Oman Shuts Down All Borders For a Week

Oman’s health ministry issued a license to import the vaccine developed by Pfizer and BioNTech. (File photo: Reuters)
Oman’s health ministry issued a license to import the vaccine developed by Pfizer and BioNTech. (File photo: Reuters)
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Oman Shuts Down All Borders For a Week

Oman’s health ministry issued a license to import the vaccine developed by Pfizer and BioNTech. (File photo: Reuters)
Oman’s health ministry issued a license to import the vaccine developed by Pfizer and BioNTech. (File photo: Reuters)

Oman will close its land, air and sea borders on Tuesday at 1 a.m. for one week, state television reported on Monday.

The decision follows measures imposed by various countries following the outbreak of a new strain of COVID-19, Oman TV said.

The Sultanate reported on Monday 264 New COVID-19 cases, raising the number of infections to 127, 931.

Meanwhile, death toll reached 119,745 after one patient passed away in the past 24 hours.

Also, Oman will receive its first batch of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine on December 30, the Director of the Department of Infectious Diseases Control at the Ministry of Health announced on Monday.

This came in a statement ‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏published on Oman’s Ministry of Health official Twitter account for the efforts of countering COVID-19.

According to the official, the vaccine will be administered in two doses, with the second to be given 21 days after the first dose.



Riyadh to Host Second Human Capability Initiative Conference on Sunday

A night view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (SPA file)
A night view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (SPA file)
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Riyadh to Host Second Human Capability Initiative Conference on Sunday

A night view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (SPA file)
A night view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (SPA file)

Under the patronage of Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Crown Prince, Prime Minister, and Chairman of the Human Capability Development Program Committee—a key initiative in achieving the Kingdom’s Vision 2030—the second edition of the Human Capability Initiative Conference will open in Riyadh on Sunday.

The two-day conference, themed "Beyond Readiness," underscores the Kingdom's unwavering commitment to investing in human capital as a cornerstone of national development and future progress, reported the Saudi Press Agency on Saturday.

Organized by the Human Capability Development Program, this premier global platform will bring together more than 300 distinguished speakers, including influential leaders, policymakers, and global experts from academia, the private sector, and non-profit organizations, for over 100 panel discussions.

The second edition will emphasize the vital role of unlocking potential to advance human capabilities through the strategic application of cutting-edge technologies. The goal is to cultivate an educational ecosystem that promotes lifelong learning and empowers individuals and communities to adapt effectively to rapid transformation.

Furthermore, the conference will highlight the importance of embedding values that underpin growth and development, contributing to the formation of interconnected societies capable of addressing both local and global challenges. A key focus will be on forging partnerships and creating opportunities that amplify the role of individuals in devising sustainable solutions for a brighter future.

Building on the success of its first edition, the conference further solidifies the Kingdom's efforts in human capability development and makes a significant contribution to the global discourse on the future of human potential in an era of rapid change.