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TUESDAY, February 3, 2015 / 13 Rabia II 1436 AH

CHILD’S MURDER

Alleged killer ‘suffers from mental illness’ FAHAD AL MUKRASHI

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TOP THREE INSIDE STORIES

OMAN

Delay in Suez Canal dredging helps Oman

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A delay in the Suez Canal dredging work is helping Muscat to get more cruise tourists, said a shipping agent on Sunday. The Queen Mary 2, which arrived in Muscat, last week, was forced to skip the port of Aqaba for Petra because of the delays. “Muscat was added as the passengers of the Queen Mary 2 missed Aqaba and Petra because of the delay,” said the official. >A2

OMAN

Change attitude towards inmates

Women’s representation A quota for women has come to the fore as the current session of Majlis is coming to an end.

Naima bint Jamayel bin Farhan bin Mubarak Al Busaidiyah, won the Seeb seat during the elections for Majlis held in 2011.

Many observers feel reservation for women in Majlis Al Shura will not only correct gender imbalance but also help espouse the causes of women more effectively

FAHAD AL GHADANI

fahadnews@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: It is dubbed the people’s council but Oman’s Majlis Al Shura has just one female member, now there are calls for a quota for women to address the underrepresentation While many feel a quota for women will correct the gender imbalance in the Majlis Al Shura, there are others who feel women are capable of fighting and winning the elections on their own.

This issue has come to the fore

in view of the current session of Majlis Al Shura coming to an end and the election for the new session already announced.

Out of the 84 Majlis members in the current session, there is only one woman. Naima bint Jamayel bin Farhan bin Mubarak Al Busaidiyah won the Seeb seat during the elections for Majlis Al Shura held in 2011.

Among 1,133 candidates who contested for 84 Majlis seats in 2011, only 77 were women while only 20 women contested (out of more than 600 candidates) in the

Only one of them is a woman

Election

2007

2011

Total candidates

600

1,133

20

77

Women candidates Women’s percentaje

3.33%

6.79%

2007 elections. No woman was elected in the 2007 elections.

Manal Ahmed, a private sector worker, feels “quota is the only solution for better representation of women in Majlis. The elected women can better espouse the causes of their community in different wilayats.”

Shukoor Al Ghamri, former president and member of the Oman Women’s Association, does not approve of a quota for women in Majlis Al Shura.

“The quota system will make women weaker. She should challenge her male counterparts by contesting the election,” she says.

She urged more women to contest the Majlis Al Shura polls and fight for their rights.

Welcoming the idea to reserve quotas for women, Tawfiq Al Lawati, a Majlis Al Shura member, said he had suggested this idea at several public forums.

“I think the government should allocate one extra seat for a woman from each governorate,” Al

Lawati said. Such a move, he elaborated, will take the Majlis Al Shura’s strength from 84 members to 95.

Pointing out the benefits of having quota for women, Al Lawati explained that it could bring new issues for discussion at the Majlis Al Shura sessions.

“There are many issues that simply do not reach the Majlis doors, especially issues concerning women,” Al Lawati noted.

Al Lawati said he wished to see greater women representation from different governorates and wilayats of the Sultanate.

Lawati also urged women to get ready for meeting the challenges of public life before deciding to take the plunge .

“It should be possible for the public to be able to contact them at anytime of the day and they should also be able to participate in social events and discussions,” said Al Lawati.

With nine contestants, the Wilayat of Seeb saw the maxi-

mum number of women candidates fighting the election, while Bausher, Sohar, Shinas, Salalah had four each, Muttrah, Amerat, Saham, Mussanah, Ibri and Sur had three candidates. Muscat, Liwa, Barka, Khasab, Yankel, Nizwa, Samail and Al Mudaibhi had two women candidates and Suwaiq, Nakhal, Wadi Al Maawal, Al Awabi, Barka, Madha, Al Buraimi, Mahadah, Dankh, Bahla, Adam, Maneh, Iszki, Ibra, Al Qabil, Al Khamel Al Wafi, Jaaln Bani Bu Ali and Masirah had one each.

No woman contestant came up to fight polls in 24 wilayats.

“Women who contested the last election worked very hard. They engaged with the society by using all the available tools including newspaper, social media. But the society has to go a long way before they come out and vote for a woman. Across the world we see that seats are reserved for women in parliament. As a first step, I feel women should be given quotas,” Manal added. >A6

R I G H T T O I N F O R M AT I O N AC T

Oman, India sign agreement to tackle terror, source of funding

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REJIMON K

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REGION

183 Brotherhood men get death sentence

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Lithuanian PM arrives in Oman

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M U S C AT F E S T I VA L

Rapid, free-of-cost HIV testing, medical tips at Muscat Festival ELHAM POURMOAMMADI

elham@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: Amid all the hustle and bustle of fun-filled activities at the Muscat Festival in Naseem Garden, one quiet spot reminds everyone that ‘good health is a crown only the sick can see’.

The Health Village, set up by the Ministry of Health, may be small but big things are happening inside. The section for rapid HIV testing is the highlight of the Health Village, where visitors can get tested for free and receive the result in just a few minutes.

“About 10 to 15 people take the HIV test every day,” said Sa’ad Rashid Saud Al Alawi, the ministry’s representative in the HIV section.

Speaking to Times of Oman, he said that the purpose of the pavilion is to provide visitors with useful information about this infectious disease, dispel their misconceptions, reduce the stigma attached to HIV, and help elimi-

84 Majlis members voted

Graphics

Society needs to change its attitude towards female prisoners and needs to be more forgiving when the women themselves have changed their outlook towards life, say those working in that field. >A5

An Egyptian court sentenced 183 supporters of the outlawed Muslim Brotherhood to death on charges of killing police officers, part of a sustained crackdown by authorities on hardliners.

The men were convicted of playing a role in the killings of 16 policemen in Kardasa. >A7

ISO 9001:2008 Certified Company

Citizens call for female quota in Majlis for parity

fahad@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: One of the suspects in murder of the two-year-old boy in Sohar, a 20-year-old, has a mental illness, while the other, a 15-year-old, has no criminal record, an ROP official told Times of Oman.

People are still shocked over the barbarity of the crime that was committed on Friday.

The police launched a manhunt for the child’s killers and arrested the two suspects in less than 24 hours.

The official said the two suspects allegedly first stalked the boy at Al Afifa beach and then dragged him into an abandoned house where they suffocated and bludgeoned him to death. >A6

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nate discrimination against HIV patients.

According to Dr. Mohd Redha Moosa Al Lawati, head of National TB, AIDS and Leprosy Control Programmes at the Ministry of Health, around 500 rapid tests for HIV were carried out in the previous edition of the festival and none were positive.

According to the ministry, 2,394 HIV/AIDS infections were registered among Omanis by the end of 2013. Of these, 1,511 (63

per cent) were alive by the end of last year, 65 per cent of whom were males and 35 per cent were females.

Jokha Mohd Khamis Al Farsi, the official in-charge of the Health Village, noted the health camp was set up to bring attention to the importance of good health and give visitors useful tips while they enjoy visiting the festival.

She said that the village has several sections, which include the HIV pavilion, a section dedicated to the national elderly programme, a stand related to oral health, and a section set up to raise awareness about drugs.

Highlighting the significance of a healthy lifestyle, Al Farsi said that people can get their blood sugar and pressure tested and weight and height measured at the healthy life pavilion and learn how to maintain oral hygiene in another section. Also, information about the elderly and drug addiction is provided to visitors in the village, she added.

MUSCAT: A legal and judicial assistance agreement signed recently between the Sultanate of Oman and India will improve cooperation in the field of investigation, prosecution and proceedings in criminal matters, said a senior legal adviser of a law firm in Muscat.

“The agreement will improve the effectiveness of both countries in investigations, prosecutions and suppression of crime, including crimes related to terrorism and tracing, restraint, forfeiture or confiscation of pro-

ceeds and instruments of crime through co-operation and mutual legal assistance in criminal matters,” said Deepa Sudhir, the Indian legal adviser practicing in Muscat.

Indians in jail As of November 2014, 115 Indian nationals were lodged in Omani jail, including three sentenced for more than 15 years, said the Indian embassy in a reply to a Right to Information Act query.

Among those were five female and 110 male inmates, reveals the document issued by the embassy.

The agreement will enable India and Oman to make the de-

tained persons available to testify or assist in investigations and also co-operate in probing terror funding. “In the case of terror funding, both Oman and India can now take steps as permitted by law for search, seizure and confiscation of such funds and the prosecution of the individual concerned,” added the legal adviser.

Irrespective of whether the assistance is sought or to be provided by a court or some other official authority, the new agreement will provide assistance and shall be without prejudice to other obligations between India and Oman pursuant to other treaties or arrangements. >A6

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TU ESDAY, F EB RUARY 3, 2015

OMAN CONFERENCE

International naval medicine meet begins MUSCAT: An international naval medicine conference got under way in Muscat on Monday.

The four-day 2nd International Conference for Naval Medicine, hosted by the Sultanate and represented by the Royal Navy of Oman (RNO), is being held at Al Bustan Palace Hotel. The conference is organised by the Armed Forces Medical Services, in collaboration with World Health Organisation (WHO), Oman Medical Specialty Board (OMSB), the Research Council, and Oakland University.

It was opened by Dr. Mubarak bin Saleh Al Khadouri, Special Advisor of HM the Sultan in the presence of Rear Admiral Abdullah bin Khamis Al Raisi, Commander of RNO, a number of specialists from the Ministry of Defence, the Sultan’s Armed Forces, other relevant public organisations and experts from a number of sisterly and friendly countries.

Rear Admiral Abdullah bin Khamis Al Raisi, Commander of the RNO delivered a speech where he pointed out that the RNO started providing maritime medical services, hyperbaric medicine and oxygen treatment in 1978. The services have developed till the establishment of a special unit for maritime medicine.

The five-day conference includes a number of lectures and working papers on navel medicine, diving and hyperbaric medicine, treatment systems used in it, the Sultanate’s strategy in drafting the national health record system, remote consultancy service in the field of primary health care and other topics related to maritime medicine.

There has been two lectures related to treatment of diabetes in the Sultanate and the relationship between treatment and hyperbaric medicine.

After the opening speeches, the chief guest opened the exhibition held on the sidelines of the conference. The chief guest and participants had a sea journey on board the ‘Shabab Oman’ vessel. -ONA

Suez work delay brings Muscat more tourists

C U LT U R A L T O U R I S M

Oman to take part in global tourism meet MUSCAT: Oman will take part next Wednesday in the ‘World Conference on Tourism and Culture: Building New Partnership’, which is being organised by UNESCO and World Tourism Organisation in Cambodia.

The Sultanate’s delegation to the conference will be led by Ahmed bin Nasser Al Meherzi, Minister of Tourism.

The participation in the conference aims to take advantage of global expertise related to activating the role of culture in the field of tourism and discuss ways of joint cooperation and the fact that culture is among the important aspects in the development of sustainable tourism.

LUXURY LINER: The Queen Mary 2 arrived in Muscat on Tuesday with more than 2,500 passengers. – Supplied photo

Queen Mary 2’s transit of the Suez Canal was delayed by around 12 hours due to dredging operations in the Suez Canal preventing ships from passing through

RAHUL DAS

rahuldas@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: A delay in the Suez Canal dredging work is helping Muscat to get more cruise tourists, said a shipping agent on Sunday.

The Queen Mary 2, which arrived in Muscat, last week, was forced to skip the port of Aqaba for Petra because of the delays.

“Muscat was only added as

the passengers of the Queen Mary 2 missed Aqaba and Petra in Jordan because of the delay,” said the official. Even on the Facebook page, the Queen Mary 2 said Muscat was the rescheduled port to replace the missed Aqaba and Petra.

After cancelling the Jordan port, the Queen Mary 2 was supposed to go to Fujairah Port in United Arab Emirates (UAE).

However, later on she added

Muscat in its itinerary before travelling to the UAE. It brought around 2,500 high-value tourists to Oman. The Queen Mary 2, the last great ocean liner, arrived in Muscat last Tuesday at 7 am with more than 2,500 passengers. It left Muscat in the evening on the same day. Currently, it is at sea and the next stop is Kochi in India.

Plan change “The Cunard Line flagship, which is on a on a 113-night world cruise, instead visited Muscat, Oman, on Tuesday, January 27,” it said. The ocean liner company said that the Queen Mary 2’s transit of the Suez Canal has was delayed by around 12 hours due to dredging operations in the Suez Canal, which led to a partial collapse of a precipitation basin, preventing ships from passing through.

So, she skipped Aqaba in Jordan as planned.

At present, more than 20 dredgers are working on the Suez Canal expansion as they attempt to complete 24 underwater dredging operations for 24 million square metres.

The new canal is anticipated to increase the capacity of the current canal to allow the passage of 97 ships, up from the present 49, therefore doubling revenues by 259 per cent.

The project is now 67.5 per cent complete and is expected to be completed this year. Petra is a highlight of any Middle East cruise, both as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the new Seven Wonders of the World.

The 2,200-year-old city is carved out of solid rock and is familiar to many from the movie Indiana Jones and others. The ship is 13 days into its world cruise, which departed from Southampton on January 10.

First of its kind This conference is the result of international cooperation, the first of its kind between the UNESCO and the World Tourism Organization as many ministers of tourism, culture, investors and businessmen around the world will gather to discuss different roles of sustainable cultural tourism and cooperation to form partnerships seeking to develop cultural tourism around the globe.

The conference seeks to exchange experiences on the challenges facing these sectors across a range of subjects, studies, working papers as well as discussion panels.

The conference will discuss a number of themes, including the systems related to models of cooperation in the field of tourism and culture, tourism promotion, the protection and preservation of culture, innovation in the use of culture in tourism, and the role of creative industries and community development as means of sustainable tourism development.

Cambodia will host the World Conference on Tourism and Culture: Building New Partnership in the city Siem Reap the home of “Angkor Wat,” which is on the World Heritage List. -ONA

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OMAN

Lithuanian prime minister’s first Oman visit gets under way today Algirdas Butkevičius’ visit aims at boosting bilateral ties with the Sultanate

Times News Service MUSCAT: Algirdas Butkevičius, the prime minister of Lithuania, will be on his first-ever official visit to Oman on February 3 and 4, which is aimed at boosting many contacts ranging from food export to student exchange that Lithuania established with the Arab nation in 2014.

The head of the Lithuanian government is to meet His Highness Sayyid Fahd bin Mahmoud Al Said, the Deputy Prime Min-

ister for the Council of Ministers of Oman. Butkevičius will also discuss developments in bilateral partnerships with leading ministerial figures and public officials.

Butkevičius will be accompanied by a group of almost 30 business leaders and top managers of some of Lithuania’s key institutions eager to establish or expand co-operation with their Omani counterparts, including company executives, directors of largest medical institutions and highranking education officials.

The business delegation also includes companies representing Lithuania’s vibrant information technology sector, which has been working with Oman since 2012.

Lithuanian firms have participated in several ICT fairs in Muscat and have been working on several IT projects with their Omani partners ever since.

In addition to that, the business mission includes heads of food and drink companies, transport and other firms.

“It is obvious that Oman is eager to broaden its relationship with Lithuania in many areas, partly because they see Lithuania as a gateway to the broader market of Baltic and Nordic countries,” said Boleta Senkienė, the honorary consul of the Sultanate of Oman in Lithuania.

“On the other hand, Oman lures

Lithuanian businesses as a nation which imports most of the food it consumes. In addition to that, Oman offers access to the 70-million strong market of the entire Arabian peninsula,” added the consul. Oman is the first Arab nation to open a diplomatic representation in the Baltic States.

Lithuania has an honorary consul in Oman too. Anees Issa Al Zadjali has been working in the position since 2010.

Oman showed remarkable interest in establishing bilateral relations in many different areas with Lithuania last year. Oman sent three governmental delegations to Lithuania in 2014 led by top officials from the ministries of foreign affairs, education, and health.

In addition, a seminar to promote bilateral trade was organised in October 2014 in Vilnius.

A gem of Europe waiting to be found Times News Service MUSCAT: Named among the world’s top 10 tourist attractions for 2015 by Lonely Planet, Lithuania is sometimes referred to as one of Europe’s undiscovered gems.

It has almost everything a 21st century nation would want — from a growing economy and vibrant city life to pristine nature and a stable political system. A member of the European Union since 2005, Lithuania is historically seen as one of the Baltic trio which also includes Latvia and Estonia.

The beauty of Vilnius Lithuania is an independent nation on the eastern side of the Baltic Sea. It borders Latvia, Belarus, Poland and the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad. The largest of the three Baltic countries, Lithuania is nearly five times smaller than Oman in terms of area. However, with just over three million inhabitants, Lithuania stands on roughly equal terms with Oman.

The capital city Vilnius (ca.

540,000 inhabitants) is widely considered one of the most beautiful cities in Eastern Europe.

Other major cities are Kaunas and Klaipėda, the latter being one of the major ports in the Baltic Sea. Largest state of Europe in the 15th century Knowing that today Lithuania ranks 123rd in the world in terms of area, it is hard to believe that the Grand Duchy of Lithuania was Europe’s largest state in the 15th century, and considerably bigger than today’s France.

Size alone does not mean much, of course, but Lithuanians are proud of their history that officially began in 1009 when Lithuania was first mentioned in written documents. The country has since gone through a turbulent history that included glorious military victories, significant economic and cultural achievements and, since the late 18th century, a prolonged period of Russian occupation.

The Lithuanian state was restored in 1918 only to be subjugated by Soviet Union in 1940.

Five decades of brutal communist oppression followed before Lithuania once again emerged as an independent nation in 1990. It has since joined the European Union (EU) and the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation becoming one of Europe’s most dynamic nations.

Breathtaking modernisation Long considered as an agrarian state, Lithuania has modernised its economy almost beyond recognition during the last several decades of the 20th century and especially in the 21st century. After having joined the European Union in 2005, the country has received almost €7 billion in financial aid.

The money has been invested in hundreds of modernisation projects, from building new roads to enhancing business competitiveness. In addition to that, Lithuania is to receive another €12.6 billion from the EU until 2020 to boost its economic activity.

Lithuania stands out in Europe and beyond as a nation of well educated people. Here are a bit of statistics to illustrate the latter. As much as 93 per cent of the country’s population have secondary or higher education. As young people are free to study and work abroad,

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many of them take these opportunities and eventually bring back world-class experience and skills.

Lithuania is a home of some of the region’s leading information technology businesses and offers one of the world’s fastest Internet connectivity. Three mobile network operators each cover the entire territory of the country ensuring outstanding business mobility. Lithuania is world famous as a birthplace of some of the most advanced laser technologies that NASA and other international organisations use. Lithuania enjoyed a 2.9 per cent GDP increase in 2014 and was among EU’s five fastest-growing nations. Large industrial companies and the expanding construction sector proved to be the most powerful locomotives to move the economy forward.

On the other hand, thousands of private small and medium-size companies constitute a vibrant and absolutely vital part of the economy providing the lion’s share of new and existing jobs.

Food production remains an important area of economic activity and one of the top exports. Billions of euros of EU funds and private

money are invested every year to modernise farms and production facilities. It is no coincidence that some Lithuanian foods and drinks, such as juices and chocolate, are among the first products to be exported to Oman. Currently one of Lithuania’s top agro groups is in talks with Omani partners over chicken exports.

The country has an excellent network of railways and roads and three international airports making transportation easy.

The seaport of Klaipėda is one of few ice-free ports in the Baltic Sea. The European Union is by far Lithuania’s most important trade partner accounting for over 60 per cent of total exports.

Lithuania introduced the euro as its currency from January 1, 2015, a move that will help further integrate the country into the European Union and will bring considerable economic benefits to domestic businesses.

With more than two million foreign tourists in 2014 for a nation of just over three million, that is quite an achievement, especially bearing in mind that Lithuania re-emerged on the map of Europe just 25 years ago.

The two must-see sights are the charming baroque Old Town of Vilnius and the Curonian Spit with its striking beaches and atmospheric villages, both on the World Heritage list. For those staying

longer Lithuania offers an incredible range of attractions, from backpack trips in centuries-old forests and kayaking down the rivers to mineral water SPA treatments and historical routes.

The fact that the country’s fight for freedom in the late 1980s was nicknamed “The Singing Revolution” might give you a bit of flavour as to what kind of a country Lithuania is. Surely, it is not all – and not everyday – about singing, yet the National Song Festival with its 10,000-strong choir at the closing concert is the sight for many to admire. Not surprisingly, Lithuania is one of just two European countries boasting three and more choirs winning the Europe’s Best Choir Award.

In fact, the country has grown at least several world-class artists in almost every field, be it opera, painting, drama, sculpture, ballet or literature.

The so-called informal culture of the younger generation is remarkably colourful and inventive and can be seen or heard in dozens of clubs, galleries, bars or especially in summer time, on the street right next to you.

Vilnius held the title of the Cultural Capital of Europe in 2009, the year that saw several hundreds of cultural events all across the country and gave a huge boost to artists and performers in every imaginable area of creativity.

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TU ESDAY, F EB RUARY 3, 2015

OMANI MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS AT HERITAGE VILLAGE A BIG DRAW

MUSCAT: Visitors at Amerat Park are amazed by the diversity of inherited Omani arts and crafts and the lifestyle of the ancient Omanis.

The products on display in the handcraft corner of the Public Authority for Craft Industries, have been presented and supported for generations. These have been inherited and preserved since their forms embody the nobility of the past. These crafts are a means of interaction between individuals, communities and the environment of the past.

There are craftsmen who create and paint such precise details as

a result of the link between sensory emotional and moral factors among the Sultanate’s citizens who share the same costumes, and inherited traditions depending on the occasion or celebrations of these traditional arts.

An ancient craft The craft of manufacturing musical instruments is an ancient and intricate one with its fine detailing. The equipment that the craftsman is keen to produce with his own skilled hands is usually one that is presently used to produce popular music in the Sultanate.

The use of these instruments displays diversity in their tone and rhythm that delights the listener.

Any visitor could be surprised by the unique form and wonderful colours and components use to make these instruments that are creative and take the listener back to the music of early days.

Craftsman Saleh Thowaini Hadid Al Melbiq Al Alawi comes from Sur in Al Sharqiya South that boasts of remarkable traditional Omani arts. He came with musical instruments such as drums such as Al Msendoo, Al Rahmani, Al Kaser, and Al Merwas (the flute), Al Gem (Barghoom) and

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Al Tanboura that he learned to make since he was seven years old because of his eternal passion for these instruments and his intimate relationship with their rhythm. This led him to start manufacturing and selling his Omani musical Instruments, which is today a flourishing business.

Saleh mentioned that he always participated in the Muscat Festi-

val as he considered it a window for any craftsman to introduce his musical instruments to the audience and tell them all they needed to know about the way they are made, and the equipment used.

Unique forms He could describe how these instruments got their unique forms using wood, neem, sidr, sheep skin, and cords depending on the instrument in addition to use of the knife, saw, nails, and obelisk.

He said these instruments, which were quite affordable and easy to use, could take between 30 minutes and six hours to be com-

pleted depending on the orders he received. “I have participated in many local and international events and festivals like, China, Africa, Zanzibar and Saudi Arabia in addition to Germany, Kuwait and Bahrain,” he added.

“I am happy to be a part of this exhibition that has been promoted by the Public Authority for Craft Industries for craftsmen to develop these crafts and present them to the visitors. I am grateful for their efforts in managing the events at the Muscat Festival 2015 and the opportunities that have contributed towards the support of Omani handicrafts.

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S O C I A L W E L FA R E

Plan to introduce higher education courses for convicts in Central Prison

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OMAN

Call to change attitude toward female inmates

FAHAD AL MUKRASHI

fahad@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: A proposal to introduce higher education courses for inmates in the Central Prison at Samayil is being studied by the Directorate General of Prison of the Royal Oman Police (ROP).

An official of the Directorate General of Prison told Times of Oman, that the main hurdle in its implementation was the question of getting funding for the initiative. The central prison has an affiliation system where the inmate can enrol and gives tests in the prison for higher diploma and bachelor’s degrees, said the official.

The official explained that there was no illiteracy in Samayil prison. There was a tie-up between the ROP and the Ministry of Education to send teachers to the prison for grades one to twelve, he said.

The ROP also has a trained team to develop the skills of inmates with all the necessary equipment and tools required, said the official. They have also introduced courses in the English language and computers for the inmates.

International standards The official disclosed that most of the crimes committed by the Omani inmates are either road accidents that resulted in fatalities, thefts or civil rights cases.

Asked about the treatment of inmates in the central prison, the official stressed that Omani authorities have to apply international standards for inmates at the prison, as they are an integral part of the community.

About social welfare, the official said that it aimed to connect

The main hurdle in its implementation was the question of getting funding for the initiative

the inmate with his family as well as study the social situation along with providing the necessary care to ensure a decent life for the inmate’s family.

“We provide social security either through the Ministry of Social Development or through charitable contributions in terms of supporting the families of inmates,” the official said. There are also psychologists to study and modify the aggressive behaviour of inmates and replace them with correct social trends .

Omani Personal Law Asked if any inmate applies for conjugal visits, the official said that no inmate of either gender had sought permission for a conjugal visit. It may be noted that Article 112 of the Omani Personal Law stipulates that the wife has the right to seek a divorce in case her husband has been sentenced to a jail term of three years or more.

In such a case, the judge can grant the wife the right to seek a divorce on the condition that her husband has completed a year’s jail term. About the number of prisoners in the Samayil Central Prison, the official said the number did not exceed 1,000 Omanis.

Omani Women’s Association, in cooperation with Royal Oman Police, has launched a move to educate female prisoners. This was done to ensure that they are able to adapt to society even when they are faced with rejection, because otherwise they are condemned to a life of loneliness FAHAD AL GHADANI

fahadnews@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: Society needs to change its attitude towards female prisoners and needs to be more forgiving when the women themselves have changed their outlook towards life, say those working in that field.

OCCI TO HOST SEMINAR

Contribution of women to Oman’s economy in focus Times News Service MUSCAT: Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI) will be hosting a symposium on women’s economic empowerment to be organised by the Arabian Women’s Media company on February 22.

The aim of the seminar, in which a large number of entrepreneurs from the Sultanate will participate, is to shed light on women in the economic field and focus on their contribution to the economic activity in the Sultanate in light of the Omani economy’s growing dependence on oil.

In addition, the seminar will support plans of Omani women to work freely, besides the establishment of business leadership to open areas in the private sector.

It will also inform women of the funding available as well as opportunities for self-employment in the agricultural and fisheries sector, crafts and handicrafts.

The seminar will also discuss a number of papers provided on opportunities and initiatives of the government and economic empowerment in the private sector.

It will discuss about women in the

The symposium will include workshops on strategic planning Aziza Alhabsi

CEO of Arabian Women’s Media

private sector in proportion to the number of job seekers.

The seminar will focus on ways to support small and mediumsized private enterprises, training and rehabilitation and its importance in self-employment.

Aziza Alhabsi, CEO of the Arabian Women’s Media Company, said that the symposium will include workshops on strategic planning for commercial projects and how to market them, especially those that are dominated by women in Oman.

Beside success stories of pioneering Omani women that will be presented at the symposium, focus will be given on how they can benefit from government and private facilities to develop their businesses.

Arabian Women’s Media Company is a private media organisation founded in 2012. It has adopted local organising educational activities based on human and informational local expertise, and aims to highlight the local social and economic issues.

MEETING

ROP, municipality discuss traffic MUSCAT: A joint meeting between Muscat Municipality and the Directorate General of Traffic at the Royal Oman Police (ROP) was held at Muscat Municipality on Monday to discuss traffic aspects.

The meeting was chaired from the municipality side by Eng. Mohsen bin Mohammed Al Sheikh, Chairman of Muscat Municipality, while the ROP was represented by members of the Directorate General of Traffic.

The ROP Directorate General of Traffic reviewed figures related to rising number of vehicles in the Sultanate for 2015 which reached

more than 1.3 million vehicles, an increase by 10 per cent when compared to the previous year.

They also discussed a proposal of the Directorate General of Traffic to implement ramps.

It also discussed a proposal of the Municipal Council to reduce rush hour period allowed in the Governorate of Muscat including wastewater trucks.

Arrested A GCC national was arrested on drug trafficking charges in the wilayat of Haima of Wusta governorate and four bags of hashish were recovered from the accused.

The ROP has called upon nationals and citizens to report any drug trafficking cases by calling the emergency number 999 or reporting it to the nearest police station. The Investigation and Criminal Investigation Department arrested a national for firing in the air during a wedding.

The accused has been referred to the Public Prosecution for further investigation and trial. Article 29 of the Weapons and Ammunitions Law stipulates that it is forbidden to fire in the air in a residential area.

The accused will be jailed from three to six months. -ONA

“In Omani culture, we tend to sympathise with a male criminal but not with their female counterparts,” said a former official of the Omani Women’s Association (OWA).

Shukoor Al Ghamri, former president of OWA, said that in cooperation with the Royal Oman Police (ROP), they have launched

a move to educate female prisoners. This was done to ensure that they are able to adapt to society even when they are faced with rejection, because otherwise they are condemned to a life of loneliness.

“Giving lectures and spreading awareness among female prisoners can ensure that they do not go back to a life of crime and find themselves in jail again,” said Al Ghamri, while adding that failure in doing so could result in the women returning to a life of crime.

“Most of the female prisoners were sentenced for defying ethics giving their families and society more reason to reject them after their release,” she noted.

The OWA visited several women’s jails and found that the authorities were doing a commendable job in educating prisoners and teaching them to take up a career after jail, she added.

“However, while the programme was prevalent, we asked for more opportunities as the women could be forced to fend for themselves

after their release,” she said.

The possibility of marriage could be low and making friends seems really hard for the women after serving jail term, thus educating them and preparing them to face rejection would help them in the long run, she said.

A reliable source at the ROP confirmed that there are several rehabilitation programmes in the prisons which help female inmates to rejoin the society.

“The ROP assures to release any prisoner who has a career in mind.

They also promote products made by the women at exhibitions and give the income collected to them on their release,” said the source.

He added that last year the ROP had held three such exhibitions which had earlier been discontinued for a few years.

“Education is also compulsory for prisoners who are illiterate,” said the source.

He added that one rarely sees a female convict who is released return to jail because most of them are not criminally minded.

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W W W.T I M E S O F O M A N .C O M

The shape is similar to me. I am still working on human faces. I think it’s the human spirit. When you see someone there is an aura which is around them.

Radhika Hamlai, Omani artists

Vibrant energy of artists on canvas Maryam and Radhika have each had a different journey through art over the years but they have found a common destination, one in which the vibrant energy of colours is the focus on their canvases

VIVID PAINTINGS: The two Omani artists will share their latest work at a joint exhibition called ‘The Spirit of Duality’, which opens at Gallery Sarah in Old Muscat on Febru-

ary 4. –Supplied picture SARAH MACDONALD

sarah@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: Artists Maryam Al Zadjali and Radhika Hamlai have each had a different journey through art over the years but they have found a common destination, one in which the vibrant energy of colours is the focus on their canvases.

The two Omani artists will share their latest work at a joint exhibition called “The Spirit of Duality” which opens on February 4 at Gallery Sarah in Old Muscat.

For people familiar with Radhika’s work, this collection will mark a departure from her fast, busy paintings in which figures feature prominently.

The shapes in these canvases

are reminiscent of her older work, reflecting the heads or faces, but now they are the focus of the work and are emphasized with their large scale and the artist’s use of more solid sections of colour.

“The shape is similar to me. I am still working on human faces.

I think it’s the human spirit. When you see someone there is an aura which is around them. You can’t see the colour but you can feel it,” Radhika explained.

As she worked on these new paintings over the past two years, she reflected on the energy of people she interacted with and let that energy, as well as her own changing moods, influence her colour choices. She said unlike her previous work, these canvases, which include multiple layers of pigment,

gloss, gold leaf and other paper, required a lot more contemplation.

“What I really want at the end of the work is that the person should really watch the colours and feel the colours and understand the colours, not just look at it as a piece of art. When you look at it there has to be the energy of that colour you’re looking at, drawing towards you, so you would want to look at it again,” she said.

Maryam has a similar aim with her vivid paintings, in which many colours come together in impressionistic mosaics of Omani neighbourhoods, the arches and shapes of Arabian architecture suggested in the loosely applied paint. One look at her bright canvases and one can’t help but feel a warm glow inside.

“I adore colours, maybe because I always find nothing in life is difficult. I feel life is bright and we have to be happy. I always want people watching the painting to be happy,” Maryam said.

Positive, cheerful energy For Maryam one of the important aspects of painting is transmitting her own positive, cheerful energy from her soul, into the brush, through the paint and onto the canvas where it will then be felt by the people who see her work.

“Today people are more pressured and under stress. When they go to an exhibition they want to see something that makes them happy. It’s like a therapy, especially with the bright colours, yellow, purple, turquoise, lavender,”

lery Sarah is also very special for both artists, since they were good friends with the gallery’s namesake, Sarah White, who was a British artist who lived in Oman until her unexpected death in 2013.

They had also exhibited together a number of times.

“I really thought it would be nice to do it at Gallery Sarah with both of us together instead of me doing it alone,” Radhika said.

Maryam said Sarah was one her best friends as well as a good colleague in the Muscat arts community, so having the exhibition at Gallery Sarah means a lot to her, too. She believes Sarah will be there in spirit.

“I feel she’s always with us.

Her soul is surrounding us,” said Maryam.

I N D I A , O M A N PAC T

GERMAN SINGER

Watch for enchanting tango at ROHM Times News Service MUSCAT: Enchanting tango rhythms will be back at the Royal Opera House Muscat with its upcoming concert by German singer Ute Lemper and Argentina’s Piazzolla Sextet on February 7.

Ute Lemper is famous in Europe for singing German songs and French chansons and in the USA for her work in musicals including Cats and Chicago.

In recent years she has discovered a passion for tango songs, which she has described as “rich in emotion and story-telling,” and spent much of the years 2011 and 2012 touring with the Piazzolla Sextet, singing the songs of Argentinian tango maestro Astor Piazzolla.

The Piazzolla Sextet is Argentina’s premier tango ensemble — a mix of the maestro’s original Quinteto, including Musical Director Fernando Suarez-Paz, who was Piazzolla’s original violinist, and Horacio Cabarcos, the maestro of the tango double-bass and members from the newer generation of Buenos Aires musicians includ-

she explained. Maryam’s work for this exhibition is more dedicated to pure colour, too, since she only used acrylic paints. In the past she used oil, pastels and mixed media, but over time decided to see how the colours on their own spoke to her.

While Radhika’s work became larger and bolder and Maryam’s became more detailed, ultimately both artists found that the power of colours united them for this exhibition. Their approaches may be different but they have a common energy, Radhika explained.

“We are completing each other, which is good. The influence on the other people who see the work is there. The energy is there,” Maryam added.

Having the exhibition at Gal-

TANGO ENSEMBLE: German singer Ute Lemper and Argentina’s Piazzolla Sextet will performa at ROHM on February 7. – Supplied picture

ing Alejandro Guerschberg on bandoneon, Nicolas Guerschberg on piano, Esteban Falabella the young guitarist of choice of many top outfits, including the Quinteto Real, and Daniel “Pipi” Piazzolla, the maestro’s own grandson, on drums.

ROHM’s Artistic Director Umberto Fanni stated: “Ute Lemper is an incredibly gifted singer. She’s

very charming and has a warm personality.

“The Piazzolla Sextet is also excellent and when they play you feel as though you are really in Buenos Aires. The audience is in for a very enjoyable evening of great tango.”

The music will include a number of compositions by Astor Piazzolla including instrumental pieces such as Verano Porteno and

Romance del Diablo, and songs like Los Pajaros Perdidos and Balada Para un Loco.

The programme also features a few German and French compositions including Kurt Weill’s Tango Ballade, Jacques Brel’s Ne Me Quitte Pas and Edith Piaf’s L’Accordeoniste.

Lemper was born in Munster, Germany in 1963. She studied at The Dance Academy in Cologne and the Max Reinhardt Seminary Drama School in Vienna.

She made her professional debut on the musical stage in the original Vienna production of Cats in the roles of Grizabella and Bombalurina.

She has gone on to perform world-wide and record prolifically, both on cast recordings and compilations, as well as recording her own solo albums.

Ute Lemper and the Piazzolla Sextet will perform for one night only on February 7 at 7:30pm.

For more information about Royal Opera House Muscat, tickets, and frequently asked questions, please visit the website at www.rohmuscat.org.om.

A1 Pact envisages < FROM

verbal requests

Even though the requests for assistance pursuant to the provisions of this agreement should be submitted in writing, it also provides an option to make requests verbally in urgent conditions if the requested state accepts that which will subsequently be confirmed in writing.

The agreement shall also apply to requests for assistance relating to acts of commission or omission committed prior to the entry into force of this agreement.

RWA N D A

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Highest ratio

According to a recent report from the Inter-Parliamentary Union, the global average of participating women was at 21.8 per cent in 2013, up from 20.3 per cent in 2012. The average was 15 per cent a decade ago. Rwanda’s par-

FEBRUARY 5 SHOW

liament has the highest proportion of women in the world at 63.8 per cent. Interestingly, the country’s new constitution, enacted in 2003, mandated that at least 30 per cent of all legislative seats was reserved for women.

T O D D L E R ’ S D E AT H

Local band ‘Rumour’ set to open Boney M concert Times News Service MUSCAT: A local band is all set to do the opening act at the upcoming Boney M FT Maizie Williams concert.

The original Boney M ft band member will lead a nine-member troupe to Oman to perform at the concert on February 5 at the Oman Automobile Association grounds.

The local band, Rumour, is elated to be performing alongside one of the world’s most famous bands.

“We are looking forward to warming up the crowd and then enjoying the show afterwards.

Boney M has always displayed tremendous energy in their shows and we are sure that the crowd in Muscat is going to enjoy a wonderful evening with their hits,” said Shyline D’mello Frank, lead vocalist of the band.

The other members of the band ‘Rumour’ are Rocky Gomes (drummer), Robert D’Souza (lead and rhythm guitar), Joe Carvalho

Requests for assistance will be executed in accordance with the law of the requested country and shall promptly inform the requesting country of its decision not to fully or partially respond to the request or its delay to execute it, specifying the reasons for that decision.

The requested state shall not also refuse to execute a request on the ground of bank secrecy as long as it is a judicial request, adds the agreement.

AN HONOUR: The local band Rumour, is elated to be performing

alongside one of the world’s most famous bands. -Supplied picture

(lead and rhythm guitar), Clifford D’Silva (keyboard) and Croyden Menezes (bass guitar).

Talking about how they got the call to perform at the concert, Shyline said, “We are a group which really enjoys music and performing. The seven of us have never played together at a show before. After receiving the invitation to perform before the Boney M Concert from the organisers we scouted around and found

who we think are the best team for the job. All the members are extremely passionate about music and although we are only playing 6 songs, many hours of practice have already been put in.”

About the songs they will sing, she said, “The list comprises new songs from the last five years and we do hope the crowd will enjoy the performance. The entire band feels this is an honour to open a show for the Boney M.”

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Brutally assaulted

According to sources at the hospital, the child was assaulted, but did not elaborate further. The child’s family said he had been tortured, beaten and suffocated to death in a horrific manner.

The killers had also stuffed sand into his mouth, suffocating him to death. They all used a sharp instrument to torture the victim leaving severe marks on his tiny body.

When Times of Oman, contacted the victim’s distraught family, they demand maximum punishment for the two killers.

“We demand only death penalty for these killers for what they have done to an innocent soul who had nothing to do with such brutality,” said his family.

According to information available, the 15-year-old accused will be soon sent to the juvenile jail to undergo rehabilitation, which means death penalty is ruled out as per Omani Penal Law. The 20-year-old, who suffers a mental illness and has papers from a local government hospital as proof, will also escape the death penalty.

The social media was abuzz after reports appeared of the most brutal crime in decades.

T U E S DAY, FE B RUARY 3, 2 0 1 5 Peter Greste’s family held a news conference in Brisbane on Monday calling for the release of his two colleagues. Greste will keep fighting to free his colleagues, his family said on Monday

SUSPENDED

Saudi prince’s channel goes off-air a day after launch MANAMA: Bahraini authorities have suspended a television channel owned by Saudi billionaire Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, one day after its launch, following an interview it broadcast with an aide to a Bahraini opposition leader.

Alarab channel blamed technical and administrative reasons for Monday’s halt, without giving details. But a Bahraini newspaper and a source familiar with the matter said the channel had been suspended for violating media neutrality.

The website of privately-owned Akhbar Al Khaleej newspaper said the suspension was “related to the failure of those in charge to abide by the prevailing norms in the Gulf region, including the neutrality of media positions and staying away from anything that could negatively impact the spirit of Gulf unity”.

That appeared to refer to the interview with Marzouq, an aide to Sheikh Ali Salman, the detained Secretary-General of Bahrain’s main opposition movement. It was broadcast after the channel officially went on the air on Sunday.

A source of the news channel said Bahraini officials had delivered the suspension order on a visit to the station over issues of “journalistic neutrality”. — Reuters

REGION

183 Brotherhood supporters sentenced to death in Egypt Mohamed Morsi faces new espionage trial on February 15

Group’s members were convicted of playing a role in the killings of 16 policemen in the town of Kardasa in August, 2013

CAIRO: An Egyptian court sentenced 183 supporters of the outlawed Muslim Brotherhood to death on Monday on charges of killing police officers, part of a sustained crackdown by authorities on hardliners.

The men were convicted of playing a role in the killings of 16 policemen in the town of Kardasa in August, 2013, during the upheaval that followed the army’s ouster of president Mohamed Morsi. Thirty-four were sentenced in absentia.

The death sentences followed one of the bloodiest attacks on

Mohamed Morsi. – Reuters files

Egyptian security forces in years.

IS’s Egypt wing claimed responsibility for a series of coordinated operations that killed at least 27 people last week.

After the death sentences were read out on Monday, Brotherhood supporters held in metal cages

CAIRO: Egypt’s ousted president Mohamed Morsi faces a new espionage trial on February 15 for allegedly leaking “classified documents” to Qatar and Al Jazeera television, a judicial source said on Monday. Morsi, ousted in July 2013 by the army, is already facing three other trials, including another case of alleged espionage, and could face the death penalty if ruled guilty.

In the new espionage trial, Morsi, Egypt’s first freely elected president, and nine others including an Al Jazeera employee are accused of “hand-

shouted profanities at policemen.

The Egyptian government’s human rights record has come under closer scrutiny since woman activist Shaimaa Sabbagh was shot dead during a Cairo protest on January 24, a day before the anniversary of the 2011 protests

RISING HOPES

Al Jazeera vows ‘not to leave’ scribe in jail DOHA/BRISBANE: Al Jazeera vowed on Monday “not to leave” Egyptian producer Baher Mohamed in jail following the release of Australian journalist Peter Greste and amid rising hopes Canadian Mohamed Fahmy will soon be deported.

All three were jailed on New Year’s Day in 2014, for allegedly aiding the blacklisted Muslim Brotherhood group. Greste, an award-winning reporter, was deported from Cairo on Sunday after 400 days in captivity and flew to Cyprus.

And Canadian officials have said they are “very hopeful” that a deal can be struck for Fahmy “shortly”, with both reporters being deported under a decree passed by Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi that allows for the transfer of foreigners on trial.

Fight to free all three Heather Allan, head of newsgathering at Al Jazeera English, said the pan-Arab television network would fight to free all three.

“We are very worried about him (Baher Mohamed),” admitted Al-

JAILED JOURNALISTS: A file picture taken on June 23, 2014 at the

police institute near Cairo’s Tora prison, shows Al Jazeera news channel’s Australian journalist Peter Greste, left, (now freed) and his colleagues, Egyptian-Canadian Mohamed Fadel Fahmy, centre, and Egyptian Baher Mohamed, listening to the verdict inside the defendants cage during their trial. – AFP Files

lan. “I think it is not lost on anybody that there is an Egyptian national involved here.” Asked if Al Jazeera was hopeful he may be released along with his colleagues, Allan added: “I can’t say I am confident, no. I just don’t know,

honestly. Are we going to keep on fighting it? Absolutely — we are not going to leave him there.”

