Times of Oman

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ELVIS PRESLEY’S JETS ONED SET TO BE AUCTIONED Elvis Presley’s pair of personal jets, one complete with gilded wash basin and plush sleeping quarters, will go under the hammer. >A9

SATURDAY, January 3, 2014 / 12 Rabi Al Awal 1436 AH

DECISION

Royal Decree ratifies State Budget 2015 MUSCAT: His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said has issued a Royal Decree No. 1/2015 ratifying the State’s General Budget for the fiscal year 2015.

Article (1) states that the State’s Budget 2015 shall be ratified in accordance with the tables attached to the Decree.

Article (2) instructs all ministries and government units to implement the provisions of this Decree, each within the scope of its jurisdiction. Article (3): The Decree shall be published in the official gazette and be enforced on January 1, 2015. -ONA

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OMR2.5 billion shortfall expected in 2015 budget Budget Proposal 2015 (In OMR billion)

Education and health

Change (%) 14.1

4.5

3 billion 1.6 billion

Expenditure 11.6

Budget allocation for education

Budget allocation for healthcare

-1

Actual budget of 2014

Revenue 9.16

-5.7

13.9b

14.5b

Oil revenue 1.8

12.5

2.5

38.9

F O R I N M AT E S

Subsidy

Royal amnesty MUSCAT: His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said, Supreme Commander, has issued a Royal amnesty for a number of inmates convicted for different crimes.

The Royal amnesty included 209 inmates of whom 117 are of different nationalities. The amnesty, issued by His Majesty the Sultan, coincides with the Prophet’s (PBUH) birth anniversary and in consideration of their families. —ONA

Deficit Source: Ministry of Finance

Actual public revenues

Actual spending

Graphics

The major development projects, which are either directly implemented by the government or built by government-owned companies, are expected to stimulate economic activity and generate jobs

TOP THREE INSIDE STORIES

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GCC body approves goods’ specifications

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The secretary general of the GCC-SO said that the technical council of the GCC-SO approved a new set of Gulf standard specifications for a number of goods & products. >A3

INDIA

Fishing boat with explosives blows up

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A Pakistani fishing boat laden with explosives bound for India blew up, killing all four people on board, after the Indian coast guard tried to stop it. >A5

SPORTS

Sayyid Khalid boosts Oman campaign

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OFA Chairman Sayyid Khalid Al Busaidi arrived in Australia and made his presence felt at the Oman’s training session. >A12

The estimated public expenditure for 2015 is up 4.5% compared to 2014. The estimated public revenue is down 1% over the last year

MUSCAT: A deficit of OMR2.5 billion is expected in the Oman government’s expenditure and revenue in the 2015 budget estimated at OMR14.1 billion and OMR11.6 billion respectively.

There was no surprise in the budget in the wake of a 48 per cent fall in crude oil prices, which constitute 79 per cent of the government revenue. It also appears that the government did not accept the harsh measures mooted by Majlis Al Shura to enhance revenue.

The estimated public expenditure for the current year is up 4.5 per cent compared to last year’s

expenditure estimate. However, the estimated public revenue is one per cent less than the previous year’s estimate.

Ministry of Finance The budget deficit estimate of OMR2.5 billion constitutes 21 per cent of revenue and 8 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP) of the country, said a statement from the Ministry of Finance.

The budget deficit will be met by issuing long-term Islamic bonds or sukuks.

The current expenditure of OMR9.6 billion represents 68 per

cent of total public expenditure, while investment expenditure at OMR3.2 billion makes up the remaining 22 per cent.

Subsidy programmes The investment expenditure is mainly for funding infrastructure projects, oil and gas projects and ventures implemented by government-owned companies. Another OMR1.1 billion is for various government subsidy programmes, which make around 8 per cent of the overall expenditure, added the ministry statement.

As far as the government revenue is concerned, oil revenue at OMR9.16 billion constitutes 79 per cent of overall revenue, while non-oil revenues are estimated at OMR2.44 billion, making up 21 per cent of total revenue. However, the ministry did not reveal the assumed oil price for calculating government revenue.

The major development projects, which are either directly

GDP set to grow by 5% in 2015 A E JAMES businesseditor@timesofoman.com

MUSCAT: Oman’s economy is expected to grow by five per cent this year, against an estimated 4.4 per cent growth in gross domestic product (GDP) in 2014, according to the Ministry of Finance.

“National economy is expected to continue growth at an acceptable rate, driven by

implemented by the government or built by government-owned firms are expected to stimulate economic activity and generate job opportunities.

These projects include the first segment of the national railway project between Sohar and Buraimi, the first and second phase dualisation of the road from Adam to Thumrait, an integrated fisheries complex at Duqm and additional infrastructure work at Duqm Port in addition to the Liwa residential township, the sewage network in the Muscat governorate and the wastewater treatment plants in various wilayats.

The other projects are the Oman Food Investment Holding for manufacturing poultry meat and dairy products, the development of infrastructure for aquaculture ventures, three hotels (in five-star and four-star categories) of Omran and Liwa Plastic and the Muscat-Sohar multiproduct pipeline projects of Orpic.

the growth of non-oil activities and effective strength of domestic demand and high oil production,” the Ministry of Finance said in a statement, which was released to announce the state budget.

Growth rate of non-oil sector is expected at 5.5 per cent and the main areas of focus include construction, electricity and water, trading, services and manufacturing industries. See also >B1

About OMR9.6 billion has been allocated to social sectors such as education, health, housing, training and other services, which have remained at the same level as compared to last year.

Education sector The budget allocation for the education sector will be OMR3 billion, which constitutes 21.3 per cent of the total expenditure.

This is for setting up 41 new schools in different wilayats, to provide training within the country and outside at a cost of OMR95 million. The healthcare sector will get OMR1.6 billion, making up 11.3 per cent of the total government expenditure.

This is for setting up 11 hospitals and primary health centres across the country. The budget allocation for the social insurance and welfare sector will be OMR129 million.

The housing sector will get an allocation of OMR2.3 billion. >A3

D E L AY I N D I S T R I B U T I O N

Long wait for plots in Muscat over for 150 nationals; many still in the queue FAHAD AL GHADANI

fahadnews@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: For many Muscat residents, the seven-year wait for plots was over as the Ministry of Housing allotted lands to 150 nationals on Thursday.

The ministry revealed on Twitter that the distribution began on January 1, and plots are being awarded as per the application dates.

For those who had applied in late 2008, it has been a long wait. “I have been waiting for the last seven years,” said Ali Abdullah, who had applied in 2008 and kept checking the list of names announced by the ministry for a long time.

“Even though I know that the place where I will be allotted a plot will be at quite a distance from the residential areas, it is still good news,” he said.

The ministry has been looking for alternatives, including signing of agreements with specialised companies for levelling of some sites in Muscat. However, minis-

86,000 people have applied for subsidised government land since 2009, but the ministry has approved only 38,220 plots

try records show that even though there were nearly 119,000 residential plots in Muscat, the number of applicants exceeded that number and that led to a delay in their distribution.

The ministry also explained that a major challenge was the mountainous terrain in a number of regions and the effect of wadis on some sites.

The ministry began distributing commercial and industrial land in Muscat and the names of many eligible applicants were published in local newspapers.

To make it easy for the youth

across the country to own their own homes, the ministry is looking to distribute residential plots at subsidised rates as property prices are going out of their reach. This is also being done to reduce the waiting list of those who are paying subsidised mortgages.

Rising property prices According to national statistics, one out of every four married couples still lives with their parents because they cannot afford to take a loan due to rising property prices.

Around 86,000 people have applied for subsidised government land since 2009, but the ministry has approved only 38,220 plots during this period, which is less than 50 per cent of the demand.

Omanis above the age of 22 are entitled to subsidised land but they may have to wait for some more time for their turn.

According to the 2014 figures compiled by leading estate agents in Oman, an average residential plot in Muscat is being sold for OMR67,000, while a five-bedroom

villa carries an average price tag of OMR156,000.

The Ministry of Manpower’s statistics show that the average salary of an Omani worker in the age group of 21 to 28 years in the private sector is OMR680 per month — certainly not enough to buy land and get a loan to construct a house. This restricts the ability of young people to own a house and leave their parental homes.

The Majlis Al Shura suggested providing affordable housing to citizens and the members are optimistic about the government’s decision after the positive response from the General Secretariat of the Council of Ministers.

Government statistics show that almost 80 per cent of Omanis own homes. The government is working to level some mountains in Muscat thus providing citizens with more than 50,000 plots amid the growing demand for land in the capital. A huge amount of funds has been assigned for this purpose, said the source, without disclosing the details.

Grand welcome of New Year

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S ATUR DAY, JAN UA RY 3, 2 015

OMAN

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

Heralding the New Year in style It was about fun and food to bid adieu to 2014 and welcome the New Year. Residents of Oman did it in style.

Times of Oman photographers went around town capturing the party scene in different venues. Countdown parties across the city of Muscat heralded the new year with music, dance and non-stop partying. – PHOTOS BY CIO DATAN, SHABIN E, and AR RAJKUMAR

SAT URDAY, JANUARY 3, 2015 The GCC states agreed to adopt the ‘System for the registration of Model Adoption Certificates to Measurement Instruments subject to Metrological Control’ as a guide to member states.

Nabil bin Amin Mullah,, secretary general of the GCC Standardisation Organisation (GCC-SO)

BRIEFS

QUALITY CONTROL

GCC’s technical council approves 3,400 Gulf standard specifications, regulations MUSCAT: Thirty-fourth meeting of the technical council of the GCC-SO has approved a new set of Gulf standard specifications for a number of goods and products, Nabil bin Amin Mullah, secretary general of the GCC Standardisation Organisation (GCC-SO), said.

These include 3,393 Gulf standard specifications and 11 Gulf technical regulations to be submitted to the board of directors of the GCC-SO for approval, bringing the total number issued so far to approximately 16,500.

He explained that the techni-

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cal council, which includes the directors of national standardisation bodies of the GCC-SO met in Riyadh on December 24 and 25 last year and took a number of decisions on the process of cooperation between member states in the field of standardisation and other related issues.

He added that the meeting discussed a number of topics related to the affairs of conformance, certification, standards and service beneficiaries, and approved the request for a measurement and calibration laboratory in Hong Kong to join the Gulf Metrology

Assembly as an associate member.

The meeting also agreed to adopt the ‘System for the registration of Model Adoption Certificates to Measurement Instruments subject to Metrological Control’ as a guide to member states.

The technical council approved the ‘Regulation of Technical Support Centre for Small and Medium Enterprises’.

It also stressed that it would support and promote integration between member states and the GCC-SO by intensifying awareness on standardisation and including it in the plans of aware-

ness and events of Member States for their benefit.

Results and recommendations of the meeting will be submitted to the board of directors of GCCSO for information, guidance and adoption.

The GCC-SO outputs contribute to strengthening the foundations and rules of the Gulf Common Market by removing technical barriers in trade and to support the commercial and industrial sectors while protecting consumers in the region against goods not in conformity with the prescribed standards. – ONA

WADI BANI KHALID AUTHORITIES SEIZE SUBSTANDARD GOODS Civic authorities in Wadi Bani Khaled launched a drive to confiscate expired and sub-standard cosmetics and other items.

The focus of the campaign was to detect a particular henna, which has been declared to be harmful, said officials.—ONA

Fahd presides over holy recital at Al Alam Palace MUSCAT: On behalf of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said, His Highness Sayyid Fahd bin Mahmoud Al Said, Deputy Prime Minister of the Council of Ministers on Friday presided over the recital of the biography of the Prophet (PBUH) at Al Mawlid Hall of Al Alam Palace. The recital was attended by a number of Their Highnesses, chairman of the State Council, Chairman of Majlis Al Shura, Ministers, Advisors, Commanders of SAF Corps and Royal Oman Police, undersecretaries, heads of the diplomatic missions and members of the State Council and Majlis Al Shura. –ONA

Ministry of Information holds two training courses MUSCAT: Ministry of Information on Thursday concluded a training course titled ‘Human Rights and Media Awareness’ under the patronage of Ali bin Khalfan Al Jabri, undersecretary of the Ministry of Information. The Ministry of Information also concluded a training course titled ‘Building a Sense of Security’ under the patronage of Badr bin Saif Al Kindi, Director of the Training and Media Development Department at the Ministry of Information. . –ONA

Legal Affairs Ministry conducts training course MUSCAT: Ministry of Legal Affairs on Thursday concluded the deliberations of the 2nd training course under the patronage of Dr Yahya bin Nassir Al Khusaibi, Undersecretary of the Legal Affairs Ministry. The 5-day course shed lights on the ministry’s prerogatives with participation of various governmental units and departments. –ONA

Civil Service minister seeks to enhance ties with Qatar DOHA: Dr Abdullah Bin Saleh Al Khulaifi, Minister of Labour and Social Affairs in the State of Qatar on Thursday received Sheikh Khalid bin Omar Al Marhoon, Minister of Civil Service, who is currently on an official visit to Qatar. The meeting discussed aspects of the joint cooperation between the two sides and means of enhancing them further, in addition to reviewing matters related to the administrative area. –ONA

OIG sets up new staff residential facilities The accommodation block of OIG includes sleeping facility, kitchen, prayer room, training room and recreation room EMPLOYEE WELFARE: The Ghala complex is the second such facility completed this year alone, taking the number to five in the past four years.–Supplied photo

Times News Service MUSCAT: His Highness Sayyid Hareb Bin Thuwaini Al Said and Sheikh Aflah Al Rawahy, the chairman of the Oman International Group (OIG), inaugurated the company’s new staff accommodation facilities in Ghala recently.

HH Sayyid Hareb Bin Thuwaini Al Said and Sheikh Aflah Al Rawahy said after the launch, “It is

with great pride we are opening this new facility for our staff. It is the second such facility we have completed this year alone, taking the number to five in the past four years.”

Al Hajiry Trading (AHT) has built the new accommodation block of OIG which incorporates sleeping accommodations, kitchen facilities, prayer room, a train-

ing room and a recreation room.

The modern kitchen facilities can cater to approximately 1,500 personnel per day.

The board of directors and senior management were also present for the opening.

Tim Vallancey, CEO said, “The OIG is committed to providing high quality living conditions for our employees and providing

NAT I O NA L B U D G E T

MEDIA GROWTH

A1 No let-up in investments < FROM

That is OMR55 million for housing assistance programmes, which will also include construction in different wilayats, OMR15 million for providing housing loans with low interest rates and OMR15.4 million as interest subsidy for housing loans taken from Oman Housing Bank.

Subsidy The total subsidy and exemptions are estimated at OMR1.8 billion, mainly for providing interest subsidy for housing loans, electricity and water, petrol and diesel and some essential food items.

Privatisation The planned privatisation programme, which is aimed at divesting government stakes in state-owned companies, will be carried out in the next three years (2015 to 2017), after getting necessary approvals.

Due to the low oil prices, it was necessary to take some temporary measures, which the government is currently discussing in order to maintain the integrity

them with modern accommodation and facilities for praying and relaxation makes this obtainable.

