Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Reposted by Anastrophist

Pearls and Irritations @johnmenadue.com · 18h

We can only hope that, in future, rational and responsible decisions will prevail. Then you might once again see forests being properly regenerated — tall trees regrowing where they belong — helping Australia tackle both the climate and biodiversity crises. #auspol #deforestation #climate

If you go down to the forests today, you’re in for a big surprise (mass deforestation)

Visit many areas of state forest in parts of Victoria and you might get a shock – the forest isn’t there.

johnmenadue.com

14 32

Reposted by Anastrophist

Antfarmer @antfarmer.bsky.social · 18h

God the suckholing to Trump by Australia this morning is 🤢 The relentless self congratulations that our PM got praised and not harangued is cringe. I’d have way more respect for the PM if he stood up for democracy. It may look like a success now but history will show we boot licked a dictator.

4 9 28

Reposted by Anastrophist

Jenny Frecklington-Jones #IStandWithWatermelon🍉🍉 @joneshowdareyou.bsky.social · 18h

Chris Hedges: The Betrayal of Palestinian Journalists

The speech the Australian "Press" Club didn't want you to hear. #auspol #GazaGenocide #NPC
youtu.be/3UvRayuc-PM

Chris Hedges: The Betrayal of Palestinian Journalists

YouTube video by Consortium News

youtu.be

3 28 44

Reposted by Anastrophist

Glen @gergyl.bsky.social · 18h

Which is what the global 'critical minerals' beat-up has mostly been about -- defeating regulatory controls on mining and mineral processing. Worked a treat.

Jommy Tee @jommytee.bsky.social · 18h

Text of Aust/US critical mineral deal.

www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-st...

No 3 looks like an attack on requisite permits (probably environment)...the old red/green tape reduction trick.

3 16 34

Reposted by Anastrophist

Independent Australia @independentaus.bsky.social · 17h

From leaked chats to Trump’s political record, the Republican Party’s embrace of White supremacy is no longer hidden — it’s the strategy.

Republican White supremacy exposed through Trump’s agenda
~ @drvicfielding.bsky.social

buff.ly/kF2DxUj

Republican White supremacy exposed through Trump’s agenda

From leaked chats to Trump’s political record, the Republican Party’s embrace of White supremacy is no longer hidden — it’s the strategy.

buff.ly

3 12

Reposted by Anastrophist

Sista Cate Ruth ♿ @sistacatruthpurry.bsky.social · 17h

Australia’s chief statistician, David Gruen, has defended the Australian Bureau of Statistics’ recent public debunking of far-right claims of “mass migration”, as he said the agency “stands ready to respond” to “egregious misrepresentations” of its data.
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...

Head of ABS defends debunking far-right ‘mass migration’ claims after censorship accusations

Chief statistician David Gruen says bureau did not censor anyone and is ‘trying to take the side of truth’ after misuse of overseas arrivals figures

www.theguardian.com

3 23 62

Reposted by Anastrophist

Denis - The COVID Info Guy @thecovidinfoguy.bsky.social · 1d

Queensland Weekly Respiratory Surveillance Report: 14 Oct to 20 Oct 2025

Reported cases:

🔹COVID: 259 (-14.5%)
🔹Influenza: 1,143 (-1.8%)
🔹RSV: 458 (+3.8%)

Hospitalisations:

🔸COVID: 25 (-7.4%)
🔸Influenza: 56 (Stable)
🔸RSV: 26 (-38.0%)

Source: health.qld.gov.au/clinical-pra...

Data extracted on 20 October 2025

COVID-19
25 people were in hospital with COVID-19, five (20%) were aged 65–74 years and 12 (48%) were 75 years or more.
259 people diagnosed in the last week, 24 (9%) were aged 65–74 years and 45 (17%) were 75 years or more.

Influenza
56 people were in hospital with Influenza, 32 (57%) were aged 65 years and above.
1,143 people diagnosed in the last week, 191 (17%) were aged 65 years or more.

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)
26 people were in hospital with RSV, none were under 6 months of age and four (15%) were aged between 6 months to less than 2 years.
458 people diagnosed in the last week, 11 (2%) were aged under 6 months and 108 (24%) were between 6 months to under 2 years.

1 7 47

Reposted by Anastrophist

Kate-Eviva @kate-eviva.bsky.social · 17h

Heroic in the current Australian political environment where lying and disinformation are becoming the norm. Thank you David Gruen. #auspol

Sista Cate Ruth ♿ @sistacatruthpurry.bsky.social · 17h

Australia’s chief statistician, David Gruen, has defended the Australian Bureau of Statistics’ recent public debunking of far-right claims of “mass migration”, as he said the agency “stands ready to respond” to “egregious misrepresentations” of its data.
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...

Head of ABS defends debunking far-right ‘mass migration’ claims after censorship accusations

Chief statistician David Gruen says bureau did not censor anyone and is ‘trying to take the side of truth’ after misuse of overseas arrivals figures

www.theguardian.com

11 33

Anastrophist @anastrophic.bsky.social · 16h

www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...

NSW government rejected expert advice before failed koala reintroduction that left more than half dead

Exclusive: Documents reveal state environment department had ‘reckless indifference’ to fate of individual koalas, Greens spokesperson Sue Higginson says

www.theguardian.com

1 1

Reposted by Anastrophist

Robert Reich @rbreich.bsky.social · 1d

A nationwide backlash to AI data centers is brewing.

And for good reason: while AI enriches Big Tech CEOs and props up the stock market, data centers are sucking up communities’ water and power.

When the AI bubble bursts, the rest of us will be stuck holding the bag. Be warned.