She said Mohamed “must be feeling pretty isolated at the moment”, but the Qatar-based broadcaster was in constant touch with

SOUTH SUDAN

Kiir and Machar sign another ceasefire deal to end conflict ADDIS ABABA/JUBA: South Sudanese President Salva Kiir and rebel commander Riek Machar signed another ceasefire agreement on Monday, edging them closer to a final deal to end a 15-month conflict that has ravaged the world’s newest country, mediators said.

Information Minister Michael Makuei, a member of Kiir’s negotiating team, said the men had agreed in principle to the creation of a second vice presidenial post as part of a larger power-sharing deal, and hoped to reach a final accord by the end of March.

But he said there was still disagreement on whether the two vice presidents would have equal status. More than 10,000 people have been killed, more than 1.5 million people have been driven from their homes and many in the oilproducing nation of about 11 million people are struggling to find enough to eat. The conflict erupted in December 2013, two and a half years after independence. As part of the deal, the warring sides have agreed to abide by a ceasefire deal signed in January 2014 that has been frequently violated.

Latest roadmap According to the latest roadmap, talks will resume on February 19 and be completed by March 5, with the goal of a transitional government taking effect by April, Makuei said. The two sides need a

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FOR THE CAUSE OF PEACE: South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir,

left, and South Sudan’s rebel commander Riek Machar exchange documents after signing a ceasefire agreement during the Inter Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Summit on the case of South Sudan in Ethiopia’s capital Addis Ababa. – Reuters

transitional government in place

by July, when Kiir’s presidential term runs out. The rebels, however, have said many more details need to be ironed out before the deal can be labelled a “powersharing” agreement.

After signing the latest deal, Machar said the two sides would hold more discussions on the functions of the provisional government. Few other details were revealed after frantic latenight talks. Regional diplomats had warned the warring sides that failure to come up with a new deal could see sanctions

imposed on them. The African Union (AU) launched an inquiry into rights violations and other issues related to conflict a year ago, but the final report has been put aside “to advance the peace process,” said Olusegun Obasanjo, the former Nigerian president who led the inquiry.

Rights groups have said both factions have been responsible for ethnic killings and other abuses, driving the nation to the brink of famine. The fighting has largely pitted Kiir’s Dinka ethnic group against Machar’s Nuer group. — Reuters

the producer’s family. “We might have to try some other tactics because we don’t have a foreign country involved, but our commitment to getting him out is just as strong as it ever was.”

Allan added that she was hopeful Fahmy would be released, though Al Jazeera “might be the last to find out”.

She said the first it knew about Greste’s release was when he phoned the station from the departure lounge at Cairo airport.

Greste, 49, was in good health, she said, but would be allowed to rest for as long as he wants in Cyprus.

“We have said to him ‘Look, whatever you want to do, do it.’

“He has got a story to tell but we are going to have to give him time to decompress, and we are standing by to help him in any way he that needs help.”

Greste’s family held a news conference in Brisbane on Monday calling for the release of his two colleagues.

Greste will keep fighting to free his colleagues, his family said on Monday. — AFP

ing over to Qatari intelligence documents linked to national security in exchange for one million dollars,” a prosecution statement said.

It said the case against the suspects, of whom seven are in custody, represented “the biggest act of treason and espionage” ever carried out against Egypt.

Co-defendants In the latest trial, Morsi’s codefendants include: his former secretary, Amin El Serafi, the ex-director of his office, Ahmed Abdel Atti, and Ibrahim

that toppled Hosni Mubarak. The Interior Ministry promised an investigation.

Separately, an Egyptian police officer has been detained on suspicion of killing a suspected member of the Brotherhood in hospital, the Interior Ministry has said.

Mohamed Helal, identified as a chief editor of Al Jazeera television. Morsi and Abdel Atti gave El Serafi “extremely sensitive documents concerning the army, its deployment and weaponry”, and he onpassed them to Helal and a Qatari intelligence operative, according to the prosecution. It said unidentified intermediaries were used to send the documents to Helal and the Qataris.

The papers included documents from the “general and military intelligence offices of the state security” apparatus, the prosecutor said. — AFP

The suspect was being treated in custody for wounds suffered while he was allegedly planting explosives. The ministry said that the man had provoked the policeman by insulting him. “Then the policeman lost control of his feelings,” it said. — Reuters

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TU ESDAY, F EB RUARY 3, 2015 I have full confidence in India-China relations and I believe that new progress will be achieved in growing this bilateral relationship in this new year Xi Jinping, Chinese President

INDIA

H AT E S P E E C H

SNOWFALL SHUTS SRINAGAR-JAMMU HIGHWAY

A man walks in a snow-covered garden after fresh snowfall in Srinagar on Monday.

Indian-administered-Kashmir experienced fresh snowfall prompting authorities to suspend traffic on the Srinagar-Jammu national highway. - PTI

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Prachi stokes fresh controversy with communal rants BADAUN (UP): Vishwa Hindu Parishad leader Sadhvi Prachi has stoked fresh controversy by making inflammatory remarks on the issue of ‘love jihad’ and defending her statement that majority community women should have four children.

“They are trapping our daughters through ‘love jihad’. These people who give birth to 35-40... are spreading love jihad... They are trying to make Hindustan into Darul Islam.

“When I made the remarks, it was as if the country was hit by a quake. The media said you have sparked an uproar with your remarks on four children.

I said I have only advocated four children for majority community not 40... And it is important because the country needs it,” the saffron clad leader said at a function organised here by VHP which “felicitated” majority community who have more than four children.

FIFTH SUCH INCIDENT

Home Ministry seeks report in church attack NEW DELHI: In the fifth such incident since November, a church was vandalised by some unidentified persons on Monday in South Delhi’s Vasant Kunj area, sparking outrage among the Christian community which alleged that it is part of a “hate campaign”.

The incident at St Alphonsa’s church came just five days ahead of the Delhi assembly elections on Saturday. Police said the unidentified persons entered the church premises at around 1am by breaking open its main gate and damaged a number of sacred items. A case of theft has been registered, police said.

“We are investigating the incident and scanning the footage of CCTV installed near the church to identify the accused.

We are probing all the angles in the case,” said a senior police official. The Union Home Ministry sought a report from the Delhi Police on the incident.

In a communication, the Home Ministry also told the Delhi Police to send a report as early as possible informing it what steps are being taken to ensure safety of religious places across the city. - PTI

Prachi had contested the 2012 Assembly elections on BJP ticket from Purkazi constituency in Uttar Pradesh state.

The latest hate speech came despite Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s warning to party leaders to restrain from making controversial comments which can overshadow his government’s agenda of development and economic reforms.

The BJP was quick to distance itself from Prachi’s remarks, saying the party does not agree with such views and is not interested in discussing any such issue.

“The BJP does not agree with any such comment. We do not think that the comments are correct. BJP does not want to discuss any issue other than good governance and even the people are not ready to accept any such discussion. Under such circumstances, there is no significance of such remarks,” said chief of BJP’s UP unit Laxmikant Bajpai. - PTI

India, China take solid steps for progress in bilateral ties Chinese President Xi Jinping said that since his visit to India in September last year, relations between the two countries have entered into a new stage of growth

BEIJING: Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday met External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj here and said China and India have taken “solid steps” to make new progress in bilateral ties besides implementing the agreements reached between him and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

“I have full confidence in IndiaChina relations and I believe that

STRATEGIC MEETING: Indian Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj, left,

and Chinese President Xi Jinping hold a meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Monday. - Reuters

new progress will be achieved in growing this bilateral relationship in this new year,” Xi told Swaraj, who called on him at the cavernous Great Hall of the People here on her maiden visit to the communist nation after she assumed charge last year.

Entered new stage Xi said that since his visit to India in September last year, relations between the two countries have entered into a new stage of growth.

“The positive side of India-Chi-

na relations has been growing and momentum of our cooperation has been strengthening and solid steps are being taken to implement agreements reached between Prime Minister Modi and I,” he said as he welcomed the 62-yearold senior BJP leader.

One such solid step taken was on Sunday’s exchange of notes on modalities for opening the second route for the Kailash-Manasarovar Yatra in Tibet via Sikkim by June, that will allow more Indians to undertake the pilgrimage.

Xi had promised opening the new route to Modi during the former’s maiden visit to New Delhi last year.

Recalling fond memories of his India visit, Xi told Swaraj: “Last September I visited India and cherish fresh memories about the gracious hospitality extended to me by government and people of India.

“In particular, I cherish the memories of Prime Minister Modi’s home province Gujarat and prime minister himself accompanied me on that trip.”

The 61-year-old Chinese President, who is also the General Secretary of the ruling Communist Party, conveyed his best wishes to the Indian leadership.

“Please convey my best regards and greetings to President (Pranab) Mukherjee and Prime Minister Modi when you go back,” Xi said in a rare meeting with a visiting foreign minister.

Reciprocating Xi’s warm words, Swaraj said Prime Minister Modi has sent his greetings and best wishes for the Chinese Lunar Year of Sheep, which commences on February 19.

“Prime Minister Modi has ex-

tended his very best greetings for the Chinese Lunar Year of Sheep, which I have been told is associated with creativity and innovation...

Your visit to India was also associated with creativity and innovation based on which the two countries explored new ways forward.

“Your September visit has special importance for people of India, particularly for me because our first meeting took place during that trip,” she said, adding that new ways were being devised to improve ties between the two countries.

Swaraj, who is on a four-day visit here, held marathon talks with her Chinese counterpart Wang Yi yesterday on key issues and emphasised that maintenance of peace and tranquillity at the border was a prerequisite for the development of ties.

It was also announced that Prime Minister Modi will embark on an “outcome-driven” maiden visit to China before May 26, when his party completes one year in office.

Prime Minister Modi has had three successful meetings with Xi, the most important being during the latter’s visit to India in September last year. - PTI

WORKSHOP

Arun Jaitley bats for greater dissemination of information NEW DELHI: Advocating greater dissemination of information to the public, Information and Broadcasting Minister Arun Jaitley on Monday asked his ministerial colleagues to take the lead in being government’s communicators while telling bureaucrats to avoid any propaganda.

At a unique workshop for top bureaucrats here aimed at streamlining the government’s communication strategy, he cautioned ministers against getting into a “shell”, thereby wasting opportunities to effectively disseminate information about programmes and policies of the government.

Jaitley’s message to the civil servants was clear — their job was not propaganda.

There is a difference between propaganda and information, he said, adding “Your job is not propaganda, you are not trained for propaganda. The discipline of a civil servant is not to indulge in propaganda.

“In my field we can do it, you can’t. Therefore your real job is that government-centric information has to be put out.”

Jaitley, a senior minister who also holds Finance portfolio, advised bureaucrats to be careful, saying even contrarian views should be expressed as part of an honest decision-making process of the government.

“So therefore the use of language, the restraint we exercise

MAKING A POINT: Union Information and Broadcasting (I&B) Minister Arun Jaitley along with Minister of State I&B Rajvardhan Rathore and Secretary Bimal Julka, address a workshop on streamlining of government communications for government employees, in New Delhi on Monday. - PTI

in that. Even when there is a contrarian view, it should not be bombshell creating view. It should be a logical possible view,” the minister said.

He said while it is difficult to expect civil servants to become the “face”, officers could still provide huge information that would interest large number of people.

Lead from the front While there may be a government set-up, ultimately it is the political leadership that has to lead from the front, he said.

“If there are programmes of the ministry, if there are decisions of the ministry, they have to be the best communicators.

“If some of them get into the shell, then they are wasting an opportunity with no cost and its an opportunity which is to a great advantage,” Jaitley said.

“So everybody has to be nudged, persuaded to really become the face,” he said told the gathering that included Joint Secretaries from various ministries, private secretaries to ministers and Press Information Bureau officials.

“Everybody amongst the ministerial team may not be to the same level familiar with the art of dealing with the media.

Slowly everybody has to be nudged, because we live through the media, we communicate through the media,” he added. - PTI

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INDIA

C L A R I F I C AT I O N

Sub-inspector under me had removed Indira Gandhi’s car: Bedi NEW DELHI: It has long been presumed that Kiran Bedi had towed away late Indian prime minister Indira Gandhi’s car in 1982 when she was in-charge of traffic police but the BJP’s chief ministerial candidate on Monday sought to end the controversy by saying it was a sub-inspector working under her who had removed the vehicle.

Noting that there were lot of remarks involving this incident on social media, she said, “I read their lies on Twitter saying that I never towed away Indira Gandhi’s car.

WOOING VOTERS: BJP’s chief ministerial candidate Kiran Bedi with

party candidate from New Delhi Nupur Sharma during an election campaign in New Delhi on Monday. - PTI C H H ATT I S G A R H

Two policemen killed in ambush by Naxals RAIPUR: Two policemen, including an SHO, were on Monday killed while six other security personnel were injured when Naxals ambushed a joint patrolling team in Chhattisgarh’s Kanker district.

The incident occurred when a group of armed Maoists opened fire at the Paralkot village (PV) number 101 under Bande police station area where the joint team of state police and BSF personnel were out on patrol, IG (Intelligence) Deepanshu Kabra said.

The encounter spot is about 250km from here.

Chhattisgarh Additional Director General (anti-Naxal operations) R. K. Vij said the ambushed squad fought valiantly and retaliated with heavy fire at the red ultras.

“Station House Officer Avinash Sharma and Constable

Sonu of the state police have been martyred while Assistant Commandant Vivek Rawat of Border Security Force has been injured along with five others,” a senior official said.

The security personnel, total 10 in number, were part of a special ‘strike’ unit that was out in the jungles and were bike-borne when the ambush occurred.

SHO Sharma of the Bande police station was in the lead team when the Naxals opened fire.

A reinforcement squad of BSF troops was soon rushed to the spot and the injured were later shifted to a nearby hospital.

BSF trooper Ramdhan has been injured in the eye in the encounter, the official said. This incident in Kanker occurred after a long time as major Naxal violence incidents have been taking place in Bastar region of the state. - PTI

NAGALAND

Lucky escape for three army copter crashes KOHIMA/NEW DELHI: Three army personnel, including Lt General Bipin Rawat, had a lucky escape on Monday as a Cheetah helicopter carrying them crashed seconds after taking off from Rangapahar helipad in Nagaland’s Dimapur district.

Engine stalled Official sources said that the helicopter had just taken off when the engine stalled at a height of about 20-ft off the ground.

The helicopter crashed down, resulting in minor injuries to those on board.

Defence PRO in Kohima, Lt Col Emron Musavi, said that there were two pilots and an army official in the helicopter but none was injured in the crash.

The army chopper was just taking off on a routine sortie when it crashed, at about 9.30 am., Defence PRO in Shillong, Amit Mahajan, said in Kolkata over the phone. - PTI

Track record “It troubles them a lot that Kiran’s track record as DCP traffic includes cutting a chalan of the

Complaining to the EC, BJP alleged that AAP had violated the model code of conduct by trying to give ‘casteist and religious tone’ to a ‘political statement’ made by BJP in an advertisement

NEW DELHI: A controversial BJP advertisement purportedly targeting AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal’s “gotra” triggered a war of words with both the parties rushing to the Election Commission to file complaints against each other.

While Kejriwal slammed the BJP for having “crossed their limit” by “attacking” his gotra (clan) in the advertisement that appeared in several newspapers and thereby denigrating the entire Agarwal community, the BJP accused him of giving casteist overtone to the issue.

Personal attacks “BJP in the past few days has been putting out ads personally attacking me and my children, I kept quiet because Anna used to say

Amitabh to make commentary debut in India-Pakistan match

Cashing on timing “This is all Balki’s decision as there is an integration between the sports broadcasters and the makers of Shamitabh. As the film is releasing just a week ahead of the World Cup, we are just cashing in on the timing,” he said.

In the film too, Amitabh lends his voice to Dhanush, who plays a mute young actor with impressive acting skills but makes his mark in the world of films with the help of the old and washed out superstar.

I am excited about the live commentary and I will be joined by Harsha Bhogle and Kapil Dev. I am taking tips from them and getting all the ‘mid-off and mid-on’ right Amitabh Bachchan Megastar

“Shamitabh is a statement about our film industry and life.

“The film will see many directors and actors who are playing themselves in the film. The film revolves around voice,” he said.

Amitabh is teaming up with Balki for the third time after Cheeni Kum and Paa, which made the actor win his third national award for playing a progeric child.

He feels Balki is always refreshing to work with.

Meanwhile, A group of around 150 lawyers on Monday vandalised the office of BJP’s chief ministerial candidate Kiran Bedi in her Delhi assembly constituency of Krishna Nagar, in which three party workers were injured, police said.

According to police, the incident took place around 4.30pm, when the lawyers — protesting the announcement of Bedi as the Bharatiya Janata Party’s chief ministerial candidate for Delhi — marched towards her office raising slogans against her and the party.

Due to the commotion, around 25 workers inside Bedi’s office came out and a heated argument ensued between the two groups that led to a clash.

Three BJP workers — Harihar,

Kapil and Manoj, all in their early 30s — were injured and later hospitalised, police said.

The lawyers then entered Bedi’s office and broke some furniture, a party leader said.

Protesting Police said the lawyers were protesting against Bedi ever since she was named the chief ministerial candidate, because in 1988 when she was the Delhi Police deputy commissioner, a group of protesting lawyers were caned on her orders.

Joint Commissioner of Police Sanjay Beniwal said that a probe would be ordered into the incident as soon as police receive a written complaint. - Agencies

Kejriwal slams BJP for attacking his clan

2015 WORLD CUP

NEW DELHI: Megastar Amitabh Bachchan is busy cramming to get into the intricacies of cricket terminologies ahead of his debut commentary stint during the upcoming India- Pakistan match of the 2015 World Cup. Amitabh, 72, who will be joining seasoned commentators Harsha Bhogle and Kapil Dev for the highly-awaited February 15 match, said he is taking tips from them.

“I am excited about the live commentary and I will be joined

by Harsha Bhogle and Kapil Dev.I am taking tips from them and getting all the ‘mid-off and mid-on’ right,” he told reporters during the promotion of his upcoming film Shamitabh in the capital.

The actor said the whole stint is a part of advertising the R. Balkidirected film, which releases on February 6, a week ahead of the World Cup.

prime minister’s car. You tell me Indira Gandhi said she won the 1975 Bangladesh war, did she go and fight the war on her own? I was DCP traffic, my work was policy making, to protect my officers who were working properly. I was not crane driver, I used to facilitate the working of cranes.”

Bedi was addressing an election rally in East Delhi’s Geeta Colony area.

Her clarification comes in the backdrop of her earlier statements where she had claimed that she was transferred to Goa a day after she towed away Gandhi’s car.

However, the records show that Bedi was transferred to Goa on a promotion eight months after the incident took place.

“It’s my third film with Balki and in all his films I played different characters. It’s always refreshing to work with him.

In Shamitabh too he tried to do something different. Abhishek saw Shamitabh the other day and felt that it’s his best work till date,” he said.

The Yudh star recalled the tough times of shooting the movie as it had a unique way of filming. - PTI

GARNERING SUPPORT: AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal addresses

his supporters at an election campaign meeting in old Rajinder Nagar, in New Delhi on Monday. - PTI

that if someone personally attacks you, you should have the strength to bear it. But today they have crossed their limit and denigrated the entire Agarwal community.

“They should apologise for it,” he told reporters.

Complaining to the EC, BJP al-

leged that AAP had violated the model code of conduct by trying to give “casteist and religious tone” to a “political statement” made by it in an advertisement.

“We have highlighted to EC about the unfortunate incident of use of caste in the election process

(by AAP) which is in violation of the Model Code,” Union Minister Piyush Goyal told reporters after meeting the EC officials here.

While the AAP in its complaint slammed the saffron party for having “tagged an entire sect of the Indian society and called them ‘updravi’ (anarchist)”.

The BJP advertisement targets Kejriwal for allegedly threatening to disrupt the Republic Day parade last year while complaining this year that he was not been invited for the event.

“The country’s crores of people consider Republic Day as a national festival and feel proud about it,” the advertisement said adding that Kejriwal, belonging to an ‘anarchist gotra’ was ready to even disrupt it.

Delhi BJP President Satish Upadhyay alleged that controversy being created over the advertisement was a conspiracy of the AAP. “They are trying to twist a political statement and give a casteist and religious tone to the otherwise smooth electoral process,” he said.

Prior to the meeting with EC officials, Goyal, at a press conference, said, “I think its extremely sad that certain political parties are trying to convert a political statement and a matter of fact which was used metaphorically to denote their party’s ideology which is of anarchy and obstructionism.”

“According to us, the statement was made against AAP’s DNA, its political philosophy and ideology.

It was used as a metaphor, figure of speech. The statement has been twisted and misused by AAP,” he said. - PTI

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TU ESDAY, F EB RUARY 3, 2015

PAKISTAN

The Chief Election Commissioner should suspend the National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq if there is any delay in the hearing Imran Khan, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chief

HOME-BOUND AFGHAN REFUGEES

Afghan refugee families arrive at The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) repatriation centre on the outskirts of Peshawar on Monday, as they prepare to return to their home country after fleeing civil war and Taliban rule. About 20 per cent of the population in Afghanistan are refugees. Of those abroad, there are 1.7 million Afghans in Pakistan and a million in Iran. — AFP

D O M E S T I C A L LY- D E V E L O P E D

Nuclear-capable cruise missile successfully tested ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Monday test-fired a cruise missile capable of carrying a nuclear warhead, just over a week after its arch-rival India reached a new civilian nuclear accord with the United States.

The military described the domestically-developed Ra’ad as a “low-flying, terrain-hugging missile” which can deliver nuclear or conventional warheads to targets up to 350 kilometres (220 miles) away with “pinpoint accuracy”.

“The state of the art Ra’ad cruise missile with stealth capabilities is a low altitude, terrain hugging missile with high maneuverability and can deliver nuclear and conventional warheads with pinpoint accuracy,” army said.

Director General Strategic Plans Division, Lieutenant General Zubair Mahmood Hayat, while congratulating the scientists and engineers on achieving yet another milestone of historic significance, termed it a major step towards strengthening Pakistan’s full spectrum credible minimum deterrence capability.

The military described the domestically-developed Ra’ad as a ‘low-flying, terrain-hugging missile’ “Pakistan’s Strategic pursuits are aimed at achieving Strategic Stability in the region,” it said.

He appreciated the technical prowess, dedication and commitment of scientists who contributed whole heartedly to make this launch a success.

He showed his full confidence over operational preparedness of Strategic Forces including employment and deployment concepts, refinement and training of all ranks in operational and technical domains.

The successful launch has been commended by President Mamnoon Hussain and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

They also congratulated the scientists and engineers for their outstanding achievement. — Agencies

Malala is on list of UK’s most influential people The seventeen-yearold was named on

We are delighted to announce this year’s Debrett’s 500. It’s a fascinating mix of people, and not entirely who you might expect

the Debrett’s 500 list of ‘Philanthropists and Activists’ among 20 other

Joanne Milner

personalities

Chief executive of Debrett’s Malala Yousafzai

including Prince Henry of Wales

ISLAMABAD: Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala Yousafzai has been named among 500 most influential people in Britain 2015.

The Debrett’s 500 covers 24 categories across society, including politics, advertising, architecture, food, sport, education and journalism. Established personalities such as Tony Blair and

Richard Branson are joined by new faces such as Oscar hopeful Eddie Redmayne.

Seventeen-year-old Malala was named in the list of ‘Philanthropists and Activists’ among 20 other personalities which include Emma Watson and Prince Henry of Wales, as reported by The Telegraph. Malala, the youngest person ever to win the Nobel Peace Prize, is also the youngest in the Debrett’s rankings.

The annual Debrett’s 500,

REFORM CALL

which began in 1769, extends recognition to the most influential, inspiring and achieving individuals across Britain.

Shot by head Joanne Milner, chief executive at Debrett’s, said: “We are delighted to announce this year’s Debrett’s 500. It’s a fascinating mix of people, and not entirely who you might expect.”

Malala was 15 when a Taliban gunman shot her in the head as

she travelled on a school bus in response to her campaign for girls’ education. Last year she received the Nobel Peace Prize alongside India’s Kailash Satyarthi for risking their lives to fight for children’s rights. — Express Tribune

HAVE YOUR SAY

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HEALING TRIP

Allow overseas Pakistanis to vote: Imran School survivors leave for China trip When asked about Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s future

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan on Monday said overseas Pakistanis should be given the right to vote in next general elections, Express News reported.

Imran met Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Justice (retd) Sardar Raza to share his grievances related to the May 2013 elections.

The PTI chief also asked the electoral body to introduce biometric system and minimise the possibility of rigging in the future also reiterated his demand of investigating election rigging through a judicial commission.

He said two taskforces should be set up to materialise these demands, which he later took to his Twitter account as well.

strategy in case a judicial commission is not constituted to probe his rigging claims, Imran said that they would come out on the streets again to protest Speaking about the results of National Assembly’s NA-122 seat, he said forensic tests were conducted and the signatures of the returning officers were different than their original ones which clearly reflected that rigging had taken place in the constituency.

“One presiding officer had also signed forms of 20 polling stations,” he added.

Imran further told the me-

dia that he has asked the CEC to make sure that there are day-today hearings of the NA-122 case and that they are not adjourned in any case.

“The CEC should suspend the National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq if there is any delay in the hearing,” Imran requested.

Imran also said the results of re-counting in NA-122 constituency would be announced later in

February and if his rigging claims are proven wrong, he will accept his mistake before the nation.

Next goal “Independent election commission is our next goal for which the PTI would continue its struggle,” the PTI chief added.

When asked about PTI’s future strategy in case a judicial commission is not constituted to probe his rigging claims, Imran said that we would come out on the streets again to protest.

Imran once again justified his party’s decision to participate in Senate elections from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa saying it was a legitimate assembly and no one had raised rigging allegations against it. — Express Tribune

PESHAWAR: A group of students and teachers who survived a Taliban massacre at a Pakistani school left Monday for a trip to China aimed at healing the mental scars of their ordeal.

Heavily-armed militants stormed the Army Public School in the northwestern city of Peshawar in December, killing 150 people, most of them children, in Pakistan’s bloodiest-ever terror attack.

The carnage horrified the world and left many survivors badly traumatised. Now 10 students and two teachers who escaped the bloodshed have been sent on a 10-day trip to help them recover.

“The basic aim of the visit is to

divert the attention of the survivors,” from the nightmare, a security official told AFP. An official at the Army Public School confirmed the visit and told AFP that “more survivors will be sent in coming days to other countries”. Both the officials spoke on condition of anonymity.

The officials said the decision was taken after psychiatrists suggested that survivors need longterm therapy and mental health counselling.

The security official in Peshawar said the parents of children killed in the attack would be sent to on pilgrimage Saudi Arabia in the coming days. — AFP

T U E S DAY, FE B RUARY 3, 2 0 1 5

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WORLD

DIFFERENT STYLE OF MONARCHY

Queen Elizabeth fears UK not ready for ‘King Charles’: Book LONDON: Queen Elizabeth fears that Britain will be shocked by the different style of monarchy Prince Charles is planning, according to a new biography of her heir apparent.

‘Charles: The Heart of a King’ claims that the 66-year-old prince’s passion for embracing sometimes unusual causes has prompted disquiet at Buckingham Palace, where Elizabeth, 88, is set to overtake Queen Victoria in September as Britain’s longest reigning monarch.

Smaller monarchy When his turn finally comes to ascend the throne, Charles plans a new model of kingship that would create a smaller monarchy and open up royal residences to the public, according to the biography.

“In the corridors and back rooms and private apartments of Buck-

Queen Elizabeth

ingham Palace there is mounting anxiety as the Queen’s reign enters what an insider calls "its inevitable twilight’,” according to Catherine Mayer, the author of the biography, which has been serialised in the

‘Charles: The Heart of a King’ claims that the 66-year-old prince’s passion for embracing sometimes unusual causes has prompted disquiet at Buckingham Palace

Prince Charles

Times newspaper. “In defining his role as heir apparent, the prince has signalled a redefinition of the monarchy.

"Some courtiers — and the sovereign herself — fear that neither

the Crown nor its subjects will tolerate the shock of the new.”

Charles’s father, the Duke of Edinburgh, is among his harshest critics, the book claims, and believes the prince to be guilty of

“selfish behaviour” in putting his “cerebral passions” before his royal duties.

Charles himself is quoted by the author as saying: “I only take on the most difficult challenges...

I want to raise aspirations and recreate hope from hopelessness and health from deprivation.”

A spokeswoman for Buckingham Palace declined to comment on the book, but a spokeswoman for the Prince of Wales released a detailed statement, saying Mayer had not been given exclusive access to the prince and emphasising that her book was not an official biography.

In a rare comment on the kind of king Charles would be, the spokeswoman said: “He is often described as being ahead of his time.

The evidence for this has been well documented and includes leading the work on corporate social

Tunisia includes Ennahda in cabinet as compromise The new cabinet, which includes a minister and three state secretaries from Ennahda, will be put before parliament for a vote of confidence on Wednesday NO MORE TIME TO LOSE: Tunisian President Beji Caid Essebsi, right, meets his Prime Minister Habib Essid before presenting a new coalition government on Monday, in Tunis.— AFP

TUNIS: Tunisia on Monday presented its new coalition government, dominated by the secular Nidaa Tounes party but also including its extremist rivals, as it prepares to tackle security problems and a faltering economy.

Prime Minister Habib Essid announced the makeup of his new cabinet, which had initially been abandoned after the moderate religious Ennahda party warned it

would vote against a line-up that included none of its members.

Other political parties “We have made changes... to widen the composition of the government with the participation of other political parties,” Essid said.

The new cabinet, which includes a minister and three state

secretaries from Ennahda, will be put before parliament for a vote of confidence on Wednesday.

“We have no more time to lose, we are in a race against the clock,” Essid said as he announced the line-up at the presidency.

His government will be the first since landmark parliamentary and presidential elections last

4 5 D AY S C U T

Berlusconi's community service to conclude early ROME: Silvio Berlusconi will not have to serve the final 45 days of a one-year community service order he received for tax fraud, a judge ruled on Monday.

The former prime minister has been serving the order by helping out with Alzheimer’s patients at the Sacra Famiglia care home at Cesano Boscone near Milan every Friday since last May. The judge’s decision to trim the sentence on good behaviour grounds means he will be freed from those duties on March 8, although a close aide said Belusconi, who is 78 himself, would continue to visit the elderly patients.

“It is very good news, his good behaviour was there for everyone to see,” Giovanni Toti told TGCOM 24 television.

“He performed his social service very seriously and accepted a conviction we continue to regard as unjust. He has purged his sentence and will continue to visit the Sacra Famiglia.”

As of March 8, Berlusconi will also regain his freedom of movement, which was restricted under the order, enabling him to resume a higher-profile role in national politics, despite still being banned from public office.

Media magnate Berlusconi was ousted from his seat in the upperhouse Senate in November 2013 and banned from public office for six years under 2012 anti-corruption legislation. The ‘Severino’ law provides for such bans for any politician sentenced to prison for two or more years.

After a series of appeals, Berlusconi was definitively convicted of tax fraud in August 2013 and sentenced to four years in prison. That was later reduced to the community service order in

SOME RELIEF: Former Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi,

centre, leaves the Catholic hospice Sacra Famiglia in Cesano Boscone after his first day of community service for tax fraud on May 9, 2014. — AFP file photo

line with Italian judicial practice of not sending non-violent criminals over 70 to jail. As his Forza Italia party essentially revolves around him with the backing of his media empire, Berlusconi was able to retain its leadership.

The centre right grouping retains considerable influence in parliament but has slipped badly in the opinion polls over the time its leader has been making his visits to the care home.

Under the terms of the community service, Berlusconi needed permission to leave his residence over weekends and was subject to a nightly curfew.

That did not prevent him travelling regularly to Rome for negotiations with Prime Minister Matteo Renzi, with whom he concluded a cooperation ‘pact’ in June 2014.

That deal ensured that Berlusconi delivered vital votes to

help Renzi steer a shake-up of Italy’s labour laws onto the statute book and a new electoral law through the Senate.

Renzi was however widely seen as having betrayed the pact last week by ignoring Berlusconi’s reservations when he successfully pushed for his candidate, Sergio Mattarella, to become Italy’s new president.

Mattarella, who once resigned as a minister over a law favouring Berlusconi’s media empire, is due to be sworn in on Tuesday. The tax case was only one of a series of legal cases in which Berlusconi has been embroiled for years.

He was convicted in 2013 of paying for sex with a minor, a 17-year-old dancer nicknamed “Ruby the Heartstealer” who allegedly attended what became known as “bunga bunga” parties at his villa in Milan and other residences. — AFP

year that were the first freely contested polls in the history of the North African country.

The anti-extremist Nidaa Tounes of President Beji Caid Essebsi won the largest number of seats in October’s general election, with Ennahda coming second.

But Nida Tounes did not secure a majority and Ennahda, which holds 69 of parliament’s 217 seats, had rejected a cabinet in which it was not represented.

Tunisia has struggled to form a stable government since it became the birthplace of the Arab Spring uprisings by ousting longtime dictator Zine El Abidine Ben Ali in 2011.

Essebsi has vowed to address economic problems to “realise the promises of the revolution: dignity, employment, health and regional equality”.

In addition, Tunisian security forces continue to battle jihadists who have claimed responsibility for a series of attacks on police and soldiers that have killed dozens of people since Ben Ali’s ouster.

Monday’s cabinet allotted six ministerial posts to Nidaa Tounes

members, including that of foreign affairs. The portfolios of interior, defence and justice were assigned to independents.

The Free Patriotic Union party -- headed by football club magnate and former presidential hopeful Slim Riahi -- and the liberal Afek Tounes will also be represented.

Several Nidaa Tounes officials fought for weeks against the inclusion of Ennahda members, accusing them of bringing the country to the brink during their time in office as part of an interim government.

“It is normal that the primary party is in power and the second in opposition,” Nidaa Tounes general secretary Taieb Baccouche wrote in La Presse newspaper.

He added that keeping Ennahda out of government had been “a promise to voters” made by the secularists.

Against vote The far-left Popular Front coalition, which won 15 seats in parliament, said on Monday it would vote against the new cabinet makeup because of the presence of extremists. — Reuters

responsibility, from as early as the 1980’s, demonstrating the benefits of organic farming, as well as finding ways to help young people who are not in employment.

“Speculation about The Prince of Wales’s future role as king has been around for decades but it is not something we have commented on and nor will we do so now,” she said.

The eldest son of Queen Elizabeth and groomed from birth to one day be king, Charles has taken on the responsibilities of public life but found himself for years eclipsed by Princess Diana, his first wife who died in a Paris car crash in 1997.

In 2005 Charles married Camilla Parker Bowles, who will one day sit alongside him as queen according to the current assumption in Buckingham Palace, Mayer wrote. — Reuters F E M A L E B O M B E R S L I K E LY

Blast hits Nigeria town as president campaigns KANO: Two female suicide bombers were suspected of being behind a blast on Monday outside a stadium in northeast Nigeria, where President Goodluck Jonathan had given a speech, officials and rescue workers said.

“We have evacuated two bodies of females we believe were suicide bombers behind the blast,” said one rescue worker after the explosion in Gombe city.

“One of them was blown to pieces... Eighteen people were injured in the blast and have been taken to hospital,” said the worker, who asked to remain anonymous because he was not authorised to speak to the media.

February 14 polls Jonathan, who is campaigning for re-election in February 14 polls, had just left the venue after giving an address to supporters of his ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) when the blast occurred.

A federal government official involved in the rescue operation and a medical source at the Gombe State Specialist Hospital gave identical tolls. — AFP

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Retroactively, it is an act of authorising war

T

hey went largely unnoticed, four words President Obama adlibbed during the State of the Union address last month as he asked lawmakers to provide legal cover for America’s military intervention in Iraq and Syria. “We need that authority,” the president said, adding a line to the prepared remarks on his teleprompter that seemed to acknowledge a reality about which his administration has been inexcusably dishonest. As the new Congress gets settled in, the debate over the scope and legal authority of Washington’s new war in the Middle East has resurfaced amid strikingly disparate views. The White House is consulting with lawmakers from both parties on the parameters that would retroactively establish ground rules for the bombing campaign against IS militants in Iraq and Syria that began in September.

That task has become more complicated by irresponsible calls from some lawmakers, and the nation’s top military officer, for an expansive mandate that would leave this president, and his successors, with dangerously broad authority to use military force in perpetuity. The IS seeks to establish a caliphate and poses a dire threat to the United States and its allies. But the group cannot serve as a pretext to give the executive branch what amounts to a blank check to battle an evershifting array of enemies around the globe.

By failing to replace the sweeping war authorisations Congress established for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan more than a decade ago, with a far narrower mandate, lawmakers are abdicating one of their most consequential constitutional powers: the authority to declare war. White House officials maintain that the current campaign in Iraq and Syria is legal under the Afghan and Iraq war resolutions, a dubious argument considering those were tailored to respond to the September 11 attacks and to deal with Saddam Hussein, then the Iraqi leader, on the grounds — since proved to be false — that he had weapons of mass destruction.

Representative Adam Schiff, a Democrat from California, has proposed a reasonable framework. Last week, he introduced a bill that would limit the war authorisation to three years, permit the use of force only in Iraq and Syria and prohibit the deployment of American combat ground troops. Schiff’s plan would nix the Iraq war authorization and sunset the Afghan one in three years. That would give President Obama plenty of flexibility to fight the IS during his remaining time in office. It also would give his successor a reasonable amount of time to take stock of the effort and do what the Constitution requires of American presidents: enlist the support of Congress to wage war.

MONSTERS OF CIVILISATION

Boko Haram and LRA: Brothers in barbarity DAVID TOLBERT

- The New York Times News Service

A lack of economic liberty

E

conomic freedom has a bad reputation in Pakistan. The left derides it as the imposition of a neo-imperialistic agenda on a hapless nation.

The right occasionally pays lip service to it but then sacrifices it at the altar of economic nationalism. In short, there is virtually no advocate for a truly level economic playing field, for the freedom of entrepreneurs to build companies without fear of stifling over-regulation or anti-competitive behaviour from more established rivals. So it should perhaps come as no surprise that Pakistan ranks close to the bottom of the list compiled by the Washington-based Heritage Foundation, which rated our economy “mostly unfree”. While the Heritage Foundation has a definite right-leaning ideological agenda, we find ourselves mostly agreeing with its diagnosis of our economy.

The game is truly rigged, and designed to favour the incumbents and the larger businesses at the expense of smaller ones. How else does one explain the fact that our automobile manufacturing industry, which was set up in 1962, is still considered an ‘infant’ industry by the government and protected by monumental tariffs that render competition virtually impossible? Or the fact that the current industrial policy favours providing natural gas to larger textile factories for their captive power units, which ends up starving state-owned power companies of cheap fuel, leaving smaller industrial units without a source of affordable electricity?

Or the fact that prudential rules designed by the State Bank of Pakistan effectively prohibit lending to new businesses? The rules are bent in favour of the already wealthy and privileged, resulting in a sclerotic economy that has hardly any sector capable of competing with global rivals if forced to do so. We continually subsidise the inefficient industries of yesteryear with billions of rupees of taxpayerfunded and borrowed money, while starving the newer, smaller companies that could one day grow to become the champions of tomorrow, were they allowed to flourish. Pakistan’s entrepreneurs are not asking for a handout, but they should reasonably be able to expect that their government will not go out of its way to prevent them from earning an honest living. - The Express Tribune

Punish the child’s killers in harshest possible way

Even capital punishment will not be good enough

This refers to the news story, Murder of boy, 2, sparks horror (February 2). Murder, irrespective of the victim’s age and gender, is heinous. But the murder of a two-year-old child is most horrible. Wherever such a barbarity is committed we feel shocked. The manner in which the child was killed smacks of barbarity, something like in the Dark Ages. I believe that the killers were psychopaths and deserve no pity or clemency.

They do not deserve to have any place in our society as well. They deserve to be given the harshest possible punishment. Our society will feel relieved if such monsters are eliminated once and for all.

Anu Shaikh Wadi Kabir

This refers to the news story, Murder of boy, 2, sparks horror (February 2). The ROP has done a great job and the punishment to the culprits should be a lesson to anyone who dares to think of such evil actions in future. Are such heinous murderers humans or are they beasts? Death is the smallest punishment for them.

Ramachandran Thulasidoss Muscat

The manner in which they killed child was barbaric This refers to the news story, Murder of boy, 2, sparks horror (February 2). The kind of torture the child went through for no fault of his is beyond imagination. No child, or even an adult, deserves this kind of horrific

The danger that Boko Haram poses cannot be overestimated.

In fact, the group increasingly resembles the Lord’s Resistance Army, which wreaked havoc in northern Uganda and South Sudan for decades

O

n January 10, a particularly atrocious terrorist attack was mounted in a bustling market in the northern Nigerian town of Maiduguri: a ten-year-old girl detonated an explosive device hidden beneath her dress, killing at least 16 people and injuring dozens of others. The child bomber — who, witnesses claim, was unaware that she was carrying explosives at all — was sent by the militant group Boko Haram.

It was hardly an isolated incident. The next day, two ten-year-old girls with explosives strapped to their bodies carried out a similar attack in the Nigerian town of Potiskum. These attacks came just days after reports started trickling in of what may be Boko Haram’s deadliest terrorist attack yet: the massacre of up to 2,000 people in the town of Baga.

In fact, Boko Haram’s campaign of terror began long ago. The group gained global attention last year, when it abducted 276 girls from a school in Chibok; but many of the girls remain missing, and today the “Bring Back Our Girls” campaign is all but forgotten.

Estimates of the number of people Boko Haram has killed since 2009 range from 4,000 (according to international human-rights groups) to 13,000 (according to the Nigerian government).

The danger that Boko Haram poses cannot be overestimated. In fact, the group increasingly resembles the Lord’s Resistance Army, which wreaked havoc in northern Uganda and South Sudan for decades. Like the LRA, Boko Haram represents a serious threat to regional stability.

It already controls large parts of Borno province, which borders Niger, Chad, and Cameroon, and its offensive has now spilled into Cameroon, where it recently attacked a military base.

And like the LRA, Boko Haram has become infamous for targeting children, abducting boys and girls as young as seven to serve as soldiers and sex slaves. As part of its recruitment strategy, its members often force the children to kill members of their own families and communities in gruesome ways, to ensure that returning home does not seem like an option.

Despite clear evidence of massive humanrights violations, the Ugandan government and the international community were slow to respond to the LRA threat.

Indeed, though LRA Leader Joseph Kony and his three top commanders have been wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for war

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crimes and crimes against humanity since 2005, it was only after the “Kony 2012” Internet campaign made him the world’s most-wanted fugitive that the United States sent some 200 troops to help an African Union force hunt him down.

Three years later, he still remains on the run.

The international response to Boko Haram’s atrocities seems to be equally slow and erratic.

The international community, focused on the attack on the French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo, took days to condemn the mass slaughter in Baga. Even Nigerian president Goodluck Jonathan sent condolences to Paris days before he responded publicly to the massacre of his own citizens. This failure to act — not only to prevent further attacks, but also to ensure accountability for past atrocities — is both wrong and dangerous.

And there is good reason to believe that the reason for it is political.

After all, Nigeria is an important source of oil and raw materials, with growing economic value to the West, as well as to China, India, and other major emerging countries.

Competing for lucrative contracts, global powers have preferred to avoid offending Nigeria’s government by drawing attention to its inability to protect its citizens or hold criminals accountable.

