Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Consent decrees force schools to desegregate. The Trump administration is striking them down

August 24, 2025 at 4:18 PM

Anna C Walker

@annawchist3313.bsky.social

First it was Roe v. Wade. Now it's Brown v. Board of Education, and the reason why Mike Johnson is participating in the Epstein files sideshow distraction has become obvious. Just remember that US 2026 primaries are beginning in 8 months.

www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...

Plaquemines parish, Louisiana, will not be forced to follow the law for the first time since the 1960s

Peter Thiel’s Palantir poses a grave threat to Americans | Robert Reich

July 24, 2025 at 12:57 PM

Anna C Walker

@annawchist3313.bsky.social

Do all you can to prepare for the next Great Depression looming over our heads now, my friends.

www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

Working with the Trump administration, the data company could be used to target the president’s opponents

Ukrainian author killed by Russia awarded UK’s prestigious Orwell Prize in political writing

June 30, 2025 at 2:16 PM

Anna C Walker

@annawchist3313.bsky.social

There's summer reading, and there's important reading--no rule against having both.

kyivindependent.com/ukrainian-au...

Two years after her tragic death in a Russian missile strike, Ukrainian author Victoria Amelina was posthumously awarded on June 25 the prestigious U.K. Orwell Prize for her book “Looking at Women, Lo...

There's loads of video of Israeli air defenses, and none of Ukraine's — this is why

June 28, 2025 at 4:19 PM

Anna C Walker

@annawchist3313.bsky.social

Really interesting article about media posts during wartime, further cementing Ukraine's unparalleled, first-place standing for savvy and smart tactics:

kyivindependent.com/why-theres-l...

As Israel and Iran continue to trade salvos, dramatic footage of air defenses battling ballistic missiles have flooded the internet. Several prominent online commentators have compared the videos com...

‘Extremely disturbing and unethical’: new rules allow VA doctors to refuse to treat Democrats, unmarried veterans

June 20, 2025 at 3:31 PM

Anna C Walker

@annawchist3313.bsky.social

Instead of flooding the zone with executive orders, I suggest repairing the damage done by flooding in West Virginia. All they are doing now is destroying more citizens' lives.

www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...

Trump order allows VA staff to decline providing healthcare to patients based on political affiliation or marital status

Troops and marines deeply troubled by LA deployment: ‘Morale is not great’

June 16, 2025 at 2:49 PM

Anna C Walker

@annawchist3313.bsky.social

And there are poor ways of using the military such as deploying force against citizens who have the right to protest:

www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...

Several service members told advocacy groups they felt like pawns in a political game and assignment was not necessary

'Juicy target' — Ukraine says it struck Russian electronics plant in Moscow Oblast

June 12, 2025 at 7:18 PM

Anna C Walker

@annawchist3313.bsky.social

There are good ways to use military such as hitting only military industrial targets, avoiding civilians as much as possible:
kyivindependent.com/ukraine-stri...

The facility assembles circuit boards and electronics for the Russian military-industrial complex, the General Staff of Ukraine's Armed Forces said.

Severija - Zu Asche, Zu Staub (Psycho Nikoros) – (Official Babylon Berlin O.S.T.)

June 12, 2025 at 7:18 PM

Anna C Walker

@annawchist3313.bsky.social

Ruthless leaders obsessed with power for their own selfish gain are not impossible to topple. History will hold them accountable. Always.

youtu.be/uekZpkYf7-E?...

Please be one of the final, heroic members to push us over the Kyiv Independent's goal:
kyivindependent.com/membership/?...

YouTube video by BMG

Inside Ukraine’s secret deep strike against Russian bombers | About That

June 5, 2025 at 7:30 PM

Anna C Walker

@annawchist3313.bsky.social

It is my belief in and hope for Ukraine that truly reminds me not to give up on my dedication to fight for what truly matters in this world.

youtu.be/xxNXCc1ir94?...

The Kyiv Independent has nearly reached its membership goal! Keep bringing the love:
kyivindependent.com/membership/?...

YouTube video by CBC News

How far will Trump go to monetize his presidency? | DW News

June 4, 2025 at 7:35 PM

Anna C Walker

@annawchist3313.bsky.social

What are the chances Trump's real estate endeavors in the Middle East will perform better than those in the US? All I can hope for is that when these deals go south—as they are sure to do—retaliation will not spill over against innocent citizens on both sides.

youtu.be/PknnQLFf7_g?...

YouTube video by DW News

NASA astronaut on Russian colleagues backing war against Ukraine

May 31, 2025 at 3:46 PM

Anna C Walker

@annawchist3313.bsky.social

If only all lessons about history, the ISS, and peace could be taught by NASA astronauts...

kyivindependent.com/nasa-astrona...

For more international collaboration and a belief in something more than predatory politics, please support the Kyiv Independent:
kyivindependent.com/membership/?...

The Kyiv Independent’s Kollen Post sits down with retired U.S. astronaut Col. Terry W. Virts to discuss his time aboard the International Space Station alongside Russian colleagues in 2014–2015, durin...

Senate GOP demands new sanctions against Russia

May 29, 2025 at 2:13 PM

Anna C Walker

@annawchist3313.bsky.social

Partisanship aside (as it should be when absolutely vital for peace), tariffs that actually make sense!

www.axios.com/2025/05/27/s...

