Times of Oman - August 2, 2015

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SUNDAY, August 2, 2015 / 16 Shawwal 1436 AH

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Prescription abuse leaves needy in lurch Medicines unavailable at private hospitals/pharmacies (as of July 26)

The option of cheaper

Inderal (Propanolol) 10mg & 40mg

Rabies Vaccine

medicines has been

Plaquenil( Hydroxychloroquine) 200mg tablets

3% and 0.45% Normal Saline

withdrawn as some

Hydroxyurea 500mg capsules

greedy people visit

Mesalazine suppository

government stores

Nimbex & Tracrium Injection (Muscle relaxants during surgery)

Ringer Lactate Solution ANTI-D Injection Salazopyrin (Mesalazine) tablets

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Sultanate condemns child’s killing MUSCAT: The Sultanate has condemned the inhuman crime committed by Israeli settlers who burned to death a Palestinian infant.

In a statement, Oman’s Foreign Ministry renewed its demand for the international community to take steps to protect Palestinian people from the atrocities of settlers and for the Israeli authorities to assume full responsibility and bring to justice and impose exemplary punishment on the people who committed the crime.—ONA

DT & DPT Vaccine

OMAN

that private shops

Yellow Fever Vaccine (inquired quite often)

Adjust to new reality

have plenty in stock

Source: Muscat Private Hospital Pharmacy

knowing fully well

SARAH MACDONALD

sarah@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: Private sector patients abusing a drug distribution policy to get cheaper pharmaceuticals at government hospitals has resulted in the policy being stopped, causing serious problems for people with legitimate needs.

Until recently patients from private hospitals who couldn’t get their prescriptions filled could also get them at government hospital pharmacies, provided they had stamps from three pharmacies where the drugs were not available.

Dr Mohammed Al Rubaie, director of Drug Control at the Ministry of Health, said this procedure was stopped because too many people were abusing the system since the government hospital pharmacies often had lower prices. They would look for specific pharmacies that were out of medication and get stamps from them, even if other pharmacies had it in stock.

“Sometimes it is available in the private sector but they bring stamps from three pharmacies where it’s not available to get a cheaper price from the Ministry of Health,” he told Times of Oman.

When Darren DeSilva, an American expatriate in Muscat who has colitis, a chronic digestive disease, took a prescription with three stamps to Royal Hospital’s pharmacy at the beginning of June, after confirming that the drug was not available anywhere in Muscat, he was told this procedure was no longer allowed.

For the past five months DeSilva has struggled to fill his pre-

Darren DeSilva, an American expatriate in Muscat.

scription for Salazopyrin, a medication he takes three times a day, due to shortages across Oman and the new Ministry of Health policy which prevents expatriates from getting prescriptions filled at government pharmacies.

Out of stock “Three or four months I go I went to a private hospital and they didn’t have it. I went to a pharmacy, and they didn’t have it. They told me it was going to be out of stock for a long time. I don’t think that’s right. It should be available,” DeSilva said.

Since he was diagnosed with colitis two years ago, he has tried different medications, based on his doctor’s prescriptions, and finally found that the most effective one was Salazopyrin, a brand of the medicine sulfasalazine, which is on the World Health Organisation’s list of essential medicines which should always be available

Graphics

for a basic health care system.

Salazopyrin is one of a number of medications that are frequently unavailable at private hospitals and pharmacies in Oman, according to Reyaz Kausar Siddiqui, Chief Pharmacist at Muscat Private Hospital.

He said that as of July 26, there were at least 10 medications or vaccines that weren’t available including Nimbex and Tracrium injections, which are important muscle relaxants used in surgeries, and vaccines for rabies and Yellow fever.

Siddiqui said some have been unavailable in Oman for months such as the anti-anxiety medication Inderal, which has been unavailable for over five months, and Tuberculin PPD Tests, which has not been available for more than eight months.

“The patients are suffering.

When a patient comes for an immunization, such as for tuberculosis, they need a PPD Tests, which has also not been there for the past three or four months,” he said, adding that doctors in operating rooms are also facing challenges due to shortages of medications.

Siddiqui said that price cuts in Oman have caused some manufacturers to stop supplying this market since it’s not profitable, but more pressing is the lack of options available on the market.

“What I have observed from experience over the last seven or eight years in Oman is that you have a monopolised market. You have overloaded one supplier. You have only one supplier and only one product. If there was an open market you’d have plenty of options,” he said. >A6

C A L L S F O R S E L F - E X A M I NAT I O N

Don’t give up, live in the moment: Omani woman cancer survivor ELHAM POURMOHAMMADI

elham@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: “Have faith, do not give up and live in the moment!” are the words of a young Omani woman who survived cancer twice in a journey that changed her perspective of life forever.

Her journey began in late 2009 when she was diagnosed with cancer at the age of 26 after she felt a strange lump in her breast during a self-examination that she had been doing on a regular basis, aware of the fact that cancer runs in her family.

“When you do self check-ups regularly, you get to know your own body. So when I first felt an odd, solid lump, I informed my mother, and she said that we should see a doctor. The test was positive,” she said, adding that she came to know about the result through her mother.

Her first reaction to being diagnosed, just as any other person’s reaction would be, was to feel scared.

“I was very scared. I was aware of the disease because we have it in our family, but I thought I will get it in my 40s or 60s. But fate

had a different idea,” she said.

Very fortunate She considers herself ‘very fortunate’ to have it detected early and to have a supportive family, especially her father who was undergoing treatment at the same time for colon cancer.

“They told me, ‘Whatever happens, we are with you.’ That gave me a lot of encouragement,” she said.

She had an operation in Germany in 2010 and continued her treatment with chemotherapy

and radiotherapy at the Royal Hospital in Muscat, which she believes has a very well-equipped oncology centre. However, fate had more in store for her.

In 2014, she was again diagnosed with cancer, which had developed in her other breast. The situation called for a big decision.

“I was diagnosed the second time when I was doing my checkups in January 2014. I decided that I will have both of my breasts removed. So I had a major operation in May last year,” she said, adding that she is now undergoing breast reconstruction following the double mastectomy surgery.

She is also still on medication to complete the five-year period required to keep the disease under control, and gets regular check-ups.

Recalling her battle with cancer, she says it was her strong faith that kept her fighting and determined not to surrender.

“You have to have faith. I strongly believe that God puts you in this situation to challenge your character. I believe in that,” she said, adding that she found the whole experience ‘very humbling’. >A7

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Oman is tightening its purse strings leading to freeze on hiring of civil servants and shelving of some projects. >A3

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Al Bara dance contest

His Majesty’s portraits R O YA L D I R E C T I V E S

Bodies of Saudi road crash victims arrive FAHAD AL GHADANI

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The Zubair Corporation has launched the Al Bara dance contest for children at the Salalah Tourism Festival. >A6

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Capital Intelligence affirmed Oman’s longterm foreign currency and local currency ratings of ‘A’ . >B1

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fahadnews@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: As per the Royal Directives of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said, the bodies of the people who died in an accident in Saudi Arabia on Thursday, were brought back in Oman Air Force planes on Friday night.

Nine Omanis lost their lives in the collision between a bus and a truck in Khares in Saudi Arabia on Thursday. Thirty-nine other passengers were injured.

They were returning to Oman

from Makkah after the Umrah pilgrimage.

While one plane brought back the bodies and their relatives, the other brought back the injured and others. The private jets also had on board government officials and medical personnel along with a number of consultants and doctors in various medical specialities.

The plane also carried special medical equipment.

Five of the injured are still receiving treatment in a hospital in Saudi Arabia. >A6

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SUNDAY, AUGUST 2, 2015

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The celebration, known as Eid Al Arch, or Throne Day, is celebrated every July 30 to mark King Mohammed VI’s ascension to the throne Morocco’s Royal anniversary feted >A5

I TA LY C O N F E R E N C E

Protect global heritage: Haitham MILAN: His Highness Sayyid Haitham bin Tareq Al Said, Minister of Heritage and Culture, and his accompanying delegation took part in the conference organised by the Government of Italy under the title “Culture, a tool for dialogue” for the countries participation in the 2015 Expo Milano.

In his speech at the conference, Sayyid Haitham said that convening of the conference came at a time when a number of countries were facing unprecedented challenges which require taking

appropriate and effective actions for the protection and sustainability of the joint human heritage against the armed conflicts and natural disasters.

He also said that the natural disaster which hit Nepal requires appropriate global support. The sites listed at the Unseco list of world heritage at the conflict zones also need to be given top priority.

The three-day conference discussed ways for protecting the sites listed in the Unesco’s

heritage list and to control illegal trafficking of the cultural assets. Sayyid Haitham cautioned that the cultural assets are being used for funding the operations of armed groups in a number of countries.

Sayyid Haitham is being accompanied at the conference by Salim bin Mohammed Al Mahrooqi, undersecretary of the Ministry of Heritage and Culture for Heritage Affairs and Sayyid Faisal bin Hamood Al Busaidi, Advisor to the Minister.– ONA

Masirah service is most popular More than 10,000 passengers were transported by NFC during Eid Al Fitr and Renaissance holidays

HOLIDAY TIME: NFC increased the number of trips during the holidays to accommodate the passengers.–ONA

MUSCAT: As the holiday travellers increased sharply, the National Ferries Company (NFC) was up to the challenge, transporting 10,681 passengers and 2,429 vehicles to various destinations during the holidays on Eid Al Fitr and Renaissance Day. Statistics issued by NFC reveal that the Shanna-Masirah route was the most popular and witnessed active tourist movement during the holiday period, as two ferry services on the ShannaJawahrat-Masirah route carried 9,533 passengers and 2,195 vehi-

cles, with a daily average of 866 passengers and 199 vehicles.

The statistics also showed that the total ferry trips to and from Khasab in Musandam Governorate transported 1,148 passengers and 234 vehicles, from Port Sultan Qaboos in Muscat Governorate, Shinas Port in North Al Batinah Governorate, or Niyabat Lima Port in Khasab Governorate.

The Muscat-Khasab-Muscat ferry service transported some 665 passengers, and 155 vehicles.

The statistics also revealed that on the Shinas-Khasab-Shinas

route 362 passengers and 79 vehicles were ferried, while on the Khasab-Lima-Khasab route 121 passengers were transported.

NFC increased the number of trips during the holidays to accommodate the passengers.

The company is keen to provide adequate national staff at the liaison offices and bookings to facilitate passenger bookings, in addition to providing all field technical preparations, especially in routes with high number of passengers during the holidays, the statement added. – ONA

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Omanis need to adjust to the new economic realities The 2016 budget will focus on essential projects with priorities only in essential infrastructure

SUNDAY BEAT SALEH AL SHAIBANY

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T

he government is tightening its purse strings and among the casualties this year are the indefinite freeze on the recruitment of civil servants and the shelving of some of its most ambitious projects.

It is a clear sign of things to come — that many Omanis will need to adjust to get used to the new economic order. The government is no longer willing to support most of the subsidies and would start channelling its funds to investments that can

diversify its income.

Without doubt, the 2016 budget will look trimmer, healthier and more meaningful with lower expenditures. Oman will look at the examples of other Gulf states.

The UAE has already announced it would reduce spending next year for the first time in 13 years while Qatar has forecast a deficit in 2016 that would put brakes on its continuous GDP growth in the last 15 years.

Crude exports remain a key

risk to the Sultanate’s economic outlook. The persisting lower international oil prices have been a wake-up call for Oman and its neighbours.

In 2016, Oman would assume that growth of current government spending will move on to a lower trajectory than last year.

There would be significant cost reductions in the hydrocarbon sector and the government would seek additional non-oil and gas revenues growth to the

Goods must have warning labels The law states that for any commodity or service that can cause damage to the consumer or the consumer’s property upon use, a clear and specific warning must be given in Arabic and English

PACP CLAMPDOWN: Merchants violating the law could face jail from 10 days to a year or a fine between OMR100 and OMR2,000, or both.–File photograph

TARIQ AL HAREMI tariqh@timesofoman.com

damages that may result from such use and in accordance with the regulations.”

Commodity, as it is defined by the law is any industrial, agricultural, animal or processed product including raw elements and materials and components used in production, while service is defined as any work carried out by the provider in favour of the consumer for a consideration or free of charge.

MUSCAT: Merchants must warn of potential dangers in a product and carry instructions on how to use a product, failing which they will subject to heavy fines or jail time, said the Public Authority of Consumer Protection (PACP).

According to the Royal Decree 66/2014 to promulgate the Consumer Protection Law, Article 5: “For any commodity or service that can cause damage to the consumer or the consumer’s property upon use, a clear and specific warning must be given in Arabic and English. The warning shall indicate the correct method to use the commodity or service and the means of remedying any

Punishment Merchants violating this law could face jail time from ten days to a year or a fine between OMR100 and OMR2,000, or both.

Courts may inflict further punishment by confiscating the products, shutting down the store temporarily or permanently, and

publishing the court ruling in two daily newspapers.

In addition to that, the chairman, board members, chief executive, managers and other supervising authority will be also punished if any proof is found of them having violated the law.

According to the PACP’s annual report of 2013, a total of 16,803 complaints were received in which Muscat topped the list with 9,098 and Musandam recording the least with 133.

Muscat has also topped the list in 2013 of penalties handed out by the PACP making up 61 per cent of the total numbering 3,664 complaints, while Musandam received 71, the least number of penalties. The total number of penalties imposed that year was 6,009.

budget. In the first six months of this year, there was a 26 per cent slump in oil revenues compared to the same period in 2014, a clear sign that the government coffers are taking a severe knock.

The 2016 budget will focus deep on essential projects and not “white elephants”, with priorities only on essential infrastructure such as the health and education sectors. The most ambitious projects such as the railway network, the expansion

of the air transportation network and maritime would take a back seat in 2016.

There would also be a significant reduction of red tape. But cutting costs in projects and rationalising spending will not be enough. Subsidies have been crippling the government’s finances for many years. Oman has allocated some OMR4 billion in subsidies for 2015 to help citizens keep their personal costs down.

Though the government will certainly continue with its support to free education, scholarships, medical treatment, free housing, social security allowances, low interest loans and entrepreneurship funding, the budget will not stretch to subsidise for non-essential services.

Last year, Minister of Financial Affairs Darwish Al Balushi was quoted by the media as saying that the “current subsidy system was ineffective because it did not focus on poorer people.”

VAT In certain subsidies, well-off

people get the same benefits as the poor. The government would move in 2016 to raise the prices of domestic petrol, increase electricity and water rates. But subsidies may not be enough to balance its financial books. The government had already hinted in 2012 that it was considering introducing Valued Added Tax (VAT) to bolster its state revenues. The current rates of corporate taxes and import duties would also be revised in 2016 to give the country’s economy an extra dimension.

In return, lower subsidy costs and taxation would help the government increase funding for stalled major projects like railways, roads, solar power and support exports while honouring deficit commitments.

However, while it seems a bigger sacrifice would be made by citizens to help the government make ends meet, the overall national benefits for the future are greater than stretching personal budgets to pay for the inflated monthly bills.

M A R I N E W E A LT H

Squid fishing season begins MUSCAT: Fishermen have welcomed the squid fishing season, which brings one of the most important fishing harvests in Oman.

The squid fishing season began on Saturday in the coastal areas of the Sultanate and will continue until the end of January, 2016.

Fishermen in the Governorates of South Al Sharqiyah, Al Wusta and Dhofar usually go in groups to the fishing areas of this economically important marine wealth.

The gathering areas are in the coastal wilayats in these governorates.

Squid fishing is annually carried out in the coastal villages of the three governorates. .

Salim bin Sultan Al Araimi, Director of Fisheries Development Department in Ja’alan Bani Bu Ali

MEGA HAUL: The squid fishing season began on Saturday in the

coastal areas of the Sultanate. – ONA

told Oman News Agency (ONA) that squid is available from August until the end of January. He explained that squid fishing is late this season in most of the coastal villages in South Al Sharqiyah, due to natural and climatic conditions,

as the season started last year in mid-July. He said that the amounts of squid for one boat per day is estimated to 70 to 80 kg, indicating that the squid is exported to many Asian and European countries and other countries of the world.– ONA

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I learned his history. I wanted to do something for this nation. People are doing so many of His Majesty’s portraits. I had to do something extraordinary Sajeev Majeed, Artist

His Majesty inspires Indian artist

The portraits were unveiled on Renaissance Day at the Oman Avenues Mall, which gave the artist a lot of support, and were on display for a week, capturing the attention and admiration of many

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SARAH MACDONALD sarah@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: An Indian artist based in Muscat found unique artistic inspiration from His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said, resulting in a collection of 21 portraits of the Sultan from his infancy to the present day.

When Sajeev Majeed moved to Oman in 2009 he was impressed

by His Majesty, for his generosity and wisdom in a region where there is so much conflict. Inspired by the peaceful nature of the Sultan himself, and the happy life he’d provided for the Omani people, Sajeev decided to use His Majesty as the subject for a unique painting project.

“I learned his history. I wanted to do something for this nation.

People are doing so many of His Majesty’s portraits. I had to do something extraordinary,” he told Times of Oman.

Sajeev spent eight months collecting images and studying them.

Then he chose images that would create a biography of His Majesty’s life.

“I chose his age categories and the important things that are happening in his life. It’s a really rare collection,” he explained.

The series begins with an infant Sultan, and then progresses through his childhood, teenage years, university age, and the years of his leadership.

It includes His Majesty performing the Hajj, dressed in different uniforms, on his tours to meet with the people, and in the most

formal attire.

“His childhood images were very challenging. I worked a lot with those paintings. The images were very small so when I enlarged them they were pixilated,” the artist noted.

Sajeev would get home from work shortly after midnight and then painted through the night, sometimes till 6am or 7am. It took him four and a half years to complete the project.

The portraits, which are all oil on canvas, a long time to paint because of the high level of detail, down to the embroidery on the clothes and the twinkles in the eyes. Sajeev also wanted each portrait to be an accurate likeness of his royal subject.

“Because it’s His Majesty if you are doing a small mistake the people will catch it,” he said.

Deeper meanings Some of the paintings have some deeper meanings, too. Sajeev painted a path going off into the distance in one of the portraits to symbolise His Majesty’s great path and vision. In two of them there are mountains behind His Majesty, a sign of his strength and position.

Sajeev, who was passionate about art from the time he was a child and studied Fine Arts in university in India, said he was inspired by the European masters like Da Vinci and Rembrandt.

The portraits were unveiled on Renaissance Day at the Oman Avenues Mall, which gave the artist a lot of support, and were on display for a week, capturing the attention and admiration of many passersby. Sajeev hopes that the collection can be presented to his muse.

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SARAH MACDONALD sarah@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: Moroccan Ambassador Tariq Al Husaisan hosted a celebration to commemorate the 16th anniversary of the crowning of Morocco’s King Mohammed VI on Wednesday evening in Muscat.

The celebration, known as Eid Al Arch, or Throne Day, is celebrated every July 30 to mark King Mohammed VI’s ascension to the throne following the death of his father, King Hassan II. Under his leadership, ties with Oman and the GCC have expanded, and in Morocco the King has made a number of political reforms reducing his own power and strengthening the Moroccan Parliament.

At the event, which was attended by a number of Omani dignitaries including guest of honour HE Sheikh Abdul Malik Abdullah

ROYAL TRIBUTE: Eid Al Arch, or Throne Day, is celebrated every July 30 to mark King Mohammed VI’s ascension to the throne following the death of his father, King Hassan II. – AR Rajkumar/TIMES OF OMAN

Al Khalili, Minister of Justice, Al Husaisan said it was a great pleasure to commemorate the occasion in Muscat, adding that there are great bonds of loyalty and trust between Moroccans and their king.

He said relations between Oman

and Muscat have been growing over the past few decades and he offered wishes of good health and long life to His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said.

“These relations are based on solid foundations, strong bonds of

brotherhood and mutual respect, which connect the two brotherly peoples. There are deep historic bonds at all levels, and common interests and wishes of the two peoples to enjoy more prosperity and development and a decent liv-

Harvesting date palm turns into social event The ‘Tabseel’ season of dates is associated with a particular kind of palm date called ‘Al Mabsali’

MUSCAT: Many of the Sultanate’s governorates witnessed the harvesting and ‘Tabseel’ season of ‘Al Mabsali’ and other varieties of palm dates in the past few days, which apart from being an economic event, is replete with social traditions.

The ‘Tabseel’ of palm dates is associated with one kind of palm date called ‘Al Mabsali’. ‘Al Mabsali’ is cooked before it ripens

ECONOMIC BOON: ‘Tabseel’ was celebrated in past with fervour.

Many families still observe the occasion as a social legacy.–ONA

when it is yellow in colour, and is called ‘Busur’. It is big in size and grown in North Al Sharqiyah Governorate in particular, and is also found in the South Al Batinah and South Al Sharqiyah Governorates.

Mohammed bin Badr Al Hajri, a producer of ‘Busur’ dates in the

Bidya wilayat said that ‘Tabseel’ was celebrated in the past like Eid. Numerous families still observe the occasion as part of a social legacy, which pays good financial returns for the family.

He said that farmers sell their products to the Ministry of Com-

S U R G AT E P R O J E C T

Sur’s City Walk Mall in top gear SUR: Sixty per cent of the City Walk Sur project, scheduled for launch during the National Day celebrations, has been completed, Al Sharqiyah Real Estate Development and Investment company, the contractor for the City Walk Sur, has said.

Work progress at the project, which is the first phase of Sur Gate Project that started last year, is going as planned.–ONA

INFRASTRUCTURE BOOM: Work is under way currently to complete the engineering, mechanical, electrical, air conditioning and cooling works. – ONA

merce and Industry, which provides support to ‘Busur’ date producers.

However, since the past three years farmers have started to directly export their products and search for new markets, as the price set by the government for a tonne of ‘Busur’ dates has not changed for many years despite the rising production cost.

He told the Oman News Agency (ONA) that a committee had been formed, comprising members from the government and producers. The committee travelled to several countries, including China and Indonesia to search for new markets for Omani ‘Busur’ dates.

The committee found that the demand for ‘Busur’ in those countries is for powder to use in other manufacturing industries or as dates, so the producers had to look for importers in India where they got a better price.–ONA

ing,” Al Husaisan said.

Relations between Oman and Morocco are based largely on trade, tourism, industry and real estate. The Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry has also signed a Memorandum of Under-

standing (MoU) with the Moroccan Centre for Export Promotion.

Al Husaisan also congratulated the Moroccan community living in Oman on the occasion, and wished them further progress and happiness in the Sultanate.

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SUNDAY, AUGUST 2, 2015 A truck parked on the shoulder of the road took the bus driver by surprise, and he lost control of the vehicle which rammed the truck Passenger, Saudi accident victim

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17 MILLIONTH

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A1 ‘New rules curb import of medicines from outside’ Many medications are made by a number of different manufacturers but in Oman only one product is sold in the market, he said, so when supplies run short, there are no alternative brands.

Al Rubaie said that when patients can’t get their prescriptions at the pharmacies, they can fill out a form at the Ministry of Health Directorate of Drug Control if there’s a shortage.

“We have a system. We contact the local agents to see why it’s not there,” Al Rubaie said.

Al Rubaie follows all the shortages of medicines, and said they can occur if there are changes in the manufacturer or if there is no alternative medication. He agreed that Salazopyrin is a particular

problem and one he was currently dealing with.

“I had a meeting with the manufacturer. There’s a shortage worldwide for this product. That’s what I hear from their side. There’s only one manufacturer [for the GCC] and our quantity is very small.

They’re promising in the future there will be no shortage for this medicine,” he said, noting that it should soon be available.

When DeSilva couldn’t get his prescription filled from either the private or public pharmacies, he went to the Ministry of Health.

By late June the Ministry of Health had found some supplies for DeSilva, which they sent to a local pharmacy for him to collect.

DeSilva said that only half of his

monthly prescription was available. “If I’m not getting the amount I need I’ll be here again next week.

Every month it’s like this,” DeSilva said. DeSilva faced the same problem in 2013 and 2014 with a drug called Pentasa, which was often unavailable.

Rely on a co-worker “That was a real problem. When I could find it I would buy a lot of it,” he said.

He would also rely on a coworker to bring Pentasa from Sri Lanka for him.

One pharmacist, who asked to remain anonymous, suggested patients could have their doctors prescribe alternative medications or go to Dubai and buy

the drugs there. However, new rules announced by the Ministry of Health in May this year restrict the amount of medication one can bring into Oman, with a one-month supply for drugs containing narcotic or psychotropic substances and three months for others.

Al Rubaie said he is doing what he can to improve the situation but that it’s up to the manufacturers and Omani suppliers to make sure the stock is on hand.

“If it’s registered in Oman it is the responsibility of the manufacturer and the agent to make sure it’s available here. It’s their duty to have it available in the market,” Al Rubaie.

Siddiqui said he has sent let-

ters to the Al Rubaie’s office when there are shortages and at times there have been some positive results thanks to the Ministry of Health intervening with the manufacturers, but often it takes over a month for the new stock to arrive in Oman. The problem is one that repeats itself, he added.

“If one is available another goes out of stock. My hands are tied. This is an ongoing issue. We need to find a permanent solution,” he said.

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Omani becomes lucky visitor to Thailand Times News Service DUBAI: He turned to be lucky one as Oman’s Al Shaqsi Yaqdhan Hamad Khalifa became Thailand’s 17 millionth visitor for this year.

The lucky visitors are pleasantly surprised to receive two economyclass return air tickets from their international port of origin to Thailand along with a five-night accommodation voucher, a “Thailand’s Luckiest Visitor” certificate as well as other prizes from TAT’s project partners. The trips have a validity period of one year.

Thailand’s luckiest visitor was welcome by Thai authorities.

Al Bara dance contest launched for children Zubair Corporation has organised the contest in collaboration with Majan TV channel for the Salalah Tourism Festival 2015

Times News Service MUSCAT: In support of Omani traditional heritage arts, the Zubair Corporation has launched the Al Bara dance contest for children at the Salalah Tourism Festival. The Zubair Corporation

has organised the contest in collaboration with Majan TV channel as part of its programmes for the Salalah Tourism Festival 2015. The corporation organised this contest based on its strategy and vision to support and preserve national heritage arts.

This traditional dance will shed light on a very important component of cultural art in the Sultanate and will revive this art among the new generation. The Salalah Tourism Festival 2015 is an excellent opportunity to present this ancient art in a contemporary way.

The Luban Majan programme will be broadcast throughout the Salalah Tourism Festival 2015 and will include a variety of shows, among which is the Al Bara dance, presented by Rami Al Mishaki twice a week, on Mondays and Thursdays. Boys under the age of fourteen will be competing, dancing on one specific

This art form is found only in Oman.

song previously selected by the evaluation committee.

The committee will evaluate the performance of the competitors based on the results which will be calculated on two estimates, 70 per cent by the evaluation committee and 30 per cent by a social media vote, through accounts opened specifically for this contest on Twitter and Instagram by the Zubair Corporation, the official sponsor of the event.

The Omani Al Bara art was listed as a traditional heritage art by UNESCO in 2010. It is one of the most prominent artistic events in Oman. His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said laid great emphasis on the preservation of Omani heritage arts and this is evident in the national events exhibiting various traditional arts and the government’s success in listing Omani arts with the UNESCO. The Zubair Corporation is utilising local national festivals as a platform to educate young people in this unique national art form that is found only in this country.

Ibrahim Al Salmi, social communications manager in the Zubair Corporation said, “The Zubair Corporation seeks to create attention and care towards diverse cultural components found in Omani heritage and the launch of the Al Bara dance contest is yet another form of support provided by the corporation in this regard.”

THANKS TO HM

All injured pilgrims will be A1 treated in Oman hospitals < FROM

The injured who arrived in Oman will continue to receive treatment in hospitals here.

Dr Ahmed bin Hilal Busaidi, the Sultanate’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia, along with a number of officials from Saudi government, medical personnel and social institutions staff oversaw the procedures to transfer the bodies as well as the treatment of the injured.

The relatives of accident victims thanked His Majesty the Sultan for his generous gesture as well as the quick response.

Meanwhile, one of the injured passengers, while speaking to a television channel explained that most of the passengers were

People thanked His Majesty the Sultan for his generous gesture and quick response

asleep when the accident occurred.

“A truck parked on the shoulder of the road took the bus driver by surprise, and he lost control of the vehicle which rammed the truck,” he said.

The bus driver opened the front door and that is how some of the passengers managed to get out, he added.

“Some Saudis rushed to the spot and broke the bus windscreens to pull out some of the passengers who were unable to get out,” he said.

Another injured passenger said that he was asleep, and when he woke up he found himself in the hospital.

“I heard about the accident from others,” said another witness. Seven people died at the Al Oyoon Hospital in Al Ahsa and the two others died at the King Fahd Hospital, stated the report.

-With inputs from ONA

SUNDAY, AUGUST 2, 2015

A7

OMAN

Before all this happened, it was like ‘Maybe later’ when I wanted to do something. But now I know that you cannot guarantee anything. So it is better to live in the moment Omani woman, cancer survivor

H E A LT H Y L I F E S T Y L E

< FROM

A1

It’s better to live in the moment, says cancer survivor

The experience has had a profound impact on her life and positively affected her in many ways. Not only has she become more health conscious but also she is determined to live in the present.

“Before all this happened, it was like ‘Maybe later’ when I wanted to do something. But now I know that you cannot guarantee anything. So it is better to live in the moment,” she said.

She has also revised her lifestyle. While admitting that she is still not where she wishes to be, she has come a long way so far.

“I am doing my best to work out regularly and have become more conscious of what I put in my body. I am reading more about the things and try to avoid junk food and preserved foodstuff,” she said, emphasising the importance of a balanced and healthy diet and lifestyle without going to extremes.

Believing that it is important to get the message out to everyone and help save lives, she has more advice for women who do not take regular check-ups seriously, those who are

fighting cancer, cancer survivors and the society in general.

Early detection “I would like to tell everybody to get a check-up regularly, especially those with a family history of cancer. Early detection is very important. You may not be able to prevent it but through early diagnosis, you will give a chance to yourself and your family,” she said.

She says some people have this misconception that it is always too late for treatment while it is treatable if it is diagnosed early.

“To those who are going through a similar experience as mine, I would like to say, ‘Have faith and surround yourself with your family and anything that gives you positive energy’,” she said.

“Do not be in denial,” she added, encouraging cancer patients to come to terms with the reality of the illness and view it as a challenge that will help them become a stronger person.

“I am not saying that it is an easy experience. It is intimidating, but it can be handled,” she said.

In addition, she said that cancer survivors should not skip regular check-ups, should continue their treatment as long as it is recommended and should look after their well-being.

“Another thing is that some cancer survivors think that it was a chapter in their life that they have to erase like it never happened. You should own it. It has been part of your life, and it does not make you any weaker,” she said.

Her message to the society is

Mazen gets ticket for Dubai event The Omani is among 20 regional and international students, who have won the 10th anniversary global Mazen Ghani Abdulamir.

edition of the multiaward-winning programme

Times News Service DUBAI: It will be a once-in-alifetime opportunity for him as Mazen Ghani Abdulamir from Modern College of Business and Science will represent Oman in Dubai Summer Surprises (DSS) Apprenticeship Programme, the landmark edition of the longest running destination-marketing internship programme.

The programme, organised by the Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), an agency of

the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM), announced the names of the 20 regional and international students, who have won the 10th anniversary global edition of the multiaward-winning programme.

The programme expanded its reach to an international audience this year by going global, furthering its decade long journey of learning, creativity and success.

The 2015 edition will see first-time participants India, Russia and China joining the programme’s roster of regional markets including Iraq, Jordan, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait, in addition to Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, and Yemen. The others countries are Oman, Pales-

tine, Qatar, and Sudan, along with Syria, Tunisia, Bahrain, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates.

More than 100 universities from across 20 markets were invited to nominate their top students to participate in the coveted educational initiative named the ‘Best Educational Programme in the World’ in 2014 by the International Festivals and Events Association.

Organised in collaboration with the programme’s long-standing strategic partner, the Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management (EAHM), the internship will take place from August 3 to 16, 2015.

The winners will each receive an all-expense-paid trip to Dubai including return flights and a twoweek stay at EAHM, one of the world’s leading hospitality business management schools and part of the Jumeirah Group, a luxury hotel company and a member of Dubai Holding.

As part of their itinerary, students will be awarded the oncein-a-lifetime opportunity to gain hands-on training from industry leaders shaping the success of DSS, DFRE’s flagship festival and the centrepiece of Dubai’s dynamic summer offerings, which will take place this year from July 23 to September 5, 2015.

that patients do not need pity and there is a life after cancer.

Exaggerated view “Many people have pity on cancer patients. They think when somebody gets cancer it is the end for him or her. But that is not the end,” she said, adding that this exaggerated view of cancer should be changed.

Determined to live a fruitful life and make a difference in the lives of as many people as she can, she is now co-operating with the Oman Cancer Association founded by

Yuthar Al Rawahy, a four-time cancer survivor who she says is an ‘inspiration’ to everyone.

Having felt the importance of awareness and moral support herself, she is now trying to form a support group to provide help to cancer patients and their families.

“When I was going through the treatment, I was briefed by hospital staff on different aspects of it and the physical and emotional changes that will happen to me. I also had my family’s support, but what it missing in Oman is an organised support group to help the patients cope emotionally,” she said.

“It is important even for those who have survived cancer. They need to find a way to get back to life because now their life has changed. They are not the same. It is like learning to live again, learning to do the things all over again,” she added.

She also thinks that more accommodation facilities, such as Dar al Hanan provided by the Oman Cancer Association, are required to provide support for cancer patients and their families.

“Omanis are lucky that cancer treatment is available for them, but still there are families that come from remote cities to Muscat for treatment and need a place to stay,” she said.

Immune system When cancer patients complete a cycle of treatment, they should get rest for at least 10 days without being exposed to anything that may further weaken their immune system, so their families would need a place to stay, she added.

Apart from support groups and accommodation facilities, she believes that more awareness and education programmes are needed to raise public awareness about this disease.

“It is never enough. It is an ongoing process toward changing the people’s mindset,” she said.

HAVE YOUR SAY

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A8

SUNDAY, AUGUST 2, 2015

REGION

Government forces were pressing an advance Saturday north and east of Aden to dislodge rebels who are still entrenched in the Lahj and Abyan provinces.

Yemeni officials and witnesses

Yemeni PM returns to port of Aden from Saudi to restore normality hours in Aden before leaving for an undisclosed destination.

Several government officials also arrived in Aden on a separate plane from Saudi Arabia, said Human Rights Minister Ezzedine Al Isbahi.

Khaled Bahah, who is also Yemen’s vice president, arrived on a Saudi military plane, becoming the highest-ranking official to return to the city since its liberation in mid-July NEW BEGINNING: Yemen’s Vice President Khaled Bahah, centre, talks to reporters upon his arrival at

Aden airport on Saturday. – Reuters

ADEN: Yemeni Prime Minister Khaled Bahah flew into the devastated port of Aden from Saudi exile Saturday, two weeks after loyalist forces ousted Houthi rebels from the city, an airport source said.

He was followed by several more officials, whose task will be to restore normality and public services to a city battered by four months of ferocious combat.

Bahah, who is also vice president of the internationally recog-

nised government, fled into exile with President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi and the rest of his team earlier this year when the rebels entered Aden, their last refuge.

Impoverished Yemen has been rocked by fighting between the Houthi rebels and Hadi loyalists, who have received air support from a Saudi-led coalition.

The United Nations say the war

has killed nearly 4,000 people, half of them civilians, while 80 per cent of the 21 million population is in need of aid and protection.

Ceasefire collapsed On Monday, a humanitarian pause declared by the coalition went into effect but it collapsed the next day.

