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Lightnews surfaces the most relevant scholar‑driven perspectives on today’s news. We aggregate posts and recommendations from scholars across social media.
Gaza ceasefire collapses; fighting continues

Despite a ceasefire announced Oct. 10, fighting and bombardments continued in Gaza, hundreds of Palestinians were killed and Hamas consolidated positions while peace plans stalled, outlets said.

With replies by 🎓Patrick Dunleavy +13 more scholars.
Gaza ceasefire collapses; fighting continues
Replies by 🎓Patrick Dunleavy, 🎓Rohan Gunaratna, 🎓Marc Lynch, 🎓Shibley Telhami, 🎓Stephen Zunes +9 more scholars
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December 27, 2025 at 1:18 AM
Epstein attempt revealed, ruling stands

The Justice Department released files showing Jeffrey Epstein attempted suicide weeks before his death and claimed a cellmate tried to kill him, but records did not overturn the suicide ruling.

With replies by 🎓Diane Ravitch, 🎓Robert Black +13 more scholars.
Epstein attempt revealed, ruling stands
Replies by 🎓Diane Ravitch, 🎓Robert Black, 🎓Timothy Snyder, 🎓Gerry Hassan, 🎓David Darmofal +10 more scholars
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December 27, 2025 at 1:18 AM
2025 images, 2026 forecasts revealed

The New York Times art directors and culture editors and Greece's Kathimerini published year-end visual roundups and cultural forecasts, highlighting standout 2025 images and predictions for 2026.

With replies by 🎓R. M. Wilson, 🎓Jacques Attali +9 more scholars.
2025 images, 2026 forecasts revealed
Replies by 🎓R. M. Wilson, 🎓Jacques Attali, 🎓Yascha Mounk, 🎓Ángel Borja, 🎓Paul Dorfman +6 more scholars
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December 27, 2025 at 1:11 AM
German policy blamed for 2025

German economists and commentators said 2025 was a lost economic year and warned 2026 might only marginally improve, blaming expanded state activity and government policy.

With replies by 🎓Richard Baldwin, 🎓International Monetary Fund +11 more scholars.
German policy blamed for 2025
Replies by 🎓Richard Baldwin, 🎓International Monetary Fund, 🎓Timothy D. McBride, 🎓Joe R. Feagin, 🎓Victor Asal +8 more scholars
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December 27, 2025 at 1:11 AM
Zelensky to meet Trump Sunday

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he would meet U.S. President Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago in Florida on Sunday to discuss decisions before the new year.

With posts by 🎓Samuel Charap, 🎓François Heisbourg, 🎓Scott Lucas.
Zelensky to meet Trump Sunday
Replies by 🎓Samuel Charap, 🎓François Heisbourg, 🎓Scott Lucas
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December 27, 2025 at 1:11 AM
US strikes Lakurawa ISIS bases

U.S. forces launched missile strikes on ISIS's Lakurawa affiliate bases in Nigeria's Sokoto region on Christmas Day, a move analysts said also aimed to court Trump's evangelical supporters.

With replies by 🎓Stephen M. Walt, 🎓Daniel Pipes +16 more scholars.
US strikes Lakurawa ISIS bases
Replies by 🎓Stephen M. Walt, 🎓Daniel Pipes, 🎓Alan Lester, 🎓David Rothschild, 🎓Stephen Zunes +13 more scholars
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December 27, 2025 at 1:11 AM
Photographers release global photo galleries

Staff and contributing photographers worldwide published year‑end and week‑in‑photos galleries on December 27, 2025, showcasing war, weather disasters and cultural events from around the globe.

With replies by 🎓Dawn J. Wright +7 more scholars.
Photographers release global photo galleries
Replies by 🎓Dawn J. Wright, 🎓Huw Price, 🎓Martin Kusch +5 more scholars
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December 27, 2025 at 1:11 AM
Saudi strikes reportedly kill dozens

The UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council said Saudi Arabia launched airstrikes near its positions in Hadramaut, eastern Yemen, on Friday; Riyadh did not confirm and local sources reported dozens of…

With posts by 🎓Shibley Telhami +3 more scholars.
Saudi strikes reportedly kill dozens
Replies by 🎓Shibley Telhami, 🎓Anupam Chander, 🎓Mohammad Marandi, 🎓Mark C.M. van Loosdrecht
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December 27, 2025 at 1:11 AM
Dorgu sinks Newcastle for United

Manchester United beat Newcastle 1-0 in Manchester on Boxing Day as Patrick Dorgu’s goal decided the only Premier League match that day.

