India Caps Fuel Sales To Avoid Shortages
Former NIH Head Secretly Helped With Paper Dismissing Theory COVID-19 Came From Lab
Canadian Mother Sues OpenAI, Alleging Chatbot Encouraged Daughter’s Suicide
Discs, Orbs, ‘Heavenly’ Phenomena, & More Revealed In 3rd Batch Of Declassified UFO Files
Why The Millionaire Next Door Drives A Used Car – And What That Teaches About Real Wealth
India Caps Fuel Sales To Avoid Shortages
Former NIH Head Secretly Helped With Paper Dismissing Theory COVID-19 Came From Lab
Canadian Mother Sues OpenAI, Alleging Chatbot Encouraged Daughter’s Suicide
Discs, Orbs, ‘Heavenly’ Phenomena, & More Revealed In 3rd Batch Of Declassified UFO Files
Why The Millionaire Next Door Drives A Used Car – And What That Teaches About Real Wealth
1 year ago
Oman has announced dates for the upcoming Eid Al Adha 2025 holiday. A statement by state-run news agency ONA confirmed that the crescent moon to mark the new month had been seen in the Sultanate and confirmed a start-date for the Eid holiday, ONA said: “Dhul-Hijjah 1446 AH moon is sighted, thus the first day of Eid Al Adha will be on Friday, 6 June 2025, confirms the Moon-sighting Committee”.
1 year ago
A man was arrested after a video surfaced on social media showing him setting off fireworks at an event, blocking traffic on a street in Oman, and endangering public safety. The Royal Oman Police (ROP) shared a screenshot from the video on its official social media accounts, showing the chaotic scene. In a statement, the Royal Oman Police (ROP) confirmed that the North Al Sharqiyah Governorate Police apprehended the individual and referred him to judicial authorities. Legal proceedings are currently underway. In a separate social media statement, the police announced that the Al Dakhiliyah Police Command arrested a Pakistani national for vandalising multiple vehicles and stealing parts to sell in Nizwa’s industrial area. Legal proceedings are underway.
1 year ago
The Oman Civil Aviation Authority’s Meteorology Department has issued a weather alert for Monday, May 26, 2025, forecasting cumulus cloud activity and occasional thunderstorms over the Al Hajar Mountains and neighbouring regions of Oman. Active downdraft winds, flowing wadis, and varying intensity rainfall – ranging from 10mm to 30mm – are expected between 11am and 7pm local time. Affected areas include mountainous zones in North and South Sharqiyah, Dakhiliyah, North and South Batinah, Dhahirah, and Muscat. Authorities warn of potential flash floods, poor horizontal visibility, hail, and wind speeds reaching 20–45 knots. Residents and visitors are advised to exercise caution and avoid low-lying areas and valleys during this period. The Hajar Mountains are one of the highest mountain ranges in the Arabian Peninsula, shared between northern Oman and eastern United Arab Emirates. Also known as “Oman Mountains”, they separate the low coastal plain of Oman from the high desert plateau, and lie 50–100 km inland from the Gulf of Oman. The Hajar Mountains extend for 700 kilometres through the UAE and Oman. They are located on the north-east corner of the Arabian Plate, reaching from the Musandam Peninsula through to the east coast of Oman. The range is about 100 km wide, […]
1 year ago
Three people were arrested for violating wildlife rules in Dhofar Governorat, Environment Authority (EA), said. EA said in a statement :”The Environment Authority, in cooperation with the Royal Oman Police and the Royal Army of Oman, arrested three individuals on charges of violating wildlife rules in Dhofar Governorate. This was after receiving a report and dealing with it through the relevant authorities.” “Legal measures have been taken against them in preparation for bringing them to trial. The Authority affirms that it will not tolerate any practices that harm wildlife, appreciating the cooperation of security agencies and the community in protecting the environment,” the statement added.
1 year ago
The Royal Oman Police (ROP), has rescued two citizens whose boat sank off the coast of Musannah, South Al Batinah Governorate while they were out on a fishing trip. The ROP said in a statement :”The Coast Guard, led by the South Al Batinah Governorate Police, rescued two citizens whose boat sank off the coast of Musannah while they were out on a fishing trip. The boat was towed and the two citizens were brought to shore in good health.”
