Category: General

The National Museum, represented by the Department of Museum Learning and Community Outreach, today organized an event titled “Rock Engravings”.

The purpose of the event was to introduce rock drawings and engravings and their human significance inspired by Oman’s nature across the ages.

The event included a lecture titled “Examples of Rock Drawings in the Sultanate of Oman,”. The lecture introduced rock drawings found in numerous valleys and mountains in Oman, dating back to ancient times. It showcased examples, explained their meanings, discussed drawing techniques, and highlighted the tools used. The lecture was followed by a guided tour for participants to explore examples of rock drawings and engravings in the Prehistory and Ancient History Galleries of the National Museum.

Continuing with the event, an art workshop was conducted for drawing and engraving on wood, mimicking the rock drawings and engravings displayed in the Prehistory and Ancient History Galleries.

It is worth noting that rock drawings
and engravings have been discovered in numerous valleys and mountains across Oman, spanning various provinces and dating back to prehistoric and ancient eras. Some of the well-known drawings depict human life symbols, animals like oryx, horses, camels, dogs, and elephants, as well as reptiles like scorpions and snakes. In the realm of tools, war-related items such as spears, swords, and shields are highlighted. Symbolic representations in Omani rock art include stars and the sun, among others.

Source: Oman News Agency

The prices of 95 and 98 octane gasoline cans on Friday rose by 18,000 Lebanese pounds, while diesel increased by 4,000 Lebanese pounds. The price of gas cylinders remained unchanged. The prices are now as follows:

– 95 Octane Gasoline: LBP 1,690,000

– 98 Octane Gasoline: LBP 1,728,000

– Diesel: LBP 1,552,000

– Gas: LBP 940,000

Source: National news agency – Lebanon

Tehran, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani has slammed the anti-humanitarian approach followed by the Israeli entity in Gaza, stressing that it is doomed to failure.

Commenting on the Israeli occupation entity’s excuses for its attack on Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis in southern Gaza Strip, Kanaani said in a post on ‘X’ platform ‘This is not the first time that the criminal entity has uses deceitful, shabby and hollow pretexts to attack medical centers, with the aim of attacking civilians and completing its project to annihilate the Palestinian people.’

The Iranian diplomat added ‘At a time when world public opinion has not yet forgotten the scandal caused by the false claims of Zionist officials about al-Shifa Hospital, the Zionists this time attacked Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis with the same deceptive excuses.’

He affirmed that this inhumane approach followed by the entity is doomed to failure, and the series of disgrace and shame for the occupation entity and its sponsors are still cont
inuing.

Source: Syrian Arab News Agency

Muscat: Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI), in partnership with the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion, today organized the ‘Partnership and Integration’ programme.

The programme aims to find solutions to the challenges facing the progress of the Omani private sector, upgrade the level of performance, and keep pace with aspirations in light of the objectives of the Oman Vision 2040 towards an effective and proactive private sector.

Qais Mohammed Al Yousef, Minister of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion, explained that the proposed solutions that were formulated and discussed during the programme will enhance the competitiveness of the private sector. These solutions were specific, clear, and tailored to address the real challenges of the sector, he added.

The minister stressed that the existing efforts made by private sector establishments are designed to develop the national economy through the continuous endeavor to find strategic partnerships that contribute to ad
vancing economic development.

Al Yousef added that these meetings with the private sector represent the necessity of strategic partnership through the proposals and initiatives presented by the private sector through OCCI.

The minister stated that the programme aims to empower the private sector, create new business opportunities and projects, attract quality investments, enhance exports, and develop a competitive business milieu. He noted that the ministry is moving forward to streamline procedures, improve services, protect competition and prevent monopoly.

For his part, Dr. Said Mohammed Al Saqri, Minister of Economy said that the national goals sought from these and similar programmes aims to further achieve integration, enhance the capabilities of the national economy and raise the ceiling of ambition for a more competitive performance through which the Sultanate of Oman rises to advanced levels in easing the business environment. The move contributes positively on global competitiveness indicators an
d expanding production structures with highly efficient national cadres, he added.