But ignoring Boko Haram will only enable it to commit more atrocities. In this sense, the silence could be another example of the international community averting its gaze from African suffering, as it has done so often in the past, most notably in Rwanda in 1994. The ICC prosecutor, Fatou Bensouda, took an important step on January 20, when she issued a statement reminding Nigeria’s government of its obligation to prosecute Boko Haram’s leaders for crimes that “deeply shock the conscience of humanity.”

The ICC should now issue a definitive timeline for Nigerian authorities to demonstrate convincingly their commitment and, perhaps more important, their capacity to investigate Boko Haram’s atrocities effectively. An ICC mission to the sites of Boko Haram’s attacks would need to determine whether Nigeria has made progress; if it has not, the ICC prosecutor should issue a proprio motu decision to open an independent investigation.

Boko Haram cannot be allowed to continue its campaign of terror, violence, and death in Nigeria and beyond. Nigeria’s government and the international community must learn the lessons of the LRA and act immediately to save lives and bring perpetrators to justice. - Project Syndicate

end. The manner in which the child was killed fill us with shiver. Sand should be stuffed into the mouths of these culprits and make them realise what they did to that innocent soul.

May the little soul rest in peace.

May the heaven protect the little angels around.

Alifiya Afshin Muscat

Killers deserve nothing short of death penalty This refers to the news story, Murder of boy, 2, sparks horror (February 2). The culprits should be given capital punishment — death penalty. They are abominations and do not deserve to live in this society. Their presence is a horror.

S. A. Khan Muscat

Murder rekindles memory of Peshawar massacre This refers to the news story, Murder of boy, 2, sparks horror (February 2). The country has been shocked by the brutality of the crime. And this brutality has brought back to the memories of the horror that my country, Pakistan, experienced during the dying days of December 2014. More than 35 innocent children were killed in their school in Peshawar.

None of the children killed in that mindless massacre was in any way connected to any activities which jeopardised the interests of the Taliban. They were killed to inflict pain on the nation. I don’t know what could have been the motive behind the murder of the two-year old child in Sohar. But this is tragic.

Nazeem Muscat

Letters, containing not more than 200 words with full name, address and telephone number, may be sent by mail (Times of Oman, P.O. Box 770, P.C. 112, Ruwi), by fax (24813153) or by e-mail (times@omantel.net.om)

T I MES O F OM AN

T U E S DAY, FE B RUARY 3, 2 0 1 5

A1 3

PERSPEC IVE Political satire is funny, but it also causes cynicism, apathy L

ast week I went to the Political Book Awards at IMAX in Waterloo. Six hundred people turned up — authors, judges, sponsors, hacks and politicians. From the buzz and excitement, it seemed that politics still mattered. Good. It should. More than it usually does in this old country.

As the tired democrats of Hong Kong march once again under their brollies, and young idealistic voters in Egypt, Iran, Bahrain and elsewhere are imprisoned and tortured, we should at least try to remember that we have what they desperately want. And that we should not be quite so dismissive of our parliamentarians and political institutions.

The MC was Rory Bremner, one of our most intelligent and perceptive comedy writers and performers. I have always loved his shows. He is making a comeback after, what he says, was a long enforced “sabbatical”. After the coalition came to power the phone stopped ringing.

Hope his luck turns now.

That night, however, there were moments when he made me uncomfortable, made me think. To ridicule the Tory Andrew Mitchell as he came up to present an award seemed tawdry.

Mitchell is having to pay millions in legal costs after libel cases following the Plebgate affair. I don’t care for him and his party but public office surely earns some respect? Some of the impersonations — perfect though they were — unsettled many. Maybe Bremner has been away too long and we are no longer so used to comedy based on impressions. With so many male and female politicians in the audience, I wondered how they felt. One of them, a Labour MP, said she almost walked out.

We all know Britain has a long tradition of political satire. I have a leather-bound collection of drawings by 18th-century political cartoonists who mercilessly scoffed at royalty, peers and MPs. The cartoonists in our newspapers daily pierce the spin and postures of politicians, at times more effectively than the sharpest columnist. I compulsively watch Have I Got News For You repeats and would elope with Sandi Toksvig, presenter of the News Quiz on Radio 4. However, I also increasingly question my responses and what these programmes and other satirists say about us as a nation.

Have they cumulatively created false and unfair impressions in the minds of the electorate? In a survey in 2009, over 60 per cent of Britons said they thought MPs accepted bribes for personal gain.

This is untrue, obtuse and dangerous. How many people do you meet every week who

YASMIN ALIBHAI BROWN

We all know Britain has a long tradition of political satire. I have a leatherbound collection of drawings by 18th-century political cartoonists who mercilessly scoffed at royalty, peers and MPs. The cartoonists in our newspapers daily pierce the spin and postures of politicians, at times more effectively than the sharpest columnist

think all politicians and journalists are corrupt or crap or both? Maybe you are one of them.

Little evidence is provided for these views. It is just “common sense”.

Remember how extraordinarily hard it is to get selected, then elected and then make sure you serve the people in your area. I once spent four hours with an inner-city MP while he met and helped his constituents. One was suicidal, another a homeless unmarried mum who was only 17. There were drug addicts, stateless people, many who were simply furious and always will be. By the end of my time with him I had lost the will to live. I could never do what he does, smilingly, week after week.

Ian Hislop, the naughty, balding cherub and drily witty Paul Merton would never, of course, stand for office.

They would not survive that game. Yet they have immense power over those who do.

Anti-politics bloggers and tweeters who think they are being funny and smart are neither. But they are all hugely popular. Unthinkingly, everyone with liberal credentials agrees that laughter keeps the politicians on their toes and somehow sparks off political alertness. Not so. An incisive book by Professor Steven Fielding tells the story of British satire, when it has been really effective and when it has become lazy and predictable, like mother-in-law and anti-Irish jokes.

Worse still, he concludes that rather than expose bad politics, modern British satire partly helps to create the rot. He is absolutely right.

For example: satirists detest Ukip and that, counterintuitively, may well increase its appeal. Laughing at politicians and deriding the political system may be creating apathy, rage, disengagement and, worst of all, profound pessimism. Public pessimism is lethal in a working democracy. If you don’t hope for better — can’t imagine it — why vote?

We can see positive movement in parties which are spared relentless contempt and derision. The Greens are building up new support because they believe in their cause and the future. The SNP similarly offer hope and selfbelief. Neither party was the butt of jokes until recently. As the May election approaches, we need to pick up optimism. Just as the afflicted Greeks have done in this last election. That may prove impossible if millions of our people carry on laughing bitterly and swim in deep pessimism. Satirists are citizens too. But they need to ask themselves some hard questions about what they do and how that might affect our futures. - The Independent

Oman’s budget reflects long-term strategy

MOHAMMED MAHFOODH AL ARDHI

F

ollowing oil price fluctuations, the GCC countries have analysed their economic situations, and revaluated the effectiveness of their medium and long-term strategies.

Earlier this year, we were pleased to learn that enormous budgets have been allocated.

Oman has received an unusually generous budget of over OMR14 billion for 2015, which set off brisk discussion on how our nation will cover the deficit.

Holding our national development and progress as its highest priority, our government has allocated a large sum towards the construction of industrial projects and infrastructure development in order to continue diversifying the nation’s interests, in line with our long-term objectives.

Despite the fact that the Sultanate is yet to announce a plan to cover the deficit, the priorities are evident. Our government, under the leadership of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos, has a far sighted vision and strong ambitions. A number of projects and developments are taking shape, and we anticipate their completion to have a robust impact in stabilising our future.

We can already see initial signs of economic progress through the development of ports, expansion of airports and acceleration

of business transactions.

Following the announcement of the new budget, I am pleased to witness optimism across various strata of our society. Oman’s greatest asset is its people, and one of the best ways to motivate them is to invest in their stable, secure and prosperous future.

Our ultimate goal is for our citizens to support government efforts in reducing dependence on oil resources that currently account for about 79 per cent of our total national income.

The new budget was mainly set up to complement the social development of Omani nationals, through providing government support to key institutions in the country such as the Ministry of Manpower, as well as the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Tourism and other government institutions that have increased their budget allocations.

The budget also aims to establish several projects that serve the community, including housing projects and the building

hospitals and health education centres, reiterating the leadership’s commitment to the promotion of Oman’s position and that of its people.

A number of Omanis today are concerned about issues like borrowing, increases in rents, fees, tax rates and oil prices.

Although these concerns are valid, we must reiterate our firm belief in the ability of our government to overcome the odds and manage the internal and foreign affairs of our country with great flexibility in light of current and future developments. Most importantly, we must continue to work on our most important goal — diversification — and do our part in ensuring a bright and prosperous future for Oman.

The author is the Chairman of National Bank of Oman and an International Advisor to the Brookings Institution. All the views and opinions expressed in the article are solely those of the author and do not reflect those of Times of Oman.

Our loud, proud left particular tragedies (Trayvon Martin, Ferguson) that seem to lay injustice bare.

Post-post-racial sentiment is connected to economic disappointments, because minorities have fared particularly poorly in the Great Recession’s aftermath.

And this sentiment’s rejection of respectability politics — that is, the idea that the fate of black Americans rests mostly in their own hands — seems to point naturally toward a kind of redistributionism. (Ta-Nehisi Coates’s recent Atlantic essay The Case For Reparations made this argument explicitly.)

Because the paths to economic redistribution are mostly blocked, the more plausible way to put postpost-racialism into practice is social activism: a renewed protest politics of the kind we’ve seen since Ferguson, and a wider effort to police the culture for hidden forms of racism, which don’t require tax increases to root out.

Finally, the late-Obama left is shaped by the success of the same-sex marriage movement, a rare example of a progressive cause that seems to be carrying all before it.

To activists, its progress offers a model for winning even when electoral obstacles loom large.

It shows that the left can gain ground at the elite level and then watch the results trickle down, that victories on college campuses can presage wider cultural success and that pathologising critics as bigoted and phobic can be an effective way to finish up debates.

What’s interesting is that it’s about to intersect with a political campaign in which the champion of liberalism will be a Clinton — when the original Clintonism, in its Sister Souljah-ing, Defense of Marriage Act-signing triangulation on social issues, is a big part of what the new cultural left wants to permanently leave behind.

Precisely because the left’s energy is cultural rather than economic, this tension is unlikely to spur the kind of populist, Elizabeth Warrenesque challenge to Hillary that pundits keep expecting.

But it does promise an interesting subtheme for the campaign.

Can Hillary, the young feminist turned cautious establishmentarian, harness the energy of the young and restless left?

Or will the excesses associated with that energy end up dividing her coalition, as it has divided liberal journalists of late?

Those of us watching from the right — with, perhaps, a little popcorn — will be interested to find out. - The New York Times News Service

ROSS DOUTHAT

F

or the last week, liberal journalists have been furiously debating whether a new political correctness has swept over the American left.

The instigator of this argument was New York magazine’s Jonathan Chait, normally a scourge of Republicans, whose essay on what he dubbed “the new P.C.” critiqued left-wing activists for their zeal to play language cop, shout down arguments and shut down debate outright.

It will surprise absolutely nobody that I think the phenomenon that Chait describes is real.

But I come not to judge but to explain — because whether you like or loathe the “P.C.” label, the rise of a more assertive cultural left is clearly one of the defining features of the later Obama years.

This assertiveness is palpable among younger activists, on campus and online; it’s visible in controversy after controversy, from Ferguson to campus rape.

And it’s interesting to think about exactly where it’s coming from.

The first source, probably, is disappointment with other forms of left-wing politics.

A decade ago, the left’s energy was focused on Iraq; in President Obama’s first term, it was divided between his quest for a new New Deal and Occupy Wall Street’s free-form radicalism.

But now the anti-war movement is moribund, Occupy has gone the way of the Yippies and it’s been years since the White House proposed a new tax or spending plan that wasn’t DOA. What’s more, despite all the books sold by Thomas Piketty, the paths forward for progressive economic policy are mostly blocked — and not only by a well-entrenched Republican Party, but by liberalism’s ongoing inability to raise the taxes required to pay for the welfare state we already have.

Since a long, slow, grinding battle over how to pay for those commitments is unlikely to fire anyone’s imagination, it’s not surprising that cultural causes — race, identity — suddenly seem vastly more appealing.

The second wellspring is a more specific sort of disillusionment.

Call it post-post-racialism: a hangover after the heady experience of electing America’s first black president; a frustration with the persistence of racial divides.

Even in an age of elite African-American achievement; and a sense of outrage over

ESA readies ies for IXV space plane launch 1 Liftoff: IXV launched atop Vega rocket from Kourou, French Guiana 2 Separation: IXV released at altitude of 320km

3 Peak altitude: IXV continues to climb at 420km before beginning re-entry 4 Re-entry: IXV re-enters atmosphere at 7.5km/s to | simulate velocity of returning orbital spacecraft IXV (intermediate Experimental vehicle) Length: 5 metres Weight: 2,000kg

Four-stage Vega rocket

TODAY IN HISTORY 1160

Emperor Frederick Barbarossa hurtles prisoners, including children, at the Italian city of Crema, forcing its surrender.

1238

The Mongols take over Vladimir, Russia.

3

2

Flaps and thrusters control descent

30m

Tracking stations 1 Kourou

Ceramic heatshield 4 5

The first paper money in America is issued in the Massachusetts Bay Colony.

1783

Spain recognizes United States’ independence.

6

5 Splashdown Parachutes deployed to slow descent for safe splashdown in Pacific Ocean 6 Recovery Four large balloons keep IXV afloat until arrival of recovery vessel

Source: ESA, Italian Centre for Aerospace Research

1690

1944

Graphic News /

Graphics

The United States shells the Japanese homeland for the first time at Kurile Islands.

HISTORYNET.COM

OPINION POLL Do you think Oman is embracing diversification of its economy quickly enough?

FROM OUR ARCHIVES MEET ON GENETICS BEGINS AT SQU

MUSCAT: A conference on genetics in modern medicine, organised by the SQU Medical College, was inaugurated yesterday at the conference room of Sultan Qaboos University under the auspices of Dr Mubarak Saleh Al Khadouri, special representative of His Majesty the Sultan, in the presence of Salem bin Ismail Suwaid, vice president of SQU, and a number of Ministry of Health officials and doctors. In his opening speech, Suwaid welcomed the guests to the conference which is dealing with “one of the most important topics of modern medicines.”

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LAST POLL RESULT Yes

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GERMANY: Cars make their way through the snow in Munich, southern Germany, on Monday. – AFP

BELGIUM: A woman examines a diamond at the Antwerp Diamond Trade Fair on Monday after a press conference organised by the Antwerp World Diamond Center to present 2014 statistics of Antwerp Diamond Trade Fair, Belgium. – AFP

GERMANY: A group of meerkats seek warmth and shelter under a heat lamp in their snow-covered enclosure at the zoo in Magdeburg, eastern Germany, on Monday. – AFP

JAPAN: My Melody, a character of Japanese character goods maker Sanrio, displays a French auto

GENEVA: Snow falls on a statue of Mahatma Gandhi on a winter morning in the Ariana Parc outside the

giant Renault’s wagon Kangoo with My Melody branding to celebrate the character’s 40th anniversary at Sanrio’s headquarters in Tokyo, Japan, on Monday. – AFP

European headquarters of the United Nations in Geneva on Monday. The statue was given to the City of Geneva by the Republic of India in 2007. – Reuters

VIETNAM: A woman uses a phone while riding on a street in Hanoi on Monday. Vietnam is ringing in

changes next month to make way for a standardised phone numbering plan, but is struggling to get through to businesses hung up on how much it will cost them. – Reuters

NEGEV DESERT: A flock of starlings is seen as they perform their traditional dance fly before landing to sleep during the sunset near the southern Arab Israeli city of Rahat, in the northern Israeli Negev desert. – AFP

T U E S DAY, FE B RUARY 3, 2 0 1 5

A1 5

WORLD

The protests in Bangladesh have triggered widespread violence that left at least 46 people dead — mostly victims of firebombing attacks on buses and lorries

Disgraced Strauss-Kahn goes on trial series of legal woes offering a peek behind the bedroom door of a man once tipped as a potential challenger to former French president Nicolas Sarkozy. The ex-head of the International Monetary Fund, known in France as DSK, saw his career implode in 2011 when he was paraded handcuffed in front of the world’s cameras after a New York hotel maid accused him of physical assault.

The 65-year-old economist and former IMF chief, found himself back in the dock in the northern French city of Lille, accused of being at the centre of a vice ring

LILLE (FRANCE): Former International Monetary Fund (IMF) chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn went on trial on Monday for pimping as part of a prostitution ring, four years after a scandal cost him his job and a shot at the French presidency.

The disgraced 65-year-old economist found himself back in the dock — this time in the northern French city of Lille — accused of being at the centre of a vice ring which hired women for parties in Brussels, Paris and Washington.

A silver-haired Strauss-Kahn, dressed in a dark suit, slipped past a throng of journalists to arrive early in the wood-panelled

IN THE DOCK: Former IMF head Dominique Strauss-Kahn (partially seen in backseat of car) arrives for

the start of a trial in the so-called Carlton Affair, in Lille, on Monday. – Reuters

courtroom, where he paced up and down with his hands in his pockets in front of the imposing stone bench, where over 40 massive files were stacked.

He appeared on edge as he sat, arms folded, while presiding judge Bernard Lemaire read out the charges against him and 13 coaccused, a colourful cast of characters including luxury hotel manag-

BANGLADESH

UP IN ARMS: Bangladeshi shop owners protest against the nationwide strike called by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP)-led alliance in Dhaka on Monday. The owner of a leading Bangladeshi television station has been arrested as part of a wider crackdown on the opposition in a deepening political crisis that has left nearly 50 people dead, police said. – AFP

Khaleda Zia faces probe DHAKA: Bangladesh authorities on Monday ordered a probe into allegations of murder against opposition chief Khaleda Zia and arrested a media magnate as two more people were shot dead in spiralling political unrest.

Although experts said it was unlikely that the accusations filed in a private lawsuit would result in charges against Zia, they will add to the pressure on the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) leader who has been struggling to topple the government through a transport blockade.

The order by a magistrate for police to probe the allegations came hours after the owner of a private television channel was arrested after a meeting with Zia in her Dhaka headquarters.

“Metropolitan Magistrate Atiqur Rahman ordered the Gulshan police in Dhaka to investigate the complaint and submit a report by March 1,” Ashiqur Rahman, a court official, said. A lawyer for the plaintiff, pro-government activist A. B. Siddiqi, said Zia was responsible for the death of 42 people killed after opposition activists firebombed buses and trucks in a wave of protests.

“She is to blame for the death of 42 innocent people as she ordered her supporters to attack vehicles with petrol bombs,” said lawyer Roushonara Sikder Daizy.

Lesser crimes The 69-year-old leader, who has been holed up in her office since January 3, has already been charged by police with lesser crimes including “abetting” and “instigating” the firebombings.

Zia called the protests early last month. She urged supporters to enforce a nationwide blockade of roads, railways and waterways to try to force Prime

Minister Sheikh Hasina to call a fresh general election. The opposition boycotted the last poll in January 2014 on the grounds the result would be rigged. The protests have triggered widespread violence that left at least 46 people dead — mostly victims of firebombing attacks on buses and lorries. In the latest deaths, two activists from the BNP-allied Jamaat-e-Islami party were shot dead allegedly by police, including a 23-year-old student.

More than 10,000 opposition activists have been arrested, including dozens of front-rank officials. Others have gone into hiding. The latest high-profile arrest was that of Mosaddek Ali Falu, the chairman of private station Ntv, who was seen being driven away by police soon after leaving Zia’s office on Sunday night.

“He was arrested on charges of arson attack on a vehicle,” Dhaka police spokesman Masudur Rahman said on Monday.

Falu has been one of the closest aides of Zia and was her political secretary when she was premier from 2001-06. He owns an array of businesses, including a new online news portal which launched on Sunday. Last month Abdus Salam, the owner of Bangladesh’s oldest private TV station, was arrested after his channel aired a speech by Zia’s fugitive son live from London.

Salam has since been charged with sedition, which could see him sentenced to life in jail for airing the speech. Anti-government protesters have over the past four weeks torched or damaged 843 buses, cars and lorries. The unrest has hit the economy and disrupted school examinations. The government was forced to postpone high school graduation tests for 1.5 million students. — AFP

ers, police, and a “place” owner.

“You are accused of aiding and abetting the prostitution of seven persons between March 29, 2008 and October 4, 2011, and of hiring and encouraging the prostitution of these same persons,” Lemaire told Strauss-Kahn.

Procedural applications, such as a request by a lawyer for the former prostitutes involved for hearings

to take place behind closed doors, were expected to dominate the first day of the trial. Lurid details of group activities and high-end prostitution are likely to emerge in the trial for “aggravated pimping in an organised group”, a charge punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $1.7 million (1.5 million euros).

The trial will be the latest in a

Criminal charges Those criminal charges were dropped and the case settled in a civil suit, but six months later Strauss-Kahn’s name cropped up in an investigation into a ring in northern France and Belgium.

Investigators probing the “Carlton Affair” — named after one of the swish hotels in Lille where local businessmen and police officials organised parties — found some of the women involved had been hired to participate in soirees attended by Strauss-Kahn.

The crux of the case against DSK is whether he knew the women lavishing their attention on him were in business and whether he played a role in organising their presence. DSK admits to being a “libertine” who enjoys orgies but has steadfastly denied knowing the women were paid.

“In these circumstances one isn’t always clothed, and I challenge you to tell the difference,” DSK’s star lawyer Henri Leclerc, 84, said in 2011.

But even prosecutors have been divided over whether there is enough evidence to prove DSK was more pimp than casual consumer.

In 2013 state prosecutor Frederic Fevre called for the charges to be dropped, but investigating judges overruled him and ordered DSK to stand trial.

Their probe found that DSK was the “king of the party,” and they are seeking to prove his mere presence gave rise to practice as his entourage organised the evenings according to his schedule.

Those attending the gatherings described “carnage with a heap of mattresses on the floor”, with DSK the focus of several women at a time in an atmosphere more of “pure consummation” than a typical swinger’s party.

The first to take the stand on Tuesday will be the Carlton’s former public relations manager Rene Kojfer who is accused of organising women for “well-connected men”, often setting them up in his hotel.

He is also accused of doing publicity for another accused, a convicted pimp who owns a string of palces near the French border in Belgium, where rules are more lax.

Dominique Alderweireld, nicknamed “Dodo la Saumure” -which loosely translates as Dodo the Mackerel, the French slang for pimp -- is accused of procuring women for Kojfer, some of whom were allegedly employed at the parties attended by DSK. — AFP

A16

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WORLD

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A man walks in falling snow and sleet down Main Street in the New York City suburb of Nyack, United States, on Monday. The northeastern United States braced for the second major snow storm in a week on Monday after a huge winter system dumped more than a foot of snow in the Chicago area, closing schools from the Midwest to New England. — Reuters

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No evidence AirAsia pilot left his seat: Indonesia JAKARTA: Indonesian air crash investigators said on Monday they had not so far found evidence that the pilot of an AirAsia jet had left his seat, or that power to an automated control system was shut off, shortly before the aircraft plunged into the sea.

Two sources familiar with the investigation had told Reuters that Captain Iriyanto was out of his seat carrying out the unusual procedure of pulling the circuitbreaker on a flight computer when his co-pilot apparently lost control of the Airbus A320.

AirAsia flight QZ8501 vanished from radar screens on Dec. 28, less than half-way into a two-hour flight from Indonesia’s secondbiggest city of Surabaya to Singapore. All 162 people on board were killed.

“Up until today, there is no indication yet that the captain left his seat as reported by Reuters,” Ertata Lananggalih, an investigator with the National Transportation Safety Committee (NTSC), told Reuters at the team’s office in Jakarta, referring to the story published on Saturday.

People familiar with the investigation had earlier told Reuters that investigators were examining maintenance records of one of the plane’s automated systems, the Flight Augmentation Computer, and how the pilots may have reacted to any outage. — Reuters

S PAC E M I S S I O N

Iran launches first satellite since 2012 TEHRAN: Iran launched an observation satellite on Monday -- its first since 2012 — with President Hassan Rouhani declaring it safely entered orbit and that he had personally ordered the mission.

The Fajr (Dawn) satellite was successfully placed 450kilometres (280 miles) above Earth, said Al Alam television, an Arabic-language station owned by Iran.

It is the fourth such satellite launch by Iran, after three others between 2009 and 2012.

The satellite was locally made, said the official IRNA news agency, as was its launcher, according to Rouhani who noted Iran’s aim is to have no reliance on foreign space technology.

“Our scientists have entered a new phase for conquering space.

We will continue on this path,” Rouhani said in a short statement on state television.

Al Alam said the Fajr satellite, weighing 52kilos (114 pounds), would be able to take accurate pictures from space. It took eight minutes to reach orbit and is now linked with its ground-based controllers, state media said.

The launch came as Iran started 10 days of celebrations for the 36th anniversary of the 1979 revolution, culminating on February 11, “Victory Day”.

In February 2010, Iran launched a satellite containing a rat, turtles and insects. Separate missions under Iran’s space programme have seen two capsules launched. One, in January 2013, included a monkey that was recovered alive. — AFP

Ukraine separatists pledge to mobilise 100,000 fighters counter-attack to stop rebels encircling the town.

Over the past three days Ukrainian forces had evacuated 1,872 people from three towns worst hit by fighting, including Debaltseve.

The pledge to dramatically escalate a nine-month conflict

Scepticism In the self-proclaimed rebel capital Donetsk, military aged males met the separatist leader’s call-up announcement with scepticism.

“I wouldn’t give it too much credence,” said Alexander, 28.

“Either it’s wrong or they’re saying it for Ukrainian media,” said the pro-separatist transport manager.

“But if it’s true, the aim is to kill the entire population of Donetsk,” he said, adding that Zakharchenko was “losing the support of those who supported him”.

that has already left at least 5,100 people dead came as the rebels battled to encircle the transport hub of Debaltseve

DONETSK (UKRAINE): ProRussian separatists vowed Monday to mobilise up to 100,000 fighters for their latest east Ukraine offensive as the United States mulled sending weapons to Kiev’s outgunned forces after the latest truce bid collapsed.

The pledge to dramatically escalate a nine-month conflict that has already left at least 5,100 people dead came as the rebels battled to encircle the beleaguered transport hub of Debaltseve.

“There will be general mobilisation in the (separatist) Donetsk People’s Republic in 10 days’ time, we plan on mobilising up to 100,000 men,” rebel leader Alexander Zakharchenko told the

INFIGHTING: A guard attempts to arrest a fighter of the pro-government Ayda Ukrainian volunteer

battalion, who entered the compound of the Ukrainian Defence Ministry in Kiev, on Monday during a demonstration to prevent the possible disbandment of their battalion. — AFP

separatist news agency DAN. Ukrainian army spokesman Andriy Lysenko said the rebel call-up meant they “don’t have the human resources and haven’t achieved their objectives, that is taking the strategic town” of Debaltseve.

Kiev authorities announced at the end of January that they also

were calling up 50,000 troops in the face of the latest rebel offensive. Fighting in Ukraine’s eastern industrial heartland has intensified in recent days, with five Ukrainian soldiers and seven civilians killed in the last 24 hours.

The conflict claimed around 50 lives over the weekend, as the

latest attempt at truce talks collapsed in acrimony in Minsk on Saturday.

Encirclement Kiev military spokesman Lysenko said Debaltseve town centre had been shelled and that government reinforcements had launched a

Leading to nowhere Web-designer Vitaly, 24, said the call-up would lead nowhere.

“Every day, I feel a little bit more a hostage” of the separatist authorities, he said.

The surge in fighting comes as Washington and NATO’s military commander appear to be moving towards supplying arms to Ukrainian forces, The New York Times reported Sunday.

President Barack Obama’s administration was reviewing whether to provide “lethal assistance”, in addition to non-lethal aid such as body armour and medical equipment which it already supplies to Kiev, it said. — AFP

FINANCIAL WOES

Greece rules out aid from Russia, courts European partners NICOSIA/LONDON: Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras ruled out seeking aid from Russia and said on Monday he would pursue negotiations for a new debt agreement with European partners, but saw little sign of compromise from Germany.

Tsipras and his finance minister Yanis Varoufakis are touring European capitals this week in a diplomatic offensive to replace Greece’s bailout accord with the European Union, European Central Bank and International Monetary Fund “troika”.

After a tumultuous first week during which his left-leaning government made clear it intends to keep campaign promises to ditch the tough austerity conditions imposed under its existing bailout,

the emphasis this week appears to be on maintaining that a deal is still possible.

“We are in substantial negotiations with our partners in Europe and those that have lent to us. We have obligations towards them,” Tsipras said at a news conference in Cyprus during his first foreign visit as prime minister.

“Right now, there are no other thoughts on the table,” he said, when asked whether Greece would seek aid from Russia, which has suggested it could be willing to listen to a request for support.

The remarks on Russia could reassure EU partners shocked last week when the Tsipras government initially appeared to reject the bloc’s consensus on economic sanctions against Moscow.

The remarks on Russia could reassure EU partners shocked last week when the Tsipras government in Greece initially appeared to reject the bloc’s consensus on economic sanctions against Moscow

Greece eventually signed up last Thursday to extending existing sanctions against Russia for six more months.

Greece, unable to borrow on the markets and facing pressure to extend the current support agreement when it expires on February 28, is looking for a bridging agree-

ment that would give it breathing space to propose a new debt arrangement.

It has so far met a tough line from European partners, above all from Germany. German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble told Reuters in an interview on Monday that Berlin would not accept

any unilateral changes to Greece’s debt programme.

We want Greece to continue going down this successful path in the interests of Greece and the Greeks but we will not accept onesided changes to the programme,” he said at the Reuters Euro Zone Summit.

Mechanism of inspectors Tsipras repeated calls already made by his finance minister Varoufakis for the mechanism of inspectors from the “troika” overseeing Greek finances to be dismantled and replaced by direct negotiations between Athens and its EU and IMF partners.

“I believe that this would be a mature and necessary development for Europe,” he said.

Germany responded that the troika controls were agreed as part of the bailout and should remain in place.

“The German government sees no reason to scrap this mechanism of evaluation by the troika,” Finance Ministry spokeswoman Christiane Wirtz said in Berlin.

To some degree, both sides are posturing ahead of what is certain to be difficult negotiations. The Greeks appear to be searching for more sympathetic ears first, before meeting the Germans.

French Finance Minister Michel Sapin said after meeting Varoufakis that Athens could not expect a straight debt write-off, but left the door open to other options that include giving Athens more time for repayment. — Reuters

B

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Muscat 6,573.67 + 1.44 + 0.02%

Dubai 3,799.18 - 41.04 - 1.07%

Abu Dhabi 4,564.64 + 12.03 + 0.26%

Kuwait 6,653.59 + 16.88 + 0.25%

Saudi Arabia

9,156.46 + 12.53 + 0.14%

Bahrain 1,422.75 + 5.04 + 0.36%

Qatar 12,062.10 + 162.47 + 1.37%

CRUDE OIL PRICE

CURRENCY RATES*

DRAFT RATES (OMR1)*

GOLD PRICES*

Type ............................Delivery...........Price

Forex rates vs OMR1* US Dollar ................................. 2.58 Euro ............................................ 2.28 Pound ........................................... 1.70 Indian Rs .............................159.36 Pak Rs .................................... 257.73 Bangla Taka.......................199.52

Indian Rs .................................. 160.25 Pakistan Rs ..............................261.75 Sri Lanka Rs .......................... 343.65 Bangla Taka............................201.60 Phil Peso .................................... 114.20

Muscat 24ct per gm (OMR) .......16.35

Oman Crude............. (Spot) .........$47.28 Dubai Crude ............. (Spot) ........$44.23 Murban Crude ........ (Spot) ........$48.69 Arabian Light ......... (Spot) ........$48.44 N.Sea Brent............... (Spot) ........$48.84

* Rates as of Feb. 2 Source: Oman UAE Exchange

* Rates are as of Feb. 2 Source: Bank Muscat

West Texas Int ....... (Spot) ........$44.50

Three marketing firms to support farmers planned All these companies, to assist farmers of dates, vegetable and fruits as well as livestock, are promoted by the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, in coordination with Oman Food Investment Holding Salim bin Saif Al Abdali. — Sup-

Company A E JAMES

businesseditor@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: Oman government plans to establish three separate agencies to support farmers of dates, vegetable and fruits as well as livestock.

All these companies, which are being established with socioeconomic objectives, are jointly promoted by the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, in coordination with Oman Food Investment Holding Company (OFIC), which is being established by the government to invest in food security projects that focus on import substitution and

Oman government has decided to improve production of dates, enhance exports and compete with other global producers

plied picture

rural development.

The first company is a date processing agency, which is aimed at improving production of Omani dates, enhance quality and increase exports.

“In Oman, we have eight million date palm trees. Now the government has decided to improve production of dates to international standards, enhance exports and compete with other producers,” Salim bin Saif Al Abdali, chief of follow-up and studies at OFIC told Times of Oman in an interview.

He said an international company has started a feasibility study and the study report will

be ready soon.

The second one will be a new company for marketing fruits and vegetables, which has also certain social objectives. “This will be a commercial company supported by the government for marketing vegetables and fruits.

We had the Public Authority for Marketing Agricultural Produce (Pamap), which was closed down in 2000. Thereafter, farmers depend on major markets like Mawaleh for selling their agricultural products.”

As per the plan, the company will set up procurement centres in select wilayats (especially Batinah region) for packing and

PWC STUDY

Gulf share offerings reveal ‘strong signs of recovery’ Times News Service MUSCAT: In terms of initial public offering (IPO) activity in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) 2014 showed strong signs of recovery after the slowdown in equity capital markets performance following the financial crisis.

Improved market performance and macroeconomic fundamentals as well as a conducive regulatory environment were all contributing factors to positive market sentiment and investor appetite, encouraging issuers to execute their IPO plans, PwC’s Capital Markets team revealed.

The fourth quarter of 2014 witnessed a total of five IPOs in the Dubai Financial Market. — Bloomberg file picture GCC, raising $7.3 billion — leading to a considerable increase as compared to the same quarter last year which saw a total of three THE BIGGER PICTURE IPOs raising $179 million.

The fourth quarter of 2014 witnessed a total of five IPO performance in teh fourth quarter of 2014 was also strongIPOs in the GCC, raising $7.3 billion. er than the previous quarter, National Commercial Bank, which listed on the Saudi which saw a total of two IPOs raise $1.6 billion.

Stock Exchange (Tadawul), has raised $6.0 billion The floats in the fourth quarter Dubai Parks and Resort, which listed on the Dubai included: National Commercial Bank which listed on the Saudi Financial Market (DFM), has raised $695 million Stock Exchange, Tadawul, which Amanat Holdings raised $382 million raised $6.0 billion, making it the largest IPO during 2014 in the Electrical Industries, which listed on Tadawul, raised GCC; Dubai Parks and Resort, which listed on the Dubai Fi$194 million nancial Market, and raised $695 Al Maha Ceramics, which listed on the Muscat million; Amanat Holdings, another DFM listing, raised $382 Securities Market, raised $21 million million; Electrical Industries, which listed on Tadawul, and raised $194 million; and Al Maha Ceramics, which listed on the Muscat Stock Exchange (MSM), witnessed seven offerings rais- ferings and 27 per cent of total ing $8.9 billion. H1 was therefore proceeds raised. Tadawul continand raised $21 million.

Looking at the IPO perfor- stronger in terms of number of of- ues to be the most liquid exchange mance for the year, a total of 16 ferings whilst H2 was stronger in in the region, and we also saw activity flourish in the UAE, specificompanies went to market, rais- terms of total offering value.

In 2014, Saudi Arabia and the cally on DFM during 2014. ing total proceeds of $10.8 billion, Over recent years, we have also compared to 2013 when a total of UAE played leading roles in terms nine offerings raised $702 mil- of IPO activity with Saudi Ara- seen increasing interest from relion. Out of the total $10.8 billion bia accounting for 38 per cent of gional based companies floating raised during 2014, 68 per cent the total number of IPOs and 63 on the London Stock Exchanges per cent of total proceeds raised, such as Gulf Marine Services, was in the fourth quarter.

The first half of 2014 witnessed and the United Arab Emirates Al Noor Hospitals Group, Damac a total of nine offerings raising accounting for 31 per cent of the Real Estate Development Lim$1.9 billion while second half total number of initial public of- ited and Action Hotels.

grading agricultural products.

“Oman’s agricultural season is between December and April and during the period, the country produces several agricultural products like tomato and cucumber,” said Al Abdali, adding; “The company will build infrastructure — cold storage, warehousing and transport facilities.”

He said the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries would float an international tender soon to appoint a consultant to conduct a detailed feasibility study on the whole scheme. It may take three months to complete the study and the process to form the com-

pany will start thereafter.

The third project, which is to support livestock farmers in Dhofar region, is another socio-economic venture. “The government wants to support livestock farmers in Dhofar. As much as 70 per cent of livestock (300,000 animals) in Oman are in Dhofar region.”

As per the plan, there will be six collection centres, mostly in rural and mountainous regions, for procuring milk of both cow and camel. There will also be a milk processing plant in Salalah with a capacity to process 90,000 tonnes of milk per annum. “We have already formed a steering committee to form the company,” he said.

Also, negotiations have already been started among the steering committee, Oman Food Investment Holding Company and National Livestock Company. “We hope to start the company before 2017,” he added.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries will also support farmers for enhancing milk productivity through various schemes and awareness programmes, besides improving knowledge in breeding.

Muscat 22ct per gm (OMR) ....... 15.70 Dubai 24ct per gm (Dh) ............155.50 Dubai 22ct per gm (Dh) ..............147.25 * Rates as of Feb. 2 Source: Malabar Gold & Diamonds

BILLIONAIRES INDEX

Alibaba’s Jack Ma regains spot as Asia’s richest billionaire HONG KONG: Alibaba Group Holding Chairman Jack Ma regained his spot as Asia’s richest person with a higher valuation for the company’s finance affiliate ahead of a stock sale that also created a dozen new billionaires.

Zhejiang Ant Small & Micro Financial Services Group, which owns payments processor Alipay, is valued at about $50 billion, according to people familiar with the matter. Ant Financial is weighing a private placement before going public in 2016, and details of the planned fund-raising aren’t finalised, the people said last week, asking not to be identified because the discussions are private.

The latest valuation for Ant Financial boosted Ma’s fortune by about $10 billion to $36.4 billion as of Friday in New York, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. Ma was ranked China’s wealthiest on the Bloomberg Billionaires Index in August, based on the earlier valuation for Ant Financial. He briefly overtook Hong Kong property tycoon Li Ka-shing for the top spot in Asia in December. “I was really not happy in the past three months when people say Jack Ma is the richest person of China,” Ma said in an interview. - Bloomberg News

B2

TU ESDAY, F EB RUARY 3, 2015

MARKET GE Oil & Gas strikes service deal with Qatar Fertiliser duces ammonia and urea contributing to the total Qafco annual production capacity of 3.8 million MT of ammonia and 5.6 million MT of urea.

“A key priority for us is to optimise the long-term availability and efficiency of our Mesaieed plant’s existing fertiliser production facilities,” said Khalifa A Al Sowaidi, chief executive officer.

“Not only is GE Oil & Gas the original equipment manufacturer for the gas and steam turbines, centrifugal compressors and associated equipment, but it also has the proven local customer services capabilities we need to help us meet our production targets,” he added.

Agreement covers maintenance of existing GE onsite power and compression equipment and training of Qafco site operators

Times News Service MUSCAT: GE Oil & Gas yesterday said its downstream technology solutions business has been awarded a long-term service contract with Qatar Fertiliser Company (Qafco) to help optimise the performance of the company’s fertiliser plant in Mesaieed, Qatar.

Qafco is one of the world’s largest fertiliser producers.

The actual agreement is between Qafco and GE’s joint venture with Qatar Petroleum, Al

LONG-TERM CONTRACT: GE Oil & Gas’ agreement with Qatar

Fertiliser comes a year after GE first launched its downstream technology solutions business to serve $10 billion refining, petrochemical, industrial and distributed gas segments. – Supplied photo

Shaheen GE Services Company, which supports GE’s regionalisation strategy of deploying capability and resources closer to its customers around the world.

The long-term service agree-

ment covers the standard maintenance and repairs of existing GE on-site power and compression equipment as well as training for Qafco workers and site operators.

Qafco’s Mesaieed facility pro-

Downstream solutions The agreement with Qafco comes nearly a year after GE first launched its downstream technology solutions business to more effectively serve the $10 billion refining, petrochemical, industrial and distributed gas segments.

Downstream technology solutions provides integrated solutions, adding the value of a single equipment source with a key focus on applications for ethylene, low-density polyethylene, ammonia and urea as well as refinery processing.

Rami Qasem, president and chief executive officer of GE Oil & Gas for the Middle East, North Africa and Turkey, said: “This agreement with Qafco further builds on our strong partnership with the organisation and our long-term presence in Qatar. Our existing equipment will bring the cutting edge in GE’s innovative technology, assuring higher efficiency, reliability and will support the optimal performance of the company’s fertiliser plant.”

“Our long-term service agreement with Qafco illustrates the many advantages that we can offer our customers in the fertiliser and other downstream industries through our collaborations with local project partners,” said Hasan Dandashly, president and chief executive officer of downstream technology solutions, GE Oil & Gas. “The agreement also underscores how GE’s regionalisation strategy enhances the value of our products and services in Qatar and throughout the Middle East.”

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BRIEFS

Al Hassan Engineering names CEO

MUSCAT: Board of directors has appointed Steve Scott as chief executive officer for Al Hassan Engineering with effect from February 2.

Scott is an electrical engineer and fellow member of the Institute of Engineering Technology and has many prestigious certifications in engineering and executive management. He has over 30 years in the field of engineering and contracting. He has been working in senior roles such as general manager, managing director and vicepresident in Europe, Africa & Middle East.

Unemployment rate in Thailand plummets to 0.6%

BANGKOK: That’s Thailand’s official unemployment rate at the end of 2014 — 0.56 per cent. It’s among the lowest in the world, and compares to 9.4 per cent in India and 6 per cent in the Philippines in the region.

This is not a recent phenomenon: Thailand’s jobless rate has held below one per cent for many years since 2011.

The record high was 5.73 per cent in January 2001, when the National Statistical Office first began releasing the data on a monthly basis.

-Times News Service/Agencies

COMMODITY MARKET

Dubai’s Al Khaleej has enough supply to meet sugar demand DUBAI: Al Khaleej Sugar, the Dubai-based refiner, has enough supply on hand to meet demand for most of this year amid signs that global oversupply will cap price gains this year.

Al Khaleej has 1.5 million metric tonnes of sugar stockpiled at or in transit to its refinery in Dubai, managing director Jamal Al Ghurair said in an interview at the Platts Kingsman sugar conference in the Gulf emirate. The plant is operating at 60 per cent of capacity, he said.

“There is a lot of supply,” and inventories are “near a record,” Al Ghurair said on Sunday. “We’re getting shipments all the time.”

Sugar surpluses have prevailed for most of the past five years, causing futures to fall 59 per cent from a 30-year high in 2011. Supply will fall short of demand by 122,000 tonnes for the 2014-15 season that started on October 1, after an oversupply of 5.6 mil-

Sugar surpluses have prevailed for most of the past five years. Supply will fall short of demand by 122,000 tonnes for the 2014-15 season that started on October 1, after an oversupply of 5.6 million tonnes a year earlier

lion tonnes a year earlier, Platts Kingsman said. Raw sugar futures closed on Friday at 14.79 cents a pound on ICE Futures US in New York. Prices probably won’t trade any more than 2 cents up or down from there for the rest of the year as oversupply will limit gains and ‘vultures’ will keep prices from falling too low, Al Ghurair said.

Prices decreased 12 per cent last year as the global glut pushed

prices to the lowest since 2008.

Shortage forecast Global sugar production will drop to 177.1 million tonnes in 20152016 from 179.1 million tonnes a year earlier, according to Platts Kingsman. Consumption will advance 1.7 per cent to 182.3 million tonnes, below the 10-year average of 2 per cent, partly because low crude prices will curb demand for

imports by some oil producers, Claudiu Covrig, a Platts Kingsman analyst, said on Saturday.

