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☆ Dubai reveals massive plans for the world’s busiest airport
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-30 | by ( Maureen O'Hare | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

A mammoth airport in Saudi Arabia has already set records for size, but new plans in Dubai are ratcheting up the race to be the world’s busiest airport by passenger volume. Saudi Arabia’s King Fahd International Airport currently wears the crown as the largest airport in the world by area. “It will be five times the size of the current Dubai International Airport, and all operations at Dubai International Airport will be transferred to it in the coming years,” Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the ruler of Dubai, said Sunday when outlining Dubai Aviation Engineering Projects’ strategic plan. The other, Dubai International Airport, was just ranked the No. Dubai AirportsAt present, Dubai World Central’s primary role is as a center for aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul – “MRO” in industry parlance.

Persons: Saudi Arabia’s King, Atlanta’s, Jackson’s, It’s, Al Maktoum, Markus Mainka, That’s, ” Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, ”, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, X, Paul Griffiths, Abu Dhabi’s, Foster Organizations: CNN, Saudi, Saudi Arabia’s King Fahd International, King Fahd, Atlanta’s Hartsfield, Jackson, Al, Al Maktoum International, Dubai International Airport, Dubai International, Dubai Aviation Engineering, Emirates Cargo, UAE, Emirates, Dubai Airports, Hamad International Airport, Kuwait International, Partners, Sharjah International Airport, Air Locations: Gulf States, Saudi Arabia, Dubai, Bahrain, Hartsfield, Al Maktoum, Saudi, Qatar, Muscat , Oman, Gulf, Kuwait, British, Dubai’s, Sharjah

☆ Airlines That Offer 'Stopover' Programs, Some With Free Hotels
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-21 | by ( Taylor Rains | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +12 min

Airlines capitalize on this trend with "stopover" programs, some even offering free hotels and food. Airlines have jumped on this growing trend with built-in "stopover" programs, which can come with free or discounted hotels, excursions, transportation, and food at the layover destination. Essentially, you can't intentionally book a longer layover to quality for the free stopover hotel. Massimo Insabato/Archivio Massimo Insabato/Mondadori Portfolio via Getty ImagesSingapore Airlines' stopover program is available via the multi-city tool, similar to other carriers, where travelers can add hotels, transfers, and activities. Urbanandsport/NurPhoto via Getty ImagesTurkish Airlines' stopover program gives economy travelers a one-night free hotel stay and business flyers a two-night free stay if the period between their connecting flights in Istanbul exceeds 20 hours.

Persons: —, Robert Smith, Markus Mainka, Liang Xu, Nicolas Economou, Thomas Mukoya, Suparat, Finnair, Shutterstock Icelandair, Marcio Rodrigo Machado, Bauer, Griffin, Alexi Rosenfeld, CHARLY TRIBALLEAU, Massimo Insabato, It's, Matheus Organizations: Service, Airlines, Travelers, An Air Canada Boeing, Getty Images Air, Air France, KLM Air France, KLM, Air, China Southern Airlines, China Southern Airlines Airbus, Getty Images China Southern Airlines, Copa Airlines AP Copa Airlines, Copa, Emirates, Emirates Airbus, Getty Images Emirates, Dubai Connect, Ethiopian Airlines Ethiopian Airlines, Reuters Ethiopian Airlines, Etihad Airways, Etihad Airways Airbus, Shutterstock.com Etihad Airways, Fiji Airways Fiji Airways, Shutterstock Fiji Airways, Iberia Airbus, Japan, Japan Airlines Boeing, Japan Airlines, Latam Airlines Boeing, Latam Airlines, Hotels, An Oman Air, Getty Images Oman Air, Qantas, Getty, JAL, Oneworld, Qatar Airways, Qatar Airways Boeing, Getty Images Qatar Airways, Royal Jordanian Airlines Royal Jordanian Airlines Boeing, Getty Images Royal Jordanian Airlines, Air Lines, Swiss International Air Lines Airbus, Getty Images Swiss, Singapore Airlines, Airbus, Getty Images Singapore Airlines, Portugal, TAP Air Portugal Airbus, TAP Air Portugal, Turkish Airlines, Turkish Airlines Airbus, Getty Images Turkish Airlines Locations: Getty Images Air Canada, Canada, Air France, Xinhua, Panama, Panama City, Emirates, Dubai, UAE, Addis Ababa, Abu Dhabi, Fiji, Australia, New Zealand, Pacific, Helsinki, Iberia, Iberia Airbus Iberia, Madrid, Icelandair, Reykjavik, Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, São Paulo, Brasilia, Fortaleza, Recife, Manaus, Curitiba, Belem, Oman, Muscat, layover, Bangkok, San Francisco, AFP, Switzerland, Singapore, Lisbon, Porto, Portuguese, Azores, Madeira, Istanbul

