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Arab News
5 hours ago
- General
- Arab News
Saudi dates offer new prospects for agriculture in climate change-hit coastal Bangladesh
DHAKA: When Dihider Zakir Hossain first planted Saudi date palm offshoots in southern Bangladesh, he was not sure they could survive in its poor, saline soil. But six years later, the trees are bearing fruit — offering new hope for farming in a region increasingly affected by climate change. Since the 2000s, the coastal regions of Bangladesh have been heavily affected by soil salinity. One of the main reasons is the changing climate that makes sea levels rise and push seawater into the land, contaminating it with salt. In low-lying Bangladesh, the process is much faster than the global average and in the past few years, many farmers have either lost their land to seawater or are facing difficulties in cultivating it. To make use of his land in the southwestern district of Bagerhat, Hossain decided to take a risk and introduce a new plant. He had seen local varieties grown there before, but those dates were low-quality and a plantation could not be easily expanded as they did not produce offshoots — small, rooted shoots taken from a date palm to grow new trees. Hossain bought the first 40 offshoots of his date palms from Mymensingh district in northern Bangladesh — the first place in Bangladesh where Saudi varieties were ever grown. 'I was inspired to try Saudi date farming after watching videos on YouTube. It's something new in my region,' Hossain told Arab News. He started with Barhi, Sukkari, and Ajwa trees and planted them with some initial guidance from the Mymensingh farmer who sold their offshoots to him. 'The rest I learned through YouTube and a process of trial and error,' he said. 'Monsoon rain poses a major challenge for cultivating Saudi dates here, as ripe fruit can rot when exposed to rainwater. To protect them, I always cover the mature dates with paper bags imported from Thailand.' Six years after planting dates, Hossain has 400 trees in his orchard, of which 80 are already producing fruit. 'On average, I harvest over 3,000 kg of dates a year from the 80 fruit-bearing trees,' he said. 'Seeing my success, many farmers from this region and other parts of the country have become interested in date farming. I've provided offshoots to around 30 farmers.' He believes that planting high-quality Saudi dates in southern Bangladesh could be a good alternative for farmers, as they cannot grow regular crops like paddy or lentils. Local officials also say it could be a viable and commercially feasible option, as farmers can harvest dates from a single tree for several decades. 'Cultivation of regular crops like paddy, wheat, vegetables is very challenging in this southern region of Bangladesh due to high salinity of the soil. The Saudi date varieties are saline tolerant, and date plants grow here easily,' said Waliul Islam, agriculture officer in Bagerhat district. 'It's a new crop for farmers in this region, which may help in our crop diversification … The initial cost of the offshoots and preparing the land is a bit higher, but that will be returned within two to four years when the trees start producing dates. Moreover, the farmers would then be able to sell the offshoots of their date plants to others, which offers another source of income.'
Arab News
9 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Arab News
‘I like it hot!': J. Lo sizzles with killer dancing in Abu Dhabi heat
Returning to Abu Dhabi after her stellar performance in February, Jennifer Lopez danced the night away at the Etihad Arena in Yas Island on Tuesday as a part of her 'Up All Night' world tour. For the latest updates, follow us on Instagram @ Performing iconic songs including 'On the Floor,' 'Ain't Your Mama' and 'Dance Again,' Lopez sizzled with her high energy and killer dance moves. Although I was disappointed 'Jenny From the Block' did not have its own moment to shine, Lopez still performed her 2002 hit single as a medley with Queen's 'We Will Rock You.' A post shared by Jennifer Lopez (@jlo) To celebrate her 56th year, she sang 'Birthday,' the single released on July 24, which was much appreciated by the crowd. The superstar thanked her fans and urged them to love one another and to pursue what they love. Lopez also joked about the UAE heat. 'I like it hot!' she said, fanning herself. With multiple outfit changes and quick intervals, the show switched from high energy songs to slow ballads and medleys. Lopez paid tribute to her Latin culture and performed some of her hit Spanish songs including 'Que Hiciste' and 'Si Una Vez.' She sang while dancing the flamenco in an outfit inspired by the traditional traje de flamenca, a dress traditionally worn by women at festivals in Andalusia, Spain. The hit singer is no stranger to the Gulf and turned heads in April at the F1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in Jeddah. And last November she hit the stage at the '1001 Seasons of Elie Saab' event in Riyadh.
