by admin | May 25, 2021 | Muslim World
London : Researchers of a British university have brought to light the existence of a fast-growing “dead zone” devoid of oxygen in the Gulf of Oman, spelling environmental disaster for fish and marine plants in the area, as well as for people reliant on the ocean for food and employment.
University of East Anglia (UEA) researchers have confirmed a dramatic decrease in oxygen in the Gulf of Oman, in an area larger than Scotland, using underwater robots called Seagliders that can reach depths of 1,000 metres, a release from the university said on Friday.
The study led by UEA, in collaboration with Oman’s Sultan Qaboos University, collected data in areas of water previously inaccessible due to piracy and geo-political tensions.
“New research from the University of East Anglia has confirmed a dramatic decrease in oxygen in the Gulf of Oman part of the Arabian Sea. But the environmental disaster is worse than expected,” UEA said.
“Where the Seagliders expected some oxygen, they found an area larger than Scotland with almost no oxygen left.”
According to the team leader Bastien Queste from UEA’s School of Environmental Sciences, the situation in this part of the Arabian Sea, which is the largest and thickest dead zone in the world, has been made worse by climate change, “as warmer waters hold less oxygen, and by fertiliser and sewage running off the land into the seas.”
“Dead zones are areas devoid of oxygen. In the ocean, these are also known as ‘oxygen minimum zones’ and they are naturally occurring between 200 and 800 meters deep in some parts of the world,” Queste said in a statement.
“Our research shows that the situation is actually worse than feared, and that the area of dead zone is vast and growing. The ocean is suffocating.
“Of course all fish, marine plants and other animals need oxygen, so they can’t survive there. It’s a real environmental problem, with dire consequences for humans too who rely on the oceans for food and employment,” he said.
According to UEA, the team combined their Seaglider data with a very high-resolution computer simulation to determine how oxygen is spread around the north-western Arabian Sea throughout different seasons and the monsoons.
“They found that the deadzone moves up and down between seasons, causing fish to be squeezed in a thin layer near the surface,” it said.
“Management of the fisheries and ecosystems of the western Indian Ocean over coming decades will depend on better understanding and forecasting of oxygen levels in key areas such as the Gulf of Oman,” Queste said.
—IANS
by admin | May 25, 2021 | Business Summit, Events, Investing, Muslim World
Muscat : The Sultanate of Oman is taking part in the World’s Leading Travel Trade Show (ITB 2018), which will take place in the German capital Berlin on March 7-11.
Member of the Board of Directors at Oman Tourism Development Company (SAOC) Ahmed Nasser Al Mahrizi will head the Sultanate’s delegation comprising officials of the Ministry of Tourism and representatives of Tourist organizations.
According to MUSCATDAILY.COM, Oman has always been keen to participate in ITB Berlin which has developed into a unique global success story since its beginning in 1966. ITB Berlin, which is one of the most prestigious tourist events in the world, is an ideal opportunity for Oman to showcase its tourism products and services and to promote the Arab Gulf state as a perfect all-year destination.
The exhibition had previously witnessed the participation of 10,000 organizations such as airlines, privet tourism organizations and much more representing 185 countries, as well as 170,000 visitors.
Oman’s participation this year coincides with the opening of the new Muscat International Airport on March 20 and the facilitations granted by the e-Visa system, to be made available by March 21.
Oman has recorded a significant growth in the tourism industry, thanks to the country’s efforts in the tourism development in various aspects including service projects and promoting tourism investment. The number of international tourist arrivals grew by 4.7 percent to reach 3.300 million in 2017, compared to 3.151 million in 2016. The number of hotel establishments rose from 337 in 2016 to reach 367 in 2017 with an increase of 8.9 percent, and an annual growth rate of 6.4 percent since 2009.
—AB/UNA-OIC
by admin | May 25, 2021 | Muslim World
Doha : Qatar and Oman have signed an agreement aimed at enhancing trade and economic ties despite the ongoing embargo, the media reported.
Citing Qatar News Agency, Xinhua reported that the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed on Sunday covers food production, marketing, joint investment and export of Omani products to Qatar.
The MoU was signed in the presence of the dignitaries of both countries.
Since the Gulf crisis began, Qatar is trying to shield itself from regional isolation, and increase its multilateral cooperation with other countries.
The volume of product-exchange between Oman and Qatar have risen two to three times since then.
