Analysis Iran’s mismanagement in focus as fires ravage 25-million-year-old forests Prolonged wildfires are raging across Iran's northern Hyrcanian forests, highlighting mismanagement, insufficient resources and climate stress, and forcing volunteers and foreign aid to intervene. By A correspondent in Tehran In Tehran, reporting on politics
Syria attends Brazil’s COP30 as most Middle East leaders skip talks Two years after the UAE and Egypt hosted back-to-back climate conferences, global headwinds are threatening climate action as talks begin in Belem amid notable absences. United Arab Emirates
Over 200 hospitalized in Tunisia’s Gabes as anger over pollution crisis grows President Kais Saied is facing one of his biggest challenges yet as demands for the closure of the city’s phosphate processing plant increase. Tunisia
Drought-stricken Iraq sends delegation to Turkey to discuss water cooperation Turkey recently agreed to release more water to Iraq amid the drought in the country, indicating improving coordination on resource management after years of tensions over Turkish dams. Iraq
Flooding in Turkey kills at least eight in bitter reminder of climate chaos The government has pledged to rebuild areas hard hit by a weekend flood, but activists warn the construction of roads, dams and buildings in flood zones means more disasters are likely to follow. Turkey
Israel-Hamas escalation halts sewage treatment, generates ecological crisis Gaza incendiary balloons made Israel stop fuel import into the Gaza Strip, causing in turn for Gaza sewage plants to cease operating. Palestine
Yemen’s Red Sea 'time bomb’ is a Beirut-like disaster in waiting An abandoned oil tanker is a looming catastrophe off the coast of Yemen’s most vital port, threatening the livelihoods and health of vast numbers of people. Yemen
Air quality a concern in Beirut following explosion The American University of Beirut said air quality has returned to normal following the explosion of ammonium nitrate on Tuesday that killed around 150 and injured thousands. Lebanon
Why Israeli Bedouins reject tree planting in their villages Plans to plant trees near Bedouin villages are opposed by local residents and environmental groups. Israel
Can Erdogan push for his 'crazy project' amid economic crisis? The Turkish government's decision to rezone some agricultural lands in the vicinity of the area where the Canal Istanbul is to be built has rekindled controversy surrounding the project. Turkey
US troops 'secure' northeast Syria oil, as contamination from it imperils lives Dilapidated pipelines and oil waste coat polluted rivers and streams in Kurdish-run northeast Syria. Syria
Iran’s wildfires leave trail of destruction, lingering questions Wildfires that raged for two weeks turned significant swaths of Iran’s western forests into ash as state bureaucracy dramatically slowed down an efficient response. Iran
Coronavirus outbreak exposes health risks of coal rush The coronavirus outbreak could serve as a wake-up call for coal-dependent countries, as it proves how closely human lives depend on air quality. Turkey
‘Dragon storm’ batters Egypt with torrential rains, killing nearly 20 The intense storm comes as the country struggles to contain a coronavirus outbreak within its borders. Egypt
UAE shows path for peaceful nuclear development Fuel assemblies have been loaded into the first of four UAE nuclear power plants following the country's yearslong effort to develop major national and international support for nuclear energy. United Arab Emirates
Coronavirus oblivious to Israeli, Palestinian borders The necessity of cooperating against the novel coronavirus should encourage Israeli and Palestinian authorities to also work together on day-to-day issues, such as water and air pollution. Palestine
