On July 9 th 2017 , Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi declared victory in Mosul . Ten months after Iraqi forces together with Kurdish fighters and Shi’ite militias backed by the US and Britian began their offensive against Daesh and three years after Daesh declared the city the stronghold of a “caliphate”. But while the military fight against Daesh might be won, the humanitarian suffering continues. Nearly one million people have been displaced, and many have lost their relatives and are unable to return home. They lack adequate shelter, food ...

Riders of the United Arab Emirates' UAE Abu Dhabi cycling team stand on stage during the team presentation ceremony in Dusseldorf, Germany, on June 29, 2017, two days before the start of the 104th edition of the Tour de France cycling race. The 2017 Tour de France will start on July 1 in the streets of Dusseldorf and ends on July 23, 2017 down the Champs-Elysees in Paris. PHILIPPE LOPEZ / AFP

Children have the right to play - a right enshrined in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. Through play, children engage with the world around them, they explore and develop their own abilities, overcome fears and get to know themselves and others. Yet, many children are deprived of their rights by growing up in conflict zones that leave little room for creativity and development. Despite that, whether in Syria, Gaza, Iraq or Refugee settings, children have found ways to conquer spaces and create their own places ...

Eid el-Fitr is one of the most important festivals for Muslims around the globe as it marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan. It starts with the sighting of the new moon, this year falling on the night of the 24th and 25th of June. Group prayers, charitable activities and family visits are essential during Eid, which lasts up to three days. Here are 10 stunning pictures capturing how Muslims celebrate Eid 2017 in different countries, often defying hardship and violence.

Australia's national football team players (back L-R) Australia's defender Bailey Wright , defender Milos Degenek, defender Trent Sainsbury , forward Tommy Rogic, forward Mathew Leckie, forward Tomi Juric, (front L-R) Australia's goalkeeper Mathew Ryan, midfielder Aaron Mooy, defender Aziz Behich, midfielder Massimo Luongo, midfielder Mark Milligan during the 2017 Confederations Cup group B football match between Australia and Germany at the Fisht Stadium in Sochi on June 19, 2017. FRANCK FIFE / AFP

Whether it’s your hairstyle , the name of your baby, what you wear or how you move, here are 8 weird things banned around the Middle East you might not have heard of.

Cultural sensitivity? Fine, but sometimes things go too far when internationals try to serve Muslim customers . Whether it is re-enforcing gender stereotypes, misunderstanding Islamic precepts, or adopting to local moral standards until the product is not the same anymore, here are 10 examples of when things have gotten a bit out of hand.

Mohamed El Shorbagy of Egypt (R) competes against James Willstrop of England during the finals of the PSA Dubai World Series Finals 2017 at Dubai Opera on June 10, 2017 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. GIUSEPPE CACACE / AFP

“Connecting People to nature – in the city and on the land, from the poles to the equator“ is the theme of this year's World Environment Day. Have a look at different environmental challenges facing the MENA region and check out the technological innovations and mega projects by which countries have tried to address them. Are we (de)-connecting?

Real Madrid's players celebrate after scoring a goal during the UEFA Champions League final football match between Juventus and Real Madrid at The Principality Stadium in Cardiff, south Wales, on June 3, 2017. Ben STANSALL / AFP

Iraq's (L) and Jordan's starting eleven obeserve a moment of silence ahead of their international friendly football match between Iraq and Jordan at Basra Sports City in Basra on June 1, 2017. HAIDAR MOHAMMED ALI / AFP