Page 224 – Green Prophet

Running on empty – Israel’s deteriorating water crisis

Cities
Tech

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February 13, 2018

Running on empty – Israel’s deteriorating water crisis

Having adequate fresh water supplies in most of the Middle East has always been a serious issue. This includes ideas like dragging an iceberg from Antarctica to the Arab Gulf for drinking water. More practical fresh water procurement projects involve the use of massive desalination plants, such as those in Saudi Arabia

Another Mid East country, Israel, has pioneered the development and use of reverse osmosis desalination plants. Israel now has six of these plants in operation, with two more scheduled to go “online”. The current gravity of Israel’s worsening water crisis was dramatized recently on Israel’s Channel 12 TV news:

The lack of fresh drinking water has become so dire, according to the news program, that much of the country is in serious danger of running out of drinking water within the next few years. Yuval Steinitz, Israel’s Minister of Energy and Water Resources, told Channel 12 that the country’s current water crises in “very very grave; the worse in more than 100 years”. Most of Israel’s drinking water supplies are being supplied by the network of desalination plants along the country’s Mediterranean coastline; including the Sorek Desalination Plant (photo).

Ms. Hila Gil, head of the desalination department for the Israel Water Authority, told Channel 12 that even with present desalination plants operating at full capacity, there will still not be enough fresh water to supply the entire country’s needs. “In 2006, around 100 million cubic meters of fresh water was being supplied by desalination. Now, as of the end of 2017, this amount has increased to more than 585 million cubic meters. In other words, around 85% of Israel’s fresh water needs are being supplied by desalination”, she said.

Israel’s fresh water shortage has been aggrivated by a long term drought that has been ongoing for more than 5 years. This has resulted in the country’s main land based water source, Lake Kinneret, being so depleted that “islands ” of dry land are now appearing in it. Geora Shaham, Manager of the Israel Water Authority, told Channel 12 that he fears that soon there will not be enough drinking water for many parts of the country, especially the northen areas. “Except for what we get from the sea (via desalination) there is simply not enough water available in many locations for agriculture and for drinking.”

The current situation in Israel is being compared with locations like Cyprus and Capetown South Africa, where fresh water is being strictly rationed and water taps are virtually dry most of the time. Government authorities are saying that the next major war may well be fought over water supplies.

Israel assisted nearby Cyprus to construct desalination plants after the island country began to experience critical fresh water shortages nearly a decade ago. Despite this, Cyprus is still in the midst of a very critical fresh water shortage with people living there barely getting any fresh tap water and having to rely on chemical products for washing and cleaning. Neighboring Jordan is also in the midst of a critical water crises; with fresh water being supplied only for an hour or two daily.

Desalination is a very expensive method of getting fresh water; especially from an energy comsumption basis, says desalination head Hila Gil. “We have to make sure the desalination plants are running properly, as they are now our main source of fresh water” she says. Besides Israel, many other countries are heavily dependent on desalination to get needed fresh water. This situation is bound to increase signifially in the years to come.

Read more on water issues and desalination in Israel and elsewhere in the Middle East:

Arab gulf to drag iceberg from Antarctica for drinking water

Cyprus gets new desalination plant with Mekorot Israel’s know how

Water and Israel – the Facts

Photo of island in the Kinneret. by Breaking Israel News

Photo of Sorek Desalination Plant by Water Technology

How to improve your skin health In 7 Days

Beauty

Bhok Thompson

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February 13, 2018

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How to improve your skin health In 7 Days

Whether you meet someone for the first or 100^th time, you will want to leave a lasting impression. One of the best ways to do this is to ensure your skin is healthy and glowing. Since the first thing people see when they meet you is your face, it is crucial that it is blemish-free. There are several hygienic techniques, products and treatments that have shown to be very effective in reducing wrinkles, blackheads, age spots and acne scars. Below, you will discover exactly what these are so you can get started immediately improving your appearance.

UV Protection

The sunlight is extremely harsh on skin. Not only will the sunlight dry out your skin and make you look older, but also its UV rays will put you at risk of developing skin cancer. The best and only way to protect your skin is to utilize lotions and sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15. These protects will keep your skin moist and protected from the harsh UV rays, even if you spend hours basking in the sun.

Routine Facial Massages

Massages offer an array of health benefits, including both mental and physical. While you enjoy having your body massaged, you should also consider getting a facial massage. The kneading and rubbing techniques will not only reduce tension wrinkles, but also increase the oxygen and blood flow to the face. The therapist will massage the soft lines around the eyes, brows and mouth, as well as the forehead. You will looking stunning and feel like a million bucks at the completion of the massage.

If you are living on a strict budget and cannot afford a professional massage, you should consider investing in the best face massage tool. Only a 10-minute massage will transform your tired, aging face into a beautiful, glowing and healthy appearance.

Considering The Water That You Are Using

Everyone automatically assumes that washing their face is something that is helping them in the long run. Of course, washing your face is much better than not washing it, but what you might not realize is that the water you are using to wash your face could actually be doing more harm than good. For instance, soft water is not really known for completely removing soap and other harmful agents from your face. If you live in an area where the water is soft, you need to make sure that you are taking advantage of facial cleansers. However, you also want to use the cleanser wisely, as these products could also dry out your skin and cause more damage. To avoid dryness caused by bar soaps, hydrate your skin using natural and safe goat soaps, which have organic ingredients.

If you live in an area where the water is hard, you have probably noticed that the soap doesn’t lather very easily. Unfortunately, this has probably prompted you to use more and more cleanser, which just completely dries your skin out. Taking advantage of gentle, non-soap formulas can be the perfect solution to this problem, as these products are designed to clean without lathering.

