Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

paulusthewoodgnome @paulusthewoodgnome.bsky.social · 13m

I posted this yesterday because I'm an atheist and a secularist, not a Muslim/Islam-hater or a libertarian free speech fetishist. To see these two grifters latching onto this case for their, as you put, "instrumental reasons" is nauseating but their alliance is revealing.
bsky.app/profile/paul...

paulusthewoodgnome @paulusthewoodgnome.bsky.social · 1d

'The judge found Hamit Coskun's protest to be "disorderly" because it provoked "serious public disorder". That is, because HE was attacked by two passers-by while protesting. In other words, the violent reactions of others were treated as proof of his guilt.'
www.secularism.org.uk/news/2025/07...

NSS backs Hamit Coskun appeal

Coskun lodges appeal with Crown Court following public order offence conviction for Quran-burning protest Read More »

www.secularism.org.uk

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Sunder Katwala (sundersays) @sundersays.bsky.social · 29m

Tommy Robinson has endorsed Robert Jenrick's decision to turn up in person to offer support and solidarity to the asylum seeker Hamit Coskun, who shouted, “Koran is burning”, “Fuck Islam” and “Islam is the religion of terrorism" while burning the Quran.

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Resolution Foundation @resfoundation.bsky.social · 28m

The growth of National Insurance over time makes it more important than ever to worry about its design.

Read 'Call of duties' now, to learn why we propose switching 2p from National Insurance to Income Tax 👉 buff.ly/uLWun7f

chart showing Changes in tax revenue as a share of GDP, relative to 1948: UK

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James Murray @james-bg.bsky.social · 2h

Those lentil weaving eco-warriors that serve as CEOs of global businesses with $4tr in combined revenues are at it again, calling on governments to deliver much bolder climate action and ambitious decarbonisation policies. www.businessgreen.com/news/4520194...

'Returns, resilience, and growth': Top CEOs urge governments to seize 'historic opportunity' offered by climate economy

Ahead of next month's COP30 Summit, the World Economic Forum's Alliance of CEO Climate Leaders publishes open letter urging world leaders to accelerate the transition to a low-carbon and resilient eco...

www.businessgreen.com

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Peter Stefanovic @peterstefanovic.bsky.social · 2h

🚨Just 345 signatures from 75,000! Lets get it there 🙏

For too long, the UK press have bullied people, harassed grieving families, and destroyed lives, all to sell papers. It's time to hold them to account.

You can support the campaign to change the law here👇
you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/a-...

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paulusthewoodgnome @paulusthewoodgnome.bsky.social · 1h

MTV still has music channels!? Who knew?
www.bbc.com/news/article...

MTV to axe its music TV channels in the UK

The broadcaster will stop showing music videos in December, but its main channel will remain on air.

www.bbc.com

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paulusthewoodgnome @paulusthewoodgnome.bsky.social · 3h

'China pushed one million people out of their homes a quarter-century ago and flooded a vast area for the reservoir of the Three Gorges Dam. This year, China has been installing enough solar panels every 3 weeks to match the power generation capacity of that dam.'
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/10/b...

Why China Built 162 Square Miles of Solar Panels on the World’s Highest Plateau

www.nytimes.com

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The Guardian @theguardian.com · 5h

Nobel peace prize 2025 live: María Corina Machado wins for work promoting democratic rights in Venezuela

US president had been conducting campaign to influence prize committee

www.theguardian.com

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paulusthewoodgnome @paulusthewoodgnome.bsky.social · 5h

'Reform, which is leading the polls by about 10%, has not set out much detail on a proposed education policy and does not appear to have appointed an education spokesperson.'

This is an extraordinary fact when you consider this party could be the next government.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

Nigel Farage accuses teachers of ‘poisoning our kids’ on race issues

Exclusive: Reform UK leader’s remarks at event for private US college criticised as ‘grossly irresponsible’ by NEU leader

www.theguardian.com

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Elizabeth Warren @warren.senate.gov · 16h

The President of the United States is openly seeking revenge on his political opponents.

First Jim Comey. Now Tish James. Anyone who seeks to hold Donald Trump accountable could be next.

Trump is ripping a page right out of the authoritarian handbook.

The New York Times @nytimes.com · 17h

Breaking News: Letitia James, New York’s attorney general, is said to have been indicted after President Trump pushed the Justice Department to seek charges against her. James, who is accused of committing mortgage fraud, brought a civil case against Trump in 2022. www.nytimes.com/live/2025/10...

