KAUST Ranked 1st in Times Higher Education Arab University Rankings 2023

King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) logo
King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) logo
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KAUST Ranked 1st in Times Higher Education Arab University Rankings 2023

King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) logo
King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) logo

Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) ranked first in the Times Higher Education (THE) Arab University Rankings 2023, a move up from KAUST's ranking as second in the previous year.

"KAUST also scored a perfect 100 for research environment, one of only two universities to do so, in the society pillar (measuring industry income, as well as participation and performance in the impact rankings) and the international outlook pillar (measuring the share of international students, staff and co-authorship, as well as research collaboration within the Arab world),” the university said in a statement on Thursday.

"This is a testament to the world-class research environment we have cultivated here at KAUST. Our new strategy is already delivering, with new key deepening strategic partnerships across China, the US, Europe and locally in Saudi Arabia with the giga-projects,” said KAUST President Tony Chan.

Furthermore, the Top500 Committee has ranked the KAUST supercomputer 'Shaheen III' the most powerful in the Middle East and 20th in the world. Chan believes it will take KAUST further up the global rankings.

"We are super powering our research across all disciplines, which is going to significantly address key global and local issues, such as climate and sustainability, renewable energy, AI and future economy and smart health."

Saudi Arabian and UAE universities dominate the top 10 in the Arab University Rankings 2023. The ascension of KAUST and other Saudi universities in the Rankings reflects the Kingdom's unwavering focus and investment in research, development and innovation, the statement said.



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.


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.


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.