As Dubai and Dubai-ens basked in the afterglow of the fantastic, and no-doubt-soon-to-be-infamous-for-their-sheer-over-the-top-splendour fireworks, this cool Canadian and her octagenarian mother dined on much more humble, but equally unforgettable fare: winter-barbecued fresh Atlantic salmon, steamed broccoli al dente, and small, lightly salted, yet at once succulently sweet, red potatos

One year ago this week violence erupted once again in Palestine. It continued unabated for weeks. Hundreds of people were killed. Thousands of homes were destroyed. Millions of lives were impacted.

Today, one year later, the living conditions in Palestine continue to be disastrous. It’s an ongoing tragedy.

And yet, there’s also hope.

Many women, in particular, refuse to accept the status

Susan notes: Carolyn Theriault is a Canadian expatriate currently living in Turkey. She's a prolific blogger, twitterer, and self-confessed "snark." She's also the author of Stealing Fatima's Hand, "an unforgettable collection of interconnected narratives presenting an alternative view of Morocco."

The following piece was originally published on Theriault's lively blog This Cat's Abroad. As a

Susan notes: US journalist, author, blogger and self-confessed “dove” Sara Davidson is in Afghanistan researching the views of Afghan women on the US military presence in their country, and more. Her blog posts are fascinating. In this, the fifth to date, she documents some of the paradoxical views she and her colleagues have discovered. Links to Davidson's blog and website are at the end of this

"But Susan," Fatma chided, "I couldn't find anything about YOU on your website."

I couldn't help but laugh at Fatma's reproach. Because almost everything on AWR is about me in some way.  

I choose, write and/or edit all the content (more than 1,000 individual articles to date!). Most of it is, in one way or another, a reflection of me, my views, my quirky sense of humour, my feelings, my

Twenty-nine-year-old communications professional and blogger Sara Refai has a Masters Degree in Social Psychology, and has worked with political analysis companies, conflict resolution organisations, and PR agencies over the last six years.   As part of the Lebanese diaspora, she has lived in both the Middle East and the West, where she's studied and learned about different cultures and how

The auditorium fell dead silent when Dr. Sunitha Krishnan stepped onto the stage at TED India on November 6. And Tedsters around the world, watching via a live stream webcast, were transfixed – or at least we were in Dubai!

The diminutive, soft-spoken, anti-trafficking crusader, who was gang-raped as a teenager, began her talk with the heart-wrenching stories of three children – Pranitha,

Journalist and camerawoman Margaret Moth is one of a kind.

No doubt. No argument. And definitely no tears.

Born Margaret Wilson, Moth changed her last name after asking herself what stopped her from having her own moniker rather than inheriting her father’s, or adopting a husband’s.

Her choice was inspired, she says, by a friend’s Tiger Moth plane, from which she frequently sky dived as

In February 2008, former nun and religious scholar Karen Armstrong shared a wish with the worldwide TED community.

(Scroll down to see and hear the amazingly eloquent, thoughtful and thought-provoking talk in which she made the wish.)

She asked “TEDsters” to help her assemble the Charter for Compassion, a document around which religious leaders can work together for peace.

 Armstrong's

This one speaks for itself:

Related links:
Pinkie Patti, Punkie & Pia's Peace Day Poem
International Day of Peace
Peace One Day
Listen Up Government of Iran: My Mom Has A Message For You!
My Mom Thinks It's Unfair. What Do You Think?
What Would You Say To A Victim Of Torture?
An 80th Birthday Tribute To My Mom Patti