Be Cautious Of The Air Quality That You Are Exposed To

You probably already know that secondhand smoke and smoky environments can be extremely harmful to your health. However, what you might not know is that smoke can be devastating to the skin as well. Because it can cause your body to release free radicals that damage the skin and speed up the aging process.

Along with smoke, there are a variety of other indoor and outdoor pollutants that can damage your skin. Make sure you that you aren’t smoking, avoiding smoky areas, and constantly changing your heating and air filters regularly.

You also need to keep in mind that dry indoor air can be detrimental to you skin’s health, as well. Dry air not only dehydrates the skin, but it makes to lines more visible. A good humidifier can be the perfect answer to this problem, as it will put enough moisture back in the air.

Eco-Friendly money saving tips

Business

Bhok Thompson

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February 13, 2018

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Living on a budget might seem like an eco-friendly act in itself, but in most cases, this isn’t strictly true. By opting for cheaper options, you can often find that packaging, manufacturing costs and so much more are actually worse for the environment. So, when we do find ourselves strapped for cash, how do we save the pennies while staying eco-conscious? While companies such as Wizzcash loans may be there in the case of a financial emergency, saving the pennies on a day-to-day basis is simple – and you can be eco-friendly too. You just have to read on to find out!

Use Cloth Napkins

If you’re an avid napkin user, you’ll know just how many are thrown away at the end of a meal or a party. Now think about that amount in every household all over the world, and how the non-recyclable ones will be piling up in rubbish tips all over the world. By using cloth napkins, you eliminate the throwing-away process completely. Not only will they save you the costs of having to buy napkins on a regular basis, but they are also far more durable, and a quick wash will set them right back to normal.

Grow Your Own Food

In the UK climate, growing your own food might seem like a struggle, but there are plenty of fruit and vegetables that you can choose from to grow for yourself. Not only does growing your own food stop you needing to buy it from the supermarket, it’s also a great way to reduce waste and just think – there’s no wrapping or cartons to throw away!

Use The Sun

The sun is a valuable, yet wondrously free way to save money. You don’t need any expensive equipment to harvest the power of the sun – you just have to open your curtains! The sun will heat your house during those colder winter days, or shut the curtains if you want to stay cool during the summer months. If you want to go green for the long-term, you could invest and indulge in solar panels to provide you with a clean, cost-effective energy source year-round.

Adjust Your Laundry Habits

Doing the laundry can take up a significant chunk of your budget, and have an adverse effect on the environment too. However there are a few things you can do to reduce your laundry bill and water usage:

Wash in cold water
Use less detergent
Line-dry your washing
Replace an old, clunky washing machine
Run full loads rather than small ones often
Skip fabric softener or find a budget-friendly detergent with this included!

Try A Spend Fast

If you’re truly stuck for money, try not spending anything for as long as you can. For a week, or a month, or any given period of time, reduce your costs to only those that are absolutely necessary. Don’t buy anything that you don’t need to survive, and you’ll be amazed just how much you can save. For entertainment, you’ll be happy to know there are plenty of free things to do, from museums and galleries, to taking advantage of free trials on favourites like Netflix and Amazon, you could be spending your month enjoying yourself but barely spending anything!

Immunity boosting fruits for health!

Health

Bhok Thompson

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February 8, 2018

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Nutrition plays an important role in strengthening your immune system. Regular consumption of these immunity boosting foods will help reduce how frequently you fall sick and may help you recover from illness more quickly. In the following section are given various immunity boosting fruits which will help you lead a healthier life.

Citrus fruits

Citrus fruits such as oranges, lemons, limes, grapefruits tangerines and pomelos are not only delicious and refreshing; they are also a great source of vitamin C that helps to boost the immune system and maintains the body’s defence against bacterial infections like colds and flu.

Vitamin C as we know it is a one stop shop for boosting immunity in our body. It is believed to increase the production of white blood cells that are essential for fighting off infections and warding of diseases. Several cells of the immune system need the vitamin to perform their task, especially phagocytes and t-cells. Thus, a Vitamin C deficiency results in a reduced resistance and low immunity against certain pathogens. It may not be the cure for the common cold but different studies including meta-analyses underline that the prophylactic intake of Vitamin C may slightly reduce the duration of the illness in healthy persons Vitamin C also helps maintain the integrity of your skin, which acts as a protective barrier against infection. Since your body doesn’t produce or store this Vitamin, it might be more advantages to increase your intake from these fruits rather than supplements, since they are a natural source of this vitamin and may contain other beneficial compounds that supplements may not. In addition, vitamin C acts as an antioxidant, helping protect your immune cells against harmful compounds formed in response to viral or bacterial infections.

Citrus fruits such as oranges and limes not only have high vitamin C content but also are rich in antioxidants. Antioxidants are beneficial for the immune system as they help fight free radical damage and prevent cell breakup.

But citrus fruits can be dirty, and come laden with scale bugs. You don’t want to drink that! In a situation where your food item requires serious cleaning to remove dirt that is strongly adhering to them, an ultrasonic fruit & vegetable purifier.

These immunity-boosting fruits not only earn their all-star foods status because of their anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory Vitamin C properties but also consist of compounds called flavonoids, which help boost immunity and may have anticancer properties. Citrus flavonoids are also antioxidants that can neutralize free radicals and may protect against heart disease. Studies show that citrus flavonoids may improve blood flow through coronary arteries, reduce the ability of arteries to form blood clots and prevent the oxidation of LDL or bad cholesterol, which is an initial step in the formation of artery plaques. Some particular kinds of flavonoids have shown protective effects against cancer, cardiovascular diseases, gastrointestinal alterations and nervous system-related syndromes

Therefore, getting enough vitamin C is a great way to strengthen your immune system and may reduce your likelihood of infection. So go grab an orange or add lime or lemon to your glass of water and get your daily dose of vitamin C.

