fb777 download for android Domestic tourism in Oman experienced remarkable growth in 2023 with the total number of visitors reaching 12.9mn, according to Ministry of Heritage and Tourism (MHT). Official data shows that the number of tourist nights touched 29mn and total spending amounted to RO829mn, reflecting a significant boost to the local economy. Additionally, an MHT official informed that the sultanate attracted 4mn international tourists in 2023, underscoring the growing appeal of Oman as a global tourist destination. To further enhance the tourism sector, the sultanate has been engaging in strategic promotional campaigns and partnerships with global travel firms. The introduction of a 14-day visa-free entry for tourists is expected to trigger further growth in international tourism. MHT is also working to meet its ambitious targets set in Oman Vision 2040 with plans to increase the number of international tourists to 11mn by 2040, thereby making tourism a key pillar of the nation’s economic development. Speaking about the growing role of adventure activities in boosting domestic tourism, Ali al Hajri, owner of Oman Desert Private Camp in Bidiyah, said his facility witnessed a 90% increase in bookings in December 2023, a surge he attributed to the popularity of adventure tourism. He emphasised the fact that Oman’s rich cultural heritage and stunning landscapes, particularly Dhofar during khareef, have positioned the country as a sought-after destination for both local and international visitors. While praising MHT for its efforts, Hajri called for a unified national plan to attract more tourists and suggested coordinating efforts so that the sultanate can further capitalise on its natural beauty and heritage to attract visitors. Sheikh Suleiman bin Saeed al Abri, owner of Bait al Safah Heritage House in Al Hamra, echoed Hajri views, while also noting the rapid development of tourism services in the sultanate. He said establishment of Oman Tourism Association would play a key role in promoting Omani tourism, benefiting not only major cities but also smaller towns and the country’s UNESCO World Heritage sites. Abri also highlighted the importance of winter festivals in attracting tourists and promoting lesser-known destinations in the sultanate. Calling for broader tourism development, Abri urged tourism companies to diversify their offerings by focusing on underexplored areas in Dhahirah, Buraimi, North Batinah and South Batinah. One of the key infrastructure projects Abri highlighted was construction of a bridge to connect Masirah Island to the mainland, which he believes would have a transformative effect on tourism, social connectivity and economic growth. Additionally, he proposed transforming the Safa Sands in Ibri into a premier tourist destination with upscale camps offering comprehensive services similar to the popular Bidiyah Sands. MHT is currently working on long-term strategies to boost tourism’s contribution to the GDP. The sector’s contribution of 2.4% in 2021 is expected to rise to 5% by 2030 and eventually 10% by 2040, as part of the broader goals set in Oman Vision 2040.LOGANTON — A large beef processor in Clinton County has applied for a permit from that if issued would likely allow it to resume construction of its sustainable resource management facility (SRF). Greene Twp. in June forced Nicholas Meat near Loganton to stop construction on its waste-to-energy technology project and an advanced wastewater treatment facility. The supervisors would not approve the land development plan unless Nicholas obtained a water quality management permit from the state Department of Environmental Protection. The permit is needed for Nicholas to construct a 13,000-gallon sewage treatment plant addition. Nicholas was advised in 2018 its sewage system was inadequate for its then 350 employees and 150 contract workers but was allowed to build a 20,000-gallon holding tank that was to be temporary. Currently, wastewater from septic system is hauled offsite for treatment. If the water quality management permit is approved, Nichols will construct a facility that will treat sanitary wastewater to Class A standards for discharge into an engineered ground water channel. DEP, which considers the sewage treatment plant addition and the SRF as one project, instructed the township not to issue any building permits that would result in an increase in domestic sewage. “We’ve lost several months that could have been spent on construction of the SRF,” said Duane Eichenlaub, meat regulatory and sustainability manager. Once DEP approves the permit Nicholas will move forward with the development of the SRF, he said. Eichenlaub expressed optimism it will be approved in 2025. Nicholas estimates when the SRF is operational, it will reuse up to 90 percent of the water from the plant’s operations, he said. “It is our goal to see this project through, overcoming whatever obstacles we encounter along the way because we know the importance of the benefits to the Sugar Valley residents and