Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Babak Fakhamzadeh @babakfakhamzadeh.com · 2d

I now understand why Lima has an event celebrating Charlie Kirk. www.nytimes.com/2025/10/08/w...

Meet ‘Porky,’ Lima’s Right-Wing Mayor Embracing the MAGA Movement

By embodying President Trump’s brash style, Rafael López Aliaga has become a leading candidate to be Peru’s next president.

www.nytimes.com

Babak Fakhamzadeh @babakfakhamzadeh.com · 9d

It's one thing for Americans to be delusional over the death of a bigot, but what the hell does Kirk have to do with Lima? peru21.pe/lima/municip...

Municipalidad de Lima rendirá homenaje a Charlie Kirk tras su asesinato en Estados Unidos

La Municipalidad de Lima anunció que el sábado 4 de octubre realizará un homenaje póstumo a Charlie Kirk en el Circuito Mágico del Agua.

peru21.pe

1

Babak Fakhamzadeh @babakfakhamzadeh.com · 14d

*laughs in fleshlight*

furry hater @furry-hater.bsky.social · 14d

TODAY IS THE ONLY DAY YOU CAN REPOST THIS!!!

Reposted by Babak Fakhamzadeh

Milton Keynes Literary Festival @mklitfest.bsky.social · 14d

In this 90-minute masterclass with writer and technologist Babak Fakhamzadeh, we’ll explore non-fiction writing techniques to make locations come alive on the page.
www.mklitfest.org/writingplace
#creativewriting
#miltonkeynes
#nonfiction
#writingmasterclass
@babakfakhamzadeh.com

1 2

Babak Fakhamzadeh @babakfakhamzadeh.com · 18d

Finally, some good news related to AI.

www.thestreet.com

Babak Fakhamzadeh @babakfakhamzadeh.com · 19d

Shock! Horror! AI doesn't get 'subtlety'! arstechnica.com/ai/2025/09/w...

When “no” means “yes”: Why AI chatbots can’t process Persian social etiquette

New study examines how a helpful AI response could become a cultural disaster in Iran.

arstechnica.com

Babak Fakhamzadeh @babakfakhamzadeh.com · 19d

They could have also just called it "Cloudflare Points". Bit worrisome that Cloudflare is going the crypto route, but if there is any hope in microtransactions and pushing back against AI slop floods, this might be it. nerds.xyz/2025/09/clou...

Cloudflare shocks the Internet with launch of NET Dollar stablecoin

Cloudflare has stunned the tech world with NET Dollar, a stablecoin built to support microtransactions and AI-driven payments online.

nerds.xyz

Babak Fakhamzadeh @babakfakhamzadeh.com · 19d

Heartwarming. www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_ent...

Hundreds of diplomats stage walkout from UN General Assembly as Netanyahu enters to speak

* * *

www.timesofisrael.com

Babak Fakhamzadeh @babakfakhamzadeh.com · 20d

A quick summary of the crap we're in. It's simple to understand why the Global South can not trust the North. ino.to/7g8xfRW

What Fresh Hell is This? - Craig Murray

Yesterday saw two announcements. Starmer is to introduce compulsory digital ID cards in the UK, and Tony Blair is put forward by the White House to be the colonial administrator of Gaza for five…

ino.to

Babak Fakhamzadeh @babakfakhamzadeh.com · 23d

Star Spotting At The Limelight Nightclub in the 1980s

Star Spotting At The Limelight Nightclub in the 1980s - Flashbak

The Limelight nightclub in London attracted the most famous faces of the 1980s. Davis Koppel was the house photographer.

ino.to

Babak Fakhamzadeh @babakfakhamzadeh.com · 23d

Who’s joining this maestro?

walk · listen · create @walklistencreate.org · 23d

Masterclass alert! walk listen create's very own maestro, writer and technologist @babakfakhamzadeh.com will present a 90-minute masterclass exploring non-fiction writing techniques to make locations come alive for audiences.
mklitfest.org/writingplace

Writing ‘Place’: Creative, Location-Based Non-Fiction | MK Lit Fest 2025

Let's transform place into story. In this 90-minute masterclass, we’ll review and explore creative non-fiction techniques, from personal memory to Gonzo, to hidden histories. Through readings, discuss...

mklitfest.org

1 1

Babak Fakhamzadeh @babakfakhamzadeh.com · 24d

Really Machine Learning, but very, very cool. But, this actually identifies indicative trends, not specific moments at which your blood pressure might actually be too high. www.msn.com/en-us/health...

