Latest Oman News & Updates

2 weeks ago

Oman Weather Forecast: Chance Of Rain, Thunderstorms And Dust On Sunday

Oman is expected to experience partly cloudy to cloudy conditions along the coasts and mountains of Dhofar Governorate on Sunday, with intermittent drizzle, according to the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). Clear skies are expected across most other governorates, although clouds may develop during the afternoon, bringing chances of isolated rain and occasional thunderstorms over parts of the Al Hajar Mountains. The thunderstorms may be accompanied by hail and strong downdraft winds. The CAA also forecast a chance of late-night to early-morning low clouds forming over coastal areas of the Arabian Sea and Oman Sea. Dust is also expected to rise over deserts and open areas, potentially causing reduced visibility. Authorities warned of several weather-related hazards, including: Residents and motorists are advised to exercise caution, particularly in mountainous areas and locations affected by rain, dust or reduced visibility.

2 weeks ago

Oman data show 1 divorce per 6 marriages to foreigners

Oman recorded 7,719 marriages to foreigners and 1,226 divorces over recent years Oman recorded 1,226 divorces involving citizens married to foreign nationals between October 29, 2023, and June 30, 2026, while 7,719 Omanis married foreigners over roughly the past three years, according to data from the Supreme Judiciary Council. The figures amount to roughly one divorce recorded for every six marriages involving an Omani and a foreign national. Among the 7,719 marriages, 640 involved Omani women marrying non-Omani men, according to the judiciary data. The comparison does not represent a divorce rate for the same group of marriages, since divorces recorded during the period may involve marriages that began earlier. But specialists said the figures warranted closer examination of the pressures facing some cross-national couples. Said bin Rashid Al Maktoumi, head of family consultations at the Ministry of Social Development’s Department of Family Guidance and Counselling, said divorce indicators were assessed alongside the circumstances and underlying causes of individual cases rather than as numbers alone. Cases handled by family counselling departments point to a range of recurring factors, he said, including poor communication between spouses, differing expectations over family roles and responsibilities, difficulties adapting to cultural and social differences, financial […]

2 weeks ago

Begging in mosques, streets, or public places is a crime

Public Prosecution and the Supreme Judicial Council in Oman have reminded the public that begging in mosques, streets, public or private places, or shops is considered a crime under Article 297 of the Penal Code. Offenders face strict legal penalties, which include imprisonment for one year, a fine of RO100, or either of these two penalties. This awareness campaign aims to uphold public order and discourage illegal solicitation across the country.

2 weeks ago

Botswana entry now visa-free up to 90-days for Omani citizens

Oman Foreign Ministry has announced that the Republic of Botswana has confirmed that the Sultanate of Oman is not among the countries whose citizens require a visa to enter Botswana, covering holders of all Omani passport types. According to the ministry, Omani citizens may enter Botswana without a visa for stays of up to 90 days, provided their passports are valid for at least six months from the date of entry and contain at least three blank pages. The Ministry also urged Omani citizens planning to travel to Botswana to ensure they have health insurance covering the duration of their stay. The ministry wished all citizens safe and successful travels.

2 weeks ago

Suhail star heralds seasonal changes in Oman

Stargazers across Oman are turning their eyes towards the southeastern horizon as the star Suhail (Canopus) makes its annual appearance in the second half of August, a celestial event traditionally associated with the gradual end of the intense summer heat and the transition towards a change in seasons. Wisal bint Salem Al-Hinai, head of the Community Outreach Committee at the Omani Society for Astronomy and Space, said Suhail is located about 313 light-years from Earth and is the second-brightest star in the night sky. The star has a distinctive yellowish-white appearance. Speaking to Oman News Agency, Al-Hinai explained that while the appearance of Suhail does not directly cause changes in temperature or weather, it has long served as an important seasonal marker in Oman’s traditional astronomical knowledge. The traditional “Suhail calculation” was used to identify seasonal changes and help organise agricultural and maritime activities. Omani sailors and captains also relied on the stars for navigation, particularly during long sea journeys. Astronomical observations also played a role in traditional irrigation practices. The movement of stars at night was used to regulate water shares in the aflaj and adjust irrigation schedules under traditional systems such as athar and badah. Suhail has also […]

2 weeks ago

One killed and two seriously injured in Oman shooting as police arrest suspect

Police say an Omani citizen opened fire on three men after previous disputes between them One person has been killed and two others seriously injured in a shooting in Oman, police said on Saturday, after an apparent dispute between a group of men. The Royal Oman Police said the North Al Sharqiyah Governorate Police Command had arrested an Omani citizen suspected of opening fire on three other citizens in the Al Haimah area of Ibra. One of the victims died from his injuries, while the other two were seriously wounded, according to the police statement. Preliminary investigations indicated that the shooting followed previous disputes between the suspect and the victims, police said. The Royal Oman Police said legal procedures in the case were continuing.

