Saudi Team Leaves Kingdom for United States to Participate in ISEF 2024

This year marks the 18th consecutive year of Saudi participation - SPA
This year marks the 18th consecutive year of Saudi participation - SPA
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Saudi Team Leaves Kingdom for United States to Participate in ISEF 2024

This year marks the 18th consecutive year of Saudi participation - SPA
This year marks the 18th consecutive year of Saudi participation - SPA

The Saudi Science and Engineering Team left Riyadh to participate in the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF 2024), which will be held in Los Angeles, United States, from May 10 to 18.
Thirty-five Saudi female and male students from the King Abdulaziz and his Companions Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity -- "Mawhiba” -- will be competing with 1,700 peers from 70 countries in ISEF, the world’s largest and most prestigious pre-college competition in scientific research and innovation, SPA reported.
Mawhiba said that the Science and Engineering Team includes elite Saudi students who were chosen from among more than 210,000 students from various regions of the Kingdom at the beginning of this year. Their scientific projects passed through various judging stages during the "Ibdaa" National Olympiad for Scientific Creativity until they were reduced to 180, out of which 35 talented students were nominated to represent the Kingdom in ISEF out of the 45 students whose projects qualified to the Olympiad’s finals.
The foundation underlined that the students nominated to represent the Kingdom in ISEF 2024 underwent intensive training given by Saudi and foreign academic trainers and experts in various disciplines to develop their skills and qualify them to participate in the exhibition through integrated efforts of a number of national incubators and supporters, including universities and research centers, parents, families, and teachers.
Represented by Mawhiba, the Kingdom also participates in ISEF 2024 exhibition as a main sponsor and offers special prizes for the best participating projects in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), which include paid scholarships for undergraduate study at the King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, as well as scholarships to participate in the Mawhiba Universal Enrichment Program.
Saudi Arabia extends its impressive streak in international science competitions. This year marks the 18th consecutive year of participation, with a remarkable track record to show for it. Since 2007, Saudi students have claimed a staggering 133 awards, including 92 grand prizes and 41 special distinctions. This exceptional achievement underscores the Kingdom's dedicated efforts to foster a culture of innovation and propel scientific excellence among its youth.



TikTok Restores Service, Thanks Trump

In this photo illustration an iPhone displays a popup message on the social media platform TikTok on January 19, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Getty Images/AFP)
In this photo illustration an iPhone displays a popup message on the social media platform TikTok on January 19, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Getty Images/AFP)
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TikTok Restores Service, Thanks Trump

In this photo illustration an iPhone displays a popup message on the social media platform TikTok on January 19, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Getty Images/AFP)
In this photo illustration an iPhone displays a popup message on the social media platform TikTok on January 19, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Getty Images/AFP)

TikTok said on Sunday said it was restoring its service after President-elect Donald Trump said he would revive the app's access in the US when he returns to power on Monday.

The statement came after US users reported being able to access the Chinese-owned service's website while the far more widely used TikTok app itself did not appear to be immediately available.

"In agreement with our service providers, TikTok is in the process of restoring service," TikTok said in a statement that thanked Trump for "providing the necessary clarity and assurance to our service providers that they will face no penalties (for) providing TikTok to over 170 million Americans and allowing over 7 million small businesses to thrive."

TikTok stopped working for its 170 million American users late on Saturday before a law shutting it down on national security grounds took effect on Sunday. US officials had warned that under Chinese parent company ByteDance, there was a risk of Americans' data being misused.

Trump said he would "extend the period of time before the law's prohibitions take effect, so that we can make a deal to protect our national security."

"I would like the United States to have a 50% ownership position in a joint venture," he wrote on Truth Social.

Trump said the executive order would specify there would be no liability for any company that helped keep TikTok from going dark before his order.

Trump had earlier said he would most likely give TikTok a 90-day reprieve from the ban after he takes office, a promise TikTok cited in a notice posted to users on the app.

"A law banning TikTok has been enacted in the US Unfortunately, that means you can't use TikTok for now. We are fortunate that President Trump has indicated that he will work with us on a solution to reinstate TikTok once he takes office. Please stay tuned," a message notified users of TikTok, which disappeared from Apple and Google app stores late on Saturday.

Even if temporary, the unprecedented shutdown of TikTok is set to have a wide-ranging impact on US-China relations, US politics, the social media marketplace and millions of Americans who depend on the app economically and culturally.