10 months ago
Oman has said it has arrested an expatriate linked to an international ring running the illegal business of smuggling migrants to Europe. Royal Oman police said the Directorate General of Inquiries and Criminal Investigations, in coordination with the International Police (Interpol), had arrested a resident of Egyptian nationality found to be involved with an international network in carrying out multiple migrant smuggling operations from various countries to Europe in exchange for financial payments. There were no immediate details about how many suspects are linked to the racket and when it was uncovered. In another case, Oman arrested six Afghans while attempting to enter the country illegally. The arrests were made by the coastguard police while attempting the illegal entry in the Wilayat of Bukha, part of the Musandam governorate overlooking the Arabian Gulf. While cracking down on illegal foreigners, Oman has recently granted citizenship to several persons, who met certain criteria. Under Omani law, citizenship may be granted to individuals born in or outside Oman to an Omani parent. Foreigners can apply for naturalisation if they meet specific conditions, including being an adult proficient in Arabic reading and writing, having a continuous legal residence of at least 20 years (or […]
10 months ago
Not very much happened at the much-anticipated ‘indirect’ meeting between Iranian and US delegations in Oman on Saturday. While Tehran has been emphasizing the indirect nature of the dialogue, President Trump and his top officials have been calling these ‘direct’ talks. The main ‘positive’ is that the two sides didn’t yell each other out the room, or make new accusations – instead they agreed to keep the diplomatic engagement going. “Iran and the United States will hold more negotiations next week over Tehran’s rapidly advancing nuclear program, Iranian state television reported Saturday at the end of the first round of talks between the two countries since President Donald Trump returned to the White House,” The Associated Press reports as the meeting wrapped up. As for whether they were ‘direct’ or not, Iranian state did say that Trump regional onvoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi “briefly spoke in the presence of the Omani foreign minister” at the end of the talks. This does indeed mark the first direct interaction between the Islamic Republic and the Trump administration. It is Trump during his first term who pulled the US out of the 2015 JCPOA nuclear deal (in April 2018). The Iranian side has announced that […]
10 months ago
Bahrain’s beach volleyball teams delivered a strong performance on the opening day of the third GCC Beach Games, which kicked off at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex in the Sultanate of Oman. Bahrain (2) began their campaign with a straight-sets victory over Saudi Arabia (1), winning 21-17 and 21-14 in the morning session. In the evening session, Bahrain (1) faced a tough match against Oman (2), ending in a 0-2 defeat with scores of 11-21 and 10-21. Bahrain (2) returned to secure a second win, this time with a dominant straight-sets victory over Qatar (2), winning 21-5 and 21-5. Both Bahraini teams continue their campaign with hopes of competing for top positions, amid strong regional participation and fierce competition in beach volleyball.
10 months ago
Fire broke out in waste material inside a farm in the Al Zahia area, Oman authorities said. The fire did not result in any injuries so far. Firefighting teams of the Civil Defense and Ambulance Department in the Governorate of Al Batinah North responded to the scene. Watch the video shared by authorities, here: استجابت فرق الإطفاء بإدارة الدفاع المدني والإسعاف بمحافظة #شمال_الباطنة لحادث نشوب حريق في مخلفات داخل إحدى المزارع بمنطقة الزاهية بولاية #لوى ، حيث تمكّنت الفرق من السيطرة على الحريق وإخماده ، دون تسجيل إصابات.#هيئة_الدفاع_المدني_والإسعاف pic.twitter.com/5FIAjAJMJl — الدفاع المدني والإسعاف – عُمان (@CDAA_OMAN) April 7, 2025 The teams were able to control and extinguish the fire, authorities added. Earlier, on April 3, rescue teams responded to a gas explosion which took place in a commercial building in Qurayyat. The explosion resulted in six people being injured, ranging from moderate to critical. One person was trapped under the rubble, and after a rescue operation, he was taken to the hospital to receive treatment for his critical condition. Also read: Oman: Man Sentenced For 5 Years In Prison For Kidnapping A Child
10 months ago
A man who abducted a child from the street near his home has been given five years in jail. The Seeb Criminal Court of First Instance has recently handed down the sentence to the Omani man after he was found guilty of kidnap, indecently assaulting the Omani child and infringing on his privacy. The court also ordered him to pay a fine OMR5,000 for the victim’s family and to pay the legal fees as well. The incident took place in the wilayat of Seeb last year. Official court documents stated that the child, who is 10-year old, was playing with his siblings outside their house when the incident took place. The defendant, who was under the influence of alcohol, stopped at him, spoke with the boy and lured him to his car and then sped away. Then he drove the victim to a remote area of attempting to sexually assault him. Luckily, the child escaped by jumping out of the defendant’s moving car and made it to his family house. The intoxicated assailant convinced the child to sit on his lap to show him how to drive his vehicle and forced him to play with his private parts. Article 257 of […]
11 months ago