Bananas

This creamy and sweet fruit is amongst the most commonly consumed fruits in the world. Bananas are a nutrient dense fruit with a wide variety of vitamins and minerals that help in boosting immunity and are very low on calories. One medium banana, which is 7 to 8 inches long, has 2 percent of the recommended daily intake of five of the 11 nutrients: iron, zinc, vitamin A, selenium and protein. It also provides larger amounts of four other nutrients essential to a normal immune response.

Bananas consists of vitamin B-6, which is essential for the production of specialized cells called cytokines and antibodies, both of which are very important proteins for the immune system. One medium size banana has #) percent of the recommended daily intake of vitamin B-6.

Banana consists of copper, which is important to the immune system because it’s an antioxidant that supports the immune system by protecting the cells from damage during chemical reactions. It also helps in metabolizing iron, which has an important role in the immune response. Lack of iron impairs the ability of white blood cells called phagocytes that digest invading foreign substances. A banana consists of 13 percent of the recommended daily intake of copper.

Vitamin C stimulates the production of White Blood Cells called lymphocytes that attack invading pathogens like bacteria, destroy infected or cancerous cells, regulate the immune response and make antibodies. Vitamin C also behaves as an antioxidant by protecting white blood cells from chemicals released while killing the pathogens. You get 11 percent of the daily recommended intake of vitamin C in one medium size banana.

Bananas consist of folate, which also helps with the synthesis of proteins involved in the immune response. Like vitamin B-6, folate must be present for the synthesis of proteins such as cytokines that are involved in regulating the immune response. It’s also needed for the production of antibodies, so folate deficiency decreases the response of cells that attack invaders. One medium banana contains 24 micrograms or 6 percent of the recommended daily intake of folate.

Besides being a great source of energy, bananas are known for its calming effect, because of the high concentration of tryptophan, which helps the nervous system and boosts immunity. By incorporating a single banana in your diet daily helps boost your immunity and keeps you healthy.

Cantaloupe

Cantaloupe also called kharabooja in India is a melon fruit that belongs to the same family as the cucumber, squash, pumpkin and gourd. Cantaloupes are a rich source of beneficial nutrients like Vitamin C and vitamin A (in the form of carotenoids) and provide a range of antioxidants, phytonutrients, and electrolytes, which help boosts the immune system and have multiple health benefits.They also contain necessary nutrients like copper, B vitamins, vitamin K, potassium, folate, magnesium, and fiber. These nutrients found in cantaloupe can help prevent oxidative stress plus a wide range of inflammatory-caused diseases. Amongst other nutrients, cantaloupe contains two types of powerful antioxidants: carotenoids and cucurbitacins.

Carotenoids are proven immune system boosters. In fact, higher carotenoid intake is associated with improvements in several biomarkers of strong immune function. Carotenoids have anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor; chemo protective properties that help us ward off common infections, illnesses and serious diseases like cancer too.Vitamin A and C are found in high levels in cantaloupe, these antioxidant are known for promoting healthy vision and skin, boosting immunity, and reducing inflammation. These vitamins are essential for maintaining healthy mucus membranes, cellular health, and warding off DNA damage that can lead to disease.

Cantaloupe contains phytonutrients called cucurbitacins, which also have anti-cancer properties. Several different cucurbitacin compounds have been found to exhibit antiproliferative on numerous human cancer cell lines and tumor xenografts, including breast, prostrate, lung, uterine cervix, liver, skin, and brain cancers.

These antioxidants that have been linked with the prevention of diseases including cancer, cardiovascular and neurodegenerative disorders.

Cantaloupe melon is quite alkaline at about pH 8.5. It helps flush out acid and toxins and helps prevent cancer as cancer cannot survive in an alkaline environment.

Amazingly, a cup of cantaloupe contains 1.5 grams of protein. It has solid amounts of many vitamins and minerals, such as zinc, copper, manganese, selenium, phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, choline, niacin, and vitamin K. Cantaloupe boosts the immune system, detoxifies the organs, deeply hydrates and alkalizes the body, be sure to incorporate this fruit to boost up your immunity and stay healthy.

Eat these immunity boosting fruits on their own or whip them up into a juice or a smoothie for bringing out the variety in taste. All these will help you learn how to increase immunity and fight against infections and seasonal changes affecting the body. For best results, we recommend a daily spoon of Dabur Chyawanprash along with the consumption of these fruits to help boost your immunity.

Choosing a competent healthcare provider with these tips

Health

Bhok Thompson

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January 31, 2018

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Eating healthy and taking care of yourself is absolutely vital for living a happy, eco and fulfilling life. Unfortunately, you never really know what life is going to throw your way. Even if you go above and beyond to keep yourself in tiptop condition, there is still a chance that you’ll come down with a devastating disease. When that happens, you’ll need to find a competent healthcare provider, who will be able to treat the problem quickly and effectively. Within this article, you will discover tips for finding a good provider in your area.

Check Your Insurance Plan

First and foremost, you should know that healthcare costs are enormous. In fact, a lot of Americans have gotten into financial trouble, due to expensive medical bills. So, using your insurance is essential. Before doing anything, you should check your insurance network. Remember that some doctors will be in your network and others will not. It is always best to choose an in-network doctor. This will allow you to use your insurance to the fullest and save as much money as possible.

Specialization

It is also important to realize that some doctors specialize in one key area or another. For instance, some doctors may have tons of experience in cardiovascular health. Others may be well skilled in bones. In order to get the best treatment, it is pertinent to choose a doctor that specializes in the problematic area. If you’re suffering from heart problems, you should visit a heart doctor and vice versa. This ensures that you’ll get the best treatment from the most qualified professional.

Openings

Some doctors only treat a specific number of patients at a time. Therefore, you may need to spend a little time calling around and asking if the clinic has any openings. Remember that things change very quickly in the healthcare industry. If the doctor has no openings this month, they might next month. Be willing to follow up and contact the doctor again in the future.