Our staff work hard and it is important that they have the ability and means to relax and enjoy some down time too. This all adds up to greater job satisfaction and productivity.”

The new facilities took 14 months to complete and are in line with OIG’s building policy to provide high quality accommodation for its staff. It will accommodate labourers, supervisors, lead hands and kitchen staff.

OIG is the leading facilities management company in the Sultanate. The services offered by OIG include cleaning, catering, landscaping and gardening along with pest control, sale of associated products and waste management. Services are also offered on a bespoke basis to meet the individual needs of client / customer requirements. OIG’s services are tailored to industry specific demands with OIG assisting all major industries in the Sultanate.

and the stability of the financial and economic situation and development gains. However, these measures will not affect the common people, their living standards or employment.

The state budget is aimed at continuing investment spending required to maintain the economic growth rate and stimulate domestic demand, whereas the economy is expected to grow by 5.5 per cent at a constant rate supported by non-oil sectors, implement development projects like hospitals, schools, airports and roads, apart from fisheries harbours, expansion of ports, electricity and water, and wastewater projects.

The implementation of priority projects approved for 2015 in the current five-year plan, raising the efficiency of public services provided to citizens and paying due care to social aspects such as health, education, housing, social care and various other support programmes are also on the agenda.

The budget is also aimed at

supporting small and medium enterprises and to implement programmes relevant to their development and productivity and to expand in the provision of services and programmes under Al Raffd Fund and develop and raise the efficiency and productivity rates of the oil and gas sector.

Actual budget of 2014 Actual public revenues in 2014 are expected to amount to around OMR13.9 billion, against the initial budget estimate of OMR11.7 billion, an increase of 19 per cent.

“The increase is due to the rise in the actual realised price of oil rather than the budget’s assumed price and the rise in most actual items of non-oil revenues,” noted the statement.

Actual spending in 2014 is expected to reach around OMR14.5 billion, a 7 per cent growth over the approved budget estimates, as additional allocations have been approved during the year to cover the emerging needs during the implementation of the budget. –ONA

‘Entrepreneurs’ newspaper launched MUSCAT: Public Authority for the Development of Small and Medium Enterprises, (Riyada), on Thursday launched the first edition of the Entrepreneurs newspaper.

The newspaper had been one of the projects planned for implementation at the Small and Medium Enterprise Development Symposium, held at Saih Al Shamikhat, which had discussed economic and media programmes in order to support entrepreneurs.

Hamad bin Khamis Al A’mri, undersecretary of the Ministry of Manpower for Labour Affairs sponsored the inauguration, which was held at the Diplomatic Club, in the presence of a number of CEOs, entrepreneurs and media professionals.

Khalifa bin Said Al Abri, acting chief executive of Riyada said the newspaper would work alongside the local media in promoting a culture of entrepreneurship.–ONA

New Year celebrations held at Indian School Rustaq

RUSTAQ: Indian School Rustaq celebrated Christmas and New Year at the school premises. The School Principal Suja Jacob welcomed the gathering and conveyed the message of Christmas. Students presented a tableau based on the story of the birth of Lord Jesus Christ. Mohammed Shahid of Grade VI dressed up as Santa Claus wished the students ‘Merry Christmas’ and distributed sweets. Students performed a cute dance along with Santa Claus.

Oman’s ambassador attends Brazil president’s function BRASILIA: Dr. Khalid bin Said Al Jaradi, the Sultanate’s ambassador to the Federative Republic of Brazil took part in the second–term inauguration of Brazilian president, Dilma Rousseff. Dr Al Jaradi conveyed greetings and wishes of good health and happiness of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said to the president. The inauguration ceremony was attended by Lula da Silva former Brazilian President, a number of presidents of other countries, heads of delegations and representatives of diplomatic missions and international organisations . –ONA

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REGION

We will hold elections in 2015 as we will not allow our democracy to be held hostage to violence. A budget has been approved and we urge all parties to participate.

Ateny Wek Ateny, South Sudan government spokesman

AL SIDRA REFINERY

PROTEST AGAINST LAND EXPROPRIATION A Palestinian protestor uses a sling shot to throw back a tear gas canister towards members of the Israeli security forces during clashes following a demonstration against the expropriation of Palestinian land by Israel in the occupied West Bank village of Kfar Qaddum, near Nablus, on Friday. — AFP

Fires at key oil terminal in Libya put out BENGHAZI: Fires at seven storage tanks at one of Libya’s main oil terminal have been put out, officials said on Friday, nine days after they were set off by a militia rocket.

A rocket fired on December 25

by Fajr Libya (Libya Dawn), a coalition of hardliners’ militias, ignited the first fire which then spread to six other tanks at Al Sidra oil terminal.

“The fires have been extinguished in all seven tanks that were ablaze after raging out of control for nine days,” said Ali Al Hassi, security spokesman for the so-called “oil crescent” in eastern Libya. Around 70 volunteer firefighters helped put out the flames with help from employees from local oil companies under tough conditions, while pro-government forces and militias fought nearby, Hassi said.

Al Sidra is one of Libya’s key oil terminal with Ras Lanuf and Brega also in the “oil crescent”.

There are 19 storage tanks at Al Sidra with a total capacity of 6.2 million barrels of oil.

Experts have said Libya’s oil production dropped to less than 350,000 barrels per day from 800,000 previously, since clashes around the export terminals erupted on December 13. — AFP

Al Jazeera journalists face more weeks in jail Australian Peter Greste, EgyptianCanadian Mohamed Fahmy and Egyptian Baher Mohamed were detained in December 2013 ‘for spreading false information’

CAIRO: Three Al Jazeera journalists faced on Friday the prospect of at least several more weeks in Egyptian prison, with two of them awaiting a decision on whether they can be deported, lawyers and relatives said.

Australian Peter Greste, Egyptian-Canadian Mohamed Fahmy and Egyptian Baher Mohamed were detained in December 2013 for spreading false information and accused of aiding the blacklisted Muslim Brotherhood.

Their supporters say the charges were politically motivated.

Greste’s lawyer said he had submitted a request to have his client deported from Egypt under a new law signed by President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi. A similar demand has been made to deport Fahmy to Canada, according to his brother, while Mohamed’s wife said she was looking at ways to get her husband out of Egypt.

In the first trial, Greste and Fahmy each got seven years, and Mohamed was jailed for 10.

Egypt’s top court on Thursday ordered a retrial, but kept the journalists in custody pending a new hearing. A decree signed in November by Sisi allows him to

HOPING AGAINST HOPE: The brothers of jailed Australian journalist Peter Greste, Mike, left, and Andrew Greste, right, speak to the media during a press conference in Brisbane on Friday. – AFP

deport foreigners sentenced to prison or on trial. “We presented this week a request to the prosecutor to expel Greste in accordance with the presidential decree,” his lawyer Mostapha Nagi told AFP on Friday.

It is unclear how long the process will take, but Greste’s family said they would apply for bail if it failed. They said they had been advised that a retrial could start within 45 days, meaning the three could potentially spend at least several more weeks in custody.

Speaking to reporters in Brisbane Friday, Greste’s brothers Mike and Andrew said that deportation was “the best option to get Peter home”.

Possible outcomes A senior official from the prosecutor’s office said the journalists faced several possible outcomes.

“The court may order their release on bail, the president could order their deportation, or he could give them a presidential pardon, but only if there is a

new verdict,” the official said.

In a short hearing on Thursday, the Court of Cassation accepted requests by both the prosecution and defence for a retrial for the three jailed journalists.

Greste’s parents told Australia’s ABC News they were “shocked” by the decision. “This was always on the cards but even though we have learnt not to expect anything, or (to) expect the unexpected, we did expect a little bit better than this,” his father Juris Greste was quoted as saying. Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop was more upbeat. “He is now back in the position of an accused person awaiting a trial,” she told Australia’s Nine Network in comments reported by the AAP news agency.

Fahmy’s brother Adel told AFP that his legal team had submitted a deportation request.

“He has Canadian citizenship,” he said, adding that the decision rests with the Egyptian government.” Mohamed’s wife Jihan said that if his two colleagues are deported “I will try to get him

another nationality so he can also be extradited.”

Greste’s lawyer said that the three journalists were now wearing white prisoner uniforms instead of their usual blue fatigues, indicating their renewed status as accused individuals rather than convicts.

Hopes for the journalists’ release have grown since a thaw in diplomatic relations between Egypt and Qatar, where Al Jazeera is based. The reporters, who authorities say lacked proper accreditation, were sentenced in June for aiding the Brotherhood after the army ousted president Mohamed Morsi in 2013.

Hundreds of journalists, many with black tape over their mouths, held silent protests after the three were sentenced to challenge what they see as growing media censorship in Egypt. The court also ordered a retrial for four Egyptian codefendants jailed for seven years on charges of belonging to a terrorist organisation and for “damaging the image of Egypt”. — AFP

DEADLIEST YEAR

12,282 civilians killed in Iraq in 2014, says UN BAGHDAD: Violence in Iraq in 2014 killed at least 12,282 civilians, making it the deadliest year since the sectarian bloodshed of 2006-07, the United Nations said in a statement.

The majority of the deaths nearly 8,500 - occurred during the second half of the year following the expansion of the IS group insurgency in June out of Anbar province leading to widespread clashes with security forces.

“Yet again, the Iraqi ordinary citizen continues to suffer from violence and terrorism ... This is a very sad state of affairs,” said Nickolay Mladenov, head of the UN political mission in Iraq, in a statement released on Thursday.

IS militants still control roughly a third of Iraq. The army and Arab militias continue to battle the insurgents.

The figures show that violence has not abated since 2013 when 7,818 civilians were killed, the UN said. The bloodshed remains below the levels seen in 2006 and 2007 when sectarian killings reached their peak. In December, the body said that a total of 1,101 Iraqis were killed in acts of violence, including 651 civilians, 29 policemen and a further 421 members of the security forces.

Thousands of combatants have been killed in clashes involving Iraqi army forces, militia, militants, tribal forces and Kurdish Peshmerga. Fighting in urban areas has taken a particular toll on civilian populations.

The bloodshed was worst in Baghdad in December, where 320 civilians were killed, followed by Anbar province to the west with 164 dead. - Reuters

A S T E P F O RWA R D

South Sudan pledges elections this year JUBA: The government of civil war-torn South Sudan has promised to hold elections in 2015 despite the ongoing civil war, with the country’s president promising to give rebel figures an amnesty.

According to a government statement received on Friday, the elections will be held “at some point between May 1 and July 2015”, with President Salva Kiir “determined that the elections will be transparent”. “We will hold elections in 2015 as we will not allow our democracy to be held hostage to violence. A budget has been approved and we urge all parties to participate,” government spokesman Ateny Wek Ateny said.

The statement said the presi-

dent was “in the process of securing an amnesty for people who have committed crimes against the government of South Sudan”, but did not say when a full amnesty to rebel leaders would be granted.

Fighting broke out in South Sudan, the world’s youngest nation, in December 2013 when President Kiir accused his sacked deputy Riek Machar of attempting a coup. The fighting in the capital Juba set off a cycle of retaliatory massacres across the country, pushing it to the brink of famine.

Both government forces loyal to Kiir and rebels loyal to Machar continue to fight, despite numerous ceasefire deals. — AFP

SAT URDAY, JANUARY 3, 2015

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INDIA

Coast Guards avert possible terror strike Occupants of suspected Pakistani fishing boat carrying explosives blow themselves up after chase in mid-sea

NEW DELHI: In a mid-sea operation that probably averted a 26/11-like terror attack, a suspected Pakistani fishing boat carrying explosives was intercepted by the Coast Guards in the Arabian Sea but the four occupants on board set the vessel afire and exploded it before it sank with them.

The incident, which resembled the operation undertaken by terrorists from Karachi who had come in a boat before they launched their dreaded attack in Mumbai in November, 2008, took place during the midnight of December 31 and January 1 when the Coast Guard spotted the vessel about 8km inside the Indian waters.

An intelligence-based midnight operation was conducted by the Coast Guard ships and aircraft to intercept the suspect fishing boat, approximately 365km off Porbander in Gujarat, on the intervening night of December 31 and January 1 after a hot pursuit.

There was information that the fishing boat from Keti Bunder near Karachi was planning some illicit transaction in Arabian Sea, a statement by the Defence Ministry said on Friday.

Coordinated search Based on the information, a Coast Guard Dornier aircraft undertook sea-air coordinated search and located the suspect fishing boat.

Thereafter, the Coast Guard ship on patrol in the area was diverted and intercepted the unlit boat at about midnight of December 31 in a position 365 km west-south west off Porbandar.

The Coast Guard ship warned the fishing boat to stop for further investigation of the crew and cargo.

UP IN FLAMES: This handout photograph released by the Indian Ministry of Defence on Friday, is said to show a burning vessel off the coast of the western Indian state of Gujarat in the Arabian Sea early on Thursday. The crew of a Pakistani fishing boat blew up and sank their vessel after trying to evade capture at the hands of the Indian navy in a high-speed chase at sea, officials said. - AFP

Terrorists trying to strike ahead of Obama’s visit NEW DELHI: Pakistanbased terrorist groups are continuously trying to infiltrate into Indian-administeredKashmir by taking advantage of cross-border firing as they aim to carry out “spectacular attacks” ahead of US President Barack Obama’s visit to India, according to security agencies.

Intelligence report Quoting intelligence reports, senior Home Ministry officials said the terrorists were waiting for opportunity in eight locations along the Inter-

However, the boat raised its speed and tried to escape from the Indian side of the maritime boundary. The hot pursuit continued for nearly one hour and the Coast Guard ship managed to stop the fishing boat after firing warning shots. Four persons were seen on the boat who disregarded all warnings by the Coast Guard ship to stop and cooperate with inves-

national Border and Line of Control to sneak into India to indulge in terrorist acts.

“As per our information, the militants have the blessings of the highest authorities of Pakistan Army,” an official said.

The largest group comrises about 40-45 terrorists who are waiting at the launching pads just across the Samba sector in J&K .There has been heavy exchange of firing between the BSF and Pakistan Rangers in this sector.

“The Pakistan-based groups are planning to carry out spectacular attacks ahead of

tigation, the statement said. Soon thereafter, the crew hid themselves in the deck compartment below and set the boat on fire, which resulted in an explosion and major fire on the boat, it said.

Due to darkness, bad weather and strong winds, the boat and persons on board could not be saved or recovered.

The boat burnt and sank in the

Obama’s visit to India to attend the Republic day parade,” the official said.

Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday accused Pakistan of trying to push terrorists into Jammu and Kashmir and giving cover to such attempts by continuous firing along the border.

“No doubt about that,” Home Minister Rajnath Singh told reporters here when asked whether the repeated ceasefire violations by Pakistani troops were to cover infiltration attempts by militants. -PTI

same position, in the early hours of January one.

