Saudi Arabia to participate in 2024 K-pop World Festival  

Saudi Arabia to participate in 2024 K-pop World Festival  
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To meet the demand for K-pop music and culture in Saudi Arabia, the Kingdom hosted its first-ever South Korean music and culture festival, KCON, in Riyadh in 2022. (X:@kconsaudiarabia)
Saudi Arabia to participate in 2024 K-pop World Festival  
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(Korean embassy)
Saudi Arabia to participate in 2024 K-pop World Festival  
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(Korean embassy)
Saudi Arabia to participate in 2024 K-pop World Festival  
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(Korean embassy)
Saudi Arabia to participate in 2024 K-pop World Festival  
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(Korean embassy)
Saudi Arabia to participate in 2024 K-pop World Festival  
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(Korean embassy)
Saudi Arabia to participate in 2024 K-pop World Festival  
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(Korean embassy)
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Updated 01 August 2024
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Saudi Arabia to participate in 2024 K-pop World Festival  

Saudi Arabia to participate in 2024 K-pop World Festival  

RIYADH: In partnership with the Saudi Entertainment Academy, the Embassy of South Korea in Saudi Arabia is set to hold the final preliminary round of its first-ever participation in the K-pop World Festival in JAX district on Saturday. 

In the first preliminary round, held at the academy’s hall earlier this week, 30 teams from all over the Kingdom, including Jeddah, participated. 

Out of these, only 10 made it to the final preliminary round, which will be held on Saturday, Aug. 3 in JAX.

Winners of the competition will move forward to the finals of the K-pop festival that will be held in Changwon, South Korea, in October. 

The preliminary round of the competition was organized by the South Korean Embassy represented by Ambassador Choi Byung-Hyuk and headed by Director-General Kim Jung-Ho, with LG Electronics Saudi Arabia as a sponsor. 

According to an official statement, through the festival, the embassy aims to showcase how relations between Saudi Arabia and South Korea have advanced from economic cooperation to include cultural partnership, connecting people through their passion for K-pop.  

The qualifying teams are set to perform K-pop dances at JAX, a creative hub for artists in the heart of the former industrial heritage site in Diriyah.

The K-pop World Festival, held annually in Changwon, has welcomed performers from all around the world including Kuwait, Singapore, the US, Spain, Ireland, Canada, and Cuba.

K-pop has surged in popularity in the Kingdom, especially among Gen-Z and Gen Alpha.

To meet the demand for K-pop music and culture in Saudi Arabia, the Kingdom hosted its first-ever South Korean music and culture festival, KCON, in Riyadh in 2022. 

The inaugural festival featured K-pop artists Rain, Sunmi, and Hyolyn, as well as bands including Pentagon, Secret Number, P1Harmony, The Boyz, Ateez, NewJeans, Oneus, STAYC, and TO1.

The second edition of the festival featured performers including Everglow, Highlight, Hyolyn, Kard, Riize, and Super Junior-D&E.


Saudi FM discusses developments in Lebanon with French, Lebanese counterparts

Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan, Lebanese Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib, and French FM.
Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan, Lebanese Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib, and French FM.
Updated 30 September 2024
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Saudi FM discusses developments in Lebanon with French, Lebanese counterparts

Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan, Lebanese Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib, and French FM.
  • Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan called the foreign ministers of Lebanon and France separately on Monday

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan discussed developments in Lebanon with his French and Lebanese counterparts in phone calls on Monday.

In a phone call with Lebanese Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib, Prince Faisal stressed the Kingdom’s support for Lebanon’s security and stability.

During a separate phone call, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot and Prince Faisal discussed the consequences of developments in Lebanon and efforts made in this regard.  


Saudi space pioneer recognized by Guinness World Records as first female Arab in space

Rayyanah Barnawi, Saudi astronaut
Rayyanah Barnawi, Saudi astronaut
Updated 30 September 2024
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Saudi space pioneer recognized by Guinness World Records as first female Arab in space

Rayyanah Barnawi, Saudi astronaut
  • Saudi Rayyanah Barnawi was part of the Axiom Mission 2 that launched from Cape Canaveral in Florida on May 21, 2023

RIYADH: The first female Arab astronaut has had her pioneering spaceflight recognized by Guinness World Records, the organization announced on Monday.

Saudi Rayyanah Barnawi was part of the Axiom Mission 2 that launched from Cape Canaveral in Florida on May 21, 2023. She was accompanied by fellow Saudi Ali Al-Qarni aboard a craft bound for the International Space Station.

In her first message she said: “This trip does not represent me alone, but rather the entire Arab world and all Saudis. We are living a dream that once seemed impossible but has become reality.”

Al-Qarni and Barnawi — the first Arab woman to orbit Earth — returned on May 31 after an eight-day stay at the ISS. During their time there they carried out 14 research projects on microgravity, three of which were kite experiments involving 12,000 school students from 47 locations across the Kingdom, conducted via satellite.

During her mission, part of the Saudi Astronaut Program, Barnawi completed several groundbreaking experiments that included studying the response of immune cells and how microgravity affects biological processes.

