What to do in Oman

If you’ve ever hesitated before asking an AI assistant something personal, WhatsApp is about to release a new feature that might make those chats feel a lot more comfortable. Incognito Chat is a new private mode for AI conversations on WhatsApp and Meta AI app. The feature focuses on privacy, especially for people using AI for sensitive topics like finances, health questions, work issues, or personal decisions. According to Meta, conversations inside Incognito Chat stay completely private. The company says nobody else can view the chats, including the company itself. Messages are not stored, and chats disappear automatically by default....

Thinking about a beach holiday, train rides through tea hills, or a tropical escape? Here’s a summer gift from Sri Lanka: tourist ETA is now free for visitors from 40 countries, including GCC nations and India. The ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) allows to stay in Sri Lanka for up to 30 days. Tourists can also enter the country twice within the same 30-day validity period starting from the first arrival date. Anyone planning to stay longer can apply for a visa extension after arrival. All ETA fees paid before May 25 are non-refundable. Countries included in the free Sri Lanka...

Oman has officially confirmed the start date for Eid Al Adha 2026 after the crescent moon was sighted on Sunday evening. Dhul Hijjah, the final month in the Islamic calendar, will start on Monday, May 18. Eid Al Adha takes place on the 10th day of Dhul Hijjah each year. The confirmed dates are as follows: Day of Arafah will be Tuesday, May 26 First day of Eid Al Adha in Oman is on Wednesday, May 27 With the Eid Al Adha 2026 dates now confirmed in Oman, residents can start planning trips and family gatherings for the break. Employees...

The FIFA World Cup always takes over everything else happening that year. Now the 2026 edition has a huge surprise for music fans too. Nobody knows yet which national teams will battle for the trophy in the final, but FIFA has just revealed who’s taking the stage for the halftime show and the lineup is massive. BTS, Madonna, and Shakira will co-headline the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final Halftime Show on July 19 at New York-New Jersey Stadium. Shakira is also returning to the World Cup with brand-new music. The singer released a new FIFA anthem called Dai Dai on...

If you use WhatsApp and want better visuals and a few extra features, you might get that soon. It looks like a premium version called WhatsApp Plus is now in testing. The feature has been spotted in the Android beta version of the app, where a limited number of users can already try it. Right now, it's only available to a small group of Android beta users. There’s no iOS version yet, and no confirmed date for a wider release. Here’s what’s currently included in this version: Premium stickers Custom themes Custom app icons More pinned chats Premium ringtones Extra...

The GCC Railway is shaping up to be one of the most ambitious infrastructure projects in the region — a 2,117-kilometre high-speed rail network set to connect key cities across the six Gulf Cooperation Council countries. While the vision is bold, bringing it to life is proving to be a complex and multifaceted undertaking. According to SYSTRA, a global expert in mobility solutions and a key player in the Etihad Rail development, cross-border high-speed rail (HSR) systems come with layers of logistical, technical, and political complexity. HSR networks promise plenty — shorter travel times, economic growth, environmental benefits, and tighter...

Summer is approaching, and rising temperatures are already hard to ignore. In the Middle East, just being outside in the afternoon can turn dangerous quickly. As part of its usual summer measures, Oman is taking steps to reduce heat exposure for outdoor workers. The Ministry of Labour has confirmed the annual midday work ban: Outdoor work must stop daily between 12:30 PM and 3:30 PM The ban applies from June 1 until August 31 Authorities will carry out inspections at construction zones and outdoor job sites to check working conditions during restricted hours. Companies that don’t follow the rule can...

Oman is moving into the next phase of its national campaign to reduce plastic pollution. From July 1, 2025, the country will implement Phase 3 of its ban on single-use plastic shopping bags, targeting a wider range of retail and food-related businesses. This phase, announced by the Environment Authority, will concern: Fruit and vegetable shops Grocery stores and packaging units Candy factories and sweet shops Bakeries and outlets selling bread, pastries, and confectionery Gift shops Businesses in these categories will need to replace single-use plastic bags with eco-friendly alternatives such as reusable cloth or paper bags. Here's a short recap...

With Eid Al Adha and Hajj now behind us, the Islamic calendar is about to turn to 1448 AH. While the exact start of the new year will depend on moon sightings, Oman has already confirmed the public holiday. Public sector employees in the Sultanate will have the day off on Thursday, June 18. Because Friday and Saturday form Oman's weekend, the holiday creates a three-day break. Other summer news from Oman: outdoor work ban until August 31. This Summer in Muscat: Top Events Ready for a night out? Go loud with Metal Assault Vol. 3 and its heavy underground...

Oman has confirmed five national holiday dates for 2026, giving residents and businesses early clarity on days off across the year. The announcement follows a government policy to publish national and religious holidays in advance, allowing better planning for work schedules, travel, and major events. Here are the public holidays Oman has confirmed so far for 2026: January 15 (Thursday): Accession Day January 18 (Sunday): Al Isra’a Wal Miraj June 18 (Thursday): Islamic New Year August 27 (Thursday): Mawlid Al Nabawi November 25–26 (Wed-Thu): National Day Dates for Eid Al Fitr and Eid Al Adha will be announced separately based...