BEHIND THE NEWS

Egypt's historic presidential elections got off to a sound start. But the pioneering democratic elections of such a populous nation were bound to include a few sparks and incidents. Intimidation, dodgy posters and rule-bending were around every corner if you looked.

In an extraordinary turn of events, an Israeli woman became a true Palestinian heroine after coming to the rescue of one boy facing the barrel of an Israeli gun, Al Bawaba reports...

The Muslim Brotherhood is facing a crisis in image -- Which way should they spin their Doctor Mohamed Mursi? Do they emphasizing his conservative credentials or bill him as the new face of the MB that is palatable to the West.

Gulf Arab countries will continue discussions on a possible union of six nations but any such plan will take time, Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal said on Monday.

Cairo Egyptians crowded around television sets in outdoor cafes for the first of its kind televised presidential debate. Aired Thursday on several independent TV channels, the four-hour debate was a startling new experiment for Egypt after nearly 30 years of authoritarian rule under President Hosni Mubarak, ousted last year after a wave of protests.

Hasan Ali Asaad Alwat, 50, a prominent drug dealer, his mother-in-law, and their Ethiopian domestic worker were killed in the city of Hermel, in the Bekkaa valley of Lebanon. Is this a warning to Lebanon's drug Lords in a stye more often associated with drug cartels in Mexico?

A new Middle East could be at risk of becoming 'Ottomanized' by a Turkey with an appetite for returning to its supreme reign of the region. Not greater Israel, but Turkey's expansionism could be the real threat for the Arab world.

What do each of 11 presidential candidates think of peace with Israel? Egypt's presidential candidates' stance on Camp David.

A legacy sheathed in clouds, not dispersed a year later: A year after the killing of Osama bin Laden, some feel that the man's mysterious ways live on after his death.

As ties between Azerbaijan and Israel blossom, there is a growing concern in the transregional playing field.

Suicide has become a troubling phenomenon in Saudi Arabia, particularly among young people. Is this due to societal or economical root causes?

Peace, not gas: The provision of under-priced natural gas to Israel under the Mubarak government has long been fuel for public anger, but critics predict that the new powers will not permanently sever the old deals. Could this be SCAF's way of making a good-will exit with regard to the people?

A new wave of deportations of Lebanese nationals living in the UAE is underway, following the collective expulsion of a number of families in 2009. Is this a collaboration between the Emiratis and 'Lebanon' against Hezbollah?

Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Al Maliki on Friday branded Turkey a "hostile state" with a sectarian agenda, the latest in bitter exchanges between the regional neighbors.

More than 40 pro-Palestinian activists reached Tel Aviv's international airport yesterday as part of an attempted "fly-in", only to be detained as Israel denied them entry and scrambled to stop other campaigners boarding flights in Europe.

According to Israeli press, Omar Suleiman is the best bet for Israel.

An equally dangerous mind to that of the Al Qaeda mastermind OBL is now the most wanted man. No 'childish' mind, this fully bearded adult is wanted for child pornography production.

"France is the worst place in Europe to be a Muslim, because the government is so against us. And if Nicolas Sarkozy is re-elected, it can only get worse.”

During a tour in the Golan Heights on Wednesday, Israeli President Shimon Peres said that “if Egyptians ban bikinis, they won’t have tourism,” Ynetnews website reported.

As the case of who killed Rafic al Harriri lives on in the form of the Special Tribunal, a new revelation emerges, giving us a new name to point fingers at or to expose the real culprits.

Could this Niqab-donning conservative wife, mother and grandma be the next 'face' of Egypt's First Lady? With her husband Khairat al-Shater claiming his position in the presidential race, anything is possible.

It’s a love story like no other, daring to confront many taboos: homosexuality, AIDS, Islam.

The Daily Mail Newspaper revealed this week that the Jordanian Islamist militant, known variously as ‘hate cleric’ Omar Mahmoud Othman, and Abu Qatada al-Filistini, has upgraded to a bigger house in London, paid for by British tax payers.

Kuwait, the proud outlier nation to the Arabian peninsula, apologizes to save face. Kuwait has issued a public apology to Kazakhstan on its disgraceful anthem gaffe that gave credence to the 'Borat' Kazakh long-running entertainment slander.

What if the mystery sexy photographed woman appearing in Bashar al-Assad's private emails is his wife Asma?

Assad's E-bombshell: The practically naked secret sex-pot's out the bag.

Online shopping sprees could see the British born wife of the Syrian President held liable for up to two years in prison as she may have broken financial sanctions imposed on her killing spree husband by shopping.

Morocco's sleepy awakening could be about to get its caffeine fix and join in the revolution of its North African brothers and Levant rebels.

Former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi might have helped finance French President Nicolas Sarkozy's 2007 election campaign, a report published late Monday by the Guardian said.

Bashar al-Assad's Mother is deeply concerned for her Syrian dictator boy's fate, particularly in view of what happened to Gaddafi, or even Mubarak. Her answer? "If your father were still alive, we would not be in this mess."