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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)
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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.

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King Salman Arabic Language Academy Launches Arabic Language Month in Mexico

The Arabic Language Month features specialized training courses, scientific and outreach activities - SPA
The Arabic Language Month features specialized training courses, scientific and outreach activities - SPA
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King Salman Arabic Language Academy Launches Arabic Language Month in Mexico

The Arabic Language Month features specialized training courses, scientific and outreach activities - SPA
The Arabic Language Month features specialized training courses, scientific and outreach activities - SPA

The King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language launched the Arabic Language Month in Mexico as part of its international efforts to support Arabic language education for non-native speakers and strengthen its cultural and intellectual presence in global academic institutions.

The program runs throughout January and includes a variety of scientific and educational events, such as intensive training courses for teachers and learners, specialized programs for teachers of Arabic as a foreign language, a symposium on the current state and challenges of Arabic language education in Mexico, the administration of the “Hamza” academic test to assess learners’ proficiency, and organized scientific and cultural visits, SPA reported.

Implemented in cooperation with key institutions in Mexico, the program targets teachers, learners, and anyone interested in teaching Arabic as a foreign language.

The Arabic Language Month features specialized training courses, scientific and outreach activities, and active participation from the academy leaders in academic events. It aims to enhance institutional and scientific collaboration, expand international partnerships, and advance the academy’s mission of promoting Arabic language education worldwide.

Culture

Holy Sites Journey Program Fosters Cultural Dialogue Among Youth

Participants emphasized the importance of cultural dialogue among youth from Islamic countries - SPA
Participants emphasized the importance of cultural dialogue among youth from Islamic countries - SPA
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Holy Sites Journey Program Fosters Cultural Dialogue Among Youth

Participants emphasized the importance of cultural dialogue among youth from Islamic countries - SPA
Participants emphasized the importance of cultural dialogue among youth from Islamic countries - SPA

The Holy Sites Journey Program for Arab and Islamic Youth, organized by the Ministry of Sport in collaboration with the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the League Arab, has fostered cultural dialogue among youth from Arab and Islamic countries through specialized discussion sessions.

These sessions highlighted shared values and religious and cultural experiences within a framework that reflects the Kingdom’s civilizational and humanitarian message, SPA reported.

Participants emphasized the importance of cultural dialogue among youth from Islamic countries, highlighting its role in fostering mutual understanding, challenging stereotypes, and building bridges of communication grounded in respect and coexistence.

Culture

Janadriyah Village Opens Friday with Culture, Camels, and Family Entertainment

These events are organized under the supervision of the Saudi Camel Sports - SPA
These events are organized under the supervision of the Saudi Camel Sports - SPA
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Janadriyah Village Opens Friday with Culture, Camels, and Family Entertainment

These events are organized under the supervision of the Saudi Camel Sports - SPA
These events are organized under the supervision of the Saudi Camel Sports - SPA

The Janadriyah village, part of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Camel Festival, will open to visitors this Friday, offering a rich cultural and entertainment experience for the entire family. Spanning 15,000 square meters, the village includes more than 60 diverse booths designed to meet visitors’ needs, SPA reported.

The village is an ideal destination for families and tourists interested in camel racing heritage. It offers a wide range of restaurants and cafés, alongside shops selling traditional handicrafts and modern products that cater to all tastes.

It also features a dedicated events stage hosting continuous cultural and artistic performances, as well as camel-riding activities that offer visitors a unique hands-on experience.

These events are organized under the supervision of the Saudi Camel Sports, reflecting its commitment to preserving this national heritage, introducing it to younger generations, and transforming camel racing from a traditional sport into a global cultural, tourism, and economic platform, supporting Saudi cultural identity and aligning with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 goals in culture and entertainment.