☆ I've been to 54 countries and have lived in 10. These 5 underrated places are worth the trip.
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-20 | by ( Alcynna Lloyd | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +11 min

Kate Boardman has visited 54 countries around the world and lived in 10, including the US. She's enjoyed spots like France and Bali but says people should visit underrated places like Oman. I've been to 54 countries and lived in 10, including the US. I also think spots like Cancun are super overrated; there are way cooler places to visit in Mexico. Kate Boardman/@wildkat.wandersI first lived in Guatemala in 2021, where I worked as a teacher at an international school.

Persons: Kate Boardman, She's, —, I've, Boardman, It's, You've, they're, @wildkat.wanders, Kate Boardman There's, There's, you've, Earth Organizations: Service, Antigua —, United Arab Locations: France, Bali, Oman, Ecuador, Guatemala, Massachusetts, Germany, Tblisi , Georgia, Paris, London, Cancun, Mexico, Iran, Maharloo, Georgia, Tbilisi, It's, Soviet Union, Kazbegi , Georgia, Turkish, Central America, Costa Rica, Tikal, Guatemala City, Antigua, Boardman, Livingston , Guatemala, El, United Arab Emirates, Yemen, Muscat, Caribbean

☆ Deluge Batters U.A.E. and Oman, Killing at Least 19
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-17 | by ( Livia Albeck-Ripka | More About Livia Albeck-Ripka | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

A relentless deluge of rain battered the United Arab Emirates and Oman this week, killing at least 19 people in Oman, causing scores of delays and cancellations at Dubai’s airport and bringing other cities to a standstill in what experts have described as a weather system supercharged by climate change. The storm first hit Oman on Sunday, causing widespread flash flooding and turning streets into raging rivers in Muscat, the capital. In the U.A.E., which experienced its largest rainfall in 75 years, the authorities urged residents to remain at home as videos showed cars submerged on gridlocked highways and planes taxiing down flooded runways. Here are photos and video of the flooding:

Organizations: United Arab Locations: United Arab Emirates, Oman, Muscat

☆ Deluge Batters U.A.E. and Oman, Killing at Least 20
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-17 | by ( Livia Albeck-Ripka | More About Livia Albeck-Ripka | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

A relentless deluge of rain battered the United Arab Emirates and Oman this week, killing at least 20 people, causing scores of delays and cancellations at Dubai’s airport and bringing other cities to a standstill in what experts have described as a weather system supercharged by climate change. The storm first hit Oman on Sunday, killing 19 people as it caused widespread flash flooding and turned streets into raging rivers in Muscat, the capital. In the U.A.E., which experienced its largest rainfall in 75 years, one person died in the city of Ras Al-Khaimah and the authorities urged residents to remain at home as videos showed cars submerged on gridlocked highways and planes taxiing down flooded runways. Here are photos and video of the flooding:

Organizations: United Arab Locations: United Arab Emirates, Oman, Muscat, Ras Al, Khaimah

☆ Heavy Rainfall in Oman, Which Killed 18, Expected to Continue on Wednesday
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-17 | by ( Yan Zhuang | More About Yan Zhuang | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