2 weeks ago

Oman road accident leaves one dead and nine injured after vehicle overturns in Haima

Two of the injured were airlifted to Nizwa Hospital as seven others went by ambulance One person was killed and nine others were injured after a vehicle carrying Indian nationals overturned and veered off a road in Oman, police said on Saturday. The accident occurred on Sultan Said bin Taimur Road in the Wilayat of Haima, according to the Royal Oman Police. One person died at the scene, while nine others sustained injuries of varying severity. Two of the injured were airlifted by Royal Oman Police Aviation to Nizwa Hospital for further treatment. The remaining passengers were taken to the same hospital by ambulance. Police did not immediately provide further details about what caused the vehicle to overturn.

2 weeks ago

Oman stops renewing work permits for expatriates over 60, reversing a policy introduced in 2022

The reported change reverses a 2022 policy allowing older expatriates to keep working Oman has stopped issuing and renewing work permits for expatriate workers above the age of 60, reversing a policy introduced more than four years ago that allowed older foreign employees to remain in the private sector, according to a report by The Arabian Stories. Several expatriates said that renewal applications submitted by their employers had been rejected in recent weeks. A senior official familiar with the matter also confirmed that permits for expatriate workers over 60 were currently not being issued. The change could affect long-serving foreign workers who had continued working in Oman after reaching 60 and expected to remain eligible for further renewals under rules introduced in January 2022. That policy removed a previous age ceiling preventing expatriates from renewing work permits after turning 60. At the time, Oman’s Ministry of Labour said companies were repeatedly seeking exemptions to retain experienced employees beyond the age threshold. Labour Minister Dr Mahad bin Said Ba’owain later said the change was intended to give employers greater flexibility to retain productive and experienced workers, particularly where companies had met Omanisation requirements and the jobs concerned were not reserved for […]

2 weeks ago

Indian amateur cricketer collapses on field, dies in Muscat

In a shocking and tragic incident, an amateur cricketer collapsed on the ground while playing and passed away on Friday. Shabeer Basheer, a 35-year-old cricketer from India, died while playing a ‘tennis ball cricket’ game for Jiffnain Challengers at a ground in Al Hail. Shabeer is survived by his wife, who works in a private hospital and one child. Confirming the unfortunate incident, a fellow cricketer shared a heartfelt note. He said: “Our dear friend Shabeer, captain of Jifnain Challengers, suddenly experienced a serious health emergency during the cricket match this morning and was rushed to nearby hospital in Al Hail. The doctors provided emergency medical treatment, including CPR, but unfortunately, his life could not be saved. The incident occurred between 9-9.30am.” A fellow clubmate said that “The initial formalities have been completed, and arrangements are currently underway to repatriate his body to India. The deceased’s wife and child were staying with him in Muscat. Hailing from Thuravoor in Alappuzha district of southern Indian state of Kerala, Shabeer worked for Electroman LLC and was a resident of Oman for past 14 years. Months after a similar incident was reported earlier this year in UAE, Shabeer’s death brings to attention the […]

3 weeks ago

MoL announces August 27 as official holiday

Ministry of Labour (MoL) has officially announced that Thursday, August 27, will be an official public holiday across the Sultanate of Oman. This day off is in observance of the birthday of Prophet Muhammad for the hijri year 1448 AH, following the national and religious holiday schedule previously released on December 28. Workers and employees across the country will observe this day as a formal holiday.

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Oman Weather Forecast: Chance Of Rain, Thunderstorms And Dust On Sunday

Oman data show 1 divorce per 6 marriages to foreigners

Begging in mosques, streets, or public places is a crime

Botswana entry now visa-free up to 90-days for Omani citizens

Suhail star heralds seasonal changes in Oman

One killed and two seriously injured in Oman shooting as police arrest suspect

Oman road accident leaves one dead and nine injured after vehicle overturns in Haima

Oman stops renewing work permits for expatriates over 60, reversing a policy introduced in 2022

Indian amateur cricketer collapses on field, dies in Muscat

MoL announces August 27 as official holiday

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