Jordan’s Crown Prince Hussein posts newborn photo on social media
Jordan’s Crown Prince Hussein posts newborn photo on social media/node/2567970/lifestyle
Jordan’s Crown Prince Hussein posts newborn photo on social media
Jordan’s Crown Prince Hussein bin Abdullah took to social media on Monday to post a picture with his newborn daughter, Princess Iman bint Al Hussein bin Abdullah II. (Instagram)
Jordan’s Crown Prince Hussein posts newborn photo on social media
Updated 19 August 2024
Arab News
DUBAI: Jordan’s Crown Prince Hussein bin Abdullah took to social media on Monday to post a picture with his newborn daughter, Princess Iman bint Al Hussein bin Abdullah II.
“With my precious one,” he captioned the post, where he’s seen wearing his military uniform as he holds the royal baby.
At her birth, King Abdullah posted a tribute to his granddaughter on social media. Translated from Arabic, the post reads: "I thank God for giving us our first granddaughter Iman bint Hussein. I congratulate beloved Hussein and Rajwa for their newborn.
“We ask God to raise her well and protect her for her parents. You have lit up our family.”
Queen Rania also took to social media to write, “Praise be to God for His greatest gifts … You have brightened our lives with our beloved granddaughter Iman. May God keep her with us. Congratulations to Hussein and Rajwa, and may God fill your lives with blessings and contentment.”
Saudi box office sells 8.5 million tickets in first half of 2024 with two Saudi films in top three
Updated 25 min 37 sec ago
Arab News
DUBAI: The burgeoning Saudi film industry is going from strength to strength.
On Tuesday, Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Mohammed bin Farhan Al-Saud, Minister of Culture and Governor of the Royal Commission for AlUla, took to X to reveal that the Saudi box office has made SAR 421.8 million ($112,410,096) in the first half of 2024, adding that two of the three leading films were Saudi-produced. He did not reveal the names of the two films.
سوق صناعة السينما مزدهرة، حيث وصلت مبيعات شباك التذاكر السعودي إلى 8.5 مليون تذكرة بإيرادات تجاوزت 421.8 مليون ريال خلال النصف الأول من العام الحالي، وفيلمان سعوديان ضمن أعلى 3 أفلام مبيعاً. #رؤية_السعودية_2030
“Saudi box office sales have reached 8.5 million tickets with revenues exceeding 421.8m SAR during the first half of 2024. Two of the best-selling films amongst the top 3 are Saudi #SaudiVision20230,” he wrote.
Saudi Arabia’s cinema scene has been booming since lifting its 35-year ban in 2018. With 66 theaters across 22 cities and box office sales reaching $919 million in 2023 (up 25% from 2022), the industry is growing at a rapid pace.
While Hollywood films like Christopher Nolan’s “Oppenheimer” and Tom Cruise-starring “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning” have contributed to ticket sales, Saudi films have also been making a mark.
Saudi filmmaker Ali Kalthami’s Riyadh-based thriller “Mandoob” (“Night Courier”) has been a success since it was released at the beginning of 2024, soaring to the top of the Saudi box office following its screening at the Red Sea Film Festival in Jeddah. The film tells the story of Fahad, who, after getting fired from a call centre, takes a job as a night courier who illegally sells alcohol in order to save his ailing father.
“Sattar,” the Saudi Arabian family comedy about a depressed man who follows his dreams of becoming a freestyle wrestling champion, smashed box office records last year, earning $2.2 million over its first 12 days, instantly making it the highest-grossing Saudi movie of all time, so far.
New partnership to conserve AlUla’s cultural heritage
National Archives will work with the commission in four broad areas: training and scientific exchange, archival research, public programming, and digitization
Abeer Al-Akel: Our partnership with the National Archives exemplifies the power of international collaboration
Updated 10 September 2024
Arab News
JEDDAH: The Royal Commission for AlUla has signed a partnership agreement with the UK National Archives in line with the commission’s goals of cultural heritage preservation, international collaboration, and contribution to Vision 2030.
Through its expertise in archival management and historical documentation, the National Archives will work with the commission in four broad areas: training and scientific exchange, archival research, public programming, and digitization. Specific initiatives will focus on joint research projects, digital archive initiatives, and cultural exhibitions.
Abeer Al-Akel, acting CEO of the commission, said: “RCU’s campaign of comprehensive regeneration is transforming AlUla into a global hub for heritage and culture — and an extraordinary location for residents and visitors. Our commitment to conservation supports Vision 2030’s goal of promoting Saudi culture through initiatives that are ‘powered by the past, reimagined for the future.’
“Our partnership with the National Archives exemplifies the power of international collaboration, combining expertise and resources from Saudi Arabia and the UK to enhance cultural heritage research and public programming.”
Saul Nasse, chief executive and keeper of the National Archives, said: “Working with the Royal Commission for AlUla is an opportunity to share our pioneering work in documenting and safeguarding heritage. RCU has an ambitious strategy to preserve the rich stories of northwest Arabia, and we look forward to contributing our insights and experience.”
Through this collaboration, RCU and the National Archives aim to enhance the visibility of Saudi documentary heritage and strengthen the capacity of local archives to provide wide access to these invaluable resources, further solidifying AlUla’s position as a global hub for cultural preservation and exploration.
DUBAI: American designer Tory Burch unveiled a collection imbued with the spirit of sport — but without venturing into sportswear — at New York Fashion Week this week, with French Algerian model Loli Bahia walking the runway.
Freedom and movement were reflected in loose-fitting wool pants and wrap dresses, while power shone through in the assembly of different pieces, fabrics and cuts on the models marching down the catwalk, AFP reported.