Barnawi has spent her career advancing scientific knowledge, particularly in the field of cancer stem cells. She worked at King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre and holds a bachelor’s degree in genetic engineering and tissue development from the University of Otago in Dunedin, New Zealand. She also has a master’s degree in biomedical sciences from Alfaisal University in Riyadh.

Barnawi’s personal journey reflects her strong ties to both Saudi Arabia and her Sudanese heritage.

Her world record-breaking achievement follows in the footsteps of the Kingdom’s Prince Sultan bin Salman who, in 1985, became the first Arab to go into space.

 


Saudi Arabia boosts cochlear implant care

Saudi Arabia boosts cochlear implant care
Updated 30 September 2024
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Saudi Arabia boosts cochlear implant care

Saudi Arabia boosts cochlear implant care
  • The program provides essential treatment through health clusters, which encompass 17 cochlear implant and rehabilitation centers nationwide

RIYADH: The Saudi Ministry of Health’s cochlear implant program performs more than 500 surgeries annually and boasts a 100 percent success rate.

In the first half of 2024 some 288 surgeries were conducted, according to the ministry.

The program provides essential treatment through health clusters, which encompass 17 cochlear implant and rehabilitation centers nationwide, all equipped with advanced facilities offering comprehensive healthcare services.

It aims to support individuals with hearing impairments, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday.

These centers are staffed by highly skilled medical professionals utilizing state-of-the-art technology for holistic care.

Saudi Arabia’s commitment to becoming a global leader in cochlear implants is reflected in the expansion of its centers — increasing from five in 2018 to 17 today — which underscores the nation’s dedication to top-tier care for those with hearing challenges.

 

 


Saudi Arabia boosts security with new facilities, digital services

Saudi Arabia boosts security with new facilities, digital services
Updated 30 September 2024
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Saudi Arabia boosts security with new facilities, digital services

Saudi Arabia boosts security with new facilities, digital services
  • Inauguration of General Directorate of Public Security building
  • Prince Abdulaziz also opened the Innovation Center and the Indicators and Artificial Intelligence Center

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Interior Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif inaugurated the new General Directorate of Public Security building in Riyadh on Monday.

He went on to inspect the facilities, security equipment, and advanced technology that enhance security capabilities and create an integrated work environment.

Prince Abdulaziz also opened the Innovation Center and the Indicators and Artificial Intelligence Center, which aim to improve security operations through modern technology while promoting digital transformation.

As part of ongoing efforts to automate services, Prince Abdulaziz has also launched several new offerings on the Absher Individuals platform covering accident registration, vehicle license printing, digital air weapon licenses, accident reports, vehicle data reports, and driving licenses.

In addition, new services for rock-cutting technicians’ licenses and transporting rock-cutting materials have been introduced on the Absher Business platform.


10 contestants from 7 nations to compete for Reader of the Year title

10 contestants from 7 nations to compete for Reader of the Year title
Updated 30 September 2024
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10 contestants from 7 nations to compete for Reader of the Year title

10 contestants from 7 nations to compete for Reader of the Year title
  • Reading Enrichment Program’s closing ceremony takes place in October at the Ithra Center, Dhahran
  • This year’s competition received an impressive 106,000 submissions from the Arab world

RIYADH: The King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture is to host the closing ceremony of the ninth Reading Enrichment Program, known as iRead, to promote reading culture and celebrate knowledge.

The event, which uses the slogan “Reading Bridges Worlds” and is an initiative by Saudi Aramco, is scheduled for Oct. 11-12 at the Ithra Center in Dhahran and will feature readers from across the Arab world competing in the essays and debates contests.

Two Nobel laureates in literature, Dr. Abdulrazak Gurnah and Olga Tokarczuk, are set to attend, along with many readers, authors, and literary figures from the region.

The cultural program includes an interview with Saudi critic Abdullah Al-Ghathami; a fireside chat with Algerian author Ahlam Mosteghanemi; a recital by Sudanese poet Mohamed Abdelbari; the Kutubiya book swapping exhibition; and several book signings.

This year’s competition received an impressive 106,000 submissions from the Arab world.

Ten participants from seven countries — Saudi Arabia, Syria, Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, Egypt, and Iraq — have advanced to the finals, where they will present for the Reader of the Year title.

Those attending can also vote for the Audience’s Favorite Reader award.

Tareq Alkhawaji, cultural adviser at Ithra, said: “The iRead competition is a shining example of Ithra’s pioneering role in promoting reading as a vital tool for enriching the knowledge of future generations.

“This transformative experience enhances the research, reading, writing, editing, publishing and public speaking skills of all participants.

“We are thrilled to see such a large and diverse group of applicants from all over the Arab world participate in iRead. This success reflects the competition’s position in developing and empowering not just Saudi, but Arab talents in critical reading and creative writing.

“It also solidifies Ithra’s mission as an Arabic content creator and underscores its goal of inspiring 100,000 young men and women by 2030.”