In an historic move, for the first time Jerusalem sent an Israeli cabinet minister to Masdar City in the United Arab Emirates. With no diplomatic ties with Israel, National Infrastructures Minister Uzi Landau said that he did not meet with any Emirati officials while at the newly established International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), reports AP. […]
Tu B’Shvat (the Jewish new year holiday for the trees) happens in late winter. This means that many people are gathering dried fruits and nuts (in a squirrel-like fashion), but it also means that others are planning a Tu B’Shvat seder or meal. What is a Tu B’Shvat seder? The tradition of the Tu B’Shvat […]
Will Qatar’s air buses be biofueled? The Persian Gulf Emirate of Qatar, together with Qatar Airways, Qatar Science and Technology Park and Petroleum Company have started a new biofuel project to power commercial airliners, including large ones such as Airbus. As noted in a Gulf Times article, along with Qatar’s own air transport and technology concerns, […]
New Year’s for the Trees, is about to be celebrated in Israel and by Jews everywhere. Some people like to plant trees, like this family. Over in the Holy Land, and the Jewish Diaspora, Jewish people are stock-piling dried fruit and nuts to welcome in one of four different new years celebrated each year. Starting […]
Pizza Fusion, a US-based chain, proclaims itself as being committed to “saving the earth one pizza at a time.” And now its slogan might ring more true. Now that it has a stronghold in the Middle East. In late November Pizza Fusion opened its first international franchise in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia (on Prince Abdullah Street […]
This interview rounds off our water series of interviews with Israeli water experts. In collaboration with the Strategic Foresight Group we’ve been busy talking with experts and policy makers and shapers from Israel on how it can help achieve water security in the region. Today we speak with Oren Blonder, director of the Agriculture, Water […]
Tuesday night’s horrific 7+ magnitude earthquake in Port au Prince Haiti, has all but devastated this island nation, said to be the poorest in the Western Hemisphere. This catastrophe, which many seismologists say may dwarf the 2008 earthquake in China (which killed more than 100,000) may even wind up being one of the worst in […]
When Jordanian EU Ambassador Ahmad Massadeh’s name was proposed as the new head of the Mediterranean Union Project on Tuesday, everyone applauded. The project has been stalled due to infighting, and other representatives are hopeful about Massaadeh’s ability to make progress. The Mediterranean Union Project, which was launched by French President Nicolas Sarkozy in Paris […]
Sign for polluted water at Israel’s beachfront: obvious in any language Although much hype and attention is given to Israel’s contribution in the areas of clean technology, particularly solar energy and other forms of renewable energy more attention needs to be made on the country’s growing “contribution” to global warming. Despite this small country’s efforts […]
Kibbutz Zeelim from Google Earth. “Solarized” water reservoir located top left hand corner. Sunday Energy, a PV solar integrator from Israel, who we’ve covered here (Every Sunny Day Is Like Sunday), is about to install a 5 MW PV facility on a water reservoir in an Israeli kibbutz, the business newspaper Globes report. The company […]
Taste of Beirut blog features authentic Lebanese cuisine and a great give-away. I love this blog. I love Lebanese food, and author Joumana, a Lebanese ex-pat living in the States, presents recipe after delicious-looking recipe, Slow Food style. Just a small example – the Toom garlic paste, a staple flavoring in Lebanese kitchens. Whirl garlic, […]
The World Future Energy Summit is about to take place in Abu Dhabi. Siemens Corporation has announced that it will launch a number of new and “innovative” initiatives to help fight against climate change and carbon emissions at this year’s World Future Energy Summit. It says it will present “its prove, highest-efficiency industrial solutions” at […]
For those without water pipes and meters in Mumbai, more traditional methods of water delivery are necessary. Having good water meters is the first step to knowing where your water is going, and where the leaks are. Mumbai, India is taking steps to improving its municipal water use by ordering a massive stock of water […]
A new study profiles the average Israeli cyclist. If you’ve read the title, looked at the picture, and are either excited or worried that Haifa University has discovered that most Israeli cyclists are physically fit exhibitionists… then no, that is not what their research has to report. The study’s findings are nevertheless very interesting. The […]
Will chicory become chic? Chicory, or olesh in Arabic and Hebrew, is a tasty wild edible related to endive. Generations of Middle Eastern peoples hand-gathered the lance-like, serrated leaves to cook, but you can buy it cultivated now. Unfortunately, this nutritious, inexpensive wild vegetable hasn’t acquired the prestige of, say, artichokes – which are really […]