An airport source said Bahah arrived on a Saudi military plane,

becoming the highest-ranking official to return to the city since the government announced its liberation in mid-July.

Bahah promised in an arrival statement that “normal life” would return to a “liberated Aden” and that he would be visiting people wounded in the fighting.

Sources close to the prime minister said he would spend a few

Supervise work He told AFP they would supervise work underway to reopen public buildings, including the resumption of broadcast at the state television and radio, and restoration of services in the battered city.

The interior and transport ministers toured parts of Aden in midJuly during a brief visit to assess the damage from the fighting.

They also looked at ways to fully reopen the ports and airport to allow the delivery of desperately needed relief supplies.

The head of the Red Crescent in Aden, Ahmed Mansur, said the charity had received food aid from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and was able to hand out 20,000 rations to residents of three neighbourhoods.

Yemen depends on imports for most of its supplies, including food, medicine and fuel. More than 10 million are struggling to obtain food and water, the UN says.

An AFP correspondent who

toured Aden said authorities have managed to partially reopen main roads in the city after removing debris from the war, including burned out military vehicles and cars.

Residents have also ventured outdoors to take stock of the damage. some returning from other areas of the city to homes devastated by the fighting.

Government forces were pressing an advance Saturday north and east of Aden to dislodge rebels who are still entrenched in the Lahj and Abyan provinces, officials and witnesses said.

Coalition warplanes carried out stepped up raids late Friday and early Saturday against rebels holed up in the strategic Al Anad airbase in Lahj province, military sources said.

Strikes also targeted the southeastern province of Taez, where fighting killed 47 rebels and five pro-government forces, they added. Meanwhile, witnesses reported that coalition warplanes also bombarded the province of Mareb east of Sanaa and the rebel stronghold of Saada in the north on Saturday. The rebels and their allies remain in control of the capital Sanaa and large swathes of the country. — AFP

NORTH SINAI

Egyptian armed forces kill militant leader in shootout CAIRO: Egyptian armed forces killed a leading member of the country’s IS militant group affiliate in a shootout outside his North Sinai home, the army spokesman said in a statement on Saturday.

Also on Saturday, a court postponed its verdict expected in the trial of Al Qaeda chief Ayman Al Zawahiri’s brother and 66 others accused of forming a “terrorist group” to carry out attacks.

Selim Suleiman Al Haram, identified in the statement as a leader of the militant group known as Sinai Province, was asked to turn himself in by a group of soldiers that surrounded his house in the town of Sheikh Zuweid, the army said. He refused, opening fire on the troops and attempting to blow himself up before being shot dead, the army said.

Meanwhile, state news agency MENA said the court in Cairo would announce its verdict on August 10 to allow for “further deliberations”. Mohamed Al

AIR SHOW: Egyptian Air Force holds an air show displaying F-16

aircraft delivered to Egypt by US, as part of a military package that had been unfrozen earlier this year. – Reuters

Zawahiri was arrested in August 2013 at the height of a campaign against hardliners in the wake of the army’s overthrow of the country’s president Mohamed Morsi.

Zawahiri and his co-defendants are accused of having formed “a terrorist group linked to Al Qaeda” and plotting attacks on government installations, security forces and Egypt’s Christian

minority, all charges which his lawyer has denied.

The Al Qaeda leader’s brother is specifically charged with having formed the group, arming its members and arranging training in the manufacture and use of explosives.

Group members allegedly trained at secret camps in districts of Cairo and in the Nile Delta, north of the capital. — Agencies

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H I G H E S T AWA R D

HONOURED: Wimbledon doubles champion Sania Mirza. – Files photo

Sania Mirza recommended for Khel Ratna NEW DELHI: The Sports Ministry on Saturday confirmed that Wimbledon doubles champion Sania Mirza has been recommended for the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna but made it clear that the final decision rests with only the Awards Committee.

Sania won her career’s first ever women’s doubles Grand Slam title with Swiss partner Martina Hingis in June. She also became world number one before winning the Grass Court major.

Sports Secretary Ajit Sharan said the Sports Minister Sarbanada Sonowal has indeed recommended to the tennis exponent for the highest honour given for achievement in sports. “We had got a late recommendation from AITA but the Minister accepted that and recommended the same to the Awards Committee,” Sharan told said. “But the final decision to give the honour rests with the Awards Committee,” he clarified.

Sania, who has won three mixed doubles Grand Slams in her career, is reportedly competing with Squash player Deepika Pallikal and discus thrower Vikas Gowda for the prestigious award. — PTI

A9

INDIA

India, Bangladesh swap tiny islands of land after 70 years Thousands of people who have been living without schools, clinics or power for a generation erupted in cheers of celebration for their new citizenship

DASHIAR CHHARA (BANGLADESH): Jubilant crowds celebrated on Saturday as Bangladesh and India swapped tiny islands of land, ending one of the world’s most intractable border disputes that has kept thousands in limbo for nearly seven decades.

As the clock struck one minute past midnight (1801GMT on Friday), thousands of people who have been living without schools, clinics or power for a generation erupted in cheers of celebration for their new citizenship.

“We have been in the dark for 68 years,” said Russel Khandaker, 20, as he danced with friends in the Dashiar Chhara enclave, which belonged to India but has now became part of Bangladesh. “We’ve finally seen the light,” he told AFP. A total of 162 tiny islands of land — 111 in Bangladesh and 51 in India — were officially handed

CELEBRATION TIME: Residents of Mashal Danga Enclave celebrate with Tricolor rangoli near India-

Bangladesh border in Cooch Behar district of West Bengal, as India and Bangladesh exchanged 162 adversely-held enclaves on Friday midnight. – PTI

over to the countries surrounding them on Saturday after Dhaka and New Delhi struck a border agreement in June. The land-swap means some 50,000 people who have been living in the isolated enclaves since 1947 will now become part of the countries that surround their homes.

In Dashiar Chhara, thousands of people defied monsoon rains to celebrate, marching through rainsoaked muddy roads singing the Bangladeshi national anthem and shouting: “My country, your country. Bangladesh! Bangladesh!”

Others lit 68 candles to mark the end of “68 years of endless pain and indignity”.

Sharifa Akter, 20, held a candle in her hand and smiled. “I can now fulfil my dream of being a top government bureaucrat,” she said.

“We’re now human beings with full human rights,” said Maidul Islam, 18, of the handover.

Officials from Bangladesh and India hoisted their respective national flags over their new territories on Saturday morning in formal ceremonies. “We sang the national anthem as we raised

the Bangladesh flags at 6:00am (0000GMT) in all 111 enclaves that are now part of Bangladesh territory,” said Shafiqul Islam, chief government administrator in northern district of Debiganj.

Islam said the Bangladesh government would now roll out a “fast-track master plan” to develop the enclaves. The plan includes building new roads, schools, power lines and clinics. India has added more than 15,000 new citizens to its population, while over 36,000 enclave residents took Bangladeshi nationality under the

historic agreement.

In West Bengal state’s Mashaldanga enclave, the main site for celebrations on the Indian side, residents have for decades lived as Bangladeshis in the foreign land.

Having opted for Indian citizenship under the deal, they rallied with torches, let off fire crackers and hoisted the Indian flag to celebrate their “freedom”.

“We have waited so long for this moment,” said a jubilant resident, Tapas Das. Mamata Banerjee, chief minister of West Bengal where most of the enclaves were swapped, hailed the agreement in a tweet. “Thousands of people will get new identities. Congratulations to them,” Banerjee said on Twitter.

Local ruling politician Rabi Ghosh said his government’s priority is to reach out to his new compatriots and to see their children go to schools and sick get treated at hospitals. “By December we will ensure all villages are connected with roads, electricity and drinking water,” Ghosh told AFP. The enclaves date back to ownership arrangements made centuries ago between local princes.

The parcels of land survived partition of the subcontinent in 1947 after British rule, and Bangladesh’s 1971 war. Bangladesh endorsed a deal with India in 1974 in a bid to dissolve the pockets, but India only signed a final agreement in June when Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Dhaka.

In the final hours before the handover, villagers held special feasts and joined prayers in mosques and temples to usher in the new era. — AFP

M I L E S T O N E I N R E L AT I O N S

India, China hold ceremonial border personnel meeting

BONHOMIE: Personnel of Indian Army and People’s Liberation

Army at the Ceremonial Border Personnel Meetings. – PTI

CHUSUL (JAMMU AND KASHMIR): India and China on Saturday held a ceremonial border personnel meeting in Chusul in the eastern sector to mark the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Day. The meeting was held at Chinese BPM Hut in Moldo Garrison in Chusul Sector of Eastern Ladakh, the Indian Army said.

From the Indian side, the delegation was led by Brigadier J.K.S.

Virk and from the Chinese side Senior Colonel Chen Zheng Shan.

The day also marked a milestone in India-China relations at the border troops level as the PLA hosted an Indian Army delegation for the first time in the newly established Border Meeting Point of Daulat Beg Oldie. The Indian delegation was led by Col B.S. Uppal and the Chinese delegation by Colonel Song Zhoanli.

Border personnel meeting is conducted every year on PLA Day. The occasion was marked by salutations to the Chinese flag and was followed by a ceremonial address by both delegation leaders, army officials said.

“The proceedings reflected the mutual desire of maintaining and improving relations at functional level at the border,” an official statement said.

A programme showcasing Chinese culture was also organised, followed by a banquet.

“Both the delegations interacted in a free, congenial and cordial environment. The delegations parted amidst feeling of friendship and commitment towards enhancing the existing cordial relations and maintaining peace and tranquility along the LAC,” the statement added. — IANS

A10

SUNDAY, AUGUST 2, 2015 We have suspended him for anti-party activities.

Any individual has to consult his party President before making statements in the media Abu Azmi, SP state unit president

INDIA

No information about two Indians abducted in Libya The state government was making efforts to secure release of two Telugu men: Minister INDIAN PROFESSORS: Two Indians, Lakshmikant and Vijay Kumar, left, have been freed and brought back safely to University of Sirte on

HYDERABAD: The families of the two Indians kidnapped in Libya are worried over their safety as there is no information about their well-being.

Though two others hailing from Karnataka were released on Friday, there is still no official word about the two Telugu men reportedly in the captivity of the IS. Though Sridevi, a member of Balram Kishan’s family received a SMS on Friday from one of those released that all are safe, the rela-

Friday, while Balaram nd Gopikrishna are yet to be set free. - PTI

tives are anxious as there has been no further information. Balram Kishan hails from Hyderabad.

The family of T. Gopikrishna, who is from Srikakulam district of Andhra Pradesh, also lives in Hyderabad.

The four Indians, all teachers at University of Sirte, were returning to India via Tripoli and Tunis on July 29 when they were detained

at a check point, 50 km from Sirte.

Externals Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said late on Friday that two of them hailing from Karnataka were released. She had said efforts were on to secure the release of two others.

Gopikrishna has been teaching computer science at Jufra branch of the university since 2007 whereas Balram has been teach-

ing English at the same university since 2011.

Kalyani, wife of Gopikrishna, said he spoke to her on Wednesday over phone and informed that he is coming home via Tunis. The couple has two children Jhanvi (10) and Eshwar (4).

Balram and Sridevi, a lecturer at a private college in Hyderabad, have two sons Vijaybhaskar (19),

a B Tech student at IIT Kharagpur and Madhusudhan (12).

Andhra Pradesh’s minister for NRI affairs Palle Raghunath Reddy said the state government was making efforts with the help of the Indian government and Libya to secure release of Gopikrishna.

He said efforts were also being made to contact the officials of Indian embassy in Tripoli. -IANS

R A D I C A L I S AT I O N

Ministry meet discusses threat from IS NEW DELHI: A high-level meeting is being held in the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) chiefly to discuss a possible threat from IS, in terms of radicalising the Indian youth, official sources said here on Saturday evening.

Senior officials, including those from the police of 12 states, were participating in the closed door meet in the national capital.

The meeting, being chaired by union Home Secretary L.C. Goyal, was being attended by the home secretaries and police chiefs of Jammu and Kashmir, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Kerala, Assam, Punjab, West Bengal and Delhi, the sources said.

The recent incidents of IS flag waving in Jammu and Kashmir and other related activities have alarmed the government, sources added. -IANS DISCIPLINARY ACTION

SP leader seeks RS berth for Yakub’s wife, suspended MUMBAI: Samajwadi Party leader Mohammed Farooq Ghosi, who sparked a row by demanding a Rajya Sabha seat for Mumbai blasts convict Yakub Memon’s wife, was on Saturday suspended from the party.

The party action came soon after Ghosi, the Maharashtra Unit Vice President of the party, wrote to the party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav requesting that Memon’s wife Raheen be made a party nominee for the RS seat, triggering sharp reactions from the BJP, Shiv Sena and Congress.

The demand came two days after Memon was hanged in the Nagpur Central Jail.

Describing Raheen as helpless, Ghosi said in his letter to the SP chief that “Raheen was in jail for many years. How much she would have suffered...Today I find Raheen helpless and there are many such Muslims in the country who find themselves helpless and for whom we have to fight for. We should make Raheen a Rajya Sabha MP and make her the voice of weak and helpless people.”

“Raheen too has undergone lots of difficulties. Being the wife of a terrorist does not make her a terrorist,” he said.

SP state unit president Abu Azmi said the action against Ghosi was taken for going to the media with his demand without consulting the party president.

“We have suspended him for anti-party activities. Any individual has to consult his party President before making statements in the media. His comments show that he is only interested in staying in the limelight.

He will be served a show cause notice and asked to explain his stand,” Azmi said Ghosi said he had only written what was in his heart and that he stood by the contents of his letter. He, however,added he still drew inspiration from Mulayam Singh, who says that whatever one has in his heart should be expressed fearlessly.

“In my letter I had written what I felt from my heart. I had also asked Mulayam Singhji to forgive me if I stated something wrong in my letter. Inspite of all this, if the party feels I have done something wrong, they are free to suspend me. But, I stand by my letter. I will surely explain my stand to the leadership if I get a chance,” he said.

SP spokesman Rajendra Chaudhary said the demand should not be seen as view of the party.

Dubbing Ghosi’s statement as “irresponsible in nature”, Shiv Sena urged the media not to blow such things out of proportion. “I feel there are people who are not politically mature but seek to make political mileage out of any situation. SP has removed Ghosi but they should think on how can a person from their party make a statement that challenges the SC decision,” party spokesperson Neelam Gorhe said.” -PTI

SUNDAY, AUGUST 2, 2015

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PAKISTAN

SPEECH AGAINST SECURITY FORCES

Anti terrorism court declares Altaf Hussain an ‘absconder’ KARACHI: An anti-terrorism court has declared Altaf Hussain an absconder after police submitted a report stating that the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief could not be found in the country as he lived abroad.

During the hearing, the police also produced a charge sheet for “attempted murder” which stated that Altaf was accused of issuing

life threats to Rangers spokesperson, Colonel Tahir Mehmood, and other personnel of the law enforcement agency.

The case was registered at the Civil Lines Police Station on the request of Colonel Mehmood under the Anti-Terrorism Act with sections pertaining to issuing threats to the security forces.

In the application, Rangers up-

The case was registered at the Civil Lines Police Station under the Anti-Terrorism Act

held that the MQM chief, in an interview with a private television channel following the raid, threatened the personnel involved in the operation. He said, “The havebeens of today in the paramilitary force will become the had-beens.”

In yet another such statement on July 12, the MQM chief likened the conduct of the paramilitary force with the Indian army.

The statement came a couple of hours after the Rangers’ spokesperson said details of the raid at Nine Zero would be unveiled soon.

On March 11, Rangers raided the headquarters, with the party claiming that several leaders had been arrested.

The force claimed that a huge cache of arms were recovered from there. - Express Tribune

A12

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Critics hate Benghazi film they haven’t seen

Photo: Dr Shahriar Ferdous

ALICE JONES

M

ichael Bay’s 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi might not turn out to be the biggest film of 2016, but it could prove the most controversial. The studio released a twoand-a-half-minute trailer this week, and already critics are denouncing what little they’ve seen.

Bay’s gaudy, implausible popcorn movies -- the Transformer series, for instance -- are often derided as Bayhem. But this time the director is engaging a more serious theme, the 2012 attack on two US compounds in Benghazi, Libya, that led to the deaths of four Americans, including ambassador Christopher Stevens.

Given the subject matter, Deadline.com was probably on the money in its whimsical description of “13 Hours” as “a film whose topic is sure to make holiday dinners civil, polite affairs.” The book on which the film is based, however, expressly disclaims any ideological intentions. So does Bay. Not everyone is buying the disclaimers. The trailer has been dissected with the micrometric exactitude usually reserved for early looks at sci-fi franchises being taken over by J. J. Abrams.

Certainly Max Fisher of Vox seems to have made up his mind about 13 Hours already: “Based on the trailer, it appears that Bay’s movie will attempt to squeeze and contort the painful events of Benghazi into a neat and emotionally satisfying narrative: Brave American military heroes must overcome cowardly suits and shoot a bunch of bad guys so that they may save the day.”

Fisher worries that the film will do for Benghazi what he seems to think Kathryn Bigelow’s “Zero Dark Thirty” did for torture -- sell people a false narrative: Fisher is hardly alone in his concerns. Here’s Scott Mendelson, writing in Forbes: “I can only presume from Bay’s politics (The Island was an ‘abortion = holocaust’ parable, Bad Boys II cheerfully embraces the abuse-of-authority of its reckless cop heroes, and the Transformers sequels are Neocon fables) that it won’t exactly be The Nation’s favorite action picture.”

There’s nothing new in the accusations that Bay’s films contain unsubtle conservative messages. But these responses to what is, after all, only what Hollywood calls a “teaser” seem a little overthe-top. I’ve studied the trailer five or six times now, and I still haven’t found the subtly embedded

codes that are going to transform me into a happily flapping member of the right wing.

True, the tag line -- “When everything went wrong, six men had the courage to do what was right” -- suggests that the film will portray the guards involved in the rescue as heroes. I’m not sure why this should be a problem. It’s undisputed that they went to the aid of the consulate at a dangerous moment. All six were employees or contractors of the Central Intelligence Agency’s Global Response Staff, which the book describes as “bodyguards for spies, diplomats and other American personnel in the field.” One could argue, I suppose, that they were only doing their jobs. But this proposition would pretty much put an end to war movies.

Besides, we’re talking about Michael Bay. Chances are the film will be heavy on chasing, shooting and blowing things up.

But there’s an additional political consideration: the potential effect of the film’s timing on the election cycle. In Forbes, Mendelson predicts that Bay’s thriller, set to open exactly one year after American Sniper, will “be something of a lightning rod basically a month away from the Iowa caucuses which will basically kick off the primary election process for the 2016 presidential race.”

This is a lot of weight to place on a movie. The book on which 13 Hours is based hardly mentions Hillary Clinton until the end, when the authors offer a reasonably evenhanded account of the controversy over the State Department’s contemporaneous public statements about the attacks.

On the other hand, the culture is nowadays so hopelessly saturated with electoral politics that anything is possible. Some of Clinton’s critics seem delighted that the film is coming. A New York Post column on the film is headlined “The movie Hillary Clinton should be very, very worried about.” A quick perusal of the Twitter commentary under the hashtag #13hours will show a heavy preponderance of Hillary-bashers.

But a film can’t influence the voters unless the voters go see it. And although every studio dreams of releasing a war epic that will rival the $350 million in domestic box office earned by American Sniper, the new film’s numbers are projected to be closer to those of Lone Survivor ($125 million) or Zero Dark Thirty (which was so controversial that it’s easy to forget it didn’t even hit the $100 million mark). —Bloomberg View

READERS’ FORUM Take precautions before heading to sea, wadis This refers to the online story, Beachgoers warned against swimming in Oman (July 30). It’s not a question of the presence or absence of life guards — it’s about common sense. A person taking part in such activities should have the correct type of life jackets, fins, snorkel, mask and other equipment. Emergency situations can be encountered by even the best swimmer thus it is best to take all possible precautionary measures.

— Denise Guerini, Muscat

Need to close the beaches where shark attacks took place

Scan this QR code to send letters to the Readers’ Forum, 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).

It’s not simply the synapse-rush that first whiff of meat, crunch of cereal or sip of coffee sets off – it is the sheer variety of food on offer. What other meal allows you to eat sausages and jam in the same sitting? There isn’t a single standard breakfast item that I don’t like bit.ly/eatingoutfoolishbut

This refers to the online story, Mick Fanning replay: Surfer punches shark to escape attack (July 31). I cannot understand why surfing is allowed in beaches where these animals live in the open seas. It is unbelievable that since the dawn of civilisation mankind has not understood that animals should be allowed to live in their habitat peacefully. The beaches in question should be closed with immediate effect.

— Imran Mir, Muscat

Jolie’s visit to Myanmar seems to have a political agenda

This refers to the online story, Angelina Jolie, Suu Kyi meet Myanmar’s women garment workers (August 1). I am very impressed with US actress Angelina Jolie’s humanitarian efforts. However, in this case, meeting the Myanmar opposition should raise eyebrows as she has avoided criticising violence against the Rohingya minority community. It seems as if ruling junta will be holding elections in the near future. This is an effort by the Western countries to influence the vote. — Nancy Brian, Ruwi

CLIPPINGS FROM OUR ARCHIVES AUGUST 2000 Vietnamese delegation leaves after three-day visit The Vietnamese deputy commerce minister and the delegation accompanying him left here yesterday, winding up a three-day official visit to the Sultanate. During the visit, Vietnamese officials met a number of officials in the Sultanate and held sessions of talks with Ali bin Masoud Al Sunaidi, undersecretary for commerce and industry at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry; and Yahiya bin Said Al Jabry, executive president of the Capital Market Authority.

TODAY IN HISTORY

NEW INDIA ASSURANCE

902 The Aghlabid rulers of Ifriqiyah (modern day Tunisia) capture Taormina, Sicily.

Protect the welfare of your workforce through New India’s WORKMEN COMPENSATION POLICY.

1759: British and Hanoverian armies defeat the French at the Battle of Minden, Germany.

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1834: Slavery is abolished throughout the British Empire.

1943: Over 177 B-24 Liberator bombers attack the oil fields in Ploesti, Rumania, for a second time

PICTOGRAPH

SUNDAY, AUGUST 2, 2015

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The burned hulk of the plane was found near the town of Codazzi, about 600km (372 miles) northeast of Bogota near the border with Venezuela. Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos called the victims ‘heroes’ in a tweet.

Palestinian toddler’s parents, brother fighting for their lives The condition of the father of 18-monthold Ali Saad, who was burned to death

by Jewish extremists, is described as ‘critical’ while mother Riham and four-yearold brother Ahmed’s as ‘life-threatening’

OCCUPIED JERUSALEM/ RAMALLAH: The parents and brother of a Palestinian toddler burned to death by suspected Jewish extremists were fighting for their lives on Saturday, as protests over the arson attack entered a second day.

Also on Saturday, Palestinian hospital officials said that a Palestinian youth died at a occupied

ANGRY PROTEST: Palestinian children show placards reading in Arabic: ‘We are all Ali Dawabsha’, left, and ‘they burned baby’, right, during a demonstration simulating a funeral ceremony and organised by Hamas supporters in reaction to the death of 18-month-old Ali Saad Dawabsha, the toddler who was burned to death by suspected Jewish extremists, on Saturday in the southern Gaza Strip. – AFP

West Bank hospital following a clash with Israeli troops near occupied Ramallah.

The firebombing of the family’s home in the occupied West Bank, which killed 18-month-old Ali Saad Dawabsha, sparked an inter-

national outcry over Israel’s failure to get to grips with violence by hardline Jewish settlers.

His father Saad was being treated for third-degree burns at the Soroka hospital in southern Israel, where a spokeswoman described

FIRST AUDIO MESSAGE

NEW LEADERSHIP: Mullah

Akhtar Mohammad Mansour, new Taliban leader, in this undated photograph. – Reuters/ Taliban handout

the war-ravaged nation, though the second round of talks that had been expected in Pakistan on Friday was postponed following the announcement of the death of Mullah Omar.

Meanwhile, the Taliban on Saturday denied reports of the death of the founder of Haqqani network, its allied militant group blamed for some of the deadliest attacks in Afghanistan.

Some Pakistani media reported the death of Jalaluddin Haqqani, said to be in his 70s, on Friday when his son Sirajuddin was announced as one of the deputy chiefs of the Taliban following the death of its longtime leader Mullah Omar.

“Some media outlets spread reports... about the death of a distinguished war personality... Jalaluddin Haqqani,” the Taliban said in a statement posted on their website.

“This claim has no basis.

Haqqani... was ill before but he has been blessed with good health for a prolonged period now and has no troubles currently.”

Haqqani’s family also rejected rumours of his death, according to an Afghan Taliban commander who spoke to AFP from an undisclosed location in northwestern Pakistan.

“I talked to his grandson (who is somewhere in eastern Afghanistan) and he completely rejected rumours of his death,” the commander said. “’My grandfather is alive, I talked to him last week. He was weak and sick but alive and in good spirits’, he told me.”

Formed 30 years ago to counter the Soviet invasion in the 80s, the Haqqani network is militarily the most capable and most dangerous of the Taliban factions.

The group was blamed for some of the deadliest attacks in Afghanistan, including the Indian embassy bombing and the attack on Kabul Serena Hotel in 2008, and the 2009 coordinated attacks on the Afghan justice ministry. — AFP

ACCIDENT

Osama bin Laden’s mother, sister killed in UK plane crash LONDON: Members of Osama bin Laden’s family were among four people who died when a private jet crashed in Britain, Saudi Arabia’s embassy in London said on Saturday.

The Saudi-registered plane ploughed into a car auction site and burst into flames in southern England on Friday. While the embassy did not comment on the identities of the dead, a source close to the family speaking to AFP and Saudi media indicated that they were bin Laden’s mother, his sister Sanaa, the sister’s husband Zuhair Hashem, and a Jordanian pilot. Local police said three passengers and the pilot died when the Phenom 300 jet attempted to land at Blackbushe Airport in Hampshire.

The Saudi ambassador “offered his condolences to the sons of the late Mohammed bin Laden and their relations for the grave incident of the crash of the plane carrying members of the family at Blackbushe airport,” a statement posted on the embassy’s Twitter account said. The embassy also

ment home in the village of Duma was gutted by fire, and a Jewish Star of David spray-painted on a wall along with the words “revenge”.

That was indicative of so-called “price tag” violence — a euphe-

PLANE CRASH

New Afghan Taliban chief calls for unity in ranks KABUL: New Taliban leader Mullah Akhtar Mansoor called for unity in the movement in his first audio message released on Saturday amid reports of rifts in their ranks following the announcement of the death of former chief Mullah Omar.

“We should all work to preserve unity, division in our ranks will only please our enemies, and cause further problems for us,” he said in the recording released by the group.

In the 33-minute message, the new Taliban chief also says the insurgency will continue and advises his followers not to pay attention to rumours spread about the Taliban campaign.

Mansoor replaced Taliban founder Mullah Mohammed Omar, whose death was confirmed by the militants on Thursday, although the timing of his death is unclear.

“Our goal and slogan is to implement a system, and our war will continue until this is done,” he said in the message.

The audio message from Mansoor also mentioned peace talks with the Afghan government, though it was not clear whether he supported them.

Kabul held talks last month with the Taliban in an attempt to work towards a peace process for

his condition as “critical”. Mother Riham and four-year-old brother Ahmed were being treated at Tel Hashomer hospital near Tel Aviv, where a spokeswoman described their condition as life-threatening.

The family’s small brick and ce-

mism for nationalist-motivated hate crimes by Jewish extremists.

Palestinian protesters took to the streets across the occupied West Bank, including Israeli-annexed east Jerusalem, triggering clashes with the Israeli army.

North of occupied Ramallah, troops shot Laith Khaldi, 17. He was pronounced dead early on Saturday. The army said he had thrown a fire bomb.

On Saturday morning, Palestinians and Jewish settlers clashed near Kusra in the northern occupied West Bank, trading volleys of stones until the Israeli army declared the area a closed military zone. In occupied east Jerusalem, some 10 Palestinians were wounded in overnight clashes with Israeli police, Palestinian sources said.

On Saturday, two officers were lightly wounded dispersing a riot, police said. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has condemned the attack on the Dawabsha family as “terrorism in every respect” and vowed to spare no effort in bringing the perpetrators to justice. But Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said he doubted Israel would provide “true justice” and ordered his foreign minister to file a complaint at the International Criminal Court. — Agencies

SCENE AT CRASH SITE: Members of the emergency services attend the scene of a plane crash at a car park next to Blackbushe Airport, in Hampshire, southern England on Saturday. – AFP

said it would work with British authorities to investigate the incident and repatriate the bodies for burial in Saudi Arabia.

Osama bin Laden’s father Mohammed was a construction magnate and his numerous relatives constitute a prominent family with wide-ranging business interests. Mohammed bin Laden himself died in a plane crash in Saudi Arabia in 1967. His son Osama, the late leader of the Al Qaeda militant network, was shot dead

by US special forces in 2011.

Footage of the aftermath of Friday’s crash showed plumes of black smoke rising into the sky and several cars on fire in the outdoor area of British Car Auctions, where vehicles were parked awaiting sale. Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation said in a statement on Friday that the plane was registered in the Gulf country and that it would work with British investigators to determine the cause of the crash. — AFP

11 Colombian armymen killed BOGOTA: Eleven Colombian military personnel were killed on Friday when their transport plane suffered motor failure and crashed in the northern province of Cesar, killing all on board, according to a statement from the Air Force.

The burned hulk of the plane was found near the town of Codazzi, about 600km (372 miles) northeast of Bogota near the border with Venezuela.

President Juan Manuel Santos called the victims “heroes” in a tweet.

Produced in 1998 Airbus, the manufacturer of the CN235 aircraft, said in a statement that the plane was produced in Seville, Spain in 1998, and that no further information was available at this stage.

“The thoughts of the company

and its employees are with those affected by this accident,” said Airbus.

In May, a new Airbus military transport plane called the A400M crashed during a test flight in Spain, killing three people.

Airbus said on Friday that it was taking a fresh charge of 290 million euros ($318.59 million) because of development delays following the crash. — Reuters

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GLOBAL EYE

JAPAN: A traditional Nebuta float is on display during the eve of the Nebuta summer festival in Aomori city, Aomori prefecture on Saturday. Millions of visitors enjoy watching the 22 large Nebuta floats during

the six-day-long summer festival which starts on Sunday. — AFP

GREAT BRITAIN: Protestors demonstrate in solidarity of migrants

in Calais, in Folkestone, Britain, yesterday. The protesters are urging Eurotunnel to take greater precautions to help prevent further deaths of those attempting to enter Britain. — Reuters

BELGIUM: People walk in the pedestrian area in Brussels, Belgium, yesterday. Part of Brussels city centre was closed permanently to traffic on June 29, 2015, creating Europe’s second largest urban pedestrian area after Venice in what was one of the city’s busiest boulevards. — Reuters

GERMANY: A demonstrator holds up a sign which reads ‘Rest in Peace democracy’ during a rally to protest against a criminal complaint by the domestic intelligence agency, the Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV), over articles about it that appeared on the Netzpolitik.org blog in Berlin, Germany, on Saturday.

Germany has suspended a treason investigation into Netzpolitik. org, a news website specialises in Internet data protection, freedom of information and digital rights issues, while experts decide whether its articles on plans to increase state surveillance of online communications constituted a revelation of state secrets. — Reuters

UNITED STATES: The ‘blue moon’ is seen above Washington, United SINGAPORE: Fireworks burst over the Singapore Flyers during a preview for the 50th Singapore National Day celebration on Saturday.

Singapore will celebrate its 50th National Day anniversary on August 9. — AFP

States, on Friday. The blue moon is the second appearance of a full moon in the same calendar month. The next blue moon will not be seen until January 2018. — AFP

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Jolie and Suu Kyi meet women garment workers in Myanmar SCAN THIS QR CODE TO INSTANTLY VISIT

ARTICLE, PHOTOS

The special envoy for

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the United Nations’ refugee agency, arrived in Myanmar on Wednesday, meeting President Thein Sein and survivors of violence in war-torn northern

IMPORTANT VISIT: UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)

Kachin state

Goodwill Ambassador Angelina Jolie, centre, leaves after meeting with women factory workers at a hostel in Hlaing Thar Yar Township in Yangon on Saturday. - AFP

YANGON: Hollywood actress Angelina Jolie met women garment workers in Myanmar on Saturday with opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi to learn more about their working conditions, as part of her first visit to the country.

The Oscar-winning star, who is also a special envoy for the United Nations’ refugee agency, arrived

in Myanmar on Wednesday, meeting President Thein Sein in the capital Naypyidaw and survivors of violence in war-torn northern Kachin state.

On Saturday she met Suu Kyi at her residence in Yangon after which the pair visited women from Myanmar’s largely female textile industry workforce at their living quarters in Hlaing Tha Yar, a town on the western outskirts

CONFLICT

25 Syria rebels killed in failed Aleppo attack BEIRUT: At least 25 Syrian rebels were killed in a failed attack on a makeshift army base outside the northern city of Aleppo, a monitoring group said on Saturday.

Nine regime forces were also killed in fighting that erupted after several rebel groups launched the attack late Friday, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

Three senior rebel commanders were among 25 fighters killed, said the Britain-based monitor.

Syria’s official SANA news agency reported that “a number of terrorists were killed and wounded” by government forces in the west of the city.

The Observatory said sporadic fighting was continuing on the western outskirts of Aleppo on Saturday morning, with regime planes carrying out air strikes and rebels firing rockets on loyalist positions.

Ravaged by fighting Once Syria’s economic powerhouse, Aleppo has been ravaged by fighting and divided between government control in the west and rebel control in the east since shortly after fighting began there in mid-2012. In early July, two rebel alliance launched attacks

against regime forces in the western outskirts of the city, sparking some of the heaviest violence since the country’s war arrived in the city in 2012.

The assaults were largely repelled however, though rebels have continued sporadic attacks.

IS warning Elsewhere, the Observatory said the IS militant group had issued warnings to local internet providers to halt private wifi supply in the town of Albu Kamal in eastern Deir Ezzor province.

The militant group issued a similar directive in its de facto Syrian capital Raqa in July.

The ban there sought to prevent residents from accessing the internet privately, instead forcing them to go through monitored internet cafes.

The Observatory said the bans appeared to be motivated by a desire to create a news blackout but also to thwart foreign fighters who might be trying to return home without IS permission.

Meanwhile, nearly 40 government and opposition fighters have been killed as Syrian regime forces pushed rebels back from an area bordering President Bashar Al Assad’s heartland, a monitor said Saturday. — AFP

of the city. Dozens of people gathered to catch a glimpse of the Hollywood star and Myanmar democracy icon together as they arrived at the workers’ hostel, each welcomed with a bouquet of flowers.

Jolie and Suu Kyi spoke to workers about their living and working conditions as well as their aspirations for further education, according to a statement on Facebook posted by the opposition

National League for Democracy party.

The garment industry has been in the spotlight across Asia in recent years because of concerns over labour rights and safety.

Myanmar textile workers too have protested for better pay and conditions after decades of junta rule ended in 2011, with a wave of political and economic reforms opening up new industries in the former pariah state.

The star’s visit to the country followed an invitation from Suu Kyi, according to the British Embassy, which is working with Jolie as part of the Preventing Sexual Violence Initiative that promotes prosecutions of perpetrators.

On Friday the actress urged Myanmar to ensure those who commit physical violence are brought to justice after “moving and humbling” meetings with victims in Kachin.

Jolie arrived in Myanmar after a brief visit to Cambodia where she plans to direct a film for Netflix

about Cambodia’s Khmer Rouge regime seen through the eyes of a war-scarred child.