With posts by 🎓Andreas Löschel, 🎓Olúfẹ́mi Táíwò, 🎓Alister Scott.
Dorgu sinks Newcastle for United
Replies by 🎓Andreas Löschel, 🎓Olúfẹ́mi Táíwò, 🎓Alister Scott
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December 27, 2025 at 1:11 AM
Israel first to recognize Somaliland

Israel recognized Somaliland as a sovereign state, becoming the first country to do so, a move condemned by Somalia, Egypt, Turkey and Djibouti.

With replies by 🎓Shibley Telhami, 🎓Holger Hestermeyer, 🎓Michael B. Bishku +7 more scholars.
Israel first to recognize Somaliland
Replies by 🎓Shibley Telhami, 🎓Holger Hestermeyer, 🎓Michael B. Bishku, 🎓James F. McGrath +6 more scholars
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December 26, 2025 at 11:38 PM
US strikes IS in Nigeria

U.S. forces struck Islamic State-affiliated positions in northwest Nigeria on Dec. 25, officials said, and U.S. leaders warned more strikes could follow as Nigeria confirmed cooperation.

With replies by 🎓Stephen M. Walt, 🎓Daniel Pipes, 🎓Guy Grossman +32 more scholars.
US strikes IS in Nigeria
Replies by 🎓Stephen M. Walt, 🎓Daniel Pipes, 🎓Guy Grossman, 🎓Alan Lester, 🎓David Rothschild +30 more scholars
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December 26, 2025 at 11:28 PM
Zelensky to seek Trump backing

Zelensky said he would meet Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago on Sunday to discuss a U.S. 20‑point peace plan and could hold a referendum if Russia accepted a 60‑day ceasefire.

With replies by 🎓Taras Kuzio, 🎓Henry Farrell, 🎓Samuel Charap +10 more scholars.
Zelensky to seek Trump backing
Replies by 🎓Taras Kuzio, 🎓Henry Farrell, 🎓Samuel Charap, 🎓François Heisbourg, 🎓Nikolas K. Gvosdev +8 more scholars
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December 26, 2025 at 11:09 PM
Actors, directors top 2026 lists

Actors, directors and cultural figures topped lists of people to watch for 2026 across Europe and Australia, with outlets highlighting emerging talent and trends.

With replies by 🎓Joe R. Feagin, 🎓Victor Asal, 🎓Jacques Attali +15 more scholars.
Actors, directors top 2026 lists
Replies by 🎓Joe R. Feagin, 🎓Victor Asal, 🎓Jacques Attali, 🎓David Darmofal, 🎓Miklós Kiss +13 more scholars
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December 26, 2025 at 10:39 PM
US tech CEOs amass $500bn

Top 10 U.S. tech founders and CEOs saw net worth rise by about $500 billion to nearly $2.5 trillion in 2025 as an AI-driven stock boom lifted valuations, analysts said.

With replies by 🎓Tito Boeri, 🎓Robert B. Reich, 🎓Linda Yueh +24 more scholars.
US tech CEOs amass $500bn
Replies by 🎓Tito Boeri, 🎓Robert B. Reich, 🎓Linda Yueh, 🎓Carl B. Frey, 🎓Timothy D. McBride +22 more scholars
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December 26, 2025 at 10:39 PM
US bars German NGO leaders

The United States imposed entry bans on leaders of German anti-hate NGO HateAid, saying the groups stifle online speech, and drew sharp criticism from Berlin, Paris and Brussels.

With posts by 🎓Steve Peers, 🎓Laurent Pech, 🎓John Horgan +11 more scholars.
US bars German NGO leaders
Replies by 🎓Steve Peers, 🎓Laurent Pech, 🎓John Horgan, 🎓Aurélien Mondon, 🎓Kate Starbird +9 more scholars
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December 26, 2025 at 10:29 PM
Trump return raises global risks

Donald Trump’s second presidency, commentators said, had reset global expectations and would likely make 2026 more geopolitically and financially turbulent amid rising uncertainty and disinformation.

With replies by 🎓Anders Aslund +11 more scholars.
Trump return raises global risks
Replies by 🎓Anders Aslund, 🎓Michael D. McDonald, 🎓David Rothschild, 🎓Arlene Stein, 🎓Jacques Attali +7 more scholars
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December 26, 2025 at 10:18 PM
US strikes IS in Nigeria

U.S. forces struck Islamic State-affiliated positions in northwest Nigeria on Dec. 25, officials said, and U.S. leaders warned more strikes could follow as Nigeria confirmed cooperation.