With the downpour expected to continue on Wednesday, schools and government offices have been closed and hundreds have evacuated. Some areas received over 180 millimeters of rain between Sunday and Tuesday, according to the country’s National Committee for Emergency Management. The average annual rainfall in Muscat, the nation’s capital, is about 100 millimeters — although other parts of the country can receive more rain. The 18 dead includes an infant, the emergency management committee said on Tuesday, and two others are missing. On Wednesday, heavy rain was forecast to continue falling, with some places, including Muscat, expected to receive 30 to 100 millimeters of rain, the emergency management committee said.

Organizations: Emergency Management, Associated Press Locations: Oman, Muscat

☆ At least 17 dead after flash floods in Oman
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-15 | by ( Mohammed Tawfeeq | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —At least 17 people have died in flash floods triggered by heavy rain across Oman since Sunday, the country’s National Committee for Emergency Management (NCEM) reports. On Tuesday, the government suspended the work of employees and workers in the public and private sectors in five governorates, including Musandam, Al Buraimi, Al Dhahirah, and Al Dakhiliyah, due to the weather conditions. Authorities in Oman are conducting “rescue operations” after announcing all schools in six governorates including Muscat, would be closed Monday “due to unstable weather conditions,” according to a Monday UNOCHA statement. Moderate heavy rainfall is expected across north-eastern and northern Oman over the next few days. At least 17 people have died in flash floods triggered by heavy rain across Oman since Sunday.

Persons: Al Buraimi, Al Dhahirah, Al Dakhiliyah Organizations: CNN, Emergency Management, Authorities, Sunday Locations: Oman, Muscat

☆ Zaha Hadid Architects unveil Muscat waterfront development
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-05 | by ( Rym Bendimerad | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Oman’s capital of Muscat is set to get an expansive $1.3 billion waterfront development, designed by globally renowned Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA). The 3.3 million square-meter Al Khuwair Muscat Downtown and Waterfront development will include a residential complex, a marina, a cultural district, numerous canal walkways and a ministerial campus. ZHA’s associate director, architect Paolo Zilli, told CNN he spent around a year finalizing the model he presented to Oman’s Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning. In Muscat, the population is projected to increase from 1.5 million to 2.7 million by that year. “There are a lot of changes,” Dr. Khalfan bin Saeed bin Mubarak al-Shueili, Oman’s Minister of Housing and Urban Planning, told CNN.

Persons: CNN —, Zaha Hadid, Paolo Zilli, ”, ZHA, Khalfan bin Saeed bin Mubarak, “ Organizations: CNN, Oman’s Ministry of Housing, Urban Planning, Oman Ministry of Housing, Urban, Oman’s, Housing, ”, Zaha Hadid Architects, Guangzhou Opera House, United, United Arab Emirates Locations: Muscat, Khuwair Muscat Downtown, Oman, “, Guangzhou, China, Wolfsburg, Germany, Sharjah, United Arab

☆ Dealing with teenage daughters is difficult. Raising mine in the Middle East made it even harder.
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-01 | by ( Ulrike Lemmin-Woolfrey | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Read previewMy husband and I were sitting outside our house in Dubai, ignoring the noise coming from partying teenagers inside. Instead, she was used to being brought back by car to our house after a sleepover at a friend's house. Parents and teenage daughter ballooning over the Yarra Valley in Australia. We packed up and moved to Australia, in order to allow our daughter a sample of "normal life" as a teenager. But that's normal teenage behavior too.

