Here at Waq al-waq we like to pride ourselves on our gravitas and serious attention to detail and historical fact – except of course when we are talking about swords ( al-Tahara, anyone?) or the mysterious islands in the third see beyond China that inspired our name (Tarikh yaqub). But beyond that we like to be serious.

Still, there are sometimes when, try as we might, we just can’t help laughing at the news. Today had one of those moments: featuring a Yemeni volleyball team, scantily clad cheerleaders and, uh, difficulties concentrating.