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AlUla to Host E-Sport Drone Champions League Super Final 2023 for 1st Time in Region

The Royal Commission for AlUla will host the Drone Champions League Super Final 2023 on December 20. (SPA)
The Royal Commission for AlUla will host the Drone Champions League Super Final 2023 on December 20. (SPA)
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AlUla to Host E-Sport Drone Champions League Super Final 2023 for 1st Time in Region

The Royal Commission for AlUla will host the Drone Champions League Super Final 2023 on December 20. (SPA)
The Royal Commission for AlUla will host the Drone Champions League Super Final 2023 on December 20. (SPA)

The Royal Commission for AlUla, in collaboration with strategic partners Saudi Federation for Cybersecurity, Programming and Drones and the Saudi E-Sports Federation, announced on Monday the hosting of the Drone Champions League Super Final 2023, the first event of its kind to be hosted in the ancient city of AlUla.

The event represents a milestone in AlUla’s ambition to becoming a global destination for E-Sports and Drone Gaming industry, infusing the heart of the modern drone racing world with an essence of ancient charm.

The event is organized by DCL Drone Champions League, the technical organizer of the event, and is set to take place on December 20. The Super Final flagship event of DCL promises to reveal the most extraordinary display of skill, innovation, and technology in a stunning setting of AlUla's Old Town, which has been recognized by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) as one of the world’s Best Tourism Villages in 2022.

Rami AlMoallim, Vice President of Destination Management and Marketing at the Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU), expressed his excitement, stating: "We are thrilled to welcome the DCL Drone Champions League Super Final 2023 to AlUla, along with our strategic partners at the Saudi Federation for Cybersecurity, Programming and Drones and the Saudi E-Sports Federation."

"AlUla has always been a place for gathering on the old Incense Trading Route, with 7,000 years of continuous human civilizations, and we are committed to showcasing the beauty of AlUla to the world once again with various innovative activities and hosting unforgettable events."

Saudi Federation for Cybersecurity, Programming and Drones spokesperson Yaser Alosaimi said: "With this collaboration to host the DCL Super Final in AlUla, one of the most prominent destinations in the region, we are advancing Saudi Arabia's ambitions to be one of the leading nations in drone racing sport and in technical fields and aligning with global standards. By enhancing our national capabilities, we are actively progressing towards a more advanced future for all."

Faisal Bin Homran, Chief Esports officer at Saudi Esports Federation, said: "Hosting DCL Super Final in AlUla is an extension to our deep commitment towards making the Kingdom a global hub for gaming and esports industry, and this innovative event is an important milestone that will reshape the future of Esports In the Kingdom and fostering a new era of excellence within the field."

Markus Stampfer, Chairman of the Board of DCL Drone Champions League, said: "The Super Final 2023 in AlUla will not only showcase the incredible skill and innovation of our competing teams but also highlight the beauty and cultural significance of this extraordinary location. We are committed to working closely with local authorities and stakeholders to ensure that this event benefits the AlUla community and promotes sustainable tourism in the region."

The event marks the first Super Final ever held in a GCC country, which will not only showcase the historical significance of AlUla, the ancient city that is home to Hegra, the first UNESCO World Heritage Site in Saudi Arabia, but will also add to its thrilling roster of annual sports events.

Furthermore, it signifies unprecedented growth and unveils a wealth of opportunities within the E-Sports sector in AlUla and Saudi Arabia at large. The event is set to raise interest from the local population, setting the stage for enduring collaborations that are poised to reshape the landscape of E-Sports in the region for years to come.

DCL Super Final 2023 is set to captivate audiences in AlUla at the Old Town Amphitheatrer. This unique event blends physical and virtual elements, with pilots stationed in AlUla but maneuvering their drones virtually within the amphitheater. The colossal screen at the venue promises a real-time spectacle for onlookers. The event will spotlight AlUla, enticing both local communities and drone/e-game enthusiasts nationwide and across the GCC to partake in this thrilling convergence of technology and sport.

While no physical drones will be flying in AlUla, it will be a chance for drone sports enthusiasts to enjoy the stunning and diverse landscapes of AlUla, varying between golden canyons, lush green oases or spectacular geological marvels.

It's an event that will not only showcase the scenic natural beauty of AlUla but also decide the World Champion of Drone Racing. The convergence of technology, athleticism, and AlUla’s vision for sports and adventure will make this Super Final a truly exceptional and unforgettable experience.

The Drone Champions League Super Final 2023 marks the inaugural event from the world of E-Sports and drone racing sports to be introduced into the AlUla Moments Calendar of events and festivals. The event promises both visitors and E-Sports enthusiasts to immerse themselves in a fresh and exciting experience amidst the vibrant cultural tapestry of AlUla.

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Entertainment

Singer Bonnie Tyler in Induced Coma in Portugal

FILE PHOTO: British singer Bonnie Tyler performs the song "Believe in me" during the dress rehearsal for the final of the 2013 Eurovision Song Contest at the Malmo Arena Hall May 17, 2013. REUTERS/Jessica Gow/Scanpix
FILE PHOTO: British singer Bonnie Tyler performs the song "Believe in me" during the dress rehearsal for the final of the 2013 Eurovision Song Contest at the Malmo Arena Hall May 17, 2013. REUTERS/Jessica Gow/Scanpix
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Singer Bonnie Tyler in Induced Coma in Portugal

FILE PHOTO: British singer Bonnie Tyler performs the song "Believe in me" during the dress rehearsal for the final of the 2013 Eurovision Song Contest at the Malmo Arena Hall May 17, 2013. REUTERS/Jessica Gow/Scanpix
FILE PHOTO: British singer Bonnie Tyler performs the song "Believe in me" during the dress rehearsal for the final of the 2013 Eurovision Song Contest at the Malmo Arena Hall May 17, 2013. REUTERS/Jessica Gow/Scanpix

Husky-voiced Welsh singer Bonnie Tyler was Friday in an induced coma in a hospital in Portugal after emergency surgery, a spokesperson said.

