Oman Locks Down Muscat for 12 Days over Virus

A general view of Muscat, Oman. (AFP)
A general view of Muscat, Oman. (AFP)
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Oman Locks Down Muscat for 12 Days over Virus

A general view of Muscat, Oman. (AFP)
A general view of Muscat, Oman. (AFP)

Oman will ban movement into and out of the governorate of Muscat from April 10 until April 22, the high committee for combating the coronavirus outbreak said in a tweet on Wednesday.

Oman has registered 419 cases of the novel coronavirus, including 48 in the last 24 hours.

“Our biggest challenge is among expatriate workers,” Health Minister Ahmed Bin Mohammed Al-Saidi said in a radio interview, adding that the biggest spread in the sultanate was in the coastal commercial area of Muttrah, located in Muscat governorate, where a lockdown was imposed last week.

He said authorities would ramp up testing as the number of cases was expected to peak this month, and that Oman had secured lab equipment and protective gear from China.

Gulf states recorded new cases on Wednesday to raise the total number of infections in the six countries to over 9,800, with 67 deaths.

The United Arab Emirates, which saw its count more than double in the past week, on Wednesday reported 300 more cases to take its tally to 2,659.



UN Rights Council Backs Saudi-drafted Resolution to Protect Children Online

Ambassador Abdulmohsen bin Khothaila presented the resolution to the Human Rights Council during its 59th session, on behalf of the Saudi mission in Geneva. Photo: Saudi mission
Ambassador Abdulmohsen bin Khothaila presented the resolution to the Human Rights Council during its 59th session, on behalf of the Saudi mission in Geneva. Photo: Saudi mission
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UN Rights Council Backs Saudi-drafted Resolution to Protect Children Online

Ambassador Abdulmohsen bin Khothaila presented the resolution to the Human Rights Council during its 59th session, on behalf of the Saudi mission in Geneva. Photo: Saudi mission
Ambassador Abdulmohsen bin Khothaila presented the resolution to the Human Rights Council during its 59th session, on behalf of the Saudi mission in Geneva. Photo: Saudi mission

The United Nations Human Rights Council on Tuesday unanimously adopted a Saudi-drafted resolution aimed at enhancing child protection in the digital realm, a move rooted in a global initiative launched by Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman.

The resolution, introduced by Saudi Arabia’s Permanent Mission to the UN and international organizations in Geneva, seeks to advance the goals of the Kingdom’s “Child Protection in Cyberspace” initiative.

It aims to translate the initiative’s vision into concrete action through enhanced technical cooperation and capacity building.

Saudi Arabia’s Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva, Ambassador Abdulmohsen bin Khothaila, presented the draft during the Council’s 59th session under Agenda Item 10, which focuses on technical assistance and capacity development.

The proposal received broad support and was adopted by consensus, with co-sponsorship from Kuwait, Algeria, Pakistan, Azerbaijan, and Vietnam.

Addressing the Council, Khothaila stressed that the digital space has become an integral part of children’s lives, offering immense opportunities for learning and connection, while also exposing them to growing risks.

He underscored the need for stronger international cooperation, national capacity building, and technical support to reinforce national frameworks aimed at child protection.

The resolution reflects the core objectives of the Crown Prince’s initiative, including fostering international cooperation, sharing best practices, raising awareness, and equipping stakeholders with the necessary skills to ensure a safer digital environment for children.

It also highlights the importance of tailoring technical assistance to the specific needs and priorities of each country, with the aim of building sustainable national capacities and enhancing communities’ ability to respond to digital threats facing children.

The resolution underscores Saudi Arabia’s commitment to promoting global cooperation for a secure and inclusive digital space for children worldwide, in line with its leadership role and pioneering efforts in cybersecurity and child protection.