Reposted by Thomas HughesMark Walters @mark-walters.bsky.social · 21/09/2026The visit to Llaneilian Church, Anglesey was well worth a diversion off the coastal path 😍 5th c. CE foundation with visible remains from the 12th-17th c. Remarkable 1496 timber rood screen with image of Death inscribed ’Sin is the sting of death’. 14th c. side chapel of St. Eilian down steps. 1478
Reposted by Thomas HughesMike Black @mikeblack114.bsky.social · 18/09/2026this is "someone rephrased the existing 1951 agreement to grandpa and the danes agreed to put an extra dude with a M1917 up there" 1427746
Reposted by Thomas HughesMAKS 26 👀🇺🇦 @maks23.bsky.social · 16/09/2026🇳🇴 NATO troops disrupted Russian underwater "training" near Svalbard. Submarines of the "Russian Department of Deep-Sea Research" covertly practiced the technology of remotely damaging underwater cables near the Arctic archipelago. 9488135
Reposted by Thomas HughesDavid Burbach 🇺🇸 @dburbach.bsky.social · 14/09/2026This is a big deal. www.defenseone.com/defense-syst...defenseone.comUS military has ‘on-orbit’ space weapons, Air Force Secretary revealsExperts said the acknowledgment may lead to overt action by China, Russia. 12714
Reposted by Thomas HughesMinna Ålander 🌻 @alanderminna.bsky.social · 13/09/2026I can’t emphasise enough how UTTERLY WILD this iswsj.comExclusive | Mark Carney’s Audacious Bid to Make Canada an ‘Associate Member’ of the EUAs trade talks with the U.S. collapse, prime minister pursues a major—and risky—pivot to Europe; an Ottawa book club plays its part. 1223242
Reposted by Thomas HughesBlack Cloud Six @blackcloudsix.bsky.social · 12/09/2026Reposting this. blackcloudsix.substack.com/p/this-is-wh...blackcloudsix.substack.comThis Is What Betrayal Looks LikeA Canadian officer reflects on Afghanistan, the Allied burden, and Trump's deliberate rewriting of history. 0229
Reposted by Thomas HughesAnnie Chave @anniechave.bsky.social · 11/09/2026A feel good story to share. More of this please 🙏 much more. www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/s...theguardian.comState schools finally get their big day: ‘All of a sudden, playing at Lord’s becomes cool’The inaugural Knight-Stokes Cup was a special occasion not just for the teenagers playing on Lord’s hallowed turf, but for the English game as a whole 0154
Reposted by Thomas HughesSteve Saideman @smsaideman.bsky.social · 10/09/2026Our latest #BattleRhythm cdsn.substack.com/p/episode-42... with an interview with Canada's Surgeon General! 142
Reposted by Thomas HughesMargo Gontar @margogontar.bsky.social · 09/09/2026Have your national media told you Russia has been bombing food warehouses and grocery stores in Ukraine on daily basis now to make Ukrainians starve ? 109040
Reposted by Thomas HughesLauren Dobson-Hughes @ldobsonhughes.bsky.social · 08/09/2026As Sweden tries to open up mining for rare minerals in the north, politicians are questioning the right of the Sami people to reindeer herd on their lands www.theguardian.com/world/ng-int...theguardian.comReindeer and rare-earth minerals: Swedish politicians take aim at Indigenous Sami in mining disputeGabna community fear their traditional herding routes will be sacrificed as far-right rhetoric ramps up against them 0105
Reposted by Thomas HughesUrsula von der Leyen @vonderleyen.ec.europa.eu · 07/09/2026📡 Our new cooperation on satellite connectivity takes off today. With immediate results. North Greenland will see massive improvements in internet access in the coming days. And by October, remote communities in East Greenland will also have better, faster internet! 982600505
Thomas Hughes @thomashughes.bsky.social · 06/09/2026Enjoyed this notice in New Brunswick. Can’t argue with fact! #nufc @podonthetyne.bsky.social 010
Reposted by Thomas HughesThe Ukrainian Review @theukrainianreview.bsky.social · 05/09/2026‼️ POLITICO: For the first time in decades, NATO allies held submarine-hunting drills off Iceland without U.S. ships or aircraft, as European and Canadian forces took lead in defending North Atlantic. The exercise focused on GIUK Gap, a key route for Russian nuclear submarines entering the Atlantic. 24475121
Reposted by Thomas HughesThe Barents Observer @thebarentsobserver.com · 02/09/2026A Russian passenger vessel operating between Murmansk and the Russian settlement of Barentsburg on Norway's Svalbard archipelago has been seized by Norwegian authoritiesthebarentsobserver.comNorway seizes Russia's Svalbard linerThe Governor of Svalbard confirms that the Professor Molchanov, the Russian passenger vessel operating a second season of voyages between Murmansk and the Russian settlement on the Norwegian Arctic ar... 416054