Check Licensing

You should also take the time to check the doctor’s license. In order to operate legally in the United States, they need to have a valid license in their state. There are numerous reasons that a doctor might lose their license. Health care fraud defense lawyers may have filed a complaint against the doctor. Or, they might have gotten into trouble for malpractice. If the doctor has been in trouble and their license has been put in jeopardy, you should be cautious about doing business with them. In fact, it is best to only work with doctors that have a clean license.

Reading Reviews

It is also a good idea to read reviews for the doctor or clinic in question. There is a good chance that previous clients have taken to the Internet to leave their comments about their experience. You can use this information to your advantage. If the doctor in question has tons of complaints, you should not use their services. History repeats itself. Therefore, a doctor with a bad history will likely have a bad future as well.

How going green can benefit your small business

Economy

Bhok Thompson

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January 31, 2018

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How going green can benefit your small business

In recent years, discussions about global warming and the potential impact it can have on the planet have led to a number of changes being made in the world of small business. These days, many small business owners are passionate about reducing the environmental impact they have.

Not only will going green help the environment, it can help your business as well. While making a business environmentally friendly won’t be an overnight process, it is well worth the effort you invest. Read below to find out more about how going green can benefit your small business.

Eliminating Waste Can Add Up Over Time

One of the biggest realizations business owners who go green have is that small amounts of waste build up over time. By wasting less, you can save a lot of time and money. Doing things like turning off your computers while not in use and using energy-efficient office machines can help you cut costs significantly.

With all of the different ways to reduce the amount of energy a business uses, you will have to do your homework to figure out the best methods for your company. Every step you take towards making your business more efficient will pay off in the long run.

Going Digital Is Beneficial on a Number of Levels

For most businesses, going digital is one of the best ways to reduce waste around their workspace. Being able to store documents on the cloud rather than in file cabinets saves ink and reduces the amount of space these storage containers take up in an office. Studies have shown that going digital allows a company to be more productive and efficient.

There are also a number of tax breaks a business can take advantage of when going green. These deductions come with very strict guidelines that need to be followed to the letter. Claiming these tax breaks without checking these guidelines can lead to audits and charges of tax fraud. Be sure to consult with legal professionals before claiming these deductions on your business taxes.

Take Advantage of Government Awards

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has established a number of grants that are eligible to environmentally-friendly businesses. The only requirements for accepting the grants and incentives offered by the EPA is opening a business in a green manner. Doing things like adding solar panels to your building will make you eligible for a grant that can reduce the price of these panels by 30 percent.

Attract More Environmentally Conscious Customers

Another benefit of making your business environmentally-friendly is the attention it can help you attract. Now more than ever, consumers are more aware of the impact companies are having on the world around them. If environmentally conscious consumers see that your business is making an effort to go green, they will be more open to using them.

A lot of time and work will go into making your business more eco-friendly. Realizing that going green is a process can help to reduce the amount of stress you have during this process. Working with professionals in the world of recycling and technology can make your journey to becoming more eco-conscious easier.

Masdar City: “The ecotopia” that never was

Architecture

Bhok Thompson

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January 28, 2018

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Masdar City: “The ecotopia” that never was

In 2006, former Vice President of the United States, Al Gore, released “The Inconvenient Truth”. Gore attempted to bring greater knowledge to citizens of the world of the seismic threat of Global Warming. That same year, a pioneering project which was set to cost circa $22 billion was envisioned for Abu Dhabi. See draft of vision below.

Masdar City, a vision of the Masdar company, overseen by legendary architect Norman Foster and backed by the Government of Abu Dhabi, promised an “ecotopia” which would revolutionize the way we live as humans.

The ambitious project which looked at hosting 1,500 green energy businesses with a combined workforce of 110,000 people in the first carbon-neutral city in the world would never be finished. In 2018, we should have been approaching two years of the completed project, yet Masdar City is now, instead, a shell which will take another 12 years to finish. What is even more anticlimactic is that the initial target of a zero-carbon city is now estimated to be approximately 50%.

“We are not going to try to shoehorn renewable energy into the city just to justify a definition created within a boundary,” Chris Wan, the design manager of Masdar City said.

“As of today, it’s not a net zero future,” he added. “It’s about 50%.”

What went wrong for Masdar City?

The concept of building the world’s first sustainable city was, simply, unsustainable. The global economic crash led to the project being severely delayed, yet many skeptics had questioned if the vision was too ambitious.

“Nearly all of the electricity in the current phase comes from a massive 87,777-panel, 10-megawatt solar plant along with building-mounted solar panels, and demand is kept in check by an impressive array of design features that minimize the need for air conditioning despite the desert locale,” was the description of the design particulars laid out in the Smithsonian.

“The site is higher than the surrounding land to catch breezes off the Persian Gulf; the short streets are narrow and laid out to maximize shade all day long; building glass is shielded by decorative terracotta grills; and a 45-meter wind tower pulls breezes from above and pushes them through the streets to create a cooling effect. The result: temperatures that the developers claim are generally 15 degrees cooler than the desert.”

Masdar City in 2018

While Masdar City looks far removed from the picturesquely aesthetic model which was promised to us twelve years ago, there is undoubtedly a fascinating appeal for the curious mind and eager eye for a photo. A half-built ghost town tangibly crippled by the global financial crisis, the dream city now barely stands like a promising athlete struck down by an injury which robbed them of their true potential.

A unique design with an incredible lure, the more adventurous among Abu Dhabi’s intrepid tourists may find something endearing about this unrealized dream.