The 74-year-old star, best known for her 1983 mega-hit "Total Eclipse of the Heart", was operated on earlier in the week at a hospital in Faro in southern Portugal.

The singer "has been put into an induced coma by her doctors to aid her recovery," AFP quoted a spokesperson as saying on Friday.

"We know that you all wish her well and ask for privacy at this difficult time please."

Tyler shot to fame in the 1970s with hits including "Lost in France" and "It's a Heartache".

"Total Eclipse of the Heart" later topped the charts in both Britain and the United States.

The Grammy-nominated Tyler, who was born Gaynor Hopkins, was due to start a European tour on May 22 in Malta, to mark 50 years since the release of "Lost in France" which was her breakthrough hit in 1976.

Other concert dates have been planned for Germany, the Czech Republic and Turkey, with a final show planned in Cardiff in December.

Other hits include "Holding Out For A Hero" in 1984 which featured on the soundtrack to the huge US box office success "Footloose".

In 2013, Tyler represented the UK in the Eurovision Song Contest in Malmo, Sweden, with the song "Believe In Me", finishing in 19th place.

She was recognized in 2022 by the late queen Elizabeth II who, before her death, awarded Tyler an honor for her five-decades-long music career.

Entertainment

AI Actors Not Eligible for Golden Globes, Say Organizers

Nikki Glaser will host the Golden Globes again on January 10, 2027. Amy Sussman / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP/File
Nikki Glaser will host the Golden Globes again on January 10, 2027. Amy Sussman / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP/File
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AI Actors Not Eligible for Golden Globes, Say Organizers

Nikki Glaser will host the Golden Globes again on January 10, 2027. Amy Sussman / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP/File
Nikki Glaser will host the Golden Globes again on January 10, 2027. Amy Sussman / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP/File

Performances by AI-generated actors will not be eligible for Golden Globe awards, organizers said Thursday, days after they were also ruled out of Oscars contention.

The new guidelines will not automatically disqualify performances that have used artificial intelligence to enhance an actor, but require that a live human be the main element, said AFP.

"Submissions in which a performance is substantially generated or created by artificial intelligence are not eligible" for consideration in the annual film and television prize-giving extravaganza, which kicks off Hollywood's awards season, organizers said.

"The use of AI for technical or cosmetic enhancements (such as de-aging, aging, or visual modifications) may be permissible, provided the underlying performance remains that of the credited individual and AI does not replace or materially alter the performer's work."

The new rules come days after the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences said it was cracking down on the use of AI.

The body that doles out the Oscars said only real human performers -- not their AI avatars -- are eligible for the film world's biggest prizes, and screenplays must have been penned by a person, rather than a chatbot.

The use of artificial intelligence remains one of the most sensitive issues in the entertainment industry and was central to the 2023 strikes that shut down Hollywood, as actors and writers warned that unchecked technology threatened their livelihoods.

The new restrictions come after an AI version of the late Val Kilmer was unveiled to an audience of movie theater owners, a year after the "Top Gun" star's death.

A youthful, digital version of Kilmer appeared in the trailer for archaeological action pic "As Deep as the Grave," telling another character: "Don't fear the dead and don't fear me."

The project was created with the enthusiastic support of the actor's family, who granted access to Kilmer's video archives, which were used to recreate the actor at multiple stages of his life.

Entertainment

K-pop Stars BTS Draw 50,000-strong Crowd in Mexico

In this handout picture released by Mexico's presidential press office, some 50,000 fans of South Korea's K-pop band BTS came to see the band at the Palacio Nacional in Mexico City. Handout / Mexico's Presidency press office/AFP
In this handout picture released by Mexico's presidential press office, some 50,000 fans of South Korea's K-pop band BTS came to see the band at the Palacio Nacional in Mexico City. Handout / Mexico's Presidency press office/AFP
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K-pop Stars BTS Draw 50,000-strong Crowd in Mexico

In this handout picture released by Mexico's presidential press office, some 50,000 fans of South Korea's K-pop band BTS came to see the band at the Palacio Nacional in Mexico City. Handout / Mexico's Presidency press office/AFP
In this handout picture released by Mexico's presidential press office, some 50,000 fans of South Korea's K-pop band BTS came to see the band at the Palacio Nacional in Mexico City. Handout / Mexico's Presidency press office/AFP

Around 50,000 fans of K-pop superstars BTS gathered outside Mexico's National Palace on Wednesday to get a look at the group, who waved to the crowd from a balcony after meeting with President Claudia Sheinbaum.

BTS will perform shows in Mexico City on May 7, 9, and 10, with more than 135,000 tickets for the stadium showcase getting snapped up in a matter of minutes, said AFP.

The group returned to the world spotlight in March after an almost four-year pause so its members could carry out their obligatory military service.

Kim Nam-joon, one of the members of the group, said to the crowd in Spanish: "I love you, I adore you. Thank you very much!"

"I already told them they have to come back next year," Sheinbaum said, later posting a photo with the group and holding their latest album "ARIRANG."

Lizeth Zarate, a coordinator for the Zocalo -- Mexico City's main square located in front of the presidential palace -- said the Wednesday crowd was around 50,000.

"They're my whole world," Estefany Victoriano, a 25-year-old secretary, told AFP.

Another onlooker, 18-year-old Zoe Perez, was on the verge of tears.

"I'm speechless, and it's a very beautiful feeling to see them in person. Since I couldn't get tickets, well, it makes me a little emotional," she said.