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AlUla Wellness Festival Unveils Array of Innovative Nature-Centric Activities

AlUla Moments has unveiled new insights to enhance visitor engagement and foster their connection with nature in AlUla during the 3rd edition of AlUla Wellness Festival.
AlUla Moments has unveiled new insights to enhance visitor engagement and foster their connection with nature in AlUla during the 3rd edition of AlUla Wellness Festival.
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AlUla Wellness Festival Unveils Array of Innovative Nature-Centric Activities

AlUla Moments has unveiled new insights to enhance visitor engagement and foster their connection with nature in AlUla during the 3rd edition of AlUla Wellness Festival.
AlUla Moments has unveiled new insights to enhance visitor engagement and foster their connection with nature in AlUla during the 3rd edition of AlUla Wellness Festival.

AlUla Moments has unveiled new insights to enhance visitor engagement and foster their connection with nature in AlUla during the 3rd edition of AlUla Wellness Festival, scheduled from October 19 to November 4, said SPA on Sunday.
The festival will include new activities: The Heritage Restoration Experience, Reviving Nature Experience, and Eco-Gardening. There are also other offers, such as the Silent Hike, that allow visitors to connect with the silence of the natural deserts and canyons of AlUla.
The activities are designed to help attendees establish a meaningful connection between the human mind and soul with the wonders of nature through a collection of mind, body, and soul-revitalizing activities, providing the chance to interact with wellness enthusiasts, yoga practitioners, and meditation experts.
Rami Al-Moallim, Vice President, Destination Management and Marketing at the Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU), said: "Celebrating the beauty of the natural wonders of AlUla at this edition of Wellness Festival is not just about finding wellness in ourselves, but also in the world around us. Nature, with its timeless serenity, serves as our greatest wellness partner.”
Below are the top activities to connect with nature during the festival: Heritage Restoration Experience (Date: October 19 to November 30). The Heritage Restoration, as the name implies, offers visitors a unique opportunity to engage with AlUla's cultural heritage by delving into the art of mudbrick house construction. This hands-on experience allows participants to learn about and actively participate in the creation of these traditional structures.
This event is suitable for those who are interested in engaging with the history of AlUla, and would like to leave a lasting impact during their time in AlUla. The ticket price is inclusive of a welcome drink, continued refreshments throughout the experience, necessary vests and PPE to be worn during the construction process, and a souvenir to take home.
Reviving Nature Experience (Date: October 19 to November 30). An immersive journey that allows visitors to learn about circular design whilst working with palm fronds from AlUla's farms. Participants will actively engage in weaving individual petals by hand, which will then be placed on our monumental sculpture named “Tanafaas” (In Arabic means: Breath). This experience shares the importance of a collective vision towards sustainability, promoting environmental consciousness, and fostering a connection to nature.
The Reviving Nature Experience combines creativity, education, and community to bring to life a sculpture which will stand as an example of how everyone has a role to play as an individual, which comes together to collectively make an impact!
The ticket price is inclusive of a 70-minute weaving workshop, a 10-minute natural dyes workshop, a welcome drink, continued refreshments throughout the experience, necessary aprons and PPE to be worn during the event, and a souvenir for each attendee to take home. The total duration will be 2 hours including the welcome orientation.
Eco Gardening (Date: Oct 20, 2023 - Mar 06, 2024). Exploring the rich agricultural and floral heritage of AlUla's Oasis through Eco Gardening within the AlUla Wellness Festival. Guests are invited to immerse themselves in the vibrant Oasis environment through an eco-gardening experience.
It's a chance to connect with the local farmers and meet the animals they care for, providing a deeper understanding of this unique ecosystem. This event is free to attend however spaces must be booked via experiencealula.com.
The Silent Hike (Tuesdays, Thursdays & Saturdays, depart 8 am, return 11:30 am).The Silent Hike offers an unforgettable opportunity for visitors—a journey through the Hidden Valley in the Arabian Desert. This 4 km hike provides a chance to disconnect from technology, engage in reflection, meditation, and savor the breathtaking natural splendor of AlUla. The experience culminates with a refreshing cold towel and revitalizing beverages.
Moreover, the popular Sanctuary Five experience is making a comeback, offering a holistic health journey involving yoga and salt room therapy. Visitors can engage in a diverse range of activities and workshops, all aimed at promoting relaxation and inner harmony.
For more information about the AlUla Wellness Festival 2023 and ticket details, please visit the website www.experiencealula.com.

