Makkah Police Arrest Five Residents for Violating Hajj Regulations

Worshippers perform Friday prayers at the Grand Mosque in Makkah on April 24, 2026. (SPA)
Worshippers perform Friday prayers at the Grand Mosque in Makkah on April 24, 2026. (SPA)
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Makkah Police Arrest Five Residents for Violating Hajj Regulations

Worshippers perform Friday prayers at the Grand Mosque in Makkah on April 24, 2026. (SPA)
Worshippers perform Friday prayers at the Grand Mosque in Makkah on April 24, 2026. (SPA)

Makkah Region police arrested five Egyptian residents for violating Hajj regulations and instructions by entering and remaining in Makkah without obtaining a Hajj permit, reported the Saudi Press Agency on Monday. They also documented and shared the violation on social media.

The individuals have been detained, and legal action has been taken against them.

The General Directorate of Public Security urged all to comply with the regulations governing the Hajj season and to cooperate with relevant authorities to ensure the safety and security of pilgrims, stressing that violations will result in legal penalties.

It also called for the prompt reporting of violators through the dedicated hotlines.



Bahrain Sentences Five to Life for Plotting Terrorist Acts with Iran

Tuesday's sentences come a day after Bahrain revoked the citizenship of 69 people who "supported hostile Iranian acts". (BNA)
Tuesday's sentences come a day after Bahrain revoked the citizenship of 69 people who "supported hostile Iranian acts". (BNA)
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Bahrain Sentences Five to Life for Plotting Terrorist Acts with Iran

Tuesday's sentences come a day after Bahrain revoked the citizenship of 69 people who "supported hostile Iranian acts". (BNA)
Tuesday's sentences come a day after Bahrain revoked the citizenship of 69 people who "supported hostile Iranian acts". (BNA)

A Bahrain court sentenced five people to life in prison on Tuesday for plotting "terrorist and hostile acts" with Iran, which bombarded the Gulf kingdom during the Middle East war.

Another 25 people were jailed for up to 10 years for sharing images of Iranian attacks and expressing support for them, the public prosecution said.

The High Criminal Court sentenced two Afghans and three Bahrainis to life for colluding with Iran's Revolutionary Guards to monitor and photograph vital facilities.

A fourth Bahraini was acquitted, the public prosecution said, adding that it may appeal the verdict.

"The Public Prosecution affirms that the crime of communicating with hostile foreign entities against the Kingdom of Bahrain is considered one of the most serious crimes affecting national security," the statement said.

The other 25 were jailed for "supporting and endorsing" the attacks and filming and sharing prohibited images, a separate statement said.

Tuesday's sentences come a day after Bahrain revoked the citizenship of 69 people who "supported hostile Iranian acts".


Saudi Arabia Reiterates its Support for Efforts to Achieve Global Peace and Stability

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, chairs the Cabinet meeting in Jeddah. (SPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, chairs the Cabinet meeting in Jeddah. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia Reiterates its Support for Efforts to Achieve Global Peace and Stability

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, chairs the Cabinet meeting in Jeddah. (SPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, chairs the Cabinet meeting in Jeddah. (SPA)

The Saudi government reiterated on Tuesday the Kingdom’s firm stance on regional developments and its continued support for all diplomatic efforts aimed at establishing the foundations of global peace and stability.

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, chaired the Cabinet meeting that was held in Jeddah.

The Crown Prince briefed the Cabinet on the message received by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud from Djibouti’s President Ismail Omar Guelleh covering bilateral relations.

He informed the ministers of his consultations and discussions with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, Swiss President Guy Parmelin, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, Czech PM Andrej Babis and Bangladesh’s PM Tarique Rahman.

The Crown Prince expressed his gratitude to the leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states for their efforts during the GCC Consultative Summit that was held in Jeddah earlier on Tuesday, saying it reflected the Kingdom's commitment to strengthening communication, consultation, and joint action to achieve regional security and stability.

The Cabinet reviewed the latest regional and international developments, particularly those in the region and their security and economic repercussions.

It discussed several reports related to domestic affairs and the various achievements realized under Saudi Vision 2030. The achievements support the development process and establish a more diversified and resilient economic model by increasing the contribution of non-oil sectors, expanding the production and investment base, launching specialized national programs and strategies to utilize resources and wealth, and enhancing the ability to adapt to global changes.

The Cabinet commended the achievements of Vision 2030 across its first and second phases as it nears its objectives in reaching its overarching goals. The percentage of indicators that achieved their annual targets reached 93% of the key performance indicators, driven by structural, economic, financial, and legislative reforms that contributed to empowering sectors, attracting investments, improving the quality of life, and consolidating the Kingdom's global standing and competitiveness.

The Cabinet stressed the importance of redoubling efforts to sustain this impact in the third phase, accelerating the pace of work, and ensuring continued progress and prosperity.

It commended government entities for their remarkable progress in the 2026 Emerging Technologies Adoption Readiness Index, highlighting their continued provision of innovative services that enhanced digital integration, increased productivity, and expedited completion while maintaining leadership in international rankings and indicators.


Saudi Crown Prince Chairs GCC Consultative Summit on Regional Developments

Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, welcomes King of Bahrain Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa in Jeddah on Tuesday ahead of the GCC summit. (SPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, welcomes King of Bahrain Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa in Jeddah on Tuesday ahead of the GCC summit. (SPA)
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Saudi Crown Prince Chairs GCC Consultative Summit on Regional Developments

Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, welcomes King of Bahrain Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa in Jeddah on Tuesday ahead of the GCC summit. (SPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, welcomes King of Bahrain Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa in Jeddah on Tuesday ahead of the GCC summit. (SPA)

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, chaired on Tuesday the extraordinary GCC Consultative Summit in Jeddah, bringing together leaders and heads of delegations of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states. 

The summit addressed regional and international developments and ways to coordinate efforts in this regard. 

The gatherers discussed ongoing diplomatic efforts, starting with the Pakistani mediation between the US and Iran, aimed at containing the regional crisis and paving the way for negotiations that would restore calm and avert more escalation. 

They underlined the importance of unifying Gulf stances and bolstering joint coordination between Gulf countries to support collective security and protect their economies. 

The meeting was attended by Crown Prince of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, King of Bahrain Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan and other Gulf leaders and officials.