EDITOR'S CHOICE

February 22, 2012

Saudi blogger and journliast Hamza Kashgari is facing great controversy and possibly death in light of his tweets.
15:01 GMT
The controversy surrounding Saudi blogger Hamza Kashgari for tweeting "offensive" remarks about the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) and the Saudi government's strong reaction has led many people to ask the question what is behind all the commotion
It was the barber! Murder case is solved by a death bed confession.
13:12 GMT
Like something out of the popular American TV show CSI, an Egyptian employee awoke from his seven-month coma to confess the name of the perpetrator who put him there, only to die immediately afterwards.
Starving for a cause: American in Arabia doesn't put Khader Adnan, the Palestinian hunger striker, and Peter Skyllberg, the hapless homeless Swede, in the same league.
11:51 GMT
Hunger strike and stranded starvation: A striking parallel emerged this week when two different men starved for two months on two different continents. Brett makes a social commentary on Western and Eastern perceptions of the Palestine cause and the 'homeless' predicament, using his favorite tool- humor.
Friends, family, supporters, activists, all went out to advocate Khader Adnan's release. (Image source: "972mag.com")
06:20 GMT
After the great outcry in the international arena and sever public attention, an Israeli justice ministry official has said that a deal has been struck to release hunger-striking Palestinian prisoner Khader Adnan in April, reports say.

February 21, 2012

In spite of being a closed society, a lot is going on behind closed doors. Premarital sex is happening more, but the Lebanese are still 'keeping mum' about it.
14:19 GMT
Whether you're watching TV, going online or flipping through a magazine, sex is on the menu. Although the Lebanese are never shy when it comes to innuendo, this sexposé discusses the taboo subject of S-E-X in Lebanon's contemporary young adults.
Solar energy is considered "cheaper and better" than anything else in Lebanon right now - Shown for illustrative.
11:32 GMT
Lebanon has got no shortage of sun, but is constantly lacking in electricity and no stranger to blackouts. Using some of the case studies in Lebanon, the argument can be made for solar energy as a viable alternative.
An end of an era: After 33 years, Yemen may see the last of President Ali Abdullah Saleh.
07:17 GMT
Yemeni voters headed for the polls, ending President Ali Abdullah Saleh’s 33-year rule and thus making Yemen the first Arab state where a revolt has led to a negotiated settlement.

February 20, 2012

Specialists believe that fathers need to have a greater presence in their children's lives for a variety of reasons - shown for illustrative purposes.
16:00 GMT
Still a debatable issue all over the world, the question of paternity leave reaches the UAE. Human resources experts are making an argument that paternity leaves should be implemented in companies around the Emirates.
Yusuf Islam discusses the two biggest things in his life: God and music.
13:21 GMT
Named Cat Stevens in another life, well-known musician and Muslim convert Yusuf Islam discusses his progressive opinions on the relationship between music and Islam. Yusuf shows no signs of slowing down.
As divorce rates climb around the world, it's easy to laugh it off as another social phenomenon in this ADD-ridden age- Shown for illustrative purposes.
10:58 GMT
'Till Boredom Do We Part'- Looking at a recent study stating that 35% of Saudi marriages end in divorce, Brett explores how American and Saudi societies need to accommodate the stark realities of divorce's popularity.
The survivors of the accident speak out about their harrowing and painful experience- Shown strictly for illustrative purposes.
06:25 GMT
The children who survived the tragic school bus accident earlier this week that killed 14 pupils will be in need of psychological therapy to deal with the huge trauma they faced. They share the horror they experienced on that fatal crash.

February 19, 2012

When the women are away, the men will play: Kuwait's new parliament could do with a greater female presence. (Image source: "mideastposts.com")
14:17 GMT
It has been widely reported that women have been obviously missing from the final results of the parliamentary election. Now, the reasons why it would benefit greatly from having a greater female influence are at the center of political discussion.
From paranoia to snowball fights, Arabs can find the fun in anything.
12:54 GMT
When the snow hit the Levant in February, our American in Arabia couldn't help but reflect on the paranoia that he observed in Arabs trying to 'survive' these daunting conditions. Still, Arabs sure know how to handle what life throws at them, he concludes.
On Day 65 of his hunger strike, Khader Adnan is raising global concern for his health. (Image source: "alternativenews.org")
10:42 GMT
Palestinian hunger striker, Khader Adnan's situation has reached a wide audience of sympathizers and invoked protests over his imprisonment. As a result of his growing iconic status, UN specialists predict the possibility of a third intifada.
New York Times correspondent and twice winner of the Pulitzer Prize, Anthony Shadid. (Image source: "periscopepost.com")
08:00 GMT
Much revered New York Times correspondent Anthony Shadid's death has stirred deep mourning in the media community. Among the high praises, high criticism for this generation's Middle Eastern journalists surface. What did Shadid have that most didn't? Humility.