Attorney General Letitia James of New York is in front of a microphone. A headline reads: "New York Attorney General Letitia James Indicted After Pressure From Trump."

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Zack Polanski @zackpolanski.bsky.social · 18h

#BBCQT

Always bring the receipts.

Happy birthday to my friend and colleague Nigel Farage aka Mr Brexit.

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MAKS 25 👀🇺🇦 @maks23.bsky.social · 17h

❗️Russia is launching large-scale attacks on energy infrastructure: attacks are underway on energy infrastructure in Kyiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Zaporizhzhia, Chernihiv, Kharkiv, and Cherkasy regions.

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MAKS 25 👀🇺🇦 @maks23.bsky.social · 16h

🇵🇱 Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski to NYT:

The only way to bring Putin to a negotiating table is by making him realize that he cannot kill his way out of the mistake he made on Feb. 24, 2022.

To do this, it is essential to continue to support Ukraine financially and militarily.

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paulusthewoodgnome @paulusthewoodgnome.bsky.social · 15h

The Standard really is a dreadful rag. When it eventually gasps its last, which can't be far off, it will not be missed. Maybe once, it was a London paper but in recent decades it may as well have renamed itself the Kensington & Chelsea Courier, for poshos who have second homes in the shires.

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Will Norman @willnorman.co.uk · 17h

A growing body of research shows that 20mph is making our roads safer, reducing the number of people killed & seriously injured, while have little impact on journey times & no increase in pollution etc.

But still the naysayers will kick off … see predicable comments below!

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Will Norman @willnorman.co.uk · 17h

Well done to all the brilliant local councillors who have lowered the speed limits their roads to 20mph - often in the face of much hostility.

There is now irrefutable evidence to show your bold decisions are saving lives.

Thank you!

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paulusthewoodgnome @paulusthewoodgnome.bsky.social · 15h

I gave up watching #bbcqt back when David Dimbleby was still host. Even then, it was unbearable. I campaigned online for Victoria Derbyshire to replace him when he retired but Fiona Bruce was a total deal-breaker. I follow the hashtag and contribute at arms length. 😊

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Eddie Burfi @eddieburfi.bsky.social · 17h

Former Head of Comms for the IEA, Annabel Denham, says the super rich will leave if we have a wealth tax.

Yes, the very same IEA that brought us Liz Truss’ disastrous mini budget. 🤦🏽‍♂️

Green Party leader Zack Polanski explains that their taxable assets can’t leave. #bbcqt

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paulusthewoodgnome @paulusthewoodgnome.bsky.social · 15h

Fucking Ada... 🙄

#bbcqt
bsky.app/profile/impl...

Farrukh @implausibleblog.bsky.social · 16h

Reform UK's Zia Yusuf makes the case for President Trump to get the Nobel Peace Prize #BBCQT

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Farrukh @implausibleblog.bsky.social · 16h

Zack Polanski,
"The only way to be morally consistent is to condemn what happened on Oct 7th and to condemn the genocide in Palestine"

"As a Jewish man I feel the genocide very very deeply"

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paulusthewoodgnome @paulusthewoodgnome.bsky.social · 15h

Interesting...

#bbcqt

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Minnie Rahman @minnierahman.bsky.social · 17h

We are witnessing the birth of an icon.

The Green Party of England & Wales @greenparty.org.uk · 18h

“You can’t blame austerity on one hand, but then say it’s the immigrants. The immigrants haven’t caused austerity.”

Zack Polanski takes on Reform’s Zia Yusuf over spreading of misinformation on #BBCQT

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The Green Party of England & Wales @greenparty.org.uk · 18h

“You can’t blame austerity on one hand, but then say it’s the immigrants. The immigrants haven’t caused austerity.”

Zack Polanski takes on Reform’s Zia Yusuf over spreading of misinformation on #BBCQT

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Farrukh @implausibleblog.bsky.social · 16h

Green Party's Zack Polanski to Reform UK's Zia Yusuf,

"Do you ever think that immigration is the number one problem because you spend a lot of time spreading misinformation and fear?"

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paulusthewoodgnome @paulusthewoodgnome.bsky.social · 16h

Fiona Bruce embodies a certain sort of BBC know-it-all smugness. A true heir to John Humphrys.

#bbcqt

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