Reposted by Thomas HughesAngelica Shalagina Official🇺🇦 @angel-shalagina.bsky.social · 02/09/2026🔥🔥Ukraine reportedly struck the Plesetsk Cosmodrome - russia’s main northern military spaceport. It’s used to launch Soyuz-2 and Angara rockets carrying military satellites and communications systems. 18121
Reposted by Thomas HughesWarTranslated (Dmitri) @wartranslated.bsky.social · 29/08/20261/ Russia's first confirmed strike on Ukrainian civilian logistics dates back to February 28, 2022, hitting Epicentr in Chernihiv. Over the following four and a half years, 25 separate strikes hit Ukrainian retail chains, postal terminals, and distribution centers. 129773
Reposted by Thomas HughesChris Waugh @chrisdhwaugh.bsky.social · 23/08/2026🏴🏳️ @worflags.org.uk with a wonderful & poignant stadium-wide tribute to the late Kevin Keegan. ♥️ 👏 #NUFC #LFC #NEWLIV 1428
Thomas Hughes @thomashughes.bsky.social · 23/08/2026This is fascinating. Absolutely gigantic implications for determining the line between civilian and military, though. And that doesn’t fill me with joy. 000
Thomas Hughes @thomashughes.bsky.social · 23/08/2026Nice (not actually nice) to see exercises and threat perception in the news again. That “perception” point is critical - for both the exercising party and those watching. 001
Reposted by Thomas HughesMinna Ålander 🌻 @alanderminna.bsky.social · 20/08/2026This is a really significant development, especially given that it’s the UK that wants to get rid of US components - one of the hitherto closest US allies, with a deeply US-intertwined defence industry. ”We don’t want to depend on how some negotiations are going”, a UK govt official saidft.comUK unveils prototype missiles for Ukraine with no US componentsLow-cost, long-range weapons could be deployed as soon as this year in war against Russia 341403443
Reposted by Thomas HughesMinna Ålander 🌻 @alanderminna.bsky.social · 16/08/2026There’s a tendency in northeastern Europe to complain about southern Europe, and especially about Italy and Spain - that they ”don’t get it” re: the Russian threat etc. But in Latvia it was Italians and in Romania Spaniards who shot down drones. 1123354
Reposted by Thomas HughesBryan Based International Order 🇨🇦 @bryanpeeler.bsky.social · 17/08/2026Looks nervously at NORAD. *ducks* 041
Thomas Hughes @thomashughes.bsky.social · 16/08/2026Should have read my book on signalling and exercises… 000
Reposted by Thomas HughesNerdic Defence @nerdicdefence.bsky.social · 14/08/2026Clear message from Greenland authorities to US oil drilling firm: -We will not put up with this. www.dr.dk/nyheder/indl...dr.dkKlar grønlandsk besked til oliefirma: Vi vil ikke finde os i detDe grønlandske myndigheder har slået bremsen i over for planer om amerikansk olieeventyr. 0268
Reposted by Thomas HughesCaroline Dodds Pennock @carolinepennock.bsky.social · 06/08/2026This is an extraordinary story, centred on a group of remarkable women, but it just makes me mourn for the millions of women and girls trapped in Afghanistan, denied not only the freedom to play sports, but to speak, learn and live as they choose. We must not forget them.bbc.co.ukBanned from football at home, Afghan women's team reunite 8,000 miles awayWomen in the team, which is recognised by Fifa, say football has given them freedom and independence. 9362681406
Reposted by Thomas HughesMargo Gontar @margogontar.bsky.social · 04/08/2026I want to repeat this : Russian drone hunted , taking its time , and then attacked a man selling vegetables in Kherson . A farmer. Knowingly . On purpose . There’re no two sides here . 514547
Reposted by Thomas HughesMargo Gontar @margogontar.bsky.social · 04/08/2026⚠️ this is difficult video . this is Russian FPV drone hunting a farmer selling vegetables in Kherson. It’s piloted so there’s some Russian watching through camera how this man is running from it and still circling, taking his time, and then, knowing it’s just a farmer, still choosing to attack 188640
Thomas Hughes @thomashughes.bsky.social · 29/07/2026Still looking for a summer read? I have just the thing! Thrilled that "Military Exercises and Threat Perception in Europe" is now out! What was the (un)intended role of ex in signalling, and why did the right message rarely get through? Unfortunately prescient... www.routledge.com/Military-Exe...routledge.comMilitary Exercises and Threat Perception in Europe: NATO, Russia, and the Politics of War Games, 1975–2018This book explores the politics of military exercises in Europe between 1975 and 2018, revealing how NATO, the Soviet Union, and Russia have used exercises as political tools and how these activities ... 0132
Reposted by Thomas HughesLauren Dobson-Hughes @ldobsonhughes.bsky.social · 27/07/2026Thanks to @kevinmilligan.bsky.social et al for this study on the impact of universal childcare on women's income - Long run impact on women's earnings far beyond the childcare years - Increased tax remittances, reduced social insurance - Recoups 75-117% of program costs www.nber.org/papers/w35514 03626