She was accompanied for that portion of the trip by her 14-yearold son Maddox, who was adopted from Cambodia.

Myanmar is still beset by the legacy of dozens of long-raging civil wars in its border areas and the government is trying to broker a nationwide ceasefire with rebels before general elections in November.

In Kachin some 100,000 people have been displaced since civil war erupted in 2011.

Severe flooding Meanwhile, severe flooding across Myanmar hampered rescue efforts on Saturday as thousands sheltered at monasteries after rising waters triggered by torrential rains killed at least 27 people, officials said.

Heavy monsoon rain has battered vast swathes of the country in recent weeks, decimating tens of thousands of homes and fields and leaving people stranded in remote villages in a disaster testing the government’s limited relief operations.

“Most of the country is flooded now,” said a director at the so-

cial welfare ministry who did not want to be named, explaining that all but one of Myanmar’s 14 provinces and regions were affected by the flash floods, rising waters and landslides caused by the downpour.

Rescue efforts by Myanmar authorities and local aid groups were under way but they are “struggling to access flood-hit areas”, the official said, adding that there was no update to Thursday’s death toll of 27 due to disrupted communications.

Western Rakhine and Chin states are among the four worst affected areas and on Friday President Thein Sein declared them “national disaster affected regions”, according to the statebacked Global New Light of Myanmar (GNLM) newspaper.

These regions “have seen huge destruction and face difficulty returning to normal conditions”, GNLM reported, citing the government announcement.

In Maungdaw township in Rakhine, houses and office buildings have been destroyed, trees uprooted and damaged roads sealed off due to violent storms, a local government official told AFP, adding that rescue camps have been opened at monasteries. — AFP

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Pull out from civilian areas, Barzani tells Kurdish rebels Several civilians have been killed and wounded in the air campaign, which Ankara launched a week ago following a wave of attacks in Turkey

ARBIL (IRAQ): Kurdish rebels of the PKK should take their war with Ankara out of Iraqi Kurdistan to prevent Turkish air strikes from causing civilian casualties, the region’s leadership said Saturday.

“The PKK (Kurdistan Workers’ Party) must keep the battlefield away from the Kurdistan region in order for civilians not to become victims of this war,” the office of the region’s president Massud Barzani said in a statement.

Turkey has carried out hundreds of raids against the Kurdish rebel group’s mountain bases on either side of the Iraqi border. The PKK itself has admitted to only a handful of deaths in its ranks but the official Turkish news agency Anatolia on Saturday put the figure at around 260, although it gave no source.

Several civilians have been killed and wounded in the air campaign, which Ankara launched a week ago following a wave of attacks in Turkey. Barzani’s Kurdistan Democratic Party has often been at odds with the PKK but has long allowed its fighters to take shelter from the Turkish army in remote mountain regions on the Iraqi side of the border.

AGITATION: Demonstrators run away from tear gas used by riot police to disperse them during a march in solidarity with Kurdistan

Workers Party’s (PKK) jailed leader Abdullah Ocalan in Diyarbakir, Turkey, on Saturday. — Reuters

side.” Ankara and Baghdad signed a “hot pursuit” agreement in the era of now executed dictator Saddam Hussein, allowing both sides to hunt down Kurdish rebels 15 kilometres (10 miles) into each other’s territory.

Mahmud said the agreement was still valid.

In the same statement, the presidency also urged the PKK and the Turkish government to resume a peace process which the recent violence has all but shattered.

“The Kurdistan presidency is clear in demanding that the PKK keep its military bases away from the region in order not to give the Turkish government any justification when it bombs civilians,”

Kifah Mahmud, a Barzani adviser, told AFP. “If the PKK did not have bases inside the region, Turkey would not be bombing civilians,” he said. “The region’s presidency has asked the PKK to take its forces out, especially since there is an agreement between the Iraqi and Turkish governments allowing Turkish forces to enter the Iraqi

Good ties with Turkey Barzani’s party has enjoyed good relations with Turkey, a major investor and trading partner for the autonomous region.

The Kurdistan Regional Government later issued a statement taking a softer line, simply demanding both sides shift their battle away from populated areas.

“We urge Turkey to refrain from bombing villages and populated

area in the region, at the same time we urge the PKK to keep its forces, bases and institutions away from villages and populated areas,” the statement said.

Targeted by Turkey’s raids since last week were several training camps in the mountains north of Dohuk, in the western part of the Kurdistan region, near the border with Syria.

The Qandil mountains, which lie to the northeast of regional capital Arbil, have also been targeted. It is where the PKK’s political leadership has been based for years. At least six people, including two women, were killed in Turkish air strikes on the village of Zarkel, near the Qandil mountains on Saturday, local officials said.— AFP

IRAN

Parliament has no power over nuclear deal: Salehi DUBAI: Iran’s parliament does not have authority over the nuclear agreement signed with world powers last month, the Islamic Republic’s top nuclear negotiator was quoted as saying on Saturday.

The comments from Ali Akbar Salehi, the head of Iran’s atomic energy agency, are the latest volley in a lengthy battle between Iranian officials supportive of the deal, and hardliners who are sceptical of it.

The parliament in June passed a bill imposing strict conditions on any nuclear deal, such as barring international inspectors from Iran’s military sites.

Under the terms of the final deal, however, Iran must provide access to suspect sites including at its military facilities within 24 days, or risk sanctions being reimposed.

“It is absolutely not the case that the government must bring before parliament any agreement it wants to sign with a foreign country,” Salehi was quoted as saying by state news agency IRNA. “The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action is not a treaty or a convention, and I don’t know under what definition it would go to parliament.”

Iran nuclear deal reached with six world powers on July 14 imposes strict limits on its nuclear programme in exchange for relief from international sanctions, breaking decades of mounting hostility with the West.

Hardliners have been unable to persuade Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the country’s highest authority, to withdraw his cautious support for it.

The deal is also under threat from US lawmakers, who have until September 17 to accept or reject the agreement.

Some members of Congress have objected to the deal as not tough enough, and rejection would prevent President Barack Obama from waiving most US-imposed sanctions on Iran. — Reuters

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Omani lab firm plans to expand activities Biyaq Laboratories provides a wide range of services including water, – Supplied picture

oil, gas, solid and elemental analyses as well as on-site sampling services

ELHAM POURMOHAMMADI

elham@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: Biyaq Laboratories, the first 100 per cent Omaniowned analytical laboratory service provider, plans to expand its activities in the country while keeping an eye on business opportunities abroad.

Founded in 2012 by its parent company Biyaq Oilfields Services, a leading oilfield support company in Oman, Biyaq Laboratories provides a wide range of services including water, oil, gas, solid and elemental analyses as well as onsite sampling and field services and supply of chemists in the field.

Speaking to the Times of Oman, Najim Al Kitani, managing partner at Biyaq Laboratories, said a decision was made to establish the company to address a gap in the market.

With 18 years of working expe-

rience at Petroleum Development Oman (PDO), Al Kitani, who is a chemical and petroleum engineer by training, aspired to bring chemistry laboratory services closer to clients in Oman as many of these services are provided by those outside the country.

Their competitors are international companies present in Oman’s market. Al Kitani says that Biyaq Laboratories is the first 100 per cent Omani-owned company in this field.

He believes that what sets the company apart from its competitors is the fact that it is easily accessible as it is a local company and provides reliable, affordable and quality services with fast delivery of services and reports.

He sees the potential for more companies providing this kind of services in Oman.

Clients According to Al Kitani, Biyaq Laboratories has earned the confidence of a number of high-profile clients in various sectors, including the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, the Ministry of Environment and Climate Affairs and the Public Authority for Consumer Protection.

Oman’s sovereign ratings affirmed by Capital Intelligence MUSCAT: Capital Intelligence on Friday affirmed Oman’s longterm foreign currency and local currency ratings of ‘A’ and its short-term foreign and local currency rating at ‘A1’.

The outlook for Oman’s ratings remains at stable.

In February this year, the rating agency said that current economic performance is relatively strong, but downside risks have increased with the recent decline in international oil prices. The Omani economy expanded by 3.4 per cent in 2014, compared to around five per cent in 2013, supported by the continued growth of public and capital spending.

Steady growth The rating agency in February said that the economy is expected to continue its steady growth averaging 3.5 per cent during 2015-16, driven by growth in the non-hydrocarbon sectors and supported by Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) funded infrastructure projects.

According to CI’s estimates in February, the public finances are currently sound overall, with government financial comfortably exceeding a gross government debt stock that amounted

Retaining Omanis Al Kitani says that the company is committed to enhancing the skills of the local workforce but finds it a challenge to retain Omani employees.

Sometimes the company spends a lot of time and money to train Omanis but when they gain some experience, they are attracted by other organisations and leave the company, he said, adding that it is a major challenge, especially for small companies.

“We also cannot afford to increase the salaries before we can stand on our feet,” he noted and added that certain regulations are required to protect the companies.

Companies should receive a certain kind of ‘security’ from the government, ensuring that the staff remains committed to working for the company where they receive F I NA N C I A L A S S I S TA N C E

S TA B L E O U T L O O K

Times News Service

The laboratory is registered with the Ministry of Oil and Gas and several other entities, he added. It is also providing services to several companies such as PDO, Daleel Petroleum, Oman Oil Refineries and Petroleum Industries Company (Orpic), Oman Gas Company, CC Energy Development and Bahwan Veolia.

Al Kitani said that Biyaq Laboratories seeks to establish itself as a world-class independent testing laboratory and has obtained ISO 17025 accreditation, which shows the company’s efforts to gain international recognition. He added that some of the main objectives of the company are to provide longterm economic benefits for the country, create in-country value, employ Omanis and train them.

to a modest eight per cent of GDP in 2014. However, the central government budget position has slightly deteriorated in tandem with the steep decline in oil prices, and is expected to have posted a small deficit of around 0.4 per cent of gross domestic product in 2014, compared to a surplus of one per cent of GDP in 2013.

According to an earlier announcement from the rating agency, in the absence of any expenditure adjustment, lower oil prices are likely to translate into budget deficits of increasing magnitude in the coming years, with CI foreseeing deficits of about 5.8 per cent and 7.6 per cent of GDP in 2015 and 2016 respectively.

Oman’s external balance sheet is strong and international liquidity is currently high. The country’s comfortable net external creditor position is the counterpart to a long run of current account surpluses, which in turn are largely attributable to previous periods of high oil prices and the expansion of the liquefied natural gas (LNG) industry.

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IMF clears $1.24 billion financing for Iraq Times News Service MUSCAT: The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) approved SDR 891.3 million (about $1.24 billion or 75 per cent of quota) for Iraq under the Rapid Financing Instrument (RFI).

The decision was taken last Wednesday (July 29).

The financial assistance is aimed at helping Iraq to address the present and urgent balance of payment and budget needs in 2015 related to the ISIS insurgency and a decline in oil prices.

Mitsuhiro Furusawa, IMF Deputy Managing Director and Acting Chair of the Board, said: “The twin shocks faced by Iraq from the ISIS insurgency and the drop in global oil prices have severely widened the government deficit and caused a decline in international reserves.

The authorities’ policies to deal with the shocks, including sizable fiscal adjustment and maintenance of the exchange rate peg, are going in the right direction. Access under the International Monetary Fund’s Rapid Financing Instrument will help address Iraq’s urgent balance of payments and budget needs. However, large fiscal and external financing gaps remain.

training, for a certain period, Al Kitani said.

Omanisation The managing partner at Biyaq Laboratories also believes that the government should appreciate the fact that it is not easy for certain industries to achieve the Omanisation target that has been set.

He says that in order to enhance the contribution of the small and medium enterprise (SME) sector to the economy, the government should help SMEs to secure work and contracts, given the fact that the competition is tough. In addition, more incubation centres and follow-ups are required, he said.

In order to make their business sustainable and profitable, Al Kitani said Biyaq Laboratories tries to participate in different exhibitions to attract a wider clientele.

The company is also working on marketing, with Nasser Al Rashdi as marketing manager, he added.

Further support However, Al Kitani said small companies require further support in order to participate in exhibitions both inside the country and abroad, which are usually more expensive.

He also noted that there are some areas in the SME sector which have not been explored yet and encouraged Omanis to utilise this potential.

Setting up your own business is risky, but you have to calculate the risk instead of taking a risk ‘blindly’, Al Kitani said, advising potential entrepreneurs to do proper feasibility study, analyse the market thoroughly and be patient.

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SECOND QUARTER

Bank Sohar’s net profit rises 10.5% Times News Service MUSCAT: Bank Sohar announced its financial results for the second quarter that ended on June 30, 2015.

The bank’s net profit in the second quarter (Q2) rose significantly by 10.58 per cent from OMR6.588 million in Q1 2015 to OMR7.285 million in Q2 2015.

During the same quarter, net interest income grew by 8.80 per cent, rising from OMR11.380 million in Q1 2015 to OMR12.382 million in Q2, while operating income increased by 11.72 per cent from OMR16.201 million in Q1 2015 to OMR18.100 million in Q2.

The bank’s operating profit also witnessed an increase of 21.59 per cent from OMR8.223 million in in Q1 2015 to OMR9.998 million in Q2 2015.

On an annual basis, gross loans and advances of the bank increased from OMR1.400 billion as of June 30, 2014 to OMR1.620 billion as of June 30, 2015 registering an annual growth of 15.72 per cent. Meanwhile, customer deposits increased to OMR1.567 billion as of June 30, 2015, compared to OMR1.351 billion registered in the same period last year, an annual increase of 15.97 per cent. The bank’s market share of Private Sector Credit increased to 9.41 per cent as of end of May 2015, compared to 9.08 per cent in March 2015, while the Private Sector Deposit share marginally increased to 7.85 per cent, compared to 7.83 per cent in March 2015. The total shareholder equity increased to OMR 241.588million, an increase of 32.85 per cent over the previous year. On a

Rashad Ali Al Musafir.

— Supplied picture

half-yearly basis, the banks’ total assets grew by 0.48 per cent from OMR2.075 billion as of the end of 2014 to OMR2.085 billion as of the end of June 2015.

Commenting on the results, Rashad Ali Al Musafir, Acting CEO of Bank Sohar, said, “Despite the challenges faced by the banking sector and the economy due to falling oil prices, the bank has witnessed a positive growth in its earning assets with gross loans and advances increasing by a substantial OMR136 million in the second quarter of the year.

This growth in our lending book will help the bank net additional revenues during the rest of 2015.

Furthermore, the Bank is backed by a strong and proven operating model and we enjoy productive relationships with our valued clients who continue to choose the Bank Sohar brand for all their personal and commercial banking needs. I am confident that through their continued patronage, complemented by the hard work put in by our staff and our dedication towards banking excellence, Bank Sohar will see another year of success in 2015.”

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SUNDAY, AUGUST 2, 2015

MARKET ECONOMY

Cut all hedge fund ties, says Bank of England new policymaker LONDON: Gertjan Vlieghe, Bank of England (BoE) new policymaker, has said that he would sever all links with his previous employer, one of the world’s biggest hedge funds, to avoid “any mistaken impression” of a conflict of interest.

Vlieghe had wanted to stay part of a long-term incentive plan at Brevan Howard, where he was a partner, after he joins the BoE’s Monetary Policy Committee on

September 1. The arrangement would have provided him with payments based on how much money was managed by the fund.

Its traders make bets on the impact of central bank decisions.

Britain’s Finance Ministry said on Tuesday, when it announced the appointment of the 44-year-old economist, that Vlieghe’s stake in Brevan Howard did not pose a conflict of interest. But this caused sur-

prise in financial circles and drew attention from a parliamentary committee that monitors the BoE. On Friday, Vlieghe said in a statement that he had reached an agreement to be bought out from his stake. “As of August 31, I will have severed all financial and other ties with Brevan Howard. I have taken this step to avoid any mistaken impression of a conflict of interest,” he said.

Interest rates A source familiar with the arrangement had said previously that it would be impossible for Vlieghe to sell his stake at close to its fair value. Vlieghe returns to the central bank, where he previously worked as an economist, at a sensitive time. The BoE is edging closer to raising interest rates for the first time since the 2008-09 financial crisis. Economists who know

Vlieghe praise his analytical skills.

Brevan Howard is one of the biggest players in the $3 trillion hedge fund industry. In May, it and other financial institutions came under scrutiny after European Central Bank Executive Board member Benoit Coeure spoke at an invitation-only dinner of fund managers, bankers and academics in London.

At the dinner, which was organised by institutions including

a research institute sponsored by Brevan Howard, Coeure made comments which moved the euro hours before his speech was made public.

Conservative lawmaker Andrew Tyrie, who chairs the British parliament committee that vets new BoE policymakers, said he would seek reassurance that Vlieghe’s business interests did not conflict with his MPC role. - Reuters

Only a payrolls surprise could shake US market Investors should expect a continuation of the directionless market that has kept S&P 500 trading in place for most of the year NEW YORK: Unless next week’s payrolls report is an outlier, investors should expect a continuation of the directionless market that has kept the S&P 500 trading in place for most of the year.

Should July post strong job gains, it would point to an economy strong enough for the Federal Reserve to raise interest rates for the first time in almost a decade.

But concern about the strength of the economies in China and Europe, along with a slide in energy prices, have made stocks stall. US oil futures fell more than 20 per cent in July, the largest monthly drop in almost seven years.

“We’re likely to be in first gear, crawling forward, not dramatically faster, essentially flat for the

year or up a little, depending on which index you use,” said Kate Warne, investment strategist at Edward Jones in St Louis.

Since it first closed above 2,100 almost six months ago, the S&P 500 has not deviated from that level more than 3 per cent on the downside or 2 per cent higher.

Its 100-day moving average is 2,096 and it has been effectively flat for a full month. It closed on Friday near 2,104.

Stock funds Concern over a market topping near its record is evidenced by $2.8 billion in outflows from USbased domestic-focused stock funds last week, their second straight week of withdrawals,

according to Lipper data.

Those flows are, however, balanced by stock purchases from companies themselves, which are on track to break the buyback record set last year.

“There’s so much money piled up on both the bullish camps and the bearish camps. Companies have been buying back more stock than ever, and investors have been selling just as aggressively,” said Brian Reynolds, chief market strategist at New Albion Partners in New York.

With both sides pulling the string, the S&P 500 could be stuck in this tight range for the rest of the year, much like it was in 2011 after gaining 39 per cent in the previous two years. Current estimates for the payrolls report are for the US economy to have created 222,000 jobs in July, compared to 223,000 in June. - Reuters

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SUNDAY, AUGUST 2, 2015

B3

MARKET BRIEFS

ONIC Holding profit dips 4%

MUSCAT: Oman National Investment Corporation (ONIC) Holding said its group profit for the year ended June 2015 fell marginally by 4 per cent to OMR3.89 million from OMR4.06 million for the previous year. However, total income of the company rose 12 per cent to OMR8.76 million from OMR7.80 million, while expenses moved up by 33 per cent to OMR4.65 million. The financial results are initial and subject to review.

Arab IPO Summit from September

DUBAI: The Arab IPO Summit, will take place from September 14 to 17 in Dubai, UAE. It will connect capital markets, stock exchanges, investment banks, and top private firms in the Arab world to discuss the latest developments in the Arab capital markets, the future of capital markets in the region and regulations on listings for issuers.

Vale earnings beat analysts’ estimates

RIO DE JANEIRO: Vale reported quarterly earnings that exceeded analysts’ estimates as the top iron-ore producer reduced costs in response to falling prices for the steelmaking ingredient.

Second-quarter adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation dropped 46 per cent from a year earlier to $2.21 billion. That compared with the $1.83 billion average of 13 dollar-based estimates compiled by Bloomberg.

- Times News Service/Bloomberg News

China’s large manufacturing firms stall as demand wanes persistent weakness at factories, but there were worrying signs on that front, too.

July factory output reinforces views that the economy needs more stimulus as it faces fresh risks from a stock market slump

BEIJING: Growth at China’s big manufacturing companies unexpectedly stalled in July as demand at home and abroad weakened, an official survey showed on Saturday, reinforcing views that the economy needs more stimulus as it faces fresh risks from a stock market slump.

The official Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) stood at 50 in July, compared to the previous month’s 50.2. The 50-point mark separates growth from contraction on a monthly basis. Some analysts had predicted another tepid reading of 50.2, pointing to expansion, albeit a sluggish one. However, both export and domestic orders shrank for the large firms covered by the survey.

It did not mention any impact from a savage 30 per cent drop in China’s share markets since midJune, though analysts said the wild price swings could hit consumer and business confidence and investment decisions, adding pressure on the already cooling

ZERO GROWTH: The Chinese government has rolled out a flurry of steps since last year to try to put a floor beneath sputtering economic growth, including accelerating infrastructure spending and repeated reductions in interest rates. – AFP

economy. “It warrants more concrete policy measures to stabilise the real economy. Perhaps the funds used to prop up the share market could be used to support the real economy,” ANZ economists Li-Gang Liu and Louis Lam said in a research note.

ANZ maintained its forecast that the central bank will cut interest rates by another 25 basis

DEBT CRISIS

Stock market to reopen as Greek bailout talks begin ATHENS: Senior EU-IMF auditors have held their first meetings with Greek ministers to finalise a new three-year bailout as the Athens stock market prepares to reopen after being shut down for over a month by the debt crisis.

Greece’s main stock exchange in Athens will resume operations, which were halted on June 26 as the crisis-hit government imposed capital controls, on Monday, a Finance Ministry source said.

Meanwhile, as the bailout talks got underway, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) set its terms saying it would only join a “comprehensive” financial rescue programme that included debt relief and economic reforms.

“In order to ensure mediumterm sustainability, there is a need for difficult decisions on both sides... difficult decisions in Greece regarding reforms, and difficult decisions among Greece’s European partners about debt relief,” a senior IMF official said.

The European Union agreed that this position was “fully compatible” with its own agenda on a Greek bailout, which could be worth up to €86 billion ($94 billion). The EU aims to conclude negotiations for a third bailout “with the expertise of the IMF, and then to consider debt measures later in the year,” said European Commission spokeswoman Mina Andreeva.

In Athens, the heads of the audit mission met with the Greek ministers of finance and economy with the talks focusing on bank recapitalisation, privatisations and fiscal targets, the finance ministry said. “There was con-

vergence on some issues, less on others. The discussion was held in a very good climate and will continue,” said Finance Minister Euclid Tsakalotos.

The government hopes to conclude the EU-IMF fiscal audit before August 20, when it is scheduled to repay €3.4 billion to the European Central Bank including interest.

Hectic trading expected It will also be nervously eyeing Monday’s reopening of the Athens Stock Exchange, when normal operating procedures will resume for foreign investors although locals will still face limits on their transactions.

Greek investors will not be able to finance the purchase of securities by taking money from their bank accounts in Greece. They will, however, be able to use foreign bank accounts or make cash transactions. The volatility cap will be reduced from 30 per cent to 20 per cent. - AFP

points (bps) this quarter and reduce banks’ reserve requirements by 50 bps by year-end.

The government has rolled out a flurry of steps since last year to try to put a floor beneath sputtering economic growth, including accelerating infrastructure spending and repeated reductions in interest rates and banks’ reserve ratio. But growth is still expected

to moderate this year to around 7 per cent, the slowest in a quarter of a century.

Volkswagen lowered its global sales forecast on Wednesday and said it was braced for stagnant volumes in China, after years of double-digit growth in its biggest market. A similar survey suggested strength in the services sector continued to offset some of the

Services sector The official non-manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) edged up to 53.9 in July, compared to the previous month’s reading of 53.8 and pointing to solid expansion.

But services companies also reported softer orders, with the new orders sub-index falling to 50.1 in July from 51.3 in June, and firms cut jobs at a slightly faster pace.

The employment sub-index inched down to 49.2 from June’s 49.7.

The services sector has accounted for the bigger part of China’s economic output for at least two years, with its share rising to 48.2 per cent last year, compared with the 42.6 per cent contribution from manufacturing and construction.China’s Politburo has promised to step up “targeted” adjustments to economic policy to foster stable growth in the world’s second-largest economy, media said on Thursday.

In a rare acknowledgement of the challenges ahead, state radio quoted the decision-making body of the Communist Party as saying that China had yet to find new drivers to power its economy at a time when old engines are flagging. - Reuters

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B4

SUNDAY, AUGUST 2, 2015

MARKET TECHNOLOGY

C O M M E N TA RY

Does euro still make sense for future?

JEAN PISANI-FERRY*

PARIS: When Wolfgang Schäuble, Germany’s finance minister, recently tabled the option of a Greek exit from the euro, he wanted to signal that no member could abstain from the monetary union’s strict disciplines. In fact, his initiative triggered a much broader discussion of the principles underpinning the euro, its governance, and the very rationale for its existence.

Only a fortnight before Schäuble’s proposal, Europe’s leaders had barely paid attention to a report on the euro’s future prepared by European Commission president JeanClaude Juncker and his colleagues from the other European Union institutions. But the new dispute over Greece has convinced many policymakers of the necessity to return to the drawing board. Meanwhile, citizens wonder why they share this currency, whether it makes sense, and if agreement can be reached on its future.

German reunification For currencies, as for countries, founding myths matter. The conventional wisdom is that the euro was the political price Germany paid for French acquiescence to its reunification.

In fact, German reunification only provided the final impetus for a project conceived in the 1980s to resolve a longstanding dilemma. European governments were both strongly averse to floating exchange rates, which they assumed would be incompatible with a single market, and unwilling

to perpetuate a Bundesbankdominated monetary regime. A truly European currency built on German principles appeared to be the best way forward.

In retrospect, German reunification was more a curse than a blessing. When exchange rates were locked in 1999, Germany’s was overvalued, and its economy was struggling; France’s was undervalued, and its economy was booming. During the ensuing decade, imbalances slowly grew between a resurgent Germany and countries where low interest rates had triggered credit booms. And when the global financial crisis erupted in 2008, conditions were ripe for a perfect storm.

Fixed exchange-rate No one can say how Europe would have evolved without the euro. Would the fixedexchange-rate system have endured or collapsed? Would the Deutschemark have been overvalued? Would states have reintroduced trade barriers, ending the single market?

Would a real-estate bubble have developed in Spain?

Would governments have reformed more or less?

Establishing a counterfactual baseline against which the euro’s impact could be assessed is impossible. But that is no excuse for complacency. Over the last 15 years, the eurozone’s economic performance has been disappointing, and its policy system must answer for this.

What really matters is whether a common European currency still makes sense for the future. This question is often evaded, because the cost

of exiting is deemed too high to consider it (and could be higher still if the break-up takes place in a crisis and sharpens reciprocal acrimony among participating countries). Moreover, pulling the plug on the euro could unleash the dark forces of nationalism and protectionism. But, as Oxford’s Kevin O’Rourke recently argued, this is hardly a sufficient argument.

It is the logical equivalent of advising a couple to remain married because divorce is too expensive.

So does the euro still make sense? It was expected to deliver three economic benefits.

Monetary union, it was assumed, would foster economic integration, bolstering Europe’s long-term growth. Instead, intra-eurozone trade and investment have increased only modestly, and growth potential has actually weakened. This is partly because national governments, rather than building on currency unification to turn the eurozone into an economic powerhouse, tried to hang onto their remaining power. This was perhaps logical politically, but it made no economic sense: Europe’s huge domestic market is one of its main assets, and opportunities to strengthen it should not be squandered.

Major global currency Second, it was hoped that the euro would become a major international currency (particularly given how few countries are equipped with the necessary legal, market, and policy institutions). And, according to recent ECB statistics, this hope has been largely fulfilled. With AV I AT I O N

IndiGo drive to lure travellers ahead of IPO NEW DELHI: A towering billboard along New Delhi’s airport road reads: “Sleep With Your Wife.” Another proclaims: “Late Is a Four-Letter Word.”

They’re campaigns by IndiGo, an Indian budget carrier luring business travellers with sameday return flights.

Such targeted marketing and an ability to deliver on its on-time promises have helped build IndiGo into the largest airline in India in less than a decade. In a market where rivals have lost $10 billion in the past six years, IndiGo has lowered costs by ordering hundreds of aircraft at once and eschewing add-ons such as free meals, becoming one of only two local carriers to make money in the last fiscal year.

Now, as the company prepares for an initial public offering (IPO) by the end of the year, it intends to expand beyond the 33 domestic and five international cities. - Bloomberg News

international use of the euro behind only the US dollar, this achievement can help Europe to continue shaping the global economic order, rather than sliding into irrelevance.

Third, it was (somewhat naively) believed that the institutions underpinning the euro would improve the overall quality of economic policy, as though Europe-wide policies would automatically be better than national ones. The acid test came in the aftermath of the 2008 global financial crisis: because it overestimated the fiscal dimension of the crisis and underestimated its financial dimension, the eurozone performed worse than the United States and the United Kingdom.

Contradictory analyses If the euro is to create prosperity, further reforms of the policy system are therefore needed.

But an agenda can be designed and implemented only if there is a broad consensus on the nature of the problem. And, as the ongoing dispute over Greece illustrates, agreement remains elusive: Participating countries have developed contradictory analyses of the causes of the debt crisis, from which they derive contradictory prescriptions.

Richard Cooper of Harvard University once observed that in the early days of international public health cooperation, the fight against global diseases was hampered by countries’ adherence to different models of contagion. They all favored joint action, but they could not agree on a plan, because they

disagreed on how epidemics crossed borders.

That is the problem the eurozone faces today. Fortunately, it is not unsolvable, as significant reforms like the creation of the European Stability Mechanism and the launch of banking union show. Disagreements also did not prevent the ECB from acting boldly, which illustrates that the governance of institutions does matter. But the fact that reforms and actions were undertaken only lately, and under the pressure of acute crisis, is a sobering reminder of the difficulty of reaching consensus.

Currency union Europe cannot afford to procrastinate and pretend. Either the eurozone’s members find agreement on an agenda of governance and political reforms that will turn the currency union into an engine of prosperity, or they will stumble repeatedly from dispute to crisis, until citizens lose patience or markets lose trust.

Clarity is a prerequisite of serious discussion and ambitious reform. Each of the major participants now has an obligation to define what it regards as indispensable, what it considers unacceptable, and what it is ready to give in exchange for what it wants. — Project Syndicate * The author is a professor at the Hertie School of Governance in Berlin, and currently serves as Commissioner-General for Policy Planning for the French government. He is a former director of Bruegel, the Brusselsbased economic think tank.

Microsoft to invest $100m in start-up Uber SEATTLE: Microsoft has agreed to invest about $100 million in Uber Technologies at a valuation of approximately $50 billion, a person with knowledge of the matter said. The deal was finalised earlier on Friday, said the person, who asked not to be identified discussing a private deal.

Uber, which was previously valued at $40 billion when it raised financing earlier this year, is benefiting from investors who view its car-booking technology as the future of transport. The San Francisco-based company, led by chief executive officer Travis Kalanick, is using the cash to expand operations to cities across the globe.

“We filed to authorise this new funding more than two months ago,” said Kristin Carvell, a spokeswoman for Uber.

“The filing is available to the public. We aren’t commenting on additional speculation.”

Tony Imperati, a spokesman for Redmond, Washington-based Microsoft, declined to comment.

The Wall Street Journal earlier reported that Uber closed a $1 billion financing round at a valuation of about $51 billion, and that Microsoft participated in the deal.

Microsoft last month sold a portion of its Bing mapping unit to Uber, which offered positions to about 100 Microsoft employees who work on image acquisition and data analysis as part of the mapping team for Bing, Microsoft’s Web-search engine.

The firms have also combined to integrate Uber into Microsoft’s Cortana voice-controlled assistant so that it can hail an Uber ride for users as a scheduled meeting on their calendar approaches. - Bloomberg News

Exxon, Chevron plan to cut costs as profits slump Chevron said it was trimming 1,500 jobs as it cuts 2015 capital spending $5 billion compared

on capital spending

John Watson. ExxonMobil expects a ‘downward vector’ on capital spending in 2015 compared to earlier forecasts, as it pushes efficiencies on contractors, said vice president Jeff Woodbury. “What we are looking for always is to drive the cost structure down in the business,” Woodbury said.

NEW YORK: US oil giants Chevron and ExxonMobil have signalled further belt-tightening ahead as the industry responds to lower oil prices that slammed earnings in the second quarter.

Chevron said it was trimming 1,500 jobs as it cuts 2015 capital spending about $5 billion compared to last year. Further capital spending cuts are likely in 2016 and 2017, executives said.

“We’re getting our cost structure down, through renegotiations across the supply chain and by sizing our contractor and employee workforce to reflect lower activity levels going forward,” said Chevron chief executive

Shares plummet The moves come on the heels of much lower earnings that sent shares of both Dow components plummeting. ExxonMobil stood at $79.18, down 4.6 per cent, while Chevron was at $88.07, down 5.3 per cent in the afternoon trade.

Both companies suffered from a drop in oil prices from more than $90 a barrel in the year-ago period to a range of $45-$60 a barrel throughout the quarter.

Factors driving the tumble in oil prices include the US shale production boom, lower economic growth in China and the resistance of Opec to cut crude output in response to the drop in prices.

Major industry figures including BP chief executive Bob Dud-

to last year.

ExxonMobil expects a ‘downward vector’

ley and ExxonMobil chief executive Rex Tillerson have warned that oil prices could be depressed for at least a few more years.

Cutting back At ExxonMobil, net income for the second quarter fell by 52.3 per cent year-over-year to $4.2 billion. The biggest US oil company’s profit-leading upstream division, which explores for and produces crude oil, dived about 75 per cent to $2 billion due to lower oil prices.

Upstream output rises However, a bright spot in this business was an increase in upstream output of 3.6 per cent to 4 million barrels of oil-equivalent per day, including an 11.9 per cent rise in oil output to 2.3 million barrels a day.

ExxonMobil’s results were boosted by higher profits in both downstream and chemicals, which are based in part on crude oil as an input. Earnings in downstream more than doubled to $1.5 billion, while profits in chemicals rose 48.1 per cent to $1.2 billion.

ExxonMobil spent 12.5 per cent less through the first half of 2015 at $16 billion compared to the 2014 period. - AFP

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C O D E O F C O R P O R AT E G OV E R NA N C E

New corporate code to boost confidence in Muscat bourse MUSCAT: New Code of Corporate Governance (CCG) includes additional provisions aimed at improving the work environment, ensuring accuracy and best levels of transparency and disclosures, Abdullah bin Salim Al Salmi, CEO of the Capital Market Authority (CMA), said.

These factors are very effective in risk and crisis management.

They also play a role in ensuring justice for all, providing effective protection for shareholders and enhancing confidence in the Muscat Securities Market (MSM).

In a statement after the CMA board approved the final CCG draft, he said the CMA has sent a circular to all companies and investment funds listed at the MSM to settle their conditions according to the provisions of the new CCG. He pointed out that the implementation of these rules will be for reference for one full year except for the provisions related to the definition of the independent director, which will come into force after the expiry of the current board of the company.

He said that the CMA Board of Directors had approved at its last meeting on July 9th, 2015, the new version of the Code of Corporate Governance, which was a result of the efforts over the last two years.

A committee, comprising members from all sectors, was formed to develop the code in addition to have professionals review this code in line with the international standards and principles.

He pointed out that the approval accorded to the code coincided with the issuance of the Royal Decree, which established the Oman Centre for Corporate Governance and Sustainability.

On the contents of the new code, he explained that these are additional rules to improve the work mechanism to ensure accuracy and transparency.

He added that the CMA always

MARKET

Royal Dutch Shell to cut thousands of jobs Anglo-Dutch group added that it anticipates 'some 6,500 staff and direct contractor reductions in 2015'.

The group employs about 94,000 staff worldwide,

Abdullah bin Salim Al Salmi, CEO of the Capital Market Authority. — Times file picture

publishes its regulations to receive feedback from interested stakeholders. The CMA has earlier published the first draft on its website and received many replies that helped in developing the new draft.

