Game of Thrones prequel ‘House of the Dragon’ Lands Exclusively on OSN+

 

OSN+ will be the only place to watch the highly anticipated series.


  • Premieres on August 22nd, simultaneously with the US

 

OSN+, the region’s exclusive home of HBO and leading provider of premium local and international entertainment brings you House of the Dragon, the prequel to one of the most successful series of the past decade. An epic addition to your entertainment catalog this summer, the series is set to air on August 22nd, simultaneously with the US premiere. Fans will not miss out on the global excitement with each new episode available weekly on the platform.

The ten-episode HBO Original drama series is based on George R.R. Martin’s Fire & Blood and is set 200 years before the events of Game of Thrones, and tells the story of House Targaryen.

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The line-up in the upcoming series includes Paddy Considine as King Viserys Targaryen, Matt Smith as Prince Daemon Targaryen, the King’s younger brother and heir to the throne, Olivia Cooke as Alicent Hightower, daughter of the Hand of the King, Emma D’Arcy as King Viserys’ firstborn child, Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen, Steve Toussaint as Lord Corlys Velaryon “The Sea Snake”, Eve Best as his wife Princess Rhaenys Targaryen, Fabien Frankel as Ser Criston Cole, Sonoya Mizuno as Mysaria, and Rhys Ifans as Otto Hightower, the Hand of the King and father to Alicent.

“House of the Dragon is the most awaited series of the summer and showcases OSN+ commitment to providing the best-in-class exclusive content for our customers. The series will be a global ‘must watch’ – both for Game of Thrones fans or first-time visitors to the world of Westeros.” said Nick Forward, Managing Director OSN+, and Chief Content Officer at OSN Group.

OSN+ is an easily accessible online platform and is available for download across all iOS and Android devices. For only USD 9.5 per month, with a complimentary 7-day trial, stream now at osnplus.com and enjoy endless hours of exciting content.

House of the Dragon creditsCo-Creator/Executive Producer, George R.R. Martin; Co-Creator/Co-Showrunner/Executive Producer/Writer, Ryan Condal; Co-Showrunner/Executive Producer/Director, Miguel Sapochnik; Executive Producer/Writer, Sara Hess; Executive Producers, Jocelyn Diaz, Vince Gerardis, Ron Schmidt; Directors Clare Kilner, Geeta V. Patel; Director/Co-Executive Producer, Greg Yaitanes. Based on George R.R. Martin’s “Fire & Blood.”

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SAS Appoints New Country Manager to Drive Business Strategy and Reinforce Governance

Bader Bahaian to lead the adoption of SAS innovative solutions in the KSA cross-sector market.


SAS, the leader in analytics, present in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for over 10 years, announced the appointment of Bader Bahaian as the Country Manager. This appointment comes in line with SAS’s strategy toward the market needs of the industry for advanced analytics, AI, and cloud-based solutions.

Bader Bahaian brings more than ten years of experience within the IT industry, with a strong focus on sales and business development. As a results-driven professional, he has made impressive achievements during his career. Prior to joining SAS, Bader served in leading positions in other multinational conglomerates, transforming organizations into high-performing business units, while growing sales at twice the market rate, despite dealing with a historic economic downturn and well-established brands in an already mature market.

Commenting on the appointment, Tayfun Topkoc, General Manager, Africa, Turkey, and Central Asia of SAS, said: “Bader is an exceptional professional who has risen rapidly in his career path and has had significant responsibilities in leading and identifying business opportunities across multiple industries. His background is well suited to help us drive our strategy, adding long-term professional relationships and progression to our organization. We are delighted to have Bader on board and look forward to him overseeing our operations in KSA.”

“I’m honored to join SAS at such a transformational period, and I look forward to working with the team to realize the enormous potential we have to transform organizations, I’m committed to what we do as a company and with advanced analytics, AI and cloud-based solutions we bring to market, I believe will have a significant impact on various industries as a whole.” Said Bader Bahaian Country Manager at SAS, KSA.

SAS will continue to help companies in the Kingdom adopt cloud platforms to tap into the full potential of their capabilities and resources to accelerate innovation and higher operational efficiencies. The cloud-first strategy spearheaded by SAS supports companies to move to a cloud-driven environment to eliminate physical and financial barriers to align with evolving business goals and advance in their digital transformation journey – which is central to the Saudi Vision 2030 plan. SAS is committed to reaching net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 and to using analytics to build a sustainable future. SAS is leading through its own sustainable practices and empowering others with the technology to achieve its sustainable goals.

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BIGO Raised $20,000 to Support Health and Education Programs of UNICEF and SOS Children’s Village Through NAUA in the MENA Region

Singapore-based Internet company BIGO Technology, the parent company of the leading social live-streaming platform Bigo Live, has raised USD 20,000 in donations through its 2022 Ramadan campaign.


