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Oman opens up with Israel and Vatican in wave of reforms

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Oman is opening up its borders and minds for some welcome change, given the developments since yesterday. Thursday proved to be a red-letter day for the EMEA region on two fronts with Oman announcing some changes to the hitherto conventions.

The Vatican and Oman have established diplomatic relations, a joint statement said, three months after a visit by Pope Francis to the Gulf.

Earlier in the day, the nation’s flying restrictions for Israel airlines were removed to free up the air corridor for the latter’s smooth passage to the east.

While Israel has thanked Oman for taking the flight to freedom, the Sultanate has initiated the discourse with the church for its largely expatriate population.

There are currently 12 Catholic priests working in four parishes in Oman and the local population includes a “significant number of foreign workers,” the joint statement said.

Oman’s parishes are part of the Apostolic Vicariate of Southern Arabia, which is based in Abu Dhabi. Most of the country’s Catholics are foreign workers from elsewhere in the Middle East and the Philippines, India and Pakistan.

Meanwhile, Oman’s civil aviation authority said the Sultanate’s airspace will be open for all carriers that meet the authority’s requirements for overflying – effectively ending the ban on El Al, Israir and Arkia, Israel’s three airlines. The move could cut Israeli carriers’ flight times to Asia by up to three hours.

El Al shared a graphic on social media to give an idea on the flight route pre- and post-restrictions over the airspace above Oman.

When the airline was banned from Saudi airspace, El Al flights from Tel Aviv to Mumbai took seven hours 45 minutes. That flight time was then slashed to five hours 15 minutes, before the route was put on hold. As the announcement was made, El Al swiftly posted a map of their old and new routes to Southeast Asia on Instagram.

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called it “a day of great news for Israeli aviation” in a statement yesterday.

He added: “The Far East is not so far away and the skies are no longer the limit. We have worked to open the airspace, first over Saudi Arabia, and from 2018 when I visited Oman, to add Oman as well, so that we can fly directly to India and on to Australia. This was achieved today, after considerable effort, including in recent months. Here is good news – Israel is opening up to the east on an unprecedented scale.”

Appreciation for the gesture has started coming in from all parts of the world, including the United States. Earlier this month, El Al announced it is starting a frequent-flier partnership with UAE carrier Etihad Airways. The two had started code-sharing on flights in 2021.

Journalist for 25 years with leading publications in India and UAE such as The National, Mumbai Mirror, DNA, Indian Express and former Sports Editor of eIndia.com. Now managing editor of Headline.ae, part of MEMc (https://www.memc.co)

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Samp Army March On Towards Final Showdown with Deccan Gladiators

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2nd December 2024: Morrisville Samp Army secured their place in the final of the 2024 Abu Dhabi T10, setting up a much-anticipated rematch with the Deccan Gladiators. The dramatic clash at Zayed Cricket Stadium saw USA international Andries Gous anchor the chase of a modest 90-run target, despite a fiery Delhi Bulls bowling display. Gous’s determined 38-run knock stood out as wickets tumbled around him, and he even shrugged off a helmet strike from Pakistan pacer Salman Irshad to keep his team in contention.

However, Irshad briefly swung the momentum Delhi’s way, taking two crucial wickets in consecutive deliveries to dismiss Gous and Karim Janat. With 30 runs needed off the final three overs and only five wickets in hand, Samp Army were under pressure.

Enter England’s Jack Taylor and Pakistan’s Imad Wasim, who steadied the innings before unleashing a barrage of boundaries to seal the win with three balls to spare. Taylor’s unbeaten 23 off 11 balls proved decisive as the Samp Army clinched victory by five wickets.

Earlier in the match, the Samp Army bowling attack dismantled the Delhi Bulls’ batting line-up. Sri Lankan veteran Isuru Udana delivered a stellar performance, taking 3/17 in his two overs, while Afghanistan spinner Amir Hamza contributed with 2/22. The disciplined effort restricted the Bulls to a paltry 89/7 in their 10 overs, earning Udana the Player of the Match accolade.

With this win, Morrisville Samp Army are now poised for a thrilling final showdown against the Deccan Gladiators, as they look to cap off their campaign with glory.