“Companies now release the importance of abiding by governance practices following the global financial crisis in 2008, the policies and decisions taken after it.

Governance has now become one of the major priorities in the policies adopted to address these challenges,” he further said.

In reply to a question regarding the reasons for issuing new code for corporate governance, Al Salmi said there was a need to amend the code of corporate governance to ensure sustainable economic performance in the country as the new code will directly help attain a strong, transparent and competitive economy.

“While the new CCG targets the joint stock companies, there are plans to develop an optional CCG for public and family companies,” he further added. - ONA

according to its website Shell chief executive Ben van Beurden. — Bloomberg file picture

LONDON: Royal Dutch Shell on Thursday said it plans to reduce its headcount by 6,500 this year owing to sliding oil prices and as it looks to complete a mega takeover. With crude oil futures down by about a half in value since a year ago, Britain’s biggest domestic energy provider Centrica said it too would reduce its workforce — by a net 4,000 positions alongside a cost-cutting programme through to 2020. On Tuesday, energy services group Saipem — a subsidiary of Italian oil giant Eni — said it was axing 8,800 positions over three years.

Slide in profits Shell, which on Thursday also announced a slide in profits, a further cut to investment and the sale of Japanese operations, provided a stark warning for the industry, saying “today’s oil price downturn could last for several years”.

The Anglo-Dutch group added

ECONOMY

People pass through the main entrance of the headquarters of Banco Bradesco in Osasco, Brazil.

— Bloomberg file picture

Brazil gives a ‘lifeline’ to borrowers with record debt SAO PAULO: Brazilian household debt has swelled to a record.

The government has a way to help: Payday lending.

Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff signed a decree this month making it easier to use payday loans from banks to refinance credit cards. In the US, the credit lines have earned a bad rap for high fees and shady marketing, but in Brazil they let borrowers cut interest rates by two-thirds.

That doesn’t mean the rates are low — at least not by global standards. While Brazilian household debt as a portion of income is still half that of the US, it’s the interest rates that’s worrying bank analysts and consumer watchdogs. In the US, credit cards charge an average of about 15 per cent a year.

In Brazil — where formal credit is still a relatively new concept for much of the population — consumers pay 85 per cent for cards and 27 per cent for payday loans, the central bank says.

“It’s too much credit for people

B5

who aren’t educated financially and have to pay such high interest rates,” said Diogenes Donizete, a coordinator of debt services at Sao Paulo state’s consumer-protection agency, known as Procon.

Payday loans are just another “excellent ingredient to get even more over-indebted people.”

Rousseff, in a presidential decree on July 13, ordered payday lenders to let borrowers tap credit lines equal to as much as 35 per cent of their monthly incomes, up from 30 per cent previously.

That follows a September decree lengthening the maximum maturity on the loans to 72 months from 60 months.

Heavy debt burden Ratcheting up what for many is a credit line of last resort underscores just how heavy the debt burden has become for many Brazilians. As unemployment rises and interest rates climb, rising household debt threatens to exacerbate the downturn in an econo-

my that’s already on course for its worst recession in a quarter century. “Workers’ wages are declining and inflation is rising, while fewer people are employed,” said Rodrigo Melo, chief economist at Icatu Vanguarda Administracao de Recursos. “Outstanding consumer lending will continue growing simply because interest rates are climbing.”

Brazil’s central bank on Wednesday raised the benchmark lending rate by 50 basis points to 14.25 per cent.

For Brazilian banks, payroll lending — or “consignado” in Portuguese — are considered among the least risky lines of credit because they are paid back through direct deposit from borrowers’ salaries, said Gilberto Tonello, an analyst at Grupo Bursatil Mexicano. Banco Bradesco, Latin America’s second-biggest lender by market value, will release its second-quarter earnings Thursday, the first of Brazilian banks to report results. — Bloomberg News

in the medium term”.

As our results today show, we’re successfully reducing our capital spending and operating costs, and delivering a competitive performance in today’s oil market downturn

that it anticipates “some 6,500 staff and direct contractor reductions in 2015”. The group employs about 94,000 staff worldwide, according to its website.

Shell earlier this year unveiled a mega-takeover of British rival BG Group worth £47 billion ($73 billion), as the two firms consolidate their posi-

tions in a sector slammed by the oil price slump. Oil prices have plummeted by half to around $50 a barrel since June last year mainly because of a global supply glut.

Shell on Thursday said “the company has to be resilient in today’s oil price environment, even though we see the potential for a return to a $70-$90 oil price band

Capital investment Shell said it planned capital investment of $30 billion (27.4 billion euros) this year, $3 billion lower compared with a forecast made in April and a $7-billion reduction on 2014.

The group meanwhile added that its net profits slid by a quarter to $3.986 billion in the second quarter compared with the equivalent period one year earlier.

“As our results today show, we’re successfully reducing our capital spending and operating costs, and delivering a competitive performance in today’s oil market downturn,” said Shell chief executive Ben van Beurden.

Shell’s takeover of BG will boost the Anglo-Dutch group’s flagging output thanks to BG’s strong position in liquefied natural gas (LNG), a cleaner alternative to coal and nuclear energy. – AFP

B6

SUNDAY, AUGUST 2, 2015

FEATURE

GREEK

VACATION TRAGEDY IS YOUR TRIP TO GREECE IN JEOPARDY?

W

ith Greece teetering on the brink of a financial collapse, Monte Mathews decided to postpone his August trip to Athens. Eugene Emmer didn’t.

Their different responses

certain everything will be fine.”

But will it? This summer, the answer is: maybe. “It is important to note that Greece remains safe, warm and welcoming,” says Mina Agnos, the presi-

pareCards.com, a credit card resource Web site.

He says the worries are justified, and he advises bringing extra euros, which he acknowledges can be both inconvenient and risky.

The workaround? Prepay for as much of your vacation as possible before you leave — for example, by taking a tour that allows you to pay in advance for special excursions or meals.

Although Greece should remain relatively safe for tourists, security experts say you’ll need to take some additional precautions.

In past summers, for example, you might have skipped signing up for the State Department’s

to the unfolding economic drama underscore the strong ambivalence Americans feel about the Greek crisis.

They’re hopeful the turmoil won’t touch their vacations but fearful it might. Even a whisper of bad news seems enough to send some tourists scrambling t o

dent of Travelive, a Bloomfield, New Jersey, tour operator specialising in that country.

The tourism infrastructure is unaffected and the economic problems are “not being felt” by visitors, she says. That’s particularly true of the

STEP, or Smart Traveler Enrollment Program, which lets the government track visitors and notify them if a country becomes dangerous. This year, with the potential for demonstrations and civil unrest, you’ll want to participate in STEP. The online form can be found at step.state.gov.

“Even though there is a potential for increased security risk for travelers to Greece, there are some precautions they can take to mitigate those risks,” says Bill Hargenrader, a security expert for the consulting firm

change their plans.

The Greek economy isn’t a new story, of course. But it has taken an unexpected turn in recent weeks, as a showdown with the rest of Europe over austerity forced banks to close for weeks.

In the short term, visitors worry that their credit cards won’t work or that they won’t have enough access to cash. They also fear for their safety. Long-term, the concerns are more

Greek islands, where many summer tourists go, she adds. “There are no demonstrations on the islands. ATM lines are no longer than the ones in cities like New York or Washington, and there is no shortage of supplies, food — or wonderful experiences.”

Visitors who were on the ground when the crisis worsened tell a different story. John

Booz Allen Hamilton.

His tip: Buy a paper map of the cities you’ll be traveling to and mark the locations of your hotel, police stations, hospitals and the American embassy or consulate on the map. Why a paper map? Because cellphones run out of power, and if there are wireless service disruptions related to the turmoil, you could get lost. It may, or may not, be necessary. Emmer, who decided to stick with his plans to vacation in Greece, reported back to me late last week from Crete.

“The beautiful port area is bus-

serious. Will there even be an infrastructure to support tourists if the economy collapses?

Mathews, a Bridgehampton, New York, owner of a food website, had plans to fly to Greece in August. Then he heard about the economic problems, including the limits being placed on ATM withdrawals. Although these limits don’t affect foreign visitors, they made him nervous about his upcoming trip.

“Despite what we’ve read — that tourists can still use credit cards, that they are

Greek economy isn’t a new story, of course. But it has taken an unexpected turn in recent weeks, as a showdown with the rest of Europe over austerity forced banks to close for weeks.

tling, crowded with tourists as well as locals,” he said. “The tavernas, shops and streets are full.

There is no sign of crisis whatsoever.” The long-term outlook for Greece may be a lot better than the short-term one. If Greece leaves the euro, the common European currency, the country could suddenly become a real bargain. Last week, tourists fondly remembered other currency devaluations, such as Argentina’s 12 years ago, when the

not affected by this dreadful situation — we became concerned that this is not the summer to go to Greece,” he says. “There is no way of knowing if things will get worse.”

The way he sees it, he could have pressed on with his plans to visit Athens, Hydra and Santorini, but he would have had to bring more cash to deal with the ATM issue. Mathews feared that might make him a robbery target. He’s waiting for the situation to calm down before

rescheduling.

Emmer, an American who owns a medical device company and lives in Lithuania, sent me a note shortly before boarding a flight for Athens. His vacation in Chania, on Crete, started three days after the referendum. Emmer visits Greece every summer and speaks the language. “This year, of course, we are a bit nervous about the situation,” he says. “We will be taking sufficient cash, so we will not have to depend on ATMs. I’m mostly worried about the possibility of strikes, because that is a frequent problem in Greece. Otherwise, I’m

Rampton is a technology entrepreneur based in Palo Alto, California, and he was in Athens when news of a possible Greek default sent shock waves through the global economy.

“I got out the next day,” he says.

“Problem is, no business would take my credit cards. Literally, the day it happened they only accepted cash.”

He ended up giving his iPad to a cabdriver in exchange for a ride to the airport.

“I didn’t want

to be stuck in the country,” he says. Most travel insurance doesn’t cover an economic meltdown. The only insurance that might apply is a pricey “cancel for any reason” policy, which will pay a percentage of your trip if you change your mind, experts say.

Through the end of the summer, several issues will loom large in Greece. Perhaps the largest is financial. “Many travelers may find themselves unable to use credit cards at hotels and restaurants, or even withdraw money from ATM machines,” warns Jason Steele, a credit card expert for Com-

dollar surged, giving them an inordinate amount of purchasing power. “I’m fairly optimistic,” says Nikolas Langes, the co-founder of a technology company based in Cologne, Germany. “Prices are likely to drop in the future, so tourists will continue visiting Greece if it is safe to do so.”

In other words, there are good reasons to keep your vacation plans to Greece, and good reasons to break them. But don’t overlook Greece next summer. It could be a real deal.

— Washington Post-Bloomberg News

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ROUND-UP

Mazda6 and CX-5 claim best-in-segment awards

‘Stylish, Spirited and Insightful’ — the three unique qualities lie at the core of each Mazda you spot on the streets and form the brand’s DNA

MUSCAT: The 2016 Mazda6 and CX-5 have won the J.D. Power APEAL (Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout) award in their respective segments.

The US-based APEAL award evaluates vehicles with a thorough survey covering what customers think of their new vehicles after the first 90 days of owner-

ship. The APEAL respondents express their opinion on automobile’s engine, transmission, handling, brakes, comfort, cooling, sound system and several other aspects, says a press release.

A senior spokesperson of Towell Auto Centre (TAC), the sole distributors of Mazda range of vehicles in Oman, commented: “In the automotive industry, Mazda6

and CX-5 have been liked for their style and features. But the biggest achievement for any automotive brand is the praise from the consumers who purchase and live with the vehicles. In that metric, both the Mazda models have truly excelled with their new and improved technologies, premium materials and enhanced style.”

“In Oman, Mazda6 is the headturner that has achieved a high degree of customer satisfaction due to its dynamic performance and pure driving pleasure.

Mazda CX-5 also is a celebrity model full of innovative features and advanced technology with a global production of 1 million units. Both these models give their owners full advantages of Mazda’s innovative Skyactiv technology and Kodo - Soul of Motion design theme,” the spokesperson added.

Offering the trendiest of Japanese cars, Mazda has brought in a lot of excitement in Oman’s automobile industry.

‘Stylish, Spirited and Insightful’ — the three unique qualities lie at the core of each Mazda you spot on the streets and form the brand’s DNA and TAC makes owning a Mazda extra pleasant with its efficient after sales service and quick response time.

With a network of 13 service outlets and 10 parts outlets spread across Oman, TAC is the only Mazda distributor in the world to win the Mazda Customer Service award five years in a row.

With 98.2 per cent parts deliverability, TAC also offers quick, efficient service with genuine parts available for all models and have highly trained staff who pride in their quality of service.

‘DRIVE YOUR DREAM’

Joyalukkas picks promotion winners MUSCAT: The mega winning opportunity at Joyalukkas Drive Your Dream has received an overwhelming response from customers across GCC, Singapore and Malaysia.

The first three winners of the 60-day campaign were announced recently, who will get gold coins. The Joyalukkas Drive Your Dream is offering every customer shopping for OMR50 worth of jewellery, the opportunity to win 12 Audis and 3kg gold, says a press release.

The winners were thrilled with their win and exclaimed, “Wow, we are starting a good summer holiday season thanks to the winning opportunity at our favourite jeweller, Joyalukkas!”

“It’s a pleasure to see such an overwhelming response for Joyalukkas Drive Your Dream. This mega winning opportunity will make many dreams come true and we feel happy to be able to enable this,” said Joy Alukkas, chairman and MD, Joyalukkas Group.

The winners were picked recently with coupon number: 040245, 011440, 011813 by an official from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, in the presence of Joyalukkas officials and various customers at Sohar souq branch, Oman.

“During the 60-day duration of

the Joyalukkas Drive Your Dream shoppers in addition to getting the big win opportunity can also avail an attractive exchange offer wherein customers will be offered zero deduction in weight and rate of old Jewellery on purchase of new Jewellery at Joyalukkas,” said, John Paul Joy Alukkas, exec-

B7

utive director, Joyalukkas Group, congratulating the winners on this occasion.

Joyalukkas is an ISO certified jeweller with 95 showrooms across 10 countries across the world. Joyalukkas has been awarded the Superbrand status, six years in a row in the UAE.

B R A N D I N G S T R AT E G Y

Allo acquires new fleet of vehicles for its sales team MUSCAT: Allo, the market leading international calling service from Integrated Telecommunications Oman (TeO), recently acquired a fleet of new vehicles for its sales team.

The company decided to purchase five Hyundai Velosters for its sales staff and plans to purchase another five cars of the same make for its expanding sales team. The cars have been specially designed and branded in Allo colours of purple and blue to give them an iconic look, says a press release.

The initiative is aimed at strengthening the brand’s presence in the market with the branded cars as well as rewarding the sales team for their efforts in increasing the reach and distribution of Allo products across the Sultanate. The Allo sales team in their new cars will soon join the entourage of Allo vehicles travelling across the country on a roadshow promoting the brand and engaging customers and participants through various activities.

The management of TeO handed the cars over to the sales team prior to the Eid holidays as an Eid gift in appreciation of their efforts since the brand’s launch.

Darren Tong, CFO at TeO, said at the handing over ceremony: “At TeO, we believe in supporting our staff with the best tools and equipment, especially our on-ground staff who work tirelessly to achieve

the TeO vision of building the region’s leading integrated telecommunications company. We have a dynamic, young Omani sales team who have achieved a great deal in terms of reaching our distribution and coverage targets over the last many months.

“These new vehicles are an initiative from the management to reward and thank them for their unending support and hard work. We especially selected the Velosters for this purpose as the cars have a very stylish and fun feel to them that reflects our brand’s image and are also a hot favourite among Oman’s youth.”

Ali Al Mamari, Sales manager at TeO, expressed his gratitude towards the management and remarked: “We are delighted at having these sporty vehicles in our fleet and they will definitely help us in creating brand recognition for Allo as these cars travel around the country and help us in the sales process. We have a very young and hard-working sales team at TeO and this gesture from the management will go a long way towards motivating them to keep performing well. We are constantly looking for new members to join our team and this is just one of many examples for potential employees to see how the management at TeO seeks to reward and encourage our staff members and make TeO an enviable place to work at.”

B8

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ROUND-UP

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Exciting benefits add to value of Toyota pickups Every Toyota customer gets a gift voucher and a chance to take part in an amazing raffle which has nine units of all-new 2016 Camry GL Executive as a part of the campaign

MUSCAT: Toyota Pickups are the all-time favourites in Oman. Be it the Land Cruiser Pickup or the Hilux, the name is enough to inspire confidence. Superior Toyota technology builds in quality, dependability and value for money, including a high resale value even after years of use.

Now, these trusted Toyota workhorses are made available with the Toyota’s ‘Extra Large Benefits! Extra Large Happiness!’ campaign.

A host of model-specific benefits are building up the biggest excitement, says a press release.

For Land Cruiser Pickup (LC70) and Hilux (4x4) customers, 1,000 litres of fuel (petrol or diesel as applicable) and registration is being offered as a part of the campaign.

In lieu of the above, customers can choose to avail of a cash gift of OMR175.

To every Hilux (4x2) customer, 1st year of insurance (Oman only) is being offered as a part of the campaign. In lieu of the above, the customer can choose to avail of a cash gift of OMR300.

Every Toyota customer gets a gift voucher and a chance to take part in an amazing raffle which has nine units of all-new 2016 Camry GL Executive as a part of the campaign. This exciting campaign began on June 7 and will run until August 5. Benefits are applicable for all purchases except those made by government organisations and ministries.

Weekly raffle draws started from June 14 and will be held until August 9, on all Sundays. Customers will be eligible for raffle only upon taking delivery of the vehicle during the campaign period after completing necessary formalities and not against booking.

Irresistible “The campaign has made the pickups irresistible,” exclaimed an enthusiast, “The question now is … which one to choose.”

Toyota Land Cruiser Pickup is the vehicle of choice for those who wish to successfully take on demanding conditions. The Land Cruiser Pickup not only looks impressive, it offers legendary quality and reliability … and is built to last.

Toyota Land Cruiser Pickup also offers a host of attractive features that include classy silver col-

SPECIAL OCCASION

D A I LY P R I Z E D R AW

Renaissance Day at Millennium Resort MUSANNAH: Millennium Resort Musannah held a special in-house celebration on the occasion of the 45th Renaissance Day, commemorating Oman’s rapid progress under the wise leadership of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said.

In the spirit of this momentous occasion, the resort was decorated with Omani flags, while a unique portrait of His Majesty adorned the main lobby of the hotel.

In addition, the resort’s employees joined Maurice de Rooij, general manager, and other senior executives in a cake cutting ceremony to mark the festive day, says a press release.

“We would like to congratulate His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said and the people of Oman on the

our garnish on the A/C vents, front fog-lamps, power windows, outside temperature display, keyless entry, Bluetooth kit, door locks, chrome outer mirrors,7” navigation system with DVD player, AUX and USB. Also available are daytime running lights (DRL), wood grain panelling [instrument], wood/leather steering wheel, driver airbag and much more.

A part-time 4WD with easy switching between 4WD and 2WD mode, the Toyota Land Cruiser Pickup is powered by a mighty 4.0L, V6, VVT-i engine generating 228 HP. The secret behind its superb rough terrain capabilities is its sturdy yet flexible suspension that’s backed by a wide wheelbase. The suspension features coil springs in front and heavy duty leaf springs in the rear – leading to a comfortable ride and ample load support.

The Hilux is no less a legend in Oman. With ruggedness that delivers unfailing all-terrain performance, Hilux has carved out a niche for itself. “It is easy to own, easy to run and easy to resell – even after years of rough use,” assert its proud owners.

The Hilux product bouquet comprises a model range that represents a mix of many features and

45th Renaissance Day. To mark this special occasion, we joined hands to pay tribute to the Blessed Renaissance and the visionary leader behind it,” said Maurice.

“On this auspicious day, we reaffirmed our commitment to contribute to the Sultanate’s growth and development, by providing industry leading hospitality services that meet international standards,” he added.

ahlibank picks five MyHassad winners MUSCAT: Another five lucky customers won OMR1,000 each in the ahlibank MyHassad daily prize draw for the week.

The lucky winners are Abdulwahid Darwish Mohammed Al Braiki from Avenues Mall branch, Ainas Farouq Ahmed Al Abbasi from Salalah branch, Fahad Saleh Eid Al Khalidi from Khuwair branch, Nashwa Samir Hamed Mahmoud from Ibri branch and Sulaiman Nasser Saif Al Maawali from Seeb branch. MyHassad savings account continues to successfully satisfy the existing customers and attract new ones, says a press release.

specifications, for various functional needs. These include ‘single cab’, ‘double cab’ and‘4x4’ versions.

The Hilux single and double cab is available in both 4 X 2 and 4 X 4 options with a choice of three engines, 2.0 & 2.7 litre petrol & 2.5 litre diesel variants. The double cab 2WD & 4WD versions are available with automatic transmission also. The Hilux engine is powered with VVT-i technology offering solid power, together with exceptional fuel efficiency.

Attractive additions in the models include an audio system with USB, AUX Port and Bluetooth. A trendy side stripe makes the Hilux even better looking. Stepping inside, one is greeted by the stylish interior dashboard and the modern 3–Eye combination meter. They allow for excellent visibility and clear display of critical information — communicating the driving status, at a glance.

The plush interior, cabin sound damping measures and thoughtful features enhance its luxurious feel.

The convenience of a keyless entry system adds a new dimension to the entire experience. The slide type rear window ensures easy access to the deck area from the cabin and improves ventilation.

The double-wishbone independent front suspension helps assist precise handling and superior ride comfort. At the rear, the leaf spring suspension provides the load bearing capacity essential in a pick-up. A large capacity fuel tank gives a reassuring range for long distances.

The Hilux is equipped with a range of active and passive safety features as standard, offering a high level of safety for a vehicle in its class. Toyota’s impact absorbing body structure with the crumple zone cabin helps to protect occupants by minimising deformation of the passenger compartment.

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E N T E R TA I N M E N T C H A N N E L

OSN extends its free two months offer till August 8 MUSCAT: OSN has extended the most exciting limited time offer for both new and existing subscribers due to popular demand from customers. Now viewers have a choice to subscribe or renew to OSN platinum HD, Premier HD and Premier Packages to avail two months free viewing by subscribing for one year.

The offer doesn’t end here; it also covers free dish, LNB and accessories along with free installation for all new subscribers, says a press release.

In addition to that, OSN also announced two months free offer for package upgrades to OSN platinum HD, Premier HD and Premier Packages. The two months free offer can be availed both for cash and credit card payments and the offer ends on August 8.

OSN takes entertainment experience to a whole new level with all the best TV channels, the latest movies and series, sports, OSN On Demand HD and various HD content. Also with recently launched OSN Play, subscribers now can watch their favorite shows, movies, live sports and Arabic shows on their laptops, iPods and iPads on the move.

OSN is the home to over 145 channels and services filled with

great value entertainment, offering viewers in the Mena region exclusive access to the latest blockbuster movies, top rated series, sports, documentaries, news, children’s entertainment and live talk shows. The movie offering includes over a 100 uncut and uninterrupted movie premieres a month.

OSN boasts the most comprehensive portfolio of exclusive rights from all the major studios including Warner Brothers, Paramount, Fox, Disney, Sony, MGM, NBC Universal, HBO and DreamWorks and offers access to the world’s leading television brands including Disney channel, Sky News, Discovery Network and National Geographic.

Mustafa Sultan Enterprises Entertainment Factory (PayTV) division is pioneer in Pay TV business for more than 20 years and is the distributor for OSN in Oman. Besides OSN, MSE-EF is a leading distributor for beIN Sports. They have a showroom in Al Khuwair and three kiosks at Muscat City Centre, Qurum City Center and Muscat Grand Mall (MGM). MSE-EF also offers the Pay TV services through their sub dealers spread across in all major towns of the Sultanate.

LUXURY BRAND

Latest Bomberg models now available at Mistal MUSCAT: Bomberg, the popular Swiss watch brand known for its notable and exceptional timepieces, has produced a line extension of their best-selling collection — the Bolt-68, which will be available at Mistal on request.

Launched at the Basel Fair, Bolt-68 was welcomed with raving enthusiasm and soon became the major collection of Bomberg with its patented bayonet system that turns the exclusive timepiece into a unique masculine pocket watch, says a press release.

This summer, Bomberg has proposed a new version of the Bolt-68 — the Bolt-68 Camo. Inspired by the aesthetics of nature, the new version features an unusual dial and strap imprinted with a camouflage motif. It is available in two colours, khaki and blue, and truly reflects the masculine and authentic identity of the timepiece. The sweep-second hand in the centre comes in bright yellow and is a striking contrast to the camouflage motif of the dial. The watch also features a round case of gun PVD (stainless steel) with knurling finishing on the sides.

These distinctive elements reinforce the unconventional design of the Bolt-68 Camo.

Like all new Bolt-68 collections, the Camo too comes with a medallion and a chain also in gun PVD. Also available in Quartz Chronograph, the collections are meticulously sculpted as if they

were a real piece of art.

The 1968 Camo is the iconic model of Bomberg and represents the roots of the brand. Symbolising an era of great change and innovation, the 1968 is characterised by an atypical and unconventional design. The camouflage pattern and colours are also proposed in the 1968 collection.

The model features the crown and push buttons located at 12 o’clock position with an asymmetrical case. It comes in attractive colours like black/grey; blue/ beige/orange.

“Bomberg is a newcomer to the highly competitive world of horology and within a very short span of time it has become a very popular brand. Known for their uncommon style, muscular design and a classy standout, these collections are sure to receive an amazing response from watch aficionados in Oman,” said Dharmesh A. Khimji, managing director of Mistal.

“The ultimate superiority and the particular intention given to every detail undoubtedly make them the most admired and trend-setting designer watches in Oman. These limited-edition pieces can be obtained on request,” he added.

The Bomberg collections are available in Oman through their sole distributors Mistal. A part of Ajit Khimji Group, Mistal is the ultimate luxury watch and jewellery boutique in the Sultanate that showcases some of the finest and luxurious watch brands in the world. Mistal showrooms at Sabco Commercial Centre, Qurum, and its flagship store at Darsait provide a world-class premium experience to customers. Since its launch, the luxury boutique has been leaving watch connoisseurs of the Sultanate spellbound with a mesmerising display of some of the world’s finest and iconic luxury watch brands.

C

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S

LEHMANN READY TO BE PATIENT WITH CLARKE

Australia coach Darren Lehmann has said captain Michael Clarke will get as “long as he needs” to come out of his batting slump. Clarke confronted his own failings by suggesting Australia were playing with 10 men. >C2

ODI SERIES

Zimbabwe look to build on India shock against New Zealand

DESERVING WINNERS: Pakistan players celebrate their victory in the second Twenty 20 International match against Sri Lanka at the R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium in Colombo on Saturday. – AFP

Pakistan win thriller against Sri Lanka SCOREBOARD

Pakistan recovered from 40 for five in the eighth over to surpass Sri Lanka’s challenging 172 for seven with four balls to spare with Imad Wasim striking the winning six off left-

HEART STOPPER: Pakistan’s Imad Wasim, top, celebrates with his teammates after scoring the winning runs in their second Twenty20 match against Sri Lanka in Colombo on Saturday. – Reuters

arm seamer Fernando

COLOMBO: Shahid Afridi and Anwar Ali played key roles as Pakistan ended a successful tour of Sri Lanka with a thrilling one-wicket victory in the second Twenty20 international in Colombo on Saturday.

Pakistan recovered from 40 for five in the eighth over to surpass Sri Lanka’s challenging 172 for seven with four balls to spare with Imad Wasim striking the winning six off left-arm seamer Binura Fernando.

Skipper Afridi led the way with a 22-ball 45 that included four sixes and a boundary, before Anwar smashed 46 off 17 balls in a matchwinning knock that contained four sixes and three fours.

Imad, who remained unbeaten on 24, helped Anwar add 58 for

the eighth wicket as the tourists recorded a heart-stopping win in front of a sell-out crowd of 35,000 at the Premadasa Stadium that briefly included Sri Lanka President Maithripala Sirisena.

Pakistan, who won the first T20 match by 29 runs on Thursday, completed a remarkable treble on the six-week tour, having earlier won the Test series 2-1 and the one-dayers 3-2.

Fernando, a lean 20-year-old playing only his second international match, gave Sri Lanka a flying start with a double strike in his second over.

He bowled Ahmed Shehzad with a slower delivery and then forced Mukhtar Ahmed to top-edge a bouncer to Chamara Kapugedera at mid-wicket.

Pakistan’s top order caved in as

Mohammad Hafeez and Umar Akmal were run out and senior batsman Shoaib Malik was stumped.

Afridi began the amazing turnaround with a sixth-wicket stand of 61 with Mohammed Rizwan (17) as the inexperienced Sri Lankan attack wilted under pressure.

Earlier, aggressive batting by debutant Shehan Jayasuriya and the recalled Kapugedera lifted Sri Lanka to 172 for seven after skipper Lasith Malinga won the toss and elected to bat in the day-night match.

Jayasuriya, a 23-year-old lefthander unrelated to Sri Lanka’s former captain Sanath Jayasuriya, smashed three fours and two sixes in his 32-ball 40 before he was fifth out.

But it was Kapugedera who boosted the total with an unbeaten 48 off 25 balls that contained four sixes and two boundaries.

SRI LANKA K. Perera b Malik 19 T. Dilshan c Hafeez b Anwar 10 S. Jayasuriya c Imad b Tanvir 40 D. de Silva b Afridi 14 T. Perera st Rizwan b Malik 1 M. Siriwardana c Mukhtar b Irfan 23 C. Kapugedera not out 48 D. Shanaka run out 7 Extras (lb-3, w-7) 10 Total (7 wkts, 20 overs) 172 Fall of wickets: 1-24, 2-32, 3-61, 4-64, 5-90, 6-145, 7-172.

Bowling: Anwar 4-0-40-1 (w-1), Tanvir 4-0-44-1 (w-1), Malik 3-0-16-2, Irfan 4-031-1, Afridi 4-0-30-1, Imad 1-0-8-0 (w-5).

PAKISTAN M. Ahmed c Kapugedera b Fernando 4 A. Shehzad b Fernando 7 M. Hafeez run out 11 S. Malik st K.Perera b Siriwardana 8 Umar Akmal run out 4 Mohammad Rizwan b T. Perera 17 Shahid Afridi b Jayasuriya 45 Imad Wasim not out 24 Anwar Ali c K. Perera b Malinga 46 Sohail Tanvir run out 1 Mohammed Irfan not out 1 Extras (lb-1, w-5) 6 Total (9 wkts, 19.2 overs) 174 Fall of wickets: 1-11, 2-16, 3-33, 4-40, 5-40, 6-101, 7-107, 8-165, 9-167.

Bowling: Fernando 3.2-0-33-2 (w-5), Jayasuriya 4-0-37-1, T. Perera 4-0-27-1, Siriwardana 2-0-17-1, Vandersay 2-0-19-0, Malinga 4-0-40-1.

Kapugedera put on 55 runs for the sixth wicket with Milinda Siriwardana (23) as the hosts plundered 59 runs in the final five overs of the match. - AFP

HARARE: Zimbabwe plan to tap into the renewed energy that sparked a victory over India recently as they take on an understrength New Zealand side in a three-match One-day International (ODI series that starts on Sunday.

After sleepwalking their way through a one-day series whitewash at the hands of India, Zimbabwe came to life in the final match of the tour as a fresh desire drove them to a 10-run victory in a Twenty20 match.

While New Zealand will be without regular captain Brendon McCullum, new-ball bowlers Trent Boult and Tim Southee, and top all-rounder Corey Anderson, Zimbabwe coach Dav Whatmore says his team need to repeat the energy from their last game to have a chance.

“I just think we can do a bit better than what we did against India,” Whatmore said.

“To win the last game was very good, there was a different energy out there, and I think if we can reproduce that against New Zealand then we should have a little bit more joy.

“Despite McCullum, Southee and Boult not being here, they’ve still got a pretty decent team, but it’s our home conditions so we have the ability to surprise.”

The hosts have been bolstered by all-rounder Luke Jongwe’s recovery from injuries sustained in a car crash, and the return of fast bowler Tinashe Panyangara from a side strain, while off-spinner John Nyumbu has been recalled.

Whatmore said that he planned to make an unexpected LEGEND

Akram has confidence in Pakistan’s pace reserves KARACHI: Pace legend Wasim Akram said Saturday he was confident Pakistan’s pool of young fast bowling talent would secure their future as he prepared to train a group of budding bowlers.

“Pakistan has enormous talent,” said Wasim at the launch of the 13-day camp under the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

“Talent keeps coming because there is a passion for bowling fast in Pakistan so we need to nurture the talent and I am confident that the future is secure.”

The 49-year-old, regarded as one of the best left-arm paceman to have played the game, will train around 20 young bowlers from across the country, in particular from the tribal areas along the Afghan border and northwestern

CRICKET

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

“I am happy that bowlers from remote areas have come to the camp and even though the 13-day period is short but I am sure these bowlers will learn the basics, like I did when I was young,” he said.

Himself plucked from nowhere during a talent hunt camp in 1984, Wasim rose to enormous heights at international level, taking 414 Test and 502 One-day International wickets during an illustrious career.

He formed a lethal new-ball pairing with Waqar Younis, now head coach of the national team, in the 1990s.

They were dubbed “The two Ws” who helped Pakistan win a number of series, famously in England in 1992. - AFP DHAKA TEST

England call up Plunkett and Footitt for fourth Test BIRMINGHAM: England have added pace bowlers Liam Plunkett and Mark Footitt to a 14-man squad announced on Saturday for next week’s fourth Ashes Test against Australia at Trent Bridge.

Yorkshire quick Plunkett, who played the last of his 13 Tests against India in July 2014, and uncapped Derbyshire left-armer Footitt were included after spearhead James Anderson was ruled out with a side injury suffered during England’s eight-wicket win in the third Test at Edgbaston that put them 2-1 up in the five-match Ashes series.

“With James Anderson missing this Test through injury and some concerns over Mark Wood’s workload in the build-up to the last Test, we felt that bringing in two extra bowlers in Liam Plunkett and Mark Footitt was necessary,” said national selector James Whitaker in an England and Wales Cricket Board statement.

Anderson, England’s most successful Test bowler with 413 wickets, took an Ashes-best six for 47 in the first innings at Birmingham’s Edgbaston ground.

tweak to the batting line-up, but felt the bowling department was the one with the most room for improvement.

“We gave India too many runs — we had them in trouble two out of the three ODI games and they still ended up scoring 25 or 30 runs too many, which put our batsmen under pressure chasing,” said Whatmore.

Having rested McCullum and Southee, and seen Boult and Anderson forced out of the tour by injury, New Zealand will get a glimpse of some future talent as they plot their path from a World Cup final appearance earlier this year to the 2019 edition of the tournament.

Kane Williamson will captain the Black Caps on the tour, which also comprises a Twenty20 match against Zimbabwe followed by two T20s and three ODIs in South Africa.

All-rounder George Worker could make his international debut and leg-spinner Ish Sodhi is in line for his first ODI appearance.

“If we are looking ahead to four years’ time and the next World Cup, this is the perfect opportunity to start that development,” New Zealand coach Mike Hesson said.

“Two years ago we did the same with Corey Anderson, James Neesham and Mitch McClenaghan on their first tour.”

Sunday’s game will see New Zealand play with “Aotearoa” on their shirts for the first time to mark the end of Maori Language Week back home.

