Current Affairs

Recent Episodes

Inside The Middle East

SHOW #75

Hosted by NEW HOST Rima Maktabi from Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt

HARLEYS IN SINAI
Engines roaring and adrenaline pumping: over 160 Harley Davidsons cruised through the deserts and mountains of southern Sinai. Egypt's first international H.O.G. rally brought together bikers from all over the Middle East and a handful of Europeans. Bankers, teachers and diamond dealers exchanged business suits for leather jackets and bandanas - and took us along for the spectacular 500 km ride.

EMIRATI NORTH POLE PIONEER
27-year-old Elham Al Qasimi is en route to becoming the first Arab woman to trek to the North Pole. Challenging herself to escape her "comfort zone" and witness the extremes of nature, this Emirati has spent months training herself "physically, mentally and spiritually." On her final training session in the French Alps, Al Qasimi shares her thoughts in an exclusive video diary as she prepares for the big day.

SANTANA IN ARABIA
All eyes were on Dubai for the world's richest horse race, the Dubai World Cup, at the newly inaugurated multi-billion dollar Meydan race track. This event also drew in big names in entertainment, including rock legend Carlos Santana. Tracey Holmes went backstage.

CAMEL TREKKING
A camel caravan walking through the Sahara at sunset...it is one of the most cliché images of the Middle East. But in Tunisia this traditional mode of desert transport is at the core of a trend of eco-friendly alternative tourism. Ben Wedeman takes us along on this no-frills escape from modern life.