Arab News
21 hours ago
- General
- Arab News
Saudi artist spotlights Asir's rich cultural landscape in her artwork
MAKKAH: Saudi Arabia's lush Asir mountains inspired the artistic vision of Arafat Al-Asimi. Highlighting her early artistic endeavors, Al-Asimi said that she enjoys using pastel colors to paint natural and heritage landscapes. The mountains, valleys, the color gradations of the forests and the region's unique climate shaped her artistic imagination. Al-Asimi said that she feels most at home with nature and traditional landscape drawings, particularly those inspired by Asir, as they convey her deep sense of belonging and offer her psychological comfort and balance. She also shared her passion for incorporating Arabic calligraphy into her work, describing how it beautifully merges visual aesthetics with cultural identity. • Arafat Al-Asimi's artwork is inspired by Asir region's environment. • She developed her artistic talent through practice and experimenting with different materials. • She said that family support in the early stages has had a significant impact on boosting her self-confidence. With a background in geography, Al-Asimi said that her passion for art extended far beyond her studies. She continued to develop her talent through self-practice, experimenting with different materials, engaging in artistic community activities, and attending exhibitions that contributed in developing her talent and shaping her artistic identity from an early age. The absence of an art major at her university was not an obstacle, but rather the engine for self-development, allowing her to cultivate a distinctive artistic style despite the lack of formal academic training in the field. Speaking on challenges she faced at the beginning of her artistic career, Al-Asimi told Arab News that the most prominent of these were the lack of art specialization in university education, the lack of community and artistic support in the early stages of her career, and the difficulty of obtaining appropriate materials and tools. She also highlighted the challenge of proving herself as a female artist in a conservative environment, a struggle that required her to double her efforts to prove herself. However, she was able to overcome these challenges through persistence and continuous practice. Al-Asimi highlighted her participation in numerous exhibitions both within the Kingdom and internationally, describing these experiences as enriching. The events not only expanded her artistic vision, but also provided valuable opportunities for cultural exchange, enriching her portfolio with new horizons. She said that family support in the early stages has had a significant impact on boosting her self-confidence. Community encouragement, even through simple attendance or interaction, is an important motivator for an artist to continue, she added. Societal awareness of the value of fine art has been growing in recent years, providing Saudi female artists with broader opportunities to express themselves and demonstrate their abilities, she said. Expressing her ambitions, Al-Asimi said that she seeks to expand her presence in Saudi Arabia and Gulf art scene, and take part in major upcoming exhibitions locally and internationally to showcase her experience, inspired by the Asir environment. She also hopes to hold a solo exhibition documenting her artistic development and conduct art workshops for young girls to support local talent.
Leaders
2 days ago
- Politics
- Leaders
IAEA to Visit Iran Within Next Two Weeks
Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei announced on Monday that the United Nations nuclear watchdog will visit Iran within the next two weeks, according to Arab News. The announcement came after IAEA's director unveiled that Tehran is ready to restart technical conversations. Baghaei noted that Iran will present a manual concerning the future of Iran's cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency. It will be based on a recent parliamentary bill restricting such cooperation. Iran & IAEA Relations Iranian relations with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) have deteriorated since the United States and Israel attacked Iranian nuclear facilities in June in order to eliminate Iran's nuclear program. In June, the Iranian Guardian Council approved a law suspending Tehran's cooperation with the UN nuclear watchdog, Arab News reported. According to the new law, the IAEA should have approval by the Supreme National Security Council for any future inspection of Iran's nuclear sites. 'For us, IAEA inspectors approaching nuclear sites has both a security aspect … and the safety of the inspectors themselves is a matter that must be examined,' Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said. He also told Tehran-based diplomats that Iran's cooperation with the nuclear watchdog has not stopped. However, it will take a new form and will be guided and managed through the Supreme National Security Council. This legislative move came as a response to a series of escalations that began on June 13, when Israel launched a wave of airstrikes on Iran under the name of Operation Rising Lion. The military campaign targeted Iran's nuclear facilities and killed top military commanders and nuclear scientists. Consequently, the US launched several airstrikes targeting Iran's nuclear facilities in Natanz, Fordow, and Isfahan. Related Topics: Iran-Europe Nuclear Talks Loom as Sanctions Deadline Nears Iran Had No Intension to Give up on Nuclear Enrichment Putin Holds Nuclear Talks with Iran's Top Adviser Larijani Short link : Post Views: 6
Leaders
2 days ago
- Politics
- Leaders
Two-State Solution Conf.: Saudi Arabia Leads Int'l Push for Palestine Recognition