MSN

By Stephen Nellis SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Apple Watch Series 11 models that go on sale on Friday can notify users that they may have high blood pressure, in a feature the company has powered using artificial...

www.msn.com

3

Babak Fakhamzadeh @babakfakhamzadeh.com · 25d

Holland designated ‘antifa’ a terrorist organization last week. Democracy is backsliding everywhere, but I was expecting quite a bit more from this once more sensible nation. www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2025/...

Antifa is vooral een parapluterm met symbolische waarde

Antifascisme: De Tweede Kamer heeft nipt een motie aangenomen waarin staat dat ‘antifa’ gezien moet worden als een terroristische organisatie. Ook Donald Trump noemt de term vaak, om zo links te…

www.nrc.nl

Babak Fakhamzadeh @babakfakhamzadeh.com · Sep 15

Trump has not been president for a year, but the damage and death done is shocking. Spiraling into dystopia is not reserved for a Russia or Zimbabwe: Vance and Miller Unveil Plan to ‘Dismantle’ the Left in Kirk’s Name – Brokeonomics.news

The Purge Begins: Vance and Miller Unveil Plan to ‘Dismantle’ the Left in Kirk’s Name

In a deeply cynical and sinister act of political theater, Vice President JD Vance and senior White House official Stephen Miller have guest-hosted the podcast of the recently assassinated Charlie …

brokeonomics.news

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Babak Fakhamzadeh @babakfakhamzadeh.com · Sep 14

Quite

Babak Fakhamzadeh @babakfakhamzadeh.com · Sep 14

British anti-immigrants listen to the advice of a South African who migrated first to Canada, then to the US: Musk calls for new UK government at far-right rally in London www.politico.eu/article/musk...

Musk calls for new UK government at far-right rally in London

“You either fight back or you die,” Musk says via video link to demonstration organized by far-right activist Tommy Robinson.

www.politico.eu

1 1

Babak Fakhamzadeh @babakfakhamzadeh.com · Sep 11

Performative politics to cater to a base that only can be maintained through manufactured outrage: Uproar as EU Parliament declines to hold minute of silence for Charlie Kirk – POLITICO www.politico.eu/article/chal...

Uproar as EU Parliament declines to hold minute of silence for Charlie Kirk

Right-wing lawmakers pushed for a tribute to the U.S. conservative influencer who was shot dead.

www.politico.eu

Babak Fakhamzadeh @babakfakhamzadeh.com · Sep 10

From the fascist playbook; today it’s them, tomorrow it’s you. www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...

Lawyers say men deported by US to Eswatini are being imprisoned illegally

The men, who had been released after serving criminal sentences, are from Laos, Vietnam, Cuba, Jamaica and Yemen

www.theguardian.com

Babak Fakhamzadeh @babakfakhamzadeh.com · Sep 10

Bit odd to call ‘trade agreements’ payments, but still, good news, it seems: Middle East updates: EU suspends Israel payments over Gaza – DW – 09/10/2025 www.dw.com/en/middle-ea...

Middle East updates: EU suspends Israel payments over Gaza – DW – 09/10/2025

EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen says the bloc is suspending payments to Israel and proposing sanctions on "extremist" Israeli ministers. China and Russia have condemned Israel's strike…

www.dw.com

Babak Fakhamzadeh @babakfakhamzadeh.com · Sep 8

You have time. But if you’re keen to do some fun non fiction writing, perhaps you better sign up now.

