April, May & June are the busiest months of the year for me, hence the blog-snooze. Anyway, here are some bits and pieces from the past few weeks that I found interesting:
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1. According to one of my anonymous readers, Carrefour is set to open on July 15th here in Salalah at Salalah Grand Mall (it's actually called Salalah World, but I keep referring to it as the grand mall). The Carrefour part of the building looks almost done. The rest of the monstrosity will be done by next year I think? It's absolutely huge. I'll try to get some photos of the site next time I'm at Centrepoint (its tiny neighbor)
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2. The weather in Salalah has been unbearably hot these past few weeks. It used to NEVER go up past 35 Celcius in Salalah in the hot months of the year. This week I've seen 39, but we haven't yet hit 40. It feels hotter though because the humidity is impossible. Usually this means we'll have a good monsoon. First official day of the monsoon (khareef) season is next Thursday June 21st. Last year the rains started at 10 a.m on June 21st, right on schedule. I hope this year is the same. I could do with a couple of months of rain! The ocean is already wild and most of Haffa Beach is gone already. Water is already up on the sidewalk and road. Monsoon is in the air!
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3. Khareef Festival starts also on June 21st and will last for 28 days.
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4. Phase One of Salalah Beach (another Muriya project - the other is Jebel Sifah) is done. Juwaira Hotel (a 5-star 65 room boutique hotel) is now open to the public. The marina is pretty and the restaurant is lovely. The official opening is in August but the hotel is fully functioning now. It's between Salalah and Taqah.
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5. Our dear friend and passionate reader/commentator/national defender Mti reminded me that I hadn't published the new Public Prosecution announcement. Here goes:
MUSCAT: The Public Prosecution on Monday warned it will act against perpetrators of offensive writings or statements under the pretext of free expression that harm national interests and violates the sanctity of people's life. The statement said "Public Prosecution recently noticed the growing of offensive writings and inciting calls by some individuals under the pretext of free expression of opinion. This is a blatand violation of the sanctity of the personal life of individuals. It is also a libel against them either in their individual or job capacity. It has been noticed that rumors and provoking others to carry out negative acts that may eventually harm the homeland, individuals and national interests are growing".
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"these statements or acts are contrary to our elite religious teachings, rich traditions and noble morals that are deeply integrated in the Omani society and contrary to the values on which its sons are being raised upon.
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"They are also creating a reality that is against public law and order and morals. Morever, they are legally criminilized regardless of the audio, print, visual, telecommunications, and IT means used in this. These means include e-forums and social networking websites. Henceforth, the Public Prosecution advises all citizens and residents that is will take the necessary legal actions against all perpetrators of such staements or acts, as well as those who promote or provoke or assist them through any means " - Oman News Agency (June 2012)
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MUSCAT: The Public Prosecution on Monday warned it will act against perpetrators of offensive writings or statements under the pretext of free expression that harm national interests and violates the sanctity of people's life. The statement said "Public Prosecution recently noticed the growing of offensive writings and inciting calls by some individuals under the pretext of free expression of opinion. This is a blatand violation of the sanctity of the personal life of individuals. It is also a libel against them either in their individual or job capacity. It has been noticed that rumors and provoking others to carry out negative acts that may eventually harm the homeland, individuals and national interests are growing".
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"these statements or acts are contrary to our elite religious teachings, rich traditions and noble morals that are deeply integrated in the Omani society and contrary to the values on which its sons are being raised upon.
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"They are also creating a reality that is against public law and order and morals. Morever, they are legally criminilized regardless of the audio, print, visual, telecommunications, and IT means used in this. These means include e-forums and social networking websites. Henceforth, the Public Prosecution advises all citizens and residents that is will take the necessary legal actions against all perpetrators of such staements or acts, as well as those who promote or provoke or assist them through any means " - Oman News Agency (June 2012)
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Well, all I can say is .... meh. Live in fear, suckers!
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6. Rumor has it that the Frankincense Lady is going to be selling her famous frankincense ice cream at Haffa Souq this khareef as well. I hope that's true. I've been craving it since July 2011.
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7. I agree. I have about 80.
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8. Paid Parking at Salalah airport was supposed to start on May 1st. Who was I kidding? still nothing...
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9. Beware. A violent feminist post is brewing in my brain.
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10. Finally, this video "Tell Us Your Story" (part of Ali Al Habsi's road safety campaign - he's our best goalkeeper) is really moving. If you don't recognize the faces, most of them are prominent Omani figures, celebrities, and businessmen. I recognized most of them. It's true, too many of us know someone who has lost their life in a car accident. Please watch and spread the word.
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6. Rumor has it that the Frankincense Lady is going to be selling her famous frankincense ice cream at Haffa Souq this khareef as well. I hope that's true. I've been craving it since July 2011.
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7. I agree. I have about 80.
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8. Paid Parking at Salalah airport was supposed to start on May 1st. Who was I kidding? still nothing...
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9. Beware. A violent feminist post is brewing in my brain.
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10. Finally, this video "Tell Us Your Story" (part of Ali Al Habsi's road safety campaign - he's our best goalkeeper) is really moving. If you don't recognize the faces, most of them are prominent Omani figures, celebrities, and businessmen. I recognized most of them. It's true, too many of us know someone who has lost their life in a car accident. Please watch and spread the word.
That Public Prosecution announcement is incredibly vague, don't you think?
ReplyDeleteIt sounds very soviet union like and make me think of the tunisian government.
DeleteThank you, young Lady !
ReplyDeleteMti
Bloggers can be sentenced to two years in jail.
ReplyDeleteMuscat: A large number of bloggers who use social networking sites and other websites for inciting, insulting and abusing others have been arrested, according to Hussain bin Ali Al Hilali, Public Prosecutor.
Confirming this on Sunday, Al Hilali said, "We are keeping a watch on the bloggers who use such platforms.-
Speaking about the punishment in these cases, he said that "the law is clear and the punishments are reasonable and no amendment therein is needed.-
He, however, said that the judgments issued by Muscat Primary Court and Barka Primary Court against the accused may vary from each other.
"The judge decides the penalty which can vary from three months to four months. But in some cases it can reach two years of imprisonment,- he added.
Meanwhile, Ali bin Saif Al Maamari, Director, Cyber Crime Cases Department at the Public Prosecution, said that about 200 cyber crime cases had been registered in various governorates of the Sultanate.
Khalifa Al Hinai, advocate, said the Sultanate is dealing with several types of cyber crime. "While some of them are just copying others' materials, others are damaging publication or copying data,- he explained.
If a hacker is more than 15 years old, then the punishment could be not be less than six-month imprisonment and not more than a year and a fine of not less than RO500 and not more than RO1,000, or either of the two punishments.
In case the information disclosed, copied or republished was personal, then the punishment could be not less than one-year imprisonment and not more than three years and a fine of not less than RO1,000 and not more than RO3,000, or either of the two punishments.