1 year ago
Endangered Arabian Sea Humpback Whale Found Dead Off Oman’s Coast
Oman’s Environment Authority has confirmed the discovery of a dead Arabian Sea humpback whale along the country’s coastline, after it was washed ashore off Al Ashkharah beach. The whale was found entangled in fishing nets. In a statement on its Instagram page, the authority noted that the incident was handled systematically and scientifically, in accordance with established environmental protocols. The whale was reportedly trapped in abandoned fishing gear—a practice often linked to negligent and illegal fishing activity. The Arabian Sea humpback whale is listed as an endangered species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), with its population already facing serious threats due to limited numbers, habitat degradation, and human-induced hazards. Such occurrences, officials warned, are becoming increasingly common in international waters due to unregulated and excessive fishing, as well as mounting competition between commercial fleets—many of which disregard international environmental guidelines in pursuit of profits.
1 year ago
Oman’s Giant Sinkholes Draw Tourists — And Safety Concerns
Shrouded in fog in the lush mountains of southern Oman, a giant chasm plunges into the landscape, echoing with mysterious sounds that have spawned myths and legends among nearby tribes. This enormous sinkhole is one of four that dot Dhofar governorate, including one of the world’s biggest: the yawning Kahf Teiq, up to 211 metres (692 feet) deep and 150 metres wide. At the Tawi Atair sinkhole, tourists potter around on concrete paths and stairways. Not all of the holes are so welcoming, however. The sheer drop of the Sheeheet pit, a 40-minute drive away along mountain roads, is ringed with slippery mud, prompting the authorities to put up a fence and warning signs. During AFP’s visit, one tourist slipped and slid perilously close to the edge. Dhofar’s governor, Marwan bin Turki A Said, gave assurances that safety was a priority at the sinkholes, in a briefing attended by AFP. Tawi Atair means “Well of Birds” in Dhofar’s regional language, a reference to the avian twittering, distorted by echoes, that reverberates off the rock. It lay unknown to the outside world until 1997, when a team of Slovenian researchers working with Oman’s Sultan Qaboos University brought it to international attention. […]
1 year ago
Hafeet Rail: What To Know About The UAE-Oman Train Route
Hafeet Rail is a new joint rail venture that will connect the UAE and Oman by train for the first time. Named after Jebel Hafeet, the mountain straddling the UAE-Oman border, the project is a major milestone for regional transport and logistics. What is Hafeet Rail? Hafeet Rail is a joint venture between Etihad Rail, Oman Rail, and Mubadala Investment Company. Its primary goal is to connect the Etihad Rail network at Al Ain with Sohar Port in Oman, integrating both countries into a unified transport and logistics chain. The project is valued at around $2.5 billion (approximately 960 million Omani rials). It represents the first cross-border railway network in the region. Strategic goals of the UAE-Oman railway project The Hafeet Rail project is part of a long-term vision to strengthen economic ties between the UAE and Oman. Phase I focuses on connecting Sohar with the UAE’s national rail network, creating a fully integrated corridor for passenger and freight movement. The key objectives include: How will the UAE-Oman Railway benefit travellers? Once operational, Hafeet Rail is expected to significantly enhance cross-border travel between the UAE and Oman, offering faster, more convenient, and scenic journeys for passengers. Key benefits for passengers […]
1 year ago
More Omanis Getting Divorced, Government Figures Show
Oman reported an alarming increase in the number of divorce cases over the last year, according to the government figures. More than 4,100 divorces were filed in 2024 in Oman, a rise of 7% compared with a year earlier, the Supreme Judiciary Council figures showed. According to official statistics, 4,122 divorce cases have been filed in the country, an average of 11 cases every day. With the total number of marriages in Oman having decreased slightly from 15,400 in 2022 to 14,716 in 2023, the number of divorces experienced a more substantial drop, declining from over 4,160 cases in 2022 to just over 3,828 in 2023. Statistics showed more than 3,800 divorces were filed in 2021, a rise of 12 percent compared with a year earlier. Muscat topped other governorates with more than 1,161 cases in 2024, followed by Dhofar, 687, North Batinah, 671, South Batinah, 704, and North Sharqiyah, 264, South Sharqiyah, 249, according to figures. Additionally, Muscat Governorate led the way, recording 4,868 marriages in 2024, followed by North Batinah, 2,955, South Batinah, 2,031, Dhakilyah, 2,042, Dhofar, 1,684, South Sharqiyah,1,306 and North Sharqiyah with 1,228. According to recent studies, divorce is increasing among young people and groups with […]
1 year ago
Oman Mandates Licensing For Some Oil And Gas Sector Jobs
Ministry of Manpower has announced on Monday the mandatory licensing requirement for certain jobs in the oil and gas sector, effective from September 1, 2025. The move comes as part of ongoing efforts to regulate the labour market and enhance the efficiency of national workforce capabilities, the Ministry of Labour, in coordination with the Ministry of Energy and Minerals, has stated that individuals employed in or seeking employment in specified roles within the oil and gas sector will be required to obtain a license to practice from the Energy and Minerals Sector Skills Unit, represented by the Oman Energy Society. Mandatory prerequisite The license will become a mandatory prerequisite for both the issuance and renewal of work permits for the listed professions. The Labour Ministry emphasised that no permits will be granted for these roles without submission of an approved license. The ministry’s statement reads: ““Obtaining a license to practice the profession issued by the Sectoral Skills Unit for the Energy and Minerals Sector is a mandatory requirement for issuing or renewing work permits, effective from September 1, 2025. The Ministry of Labor will not grant these permits until after submitting the approved license,”. List of occupations classified under the Professional Accreditation System in […]
1 year ago
Three Arrested For Stealing AC Units From Women’s Sports Hall In Oman
The Royal Oman Police announced that three men have been taken into custody in connection with the theft of air-conditioning units from a women’s sports hall in Sohar, in Oman’s North Al Batinah Governorate. In a statement issued on Sunday, the police said that two of the suspects are Omani citizens and the third is an Arab expatriate. The investigation revealed that the stolen units had been sold to a local shop that deals in the trade and collection of scrap materials. Authorities did not specify how many units were stolen or the value of the goods but noted that legal procedures are under way and that the case will be referred to prosecutors once the initial inquiries are complete. The theft has drawn attention in the local community of Sohar Wilayat, a city known for its growing sports and recreational facilities, where such incidents are rare.
