Saudi Arabia has announced strict health regulations for Hajj pilgrims ahead of the main rituals of the pilgrimage. The Ministry of Health stated that individuals suffering from serious physical or mental illnesses will not be granted Hajj permits this year. The directive, reported by Gulf News citing the Saudi Public Health Authority, aims to ensure the safety of pilgrims who might struggle with the physically demanding rituals. The ministry has also made several vaccinations mandatory for all participants.

According to the Saudi authorities, people with kidney complications requiring dialysis, heart failure, liver cirrhosis, severe mental disorders including dementia, extreme age-related weakness, and women in the last trimester of pregnancy are ineligible for Hajj permits. All pilgrims must receive a meningitis vaccine at least ten days before the pilgrimage. Those at higher risk, such as the elderly, patients with chronic diseases, and pregnant women, are advised to take COVID-19 and seasonal influenza vaccines.

The ministry emphasized that these measures are part of Saudi Arabia’s annual effort to prevent global health risks and ensure the safety of millions gathering in Mecca.

Cristiano Ronaldo has acknowledged that his football career is approaching its end. The 41-year-old Portuguese forward, currently playing for Al Nassr, made the admission after a recent victory over Al Ahli in which he scored his 970th career goal. Despite maintaining strong form, Ronaldo said he realizes the end of his playing days is not far away, though he continues to enjoy every match.

Since joining the Saudi Pro League in 2023, Ronaldo has yet to win a league title. This season, however, Al Nassr lead the table by eight points over Al Hilal, giving him a strong chance to secure that long-awaited trophy. He emphasized that team success now matters more to him than personal achievements, stating that winning titles is his top priority.

Fans are speculating whether the 2026 World Cup will mark Ronaldo’s final appearance on the global stage. While he has not confirmed his retirement timeline, he remains determined to finish his career on a winning note.

Al Nassr strengthened their position in the Saudi Pro League title race with a 2-0 home victory over Al Ahli on April 30, 2026. The Riyadh-based club maintained their winning streak, marking their 20th consecutive win in all competitions. Captain Cristiano Ronaldo opened the scoring in the 75th minute with a header from a corner, breaking a long deadlock. Kingsley Coman sealed the result in the 90th minute after capitalizing on a defensive error.

Ronaldo’s goal was his 25th of the current league season, making him the first player to score 25 or more goals in three consecutive league campaigns for the second time in his career. The Portuguese forward now has 970 career goals across all competitions, including 126 for Al Nassr. Despite his milestone, he remains two goals behind Ivan Toney in the league’s top scorer chart.

With 79 points from 30 matches, Al Nassr lead the table ahead of Al Hilal on 71 points and Al Ahli on 66. The win further solidifies Al Nassr’s title ambitions as Ronaldo’s consistent form continues to drive their campaign.

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development has announced that workers in the country will be entitled to up to 15 days of paid leave to perform Hajj. The ministry stated that this leave, which includes the Eid al-Adha holidays, is part of the Saudi labor law and aims to strengthen workers’ rights. Employees must have worked continuously for at least two years in the same organization to qualify for the benefit.

According to the ministry, the special leave can only be taken once during an employee’s entire career and is available only to those who have not previously performed Hajj. Employers will determine how many workers can take the leave each year, based on the nature and operational needs of their organizations, to ensure that business activities are not disrupted.

The ministry emphasized that the initiative will make it easier for Muslim employees in Saudi Arabia to fulfill their religious obligations while reinforcing labor protections across the workforce.

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan met with French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot in Riyadh, according to a statement from the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs released on Thursday. The meeting focused on reviewing bilateral relations and exploring ways to strengthen cooperation between the two countries. Both ministers also discussed recent regional and international developments and their implications for security and stability. Prince Yazid bin Farhan, the Saudi foreign minister’s adviser on Lebanese affairs, was also present.

The French minister’s visit took place amid a deadlock in efforts to resolve tensions between the United States and Iran, which have affected Lebanon and other parts of the Middle East. Saudi Arabia and France have been jointly pursuing diplomatic initiatives to address Lebanon’s instability. The meeting comes as cross-border attacks between Hezbollah and Israel continue despite a ceasefire in Lebanon.