Thomas Hughes @thomashughes.bsky.social · 27/07/2026To cut through the #Odyssey discourse to a point I think we can all agree on: if the film is not a frame-by-frame line-by-line cinematic reincarnation of Rosemary Sutcliffe’s majestic translation / Alan Lee’s gorgeously illustrated “The Wanderings of Odysseus”, it’s wrong. 000
Thomas Hughes @thomashughes.bsky.social · 21/07/2026Well, after swearing allegiance to the Monarch (and his successors) to whom I am already attached, plus some other important things, I am now officially Canadian! Now off to chug a pint of maple syrup to prove my credentials. 120
Thomas Hughes @thomashughes.bsky.social · 15/07/2026Not my usual subject, but one dear to my heart. @georgecaulkin.bsky.social is a fantastic journalist, and Dan Burn is brilliant. This is wonderful interview, more than worth your time to read even if football isn't your thing. 010
Thomas Hughes @thomashughes.bsky.social · 13/07/2026Not pot references, but some truly excellent submarine-related puns. I’m still annoyed I didn’t manage to use “sunk costs”. Fun episode, though, despite my accidental and unintended side-swipe at the electoral process for Canada’s current PM… 001
Reposted by Thomas HughesUlrike Franke @rikefranke.eu · 13/07/2026😶 giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/... EU buys record amount of gas from Russia’s flagship plant Begiftarticle.ft.comEU buys record amount of gas from Russia’s flagship plantEurope purchased almost all the LNG produced by the Yamal facility in the first half of 2026 ahead of import ban 1212444
Reposted by Thomas HughesSavchenko Volodymyr @savchenkoua.bsky.social · 11/07/2026🤬 The ballistic missile that the Russians used to attack Kyiv at night was equipped with shrapnel, — head of RVA Kovtunov. Shrapnel is metal balls or fragments that fly apart during an explosion to increase human casualties. 19343187
Thomas Hughes @thomashughes.bsky.social · 07/07/2026Urrggghhh. I’d hoped we had got over the Greenland thing for at least another 12 months. 020
Reposted by Thomas HughesLauren Dobson-Hughes @ldobsonhughes.bsky.social · 06/07/2026Canada awarded Germany a large submarine contract today. The rival Koreans were innovative and keen. The Germans were dour and unimaginative, but they'll bung us more in industrial benefits. As ever, @plagasse.bsky.social breaks it down best philippelagasse.substack.com/p/tortoise-b...philippelagasse.substack.comTortoise beats hareSlow and grumpy wins the submarine race 1145
Reposted by Thomas HughesSven-Erik Volberg @volberg.bsky.social · 02/07/2026Worth mentioning. Zelenskyy was in Ireland when the intel of the attack came in. He cut his vist short to stand in Kyiv with Ukrainian people. Amount of world leaders knowingly return to under massive bombing is extremely limited 501840674
Reposted by Thomas HughesEvergreen Intel @vcdgf555.bsky.social · 02/07/2026By some accounts, 30 TBMs and 30 ALCM/SSMs do far tonight for Ukraine, primarily Kyiv. One of the worst attacks of the war. 418858
Reposted by Thomas HughesMinna Ålander 🌻 @alanderminna.bsky.social · 01/07/2026I’ve kept telling Canadian colleagues and friends that if they want to get closer to Europe, the first step is to take part in the ESC. And here they go (or, come) ! Canada is clearly walking the talk 😁eurovision.comCanada will debut at the 71st Eurovision Song ContestPublic broadcaster CBC/Radio-Canada will send a song to Bulgaria in 2027 1818430
Reposted by Thomas HughesMinna Ålander 🌻 @alanderminna.bsky.social · 30/06/2026Happy to see that what I identified as an inevitable consequence of the Trump administration’s policy toward Europe from the very beginning - European empowerment at the expense of US power - has by now become consensus. A good read ⬇️foreignaffairs.comEurope Goes Its Own WayDrifting from America, the continent Is rearming and reordering itself. 726664
Reposted by Thomas HughesKate from Kharkiv @kateinkharkiv.bsky.social · 29/06/2026The girl who was killed by russian glide bomb in Kharkiv today came to the city for her university graduation. A graduation robe lies next to her body... 51788346
Thomas Hughes @thomashughes.bsky.social · 25/06/2026BBC News website access is now a paid subscription service (presumably only outside the UK)?! I understand finance pressure, but still seems grim. #BBC 110
Reposted by Thomas HughesLauren Dobson-Hughes @ldobsonhughes.bsky.social · 24/06/2026Musk says not a single person has died due to him axing USAID. Sadly, part of my job involves tracking aid spending. So here’s a thread with just some of the people who lost their lives because of USAID cuts 196133296755