‘Best yet to come,’ says AlUla tourism chief on launch of global brand campaign

‘Best yet to come,’ says AlUla tourism chief on launch of global brand campaign
The “Forever Revitalising” campaign will unfold through events aimed at travel trade and media partners across six major cities. (SPA)
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Updated 01 March 2024
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‘Best yet to come,’ says AlUla tourism chief on launch of global brand campaign

‘Best yet to come,’ says AlUla tourism chief on launch of global brand campaign
  • Strategy to include events at 6 major cities highlighting ancient location’s modern appeal 

RIYADH: AlUla is only just beginning its journey to becoming a global tourism destination, the region’s tourism chief said on Thursday after the launch of its new global brand campaign.

The “Forever Revitalising” campaign will unfold through events aimed at travel trade and media partners across six major cities: Dubai, London, New York, Paris, Shanghai, and Mumbai, Saudi Press Agency reported.

“In just a few years, AlUla has established itself as a destination on the global traveler’s wish list,” Phillip Jones, chief tourism officer at the Royal Commission for AlUla, said.

He added: “Through this campaign, we can open up the dialogue even further on a global stage, and communicate the full depth of AlUla’s appeal, attributes and ambition. The best is yet to come,” he added.

The campaign includes a two-and-a-half-minute film by French cinematographer Bruno Aveillan.

This film, which can be adapted in length and is available in several languages, showcases the essence of AlUla through its core destination pillars: history and heritage, arts and culture, nature and adventure, and wellness, SPA added.

“Crafting this film was an enriching experience, not only because it allowed me to witness some of the world’s most breathtaking landmarks and locations but also because it offered me a vast canvas to explore the depths of my own creativity — a profound and enduring gift that AlUla bestows upon everyone who walks upon her historic sands and experiences the sheltered embrace of her oasis,” Aveillan said.

Additionally, the campaign features a series of “Brand Pillar” six-second videos that highlight iconic destinations within AlUla, such as Hegra, Jabal Ikmah, AlUla Oasis, AlUla Old Town, Sharaan Nature Reserve, and Elephant Rock.

Other highlights include balloon adventures, luxury accommodation, local arts and crafts, and the lively food and drink scene on offer in AlUla.

Melanie de Souza, executive director of destination marketing at RCU, said: “Forever Revitalising is not only about driving global awareness of a destination that until recently was relatively unknown to most travelers, but also about communicating the breadth and depth of the programs and initiatives designed to create a better future for all those who live, work and visit our ancient oasis.

“We hope that the film and creative assets do justice to a truly unique destination.”

 

The rebirth of AlUla
Hegra, ancient city of the Nabataeans in Saudi Arabia’s historic AlUla Valley, is emerging from the mists of time to take its rightful place as one of the wonders of the world

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Drone attack targets Iraq’s northern Khor Mor gas field, security sources say

In this file photo taken on November 22, 2016 a US made MQ-9 Reaper military drone flies over the Iraqi city of Mosul. (AFP file
In this file photo taken on November 22, 2016 a US made MQ-9 Reaper military drone flies over the Iraqi city of Mosul. (AFP file
Updated 1 min 19 sec ago
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Drone attack targets Iraq’s northern Khor Mor gas field, security sources say

In this file photo taken on November 22, 2016 a US made MQ-9 Reaper military drone flies over the Iraqi city of Mosul. (AFP file
  • There was no damage to the field or Dana Gas company and production is normal, the Kurdish Regional Government’s Ministry of Natural Resources reported

BAGHDAD: A drone attack targeted the Khor Mor gas field in Iraq’s Kurdistan region on Sunday, two security sources told Reuters.
There was no damage to the field or Dana Gas company and production is normal, the Kurdish Regional Government’s Ministry of Natural Resources reported.
The Pearl Consortium, United Arab Emirates energy firm Dana Gas (DANA.AD), and its affiliate, Crescent Petroleum, have the rights to exploit Khor Mor.
No group has claimed responsibility for the attack.

