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Saudi Interior Ministry Announces Fine of up to SAR20,000 for Anyone Performing Hajj without Permit

Muslim pilgrims offer evening prayers around the Kaaba, in the holy city of Makkah during the annual Hajj pilgrimage, Saudi Arabia, Sunday, May 24, 2026. (AP)
Muslim pilgrims offer evening prayers around the Kaaba, in the holy city of Makkah during the annual Hajj pilgrimage, Saudi Arabia, Sunday, May 24, 2026. (AP)
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Saudi Interior Ministry Announces Fine of up to SAR20,000 for Anyone Performing Hajj without Permit

Muslim pilgrims offer evening prayers around the Kaaba, in the holy city of Makkah during the annual Hajj pilgrimage, Saudi Arabia, Sunday, May 24, 2026. (AP)
Muslim pilgrims offer evening prayers around the Kaaba, in the holy city of Makkah during the annual Hajj pilgrimage, Saudi Arabia, Sunday, May 24, 2026. (AP)

The Saudi Ministry of Interior announced on Monday that a fine of up to SAR20,000 will be imposed on anyone found performing or attempting to perform Hajj without a permit.

Residents and visa overstayers attempting to perform Hajj illegally will also be deported to their home countries and barred from re-entering Saudi Arabia for 10 years.

The ministry urged everyone to comply with the regulations governing this year’s Hajj and to cooperate with the relevant authorities to ensure the safety and security of pilgrims, noting that violations will subject offenders to legal penalties.

Hajj Security Forces have arrested 22 expatriates of Uzbek and Tajik nationalities for violating Hajj regulations and instructions by attempting to enter and remain in Makkah without obtaining Hajj permits. They were detained, and legal procedures were taken against them. 

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Gulf

UAE: Oil Spill from Tanker Affects Beaches in Umm Al Quwain

An image published by the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment of one of the country's beaches. (UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment)
An image published by the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment of one of the country's beaches. (UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment)
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UAE: Oil Spill from Tanker Affects Beaches in Umm Al Quwain

An image published by the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment of one of the country's beaches. (UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment)
An image published by the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment of one of the country's beaches. (UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment)

The UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment said on Friday that its monitoring and environmental assessment systems had detected marine pollution caused by an oil leak from a tanker.

The spill had affected beaches in the emirate of Umm Al Quwain, the ministry said.

It said in a statement that the leak had caused odors reported by residents of Sharjah, Ajman and Umm Al Quwain, adding that it posed no health concerns or risks to residents.

All beaches and coastal areas in Umm Al Quwain had been temporarily closed as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of the marine environment while survey operations were completed, added the ministry.

Specialist teams had begun coordinating with the relevant authorities to contain the pollution, cordon off affected areas and launch cleanup and remediation operations to limit its environmental impact, the statement added.

Gulf

European Parliament Resolution Condemns Houthi Attacks, Urges EU Terrorist Listing

A supporter of Yemen's Houthis carries his rifle during a rally in support of the group in Sanaa, Yemen, Friday, Oct. 9, 2026. (AP)
A supporter of Yemen's Houthis carries his rifle during a rally in support of the group in Sanaa, Yemen, Friday, Oct. 9, 2026. (AP)
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European Parliament Resolution Condemns Houthi Attacks, Urges EU Terrorist Listing

A supporter of Yemen's Houthis carries his rifle during a rally in support of the group in Sanaa, Yemen, Friday, Oct. 9, 2026. (AP)
A supporter of Yemen's Houthis carries his rifle during a rally in support of the group in Sanaa, Yemen, Friday, Oct. 9, 2026. (AP)

Members of the European Parliament have expressed solidarity with Saudi Arabia and support for Yemen's legitimate government, reaffirming their commitment to the security, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of both countries.

The position was set out in a resolution adopted on Thursday that strongly condemned Houthi missile and drone attacks on Saudi Arabia, as well as the military escalation inside Yemen.

The members described the attacks as flagrant violations of international law and international humanitarian law. The resolution highlighted that the attacks have killed and displaced large numbers of Yemeni civilians and exacerbated the country's humanitarian crisis.

The resolution called on the Council of the European Union to designate the Houthi group, including its political and military wings, leadership, and military and security apparatus, as a terrorist organization under the EU list of terrorist organizations.

It also called for dismantling the group's funding channels and freezing its funds, economic resources, and the assets of entities facilitating its activities.

The members of Parliament urged the Houthis to immediately cease all hostilities inside and outside Yemen and abandon any ambitions to seize territory.

The resolution also strongly condemned Houthi attacks targeting Saudi Arabia's energy infrastructure and commercial vessels in the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandeb Strait.

The resolution further called for strengthening security and defense cooperation between the EU and its Gulf partners.

Gulf

Saudi FM Discusses Regional Developments with Counterparts from Cyprus, Germany, Palestine, Iraq

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah. (AFP)
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah. (AFP)
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Saudi FM Discusses Regional Developments with Counterparts from Cyprus, Germany, Palestine, Iraq

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah. (AFP)
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah. (AFP)

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah received on Thursday separate phone calls from his Cypriot counterpart Constantinos Kombos and German counterpart Johann Wadephul.

They discussed the latest regional developments and diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions and ensure safe and free navigation through the Strait of Hormuz and Bab al-Mandeb Strait with the aim of bolstering regional security and stability.

Prince Faisal also received a phone call from Vice President of the State of Palestine Hussein Al Sheikh, with whom he discussed the latest regional developments. 

Al Sheikh expressed Palestine's full condemnation of any aggression targeting the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's security and stability, and its support for all measures the Kingdom takes to safeguard its security and territorial integrity. 

They also discussed the situation in the Palestinian territories and efforts to secure the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, including an independent state with East Jerusalem as its capital. 

Prince Faisal also received a phone call from Vice President of the State of Palestine Hussein Al Sheikh, with whom he discussed the latest regional developments. 

Al Sheikh expressed Palestine's full condemnation of any aggression targeting the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's security and stability, and its support for all measures the Kingdom takes to safeguard its security and territorial integrity. 

They also discussed the situation in the Palestinian territories and efforts to secure the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, including an independent state with East Jerusalem as its capital. 

Prince Faisal earlier received a phone call from Iraqi FM Fuad Hussein for talks on relations between their countries and ways to strengthen cooperation in various fields, particularly security, to help address current regional challenges. 

The two ministers also addressed recent terrorist attacks that struck areas in Saudi Arabia.  

Hussein expressed the Iraqi government's condemnation of these attacks and its rejection of any harm to civilians and civilian facilities. He underlined Iraq's strong stance against using its territory for any attacks or actions that threaten the security of the Kingdom and countries in the region. 

Prince Faisal underscored Saudi Arabia's support for the Iraqi government's efforts to reduce tensions and continue working jointly with neighboring countries to help strengthen security and stability in the region.