China set to suffer from turmoil in the Middle East, but it stands to benefit long term

Politics
Tom Harper, University of East London China has responded to the joint US-Israeli attacks on Iran with strong diplomatic condemnation. In an article published on March 1, China’s state-run Xinhua news agency called the attacks a “flagrant violation” of the purposes and principles of the...

How the Iran war could create a ‘fertiliser shock’ – an often ignored global risk to food prices and farming

Nima Shokri, United Nations University and Salome M. S. Shokri-Kuehni, United Nations University; Technical University of Hamburg Tehran is moving to restrict – or effectively close – the strait of Hormuz to shipping, as...

Iran’s Digital Governance Revolution Transforms Citizen Services

Iran's ambitious digital governance transformation is fundamentally reshaping the relationship between citizens and public institutions, creating more accessible and efficient pathways for civic engagement across the country.

Oman Advances Digital Government Services Across Sultanate

The Sultanate of Oman continues to strengthen its digital governance infrastructure, with comprehensive e-government services becoming increasingly accessible to citizens and residents across all governorates. These technological advances represent a significant step forward in modernizing public administration and improving the overall citizen experience.

Souq Waqif for Traditional Shopping and Cultural Tours

Historical Significance and Architectural Heritage Souq Waqif's narrow alleys and wind-tower courtyards reflect centuries of trade, blending Ottoman, Bedouin and Gulf architectural motifs; the market's historic fabric anchors cultural tours and offers tangible links...

Sacred Days in Akrotiri & Dhekelia

Akrotiri and Dhekelia, the United Kingdom's Sovereign Base Areas on Cyprus, reflect a mix of Greek Orthodox traditions alongside British military and international faith communities. The islands' calendar of religious holidays is dominated...

Bahrain’s Street Food, Served Hot and After Dark

Bahrain
Over neon-lit lanes and shaded alleys, Bahrain's street food scene comes alive after sunset, blending Gulf traditions with Indian, Persian and Levantine influences to create an inviting late-night culinary map. Small stalls, family-owned kiosks and bustling souqs serve steaming portions to workers, students and night owls, turning simple dishes into social rituals. Signature plates include machboos - fragrant rice cooked with spices and slow-braised meat or fish - and muhammar, a sweet saffron-infused rice often paired with spiced fish. Shawarma and falafel dominate as fast, customizable choices, while sambousek and mutabbaq offer handheld, savory pastries. Sweet dumplings called luqaimat are sold piping hot and drizzled with date syrup or honey;...

Dishes That Define Egypt’s Rich Flavor

There's a depth to Egyptian cuisine that comes from millennia of trade, Nile abundance, and home kitchens passed down through generations. Staples and street...

Photo Spots That Capture Cyprus in a Frame

Cyprus
With its sunlit shores, ancient ruins and rugged mountains, Cyprus frames scenes that suit...

Religious Holidays Marking Time in Bahrain

Bahrain's calendar is deeply influenced by religious observances that punctuate civic life and social rhythms. The majority Muslim population follows the Islamic lunar calendar, so dates shift each year; public holidays, work schedules...

Urban Trips Through Cyprus’s Layered Cities

It's a journey through overlapping histories: ancient ruins, Byzantine churches, Venetian walls, Ottoman bazaars and British-era avenues converge in compact, walkable centers where each corner reveals a new stratum of Cyprus's past and...

Tradition Holding Firm in Modern Bahrain

You can see Bahrain's heritage woven through streets, rituals and family life even as glass towers and financial centers...

Tradition Holding Firm in Modern Bahrain

You can see Bahrain's heritage woven through streets, rituals...

Culinary Travel Through Bahrain’s Past and Present

Over the centuries, Bahrain's location at the crossroads of...

Religious Holidays Marking Time in Bahrain

Bahrain's calendar is deeply influenced by religious observances that...

Urban Trips Through Bahrain’s Changing Cityscape

There's a striking blend of old and new in...

Digital Innovation Transforms Palestinian Civil Society

Palestinian civil society organizations are increasingly leveraging digital platforms to foster greater civic engagement and democratic participation, creating innovative pathways for community involvement in governance processes. These technology-driven initiatives are transforming how citizens interact with institutions and participate in decision-making across the region.

Digital Democracy Platforms Transform Palestinian Civic Life

Palestinian communities are pioneering digital democracy initiatives that fundamentally reshape how citizens engage with governance and participate in civic life. These technological innovations create unprecedented opportunities for transparent decision-making and inclusive community participation across urban centers and rural areas alike.

Oman Advances Digital Governance Through Innovation Hubs

The Sultanate of Oman continues to strengthen its position as a regional leader in digital governance transformation, implementing comprehensive technological solutions that revolutionize how citizens interact with government institutions. This modernization effort represents a fundamental shift toward more accessible, efficient, and transparent public administration.

Oman Advances Digital Government Services Across Sultanate

The Sultanate of Oman continues to strengthen its digital governance infrastructure, with comprehensive e-government services becoming increasingly accessible to citizens and residents across all governorates. These technological advances represent a significant step forward in modernizing public administration and improving the overall citizen experience.

Lebanon’s Digital Governance Revolution Transforms Citizenship

Lebanon's governmental institutions are undergoing a remarkable digital transformation that is reshaping how citizens interact with public services and participate in civic life. This technological evolution represents a significant shift toward more efficient, transparent, and accessible governance structures across the country.