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
Egyptian Church takes initiative on climate ahead of COP27 The Egyptian Coptic Church launched an initiative to plant trees in the grounds of all its affiliated churches and parishes to raise awareness of the issue of climate change, in preparation for Egypt hosting COP27. Egypt
Ancient Kurdish rain ritual revived in Syria as drought continues Kurdish farmers in the countryside of Qamishli revive an ancient ritual called Ziwa, or the Bride of the Rain, to invoke rain after seasons of drought. Syria
Heavy rain prompts evacuations in Oman Oman’s rainy season occurs in January and February. News Brief
Drought-stricken Iran sinks under deadly floods Heavy flooding has battered Iran's south and southeast, the same areas that have been hardest hit by drought in recent years. Iran
Environmentalists oppose Israeli plan to double Golan Heights population Nature protection groups are opposing the recent plan by the government to build more villages and add to the population on the Golan Heights. Israel
Watch: Clock tower falls as storm rips through Istanbul As of Monday evening Turkish authorities had reported four deaths and dozens of injuries. News Brief
Residents of Tunisian village protest massive toxic landfill A mounting trash crisis in central Tunisia has put the small town of Aguereb, host to the region’s largest landfill, center stage. North Africa
Camels weep as their young perish in Syria’s killer drought Camels are a miserable canary in the coal mine of Syria, which is experiencing its worst drought in 70 years. Syria
The Takeaway: Iran says US must show goodwill ahead of nuclear talks Saudi Arabian beach riles conservatives; Turkey responds to Erdogan health speculation; Arab-Israeli legislator vindicated by budget; Alexandria’s global warming worries; Egypt offers divorce counseling; Pharaoh’s honey bees still buzzing; all in less than 1,500 words! Iran
Climate change, rising sea level threaten Egypt’s Alexandria During the 26th UN Climate Change Conference, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson painted a bleak picture of Egypt’s Alexandria, warning that it could disappear under rising seas. Egypt
Rezoning of Istanbul islands raises concerns of AKP meddling A presidential decree has transferred zoning control of Istanbul’s opposition-run Princes’ Islands to the Ministry of Environment and Urbanization, raising concerns of anti-democratic practices by Turkey’s ruling party. Turkey
Neglected Egyptian nature reserve home to last pharaonic honey bees Wadi Al-Assiut's 200 hives of bee breeds that stretch back millennia draw attention from researchers for the health benefits of the honey they produce. Egypt
