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Muscat Daily
11-05-2025
- Muscat Daily
Nepal embassy hold trek in Muttrah
Muscat – I've never been a morning person…the very thought of waking up before sunrise makes me cringe and withdraw. As a passionate scriptwriter, my muse flirts when stars begin to peep into my bedroom, silent and watchful from between Muscat's buildings. But inspiration, however, is a trickster; it sometimes abandons the comfort of the night and meets me again at dawn – a hike, amid the cool breeze over the bare mountains that stretch across old Muscat. And so, I found myself cradling my faithful Sony Alpha with its long (but prime lens), embarking on a hike along one of the capital's oldest routes. A path once walked by our ancestors, now a beloved trekking tail – it begins from Riyam Park, winding its way over the muscular torso of the hills and descending into the heart of Muttrah Souq in about two hours. But this was no ordinary hike, it was the Nepal-Oman Friendship Hiking Programme, held last Saturday morning at 5am, organised by the Embassy of Nepal in Muscat. A beautiful initiative to nurture friendship, wellness, and environmental awareness between the Nepali and Omani communities. Around 50 early risers – some still in slumber, some barely old enough to carry backpacks, gathered with curiosity and quiet excitement. The procession of hikers was led by Nadira al Harthy, the first Omani woman to summit Mount Everest, and H E Dornath Aryal, the ambassador of Nepal to Oman. Behind them flowed a live river of embassy officials, educators, journalists, bloggers, and members of the Nepali community. After a steady ascent marked by roughly 40 stone steps, a breathtaking view of Muscat awaited, greeting both the eye and the camera lens. The sun, shyly peeking through clouds like a newlywed bride from her veil, cast a soft light on the mountains, while a tender May breeze stirred the silence. A chorus of sounds – unknown birds, insects, and the whispering wind slipping through the valleys – added to the mystique. I had an urge to cry out loud, to hear my voice echo through the grandfather olf contours, but something within stopped me. It felt almost outrageous to disturb slumbering spirits resting in the folds of the earth. As I watched Nadira, I saw not just a mountaineer but a woman deeply rooted in the terrain. Every step she took, every gesture she made, every move she made felt like a conversation with the age-old rocks, the dried-up streams and the dusty trees. She spoke gently, but with the authority of someone who had long befriended the silence of mountains. She was not conquering a mountain, she was listening to it. Guiding children, men and women, she reminded us what leadership looks like – full of presence, poise and respect. At one point, the rocks beneath my feet grew slippery, making me unsteady. I instinctively packed away my camera, choosing instead to stay grounded. A strange calmness descended over me – one that was unusual for my nature , especially for a mind usually buzzing with overlapping thoughts and cinematic distractions. For once, there was no urge to perfect the aperture or frame a 32-megapixel masterpiece. The mountain didn't demand to be photographed – it wanted to be witnessed. I wandered my eyes around and caught sight of faint carvings etched into the rocks. I couldn't tell if they were ancient love notes from a long-forgotten caveman or simply the erosion of time, but they spoke of stories untold. The barren rocks, stripped of vegetation, made all 45 of us feel like mere specks in a grand, eternal landscape. H E Aryal eloquently remarked that just as art has the power to unite people across boundaries, so does nature. 'Hiking brings multiple benefits – not only is it excellent for physical and mental well-being, it also reflects our love and respect for nature,' he said. As part of the event's environmental awareness initiative, participants actively engaged in collecting plastic bottles and other litter along the trail. This simple act, he noted, reinforced the importance of ecological responsibility, echoing a sense of reverence for the natural world. He further highlighted the captivating beauty of Oman that unfolded along the route – the colourful rock formations, glistening water streams nestled in crevices, and the presence of resilient plant life that thrived among the dry wadis. The scenic trail, enjoyed by all, offers truly spectacular views of Oman's rugged charm. Since the path largely faces north, it remains ideal for hiking both in the early morning and the evening. Along the route, we passed signs of life that once was – a small village with broken stone walls, forgotten steps and trees, now stripped by time. Perhaps this was once a family's home, a resting point for those who moved between the city and the sea. I searched for the elusive mountain foxes, their holes visible in corners of the path, but none dared to greet us. Their absence made the trail more mysterious but tension free, too. The trail is carefully marked by the government, making it a comfortable journey for hikers. Emergency measures, including ambulance support, were thoughtfully arranged by the Embassy of Nepal in coordination with Oman's Foreign Ministry, ensuring safety in the wilderness. Towards the end, when exhaustion began to set in and the sun had climbed high, we descended into Muttrah Souq, carrying grey dust on our boots, salty beads of sweat on our foreheads, and stillness in our minds. The trail, the hills, the morning…these are stories older than any film script I might write. And even the stars that visit my window each night might be the very same ones that hide behind old Muscat's stony hills, luring me to come back more often.
