George Michael’s House to be Rented for £80,000 a Month

Late British singer George Michael performs at a concert in 2012. (AP)
Late British singer George Michael performs at a concert in 2012. (AP)
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George Michael’s House to be Rented for £80,000 a Month

Late British singer George Michael performs at a concert in 2012. (AP)
Late British singer George Michael performs at a concert in 2012. (AP)

The family of late British singer George Michael decided to rent his mansion for £80,000 a month.

Michael's family decided after his death to keep his £11 million (about $ 15 million) property in the Highgate area, north London, but it is now eager to rent it.

A source said: “George’s home is ready to rent and is being secretly touted to ultra-rich elite clientele,” The Sun newspaper reported.

Worth 5 million dollars, the house boasts five bedroom suites, a summer house and swimming pool, along with secret access to London’s Hampstead Heath via a back gate.

Michael was found dead at his home in Oxfordshire, west London, on Christmas Eve in 2016 at age 53. A forensic report revealed he had heart trouble and liver problems.

Michael is considered one of the most successful singers in the world. He was named “King of Pop” in Britain and sang pop and pop rock. Michael performed duets with stars such as Aretha Franklin, Elton John and Lisa Stansfield.

Michael was born in East Finchley. His father is Kyriacos Panayiotou, a Greek Cypriot restaurateur, had immigrated to Britain in the 1950s, where he changed his name to Jack Panos.

His mother is Lesley Angold, who was an English dancer.

Michael spent most of his childhood in Kingsbury, London, in the home his parents bought soon after his birth; he attended Kingsbury High School.

While he was in his early teens, the family moved to Radlett. There, Michael attended Bushey Meads School in Bushey, where he befriended his future “Wham!” partner Andrew Ridgeley.

The two had the same career ambition of being musicians.

Michael busked on the London Underground, performing songs such as "'39" by Queen.

His involvement in the music business began with his working as a DJ, playing at clubs and local schools around Bushey, Stanmore and Watford. This was followed by the formation of a short-lived ska band with Ridgeley, Ridgeley's brother Paul, Andrew Leaver and David Mortimer (later known as David Austin).



iRead Marathon Records over 6.5 Million Pages Read

Participants agreed that the number of pages read was not merely a numerical milestone - SPA
Participants agreed that the number of pages read was not merely a numerical milestone - SPA
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iRead Marathon Records over 6.5 Million Pages Read

Participants agreed that the number of pages read was not merely a numerical milestone - SPA
Participants agreed that the number of pages read was not merely a numerical milestone - SPA

The fifth edition of the iRead Marathon achieved a remarkable milestone, surpassing 6.5 million pages read over three consecutive days, in a cultural setting that reaffirmed reading as a collective practice with impact beyond the moment.

Hosted at the Library of the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra) and held in parallel with 52 libraries across 13 Arab countries, including digital libraries participating for the first time, the marathon reflected the transformation of libraries into open, inclusive spaces that transcend physical boundaries and accommodate diverse readers and formats.

Participants agreed that the number of pages read was not merely a numerical milestone, but a reflection of growing engagement and a deepening belief in reading as a daily, shared activity accessible to all, free from elitism or narrow specialization.

Pages were read in multiple languages and formats, united by a common conviction that reading remains a powerful way to build genuine connections and foster knowledge-based bonds across geographically distant yet intellectually aligned communities, SPA reported.

The marathon also underscored its humanitarian and environmental dimension, as every 100 pages read is linked to the planting of one tree, translating this edition’s outcome into a pledge of more than 65,000 trees. This simple equation connects knowledge with sustainability, turning reading into a tangible, real-world contribution.

The involvement of digital libraries marked a notable development, expanding access, strengthening engagement, and reinforcing the library’s ability to adapt to technological change without compromising its cultural role. Integrating print and digital reading added a contemporary dimension to the marathon while preserving its core spirit of gathering around the book.

With the conclusion of the iRead Marathon, the experience proved to be more than a temporary event, becoming a cultural moment that raised fundamental questions about reading’s role in shaping awareness and the capacity of cultural initiatives to create lasting impact. Three days confirmed that reading, when practiced collectively, can serve as a meeting point and the start of a longer cultural journey.


Imam Turki bin Abdullah Royal Reserve Launches Fifth Beekeeping Season

Jazan’s Annual Honey Festival - File Photo/SPA
Jazan’s Annual Honey Festival - File Photo/SPA
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Imam Turki bin Abdullah Royal Reserve Launches Fifth Beekeeping Season

Jazan’s Annual Honey Festival - File Photo/SPA
Jazan’s Annual Honey Festival - File Photo/SPA

The Imam Turki bin Abdullah Royal Nature Reserve Development Authority launched the fifth annual beekeeping season for 2026 as part of its programs to empower the local community and regulate beekeeping activities within the reserve.

The launch aligns with the authority's objectives of biodiversity conservation, the promotion of sustainable environmental practices, and the generation of economic returns for beekeepers, SPA reported.

The authority explained that this year’s beekeeping season comprises three main periods associated with spring flowers, acacia, and Sidr, with the start date of each period serving as the official deadline for submitting participation applications.

The authority encouraged all interested beekeepers to review the season details and attend the scheduled virtual meetings to ensure organized participation in accordance with the approved regulations and the specified dates for each season.


Hail Municipality Named Arab Green City For 2024-2025

The achievement establishes Hail as a leading Arab model for sustainable urban development - SPA
The achievement establishes Hail as a leading Arab model for sustainable urban development - SPA
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Hail Municipality Named Arab Green City For 2024-2025

The achievement establishes Hail as a leading Arab model for sustainable urban development - SPA
The achievement establishes Hail as a leading Arab model for sustainable urban development - SPA

The Hail Region Municipality has secured first place in the Arab Green City award for 2024-2025 at the 15th session of the Arab Towns Organization.

This recognition honors the municipality’s commitment to environmental sustainability, the expansion of green spaces, and the implementation of urban practices that elevate the quality of life, SPA reported.

The award follows a series of strategic environmental initiatives, including large-scale afforestation, the modernization of public parks, and the adoption of eco-friendly solutions to enhance the urban landscape and resource efficiency.

By aligning its projects with the sustainability goals of Saudi Vision 2030, the municipality continues to foster a healthy and safe environment for residents and visitors.

This achievement establishes Hail as a leading Arab model for sustainable urban development.