EDITOR'S CHOICE
February 22, 2012
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
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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
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
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
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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'.
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
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.
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.
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