Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Laura Walker McDonald @techladylaura.bsky.social · 2d

Public interest tech leaders: check out this opportunity to lead Upturn, a wonderful organization that is doing critical work monitoring and advocating for better use of tech by the state in the US. #jobs @harlanyu.bsky.social congratulations on your tenure! Look forward to hearing what you do next!

Upturn @upturn.org · 4d

Our longtime Executive Director @harlanyu.bsky.social announced today his plans to depart Upturn in 2026.

Over 15 years, we’ve built a strong, principled & impactful organization fighting for racial, economic & social justice through a tech lens. We’re excited for Harlan and will miss him dearly!

Upturn Announces Executive Director Transition

After nearly 15 years of leading Upturn, Harlan Yu plans to step down from his role as Executive Director in June 2026.

www.upturn.org

Laura Walker McDonald @techladylaura.bsky.social · 3d

That week, our Chief Legal Officer Cordula Droege intervened at the UN Security Council on this very topic. Watch her intervention here www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZO8f... and read it here www.icrc.org/en/statement...

‘Power without conscience’ is a warning we can’t ignore

YouTube video by International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)

www.youtube.com

Laura Walker McDonald @techladylaura.bsky.social · 3d

It was a privilege to represent the @icrc.org debating the role & limits of human agency in AI-enabled warfare with @opentodebate.bsky.social last month. We took a scary, heady topic out of boomer/doomer hype and into practical opportunities & challenges opentodebate.org/debate/warti...

Wartime Kill Switch: Human or AI? - Open to Debate

As modern warfare becomes increasingly automated and reliant on artificial intelligence, the question of who, or what, should have ultimate control over lethal decision-making systems has never been m...

opentodebate.org

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Laura Walker McDonald @techladylaura.bsky.social · 9d

Finally watching Downton Abbey so that I can take my grandmother-in-law to the movies and now I say things like 'are you on the telephone'.

Laura Walker McDonald @techladylaura.bsky.social · 9d

Today! See you at noon.

Laura Walker McDonald @techladylaura.bsky.social · 16d

Joining SCSP's Jeanne Meserve and a fantastic panel at next week's AI Unlocked event to share the ICRC's views on the opportunities and risks of AI in crises, including conflicts. Friday 3rd, 12pm, Alamo Drafthouse theater 3 in Crystal City. Come and say hi! www.scsp.ai/ai-unlocked

Laura Walker McDonald @techladylaura.bsky.social · 14d

I needed to listen to this excellent podcast episode today: on the productive discomfort of conflict at work. Encouraging to think it can strengthen relationships! Thanks @morra.bsky.social

Conflict Is Necessary At Work... Really with Amy Gallo

Podcast Episode · The Anxious Achiever · 09/25/2025 · 40m

podcasts.apple.com

Laura Walker McDonald @techladylaura.bsky.social · 16d

Joining SCSP's Jeanne Meserve and a fantastic panel at next week's AI Unlocked event to share the ICRC's views on the opportunities and risks of AI in crises, including conflicts. Friday 3rd, 12pm, Alamo Drafthouse theater 3 in Crystal City. Come and say hi! www.scsp.ai/ai-unlocked

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Laura Walker McDonald @techladylaura.bsky.social · 18d

Fantastic glimpse into life on board an undersea cable repair ship from @restofworld.org restofworld.org/2025/africa-...

When Africa’s internet breaks, this ship answers the call

Undersea internet cables are critical in today’s hyperconnected world. The crew of the Léon Thévenin maintains one stretch of this global network.

restofworld.org

Laura Walker McDonald @techladylaura.bsky.social · 24d

The latest episode of the ICRC's InterCross blog breaks down the principles that guide humanitarian action, with interviews with the Washington delegation's leadership team and Paul Spiegel @johnshopkinssph.bsky.social. traffic.libsyn.com/d19a74fa-ef4... congrats to @dbonessi.bsky.social!

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Laura Walker McDonald @techladylaura.bsky.social · 26d

Croissants in America are just bread in shapes. It’s a hard lesson every time. 🥐

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Reposted by Laura Walker McDonald

Waldo Jaquith, but Spooky @waldo.net · 27d

I built a Mastodon bot that reports on Covid wastewater levels, which gives me weekly updates on how cautious to be depending on where I'm going. It turns out that @wvgg.co ported it to Bluesky and improved it, with twice weekly updates! Insta-follow for me. Recommended.

COVID Wastewater Levels 🤖 @covid-wastewater.bsky.social · 27d

CDC wastewater reports: Aug 31, 2025 - Sep 06, 2025

🔥 AK, CA, CT, DC, FL, HI, ID, IN, KY, LA, MD, NE, NV, NC, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT

🔴 AL, AR, DE, MA, MT, OR, RI, VA, WA

🟠 AZ, CO, GA, IL, IA, KS, ME, MN, MS, NJ, OH, OK, PA, WV, WY

🟡 GU, MI, NH, NY, VT, WI

🟢 MO, NM

❔ ND, VI

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Laura Walker McDonald @techladylaura.bsky.social · Sep 4

Here is the ICRC’s latest statement on the situation in Gaza. www.icrc.org/en/news-rele...

ICRC president: Mass evacuation of Gaza City unfeasible and incomprehensible

www.icrc.org

Laura Walker McDonald @techladylaura.bsky.social · Sep 4

This was a really sobering rundown on the current humanitarian situation in Gaza. As measured as possible, and you can hear the self-control that required.