An Omani man was killed after being gored by a fighting bull in the wilayat of Liwa, in North Batinah governorate, on Friday. The young spectator was gored to death after the bull went on a rampage in the Liwa arena, where a bullfighting event was taking place with hundreds of spectators. Several other spectators were also injured in the incident. Bullfights have been held in small Omani villages for decades and continue today in the wilayats of Barka, Khabourah, Saham, Sohar, and Liwa. A video of the attack went viral on social media, prompting many users on X to call for stricter rules and safety measures to protect both animals and spectators. Despite a 2020 ban on the use of animals for entertainment and sports like bullfighting, these events are still organised on a weekly basis. The law imposes fines on those who use animals for artistic or entertainment performances. Under this regulation, animal owners are in violation if they subject animals to unnatural acts, force them to perform in entertainment shows such as wrestling arenas and circuses, or use cruelty in preparing them for slaughter. Additionally, offenses include neglecting animals, depriving them of adequate nutrition or rest, overworking […]
11 months ago
To enhance the efficiency and security of financial transactions, the Central Bank of Oman (CBO) has announced the go-live date for implementing the International Bank Account Number (IBAN) on domestic financial transactions, from July 1, 2025. This expansion will enhance the efficiency of local payment transactions, minimize operational errors, and expedite financial transfers between individuals and businesses. It will also improve the customer experience by ensuring faster and secure banking transactions. CBO implemented the IBAN system for international transfers on March 31, 2024, which significantly improved transaction accuracy, reduced errors, and accelerated processing times for both local and international bank transfers. Given the success of this implementation, CBO said it is taking the next step by discontinuing the acceptance of international transfers that do not include an IBAN. CBO has issued directives to local banks to stop receiving cross-border transfers that do not include IBAN, as of 1st July 2025. Instead, the use of the IBAN Number will be mandatory for all incoming international transactions. Banks have been guided to implement awareness campaigns for their customers on the importance of using IBAN and its benefits. It was also stressed the need to provide the necessary guidelines to ensure a safer […]
11 months ago
Saudi Arabia, Russia and six other OPEC+ countries, agreed on Thursday to boost oil supply in May 2025. The OPEC+ countries, which also include Iraq, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Kazakhstan, Algeria, and Oman, agreed to raise production by 411,000 barrels per day (bpd) in May. The OPEC+ countries had been scheduled to raise output by 135,000 bpd in May as part of a plan to gradually unwind their most recent layer of output cuts. But after a meeting of the eight countries held virtually on Thursday, the group announced it would boost output by 411,000 bpd in May. OPEC attributed this to continuing healthy market fundamentals and the positive market outlook. The alliance emphasized that these gradual increases could be paused or reversed depending on market conditions, with the flexibility intended to help stabilize oil prices. “This comprises the increment originally planned for May in addition to two monthly increments,” OPEC said in a statement referring to the volume. “The gradual increases may be paused or reversed subject to evolving market conditions,” it said. The OPEC+ meeting on Thursday reviewed global market conditions and outlook. “In view of the continuing healthy market fundamentals and the positive market outlook, and in accordance with the decision […]
11 months ago
The Royal Oman Police (ROP) have arrested 27 Pakistani nationals for attempting to enter Oman illegally. The arrests were made by the Coast Guard Police and the Special Taskforce Police Unit in Sohar, part of a crackdown on illegal immigration. The suspects are currently undergoing legal procedures, although further details on their methods of entry were not disclosed. In a separate incident, a Syrian truck driver was arrested at Al Mazyoona border post in Dhofar Governorate after attempting to smuggle two persons into Oman. According to the Customs Directorate, the truck, which had entered Oman from Yemen, contained two individuals hidden inside the cargo compartment. The truck driver and the two immigrants were arrested on charges of illegal entry, and legal proceedings are underway. Authorities said they have heightened their vigilance at border posts as part of efforts to tackle human trafficking and illegal border crossings.
11 months ago
Oman has approved Starlink Muscat as an internet provider in the country. The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) gave approval to Starlink Muscat to begin providing broadband internet services in the Sultanate using satellite communications systems. Starlink is a low-orbit satellite technology that provides broadband internet services. Starlink internet in Oman It seeks to provide high-speed internet access in areas that lack access to such services. Starlink Muscat will cover all geographical areas of the Sultanate of Oman, including comprehensive service areas, with speeds that can reach 100megabytes per second. Starlink Muscat will also provide smart solutions to connect telecommunications towers in areas with difficult terrain. This will help promote digital transition and serve a number of economic sectors such as oil and gas, mining, tourism and agriculture.
2 hours ago
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