Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Stephen McDonell @stephenmcdonell.bsky.social · 5m

What’s going on with the Trump handshakes at this meeting? It’s like he is weirdly jerking other world leaders closer to him. One after another.

Olga Nesterova @onestpress.onestnetwork.com · 42m

Trump to delegate from UAE: They got a lot of cash, unlimited cash

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Mark Copelovitch @mcopelov.bsky.social · 1h

When authoritarians tell you they like authoritarianism, over and over and over and over and over again, believe them

Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 2h

Trump on Egypt: "They have very little crime. Because they don't play games. That's why. Like we do in the United States with governors that have no idea what they're doing."

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Mark Jacob @markjacob.bsky.social · 6h

Trump, speaking in the Israeli parliament, boasts about the weapons the U.S. has provided and says "you obviously used them very well."
An estimated 20,000 children have died in the war in Gaza.

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Farrukh @implausibleblog.bsky.social · 9h

Pope Leo says that American bishops need to be more vocal and support migrant communities from being abducted by ICE in US cities

"Important that we as church give a message of hope in the midst of these horrible struggles, what's going on in some cities in the US"

"The church cannot be silent"

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Sense Hofstede @sensehofstede.nl · 6h

Chinese companies shipped more goods overseas last month than expected, a sign of resilience that’s giving Beijing a stronger hand in the latest trade war with the US – Bloomberg: ‘Shipments to the US plunged 27% […] more than offset by strong growth in sales to regions like the European Union.’

Chinese Exports Surge, Giving Xi Stronger Hand in Trade Fight

Chinese shipments overseas grew at the fastest in six months, far exceeding forecasts in a sign of resilience that’s giving Beijing a stronger hand in the latest trade war with the US.

www.bloomberg.com

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The Saturday Paper @thesaturdaypaper.com.au · 6h

“If governments are not actively out there detecting and combating it, and sending out strong, positive messaging supporting vaccination, all you’ve got is a stage full of disinformation.”

The risks of falling childhood immunisation. satpa.pe/8ReuSPo

The rising risks of vaccine reluctance

The latest drop in childhood immunisation rates has raised concerns among medical authorities that some communities are losing herd immunity to diseases such as measles.

satpa.pe

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Stephen McDonell @stephenmcdonell.bsky.social · 5h

All whataboutists get blocked. Final warning.

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Stephen McDonell @stephenmcdonell.bsky.social · 8h

This bloke has down perfectly the train ticket sales staff in #China. It’s hilariously accurate. His name is Paul Mike Ashton.

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KateAL @katieal.bsky.social · 8h

😂😂😂

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Stephen McDonell @stephenmcdonell.bsky.social · 8h

I wouldn’t say never. ;-)

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Stephen McDonell @stephenmcdonell.bsky.social · 8h

Yeah most people now buy their train tickets online or via phone apps in #China but, for various reasons, sometimes people still need to go to the good old ticket window. When they do, it’s still like the representation above. ;-)

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Stephen McDonell @stephenmcdonell.bsky.social · 8h

This bloke has down perfectly the train ticket sales staff in #China. It’s hilariously accurate. His name is Paul Mike Ashton.

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Stephen McDonell @stephenmcdonell.bsky.social · 9h

Reports that, within hours of the ceasefire coming into effect, Hamas has moved to reassert control over #Gaza.

Financial Times @financialtimes.com · 2d

Hamas reasserts control and settles scores in Gaza Strip on.ft.com/490LAcZ

Hamas reasserts control and settles scores in Gaza Strip

Militant group battles rivals and punishes suspected collaborators hours after agreeing ceasefire

on.ft.com

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Stephen McDonell @stephenmcdonell.bsky.social · 9h

Report on accusations of #US president #Trump profiteering from Presidency:
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-10...

'Outrageous conflict of interest': Crypto is making the Trumps hundreds of millions of dollars

Donald Trump's wealth has skyrocketed since his return to the White House nine months ago, leading to accusations that he is profiting from the presidency.

www.abc.net.au

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Stephen McDonell @stephenmcdonell.bsky.social · 1d

“Sandwich cookies”? Could that possibly sound less Australian? ;-)

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Katelyn Boo-urns @katelynburns.com · 1d

Donald Trump was president on January 6

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Stephen McDonell @stephenmcdonell.bsky.social · 1d

Another Australian mammal now extinct…

www.theguardian.com/environment/...

And then there were none: Australia’s only shrew declared extinct

The tally of Australian mammals extinct since 1788 is now 39 species – far more than for any other country

www.theguardian.com

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Reposted by Stephen McDonell

The Tennessee Holler @thetnholler.bsky.social · 2d

Amazing what happens when you give the guy a plane

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Stephen McDonell @stephenmcdonell.bsky.social · 2d

This is incredible research from #Spain:
edition.cnn.com/2025/10/10/s...

A medieval sandal, other cultural artifacts found in bearded vulture nests | CNN

Researchers found over 200 cultural artifacts within nests of bearded vultures, with the oldest item to date — a woven sandal — estimated be from the 13th century.

edition.cnn.com

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Stephen McDonell @stephenmcdonell.bsky.social · 2d

In #Melbourne #Australia the police issued a statement to stop calls to the emergency number after people spotted “demon hunters” and other anime characters roaming the city’s streets (on the way to a convention).

ChattyCathyPRGuysGrandma @chattycathyau.bsky.social · 2d

Meanwhile in Victoria, where 3AW & others tell the people to be scared in the Melbourne CDB, you get the Police having to issue this statement 🤦‍♀️

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Reposted by Stephen McDonell

Seth Cotlar @sethcotlar.bsky.social · 2d

One of Trump’s most avid supporters and donors from Oregon is a militant anti-vaxxer. His wife (a doctor) refused to get the vaccine and then died of Covid. Instead of changing his mind about the vaccine, he instead blames the Chinese Communist Party for murdering his wife with Covid.

Meg Tirrell @megtirrell.bsky.social · 2d

President Trump got an updated Covid vaccine & flu shot at Walter Reed today www.cnn.com/2025/10/10/p...

Trump received Covid vaccine and flu shot during second physical of the year | CNN Politics

President Donald Trump received a Covid vaccine and flu shot during his visit to Walter Reed Medical Center on Friday, his physician said in a memo released by the White House.

www.cnn.com

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Patrick Chovanec @prchovanec.bsky.social · 3d

How science works now.

Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 4d

RFK Jr on Tylenol and autism: "It is not proof. We're doing the studies to make the proof."

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Reposted by Stephen McDonell

Jeremy Wallace @jeremywallace.bsky.social · 4d

There’s always a grift.

open.substack.com/pub/paulkrug...

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Reposted by Stephen McDonell

chasbuduo @chasbuduo.bsky.social · 4d

Really good to hear this and sounds like a tragedy was averted - it’s a very remote part of the world

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Stephen McDonell @stephenmcdonell.bsky.social · 4d

Latest news from this week's Mount Everest trekking emergency is that all hikers and rescuers have now reportedly reached the town of Qudang and are said to be out of danger. #China #Tibet

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