All three ODIs as well as the Twenty20 match will take place at Harare Sports Club. - AFP

But Australia’s second innings saw Anderson suffer a side strain which means he won’t be in the team when the fourth Test begins across the Midlands at Nottingham’s Trent Bridge on Thursday.

As well as calling up Plunkett — who might have played for England earlier in the season but for being dropped for disciplinary reasons

by Yorkshire and has since taken just five wickets in two matches — and Footitt, England have also retained Durham fast bowler Mark Wood in their squad.

Wood missed the Edgbaston victory with an ankle injury, his absence paving the way for the recalled Steven Finn to take a Testbest six for 79 in Australia’s second innings in what was the Middlesex fast bowler’s first match at this level since 2013.

“The reports on Wood are positive at this stage and we are hopeful he’ll be available for selection on Thursday,” Whitaker added.

Footitt’s inclusion came after the 29-year-old took 82 wickets at a miserly average of just over 19 apiece for Derbyshire in the Second Division of England’s first-

chance behind Wood and Plunkett.

Yorkshire quick Plunkett, who played the last of his 13 Tests against India in July 2014, and uncapped Derbyshire left-armer Footitt were included after Anderson was ruled out with an injury

class County Championship last season. His performances saw him called up into England’s pre-Ashes training camp in Spain and England having seen the impact made

by Australia’s Mitchell Johnson, would like to have the variation of a left-arm quick in their attack.

But Footitt may have to wait for his

Inconsistent Meanwhile, opener Adam Lyth was set to keep his place, despite averaging just 12 this series, after England decided against calling up any more specialist batsmen.

“The performance at Edgbaston this week was very encouraging, and it is important we build on that next week at Trent Bridge,” said Whitaker.

Doing just that could prove a challenge to an England side who are officially the most inconsistent Test side of all time, having followed each of their three wins prior to their success at Edgbaston with a defeat since drawing their series opener against the West Indies in Antigua in April.

If they can follow-up a win at Edgbaston that was completed in under three days with victory at Trent Bridge, England would regain the Ashes with a match to spare.

But should their current trend continue, England will find themselves all square at 2-2 heading into the series finale at The Oval.

Trevor Bayliss, England’s re-

cently-installed Australian coach, said: “The way the boys are playing at the moment is very good.

“Obviously the challenge is to play as well two games in a row,” the former Sri Lanka and New South Wales coach, speaking before the fourth Test squad was announced, added.

“Apart from the three or four experienced boys in this team, we have got a reasonably young team.”

England’s win at Edgbaston was all the more impressive given their mammoth 405-run loss to Australia in the second Test at Lord’s.

“It’s a good sign they’re able to put that behind them, put it down to a bad performance, and they were very honest in the changing room afterwards,” said Bayliss.

The squad: Adam Lyth (Yorkshire), Alastair Cook (Essex, capt), Ian Bell (Warwickshire), Joe Root (Yorkshire), Jonny Bairstow (Yorkshire), Ben Stokes (Durham), Jos Buttler (Lancashire, wkt), Moeen Ali (Worcestershire), Stuart Broad (Nottinghamshire), Mark Wood (Durham), Steven Finn (Middlesex), Liam Plunkett (Yorkshire), Mark Footitt (Derbyshire), Adil Rashid (Yorkshire). - AFP

Heavy rain washes out third day’s play DHAKA: No play was possible for the second consecutive day in the second and final Test between Bangladesh and South Africa as heavy rain washed out the entire third day’s play on Saturday.

Heavy downpours ruined the entire second day’s play on Friday leaving the hosts on 246 for eight after opting to bat first at Mirpur’s Shere Bangla National Stadium.

The weather also intervened in the drawn first test in Chittagong with only 221 overs bowled as rain curtailed play on the second and third days before washing out the last two days.

While the rain compromises the prospect of anything other than a draw again, Bangladesh are unlikely to mind a drawn series against opponents who sit eight places above them at the top of Test rankings. - Reuters

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SUNDAY, AUGUST 2, 2015

SPORTS

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Aussie coach Lehmann ready to be patient with struggling Clarke Having been plagued

Australia admits: We need to talk about Michael

by a longstanding back complaint, as well as more recent hamstring trouble, there has been speculation this could be Clarke’s last tour

BIRMINGHAM: Australia coach Darren Lehmann has said captain Michael Clarke will get as “long as he needs” to come out of his batting slump.

Scores of 10 and three during Australia eight-wicket defeat by England in the third Test at Edgbaston — a result that saw the tourists go 2-1 behind in the five-match Ashes campaign, left Clarke with a meagre series aggregate of 94 runs in six innings at an average of under 19.

Following a match that was all over inside three days of a scheduled five, Clarke confronted his own failings by suggesting Australia were playing with 10 men.

Clarke, who for much of his career had enjoyed a Test average of over 50 — the mark of an all-time great — is averaging a mere 18.80 this Ashes.

Indeed his average slipped to below 50 after this Test for the first time in three years. And having been plagued by a longstanding back complaint, as well as more recent hamstring trouble, there has been speculation this could be the 34-year-old’s last tour.

But Lehmann believes the class that has seen Clarke score 28 Test hundreds has not deserted his skipper. “He’ll get as long as he needs, he’s captain,” Lehmann said after Friday’s quickfire defeat.

“We’re not going to panic, that’s for sure,” the former Australia batsman added.

“But he’s got to play well.”

Adam Voges, however, is unlikely to receive similarly unequivocal backing ahead of next week’s

SYDNEY: Another insipid display by a once great cricketer as his side slumped to an embarrassing defeat to go 2-1 down in the Ashes series had Australian pundits questioning whether captain Michael Clarke was in terminal decline on Saturday.

It remains highly unlikely that Clarke’s reign as Australia captain will end with him dropped for next week’s fourth Ashes Test against England but it would have been remarkable just a few months ago for someone to even suggest the possibility.

Still, Clarke himself admitted that his 94 runs from six innings at an average of 18.80 in the Ashes series so far meant Australia had effectively been playing with 10 men.

Dropping Ian Bell at second slip on 20 on Friday and allowing the Englishman to go on to make a match-winning unbeaten 65 only added to the impression of a player seriously out of sorts.

“A hesitancy has crept into

fourth Test at Trent Bridge.

For all that he scored a debut hundred in the West Indies recently and has vast experience of English conditions due to time spent playing county cricket, the 35-year-old Voges’s average for the Ashes after three Tests stands at 14.60.

Now his place could well be in jeopardy when on-tour selector Rodney Marsh and Lehmann come to pick their side for Trent Bridge.

“Adam would be disappointed, like the other players are,” said Lehmann. “It’s a disappointing game for us and we’ve just got to cop the criticism we cop and get back on and work out what the best XI is to win the next Test match.”

‘We all love Hadds’ Meanwhile, Lehmann said leaving out Brad Haddin from the team that

his batting in the last year. He is rivalling Jesse James in trigger movements,” Gideon Haigh wrote in The Australian.

“His Test average here slipped below 50 for the first time in more than three years.

No top four batsman who has played more than a handful of Tests has a poorer record over the last twelve months.”

With a deteriorating back condition that could flare up at any moment and now well into his 12th year as a Test cricketer, some pundits suspect the 34-year-old may not be able to revive his form.

“The problems begin with Clarke,” Greg Baum wrote in Melbourne’s The Age newspaper. “He is out of form, at an age when that begins to look less like a lull and more a terminal condition.”

Under the headline “Michael Clarke’s poor run of form continues, how long will selectors wait?”, Mike Colman in Brisbane’s Courier-Mail said the classic counter-attacking Clarke innings might now be a

played at Edgbaston was the hardest decision of his career, amid accusations it made a mockery of Australia’s ‘family first’ policy. Wicketkeeper Haddin was overlooked in favour of the younger Peter Nevill after the 37-year-old pulled out of the second Test at Lord’s to be with his sick daughter Mia. Nevill, 29, took seven catches at Lord’s and made 45 during an impressive Test debut as Australia thrashed England by 405 runs to level the series at 1-1.

Marsh, one of Australia’s greatest wicket-keepers, and Lehmann then decided Nevill should retain his place ahead of Haddin, who had not been at his best during the first Test in Cardiff — he dropped Joe Root on nought who then went on to score 134 in the first innings — which England won by 169 runs.

There were reports Haddin’s

thing of the past.

“We saw it as recently as last December when he ignored the pain of a chronic bad back to score 128 against India in Adelaide just 10 days after the tragic death of his teammate and friend Phillip Hughes,” he wrote.

“We saw it in March last year when he scored 161 not out against South Africa at Cape Town despite suffering a fractured shoulder.

“After the debacle at Edgbaston, we have to wonder if we will ever see it again.”

Fortunately for Clarke the player, if not for Clarke the captain, he is not the only Australian middle order batsman struggling and Adam Voges looks more likely to make way for Shaun Marsh at Trent Bridge.

And given the way fortunes have swung over the first three matches in this series, it would not be a major surprise to see Clarke notching his 29th Test century to lead his side to a thumping victory. - Reuters

omission in Birmingham had caused unease in Australia’s squad, while former Test opener Matthew Hayden slammed a move that could well signal the end of the keeper’s 66-Test career as “outrageous”.

But Lehmann insisted Haddin’s form did not warrant a recall.

“The cold hard facts are he’s played the last 12 Test matches and made 250 runs at 15, with 16 bowled out of 21,” Lehmann said.

“I know there’s been a big hooha about ‘family first’ — well, we still have that. There’s been a very unbalanced view from a lot of people about it.

“We certainly care about Brad and his family,” he added. “We all love Hadds, the players love Hadds.

“That would be the hardest decision I’ve had to make as a coach, or even as a player.” - AFP

TERMINAL CONDITION: Michael Clarke. – Reuters

ENJOY THE PERFORMANCE

Cook sets sights on back-to-back wins BIRMINGHAM: England captain Alastair Cook has challenged his side to end their frustrating inconsistency by winning two Tests in a row and regaining the Ashes at Trent Bridge.

Cook’s men took a 2-1 lead in the five-match series with a dominant eight-wicket win completed inside three days in the third Test at Edgbaston on Friday.

Yet since drawing their series opener against the West Indies in Antigua in April, England have been unable to string two wins together in their subsequent seven Tests in 2015.

Friday’s victory came on the back of a 405-run defeat in the second Test at Lord’s, which in turn followed England’s 169-run success in the first Test in Cardiff.

Should the sequence be maintained, England would regain the Ashes 3-2 with a win in the series finale at The Oval.

But Cook, understandably would rather England headed to south London 3-1 up — and believes they can do even in the absence of injured fast bowler James Anderson.

Winning next week has been made tougher by the fact Anderson has been ruled out with a side injury

“If (the sequence) goes to nine matches I will be just as happy but it would be nice to break that trend at Trent Bridge,” he said on Friday. “Discussions over a drink tonight will be on that line but we have to enjoy the performance here first.

“Come tomorrow (Saturday) morning we wake up with the challenge of Trent Bridge ahead of us. We have got to be tough on ourselves as players and get ourselves absolutely spot on for that game.”

Winning next week has been made tougher by the fact Anderson, who took an Ashes best six for 47 in

Australia’s meagre first innings 136 at Edgbaston, has been ruled out with a side injury suffered while bowling in Birmingham.

Not only is Anderson, who turned 33 on Thursday, England’s all-time most successful bowler in Tests with 413 wickets, he is also a Trent Bridge specialist.

The Lancashire swing and seam bowler has an especially brilliant Test record at the Nottingham ground, with 53 wickets in eight matches at an average of 19.24.

And six of his 18 returns of five wickets or more in Test innings have come there as well.

Durham paceman Mark Wood, absent at Edgbaston because of an ankle injury. could take Anderson’s place.

Steven Finn marked his return to Test cricket after a two-year absence with six for 79 in Australia’s second innings 265 at Edgbaston and that has also strengthened Cook’s belief that England can cope without Anderson.

“Jimmy and Woody are quite like for like,” Cook said. “It is disappointing. Jimmy’s record at Trent Bridge is brilliant.

“I said at the beginning of the week we have an opportunity at 1-1 to do something really special in the next three games.

“Now it is an opportunity for someone lucky enough to replace Jimmy to do something very special,” he said.

England saw their decision to promote Ian Bell to number three vindicated as the stylish batsman scored two fifties on his Warwickshire home ground, including an unbeaten 65 on Friday that helped see Cook’s men to their victory target of 121.

“It couldn’t be more fitting could it, for Belly to be walking off 60-odd not out in his home Test match to win the game,” said Cook.

“We know he’s a fine player but he’s had a bit of a tough time...it happens. Everyone in history has a bit of a tough time,” added the opening batsman, who has come through lean spells of his own.

“You’ve got to keep backing the right horse and Ian Bell is certainly the right horse.

“He’s absolutely class and it was a pleasure to see him knock off those runs.” - AFP

SUNDAY, AUGUST 2, 2015

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SPORTS

READY FOR ANY TEAM

BY AMIR HUSAIN

After leading the Sultanate squad to a historic World T20 Championship berth, captain Sultan Ahmed believes his team will not be overawed by any opposition. In

You started your cricket career in Pakistan, how did you end up in Oman?

I am originally from Karachi. In terms of my cricket background, I played zonal under 14 and under 16 cricket as well as First-Class cricket where I represented Karachi Whites and also in List A matches where I played for Karachi Blues.

I came over to Oman in 2000, with the intention to play cricket for a local firm but as time passed by, the firm decided to take me on as a permanent employee. I continued playing cricket for this team who were champions of the local league for about eight years.

As for myself, within four years of playing cricket in Oman, I became eligible to play for the Oman national team.

an interview to PakPassion.net, the wicketkeeper/ batsman said Oman team are ready to compete with any team though ‘due to their backgrounds’ would love to play against Pakistan or India

Tell us a bit about the other members of the Oman Cricket Team?

We have a great mixture and combination of players originating from Pakistan and India. We have eight Pakistani players of which a few have played FirstClass cricket in Pakistan as well.

Of these players, we have Zeeshan Siddiqui who was also man of the match for his match winning 51* in the now famous game against Namibia which helped us secure our World T20 spot. He and I play for the same domestic team in Oman where he has been a strong performer. He has also played under-19 cricket in Pakistan and has been a strong performer in our local cricket competitions.

We also have the 20-six-year old Jatinder Singh who has been steadily improving as a batsman for the Oman team. He is a completely home-grown talent as

he was born in Oman and learnt his cricket in the country. Aamir Kaleem is the vice-captain of our team and I would like to mention his name as he has also been instrumental in our latest successes.

He is an all-rounder who has been with the team for almost six years.

He recently showed his batting prowess during our victory against Scotland in the ICC World Twenty20 qualifier where he scored 59.

And no description of our team would be complete without the mention of our “Malinga” – a fast bowler by the name of Munis Ansari who has a very similar action to the Sri Lanka bowler. He is our spearhead and his performance has also been excellent in the past few years.

our backgrounds, we would love to play against Pakistan or India at the World T20. Both teams have some worldclass players and I am sure it will be enjoyable and a great learning experience for us as well.

DREAM COME TRUE: Oman cap-

tain Sultan Ahmed

Turning to Oman’s historic qualification for the World T20 now, did you ever think that such a day would ever come?

You always dream of such things but those dreams actually becoming reality is quite something!

Personally speaking, I have always had a passion to play cricket although, it was disappointing that I could not play for Pakistan but that’s how life is. I moved to Oman and continued with my passion for the Oman team and yes, qualifying for such a prestigious world event is a dream come true for all of us.

Have you started to think about which teams you will be playing against in the World T20 or the famous players you will get to compete with?

Its important as a junior member of the cricketing fraternity to not get too overwhelmed by this opportunity. Our approach from now until we compete in the World T20 will be to take things one step at a

time. This has also been the case in the way we have qualified. We have struggled in the past and this is probably our fourth attempt at qualification, twice in the fifty over game and the same in T20s. But we never gave up and concentrated on the smaller targets instead of worrying about bigger goals. But let me tell you that we worked very hard to get to this stage. We have been playing tournaments for the past six months. We even came a little earlier to Ireland to acclimatise ourselves. So really our preparations had been pretty good.

Looking ahead, we will never be overawed by any team we face.

This is the way we are. Even in the World T20 qualifiers, we played against some good teams as the Netherlands and Afghanistan who have a lot of international experience and they have also played in World Cups before. Our aim will be to play to best of our abilities and compete against any team that we come up against. Obviously, due to

How has the reaction been in Oman to news of your qualification?

It has been brilliant. When we won the match against Namibia, we were absolutely bombarded with messages of congratulations by friends, family and our supporters.

It’s great for our cricket back in Oman and the administrators are already thinking about what preparations can be done for the team to ensure we compete well in 2016.

As for our welcome, on our return but from we received a hero’s welcome with hundreds of cricket fans turning out at the airport waving flags, and holding huge placards and banners praising the team.

However, from a personal point of view, I would like to state what I said before which is that I would like to dedicate this special occasion to my late mother and to the father of my teammate, Khawar Ali, who also passed away recently. Without their guidance, both of us would never be at the stage we are today.

What I am really happy about is that due to our qualification, there will be a positive effect on popularity of cricket in Oman amongst the youth and we will also get more exposure in the international media as well.

Tell us about the domestic cricket structure in Oman.

Is it well organized?

Contrary to what many people think, Cricket is very well structured in Oman. We have plenty of good and well maintained cricket

grounds in Oman with professional ground staff and curators in attendance. Almost 600 players play in our domestic cricket setup which is organized on a divisional basis. We have eight teams competing in the most senior division and the quality of cricket is of a high order. We have separate tournaments for T20 and One-Day formats. What we do need is sponsorship for players and one hopes with the team’s qualification and media exposure, we will be able to bridge this gap as well.

What was Derek Pringle’s role in your teams performance during the World T20 qualifiers? Also what are your impressions of Duleep Mendis as your head coach?

As a technical advisor, Pringle has been a great help and been truly amazing. His knowledge of local conditions and his immense international experience was crucial for our success. He would help us understand the conditions and help us work on bowling plans against the opposition. He was present at all our practice sessions and would provide guidance for our fast-bowlers in particular.

Since we all speak English, there were no issues in communication and we could make full use of his vast experience.

Coming to the subject of Duleep Mendis, as you know he is a vastly experienced former captain of Sri Lanka and our head coach for the past two years or so. We owe him a great debt of gratitude for his role in our team reaching such heights.

He has truly been of great help to us and each of the players has received invaluable assistance in their development and our performances are a reflection of his hard work with us. - PakPassion.net

C4

SUNDAY, AUGUST 2, 2015

SPORTS UNOFFICIAL TESTS

‘I have always played with responsibility’ Kohli, who played for India A in the justconcluded second unofficial four-day Test against Australia A, produced knocks of 16 and 45

EASY OUTING: Cameron Bancroft and Usman Khawaja of Aus-

tralia A return to the pavilion after chasing down the target of 61 set by India A in the second unofficial Test in Chennai on Saturday. – PTI

Australia A outplay India A to win series CHENNAI: Failing to put up any fight against a rampaging Australia A, India A suffered a 10-wicket loss in the second unofficial ‘Test’ to go down 0-1 in the two-match cricket series here on Saturday.

Starting on their overnight score of 267 for six, the Cheteshwar Pujara-led side crashed to 274 all out as pace spearhead Gurinder Sandhu (four for 76) wiped the India A tail within the first half hour of the fourth and final day’s morning session at the MA Chidambaram Stadium.

Sandhu turned on the heat after sending back overnight batsman Shreyas Gopal (0) without troubling the score and then picked up Varun Aaron (1) and dangerman Baba Aparajith (30) in his next couple of overs to flatten India A hopes.

Left-arm spinner Steve O’Keefe picked the final wicket, of Shardul Thakur (4), to turn in with impressive figures of four for 88. Needing 61 for a win, openers Cameron Bancroft (21 not out) and Usman Khawaja (41 not out) completed the formalities in double quick time.

Apart from Sandhu and O’Keefe, who bagged five and six wickets respectively in both the innings, Bancroft was the star for HEIGHTENING INTEREST

the visitors with a crucial 150 in the first innings.

Australia A rode on Bancroft’s patient ton to post 349 in response to India A’s 135 all out to clinch a vital 214-run lead.

Aparajith, with a five-wicket haul in the first innings, was the standout performer for the home team, which boasted of Indian Test skipper Virat Kohli in the playing XI. Playing the match as a tuneup exercise before the Sri Lanka Test tour starting on August 12, Kohli contributed with 16 and 45 runs in the first and second innings respectively.

Karun Nair’s 50 in the first innings and opener Abhinav Mukund’s fighting 59 in the second were also some of the notable contributions from India A players.

The Indian batsmen did put up a better show in their second innings on Day 3 but the top and the middle-order was guilty of not capitalising on starts to get big scores.

Kohli, Shreyas Iyer (49), Nair (31) and Naman Ojha (30) put up some resistance against a disciplined Australia attack only to let it slip eventually.

Left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha also made his presence felt with figures of four for 107.

The first match between the two sides ended in draw. - PTI

CHENNAI: His batting form has not been the best of late but an unfazed Indian Test skipper Virat Kohli on Saturday said he does not need to put in any extra effort on that front as he has always played with responsibility for the team.

Kohli, who played for India A in the just-concluded second unofficial four-day Test against Australia A, produced knocks of 16 and 45 in the match which the home team lost by 10 wickets here on Saturday.

India have not played much of Test cricket this year and Kohli’s form has been rather indifferent in the ODI arena where he hasn’t scored a hundred since February.

Asked if he needs to curb his aggressive approach to get back into the groove ahead of the tour of Sri Lanka starting on August 12, the batsman responded with a firm no.

“As a batsman I have always been responsible with the way I play my cricket and it comes from wanting to win the game for the team everytime I play. So I don’t think I need to change too much in that aspect. I think that is one of the major reasons that the board thought that I could be the man to take up responsibility for the team,” Kohli told ‘bcci.tv’.

“It all boils down to how you play your cricket eventually and that’s the way I have always played my cricket, be it on the field, be it the way I bat, I always give my 100 percent. Putting in that extra effort in batting I don’t think is required because I have always played in a responsible way for the team. And I will continue to that till the time I play for my country,” he asserted.

Full-fledged series Talking about the tour of Sri Lanka, which comprises three Tests, Kohli said he is looking forward to leading India for the first time in a full-fledged series.

UNFAZED: Virat Kohli of India A plays a shot during their second unofficial Test match against

Australia A in Chennai. – PTI

Aggressive cricketers like Kohli make it big: Dravid CHENNAI: Rahul Dravid expects Virat Kohli to to deliver in his first full series as Test captain when the Indian cricket team leaves for Sri Lanka, besides backing the star batsman to continue playing in his “aggressive” style.

“I think you have to be who you are. The beauty of this game is that it allows different people to succeed. Most people who succeed in this game over a period of time are aggressive. It is just that they show it differently. Some are more expressive and some are not,” said India A coach here on Saturday when asked about Kohli’s on-field behaviour.

Dravid and Kohli got to discuss cricket at length as the Sri Lanka-bound skipper chose to warm-up in the ‘A’ game.

Asked about his expectations from Kohli in the upcoming tour of Sri Lanka,

“It’s basically my first full assignment as Test captain. In Bangladesh it was a one-odd Test match it wasn’t a full-fledged series. So it will be a new challenge for me and the whole team because we have such a young squad and so many

REAL CHANCE

Dravid said: “I would just say that every tour is important.

I don’t think we need to make this more important. Every international tour is important. As much as you can put a spin. So he has to try and do the best he can.

“He can only work with the team he has got and focus on getting the best out of them.

Sometimes things will not go well and sometimes it will.

He is obviously very keen and hardworking. So it was great for him to come in and play a game here. The time he spent here will do him a world of good. He is keen, excited and looking forward towards doing well,” said the former India captain.

Cheteshwar Pujara and Kohli are the batsmen who got match practice ahead of the Sri Lanka sojourn. Dravid, however, did not get into the details of what he spoke to Kohli and Pujara.

new players looking to build their careers,” he said.

“It is an exciting challenge to start together as a new unit. It is exciting for me and as a team. Everyone is very very happy and putting in all the effort required to do

“I am not going to be discussing technical issues of an individual with the media. We are constantly in conversation with Pujara, talking and working on a few things. It is nothing drastic or major. He (Pujara) just needs some time in the middle.

Dravid was sympathetic towards Pujara, who was run-out in the second innings against Australia A. “It was unlucky that he (Pujara) got run out. Hopefully, if he plays the side game in Lanka and spends sometime it will help. I don’t think he has any major issues (with his technique). He is a very aware cricketer. Me and Kohli have had general chats. Not something very specific.

“But if you are spending four days with the Indian skipper, you are going to discuss cricket. But I am not going to come and tell you everything.” - PTI

well in Test cricket. I am certain if we prepare well and have the right kind of vision, we will do really well in Sri Lanka. I am confident about the whole team and also hope that I am able to do the job given by BCCI,” he added. - PTI

SEVERE POLLUTION

Hopeful sports to face Tokyo grilling

Australia reaffirm interest in Rio pledges cleaner future Olympic Games bid waters for Olympics

KUALA LUMPUR: Eight sports vying for inclusion in Tokyo’s 2020 Olympics will be grilled by Games organisers in the Japanese capital next week.

The governing body of baseball and softball will face the panel first on August 7, followed by ten-pin bowling, karate, climbing, roller sports, squash, surfing and wushu.

“Representatives will be asked to respond to detailed questioning,” Tokyo 2020 CEO Toshiro Muto told Reuters on Saturday.

“By the end of September we will have made our recommendation to the International Olympic Committee.

“Tokyo will be the first Games to include new sports proposed by the organisers. Interest is heightening in Japan.” - Reuters

KUALA LUMPUR: Australia is still weighing up the possibility of mounting another bid to host the Olympics, possibly in 2028, despite knowing its two biggest cities have no real chance of being involved.

Australia has hosted the Olympics twice before, in Melbourne (1956) and Sydney (2000), but the country’s two largest metropolises are unlikely to figure ever again.

Instead, the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) is throwing its support behind a possible bid from Brisbane and the surrounding areas in southeast Queensland.

AOC President John Coates said a group of seven mayors in the area had been given until the end of 2016 to decide whether or not to proceed with a bid.

“The Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) has given the south

east Queensland cities — seven of them based around Brisbane — the opportunity to the end of next year to consider whether they want to bid,” Coates said on Saturday, a day after the International Olympic Committee (IOC) chose Beijing as hosts of the the 2022 Winter Olympic Games.

“During that time they will need to come to us with evidence of both the feasibility and the fact of having support of Queensland and Australian governments.”

The final decision on which city will host the 2028 Games will not be made by the IOC until 2021.

The push for Brisbane is because Queensland is in the country’s warmer, north area and under IOC rules, Summer Olympics have to be held in July or August, which is Winter in Australia.

Sydney and Melbourne are both

south of Brisbane and have cooler climates.

“The difficulty in Australia now of bidding is that the IOC has a requirement that you have to host the Summer Games in July-August,” Coates said.

“Sydney was September-October and Melbourne was November-December so really it’s only Brisbane for us, unless you have a special exception and it’s hard for the IOC to make exceptions for us when they don’t make exceptions for Middle East countries.”

Sydney and Melbourne had flagged the idea of co-hosting some events after the IOC introduced its Olympic Agenda 2020 reforms, which encouraged countries to cut costs by using existing facilities, but Coates said the cold weather and the distances made that impractical. - Reuters

KUALA LUMPUR: Efforts to improve the water quality for the Rio de Janeiro 2016 Olympics are ongoing, Games organisers said on Saturday, adding the welfare of the athletes was a top priority after reports of severe pollution off the shores of the Brazilian metropolis.

Privately commissioned tests of the water quality, where rowers, sailors and open water swimmers will be competing, revealed this week a high level of diseasecausing viruses.

The waters along Rio’s Atlantic coast, including Guanabara Bay where sailing events will be held, have been polluted for years and successive governments have spent hundreds of millions of dollars on supposed clean-ups to little effect. Biologists last year said rivers leading into the bay contained a superbacteria resistant to antibiot-

ics that cure urinary, gastrointestinal and pulmonary infections.

“The bay is the most iconic part of the Rio 2016 legacy,” Games communications chief Mario Andrada told the International Olympics Committee in a progress presentation just over a year before the Games start on August 5, 2016.

“The health and welfare of athletes is our principle priority after a successful test event last year. We will do more in 2015 and 2016.

“New eco boats, a new monitoring system, new eco barriers, at every barrier a boat to collect the waste, pipelines to move sewage elsewhere.”

When Rio de Janeiro bid to host the 2016 Olympic Games, the city trumpeted the clean up and said it would cut the amount of raw sewage flowing into the bay by 80 percent. - Reuters

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BRAZIL MIDFIELDER

Fred tests positive for banned substance

SIX PODIUM PLACES: Despite last minute changes to the crew, the Sultanate of Oman posted six podium places. – Supplied photo

Sultanate of Oman make steady start at Kiel race Illness to Sultanate of Oman stalwart Pete Greenhalgh meant some hasty overnight adjustments to McMillan’s tried and trusted crew but luckily, Paul Campbell James flew in shortly before racing started to take Greenhalgh’s place

MUSCAT: Oman Sail’s GC32 Sultanate of Oman came up against a well-oiled Swiss machine in Alinghi on the first day of racing in the Bullitt GC32 Racing Tour in Kiel and despite an 11th hour change to his own crew, Leigh McMillan was still able to post six podium places in eight races.

Illness to Sultanate of Oman stalwart Pete Greenhalgh meant

some hasty overnight adjustments to McMillan’s tried and trusted crew but luckily, Paul Campbell James, one of the Land Rover BAR America’s Cup sailors who last weekend won the Louis Vuitton America’s Cup World Series in Portsmouth, flew in shortly before racing started to take Greenhalgh’s place.

CJ, as he is known, helmed

Sultanate of Oman to victory in the recent JP Morgan Round the Island Race in England after McMillan broke his hand in the Cowes Cup but it has been more than 20 years since the pair raced on the same team.

“Over the years, Pete and I have had a lot of time together on the boat so it took time to get used to being with new crew,” admitted McMillan.

“It is the first time CJ and I have sailed together since we were nippers — we have spent most of our time racing against each other. We have had some good rivalries over the years so it is good to be on the same side of the sheet for a change!

“He is quick around the boat and very good on these foiling machines so we are getting used to the communications and fitting in around each other.”

McMillan was also supported by GC32 regulars Nasser Al Mashari, Ed Smyth and Alister

Richardson and as the day progressed, despite strong gusts that exceeded 20 knots, results improved with two second places posted in the last three races to finish the day in third place, one point behind Spindrift and 13 behind leaders Alinghi.

“We were pushing hard all the time but Alinghi are very well oiled — they have their handling sorted so we have a bit of catching up to do,” McMillan said.

“It was challenging out there.

The wind shifts and gusts have a massive impact on the decision making. It was a difficult course and I wasn’t making a great job of it so it was a big day of learning.”

Crewmate Nasser was upbeat about prospects for the weekend.

“We won the last couple of starts but didn’t manage to convert those into race wins but we are improving all the time so will have a good reflection on it tonight and come out again tomorrow with some good races.”

FOOTBALL

Argentine official in FIFA case pleads not guilty to US charges NEW YORK: The former chairman of an Argentina-based sports marketing business, one of 14 people indicted in a corruption case that has roiled the soccer world’s governing body FIFA, pleaded not guilty in a U.S. court on Friday.

Alejandro Burzaco, an Argentine businessman who was the former general manager and chairman of Torneos y Competencias SA, appeared in federal court in Brooklyn, New York, after being extradited to the United States from Italy.

According to an indictment unsealed on May 27, Burzaco faces U.S. charges including conspiracy to commit racketeering and conspiracy to commit wire fraud.

He turned himself in to police in northern Italy on June 9 and is the third defendant to be arraigned on the indictment.

Burzaco, 51, was one of nine soccer officials and five marketing executives accused by the U.S. Justice Department of exploiting the sport for their own gain through bribes of more than $150 million over 24 years.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Vera Scanlon set Burzaco’s bond at $20 million and authorized his release subject to travel restrictions and

NOT GUILTY! Alejandro Burzaco

electronic monitoring. A private security service approved by U.S. authorities is to provide additional around-the-clock monitoring.

Lawyers for Burzaco in the United States declined to comment while his Argentine attorney did not reply to emailed requests for comment. Prosecutors said that Burzaco conspired with other marketing executives to funnel $110 million in bribes to soccer officials to obtain the exclusive rights for the 2015, 2019, and 2023

editions of the Copa America and a tournament celebrating the contest’s 100th anniversary called the Copa America Centenario.

The bribes were allegedly doled out to soccer officials from the regional soccer federations CONMEBOL and CONCACAF, which group countries in the Western Hemisphere.

Prosecutors said a company formed by Burzaco and three coconspirators agreed to make the payments over the life of the con-

tract. At least $40 million has been paid, the indictment in May said.

Referring to the alleged bribery scheme, prosecutors said that Burzaco told his co-conspirators in May 2014: “All can get hurt because of this subject. All of us go to prison.”

Jeffrey Webb, a former FIFA vice-president and president of the CONCACAF regional soccer federation, was extradited from Switzerland this month and pleaded not guilty.

Webb is under house arrest after securing a $10 million bond with properties and luxury goods like 11 designer watches, his wife’s diamond wedding ring, and expensive cars including a 2015 Ferrari.

Aaron Davidson, who was the head of Brazilian sports marketing company Traffic Group’s U.S. unit in Miami, had been arrested in Miami when the indictment was announced. Davidson pleaded not guilty, and U.S. officials recently disclosed he was in plea negotiations.

Four other individuals, including Chuck Blazer, a former FIFA executive committee member, secretly pleaded guilty before the case was announced as prosecutors sought to obtain cooperating witnesses. - Reuters

TENNIS

Nadal to lead Indian Aces in 2015 IPTL NEW DELHI: Multiple Grand Slam champion and former world No. 1 Rafael Nadal will make his debut in Season 2 of the International Premier Tennis League (IPTL), scheduled from December 2 to 20, as the marquee player of defending champions Indian Aces.

This time the tournament will

have five teams with the inclusion of Japan Warriors, who will join the Aces, the UAE Royals, Philippine Mavericks and Singapore Slammers. The event will start in Japan and conclude in Singapore.

For company, Nadal will have Frenchman Gael Monfils, Pole Agnieszka Radwanska, French-

man Fabrice Santoro, Croat Ivan Dodig, and two of India’s highly successful doubles stars — women’s world No. 1 Sania Mirza and Rohan Bopanna.

“Season one brought some of the world’s biggest tennis stars to cities in Asia for the very first time in an exciting new format. The re-

ception shown by fans was a revelation. This year the event will be bigger,” IPTL founder Mahesh Bhupathi said.

“We have added a big market in Japan and with both Nadal and Nishikori playing, fans will be in for a thrilling three weeks,” Bhupathi added. - IANS

SAO PAULO: Brazil midfielder Fred tested positive for the banned substance hydrochlorothiazide during the June-July Copa America, the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) said on Friday.

The 22-year-old Shakhtar Donetsk player denied using the substance, which is a diuretic.

“I have never used any illicit substance,” he said in a statement.

“I trust in my innocence and I am going to prove it to the proper authorities. I have a clean career and I have everyone’s support.”

A surprise choice for the squad, Fred started Brazil’s first two games, a 2-1 win over Peru and a 1-0 loss to Colombia.

However, he was dropped for the third match, a 2-1 win against Venezuela, and also missed the quarterfinal penalty shootout defeat by Paraguay.

In a confusing statement, the CBF said they had sent organisers a list of the medicines Brazil was taking to the tournament and that the banned substance was not on it.

However, they did not say whether Fred could have taken it without the authorisation of the team doctor and they gave the player only qualified backing.

