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UAE Inaugurates ‘Qasr Al Watan’ at Presidential Palace

Abu Dhabi’s Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan (R) walks with Dubai Ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, at the presidential palace in the UAE capital Abu Dhabi on July 20, 2018. AFP
Abu Dhabi’s Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan (R) walks with Dubai Ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, at the presidential palace in the UAE capital Abu Dhabi on July 20, 2018. AFP
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UAE Inaugurates ‘Qasr Al Watan’ at Presidential Palace

Abu Dhabi’s Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan (R) walks with Dubai Ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, at the presidential palace in the UAE capital Abu Dhabi on July 20, 2018. AFP
Abu Dhabi’s Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan (R) walks with Dubai Ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, at the presidential palace in the UAE capital Abu Dhabi on July 20, 2018. AFP

The UAE has inaugurated "Qasr Al Watan" within the Presidential Palace compound in Abu Dhabi. The new landmark is aimed at highlighting the humanitarian and cultural role of the country.

The inauguration ceremony was led by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid stressed that the United Arab Emirates' cultural legacy is a precious asset that must be treasured by both present and future generations, and a power source that is driving the leadership's aspirations.

He also said the opening of "Qasr Al Watan" reflects the leadership's dedication to offer the community the opportunity to learn about the important aspects of this heritage in all its humanitarian and creative values that should be revived and maintained for the coming generations.

For his part, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed reaffirmed the leadership's dedication to preserving the nation's cultural and intellectual legacy by instilling a deep sense of national pride that has strengthened the loyalty and belonging of successive generations, and represented a source of inspiration and motivation for further efforts towards the country's aspiration and development.

"Qasr Al Watan" includes several wings, including the "Diplomatic Gifts Pavilion", which, for the first time, publicly displays the special gifts introduced to the UAE, to highlight the friendly relations it has with many countries around the world.

It also features the "Cooperation Spirit Hall", an open theater dedicated to hosting meetings, official summits, and regular sessions of the Federal Supreme Council; and "Al Barza Majlis" inspired by the historical heritage of the UAE. It hosts the social gatherings and discussions of the country's overall issues.

The Palace also houses the "Qasr Al Watan" Library featuring over 50,000 books and resources about the UAE, along with the "Knowledge House" including many exhibits and rare artifacts highlighting the golden era of the Arabic civilization and its contributions in the different fields such as art, literature and science.

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Varieties

Prince William Brings His Son to the Same Homeless Shelter He First Visited with Princess Diana

Britain's Prince William, Prince of Wales and Prince George join Second World War veterans at a tea party in Buckingham Palace, central London, following the military procession to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day, May 5, 2025. (Reuters)
Britain's Prince William, Prince of Wales and Prince George join Second World War veterans at a tea party in Buckingham Palace, central London, following the military procession to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day, May 5, 2025. (Reuters)
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Prince William Brings His Son to the Same Homeless Shelter He First Visited with Princess Diana

Britain's Prince William, Prince of Wales and Prince George join Second World War veterans at a tea party in Buckingham Palace, central London, following the military procession to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day, May 5, 2025. (Reuters)
Britain's Prince William, Prince of Wales and Prince George join Second World War veterans at a tea party in Buckingham Palace, central London, following the military procession to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day, May 5, 2025. (Reuters)

Prince William and his eldest son, Prince George, put on aprons to help make Christmas lunch at a homeless shelter, a charity that the Prince of Wales first visited as a child with his mother, the late Princess Diana.

The royal father and son were seen decorating a Christmas tree and helping with meal preparations in the kitchen at The Passage in central London, in a video posted to William's YouTube account on Saturday.

“Proud to join volunteers and staff at The Passage in preparing Christmas lunch – this year with another pair of helping hands,” read a post on the social media account of William and his wife, Princess Catherine.

William is the royal patron of The Passage, which he first visited when he was 11 with his mother, Diana. The heir to the throne has visited the charity in recent years, but this was the first time George, 12, joined him.

