Latest news with #Fard
New Indian Express
12-07-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
IAEA helped eliminate our nuclear scientists, alleges Iran's Consul General to India
The targeted killing by Israel of 16 scientists and researchers associated with Iran's nuclear programme was made possible by systematic leaks and addresses provided by personnel of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), alleged Mohseni Fard, Iran's Consul General in India. Discussing the takeaways from the 12-day Iran-Israel conflict in an interaction with a few senior journalists, Fard alleged the IAEA, led by its Director General Rafael Grossi, had become a front of the 'US-Israeli axis' deploying as many as 25 percent of its monitors for Iran's nuclear sites. He said the IAEA remaining silent while the Americans bombed Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan nuclear sites on June 22 was a violation of the IAEA code. However, when pressed whether Iran would exit the IAEA in protest since Iran's Parliament had authorised it, Fard said an executive decision to that effect had not been taken. "The door is still open, even though legislative steps had been taken to exit IAEA," he said. He also conceded that the targeted killings of senior military personnel including General Amir Ali Hajizadeh, the head of the airspace unit of the Revolutionary Guards, and General Gholamreza Mehrabi, the deputy intelligence chief, was due to systematic infiltration of the intelligence community by Israel's Mossad over a period of time. The Consul General was non-committal on the extent of damage to Iran's nuclear programme, but said Iran was committed to resuming uranium enrichment and its nuclear energy programme for peaceful purposes. He denied suggestions that Iran had reached 90 percent weapons-grade enrichment, asserting it was to the extent of 60 percent. "We will never go for nuclear weapons, as it is 'haram' in our religion," he said, adding, "but no one can take away our right of developing nuclear energy for peaceful purposes including for medical science."
Al Etihad
16-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Al Etihad
Under the patronage of Mansour bin Zayed, 21st Liwa Date Festival to take place in Al Dhafra Region
16 June 2025 15:17 ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister, and Chairman of the Presidential Court, the 21st Liwa Date Festival will take place from 14-27 July 2025 in Liwa City, Al Dhafra Region. Organised by the Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority, the festival reaffirms its commitment to celebrating one of the UAE's most enduring cultural and agricultural with the UAE's annual date harvest, the festival highlights the central role of palm trees and their produce in Emirati society, recognising them as a cornerstone of the nation's cultural identity. It also promotes the sustainability of the heritage and agricultural sectors, raises awareness of the importance of farming in the UAE, and encourages local date and crop producers. In addition, the festival supports food security efforts and reflects Abu Dhabi's commitment to advancing modern agricultural 2025 edition features 24 competitions, including 12 date mazayna contests covering categories such as Dabbas, Khalas, Fard, Khenaizi, Buma'an, Shishi, Zamli, the Largest Date Bunch, the Al Dhafra and Liwa Elite Dates competitions, and the Al Ain Fard and Khalas contests. It also includes seven fruit competitions for various local and mixed varieties of lemons, mangoes, red and yellow figs, and the Local Fruits Basket contest. The festival further features three Model Farm competitions across the Western and Eastern Mahadir (agricultural farms) and Al Dhafra cities, as well as contests for the Most Beautiful Palm Frond Basket and artistic creations made from palm trunks. The total prize value for this year's festival exceeds Dh8.7 festival's organising committee has allocated 25 prizes each for the Dabbas and Khalas Date Mazayna competitions, with a total prize pool of Dh446,000 per competition. The first-place winner in each will receive Dh100,000, the second Dh75,000, and the third Dh40,000. For the Shishi, Buma'an, Khenaizi, Fard, and Zamli categories, 15 prizes are offered in each, with Dh367,000 in total prize money per contest and the same top-tier awards of Dh100,000, Dh75,000, and Dh40,000. Specific to Al Ain farms, the Fard Dates competition offers 15 prizes, with its top three winners receiving Dh100,000, Dh75,000, and Dh40,000, respectively. Similarly, the Khalas Dates Competition for Al Ain farms features 25 prizes, with the same prize amounts awarded to its top three Liwa and Al Dhafra Elite Dates competitions each feature 15 prizes. In the Al Dhafra Elite Dates competition, the first-place winner will receive Dh200,000, the second Dh150,000, and the third Dh100,000, with the total prize pool exceeding Dh700,000. In the Liwa Elite Dates competition, the top three prizes are Dh125,000, Dh100,000, and Dh60,000, respectively, bringing the total prize value to more than Dh500, Largest Bunch of Dates competition has a prize pool of Dh234,000 distributed among 15 winners, with Dh50,000 for first place, Dh40,000 for second, and Dh30,000 for the fruit category, the Mango competition features two subcategories: local and mixed varieties. Each subcategory offers ten prizes, with a combined prize pool of Dh234, the Lemon competition (local and mixed varieties) and the Fig competition (red and yellow varieties), the festival has allocated 10 prizes for each category, with a total value of Dh117,000 per category. Complementing these is the Local Fruit Basket