Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Antônio Sampaio @antoniosamp.bsky.social · 22d

Had the pleasure of contributing to Monocle Radio, commenting on the top stories today w/ @andrewmueller.bsky.social @burcuozcelik.bsky.social. Particularly important discussion on the impact of urban warfare on Gaza.

Andrew Mueller @andrewmueller.bsky.social · 22d

Latest Daily on Monocle Radio. @burcuozcelik.bsky.social and @antoniosamp.bsky.social on the day's big stories, plus Karen Krizanovich on the legacy of the late Robert Redford. monocle.com/radio/shows/...

Donald Trump kicks off historic second state visit to the UK - Monocle

As US president Donald Trump and first lady Melania start their UK tour at Windsor Castle, we discuss what the...

monocle.com

2

Antônio Sampaio @antoniosamp.bsky.social · Aug 19

My views on how the practice of violence prevention can better adapt to contexts affected by organised crime: globalinitiative.net/analysis/loc...

Strong local institutions and governance are key to preventing violence and organized crime in cities

Armed violence in our communities is a pervasive problem that has damaged public trust in institutions in countries ranging from El Salvador to Sweden. The impact of violence on people’s lives and on ...

globalinitiative.net

1

Antônio Sampaio @antoniosamp.bsky.social · Jul 22

Really interesting study of how criminal governance can emerge in a UK city: www.nature.com/articles/s44...

The relationship between social order and crime in Nottingham, England - Nature Cities

This study used a mixed-methods approach to map out crime patterns over time in Nottingham. It found that the district of Bestwood, the site of a large governance-type organized crime group, has lower...

www.nature.com

Antônio Sampaio @antoniosamp.bsky.social · May 22

The increasing occurrence urban warfare is one aspect of a broader trend: the blurring between warfare and civilian life. @2eatsoup.bsky.social writes a great think piece for @icrc.org on how the use of technology is allowing these two spheres to come even closer: blogs.icrc.org/law-and-poli...

The shifting battlefield: technology, tactics, and the risk of blurring lines in warfare - Humanitarian Law & Policy Blog

The accelerating integration of emerging technologies into armed conflict is transforming not only the tools of war, but its tactics, geography, participants and impact. Technological developments – f...

blogs.icrc.org

2 4

Antônio Sampaio @antoniosamp.bsky.social · May 16

It’s Friday and even before I finish work I got a treat: this dog sitting next to me in a cafe came to say hi several times. Why can’t life (and humans!) be as simple as dogs?

Antônio Sampaio @antoniosamp.bsky.social · May 15

Excavators are an integral part of current military activities in Gaza - the role of urban destruction for control of cities in current urban war is high (also seen in Syria by Assad regime).
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...

Gazans Once Escaped To Rafah. Now Israel Is Razing It.

In the last few weeks, Israel has demolished extensive areas of Gaza’s southernmost city, Rafah.

www.nytimes.com

Antônio Sampaio @antoniosamp.bsky.social · May 13

As a @kingscollegelondon.bsky.social PGR student, I am supporting this:
chng.it/SCV27VmhPJ

Full Pedestrianisation of Strand

Can you spare a minute to help this campaign?

chng.it

Antônio Sampaio @antoniosamp.bsky.social · Apr 29

A grim picture.
www.theguardian.com/global-devel...

Trump’s first 100 days supercharged a global ‘freefall of rights’, says Amnesty

World now in era of repressive regimes’ impunity, climate inaction and unchecked corporate power, says report

www.theguardian.com

Antônio Sampaio @antoniosamp.bsky.social · Apr 28

The problem is not so much attacks on Maiduguri, but the insecurity of the myriad small and medium towns around it. They are all connected, and attacks in one sector or major road affect all of them. www.theguardian.com/world/2025/a...

Fears of Boko Haram comeback stir in Nigerian birthplace of Maiduguri

Threat from jihadists had widely been perceived to be extinguished, but recent clashes suggest otherwise

www.theguardian.com

Antônio Sampaio @antoniosamp.bsky.social · Apr 2

Khartoum residents speak of widespread fear, looting and rape during RSF forces' presence in the city, which is one of Africa's largest and has just been recovered by Sadanese military. www.nytimes.com/2025/03/26/w...

Paramilitary Fighters Flee Sudan’s Capital, a Major Shift in Civil War

In dramatic scenes that appear to mark a turning point in nearly two years of civil war, Sudan’s military is driving fighters of its rival, the Rapid Support Forces, out of Khartoum.

www.nytimes.com

Antônio Sampaio @antoniosamp.bsky.social · Mar 18

Not another war, please.
www.nytimes.com/2025/03/17/w...

www.nytimes.com

Antônio Sampaio @antoniosamp.bsky.social · Mar 13

Wonderful rainbow on my way home today. London does have its weather wonders.

