Unknown virus is killing Tilapia population in Sea of Galilee; experts say future impact on lake’s eco-system unknown Published: 07.30.12 An unknown virus is threatening the population of St. Peter’s fish (Tilapia) in Lake Kinneret (Sea of Galilee). The virus, which has yet to be identified, is causing the fish to go blind, therefore inhibiting […]

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By JOANNA PARASZCZUK, SHARON UDASIN 07/30/2012 Move a response to calls by Erdan, animal rights groups regarding export of animals to overseas labs. Animal rights groups on Sunday praised a decision by Attorney-General Yehuda Weinstein to implement legal guidelines and tougher policies on the trade of wild animals. The announcement came in response to a […]

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By SHARON UDASIN 08/01/2012 Israeli cliffs lose 40-50 centimeters a year due to erosion, with some in danger of complete collapse. The Socioeconomic Cabinet approved a plan on Tuesday to establish a governmental company for coastal cliff protection, the Environmental Protection Ministry reported. The new company will design, launch and maintain defense structures to prevent […]

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By Waltraud Frommherz-Hassib While a number of countries slid into a deep recession in 2008, Lebanon witnessed spectacular economic growth. Over the last few years, not only trendy downtown Beirut but other parts of the country, too, have seen a major construction boom. In 2009, tourism too broke all records. In the real estate business […]

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links go to on-line articles from this issue 4 Regional cooperation to bridge food deficit (editorial by Najib Saab) 16 Construction chaos in Lebanon (cover story) http://www.mectat.com.lb/metopics/lebconstruction/lebconstruction.htm 22 The future we don’t want highlights on Rio+20 summit 24 Rio, the states, the people commentary by Cynthia Fleury http://www.mectat.com.lb/metopics/fleuri/fleuri.htm 26 People’s summit versus leaders’ summit photo […]

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by AYA EPHRATI/NOCAMELS 07/28/2012 An Israel-based startup, says it has developed bifacial solar panels that can boost energy yield by up to 50 percent. Solar cells and panels have been around for decades, but researchers are still trying to develop affordable double-sided panels – able to capture both direct and reflected sunlight. bSolar, an Israel-based […]

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New study shows investment in solar energy production as cost effective or more than production of fossil fuel-based energy Itay Lahat, Calcalist Published: 07.28.12 Solar energy production is one of the fastest growing industries in the world and a recent study has found that it is now also as cost effective – if not more […]

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By SHARON UDASIN 07/27/2012 Energy expert at ministry conference: Gas discovery belongs to “every single” Israeli citizen. To ensure that citizens are getting the optimal value for their nation’s offshore resource reserves, governments should mandate independent analyses of their reserve inventory, an American energy expert said on Thursday. “Energy and environment ministries are the stewards […]

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Receives approval to drill for oil off Israel’s southern Mediterranean coast from Defense Ministry, military paving way for operations at Yam-3 drill to begin Reuters Published: 07.28.12 Shemen Oil and Gas Resources said this week it had received approval to drill for oil off Israel’s southern Mediterranean coast from the Defense Ministry and military, paving […]

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Petra | Jul 29, 2012 | 00:29 ZARQA/IRBID — Zarqa’s water crisis will be resolved after 400 cubic metres of water are pumped from Al Azraq wells to the governorate, starting Sunday, Governor Sameh Majali said on Saturday. During a visit to several areas in Zarqa, Majali urged the Zarqa Water Directorate not to neglect […]

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Palestinian communities in the Jordan Valley are frequently denied permits to restore old wells or dig new ones. Dalia Hatuqa Last Modified: 28 Jul 2012 At a time when the Palestinian Authority is facing a severe financial crisis, a report by the UK-based non-governmental organisation Oxfam International has revealed that Palestinians could generate an extra […]

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Environmental Protection Ministry, green groups concerned over lack of proper treatment facilities for products like batteries, paint and pharmaceuticals Alphi Shauli Published: 07.29.12 The Environmental Protection Ministry has recently raised concerns over lack of proper treatment for hazardous waste produced by private consumers. Many products, like batteries, pharmaceuticals, florescent light bulbs, pesticides, paints and glues […]

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A new government company will plan and construct various measures to save sections of the cliffs in danger of collapse, including such solutions as building breakwaters. By Zafrir Rinat | Jul.27, 2012 In an attempt to deal with the crumbling cliffs along the Mediterranean shore, the cabinet is expected to approve a proposal by Environmental […]

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MKs greenlight series of increased fines against individuals, corporations that illegally cut down trees Billie Frenkel Published: 07.27.12 The Knesset’s Constitution, Law and Justice Committee approved a series of amendments to the Forests Law, allowing for increased administrative fines for anyone vandalizing trees or greenery. Any corporation violating the law will be subjected to double […]

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Residents and green groups say work will reduce quality of Herzliya beach as well as reduce the number of people able to enjoy it. By Zafrir Rinat | Jul.27, 2012 The Herzliya Municipality temporarily halted work on a planned beachfront promenade this week after residents and green groups voiced concern that it will reduce the […]

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by Hana Namrouqa | Jul 25, 2012 AMMAN — The Ministry of Water and Irrigation’s headquarters in Shmeisani remained without power on Wednesday for the second day in a row, after the National Electric Power Company (NEPCO) cut off electricity due to unpaid bills. The ministry’s offices and corridors were dark and the usually bustling […]

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Environmental Protection Ministry updates recycling regulations to include thousands of tons of plastic waste used in agriculture industry Billie Frenkel Published: 07.24.12 The recycling revolution led by the Environmental Protection Ministry is about to hit the agriculture industry for the first time. The ministry announced that an amendment is to legislate the recycling of thousands […]

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In a precedent-setting ruling, a judge has closed a waste treatment site because of the groundwater contamination it could cause in the future. By Zafrir Rinat | Jul.26, 2012 The millions of tons of urban waste, animal manure and sewage sludge produced in Israel every year could cause pollution and widespread health problems. The most […]

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By SHARON UDASIN 07/23/2012 A contagious virus targeting the eyes of tilapia fish in Lake Kinneret has lately become more prominent in the country’s Galilee oasis. A contagious virus targeting the eyes of tilapia fish in Lake Kinneret has lately become more prominent in the country’s Galilee oasis. The mysterious disease has been affecting the […]

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By SHARON UDASIN 07/25/2012 Environment Ministry: Regulations match those of Western world, prioritize public health. Israeli industry is gradually drifting outside the country’s borders and seeking refuge elsewhere, in response to the increasingly stringent environmental regulations the government is enforcing, a prominent environmental compliance attorney recently told The Jerusalem Post. Arie Neiger has been providing […]

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