That would leave the biggest shortage in six years, at 5.2 million tonnes, according to Covrig in a report.

Low oil prices have had “no effect” on demand at Al Khaleej, Al Ghurair said. Brent crude has tumbled 51 per cent in the past year amid a global supply glut.

Al Khaleej is ready to consider buying more sugar from India, Al Ghurair said. About 80 per cent of its raw sugar comes from Brazil, world’s biggest supplier, he said.

India is said to be considering an export subsidy of Rs4,000 ($65) a tonne on raw sugar, according to two government officials on January 27 who asked not to be identified because the proposal is confidential.

“We are waiting for India,” Al Ghurair said. “It all depends on the price.” - Bloomberg News

Don’t litter a beautiful country like OMAN. Ensure proper disposal of garbage.

T U E S DAY, FE B RUARY 3, 2 0 1 5

B3

MARKET R E A L E S TAT E

New UK stamp duty could influence ME investors Times News Service MUSCAT: Recent alterations to the United Kingdom’s stamp duty tax are expected to have a significant impact on the investment geography across London, alerting Middle East investors to the city’s more fringe locations in 2015, according to leading international real estate consultants, Cluttons.

Under the previous rules, buyers of Central London residential property had to make provisions for stamp duty land tax rates based on property value bands. However, under the new rules introduced on in December 2014, the relatively crude ‘slab system’ was replaced in favour of a graduated tax.

Transaction costs While this has reduced the tax paid by buyers at the lower end of the market, it has meant that some, particularly in more prime traditional neighbourhoods of the city, now incur significantly higher transaction costs.

“The lower end domestic marEUROZONE

Greece factory output slumps FRANKFURT: Greek manufacturing shrank at the fastest pace since 2013 as uncertainty about the country’s political future mounted, threatening to undermine efforts by the European Central Bank (ECB) to stimulate the euro-area economy.

A Purchasing Managers’ Index for Greece slipped to a 15-month low of 48.3. The measure has been below 50, the mark that separates expansion from contraction, since September. A final reading for the 19-nation currency bloc stood at 51 in January, London-based Markit Economics said yesterday.

That’s up from 50.6 in December and in line with an estimate released on January 23.

Quantitative easing Subdued growth and a slide in prices aggravated by a slump in the cost of oil prompted the ECB to announce a €1.1 trillion ($1.2 trillion) quantitative-easing (QE) programme. Business confidence improved last month in anticipation of the move.

Three days after the QE announcement, Greek voters elected Alexis Tsipras as new prime minister, whose Syriza party campaigned on renegotiating bailout terms and writing down the nation’s debt.

“Eurozone manufacturing showed signs of pulling out of the doldrums at the start of the year, but the rate of expansion remained disappointingly meager,” said Chris Williamson, chief economist at Markit. There’s a “real possibility that the impact of the ECB stimulus could be compromised by uncertainty and instability arising from the unfolding political situation in Greece.”

Dual challenge Euro-area manufacturers still suffer from weak domestic demand and subdued export performance, Markit said. Germany, France, Austria and Greece all reported declines in foreign sales in January, almost offsetting solid gains seen in the rest of the region, according to the report.

Professional forecasters surveyed by the ECB cut their 2015 growth forecast to 1.1 per cent last month from 1.2 per cent projected in November. They foresee inflation of 0.3 per cent this year and 1.1 per cent in 2016.

Average input costs for manufacturers fell at the fastest pace in five-and-a-half years. - Bloomberg News

New UK stamp duty rates Location

Average price of two bedroom properties % change of duty

NEW & OLD RULES

(figures in OMR)

Isle of Dogs

Battersea

Chelsea

Knightsbridge

340,000

451,000

1.5 m

1.8 m

-20%

-8%

20%

30% 159,326

Stamp duty old new

102,155 13,600 10,982

123,218

123,218

ket stands to benefit from the new banding system for stamp duty in the UK, but as our calculations show, prime Central London buyers are likely to end up slightly worse off, leaving significant opportunities for international investors to target the fringe areas of the city,” said Faisal Durrani, in-

Under the previous rules, buyers of Central London residential property had to make provisions for stamp duty land tax rates based on property value bands.

Under

the new rules, the relatively crude ‘slab system’ was replaced in favour of graduated tax

Average

18,054 16,549

Source: Cluttons

Graphics

ternational research and business development manager at Cluttons.

“Overseas buyers and investors have now only got to make provisions for the same capital gains tax rates as UK purchasers (as at April 2015), but the new stamp duty thresholds in London, plus the 50 per cent rise in rates for the

price of a prime Central London home 2014 stood at OMR1.3 million

annual tax on enveloped dwellings (ATED) means that the government has now created a three pronged tax attack on the main driver of the upper echelons of the market.”

Cluttons data shows that the average price of a prime Central London home during 2014 stood

at £2.3 million (OMR1.3 million).

With the changes to stamp duty rates, this has meant that buyers and investors have to make provisions for an extra £29,000 (OMR16,760).

In the traditional Middle East investment heartland of Chelsea, Belgravia and Knighstbridge, the cost implications are particularly significant, says the survey.

Yields In Chelsea for example, a buyer will have to pay an additional £33,500 (OMR 19,300) when buying a two-bedroom flat.

On the other hand, on the Isle of Dogs, which sits just south of Canary Wharf, buyers are looking at a stamp duty saving of £4,350 (OMR 2,500) on a two-bed flat.

“While the new tax changes might put additional pressures on the overseas residential investment cohort, we are expecting to see an increased appetite to venture outside the prime core, where investors will be incentivised not only by tax savings, but those of

the buy-to-let flavour, will find that yields are also more attractive,” explained Durrani.

Cluttons data shows that gross residential yields in prime Central London stand at just over 3 per cent, while this dips to 1.68 per cent in Chelsea. Further afield, on the Isle of Dogs, near Canary Wharf, yields are just over 4.5 per cent, which comes with the added benefit of a £4,150 (OMR 2,400) saving in stamp duty taxes.

“The attractiveness of residential investment opportunities just outside the prime Central London core is not something new.

Yields have always been slightly better and the changes to the stamp duty, capital gains and ATED rates will turn the spotlight on these areas that may have been previously overlooked by the international investment community.

There are numerous opportunities for buyers and investors from the Middle East who are willing to look on the fringes of the prime core,” said Mark Clegg, head of residential investment agency.

GCC retail industry poised to touch $285b-level by 2018 IN A NUTSHELL Alpen Capital report Sales of supermarkets and hypermarkets in GCC expected to reach $59.3 billion

states that food retail sales growth is

Airport-based duty free sales in the Middle East are estimated to increase from $3.9 billion in 2013 to $6.6 billion in 2018.

anticipated to outperform the non-food

The personal luxury goods segment in the Middle East is expected to grow at a 4.6% compound annual growth rate between 2013 and 2018 to reach $ 9.4 billion in sales

retail sales due to higher demand for

Qatari retail market expected to grow at 9.8%, when the remaining states could register an annual average growth rate of 6-7%

healthier and highvalue food in region

Times News Service MUSCAT: Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) retail sales are expected to grow at a 7.3 per cent compound annual growth rate between 2013 and 2018 to reach $284.5 billion, says Alpen Capital report on GCC retail industry.

Detailing a comprehensive perspective on the retail industry, the report states that food retail sales growth is anticipated to out-perform the non-food retail sales due to higher demand for healthier and high-value food in the region.

Sales of supermarket and hypermarkets in the GCC are expected to reach at $59.3 billion, translating into a five-year compound annual growth rate of 9.2 per cent. This growth is expected to be driven by increasing disposable incomes and modernisation

of the industry, it said.

Airport-based duty free sales in the Middle East are estimated to increase from $3.9 billion in 2013 to $6.6 billion in 2018. This growth is expected to be driven by robust passenger traffic across all the leading airports in the region.

The personal luxury goods segment in the Middle East is expected to grow at a 4.6 per cent compound annual growth rate between 2013 and 2018 to reach $ 9.4 billion in sales.

Growing population “The retail industry continues to maintain a positive momentum attributed to key factors influencing the market like robust economic growth, rising purchasing power, growing population comprising a large proportion of expatriates, changing consumption

SOUTH KOREA

Plan for 571-metre skyscraper SEOUL: South Korea’s largest automaking group plans to build a 571-metre tower in Seoul that will wrest the bragging rights of owning the country’s tallest skyscraper from its biggest department-store operator.

Hyundai Motor submitted plans to build the twin-tower complex, which will include offices, a convention center and a hotel, at the site that it acquired in September, according to a statement on the Seoul Metro-

politan Government’s website.

The city will “thoroughly review the plan” before issuing an approval for construction to begin.

South Korea’s chaebol, or family-controlled conglomerates, are in a race to build landmark projects as they undergo a generational shift in leadership. To the east of Hyundai’s proposed skyscraper, Lotte Group’s nonagenarian founder Shin Kyuk Ho is building the 555-metre tower. - Bloomberg news

patterns and increasing penetration of international retail players,” says Sameena Ahmad, managing director of Alpen Capital.

“Retail structure in the GCC region is undergoing significant transformation, driven by the social and economic developments that has resulted in an increase in modern retail formats such as hypermarkets and supermarkets.

The Gulf is also gearing to host events such as World Expo 2020 and FIFA 2022, leading to a growing influx of tourists and creating immense opportunities for existing and new retailers in the region,” Sameena added.

While retails sales growth across all the GCC countries is expected to remain positive between 2013 and 2018, the outlook for Qatar is most optimistic during the period. The Qatari retail market

is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 9.8 per cent, when the remaining countries are seen registering an annual average growth rate of 6-7 per cent.

Growth drivers Based on the moderate growth scenario for our supply-side estimates, occupied modern retail sales area in the GCC is projected to reach 6.6 million square metres in 2018 while expected growth in the supply of modern retail sales area over the forecast period is partially lower than the demandside compound annual growth rate estimate for retail sales, the supply of new modern retail sales area is expected to adequately meet the increasing demand for retail space over the next five years.

The population base of the GCC region is one of the fastest grow-

ing, with 41 compound annual growth rate of its population in the age group between 15 and 34 having a strong preference towards international brands. The region also has one of the most attractive corporate tax regimes which works as an attraction to retailers.

Over the years, the region has emerged as an international tourist hub, enjoying popularity among leisure travelers, international shoppers and pilgrims. A high influx of tourists presents an environment conducive for the growth of the retail industry.

The region’s economy has emerged as one of the richest and fastest growing in the world, largely on the back of its proven crude oil reserves. The region is comparable to some of the strongest developed economies of the world, supported by its cash-rich governments, healthy credit ratings and strong currency reserves.

Dubai’s successful bid to host the World Expo 2020 paves the way for further growth of its nonoil sector, lending momentum to the construction, tourism and hospitality sectors. Qatar’s nonoil sector increased by more than 10 per cent in 2014, stimulated by its major infrastructure projects such as the Doha Metro and the Hamad International Airport.

Some countries in the region are however yet to reduce their dependence on the hydrocarbon.

HAVE YOUR SAY

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B4

TU ESDAY, F EB RUARY 3, 2015

MARKET MSM index closes flat

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OMAN STOCKS

MUSCAT SECURITIES MARKET

INDICES Index .................................................High .................Low..................... Value ............... Prev . Value.......... Diff ...............Diff % MSM30 Index ........................................6,574.59 .............. 6,560.98 ................... 6,573.67 ...................6,572.23.................... 1.44 ...................0.02 Financial Index .................................... 8,054.26 .............. 8,029.86 ...................8,054.26 ................... 8,041.91..................12.35 ................... 0.15 Industrial Index ....................................8,549.19 ...............8,518.85 ................... 8,549.19 ...................8,542.97....................6.22 ................... 0.07 Services Index ...................................... 3,550.89 .............. 3,544.26 ...................3,544.38 ...................3,550.64.................. -6.26 .................. -0.18 MSM SHARIAH INDEX...................... 982.84 ..................980.93 ...................... 982.39 ......................982.84.................. -0.45 .................. -0.05 Trading Summary Volume ................Turnover ..........Trades .............. Market Cap............. Up............Down ............. Equal .........Sec. Traded 22,332,303..................4,656,757 ..................1,051 ............... 14,874,179,049 .................. 8 ......................14 ....................26 .........................48

National Aluminium, up by 3.03 per cent, was the top gainer, while National Gas, down by 2.77 per cent, was the top loser of the day

SHARE PRICE BULLETIN FOR MONDAY, FEBRUARY 2 ISIN ..................................................SECURITY NAME ...............................................................................................VOLUME ..............TURNOVER...................TRADES ...........OPEN PRICE............. HIGH....................LOW...............CLOSE PR. ..........PREV. CLOSE..........DIFF (RO) .................DIFF %......................LAST PR...............LAST BID.....................LAST OFFER .................MARKET CAP ........PAR VALUE

MUSCAT: MSM30 Index ended on a flat note at 6,573.67 points, marginally up by 0.02 per cent.

MSM Sharia index down by 0.05 per cent to close at 982.39 points.

Al Anwar Holding remained the most active in terms of volume as well as turnover.

National Aluminium, up by 3.03 per cent was the top gainer on Monday while National Gas, down by 2.77 per cent, was the top loser of the day.

A total number of 1051 trades were executed during the day’s trading session generating turnover of OMR4.65 million with more than 22.3 million shares changing hands. Out of 48 traded stocks, eight advanced, 14 declined and 26 remained unchanged.

Foreign investors switched to net buyers for OMR273,000 while Omani Investors switched to net sellers for OMR186,000 followed by GCC & Arab Investors for OMR87,000 worth of shares.

Financial Index Financial Index closed at 8,054.26 points, up by 0.15 per cent. HSBC Bank, Al Anwar Holding, National Bank of Oman and ONIC Holding increased by 1.41 per cent, 1.27 per cent, 0.55 per cent and 0.51 per cent respectively. United Finance, Al Batinah Development, Global Financial Investment and Oman & Emirates declined by 2.56 per cent, 1.47 per cent, 0.97 per cent, 0.89 per cent and 0.56 per cent respectively.

Industrial Index increased by 0.07 per cent to close at 8,549.19 points. National Aluminium, Al Hassan Engineering, Oman Cement and A’Saffa Foods increased by 3.03 per cent, 2.65 per cent, 1.59 per cent and 1.03 per cent respectively. Al Anwar Ceramics, Oman Fisheries , Al Maha Ceramics and Galfar Engineering declined by 2.17 per cent, 1.45 per cent, 0.68 per cent and 0.59 per cent respectively.

Services Sector Index closed at 3,544.38 points, down by 0.18 per cent. National Gas, OIFC and Oman Oil Marketing declined by 2.77 per cent, 1.67 per cent and 0.57 per cent respectively.

REGULAR MARKET .........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

OM0000001319 ............NATIONAL ALUMINIUM PRODUCTS ...............12,200 ...............4,143........................3 ........... 0.340...........0.340 ...........0.316 ........... 0.340 .............0.330 ............0.010 ............. 3.030 ................0.316 .............. 0.316...................0.340 .............. 11,414,293 .......0.100 OM0000001749 ............OMAN CEMENT ...............................................................7,610 ............... 3,881........................2 ............0.510 ........... 0.510 ...........0.510 ........... 0.510 .............0.502 ........... 0.008............. 1.594 ................0.510 ..............0.494...................0.510..............168,745,082 ......0.100 OM0000001517 ............HSBC BANK OMAN .......................................................33,191 ...............4,780........................1 ............0.144 ........... 0.144 ...........0.144........... 0.144 .............0.142 ........... 0.002............. 1.408 ................0.144.............. 0.141...................0.144............. 288,045,042 .....0.100 OM0000001772 ............AL ANWAR HOLDING............................................... 4,502,611 ...1,080,437...................320 ............0.241 ...........0.242 ...........0.238........... 0.240 .............0.237 ........... 0.003............. 1.266 ................0.239..............0.239...................0.240 ..............31,320,000.......0.100 OM0000002804 ...........ASAFFA FOODS ............................................................ 50,000 ............ 39,200........................1 ............0.784 ........... 0.784 ...........0.784........... 0.784 ............. 0.776............ 0.008..............1.031.................0.784..............0.780...................0.784...............94,080,000 ......0.100

Mobily debt Lenders to Etihad Etisalat are meeting to discuss the effects of the Saudi Arabian company’s accounting errors on 10 billion riyals ($2.7 billion) of loans, according to three people with knowledge of the matter.

The group of seven local banks will get together in Riyadh, the people said, asking not to be identified as the meeting is private.

The lenders will discuss whether loan covenants were breached because of the accounting errors, two people said.

A spokesman for Etihad Etisalat, known as Mobily, didn’t respond to calls and an e-mail seeking comment.

The company suspended Chief Executive Officer Khalid Omar Al Kaf in November after revealing accounting errors that affected the financial statements for 2013 and 2014. The disclosure prompted the Saudi Arabian market regulator to begin a probe to determine if Mobily violated rules. Serkan Okandan, chief financial officer at United Arab Emirates-based Emirates Telecommunications Corp., the largest shareholder in Mobily, is running operations at the Saudi telecoms company.

Mobily reported a 2.3 billionriyal loss for the fourth quarter after a two billion-riyal profit a year earlier. The shares have slumped 56 per cent in the past 12 months.

Samba Financial Group, Banque Saudi Fransi, National Commercial Bank, Riyad Bank, Saudi British Bank, Al Rajhi Bank and Saudi Hollandi Bank signed the loan with Mobily two years ago, according to a statement at the time.

OM0000001483............NATIONAL BANK OF OMAN ................................. 416,806 ..........151,727..................... 28 ........... 0.362 ...........0.366 ...........0.362........... 0.364 .............0.362 ........... 0.002............. 0.552 ................0.366..............0.366...................0.370..............443,653,210......0.100 OM0000002614............ONIC. HOLDING ............................................................65,525 .............25,762........................7 ........... 0.392 ...........0.396 ...........0.392........... 0.394 .............0.392 ........... 0.002............. 0.510 ................0.396..............0.396...................0.398............... 68,328,761 .......0.100 OM0000001418 ............RAYSUT CEMENT ...................................................... 102,000 .........189,280......................18 ............1.855 ........... 1.890 ...........1.855 ............1.855 ............. 1.855............ 0.000.............0.000 ................1.890 ..............1.850...................1.890..............371,000,000 .....0.100 OM0000001533 ............OMINVEST .......................................................................89,771 ............ 38,602........................7 ........... 0.430 ...........0.430 ...........0.430........... 0.430 .............0.430 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.430..............0.430...................0.440 .............144,799,490......0.100 OM0000001707 ............OMAN CABLES INDUSTRY........................................ 3,968 ...............8,130........................2 ............2.010 ...........2.050 ...........2.010........... 2.010 .............2.010 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................2.050..............2.010...................2.050 .............180,297,000......0.100 OM0000001962............AL MADINA INVESTMENT ..................................... 20,712 ................1,491........................5 ........... 0.072 ...........0.072 ...........0.072........... 0.072 .............0.072 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.072..............0.072...................0.073...............14,914,900 .......0.100 OM0000002028 ...........GULF INTERNATIONAL CHEMICALS ............ 133,356.............26,727..................... 37 ........... 0.205 ...........0.207 ...........0.198 ........... 0.200 .............0.200 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.200 ............ 0.200...................0.201................4,200,000........0.100 OM0000002200 ...........AHLI BANK .................................................................... 487,633.......... 108,255......................19 ........... 0.222...........0.222 ...........0.222 .......... 0.222 .............0.222 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.222............. 0.222...................0.236..............287,598,204 .....0.100 OM0000002226 ...........AL JAZEERA SERVICES .............................................. 9,700 ............... 3,310........................3 ........... 0.340...........0.342 ...........0.340 .......... 0.342 .............0.342 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.342............. 0.340...................0.342 .............. 20,931,861 .......0.100 OM0000002572 ...........OMAN OIL MARKETING ............................................4,500 ...............9,900........................1 ........... 2.200...........2.200 .......... 2.200 .......... 2.220 .............2.220 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ............... 2.200 ............ 2.200...................2.240 .............136,030,500......0.100 OM0000002796 ...........BANK MUSCAT ............................................................ 600,407 .........366,499..................... 53 ............0.612 ........... 0.612 ...........0.604............0.612 ............. 0.612............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.612 ..............0.608...................0.612.............1,335,805,171 ....0.100 OM0000002820 ...........GULF INVESTMENT SERVICES ......................... 1,843,742 ......290,730...................108 ............0.159 ........... 0.159 ...........0.157 ............0.158 ............. 0.158............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.157 .............. 0.157...................0.158................ 9,297,228 ........0.100 OM0000003000 ...........ALMAHA PETROLEUM PRODUCTS MAR. .........2,500 ...............5,450........................1 ............2.180 ........... 2.180 ...........2.180........... 2.160 .............2.160 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................2.180..............2.180...................2.300 .............149,040,000 .....0.100 OM0000003141 ............ACWA POWER BARKA .................................................5,000 ...............4,100........................1 ........... 0.820 ...........0.820 ...........0.820........... 0.820 .............0.820 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.820..............0.820...................0.840 .............131,200,000......0.100 OM0000003224 ...........RENAISSANCE SERVICES ....................................... 75,760 ............ 35,607..................... 23 ........... 0.470 ...........0.470 ...........0.470........... 0.470 .............0.470 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.470..............0.466...................0.470..............132,584,393......0.100 OM0000003398 ...........BANK SOHAR..................................................................39,832 ............... 9,155......................11 ........... 0.229 ...........0.230 ...........0.229........... 0.230 .............0.230 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.230..............0.227...................0.230 .............263,120,000 .....0.100 OM0000003661 ............VOLTAMP ENERGY .......................................................3,000 ............... 1,188........................1 ........... 0.396 ...........0.396 ...........0.396........... 0.400 .............0.400 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.396..............0.394...................0.402 ............. 24,200,000 ......0.100 OM0000003968 ...........OOREDOO....................................................................... 125,544 ........... 86,425......................17 ........... 0.688 ........... 0.696 ...........0.688........... 0.688 .............0.688 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.688..............0.684...................0.688..............447,849,630......0.100 OM0000002440 ...........AL SHARQIA INVESTMENT HOLDING ........... 100,361.............18,254......................13 ............0.180 ........... 0.184 ...........0.180........... 0.182 ............. 0.183............-0.001 ........... -0.546 ...............0.182 ..............0.182...................0.184............... 15,746,640 .......0.100 OM0000003026 ...........OMAN TELECOMMUNICATION ........................ 225,826 .........395,294..................... 47 ............1.760 ........... 1.760............ 1.745 ............1.750 ............. 1.760............-0.010 ........... -0.568 ............... 1.745 ...............1.745................... 1.750 ............1,312,500,000 ....0.100 OM0000003521 ............GALFAR ENGINEERING AND CON. ....................74,700 .............12,610......................13 ............0.169 ........... 0.170 ...........0.168 ............0.169 ............. 0.170............-0.001 ........... -0.588 ...............0.170 ..............0.169...................0.170............... 44,551,571 .......0.100 OM0000001087............OMAN UNITED INSURANCE ............................... 355,500 ..........113,970.....................22 ........... 0.324 ...........0.324 ...........0.320........... 0.320 .............0.322 ...........-0.002 ........... -0.621................0.320..............0.320...................0.326 ..............32,000,000 ......0.100 OM0000001681 ............OMAN AND EMIRATES INV. HOLDING........... 167,364 .............21,291.....................22 ............0.127 ........... 0.128 ...........0.126............0.127 .............0.128............-0.001 ............-0.781................0.127 ..............0.127...................0.128............... 15,478,125 .......0.100 OM0000003125 ............GLOBAL FINANCIAL INVESTMENT ................ 3,056,510 ......348,982..................... 27 ............0.116 ........... 0.116............0.114 ............0.114 ............. 0.115 ............-0.001 ........... -0.870 ...............0.114 ...............0.113................... 0.114 ...............22,800,000 ......0.100 OM0000001525 ............OMAN INVESTMENT AND FINANCE.............. 324,540 ........... 76,664..................... 28 ........... 0.240...........0.240 ...........0.235........... 0.236 .............0.240 ...........-0.004 ............-1.667................0.238..............0.237...................0.238...............47,200,000.......0.100 OM0000002168............AL ANWAR CERAMIC TILES ............................... 307,000 ......... 138,354......................16 ........... 0.450 ...........0.454 ...........0.450........... 0.450 .............0.460 ...........-0.010 ........... -2.174................0.452..............0.446...................0.452...............111,080,131 ......0.100 OM0000002374............UNITED FINANCE ..................................................... 138,100............20,949......................18 ............0.155 ........... 0.155 ........... 0.151 ............0.152 ............. 0.156............-0.004 ........... -2.564 ...............0.152 .............. 0.152...................0.154...............41,802,010 .......0.100 OM0000001160 ............NATIONAL GAS ............................................................. 18,686 .............10,501........................5 ........... 0.560 ...........0.562 ...........0.560........... 0.562 .............0.578 ...........-0.016 ........... -2.768 ...............0.562..............0.562...................0.578............... 25,605,515 .......0.100 .............................................SUM: .................................................................................. 13,403,955......3,651,647 ..............880 ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................................................... TRADED SEC. ......33..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

PARALLEL MARKET .................................................................................................................................................................................

OM0000002564 ...........AL HASSAN ENGINEERING.................................. 469,252 ........... 54,336..................... 47 ............0.115 ........... 0.118............0.114 ............0.116 ............. 0.113 ............ 0.003............. 2.655 ................0.118 ...............0.117................... 0.118 ................ 8,724,128 ........0.100 OM0000001368 ............CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS IND. ....................43,092 ............... 1,599........................4 ........... 0.037 ...........0.038 ...........0.037........... 0.037 .............0.037 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.038..............0.037...................0.038................ 3,145,000 ........0.100 OM0000002036 ...........MUSCAT THREAD MILLS ............................................. 262 .................... 42........................1 ............0.162 ........... 0.162 ...........0.162........... 0.162 .............0.162............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.162 ..............0.150...................0.162................ 2,177,586 ........0.100 OM0000002333 ...........SALALAH PORT SERVICES ...........................................100 .....................63........................1 ........... 0.632 ........... 0.632 ...........0.632........... 0.648 .............0.648 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.632............. 0.000...................0.640 .............116,534,635 ......0.100 OM0000004420 ...........BANK NIZWA ..................................................................86,654 ...............6,889........................7 ........... 0.080 ...........0.080 ...........0.079........... 0.080 .............0.080 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.080..............0.079...................0.080 ............ 120,000,000 .....0.100 OM0000004669 ...........SHARQIYAH DESALINATION ..................................... 300 ..................960........................1 ........... 3.200...........3.200 ...........3.200 .......... 3.200 .............3.200 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................3.200............. 3.200...................3.400 .............. 31,296,691 .......1.000 OM0000004735 ...........SEMBCORP SALALAH..................................................2,000 ...............4,525........................2 ........... 2.265 ...........2.265 ...........2.260 .......... 2.260 .............2.260 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................2.260 ............ 2.260...................2.310.............. 215,733,261 ......1.000 OM0000004768 ...........AL MADINA TAKAFUL...............................................14,000 ...............1,270........................3 ............0.091 ........... 0.091 ...........0.090............0.091 ............. 0.091............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.090..............0.090...................0.091...............15,925,000 .......0.100 OM0000004925 ...........AL BATINAH POWER................................................ 277,655............ 49,980.....................22 ............0.180 ........... 0.181............0.180........... 0.180 .............0.180 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.180..............0.180................... 0.181 .............. 121,479,737 ......0.100 OM0000004933 ...........AL SUWADI POWER .................................................. 183,273............ 32,825......................17 ............0.178 ........... 0.181............0.178 ............0.179 ............. 0.179............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.180..............0.180................... 0.181 .............. 127,878,735 ......0.100 OM0000005005 ...........ALMAHA CERAMICS .................................................. 27,707 .............16,294..................... 38 ........... 0.588 ...........0.592 ...........0.588........... 0.588 .............0.592 ...........-0.004 ........... -0.676 ...............0.588..............0.582...................0.588...............29,400,000 ......0.100 OM0000001566 ............OMAN FISHERIES .........................................................6,000 ..................408........................2 ........... 0.068 ...........0.068 ...........0.068........... 0.068 .............0.069 ...........-0.001 ........... -1.449 ...............0.068..............0.068...................0.071................8,500,000........0.100 OM0000002366 ...........AL BATINAH DEV. INV. HOLDING ...................... 157,305 .............31,541.....................22 ........... 0.204...........0.204 ...........0.200 .......... 0.201 .............0.204 ...........-0.003 ............-1.471 ................0.200 .............0.199...................0.200 ...............6,030,000........0.100 .............................................SUM: .................................................................................. 1,267,600 ......200,733................... 167 ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................................................... TRADED SEC. ......13..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

BONDS MARKET ........................................................................................................................................................................................

OM0000004867 ...........BANK MUSCAT C C B 4.5 .................................................374 .....................37........................1 ........... 0.100 ........... 0.100 ...........0.100........... 0.100 .............0.100 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.100..............0.100...................0.107...............31,964,268.......0.100 OM0000004602 ...........BANK MUSCAT CONV. BONDS 4.5 ...................... 7,660,374 ......804,339........................3 ............0.105 ........... 0.105 ...........0.105 ........... 0.105 .............0.107............-0.002 ........... -1.869................0.105 ..............0.105...................0.107............... 31,788,657 .......0.100 .............................................SUM: .................................................................................. 7,660,748 ......804,377........................4 ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................................................... TRADED SEC. ........2..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

— United Securities/Bloomberg News

T R A N S -AT L A N T I C PAC T

INDIAN MARKETS

EU, US seek to revive free trade deal BRUSSELS: US and EU negotiators began their latest round of talks Monday seeking to push through the world’s biggest-ever free trade deal, which after nearly two years remain bogged down by public opposition.

The eighth set of talks on the controversial Transatlantic Trade and Investment Pact, or TTIP, take place in the face of attacks by activists and mixed signals from key

governments, including Europe’s biggest economy Germany.

Crucial meeting The meeting is the first since the new European Commission led

by Jean-Claude Juncker took office in November, with the outspoken Swede Cecilia Malmstroem charged with salvaging the talks as the new trade commissioner.

The EU’s chief negotiator Ig-

nacio Garcia Bercero and his US counterpart Dan Mullaney shook hands for cameras on Monday without making comment, before beginning discussions that end on Friday.

“This is the first round after the fresh start. I am very curious how things have developed,” said Luisa Santos of Business Europe, an influential pro-business and proTTIP lobby in Brussels. — AFP

Sensex near one-week low MUMBAI: Domestic markets on Monday hit over one-week lows with benchmark Sensex falling nearly 61 points to 29,122.27 and Nifty slipping 11.50 points to 8,797.40 on caution ahead of the RBI policy review on Tuesday.

Profit-booking in recent outperformers, disappointing earnings from some blue-chip companies and mixed global cues also weighed on the stock market sentiment.

The BSE Sensex opened lower at 29,143.63 and dropped further to 28,958.52 on fresh selling on weak Asian cues coupled with fresh foreign capital outflows.

However, the barometer recovered from mid-day losses to end above 29,000 level to 29,268.13 before ending at 29,122.27, a net loss of 60.68 points or 0.21 per cent. This is its weakest closing level since 29,006.02 on January 22, 2015. It has now lost 559.50 points or 1.89 per cent in the two sessions.

“RBI policy is being eyed by participants keeping rate-sensitives under pressure. The tone of RBI Governor and views on

Rupee gains against dollar MUMBAI: Ahead of Reserve Bank of India (RBI) credit policy, the Indian rupee on Monday ended six paise higher at 61.80 against the American currency on fag-end selling pressure from banks and exporters due to a weak dollar in the overseas markets.

The rupee resumed lower at 62.00 per dollar as against last weekend’s level of 61.86 at the Interbank Foreign Exchange

inflation and further rate cuts are awaited. Also, another setback for markets was weak manufacturing data for month of January,” said WealthRays Securities, Director & CEO, Kiran Kumar Kavikondala.

(Forex). It moved down further to 62.01 per dollar on initial dollar demand from banks. However, it recovered immediately to end at 61.80 per dollar on selling of dollars by banks and exporters, showing a gain of six paise or 0.10 per cent.

Intra-day, it hovered in a range of 61.76 and 62.01. The dollar index was down by 0.14 per cent against a basket of major global rivals. — PTI

Manufacturing growth slipped to a three-month low in January — after a two-year high in the previous month — on slower pace of order flows from domestic and global markets, raising hopes of a rate cut by the RBI. — PTI

T U E S DAY, FE B RUARY 3, 2 0 1 5

B5

ROUND-UP

All-new 2015 Subaru Legacy arrives

The Subaru Legacy, completely redesigned for 2015, is available with both 4-cylinder and 6-cylinder Boxer engines

MUSCAT: OTE Group and Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd, Japan, the manufacturer of Subaru automobiles, recently launched the all-new 2015 Legacy, the sixth generation of its flagship model in the Sultanate. The new Legacy is designed to give universal appeal as a true sports sedan providing trust-inspiring driving excitement and value.

All-new Legacy was unveiled

by George Hisaeda, Ambassador of Japan to Oman, Sheikh Saad Suhail Bahwan, Chairman, OTE Group, Yasushi Enami, General Manager (Europe, Middle East & Africa Sales and Marketing), Fuji Heavy Industries Japan, Anil Dua, Managing Director, OTE Group and other officials from FHI and OTE Group, says a press release.

The first generation Subaru Legacy was first launched in the year 1989 and has completed over 25 years now. Since its inception, the Legacy has continued to consistently offer drivers sportiness with value. This makes the Legacy more enjoyable to drive in all situations and gives drivers the exhilarating ability to direct the car exactly where they want.

The Subaru Legacy, completely re-designed for 2015, is available with both 4-cylinder and 6-cylinder Boxer engines. Legacy features improved fuel economy, all-wheel drive as standard, a much upgraded interior, sharper styling and the largest cabin in its class. The new Legacy is also more conventionally appealing and spacious than its contemporaries in the mid-size car segment.

“A shared universal value among the past models of the Legacy is the strong, unwavering trust built up between driver and car. Over the course of the past quarter century, Subaru has consistently sought out a presence and value commen-

Customers will always remain our first and foremost priority Sheikh Saad Bahwan

Chairman, OTE Group

surate with its flagship model. We have purely focused on developing the kind of vehicle that acts as a partner to enrich its owners’ lives,” said Yasushi Enami.

“Complementing Subaru’s efforts, OTE Group as partners have constantly strived to contribute to the propagation and growth of Subaru brand by offering excellent after-sales service,” added Sheikh Saad Suhail Bahwan.

“OTE Group has been constantly striving to provide quality customer care and best-in-class ownership experience to Subaru Fans through a nationwide network,” added Anil Dua. Developed with the overall concept ‘The Fusion of Design and Engineering at a High Level’, Legacy will not only continue to offer drivers the sportiness in addition to sharpening the basic performance,but also make it more enjoyable to drive and offer exhilarating ability to direct the

OTE Group consistently strives to offer quality customer care and best-in-class ownership experience to Subaru fans Anil Dua

Managing Director, OTE Group

car exactly where the driver wants.

While developing the interiors ‘Muscularity with Agility’ was adopted as the design theme to create sportier and more refined styling for the Subaru flagship sedan. Maintaining the design for the spacious, comfortable cabin space the Legacy is known for, the styling focuses on a sculptured body evoking a sense of safety and a strong base which grips the road with AWD. The Legacy features a bodyintegrated hexagonal grille and hawk-eye headlights, which are the new face of Subaru. Also, the dynamic character lines on the body side and tight, expressive body surface further raise the class for an already classy sport sedan.

The rear combination lamps have the same design motif as the front in pursuit of a fearless image, front to back. Also, LED lamps are employed for the tail and brake lamps to help enhance fuel econo-

The all-new 2015 Subaru Legacy is designed to offer drivers sportiness, value and excellent drive comfort in all situations Yasushi Enami

General Manager (Europe, Middle East & Africa Sales and Marketing) Fuji Heavy Industries, Japan

my, and optimal light distribution has improved night visibility.

While developing the interior, ‘Comfortable and Sporty’ was adopted as the design theme to dramatically improve quality and comfort, while creating a nextgeneration interior offering a sportier driver’s area and an infotainment system for a more enjoyable in-car experience.

The cabin is configured for a comfortable long drive, striking a balance between openness and secure feeling with adequate forward space. Also, the wide dashboard has horizontal highlights to give an even wider feel. The gauge cluster features a dual-dial layout with a three-dimensional feel and integrated colour LCDs for greater presence and sporty impact.

Overall, the cabin has been made more comfortable with more breathing room. Visibility, cabin space and Subaru’s world-class safety have been kept in a highly ef-

ficient package with strong, sporty styling and a bright, spacious feel.

The chassis, steering, suspension and brakes were totally revamped to offer best in-class performance. Reduced suspension operating friction plus improved efficiency due to a basic layout that enhances stabiliser efficiency help achieve higher quality ride, a rank above its class.

The new Legacy comes with a choice of 2.5-litre, DOHC, Horizontally-Opposed, 4-cylinder or a 3.6-litre, DOHC, Horizontally-Opposed, 6-cylinder engine, coupled with a lineartronic continuously variable transmission with fully automatic electronic control, designed to offer an enjoyable sport driving experience. Like all Subaru vehicles, the new Legacy is built on a strong body frame base and is loaded with a host of advanced active and passive safety features, designed to offer an omnidirectional safety performance. Subaru

is a very unique auto maker which has received international acclaim for demonstrating originality and presenting characteristic technologies such as horizontally opposed Boxer engine and symmetrical all wheel drive. Also, Subaru vehicles provide high safety and confidence in driving to customers. Most Subaru models have been awarded top safety ratings across the globe.

Subaru believes that cars are more than just a means of transportation. Cars bring dreams, freedom and fantastic moments to life. With this comes an overriding responsibility: safeguarding the lives of not only the driver and passengers, but of everyone and there can never be an end to the pursuit and enhancement of safety. Subaru safety is centred on people and develops in all directions.

OTE Group is the exclusive dealer for Subaru in Oman offering excellent sales and after-sales service support.

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TUESDAY, F EB RUARY 3, 2015

ROUND-UP Festival visitors to win cash with BankDhofar The Instagram contest runs till February 14, where participants should take a photo or a video that includes both elements: Muscat Festival related activities and BankDhofar related theme

MUSCAT: Boosting its brand as the best bank in the Sultanate in customer experience and as a gold sponsor of Muscat Festival, BankDhofar recently launched an Instagram competition to bring together the bank’s customers and members of the public to celebrate Muscat Festival activities and win prizes worth OMR1,700.

The social media contest runs till February 14, where participants should take a photo or a video that includes both elements: Muscat Festival related activities and BankDhofar related theme.

The hashtag #MuscatFestivalWithBankDhofar should be added to the entry for participants to win cash prizes ranging between OMR100 and OMR500, says a press release.

“Muscat Festival is a remarkable annual celebration that promotes tourism in the Sultanate and celebrates the deeply-rooted

Omani history and rich cultural heritage. We have been very supportive of the festival and we have been a regular sponsor since its early years. Our sponsorship and participation at the festival demonstrates our commitment to be an integrated part of the social fabric and to celebrate with our valued customers and the community at large, which is also key component of our operational strategy,”

said, Sami Omar Al Zadjali, head of Marketing and Corporate Communications at BankDhofar.

Participants should be the owner of their entries and should be either Omani nationals or residents of the Sultanate. Entries should be sent directly as an instant massage to BankDhofar’s official Instagram page, and should include the participant’s full name, ID or resident card number, as well as contact details. Shortlisted entries will be featured on the bank’s Instagram page, and 10 winners will be chosen based on the number of likes and votes. Three candidates will be selected by BankDhofar committee to compete for the top three prizes.

“OMR500 is the cash prize for the best entry, OMR300 for the second place, OMR200 for the third, while seven winners will be awarded cash prizes worth OMR700 (OMR 100 each),” added Al Zadjali.

SOCIAL COMMITMENT

KIMS conducts blood donation campaign MUSCAT: As part of its social responsibility and commitment, KIMS Oman Hospital (KOH) recently organised a blood donation campaign in collaboration with MOH blood bank, on its premises.

The one-day campaign received enthusiastic support from its staff and community members who were attracted to join the campaign and to donate blood.

It also featured medical talks to raise the awareness on the importance of blood donation, as it has many benefits to the donors as well as the recipient.

Donating blood can reduce the risk of heart diseases while saving another life; it also lowers the iron levels in the body system which helps in defending itself against the assault of free radical attacks.

Moreover, blood can burn a large number of calories too.

“I am very proud and thankful to all the volunteers who joined the campaign and became part of this noble initiative. Many pa-

tients who are in need for such units will receive them and we are hopeful it will save their lives.

It was a successful campaign indeed, as the number of donors exceeded our expectations,” said Dr Hussam Akoum, chief operating officer of KOH. “We strive to give our very best to the patient in clinical as well as non-clinical aspects of health care. For us the patient is the sole cause of existence and we reciprocate the faith and trust that patients exhibit in our brand,” said a hospital spokesperson.

EXCLUSIVE SCHEME

Muscat Festival offer adds to Renault Safrane’s appeal MUSCAT: Renault Oman from Suhail Bahwan Group has announced a unique Muscat Festival offer on their sleek Renault Safrane. Customers purchasing the Safrane any time till February 14 will be eligible to avail the Muscat Festival offer.

Renault’s exclusive scheme comprises a plethora of benefits on most of their top selling models. Renault’s sedan segment consists of a prestigious lineup of cars that include the sleek and new Renault Fluence and the strikingly good looking Renault Safrane.

The SUV range comprises the Renault Duster and the Renault Koleos, says a press release.

An array of benefits Customers purchasing the Renault Safrane will be entitled to receive free registration, free periodic maintenance service up to two years/3,000km (whichever comes first and excludes tyres and battery), free unlimited warranty period of up to six years, AAA/ Road Assistance Card and a cash gift of OMR750 on the Safrane 2.0L, Safrane 2.5L and 3.5L models respectively.

a choice of modern engines, the Safrane has an efficient new chassis including the Nissan multi-link rear suspension arrangement for enhanced ride comfort and driving pleasure.

Smooth and luxurious drive The Renault Safrane 3.5 V6 fitted with an automatic six-speed transmission comes equipped with the Carminat TomTom navigation system, a solution as efficient as it is easy to update and use, with the intuitive joystick.

The hands-free card allows you to open and close the doors as well as start the engine, without even leaving your pocket. Bluetooth technology allows you to make calls in perfect safety.

For easy manoeuvring, the reverse parking camera displays obstacles on the colour screen, while the parking brake is activated automatically when the engine is turned off. On board the Safrane,

technology is also harnessed to provide onboard pleasure in the form of the Bose audio system giving you larger-than-life sound.

Upbeat styling and features The Safrane name has become synonymous with quality, durability and performance. With the next generation Safrane, there is a growing buzz and excitement around the Renault range as the Safrane is a generouslydimensioned saloon car. Its nicely balanced proportions, fluid and elegant lines sweeping over the broad shoulders denote a powerful presence.

A carefully engineered blend of comfort and performance, and

Bespoke interior Renault Safrane combines unique facilities for a complete sense of well-being. The driver’s seat has multiple settings for optimal comfort. Thanks to its pneumatic air-cushion system, it will massage the driver’s back, according to the mode and intensity of their choice, in perfect silence.

The Safrane also offers an innovative system of air quality management. Its toxicity sensor prevents polluted air entering the passenger compartment, while it’s combined pollen and active carbon filter removes these particles from the air.

The system also includes a Samsung Super Plasma bi-mode ionizer, which ensures clean and calming air, as well as a fragrance diffuser for a touch of subtle ambiance. Finally, the tri-zone air conditioning gives each passenger personalised thermal comfort.