Ten terrorists involved in the 2008 Mumbai terror attack had reached Mumbai in a boat from Karachi in Pakistan. The attack had left 166 people dead. Coast Guard ships and aircraft are continuing operations in the area to search for any possible survivor, the statement said. - PTI

31.6% INCREASE IN 2014

Crimes against women rise in Delhi NEW DELHI: The number of rapes reported in New Delhi increased by nearly a third in the last year, police said on Friday, highlighting the alarming levels of violence against women in the Indian capital.

At an annual briefing with reporters, Delhi Police Commissioner Bhim Sain Bassi said that a total of 2,069 rape cases were reported in New Delhi in the 12 months leading up to December 15, against 1,571 reported the previous year, an increase of 31.6 per cent.

The city sealed its reputation as India’s “rape capital” two years ago when a medical student died after being gang-raped on a moving bus, prompting mass protests and triggering a series of policing and legal reforms.

Figures The figures were released the same day that an Uber taxi driver accused of raping a female passenger in Delhi last month made his second appearance in court.

Shiv Kumar Yadav, 32, was remanded in custody for another three days over the alleged Decem-

Both society and police’s mindset needs to change for crimes (against women) to be reported and registered Bhim Sain Bassi Delhi Police Commissioner

ber 5 attack. But the police commissioner insisted the new figures did not necessarily indicate that the city was becoming more dangerous for women but rather highlighted a growing willingness of victims to come forward.

“More cases are being reported now as women feel more confi-

dent about approaching us,” he told reporters, while adding that more still needed to be done to change attitudes and increase sensitivity about sex crimes.

“Both society and police’s mindset needs to change for crimes (against women) to be reported and registered,” he said.

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Bassi said that police received another 36,284 complaints on other issues at women’s help desks in the city’s police stations.

The top cop also emphasised on the need of teaching self defence techniques to women so that the physical capacity gap between them and men can be bridged.

Training Bassi said that the women recruits of Delhi Police will now be given a complete year-long unarmed combat training so that when they walk out of the academy all of them are brown belt.

“We are also planning to rope in all the right minded and trained people from the general public for imparting self-defence training to women,” he said.

“Crime against women is a blot on our social order. A society that claims to revere and respect women has not been able to fully tame men with criminal mind set”, the top cop added.

Bassi said that the city police solved 62 per cent of all crimes reported against women within a week. - Agencies

PRO-IS TWITTER ACCOUNT HANDLER

Mehdi was in touch with IS combatant in Iraq, says police BENGALURU: Alleged pro-IS Twitter account handler Mehdi Masroor Biswas was in touch with IS combatant stationed in Iraq, a top police official said.

“During our interrogation of Mehdi, we have found that the IS account holder was in touch with the IS combatant and he was an aide,” Bengaluru Police Commissioner M. N. Reddi told reporters here.

Mehdi was produced before a city court on Friday and sent to judicial custody till January 16.

Mehdi was arrested on December 13 under IPC section 125 (waging war against the Government of any Asiatic power in alliance with the Government of India) section 18 and 39 of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and Section 66 of the Information Technology Act. Reddi said police have gathered sufficient evidence to prove that Biswas supported IS and also his direct messages on his Twitter handle revealed that he encouraged people to join IS. “We have sufficient evidence to prove he (Mehdi) supported IS. Direct messages on his Twitter handle also show he encouraged people to join the terrorist outfit.

He had been pro-actively tweeting,” he said.

Police had launched a manhunt

for Biswas after Britain’s Channel 4 News had aired the report on the presence of IS Twitter Ideologue @ShamiWitness here and arrested him from a rented apartment in the city.

On the Bengaluru blast outside a restaurant here on December 28 that claimed the life of a woman from Chennai and injured three others, Reddi said police were waiting for corroborative evidence to ascertain if the sketches matched.

Until then, police wouldn’t release them, he added.

On whether police saw any link with the 2005 IISc terror attack in which an IIT Professor from Delhi was killed by unidentified gunmen, he said, “it cannot be ruled out.”

Asked whether the suspects would have visited Bengaluru before carrying out the blast, he said “the police did not have tacit information on that but the suspects had stayed in Hubballi, Yadgiri and Hosapete for four to five months.”

Outlawed outfit Simi’s possible role has come under the scanner of investigators probing the terror attack.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had said last week that some Simimembers who had escaped from a jail in Madhya Pradesh had visited Karnataka. - PTI

HYDERABAD

First automatic metro train makes trial run HYDERABAD: For the first time in India, a metro train has been operated in automatic mode in southern city of Hyderabad.

Hyderabad Metro Rail (HMR) created history by test running the train in Automatic Train Operation (ATO) mode from Nagole to Mettuguda here the other day.

Under ATO mode, a train operates on its own and self controls its movement, speed, performance, with automatic application of brakes without intervention of the driver, HMR sources said.

“The function of the driver is only to press a button to close the doors

at stations and it is a prelude to completely driverless mode which Hyderabad Metro can upgrade to anytime it wants,” they said.

HMR is the first Indian metro project that is implementing Communication-Based Train Control (CBTC) signalling system.

HMR is being developed as one of the largest modern transport systems in the world based upon PPP model. The 72-km elevated project will have three corridors and 66 stations. By March, stage one, an 8-km stretch from Nagole to Mettuguda, would become operational, sources added. - PTI

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S ATUR DAY, JAN UA RY 3, 2 015

INDIA

The region, including India subcontinent and China, is one of the regions in the world where people have habit of savings. We have the tradition where people save for the next generations to come Narendra Modi, Prime Minister

PM for cashless banking to curb black money Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the challenge for banks was to assure people that a bank account would ensure easy access to their savings whenever required

MUMBAI: Pitching for greater cashless banking transactions, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said this can be the best solution for the problem of black money, even as he asked banks to look for ways to discourage people from investing huge amounts in gold.

Modi also asked banks to become socially more responsible and provide support to ‘swachhata’ entrepreneurs or those setting up cleanliness and waste management ventures.

He said banks in India should compete for achieving maximum cashless transactions, as this would be the “best solution” to the problem of black money.

“Of many solutions to tame black money, cashless transaction is one of the very important solutions.This is a very big opportunity and we should promote this. People should inculcate the habit of cashless transaction,” he said.

Political issue Black money has been a major political issue in the recent past, including in the Lok Sabha polls last year in which Modi led BJP and its allies to a landslide victory.

UPBEAT: Prime Minister Narendra Modi with ICICI Bank’s MD and CEO Chanda Kochhar, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, Governor C Vidyasagar Rao and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis at the launch of ICICI group ‘digital village’ project, in Mumbai on Thursday. - PTI

Modi also said Indians have a good habit of savings, but these savings have diverted to gold over the time as a measure of security and banks have a challenge to look into ways to discourage huge amounts of money being kept in gold. The Prime Minister said people in India had a propensity towards saving, but this was targeted towards gold.

“The challenge for banks was to assure people that a bank account would ensure easy access to their savings whenever required,” he said, while adding this could help banks become the agents of social transformation.

The Prime Minister was speaking at a function here this evening to dedicate an ‘ICICI Digital Village’ to the nation.

ICICI Bank has adopted Akodara village in Gujarat to develop it into a ‘digital village’ by providing facilities like cashless banking, e-health, as also digitised schools and mandis.

“The region, including India subcontinent and China, is one of the regions in the world where people have habit of savings. We have the tradition where people save for the next generations to come,” Modi said.

“There are parts in the world having credit card culture and people get credit cards in their hands and nothing else. But, here we have a different way of thinking. We have a tradition of saving.

“But over the time, though the habit of saving remains, it has diverted to gold as a measure of security. They think that gold will be of use in challenging times. We have the psychology that gold will help in our times of need,” he added.

The government has been trying to dissuade people from investing huge amounts in gold and put their savings into more productive financial market assets.

“Banking sector has a challenge in developing credibility among the common mass to get the habit of a

bank account, instead of buying gold... This way, people can be deterred from buying gold,” Modi said.

Golden opportunity “This can lead to a very big change in the Indian economy. A very big section of our society keeps more than required gold as a measure of safety for future. Banks have a golden opportunity to become an alternative,” he added.

While congratulating ICICI and its leaders on the group’s 60 years, Modi said that the senior team can think about what would they achieve when the group are 75 and what would be there social charter.

He also asked the banks to come out with a social charter for nation’s development.

Modi said that rural development is one of the opportunities to improve the country’s GDP, while digitisation of villages will help in rural development. He also said that banks can become an agent of social transformation. - PTI

N O T I F I C AT I O N

Assam declared Disturbed Area, AFSPA extended GUWAHATI: The Centre has extended the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 declaring the entire ‘state of Assam’ as a ‘Disturbed Area’ for another one year beyond November 3 last, a state government release said here on Friday.

“The Government of India vide order dated 4th November, 2014 has extended the earlier notification regarding“Disturbed Areas” under the provisions of Section 3 of the AF (SP) Act 1958 for another one year beyond 03/11/2014 which is presently in force”, the release said.

“The Government of India in exercise of powers under AF(SP) Act, 1958 has also declared, besides other areas, the area falling within 20 km wide belt in the state of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh and Meghalaya along their border with the state of Assam as ‘Disturbed Area’,” it said.

Violent incidents “The Government of India extended and issued the notification after due consideration of the law

and order situation in the state of Assam due to the violent incidents caused by the underground outfits viz ULFA(I), NDFB(S) and the border areas of the state of Assam by underground outfits like GNLA, KPLT, UALA, ULFA(I), NDFB(S), NSCN(IM) and NSCN(K)”, it said.

The Centre has declared the ‘entire State of Assam’ as a ‘Disturbed area’ under the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 with effect from November 11, 1990 vide Notification No.SO.916(E) under provisions of Section 3 of the Act, the government release said.

“In the ‘Disturbed Areas’ as declared by the Government of India on yearly basis under the provision of the AF(SP) Act 1958, the Army is empowered to take action for counter Insurgency (CI) operations against the underground (UG)outfits as well as for controlling the violent incidents caused by the UGs which have a direct bearing on the general law and order scenario of the state”, it said. - PTI

VENTING IRE: Firefighters put out fires on vehicles that were set

ablaze by irate commuters at Diva Station in Mumbai on Friday.

Upset over disruption of suburban train services, irate commuters went on a rampage setting afire vehicles, vandalising railway property and pelting stones leading to chaos for nearly six hours and leaving thousands of people stranded before the services resumed. -PTI

PROPOSAL

Calling North East people ‘Chinki’ may land you in jail for five years NEW DELHI: Calling anyone ‘Chinki’, ‘Chinese’ or making any other derogatory remark relating to race, culture or physical appearance will land you in jail for up to five years, according to a proposal which the Home Ministry is considering.

Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday said his ministry is considering the proposal made by a high-level committee that looked into the attacks on people from North East in Delhi and some other parts of the country.

A bill may be brought for amending the Criminal Law (Amendment) Act 2014 for safety and security of the people of the Northeast in Delhi and others parts of the country, he said.

“We are examining the proposal and may add two provisions in the Indian Penal Code by amending the Criminal Law(Amendment) Act 2014,” he said at a press conference here.

Report The Bezbaruah committee, in its report, has noted that there was the “most common demand” from people from North Eastern region was to make words like ‘Momos’, ‘Chinkis’, Chinese’, ‘Chichi Chu Chu’ or any other derogatory remarks relating to race, culture, identity or physical appearances to be made punishable.”

COMMITTED TO SAFETY: A girl in Guwahati pays tributes to Arunachal student Nido Tania, who was killed in January last year in Delhi. Home Minister Rajnath Singh said the government is committed for safety and security of people of North East living in Delhi and other metropolitan cities. -PTI file photo

It has recommended a provision in Section 153 of IPC to provide for imprisonment up to five years with a fine to “whoever, by words either spoken or written or by signs or by visible representations or otherwise attempts or promote to attempt on the ground of race or place of origin or such other grounds relating to racial features or to racial behaviour and culture or to racial customs or participates in such activity intending to use criminal force or violence...”

The provision for imprisonment will be there even if any person is “likely to cause fear or alarm or a feeling of insecurity amongst the members of that ra-

cial groups”. The Committee was set up in the wake of killing of Nido Tania, a youth from Arunachal Pradesh, in January last year.

The Home Minister said, “Amendment of IPC is under consideration for insertion of new Section 153C and 509A as recommended by the committee.”

A Home Ministry official said that the Law Ministry has given its consent for insertion of the two clauses in the Criminal Law (Amendment) Act 2014.

Rajnath said government is committed for safety and security of people of North East living in Delhi and other metropolitan cities. - PTI

SAT URDAY, JANUARY 3, 2015

PAKISTAN

t is time for action against militants. Already a lot of discussion has been held on it. There is no room for further debate in the Parliament Nawaz Sharif, Prime Minister

Inflation on tame run hits an 11-year low The rate of increase in prices, as measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI), clocked in at 4.3 per cent in December compared to the same month in the previous year, the lowest level since February 2004 INFLATION TARGET: A vendor arranges mud pots on his roadside shop in Lahore. For fiscal 2015, the government had set the inflation target at eight per cent, which it is expected to achieve on the back of reduction in commodities prices. - AFP file photo

ISLAMABAD: Inflation continued its tame run in December 2014, rising by only 4.3 per cent, the lowest level in over 11 years, largely on the back of tumbling global oil prices.

The rate of increase in prices, as measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI), clocked in at 4.3 per cent, in December compared to the same month in the previous year, the lowest level since February 2004, when the CPI rose by 4.31 per cent, on an annualised basis. Core inflation, a measure that excludes the more volatile food and energy prices, also came in at a relatively low level of 6.7% compared to 6.9 per cent, in November 2014 and 8.2 per cent, in December 2013.

Methodology questioned Some commentators have questioned the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics’ (PBS) methodology in calculating the CPI. They argue that excluding the surcharges and other components of the electricity tariffs from the electricity prices used in the index will result in a lower measurement of inflation than the reality.

However, the concurrent fall in core inflation suggests that the pace is truly slowing down.

The CPI captures prices of 481 commodities every month from at least 300 markets in 40 cities around the country. However, like in October when the government increased electricity prices by 2.5 per cent, through an equalisation surcharge, the national data collecting agency once again did not factor in 5.4 per cent, increase in power tariffs through the surcharge.

Last month, the government imposed a Rs0.60-per-unit surcharge on electricity prices to keep prices level even as the fuel component of prices declined.

Like many governments around the world, Islamabad is seeking to use the opportunity afforded by falling oil prices to lower the fiscal burden of electricity subsidies by keeping prices level and pocketing the difference in the form of lower subsidies.

Electricity prices in most countries, including Pakistan, have a fuel price component that varies

with the average cost of fuel used to make electricity. Given the fact that roughly a third of electricity in Pakistan is produced through oil-fired thermal power generation, the global drop in oil prices meant that the average fuel price component of the tariffs set by the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) have been declining. However, the government has used surcharges to keep prices the same price so as to lower its subsidy burden.

Furnace oil prices have plunged 45 per cent, in the last three months, currently standing at Rs43,015 per ton, said Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday.

