The Middle East is a safe haven for smokers. Whether that be in taxis, supermarkets or even the doctor’s office - yep, no smokescreen there, we ain’t kidding you! So implementing a ban might set off a few angry smoke detectors in the form of grumpy puffers! Shisha and smoking have become an important part of Arab culture. Those opposed to the ban insist that businesses will be negatively-affected , while the pro-ban (healthy, party poopers) brigade want some fresh air without those nasty “cancer sticks” in their faces all ...

From trivial to triumphant - the (not so) humble selfie in the Middle East is a force to be reckoned with . Selfies have certainly taken the world by storm and the Middle East is no exception. In fact, MENA might just be home to the next selfie-crazed capital in the world! From selfie-apps that allow users to snap photos with Egypt’s Sisi to selfies for a cause in Tunisia, this-shall we say vain!-trend is here to stay. Take a look at some of the craziest selfies from around the ...

Pope Francis is blowing through the Holy Land on a whirlwind whistlestop tour as he visits Jordan, Israel, and Palestine from May 24-26, offering many of us a first-hand view of the man who became leader to the world’s 1.2 billion Catholics in March 2013. His visit comes near the the 50th anniversary of Pope Paul VI’s visit to the Middle East. On Saturday, his Holiness flew in on a chartered Alitalia flight into Amman’s Queen Alia International Airport - (no fancy-pants private jet for him!). Following a royal arrival ...

She may have moved away from Beirut during the civil war but Amal Alamuddin still has a strong sense of Lebanese identity. When news broke that the London-based human rights lawyer had said “yes!” to a proposal of marriage from Hollywood’s most famous bachelor George Clooney, the Levant lost it. With tweets offering Clooney the role of president pouring in and proud Lebanese saying the engagement asserted their country’s excellence, it was clear that this match would be one made in heaven - no, we’re not talking about George and ...