Bahia showcased one of these looks, donning a sleek, structured black ensemble with asymmetrical cuts and overlapping panels that gave it a modern, deconstructed feel. The top had a wrap-like structure with subtle ties on the front, while the skirt featured a high slit.
Bahia donned a sleek, structured black ensemble with asymmetrical cuts and overlapping panels that gave it a modern, deconstructed feel. (Getty Images)
The outfit, from the Spring/Summer 2025 collection, was completed with bold, oversized statement earrings and classic black peep-toe heels.
Bahia was joined by Mona Tougaard, who has Danish, Turkish, Somali and Ethiopian ancestry.
Tougaard graced the runway wearing a sleeveless, cropped black top with a V-neckline, paired with a voluminous, flowy white skirt that had a layered, ruffled design. The skirt featured delicate draping and soft pleats. She wore neutral-tone open-toe heels and had her slicked-back.
Tougaard graced the runway wearing a sleeveless, cropped black top with a V-neckline, paired with a voluminous, flowy white skirt that had a layered, ruffled design. (Getty Images)
Other standout looks from the show included an ensemble of ultra-light suede pants with a rope belt and a skin-tight sweater patterned in red and white.
A transparent white jersey shirt with ruffles and overly long sleeves was paired with its formal counterpart, brown wool pants.
With this collection, the Pennsylvania native broke from the style that made her famous, a combination of preppy New England with a touch of the bohemian.
“It’s more about the spirit and the essence of sport,” Burch, whose shows have become a staple of New York Fashion Week, told AFP.
That means it is about “movement, about freedom, precision” as a starting point, she explained, adding: “The word ‘synchronicity’ was something I thought about.”
“I wanted to be careful with not having too many different prints, but I wanted it to come across in some textures and the fabrics and the color,” Burch, who this year celebrated the 20th anniversary of her eponymous fashion house, said.
REVIEW: ‘Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’ can’t hold a candle to the 1988 original
Updated 10 September 2024
Gautaman Bhaskaran
CHENNAI: Often it needs just a single work for a director to emerge out of the shadows and shine. For Tim Burton that happened in 1988 with “Beetlejuice,” a camp horror that straddled the line between comedy and the macabre.
It was a turning point for the 26-year-old director who shot straight to the big leagues and returned to the now-concluded Venice Film Festival with the sequel, “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice,” in September.
With headlining names like Michael Keaton, Winona Ryder and Jenna Ortega, one of the sequel's first scenes shows Italian icon Monica Bellucci as Delores the ghost all cut into pieces lying in several boxes. She begins to pin herself together with a stapler and proceeds to suck the souls of dead men and women, all set to a soundtrack of “Tragedy” by the Bee Gees. Gory but fun — and very on brand for Tim Burton.
The movie begins in a clumsy manner with the characters being arranged in what felt like a chess game, with the key pieces spread out. The sequel follows Winona Ryder's Lydia Deetz, the former goth teen who is now a psychic mediator with her own paranormal television show.
Deetz’s supernatural abilities are brushed off by her daughter, Astrid (Ortega), who believes her mother’s visions are pure delusion and soon enough Catherine O’Hara returns to her role as Lydia’s narcissistic artist stepmother.
Keaton reprises his part as the titular ghost, but he was far more eccentric and engaging in the first film — his performance here feels like a watered-down version of what we saw earlier.
This largely sum up what seems to be the point of the film — a nostalgia-fuelled look-back at a high-camp horror for Burton fans to enjoy during the Halloween season.
Unfortunately, the movie feels lethargic, dispirited and soulless. Far from the 1988 work that was peppy and praiseworthy.
From Sweden to Hollywood, Arab designers shine among celebrities
Updated 09 September 2024
Arab News
DUBAI: From US actress Grace Van Patten flaunting heels by Andrea Wazen to British singer Ellie Goulding hitting the red carpet in a Zuhair Murad gown, celebrities kicked off September in style.
Van Patten opted for the Katy Lace Sling heels by Lebanese footwear designer Andrea Wazen at the season 2 premiere Of Hulu's "Tell Me Lies" in California.
Grace Van Patten opted for the Katy Lace Sling heels by Lebanese footwear designer Andrea Wazen at the season 2 premiere Of Hulu's "Tell Me Lies" in California.
(Getty Images)
The actress, who has appeared in two Netflix films and two Hulu mini-series, paired the black heels with a baby pink slip dress at the premiere.
For her part, Goulding showed off a floor-length number by Lebanese designer-to-the-stars Zuhair Murad, hailing from the label’s Resort 2025 collection. The “Love Me Like You Do” singer chose the dress for an appearance at the Perfect World Foundation's Honorary Conservation Award ceremony in Gothenburg, Sweden, where she was given The Perfect World Foundation Award, following in the footsteps of previous recipients such as Sir David Attenborough, Dr. Jane Goodall, and Prince Albert II of Monaco.
Ragnhild Jacobsson, CEO and co-founder of The Perfect World Foundation, praised Goulding's environmental efforts in a released statement, saying: "Ellie Goulding is a respected force as a climate and nature champion. Her inspirational efforts to mobilize the youth in saving our planet's biological diversity are admirable. We are proud to honor her as this year's recipient."
In another landmark achievement for an Arab designer, Saudi couturier Mohammed Ashi, the founder of Paris-based Ashi Studio, saw US actress Demi Moore grace the cover of Variety magazine in one of his creations.
Moore was photographed for the cover of the Hollywood title’s September issue in a black gown from Ashi’s Sculpted Clouds collection — his Fall 2024 Couture show.
Ashi became the first couturier from the Gulf to join the Federation de la Haute Couture in Paris as a guest member in 2023 and has since shown his collections on the official Paris Haute Couture Week calendar.
