Middle East: Rescuers search for missing Red Sea sailors
Three further crew members and a security were pulled from the Red Sea on Thursday, according to maritime security sources speaking with Reuters news agency.
The Iran-backed militants reportedly killed at least three crew members in a gunfire and explosive drone attack that lasted for hours. The group released video footage claiming to show the Liberian-flagged vessel sinking.
A statement from the EU's Red Sea naval mission said a total of 25 people were on the vessel at the time of the attack — 22 sailors and a three-member security detail. So far, six men have been rescued, pulled from the sea after more than 24 hours in the water.
The US Embassy in Yemen, meanwhile, accused the Houthis of having kidnapped several crew members.
A statement by the US mission on X called "for their immediate and unconditional safe release," noting that "the Houthis continue to show the world why the United States was right to label them a terrorist organization."
The Eternity C is the second cargo ship rebels have sunk in recent days, with the bulk carrier Magic Seas also targeted and sunk, allegedly for doing business with Israel.
Citing solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza, the Houthis have attacked more than 100 such ships in the Red Sea since November 2023.
The two attacks this week are the first since November 2024.
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Times of Oman
an hour ago
- Times of Oman
France and Oman: Common vision and shared ambition
On the occasion of the French National Day, I would like to express my gratitude to the Omani authorities and the Omani people for their warm welcome, as well as to the French community and to all the friends of France in Oman. I took up my duties in this friendly country one year ago, and since then I have experienced every single day the friendship between France and the Sultanate, between the people of France and the people of Oman. After arriving in Oman in August 2024, I have quickly been given the honour to present my credentials to His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik to whom I would like to express my sincere gratitude for his warm welcome and his guidance on deepening the historic and fraternal bilateral relationship between our two countries. I would also like to extend my most sincere thanks to His Excellency Sayyid Badr bin Hamad Al-Busaidi, Minister of Foreign Affairs, for his constant support and friendship, as well as to all the representatives of the Government and Administration in Oman, who spare no effort to further enhance the excellent relationship between France and the Sultanate. Same as the Sultanate of Oman, France remains committed to the resolution of conflicts through negotiation, a position that has been reiterated by the President of the French Republic, Emmanuel Macron, with regard to Ukraine, Iran and Gaza. That is why in the recent period, the French President has called twice by telephone His Majesty the Sultan, in particular to thank him for the role played by the Sultanate in the release of a French national detained in Iran. Indeed, the international law remains our compass, thus I expressed France's full support for the negotiation processes that were conducted by the Omani authorities under the aegis of His Excellency Sayyid Badr Al-Busaïdi, between Iran and the United States. I also reiterate France's call for an end to the tragedy of the Palestinian population in Gaza, for the immediate resumption of humanitarian aid distribution and for the release of all hostages. We must give both Israelis and Palestinians a political perspective that will allow peaceful coexistence and security for all. It is in this spirit that a conference will be held in New York on the two-state solution, following a French initiative supported by its Arab and international partners. These French positions were also expressed by a high-profile parliamentary delegation from the France-Gulf Friendship Group, which met, in Muscat, with the highest figures in the Omani legislative sphere last April. The past year has also been very fruitful and active in terms of developing economic relations, strategic cooperation, and scientific and cultural cooperation between France and Oman. Recently, French companies such as TotalEnergies and EDF Power Solutions have invested 2 billion euros in Oman in key energy sectors in support of the Oman 'Vision 2040'. In May 2025, the MARSA LNG project in Sohar was inaugurated, representing the largest foreign investment of the year in Oman. More than forty French companies in all major sectors are present in Oman, investing and contributing to the development of the Sultanate's economy and the creation of jobs for Omanis as part of the Omanisation programme. These elements gave us the opportunity to host in October 2024 an important mission of MEDEF International, France's largest business association. The mission was composed of numerous French companies interested in the opportunities offered by the Omani economy, which is resolutely committed to an unprecedented diversification thanks to its 'Vision 2040' plan. It is also in support of a closer economic cooperation that we had the honour, in early 2025, of welcoming in Oman a delegation from the Normandy Region, led by the President of this Region and including many business representatives, who forged promising links with public and private companies of the Sultanate and strengthened equestrian cooperation between France and Oman, both of which excel in this field. Our strategic and defence cooperation is also very intense: the visit of the Chief of Staff of the French Armed Forces, who met his Omani counterpart in early 2025, was an opportunity to reinforce the excellence of our relationship of trust and to renew France's commitment both in terms of reciprocal training and operational cooperation. Our cooperation is also intense and is being strengthened year by year in many other fields like education with the establishment of higher education scholarships in France, co-financed by both countries; medicine with Omani doctors being sent to France to specialise; justice with a significant increase in cooperation between magistrates, particularly in the fields of training and exchange of expertise; health with the recent signing of a memorandum of understanding between French and Omani institutions in the field of cancer treatment; and space with the positioning of very high-level French offers in the satellite sector, a particularly promising field in Oman. France in Oman relies mainly on its diplomatic team, as well as on the French-Omani Centre, the French International School in Muscat, the French Omani friendship association, the French Foreign Trade Committee and the French-Omani joint business council for raising high our common ambitions and shared values. I would like to express my gratitude to all of them for their commitment to fostering excellent relations between our two countries. It is therefore with pleasure and pride that I extend my sincerest wishes for success and prosperity to all our Omani friends, our fellow citizens residing in Oman, as well as to all the friends of France who recognize themselves in our values of Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity.
