Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Reposted by Dr Dave Clements

John Sipher @johnsipher.bsky.social · 4h

“If Americans had a more clear-eyed view of Putin, they would see a dictator who’s bet everything on a failed invasion, a country losing its sphere of influence, and an economy…cooling. A realistic view of his power would strip Putin of his biggest leverage: the perception of his invincibility.”

The Atlantic @theatlantic.com · 6h

Russia’s leader isn’t nearly as strong as he’s made out to be, Andrew Ryvkin writes. “A realistic view of his power would strip Putin of his biggest leverage: the perception of his invincibility”:

Putin Is Not Winning

Underestimating the Russian leader is dangerous, but ascribing dark powers to him plays right into his hands.

bit.ly

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Dr Dave Clements @davecl.bsky.social · 3h

Or maybe a week or two. That thing takes it out of you!

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George Takei @georgetakei.bsky.social · 4h

Yes, we indeed have a serious problem.

A tweet by Robert Reich reads:
“The 400 richest Americans are now worth a record $6.6 trillion. The entire bottom 50% of America is worth just $4.2 trillion. Read that back. When 400 people control more wealth than half a country’s population, we have a very serious problem.”

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Dr Dave Clements @davecl.bsky.social · 4h

Make sure you take extra rest after you think you're feeling better as too much too soon can lead to long covid.

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Reposted by Dr Dave Clements

Colin Smith @colinsmith.bsky.social · 2d

1975: Harlan Ellison visits Michael Moorcock in London. The Englishman sits Ellison in front of the TV when Dr Who comes on & insists Ellison “be quiet & just watch”. By the late 1970s,Ellison is such a fan of Dr Who that he’s taunting US scifi fans with declarations of its superiority over US fare.

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Reposted by Dr Dave Clements

Helene von Bismarck @helenebismarck.bsky.social · 4h

Deep breath. My publisher @johnmurrays.bsky.social informs me that my book about 🇬🇧,
"Fantastic Kingdom“
which will come out in June 2026,
is now available to pre-order, and that @waterstones.bsky.social is offering a 25% preorder discount this week.
www.waterstones.com/book/fantast...

Fantastic Kingdom by Helene von Bismarck | Waterstones

Buy Fantastic Kingdom by Helene von Bismarck from Waterstones today! Click and Collect from your local Waterstones or get FREE UK delivery on orders over £25.

www.waterstones.com

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Dr Dave Clements @davecl.bsky.social · 4h

Greece responds by requiring recitation of the Odyssey, in ancient greek, Italy by requiring the poems of Catullus in latin, and India by requiring the Bhagavad Gita.

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Dr Dave Clements @davecl.bsky.social · 5h

How many Brits have A-level standard English? A lot less than 100%

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Reposted by Dr Dave Clements

Fascism.link @fascism.link · 13h

Huge anti-Trump protest in Chicago.

Did you see it in the corporate media?

Huge anti-Trump protest in Chicago.

Did you see it in the corporate media?

newsom2028.substack.com

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Reposted by Dr Dave Clements

@DrJoePajak CSci CChem FRSC @drjoepajak.bsky.social · 11h

Report @europeans.today @chrischirp.bsky.social
🏥England COVID hospitalisations highest this year.
🌀Surge driven by waning immunity / indoor mixing.
💉Booster uptake lags, leaves many vulnerable unprotected.
🚑NHS under pressure with long waits and ambulance delays.
www.europeans.today/2025/10/13/e...

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Reposted by Dr Dave Clements

𝐄𝐮𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝐓𝐎𝐃𝐀𝐘 🌐 @europeans.today · 16h

After 10 months of relative calm, #COVID hospital admissions are rising sharply across #England, driven by waning #immunity and increased indoor mixing, official data show.

www.europeans.today/2025/10/13/e...

England faces new COVID wave as NHS braces for winter strain

After 10 months of relative calm, COVID hospital admissions are rising sharply across England, driven by waning immunity and increased indoor mixing, official data show.

www.europeans.today

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Reposted by Dr Dave Clements

Chris Baraniuk @chrisbaraniuk.com · 11h

"98% of homes that had external wall insulation installed under the schemes set up by the previous government have problems that will lead to damp and mould if left unaddressed"
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Tens of thousands of homes insulated under government schemes need repairs

Insulation programmes costing billions of pounds have led to widespread problems with damp and mould.

www.bbc.co.uk

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Dr Dave Clements @davecl.bsky.social · 12h

Measles outbreaks growing in the US. Time to get vaccinated arstechnica.com/health/2025/...