 


Tens of thousands protest in Berlin against proposed German immigration crackdown

Tens of thousands protest in Berlin against proposed German immigration crackdown
Updated 3 min 13 sec ago
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Tens of thousands protest in Berlin against proposed German immigration crackdown

Tens of thousands protest in Berlin against proposed German immigration crackdown
  • The draft law would have restricted family reunifications for some refugees and called for more people to be refused at the border

BERLIN: Thousands of people protested in Berlin on Sunday against plans to limit immigration proposed by opposition conservatives and supported by the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD).
Friedrich Merz, the conservatives’ leader who is tipped to become Germany’s next chancellor after a national election set for Feb. 23, sponsored a draft bill with AfD support, breaking a taboo against cooperating with the far-right party.
Around 160,000 gathered at Berlin’s Brandenburg Gate, next to the Bundestag lower house, according to the Berlin police. The protesters held banners reading “We are the firewall, no cooperation with the AfD” and “Merz, go home, shame on you!.”
Merz, the CDU/CSU’s candidate for chancellor, on Friday tried to push the immigration bill in the lower house but failed to secure a majority as some of the deputies from his own party refused to support it.
Their failure to endorse his draft dealt a blow to the authority of Merz, who had pushed for the law despite warnings from party colleagues that he risked being tarnished with the charge of voting alongside the far-right.
Mainstream German parties had previously joined forces to prevent the AfD, which is under surveillance by Germany’s security services, from achieving legislative power, something they call a firewall against the far-right.
The draft law would have restricted family reunifications for some refugees and called for more people to be refused at the border. Two-thirds of the public support stronger immigration rules, according to a recent poll.
Merz had argued that the bill was a necessary response to a series of high-profile killings in public spaces by people with an immigrant background. But Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s Social Democrats (SPD) and Greens said the proposals would not have stopped the attacks and violated European law.
On Saturday, tens of thousands took to the streets across many other German cities, including Hamburg, Stuttgart and Leipzig, in similar protests against the CDU/CSU and the AfD.


Five-star Arsenal crush woeful Man City to keep title bid alive

Five-star Arsenal crush woeful Man City to keep title bid alive
Updated 42 min 22 sec ago
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Five-star Arsenal crush woeful Man City to keep title bid alive

Five-star Arsenal crush woeful Man City to keep title bid alive
  • City have now failed to win any of their last four league meetings with Arsenal as their six-game undefeated run in the top-flight came to a brutal end

LONDON: Arsenal kept alive their Premier League title challenge with a 5-1 demolition of dismal Manchester City on Sunday as the troubled champions endured another humiliation in their season from hell.
Mikel Arteta’s side had no margin for error in the title race after leaders Liverpool won 2-0 at Bournemouth on Saturday to move nine points clear of the Gunners.
They rose to the occasion with a blistering performance inspired by Martin Odegaard’s opener after 103 seconds at the Emirates Stadium.
Erling Haaland hauled City level soon after half-time with his 25th goal in all competitions this season.
But the careless mistakes that have hampered City throughout a dismal campaign proved decisive when Thomas Partey capitalized on Phil Foden’s poor pass to restore Arsenal’s lead.
Myles Lewis-Skelly’s first Arsenal goal and late strikes from Kai Havertz and Ethan Nwaneri put the seal on a masterful display as the Gunners closed within six points of Liverpool.
Liverpool’s game in hand keeps them firmly in control of the title race, but Arsenal’s vibrant performance extended their unbeaten run to 14 games and underlined their desire to push the Reds to the finish line.
City have now failed to win any of their last four league meetings with Arsenal as their six-game undefeated run in the top-flight came to a brutal end.
With a fifth successive title long erased from City’s ambitions after their wretched season, Pep Guardiola’s fourth placed side are focused on qualifying for the Champions League.
But even that could be beyond them — let alone getting past Real Madrid in this season’s play-off round — unless Guardiola can fix the gaping holes in his defense and the lack of energy in midfield.
Guardiola had opted to bring in John Stones for former Lens defender Abdukodir Khusanov, who endured an error-strewn debut against Chelsea last weekend.
But Stones was involved in the calamitous defending that gifted Arsenal the lead in the second minute.
It was Stones’ pass to the marked Manuel Akanji that put his fellow defender in a difficult situation.
Akanji was immediately robbed by Leandro Trossard before Kai Havertz picked out Odegaard and the Arsenal captain slotted home from 10 yards with City’s defense in disarray.
Already fearing the worst, Guardiola stomped back to the bench with a thunderous expression.
City controlled possession but were toothless for long periods, prompting all manner of agitated gestures from the exasperated Guardiola.
Haaland angered Arsenal after telling Arteta to “stay humble” and throwing the ball at Gunners defender Gabriel Magalhaes during the stormy 2-2 draw earlier this season.
So inevitably, it was Haaland who grabbed City’s 55th minute equalizer.
Savinho’s perfectly weighted cross gave Haaland the chance to get in front of William Saliba and bury his close-range header.
But Arsenal took just two minutes to wipe from smile from Haaland’s face.
Foden’s pass was picked off by Partey and the Ghana midfielder unleashed a powerful long-range drive that went in via a wicked deflection off Stones.
Arsenal scented blood and Lewis-Skelly went for the kill in the 62nd minute.
Cutting inside the City area, the 18-year-old left-back showed poised that belied his lack of experience as he curled a fine finish into the far corner.
In a cheeky jibe at Haaland, Lewis-Skelly marked the goal by sitting down with his legs crossed to mimic the City star’s meditative celebration.
There was more misery for shell-shocked City as the much-maligned Havertz got on the scoresheet in the 76th minute.
Gabriel Martinelli swaggered through City’s leaky defense and teed up Havertz for a clinical finish from 10 yards.
Deep into stoppage-time, teenage forward Nwaneri delivered the final blow, whipping a superb finish into the far corner from an acute angle.
Arsenal fans taunted Guardiola with chants of “you’re getting sacked in the morning” and, not for the first time in a chastening afternoon, City had no response.


