Saudi Arabia Launches Smart Bracelet for this Year’s Hajj

Photo from the launching of the “Smart Bracelet for Pilgrims” project. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Photo from the launching of the “Smart Bracelet for Pilgrims” project. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Saudi Arabia Launches Smart Bracelet for this Year’s Hajj

Photo from the launching of the “Smart Bracelet for Pilgrims” project. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Photo from the launching of the “Smart Bracelet for Pilgrims” project. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Saudi Arabia has launched the “Smart Bracelet for Pilgrims” project, which will provide an advanced technical service for this year’s Hajj season.

Five thousand bracelets will be distributed to pilgrims, who will benefit from main services that include full information about the pilgrim’s health condition, any possible exposure to COVID-19, the percentage of blood oxygen, heart rate, and emergency medical or security assistance.

The service, which was launched by the Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA) and the Doyof al-Rahman Service Program, in partnership with the STC Group, adopts the concept of data and the Internet of things, and features the implementation of integrated stages that seek to develop business models and operational and technical systems, in a qualitative experience to serve the religious pilgrim journey.

The head of SDAIA, Dr. Abdullah Al-Ghamdi, underlined the importance of the new service in providing assistance to the pilgrims and achieving the relevant objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.

He said that the authority “harnesses all its technical capabilities and national competencies to provide the best innovative solutions based on data and IoT technologies to serve pilgrims and those working in the concerned government and private sectors.”

For his part, the program’s executive director, Eng. Bassam bin Ghashian, said that the cooperation was the fruit of the “leadership’s unlimited support for all sectors, with the aim to enhance the experience of the pilgrims, and the services provided on the journey to the Two Holy Mosques and the holy sites.”

The CEO of STC stressed that serving the pilgrims with innovative digital solutions fell within the group’s goals to contribute to enriching their experience with the latest technologies, in accordance with Vision 2030.

He added that the partnership came as a continuation of cooperation with SDAIA and its creative projects to serve the country through high-quality digital services.



GCC Secretary-General Condemns Iranian Attacks on UAE Tankers and Commercial Ships

Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary-General Jasem Albudaiwi
Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary-General Jasem Albudaiwi
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GCC Secretary-General Condemns Iranian Attacks on UAE Tankers and Commercial Ships

Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary-General Jasem Albudaiwi
Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary-General Jasem Albudaiwi

Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi strongly condemned the repeated Iranian attacks on ADNOC tankers belonging to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), as well as commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.

He underscored that such deliberate and brutal attacks constitute an unacceptable escalation and a grave violation of the security and safety of maritime navigation.

The GCC Secretary-General stressed the urgent need for Iran to immediately cease all hostile actions that threaten regional and international security and stability. He also called on the international community to exert pressure on Iran to end these hostilities and uphold the safety and freedom of maritime navigation.

He concluded his statement by reiterating the GCC's full and unwavering solidarity with the UAE, standing by its side and supporting all measures it takes to protect its security, territorial sovereignty, and interests.


Oil Spill Affects 12 km of Oman Coast, Masirah Unaffected

Aerial view of oil spilling from the oil tanker Caroline Bezengi into the water, off Al-Qibliyyah island, Hallaniyat Group Of Islands, Oman, August 13, 2026, in this still image taken from a handout video. (Reuters)
Aerial view of oil spilling from the oil tanker Caroline Bezengi into the water, off Al-Qibliyyah island, Hallaniyat Group Of Islands, Oman, August 13, 2026, in this still image taken from a handout video. (Reuters)
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Oil Spill Affects 12 km of Oman Coast, Masirah Unaffected

Aerial view of oil spilling from the oil tanker Caroline Bezengi into the water, off Al-Qibliyyah island, Hallaniyat Group Of Islands, Oman, August 13, 2026, in this still image taken from a handout video. (Reuters)
Aerial view of oil spilling from the oil tanker Caroline Bezengi into the water, off Al-Qibliyyah island, Hallaniyat Group Of Islands, Oman, August 13, 2026, in this still image taken from a handout video. (Reuters)

Oil pollution is affecting about 12 kilometres (7.46 miles) of coastline near Oman's Ras Madraka, while Masirah Island remains unaffected, state news agency ONA said on Saturday after efforts to tackle a spill from a leaking tanker have made progress.

Oil began reaching Oman's coast on Wednesday after spreading at sea for weeks, Reuters reported.

The Environment Authority said response operations were under way and the offshore slick was moving towards open waters.


ADNOC Vessel Attacked Again in Strait of Hormuz

FILE PHOTO: Vessels near the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from Musandam, Oman, August 10, 2026. REUTERS/Stringer/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Vessels near the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from Musandam, Oman, August 10, 2026. REUTERS/Stringer/File Photo
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ADNOC Vessel Attacked Again in Strait of Hormuz

FILE PHOTO: Vessels near the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from Musandam, Oman, August 10, 2026. REUTERS/Stringer/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Vessels near the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from Musandam, Oman, August 10, 2026. REUTERS/Stringer/File Photo

A tanker owned by Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) was attacked while transiting through the Strait of Hormuz, Emirati state-run WAM news agency said Saturday.

The attack happened Friday evening, and there were no injuries, the agency reported.

This is the third such attack on vessels operated by ADNOC in the critical waterway in the last week.

The UAE has previously accused Iran of the attacks.

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center said that a bulk carrier was struck by an unknown projectile that hit the hull on Friday. It was not immediately clear if it was the ADNOC vessel.

Shipping has been disrupted and the strait has been virtually closed since the Iran war started on Feb, 28.