Beirut on a clear day

Baalbek

#BBCNews - As Russian army inches closer, Ukrainians must decide to stay or go www.bbc.com/news/article... By @sommervilletv.bsky.social #UkraineWar

When you’re trying to write

Our Frank

The Mission: Truth postage stamp of the Heroic Professions series is a symbol of gratitude to those who make the truth heard, who risk their lives to defend us from the enemy with the power of truth. This stamp issue is a tribute to the memory of media professionals killed by Russia.

"In the de-Sturgeonisation process that took place in the wake of her resignation..her relatability, gravitas & high approval ratings were forgotten; her managerialism, insularity & lack of transparency stressed." I wrote about Sturgeon's memoir & attempt to reclaim the narrative in the @lrb.co.uk

Strangely reassuring

Relentless Ukrainian assault

Let’s pretend it’s an everyday occurrence Wordle 1,533 2/6 🟨🟨🟩⬜🟩 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩

Watch: Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region is on the frontline of the military and diplomatic battle over the country’s future. Our latest from Donbas. youtu.be/g1HM7-Vu_Wg

Read: Inside Donetsk as residents flee attacks on Ukrainian region Putin wants to control www.bbc.com/news/article...

Peace Changed the Village Where War Changed Me www.nytimes.com/2025/08/21/w...

📌 We are looking for a new Director of Journalist Programmes The successful candidate will lead on the delivery, strategic development, and long-term financial sustainability of all Journalist Programmes at the Institute. Apply by Mon 1 Sept, noon (UK time) More info: buff.ly/FTCNDd1

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article... This is a very good piece. When you are, to quote Starmer, the result of a squalid experiment doing untold damage to the UK then what do you self-define as? Living your life in opposition to a culture is unsustainable so how do you find/make/sustain your own?

First group of Syrian refugees returns home from Lebanon under new UN plan apnews.com/article/leba...

Desperation of people in Gaza is visible from space in extraordinary image from Planet Labs PBC captured on Saturday afternoon showing crowds on and around aid trucks north of Morag Corridor. The same scene is visible at street level in numerous videos like this one: www.instagram.com/p/DMkmVvNo6nj/

A FT analysis has identified a number of detention facilities housing hundreds more people than they were designed to hold. The experience has left lasting scars. https://on.ft.com/3IAh26M

In Ukraine, some people with tourniquets can’t escape because drones are waiting to kill them. “There are so many people [in] Ukraine now with tourniquet syndrome, because the tourniquet’s on for more than six hours. They’re all getting very high arm amputations, leg amputations.” on.ft.com/3TKYraF

“Alissa managed to keep both kids on the countertop, one hand on each, still trying to reassure them. As the house came undone, she grabbed one in each arm. This is the part that will forever haunt me. If I or anyone else had been closer to them, we would have helped her”

How Syria’s Dictator Buried His Victims www.nytimes.com/interactive/...

Bigfork, MT

Istanbul

Ronnie in a sling

Keith Haring at Doha Airport

A Roman-era mosaic, measuring 4.30 by 2 meters, has been discovered in Homs, Syria. The mosaic depicts Tyche, the goddess of luck, chance, and fortune. www.sana.sy/en/?p=356047... 🏺 #archaeology

Golden Beirut

Russia is targeting Ukrainian hotels to discourage journalists, report says www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/0...

“‘Age is irrelevant, it’s about the energy that you bring. You could be 30 and exhausted, or 70 and energised. I can sit across the table from somebody and feel the energy and passion that they have for life.’ I quietly sit up.”

Our reporting on America’s drug crisis has been nominated at this year’s Monte Carlo TV Festival @festivaltvmc

Our reporting from Myanmar is Emmy nominated

Good to see @sommervilletv.bsky.social say it how it is with regard to the Junta's "Ceasefire" in Myanmar. "the country's ruling junta agreed to a halt in its devastating military campaign. It then violated that ceasefire, again and again" "I saw them break it repeatedly" #WhatsHappeningInMyanmar

Inadvertently signed up to a lifetime of outward bound courses

Melanie, the rescue chicken and her Easter egg stash.

There’s a lot to be said for precedented times

Seems a great time to follow our new US markets editor @kateduguid.bsky.social

Why is it wearing clothes?

Yesterday I was asked if I was from pest control when I arrived at Broadcasting House.

“Every generation has its burdens. The particular plight of Gen X is to have grown up in one world only to hit middle age in a strange new land. It’s as if they were making candlesticks when electricity came in. The market value of their skills plummeted.”

“Yes it rained when the sun was shining! When that happens they say it’s because the devil bathing his wife.”

Another week, another Pick! @therealnihal.bsky.social presents this week’s collection of curiosities in audio form on R4 this evening at 1815. #radio #podcasting www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...

Damascus, Syria

Shot: Chaser:

King Frank

In Damascus in February, I met with dozens of Syrians. Their personal narratives should ground any thinking about Syria’s precarious transition. Takeaway: Syrians are divided along multiple lines — but Assad’s fall has removed the deadliest, most toxic threat. 1/7

Gentlemen, you can’t fight in here …

Gemmazye, Beirut