Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

EUwatch 🇪🇺 @euwatch.live · 14h

Latvia gives ultimatum to 841 ethnic Russians: You have until 13 October to leave

Latvian authorities have given 841 Russian citizens living in Latvia an ultimatum to leave the ...

eualive.net

4 22 79

Olga Nesterova @onestpress.onestnetwork.com · 17h

Estonia has closed the Saatse border crossing with Russia due to an unusually large Russian military presence on the other side. The Estonian Police and Border Guard (PPA) noted increased patrols and military movements that were much higher than normal, which were deemed beyond routine activities.

38 570 990

Ben Tonra @bentonra.bsky.social · 23h

Bravo… let others follow MIT’s example. My this measure shall US universities be judged.

#academicfreedom

kjcon.bsky.social @kjcon.bsky.social · 1d

Well done MIT!

4

Kate from Kharkiv @kateinkharkiv.bsky.social · 1d

Estonia has urgently closed part of its border with Russia following the appearance of armed "little green men," ERR reports‼️

18 150 490

Conor Hogarty @conorhogarty.bsky.social · 1d

Questions about our neutrality are on the ballot in this election.
Edward Burke is writing in todays @IrishTimes.
As 🇪🇺 defence and security posture changes, how will 🇮🇪contribute to the defence and security of 🇪🇺

2 1 1

kjcon.bsky.social @kjcon.bsky.social · 1d

Well done MIT!

9 47

The New Republic @newrepublic.com · 1d

His slip of the tongue reveals who’s really in charge. trib.al/mIvP0yE

“Illinois governor says we’re provoking actions that are unlawful,” Miller said on CNN. “If I put federal law enforcement and National Guard into a nice sleepy Southern town, is anyone gonna riot?”

1.6K 7.9K 20K

Prof David Farrell, UCD @davidfarrell-ucd.bsky.social · 2d

Laurent presents a very depressing summary of what’s happened to the US Supreme Court

2 2

Ben Tonra @bentonra.bsky.social · 2d

The criminalisation of peaceful protest and civil society.

Extraordinary how far, how fast, and how effortlessly US democracy is collapsing before our eyes.

Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 2d

Sen. Roger Marshall: "October 18 is when the protest gets here. This will be a Soros paid-for protest for his professional protesters. The agitators show up. We'll have to get the National Guard out. Hopefully it will be peaceful. I doubt it."

1 4

Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 2d

Sen. Roger Marshall: "October 18 is when the protest gets here. This will be a Soros paid-for protest for his professional protesters. The agitators show up. We'll have to get the National Guard out. Hopefully it will be peaceful. I doubt it."

1K 330 1.4K

Prof David Farrell, UCD @davidfarrell-ucd.bsky.social · 2d

Superb presentation by my @ucddublin.bsky.social @ucdschooloflaw.bsky.social colleague @profpech.bsky.social on the threats posed by democratic backsliding to the international rule of law

2 8 25

Ben Tonra @bentonra.bsky.social · 2d

There is a fragile thin black line of federal judges holding back full blown dictatorial power in the United States.

I have little to no confidence that the US Supreme Court under CJ Roberts has their backs.

The Washington Post @washingtonpost.com · 2d

A federal judge Thursday temporarily blocked federal agents with the Department of Homeland Security from using riot control weapons against journalists covering protests and immigration enforcement operations in the Chicago area.

Judge orders halt to DHS agents’ targeting of journalists in Chicago

The temporary restraining order comes amid clashes between protesters and federal agents in the Chicago area, where journalists have repeatedly been hit with pepper balls and tear gas.

www.washingtonpost.com

The Washington Post @washingtonpost.com · 2d

A federal judge Thursday temporarily blocked federal agents with the Department of Homeland Security from using riot control weapons against journalists covering protests and immigration enforcement operations in the Chicago area.

Judge orders halt to DHS agents’ targeting of journalists in Chicago

The temporary restraining order comes amid clashes between protesters and federal agents in the Chicago area, where journalists have repeatedly been hit with pepper balls and tear gas.

www.washingtonpost.com

6 41 120

Finbarr Bermingham @fbermingham.bsky.social · 2d

It's not news that Europe is slow

But to read that - 35 articles in a state newspaper (public!) assessing China's chokepoints - 7 years before the policy discussion properly started here, is tragic

US & China are going for the jugular. EU sharpens its quill for another roadmap

1 6 8

NewsCurrentNow @newscurrentnow.com · 2d

Gavin Newsom: “Masked men. Jumping out of unmarked vehicles. People disappearing. No due process. No oversight. No accountability. People say I’m being hyperbolic. Bullshit. This is happening in America today.”