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UK Actor Noel Clarke Pleads Not Guilty to Six Offence Charges

Actor Noel Clarke poses for photographers at the British Academy Film Awards Nominees Party at Kensington Palace in London, Britain February 11, 2017. REUTERS/Neil Hall
Actor Noel Clarke poses for photographers at the British Academy Film Awards Nominees Party at Kensington Palace in London, Britain February 11, 2017. REUTERS/Neil Hall
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UK Actor Noel Clarke Pleads Not Guilty to Six Offence Charges

Actor Noel Clarke poses for photographers at the British Academy Film Awards Nominees Party at Kensington Palace in London, Britain February 11, 2017. REUTERS/Neil Hall
Actor Noel Clarke poses for photographers at the British Academy Film Awards Nominees Party at Kensington Palace in London, Britain February 11, 2017. REUTERS/Neil Hall

British actor and filmmaker Noel Clarke appeared in a London court on Wednesday and pleaded not guilty to six charges, including two counts of sexual assault.

Clarke also denied three ‌counts of ‌voyeurism and ‌one ⁠count of exposing himself, ⁠with the allegations spanning 2007 to 2016, Reuters said.

The 50-year-old stood in the dock at Westminster Magistrates' Court ⁠and spoke only to ‌confirm ‌his name, date of birth ‌and address and ‌enter his not guilty pleas.

He was granted bail ahead of his next ‌appearance at Southwark Crown Court on November ⁠18.

Clarke ⁠is best known for writing and starring in "Kidulthood" (2006), which explored bullying, drug abuse and extreme violence among young people in London, and for a recurring role in sci-fi show "Doctor Who".

Entertainment

Netflix Slides as Weak Profit, Ad Outlook Intensify Investor Anxiety

A man stands next to a logo of Netflix during an event in Mumbai, India, February 29, 2024. (Reuters)
A man stands next to a logo of Netflix during an event in Mumbai, India, February 29, 2024. (Reuters)
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Netflix Slides as Weak Profit, Ad Outlook Intensify Investor Anxiety

A man stands next to a logo of Netflix during an event in Mumbai, India, February 29, 2024. (Reuters)
A man stands next to a logo of Netflix during an event in Mumbai, India, February 29, 2024. (Reuters)

Netflix shares dropped 6% ‌in pre-market trading on Wednesday after the company cut its full-year advertising forecast and issued a tepid fourth-quarter profit outlook, deepening concerns about slowing viewership and revenue growth.

The stock has declined more than 26% this year and, if current losses hold, the streaming giant is set to shed about $17 billion of its market value.

The share performance underscores the mounting challenges facing Netflix, from losing a bidding war for Warner Bros Discovery earlier ‌this year to ‌defending its paid subscription model against ‌free ⁠digital rivals and competing ⁠in an increasingly consolidated streaming market.

As viewers shift toward free, user-generated platforms such as YouTube and TikTok, Netflix is also contending with changing preferences in favor of short-form video over premium content.

"Netflix is still the leader in streaming, but the competitive landscape for people's ⁠attention is much broader than streaming alone, ‌particularly with the growth ‌of short-form video," said Ben Barringer, head of technology research at Quilter ‌Cheviot.

The company needs to ensure its content ‌remains compelling enough to keep viewers engaged, rather than simply retaining them as subscribers, Barringer said.

