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Steve Hewitt

@stevehewitt.bsky.social
164 followers 149 following 723 posts

A repatriated Canadian settler living in Birmingham, UK, with an interest in security and intelligence in the past and present and in a US-Canada-UK context. I also follow politics in those countries as well as the strange world of academia. Plus, I run.

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Steve Hewitt @stevehewitt.bsky.social · 17h
Way back in Network in 1976, Paddy Chayefsky anticipated the direction of travel that would include livestreamed executions
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Steve Hewitt @stevehewitt.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
www.nytimes.com/2026/10/08/u...
nytimes.com
Fort Hood Shooter’s Execution Will Be Public and Streamed Live, Pentagon Says
If carried out, the public execution of Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan by firing squad set for Dec. 3 would be the first in modern U.S. history.
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Steve Hewitt @stevehewitt.bsky.social · 08/10/2026
Sorry!
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Steve Hewitt @stevehewitt.bsky.social · 08/10/2026
Canadian Poet Anne Carson Is Awarded Nobel Prize in Literature www.nytimes.com/2026/10/08/b...
nytimes.com
Canadian Poet Anne Carson Is Awarded Nobel Prize in Literature
The writer joins a list of laureates that includes Toni Morrison, Samuel Beckett and Bob Dylan.
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Steve Hewitt @stevehewitt.bsky.social · 08/10/2026
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
theguardian.com
Stockpile food – and wash your hands: is that really how to prepare for environmental catastrophe? | George Monbiot
The UK state is dumping its responsibilities on our doorsteps, while green-lighting policies that lead us closer to crisis, says Guardian columnist George Monbiot
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Steve Hewitt @stevehewitt.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
www.theguardian.com/society/2026...
theguardian.com
Thatcherism via the Walkman: Stuart Hall’s British cultural studies preserved online
Project lead says it celebrates ‘incredible contributions’ Jamaica-born sociologist made to Britain’s culture
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Steve Hewitt @stevehewitt.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
I'm on the latest episode of David Borys' Curious Canadian History podcast talking about the history of lone-actor terrorism in Canada (a chapter in my forthcoming book, A History of Terrorism in Canada): podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/s...
podcasts.apple.com
S12E3 Lone-Actor Terrorism in Canada
Podcast Episode · Curious Canadian History · October 6 · 45m
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Steve Hewitt @stevehewitt.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
‘Bully in every way’: domestic abuse survivors say ex-partners behind far-right UK street patrols www.theguardian.com/society/2026...
theguardian.com
‘Bully in every way’: domestic abuse survivors say ex-partners behind far-right UK street patrols
Seven women share their stories to make people aware of patterns of violence behind anti-immigration street patrol movement
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Steve Hewitt @stevehewitt.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
news.sky.com/story/retire...
news.sky.com
Retired engineer jailed for blowing up ULEZ camera using homemade bomb
Kevin Rees destroyed a camera using a rudimentary improvised explosive, in a "terrorism-linked" blast that caused damage to cars and homes more then 100 yards away.
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Steve Hewitt @stevehewitt.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
We also used to have a post office on campus that has gone.
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Reposted by Steve Hewitt
The Washington Post @washingtonpost.com · 01/10/2026
Switzerland’s iconic glaciers lost an enormous amount of ice in 2026, a new report shows, signaling an ongoing rapid meltdown driven by climate change that has astonished scientists. About 20 percent of glacial ice in Switzerland has vanished since 2021.
washingtonpost.com
Switzerland’s glaciers are losing an astonishing amount of ice. See the meltdown.
Dry winters and a warming climate are taking a toll on centuries-old ice in the Alps, researchers say, with about 20 percent of Swiss glacial ice melting since 2021.
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Steve Hewitt @stevehewitt.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Just received my first ever "AI Digital License" fee from a publisher of 1 of my books. The publisher kept 80% of it.
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Steve Hewitt @stevehewitt.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Decades of fossil fuel influence paved way for Trump’s assault on university research, study says www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
theguardian.com
Decades of fossil fuel influence paved way for Trump’s assault on university research, study says
Fossil fuel firms have spent years trying to regulate climate research by donating to US universities, study authors argue
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Reposted by Steve Hewitt
Brent Toderian @brenttoderian.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
“Paris has embarked on a grand transformation, planting 155k trees, adding hundreds of kms of bike lanes, pedestrianising 300 school streets and banning cars from the banks of the Seine. Parking has been turned into green space…Fewer parents fear their child being run over when they walk to school.”
theguardian.com
How Paris swapped cars for bikes – and transformed its streets
Under Anne Hidalgo – mayor for 12 years until last week – the French capital added bike lanes, cut traffic and reclaimed public space, but not without resistance
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Steve Hewitt @stevehewitt.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
Decades of fossil fuel influence paved way for Trump’s assault on university research, study says www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
theguardian.com
Decades of fossil fuel influence paved way for Trump’s assault on university research, study says
Fossil fuel firms have spent years trying to regulate climate research by donating to US universities, study authors argue
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Steve Hewitt @stevehewitt.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
www.nytimes.com/2026/09/29/t...
nytimes.com
OpenAI Ignored Employees’ Warnings About Safely Testing A.I. Models
Employees and security researchers said that they had cautioned the company on safely testing its A.I. models and strengthening its corporate infrastructure, but that OpenAI did not listen.
