Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Reposted by Caitlin McCaffrie

Kite Tales Myanmar @kitetalesmm.bsky.social · 1d

An exiled Myanmar journalist on funding cuts:
"Last year my newsroom secured money from the United States that meant I could finally begin planning to reunite with my mother. Then Donald Trump began slashing support for independent media & all my dreams unravelled."

kite-tales.org/en/article/b...

Between Exile and Conscription

kite-tales.org

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Purplepingers ☭ @purplepingers.bsky.social · 7d

In March 2025, the median Australian taxpayer earned $55,619 per year.

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Jan Rosenow @janrosenow.bsky.social · 20d

Critics of renewables often point to land use as a reason not to invest in wind & solar. Land use IS a real issue for all energy assets incl renewables (unless on-site).

But what critics conveniently forget is the huge land impact of fossil fuels. Aerial view of fracking sites in Wickett, Texas. 👇

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Thijs B. Bouwknegt @thijsbouwknegt.bsky.social · 20d

#ICC prosecution formulates charges against former Philippines President — as well as former mayor of Davao City — Rodrigo Roa #Duterte: three counts of crimes against humanity, alleging his involvement in at least 76 murders as part of his war on drugs www.icc-cpi.int/sites/defaul...

www.icc-cpi.int

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Ted Miguel @tedmiguel.bsky.social · 22d

Nick Kristof lays out how millions are dying from cuts to US foreign aid:

www.nytimes.com/2025/09/20/o...

Opinion | Trump’s Most Lethal Policy

www.nytimes.com

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The Tennessee Holler @thetnholler.bsky.social · 24d

STEWART: “Comedy doesn’t change the world, but it’s a bellwether— we’re the banana peel in the coal mine… authoritarians are the threat to comedy, music, art, thought… progress.”

Nailed it.

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Noan Sereiboth @noansereiboth.bsky.social · 25d

BBC Media Action has announced it will put its Cambodia office into “hibernation” on October 1 after 22 years of supporting civic engagement and independent media countrywide, while empowering youth, citing a funding shortfall.

BBC Media Action Puts Cambodia Office on Ice Amid Funding Crunch

After 22 years of empowering Cambodian youth, strengthening civic engagement and supporting independent media, BBC Media Action announced it will place its Cambodia office into “hibernation” from Octo...

kiripost.com

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Caitlin McCaffrie @caitlinmccaffrie.bsky.social · Sep 11

"The message to ASEAN policymakers is clear: waiting until a crisis occurs costs money and lives. Humanitarian protection needs to be considered from the start, not just as an add-on" writes In Sokhuon for @lowyinstitute.bsky.social

www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpre...

Five days of fire: Lessons from the Cambodia–Thailand border crisis

Divergent strategies on border disputes could be solved with an ASEAN solution. But is there the political will?

www.lowyinstitute.org

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Caitlin McCaffrie @caitlinmccaffrie.bsky.social · Sep 9

“Even when there’s no reason to believe things will improve, we can’t help but cling to this diminishing hope"

Poignant piece from @mono24.bsky.social in @mekongreview.com on Cambodia's golden age of journalism, feat. Mech Dara, Kann Vicheika and Phuong Vantha:

mekongreview.com/memories-of-...

Memories of a golden age - Mekong Review

In the face of funding cuts and growing oppression, Cambodian reporters cling on to hope through memories of a golden age of journalism

mekongreview.com

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Patrick Gilligan @rainingbear.bsky.social · Sep 6

Over 60% of working Australians earn under $90,000
#auspol

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Alt USAID/ USAID Forever @altusaid.altgov.info · Sep 5

"$9.7m worth of contraceptives – much of which was destined for the three countries identified by The Independent [as out of some contraceptive methods] – are being held in Belgium and France, earmarked to be burnt rather than used."

Exclusive: Trump’s aid cuts leave 16 countries running out of key contraception

Exclusive: At least three countries are already out of some contraceptive methods – with more set to follow suit – leaving women vulnerable to high risk pregnancies and unsafe abortions, writes Rachel...

www.independent.co.uk

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Penny Tangey @pennytangey.bsky.social · Sep 2

Delighted to add the Botanic Gardens of South Australia to the Champs list.

Send updates to: [email protected]

www.chumpslist.org/Champs

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CAMERON WILSON @cameronwilson.bsky.social · Sep 2

The first story I did for Crikey back in 2021 was reporting on a leaked neo-nazi manual showing how "media baiting" — aka tricking journalists into writing about them — was a major strategy for them.

www.crikey.com.au/20...

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The White Rose Society (Australia) @whiterosesociety.bsky.social · Aug 6

We've put together our top tips for journalists to help guide you through the do's and don'ts of reporting on neo-Nazis.

Please share it with your colleagues, and feel free to get in touch with us with any feedback.

thewhiterosesociety.writeas.com/9-principles...

9 Principles for Journalists Reporting On Neo-Nazis

You may have landed here because you want to talk about neo-Nazis without helping them. Excellent. You have an important role in combatt...

thewhiterosesociety.writeas.com

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Eve Shi @eveshi.bsky.social · Sep 1

9.1: Protests planned for today have been called off, lest the violence escalates. Witnesses reported seeing the military being deployed from at least three other cities towards Jakarta.

www.reuters.com/world/asia-p...