How to combat cold callers the eco way

Tech

Bhok Thompson

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January 28, 2018

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Time wasting, and cutting down your productivity. Selling you services you don’t want! This following scenario has certainly happened to you more than once, we’re sure, and it is sure to be a scenario that will have annoyed you at best. You’re sat at home, minding your own business, when the phone rings. You answer it, and it’s someone trying to sell you something that you really don’t want to be sold. You politely say ‘no thank you’, and you hang up. The same thing happens the next day, and the next day, and the next days. Those cold callers are nothing but persistent, and despite the annoyance factor, it has the potential to take your relaxing evening from fun to dreary within a minutes.

Whilst there is a number you can call to block persistent cold callers from contacting your listed number (depending upon your country of residence), this is never 100% effective; there is always one, which gets through! So, how can you identify that persistent caller and ensure they never bother you again? It can be done, have faith!

There is a rather handy search tool and function called phone number lookup. This is useful for a variety of different spying missions, to be flippant about it, but it is also perfect for finding out who that persistent caller is, without having to answer the phone and go through your polite but firm (becoming persistently more annoyed) ‘no thank you’ speech.

It goes a little like this.

Ignore the call, turn down the volume on your phone if you have to, but don’t answer it. Record the number by simply jotting it down, and then look up the number on a search register. There is a fee for this service, but it is totally worth it for the peace and quiet at the end of the process. The search results will yield more than just who is calling you; you will be able to find out the address of the caller, who they are, who they belong to (company, etc), what they sell, and a variety of other useful facts that you can use to basically block them from your phone.

Boom, no calls ever again from that number!

This function also has other fun uses, e.g. you can utilise its power to find out addresses for offices and stores you need to visit, when you only have a contact number.

Cold callers are a pain in the behind, that’s for sure, and whilst most companies have upgraded their reach out mission to emails, rather than calls, there is the odd one or two that stick to the old fashioned methods. These are the most persistent ones, because whilst you can redirect an email to your ‘spam’ folder, never to see the light of day again, there’s not a whole lot you can do with a phone that won’t stop ringing. If they are constantly persistent however, and it becomes a real problem, note down the number and report them. That’s one sure fire way to shut them up!

Botoxed camels disqualified from Saudi beauty contest

Bhok Thompson

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January 27, 2018

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Botoxed camels disqualified from Saudi beauty contest

camel beauty pageant, botox camels, camel fillers, camel cosmetic surgery, camel hump injections, camel beauty contest, camel pageant cheating, Oman, Gulf culture, Saudi camel festival, King Abdulaziz Camel Festival, Middle East traditions, desert culture, camel breeding industry, animal welfare, animal cruelty, veterinary ethics, cosmetic procedures animals, viral animal story, strange competitions — Botoxed camels

A dozen camels entered in an annual camel beauty pageant in Saudi Arabia were disqualified for use of Botox injections. According to the National online newspaper, judges discovered that 12 camels competing in the second annual King Abdulaziz Camel Festival had been injected with Botox in order to enhance their appearance, a cheating ploy to win some of the event’s USD$57 million prize money.

The month-long festival, the Gulf’s largest, attracts more than 50,000 of the long-necked mammals, and – besides the beauty contest – includes competitions for camel racing, obedience training, camel hair art and the best photographs of camels. Contestants, all Saudi Arabian purebreds, vie for more than USD$57 million in awards.

Camels are judged on head size, whether the lips cover its teeth, neck length, the shape and placement of the hump, the eyes size, how long the lashes are, how the nose droops and whether the ears stand back. According to strict contest rules the animals must exhibit “untouched natural beauty. These dozen animals were rejected from the festival for receiving Botox, used in human cosmetic surgeries to remove wrinkles.

one humped camel, — Camel milk is a bigger prize than looks

“They use Botox for the lips, the nose, the upper lips, the lower lips and even the jaw,” said Ali Al Mazrouei, the son of a top Emirati breeder, to The National. “It makes the head more inflated so when the camel comes it’s like, ‘Oh look at how big is that head is. It has big lips, a big nose’.”

Previously, a veterinarian had been caught performing plastic surgery to reduce the size of the camels’ ears (dainty ears are also a winning look). Festival officials have tried to prevent cheating by microchipping the animals and requiring them to board in special pens before the competition to prevent their owners from tampering with them.

Owners are also required to swear on the Quran that they are telling the truth about camel appearance and ownership. Judges report that this is proving to be te best tactic to weed out cheaters.

Renewable energy will triple in the Middle East, says Siemens

Bhok Thompson

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January 26, 2018

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Renewable energy will triple in the Middle East, says Siemens

A new report published by Siemens predicts that the share of renewables in the Middle East energy mix will triple over the next 17 years. That’s the good news. The bad news is that natural gas will remain the dominant power source in the region.

Continue

Top free and eco-friendly things to do in Dubai

Bhok Thompson

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January 25, 2018

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Top free and eco-friendly things to do in Dubai

The United Arab Emirates, the UAE, has embarked on a long-term national initiative to build a green economy for sustainable development. The initiative extends to every aspect of life in the UAE – green buildings that consume renewed energy and minimum electricity and a clean and pollution-free environment. This initiative is also targeting tourism, and environmental tourism is all the rage in the UAE right now, where the aim is to preserve the innately natural and cultural heritage of one’s environment. Hotels, resorts and tourist destinations are going green, trying to reduce their carbon emissions by 20 per cent so they can be considered for the Dubai Green Tourism Award. So if you’re a sustainable tourism fan, which places would you favour in Dubai? We’ve got a list of fantastic activities to do and places to visit that are all green. Check them out!

Visit the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve

Dubai is known for its mega projects; yet, not many people are aware that the biggest piece of land is dedicated to a single project – the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve (DDCR). It’s a protected environment, dedicated to the study and protection of the unique and endangered flora and fauna of the Arabian Desert.

