عربي English Türkçe اردو فارسى
Logo
Latest News
Varieties

VOX Cinemas Open in West Avenue Mall Dammam, Saudi Arabia

The opening ceremony of the first cinema in Saudi Arabia's eastern region (Photo Credit: Asharq Al-Awsat/Issa Al-Dabbisi)
The opening ceremony of the first cinema in Saudi Arabia's eastern region (Photo Credit: Asharq Al-Awsat/Issa Al-Dabbisi)
TT
TT

VOX Cinemas Open in West Avenue Mall Dammam, Saudi Arabia

The opening ceremony of the first cinema in Saudi Arabia's eastern region (Photo Credit: Asharq Al-Awsat/Issa Al-Dabbisi)
The opening ceremony of the first cinema in Saudi Arabia's eastern region (Photo Credit: Asharq Al-Awsat/Issa Al-Dabbisi)

The Kingdom of Bahrain has long been a top destination for eastern Saudi cinema-goers. A brief car cruise across the King Fahd Causeway would bring them to 20 movie theaters screening the latest Arab and global blockbusters.

But that has changed after Vox Cinemas, owned and operated by Majid Al Futtaim Cinemas, launched services at West Avenue Mall Dammam, located in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province.

The launching comes in parallel with the Kingdom’s liberalization of its entrainment environment, guided by its national plan for transformation, Vision 2030.

Dubbed the Middle East's most innovative and customer-focused exhibitor, VOX Cinemas is expected to launch and run a number of commercial screens across the Kingdom soon.

Mohamed Al Hashemi, Country Manager at Majid Al Futtaim Ventures in Saudi Arabia, said: “We seek to be close to our customers, enhance their quality entertainment, and enable them to test the finest cinematic experience near their homes.”

“Knowing we are the pioneer cinema operators in the region (Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province), we feverously anticipate serving movie lovers at VOX Cinemas, West Avenue Mall Dammam,” he added.

Counting VOX Cinemas’ latest branch launch, the exhibitor now operates a whopping 53 screens across each of Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam.

Omar Abudawood, Dammam’s VOX Cinemas Assistant Cinema Manager, revealed that the new branch encompasses six screens with a capacity to host 911 viewers.

Its MAX mega-screen experience can offer an audience of 227 people the magical experience of escaping into worlds larger than life.

MAX brings to the table new spacious seats with armrest, side table, and extra legroom, crisp, bright and 100% digital imagery with Laser projection, and Dolby Atmos - the best in cinema surround sound technology.

In its KIDS theatre, VOX offers little movie lovers an unmatched expansive experience where their imagination can run wild with the first-ever and only cinema concept designed especially for young viewers.

The KIDS theater offers brightly themed cinema interiors, 40 colorful comfy seats, and a selection of family friendly and animated movies.

Hashemi revealed that VOX Cinemas is planning to open four new cinemas in 2019, including in the Kingdom’s northwest Tabuk Province.

Most Viewed

 
 
Varieties

Meet the Baby Koala Hiding in Its Mom’s Pouch at a Florida Zoo’s New Outback Habitat

This photo provided by the Palm Beach Zoo Conservation Society Clearance shows a koala named Ellin and her newborn joey in a habitat at the Palm Beach Zoo Conservation Society in West Palm Beach, Fla., on Saturday, April 18, 2026. (John Towey/Palm Beach Zoo Conservation Society via AP)
This photo provided by the Palm Beach Zoo Conservation Society Clearance shows a koala named Ellin and her newborn joey in a habitat at the Palm Beach Zoo Conservation Society in West Palm Beach, Fla., on Saturday, April 18, 2026. (John Towey/Palm Beach Zoo Conservation Society via AP)
TT
TT

Meet the Baby Koala Hiding in Its Mom’s Pouch at a Florida Zoo’s New Outback Habitat

This photo provided by the Palm Beach Zoo Conservation Society Clearance shows a koala named Ellin and her newborn joey in a habitat at the Palm Beach Zoo Conservation Society in West Palm Beach, Fla., on Saturday, April 18, 2026. (John Towey/Palm Beach Zoo Conservation Society via AP)
This photo provided by the Palm Beach Zoo Conservation Society Clearance shows a koala named Ellin and her newborn joey in a habitat at the Palm Beach Zoo Conservation Society in West Palm Beach, Fla., on Saturday, April 18, 2026. (John Towey/Palm Beach Zoo Conservation Society via AP)

A zoo in Florida has two reasons to celebrate — the first birth of a koala and a newly renovated habitat for the cuddly creatures is opening to the public on Saturday.