Times of Oman
5 hours ago
- Times of Oman
Shura Council issues report on outcomes of its legislative work
Muscat: The Shura Council has issued its comprehensive media report highlighting the outcomes of its legislative and oversight work. The report reflects the Council's unwavering commitment to enhancing public engagement by publishing detailed statistics and key indicators of its activities, including legislative performance, oversight tools, council sessions, and the work of the Council's Bureau and standing committees. These efforts reflect the Council's effective implementation of the powers and responsibilities granted to it under the Law of the Council of Oman. According to the report, the Council convened 14 regular sessions, four of which were dedicated to the presentation of ministerial statements by the ministers. These included statements from the Minister of Education, Minister of Heritage and Tourism, Minister of Housing and Urban Planning, and Minister of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion, in addition to the statement by the Minister of Finance on the draft State Budget for the fiscal year 2025. One session also focused on a discussion request submitted to the Minister of Labour concerning temporary employment initiatives. Coinciding with the conclusion of the second annual sitting (2024–2025) of the Tenth Term (2023–2027), and pursuant to the Royal Orders of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, the Shura Council adjourned the session on 13 July 2025 in accordance with Article (41) of the Law of the Council of Oman (7/2021). Legislative output The report details the Council's legislative role during the sitting, which included the review of 16 draft laws and 7 international agreements referred by the government. Key legislations included the 2025 State Budget, the Real Estate Regulation Law, the Anti- Trafficking Law, the Telecommunications and Information Technology Law, the State Revenue Collection Law, the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Law, amendments to the Arbitration Law, the Civil Society Institutions Law, the Land Registry Law, and the Cybercrime Law. Furthermore, the Council proposed three legislative initiatives: the Draft Law for the Sports, Culture and Youth Activities Support Fund; amendments to the Law on Private Sports Institutions (Royal Decree 81/2007); and the Draft Law on Tobacco and Derivatives Control. Oversight tools and committee work During the second annual sitting, the Council activated 169 oversight tools, including 19 parliamentary questions, 121 requests for briefing, and 10 urgent statements addressing a range of national concerns. Additionally, the Bureau of the Council held 12 meetings, and the standing committees held 92 meetings, resulting in the conclusion of 98 topics including legislative reviews, field visits, stakeholder hearings, and studies on various national issues. Among the Council's key oversight outcomes were reports on the evaluation of the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology's annual report, as well as findings by two dedicated working teams: one reviewing the benefits of the Social Protection System, and the other studying Oman's digital economy strategy. Government and state Council engagement The report highlights enhanced cooperation between the Shura Council and the Council of Ministers, including two joint coordination meetings held during the session. These meetings underscored the Council's role as a legislative partner in the national development process. In line with Article (49) of the Law of the Council of Oman, the Council also worked closely with the State Council. Two joint sessions were held to resolve differences on draft legislation, leading to consensus on 11 draft laws including the Electronic Transactions Law, Public Health Law, Law on Organ and Tissue Transplantation, Financial Law, Income Tax Law, Economic and Free Zones Law, Anti-Human Trafficking Law, Telecommunications and IT Law, Real Estate Regulation Law, Public Revenue Collection Law, and the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Law. Parliamentary diplomacy and international participation The report also documents the Council's active engagement in parliamentary diplomacy through participation in 22 international and regional parliamentary events, including those organised by the Inter-Parliamentary Union, Arab Parliamentary Union, and Gulf legislative assemblies. Half-Term summary of the tenth term The Council concluded 47 legislative outputs and activated more than 300 oversight tools over the course of the first two annual sittings of the current term, reflecting its dynamic role in advancing legislative performance and responding to national priorities. In conclusion, the annual media report on the Shura Council's performance, issued by the Council's Secretariat General, reflects a firm commitment to enhancing public engagement by making comprehensive data and information related to the Council's legislative and oversight roles publicly accessible. The report embodies the Council's dedication to the powers and responsibilities outlined in the Law of the Council of Oman, and aligns—both in content and in scope—with the objectives of Oman Vision 2040 and the national five-year development plans. The Council continues to share this information across its social media platforms and through various media outlets, affirming its active role in advancing national priorities and meeting public aspirations. In doing so, the Council remains guided by the wise leadership and far- sighted directives of His Majesty the Sultan in advancing the Shura process and fulfilling its national mandate.
Times of Oman
5 hours ago
- Times of Oman
HM issues Royal Decree on insurance of expat workers for work injuries
Muscat: His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik today issued Royal Decree No. 60/2025 on amending some provisions of Royal Decree No. 52/2023 on the promulgation of the Social Protection Law. It reads as follows: Article (1) says that the provisions of Clauses (2), (3), and (5) of Article Six of Royal Decree No. 52/2023 shall be replaced with the following texts: 2- The provisions of the branch on insurance for work injuries and occupational diseases for non-Omani workers under the attached law shall come into force after (5) years from the date of issuance of this decree. 3- Chapter Six of Part Three of the attached law shall come into force after (3) years from the date of issuance of this decree. 5- Clause (1) of Article (139) of the attached law shall come into force on the date determined by the Board of Directors of the Social Protection Fund, provided it does not exceed (4) years from the date of issuance of this decree. Article (2) cancels all that contradicts this decree or contravenes their provisions.
