11 months ago
Musandam Governorate and the coastal areas of South Al Batinah and Muscat Governorates experienced scattered rainfall on Thursday morning, January 2, 2025. According to the General Directorate of Meteorology, cloud cover continues over the northern governorates of the Sultanate of Oman, with a continued chance of scattered rainfall in the coming days.
11 months ago
Rescue teams from the Civil Defence and Ambulance Department (CDAA) in Al Dakhiliyah responded to a bus collision with a truck in Birkat Al-Mouz township. The accident resulted in two fatalities and nine injuries, ranging from moderate to critical. “The accident resulted in the deaths of two individuals and injuries to nine others, ranging from moderate to critical. The injured were transported to the hospital for treatment,” CDAA said.
11 months ago
The Sultanate of Oman has marked a significant milestone with the export of its first shipment of copper concentrates in 30 years. The shipment departed from the Al-Asail mine in Sohar, North Al Batinah Governorate, via Sohar Port. This achievement underscores Oman’s commitment to economic diversification and sustainable development. Engineer Matar bin Salem Al-Badi, CEO of Oman Minerals Development Company, hailed the export of 900 tonnes of copper concentrates as a crucial step, demonstrating the company’s ability to transform challenges into growth opportunities. He also expressed anticipation for the upcoming commencement of operations at the Al-Bayda mine, which is expected to further enhance the project’s value and bolster the sustainability of Oman’s mining sector. Al-Badi emphasised the historical significance of this event, noting the region’s 3,000-year history of copper mining, including the pioneering work of the Oman Mining Company since 1983. He highlighted the advancements in exploration and extraction technologies that have enabled the reopening of mines, enhancing the value of these resources and contributing to the sector’s economic and social impact. The Al-Asail mine, located in concession area 11B in Sohar, is being developed by the Oman Mining Company, a subsidiary of Oman Minerals Development Company. The processed ore […]
11 months ago
Bahrain’s national football team secured a spot in the Gulf Cup (Khaleeji Zain 26) final after a 1-0 victory over Kuwait at Jaber Al Ahmad International Stadium in the tournament’s semi final match. The match’s lone goal was scored by Mohamed Jassim Marhoon in the 74th minute. Bahrain played with ten men from the 51st minute following the red card shown to Mahdi Abduljabbar. Bahrain will face Oman in the Gulf Cup final.
11 months ago
New Year’s Eve 2024 saw Saudi Arabia lose 2-1 to Oman to crash out of the Arabian Gulf Cup at the semifinal stage and end a below-par 2024 on a low note. With just one win in six 2026 World Cup qualifiers that resume in March, coach Herve Renard hoped to kick-start the national team’s fortunes with success in the Gulf Cup, currently being held in Kuwait. The Frenchman’s desire was dashed despite Oman playing the majority of the game with ten men as Rabia Al-Alawi was shown a straight red in the 34th minute for a wild lunge on Salem Al-Dawsari. As the Al-Nahda star left the pitch in the Kuwait City stadium, Saudi Arabian fans were expecting a comfortable win but despite the possession and chances, the Green Falcons were unable to take advantage of their one-man advantage. Oman redoubled their efforts to deny their opponents time and space but Saudi Arabia, seeking a first Gulf Cup win since 2004, had the ball in the net midway through the second half. Abdullah Al-Hamdan had scored twice against Iraq three days earlier, but his close-range effort was ruled out for offside. It was Oman who took the lead in […]
11 months ago
Saudi winger Marwan Al-Sahafi has arrived in Kuwait from his Belgian club Beerschot to bolster the Green Falcons ahead of their Khaleeji Zain 26 semi-final clash with Oman on Tuesday night. The highly anticipated match kicks off at 5:30 p.m. at the Jaber Al-Mubarak International Stadium. Head coach Herve Renard has not confirmed whether the 20-year-old will start, saying he is still considering his best lineup. “I want to find the best 11 to start, but also to finish, because we can make five substitutions,” Renard told reporters at the pre-match press conference. After losing their opening match to Bahrain, Saudi Arabia edged past Yemen and secured a convincing 3-1 win over Iraq to book their spot in the semi-finals. The team remains in contention for their fourth Gulf Cup title. Captain Salem Al-Dawsari has been pivotal to the team’s resurgence. Despite breaking his nose, Al-Dawsari opted to play earlier in the tournament, inspiring his teammates with his determination. “Salem wasn’t supposed to play until the semi-final, but he chose to play earlier. This was a fantastic message to the youth players,” Renard said. “When a player like him shows such determination, the whole squad follows. We know we have […]