Top diplomats of dozens of countries are gathering at the UN General Assembly to promote a two-state solution to end the decades-old Palestinian-Israeli conflict. Saudi Arabia and France are co-hosting the 'High-Level International Conference for the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution' which is taking place in New York on July 28-29, 2025. It is part of a broader push toward a two-state solution that involves recognizing a Palestinian State while guaranteeing Israel's security in a bid to end the conflict. Two-state Solution Saudi Arabia and France view the two-state solution as the only viable roadmap to peace as it would allow Palestinians and Israelis to live side by side in independent nations. To this end, they aim to spotlight the two-state solution in this high-level meeting. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and French President Emmanuel Macron The two-state solution advocates for the establishment of an independent Palestinian State along the 1967 borders (which involves the West Bank, East Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip), with East Jerusalem as its capital. This solution has wide international support as it would grant the Palestinians their right of self-determination while ensuring Israel's security. Conference Goals Saudi Arabia and France want the conference to achieve concrete results on the ground with regards to the implementation of the two-state solution. To this end, the conference aims to chart a clear and irreversible pathway toward a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace in accordance with UN resolutions. In the light of this, the Saudi diplomat and head of the Kingdom's negotiating team, Manal Radwan, said that the high-level meeting must 'chart a course for action, not reflection.' She added that the efforts must be 'anchored in a credible and irreversible political plan that addresses the root cause of the conflict and offers a real path to peace, dignity and mutual security.' Advancing Two-State Solution The conference focuses on four key pillars to pave the way for the implementation of the two-state solution, according to Arab News. The first focuses on rallying more countries to recognize Palestine. Meanwhile, the second addresses normalization and regional integration, which will be conditional on achieving credible progress toward Palestinian statehood. The third pillar discusses the reform of Palestinian governance, while the fourth one addresses the disarmament and exclusion of Hamas from any role in the future Palestinian State. The conference also discusses the efforts of 8 working groups in areas such as security arrangements, the economic viability of a Palestinian State, humanitarian action and post-war reconstruction. Palestine Recognition Currently, about 147 out of the 193 UN member states recognize the State of Palestine, which holds a non-member observer status at the UN General Assembly since November 2012. The two-state solution conference aims to encourage more countries to recognize the State of Palestine. On July 24, 2025, the French President, Emmanuel Macron, said that Paris would recognize the State of Palestine in September at the UN General Assembly – a historic announcement that came as a result of Saudi Arabia's intensive diplomatic efforts. 'We must build the State of Palestine, guarantee its viability, and ensure that by accepting its demilitarization and fully recognizing Israel, it contributes to the security of all in the region. There is no alternative,' Macron posted on X. However, the French announcement was met by rejection from the US and Israel, who are boycotting the conference, according to Reuters. Rallying Nations With this decision, France has become the first major Western power and G7 country to recognize Palestinian statehood, adding weight to the list of states recognizing Palestine. During an interview with the French newspaper, La Tribune Dimanche, France's Foreign Minister, Jean-Noel Barrot, said that Paris seeks to push other countries in the conference to join France in recognizing a Palestinian state. 'We will launch an appeal in New York so that other countries join us to initiate an even more ambitious and demanding dynamic that will culminate on September 21,' Barrot said. Saudi Arabia's Diplomatic Push Saudi Arabia has spearheaded a sustained diplomatic push for advancing the two-state solution and the recognition of the Palestinian State. In September 2024, Saudi Arabia launched the Global Alliance for the Implementation of the Two-State Solution, in partnership with Norway and the European Union (EU). Saudi Foreign Minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan The Kingdom has also mobilized support for the two-state solution, with its efforts culminating in a series of Palestine recognition by countries, including Spain, Norway, Ireland, Slovenia, Armenia and the Caribbean nation of Antigua and Barbuda. Firm Stance Within this context, the Saudi Foreign Minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan, affirmed that the Kingdom's presidency of the two-state solution conference reflects its 'firm and longstanding stance on the Palestinian cause,' stressing Saudi Arabia's unwavering support for the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people. 'From this standpoint, the Kingdom, in partnership with France, is co-chairing the high-level conference at the ministerial level,' he told the Saudi Press Agency (SPA). 'We look forward to advancing the implementation of relevant international resolutions calling for the establishment of two states, where the Palestinian people may enjoy their independent state, thereby achieving peace and stability for the region and fostering development and prosperity,' Prince Faisal said. Short link : Post Views: 58