Visit DDCR to enjoy fabulous eco-friendly desert safaris and camel rides into the mystical desert. Participate in the conservation of local wildlife. Discover Dubai’s ancient hunting traditions at the private falconry; admire the prowess of these majestic birds as they soar into the sky after their prey. Explore the sands to spot native Oryx and gazelles. Stay at the Al Maha Desert Resort, famed as Dubai’s completely eco-friendly hotel. Staying at the eco-friendly Al Maha Desert Resort is one of the best things to do in Dubai.

Visit the Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary

Dubai is the migratory paradise of choice for tens of thousands of birds who come to settle in the wetlands of Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary, just a few miles from the city. Ras Al Khor is located at the very mouth of Dubai’s Creek, and is one of the few protected urban localities in the world. Ras Al Khor covers an area of 6 kilometres. This multi-featured wildlife sanctuary features mangroves, salt flats, intertidal mudflats, and lagoons.

This unique environment protects more than 20,000 water birds belonging to more than 67 species. Ras Al Khor is a critical staging ground for East African and West Asian Flyway’s wintering birds. That apart, it is also home to over 500 species of flora and fauna. Visit the three bird reserves at the sanctuary’s perimeter. Gaze in awe as the beautiful white and pink flamingos steal the show. Spot grey herons, great egrets, cormorants, black-winged stilts, reef herons, sandpipers, osprey and many more exotic birds.

Explore The Mushrif National Park

It simply cannot get better for bird lovers than Mushrif National Park. Enjoy a fabulous barbecue at the park’s free BBQ facilities, and stroll through the vibrant and huge botanical gardens with your family. Grab a pair of binoculars and bird watch to your heart’s content. This protected urban space features indigenous wildlife and greenery, dotted with the splendid bird species of the Middle East. Feast your eyes on Yellow Throated Sparrows, Rufous-tailed Robins and Arabian Babblers as they soar through the trees. Spot the rare c near the mosque, feeding on the grass. It’s a magical place to enjoy with your entire family, away from the immediate hustle of the city, safe in a protected, pollution free environment that’s perfect for families.

Visit the Dubai Turtle Rehabilitation Project

Dubai’s Turtle Rehabilitation Project is located at Jumeirah’s beachside hotel, Mina A’Salam. Managed in collaboration with the Emirates Wildlife Protection Office, the Turtle Rehabilitation Project aims to protect, care for and rehabilitate sick turtles. It also aims to raise awareness among locals and visitors of the threats faced by marine turtles.

The Turtle Rehabilitation Center has so far rescued and released a total of 562 turtles since 2004. Some of these turtles have been released after being fitted with satellite tags, which allows the rehabilitation center to trace former patients and learn more about the turtles than we know now.

Take Your Kids To The Animal Sanctuary And Petting Farm

If you’re looking for ways to get your kids to interact with different kinds of animals and teach them to love all wildlife, take them to the Animal Sanctuary and Petting Farm in Dubai. The friendly staff make sure to take the kids through tiny steps till they’ve overcome their fear and are comfortable with the animals.

The sanctuary is a non-profit organization set up by animal lovers in 2009. It’s a great place to get up close to various animals – to touch them and feed them and be part of their lives. You can enjoy getting to know porcupines, deer, cockatoos, ponies, llamas, guinea pigs, rabbits, kinkajou, ferrets, cows, goats, baboons, ducks and many other animals.

Experience A Desert Safari

One of the most eco-friendly things to do in Dubai is to go on a desert safari. The desert safari operators in Dubai use only those vehicles that offer the lowest CO2 output. Camps use solar panels for energy, which is easy considering the desert offers 365 days of clear, hot sunshine. Solar panels generate about 85% of the power used at prime desert safari camps.

Using silent power generation instead of the chugging diesel engines further reduces negative impact on the environment. Energy-efficient LED lights reduce the risk of fire, and by avoiding diesel, the risk of polluting the sand with oil and fuel is also reduced. Tourists are encouraged to enjoy camel rides and bike rides and experience the desert organically as the ancient Bedouins did, in a further attempt to reduce the carbon footprint.

Conclusion

Dubai is taking several steps to become more sustainable and smart. Take the solar panel-powered Wi-Fi stations at Umm Suqeim Beach and Za’abeel Park for example. They look like palm trees and provide free wireless internet access to people. They also provide information relevant to tourists, such as weather conditions and local attractions. Dubai aims to be a driverless city by 2050; we’re yet to see how this will be executed, but the rulers of Dubai are determined to make this city the greenest in our planet at a fast rate.

Creating an eco-friendly kitchen

Bhok Thompson

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January 22, 2018

1

If you want to lead a more sustainable, eco-friendly lifestyle, there are numerous aspects of your lifestyle that you can change. However, as your home is the biggest source of energy waste, you should start precisely there. For instance, the kitchen can definitely make your carbon footprint bigger and contribute to unnecessary energy waste more than any other room in your home. If you’re ready to make some changes, an eco-friendly kitchen is undoubtedly the place to start.

What can you do?

Again, kitchen transformations can differ depending on what you want to achieve, what your long-term plans are as well as the budget available. In that respect, you have your simpler tweaks as well as some more complicated makeover options. Let’s start with the simpler ones first.

Declutter and organize

The first thing you should do is get rid of all the things in your kitchen that you don’t need and/or use. This especially goes for cardboard boxes and packaging. It would be excellent if you could equip your kitchen with functional eco-friendly containers so that you can stop relying on purchasing products that will produce a lot of paper, plastic and cardboard waste. In the same vein, ditch the disposable paper towels and opt for reusable fabric towels instead.

Save water

If you have a dishwasher, you want to start using it more compared to regular hand dishwashing. A dishwasher actually wastes a lot less water, which is something not many people know about. However, it’s obvious that you’ll need to use your kitchen faucet from time to time, so why not get a low-flow faucet head, or even replace your old faucet with an automatic (hand movement) one? How about collecting air conditioning water?