Persons: —, stealthily, It's, Christina, expat, Ulrike Lemmin Organizations: Service, United Arab Emirates, United Arab, Business, Burberry Locations: Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Doha, Qatar, Muscat, Oman, UAE, Yarra, Australia, Melbourne

☆ Iran and U.S. Held Secret Talks on Proxy Attacks and Cease-Fire
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-15 | by ( Farnaz Fassihi | Eric Schmitt | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Iran and the United States held secret, indirect talks in Oman in January, addressing the escalating threat posed to Red Sea shipping by the Houthis in Yemen, as well as the attacks on American bases by Iran-backed militias in Iraq, according to Iranian and U.S. officials familiar with the discussions. The secret talks were held on Jan. 10 in Muscat, the capital of Oman, with Omani officials shuffling messages back and forth between delegations of Iranians and Americans sitting in separate rooms. The meeting, first reported by The Financial Times this week, was the first time Iranian and American officials had held in-person negotiations — albeit indirectly — in nearly eight months. American officials said Iran requested the meeting in January and the Omanis strongly recommended that the United States accept. Since the beginning of the war in Gaza after Hamas’s Oct. 7 attacks on Israel, the United States and Iran have reassured each other that neither was seeking a direct confrontation, a stance conveyed in messages they passed through intermediaries.

Persons: Ali Bagheri Kani, Brett McGurk Organizations: The Financial Locations: Iran, United States, Oman, Yemen, Iraq, Muscat, Gaza, Israel

☆ Dubai wants to build the biggest airport in the world. Here’s how that’s going
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-29 | by ( Miquel Ros | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

To put that in perspective, that’s nearly 63 million more travelers than the world’s current busiest airport, Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International, handled in 2022 and nearly 100 million more than Dubai International. philipus/Alamy Stock PhotoThe recent Dubai Air Show, held at a purpose-built venue at Al Maktoum International Airport in 2023, offered some intriguing hints about what’s ahead for DWC – and some insights into Dubai Airports’ long-term strategy. “We have prioritized expansion and investments at DXB to meet our customers’ requirements and plans,” Paul Griffiths, Dubai Airports CEO, tells CNN. Changing the business modelNew artist renderings haven't been released in a decade, but Dubai Airports CEO Paul Griffiths says the team will soon be working on ambitious new designs. It will have capacity for 185 million passengers per year, or almost seven times the number it handled in 2022.

Persons: Al Maktoum, it‘ll, that’s, Hartsfield –, let’s, DWC, ’ Al Maktoum, DWC –, ” Paul Griffiths, ”, Griffiths, ” Griffiths, “, haven't, Paul Griffiths, “ We’re, Mohammed bin Rashid, Nadine Itani, Abu Dhabi’s, Foster Organizations: CNN, Al, Al Maktoum International Airport, Dubai World, Dubai Airports, Dubai International, Al Maktoum International, Hartsfield, Hartsfield – Jackson Atlanta International, Emirates Cargo, UAE, ‘, ’ Al Maktoum International, Dubai Air, Dubai, AFP, Traveller, Emirates, University of Surrey, Hamad International Airport, Kuwait International, Partners, Sharjah International Airport, Air, Riyadh Air Locations: Budapest, Al Maktoum, Dubai, Dubai’s, Eastern Europe, Russia, Central Asia, Emirates, England, India, Middle, Europe, Qatar, Muscat , Oman, Bahrain, Gulf, Kuwait, British, Sharjah, Saudi Arabia, Riyadh, Saudi

☆ Oman Cultural Complex could become a ‘cultural magnet’
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-23 | by ( Callum Sutherland | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

The Oman Cultural Complex, designed by French firm Architecturestudio, will consist of the new National Theatre, National Library and an exhibition center, and cover 70,000 square meters upon completion. ArchitectureStudioRoueïda Ayache oversees most Architecturestudio projects in the Middle East, including previous designs such as the Bahrain National Theatre, opened in 2012, and Jordan’s Amman Rotana Tower. She believes that the Cultural Complex will become a key attraction in Muscat. ArchitectureStudioRené-Henri Arnaud is the partner architect in charge of the Cultural Complex, and for him, a crucial aspect is its practicality. Arnaud adds that the National Library “will be a multimedia library, not just for students but international visitors.”There is no definitive completion date as yet for the complex.