With replies by 🎓Stephen M. Walt, 🎓W. Andy Knight, 🎓Daniel Pipes +38 more scholars.
US strikes IS in Nigeria
Replies by 🎓Stephen M. Walt, 🎓W. Andy Knight, 🎓Daniel Pipes, 🎓Guy Grossman, 🎓Alan Lester +36 more scholars
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December 26, 2025 at 10:18 PM
Palestinian kills two, defence orders

A Palestinian from the West Bank killed two people in northern Israel by vehicle-ramming and stabbing; the assailant was wounded, and the defence minister ordered a military response, officials said.

With replies by 🎓Juan Cole, 🎓Stephen Zunes +5 more scholars.
Palestinian kills two, defence orders
Replies by 🎓Juan Cole, 🎓Stephen Zunes, 🎓Mohammad Marandi +4 more scholars
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December 26, 2025 at 10:18 PM
DOJ reveals Epstein suicide attempt

Justice Department released files showing Jeffrey Epstein attempted suicide weeks before his death at New York’s Metropolitan Correctional Center, though records did not overturn the suicide ruling.

With replies by 🎓Gerald Friedman +13 more scholars.
DOJ reveals Epstein suicide attempt
Replies by 🎓Gerald Friedman, 🎓Diane Ravitch, 🎓Robert Black, 🎓Timothy Snyder +10 more scholars
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December 26, 2025 at 10:11 PM
Weak 2025 leaves 2026 uncertain

German economists and commentators said a weak 2025 left the 2026 economic outlook uncertain, with Ifo president Clemens Fuest blaming federal policy for the sluggish recovery.

With replies by 🎓Richard Baldwin, 🎓International Monetary Fund +9 more scholars.
Weak 2025 leaves 2026 uncertain
Replies by 🎓Richard Baldwin, 🎓International Monetary Fund, 🎓Timothy D. McBride, 🎓Victor Asal, 🎓Jacques Attali +6 more scholars
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December 26, 2025 at 10:11 PM
Only one Boxing Day game

English Premier League scheduled only one Boxing Day fixture — Manchester United v Newcastle — for the first time since 1860, citing TV contracts and New Year scheduling.

With replies by 🎓Andreas Löschel, 🎓Fiona Moore, 🎓Aileen McHarg +2 more scholars.
Only one Boxing Day game
Replies by 🎓Andreas Löschel, 🎓Fiona Moore, 🎓Aileen McHarg, 🎓Alister Scott +1 more scholars
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December 26, 2025 at 9:48 PM
Weber backs Bundeswehr, NATO warns

EPP leader Manfred Weber urged deploying German Bundeswehr troops under an EU flag to help secure a potential peace in Ukraine, but NATO leaders warned against European-only defense initiatives.

With posts by 🎓Edgar Morgenroth, 🎓Henry Jones, 🎓Mary Jane Curry.
Weber backs Bundeswehr, NATO warns
Replies by 🎓Edgar Morgenroth, 🎓Henry Jones, 🎓Mary Jane Curry
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December 26, 2025 at 9:28 PM
Homs mosque bombing kills eight

An explosion at an Alawite mosque in Homs during Friday prayers killed at least eight and wounded about 18, and a Sunni militant group claimed responsibility.

With replies by 🎓Scott Lucas, 🎓Randa Slim, 🎓Mohammad Marandi +2 more scholars.
Homs mosque bombing kills eight
Replies by 🎓Scott Lucas, 🎓Randa Slim, 🎓Mohammad Marandi +2 more scholars
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December 26, 2025 at 8:09 PM
Zelensky Could Meet Trump Sunday

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he could meet U.S. President Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago in Florida as soon as Sunday.

With posts by 🎓Samuel Charap, 🎓François Heisbourg, 🎓Scott Lucas.
Zelensky Could Meet Trump Sunday
Replies by 🎓Samuel Charap, 🎓François Heisbourg, 🎓Scott Lucas
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December 26, 2025 at 7:58 PM
Zelensky meets Trump over plan

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he would meet U.S. President Donald Trump on Sunday at Mar‑a‑Lago to discuss a U.S.-drafted 20‑point peace plan and security guarantees.

With replies by 🎓Taras Kuzio, 🎓Henry Farrell, 🎓François Heisbourg +7 more scholars.
Zelensky meets Trump over plan
Replies by 🎓Taras Kuzio, 🎓Henry Farrell, 🎓François Heisbourg, 🎓Scott Lucas, 🎓Timothy D. McBride +5 more scholars
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December 26, 2025 at 7:58 PM