Though 17 months of falling oil prices may not be great for the economies of Middle Eastern countries, it does mean that Arabs are driving more than ever. And when it comes to cars, Arabs know what they like: 4-wheel drive, easy to find parts, and powerful AC for that desert heat. From the classy BMW Series 3 to the gas-guzzling Toyota Land Cruiser, here are the cars that MENA citizens like best.

New years are synonomous with resolutions, ambitious lists of optimistic goals targeted at an improved state of being. Why should regions be exempt from an annual wish list? Will the Middle East resolve to make big changes in 2016 or opt for that other hallmark of a new year - explosive fireworks? Here are key stories in the year ahead that have global impacts. Volatile oil prices , a refugee stampede, climate change , and t he age-old schism between Shia and Sunni Muslims each contributes to destabilizing the region ...

Spanish player Rafael Nadal (L) poses with his winning trophy next to UAE Sports and Youth Minister Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak al-Nahyan after beating Canadian player Milos Raonic in the final match of the Mubadala World Tennis Championship in Abu Dhabi on January 2, 2016. AFP PHOTO / MARWAN NAAMANI

It’s been quite a year for the Middle East, with Daesh becoming further entrenched in Syria and Iraq, a massive refugee crisis destabilizing the region, and a new Palestinian intifada trying once again to shake off the Israeli yoke. Here are 11 of the most powerful images from 2015 that show major events in the Middle East, and how they’ve affected the rest of the world.

New York's Times Square may be synonymous with New Year's Eve , but that's a mostly Western construct. Muslim countries emphasize instead the arrival of the Hijri New Year based on a lunar calendar, marking each new Islamic year. But all the world loves a party, and increasingly, the Middle East has been ringing in the first day of the Gregorian calendar more spectacularly than Europe or North America with posh parties or private events in pristine nature. Let's leave Times Square to Donald Trump. Come countdown MENA-style . And ...

Messi attends the 10th Dubai International Sports Conference

Unfortunately, there’s no legit crystal ball to give us a heads up of the dreams that will come true or the drama that will unfold in the following year, but based on our insight into the Arab celebosphere, Al Bawaba can pretty well guess some possible scenarios that will play out in 2016. Spoiler alert: babies will be born, songs will be sung, films will be made, and somebody's going to space. Consider yourself warned. Enjoy this tongue and cheek attempt at playing Claire Voyant for our Arab stars. Happy ...

We’ve made a list, checked it twice, and found out which Arab celebrities have been naughty and nice. With Christmas Eve being the busiest night of Santa’s year, delivering presents to good boys and girls all across the globe, we’ve saved Jolly Old Saint Nick the trouble of going through his Book of Names by giving him a list of the Arab celebs who should get a full stocking and those that are better left with just a lump of coal. While some like Mohammad Assaf have been collecting good ...

In July, Pope Francis called the persecution of Christians in the Middle East “a form of genocide.” The plight of Christians in Iraq and Syria has been well-documented in the media since ISIS seized a massive swath of both countries last year, but harassment and violence against Christians occurs all over the Muslim world. This Christmas, don't forget about these persecuted Christian groups.