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Royal Commission for AlUla, SETI Institute Collaborate to Develop AlUla Manara Observatory

The Royal Commission for AlUla logo
The Royal Commission for AlUla logo
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Royal Commission for AlUla, SETI Institute Collaborate to Develop AlUla Manara Observatory

The Royal Commission for AlUla logo
The Royal Commission for AlUla logo

The Royal Commission for AlUla has signed a cooperation agreement with SETI Institute to support the development of the AlUla Manara Observatory, which will act as a leading global center for innovation and excellence in space and astronomy sciences.

The agreement seeks to boost AlUla's status as a leading world destination for star and astronomy exploration tourism.

The collaboration will make AlUla Manara a hub for scientific advancement through joint research projects and initiatives for the growing astro-tourism sector in AlUla, and will provide educational opportunities to develop skills needed to work at the observatory, including supporting research and development programs with the latest systems and equipment. These advancements will enable scientists to conduct comprehensive space surveys and analyze data to identify new stars, planets, and comets.

Supervisor of the AlUla Manara program Eng. Nayef Al-Malik said that the collaboration strengthens AlUla’s role as a vital center for the exchange of science and knowledge.

He said that SETI Institute is one of the world’s leading organizations in research and scientific exploration, equipped with decades of technical expertise and knowledge in space and astronomy.

Al-Malik pointed out that the institute will support the development of data analysis systems for a range of telescopes planned for the observatory.

The observatory's educational centers will enhance local capabilities in space sciences using virtual reality. Furthermore, the awareness center will offer visitors to the observatory the chance to get familiarized with astronomy, in line with the commission’s vision to establish AlUla as a knowledge-sharing global center for research, innovation.

SETI Institute CEO Bill Diamond stressed that the institute’s mission is to share the results of its research with the world, noting that the collaboration with the Royal Commission for AlUla opens new horizons for advancing space sciences, education, and technology development.

"We envision the AlUla Manara Observatory as a beacon of discovery, equipped with advanced and modern telescopes to detect new planets and stars, pushing astronomical research to further frontiers,” Senior Planetary Astronomer and Director of Citizen Science at the institute Frank Marchis said.

He also said that their initiative in astronomical sciences will invite the community and tourists to “stargaze, explore AlUla’s rich scientific heritage, foster international collaboration, and revive humanity's deep connection with the universe.”

The AlUla Manara Observatory is set to open in several phases over the coming years, and carry out continuous research, collaboration, and educational initiatives.

AlUla Manara Observatory, currently under development, is located near the Gharameel area, in AlUla, which is one of the top 10% global locations with clear, dark skies.

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Part Toy, Part Fashion, the Arrival of the Viral Labubu Was a Long Time in the Making

A person holds up Labubu dolls in a store during an organized press tour to Popland, a theme park opened by Chinese toy company Pop Mart, in Beijing, China, 02 June 2025. (EPA)
A person holds up Labubu dolls in a store during an organized press tour to Popland, a theme park opened by Chinese toy company Pop Mart, in Beijing, China, 02 June 2025. (EPA)
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Part Toy, Part Fashion, the Arrival of the Viral Labubu Was a Long Time in the Making

A person holds up Labubu dolls in a store during an organized press tour to Popland, a theme park opened by Chinese toy company Pop Mart, in Beijing, China, 02 June 2025. (EPA)
A person holds up Labubu dolls in a store during an organized press tour to Popland, a theme park opened by Chinese toy company Pop Mart, in Beijing, China, 02 June 2025. (EPA)

Labubu, the plush toy from China's Pop Mart is a social media darling, but the toothy little monsters are far from an overnight success. Having appeared a decade ago, Labubus may have finally cemented their place in the collectible toy market for years to come.

The Labubu, by artist and illustrator Kasing Lung, first appeared with pointed ears and pointy teeth, in three picture books inspired by Nordic mythology in 2015.

In 2019 Lung struck a deal with Pop Mart, a company that caters to toy connoisseurs and influencers, to sell Labubu figurines. But it wasn't until Pop Mart started selling Labubu plush toys on key rings in 2023 that the toothy monsters suddenly seemed to be everywhere, including in the hands of Rihanna, Kim Kardashian and NBA star Dillon Brooks. K-pop singer Lisa of Blackpink began posting images of hers for her more than 100 million followers on Instagram and on TikTok, where Labubu pandemonium has broken out.

There are 1.4 million #Labubu TikTok posts and counting, videos of fans unboxing them, showing styles inspired by them, and of course, Labubu cosplay.

Fans have latched on to Labubu’s mashup of play and fashion, making them accessories on handbags, backpacks and belts, or hanging them from car mirrors.

“The character has evolved into a collectible and style symbol, resonating with fans who connect with its quirky aesthetic and unique backstory,” Emily Brough, Popmart’s head of IP licensing in the Americas, said.

Labubu has been a bonanza for Pop Mart. Its revenue more than doubled in 2024 to 13.04 billion yuan ($1.81 billion), thanks in part to its elvish monster. Revenue from Pop Mart's plush toys soared more than 1,200% in 2024, nearly 22% of its overall revenue, according to the company's annual report.

Aside from their ability to pique the interest of toy aficionados and fashionistas, Labubu latched on to the blind box phenomenon, where the purchaser doesn't know exactly which version of the plush toy they'll get.

And Pop Mart made sure there is a Labubu for everyone, regardless of income. Most are priced in a wide rage between $20 and $300, with certain collaborations or limited editions priced higher, according to Brough.

Unlike many toys, Labubu devotees include a large number of adults. Buyers ages 18 and over drove a year-over-year increase of more than $800 million in the US toy market in 2024, according to market research firm Circana. Adult shoppers, mostly female, bought the toys for themselves. In 2025's first quarter, toy sales for those ages 18 and over rose 12% from the prior-year period. At $1.8 billion, adults also accounted for the highest spending among all age groups in the quarter.

Like many retailers, Pop Mart is actively monitoring negotiations between the US and just about every one of its trading partners as prices may be impacted. The situation with China is at the forefront, with President Donald Trump saying on Friday that the country “violated” an agreement with the United States on trade talks.

Right now Pop Mart, whose products are manufactured across Asia, says that it is continuously scaling production and expanding distribution across its online shop, retail stores and blind box vending machines to meet increasing demand.

Short supply has led to long lines at stores and at least one physical fight at a shopping center in the United Kingdom. Pop Mart said in an Instagram post late last month that it was temporarily suspending all in-store and blind box machine sales in the UK Peter Shipman, head of Europe, said in a Facebook post that the company is currently working on a new method to distribute toys to stores.

Resellers have become problematic and many Labubu fans are still willing to pay exorbitant price markups.

Kena Flynn was at The Grove shopping center in Los Angeles recently when she stumbled upon some Labubus being sold at a kiosk. Flynn said in a TikTok on Sunday that the prices were “really bad,” but her boyfriend bought two anyway.

“At a certain point, you can’t buy them,” Flynn said in her video. “I just want a Labubu and I cannot buy one from Pop Mart, so here we are.”

Looking to keep up with the overwhelming demand, Pop Mart says it's on track for 50 more retail locations in the US by the end of the year. That'll give shoppers more chances to hunt for Labubus, as Pop Mart says it's planning multiple new Labubu releases tied to seasonal moments and holidays throughout the rest of the year.