“The medical department is on hand for the competent authorities with the player’s medical forms and documents if they are

INNOCENT: Fred

required,” the CBF statement said.

“We stand with the player and, if needed, his advisers and lawyers can offer more explanations.”

Shakhtar included Fred in the lineup for their Champions League third qualifying round first-leg tie at Fenerbahce on Tuesday despite being advised by UEFA not play him.

Fenerbahce lodged a protest with by European soccer’s governing body after the game, which ended 0-0.

UEFA is investigating the matter and will announce a decision on Monday, according to a letter from the ruling body published on Fenerbahce’s website (www.fenerbahce.org).

The sides are due to meet in the second leg on Wednesday with the winners advancing to the playoff round for a place in the group stage of the lucrative tournament. - Reuters

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T W O - P R O N G E D AT TA C K

Falcao can play as dual striker, says Mourinho

Radamel Falcao

HARMLESS: Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho, third left, during a team training session at Chelsea training ground. – Reuters

Mourinho eyes early chance to strike blow on Wenger The traditional curtain-raiser for the new English season sees Mourinho’s Premier League champions take on FA Cup winners Arsenal and it should offer plenty of clues as to what awaits both clubs over the next nine months

LONDON: Jose Mourinho has played down the significance of Sunday’s clash with Arsenal in the Community Shield showpiece at Wembley but a chance to strike an early blow against old adversary Arsene Wenger will prove irresistible. The tradi-

tional curtain-raiser for the new English season sees Mourinho’s Premier League champions take on FA Cup winners Arsenal and it should offer plenty of clues as to what awaits both clubs over the next nine months.

Wenger, who signed Chelsea’s

stalwart goalkeeper Petr Cech in the summer, believes his squad is now as strong as the 2003-04 Invincibles who went through the season undefeated to claim Arsenal’s last Premier League title.

Barbed comments On paper, at least, Arsenal look well-equipped to challenge Chelsea come next May, but the sooner he ends a dismal record against Mourinho’s teams the better.

Sunday’s clash will be the 14th time Wenger and Mourinho have locked horns in opposing dugouts and Wenger is still waiting to get one over the Portuguese.

“I think I would ask myself: Why?” Mourinho, who could start with Radamel Falcao leading the line, said in the build-up when conversation turned to his domination of Wenger.

“I would try to answer, not be-

cause of a mental block but because I want to find solutions to help my team do it — try to find a different way, try to find the reasons why it goes all the time against my team.”

As barbed comments go, this one was fairly harmless from a man who once dubbed Wenger ‘a specialist in failure’.

But it did put the ball firmly in Wenger’s court, challenging the wily Frenchman to come up with a new battle plan against his managerial nemesis.

Wenger does his best to shrug off his record against Mourinho, treating questions on the subject with a wry smile.

There is no doubt though that the Frenchman is irritated by Mourinho -- witness the eyeballto-eyeball confrontation in last season’s Premier League encounter at Stamford Bridge.

“I will leave you with your love story with him to continue without interference,” Wenger said this week, referring to what he sees as a media love-in with the Chelsea boss.

He is far happier talking up his own team’s chances of fighting for the title.

“We have always had talented teams, but most of the time they were very young,” he said.

“We have the better balance between talent and experience now.

And when you go into April you need that experience.

“The expectations are very high.

You cannot win the Cup and finish third in the league and then say ‘Look, next year we want to do nothing.’”

Arsenal will be without last year’s player of the season Alexis Sanchez on Sunday, while Chelsea await fitness checks on striker Diego Costa. - Reuters

LONDON: Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho said he could adopt a two-pronged attack with Colombian Radamel Falcao offering more options for the coming season after joining on loan from Monaco.

Falcao struggled to impress during a similar spell at Manchester United last season, but Mourinho has great faith in a player who will wear the number nine shirt for Chelsea.

Diego Costa shouldered most of the striking burden last season as a lone striker in a 4-2-31 system, but laboured after an explosive start.

Loic Remy offers pace and width but Falcao, Mourinho believes, could play in tandem with either.

Falcao only joined up with his new team mates in New York where Chelsea drew 2-2 with Barcelona in a friendly.

But Mourinho has already seen enough to believe he can make a big impact at Stamford Bridge.

“In the last 20 minutes against Barcelona (in last week’s friendly we played with Loic Remy and Falcao,” Mourinho said. “They did very well not just to bring the team forward but also with one less player in midfield they closed the spaces in front of the midfield line. We can play with two.”

“Falcao came on and suddenly the team was direct and objective. They closed the lines and played in the opposition half. Falcao held the ball up very well. I’m very happy with his first week. I like him a lot as a player. The team play very well with a striker of his quality.

“He’s not just a guy that can score a goal; he can also contribute a lot to the quality of the game.” - Reuters

LEAGUE’S BEST

Goalkeeper Cech arrival adds substance to Arsenal’s style LONDON: Arsenal have again been cautious spenders in the transfer market but by recruiting Petr Cech, one of the Premier League’s best goalkeepers, they have added some defensive substance to compliment their attacking style.

Back-to-back FA Cup victories ended a nine-year silverware drought, but Arsenal have not been relevant during the punishing grind of a 38-game Premier League title race for a number of years.

The north London club have addressed a number of issues which have held them back since the trophy-laden early years of manager Arsene Wenger’s reign came to an end in 2005.

Until the arrival of Cech from rivals Chelsea last month, however, one glaring concern remained unresolved.

Wenger, often maligned for a perceived reluctance to splash the cash, had invested heavily in Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez in previous close-seasons to make

Arsenal one of the most dazzling attacking sides in Europe.

Their inability, however, to replace former keeper Jens Lehmann adequately following his departure in 2008 had prevented them laying the foundations from which to build a title-challenging side.

Manuel Almunia, Lukasz Fabianski, Wojciech Szczesny and David Ospina have filled the void with limited success but they lacked presence and were guilty of high-profile errors which undermined Arsenal’s title desires.

Cech, however, the most successful goalkeeper in Chelsea history, arrives with an undoubted presence having secured his status as one of Europe’s premier stoppers for over a decade.

The 114-cap Czech international possesses a wealth of experience and a winning mentality having won four Premier League titles, four FA Cup’s, three League Cup’s and the Champions League and Europa League during 11 seasons at Stamford Bridge.

In front of him, Arsenal are an ever-improving defensive unit, the third stingiest in last season’s Premier League, but without a goalkeeping bedrock they were susceptible to conceding foolish goals.

Cech’s arrival will certainly boost the confidence of those stationed immediately in front of him. At 33, he is still in his goalkeeping prime and will assume an on and off-field leadership role.

“The Arsenal fans thought it was Christmas (when Cech signed),” Arsenal’s goalkeeping great Bob Wilson said. “Just a ridiculous decision (from Chelsea), to allow him to go.”

Upon signing for the club Cech said: “Last season it was a great season (for Arsenal), but there was something missing, just a little last jump over the hurdle.”

Cech has all the attributes to be the man to carry Arsenal over that final hurdle. As the footballing adage goes — a great attack wins you matches, a great defence wins you trophies. - Reuters

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SECTION

Health LIFESTYLE

SUNDAY, AUGUST 2, 2015

WWW.TIMESOFOMAN.COM

Commitment Issues

Joining a gym is a great ďŹ rst step towards a healthier lifestyle and realising short-term and

long-term goals from losing weight to shaping up

for a bodybuilding contest or a beauty pageant.

But the most important part of your new routine, as vital as what you actually do in the gym, is consistency and sticking to your commitment.

Identifying the challenges you will face when it comes to keeping up your workout routine, and planning around them, can help you stick to it.

By Hubert Vaz

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SUNDAY, AUGUST 2, 2015

LIFESTYLE

W

orking out has a plethora of benefits as it increases one’s energy, mental focus, and overall health. Joining a gym is often the first thing people do when they decide to start working out to enhance beauty, health, or confidence. But, talk to anyone who has ever joined a gym, from college and high school students to housewives and work-a-day professionals, and you will hear stories about good intentions that fizzle into unused memberships (and wasted money). Most start out in all earnestness to make fitness a priority in their daily routine, many fall by the way, and only a few reach their ultimate goal.

That’s because no matter what stage of life you are in, there are many things competing for your time that make it difficult to keep your gymnasium commitments.

The common hurdles are different for everyone. Professionals might find themselves working late, with little time to do anything after leaving the office.

Housewives might plan to head to the gym after dropping the kids off at school only to wake up in the morning to find a maintenance issue around the house that will require her to stay at

home and wait for a plumber.

Students might get caught up in studying for exams at the end of the semester, then find it difficult to get back into their fitness routine after exams.

When people head to the gym looking for a “quick fix” they often push themselves too hard and end up pulling a muscle, which effectively ends their tryst with the gym. Since injuries can put a quick end to a fitness programme, it is especially important to workout moderately, gradually increasing the intensity until you have built up a baseline of fitness.

Laziness is often sighted as a factor as well, though laziness in this case is a habit, which can be replaced. Studies have shown that it takes two weeks to build or break a habit, so when you make your commitment and set a workout schedule, make sure and stick with it for at least two weeks before making modifications so that it can start becoming part of your lifestyle rather than a short term challenge.

According to fitness trainer Mark David, who is attached to the health club at Barr Al Jissah Resort and Spa, one of the best ways to stay motivated is to set a goal or target for yourself. “Those

“You cannot climb Everest at one go, you need to take up summit by summit,“ says Khalid, a Muscat fitness instuctor.

who do not set goals are the ones who drop out at the slightest opportunity, while those who have a target before them are able to sustain their efforts and fight temptations to drop out,” he asserts.

People with specific goals have a bigger picture to focus on, rather than being victims of their daily moods and energy levels. It is important that your goal is specific so you can track your progress.

When it comes to weight loss, get on the scale once a week and write down your weight so you can keep track of your progress. But fitness is often about building muscle and looking leaner, so don’t just trust the numbers on the scale, take measurements of your waist, hips, biceps, and thighs and write that down as well so you can keep track of the physical changes that you might be blind to since you see yourself every day.

“You cannot climb Everest at one go, you need to take up summit by summit,” says Khalid, a Muscat fitness instructor, adding “one should set simple targets and keep adding on as one achieves each immediate target.”

If you goal is simply to feel better and be healthier, set a goal of working out for 30 minutes per day, every day, for one week. Or for an hour three times per week. You can work up to five or six days per week, though it is good for even the most ambitious athletes to take a rest day. The amount of time spent at the gym and frequency aren’t as important as consistency when you are first starting out, so commit to go to the gym for a reasonable amount of time (at least 30 minutes) at least three days per week for a minimum of two weeks, no matter what. But what if something comes up?

Choosing what time to go to the gym can be key to keeping your commitment. So, what is the best time to go workout? Quite simply, whenever you will go.

There are benefits to morning, afternoon, and evening workouts and it all comes down to your schedule and personality. Many like to go to the gym first thing in the morning because it gives them less time to think up excuses during the day, or because they feel fresh after a night of sleep, or because their work is so hectic that they never know if they will have to work late. Particularly social people do better with morning or afternoon workouts, since they like to keep evenings free for other recreation. As a bonus, the endorphins released after a workout can give you more energy than coffee, so it is the ultimate eye-opener.

If your work timings start very

Partner up

Join the gym with a friend. Workout buddies motivate one another and hold each other accountable for every workout. Working out with a friend is also a lot more fun.

early in the morning, as many do here in Muscat, visiting the gym directly after work on the way home can be a better option. Making your workout an extension of your work day helps to ward off the laziness that can set in after getting home after working all day.

If you go the gym before reaching home, then afterwards you can spend the rest of the evening relaxing with the knowledge that you have met all your goals and commitments for the day. It is also a great way to work off the stress of your day.

Others prefer to go home and rest after work and then head to the gym later in the evening. For these night owls the gym is often thought of as part of their postwork recreation or it is a social time to meet up with workout buddies. For those who feel most awake at night, or those who have trouble sleeping, this is an excellent option, as a workout followed by a hot shower is a sure way to have a good night’s rest.

Be realistic when you decide on your ideal workout schedule.

If you are a morning person, don’t

try to force yourself to trudge to the gym at night when you are tired. But, after deciding on your preferred workout time, make a backup plan.

If you are a morning gym-goer and you oversleep, use it as an opportunity to try out a fitness class offered in the evening. For night owls, if something comes up and you can’t make it to the gym, then go first thing in the morning to make up for it. You might be surprised at how much you enjoy getting moving in the dawn hours. As soon as you know you will not be making your workout, schedule your makeup session, taking it just as seriously as you would scheduling a makeup exam at school or rescheduling a business meeting.

Commitments to the gym are like any other commitments in life, they have to be a priority to be maintained. It is not a choice; it is a decision. So do what you can to stay motivated, do what you can to create the most convenient workout schedule for yourself, set goals to keep you going when the going gets tough, but when all that fails, get up and go anyways.

Measure your results Visible changes in appearance are great, but many times we are blind to them because we see ourselves daily and the results are subtle. So, take weekly photographs to track your progress and keep a log of your measurments and weight. Then you can look back and really see how far you have come.

Make fitness a way of life

Integrate your fitness regime into your daily life, just like brushing your teeth in the morning. Do your exercises as a habit rather than as a task that can be put off if needed.

Give it time

Don’t look for results overnight.

Give yourself time and work your way towards your goal slowly but steadily.

Reward yourself

Rewarding yourself for small achievements in fitness can go a long way in reinforcing commitment. If you make it to all your scheduled workouts during the week, treat yourself on the weekend with a trip to the salon or the movies.

Visualise yourself fit

Fitness goals can vary from individual to individual. It’s good to keep visualising your target and inching towards it. If you want a flat tummy, visualise it and keep doing what you need to do to get there.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 2, 2015

C9

LIFESTYLE

Try

BRIEFS

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Pill on a stringâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; can detect cancer early

W hy

Here are a few simple, time-tested foods, techniques,

and remedies to try, and a bit about why. Have you tried any of these tricks? How did you like them? Do you have a favourite remedy of your own? Tell us about it at lifestyle@timesofoman.com

Drink Milk for Your Bones Because of its high calcium content, drinking a glass of milk a day is an important way to help prevent osteoporosis and even osteoarthritis, especially in women. Other dairy, like cheese and yoghurt, also contain high levels of calcium, just be sure to go for low-fat versions to avoid excess calories.

Eat Whole Grains for Better Digestion ReďŹ ned grains have had the bran and germ stripped away from them, which in turn removes a great deal of the nutritional value. Whole grains, on the other hand, still have an intact kernel, including the bran, germ and endosperm, which are rich in ďŹ bre, which can help to control blood sugar, lower bad cholesterol levels, and, most famously, aid in digestive health.

Eating plenty of whole grains is the best way to guard against bloating, constipation, and diarrhoea.

Use Green Tea for Eye Care A simple homemade eyewash can be made using green tea and distilled water: Add two parts of brewed green tea (be sure to let it cool ďŹ rst) to one part water.

The mixture may be stored in a bottle and applied with a dropper or put in a small squeeze bottle (these can be found with travel accessories or cosmetics) or simply poured into the eye to refresh and cool when they feel itchy or irritated.

The antioxidant-packed, cold green tea bags can be placed on closed eyes to reduce puffiness and dark circles.

Oral Hygiene ORAL HYGIENE refers to the practice of keeping oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mouth and teeth clean and free from dental problems, especially dental cavities, gum disease, and bad breath. Plaque build ups are the leading cause of cavities and gum disease, thankfully, we can combat plaque through proper oral hygiene. As the saying goes â&#x20AC;&#x153;know thy enemy,â&#x20AC;? so we sat down with Dr Shilpi Tripathi, a dentist at Al Hayat Hospital, to get all the details.

What is plaque?

Plaque is a soft, sticky ďŹ lm that builds up on and in between your teeth and contains millions

of bacteria. There are good and bad bacteria in your mouth, but the bacteria in plaque are the really bad ones as they cause tooth decay and gum disease if not removed regularly. It is essential to clear away plaque, otherwise it will calcify and harden into what is called tartar.

How can I get rid of plaque?

Since plaque is constantly growing in your mouth, to prevent tartar build-up you must brush and floss your teeth every day. Since it is a sticky substance, mouth rinses alone will not provide enough plaque removal to keep your teeth and

DECODING DOCTOR

gums healthy. Here are tips for a squeaky-clean mouth:

London: A pill on a string can help doctors detect oesophageal cancer at an early stage, says a new study. Understanding how oesophageal cancer â&#x20AC;&#x201D; cancer of the gullet â&#x20AC;&#x201D; develops and the genetic mutations involved could help doctors catch the disease early, offering better treatment options for the patient. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The trouble with Barrettâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s oesophagus is that it looks bland and might span over 10cm,â&#x20AC;? explained Rebecca Fitzgerald from the University of Cambridge.

A sample was more likely to pick up key mutations if taken using the Cytosponge, developed by Fitzgerald. The Cytosponge when popped up as a pill dissolves to reveal a sponge that scrapes off cells.

Once withdrawn up the gullet, the Cytosponge allows doctors to collect cells from all along the gullet. The standard biopsies, on the other hand, take individual point samples. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We created a map of mutations in a patient with the condition and found that within this stretch, there is a great deal of variation amongst cells. If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re taking a biopsy, this relies on your hitting the right spot.

Using the Cytosponge appears to remove some of this game of chance,â&#x20AC;? Fitzgerald noted in the journal Nature Genetics. The researchers found patterns of mutations in the genome â&#x20AC;&#x201D; where one â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;letterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; of DNA might change to another, for example from a C to a T â&#x20AC;&#x201D; that provided a â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;ďŹ ngerprintâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; of the causes of the cancer. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Barrettâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s oesophagus and the cancer share many mutations, but we are now a step closer to understanding which are the important mutations that tip the condition over into a potentially deadly form of cancer,â&#x20AC;? said co-author Caryn Ross-Innes from Cambridge University.

Barrettâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s oesophagus is most often diagnosed in people who have long-term gastroesophageal reďŹ&#x201A;ux disease (GERD) - a chronic regurgitation of acid from the stomach into the lower oesophagus. - IANS

Hubert Vaz speaks to Dr Shilpi Tripathi, Dentist, Al Hayat Hospital

way to prevent gum disease.)

What is the best way to ďŹ&#x201A;oss? Ä&#x160;Ĺ&#x2014; ,/-"Ĺ&#x2014; 3)/,Ĺ&#x2014; . ."Ĺ&#x2014; .1# Ĺ&#x2014; Ĺ&#x2014; 3Ä&#x2026;Ĺ&#x2014; Because you canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t brush away the using a soft-bristled toothbrush plaque between teeth, you must and ďŹ&#x201A;uoride toothpaste to remove ďŹ&#x201A;oss to remove plaque before it plaque from tooth surfaces and hardens. To ďŹ&#x201A;oss effectively and hygienically, do the following: protect your teeth from decay.

Ä&#x160;Ĺ&#x2014; , *Ĺ&#x2014; ')-.Ĺ&#x2014; ) Ĺ&#x2014; ." Ĺ&#x2014; Ăł)--Ĺ&#x2014; ,)/( Ĺ&#x2014; either the middle ďŹ nger or the index ďŹ nger of one hand, whichever you prefer, and a small amount onto the middle or index ďŹ nger of the other hand. Using the middle ďŹ nger leaves your index ďŹ nger free to manipulate the ďŹ&#x201A;oss.

Ä&#x160;Ĺ&#x2014; #-#.Ĺ&#x2014;3)/,Ĺ&#x2014; (.#-.Ĺ&#x2014; .Ĺ&#x2014;& -.Ĺ&#x2014;.1# Ĺ&#x2014; Ä&#x160;Ĺ&#x2014; -"Ĺ&#x2014;3)/,Ĺ&#x2014;" ( -Ĺ&#x2014; #,-.Ĺ&#x2014; -Ĺ&#x2014;3)/,Ĺ&#x2014; a year for professional cleanings fingers will be going inside Ä&#x160;Ĺ&#x2014; ),'Ĺ&#x2014; Ĺ&#x2014;Ä? Ä&#x2018;Ä&#x201E;Ĺ&#x2014; (.&3Ĺ&#x2014;-&# Ĺ&#x2014;." Ĺ&#x2014;Ăł)--Ĺ&#x2014; between the teeth, being sure to your mouth. and oral exams. get the ďŹ&#x201A;oss up into the gum to Ä&#x160;Ĺ&#x2014; & (Ĺ&#x2014; .1 (Ĺ&#x2014; . ."Ĺ&#x2014; #&3Ĺ&#x2014; Ä&#x160;Ĺ&#x2014; - Ĺ&#x2014; ()/!"Ĺ&#x2014; Ăł)--Ä&#x201E;Ĺ&#x2014; , %Ĺ&#x2014; )ĂŽĹ&#x2014; Ĺ&#x2014; remove any hidden food particles (preferably before bedtime) with piece about 18 inches long. That or plaque. Make a C shape with ďŹ&#x201A;oss or an interdental cleaner to sounds like a lot, but you want the ďŹ&#x201A;oss as you wrap it around the remove plaque from the places enough to keep a clean segment tooth, then carefully pull it upwhere your toothbrush canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t in place as you move from tooth ward from the gum line to the top of the tooth. reach. (Flossing is the only sure to tooth.

C10

SUNDAY, AUGUST 2, 2015

FIND-IT-ALL CINEMA SCHEDULE

CHILDREN BELOW THE AGE OF 3 YEARS ARE NOT ALLOWED IN THE CINEMA | BOX-OFFICE COUNTER OPENS 30-MINUTES PRIOR TO THE SCREENING OF THE FIRST SHOW

@MGM

@SHATTI

@RUWI

@BURAIMI

@SALALAH

BAHJA CINEMA

Terminator: Genisys (Action / Adventure) Cast: Arnold Schwarznegger, Emily Clarke 1.45, 9.45 & 11.55 pm CP No: 1714 (PG 12) Ted 2 (Comedy) Cast: Mark Wahlberg, Seth Mc Farlane, Amanada Seyfried 4.00 & 7.45 pm CP No: 1887 (12+) Minions ( Animation/ Comedy ) 6:00 pm; CP No: 1731 (PG) The Night Crew ( Action/Thriller) Cast: Danny Trejo, Jason Mewes, Luke Goss 2.00, 10.00 & 11.55 pm; CP No: 1886 ( 15+) Tooken (Comedy) Cast: Ethan Suplee, Jenny Mc Carthy, Donnie Wahlberg 12.00, 4.00 & 8.00 pm CP No: 1885 (18+) How To Make Love Like An Englishman (Comedy / Romance ) Cast: Pierce Brosnan, Salma Hayek, Jessica Alba 12.00 & 6.00 pm CP No: 1888 (12+)

Film information 24540856 / Advance Booking 24540855 Website: www.albahjacinemaoman.com

CITY CINEMA Contact (10 am to 6pm) 24567664 | 68. www.citycinemaoman.net facebook.com/citycinemaoman SHATTI Ant Man (3D) (Action, Adventure) (PG12) Cast: Paul Rudd, Michael Douglas, Corey Stoll 12:30, 7:15, 9:30, 11:45 pm Ant Man (2D)(Action, Adventure) (PG12) 2:45 pm Bajrangi Bhaijaan (Drama)(PG) Cast : Salman Khan, Kareena Kapoor, 6:30, 11:30 pm Terminator: Genisys (Action, Adventure) (3D)PG12 Cast: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jason Clarke, 11:45 pm Minions (Animation, Comedy)(3D) PG 12:00, 2:30 pm Tooken (Comedy)(18+) Cast: Ethan Suplee, Jenny McCarthy, Donnie Wahlberg 4:30 pm Ted 2 (Comedy)(12+) Cast: Mark Wahlberg, Seth MacFarlane, Amanda Seyfried 2:00, 5:00, 9:30 pm Paper Towns (Drama,Mystery)(15+) Cast: Nat Wolff, Cara Delevingne, Austin Abrams 4:15, 6:15 pm Drishyam (Drama, Mystery)(PG12) Cast: Ajay Devgn, Tabu, Shriya Saran 11:30 am, 8:30 pm MUSCAT GRAND MALL How to Make Love Like an Englishman 2D (Comedy, Romance) (12+) Cast: Pierce Brosnan, Salma Hayek, Jessica Alba 12:45PM Ted 2 2D (Comedy) (12+) Cast: Mark Wahlberg, Amanda Seyfried 10:30AM, 4:15PM Gold Class : 01:30PM Ant-Man 3D (Action, Adventure) (PG12)

10:30am, 4:15pm TED 2 2D (Comedy) (12+) Cast : Mark Wahlberg, Amanda Seyfried, Seth MacFarlane

12:30, 7:15, 9:30, 11:45 pm (3D) ANT-MAN 3D(Action, Adv) (PG12) Cast: Paul Rudd, Michael Douglas, Corey Stoll

10:00AM, 9:30PM, 11:45PM Gold Class: 3:45PM, 9:00PM, 11:15PM Ant-Man 2D (Action, Sci-Fi ) (PG12) 2:00PM Drishyam 2D (Drama, Mystery) (PG12) Cast: Ajay Devgn, Tabu, Shriya Saran 8:45PM Gold Class: 6:00PM Paper Towns 2D (Drama, Mystery) (15+) Cast: Nat Wolff, Cara Delevingne 4:30, 6:40PM Terminator Genisys (3D): (Action) (PG12) 11:55PM Minions (3D) (Animation, Comady) (PG) 12:15, 2:45PM Bajrangi Bhaijaan (2D): (Drama) (PG) Cast: Salman Khan, Harshaali Malthotra 6:30PM

SCREEN 2 Bajrangi Bhaijaan (Action/Drama ) – PG Cast: Salman Khan, Kareena Kapoor, Harshaali 3.45, 9.45 PM Drishyam (Thriller/Drama ) – PG12 6.45 PM

SOHAR Terminator Genisys - 3D (PG12) Action, 6:00, 11:30 PM Bajrangi Bhaijaan - 2D (PG) Drama, Action 3:15, 8:15 PM Minions - 2D (PG) Animation, Comedy 04:15 AM Minions - 3D (PG); 4:15 PM Baahubali - 2D (Hindi) (12+) Action 9:00 PM Ant-Man- 2D (PG12) (Action, Sci-Fi) Cast: Paul Rudd, Michael Douglas, Corey Stoll 2:45 PM Ant-Man- 3D (PG12) Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi 05:00 , 09:30, 11:45PM

LONG DISTANCE BUS TIMINGS (OMAN NATIONAL TRANSPORT COMPANY SAOC) *SUBJECT TO CHANGE

FROM MUSCAT (RUWI) Dept time

Destination

TO MUSCAT (RUWI) Arrival Operating time days

Dept time

Destination

Arrival Operating time days

FROM JAALAN-SUR-QURIYAT (ROUTE 36)

TEMPERATURE

15:00 15:00 15:00

05:30 05:30 05:30

Maximum

16:30 18:00 19:30

Daily Daily Daily

Sur Quriyat Ruwi

06:45 08:30 10:00

TO AL BURAIMI (ROUTE 41)

TO AL BURAIMI (ROUTE 41)

06:30 06:30 08:00 13:00 13:00 16.00 16.00

07:00 07:00 13:30 13:00 13:00 13:00 17:00

Sohar Buraimi Buraimi Sohar Buraimi Sohar Buraimi

08:50 Daily 11:00 Daily 14:30 Daily via Ibri 15:45 Daily 17:40 Daily 18.35 Daily 20:20 Daily

TO SINAW (ROUTE 52) 17:30

Sinaw

Nizwa Yanqul

Daily

16:50 19:30

Daily Daily

Nizwa Al Araqi

Sur Sur

Daily Daily

Fahud Yibal

12:00 18:45

Daily Daily

Salalah Marmul Salalah Salalah

10:30 11:15

Daily Daily

20:00 20:30 23:30 07:40

Marmul

Dubai

16:50

Daily

Sohar Dubai Sohar Dubai Sohar Dubai

06:00 06:00

Nizwa Ruwi

08:40 11:00

Daily Daily

15:40 15:40

Nizwa Ruwi

17:55 20:20

Daily Daily

06:00 14:30

Ruwi Ruwi

10:45 19:00

Daily Daily

12:30 12:30

Fahud Ruwi

13:15 17:30

Daily Daily

07:00 10:00 10:00 19:00

Ruwi Marmul Ruwi Ruwi

19:50 13:15 22:30 07:30

06:00

Marmul

16:30

Daily

07:00

Daily

08:30 11:30 15:30 18:30 17:35 20:55

Daily Daily Wed,Thur Wed,Thur Daily Daily

15:00

Salalah

07:00

Daily

10:50 13:40 16:15 19:10 18:45 21:35

Daily Daily Thur-Fri Thur-Fri Daily Daily

TO DUBAI (ROUTE 201) 07:30 07:30 13:00 13:00 15:30 15:30

Sohar Ruwi Sohar Ruwi Sohar Ruwi

TO DUBAI VIA FUJIRAH & SHARJAH (ROUTE 204)

FROM DUBAI VIA FUJIRAH/SHARJAH (ROUTE 204)

07:00 07:00 07:00

16:00 16.00 16.00

Fujairah Sharjah Dubai

39 33 Minimum

11.45 13.30 14.00

Film information 24791641 / 24786776 Website: www.isurf.co.om

Baahubali (Tamil) (Action) Cast: Prabhas, Rana Daggubatti, Anshka 3-00, 6-30 & 9-30 PM at Cinema Main, 3:45 PM at Cinema-3 Sakalakala Vallavan Appattakkar (Tamil) Cast: Jayam Ravi, Trisha & Anjali (Act/Com) 3-30, 6-30 & 9-30 Pm at Cinema -2 Drishyam (Hindi) (Drama) Cast: Ajay Devgan, Shriya & Tabu 3:45, 6:45 pm Cinema -3 Acha Din (Mal) (Drama/Act) Cast: Mammootty, Manasi Sharam 3:45, 6:45, 9-45 PM at Cinema 4 Next Change: Idhu Enna Maayam (Tamil) (Programmes are subject to change)

WITH LOVE

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AKSHAJ KATKE August 2, 2010

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RELATIVE HUMIDITY

20-25%

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 parents’/your name to Times of Oman, With Love, PO Box 770, PC 112, Ruwi or through e-mail to extra@timesofoman.com

Daily Daily Daily

Sharjah Fujairah Ruwi

16:30 18.15 23.00

LISTINGS

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 EMBASSIES IN OMAN

Daily Daily Daily Daily

DUBAI TO SALALAH (ROUTE 102)

TO DUBAI (ROUTE 201) 06:00 06:00 13:00 13:00 15:00 15:00

Daily

TO MARMUL (ROUTE 101)

SALALAH TO DUBAI (ROUTE 102) 15:00

10:25

TO SALALAH -MARMUL (ROUTE 100) Daily Daily Daily Daily

TO MARMUL (ROUTE 101) 06:00

Ruwi

TO YIBAL - FAHUD (ROUTE 62)

TO MARMUL-SALALAH (ROUTE 100) 07:00 10:00 10:00 19:00

07:00

TO SUR (ROUTE 55)

TO FAHUD - YIBAL (ROUTE 62) 06:30 06:30

BURAIMI Ant Man - 2D (Horror, Thriller) (PG12) Cast: Paul Rudd, Michael Douglas, Corey Stoll 5:10PM Ant Man - 2D (Horror, Thriller) (PG12) 3:00,7:45, 9:30, 11:45PM Ted 2 – 2D (Comedy) (12+) Cast: Mark Wahlberg, Amanda Seydfried 3:00, 7:20PM

SUR Ant Man (2D) (Action | Sci-Fi) (PG12) 6:00 PM ANT MAN (3D) (PG12) 12:00, 9:30, 11:45 PM Minions (3D) (Animation ) (PG) 4.15 PM Bajrangi Bhaijaan (Hindi) (Action) (PG) 4:30 PM Drishyam (Hindi) (Action) (PG12) 8:15 PM Ted 2 (Comedy) (12+) CP# Cast: Mark Wahlberg, Seth MacFarlane, 7:30 PM Acha Din (Malayalam) (Drama) (PG) 11:15 PM

STAR CINEMA

TO IBRI (ARAQI) (ROUTE 54)

10:20 12:30

TO SUR (ROUTE 55) 07:30 14:30

SALALAH Ant-Man (2D) (PG12) (Action) Cast: Paul Rudd, Michael Douglas, Corey Stoll 4:00PM Ant-Man (3D)(PG12); 12:00, 9:15, 11:30PM Minions (3D) (PG) (Animation) 10:15AM, 2:15PM Terminator (3D)(PG12) (Action) 2:30, 11:45PM Bajrangi Bhaijaan (2D) (PG) (Drama/Action) 6:15, 11:15PM The Night Crew (2D) (15+) (Action/Thriller) Cast: Danny Trejo, Jason Mewes, Luke Goss 9:30PM Ted 2 (2D)(12+) (Comedy) Cast: Mark Wahlberg, Amanda Seyfried 10:15AM, 2:30, 6:40PM Paper Towns (2D)(15+) (Drama) Cast: Nat Wolff, Cara Delevingne, Austin 12:30, 4:45PM Drishyam (2D)(PG12)(Hindi) (Drama) 11:30AM, 8:45PM Acha Dhin (2D)(12+)(Malayalam) (Drama) Cast Mammootty, P. Balachandran, Jaise Jose 4:30PM Sakalakala Vallavan Appatakkar (2D) (PG12)(Tamil) (Comic Drama) Cast: Anjali, Jayam Ravi, Trisha Krishnan 6:40PM

TO YANQUL (ROUTE 54)

TO IBRI (ARAQI) (ROUTE 54) 08:00 08:00

08:55 Daily 11:40 Daily 20:20 Daily via Ibri 14:55 Daily 17:40 Daily 19:20 Daily 22:15 Daily

The Night Crew – 2D (Action, Thriller) (15+) Cast: Dany Trejo, Chasty Ballesteros 3:45, 9:50PM Drishyam– 2D (Drama, Thriller) (TBC) Cast: Ajay Devgan, Shriya Sharan, Tabu, 8:15, 11:15PM Acha Din – 2D (Comedy) (TBC) Cast: Mammoothy , Mansi Sharma, Renji 5:30PM Bajrangi Bhaijaan– 2D (Drama, Action) (PG) 5:15, 11:30PM

TO SINAW (ROUTE 52) 20:50

TO YANQUL (ROUTE 54) 14:30 14:30

Sohar Ruwi Ruwi Sohar Ruwi Sohar Ruwi

Daily Daily Daily

9:30 pm THE NIGHT CREW (2D) (15+) (Action/ Thriller) Cast: Danny Trejo, Jason Mewes, Luke Goss

WEATHER

QURIYAT - SUR - JAALAN (ROUTE 36) Quriyat Sur Jaalan

5:30 pm ACHA DIN (2D) (Comedy ) (TBC) Cast: Mammoothy , Mansi Sharma, Renji

The Night Crew - 2D (15+) Action Cast: Danny Trejo, Jason Mewes, Luke Goss 2:15, 11:55 PM Ted 2- 2D (12+) Comedy Cast: Mark Wahlberg, Seth MacFarlane, 2:00, 7:15 PM Paper Towns - 2D (15+) (Drama, Mystery) Cast: Nat Wolff, Cara Delevingne, Austin 6:15 PM Drishyam- 2D (Hindi) (TBC) (Drama, Thriller) Cast: Ajay Devgn, Tabu, Shriya Saran 08:30 , 11:15 PM Acha Dhin - 2D (M) (TBC) Drama Cast: P. Balachandran, Jaise Jose 6:45 PM Sakalakala Vallavan Appatakkar - 2D (T) (TBC) Comic Drama Cast: Anjali, Jayam Ravi, Trisha Krishnan 4:00 PM

SCREEN 3 Baahubali: The Beginning (Action) – 12+ Cast: Prabhas, Rana Daggubati, Anushka Shetty 3.45, 6.45, 9.45PM

RUWI SCREEN 1 Drishyam (Thriller/Drama ) – PG12 Cast: Ajay Devgn, Tabu, Shriya Saran 3.30, 9.30 PM Bajrangi Bhaijaan (Action/Drama ) – PG Cast: Salman Khan, Kareena Kapoor, Harshaali Malthotra 6.30 PM

3.30, 9.30, 6.45 PM DRISHYAM (Thriller/Drama ) (PG12) Cast: Ajay Devgn, Tabu, Shriya Saran

Daily Daily Daily

Afghanistan Algeria Bahrain Bangladesh Brazil Brunei China Cyprus Egypt France Germany India Indonesia Iran Iraq Italy Japan Jordan Kazakhstan Kenya South Korea Kuwait

24698 791/4 24605 593 24 605 074/133 24 698 660 24640100 24 603533 24 696782 24 699815 24 600 982/411 24681 800 24835000 24684500 2469 1050 24 696 944/7 24603642 24693727 24 601 028 24692760/1/3 24 692418 24 697664 24 691490 24 699628

Lebanon Libya Malaysia Morocco Nepal Netherlands Pakistan Palestine Philippines Qatar Russia Saudi Arabia Senegal Somalia South Africa Spain Sri Lanka Sudan Switzerland Syria Tanzania Thailand Tunisia Turkey UAE United Kingdom United States Yemen

24 693208 24603466 24698329/643 24696152/3 24696177 24603706 24603439 24601312 24605335 24 691 153/2/4 24602894 24601705 24694139 24697977 24647300 24691101 24697841/2 24697875 24603267 24697904 24601 174 24 602684/5 24603486 24697050/1/2 24400000 24609000 24643400 24600815

PHARMACIES Round the clock Al Hashar Pharmacy, Ruwi 24783334

Appolo Medical Centre, Hamriya Muscat Pharmacy, Ruwi Salalah Atlas Pharmacy, Ghubra Muscat Region Apollo, Al Hamriya Muscat, A Seeb Market Muscat, Al Khuwair Muscat, Al Hail South Dhofar Region Muscat, Al Nahdha Road, Salalah

24782666 24702542 23291635; 24503585 24787766 24421691 24485740 24537080

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 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 24784545 Swiss International Airlines 24796692 Thai Airways 24705934

SUNDAY, AUGUST 2, 2015

C11

LIFESTYLE

Reiki Healing

ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE

By Jane Jaffer Bickmore Reiki is a natural and holistic healing technique which originated in Tibet in ancient times and was rediscovered around the middle of the 19th century by a Japanese doctor called Mikao Usui.