“The PBS did not take the Rs0.60 per unit power surcharge into account. Despite the surcharge, consumer prices (of electricity) would remain constant,” said Shaukat Zaman, the Director of Prices at PBS. In December potatoes prices saw dropped 38.6 per cent, over November, breaking a long cycle of high prices of the commod-

A7

ity. The government’s decision to import 200,000 tons potatoes and arrival of fresh crop helped in lowering prices.

Average inflation during first half of the current fiscal year (July-December) was 6.1 per cent, compared to the same period of the previous year, according to the PBS. For fiscal 2015, the government had set the inflation target at 8 per cent, which it is expected to achieve on back of reduction in commodities prices.

With the fall in both core inflation and the overall headline inflation, the expectations of further cut in the key discount rate have grown, although the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has been advocating a continued tight monetary policy as a tool to build foreign currency reserves.

The benchmark discount rate is currently at 9.5 per cent, though market analysts expect as much as a 100 basis point cut in the next monetary policy announcement later this month. – In exclusive arrangement with The Express Tribune

SPEEDY TRIAL

Political leaders agree on military courts for militants ISLAMABAD: After initial reservations, Pakistan’s political leaders on Friday agreed to amend the Constitution to set up military courts for speedy trial of terrorists in the aftermath of the deadly Peshawar school attack.

The decision was reached at a marathon meeting of leaders of all political parties led by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and the military leadership at the Prime Minister’s House in Islamabad.

Minister for Information Pervaiz Rashid told media that leaders gave their consent to a constitutional amendment bill for creation of military courts.

“The bill will be presented in the National Assembly on Saturday and in the Senate on Tuesday and after it is passed by the two houses of parliament, it will become part of the constitution,” he said. He said that that the Army Act will also be amended.

Eminent lawyer Farough Naseem said that the leaders agreed that first Army Act should be amended to set up military courts and then constitution be amended to give legal cover to the changes made in the Army Act. He said it was being done to preempt any action by the Supreme Court which in an earlier decision had already declared the setting up of Military Courts against the constitution.

Earlier, Prime Minister Sharif in his opening remarks said that time has come for final action against militants, as politicians differed over how to create military courts for speedy trial of militants.

“It is time for action against militants. Already a lot of discussion has been held on it. There is no room for further debate in the Parliament,” he said.

Meanwhile aware of the importance of political backing for any action by the military, General Raheel appreciated the national political leadership for their resolve against terrorism.

“The entire nation is looking towards the political and military

The entire nation is looking towards the political and military leadership of the country to take bold and meaningful decisions leading to stern action against terrorists and their sympathisers General Raheel Sharif Army chief

leadership of the country to take bold and meaningful decisions leading to stern action against terrorists and their sympathisers,” the army chief said.

“The key (to defeating terrorism) lies in all institutions joining hands for an effective and prompt implementation of a comprehensive National Action Plan without losing any further time,” he was quoted as saying by ISPR. - Agencies

TRIAL

Government seeks early hearing of Lakhvi’s case in apex court ISLAMABAD: Pakistan government on Friday sought the early hearing of LeT operations commander Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi’s case in the Supreme Court, a day after the 2008 Mumbai terror attack mastermind was remanded to 14-day judicial custody for the TERROR CHARGES

Court stays execution of another death row convict LAHORE: A Lahore High Court’s (LHC) division bench on Friday stayed the execution of another prisoner who had been convicted on terror charges and whose appeal had been pending before the Supreme Court.

The bench, while staying the execution of Muhammad Faiz till January 5, summoned the superintendent of Faisalabad jail, who had obtained death warrants for the convict.

It also sought explanation from the anti terrorism court as to how the black warrants were issued when Faiz’s appeal was pending before the Supreme Court.

Faiz had been condemned to death by an anti-terrorism court in 2006, for killing an army official Lance Naik Tariq Mahmood, in Nankana Sahib.

After his death sentence was confirmed by the LHC, Faiz had filed an appeal before Supreme Court, which had granted leave to appeal.

A special anti-terrorism court on December 25, 2014 issued black warrants for Faiz on an application filed by Faisalabad jail superintendent and had fixed January 14 for his execution. - Express Tribune

abduction of an Afghan national.

Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan has challenged the suspension of the detention order of Lakhvi, Geo TV reported.

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) had suspended on Monday the notification of detention of

Lakhvi in the Mumbai case.

Just before he was to be released, Lakhvi was arrested on charges of kidnapping Afghan national Muhammad Anwar Khan.

According to an FIR registered on Monday at a police station here, Khan was kidnapped by Lakhvi six

years ago. Lakhvi, 54, moved the court against the government’s decision over his detention.

He was detained on December 19 under the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO), a day after he was granted bail by an antiterrorism court on a surety bond

of Rs 5,00,000. He challenged his detention under MPO in the IHC which suspended the government order, evoking a strong reaction from India.

Courts in Pakistan are on a twoweek winter break which started from December 24, meaning the

government may not file the plea against Lakhvi’s bail till January 8.

Lakhvi has been detained at Adiala Prison here for the last five years or so. He will be produced before the court on January 15.

The trial has been underway since 2009. - PTI

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Subscription: RO70 per year.

For Pakistan, last year was like a roller-coaster

T

he year 2014 has been a year of many ups and many downs for Pakistan. Unfortunately, 2014 finished on a major down with the terrorist attack on the Army Public School in Peshawar, which killed at least 134 children and nine adults on December 16.

The event has left behind a shocked country; a country considering what to do next and wondering what the coming year will bring for it.

The National Action Committee set up at the all-parties conference (APC) to address the issue will continue to look at the possibility. But for now, the moratorium on hangings has been lifted, at least six people have already been hanged and the fear of revenge means a major security alert is prevalent across the country.

This, of course, is not a high note on which to end the year. But there have been better moments. In October, Malala Yousufzai was announced as only the second Pakistani to become a Nobel laureate, winning the Nobel Peace Prize, and mesmerised the world with her poised address on receiving the prize in December. Sadly, the pride in her achievement has not been reflected at home as much as should have been the case. Coming to the political situation, the sit-in staged by the PTI starting from August 14 may have had its downsides, but it helped raise awareness about the key question of electoral reform in the country and awakened in people a desire for change.

The operation being carried out in North Waziristan has also brought some possibility of an end to terrorism although the road ahead in this regard is still a rocky one. Operation Zarb-e-Azb has proceeded with some success and has demonstrated much commitment by the army. This, too, is something we can as a nation can be proud of. Let us hope it brings rewards in the future. However, it is wise to remember this will be possible only if the military action is combined with political initiative and work goes into development, so badly required in the tribal areas, so that people can be lifted out of ignorance and a life full of hazard.

There have been some other positive steps forward. China has invested in several projects in the country. How these will be translated into services for the people is yet to be seen. Individual effort has resulted in new schools coming up in places where there were none and we have also experienced other examples of goodwill stemming from the efforts of civilians acting as individuals and groups. The civil society’s stand against hate speech and other issues following the Peshawar attack is a sign that we live on as a country.

The challenge for the future is to translate this promise into reality and use it to take the country forward so that the darkness can finally give way to light. - The Express Tribune

SURVIVAL MANTRA

There is no splendour in isolation today DOMINIQUE MOISI

India’s mental health crisis

O

n October 10 last year, the government of India announced an ambitious new policy to provide universal mental health services. The policy, the country’s first on mental health, is admirable for its focus on the needs of the country’s poor, on lifting widespread stigma around mental health disorders and on preventing suicide. A bill to make the new policy law is awaiting approval by Parliament. India has the highest number of suicides in the world.

According to the World Health Organisation, of 804,000 suicides recorded worldwide in 2012, 258,000 were in India.

Indian youths between 15 and 29 years old kill themselves at a rate of 35.5 deaths per 100,000 — the highest in the world — and suicide has surpassed maternal mortality as the leading cause of death of young Indian women. A report from Human Rights Watch released in December exposed the horrific conditions in institutions where too many Indian women with mental and intellectual disabilities are confined, many against their will, and where some are subject to physical and sexual abuse and electric-shock therapy.

Unfortunately, the new policy may be almost impossible to translate into action. On December 23, the government ordered cuts in the health budget of nearly 20 per cent, from $5 billion to a little more than $4 billion. Given other serious health needs, the “fresh funds” promised by the government to pay for new mental health services and train qualified mental-health professionals are unlikely to materialise. This is a pity. There is only one psychiatrist for every 343,000 Indians currently, too few to reduce the shameful suicide rate. Among other problems are depression, acute economic insecurity, anxiety among youths over educational success, and distress among young women caught in a bind between the opportunities of a changing India and pressure from traditionally minded families to marry.

Unless Prime Minister Narendra Modi reverses course, his impressive new policies will end up exactly like the development projects of the past administrations he excoriated during his campaign: highminded pronouncements on paper with zero delivery in practice. - The New York Times News Service

Terror attacks continue to hog newspaper headlines Since the United States and its European allies declared war on terror in the wake of 9/11 attacks, terrorist attacks across the world have multiplied. Hundreds and thousands of people have been killed in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iraq and elsewhere. And each of them has been spectacular attacks killing more than 30 on an average. These attacks, mostly suicidal, hit the headlines on the front pages of newspapers.

Stephan Muscat

catering to the 0.01 per cent mega rich people witnessed a doubledigit growth for the past four years despite the global downturn. The question, therefore, is how can poverty be eradicated. Is it at all possible to eradicate poverty? Inequality, as it seems, will remain and so shall the scourge of poverty. Concentration of wealth in the hands of 0.01 per cent of the wealthy people will continue to remain the darkest blot on our society — corroding values and politics, fomenting divisions in society and destroying our precious environment.

K. R. Tripathi Wadi Kabir

Poverty and inequality will remain the biggest bane In sharp contrast to the dismal and grim scenario of global poverty, the market for luxury goods

A saga of how leaders have betrayed common people The past two decades have been

In an interdependent world, isolation is no longer a source of pride; on the contrary, it is a cause for concern. Nowhere is that more evident than Israel.

Not even the country’s technological wonders or its vibrant civil society can make up for its unappealing politics and policies

A

t the end of the nineteenth century, the British Empire pursued a policy of what it called “splendid isolation,” reflecting its leaders’ determination to stand aloof from international engagements.

With the strength of its economy and the superiority of its navy, the United Kingdom could afford to avoid entanglement in others’ affairs.

Today, as recent events have shown, isolation is — more often than not — a mistake, an unenviable condition resulting from failed policies. Cuba’s emergence from decades of forced isolation is a victory for the island, while North Korea’s pariah status has led it to the brink of collapse.

Similarly, Israel’s controversial policies and diplomacy risk leaving the Jewish state unprecedentedly alone. And inward-looking policies in Russia and Turkey, driven largely by their leaders’ egos, are unlikely to produce anything but harm. By beginning to normalise relations, Cuba and the United States have snatched victory from the jaws of a double defeat: the failure of the embargo and the failure of the Cuban economy. The deal struck in December allows Cuban President Raúl Castro to claim success in mending ties without making significant political concessions.

For the US President Barack Obama, the breakthrough is a chance to cement his legacy as a transformative president, like his models Abraham Lincoln and Franklin D. Roosevelt — even if, in ending nearly six decades of failed policy, he more closely resembles Richard Nixon, who presided over the opening to China.

Though Pope Francis, the first Latin American pontiff, was instrumental in facilitating the resumption of diplomatic ties, so was the plunging price of oil. Continued isolation would have left the Cuban regime dangerously exposed, given the declining financial fortunes of its primary sponsor, petroleum-rich Venezuela.

North Korea stands in stark contrast to Cuba’s successful policy of engagement. With its alleged involvement in the recent cyber attack on Sony Pictures, the regime has backed itself further into its tiny corner. The result can only be deeper — and ultimately more painful — isolation. Even China, North Korea’s main patron, is losing patience with its client state.

In an interdependent world, isolation is no

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Nothing inspires forgiveness quite like revenge SCOTT ADAMS

longer a source of pride; on the contrary, it is a cause for concern. Nowhere is that more evident than Israel. Not even the country’s technological wonders or its vibrant civil society can make up for its unappealing politics and policies. The result has been a dangerously rapid diminution of much-needed Western support.

Equally worrisome is the recent drift of former imperial powers Russia and Turkey. Both countries’ leaders, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, place their own power above their citizens’ interests, and both are fanning the flames of misguided nationalism and religious chauvinism, surrounded by frightened courtiers whose main function has been to keep reality at bay.

Turkey is more dynamic and energetic than Russia, and its economy certainly is faring much better, but both regimes are overestimating the strength of their position and underestimating the cost of their autocratic turn.

Just four years ago, Turkey was seen as a model to follow, particularly for the Muslim world.

Today, the country is on the defensive, fearful even of its own journalists.

During the early stages of the siege of the Kurdish town of Kobani by Isis, just across the border in Syria, Turkey seemed to be replicating the Soviet Union’s tactic during the 1944 Warsaw uprising, when Nazi German troops fought Polish resistance fighters: Let the belligerents exhaust each other as much as possible before intervening. Such policy may be brutally effective in the short term; in the long term, it is certain to be costly for Turkey.

Meanwhile, in Russia, the further the economy plunges, the more defiant Putin becomes.

The great unanswered question is how long Putin will be able to rely on nationalist kitsch to overwhelm Russians’ rational calculation of their interests. What is certain – as every recent example shows – is that, in an increasingly transparent and interdependent world, isolation is less a splendour than a blunder. - Project Syndicate The author is a professor at L’Institut d’études politiques de Paris, is Senior Adviser at the French Institute for International Affairs (IFRI) and a visiting professor at King’s College London.

He is the author of The Geopolitics of Emotion: How Cultures of Fear, Humiliation, and Hope are Reshaping the World.

rather bleak — a saga of continued betrayal of common people by their leaders and politicians. We have seen how people in the West were pushed into unwarranted wars in Afghanistan and Iraq by their leaders like George W. Bush and Tony Blair. In some Asian nations, especially in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh etc., we have been seeing how the demography has been perpetually hit on its head and continuously betrayed by the leaders.

L. M. Nair Azaiba

At its core, India continues to remain undemocratic The other day I heard someone telling with perceptible pride that he was born free in a free country and has grown up in one of the

finest democratic atmospheres in the world. Normally, I would never pay attention to such rants but I was drawn into the conversation seeing that the proud gentleman was an Indian, who is 60.

I knew the gentleman was in his youth when former Indian prime minister Indira Gandhi declared emergency on June 26, 1975 and had probably seen the assault on democracy. Rather than entering into any kind of argument with the gentleman, by way of putting across a point of information, I simply reminded him that even the leading among the founding fathers of Indian democracy, B.R. Ambedkar, had said, “Democracy in India is only a top dressing on Indian soil which is essentially undemocratic.”

Sumit Chatterjee Qurum

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

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GOING UNDER THE HAMMER

Elvis Presley’s personal jets expected to fetch more than $10m CALIFORNIA: Elvis Presley’s pair of personal jets, one complete with gilded wash basin and plush sleeping quarters, will go under the hammer in a sealed-bid auction for a piece of mile-high rock and roll memorabilia, Julien’s Auctions said on Friday.

