Page 25 – Green Prophet

Inside the Kaaba: Islam’s Hidden Heart

Religion

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June 9, 2025

At the very center of the Islamic world stands a cube. Modest in shape yet immense in meaning, the Kaaba anchors the faith of over a billion Muslims, who turn toward it five times a day in prayer. Located within the Grand Mosque in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, this black-clad structure is the direction of prayer, the spiritual axis of Islam, and the focal point of the annual Hajj pilgrimage.

Yet despite its global significance, the Kaaba remains one of the most mysterious buildings on Earth. Few have seen inside it, and fewer still know what lies beyond its heavy door.

Inside the kaaba — Inside the Kaaba via Islamic Landmarks

The interior of the Kaaba is striking in its simplicity. Step inside, and you enter a quiet, rectangular chamber lined with smooth white marble. Three ancient wooden pillars rise from the floor, holding up a flat wooden ceiling. From this ceiling hang delicate silver and gold lamps, some inscribed with calligraphy from bygone Islamic dynasties. The scent of oud lingers in the air—applied regularly with sacred oils stored in a modest wooden cabinet tucked along one wall.

The floor itself is made of cool, polished marble. There are no decorations, no paintings, no thrones or altars—only space, light, and stillness. The room is empty of ornament but full of spiritual weight.

This is not a place of tourism or spectacle. The Kaaba is closed to the general public. Entry is reserved for rare ceremonial occasions, most notably when it is cleaned twice a year in a ritual carried out with immense care and reverence. This responsibility belongs to a distinguished Meccan family, the Al-Shaibi clan, who have been the traditional caretakers of the Kaaba for generations—since the time of the Prophet Muhammad himself.

It is a hereditary role, passed down with deep honor. During the cleaning, the interior is washed with Zamzam water and rosewater, wiped down with white cloths, and anointed with perfumes. Only a small group of religious leaders, heads of state, or invited dignitaries are present.

The cloth that wraps the Kaaba—the Kiswa—is replaced once a year during Hajj. Woven from silk and embroidered with Quranic verses in gold thread, the Kiswa is produced by a dedicated team of artisans in a specialized factory in Mecca. It is raised slightly each year to prevent wear from the crowds of pilgrims, then lowered again after Hajj concludes.

While the Kaaba we see today has undergone many reconstructions, its spiritual essence remains unchanged. Tradition holds that it was originally built by Abraham and his son Ishmael as a house of monotheistic worship. Over the centuries, it has been rebuilt several times due to floods, fires, and the passage of time. The current structure dates largely to a 17th-century reconstruction, with its foundations going back even further.

No appointment needed to kiss the stone

Security officers stand guard next to "Al-Hajar al-Aswad", or the Black Stone, as the first group of Muslims perform Tawaf around Kaaba at the Grand Mosque during the annual Haj pilgrimage, in the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, July 17, 2021. Saudi Ministry of Media/Handout — Security officers stand guard next to “Al-Hajar al-Aswad”, or the Black Stone, as the first group of Muslims perform Tawaf around Kaaba at the Grand Mosque during the annual Haj pilgrimage, in the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, July 17, 2021. Saudi Ministry of Media/Handout

Just outside the eastern corner of the Kaaba lies the Black Stone, a revered object kissed or touched by pilgrims performing the circumambulation ritual. But the sanctity of the Kaaba is not contained in any one object or wall. It lies in the unity it creates. Across continents and cultures, from mud mosques in Mali to prayer rooms in Jakarta, millions face the same direction each day, bound together by the unseen geometry of faith.

The Kaaba does not boast grandeur in the way palaces or cathedrals might. Its power is in its restraint. It is a place beyond spectacle, where emptiness becomes presence, and silence becomes prayer.

How SPNI is Rewilding Cities and Rebuilding Resilience

Cities

Max Izaks

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June 9, 2025

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gazelle in gazelle valley park with jerusalem as the backdrop — Gazelle grazing in Gazelle Valley, Jerusalem

In the heart of Jerusalem, a city often defined by its layers of stone, history, and conflict, a special, quiet scene unfolds daily: a herd of over 100 endangered wild mountain gazelles roaming freely through the grasslands of a restored valley. Even in a time of war, Israeli children can be heard laughing along the winding trails. Birdwatchers hide from migratory birds while viewing their natural beauty.

This is the Gazelle Valley Urban Nature Park, one of Israel’s first urban wildlife refuges and one of the most powerful symbols of what the Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel (SPNI) stands for: a belief the nature belongs to everyone, and that green space-especially in cities- is not just a sanctuary, but a solution.

Founded in 1953, SPNI emerged from a grassroots protest against the draining of the Hula Valley wetland. This move destroyed biodiversity and compromised the water quality of the wetland in northern Israel. Though the campaign failed in its goal of stopping the project, it gave rise to one of Israel’s and the world’s first environmental NGOs.

Today, SPNI operates a diverse portfolio that encompasses biodiversity conservation, sustainable urban planning, education, and advocacy. “If you learn about nature, you’ll love nature, and you’ll want to protect it,” says Jay Shofet, Director of Partnerships and Development at SPNI, who has lived in Israel for over 40 years.

While SPNI’s base and roots are in wildlife protection, preserving nature reserves, restoration, and defending against habitat loss, its focus has shifted to cities where over 90% of Israel’s population resides. This shift is embodied in SPNI’s “Promoting Urban Nature” initiative. The goal of this initiative is to combat pressure to utilize land reserves for housing. SPNI works with the Israeli government and, more importantly, municipal leaders to create plans to make Israel’s cities greener. The key to this is creating and lobbying for urban nature sites. The sites offer residents a unique experience of nature in an urban setting, distinct from traditional parks. They emphasize natural biodiversity. The sites not only help nature but also help people. Their work is also “About protecting nature for our health and enjoyment,” says Shofet. SPNI emphasizes the mental health and physical health benefits that nature has.

No site better captures this philosophy than Gazelle Valley. Located in western Jerusalem, the valley was once planned for the construction of 30,000 living units. However, with passionate residents by their side, SPNI organized a campaign to preserve it—the result: Israel’s largest urban nature site. Gazelle Valley boasts 64 acres of restored open space, where mountain gazelles, one of hundreds of species, roam freely with wetlands, food, and care at their disposal.

Gazelle Valley is also a fully functioning, living lab. SPNI and other researchers track biodiversity indicators, such as the gain or loss of dragonflies and otters, both indicator species, and collaborate with scientists from various institutions, universities, and private organizations, as well as the government, to monitor numbers and migrations. Educational programs are held on-site that educate youth and members of government and business.

gazelle park attendees laerning about one of the parks species, turtle — Gazelle Valley attendees learning about another of the site’s species, turtles

SPNI is one of Israel’s leading organizations in environmental education, helping to create Israel’s nationwide mandate to integrate nature studies into the school curriculum. The work started over 30 years ago and is now expanding with the support of the Ministry of Education.

“We teach the teachers,” Shofet explains. Through short-term development programs, classroom materials, and outdoor field experiences, SPNI helps facilitate environmental education for Israeli students. Urban sites, such as Gazelle Valley, serve as outdoor classrooms, providing children with the opportunity to learn about ecosystems, biodiversity, and sustainability, even in an urban setting.

gazelle in the valley — A gazelle in the Gazelle Valley with Jerusalem in the background

Additionally, education helps inspire and promote environmental activism. “The environment is a great entry point to activism,” says Shofet. “Educate, Love and Protect,” Shofet adds, are the three primary keys to SPNI’s mission.