Chris Houston @chrishouston.ca · Sep 3

I spoke to @mazmhussain.bsky.social of @dropsitenews.com about Gaza

www.dropsitenews.com/p/humanitari...

The Humanitarian Aid Crisis in Gaza

An aid expert explains the challenge of providing food and medical supplies to Palestinians amid Israel's attack on Gaza.

www.dropsitenews.com

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Laura Walker McDonald @techladylaura.bsky.social · Aug 28

Does artificial intelligence make wars better or worse? At the SCSP AI Expo in June, we asked Mark Montgomery at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, and his answers may surprise you. Check it out wherever you get your podcasts podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/h... #autonomy #UAVs #humanitarian

Humanity @ War: Using AI in Armed Conflict

Podcast Episode · Intercross: The Podcast · 08/28/2025 · 19m

podcasts.apple.com

Reposted by Laura Walker McDonald

Jen @ladyjenpool.bsky.social · Aug 12

Hey, as a librarian I need to tell you:

Our funding depends on usage.

So go ahead and check out that book even if you don't think you'll finish it. No one will know. Check out that DVD even though you might not like it. Get ambitious in your quest for knowledge.

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Laura Walker McDonald @techladylaura.bsky.social · Aug 10

Discovered the @lawfaremedia.org Chatter podcast recently. Their thread of space settlement episodes is food for my little nerd heart. This one is at the sweet spot of my profession and my geekiness: Governing Space Settlements Ethically with @erikanesvold.com podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/c...

Governing Space Settlements Ethically with Erika Nesvold

Podcast Episode · Chatter · 09/28/2023 · 1h 31m

podcasts.apple.com

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Laura Walker McDonald @techladylaura.bsky.social · Jul 28

It's a privilege to work at the ICRC, but the volunteer-driven, community help that a National Society provides is beautiful. Catch this great InterCross episode on American Red Cross' disaster response work.
blogs.icrc.org/intercross/2... #DisasterResponse #RedCross #FirstResponders

Beyond the Forecast: American Red Cross on the Hurricane Front Lines - Intercross: The Podcast

Today we’re doing something different on the podcast. We’re going to hear from our colleagues at the American Red Cross about their disaster relief response efforts in times of hurricanes. Experts…

blogs.icrc.org

Laura Walker McDonald @techladylaura.bsky.social · Jul 5

1 in 5 Americans open to the idea of the British King as their head of state.

We knew they’d be back eventually.

They’ve got the wristwatches, we’ve got Greenwich Mean Time.

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Laura Walker McDonald @techladylaura.bsky.social · Jul 2

We all depend on connectivity - calls, texts, radio, internet: if those lifelines are cut in a crisis, how would you reach your loved ones? Get help? Find out where is safe? ICRC colleague Clea Thouin on these impacts for people affected by armed conflict. blogs.icrc.org/law-and-poli...

Offline and in danger: the humanitarian consequences of connectivity disruptions

ICRC Protection Specialist Cléa Thouin addresses the humanitarian consequences of connectivity disruptions in armed conflicts.

blogs.icrc.org

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Laura Walker McDonald @techladylaura.bsky.social · Jul 1

Great visual piece from @restofworld.org on our increasingly cluttered low earth orbit, #satellite internet and the price of connectivity in less-connected countries.

Out of space: Picturing the big, crowded business of satellite internet

Space-based internet is remaking Earth’s orbit — and fueling a gold rush.

restofworld.org

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Laura Walker McDonald @techladylaura.bsky.social · Jul 1

Happy Debbie Harry day to all who celebrate

Debbie Harry is shown looking at the camera through sunglasses, wearing a black-flecked white fur coat and black beret. Awesome.

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Laura Walker McDonald @techladylaura.bsky.social · Jul 1

This piece has everything: Science. Existential crisis. Tungsten cubes.

@Anthropic let Claude (AI platform) run a snack stall. What happened next is a great teaching study of AI behavior in the real world - and the limits of what we understand. www.anthropic.com/research/pro... #ai #tech

Project Vend: Can Claude run a small shop? (And why does that matter?)

We let Claude run a small shop in the Anthropic office. Here's what happened.

www.anthropic.com

Laura Walker McDonald @techladylaura.bsky.social · Jun 29

Ps @leahcypess.bsky.social daughter is enjoying ‘Thornwood’ and says thank you for writing it

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Laura Walker McDonald @techladylaura.bsky.social · Jun 29

20 pages into @realhopejahren.bsky.social’s book and already teared up twice (we are all scientists! Your work habitat is yours because you built it!) and loled ruefully once (budgets) in deep recognition. And hopefully another seed of commitment to libraries sown in my little bookworm’s soul

A copy of ‘Lab Girl’ by Hope Jahren sits on a lap next to a pile of books and a child. They are curled up in a heap at a local library

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Laura Walker McDonald @techladylaura.bsky.social · Jun 26

New InterCross episode! Syria, May 2025: Stephen Sakalian, head of ICRC's delegation in Damascus, on the country's complex journey toward stability, needs and opportunities; and how sanctions and lack of funding continue to hamper operations. podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/h... #humanitarian #syria

Humanitarian Update from Syria

Podcast Episode · Intercross: The Podcast · 06/26/2025 · 34m

podcasts.apple.com