1

Antônio Sampaio @antoniosamp.bsky.social · Mar 13

Link to the report just launched by @wateraid.bsky.social washmatters.wateraid.org/publications...

Water and climate: Rising risks for urban populations | WASH Matters

Water extremes put cities at risk. This report highlights how the cities facing the worst climate impacts are often those with the highest social vulnerability

washmatters.wateraid.org

2 2

Antônio Sampaio @antoniosamp.bsky.social · Mar 13

Cities are at the forefront of climate risks and disasters in the current climate crisis: www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Flood and drought risk increasing in cities, according to study

WaterAid worked with the University of Bristol and Cardiff University on the climate hazard research.

www.bbc.co.uk

1

Antônio Sampaio @antoniosamp.bsky.social · Feb 25

I’m also happy to see States of Fragility has cited our GI-TOC reports examining organised crime activities linked to urbanisation, including infiltration into transport hubs, housing and land crimes and territorial control.

globalinitiative.net/initiatives/...

Cities & Illicit Economies | GI-TOC

Organized crime and illicit economies have a profound impact on urban governance and the security of the increasing share of the global population living in cities.

globalinitiative.net

Antônio Sampaio @antoniosamp.bsky.social · Feb 25

The @oecd-ocde.bsky.social States of Fragility 2025 report reflects the increasing global concern with urban insecurity.

It says rapid urbanisation requires urgent attention to security provision and offers opportunities for organised crime in cities.

www.oecd.org/en/publicati...

States of Fragility 2025

States of Fragility 2025 considers a world of shifting power dynamics, where the most severe impacts of crisis, conflict and instability converge in the 61 contexts identified with high and extreme fr...

www.oecd.org

1

Antônio Sampaio @antoniosamp.bsky.social · Feb 10

What better news could China get today than that the largest country in Latin America is deeply concerned about tariffs on its steel exports to the US? Brazil is a top exporter and the tariffs would be a watershed moment for the bilateral relationship.
oglobo.globo.com/economia/not...

Especialistas analisam ameaça de Trump de taxar aço: como fica o Brasil?

Presidente americano afirmou neste domingo que vai anunciar tarifas de 25% sobre aço e alumínio nesta segunda-feira; Brasil está entre os maiores fornecedores de aço para os EUA

oglobo.globo.com

Antônio Sampaio @antoniosamp.bsky.social · Feb 7

Urban areas are once again the frontlines of conflict in Sudan.

This means more fighting in densely inhabited areas, more urban infrastrucutre and housing that will have to be rebuilt and more displacement to other urban areas unprepared to cope. www.theguardian.com/world/2025/f...

Sudanese military reports sweeping gains in battle for capital

Army making rapid advances across the country and closing in on RSF-held Republican Palace in Khartoum

www.theguardian.com

Antônio Sampaio @antoniosamp.bsky.social · Feb 7

Of course, disruptive national actors (Russia) are still around. But many challenges, from climate to crime and terror, depend on development at local level. The drivers and impact of conflict, crime, terror and migration will worsen with US aid reduction.

Antônio Sampaio @antoniosamp.bsky.social · Feb 7

With so much attention paid to the grand halls of diplomacy and geopolitics, it’s easy to forget that security, peace and stability are largely locally-driven dynamics.

1

Antônio Sampaio @antoniosamp.bsky.social · Feb 7

The gutting of US aid may well be one of the most impactful events in global politics, security and stability in years.

apple.news/ALIe_0gc-QJO...

Halt in US aid cripples global efforts to relieve hunger — Reuters

The Trump administration’s effort to slash and reshape American foreign aid is crippling the intricate global system that aims to prevent and respond to famine.

apple.news

1

Antônio Sampaio @antoniosamp.bsky.social · Feb 5

The study of urbicide and (problematic) postconflict urban reconstruction has a bright future ahead of it.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Why does Donald Trump want to take over Gaza and could he do it?

The president's vision for a Gaza under US control could upend the future of Middle East relations.

www.bbc.co.uk

Antônio Sampaio @antoniosamp.bsky.social · Feb 4

Militaries have always been wary of operating in urban terrain due to ambushes and complexity. Drones do away with many of these fear, making them less reticent about striking cities.

Antônio Sampaio @antoniosamp.bsky.social · Feb 4

The potential (some would say likely) proliferation of combat drones poses a human security risk to densely inhabited areas.
warontherocks.com/2025/02/the-... @warontherocks.bsky.social

The Coming Wave of Wartime Drone Expertise - War on the Rocks

On Aug. 4, 2018, a drone exploded over Avenida Bolívar in Caracas during a speech by Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. A second drone crashed and

warontherocks.com

1

Reposted by Antônio Sampaio

Anne Applebaum @anneapplebaum.bsky.social · Feb 3

I suspect USAID is first because it's "foreign aid" and fewer Americans will object. But once the precedent is established, expect unilateral dismantling of domestic institutions too

210 1.6K 5.7K