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Cambridge University has been given £8 million by a Saudi Arabian prince to establish an Islamic studies centre. Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal, ranked in the top 20 richest men in the world, with a fortune of about £10 billion, has donated the cash to the university to fund a centre in his name for the study of the role of Islam in the Middle East and globally. The gift has been recommended by the university's general board and is expected to be announced in June. advertisement The grandson of King Ibn Saud and nephew of King Abudllah, the prince counts...

PRESIDENTIAL NEWS OF THE DAY: President Bush, the First Lady, the dogs and cat, and their family are spending the New Year's holiday at their Texas ranch. On this New Year's Eve, 2005, although mindful of those who will not continue the journey with us into 2006, it seemed to me we should celebrate happy times. That is the theme of this last Dose thread of 2005. HAPPY NEW YEAR, to all. May your 2006 be healthy, happy and full of love. QUOTE OF THE DAY: From the first Inaugural Address of President George W. Bush, January 20, 2001. Americans...

LONDON -- Prince Charles and his wife Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, will visit hurricane-hit New Orleans on their first official overseas jaunt since marrying in April, the prince's office confirmed Monday. Charles' Clarence House office would not reveal the exact timing or itinerary for the flying visit, although the couple are expected to meet emergency workers and residents in an area ravaged by Hurricane Katrina. The 56-year-old heir to the throne, his wife and a wardrobe full of dresses jet off Tuesday on a tour designed to celebrate trans-Atlantic ties, promote Charles' environmentalist causes -- and test reaction to his...

The crisis engulfing the White House has forced the Prince of Wales to alter his plans to visit hurricane-ravaged New Orleans over the next week. A visit to the city was planned by Clarence House and Downing Street to display the compassionate side of the Duchess of Cornwall. However, the trip has been put on hold by the White House, which is anxious that it may draw attention back to President George Bush's much-criticised response to the Katrina victims. The New Orleans visit has been left off the itinerary and, if it happens at all, will be little more than...