Blogs Roundup

February 27, 2013

Terror strikes in Luxor, Egypt as 18 tourists die in the worst hot air balloon accident in Egyptian history. (image courtesy of 2oceansvibe)
Video of Balloon Crash in Egypt: 18 tourists and 1 Egyptian dead
10:00 GMT
As the ballon shuttles down in flames, those watching can only pray to God and cry, "Why?"; where do the 25 million in Saudi get thier food? Scuds killed 71 Aleppo children last week; and the quote abuse on the Internet has to stop.
Recognizing and/or labeling people as 'Liberal' in Lebanon is not so black and white. (image courtesy of crispme)
'Secular' and 'Liberal' are not black and white terms in Lebanon
04:00 GMT
Why it is wrong to reserve the words “secular” and “liberal” for people who are outside the Lebanese political system; “Argo” as Orientalism and why it upsets Iranians; President Mohammed Morsi losing fans; and a cool map of Arabic dialects.

February 26, 2013

The ultimate red card for any football player is a lifetime ban. Two Lebanese players got carded. (image courtesy of epl talk)
Banned for Life: Lebanese football players involved in scandal done
11:26 GMT
After the discovery of something gone awry in Lebanese football, 24 players turned out to be involved. Two of them will banned for life; Easy TV Subtitles via Google Translate! and Egypt’s first dedicated e-commerce training program launched.
Most two year anniversaries are exciting. For the Shiites in Bahrain, it is exasperating.
The Bahraini Opposition: Two Years of Protests and Holding
04:00 GMT
Last week saw the commemoration by the opposition in Bahrain of the 2nd anniversary of its protests, demanding a move toward constitutional monarchy and rights for the Shiite majority; how to help Syria; and helpful tips to make a honeymoon sweet.

February 25, 2013

Syrian actor Yassin Bakoush was killed by a targeted strike in Syria while in his car.
Final Curtain Call: Actor Yassin Bakoush killed in Syria
09:10 GMT
Perhaps one of the most well known actors from Damascus, Yassin Bakoush was targeted inside his car and killed today in Syria; Palestinian prisoner Jaradat dies in Israeli cell; 100+ things to know before marriage; and the all new Beirut Social Media Awards.
Albawaba wants to keep the Egyptians' voice-piece alive and well-- support the Egypt Independent.
The peoples' media source 'Egypt Independent' needs your help
04:00 GMT
Even the boldest and brightest voice of the people in Egypt needs more than just passion and good will to keep the presses printing; the Harlem Shake appears in Jeddah; and Arabs in Jordan celebrate films, long for citizenship and call out misappropriated NGO funds.

February 24, 2013

Some of this year's Leading Male Actor nominees look like they're straight from the caves of Afghanistan. (image courtesy of www.hindustantimes.com )
"And the Oscar goes to.." Make your picks for tonight's 85th Academy Awards
10:11 GMT
A Lebanese blogger says this year's Academy Awards are anyone's for the picking. He gives his favorites and challenges the reader to guess as well; KSA goes green-- kind of; civil marriage is still not seen as such in Lebanon; and Tripoli's hospital gets an armed guest.
A house divided cannot stand, so the Christian minorities in Egypt are finally coming together.
Crossing Paths: Christians in Egypt create the Egyptian Council of Churches
04:00 GMT
Heads of the five largest denominations – Coptic Orthodox, Catholic, Protestant, Greek Orthodox, and Anglican – created the Egyptian Council of Churches; Russia, U.S. and “Friends” get SNC slap in the face; and Yanni is coming to Lebanon.

February 23, 2013

While most rich Gulf countries are not welcoming the MENAs refugees, Jordan's King Abdullah says, 'Come and rest in Jordan."
Jordan has always been the Levante's safe haven
07:25 GMT
Jordan became THE HUB for its war torn neighboring countries. Many of them, Iraqis and now Syrians, settle in Jordan, whose hospitality was and will forever be a safe haven for refugees; Syrian opposition says Assad out of any deal; and Tunisia - a nation in mourning.

February 21, 2013

A slight by Amanpour has Saudi Princess Basmah a little miffed.
Saudi Princesses being played against each other by CNN
11:00 GMT
"What really matters at the end is authenticity, not glamour or Amanpour! " This is one of many tweets from the princess who was bumped from CNN for another; Port Said is heating up fast; the week Lebanon went secular; and a fake Hezbullah fighter gives an interview.
American households are feeling a pinch this winter on gas prices, but do they know who to blame?
U.S. sanctions on Iran increasing petrol prices; Israel lobby muzzles media
06:42 GMT
Why American news sources cover up the effect of the US war on Iranian petroleum exports in keeping world oil and gasoline prices high is baffling to most analysts; now Tunisia has assassinations trending; and torture returns to Egypt.

February 20, 2013

Instead of petitioning for Shari'ah, Egyptian Jihadists are fighting for it across borders.
Egyptian Jihadists are sneaking across borders to fight in Syria
10:00 GMT
Egyptians are going to Syria to fight with the hope of establishing Sharia law-"I believe there should be national security fears and the public should fear. "; Saudi feminism in the social realm; Palestinians, Israelis clash at solidarity strike; and Table Tennis at the Kuwait Open
If Shiite Iran gets the bomb, than their Sunna neighbors may feel threatened.
A nuclear Iran could lead to an atomic Kingdom, but doubtful
04:00 GMT
If Iran gets a nuclear weapon, will it set off a cascade of unmanageable nuclear proliferation in the Gulf? Not necessarily; Morsi is more Yeltsin than Putin; debate over death and suffering in Syria; and Lebanon’s real persecuted minority.

February 19, 2013

Syria is worse than Iraq was 10 years ago.
Baghdad in 2003 was better off than Damascus in 2013
10:27 GMT
The area is more vulnerable than it was prior to the removal of Saddam Hussein. In Baghdad, America was spontaneous and determined. In Damascus, America is listless, hesitant and soft; KSA fights obesity; The good and bad of Argo; and more MPs for Lebanon.
Who is pumping out gas to their citizens at the best rates? One clue-- it is not Saudi Arabia.
Cheapest gas prices in the world are NOT in Saudi Arabia
04:00 GMT
See this top ten list of the cheapest countries in the world to buy gasoline. The biggest shocker is that the KSA is now in seocnd place. See who's first! Is Islam by Nature Political? Debating Jordan's challenges; and a letter from Richard Dawkins to his daughter.