General Entertainment Authority Announces Activities Marking Saudi Arabia’s 93rd National Day

A landmark is lit up in the colors of the national flag in Diriyah on the occasion of Saudi National Day. (SPA file photo)
A landmark is lit up in the colors of the national flag in Diriyah on the occasion of Saudi National Day. (SPA file photo)
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General Entertainment Authority Announces Activities Marking Saudi Arabia’s 93rd National Day

A landmark is lit up in the colors of the national flag in Diriyah on the occasion of Saudi National Day. (SPA file photo)
A landmark is lit up in the colors of the national flag in Diriyah on the occasion of Saudi National Day. (SPA file photo)

The General Entertainment Authority (GEA) announced on Monday the activities for the 93rd National Day across Saudi Arabia.

The day is being celebrated under the slogan “We Dream and Achieve”.

Among the activities in store are the “We're Racing Dreams” show of military and civil aircraft that will be held over Riyadh, Taif, Al-Baha, Asir and Tabuk on September 23.

Similar shows will take place over Jeddah's northern corniche on September 20 and the Khobar Corniche on September 27.

Public and private entities participating in the event are: the Presidency of the Saudi Royal Guard, the Presidency of State Security, the ministries of defense, interior, and national guard, the General Authority of Civil Aviation, Matarat Holding, the Saudi Air Navigation Services, the Saudi Aviation Club, SAUDIA Airlines, Flynas, and the Saudi Broadcasting Authority, which will stream live the national day main show on the Saudi channel.

The show will also include a military parade that will display military equipment. It will be led by horses and feature musical bands of the Saudi Royal Guard, the Ministry of the National Guard, and the General Directorate of Border Guards.

The Ministry of Interior will organize the "Pride of the Nation 2" event, following the great success the event enjoyed last year.

Attendees will learn about various national security achievements and the ministry's efforts to develop complex security systems and improve its capabilities and services. The event will take place at Riyadh Front from September 21 to 24.

GEA will mark this special occasion with massive fireworks show in over 15 different locations in the Kingdom, including Boulevard Riyadh City, the Art Promenade in Jeddah, King Abdullah Park in Dammam, King Abdullah Environmental Park in Al-Ahsa, and King Abdullah National Park in Buraydah.

A drone light show portraying Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz, Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and the Saudi flag will illuminate the Riyadh sky at 9 pm on Saturday.



Taylor Swift Wins Big and Rita Ora Pays Tribute to Liam Payne at MTV EMAs

 Taylor Swift is shown on screen after winning the Best Video award for "Fortnight" featuring Post Malone, at the 2024 MTV Europe Music Awards at Manchester Co-op Live in Manchester, Britain, November 10, 2024. (Reuters)
Taylor Swift is shown on screen after winning the Best Video award for "Fortnight" featuring Post Malone, at the 2024 MTV Europe Music Awards at Manchester Co-op Live in Manchester, Britain, November 10, 2024. (Reuters)
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Taylor Swift Wins Big and Rita Ora Pays Tribute to Liam Payne at MTV EMAs

 Taylor Swift is shown on screen after winning the Best Video award for "Fortnight" featuring Post Malone, at the 2024 MTV Europe Music Awards at Manchester Co-op Live in Manchester, Britain, November 10, 2024. (Reuters)
Taylor Swift is shown on screen after winning the Best Video award for "Fortnight" featuring Post Malone, at the 2024 MTV Europe Music Awards at Manchester Co-op Live in Manchester, Britain, November 10, 2024. (Reuters)

Taylor Swift came out on top at the 2024 MTV EMAs on Sunday, walking away with best artist, best US act, best live act and best video for “Fortnight” (featuring Post Malone).

Swift, who is finishing up her Eras tour on the other side of the Atlantic, thanked the fans for the bounty of prizes via video message.

The UK show opened with an acrobatic Benson Boone suspended in the air on a gold grand piano performing his viral hit “Beautiful Things” and latest release “Slow it Down.” Boone also accepted his first EMA for best new act.

South African newcomer Tyla gave Swift a run for her money picking up three awards for best afrobeats, best R&B and best African act.

Tyla performed her smash hit “Water” for the EMA audience at the Co-op Live, Manchester, flanked by a host of dancers, as well as singing energetic new track “Push 2 Start.”

British singer Rita Ora, who hosted the show for a record third time, paid tribute to former One Direction star Liam Payne, who died last month after falling from a balcony in Buenos Aires.

Ora had a close relationship with the singer and the pair recorded a song together in 2018, “For You (Fifty Shades Freed).” She addressed the audience saying, “I want to take a moment to remember someone. Liam Payne was one of the kindest people I knew.” Her voice broke as she asked the crowd to take a moment to remember Liam, saying: “He had the biggest heart and he left such a mark on this world.”

Hip-hop legend Busta Rhymes was awarded the EMAs global icon award from British rapper Little Simz telling the crowd that in 34 years of professionally recording this was his first award from MTV and it felt incredible. The 12-time Grammy Award nominee, who has more than 10 million album sales under his belt, performed a mega medley of his greatest hits “Break ya Neck,” “Touch it” and “Put Your Hands Where the Eyes can See” accompanied by dancers wearing tracksuits with giant dragon heads.

Shawn Mendes gave an intimate and heartfelt performance and also received the award for best Canadian act. Sabrina Carpenter picked up the honors for best song for her hit “Espresso,” while Ariana Grande was crowned best pop act and Eminem took away best hip hop act.

UK duo Pet Shop Boys were honored with the inaugural Pop Pioneers Award for their contribution to pop music and closed out the show accompanied by local orchestra Manchester Camerata with a cover of David Bowie’s “All the Young Dudes” followed by their iconic hit “West End Girls” in celebration of the song’s 40th anniversary.

Other performers on the night included K-Pop quintet Le Sserafim, Mexican singer and rapper Peso Pluma, English singer and songwriter Raye, multi-platinum singer-songwriter Mendes, American powerhouse Teddy Swims, Mexican rock sisters the Warning.

LL Cool J, Bush frontman Gavin Rossdale, mother-and-daughter musicians Neneh Cherry and Mabel and TV and film stars Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Jodie Turner-Smith and Lucien Laviscount all presented awards.