See Related Article: Waze saves wild lives

As urbanization continues to grow and intensify around the world, Israel may hold a hopeful model. SPNI’s integration of ecology, education, health, and urban planning remains a driving force in this space. SPNI plans to expand its Urban Nature initiative in 2025 and beyond, particularly to Israel’s rebuilding of northern and southern cities. Their goal is simple yet ambitious: to bring nature to every Israeli, regardless of their location or background.

::SPNI

Asbestos and Cancer and Why Mesothelioma Is So Hard to Find Early — and Treat

Health

Green Prophet

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June 9, 2025

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asbestos, mesothelioma, Middle East health, Israel environment, Lebanon infrastructure, Turkey asbestos ban, Syria conflict health, asbestos exposure, public health, environmental toxins, cancer prevention, MPM, toxic materials, Green Prophet, regional health risks, asbestos removal, hazardous waste, Middle East pollution — Asbestos remains a silent killer across the Middle East—hidden in homes, rubble, and old infrastructure—posing long-term cancer risks from Israel to Syria.

You may have heard of asbestos—a once-common material used in construction, shipbuilding, and insulation. What you may not know is how deeply it can damage our bodies at the molecular level, leading to a rare and deadly cancer called Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma (MPM).

New research from scientists working with the Sbarro Health Research Organization (SHRO) reveals how exposure to asbestos triggers changes in our DNA, laying the groundwork for cancer development. This study not only helps explain why mesothelioma is so hard to detect and treat early, but it also points toward new ways to fight it in the future.

MPM is a rare cancer that forms in the lining of the lungs (pleura) and is almost always caused by inhaling asbestos fibers. These tiny, sharp fibers lodge deep in lung tissue and stay there for decades—damaging cells slowly, silently. By the time symptoms like shortness of breath, chest pain, or fatigue appear, the disease is often in advanced stages and hard to treat.

Unlike some cancers that can be detected with regular screenings (like breast or colon cancer), there’s no routine test for mesothelioma. It also has a long latency period—meaning it can take 20 to 50 years after asbestos exposure for the disease to show up.

And even when it does, it can look like other conditions—pneumonia, lung infections, or general respiratory issues. That makes early diagnosis incredibly difficult. And difficult for lawyers to win their cases.

In the recent study, published in Experimental and Molecular Pathology, researchers analyzed public datasets of RNA sequencing (a type of genetic blueprint of how cells behave) from patients with MPM caused by asbestos.

Led by Professors Antonio Giordano (SHRO and Temple University) and Elisa Frullanti (University of Siena), the team found specific genes and molecular pathways that are altered in mesothelioma patients.

Some of these changes are involved in:

Ion balance inside cells
Oxidative stress (damage caused by reactive molecules)
Disruption of cell structure and communication

These are all hallmarks of cellular chaos caused by asbestos—and they help explain how the cancer gets started and spreads.

This research is part of a growing effort to bring precision medicine to mesothelioma. That means creating:

Better diagnostic tools that detect the disease earlier
Personalized treatments based on the exact molecular changes in a patient’s tumor
Risk prediction models that identify people more likely to develop MPM after asbestos exposure

“With further validation, this could translate into real-world clinical applications,” says Frullanti. In other words, these lab discoveries may soon guide how we diagnose and treat real people.

Although asbestos is banned or restricted in many countries, it still lingers in old buildings, homes, and industrial sites. It’s found all over cities like Tel Aviv. In parts of the world, it’s still actively used.

The World Health Organization estimates thousands of people die each year from asbestos-related diseases, many from mesothelioma. With no cure, and limited treatments, research like this offers hope—not just for healing, but for catching the disease before it’s too late.

Takeaway: A Silent Killer With a Genetic Footprint

Asbestos doesn’t just irritate lungs—it rewrites your genes. This study shows how molecular damage caused by asbestos exposure becomes a cancer blueprint—a map scientists are now starting to decode. With better understanding comes better tools, better treatment, and better chances for those at risk.

We may not be able to erase past asbestos exposure, but we can give people a fighting chance with earlier detection and smarter therapies. Stay tuned to Green Prophet as we continue covering the cutting edge of environmental health and precision medicine.

Microplastics in Your Food Links Nanoplastics to Liver Damage and Glucose Imbalance

Julie Steinbeck

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June 9, 2025

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a Single Use Ain’t Sexy tablet is simply placed into a reusable glass dispenser along with water that produces a luxurious white foam every time you wash your hands. — A Single Use Ain’t Sexy tablet is simply placed into a reusable glass dispenser along with water that produces a luxurious white foam every time you wash your hands.

Plastic is everywhere — from the oceans to the bloodstream. Now, new research presented at the NUTRITION 2025 conference in Orlando suggests that the tiniest plastic fragments—nanoplastics—could be silently harming your liver and disrupting your metabolism. Plastics are part of the food we eat, the animals and plants we eat, the water we drink and are emitted from plastic teeth aligners and bubble gum.

In a new animal study, scientists at the University of California, Davis, found that ingesting polystyrene nanoplastics (commonly found in food packaging) led to glucose intolerance, liver damage, and gut barrier disruption in mice. These alarming results echo concerns raised in earlier Green Prophet reporting on microplastic pollution in sea salt, seafood, and even the placentas of unborn babies.

“We already know microplastics have invaded every corner of the food chain,” said Amy Parkhurst, the study’s lead author and a Clinical and Translational Science Center fellow. “But now we’re seeing how those particles can impact basic bodily functions—like regulating blood sugar.”

Nanoplastics are the breakdown products of everyday plastics—smaller than 100 nanometers. They’re invisible to the naked eye, but not to our bodies. Previous research cited by Green Prophet estimated that an average person may consume 40,000 to 50,000 plastic particles per year—others put the number closer to 10 million particles annually.

The UC Davis study focused on male mice, fed a normal diet alongside a daily oral dose of polystyrene nanoparticles mimicking human exposure. The mice developed signs of systemic glucose intolerance, a red flag for type 2 diabetes. They also showed elevated levels of alanine aminotransferase, a marker for liver injury.

Perhaps more worrying: the study found increased gut permeability, which allowed endotoxins to leak into the bloodstream—creating a toxic loop that may contribute to chronic liver dysfunction.

This new evidence builds on prior warnings that our plastic obsession could come with a steep biological price. From endocrine disruption to cognitive decline, microplastics have been linked to a spectrum of emerging health risks.

This latest study adds a metabolic twist—suggesting that nanoplastics could directly interfere with how our bodies process sugar, potentially increasing risks of obesity and diabetes.

Parkhurst and her colleagues are now working with UC Davis’s Dr. Elizabeth Neumann to map the tissue-level effects of nanoplastics using mass spectrometry imaging. Their goal? To understand where nanoplastics end up in the body—and how they alter metabolism at the molecular level.

“We need more science before setting policy,” said Parkhurst. “But the early warning signs are there.”

That warning should matter to policymakers, consumers, and health advocates alike. As science catches up with the scale of plastic pollution, the push for bans on single-use plastics and improved biodegradable alternatives is gaining urgency.

Next time you reach for a plastic-wrapped snack or sip from a disposable cup, remember: the real cost may not show up on the price tag, but in your liver enzymes or your glucose test.

