Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Reposted by Marcel Dirsus

Christiaan Triebert @trbrtc.bsky.social · 1h

When Bashar al-Assad’s regime collapsed in Syria, many of the officials who enabled and enforced his brutal regime disappeared. Our reporting uncovers who they are, what they did and where they fled. nyti.ms/3J1W5Cs

The Vanishing Act: How Assad’s Top Henchmen Fled Syria, and Justice

www.nytimes.com

3 23 31

Marcel Dirsus @marceldirsus.com · 1h

The far-right is so popular in parts of eastern Germany that the AfD may not even have to form coalitions to take power. If things keep going down this path, they'll be able to govern by themselves

Marcel Dirsus @marceldirsus.com · 1h

The latest poll from the German state of Saxony-Anhalt has the far-right AfD at 40%. That's an increase of 10% since June

1 5

Marcel Dirsus @marceldirsus.com · 1h

The latest poll from the German state of Saxony-Anhalt has the far-right AfD at 40%. That's an increase of 10% since June

4

Marcel Dirsus @marceldirsus.com · 1h

"The Pakistani government and Afghan Taliban regime have agreed to a 48-hour ceasefire following a deadly escalation in violence between the two neighbours."

www.abc.net.au/news/2025-10...

Pakistan and Afghanistan agree to temporary ceasefire after deadly violence

A 48-hour ceasefire has been decided between the Pakistan government and the Afghan Taliban regime.

www.abc.net.au

1 1

Marcel Dirsus @marceldirsus.com · 1h

Politicians love covert action because it allows them to do something without the downsides of an invasion. It's not attractive because it works, but because it's much less risky

The Guardian @theguardian.com · 16h

Trump confirms that he authorized covert CIA operations in Venezuela

Move by US marks sharp escalation in efforts to pressure Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro’s regime Donald Trump confirmed reports on Wednesday that he authorized the CIA to conduct covert operations in Venezuela, marking a sharp escalation in US efforts to pressure President Nicolás Maduro’s regime. The New York Times first reported the classified directive, citing US officials familiar with the decision. Continue reading...

www.theguardian.com

1 4

Marcel Dirsus @marceldirsus.com · 2h

(I'll exclude rare earths because they actually appear to be doing some sensible things in that area. But on solar, wind and so forth, the point stands. It's an unforced error)

7

Marcel Dirsus @marceldirsus.com · 2h

Much to choose from, but MAGA's war on clean energy is perhaps the dumbest thing they're doing. It massively empowers their most dangerous adversary and other than owning the libs, there's literally no reason to do it. This is the future

Agathe Demarais @agathedemarais.bsky.social · 2h

Roll-back of IRA manufacturing subsidies under Trump is weighing on US investment in clean tech
• Imminent loss of consumer incentives for electric vehicles is putting battery investments at risk
• Since Trump’s inauguration 39 projects worth almost US$42bn have been delayed, shrunk or cancelled

1 3 13

Marcel Dirsus @marceldirsus.com · 2h

I love it

1 1

Marcel Dirsus @marceldirsus.com · 3h

Wikipedia is cool but the actual best website is @ourworldindata.org. Thousands and thousands of charts on hundreds of topics, all free. It's incredible

1 8 27

Reposted by Marcel Dirsus

Financial Times @financialtimes.com · 2d

FT Exclusive: The Dutch government seized control of chipmaker Nexperia after Washington warned the company would not be removed from its export control list if its Chinese chief executive Zhang Xuezheng remained in charge, according to court filings. on.ft.com/4h7JXfT

2 12 29

Reposted by Marcel Dirsus

Brian Klaas @brianklaas.bsky.social · 2d

If Mills were to win, she would start her term at the age of 79, meaning she would end her first term when she's 85. This has become a defining feature of modern US politics. (Chuck Grassley is 92; Bernie is 84; Trump is 79, etc).

The New York Times @nytimes.com · 2d

Breaking News: Janet Mills, the Democratic governor of Maine, is running for Senate, aiming to unseat Senator Susan Collins, a Republican.

Gov. Janet Mills of Maine to Run for Senate, Aiming at Senator Susan Collins

A two-term Democratic governor, Ms. Mills called herself “battle tested” in an interview. But she faces a Democratic primary before she can challenge the Republican incumbent.

nyti.ms

13 21 72

Marcel Dirsus @marceldirsus.com · 2d

"For the first time in nearly four decades, Iran is on the cusp of a change of leadership—and maybe even of regime. As Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s reign nears its end, a 12-day war in June laid bare the fragility of the system he built."

www.foreignaffairs.com/iran/autumn-...

The Autumn of the Ayatollahs

For the first time in nearly four decades, Iran is on the cusp of a change of leadership—and maybe even of regime. As Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s reign nears its end, a 12-day war in June ...

www.foreignaffairs.com

4

Marcel Dirsus @marceldirsus.com · 3d

That looks great but do the French have a paternoster lift?

1 13

Marcel Dirsus @marceldirsus.com · 3d

Yes no way this goes wrong

1

Marcel Dirsus @marceldirsus.com · 3d

As battery prices have fallen, capacity has shot up

3 9

Marcel Dirsus @marceldirsus.com · 3d

"Hamas released all 20 of the last living hostages on Monday, the Israeli military said."

apnews.com/live/israel-...

Live updates: Hamas hands over all living hostages as part of Gaza ceasefire and Trump lands in Israel

It is part of the ceasefire reached in the two-year Israel-Hamas war as President Donald Trump visits the region.

apnews.com

1 2

Marcel Dirsus @marceldirsus.com · 3d

So the entire stock market is basically just AI now?

3 2 13

Marcel Dirsus @marceldirsus.com · 3d

"The US has for months been helping Ukraine mount long-range strikes on Russian energy facilities, in what officials say is a co-ordinated effort to weaken Vladimir Putin’s economy and force him to the negotiating table."

www.ft.com/content/f9f4...

US intel guided Ukraine’s strikes on Russian energy sites

Trump administration has supported Kyiv’s operations since summer in co-ordinated push to weaken Moscow

www.ft.com

3 11

Reposted by Marcel Dirsus

POLITICO Europe @politico.eu · 6d

Latvia has ordered 841 Russian citizens to leave the country by Oct. 13 after they failed to prove their Latvian language proficiency and to undergo mandatory security checks.

Latvia orders more than 800 Russian citizens to leave by mid-October

Russian citizens who failed to comply with Riga’s new immigration rules must leave by Oct. 13 or risk deportation.

www.politico.eu

8 74 290

Marcel Dirsus @marceldirsus.com · 5d

All in all, not a great day for Nicolás Maduro

3

Marcel Dirsus @marceldirsus.com · 5d

No world leader is easier to manipulate than Donald Trump

1 9

Marcel Dirsus @marceldirsus.com · 5d

Assassinations used to be incredibly risky because you had to be close to politicians to stab or shoot them. As drones become more common, we're almost inevitably going to see more assassination attempts because they decrease the chance of capture and death