Reiki means Universal Life Force Energy and is a form of therapy which transmits this cosmic all-pervading energy.

Reiki involves the laying on of hands and is a very simple, yet powerful technique.

If our life force is low, we are prone to illness. When the life force is flowing freely, we are less likely to be ill. Our life force is affected by our thoughts and feelings.

Reiki heals as it flows through the energy pathways of the body, gently removing blockages to the energy flow. Reiki raises the vibration of the energy field around the physical body.

Reiki allows the body to relax, to rest and heal. Reiki promotes an emotional and a physical detox. Surrounded by this loving, healing energy, the recipient

For more information on Reiki healing and Reiki courses, contact Jane Jaffer at elixirhfc@hotmail.com What is your favourite alternative medicine ?

Tell us about it: Hubert@timesofoman.com

FITNESS MOVE OF THE WEEK

ASK DR. GERRY PANIC ATTACK

A kettlebell squat strengthens your spine and joints, builds lower body muscles, improves functional performed fitness and can can b be e pe perf rfor orme med d using only a bag filled with a few canned goods (roughly 2kg weight) if you don’t have access to a kettlebell.

Here’s how to do it: Stand with your feet wider than hip-width apart, and your toes slightly turned out.

PHOTOGRAPHY: SHUTTERSTOCK (3)

Reiki is beneficial no matter what the client’s health status may be. The treatment can be used in conjunction with any medical treatment plan. Many health services around the world are recognising the benefits of complementary healing methods such as Reiki healing.

The typical Reiki healing session lasts one hour. It is also possible to learn this method of self-healing by undergoing a Reiki course to learn more about this ancient method of healing and to be attuned to the energy frequency. You need never feel hopeless or helpless again once you have the ability to aid your own healing in this way.

KETTLEBELL SQUAT

FA M I LY A D V I C E

Dear Dr Gerry I’m a 42-year-old male who needs your advice. I had my first episode a month ago. I cannot describe it except that I felt like I was dying. I couldn’t breathe, couldn’t get oxygen inside myself. I had my heart beating like crazy; my mouth went dry, felt dizzy. I was at work and was taken to the local hospital. In 15minutes I felt well and the feeling went away and I got better.

I haven’t been able to forget that feeling and I fear it will come back again. I have had checkups with different doctors but all my tests have come back normal.

Some have suggested I meet a psychiatrist but I’m not sure. I have

feels secure and able to let go of tension, anxiety and negative thoughts. It can be a powerful emotional release. A treatment can leave you feeling blissfully peaceful. However, some clients experience a ‘healing crisis,’ as experiences and negative emotions from the past begin to surface. A course of treatment is therefore recommended.

I believe that every cell in the body has a memory. Negative emotions may be stored in certain areas of the body. For example, anxiety can often be found around the neck and shoulders, deep emotion is stored in the throat, fear harbours in the kidneys, sadness in the lungs, and lack of self-worth and insecurity is most prevalent around the solar plexus. If these emotions are not dealt with, physical illness can develop. It becomes a physical manifestation of an emotional state. Reiki can help eradicate these negative emotions by helping to release them.

been under a bit of stress since the death of my father a year ago. I’m really afraid it will come again and I feel afraid to go back to my work place. Please advise.

A Dear A, What you describe could be a panic attack. These are periods of sudden and intense fear together with physical and cognitive symptoms. They usually start suddenly and can last for around an hour. Many people feel they are having a heart attack or a nervous breakdown. They feel a strong urge to escape and flee from the place where the attack began.

Hold a hand bag with contents weighing about 2-3kg (or a six pound kettle bell, if you have one) in your right hand so it rests against your forearm.

The flight or fright response floods the body with adrenaline which causes most of the symptoms.The important thing to remember is that it’s not dangerous and does not cause any physical harm.

Remember that panic attacks can occur due to different causes.

It’s important to look at the cause and treat according to the cause. I advise you to undergo a thorough physical checkup and psychological assessment. There are medications and other treatments that can help. The first step in getting well is to identify the problem. The fear of not knowing what’s going on only increases the anxiety.

Dr Gerry D’Costa has an MD in psychiatry and a special interest in the areas of anxiety, depression, addiction, and children’s psychiatry. He has practised as a specialised psychiatrist at Badr Al Samaa Hospital in Ruwi for the last 9 years. Dr D’Costa now offers his advice and professional insights to the readers of Times of Oman. Send your mental health questions to lifestyle@timesofoman.com.

Raise your arm straight up.

Put your left hand out on your hip for balance and squat down so that your hips are just higher than your knees, arm still raised.

Push through your heels to return to the starting position. Repeat on one side to complete one set.

Change arms.

Repetitions by level

6 times

(each arm) for beginners

10 times (each arm) for intermediates

15 times

(each arm) for advanced

d

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Daily guide

Email: dailyguide@timesofoman.com classifieds@timesofoman.com Tel.: 24726666 Ext: 413 / 430 /431 / 456 / 461

for rent

3BR villa, sitting, dining & hall, Azaiba behind Al Meera H- Market.

Contact: 99259977 / 95033008 1BHK, Darsait, walking distance to ISM , neat and clean building, ground floor, OMR 260/- per month rent Call IQRAR on 99076557 Fully furnished 3 BHK accommodation with all spacious rooms in a villa at Darsait near ISD. Contact: 9526 5289 / 9604 8422 Furnished room for rent at Al Khuwair R.O 225/- for family only.

Contact: 99251975 Readymade office space for rent (100sm) in Bank Melli Iran building, MBA area Ruwi opposite Center Point. Contact: 99011352 House for rent in Sidab at reasonable rent. Contact: 95555162 / 95755953 Flat for rent with AC in Wadi Kabir.

Contact: 95555162 /95755953 2 BHK Flats for rent in Muttrah near Oman house. Contact: 97009734 / 92629232 Flat for rent in Mabellah 8th.

Contact: 97147240 Flats for rent at Darsait near to Ministry of Sports. Interested candidates please Contact : 00968-92225523 840 Sqr Mtrs Store for Rent in Misfah. Contact 99792181 Warehouse for Rent in Misfah.

Contact 99792181 Spacious 2BHK Flat with Split A/c’s behind Sultan Center, Azaiba – RO.425/- p.m. Contact: 99824803 / 99849325 Deluxe PH 1BHK at North Ghoubra.

Contact: 99242218 1BHK brand new flat in Al Qurum Polo Road for rent GYM & swimming pool facility available.

Contact: 92527573 / 98902216

2 BHK with split /AC in W/K behind Sana fashion. Contact: 96708000 1 &2 BHK flats for rent at Wadi Kabir, Wadi Adai, Hamriya and Al Khoud areas, shop for rent at Wadi Adai Round about. Contact: 24834644, GSM 93994401 /02/03 lines At Al Hail 2BHK 260/- & 1BHK 180/- , shop or store space RO 240/-.

Contact: 96072686 2B/R, RES / COMM flat directly from owner Bausher near Dolphin Complex. Contact 92158031 2BHK commercial Al Khuwair R.O 400/-. Contact: 97799175 2 rooms in Al Khuwair.

Contact 99330385 Office / shop near Star Cinema & CBD Muttrah. Contact: 99233116 2BHK near CBD & Star Cinema, Muttrah. Contact: 99233116 BHK Flat in Azaiba.

Contact 99385835 / 99428143 Deluxe 1, 2,3 bedroom flats in Ruwi & Wadi Kabir & Al Khuwair.

Contact: 95282986 / 24707340 Office/ storage space in new building at MBD South.

Contact 94460790 / 24714625 Godown for rent Approx: 4500 sqm area with building materials in Barka for rent with workers accommodation etc. Showrooms also for building materials available. Contact: 99808868 500 sq mtrs office space on mezzanine floor near Royal Hospital.

OMR 6.500 per sq mtr.

Tel: 99333479 or 95215360 1bedroom, kitchen, sharing toilet, parking, family R.O 110/-, 1bedroom sharing K& T family in Al Khuwair R.O 100/-. Contact: 95154331 Two shops in Muttrah Souq, for rent. For more details please contact: 99364735 / 91214849

FOR RENT

Building In Rusail Industrial near to Amiantit Oman comprising a store divisible area 266 sq. meters.

The building includes Studios and rooms with different size suitable for offices or residence.

Preferably to be leased to one company.

Mob + 968 96177505 1BHK, 2BHK, 3BHK new flat available at Mabela in front of Modern English School Contact: 96239126 600 sqm build up office / warehouse area for rent. Consisting of basement space, ground floor and mezzanine showroom / office area.

Easy access and parking space also available. Located on opposite Oman flour mills and beside to Lulu, Darsait available from 1 August 2015 onwards for lease.

Contact: 99364735 / 91214849 2BHK flat near Indian School, Wadi Kabir. Contact: 94460790/24714625 Coffee shop for rent, Muttrah, Mabelah (with visa). Contact: 92749464 / 92222806 Store 2 shutter Wadi Kabir R.O 300/. Contact 95113037 600 sqr mtrs showroom in Wadi Kabir. Contact: 99792181 Flat for rent in Wadi Kabir with 3 rooms. Contact : 98555580 / 92800007

250 sq mtrs restaurant for rent in Plaza Hotel, Walja Ruwi.

Contact 99326339 A fully equipped furnished and licensed private polyclinic for sale or rent in excellent location in Sohar - Falaj al Qabail opposite to life line hospital Departments are GP clinic, Dental, Medical lab, X-ray And Working Pharmacy. Contact 95603395

3BHK with split AC in MSQ, opp.

Al Fair. Contact: 96708000 2BHK in Al Ghubra near Indian School. Contact : 96708000

Well maintained spacious 2BHK at Rex Road. Contact: 92227165

2BHK, 2 Baths, Split A/C, Wadi kabeer, near Indian Elementary School.

Contact 99441193, 93004801

Two bedrooms flats in Wadi Kabir near Indian School.

Contact: 99313274

2 bed rooms, kitchen, toilet & car park in Al Khuwair R.O 200/- .

Contact 95154331

Commercial Space 68 SQM, Wadi kabeer, near Indian Elementary School. Contact 99441193, 93004802

2BHK near Oman house Muttrah.

Contact: 99233116

Flats for rent near Indian School in Wadi Kabir. Contact 99777122 Brand new villa Bosher 37, 4 BHK. Contact: 91936034 Store 2000 Sqr mtrs for rent in Wadi Kabir. Contact 99792181

For rent if require flats for rent in Wadi Kabir please send me messages through Whatsapp.

Contact: 99376454 Deluxe 3 BHK Penthouse with Seaview, ideal for office / residence at Qurum near PDO. Contact: 9772 1313 / 9507 0421 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

Villa 4 & 5 BHK for rent in Al Khuwair. Contact 99792181

For rent in Qantab European style 4 bedrooms, 4 baths, Guest toilet, fully equipped modern kitchen, covered car park for two cars, approximately 150 meters from the beach. For enquiries, please Contact: Yasser at 92606005

Flats shops for rent in Ruwi MBD area Mumtaz area.

Contact: 97293708 / 92433127

Fabulous AC flat at Al Khoud 3 bedrooms, hall and kitchen RO 270/for rent. Contact: 99334699

3BHK, 3 bathrooms, 2 balconies, nr Al Hassan W/Kabir R.O 340/-.

Contact: 99384640

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Motor Vehicle for SALE

Hyundai Tuscon 2.4 Full option (including Moon roof) for sale in Muscat, Model 2013 , Single Owner (University Lecturer) driven, 39,600 kms, in excellent condition, for sale.

Contact 99653760.

Mazda 3, 2007 KM 1,43000, full automatic R.O 1900/-.

Contact : 99781671 RAV4-2009 model, silver colour, 2.4 liter, single hand use by Indian Expat. Contact 99355382 Nissan Sunny new / excellent condition. Contact: 95790291 Touareg 2011 Oman cars, 114000 KM, silver, 8500/-R.O. Contact 92857111

For hire Volvo 12 Ton Truck for monthly rent. Contact: 98713900

Acc. available Large room with separate bathroom and sharing available in Al Khuwair.

Contact: 95250161 Room for rent with Electricity, water & A/C kitchen RO 115/- RO, RO 130/Al Khuwair. Contact: 95423391

for sale Acc. available

Truck spare parts (new) for sale.

Contact: 92600900 3 floor commercial building in Muttrah behind Police. Generating income of OMR 18 Thousand annually. Neat and well maintained. Built on 197 sq mtrs land. 2 tailor shops on ground floor and 6 flats. OMR 207 Thousand. Tel: 99333479 or 95215360 Running established for sale including industrial licenses for marble & granite, fully furnished kitchen showroom and fully equipped factory. Contact: 99337670 / 92623665

Flats for rent in Al Khuwair, Al hail, Wadi Kabir, Al Falaj, MBD, and Muttrah. Contact: 99119699 / 95250300 / 24813002 1 BR flat at Darsait, near ISM. Contact 99237971 / 99320633 Flat for rent in Darsait near Indian School 1 bedroom, living room, 2 bathrooms & kitchen. Contact: 95806611 / 94694662 Flat for rent in Ruwi, 1 bedroom (Walja) 1 bedroom, living room , 2 bath rooms, kitchen.

Contact: 95464607 / 95464608 Furnished offices for rent in prime location in Ruwi (Mumtaz) with free electricity, water and internet for lease long & short term.

Contact: 99331181 Shop for rent prime location in Ruwi Mumtaz near Al Burj hotel.

Contact: 99331181 Villa for rent - Al Seeb/Al Mawelah - Block 5 - 4 bedrooms with attached bathrooms , Majlis, 2 halls, kitchen and storeroom. split Ac and car park - contact 99564616 Office space at Alasfoor Plaza Qurum. Contact : 24566217 /24564686

2 bedrooms apartments for rent in Al Khuwair and Ghubra. Call Yellow Bird property on 24615375 / 97137989 or visit www.muscat-realty.com 3 Bedroom flat in Wadi Kabeer and 2 bedroom villa in Sidab- Muscat.

Contact: 95755953 Villa with two floors in (Hay Al Arjan) in AL Khoud with 4 bedrooms, hall, Majles, kitchen & one room in ground floor. Contact: 93219597 1 Villa & 3 big Flats of 2/3 BHK with hall, Kitchen & ACs Al Khoudh 6, Close to express way, from owner. Tel 97600322 alnehang@gmail.com House in Amerat near to Makah hypermarket with three room, 5toilets, kitchen and hall 430/-.

Contact: 92747078 Bath attached room for rent Al Khuwair. Contact 99743569 4 BHK single villa in Al Khuwair.

Contact: 97616158 Deluxe furnished / unfurnished flats Qurum. # 24566217 / 24564686

House hold items. Contact: 97094797 Brand new Panasonic 60” full HD LED, TV TH60A430M R.O 350/- .

Contact: 99628819 Grill cafe sale Al Khuwair.

Contact 97249366 2560 sq mtrs industrial land in Wadi Kabir main road, First line on way to Al Bustan hotel. Possible to make petrol station or hotel. OMR 990 Thousand. Tel: 99333479 or 95215360 Wall papers, grass carpets sale & fixing. Contact: 99834373 / 97102699 Ladies beauty Saloon for sale at Amerat on prime location with two clearances. Contact : 95867900 Shop for sale in Ruwi High street, Contact 96078411 New villa at Qurum, 6 bedrooms, 6 bathrooms, sitting, dining and open sitting on the terrace.

Contact: 99342733

Room available for rent for Indian executive bachelor near Al Khuwair R/A. Contact : 99659513

60,000 Sq Mtrs Agriculture Land in Misfah, can be changed to Industrial Land. OMR 29 Per Square Meter.

Tel: 99333479 or 95215360

Furnished room with sharing Bathroom available in N.Gubrah for executive bachlor from 1st August.

Contact --95450250

Vehicle automotive batteries available at cost price. Interested parties who want to buy the batteries in bulk numbers for reselling purpose may. Contact: 24794657

Acc available single room with attach bathroom, kitchen at Mabella near BP Petrol Pump rent R.O 100/near Indian School.

Contact: 91516775

5 Flats of 1 bedroom for Sale in Boushar: OMR 35 Thousand each.

Monthly income OMR 270 Tel: 99333479 or 95215360

Independent rooms in Qurum / Al Hail. Contact 95529970

23,886 Sq Mtrs Agriculture land with water well in Al Salwa, Barka.

OMR 260 Thousand. Tel: 99333479 or 95215360

BUYING/SELLING Used furniture & Electronic items, office & house. Contact: 99834373

available 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. wanted Required a room in Darsait / WadiKabir /Ruwi area.

Contact: 95405033

Single room with attached toilet & bath in Ruwi for Executive bachelor rent Including with water & electricity. Contact: 99327158 New fully furnished room & attached bathroom, kitchen, Wifi, for bachelor Honda road.

Contact: 98582078 Sharing accommodation available at Wadi Kabir for bachelor.

Contact : 94195690 Rooms in Seeb for couple / single ladies. Contact : 96996938 Sharing accommodation available small family behind Mars Wadi Kabir spacious room attached big bathroom, separate kitchen Indian only. Contact: 95731543 Furnished single / sharing room for Exe. bachelor at Rex Road, near Kamat Restaurant with WIFI available.

Contact 92873832 Large room furnished bath attached separate entrance Wadi Kabir.

Contact: 99336206 Fully furnished room for a decent expatriate. independent kitchen, bathroom in Wadi Adai.

Contact 96243086 at 5p.m.

Prado ,2012. Contact : 99336093 Izuzu 4 ton Vehicle - 2nos (2008), Izuzu 3 ton Vehicle- 1 no (2006), Nissan UD 10 ton 1 no (2001), Mitsubishi 7 ton -1 no (2004), Toyota forklift – 1 no (2000). Contact: 99719124 Email: thekkutt@gmail.com Volkswagen Caddy 2013, 146,000 KM, under warranty.

Contact: 99822843 Tucson automatic V-6 2007, R.O 2300/-. Contact: 99384640 Land Cruiser 2012. Contact: 99336093 Sportage, 2013.

Contact:99336093

Acc. available Sharing single room with toilet, AC kitchen at A Hail high way roadside. Contact 92968292 Full furnished room with attached bathroom near Star Cinema for Ex. Bachelor/lady. Contact 92886715 Furnished room in Ruwi for non cooking Executive bachelor in Ruwi, rent RO 90/- per month.

Contact 94412557 Room with attached bath and sharing kitchen available for Executive bachelor, opp. O.C. Center Ruwi.

Contact: 99016562 / 99296296 2BHKFlat Near Oman House, Muttrah for family/Ex Bachelor.

Contact 96528069 Family sharing accommodation available in Al Khodh.

Contact: 99371129 Room for rent available in CBD near Papa John’s Restaurant.

Contact 96568100 Fully furnished 1BHK with all household items in Darsait near Lulu on monthly Basis. Contact : 99378397 Sharing accommodation available for working lady or couples near Ruwi Church. Contact: 92837206 Room attached toilet and kitchen near Indian School Wadi Kabir.

Contact: 95345537

change of name I Mohammed Tabrez Khan (name exactly as in present passport) son of Mohammed Shakeel Khan presently residing at the following address in Muscat P.B No. 704, P.C No.133, Sultanate of Oman and having permanent address in India F- 44 Muradi Road, Jamia Nagar, Srinivaspuri, New Delhi (as per present passport), holder of passport No. Z2676103 date of issue 23/05/2013 place of issue Muscat solemnly affirm and declare that my Mother’s name is Alimun Nisa Khan for all purpose. Any objection towards this name change may please be communicated to Embassy of India, Muscat, Diplomatic Quarters, Al Khuwair, P.Box No. 1727, Postal Code 112, Ruwi , Sultanate of Oman.

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Daily guide

Email: dailyguide@timesofoman.com classifieds@timesofoman.com Tel.: 24726666 Ext: 413 / 430 /431 / 456 / 461

SITUATION WANTED

SITUATION situation WANTED vacant

Account. & Finance Indian male 33, B.com, MBA (HR) tally having 9 yrs exp looking for suitable placement.

Contact: 98181652, Email: wailsmathew@gamil.com Pakistani male 25 years male MBA finance having, 18 months experience accounts and transport seeking suitable job having valid Omani D/L /. Contact: 99191284 Indian male 24 years MBA finance 2 years experience in accounts looking for suitable job.

Contact: 98222753 Email: shemeejvp@gmail.com

Accountant Urgently required Junior Accountant. Please send CV: hr.azatllc@gmail.com

Accountant having 4 yrs experience looking job. Contact: 99867456 Email: ashkar7673@gmail.com

Urgently required male Accountant & Office Admin. Contact: 96339339 Email CV on info@eigllcoman.com Urgently required Jr. Accountant/ Purchasing Manager (preferably Indian) 3-5 yrs Exp. to work with food stuff market. software/hardware knowledge would be an advantage, valid Omani D/L with NOC Contact 99417418 Reputed Construction Company require Accountant experience in Construction Company with accountancy degree.

Email: jvacancy05@gmail.com Urgently required cash investors for company’s profitable projects.

Contact: 92950082

beauty Urgently required beautician with min 3 years. Contact 93231403 Email: rainbowfurnishing156@ gmail.com Wanted experienced Beautician for beauty parlor in Al Amerat 3.

Contact: 91107337

Domestic Helper Urgently required housemaid.

Contact: 96339339 Email CV on info@eigllcoman.com REQUIRED URGENTLY Full time house maid for Omani family. Contact : 95164139 between 8.30 am to 5 pm Require qualify caregiver for an orderly mother. Contact 99425200 Indian House Maid with experience required to work in Sohar, visa ready.

Contact 99417418

Catering Chinese/ Arab/ continental cook & helper wanted.

Contact 95529970

designer Grade”A” company in interior Designing looking for: Operations manager Sales executive Qs Interior Designer CVs to be emailed to : alzahi.oman@gmail.com

driver Required heavy duty truck driver holding Omani driving license w/ 5 years experience please contact 92001111 Wanted driver. Contact: 95112461

Part time Accountant with 15 yrs exp in accounts, finance audit taxation. Contact: 95857199 Indian female Accountant with 5 yrs Gulf exp in accounts, audit, Admin payroll. Contact: 96263157

engineer

medical

Civil Construction company in Muscat looking for SUB Contractors for 3 floor commercial building (4 Nos – 3000 m2 each) project at Mabellah ready to start. For enquiries mail to awahaibitrad@gmai.com

General Practitioner DR to work in Bidbid, Prometric passed,3 years of work experience, Send CV clinic@m-oman.com

A leading civil construction company in Muscat requires Project Manager (BE. Civil) with minimum 10 years experience (Gulf experience preferred). Please send C.V to hr.azatllc@gmail.com Heavy Equipment Mechanic (sports) & (classic) (bicycle) 2No. Contact : 99550084 Engineering company in Muscat requires HVAC Engineer, minimum 7 Years experienced, knowledge in Tendering, BOQ, Design, Supply, Installation & Supervision of all Central & Unitary A/C systems.

Email: info@4dengineering.net Required Architectural Engineer for consulting company.

Contact: 99077856 Email: rgeorge@omantd.com Project Engineer Civil with degree only need to apply with 7 to 10 years experience in Gulf. Contact: Email: omaniantrad@gmai.com Urgently Required: Civil Engineer minimum 5years experience in building construction in GCC, MUST have NOC and immediately join.

Apply, fax 00968–24605955, emails sbc@steelbuildingsllc.com, sbeoman@yahoo.com.

Miscellaneous Required Indian or Pakistani calligrapher & Painter (staff accommodation) Contact# 24480487/24483493 Urgently required experienced Safety Officer with valid license for a reputed construction company.

Interested candidates can send their CVs to rajesh@oasisgrace.com Contact: 99881459 / 99885931 fax: 24812226 Wanted urgently Secretary to the managing partner, Sales Executive with driving license for rent a car business & electrical Engineer, linemen, electricians. All the above vacancies are for Salalah and enough experience required. Apply soon to hr_oman1@yahoo.com

Driver heavy duty required urgently for trailer. Oman / GCC experience must. Those ready for immediate joining. Contact: 99310859

it

Education

Software developer with experience in asp.net, sql server and crystal reports required for a software development firm. Email CV to hr@ promisworld.com

English teachers wanted immediately locations Muscat, Salalah, Ibri, Nizwa, Buraimi, Khabourah and Khasab. Contact: 91979343 email: eaglesmuscat@gmail.com Kindergarten in Seeb looking for (female) English Teacher bachelor in English language.

Contact: 99319259 / 93972775 Email: saif123.s171@gmail.com

engineer Required Electrical Engineer minimum 5years experience in building construction in GCC, MUST have NOC and immediately join. Apply, fax 00968–24605955, emails sbc@steelbuildingsllc.com, sbeoman@yahoo.com.

MEP Engineer on urgent basis required for immediate placement.

Please contact tgi17@omantel.net.om

medical Required Pharmacist for 2 months for a Pharmacy. Contact: 99705799 Required Indian or Bangladesh GP Doctor with M.O.H license & N.O.C available, attractive package.

Prometric passed Doctors can also apply. Contact: 97985325 Email: nooralfadayil@gmail.com Stuff Nurse for 2 months for a clinic in Muttrah.( LOCUM).

Contact: 99330385 Dental surgeon, Staff Nurses (female), Dental Technician with or without MOH license for a polyclinic near Sohar. Excellent salary package. Phone: 99006915, Email : alhinaee.clinic@yahoo.com

Urgently wanted Lady Ayurveda Therapist. Contact: 91590083 / 92798678 Immediately required lady Doctor (DGO) or GP with Gynecology experience & lab technician.

Contact: 99310590.

Email : tjmaluke@gmail.com

Sales / Marketing Urgently required out door Sales Executive for furnishing company with Oman D/L and min 3 years experience. Contact : 93231403 / rainbowfurnishing156@gmail.com Building Material Sales man required at Al Amerat shop.

Contact: 99467054 Required Chinese / Biryani cook / Sales person for restaurant.

Contact : 95395378 / 94053449 Urgent required Sales representative with local experience, car & Omani driving license ready with NOC. Send CV to nationalblueskyemployment@gmail. com A leading Tissue paper & food stuffs company requires Sales & Marketing person with minimum 5 yrs exp. in Oman with good communication skills & valid Oman D/L. Candidate with interior market knowledge & experience preferable.

Send CV : allub@alhosnigroup.com, fax: 24451430 Wanted male written & spoken Malayalam & Bengali as freelancers to conduct corporate & individual markets surveys on temporary basis, Must be fluent in English with driving license. Contact: 24701242 A leading building materials shop required Marketing Executive (Omani National only) 1No with minimum 2 years experience and driving license. Contact: 99808868 Email: aalfarsi2020@gmail.com Experienced Marketing representative – interlock blocks with light Omani driving license is required.

Contact 99222086 Looking for Outdoor Salesman for heavy equipment spare parts.

Contact - 93292015, Email: mail.om@gulfcenter.co Salesman required for a well established building materials company.

Oman D/L required.

Contact: 93698385 Email: united@omantel.net.om

Secretarial & office Required Omani Receptionist / Office assistant for a company in Ghoubra. Fresher’s can apply with expected salary.

Email : thomas.john@ext.gfk.com

SITUATION WANTsit. WANTED ED Account. & Finance Indian male,Accountant, B.com, 1 yr experience in auditing and having knowledge in tally. #94733824/95769355 32 male Pakistani Accountant B.Com having 2 years experience in Oman. Contact 99761664

Indian male, B.Com, MBA, having 5 years experience(3 years in U.A.E) is currently seeking suitable opportunities within finance/accounts/ admin dept. Contact:93953613, allen.mathew83@gmail.com Seeking for a job completed B.Tech in ECE under Anna University knowledge in hardware troubleshooting ready to work with accounting & software section holding one year experience in India.

Contact: 96142153

12 years Oman experienced Chief Accountant looking for immediate placement. Contact: 99513082 15 years Oman experienced Admin & Accounts Manager looking for suitable placement.

Contact: 92253080 Good experienced in accounts and Admin knowledge of Tally ERP9 having NOC looking for suitable job.

Contact: 98717938 Accountant Indian male 8 years experience, 6 years in Oman with Oman driving license, seeking suitable job. Contact 96012973 Indian 24 years MBA finance 2 years experience seeking suitable placement. Contact: 9822253 Indian female 25 yrs B.Com MBA / 3months experience looking for job in Accts /Mktg. Contact: 94657403 / 99355931 Indian female B.Com 20 yrs exp in Accounts / Insurance seeking suitable placement. Contact: 92986455 15 yrs of experience in Oman, Indian male – Accounts & finance professional with Oman driving license is looking for suitable position. Commerce Graduate with certifications in DPCS & PPGDCA. Contact 93422557 Indian male 22 years, having 1 year experience in accounts & admin looking for suitable vacancy.

Contact 97375512

admin 14 years of Gulf experience in HR / Admin & logistics fluent in Arabic / English with D/L looking for suitable position. Contact: 95824598 Indian male 2+yrs oman exp in HR. joing immediatly. release available.

Contact :93671437 Indian female 24 years MBA (HR) having 3 years experience in HR Administration, payroll seeking suitable placement. Contact: 91104352 / 99012861 Indian male looking for company job, 2 years visa light Oman D/ License experience in office works also & driving. Contact: 92233068 Egyptian legal adviser and consultant in international arbitration experience in legal affairs and administration, labor law and drafting and reviewing contracts is looking forward to work with the company.

Contact: 99664890 5 years experience in store and admin department with Omni driving license looking for suitable job, release available and can join immediately. Contact : 95860170 Indian female MBA, 3 Years experience in Admin MIS, Family Visa.

Contact 98234427, jkjsmith01@gmail.com BSCS hons (4 years) 2 years experience female currently on visit visa looking for any vacancy.

Contact: 91519478 Email: marryum.akmal@gmail.com

Indian National, male, 41 years, CA Inter, persuing CA final. Now on express visa. 7 years of Experience in OMAN as Finance and Accounts Manager in Trading, Construction and Firefighting industry. Total 21 Years of Experience seeking suitable Managerial positions. No visa issues. Immediate joining. Phone no: 98469311 Email:sebin30@yahoo.co.in

Accounts or sales 27 years male Graduate B.Com 2 years experience in Oman as Asst Accountant looking for suitable job currently working in Oman. Contact: 98427810 Email: shaheel9895@gmial.com Qualified Accountant 5 years experience bilingual Arabic & English, 2+ years in Oman. Contact: 95539923

Master degree HRM professional having excellent experience in finance and management and having 8 yrs experience looking for suitable placement. Contact: 92955453 / 91213269

Filipino Male 26 years old, Certified Public Accountant, Bachelor of Science in Accountancy with 5 yrs of experience now on visit visa, Looking for suitable opening.

Contact: +968 91278583, Email: kennethalcedo07@gmail.com

Indian male, M.Com & CA inter qualified seeking a suitable position in Audit/finance. Contact: 91148139

Male Admin office Manager, 16 years experience in Oman.

Contact: 95790291

Chartered Accountant with 7 years of post qualification experience in the areas of auditing/accounts & finance/taxation/IFRS, etc. seeking challenging job opportunity. Can obtain NOC. Email: sns2205@gmail. com and GSM +968 95763680.

Indian male, 30 years, CMA (Inter),M.com.4 out of 7 years experience in Oman in Auditing/ Accounts/ Finance. Having NOC and valid Oman D/L. Contact: 96746420, Email: sijuthampi@ymail.com MBA (Finance) with NOC, 6 years accounting and finance experience in Oman, knowledge of Tally ERP9 having Omani driving license seeks suitable placement.

Contact: 97205715 Email: ammar_uh@hotmail.com Chartered Accountant with ICWA Inter having 5 years experience in Finance, Accounts, Costing, Budgeting, Audit, Insurance, Treasury & Banking operations - NOC Available + OmanDrivingLicense Contact :97881548 Email-financecost2@gmail.com Indian male (34) B.Com with computer, 11 years experience as Store Manager, Accountant, Sales Executive having Oman driving license, looking for suitable job.

Contact: 92753822 13 years exp (7.5 years gulf exp) B.Com graduate, looking for Accountant job, GSM No:-92957064 with NOC. Energetic Finance & Audit Manager / Chief Accountant, C.A , MBA ,ACCA , CPA..15 yrs in GULF , Expert in Banking, Financing, Profit Maximizations, Admin, Biz Developments ,All ERPs Software’s, 15yrs Audit Exp. with Big 5 , NOC & Driving License Call 94403270 – 94504505 Accountant, Indian Male, 15 Years experience (8 Years in Oman with Driving License) seeks suitable placement with NOC, Contact 94117616, 91238272 Fresh Graduate B.Com with CIMA (partly Qualified) looking for a suitable position. Contact 94652485 6 years experienced male having masters degree and experience in sales, accounts, customer services and IT. Contact: 98823248 Email: sajjadhussain@yahoo.com

Indian female, 29 yrs, MBA (HR) 4 yrs exp in HR & Admin seeking suitable placement. Contact: 95619537

Motivated and energetic male 25 having 4 years of experience in finance with Master’s degree in Economics and CAT Certified seeking opportunity in Accounts/finance/ audit in a reputable organization.

