Muscat: A regional workshop titled ‘Use of the Indicator Simulation Tool for Policymakers in the Arab Region (ISPAR)’ officially commenced today in Muscat. The five-day event, running until 10 July, is organized by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) and hosted by the Sultanate of Oman, represented by the National Competitiveness Office. According to Oman News Agency, the workshop is part of a joint effort to strengthen institutional capacities across Arab countries by utilizing advanced tools that support evidence-based public policymaking. This Omani-hosted initiative aims to develop a comprehensive simulation platform incorporating a set of

Muscat: Chinese researchers have identified a crucial signaling region in early mammalian embryonic development, providing essential theoretical insights to address congenital disorders such as heart defects and to advance regenerative medicine. According to Oman News Agency, the research team analyzed single-cell spatial omics in mouse embryos, enabling them to map the dynamic process of organogenesis and identify a tissue specification zone, a crucial region that reveals early organ tissues and is the first rudimentary structures of developing organs, emerge during embryonic development, according to a study published in the journal Cell. In this context, Lin Chengqi, the research team leader

Istanbul: The Istanbul Archaeology Museum stands as one of the Turkish most significant cultural landmarks, showcasing through its rich and diverse collections pivotal moments of ancient human history while highlighting the succession of civilizations that flourished on Turkish soil over millennia. According to Oman News Agency, the museum was established in 1891 during the Ottoman era in the Sultanahmet district and comprises three main sections housing rare artifacts from various civilizations including the Hittite, Greek, Roman, Byzantine, and Islamic periods. Its collections feature coins, jewellery, manuscripts, historical photographs, and other archaeological treasures. Aydin Zafar, Media Officer at Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality,

Muscat: Omani international racing driver Faisal Khalid Al Zubair returns to Belgium’s Spa-Francorchamps circuit to compete in the third round of the 2025 GT World Challenge, driving the BMW M4 GT3 Evo as part of Oman’s Al Manar Racing team. According to Oman News Agency, Faisal will share the cockpit with teammates Jens Klingmann, Ben Tuck, and American driver Neil Verhagen, as the team aims to maintain its lead in the overall team and driver standings. Al Manar Racing currently holds first place after securing victories in the opening two rounds at Paul Ricard and Monza. The race features 73

Muscat: A Soviet-era spacecraft plunged to Earth, more than a half-century after its failed launch to Venus. Its uncontrolled entry was confirmed by both the Russian Space Agency and European Union Space Surveillance and Tracking. The Russians indicated it came down over the Indian Ocean, but some experts were not so sure of the precise location. According to Oman News Agency, the European Space Agency’s space debris office also tracked the spacecraft’s doom after it failed to appear over a German radar station. It was not immediately known how much, if any, of the half-ton spacecraft survived the fiery descent