Latest from Leaders
Leaders
9 hours ago
- Leaders
Saudi Arabia Provides GCC Residents with Year-Round Umrah Access
Citizens of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries can now perform Umrah at any time of the year, according to Gulf News. Saudi Arabia announced that peoples of GCC countries are permitted to perform Umrah and can enter the Kingdom through all land, air, and sea ports. The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah noted that pilgrims can obtain Umrah permits from the official Nusuk application. Moreover, residents of GCC countries, not just citizens, can also perform Umrah using multiple types of visas. These visas include the following: Umrah visas available via Transit visas issued in partnership with Saudi Airlines and Flynas ( and Tourist visas that residents can get from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' official portal ( Crucially, all pilgrims should obtain a prior permit through the Nusuk app for Umrah and prayer in the Rawdah Al Sharifah in order to access the holy sites. Related Topics: Saudi Arabia Launches New Umrah Season for 1447 Hijri Year Madinah to Host Second Umrah and Ziyarah Forum Tomorrow Saudi Arabia Sets April 13 as Final Umrah Entry Date Short link : Post Views: 7 Related Stories
Leaders
9 hours ago
- Politics
- Leaders
US, Pakistan Discuss ‘Durable Peace' between Israel, Iran
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio explored the ways of ensuring 'a durable peace between Israel and Iran,' with Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif during a call on Thursday, according to Al Arabiya. 'The two leaders acknowledged the importance of working together to promote a durable peace between Israel and Iran,' the US State Department said in a statement. During the call, Rubio stressed that Iran can never develop or acquire a nuclear weapon. Earlier this week, US President Donald Trump unveiled a ceasefire between Israel and Iran to put an end to a war that began on June 13 when Israel attacked Iran. Trump also held a meeting last week with Pakistan's Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir at the White House to discuss the latest tensions between Israel and Iran. Since Tehran does not have diplomatic relations with the US, a section of Pakistan's embassy in Washington represents Iran's interests in the US. Escalating Tensions On June 13, Israel launched a wave of airstrikes on Iran under the name of Operation Rising Lion. The military campaign targeted Iran's nuclear facilities and killed top military commanders and nuclear scientists. As a response, Iran launched a retaliatory wave of missiles against Israel and targeted Tel Aviv. Israel also killed several Iranian nuclear scientists in line with its goal to eliminate Iran's nuclear program. US Achieved No Gains In his first public statement since the announcement of the ceasefire, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei declared victory over Israel that targeted Iran's nuclear facilities on June 13, according to The Associated Press. The Supreme Leader also stated that Iran has 'delivered a hand slap to America's face' on Thursday by attacking the US base in Qatar. He revealed that the US intervention in the war was basically driven by its feeling 'that if it did not intervene, the Zionist regime would be utterly destroyed.' However, the US had not achieved any gains from this war, he added. Related Topics: Erdogan Urges Permanent Iran-Israel Ceasefire, Calls for Gaza Truce US-Iran Talks to Take Place Next Week: Trump Israel Accuses Iran of Ceasefire Breach, Tehran Denies Short link : Post Views: 6
Leaders
11 hours ago
- Politics
- Leaders
Iran's Guardian Council Approves Cooperation's Suspension with UN Nuclear Watchdog
The Iranian Guardian Council approved on Thursday a law suspending Tehran's cooperation with the UN nuclear watchdog, according to Arab News. Cutting Relations The legislation, which halts Iranian ties with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), is currently waiting for the final ratification of President Masoud Pezeshkian. This move would 'ensure full respect for the national sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Islamic Republic of Iran … especially with regard to uranium enrichment,' spokesman Hadi Tahan Nazif said. Moreover, the suspension would prevent UN inspectors from having any access to Iran's uranium enrichment operations at Fordow, Isfahan and Natanz. 