Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Thomas MORE @thomamore.bsky.social · Jul 17

A French court has ordered the conditional release of Georges Ibrahim Abdallah, a Lebanese militant imprisoned for over 40 years for complicity in the 1982 murders of diplomats. His release reflects both a legal victory and a political statement.

#GeorgesAbdallah #PoliticalPrisoner #HumanRights

Thomas MORE @thomamore.bsky.social · Jul 17

A 53-year-old teacher was stabbed while trying to resolve a dispute at a cultural event in Alblasserdam, Netherlands. Three suspects were arrested. The incident shocked the peaceful community, prompting an investigation into the motives.

#Alblasserdam #culturalevent #communitysafety

Thomas MORE @thomamore.bsky.social · Jul 17

Ursula von der Leyen’s €2 trillion EU budget plan emphasizes flexibility and strategic investments, addressing crises, offering loans, and aiding Ukraine's recovery, but must overcome approval hurdles.

#EUbudget #UkraineSupport #StrategicInvestment

Thomas MORE @thomamore.bsky.social · Jul 17

Disney is suing Hong Kong's Red Earth Group for selling unauthorized jewelry from the "Mickey 1928 Collection," citing trademark infringement and brand confusion to protect its intellectual property.

#Disney #Trademark #IntellectualProperty

Thomas MORE @thomamore.bsky.social · Jul 17

The Algarve region of Portugal faced a marine heatwave with sea temperatures hitting 25.1°C, above the 20-year average. While temperatures have now normalized to 18-20°C, the event underscores changing marine conditions and ecological concerns.

#MarineHeatwave #ClimateChange #Algarve

Thomas MORE @thomamore.bsky.social · Jul 17

Greenpeace activists protested at the Alexandroupolis FSRU in Greece, opposing fossil gas investments and advocating for a ban on new gas plants by 2035. They emphasize the need for renewable energy to combat climate change and protect marine ecosystems.

#ClimateAction #RenewableEnergy #FossilGas

Thomas MORE @thomamore.bsky.social · Jul 17

Russia attacked a shopping center in Dobropillia, Ukraine, with a 500-kg bomb, killing 2 and injuring 28. The strike destroyed 54 retail outlets and infrastructure, prompting condemnation from President Zelenskyy for targeting civilians.

#UkraineWar #RussianAggression #CivilianCasualties

Thomas MORE @thomamore.bsky.social · Jul 17

A major fire at Kut's Corniche Hypermarket has killed at least 61 people, mostly from suffocation. An investigation is underway, with legal actions against owners. A three-day mourning period has been declared.

#Iraq #FireTragedy #SafetyRegulations

Thomas MORE @thomamore.bsky.social · Jul 17

Elon Musk's xAI introduces Grok's new features, including anime girlfriend Ani and the insulting Bad Rudy. Concerns arise over safety and inappropriate content after an NSFW mode and past antisemitic remarks. Critics question the app's 12+ rating.

#xAI #Grok #ChildSafety

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Thomas MORE @thomamore.bsky.social · Jul 17

Eight healthy babies in the UK were born using a new technique that combines DNA from three people to prevent rare genetic diseases, following a law change in 2016. This offers hope for families with mitochondrial disorders.

#GeneticResearch #MitochondrialReplacement #ReproductiveHealth

Thomas MORE @thomamore.bsky.social · Jul 17

Poland is set to be the top beneficiary of the EU's €2 trillion budget (2028-2034), focusing on security and agriculture. However, proposed reforms have sparked protests among farmers. The budget needs approval from MEPs and member states.

#EUBudget2028 #Poland #CommonAgriculturalPolicy

Thomas MORE @thomamore.bsky.social · Jul 17

Sean Stephen's death raises serious questions about his disappearance and the six-day wait before his body was found. His widow highlighted the lack of check-ins during that week, prompting concerns over public safety protocols and emergency response. #Edinburgh #SeanStephen #PublicSafety

Thomas MORE @thomamore.bsky.social · Jul 17

Milchmanufaktur in Einsiedeln celebrates its 10th anniversary by launching Emutschli, a unique emoji-faced cheese made from hay-fed milk. The launch aligns with World Emoji Day, bridging tradition and modern culture, despite challenges like tariffs.

