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Science, Engineering Exhibition Sheds Light on Saudi Innovations

A training camp for the Saudi National Science and Engineering Team in Riyadh. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
A training camp for the Saudi National Science and Engineering Team in Riyadh. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Science, Engineering Exhibition Sheds Light on Saudi Innovations

A training camp for the Saudi National Science and Engineering Team in Riyadh. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
A training camp for the Saudi National Science and Engineering Team in Riyadh. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

The Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) has showcased the innovative ideas of 30 Saudi students.

ISEF 2021 is being held virtually in the US, with the participation of over 1,800 students from around the world showcasing their projects at the science fair.

King Abdul Aziz and His Companions Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity (Mawhiba) announced its sponsorship of the innovations in the energy field at ISEF 2021.

Saudi Arabia first participated in ISEF in 2007 and has since then won 48 major and 27 special prizes. In 2020, the Kingdom received eight prizes, including five major and three special prizes.

Saudi Minister of Energy Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman is set to meet virtually with a number of students from around the world that are taking part in this year’s edition.

In a statement, Mawhiba announced that it will present major prizes and sponsorships for the top four projects in the field of energy.

The foundation will also offer a number of special awards in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), including 12 grants and 12 cash prizes.

The statement explained that the foundation’s sponsorship of ISEF’s energy field stems from Vision 2030 and its awareness of the important role Saudi Arabia plays as a major source of energy, and its efforts to continue sustainable development by preserving energy sources.

Mawhiba stated that the awards it offers to international talents at the ISEF 2021 exhibition reflect its vision and mission to make innovation a sustainable way to invest in human capabilities.

There is an increasing trend towards the production of more renewable energy, which is expected to account for 40 percent of the planet's energy by 2040, according to Mawhiba.

The Mawhiba Foundation has offered 79 special awards, totaling $269,000, for 97 international students at the ISEF over the past ten years.

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Technology

Albania Shuts Down TikTok for a Year amid Concerns over Violence among Children

The TikTok app logo is seen in this illustration taken, August 22, 2022. (Reuters)
The TikTok app logo is seen in this illustration taken, August 22, 2022. (Reuters)
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Albania Shuts Down TikTok for a Year amid Concerns over Violence among Children

The TikTok app logo is seen in this illustration taken, August 22, 2022. (Reuters)
The TikTok app logo is seen in this illustration taken, August 22, 2022. (Reuters)

The Albanian Cabinet decided on Thursday to shut down TikTok for 12 months, blaming the video-sharing platform for inciting violence and bullying, especially among children.

Education Minister Ogerta Manastirliu said they are in contact with TikTok on installing filters like parental control and the inclusion of the Albanian language in the application.

Authorities had conducted 1,300 meetings with some 65,000 parents who “recommended and were in favor of the shut down or limiting the TikTok platform," the minister said, The AP reported.

The Cabinet initiated the move last year after a teen stabbed another teenager to death in November after a quarrel that started on TikTok.

TikTok did not immediately respond to a request to comment on the government's decision.

When Prime Minister Edi Rama said in December they were aiming at closing the social media platform, TikTok asked for “urgent clarity from the Albanian government” on the case of the stabbed teenager.

On Thursday Rama said they were in a “positive dialogue with the company” which soon would go to the country to offer “a series of measures on increasing the security for children.”

The company said it had “found no evidence that the perpetrator or victim had TikTok accounts, and multiple reports have in fact confirmed videos leading up to this incident were being posted on another platform, not TikTok.”

Albanian children comprise the largest group of TikTok users in the country, according to researchers.

There has been increasing concern from Albanian parents after reports of children being inspired by content on social media to take knives to school, or cases of bullying promoted by stories they see on TikTok.

Authorities have increased police presence at some schools and set up other measures including training programs for teachers, students and their parents.

The opposition has not agreed with TikTok’s closure and has set March 15 for a protest against the move. It said the ban was “an act of intolerance, fear and terror from free thinking and expression.”