Latest news with #Oman
Times of Oman
4 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Times of Oman
Ayn platform showcases media, public awareness services during Khareef Dhofar 2025
Salalah: Ayn platform, an active arm of the Ministry of Information, boasts strong presence at the 2025 Khareef Dhofar (monsoon) season's festival now underway in the Governorate of Dhofar. Ayn platform is introducing visitors to media services that shed light on Dhofar Governorate's tourism landmarks and cultural and humanitarian assets. Through its digital presence, Ayn platform is enhancing the community's interaction in different ways, including a 'Child Interface', an Interactive Digital Competition and on-the-spot radio and TV transmission. The Child Interface presents a visual programme featuring environmental adventures and field explorations in Dhofar Governorate. It develops learning skills, fosters cultural belonging and highlights entertainment content that responds to families' educational and innovative aspirations. The Child Interface also showcases electronic services that target children, including audiobooks and animated cartoons. It programmes, which run until 3 August, focus on entertainment and educational content that expands young people's awareness and intellectual potential. Ayn Platform's Interactive Digital Competition includes a set of cultural and tourism questions aimed at consolidating the Omani identity. It engages participants to local heritage in a simplified and attractive manner. The platform also offers online broadcasts of all radio and television programmes related to the Khareef season, with a dedicated category titled "Khareef Dhofar". This reflects the platform's vital role in highlighting the Sultanate of Oman's presence on the regional and global arenas. To support the season's digital coverage, short video segments were produced. They highlight the beauty of nature through aerial photography techniques (using drones). In this context, interviews are made with visitors from people from different nationalities, in different languages, thus ensuring access for local and international audiences. Ayn platform serves as one of the Ministry of Information's initiatives that embody Oman Vision 2040. It keeps pace with the Sultanate of Oman's digital transition. It dedicates digital space to Khareef Dhofar festival in eight languages, along with translated captions of images and articles highlighting the governorate's events and tourist attractions.
Times of Oman
4 hours ago
- Sport
- Times of Oman
Salalah Health Park: A recreational hub for Khareef Dhofar 2025 season
Salalah: The "Health Park" event, located within Salalah Public Park, marks a significant addition to the activities of Khareef Dhofar (monsoon) season 2025. This initiative aims to provide a comprehensive sports and recreational environment that promotes a healthy lifestyle and meets the expectations of visitors across all age groups. The event will run until 20 September 2025. Organised by the Dhofar Municipality, the event features a designated track for walking and jogging, alongside courts for tennis, volleyball, and basketball. These facilities foster an energetic sports atmosphere that supports a healthy lifestyle and enhances an integrated experience combining physical fitness with family entertainment amidst the moderate Khareef weather. With its modern amenities, the park offers a range of diverse sports challenges and activities suitable for all age groups, including children, youth, seniors, and individuals with disabilities. This reflects the initiative's inclusivity and its commitment to fostering community interaction. The park also hosts weekly events organised in a family-friendly, recreational atmosphere. Children's competitions are held every Friday from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM, while adult competitions are scheduled for Saturdays at the same time. It is worth noting that the "Health Park" event aims to develop motor skills, raise awareness about the importance of physical activity, and encourage all segments of society to adopt a healthy lifestyle within an interactive and stimulating environment.
Times of Oman
4 hours ago
- Times of Oman
"Al Buraimi Summer" activities begin
Al Buraimi: The "Al Buraimi Summer" activities, organided by the Al Buraimi Governor's Office, have commenced. The programme includes a series of educational, artistic, and community events that will run over the coming weeks. The programme aims to utilise the energy of youth and adolescents during the summer holiday through a variety of workshops, courses, and diverse programmes that combine entertainment and benefit. These activities are designed to enhance community values and life skills. The programme's activities feature a diverse range of specialised training workshops that cater to the interests of various age groups. These include areas such as creative recycling, an English language training course, artificial intelligence applications and their utilisation, personal planning, and learning Python programming. Python is a high-level, versatile, and easy-to-learn programming language widely used in web development, data analysis, artificial intelligence, and many other fields. The programme also includes courses to enhance life and creative skills, such as news writing and pottery making. Additionally, tourism trips within Al Buraimi Governorate are being organised to introduce participants to historical and natural sites, strengthening their connection to the area. These courses and workshops provide an ideal space for developing youth capabilities and discovering their skills in various fields. They also contribute to guiding children towards spending their free time in enjoyable and purposeful activities that foster their cognitive and creative aspects and enhance their interaction with their community in a stimulating educational environment.
Times of Oman
4 hours ago
- Business
- Times of Oman
OQEP enhances shareholder value through share buyback programme
Muscat: OQ Exploration and Production (OQEP) has announced a share buyback programme following approval from the Financial Services Authority (FSA). This initiative aims to enhance the company's ability to deliver value to its shareholders, in addition to its current annual base dividends of OMR231 million (equivalent to $600 million) and its semi-annual performance-linked dividends. The company stated that the programme will commence 15 days from Thursday, in accordance with the regulations of the FSA and the Muscat Stock Exchange. It will be implemented based on the resolutions passed during the company's Extraordinary General Meeting held last June, which amended the company's articles of association to enable share repurchases. OQEP clarified that the buyback programme targets the acquisition of between 45 million and 60 million shares over a period of six months from the programme's commencement, or until the targeted share purchase is completed. Eng. Ahmed Said Al Azkawi, CEO of OQ Exploration & Production, explained that this programme reflects confidence in the company's strong fundamentals and its long-term growth prospects. He noted that the company's shareholders will benefit from a capital return programme that includes the OMR231 million base dividend, a performance-linked dividend program, and the share buyback. He affirmed that OQ Exploration & Production remains focused on achieving growth, operational excellence, optimising its investment portfolio, generating strong and predictable cash flows, and ensuring long-term value for its shareholders.
Times of Oman
4 hours ago
- Politics
- Times of Oman
Survey conducted on social housing programme services in Oman
Muscat: The National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI), in collaboration with the Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning, conducted a public opinion survey on social housing programme services in the Sultanate of Oman. The survey was conducted from 20-24 July 2025. This survey is part of the NCSI's efforts to support government entities with accurate and reliable data essential for decision-making. By conducting such surveys, policymakers can better understand the reality of services and citizens' aspirations, leading to improved, evidence-based government decisions. Mahfoudh Salim Al Musharfi, Director of the Public Opinion Measurement Department at the NCSI, affirmed that the survey aimed to evaluate the current status of social housing programs and measure citizens' satisfaction with construction quality, designs, and contractors. It also sought to assess the efficiency of public facilities and services within social housing projects. Furthermore, the survey aimed to identify challenges faced by citizens during the application and post-benefit stages, anticipate their future aspirations regarding location and area, link housing with essential services, and assess the suitability of eligibility and distribution criteria to their needs. He clarified that the survey targeted three categories of citizens across various governorates of Oman: those benefiting from the housing assistance program, those eligible for this program, and those benefiting from the housing units program. He noted that specific questionnaires were used for each targeted category.