Jets Lisa Marie and Hound Dog II that the late King of Rock and Roll designed himself will be offered together to bidders and are expected to fetch between $10 million and $15 million, the Beverly Hills, California, auction house said. They are no longer airworthy, but have been on view for visitors at Graceland — Presley’s Memphis, Tennessee estate — for the past three decades.

Presley bought the Convair 880 jet from Delta Air Lines in 1975, two years before his death at age 42, for $250,000.

He named it Lisa Marie after his daughter.

Presley spent more than $300,000 refurbishing the jet with a penthouse bedroom, executive conference room, bar and videotape system linked to four TVs. He had the plane painted red, white

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and blue with his motto “TCB” “Takin’ Care of Business” - on the tail. He purchased the eight-to-10 passenger Hound Dog II, a Lockheed Jetstar, also in 1975 for about $900,000 while waiting on the refurbishment of the Lisa Marie.

Travelling at night The four-engine 28-passenger Convair could fly Presley, who preferred to travel at night, up to 3,000 miles (4,800 kilometers).

Only 65 of the Convair 880 model jets were produced from 1959 to 1962. The buyer also has the option to purchase several acres adjacent to Graceland to display the jets, independent of the Presley museum. An agreement between Graceland and the jets’ current owners, whose identity was not disclosed, is set to expire at the end of April. — Reuters

VIEW FOR THE VISITOR: The interior of the ’Hound Dog II’, a Lockheed Jetstar owned by entertainer Elvis Presley, is displayed at Graceland in Memphis, Tennessee, in this undated publicity photo released to Reuters on Friday. – Reuters

Rajapakse urges Tamils to back ‘known devil’ in polls Sri Lanka’s president is widely detested by members of the country’s biggest minority after overseeing the crushing of a 37-year Tamil rebellion

JAFNA: Sri Lanka’s embattled President Mahinda Rajapakse urged minority Tamils to back him in next week’s election, calling himself the “known devil”, as he pitched for votes in the country’s former war zone on Friday.

While he remains popular among ethnic majority Sinhalese voters, Rajapakse is widely detested by members of the country’s biggest minority after overseeing the brutal crushing of a 37-year Tamil rebellion.

The main Tamil party has already endorsed Rajapakse’s chief

WOOING VOTERS: Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse, left, holds a baby as he interacts with supporters at a rally in the northern town of Vavuniya on Friday. Rajapakse urged minority Tamils to back him in the January 8 election, as he pitched for votes in the country’s former war zone. – AFP

rival Maithripala Sirisena in the January 8 election but the incumbent told voters in the northern Jaffna region that he was committed to improving their livelihoods, pointing to improvements in infrastructure. “This is my 11th visit to Jaffna as president,” Rajapakse,

who has been in power for nearly a decade, told a rally.

“The devil you know is better than the unknown angel,” he said in Sinhala, speaking through a translator. “I am the known devil, so please vote for me.”

The 69-year-old, who is South

HUGE PROJECT

Three Gorges dam ‘breaks world hydropower record’ BEIJING: China’s Three Gorges dam has broken the world record for annual hydroelectric power production, more than a decade after it became the world’s largest power plant, its operator said.

The Yangtze river power station generated 98.8 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity in 2014, the Three Gorges Dam Corporation said in a statement, topping the 2013 production from the Brazilian-Paraguayan Itaipu dam.

The amount of electricity generated by the Three Gorges plant is roughly equivalent to burning 49 million tonnes of coal, said Thursday’s statement, thereby

LARGEST: Three Gorges in China’s Hubei province. – AFP Files

preventing 100 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions.

But concerns have been raised about the environmental and human cost of the huge project,

which saw more than a million people moved before it opened around a decade ago.

Thousands remain in poverty, and China’s government in 2012 made a rare admission that the treatment of migrants relocated for the dam was still an “urgent problem”.

Campaign groups say it has damaged biodiversity, threatening the critically endangered Yangtze river dolphin.

The Three Gorges dam is the world’s largest power plant by installed capacity with 22,500 megawatts, a third more than Itaipu, on the Parana river. — AFP

Asia’s longest-serving leader after coming to power in 2005, then listed a series of infrastructure projects that had been completed since the end of the Tamil separatist conflict in 2009.

“We gave you electricity, we gave you new schools and now

we want to give you proper water supplies,” he said, in a region that was devastated by the separatist conflict.

Rajapakse had been due to inaugurate the latest stretch of a reopened rail link from the capital Colombo to Jaffna but he cancelled his plans at the last minute, leaving his transport minister to do the honours.

The president said that Sirisena had shown little interest in the region, saying he had been “an infrequent visitor” to Jaffna which is the capital of the Tamilmajority region.

Tamils account for around 13 per cent of the 15 million people entitled to cast their ballots next Thursday and their choice of candidate could be crucial to the outcome of what is shaping up to be a tight contest.

Rajapakse had been the clear favourite but a series of defections by allies, including his one-time health minister Sirisena, have thrown the contest wide open and the president now needs every vote he can muster.

Although the economy has been growing at rates of around 7 per cent in the post-war era, many voters say that ruling party cronies have been the only ones to really benefit. — AFP

TYING KNOT

Jong Un’s sister marries son of North Korean official SEOUL: The sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has married the son of one of the country’s most powerful officials, Yonhap news agency reported on Friday, citing unnamed sources.

Kim Yo Jong, who is 27 or 28, was said by state media late last year to have assumed a senior position in the ruling Workers’ Party.

She is the only other member of the ruling Kim family known to have an official job within the government.

“As far as I know, Kim Yo Jong, deputy director of the Workers’ Party, got married to a son of the party secretary Choe Ryong Hae,” the South Korean news agency quoted a China-based source as saying.

A second source identified Kim Yo Jong’s husband as Choe’s second son, Choe Song, Yonhap reported.

The senior Choe is a high-ranking member of the ruling Workers’ Party widely seen as a close confidant of Kim, the isolated country’s third-generation leader, believed to be in his early 30s.

Kim Yo Jong was seen wearing what appears to be a wedding ring in a photo released by the reclusive North’s official KCNA news agency on Friday. — Reuters

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S ATUR DAY, JAN UA RY 3, 2 015

WORLD

The fire broke out on one of the lower garage levels and left Norman Atlantic drifting without power in stormy seas. It took Greek and Italian rescue teams 36 hours to evacuate 477 passengers and crew from the ship amid strong winds

SOARING HIGH

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Austrian Gregor Schlierenzauer soars in during his first competition jump for the second session of the Four-Hills Ski jumping tournament (Vierschanzentournee) in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, southern Germany, on Thursday. The second competition of the Four-Hills Ski jumping event takes place in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, before the tournament continues in Innsbruck (Austria) and in Bischofshofen (Austria). — AFP

Teams face rough weather in search for AirAsia wreck Search teams have recovered 22 bodies.

Fuselage and black box flight recorders have not been found

PANGKALAN BUN/SURABAYA: Ships and aircraft crisscrossed the seas off Borneo on Friday hunting for the wreck of an Indonesia AirAsia passenger jet, but bad weather was again hindering the search for the plane and the black box flight recorders that should reveal why it crashed.

Officials said more than 20 bodies have now been recovered, along with pieces of the brokenup plane, in the Indonesian-led search for Flight QZ8501 that is concentrated on 1,575 square nautical miles of the northern Java Sea. Heavy seas Strong winds and heavy seas have stopped divers from looking for the fuselage of the Airbus A320200, which plunged into the water on Sunday while en route from Indonesia’s second-biggest city Surabaya to Singapore with 162 people on board.

“The waves could reach five metres this afternoon. Higher than yesterday,” said air force Puma helicopter pilot Flight Captain Tatag Onne, who has been flying missions to recover bodies and debris from the sea.

LOOKING FOR CLUES: An Indonesian rescue team member uses binoculars to look for suspicious objects, from the deck of SAR ship Purworejo, during a search operation for passengers onboard AirAsia flight QZ8501 in the Java Sea, Indonesia on Friday. – Reuters

“We look for breaks in the clouds where conditions improve so that we can approach. Yesterday, when we went to collect a body from the sea we couldn’t because the body was being rolled by waves. Sometimes we could see it, sometimes we couldn’t.”

The multinational search operation based in Pangkalan Bun, the town in southern Borneo closest to the search area, was bolstered on Friday by experts from France’s BEA accident investigation agency, which attends all Airbus crashes.

Officials said the French team’s hydrophones - sophisticated

underwater acoustic detection devices - and towed sonar equipment brought by other international experts could not be used on Friday because of high waves.

“The sea state has to be calm,” General Sunarbowo Sandi of Indonesia’s search and rescue agency said. “We cannot operate it in poor weather.”

But naval vessels from Indonesia, the United States and Singapore with in-built anti-submarine capabilities were using sonar to sweep the sea floor, he added.

The cause of the crash - the first suffered by the AirAsia group since the budget operator began

flying in 2002 - is unexplained.

Investigators are working on a theory that the plane stalled as it climbed steeply to avoid a storm about 40 minutes into a flight that should have lasted two hours.

A week Officials earlier said it may take up to a week to find the black boxes, which investigators hope will unravel the sequence of events in the cockpit during the doomed jet’s final minutes.

Even in bad weather, however, the search for the AirAsia plane is less technically challenging than the two-year search for an

Air France jet that crashed into deep Atlantic waters in 2009, or the fruitless hunt for Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 that disappeared last year. Given Flight QZ8501 crashed in shallow seas, experts say finding the boxes should not be difficult if its locator beacons, with a range of 2,000 to 3,000 metres (6,560 to 9,800 ft) and a battery life of about 30 days, are working.

Twenty-two bodies have been recovered from the sea, Supriadi, mission co-ordinator for the Indonesian search and rescue agency, told a news conference.

Debris such as luggage, an emergency slide and a life jacket has also been found.

The bodies are being taken in numbered coffins to Surabaya, where relatives of the victims, most of whom were Indonesian, have gathered. Authorities have been collecting DNA from relatives to help identify the bodies.

The first funeral one of the crash victims was held on Thursday, and on Friday officials said the remains of three more had been identified, including a flight attendant. The plane was travelling at 32,000 ft (9,753 metres) and the pilots had asked to climb to 38,000 ft to avoid bad weather just before contact was lost. When air traffic controllers granted permission to fly at 34,000 ft a few minutes later, they got no response.

A source close to the investigation said radar data appeared to show the aircraft made an “unbelievably” steep climb before it crashed, possibly pushing it beyond the A320’s limits.

“It appears to be beyond the performance envelope of the aircraft,” he said. — Reuters

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I L L - FAT E D S H I P

Burnt-out ferry towed to Italy after deadly blaze BRINDISI (ITALY): Tug boats hauled the burnt-out hulk of the ferry that caught fire on Sunday off the coast of Greece to a southern Italian port on Friday, opening the way for an investigation into the cause of the blaze that killed at least 11 people.

Listing visibly to starboard, the Norman Atlantic multi-deck carand-truck ferry was held outside the port of Brindisi as officials decided where it should be moored.

The fire broke out on one of the lower garage levels and left the vessel drifting without power in stormy seas. It took Greek and Italian rescue teams 36 hours to evacuate 477 passengers and crew from the ship amid strong winds.

Most were winched into helicopters from the upper deck of the ship as the blaze raged below, but dozens may still be missing, including migrants not listed on the ship’s manifest, Italian officials have said. “Given that the ship was indisputably carrying illegal migrants who were probably hidden in the hold, we fear that we’ll find more dead people once we recover the wreck,” Giuseppe Volpe, the Italian prosecutor leading the investigation into the cause of the fire, said earlier this week.

Reports of the number of missing have varied widely. The Greek coastguard said on Thursday that 18 are still unaccounted for, while Volpe has said the number may be as high as 98. In his end-year address, Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi praised the rescue effort for having prevented far more deaths and complimented the ship’s captain, Argilio Giacomazzi, for staying aboard the ship until it was evacuated. — Reuters

AFTER A LONG ILLNESS

Former New York governor Mario Cuomo dies at 82 NEW YORK: Mario Cuomo, a three-time New York governor who was once considered a leading candidate for the White House, died on Thursday aged 82.

He died at home from heart failure after a long illness, just hours after his eldest son Andrew was inaugurated for a second term as New York governor. “He couldn’t be here physically today, my father.

But my father is in this room. He’s in the heart and mind of every person who is here,” Andrew Cuomo said in his inaugural address.

Inspiration “His inspiration and his legacy and experience is what has brought this state to this point.”

US President Barack Obama praised Cuomo’s commitment to a life of public service.

“He rose to be chief executive of the state he loved, a determined champion of progressive values, and an unflinching voice for tolerance, inclusiveness, fairness, dignity, and opportunity,” the US president said in a statement late Thursday. Known for his eloquent speeches and his steadfast opposition to New York reinstating the death penalty, Cuomo rose to national prominence thanks to a famous 1984 speech at the Democratic National Convention.

In it, he delivered a rebuttal to Republican president Ronald Reagan’s depiction of the US as a “shining city on a hill” filled with opportunity for all, saying many Americans remained impoverished or feared losing their jobs.

“The hard truth is that not everyone is sharing in this city’s

splendor and glory,” Cuomo told rapt Democrats in the San Francisco address. “Mr President, you ought to know that this nation is more a ‘Tale of Two Cities’ than it is just a ‘shining city on a hill.’”

Despite being considered a possible frontrunner in subsequent presidential nomination battles, Cuomo never ran for the White House. In 1993, he asked president Bill Clinton to consider him for the Supreme Court but he withdrew his candidacy just before an offer was made.

Eventually, another New Yorker, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, secured the nomination. She still serves on America’s top court.

Former president Clinton and his wife Hillary -- widely viewed as the leading Democratic contender for the 2016 White House

race -- in a joint statement called Cuomo “the embodiment of the American dream”.

“It was Mario Cuomo’s great gift and our good fortune that he was both a sterling orator and a passionate public servant. His life was a blessing,” the Clintons wrote.

Cuomo first became New York governor in 1982, and easily won reelection in 1986 and 1990.

But by 1994, following a recession and a weak economic recovery, New Yorkers were fed up with Cuomo. He lost his fourth-term bid in a 1994 Republican landslide that left George Pataki the victor.

“Our deepest condolences on the passing of Gov Cuomo, a proud son of immigrants, possessed of a soaring intellect & a great New Yorker,” Pataki said in a Twitter message. — AFP

AN END OF ERA: Democratic Governor Andrew Cuomo reacts with his father Mario Cuomo, right, after being re-elected for the US midterm race in New York in this November 4, 2014 file photo. – Reuters Files

SATURDAY, JANUARY 3, 2015

S P O R S

Ramdin leads WI fightback after Harmer’s debut triple SCOREBOARD

Ramdin (53) and Jermaine Blackwood (45 not out) put on 94 for the sixth wicket to enable the tourists to finish with a respectable total after it seemed they had lost the advantage of winning the toss

GRAND DEBUT: South African bowler Simon Harmer, right, celebrates after taking one of the three wickets during the 1st day of the third Test against the West Indies at Newlands in Cape Town. – AFP

CAPE TOWN: Debutant offspinner Simon Harmer took three wickets before West Indian captain Denesh Ramdin led a fightback against South Africa on the first day of the third and final Test at Newlands on Friday.