INTERACTIVE SESSION

ahlibank holds branch managers’ meet MUSCAT: ahlibank recently conducted its first branch managers’ meet for 2015 at its head office in Wattayah. The meet was attended by area managers, branch managers and assistant branch managers of all the ahlibank (conventional) and Al Hilal (Islamic) banking branches across the Sultanate, says a press release.

In addition to the managers from all its branches, the meet was attended by the senior management of the bank, including the bank’s CEO and Deputy CEOs. Representatives from various departments across the bank operations, risk, audit, compliance, product development, direct sales, mobile banking were also in close attendance.

Through an interactive session with all attendees, the management conveyed their expectations for 2015, and spoke at length about the new initiatives that

would be introduced during the course of the year at the meet. The bank’s key strategy for the year was also discussed. The meet focused on areas such as the bank’s performance in the last year, its achievements, and also highlighted the growth of the bank’s Retail Banking stream.

Speaking on the sidelines of the meet, Lloyd Maddock, CEO of ahlibank said, “The branch managers’ meets are held on an ongoing basis with the objective

of maintaining regular contact between senior management and the bank’s managers at the branch and divisional levels.

“Being a young and growing bank in the Sultanate, it is no mean feat that ahlibank has achieved steady and significant growth in various disciplines year on year and emerged as one of the leading financial institutions in Oman.”

He elaborated, “The many banking awards and accolades

won by the bank from prestigious global and pan-Arab banking entities in the last seven years are testimony that our hardwork is paying off.

“However, we must remember that these achievements are a the result of the dedicated efforts of our people; and our managers’ meets serve as the perfect avenue to thank and further motivate them to continue in their relentless efforts to make ahlibank the No. 1 banking choice in Oman.”

C. B. Ganesh, Dy CEO, Banking Group, said, “The objective of these meetings is also to brainstorm our business strategies with branch managers and area managers who contribute significantly in these deliberations through news ideas and suggestions. These regular interactions among our team leaders helps in creating a bondage and also in improving our customer service.”

T U E S DAY, FE B RUARY 3, 2 0 1 5

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ROUND-UP Bank Nizwa signs home financing pact with Zawaya Development The new partnership is in line with the bank’s strategy to bring Islamic banking closer to customers by working with businesses and offering Shari’a compliant products that will support the growth of the real-estate industry

MUSCAT: Bank Nizwa, Oman’s first Islamic bank, has signed an agreement with Zawaya Development to provide home financing solutions for potential home-owners at Al Taif 1, an integrated residential project in Al Mawalleh.

The new partnership is in line with the bank’s strategy to bring Islamic banking closer to customers by working with businesses and offering Shari’a compliant products that will support the DISTINCTION

growth of the real-estate industry in Oman, says a press release.

Through this partnership, Bank Nizwa aims to redefine banking experience for people, by providing tailored, innovative and secured Shari’a-based products and services at every stage of their life. To that end, the agreement offers flexible finance solutions that meet the demands of modern living. Home financing propositions are now available through Bank

Nizwa for one and two bedroom apartments at Al Taif 1, scheduled for completion in Q2 of 2016.

Exponential growth “We have witnessed exponen-

tial growth within our Home and Property Finance products since we launched them in 2013, which is indicative of the growing market for Islamic banking options within the real estate market. Through

LAUNCH CEREMONY

our agreement with Zawaya Development we are extending the reach of our Shari’a-compliant solution, offering competitive profit rates, flexible repayments and enhanced financial security,” said Dr

Jamil El Jaroudi, Chief Executive Officer of Bank Nizwa.

“Al Taif 1 is the first in a series of prime-location realty that is characterised by quality, exceptional style and attractive prices. Our partnership with Bank Nizwa will deliver a great product to prospective buyers, and our mutual customer-centric approach, will certainly see positive response from the market,” stated Al Waleed Al Kindi, Managing Partner of Zawaya Development.

Zawaya Development is one of the fastest growing real estate development and marketing companies in Oman. The company’s developments include Al Hilal Projects, Al Noor Projects and Al Taif Projects. All projects are underpinned by offering the ‘right location’, with a ‘convenient design’, for the ‘most suitable price’.

Bank Nizwa’s Home Finance product suite has been designed based on the Shari’a concept of Ijara, Murabaha and Forward Ijara.

B I G D R AW

Badr Al Samaa doctor highlights difficulties in medical practices Younis Wahaibi is first GCC national to become Audi certified salesman MUSCAT: A new milestone was reached at Audi Oman when a sales executive Younis Al Wahaibi successfully completed training and assessment in Dubai to become the first GCC national as Audi certified sales personnel in Oman, says a press release.

“Being the first Omani sales staff member to receive this certification is a career high for me and I am really proud to now be able to share my knowledge with other sales staff.

“I look forward to continuing my professional development and serving our growing base of Audi customers in Oman,” said Younis Al Wahaibi.

“We are extremely proud of Younis, who represents a bright future for Audi in Oman,” said Ahmed Shariefi, general manager, Audi Oman.

“Audi is committed to taking a leadership role in building Oman’s automotive dealership industry and this world-class sales training is just one example of our commitment to developing a skilled workforce.”

“Audi’s ongoing skills training programme aims to build a team that is prepared for long-term success in the market,” said Clive Dias, Sales and Marketing Manager, Audi Oman.

“It encourages continued education through company sponsored training seminars and technicians undergo standardised training courses.

“The staff are also regularly tested to ensure that they are capable of providing the highest quality of service to customers,” he added.

By leading the industry in initiatives such as this, Audi demonstrates its commitment to offering all customers the best possible ownership experience.

MUSCAT: Dr Shibu Mohammed, consultant dermatologist at Badr Al Samaa Hospital Ruwi, highlighted some of the difficulties medical practitioners faced in Oman as keynote speaker at the launch ceremony of a new medicine called Priorin for hair treatment held at Crowne Plaza Hotel organised by Bayer Health.

Dermatologists from all private hospitals in Muscat attended the meeting. Dr. Abdulla Mufti Al Qurashi from the ministry of Health was the chief guest, says a press release.

Dr Shibu spoke about the difficulties in day-to-day medical practices in private hospitals.

“Most of the patients are confused with the internet knowledge and based on that they tend to cross question doctors. Patients are requested to understand that internet publications are views of many people shared on the website and those are not exact treatment for various

First Sohar tennis tourney held at Crowne Plaza Hotel diseases since condition and symptoms vary from patient to patient.

The doctor-patient relationship is a key factor in practicing medicine.

Having trust in the doctor treating a patient is another important factor,” he explained.

Dr Shibu also addressed misuse of health insurance by many patients. He called on hospital authorities to take strict meas-

DRIVE SLOWER LIVE LONGER

ures to avoid misuse of health insurance as well as patients cross questioning the ability of the practising doctors.

One a concluding note, Dr. Shibu Mohammed extended his sincere gratitude to the Ministry of Health for reducing the price of medicines in the Sultanate which helps in patients getting better medical treatment in Oman.

SOHAR: First Sohar Tennis Tournament was held in collaboration with the organiser Aminah Yunus at Crowne Plaza Sohar recently. A large number of Omanis and expatriates played in sets of men and women singles as well as doubles. A large number of parents and children participated to encourage the players, says a press release.

“We encourage sport as an essential part of life of a healthy human being. Tennis is an active and enjoyable sport for all ages and we want to encourage the people of Sohar to enjoy it as much as possible. With the coordination of Aminah Yunus, we hope to develop this tournament to become even larger next year,” said Youssef Alonzo, director of Sales.

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TU ESDAY, F EB RUARY 3, 2015

ROUND-UP

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OMR1.9m al Mazyona prize draw on Feb. 5 In keeping with the spirit of celebration linked to Muscat Festival, al Mazyona grand prize draw will be held for the first time at a ceremony to be telecast live on Oman TV as part of its Hello Muscat on Thursday at 8.30pm at 8.30pm at Al Amerat Park

MUSCAT: Bank Muscat, the flagship financial services provider in the Sultanate, is all set to reward al Mazyona customers with the 2014 year-end big prizes as 15 customers will win Oman’s biggest total cash prizes of OMR1.9 million.

In keeping with the spirit of celebration linked to Muscat Festival,

the grand prize draw will be held for the first time at a ceremony to be telecast live on Oman TV as part of its Hello Muscat programme on Thursday, February 5 at 8.30pm at Al Amerat Park.

The bank has lined up an exciting programme at the prize draw ceremony which is open to the

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public, says a press release.

Fourteen winners across the Sultanate will win OMR100,000 each while one asalah Priority Banking customer will win a whopping OMR500,000 prize money. Customers who maintained a minimum balance of OMR1,000 for the last quarter of 2014 between October and December are eligible for the grand prize draw.

Marking Oman’s 45th Renaissance anniversary, Bank Muscat raised the 2015 al Mazyona prize money to OMR9 million compared to OMR8 million in 2014.

Structured on the thematic ‘45’ reflecting the Sultanate’s 45 years of Renaissance under the leadership of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said, the 2015 al Mazyona savings scheme campaign reaches out with a powerful call to action ‘Save more, Dream big’ guaranteeing more for everyone to share in the

biggest prize money in Oman and the region.

The enhanced 2015 prize money is to be shared by more winners as customers from all regions are guaranteed to win prizes ranging from OMR45,000 a week to OMR450,000 a month and OMR1.5 million at the end of the year. A special prize draw offering OMR450,000 in celebration of the 45th National Day is another highlight. al Mazyona scheme reflects innovative customer segmentation based on two principles — region and demographics — ensuring a higher winning chance to all customers across the Sultanate. The 2015 al Mazyona scheme reaches out to all individual segments with exclusive prizes earmarked for ladies, youth, children and high savings balance customers in all regions where the Bank Muscat branches are located.

E X PA N S I O N

alizz opens new branch in Salalah SALALAH: alizz Islamic bank has expanded its operations by officially opening a new branch in Salalah adding to the four existing branches strategically located across the country. The new branch, which was officially opened on Sunday, February 1, was crowded with more than 100 attendees at the Salalah Commercial Area, says a press release.

The new Salalah branch was officially launched under the patronage of Sayyid Mohammed bin Sultan bin Hamoud Al Busaidi, Minister of State and Governor of Dhofar, in the presence of Sheikh Abdullah bin Saif Al Mahrouqi, Deputy Governor of Dhofar, and Saif bin Suleiman Al Yarubi, COO of alizz Islamic bank. The ceremony was also attended by senior officials of the bank, prominent businessmen, as well as other dignitaries.

“Our presence in Salalah is critical to achieve the ultimate

objective of being closer to our customers and provide them with the cutting-edge products and services in order to make their banking needs more convenient,” said Salaam Al Shaksy, CEO, alizz Islamic bank.

“We aim to focus on the customer experience, and for that to be achieved we have carefully studied and fabricated our in-branch design to create the friendly modern environment our customers and employees deserve,” Al Shaksy added.

G R O W T H S T R AT E G Y

Emami acquires stake in Fravin KOLKATA: Emami Limited, one of the leading personal and healthcare FMCG companies in India has acquired controlling stake (66.67 per cent) in Fravin Pty Ltd., along with its three subsidiaries through Emami International FZE, a subsidiary of Emami Ltd. Fravin Pty Ltd., based in Australia, has major strengths in R&D and manufacturing of natural and organic personal care products. This international acquisition marks Emami’s entry into the fast growing natural and organic Personal Care segment and is in line with the company’s strategy to be present in sectors with high growth potential, says a press release.

“The Fravin acquisition is in sync with the company’s strategy to grow aggressively through both organic and inorganic routes in India and overseas.

This is a significant step for the organisation as the acquisition marks Emami’s entry into organic personal care products, where we were not present earlier. The market for organic personal care products is growing at rapid pace across the world.

The global market for organic products which was over $7.6 billion in 2013, is expected to double in six years,” said Harsh Agarwal, Director, Emami Ltd. Demand for organic personal care products “Rising concerns for health safety, increasing green consciousness and growing awareness of the consumers about the hazards of using products with synthetic chemicals have fuelled the demand for organic personal care products. The acquisition of the Fravin Group specialising in formulations of organic products with many international certifications emphasises our core belief in usage of safe and natural products,” Agarwal added.

“We plan to expand our export portfolio in developed countries through Fravin’s formulations of natural & organic personal care products, where demands for such products are high and future prospects exciting,” stated Prashant Goenka, Director, Emami Ltd. Promoted by the leading trichologist and a world master hairdresser Peter Francis, the Fravin Group manufactures a full range of hair care and skin care products that are certified organic by various certification bodies in Australia and United States such as Australian Certified Organic (ACO), the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and many more.

The company’s leading brand ‘Abache Organics’ was awarded the 1st place in the ‘Green Formulations’ category at the ‘Sustainable Beauty Awards 2014’ held in Paris, France.

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AFRICAN STARS TO GRACE AL AMERAT CHALLENGE African stars as well as the Olympians and Asian Games medal winners from the Gulf region will be the main attractions at the forthcoming Al Amerat Challenge Race. >C3

Riders pushed to the limit

NATIONAL PRIDE: Oman’s Mousab Al Rashidi leading the way as

only three of the seven Omani riders completed the third stage.

South African Olympic hopeful James Reid continued to set the pace after three consecutive stage victories in the Trans Hajar Mountain Bike race

MUSCAT: Challenging terrain and intense racing conditions tripped up even the most experienced cyclists, with many riders falling victim to the conditions on Day Three of the Trans Hajar Mountain Bike stage race.

In a supreme test of the riders’ endurance, the stage began with

the hardest climb of the race, an ascent of 750m, and while a straight downhill single-track section of hard rock provided brief respite, the energy-sapping soft ground of the plantations and abandoned villages of Al Hamra leading to a final 410m climb and quick descent to the finish line pushed both man

TAMING THE TERRAIN: Participants of the Trans Hajar Mountain Bike race at the start of the third stage. – Supplied photos

and machine to the limit.

After the dust had settled, South African Team RECM rider, James Reid, emerged victorious for the third consecutive stage, although today’s victory proved far from easy after he broke a wheel spoke on the first descent.

Team TIB Insurance rider, fellow South African Andrew Hill, almost took advantage of Reid’s misfortune, but a wandering goat halted his attempts.

Hill’s collision ended with a broken front wheel and an early retirement, leaving Kevin Evans and Max Knox, also from South Africa, to battle it out for second place, with only one second separating the two in the overall standings.

Although disappointed with today’s result, Andrew Hill has found

the Trans Hajar Mountain Bike Stage Race a fantastic adventure.

He said, “It’s been an amazing experience — the stage racing calendar in South Africa is really saturated and I think around the world guys are really upping their game in terms of what they can offer.

“The Trans Hajar in Oman has given us everything and more —the vistas, the terrain, the rocks, the dust, the thorny trees and the goats!

It has been a brilliant experience.”

Stage Three also proved challenging for the Omani riders. Only three of the seven competitors completed the course with Mousab Al Rashidi leading the way.

He ended the day in 22nd place with a time of 3:52.00, while Hatim Al Boshri finished ten minutes behind him in 24th and a time of

4:02.46 and Mishari Al Khalili took 27th place in a time of 4:16.23.

Reflecting on his experience so far, Mousab explained it has been a difficult test but he’s enjoying every minute. He said, “This has been a great opportunity to compete against some of the best international professional riders and gauge my progress early in the season.

“Our training only began two months ago and the maximum distance we have trained over so far is 90 kilometres.

“I enjoyed the time trial on the first day of the race and although Day Two was tough, I managed to cross the finishing line just after the elite riders on Day Three.

“This will be an invaluable learning experience in preparation for local and GCC races later in the

season, as well as next year’s Trans Hajar Mountain Bike Race.”

Catherine in front In Open Female Category, Catherine Williamson (GBR) followed last stunning performance with another stage win. She now leads the field by commanding 12 minutes 2 seconds from Hannele Steyn (RSA) and Eszter Dosa (HUN) in third.

Michelle Guerin (NZL) and Reinette Schulze (RSA) are more than two hours behind in fourth and fifth and Gill Sparrow (GBR) is sixth.

Now with an overall lead of 7 minutes 8 seconds James Reid will be looking to build on this gap as the international field of pro and amateur riders prepare for steep gradient climbs of 10% - 20% in the penultimate stage on Monday.

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TU ESDAY, F EB RUARY 3, 2015

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Dhoni’s presence as leader is key, feels Inzamam & Shoaib

SUCCESSFUL RETURN

Johnson tells England to stop ‘dreaming’

Inzamam-ul Haq said having a leader

With due respect and not taking names, I have seen captains, who hide behind the team under pressure but Dhoni is one guy who would make the team hide behind him when under pressure

who knows how to handle pressure makes Dhoni cut above rest

NEW DELHI: Presence of Mahendra Singh Dhoni as a leader makes the Indian team a good unit going into World Cup, former Pakistan cricketers Inzamam-ul Haq and Shoaib Akhtar said on Monday.

“I believe having Dhoni as a leader is a big factor for the Indian team. An experienced captain in a big ticket event is always a plus.

Dhoni is one player, who has performed for India in pressure situations and scripted innumerable comebacks for the team.

“Having a leader who knows how to handle pressure makes Dhoni cut above rest,” Inzamam, who has played five World Cups for Pakistan, said during a

THUMBS UP: Former Pakistan cricketers Inzamam-ul Haq and Shoaib Akhtar says India will do well in the World Cup under the leadership of Mahendra Singh Dhoni . – File photo

Shoaib Akhtar Former Pakistan pacer

‘Cricket Conclave’ organised by News24 channel.

Shoaib was even more forthright while dissecting Dhoni’s style of captaincy.

“With due respect and not taking any names, I have seen captains, who hide behind the team under pressure but Dhoni is one guy who would make the team hide behind him when they are under pressure.

“He is one guy who doesn’t know the meaning of fear,” the straight talking fast bowler expressed his frank opinion.

While Inzamam gave India a “good 60-70 percent” chance, Shoaib rated South Africa and New Zealand as the two teams in with good chance of winning the Cup. Inzamam did not read too much into India’s performance in Test

and tri-nation series Down Under.

“Let me tell you a story. In 1992, we went to Australia a month before World Cup. Not many know that we played six warm up games prior to World Cup and lost all six.

We went onto win World Cup,” Inzy, who looked completely different in his pathani suit and skull cap, said in his inimitable style.

“The wickets in Australia have become very different from what it

used to be during our time. These are good batting tracks. Also two months in Australia have gave them insight and understanding of these tracks.

“Adjustment is always key and Indian team will enjoy the advantage. But I can tell you one thing.

Reverse swing won’t be a factor with two new balls from both ends,” the batting artist from Multan said. - PTI

CRICKET

Clarke ready to play under Smith SYDNEY: Australian skipper Michael Clarke, battling to regain fitness from hamstring surgery and chronic back pain, said Monday he would be prepared to play under the captaincy of young gun Steve Smith.

Amid reports that the team prefer the stand-skipper who has had a sensational summer at the crease ahead of the World Cup, Clarke insisted his relationship with his team-mates was exceptional. And asked on Triple M radio if he would play under Smith’s leadership, the 33-year-old replied: “Most definitely I would.”

Clarke said he had already been in Smith’s position himself.

“I feel for Smithy because I sat in his shoes when a lot of the media were calling for (former captain) Ricky Ponting (to go).

“It’s certainly not personal between Smithy and I. We’ve been friends for a long time and we’ll continue to be. The people that sit above both him and I will make their decisions,” Clarke said.

“Whatever they feel are the best 11 players, they will pick that 11. Whoever they feel is the best captain for the team then they’ll pick that.”

Clarke did his best to bat away reports on Fairfax media that the players prefer the laid-back Smith, who is eight years his jun-

ior. “I’d like to know where it’s coming from,” he said.

“It’s obviously disappointing because I haven’t been around the team ... for the last seven weeks now I’ve been away from the group.

“I feel like my relationship with Cricket Australia , especially my teammates, is exceptional.

“I speak to all my teammates regularly.”

Clarke was forced to bow out after the first Test against India in December with the serious hamstring injury, and Smith filled in as captain for the three remaining Tests.

Smith last week capped a remarkable season by sweeping the main awards at the annual Allan Border Medal ceremony, including Australian player of the year.

Cricket Australia has given Clarke until Australia’s second pool match against Bangladesh on February 21 to prove his fitness for the World Cup. He hit 51 for his local Western Suburbs team on Saturday in his first comeback game, including two fours and a six, and said medical staff considered his recovery was ahead of schedule.

Clarke is now set to play for a Cricket Australia XI in a practice one-dayer against Bangladesh in Brisbane on Thursday. - AFP

CONFIDENT: M. Johnson

PERTH: Making an impactful return in the tri-series final to send England packing, Australian pacer Mitchell Johnson said that the Eoin Morgan-led side would be ‘dreaming’ if they believe that pressure will not be on them in their opening clash of the cricket World Cup. Returning from his monthlong rest, Johnson, who took three wickets to help Australia humble England by 112 runs in the title clash on Sunday, reacted to Morgan’s comment of the pressure being more on the hosts when the two sides’ clash on February 14.

“Every team is under pressure. It is a World Cup. I think they [England] are dreaming if they think they are not under pressure,” Johnson was quoted as saying in the Sydney Morning Herald.

“It’s a knockout situation and you have to win pretty much every game, that is the way I see it. We will try to win all the games we play in, there will be a little bit more pressure on us being a home World Cup but we are prepared for that,” he added.

Johnson said that his job is to perform against everyone.

“It feels nice against any team, to be honest, when you can go out there and perform at your best and do the job that you have been put in the team for,” Johnson said.

“My job is to go out there and bowl fast and be aggressive and take wickets and I felt like I was pretty close to that and that excites me. I was really looking forward to playing some cricket again, the more I play the better I feel,” he said.

Johnson also believes that he can be as intimidating in the ODI format as he is in Test cricket.

“I think at times, yeah, definitely using that short ball worked for me [on Sunday],” he said.

“You have to adapt. Sometimes it is not going to work as much and I have to go to plan B or keep trying. I am a fast bowler who loves to bowl fast and I don’t mind bowling that short ball and that’s what I have always tried to do in all forms of the game,” he concluded. — PTI

T U E S DAY, FE B RUARY 3, 2 0 1 5

C3

SPORTS African stars for Al Amerat Challenge The second edition of the road

A number of international runners have agreed to participate in Al Amerat Challenge thanks mainly to the uniqueness of the race route, which will take the runners through some of the stunning locations, and the challenge it provides to them

race — organised

by Excellence Performance in cooperation with the Oman Athletic Association (OAA), various ministries and government departments on February 14 — is the first AIMS sanctioned race to be

SET FOR THE CHALLENGE: Excellence Performance chief Rashid Al Kindi and Oman Athletic Association official Jihad Al Sheikh during the press briefing of the forthcoming Al Amerat Challenge Race. – Times of Oman / JUN ESTRADA

Rashid Al Kindi Excellence Performance

held in the Sultanate A SESHAGIRI RAO raoas@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: African stars as well as the Olympians and Asian Games medal winners from the Gulf region will be the main attractions at the forthcoming Al Amerat Challenge Race.

The second edition of the road race — organised by Excellence Performance in cooperation with the Oman Athletic Association (OAA), various ministries and government departments on February 14 — is the first AIMS sanctioned race to be held in the Sultanate.

The Association of International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS) works under International Association of Athletic Federations (IAAF) for the development and promotion of distance running throughout the world.

Speaking during a ceremony organised at the Oman Olympic Committee (OOC) headquarters on Monday to officially launch this

year’s Challenge Race and brief the event partners and the media, Excellence Performance chief Rashid Al Kindi said: “A number of international runners have agreed to participate in Al Amerat Challenge thanks mainly to the uniqueness of the race route, which will take the runners through some of the stunning locations, and the challenge it provides to them.”

Two of the star attractions roped in by the organisers this time around are African talents Dickson Marwa Mkami and Tiztia Bogale.

Marwa Mkami is an accomplished Tanzanian long distance runner who represented his country in both track and road races at several international events, including 2006 Commonwealth Games, 2008 Beijing Olympics, 2007 and 2009 World Championships in Japan and Berlin as well as 2007 IAAF World Road Running Championships.

Tiztia Bogale, a regular at the IAAF Diamond League series, is an Ethiopean athlete who won the

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1,500m gold at the 2010 Junior World Championships in Canada and also took part in the 2012 World Indoor Championships in Turkey where she settled for a sixth place.

Al Kindi also informed that the defending champion and Saudi Arabian Olympian Abdullah Al Joud as well as Bahrain’s Asian Games 10,000m bronze medallist Issac Korir will also be taking part in the race.

Team event for Omani clubs While the organisers have managed to rope in several sponsors and partners, Al Kindi informed: “Our main objective is to attract as many people as possible.

“Not just the athletes but people from all walks of life and involve them in the sports activities.”

“Obviously this is an international event and only the best will take away the top honours. But there have been a lot of enquiries on how the local athletes will benefit from this race. So we have introduced a team event for the Omani clubs and besides these two races there will also be a fun race,” he said.

The main Challenge Race, which will be open to both men and women above 17 years of age, and Challenge Race of Omani clubs, will be of nine kilometres while the fun race will be of 1.8 kms.

The top four in the main race will get both cash prizes and medals. The winner will get a gold medal and $4,000, and the runnerup a silver medal and $3,000. Third and fourth place winners will get a bronze medal each and $2,000 and $1,000 respectively. The fifth to eighth place winners will be presented with smart phones.

In the race for the Omanis, where each club will be fielding a minimum of five athletes with top four individual performances to

L O S S F O R PA K I S TA N

Junaid Khan ruled out of World Cup KARACHI: Pakistan left-arm fast bowler Junaid Khan has been ruled out of the World Cup after failing a fitness test on a hamstring injury.

“Junaid has been found not fit to play in the World Cup,” a Pakistan Cricket Board spokesman said on Monday. Junaid was due to leave with the Pakistan team for New Zealand last month but the PCB held him back and sent Bilawal Bhatti instead.

“Junaid had sustained a hamstring injury while bowling during the short conditioning camp in Lahore prior to the team’s departure for New Zealand,” the spokesman said. Junaid, 25, has been Pakistan’s leading paceman in the last two years with 65 Test and 75 One-day Internationals.

“It is very disappointing to miss out on such a major event but I don’t want to let anyone down and can’t play without being 100 percent fit,” Junaid told Reuters.

“I tried my best to make a full recovery but I am still not comfortable while bowling,” he said.

Pakistan were already without leading spinner Saeed Ajmal who is suspended for an illegal bowling action and there are doubts over whether all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez will be allowed to bowl. - Reuters

YOUR BIGGEST ROAD HAZARD IS IN YOUR HAND A TIMES OF OMAN HANDS-FREE DRIVING INITIATIVE

be taken into account, the winning team will get $1,500 and a trophy.

The runners-up and third placed team will get trophies plus $1,000 and $500 respectively. The fourth placed team will also be presented with a trophy.

According to Al Kindi there will also be number attractive prizes in the fun race.

The first 300 to finish the race will receive medals, free membership with Activity Fitness centre and breakfast vouchers from McDonald’s.

The organisers are expecting more than thousand participants, both Omanis and expatriates, in addition to international athletes, including six from the GCC region.

The numbers may exceed the expectations with social service organisations likely to encourage their members to take part in the event.

The organisations who joined the race hosts this year are Al Amal Association, Oman Diabetes Association and Oman Association for Elderly Friends. Speaking

on the occasion Al Amal Association chief His Highness Sayyid Faisal bin Turki Al Said revealed the plans to bring in the people associated with their organisation to the race.

“Besides our scheduled events and activities for 2015, we thought it is good to involve in an event like this. At Al Amal Association we are also involved with the special Olympic programmes,” HH Sayyid Faisal, who is also the vice-chairman of the Oman Special Olympics Committee, said.

“Our plan is to involve our athletes and their families in these kinds of activities. We are hoping to get around 30 to 50 of our atheltes and members take part in this event,” he added.

Omantel, Coca Cola and Arwa are supporting the event as platinum sponsors. McDonald’s, Bank Sohar and Sayarti are the gold sponsors. Pocari Sweat, Oman Riders, Dalma Energy, Activity Fitness, Oman Cables, Aster Al Raffah Hospital and Medcoenergi Oil and Gas are the silver sponsors.

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TU ESDAY, F EB RUARY 3, 2015

SPORTS Ahmad aims to maintain rhythm at Losail Circuit Night races confirmed for Round 4 in Qatar on February 5 and 6

MUSCAT: Oman’s Ahmad Al Harthy will be hoping to maintain his impressive rhythm as he readies himself for another exciting edition under the bright lights of Losail International Circuit for Round 4 of the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East.

Al Harthy showed exactly why Al Nabooda are lucky to have him racing up against the regions finest driver’s as he went toe to toe with the front runners of the series in the most recent outing, Round 3.

Eventually finishing seventh in Race 2 of Round 3, Al Harthy’s consistency guaranteed his team precious points as the battle for supremacy in Season 6 enters its pivotal stages.

After reaching the half way mark in the championship at Losail International Circuit two weeks ago following three rounds

FEELING CONFIDENT: Ahmad Al Harthy. – Supplied photo

and six races, Round 4 represents the start of the second half of the season with Al Harthy on the home straight and both the drivers’ title and team titles still hanging in the balance.

As it stands Season 4 champion and fellow teammate Clemens Schmid (144 pts) of Al Nabooda Racing takes a slender 10 point lead into this weekend’s night races with Al Harthy currently lying in 8th (72 pts) 10 pts off the top six places in the series.

In the team standings it’s even

closer in a two-battle for supremacy with only 9 points separating Skydive Dubai Falcons (225pts) and defending champions Al Nabooda Racing (216 pts).

With Round 5 set to take place at Dubai Autodrome Circuit before a final showdown in Bahrain which will act as support race to the official Bahrain Grand Prix weekend in April, Al Harthy knows that he is entering the most crucial part of the season. Every lap, every qualifying, position and point counts as the race for the championship

heats up starting with Round 4 in Qatar this weekend.

Al Harthy will return to the scene of his last race that saw him take extremely positive strides in ensuring he will finish the Series on a high and he will take nothing for granted as he hopes to make another measured an calculated contribution to the series.

Speaking ahead of Round 4 the Omani driver said “Round 3 was much better for me and I had a better performance overall compared to in the previous rounds. I had the same pace as the cars ahead of me and was waiting for a mistake but everybody drove very well.

“With the performances I feel more confident in the car and now, having raced in this car at all of the circuits, I can look forward to the second half of the season. Each track has its own characteristics; I am learning them and have a good platform to build upon. I am already looking forward to coming back to Doha to improve further.”

“For Al Nabooda Racing it’s all about the team trophy, I have a job to do and I believe I am doing that job and working hard for the team,” he added The region’s leading drivers will line-up in the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup again as the star attractions at Losail International Circuit for Race 1 Round 4.

ISC TENNIS

FINALISTS: Taisei Nishino, right, and Eyad Al Khanjari. – Supplied photo

Taisei takes U-14 title MUSCAT: Talented Japanese teenager Taisei Nishino justified his top seeding by capturing the boys under-14 singles crown at the ISC-Muscat Pharmacy Open Junior Tennis Tournament organised by the Indian Social Club (ISC) Muscat.

In the final, Taisei put in a class act as he demolished the challenge of Eyad Al Khanjari for a comprehensive 6-1, 6-1 victory.

Top seed Muneer Al Rawahi and third seed Ayaan Malhotra were scheduled to clash in the boys under-12 singles final.

Muneer advanced to the pennant clash after two brilliant victories. In the quarterfinal, he battered Kapil Mansinghani 8-0 and in the semifinal, he upped his

game as he was down in the first set against fourth seed Vivek Kolluru and played with maturity to win a tight first set. And then ran through the second set for a 7-5, 6-1 win and a place in the final.

Third seed Ayaan Malhotra put in a gutsy performance to edge past Sanskar Dubey with a fighting 7-6 (7-2), 6-4 victory.

In an evenly matched first set, Ayaan and Sanskar combined caution with aggression and played their hearts out before Ayaan won the first set on the tie-breaker. Ayaan raced to a 4-0 lead in the second set before Sanskar got into rhythm and narrowed the deficit to 4-5. Sanskar fought hard and took Ayaan to four deuces before losing out and Ayaan progressing to the final.

OAB TENNIS

Abdullah, Drar in semifinals MUSCAT: Drar Antar and Abdulrahman Al Hajri made it to the last four stage of their respective categories as the semifinalists are being spotted at the ongoing second Oman Arab Bank (OAB) Tennis Tournament organised by Al Hayat Tennis Center at their courts.

In Sunday’s action, Drar Antar defeated Amr Hassan in straight sets 6-1, 6-2 to book a place in the semifinals of the men’s A singles.

In the last four stage, Drar Antar awaits the winner of the match between Bruno Van Begin and Nashat Helal.

In the men’s B singles, Abdulrahman Al Harji overcame a stiff challenge from Waleed Al Naamani to advance to last four with a well-earned 7-5, 6-4 victory. In a first round match of the same event, Mohammed Reza received a walkover from Amin Husseini.

In the women’s singles, Beatriz Leyva made it the semifinals with a straight sets 6-1, 6-4 victory over Shanaz Patel. Beatriz will clash with Isabella Yvonne for a place in the summit clash.

In the bottom half of the draw, Marla Valdez and Nilourfar Sanei

BOYS U-16: Sultan Musa, right, and Parsa Sanei. – Supplied photo

recorded hard fought victories to reach the second round.

Marla came from behind to defeat Maryam Tahouri 3-6, 6-1 (10-1) while Niloufar won 6-4, 7-6 (10-5) against Debbie Williams.

In the men’s doubles, the pair of Bruno Van Begin and Paul Legulan and duo of Sajid Khan and Khalid Ikram moved into the second round in contrasting styles.

While Bruno and Paul advanced without hitting a ball after receiving a walkover from Hrithik Khimji and Ishan Dharamsey, Sajid and Khalid defeated Mohammed Al Falahi and Fawaz Al Manzare.

In the boys under-12 Com-

petition, Ayvret Van Waveren stormed into the semifinals after defeating Zaid Husseini 9-1.

In a first round match, Azzan Al Hajri accounted for Alexander Jakson 9-3. In the second round, he takes on Tareq Husseini.

Sultan Musa made it to the last four of the boys under-16 category when he defeated Parsa Sanei 9-4.

Eyad al Khanjari, meanwhile, defeated Mahdi Al Lawati 9-1 to enter quarterfinals, where he meets Pablo Echeverri.

In the girls under-16 competition, which is being played on a round robin league format, Sahar Sanei recorded a 9-1 victory over Laila Helal.

CRICKET

Australia head for World Cup on top of rankings DUBAI: Australia will enter the World Cup next week on top of the world rankings following their convincing 112-run tri-series final victory over England in Perth on Sunday.

Australia’s victory means they currently hold a six-point advantage over second-placed India, who also featured in the series.

The World Cup takes place in Australia and New Zealand from February 14 until March 29.

Rankings: 1. Australia 120pts, 2. India 114, 3. South Africa 113, 4. Sri Lanka 109, 5. England 104, 6. New Zealand 101, 7. Pakistan 96, 8. West Indies 94, 9.

Bangladesh 75, 10. Zimbabwe 53, 11. Afghanistan 41, 12. Ireland 34. - AFP

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SPORTS

Imco students hoping to enjoy SATT debut Making their debut in The Tour, Team

Obviously, we don’t expect to compete for the podium. So for the guys, this is all about enjoying the experience

Imco, representing the International Maritime College Oman, is also playing host to the first stopover of the new look 2015 race

Mathijs Wagemans Team Imco skipper

MUSCAT: The young novices on board Team Imco are preparing for the ride of their lives in EFG Sailing Arabia–The Tour 2015, but with just a few months of sailing experience between them, they have few expectations of toppling the champions.

Making their debut in The Tour, Team Imco, representing the International Maritime College Oman, is also playing host to the first stopover of the new look 2015 race after the fleet leave Muscat on February 15.

The team is skippered by Mathi-

js Wagemans, an experienced Dutch sailor who doubles up as Head of Port, Shipping and Transportation Management Department at Imco, located in Sohar.

Putting together a brand new team has been an exciting project, said Wagemans who will return to the Netherlands the day after EFG Sailing Arabia - The Tour concludes, following a four-year assignment in Oman.

Wagemans has been helped in his preparations by Mohsin Al

Busaidi, Oman Sail’s Keelboat and Women Team Manager and the first Arab to sail around the world non-stop, who designed the selection programme and put the raw recruits through their paces.

“We started in September with Mohsin who introduced the guys to sailing. His emphasis from the outset was not on winning but on showing how commitment has a direct relationship to achievement.

“Our selection process began with 30 students who all complet-

ed their Oman Sail Level 1 and 2 courses and we have whittled the squad down to nine sailors who have been undergoing intensive training since November. Obviously, we don’t expect to compete for the podium so for the guys, this is all about enjoying the experience. They will remember it for the rest of their lives.”

EFG Sailing Arabia – The Tour is a unique sailing challenge and the only Pan-GCC offshore sailing race of its kind in the region.

It showcases four different countries across a course of 760 nautical miles and 15 days, which, since it was established in 2011, has appealed to all types of sailors from some of the highest profile offshore sailors in the world to complete amateurs.

His students, who hail from Oman, Kazakhstan and India, and are all studying for their Merchant Navy qualifications or qualifying as marine engineers at Imco, have been handed a once in a lifetime opportunity, says Wagemans who will hope to pass on the experience of his 25-year career in sailing Olympic class and IRC boats.

“It is going to be great experience. If you don’t expect to compete for the podium, this is all about enjoying the experience and these guys will remember this for the rest of their lives,” he said.

INDIAN SCHOOL MAABELA WIN INTER-SCHOOL RELAY GOLD AND BRONZE Indian School Maabela struck gold in the Inter-School Relay Competition hosted by Indian School Muscat recently.

Oman’s motorsport hero Ahmad Al Harthy was the chief guest. Girls quartet, comprising Anusha T., Sumayya Anas, Hana Bint Abdul Salam, Syed Shasiya Ifath and Hiya Kukani, won gold while boys team of Yallabandi Abhiram, Sankalp Pattanayak, Deva T., Meyyappan Lakshmanan and Ananthoji Vishnu settled for a bronze. — Supplied photos

CRICKET

Al Faisal Team defeat Kokni Boys to clinch New Year Cup

MUSCAT: Al Faisal Team recorded a 35-run win over Kokni Boys to clinch the title at the New Year Cup cricket tournament organised

by Abu Maather Team on Friday.

In the final played at Bausher Municipality Ground, Al Faisal after being asked to bat first scored 79 runs for seven wickets in eight overs. Ifrat Cheema top scored with 36 runs.

In reply, Kokni Boys were restricted to 44 for eight in eight overs. Zahir and Adnan claimed three and two wickets respectively.

Earlier in the semifinals, Kokni Boys defeated Al Naba by one wicket while Al Faisal beat Oman Engineering by nine wickets.

Chief guest Major (retd) Amour Sulaiman Al Hosni presented the winners and runners-up trophies

while Gayasuddin Chougle, Marketing Manager of Capital Insurance Company, was the guest of honour.

Individual awards: Player of the tournament: Parvez Hasan (Kokni Boys), best batsman and most number of sixes: Wasim Jamadar (Kokni Boys), best bowler: Vijay (Al Naba), best fielder: Abdullah Khan (OEC) and best team: AMT Ofsat Warriors.

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CRICKET

Al Yam in semifinals

MUSCAT: Al Yam defeated Oasis Water by eight wickets to enter the semifinals of the Al Yam Republic Day of India Cricket Cup organised by the Bhojpuri Wing of Indian Social Club Muscat.

Batting first Oasis scored 49 for 3 in eight overs and in reply Arvind (14 not out) spurred Al Yam to 52 for 2 in just 4.5 overs.

In other matches, Auditors

XI beat Nepalese Lumbini by nine wickets, Air India swamped Teachers XI by 9 wickets.

Other results: Insurance XI 68-1 in 8 overs (Nishit 29) bt CBD Challangers 52-5 in 8 overs. ISC 70-1 in 8 overs (Aftab 29) lost to Al Ahli Bank 71-7 in 7 overs (Partha 22). GDC 57-8 in 8 overs (Suhail 26) lost to Al Yam 58-3 in 8 overs (Arvind 38). Al Khoud XI 64-4 in 8 overs (Sagir 17) beat Al Amal Medical 47-4 in 8 overs.

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TU ESDAY, F EB RUARY 3, 2015

SPORTS

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MOTORSPORT

Omani drivers excel at Auto X in Sharjah D DIVISION: Al Faisal after defeating FAP UTSC. – Supplied photos

C DIVISION: Z Axis who defeated Uday Khimji International.

MCCC A win by massive margin MUSCAT: Muscat Cricket Coaching Centre A (MCCC A) registered a massive 171-run win against OCT Al Amerat in a Khimji Ramdas-sponsored B Division 30 overs-a-side match.

Batting first, MCCC A piled up a mammoth 309 for eight in 30 overs despite a four-wicket haul by Nasser Al Balushi. In reply OCT Al Amerat, after having been docked an over for slow over rates, were bowled out for 138 off 23.2 overs.

Brief scores: MCCC A 309 for 8 in 30 overs (Aadil Abbas Ali 96, Ivan Manjila 89, Karan Pandya 36, Shaijad Yunus 31; Nasser Al Balushi 4/46) bt OCT Al Amerat 138 all out in 23.2overs (Samir Al Balushi 30, Faisal Al Sabri 29; Ivan Manjila 2/16, Karan Pandya 2/18). Points: MCCC A 2 (6 games, 6 pts), OCT Al Amerat Nil (6 games, Nil).

Easy for Z-Axis Kimberley G. Bentick took six wickets to help Z-Axis Media record a 101-run win against Uday Khimji International in an Al Ansari Group of Companies-sponsored C Division T20 match.

Brief scores: Z-Axis Media 200 for 6 in 20 overs (Vijeesh C. Velunni 45, Waseem Al Balushi 39 n.o., Melwin Mathew 29, Sajith Gopalakrishnan 24; Usman Asghar 2/46) bt Uday Khimji International 99 all out in 15.1 overs (Derick W. George 40; Kimberley G. Bentick 6/27, Nowfal Raymarakkar 2/8, Sujith Kumar Rajagopalan 2/23). Points: Z-Axis Media 2 (5 games, 10 pts), Uday Khimji International Nil (5 games, 2 pts).

Al Faisal on a roll Ghazanfar Iqbal took five wickets

Nasser Al Balushi

Kaja Mohaideen

Ivan and Aadil

to help Al Faisal register a sevenwicket win against FAP UTSC in a Raha Poly Products-sponsored D Division T20 match.

and thereafter bagged three wickets to help Majees register a thrilling seven-run win against Oasis Water in an F Division T20 match.

Brief scores: FAP UTSC 86 all out in 14.1 overs (Faleel Thaikankandy 30; Ghazanfar Iqbal 5/22 and Mohd Sufyan 3/14) lost to Al Faisal 89 for 3 in 6.4 overs (Mohd Ihsan 40 and Mohd Amjad 30 n.o.; Wazir Ali 2/14). Points: Al Faisal 2 points (7 Games – 13 points) and FAP UTSC Nil points (6 Games –Nil points).

Brief scores: Majees 172 for 6 in 20 overs (Abdul Ghani Rahim Bakhsh Al Balushi 75 n.o., Aneeq Jassim 36, Mohsin Abbas 21; Shaiju S. 3/36, Kannan P. 2/32) bt Oasis Water 165 for 7 in 20 overs (Kannan P. 47, Rohan Kurian 44; Abdul Ghani Rahim Bakhsh Al Balushi 3/20).

Points: Majees 2 (6 games, 4 pts), Oasis Water - Nil (5 games, 4 pts).

ets for 21 in four overs as Mustafa Sultan Enterprises (MSE) recorded an eight-wicket win against Caledonian College in an I Division T20 match.

Future Oilfield win In a H Division T20 match, Future Oilfield trounced Rukun Al Yaqeen (RAY) by nine wickets.