11 months ago
Failing to provide financial support to dependent children or elderly parents in Oman can lead to jail time or hefty fines, according to the country’s Penal Code. The law, aimed at reinforcing family obligations and social cohesion, imposes strict penalties on those who neglect their alimony responsibilities. Under Article 279 of the Omani Penal Code, neglecting alimony obligations can result in jail sentences ranging from 10 days to three months, or fines of up to OMR 500. These penalties apply to fathers or mothers who leave a child without support when the other parent is unable to provide. Similarly, capable sons who fail to support their parents, if the parents are unable to sustain themselves, face the same consequences. In cases where a father is unable to support, the responsibility shifts to the mother if she is financially capable. Legal experts note that this approach reinforces Oman’s commitment to preserving family bonds and minimising social fragmentation.
11 months ago
New 12-digit tariff system aims to streamline customs operations, enhance GCC trade Dubai: Starting January 1, 2025, Oman will implement a unified customs tariff as part of its efforts to enhance trade within the GCC. This initiative is designed to streamline customs procedures across all GCC member states. The new tariff system will adopt a 12-digit coding format, replacing the previous 8-digit system. As part of the ongoing collaboration within the GCC and its partnership with the business community, the updated tariff system introduces several significant changes. With the expansion of tariff items from 8 to 12 digits, the aim is to facilitate smoother trade and improve clarity in customs operations. Customs service beneficiaries are encouraged to review the details of this new tariff system, which can be accessed on the official website of the Directorate General of Customs. (https://customs.gov.om/media/idwfzthg/tarfah.pdf).
11 months ago
Strolling through a sea of vibrant flowers at the Muscat Flower Festival, visitors are greeted by an explosion of colours and fragrances that has transformed Qurum Natural Park into a botanical masterpiece. Featuring over a staggering one million flowers from more than 20 countries, the festival brings together blooms from the USA, the Netherlands, Kenya, Malaysia, and South America, offering a unique blend of nature and design. The festival, part of the ongoing Muscat Nights Festival, was inaugurated on December 23, 2024, by Ahmed Al Humaidi, Chairman of Muscat Municipality. It continues until January 21, 2025, providing visitors with a stunning showcase of floral creativity. In 2023the concept was revived and presented to Muscat Municipality Chairman Ahmed Al Humaidi, who welcomed it warmly, setting the stage for this year’s event. To ensure world-class designs, the municipality collaborated with Pico Group of Singapore, known for their expertise in creating large-scale showcases. “We floated tenders and selected Pico Group based on their experience in this field,” Hanan added. The floral designs, a collaborative effort between international and Omani designers, include contributions from Madhavi Khimji of Oman. Barnabas Chia, Project Director of Pico Group, expressed pride in being part of […]
11 months ago
Ankaa Space and Technology, an Omani firm registered with the Authority for Small and Medium Enterprises Development (ASMED), began to establish the first centre for developing drones and robots for use in the fields of agriculture, housing and urban planning. The company is also establishing an urban observatory platform deemed the first of its kind in the Middle East. Mohammed Salim Al Riyami, CEO of Ankaa Space and Technology company, said, “To carry out its programmes, the company joins hands with a number of government institutions and private establishments like the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning.” He added that the company also works with NASA to conduct field visits for Omani students and joins hands with OQ to conduct advanced research in the field of robotics. The activities include programming drones and artificial intelligence (AI) applications to serve various sectors, he explained.