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Saudi Arabia: Sports Boulevard Participates in Cityscape 2023 Global Exhibition as Strategic Partner

Sports Boulevard acts as a strategic partnership in the Cityscape 2023 Global exhibition. SPA
Sports Boulevard acts as a strategic partnership in the Cityscape 2023 Global exhibition. SPA
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Saudi Arabia: Sports Boulevard Participates in Cityscape 2023 Global Exhibition as Strategic Partner

Sports Boulevard acts as a strategic partnership in the Cityscape 2023 Global exhibition. SPA
Sports Boulevard acts as a strategic partnership in the Cityscape 2023 Global exhibition. SPA

Sports Boulevard acts as a strategic partnership in the Cityscape 2023 Global exhibition, which takes place at the Riyadh Front Exhibition and Convention Center from September 10 to 13 under the theme "The Future of Living.”

The exhibition is expected to tackle the future of the real estate sector, across the globe, and ways to strengthen companies emerging to develop the sector locally. It will also discuss ways of boosting innovation and creativity in design and architecture.

The Sports Boulevard pavilion will show visitors at the exhibition the Sports Boulevard project in virtual reality, and introduce the cycling bridge through a simulated design in the exhibition halls, as well as a 3D model of the project.

The Sports Boulevard team will make presentations about the characteristics and objectives of the project, investment opportunities, and the features of the Sports Boulevard Design Code.

Sports Boulevard CEO Jayne McGivern will participate in the main panel discussion at the exhibition, titled “Building Tomorrow - Investments and Projects Shaping the Kingdom’s Future as a Global Destination”. She is slated to talk about the important role of the Sports Track Project and its developments, which will create a qualitative shift in Riyadh as a city, in response to the objectives of the Kingdom’s vision 2030, as it will connect the western and eastern parts of the city to become an innovative hub for a healthy and lifestyle where sport is practiced.

“We are proud to be among the projects that contribute to the prosperity of Riyadh and enhance the quality of life of its citizens, as we aim at making it a most convenient city for living in,” said Sports Boulevard Foundation Chief Communications Officer Ahmad BinAskar.

The Sports Boulevard is one of the major projects in Riyadh launched by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud in March 2019. Its progress is being followed up on by Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince, Prime Minister.

The project aims to boost the position of Riyadh in the global classification, making it one of the best cities to live in, in the world, by promoting physical, psychological and social health, and instilling a healthy lifestyle in the community.

The project extends over more than 135 kilometers along Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Road. It connects Wadi Hanifa, in the west of the city, with Wadi Al Sulay, in its east, and includes more than 4.4 million square meters of open green spaces, more than 50 sites for various sports, and distinctive artistic landmarks. It also hosts investment areas on a total area of more than 2.3 million square meters.

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Saudi Arabia: King Abdulaziz Royal Reserve Plants 10,000 Native Trees to Combat Desertification

The project engaged 300 volunteers from government agencies and educational institutions to rehabilitate local ecosystems. SPA
The project engaged 300 volunteers from government agencies and educational institutions to rehabilitate local ecosystems. SPA
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Saudi Arabia: King Abdulaziz Royal Reserve Plants 10,000 Native Trees to Combat Desertification

The project engaged 300 volunteers from government agencies and educational institutions to rehabilitate local ecosystems. SPA
The project engaged 300 volunteers from government agencies and educational institutions to rehabilitate local ecosystems. SPA

The King Abdulaziz Royal Reserve Development Authority, in partnership with the Green Dahna Association, has launched an initiative to plant 10,000 Arta trees in the Al-Dahna sands.

The project engaged 300 volunteers from government agencies and educational institutions to rehabilitate local ecosystems and promote a culture of environmental stewardship.

Chosen for its high adaptability to harsh desert climates and its effectiveness in soil stabilization, the Arta tree serves as a strategic investment in biodiversity and desertification control.

