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'Saudi, Welcome to Arabia' Partners with the 2024 Red Sea International Film Festival

'Saudi, Welcome to Arabia' Partners with the 2024 Red Sea International Film Festival
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'Saudi, Welcome to Arabia' Partners with the 2024 Red Sea International Film Festival

'Saudi, Welcome to Arabia' Partners with the 2024 Red Sea International Film Festival

The Red Sea International Film Festival (RSIFF) has signed a partnership with "Saudi, Welcome to Arabia", the official destination brand of the Saudi Tourism Authority (STA).
Marking its debut as a major event sponsor, "Saudi, Welcome to Arabia" will lend its support to the fourth edition of the festival, which runs from December 5 to 14, 2024, in Al Balad, in historic Jeddah, the vibrant new venue, SPA reported.

The sponsorship will help raise even further Jeddah's status as a premier global cultural and cinematic destination by the Saudi Red Sea.
According to a press release issued by RSIFF, "Saudi, Welcome to Arabia" recognizes the power of film in driving tourism, and celebrates filmmakers and storytellers who bring Saudi's beauty and culture to life.
STA's sponsoring of RSIFF underscores its commitment to supporting high-quality events that showcase Saudi Arabia's diverse destinations, iconic landmarks, unique experiences, and renowned, warm Saudi hospitality when welcoming visitors in the heart of Arabia.
Red Sea International Film Festival Managing Director Shivani Pandya Malhotra welcomed the partnership and said: "We are delighted to partner with "Saudi, Welcome to Arabia" for this year's festival. Their support will prove invaluable in helping us bring international attention to the vibrant Saudi film scene and the unique cultural experiences our country has to offer."
According to the release, the partnership highlights the Kingdom's emergence as a premier winter sun destination, driven by the success of its global campaign "Where Winter Lights Up", the second phase of the cinematic "This Land is Calling" series.
The campaign invites travelers to discover the warmth and wonders of Saudi's Winter Season, spotlighting destinations such as Riyadh, Jeddah, AlUla, and the Saudi Red Sea. Visitors are encouraged to immerse themselves in a packed year-round events calendar featuring global highlights like Riyadh Season, the AlUla Festival, Jeddah Calendar, Diriyah Season, the Dakar Rally, Spanish and Italian Super Cups, and Formula 1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
The fourth edition of RSIFF, themed "The New Home of Film", draws inspiration from its new location in the heart of cultural Jeddah, Al Balad. As a UNESCO World Heritage site, Al Balad stands as testament to Saudi's rich cultural tapestry and diverse heritage, aligning with the ambitions of "Saudi, Welcome to Arabia".

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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)
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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)
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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
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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.