Muscat Daily
Debate opens on social media restrictions
The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) has opened a public consultation on regulating children's use of social media platforms, signalling a move towards stronger safeguards for minors in the digital environment amid a growing global debate...
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H M orders new economic council and additional seats for women in shura
Muscat – His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik chaired a meeting of the Council of Ministers at Al Barakah Palace on Monday and issued a series of directives focused on economic development, governance, employment, cybersecurity and public...
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Cybersecurity investment targeted with 6 projects
Cybersecurity is being positioned as a key engine of economic diversification with a new government report identifying six high-potential investment opportunities and outlining an ambitious roadmap to establish the sultanate as a regional hub for...
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UN launches Muscat Plan to counter hate speech and prevent conflict
The United Nations launched the Muscat Plan of Action, a new international framework aimed at countering hate speech, preventing violence and strengthening social cohesion through greater involvement of traditional and indigenous leaders in...
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Oman to launch Muscat Plan for peace, social cohesion at UN
Oman will officially launch the ‘Muscat Plan for Social Cohesion, Peace and Human Dignity’ at the United Nations headquarters in New York on Thursday, introducing an international initiative aimed at preventing conflict, countering hate speech and...
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Cybercrime law boosts child protection, targets AI misuse
The new Law on Combating Cybercrime, promulgated under Royal Decree No 61/2026, provides enhanced protection for children, introduces provisions to address the misuse of artificial intelligence and imposes fines of up to RO500,000 for serious offences,...
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100 DAYS ON
Muscat - A conflict that US President Donald Trump predicted would end “very fast” reached its 100th day on Sunday, with fighting continuing across multiple fronts despite ceasefire agreements and repeated diplomatic efforts. What began as a...
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Life expectancy in Oman hits record 78.6 years in 2025
Life expectancy at birth in Oman rose to a record 78.6 years in 2025, according to the latest population statistics, reflecting the sultanate’s continued progress in healthcare, disease prevention and quality of life. The figure marks a 0.38% increase...
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Asyad enters Central Asia with Uzbek acquisitions
Asyad Group, Oman's integrated logistics provider, has acquired a controlling stake in two key logistics platforms in Uzbekistan, marking its direct entry into Central Asia and establishing a freight corridor linking Oman's ports to one of the region's...
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Oman ranks first in export supply chain initiation
Oman has secured top global ranking in key World Bank logistics indicator, underscoring the efficiency of its ports and trade procedures as the sultanate seeks to strengthen its position as an international logistics hub. According to the World Bank’s...
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Oman-india CEPA opens new chapter in economic relations
The OmanIndia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) entered into force on Monday, marking a major milestone in bilateral economic relations and paving the way for deeper trade, investment and strategic cooperation between the two...
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Humanitarian crisis in Lebanon worsening: United Nations
Beirut, Lebanon - The United Nations has warned of severe humanitarian consequences arising from the ongoing military escalation by Israel in Lebanon, saying civilians are facing growing violence, displacement and loss of life. In a statement, Imran...
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2025 recorded as Oman’s hottest in 5 years
Oman experienced its hottest recorded maximum average temperature in last five years in 2025, according to new climate data published by the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI). The mean maximum temperature across the sultanate...
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National programme to groom sporting talent
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth (MCSY) has unveiled a national programme to identify and develop young athletes as part of a long-term strategy to strengthen the country’s sports sector and improve its competitiveness at international...
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OIA records strong gains from stake sale in US firm
Oman Investment Authority (OIA) said it has secured strong returns from a partial exit of its investment in Us-based Crusoe, an artificial intelligence infrastructure company, amid rising global demand for data centres and cloud computing. The...
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Oman breaks into global top 10 for customs efficiency
Oman has achieved a major milestone in global trade and logistics competitiveness after climbing to ninth place globally in the World Bank’s indicator for efficiency of customs clearance process under the Logistics Performance Index 2025, marking an...
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Council of Ministers and shura meet to align national goals
Muscat - The Council of Ministers convened a joint meeting on Tuesday with members of Majlis A’shura held under the chairmanship of H H Sayyid Shihab bin Tarik Al Said, Deputy Prime Minister for Defence Affairs. The meeting sought to improve ongoing...
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OIA POSTS RECORD RO2.9BN PROFIT
Oman Investment Authority has delivered its strongest financial performance since its establishment, recording historic profits of nearly Ro2.9bn in 2025 and securing a place among the world’s best-performing sovereign wealth funds (SWF). It announced...
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EA targets 100mn trees by 2050
Oman has launched a longterm plan to plant 100mn trees by 2050 as part of efforts to enhance climate resilience, expand green cover and support food security. Unveiled by the Environment Authority (EA), the Plant Oman 2050 initiative builds on...
