As the feline turns 40 she’s more powerful than ever. But how did she become a brand worth $7bn? Michael Fitzpatrick reports. After Japan, Singapore was the first to suffer an outbreak. The infection?

She weighs three apples and stands five apples tall. She enjoys baking cookies and dreams of being a pianist or poet. And now, despite her ageless appearance, she is 50 years old. Friday marks half a ...

Life indeed begins at 40, even for Japanese icon Hello Kitty. And when she reaches that age next year, she's going where no non-robotic cat has gone before. The lovable Sanrio character that has ...