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Zubedah Hassan, 32, at home in Kibera. She works as a champion for the Stop Sex for Water program, encouraging women and girls to speak out if they face sexual violence from water vendors or are groped or peeped on in public bathrooms. "The main problem is poverty," she says. "A girl tries to save money on water by doing favors for a vendor. Another challenge is drought. You find schoolchildren waking up very early to go and look for water and being raped along the small paths they take."

Some women who can't afford water are often pressured to provide sex for it

Water is often a scarce commodity in Nairobi's largest slum. The only source may be a local cartel — and with that comes the risk of sexual threats and attacks.

Court revives lawsuit over lead water crisis in Benton Harbor

A lawsuit against Benton Harbor city officials over the lead-contaminated water crisis is moving forward after a federal appeals court reinstated key claims.

The heightened restrictions on movement make every aspect of life more difficult for the 3.4 million Palestinians living in the West Bank, in particular the collection and disposal of garbage.

Palestinians use recycling as Israel's restrictions trigger a trash crisis

Palestinians in the West Bank live amid garbage following Israeli restrictions. Two Palestinian entrepreneurs are trying to make a change.

New federal lead action level set to impact Michigan drinking water systems

Michigan is set to implement a new federal lead action level for drinking water systems by November 2027.

A four-panel political cartoon titled “How to Avoid Repeating the Recent International Crisis.” Panel 1: Air Force One lands in a snowy area. A staffer says, “Look sir — a frozen wasteland.” Donald Trump replies, “Oooo! Mine! All mine!” The caption reads: “Step 1: Fly Trump to the U.P. and tell him it’s Greenland.” Panel 2: Two locals in plaid offer Trump a pasty, saying, “Yah, hey dare. You guys wanna pasty, eh?” A staffer says, “They are awarding you a peace prize, sir.” The caption reads: “Step 2: Have him meet the ‘natives.’” Panel 3: A car drives by a mine. The staffer says, “See? We’re already exploiting the land.” Trump replies, “And the workers — can we exploit them, too?” The staffer says, “As you wish, sir.” Caption: “Step 3: Drive him by an iron ore mine.” Panel 4: The same plane scene repeats from panel 1. The staffer says, “Look sir — a frozen wasteland.” Trump says, “Oooo! Mine! All mine!” Caption: “Step 4: Repeat, but this time call it Iceland. (He doesn’t seem to be clear on the difference.)”

Auchter's Art: International Crisis

Michigan's Upper Peninsula has a lot similarities to Greenland: It's way up north, not easily accessible, and often described as "arctic."

Ten years after Flint's water crisis began, Mayor Sheldon Neeley reflects on the past and present

On the 10th anniversary of the start of the Flint water crisis, Mayor Sheldon Neeley discusses ongoing pipe replacements, financial settlements, and rebuilding trust.

Michigan legislative leaders say they expect lots of attention this year to water affordability and quality issues, starting with a bill that would declare water to be a human right.

Testing shows sharp drop in lead in Flint drinking water

State Environmental officials say the city’s drinking water is testing at one part per billion of lead — well within federal and state standards.

A man in a plaid shirt and cap stands beside tall green corn plants in a field, looking at the crops under a partly cloudy sky.

Farmers are struggling to turn a profit. How does it compare to the farm crisis in the '80s?

Corn and soybean growers have seen several years of low commodity prices and increased costs for supplies like fertilizer and fuel. That has many farmers worried about whether they'll turn a profit this year and drawn some comparisons to a dark time in American agriculture.

School children walk through the shallows past submerged and abandoned school buildings at the El Molo Bay primary school in Komote, Kenya. Teachers at the school say the buildings have become a breeding ground for crocodiles.

The biggest permanent desert lake threatens with rising waters and hungry crocs

Kenya's Lake Turkana is the world's largest permanent desert lake. Its waters have long sustained hundreds of thousands. Now the lake is facing multiple threats — and threatening those who rely on it.

Migrants return to Morocco from the Spanish enclave of Ceuta, Saturday, Aug. 1, 2026.

Death toll in Spain border crisis reaches 67 as tens of thousands cross back in to Morocco

The death toll in Spain's Ceuta border crisis with Morocco has climbed to 67. They included some who drowned and some who were killed in a stampede to cross a breakwater barrier.

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