Authority CEO Maher AlGothmi‏ highlighted that this collaboration exemplifies the institutional integration required to meet Saudi Green Initiative and Vision 2030 goals, ensuring the sustainability of natural resources for future generations through research and community engagement.

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Hello Kitty Designer Bows Out After 40 Years in Charge 

A participant dressed as Hello Kitty throws beans during the annual Setsubun ceremony to celebrate the upcoming arrival of spring. (Reuters)
A participant dressed as Hello Kitty throws beans during the annual Setsubun ceremony to celebrate the upcoming arrival of spring. (Reuters)
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Hello Kitty Designer Bows Out After 40 Years in Charge 

A participant dressed as Hello Kitty throws beans during the annual Setsubun ceremony to celebrate the upcoming arrival of spring. (Reuters)
A participant dressed as Hello Kitty throws beans during the annual Setsubun ceremony to celebrate the upcoming arrival of spring. (Reuters)

The flamboyant designer behind Hello Kitty -- the cute Japanese character that became a global mega brand -- is stepping down after more than four decades in charge of her look.

Yuko Yamaguchi has been responsible since 1980 for the design of Kitty, who is officially not a cat but a little girl from London, overseeing her rise to the epitome of Japan's "kawaii" -- cute -- soft power.

But now Yamaguchi, who often wore Kitty-style dresses in public and piled her hair in buns -- has "passed the baton to the next generation", Sanrio, the company behind the character, said on its website Tuesday.

The company said new designer "Aya" -- a pseudonym -- was due to start by the end of 2026.

Yamaguchi "listened to the voices of fans, actively collaborated with artists and designers from Japan and abroad and has grown Hello Kitty into a character loved by everyone", Sanrio said, as it thanked her for her work.

Hello Kitty started life as an illustration on a vinyl coin purse.

It has since appeared on tens of thousands of products -- everything from handbags to rice cookers -- and has secured lucrative tie-ups with Adidas, Balenciaga and other top brands.

The phenomenon shows no sign of slowing, with a Warner Bros movie in the pipeline and a new Hello Kitty theme park due to open next year on China's tropical Hainan island.

Unlike other Japanese cultural exports such as Pokemon or Dragon Ball, there is minimal narrative around the character, whose full name is Kitty White.

She has a twin sister Mimmy, a boyfriend called Dear Daniel, and a pet cat of her own, Sanrio says. She loves her mother's apple pie and dreams of becoming a pianist or poet.

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Storm Aftermath Leaves 2 Dead in France; Flood Alerts to Remain Saturday 

A man walks along a flooded street of Saint-Germain de Confolens as severe flooding hits western France amid storm Nils, Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026. (AP)
A man walks along a flooded street of Saint-Germain de Confolens as severe flooding hits western France amid storm Nils, Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026. (AP)
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Storm Aftermath Leaves 2 Dead in France; Flood Alerts to Remain Saturday 

A man walks along a flooded street of Saint-Germain de Confolens as severe flooding hits western France amid storm Nils, Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026. (AP)
A man walks along a flooded street of Saint-Germain de Confolens as severe flooding hits western France amid storm Nils, Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026. (AP)

The aftermath of a deadly storm continued to disrupt parts of France on Friday, with flooding concerns persisting in the southwest even as wind alerts were lifted, according to weather service Météo-France. 

Government spokesperson Maud Bregeon said on TF1 that France had recorded two deaths linked to Storm Nils: one on Thursday in the Landes department and a second “in the last hours” in Tarn-et-Garonne. 

She said the second victim was a man who was found in his garden. 

Network operator Enedis said the storm left up to 900,000 customers without power at its peak; by Friday morning it had restored service to about half of those affected and mobilized 3,000 personnel, including 2,100 technicians. 

Flood vigilance remained high. Météo-France maintained red flood alerts for Gironde and Lot-et-Garonne — to remain in place Saturday — due to a significant Garonne River flood episode. 

Météo-France said the storm had “uncommon strength” and swept in from France’s western seaboard overnight Wednesday into Thursday and has now moved on tracking east into Europe.