The exodus of Irish emigrants to Boston started in 1718 when five ships from the north of Ireland docked in Boston Harbour. These early Scotch-Irish emigres were followed in later generations by millions of rural Irish from the southern and western counties, including the Kennedys, escaping famine and economic collapse while dreaming of a better life in the New World.
The early waves first settled in New England but many moved to the frontier, following the hunting and trading paths of Native Americans. The rugged determination and strong work ethic of these farmers, craftsmen and blacksmiths were the very qualities that helped elevate their influence in shaping the cultural and social fabric of our fledgling nation.
Thankfully, our unique connections to Northern Ireland are not grounded in the distant past.
Americans possess a deep affinity and interest in the region, not least because of the US-brokered Belfast/Good Friday Agreement which, in 1998, brought stability to a place once blighted by political turbulence. Since then, positive changes to the region’s physical and psychological landscape have been significant. There are currently 260 US businesses in Northern Ireland, employing almost 31,000 people across a range of industries. Northern Ireland now enjoys almost full employment. Our continued support is founded on the premise that political stability and economic prosperity remain inseparable.
In December 2022, I was honoured to be appointed US President Joe Biden’s Special Envoy to Northern Ireland for Economic Affairs. On my first visits there, I quickly learnt that its people possess the very same spirit of innovation and ingenuity as those who pushed the boundaries of the American frontier.
The US is now the biggest foreign investor in Northern Ireland, accounting for one half of total foreign investment. Of the 1,200 international companies present in Northern Ireland, 70 per cent chose to reinvest there – testimony to its world-class research universities, skilled workforce, competitive wage levels, and the best telecommunications infrastructure, per capita, in Europe.
The benefits of doing business in Northern Ireland don’t stop there.
Recent agreements between the UK and the EU mean that Northern Ireland now enjoys full access to Great Britain and markets in Europe. In other words, international companies seeking to expand their footprint into Europe can avail themselves of unique dual-market access, giving them a competitive edge.
Organisations such as Invest Northern Ireland – that 30 years ago established its first office for the India, Middle East and Africa region in Dubai – are working hard to deepen two-way trade and collaboration between both regions
A number of Fortune 500 companies represented on a trade mission I led to Northern Ireland last autumn recognised the opportunities in a society that has come a long way towards healing the political and cultural wounds of the long conflict known as the Troubles. Companies already active in Northern Ireland announced new investments, along with commitments to establish new beachheads of US commerce.
These are more than just one-off investments. Northern Ireland’s new Economy Minister has outlined a strategic vision for the future of the region, one that lines up with its strengths – like cybersecurity, health care and manufacturing – and with the opportunities that are ripe for the taking – such as green technology.
Many of the core sectors of this strategy have strong resonance to the UAE, and organisations such as Invest Northern Ireland – that 30 years ago established its first office for the India, Middle East and Africa region in Dubai – are working hard to deepen two-way trade and collaboration between both regions.
As an example, about 40 per cent of the world’s crushing and screening equipment, as well as mobile stackers and wet processing equipment, is produced in Northern Ireland. Many of these products end up in quarries across the UAE.
In life and health sciences, Northern Ireland benefits from a unique combination of world-class research and positive synergies between industry, academia and clinicians. A strategic partnership between the Mohammed bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences in Dubai and Queens University Belfast is generating mutually beneficial outcomes for both academic partners.
Northern Ireland also has a growing agrifood sector worth $6.8 billion. Last year alone, it exported more than $28.4 million worth of food and drink to GCC states. Buoyant growth in this sector illustrates Northern Ireland’s global reputation for premium produce, coupled with best-in-class food traceability and food security.
Finally, Belfast is now ranked as the world’s top destination for financial technology investment, with Northern Ireland being the number-one investment location for American cybersecurity companies outside the US. These remarkable commercial advances are testimony to leaders within the sector, many of whom are collaborating with Emirati counterparts to fortify critical infrastructure and protect against cyber threats.
Northern Ireland is small in size but big in influence. It is a privilege to champion Northern Ireland and shine a light on its innovative spirit, its commitment to excellence, and, above all, its ability to respect the past without being held hostage to it. Its extraordinary achievements provide an example to other societies with deep and sometimes divisive traditions of what can be wrought when every community pulls together.
Name: Peter Dicce
Title: Assistant dean of students and director of athletics
Favourite sport: soccer
Favourite team: Bayern Munich
Favourite player: Franz Beckenbauer
Favourite activity in Abu Dhabi: scuba diving in the Northern Emirates
MATCH INFO
Alaves 1 (Perez 65' pen)
Real Madrid 2 (Ramos 52', Carvajal 69')
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MATCH INFO
South Africa 66 (Tries: De Allende, Nkosi, Reinach (3), Gelant, Steyn, Brits, Willemse; Cons: Jantjies 8)
Canada 7 (Tries: Heaton; Cons: Nelson)
About Karol Nawrocki
• Supports military aid for Ukraine, unlike other eurosceptic leaders, but he will oppose its membership in western alliances.