Measles outbreak in SC sends 150 unvaccinated kids into 21-day quarantine

The outbreak includes at least seven confirmed cases, but some are clearly being missed.

arstechnica.com

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Dr Dave Clements @davecl.bsky.social · 23h

Good call!

Dr Dave Clements @davecl.bsky.social · 23h

Indeed! And I can remember my partner's current mobile number too.

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Reposted by Dr Dave Clements

Mike Sowden @mikeachim.bsky.social · 1d

Except I'm wrong - this view *just* catches the edge of the newly-discovered continent of ZEALANDIA: population 5.4 million, with only New Zealand, New Caledonia, Norfolk Island & Lord Howe Island now above sea level - just 5% of the original 4.9m square km (making it 64% the size of Australia).

Bathymetric map of the sea floor around New Zealand showing the outline of the much-larger submerged landmass and proposed continent of Zealandia, around 64% the size of Australia.

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Reposted by Dr Dave Clements

Good Law Project @goodlawproject.bsky.social · 1d

Over 10,000 people have added their name to keep Hampstead women's pond inclusive.

It only takes 1 minute. Will you join them?
https://goodlawproject.org/petition/keep-hampstead-womens-pond-inclusive

Keep Hampstead women’s pond inclusive

A transphobic pressure group is trying to ban trans women from Hampstead women’s pond – we’re fighting back

goodlawproject.org

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Reposted by Dr Dave Clements

Henry Mance @henrymance.ft.com · 1d

The right-wing campaign group that helped topple Roe v Wade in the US is now working to roll back abortion laws in the UK, with the help of Nigel Farage.

Its first step? Trying to create a debate around "free speech"
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/13/w...

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Reposted by Dr Dave Clements

Erin @biscuit.quest · 1d

A great time to switch! No regrets! Feels great! erinrwhite.com/goodbye-spot...

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Reposted by Dr Dave Clements

Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan @london.gov.uk · 1d

Thousands of pounds of Pension Credit go unclaimed every year - could you or someone you know be eligible to claim?

Check if you can claim benefits: www.london.gov.uk/programmes-s...

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Reposted by Dr Dave Clements

Autistic Science Person @autsciperson.bsky.social · 1d

"Non-Binary Passport Designations: Passports issued with “X” or other non-binary markers will be rejected by CBP systems, requiring resubmission with valid documentation showing “M” or “F” designation."

Nonbinary people will not be able to travel internationally 🙃

Persephone @apatilonia.bsky.social · 2d

www.gtlaw-insidebusinessimmigration.com/u-s-customs-...

Anyone who has an X gender marker won't be allowed to use their passports to travel after Oct 25th

CBP Enforces Binary Sex Codes and Enhanced US Passport Validation in APIS

CBP enforces binary sex codes and stricter US passport validation in APIS effective October 2025. Key compliance updates for business travelers and airlines.

www.gtlaw-insidebusinessimmigration.com

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Jonathan Pie @jonathanpienews.bsky.social · 1d

My thoughts on Brexit.
From the Fake News Tour.

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Kelly Mangan (She/Her) 🏳️‍🌈💖💜💙 @kellyamangan.bsky.social · 1d

In case you aren’t aware, any video you see with the label “Sora” is A.I. generated. It’s fake.

Do NOT make or share #AI videos. It contributes to misinformation, and to a larger culture of disrespect for truth and disregard of reality.

Plus it enriches capitalist techbros raping the planet.

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Reposted by Dr Dave Clements

AAUP chapter @UT Austin @utaustinaaup.bsky.social · 2d

www.politico.com/news/2025/10...

“It’s pretty vague what the advantages are of signing the compact,” said Teresa Sullivan, the former president of the University of Virginia, one of 9 colleges the Trump administration is trying to court. “If you’re thinking of this as a deal, it’s a one-sided deal.

‘One-sided deal’: College presidents see Trump offer rife with peril

MIT’s rebuke of the Trump administration’s compact presents an opening for other college presidents to resist.

www.politico.com

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Reposted by Dr Dave Clements

George Takei @georgetakei.bsky.social · 1d

Illegal killings ordered by a criminal regime.

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