February 18, 2012

Mohamed ElBaradei and Angelina Jolie at the The Cinema of Peace Gala, where the famous kiss occurred.
06:30 GMT
Former director of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Nobel peace prize winner and one time candidate for Egypt’s presidency, Mohamed ElBaradei, created a social media buzz after kissing Oscar winning actress Angelina Jolie.

February 17, 2012

A 2012 parliamentary session in Cairo.
21:32 GMT
As people get hot in the mouth, protesting the right to pray in parliament in both Egypt and the UK, respectively, Al Bawaba sees fit to take a look at this contrasting but similar state of affairs, inviting Brett Weer to offer his two cents.

February 16, 2012

Pet owners speak out against using poison pellets to deal with strays.
12:44 GMT
In Kuwait, the issue of animal cruelty resurfaces in the wake of poison pellets found in local areas. A recent pet dog death draws attention to the plight of hapless animal strays.
Khader Adnan's days may be numbered as he continues with his hunger strike- shown for illustrative purposes.
10:11 GMT
Time is running out for Palestinian prisoner Khader Adnan, who has been on hunger strike for the past 61 days. Adnan's lawyer said that he would petition Israel's supreme court to overturn a military order imprisoning his client without trial.
The reason behind the Beirut River's red color remains a mystery. (Image source: "saidaonline.com")
07:37 GMT
The Beirut River mysteriously turned blood red after a stream of unidentified red liquid began pouring from the southern bank of the river in Furn al-Shubbak. The source of the liquid had yet to be determined, as the river continued to empty the red-colored water into the Mediterranean Sea.

February 15, 2012

Japanese anime "Grendizer" is considered to be one of the most popular Japanese imports in the Middle East.
17:00 GMT
Manga and anime are possibly the most influential Japanese exports in the Middle East. It is no surprise that they would eventually inspire an exhibition, which in this case takes place in Lebanon.
Sean Stone, also a filmmaker, was visiting Iran to shoot a documentary.
14:41 GMT
Sean Stone, son of Oscar-winning U.S. filmmaker Oliver Stone, has converted to Islam while on a visit to Iran, the semi-official Fars news agency reported.
Six roses are not going to cut this it Valentine's Day- Shown for illustrative purposes. (Image source: "librabunda.blogspot.com")
13:07 GMT
Valentine's Day with one partner is difficult enough. Try six! Our American in Arabia, Brett, goes to town with this Saudi story of a man who got caught having six wives, which is technically illegal. Being arrested and lashed just might be the least of his troubles on the holiday of love.
Iraqis get into the Valentine's Day spirit- Shown for illustrative purposes
07:18 GMT
In fresh evidence that extreme religious groups are gradually losing their influence on Iraqi society, Baghdad celebrated Valentine’s Day in full force, with people dressed in red and shops competing with different gifts to mark the day.

February 14, 2012

Is the Valentine's Day spirit getting too much for the singles of the Middle East?
17:00 GMT
Westerners are the not the only ones feeling the stigmatic sting of Valentine's Day. People of the Middle East are feeling the pressure of this imported holiday just as much. As a result, they have taken to social networks, such as Facebook and Twitter, to unleash their dismay.
The Dubai Fountain in Dubai Mall, where the fountain show playing "I Will Always Love You" took place.
13:44 GMT
A YouTube video of a Dubai Fountain show synchronised to the late Whitney Houston's hit single I Will Always Love You has gone viral on Twitter and Facebook.
Lebanon does Valentine's Day in political style: Feb 14 connotes Hariris, past and present.
09:57 GMT
The Arab “Debbie Al-Downer”: Lebanese & Syrians puts a political dampener on Valentines Day. The Lebanese have a political party-alliance named after the day just to remove all traces of romance. And Syria's First Lady stoically and faithfully 'Stands by (her) Man'.
Fashion insiders believe that this agency can help remove the stigma heaped upon Muslim women- Shown for illustrative purposes.
07:32 GMT
New York Fashion Week witnessed the start of something completely new this year: The opening of the first Muslim model agency in New York's trendy Tribeca district.

February 13, 2012

Arabs this Valentines Day may be due some love! V-Day in the Middle East might be a subdued time of mixed feelings for some who have suffered the Arab revolutions.
16:49 GMT
Arabs might be a bit short of love this Valentine's Day, especially those caught up in Arab revolutions and conflicts. But if nothing else, says our "American in Arabia", the Middle East this year has earnt at least its share of hugs, some chocolates and a good dose of love this Valentine's Day.
A still of Kim Kardashian's allegedly faked scene from the Dubai episode in 'Kourtney and Kim Take New York'
12:07 GMT
In light of recent allegations, Kim Kardashian and Kris Jenner deny the reports that scenes, supposedly shot during their Dubai visit, from Kardashian's show 'Kourtney and Kim Take New York' were scripted and reshot back in the U.S.