Long-term coffee drinking food for women’s health

Food
Health

Green Prophet

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June 9, 2025

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Principles GI, pay what you can coffee shop — Principles GI founder Katie Bishop with her late mom, who died a year ago. The coffee shop follows a pay what you can model for coffee. Via IG

For many of us, the day begins only after that sacred first cup of coffee. Now, new research reveals that our favorite morning ritual may be doing more than just jumpstarting our day—it might be quietly shaping our future selves.

In a landmark study following nearly 50,000 women for over 30 years, researchers from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health found a strong association between midlife coffee consumption and healthy aging for women —defined not only by longevity, but by quality of life: freedom from chronic disease, good physical function, mental health, and intact cognitive abilities.

“Our study is the first to assess coffee’s impact across multiple domains of aging over three decades,” said Dr. Sara Mahdavi, the study’s lead author and a post-doctoral fellow at Harvard, in a preview of her presentation at NUTRITION 2025, the flagship annual conference of the American Society for Nutrition.

The research, drawn from data in the long-running Nurses’ Health Study, found that women who consumed moderate amounts of caffeinated coffee in midlife were significantly more likely to enjoy robust health later in life. Each additional small cup of coffee per day was linked to a 2%–5% increase in the likelihood of “healthy aging,” up to about five small cups.

Importantly, this positive effect was not seen with tea or decaffeinated coffee. And, in a twist that will please nutritionists but disappoint soda drinkers, drinking more cola (another source of caffeine) was linked to a 20%–26% lower chance of healthy aging.

“Not all sources of caffeine are equal,” said Dr. Mahdavi. “It’s likely that other compounds in coffee—such as antioxidants and polyphenols—are playing a role here.”

The study is unique not only for its length and size but for its holistic definition of aging—one that accounts for mind, body, and spirit. Of the 47,513 women tracked since 1984, only 3,706 met all the study’s criteria for “healthy aging” by 2016. But among those women, most shared one habit: they drank around 315 mg of caffeine daily, roughly the amount in three small cups of coffee.

“These results, while preliminary, suggest that small, consistent habits can shape long-term health,” Dr. Mahdavi said. “Moderate coffee intake may offer some protective benefits when combined with other healthy behaviors like exercise, a balanced diet, and avoiding smoking.”

Still, she emphasized: coffee is not a magic bullet. Its benefits are modest, and genetics and lifestyle still play a much larger role in how we age.

The Eco-Awakening Angle

At Green Prophet, we often highlight plant-based solutions that align with natural systems. Coffee—grown sustainably—has long been part of the environmental and wellness conversation. But this study adds a new layer to the dialogue: coffee as a potential agent of longevity and cognitive preservation in women.

picture of Tomer inside Ada Hanina Cafe in Jaffa — Tomer, the mastermind behind Ada Hanina Cafe. He travels to Ethiopia and meets the farmers who grows his coffee beans.

That doesn’t mean we all need to start downing five cups a day. For some, especially those sensitive to caffeine or with specific health conditions, too much coffee can be harmful. And as Dr. Mahdavi and colleagues note, genetic differences may influence how caffeine affects individuals.

The team plans to further explore how bioactive compounds in coffee interact with genetic and metabolic markers of aging, possibly paving the way for personalized dietary recommendations in the future.

If you’re a woman in your 40s or 50s enjoying your morning brew, this study gives new reason to sip with purpose. But even more importantly, it underscores a simple truth we often return to: wellness is cumulative. The choices we make today—how we move, what we eat, how we rest, and yes, how we caffeinate—are the building blocks of the decades to come.

As always, balance is key. And if your coffee is organic, fair trade, and shade-grown? Even better—for you and the planet.

Make America cool again, says Make Sunsets a startup that’s geo-engineering the climate

Climate

Karin Kloosterman

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June 9, 2025

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Their ethos? Act now, ask forgiveness later.

Make Sunsets, a geoengineering startup based in South Dakota, continues to attract both controversy and attention as it pushes ahead with its mission to “Make Earth Cool Again”—literally. The company, founded by Andrew Song and Luke Iseman, has been releasing sulfur dioxide into the stratosphere using high-altitude balloons, an experimental (and deeply polarizing) method of solar geoengineering designed to reflect sunlight and reduce global temperatures.

In a recent newsletter from 10 days ago, Make Sunsets revealed that it had responded to inquiries from the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), guided by two former EPA lawyers. Their cheeky tone remains unchanged: “Let’s ensure American energy dominance as well as a safe and healthy environment by Making Earth Cool Again,” they wrote.

Despite the EPA referring to their activities as “unregulated,” the founders are confident the agency doesn’t have a solid legal basis to shut them down. “We predict they’ll stay out of our way,” they wrote. And they aren’t slowing down—this month, they launched five new balloons carrying 5,895 “Cooling Credits” worth of sulfur dioxide to altitudes of 30 km, with two of three payloads successfully recovered.

Critics Say “Wait,” They Say “Why?”

The company’s critics, including many climate scientists, argue that Make Sunsets is moving too fast with a technology whose global impacts are uncertain. Solar geoengineering could potentially reduce global temperatures, but it also poses major ethical, geopolitical, and ecological questions—who decides when and where to deploy it? What are the long-term risks?

“The existence of companies like Make Sunsets is precisely why CCAN supports public-funded research and opposes private money in both solar geoengineering testing and deployment. Research must be held to the highest bar, conducted with full transparency, and developed in a way that explicitly benefits the public good – not corporate profit margins,” says Quentin Scott, Federal Policy Director for the Chesapeake Climate Action Network (CCAN) said.

“CCAN is speaking out in strong opposition to the work of this renegade firm because it is a dangerous distraction from the serious scientific research that needs to be done.

“However, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) opposition to Make Sunsets is hypocritical and factually inaccurate. EPA says that Make Sunsets may be adversely impacting air quality, but the truth is that the sulfur dioxide that this company releases is dispersed too high in the atmosphere to impact the air we breathe.

“Additionally, the EPA’s pretense of using the Clean Air Act to threaten Make Sunsets is absurd when the administration is repeatedly attacking that same landmark legislation in the courts, Congress, and public discourse. If the EPA truly stood for the principle of protecting pristine air for all Americans, they would enforce the Clean Air Act provisions that they are Congressionally mandated to enforce instead of making up new ones.”

Make Sunsets, on the other hand, is openly skeptical of the academic establishment. They vented their frustration after attending the recent Degrees Global Forum in South Africa, the largest solar geoengineering gathering to date. Their takeaway: “many get paid to talk, not act,” calling out scientists who “live in a fantasy land” for believing in the feasibility of global net-zero emissions by 2100.

Potential Emergency Climate Tool: If global warming accelerates to dangerous levels and mitigation efforts fall short, solar geoengineering could serve as a temporary emergency measure. Make Sunsets contributes early real-world data and experimentation that could prove valuable in understanding the viability of such options in the future. — Potential Emergency Climate Tool:
If global warming accelerates to dangerous levels and mitigation efforts fall short, solar geoengineering could serve as a temporary emergency measure. Make Sunsets contributes early real-world data and experimentation that could prove valuable in understanding the viability of such options in the future.

The newsletter was especially pointed in its critique: “Do we really need another study on the potential impact to maize yield in Ecuador? You know what else hurts maize yields? Record-breaking temperatures, continent-sweeping fires, and longest-recorded droughts.”

Their core argument: we’ve run out of time for endless modeling—climate interventions are needed now.