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GOLD RUSH POWERS OMAN AT GCC GAMES
Oman raised its medal tally to 22 at the fourth GCC Games in Doha, securing seven gold, four silver and 11 bronze medals with events continuing till May 22. Athletics accounted for eight medals, including four gold, two silver and two bronze. Mazoon...
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MEM updates Net Zero Strategy and carbon market framework
Muscat – The Ministry of Energy and Minerals (MEM) unveiled Oman’s updated Net Zero Strategy and a regulatory framework for carbon markets on Wednesday, reinforcing the sultanate’s target of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. The announcement was...
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H M OPENS PDO OPERATIONS CENTRE BAIT AL HAITHAM
Muscat - His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik visited Petroleum Development Oman (PDO) in Mina Al Fahal on Tuesday morning to review the key developments within the energy sector and inaugurate an integrated operations centre named Bait Al...
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Shura calls for urgent reforms in agri, fisheries
Majlis A’shura has urged wideranging reforms, tighter oversight and stronger support for producers in the agriculture, fisheries and water resources sectors. In a session held on Monday in the presence of H E Dr Saud bin Hamoud al Habsi, Minister of...
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MHUP UNVEILS RO496MN PROJECTS
The Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning (MHUP) unveiled housing and infrastructure projects worth Ro496mn on Sunday at the opening of Oman Real Estate, Design and Construction Exhibition and Conference 2026. Held in partnership with the Ministry of...
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Greater Muscat plan to reshape urban growth
H H Sayyid Bilarab bin Haitham Al Said, Minister of State and Governor of Muscat, presided over the unveiling of the Greater Muscat Structural Plan under the slogan ‘Greater Muscat… Timeless Spirit, Boundless Vision’ on Thursday, marking a major step...
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MARKAZ AL BAHJA WWW.IDDESIGNOMAN.COM
Omani writer earns spotlight at Sharjah literature forum
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Al Khuwair Downtown joins global business districts network
Al Khuwair Downtown, a major urban regeneration project led by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning and designed by Zaha Hadid Architects, has become the first project in the Middle East to join the Global Business Districts (GBD) Innovation...
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Integrated semiconductor ecosystem on the anvil
Oman is stepping up efforts to build an integrated semiconductor manufacturing ecosystem, aiming to establish a foothold in the global digital economy despite the high costs and technical barriers associated with the industry. Speaking to Muscat...
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Chinese firm to build car assembly hub in Khazaen
Khazaen Economic City has signed a Ro5mn agreement with China’s Spruce Group to establish a car assembly and production centre, marking a step forward in Oman’s plans to expand its industrial base and attract foreign investment. The signing on Sunday...
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Logistics sector contributes Ro2.35bn to GDP amid 46% investment surge
The transport and storage sector is maintaining strong growth momentum with its contribution to GDP rising from Ro2.23bn in 2024 to Ro2.35bn in 2025, reflecting a growth of 5.4%. Investments in the sector surged to Ro3.4bn in 2025, up from Ro2.32bn a...
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H M CONNECTS WITH CITIZENS
Muscat - His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik toured a number of wilayats in the governorates of North Sharqiyah and South Sharqiyah on Wednesday. The Royal motorcade departed from Al Barakah Palace, passing through the wilayats of Ibra, Al Qabil...
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Oman calls for ME region free of nuclear weapons at UN meet
Oman called for the establishment of a nuclearweapon-free zone in the Middle East at the 11th Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), which is being held at the United Nations in New York and...
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MHT issues revised regulations of Tourism Law
The Ministry of Heritage and Tourism (MHT) has issued executive regulations for the Tourism Law, setting out a revised framework to regulate activities, strengthen oversight and raise service standards across the sector. The regulations, aligned with...
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H M, Iranian FM discuss evolving situation in region
Muscat - His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik met Abbas Araghchi, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran, at Al Barakah Palace on Sunday. At the outset, Araghchi conveyed the greetings of President Masoud Pezeshkian of Iran to His...
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Oman, Kazakhstan to set up joint fund
Astana, Kazakhstan – Oman and Kazakhstan have signed a preliminary agreement to establish a strategic partnership and create a joint investment fund, marking a step forward in bilateral economic cooperation. The agreement was signed last week at the...
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ITU urges Oman to modernise telecom law, digital regulations
The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has called on Oman to overhaul its twodecade-old telecommunications law and strengthen collaboration between regulators, ministries and private-sector stakeholders, stressing that outdated legal...
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Burhan thanks Oman’s peace efforts in Sudan
Muscat - His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik received Gen Abdel Fattah Al Burhan, President of the Transitional Sovereignty Council in the Republic of Sudan, at Al Barakah Palace during the latter’s private visit to the Sultanate of Oman on...
