Beyond the Mediterranean coastline, northern Morocco’s mountains are pocked with small scale dope farms. The government has tried hard to eradicate them, to little effect, but one governor sees green in the “illicit” plants.
Moroccan Governor Pushes to Legalize Marijuana
Four Tweets Get Female Kuwaiti Blogger Jailed for 20 Months
Kuwait didn’t earn a mention in the “worst countries for journalism” published by online ‘zine Foreign Policy, even though three of its Middle Eastern neighbors made the cut. But it should be named and shamed for the recent prosecution of a young microblogger.
To the Dead Sea from the Red Sea Looks To Be Dead
Jordan’s Minister of Water and Irrigation and Agriculture, Hazim Al Naser, disclosed that the controversial Red-Dead Water Conveyor project may now be shelved in favor of a series of smaller schemes to provide the kingdom with drinking water.
His statements mark the first time that a ranking official questioned the project’s viability. Al Naser spoke at a recent presentation of the final Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the project, where the World Bank and the Ministry of Environment advised stakeholders of the plans more dubious aspects.
Dubai’s Outdoor Workers Get Solar-Powered Cooling Hats!
Employers in Gulf countries often come under fire for making their employees work during hot summer days, when temperatures regularly hit the 40°C or 100°F mark, so the Dubai municipality came up with a curious solution.
Better Place EV Buyers are Late with Their Bill
Sunrise Ltd, the court-appointed new owners of Israel’s Better Place electric vehicle company, now known as Green EV, is struggling to pay the company’s liquidators, and other potential buyers are asking the courts to reassign assets. Green EV is having a hard time paying off its bills, and that is surprising? Step in for a short history lesson.
Israeli Kobi Levi Still Designing Outrageous Footwear
Olive Oyl is so much more than a 1930’s cartoon character, she was my first role model. This dark-haired skinny-bones with the giant feet was a working woman and single mom who always had two muscle-bound sailors fighting over her. What a welcome relief from Malibu Barbie! So when I spotted a set of bulbous heels named “Olive Oyl” (image below) I had to see who was behind them.
Palestine’s First Bike Lane in Jericho Brings Oldest City Up to Speed
Biking enthusiasts in Palestine have welcomed the construction of the first cycle lane in the Palestinian territories on the main road leading from Jericho to Jerusalem.
The 1,200-metre two-way cycle lane on the west side of Jerusalem Street in Jericho was completed in July at a cost of 179,000 euros and will be formally opened after the end of Ramadan.
Burj Doha and Qatar’s First Vertical Garden (Photos)
Cousin to the world’s tallest building, the rounded silhouette of Burj Doha soars over the capital of Qatar’s skyline. Designed by Jean Nouvel, it is the first building in the emirate with a vertical garden, and check out that modern mashrabiya.
“Spit” Samples Indicate that Cell Phones Damage DNA
Scientists have long been worried about the possible harmful effects of regular cellular phone use, but so far no study has managed to produce clear results. Currently, cell phones are classified as carcinogenic category 2b — potentially carcinogenic to humans — by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). A new Tel Aviv University study, though, may bring bad news.
Radio Waves Carry News of Climate Change
The ionosphere, one of the regions of the upper atmosphere, plays an important role in global communications. Ionized by solar radiation, this electricity-rich region is used for the transmission of long wave communications, such as radio waves. Now Prof. Colin Price of Tel Aviv University (he discovered the link between lightning and climate change) has found that the radio waves reflecting back to Earth from the ionosphere offer valuable news on climate change as well.
Hijab Culture for Islamic Clothing in the Sustainable Fashion Limelight
Long sustainably-made silk robes, vibrant headscarves fro organic cotton, and intricate lace face veils paint a modest, underground and mystical picture of Muslim fashion. Despite the modest nature of Islamic clothing designed to honour the religion, Muslim attire is adorned with bright designs, bold colours and stunning materials. In recent years Islamic clothing has taken on a more modern element, amalgamating comfort and privacy with style and modernity, crafting hip and stylish individuals of the Islamic faith – and best of all some of these traditions are turning “green”.
Climate Change in the Arab World – a New Blog
We are absolutely thrilled to announce the launch of a new blog that will devote itself to climate change in the Arab world, a looming disaster that has been eclipsed by the rather more dramatic social and political events dominating the region’s discourse.
Middle East’s Largest Mural Was Carved Out of Cement
We tend to lean away from cement as much as possible given its super high embodied energy content, but we can’t help but admire this phenomenal mural carved out of the material and cast in bronze by Khaleel Abu Haltam.
3 Frozen Watermelon Desserts
Summertime is watermelon time, and time to enjoy the pleasant contrast between the fruit’s hot red color and cool sweetness. Mark Bittman of the New York Times writes a variety of recipes featuring watermelon. In case you need convincing, here are 5 good reasons to eat watermelon this summer.
We’ve taken three of Mr. Bittman’s watermelon desserts to show you. You’ll need a blender or food processor to get the texture you’ll want, but they’re all very easy to make. Perfect desserts for lazy summer days. But don’t throw out all of the rind! Try our Iraqi watermelon rind jam first.