Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Michael Bociurkiw @michaelbociurkiw.bsky.social · 2d

#BREAKING: Winner of 2025 Nobel Peace Prize is Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado. Donald Trump led a public campaign to win the award, but didn’t make it. Hard for him to criticize this win as his administration been coming down hard on President Nicolás Maduro
#NobelPeacePrize

Gaza Ceasefire: "To say that this is a historic achievement is an understatement..."

Michael Bociurkiw @michaelbociurkiw.bsky.social · 2d

At night, the Russian army launched 465 strike drones, two aeroballistic, 14 ballistic, 12 cruise, and four guided aviation missiles on the territory of Ukraine. Kyiv was heavily targeted - especially energy facilities. Widespread power outages

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Michael Bociurkiw @michaelbociurkiw.bsky.social · 2d

Donald Trump says Israel and Hamas have reached the first phase of a peace deal. Has he earned a Nobel Peace Prize? We break it down on Times Radio… #gaza #israel

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Michael Bociurkiw @michaelbociurkiw.bsky.social · 2d

World Briefing: “To say that this is a historic achievement is an understatement considering the severity of the Israeli war on Gaza and the number of those killed, injured, and displaced. The world should celebrate the end of the most horrific wars of the 21st century….”

An uneasy calm may be taking shape in the Middle East after months of bloodshed - Israel’s cabinet prepares to approve a US-brokered truce that could see hostages freed and troops pull back from Gaza

Michael Bociurkiw @michaelbociurkiw.bsky.social · 2d

Israel & Hamas agree to 1st phase of US-brokered peace plan. Plenty of moving pieces in a deal where the devil in the details. Might it end the death, destruction, massive displacement & starvation in Gaza? Has Trump bagged a Nobel Peace Prize? Tune in today to Times Radio where we break it all down

Challenges to Trump’s “War on Narco-Terror” as Questions Mount Over Venezuela Strikes

Michael Bociurkiw @michaelbociurkiw.bsky.social · 3d

World Briefing: Europe Edition- Pressure is increasing in response to a series of unprecedented U.S. military strikes on alleged drug traffickers at sea ordered by President Donald Trump

Democrats move to curb US attacks, as evidence remains thin. As I told CBS News, the first strike may not have targeted a narco vessel — and U.S. forces aren’t configured for an assault on Venezuela

Europe Moves to Tightens Screws on Russian Diplomats — Canada Hits Snooze

Michael Bociurkiw @michaelbociurkiw.bsky.social · 4d

As Europe moves to tighten the net around Russian influence, Canada via @globalaffairs.canada.ca risks being seen as the weak link in the Western security chain. It’s one thing to preach solidarity with Ukraine — it’s another to act like it.

Brussels considers travel restrictions on Russian envoys as part of its 19th sanctions package, underscoring a widening gap with Ottawa’s risk-averse approach to Moscow.

Michael Bociurkiw @michaelbociurkiw.bsky.social · 4d

Canada-US leaders summit gets off on positive note with host Donald Trump calling PM Mark Carney “a world class leader.” Hopefully will bring Ottawa what it’s after: tariff relief and positive grounding for review of Canada-US-Mexico Agreement for next year #cdnpoli

Michael Bociurkiw @michaelbociurkiw.bsky.social · 4d

Trump does it again: subjects a foreign leader and ally to an impromptu press scrum ahead of bilat- blaming alleged crime wave on Biden. Canada PM Mark Carney nodding politely. Trump says 100K lives saved on both sides of border due to interdiction efforts #cdnpoli

Michael Bociurkiw @michaelbociurkiw.bsky.social · 4d

Was interviewed on sidelines of #UNGA2025. Main message? When the supposed leader of the free world continuously refers to the media ‘fake news,’ it places journalists at risk

Ukraine’s Secret Weapons Spending Faces Questions After Internal Review

Michael Bociurkiw @michaelbociurkiw.bsky.social · 5d

Kyiv allegedly repeatedly awards, without explanation, contracts to companies that made higher bids than their competitors. Internal govt audits reviewed by @nytimes show dozens of such contracts signed…as well as cases of late or incomplete deliveries & prepayments for weaponry that never arrived

www.nytimes.com

Macron’s High-Stakes Gamble: France Edges Toward Political Meltdown

Michael Bociurkiw @michaelbociurkiw.bsky.social · 5d

Bottom line: If Macron miscalculates, France’s crisis could echo far beyond the Élysée—weakening the EU’s unity, emboldening Moscow, and leaving Kyiv with one less powerful friend #france

With Prime Minister Lecornu’s shock resignation, France is once again rudderless—and Macron’s room for maneuver is shrinking fast.

