I t looks like Palestinians and Israelis are experiencing deja vu all over again with the Jewish state’s recent invasion of the densely populated Gaza Strip. It’s the third time Israel has bombed Gaza in the last five years, but as Mark Twain would say: “History doesn’t repeat itself, but it does rhyme”. With Operation Cast Lead in late 2008 followed by 2012’s Operation Pillar of Defense, will the latest Operation Protective Edge be the same conflict, warmer weather? Ever since Hamas seized power in 2007, Israel blockaded the Strip ...

Does a # look like a waffle to you? If the answer is yes, then you officially have a #RamadanProblem! Join the rest of the world and harangue your hunger on Instagram, Twitter or Vine. To give you inspiration, check out our pick of the best #RamadanProblems (warning: may cause severe hunger). We say Ramadan Kareem with this more light-hearted look at the holy month to help you while away the hours to Iftar. Tick tock….

There are more ways than one to skip the fasting this Ramadan if you're so-inclined to opt out of the Holy Month's hunger habit. Ramadan isn’t as easy as ABC, especially for non-practising Muslims who prefer to pick n mix while living it up on the wild side for the other 11 “free” months of the year, away from the religious rigmarole that preside over this holy month. But for the arguably lucky some, there are actually many legitimate excuses which can get you off the hook during the month ...