Oman Healthcare Policy: Oman’s Ministry of Health added “death cases for Omanis” to fee exemptions, bringing the total exempt groups to 18. Medical Training: 388 doctors and nurses joined Oman Medical Specialty Board specialised programmes for 2026/2027, strengthening advanced local training. Tourism & Heritage: Rustaq is pushing major road, parks, and tourism-site upgrades to boost its historic appeal and visitor services. Regional Water Focus: A two-day UN-backed symposium on water sustainability and climate change opens in Salalah, spotlighting aflaj protection, desalination, reuse, and modern monitoring tools. Skills for Industry: Oman’s manufacturing push links technical and vocational education to future workforce needs, with training aligned to evolving sector skills. Culture & Community: Oman Theatre Society opened entries for the inaugural Muscat Theatre Festival, aiming to spotlight group theatre and new scripts. Middle East Tensions: Iran’s supreme leader urged Gulf unity against the US and Israel as Hormuz-related clashes and missile incidents keep regional pressure high. Global Context: Kuwait topped Arab and Gulf states in the 2026 Global Prosperity Index, ranking 50th worldwide. Heat & Work Safety: A report warns farm workers face a dangerous mix of extreme heat and pesticide exposure, raising calls for stronger protections.