Riyadh Hosts International Chemistry Olympiad 2024

Riyadh hosts the 56th edition of the International Chemistry Olympiad 2024 (IChO 2024) from July 21 to 30. (SPA)
Riyadh hosts the 56th edition of the International Chemistry Olympiad 2024 (IChO 2024) from July 21 to 30. (SPA)
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Riyadh Hosts International Chemistry Olympiad 2024

Riyadh hosts the 56th edition of the International Chemistry Olympiad 2024 (IChO 2024) from July 21 to 30. (SPA)
Riyadh hosts the 56th edition of the International Chemistry Olympiad 2024 (IChO 2024) from July 21 to 30. (SPA)

Riyadh hosts the 56th edition of the International Chemistry Olympiad 2024 (IChO 2024) from July 21 to 30, the Saudi Press Agency said on Sunday.
The event is organized by the King Abdulaziz and his Companions Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity "Mawhiba”, in strategic partnership with the Ministry of Education and King Saud University (KSU), which will host the competition.
The IChO 2024, exclusively sponsored by Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC), will feature 333 students from 90 countries, with oversight, evaluation, and judging by 260 chemistry experts.
Students will compete for 10 honorary certificates, 110 bronze medals, 70 silver medals, and 35 gold medals. The final results will be announced on July 28 at 11 PM.
This annual scientific competition is the largest international chemistry contest for general education students.
Since its establishment in Prague, Czechoslovakia, in 1968, the competition has been held annually over ten days, with a different host country each year.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia participated as an observer in 2004 and 2005, then with students in 2006 and 2007. The Kingdom returned to participate as an observer in 2008, 2009, and 2010, and has since participated with students from 2011 up to present.
The Kingdom’s hosting of the IChO 2024 reflects the excellence of Saudi students on the international stage and enhances the Kingdom's status as a leading global destination in various scientific fields.



Macron to Push for Ban on Social Media for Under-15s after School Stabbing 

France's President Emmanuel Macron gestures as he speaks during the presentation of the European Pact for the Oceans at the third UN Ocean Conference in Nice, French Riviera, Monday, June 9, 2025. (AP)
France's President Emmanuel Macron gestures as he speaks during the presentation of the European Pact for the Oceans at the third UN Ocean Conference in Nice, French Riviera, Monday, June 9, 2025. (AP)
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Macron to Push for Ban on Social Media for Under-15s after School Stabbing 

France's President Emmanuel Macron gestures as he speaks during the presentation of the European Pact for the Oceans at the third UN Ocean Conference in Nice, French Riviera, Monday, June 9, 2025. (AP)
France's President Emmanuel Macron gestures as he speaks during the presentation of the European Pact for the Oceans at the third UN Ocean Conference in Nice, French Riviera, Monday, June 9, 2025. (AP)

French President Emmanuel Macron said he would push for European Union regulation to ban social media for children under the age of 15 after a fatal stabbing at a school in eastern France, the latest such violent attack that left the country reeling.

Macron said in an interview late on Tuesday that he hoped to see results within the next few months.

"If that does not work, we will start to do it in France. We cannot wait," he told the France 2 public broadcaster, hours after a fatal stabbing at a middle school in Nogent, Haute-Marne.

Police questioned a 14-year-old student on Tuesday over the knifing of a 31-year-old school aide during a bag search for weapons.

Prime Minister Francois Bayrou told parliament the incident was not an isolated case. Macron said social media was one of the factors to blame for violence among young people.

Writing on social media platform X after the interview, Macron said such regulation was backed by experts. "Platforms have the ability to verify age. Do it," he wrote.

Macron's comments come amid a wave of measures in countries around the world aimed at curbing social media use among children.

Australia last year approved a social media ban for under-16s after an emotive public debate, setting a benchmark for jurisdictions around the world with one of the toughest regulations targeting Big Tech.

Although most social media do not allow children under 13 to use their platforms, a report by Australia's online safety regulator found children easily bypass such restrictions.