The first-ever Abu Dhabi Media Summit is currently underway, and Rupert Murdoch, head honcho of News Corp., has set his lucrative little heart on the Middle East as the creative future of the media industry. News Corp. owns a slew of media properties, including MySpace - which hasn’t given us much lately, “Jihad Jane” aside - and, ironically, the region’s biggest media fan, Fox News.

Move over Apolo. Somebody else is getting ready to take center stage when it comes to athleticism based on awe-inspiring footwork and mind-numbing speed. Meet Pakistani sprinter Naseem Hameed, who is fast-becoming (pun most definitely intended) a force to be reckoned with on the international sprinting scene.

Last week, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton spoke at a forum at the all-women’s college Dar Al Hekma, in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, that showed her in the newly flattering light she has enjoyed since becoming an Obama CHANGE-ling.

The project, a collaboration between the Alliance for Justice in the Middle East at Harvard University and the MIT Center for Future Civic Media, was launched in response to the horrific Israeli attack on Gaza last December-January and the subsequent and ongoing siege on Palestinians living there. 

Remember when all President Barack Obama had to do to get the Nobel Peace Prize was step foot inside the White House?  Well, now the man already has a statue of himself - a bronze likeness of Obama as an eight-year-old boy. I thought there was an unspoken international rule about making statues for people - like that the person had to be at least 80 years old or something? I guess all the prizes and statues just seem a little preemptive to me. 

Long legs that seemingly extend for miles. Lush eyelashes concealing eyes that gaze right into your soul. Curves in all the right places. These are just a few of the attributes that judges looked for in a recent beauty pageant - the annual Al Dhafra Festival, held in Abu Dhabi exclusively for...er, camels. 

It’s a little known secret that the Muslim world has contributed greatly to the advancement of mankind. We recently told you about an exhibition in London that reveals just how much Muslims have contributed to the betterment of humanity throughout the ages and what a huge debt of gratitude the Islamic world is owed. Now that the exhibition is public, here’s the low-down on what exactly is on display. 

The world can now breathe a collective sigh of relief. By all appearances, Iran has put its nuclear ambitions on the back burner in favor of...wait for it...torturing small animals and insects by sending them into space. (Yes, it’s true). The new venture has sent shockwaves around the Animal Kingdom. Reports are in that even Simba and Bambi ducking for cover.

The Emirates are known for their larger than life buildings and excessive lifestyle, but they’re also big on preserving Arab culture through educational, foundational and award-based initiatives. One such initiative is the UN-backed Sharjah Prize for Arab Culture, which has been awarded annually since 2003. Set up by Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohamed Al-Qassimi of the Emirate of Sharjah, the prize recognizes exceptional work in promoting and developing Arab culture throughout the world. 

Maybe the reason why Tobey Maguire left the “Spiderman” franchise this year is because he realized he had nothing on Alain Roberts. Over the years, the infamous French “Spiderman” daredevil has risked life, limb and imprisonment to conquer some of the world’s tallest towers. The 47-year old Frenchman has scaled an impressive list of historical buildings including, the Sears Tower, the Empire State Building and Taipei 101. And now, he’s got his sights set on - what else? - the world’s tallest building.