Electing to bat first, a 10-member RAY scored 152 for four in 20 overs. Future Oilfield scored 155 for one in 11.3 overs.

Brief scores: Rukun Al Yaqeen 152 for 4 in 20 overs (Rajesh Ayyavu 57 n.o. and Ragunath M. 40 n.o.) lost to Future Oilfield 155 for 1in 11.3 overs (Ali Murtaza 81 n.o. and Muzaffar Nasim 52 n.o).

Points: Future Oilfield 2 (7 games, 9 pts), Rukun Al Yaqeen Nil (6 games, Nil).

Abdul Ghani shines Abdul Ghani Rahim Bakhsh Al Balushi made an brilliant unbeaten 75

I DIVISION: Mustafa Sultan Enterprises celebrate their victory.

MARH down Atkins In another F Division T20 match, Moosa Abdul Rahman Hassan (MARH) recorded a 16-run win against Atkins.

Brief scores: MARH 184 for 5 in 20 overs (Jijo Abraham 55, Khalid Moosa 45, Mohd Rizwan R. 41 and Mohd Ayaz 20; V. Giridharan 3/39) bt Atkins 168 for 9 in 20 overs (Mohd Amir 29, Sajeev Thamarath 27 and Ateef Yousuf Pir Mohd Al Balushi 25; Khalid Moosa 3/32, Mohd Ayaz 2/14 and Anwar Ul Haq 2/25). Points: MARH 2 (6 games, 5 pts) and Atkins Nil (6 games, 5 pts).

MSE win Hillary D’Souza bagged five wick-

Brief scores: Caledonian College 138 for 9 in 20 overs (Hamza Yunus 42, Shoyeb Yunus 34 and Mohd Shafeeq 28; Hillary D’Souza 5/21) lost to MSE 139 for 2 in 16.1 overs (Mohd Adnan 53, Abdulla Alam 40 n.o., Anumodh Nair 20).

Points: MSE 2 (7 games, 9 pts), Caledonian College - Nil (6 games, 10 pts).

Kaja dazzles Kaja Mohaideen claimed five for 16 in four overs to help a 10-man Douglas OHI register a 26-run win against ISC Kutchi Wing in a J Division T20 match.

Brief scores: Douglas OHI 131 all out in 18.1 overs (Ramsheela Prasad 20 and Jubin K. Thomas 20; Sagar Trantukar 3/20, Ashish Jethwa 2/10, Sachin Mamnani 2/27 and Asif Khan 2/27) bt ISC Kutchi Wing 105 all out off 16.2 overs (Mohd Ahmed 36 and Hardik Limbani 22; Kaja Mohaideen 5/16 and Santosh Kumar 2/24). Points: Douglas OHI - 2 points (7 Games – 8 points) andISC Kutchi Wing - Nil points (7 Games –Nil points).

F DIVISION: Majees after their win over Oasis Water.

MUSCAT: A four-member Oman Auto X team excelled and won top places at the first round of the 2015 Auto X Championship in Sharjah recently. The Omani team comprised Mazin and Nabeel Al Shaibani , Mannan Al Rawahi and Al Salt Al Kharusi.

According to a press release issued by the Oman Automobile Association (OAA) on Monday, Mannan driving a Ford Focus ST in the FWD Class Stock category won the third place. He also managed to finish seventh overall with a time of 1:35:1. Salt driving a Subaru STi clinched top honours in the AWD

Stock category while finishing fifth overall in a time of 1:29:8 Mazin and Nabeel sharing a Mitsubishi Evo VI took part in the AWD Race category.

Mazin won the second place in his class in a time of 1:29:4 while his brother Nabeel clinched the first place in 1:27:6. Nabeel also won overall third place while Mazin took fourth overall spot.

Nabeel, who is returning to the track after a gap of more than a year, is delighted with his performance and hoped to do even better in the next round which takes place on February 26.

TENNIS

Al Barwani bags U-18 bronze at GCC meet MUSCAT: Abdullah Al Barwani was the lone medal winner for Oman in the GCC Cup for Under-18 and Under-14 categories, which concluded in Kuwait recently.

Oman’s delegation comprised of Saeed Al Barmani (head of delegation), Ahmad Al Balushi (administrative manager), Abdallah Al Yahyaee (official), Arjay Canoza (coach).

The Under-18 team consisted of Younis Al Rawahi, Abdullah Al Barwani, Amar Al Khanjari and the under -14 team consisted of Moneer Al Rawahi, Eyad Al Khanjari , Abdullah Al Raissi , Ali Al Sarhani.

Abdullah Al Barwani (seeded sixth in the draw) beat Kuwait’s Hussein Ali Jamal 61-75 followed by the win over UAE’s player Fahd Al Janahi 61-61 and then lost the semifinal match against Saudi Arabia’s Omar Ahmad 6-1, 3-6, 0-6.

The gold medal in the U-18 category went to Saudi Arabia’s Ammar Al Hakbani and silver went to Saudi Omar Ahmad with Omani Abdullah Al Barwani and Saudi Arabia’s Faisal Al Rabdi sharing the bronze medal.

CRICKET

Sachin and Rahul refused to take off shirts at Lord’s’ NEW DELHI: He was the manager of the Indian cricket team during its memorable Natwest Trophy triumph over England at Lord’s way back in 2002 and Rajiv Shukla on Monday revealed that Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman refused then skipper Sourav Ganguly’s request of taking off their shirts and wave it.

Shukla, who was sitting by Ganguly’s side at the Lord’s balcony, on Monday recollected that evening’s incident.

“I remember Saurav wanted to give it back to Andrew Flintoff, who had taken off his jersey and waved at the crowd in Mumbai. Actually Saurav wanted the whole team to take off their jerseys and wave it. But Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman all had politely declined Saurav’s request of doing the same,” Shukla regaled the audience with his anecdote at a ‘Cricket Conclave’ organised by a private channel. - PTI

C

LIFE & STYLE

SECTION

WWW.TIMESOFOMAN.COM T U ES DAY, FEB RUARY 3, 2 0 1 5

The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu gets all the acclaim — and visitors — but its neighbour, the Lares Trek, offers a revelatory experience

M

ountains bring out the philosopher in you. It can’t be helped. It’s something to do with fundamental consciousness, the presence of eternity, the freighted Zen of the earth’s natural monuments, the closeness of the transient sky. So, at 4,414 metres up in the Huchuy Qosqo

Pass in Peru’s Sacred Valley, when I should have been contemplating the legacy of Pachacutec, Atahualpa, and other Inca rulers.

High in the Andes, out of breath just thinking about the next step, and with a heart-rate mimicking the William Tell Overture, they say you’ll find out what you’re made of. Sensing my answer wouldn’t be good, I flew from Lima into the Inca capital, Cusco, and began following advice that drinking tea made out of coca leaves helps alleviate altitude sickness. The psycho-active alkaloid of coca is cocaine; so coca tea is surely the cuppa which would’ve had Jimi Hendrix’s approval.

Apparently an excessive coca tea regime is a mistake. I’d also been taking acetazolamide tablets without realising one side-effect was paresthesia, pins and needles in your feet and fingers. I woke up

in Cusco at the ultracomfortable El Mercado hotel sensing just the hint of a Nazca Plate earthquake in my room. There wasn’t one. The Sacred Valley, stretching from Pisac to Ollantaytambo — where an hour on the train will then take you to Aguas Calientes just below Machu Picchu — was the heart and soul of an empire that from the 13th century stretched out from Cusco to conquer a large swathe of pre-Columbian South America.

Before the Spanish conquistadores, led by Francisco Pizarro, destroyed the Inca dynasty in the mid-16th century, their governed territory covered an area the size of western Europe.

The hard-school exploration of the high mountain route which ends at Machu Picchu’s Sun Gate is the classic four-day Inca Trail.

But conveyor-belt overcrowding in places has led to an alternative route north of the Urubamba River, the Camino Salcantay, gaining in popularity. A few years ago, a local operator, Mountain Lodges of Peru (MLP), opened plush, small-scale lodges along the Salcantay receiving applause from no less an authority than National Geographic, which called it “the cool way” to the Inca ruins.

MLP, sticking with the same high-end formula, has now turned

to the Lares Trail in the Sacred Valley and opened two classy lodges, with a third on its way this autumn, that serve as a deluxe reward after a hard day’s trekking. The basic idea is that a drafty bothy, re-heated soup, and a damp duvet isn’t always required for the full mountain experience. So instead there are beautiful bedrooms, Michelinaspiration cuisine, hot powerful showers — and, as mentioned, the above-the-clouds Jacuzzi at 3,800 metres at Huancahuasi.

If you think your legs and lungs are incapable of another grinding step, it’s surprising what the peace of a five-star kip in crisp linen and a decent Chilean merlot can do for the spirit.

The party that set out on the Lares Trail included two young MLP staffers, two expert guides, and Tracey, a middle-aged redoubtable traveller from Australia’s Northern Territory who was taking in Peru en route to a family Christmas in Las Vegas. A weekly football game in Cusco at 3,431 metres meant the two staffers were used to altitude and took to the mountains like teenagers using shopping mall lifts. The tough Australian wasn’t going to cave. And I assumed that as the ritual sacrifice of journalists — helicoptered off the hill suffering deflated egos — was no longer practised, I’d be OK. My backpack on day one had enough clothing to accommodate weather in the Bahamas and Nepal. I was a bit over-prepared.

However, on the first day’s hike from Chinchero, over the Huallata Pass and then down towards a late lunch at Huchuy Qosqo (“Little Cusco” in the Quechua language) I’d been sweltered, cold, rained on, and went through nearly every item, plastic poncho included, that had been stuffed into my day-pack.

There are no roads into the archaeological site at Huchuy Qosqo. You need to walk. Below the main site, there are renovated store houses where the Incas used to keep the maize, potatoes — there are 3,800 varieties in Peru — and beans that guaranteed a regular food surplus throughout their empire. The Incas mastered highaltitude farming by constructing layered micro-climates and storage complexes that could accommodate 70 crops capable of being stockpiled for up to seven years.

There’s no point in boasting about York Minster being completed in 1472 and noting that Pachacutec was just constructing Machu Picchu, a sort of Inca Chequers, around the same time.

No, look instead at the Inca’s irrigation architecture, and terraced platforms surrounding their major archaeological sites. Then ask — how complex was English agronomy at the time? Day two meant a climb to the Challwaccasa Pass, a downhill trek to the village of Viacha, the appearance of barbecued guinea pig at lunch, and a further trek to the hilltop Inca fortress at Pisac. Sanctuary at the end of the first two days was at Lamay Lodge just south of Calca. The next two days’ base camp was Huacahuasi Lodge, north of the Urubamba River and sits on the edge of a mountain village.

Both buildings are new, big, and have yet to work out how they can deliver intimate comfort in their open spaces.

Day three meant Cuncani, a two-hour hike to the Cruzccasa

Pass at 4,188m and a lengthy descent back to Huacahuasi. Day four was the toughest with a series of ascents and descents through two passes, lunch at Qeywaqocha Lake and an end to the day at the village of Qelqena, where a beer felt like a justified survival ceremony.

The fifth day, supposed to be easier, wasn’t. It involved a trek up the Ipsaycocha Pass (4,333 metres) and then down to a glacial lake for lunch. The long march home, a gradual descent back to Patacancha, felt in places like Glencoe on a calm day.

Over the week, the trail’s tented lunches became a hybrid of rescue and emergency miracle work. Soup, trout farmed in high lakes, mashed spuds, stirfries, wine-poached pears, barbecued meat and chicken, sweet fruit and teas — all appeared just when you felt your feet might abandon you. So, resuscitated and revived, you go on, passing another herd of llamas, more alpaca, dogs, women in colourful outfits and hats weaving in the clouds. -James Cusick/The Independent

C8

TU ESDAY, F EB RUARY 3, 2015

EXTRA A TREATMENT that promises to reduce double chins through a so-called “fatburner” injection could soon be on offer to the public.

By injecting a specially formulated chemical known as ATX-101 into the skin, fat cells beneath the skin known as “submental fat” are removed.

The procedure claims to contour the area without affecting any surrounding tissue. The drug is a version of deoxycholic acid, the molecule that occurs naturally in the body and helps to destroy fat.

US watchdogs are currently

considering whether to approve the treatment. If they were to give it the go-ahead, European regulators could be encouraged to follow.

Advisors to the US Food and Drug Administration have scheduled talks to decide their advice ahead of an FDA ruling in May. Injectable drugs such as Botox and dermal fillers are typically used to plump or smooth areas on the face, yet the removal of fat around the chin typically involves more radical procedures. A simple injection is likely to be seen as a far more appealing method than

going into surgery that involves increased risk and costs. In a 2013 study conducted by research institutions in Manchester and Plymouth in the UK, and in Berlin, Germany, and California in the US — 363 people received up to four treatments of ATX0101 injections (each consisting of two doses) or placebo injections over 12 weeks.

The NHS UK website says that over 90 per cent of people receiving ATX-101 in 2013 experienced some side effects, most of which were mild and disappeared in time. However, some reported

DOUBLE CHINS COULD BE ‘CURED’ WITHOUT SURGERY OR DIETING USING NEW INJECTION

moderate or severe injection-related pain. 13 per cent withdrew from further treatment sessions due to side effects.

The injections have now been tested on 1,600 people across the USA and Europe. Manufacturers Kythera Biopharmaceuticals Inc said more than 90 per cent of trialists had a reductions of fat after two years.

Both doses of the drug were seen to “significantly reduce” the amount of excess fat under the chin in comparison with the placebo. -Roisin O’Connor/The Independent

T U E S DAY, FE B RUARY 3, 2 0 1 5

C9

ENTERTAINMENT CINEMA SCHEDULE

BAHJA CINEMA Wild Card (2D)(Action | Crime) (15+) Cast: Jason Statham, Michael Angarano, Dominik GarcĂ­a 2:00, 6:00, 10:00, 11:45 PM American Sniper (2D) (Act | Bio) (15+) Cast: Bradley Cooper, Sienna Miller, Kyle Gallner 2:15, 9:15, 11:45 PM Black Sea (2D) (Adv | Thriller) (TBC) Cast: Jude Law, Scoot McNairy, Ben Mendelsohn 3:45, 7:45, 9:15 PM Blackhat (2D) (Action | Crime) (12+) Cast: Chris Hemsworth, Viola Davis, Wei Tang 2:40, 11:30 PM Selma (2D) (Biog | Drama) (PG) Cast: David Oyelowo, Carmen Ejogo; 6:45 PM BirdMan (2D) (Com | Drama) (15+) Cast: Michael Keaton, Zach GaliďŹ anakis, Edward Norton 4:45, 7:00 PM Darker Than Night (2D) (Horr) (TBC) Cast: Zuria Vega, Adriana Louvier, 5:00 PM

Wild Card (2D) (Action/Crime) (15+) Cast: Jason Statham, Dominik GarcĂ­a 10:30AM, 02:00, 06:00 & 10:00PM Gold Class: 12:00, 04:00 & 11:15 PM Robot Overlords (2D) (Act/Sci Fi) Cast: Gillian Anderson, Ben Kingsley, Callan McAuliffe

12:15 PM & 02:15 PM Black Sea (2D) (Thriller/Adventure) Cast: Jude Law, Scoot McNairy 03:45, 07:45 & 11:45 PM Gold Class: 01:45 PM Song Of The Sea (2D) (Anim) (12+) Cast: Brendan Gleeson, Pat Shortt 10:45 AM & 12:30 PM Black Hat (2D) (Act/Crime) (12+) Cast: Chris Hemsworth, Viola Davis, Wei Tang 04:00 PM American Sniper (2D)(Act/Bio)(15+) Cast: Bradley Cooper, Sienna MillerTimings: 11:45 PM Gold Class: 05:45 PM Baby (Hindi) (2D) (Act/Crime) (12+) Cast: Akshay Kumar, Tapsee Pannu 08:50 PM Gold Class: 08:15 PM Selma (2D) (Biography/Drama) (PG) Cast: David Oyelowo, Carmen Ejogo, Tim Roth 06:30 PM

SCREEN 1 Hawaizaada - Hindi - (Drama) (PG ) Cast: Ayushmann Khurrana, Mithun Chakraborty and Pallavi Sharda 3:30pm Baby - Hindi - (Thriller) (12+ ) Cast: Akshay Kumar, Taapsee Pannu, Rana Daggubati, Kay Kay Menon 6.30, 9.30pm SCREEN 2 Baby - Hindi - (Thriller | Act) (12+ ) 3:45pm Hawaizaada - Hindi - (Drama ) (PG ) 6.45pm Alone - Hindi - (Thriller) (18+)

Cast: Bipasha Basu and Karan Singh Grover 9.45 pm SCREEN 3 P. K (Comedy) (PG) Cast: Aamir Khan, Anushka Sharma 3:45pm, 9.45pm Alone - Hindi - (Thriller) (18+) Cast: Bipasha Basu and Karan Singh Grover 6.45pm

Baby â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 2D (12+) Action | Crime | Mystery Cast: Akshay Kumar, Anupam Kher, Tapsee Pannu 11:15pm

Wild Card (Act | Crime ) (15+) 03:30, 05:15, 10:00, 11:45pm Robot Overlords (Action |Adventure | Sci-Fi) (TBC) 03:00, 09:45pm Darker Than Night (Horror) (15+) Cast: Zuria Vega, Adriana Louvier, ErĂŠndira Ibarra 03:00, 04:45, 11:30pm Hawaizaada(Hindi) (Bio ) (PG) Cast: Mithun Chakraborty, Ayushmann Khurrana 07:00, 11:15pm American Sniper (Act | Bio) (15+) Cast: Bradley Cooper, Kyle Gallner 04:40, 08:45pm Baby (Hindi) (Act | Mystery) (12+) Cast: Akshay Kumar, Tapsee Pannu 07:00pm Nagara Varidhi Naduvil Njan (Mal) (Comedy | Drama) (TBC) 06:30pm

Black Sea â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 2D (15+) Adv | Thriller Cast: Jude Law, Scoot McNairy 03:45, 06:00, 09:30, 11:45pm Wild Card â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 2D (15+) Act | Crime Cast: Jason Statham, Michael Angarano, Dominik GarcĂ­a 02:00, 03:00, 08:15, 10:00, 11:45pm Blackhat â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 2D (12+) Act | Crime Cast: Chris Hemsworth, Viola Davis, Wei Tang 04:45, 7:10, 11:30 PM Song of the Sea â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 2D (PG) Animation | Family | Fantasy Cast: Brendan Gleeson, Fionnula Flanagan, Pat Shortt 03:15, 05:00pm Nagara Varidhi Naduvil Njan â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 2D (PG) Comedy | Drama Cast: Sreenivasan, Sangeetha 06:45pm American Sniperâ&#x20AC;&#x201C; 2D (15+) Act | Bio Cast: Bradley Cooper, Sienna Miller, Kyle Gallner 3:15, 05:45, 09:00 PM Hawaizaada â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 2D (PG) Com | Dra Cast: Sreenivasan, Sangeetha, Bheeman Raghu 08:15pm

American Sniper (2D) ( Act ) (12+) 04:30pm Wild Card (Act | Crime ) (15+) Cast: Jason Statham, Dominik 04:30 PM, 07.00, 11:30pm Baby (Hindi) ( Act / Crime ) (12+)

08:45 pm Darker Than Night ( Horrer ) (15+) Cast : Zuria Vega, Adriana Louvier 06:15pm Nagara Varidhi Naduvil Njan (Tel) Cast:Sreenivasan, Sangeetha 10:45pm Hawaizaada (Bio) ( PG ) Cast : Mithun Chakraborty, Ayushmann Khurrana 8:00pm

Wild Card (2D/15+) (Act/Cri) 2:00, 6:00, 10:00, 11:45pm American Sniper (2D/15+) (Act) 2:00, 11:30pm Black Sea (2D/TBC) (Adv/Thriller) Cast: Jude Law, Scoot McNairy, 12:00, 12:15PM, 2:00PM, 3:45PM, 7:45PM, 9:00PM Blackhat (2D/12+) (Act/Crime) Cast: Chris Hemsworth, Viola Davis, Wei Tang 11:30AM, 4:15pm Selma (2D/PG) (Biog/Drama) Cast: David Oyelowo, Carmen Ejogo, Tim Roth 11:45am, 4:15pm, 6:45pm Nagara Varidhi Naduvil Njan (2D/ TBC) (Comedy/Drama) Cast: Sreenivasan, Sangeetha 6:30PM Hawaizaada (2D/TBC) (HindiDrama/Fantasy) 8:40pm Baby (2D/12) (Act/Crime/Mystery) 11:15pm

Wild Card : (Action / Crime) Cast : Jason Statham, Michael Angarano, Dominik GarcĂ­a-Lorido 3.30, 5.15 ,10.00 pm & 11.55pm.

CP No : 260 (15+) Blackhat : (Action / Crime) : Chris Hemsworth, Viola Davis, Wei Tang 3.00 , 7.30 & 11.55pm CP No : 261(12+) American Sniper: (Adv/ Drama) Cast : Jason Hall, Chris Kyle 1.00 , 7.00 & 9.30pm CP No : 181 (15+) Darker Than Night : ( Horror ) Cast: Zuria Vega, Adriana Louvier, ErĂŠndira Ibarra 5.30 pmCP No : (15+) Taken 3 : (Act / Thriller ) Cast: Liam Neeson, Maggie Grace 1.00pm CP No : 153 ( 12+ )

Film Information - 24540856 / Advance Booking - 24540855 Website: www.albahjacinemaoman.com

STARS CINEMA Film information 24791641 / 24786776 â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;? (Tamil) ( Action\Thriller) Cast: Vikram, Amy Jackson 3:00, 6:30 & 10:00 pm Cinema Main, 9.45pm at Cinema 2 Baby - Hindi - (Thriller | Act),Cast: Akshay Kumar, Taapsee Pannu, Rana Daggubati, Anupam Kher, Kay Kay Menon 3:45, 6:45 & 9:45pm Cinema 3 Nagaravaridhi Naduvil Najaan Cast:Sreenivasan, Sangeetha 3:30, 6:30pm at Cinema 2/ 10 pm at Cinema Main Chinnadana Nee Kosam (Tel)(Com) Cast: Nitin Reddy & Misnti 3:45 pm Cinema 4 P K (Hindi) (Comedy) Cast: Aamir Khan, Sanjay Dutt 6:45 & 9:45pm Cinema-4; Next Change: Mariyam Mukku ( Mal)/Yennai Arindhaal ( Tamil)

For More Information 24789032, 24786776 Website: www.isurf.co.om

ACES ON BRIDGE

One looks good, but consider others

SUDOKU

HOW TO PLAY Fill the empty cells with the numbers 1 to 9, so that each number appears once in each row, column and area. â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Seven Galaxies

Previous puzzle Solution

MARMADUKE

CROSSWORD

B I G NAT E

ACROSS 1 An NCO 4 Mantra chants 7 â&#x20AC;&#x153;Watch your head!â&#x20AC;?

11 Popeyeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hi 12 March starter 13 Quechua speaker 14 Heavy rain 16 No sweat!

17 Coliseum 18 Orange Bowl city 20 Debussy subject 21 Nesting place 23 Skip stones 26 Roquefort hue 27 Minority group 28 Prom honoree 31 Rust and patina 33 How does that â&#x20AC;&#x201D; ya?

34 Oater showdown 35 Hex halved 36 Pine for 38 Terse affirmative 41 Motel vacancies 43 Speculate 45 Omnia vincit â&#x20AC;&#x201D; 47 Most two-faced 49 â&#x20AC;&#x153;Fancyâ&#x20AC;? singer 50 Agentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

51 52 53 54

percentage Fingerprint, e.g.

Go belly-up Fabric meas.

Lemony drink

DOWN 1 Washing the dishes, e.g.

2 Ability to make things happen 3 Vanessaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sister 4 So thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s it!

5 Oahu attire 6 Bit of holly 7 Carpe â&#x20AC;&#x201D;!

8 Without any assistance 9 Vaccine amts.

10 Round Table knight 11 Not know from â&#x20AC;&#x201D; 15 Cello player â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Casals 19 Sigh of relief 22 Not â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;neath 24 Highest-ranked card 25 Qt. parts 26 Overalls type 27 â&#x20AC;&#x201D; vous plait

28 Bilkoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s rank (abbr.)

29 Use poor judgment 30 Kenyaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s capital 31 Not just mine 32 Inert gas 34 Hurried 36 Attention getter 37 Returnable bottle

38 Bond return 39 Follow upon 40 Seeger or Sampras 42 Kind of surgeon 44 Bigger than elite 45 Playful bark 46 Drop â&#x20AC;&#x201D; â&#x20AC;&#x201D; line 48 Switch positions

Answer to previous puzzle

RALPH Richardson, one of the best thespians ever, said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Actors are the jockeys of literature. Others supply the horses, the plays, and we simply make them run.â&#x20AC;?

When a cast takes its bow, I always think that the playwright ought to be there, too. But if the actors are bad, the play will not work.

However, the key word in Richardsonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s observation for todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s deal is â&#x20AC;&#x153;others.â&#x20AC;? Bridge is full of â&#x20AC;&#x153;normalâ&#x20AC;? plays, which work most of the time. But when an â&#x20AC;&#x153;otherâ&#x20AC;? play is needed, that sorts out the experts from the less capable.

This deal occurred in a private game. North-South were using the weak no-trump, in which an opening bid of one no-trump shows 12-14 points. So Southâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s rebid indicated a strong no-trump, 15-17 points. This had an effect on the opening lead of West, who preferred the spade four, an unbid suit, to a heart, dummyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s bid suit.

(Note that if South had opened one strong no-trump, North would have used Stayman, South would have denied a four-card major and North would have jumped to three no-trump. Then West surely would have led a heart.)

East took the ďŹ rst trick with his spade king and stuck to the standard script when he returned his second spade. But South won in his hand, played a diamond to dummyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s king, returned to his hand with a spade and played three more rounds of diamonds. He had nine tricks: three spades, one heart, four diamonds and one club.

Could East have found the fatal heart shift at trick two? It was tough. â&#x20AC;&#x201D; By Phillip Alder

BORN LOSER

WITH LOVE

RYAN LIOR SAM February 3, 2012

AAYUSH KADAM February 3, 2009

Send us a colour photograph of the child (below 16 years) whose birthday you are celebrating, along with his/her full name, date of birth, address, telephone number and parentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;/your name to Times of Oman, With Love, PO Box 770, PC 112, Ruwi or through e-mail to extra@timesofoman.com

KIDSPOT

H E A LT H C A P S U L E

C10

TUESDAY, F EB RUARY 3, 2015

PRAYER TIMINGS

FIND-IT-ALL Y O U R B I R T H D AY

BORN today, you have been endowed with one of the most winning personalities of anyone born under your sign. You will let it develop fully and learn to use it to your advantage in all things, both personal and professional. Indeed, it is quite likely that you will find the actual doing of things very easy because the path has been forged for you as a result of who you are, not what you are able to do.

Following that path should, ultimately, be a matter of simply putting one foot in front of the other — figuratively, if not literally. You have a great many talents, and you’re not the kind to ignore any of them; you will, therefore, be quite accomplished at many different things in your lifetime.

You are just the kind of person that other people come to with questions and concerns; if someone is willing to listen to the kind of constructive criticism that can really make the difference between success and failure, you are the person to give it! You know good from bad and right from wrong, and you are able to spot talent and potential.

Also born on this date are: Rebel Wilson, actress; Norman Rockwell, illustrator and painter; Nathan Lane, actor; Morgan Fairchild, actress; Blythe Danner, actress; Fran Tarkenton, football player; Joey Bishop, actor and comedian; James Michener, author; Gertrude Stein, writer and poet; Bob Griese, football player; Michael Cimino, filmmaker.

W E AT H E R

M

WORLD

Max 28 Min 20 Max -4 Min -7

Max 23 Min 10

Max 30 Min 16 Max -8 Min -11

Max 25 Min 18

Max -2 Min -5

Max 30 Min 12

Max 31 Min 16

Max 27 Min 18

AQUARIUS

Max 28 Min 15

[JAN. 20-FEB. 18]

You’ll Y ’ll be b in a position to welcome a newcomer into your circle, but take care that you cover all the bases when reviewing expectations.

ARIES [March 21-APRIL 19] You seem to know what’s going on more than others, but throughout the day you’ll have some catching up to do, as well.

TAURUS [APRIL 20-MAY 20] You’ve probably scheduled your day very carefully ahead of time, yet you may have to juggle certain duties as the unexpected arises.

GEMINI [MAY 21-JUNE 20] Focus on activities that give you a greater sense of freedom and personal power. Now is no time to consent to something unknown.

CANCER [JUNE 21-JULY 22] By doing two or three things at once during daylight hours, you’ll have more time after dark to tend to some pressing personal issues.

LEO [JULY 23-AUG. 22] What you say with a look or a gesture will be a more powerful message to the recipient than anything you try to convey with words alone.

VIRGO [AUG. 23-SEPT. 22] You should be able to balance your own personal needs with professional concerns today.

Someone in charge reaches out to you.

LIBRA L [[SEPT. [S S 23-OCT. 22] Make no promises that you are unsure you can keep. Ultimately, your word is more valuable than anything else you may have to offer.

SCORPIO S [[OCT. 23-NOV. 21] Putting your best foot forward involves more than mere manners.

How you look, what you say and where you come from matter, too.

SAGITTARIUS S [[NOV. 22-DEC. 21] The means of getting from here to there may be more complicated than expected. You may have to change some of your plans.

CAPRICORN [DEC. 22-JAN 19] You may be surprised to learn that someone else is attempting something you have been trying to do.

Does he or she have the advantage?

5.54pm 6.47am

High tide Low tide

9:49pm 3:37am

Max 26 Min 18

Max 20 Min 12

—www.met.gov.om

Max 28 Min 20 Max 25 Min 18

FROM MUSCAT (RUWI) QURIYAT - SUR - JAALAN (Route 36) Dept Destination Arrival Time Time 15:00 Quriyat 16:30 15:00 Sur 18:00 15:00 Jaalan 19:30

GULF Abu Dhabi Doha Dubai Kuwait Manama Riyadh

25 22 27 22 23 27

17 14 14 13 15 11

WORLD Athens Baghdad Beijing Berlin Boston Cairo Colombo Frankfurt Hong Kong Istanbul Johannesburg Kuala Lumpur Lisbon Paris Perth Singapore Tokyo Toronto

16 23 8 0 -8 23 31 3 31 19 27 30 12 3 34 28 10 -7

10 6 -4 -3 -12 6 25 -2 14 14 16 24 7 0 21 24 2 -11

TO AL BURAIMI (Route 41) 06:30 Sohar 06:30 Buraimi 08:00 Buraimi 13:00 Sohar 13:00 Buraimi 16.00 Sohar 16.00 Buraimi TO SINAW (Route 52) 17:30 Sinaw

TO MUSCAT (RUWI) Operating Days Daily Daily Daily

FROM JAALAN-SUR-QURIYAT (Route 36) Dept Destination Arrival Operating Time Time Days 05:30 Sur 06:45 Daily 05:30 Quriyat 08:30 Daily 05:30 Ruwi 10:00 Daily

08:50 11:00 14:30 15:45 17:40 18.35 20:20

Daily Daily Daily via Ibri Daily Daily Daily Daily

20:50

Daily

TO AL BURAIMI (Route 41) 07:00 Sohar 07:00 Ruwi 13:30 Ruwi 13:00 Sohar 13:00 Ruwi 13:00 Sohar 17:00 Ruwi TO SINAW (Route 52) 07:00 Ruwi

To Yanqul (Route 54) 14:30 Nizwa 14:30 Yanqul

16:50 19:30

Daily Daily

TO IBRI (ARAQI) (Route 54) 08:00 Nizwa 08:00 Al Araqi

10:20 12:30

TO SUR (Route 55) 07:30 Sur 14:30 Sur TO FAHUD - YIBAL (Route 62) 06:30 Fahud 06:30 Yibal

08:55 11:40 20:20 14:55 17:40 19:20 22:15

Daily Daily Daily via Ibri Daily Daily Daily Daily

10:25

Daily

To Yanqul (Route 54) 06:00 Nizwa 06:00 Ruwi

08:40 11:00

Daily Daily

Daily Daily

TO IBRI (ARAQI) (Route 54) 15:40 Nizwa 15:40 Ruwi

17:55 20:20

Daily Daily

12:00 18:45

Daily Daily

TO SUR (Route 55) 06:00 Ruwi 14:30 Ruwi

10:45 19:00

Daily Daily

10:30 11:15

Daily Daily

TO YIBAL - FAHUD (Route 62) 12:30 Fahud 12:30 Ruwi

13:15 17:30

Daily Daily

TO MARMUL-SALALAH (Route 100) 07:00 Salalah 20:00 10:00 Marmul 20:30 10:00 Salalah 23:30 19:00 Salalah 07:40

Daily Daily Daily Daily

TO SALALAH -MARMUL (Route 100) 07:00 Ruwi 19:50 10:00 Marmul 13:15 10:00 Ruwi 22:30 19:00 Ruwi 07:30

Daily Daily Daily Daily

TO MARMUL (Route 101) 06:00 Marmul

Daily

TO MARMUL (Route 101) 06:00 Marmul

16:30

Daily

Daily

DUBAI TO SALALAH (Route 102) 15:00 Salalah 07:00

Daily

16:50

SALALAH TO DUBAI (Route 102) 15:00 Dubai 07:00 TO DUBAI (Route 201) 06:00 Sohar 06:00 Dubai 13:00 Sohar 13:00 Dubai 15:00 Sohar 15:00 Dubai

08:30 11:30 15:30 18:30 17:35 20:55

Daily Daily Wed,Thur Wed,Thur Daily Daily

TO DUBAI VIA FUJIRAH & SHARJAH (Route 204) Dept Destination Arrival Operating Time Time Days 07:00 Fujairah 11.45 Daily 07:00 Sharjah 13.30 Daily 07:00 Dubai 14.00 Daily

TO DUBAI (Route 201) 07:30 Sohar 07:30 Ruwi 13:00 Sohar 13:00 Ruwi 15:30 Sohar 15:30 Ruwi

10:50 13:40 16:15 19:10 18:45 21:35

Daily Daily Thur-Fri Thur-Fri Daily Daily

FROM DUBAI VIA FUJIRAH & SHARJAH (Route 204) Dept Destination Arrival Operating Time Time Days 16:00 Sharjah 16:30 Daily 16.00 Fujairah 18.15 Daily 16.00 Ruwi 23.00 Daily

LISTINGS

PHARMACIES Round the clock Al Hashar Pharmacy, Ruwi: 24783334; Appolo Medical Centre, Hamriya: 24782666; Muscat Pharmacy, Ruwi: 24702542, Salalah: 23291635; Atlas Pharmacy, Ghubra: 24503585; Ruwi 24811715 Muscat Region Apollo, Al Hamriya. Tel: 24787766 Muscat, A Seeb Market. Tel: 24421691 Muscat, Al Khuwair. Tel: 24485740 Muscat, Al Hail South. Tel: 24537080 Dhofar Region Muscat, Al Nahdha Road, Salalah.

Tel: 23291635 HOSPITALS Al Amal Medical & Health Care Centre: 24485052 Atlas Hospital: Ruwi: 24811743/ Ghubra: 24504000 Al Musafir Specialised Medical Clinic: 24706453 Hatat Polyclinic LLC, Ruwi: 24563641, Azaiba: 24499269, Sohar: 2683006 Al Raffah Hospital: 24618900/1/2 Al Massaraat Clinic & Laboratory: 24566435 Al Makook Medical Coordinance Centre: 24499434 Apollo Medical Centre, Hamriya: 24787766, 24787780 Capital Polyclinic: 24707549 Badr Al Samaa Polyclinic, Ruwi: 24799760/1/2 Capital Clinic, Seeb: 24420740 Ceregem National Raak: 24485633 Dr Harub’s Clinic: 24563217 Elixir Health Centre: 24565802 Emirates Medical Centre: 24604540 1st Chiropractic Centre: 24472274 Hamdan Hospital: 23212340 International Medical Centre LLC: 24794501/2/3/4/5 Kims Oman Hospital: 24760100

24 Hrs Emergency: 24760123 Lama Polyclinic, Sohar: 26751128, MBD: 24799077, Al Khuwair: 24478818 Magrabi Eye and Ear Hospital: 24568870 Muscat Private Hospital: 24583600 Welcare Diagnostic and Treatment Centre, Al Khuwair: 24477666 Al-Hayat Polyclinc LLC: 22004000 ROYAL OMAN POLICE Emergencies and inquiries: 9999 General Directorate of Passport and Residence: 24569603 Directorate General of Customs: 24521109 Traffic violations inquiries: 24510228 Public Relations Admin: 24560099 ACCOMMODATION Al Bahjah Hotel: 24424400 Al Bustan Palace: 24764000 Al Khuwair Hotel Apartments: 24478171 Al Madina Holiday Inn: 24596400 Al Maha International Hotel: 24494949 Al Fanar Hotel: 24712385 Al Falaj Hotel: 24702311 Al Qurum Resort: 24605945 Azaiba Hotel Apartments: 24490979 Beach Hotel: 24696601 Bowshar Hotel: 24491105 Coral Hotel Muscat: 24692121 Crowne Plaza Muscat: 24660660 Crystal Suites: 24826100 Golden Tulip Seeb: 24510300 Grand Hyatt Muscat: 24641234 Haffa House Hotel: 24707207 Hotel Muscat Holiday: 24487123 InterContinental Muscat: 24680000 Majan Continental Hotel: 24592900 Marina Hotel: 24711711 Midan Hotel Suites: 24499565 Mina Hotel: 24711828 Muttrah Hotel: 24798401

Nuzha Hotel Apartments: 24789199 Oman Dive Centre: 24824240 Park Inn: 24507888 Qurum Beach House Hotel: 24564070 Radisson Blu Hotel: 24487777 Ramee Dream Resort Seeb: 24453399 Ramee Guestline Hotel: 24564443 Ruwi Hotel: 24704244 Safeer Hotel Suites: 24691200 Sheraton Oman Hotel: 24772772 Shangri-La’s Barr Al Jissah Resort and Spa: 24776666 The Chedi Muscat: 24524400 The Treasurebox Muscat Hotel: 24502570 AIRLINE OFFICES Muscat Airport Flight information (24 hours): 24519456/24519223 Aeroflot: 24704455, Air Arabia: 24700828, Air France: 24562153, Air India: 24799801, Air New Zealand: 24700732, Biman Bangladesh Airlines: 24701128, British Airways: 24568777, Cathay Pacific: 24789818, Egypt Air: 24794113, Emirates Air: 24404400, Ethiopian Airlines: 24660313, Gulf Air: 80072424, Indian: 24791914, Iran Air: 24787423, Japan Airlines: 24704455, Jazeera Airways: 23294848, Jet Airways: 24787248, Kenya Airways: 24660300, KML Royal Dutch Airlines: 24566737, Kuwait Airways: 24701262, LOT Polish Airlines: 24796387, Lufthansa: 24796692, Malaysian Airlines: 24560796, Middle East Airlines: 24796680, Oman Air: 24531111, Pakistan International Airlines: 24792471, Qatar Airways: 24771900, Qantas: 24559941, Royal Jordanian: 24796693, Saudi Arabian Airlines: 24789485, Singapore Airlines: 24791233, Shaheen Air: 24816565, SriLankan Airlines:

TUESDAY

Min

L O N G D I S TA N C E B U S T I M I N G S ( O M A N N AT I O N A L T R A N S P O R T C O M PA N Y S A O C ) * S U B J E C T T O C H A N G E

[Feb. 19-March 20]

Sunset Sunrise (Tomorrow) 8:55am 3:01pm

maximum wave height range between 2.0 metres to 2.5 metres.

HORIZONTAL VISIBILITY: Good over most of the Sultanate becoming poor during fog formation.

THE NEXT 48 HOURS OUTLOOK: Clear to partly cloudy skies over Musandam governorate and the coastal areas of Oman Sea with chances of isolated rain. Chances of late night to early morning low level clouds or fog patches over governorates of South Al-Sharqiya, Al-Wusta and Dhofar.

Max

OMAN

PISCES

12.26pm 3.36pm 5.59pm 7.12pm 5.29am

AIRLINES

ainly clear skies over most of the Sultanate with chance of late night to early morning low level clouds or fog along governorates of Al-Buraimi, Al-Dhahira and Al-Wusta.

EXPECTED WIND: Over most of Sultanate wind will be northerly to northwesterly light to moderate occasionally fresh over Musandam and Oman Sea coasts.

SEA STATE: Moderate to rough along all of Oman coasts with a

Max 29 Min 10

You may have to follow more rules than usual — or at least it will seem so. This is a way to ensure that everyone is on the same page.

Dhuhr Asr Maghrib Isha Fajr (Tomorrow)

24784545, Swiss International Airlines: 24796692, Thai Airways: 24705934, Turkish Airlines: 24703033 MUSEUMS Bait Al Baranda: Corniche (seafront opp fish market), Open from Saturday to Thursday 9am to 1pm and 4 to 6pm Natural History Museum: Al Khuwair, Tel: 24604957, Open from Saturday to Wednesday: 8am to 1:30pm; Thursday: 9am to 1pm Museum of Omani Heritage: (former Omani Museum), Madinat Al Alam, Sat-Wed 8am to 1:30pm, Thursday 9am to 1pm, Tel: 24600946 Armed Forces Museum: Bait Al Falaj, Tel: 24312651, Open from Sat to Wed: 8am to 1:30pm; Thurs 9-12pm and 3-6pm; Fri 9-11am and 3-6pm. Al Hoota Caves 24498258; Turtle Beach 96550606/96550707 Children’s Science Museum: Shatti Al Qurum, Tel: 24605368, Open from Saturday to Wednesday: 8am to 1:30pm, Thursday: 9am to 1pm Oman-French Museum: near Muscat Police Station, Tel: 24736613, Open from Sat to Wed: 8am to 1:30pm, Thurs: 9am to 1pm Bait Al Zubair, Muscat: Tel: 24736688, Al Saidiya St., Muscat museum@baitalzubairmuseum.com Open from Sat to Thurs: 9:30am to 6pm.

