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Restored Imam Turki bin Abdullah Royal Reserve Thrives with Wildlife

Covering a vast 91,500 square kilometers, the Imam Turki bin Abdullah Royal Reserve is a treasure trove of biodiversity. SPA
Covering a vast 91,500 square kilometers, the Imam Turki bin Abdullah Royal Reserve is a treasure trove of biodiversity. SPA
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Restored Imam Turki bin Abdullah Royal Reserve Thrives with Wildlife

Covering a vast 91,500 square kilometers, the Imam Turki bin Abdullah Royal Reserve is a treasure trove of biodiversity. SPA
Covering a vast 91,500 square kilometers, the Imam Turki bin Abdullah Royal Reserve is a treasure trove of biodiversity. SPA

The Imam Turki bin Abdullah Royal Reserve is breathing new life into northeastern Saudi Arabia. In line with Vision 2030 and the Saudi Green Initiative, the reserve is returning to its natural splendor and witnesses a return of wildlife populations, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.
An ambitious project focused on reintroducing and increasing the numbers of iconic species, like the Arabian oryx, sand gazelle, Houbara bustard, and red-necked ostrich. The flourishing vegetation cover has become a haven for a diverse range of birds, which are vital to preserving the balance of the ecosystem by controlling insects, small rodents, and carrion, SPA said.
Bird-nesting activity has been observed, alongside a return of sand cats, wild cats, foxes, honey badgers, and desert hedgehogs.
The reserve is also seeing a resurgence of reptiles like lizards and snakes, alongside a thriving insect population, SPA said.
Covering a vast 91,500 square kilometers, the Imam Turki bin Abdullah Royal Reserve is a treasure trove of biodiversity. It boasts unique varieties of plant, including large trees, shrubs, and a year-round perennial plant cover. The reserve even harbors a collection of plants with valuable medicinal and aromatic properties.
The large-scale restoration effort is transforming the reserve into a flourishing natural haven, demonstrating Saudi Arabia's commitment to conserving the environment for future generations.

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As Millions Sweat Out the Heat Wave, Blocks of Lake Ice Keep These Campers Cool

People walk with umbrellas during a heatwave in Manila on April 29, 2024. (Photo by Ted ALJIBE / AFP)
People walk with umbrellas during a heatwave in Manila on April 29, 2024. (Photo by Ted ALJIBE / AFP)
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As Millions Sweat Out the Heat Wave, Blocks of Lake Ice Keep These Campers Cool

People walk with umbrellas during a heatwave in Manila on April 29, 2024. (Photo by Ted ALJIBE / AFP)
People walk with umbrellas during a heatwave in Manila on April 29, 2024. (Photo by Ted ALJIBE / AFP)

As New England baked in a heat wave Thursday, guests at one campground were keeping their food and beer cold with blocks of ice harvested months earlier from a frozen lake.

And while some relief is expected in the eastern Great Lakes region and New England starting Friday, the National Weather Service said scorching temperatures will linger across the Ohio Valley and Mid-Atlantic region, and even rise in places, including California and Arizona, where they could eclipse 100 degrees (nearly 38 degrees Celsius).

According to The AP, on Squam Lake in central New Hampshire, ice blocks about the size of microwaves that had been packed in sawdust since winter were lifted from an insulated storage hut. It's been a tradition at the rustic Rockywold Deephaven Camps for more than a century, keeping fresh ice available throughout the summer and into the fall.

Angela Wilcox, who has vacationed at the camp for 16 years, took her children and nephews boating Thursday in search of the lake's coldest swimming spot.

“This is the hottest it’s ever been, especially in June,” Wilcox said. “We’re kind of shocked.”

Heat index readings combining temperature and humidity were expected to surpass 100 degrees (37.7 C) in many locations across the country, possibly setting some all-time records, the weather service said, and because record overnight temperatures could prevent natural cooling, heat danger could build up indoors.

“Those without access to reliable air conditioning are urged to find a way to cool down,” the service said in its forecast.

In a study published Thursday, a group of scientists said human-caused climate change has drastically increased the odds of experiencing the killer heat baking the Southwestern United States, Mexico and Central America this month. Last year, the US recorded its most heat waves — abnormally hot weather lasting more than two days — since 1936.

Ocean waters are warmer as well, particularly in the Gulf of Mexico, where the season’s first named storm, Alberto, was dumping heavy rain and causing flash flooding along a stretch of the coast from Mexico to Louisiana. This year's hurricane season is forecast to be among the most active in recent memory.

It’s made for an unusually early start to summer extremes in the northeastern US.

It was already nearing 90 degrees (32.2 C) in New Hampshire as John Dupont opened his kettle corn stand at Concord's 50th annual Market Days Festival. He and his daughter set up two fans and were prepared to drape icy towels around their necks.

“This year is a little challenging because of all the heat. Our kettle gets up to 150,000 BTUs,” he said.

At Johnson's Dairy Bar in Northwood, Camryn Hildredth tried to offer customers an empty dish for that heartbreaking moment when a scoop of rapidly melting ice cream topples out of the cone, but not all would listen.

“Everybody asks if we have AC. We do not,” she said. “It’s very hot and we get long lines, so it can get very rough sometimes.”

In Burlington, Vermont, Jack Hurlbut said he's never been so hot in his life. “I live in Vermont for a reason, you know what I mean?” the 28-year-old said.

Hurlbut, who is homeless, joined others in a shady spot on a lawn outside the public library, which was serving as a cooling center.

New York's state parks had free admission Thursday, and select state-run pools and beaches opened early for swimming, Gov. Kathy Hochul said. New York City's beaches were available, and although its public pools don't open until next week, the city keeps a list of hundreds of free air-conditioned sites.

“The humidity is pretty insane,” said Anne-Laure Bonhomme, a health coach who was sightseeing in New York with her family.