Dr. Mahad Said Ba’owain, Minister of Labour said that integration between the public and private sectors aims to achieve a stimulating business environment that ensures sustainability and growth for the private sector so that this sector can contribute to supporting the national economy in general and enhance its role as a major employer of labour.

Faisal Abdullah Al Rowas, OCCI Chairman presented a visual presentation in which he explained the participatory paths with the government’s legislative and executive departments. The step aims to create a favorable climate for the consensus of ideas and visions to achieve integration and adopt sustainable solutions that enhance the performance indicators of the private sector and its contributions to the national economic system. He also highlighted the OCCI strategic approach to improve the business environment in the private sector.

HH Dr. Adham Turki Al Said, Head of the OCCI E
conomic Committee explained that the ‘Partnership and Integration’ programme provided valuable insights that lead the private sector towards sustainability in achieving strong growth based on the opportunities outlined by Oman Vision 2040 in various sectors. The programme requires doubling efforts, accelerating achievement, and creating a flexible legislative and procedural environment that supports improving the business environment and contributes to creating a qualitative shift in the business community, he added.

Source: Oman News Agency

Israeli occupation forces continue to bomb many areas in the Gaza Strip with warplanes, artillery, and gunboats, committing several massacres, killing and injuring dozens of Palestinian citizens, most of them women and children, on the 137th day of its aggression against Gaza.

WAFA correspondent reported that a large number of civilians were killed and others were injured in missile and artillery shelling and gunfire from Israeli drones on Al-Zaytoun neighborhood, southeast of Gaza City.

He said that large Israeli military vehicles entered Al-Zaytoun neighborhood from Tal Al-Hawa area west of the city, and Mahmour Salah Al-Din to the south, and were stationed near the intersection of Street 8 and Salah Al-Din Street amid bombardment by Israeli warplanes and the firing of artillery shells that hit a number of citizens’ homes, killing at least 15 people and wounding dozens.

He added that Israeli drones opened fire on citizens moving between the alleys and side streets in the neighborhood, pointing out that t
he Israeli incursion into Al-Zaytoun neighborhood resulted in the forced displacement of thousands of citizens towards the western areas of Gaza City, specifically to Al-Shifa Hospital and the vicinity of the hospital in Al-Rimal neighborhood.

Israeli warplanes, occupation artillery, and tanks launched raids and fired shells at a number of residential neighborhoods in the city of Khan Yunis, south of the Gaza Strip, killing six civilians and wounding 15 others.

The Israeli forces continue its operations in Nasser and Al-Amal hospitals, west of the city, amid tragic conditions for the wounded, patients, and medical staff in Nasser Hospital.

In Rafah, the occupation bombed a number of shells in the center and west of the city, causing injuries among the displaced.

In the central Gaza Strip, Israeli warplanes bombed several homes in the Nuseirat, Bureij, and Maghazi camps, and in Deir al-Balah, killing four citizens and wounding about 10 others. They were transferred to Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in the center
of the Gaza Strip.

The occupation army opened fire and fired shells at citizens waiting for humanitarian aid west of Gaza City.

Three citizens were killed tonight in an Israeli bombing targeting the Nuseirat camp, in the central Gaza Strip.

Eyewitnesses said that the occupation forces bombed a house in the camp, killing three citizens, who were later transferred to Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir Al-Balah.

In the same context, occupation artillery bombed Al-Shaaf area east of Al-Shuja’iya, while occupation gunboats bombed the coast of Gaza City.

In an infinite toll, the number of slain Palestinians has risen to more than 29,092, the majority of whom are women and children, while 68,883 others were wounded, since the beginning of the Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip on October 7th, 2023.

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

Damascus, The Federation of Syrian Chambers of Commerce discussed with the Indian Embassy in Damascus mechanisms for enhancing trade cooperation between the two countries, investment opportunities and ways to develop them for the benefit of both sides.

During their meeting at Damascus-based Golden Mazzeh Hotel, the two sides attached great importance to expanding the base of trade exchange, strengthening economic and commercial ties, along with making efforts and providing mechanisms to facilitate them.

