Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Reposted by Stathios Ballas

Reuters @reuters.com · 8h

Pentagon reporters could be seen leaving the sprawling U.S. military headquarters with boxes after at least 30 news organizations declined to sign a new Pentagon access policy for journalists, warning of the potential for less coverage of the world's most powerful military.

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Peter Geoghegan @petergeoghegan.bsky.social · 23h

How a Democracy for Sale story about US Christian Right funding prompted a @nytimes.com investigation into the links between Nigel Farage, Reform UK and the Alliance Defending Freedom.

So good to speak to the peerless Jane Bradley:

democracyforsale.substack.com/p/nigel-fara...

Nigel Farage and the foreign influence threat

How US anti-abortionists are supporting Reform, and why we need to talk about Russian influence, with the New York Times’ Jane Bradley.

democracyforsale.substack.com

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CNN @cnn.com · 9h

President Donald Trump said he authorized the CIA to operate inside Venezuela to clamp down on illegal flows of migrants and drugs from the South American nation, but stopped short of saying they would have authority to remove President Nicolas Maduro.

Trump details decision to authorize CIA to operate in Venezuela | CNN Politics

President Donald Trump said today he authorized the CIA to operate inside Venezuela to clamp down on illegal flows of migrants and drugs from the South American nation, but stopped short of saying the...

www.cnn.com

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AFP News Agency @en.afp.com · 9h

Clashes break out near the Congress headquarters in Peru's Lima during an anti-government protest, leaving multiple police officers injured according to authorities.

The protest was organised less than a week after Jose Jeri's new government was installed

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Reposted by Stathios Ballas

Aaron Reichlin-Melnick @reichlinmelnick.bsky.social · 10h

Again, it is a full-blown federal felony crime for anyone in the White House or Executive Office of the President to order tax investigations into anyone.

And it's not just a crime to DO it, it's even a federal crime for an employee not to REPORT such an order to the Treasury Inspector General.

26 U.S. Code § 7217 - Prohibition on executive branch influence over taxpayer audits and other investigations
U.S. Code
Notes
prev | next
(a)Prohibition
It shall be unlawful for any applicable person to request, directly or indirectly, any officer or employee of the Internal Revenue Service to conduct or terminate an audit or other investigation of any particular taxpayer with respect to the tax liability of such taxpayer.

(b)Reporting requirement
Any officer or employee of the Internal Revenue Service receiving any request prohibited by subsection (a) shall report the receipt of such request to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration.

(c)Exceptions
Subsection (a) shall not apply to any written request made—
(1)to an applicable person by or on behalf of the taxpayer and forwarded by such applicable person to the Internal Revenue Service;
(2)by an applicable person for disclosure of return or return information under section 6103 if such request is made in accordance with the requirements of such section; or
(3)by the Secretary of the Treasury as a consequence of the implementation of a change in tax policy.
(d)Penalty
Any person who willfully violates subsection (a) or fails to report under subsection (b) shall be punished upon conviction by a fine in any amount not exceeding $5,000, or imprisonment of not more than 5 years, or both, together with the costs of prosecution.

(e)Applicable person
For purposes of this section, the term “applicable person” means—
(1)the President, the Vice President, any employee of the executive office of the President, and any employee of the executive office of the Vice President; and
(2)any individual (other than the Attorney General of the United States) serving in a position specified in section 5312 of title 5, United States Code.

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Stathios Ballas @stathiosb.bsky.social · 9h

“Les médias ont été quasi unanimes dans leur rejet des nouvelles règles imposées par le secrétaire à la Défense, Pete Hegseth, qui menaçaient les journalistes d’expulsion s’ils cherchaient à couvrir des informations – classifiées ou non – dont la publication n’avait pas été approuvée par M. Hegseth”

La Presse @lapresse.ca · 9h

Restrictions imposées par Washington | Des journalistes quittent le Pentagone pour protester

Des dizaines de journalistes américains ont remis leurs badges d’accès et quitté le Pentagone mercredi, préférant partir que d’accepter les restrictions imposées par le gouvernement à leur travail.

www.lapresse.ca

Reposted by Stathios Ballas

Molly Reynolds @mollyereynolds.bsky.social · 13h

The executive branch not spending the money that Congress has told them to spend is bad. The executive branch spending money on things for which Congress has not given them money is also bad (and, arguably, worse).