All proceeds will be donated to UNICEF as well as SOS Children’s Villages Jordan through naua.org to support child health and education programs across the MENA region.

In an effort to raise awareness for children in need across the region during Ramadan 2022, a series of live events were launched in Bigo Live to inspire and encourage people to embrace the spirit of giving. The campaign witnessed over 150,000 viewers and more than 100 broadcasters including singer Shireen Abusaad, gaming video creator HydronZ, and fashion blogger Lama Al Aalam tuning into multiple fundraising live sessions like cooking competitions and musical performances to celebrate this season.

A portion of all proceeds from the campaign by Bigo Live would be donated to UNICEF – which launched a special program during Ramadan 2022. This program consisted of supporting children and vulnerable families affected by multiple emergencies in thematic areas across the MENA region by providing them with therapeutic food and critical cash support.

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In addition, BIGO Technology has partnered with naua.org – a Crown Prince Foundation Initiative, and SOS Children’s Villages Jordan which is a national nonprofit organization that cares for orphaned and vulnerable children, to support a long-term education project in Jordan.

“As the region’s first social impact platform, we are proud of our regional partnership with BIGO. With Naua’s main goal being to promote a culture of collective action within a common framework to measure and showcase impact on the communities, we will be supporting BIGO to maximize its impact through the generous donation provided to SOS Jordan” added Ahmad El-Zubi, CEO of naua.org.

In years past, BIGO Technology has contributed to several noteworthy causes by hosting various meaningful initiatives. This includes the Global BIGOer One World Together campaign which raised funds for the WHO’s Solidarity Response Fund for pandemic relief, the Breast Cancer Awareness campaign to support the millions impacted by this disease with Living Beyond Breast Cancer, and more.

“We are glad that Bigo Live has and continues to support and bring positivity to people and communities in need,” said Khaldoun Mahmoud, Head of Government Relations of BIGO for the MENA region. “As a global platform that connects and brings people together, we believe it is our responsibility to contribute to noteworthy causes and provide people with positivity and joy. BIGO is extremely proud of the level of dedication our users have showcased to support non-profit organizations like UNICEF, NAUA and SOS Children’s Villages in their efforts to help children in need overcome obstacles. We are inspired by the sense of community that is fostered on Bigo Live, and we look forward with optimism to seeing the platform continue to thrive as the home of positivity, inclusion, and togetherness.”

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What’s on HUAWEI Video this February

After the whirlwind start to the year, we all could use some downtime on the couch! HUAWEI Video has a solid slate of blockbuster movies, exciting series, and excellent international dramas, as well as an exciting new collection of short-form clips available this month.


Whether you are looking for a binge-worthy series, a thrilling new movie an endless stream of entertaining clips, or non-stop access to your favorite TV channels, there is something for every mood. With over 100,000 hours of video content, millions of short videos from local content creators, and over 100 live-streaming TV channels HUAWEI Video provides an all-in-one entertainment experience for its users. 

With the exciting launch of YouSat TV’s exceptional regional and international short-form content from 3K+ content creators as well as the continued collaboration with STARZPLAY and Weyyak, the premium video streaming platform offers users a diverse selection of high-quality video-on-demand content across various genres straight to their Huawei phones or devices. Below, see the list of highlights available on HUAWEI Video in February. Happy streaming!

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New movies from HUAWEI Video

House of Gucci (STARZPLAY): Take a deep dive into the inner workings of the famous Gucci family through the eyes of a humble outsider. Starring legendary superstar Al Pacino, international pop sensation Lady Gaga, and Adam Driver, this thriller will keep you on the edge of your seat. Available on HUAWEI Video from February 11th

1917 (HUAWEI Video):  1917 is an Oscar-winning, unmissable masterpiece, directed by Sam Mendes.  It follows the harrowing story of two soldiers during the First World War as they race against time to deliver a message that will stop 1,600 men from walking into a deadly trap.  Play here. 

The Happytime Murders (STARZPLAY): This action-comedy takes you on a journey of laughter and thrill as a disgraced LAPD detective-turned-private eye takes on a murder case. Starring Melissa McCarthy, this movie is an entertaining joyride. Now live on HUAWEI Video. Play here.

Mitron (Weyyak):  Brought up with middle-class values, watch as Jai (Jackky Bhagnani) tries to please his father by finding a suitable wife, but destiny has its own plans for him.  Don’t miss this newly released Bollywood comedy, fully dubbed in Arabic. Play here.