Lighting

This is a great eco-friendly solution for all your lighting sources, not just the ones in your kitchen. Namely, replace all your ordinary light bulbs with LED ones. They will last considerably longer yet waste a lot less electricity. You can even get LED light strips for your kitchen task lighting.

Use green cleaning products

In order to avoid spreading toxins that are not only dangerous for the environment but your own health as well, try switching to all natural, green cleaning agents. You can easily get these at stores, and even better – you can make them yourself.

Compost

Collecting compost is a great way to keep your own garden healthy and safe, and you basically won’t have to deal with too much organic waste. Not all organic products can be used for composting though, so keep that in mind. But, if you grow your own fruits and veggies, or even if you just have a flower garden, or plant pots in your apartment, composting can make a world of difference.

If you’re ready to go all in with your eco-friendly kitchen makeover, consider the following ideas as well.

Get star-rated appliances

As mentioned, dishwashers waste less water but electricity as well. Not to mention they save you time, too. If you want to create a fully eco-friendly kitchen, you may want to start replacing these appliance essentials for star-rated (energy-saving) ones, and look into Maytag dishwashers and other appliances as well. Your fridge, freezer, oven and other smaller appliances can all be energy-efficient.

Insulation

If you want to be a responsible homeowner with a very functional kitchen, you’ll probably want to make sure your heating and cooling, as well as air purifying system is in order. However, you don’t want to waste unnecessary energy either. This is why complete kitchen insulation (both for walls and water pipes) can be a great way to keep the kitchen eco-friendly, safe and comfortable.

Remodeling

In case you’re interested in completely changing the look of your kitchen, and are ready for a thorough redesign and remodeling process, consider more durable, green materials for your kitchen floors, elements and countertops. Look for materials like bamboo, cork, recycled wood and concrete as some of the top eco-friendly materials available. Of course, when it comes to paint and other necessary finishes for remodeling, always go VOC-free.

It’s very important that you practice what you preach. Therefore, don’t rely only on kitchen and other home updates for leading an eco-friendly lifestyle. Make sure that you behave and act in accordance with this mindset on a daily basis as well.

Dubai designer invites us to #FollowMeToSyria

Cities

Faisal O'Keefe

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January 21, 2018

0

Dubai designer invites us to #FollowMeToSyria

Dubai-based designer Siba Mohtadi is using social media to open minds and hearts to her war-weary homeland, the Syrian Arab Republic. Mohtadi posts images on her Instagram account #FollowMeToSyria that illustrate still-beautiful Syria, where hotels and cafes are open for business, people go about their daily lives, and nature thrives, in spite of war and the continuing and monumental humanitarian crisis.

Mohtadi was inspired by one of the first Instagrammers to attract global attention, Russian photographer Murad Osmann, who’s 2011 “Follow Me” series riffed his girlfriend’s attempts to stop his obsessive picture-taking. As she pulled him away, he shot that instead, creating a portfolio of pictures of him being led by the hand through some of the world’s most iconic scenery. The series attracted 4.5 million Instagram followers.

Most of Mohtadi’s pictures feature Damascus. She told Green Prophet, “I did this project because my heart bleeds with love for Syria. All you hear is the devastation of war, the pain and tears in people’s eyes. I can’t pretend that we don’t have war, I can’t pretend that we are not hurting, but I can show you the beautiful country we love, that we call home.”

The Damascus borough of Bab Tuma (meaning “Thomas’ Gate”, and shown above) contains one of the seven gates within the old walled city. Named for one of Christ’s 12 apostles, it is an important landmark of early Christianity, now the Northern Levant seat of the Greek Orthodox and Greek Catholic Churches.

Mohdati also captures details of private spaces, including lovely old Damascus homes. Islamic architecture relies on an enduring architectural form – the courtyard house – which places interior rooms around a central open space, invisible from the street.

Wadi al Kal3 in Latakia, Syria’s principal port city and capital of the Latakia Governorate, sits about 70 miles from Cyprus. Inhabited for more than 4,000 years, it was ruled at times by the Seleucids, Romans, Ummayads and Abbasids It’s now the seat of the Alawite State, and Syria’s 5th-largest city (image above)..

The backdrop for the shot above is the Damascus’ stone-built Old City near the 300-year-old af-Nofara café. Evening gatherings in this area usually featured “hakawatis” – traditional reciter-performers of old Arab legends. But television and the internet caused audiences to dwindle. The war has silenced the remaining hakawatis.

The Great Mosque of Damascus, or Umayyad Mosque, one of the largest and oldest in the world, is considered as the fourth-holiest of Islamic sites. Legend has it that it holds the head of John the Baptist. Fortunately the war has not harmed this treasure, whereas it’s namesake mosque in Aleppo was shelled in 2013, and its minaret toppled.

The hooded figure in each shot is Mohtadi. A graphic designer and professional photographer, she trained her brother to snap the images, which she staged and directed. Her current series was shot in Damascus, Tartus, Latakia, and Masyaf over a period of 15 days. She plans to extend the project to wider Syria, as travel allows.

Images courtesy of Siba Mohtadi’s Facebook page

Travelling to Portugal for the first time? Here are the best tips

Travel

Bhok Thompson

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January 17, 2018

1

Travelling to Portugal for the first time? Here are the best tips

We are in Egypt right now… and know that travelling to a different country will always be daunting. You have to always keep the rules and local customs in mind in order to have a smooth trip to all the different places on your itinerary. The number of places to visit might just overwhelm you, so instead of letting that get to you, you should use an online holiday planner to help you out down all the places you want to go to.

Portugal is a country where the local culture and vibe will engulf you and transport you to a bubble where you are absolutely carefree.