the environment,” he said. The estimated cost of the SRF when ground was broken in 2021 was $50 million. The cost is significantly more today, Eichenlaub said. The SRF being at a standstill has not affected the operations of the plant or the modern barn completed in May, he said. The barn, that can hold up to 1,000 cattle, was designed to enable recycled wastewater from the SRF to be used to clean the pens. When operational the SRF will reduce the dependence on land application of food processing residuals, the company says. The plant was shut down for several weeks in 2021 after DEP prohibited the application of the residuals on snow-covered fields. Stories by John Beauge Two New York men accused of scamming Pa. residents out of at least $288K Pa. man charged in fatal shooting case pleads guilty to reduced charges 2nd co-defendant in case in which central Pa. lab was front for drug-making gets 10 years Firm found to have infringed on Penn State's trademarks fighting injunction requestThe 25-year-old Sweden international took his goal tally for the season to 12 in the 3-0 Boxing Day win over Aston Villa at St James’ Park, 10 of them in his last 10 Premier League games, after a challenging start to the new campaign. Isak managed 25 goals in a black and white shirt last season to further justify the club record £63million the club paid to bring him to Tyneside from Real Sociedad during the summer of 2022, but as delighted as he is with his big-money signing, head coach Howe is confident there is even more to come. Murph 🔗 Alex Isak Different game. Same link up. 💪 pic.twitter.com/OMhZf7dtKZ — Newcastle United (@NUFC) December 27, 2024 Asked where the former AIK Solna frontman currently ranks in world football, he said: “My biggest thing with Alex is I am evaluating his game on a daily and weekly basis and I just want to try to push him for more. “Everyone else can say where he is in the pecking order of world football. His game is in a good place at the moment. “My job is to not sit back and appreciate that, my job is to try and find areas he can improve, push him towards that and never stop pushing him. He has all the ingredients in there. Football never stops evolving and changing and he has to evolve with it. “There is a lot more to come from him. Our job is to help him deliver that. “Of course the main responsibility is for Alex to keep his focus, ignore the plaudits and keep helping the team, not be selfish. It is about Newcastle and he plays his part.” It is no coincidence that Newcastle have prospered as Isak has rediscovered his best form, and they will head for Manchester United – where they have won only once in the top flight since 1972 – on Monday evening looking for a fifth successive win in all competitions. He has scored in each of the last five league games having grown into the mantle of the Magpies’ main man, a role performed with such distinction in the past by the likes of Jackie Milburn, Malcolm Macdonald and Alan Shearer, and he has done so with the minimum of fuss. Asked about his character, Howe said: “He is calm, cool – he is what you see on the pitch. “He doesn’t get overly emotional, which for a striker is a great quality because that coolness you see and calmness in front of goal is part of his personality, part of what he is. He seems to have an extra half a second when other players don’t. “With Alex, the beauty of his attitude is that he wants to improve. We give him information and he is responsive. He is not a closed shop. “He is in no way thinking he has arrived at a certain place. He knows he has to keep adding to his game. The challenge is great for him to keep scoring freely as he is now.”

The New Era Of Cybersecurity: Harnessing The Power Of Generative AIFor some FSA dollars, it's use it or lose it at year's endKALAMAZOO, Mich. (AP) — Freshman Justus McNair made a 3-pointer from midcourt just before the final buzzer to cap Valparaiso's game-closing 29-4 run and the Beacons knocked off Western Michigan 76-73 on Friday. Valpo trailed 69-47 with 6:51 remaining. Tied at 73-all, Western Michigan's Donovan Williams came up short on a 3-pointer from the corner and McNair grabbed the rebound with about four seconds left before racing the other way for a one-footed runner at the horn. Cooper Schwieger scored 17 of his 19 points in the second half for the Beacons (6-5). Jefferson Monegro scored 13 points while going 4 of 15 from the floor, including 0 for 3 from 3-point range, and 5 for 9 from the line. McNair had 13 points and went 5 of 7 from the field (2 for 4 from 3-point range). Chansey Willis Jr. finished with 16 points, seven rebounds and seven assists for the Broncos (3-8). Owen Lobsinger added 14 points for Western Michigan. Brandon Muntu finished with 12 points. Monegro scored eight points in the first half and Valparaiso went into halftime trailing 42-26. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .

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Eddie Howe says ‘a lot more to come’ from Newcastle striker Alexander Isak