Though Damascene born and bred, al-Azm is a true cosmopolitan - with no nostalgia for his mother′s baking, no tears shed over the good old days, and no longing for the fresh scent of jasmine so reminiscent of Damascus. He has always preferred personal freedom with all its associated risks to the comfort of a familiar environment. By Yassin al-Haj Saleh
Whether it s a presidential motorcade or playing a charity football match, there are countless examples of Mr Macron apparently borrowing from other world leader s playbooks.
Travel in Europe is subject to COVID-19 restrictions. The omicron variant has led to higher numbers of infections, but which are often less severe. This is how Germany is responding to the current situation.
The rebuilt Prussian palace is finally open, but the debate about how – and whether – it should house collections from Asia and Africa rumbles on, writes Daniel Trilling