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Conjoined Saudi Siamese Twin Separation Surgery is Successful

The surgery came following the directives of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and the Crown Prince. SPA
The surgery came following the directives of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and the Crown Prince. SPA
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Conjoined Saudi Siamese Twin Separation Surgery is Successful

The surgery came following the directives of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and the Crown Prince. SPA
The surgery came following the directives of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and the Crown Prince. SPA

A specialized surgical team has managed to separate a Saudi Siamese twin who were attached from the hip and share the spinal cord and its membranes, in a surgery that lasted seven hours over seven stages with the participation of 28 members of consultants, specialists and nursing and technical personnel.

The surgery came following the directives of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince and Prime Minister.

At the end of the surgery, muscles and nerves were examined to ensure their safety and cover the wounds, and then, the twins were transferred to the children's intensive care room to be placed under supervision within the next two days.

Advisor at the Royal Court and Supervisor General of King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) Dr. Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Rabeeah, who is also head of the medical and surgical team for surgeries of separating Siamese twins, said the surgery is the 53rd carried out under the Saudi program to separate conjoined twins.

In 32 years, the Saudi program has been able to look after 127 Siamese twins from 23 countries, stressing the Kingdom’s pioneering role in humanitarian and medical work.

Al Rabeeah stated that his gesture reflects the ambitious vision led by the Crown Prince.

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King Charles’ Annual Swan Census Begins on the River Thames

Swan uppers travel along the River Thames between Staines and Eton, during the ancient tradition of Swan Upping, the annual census of the mute swan population on the River Thames in London, Monday, July 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Thomas Krych)
Swan uppers travel along the River Thames between Staines and Eton, during the ancient tradition of Swan Upping, the annual census of the mute swan population on the River Thames in London, Monday, July 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Thomas Krych)
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King Charles’ Annual Swan Census Begins on the River Thames

Swan uppers travel along the River Thames between Staines and Eton, during the ancient tradition of Swan Upping, the annual census of the mute swan population on the River Thames in London, Monday, July 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Thomas Krych)
Swan uppers travel along the River Thames between Staines and Eton, during the ancient tradition of Swan Upping, the annual census of the mute swan population on the River Thames in London, Monday, July 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Thomas Krych)

Scarlet uniforms flashed against the riverbank. Wooden skiffs glided in formation. A young swan, gently lifted from the water, was measured, inspected and released.

The annual five-day census of swans belonging to King Charles III– known as Swan Upping -- began Monday on the River Thames to assess their health.

One of the British monarch’s less-known titles is Seigneur of the Swans — Lord of the Swans — and according to ancient lore, he or she owns all members of the mute swan species found in Britain’s open waters.

AP reported on Tuesday that every year, a team of carefully selected oarsmen — Swan Uppers -- are tasked with finding the swans on a stretch of the Thames.

When a family is spotted, they shout, “All up!” and the boats quickly surround the birds, marking them and checking for signs of disease or injury.

“It gives us an indication of what’s going on throughout the country,” said David Barber, who wears a scarlet jacket and a white swan feather in his cap and bears the title of King’s Swan Marker. “It’s a tradition, but I think it’s serving a very useful purpose as well.”

Barber has been leading the event for more than 30 years.

He is accompanied by a vet and oarsmen dressed in three colors: red for the king, white for the Worshipful Company of Vintners and blue stripes for the Worshipful Company of Dyers.

The last two are medieval London trade guilds that were granted ownership of some Thames swans in the 15th century.

The census tradition dates to the 12th century, when swans were considered an important food for royal banquets and feasts.

While swans are now legally protected from hunting, they face threats from disease, pollution, vandalism and cruelty, Barber said.

Their numbers have declined over the last two years, primarily due to outbreaks of avian flu across Britain, he said, adding that only 86 young swans were found during last year’s Swan Upping, which was 45% fewer than the year before that.

But Barber appeared positive at the end of the event’s first day, with a total of 16 young swans recorded.

The census continues until Friday, traveling from Sunbury, on the outskirts of London, to Abingdon, 80 miles (130 kilometers) upstream.