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Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia's First Law On Domestic Abuse, But Husbands Still Have Control

SAUDI GAZETTE, BBC, LE MONDE (France)

Worldcrunch

RIYADH – For the first time in Saudi Arabia, a new law has been passed that prohibits all forms of physical and sexual abuse, a measure hailed by human rights groups as a breakthrough in protecting women and children.

Sources at the Ministry of Social Affairs told the Saudi Gazette newspaper that the law, officially approved by the cabinet on August 26, would treat as an offense all forms of exploitation, as well as physical, psychological and sexual abuse or threat of abuse, both at home and in the workplace.

Until now, violence against women and children inside Saudi homes has been legally considered a private matter. Le Monde reports that the law nevertheless still requires a woman to obtain her husband's permission to file such a complaint, which the Saudi National Society for Human Rights noted will still de facto shield many abusive men from prosecution.

Those who are reported could now face a minimum jail term of one month and a maximum of one year, or fines up to $13,000. In case of repeat offenders, the punishment will be doubled, reports the Saudi Gazette . The law also stipulates that anyone who knows about any cases must immediately report it to the authorities.

Minister of Culture and Information Dr. Abdulaziz Khoja told the Saudi Press Agency that provisions in the law also offer shelter, assistance, and psychological, social and health care for victims.

Saudi Arabia's first public campaign ad against domestic violence features a woman in a niqab with a black eye.

He also said that a specific provision in the law is meant to prevent abuses at workplaces. In the private and public sector, workers who know about any case of abuse shall report it.

The law was welcomed as a positive step by several prominent figures, as it can curb domestic violence in a society still utterly dominated by men. However, a women’s rights activist told the BBC that the law needed to be fully implemented.

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Green

How A "Climatic Memory" Gene Helps Trees Face Environmental Threat

Humans and animals have strategies to deal with their surroundings, including the impacts of climate change. But what about trees? Researchers in Spain have identified mechanisms in plant life to learn over time from unfavorable environmental situations.

How A "Climatic Memory" Gene Helps Trees Face Environmental Threat

Tree brain?

Juan F Samaniego

OVIEDO — When it doesn't rain, humans look for water under rocks. Throughout history, we have developed more or less effective techniques (and more or less respectful of the environment) to always have something to drink. Reservoirs, wells or desalination plants help us, when available, to cope with periods of drought.

Animals also have strategies to deal with lack of water, such as moving (sometimes long distances) in search of new reserves or reducing hydration needs by lowering physical activity.

But how does a tree survive?

These living beings are anchored to the same place, where they spend tens, hundreds and even thousands of years. For this reason, their strategies to deal with stressful situations, such as a drought, a heat wave or a plague, are very different from those of animals.

New research has discovered something incredible: trees have a kind of climatic memory in their genes.

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