Latest news with #Baiza
Zawya
26-03-2025
- Business
- Zawya
NBO celebrates Eid traditions with dedicated Eid note dispensing machines
Muscat – As part of its ongoing commitment to enhancing customer convenience, the National Bank of Oman (NBO) is continuing to offer its Eid note dispensing machines ahead of the festive season. Located at five digital branches across the Sultanate, NBO's Head Office, Sohar Branch, New Salalah Branch, Ibra Branch and Bahla Branch, the machines dispense 100 and 500 Baiza notes, catering to the seasonal demand for Eidiya. The service is available exclusively to NBO Debit Card holders and will remain accessible until 29 March 2025. Regarding the service, Dr. Ali Salim Al Shekaili, Assistant General Manager – Head of Digital and E-Channels at NBO said, "Eidiya is a cherished tradition that brings joy to families and strengthens bonds. By offering our customers an easy way to access Eidiya in convenient note values, we are supporting a meaningful cultural practice while making banking more convenient. We are proud to continue delivering thoughtful solutions that bring added value to our customers' lives." This service forms part of NBO's broader commitment to advancing its digital banking capabilities across the Sultanate. From self-service innovations to secure and intuitive mobile banking features, NBO continues to lead the way in delivering smart, accessible and user-friendly financial solutions. Introduced last year as a first-of-its-kind service in Oman, the machines further reinforce the Bank's position as a leader in digital transformation, combining tradition with technology to enhance customer convenience during special occasions and beyond. For more information on NBO's digital banking services, visit call 24770000 or explore the NBO app.
Zawya
10-03-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Omantel Group records 4.4% growth in net profit attributable to the Company's shareholders
Domestic operations revenues rise by 2.7%, and net profit Attributable to Shareholders of the Company grows by 2% Board recommends to the Company's AGM allocating R.O 750k for community service Muscat: Oman Telecommunications Company Group (MSX: OTEL) reported remarkable growth following the announcement of 2024 financial results, with the Group's revenue (including Zain Group's operations) rising by 3% from R.O 2942.7 million at the end of year 2023 to R.O 3,030.1 million in 2024. Despite the marginal decline in the Group's net profit of 2.8% from R.O 315.5 million in 2023 to R.O 306.8 in 2024, Omantel Group's net profit attributable to the shareholders of the Company (after excluding the non-controlling interest) grew by 4.4% to R.O 78.1 million in 2024 compared to RO 74.8 million in 2023. Omantel's domestic operations performance: At the level of domestic operations, Omantel's revenues grew by 2.7% to reach R.O 622.6 million, compared to R.O 606.5 million reported in the same period of 2023. This growth was driven by mobile postpaid segment revenue growth, which increased by 6%, and fixed broadband revenues, which increased by 7% YoY. The Net Profit of the domestic operations for 2024 stands at RO 69.4 million compared to RO 68.1 million in the previous period, a growth of 1.9%. This growth was driven by positive impact of the settlement of a financial claim related to services provided by Omantel prior to 2020. Zain Group Performance: Zain Group's revenues for the year ended 31st December 2024 reached RO 2,466.9 million compared to RO 2,361.4 million in the corresponding period of the previous year, an increase of 4.47%. EBITDA stands at RO 861.4 Mn, compared to the corresponding period EBITDA of RO 871.2 million. Net profit stands at RO 313.9 million compared to RO 359.7 million of the previous period. Omantel Board of Directors recommended to the Company's Annual General Meeting that will be held on 27th March 2025 to distribute a cash dividend of 55 Baiza per share for the year ended 31st Dec 2024 (subject to shareholders approval), in addition to allocating R.O 750,000 for community service during the year 2025. For more information, please contact: Muna Al Mamari Digital Manager Press & Media Email:
Times of Oman
15-02-2025
- Business
- Times of Oman
MSX declines 1.88% amid global economic headwinds and mixed sector performance
Muscat: The Omani stock market suffered a sharp downturn this week by 1.88%, reversing last week's positive performance, and bringing values back to levels not seen since late last year, according to an industry expert. 'The decline eliminated all the positive gains built up earlier this year following the fourth-quarter results. It was influenced by various external factors affecting regional markets, particularly the ongoing trade war led by US President Donald Trump,' said Ahmed Negm, Head of Market Research MENA at 'His decisions on additional tariffs have created further uncertainty regarding economic stability and trade relations. Additionally, geopolitical developments in the region have potentially impacted investor sentiment,' he further added. Oil prices demonstrated significant volatility this week, failing to recover despite several attempts, which further weighed on the market. Another significant factor was the US inflation data, which showed an unexpected jump, increasing the likelihood that interest rates could stay high for longer. The outlook was reinforced by Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell's speech this week, where he emphasised that the Fed remains data-dependent and will continue monitoring inflation and labour market data before deciding on potential rate cuts this year. Markets are currently pricing in one rate cut by the Fed this year, fewer than previously anticipated. Additionally, market performance was affected by corporate board meetings and their subsequent dividend distribution announcements. Performances on the sector level were mixed this week. The Services sector demonstrated a negative performance this week, declining by 1.60%. Within this sector, several key companies faced downward pressure: OQ Gas Networks experienced a decline of 2.27%, followed by Oman Telecom which fell by 1.89%, while OQ Exploration and Production decreased by 1.58%. The Financial sector also posted negative returns, dropping by 1.13% for the week. Among the major banking institutions, Sohar International Bank recorded the largest decline of 3.60%, while Bank Nizwa fell by 1.92%. Muscat Bank declined by 0.78%. In contrast to other sectors, the Industrial sector emerged as a bright spot, advancing by 3.16%. The standout performer was Jazeera Steel Products, which surged by 20.63% following its dividend announcement of 43 Baiza per share. Other notable gains within the sector included Voltamp Energy, which rose by 8.61%, and Oman Cement, which appreciated by 2.53%.
Yahoo
12-02-2025
- Yahoo
Former NWA summer camp counselor pleads guilty to child sex crimes
WASHINGTON COUNTY, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — A former Northwest Arkansas summer camp counselor pleaded guilty to child sex crimes last week, according to court documents. Alexander Baiza, 22, of Olathe, Kansas, pleaded guilty on Feb. 4 and was sentenced to three years at the Arkansas Department of Corrections with a three-year suspended sentence for two counts of sexual indecency with a child. He was also facing a pandering or possessing visual or print medium depicting sexually explicit conduct involving a child, however, prosecutors were unwilling to pursue that charge as part of the plea agreement. In addition to his sentence, Baiza was ordered to register as a sex offender. On Feb. 23, 2024, a parent came forward to Fayetteville police and reported grooming and sexual communications between their child and Baiza, according to a probable cause affidavit. The parent who reported the incident believed their child knew Baiza because he was one of their camp counselors at Camp War Eagle, a 'Christian sports, adventure and recreation summer camp,' according to its website. Four hospitalized, two in critical condition after house fire in Rogers The messages included Baiza performing sexual acts while fully nude. The affidavit said his face was visible in multiple images. Baiza reportedly asked the victim for nude photos on numerous occasions and received them on at least nine occasions. During a recorded call, Baiza admitted what he did was wrong and that he was aware of the victim's age. The affidavit says he told the Fayetteville Police Department he was only 18 years old, but documents in his work file received by the department said he was 21 years old at the time of the report. Baiza was arrested on March 28, 2024, by the Adams County, Iowa Sheriff's Office after a warrant for his arrest was issued by the Fayetteville Police Department on March 8. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
