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Enlighten your news with commentary by scholars!
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Lightnews surfaces the most relevant scholar‑driven perspectives on today’s news. We aggregate posts and recommendations from scholars across social media.
Wars, migration fuel global crises

Governments and citizens worldwide faced sustained political crises in 2025, marked by wars in Israel and Ukraine, migration disputes, and domestic shocks over housing and purchasing power.

With replies by 🎓Victor Asal, 🎓Jonathan Marks +14 more scholars.
Wars, migration fuel global crises
Replies by 🎓Victor Asal, 🎓Jonathan Marks, 🎓Yascha Mounk, 🎓Federica Genovese, 🎓Georg Weizsäcker +11 more scholars
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December 26, 2025 at 8:27 AM
Imran Ahmed sues Trump administration

Imran Ahmed, head of the Centre for Countering Digital Hate, sued the Trump administration in New York after the State Department barred him from entering the United States.

With replies by 🎓Sander van der Linden, 🎓Fionnuala Ní Aoláin +20 more scholars.
Imran Ahmed sues Trump administration
Replies by 🎓Sander van der Linden, 🎓Fionnuala Ní Aoláin, 🎓Juan Cole, 🎓Tom Clark, 🎓Nandita Sharma +17 more scholars
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December 26, 2025 at 7:47 AM
Kimmel labels Trump era tyranny

Jimmy Kimmel, delivering Channel 4's Alternative Christmas Message on British television, said "tyranny is booming" in the United States and criticized President Donald Trump.

With replies by 🎓Michael D. McDonald, 🎓Nathan P. Kalmoe +23 more scholars.
Kimmel labels Trump era tyranny
Replies by 🎓Michael D. McDonald, 🎓Nathan P. Kalmoe, 🎓Harvey J. Kaye, 🎓Peter Murphy, 🎓Diane Ravitch +20 more scholars
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December 26, 2025 at 7:37 AM
US kills ISIS in Nigeria

The United States launched deadly airstrikes against Islamic State militants in northwest Nigeria on Christmas Day, President Donald Trump said, and Nigerian authorities confirmed.

With replies by 🎓W. Andy Knight, 🎓Samantha Brennan, 🎓Olúfẹ́mi Táíwò +13 more scholars.
US kills ISIS in Nigeria
Replies by 🎓W. Andy Knight, 🎓Samantha Brennan, 🎓Olúfẹ́mi Táíwò, 🎓Robert C. Richards, 🎓James Goodwin +11 more scholars
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December 26, 2025 at 7:27 AM
Epstein records released, questions remain

The U.S. Department of Justice released nearly 30,000 pages, about 10GB, of Jeffrey Epstein records, prompting criticism over heavy redactions and renewed questions about missing material.

With replies by 🎓Bonnie Honig, 🎓Scott Lucas +9 more scholars.
Epstein records released, questions remain
Replies by 🎓Bonnie Honig, 🎓Scott Lucas, 🎓Gerald Friedman, 🎓Diane Ravitch, 🎓Timothy D. McBride +6 more scholars
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December 26, 2025 at 7:09 AM
King Charles urges reconciliation, unity

On Christmas Day, King Charles urged compassion and reconciliation across the United Kingdom and Commonwealth, saying communities must draw strength from diversity to overcome deepening division.

With replies by 🎓Shibley Telhami +16 more scholars.
King Charles urges reconciliation, unity
Replies by 🎓Shibley Telhami, 🎓Peter Murphy, 🎓Diane Ravitch, 🎓Jonathan Birch, 🎓Dave Carter +12 more scholars
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December 26, 2025 at 7:09 AM
Ukraine strikes Russian energy infrastructure

Ukraine struck Russian oil and gas facilities with British Storm Shadow missiles and domestic long-range drones, hitting Novoshakhtinsk refinery in Rostov and causing fires at Temryuk, Kyiv's military said.

With replies from 4 scholars.
Ukraine strikes Russian energy infrastructure
Replies by 🎓Scott Lucas, 🎓Roman M. Sheremeta, 🎓David Feldman +1 more scholars
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December 26, 2025 at 7:09 AM
Christmas brings temperature extremes worldwide

Unseasonal temperature extremes struck multiple regions on Christmas, with Iceland near 20°C, Perth exceeding 42°C and Belgium recording its coldest Christmas in 15 years.

With replies by 🎓Dustin Mulvaney, 🎓Catherine Kyobutungi +30 more scholars.
Christmas brings temperature extremes worldwide
Replies by 🎓Dustin Mulvaney, 🎓Catherine Kyobutungi, 🎓Elisa Perego, 🎓Melissa Sweet, 🎓Daniel Kuehn +27 more scholars
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December 26, 2025 at 6:58 AM
Pope condemns Gaza, urges peace

Pope Leo XIV used his first Christmas Mass at St. Peter's in Rome to condemn Gaza’s suffering and urge dialogue to end conflicts, including in Ukraine.

