A Bangladeshi expatriate named Nurul Alam from Eidgaon upazila in Cox’s Bazar was killed in a road accident in Saudi Arabia. The incident occurred early Saturday morning, Bangladesh time, while he was traveling toward Makkah. Family sources confirmed that he died at the scene. News of his death has cast a shadow of grief over his family and community in Eidgaon.

Nurul Alam, son of Altaaz Ahmed from Uttar Maizpara area of Eidgaon Union, had been living in Saudi Arabia for many years as the sole breadwinner for his family. He had gone abroad to support his wife, two daughters, and one son. On the day of the accident, his vehicle reportedly lost control, leading to the fatal crash.

His brother, Jane Alam, said that the necessary paperwork and formalities to bring the body home are underway, and the family has sought assistance from relevant authorities. Local representatives, expatriate communities, and social organizations have expressed deep condolences to the bereaved family.

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development has launched a large-scale campaign against companies violating labor laws. As part of the ongoing operation, more than 7,200 work visas have been canceled, and several government services for the offending firms have been temporarily suspended.

According to ministry data, nearly 250,000 inspections were carried out in the private sector during the first three months of 2026, uncovering about 168,000 labor law violations. Through digital monitoring and smart surveillance, authorities analyzed around 91,000 suspicious activities and confirmed 13,509 serious employment-related irregularities. The implicated companies were removed from the “Nitaqat” program, while affected workers were referred to the Human Resources Development Fund “Hadaf” for new legal employment opportunities. Around 230,000 warning notices were issued, and 3,522 recruitment offices were charged with rule violations.

The ministry also intensified online enforcement, shutting down 238 social media accounts promoting illegal domestic work services and conducting over 54,000 preemptive investigations to prevent human trafficking. It reported resolving about 97 percent of 15,563 citizen complaints received during the campaign.

Saudi Arabia has initiated discussions with Iran on a proposed non-aggression agreement aimed at easing tensions in the Middle East, according to a Financial Times report citing foreign diplomats. The talks are part of Riyadh’s broader effort to manage regional instability and prevent escalation. The report noted that Saudi Arabia has not publicly commented on the proposal.

The model under consideration is reportedly inspired by the 1975 Helsinki Accords, which sought to reduce tensions and promote cooperation among rival powers during the Cold War. European countries are said to support the initiative and are encouraging Gulf states to back it as well.

The discussions come at a time when Gulf nations fear that a weakened but more assertive Iran could continue to pose a threat to regional stability. The report also mentioned that Arab states remain concerned about Iran’s missile and drone capabilities and the instability surrounding Israel, Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Turkey, and Egypt are deepening defense and economic cooperation, with Pakistan proposing to include Qatar and Turkey in its defense pact with Riyadh.

Saudi Arabia has introduced a women’s category for the first time in the prestigious King Abdulaziz International Quran Memorization, Recitation, and Interpretation Competition. The 46th edition of the event, held annually at the Grand Mosque in Mecca, will now officially include female participants. King Salman bin Abdulaziz approved the decision following a proposal from the Minister of Islamic Affairs, Sheikh Dr. Abdul Latif bin Abdulaziz, according to the Saudi Press Agency report published on May 10.

The competition, launched in 1979, is regarded as one of the Muslim world’s most respected Quranic events. The Ministry of Islamic Affairs described the inclusion of women as a major milestone in the contest’s history, emphasizing that it opens the international platform equally to both male and female Quran scholars.

The closing ceremony of this year’s competition is scheduled for August 19.

Saudi Aramco Chief Executive Amin Nasser has warned that the global energy market could face a severe crisis if the current disruption in the Strait of Hormuz continues for several more weeks. In an interview with Reuters, Nasser said it might take until next year for the situation to return to normal.

According to Aramco officials, ship traffic through the vital waterway has dropped dramatically—from about 70 vessels per day to only 2 to 5. Nasser stated that if the situation persists, the global market could lose around 100 million barrels of oil each week, potentially causing major instability in energy supply and prices.

Aramco’s Chief Financial Officer Ziad Al-Murshid added that the company holds strong reserves equivalent to about 250 billion barrels and is prepared to meet global energy demand despite the ongoing disruption.