Gringo (STARZPLAY): This dark comedy follows the journey of businessman Harold Soyinka from a law-abiding citizen to a wanted criminal. Starring Joel Edgerton and Academy Award winner Charlize Theron this tragicomedy promises action and laughs aplenty. Now live on HUAWEI Video. Play here.

New series from HUAWEI Video

Say Yes to the Dress Arabia (STARZPLAY):  The search for the perfect wedding dress has finally come to the region!  This STARZPLAY Original, in collaboration with Discovery, is shot in Dubai and hosted by Khalil El Zein.  Featuring brides from KSA, EGYPT, Tunisia, Syria, Lebanon, and Iraq on the hunt at Hazar Haute Couture bridal boutique for that perfect gown!  Available on HUAWEI Video from February 11th.

Youth (HUAWEI Video): Catch the highs and lows of five young ladies as they share a house and also share their experiences with life and love while attending the same university.  HUAWEI Video brings you this brand new Chinese drama exclusively and with Arabic subtitles. Play here.

Billions (STARZPLAY): The American drama series navigates the power struggles in the financial capital of the world, New York. Starring Paul Giamatti and Damien Lewis, the series tells the story of a hedge fund manager who has amassed wealth and power, but a US attorney challenges him at every turn. You can enjoy the full boxset and the latest episodes of the season 6 premiere on the same day as the US telecast. Now live on HUAWEI Video. Play here.

The Dean (Weyyak): An authentic crime drama, starring Tain Hasan and Caresse Bashar, follows the story of a professor who, after a mysterious murder, is pulled into the world of child trafficking within Syrian refugee camps in Lebanon. Play here.

Downton Abbey (STARZPLAY): A treat for the royalty enthusiasts; this series tracks the aristocratic Crawley family and their servants in the early twentieth century and sheds light on their lives. Now live on HUAWEI Video, users can also enjoy the outstanding movie sequel of the series release on the same day. Play here.

Discover new selections of entertainment on HUAWEI Video this month easily and conveniently. To learn more about HUAWEI Video, please visit: 

Egypt: http://consumer.huawei.com/eg-en/mobileservices/video/
UAE: http://consumer.huawei.com/ae-en/mobileservices/video/
KSA:  http://consumer.huawei.com/sa-en/mobileservices/video/

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Kiloo Launches New Endless Runner Game Exclusively on AppGallery for all Android Users

Kiloo, co-developer, and publisher of the hugely popular Subway Surfers game between 2012-2020 has selected Huawei’s AppGallery to debut its exciting new endless arcade runner game, MetroLand.


Now exclusively launched on AppGallery, MetroLand challenges players to become non-conforming, young, and energetic explorers, dashing, dodging, and even using parkour to outrun the evil MegaCorp guards. Denmark-based Kiloo has invested its extensive experience to develop this new endless runner that can be picked up as easily for five minutes of play or for several hours, at a pace to suit the user.

MetroLand, as the title suggests, has a metropolitan setting. The gameplay takes place across a number of cities and includes seven different areas that unlock as progress is made. It aims to illustrate busy, modern city life with an emphasis on momentum, speed, and excitement.

Emulating some of the most downloaded endless runner games on the market, including its own, Kiloo has taken MetroLand to the next level, incorporating new design trends, polishing the gameplay, and adding meta elements to appeal to a wider variety of user profiles.

Jacob Møller, CEO at Kiloo, said: “We have gathered all our learnings from working on endless running games over the years and condensed them into our take on the perfect, casual runner. MetroLand is instantly familiar and engaging, but still holds surprising twists and innovations for all those who are brave enough to travel to MetroLand and join our group of charismatic youngsters in their playful rebellion against MegaCorp, the antagonists of the game.”

Kiloo is aiming its new launch at a broad audience and has built infrequent updates that are themed around annual events such as Halloween, or weekly events that keep players fully engaged. Metroland also allows the characters to be sent on missions and evolve as the game is being played.

“We are very pleased to be launching Metroland to all AppGallery users across all Android smartphones. The next generation of endless running gameplay from Kiloo, the world’s leading games developer in this genre, is now available exclusively on AppGallery to all our users, further highlighting our commitment to providing our users and gamers with great content and the best games in the market,” said Lu Geng, Middle East & Africa Device Ecosystem Development & Operations Dept Director.

AppGallery, as the official Huawei distribution platform for apps and games, is pre-loaded on all Huawei smartphones. The app store is, however, also available to download for all other Android smartphone brands directly from the official website. By downloading AppGallery, gamers can join the gaming community of millions of active players and benefit from its exclusive catalog and offers. 

Over the past year, AppGallery has firmly established itself as the world’s third-largest app store with 580m global monthly active users (+10% YoY). More than 187K+ apps are now integrated with HMS Core and there is an uplift of +56% YoY in-app distributions outside of China.

