Tech News from the Middle East

This Valentine's Day, while others are surprising their lovers with routine island getaways, or for a lucky few, trips to romantic, and increasingly expensive Europe, wouldn't it be nice to rekindle your flame with a trip to an exotic destination?

The Nile (from WikiMedia)

These vacation spots, some undiscovered by Americans, and others now on the beaten path, but no less intriguing, are guaranteed to make anyone other beg for more. read more »

Renault's, soon to be electric, Megane. (from Channel4.com)

When a country can't buy oil from most of the Middle East, there are a few smart things to do: reduce consumption, buy from somewhere else, or, introduce the most revolutionary electric car infrastructure ever. For Israel, it's doing all three. read more »

The proposed Universe Islands, depicted just under The World Islands

Sunday, on the heels of the completion of a massive project, property development company, Nakheel, unveiled another Dubai mega-project. If given the go ahead, The Universe Islands would add more than 7,500 acres worth of man-made islands to an already crowded coastline. read more »

Image from CO-STAR BlogSecond Life Israel was launched Sunday, enabling Second Life users from around the world to visit Israel's beaches and historic sites. The virtual state, preceded by a whole Jewish neighborhood in Second Life, is a work in progress, meant to, "present Israel to a global audience beyond the traditional media," according to co-founder Chaim Landau. read more »

Digital Rendering of the World Islands

The much touted World Islands in Dubai were officially completed Thursday, after the final stone in a surrounding breakwater was set. Stretching off the coast of Dubai, the World Islands are manmade islands in the formation of a map of the world. read more »

Gayhane at SO36 (from The New York Times)

Outside of the confines of the Middle East, where homosexuality is still expressly forbidden, a new community is springing up at a nightclub in Berlin. The nightclub, SO36, is hosting a monthly event called ‘Gayhane', which gives homosexual Muslims, mostly of Arab and Turkish descent, the opportunity to connect with others of similar backgrounds. read more »

Fouad al-Farhan (center)

On December tenth, Saudi blogger Fouad al-Farhan was detained for questioning by the Saudi Interior Ministry. In a case that has invoked international condemnation, possible charges against Farhan have not been elaborated on, except for a brief statement by a Ministry spokesman, stating that, Farhan was detained "for violating rules not related to state security." read more »

Iran Khodro's Popular Samand Line

A spokesperson for Iranian company, Iran Khodro, says its "Islamic Car" should be readily available throughout the Middle East, parts of Asia, and Africa, in three years. The car will have options including a compass to find Mecca and a compartment for a Koran. read more »

The Lingzhi Mushroom (from WikiMedia)

Researchers at the University of Haifa, in Israel, have found a way to slow the progression of prostate cancer by using molecules derived from the Ganoderma lucidum fungus. read more »

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad

While some in the U.S. may feel that a lack of governmental transparency here has led to significant shortfalls in recent policy decisions, those in Iran are getting the chance to chime in on policy while simultaneously learning a little bit about the mind of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

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