Oman Observer

18/07/2025

Across Oman’s rugged landscapes, a skilled yet vital tradition continues to thrive — one that hums gently through oases, mountain terraces, and acacia-dotted wadis: beekeeping. As the worldmarked World Bee Day earlier this year, Oman’s story was one of heritage and the close relationship between people and nature.

Across Oman’s rugged landscapes, a skilled yet vital tradition continues to thrive — one that hums gently through oases, mountain terraces, and...

18/07/2025

The recent rains have increased water flow in the northern governorates of the Sultanate of Oman. Unexpectedly large amounts of water fell in governorates like Al Dakhiliyah, Al Dhahirah and Al Sharqiyah North.

TEXT & PHOTO BY YAHYA AL SALMANIThe recent rains have increased water flow in the northern governorates of the Sultanate of Oman. Unexpectedly large...

18/07/2025

As Dhofar welcomes thousands of visitors for the 2025 khareef season, the Environment Authority has launched a timely initiative aimed at preserving the natural beauty.

SALALAH, JULY 17As Dhofar welcomes thousands of visitors for the 2025 khareef season, the Environment Authority has launched a timely initiative aimed...

18/07/2025

Her Highness The Honourable Lady Assayida Ahd Abdullah Hamed al Busaidi, Spouse of the Sultan of Oman, has addressed a message of congratulations to distinguished students in the General Education Diploma (GED) and those accepted to higher education institutions.

MUSCAT: Her Highness The Honourable Lady Assayida Ahd Abdullah Hamed al Busaidi, Spouse of the Sultan of Oman, has addressed a message of...

17/07/2025

A state of emergency was declared in several districts of Punjab on Thursday after heavy monsoon rains triggered flash floods and claimed at least 63 lives across the province in the past 24 hours, Dawn reported, citing rescue officials and local authorities.

According to Dawn, the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) had earlier issued a warning of torrential rains with wind-thundershowers across the country, expected to last till July 17.

17/07/2025

Have you visited Salalah during this Khareef? Video: .explorer

17/07/2025

All roads will soon lead to Salalah as the khareef season approaches, transforming Dhofar into a lush paradise of greenery, rainfall, and cool breezes.

All roads will soon lead to Salalah as the khareef season approaches, transforming Dhofar into a lush paradise of greenery, rainfall, and cool...

17/07/2025

TikTok hit by fresh complaint over data access

Online privacy campaigners filed fresh complaints against social media giant TikTok and two other Chinese-owned companies on Thursday, saying they had...

17/07/2025

The draw for the Asian playoff round of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, held on Thursday morning at the AFC headquarters in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, resulted in exciting Arab matchups.

The draw placed our national team Oman in Group A alongside Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, while Group B includes Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and Indonesia.

The matches of Group A will be held in Qatar, while Saudi Arabia will host the matches of Group B.

17/07/2025

he Civil Aviation Authority has issued a weather alert, highlighting the development of thundershowers and strong downdraft winds over several parts of the Sultanate.

According to the latest forecast, weather conditions will remain unstable over parts of the Al Hajar Mountains, adjacent areas in Al Wusta Governorate, and sections of Dhofar Governorate, beginning from 1:00 PM.

Cumulonimbus clouds are actively forming over the Hajar range, bringing the likelihood of scattered rainfall, some of which may be accompanied by thunderstorms and strong downdraft winds. The strength of these weather systems is considered moderate but could still result in reduced visibility, particularly in areas affected by dust or fog.

17/07/2025

The Ministry of Labour has issued a clarification regarding its earlier announcement concerning the mandatory professional classification certificate for individuals working in the accounting, finance, and auditing sectors.

In response to numerous inquiries from institutions and individuals working in the sector, the Ministry has confirmed that, effective from September 1, 2025, all Omani and expatriate employees currently working in these fields must obtain a Professional Classification Certificate as a prerequisite for the issuance or renewal of work permits.

The certificate must be obtained from the Sector Skills Unit for Accounting, Finance, and Auditing, which operates under the Ministry in collaboration with the Oman Association of Chartered Accountants. This process applies to all roles listed within the Ministry’s recognized job classification list for the sector.

17/07/2025

Heavy rains have been linked to 54 deaths in the last 24 hours in Pakistan, taking the toll to about 180 since the arrival of the monsoon in late June, the government's disaster agency said on Thursday.

Torrential rain has poured almost without pause across parts of Punjab province since Wednesday morning, causing urban flooding. Residents living near a river that runs through the city of Rawalpindi, next to the capital Islamabad, have been ordered to evacuate after a sharp rise in the water level. "In the last 24 hours, 54 people were killed and 227 injured across Pakistan, with the majority of fatalities reported from Punjab," a spokeswoman for the National Disaster Management Authority told AFP, adding that the toll had been counted at 8:00 am (0300 GMT) on Thursday.