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Steve Hewitt @stevehewitt.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
www.nytimes.com/2026/09/28/u...
nytimes.com
Embarrassing Breach at F.B.I. Fuels Fears of Harm to Its Employees
In an internal memo, the F.B.I. said it believed the hackers may have stolen sensitive information on all of its employees.
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Steve Hewitt @stevehewitt.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
As more Australian universities use AI to mark students’ work, is it creating a ‘slop-cycle’? | Australian universities | The Guardian share.google/YuIKYK8u21jD...
share.google
As more Australian universities use AI to mark students’ work, is it creating a ‘slop-cycle’?
Educational institutions find themselves suddenly confronted with a fork in the road
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Steve Hewitt @stevehewitt.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
Undercover police officer lied to spycops inquiry about sexual relationship www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...
theguardian.com
Undercover police officer lied to spycops inquiry about sexual relationship
Officer forced to admit relationship with woman lasting at least six months while working under fake name Dave Evans
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Reposted by Steve Hewitt
ProPublica @propublica.org · 26/09/2026
NEW: ProPublica’s Jake Pearson lost $10,000 mimicking the betting patterns of a problem gambler on DraftKings to test the company’s “responsible gaming” safeguards. One week in, he was invited to become a VIP — and faced little pushback as he spiraled.
propublica.org
I Deliberately Bet Like a Problem Gambler. DraftKings Made Me a VIP.
Amid growing public health concerns, operators like DraftKings have touted “responsible gaming” tools and prompts. But as I went off the deep end, I found they were no match for the incentives and pro...
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George Monbiot @georgemonbiot.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
Pope Innocent III,who died in 1216, spoke of a certain kind of older man, who is "easily provoked", "will believe anything and question nothing", is "stingy and greedy" and "praises the good old days and hates the present." Reform UK's voter base has been knocking around for a very long time.
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Steve Hewitt @stevehewitt.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
Oxford lets OpenAI train its AI models on Bodleian Library www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
theguardian.com
Oxford lets OpenAI train its AI models on Bodleian Library
University staff voice concerns over reputational risk of partnering with company behind ChatGPT
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Steve Hewitt @stevehewitt.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
www.nytimes.com/2026/09/25/t...
nytimes.com
OpenAI’s A.I. Went Rogue and Meddled With U.S. Government Websites
The company did not learn until recently that its technology had meddled with websites for the Education and Commerce Departments and the Securities and Exchange Commission.
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Steve Hewitt @stevehewitt.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
Exclusive: Egypt’s top spy flew to Israel shortly before October 7 with a dire warning about Gaza, Vivian Salama reports: www.theatlantic.com/national-sec...
theatlantic.com
Egypt’s Warning to Israel
Cairo’s intelligence chief visited Tel Aviv shortly before October 7 with a dire message about Gaza.
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Reposted by Steve Hewitt
Amir Attaran @amirattaran.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Are you an Ottawa cyclist? Here is where the candidates stand on making the roads safe. HINT: Don’t vote for Mark Sutcliffe.
bikeottawa.ca
Candidates for City Councillors and cycling
Bike Ottawa sent a few weeks ago a questionnaire to candidates to learn about their stance regarding biking in the city, and how they plan to tackle this issue if they get elected. Nine questions w…
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Steve Hewitt @stevehewitt.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
We spent 2 hours in my school talking about it today.
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John Munro @johnmunro.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
This is excellent, not least due to the far-right meltdowns it has induced.
bbc.co.uk
Birmingham union jack art made from discarded lamp-post flags
The huge union jack was produced using tattered flags previously hung from lamp-posts.
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Steve Hewitt @stevehewitt.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
BBC News - FBI investigates claim by hackers they stole data on all agency staff www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
FBI investigates claim by hackers they stole data on all agency staff
The hackers claim they have every agent's name, role, badge number and personal details including home address, phone numbers and spouse information.
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Steve Hewitt @stevehewitt.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
www.nytimes.com/2026/09/21/w...
nytimes.com
The Fuel That Feeds Europe’s Far Right: Nostalgia and Lost Pride
The populist emphasis on national identity and threats to it, real and imagined, finds a deep response in voters adrift in a world they no longer understand.
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Steve Hewitt @stevehewitt.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
www.nytimes.com/2026/09/18/u... outrageous
nytimes.com
F.B.I. Temporarily Halted Cooperation With Canada Over References to 9/11
The abrupt move by Kash Patel, the bureau’s director, came as President Trump was ramping up his attacks on the country.
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Steve Hewitt @stevehewitt.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
theguardian.com
Driving that’s too fast, too dangerous and utterly lawless: why do we tolerate this petro-masculinity? | George Monbiot
In towns and in the countryside, I see 4x4s and pick up trucks driven without care or conscience. It’s a Magafication of transport, says Guardian columnist George Monbiot
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Steve Hewitt @stevehewitt.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
www.nytimes.com/2026/09/16/u...
nytimes.com
Trump Wanted Canada as the 51st State. He Ended Up Pushing It Toward the European Union.