#Emojis #CheeseInnovation #SwissDairy

Thomas MORE @thomamore.bsky.social · Jul 17

A fire destroyed Tomorrowland's main stage, prompting safety concerns about the festival's future. Luckily, there were no injuries since it happened before the event. Investigations are ongoing.

#Tomorrowland #FestivalSafety #Dreamville

Thomas MORE @thomamore.bsky.social · Jul 17

The UK government plans to lower the voting age to 16 to boost electoral participation and align with Scotland and Wales. This change aims to engage younger voters amid declining turnout and includes reforms on voter ID and political donations.

#VotingAge #YouthEngagement #Democracy

Thomas MORE @thomamore.bsky.social · Jul 17

A 20-year-old German-Iranian, known as "White Tiger," was arrested for murder and abusing children online, forcing them into self-harm. The case underscores concerns about accountability in online behavior and legal ramifications.

#ChildSafety #OnlineExploitation #LegalChallenges

Thomas MORE @thomamore.bsky.social · Jul 17

TSMC reported a strong Q2 2025, with a net income of NT$398.2 billion and revenue of NT$933.7 billion, driven by AI demand. Despite growth, concerns arise from U.S. trade policies that may affect future sales. Investor confidence remains high.
#TSMC #Semiconductors #AI

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Thomas MORE @thomamore.bsky.social · Jul 17

The European Commission has boosted Horizon Europe's budget to €175.3 billion, part of the €410 billion European Competitiveness Fund. It targets clean transition, resilience, digital leadership, and health. Approval from member states is needed. #HorizonEurope #EUBudget #DigitalTransition

Thomas MORE @thomamore.bsky.social · Jul 17

Donald Trump's remarks about Coca-Cola possibly using cane sugar in the U.S. have stirred debate, though the company hasn’t confirmed this. Critics worry about impacts on corn farmers, while Trump's preference for Diet Coke raises questions about his advocacy. #CocaCola #Trump #FoodIndustry

Thomas MORE @thomamore.bsky.social · Jul 17

The European Commission proposed raising tobacco and e-cigarette excise duties to combat illicit trade and reduce youth use, introducing TEDOR for revenue. However, it encounters political challenges. #TobaccoTaxation #EURegulations #PublicHealth

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Thomas MORE @thomamore.bsky.social · Jul 17

The European Commission proposed a €2 trillion budget, reducing agricultural funding while merging subsidies into a €865 billion fund. Critics warn of a potential 20-30% real-term spending decrease. The changes reflect broader shifts in EU priorities.

#EUBudget #Agriculture #CAP

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Thomas MORE @thomamore.bsky.social · Jul 17

A fire in a Kut, Iraq shopping centre has killed at least 61, primarily from smoke inhalation. Iraq declared three days of mourning and launched an investigation. Legal action is being taken against the owners due to safety negligence issues.

#IraqFire #Kut #SafetyStandards

Thomas MORE @thomamore.bsky.social · Jul 17

Judith de Leeuw’s mural in Roubaix, unveiled on July 4, depicts the Statue of Liberty covering her eyes, critiquing US immigration policy during Trump's presidency. It has sparked debate on liberty and inclusivity, gaining significant media attention.

#StreetArt #Immigration #Inclusivity

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Thomas MORE @thomamore.bsky.social · Jul 17

A fire erupted on Tomorrowland's main stage, causing smoke but no injuries. The cause is under investigation, and performances will continue as planned. Local authorities advise residents to stay indoors.

#Tomorrowland #FestivalSafety #EmergencyResponse

Thomas MORE @thomamore.bsky.social · Jul 17

Sotheby's 'Geek Week' in New York showcased rare geological and archaeological items, including a Mars meteorite that sold for $5.3 million and a Ceratosaurus skeleton for over $30 million, highlighting the growing market for unique scientific artifacts.

#Sothebys #Meteorite #RareArtifacts