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African Bank of Oman launched in Angola
Muscat – The African Bank of Oman (ABO) has been officially launched in Luanda, Angola positioning it as a financial platform to support trade and investment flows between Africa and the Middle East, as well as to strengthen the sultanate’s...
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Ro400mn farm investment in H1 to boost food security
The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources (MAFWR) plans to offer 400 agricultural investment opportunities worth Ro400mn by the end of the first half of 2026, as part of efforts to boost food selfsufficiency and expand private sector...
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Economy set for fastest growth in GCC
Oman is projected to be the fastestgrowing economy in the GCC in 2026, supported by limited exposure to regional disruptions and gains from higher oil prices, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF). In its 2026 Regional Economic Outlook...
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IRAN WAR COULD TRIGGER GLOBAL RECESSION: IMF
Washington, DC, US - The International Monetary Fund (IMF) warned on Tuesday that war in the Middle East has sharply darkened the global economic outlook, citing disruptions to oil markets, rising inflation and an increased risk of recession. In its...
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Iran standoff raises fears of oil shock and global food crisis
The US naval blockade on Iranian ports has already pushed oil prices higher and could trigger wider economic and food security challenges globally, an Omani economist has warned. Speaking on Oman TV, Dr Mohammed Hummaid Nasser Al Wardi, economic...
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Oman deepens economic ties with Botswana
Muscat – His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik and President Duma Gideon Boko of Botswana oversaw the signing of several cooperation agreements in Muscat on Monday, marking a step forward in economic ties between the two countries. The accords cover...
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N Sharqiyah hits farm self-sufficiency
North Sharqiyah achieved 100% self-sufficiency in several agricultural and livestock products - including dates, cucumber, honey and eggs - in 2025, according to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources. Dr Abdulaziz bin Ali Al...
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‘Indian Ocean requires collective stewardship to improve security’
H E Sayyid Badr Al Busaidi, Foreign Minister, took part in the 9th Indian Ocean Conference 2026, held in Mauritius via video link on Friday. Being held from April 10 to 12, the event has brought together Navin Ramgoolam, Prime Minister of Mauritius,...
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Oman backs Iran–us truce
Oman has welcomed the announcement of a ceasefire agreement between Iran and the United States, expressing hope that the move will pave the way for broader regional stability and renewed diplomatic engagement. In a statement, the Foreign Ministry...
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Expressway expansion work to begin in June
The Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology is preparing to begin work on expansion of Muscat Expressway in mid-june, as part of ongoing efforts to enhance road capacity and improve traffic flow across Muscat governorate. The...
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Over 100 investment opportunities unveiled at South Batinah forum
More than 100 investment opportunities and over 40 investment sites with a combined area exceeding 6mn sqm were unveiled during the Investment Opportunities Forum 2026 in Barka organised by the South Batinah branch of Oman Chamber of Commerce and...
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TRA prepares to roll out 6G
A preliminary study has been launched to assess the readiness for deploying sixth-generation (6G) telecommunications networks in Oman, as part of efforts to prepare the nation for the next wave of digital connectivity. The Telecommunications...
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War impacts winter tourism
Rising regional tensions amid the ongoing conflict in the Gulf have begun to affect Oman’s tourism sector this winter season. The winter tourism season typically attracts large numbers of international visitors seeking desert adventures and cultural...
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MOSD reports 4,199 child abuse cases
The Ministry of Social Development(mosd) has revealed that child protection committees across the sultanate dealt with 4,199 cases of child abuse in 2025, reflecting the scale of efforts to safeguard vulnerable groups and strengthen social protection...
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Ro8.8bn utilities investment unveiled
Compensation paid to subscribers will be doubled if utility companies repeatedly fail to meet approved service standards, the Authority for Public Services Regulation (APSR) has said, as it outlined measures to strengthen consumer protection in Oman’s...
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MHUP launches emergency support system for homes hit by recent rains
The Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning( MHUP) has launched a dedicated electronic service to receive assistance requests from citizens whose homes were affected by the recent weather conditions, a senior official said. Saeed bin Nasser Al Harasi,...
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MTCIT launches maritime portal offering 13 services
The Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology (MTCIT) has launched the Oman Maritime Portal, a new digital platform designed to streamline maritime services and accelerate procedures across the sultanate’s maritime sector. The...
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TRAGIC WEEKEND: 5 DEAD
Heavy rains and flash floods that swept parts of Oman over the weekend resulted in five deaths, including a child and two women, as wadis overflowed and water levels surged in several governorates. Search and rescue teams saved more than 115 citizens...
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93 SHELTERED AS RAINS CONTINUE
Heavy rainfall over the past few days has prompted authorities to activate shelter centres in several parts of the sultanate, while some public transport services have been suspended as a precaution amid a weather system linked to the Al Misarrat low...
