Princess Anne Takes the Staten Island Ferry to Manhattan

This photo, provided by the New York City Department of Transportation shows Britain's Princess Anne, accompanied by the agency's Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez, left, as she rides in the pilothouse of the Staten Island Ferry "Sandy Ground," in New York Harbor, Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022. (New York City Department of Transportation via AP)
This photo, provided by the New York City Department of Transportation shows Britain's Princess Anne, accompanied by the agency's Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez, left, as she rides in the pilothouse of the Staten Island Ferry "Sandy Ground," in New York Harbor, Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022. (New York City Department of Transportation via AP)
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Princess Anne Takes the Staten Island Ferry to Manhattan

This photo, provided by the New York City Department of Transportation shows Britain's Princess Anne, accompanied by the agency's Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez, left, as she rides in the pilothouse of the Staten Island Ferry "Sandy Ground," in New York Harbor, Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022. (New York City Department of Transportation via AP)
This photo, provided by the New York City Department of Transportation shows Britain's Princess Anne, accompanied by the agency's Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez, left, as she rides in the pilothouse of the Staten Island Ferry "Sandy Ground," in New York Harbor, Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022. (New York City Department of Transportation via AP)

Princess Anne took a ride on the Staten Island Ferry during a visit to New York City.

The sister of Britain’s King Charles III was ushered to the ferry’s pilothouse as the Manhattan-bound ship crossed the New York Harbor on Tuesday escorted by police boats. A fireboat greeted the ferry with a water display just before docking, according to silive.com.

The ferry trip came after the princess was given a tour of Staten Island’s National Lighthouse Museum. The visit included an unveiling of a miniature figurine of Needles Lighthouse, in the Isle of Wight, in memory of her parents.

Princess Anne is the only daughter Queen Elizabeth II, who died last month.

The princess attended a luncheon in Manhattan after the ferry trip and praised the lighthouse museum in a speech.

“The lighthouse still has a really important part to play,” she said. “The story that goes with lighthouses and how we got here is just as important, and (the) museum has made an astonishing impact in telling that story.”



KAUST Study: More Large Mammals Roamed Arabian Peninsula than Previously Thought

According to KAUST, the study serves as a key scientific reference supporting the objectives of the Saudi Green Initiative and the Middle East Green Initiative. SPA
According to KAUST, the study serves as a key scientific reference supporting the objectives of the Saudi Green Initiative and the Middle East Green Initiative. SPA
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KAUST Study: More Large Mammals Roamed Arabian Peninsula than Previously Thought

According to KAUST, the study serves as a key scientific reference supporting the objectives of the Saudi Green Initiative and the Middle East Green Initiative. SPA
According to KAUST, the study serves as a key scientific reference supporting the objectives of the Saudi Green Initiative and the Middle East Green Initiative. SPA

A new study by researchers at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), published in the Journal of Biogeography, has identified 15 large mammal species that inhabited the Arabian Peninsula over the past 10,000 years - three times more than previously recognized.
According to KAUST, this study offers the most comprehensive list to date of large mammals from this period and establishes a benchmark for rewilding efforts in the region. It also serves as a key scientific reference supporting the objectives of the Saudi Green Initiative and the Middle East Green Initiative, as well as the programs of the National Center for Wildlife (NCW) and the National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification.
"Restoration is not just about plants, for animals play a key role in vegetation communities. In highlighting which large mammals became extinct, we are providing information that will help governments decide which mammals to reintroduce in the future,” said KAUST senior project manager and contributor to the study Christopher Clarke.
During the study, researchers analyzed thousands of petroglyphs (ancient rock carvings) collected during field expeditions as well as from shared social media content, which gave researchers access to a large collection of petroglyphs unknown to the scientific community.
The study revealed that most of the 15 mammal species come from Africa, including lions and cheetahs, and identified two species never previously recorded in the Arabian Peninsula: the greater kudu and the Somali wild donkey.
This study aligns with national efforts to restore ecological balance, particularly in light of the pioneering initiatives launched by NCW, including the reintroduction programs for the Arabian oryx and the cheetah.