Persons: Architecturestudio, Roueïda Ayache, ”, Ayache, ArchitectureStudio René, Henri Arnaud, “ It’s, Arnaud Organizations: CNN, National Theatre, National Library, Bahrain National Theatre, Jordan’s, Jordan’s Amman Rotana, Oman’s Ministry of Heritage, Muscat International Airport, Theatre, National Locations: Muscat, Oman, Jordan’s Amman, Muscat . “, Greater Muscat

☆ Biden administration privately warned by American diplomats of growing fury against US in Arab world
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-09 | by ( Priscilla Alvarez | Alex Marquardt | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —The Biden administration has received stark warnings from American diplomats in the Arab world that its strong support for Israel’s destructive and deadly military campaign in Gaza “is losing us Arab publics for a generation,” according to a diplomatic cable obtained by CNN. While it’s just one cable from a regional embassy, it provides a private snapshot of the alarm over the growing anti-US wave sweeping the Middle East. President Joe Biden has been under growing pressure domestically and abroad over US support of Israel amid images of destruction in Gaza and the dire humanitarian crisis in the region. In recent days, US allies in the Arab world have made clear their deep anger at the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Still, within the administration, concerns have grown over US support for Israel.

Persons: CNN —, Biden, “, it’s, Biden’s, Joe Biden, Antony Blinken, Blinken, Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, Joe, ” Organizations: CNN, US, White, National Security Council, CIA, FBI, State Department, United Arab, Palestine Liberation Organization, Israel Locations: Gaza, United States, Israel, Oman, Muscat, Cairo, Washington, Jordanian, Egypt, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Northern Gaza

☆ Second half show earns Shandong win in Asian Champions League
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-25 | by ( Michael Church | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

HONG KONG, Oct 25 (Reuters) - Shandong Taishan moved to the top of Group G of the Asian Champions League on Wednesday as Brazilian striker Cryzan and former Manchester United midfielder Marouane Fellaini scored in the second half to secure a 2-0 win over hosts Incheon United. Only the winners of each of the 10 groups in the Asian Champions League are certain to progress to the last 16, where they will be joined by the three runners-up from the eastern and western halves of the continent with the best records. Thailand's Bangkok United maintained their perfect start in Group F by coming from behind to beat Kitchee 2-1 in Hong Kong. Austria international Jakob Jantscher, a summer signing for the Hong Kong champions, gave Kitchee a seventh-minute lead but Rungrath Phumichantuk levelled four minutes into first half stoppage time. In Group H, first half goals from Alessandro Lopane and Jamie Maclaren saw Melbourne City secure a 2-0 win over Buriram United in Thailand to move onto seven points from three games.

Persons: Cryzan, Marouane Fellaini, Fellaini, Kota, Kenyu Sugimoto, Anderson Lopes, Kevin Muscat's, Jakob Jantscher, Kitchee, Rungrath Phumichantuk, Willen Mota, Fernando, Thais, Bassel, Dan Petrescu's, Alessandro Lopane, Jamie Maclaren, Japan's Ventforet Kofu, Lucas Possignolo, Nyasha Mushekwi, Michael Church, Christian Radnedge Organizations: Asian Champions League, Manchester United, Incheon United, Chinese Super League, South, Incheon, Yokohama F Marinos, Kaya FC, Kota Mizunuma, Bangkok United, Kitchee, Hong, Jeonbuk Motors, Lion City, Melbourne City, Buriram United, Australians, Thomson Locations: HONG KONG, Shandong Taishan, Shandong, Iloilo, Philippines, Bangkok, Hong Kong, Austria, Thailand

☆ Across Mideast, Protests Erupt Over ‘Horrific Scenes’ in Gaza
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-18 | by ( Vivian Yee | More About Vivian Yee | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

In Morocco and Bahrain, they demanded a reversal of their government’s normalization with Israel, the country they consider responsible for oppressing their Palestinian brethren. In Lebanon, they pushed toward the United States Embassy, denouncing the superpower for enabling Israel’s brutality toward civilians in the Gaza Strip. In Istanbul, 80,000 people massed outside the Israeli consulate, including some who attempted to storm the building with stones, sticks, torches and fireworks. Thousands of protesters marched in grief, fury and solidarity across the Middle East on Tuesday night and Wednesday, after hundreds of Palestinian civilians were killed in an explosion at a hospital in Gaza. Some Arabs have berated their governments for failing to stand up to Israel in the past, but now those governments have nearly uniformly condemned Israel for the attack.