Milton Keynes Literary Festival @mklitfest.bsky.social · Sep 8

In this 90-minute masterclass with writer and technologist Babak Fakhamzadeh, we’ll explore non-fiction writing techniques to make locations come alive on the page.
Tickets: www.mklitfest.org/writingplace
#creativewriting #miltonkeynes #nonfiction #writingmasterclass
@babakfakhamzadeh.com

Writing ‘Place’: Creative, Location-Based Non-Fiction | MK Lit Fest 2025

Let's transform place into story. In this 90-minute masterclass, we’ll review and explore creative non-fiction techniques, from personal memory to Gonzo, to hidden histories. Through readings, discuss...

www.mklitfest.org

Babak Fakhamzadeh @babakfakhamzadeh.com · Sep 5

Do a few Nazi salutes, destroy US international aid: Tesla Offers Unprecedented $1 Trillion Pay Package to Elon Musk - Bloomberg archive.ph/2025.09.05-1...

archive.ph

1

Babak Fakhamzadeh @babakfakhamzadeh.com · Sep 5

Frankie Runs The Algorithm.

Babak Fakhamzadeh @babakfakhamzadeh.com · Sep 3

That’s promising. Plenty will fall through the cracks, but that might not matter.

Margaret Mitchell @mmitchell.bsky.social · Sep 2

🤖📰 Effective YESTERDAY: China has mandated a digital watermark for all AI-generated content.
www.cac.gov.cn/2025-03/14/c...
Translating in 🧵.

Chinese writing, with last phrase highlight.
Something like,

第七条互联网应用程序分发平台在应用程序上架或者上线审核时,应当要求互联网应用程序服务提供者说明是否提供人工智能生务。互联网应用程序服务提供者提供人工智能生成合成服务的,互联网应用程序分发平台应当核验其生成合成内容标识相关材料。
第八条服务提供者应当在用户服务协议中明确说明生成合成内容标识的方法、样式等规范内容,并提示用户仔细阅读并理解相关理要求。
第九条用户申请服务提供者提供没有添加显式标识的生成合成内容的,服务提供者可以在通过用户协议明确用户的标识义务和后,提供不含显式标识的生成合成内容,并依法留存提供对象信息等相关日志不少于六个月。
第十条用户使用网络信息内容传播服务发布生成合成内容的,应当主动声明并使用服务提供者提供的标识功能进行标识。
任何组织和个人不得恶意删除、篡改、伪造、隐匿本办法规定的生成合成内容标识,不得为他人实施上述恶意行为提供工具或者得通过不正当标识手段损害他人合法权益。
第十一条服务提供者开展标识活动的,还应当符合相关法律、行政法规、部门规章和强制性国家标准的要求。
第十二条服务提供者在履行算法备案、安全评估等手续时,应当按照本办法提供生成合成内容标识相关材料,并加强标识信息共范打击相关违法犯罪活动提供支持和帮助。
第十三条违反本办法规定的,由网信、电信、公安和广播电视等有关主管部门依据职责,按照有关法律、行政法规、部门规章的处理。
第十四条本办法自2025年9月1日起施行。

Babak Fakhamzadeh @babakfakhamzadeh.com · Sep 2

Looking forward to speaking at WALKING – Denken in Bewegung (Thinking in Motion) this coming weekend. Bummed I'm not there in person; the line-up is great. ilea.art/walking-denk...

INSTITUTE FOR LAND AND ENVIRONMENTAL ART

Lucius Burckhardt und die Zukunft der Wahrnehmung

ilea.art

Babak Fakhamzadeh @babakfakhamzadeh.com · Aug 27

This kind of thing is what creates a multipolar world. www.ctvnews.ca/world/articl...

25 countries suspend postal services to U.S. over tariffs: UN

At least 25 countries have decided to suspend package deliveries to the United States, as concern grows over the impact of President Donald Trump’s looming tariffs.

www.ctvnews.ca