competition, which offers a prize pool of Dh400,000, with Dh200,000 awarded to the first-place winner, Dh120,000 to the second, and Dh80,000 to the the Model Farm competition, which covers the Liwa Western Farms, Liwa Eastern Farms, and Al Dhafra Cities categories, each category carries a prize pool of Dh750,000. The first-place winner in each will receive Dh300,000, second place Dh180,000, and third Dh120, festival has also allocated 10 prizes for the Most Beautiful Date Basket competition, which aims to revive traditional handicrafts using eco-friendly natural materials. Additionally, 10 prizes have been designated for the Palm Trunk Creativity competition, which encourages the recycling of palm trunks into artistic the competitions, the festival presents a diverse programme of heritage events, daily activities, and cultural initiatives that preserve the legacy of the date palm as a symbol of the UAE's rich heritage and ongoing prosperity. It also promotes family and community ties, encourages intergenerational engagement, and reinforces values of cooperation and belonging, reflecting the spirit of the UAE's Year of the festival also serves as a key platform for supporting the local community and productive families in the region through its traditional market, which includes stalls selling fresh dates and date-based products, mobile cafés, agricultural factories, plant nurseries, and pavilions representing sponsoring and participating organisations. Daily stage activities include interactive quizzes with prizes, live folkloric performances, lectures, seminars, and a variety of cultural evenings. Bringing together farmers, experts, industry leaders, companies, and research centres, the festival serves as a collaborative hub to support the agricultural sector and promote its long-term sustainability. It also plays a key role in boosting the Al Dhafra Region's economy through a diverse programme that draws thousands of visitors each year.
Al Etihad
16-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Al Etihad
21st Liwa Date Festival to launch on July 14 under patronage of Mansour bin Zayed
16 June 2025 11:30 ABU DHABI (WAM)Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister, and Chairman of the Presidential Court, the 21st edition of the Liwa Date Festival will take place from July 14 to 27, in Liwa City, Al Dhafra by the Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority, the festival reaffirms its commitment to celebrating one of the UAE's most enduring cultural and agricultural with the UAE's annual date harvest, the festival highlights the central role of palm trees and their produce in Emirati society, recognising them as a cornerstone of the nation's cultural also promotes the sustainability of the heritage and agricultural sectors, raises awareness of the importance of farming in the UAE, and encourages local date and crop producers. In addition, the festival supports food security efforts and reflects Abu Dhabi's commitment to advancing modern agricultural year's edition features 24 competitions, including 12 date 'mazayna' contests covering categories such as Dabbas, Khalas, Fard, Khenaizi, Buma'an, Shishi, Zamli, the Largest Date Bunch, the Al Dhafra and Liwa Elite Dates competitions, and the Al Ain Fard and Khalas also includes seven fruit competitions for various local and mixed varieties of lemons, mangoes, red and yellow figs, and the 'Local Fruits Basket' festival further features three 'Model Farm' competitions across the Western and Eastern Mahadir (agricultural farms) and Al Dhafra cities, as well as contests for the Most Beautiful Palm Frond Basket and artistic creations made from palm total prize value for this year's festival exceeds Dh8.735 festival's organising committee has allocated 25 prizes each for the Dabbas and Khalas Date Mazayna competitions, with a total prize pool of Dh446,000 per first-place winner in each will receive Dh100,000, the second Dh75,000, and the third Dh40,000. For the Shishi, Buma'an, Khenaizi, Fard, and Zamli categories, 15 prizes are offered in each, with Dh367,000 in total prize money per contest and the same top-tier awards of Dh100,000, Dh75,000, and Dh40,000. Specific to Al Ain farms, the Fard Dates Competition offers 15 prizes, with its top three winners receiving Dh100,000, Dh75,000, and Dh40,000, the Khalas Dates Competition for Al Ain farms features 25 prizes, with the same prize amounts awarded to its top three Liwa and Al Dhafra Elite Dates Competitions each feature 15 the Al Dhafra Elite Dates Competition, the first-place winner will receive Dh200,000, the second Dh150,000, and the third Dh100,000, with the total prize pool exceeding Dh700, the Liwa Elite Dates Competition, the top three prizes are Dh125,000, Dh100,000, and Dh60,000, respectively, bringing the total prize value to over Dh500, Largest Bunch of Dates Competition has a prize pool of Dh234,000 distributed among 15 winners, with Dh50,000 for first place, Dh40,000 for second, and Dh30,000 for the fruit category, the Mango Competition features two subcategories: local and mixed varieties. Each subcategory offers ten prizes, with a combined prize pool of Dh234, the Lemon Competition (local and mixed varieties) and the Fig Competition (red and yellow varieties), the festival has allocated 10 prizes for each category, with a total value of Dh117,000 per these is the Local Fruit Basket Competition, which offers a prize pool of Dh400,000, with Dh200,000 awarded to the first-place winner, Dh120,000 to the second, and Dh80,000 to the the Model Farm Competition, which covers the Liwa Western Farms, Liwa Eastern Farms, and Al Dhafra Cities categories, each