The New York Times @nytimes.com · 13h

President Trump on Wednesday signed a memorandum expanding his administration’s authority to repurpose unspent federal funds to pay members of the military during the government shutdown, escalating his challenge to the authority of Congress on spending matters.

Trump Signs Memo Expanding His Authority to Spend Federal Money

The president gave Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth wide authority to repurpose funds to pay members of the military without approval from Congress, which has the sole constitutional authority to decide federal spending.

nyti.ms

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Stathios Ballas @stathiosb.bsky.social · 12h

Freedom of Expression is a fundamental principle. That does not exist in the United States, citizens can claim no such right.
When 9/10s of democracy is taken from you then you no longer have democracy.

Stathios Ballas @stathiosb.bsky.social · 12h

This Exhibit A contradicts those who persist in redefining ‘democracy’ to mean whatever crumbs this regime throws our way. As we as a people suffer one abridgement of liberties after another, some insist that “we still have democracy!” That misguided claim misrepresents democracy.

Stathios Ballas @stathiosb.bsky.social · 12h

“Conversations are quietly underway among House Democrats over what they will do to limit ICE if they win the majority in next year’s midterm elections.”
A long-term plan is inappropriate & inadequate for this crisis. The creation of a militia to terrorise the citizenry is fundamentally wrong.

Stathios Ballas @stathiosb.bsky.social · 12h

I want to agree with you; but I can’t.

“…the proposition that all this fear, violence, and searing tension doesn’t have to be a perennially defining fixture in American life.”…

Pin our hopes on a future uncertain outcome that this outrage doesn’t become permanent? It shouldn’t happen at all! 1/

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Reposted by Stathios Ballas

Olga Lautman 🇺🇦 @olgalautman.bsky.social · 15h

So someone had a call with Rep Dave Taylor’s staffer and this was in the background. 🤦🏼‍♀️😡 www.politico.com/news/2025/10...

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Timothy Snyder @timothysnyder.bsky.social · 20h

Make your plans for #NoKings. This Saturday, October 18th.
Free speech is action. Protestors believe that action has meaning. Protestors are exercising the rights enshrined in the Constitution. For me, protest is about love of country.
I'll be there. Please join in.
www.nokings.org

No Kings

As the president escalates his authoritarian power grab, the NO KINGS non-violent movement continues to rise stronger. We are united once again to remind the world: America has No Kings and the power ...

www.nokings.org

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Stathios Ballas @stathiosb.bsky.social · 15h

Don’t know about that BUT the regime is definitely killing South American civilians, falsely claiming some narco-terrorist invasion, and apparently running an intel operation in Venezuela. I’m unclear why “the great peace negotiator” is provoking war with a non-aggressor.

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John Light @johnalight.bsky.social · 19h

The story of NSPM-7 and its many tendrils continues not to get enough attention.

Big Talk: Treasury Secretary Declares New War on Terror Against the Left

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Tuesday that his department is in...

talkingpointsmemo.com

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Stathios Ballas @stathiosb.bsky.social · 19h

I don’t remember War with Venezuela being a topic of concern during the election campaigns last year. I’m definitely not okay with the numerous efforts by this authoritarian regime to pick a fight with another country which happens to also not be an aggressor! Killing their civilians is unethical.

Reposted by Stathios Ballas

Shipwreck @shipwreck75.bsky.social · 19h

The Trump administration has secretly authorized the C.I.A. to conduct covert action in Venezuela, according to U.S. officials, stepping up a campaign against Nicolás Maduro, the country’s authoritarian leader.

www.nytimes.com/2025/10/15/u...