Mid East Info
24-04-2025
- Business
- Mid East Info
Sony Launches FE 50-150mm F2 GM: - Middle East Business News and Information
The World's First[1] Telephoto Zoom Lens Designed for Wedding, Portrait, Indoor Sports, Photo and Video Professionals with a Maximum Focal Length of 150 mm and Constant F2 Aperture (Dubai, United Arab Emirates 23 April 2025) – Sony introduces the FE 50-150mm F2 GM, the world's first1 telephoto zoom lens with a maximum focal length of 150 mm and F2 aperture. This lens features a standard focal length of 50mm at the wide-angle end and combines an open aperture of F2 with high resolution comparable to that of a prime lens. This allows for a wide range of scenarios with just one lens for various situations and subjects. As part of Sony's renowned G Master™ series, the FE 50-150mm F2 GM offers an exceptional combination of high resolution and stunning bokeh, enhancing the imaging results for professionals using the Sony Alpha camera system. Exceptional Image Quality and Smooth F2 Bokeh The FE 50-150mm F2 GM's internal optical design plays a crucial role in producing its exceptional image quality. By integrating two XA (extreme aspherical) elements, two Super ED (extra-low dispersion) glass elements, and three ED elements, the lens effectively suppresses aberrations, ensuring sharp, high-contrast imagery across the entire zoom range. Additionally, the floating focusing system enables a minimum focusing distance of 0.4m at the wide end and a maximum magnification of 0.20 for detailed shooting. The FE 50-150mm F2 GM's constant F2 aperture creates beautifully smooth bokeh, making it an ideal choice for portrait, wedding, and event photographers aiming to isolate subjects with a shallow depth of field. A newly developed 11-blade circular aperture further enhances the signature G Master bokeh. When shooting videos, the lens delivers stunning cinematic results and exceptional clarity. In addition, Sony's proprietary 'Nano AR Coating II,' applied uniformly across the entire lens surface, significantly reduces ghosting and flare even in backlit conditions, delivering clear and crisp imagery. Internal Zoom and Compact Design Measuring at approximately 200 mm (7-7/8 inches) in length and weighing approximately 1,340g[2] (47.3 ounces), the FE 50-150mm F2 GM offers remarkable portability considering its impressive combination of wide zoom range and bright aperture. This lens is ideal for both handheld and gimbal use with its featured internal zoom design that maintains the lens' length and weight balance despite focal length changes. With its practical design, this lens serves as a versatile, all-in-one solution for those seeking a standard 50mm through 150mm telephoto range. Fast and Precise Autofocus Performance Equipped with four XD (extreme dynamic) linear motors and Sony's advanced control algorithms, the FE 50-150mm F2 GM delivers fast, accurate, and quiet autofocus (AF). This high-performance AF system is compatible with Sony's Alpha 9 III, supporting continuous shooting at up to 120 frames per second with full AF/AE tracking[3]. With a fast AF system and a versatile 50-150 mm zoom range, the lens excels at capturing fast-paced indoor sports, portraits and events. Cinematic Video Production Designed with filmmakers in mind, the FE 50-150mm F2 GM minimises focus breathing and is compatible with Sony's Breathing Compensation[4] feature on select Alpha cameras. Linear Response MF ensures intuitive manual focus control, while the lens's internal zoom design maintains stability even while zooming mounted on gimbals. Additionally, the XD linear motors operate quietly to prevent unwanted noise from being captured during recording. Built for durability, the FE 50-150mm F2 GM features a robust dust- and moisture-resistant design[5]. A fluorine coating on the front element repels contaminants, making it easy to clean and ensuring the lens remains in top condition even in challenging environments. Set to enhance the creative freedom of visual storytellers across photography and filmmaking, explore how professionals are using this lens in real world scenarios and discover educational resources on Alpha Universe: Sony | Alpha Universe | Middle East and Africa Availability The FE 50-150mm F2 GM (SEL50150GM) will be available in the Middle East from May 2025. A product video on the new FE 50-150mm F2 GM can be viewed here: For detailed product information about FE 50-150mm F2 GM please visit: https:/ ### About Sony Corporation Sony Corporation is a wholly owned subsidiary of Sony Group Corporation and is responsible for the Entertainment, Technology & Services (ET&S) business. With the mission to 'create the future of entertainment through the power of technology together with creators,' we aim to continue to deliver Kando* to people around the world. For more information, visit: *Kando is a Japanese word that roughly translates to the sense of awe and emotion you feel when experiencing something beautiful and amazing for the first time. About Sony Middle East and Africa Sony Middle East and Africa FZE is a 100% subsidiary of Sony Corporation and is the regional headquarters for the Middle East and Africa regions. The company is engaged in the business of Sony Consumer Electronics, Mobile Electronics (Car Audio), broadcasting and professional products and Computer Entertainment (PlayStation) products in more than 40 countries in the region. Apart from stock operations in the Jebel Ali Free Zone Establishment in Dubai, Sony Middle East and Africa leads execution of various logistics, sales, marketing, advertising and customer services activities through its business partners. 353 accredited third-party service centres reinforce Sony's presence in key markets in the region. For media enquiries, please contact: Srishti Soni Ria Tharakan Atteline DMCC Sony Middle East and Africa FZE Email: sony@ Email: [1] As of the April 2025 product announcement according to research by a Sony survey of lenses for interchangeable lens cameras. [2] Excluding tripod mount. [3] Sony test conditions. Maximum continuous shooting speed may be lower in some conditions. Continuous shooting speed may vary in the AF-C focus mode. [4] See camera compatibility info at: Angle of view and image quality may change slightly when this function is [ON]. Effective compensation may not be achieved in all situations. [5] Not guaranteed to be 100% dust and moisture proof.
