Muscat – Oman Meteorology has issued a weather alert for parts of Oman today. Governorates including Dakhliyah, Dhofar, South Sharqiyah, Al Wusta, and North Sharqiyah can expect cumulus thunderstorms with rain of varying intensity ranging from 20 to 40mm. Strong winds of 15 to 35 knots may cause reduced visibility and lead to overflowing wadis. Sea conditions along the Arabian Sea coasts could see moderate waves of 1.25 to 1.5 meters. The Civil Aviation Authority advises everyone to follow weather bulletins and reports, take maximum precaution, remain alert, avoid crossing wadis, and stay away ..read more

Muscat – The number of passengers passing through Omani airports increased 16.8% by the end of March 2024, reaching 3,840,354 passengers, compared to 3,287,015 during the same period in 2023. Preliminary statistics from the National Center for Statistics and Information indicate that Muscat International Airport handled 3,482,325 passengers, an increase of 17.7%. The airport saw 25,204 flights, up 13.8% by March 2024. These included 23,237 international flights, carrying 3,232,76 passengers, and 1,967 domestic flights, carrying 250,249 passengers. Indian nationals topped the list of passengers ..read more

Muscat – The hospitality scene in Oman is about to get a major boost with the official signing of the Club Med Musandam project, marking the debut of the first Club Med Resort in the Middle East. This exclusive resort will come up following a collaboration among Omran Group, Club Med, and Royal Court Affairs. A deal to this effect was signed on Thursday in Muscat, which was attended by H E Salem Mohammed al Mahrouqi, Minister of Heritage and Tourism; Nasr Hamoud al Kindi, Secretary General of the Royal Court Affairs; Ibrahim Said al Busaidi, Governor of Musandam; Abdulsalam Mohammed al Murshid ..read more

Muscat – Liva Insurance, the premier insurer in the Sultanate of Oman, is thrilled to announce its recent triumph with two distinguished awards: ‘Brand of the Year’ at the esteemed Top Omani Brands Awards Ceremony and the prestigious ‘Pioneering Customer Experience’ accolade at Oman Forum 2024. These awards showcase the company’s robust brand identity and dedication to delivering top-tier insurance solutions to the local market, while also recognizing its exceptional efforts in providing a seamless, personalized, and responsive customer experience across all fronts. Hosted by Alam Al Ikti ..read more

Muscat – Affirming its position as a leading digital bank in Oman, Sohar International, the fastest-growing bank in Oman, unveils a cutting-edge payment gateway meticulously crafted to empower merchants with unprecedented efficiency. This state-of-the-art solution serves as a seamless conduit for online transactions, facilitating the smooth flow of information between websites, mobile applications, and payment processors. In the rapidly evolving landscape of digital commerce, Sohar International’s payment gateway promises merchants a host of advantages, including streamlined payment ..read more

Muscat – Liva Insurance, the premier insurer in the Sultanate of Oman, is thrilled to announce its recent triumph with two distinguished awards: ‘Brand of the Year’ at the esteemed Top Omani Brands Awards Ceremony and the prestigious ‘Pioneering Customer Experience’ accolade at Oman Forum 2024. These awards showcase the company’s robust brand identity and dedication to delivering top-tier insurance solutions to the local market, while also recognizing its exceptional efforts in providing a seamless, personalized, and responsive customer experience across all fronts. Hosted by Alam Al Ikti ..read more

Muscat – Jumeirah Muscat Bay is delighted to announce the arrival of Flavours of Mexico, set to enchant diners with its authentic flavours and lively ambiance. Taking over the elegant surroundings of the Peridot Restaurant on the first floor, Flavours of Mexico will delight guests from May 1st to May 7th 2024, from 7:00 PM to 10:30 PM. With Flavours of Mexico, guests will embark on a gastronomic journey curated by the esteemed Guest Chef Jorge Rodriguez, renowned for his mastery of traditional Mexican flair celebrating the rich tapestry of Mexican cuisine and culture. Flavours o ..read more

Muscat – The American Red Cross has recognised Shaandar Bukhari, a Pakistani national residing in Oman, for his heroic intervention that prevented a suicide attempt. Bukhari, a social worker, was alerted when he saw a WhatsApp status from a friend indicating suicidal intent. Bukhari described the tense experience as harrowing, saying, “It was a horrible experience, and I wish no one goes through it.” As a martial artist, he relied on his training to stay calm under pressure. “I stayed focused and maintained contact with him. I managed to reach his place in Al Khuwair and saved him from hanging ..read more

Muscat – A master plan for the establishment of Sohar Smart City has been released by global architecture and design studio Hassell. It was appointed by Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning to design a master plan that will position Sohar as a centre of trade, commerce and innovation by 2040. Part of the broader Sohar Master Plan, the new city will capitalise on the economic growth resulting from the free port and arrival of an international rail link to Abu Dhabi. It will include over 19,000 new homes and 520,000sqm of office space, besides schools, mosques, hospitals and a new commuter rai ..read more

Muscat – Abdulrahman bin Salem al Hatmi, CEO of Asyad Group, has confirmed that preparations are underway for construction of the Oman-UAE Rail Network, known as Hafeet Rail, which will connect the Sultanate of Oman with the United Arab Emirates. In a statement to ONA, Hatmi informed that the rail network has been designed with innovative engineering solutions to address the terrain and climate conditions. The network will feature two tunnels, each 2.5km long, and 36 bridges, some of 34m height. The project will include passenger stations in Sohar and Al Ain, and freight stations in Sohar, Bur ..read more