'Today, after the Constitutional Council's approval, the law suspending cooperation with the IAEA was handed over to the administration,' Iran's parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said in a post on social media platform X. Series of Escalations This legislative move comes as a response to a series of escalations that began on June 13, when Israel launched a wave of airstrikes on Iran under the name of Operation Rising Lion. The military campaign targeted Iran's nuclear facilities and killed top military commanders and nuclear scientists. Consequently, the US launched airstrikes on Saturday targeting Iran's nuclear facilities in Natanz, Fordow, and Isfahan. 'The United States showed that they have no respect to United Nations Charter. They have no respect to international law. They crossed a very big red line by attacking nuclear facilities,' Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said. In response, Iran also launched a missile attack on an American air base in Qatar on June 23 without causing any causalities. US President Donald Trump described the attack as a 'weak response' to the US attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities. Related Topics: US Strikes May Have Only Delayed Iran's Nuclear Program: Report What They Said After the US Struck Iran's Nuclear Facilities European Powers to Hold Nuclear Talks with Tehran in Geneva Short link : Post Views: 15
Leaders
11 hours ago
- Leaders
Riyadh Metro Opens New Orange Line Station
Saudi Public Transport Authority in Riyadh unveiled on Thursday the launch of a new station on the city's Orange Line, Hassan bin Thabet Street Station, according to Gulf News. Hassan bin Thabet Street Station The new station will further expand the Kingdom's urban transit network and accelerate the modernization of Riyadh's public transportation. Hassan bin Thabet Street Station will also foster the overall connectivity across the city for both visitors and residents. Orange Line The Orange Line on January 5, the Royal Commission for Riyadh City (RCRC) announced the official beginning of operations at the Riyadh Metro's Orange Line (Al Madinah Al Munawwarah Axis). The announcement marked the completion of all six lines of the Riyadh Metro Network which features 85 stations including four key stations. Spanning from Jeddah Road to the Second Eastern Ring Road, the Orange Line extends from east to west with a total length of 41 kilometers. Therefore, passengers can access the following stations through this line: Jeddah Road Tuwaiq Al Dawh Harun Al Rashid Road An Naseem (an interchange station that links the Orange and Purple lines) Hassan bin Thabet Street Riyadh Metro The Orange Line The project represents a significant milestone in the Kingdom's public transportation system bringing new horizons of innovation, comfort, as well as sustainability. In the light of this, the Riyadh Metro serves as the cornerstone in Saudi Arabia's pursuit to build an advanced urban future characterized by connectivity and innovation. Interestingly, the designs perfectly align with sustainability standards with a special focus on the proper use of environmentally friendly materials. Therefore, it stands as a testament to the project's vision towards elevating the urban environment. The Orange Line Crucially, passengers may identify destinations and purchase tickets through the 'Darb' mobile application and ticket offices as well as self-service machines at the stations. To get further information, people can contact the unified public transport Call Center at 19933 or visit the Riyadh Metro website ( or social media accounts as well. Related Topics: Eid Al-Adha 2025: Your Guide to Riyadh Metro Operating Hours Riyadh Metro, Public Transport Buses Extend Hours during Ramadan Riyadh Metro Expands with Iconic Qasr Al-Hokm Station Opening Short link : Post Views: 52
Leaders
11 hours ago
- Sport
- Leaders
FIFA 2025 Club World Cup: Round of 16 Schedule, Live Results & Scorers
Check Leaders-Mena magazine's coverage of the FIFA 2025 Club World Cup round of 16 matches (28 June – 2 July) Saturday 28 June 2025 19:00 Palmeiras (Brazil) vs. Botafogo (Brazil) 23:00 Benfica (Portugal) vs. Chelsea (England) Sunday 29 June 2025 19:00 PSG (France) vs. Inter Miami (USA) 23:00 Flamengo (Brazil) vs. Bayern Munich (Germany) Monday 30 June 2025 22:00 Inter Milan (Italy) vs. Fluminense (Brazil) Tuesday 1 July 2025 04:00 Manchester City (England) vs. Al-Hilal (Saudi Arabia) 22:00 Real Madrid (Spain) vs. Juventus (Italy) Wednesday 2 July 2025 04:00 Borussia Dortmund (Germany) vs. Monterrey (Mexico) All times are KSA time (GMT+3) Short link : Post Views: 30 Related Stories
