 2d

In the Trump era, this is terrifying. Apparently criticising capitalism 🥴🤣 is terrorism now in the US.
#Auspol

Australian Federal Police ®
56m • S
The AFP has set up new National Security Investigations (NSI) teams to target groups and individuals causing high levels of harm to Australia's social cohesion.
The NSI teams will work closely with state and territory police, law enforcement and national security partners to provide a coordinated, consistent and intelligence-led response to security threats, and also work on a global level through operations, capabilities and relationships with the international law enforcement intelligence community.
There are current and emerging groups dispersed across Australia and in some cases, overseas, who are eroding our country's social fabric by advocating hatred, fear, and humiliation. While many of these crimes may not meet the threshold of terrorism, the AFP has identified concerning behaviours which could escalate to politically-motivated violence or hate crimes, which seriously put the Australian community at risk.
There is no place for hate or violence in our communities and the AFP will defend and protect Australia and Australia's future from these threats.
Anyone with information about possible threats to the community or suspicious activity should make a report to the National Security Hotline on 1800 123 400. In an emergency or life-threatening situation, contact Triple

4 38 90

Ben Eltham @beneltham.bsky.social · 2d

❤️

1