Trump Administration Authorizes Covert C.I.A. Action in Venezuela

www.nytimes.com

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Russia-Ukraine Daily News @rvps2001.bsky.social · 1d

🇬🇧🇨🇦🇪🇺 The UK and Canada will join a European Union plan to tap a portion of the almost $300 billion in Russian central-bank assets held by Group of Seven nations, in an effort to ramp up their financial support to #Ukraine

www.bloomberg.com/news/article...

Archive: archive.is/OPrQe

#russia #europe

UK and Canada to Join EU Plan to Tap Russian Assets for Ukraine

The UK and Canada will join a European Union plan to tap a portion of the almost $300 billion in Russian central-bank assets held by Group of Seven nations, in an effort to ramp up their financial sup...

www.bloomberg.com

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Reposted by Stathios Ballas

robin celikates @robin-c.bsky.social · 1d

wir sollten wirklich im Blick behalten, dass das von konservativen & ‚liberalen‘ Angriffen auf postkoloniale Theorie, Gender Studies, rassismuskritische Forschung sowie Wissenschaftsfreiheit & Hochschulautonomie vorbereitet und flankiert wird - auch aus den Medien und Unis heraus

taz @taz.de · 1d

Die AfD Sachsen-Anhalt fragt gezielt nach Listen postkolonialer Seminare und Lehrstühle. Wie die Universitäten beginnen, sich gegen die Angriffe zu wappnen.

AfD hetzt gegen Hochschulen: Angriff auf die Freiheit der Wissenschaft

Die AfD Sachsen-Anhalt fragt gezielt nach Listen postkolonialer Seminare und Lehrstühle. Wie die Universitäten beginnen, sich gegen die Angriffe zu wappnen.

taz.de

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taz @taz.de · 1d

Die AfD Sachsen-Anhalt fragt gezielt nach Listen postkolonialer Seminare und Lehrstühle. Wie die Universitäten beginnen, sich gegen die Angriffe zu wappnen.

AfD hetzt gegen Hochschulen: Angriff auf die Freiheit der Wissenschaft

Die AfD Sachsen-Anhalt fragt gezielt nach Listen postkolonialer Seminare und Lehrstühle. Wie die Universitäten beginnen, sich gegen die Angriffe zu wappnen.

taz.de

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Stathios Ballas @stathiosb.bsky.social · 1d

Why are people yelling at the Rep? He is not responsible.
Get over your impeachment fantasies. Trump was impeached twice, yet here he is with more power. Democrats don’t have the power.
You are the ones who have work to do. You need to talk up your neighbours, coworkers, family, medical providers.

Reposted by Stathios Ballas

Rep. Jerry Nadler @nadler.house.gov · 1d

As I previously said, the Trump Administration’s actions in the Caribbean Sea are illegal and unconstitutional.

Today’s military assault off of the coast of Venezuela is just the next in a series of criminal acts committed by President Trump and Secretary Hegseth.

Six killed after US strikes another boat off coast of Venezuela | CNN Politics

The US military conducted yet another strike on a boat alleged to be trafficking drugs off the coast of Venezuela, killing six people on board, President Donald Trump announced Tuesday.

www.cnn.com

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Publika.ge @publikage.bsky.social · 1d

The OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen, along with members of the delegation, attended the protest on Rustaveli Street and then posted a video on X, saying that she supports the citizens.

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Phillips OBrien @phillipspobrien.bsky.social · 1d

I dont think this story is getting enough attention. China has put rigid controls on the supply of rare earth metals to the USA, but after a little tantrum, Trump has been left pretending its no big deal. He has already weakened the US so much, he has few options. finance.yahoo.com/news/china-f...

China Flexes Superpower Status Using Rare Earths in Global Supply Chain Grab

The rules announced last week require overseas companies to obtain Chinese government approval before exporting products containing even trace amounts of certain rare earths that originated in China. ...

finance.yahoo.com

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Olga Lautman 🇺🇦 @olgalautman.bsky.social · 1d

My latest on Russia's escalating aggressions across Europe

"Little Green Men" Spotted Near Estonia

As Russia’s Continues to Escalate Against NATO

olgalautman.substack.com

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