With replies by 🎓Judith Beyer, 🎓Chris Cunneen, 🎓Conor McCarthy +49 more scholars.
Pope condemns Gaza, urges peace
Replies by 🎓Judith Beyer, 🎓Chris Cunneen, 🎓Conor McCarthy, 🎓Julie Novkov, 🎓Shibley Telhami +47 more scholars
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December 26, 2025 at 6:57 AM
Israel kills Iran Quds commander

Israel said it killed Hussein Mahmoud Marshad al-Jawhari, a commander of Iran’s Quds Force, in a strike near Beirut in Lebanon.

With posts by 🎓Craig Calhoun, 🎓Yezid Sayigh, 🎓Trita Parsi +2 more scholars.
Israel kills Iran Quds commander
Replies by 🎓Craig Calhoun, 🎓Yezid Sayigh, 🎓Trita Parsi, 🎓Jayati Ghosh, 🎓Mohammad Marandi
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December 26, 2025 at 6:48 AM
Christmas reunions deepen family estrangement

Estranged parents and adult children experienced intensified heartache and strained reunions at Christmas, and psychologists said holiday gatherings commonly triggered anxiety, avoidance and permanent breaks…

With replies from 35 scholars.
Christmas reunions deepen family estrangement
Replies by 🎓Chris Cunneen, 🎓John Holbein, 🎓Catherine Kyobutungi, 🎓Dana R. Fisher, 🎓Paul Goldsmith-Pinkham +30 more scholars
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December 26, 2025 at 6:18 AM
Festive posts politicise Italy, Spain

Politicians in Italy and Spain, from Giorgia Meloni and Matteo Salvini to Spain's Pilar Alegría, posted Christmas greetings on social media using festive photos, AI postcards and partisan comments.

With replies by 🎓Tim Bale, 🎓Michael E. Mann +58 more scholars.
Festive posts politicise Italy, Spain
Replies by 🎓Tim Bale, 🎓Michael E. Mann, 🎓Serge Guimond, 🎓W. Andy Knight, 🎓Robert B. Talisse +55 more scholars
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December 26, 2025 at 6:18 AM
Christmas brings temperature extremes worldwide

Unseasonal temperature extremes struck multiple regions on Christmas, with Iceland near 20°C, Perth exceeding 42°C and Belgium recording its coldest Christmas in 15 years.

With replies by 🎓Dustin Mulvaney, 🎓Catherine Kyobutungi +34 more scholars.
Christmas brings temperature extremes worldwide
Replies by 🎓Dustin Mulvaney, 🎓Catherine Kyobutungi, 🎓Elisa Perego, 🎓Melissa Sweet, 🎓Daniel Kuehn +31 more scholars
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December 26, 2025 at 5:48 AM
Pope condemns Gaza, urges peace

Pope Leo XIV used his first Christmas Mass at St. Peter's in Rome to condemn Gaza’s suffering and urge dialogue to end conflicts, including in Ukraine.

With replies by 🎓Judith Beyer, 🎓Chris Cunneen, 🎓Conor McCarthy +51 more scholars.
Pope condemns Gaza, urges peace
Replies by 🎓Judith Beyer, 🎓Chris Cunneen, 🎓Conor McCarthy, 🎓Julie Novkov, 🎓Shibley Telhami +49 more scholars
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December 26, 2025 at 5:47 AM
Christmas reunions deepen family estrangement

Estranged parents and adult children experienced intensified heartache and strained reunions at Christmas, and psychologists said holiday gatherings commonly triggered anxiety, avoidance and permanent breaks…

With replies from 35 scholars.
Christmas reunions deepen family estrangement
Replies by 🎓Chris Cunneen, 🎓John Holbein, 🎓Catherine Kyobutungi, 🎓Dana R. Fisher, 🎓Paul Goldsmith-Pinkham +30 more scholars
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December 26, 2025 at 5:17 AM
Festive posts politicise Italy, Spain

Politicians in Italy and Spain, from Giorgia Meloni and Matteo Salvini to Spain's Pilar Alegría, posted Christmas greetings on social media using festive photos, AI postcards and partisan comments.

With replies by 🎓Tim Bale, 🎓Michael E. Mann +61 more scholars.
Festive posts politicise Italy, Spain
Replies by 🎓Tim Bale, 🎓Michael E. Mann, 🎓Serge Guimond, 🎓W. Andy Knight, 🎓Robert B. Talisse +58 more scholars
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December 26, 2025 at 5:09 AM
DOJ pauses Epstein document releases

The U.S. Justice Department said it had identified about one million additional documents related to Jeffrey Epstein, prompting a fresh review that will delay planned public releases.

