Saudi Arabia, UK Stress Importance of Ensuring Freedom of Navigation Through Strait of Hormuz

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan during his meeting with his British counterpart, Yvette Cooper in London on Tuesday (SPA)
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan during his meeting with his British counterpart, Yvette Cooper in London on Tuesday (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia, UK Stress Importance of Ensuring Freedom of Navigation Through Strait of Hormuz

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan during his meeting with his British counterpart, Yvette Cooper in London on Tuesday (SPA)
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan during his meeting with his British counterpart, Yvette Cooper in London on Tuesday (SPA)

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah met on Tuesday in London with UK Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs Yvette Cooper.

During the meeting, both sides reviewed bilateral relations and discussed the latest developments in the Middle East and their security and economic implications.

The two ministers also stressed the need to intensify efforts to steer the region toward stability and peace. They underscored the importance of ensuring freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and rejecting its use as a tool of political or economic pressure, which would undermine international order and law and negatively affect global trade flows.

The meeting was attended by Saudi Ambassador to the United Kingdom Prince Abdullah bin Khalid bin Sultan, Director General of the Foreign Minister’s Office Walid Al-Samaeel, and Advisor to the Foreign Minister Mohammed Alyahya.

Prince Faisal also held talks with the UK’s National Security Adviser, Jonathan Powell.

During the meeting, the two sides reviewed areas of cooperation and discussed the latest developments in the region. They also stressed the importance of ensuring freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz and the need to strengthen efforts to maintain the region’s security and stability.



Saudi Royal Order Promotes and Appoints 34 Board of Grievances Judges

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chairs a cabinet meeting in Jeddah. (SPA file)
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chairs a cabinet meeting in Jeddah. (SPA file)
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Saudi Royal Order Promotes and Appoints 34 Board of Grievances Judges

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chairs a cabinet meeting in Jeddah. (SPA file)
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chairs a cabinet meeting in Jeddah. (SPA file)

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud issued on Friday a royal order promoting and appointing 34 judges at the Board of Grievances.

President of the Board of Grievances and Chairman of the Administrative Judiciary Council Dr. Ali bin Ahmed Al-Ohaydib said the administrative judiciary enjoys the support of King Salman and the attention and follow-up of Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister.

This is reflected in the royal order, which supports the Board of Grievances, motivates its judges and personnel, and advances the administrative judiciary, he added.


Saudi-Malaysian Security Cooperation Foils Smuggling of 505.6 Kilograms of Ketamine

An image showing a portion of the seized quantity of ketamine (Saudi Ministry of Interior)
An image showing a portion of the seized quantity of ketamine (Saudi Ministry of Interior)
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Saudi-Malaysian Security Cooperation Foils Smuggling of 505.6 Kilograms of Ketamine

An image showing a portion of the seized quantity of ketamine (Saudi Ministry of Interior)
An image showing a portion of the seized quantity of ketamine (Saudi Ministry of Interior)

Saudi Ministry of Interior security spokesperson Brigadier General Talal bin Shalhoub stated that intelligence provided by the General Directorate of Narcotics Control to Malaysian authorities enabled the Royal Malaysian Customs Department Anti-Narcotics Unit to thwart an attempt to smuggle 505.6 kilograms of ketamine.

Bin Shalhoub praised the ongoing operational coordination between the two nations in intercepting illicit drugs, emphasizing that this joint success reflects tight security integration to counter transnational organized crime networks, SPA reported on Friday.

He affirmed that Saudi Arabia remains vigilant in tracking and dismantling criminal syndicates that target national security and youth with narcotics, continuing coordinated global efforts to protect societies from the illicit drug trade, SPA added.


UAE President Pardons Abdul Rahman Yusuf Al-Qaradawi

UAE flag / File Photo- Reuters
UAE flag / File Photo- Reuters
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UAE President Pardons Abdul Rahman Yusuf Al-Qaradawi

UAE flag / File Photo- Reuters
UAE flag / File Photo- Reuters

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan issued a pardon on Friday for Abdul Rahman Yusuf Al-Qaradawi, who was convicted by the Abu Dhabi Federal Court of Appeal on 27th August 2026 of the offences with which he was charged and sentenced to ten years' imprisonment and a fine of AED200,000.

The ruling was first issued on August 27, 2026, after finding Al-Qaradawi guilty of the charges against him.

According to Friday's announcement, the necessary procedures have been taken to implement the presidential pardon.