CNN to expand Middle East operations with new hub in Qatar

CNN to expand Middle East operations with new hub in Qatar
Updated 02 February 2025
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CNN to expand Middle East operations with new hub in Qatar

CNN to expand Middle East operations with new hub in Qatar
  • Initiative part of network’s broader strategy

DOHA: CNN is to strengthen its presence in the Middle East with the launch of a new operation in Media City Qatar, marking a significant expansion of its regional footprint.

The initiative, which was announced on Sunday, is part of the network’s broader strategy to enhance its global and regional content creation capabilities.

The Qatar-based operation will complement CNN’s existing hubs in the region, including its Middle East headquarters in Abu Dhabi — home to “Connect the World with Becky Anderson” — as well as its bases in Dubai, where CNN Arabic is headquartered, and various news bureaus across the region.

Scheduled to go live in the second half of 2025, the new hub in Media City Qatar will focus on developing multi-platform content covering major global trends. A dedicated team of content creators will produce material for digital and social platforms, along with an innovative weekly program for CNN International.

At a time when the Middle East remains central to the global news agenda, CNN’s expansion aims to bolster its coverage of geopolitics, business, technology, sports, culture, and travel, the network said.

It added it will also introduce training programs in journalism and production for students and young professionals in Qatar, further investing in media talent development.

Mike McCarthy, executive vice president and managing editor of CNN Worldwide, said: “CNN has a deep commitment to editorial coverage of the Middle East.

“Whether by adding to our ability to report from the region, providing new, cutting-edge studio facilities, or allowing us to tell a wider range of stories in new ways — including via a brand-new weekly show — this new operation in Qatar both underscores and expands that commitment.”

Phil Nelson, executive vice president of CNN International Commercial, highlighted the network’s ambition to innovate.

He said: “This expansion into Qatar will bolster our regional and global operations, adding to our long-standing footprint in the Middle East.

“We look forward to launching innovative formats and content propositions from this new studio in Media City Qatar in the second half of 2025.”

Sheikh Dr. Abdulla bin Ali Al-Thani, chairman of Media City Qatar, welcomed CNN’s arrival and stressed Qatar’s growing role as a media and technology hub.

He said: “This expansion signals the continued growth of Qatar’s strategic role in shaping global conversations from the heart of the Middle East — because here, where next is made, we are not only witnessing progress, we are making it happen.”


Kuwait’s defense, interior minister meets Egyptian president in Cairo

Kuwait’s defense, interior minister meets Egyptian president in Cairo
Updated 02 February 2025
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Kuwait’s defense, interior minister meets Egyptian president in Cairo

Kuwait’s defense, interior minister meets Egyptian president in Cairo
  • Sheikh Fahd, President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi discuss relations between Kuwait, Cairo
  • Sheikh Fahd on 2-day official visit to Cairo

LONDON: Sheikh Fahd Yousef Saud Al-Sabah, Kuwait’s minister of defense and the minister of interior, met Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi on Sunday during a two-day official visit to Cairo.

Sheikh Fahd conveyed greetings to El-Sisi from the Emir of Kuwait Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, and Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah.

Sheikh Fahd and El-Sisi discussed relations between Cairo and Kuwait and the enhancement of collaboration in various fields. They also discussed recent developments in regional and international affairs, the Kuwait News Agency reported.

Ghanem Al-Ghanem, Kuwait’s ambassador to Egypt, attended the meeting, along with several senior officials.

Sheikh Fahd, who also serves as first deputy prime minister, has started a three-leg Middle Eastern tour, which includes visits to Jordan and Oman.

His first official visit to Egypt took place in June, during which he met Mahmoud Tawfik, the Egyptian interior minister, and Mohamed Zaki, the former minister of defense.