Riyadh Season 2022 Kicks off with Shows 'Beyond Imagination'

 Boulevard World part of Riyadh Season 2022 (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Boulevard World part of Riyadh Season 2022 (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Riyadh Season 2022 Kicks off with Shows 'Beyond Imagination'

 Boulevard World part of Riyadh Season 2022 (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Boulevard World part of Riyadh Season 2022 (Asharq Al-Awsat)

The Chairman of the Board of Directors of the General Entertainment Authority (GEA), Turki Al-Sheikh, announced on Wednesday the launching of the Riyadh Season 2022 under the slogan “Beyong Imagination”, which will kick off on Oct. 21 with an international event featuring the world-acclaimed Cirque du Soleil.

Al-Sheikh explained that the new season would consist of 15 areas, including the Boulevard World, which would display restaurants, markets and arts from several regions around the world, including America, France, Greece, India, China, Spain, and Japan, Morocco, Mexico, in addition to the Italian city of Venice.

The Boulevard World will also include the world’s largest artificial lake, allowing visitors to enjoy riding submarines for the first time in Riyadh.

Al-Sheikh said that visitors would also enjoy a number of special attractions, such as the Kombat Village and the Superhero Village, in addition to a cable car that allows movement between the Boulevard World and the Boulevard Riyadh City, with a capacity of up to 3,000 visitors per hour.

As for the Boulevard Riyadh City, which was present in the past seasons, Al-Sheikh said that it has been expanded to include 12 new restaurants and cafes, in addition to 25 Arab and international plays, including seven Saudi plays.

Al-Sheikh indicated that the Winter Wonderland area returns this year with five new attractions. This season will also feature the Riyadh Zoo, with more than 1,300 animals of 190 species.

With the World Cup kicking off next month, Al-Sheikh announced that the Riyadh Season would include the Fan Festival zone at Mrsool Park that would accommodate 20,000 fans for each game, in parallel with exhibitions on late football star Diego Maradona and the Newcastle Club.

Other sports events will be happening this year, including the Riyadh Season Cup that will bring together Paris Saint-Germain F.C. and players from Al Hilal SFC and Al-Nassr FC, in addition to WWE matches.



EU Countries Back Softer Car CO2 Emissions Targets

 Motorists drive past traffic lights that stopped working following a power outage in downtown Lisbon, Portugal, Monday, April 28, 2025. (AP)
Motorists drive past traffic lights that stopped working following a power outage in downtown Lisbon, Portugal, Monday, April 28, 2025. (AP)
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EU Countries Back Softer Car CO2 Emissions Targets

 Motorists drive past traffic lights that stopped working following a power outage in downtown Lisbon, Portugal, Monday, April 28, 2025. (AP)
Motorists drive past traffic lights that stopped working following a power outage in downtown Lisbon, Portugal, Monday, April 28, 2025. (AP)

European Union government have agreed to softer EU CO2 emissions targets for cars and vans that will allow automakers more time to comply and should reduce potential fines.

European car manufacturers warned existing targets to be met this year could result in fines of up to 15 billion euros ($17.0 billion), given the goals rely on selling more electric vehicles, a segment where they lag Chinese and US rivals.

Following heavy lobbying, the European Commission proposed allowing automakers to meet the targets based on their average emissions over the period 2025-2027, rather than just this year.

The proposed change requires approval from the European Parliament and the Council, the grouping of EU members.

The parliament is expected to approve the adjustment in a vote on Thursday after agreeing to fast-track the process.