Al-Ahsa Named World’s Largest Date Palm Oasis by Guinness

Al-Ahsa Governorate is home to more 2.5 million palm trees that feed on the vast aquifer (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Al-Ahsa Governorate is home to more 2.5 million palm trees that feed on the vast aquifer (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Al-Ahsa Named World’s Largest Date Palm Oasis by Guinness

Al-Ahsa Governorate is home to more 2.5 million palm trees that feed on the vast aquifer (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Al-Ahsa Governorate is home to more 2.5 million palm trees that feed on the vast aquifer (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Saudi Culture Minister Prince Bader Bin Abdallah Bin Frahan announced today, Thursday, that Al-Ahsa Governorate has been registered in the Guinness World Records as the world’s largest date palm oasis.

According to Guinness’s website, the oasis includes more than 2.5 million palm trees feeding on a vast aquifer through 280 artesian springs, extending over an area of more than 85.4 square kilometers (32.9 square miles).

The Heritage Commission turned the global encyclopedia’s attention to Al-Ahsa Oasis, a Saudi Arabian site registered on UNESCO’s World Heritage List, alongside Al-Hijr in Al-Ula, the Al-Turaif neighborhood in historic Ad Diriyah, historic Jeddah, and rock art site Jubbah and Shuaimis in Hail.

In addition to its rich environment and natural wealth, Al-Ahsa also has a deep history and rich civilization. Many civilizations settled in it and used it as a strategic bridge connecting them to the rest of the world. It includes many heritage sites and some of the globe’s oldest human settlements. Its date-palm oasis is the largest palm oasis surrounded by sand in the world.

The Guinness World Records had recently registered Maraya Concert Hall as the world’s largest mirror-clad building. Alongside other records, they have contributed to Saudi Arabia becoming the second most featured Arab country in the Guinness World Record.



Saudi Interior Minister, Singapore's Coordinating Minister for National Security Discuss Regional Security Development

The Saudi flag. Asharq Al-Awsat
The Saudi flag. Asharq Al-Awsat
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Saudi Interior Minister, Singapore's Coordinating Minister for National Security Discuss Regional Security Development

The Saudi flag. Asharq Al-Awsat
The Saudi flag. Asharq Al-Awsat

Saudi Minister of Interior Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz received a phone call on Sunday from Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs of the Republic of Singapore K Shanmugam.

During the call, the two officials discussed the latest developments in the Middle East and current security developments amid the Iranian attacks targeting regional security and stability, SPA reported.

They also affirmed the importance of enhancing bilateral cooperation and coordination in support of regional security and stability, in addition to discussing a number of topics of mutual interest.

Shanmugam expressed his country's condemnation of the Iranian attacks targeting the Kingdom and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states, affirming Singapore's solidarity with the Kingdom and the GCC states in all measures aimed at enhancing security and stability.


Saudi Arabia Condemns Riots Targeting UAE Embassy in Damascus

Saudi Arabia called for the protection of diplomatic missions. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi Arabia called for the protection of diplomatic missions. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Saudi Arabia Condemns Riots Targeting UAE Embassy in Damascus

Saudi Arabia called for the protection of diplomatic missions. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi Arabia called for the protection of diplomatic missions. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Saudi Arabia condemned on Sunday the riots, assaults, and attempted vandalism that targeted the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates and the residence of its head of mission in Damascus.

A Foreign Ministry statement said the Kingdom also slammed the “unacceptable offenses directed at the national symbols of the brotherly UAE.”

The ministry stressed the Kingdom’s “rejection of these attacks and all forms of violence against diplomats, stressing the need to ensure the protection of diplomats and diplomatic missions in line with relevant international laws and conventions.”

Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi also slammed the attack against the UAE embassy in Damascus, urging Syrian authorities to hold those responsible to account.


Oman, Iran Hold Talks on Strait of Hormuz

Traffic passing a huge political billboard reading in Persian "The Strait of Hormuz will remain closed", in Enghelb square in Tehran, Iran, 05 April 2026. (EPA)
Traffic passing a huge political billboard reading in Persian "The Strait of Hormuz will remain closed", in Enghelb square in Tehran, Iran, 05 April 2026. (EPA)
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Oman, Iran Hold Talks on Strait of Hormuz

Traffic passing a huge political billboard reading in Persian "The Strait of Hormuz will remain closed", in Enghelb square in Tehran, Iran, 05 April 2026. (EPA)
Traffic passing a huge political billboard reading in Persian "The Strait of Hormuz will remain closed", in Enghelb square in Tehran, Iran, 05 April 2026. (EPA)

Oman and Iran held talks on easing passage through the Strait of Hormuz, the Omani state news agency reported Sunday, with the key shipping chokepoint effectively closed due to war in the Middle East.

"Oman and Iran held a meeting at the deputy ministers level in the foreign ministries of the two countries, with the attendance of specialists from both sides, during which the possible options were discussed regarding ensuring the smooth passage through the Strait of Hormuz," the news agency posted on X.

"The experts from both sides put forward a number of visions and proposals regarding it," it added.