Arecaceae

Custodian of the Crown of Romania, Princess Margareta, addressed a video message of hope and soul-warming experiences to all those who bear flower-derived names and who by tradition celebrate name day on Palm Sunday. "Today is Palm Sunday, the day our Lord Jesus Christ entered Jerusalem.

The Goethe Institute presents "Botanic Fictions: On the Political Narratives of Plants," a multifaceted initiative aimed at raising awareness about the destruction of plant life as a result of human activity and the connection between politics and botany.

In one what some might see as an apt symbol of Macedonia's current difficulties, over a hundred palm trees planted in Skopje two years ago - and designed to bring a touch of tropical warmth to the city -  have perished in the harsh winter cold.

Food, Agriculture and Livestock Minister Faruk Çelik has said his office has launched work to detect food thought to include palm oil in its ingredients, state-run Anadolu Agency has reported.

The ministry issued a statement on Jan. 15 after media reports on controversial palm oil, saying it was considered necessary to conduct an investigation based on public health concerns.   

Excavations by researchers at the Natural History Museum for the Lesvos Petrified Forest took place near road works for the construction of a new road from the towns of Kalloni to Sigrio on the eastern Aegean island of Lesvos. The scientists responsible for preserving other sections of the ‘Petrified Forest’ found new traces of fossilized tree trunks.

Here are some traditions associated with Palm Sunday, the day when Christ entered Jerusalem, triumphantly greeted by crowds holding palms:
* Greeks traditionally eat fried codfish with garlic dip on this day. During years when there is a shortage of fish, people believe that the devil is preventing the fishermen from making a good catch.