At stumps at Newlands, West Indies, who are attempting to square the series, were 276 for six.

Ramdin (53) and Jermaine Blackwood (45 not out) put on 94 for the sixth wicket to enable the tourists to finish with a respectable total after it seemed they had squandered the advantage of winning the toss and batting first on an easy-paced pitch.

Harmer took three for 67 and was mainly responsible for the West Indies slipping to 172 for five, dismissing Devon Smith, Leon

Johnson and Shivnarine Chanderpaul during an impressive first day of Test cricket.

Harmer, 25, replaced leg-spinner Imran Tahir in the only change from the South African team that played in the rain-hit drawn second Test in Port Elizabeth.

He made an early impact by taking a wicket with the last ball of his fourth over.

It was also the last ball before lunch and came from a disappointing shot by Smith, who made 47 and seemed to be settling down after being beaten several times early on by the South African fast bowlers.

Smith tried to cut a ball which was too close to his body and chopped the ball onto his stumps.

Johnson played some handsome strokes in making 54 off 84

balls with nine fours. He added 51 for the third wicket with Marlon Samuels before he was deceived by a quicker ball from Harmer which curved in with the arm and struck the batsman on his front pad deep in his crease.

The leg before wicket decision was so obvious that Johnson did not even contemplate asking for a review, departing for the dressing room immediately.

Samuels looked in good form, scoring 43 off 70 balls, but hung his head in shame after playing a loose drive against the first ball sent down by part-time bowler Stiaan van Zyl, bowling at a gentle medium pace. The ball went straight to Faf du Plessis at cover.

Worse for the West Indies was to follow with the first ball after tea.

In what appeared to be a planned

move, Harmer fired the ball down the leg side and Chanderpaul was smartly stumped by AB de Villiers.

Chanderpaul was out for nine — his fourth successive failure in a series in which he has scored only 41 runs in four innings.

Ramdin, whose previous highest score in eight Tests against South Africa was 32, struck the ball solidly in making his half-century before falling to Dale Steyn shortly before the close.

He mistimed a slower ball to offer a return catch to the fast bowler.

Steyn took the first wicket of the day when he had Kraigg Brathwaite caught at gully.

His two wickets for the day took him to 391 Test wickets and second place on South Africa’s alltime wicket-taking list, one ahead of Makhaya Ntini and behind only

West Indies 1st innings K. Brathwaite c Elgar b Steyn 7 D. Smith b Harmer 47 L. Johnson lbw b Harmer 54 M. Samuels c Du Plessis b Van Zyl 43 S. Chanderpaul st De Villiers b Harmer 9 J. Blackwood not out 45 D. Ramdin c and b Steyn 53 J. Holder not out 5 Extras (lb-3, nb-2, w-8) 13 Total (6 wkts, 90 overs) 276 Fall of wickets: 1-30 (Brathwaite), 2-80 (Smith), 3-131 (Johnson), 4-162 (Samuels), 5-172 (Chanderpaul), 6-266 (Ramdin) Bowling: Steyn 21-5-59-2 (3w), Philander 16-2-54-0 (1nb), Morkel 18-1-74-0 (1nb, 1w), Harmer 25-5-67-3, Van Zyl 8-2-13-1, Elgar 2-0-6-0 To bat: J. Taylor, S. Benn, S. Gabriel South Africa: H. Amla, A. Petersen, D. Elgar, F. du Plessis, A. de Villiers, S. van Zyl, T. Bavuma, V. Philander, S. Harmer, D. Steyn, M. Morkel Toss: West Indies Umpires: Aleem Dar (PAK), Paul Reiffel (AUS) TV umpire: Billy Bowden (NZL) Match referee: Ranjan Madugalle (SRI)

Shaun Pollock, who took 421.

Blackwood was picked as an extra batsman in place of leftarm seamer Kenroy Peters and justified his selection with a dogged innings.

There was less assistance than expected for the seam bowlers, despite the pitch having a good coverage of grass, and South African captain Hashim Amla used Harmer for 25 overs, while part-timers Van Zyl and Dean Elgar bowled eight and two overs respectively. - AFP

CRICKET

Kohli will probably be aggressive captain, says Johnson We will put up a fine show for Hughes at SCG, says Siddle Virat Kohli will definitely be an aggressive type of captain I think in the way he sets fields, and I think you’ll see a lot different to what MS did. He’s an interesting character. He is a fierce competitor and he really does like to get involved in it all Mitchell Johnson PHOTO CALL: Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott with Indian Test captain Virat Kohli and Australian captain Steven Smith at Kirribilli House in Sydney. – PTI

SYDNEY: Having featured regularly in war of words with new India captain Virat Kohli in the ongoing Test series, Australia fast bowler Mitchell Johnson believes the volatile batsman will probably be more aggressive than previous skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

Kohli replaced Dhoni after the wicketkeeper’s sudden retirement from test cricket after the drawn third match in Melbourne.

“Ever since I’ve seen him play cricket, I’ve always seen him pretty fiery,” Johnson told reporters in Sydney ahead of the fourth

and final Test match, which starts on January 6. “So he’ll definitely be an aggressive type of captain I think in the way he sets fields, and I think you’ll see a lot different to what MS did.

“He’s an interesting character. He is a fierce competitor and he really does like to get involved in it all.”

Virat Kohli, who led India in Dhoni’s absence in the first Test in Adelaide, has been involved in a battle with virtually the entire Australian team during this series, exchanging heated words on the field particularly with Mitchell

Australian seamer

Johnson and wicketkeeper Brad Haddin. The 26-year-old fuelled that further during the third Test in Melbourne when he said he deliberately set out to provoke the Australians because they could give it, but not take it, on the field.

“I like playing against Australia because it’s really hard for them to stay calm,” he told reporters after he scored a brilliant 169 that included carting Johnson all around the MCG. “I don’t mind an argument on the field. It really excites me and brings the best out of me, so they

don’t seem to be learning the lesson.” Johnson, however, said the banter between the two sides had not been particularly venomous.

“It’s just harmless stuff, that’s out there,” Johnson said.

“There’s a lot of talk out in the media at the moment as bad sledging and pretty full on stuff but it’s all pretty harmless.

“Virat’s just been telling us how many runs he’s scored and we’ve just been saying we’re two nil up in the series so that’s pretty much it.

“It’s always been part of the game and always will be.” - Reuters

SYDNEY: As an emotional Australia get ready to play the final cricket Test at SCG starting on Tuesday, medium-pacer Peter Siddle said his team is keen to put up a fine show in memory of late Phillip Hughes, who succumbed to a fatal bouncer on this venue five weeks back.

The Sydney Cricket and Sports Ground Trust has also planned to unveil a bronze plaque in memory of Hughes, who died two days after a Sean Abbott delivery hit the back of the helmet in a freak on-field accident.

Siddle, who was not picked for the Brisbane and Melbourne games after playing the first Test in Adelaide, said that keeping emotions in check will not be easy.

“I had an opportunity to fly down and play the big bash game couple of weeks ago down in Sydney during the Brisbane Test and I think turning up there was a bit awkward.

Little bit daunting at first to walk out on the ground and spend some time out there. It’s going to be hard, we all know that,” Siddle told reporters here.

Having already reclaimed the Border-Gavaskar Trophy post the draw at Melbourne and a 2-0 series lead, Siddle said that great camaraderie between the players has made things easy.

“I think the lead ups are probably going to be the hardest. The best thing about all this is being able to be together as a team.

“That’s what has kept us strong over the last couple of weeks.

“Some of our best friends doing it together and if we want to talk about it we can.

“It’s going to be the best opportunity for us to be all together and be as one in that match. Once that match starts then we will get stuck in and put up a mighty fine contest for him,” he said. - PTI

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SPORTS Sayyid Khalid in Australia to boost Oman ahead of Asian Cup campaign SCHEDULE

All Oman time

OFA chairman Group A: Australia, South Korea, Kuwait, Oman January 9: 1300: Australia v Kuwait, Melbourne January 10: 0900: South Korea v Oman, Canberra January 13: 1100: Kuwait v South Korea, Canberra January 13: 1300: Oman v Australia, Sydney January 17: 1300: Australia v South Korea, Brisbane January 17: 1300: Oman v Kuwait, Newcastle

encourages team as Oman’s injured goalkeeper Muhannad Al Zaabi is returning home and has been replaced by Suleiman Al Buraiki

CANBERRA: Oman Football Association chairman Sayyid Khalid Al Busaidi arrived in Australia on Friday and made his presence felt at the Oman’s training session.

Sayyid Khalid exchanged words of encouragement with Oman players and urged them to do well in the forthcoming 2015 Asian Cup football championship, which will kick-off on January 9.

On New Year’s eve Oman were held to a 2-2 draw by Qatar in a warm-up match, but they suffered a loss in the process.

The loss was Oman’s second goalkeeper Muhannad Al Zaabi, who injured himself during the friendly match. Al Zaabi, who returned home, was replaced by Suleiman Al Buraiki, who will join the team soon.

Meanwhile, head coach Paul Le Guen has declared that Oman are not in Australia to merely make up the AFC Asian Cup numbers, insisting instead that the West Asians have every intention to shine brightly on the continental stage. Oman is Down Under having competed at the 2004 and 2007 Asian Cups, and determined to improve on their group stage exit they were forced to endure at both editions of Asia’s premier tournament.

While many neutrals believe Oman will struggle in a tough Group A which included Australia, South Korea and Kuwait, Le Guen remains adamant that his charges have what it takes to cause more than a few upsets.

“I can assure you, we are not just going to make up the numbers in Australia,” he explained. “We are travelling not just to play. We want to bring good results. I have faith in my boys, they can deliver.

“It will be a tough challenge but I know that sides like Australia are scared of us. They know we have the ability to trouble them. We are no longer pushovers.

“It is a good feeling when you know that rival teams consider us strong and competitive. Our players need to capitalise on it and become more ambitious,” the Frenchman added.

TRAINING HARD: Oman coach Paul Le Guen (in red) supervises a training session at the beach front in Canberra. Oman opens Asian Cup campaign on January 10 against South Korea. – Supplied photo

PROFILE OF OMAN FOR 2015 ASIAN CUP

Asian Cup record: Previous appearances in finals: (2) 2004, 2007.

Best performance: Group stage (2004, 2007) Drawn in Group A with Australia, South Korea and Kuwait.

I AM WITH YOU: OFA chairman Sayyid Khalid speaking to the players (not in picture) as coach Paul Le Guen and his staff look on. The OFA boss joined the team on Friday. – OFA

To play China on Monday Oman, who enjoyed draws with both the UAE and Qatar in the recent matches, will finalise their Asian Cup preparations on Monday when they face China, before beginning their group campaign against Korea Republic on January 10 in Canberra.

“I have belief in my team. It will be a tough challenge but I know that sides like Australia are scared of us,” the 50-year-old Frenchman said. “They know we have the ability to trouble them. We are no longer pushovers.”

Should they get anything out of their opening match against South Korea in Canberra on Jan. 10, or the Socceroos in Sydney three days later, Oman could be in a strong position ahead of the match against a Kuwait side they thrashed 5-0 in November.

However, with a patchy lead-up to the competition and back-toback matches against two of the pre-tournament favourites, any victory against Kuwait is likely to end up being a consolation win in another group stage exit.

Barring Wigan Athletic goalkeeper and skipper Ali Al Habsi, Oman will arrive in Australia with an entirely home-based squad, who have had a busy build-up period to the finals, kicking off with an entertaining 4-3 loss to Costa Rica in October.

After a 3-0 defeat to Uruguay, Le Guen’s men claimed their first win since May when they defeated Yemen 2-0 at home before encouraging draws against the UAE and Iraq.

Looking to follow up their 2009 triumph with a second Gulf Cup of Nations title in November, Oman

Coach: Paul Le Guen The former France international defender enjoyed a solid playing career, highlighted by domestic league and cup honours at Paris St Germain and success on the continent with a Cup Winners’s Cup victory at the same club in 1996.

His first foray into management was at Rennes before he led Lyon to three consecutive Ligue 1 titles from the 2002-03 season.

After a short and unsuccessful stint at Glasgow Rangers, he returned to France to manage PSG, where he picked up another trophy when he guided them to League Cup success in 2008.

Le Guen then moved on to international management, guiding Cameroon to the 2010 World Cup finals before joining Oman a year later. The side narrowly missed out on a playoff for the 2014 World Cup finals, losing to Jordan in the final group game, but qualified for the Asian Cup undefeated.

Key player: Ali Al-Habsi.

Age: 32. Goalkeeper.

Oman captain Al-Habsi left local side AlNasr in 2003 to sign for Lyn Oslo in Norway,

opened with that resounding victory over Kuwait but lost to eventual champions Qatar and the UAE to depart the tournament in the pool phase.

Undeterred by their inconsistent form, Le Guen, who enjoyed club success in his native France with Lyon and Paris St Germain and guided Cameroon to the 2010

making him the first Omani to play club football in Europe.

After moving to Bolton Wanderers in 2006, he joined current club Wigan Athletic in 2011, where he was their regular first choice goalkeeper until they were relegated from the Premier League two seasons ago.

Has battled injury in the last two seasons but declared himself fit for the Asian Cup, where, as Oman’s highest-profile player, he will need to be at his best if the Red Warriors are to advance to the knockout stage of the tournament for a first time.

Fifa world ranking December 2014: 93 How they qualified: Group A winners on 14 points ahead of Jordan after going undefeated through qualifying with four wins and two draws. Syria and Singapore were the other teams in the group.

Squad: Goalkeepers: Ali Al Habsi, Mazin Al Kasbi, Suleiman Al Buraiki Defenders: Abdul Salam Amour, Mohammed Al Mussallami, Saad Suhail, Jaber Al Owaisi, Ahmed Saleem, Nasser Al Shimli, Ali Al Busaidi, Ali Salim Al Nahar Midfielders: Ahmed Mubarak Al Mahajiri, Eid Al Farsi, Raeed Ibrahim Saleh, Ali Al Jabri, Hassan Mudhaffar, Mohsin Jawhar Forwards: Imad Al Hosni, Mohammed Al Siyabi, Abdulaziz Al Miqbali, Said Al Ruzaiqi, Yaqoob Abdul-Karim, Qasim Said

World Cup finals, hopes the squad will repay his faith in them with positive results.

While Al Habsi will need to be at his best to prevent Oman from conceding at one end, 30-year-old striker Imad Al Hosni, who has scored 36 goals in 115 appearances, is likely to spearhead the Red Warriors’ attack. - Times News Service, Agencies

FINAL SEASON WITH LIVERPOOL

Steven Gerrard has won two FA Cups, three League Cups and the Uefa Cup, among other honours, he has never laid his hands on the Premier League trophy and met with nothing but heartbreak in his 14 years with England

“It’s probably been the worst three months of my life,” he admitted during Liverpool’s pre-season tour of the United States.

