Tuesday, July 28News That Matters

Author: Laksharts

Divers clean coral reefs

Divers clean coral reefs

Environment
Divers remove nets from reefs   A campaign to clean the coral reefs around Al Fahal Island saw the participation of more than 60 volunteers. The drive was organised by the Environment Authority, in collaboration with the Coast Guard, the Directorate-General of Civil Defence and Ambulance, and in partnership with Divers Planet Diving Center. The Authority conducts underwater cleanups annually to protect coral reefs and the marine ecosystem. 'We have an annual programme for Muscat. Earlier, we conducted underwater and beach cleanups in Qurayat. This time, we carried out cleanups at Al Fahal Island and Athaiba Reef. These areas are often affected by abandoned fishing nets,' said Yahya al Hooti, Marine Environmental Specialist at the Environment Authority. 'We found two ...
Food for the soul

Food for the soul

LifeStyle
Food is for nutrition, but it could be a passion and an emotional connect to fond memories. This is what NR Narayan designed with AI Gemini. presenting Vada Pav : A small round bread. Warm and soft. Inside, a mashed potato ball. Spiced, cooked, crisp on the outside. Garlic, chili, salt. Sometimes sweet, sometimes sharp. Held in one hand. Eaten standing. Fast food with a soul. Narasimha Raghavan Narayan Design created using Gemini What we found: Apparently Vada Pav was invented in Mumbai in the 1960s by street vendor Ashok Vaidya recognizing the need for an inexpensive, quick, and filling snack for the city's textile mill workers.
To the artists I don’t know but know their work

To the artists I don’t know but know their work

Art and Culture
To the artists I don't know but know their work Lakshmi Kothaneth Have you ever wondered what has the biggest influence on you? Most likely, they are your thoughts. If we were to trace what caused how we feel, we could narrow it down to one's train of thoughts. The circumstances that one goes through can be a trigger, but if we can be in control of our thought process, we can be like the eagle that can fly above the rain clouds. You can be in any situation but come out unscathed. That space in our mind must be kept sacred because this is where our state of mind is situated. If someone has said something that hurts, instead of lingering with it, we must forgive to forget and move on. If not, our mind space soon becomes bitter- not an ideal place for creativity. Our mind is happiest wh...
Winter seagulls arrive

Winter seagulls arrive

Environment
Spot the difference - seagulls arrive Lakshmi Kothaneth November to March is the best time to watch the seagulls in Oman. They are a regular feature at Muttrah Seafront and the long coastline of the Sultanate of Oman, including the wetlands, lagoons, and islands. Oman sits on the important West Asia-East Africa Flyway and has its own unique wintering sites. They are a major attraction, providing the perfect habitat for hundreds of thousands of migratory birds, including gulls. Oman has year-round residents, but by November and December, the winter migrants escaping the colder northern climates arrive. Only the bird watchers or ornithologists would know the distinct features of each species of seagull. Sooty Gull (Ichthyaetus hemprichii) is a resident species and one of the m...
Musical instrument that represents maritime history

Musical instrument that represents maritime history

Art and Culture
Musical instrument that represents maritime history Lakshmi Kothaneth There is a musical instrument in Oman that symbolizes Oman's maritime history and that is the Tambūra. The tambourah (also spelled tanboura, tambura, fann at-tanbura, or nuban) is a prominent string instrument (chordophone) in Omani traditional music, particularly associated with the rituals of Sur. The instrument is the centre piece of the exhibition titled 'Rhythm of Life,' an exhibition of richness and diversity in Oman's music, held at Royal Opera House Muscat. The string instrument (cordophone) Is made of wood, goat skin, and animal matter. What strikes as the International influence are the peacock feathers. According to the National Museum of Oman, Tambūra is a stringed instrument believed to ...
Oman’s 10-Year Golden Residency Program Attracts Strong Global Interest Three Months After Launch

Oman’s 10-Year Golden Residency Program Attracts Strong Global Interest Three Months After Launch

Business
Oman’s 10-Year Golden Residency Program Attracts Strong Global Interest Three Months After Launch Muscat, Oman — December 2025: Three months after its launch, Oman’s 10-Year Golden Residency programme is gaining significant global attention, reaffirming the Sultanate’s position as a stable and welcoming destination for investors seeking long-term residency, predictable regulation, and access to emerging regional markets. Introduced under the framework of Oman Vision 2040, the programme reflects the country’s ongoing commitment to economic diversification, talent attraction, and strengthening the role of the private sector in national development. The Golden Residency grants foreign investors long-term residency in return for a minimum investment of USD 520,000 across seven clearly de...
Potential for Green Businesses 

Potential for Green Businesses 

Business
Potential for green business   Can green businesses become a reality soon in Oman, and how long awould it take? The Environment Society Oman, in partnership with Asyad Group, held a workshop on "Green Entrepreneurship" at Muscat University as part of the 'Oman Climate Dialogues. The discussion explored the opportunities and challenges shaping the future of green entrepreneurship. With the participation of local and international speakers, the event turned out to be an exciting youth pitching session. In the panel discussion held, it was concluded that some of the biggest challenges for young entrepreneurs in starting a green business are the lack of awareness, followed by the lack of training and mentorship and not having enough capital. The attendees participated in th...
Potential for Green Businesses 

Potential for Green Businesses 

Uncategorized
Potential for Green Businesses Can green businesses become a reality soon in Oman, and how long awould it take? The Environment Society Oman, in partnership with Asyad Group, held a workshop on "Green Entrepreneurship" at Muscat University as part of the 'Oman Climate Dialogues. The discussion explored the opportunities and challenges shaping the future of green entrepreneurship. With the participation of local and international speakers, the event turned out to be an exciting youth pitching session. In the panel discussion held, it was concluded that some of the biggest challenges for young entrepreneurs in starting a green business are the lack of awareness, followed by the lack of training and mentorship and not having enough capital. The attendees participated in the on-the...
Oman Resolution Adopted at World Cancer Congress

Oman Resolution Adopted at World Cancer Congress

Uncategorized
Oman Resolution adopted to guide global fight against cancer - World Cancer Congress   The World Cancer Congress, Summit and Exhibition 2025 concluded in Muscat on Thursday with the adoption of the Oman Resolution, a landmark framework urging governments, health institutions and international partners to integrate its recommendations into national cancer control plans.   The resolution calls for the creation of a regional monitoring mechanism under a dedicated task force; sustainable funding for prevention, research and workforce development; and a commitment to equitable access to care. It also proposes periodic review conferences to assess progress.   Framed as a model for regional cooperation, the Oman Resolution is based on principles of equity, empower...
Omani women’s entrepreneurship goes international 

Omani women’s entrepreneurship goes international 

Business
On the occasion of Omani Women's Day, the Omani-Uzbekistani Business Women Forum in Tashkent organized, from 18th to 22nd October 2025, a meeting that combined inspiration, positive energy, and real opportunities for female entrepreneurs from both countries. Dr Siham al Harthy, Chairperson of OCCI's Tourism Committee and CEO of Siham Development and Investment said this meeting was not just an event but a platform for forging partnerships and building bridges between markets. The meeting saw the signing of agreements and partnerships in the fields of trade, tourism, service, education, technology, and entrepreneurship, alongside cognitive exchange and training programs that empowered startups and opened new horizons for growth and innovation. "It's the beginning of a path of su...