Indonesian groups call off protests on Monday, citing heightened security

Indonesian students and civil society groups called off protests in Jakarta on Monday after a week of escalating anger over lawmakers' pay and the police response, citing fears of heightened security measures after deadly riots across the country on the weekend.

www.reuters.com

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Dan Sohege @danielsohege.bsky.social · Sep 1

UK's family reunion route is already a farce which sees too many people denied ability to reach UK to seek asylum, including children.

Tightening it will only ensure even more, particularly women and children, are denied safety, and more families ripped apart. #r4todau

www.bbc.com/news/article...

Family reunion rules to be tightened in asylum cases

Yvette Cooper will outline her plans when MPs return to Parliament after the summer break.

www.bbc.com

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Jon Featonby @jonfeatonby.bsky.social · Sep 1

In the year to June 2025, 92% of refugee family reunion visas were given to women and children. More than half went to children. Two thirds to people from Syria, Afghanistan, Eritrea, Iran and Sudan. It helps integration and provides a safe route. Family reunion should be easier, not harder.

The Guardian @theguardian.com · Aug 31

UK to make it harder for refugees to bring family members to country

Home secretary to announce overhaul of family reunion policy in attempt to quell fractious immigration debate Ministers are planning to make it harder for refugees to bring family members to the UK as part of a package of measures that Yvette Cooper will announce on Monday as she looks to get a grip on the fractious debate over irregular migration. The home secretary will tell MPs she plans to make a number of changes to the way asylum cases are treated, including to the family reunion policy, which officials believe is acting as a magnet for people crossing the Channel. Continue reading...

www.theguardian.com

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Caitlin McCaffrie @caitlinmccaffrie.bsky.social · Sep 1

“If I don’t go to school, how will I ever become a doctor?”

“My heart feels sad.”

- 9 year old Nahima Bibi, a Rohingya refugee living in Cox's Bazar

www.thestar.com.my/aseanplus/as...

Funding crisis shatters young dreams

Parents struggle to protect children from child marriage and labour as funding cuts bite.

www.thestar.com.my

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Erin Cook @erincook.bsky.social · Aug 29

Quickest typist in the game! @kenlmathis.bsky.social on what could come next for Thailand
www.coffeeparliament.com/p/paetongtar...

Paetongtarn Shinawatra is Out. Who Will Succeed Her?

Four possible scenarios

www.coffeeparliament.com

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Bill Frelick @billfrelick.bsky.social · Aug 28

Some good news: Thailand Allows Myanmar Refugees in Camps to Work Legally www.hrw.org/news/2025/08...

Thailand Allows Myanmar Refugees in Camps to Work Legally

On August 26, Thailand’s cabinet approved measures allowing Myanmar refugees living in camps along the border to work legally. For many, it will be the first formal employment of their lives.

www.hrw.org

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Dan Sohege @danielsohege.bsky.social · Aug 25

"Nine out of 10 people in England agree that those born in England who identify as English should be accepted as English." Excellent piece by @anandmenon.bsky.social on the increasing "normalisation" of racism in politics, but it still remains at odds with the majority
observer.co.uk/news/opinion...

Politically acceptable UK racism is rising, even under La...

As I wrote these words last autumn: “We have made progress... even though that progress remains fragile and insufficient”, little did I realise just how ...

observer.co.uk

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Mark Kersten @markkersten.bsky.social · Aug 25

“The hearing is more than just a legal proceeding — it is a chance to confront Duterte with the pain and trauma inflicted by thousands of killings and alleged abuses during his six-year presidency.”

Drug war victims ready to face Duterte at #ICC: www.manilatimes.net/2025/08/24/n... #Philippines

Drug war victims ready to face Duterte as ICC sets hearing on crimes against humanity

NEARLY four years since the International Criminal Court (ICC) started its probe into the Philippines’ bloody war on drugs, victims and their families said they are ready to face former president Rodr...

www.manilatimes.net

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Bhakthi @bhakthi.bsky.social · Aug 19

Many have claimed Australia’s diplomatic position is of no major consequence … Israel’s strong response indicates it matters.

marque lawyers @marquelawyers.com.au · Aug 19

All reporting of Netanyahu's opinions on the Australian national interest should state upfront that he's an indicted war criminal subject to arrest if he comes here.

Netanyahu calls Albanese a 'weak politician' who has 'betrayed' Israel

The Israeli prime minister has launched an extraordinary personal attack on Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, saying he has "betrayed" Israel.

www.abc.net.au

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Royce Kurmelovs @roycerk2.bsky.social · Aug 17

"During protests by right-wing groups, the lender often hangs banners advocating democracy and pluralism on its facade. Last year, it donated the account fees paid by Freie Sachsen to a local initiative for gay refugees. This year [...] the bank plans to fund another pro-democracy project."

Financial Times @financialtimes.com · Aug 17

The small east German bank that cannot drop its far-right customer on.ft.com/470NXMa

The small east German bank that cannot drop its far-right customer

Extremist parties are opening accounts with the Sparkassen network of regional lenders

on.ft.com

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gina rushton @ginarush.bsky.social · Aug 12

"They found that even when men earn far less than their wives — even when they’re unemployed and making bupkes — their contribution to housework stays remarkably low. In fact, women’s time spent on housework actually fell after they divorced" www.thecut.com/article/cori...

This Economist Crunched the Numbers and Stopped Dating Men

And she’s never been happier.

www.thecut.com

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