Gerrard has endured more than his fair share of disappointment since inspiring Liverpool to glory in the 2006 FA Cup, with the 2012 League Cup the only major honour he has won since.

He also went close to winning the league title under Rafael Benitez in 2009, when Liverpool

Group C: UAE, Iran, Bahrain, Qatar January 11: 1100: UAE v Qatar, Canberra January 11: 1300: Iran v Bahrain, Melbourne January 15: 1100: Bahrain v UAE, Canberra January 15: 1300: Qatar v Iran, Sydney January 19: 1300: Iran v UAE, Brisbane January 19: 1300: Qatar v Bahrain, Sydney Group D: Japan, Jordan, Palestine, Iraq January 12: 1100: Japan v Palestine, Newcastle January 12: 1300: Jordan v Iraq, Brisbane January 16: 1100: Palestine v Jordan, Melbourne January 16: 1300: Iraq v Japan, Brisbane January 20: 1300: Japan v Jordan, Melbourne January 20: 1300: Iraq v Palestine, Canberra Quarterfinals January 22: 1st QF: Winner Group A v Runner-up Group B, Melbourne (1130); 2nd QF: Winner Group B v Runner-up Group A, Brisbane (1430) January 23: 3rd QF: Winner Group C v Runner-up Group D, Canberra (1030); 4th QF: Winner Group D v Runner-up Group C, Sydney (1330) Semifinals January 26: 1st semi: Winner of 1st QF v Winner of 3rd QF, Sydney (1100) January 27: 2nd semi: Winner of 2nd QF v Winner of 4th QF, Newcastle (1300) Third-Fourth place January 30: Loser of 1st semi v Loser of 2nd semi, Newcastle (1300) Final January 31: Winner of 1st semi v Winner of 2nd semi, Sydney (1300)

ASIAN CUP 2015

So much, so little for Liverpool great Gerrard LONDON: Steven Gerrard, who announced his departure from boyhood club Liverpool on Friday, is a player destined to be remembered as much for his extraordinary achievements as for his agonising near-misses.

The 34-year-old midfielder has captained Liverpool for 12 years, notably lifting the Champions League trophy after an unforgettable comeback against AC Milan in 2005, but coveted successes elsewhere have eluded him.

Although he has also won two FA Cups, three League Cups and the Uefa Cup, among other honours, he has never laid his hands on the Premier League trophy and met with nothing but heartbreak in his 14 years with England.

The last 12 months have reflected the latter years of his career in microcosm — glorious opportunity, followed by crushing disappointment.

Gerrard was poised to capture his first Premier League title last season, but his cruel slip in an April defeat against Chelsea tilted the momentum in the title race in Manchester City’s favour.

Weeks later, after one of the most accomplished seasons of his career, he went to Brazil hoping for a memorable international swansong at the World Cup, only for England to crash out after two matches.

Group B: Uzbekistan, Saudi Arabia, North Korea, China January 10: 1100: Uzbekistan v North Korea, Sydney January 10: 1300: Saudi Arabia v China, Brisbane January 14: 1100: North Korea v Saudi Arabia, Melbourne January 14: 1300: China v Uzbekistan, Brisbane January 18: 1300: Uzbekistan v Saudi Arabia, Melbourne January 18: 1300: China v North Korea, Canberra

looked destined for the championship, only for Manchester United to steam past them in the home straight.

It was a similar story with England, who he represented on 114 occasions and captained at three major tournaments.

His first England goal was a sizzling 25-yard strike in a famous 5-1 win away to Germany in 2001, but his international career thereafter was a succession of false dawns

and high-profile failures.

Comic-book hero But taken as a whole, in his club career — which began when he walked through the doors of Liverpool’s academy at the age of eight — Gerrard has scaled almost all the heights.

From the header that sparked the comeback to end all comebacks against Milan in Istanbul to the sensational 35-yard thunder-

bolt that took the 2006 FA Cup final to extra time, he has swaggered through his Anfield career with the audacity of a comic-book hero.

He came third in the voting for the Ballon d’Or in 2005 and was voted the greatest player in Liverpool’s history by fans in a 2013 poll.

No less a judge than Zinedine Zidane observed in 2009: “Is he the best in the world? He might not get the attention of Messi and Ronaldo, but yes, I think he might be.”

No longer the box-to-box gamechanger of his pomp, Gerrard has successfully streamlined his game under current Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers, sitting in front of the back four and spraying passes around the pitch with unwavering precision.

He will leave Anfield as Liverpool’s third-highest appearancemaker, behind only Ian Callaghan and Jamie Carragher, and with a claim to the title of the club’s greatest-ever player that only Kenny Dalglish can contest.

“Because of what he has done for the club, I believe he is the best,” Carragher, Gerrard’s fellow Scouser and former team-mate, told the Daily Telegraph in 2012.

“Dalglish, (Graeme) Souness and Ian Rush all played together in a great team, but because football is a team game, it’s been harder for Stevie because he’s not always played in great teams. - AFP

Jedinak says Australia can win the cup MELBOURNE: Despite a run of poor results, Australian captain Mile Jedinak said Friday that the Socceroos have what it takes to lift the 2015 Asian World Cup held on home soil next month. “I think 100 percent we’ve got the right blend (to win the Cup),” the Crystal Palace skipper said.

Australia failed to pick up a point at the World Cup in Brazil, but that did not dampen the 30-year-old’s enthusiasm after the squad’s first training session in Melbourne, where they play Kuwait in the opening game on January 9. “We know what’s happened in the last year, in terms of the games and things like that, it’s all been built up towards this point,” Jedinak said.

“The boys are looking to get out there and do the job. It was great having the World Cup so soon before this tournament.

“It got a lot of the squad to see what a tournament environment feels like.”

Australia, ranked 100th in the world, go into the Asian Cup having won just one of their 11 games in 2014 and following losses to Qatar and Japan in their last two outings. - AFP

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CHINA’S FACTORY ACTIVITY CONTRACTS IN DECEMBER China’s official PMI slipped to 50.1 in December from November’s 50.3, its lowest level of the year and just above the 50-point level that is supposed to separate growth from contraction. >B4

CONSUMER ELECTRONICS SHOW

‘Connected life’ at the heart of expo

VITAL REVENUE SOURCE: There will be a substantial fall in oil revenue this year, which constitutes 79 per cent of the government income. — Times file picture

Sultanate’s economy set to grow by 5% this year ECONOMIC INDICATORS Growth rate of non-oil sector is expected

Non-oil sector expected to grow by 5.5% in 2015

at 5.5 per cent and the main areas of focus

Inflation to drop to 2% in 2015, against 2.2% in 2014

include construction, electricity and water,

Budget surplus expected to fall to 2.9% of GDP in 2014

trading, services, and manufacturing

Total bank credit up by 10.5% OMR16.8 billion in the first eleven months of 2014

Interest rate shows decline

industries. In 2013, the country’s real economic growth was four per cent

businesseditor@timesofoman.com

which was released to announce the state budget.

MUSCAT: Oman’s economy is expected to grow by five per cent this year, against an estimated 4.4 per cent growth in gross domestic product (GDP) in 2014, according to the Ministry of Finance.

“National economy is expected to continue growth at an acceptable rate, driven by the growth of non-oil activities and effective strength of domestic demand and high oil production,” the Ministry of Finance said in a statement,

Non-oil sector Growth rate of non-oil sector is expected at 5.5 per cent and the main focused areas include construction, electricity and water, trading, services and manufacturing industries. In 2013, the country’s real economic growth was four per cent.

Ministry of Finance noted that the country’s macro-level stability, completion of several major infrastructure projects, better

A E JAMES

growth in non-oil sectors, availability of skilled workers, financial stability and a stable local currency are favourable factors for overcoming the challenges in view of a fall in oil revenue.

There will be a substantial fall in oil revenue this year, which constitutes 79 per cent of government income. Oil prices plunged by more than 48 per cent last year to a fiveyear low at $56 per barrel. Oman government estimated oil revenue at OMR9.16 million for 2015.

The Sultanate’s inflation is also projected to decline to two per

EUROPEAN CENTRAL BANK

ECB chief sees ‘limited’ risk of deflation in EU countries BERLIN: The European Central Bank (ECB) cannot entirely rule out the risk of the deflation in the eurozone, but that danger is limited, its chief Mario Draghi said in a newspaper interview on Friday.

“The risk cannot be ruled out completely, but it’s limited,” Draghi told the business daily Handelsblatt. “If inflation is too low for too long, then it can happen that people will bet on a further fall in prices and postpone spending. We haven’t reached that point yet. But we have to prepare for that risk,” Draghi said.

At just 0.3 per cent in November, eurozone inflation is alarmingly low and could even fall further as a result of falling oil prices.

Good for consumer Low inflation or even falling prices may sound good for the consumer. But from a central bank’s point of view, they can trigger a vicious spiral where businesses and households delay purchases, throttling demand and causing

creased compared to six months ago,” Draghi said. As a result, the ECB “is currently technically preparing to adjust the size, speed and composition of our measures at the start of 2015, should it become necessary to react to too long a period of too low inflation,” Draghi said.

The ECB’s policy-setting governing council “is unanimous about this,” he said.

Mario Draghi. — Bloomberg News

companies to lay off workers. The ECB has already rolled out a raft of different measures to try and push inflation back up to the 2.0 per cent it regards as economically healthy.

But the risk that the central bank will not be able to fulfil its price stability mandate “has in-

‘QE’ on the cards So far, the ECB has cut its interest rates to new all-time lows, made unprecedented amounts of cheap loans available to banks via its LTRO and TLTRO programmes, and embarked on asset purchase programmes (ABSs and covered bonds) to pump liquidity into the financial system.

But given the stubbornly low level of inflation, the ECB has also started considering possibility of large-scale purchases of sovereign debt, so-called “quantitative easing” or “QE”. - AFP

cent in 2015, mainly on account of a fall in global commodity prices.

This is against 2.2 per cent and 3.1 per cent growth in inflation rate in 2014 and 2013, respectively.

Budget surplus is expected to decline to 2.9 per cent of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) in 2014 from as high as 8.2 per cent in 2013.

As far as the financial sector is concerned, the Ministry of Finance said that the total bank credit for the first eleven months of 2014 rose 10.5 per cent to OMR16.8 billion, from OMR15.2

billion for the same period of the previous year. Likewise, total deposits moved up by 14 per cent to OMR17.3 billion for the first eleven months of 2014, from OMR15.2 billion for the same period of 2013.

Also, there was a fall in interest rates on deposits in Omani rial from 1.32 per cent in August 2012 to 1.27 per cent in December 2013, and to 1.006 per cent in November, 2014.

In line with global trend, interest rates are expected to fall in the Sultanate at a greater level, which will support bank credit growth and stimulate investment activity.

Thanks to increased oil and non-oil exports, the national economy is also projected to continue to maintain its external balances, but the size of current surpluses is expected to retreat as a result of the noticeable rise in domestic demand and the falling oil prices.

- With input from Oman News Agency

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WASHINGTON: In the air, in your car, on your back — new technology at the upcoming Consumer Electronics Show (CES) is showcasing the growing number of ways to live the “connected life.”

The so-called “Internet of Things” is leading to a wider range of wearable tech, from sports shirts to smart watches to sleep monitors to connected refrigerators.

The vast 2015 International CES, one of the world’s biggest electronics fairs to be held in Las Vegas January 6-9, shows how technology is permeating virtually all sectors of life — from entertainment to automobiles to kitchen appliances, in sectors including health, fashion and sports.

“The ‘Internet of Things’ is the hottest topic in tech right now,” said Karen Chupka of the Consumer Electronics Association, which organises the annual event.

“It’s all about the opportunity to connect everyday items like cars, home security systems and kitchen appliances to networked devices like PCs and smartphones for greater control and management of our everyday lives.”

Also on view will be the newest and biggest television displays featuring “ultra high definition” that is catching on with consumers.

So-called 4K television sets are coming down in price and becoming mainstream, and some reports suggest the show may feature newer, even more realistic “8K” displays.

Roger Kay, analyst at Endpoint Technologies Associates, said that 4K “is a really obvious play for the industry and consumers” because it can mean big-ticket purchases, and deliver a better image.

While 4K television has been around a few years, the market may be ready now, says Bob O’Donnell at the research firm Technalysis, with prices for TV sets falling below $1,000.

The 4K format “is more 3D-like than 3D,” O’Donnell said. “The quality is so high it makes you feel like you’re there.”

Curved and bendable screens should be on display, and perhaps some folding ones as well.

In the air, CES will for the first time have a dedicated space for drones to accommodate the growing interest in unmanned flying devices. This comes with interest in drones for everything from law enforcement to crop management to search-and-rescue missions.

A separate robotics zone will be 25 per cent bigger than last year, with at least 18 exhibitors. Some robots are connected to the Internet cloud, or controllable by mobile device and capable of seeing, hearing, feeling and reacting to the environment. - AFP

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FEATURE

QUAKE ALERT A QUAKE WARNING, BEFORE IT STRIKES

A 10-SECOND WARNING may not sound like much, but when it comes to earthquakes, it’s enough time to take cover. With the magnitude 6.0 earthquake in California’s wine country still fresh in everyone’s memory, there is an increased interest in building a warning system that will alert people quickly about the possibility of a tremor on the way, said Richard Allen, director of the Seismological Laboratory at the University of California, Berkeley.

The university and Deutsche Telekom Innovation Laboratories are looking into the possibility that a smartphone app could send out alerts of coming quakes to cellphone users, giving them precious seconds of lead time before a tremor.

The MyShake app, still being tested, uses smartphone accelerometers and locaters to augment the information on quakes that comes from 400 seismometers in California, Allen said. Eventually, the app could warn users and provide huge amounts of additional data on earthquakes, he said.

The school already has had some success with ShakeAlert, a desktop program that uses data from the seismometers to send warnings to about 150 registered test users. It gave a 5-second warning during the recent quake near Napa, California, to users in Berkeley 25 miles away, Allen said.

MyShake would enlist phones as additional quake sensors. The app, running in the phone’s background, has an algorithm that detects when the phone is stationary and then collects data on any shaking. Several phones in the same area sending shake data at the same time could help identify earthquakes sooner, especially those that don’t happen near existing sensors. Eventually, Allen said, MyShake and ShakeAlert could be interlaced into one system.

“We like to think this is a big development in the next generation of the seismometer network,” Allen said.

Getting an early warning system rolling in California will take millions of dollars and at least a couple of years to build, if the tests are successful, Allen said. In the meantime, a number of free or inexpensive apps for mobile phones and tablets can give alerts, advice on earthquake survival and information for friends and family of those living in earthquake zones around the globe.

But it’s not just people who live along the 800-mile San Andreas Fault who would benefit from such technology. Forty-five states or US territories are at moderate to high risk of damaging earthquakes.

The American Red Cross Earthquake app, for the iPhone and Android phones, is the fourth-most-downloaded of the 11 disaster-related apps that the Red Cross has developed since 2012.

