The original content of Democracy Now! Headlines appears under the Creative Commons BY-NC-ND 3.0 License (United States). For more, including their other shows and media, visit www.democracynow.org. May 26, 2022 Mideast Sandstorms Lead to Hospitalizations, Missed Classes and Halt to Public Services --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Thousands of people across the Middle East have been hospitalized with respiratory problems, after a massive sandstorm settled over the region this week. Kuwait suspended airline flights, Iran canceled classes for schoolchildren, and Saudi officials warned drivers over zero-visibility conditions on roads. On Monday, Iraq's government canceled most public services as the country's ninth major sandstorm in less than two months arrived. The United Nations Environment Program says Iraq is one of the most vulnerable nations to climate change and desertification.  .