Damien McElroy

From tears after leaving Scotland to smiles in Abu Dhabi, my teens are thriving in UAE school life | The National

"Living in the UAE has been good for our daughters. Where else, I wonder, could 13-year-old girls feel confident and safe enough to take a taxi to and from a water park on their own," writes The National's Phil Johnson.

To my own surprise, I’m quoted in al-Arab and its sister publication, Arab Weekly. I have no idea what this is about. I have not spoken to either publication, and I don’t recognize the quote at all. Perhaps it’s an AI-written article?

alarab.co.uk/%D8%AD%D9%8A...

thearabweekly.com/syrias-break...

Why Germany is at war with itself on the eve of its first military veterans day | The National The government's push to expand its armed forces has provoked fears of mission creep among some

Happy Veterans Day Germany. Or is it? www.thenationalnews.com/news/europe/...

While many Chinese businesses are reeling from the trade war, Qi, the Maga merchandise maker, brushed off any suggestion his might suffer. Trump supporters, he said, were willing to pay any price for items bearing the image of their beloved president - and US suppliers were making such a huge profit on them that they could afford to partially absorb the tariff impact. A Trump baseball cap, for instance, cost only Rmb7.50 ($1) to produce. Tariffs might raise that cost to Rmb2o, but the caps were being sold for $50 in the US. "American sellers could even use the tariffs as an excuse to raise the price to $60 - yet the extra cost will still be borne by the US consumers, " said Qi.

now *this* is the anecdote of the day

We're not here to fight the Houthis, EU Red Sea commander says | The National In recent days, the US Central Command has launched multiple strikes on the Yemeni rebels

The EU is not fighting the Houthis and its mission in the Red Sea is "totally defensive", Admiral Vasileios Gryparis, commander of Operation Aspides, tells The National

Caving to popular demand, I hereby present a PDF of the form for all to use. You may wish to improvise around its rather bespoke prompt for a 'favourite Minecraft Mob' but, hey, a lot of government forms can seem weirdly specific, so why not this one?

drive.google.com/file/d/1mZ09...

Britain’s influence spreads through new Syria | The National UK turns to low-key social and diplomatic links to quietly shape post-Assad transition

The UK is wielding considerable influence in post-Assad Syria, through a combination of political connections, charity operations and a well-networked returning diaspora

How Syria's minefields jeopardise hope for a better life after war's end — The National Witness Paul McCann sees his Halo Trust colleagues offer help to a displaced population returning to bombed-out homes on mine-strewn land

Syria’s landmine legacy is just horrific. apple.news/AHqEqkevCRDC...

We can breathe now and look ahead’, says Palestinian diplomat We spoke to Husam Zomlot, head of the Palestinian mission to the UK.

'We can breathe now and look ahead’, says Palestinian diplomat
www.channel4.com/news/we-can-...

Long title of FOI Act

Freedom of information in the UK is 20 years old today. It was on 1st Jan 2005 that the UK’s FOI laws came into force – giving all of us the legal right to obtain certain information from public authorities.

Iran's jailing of Italian journalist Cecilia Sala has nothing to do with journalism | The National The reporter, currently being held in Evin Prision, has been caught up in a wider world scramble for defence equipment

Iran’s desperate scramble for weapons parts is a big part of the global dirty war. www.thenationalnews.com/opinion/comm...

Biden, Obama complicit in Assad's crimes against humanity: Head of US-based Syrian advocacy group ‘It is a shame that both the Obama administration officials and the Biden administration officials will take to their grave their policy on Syria,’ says head of Syrian Emergency Task Force - Anadolu A...

SETF's Moustafa says Biden administration was complicit in Assad government "crimes," calls for administration to be held accountable; blames Brett McGurk specifically, and Biden for empowering him: www.aa.com.tr/en/americas/...

Professor Lord Colin Renfrew (1937-2024) It is with great sadness that the College notes the death of Professor Colin Renfrew, Lord Renfrew of Kaimsthorn.

Sorry to hear that my old college Master, Professor Colin Renfrew, has passed away. Giant of archaeology & origins of Indo-European, modern art champion
www.jesus.cam.ac.uk/articles/pro...

@jesuscollegecam.bsky.social @cambridgeuni.bsky.social

M&S recovery bucks the UK High St trend | The National Not just any turnaround: retailing 'supertanker' now appeals to mothers and their Gen Z daughters

www.thenationalnews.com/opinion/comm...

What a pre-Trump hand of cards: South Korea, Japan, France, Germany plus Canada

Very good read.

Jaguar bets all on a doubled-up reinvention to take on BMW and Porsche | The National The Type 00 is a statement vehicle that owes more to a Rolls-Royce Phantom or stretch limo than a practical motor for getting from A to B

www.thenationalnews.com/opinion/comm...

In dancing terms when does the Syrian two-step become a line dance for Iran? t.co/VSSvNYOUQ2

X vs Bluesky: The economics of the social media war I have never been on Bluesky, but I already hate it. The fast growth of this new social media platform seems to be primarily driven by the most annoying and irritating characters on X. But that is als...

capx.co/x-vs-bluesky...

Ireland's Palestine stance was good electoral politics for its establishment parties | The National Set for a return to power after Friday's election, the country's two main coalition partners have shrewdly managed an issue that strongly resonates with the Irish public

Irish government wins election after facing a big calls on Gaza. www.thenationalnews.com/opinion/comm...

Starmer’s battle to preserve the special relationship under Trump Britain’s long-standing alliance with America faces its biggest test yet

Starmer’s dilemma: deepening ties to Europe would be a cop-out on Trump and the Special Relationship. www.telegraph.co.uk/business/202... www.ft.com/content/88ad...

'We do not understand each other': Faith leaders fall out over Israel-Gaza war | The National Rome’s Patriarch of Jerusalem on the quest for common ground so interfaith dialogue continues during the war

When talking across the divide no longer exists as an option. www.thenationalnews.com/news/uk/2024...

Anyway, he said that he and his partner now use the phrase "That's a Gregg Wallace hairnet if ever I saw one" or "That's a Gregg Wallace hairnet writ large" in reference to a rule that's enforced for the sake of it. Which I like very much.

The groundwork for a post-ceasefire Ukraine is being laid now | The National Donald Trump will have to deal with a long-term scenario for the war's end, and Europe will have to adapt

Russia’s war in Ukraine will continue to push European rearmament, whatever happens with ceasefire talks. www.thenationalnews.com/opinion/comm...

Honored that The Daily Telegraph has picked 📕Our Enemies Will Vanish 📕 as one of its top 50 books of 2024. Actually, top 22.

Excellent coverage here of @Atheist_TV from @dailytelegraph's Peter Foster @pmdfoster http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/peterfoster/100281056/atheism-gets-its-own-tv-channel-in-the-us-a-shot-in-the-dark-or-a-sign-changing-times/ Love the "fuzzy faithful" bit!