The discussions in Riyadh are expected to contribute to ongoing diplomatic coordination between Saudi Arabia and France on regional security matters, particularly concerning Lebanon and broader Middle Eastern stability.

French energy company TotalEnergies has announced the restart of operations at the SATORP oil refinery in Saudi Arabia. The facility had been shut down as a precaution after sustaining damage during an Iranian attack on April 8. According to the company, operations resumed on April 14, and the refinery is now running at a capacity of 230,000 barrels per day.

TotalEnergies stated that three units of the refinery were damaged in the incident, prompting a full shutdown for safety reasons. The unaffected units have since been brought back online. The refinery is jointly owned by Saudi Aramco, holding 62.5 percent, and TotalEnergies, with 37.5 percent.

The attack occurred amid ongoing regional tensions in the Middle East, targeting one of the area’s key energy installations. The resumption of operations marks a significant step toward restoring stability in Saudi Arabia’s oil production network.

Leaders of Gulf countries met in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on Tuesday to discuss the regional crisis caused by the ongoing US-Israel war against Iran, according to AFP. The meeting, hosted by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, marked the first in-person gathering of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) members since the conflict began following US and Israeli attacks on Iran on February 28. The talks focused on the political and security situation and the need for coordinated action to manage the escalating tensions.

The meeting took place as the White House reviewed Iran’s latest ceasefire proposal and discussions emerged about reopening the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route that previously carried about 20 percent of the world’s crude oil and LNG shipments but has been largely closed since the war began. Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani said the summit underscored Gulf unity and the need for closer coordination.

A GCC statement strongly condemned Iran’s “blatant attacks” on Gulf states, saying the assaults severely damaged mutual trust and urging Tehran to take concrete steps to rebuild relations.

Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) leaders convened an emergency in-person summit in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on Tuesday to address the escalating Iran crisis. This marks the first such gathering since the Iran-Israel war began on February 28. A GCC official told Reuters that the meeting aims to develop a coordinated response to Iran’s recent missile and drone attacks, which have targeted key infrastructure, including U.S.-linked facilities and military bases across the six member states.

Although a ceasefire between the United States and Iran took effect on April 8, attacks have decreased but discussions have yet to yield a final resolution. The ongoing uncertainty has heightened anxiety among Gulf monarchies. Saudi state media reported that Qatar’s Emir, Kuwait’s Crown Prince, Bahrain’s King, and the UAE’s Foreign Minister have arrived in Jeddah, while Oman’s representation remains unclear.

UAE senior official Anwar Gargash criticized the GCC’s current stance, saying that while member states cooperate on logistics, their political and military positions are at their weakest in history, a situation he did not expect from the GCC.

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Interior has issued a strict warning against transporting visit visa holders to Mecca during the Hajj season. The ministry announced that anyone found violating this rule could face a fine of up to 100,000 Saudi riyals. The restriction, which began on April 20 (1 Dhul-Qadah), will remain in effect until May 30 (14 Dhul-Hijjah). During this period, individuals holding visit visas are completely prohibited from entering or being transported into the holy city.

Authorities stated that violators will not only face financial penalties but also risk having their vehicles confiscated through court proceedings. This applies whether the vehicle owner is the driver or has partners involved in the offense. Citizens have been urged to report any violations related to Hajj and Umrah regulations by calling 911 in Mecca, Medina, Riyadh, and the Eastern Province, or 999 in other regions.

The ministry assured that informants’ identities will remain confidential and that they will not face legal consequences. The measure aims to preserve the sanctity of Hajj and ensure the safety of registered pilgrims.

Cristiano Ronaldo and Sadio Mane led Al Nassr to a commanding 4-0 victory over Al Wasl on Sunday night, securing a place in the semifinals of the AFC Champions League-2. Ronaldo opened the scoring in the 11th minute, followed by goals from Inigo Martinez and Abdulelah Al-Amri in the first half. Mane sealed the win in the 80th minute with his 13th goal of the season.

Joao Felix played a key role by assisting Al Nassr’s second and third goals, helping the team dominate from start to finish. The win sends Al Nassr into the West Zone final, where they will face the winner of the Al Ahli Doha vs Al Hussein SC match, scheduled to be held in Dubai.