There are certain tips you should take heed of while travelling to Portugal for the first time.

When you are about to plan a vacation to Portugal, keep in mind the season you would want to visit in. The summer months on July and August are the hottest, busiest and most expensive. It would be better for you to visit during the fall seasons instead. It offers the perfect weather for you to fully enjoy your trip.
Learn some simple Portuguese if you can be you are to visit. Sure, most people will understand English around the tourist areas but a thank you in the local language would definitely be appreciated.
A tip for when you’re packing- ditch the high heels and fancy shoes. Portugal has cobblestoned streets almost everywhere you go. I doubt wobbling down these streets is something you would enjoy. Carry the most comfy shoes you can think of, also cause some areas are only accessible on foot.
In terms of travel around the country, try and get a Tourist card like the Lisbon card or the Porto card. These cards can offer you some tourist discounts on public transport systems. Opt for public transport rather than taxis because they can be a bit on the pricier side.
One activity that wouldn’t burn even the tiniest hole in your pocket is a visit to the museum. Most museums offer free entry. They can be a great way to spend one of your afternoons there. If you want to go for some pricier options, you could use a Portugal trip calculator to keep a track of all your expenses and help you stay within your budget.
Eating out at restaurants can be a bit tricky. Most restaurants do not offer vegetarian options and even if the waiters say its vegetarian, it would be better if you rethink your choice.
Also, whenever you are dining out, you will be offered plates of breads and olives. However delicious they might be, keep in mind that they’re not free.
Best option in terms of dishes to order is anything among the array of fresh fish and seafood. You won’t be able to stop eating till you feel like your stomach is about to burst!
Two other random tips are:
– Always wear sun cream and carry umbrellas or covers to protect you from the harsh rays of the sun.
– Put 112 on your speed dial. It is the “100” of Portugal.

Apartments for rent: find the best apartment on Yzer Property

Cities

Bhok Thompson

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January 17, 2018

0

Real estate in UAE is of great interest to many people world over not only because of excellent living conditions, but mainly due to excellent conditions for conducting many types of business. First of all, it concerns, of course, absence of taxes and related benefits. There is a number of other positive factors for entrepreneurs created by the state – in particular, the absence of trade quotas and barriers, as well as currency control, excellent logistics with the whole world – ensure the country’s attractiveness to international business. All these factors are big appeal to investors, and main reason why residential estate market is growing here at exponential rate. Buying apartments here is easy, because state is interested in your investment.

Today, Emirates have free economic zones for development of IT-technologies, outsourcing intellectual services, biomedical industries, the securities market of domestic and foreign enterprises is functioning. UAE provides the best conditions for doing business in Middle East, and by the level of infrastructure development it is on the 8th place on the planet. Of course, all this is a powerful positive factor for an economically active person, striving for maximum self-realization and looking for apartment for sale here.

Want to stay in a friendlier way in the UAE? Acquisition of UAE residential real estate for sale in the UAE gives its owner the right to obtain a residence permit, which is issued for a two-year term not only to the owner himself, but also to his family members – official spouse and minor children. After expiration of residence permit, it can be extended without any problems. The procedure for obtaining and extending a residence permit usually does not last longer than two weeks. Isn’t it convincing enough to buy in the UAE?

We work for your benefit – only best apartments for sale in UAE from YzerProperty

YzerProperty will help you buy any property, as well as conduct other transactions connected with UAE estate. Rent, lease or buy – we will help you to solve any problem, because we are a team of professionals. YzerProperty works with real estate clients solely for their benefit – you can find some really cheap prices on this page! We will help you to invest in objects we are personally confident in as we propose you listings for sale in UAE only from reliable developers and agencies. You won’t need to puzzle over what documents you should prepare, where to go, or how to secure your deal and don’t lose it. YzerProperty will do everything for you.

Many people are faced with the need to obtain an apartment here. To do this, it is enough to get acquainted with offers presented on this page, where you can pick up and buy most suitable apartments for sale. Each property is described in details by our professionals plus every listing description includes characteristics of district, where your chosen accommodation is located. YzerProperty takes over all issues related to legal registration, therefore, you absolutely don’t need to worry about how to purchase flat for sale in UAE, and entrust this to us. Our site also presents photos made by our partners representatives, which reflect present condition of accommodation you are interested in.

Our main rule is safety of your funds. We protect our clients from any pitfalls. Buying luxury property in ameerates with us becomes easy and simple.

Advantages of buying UAE realty and other specific details

If you are interested in lucrative investments in housing under construction, installment payments and possibility of resale – in this case it makes sense to purchase apartment in residential building that is still under construction. If you immediately need move to UAE for permanent living on the basis of a resident visa, or if you are interested in accommodation located in a well-known and prestigious project – then it is better to buy real estate in secondary market. Both kinds of options are presented on our site or you may contact us to get further information.

Advantages of buying flats for sale in UAE:

Excellent location in the popular resort region;
Absence of taxes and low additional costs for living;
State guarantees transparent process of transaction registration;
Large selection of types of apartments for sale – from studios to rooftop dwellings;
Unique architectural projects.
High profit and resale opportunity at the construction stage;
Stable growth in the price of constructed facilities;
A high rental rate, a high profitability from renting out your purchased property.
A resident visa for the property owner and his family members;
Stability of economic growth and prospects for further development of the region

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Finance

Marketing

Politics

Strategy

Visit the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve

Visit the Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary

Explore The Mushrif National Park

Visit the Dubai Turtle Rehabilitation Project

Take Your Kids To The Animal Sanctuary And Petting Farm

Experience A Desert Safari

What can you do?

Declutter and organize

Save water

Lighting

Use green cleaning products

Compost

Get star-rated appliances

Insulation

Remodeling

Company

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