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AlUla Design Award Makes its Debut at the Saudi Design Festival

In its inaugural edition, the AlUla Design Award (ADA) launched an Open Call, inviting Saudi, regional and international designers to deliver product concepts inspired by the heritage, nature, and art of AlUla – a spectacular desert-scape with an oasis, and the heart of the ancient Incense Road.


More than 400 submissions were received and reviewed by an esteemed jury panel, tasked with selecting six winners of the award from each of the VIP Gifting and Commercial Retail categories.

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AlUla Design Award will be presented in a special pavilion at the Saudi Design Festival in JAX District, Diriyah, Riyadh between January 10-29, 2022. The pavilion includes multiple sections for exploration: a sensory experience rich with the aesthetics and materiality of AlUla, an Inspired by AlUla presentation exhibiting previously-designed products, and the winners showcase that will reveal the journey of the participants in the competition.

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The AlUla Design Award pavilion will also stage keynotes from experts and practitioners, and host the award ceremony happening on the 26th of January, 2022. The selected winners will have their designs produced and presented at AlUla’s cultural retail outlets and through a range of communication platforms.

Further details about the next cycle of the AlUla Design Award will be presented at the closing ceremony on January 26, 2022.

Stay up to date with ADA’s further announcements through their social media accounts and a free to subscribe newsletter

Website: aluladesignaward.com
Instagram : artsalula 
Facebook : artsalula 
Twitter : artsalula 

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Inaugural Edition of Saudi Design Festival 2022 Unveils 21 Days of Design

January 10-29, 2022, Saudi Design Festival transforms Diriyah’s Jax District into a community-built Design District.


  • Tickets to the 21-day festival are on sale now for the festival, with new community events, masterclasses, and workshops being unveiled every week.

The Saudi Design Festival (SDF) announces a series of exciting events planned for the 21-day design festival. Presented by the Architecture and Design Commission and initiated by the team behind Saudi Design Week (2014-2019), Oasis Company, SDF’s inaugural edition will bring together creative luminaries, designers, and industry leaders to engage, discuss, and celebrate outstanding design in the Kingdom and beyond.

On its opening night, Saudi Design Festival welcomed His Excellency Hamed bin Mohammed Fayez, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Culture, with dignitaries and leaders of the community. The VIP preview gave visitors a glimpse of the weeks to come and tour the various pavilions and curated spaces of the festival.

Dr. Sumayah Al-Sulaiman, CEO of the Architecture and Design Commission, said “The entire team at the Saudi Design Festival and the design community have dedicated themselves to curating this truly community-led showcase. We are proud of the program and the platform it is organically growing into for the creative community. We have exhibits, masterclasses, and programs for all ages. Our vision is an inclusive one that invites all creatives and would-be creatives to come together in a space that nurtures the design community, creates dialogue, and inspires ideas.” sdf-opening

SDF 2022 contains a variety of experiences and events that explore the world of design imaginatively for and by the creative community. The festival unveils its exciting lineup of signature events:

Saudi Design Week relaunches as the multi-exhibitions and fair event of the Saudi Design Festival. It is a tribute to the designers and their spaces. It invites dwellers to explore design as a cultural technology that can probe, articulate, and construct new paradigms.

Type It exhibition by SDF brand ambassador Lulwah Al Homoud is an exploratory look at typography, particularly in the realm of Latin-Arabic bilingual type. Part-experimental, part-commentary, the exhibition is aimed at examining the semantic and structural impact of fonts on the perception and reception of its audience.

AirBubble by Ecologic Studio is an installation that brings to life the world’s first biotechnological playground to integrate air-purifying micro-algae. AirBubble creates a purified microclimate for children to play in. The playground integrates the Photo. Synthetica technology for the advanced integration of photosynthesis in the built environment.

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The Future is Design Exhibition an expose for all the dreamers that showcase conceptual designs, architecture & interior design projects, and initiatives. A special segment is curated by Dabbagh Architects through its principal, Sumaya Dabbagh who has specially selected 7 projects (both built and unbuilt) that capture the essence of identity, sustainability, and connectivity to one’s environment.

Design Market A tri-weekend marketplace that is curated as the designated retail segment of the District, the Design Market will showcase SMEs, independent local brands, and product launches. The Market will run three cycles over the course of three weekends (Thurs-Fri), with each week presenting a rotating cluster of brands and designers.

The SDF is also offering spaces within the festival for free to community partners who would like to run workshops and activities within the SDF’s calendar. Community event organizers can submit their application/proposal throughout the festival, or until slots are available.

Tickets to the festival are now on sale through: www.saudidesignfestival.com

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