The head of the Federation, Muhammad Abu al-Huda al-Lahham, pointed out the importance of improving the trade exchange process, especially since India has the potential and capabilities to establish joint work for the future, noting the strong and historical friendly bilateral relations.

The Indian Ambassador to Damascus, Irshad Ahmed, reviewed the most important sectors and main areas in his country in which investment and business opportunities can be explored, pointing out the importance of identifying t
he opportunities that exist in the two countries, exchanging visits between businessmen, and encouraging the establishment of exhibitions and joint projects that benefit the two friendly peoples.

Source: Syrian Arab News Agency

Muscat: Karwa Motors, a subsidiary of Oman Investment Authority (OIA) and Qatar Transportation Company, announced the launch of a new type of buses, specifically intercity buses.

The new type of the buses designed to accommodate 45 passengers in line with Gulf standard specifications approved for buses operating in the oil and gas sector.

The company today celebrated delivering two of these buses to a leading transportation company in the Sultanate of Oman.

Karwa Motors said that the delivery of these two new intercity buses marks an important step towards introducing this bus category into the local market, amidst significant demand from both local companies and individuals interested in utilizing this mode of transportation.

With this new bus category, Karwa aims to enter both the local and regional markets, enhancing the production capabilities of the Karwa Motors factory located in the Special Economic Zone at Duqm (SEZAD) to meet the growing demand for “Karwa” buses, following their successful deploy
ment during the Qatar World Cup 2022.

In a press statement, Karwa Motors revealed that these two new buses are the first of Karwa Motors’ intercity bus type to be introduced into the Omani market, noting that there are underway orders from a group of local clients scheduled for delivery in the upcoming months.

Source: Oman News Agency

The Special Economic Zone at Duqm (SEZAD) today celebrated the opening of projects namely protection dams for Wadi Jarf and Wadi Sai, surface water drainage channels, and infrastructure works for the government jetty at Duqm Port in Al Wusta Governorate.

The opening ceremony was held under the patronage of Dr. Ali bin Masoud Al Sunaidy, Chairman of the Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones (OPAZ).

The height of Wadi Jarf Dam is 19.4 meters, its length is 1,600 metres, while its width at the base of the dam is about 100 metres. The dam’s lake can reserve a storage amount estimated at 32.8 million cubic meters of water.

As for Wadi Sai Dam, it is about 16.4 meters high and 3,665 meters long, while its width at the base is about 100 metres. The dam lake is designed to accommodate 17 million cubic meters of water.

Source: Oman News Agency

Damascus, The UAE Aid Coordination Office in Syria implemented in several Syrian governorates a humanitarian initiative including distributing 15,000 food baskets, clothing, and milk for children provided by the UAE’s Dar al Ber Society (DABS) in the context of its efforts to support those affected by cold waves in the winter.

The initiative, implemented by the office in cooperation with Syria Trust for Development, the Syrian Arab Red Crescent (SARC), and a number of charities in the country, included the distribution of humanitarian aid in the governorates of Damascus, the Damascus countryside, Latakia, Suwayda, Homs, and Hama, in addition to the liberated city of Khan Shaykhun in Idlib countryside.

‘This initiative comes as a continuation of the humanitarian work the office began in Syria within the framework of a matrix of development programs and initiatives the office seeks to implement here successively throughout the year’, said Khaled Khalifa Al-Salis, Director of the UAE Aid Coordination Office.

S
ource: Syrian Arab News Agency

Muscat: Karwa Motors, a subsidiary of Oman Investment Authority (OIA) and Qatar Transportation Company, announced the launch of a new type of buses, specifically intercity buses.

The new type of the buses designed to accommodate 45 passengers in line with Gulf standard specifications approved for buses operating in the oil and gas sector.

The company today celebrated delivering two of these buses to a leading transportation company in the Sultanate of Oman.

Karwa Motors said that the delivery of these two new intercity buses marks an important step towards introducing this bus category into the local market, amidst significant demand from both local companies and individuals interested in utilizing this mode of transportation.

