Iran’s Paris-based opposition head says time for Khamenei to go, after US hits nuclear sites
Updated 22 June 2025
PARIS: Maryam Rajavi, head of the Paris-based opposition National Council of Resistance of Iran said on Sunday that Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was responsible for the nuclear program that had now “gone up in smoke” and needed to go.
“Now Khamenei must go. The Iranian people welcome the end of the war and seek peace and freedom,” she said in a statement, following unprecedented US strikes that President Donald Trump said had “obliterated” its key nuclear facilities.
“Khamenei is responsible for an unpatriotic project that, in addition to costing countless lives, has cost the Iranian people at least $2 trillion— and now, it has all gone up in smoke.”
With regular flights to more than 90 countries from its global hub at Doha’s Hamad International Airport, Qatar Airways’ AlUla service connects northwest Arabia with potential visitors from every continent
Updated 6 min 33 sec ago
SPA
ALULA: AlUla is gearing up for a busy winter season, with an expanded network of international flights providing easier access to the oasis in northwest Arabia through services to major regional destinations and links via global hubs.
From Oct. 26 to March 28, AlUla International Airport will welcome 27 flights per week, including three weekly connections via Doha operated by Qatar Airways, and the reintroduction of Royal Jordanian’s twice-weekly service between AlUla and Amman.
With regular flights to more than 90 countries from its global hub at Doha’s Hamad International Airport, Qatar Airways’ AlUla service connects northwest Arabia with potential visitors from every continent.
The AlUla-Amman connection helps to strengthen cultural ties between Jordan’s Petra and AlUla’s Hegra, which is Saudi Arabia's first UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The seasonal increase in flights ensures that visitors from across the region and beyond can easily reach AlUla’s natural landscapes, luxury hospitality, rich heritage, and diverse events and experiences during the cooler months — one of the best times to explore the unique destination.
The first, a hur farkh (juvenile falcon), opened bidding at SR70,000 and was sold for SR128,000
Updated 6 min 38 sec ago
SPA
RIYADH: The most expensive Mongolian falcon to date was sold Monday at the International Saudi Falcons and Hunting Exhibition 2025 for SR650,000 ($173,276) following intense bidding.
The auction of Mongolian falcons continued as part of the exhibition, where two falcons were sold for a total of SR778,000.
The first, a hur farkh (juvenile falcon), opened bidding at SR70,000 and was sold for SR128,000. The second, a hur qarnas (mature falcon) started at SR100,000 and was sold for SR650,000, making it the most expensive Mongolian falcon ever sold.
For the first time in its history, the International Saudi Falcons and Hunting Exhibition dedicated a special zone to Mongolian falcons, which hold a distinguished status among falconers in the Kingdom and the region for their exceptional quality.
The zone showcases elite falcon breeds from Mongolia in East Asia, particularly the Mongolian hur falcon, known for its large size, long wingspan, and strong endurance.
Its colors range from white to dark brown, and these traits give the Mongolian falcon an advantage in falconry, thanks to its resilience to harsh conditions and quick responsiveness to training, making it one of the most sought-after species among both amateurs and professionals.
The workshop addressed generative artificial intelligence capable of producing texts in multiple forms and its evolution into so-called “AI agents” that can think, analyze, and make decisions
Updated 7 min 10 sec ago
SPA
RIYADH: Artificial intelligence and its growing impact on creative writing were at the forefront of discussion during a workshop titled “Technology: Your Gateway to the World of Writing” at the Riyadh International Book Fair, organized by the Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission at Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University.
The session began with a discussion of prominent authors who left a distinctive mark on literature through their mastery of language and imagination to build meaning and enrich the creative experience.
Two main types of writing were outlined: functional writing, which follows formal templates, and creative writing, which offers wider room for self-expression through imagery, description, and imagination, emphasizing that creativity requires a combination of talent, technique, and linguistic awareness.
The workshop addressed generative artificial intelligence capable of producing texts in multiple forms and its evolution into so-called “AI agents” that can think, analyze, and make decisions, representing an advanced stage of interaction between humans and technology.
The session concluded with practical demonstrations of digital editing tools, highlighting that technology has become an active element in developing writers’ skills, expanding their creative horizons, and enabling them to reach a global audience across modern writing platforms.
Where We Are Going Today: Al-Kofeia — Palestinian cuisine in Riyadh
The waiter recommended I try the Jordanian mansaf, maqluba, or the grape leaves with moza — the most popular items on the menu
Updated 9 min 40 sec ago
Haifa Alshammari
If you plan to dine at Al-Kofeia, be sure to take the bus or Uber — finding a parking space at this restaurant can be challenging, especially on weekends or during busy periods.
Located in the heart of Al-Tahlia Street, the restaurant serves mainly Palestinian cuisine, as well as a few other Middle Eastern dishes, including Jordanian mansaf and Saudi kabsa.
When I entered, I immediately noticed the decor. Although the Palestinian identity is clearly evident, the interior seems a bit cluttered, with random pieces of art, quotes, and signs.
Although the Palestinian identity is clearly evident at this location through the decorations hanging from the ceiling, for example, the interior seems forced and cluttered with random pieces, such as paintings, quotes, and signs. (AN photo by Haifa Alshammari)
The waiter recommended I try the Jordanian mansaf, maqluba, or the grape leaves with moza — the most popular items on the menu.
It was my first taste of mansaf, and I had to take a sip of water with almost every mouthful. The spices were perfectly measured, but the dish was salty, mushy overall, and lacked texture.
The grape leaves, however, were delicious and well-cooked.
Considering the presentation and range of ingredients, many of the items on the menu were quite expensive. For example, the mansaf cost SR76 ($20), much higher than usual rates.
A pleasant surprise was the availability of a prayer room and a breastfeeding room for women, which shows consideration for customers. Al-Kofeia clearly welcomes all family members.
Thousands missing, tormented families look for clues
Thousands in Gaza are looking for relatives who are missing. Some are buried under destroyed buildings. Others, like Al-Najjar’s son, simply disappeared during Israeli military operations
Updated 11 min 15 sec ago
AP
GAZA CITY: When Israeli bombs began falling, Mohammad Al-Najjar, his wife and six children fled their house in southern Gaza in the dead of night, dispersing in terror alongside hundreds of others from their neighborhood.
When the dust settled and Al-Najjar huddled with his family in a shelter miles away, his son Ahmad, 23, was missing. After daybreak, the family searched nearby hospitals and asked neighbors if they had seen him.
There was no trace. Nearly two years later, they are still looking.
Thousands in Gaza are looking for relatives who are missing. Some are buried under destroyed buildings. Others, like Al-Najjar’s son, simply disappeared during Israeli military operations.
The Israeli military has taken an unknown number of bodies, saying it is searching for Israeli hostages or Palestinians it identifies as militants. It has returned several hundred corpses with no identification to Gaza, where they were buried in mass graves.
