Yemen Elections Hold No Surprises

Elections invoke a sense of invigorating change, that things could be different this time. But as well all know, it's just more for the same. Yemen is witnessing this fact with its recent election as the main presidential candidate has been its Vice President for 17 years. So much for a change of scenery.

"Considering that al-Hadi has been in the innocuous position of Vice-President to the outgoing President Ali Abdullah Salih, for some 17 years, this changing of the guard is seemingly only at the palace gate. So some people might wonder why it was worth spending an estimated 48 million dollars to hold an election that was a foreordained outcome."

"The Al-Aqsa Foundation for Endowment and Heritage has issued a warning that the Israeli Occupation Authorities could seek to capitalise on the developments of the Arab Spring so as to damage Al-Aqsa Mosque and Sanctuary in 2012."

People of the Middle East are obsessed with bread- thick, thin, doughy, you name it. So, here's a highlight on another kind of bread to add to your itinerary- Sangak.

"And here is my favourite of all Iranian breads, sangak, a large and very thin loaf that is pointed at one end and square at the other mainly because of the way the baker stretches the very wet dough as he lays it on the floor of the oven which is covered with hot pebbles."

If you were ever a Jordanian (or Arab- let's not pretend it's THAT different) bride-to-be or the friend of one, you know that the pressure mounts. You don't just have the fun task of planning the wedding, you have to deal with the guests (family, friends, people you never met before) and take a lot of lip.

Instead of eloping or turning into a complete Bridezilla (which you could still do), here are 10 tips that will help you survive your predicament.

"Be yourself, don’t change who you are for your future in-laws or husband/wife because in the end, you have to deal with yourself. Yes, certain things will change but not everything and it isn’t fair to either of you."