National Museum Ruwi: Tel: 24701289, Open from Saturday to Wednesday: 8am to 1:30pm, Thursday: 9am to 1pm Sohar Fort Museum: Tel: 26844758, Open from Saturday to Wed: 8 to 1:30pm Thurs: 9am to 1pm Muscat Gate Museum: at Al Bahri Road, Muscat open from Sat to Wed 8am to 2pm

WEDNESDAY FLT NO

ARRIVALS FROM

CAIRO 0005 RIYADH 0005 RIYADH 0005 JEDDAH 0005 KUWAIT 0010 BANGKOK 0015 LAHORE 0130 SALALAH 0150 ISTANBUL 0215 ISLAM ABBAD-SIALKOT 0225 KARACHI 0230 DOHA 0345 ADDIS ABABA 0350 DUBAI 0355 BAHRAIN 0405 ABU DHABI 0405 DUBAI 0415 SALALAH 0630 ABU DHABI 0650 BAHRAIN 0700 AMMAN 0705 DOHA 0710 KUWAIT 0715 MUNICH 0715 FRANKFURT 0715 DAMMAM 0725 JEDDAH 0730 MALPENSA-ZURICH 0745 PARIS 0800 DUBAI 0805 BOMBAY 0815 TEHRAN 0815 LONDON HEATHROW 0820 BEIRUT 0830 DUBAI 0850 SHARJAH 0915 HYDERABAD 0920 DELHI 0935 MADRAS 0940 DUBAI 0940 DOHA 1000 DOHA 1010 ABU DHABI 1015 MUKHAIZNA 1045 JAIPUR 1100 DUBAI 1110 SALALAH 1110 RAS AL KHAIMA 1120 DUBAI 1200 CHITTAGONG 1210 LUCKNOW 1210 CALICUT 1210 GWADUR 1220 CHITTAGONG 1245 KHASAB 1245 DUBAI 1330 KARACHI 1355 KHASAB 1440 MANGALORE-ABU DHABI 1440 SALALAH 1445 BANGKOK 1525 KUWAIT 1525 BAHRAIN 1530 LAHORE 1550 DUBAI 1555 ABU DHABI 1635 BOMBAY 1710 CALICUT 1720 DELHI 1730 HYDERABAD 1740 TRIVANDRUM 1740 ISLAM ABBAD 1745 DOHA 1745 DOHA 1745 DUBAI 1800 BAHRAIN 1810 BANGALORE 1810 DUBAI 1845 MUKHAIZNA 1845 RIYADH 1900 SHARJAH 1915 BANGKOK-KARACHI 1935 DUBAI 1945 DUBAI 2030 SALALAH 2055 DUBAI 2125 DELHI 2125 BOMBAY 2130 COCHIN 2140 DUBAI 2145 COLOMBO 2150 MADRAS 2155 BANGKOK 2200 MADRAS 2200 DOHA 2210 COLOMBO 2225 BAHRAIN 2240 LONDON HEATHROW-ABU DHABI 2240 ABU DHABI 2250 SALALAH 2305 AHMEDABAD-BOMBAY 2310 DOHA 2315 ZURICH-DUBAI 2320 BOMBAY 2325 FRANKFURT-ABU DHABI 2330 BAHRAIN 2330 DUBAI 2335 DAMMAM 2350 ABU DHABI 2350 SALALAH 2355 ZANZIBAR-DARESSLAM 2355

WY682 WY406 WY676 WY648 WY816 WY816 WY824 4H583 WY916 PK229 TK776 QR1132 EK866 GF560 EY384 FZ041 WY638 WY902 WY686 WY658 WY668 WY644 WY692 WY674 WY602 WY202 WY432 WY102 NL768 WY342 FZ043 G9114 WY236 WY918 WY226 WY242 EK862 WY346 WY252 IX443 QR1128 EY382 IX549 9W530 WY604 WY822 WY3922 G9841 FZ037 WY268 IX337 WY314 PA450 WY904 WY3302 WY606 WY326 WY918 WY918 WY906 WY274 WY656 WY632 FZ045 WY216 WY204 WY292 WY610 WY246 WY3304 WY284 WY232 QR1126 WY664 EK864 GF564 G9116 WY254 WY144 FZ047 WY614 WY914 AI977 KL441 WY624 AI973 6.00E+81 WY414 9W534 FZ049 AI907 QR1134 WY272 GF566 BA073 EY388 WY908 AI985 WY662 WY124 LX242 9W540 LH618 WY654 WY612 WY116 WY928 WY636 W696 WY717 WY910

RIYADH 0005 CAIRO 0005 JEDDAH 0005 KUWAIT 0010 BANGKOK 0015 BANGKOK 0015 KUALA LUMPUR 0055 DACCA-CHITTAGONG 0130 SALALAH 0150 LAHORE 0215 ISTANBUL-BAHRAIN 0300 DOHA 0345 DUBAI 0355 BAHRAIN 0405 ABU DHABI 0405 DUBAI 0415 ABU DHABI 0520 SALALAH 0630 RIYADH 0700 BAHRAIN 0700 DOHA 0710 KUWAIT 0715 DAMMAM 0725 JEDDAH 0730 DUBAI 0805 BOMBAY 0815 TEHRAN 0815 LONDON HEATHROW 0820 LAHORE 0830 LAHORE 0835 DUBAI 0850 SHARJAH 0915 HYDERABAD 0920 KHASAB 0930 COCHIN 0930 DELHI 0935 DUBAI 0940 ISLAM ABBAD 0940 MADRAS 0940 COCHIN 1010 DOHA 1010 ABU DHABI 1015 TRIVANDRUM 1020 TRIVANDRUM 1035 DUBAI 1110 KUALA LUMPUR 1115 DUQUM OMAN 1115 RAS AL KHAIMA 1120 DUBAI 1200 LUCKNOW 1210 CALICUT 1210 CHITTAGONG 1210 LAHORE 1215 SALALAH 1215 MUKHAIZNA 1330 DUBAI 1330 KARACHI 1355 KHASAB 1440 KHASAB 1440 SALALAH 1445 JAIPUR 1515 BAHRAIN 1530 ABU DHABI 1535 DUBAI 1555 TRIVANDRUM 1705 BOMBAY 1710 CALICUT 1720 DUBAI 1730 DELHI 1730 MUKHAIZNA 1730 BANGALORE 1740 HYDERABAD 1740 DOHA 1745 DOHA 1745 DUBAI 1800 BAHRAIN 1810 SHARJAH 1915 MADRAS 1920 MALPENSA 1930 DUBAI 1945 DUBAI 2030 SALALAH 2035 BANGALORE-HYDERABAD 2105 AMSTERDAM-DOHA 2120 DUBAI 2125 DELHI 2125 BOMBAY 2130 AMMAN 2135 COCHIN 2140 DUBAI 2145 MADRAS 2200 DOHA 2210 JAIPUR 2235 BAHRAIN 2240 LONDON HEATHROW-ABU DHABI 2240 ABU DHABI 2250 SALALAH 2305 AHMEDABAD-BOMBAY 2310 DOHA 2315 MUNICH 2320 ZURICH-DUBAI 2320 BOMBAY 2325 FRANKFURT-ABU DHABI 2330 BAHRAIN 2330 DUBAI 2335 FRANKFURT 2345 SALALAH 2345 ABU DHABI 2350 DAMMAM 2350 ZANZIBAR-DARESSLAM 2355 SALALAH 2355

FLT NO

DEPARTURES TO

FLT NO

DEPARTURES TO

AI986 LX243 9W539 BA072 SG062 LH619 WY685 WY251 WY201 WY811 WY235 WY601 WY241 WY431 WY643 WY637 WY313 WY657 WY667 NL769 WY691 TK775 PK282 PK226 WY271 WY267 ET625 EK867 FZ042 QR1133 EY385 WY3301 GF561 WY603 WY903 WY813 WY327 WY325 WY291 WY215 WY823 FZ044 WY231 WY245 G9115 WY815 WY283 WY373 WY203 WY605 WY905 WY347 WY717 EK863 EY383 WY655 QR1129 QR8551 WY917 G9842 PK192 WY337 IX350 FZ038 WY253 WY3931 WY223 WY631 WY663 WY101 BG024 WY405 WY3305 IX818 WY609 KU678 WY675 WY913 FZ046 WY613 WY623 QR1127 WY681 WY907 GF565 WY647 WY661 WY653 WY695 EK865 WY821 WY909 SV535 G9117 WY611 WY635 TG508 FZ048 WY915 FZ050 6.00E+82 AI908 AI974 QR1135 GF567 UL206 EY381 WY901 WY673

BOMBAY 0005 DUBAI-ZURICH 0020 BOMBAY 0025 ABU DHABI-LONDON HEATHROW 0025 AHMEDABAD 0030 ABU DHABI-FRANKFURT 0050 RIYADH 0105 MADRAS 0110 BOMBAY 0120 BANGKOK 0120 HYDERABAD 0135 DUBAI 0150 DELHI 0155 TEHRAN 0155 KUWAIT 0200 ABU DHABI 0205 CHITTAGONG 0205 BAHRAIN 0205 DOHA 0220 LAHORE 0230 DAMMAM 0235 ISTANBUL 0310 SIALKOT 0325 KARACHI 0330 JAIPUR 0350 LUCKNOW 0355 ADDIS ABABA 0450 DUBAI 0455 DUBAI 0510 DOHA 0520 ABU DHABI 0525 MUKHAIZNA 0715 BAHRAIN 0745 DUBAI 0800 SALALAH 0800 BANGKOK 0805 LAHORE 0920 KARACHI 0920 CALICUT 0920 TRIVANDRUM 0920 KUALA LUMPUR 0930 DUBAI 0935 HYDERABAD 0955 DELHI 0955 SHARJAH 1005 BANGKOK 1010 BANGALORE 1010 COLOMBO 1020 BOMBAY 1030 DUBAI 1030 SALALAH 1030 ISLAM ABBAD 1040 ZANZIBAR-DARESSLAM 1045 DUBAI 1055 ABU DHABI 1105 BAHRAIN 1110 DOHA 1115 DUBAI WORLD CENTRE-DOHA 1130 KHASAB 1140 RAS AL KHAIMA 1210 GWADUR-TURBAT 1305 KATHMANDU 1310 CALICUT 1310 DUBAI 1315 MADRAS 1315 SOHAR 1315 COCHIN 1325 ABU DHABI 1325 DOHA 1330 LONDON HEATHROW 1330 CHITTAGONG 1415 CAIRO 1430 MUKHAIZNA 1515 MANGALORE 1530 DUBAI 1545 ABU DHABI-KUWAIT 1625 JEDDAH 1630 SALALAH 1650 DUBAI 1700 DUBAI 1700 DUBAI 1820 DOHA 1845 RIYADH 1845 SALALAH 1850 BAHRAIN 1855 KUWAIT 1900 DOHA 1900 BAHRAIN 1910 DAMMAM 1910 DUBAI 1915 KUALA LUMPUR 1930 SALALAH 1940 RIYADH 2000 SHARJAH 2005 DUBAI 2025 ABU DHABI 2030 KARACHI-BANGKOK 2040 DUBAI 2040 SALALAH 2135 DUBAI 2225 BOMBAY 2245 MADRAS 2300 DELHI 2310 DOHA 2320 BAHRAIN 2325 COLOMBO 2335 ABU DHABI 2350 SALALAH 2350 JEDDAH 2350

AI986 LX243 9W539 BA072 LH619 WY685 WY251 WY201 WY225 WY235 WY601 WY345 WY341 WY431 WY241 WY151 WY643 WY313 WY637 WY657 WY115 WY667 WY123 WY143 4H584 WY691 PK230 TK777 WY267 EK867 FZ042 QR1133 EY385 WY617 WY3921 GF561 WY903 WY603 WY273 WY215 WY325 WY291 NL769 FZ044 WY283 WY245 WY231 WY3301 G9115 WY815 WY203 WY905 WY605 WY253 WY717 EK863 EY383 WY655 IX554 IX442 QR1129 9W533 G9842 WY631 IX350 FZ038 PA451 WY101 WY663 WY413 WY3303 WY927 WY609 WY405 WY331 WY913 WY675 FZ046 WY613 WY623 QR1127 WY681 WY907 GF565 WY661 WY647 WY653 WY695 EK865 WY909 G9117 WY611 WY635 FZ048 WY825 WY915 AI978 FZ050 KL442 9W529 6.00E+82 AI908 AI974 QR1135 GF567 WY901 EY381 WY673

BOMBAY 0005 DUBAI-ZURICH 0020 BOMBAY 0025 ABU DHABI-LONDON HEATHROW 0025 ABU DHABI-FRANKFURT 0050 RIYADH 0105 MADRAS 0110 BOMBAY 0120 COCHIN 0125 HYDERABAD 0135 DUBAI 0150 ISLAM ABBAD 0150 LAHORE 0150 TEHRAN 0155 DELHI 0155 ZURICH 0155 KUWAIT 0200 CHITTAGONG 0205 ABU DHABI 0205 BAHRAIN 0205 FRANKFURT 0215 DOHA 0220 MUNICH-PARIS 0220 MALPENSA 0225 DACCA 0230 DAMMAM 0235 LAHORE 0315 BAHRAIN-ISTANBUL 0350 LUCKNOW 0355 DUBAI 0455 DUBAI 0510 DOHA 0520 ABU DHABI 0525 KHASAB 0630 DUQUM OMAN 0715 BAHRAIN 0745 SALALAH 0800 DUBAI 0800 JAIPUR 0815 TRIVANDRUM 0845 KARACHI 0920 CALICUT 0920 LAHORE 0930 DUBAI 0935 BANGALORE 0940 DELHI 0955 HYDERABAD 0955 MUKHAIZNA 1000 SHARJAH 1005 BANGKOK 1010 BOMBAY 1030 SALALAH 1030 DUBAI 1030 MADRAS 1040 ZANZIBAR-DARESSLAM 1045 DUBAI 1055 ABU DHABI 1105 BAHRAIN 1110 TRIVANDRUM 1110 COCHIN 1115 DOHA 1115 COCHIN 1135 RAS AL KHAIMA 1210 ABU DHABI 1225 CALICUT 1310 DUBAI 1315 LAHORE 1315 LONDON HEATHROW 1330 DOHA 1330 AMMAN 1330 MUKHAIZNA 1400 SALALAH 1415 DUBAI 1420 CAIRO 1430 KATHMANDU 1455 SALALAH 1630 JEDDAH 1630 DUBAI 1700 DUBAI 1700 DUBAI 1820 DOHA 1845 RIYADH 1845 SALALAH 1850 BAHRAIN 1855 DOHA 1900 KUWAIT 1900 BAHRAIN 1910 DAMMAM 1910 DUBAI 1915 SALALAH 1940 SHARJAH 2005 DUBAI 2025 ABU DHABI 2030 DUBAI 2040 KUALA LUMPUR 2110 SALALAH 2135 HYDERABAD-BANGALORE 2200 DUBAI 2225 DOHA-AMSTERDAM 2230 TRIVANDRUM 2240 BOMBAY 2245 MADRAS 2300 DELHI 2310 DOHA 2320 BAHRAIN 2325 SALALAH 2350 ABU DHABI 2350 JEDDAH 2350

FLT NO

ARRIVALS FROM

WY406 WY682 WY682 WY676 WY648 WY816 NL768 WY916 TK774 PK281 PK225 QR1132 ET624 EK866 GF560 EY384 FZ041 WY902 WY638 WY658 WY412 WY668 WY644 WY122 WY114 WY692 WY674 WY154 WY132 WY602 WY202 WY432 WY102 WY422 FZ043 G9114 WY236 WY242 WY252 EK862 QR8550 QR1128 EY382 WY3302 WY272 WY604 WY904 G9841 FZ037 WY314 WY268 IX337 PK191 BG023 WY918 WY606 WY326 WY918 IX817 WY906 WY812 KU677 WY656 WY328 FZ045 WY632 WY204 WY292 WY246 WY232 WY216 WY348 WY664 QR1126 EK864 GF564 WY284 WY610 WY3306 SV534 G9116 TG507 FZ047 WY614 WY914 WY624 AI973 6.00E+81 WY224 FZ049 WY374 WY254 WY814 AI907 QR1134 UL205 GF566 BA073 EY388 WY908 AI985 WY662 LX242 9W540 LH618 WY654 WY612 WY696 WY636 WY910 WY717

ETA

ETD

ETA

ETD

T U E S DAY, FE B RUARY 3, 2 0 1 5

C 11

EXTRA You Googled it and they answered it!

What are the most pressing travel questions that people ask on the internet when travelling?

I

asked trends researchers at Google to divulge the top travel queries that Internet users have been Googling since the New Year. Many of the most-searched questions were about what to do on vacation in cities including San Francisco, San Diego, Los Angeles, New Orleans, Miami, Las Vegas, Orlando, Florida, Dallas, Nashville, Tennessee, and Phoenix. To help you kick off another year of adventures, I’ve answered the top travel questions - from how to pack a suitcase to what you’re allowed to toss in your carry-on.

1. How to pack a suitcase There are those who fold. There are those who roll. There are those who stick their clothes in vacuum storage bags and press out the air. You can go online and

STUDY

Anti-cancer drug may up risk for diabetic smokers DEPENDING on their smoking history, a drug may have contrary effects on people suffering from diabetes — reducing lung cancer risk among nonsmokers and increasing the risk among smokers.

Among nonsmokers who had diabetes, those who took the diabetes drug metformin had a decrease in lung cancer risk. “Our results suggest that risk might differ by smoking history, with metformin decreasing risk among nonsmokers and increasing risk among current smokers,” said Lori Sakoda, research scientist at Kaiser Permanente Division of Research, Oakland, California. The study involved 47,351 diabetic patients (54 per cent men), 40 years or older. During 15 years of follow-up, 747 patients were diagnosed with lung cancer. Metformin use was not associated with lower lung cancer risk overall; however, the risk was 43 per cent lower among diabetic patients who had never smoked, and the risk appeared to decrease with longer use. The study appeared in the journal Cancer Prevention. -IANS

watch suitcases being stuffed by Martha Stewart, or members of the military. Here’s how I do it: Lightly. Pack a bag to the gills and it’s unwieldy, incapable of accommodating gifts, and bothersome to repack. More significantly, it guarantees that your attention will be on schlepping rather than on soaking up new surroundings. I travel with a sleek Bric’s X-Bag 22-inch folding duffel ($120) — It weighs little more than a pillowcase, fits into tight spaces and enables me to move effortlessly through crowds. You can line the bottom with shoes as travellers typically do, but I stack them on one side so it’s easy to find a pair to change into once my plane lands. I fold or roll clothes Army-style into stacks adjacent to the shoes; no elaborate tech-

niques like bundle wrapping (layering clothes as if making a sushi roll). Lingerie is in a zippered bag and tucked between the piles. Skirts and dresses are slipped into plastic dry-cleaning bags to prevent wrinkles (works wonders), folded over once, and laid across the stacks.

2. How to get cheap flights One of the simplest yet most effective strategies is to visit Google Flight Search, a free online tool that allows you to compare fares across multiple airlines and see how much you’ll save if, say, you depart a day earlier or later.

“The absolute best way to find a low airfare now is Google Flights,” George Hobica, the founder of Airfarewatchdog. com, which allows users to track and compare ticket prices, told me in November.

An important exception is Southwest Airlines. (The carrier has its own low-fare planning calendar at Southwest.com/ flight/shortcut/low-fare-search. html). For international flights

and unusual combinations of flights, try Momondo.com. In general, you can also save money by flying on holidays, early in the morning, in and out of places where there’s airline competition and by opting for a smaller airport in a metro area. Sites such as Airfarewatchdog allow you to set alerts for low prices on routes you frequently fly. And tools including Yapta.com and TripIt Pro will notify you if the ticket price drops enough to save you, say, $100 after paying a change fee. (Yes, this really works.) Packages that include hotels and flights from online agents (Expedia.com, Priceline. com, Cheapfares.com) may also result in lower fares. For guidance on how to use your miles and points to score free flights, I recommend the blogs at BoardingArea.com, ThePointsGuy.com and the miles and points forum at FlyerTalk.com.

3. What to pack for a cruise Cruise lines, like summer camps, typically offer packing lists on their websites. Royal Caribbe-

an International, for instance, has a long list that also reminds passengers about formal nights (cocktail dresses, suits and ties).

There’s even a list of items not to pack (incense, martial arts gear).

The popular reviews and information website CruiseCritic.com offers a packing list as well.

4. What is a hostel?

What is a pension?

A hostel is “an inexpensive place for usually young travellers to stay overnight,” according to the Merriam-Webster dictionary. A pension is described as “accommodations especially at a continental European hotel or boardinghouse.” In short — The former is for the young and frugal. The latter is akin to an affordable bed-and-breakfast; bathrooms may be shared, and meals may be included .

6. What are the cheapest days to fly?

There’s no hard and fast rule that one day of the week is better than another; however, airfares tend to be cheaper during the

week than on weekends.

7. How safe is flying?

Despite some high-profile crashes, last year was the safest ever in the history of commercial aviation by number of fatal accidents, according to Aviation Safety Network, an independent organisation that provides information on airliner accidents and safety issues. The worldwide accident rate, according to the Network, is one fatal passenger flight accident for every 4,125,000 flights.

8. How to book transfers from airports There are a number of ways to book transportation between an airport and your hotel, including through a resort, a tour operator or a travel agent. In major cities it’s often easier to hop on the airport cab line or take mass transit. If you prefer to be picked up, begin by calling your hotel or resort. Some include transfers in the cost of your stay or for a reasonable fee, so be sure to ask. If not, ask the name of a reputable company.

-Stephanie Rosenbloom/ The New York Times News Service

C12

TU ESDAY, F EB RUARY 3, 2015

EXTRA STUDY

Smartphones may derail child’s social development USE OF mobile devices while attending to mundane tasks may be detrimental to the socialemotional development of children, researchers said. “It has been well-studied that increased television time decreases a child’s development of language and social skills. Mobile media use similarly replaces the amount of time spent engaging in direct human-human interaction,” said Jenny Radesky from the Boston University’s School of Medicine in the US. -IANS

Bill Gates: Artificial intelligence will become strong and may threaten us

A

rtificial intelligence will start out as a help but will become “strong enough to be a concern”, Bill Gates has said in its latest question and answer session on Reddit.

In response to a question about whether machine super intelligence will become an existential threat, Gates said that he was “in the camp that is concerned about super intelligence”.

“First the machines will do a lot of jobs for us and not be super intelligent,” he wrote. That should be positive if we manage it well.

“A few decades after that though the intelligence is strong enough to be a concern. I agree with Elon Musk and some others on this and don’t understand why

some people are not concerned.”

The warning came as part of Gates’ Ask Me Anything (AMA) session on Reddit. It is the third time that he has taken part in one of the question and answer sessions on the site.

Microsoft’s technologies such as Cortana, the digital personal assistant, make use of artificial intelligence to anticipate what users will want and respond to their requests. During the AMA, Gates said that he was working on such technology. “One project I am working on with Microsoft is the Personal Agent which will remember everything and help you go back and find things and help you pick what things to pay attention to,” he wrote. “The idea that you have to find applications and

First the machines will do a lot of jobs for us and not be super intelligent, that should be positive if we manage it well

pick them and they each are trying to tell you what is new is just not the efficient model - the agent will help solve this. It will work across all your devices.”

Microsoft executives were among the signatories to an open letter that received support from hundreds of computer scientists and technologists. Elon Musk and Stephen Hawking signed the letter, which called for research into the problems of artificial intelligence.

Both Musk and Hawking have spoken out about the dangers of such technology. Musk has described it as “summoning the demon” and the “biggest existential threat there is”, and Hawking said that AI could be the end of humanity. -Andrew Griffin/The Independent

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W W W.T I M E S O F O M A N . C O M T U E S DAY, F E B R UA RY 3 , 2 0 1 5

SECTION

CONNEC T H E D A I LY G U I D E

RENT

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VACANCY

D4

CARGO

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T U E S D AY, F E B R UA RY 3 , 2 0 1 5

DAILY GUIDE

Email: dailyguide@timesofoman.com classifieds@timesofoman.com Tel.: 24726666 Ext: 413 / 430 /431 / 456 / 461

FOR RENT

OFFICES FOR RENT - Premium offices to let a very good location on the main road very close to Zakher Mall, Al Khawiar. Business Center has offices with sizes of 50m2, 110m2, 180m2, 207m2, 230m2, 437m2.

- Showroom also available at Business Center, Area 500m2 with central A/c.

- Offices with Central Air-conditions, Security System with CCTV cameras, and Security presence in the building.

Contact: 97377355 / 95530121, Email id: aaleem@ggcoman.com

1 BHK / 2 BHK flats available at Darsait near Medical.

Contact 24705742 / 24705639 3 bedroom residential villa in Al Khuwair near to Zakher Mall. Has shaded car park. Can be used for office or other commercial purposes.

OMR 690 Monthly. Tel: 99333479 or 95215360

3BHK, (3 bathroom and big hall) opp. Apollo Hospital, Hamariya R/A (OMR 300/-) Contact 91181761 New 2 B/R unfurnished flats with split A/C’s & free internet, deluxe2 B/R fully furnished flats available at Al Khuwair near KM Hypermarket.

Office space with cassette type A/C’s available at Al Khuwair near KM Hypermarket. Contact 99460330 1 & 2 BHK, CBD. Contact 99024730 1 BHK Wadi Kabir. Contact 99024730 1 BHK/2 BHK (with split A/C) residential flat at Honda Road. 2 BHK Residential flat opposite to Al Nahdha Hospital. Contact 99795241

Office space with cassette type A/C’s with free internet at al Khuwair near KM Hypermarket. Contact 99460330

3BR top class fitting flat, ideal for top Executives, Mumtaz area, Ruwi. Contact 91287824

Villa in Bausher 37, 5 rooms + hall + sitting room, garden and parking.

Contact 95202430

Semi furnished 2 bedrooms with 3 bathrooms flat at South Ghubra.

Contact 99348493 / 93200424, 24502254

Villa in Al Khodh, 5 rooms, hall, kitchen, free water.

Contact 95202340 For lease industrial land in Rusayl, 3800 SQM, close to Knowledge Oasis Muscat (KOM) with boundary wall & electricity. Please contact Ranjay – 92199859 or Viraf – 98894811 8 BR villa in Mawaleh for office4 BR 3 flats bldg, Azaibah behind Al Meera rent RO 2500/-.

Contact 99776071 / 99057348 NEW WAREHOUSE FOR RENT at Ghala Ind. Area. 578 & 1170 approx sqms Near Hotel Al-Madinah Holiday, Ghala. Container can enter.

Immediate access to roads & highways. CONTACT : 92078090 Spacious 1BHK flat with two bathrooms near Indian School Darsait for RO 250/- from March 1st. contact 98564647 or 92052036 Flats and shops for rent at Al-Seih Al-Ahmer (Fanja).

Phone: 99058646 Office FOR RENT 250 Sq.meter near BOUSHER Signal. Contact 97749285/97753926

2 BHK flat with A/C in Al Khuwair, RO 370/-. Contact 99358589, 95570288, 97079146 1) Rooms with bathroom for rent, 2) Flats with 1 room, living room and kitchen in Bausher.

Contact 96961306

1 BHK fully furnish flat in Wadi Kabir. Contact 99792181

One bedroom flats @Al Khuwair 33. Owner - 92800007

1 BHK Wadi Kabir, RO 190/-.

Contact 95094028

1 BHK RO 190/-, Darsait.

Contact 96760894

Shop/office space. Ruwi Mumtaz, new deluxe one/two bedroom flats Wadi Kabir with A/C’s. immediate possession. Contact 24707340 / 99472457

1000 SQ Mtrs industrial land for rent in Ghala suitable for warehouse workshop etc. Contact 24700120, 92584715

Apartment in Al Khuwair, 3 rooms & sitting room. Contact 99242119 2 BHK flats Muttrah near Oman House. Contact 97007934 / 92629232

House for rent, 2 rooms, 1 Majlis, 2 toilets, kitchen, outside hall, Mawaleh. Contact 91376619

1, 2, 3 BHK flats. Contact 92144045

House in North Al Hail with 3 bedrooms, 3 toilets & hall, RO 320/-.

Contact 99738881 Store 600 & 1200 sqr mtrs in Al Khuwair. Contact 99792181 2000 sqr mtrs store in Ghala.

Contact 99792181 Flat in Wadi Kabir, 2 bedrooms, 3 toilets and one sitting room.

Contact 99210008

Flat for rent in Al Azaiba, Al Mawalah & Al Khoudh.

Contact 99336639

2 BHK at Honda Road, Al Farzana Trad, building No.2324 way-4331.

Contact 99224748, 99332297

3 bedroom, housemaid room opposite Star Cinema, RO 500/monthly. Contact 99358433

2 BHK flat, double bedroom near Darsait, Lulu. Contact 99364735, 93626091

Ghubrah, 2 BHK, 3 bath new building, rent RO 380/- per month.

Contact 98266157

Fully furnished 1 bedroom penthouse Wadi Kabir behind Sana Hassan, monthly RO 275/-.

Contact 99349990

Flat deluxe in Al Amerat Mahaj 4, 3 rooms with 3 toilets. #99672604

For rent flat and showroom in Al Khuwair, Ghala, Ghubrah and Darsait. Contact 24485240, 24485241, 93651633, 92109563

Industrial shops in Misfah RO 150/-, RO 350/-, RO 500/-.

Contact 99876161

Commercial Building in Al Khodh, 35 Apartments and shops.

Contact 95202340

2 BR flat for rent in Wadi Kabir next to Al Maha Petrol Pump.

Rent RO 300 pm. contact 99440826

Single room with toilet & A/C, water, electricity in Wadi Kabir, RO 120/-. Contact 99376454 Flat located in Al Muhaj Square Al Amerat on the main road.

Contact 98895553 One BHK flat in Wadi Kabir near Kuwaiti Mosque, RO 190/-.

Contact 95094028 Shop or office near Oman House, Muttrah. Contact 99233116 Room for rent sharing flat single room bathroom balcony cupboards & A/C RO 150/- with E/W near Al Falaj, Ruwi. Contact 96787979

2 BHK Wadi Kabir, RO 300/-.

Contact 92144045 1 BHK Mumtaz Area with A/C, RO 250/-. Contact 92144045 2 BHK with A/C Al Falaj, RO 425/-.

Contact 92144045 1 BHK with A/C Al Ghobrah, RO 275/-Contact 92144045 2 BHK commercial Al Khuwair, RO 400/-. Contact 92144045 Executive fully furnished 2 B/R Apartment @Azaiba near Zubair Showroom, executive fully furnished 2 B/R Apartment @Al Khuwair 33 near Zaker Mall, executive fully furnished 1 B/R Apartment @Al Khuwair 33, executive fully furnished 3 B/R Apartment @Al Khuwair 25.

Please contact Atlas Real Estate & Rent a Car LLC, 99249069, 92888376, 93201688 2 BHK with A/C Al.Khuwair, RO 375/- Contact 92144045

New building in Muttrah, 2 b/d room flat + setting room, 3 baths+ kitchen with split unit ac’s. Behind Khimjis main office/opposite to Oman House Call 99419712 Fully furnished rooms for rent for family. Contact 99251975, Al Khuwair Furnished room with AC for Executive, Al Khuwair. Contact 97004265, 99689315 Flat Al Ghubrah near Indian School second floor without lift, 1 BHK living room, 2 bathrooms, split AC, family only, RO 280/-, kitchen, balcony.

Contact 92479515 Flat new Al Athaibah near 18 Nov Street, 2 BHK hall, 2 bathrooms, split A/C, RO 350/-. Family only.

Contact 92479515 Flat Al Khuwair near Badr Al Samaa, 2 BHK living room, 2 bathrooms, kitchen, split A/C, family only, RO 375/-. Contact 92479515 1,000 sq mtrs industrial land in Misfah Industrial area near to Khanco.

OMR 1,500 Monthly. It has Electricity and boundary wall. Tel: 99333479 or 95215360 Offices space available min.120 upto max. 142 sqm, with data cable, pantry, cassette AC, parking, @ RO. 4/per/sqm at Jibroo Muttrah. Contact: 93221054, 99229263, 95215289

For store, workshop in Wadi Kabir Industrial Area 5/5 m. #99374977 2 bedrooms flat with hall, 2 bathrooms in Darsait near Muscat Municipality. Contact 24700120, 92584715 1&2 BHK flat & Shop for rent at MBD, Hamriya, Hallat sad, Al Khoudh area. #: 24834644, 93994401, 02, 03 2 bedroom flat for rent in Hamriya, RO 160/-. Contact 95401070 House in Darsait near the sea with 2 bedrooms, toilets & kitchen RO 350/- with E/W. Contact 94455311 New bldg 3 BR flats located at Darsait, Muscat close to Kims Pvt Hospital. Contact 92020004 / 99800838 1 / 3 BHK Flat Ghobrah, close to ISG Way 4041, building 4390.

Contact 99319880 1 BHK flat Qurum RO.270/- with split A/C. Contact – 99358589 / 95570288 /97079146 2 BHK flat at Al Khuwair RO.370/with split A/C. Contact – 99358589 / 95570288 /97079146 If require flats for rent in Wadi Kabir please send messages through Whatsapp or call – 99376454 For rent (flats), 2 bedrooms + hall +kitchen, location: South Al Mawaleh. Contact 99870020 Industrial Land in Misfah.

Contact 93009999 Flats and shops. Contact 93009999

4 bedrooms Deluxe Villa available at Al Khoud-6. (2Nos.) for 450/- per month each. Contact: 93221054, 99229263, 95215289

Flats/villas owned by ROP pension fund available for rent in Muscat.

Contact 99349526

T U E S DAY, F E B R UA RY 3 , 2 0 1 5

D3

DAILY GUIDE

M.V. FOR SALE

ACC. WANTED 1 BHK flat (with AC) below RO 200/- in CBD, MBD, Ruwi, Mumtaz Area. Contact 97748721, 92393069 Wanted a family sharing accommodation for Keralite family in Ruwi area. Please contact: 91677974

ACC. AVAILABLE Suzuki Celerio, 2013 model, 2700 kms, brand new and fully automatic.

Contact 99573353

Al Khoud-A/C Flat): 3 bed R, Majlis, Kitchen, Hall &3 toilets, OMR 300, Near Post office. Contact 99830048

Ford Mondeo, automatic, 2 ltr, 2006 model, RO 1200. Contact 99016562

To let for Indian Bachelor/Couple, furnished room, double bed, cupboard, AC, Fridge, dish TV, attached bath and kitchen facility, Darsait, close to Al Nuzha Hotel Apartments.

Contact 99492073

Toyota Innova 2012 for sale.

Contact 92282533 Pajero 3.8 v6 full option, 2008 model expat driven single owner, excellent condition, accident free, 217k.

Contact - 92590781

Studio flat MBD, Ruwi.

Contact 95698714 Independent separate entrance furnished room with attached bath & split A/C near to Wadi Adai signal.

Contact 92148188 Room available for executive bachelor or couple in Ruwi High Street near Raymond Show Room.

Contact 93500485

FOR SALE Used Blackberry Q10 (2 Month only ) 16 GB, warranty in Oman and Dubai R.O 110 only.. #95442455

Fully furnished big room with sharing toilet , kitchen immediately available for executive bachelor in N. Gubrah. Contact-95450250

Man TGS40440/2011 Prime mover with 40 FT Trailer, km run-500,000, good condition, immediate sale.

Contact 92829030/ 95328622

Room for SRI LANKAN Executive at Al Khuwair. Contact 96536307.

Coffee Shop for sale in North Al Ghubrah. Contact 95256009

Room for rent in Muttrah.

Contact 95231963

Villa for sale in new Al Khoudh.

Contact 99778773

Room available in Ruwi near Badr Al Samaa for Exe bachelor or couple RO 125/- including W/E. Contact 92196783

For sale Barber Shop in good running area, Al Khuwair. #99616650 A running gents tailoring shop for sale in Sur with full clothes and all type of sewing machines.# 99376723 2 Prime Movers Man 2008 with 40 ton petrol tank each working at the moment in Al Maha. Price OMR 35 Thousand each. Tel: 97000155 or 92688692 600 sq mtrs residential land in Misfah Phase 2. OMR 25 Thousand.

Tel : 99333479 or 95215360 Port cabins – New & refurnished Porta cabin for sale and rent.

Contact 96723468 Fully operational cafe in Hatat House for immediate sale. RO5000/ as is . Call 95207741 Spacious shop for sale in Ruwi.

Contact 99636476 Used steel fabrication machinery for Sales. More details contact : 99207912, 99209612 Villas/flats/land for sale.

Contact 99477009 1000 m land industrial, Rusayl with boundary wall. Contact 99477009

AVAILABLE Established Restaurant for rent with sponsorship. # 97628242 Party & Wedding equipment rentals. Full line, from Tables, Linen & Skirting, Chairs & Chair covers, Cutlery, Crockery, Glassware, Chafing Dishes, Ice Sculptures, to Large Sound Systems and spectacular lighting. Call Andrea 9606 2222 for Catering and Croyden 9623 5555 for Sound & Light. www.tunesoman.com, E-mail: info@tunesoman.com

ACC. AVAILABLE 2 BHK apartment for residential use in Al Khuwair 33.

Contact 94057023 Bedroom with A/c sharing kitchen for Executive bachelors at Al Khuwair. Contact 99636550 Independent rooms in Qurum/ Al Hail. Contact 95529970 Room for rent for family & bachelor at Honda road. Contact 99040590 Ghubrah furnished room with attached bath, dish, wi-fi available for executive person.

Contact 98266157

Big room attached bathroom, kitchen in Wadi Kabir.

Contact 95094028 Accommodation available for South Indian family, one bedroom, kitchen, hall in a villa, Al Ghubrah.

Please contact 99209160 Separate 2 room bathroom, kitchen in Wadi Kabir, RO 150/-.

Contact 99384640 Brand New Villa in Al Hail.

Contact 92817777 Excellent 4 bedrooms house in Al Hail. Contact 92817777 Furnished room available for Executive bachelor in Ruwi area. Contact 99054542, 24781104 1 room balcony toilet for Indian lady / small family near Khimji Institute (NIIT) near Ruwi Church.

Contact 99746379 Furnished single room with attached bathroom near Mars Hypermarket, Al Ghubrah. Contact 97312111, RO 150/- per month 2 BHK apartment for residential use at Qurum. Contact 94057023

L/R Discovery, 2003, KM 1,60,000. Contact 99238877

GOOD NEWS

Keralite Ezhava Boy, 29 yrs, 171 cm, Bharani working in reputed Company Clinic as Lab technician in Muscat seeking suitable alliance.

Contact 96564085 Veluthedath Nair Girl, 25 yrs, MCA working in Kannur seeking alliance, educated employed youth preferably from North Kerala. Contact 92310945 37 yrs Keralite, Christian-R/C, IT Professional seeks alliance from suitable girls/parents.

Contact 95420607

FREE INFORMATION ABOUT ISLAM. If you would like to know more about Islam, please call: 99425598, 96050000, 99353988, 99253818, 99341395, and 99379133. For ladies: 99415818, 99321360, 99730723 Orvisit: www.islamfact.com Ayurvedic treatment for backache, paralysis, arthritis etc & massage, All Season (Vaidyaratnam).

Contact 24475280 / 95371554 / 92504980 , www.siddhayur.com Genuine Ayurvedic treatments & massage, Ayurvedic clinic at Al Khuwair. Contact 24478618 / 97263637 /93309131

NRI

Keralite Hindu, Nair Boy family looking for suitable alliance working in Oman, star-Avittam. DOB : 1981, April 29. Contact 95579271

NRI Villa for sale 2200 sq ft in 8 cent.

Kottayam. Contact: 92652534

We can give best price for transportation to shift the material from DUBAI to OMAN and local OMAN areas. (Less 25 ton wait Dubai To OMAN Only 170/OMR). GSM 91006589,97754600 ASIF ALI Transportation. Contact 94087276 Transportation. Contact 95190627 Labor Pick & drop.

Contact 92218001 Transportation available 99159277 Transportation. Contact 92306582 Transportation. Contact 91379976 Transportation available.

Contact 95570429 Pick & drop anytime in al Khuwair.

Contact 99764307 Pick & Drop any time.

Contact 97014786

Keralite girl, Christian (Marthomite), 26 yrs, 152 cm, B.Sc Nurse working in MOH (Oman) seeks suitable alliance from professionally qualified boys. Contact 99535288 / 95581538 Kerala RC Girl, 27 yrs, 158 cm, BSc Nurse, working MOH, expectation Graduation+.

Contact 92365310

Transportation. Contact 99136050

Truck transporting & shifting.

Contact 99008442

Looking for purchase of Used Portable Compressor (350 CFM, 7 Bar Pressure) powered with Diesel run Generator.

Kindly Contact 99014686 or operation@khancogroup.com

MATRIMONIAL

Transportation. Contact 93405941

VIP transport 24 hrs services.

Contact 92108447, 96781899

BUYING/SELLING

Looking for commercial lands for sale in Al Ghobrah North (urgent serious buyers, commercial lands in al Ghobrah North (corners prime location). Contact 91155779

TRANSPORTATION

Transportation. Contact 99664703

New villa for sale at Kottayam, Kerala, India, location – Kudamaloor, 4 km from Baker Junction from location to Kumarakom, – 10 km Kottayam Medical College – 4 km.

Contact 96607686, 96607574, 95937909 Land 23 cents with house at Guruvayur near Mammiyur LF College.

Contact 96055304 For Astrological consultation, Jathakam.Contact 99860435 / 97102599

Transportation. Contact 96538078 Transportation Available Contact 97180655

*Classified Advertisement space booking with text, should be done till 12.00 noon for next day’s publication. * Subject to space availability

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T U E S D AY, F E B R UA RY 3 , 2 0 1 5

DAILY GUIDE

Email: dailyguide@timesofoman.com classifieds@timesofoman.com Tel.: 24726666 Ext: 413 / 430 /431 / 456 / 461

SITUATION SITUATION WANTED VACANT

SITUATION WANTED ACCOUNT. & FINANCE B.Com, MBA, presently working in Oman since 4 yrs having total exp of 8 yrs in Gulf looking for suitable position in Accounts / Finance (Trading/Const), NOC release available. Contact 99422879, email: azim_007_99@gmail.com Indian Male, MBA, B.com Having 7 yrs of experience in finance Department (Trading & Logistics) with knowledge of ERP & Tally, and Oman valid D/L. NOC is available looking for suitable Position contact No.99279626 Accountant B.Com MBA, Indian male having 5 yrs GCC exp in similar field with valid Omani D/L & NOC available. Contact: 91719385 Email: shinuyesodharan@gmail.com, Srilankan, 34 yrs, Accountant, B.Com & CIMA intermediate, 8 yrs exp on short visit.

Contact 95522109 B.Com Accounting, MBA Marketing and Finance with one yr experience in Banking and three months intern in marketing field.

Contact 94695465 Accountant, Indian, B.Com, 5 yrs exp, D/L Oman. NOC available, TALLY ERP. Contact 91732734 Indian male, 24 yrs, MBA(Finance) having experience of more than one year as a Business Development Executive in an IT Company, knowledge of Tally ERP, MS Excel, having good Computer Knowledge on visit visa looking for suitable placement.

Contact 91348150, shahidponmanichi@gmail.com

MEDICAL

SALES / MARKETING

ACCOUNT. & FINANCE Wanted Dentist, female GP & staff Nurse for a Medical Centre at Salalah. Contact Dr. Harish Mishra : 95572457 / 23298268

Wanted part time Accountant in Rumaiz, TALLY must. Email : smylackal@gmail.com or contact 94007259

Urgently required following staffs for a reputed Polyclinic in Muscat Radiologist, General practitioner (GP), Orthopedic Surgeon.

Cont : 95220350, Email : drtrish_29@yahoo.com

Urgently required Assistant Accountant with minimum 3 yrs Gulf experience should join us immediately. Email: dirbas.oman@gmail.com

BEAUTY Required Indian or Pakistani beautician should know henna designing for Sur. Visa & accommodation available.

Contact 92795061

DESIGNER Urgently required Interior Designer qualified with minimum 5 yrs experience, capable to execute internal / external decorations to work for a leading construction company.

Email : alfayafy@outlook.com or fax : 24479675

DRIVER Wanted heavy duty experienced long route bus drivers.

Contact 96631721 Required experienced Indian Driver for sewage tanker.

Contact 95339249 Urgently required Motor cycle driver. Contact 99509048 / 97675727

DOMESTIC HELPER Required housemaid for a Malayali family in Bausher area.

Cont : 92860215 Looking for an experienced Filipino lady in Muscat to take care of a 3-year-old girl from 2 pm to 6 pm. tel:94190850 Looking for Part time/Full time house maid for Indian familyAl Khuwair. Contact 98866174/ 98813910 Looking for Indian or Sri Lankan Housemaid for family in Al Khodh. Please contact 92199859 / 91178028

ELECTRIC/MECHANICAL Required experienced Technicians specialized in cold room, chiller room, freezer and fridge maintenance and repair works. Send CV to nationalhvac@ymail.com or fax: 24799442

EDUCATION Required Teachers for preparatory classes for private school in Ghubrah, B.A English + B.Ed + 3 yrs experience. Call: 24705605 from 8 am to 1 pm

ENGINEERS Require Software Engineer with minimum 2 yrs experience in ERP project with C#, asp.net and SQL. Email : alriyangg@gmail.com Required Project Engineer (Civil), D/L, 5+ yrs exp to look after MOE Projects in different places and an Accountant with Tally Knowledge, D/L. Send CV to alrkhader@hotmail.com or contact : 94148220 Required HVAC Engineer, 8 years experienced in Installation & Supervision, available to join immediately.