With this new bus category, Karwa aims to enter both the local and regional markets, enhancing the production capabilities of the Karwa Motors factory located in the Special Economic Zone at Duqm (SEZAD) to meet the growing demand for “Karwa” buses, following their successful deploy
ment during the Qatar World Cup 2022.

In a press statement, Karwa Motors revealed that these two new buses are the first of Karwa Motors’ intercity bus type to be introduced into the Omani market, noting that there are underway orders from a group of local clients scheduled for delivery in the upcoming months.

Source: Oman News Agency

The Special Economic Zone at Duqm (SEZAD) today celebrated the opening of projects namely protection dams for Wadi Jarf and Wadi Sai, surface water drainage channels, and infrastructure works for the government jetty at Duqm Port in Al Wusta Governorate.

The opening ceremony was held under the patronage of Dr. Ali bin Masoud Al Sunaidy, Chairman of the Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones (OPAZ).

The height of Wadi Jarf Dam is 19.4 meters, its length is 1,600 metres, while its width at the base of the dam is about 100 metres. The dam’s lake can reserve a storage amount estimated at 32.8 million cubic meters of water.

As for Wadi Sai Dam, it is about 16.4 meters high and 3,665 meters long, while its width at the base is about 100 metres. The dam lake is designed to accommodate 17 million cubic meters of water.

Source: Oman News Agency

The Hague, The International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague resumed its public hearings on the legal consequences arising from Israel’s policies and practices in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem, according to WAFA news agency.

In his briefing before the court, South African representative Vusimuzi Madonsela stressed the need to allow the Palestinians to exercise their right to self-determination.

He stressed that the Israeli violence and attacks on Gaza contradict international law, and that the Israeli attacks there are ‘more horrific than the apartheid regime.’

Madonsela pointed out that the Palestinians in the West Bank and Jerusalem are confined behind an apartheid wall, and that what Israel is doing exacerbates the conditions of the Palestinians and makes them worse, stressing the need to hold perpetrators of Israeli crimes responsible and hold them accountable.

He said that denying the right of return and not stopping settlement led to the current conditions in Pales
tine, and led to injustice and the perpetuation of the apartheid system and settlement rule, and that the delay in reaching a just solution led to an endless cycle of violence.

Madonsela added that the position on the apartheid regime must be clear, and that the occupation continued for a long time, 56 years, in defiance of all international regulations and laws and hundreds of United Nations resolutions and turning the back of the entire international community.

He stressed that the international community must ensure that the apartheid regime and its heinous practices against the Palestinian people must end, and that whoever commits these acts must be held accountable, and the wall and settlements must be dismantled, but Israel did not care about all these calls, and legislation and laws and continued to fight the court’s decision.

Madonsela added that the Palestinian people suffer from a system of racial segregation and discrimination based on policies, house demolitions, and raids into villages and ref
ugee camps.

He explained that the legal system practiced against the Palestinian people, specifically children, is a military legal system applied by military judges without the lowest levels of protection or application of international humanitarian law, but the Israeli settlers in the West Bank have a completely different law, and as for the Gaza Strip, they live in a besieged area, completely separated from the West Bank, where they have been subjected to Israeli aggression for many years.

The representative of Algeria said that the United Nations resolutions explicitly stipulate an end to the Israeli occupation and that it is an illegal and illegitimate occupation, and that the occupation is the reason behind all recorded crimes.

He added that the request of the United Nations General Assembly must be responded to and the focus must be on reviewing the effects of the extended Israeli occupation in the Palestinian territories, and all its consequences arising from it, and the illegal system that prevail
s and that is based on racial discrimination on the basis of violating the standards and rules of international law stipulated by the United Nations General Assembly.

Algeria’s representative added that the court must exercise its jurisdiction and issue its decision based on the evidence presented to it about the consequences of the occupation and the ongoing conflict, and therefore ‘we in Algeria believe that the court must issue its decision and follow up on those decisions, as Israel has continued to build the separation wall despite the decision issued by the court, were ignored.’

Source: Syrian Arab News Agency