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AlUla Skies Festival 2025 Promises Celebration of Celestial Heritage, Adventure

Visitors can take to the skies with daily hot-air balloon flights. (SPA)
Visitors can take to the skies with daily hot-air balloon flights. (SPA)
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AlUla Skies Festival 2025 Promises Celebration of Celestial Heritage, Adventure

Visitors can take to the skies with daily hot-air balloon flights. (SPA)
Visitors can take to the skies with daily hot-air balloon flights. (SPA)

Saudi Arabia's AlUla is set to welcome the return of the AlUla Skies Festival, taking place from April 18 to 27, as part of the AlUla Moments calendar. The festival celebrates the profound connection between humanity and the skies, honoring the legacy of ancient travelers who once relied on the stars to navigate the vast deserts.

AlUla, the oasis city renowned for its rich heritage and breathtaking landscapes, continues to lead the way in astrotourism, offering visitors a chance to marvel at its pristine dark skies and infinite constellations.

At the heart of the festival is AlUla Manara, a visionary global observatory dedicated to advancing research and education in astronomy and space science. Supported by elite local and international partners in the astronomy and space technology industry, AlUla Manara is set to be a state-of-the-art facility that invites visitors to explore the wonders of the universe.

Through interactive exhibits, high-tech telescopes, and immersive workshops, AlUla Manara bridges the gap between ancient celestial wisdom and modern scientific discovery. As a hub for astrotourism, it offers unique stargazing experiences, drawing visitors from around the world to connect with the cosmos in an unforgettable way.

AlUla continues to lead the way in astrotourism, offering visitors a chance to marvel at its pristine dark skies and infinite constellations. (SPA)

The AlUla Skies Festival 2025 promises an extraordinary blend of adventure, culture, and exploration. Visitors can take to the skies with daily hot-air balloon flights, where a large number of balloons will create a stunning aerial spectacle each morning. For those seeking a more intimate experience, tethered balloon rides at Old Town and Elephant Rock will offer panoramic views of AlUla's iconic landscapes, providing a fresh perspective on these beloved sites.

The festival will also feature the mesmerizing Balloon Glow Shows, where 12 illuminated balloons, aerial performers, and synchronized music will transform Elephant Rock into a magical nighttime wonderland.

The festival's Passport to the Skies activities, introduced by AlUla Manara, will take visitors on an immersive journey through the cosmos.

At the Celestial Sky Port in Jabal Ikmah, guests can engage with interactive exhibits, high-tech telescopes, and astronomy workshops, while the Pop-Up Planetarium in Old Town will bring constellations and space exploration to life through captivating 360-degree projections.

The festival offers a variety of celestial experiences, including Cinema Under the Stars at Maraya—the world's largest mirrored building and multipurpose entertainment venue—and Moonlight Yoga Sessions for wellness seekers. (SPA)

Music enthusiasts are in for a treat on April 25, as regional singers take the stage at the Thanaya AlUla Outdoor Venue for an unforgettable performance under the stars. The festival also offers a variety of celestial experiences, including Cinema Under the Stars at Maraya—the world's largest mirrored building and multipurpose entertainment venue—and Moonlight Yoga Sessions for wellness seekers. Expert-led stargazing experiences will further deepen the connection between visitors and the cosmos.

For those seeking a truly immersive experience, accommodations such as AlMaddham Wilderness Lodge, Our Habitas AlUla, and The Chedi Hegra offer private stargazing sessions for their guests, allowing them to unwind under the infinite night sky.

The AlUla Skies Festival 2025 is a celebration of AlUla's rich heritage, its commitment to preserving the skies, and its position as a global destination for adventure and discovery.

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Saudi Arabia Sets Guinness World Record with 95 Tons of Seasonal Seeds in Vegetation Cover Efforts

The achievement crowns a year of intensive efforts by the National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification. (SPA)
The achievement crowns a year of intensive efforts by the National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia Sets Guinness World Record with 95 Tons of Seasonal Seeds in Vegetation Cover Efforts

The achievement crowns a year of intensive efforts by the National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification. (SPA)
The achievement crowns a year of intensive efforts by the National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification. (SPA)

Saudi Arabia has reached a new global environmental milestone by earning a Guinness World Records title for the largest seasonal seed storage collection in the world, reflecting its ongoing commitment to environmental protection and sustainability, reported the Saudi Press Agency on Tuesday.

The achievement crowns a year of intensive efforts by the National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification.

Over the course of the year, trained and specialized field teams traveled across the Kingdom to collect large quantities of native plant seeds in support of land rehabilitation projects and environmental sustainability initiatives.

The field teams successfully collected 31 species of local wild plants. The seeds underwent precise processing, including cleaning and purification to remove impurities and plant residues, before being stored according to the highest internationally recognized standards.

Seed warehouses housed more than 95 tons of rangeland and wild plant seeds, reinforcing the Kingdom’s leading role in environmental action and supporting the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030 related to natural resource protection and combating desertification.