Persons: Israel, —, ”, Khaled Mhamdi, Biden, Israel’s Organizations: United States Embassy, Islamic, Al Ahli Hospital Locations: Tunis, Cairo, Oman, Muscat ., Morocco, Bahrain, Israel, Lebanon, Gaza, Istanbul, United States, Islamic Jihad, Palestinian, Al Ahli, Jordan, Egypt

☆ EU Foreign Ministers to Hold Talks on Israel- Gaza Conflict
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-09 | by ( ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

European Union foreign ministers will hold discussions on Tuesday on the situation in Israel and Gaza, the bloc's foreign-policy chief, Josep Borrell, said. The EU is one of the leading donors to the Palestinians. The bloc says its aid, which amounted to close to $316 million in 2022, is vetted to ensure it doesn't go to groups it designates as terrorist organizations, including Hamas. The meeting in Muscat, Oman, where a number of European foreign ministers are gathered for a meeting with Gulf countries, is intended "to discuss the implications and consequences" of the crisis, a spokesman said.

Persons: Josep Borrell Organizations: Union, EU Locations: Israel, Gaza, Muscat , Oman

Queries about what the move entailed and how extensive its impact on Palestinian aid would be weren't immediately answered. According to the bloc, it has provided humanitarian aid to help meet Palestinians’ basic needs since 2000 through the European Commission’s humanitarian aid department (ECHO) and the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). Since 2000, ECHO has provided 700 million euros of humanitarian aid to Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. The EU’s most populous member, Germany, and its neighbor Austria, also said they were suspending development aid for the Palestinian areas. Germany isn't suspending the humanitarian aid it provides separately via international nongovernmental organizations and the U.N., the Foreign Ministry said.

Persons: “, ”, Oliver Varhelyi, Israel, Varhelyi, weren't, ” Varhelyi, Svenja Schulze, Schulze, Israel “, Germany isn't, Christian Wagner, Alexander Schallenberg, ___ Samuel Petrequin, Geir Moulson Organizations: European Union, EU, European Commission, Palestine Liberation Organization, Humanitarian Affairs, West Bank, Ministry, Palestinian Authority, UNRWA, Development, Foreign Ministry Locations: BRUSSELS, Israel, Germany, Austria, Oslo, Muscat , Oman, Gaza, Berlin, Austrian, Brussels

☆ World reacts to Hamas attack on Israel
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +10 min

REUTERS/Mahmoud Issa Acquire Licensing RightsOct 8 (Reuters) - The Palestinian Islamist group Hamas launched the biggest attack on Israel in years on Saturday. Germany condemns these attacks by Hamas and stands by Israel," Scholz said on social media. However, Morocco's Islamist PJD party, which had been the largest in parliament until elections in 2021, praised the Hamas attack as "a heroic act" and "a natural and legitimate reaction to daily violations". EUROPEAN UNIONEU Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen said: "I unequivocally condemn the attack carried out by Hamas terrorists against Israel. INDONESIA"Indonesia is very concerned about the increasing escalation of the conflict between Palestine and Israel," the foreign ministry the world’s largest Muslim-majority country said on X.

