Environment

The drying up of Iran's Lake Urmia will worsen ethnic tensions with Azerbaijanis - opinion

The drying of Lake Urmia is widely seen as a symbol of failed governance, with profound and ongoing human rights implications.

LAKE URMIA, formerly the largest lake in West Asia, is now almost completely dried up. The Iranian government has faced heavy criticism for its handling of the crisis, says the writer.
 The sea urchin Diadema setosum before (left) and after (right) mortality. The white skeleton is exposed following tissue disintegration and loss of spines.

Israeli scientists pioneer way to monitor sea urchins as die-offs threaten coral reefs worldwide

Turkey's President Tayyip Erdogan shakes hands with Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese before a MIKTA photo session amidst the G20 leaders' summit in Nusa Dua, Bali, Indonesia, November 15, 2022.

Turkey proposes joint COP31 leadership to end host standoff with Australia, sources say

Megachile (Hackeriapis) lucifer named after Tom Ellis's character Lucifer

Scientists select demonic name for new horned 'Lucifer' bee species discovered in Australia


Wild form of polio found in German sewage sample, Hamburg city authority says

The findings marked the first wild virus detection from environmental sampling in the country since this type of routine monitoring began in 2021.

A nurse fills a syringe with a vaccine before administering an injection at a kids clinic in Kiev, Ukraine August 14, 2019

High pollution levels found at several streams in northern, eastern Israel, ministries confirm

The Health and Environmental Protection Ministries advised against entering the water at several points due to a high level of bacterial contamination.

A scientist gathers samples for conducting bacteria contamination tests on a stream; illustrative.

UN: Global emissions set to fall 12% by 2035, but still short of climate target

The revised figure represents progress from the expected 10% reduction announced on October 28.

A loan wind turbine spins as exhaust plumes from cooling towers at the Jaenschwalde lignite coal-fired power station, which is owned by Vatenfall, April 12, 2007 at Jaenschwalde, Germany.

Scientists in Brazil starve trees of water to test Amazon's limits

Like hospital patients, the vital signs of 61 of the trees are measured, including sap and carbon dioxide flow, respiration and temperature, with solar-powered equipment.

 The Amazon rainforest.

New Delhi police detain dozens in anti-pollution protests

Delhi's toxic air sparks protests after authorities' costly cloud-seeding effort failed to bring rain. Citizens have demanded real action from a divided government.

Protesters hold placards in front of the India Gate during a protest against air pollution in New Delhi, India, November 9, 2025

Hundreds protest in Tunisia’s capital over worsening pollution crisis

Residents of Gabes have reported rising rates of respiratory illnesses, osteoporosis and cancer, which they blame on toxic gases from the state chemical group’s phosphate plants.

Demonstrators hold signs as hundreds of Tunisians march through the capital Tunis to protest a severe environmental crisis caused by pollution from a state chemical plant in Gabes, in Tunisia, October 25, 2025

Israeli desert microorganisms survive harsh climate, offer clues to life on Mars

The findings may redefine the known boundaries of life on Earth and offer a model for what microbial life might look like on Mars or other arid planets.

Israelis swim in the "Disappearing Lake" in Timna Park, in the southern Israeli desert, on September 9, 2017

Israeli breakthrough: The technology that could save the planet from global warming

Innovative SolCold technology cools the environment without using energy. Israeli entrepreneurs are promoting it to companies and organizations - from wineries and breweries to the military.

Global warming: melting glaciers at the poles; snowstorms and freezing temperatures in other regions.

Indonesia's Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki erupts, spewing ash 10 km. into the sky

Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki erupted in Indonesia, sending volcanic ash 10 km. into the sky. Authorities raised the alert to its highest level and evacuated nearby villages amid growing concerns.

Mount Lewotobi, Indonesia, photographed in c. 1915; illustrative.

The vanished Red Sea and the catastrophic flood that brought it back

Researchers found that 6.2 million years ago, the Red Sea dried completely and was then suddenly reflooded, marking one of Earth's most extreme environmental events.

Vibrant marine life in the current day Red Sea.

Air pollution: A persistent plague on the lungs of Jerusalemites

Air pollution is not adequately monitored, and the government lacks the funds to implement a national plan.

A tourist covers her face near Jaffa Gate in the Old City of Jerusalem as a sand storm hits.