Cell no: 00968-94626209 E-Mail: omerjawedshah@gmail.com

Beautician exp Gulf and India looking job. Contact 93554741

Accountant, Indian male, 10 years experience in Oman, having knowledge of Tally ERP9 & able to do upto finalization and can be joined immediately with NOC. Contact: 94134085 Email: mascatoman95@yahoo.com

Indian male 33 yrs DEM, chef DE Partie (Continental, Chinese & South Indian) 14 yrs exp in hotel Industry, 7 yrs in Oman N.O.C available, seeks placement. Contact 97858956 Email: pratheesh.chef@gmail.com

Indian male B.Com with Accountant, HR, Indoor sales, Store keeper on visit visa. Contact: 98295101

Indian male 33 yrs DEMI chef DE Partie Chinese South Indian, cold kitchen 13 yrs exp in Hotel industry 7 yrs in Oman, N.O.C available seeks placement. Contact: 95872464, Email: sreejith809@gmail.com

Well experienced and hard working Restaurant Manager seek immediate placement. Release available.

Contact: 92953199 Indian male Accountant B.Com 8 yrs in Oman exp with N.O.C, valid driving license. Contact: 95052969 Email: chetansmma@yahoo.co.in / chetansmma@gmail.com Jordanian Accountant (ACPA) with more than 15 yrs experience in Oman (Accounts, Purchase & finance). Contact: 92881223 Email: kamal_sarhan@yahoo.com Indian female MBA with 1 year experience seeks suitable placement. Contact: 98435532 MBA, B.Com CA (finalist) 7 years experience (2 years in Oman) looking for suitable placement in a reputable organization. Expertise in ERP, Tally Quickbooks, peachtree and Excel. NOC available.

Contact: 97736404 Email: adnantahir1990@gmail.com

admin Indian male MBA having 10 years experience as Document Controller and 2+ years experience as Project Assistant/ Executive Secretary in Oman seeks immediate placement.

NOC available. Contact: 95373198 Indian male B.Com & Tally with 2.5 years Admin/HR Experience in Oman with 2 years employment Visa seeking placement. Release Available 96796477 Egyptian woman resident in Muscat bachelor in business administration has an experience in the Executive Secretarial, HR and all the administration tasks very good in computer skills, looking for a job in a company. Contact: 97221126

beautician

Catering

driver Looking for job as Electrician, Gulf 7 years exp. Contact: 93015630 Driver with car (Fortuner).

Contact: 95365938 Looking for driving for job.

Contact: 98219182 Light driver, 10 yrs experience looking for job. Contact 93060050 Experienced LTV driver available.

Contact: 99514703 / 96943902 Bangladeshi male looking for job in any company or family, speak English, Hindi & Arabic, exp 3 years in Dubai taxi and 3 years in Oman in company. Contact: 93822195 Driver with car 3 yrs exp looking for part time job. Contact: 92041902 Light driver, age 3 yrs exp, KSA 7 years & Oman 5 years Education – HSC seeking job in Oman.

Contact: 98474031 NOC available Driver LTV 3 years exp available local release. Contact: 98503406 Job driver light operator shawl and excavator. Contact: 91376612 Light vehicle driver NOC available, seeks suitable job with 4 yrs exp in Oman having driving license.

Contact: 95683735 / 95495003 Driver 8 years exp India (Keralite).

Contact: 93412587 Light driver searching for job experience 5 years. Language English, Arabic & Hindi. Contact: 92458526 / 97941771 Faisal

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SITUATION WANTED

driver Light driver looking for suitable placement. Contact: 95141473 Driver available with car and without car. Contact 96771598 / 92883299 Looking for driver. Contact 91788481 Looking for driver job. Contact 93650209 Male Driver 2 years exp in Oman seeking suitable placement.

Contact 96362684 Driver with 8 years experience looking for job. Contact 98130645 / 94342106

Domestic Helper Experienced Indian lady is looking housemaid job looking full time job for European family total experience : 9 years, 2 years exp. with European family 6 years worked with Indian family language English & Hindi.

Contact: 93392788 Housemaid Indian looking for Madras family house job.

Contact: 93554741 Housemaid (full time / part time) looking for job. Contact: 95799643

Engg. / Technical 2 years experienced Electrical Engineer looking for suitable placement.

Contact: 98480509 B.Tech Computer Engineer wanted job to work on IT / Banking / sales marketing, MCITP, CCNA, Networking, having NOC. Contact: 98857689 Email: khanshoebameer@gmail.com Indian male B.Tech (ECE) CCNA 1 yrs exp in broadcast Engg having hands on exp in harris ADC,PPC, Velocity & Invenio, avid inews, vizrt,nexio farad, grass, valley kayak HD 300. also having on practice in PLC (AB,ABB, Siemens) DCS & scada systems. Contact: 00919846990093 / 99235291 Indian job in procurement & contract, have “12” years purchase & contract experience in infrastructure & energy sector. NOC is available. Contact-98009274 Engineer BE (Electrical, Electronics), Indian male 24 years, having 2 plus years of experience, seeking for suitable placement. Contact: 98201244 Indian male 24 years B.E mechanical 2 years exp. or visit visa.

Contact: 99247326 Indian (M) B.Tech (civil) with 2 yrs exp in Structural Designing using Etabs, Staad, Safe, excel looking for suitable position.

Contact: 96698342 / 98768045 Email: qadeertom@gmail.com Civil Engineer diploma holder having 7 years experience in construction / oil & gas as Site Engineer seeking for suitable placement.

Contact: 93294965 Civil Diploma Engineer 6 years experience in Oman Indian male with valid Oman D/L. Contact: 93356736 Electrical Engineer, B.Sc. degree/ B.Tech, 4 years experience. Looking for suitable placement. Available in visit visa. Contact: 94739355, Email: mahin.eee@gmail.com Indian male B.E Electronic and Communication Engineering & have 2 years experience in oil & gas sector (maintenance & construction).

Contact: 98848077 5+ years experience BE Electrical Engineer having knowledge in execution & basic knowledge in electrical design looking for suitable post.

Contact: 99704742 / 97469689

Engg. / Technical Indian male 23 B.E mechanical & AutoCAD 1 year experience currently on visit visa looking for suitable job.

Contact: 92835957 Email: rafeekmohammed84@gmail.com Indian male 25MBA having 4years Gulf experience in Coordination with contracting company .NOC Available. Looking for(Store,Coor dination,Admin,Backoffice) Jobs Ph:95405885 Indian male Electrical Engineer with 7 years experience (electrical, marine, fire fighting) valid Oman driving license seeking suitable placement. Contact 93396338 Email: syamsk2255@gmail.com Egyptian Civil Engineer-total experience 7 years - 2 years@Oman.

I have good experience in Technical office & site Works.

Contact: 98078095 M Tech Computer Science Engineer, female seeking suitable placement.

Contact : 93035521,96439645 Email : anzilav@yahoo.co.in DIPLOMA CIVIL Eng 5 year exp in building construct (MOE) in Muscat seeking suitable job.

(NOC AVAILABLE) GSM 95364183 Indian male 27 years, Mechanical Engineer (B.E) having experience seeks suitable placement holds valid Oman driving license, on visit visa. Contact: 98847638 MEP Project Engg 23 years experience out of 13 years in Gulf holding Electrical and driving license. NOC available. Contact: 98894682 Computer Engineer Iraqi Nationality 7 years experience seeking suitable placement. Contact: 94694146 Indian male diploma Civil Eng with 2 yrs experience on site as QS & AutoCAD seeking on site or - off site position. Contact: 94756183 Email: indianexpat1@gmail.com Engineer with 4 years Oman experience in telecom operations, having valid Oman driving license looking for a suitable opportunity, interested in Marketing also. Contact 98513495 Indian female, Electronics and Communication Engineering Graduate presently in Salalah Oman on visit visa, fresher, seeks entry in a reputed organization. Has good communication skills both in English and Hindi and excellent computer knowledge. Contact: 93889495/ 92089906 / 98152686 Email: rukzanabavakunju@gmail.com Indian m 25 yrs B.E Mechanical 3 yrs exp in oil & gas as Piping Project Engineer now on visit visa.

Contact: 96487013 Email: riarun.007@gmail.com Graduate Engineer Electronics & Communication, Indian (23) M.Tech from reputed University in Bangalore, 1 year experience, currently on visit Tel. 968-99152453 mail : robin.scaria.1992@gmail.com DIPLOMA + B.E. (CIVIL ENGINEER) from India, having 4 years of experience in construction, currently on visit visa; Seeking Right Position.

GSM:91570703.

Email:Rizwan.mohd1@gmail.com Civil Engineer B.E 12 years experience with valid Oman driving license. Contact: 93843448 Sudanese male Engineer looking for job. Contact: 94537607 Electrical Engineer bachelor degree having 6+ years experience of Gulf and professional license available to join. Contact: 98063081 Email: imran.engr08@gmail.com Indian 24 yrs male, 2 years experience in Site Engineer (Diploma in Civil Engineering), Now on visit visa in Oman. Contact: 94050311

Civil Engineer B.E, 5.5 years experience with Omani D/L. Contact: 96785311 Indian Male, Diploma in Civil Engineer working as a Project engineer with 7years of experience looking for suitable job. Contact- 92636569 SAP – SCM.MM Consultant B.Tech.

(Chemical), from NIT, working with oil industry, seeks employment.

Contact: 98049288 Indian female 23, B.Tech (Electrical & Electronics) & Diploma in Electrical CAD on Visit Visa seeks suitable placement.

Contact: 99278410 / 94027398, Email: renju.raghavan7@gmail.com Electrical Engineer Indian male 29 years, having 5 years of experience in industrial automation and utility maintenance in India (MRF Tyres) seeking suitable placement.

Contact: 92789995 Email: akhilabrahamlktr@gmail.com Btech computer science graduate 2015 passout.. Android application marketing.. Having good communication skills and mindset to work in a team. Contact 91024385 B.E in ECE worked as Junior Scientist Trainee in Chennai worked as System Admin in Berik Honda Nagger coil worked at Technical Support in Samsung Service, presently in Bangalore.

Contact : 0091 7026267513 Engineer with 3 yrs experience in Indian in MEP, HVAC& mechanical maintained field on visit visa looking for suitable job. Contact 99191535 Email: fareed029@gmail.com Indian Male, IT Support Engineer, 2 yrs in Oman & 5 yrs Indian experience. Contact 97311847 Electrical Eng. Degree (MEP) need suitable job of construction 12 yrs exp.

Email: mohd.ateeq.khan@gmail.com

education Female 24, with 6 yrs of experience in teaching Montessori & kindergarten grade. Currently in Salalah on visit visa, seeks suitable placement.

Contact 97306607 Email Id: amna.ast@gmail.com

it IT System Support: Indian Male 2 years exp in Oman & 3 years in India. Contact 91937060 Communications networks, Technician specializing in the main divider and ADSL VDSL system experience of STC. Contact 93398796 Indian visit visa, Network / System Engineer switches, routers, servers, load balancers 5 yrs of exp holds B.E (ECE), CCNA looking for good opportunity. Contact: 91911792 Email: arafakdnl@gmail.com Diploma holder in Computer Hardware and Networking with valid Oman driving license, NOC available seeking suitable placement.

Contact: 95249087 / 93095329 B.Tech (CSE) Diploma Fire & safety IOSH, NEBOSH having 3.5 years exp in MNC on visit.

Contact: 90260889 Male 25 B.Com with 3.5 years experience in IT and Administration excellent computer and communication skills, web developing and handling, looking for relevant job, on family visit till 5th Oct 2015.

Contact: 91298960 Email: usman.ali786@hotmail.com Male BE ECE having 1 years experience CCTV, ACCESS CONTROL, Server now on visit visa, seeking suitable opportunity.

Contact 96792239

Medical Male Staff Nurse looking for job passed Prometric 63% + 3 years experience. Contact: 94035637 / 95068075 If you need A GP DOCTOR now: Immediately want change placement preferably in Sohar areas .

23 yrs of uninterrupted experience in Oman .Hospital, Polyclinic & Big companies having own clinic can contact. Mobile : 95406530 .

Prefer Email to get Bio-data : uneedgpdr@yahoo.com BA degree Nursing professional having excellent looking for suitable placement. Contact: 92955453 /91213269 Female Nurse - Indian, well experienced, Prometric passed – 60%, currently on visit visa, ready to join immediately. Kindly contact: 9721 9495 / 9655 0603 or jshani67@gmail.com GP Doctor Yemeni national-male, with 4 years of work experience.

Mobile:00966531598754 Email: alsyaniramzy@gmail.com

Miscellaneous Indian material controller / store keeper with 9 years exp , seeking job in Oman NOC/ Release available.

Contact: 91946174 Electrician, Plumber, Driver, looking for job. Contact 95175192 Mason, still fitter, carpenter, helper, looking job. Contact 95175192 Indian male, Post Graduate in law, 15 + experience - seeks suitable position in corporate companies.

Contact: 92844354

Manager/ Supervisor Indian with license looking job safety officer, camp boss. Supervisor or marketing. Contact: 94003617 Facility / Project Mgmt, 4+ yrs of exp holds B.E (ECE) Indian visit visa looking for suitable opening.

Contact: 98580569 Email: arafacareer@gmail.com

Sales / Marketing Indian male B.Com & MBA Graduate 11 years experience airline travel & tourism, Sales & Marketing in Dubai & Oman with driving license NOC available. Contact: 92552612 Email: mazmanu1@gmail.com Indian male 27 years, B.Tech Graduate having good work experience with valid Oman D/L looking for a suitable opening as Sales Engineer.

Contact: 91472953 Email: harees.rasheed.2014@gmail.com Procurement / Purchase Executive 1.6 yrs exp in Oman construction industry Indian male 27 yrs, MBA with valid Oman D/L, available for immediate placement.

Contact: 96300958 / 24796010 Business intelligence / Global Marketing management specialist with 9 years of experience developing brand value & managing overall projects to achieve business objectives seeking suitable position on family visit. Contact: 91902154 Indian male 35 yrs, 10 yrs experience in FMCG Sales & Marketing in UAE with valid GCC license looking for suitable position on visit.

Contact: 93438747 / 93033252 Indian male MBA (Marketing) 26 on visit visa, with experience in stores looking for suitable position in warehouse stores logistics or in sales. Contact: 96915871 Email: ajanadoor@yahoo.com Indian female 35 years MCA, MBA six sigma black belt, 14 years Gulf experience in business analytics, Marketing business development qualities seeks placement. NOC available, Omani driving license available. Contact: 95783792 MBA from UK with 9 yrs experience in London, Dubai & Mumbai. Specialized GCC experience in top real estate co & bank with driving license. NOC available. #968 95168205, dubaihomes1@gmail.com Sales Mechanical Engineer 14 year’s exp looking for Senior position. Contact: 0091 9600987895 Email: srameson@yahoo.co.in Indian male B.Com (Computer) looking Sales Manager.

Contact: 97235819, Email: aji.roja@gmail.com

Indian 44 yrs, 16 yrs Indian Army 5 and Half years in Oman exp ware house, seeks suitable placement in store, ware house or sales having Oman driving license. # 94050311 Indian Keralite, 27 yrs, experience 3 years in sales with visa & NOC, driving license seeks suitable job.

Contact: 98626682 22 years Indian B.Com Graduate having 5 years experience in Sales with a valid Oman driving license looking for a suitable job.

Contact: 97302353 Sudanese Business development Manager, long experience International trade in Oman (import /export / marketing) seeking suitable placement full / part time in reputable company. Contact: 91173146

Skilled / unskilled Welder 16 years experience Arc Tig Welding & fabrication seeks placement, NOC available. Contact: 91345047 / 91604842

Tours & Travels Five years experience in Travel field ,BCom.,IATA & pursuing MBA, Presently working in the Travel Desk of (ITC managed) Five Star Hotel in India.Looking for a suitable position in the Middleeast.

Contact 9465 2485 B.Com IATA MCSE working for Qatar Airways, Sales Reservation, ticketing English, Hindi, and Malayalam, Marathi NOC is available.

Contact: 92954613 Indian male B.Com MBA (Tourism) 23 years, seeks a job in any field currently on visit visa. # 92363811 Email: faizekk@gmail.com

Miscellaneous Indian, male, 41 years, CA Inter, Persuing CA final. Now on express visa. 7 years of Experience in OMAN as Finance and Accounts Manager in Trading , Construction and Firefighting industry. 21 Years of exp. seeking suitable Managerial positions. No visa issues. Immediate joining. #98469311 Email:sebin30@yahoo.co.in

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Daily guide

Email: dailyguide@timesofoman.com Tel. 24726666 Ext: 413 / 430 431 / 456 / 461

Fax: 24812624

SITUATION WANTED Miscellaneous CCNA MCITP network support / network technician with 2 years experience Indian male having bachelors degree on visit visa. # 93080871 sean.f.peters@outlook.com Indian Male 22 Years, Graduation In Electronics Seeking Jobs In Supervisory , Sales & Sales Co-ordination Fields , Good Communication Skill Contact 96141317, E-mail: akhilek5@gmail.com Indian Female B.Sc., B.Ed.(Maths), M.C.A residing in Al-Ghubra seeking a teaching position as a Math Teacher GSM.- 94231633 Indian Female Interior Designer, 4.5 yrs experience, seeking immediate mid-senior level position with firm having lady clearance. NOC Available. Contact 93033072 Driver with car seeking suitable post. Contact : 91660291 Sudanese.male 32 years.B.SC mechanical engineer.7years experience.5 years experiance in Gulf. working now in water pipeline projects.fluent Arabic and English.have Omani driving license.looking for good opportunity TEl:91117089 Indian Male 22 years, ACCA Affiliate with B..Sc. Degree in Applied Accounting having three months working experience seeking suitable placement in Finance / Accounts / Audit. Holding valid Oman D/L. Contact 97378607 / 92558734 Indian female Nurse, Prometric passed 64%, 5 years of experience, MOH licensed, presently working in Oman seeking a suitable placement in reputed Hospitals, NOC available.

Contact: 98329941, Email: ancyanish2011@gmail.com.

Part- Time Accountant, well experience senior accountant, doing all type of accounting works, Finalization, Budgeting available.

Contact 98803439 B.Tech Mechanical Engineer, Indian male 23 yrs, currently on visit visa seeking suitable placement.

Contact: 94070164 Email: prathapkumarthuvara@yahoo.com Female from India -MA. B.Ed. with One year three months Teaching experience. English seeking for a urgent better placement, Now working in Oman. #: 93961142, 92184408 Email:-anoopkesavan78@gmail.com.

Video Editor 29 years Indian male with 8 years experience on visit visa looking for a suitable placement.

Contact: 91275969 / leomoorkoth@gmail.com 8 yrs exp 2d, 3d Draughtsman (HOLDING OMANI DRIVING LICENSE) seeking job. Contact : 97449630 Tunisian shoes designer wuth 40years expereince in designing and manifacturing loocking for a job in a related field contact : 97816917 Indian male MBA + TALLY , 29 years & 7years experience in Administration and Manager level in Reputed companies, Seeking suitable placement.#96297709 / +91 9066130371, Email: jomonjohnm9@gmail.com Indian female MBA Finance currently on visit visa seeks immediate placement. Phone: 968-98430089 Indian male,27, IT/Telecom Engineer, 2 yrs exp in Oman, with valid Oman D/L, NOC Available. Ph: 9393 8727 ACCOUNTANT, Indian male, 29 years.8 years experience .Presently working in Oman as a Senior Accountant with oman Driving license.

NOC available. Seek suitable opportunity. GSM: 98184170

Indian Male, 28, B.Com, 6+ yrs exp in Accounts, 2 yrs in Oman with Valid Oman D/L, NOC available.

Contact: 9719 4864 Indian male post graduate.2 years experience in sales. currently in oman on visit visa.seeks suitable placement.Gsm 92388346 Civil site coordinator, Diploma, Male 25, now present in Oman, Seeking job in Oman. Contact: 92875345, jubincivileng@gmail.com Syrian male 3yrs. exp in IT support, Networking, Security systems, Server support, IT sales and marketing.

Valid Omani D/L seeking suitable placement. Contact 91033395 Chartered Accountant with 7 years of post qualification experience, seeking challenging job opportunity.

Experience in auditing/accounts & finance/taxation/IFRS, etc.

GSM +968 95763680

Indian male Auto cad Draughtsman (civil) 8 years experience seeking for part time job.

Contact : 00968 99070584, Email: remluvp@gmail.com ACCOUNTANT, Indian Male, 25 years old, 5 years Experience (2 years in Oman & 3 years in India) Presently working in Oman. Going exit on this week with NOC. Seeking suitable opportunities. GSM : 97018783 Civil Engineer, Diploma, Male 25, 3 years experience in site, CAD, 3d, MS Project, Seeking job in Oman. # 92875345, jubincivileng@gmail.com Indian male accountants, 12 years experience, tally also. Looking for a part time/ full time job in accounts or purchase. Contact- 98983122 Indian Female 2yrs exp. in Accountant 5 yrs exp. in Electronics, seeking suitable Job. Contact: 97162705,93705090

Male Indian 27, working as finance analyst having two years Oman experience with Driving license looking for suitable position.

Mob: 98097009, rameesnm@gmail.com

Indian male, 14 years Experience in maintenance & Supervisor in hotel field (Electrical, Ac Mechanical & Plumber). NOC available Contact 95253640 email = hareeshma24@yahoo.com

FRESH - B.Com Graduate on Family Visa, looking for any suitable Job. Contact : 92567020 / 95322175, Email: shwayanad@gmail.com

Female Candidate: Having experience (ISRO India) in Administration (seeking suitable opportunities &presently in Oman Mob:97239854, Mail:asherlalitha@yahoo.com

Admin Executive, Indian Female having 10 years Gulf experience in seeking suitable placement currently working in Muscat.

Email: meenafajar@yahoo.com, Mobile 0096893211402 Having 9+ years exp. in Administration & HR in reputed companies.

Presently working in Muscat and seeking for suitable placement.

Contact No.: 97693456. Email : muralimahdav77@gmail.com MOH Indian Dentist 10 years experience in Oman. Can speak Arabic, has driving license. Contact 98995321 or ventureoman007@gmail.com Omani , female, have diploma in quantity survey, bachelor in Constitution management, seeking situated placement at Sohar.

Tel 94454180, Mail nhlmct@yahoo.com Finance Manager / Chief Accountant / Audit Manager, C.A , MBA ,ACCA , CPA..15years in GULF , Expert in Banking ,Financing, Profit Maximizations , Admin & Management, Business Developments , ERPs Software’s, Audit Exp. with Big 5 , NOC & Driving License Call 94403270 or 94504505 Indian male having 4 years of experience in IT Support & networking. Currently on visit visa. seeking suitable opportunities. Contact: 92013641.

Indian Male 24 years, Looking for a Suitable Job in Telecom / Networking. 1 year sales experience. MSc. Communications Engineering & Valid Driving license. Ph: 91280121.

Email: jackrprasad@yahoo.com 29 years Indian female (MBAFinance) with 4+yrs experience (Oman) in Accounts is seeking suitable placement in Accounts/Admin.

Contact:96141283.

SENIOR ACCOUNTANT, Indian male,29 years.8 years experience .Presently working in Oman as a Senior Accountant with oman Driving license. NOC available. Seek suitable opportunity. GSM: 97705854 MEP Quantity Surveyor-EstimationProject, 10 Years Experience (3 years in Oman). Having NOC & Oman D/L. Looking for suitable job, Contact – 98291626

Diploma civil Engineer seeking jobs(positions suits me: civil engineer ,site engineer,qa/qc engineer,land surveyor ,total station, auto level,draftsman (autocad, microstation) mob:97239854, Mail:asherlalitha@yahoo.com Indian Female 10 years exp as cook in Oman. South Indian & Gujarati special looking for part-time job Contact 96733187.

BRANCH-HEAD, MBA-BBA, Indian Male having experience in UAE, India, Oman total 5 years (including MNC), looking for similar or same openings.

NOC available. #:92700670, E mail:catanalur131@gmail.com Qualified Native speaking male English Teacher with 18 years experience seeks position. Salary Negotiable. Whatsapp on +968 9334 1047 / +968 93952732 or e-mail me on nadgov@gmail.com Indian female, IATA, B. Sc, looking for suitable placement.Contact-95514305, E mail idraveendranmala@gmail.com ACCOUNTANT, Indian male, 29 years, 8 years experience. Presently working in Oman as a Senior Accountant with Oman Driving license.

NOC available seek suitable opportunity. GSM: 98184170 Freelance Graphic Designer available to assist in Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign and Corel Draw Projects.

Contact : 95811820 Indian Female Lawyer 36 Yrs having 11 yrs experience presently working in Oman as Legal Advisor seeks placement in Legal/HR/Admin NOC available Contact-94436960 Email: famidakhan123@gmail.com 23, Male, ACCA Affiliate, 2 years+ experience in Audit and Finance in audit firm, Looking for suitable permanent placement, NOC release Available. Contact: #95140445 a.saran891@gmail.com MBA - (F), M.Com, B.COM. Indian female having knowledge of accounts with Tally looking for part time or full time job. Presently on family visa. Contact :- 91892264.

Email:- yashicapandya@gmail.com

SITUATION WANTED 12 yrs exp FREELANCE 2d, 3d Draughtsman (holding Omani driving license). Contact : 93790601 MBA (F), B.COM. Indian female having knowledge of accounts with Tally looking for full or part time job. presently on family visit visa.

Contact :- 96259171.

Email:- bhumicapandya@gmail.com Seeking Teaching Position. Qualified and experienced Native English speaking teacher seeking position in Muscat, I have a Teaching Diploma , two Honours Degrees and a CELTA Certificate. Position at Language school will be suitable. Will e-mail CV. Whatsapp only +96893952732 Sudanese male, 31 year, have 3 year Diploma in Electrical Engineer, 6 years experience in construction and electrical plant. Mobile :94549609 Indian male-28 Years, Diploma in Electrical Egg, having gulf experience. Specialization on Electrical Installation and Maintenance, Operation. 7 years experience seeks for suitable placement.:95334580.

E-mail -sunilkumar257.sk23@gmail.com

Indian Male, 34 years old, DEE – Electrical Supervisor 10 years Oman experience. Ready for NOC , VISA transfer and valid Oman driving licence light, ready to join immediately, Mob +91 9740679094, kulasekar1980@gmail.com 24 years, Indian Chartered Accountant male with 3 yrs of experience is seeking suitable placement in Muscat, currently on visit visa & ready to join immediately. Kindly contact him on 98201476 or email at lokeshkaluri@gmail.com Indian Male, 38 years old, DME – Mechanical Maintenance Technician 11 years Oman experience.

Ready for NOC , VISA transfer, ready to join immediately, Mob :95612870, seeniselvan@gmail.com Young Indian Chartered Accountant, female, Having 6 years experience in Oman and India. Accounts and Finance Manager, Auditor.

Urgently seeking suitable positions.

Contact 92530131, jobcareer44@gmail.com

Indian male auto cad draughtsman (civil) 8 years experience seeking for part time job Mobile 99070584, E mail: remluvp@gmail.com

Indian male 25 years B.tech computers (Having 3 years of experience in customer service/Admin/IT Support) looking for suitable position.

Visa Transfer/NOC Available immediate to join. Contact: 98402389, Mail: naresh6672@gmail.com

SENIOR ACCOUNTANT, Indian male,29 years.8 years experience .Presently working in Oman as a Senior Accountant with oman Driving license. NOC available, seek suitable opportunity. GSM: 97705854

Manager, Young Indian Male, MBA, BBA. Having excellent managerial experience (around 5 years) in leading Multi-National-Company.

Looking for suitable positions. #92700670,fardhaan@gmail.com

Sudanese male (B.Sc Computer Science) (Diploma Computer Engineering) 6 yrs. experience DBA Oracle PL-SQL , MS SQL-server, MS visual studio VBA, network.

Contact :91415886

Indian Female MA. B.Ed. with One year three months Teaching experience. Subject: EnglishSeeking for a Better placement. Now working in Oman. # 93961142, 92184408, Email:-anoopkesavan78@gmail.com

Syrian male 3yrs. exp in IT support, Networking, Security systems, Server support, IT sales and marketing.

Valid Omani D/L seeking suitable placement. Contact 91033395

ACCOUNTANT: Indian male 25 having 4years experience in accounting & having well knowledge in tally.

Contact:968094535881, 0091 9037622048 Email: vishnuraj889@gmail.com

Tunisian women looking for a job, khnows english,frensh, italian and arabic. Contact: 91171838 BSc Graduate, INDIAN male , seeking suitable jobs.

GSM: +91-8589820233.

MAIL ID: prajinap45@gmail.com

ACCA Affiliate, 2.5years experience in Audit/Finance in Global Big6 Firms and Oil company in Oman, Looking for suitable permanent placement. Release NOC Available.

Contact: #95140445, a.saran891@gmail.com

Available for part time accounting job, contact 99196621 Electrical Engineer, 29, Indian Male, having 7+ years exp. in reputed companies. Seeking suitable placement in any Oman.

Contact - 97693456.

Mail ID : venkatbadri23@gmail.com BE. Biomedical Engineer, 5 years experience in the same field (Hospital/company)looking for suitable placement. Contact:92084807 Email:bonnygeorge1005@gmail. com ELECTRICAL ENGINEER – Indian male seeking Electrical Engineer job with 2 years’ experience.

Contact: 94263445, E mail – janardhanan53@gmail.com 32 years, Filipina with experience in Teleperformance, Manila call centre, now working as Waitress in Qatar seeking suitable post.

Contact 99022484 24 Years, indian male 2.5 Years experience in admin & accounts, dubai. Currently on visit visa. Seeking suitable placement in admin & accounts. M: 93016252 EMAIL: shahabaskp@gmail.com Indian male, MBA with 20 years of experience in back office operation, risk and operational management, financial management for Finance and Trading companies. Presently available on visit visa. # 91276221 CCNA MCITP network support /network technician with 2 years experience indian male having bachelors degree on visit visa. #93080871 sean.f.peters@outlook.com Omani male , BBA ,with 6 year experience in HR &Admin looking for opportunity in HR & Admin in Muscat. Joint date after one month notice period . Mobile 92223279 Having 9+ years exp. in Admin, Purchase, Stores & Warehouse in reputed companies. Presently working in Muscat and seeking for suitable placement. Contact +968 97693456. email : muralimahdav77@gmail.com Video Editor 29 years Indian male with 8 years experience on visit visa looking for a suitable placement Contact 91275969 leomoorkoth@gmail.com

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SITUATION WANTED cargo

Dolphin Watch, Dhow Cruise with Buffet, & Land Tours Al- Ainain Marine Tours Contact- 98029602, 92808636

Tours

driving

RENT A CAR Driver for Automatic Transmission. Contact: 99040813 Learn driving with professional only automatic. Contact 94022250

Transportation Transport. Contact: 93637289 Transport. Contact: 95190627 Transportation. Contact: 91310107 House shifting, transporting.

Contact : 94229277 Pick & drop anytime in Al Khuwair.

Contact 99764307 Transportation. Contact: 96538078 Transportation. Contact:98522914 Transportation. Contact 99508282 Car for rent. Contact: 92516090 Silver Car, car for rent. Contact: 96166155 / 98402662

Butter cup rent a car competitive prices new car 2016.

Contact: 97249449

Transportation. Contact: 98244078 Pick & Drop any time. Contact: 97014786

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Daily guide

Email: dailyguide@timesofoman.com Tel. 24726666 Ext: 413 / 430 431 / 456 / 461

Fax: 24812624

SITUATION WANTED services

COMPUTER

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WANTED ED

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Genuine Ayurvedic treatments & massage, Ayurvedic clinic at AL Khuwair. Contact: 24478618 / 97263637 / 93309131 Ayurvedic treatment for joint pain, backache, paralysis massage, steam bath, obesity, spondylitis IDEAL , CARE Ayurvedic Clinic 18 November street, Azaiba.

Contact 99639695 / 99117987

WEB, ERP and Business Intelligence (BI) creation and management at rock bottom price.

Contact: http//webviewoman

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House shifting & transporting.

Contact 92490422

Ayurvedic treatment for backache, paralysis, arthritis etc & massage, All Season (Vaidyaratnam).

Contact 24475280 / 95371554 / 92504980 www.siddhayur.com 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

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Innovative Indian Male 29, B.E & M.Tech Web designer / developer with over 5.5 years of work experience in HTML 5, CSS 3, SEO, Digital marketing (DFP & DCM), Magento, CMS, Photoshop and Dreamweaver.

Can join ASAP. Contact 00968 9630 3055 / email: aditya.khandkar@gmail.com

Sudanese/ 26 years/ master of clinical pharmacy(1st class)/ 1 year experience/live in India/excellent communication in English(IELTS Certificate) and arabic/pharmacist license/hassan_kassala@hotmail. com 00919600413966-96387227

SITUATION WANTsit. WANTED ED 10 YEAR Experienced PHYSICAL EDUCATION TEACHER. Currently working at Kerala, India.

Seeks placement.

Contact: 95872030 email: - sajith3969@gmail.com Indian female MA. B.Ed. with one year three months teaching experience. Subject: English Seeking for a Better placement. Now working in Oman Contact: 93961142, 92184408 Email:anoopkesavan78@gmail.com Indian female Nurse with 5 yrs of experience, presently working in Oman, seeking for suitable placement. NOC available can join immediately. Contact: 98329941 Email: ancyanish2011@gmail.com

Established running Grade -1 tender board construction company with work force, plant, staff, credit suppliers & financial credit limit up to 335,000/- in place only serious buyers. Please Contact: civilprojects57@gmail.com

Marble crystallization restore the original shine of your marble. Contact 24793614/ 99314807

GUARANTEED CLEANING: Carpet & sofa shampooing, Contact 99314807/24792998

House shifting.

Contact 99708138

Split & widow unit A.C servicing & repairing. Contact: 99557080

New company seek partnership.

Contact: 96996938

Split window cassette AC unit servicing, maintenance.

Contact: 99540621

Split & window unit A.C servicing & maintenance.

Contact: 96236476

House shifting packing.

99657644 / 98518013

Window & split unit A.C servicing & maintenance. Contact : 93769089 / 95323517

Looking for financial partner or investor for running small industry. Contact : 92337002 General Investors.

Gsm-99674870 IELTS preparation course. Unlock your educational and career opportunities with eagles to achieve your required band. # 91979343

Matrimonial Remarriage, Pentecostal boy, LLB 35 /170 Project Executive hailing suitable proposal. .

Contact 97413778 Email: winupaul01@gmail.com Christen boy 31-170.

Contact: 95131495

Split & window A.C servicing & maintenance. Contact 93769089/95323517

Serious investor needed for succeeded furniture company for expansion purposes.

Contact: 99041337

Matrimonial Sunni Muslim girl, Indian origin, 20 yrs BA graduate from Oman, good looking homely with good religious values, seeking alliances from Muslim professionals, well settled in Oman or Middle East.

Contact: 99644760 or Email: ghulamuzma23@gmail.com

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 Marble Restoration, Mosaic tiles polishing, carpet shampooing, maintenance.Contact ABU QABAS99320217 /24788722 A/C Maintenance & servicing, fridge, washing machine & dish washer repairing, painting & cleaning services, electrical & plumbing.

Contact: 99447257 / 97014234 / 24504281

Pest control Treatments, cockroaches, Ants Rodents & termites.

Ocean Center LLC. Contact: 99357908 / 99344723.

Water proofing ABUQABASContact 99320217/24788722 General cleaning & Shampooing.

Ocean Center LLC. Contact: 99344723 / 99357908 Civil maintenance - plumbing, electrical, painting, and tiling, interior decorations, shop furnishing and all other maintenance works.

Contact: 97897831 / 92112094 (Indian, Keralite)