Saudi film industry gets boost with $100m investment fund
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia -The Middle East Financial Investment Company (MEFIC Capital) has unveiled the establishment of the Saudi Film Fund,...Arts & Culture
‘Oppenheimer’ dominates BAFTAs in major Oscars boost
London, United Kingdom - "Oppenheimer", Christopher Nolan's epic movie about the creation of the atomic bomb, swept the board at Sunday's...Arts & Culture
World Arabic Language Day on December 18
This year’s theme is “Arabic Language, a bridge between civilizations."The Arabic language has been celebrated on December 18 since 2010
This date being chosen because it was the day in 1973 when the UN General Assembly approved Arabic as an official language
Saudi camel beauty pageant hit by cheating
The King Abdulaziz Camel Festival is an annual bedouin event held in the desert northeast of Riyadh that lures breeders...As many as 43 entrants were disqualified for botox injections and other cosmetic enhancements.
The enhancements are made in a bid to make the camels' lips droopier and their humps more shapely -- key attributes in the pageant.
Google celebrates Bahrain’s national day with a dedicated animated doodle
The modern state of Bahrain was founded by Ahmed Al Fateh in 1783 and on 16 December 1971, Isa Bin...Bahrain was founded by Ahmed Al Fateh in 1783 and on 16 December 1971, Isa Bin Salman Al Khalifa became the first emir of the country, marking the national day.
Traditionally, Bahrain’s historic achievements and culture are celebrated over two days with entertainment such as magic and laser shows.
Sheikh Mohammed launches largest tourism campaign ‘World’s Coolest Winter’
UAE Vice President and Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum launched the second season of the World’s Coolest...The campaign highlights the diversity of the UAE’s tourism and recreational attractions.
With an occupancy rate of 64 percent, the UAE outperformed the top 10 tourist destinations in the world.
Bahrain’s Fijri makes it to UNESCO heritage list
Fjiri, which commemorates the history of pearl diving, originated on Bahrain's island of Muharraq and is performed in festivals throughout...Bahrain's nomination was among 48 from around the world considered for inscription on the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list.
Fijri was traditionally performed by pearl divers and pearling crews to express the hardships faced at sea.
UNESCO adds Arabic calligraphy into heritage list
A total of 16 Muslim-majority countries, led by Saudi Arabia, presented the nomination to UNESCO, which announced the listing on...The UNESCO listing "will certainly have a positive impact" on preserving the tradition, said Abdelmajid Mahboub from the Saudi Heritage Preservation Society.
The number of specialized Arab calligraphic artists had dropped sharply, according to the Saudi Heritage Preservation Society.
Curtain falls on Saudi’s first major film festival
The event, where 138 films were screened from 67 countries, was organized four years after the kingdom lifted a decades-old...The festival opened a day after Jeddah hosted its first Formula One Grand Prix, also an attempt to portray Saudi Arabia in a different light
The rise of Saudi Arabia's de facto ruler, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, in 2017 has ushered in a number of reforms
Abu Hamdan sets sights on Jordanian underworld
'Boomah (Owl)' is based on research that has been carried out by Abu Hamdan into three female ‘thugs’ who shook...Abu Hamdan has been awarded a $100,000 production grant by the Red Sea Lodge.
In total, 12 projects were selected to take part in the Red Sea Lodge, including six from Saudi Arabia and six from Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait and Lebanon.
Verstappen ecstatic at ‘unbelievable’ last-lap Formula One win
An emotional Max Verstappen described his journey to 2021 Formula One world champion as "insane" after he beat rival Lewis...The race marked the end of an epic contest with seven-time champion Hamilton which has seen the two tangle on the track and off it.
Verstappen and Hamilton went into the last race level on points and it appeared that the Mercedes driver was going to hang on to win an eighth world title.
Proposed bill in Iran looks to ban pets including cats, dogs
The animals that may be banned under the proposed law include 'crocodiles, turtles, snakes, lizards, cats, mice, rabbits, dogs and...A total of 75 MPs of the Irani parliament have signed a proposed legislation that prohibits pet animals
Offenders of this new law would be fined by $98, which is equal to 10 to 30 times of minimum monthly working wage
