King Salman Launches Non-Profit Foundation to Invest in Human Development

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman approves the adoption of the non-profit King Salman Foundation’s bylaws.
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman approves the adoption of the non-profit King Salman Foundation’s bylaws.
TT
20

King Salman Launches Non-Profit Foundation to Invest in Human Development

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman approves the adoption of the non-profit King Salman Foundation’s bylaws.
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman approves the adoption of the non-profit King Salman Foundation’s bylaws.

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman, in a royal decree on Thursday, approved the adoption of the non-profit King Salman Foundation’s bylaws.

The Foundation reflects King Salman’s passion for culture, knowledge and history and it perpetuates achievements in the non-profit sector. The Foundation also supports sustainability in urban development.

The launch of the Foundation is derived from the King’s longstanding charitable and humanitarian initiatives.

“We will always continue, God willing, to invest in people, develop their culture and pride in their identity as a permanent approach because we seek to confront human challenges and sustain the prosperity of societies,” the King said in a statement on his X account.

“We look forward to making the foundation a lasting impact on the individual and society,” he added.

There are a number of King Salman Cultural Centers, including the King Salman Museum and King Salman Library at the Diriyah Gate Project and Saudi Society Museum at the King Salman Park Project.

The Foundation reflects King Salman’s passion for culture, knowledge and history. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Culture Minister Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan said the foundation continues King Salman's work to promote culture. He added on X that the foundation’s cultural centers would expand opportunities for creativity and knowledge.

Several cultural institutions and academic chairs named after King Salman reflect his long-standing support for cultural and historical values. These initiatives promote the Arabic language regionally and internationally and preserve Saudi history through various projects he has backed.

He has always supported Saudi cultural figures, encouraging their recognition and valuing their contributions. His personal library, filled with rare manuscripts and books, shows his passion for knowledge and preserving heritage.

The King Abdulaziz Foundation for Research and Archives (Darah) celebrated the launch of the Foundation, highlighting King Salman’s role in preserving national history.

During his 20 years as chairman, Darah saw significant growth, advancing the study of Saudi and Arab history, geography, and culture.



Italy Fines Tour Operators Almost 20 Mln Euros over Colosseum Tickets Hoarding 

A woman holds an umbrella to shelter herself from the sun as she sits near the Colosseum amid a heatwave in Rome, Italy, June 20, 2024. (Reuters)
A woman holds an umbrella to shelter herself from the sun as she sits near the Colosseum amid a heatwave in Rome, Italy, June 20, 2024. (Reuters)
TT
20

Italy Fines Tour Operators Almost 20 Mln Euros over Colosseum Tickets Hoarding 

A woman holds an umbrella to shelter herself from the sun as she sits near the Colosseum amid a heatwave in Rome, Italy, June 20, 2024. (Reuters)
A woman holds an umbrella to shelter herself from the sun as she sits near the Colosseum amid a heatwave in Rome, Italy, June 20, 2024. (Reuters)

Italy's antitrust authority has fined a ticketing company and six tour operators nearly 20 million euros ($21.7 million) for ticket hoarding practices limiting access to the Roman Colosseum, the regulator said on Monday.

The AGCM authority said it had fined CoopCulture, which managed official ticket sales for the Colosseum from 1997-2024, 7 million euros for failing to prevent automated ticket hoarding and for reserving a large share of tickets for its own guided tour packages.

The AGCM said this conduct led to the "substantial and prolonged unavailability" of standard-priced tickets for Italy's most popular tourist attraction, forcing consumers to purchase higher-priced tickets bundled with additional services.

Six tour operators - Tiqets International BV, GetYourGuide Deutschland GmbH, Walks LLC, Italy With Family S.r.l., City Wonders Limited, and Musement S.p.A. - were also fined for using software robots (bots) to buy tickets in bulk, contributing to their rapid disappearance from CoopCulture's website.

The operators then resold the tickets bundled with services such as guided tours or priority access, often at significantly higher prices, the regulator said.

The investigation began in July 2023 after widespread complaints that it was nearly impossible for consumers to buy tickets to the Colosseum at official prices online.