Top News From Oman: July 2012 - Qantab project to start any day now

Summary of news events in Oman - July 2012 from various sources:

• The Qantab development project is due to start any day now according to locals. 'Road closed' signs are posted in front of the street down to the beach. For more information about the project, see www.sarayabandarjissah.com.
  
  
• As most know, the handful  'activists' involved in offense writings were sentenced to one year in jail with the exception of one sentence being for a period of six months. The 'gatherers' (those who assembled in groups of more than 10 persons in protest) trial has been postponed twice in July.
  
  
• Renaissance Day was celebrated on July 23.
  
  'At a time the Omani people celebrate the advent of the month of Ramadan, the nation today marks the 42nd anniversary of the Sultanate’s Renaissance led by His Majesty Sultan Qaboos. The Renaissance ushered in a new era of development at all levels, including domestic growth and the establishment of relations of friendship with other countries of the world.' http://main.omanobserver.om/node/103987
  
  
• Ramadan Karim - July 21 marked the first day of the holy month in Oman.
  
  
• July 19 - It was reported a US helicopter crashed 58 miles southwest of Muscat.
  
  
• Yusuf Saloojee was suspended in mid July from his position as South African ambassador to Oman pending a corruption investigation. More from:
  http://www.timeslive.co.za/local/2012/07/19/mtn-s-house-for-saloojee-the-inside-story
  http://www.muscatdaily.com/Archive/Oman/Business-as-usual-at-South-African-embassy-says-deputy-head-1kl5
  

• July 5 - FIFA issued a warning of possible immediate and indefinite suspension of the OFA (Oman Football Association). However, on the positive side, the Asian Football Confederation has picked Oman to host the AFC U22 Championship finals in January 2013 (assuming Oman has not been suspended).
  
  'FIFA has reminded the Oman Football Association that all FIFA member associations must manage their affairs independently and without influence of any third parties, as clearly stipulated in articles 13 and 17 of the FIFA Statutes. This is in relation to the apparent award by the Administrative Court in the Sultanate of Oman on 25 June 2012 following an appeal by three OFA clubs, in connection with the OFA elections of August 2011, the enforcement of which would allegedly entail the nullification of said elections and the organisation of a new electoral process'http://www.fifa.com/aboutfifa/organisation/footballgovernance/news/newsid=1660277/
  
  
• It was reported the Sohar Globe Roundabout was taken down in early July to make room for construction of a fly-over to ease traffic congestion in the area.

Omani Coat of Arms featuring a traditional khanjar