Business Model: Selling “Cooling Credits”

Make Sunsets generates revenue by selling “Cooling Credits”—units purchased by individuals or companies who want to fund solar geoengineering as a form of carbon offset. With a revenue of $9,414 in the last month (May) and expenses (“burn”) of $40,135, they are burning cash but still have a healthy runway of 20 months, supported by a reported cash balance of $969,009.

They’ve recently added a fiscal sponsor, allowing tax-deductible donations to the effort—another controversial move that may signal their intent to operate partly in the nonprofit space.

The company has ambitious plans:

$14K in sales for May

First paid “return-to-home” balloon flight

Signing a client for localized cooling—a move that could mark the beginning of geoengineering-as-a-service

Despite the scientific and regulatory uncertainty, Make Sunsets continues to scale what many consider a rogue climate experiment. Their ethos? Act now, ask forgiveness later.

Whether they represent a radical new frontier in climate action or a reckless gamble remains deeply contested. But one thing is clear—they’re not waiting for permission.

Ancient “Drink-Off” Between Dionysus and Hercules Found on 1,700-Year-Old Roman Coffin

Ancient

Isabella Hannah

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June 9, 2025

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Dionysus and Hercules are depicted in a drinking game on new coffin found in Israel

A rare and intricately carved Roman marble sarcophagus, dating back 1,700 years, has been unearthed during a rescue excavation by the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) in the ancient port city of Caesarea. The find, described by archaeologists as “spectacular and unique,” features a vivid mythological scene of a drinking contest between Dionysus—the god of wine—and the hero Heracles (Hercules).

The sarcophagus after its conservation by the expert conservators of the Israel Antiquities Authority’s Conservation Department

This marble coffin may be the oldest “party scene” ever found in Israel—and it’s carved in stunning detail.

Instead of red Solo cups and keg stands, this ancient drinking game involved gods and demigods slugging it out in style. The scene on the sarcophagus shows Dionysus, the god of wine and wild nights, going head-to-head with Hercules, known for his brute strength and legendary hangovers.

Caesarea, home of the original drink-off?

The excavation was launched by the IAA in collaboration with the Caesarea Development Corporation, which has been working to preserve and restore the historical treasures of the city.

Carved in high relief on gleaming white marble, the sarcophagus depicts the legendary showdown between Dionysus (known in Roman mythology as Bacchus) and Heracles, a symbolic battle of indulgence and strength. In classical mythology, Dionysus challenges Heracles to a drinking contest—a moment of revelry that showcases the god’s cunning and command over pleasure.

Experts believe the sarcophagus once belonged to a high-status individual—likely Roman or Romanized elite—interred in Caesarea during the 3rd or 4th century CE, when the city thrived under Roman rule.

“This is the first sarcophagus of its kind found in Israel with this specific mythological scene,” said Dr. Peter Gendelman of the IAA. “Its craftsmanship, condition, and content are exceptional.”

Founded by Herod the Great and once a glittering Roman provincial capital, Caesarea Maritima remains one of Israel’s most archaeologically rich sites. Finds from recent years have included Roman-era mosaics, Byzantine churches, and Crusader fortifications—but this sarcophagus, with its mythological imagery and well-preserved artistry, stands out.

“This discovery adds a rich new layer to our understanding of Roman funerary culture in the eastern Mediterranean,” noted Dr. Helen Goldstein, classical art historian at Tel Aviv University. “The depiction of Dionysus and Heracles is not only artistic—it reflects the spiritual and cultural values of the elite in late antiquity.”

The sarcophagus will be formally presented to the public on Thursday, June 12, where it is expected to draw significant interest from scholars and heritage professionals. Conservation experts are currently studying the piece, and plans are underway to display it in Caesarea or at a national museum.

Site in the ancient port city of Caesarea

The IAA continues to urge developers and landowners to coordinate in advance with heritage authorities, as salvage excavations like this one often reveal irreplaceable cultural treasures.

So next time you’re playing quarters or stack cup, raise a glass to Dionysus and Hercules—the original players of the ancient world.

Make mersu, the oldest known dessert in history

Ancient
Food

Isabella Hannah

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June 9, 2025

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Make mersu, a divine sweet made for the gods

Mersu (also transliterated mirsu) is a simple, sweet confection made from dates and nuts, with occasional additions like honey or spices. Its earliest written record appears on Old Babylonian cuneiform tablets, dating back over 3,700 years to the time of Hammurabi (circa 1800 BCE). The tab

In Mesopotamia, which is modern day Iraq, the date palm was revered as a symbol of fertility, abundance, and divine favor. Mersu was not an everyday snack—it was crafted by temple cooks and royal pastry chefs as ritual offerings, served during religious festivals and placed in temples as gifts to the gods.

These tablets describe Mersu not as a precise recipe, but as a food category—a kind of sweet lump or cake made from pounded dates and nuts, shaped by hand. Sometimes flavored with ghee, honey, or sesame, these sticky morsels offered both nourishment and symbolism, representing the bounty of the gods and the richness of the land between the Tigris and Euphrates.

Old Assyrian cuneiform tablets from the Yale Babylonian Collection

Authentic Mersu Recipe (Modern Interpretation)

This modern take is adapted from cuneiform-era ingredients. It’s naturally gluten-free, vegan, and requires no cooking—a testament to the timeless ingenuity of ancient foodways.

Ingredients:
1 cup soft, pitted dates preferably Medjool because they are soft and malleable. Other dates might be too dry.

½ cup chopped nuts (e.g., walnuts, pistachios, or almonds)

1–2 tablespoons honey (optional but traditional)

Optional Additions:
A pinch of cinnamon or cardamom

A drizzle of sesame oil or a few crushed sesame seeds

A touch of salt to balance sweetness

Cacao nibs/raw cacao powder

Chia seeds

Make an ancient versions of mamoul, a Middle Eastern date cookie by using an emmer wheat or Einkorn flour covering.

An emmer wheat coating, like a fig newton can be made from these ingredients

1 1/2 teaspoons ground coriander
1 1/2 cup of artisan bread flour and 1 cup of Einkorn flour
2/3 cup ghee
70 g honey
1/2 Teaspoon of rose water

Instructions:
Mash the dates using a mortar and pestle or food processor until smooth and sticky. Our favorite way is to buy a rectangle of date paste. Find it in Middle East or Asian food markets. It makes making mersu so easy!

Mix in the chopped nuts, honey, and any optional spices or seeds.

Form into small balls or patties with your hands—about the size of a walnut.

Serve as is, or roll in extra crushed nuts or sesame for texture.

Serving Notes:
Mersu is energy-dense and sweet—think of it as a Bronze Age power snack.

Serve on a small plate with tea, or offer it as part of a ritual meal to honor the culinary traditions of ancient civilizations.

Some of the earliest references to Mersu appear in the context of offerings to Ishtar (goddess of love and war) and Marduk (chief god of Babylon), suggesting that these sweets were thought to please the divine palate as well as the human one.

The world's first cookbook — The world’s first cookbook

“For me, let them bring in the man of my heart. Let them bring in to me my Ama-ushumgal-anna, the Power of the Date-Palm. Let them put his hand in my hand, let them put his heart by my heart. As hand is put to head, the sleep is so pleasant. As heart is pressed to heart, the pleasure is so sweet.” ~ A kunĝar (Sumerian religious song) to Inanna

These are great snacks to make for kids. Keep them in an airtight plastic container in the fridge for weeks. If you have a nut allergy in the school or family, sub out the nuts with seeds. The whole thing is really versatile. Dates are packed with natural sugars, fiber, and essential vitamins like B6, B3, and B5, which support energy, brain health, and metabolism. They also contain vitamin A for vision and immunity, and vitamin K for bone strength and blood clotting. Rich in antioxidants and minerals like potassium and magnesium, dates are a naturally sweet, nutrient-dense food that has sustained people for thousands of years.