With replies by 🎓Bonnie Honig, 🎓Scott Lucas +11 more scholars.
DOJ pauses Epstein document releases
Replies by 🎓Bonnie Honig, 🎓Scott Lucas, 🎓Gerald Friedman, 🎓Diane Ravitch, 🎓Robert Black +8 more scholars
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December 26, 2025 at 4:58 AM
Pope condemns Gaza, urges peace

Pope Leo XIV used his first Christmas Mass at St. Peter's in Rome to condemn Gaza’s suffering and urge dialogue to end conflicts, including in Ukraine.

With replies by 🎓Juan Cole, 🎓Judith Beyer, 🎓Chris Cunneen +51 more scholars.
Pope condemns Gaza, urges peace
Replies by 🎓Juan Cole, 🎓Judith Beyer, 🎓Chris Cunneen, 🎓Conor McCarthy, 🎓Julie Novkov +49 more scholars
www.lightnews.app
December 26, 2025 at 4:47 AM
Christmas brings temperature extremes worldwide

Unseasonal temperature extremes struck multiple regions on Christmas, with Iceland near 20°C, Perth exceeding 42°C and Belgium recording its coldest Christmas in 15 years.

With replies by 🎓Dustin Mulvaney, 🎓Catherine Kyobutungi +33 more scholars.
Christmas brings temperature extremes worldwide
Replies by 🎓Dustin Mulvaney, 🎓Catherine Kyobutungi, 🎓Elisa Perego, 🎓Melissa Sweet, 🎓John Holbein +30 more scholars
www.lightnews.app
December 26, 2025 at 4:38 AM
Imran Ahmed sues State Department

Imran Ahmed, head of the Center for Countering Digital Hate, sued the Trump administration after the State Department barred him as one of five Europeans it said promoted "censorship."

With replies by 🎓Sander van der Linden, 🎓Fionnuala Ní Aoláin +15 more scholars.
Imran Ahmed sues State Department
Replies by 🎓Sander van der Linden, 🎓Fionnuala Ní Aoláin, 🎓Juan Cole, 🎓Ben Tonra, 🎓Nandita Sharma +12 more scholars
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December 26, 2025 at 4:38 AM
Kimmel Labels Trump Presidency Fascist

Jimmy Kimmel attacked Donald Trump while delivering Channel 4’s Alternative Christmas Message on Christmas Day, saying the United States had “been a really great year from a fascism perspective.”

With replies by 🎓Michael D. McDonald +23 more scholars.
Kimmel Labels Trump Presidency Fascist
Replies by 🎓Michael D. McDonald, 🎓Nathan P. Kalmoe, 🎓Harvey J. Kaye, 🎓Peter Murphy, 🎓Diane Ravitch +19 more scholars
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December 26, 2025 at 4:27 AM
US strikes ISIS in Nigeria

U.S. forces carried out airstrikes against Islamic State militants in northwest Nigeria on Christmas Day, President Trump and U.S. Africa Command said, at the request of Nigerian authorities.

With replies by 🎓W. Andy Knight, 🎓Olúfẹ́mi Táíwò +12 more scholars.
US strikes ISIS in Nigeria
Replies by 🎓W. Andy Knight, 🎓Olúfẹ́mi Táíwò, 🎓Robert C. Richards, 🎓James Goodwin, 🎓Colin F. Camerer +9 more scholars
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December 26, 2025 at 4:17 AM
Christmas reunions deepen family estrangement

Estranged parents and adult children experienced intensified heartache and strained reunions at Christmas, and psychologists said holiday gatherings commonly triggered anxiety, avoidance and permanent breaks…

With replies from 34 scholars.
Christmas reunions deepen family estrangement
Replies by 🎓Chris Cunneen, 🎓John Holbein, 🎓Catherine Kyobutungi, 🎓Dana R. Fisher, 🎓Paul Goldsmith-Pinkham +29 more scholars
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December 26, 2025 at 4:09 AM
Israeli minister rejects Gaza withdrawal

Israel’s Defense Minister Israel Katz said Israel would never withdraw from the Gaza Strip, contradicting U.S. President Donald Trump’s phased withdrawal peace plan.

With posts by 🎓Juan Cole, 🎓Yezid Sayigh, 🎓Erin O’Donnell +5 more scholars.
Israeli minister rejects Gaza withdrawal
Replies by 🎓Juan Cole, 🎓Yezid Sayigh, 🎓Erin O’Donnell, 🎓Stephen Zunes, 🎓Jonathan Portes +3 more scholars
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December 26, 2025 at 4:09 AM
Zelensky, US envoys discuss peace

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he had a very good phone call with US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to discuss constructive approaches for a lasting peace.

With replies by 🎓Scott Lucas, 🎓Césari Laurent, 🎓Timothy D. McBride +5 more scholars.
Zelensky, US envoys discuss peace
Replies by 🎓Scott Lucas, 🎓Césari Laurent, 🎓Timothy D. McBride +5 more scholars
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December 26, 2025 at 4:09 AM