6 days ago
Fatal Crashes Fuel Hamad Town Safety Push
The Northern Municipal Council renewed its call for a pedestrian traffic light between the fourth and fifth roundabouts on Shaikh Hamad Road in Hamad Town, citing repeated serious and fatal accidents. The proposed signal would serve pedestrian crossings in both directions across Blocks 1205 and 1206. The Ministry of Works previously said a technical assessment found pedestrian movement at the existing crossing was not high enough to justify a traffic light. It also said the stretch, which is less than 800 metres long, was not considered a major pedestrian attraction. The ministry said it would instead repaint the existing pedestrian crossing while continuing to review safety measures. Councillor Jassim Hijris said the council remained committed to the proposal because of repeated accidents and concerns over vehicles travelling at high speeds. He called for an on-site traffic study to determine the most suitable location for a signal and assess additional measures, including speed humps, improved crossings, lighting and warning signs.
6 days ago
Oman makes Lonely Planet’s 2027 travel hotlist
Oman has been named among Lonely Planet’s 50 Best Places to Go in 2027, earning recognition for its diverse landscapes, cultural heritage and renowned hospitality. The sultanate was included under the title ‘Best for Arabian Hospitality’, with the global travel guide highlighting Oman’s deserts, mountains and coastline, as well as the warmth with which visitors are received. “With spectacular desert landscapes, soaring mountains and a long coastline, Oman is a joy for adventurous travellers. But the most memorable part of a trip here is meeting the hospitable Omani people, who make a virtue of cherishing their visitors,” wrote Lonely Planet guidebook writer Jenny Walker. The annual Best in Travel list features 50 destinations selected by Lonely Planet’s writers and editors based on their first-hand travel experiences. Lonely Planet describes Oman as the country known for its extensive coastline, high mountain ranges, rugged canyons, lush oases and vast deserts. It said Oman’s natural diversity has attracted adventurous travellers for years, while changes to visa rules have opened the sultanate to a wider audience. The guide also points to Oman’s strong traditions and rich heritage, alongside cities that combine history and tradition with a modern outlook. The Ministry of Heritage and Tourism […]
6 days ago
Oman’s investment in space sector soars by 270% to OMR74mn
Private sector investment in Oman’s space sector rose from OMR20 million in 2023 to OMR65 million in 2024, and then to OMR74 million in 2025 — a growth rate of 270 percent compared with 2023. The number of employees in government and private institutions in the sector increased from 152 in 2023 to 241 in 2024, and then to 400 in 2025 — a growth rate of 163 percent. In addition, socio-economic indicators show steady growth. The number of companies operating in the space sector rose from 11 in 2023 to 20 in 2024, and then to 26 in 2025 — a growth rate of 136 percent compared with 2023. All these indicate that the space sector in the Sultanate of Oman has developed rapidly between 2023 and 2025. It moved from the establishment phase to the market-building phase. This shift was driven by rising private sector investment, a growing number of companies and employees, the launch of strategic satellite projects, infrastructure development, national capacity-building programs, and a stronger international presence. Eng. Said Hamoud Al Maawali, Minister of Transport, Communications and Information Technology, affirmed that the sector is developing rapidly as an enabler of the digital economy. He noted that […]
6 days ago
Two Asian nationals arrested in Al Buraimi with crystal meth
The Al Buraimi Governorate Police Command has apprehended two individuals of Asian nationality for possessing a quantity of crystal meth in pure form, with the intention of trafficking and consuming it. The Royal Oman Police (ROP) said that the two suspects were arrested in possession of the narcotic substance and that legal procedures against them are being completed.
6 days ago
UAE president discussed bilateral relations with Israel’s Netanyahu, state news agency says
UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan discussed bilateral relations during a visit on Sunday by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the Gulf country, the Emirati state news agency WAM reported on Monday. The report by WAM was the first UAE confirmation of Netanyahu’s visit. The Israeli prime minister’s office said on Monday that Netanyahu visited at the invitation of the UAE president. It said the visit “focused on strengthening relations between the two countries and on regional challenges”. Three senior Israeli officials said the meeting on Sunday lasted six hours and focused on Iran. Earlier this year, the UAE denied that Sheikh Mohamed met with Netanyahu after the Israeli prime minister’s office said in May that Netanyahu had “secretly visited” the Gulf country and met with the president. A source familiar with the meeting said at the time that Netanyahu and Sheikh Mohamed met in Al-Ain, an oasis city in Abu Dhabi along the country’s border with Oman, on March 26. Since coming under attack during the Iran war, the UAE has strengthened its relationships with the United States and Israel, with which it opened ties as a result of the 2020 Abraham Accords. The relationship with […]
6 days ago
Bahrain F1 Grand Prix 2026 set for three days of Racing in Malaysia
The Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix 2026 is set to take place from October 2 to 4 at Sepang International Circuit (SIC) in Malaysia, with three days of Formula 1 racing, support races and entertainment planned for the weekend. The event marks Formula 1’s return to SIC for the first time since 2017, with Bahrain International Circuit (BIC) and SIC preparing to welcome fans for the race weekend. Limited race-weekend tickets remain available through BIC’s official website, bahraingp.com, or via the BIC Hotline on +973 1745 0000. Formula 1 weekend schedule SIC will open its gates at 8.30am on Friday and Saturday, and at 10am on Sunday. Friday will feature two 60-minute Formula 1 practice sessions. The first is scheduled for 12.30pm local time (7.30am Bahrain time), followed by the second at 4pm local time (11am Bahrain time). A third practice session will take place on Saturday at 12.30pm local time (7.30am Bahrain time), before qualifying gets underway at 4pm local time (11am Bahrain time). Qualifying will determine the starting grid for Sunday’s 56-lap Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix, which is scheduled to start at 3pm local time (10am Bahrain time). Formula Trophy Malaysia The Formula […]
6 days ago
Yavi Completes Golden Hat-Trick
Winfred Yavi completed a golden hat-trick at the 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya yesterday, adding the women’s 5,000 metres title to her remarkable haul at Nagoya City Mizuho Park Athletic Stadium. A day after retaining her 3,000m steeplechase crown in record-breaking fashion, the reigning Olympic champion returned to the track and crossed the line in 15 minutes 10.18 seconds to claim her third gold medal of the Games. Japan’s Nozomi Tanaka took silver in 15:11.65, with India’s Parul Chaudhary completing the podium in 15:14.61. Bahrain’s Ruth Jebet, the kingdom’s other representative in the 12-runner final, finished ninth in 16:09.10. The race remained open deep into the contest, with Kazakhstan’s Norah Jeruto Tanui leading at the 1,000m and 2,000m marks before Yavi moved to the front at 3,000m. Tanui was back ahead at 4,000m, but Yavi had the final say to beat Tanaka by 1.47 seconds. The triumph capped a superb individual campaign for the 26-year-old, who had already won the 10,000m last Thursday before completing a third successive Asian Games steeplechase title on Sunday. Her latest success also lifted Bahrain’s overall haul to 14 medals, including nine gold, two silver and three bronze. There was further progress for the Bahrainis […]
6 days ago
MPs Push to Scrap 32-Fils Power Band
Five MPs have lodged a Parliament bid to scrap the 32-fils electricity band charged to Bahrainis in their first home once monthly use passes 7,000 kWh, saying long months of air-conditioning can push families into the top tier. The plan would make the third band, which starts at 5,001 kWh, the final tier with no upper limit and no rise beyond its 16-fils rate. The current four-band scale was brought in under a ministerial resolution issued in February. It charges 3 fils per kWh for the first 3,000 kWh, 9 fils from 3,001 to 5,000, 16 fils from 5,001 to 7,000 and 32 fils above 7,000. The proposal comes from Strategic Thinking Bloc MPs Khalid BuAnaq, Zainab Abdulameer, Ahmed Al Salloom, Hisham Al Awadhi and Mohammed Al Maarifi. Mr BuAnaq said large families and relatives sharing the same home can also be pushed into the top band because of higher household use. ‘Many Bahraini families see their electricity and water bills jump as soon as they enter the fourth band, leaving them with monthly payments beyond what they can afford,’ he said. He said low- and middle-income families are among those hit when several people live under one roof. Under […]
6 days ago
289 Spaces Set for Food Trucks
New regulation drive gives operators until January to complete requirements and secure approved locations The Northern Municipal Council reviewed new measures to regulate Bahrain’s food truck sector, giving operators until January 2027 to meet the required conditions. Northern Area Municipality Director General Eng. Mohammed Saad Al Sahli said 289 designated spaces have been allocated nationwide for food trucks, with applications for locations handled online. The sector expanded rapidly during the COVID-19 pandemic, with around 400 commercial registrations issued by January 2022, compared with about 150 trucks registered with the General Directorate of Traffic. Authorities said the new system will use existing health, Civil Defence, Traffic and municipal requirements rather than introduce additional regulations. Health and Civil Defence inspections will be followed by vehicle checks from Traffic, while municipalities will approve locations after the requirements are completed. A six-month grace period and awareness campaign are currently under way; compliance will become mandatory afterward. Northern Municipal Council members have raised concerns about competition between established restaurants and independent food truck operators as Bahrain moves to regulate the sector. Council member Basem Ali Abuidrees questioned the policy allowing some businesses with existing restaurant commercial registrations to operate food trucks. He argued that small […]
7 days ago
Etihad Rail begins passenger train trial operations ahead of official launch on Wednesday
Etihad Rail has begun trial operations of its passenger train ahead of the official launch of passenger rail services on Wednesday, as part of efforts to enhance readiness, improve the efficiency of the transport system and provide safe, reliable and integrated mobility options across the UAE. The trial route runs from Abu Dhabi Station to Mohamed bin Zayed City Station and then to Al Yalayis Station in Dubai, enhancing connectivity between the emirates and supporting smooth passenger movement between Abu Dhabi and Dubai. The trial operations aim to test the readiness of the stations, trains and journey route, assess the passenger experience, ease of travel and integration with other transport networks, and evaluate various operational procedures before the official service begins. Adhraa Almansoori, Executive Director of Commercial and Support at Etihad Rail Mobility, told the Emirates News Agency (WAM) that the Abu Dhabi-Al Yalayis Station route in Dubai represents an important addition to the national transport system. She said Al Yalayis is the third railway station to open in Dubai and was completed in record time and ahead of schedule in preparation for the official launch of the national railway network. Almansoori said the service follows the launch of the […]