Saudi Aramco’s Chief Executive Officer Amin Nasser stated that the global market has been deprived of nearly one billion barrels of oil over the past two months because of the ongoing war. In a statement to Reuters, he said that although energy supply is gradually returning to normal, it will take time for the entire system to fully recover. Nasser emphasized that the company’s goal remains to maintain energy supply despite existing pressures on the system.

Earlier, Saudi Aramco reported that its net profit for the first quarter of 2026 reached 120.13 billion Saudi riyals, equivalent to about 32.5 billion US dollars. This represents a 25.5 percent increase compared to the same period last year, which the company attributed to higher oil sales.

The company’s statement highlights both the short-term supply challenges caused by the war and the resilience of its financial performance amid global market disruptions.

Saudi Aramco, the state-owned oil producer of Saudi Arabia, reported a net profit of 12.13 trillion riyals ($32.5 billion) for the first three months of 2026. The figure marks a 25.5 percent increase compared to the same period last year, when the company earned 9.57 trillion riyals ($25.4 billion). Aramco’s sales rose from $107.6 billion to $114.9 billion, while its cash flow reached $30.7 billion.

The company attributed this strong performance to higher sales and the full operational capacity of its East-West Crude Oil Pipeline, which runs to the Red Sea and bypasses the Strait of Hormuz. Chief Executive Officer Amin Nasser said the pipeline now transports up to seven million barrels of oil per day and has become a vital supply artery, helping ease disruptions caused by shipping limitations in the Strait of Hormuz.

Nasser added that recent developments have underscored the critical role of oil and gas in global energy security and economic stability, emphasizing the importance of reliable energy supply.

Saudi Arabia has introduced a 24-hour hotline service to assist Hajj and Umrah pilgrims in 11 languages, according to Gulf News. The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah announced that pilgrims can now call 1966 at any time to obtain information, request assistance, or lodge service-related complaints. The initiative aims to ensure that pilgrims receive timely and accurate support during their pilgrimage.

The ministry stated that trained staff will manage calls and complaints through an integrated system supported by advanced call management technology. This setup is designed to provide quick and precise responses to inquiries. Qualified personnel will regularly monitor inquiries and coordinate with relevant agencies to resolve issues efficiently.

The unified contact center operates on a modern technology-based infrastructure that enhances performance, allocates calls according to staff expertise, and ensures effective communication with pilgrims. The ministry emphasized that the system will improve service quality and operational efficiency for Hajj and Umrah pilgrims.

Cristiano Ronaldo reached a major milestone by scoring his 100th goal in the Saudi Pro League as Al Nassr defeated Al Shabab 4–2 on Thursday night. His teammate Joao Felix also shone brightly, completing a hat-trick that secured the crucial win. The victory strengthened Al Nassr’s position at the top of the league table, putting them five points clear of nearest rivals Al Hilal.

After 32 matches, Al Nassr have collected 82 points, while Al Hilal sit second with 77 points from 31 games. The two teams are set to face each other next Tuesday, a match that could decide the title. A win would give Al Nassr 85 points, making it impossible for Al Hilal to catch up even if they win their remaining games.

Ronaldo’s goal came in the 75th minute from a Sadio Mane cross, marking his 971st career goal. The Portuguese star now needs 29 more to reach 1,000 career goals, while this season’s tally stands at 26 in the league.

Saudi Arabia recorded a budget deficit of 125.7 billion riyals (about 33.5 billion dollars) in the first quarter of 2026, marking its largest shortfall since 2018. The deficit nearly doubled compared with the same period last year, according to data from the Saudi Ministry of Finance cited by Bloomberg. The shortfall was attributed to the economic impact of the Hormuz Strait closure and accelerated government spending.

The ministry reported that to mitigate supply risks from the Hormuz disruption, the government advanced infrastructure and food import expenditures. It also invested heavily in expanding Red Sea coastal ports and increased spending on transport and logistics projects to strengthen alternative trade routes.

Analysts noted that amid regional tensions and uncertainty in energy transport, Saudi Arabia prioritized economic security through early preparedness, though this approach has immediately strained the national budget.

