Visitors to Warner Bros. World park on Yas Island can now experience the role of a volunteer in one of Lex Luthor's experiments with the launch of the Kryptonite Collider attraction on Sunday. This is the first new permanent attraction in this indoor theme park since its opening in 2018.
The new DC-themed ride places guests inside the villain's fictional 'Evangelist Project.' There, visitors enter the LexCorp laboratory before boarding a 32-seater ride that combines rotational movement, lighting, sound, and visual effects. All of this centers around Superman's only known weakness—Kryptonite. At the end of the experience, guests are assigned their own 'superpowers' via interactive displays.
Hind Galadari, General Manager of Warner Bros. World Yas Island Abu Dhabi, told Khaleej Times that the focus is on storytelling and immersion, not just the ride itself. She emphasized that the goal is for guests to continue discussing the Kryptonite Collider even after leaving the park.
Galadari specified that instead of recreating scenes from movies or comics, the attraction is based on an original DC storyline created specifically for the park. This story resonates with both local residents and international guests who enjoy being in Metropolis and participating in the DC universe.
After entering the LexCorp laboratory and receiving instructions from staff playing the roles of Lex Luthor's employees, passengers are secured in a circular 32-seater ride. The journey initially resembles sitting on the blades of a giant fan, then transforms into the feeling of a crazy Ferris wheel. The attraction excites riders due to its fast rotation, speed changes, and brief reversals, causing more of a 'flutter in the stomach' than actual fear.
Galadari reported that the attraction's development followed a careful study of visitor wishes, who wanted more thrills while maintaining a family-friendly experience. She described the ride as a 'whirlwind,' where changing speeds, rotational movements, and short reverses create the sensation of Kryptonite flowing through the body.
With the opening of Kryptonite Collider, Warner Bros. World is already preparing the next major attraction. Galadari confirmed that the flying roller coaster Superman Up and Away, scheduled to open in 2028, will also be located in the Metropolis zone, although she declined to disclose further details. The only announced expansion remains the Harry Potter themed area, previously presented by Miral.
The General Manager noted that there has been growth in the number of UAE residents enjoying staycations this summer, spending more time on Yas Island instead of traveling abroad. Annual passes show an increase in repeat visits. Furthermore, some visitors are extending their trips from one or two days to four or five days thanks to the variety of entertainment on Yas Island.
The attraction launched just a few weeks after Warner Bros. World Yas Island was named the best theme park in the world with the Liseberg Applause Award 2026, becoming the first attraction in the Middle East to receive this industry award. Despite growing regional competition, Galadari assured that the park will continue to invest in new attractions and update existing experiences to keep them fresh and exciting for all generations. Kryptonite Collider is included in the standard admission ticket for Warner Bros. World Yas Island Abu Dhabi.
The 'Tashkent Modernism. Contemporaneity and Traditions in Central Asia' site has been included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. According to UNESCO, such structures, built within the framework of Soviet general plans, contributed to the transformation of Tashkent into a modern socialist metropolis.
The decision was made at the 48th session of the World Heritage Committee, which took place in Busan, South Korea. The nomination included buildings and architectural complexes constructed between the 1960s and the early 1990s.
The list includes sites such as the 'Pearl' residential building, the 'Cosmonauts' metro station, the State Museum of Arts of Uzbekistan, the State Historical Museum of Uzbekistan, the Palace of Peoples' Friendship, the Tashkent State Circus, the Central Exhibition Hall of the Academy of Arts, the Alisher Navoi Cinema Palace, and the 'Chorsu' market.
In the opinion of UNESCO, these sites reflect the process of reconstruction and development of Tashkent after the 1966 earthquake. They demonstrate how the functional solutions of Soviet modernism harmoniously combine with local features, such as courtyards and aiwans, the climate of Central Asia, and seismic-resistant construction technologies.
Inclusion in the list does not mean transferring the objects to UNESCO's management. However, Uzbekistan undertakes the obligation to preserve their universal value, as well as their original architectural appearance and connection to the environment. Construction work on these sites must not damage their historical appearance and main architectural characteristics.
UNESCO documents emphasize the importance of preserving the landscape around the sites, green spaces, urban silhouette, and visual connection between buildings. It is proposed to expand buffer zones for protection and include their boundaries in the state cadastre and general plan of Tashkent. It is also recommended to introduce a temporary moratorium on new construction in visually sensitive areas until appropriate rules are approved, requiring separate assessment of the impact of new projects on the heritage.
Currently, these sites have the opportunity to attract technical or financial assistance from the UNESCO World Heritage Fund, international organizations, and partners.
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The question arises: what if the next major fashion label emerges not in Mumbai or Delhi, but in Bihar? Designer Aman faced ridicule from people who asked, 'A fashion designer? From Bihar? Are you going to sew as a guy?'
He refused to let those words define him. After losing both parents during the COVID-19 pandemic, Aman and his friend Mohit rebuilt their dream. They founded Shwetanga—a local fashion brand that draws inspiration from Bihar's rich craftsmanship and adapts it for modern wardrobes.
Their journey goes beyond just clothing. It demonstrates that talent has no postal code, and that outstanding ideas can emerge from any corner of India when people choose courage over criticism.