In another match, Paris Saint-Germain suffered a 2-1 home defeat to Olympique Lyon in Ligue 1. Lyon’s Endrick and Afonso Moreira scored early goals, while Khvicha Kvaratskhelia netted a consolation for PSG in stoppage time.

A Bangladeshi expatriate named Nur Karim Farhad, aged 45, died in a road accident in Najran, Saudi Arabia. Two other Bangladeshi expatriates, identified as Md. Juleyl (28) and Md. Hossain (32), were seriously injured in the same incident. The accident occurred around 1 a.m. on Saturday, April 18, when their vehicle collided with a lorry while they were on their way to the airport. The death was confirmed on Monday by Abul Basar Monju, chairman of the Purba Charbata Union Parishad.

According to local sources, Farhad, a resident of Purba Charbata village in Subarnachar upazila of Noakhali, had been living in Saudi Arabia for about three years. After the collision, local people rescued the injured and took them to a hospital, where doctors declared Farhad dead. The two injured Bangladeshis remain in critical condition in the intensive care unit.

Authorities have not released further details about the cause of the accident or the current investigation status.

A Bangladeshi expatriate named Alamgir Hossain, aged 28, from Batta village in Kargaon Union of Katiadi upazila, Kishoreganj, was killed in a road accident in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Saturday morning. According to his younger brother Rubel Mia, Alamgir had gone to Saudi Arabia about one and a half years ago to improve his family’s financial condition and was employed as a laborer at Al Liyan Company. He died on the spot after being hit from behind by a car while on his way to work. The company supervisor confirmed the news of his death to the family over the phone.

Alamgir’s wife Jesmin Akter, along with his parents and local residents, have appealed to the concerned government authorities to assist in repatriating his body and to ensure compensation for the bereaved family. The report did not mention any official response or further details about the repatriation process.

Saudi Arabia has announced new restrictions for the current Hajj season, prohibiting the performance of Hajj using visit visas. The authorities stated that entry to the holy city of Makkah and other sacred sites will only be allowed for those holding official Hajj permits from the beginning of the Islamic month of Dhul-Qadah until the 14th of Dhul-Hijjah. Anyone entering or staying in Makkah without authorization during this period will face legal penalties.

Violators attempting to perform Hajj without proper permits may face fines of up to 20,000 Saudi riyals. Expatriates or visit visa holders found performing Hajj illegally will be deported and banned from re-entering Saudi Arabia for ten years. The authorities have also set a deadline for Umrah pilgrims to leave the country, with overstaying considered a legal violation. Service providers failing to report such cases could face fines up to 100,000 riyals.

The Saudi Interior Ministry said these measures are part of an operational plan to ensure safety, order, and smooth movement during one of the world’s largest gatherings. This year’s campaign slogan is “No Hajj without a permit.”

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, to discuss a range of regional and international issues, according to the Saudi Press Agency. The meeting focused particularly on the ongoing dialogue between the United States and Iran taking place in Pakistan.

During the discussions, the Saudi Crown Prince emphasized the importance of continued diplomatic efforts to ensure regional stability. He also praised Pakistan’s active role in facilitating these diplomatic processes, acknowledging the contributions of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Pakistan’s Army Chief General Asim Munir.

The meeting underscored the growing diplomatic engagement between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, reflecting their shared interest in promoting stability and cooperation across the region.

Saudi Arabia has imposed new restrictions on entry into the holy city of Mecca, effective from Monday, April 13. According to the Saudi Press Agency, both foreign nationals and Saudi residents are now prohibited from entering Mecca without official authorization. The measure aims to ensure the safety of pilgrims ahead of the upcoming Hajj season.

Officials stated that foreigners must possess valid permits to enter Mecca, and those without such authorization will be denied entry. The rule applies to anyone lacking a Hajj visa or work permit for the Grand Mosque. Security forces have been deployed to enforce the restrictions, turning back unauthorized individuals at checkpoints.

Additionally, people holding Umrah visas have been instructed to leave Mecca by April 18. The directive underscores Saudi Arabia’s efforts to regulate movement in and around the holy city as preparations for the Hajj intensify.