Latest Oman News & Updates

2 days ago

Environment Authority issues safety guidelines amid coastal oil spill monitoring

The Environment Authority has urged the public to exercise caution in marine and coastal areas and follow official instructions amid ongoing monitoring of the environmental situation. Keep away from any observed oil slicks and avoid touching oil-contaminated materials or swimming in affected waters. Avoid attempting to clean or remove oil spills themselves and leave the work to specialized teams. Immediately report oil spills, damaged marine life or dead fish to 99330088. Rely only on official information and avoid circulating unverified reports.

2 days ago

CPA plans ‘Consumer Passport’ for easier access to its services

Consumers in Oman will soon be able to access and manage a range of Consumer Protection Authority (CPA) services through a single digital identity, as the authority prepares to launch its new “Consumer Passport” platform. The initiative is aimed at simplifying the way citizens and residents interact with the CPA by bringing consumer complaints, reports, services and alerts together in one digital account. The authority announced the upcoming service through its social media platforms, describing it as a “completely different experience” for consumers. Promotional material for the platform says it is “coming soon”, although the CPA has not yet announced an official launch date. Under the new system, consumers will be able to access their personal profile and manage their interactions with the authority through a unified digital identity. The platform is also expected to provide easier access to consumer-related services while reducing the need to navigate separate channels and procedures. A key feature of the Consumer Passport will be the ability to track complaints and reports, giving users clearer information on the progress of their submissions and making follow-up more straightforward. The platform is also expected to facilitate the submission and management of information and supporting documents linked to […]

2 days ago

Consumer Protection Authority resolves dispute over delayed iron delivery

Oman’s Consumer Protection Authority (CPA) has resolved a dispute between a consumer and a commercial establishment operating in the building materials sector in Al Dakhiliyah Governorate. The consumer had agreed with the establishment to purchase iron for a house under construction. However, the establishment failed to deliver the goods within the agreed timeframe. As part of the settlement, the contract was cancelled and the establishment was required to refund OMR 2,160 paid by the consumer.

2 days ago

Employees can file formal complaint for unlawful termination

General Federation of Oman Workers (GFOW) has highlighted critical legal guidelines concerning claims of low worker efficiency and subsequent contract terminations. Labour regulations dictate that employers cannot rely on mere claims of poor performance; instead, they must issue a clear notification specifying the exact areas of inefficiency and provide a grace period of no less than six months to allow the employee to reach the required performance standards. Additionally, employers are legally obligated to notify the Ministry of Labour three months prior to any contract termination resulting from incompetence. Workers who receive vague notices lacking evaluation details or insufficient improvement periods are advised to request formal written clarification, retain all performance documents, and utilise any granted time to improve. If termination proceeds unlawfully or without fulfilling the proper statutory procedures, workers have the right to submit a formal grievance to the competent authority within thirty days from the date of the termination notice.

3 days ago

Oman Says Oil Spill From Grounded Tanker Near Coast Covers 400 Square km

Leaking crude oil from a tanker grounded off a nature reserve in Oman has created a slick covering almost ‌400 square kilometres, a size six-and-a-half times the land area of Manhattan, the country’s government said on Monday. The Caroline Bezengi is loaded with close to one million barrels of Russian oil bound for Asia and first reported difficulties on June 8 off Yemen, with two maritime security sources saying initial assessments indicated a blast had occurred onboard. No party has taken responsibility for attacking the vessel. Oman, in its first public disclosure on the environmental impact, said on Monday it was seeking to tackle the oil leak near the Hallaniyat Islands. Oman’s Sultan Haitham bin Tarik issued a royal decree last year creating ⁠a nature reserve around the islands, an area that is home to wildlife including Arabian Sea humpback whales and Socotra cormorants. The oil slick covers some 390 square km (150 square miles), Oman’s Environment Authority said in a statement carried by the state news agency, adding that there was no concern for facilities in the area including water desalination plants and tourist facilities. Environmental group Greenpeace last week estimated the slick at around 600 square kilometres citing analysis of […]

3 days ago

Smoking cessation products exempted from excise tax

A range of products designed to help people quit smoking has been exempted from excise tax, removing these from a category that had been subject to a 100% levy under the country’s existing excise framework. Tax Authority Decision No 192/2026 amends Ministerial Decision No 112/2019 by introducing a specific exemption for smoking cessation products, including nicotine chewing gum, tablets, transdermal patches, sprays, nasal drops and injections. The decision was published in Official Gazette No 1660 on August 9 and came into force on Monday. The 2019 regulation listed tobacco and its derivatives under Chapter 24 of the GCC Common Customs Tariff category , whether imported or produced in Oman, and imposed an excise tax of 100%. The Tax Authority continues to tax tobacco and its derivatives at a 100% excise rate. The exemption covers three categories of products. For oral use, these include nicotine-containing chewing gum, tablets and other preparations intended to assist tobacco cessation. Transdermal products include patches and other skin-applied treatments, while a third category covers sprays, nasal drops and injections. Under Oman’s excise system, tax is levied on products considered harmful to health, society or the environment. Tobacco products, energy drinks and electronic smoking products generally carry […]