The invitation by the E.U. for Canada to become an “associate member” is a sign of Mr. Trump’s brand of diplomacy, which often involves threatening America’s closest friends.
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Steve Hewitt @stevehewitt.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
An M.I.T. Report Warns A.I. Is Causing ‘Cognitive Surrender.’ Universities Are in a Bind. www.nytimes.com/2026/09/15/u...
nytimes.com
Universities Sound Warnings About A.I. Even as They Embrace It
As A.I. upends education, university leaders have been all over the map about how to respond. It can be very confusing for students.
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Steve Hewitt @stevehewitt.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
theguardian.com
Calls for Democrats to be shot go unchallenged at Republican convention
Crowd member repeatedly said some Democrats ‘should be shot’ during Ted Cruz’s speech, without senator responding
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Steve Hewitt @stevehewitt.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
www.nytimes.com/2026/09/10/s...
nytimes.com
The Mathematician Crushed Between OpenAI and Anthropic Over a Math Problem
Tristan Buckmaster was on the path toward an important proof when one of the A.I. giants used its staggering resources to get there first.
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Steve Hewitt @stevehewitt.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
www.nationalobserver.com/2026/09/10/n... I'm quoted in this story out today about the impact of 9/11 on Canada
nationalobserver.com
'Consequences we live with': How 9/11 changed Canada's approach to our national security
Before the 9/11 terrorist attacks, Steven Backman could usually cross the Canada-US border with a simple wave.
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Reposted by Steve Hewitt
McGill-Queen's University Press @mcgillqueensup.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
#TBT to this review of The Lives of Lake Ontario: An Environmental History by Daniel Macfarlane! Check out the book: buff.ly/herZbIS Read the review: buff.ly/QReK24S
reviewcanada.ca
Water Log | Literary Review of Canada
Dan Rubinstein reviews Daniel Macfarlane’s “The Lives of Lake Ontario,” published by McGill-Queen’s University Press.
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Steve Hewitt @stevehewitt.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
www.theguardian.com/world/2026/s...
theguardian.com
Secret systems used by Israel in mass killings of Gaza civilians revealed in new film
Testimony from Israeli military insiders involved in surveillance and remote killings features in documentary produced by the Guardian
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Steve Hewitt @stevehewitt.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
I'm sure that's part of it, but does UK law allow for lifetime bans? It certainly should.
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Steve Hewitt @stevehewitt.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
www.nytimes.com/2026/09/09/u...
nytimes.com
A Hostile Trump Reopens Old Wounds in the U.S.-Canada Relationship
President Trump is not the first American president to feud with Canada. But today’s crisis might be the worst.
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Steve Hewitt @stevehewitt.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
theguardian.com
Trump’s top six falsehoods about 9/11 as 25th anniversary nears
US president often brings up al-Qaida attack that struck his home town New York City almost 25 years ago
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Steve Hewitt @stevehewitt.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
www.theguardian.com/world/2026/s...
theguardian.com
Police were told night before Dover unrest that far-right agitators had converged on village
Details passed to Kent police after far-right activists heard in pub boasting about going to to Dover to ‘attack Muslims’
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Steve Hewitt @stevehewitt.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
www.theguardian.com/culture/2026... 60 years old today!
theguardian.com
‘I suggested maybe a lighter touch’: William Shatner on Star Trek at 60
The actor and others involved with the phenomenon speak about the legacy and progressivism of a much-loved science fiction TV series as it reaches an important milestone
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Steve Hewitt @stevehewitt.bsky.social · 06/09/2026
youtube.com/watch?v=wCjs...
youtube.com
NEW Heritage Minute: Gander and 9/11
YouTube video by Historica Canada
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Steve Hewitt @stevehewitt.bsky.social · 05/09/2026
I've now had an email requesting the same info. How did you end up dealing with it?
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Steve Hewitt @stevehewitt.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
I haven't been sent that request. I did email them a couple of weeks ago to ask when I can expect payment and was told that I had asked for the payment to be made through an international wire transfer.
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Robert Reiner @waylon18.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
theguardian.com
Tennessee is about to execute its first woman since 1819. Her case raises troubling questions | Austin Sarat
Christa Pike’s planned execution is emblematic of America’s broken death penalty system
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Steve Hewitt @stevehewitt.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
Trump Isn’t Just Trolling Canada. He’s Helping Push It Apart. www.nytimes.com/2026/09/03/o...
nytimes.com
Opinion | MAGA Is Feeding a Separatist Surge in Canada
Drawing inspiration from MAGA, separatists in Alberta are pushing for a break away from Canada.
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Steve Hewitt @stevehewitt.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
ottawacitizen.com/public-servi...
ottawacitizen.com
Judge orders release of records on Nazi war criminals who settled in Canada
Documents from CIA program to settle Nazi war criminals in Canada ordered released by judge
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Steve Hewitt @stevehewitt.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
www.theglobeandmail.com/world/articl...
theglobeandmail.com
Gloria Steinem, feminist icon and celebrated writer, dies at 92
She fought for gender equality and women’s civil and reproductive rights for more than five decades
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