Persons: Mahmoud Issa, Antony Blinken, Lloyd Austin, Tor Wennesland, Volker Tuerk, MAHMOUD ABBAS, WAFA, Abbas, Ali Khamenei, Yahya Rahim Safavi, Nasser Kanaani, ISNA, OLAF SCHOLZ, Scholz, EMMANUEL MACRON Macron, Abraham, JOSEP BORRELL, Borrell, JUSTIN TRUDEAU, JAMES, Ursula von der Leyen, TAYYIP ERDOGAN, Erdogan, Israel, MIKHAIL BOGDANOV, Bogdanov, VOLODYMYR ZELENSKIY Zelenskiy, Israel's, ANDRZEJ DUDA, I'm, Duda, PETR PAVEL, Pavel, Giorgia Meloni, KISHIDA, Kishida, Faki Mahamat, Yoweri Museveni, Jan Harvey, Andrew Cawthorne, Ros Russell, Barbara Lewis, Toby Chopra Organizations: REUTERS, Hamas, UNITED, State Department . U.S . Defense, of Defense, Human, Palestinian, Abraham Accords, Israel, Twitter, EU Commission, Hezbollah, Rockets, State, African Union, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Gaza, Israel, Palestinian, IRAN, Palestine, Jerusalem, CHINA, State, Germany, SAUDI ARABIA, Egypt, MOROCCO Morocco, EU, Muscat, Oman, Canada, QATAR, MIKHAIL BOGDANOV Russia, Iran, Lebanese, Poland, Japan, KUWAIT Kuwait, EMIRATES, UAE, INDONESIA, Indonesia, KENYA, X, UGANDA, Uganda

☆ Oman's OQ Gas Networks plans Muscat's biggest IPO in almost two decades
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-04 | by ( Hadeel Al Sayegh | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

OQGN is Oman's exclusive gas transportation system operator, supplying natural gas to the country's power plants, freezones, industrial clusters, LNG complexes and other customers. OQ, directly and indirectly through Oman Energy Trading Company Limited and Oman Oil Services Limited, is offering up to 49% of the shares, the document said. The company plans to pay a semi-annual dividend in cash to investors after the offering. A first dividend of 33 million rials for the first nine months of 2023 is estimated to be paid around January next year, and a second dividend of 11 million rials for the last three months of 2023 will be paid around April, 2024. Reuters first reported the IPO plans for the company last May.

Persons: OQGN, Talal Al Awfi, Al Awfi, Hadeel Al Sayegh, Louise Heavens, Sharon Singleton, Ed Osmond Organizations: OQ Gas Networks, Reuters, Oman Telecommunications, Oman Energy Trading Company Limited, Oman Oil Services, OQ, Abraj Energy Services, Oman Investment Authority, OQ's, Thomson Locations: DUBAI, Oman, Abu Dhabi, Saudi Arabia

☆ In-car radar could save children from tragic hot car deaths
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-29 | by ( Peter Valdes-Dapena | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

His two-year-old boy, Thomas, asked to ride in the “big boy seat,” the child safety seat his older brother usually rode in, the one right behind the driver’s seat. Thomas died strapped into his safety seat, as his small body was simply overcome by the heat. Cestia’s truck had a rear seat reminder but, he said, he somehow didn’t notice it when he got to work. He bought his daughter a child safety seat with a heat sensor on the buckle that alerts him if she’s buckled in and it’s getting too hot. And he also listens for the rear seat reminder and habitually checks the backseat.

Persons: Tyler Cestia, Thomas, ” Tyler Cestia, “, ”, David Muscat, Cestia, Rollins, she’s, it’s, “ It’s Organizations: CNN, GMC, Volvo, Hyundai MOBIS, Hyundai Group, Continental, Hyundai Locations: Louisiana, South Korea, Muscat

☆ A luxury project in Oman, which includes a Trump hotel and golf course, is being built by migrants earning as little as $340 a month
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-20 | by ( Charles R. Davis | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Migrant workers in Oman are constructing a new luxury "city" that includes a Trump-branded hotel. They are laboring in extreme heat for as little as $340 a month, The New York Times reported. Critics of the project note that Oman is not regarded as a safe and welcoming environment for foreign labor. "Migrant workers are often not paid their full wages, forced to work excessively long hours, and denied adequate food and living conditions," according to a 2021 report from Human Rights Watch. Over a thousand migrant workers, many hailing from India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, work 10-hour shifts before retiring to trailers that line the under-construction city.

