Water Authority greenlights extraction of 445 million cubic meters in coming year, up from 439 million cubic meters last year, to disappointment of environmentalists

While royalties -- mainly paid by natural gas companies -- are up 12.7% compared with last year, Tamar well's production down nearly 40%, Energy Ministry report shows

Following TV visit to Dead Sea gorge carved out by briny waste from Dead Sea factories, call is issued for works there to stop, site to be opened to public