New research suggests that vitamins and amino acids like taurine found in health snacks and energy drinks may not be a biohacking secret. They might actually lead to cancer. Follow the secrets of the ancients, and biohack from the past!

If you love this idea, jump ahead where our writer Kelly Milone makes energy balls from dates, and coconut. No doubt her history is informed by mersu!

They're basically ancient versions of mamoul, a Middle Eastern date cookie, and those are really, really good. — Energy date balls

Was Greta Thunberg “kidnapped” by the IDF?

Politics

Karin Kloosterman

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June 9, 2025

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Freedom Flotilla, Gaza, Israel, Greta Thunberg — Israel’s IDF gives the Gaza Freedom Flotilla sandwiches made from Challah bread

“Greta Thunberg is currently on her way to Israel, safe and in good spirits,” says Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs in early hours of the morning.

At around 3 a.m. on Monday morning, the Israeli Navy boarded the Madleen, a small sailboat launched by the Gaza Freedom Flotilla coalition. Branded the “selfie yacht” by Israel’s Foreign Ministry, the vessel was intercepted in international waters and towed to the Port of Ashdod without injury. Shayetet 13, Israel’s elite naval unit, completed the operation peacefully.

But the real battle, as always, was on social media.

As Israeli forces approached, alarms sounded onboard. Activists posted videos claiming they were “surrounded by warships,” that the boat was being “kidnapped,” and that they were now “hostages of Israel.” One participant warned the world via Instagram: “We are being hijacked.”

Meanwhile, the IDF calmly offered water and sandwiches. The Israeli Foreign Ministry called the stunt what it was: a made-for-Instagram performance masquerading as humanitarian action.

Let’s be honest. This wasn’t an aid mission—it was a floating media event. The ship carried less than a truckload of supplies, while Israel, under fire and duress, has facilitated over 1,200 aid trucks into Gaza over the past two weeks. If the mission were truly about delivering help, the organizers would have used the Ashdod route like every NGO on the ground.

The message from the MFA was clear:

“The passengers are expected to return to their home countries. While Greta and others attempted to stage a media provocation whose sole purpose was to gain publicity — and which included less than a single truckload of aid — more than 1,200 aid trucks have entered Gaza from Israel within the past two weeks, and in addition, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation has distributed close to 11 million meals directly to civilians in Gaza.

“There are ways to deliver aid to the Gaza Strip — they do not involve Instagram selfies. The tiny amount of aid that was on the yacht and not consumed by the “celebrities” will be transferred to Gaza through real humanitarian channels.”

Freedom Flotilla crew as the IDF enters the 18 meter yacht, flying under a French flag as Barcarole

One of the participants on the boat, a French and Syrian citizen, Rima Hassan, a Syrian refugee who came to Niort, France at age 9 and who was recently denied entry into Israel for her denial of October 7 atrocities.

I have been to Syria and it’s such an antisemitic country that when I was there knew I could “actually” be kidnapped if I mentioned just the word Israel or that I had been planning on visiting Israel after my trip to Jordan. Instead, you say Disneyland. Me and my travel companion Cara had spies following us around Aleppo, the same paranoid city from which Rima is from. Syrians are bred to hate Israel and Jews with a passion, and it’s no doubt she has carried vengeance for Israel as she attempted to “break the siege” to enter Gaza.

Rima is abusing the freedom of western values to try and destabilize the Middle East through peddling lies and instigating mentally-challenged people with autism like Greta Thunberg to risk their lives in a cause that is meant to stew breed contempt and harassment of Jewish people globally. Thunberg has since abandoned the cause of climate change.

Other members of the “flotilla” of one include Game of Thrones actor Liam Cunningham—alongside individuals with known ties to pro-Hamas propaganda, and one who attended the funeral of Nasrallah, the head of the Hezbollah terror organization.

The IDF, anticipating the media backlash, made efforts to engage the ship through civilian maritime communication. A video later published showed Israeli officers politely instructing the vessel to redirect to Ashdod, where aid could be legally processed and sent to Gaza.

Instead, the flotilla chose social media confrontation, armed with phone cameras and hashtags set up in advance.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz ordered that Thunberg and the others be shown raw footage of the Hamas-led October 7 massacre so they understand why Israel is trying to return its hostages and remove Hamas from power: “It is appropriate that antisemitic Greta and her fellow Hamas supporters see exactly who they came to support.”

The term “antisemitic” may sound harsh—but this flotilla never mentioned Hamas rockets falling on Israeli kindergartens. It made no distinction between innocent Gazans and genocidal militants. And while Greta amplifies every detail of Israel’s military operations, she remains silent on Iranian executions, Syrian prisons and mass executions of which Rima is very familiar; she doesn’t mention China’s Uyghur gulags or the killing of Yemenis by the Houthis.

You can’t claim the moral high ground while sailing with people who excuse child slaughter. Activism without ethical clarity becomes hate theatre. In this case, it’s dangerous theatre.

At Green Prophet, we believe in environmental justice and human rights. We support Palestinian dignity and freedom—but we reject moral relativism that glosses over terror. You can fight occupation without glorifying those who massacre innocents.

I once interviewed the mayor of Ashkelon Benny Vaknin about a peace initiative he launched nearly 15 years ago. His city borders the Gaza enclave, and he had developed a plan to offer sewage treatment technology—freely—to the people of Gaza. He had secured funding and partners in Brazil, and was prepared to meet the then-mayor of Gaza Maged Abu Ramadan in a neutral location to start the work. But when the Gaza mayor requested permission to travel, Hamas shut it down. Shutting it down by Hamas doesn’t mean they lock your office, it means they threaten your life. That’s the reality: you cannot negotiate with terrorists.

Any form of cooperation with Israel, even for humanitarian projects, is branded as “normalization”—a dirty word in the vocabulary of extremists. It’s not about peace. It’s about control, suppression, and sustaining conflict. Hamas—and the activists who blindly support them—aren’t interested in building a future. They thrive on perpetual division and chaos.

When I called out the so-called “Freedom Flotilla” for what it really was, I was immediately blocked by its organizers. They know that when a white, liberal woman from Europe sees through their narrative and speaks out, it deflates the entire performance. Because that’s what this flotilla was: a performance. Not for peace, but for provocation.

This boat wasn’t hijacked. It hijacked the truth.

Read all our coverage of the Gaza Freedom Flotilla here.

Lesser Known Ways To Economize On Groceries

Miriam Kresh

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June 8, 2025

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Lesser Known Ways To Economize On Groceries

With food prices rising, many of us are thinking of ways to save money and still eat well. Try some of these lesser-known ways.

Go shopping in your pantry. Sometimes we’re so used to seeing something that we don’t even see it anymore. What’s with that pasta, that can of tuna, that jar of olives lurking in the pantry? Plug those ingredients into a recipe developer tool. There are many online. You’ll find recipes like pasta al tonno, which is served hot. With a drizzle of olive oil or mayonnaise, the same ingredients could make a cool summer pasta salad.

