Global Voices Online

Egypt-based blogger Issandr El Amrani selects a few essential readings here, where he links to articles of interest to his readers including one about how some Iraqi refugees are turning to the sex trade in Syria and the uproar an agreement to send 120,000 Egyptian housemaids to Saudi Arabia has caused.

Recent Links also in Middle East & North Africa

bint battuta in bahrain introduces her readers to two detective novels - Vendetta by Michael Dibdin and The Winter Queen by Boris Akunin, which she has just finished from reading.

Bahrain fashion blogger Aysha remembers Michael Jackson's style: “From his staple sequin white glove to his sequin socks, and his many sequin military jackets, MJ helped remind us that fashion is not only about following trends but creating them too.”

Dr. Mona Elfarra writes: “The number of patients who have died because they were not allowed to seek medical care outside of Gaza has surpassed 400. As a response to the deteriorating health situation, the Red Crescent Society recognizes the importance of adding an MRI machine to its diagnostic center in Gaza.” Find out how you can help here.