culture
Is Tunisian culture under threat from Islamists?
Hardliners ejected from Saudi book fair following shock outburst
Traditional coca leaf: medicine or menace?
Maymand, the prehistoric Iranian village
A small village in the south of Iran has been suspended in time for thousands of years. Read more and see the photos...
What remains of old Beirut
Most of Beirut's old buildings have already been lost to war. But today, the Lebanese capital's remaining architectural heritage is up against a new enemy: developers. Read more...
Arabic – a dying language?
Where French kissing and wearing a thong can land you in prison
A British woman was deported from Dubai on Friday for allegedly kissing a man on the mouth in public - a harsh reminder to the two million expats living in Dubai that a kiss can land them in prison. Read more...
Saudi Arabia's "Miss Camel" contestants accused of fame seeking
Saudi Arabia will crown its most beautiful camel on Thursday. But what was once a local custom for desert-based camel breeders, has transformed into a money-driven competition for city-based business owners, turning beautiful camels into goldmines, and the businessmen into celebrities. Read more...
Traditional pearl diving in the Gulf is making a comeback
Due to the dominance of oil, diving for pearls as an industry was left by the wayside, but in recent years this traditional skill has been making a comeback. Our Kuwaiti observer takes us off shore with these treasure hunters. Read more...