Saudi Arabia has called on the United States and Iran to reduce tensions following reciprocal attacks between Tehran and Washington in the Strait of Hormuz. The appeal was made by Raed Krimli, Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Minister for Public Diplomacy, who posted on social media platform X on Friday, expressing support for efforts aimed at dialogue and de-escalation.

Krimli stated that Saudi Arabia is concerned about the ongoing military tensions in the region and emphasized the need to lower hostilities. The call came amid reports that the United Arab Emirates was intercepting missiles launched from Iran, while Iranian media partly blamed Abu Dhabi for the escalation. During the conflict, the UAE has been among the main targets of Iranian attacks.

Despite the clashes, former U.S. President Donald Trump told reporters that a ceasefire agreement remains in effect, according to the report sourced from CNN.

The United States’ planned naval mission ‘Project Freedom,’ aimed at securing shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, faced a major setback when Saudi Arabia and Kuwait refused to allow the use of their airspace and military facilities. As a result, U.S. President Donald Trump was compelled to temporarily suspend the operation. According to NBC News, Saudi Arabia denied access to the Prince Sultan Air Base and prohibited U.S. military flights over its territory.

U.S. officials said Trump’s sudden announcement of the project on Sunday caught Gulf allies off guard. Despite a phone call between Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, no agreement was reached. A Saudi official told NBC News that the situation was changing too quickly for a decision, but Riyadh viewed Pakistan’s mediation between the U.S. and Iran positively. The White House maintained that regional partners had been informed in advance, though a Middle Eastern diplomat claimed coordination occurred only with Oman after Trump’s public statement.

Following the suspension, Iran’s ports and maritime authority declared readiness to assist commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, offering fuel, food, and medical support if needed.

Saudi Arabia has called for calm as tensions between the United States and Iran continue to rise in the Middle East, putting a regional ceasefire at risk. The appeal was made on Tuesday through a statement from the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs posted on social media platform X.

In the statement, Riyadh expressed deep concern over the ongoing military escalation in the region and emphasized the urgent need to de-escalate the situation. The ministry also reaffirmed Saudi Arabia’s support for intensified diplomatic efforts aimed at achieving a political resolution to the conflict.

The statement reflects Saudi Arabia’s position as a regional actor seeking to prevent further instability and promote dialogue amid growing uncertainty surrounding the US-Iran confrontation.

Saudi Arabia is moving closer to Turkey and Pakistan as tensions rise within the Gulf region. The United Arab Emirates has decided to leave OPEC, while Saudi Arabia is shutting down one of its major foreign sports ventures. Both U.S. allies are navigating a complex separation process and facing pressure from Iran. The developments come a year after President Trump’s Gulf visit, which had inspired hopes for a stable, AI-driven, post-oil future in the region.

The UAE’s withdrawal from the Saudi-led oil cartel marks a new fracture in regional alliances, intensified by the Iran war. While UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed initially sought to avoid conflict, he later supported continuing the fight to prevent Iran’s strengthening. In contrast, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman shifted from supporting the war to seeking an exit as economic damage mounted. Qatar, hit by direct attacks, has also struggled to balance ties with the U.S. and Iran.

Washington has chosen not to intervene in the Saudi-UAE split, though senior U.S. officials remain concerned about growing hostility between its key Arab partners.

Saudi Arabia is confronting a severe challenge following the United Arab Emirates’ sudden withdrawal from OPEC, as the ongoing Iran war disrupts crude exports across the Persian Gulf. The conflict has prevented Saudi Arabia and other OPEC members from using their spare production capacity, worsening the supply crisis. Crown Prince and Energy Minister Abdulaziz bin Salman now faces pressure to stabilize the market while managing internal divisions within the oil alliance.

The UAE, previously OPEC’s fourth-largest producer and second in spare capacity after Saudi Arabia, had long expressed dissatisfaction with its production quota. Analysts note that the country’s departure exposes deeper rifts within OPEC, especially as Saudi Arabia’s decision-making has shifted from consensus-driven diplomacy to more unilateral actions. The geopolitical rivalry between Riyadh and Abu Dhabi, intensified by conflicts in Yemen, has further strained cooperation.

Experts suggest that despite the current turmoil, the crisis could eventually strengthen OPEC’s unity and streamline its decision-making process once regional oil flows normalize.