Respect your leftovers. It’s tried but true advice. Shred leftover chicken, meat, hardboiled eggs, or fish to use as filling for a sandwich. Stash leftover salad in the fridge right away and pick on it soon, before it gets too sad. Leftovers are simply food.

Check your local grocery store’s website for flash sales or overstock discounts. These opportunities aren’t always announced on the app or flyer.

Take time to compare unit prices (price per ounce, liter, etc.) between brands or sizes. Is that extra-size pack of toilet paper really cheaper, or does it cost the same as buying two? For online shopping, a quick glance at the unit prices under the ads answers that. In supermarkets, the unit price is often seen on a red tag next to the retail price.

Will you waste it in the end? If your purchase of, say, broccoli is too great for your immediate needs, cook it all but freeze the excess rather than letting it sit in the fridge waiting to get cooked sometime.

If your market offers unattractive produce at a reduced rate, snap it up. Take it home, pare away anything unsightly, and cook it. Our recipe for lettuce soup was born of a wilted lettuce whose heart was still sound. I recently made excellent apricot jam from a basket of soft, but unspoiled apricots that was going cheap.

Markets often lower prices on perishables just before restocking. Ask when your local place does this; often it’s on Tuesday or Wednesday evening.

Look in on ethnic stores. If you’re lucky enough to shop where an local ethnic population goes, you might find better prices on grains, canned goods, and kitchenware.

There may not be a co-op shop nearby, but you can still buy in bulk. Keep an eye on stores, markets, and even individual manufacturers that advertise foods sold in bulk for a good price. Some shops are happy to discount a product sold in quantity if you approach them first. Be bold: ask them.

Maybe you’re on your own, or too few in the house to make a bulk purchase seem worthwhile. Think again. Get together with friends or with work colleagues and split the purchase. That way you get only as much as you need, instead of having too much product around for too long.

Make your own co-op?

An informal co-op takes a little organization. Every participant states how much they want to take home from the purchase; this is written down and shared to prevent misunderstandings later on. Then, someone must receive or pick up the goods and weigh them out. A scale or other way of measuring is needed. Then, everyone brings their own container to take their part away. The manager of the purchase shouldn’t have to deal with getting containers.

As for payment, it’s best that everyone pay their part upfront, but an equitable agreement should be worked out among trustworthy people.

I did this kind of group purchase when a local olive oil press offered a bulk discount. A jerry can containing 20 liters (5.28 gallons) came to the door. I had a scale for measuring, but a clean pitcher with the quantities marked off would have done as well. With a cheap hand siphon to draw the olive oil out, it all went quickly and everyone was happy.

I’ve also bought flour in bulk through a similar informal co-op. Luckily the flour mill delivered it in neat kilo-sized packages; I’m not sure I would have tackled measuring and packing flour in my own kitchen.

You can also split a case of wine or beer from the liquor store with friends, if the manager allows a bulk discount. Booze bought from the brewery is still cheaper, of course.

Avoid Over-Shopping and Waste

Skip recipes that call for one-time-use ingredients. If a recipe calls for an expensive special ingredient, consider if you’ll likely use it again. No point keeping a jar or can of a specialty item around once it’s been opened, unless you’re sure you’ll repeat the dish or use the item in some other recipe. Ask me: I once kept a jar of capers languishing in the fridge until they gave up.

Don’t linger in the center of the shop, where the packaged goods aisles are. There’s where looms the temptation to do some impulse buying. First head for the fresh produce sections, which are deliberately placed at the edges and at the end of the shop, so you have to walk through the more expensive packaged goods first. If your list includes something from the packaged food aisles, pick up what you need and ignore what’s beckoning to you from the other shelves.

Be wise with sales. If the price is down because the product’s expiry date is coming up, consider if you’ll be using it soon. However, you might buy it anyway and freeze it for later.

Do you really need that? An item might look tempting, but if you don’t really need the product, walk on by. Even if it’s on sale. Disregard the junk so temptingly set out by the check point. Just unfocus your eyes.

Forget pre-shredded salads, packaged soups, industrially produced condiments and other convenience foods. Buy fresh ingredients and make these foods yourself. Yes, it takes time. No, it’s not as convenient. But nothing beats DIY for freshness, flavor, and money saved.

Even coffee is cheapest and most delicious brewed at home. It’s faster to percolate your own, then pour it into a thermos for drinking on the go, than to stand in line at the local coffee chain and wait for them to call your name. Not to mention: cheaper.

Following that thought, consider setting time aside for meal prep and condiments. Instead of scrolling through social media, make soup. Bake muffins. Cook up tomato sauce; it takes 20 minutes to put hot pasta on the table if you have tomato sauce at hand. Whizz up some pesto.

Freeze surplus in single- or double-serving portions. It’s easy to thaw them out in the microwave or on the stovetop. You’ll thank yourself later.

Lastly: cook what you buy, and eat what you cook.

How EcoPeace Uses Environmental Education to Bridge Borders in the Jordan Valley

Politics

Max Izaks

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June 8, 2025

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picture of teachers being taught and they are learning togethor. — EcoPeace’s Teacher Workshop

In a region long marked by political divides, armed conflict, and environmental degradation, EcoPeace Middle East is quietly advancing the power of peacebuilding. Peace through education. Through its cross-border teacher tours in the Jordan Valley, EcoPeace is bringing together educators from Israel, Jordan, and the Palestinian territories to address critical environmental issues.

EcoPeace has offices in Tel Aviv, Israel; Amman, Jordan; and Ramallah, located in the West Bank. It exists as one of the only organizations working together across these three locations. Their goal is ambitious, complex, and challenging: to utilize environmental challenges as a catalyst for regional cooperation. For two decades, their work has been shaped by a truth that transcends borders.

See Related Article: EcoPeace gets peacebuilding award

The Jordan River, stretching from the heights of Mount Hermon to the lowest point on Earth’s surface—the Dead Sea—is a symbol of biodiversity, religion, and culture. However, it has suffered from decades, if not centuries, of abuse. For years, raw sewage from countries, Jordan, Israel, and the Palestinian territories, has been poured into its waters. More than 600,000 Jordanians and 60,000 Palestinians continue to discharge waste into the river basin. Additionally, multiple dams have altered the flow and the stretch of the river downstream from the Sea of Galilee, which is significantly polluted.

Yet, the mindsets and actions of those living in areas surrounding the Jordan River are undergoing a change. Israeli initiatives are invested in cleaner water, infrastructure, and sewage treatment. Both state-led and NGO efforts drive this renewed focus on the restoration. These efforts are slowly but surely transforming once-over-polluted areas into zones of rehabilitation, use, and recreation. Increased cooperation, driven by EcoPeace, has allowed for coordinated responses to the shared environmental threat. These cooperation efforts are not only cleaning the Jordan River, but are also creating new channels for positive regional dialogue.

One of the most effective ways EcoPeace advances its mission is by targeting educators. Each year, the organization hosts educational conferences specifically designed for teachers, primarily those in biology, ecology, and related fields. Approximately 25 teachers from Israel, Jordan, and Palestine participate in each session. These sessions focus not only on the Jordan River being a shared resource and a symbol of regional interdependence, but also on the importance of preserving it. Additionally, they focus on the interactions between teachers from the conflicting groups.

They are designed to create empathy, cooperation, and inspire teachers to integrate transboundary environmental programming into their curriculum. Each session is followed up by support and guidance on how to engage students with the environmental peacebuilding material. Workshops used to take place in Jordan, with all participants traveling there. However, due to the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas, sessions are now held in Cyprus.