We need to keep encouraging elected officials to do the right thing; the Kyiv Independent helps keep the awareness going:
kyivindependent.com/membership/?...

"ITS TIME FOR SANCTIONS STRONG ENUF SO PUTIN KNOWS 'game over,'" Sen. Chuck Grassley posted.

www.axios.com

May 28, 2025 at 2:27 PM

Anna C Walker

@annawchist3313.bsky.social

The Economist reported on Ukraine's dissection of Russian drones on May 25, "Russia is raining hellfire on Ukraine."

We must listen to what Ukraine learns, especially from Russian "Easter eggs." Our sides are not so different after all. We all want peace.

kyivindependent.com/membership/?...

The Kyiv Independent

Your support allows us to bring independent, locally-sourced news about Ukraine to the world

Systems are crumbling – but daily life continues. The dissonance is real

May 27, 2025 at 2:19 PM

Anna C Walker

@annawchist3313.bsky.social

This happens to us all, and it is possible to break the pattern of behavior.

www.theguardian.com/wellness/ng-...

We are not alone; take it from those who know it well:
kyivindependent.com/membership/?...

If everything feels broken but strangely normal, the Soviet-era concept of hypernormalization can help

Russian missile, drone attack kills 12, injures over 60

May 26, 2025 at 5:07 PM

Anna C Walker

@annawchist3313.bsky.social

May 25 is the Day of Kyiv, during which civilians were under Russian attack.

kyivindependent.com/russia-launc...

Memorial Day is meant to preserve memory of those who fought for us.

Please support those who hope that what they fight for will not be forgotten:
kyivindependent.com/membership/?...

Multiple waves of explosions rocked cities across Ukraine as Russia launched another massive drone and missile attack overnight. At least 11 people in Kyiv have been injured.

Russian survivor of Leningrad Siege fined for protesting Ukraine war

May 25, 2025 at 4:07 PM

Anna C Walker

@annawchist3313.bsky.social

Only boorish cowards go after 84-year-old World War II survivors.

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

Enough is enough.
kyivindependent.com/membership/?...

Lyudmila Vasilyeva is fined for "discrediting" the Russian army after calling for an end to Moscow's war in Ukraine.

www.bbc.com

May 24, 2025 at 6:57 PM

Anna C Walker

@annawchist3313.bsky.social

The safety of Ukraine is more than just territory: Awareness and representation from the world can get people back home.

kyivindependent.com/ukraine-russ...

Please join the Kyiv Independent's community:
kyivindependent.com/membership/?...

'It’s okay, Mom, I’m home' —Ukraine, Russia hold largest prisoner swap of the war

Editor's note: The article incorrectly said that only soldiers were brought back to Ukraine as part of the exchange. Ukraine has brought back home 290 soldiers and 120 civilians. Their eyes fill with...

Trump says he trusts Putin, won't sanction Russia, prepared to 'back away' from Ukraine peace talks

May 24, 2025 at 1:26 PM

Anna C Walker

@annawchist3313.bsky.social

Showing love for Ukraine in the best way--that only Chicago can: With music and pinball.
@kyivindependent.com
@saltshedchicago.bsky.social
@elstonelectric.bsky.social

May 22, 2025 at 1:07 AM

Anna C Walker

@annawchist3313.bsky.social

In 1991, Ukraine made a Declaration of Independence, recognized by the US on December 25 that year.

The war began when Russia invaded Ukraine. Trump & Putin are rewriting our history.

We can stop them. Join the global community with the Kyiv Independent.

kyivindependent.com/membership/?...

U.S. President Donald Trump, in separate statements, told reporters on May 19 that he trusts Russian President Vladimir Putin, will not sanction Russia, but will abandon Ukraine peace efforts if progr...

Putin’s silent war - Hybrid attacks in Europe | DW Documentary

May 20, 2025 at 1:25 PM

Anna C Walker

@annawchist3313.bsky.social

If, like me, you are bored with remakes and recycled action plots, spend 45 minutes with reality--more effective horror than Heretic. Misinformation is full-scale, organized pig butchering that feeds on fear instead of fantasy and uses information instead of money.

m.youtube.com/watch?v=NqY2...

YouTube video by DW Documentary

m.youtube.com

May 19, 2025 at 9:53 PM

Anna C Walker

@annawchist3313.bsky.social

Trump emulates Putin, who then becomes more emboldened, and the cycle repeats. This is not normal and should not be normalized.

kyivindependent.com/membership/?...

kyivindependent.com/russia-decla...

Russia declares Amnesty International an 'undesirable organization'

The agency accused the London-based headquarters of Amnesty International of being a hub for what it called "global Russophobic projects funded by supporters of the Kyiv regime."

Poland, Romania presidential elections held amid Russian interference, far-right surge — what you need to know

May 19, 2025 at 12:57 PM

Anna C Walker

@annawchist3313.bsky.social

From the Washington Post tonight: “MAGA lost today,” said Irineu Darau, a senator with the center-right Save Romania Union. “So did Russia."

kyivindependent.com/poland-roman...

The Kyiv Independent is keeping voters informed, and we can help them:

kyivindependent.com/membership/?...

Editor's note: This article has been updated to include information from Ukraine's military intelligence agency (HUR). Poland and Romania — key NATO allies bordering Ukraine — are holding presidentia...