Jordan investigate violence at a football match left 250 people injured including dozens of police. After the match between two fierce rivals al-Wehdat and al-Feisali at Qawasmeh stadium in the capital, Amman, some fans were hit by stones as they tried to leave. Dozens were hurt when a metal fence separating them from the playing field crashed. Supporters of the al-Feisali come from Bedouin clans while al-Wehdat is backed by Palestinian refugees. Bb... Read more »

Sharks of different species are behind a series of attacks on swimmers at Egypt's resort of Sharm el-Sheikh, according to US investigators. Marine biologist George Burgess said a single shark couldn’t carry out spate of attacks cause it was highly unusual. A German woman was killed and four people from Russia and the Ukraine injured in last week's attacks. The Egyptian authorities are highly concerned about the impact on tourism to the country which is very... Read more »

Egyptian authorities have been release a prominent blogger who was imprisoned for four years for insulting Islam and defaming President Hosni Mubarak. Human rights activists had campaigned for him to be freed. The Arabic Network for Human Rights Information (ANHRI), which represented the blogger in court, said he was beaten by security officers in Alexandria prison before his release on Tuesday. His health is estimated as bad. Bbc.co.uk.

Near two million Muslim pilgrims in Mecca perform the final rituals of the hajj (pilgrimage) by casting pebbles at three stelas representing Satan. Meanwhile Muslims around the world celebrate the Eid al-Adha holiday. Saudi authorities recently expanded a giant ramp from which pilgrims cast pebbles to avoid crowding. In 2006 heavy traffic, crushes and pileups resulted in hundreds dead. The stoning marks Abraham's three rejections of the devil's temp... Read more »

Many Mauritanian women now insist on a being the only wife and stipulate this rule as a prerequisite before marriage. For many families, this restriction has become one of the most important conditions while discussing marriage details with a suitor. They really believe it is the key to their daughter’s happiness. Women call for including the condition in the prenuptial agreement that prevents the husband from keeping a previous wife or taking a new... Read more »

One of the United Arab Emirates Abu Dhabi, has invited tenders for the building of its own branch of the famous Guggenheim museum. The construction is a part of its plan to become a cultural tourism destination in the Middle East. The Tourism Development and Investment Company, a state body, called on contractors who meet its criteria of having an experience in completing five projects over the past three years in the United Arab Emirates, each worth more t... Read more »

A recent study by Center Jacques Berque for the Development of Human and Social Sciences (CJB) revealed that Morocco is no longer the bridge to Europe for African migrants, but now a destination for Sub-Saharan workers who seek stability and jobs. According to the report, most African immigrants decide to settle in Morocco after failed attempts to cross to Europe. They find better economic conditions in Morocco and also jobs mainly in the constructi... Read more »

According to Human rights watch report, Saudis have become freer in the 86-year-old King Abdullah's reign but human rights remain far from institutionalised and too dependent on political change. "Should his enthusiasm for reform wane, or successors tread more conservative paths, his legacy would be one of a brief respite of fresh air, but not one of institutional reform," middle-east-online.com quotes the report as saying. The king's reforms have l... Read more »

Baghdad's National Museum reopened in 2009 has again closed this time for renovation. "We plan to rehabilitate the galleries, strengthen security measures and install new lighting and air conditioning systems," middle-east-online.com quotes museum director Amira Edan, as saying. The museum contains the most impressive collections of historical artefacts in the world. Among them two stone winged bulls, which each weigh 38 tonnes, and the murals depic... Read more »

Officials of the International Federation of Football Association (FIFA) started a tour of the bidding nations for 2018 and 2022 tournaments. Doha, Qatar’s capital is the last stop of the Fifa World Cup inspection team. Qatar has been trying to persuade the decision makers that it can be the perfect host for the 2022 World Cup, the first in the Middle East. However, it is the summer heat in Qatar that presents a major problem to the bidding nation. ... Read more »