The teacher workshops and tours serve as a platform for both learning and dialogue. Regional-political complexities are not ignored; they are engaged, debated, and discussed. However, the program encourages participants to look beyond national and media narratives to instead focus on the common good. Helping educate the youth to provide a better environmental future. When teachers from Tel Aviv, Amman, and Ramallah examine the same stretch of polluted river, it creates a shared experience. The shared concern for the Jordan River, as well as other environmental issues, and, on a larger scale, the region, becomes the foundation for a deeper understanding.

EcoPeace’s work is not limited to the Jordan Valley. The organization is also active along the Alexander Stream and near the Dead Sea. Both areas, like the Jordan River, face enormous environmental stress. What all of these locations have in common is that all three participants within EcoPeace are affected. Both geographical ties and responsibility ties interconnect the Middle East. The typical mindset of “It is someone else’s problem” does not work. It takes teachers, the youth, and the region as a whole to come together to solve these problems because they are everyone’s.

EcoPeace’s strategy is dual, combining both bottom-up and top-down approaches. The bottom-up approach focuses on the aforementioned teacher workshops and trickles down education to the youth. The top-down approach focuses on EcoPeace’s efforts to collaborate with government officials and decision-makers, aiming to influence policy and regional environmental practices.

The organization has been instrumental in advancing the “Green Blue Deal.” This is a project that entails Israel providing desalinated water to Jordan in exchange for energy. This is made possible due to Israel’s experience and expertise in desalination plants, along with Jordan’s expansive geographic area for solar and wind farms. Projects like this are designed to foster interdependence, where both countries rely on each other for mutual benefit. With interdependence comes cooperation, and with cooperation comes increased normalcy in relations.

Ma'an Wind Farm — Ma’an Wind Farm in Jordan

Even amid rising tensions and conflicts, EcoPeace remains committed to its mission. In the aftermath of the October 7th attacks carried out by the terrorist organization known as Hamas, the organization maintained communication across all offices. Staff members checked in on colleagues from all sides, underscoring their commitment to preserving connection even during times of conflict.

See Related Article: The wind farms of the Middle East

The resilience of the educational programs is astounding. While many participants may enter tours with skepticism or strong preconceived notions, they often leave with new perspectives and a deeper appreciation. While political solutions remain improbable, educational ones are already in motion.

EcoPeace aims to expand the teacher programs and increase its reach in the coming years. With more than 1,000 students already directly impacted by the initiative, the organization utilizes teachers as ambassadors for environmental peacemaking.

In a region where peace is scarce, EcoPeace offers a solution—one where educators plant the seeds of coexistence.

To learn more about EcoPeace’s educational programs and environmental peacebuilding efforts, visit https://ecopeaceme.org.

Meet Hyphyn, the First Biodegradable Performance Upholstery

Design

Julie Steinbeck

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June 8, 2025

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In an industry often criticized for waste and pollution, a revolutionary material is changing the narrative. Hyphyn, the first biodegradable performance vinyl, is setting a new standard for sustainable design—without sacrificing the durability that businesses, designers, and institutions have come to rely on.

Engineered with a patented enzyme system and a proprietary resin blend, Hyphyn performs like the commercial-grade vinyl used in high-traffic settings—offices, hospitals, hotels, schools—but offers something no other vinyl can: it breaks down responsibly at the end of its life. In landfill conditions, over 90% of Hyphyn biodegrades within two years. No microplastics. No toxic legacy.

“True innovation isn’t just about creating something new—it’s about rethinking what’s possible,” says Iwan Nassimi, Executive Vice President at Nassimi, the company behind Hyphyn. “We reimagined vinyl’s entire lifecycle.”

Traditional vinyl is prized for its low cost, resilience, and cleanability. But it lingers in landfills for generations, shedding microplastics and leaching chemicals. Hyphyn disrupts that cycle. This new material gives sustainability-minded designers and specifiers a powerful alternative—one that doesn’t require compromising on performance. Hyphyn maintains the strength, finish, and easy maintenance of traditional vinyl, but degrades only when it reaches a landfill, where its embedded enzymes activate, breaking the material down into inert gases. These gases are then captured and turned into energy—a rare win-win in waste management.

“Hyphyn isn’t just about where a product begins or how it performs,” adds Nassimi. “It’s about where it ends up—and what it leaves behind.”

Hyphyn will debut at the Sustainability Lab during NeoCon 2025, June 9–11, and will be showcased at select distributors in THE MART, including Arc-Com, CF Stinson, Mayer Fabrics, Momentum Textiles & Wallcovering, Pallas Textiles, and Wolf Gordon.

Greta Thunberg Sails Toward Gaza as Israeli Navy Prepares Interception

Water

Julie Steinbeck

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June 8, 2025

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Freedom Flotilla Boat, Greta Thunberg, Titantic

Climate activist Greta Thunberg is aboard a Gaza-bound humanitarian flotilla (of one) now navigating the eastern Mediterranean, as the Israeli navy signals it is prepared to intercept the vessels enforcing what it calls a “security naval blockade.”

The boat is expected to arrive close to Gaza tomorrow.

The voyage—part environmental, part humanitarian, and wholly political—is shaping into another high-stakes confrontation at sea.

According to the Garmin tracker on the boat, the Barcole schooner is headed straight for the Ashdod port, suggested that some diplomatic agreement has already been discussed and agreed upon for optics. Had the boat marked Port Said, they’d likely get stopped by the Egyptian army, which has no history of kindness, when it comes to saving or helping boats in distress.

The Garmin tracker is closing in on its goal of going to Gaza. The boat has marked Ashdod Port as its final destination, suggesting that a diplomatic agreement has been made for optics.

The flotilla, organized by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, departed from the Italian port of Catania on June 1 and includes only vessel, confusingly, with two names, the Madleen and the Barcarole, sailing under a UK flag. On board are pro-Palestinian activists, including a Swedish and French citizen, one diplomat, and Greta Thunberg—now one of the most visible figures in the climate and social justice movement.

The ships are carrying what organizers describe as urgently needed aid: baby formula, rice, water desalination kits, women’s sanitary products, medical equipment, and prosthetics for children. Before heading south, the Madleen reportedly picked up Sudanese refugees in a symbolic move connecting global displacement crises.

“We are delivering hope and supplies where governments have failed,” said a spokesperson for the coalition. “This voyage is also a message: the blockade is not just illegal—it is lethal.”

The vessel carries 12 pro-Palestinian activists from the UK, France, Sweden, and other countries. Among them is French Member of the European Parliament Rima Hassan, who previously described the October 7th massacre as a “legitimate act.”

In an interview with the Sunday Times, Thunberg said that participants in the so-called “Freedom Flotilla” are in “high spirits” as they approach Gaza and they plan on live-streaming the interception with Israel’s navy commanders:

“We are aware of the risks, but we chose to sail because the real danger lies in remaining silent in the face of genocide,” she claimed. Following an aerial attack on a previous flotilla vessel in international waters near Malta six weeks ago, organizers arranged for a Greek drone and naval monitoring to accompany the current voyage.

Hassan posted on X (formerly Twitter) that the “Israeli army is preparing to intercept and seize the vessel using missile boats and Shayetet 13 naval commandos.”

