Editor's Choice

June 11, 2013

The countries in red are the ones under highest surveillance. (Photo courtesy of The Guardian).
The spy who loved ME: Middle East under strong US surveillance
06:00 GMT
A National Security Agency whistle-blower 's leaks showed that despite friendly diplomatic ties, certain Middle Eastern countries are under close surveillance by America.
Children are exploited for work, prostitution and as soldiers. (File photo for illustrative purposes only).
Syrian child workers spark debate in Lebanon
06:00 GMT
Child exploitation is a rising phenomenon on the streets of Lebanon with the Syrian conflict stranding increasing numbers of refugees.
The twofour54 studios in Abu Dhabi host a Syrian co-production. (File photo).
The show must go on: Syrian film-makers shift production to Abu Dhabi
05:00 GMT
Film-makers' creativity goes beyond borders and conflict as Syrian productions relocate to Abu Dhabi.

June 10, 2013

The beautiful, simple and trending designs of Chakra.
Chakra shocks Cairo with simplicity and style
09:26 GMT
A group of friends started Chakra, one of Egypt's newest and trending startups, by delving into the fashion scene with the simple beauty of market fabrics.
According to the United Nations, most cases of female genital mutilation take place in Africa and the Middle East. (Getty image for illustrative purposes only).
Egyptian 13-year-old dies after genital mutilation
06:00 GMT
Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is condemned worldwide but caused the death of a 13-year-old Egyptian girl on Thursday.
No matter if you call it shisha, hooka or argila, it will still make your health go up in smoke. (Getty photo).
Shisha: cultural habit or poisonous trend?
05:00 GMT
Although shisha is considered to be a symbol or the Arab culture it remains more toxic than cigarettes.
Analyzing the underlying reasons for divorce might be a way to limit the phenomenon in Oman. (File photo for illustrative purposes only).
Divorce motives to be studied in Oman
05:00 GMT
An investigation is under way to understand the underlying causes of divorces in Oman.

June 9, 2013

Art or vandalism? Dubai children taught from youngest age not to use graffiti. (Getty image for illustrative purposes only).
"Graffiti programme" educates Emirati children
06:00 GMT
The municipality of Dubai organizes an awareness campaign to prevent children from using graffiti as a mode of expression.
Baby steps. More Saudi women should be allowed to work to boost the economy. (Getty images).
Working women could boost Saudi growth
05:00 GMT
Putting Saudi women on the labor market could help boost the Saudi economy according to experts.
Taghreedat volunteers will soon make it possible for visually impaired Arabs to stay updated on Twitter. (Photo courtesy of Twitter).
UAE project brings Twitter to blind Arabs
05:00 GMT
Taghreedat projects offer assistive technology to facilitate Twitter access to the visually impaired and promote Arabic worldwide.

June 8, 2013

The winner takes it all! Online gaming hot in Jordan. (Getty images)
Place your bets! Jordan online gambling raises its stakes
09:33 GMT
Gambling has become common in Jordan as social media platforms offer a wide choice of online games.
Old bricks and metal cranes, the battle has begun in Beirut. (Getty images)
House of cards: Beirut residents fear highway plans could endanger heritage
07:08 GMT
New highway plans would ease-up traffic at the expense of many old traditional houses, raising concerns among Beirut residents.
Beware of the killer watermelon! (Photo courtesy of iCarli blog).
UAE killer watermelon hoax: no HIV in summer fruit
05:00 GMT
Emirati food authorities have denied rumors alledging that HIV was injected in imported watermelons.

June 7, 2013

A Cairo fitness club has turned out to be a brothel. Image for illustrative purposes only. (Getty)
No more happy endings! Cairo health club actually brothel
07:00 GMT
An unlicensed health club in Cairo has been shut down by the authorities after it was discovered it was actually just a front for a prositution business.
Despite a penchant for applying lippy in the car, it seems that in the UAE, women are better drivers than men. (Photo for illustrative purposes only).
Perpetuating the stereotype: Female driver slapped with huge fine in UAE
05:00 GMT
In spite of a female driver's record high Dh200,000 in fines and 250 traffic offenses, women fare better than men on Emirati roads.