Netflix is also undergoing a restructuring after cutting about 6% of its workforce and reshuffling ‌its leadership team this month.

Co-CEO Ted Sarandos said on Tuesday the company plans to focus ⁠on its ⁠core business of producing quality TV shows and movies to make Netflix a must-have service, and the recent executive shakeup was a step toward that goal.

At least 14 brokerages have lowered their price targets on the stock after the results, according to data compiled by LSEG.

Netflix trades at nearly 18.28 times expected earnings over the next 12 months, compared with 14.76 times for Walt Disney and 6.26 times for Comcast, underscoring the premium investors place on the streaming giant.

Entertainment

Director Nick Paley Channels Childhood Fears in New Thriller 'Phony'

US director Nick Paley attends the premiere of Hulu's TV series "Phony" at the Pacific Design Center in West Hollywood, California, on Ocotber 13, 2026. (Photo by Unique Nicole / AFP)
US director Nick Paley attends the premiere of Hulu's TV series "Phony" at the Pacific Design Center in West Hollywood, California, on Ocotber 13, 2026. (Photo by Unique Nicole / AFP)
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Director Nick Paley Channels Childhood Fears in New Thriller 'Phony'

US director Nick Paley attends the premiere of Hulu's TV series "Phony" at the Pacific Design Center in West Hollywood, California, on Ocotber 13, 2026. (Photo by Unique Nicole / AFP)
US director Nick Paley attends the premiere of Hulu's TV series "Phony" at the Pacific Design Center in West Hollywood, California, on Ocotber 13, 2026. (Photo by Unique Nicole / AFP)

A teenager wakes up after a traffic crash convinced his mother has been replaced by an imposter -- but almost no one believes him.

The plot of "Phony," the show that debuted this week on Hulu, stems from a childhood fear long held by creator and writer Nick Paley.

"I had this core fear when I was a kid of losing my mom," he told AFP. "I just was obsessed with things, bad things happening to her, and just getting separated from her."

"That was sort of an emotional thing that I wanted to explore."

"Phony" stars Sam Nivola as Sonny, a teenager with a close bond to his single mother, Ellen (Connie Britton).

When he regains consciousness following the accident, Sonny doesn't recognize the woman claiming to be Ellen -- in terms of looks, but also because she no longer has a grasp on the insider codes of their relationship.

And Paley -- who co-wrote the Oscar-nominated "Marcel the Shell with Shoes On" -- lets "Phony" bleed across genre.

"It's like a thriller that feels real to life, and to me, like real to life is things are funny, things are scary, things are dramatic, and they kind of all work together," he said.

Paley noted that Britton was instrumental in heightening the suspense and horror elements, portraying the alleged imposter with a warmth that confuses both Sonny and the audience.

He said he spoke frequently about "how to play both sides of this."

"How can it seem like she's a possibly, a worried mom who's helping her son who's losing his mind, or an imposter who is something really dark and is doing something that's like, you know, scary," he continued.

"Like, she's not a person to be trusted."

For Paley, Britton -- who starred in series including "Friday Night Lights" and "The White Lotus" -- was an obvious casting choice.

"She's like, very much an America's mom in a certain way," he said.

The series is set in a small, fictional community in Oregon, in the Pacific Northwest of the United States.

The area is characterized by its dramatic mountains and forested landscapes, which, for Paley, complemented the storytelling: "There's such drama to the mountains and the fog, and it just gives you this feeling that magic and strangeness is afoot."

The show touches, if tangentially, on conspiracy theories and alternative versions of the truth that can spring up on social media.

"We're living in a world that looks a lot like the world we know, but it's actually quite different," Paley said.

"And often, like based on our algorithms -- our individual information feeds -- we are seeing things slightly different than other people, and it's difficult to identify the mechanisms that are separating us," the show's creator continued.

"So there is a really good, you know, allegory in the main character's experience."