Over 1,000 dead in Darfur landslide as Sudan war hinders relief efforts A devastating landslide in the Marrah Mountains of Darfur has killed over 1,000 people, prompting appeals for international aid amid escalating violence in the region. Sudan
Tehran’s dams at 19% as Iran water crisis worsens: What to know The water levels in dams across Iran are falling amid hot temperatures, as the government pleads with the public to cut consumption. Iran
Saudi Arabia’s falcon auction aims to spin tradition into tourism gold Under Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia is seeking to diversify its economy and cultural tourism. Saudi Arabia
Iran to close public offices as temperatures pass 105 F: What to know Iranian officials are seeking to reduce public energy consumption as water levels decrease throughout the country and power cuts persist. Iran
Cappadocia victim of Turkish ruling party's love of concrete A new law claiming to protect the natural beauty of Cappadocia strips municipal governments of decision-making powers and oversight, handing authority over the future of the region to a panel whose leader is appointed by the president. Turkey
Fears over safety of nuclear plant flare up in Turkey The safety of a controversial nuclear power plant that Turkey is building in collaboration with Russia has fueled fresh worries amid reports of cracks in the foundation of the facility. Turkey
Cancer hits residents of Iraqi oil city of Basra The cancer rate has been on the rise in the Iraqi oil-rich province of Basra, and many blame this on increasing pollution and on depleted uranium dust from weapons used in the 1991 Gulf War. Iraq
Is cleaning Lebanon’s shores enough to solve waste crisis? Hundreds of volunteers took part in a campaign launched by the Ministry of Environment to clean Lebanon's shoreline, but some say this is a cosmetic move that will not come close to solving the country's endemic waste problem. Lebanon
Cigarette surfboard shames Lebanese smokers Environmental activists have built a stand-up-paddle board from used cigarette butts to show the cost of trash to Lebanon’s coast and culture. Lebanon
Turkey becomes new dump for global plastic waste Due to lax regulations, plastic scrap imports to Turkey have skyrocketed since 2018; why is the AKP letting the country turn into a global wastebasket? Turkey
Lebanese mountaineer speaks up for women, children from Everest summit Joyce Azzam became the first Lebanese woman to complete the Seven Summits challenge by climbing Mount Everest, and now she's going back to clean it up and set an example for others. Lebanon
Can a new project keep Sinai orchards in bloom? The history of the orchards in the High Mountains of South Sinai runs deep, but new generations appear increasingly reluctant to continue the tradition. A new initiative to preserve the heritage and tradition of the groves and gardens might help change their minds. Egypt
New urban forest planted to save Beirut's river Local and international civil groups came together in Beirut to create an urban forest as part of a larger project to restore the heavily polluted Beirut River. Lebanon
Who cares about Israel’s polluted air? According to environmental groups, one is more likely to die from pollution in Israel rather than by a rocket, terror attack and road accident combined. Israel
NGO offers Lebanon taste of lionfish in effort to contain invasive species A Lebanese group is promoting the lionfish, a threat to the Mediterranean Sea ecosystem, as a tasty and profitable fishery. Lebanon
Natural history, conservation and politics meet in West Bank museum The Palestine Museum of Natural History and the Palestine Institute for Biodiversity and Sustainability bring Israeli and Palestinians together to preserve knowledge about the ecology, environment and cultivation of Palestine. Palestine
