Israel is taking part in a huge US-led naval exercise in the Middle East, for the first time publicly joining Saudi Arabia and Oman, two countries it has no diplomatic relations.

With better education opportunities and good office jobs, Omani women are now challenging tradition and questioning marriage more than ever before by demanding equal life partnerships.

The new Sultan, Haitham bin Tariq named by Qaboos in a letter opened following his death, will now have to undertake serious economic reforms to safeguard Qaboos's legacy and maintain internal stability, analysts said.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said that Sudan and Oman have opened their respective airspace for overflights by Israeli aircraft, Times of Israel reported on Monday.