Agricultural scientist Tony Rinaudo is behind one of the world’s most successful reverse desertification projects – in Niger, and now he thinks a similar underground forest might exist in the Arabian desert outside of Dubai.
Is There a “Forest” Under the Desert Outside of Dubai?
SIWA Oasis Near Libya to Get Solar from the Gulf
For outsiders, SIWA oasis in Egypt is a wonderful place to visit precisely because “civilization” has been so slow to arrive there. But for locals, the gift of a new 20MW solar energy plant will be received like a mountain of gold.
Fascinating, Frustrating Morocco: a Tour in Photos
Severed goat heads, bloody and besieged by flies, lay side-by-side on a butcher’s slab. A dozen lethal serpents, coiled and poised to strike, wove back and forth before a snake charmer in the Marrakech souk.
Richard Branson Joins, Leonardo DiCaprio Leaves Zayed Future Energy Prize Jury
Richard Branson’s recent commitment to this year’s Zayed Future Energy Prize jury speaks volumes not only about Abu Dhabi’s leadership in energy innovation, but also the faith world leaders place in the emirate’s (many) initiatives.
RECIPE: Carrot Cake For Rosh HaShanah
The Jewish New Year 5774 starts at sundown tonight, Wednesday September 4th, and ends on the night of Thursday the 5th. On the first night, families sit together and enjoy a meal rich in delicious symbolism, as we explained in this post.
Carrots are a more interesting vegetable than one would suspect. They’re also one of Rosh HaShana’s symbolic foods. While many like to put a savory carrot salad like this Moroccan salad on the table, others like to cook them up with honey. How to serve carrots this year? This cake is an elegant solution to the carrot issue. Rich cream cheese frosting optional – but very delicious.
Policemen Kill Afghan Kids “Like Birds” While Fishing With Grenades
A group of Afghan policemen have been arrested after one of them killed a group of six boys while fishing with a rocket-propelled grenade, the New York Times reports. Three of them were related to the mayor of Drumbak village, where the incident took place.
Dubai Developer Relocates Coral Reef that Thrives in New Home
A leading property developer in Dubai executed one of the world’s largest coral relocation projects in 2008, and now – five years later – the mammoth $9.8 million undertaking has shown itself to be a remarkable success.
World’s First Wave-Powered Desalination Tech Offers Zero-Emission Energy and Water
New wave-powered desalination technology from Australia may offer Middle East businesses and governments hope for a new alternative to conventional, energy-intensive water purification plants.
On Planning Crowded Cairo with Dr. Abdulrahman Makhlouf (Interview)
In the new Portal 9, the first Arabic-English journal about the city, the founder of Abu Dhabi’s urban planning department talks with editor Todd Reisz about planning crowded Cairo, working with Sheikh Zayed and practicing in mid-century Egypt and Saudi Arabia.
Israel’s Genetically Modified “Superplants” Thrive in Arid Areas
Genetically-modified food has a bad reputation mostly because many food giants are mixing non-plant DNA to create drought and pest-resilient crops that we’ll eventually eat; manipulating plant DNA with plant components, however, is normal practice.
Saudi’s Fledgling Cycling Culture (Video)
Albeit huge advocates of urban cycling, we have been sensitive to the fact that – mostly because of culture – the practice hasn’t taken off in the Middle East. But a You Tube video from Saudi Arabia challenges all the naysayers.
Rhino Skin Portable Bomb Shelter’s Got Your Back in War
We don’t want to perpetuate any kind of hype during this immensely sensitive time in the Middle East, but now does seem like a good opportunity to share an Israeli design for a portable bomb shelter that’s got your back during war.
Jordan’s Environmentalists Seek Seat at Government Table
Jordan’s activists have officially petitioned to re-establish the country’s “green party”, according to human rights activist Ghandi Abu Sharar, who was also a founding member of the original Green Party of Jordan created in 2000. After failing to meet revamped requirements in the then-temporary Political Parties Law, the nascent party disbanded in 2008.
Consider Hand Washing Your Dishes as Turks Find Toxins in Kitchens
Blue cheese, yogurt, and yeasty breads are delectable byproducts of fungi, a kingdom of naturally occurring organisms distinct from animals, plants and bacteria. Fungi perform an essential role in nature by decomposing organic matter, but many forms are highly toxic to humans. Researchers at a Turkish University warn that our kitchens can be cooking up real danger.