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
COP-28 head Sultan Al Jaber: UAE ‘running toward’ energy transition As the climate summit president continues to face criticism for his role as head of the UAE's state oil producer, Sultan Al Jaber argued that his position will serve more as an asset than an obstacle to energy transition. Legacy: Gulf
Clean air funding halved in Iran’s budget as pollution chokes much of country As much of Iran grapples with record levels of air pollution during the cold season each year, the government has halved the resources allocated to tackling the pressing issue despite an overall increase in the budget cap. Iran
Israel's rescue teams arrive in Turkey, will establish field hospital for earthquake victims Three Israeli rescue delegations are already on the ground, with more humanitarian aid expected in the coming days. Israel
Turkey plans to expand renewable energy but sticks to coal, nuclear Clean energy advocates say Turkey should speed up its shift to renewable sources not only out of environmental concerns, but also to reduce its costly reliance on imported energy. Turkey
OPEC Fund raises $1 billion via sustainability bond Gulf states in the organization are showing increasing interest in funding projects related to the environment, renewable energy and green technology. Legacy: Gulf
Oil pollution threatens Libyan oases The populated areas near the oil fields in northeast Libya are suffering from pollution resulting from oil-related operations, in the absence of any action from authorities. North Africa
Culture First Egyptian, Arab woman to go to space recounts her journey Sara Sabry, the first Egyptian, Arab and African woman to travel into space, told Al-Monitor about her trip, the dangers she felt and her future plans in this field. Egypt
Egypt reaps economic, political gains from COP27 Egypt has achieved several major deals as well as boosted its foreign policy by hosting COP27. Egypt
Israel, Jordan sign first environmental agreement at COP27 The environmental agreement signed yesterday between Israel and Jordan is the first such development ever between the two countries. Israel
Middle East startups rise to challenges of climate change With COP27 underway in Egypt, climate adaptation startups in the Middle East and North Africa work to create new platforms in the face of the urgent action required to combat climate change. Egypt
Israeli environment minister strives for regional cooperation at COP27 Outgoing Minister for Environmental Protection Tamar Zandberg calls on the new Israeli government not to give in to small politics, but continue engagement to battling climate change, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and reducing plastic pollution. Israel
Israel, Jordan, UAE press ahead on deal for water, solar energy Israel, Jordan and the United Arab Emirates have inked a memorandum of understanding to speed progress on a deal to exchange solar energy for desalinated water. Israel
