Britain’s Prince William Wants to Help End Homelessness

Prince and Princess of Wales visit the Guildhall Windsor to thank volunteers and staff that worked on the funeral of HM Queen Elizabeth, in Windsor, Britain, September 22, 2022. Ian Vogler/Pool via REUTERS/File photo
Prince and Princess of Wales visit the Guildhall Windsor to thank volunteers and staff that worked on the funeral of HM Queen Elizabeth, in Windsor, Britain, September 22, 2022. Ian Vogler/Pool via REUTERS/File photo
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Britain’s Prince William Wants to Help End Homelessness

Prince and Princess of Wales visit the Guildhall Windsor to thank volunteers and staff that worked on the funeral of HM Queen Elizabeth, in Windsor, Britain, September 22, 2022. Ian Vogler/Pool via REUTERS/File photo
Prince and Princess of Wales visit the Guildhall Windsor to thank volunteers and staff that worked on the funeral of HM Queen Elizabeth, in Windsor, Britain, September 22, 2022. Ian Vogler/Pool via REUTERS/File photo

Britain's Prince William, heir to the throne, has told the Sunday Times he wants to help end homelessness across the country and is planning to launch "a really big project" later this month.

In an interview, the Prince told the newspaper that his and his wife's Royal Foundation would be behind the project.

William, 40, is a long term supporter of charities aimed at ending homelessness, a cause which was close to his mother's heart. As a young boy, Princess Diana took him to a homeless shelter and he is the patron of two charities focused on the issue, Reuters reported.

He said the project would provide "living conditions up and down the country that improve people’s lives who need that first rung of the ladder", according to the newspaper.

The Prince also suggested he would be prepared to build social housing on his land as a trial to see if it worked before scaling it up, according to the newspaper.

"Social housing. You’ll see that when it’s ready. I’m no policy expert, but I push it where I can," he is quoted by the Sunday Times as saying.

William took part in his father King Charles's first official birthday parade earlier on Saturday, riding on horseback to inspect soldiers with other members of the royal family.



Cold Wave Hits Gulf Countries, Temperatures Reach Freezing Point

The strongest cold wave ever recorded in Saudi Arabia lasted for seven consecutive days (SPA)
The strongest cold wave ever recorded in Saudi Arabia lasted for seven consecutive days (SPA)
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Cold Wave Hits Gulf Countries, Temperatures Reach Freezing Point

The strongest cold wave ever recorded in Saudi Arabia lasted for seven consecutive days (SPA)
The strongest cold wave ever recorded in Saudi Arabia lasted for seven consecutive days (SPA)

A cold wave is affecting the Gulf countries, bringing temperatures close to freezing in several areas, with frost expected in some regions.

Hussein Al-Qahtani, spokesperson for the Saudi National Center for Meteorology (NCM) said the winter weather report shows a generally mild season, despite temperatures dropping to as low as minus 3°C in some places.

“We are nearing the end of the first quarter of winter, and cold waves usually come from the north, with the northern regions of Saudi Arabia being the first to feel the impact,” said Al-Qahtani.

“Cities like Al-Qurayyat, Turaif, Sakaka, and the northern border areas are the coldest, followed by the eastern and central regions,” he added.

Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, Al-Qahtani said there are two months of winter remaining, with cold waves expected to bring rain to northern, western, and central Saudi Arabia, ranging from moderate to heavy.

He also mentioned that while there is a chance of snowfall on Mount Al-Lawz in the Tabuk region, it is not very likely. The NCM is closely monitoring the situation and will issue warnings if necessary.

He added that snowfall in neighboring northern countries could affect northern Saudi areas, particularly the Tabuk highlands.

On Thursday, the NCM shared details of the strongest cold wave in Saudi Arabia’s history, which occurred 33 years ago. In January 1992, the Hail station recorded a low of minus 9.3°C, with the cold wave lasting seven days.

Al-Qahtani said a repeat of the 1992 cold wave is unlikely this season. He noted that while temperatures may drop to minus 3°C, this winter is expected to be milder overall, and such low temperatures are not expected to last as long as the seven days in 1992.