Oman Holds Fully-Digitized Elections

Omani Ministers of Interior and Information at the opening of an exhibition to present the voting stages for members of the Shura Council in Oman (Al-Omaniya)
Omani Ministers of Interior and Information at the opening of an exhibition to present the voting stages for members of the Shura Council in Oman (Al-Omaniya)
TT

Oman Holds Fully-Digitized Elections

Omani Ministers of Interior and Information at the opening of an exhibition to present the voting stages for members of the Shura Council in Oman (Al-Omaniya)
Omani Ministers of Interior and Information at the opening of an exhibition to present the voting stages for members of the Shura Council in Oman (Al-Omaniya)

Omani voters cast their ballots on Sunday to elect the members of the Shura Council’s tenth term. Voting took place without papers or boxes, using an updated version of an electronic platform, which was inaugurated for the first time in 2019.

In addition to the voting process, the application was used to register voters, announce the lists, and complete the candidates’ applications.

The Oman Telecommunications Company confirmed that the protective systems are working with high efficiency and that no attempts at cyber-attacks have been recorded.

According to the final electoral lists, 843 candidates, including 32 women, competed in these elections to choose the 90 members of the Shura Council, while the total number of voters reached 753,690. Last Sunday, Omani nationals living abroad cast their votes electronically.

The Omani Shura Council, which was established in 1991 as a substitute for a consultative council established in 1981, is elected for a four-year term and has the powers to review, propose and amend the state’s public and economic policies.

The council, however, does not interfere in matters related to defense, internal security, and foreign policy. The elected council, together with the appointed State Council, forms the “Council of Oman”.



Saudi Foreign Minister Holds Talks with US Special Envoy for Syria

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and US Special Envoy for Syria Tom Barrack - SPA
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and US Special Envoy for Syria Tom Barrack - SPA
TT

Saudi Foreign Minister Holds Talks with US Special Envoy for Syria

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and US Special Envoy for Syria Tom Barrack - SPA
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and US Special Envoy for Syria Tom Barrack - SPA

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah met with US Special Envoy for Syria Tom Barrack in Riyadh on Sunday, SPA reported.

They discussed the latest developments in Syria and ways to support stability there, and included an exchange of views on issues of common interest.


UAE: Fire at Power Generator Near Barakah Power Plant After Drone Attack

Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant in the capital Abu Dhabi (WAM)
Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant in the capital Abu Dhabi (WAM)
TT

UAE: Fire at Power Generator Near Barakah Power Plant After Drone Attack

Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant in the capital Abu Dhabi (WAM)
Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant in the capital Abu Dhabi (WAM)

The UAE announced that authorities had responded to a fire that broke out in an electrical generator outside the inner perimeter of the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant in the Al Dhafra region of Abu Dhabi following a drone strike, confirming that no injuries were reported and that there was no impact on radiological safety levels.

Authorities said all necessary precautionary measures were taken immediately after the incident, adding that specialized emergency response teams succeeded in containing and extinguishing the fire while continuing to monitor developments and implement measures to ensure the safety of the site and surrounding areas.

The Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR) said the fire had not affected the safety of the plant or the readiness of its core systems, adding that all units at the facility were operating normally and in line with the highest approved standards of safety and security.

The UAE Ministry of Defense said Sunday that air defense systems had dealt with three drones that entered the country’s airspace from the western border area, noting that two of them were successfully intercepted while the third struck an electrical generator outside the inner perimeter of the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant in Al Dhafra.

In a statement, the ministry said investigations were ongoing to determine the source of the attacks, adding that further details would be announced once inquiries were completed.

The ministry stressed that the armed forces remained fully prepared to confront any potential threats and would respond firmly to anything that could undermine the country’s security and stability, ensuring the protection of national sovereignty and the UAE’s strategic interests.


GCC Sec-Gen Meets UK Deputy Prime Minister during Europe Gulf Forum

Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi. SPA
Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi. SPA
TT

GCC Sec-Gen Meets UK Deputy Prime Minister during Europe Gulf Forum

Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi. SPA
Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi. SPA

Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi met with Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State for Justice of the United Kingdom David Lammy, on Saturday, to discuss several key topics, focusing primarily on bolstering the strategic partnership between the GCC and the UK.

During the meeting, which took place on the sidelines of the inaugural Europe Gulf Forum, currently being held in Costa Navarino in Greece, they addressed mechanisms to overcome existing obstacles and align their perspectives on all aspects of the Free Trade Agreement (FTA), paving the way for its anticipated signing in the near future.

Both sides lauded the significant progress achieved thus far in the ongoing FTA negotiations, SPA reported.

While exchanging views on several regional issues, Albudaiwi commended the UK's efforts and supportive stance toward the GCC countries against the brutal Iranian aggressions faced by the council states.

Both sides underscored the significance of unifying and intensifying international efforts to promote security and stability in the region and the world.