—IANS
by admin | May 25, 2021 | Muslim World
Dubai : Gulf stock indexes, from Kuwait to Oman, advanced modestly on Sunday after the price of oil hit a two-and-a-half-year high at the end of last trading week.
The Kuwait Stock Exchange Price Index closed 0.79 per cent higher at 6,504.97. The countries’ oil exports account for 95 per cent of its state revenues, Xinhua reported.
The price of oil climbed to the highest level, above $67 per barrel (159 liters) since mid-2015 on January 3 amid unrest in Iran and the “bomb cyclone” hit the US East Coast and the Midwest, dragging temperatures down to minus 40 degrees Celsius.
In Dubai, the DFM General Index climbed 0.22 per cent higher to finish at 3,471.09. Arabtec, the biggest construction firm in the United Arab Emirates, led the charts by gaining 6.53 per cent.
Shares of the world’s third biggest port operator DP World which are traded on the Nasdaq Dubai closed even at $24.99. Earlier in the day, DP World said in an e-mailed statement it invested over 1 billion dollars in global trade in 2017.
The Saudi Arabian Tadawul All-Share Index in Riyadh increased by 0.56 per cent, finishing at 7,317.65 as all industry sector indexes posted an increase.
On Saturday, Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud ordered to provide inflation allowances for citizens to ease the expected rise in the cost of living after the newly enforced 5 per cent value added tax (VAT), Al Arabiya reported.
The king also instructed to pay the annual grant provided to employees working for the government sector and to be calculated from January 1.
The stated grants include payment of a monthly living allowance of $267 for civil and military employees for one year, and a reward of $1,333 for military personnel participating in the front lines of military operations in the southern borders of the Kingdom.
In addition to pensions paid by the General Organization for Social Insurance for beneficiaries, $133 will be granted for one year.
In Muscat, the Omani market gauge MSM 30 Index finished Sunday trading 0.28 per cent higher at 5,119.18.
—IANS
by admin | May 25, 2021 | Muslim World
By Sandeep Sharma,
Muscat : Bored of the humdrum of life? Desire to visit a peaceful holiday destination? The pictorial landscapes, exotic beaches and superlative hospitality of the luxury resorts in Oman can be a perfect “check-in”.
With its tourist season currently on, the country — which sees visitors from across the world and is a little over three hours by air from India — has a lot to offer in terms of experiences through its delightful resorts. Lazy lads seeking a comfortable experience will also be enthused about trying out the adventures on offer.
One such resort is Dunes by Al Nahda, situated at Wadi Al Abiyad Sands in Barka. Surrounded by undulating dunes and mountains all around, this desert resort gives a nice soothing experience and has 50 tent-style rooms.
With an open-air dining area and activities like bunker golf course, dune bashing, quad biking, sand surfing and camel riding, this place fits the idea of a perfect holiday destination with family or friends.
Interestingly, the resort’s head chef Mathivanan Lakshmanan, who hails from India, said a lot of foreigners residing at the property demand Indian cuisine, especially shahi paneer and pav bhaji.
Since the wedding season is on, if honeymooners are looking for a royal experience, try Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar Resort, located 2,000 metres above the sea level on the Green Mountain.
It has a once-in-a-lifetime experience to offer — Diana’s Point, which surprised me. The spot, named after the late Princess Diana, was full of European and American couples celebrating the romantic environs at the resort with light music and a 360-degree view of mountains.
With an average temperature of around 20 degrees — half of what I experienced at other places in Oman — this resort leaves you in awe not only with its outer scenic beauty but also with the hospitality, multinational cuisine and luxurious rooms. And don’t miss out on spending some leisure time on the balcony to soak in the straight-out-of-a-painting scene.
Another interesting destination is the Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah Resort and Spa. Situated in Muscat near the seashore, this grand property hosts a lot of Indian weddings. There are various activities like beach parties, dolphin watching and boat riding on offer. Sounds of Arabian music adds to the experience of dining here.
Whether it’s about residing on sand dunes, near the sea or on top of a mountain, the resorts in Oman make the stay special. But you do need to really loosen up your purse strings. To be honest, the only things offered for free are the dates and coffee.
Interestingly, all these resorts are located not too far away from one another. One can easily enjoy their hospitality to the fullest in a week’s time.
(The writer’s trip was at the invitation of Oman Tourism. Sandeep Sharma can be contacted at sandeep.s@ians.in)
—IANS