The young royal signed his name in a book on the same page that Diana and William had written their names 32 years ago, in December 1993.

William was shown pouring Brussels sprouts onto an oven tray, while George helped set out Yorkshire puddings and set a long table for dozens of attendees.

William launched his Homewards project in 2023 to tackle homelessness.

Varieties

Japan Footballer 'King Kazu' to Play on at the Age of 58

Japanese footballer Kazuyoshi Miura is set to join a new team at the age of 58. STR / AFP
Japanese footballer Kazuyoshi Miura is set to join a new team at the age of 58. STR / AFP
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Japan Footballer 'King Kazu' to Play on at the Age of 58

Japanese footballer Kazuyoshi Miura is set to join a new team at the age of 58. STR / AFP
Japanese footballer Kazuyoshi Miura is set to join a new team at the age of 58. STR / AFP

Evergreen 58-year-old striker Kazuyoshi Miura is set to join a Japanese third-division team to begin his 41th season as a professional footballer, local media reported Sunday.

Miura, known as "King Kazu", will join Fukushima United on a year-long loan after spending last season with fourth-tier Atletico Suzuka, said AFP.

The signing is not yet official but Miura's recent moves have typically been announced at 11:11am on January 11, in a nod to his shirt number.

The former Japan international will turn 59 in February.

He made seven appearances last season for Suzuka, who were relegated to Japan's regional leagues after finishing second-bottom of the table and losing a playoff.

Miura made his professional debut in 1986 for Brazilian team Santos and he has also played for teams in Italy, Croatia, Australia and Portugal.

He helped put football in Japan on the map when the professional J. League was launched in 1993.

He made his Japan debut in 1990 but was famously left out of the squad for their first World Cup finals appearance in 1998, despite scoring 55 goals in 89 games for the national side.

Varieties

Elysee Palace Silver Steward Arrested for Stealing Thousands of Euros’ Worth of Silverware

General view of the Elysee Palace, the French President's official residence, in Paris, France, February 21, 2024. (Reuters)
General view of the Elysee Palace, the French President's official residence, in Paris, France, February 21, 2024. (Reuters)
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Elysee Palace Silver Steward Arrested for Stealing Thousands of Euros’ Worth of Silverware

General view of the Elysee Palace, the French President's official residence, in Paris, France, February 21, 2024. (Reuters)
General view of the Elysee Palace, the French President's official residence, in Paris, France, February 21, 2024. (Reuters)

Three men will stand trial next year after a silver steward employed at the official residence of the French president was arrested this week for the theft of items of silverware and table service worth thousands of euros, the Paris prosecutor's office said.

The Elysee Palace’s head steward reported the disappearance, with the estimated loss ranging between 15,000 and 40,000 euros ($17,500-$47,000).

The Sevres Manufactory, which supplied most of the furnishings, identified several of the missing items on online auction websites. Questioning of Elysee staff led investigators to suspect one of the silver stewards, whose inventory records gave the impression he was planning future thefts.

Investigators established that the man was in a relationship with the manager of a company specializing in the online sale of objects, notably tableware. Investigators discovered on his Vinted account a plate stamped “French Air Force” and “Sevres Manufactory” ashtrays that are not available to the general public.

Around 100 objects were found in the silver steward’s personal locker, his vehicle and their home. Among the items recovered were copper saucepans, Sevres porcelain, a Rene Lalique statuette and Baccarat coupes.

The two were arrested Tuesday. Investigators also identified a single receiver of the stolen goods. The recovered items were returned to the Elysee Palace.

The three suspects appeared in court Thursday on charges of jointly stealing movable property listed as part of the national heritage — an offense punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a 150,000-euro fine, as well as aggravated handling of stolen goods.

The trial was postponed to Feb. 26. The defendants were placed under judicial supervision, banned from contacting one another, prohibited from appearing at auction venues and barred from their professional activities.