Health Ministry calls to shut down Qasr al-Yahud site in Jordan River – where Jesus is believed to have been baptized – due to heavy water pollution, raw sewage Amir Ben-David, Yedioth Ahronoth The baptismal site at Qasr al-Yahud near Jericho is one of the holiest sites for Christianity. According to Christian faith, Jesus was […]

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By Hana Namrouqa AMMAN – People found guilty of water theft will now be jailed and fined under new amendments to the Penal Code, which went into effect as of July 1, Minister of Water and Irrigation Mohammad Najjar said on Tuesday. The step seeks to address water loss, a major concern to the ministry, […]

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By EHUD ZION WALDOKS 07/22/2010 Questions whether ‘3 year campaign’ is sustainable. Environmental Protection Minister Gilad Erdan questions the wisdom of the Water Authority’s new PR campaign, in a letter sent earlier this week to National Infrastructures Minister Uzi Landau and Water Authority head Prof. Uri Shani, his ministry revealed on Wednesday. Erdan wrote that […]

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By Hana Namrouqa AMMAN – The Disi Water Conveyance Project is on pace and GAMA, the implementing company, said there will be no delay, Minister of Water and Irrigation Mohammad Najjar said on Tuesday. “The number of pipes at the location indicates that the project is on the right track. The company is committed to […]

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By Ismail Abbas Wednesday, July 21, 2010 Exposure to pesticides both occupationally and environmentally causes a range of human health problems. It is estimated that nearly 10,000 deaths annually can be attributed to the use of chemical pesticide worldwide. Humans are exposed to pesticides found in environmental media (soil, water, air and food) by different […]

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By Hana Namrouqa AMMAN – Teenage delegates from 17 countries have called for adopting solar energy, planting trees and promoting recycling to preserve the environment and prevent its degradation. At the closing ceremony of the 30th International Arab Children’s Congress (IACC) on Sunday, the 150 young participants proposed developing solar energy technologies and cultivating trees […]

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Due to a software change, mailings to subscribers have not been sent for almost the past month. The problem seems to have been resolved. There are back postings which subscribers have not received in their email. These can be read on the “Environment and Climate in the MIddle East” website.

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In meeting with EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton, Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman says Israel ‘is looking for serious partners’ to improve economic situation in Gaza. By DPA Israel is working on a plan to build a power station, desalination plants and infrastructure for water purification in the Gaza Strip, Foreign Affairs Minister Avigdor Lieberman […]

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By NOAH RAYMAN 07/19/2010 02:20 The last six months have been the hottest on record around the globe, according to an American weather analysis. After five years of drought, Israel may in fact be better prepared than other nations as the world experiences unprecedented high temperatures. The last six months have been the hottest on […]

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Dr. Samir Hatukai, who is responsible for water purity at the Mekorot company, says that not only is our drinking water pure – it tastes good. So why shell out money for bottled water? By Yigal Mashiah What a lovely natural lake there is at the Hamovil Junction in the lower Galilee, and how wonderful […]

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By EHUD ZION WALDOKS Devices like the EcoCamel help families reduce water use and save money after Water Authority price hikes. As the Water Authority continues to warn that conservation is absolutely essential, more and more water saving devices are beginning to penetrate the Israeli market. Attend any cleantech exhibition and an abundance of water […]

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By Nermeen Murad What is the first thing that comes to any regular person’s mind when he/she hears about the establishment of a nuclear plant? I am willing to bet that it is either the Chernobyl disaster or the Hiroshima bomb. What about when we heard that Jordan was beginning a nuclear programme? Some may […]

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BEIRUT: The World Bank considered the main challenge facing Lebanon’s electricity sector is gaining the trust of consumers as the sector suffers from inadequate supply and a low-quality service, and is dependent on informal private generation that is outside any state supervision, as reported by Lebanon This Week, the economic publication of the Byblos Bank […]

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By Mohammed Zaatari Children horrified by appalling state of Sidon’s notorious dump SIDON: More than 50 children were shocked by the horrible condition of the Sidon garbage dump on Friday, when they visited the location as part of efforts by Le Mouvement Social. The children, aged between 7 and 12, were participating in a two-week […]

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By EHUD ZION WALDOKS Public Council to Prevent Noise and Air Pollution finds 9% of cars pollute more than acceptable standard. The Public Council to Prevent Noise and Air Pollution in Israel (Malraz) discovered more polluting cars during its spot-checks in 2009 than in previous years, according to the organization’s annual report released Tuesday. Nine […]

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By Khalid Neimat AMMAN – Prime Minister Samir Rifai on Thursday said the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project is an important step towards developing a comprehensive public transportation system in Amman, describing it as a “great achievement”. The premier laid the foundation stone for the project in a ceremony, during which he said the BRT […]

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Eight Greenpeace activists were arrested Thursday morning as they entered an coal-fueled electrical power plant in Hadera in an attempt to disrupt coal breakdown operations. The activists entered the power plant through the sea with inflatable dinghies and climbed up ropes to reach an elevated seaside coal dock. Greenpeace spokeswoman Hila Krupsky says activists climbed […]

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By Taylor Luck and Hani Hazaimeh AMMAN – The government is expected to formalise a deal with Egypt within the next two weeks to secure an additional 900 million cubic metres of natural gas, a senior official said on Wednesday. Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Khalid Irani said that during a meeting with his […]

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Jordan is one of the many developing countries in the world that has yet to start a campaign for the production of organic food. Until that happens, people will in most cases have to make do with agricultural produce that is treated with pesticides, insecticides and sometimes hormones, to the detriment of their health. Given […]

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By SHARON WROBEL 07/13/2010 23:41 Yacimovich: ‘This is a battle for a fair distribution of national resources’ A private member’s bill to raise gas royalties and increase taxes on natural resources was submitted to the Knesset on Tuesday by coalition and opposition MKs. “In our battle, we are undoubtedly going to face a strong opposition […]

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