The Kingdom has recorded numerous environmental milestones at the national, regional, and global levels as part of its broader efforts to promote sustainability in line with Saudi Vision 2030 and international goals to combat desertification and mitigate climate change.

Varieties

'Call of Duty' Co-creator Vince Zampella Killed in Car Crash

Vince Zampella died while driving his Ferrari north of Los Angeles. Frederick M. Brown / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP
Vince Zampella died while driving his Ferrari north of Los Angeles. Frederick M. Brown / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP
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'Call of Duty' Co-creator Vince Zampella Killed in Car Crash

Vince Zampella died while driving his Ferrari north of Los Angeles. Frederick M. Brown / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP
Vince Zampella died while driving his Ferrari north of Los Angeles. Frederick M. Brown / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP

Vince Zampella, the acclaimed co-creator of video gaming juggernaut "Call of Duty," has died in a car crash, gaming giant Electronic Arts confirmed on Monday. He was 55.

The developer and executive died on Sunday while driving his Ferrari on a scenic road north of Los Angeles, according to local broadcaster NBC4.

"For unknown reasons, the vehicle veered off the roadway, struck a concrete barrier, and became fully engulfed," the California Highway Patrol said in a statement, without identifying the two victims in the crash.

The CHP added that both the driver and a passenger who was ejected from the vehicle succumbed to their injuries, reported AFP.

Witnesses posted video of the mangled cherry-red Ferarri, engulfed in flames, on the mountain road. The cause of the crash remains under investigation.

His studios created some of the world's best-selling video games, and Zampella was considered an innovator in first-person military shooter style games.

This year, when his "Battlefield 6" video game set a new sales record for the franchise, Zampella expressed gratitude, saying "we never take moments like this for granted" -- despite a long career of success in gaming.

The mass-combat game has won over 100 million players in the past two decades, in its various iterations.

And yet, that number isn't a first. To this day, "Call of Duty" boasts more than 100 milion active players, monthly.

"You have that dream of the game being popular, but I don't think you're ever ready for that level of success," Zampella told gaming site IGN in a 2016 interview.

Profound, far-reaching

Zampella was best known for co-creating the "Call of Duty" franchise and founding Respawn Entertainment, the studio behind "Titanfall,Apex Legends," and the "Star Wars Jedi" games.

After starting out in the 1990s as a designer on shooter games, he co-founded Infinity Ward in 2002 and helped launch "Call of Duty" in 2003. Activision later acquired his studio.

He left Activision under contentious circumstances and established Respawn in 2010, which Electronic Arts acquired in 2017.

At EA, he eventually took charge of revitalizing the "Battlefield" franchise, cementing his reputation as one of the most influential figures in modern first-person shooter games.

"This is an unimaginable loss, and our hearts are with Vince's family, his loved ones, and all those touched by his work," Electronic Arts said in a statement.

"Vince's influence on the video game industry was profound and far-reaching," the company said, adding that "his work helped shape modern interactive entertainment."

A statement by Respawn, posted on the "Battlefield" X account, praised Zampella "for how he showed up every day, trusting his teams, encouraging bold ideas, and believing in Battlefield and the people building it."

Zampella "championed what he believed was right for the people behind those studios and our players because it mattered."

"It was a bold, transgressive method of storytelling, of a moment in time that was political, that was violent and that was impactful," Washington Post video game reporter Gene Park told NBC4.

"He really knew how to create stories and create experiences, that really hit at the heart of human experience -- whether it was terror, dread, heroism. I think he was really able to kindof encapsulate that through the designs of the video games that he made," Park said.

Varieties

GEA Chairman Named 2025 ‘Promoter of the Year’ by Boxing News

Turki Alalshikh, Chairman of the General Entertainment Authority (GEA) and Saudi Boxing Federation President, was named “Promoter of the Year” for 2025 by the Britain-based Boxing News magazine. (SPA)
Turki Alalshikh, Chairman of the General Entertainment Authority (GEA) and Saudi Boxing Federation President, was named “Promoter of the Year” for 2025 by the Britain-based Boxing News magazine. (SPA)
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GEA Chairman Named 2025 ‘Promoter of the Year’ by Boxing News

Turki Alalshikh, Chairman of the General Entertainment Authority (GEA) and Saudi Boxing Federation President, was named “Promoter of the Year” for 2025 by the Britain-based Boxing News magazine. (SPA)
Turki Alalshikh, Chairman of the General Entertainment Authority (GEA) and Saudi Boxing Federation President, was named “Promoter of the Year” for 2025 by the Britain-based Boxing News magazine. (SPA)

Turki Alalshikh, Chairman of the General Entertainment Authority (GEA) and Saudi Boxing Federation President, was named “Promoter of the Year” for 2025 by the Britain-based Boxing News magazine, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.

The recognition reflects Alalshikh influential contributions and growing role in advancing the global boxing industry, built on a series of initiatives led by him in recent years.

It celebrates his efforts in elevating the stature of major fight cards, raising organizational standards, and enhancing both the sporting and media experience of boxing events, with a vision and strong international partnerships that have been instrumental in attracting the sport’s biggest global names.