180 1.7K 5.5K

Reposted by Anastrophist

Jenny Frecklington-Jones #IStandWithWatermelon🍉🍉 @joneshowdareyou.bsky.social · 1d

In his keynote address at the 2025 Edward Said Memorial Lecture, Chris Hedges pointed out (I'm paraphrasing)—

"The only peace being offered to the Palestinians is the peace of a grave."

Heartbreakingly, frustratingly true. #GazaGenocide #GazaHolocaust
youtu.be/MGqtPIR8rFU

Chris Hedges: 'Requiem for Gaza' - Edward Said Memorial Lecture 2025

YouTube video by Consortium News

youtu.be

2 29 48

Reposted by Anastrophist

David Tomkins @davidctomkins.bsky.social · 1d

Real time data coming out of the world’s climate measurement systems should be stopping us in our tracks. The latest estimate shows that, this week, the Earth is 1.9°C warmer than before we began burning fossil fuels.
#climatecrisis #ClimateEmergency #auspol www.lyrebirddreaming.com/post/we-re-t...

We’re Touching 1.9°C - And It’s Only 2025

Real time data coming out of the world’s climate measurement systems should be stopping us in our tracks. The latest estimate by climate scientist Dr Karsten Haustein shows that, this week, the Earth ...

www.lyrebirddreaming.com

200 1.6K 3.6K

Reposted by Anastrophist

Barry Tucker @btucker.bsky.social · 1d

USA followers, those on both sides of political fence, should watch this ABC (Au) 4 Corners docco on how Donald Trump is using his position to increase his wealth.

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

On YouTube:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=sij8...

Chasing Trump's Billions

Four Corners is the home of Australian investigative journalism.

www.abc.net.au

1 9 13

Reposted by Anastrophist

Nick Feik @nickfeik.bsky.social · 1d

Update: I've added an important correction/amendment to this piece on my substack.
Unfortunately it makes the NACC look even worse:

9 61 120

Reposted by Anastrophist

The Australia Institute @australiainstitute.org.au · 1d

Australia Institute research shows the proposed changes to Australia’s Freedom of Information (FOI) laws would make a repeat of the disastrous Robodebt coverup more likely, rather than less.

For more info ⤵️
australiainstitute.org.au/post/governm...

Government’s FOI changes could cover up the next Robodebt - new research

Proposed changes to Australia’s Freedom of Information (FOI) laws would make a repeat of the disastrous Robodebt coverup more likely, rather than less, according to new research by The Australia Insti...

australiainstitute.org.au

1 23 39

Reposted by Anastrophist

The Australia Institute @australiainstitute.org.au · 1d

"What this Bill would do is make it harder and more expensive for Australians to get information from the government."

"FOI is not perfect, but this bill would make its issues much, much worse."

- Australia Institute Researcher Skye Predevac
#auspol @skyelark.bsky.social

7 56 150

Reposted by Anastrophist

Dee Madigan @deemadigan.bsky.social · 1d

And does Barnaby Joyce think Pauline Hanson is ‘bat-poo crazy’ and ‘plain dumb’ or not ‘barking mad’ #auspol

1 5 21

Reposted by Anastrophist

CAMERON WILSON @cameronwilson.bsky.social · 1d

unreal gear: one of the agencies cited by the attorney-general as being inundated with AI FOI requests, Services Australia, did not even seem to think that it was a problem.

complete shambles of a reform that seems to have no other justification than making government more secret

5 30 73

Reposted by Anastrophist

Tim Hollo @timhollo.bsky.social · 1d

Don’t threaten me with a good time!

The Verge @theverge.com · May 26

Nick Clegg says asking artists for use permission would ‘kill’ the AI industry

Paul McCartne, Elton John and others signed an open letter.

buff.ly

3 5 38

Reposted by Anastrophist

ChattyCathyPRGuysGrandma @chattycathyau.bsky.social · 1d

#AusPol

www.abc.net.au/news/2025-09...

Gina Rinehart helps fund Jacinta Nampijinpa Price's defamation defence

Australia's richest person, Gina Rinehart, has helped fund Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price's crowd-funded defence to a defamation action brought by the head of a Northern Territory land council.

www.abc.net.au

9 12 20

Reposted by Anastrophist

💀ℙ𝕙𝕒𝕟𝕥𝕠𝕞 ℝ𝕠𝕠𝕤𝕥𝕖𝕣🐓🍉 @phantom-rooster.bsky.social · 1d

Labor have set a precedent with the Maugean skate. They probably care even less for a freshwater crayfish.
#auspol

1 6

Reposted by Anastrophist

LyndallTerrier @lyndallterrier.bsky.social · 1d

Looks like Cement Australia is the only protected species in this case.
What say you @chrisbowenmp.bsky.social? Should Cement Aust still get the $52.9 million grant when it has already proven to be irresponsible & a threat to the environment, biodiversity & destroy globally significant geo deposits?

1 14 25

Reposted by Anastrophist

Captain Quoll @kudelka.bsky.social · 1d

When you’re ready, Chris.

LyndallTerrier @lyndallterrier.bsky.social · 1d

Looks like Cement Australia is the only protected species in this case.
What say you @chrisbowenmp.bsky.social? Should Cement Aust still get the $52.9 million grant when it has already proven to be irresponsible & a threat to the environment, biodiversity & destroy globally significant geo deposits?

1 11 37

Reposted by Anastrophist

Lisa the Antifascist “Leftist”🇦🇺 @lisatellstruth.bsky.social · 1d

10 110 280

Reposted by Anastrophist

Dr Noor Bari @njbbari3.bsky.social · 1d

This is an exit from safer learned behaviours, not disease.

Influenza epidemics have, of course, been killing many people worldwide, and causing billions of dollars of economic damage every year since.

1 2 26