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) released a statement in reply to Green Prophet’s questions on how it will react:

“The IDF enforces the security naval blockade on the Gaza Strip and is prepared for a wide range of scenarios, which it will act upon in accordance with the directives of the political echelon,” the IDF spokesperson told Green Prophet. “We have nothing more to add.”

The blockade, first implemented in 2007 following Hamas’s takeover of Gaza, has been widely criticized by international human rights groups for contributing to what the UN now calls a humanitarian catastrophe. Since the October 7, 2023 attacks and Israel’s subsequent war in Gaza, aid access has been sporadic and heavily restricted.

Last month, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu authorized what he called “basic humanitarian aid” into Gaza. But on the ground, fuel shortages, infrastructure collapse, and ongoing military operations have left much of the aid bottlenecked or inaccessible. This is mainly due to the Hamas terror group calling the shots within the enclave.

While Israel has urged the UK to prevent the Barcarole—a UK-flagged ship—from approaching Gaza’s waters, the British Embassy staff in Tel Aviv told Green Prophet it is currently checking if there will be any diplomatic efforts regarding the issue. They did not get back to us.

So far, no formal action has been announced, and both London and Paris have issued recent statements condemning the ongoing restrictions on humanitarian aid to Gaza. British and French leaders have warned that unless conditions improve, “concrete actions” may follow.

The Freedom Flotilla Coalition has launched similar efforts over the past 15 years, most famously the Mavi Marmara mission in 2010, during which Israeli commandos killed nine activists on a Turkish-flagged aid ship attempting to reach Gaza. That incident led to a diplomatic rupture between Israel and Turkey and triggered international investigations. On the Israeli side of the investigation improvised weapons were found on the boat and were used to attack the Israeli commandos, Israel asserted.

This time, the flotilla is more modest, and hundreds of boats have not joined them as they hoped, but the symbolism is powerful: Greta Thunberg—representing a generation of young, justice-oriented global activists—has placed herself at the heart of a decades-old conflict.

Her recent social media post from aboard the Madleen reads: “Let Gaza Live.”

For Green Prophet, the story of this flotilla is more than political theatre. It reflects the intersection of climate, conflict, and displacement—a convergence already visible across the region. With Gaza’s aquifers salinized, electricity grid collapsed, and agricultural systems destroyed, climate collapse in Gaza is not a future threat—it is a present condition.

Years ago when a peace-making desalinating plant was proposed, along with funding, Hamas sabotaged the Gaza mayor by not letting him leave the enclave to meet partners in Europe.

Greta’s presence isn’t just about humanitarian supplies. It’s about bearing witness to what happens when environmental injustice meets conflict

Green Prophet will continue to monitor the story as it unfolds.

Taurine in energy drinks may harm, not help: new study

Food

Isabella Hannah

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June 8, 2025

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Taurine in energy drinks may harm, not help: new study

Examples of Energy Drinks with Taurine:Red Bull: Contains around 1,038 mg per 8.3 oz can. Rockstar: 2,000 mg per 16 oz can. Monster: 2,000 mg per 16 oz can. Celsius: Around 1,810 mg per 12 oz can (part of a proprietary blend). Alani Nu: 2,000 mg per 12 oz can. Bang, Accelerator, Tab Energy, Go Girl Sugar-Free, Ghost Energy: Also contain taurine. — Taurine added to energy drinks

Everything in moderation, as common sense advice goes. It’s especially true when it comes to food. But people want to live forever and are buying promises of energy drinks with amino acids such as taurine, with the aim of living forever, or at least a decade longer is now in fashion.

The amino acid taurine is one of the basic building blocks of the proteins in our bodies and plays multiple other roles in biology. Previous research has suggested that low levels of taurine may signal—or even drive—aging, but a new longitudinal study by Rafael de Cabo and his team at the US National Institute on Aging (NIA) says the answer is more complicated in a new paper, published in Science.

“We clearly show that there’s no need for taurine supplementation as long as you have a healthy diet,” says Rafael de Cabo, a gerontologist at the NIA.

And one study a few months ago suggests that taking taurine-supplemented drinks or vitamins could cause harm if you have leukemia.

A new study out of the University of Rochester’s Wilmot Cancer Institute has raised serious concerns about taurine—a popular amino acid commonly added to energy drinks—potentially accelerating certain blood and bone marrow cancers rather than promoting longevity.

Researchers led by Dr. Jeevisha Bajaj found that while healthy bone marrow cells naturally produce taurine, leukemia cells can’t make it themselves. Instead, they import taurine using genes like SLC6A6, dubbed the taurine transporter.

In both human leukemia cell cultures and mouse models, this imported taurine enhanced glycolysis—the breaking down of glucose for energy—and in turn helped cancer cells thrive.

For people with leukemia: Taurine intake—via supplements, energy drinks, or intravenous use—may not be benign. The researchers suggest that limiting taurine exposure could slow disease progression, and propose future studies to monitor taurine levels in leukemia patients.

For the general public: While current evidence does not indicate taurine causes leukemia in healthy individuals, experts caution that mice models may not fully predict human risk.

Examples of Energy Drinks with Taurine:

Red Bull: Contains around 1,038 mg per 8.3 oz can.
Rockstar: 2,000 mg per 16 oz can.
Monster: 2,000 mg per 16 oz can.
Celsius: Around 1,810 mg per 12 oz can (part of a proprietary blend).
Alani Nu: 2,000 mg per 12 oz can.
Bang, Accelerator, Tab Energy, Go Girl Sugar-Free, Ghost Energy: Also contain taurine.

A new food safe blue called jagua can help save Colombian forests

Food

Julie Steinbeck

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June 8, 2025

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A new food safe blue called jagua can help save Colombian forests

Synthetic food dyes should be avoided in everything we eat. But a true blue natural food dye was missing –– until now. It comes from a fruit about the size of a kiwi or a guava, growing on a semi-deciduous tree called the Genipa americana in the forests of Colombia. Opening a new chapter in the chronicle of food safety, it’s a “holy grail” in the food industry, the first ever blue food colouring to be natural in origin and resistant to acids. Let’s hope new interest in it will help protect forests, not cut them down.

When the pulp of the unripe jagua fruit is exposed to air, it turns dark blue in colour. The pigment has been widely used by various Indigenous Peoples in South America to paint their skin and dye their clothes, ceramics and some foods.

Now it’s been hailed by the food industry as the one remaining natural food colour needed to complete the entire spectrum. It was recently included in the Codex Alimentarius, or “Food Code”, a collection of standards, guidelines and codes of practices.

The jagua blue food colouring was developed in Colombia by a private company that set about creating and collecting the data needed for the scientific assessment of the safety of this food additive.

After a thorough scientific evaluation and confirmation that it was a product for which there was a need, jagua blue has been permitted for use under the Codex standard governing food additives, which covers everything from confectionery to breakfast cereals.

For Colombia, the jagua blue standard is a big deal. Officials there predict that the inclusion of jagua blue in the Codex Alimentarius can help improve the economic wellbeing of Indigenous Peoples who have used the colorant for generations. Particularly hoping to benefit are the Emberá Indigenous Peoples, many of whom have traditionally lived on the riverbanks of the densely forested northwestern Chocó region.

Whatever the production model, Colombia hopes the safety standard can open up new markets and opportunities as well as drive biodiversity conservation and the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices.

internationally has grown exponentially.

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No appointment needed to kiss the stone

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Their ethos? Act now, ask forgiveness later.

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Caesarea, home of the original drink-off?

Make your own co-op?

Avoid Over-Shopping and Waste

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