Flamenco, jazz, Arab and classical-music traditions fuse and flower under the fingers of an American-Moroccan couple who met in Spain and began tracing a new path for Arab music. The result is timeless, and stimulating.

Isolated since the Ice Age on a Red Sea archipelago, Farasan gazelles have adapted to the islands' harsh environment and sparse vegetation. Now protected from hunters, this unique subspecies must still cope with competition from livestock.

Flamenco musicians from Spain and traditional ensembles from Morocco are exploring the history that connects their traditions, and thereby building a musical bridge across the Strait of Gibraltar.

One of the world's finest collections of Islamic art, the magnificent fruit of a connoisseur's love, knowledge, patience and money, is being meticulously conserved and catalogued in London.

The map of America is dotted with Lebanons, Alexandrias and other familiar Middle Eastern names. They are evidence of the faith, hope and aspirations of the country's early settlers.

Salicornia bigelovii might just change the world. The twiggy plant produces more oil than soybeans, high-protein animal feed, and even a tasty vegetable. Best of all, it drinks seawater.