category carries a prize pool of Dh750,000. The first-place winner in each will receive Dh300,000, second place Dh180,000, and third Dh120, festival has also allocated 10 prizes for the Most Beautiful Date Basket Competition, which aims to revive traditional handicrafts using eco-friendly natural materials. Additionally, 10 prizes have been designated for the Palm Trunk Creativity Competition, which encourages the recycling of palm trunks into artistic the competitions, the festival presents a diverse programme of heritage events, daily activities, and cultural initiatives that preserve the legacy of the date palm as a symbol of the UAE's rich heritage and ongoing prosperity. It also promotes family and community ties, encourages intergenerational engagement, and reinforces values of cooperation and belonging, reflecting the spirit of the UAE's 'Year of the Community.'The festival also serves as a key platform for supporting the local community and productive families in the region through its traditional market, which includes stalls selling fresh dates and date-based products, mobile cafés, agricultural factories, plant nurseries, and pavilions representing sponsoring and participating organisations. Daily stage activities include interactive quizzes with prizes, live folkloric performances, lectures, seminars, and a variety of cultural together farmers, experts, industry leaders, companies, and research centres, the festival serves as a collaborative hub to support the agricultural sector and promote its long-term sustainability. It also plays a key role in boosting the Al Dhafra Region's economy through a diverse program that draws thousands of visitors each year.
Express Tribune
19-05-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Hazara launches land record digitisation project
The Hazara Division Commissioner has announced the launch of a pilot project to digitise land revenue records, beginning with a village in Haripur district. The initiative is designed to enhance transparency, streamline processes, and improve public convenience. Speaking during an official visit to the Abbottabad Press Club, Commissioner Syed Fayaz Ali Shah said that the digital system will allow citizens to pay bank fees online and access important documents such as the Jamabandi (land ownership record) and Fard (ownership certificate) from homeeliminating the need to visit Service Delivery Centres. "The provincial government is committed to implementing digital reforms across all departments to ensure better service delivery and greater accountability," he said, urging the media to continue playing its vital role in highlighting public concerns and administrative shortcomings. "Abbottabad's media has always demonstrated a constructive approach," he added. "Let us work together to promote transparency and the public good." During the visit, President of the Abbottabad Press Club Sardar Naveed Alam, General Secretary Raja Munir Khan, AUJ President Atif Qayoom, and General Secretary Saqib Khan briefed the commissioner on various issues affecting the Hazara Division. Commissioner Fayaz Ali Shah reiterated his commitment to addressing these challenges, expressing a strong sense of connection with Abbottabad. He also commended the Abbottabad Press Club for its initiatives supporting the welfare of journalists and highlighted recent successes in tax reforms. "In the Excise, Taxation, and Narcotics Control Department, we achieved a revenue target of Rs5.5 million this year through vehicle registration, house tax, and token tax collections," he said. "This marks a significant turnaround, as the department was in deficit last year."
Al Etihad
10-04-2025
- Business
- Al Etihad
2nd Al Wathba Date Festival showcases importance of sustainable date palm cultivation and Emirati tradition
10 Apr 2025 13:10 ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)The second edition of the Al Wathba Date Festival has concluded. Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister, and Chairman of the Presidential Court, the event was organised by the Abu Dhabi Heritage festival, which commenced on January 10, featured 12 competitions for date packaging - both with and without additives - covering six varieties of dates: Khalas, Fard, Dabbas, Bumaan, Shishi, and Zamli.A total of 120 prizes, exceeding Dh2 million, were allocated for the competitions, which attracted 310 date producers and manufacturers from across the presented over 3,100 kilograms of premium dates, utilising innovative and sustainable packaging designed to meet high-quality festival showcased more than 200 varieties of dates and related products across 40 dedicated shops, with 172 date producers and manufacturers participating in rotation over 79 days. To ensure diversity, the festival revamped its line-up of shops every 10 days, offering visitors a dynamic selection of Emirati dates and a variety of date-based products, including items crafted from date palm festival aims to raise awareness about the importance of the palm tree, aligning with the vision of the Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, to ensure the sustainability of date palm cultivation while encouraging date production, date trade, and related also supports food security initiatives, contributing to their long-term a specialised platform for marketing and selling Emirati and international dates and their products, the festival plays a vital role in preserving the country's agricultural heritage. It also facilitates the exchange of expertise among farmers from around the world, promoting modern agricultural techniques, palm tree care, and the rich Emirati heritage.