3 days ago

Rough khareef seas complicate Hallaniyat oil spill response

Oman is intensifying efforts to contain oil leaking from the grounded tanker Caroline Bezengi off the Hallaniyat Islands, as the latest official monitoring detected pollution across about 390sq km and technical teams work to secure the vessel and prepare for the safe transfer of its cargo. The Environment Authority (EA) said satellite analysis showed the slick extending northeast from the islands towards the mainland coast, reaching within about 7km at its closest point. Its observed track stretches 449km. Environmental modelling indicates the pollution could advance another 121km northeast over 48 hours, although the authority stressed that this is a forecast rather than an actual observation and could change with winds, currents and sea conditions. The thickest portions may move towards Ras Madrakah, prompting closer monitoring of sensitive coastal and marine habitats. EA stressed that the geographical area covered by a slick cannot be translated directly into the volume of oil spilled. Its shape and extent can change as oil disperses under the influence of winds, waves and currents. Dr Abdullah bin Ali Al Amri, Chairman of EA, told Oman TV that no oil slick had so far been observed reaching Oman’s mainland beaches. “So far, the direct impact is limited […]

3 days ago

Oman fields ten national teams in the Asian Games hosted by Japan

The Sultanate of Oman, represented by Oman Olympic Committee, will participate in the 20th Asian Games “Aichi-Nagoya 2026” with a delegation competing across ten sporting disciplines, namely athletics, taekwondo, shooting, hockey, golf, fencing, cricket, weightlifting, sailing, and beach volleyball. The tournament will be hosted by Japan from 19 September to 4 October 2026. Oman’s participation in this continental sporting event forms part of its broader commitment to major regional athletic competitions, with Omani athletes aspiring to deliver competitive performances that reflect the scale of preparation and dedication invested in readiness for this prestigious Asian gathering. Oman Olympic Committee is actively continuing its preparatory efforts, finalizing all logistical and administrative requirements associated with the delegation, and ensuring optimal conditions for athletes and support personnel alike. These measures are designed to strengthen team readiness, enable full engagement in the Games, and maximize the benefits derived from this significant Asian sporting milestone. In Hockey, Oman’s national hockey team opens the Sultanate’s campaign at the Games, with competitions scheduled from 18 September to 3 October. The delegation comprises 10 players, along with 8 members of the technical and administrative staff. In Shooting, Oman’s participation continues with the national shooting team, which will compete from […]

3 days ago

10 Sports represent Oman at the 20th Asian Games ‘Aichi-Nagoya 2026’

Oman Olympic Committee (OOC) will participate in the 20th Asian Games “Aichi-Nagoya 2026,” hosted by Japan from September 19 to October 4, 2026, with a delegation competing in 10 sports: athletics, taekwondo, shooting, hockey, golf, fencing, cricket, weightlifting, sailing, and beach volleyball. Oman’s participation in the Games comes as part of its continental sporting commitments, with Omani athletes looking to deliver competitive performances that reflect the level of preparation and readiness for this major Asian sporting event. The Omani delegation’s administrative team comprises Mohammed bin Hamad Al Rahbi, Chef de Mission of the Omani Delegation; Hanaa bint Said Al Battashi, Deputy Chef de Mission; Administrators Majid bin Khamis Al Hinai and Said bin Darwish Al Jarjashi; Safeguarding Officer Salim bin Mohammed Al Rawahi; Team Doctor Dr. Afrah bint Hamoud Al Jabri; Physiotherapist Khalil bin Khalfan Al Busaidi; journalist Waleed bin Zaher Al Abri; and Photographer Haitham bin Salim Al Shukairi. OOC continues its preparations for the Games by completing the various requirements related to the delegation and ensuring appropriate arrangements for the athletes and accompanying teams, supporting the national teams’ readiness to compete and make the most of this continental sporting event. The Oman national hockey team will begin its […]

3 days ago

Muscat Court orders sports equipment dealer to pay OMR400 for defective exercise bench

A consumer protection case involving a defective exercise bench purchased from a sports equipment establishment in Muscat has resulted in a court judgment against the establishment and its representative. According to the Consumer Protection Authority (CPA), the consumer purchased an exercise bench that was found to be defective from the first day of use. Despite repeated requests for delivery and assembly and attempts by the consumer to resolve the issue, the establishment failed to repair the product, replace it or refund its value. The court ordered the establishment and its representative to pay a total of OMR400, with the penalties suspended, in addition to bearing the legal costs.

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Environment Authority issues safety guidelines amid coastal oil spill monitoring

CPA plans ‘Consumer Passport’ for easier access to its services

Consumer Protection Authority resolves dispute over delayed iron delivery

Employees can file formal complaint for unlawful termination

Oman Says Oil Spill From Grounded Tanker Near Coast Covers 400 Square km

Smoking cessation products exempted from excise tax

Rough khareef seas complicate Hallaniyat oil spill response

Oman fields ten national teams in the Asian Games hosted by Japan

10 Sports represent Oman at the 20th Asian Games ‘Aichi-Nagoya 2026’

Muscat Court orders sports equipment dealer to pay OMR400 for defective exercise bench

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