Top News Oman August 2012

In no particular order...

Aug. 18 - A ROP Brigadier was sentenced to jail and fined for accepting bribes and for misappropriation of public funds. Total fines for the crimes: 91929 OMR; jail time: 4.5 years. Rumored amount of ill-gotten gains 500,000 OMR.
 http://main.omanobserver.om/node/106673

Aug. 15 - A Filipino fitness instructor working at PDO's gym stabbed her Filipino colleague to death with a kitchen knife in flat over a dispute. 
 http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/oman/filipina-gym-instructor-arrested-for-murder-in-oman-1.1062287  

Aug 8 - Oman mediated the release of Iranian woman from US prison and received her for transfer.
 http://main.omanobserver.om/node/105631  

Aug - Al Said royal yacht returned from summer tour and docked at Sultan Qaboos Port in Muttrah near Muscat.

Aug 25 - Attention is being drawn to the increasing drug and alcohol use going on in the Sultanate in regard to youth.  In 2011, there were 3000 reported cases alone make that about 1 per 1000 people.* This seems to be a newer problem in Oman, but with serious negative effects all around. 

http://main.omanobserver.om/node/107294 

Aug 12 -  A gas pipe caused an explosion at the apartments Muscat Oasis in Baushar. Four floors were destroyed. Eight people were injured. Questions about safety standards arose.

http://www.timesofoman.com/echoice.aspx?detail=10100 

Aug 3 - Labour camp workers rioted near Azaiba and destroyed property and at least 20 cars upon hearing one of their compatriots had died (of Malaria without receiving proper medical care). The company assured that they provide the best available health care in accordance with the law. This is another tragic episode in the plight of the foreign labourers. 

http://www.muscatdaily.com/Archive/Oman/Workers-go-on-rampage-at-labour-camp-after-sick-worker-dies-1lv0 

Aug 8, 28 -  The  'Lese-majesty ' detainees and activists were sentenced to one year prison time in most cases and a minimal fine. 

Aug - The board members of Oman Football Association (OFA) collectively resigned to avoid sanctions and being suspended by FIFA. OFA board elections have been scheduled for late September. 

Aug. - Oman welcomed many new Ambassadors. 

Aug 28 - Horrible road accidents in Salalah claimed the lives of 7 members of an Emirati family while vacationing. The spotlight has been on this family, but about 55 people died in accidents during Eid vacation in Salalah out of about 95,000 travelers which comes out to about a .05% chance of having a fatal accident during the Eid in Salalah. Driving has serious risks in the Sultanate. Each year a traffic symposium is held to discuss what to do but the statistics show the accident rate is on the rise. 

http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/oman/oman-road-tragedy-claims-7-of-emirati-family-1.1067146 

Aug - The Quantab beach development project kicked off. 

Aug 12 - The US Destroyer USS Porter and a Japanese tanker collided in the Straight of Hormuz.  

Aug 19 - Eid Mubarak

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

Top News from Oman - June 2012

News from Oman in the later part of June from various sources.

Mystery in Al Swaiq. Last week, during a bullfight in Al Swaiq, one of the bulls unearthed a human skull from the ground. Later, more of the human skeleton was dug up by bystanders. The police were called.

Dina Al Asfer resigned from the Omani National Committee for Human Rights ('NHRC'). A statement from the Committee regarding free speech was released around that time. See: Times of Oman, 'Exercise freedom of expression with restraint, cautions NHRC'. http://www.timesofoman.com/innercat.asp?detail=6771

The Shura Council voted not to lift the immunity of council member Dr. Talib Al Mamari from Liwa. Shura members have immunity from crimes during their membership. A band of locals from Liwa had protested in favor of the immunity last month as reported by local news.

The Sultanate of Oman was featured in several international news outlets in June. Most stories centered around the oil field strike and arrest of activists. Apparently, one of those arrested works for the Ministers' Council. It's been circulating on a popular forum (as of June 28) that those arrested for gathering in groups of more than ten have been/will be released and are awaiting the verdict next month, and others who participated in more offense writings and speech towards officials will face separate proceedings and trial. Public Prosecution has issued several statements reiterating warnings against inciting and offending others under the 'pretext of freedom of speech' during June.

Washington Times, 'Briefly: Group urges Oman to free activists', http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2012/jun/12/briefly-group-urges-oman-to-free-activists/

Economist, 'Waking up too', http://www.economist.com/node/21557354

Yahoo, Maktoob, 'Omani protesters demand release of rights activists', http://maktoob.news.yahoo.com/omani-protesters-demand-release-rights-activists-210135297.html

The 'khareef' or monsoon season is upon us; the Tourism Festival in Salalah opened on June 21.

The second 'Jebalstock' mountain-top concert took place on Jebel Akhdar the second week of June. Bands 50 Degrees and 123 Orion played.

Al Isra W’al Miraj, the Prophet’s Ascension, holiday was celebrated on June 16-17 this year.

Omani Coat of Arms featuring a traditional khanjar