Email: info@4dengineering.net Required B.E Mechanical Engineer with minimum 3-5 yrs Gulf experience specialized in HVAC works, good knowledge in AutoCAD. Preferred with Omani Driving License.

Send CV to nationalhvac@ymail.com, fax: 24799442

MISCELLANEOUS Required 1.Glass Partition Fixer 2. Carpenter. Contact - 93420789 Required Tailor and Barber.

Contact 96964767

MANAGER Telecom / Electrical Supervisors, minimum 3 yrs exp, GCC exp & D/L preferred, Diploma in respective fields essential. Contact 96341946, email : kmmadhupal@gmail.com

MEDICAL Physiotherapist, Nurses (preferably with MOH), Speech Therapist, Rehabilitation Doctor needed for a centre in Muscat. Please send CV to s.jamal@rochesterwellness.com Wanted Licensed Nurse & Pharmacist for a new Clinic in Muscat.

Contact : 96709401

Required Staff Nurse and a helper immediately for a medical centre Mabela. Contact..95200180 Wanted female physiotherapist with MOH License. Send CV at Email : info@sagarpolyclinic.com Dentist required to work urgently in dreams clinic at Al Khoud and must be resident in Sultanate of Oman.

Please send your CV to the following email – towershr70@gmail.com / balushi70@gmail.com / info@towersinternationalgroups.com Mobile – 99882340 / 24545914 Urgently required a GP Doctor with MOH license for a leading Medical Clinic. Contact 92008272 / 96602188, email : dearnaif@hotmail.com General practitioner Doctor is required to work urgently in Dreams Clinic at Al Khoudh and must be resident in the Sultanate of Oman.

Please send your CV to the following email: towershr70@gmail.com, balushi70@gmail.com & info@towersinternationalgroups. com, Mobile 99882340, Tel: 24545914

SALES / MARKETING Urgently required a dynamic Marketing Executive for a furniture company. Should posses a valid Omani Driving License.

Contact 97164554 / aliasgar@ultimate-furniture.com Required in Sales : The applicant should have 5 – 7 years experience in automotive parts, Lubricants and Batteries. Send your CV to sales@nimr.om Wanted Salesman with driving licence and car.

Gsm : 98805474 or email id: jobssales2015@gmail.com Sales vacancy for leading Courier Company in Oman, with valid Omani Driving License and the knowledge of English speaking, reading & writing is mandatory. Send your CV to ffomanopsl@firstflightme.com Required Marketing Executives.

Send your CV to ocean@omantel.net.om Oman experienced Sales Executives with own car for Events / Advertising / Media Sales.

Email: jobs@interacoman.com

Urgently required Salesperson with valid Oman Driving License, must have experience in handling ‘A’ Grade Hyper. Mail your CV to wasim@alliusie.com, mibrahim@alliusie.com or call 98099914, 97138599 Required an experienced person who has ideas to start a new business in electrical field or supply with minimum cost. Contact 99426421 Looking for outdoor salesman for heavy equipments.

Contact- 93292015, 99656542 Highly reputed Perfume Company requires Omani Sales girl promoters. Contact 95663682, 92956876

Required for a leading Plastic Factory in Oman – 1) PET Sheet roll extruder operators and supervisors, 2) Plastic Lab quality testing Technician, 3) Injection molding operators and supervisors. All above minimum experience 3 yrs.

4) Accountant preferred Filipino Male 10 yrs experience. Apply yaser.zougbor@gmail.com Urgently required Surveyor for Salalah min. 5 yrs experience, health & safety officer for Salalah min. 5 yrs experience. Email : hussainbaomar2@gmail.com Head office waiter storekeeper required for new Indian Restaurant. Contact 96500750

SITUATION WANTSIT. WANTED ED ACCOUNT. & FINANCE Indian female, 25 yrs, bachelors of businesses management, having experience of 5 years as a fund/ financial administration, on visit visa,looking for suitable placement.

Contact 94662416 Apurwaverma@gmail.com Indian Male 25 years B.Com having 3 years of exp of Oman in Accounts/Administration.Well versed with computer knowledge looking for suitable position. Immidiately available. Contact:93207867 email: tambeazhar@gmail.com India Accountant: Male, M com, 7 Yrs experience in Accounts up to finalization, having knowledge of ERP, Tally, seeks suitable placement. Contact:93950138 Email: lijinrajan123@gmail.com

Indian male MBA 32 yrs having 10 yrs of exp seeking suitable placement in Admin/ HR/ Operations/ Coordination/ Logistics etc. Holding valid Oman D/L .Contact - 99054786 B.A Business Administration, exp 2 yrs in store keeping.

Contact 99410268 A Female Commerce Graduate with 3 years of Client Relationship Management experience in an International Bank and additional working experience at a European Embassy.

Seeks suitable position in Retail banking/HR/Admin/Visa Processing/Operations. Call 93265915 Procurement Officer with 7 yrs exp in EPC oil & gas Company looking for suitable placement, driving license available. Contact 94618578 Young Indian male with 5 years Muscat experience in admin, purchase & Masters from UK seeks placement. Possess driving license.

Contact 94400671 B.Sc Graduate with 6 yrs of exp in HR & Admin looking for suitable placement. PH. 93264616 Indian male (27), MBA (HR), 3 yrs experience in Multinational Company. Contact 94678694 Indian male, 35 years with 10 years Oman experience in HR & Administration looking for suitable placement. Please contact 94473070 Indian HR admin job, 22 yrs experience, 9 yrs in Oman. NOC available.

Contact 92981324, 97241168, email: sreekp7@gmail.com

Pakistani male, 26, B.Com 16 yrs specialization in finance & accounting, 1.5 yrs of experience in banking and industry seeking suitable job.

Contact 95351872, omer.raza.cheema@gmail.com

Indian female, Graduate experience in Admin Customer Service operation, retail looking for suitable job.

Contact 94231020

Indian male, 25 yrs, M.Com, CA finalist having 5 yrs of working experience in Finance & Accounts on visit seeks suitable placement.

Contact 92320520, email : coolsam06@gmail.com

Indian female with excellent communication skills, confident, dedicated to work and enthusiastic.

Knowledge about ms office. Has 6 years of experience in customer service, telecommunication, HR.Looking for immediate placement. Contact # 97348819

Accounting up to finalization, auditing & contact for tally ERP software Contact– 91720465 Indian Accountant, Male having 7 yrs exp in Oman seeking suitable placement. NOC available.

Contact 96258733 Indian Male looking Accounting, finance, MBA finance, 3 yrs GCC, 6 yrs India. Contact 97138592, fahimakthar@gmail.com

SKILLED / UNSKILLED Urgently required the following labours for a Construction Company in Muscat on monthly basis 1) Tile Fixing Mason- 2 Nos., 2) Helpers – 8 Nos. Contact 96473187

ADMIN/HR

Chartered Accountant B.Com / CA / CIA, 10+ yrs in Audit, Accounts, Finance. Contact 94641805

ARCHI./ DRAUGHTSMAN Indian male, Graduation with ITI, 2 yrs experience as a Civil & Structural Drafting seeking suitable placement. NOC available.

Contact 96649217 28 yrs Indian male, M.Arch, 3.5 yrs exp in Green Building Architecture seeking placement.

Contact 91540113, Email: abdulmomin.h@gmail.com

DRIVER Indian Male, 25 yrs currently in Oman on visit looking for suitable vacancies in accounts, B.Com completed 1 yr experience.

Contact 92024380 Indian male, 25 yrs, now on visit visa having 2 yrs experience in Accounts and Admin seeking suitable placement. Contact 95351570, mail2ajithpc@gmail.com Part time accounting & finalization.

Contact 93053875 Male Indian, 22 yrs, B.Sc, Computer science on visit valid upto 10/02/2015 looking for a suitable placement. Contact 92579790 Accounts Manager, 8 yrs experience in trade, construction and real estate looking for suitable placement. Contact 94669596 Indian Male, MBA 2 yrs experience in Accounts, Admin & HR on visit visa. Contact 92045306 Finance Manager, CPA, with more than 15 yrs. of experience in GCC. Fully knowledgeable in Finance, General & Management Accounting .

NOC available.

Contact 96209331 Pakistani male, 25 yrs, MBA Finance, 1.6 yrs exp in Accounts seeking placement in Accounts, Administration or Business Management. Contact 92651927 / 94250149 Accountant / Auditor, Srilankan male 27, having 3+ yrs experience looking for suitable placement.

Contact 93556320 Indian male, 32 years, M. Com. 7 out of 9 years experience in Oman in Accounts/finance. Having NOC and valid Oman D/L. Contact 98277143, Email: anzarks@gmail.com

Light Driver having own visa looking for job as driver Contact 92303692 Light driver looking for job, 2 yrs exp. Release available.

Contact 98356230 Light driver looking for job in Oman, 3 yrs exp in Saudi Arabia, 5 yrs English, Arabic. Contact 96088707 Experienced driver with 4 wheel drive, Land Cruiser. # 99725003 Light driver, 4 yrs experience.

Contact 92024487 Driving with car job wanted, 7 yrs experience light. Contact 95667138 Light driver looking for a job as house driver. Release available Contact 99206340 LV Driver- 2 yrs Exp-know English- Contact 95292064 Light driver looking for job.

Contact 92791678

CATERING Indian cook, Tandoori cook, male, 32 yrs, having 4 yrs of experience in Muscat in India, looking for a cook job in Hotel. Contact 93753523 / 98744307 / 92175119.

DESIGNER Keralite Bachelor professional building designer with AutoCAD, 3D Max & Accounts. #96535497, email : bhaviwky90@gmail.com Gypsum partition wall and Gypsum decor expert, 7 yrs experience in Saudi Arabia having Omani Driving License seeking suitable job. Contact 91384547

T U E S DAY, F E B R UA RY 3 , 2 0 1 5

D5

DAILY GUIDE SITUATION WANTED DRIVER Indian female, 25yrs BscFASHION DESIGNING, 3yers experience in designing field and teaching. looking for a sutable placement. Contact: 98785310.

Email: vinaya.m.nair@gmail.com

ENGG. / TECHNICAL B.E Mechanical Engineer, Indian Male, 29, 5 years experience in steel fabrication field (piping and structural) as site engineer. Looking for suitable placement.

Contact 96115463.

Jijoraju085@yahoo.com.

Seeking job, BTech Instrumentation, 12 years experience Design, FEED, Detailed engineering, Oil & Gas, Instrumentation systems, Oman Driving license.

Email :- wilfridsjacob@gmail.com Mobile:- 00968 99048130 Mechanical Engineer seeking suitable placement immediately.

Contact : 94181367 Email : nuwaiznizar@gmail.com Quantity Surveyor, B.Tech & H.N.D with 4 yrs experience looking for suitable placement on visit visa.

Contact 96978752, 95751278, email : hmirfan527@gmail.com Telecom Engineer with 4 yrs experience in Engineering & Sales VOIP. Contact 92577245 Civil Engineering, Indian female, 1 yr experience in estimation, basic knowledge in Primavera, AutoCAD etc. Contact 91690345, 92956291 Indian, Manager/AGM/readymix concrete field, B.E Mechanical Engineer, 12 yrs of Gulf experience in the same field looking for the job in reputed organization, on tourist visa.

Contact 94511417, email : ayubkhan12001@yahoo.com Mechanical Engineer,(BE in Mechanical) with Certified quality controller - NDT level 2 qualified as per ASNT - SNT-TC-I A, having experience as quality control engineer in India, presently on visit visa, seeks suitable placement. Cont : 94692418 email: suhylehameed@gmail.com Senior Mechanical Power Engineer in Oil & Gas fields on/offshore, experience 7 yrs.

Email : mohab_206@yahoo.com.

Contact 94249022 Mechanical Engineer with 2 yrs experience in Oil & Gas looking for suitable placement immediately.

Contact 95155147 B.E Civil Engineer, 5 yrs experience, NOC available. Contact 98970233 Operations / Sales & Marketing Manager Jordanian Arabic English Mechanical Eng., 18 Years experience in GCC, 4 years inside Oman, Non Objection Letter available GSM 91120605, 98173519 Mechanical Engineer, Indian male, seeks suitable job, presently on visit visa. Contact 99796730 / 92031312, Email : padsalamilap123@gmail.com Planning & Project Control Engineer. B.E. Mechanical. Exp. 6 yrs.

(3 yrs. in Oman). Primavera P6, Valid D/L, Clearance available, seeks placement. Contact 95196628. adnan731@gmail.com B.Sc in Civil Engineer with 5 yrs experience with Omani Driving License. Contact 96785311 Diploma Mechanical Engineer, Indian male, 39 yrs, 6 yrs experience in Oman. Steel Structural Fabrication & heavy equipment maintenance, Omani Driving License, NOC available. Contact 96728805, email: jansanjosep@yahoo.co.in Iraqi Civil Engineer 12 yrs experience with Oman driving license.

Contact 94695595 Electrical Project Engineer, 4 yrs experience in OHL, substations, oil & gas, AutoCAD, driving license available. Contact 95120225 Indian male, 27 yrs, BA, Economics, Diploma in fire & Safety Engineering, NEBOSH, IOSH certification, 4 yrs exp. as safety officer in India, on visit visa. Contact 91092826 An Electrical Engineer currently working in oman having 3 year of experience in oil and gas projects and 1 year exp in other projects having a valid ROP & Desert driving licence is currently seeking a suitable position in a reputed firm.

NOC can be available.

Ph no + 968 92734288

MEDICAL

ENGG. / TECHNICAL

ENGG. / TECHNICAL Indian male 23 with B-Tech in Mechanical Engineering & knowledge in AutoCAD; CATIA V6, Ansys 15 is looking for a suitable placement.

Contact 94326557 B. Tech Civil Engineer, 23 yrs male with interior designing experience with AutoCAD, 3D Max on visit seeking suitable placement.

Contact - 94655275, 99360478 Indian Male Master degree in electronics, having 7.5 years of experience in IT Computer Hardware and Networking, seeking suitable placement. Contact: 97202522 email:connectjinomjohn@yahoo.com Diploma of Associate Civil Engineering, Diploma of AutoCad, having 3.5 yrs experience, 2 yrs experience of Oman in Building Construction, valid transferrable ID Card.

Contact 94378581 Civil Engineer - Bldg Construction 7 yrs exp in Oman with D/L. Contact 96429748 Email: ilyas.civengg@yahoo.co.in Indian male, Mechanical Engineer, (M.Tech), Manufacturing Engineering, having 2 yrs exp with Oman D/L seeking suitable placement. NOC available. Contact 98681278, email : alexyvellara@gmail.com Quantity Surveyor (Civil Building) looking for Part time job Contact no:94391712 E-mail addressinayathhussain@yahoo.com Indian B.Tech Mechanical Engineer, 26 yrs, 4 yrs experience in HVAC/MEP. Contact 94669629, rajeevhpd15@yahoo.com Civil Engineer, 4 yrs exp, Diploma.

Contact 96326570, email : awaisahmad9632@gmail.com Q A Design / Design Coordinator/ Project Control _B Tech Electrical, MBA (Total Quality Management), Experience in Major Projects in Oman NOC available Ph: 99506977 Electrical Engineer experience 13 yrs in Oman, Diploma. Medc.CEP+ Oman D/L. Release available.

Contact 95431009 / 96762489 Russian female, Bachelors degree in economics with 3 yrs experience.

Fluent in English, Arabic & Russian.

Contact 95343882 Indian Male, 24, UK Graduate - MSc (Eng.) Environmental Engineering and Project Management with B.Eng. Biotechnology. Holding Valid Omani Driving License, looking for suitable placement +968 9110 6535 pranayck90@gmail.com Indian male, BE Mechanical Engineer having 4 yrs experience seeks suitable placement. Family visit visa. Contact 95088176, toufikyermal@gmail.com B. Tech Civil Eng. 3 yrs exp in Oman with driving license.

Contact 93733627.

Mail id : joinvisam@gmail.com, neethusprakash@gmail.com Diploma in Civil Engineer, 15 yrs Oman experience (total 28 yrs) looking for senior position with valid D/L, NOC available. Contact 99013465 Aircraft Maintenance Technician with one year experience seeks suitable placement. Contact amaljohn2002@gmail.com Indian male, BE MBA PMP having 20 yrs exp in Civil Residential Commercial Infra Construction and contract management looking for role in Project / Program Management.

NOC available. Contact 94634053 Jordanian Engineer Electrical 7 yrs exp. Consulting, site & shop drawing works. Ready to join immediately.

Worked in UAE & Saudi Arabia.

Contact - 00971555594733 Generator maintenance in charge with 4 yrs experience with Cummins, caterpillar, kirloskar and voltas. Contact - email: shibinmundakkal@gmail.com Indian male, 28 yrs, Electrical Engineer, 5 yrs Gulf Oman experience in HV and LV Installation work seeking placement. NOC available.

Contact 91391587

M. Tech Electrical Eng. Female, now in visit visa.

Contact +968-94654481.

Staff Nurse, 17 yrs experience with Omani license seeking suitable placement. Contact 96511376

Diploma Civil Engineer, Indian male, 29, 4 yrs experience in building construction field, 2 yrs experience with consulting company in Oman driving license and release available from current company. Contact 93282447, cv.shihabedappal@gmail.com

Indian Female, 28 yrs Staff Nurse, 7 yrs of experience (4 yrs in Gulf) presently working in India, Oman Prometric passed 63%, valid BLS & ACLS certificates, looking for suitable job in Muscat area.

Email : anishaabrahamc@gmail.com or call 93137898

Diploma in Civil Engineer, 6 yrs experience in Oman with D/L. Contact 94052815 Telecommunication Engineer with 5 yrs experience in the Gulf.

Contact 95219822 Civil Engineer with 12 years Experience Looking For Job. Contact 98162295 Looking Part time Job in HVACContact - 93198128 Indian Male, IT Support Engineer, 2 yrs in Oman & 5 yrs Indian experience. Contact 97311847 Civil Engineer B Tech, Site Engineer Experienced, Drafting on Visit Visa Ph : 91642050 Indian male, 26 yrs B-Tech (ECE) with MBA in Marketing / HR looking for a suitable placement. Currently on visit visa valid up to 30 January 2015. Contact 93754428, email : shijosirius709@gmail.com Civil Engineer (Diploma) seeking for a placement. Contact 95200650 Experienced female Electrical Engineer.Contact 93800906 DAE (Civil) having 3.5 years Experience 2 years from Oman with driving licences, seeking for suitable position in Construction field NOC and release available .

Contact 96968554 Email: mehranahmad26@yahoo.com

EDUCATION Indian female, B. Tech in IT, seeking suitable placement in teaching/HR/Technical in Sohar - Contact: 92061689/96738300 , Email: nikhithacep@gmail.com 1 year experience in teaching all subject to KG classes,currently working as a teacher in Oman, seeking suitable placement .

Family visa .contact 92178304 / 99036256 Pakistani Lady, B.Ed and M.A Islamiyat, 5 yrs experience of teacher, 3 yrs Vice Principal, 7 yrs Academy session looking for suitable job in school or office.

Contact 93149659, email : alex_ali1@yahoo.com

INFORMATION TECH Oracle certified BE (CS) Indian male with skills in OCA (DBA, SQL10g, looking for suitable placement.

Contact 98436022/99848874 Email: rineel2005@yahoo.com Indian male, 28 yrs Computer Hardware Networking Troubleshooting, technical support, fire safety administration, customer support 1 yr experience, OSHA on visit. Contact 91025050, email : purujith8797@gmail.com B.Tech IT, 1 yr experience Programmer, visual basic ASP.NET network certified. Contact 96748154 Omani citizen searching a job in the field of Computer especially in Data Base Professional in Operating Oracle SQL, PL/SQL, Form6i, Report 6i. Contact 96977368, email: talalom1@yahoo.com Indian, IT Prof, MCA, 5+ exp in Hardware Networking, PHP, CSS, HTML, JavaScript, SQL seeking suitable vacancy. NOC available, can join immediately.

Email : e.mustafa@live.com.

Contact 97496998 Indian male, BSc Graduate, Diploma, CCNA, MCP (visit visa), 4+ yrs exp in System Admin, IT Support, Network Admin.

Contact 99330209 / 91751472, E mail : rajeshr131@gmail.com Indian Male 23 yrs – IT / Pre-post Sales Consultant / Business Analyst / Web Designing. 2 yrs. exp.

Languages-HTML5, WebRTC, Java, CSS, C++, .Net, SQL, Oracle, ERP-Microsoft Dynamics CRM. Looking for suitable job.

Contact: 98802504, email:shrihari26@gmail.com

INFORMATION TECH B.Tech IT Professional, Indian Male with 3 yrs of Exp. In System Admin, IT Support, Networking, Installing Active Directory, DHCP, DNS,RAS, configuring maintaining and managing servers, configuring cisco routers, Exp in handling SQL database, With Valid Driving Licence. Contact - 968 98863507 IT Prof, MCA having 6+ yrs exp, seeks suitable position.

Contact 94543668 BCA Graduate, Indian male with 1yr of exp in System Admin, IT Support, Network Admin and 1yr exp as sales Executive.

CCNA,MCSE .looking for suitable job. Contact 95938303 email- hafsalhs@gmail.com

MANAGER/ SUPERVISOR Indian male Graduate with 20+ years of Administration, Operations & Management experience in IT, Oil & Gas & Hospitality Industry. 12 years in Oman with vast contacts, very strong management, operational, communication and interpersonal skills, can handle any size of business and projects whether it’s in initial stage or established. Can join immediately.

Local release available on request.

Contact: 9906 4589 Project/Contracts Manager, 31 yrs (with 25 yrs Oman) experience, in Govt/Private Sector on Multimillion R.O. Projects, Post Graduate in Civil Structural Engineering with Structural & QS background.

Contact 91400599 Qualified Manager: (12+ yrs. Oman Exp.) Vast knowledge in A/c & Admin, Costing, Banking, Credit Control, Insurance, International Purchase/Logistics & Finance, With D/L looking for suitable position.

Gsm: 93826090 Email: jskanchan01@gmail.com Indian female with nine years of experience in 5 Star hotels as Assistant Food & Beverage Manager looking for a suitable placement in a reputed Star hotel.

Contact 91219787

MISCELLANEOUS 36 years, Indian male, more than 10 yrs experience in India & 3 yrs in Oman in Purchase / Logistics currently working in Govt. Sector, seeks suitable placement in Manager/Asst.

Mgr level (NOC available).

Contact 99185929 Logistics Officer, Experience in Store keeping. Contact : 99505934

MEDICAL Medical- Indian female, 27 yrs, masters in hospital administration, fellowship in HTA studied in a super specialty medical sciences and research center in India and done project in an established hospital in sultanate of Oman.

Contact 93200827, 91026506 Female 28 years B.Sc Nurse with Oman Prometric Pass January 2015.

3.5 Years experience. Looking for a suitable placement.

Contact 93198484/97309472 33 yrs old Indian Dentist with 7 yrs of experience in India and passed prometric exam seeking for suitable placement in Oman.

Contact 91022744.

Email : praveengp_82@yahoo.com Female dentist with MOH license and with Noc looking for suitable placement in Muscat region Contact no. 99147426 Lab Technician, Civil (8yrs Gulf experience) looking for a suitable job (NOC available) Contact-93344378 Female, 27 yrs G.N.M with 4 yrs experience and Prometric Pass looking for suitable placement.

Contact 96269381, email : lijusk@gmail.com

Indian male Pharmacist (B.Pharma) 5 1/2 years experience in Oman seeking suitable placement in Muscat. NOC from the present employer available.

Contact +968 98525100

SECRETARIAL/OFFICE Tunisian women looking for job, khnows english, frensh, Italian and arabic. Contact: 91171838 Indian female with 10 yrs of experience in HR/Banking/Operations seeks a suitable placement. Can be contacted on 98919015 or sherianne.coelho@gmail.com Indian female, well experienced in secretarial, administration, customer care & supervisory jobs.

5 years experience in Muscat.

Immediately available for joining.

Contact: 92139298

SALES / MARKETING Indian male, 32 yrs, B.Tech E&I, 10 yrs experience in sales, procurement, BDM, 6 yrs in Oman experience Oil & Gas Sector seeks suitable placement, Omani D/L, NOC available. Contact 97233074 Bengali male, 26 yrs, having 2 yrs experience in Oman looking for indoor sales merchandiser, storekeeping foreman counter sales job & NOC available.

Contact 95959723 Marketing Manager – Advertising & branding, media, client service business development ATL + BTL Branding. Contact 93031168 MBA (Operations Marketing) with 2 yrs experience in Logistics and Operations, looking for suitable placement. Presently on visit visa.

Contact 97920125, email : hareeshg111@gmail.com The Business Development Manager, Iraqi, Experience 14 Years Inside and outside Oman following activities: tenders& real estate& construction & marketing projects& investments& transportation & Marine services& companies management& develop business. Contact :- 93240027 Sales/Marketing, 10 yrs experience training Industry, Indian Male.

Contact 94693347 A Pakistani Male, experience of Sales and Marketing in different products 4 yrs in Europe, with valid driving license. Contact 96534115 Indian Male, 32 yrs having 8 yrs experience seeking suitable placement in sales procurement logistics, coordination, operations holding valid Omani D/L. Contact 92031081 MBA Professional with Omani D/L seeking Sales or Marketing job.

Contact 94143154, rinojnathen008@gmail.com Indian male, 24 yrs, 3 yrs Sales experience in Oman, license, NOC available. Contact 99534384, email : ajuashfak@gmail.com Indian male, 24 yrs Computer Engineering in Diploma, 3.6 yrs experience in sales looking for sales executive job. Contact 96396011 Indian male, 10 years ongoing Oman Experience in Sales / Marketing of Oilfield Equipment / Supplies, looking for mid career job opportunity with reputed firms / groups.

Masters Degree. NOC available.

Contact +968 94045125.

Email: djoman.career@gmail.com Dynamic Indian male Graduate with experience in Sales and Marketing of luxury auto brands, having 8 yrs of Oman experience with D/L currently in Oman.

Contact 93342565, 99364437, email : manojkpa@rediffmail.com Indian Male, 7 yrs experience in building materials trading having Oman D/L, immediate release available. Contact 98676713 18 yrs Oman experience in Building Materials seeking suitable placement, NOC available. Contact 93105775

SALES / MARKETING Indian Male, MBA in Marketing and Finance, 10 years’ Sales & Business Development Experience with valid D/L of Oman & UAE looking for a suitable placement. NOC Available.

Contact: 93969961 e-mail abhilash.pvrk@gmail.com Sales & Marketing Indian male MBA (marketing & sales) business development experience at all levels of management. Currently on visit visa. Contact – 91272819 Indian male, MBA 9+ yrs Oman exp in Sales & Marketing in FMCG (F & B) sector on a Supervisor / managerial role with D/L & Local NOC available. Contact 97912789 Young female, having experience of working in Oman with expertise in the field of Event Management, Advertising, Marketing and Hotel Management. Currently on a visit visa. Seeking for a suitable Job. Contact # 96153578 Indian male, B.Com, 20 yrs experience in Sales & Marketing having UAE light D/L looking for suitable post. Contact +91 9946699062, email : sajim40@gmail.com Indian Male having 7 yrs in experience in Oman Sales & Marketing Office Automation Printer, Copier, MFP, IT products & Stationery. Looking for Suitable Placement NOC Available Contact :97384748 15 years experience in Business Development , marketing, purchase – UAE & Oman-staff coordination, documentation, civil & technical maintenance, -valid GCC license-looking for working partnership or management post. Contact:91568362 / Email vpj555pem@gmail.com

SKILLED / UNSKILLED Indian Cook, tandoori cook, male, 32 yrs having 4 yrs of experience in Muscat in India looking for a suitable job in hotel. Contact 93753523, 98744307, 92175119 Foreman Indian Male, 11 yrs experience in building construction having Kuwaiti Driving License presently in Kerala.

Contact +91 9947689894 Civil foreman maintenance D/L, 12 yrs in Oman, 2 yrs in Kuwait.

Contact 96405865, 99534138, India - +91 7589248550, +91 9464255409, email: sukhwinder9@yahoo.com

MISCELLANEOUS Indian female MCA, with 5 years 4months of exp. in oracle, sql, plsql, unix. Knowledge in c language Contact no:93234758, email id:indu.mr@gmail.com Indian female, 25 yrs, B.Com with computer Application, 1 yr experience as Accountant, looking for suitable job. Contact 98847165 Graduate, Indian, having 6 yrs experience in Sales with D/L, NOC available. Contact 93410723 Indian female, 25 yrs, M.Sc Software Engg., on visit visa having 2 yrs experience in IT & Admin seeks suitable placement.

Contact 96985150, Email: anucherian15@gmail.com MBA Marketing with 10 years experience in Oman and Pakistan, sales of industrial equipment and machinery, now on visit visa looking for job. Contact 99189286 Pakistani Male Having 5 year experience Valid Omani license working in Transport Division looking for a suitable position .Salary is negotiable...naveedmuhammad037@gmail.com Mob:93363316 Indian male, B.com with tally, having 11 years experience in accounting, looking for a part time job. contact.96423671 Indian Male, 31 years of Rich Oman experience in Multifunctional Management, Administration, Business Development, Purchase & Operations, seeking suitable Manager/Supervisory Position.Visa transfer/NOC Available.

Contact : 95036410 31 years, male with Gulf Experienced Microsoft Certified Solution Associate, Have GCC driving license, looking for a suitable job as Network/System Administrator.

Phone: +968 93927126, 99853614, Email: khalil837@hotmail.com

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T U E S D AY, F E B R UA RY 3 , 2 0 1 5

DAILY GUIDE

Email: dailyguide@timesofoman.com Tel. 24726666 Ext: 413 / 430 431 / 456 / 461 Fax: 24812624

SITUATION WANTSIT. WANTED ED Experienced British Beautician Seeking suitable Placement.

Mobile # 97175240 Indian Male, 31 years of Rich Oman experience in Multifunctional Management, Administration, Business Development, Purchase & Operations seeking suitable Manager/Supervisory Position. Visa transfer/NOC Available. GSM: 95036410

EVERY FRIDAY 2.00PM ON INDIA’S KAIRALI PEOPLE TV

Indian male Executive Secretary having vast experience in Admin, logistics & procurement well versed with computer seeks suitable placement.

Contact : 99514286 Male 24,looking for permanent job in Computer and Communication field, BSC in Computer and communication Engineering.

4-month Practical training in Hayyat communication company (subcontractor of ooredoo).

Email:adilbutt102@gmail.com.

Gsm:+968-92328726.

● Worldwide ● Air Ticket ● Car Rental ● Holiday Packages ● Hotel Reservations ● Travel Insurance

Call: +96824790400, +96898569830 Email: info@omanorienttravels.com

7 years of Experience in project planning and control in oil and gas, PDO & QP Approved Planner,PRIMAVERA-6,B.Tech in Mechanical engineering from CUSAT. CONTACT- ph-00974 70230223 ullasprabhakaran@yahoo.co.in BE (Electronics and communication Engineering) having 3 years experience in CCTV, Alarm system and Networking on visit visa seeking placement Contact-97460974 Indian male B.Eng. in IT,CCNA,MCSA,MCSE, 2 yrs exp. in IT support, networking and server support valid Omani D/L seeking suitable placement in IT/Network/ Server support. Contact 97127771.

Investment Consultant having 13 yrs experience in business development, all level sales and marketing with Omani Driving License, NOC available. Contact 93029373 Indian Female, MCA, 28 yrs having 1 yr experience in Software (PHP) and 1 yr in teaching seeking job in any field, residing in Oman, Al Azaibah.

Contact 98609906, email : laya.k.jayakumar@gmail.com Graduate, Indian Male, BBM, 25 yrs in Oman Accountant/Admin/ Property Management/Business, excellent English, communication skills/Tally/ valid Omani Driving License seeking job in Accounts/ Admin/Purchase/Operations.

Contact 95060708 MBA graduate having more than 2 years of experience in event management company as event coordinator. Looking for a suitable job in your esteemed organization which will commensurate with my qualifications. Contact no:+96894560161, Email id:qaisebukhari@gmail.com Srilankan male, 24 yrs, CIMA part qualified with 2 yrs experience in finance field, preferably in finance/ accounts/ management/administration field, has good command of English. Contact 968 94633968 Pakistani Male having 5 years of experience, valid Omani Driving license working in HR Department looking for a suitable position. salary is negotiable. # 92820983 Civil Engineer, B.E in civil, Experience in Oman approx in two years.

Cell no : 94389853 Email: faheemdeer1986@gmail.com.

30 year Indian male MSW- HR ,with 5 yrs Professional experience in HR in Construction Oil & Gas Oman seeking suitable placement.

Contact me in 93488914

SITUATION WANTED B pharm, Indian female, Oman MOH License holder, seeking job.

Email- shivallath@gmail.com.

Contact no:99665183 Part- Time Accountant, well versed with all accounting, Finalization, Budgeting available.

Contact 98803439 A young, Bsc & B.Ed female graduate with 9 months of teaching experience in science subjects looking for suitable position in reputed organisation. Currently on Visit Visa. Please contact: 92282796 Accountant, Indian male,29 years.

Presently working in Oman as Accountant.7 years Successful experience in Accounts with Oman Driving license, seek suitable opportunity. GSM: 98184170 Indian male 23 yrs, 4 yrs experienced in Architectural Draughtsman looking for a suitable Post GSM:96023726, Email jayan.mathew009@gmail.com Indian male, 4 Years experienced in Architectural & Structural Draughtsman, looking for a suitable Post GSM:96023726, Email :jayan.mathew009@gmail.com Accountant ,Indian male,24 years.

Presently working in Oman as Accountant.2 years experience in Accounts with oman Driving license. NOC available..Seek suitable opportunity. GSM: 93409315 Post Graduate Indian male, MBA (Hospital Administration) having 4 yrs. experience in hospital administration looking for suitable placement. Currently on visit.

Contact: 96701543, 92945632

Female Dentist, Indian female, 28 years Dental Surgeon, 3 years of experience, Oman prometric passed with 64%, looking for a suitable placement in Muscat region. Contact no: 91377681, Email: hashmisarwat@gmail.com Male, Total 17 Years Experience in INDIA & OMAN - INDIA - 9 yrs & OMAN - 8 Years in the field of Procurement , Material Controller and Accountancy - LOCAL RELEASE AVAILABLE ( NOC ). Cont No. 91680124 , 98606546 Indian male 28, Computer Hardware, Networking. Front office experience, Customer Support, administration, Fire safety diploma.

On visiting Visa.

Contact 91025050 Email: purujith8797@gmail.com Indian female 29 years (M.Com. B. Ed) 6 year’s exp as a lecturer. present at India, looking for good placement. Contact 00917702021228. email. azharshaik.oman@gmail.com Male 24, looking for permanent job in Computer and Communication field, BSC in Computer and Communication Engineering.

4-month Practical training in Hayyat Communication company (subcontractor of Ooredoo).

Email:adilbutt102@gmail.com, Gsm:+968-92328726.

Instrumentation Engineer Fresher seeking for Job in Oman.

Presently on visit visa #98661049 Post Graduate Indian male having 2 year experience looking for suitable opportunities, currently on visit visa. 95356569.

SITUATION WANTSIT. WANTED ED Indian Female, 11 years experience in India, MOH Oman license holder in Asst. Pharmacist, seeking suitable placement in Muscat or nearby area. Contact: 95752834 Indian male - 24, Accountant, 3+ years experience in Finance and Accounts, M.com Finance, Exposure in SAP & Tally ERP 9, Good communication skill, on visit Visa.

Contact 95366407, 96921443 Marketing Manager, Indian Male with driving license, highly motivated, self starter, 22 yrs experience with good, market knowledge seeking job in a senior level as marketing / logistics manager.

Contact 93564959 Sudanese with 2 yrs experience in data entry and data collection plus customer service. # 95140805, email ; zeejunior010@gmail.com Sudanese resident Bachelor of IT with 2 yrs of experience in customer service plus data entry & collection. # 95273302 / 96446656, Email: momazoon@gmail.com 26 years Indian male BMS (Building Management System) Engineer with 4 yrs of experience in Security systems(CCTV, access control systems, fire alarm systems and public addressing systems) seeking suitable placement.#+91 9884277198, E-mail: yuvarajsd@ymail.com Indian male 27 years, B.Com, Graduate 2year experience in marketing, looking for good placement in any field, since from 4year in Oman. Contact 98765838 Indian, Female, Pharmacist available with NOC and MOH License, preferably in Muscat.

Contact 9439 1355.

Indian Male, 31 years of Rich Oman experience in Multifunctional Management, Administration, Business Development, Purchase & Operations seeking suitable Manager/ Supervisory Position. Visa transfer/ NOC Available. GSM: 95036410 PROCUREMENT OFFICER-Indian-33 yrs, M.Com with12Yrs (7 yrs Exp. in Oman) in ROAD, CIV, MEP & Others projects of Contg &Trdg Co llc. Work Visa will Exp in Feb-2015. Contact :92694956, Email:nagauae@gmail.com

SIT.WANTED Senior Accounts Professional, Indian Male, 35 years, M.Com, MBA (Fin) 8 years in Oman, with valid Oman DL and NOC available. Capable to handle accounts up to finalization.

Contact 9602 3965.

Indian Male, 31 years of Rich Oman experience in Multifunctional Management, Administration, Business Development, Purchase & Operations seeking suitable Manager/ Supervisory Position. Visa transfer/ NOC Available. GSM: 95036410

T U E S DAY, F E B R UA RY 3 , 2 0 1 5

D7

DAILY GUIDE TOURS

SITUATION WANTED CARGO

Dolphin Watch, Dhow Cruise with Buffet, & Land Tours Al- Ainain Marine Tours Contact- 98029602, 92808636

RENT A CAR

RENT A CAR

DRIVING

FOR HIRE

TRUCK FOR HIRE Isuzu 10 ton cargo body truck (2012 FVR) with UAE experienced driver available for long term / short term rent.

Contact: 95346950 *Classified Advertisement space booking with text, should be done till 12.00 noon for next day’s publication. * Subject to space availability

FOR HIRE Running truck wash for rent in Ouhi Sunia Sohar. Serious people can. Contact on 97864747

Hyundai Accent on monthly basis@RO145/month includes maintenance -call 95207741 50 seater bus with PDO specification for rent or lease.

Contact 99839898

D8

T U E S D AY, F E B R UA RY 3 , 2 0 1 5

DAILY GUIDE

Email: dailyguide@timesofoman.com Tel. 24726666 Ext: 413 / 430 431 / 456 / 461 Fax: 24812624

SITUATION WANTED SERVICES

WEBSITE

MANPOWER

CLASSES

WEB, ERP and Business Intelligence (BI) creation and management at rock bottom price.

Contact: http//webviewoman

LOST Zain Al Abideen has lost Pakistani Passport No. AF5909942. Finder please handover to ROP Mahesh Gauthaman Nair Sudhamani has lost Indian Passport No. H3244630. Finder please handover to ROP Mohammed Jalal Mudhalasseri has lost Indian Passport No. K9063491.

Finder please handover to ROP Akhilesh Thulasidharan Nair Ambika has lost Indian Passport No. J3950105. Finder please handover to ROP

COMPUTER

Al Manar Vocational pleased to announce at vocational short and long term courses in tailoring, cooking and internal design. Contact us now : 24698070 or 91144335

BUSINESS

Abdul Rawoof has lost Indian Passport No. K3204531. Finder please handover to ROP Mohamed Shihas Pullat Valappil has lost Indian Passport No. H5545224. Finder please handover to ROP Rashed Akpaal has lost Indian Passport No. BA1336842. Finder please handover to ROP GUARANTEED CLEANING: Carpet & sofa shampooing, Contact 99314807/24792998

CHANGE OF NAME We Manickam Ayyappan Pramod, holder of Indian Passport No G8659684, and Murukan Chandrika Soumya holder of Indian Passport No H8849709 having permanent residence in Prasanth Bhavan, Near Attakulam, Attingal P.O, Trivandrum, Kerala PIN: 695101 and presently residing in Sohar P.B. No 452, PC 322 ,Sultanate of Oman, hereby solemnly affirm and declare to change the name of our child Miss Pramod Soumya Pradakshina holder of Indian Passport No K1684819 date of issue 09-01-2012 issued at Trivandrum. The name of our child will be henceforth known as Prathibha Pramod Soumya for all purposes.

Any objection towards change of name of our minor child may please be communicated to Embassy of India, Muscat, Diplomatic Quarters, Al Khuwair, PO Box 1727, PC 112, Ruwi, Sultanate of Oman.

MARBLE CRYSTALLIZATION restore the original shine of your marble. # 24793614/ 99314807

SITUATION WANTSERVICES Pest Control Treatments!!Termit es!!Cockroaches!!Bedbugs!!Ocean Centre LLC. Contact 99344723 Carpet & sofa shampooing. Ocean Centre LLC. Contact 99884591 / 92682970

We assist in new business set up local sponsorship, real estate services, assist in company formation services. Contact - 93166088 Wanted dentist or investor to buy a well-running dental clinic in Sohar immediately. Contact 92625962, 95904234

*Classified Advertisement space booking with text, should be done till 12.00 noon for next day’s publication. * Subject to space availability

Water proofing ABUQABASContact 99320217/24788722 Catering services We do industrial catering service, Canteen/ mess, 3 times packed meals, and all types of catering events.

Contact 92188777/99249899 Carpet & sofa cleaning, house cleaning. # 99542979 / 98855815 Carpet Shampoo, marble & tile polishing, pest control & anti-termite treatment, general cleaning painting, Plumbing, Electrical, shifting.

Contact Mundhir Al-Rizaiqi trading.

L.L.C. # 24810137, 99450130

Cleaning services, carpet & sofa shampooing, marble restoration (grinding) and polishing, pest control, fogging service. Contact 99448057, 95401996 Cheapest Prices, all types window, curtains and blind. #99539521 Computer service/ AMC/ Networking. Contact 91339882 Marble Restoration, Mosaic tiles polishing, carpet shampooing, maintenance. Contact ABU QABAS- 99320217 /24788722 Marble Restoration, Mosaic tiles polishing, carpet shampooing, maintenance. Contact ABU QABAS- 99320217 /24788722

Split & window unit A/C servicing & repairing. Contact 99557080 A.M Trading Pest control.

Contact 99067923 GULF INTERNATIONAL LLC all kind of pest control. #92326955 Painting Interlock plumbing maintenance. Contact 92142319 Split & window A/C servicing & maintenance. Contact 93769089

Window & split unit A/C servicing & maintenance. Contact 96236476 PRO services. Contact 99368907

House shifting. Contact 99557080, 96236476 House shifting packing.

Contact 99657644, 98518013 Pest control & cleaning services professionals in pest control service bedbugs treatment, rodent, treatment, snake treatment and termite treatment, pre and post construction. Contact 93098450, 96408964, fax : 24472116

Fast & Right Way - For all PR related works – permanent Visa stamping, family visiting visa holders, clients contacts – with NOC letter with signed & sealed photocopy documents . Contact 91568362 Electrical Plumbing Painting Contract and Maintenance.

Contact 98456535

Door to Door Computers repair specialist laptop software Website cartridges. Contact 99199376

For All Your Maintenance Solutions, A/c Servicing & Fixing, Painting, Cleaning, Electric.

Contact 99002390

Civil Maintenance, Painting Electric, Plumbing, Decor, Tile Fixing, Lecithin Copra Board flat stifling , Carpet Cleaning and A/C Servicing. Contact 97897831 (Indian keralite)

We serve Oman, all kind of building maintenance & stainless steel fabrication. Contact 91452233

For HT cable jointing and termination works 33KV/11KV. #99056438 / Email: npgoman@gmail.com

Waterproofing, light weight Screed, Antitermite and MS Fabrication.

Contact 92888337