Persons: —, Donald Trump's, of Oman —, Donald Trump, Trump's, Jared Kushner, Virginia Canter Organizations: Trump, New York Times, watchdogs, Service, Trump Organization, —, White, Getty, Human Rights Watch, Workers Locations: Oman, Saudi, of Oman, Washington, Muscat, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh

☆ Houthi official says Saudi Arabia freed 13 detainees
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-08 | by ( Mohammed Alghobari | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Aden, April 8 (Reuters) - An official of Yemen's Houthi movement said on Saturday the group had received 13 detainees released by Saudi Arabia in exchange for a Saudi detainee freed earlier, ahead of a wider prisoner exchange agreed by the warring sides. Houthi official Abdul Qader al-Mortada said on Twitter the 13 detainees had arrived in the Yemeni capital, Sanaa, which is held by the Iranian -aligned Houthi group that has been battling a military coalition led by Saudi Arabia since 2015. At talks in Switzerland last month attended by the United Nations and the International Committee of the Red Cross, Yemen's Saudi-backed government and the Houthis agreed to free 887 detainees. A visit by Saudi officials would indicate progress in Oman-mediated talks between Riyadh and the Houthis, which run in parallel to U.N. peace efforts, as well as a reduction in tensions after Saudi Arabia and Iran agreed to restore relations. The Yemen conflict is widely seen as a proxy war between Saudi Arabia and Iran.

[1/2] A military helicopter, operated by the Houthis, flies over Sanaa, Yemen September 21, 2022 for the first time since the Saudi-led coalition intervened in Yemen and controlled the country's airspace in 2015. The move signals that regional rifts are easing after rivals Saudi Arabia and Iran agreed to restore relations last month following years of hostility and backing opposite sides in Middle Eastern conflicts, including Yemen. Oman, which shares borders with Yemen, has been trying for years to bridge differences between Yemen's warring parties, and more broadly between Iran and Saudi Arabia and the United States. Saudi Arabia restarted its direct talks with the Houthi group last summer after both sides failed to renew a United Nations-brokered truce deal. Following years of a bitter rivalry and armed conflicts between Saudi Arabia and Iran, their biggest trade partner China recently stepped in to work with both sides and improve relations.

☆ The week in Asian football
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-27 | by ( Michael Church | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

HONG KONG, Feb 27 (Reuters) - Talking points from the week in Asian football:RONALDO'S SAUDI SCORING STREAK CONTINUES WITH HAT-TRICKCristiano Ronaldo's scoring run continued on Saturday as the Portuguese attacker netted all three goals in Al Nassr's 3-0 victory over Damak. The 38-year-old capped the scoring a minute before halftime when he side-footed home after Ayman Yahya cut the ball back towards the penalty spot. The goal was Ronaldo's eighth in five league games since joining Al Nassr after the World Cup. The defeat was the second in a row for new Urawa coach Maciej Skorza and the Pole's team are bottom of the standings. JANKOVIC APPOINTED NEW CHINA COACHSerbian Aleksandar Jankovic has been named coach of the China national team for next year's Asian Cup and the qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup.

☆ Israel thanks Oman for opening its airspace
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

JERUSALEM, Feb 23 (Reuters) - Israel's foreign minister on Thursday thanked Sultan Haitham bin Tariq al-Said for opening Oman's airspace to all carriers, including Israeli airlines, which will now be able to offer shorter routes to Asia. "It's an historic and significant decision for the Israeli economy and the Israeli traveler," said Foreign Minister Eli Cohen. Oman's civil aviation authority on Thursday said the sultanate's airspace will be open for all carriers that meet the authority's requirements for overflying. U.S. President Joe Biden in July announced a Saudi air corridor for Israeli carriers might be implemented. Israeli officials had said the corridor could not be implemented until Muscat consented because it would also entail flying over Oman.

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