King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals Tops The Times Global Ranking

Saudi Minister of Energy Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman. SPA file photo
Saudi Minister of Energy Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman. SPA file photo
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King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals Tops The Times Global Ranking

Saudi Minister of Energy Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman. SPA file photo
Saudi Minister of Energy Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman. SPA file photo

King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM) has topped universities in the Middle East and Africa in the Times Higher Education global ranking, becoming the number one institution not only in the Arab world but across the entire Middle East and Africa region.

This achievement surpasses all universities in Saudi Arabia, the Gulf, Türkiye, South Africa, and other countries in the region.

Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman pledged that KFUPM would serve as a model not only for the Arab and Islamic worlds but also globally in terms of education. He emphasized that the university would set an example in both higher education and undergraduate programs, aligning with Saudi Arabia’s aspirations.

He added: “We used to say that our ambition knows no bounds except the sky. Now, seeing these tangible outcomes, we believe our ambition must reach the sky.”

KFUPM is a Saudi public university that was officially established by royal decree on Sept. 23, 1963.



Gold Extends Gains as Trump Tariffs Fuel Safe Haven Flows

Gold bars from the vault of a bank are seen in this illustration picture taken in Zurich November 20, 2014. REUTERS/Arnd Wiegmann/File Photo
Gold bars from the vault of a bank are seen in this illustration picture taken in Zurich November 20, 2014. REUTERS/Arnd Wiegmann/File Photo
TT

Gold Extends Gains as Trump Tariffs Fuel Safe Haven Flows

Gold bars from the vault of a bank are seen in this illustration picture taken in Zurich November 20, 2014. REUTERS/Arnd Wiegmann/File Photo
Gold bars from the vault of a bank are seen in this illustration picture taken in Zurich November 20, 2014. REUTERS/Arnd Wiegmann/File Photo

Gold prices rose for a second straight session on Tuesday, but traded below the recent all-time highs, as uncertainty around US President Donald Trump's tariff plans continued to fuel economic growth concerns and safe haven flows into bullion.

Spot gold gained 0.6% at $2,913.79 an ounce as of 0714 GMT. It hit a record high of $2,942.70 last week.

US gold futures added 0.9% to $2,925.50.

"Trump's disruptive modus operandi, aggressive rhetoric and tariffs - whether actual or threatened - could unravel global trade and intricate supply chains," said Nikos Tzabouras, senior financial writer at trading platform Tradu, Reuters reported.

"With uncertainty surrounding the global economy and the broader geopolitical landscape in the Trump 2.0 era, gold is set to remain a natural beneficiary of risk-off flows and central bank buying."

Since taking office last month, Trump has swiftly redrawn the global trade battlefield with a series of tariffs, while plans are already in motion for sweeping reciprocal tariffs, aimed squarely at any nation that taxes US products.

"Gold continues to benefit from the uncertainty surrounding the US. government's tariff policy. Central bank buying should also continue to provide support, even if there is no new data on this," Commerzbank analysts said in a note.

The market's focus has now shifted to the US Federal Reserve's January meeting minutes due on Wednesday for clues into the central bank's interest rate trajectory.

"Price gains are also supported by growing expectations that the Fed will cut rates in 2025 - a sentiment that gained further traction among traders after last week's disappointing US retail sales figures," Ricardo Evangelista, senior analyst at brokerage firm ActivTrades, said.

Bullion benefits from geopolitical and economic uncertainties, as well as rising price pressures, but higher interest rates diminish the asset's allure.

Spot silver fell 0.9% to $32.50 an ounce. Platinum jumped 0.9% to $985.20 and palladium climbed 1.6% to $978.00.