Oman Sultan Qaboos passes away
Muscat: Sultan Qaboos, the longest-reigning leader of the modern Arab world, has died at the age of 79, the royal court said Saturday.
"With great sorrow and deep sadness... the royal court mourns His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said, who passed away on Friday," the court said in a statement. Qaboos, who has ruled since 1970 when he deposed his father in a palace coup, had been ill for some time and had been believed to be suffering from colon cancer.
He left no apparent heir. He was unmarried and had no children or brothers. It is not clear who will succeed Qaboos, whose country has a distinct method of choosing the next ruler.
According to the Omani constitution, the royal family shall, within three days of the throne falling vacant, determine the successor. If the family does not agree on a name, the person chosen by Qaboos in a letter addressed to the royal family will be the successor.
The sultan should be a member of the royal family, as well as "Muslim, mature, rational and the legitimate son of Omani Muslim parents".
Local experts say that more than 80 men meet the criteria, but one name stands: Asad bin Tariq. Tariq, 65, had been appointed deputy prime minister for international relations and cooperation affairs in 2017.
The move was seen as a clear message of support to the sultan's cousin and "special representative" since 2002. Qaboos transformed the Arabian Peninsula nation from a backwater into a modern state while pursuing a moderate but active foreign policy.
Having played a role in Iran's nuclear deal with world powers while preserving its membership in the Saudi-led Gulf Cooperation Council, Oman has emerged as the Gulf's discreet mediator.
It remains to be seen whether the next ruler will take the same moderate approach in a region often in turmoil.
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Several trains to be cancelled due to yard work in Bengaluru's Yeshwantpur; Check list here
Bengaluru: As part of ongoing work at Yeshwantpur railway yard, four train pairs will be cancelled from April 4 to 11, 2025.
According to an official release, the following trains will be canceled during this period:
April 3: Yesvantpur-Pandharpur Express (Train No. 16541)
April 4: Yesvantpur-Dr MGR Chennai Central Express (Train No. 12291), Yesvantpur-Puducherry Express (Train No. 16573), Pandharpur-Yesvantpur Express (Train No. 16542)
April 5: Dr MGR Chennai Central-Yesvantpur Express (Train No. 12292), Puducherry-Yesvantpur Express (Train No. 16574), Yesvantpur-Bidar Express (Train No. 16578)
April 6: Bidar-Yesvantpur Express (Train No. 16577)
April 10: Yesvantpur-Pandharpur Express (Train No. 16541)
April 11: Pandharpur-Yesvantpur Express (Train No. 16542)
Additionally, from April 1 to 10, the KSR Bengaluru-Kannur Express (Train No. 16511) will be diverted. It will originate and terminate at SMVT Bengaluru instead of KSR at 8:00 PM. The train will take an alternative route via SMVT Bengaluru, Banaswadi, Hebbal, and Chikbanavar.
Passengers are advised to check for updates and make alternative travel arrangements.
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