Saudi Arabia’s AlUla Launches Eventful ‘Summer Untold’ Program

Enjoying a milder climate with temperatures 5 to 10 degrees Celsius cooler than neighboring cities, AlUla is an ideal destination for both remote work and leisure. (SPA)
Enjoying a milder climate with temperatures 5 to 10 degrees Celsius cooler than neighboring cities, AlUla is an ideal destination for both remote work and leisure. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia’s AlUla Launches Eventful ‘Summer Untold’ Program

Enjoying a milder climate with temperatures 5 to 10 degrees Celsius cooler than neighboring cities, AlUla is an ideal destination for both remote work and leisure. (SPA)
Enjoying a milder climate with temperatures 5 to 10 degrees Celsius cooler than neighboring cities, AlUla is an ideal destination for both remote work and leisure. (SPA)

Saudi Arabia’s AlUla has launched its summer program under the theme “Summer Untold,” offering a rich collection of experiences that blend ancient heritage sites with breathtaking natural landscapes.

Enjoying a milder climate with temperatures 5 to 10 degrees Celsius cooler than neighboring cities, the governorate is an ideal destination for both remote work and leisure.

The program features exclusive hotel packages at AlUla’s luxury resorts nestled in nature, alongside a series of artistic events at the local amphitheater that combine live music performances with AlUla’s stunning surroundings. Guests can also enjoy musical experiences by the pool, set against a backdrop of majestic mountains and golden sands.

Returning this August for its third edition, the AlUla Desert Blaze trail race offers an ideal challenge for adventure seekers, who will race through some of AlUla’s most iconic landmarks amid its spectacular desert terrain.

The program also invites visitors to explore the summer oasis farms and discover the traditional lifestyles of farmers in AlUla’s Old Town.

Furthermore, AlUla Adventure Hub is rolling out an exciting lineup of thrill-seeking activities this summer, beginning in the early morning hours among the region’s striking desert landscapes. Highlights include the AlUla Zipline, the longest and fastest of its kind in the Kingdom, offering breathtaking mountain views, as well as the Giant Swing, the AlUla Stairway, mountain rappelling, the Via Ferrata, the Canyon Hammock, and rock-climbing adventures.



Australian Man Dies from Bat Bite

Fruit bats are known to carry Australian bat lyssavirus, but it is not known what species delivered the fatal bite. JOHN WILSON / AFP/File
Fruit bats are known to carry Australian bat lyssavirus, but it is not known what species delivered the fatal bite. JOHN WILSON / AFP/File
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Australian Man Dies from Bat Bite

Fruit bats are known to carry Australian bat lyssavirus, but it is not known what species delivered the fatal bite. JOHN WILSON / AFP/File
Fruit bats are known to carry Australian bat lyssavirus, but it is not known what species delivered the fatal bite. JOHN WILSON / AFP/File

An Australian man has died from an "extremely rare" rabies-like infection transmitted by a bat bite, health officials said Thursday.

The man in his 50s was bitten by a bat carrying Australian bat lyssavirus several months ago, the health service in New South Wales said.

"We express our sincere condolences to the man's family and friends for their tragic loss," NSW Health said in a statement.

"While it is extremely rare to see a case of Australian bat lyssavirus, there is no effective treatment for it."

The man from northern New South Wales, who has not been identified, was this week listed as being in a "critical condition" in hospital, said AFP.

The virus -- a close relative to rabies, which does not exist in Australia -- is transmitted when bat saliva enters the human body through a bite or scratch.

First symptoms can take days or years to appear.

Early signs of the disease are flu-like -- a headache, fever and fatigue, the health service said.

The victim's condition rapidly deteriorates, leading to paralysis, delirium, convulsions and death.

There were only three previous cases of human infection by Australian bat lyssavirus since it was first identified in 1996 -- all of them fatal.

People should avoid touching or handling bats, as any bat in Australia could carry lyssavirus, the New South Wales health service said.

"If you or someone you know is bitten or scratched by a bat, you need to wash the wound thoroughly for 15 minutes right away with soap and water and apply an antiseptic with anti-virus action," it said.

"Patients then require treatment with rabies immunoglobulin and rabies vaccine."

The virus has been found in species of flying foxes and insect-eating microbats, NSW Health said.

The type of bat involved in the latest fatality has not been identified.