West Bank olive harvest begins amid settler attacks on Palestinians, groves Between 80,000 and 100,000 Palestinian families in the West Bank rely on the olive harvest for primary or secondary sources of income, according to the United Nations. Palestine
Culture Algeria moves to restore death penalty for arson: What to know President Abdelmadjid Tebboune wants a return to executions after another summer of devastating wild fires, but rights groups say the amendment passed by parliament is problematic. Algeria
Israel, Turkey, Iran offer aid as Venezuela’s 2 quakes kill at least 188 Iran, Turkey and Israel were among the first countries to offer assistance to earthquake-hit Venezuela despite their varying diplomatic relationships with Caracas. Turkey
Interview UAE official says opening Hormuz integral to any Iran deal, describes infrastructure damage 'manageable' Abdulla Balalaa, UAE assistant minister of foreign affairs for energy and sustainability, spoke to Al-Monitor about the situation in the Gulf along with the UAE's focus on promoting privatization in the water sector and the 2026 UN Water Conference. Abdulla Balalaa UAE assistant minister of foreign affairs for energy and sustainability
Analysis Iran’s mismanagement in focus as fires ravage 25-million-year-old forests By A correspondent in Tehran In Tehran, reporting on politics
From refuge to recreation, Kurdish hikers rediscover their mountains In the last decade, Iraqi Kurdistan has experienced a boom in mountaineering and hiking groups who weather challenging conditions including land mines and drone strikes to enjoy and reconnect with their mountainous homeland. Iraqi-Kurdistan
Can Gaza get a handle on its waste problem? With Gaza's waste disposal crisis now affecting Israeli communities across the border, Israel has approved the construction of a UN-funded waste recycling plant in Gaza. Palestine
Lebanese youth open zero-waste market Active during the 2015 trash crisis, Lebanon’s younger generation are pushing for environmentally friendly products, seen in the opening of Recycle Lebanon’s EcoSouk. Lebanon
Competition brings green to Beirut The “I Green Beirut” competition brought together designers, urban planners and artists to present ideas for transforming three areas around the city into new green spaces. Lebanon
Detained Iranian environmentalist says she was tortured After a year behind bars, eight Iranian environmentalists appeared in court with the presence of court-approved lawyers. Iran
Can mayor's push for 'car-free Tuesdays' tackle Tehran's air pollution? Tehran's new mayor has joined an eco-friendly campaign aimed at cutting the megacity's air pollution and traffic congestion by encouraging residents to use public transportation. Some have criticized the move as a mere public relations gesture. Iran
Egypt's new administrative capital getting its own 'Nile' Egypt has undertaken an ambitious project within an ambitious project, to provide its new, green capital with its own river. Egypt
Will nature reserves law finally see the light in Egypt? The Egyptian parliament is set to discuss and approve a draft law on the Economic Commission of Nature Reserves in a bid to encourage tourism and manage investments in such reserves. Egypt
Rising sea levels threaten Egyptian coasts Egypt announces state of emergency following a major flood in the coastal governorate of Kafr El Sheikh as a result of turbulent weather. Egypt
Ecotourism coming to Egypt's Western Desert The Egyptian government has launched an initiative to restore the ancient village of Shali, in the middle of the Sawi oasis, and promote it through ecotourism. Egypt
Lebanon's only carnivorous plant kept safe in private nature preserve Two decades ago, a restauranteur bought a chunk of unique land that he considered paradise — and now he's discovered just how special it is. Lebanon
