Each country serves its own selection of traditional drinks, some being seasonally rotating, and the Middle East is no different. But when it comes to frosty winters in the otherwise sunny strongholds - did someone say “Huda”? - Arabs have just the right winter-warmers to get your temperatures and moods soaring. Comfort zone hot drink cosy classics The entire Levant and much of the Middle East has been cooped up at home with the arrival of snow storm “Huda,” which, as well as sending temperatures plunging well below seasonal averages ...

What’s tall, blonde, and athletic? Well, camels might not be the first thing that springs to mind, but this humped animal is pretty much the face of desert life across the Arab world. Camels have been hard at work sustaining the Bedouin lifestyle for thousands of years. As a mode of transportation, a source of food, and a sign of status and wealth, camels have some serious responsibilities. But they’re good for more than just the practical stuff. Actually, they've got some wild tricks up their hoofs! Can you knock ...

Snow (and Mia Khalifa ) have been keeping the Middle East busy - in two radically different ways - while one is logging record cold temperatures the other is raising the heat - as storms wreaked havoc across the region this week. Nonetheless, kids and adults alike are somewhat enjoying being snowed-in, as shops, schools and roads have shut down in most areas, effectively paralyzing much of the sleepy region. Still, while many are singing “Let it snow” while cosied up in their warm robes with chestnuts roasting on the ...

Lebanon has no king, and for now no president either, but today it boasts a queen - and we’re not talking Amal Clooney (despite those irresistible rumors that her hubby may run for US President ). Lebanese-born Mia Khalifa (not her real name) is the newly crowned Queen of Porn thanks to her popular performances on the world’s most-visited adult video site, PornHub. The Miami-based star made her debut in October 2014 and quickly become a favorite among adult film fans, but now she’s being bombarded with death threats and ...

Garcia backs calls for goal-line technology

For some, it was love at first box jump. For others, it took a few more burpees and thrusters to get over the fear factor of this intense sport. But, somehow, WOD (workout of the day) after sweat-drenching WOD, thousands around the region are forcing themselves out of bed or office chair and to the gym for this hardcore, elite form of fitness. And you know what? They’re healthier, happier, and have a stronger sense of community because of it. CrossFit has long been an addiction in the West, but ...

With 2014 winding down, it’s time to look back (if you dare) at AlBawaba’s 14 wackiest stories of the year. We have militant wannabes too fat for ISIL, drunk Saudi tourists, halal hookers and Israeli spies in the bathroom. Throw in an unhealthy dose of bestiality, and it’s been a year to forget as quickly as we possibly can. 1. Just what Bin Laden always wanted for Christmas: "Gingerbottabad" exact replica of Osama's compound 2. Lardass ISIL? Australian brothers too fat to join militant group, family says 3. Islamic State ...