By Hana Namrouqa AMMAN – Despite the delay in the implementation of the Disi Water Conveyance Project, Minister of Water and Irrigation Mohammad Najjar on Sunday said the venture will be completed on its due date in early 2013. “There is a delay in the implementation of the Disi project in terms of digging the […]

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By Hana Namrouqa AMMAN – The Water Authority of Jordan (WAJ) on Sunday announced plans for increasing water supply from underground wells in summer to cope with demand in light of the scant rainfall. WAJ Secretary General Munir Oweiss said the authority has rented several private wells in different governorates to pump additional water to […]

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In the past two years, over 3,000 trees in Palestinian villages have been destroyed or stolen. When volunteers celebrated Tu Bishvat by planting trees in Maghar, near Ramallah, settlers slammed the event. By Amira Hass Equipped with an extra pair of glasses, I went to the village of Maghar near Ramallah, on Route 60. In […]

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Greece is trying to see how it could be viewed as a transportation hub and a services center Monday, January 24, 2011 By Paul Taylor Reuters ATHENS: Greece has begun exploratory talks with Israel about cooperation on transporting recently discovered offshore Israeli natural gas to markets in Europe, Investment Minister Harris Pamboukis said. Pamboukis told […]

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By SHARON WROBEL 01/23/2011 15:22 After Netanyahu decided to adopt committee’s recommendations, government’s take on gas, oil discoveries will rise from 33% to 52-62%. Talkbacks (1) The cabinet on Sunday approved the Sheshinski Committee’s proposals to raise taxes on gas and oil profits following the recommendation of Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu. “The natural resource is […]

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Plan drafted by Finance Ministry committee roughly doubles current tax rates to collect 52% to 62% of revenues from gas, oil finds Associated Press Published: 01.24.11, 07:52 / Israel Business Share on TwitterShare on Facebook share The cabinet approved a sharp increase in taxes on profits from its recently discovered gas reserves Sunday, despite opposition […]

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Bank of Israel governor: Vested interests must not be allowed to affect distribution of gas profits by illicit means. The public must not be swayed by dirty tactics and personal affronts. By Guy Rolnik He circled his prey warily, built his case piece by piece, missing not one single point for or against. He built […]

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By SHARON WROBEL 01/17/2011 07:02 “It doesn’t seem appropriate that two Knesset committees should hold separate hearings on the same recommendations” says Knesset Speaker Rivlin. Talkbacks (1) Knesset committee hearings scheduled for Monday on the Sheshinski Committee recommendations to raise taxes on gas and oil profits have been canceled. “It doesn’t seem appropriate that two […]

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By EHUD ZION WALDOKS 01/17/2011 02:26 A 700,000 euro grant from Europe Aid, the Local Energy Center will provide expert assistance to local authorities, conduct energy audits. The “Local Energy Center” was launched Sunday to help local authorities reduce their electricity usage by becoming more efficient. Energy efficiency is considered the cheapest and fastest way […]

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Activists block Jerusalem Chords Bridge in protest of third Ashkelon facility Yael Darel Published: 01.18.11, 07:48 / Israel Activism Share on TwitterShare on Facebook share Greenpeace Organization activists climbed the Jerusalem Chords Bridge on Sunday protesting against the planned opening of a third coal plant in Ashkelon. The activists arrived at the city entrance around […]

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By JUDY SIEGEL-ITZKOVICH 01/17/2011 03:57 5 people rappel their way up 60 meters, drape sign “Bibi, Stop the Coal Power Station” in protest of Ashkelon coal-fired plant. Although it will be at least seven more months until Jerusalem’s Bridge of Strings is used by the light rail, the majestic structure is already being used for […]

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By Simona Sikimic Friday, January 21, 2011 BEIRUT: Water scarcity in the region can be channeled for a common good and used to reduce, rather than ignite conflict, an environmental report released Thursday has claimed. “The Blue Peace: Rethinking Middle East Water” launched at the Beirut-based Carnegie Middle East Center, proposes radical cooperation between the […]

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By Dureid Mahasneh I never thought that I would write one day an article defending the trees of Ajloun, as I always thought that trees are sacred to Jordanians. We celebrate yearly, on January 16, Arbor Day by planting trees across the country, and pray for rain to keep us and our forests alive. We […]

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By Hana Namrouqa AMMAN – The Aleppo pines in the Dibbeen Forest Reserve are recovering faster than expected from a wildfire that destroyed thousands of trees, according to conservationists. A recent study released by the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature (RSCN) revealed that the rate of Aleppo pine trees’ natural regeneration reached 175 […]

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By Mohammad Ghazal AMMAN – The number of migratory birds stopping over in Jordan has dropped by 20 per cent due to an “unprecedented absence of rain”, the Royal Society for Conservation of Nature (RSCN) said on Wednesday. Researchers said they are witnessing a significant drop in the number of birds, who are normally attracted […]

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By EHUD ZION WALDOKS AND JPOST.COM STAFF 01/20/2011 12:21 Temporary fishing licenses issued until end of Feb. 2011; fish stocks less than 1/10 of 1999 figure coupled with lowest rainfall since 1920s. Talkbacks (2) The Agriculture and Rural Development Ministry will issue temporary fishing licenses to Lake Kinneret fisherman until final decisions are made regarding […]

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Tu Bishvat celebrations will span over three days this year, metamorphosing from a tree-planting holiday into an occasion with wider environmental and social significance. By Zafrir Rinat The Hiriya former waste dump is certainly an unlikely place for a Tu Bishvat (Israeli Arbor Day) planting ceremony, a holiday that symbolizes the rebirth of nature. Nevertheless, […]

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By Omar Obeidat AMMAN –– Over JD1.02 billion will be spent on water and sewage projects in the coming three years as part of the Executive Development Programme (EDP) for 2011-2013. Representing around 16.5 per cent of the JD6.2 billion programme, the financial allocations will be spent on enhancing water distribution and sewage networks, building […]

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By Van Meguerditchian BEIRUT: Caretaker Environment Minister Mohammad Rahhal Wednesday praised ongoing measures taken by the German government to boost Lebanon’s conservation ability and limit the negative impact of environmental hazards on the economy. An agreement signed between Lebanon’s Cabinet and the German government’s Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) has allocated over 8.5 million euros […]

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By Hana Namrouqa AMMAN – The Ministry of Environment on Monday requested an environmental impact assessment (EIA) of a project under way in Ajloun Governorate’s Bergesh Forest to establish a military academy. The ministry’s request for an EIA follows objections by several environmental organisations beginning last week on the construction of the academy in Bergesh […]

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