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Banton Blitz Keeps Delhi Bulls Charging Toward T10 Glory

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1st December 2024: England’s Tom Banton lit up the Zayed Cricket Stadium with a scintillating performance, propelling the Delhi Bulls into the second Qualifier of the Abu Dhabi T10’s eighth edition. Banton smashed an explosive 73 off just 26 balls in the second Eliminator against Team Abu Dhabi, a knock studded with 9 towering sixes that left the crowd in awe.

Skipper Rovman Powell added a late flourish with an unbeaten 20 off just 6 balls, helping the Bulls register the season’s highest score—158/3 in 10 overs—setting an imposing target for the hosts.

Chasing 159, Team Abu Dhabi struggled under the mounting asking rate. Pakistan’s Fazalhaq Farooqi and Salman Irshad delivered a disciplined bowling display, stifling England’s Jonny Bairstow and limiting his impact. Despite Leus du Plooy’s fiery cameo of 32 off 12 balls, Team Abu Dhabi fell short, managing only 116/7, losing by a hefty 42 runs.

Earlier in the day, the Bulls extended their tournament run by eliminating UP Nawabs in the first Eliminator. Banton starred again, smashing an unbeaten 50 off 22 balls to chase down a modest 100-run target in just 7.1 overs. Bowlers Muhammad Rohid and Fazalhaq Farooqi were instrumental in restricting the Nawabs to 99/7, paving the way for an emphatic 8-wicket victory.

With back-to-back dominant performances, Delhi Bulls remain in the hunt for their maiden Abu Dhabi T10 title.

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Delhi Bulls chase down Chennai Jaguars’ low target akin to a red cloth

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28th November 2024: The Delhi Bulls stormed to a decisive victory over the Chennai Brave Jaguars, propelled by a stellar all-round performance from Shadab Khan and a bowling masterclass by local UAE talent Muhammad Rohid. The Jaguars set a modest target of 98 runs in 10 overs, a score the Bulls charged down with precision to secure a commanding six-wicket win.

The Chennai Brave Jaguars struggled to build momentum, with Shadab Khan’s economical 1/14 in his single over and Muhammad Rohid’s clinical 3/16 in two overs strangling their batting lineup. Rohid’s ability to find breakthroughs, including a crucial wicket off a good length delivery, kept the Jaguars’ scoring in check. The team limped to 97/5, unable to capitalize on key moments against the Bulls’ disciplined attack.

In response, the Bulls launched their chase with authority. Openers James Vince and Tom Banton stitched together a blazing 74-run partnership, setting a solid foundation. Vince smashed 42 off 19 balls, with five fours and a six, showcasing control and precision. Banton chipped in with a quick 30 off 16, including three fours and a six. Despite a brief hiccup with a couple of quick dismissals, the Bulls’ composure remained unshaken.

It was Shadab Khan who sealed the deal, smashing an unbeaten 20 off just six deliveries to wrap up the chase in style. His finishing flair ensured the Bulls hunted down the low target with ease, further underlining their dominance.

The match was a testament to the Bulls’ strength in both departments, with Muhammad Rohid’s breakout bowling spell and Shadab Khan’s all-round brilliance stealing the spotlight. The Jaguars’ total, akin to a red cloth, only incited the Bulls to charge harder and claim their resounding victory.

28th November 2024: Kusal Perera and Sunil Narine get New York Strikers back to winning ways

Kusal Perera scripted the joint-fastest half century in Abu Dhabi T10 history, recording a 15-ball half century for New York Strikers to help his side get a massive win in Abu Dhabi T10 on Sunday at Zayed Cricket Stadium. Chasing 112, the left-handed Sri Lankan batter smashed an unbeaten 74 runs in 27 balls with 6 fours and 7 sixes in his innings.

It was a one-man show from Perera who started attacking bowling attack from the first itself, not allowing any respite. Supported on the other end by Pakistan’s Asif Ali, Perera finished off the chase in just 7.5 overs, as Strikers won the match by 9 wickets.

Earlier, Northern Warriors rode on an unbeaten 46 off 17 balls from Sherfane Rutherford to post a decent total of 111/3 in 10 overs on a slow surface. Finn Allen contributed with 30 off 15 balls. New York Strikers skipper and spinner Sunil Narine was the pick of the bowler, leading the team from the front by getting two wickets while only giving away 16 runs in his two overs.

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