Editor's Choice

May 9, 2013

The theater production was closed after an actor's semi-nudity caused outrage (Al Arabiya)
The show mustn't go on in Iraq: theater production censored after semi-nude actress causes uproar
08:26 GMT
The German production upset some audience members in Baghdad, which is currently the Arab capital of culture
Rehearsal: Participants of ‘Miss Kabayan Kapit Bisig (KKB) 2013’ practise for the big day. (Photo: Zarina Fernandes/ XPRESS)
A different kind of beauty pageant: UAE's Filipino maids strut their stuff for a cause
07:50 GMT
Proceeds from the unique contest on May 10 will go towards helping distressed women in the UAE.

May 8, 2013

British physicist Stephen Hawking is to boycott a conference hosted by Israel's Shimon Peres in June (Yoav Lemmer/AFP)
Backing the Israel boycott: British physicist Stephen Hawking pulls out of June event
13:21 GMT
The revered scientist's name was removed from the list of attendees for the event organized by Israeli Prime Minister Shimon Peres
Virgin Galactic's Richard Branson and pilot Mark Stucky celebrating the successful flight of SpaceShip2 under rocket power, its first ever since the program began in 2005. (AFP/Mark Greenberg)
Abu Dhabi aiming for the stars: Emirate wants to become regional space hub
12:29 GMT
Abu Dhabi is eyeing a space program as a key new sector in the country
The driverless metro rail, to be operated by a team of only Saudi women inside the women’s school at Princess Nora bint Abdurahman University (PNU) in Riyadh, will start functioning in September. (Photo used for illustrative purposes)
Saudi says no to cars but yes to women operating metro rail
10:25 GMT
A driverless metro rail, to be operated by a team of only Saudi women inside the women’s school at Princess Nora bint Abdurahman University (PNU) in Riyadh, will start functioning in September.
From jackets to tailored suits, Ahmadinejad's critics had complained he could be damaging the Iran’s image with “bad fashion.” (Courtesy: www.adinnerguest.com)
Ahmadinejad's smart style under scrutiny as Iran polls kick off
08:32 GMT
From jackets to tailored suits, Ahmadinejad's critics had complained he could be damaging the Iran’s image with “bad fashion.”

May 7, 2013

The owners of Les Rois have decided to not serve any alcohol to tourists at the hotel, in order to promote “a new kind of tourism”.
Will teetotal tourism take off in Egypt?
10:39 GMT
As a new hotel opens in Hurghada serving no alcohol, hotel groups call for reconsidering ratings system.
Homosexuality is haram across most of the Middle East
The invisibles: homosexuals in Palestine speak out about the unspeakable
09:19 GMT
Homosexuality in Palestine, like most Arab countries, is haram, but one man has spoken out
The woman is on trial at the Abu Dhabi courthouse for having sex outside of wedlock (7 days)
False rape claim ends in a marriage proposal
08:25 GMT
Woman who falsely claimed she was raped has proposed to the man she accused in a Dubai court
Bachelors are attracted to Dubai's glamorous nightlife (image used for illustrative purposes)
Bachelor backlash in Dubai: Single men told to get out of family areas
06:30 GMT
Dubai municipality is stepping up its campaign against bachelors living in family areas

May 6, 2013

The style component to the competition was won by Yasmeen Sabir for her tropical headscarf scarf coupled with a coral motorcycle jacket ensemble. (Image courtesy: American Hijab Design Contest)
All American girl: Fashion contest gives hijab stars and stripes treatment
12:40 GMT
A fashion design contest in Chicago, challenging designers to create an American style of hijab, wrapped up in front of a star-studded line up of judges.
Prince Mohammed bin Naif bin Abdulaziz opened the center in April (www.moi.gov.sa photo)
Saudi releases Qaeda militants after a stint in jihadi rehab
12:36 GMT
166 former al-Qaeda members and militants completed the Munasaha, a state-sponsored counseling program
A woman smokes an e-cigarette (Getty image used for illustrative purposes)
E-cigarette ban in UAE goes up in smoke
11:17 GMT
Health experts call for enforcement after evidence that the ban on e-cigarettes is widely flouted in the Emirates
The deadly battle came a month before bear mating season (Photo used for illustrative purposes)
All fur love: Egypt zoo loses three black bears in fight of passion
08:06 GMT
Fur flies at the country's most famous zoo, as female bears stage a fatal fight over an eligible 'bachelor'.

May 5, 2013

Girls in Saudi Arabia play football. Image via Al Arabiya
Kick off! Saudi Arabia to allow girls to exercise at private schools
11:31 GMT
On Saturday it was announced that for the first time, girls in Saudi Arabian private schools will be able to play sports. This is the latest in a series of decisions taken by the kingdom giving more rights to women.