“For the zoo and for us here, it’s the very big deal,” said Amarylis Celestina, who oversees carnivores and koalas at the Palm Beach Zoo & Conservation Society in West Palm Beach, Florida. "We are trying the best that we can to help with a lot of the genetic diversity within the population that we have here in the United States. So that’s why it’s important that we do have a joey and that we were successful this year.”

The joey, born to Ellin and Sydney last fall, remains in its mother's pouch and has just recently started to become visible to zoo officials.

They continue to monitor Ellin's weight, and are providing extra food as she cares for the baby.

Meanwhile, the koala population is enjoying a renovated habitat, which includes more greenery, new perching for exercising, and solar tubes to bring in more natural light.

The changes bring a bit of the Australian outback to the zoo for koalas, which are an endangered species. They are able to move between their climate-controlled indoor exhibit and the expanded outdoor area.

“This new habitat is a milestone for our koalas,” Margo McKnight, the zoo's CEO and president said in a news release. “The deliberate design supports the voluntary, cooperative care our zoologists and koalas have developed together.”

Koalas in the US are on loan from the Australian federal government to help with conservation practices.

Koalas are generally peaceful, have a calm nature and enjoy a “slow” lifestyle. They like to climb and hop between the trees in the habitat.

The renovations are designed to help koalas express their natural behaviors, zoo officials said.

Varieties

Melania Trump Is Growing the White House Honey Program with a New Beehive

First lady Melania Trump smiles during the 113th Annual First Lady's Luncheon, Thursday, April 23, 2026, in Washington. (AP)
First lady Melania Trump smiles during the 113th Annual First Lady's Luncheon, Thursday, April 23, 2026, in Washington. (AP)
TT
TT

Melania Trump Is Growing the White House Honey Program with a New Beehive

First lady Melania Trump smiles during the 113th Annual First Lady's Luncheon, Thursday, April 23, 2026, in Washington. (AP)
First lady Melania Trump smiles during the 113th Annual First Lady's Luncheon, Thursday, April 23, 2026, in Washington. (AP)

What's all the buzz about?

Melania Trump on Friday announced that she is expanding the White House honey program by adding a beehive in the shape of the White House to two other beehives that have been on the south grounds since 2009.

The existing hives can swell to about 70,000 bees during peak summer months and produce 200 to 225 pounds of honey in a year, the White House said. The new hive could increase honey production by about 30 pounds, according to the White House.

The White House uses the clover honey to prepare meals, as official gifts from the president and first lady, and in donations to food kitchens.

The bees help pollinate a nearby produce garden that then-first lady Michelle Obama started in 2009 and a nearby flower cutting garden, along with vegetation on the National Mall.

The beekeeping program began in 2009 after a White House carpenter started beekeeping as a hobby on the complex.

The new hive was funded through the Trust for the National Mall, the White House said.

The hive and the base were designed by White House residence staff and hand-made by a Virginia artisan.

Varieties

AlUla Manara Team Hosts Lyrid Meteor Shower Observation

The event utilized AlUla’s exceptionally clear skies and low light pollution - SPA
The event utilized AlUla’s exceptionally clear skies and low light pollution - SPA
TT
TT

AlUla Manara Team Hosts Lyrid Meteor Shower Observation

The event utilized AlUla’s exceptionally clear skies and low light pollution - SPA
The event utilized AlUla’s exceptionally clear skies and low light pollution - SPA

AlUla Manara team hosted an educational astronomy evening yesterday near the iconic Arch Rock, aimed at promoting astrotourism and scientific awareness. The event utilized AlUla’s exceptionally clear skies and low light pollution to provide residents and visitors with an immersive celestial experience, SPA reported.

The evening featured the Lyrid meteor shower, an annual phenomenon caused by debris from Comet Thatcher entering Earth's atmosphere. Under expert guidance, attendees observed the shower and used advanced telescopes to explore the cosmos.

The program included interactive scientific discussions on the historical role of astronomy in navigation and timekeeping, as well as its contributions to modern science.

This initiative is part of AlUla’s strategic effort to become a premier global destination for astrotourism. By blending education with entertainment, AlUla Manara continues to showcase the governorate’s unique natural landscape and foster a deeper connection between the community and the universe.