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Arab News
8 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
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Gulf, Arab states celebrate Israel's shift on Gaza aid as achievement
This highlights the significance of this for these countries and other Arab states. The UAE is a member of the Abraham Accords. Some have assumed that Saudi Arabia might join in the future. Aid trucks have begun moving toward Gaza from Egypt, according to Arab News in Saudi Arabia. Al-Ain in the UAE contained the same report. Both reports topped their news coverage on Sunday. This highlights the significance of this for these countries and other Arab states. The UAE is a member of the Abraham Accords. Some people have assumed that Saudi Arabia might normalize relations with Israel in the future. Both countries, along with their partners in the region, want to see an improvement in the humanitarian situation in Gaza. The UAE, for instance, has played a role in supporting aid drops and also medical support for Gazans since the war began. Egyptian state-affiliated Al Qahera News (Cairo News Channel) reported that aid trucks were moved toward Gaza from Egypt, according to Arab news. This followed "months of international pressure and warnings from relief agencies of starvation spreading in the Palestinian enclave,' the report said. Al-Ain news said something similar, noting that 'early Sunday morning, aid trucks left Egypt for the Gaza Strip. Convoys of trucks were seen moving from the Rafah crossing on the Egyptian side, heading to the Gaza Strip.' The reports say the trucks will then arrive at the Kerem Shalom crossing. It states that this location is approximately 3 kilometers from the Rafah border crossing and that trucks will be inspected before entering Gaza. The movement of the trucks coincides with Israel's decisions to enable air drops of food and also humanitarian pauses in fighting. The current plan is that the pauses will include around a quarter of Gaza, mostly areas near the coast. The pause in fighting, a de facto ceasefire, will take place during the day. Arab News noted that 'international aid organizations say there is mass hunger among Gaza's 2.2 million people, with food running out after Israel cut off all supplies to the territory in March, before resuming it in May with new restrictions.' The same report noted that 'Israel's announcement on airdrops came after indirect ceasefire talks in Doha between Israel and the Palestinian terrorist organization Hamas were broken off with no deal in sight.' It is unclear if the two issues are connected. The same report says that the UN has said it will 'scale up humanitarian assistance.' In addition, a power line has been connected to a desalination plant 'expected to supply daily water needs for about 900,000 Gazans.' The reasons behind Israel's position shift on Gaza aid The shift in Israel's position is clearly seen as an achievement for the Gulf states. They want Gazans to receive aid. Other issues, such as the power connection for the desalination plant, appear so specific that this was likely a request. The shift raises questions about the effectiveness of the decision to cut off aid in March, when the first phase of the ceasefire came to an end. The Gulf states and many other countries want the war to come to an end. Pressure on Israel is building in Europe in this regard. The widespread reporting on the movement of aid is an indication of how important this issue is seen in the region. Hamas doesn't appear to have changed its position over the last year and a half, despite changes in policy regarding aid. This appears to illustrate that the issue will continue to be viewed as of great importance in the region, regardless of Hamas' stance and the changes on the ground. Solve the daily Crossword
Leaders
3 days ago
- Politics
- Leaders
Syria, US and France Hold Frank, Productive Talks in Paris
After reaching a ceasefire in Syria's southern province of Sweida, Syria's Foreign Minister held frank and productive talks with the United States and France on Friday in Paris, according to Arab News. Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Al-Shibani met with French Foreign Minister Jean Noel Barrot and US Special Envoy for Syria Thomas Barrack to discuss Syria's political transition. During the meeting, they underscored the significance of engaging quickly to ensure the success of Syria's political transition after the fall of President Bashar Assad. In a joint statement, they also agreed on the necessity of ensuring that Syria's neighbors do not pose a threat and that Syria does not pose a threat to its neighbors. Paris has long been the diplomatic heart of vital discussions like those we shared today. A stable, secure, and unified Syria is built on the foundation stone of great neighbors and allies. In the words of @SecRubio, conflicts end thanks to 'hard, vibrant diplomacy that the U.S.… — Ambassador Tom Barrack (@USAMBTurkiye) July 25, 2025 They also stressed their support to efforts aiming at holding those responsible for violence accountable. Moreover, the officials stressed their commitment to cooperating on the 'shared fight against terrorism in all forms' and boosting the capacity of the Syrian government to address security challenges. Related Topics: Israel's Actions in Syria, Gaza Surprised Trump amid Growing Frustration with Netanyahu Syria Deploys New Force to Quell Deadly Clashes in South Israel 'Interested' in Ties with Syria, Lebanon with No Discussion on Golan Saudi-Syrian Investment Forum: $6.4bn Worth of Deals Signed to Support Reconstruction Short link : Post Views: 9 Related Stories