1 year ago
Starting June 1, 2025, Oman will enforce digital tax stamps on imported excise beverages, including carbonated drinks, energy drinks, and alcoholic beverages (excluding sweetened drinks). The Tax Authority (TA) outlined the rules, terms, and conditions for implementing the Digital Tax Stamp (DTS) scheme for excise goods in Oman through Ministerial Decision No. 21/2022. Initially, the scheme focused on cigarettes and was later expanded to cover shisha and other tobacco products. The authority now plans to extend the DTS requirement to include carbonated drinks, energy drinks, and other specified beverages. The digital tax stamps will help enhance control and compliance over these excise products, improving market transparency in Oman. “The goal is to build a sustainable tax system while ensuring accountability from all stakeholders in the supply chain,” an official from the authority said. According to TA, a ‘customs obligation’ will apply from June 1, meaning excisable beverages imported without the digital stamp will be denied entry. From August 1, a ‘commercial obligation’ will come into effect, banning the sale of unstamped products within the local market. These digital tags enable tax authorities to efficiently monitor, track, and trace the movement of excise goods throughout the supply chain. The law came […]
1 year ago
The Ministry of Labour (MoL) in Oman has reported a major crackdown on illegal labour practices, arresting 12,319 violators across the country between January and May 2025. In the same period, 7,615 illegal workers were deported, according to officials. The crackdown is part of intensified efforts by the Ministry to ensure a compliant and fair labour environment. The inspections are being carried out with support from the Security and Safety Services Corporation, which was assigned inspection duties to improve efficiency and enforcement. Retired Brigadier General Said bin Sulaiman Al Asmi, CEO of the Corporation, told Oman News Agency (ONA) that the organisation represents a successful public-private partnership, providing specialised safety and security services tailored to the needs of various establishments. He noted that in 2024 alone, the Corporation arrested 23,566 labour law violators and deported 18,053. For the first five months of 2025, the numbers already stand at 12,319 arrests and 7,615 deportations. The Ministry of Labour reiterated its commitment to upholding Omani labour laws and maintaining fair standards in the labour market. Employers and workers were urged to comply with regulations and to report suspected violations to the relevant authorities. “These efforts are aimed at curbing illegal practices, protecting workers’ rights, […]
1 year ago
The Sultanate of Oman will observe the first day of Eid Al Adha on Friday, June 6, 2025, said Dr. Subaih bin Rahman Al Saadi, an Omani expert in celestial sciences, according to Muscat Daily. Al Saadi’s prediction follows precise astronomical calculations indicating the sighting of the Dhul Hijjah crescent moon on the evening of Tuesday, May 27. “The conjunction of the crescent moon of Dhul Hijjah 1446 AH with the sun will occur at exactly 7:03:29 am local time on May 27,” Dr. Saadi added. He noted that the moon will set approximately 36 minutes after sunset in Muscat, positioned 8 degrees from the sun and elevated 7 degrees above the western horizon—conditions favorable for sighting the crescent. “These astronomical indicators confirm that Wednesday, May 28, will be the first day of Dhul Hijjah. Consequently, the Day of Arafah will fall on Thursday, June 5, and Eid Al Adha will begin on Friday, June 6,” Dr. Saadi stated. In accordance with Royal Decree No. 88/2022, Oman will observe the Eid Al Adha holiday from Dhul Hijjah 9 to 12. As the first day of Eid falls on a Friday this year, an additional compensatory day off will be granted to ensure a full holiday […]
1 year ago
The Sultanate of Oman officially unveiled its tallest flagpole yesterday at Al Khuwair Square. Soaring 126 meters, equivalent to a 40-storey building, the monumental structure now claims the title of the highest man-made feature in the country. The inauguration was held under the patronage of Sayyid Saud bin Hilal Al Busaidi, Governor of Muscat, and attended by Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Humaidi, Chairman of Muscat Municipality, alongside other senior officials. Raising the national flag atop this towering edifice, measuring approximately 18 metres in length and 31.5 metres in width, the event showcased Oman’s aspirations aligned with Vision 2040 for development and success. Constructed from 135 tonnes of steel, the flagpole features an outer diameter of 2,800 millimetres at its base tapering to 900 millimetres at the top. It is equipped with a warning light system for aircraft navigating the airspace. The Al Khuwair Square project aims to transform the area into an 18,000-square-metre multipurpose community hub. Planned facilities include a plaza, expansive lawns, walkways, a skate park, cycle paths, a cafeteria, and various entertainment and sports amenities, fostering vibrant social and business activity.
1 year ago
A tropical weather system is expected to form over the eastern Arabian Sea this weekend, prompting close monitoring by Omani authorities. While current forecasts show no direct or indirect impact on the Sultanate of Oman over the next five days, the National Multi-Hazard Early Warning Centre is keeping a close eye on its development. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the system is likely to move northward and intensify into a depression within 36 hours. Meanwhile, Oman is battling intense heatwaves, with temperatures nearing record highs. The Oman Meteorology Department has warned that conditions may worsen, especially in North Batinah, South Batinah, Dhahirah, North Sharqiyah, and Al Wusta governorates. The Met Office’s Wednesday forecast predicts mostly clear skies across the country, with a chance of cloud formation over the Al Hajar Mountains, bringing isolated rainfall. Low clouds and fog may develop late at night and early morning over parts of Dhofar, South Sharqiyah, and Al Wusta. Oman lies in a cyclone-prone region, especially from May to July and October to November, when the Indian Ocean is most active. Though rare, Arabian Sea cyclones can be devastating. Shaheen struck on October 2, 2022, with winds reaching 150 km/h, leading to flooding, landslides, […]