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‘Crossing wadis remains top cause of emergencies’
The Civil Defence and Ambulance Authority (CDAA) has confirmed that attempts to cross flowing wadis remain the leading cause of emergency incidents during the current weather conditions in Oman, despite repeated warnings. Heavy rains over the past few...
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Plans for short haul domestic routes to expand air connectivity
Oman is set to launch a new domestic air service before the end of this year, aimed at strengthening connectivity between governorates and remote areas, improving access to economic and tourism hubs, and supporting transport for the oil and gas...
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Oman climbs 19 places in economic freedom index
Oman has climbed 19 places in the 2026 Index of Economic Freedom, issued by the USbased Heritage Foundation, ranking 39th globally, compared with 58th in 2025. The index evaluates 176 economies worldwide to measure the level of economic freedom, based...
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Ro762mn boost for urban development
Oman signed 17 investment and development agreements worth more than Ro762mn during its participation in MIPIM 2026 in Cannes, France, which concluded on Friday, highlighting growing international interest in the sultanate’s urban development...
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Charter aviation brings Ro30mn tourism revenue
The charter aviation sector generated more than Ro30mn in economic returns for Oman in 2025, according to the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism (MHT). The figure includes revenues from accommodation, transportation and tourist trips, excluding...
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Mandatory savings scheme for expats among new social protection reforms
The Social Protection Fund (SPF) is preparing to introduce several new insurance programmes between 2026 and 2028 as part of efforts to expand social protection coverage and enhance job and financial security in the labour market. The initiatives were...
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MTCIT to expand digital economy
The Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology (MTCIT) has unveiled a new set of initiatives to expand Oman’s digital economy over the next five years, including plans to establish digital transformation centres across all...
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Oman Air boosts capacity with 80 extra flights
Oman Air has reaffirmed its commitment to international travellers after transporting more than 97,000 passengers over the past week, while adding nearly 80 extra flights to accommodate a sharp rise in travel demand. While ongoing regional challenges...
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Oman calls for joint Arab action
Oman on Sunday called for urgent diplomatic efforts to contain the conflict involving Iran, warning that continued hostilities could threaten regional stability and global economic interests. The appeal came during an extraordinary ministerial meeting...
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OMAN’S TRADE SURPLUS DOWN 27% TO RO6BN
Oman recorded a trade surplus of Ro6.097bn for the full year 2025, down 26.9% from Ro8.341bn in 2024, mainly due to a sharp decline in value of oil exports. Preliminary statistics from the National Centre for Statistics and Information showed that the...
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Ro186mn to expand Muscat Expressway, Ibra carriageway
The Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology, in coordination with the Projects, Tenders and Local Content Authority, has awarded contracts worth Ro186.3mn for two major road projects aimed at easing congestion and improving...
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Drones target ports in Duqm, Salalah; air traffic disrupted
Oman came under drone attacks on Tuesday, with vital installations targeted in the ports of Duqm and Salalah. A security source confirmed that two drones were intercepted over the skies of Dhofar, while a third fell near the Port of Salalah, with no...
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Drone attack on tanker off Muscat kills crew member
An oil tanker flying the flag of the Marshall Islands was struck by a drone boat on Monday in waters off Muscat, triggering a fire and leaving one crew member dead. The vessel, identified as MKD VYOM, was sailing approximately 52 nautical miles off...
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Drones strike Duqm port, oil tanker near Khasab
Oman has strongly condemned two separate drone attacks targeting Port of Duqm and an oil tanker off the coast of Khasab, describing the incidents as acts of aggression amid heightened regional tensions. According to a security source, two unmanned...
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REGION ON THE BRINK
The United States and Israel launched coordinated strikes on Iran on Saturday, triggering Iranian retaliation and raising fears of a wider regional conflict. Large explosions were reported in Tehran and several other cities, with smoke seen rising...
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FDI UP 16% TO RO30.9BN
Foreign direct investment into Oman increased 16.2% year-on-year by the end of the third quarter of 2025, with total FDI stocks reaching Ro30.948bn, according to data released by the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI). FDI inflows...
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Major traffic accidents up 13%
Unaudited official figures released by the Financial Services Authority show that insurance companies registered approximately 75,300 traffic accidents in 2025, compared to 75,200 in 2024 - a marginal increase of 0.1%. Compensation for traffic...
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18 pharma factories planned; health budget nears Ro1bn
Oman is expanding its pharmaceutical manufacturing capacity with 18 new production facilities under construction, in addition to 20 facilities currently operating across the sultanate, the Ministry of Health (MOH) stated on Sunday. The announcement...
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MTCIT plans direct Muscat–tashkent flights
Oman is stepping up efforts to strengthen transport and logistics ties with Uzbekistan, as part of a broader strategy to enhance connectivity with Central Asia and reinforce its position as a regional transit hub. The Ministry of Transport,...
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