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Coastal communities across the US are ramping up restoration efforts to combat land loss caused by climate change, rising sea levels, and storm surges. Projects include natural barriers and infrastructure, but some large-scale plans face opposition due to costs and industry concerns. The urgency is driven by increasing storm severity and environmental degradation.
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Recent development plans on Padar Island in Indonesia's Komodo National Park and Ras Hankorab in Egypt threaten fragile ecosystems. Despite official halts, plans for luxury resorts persist, risking habitat destruction and community displacement. Authorities and conservationists remain concerned about environmental and social impacts.
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Israeli authorities are accelerating excavations beneath Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa Mosque, risking damage to Islamic heritage sites. Leaked videos show tunnels and demolition work targeting Islamic, Canaanite, and Roman archaeological layers, amid accusations of attempts to erase Islamic history and promote a Jewish Temple narrative. The Palestinian authorities call for international intervention.
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Mosul's historic leaning minaret, destroyed by ISIS in 2017, is being reconstructed with UNESCO funding and traditional techniques. The project aims to restore cultural heritage and promote unity among Iraq's diverse communities, serving as a model for other war-torn regions.
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Houthi drone strikes breached Israel’s defenses, hitting a southern airport and injuring one. In Yemen, strikes killed dozens, including journalists, damaging key sites like the National Museum. The conflict highlights ongoing regional escalation linked to the Gaza war, with both sides targeting infrastructure and media outlets.
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Senator Marco Rubio visited an archaeological site in Jerusalem's City of David, emphasizing its biblical significance amid ongoing Israeli-Palestinian tensions. The visit, which was not open to media, aligns with US policies supporting Israeli claims to East Jerusalem, ahead of UN discussions on Palestinian statehood.
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A limestone painting from the tomb of Khentika in Saqqara, Egypt, dating to the Sixth Dynasty (around 2700-2200 BC), has gone missing. The tomb, sealed since 2019, was found in the 1950s. Prosecutors are investigating the disappearance amid recent thefts of ancient artifacts, including a Pharaoh’s bracelet, from Egyptian museums.
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Khaled el-Enany, Egypt's former tourism and antiquities minister, has been elected to lead UNESCO, marking the first Arab to hold the position. The vote follows the US withdrawal from the organization, which faces financial and political challenges. The decision now awaits ratification at the upcoming general assembly.
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Recent surveys highlight widespread delays in end-of-life planning, with many avoiding difficult conversations. Meanwhile, countries are increasingly banning smartphones in schools to combat digital overuse among children, reflecting concerns over mental health and social development.
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Vietnam's central cities Hue and Hoi An experienced historic rainfall, with Hue recording over 1,700mm in 24 hours—the highest ever in Vietnam. Flooding submerged homes, caused evacuations, and disrupted transport, as authorities warn heavy rains may continue until Friday amid climate change-driven storms.
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On the UN's International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists, reports highlight ongoing violence, arrests, and restrictions worldwide. Despite some progress, journalists in conflict zones like Gaza, Sudan, and Ghana face deadly threats, with impunity remaining a major obstacle to press freedom.
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Switzerland is requesting UNESCO recognition for yodeling as an intangible cultural heritage. The effort highlights yodeling's evolution from mountain communication to a versatile musical art, with a decision expected in mid-December. The initiative aims to preserve and promote this unique Swiss tradition globally.
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On Monday, six marble statues were stolen from the National Museum of Damascus, which had reopened in January after Syria's 14-year civil war and the fall of Assad's regime. The theft occurred overnight in the classical department, home to Hellenistic, Roman, and Byzantine artifacts. Authorities have launched an investigation, detaining and questioning staff, while the museum remains closed amid security concerns.