Middle East Democracy Index 2011

The Economists magazine has released its Democracy Index for 2011 report. It is a comprehensive assessment for 165 independent countries plus 2 territories. Below, from the same report, is a screenshot of the Economist's Comparative data for the Middle East and North Africa:

Socotra's Amazing Sea and Beaches

Soqotra

Soqotra: an island with the most turquoise and very clear sea and water all around that you can imagine; so clear that you can see fish swimming underneath your boat. An island with the most pristine, magnificent and the most beautiful beaches you can imagine; and without people on them. In the sea, there are many varieties of fish and animals, including dolphins and turtles. From November to March, the sea around the Island becomes treacherous and dangerous due to the blowing Monsoon. The best weather on the Island, is between March and May.

Book of Note: Passionate Nomad

She lived a very long, adventurous life. Born in Paris, of English-Italian descent, by the time Freya Stark died in May 1993 at age 100 - she was a Dame of the British Empire and world famous. Famous for cartography, but most of all - she was well known and celebrated worldwide, particularly due to her travels and experiences in the Middle East; mainly due to her adventurous journeys through Hadhramaut.

Happy Birthday Muhammad Ali

Muhammad Ali is seventy! Not only is he the Greatest boxer and sportsman of all time; not only is he one of the most recognizable personalities on Earth, Muhammad Ali has been one of the most active African-American campaigners ever. Mainly, two things drove Ali's life and activism: his being a Muslim and his being Black. A woman once said to him, "Why are you always throwing your blackness at us?" Muhammad Ali replied, "Why are you always throwing your whiteness at me? Take that white Jesus off the wall. I know a lot of black women who are prettier than these white Miss Americas. And how come devil's food cake is black and angel food cake is white?"

And he once stated: "I've done wrestled with an alligator. That's right! I've wrestled an alligator. I've tussled with a whale. I handcuffed lightning. Thrown thunder in jail. That's bad! Only last week, I murdered a rock. Injured a stone. Hospitalized a brick. I'm so mean I make medicine sick!". That is Ali. For some, he is outrageous. For millions - he is Outspoken. And for millions, he is: a People's Champion, a Legend, an Icon, a Symbol, a Role Model and one of the Greatest African-American Revolutionaries and Inspirations  ever. Happy Birthday Muhammad Ali!

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Photo: AskMen