Politics in wartime — Ukraine-style

Michael Bociurkiw @michaelbociurkiw.bsky.social · 5d

‘Lawfare’ is being used even more aggressively by the Zelensky administration, opponents say…

Election jockeying is well underway in Kyiv, even with the timing unknown as Russian bombs fall.

www.politico.eu

Michael Bociurkiw @michaelbociurkiw.bsky.social · 6d

“We’ve been here before.. when an elusive deal between Hamas & Israel appeared within reach—only to evaporate. What’s different this time is Trump’s personal stake: by leaning on a politically weakened Netanyahu, he’s gambling on a breakthrough that could burnish his legacy—or earn him a Nobel Prize

Trump’s Middle East Gamble: Peace, Power, or the Nobel Prize?

Two years after Hamas’s bloody assault on Israel, new talks open in Cairo—this time with Donald Trump’s envoys at the table. Could this finally bring peace, or is it another mirage in the desert?

Ex-Prime Minister Set to Return to Power in Czech Republic

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Michael Bociurkiw @michaelbociurkiw.bsky.social · 7d

Deaths, injuries & destruction reported across #Ukraine after another violent nights of attacks. Targets included residential units, a large industrial park in Lviv oblast, and critical infrastructure. Three dead near Kyiv, including 6 & 7 year old. Polish fighter jets scrambled

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Michael Bociurkiw @michaelbociurkiw.bsky.social · 7d

Billionaire former Czech PM, Andrej Babis, seized on voters’ economic frustrations in his bid to reclaim power in parliamentary elections that could water down country’s steadfast support for Ukraine and challenge EU and NATO on Russia

www.nytimes.com

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Michael Bociurkiw @michaelbociurkiw.bsky.social · 8d

Overnight Russia launched 109 drones & 3 ballistic missiles at Ukraine. In the Chernihiv region, several important power supply facilities damaged & emergency outages affected about 50,000 consumers. In the Sumy region, a building w/700 tons of grain stored was damaged - Suspilne

Michael Bociurkiw @michaelbociurkiw.bsky.social · 8d

World Briefing - Moldova 🇲🇩 Edition: “The difference could not be clearer: unlike Ukraine, Russia operates with zero adherence to international humanitarian law, committing war crimes with impunity and little downside…”

⚡ Energy Wars: Ukraine Cripples Russian Refineries as Moscow Strikes at Ukraine’s Gas Lifeline

Kyiv’s drones cripple refineries across Russia’s vast, undefended skies—while Moscow unleashes its biggest barrage yet on Ukraine’s gas lifeline, weaponising winter with zero regard for civilians.

Putin’s Threats, Europe’s Hesitation & Ukraine’s High Stakes

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Michael Bociurkiw @michaelbociurkiw.bsky.social · 9d

World Briefing - Moldova 🇲🇩 Edition: Europe is still “sleepwalking” through the gravest security crisis in decades. With Russia escalating drone incursions & pushing into fortress cities, the stakes for Ukraine—and Europe—couldn’t be higher.

Europe is still “sleepwalking” through the gravest security crisis in decades. With Russia escalating drone incursions & pushing into fortress cities, the stakes for Kyiv & Europe couldn't be higher

💶 Europe Kicks the Can, Putin Kicks Down the Door

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Michael Bociurkiw @michaelbociurkiw.bsky.social · 10d

Apocalyptic floods earlier this week in Odesa #Ukraine: 2-months worth of rain ☔️ in just 7-hours. In all - dozens injured, 380 rescued, 10 dead. Rescuers have completed the search for victims, water is being pumped out of dozens of objects, the city's restoration is underway.

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Michael Bociurkiw @michaelbociurkiw.bsky.social · 10d

World Briefing: Canada 🇨🇦 Edition - “The choice is simple—pay less now, or pay much, much more later.”

Brussels dithers over €300 billion in frozen Russian assets—paralyzed by Belgium’s Euroclear jitters—while Moscow wages hybrid war on NATO. My take: pay less now to arm Ukraine, or pay far more later

🎖️ Ideology Boot Camp for U.S. Military Brass at Trump’s Quantico Reality Show

Michael Bociurkiw @michaelbociurkiw.bsky.social · 11d

Kremlin reaped around €8.10 billion in tax revenues from European energy companies importing Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) between 2022-2024, according to new research published by Greenpeace. The EU moved to close the tap to Russian pipeline gas after Russia’s full scale invasion of Ukraine

America’s top generals summoned for push-ups, lectures on “woke,” and a president warning of an “invasion from within.”