Child prodigy, born in a time of war

At seven years old, Iraq's youngest photographer was born in the same year his country was invaded by the United States. This link to the ‘Healing Iraq’ blog showcases an Al Jazeera video on his story, which is also embedded below.

In a series of great cartoons Ink on the Side reveals that Assange, the founder of Wikileaks, is at it again – and this time he’s after your children! Recent leaks reveal that Santa Claus doesn’t exist, your parents want your money, and that babies are not delivered by stork…

Another Wikileaks related post with a twist – the Gulf Blog reports that’s Assange’s online dating profile has been released. It begins “Want a regular down to earth guy? Keep moving. I am not the droid you’re looking for.” According to an article in the Times Assange can “adapt to anything except the loss of female company and carbon.” He also says “do not write to me if you are timid. Write to me if you are brave.”

This particular blogger is not impressed… although he admits enjoying the irony.

A driver in Amman accidentally sprays water all over an Egyptian pedestrian… and lives to tell the tale. “Such is the wretched lot of those who walk the streets of Amman” says Thoraya, dividing the challenges pedestrians face into three categories: crossing the street, harassment and rain.

This is a thoughtful post about cookbooks, a story about the bloggers ‘father-in-law’s maternal counsin’s husband’s’ cook book to be exact. The book is divided into two parts. The first relates to personal anecdotes, traditions and family tales, and the second part to recipes.

What ginger Beirut didn’t expect to find though, was an index at the end dedicated solely to the names of people mentioned in the book. He talks of the ripple effect that including such names has within the family or community involved, and compares it to the use of ‘brand ambassadors’ in more "detached societies". The blog goes onto relate aspects of the book to Lebanese culture and identity.