• A nationalist, his campaign slogan was Poland First. "Let's help others, but let's take care of our own citizens first," he said on social media in April.
• Cultivates tough-guy image, posting videos of himself at shooting ranges and in boxing rings.
• Met Donald Trump at the White House and received his backing.
Zayed Sustainability Prize
The specs
Engine: Four electric motors, one at each wheel
Power: 579hp
Torque: 859Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh825,900
On sale: Now
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UK-EU trade at a glance
EU fishing vessels guaranteed access to UK waters for 12 years
Co-operation on security initiatives and procurement of defence products
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Cutting red tape on import and export of food
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Specs
Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)
Power: 218hp (Cooper and Aceman), 313hp (Countryman)
Torque: 330Nm (Cooper and Aceman), 494Nm (Countryman)
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh158,000 (Cooper), Dh168,000 (Aceman), Dh190,000 (Countryman)
The five pillars of Islam
Oppenheimer
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PROFILE OF SWVL
Started: April 2017
Founders: Mostafa Kandil, Ahmed Sabbah and Mahmoud Nouh
Based: Cairo, Egypt
Sector: transport
Size: 450 employees
Investment: approximately $80 million
Investors include: Dubai’s Beco Capital, US’s Endeavor Catalyst, China’s MSA, Egypt’s Sawari Ventures, Sweden’s Vostok New Ventures, Property Finder CEO Michael Lahyani
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The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo
Power: 201hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 320Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 6-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 8.7L/100km
Price: Dh133,900
On sale: now
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Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
MATCH INFO
Cricket World Cup League Two
Oman, UAE, Namibia
Al Amerat, Muscat
Results
Oman beat UAE by five wickets
UAE beat Namibia by eight runs
Namibia beat Oman by 52 runs
UAE beat Namibia by eight wickets
UAE v Oman - abandoned
Oman v Namibia - abandoned
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October 3: v Wuhan Jiangda Women’s FC
October 6: v Hyundai Steel Red Angels Women’s FC
October 9: v Sabah FA
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The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
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'Ashkal'
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Essentials
The flights: You can fly from the UAE to Iceland with one stop in Europe with a variety of airlines. Return flights with Emirates from Dubai to Stockholm, then Icelandair to Reykjavik, cost from Dh4,153 return. The whole trip takes 11 hours. British Airways flies from Abu Dhabi and Dubai to Reykjavik, via London, with return flights taking 12 hours and costing from Dh2,490 return, including taxes.
The activities: A half-day Silfra snorkelling trip costs 14,990 Icelandic kronur (Dh544) with Dive.is. Inside the Volcano also takes half a day and costs 42,000 kronur (Dh1,524). The Jokulsarlon small-boat cruise lasts about an hour and costs 9,800 kronur (Dh356). Into the Glacier costs 19,500 kronur (Dh708). It lasts three to four hours.
The tours: It’s often better to book a tailor-made trip through a specialist operator. UK-based Discover the World offers seven nights, self-driving, across the island from £892 (Dh4,505) per person. This includes three nights’ accommodation at Hotel Husafell near Into the Glacier, two nights at Hotel Ranga and two nights at the Icelandair Hotel Klaustur. It includes car rental, plus an iPad with itinerary and tourist information pre-loaded onto it, while activities can be booked as optional extras. More information inspiredbyiceland.com
The specs
Engine: Dual 180kW and 300kW front and rear motors
Power: 480kW
Torque: 850Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh359,900 ($98,000)
On sale: Now
How to vote
Canadians living in the UAE can register to vote online and be added to the International Register of Electors.
They'll then be sent a special ballot voting kit by mail either to their address, the Consulate General of Canada to the UAE in Dubai or The Embassy of Canada in Abu Dhabi
Registered voters mark the ballot with their choice and must send it back by 6pm Eastern time on October 21 (2am next Friday)
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Our legal columnist
Name: Yousef Al Bahar
Advocate at Al Bahar & Associate Advocates and Legal Consultants, established in 1994
Education: Mr Al Bahar was born in 1979 and graduated in 2008 from the Judicial Institute. He took after his father, who was one of the first Emirati lawyers
German intelligence warnings
- 2002: "Hezbollah supporters feared becoming a target of security services because of the effects of [9/11] ... discussions on Hezbollah policy moved from mosques into smaller circles in private homes." Supporters in Germany: 800
- 2013: "Financial and logistical support from Germany for Hezbollah in Lebanon supports the armed struggle against Israel ... Hezbollah supporters in Germany hold back from actions that would gain publicity." Supporters in Germany: 950
- 2023: "It must be reckoned with that Hezbollah will continue to plan terrorist actions outside the Middle East against Israel or Israeli interests." Supporters in Germany: 1,250
Source: Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution
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Director: Laxman Utekar
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