1 year ago
Oman: Two Speeding Cars Crash On Salalah Road, Killing Emirati And Omani
Two men—an Emirati and an Omani—lost their lives in a fatal head-on collision on a two-way highway near Thumrait in Oman’s Dhofar Governorate on Saturday. Preliminary reports and widely shared video footage indicate that both vehicles were travelling at high speeds when they crashed. Surveillance cameras recorded the violent impact on a stretch of road commonly used by travellers heading to Salalah. The Omani victim, identified as mathematics teacher Nasser Al Kindi, was travelling with his family; his family members survived the incident. The Emirati victim was accompanied by another Emirati citizen, who also survived the crash. Authorities have yet to issue an official statement on the cause of the accident. This latest tragedy follows another devastating crash just weeks earlier on Sultan Said bin Taimur Road near Maqshan in Dhofar. That incident, confirmed by the Royal Oman Police, involved three vehicles and resulted in five fatalities—two Omanis and three Emiratis—while 11 others, including five children, sustained injuries.
1 year ago
Oman: Three Killed, One Critically Injured In Truck Collision In Ibri
Three people were killed and another critically injured on Sunday when two trucks collided in the Al Rahba area of Ibri, according to the local Arabic daily Al Roya. Emergency crews from the Civil Defence and Ambulance Authority in the Dhahirah governorate responded quickly, providing on-site medical care before transporting the injured person to a nearby hospital, officials said. The authorities have not released the victims’ names. An investigation has been opened to determine the cause of the crash. Road accidents involving heavy vehicles remain a concern in Oman’s interior regions, where long, sparsely populated highways and driver fatigue have often been cited by officials as factors contributing to fatal collisions. The Civil Defence and Ambulance Authority urged drivers of heavy vehicles to observe speed limits, remain alert and avoid driving while fatigued.
1 year ago
Video: Five Arrested For Kidnapping And Extorting Man After Impersonating Woman In Oman
Five Omani citizens have been arrested for luring, kidnapping, and extorting money from a man after posing as a woman online. They tricked the victim into travelling to a residence in the Wilayat of Barka, where he was abducted. According to a statement from the Royal Oman Police, the suspects contacted the victim through messaging platforms while impersonating a woman. They gained his trust and persuaded him to travel to Barka. Once there, they ambushed him using multiple vehicles and forcibly took him to a private residence. The man was held against his will and extorted for money, the police said. The arrests were made by the South Al Batinah Governorate Police Command. Legal proceedings are now underway.
1 year ago
Oman Passport Offers Visa-free Travel to 88 Countries
Oman has jumped four places to 56th in the Henley Passport Index in the first half of 2025, based on several destinations including China and Russia, recently announcing visa exemption for Omanis, according to an official data from International Air Transport Association (IATA). Oman was ranked 60th in the 2024 rankings when its citizens could travel visa-free to 86 countries. Now, Omanis can travel to 88 countries with visa-free travel access. The index is powered by Timetric data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the ranks of all passports based on a number of destinations their holders can access without a prior visa. In May, China exempted nationals from Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait and Bahrain from needing entry visas starting next month, expanding visa-free coverage to all states in the Gulf Cooperation Council following a similar move with the United Arab Emirates and Qatar back in 2018. Oman and Russia signed a mutual visa exemption agreement for short-term visits, which took effect on July 18, 2025. Omanis can travel without visa to Albania, Bahamas, Barbados, Belarus, Botswana, Brunei, Colombia, Dominica, Ecuador, Egypt, Georgia, Haiti, Hong Kong, Iran, Russia, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Armenia,Malaysia, Mauritius, Micronesia, Pakistan, Philippines, Serbia, […]