78 1.7K 5K

Hoodlum 🇺🇸 @nothoodlum.bsky.social · 2d

Leticia James’ statement.

160 970 2.9K

Ben Tonra @bentonra.bsky.social · 3d

Curious…

Ben Tonra @bentonra.bsky.social · 3d

Who knew Eurovision would be a precise replica of EU foreign policy?!

😒

EUwatch 🇪🇺 @euwatch.live · 3d

Austria says it will refuse to host 2026 Eurovision Song Contest if Israel frozen out

Austria says it won't host 2026 Eurovision if Israel frozen out

Israel has been a participant in Eurovision, established after World War II to provide a forum for peaceful competition among nations, since 1973.

www.euronews.com

2

Ben Tonra @bentonra.bsky.social · 3d

From the theory of the unitary executive to absolute monarchy in a single sentence.

Heather Cherone @heathercherone.bsky.social · 3d

Perry: DOJ's definition of rebellion would mean that
"literally all nonviolent protest” could be considered evidence of rebellion. Is that your argument?
Hamilton: The president has determined there is a danger of a rebellion, and you must defer to that finding

EUwatch 🇪🇺 @euwatch.live · 3d

Austria says it will refuse to host 2026 Eurovision Song Contest if Israel frozen out

Austria says it won't host 2026 Eurovision if Israel frozen out

Israel has been a participant in Eurovision, established after World War II to provide a forum for peaceful competition among nations, since 1973.

www.euronews.com

2 1

Ben Tonra @bentonra.bsky.social · 3d

Record defence budget unveiled with 11% boost to military spending

www.irishtimes.com/your-money/2...

Record defence budget unveiled with 11% boost to military spending

Much of increased spend will go towards bolstering Defence Forces personnel

www.irishtimes.com

1

The Journal @thejournal.ie · 3d

With just over two weeks to go until polling day, Heather Humphreys and Catherine Connolly have participated in the first head-to-head debate of this presidential election.

Both candidates kept things largely civil.

http://jrnl.ie/6840222t

What's your party piece?': Four things to know from the first head-to-head presidential debate

Both candidates kept things largely civil.

jrnl.ie

1 1 2

Ben Tonra @bentonra.bsky.social · 3d

This year… overwhelmingly they chose Berlin. Yes, some said ‘Trump’ as their explanation but others more reflective in conversation after. Perhaps it’s more than an anecdote, or just a straw in the wind? 😉

1 2

Ben Tonra @bentonra.bsky.social · 3d

Over the last 6-7 years it was always a large majority choosing Boston… which then helpfully set me up for a stirring conversation on how Anglo Saxon Ireland might really be 😜

1 2

Ben Tonra @bentonra.bsky.social · 3d

Talking about constructions of national identity in my Irish foreign policy module @ucdpolitics.bsky.social (pace Mary Harney) I’ve always liked to test Irish students’ self perception by asking if they had the chance of an ideal professional life & had to choose Boston or Berlin which would it be…

1 3

Heather Cherone @heathercherone.bsky.social · 3d

Perry: DOJ's definition of rebellion would mean that
"literally all nonviolent protest” could be considered evidence of rebellion. Is that your argument?
Hamilton: The president has determined there is a danger of a rebellion, and you must defer to that finding

27 180 790

Ben Tonra @bentonra.bsky.social · 3d

What’s opposite of ‘virtue signalling’ in Maltese?

Stanley Pignal @spignal.bsky.social · 3d

Your forever reminder that there are hundreds of thousands of people who can nominate anyone they choose for the Nobel Peace prize. Assistant history professors! Any MP anywhere in the world! Even Hitler got the nod once (albeit as a sort of practical joke gone wrong)

Reuters @reuters.com · 3d

Malta foreign minister nominates Trump for Nobel Peace Prize reut.rs/435IiRV

2

Ben Tonra @bentonra.bsky.social · 3d

Yeah. That’s the reason

2

Stanley Pignal @spignal.bsky.social · 3d

Your forever reminder that there are hundreds of thousands of people who can nominate anyone they choose for the Nobel Peace prize. Assistant history professors! Any MP anywhere in the world! Even Hitler got the nod once (albeit as a sort of practical joke gone wrong)

Reuters @reuters.com · 3d

Malta foreign minister nominates Trump for Nobel Peace Prize reut.rs/435IiRV

Malta foreign minister nominates Trump for Nobel Peace Prize

The foreign minister of European Union member state Malta said on Thursday that he had nominated U.S. President Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize.

reut.rs

2 6 11

Ben Tonra @bentonra.bsky.social · 3d

I'd have thought that sending out a hard copy would militate precisely against use of AI or LLM model ?

1 2