“What makes it special is it alerts in real time,” said Dom Tolli, vice president for product management at the Red Cross division of preparedness, health and safety services.

As soon as the federal Geological Survey issues a notification — generally within five min-

utes after a quake has occurred in the United States and a half-hour in other parts of the world — the information is sent directly to your phone, based on the filters you set. You can arrange to be notified of even the slightest rumble within a 500-mile radius of your location or an unlimited number of other cities or ZIP codes in North America and in United States territories.

The app also includes information about earthquakes, a global map of quakes of 4.5 magnitude or higher occurring in the last 30 days, links to your phone’s flashlight, as well as an emergency siren and a page from which to send an “I’m safe” message via email, text, Facebook or Twitter.

QuakeFeed is a free app for the iPhone (there is no Android version) that displays earthquakes, colour-coded by intensity, as reported by the Geological Survey. Push notifications come free for any quake worldwide at or above magnitude 6. For a $1.99 upgrade, you can set notifications for specific locations and magnitudes.

BEGIN OPTIONAL TRIM The QuakeFeed display toggles between a world map and a list of earthquakes, which can be sorted alphabetically or by magnitude. The list also gives the magnitude and depth of the earthquake, as well as the number of miles from the phone’s location. Tap on the arrow at the right, and you get a map of the area in question. QuakeFeed also has a news feed, with links to articles about quake-related topics and earthquake preparedness.

END OPTIONAL TRIM Facebook recently introduced a stand-alone feature called Safety Check to notify friends and relatives in the event of a natural disaster. Should Facebook sense you are in a disaster area because of your home location or record or recent Internet activity, it sends a message asking if you are safe, and you have the option of pressing the “I’m Safe” button or one that says you are not in the affected area.

Some other earthquake apps also have filters that provide notifications based on magnitude or distance, but often for a premium. Oz Quake for iPhones and Android phones, for instance, charges 99 cents for the filter upgrade and an audible alert.

For a perspective on just how risky life on planet Earth can be, Disaster Alert is the Pacific Disaster Centre’s way of keeping you up-to-date on just about every type of hazard. Disaster Alert displays either a global map or a list that includes earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, disease outbreaks, floods, wildfires, hurricanes, droughts and many more.

All that unfiltered information is free. But alerts can be customised by severity and location for subscriptions of $2.99 for three months, $5.99 for six months or $9.99 for one year. Proceeds go to enhance the platform, according to the centre’s website. — ROXIE HAMMILL and MIKE HENDRICKS / The New York Times News Service

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Singapore private home prices post longest losing streak in decade SINGAPORE: Singapore’s home prices dropped for a fifth consecutive quarter, the longest losing streak in more than a decade, as tighter mortgage curbs cooled demand in Asia’s second-most expensive housing market.

An index tracking private residential prices fell one per cent to 205.8 points in the three months ended on December 31, the longest stretch of declines since March 2004 and bringing the slide to 4.9 per cent from the record high set in September 2013, according to preliminary data released by the Urban Redevelopment Authority on Friday.

Residential prices drop Residential prices fell four per cent in 2014, the URA figures showed, the first year-on-year fall since 2008, as the government’s five-year campaign to rein in property values curbed demand.

The drop is now more prolonged than during the global financial crisis, when prices slid for four consecutive quarters between the middle of 2008 and mid-2009.

“The decline in the last quarter was quite sharp,” said Alan Cheong, a Singapore-based director at real estate broker Savills. He said home prices may fall another three per cent in 2015, while sales may remain at the low levels seen in 2014.

The government has imposed various curbs to cool the property market, including restrictions in June 2013 on the total loan amount for individuals. The measures prevent borrowers from taking on mortgages that push their total debt servicing costs above 60 per cent of income.

Singapore is unlikely to ease curbs until “a meaningful correction” takes place, Finance Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam

Residential prices fell four per cent in 2014, the URA figures showed, the first year-on-year fall since 2008, as the government’s fiveyear campaign to rein in property values curbed demand

said on October 28, suggesting prices have further to decline.

Apartment prices fell 0.9 per cent in prime districts in the fourth quarter after sliding 0.8 per cent in the previous three months, Friday’s URA data showed. Those in the suburbs dropped 0.9 per cent, compared with a 0.3 per cent decline in the previous quarter.

Mortgage loan growth of 6.2 per cent in November was the slowest pace since May 2007, data compiled by Bloomberg based on MAS figures showed.

Developers sold 412 units in November, according to previously-released URA data, the fewest homes sold in any month last year.

New private home sales may have fallen to about 7,500 units for all of last year, almost half the 14,948 units sold in 2013, according to Nicholas Mak, executive director at SLP International Property Consultants. - Bloomberg News

NOT SO ROSY: At the end of last year, 44 of 59 analysts in a Bloomberg survey said the euro would drop against the dollar, with the median projection looking for a 2.5 per cent decline through December 31. — Bloomberg file picture

Euro strategists expect further pain this year Europe’s common currency, which appreciated to $1.3993 in May, ended last year down 12 per cent against the dollar, its biggest loss since the year 2005

DEMAND COOLS: Apartment prices fell 0.9 per cent in prime districts in the fourth quarter after sliding 0.8 per cent in the previous three months. — Bloomberg file picture

LONDON: Midway through European Central Bank (ECB) President Mario Draghi’s May press conference in Brussels, the euro rose to its strongest level during his tenure. Then he said the ECB was ready to introduce more stimulus measures, sending it into a slide that strategists say will extend into 2015.

Europe’s common currency, which appreciated to $1.3993 that May day, ended last year down 12 per cent against the dollar, its biggest loss since 2005. Strategists, who were too timid with their call for a decline in 2014 to $1.28, now see a slump to $1.18 by the end of this year. The euro set a four-year low of $1.2035 on Friday. A weaker

D E C E M B E R S TAT I S T I C S

Indonesia inflation rises to 8.36% JAKARTA: Indonesia’s inflation rate shot up in December and its trade balance swung to a deficit after the country’s new president hiked fuel prices by 30 per cent a month earlier, data showed on Friday.

December inflation jumped to 8.36 per cent year-on-year from 6.23 per cent in November.

Transportation cost adjustments in December that pushed

up food prices during the holiday season were the main reason for the higher-than-expected inflation, the Statistics Agency said.

“Some (companies) adjusted the transportation cost only in December and this is the reason why inflation is that high,” said Statistics Agency head Suryamin, who goes by one name.

The 30 per cent increase in the price of diesel and petrol was an-

nounced in November, and was aimed at cutting government subsidies that gobble up a huge chunk of the state budget and have sparked investor alarm.

The trade balance also suffered as it swung to a deficit of $425.7 million from a small surplus of $20 million in October as prices of commodities, the resourcerich country’s key exports, slumped. - AFP

euro is key for Draghi as he tries to spur the region’s struggling economy and ward off deflation.

Risk of deflation He started this year by telling German newspaper Handelsblatt that the risk of deflation in the region cannot be excluded, bolstering speculation policy makers will soon start actions such as buying bonds that tend to weigh on a currency.

“The euro-bearish consensus was struggling hard for the first half of the year, but it has come good as the ECB has driven rates down,” Kit Juckes, a global strategist at Societe General in London, said in a December 30 phone interview.

“The best thing the ECB can try to engineer is still a weaker euro,” he further added.

Juckes forecasts the euro will weaken to $1.14 by year-end, a level last seen in 2003. It was at $1.2059 as of 8:08am London time.

Below target With inflation languishing below the ECB’s goal of just under two per cent and the market’s outlook for consumer prices crumbling as crude oil declines, more than 90 per cent of respondents in a monthly Bloomberg survey in December predicted that the ECB would expand the supply of euros by beginning to purchase sovereign bonds in 2015. That’s up from 57 per cent the previous month.

“The risk that we don’t fulfill our mandate of price stability is higher than it was six months ago,” Draghi

said in the Handelsblatt interview.

While limited, the risk of deflation “cannot be entirely excluded,” he said, and “we have to act against such risk.” Since the May meeting, the ECB cut its deposit rate below zero for the first time on record, began a programme of targeted loans, and started purchasing asset-backed securities and covered bonds. At the same time, the dollar is strengthening as the Federal Reserve moves closer to raising interest rates.

‘Bolder leader’ At the end of last year, 44 of 59 analysts in a Bloomberg survey said the euro would drop against the dollar, with the median projection looking for a 2.5 per cent decline through December 31. That’s a less-bearish forecast than at the same point the previous year.

“It’s the ECB where we’ve seen the biggest evolution,” Michael Sneyd, a currency strategist at BNP Paribas in London, said on December 23. “Over the past 12 months, Draghi has been a bolder leader. Our view for the next year is for continued declines in eurodollar.”

BNP expects the euro to decline to $1.15 by the end of 2015, he said.

Draghi reiterated in Friday’s Handelsblatt interview that officials would act should current stimulus be seen as insufficient when it’s assessed in early 2015.

He said on December 4 that in order to add as much as one trillion euros to the institution’s balance

sheet, “all assets but gold” are under consideration for purchase.

“I want to see how this plays out, certainly through January, before drawing strong conclusions,” Jane Foley, senior foreign-exchange strategist at Rabobank International in London, said in a December 23 interview.

Foley predicts the euro will end 2015 at $1.20 and sees “downside risks” to her forecast, she said. “It’s very difficult to draw firm conclusions as to how much the quantitative easing will succeed in depressing the euro further because if so much is already in the price, how much further down can the euro go?”

Options traders are paying more than at any time in over a year to protect against further losses for the euro, whose membership expanded to 19 nations at the start of 2015.

The premium for one-year options to sell the euro over those to buy it is 153 basis points. It touched 159.5 basis points on December 18, the most since October 2013.

Traders are willing to pay a higher price for options to sell the euro for every period from one day to 10 years, according to data compiled

by Bloomberg. - Bloomberg News

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China’s factory activity contracts mies well into the new year.

India’s factory production at two-year high, survey reveals

China’s official PMI slipped to 50.1 in December from November’s 50.3, its lowest level of the year and just above the 50-point level that is supposed to separate growth from contraction

SYDNEY: China’s growth engine looks to have ended last year on a flat note as its massive factory sector sputtered in December, though ebbing price pressures also offered scope for more policy stimulus from Beijing and across much of Asia.

The tale was similar from Singapore to South Korea to Indonesia as manufacturers struggled with weak demand, both at home and abroad.

China’s official Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) slipped to 50.1 in December from November’s 50.3, its lowest level of the year and just above the 50-point

LOSING STEAM: Many analysts suspect economic growth for all of 2014 will undershoot the government’s 7.5 per cent target, marking the weakest expansion in 24 years. — Bloomberg file picture

level that is supposed to separate growth from contraction.There was better news from China’s services sector, which accounts for close to half of the economy, where the PMI edged up to 54.1 in December from November’s 53.9.

Yet many analysts suspect economic growth for all of 2014 will undershoot the government’s 7.5 per cent target, marking the weakest expansion in 24 years. With factories able to make more than consumers wanted to buy, the pressure was intense to cut prices.

“The price measures show very

strong disinflationary forces,” said analysts at Nomura.

“With no inflation pressure, we expect more policy easing in the first quarter, including a 50 basis-point cut in the bank reserve requirement ratio, to shore up domestic demand.”

Inflation deflates Disinflation was a feature across much of the region. In South Korea, consumer prices grew at the slowest clip in more than 15 years in December, opening the door for further rate cuts there.

MUMBAI: Indian factory output expanded at its quickest pace in two years last month, a key survey showed on Friday, in a further sign that the economy is picking up under new Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Banking giant HSBC said that its purchasing managers index (PMI) rose to 54.5 points in December, up from 53.3 in the previous month.

In the survey, which is seen as a harbinger of industrial expansion and economic health, a reading of more than 50 points suggests expansion while anything below indicates contraction.

“Manufacturing activity mo-

Its version of the PMI contracted slightly but did show some improvement in December to stand at 49.9, from 49.0 in November.

Indonesia was not even that fortunate as its PMI slipped to 47.6 in December, the lowest since the survey began in April 2011 and a third con-

mentum accelerated to a two year high in December, led by a healthy increase in new orders,” said Pranjul Bhandari, chief economist at HSBC. The survey suggested a continuing sharp fall in input prices such as oil could create “space for some rate cuts” in 2015. The RBI hinted that it would be in a position to lower interest rates if price pressures continued to ease.

But the survey sounded a cautious note on the pace of recovery in Asia’s third-largest economy, saying it was “critical” that demand for investment goods, such as heavy machinery, outpaced demand for consumer goods. - AFP

secutive month of contraction.

Singapore also disappointed as economic growth slowed more than expected in the fourth quarter and the manufacturing sector contracted in the face of erratic global demand, which could continue to weigh on Asia’s trade-reliant econo-

The city-state’s gross domestic product expanded by an annualised 1.6 per cent, well short of the 3.0 per cent analysts expected and mainly due to a reversal in manufacturing.

Asian exporters will get some relief as the US economy shifts into higher gear, though they did not benefit as much from the American recovery in 2014 as they had in the past.

The US Federal Reserve has indicated it will start raising rates from zero later this year as long as the economy continues to improve and unemployment falls further.

The US Institute for Supply Management’s measure of manufacturing is due later on Friday and is expected to show a still strong reading around 57.6 for December.

In contrast, the December PMIs from the euro zone are seen staying subdued, which will only add to pressure for more aggressive action from the European Central Bank.

In an interview with German financial daily Handelsblatt published on Friday, ECB President Mario Draghi acknowledged the risk that inflation would stay too low for too long.

“We are in technical preparations to adjust the size, speed and compositions of our measures early 2015, should it become necessary to react to a too long period of low inflation,” he said. - Reuters

INDIAN MARKETS

Sensex surges to almost four-week high; rupee recoups against dollar MUMBAI: The benchmark Sensex on Friday soared by 380 points, logging its sixth successive session of gains, to nearly fourweek highs boosted by gains in banking stocks on hopes of muchawaited sectoral reforms and encouraging manufacturing output data for December. The 50-issue Nifty of NSE crossed the 8,400 level before ending at 8,395.45, a gain of 111.45 points or 1.35 per cent.

Shares of PSU and private sector banks saw heavy buying.

per dollar as against Thursday’s close of 63.35 at the Interebank Foreign Exchange (Foerx) Market and fell further to a low of 63.4875 on initial dollar demand from importers on the back of higher dollar in the overseas market.

However, it recovered to 63.24 before ending at 63.29 per dollar, showing a gain of six paise or 0.09 per cent on fresh selling of dollars by banks and exporters on expectation of more foreign capital inflows in view of strong equity market.

Senior bankers, insurers, financial sector regulators and finance ministry officials are attending the two-day meet at Pune from Friday to deliberate on host of issues including M&As and bad assets to revitalise the banking sector.

Bombay Stock Exchange. –Bloomberg file picture

The Sensex resumed higher at 27,521.28 and surged to 27,937.47 before ending at 27,887.90, a sharp gain of 380.36 points or 1.38 per cent. This is its strongest closing in nearly four weeks. It has now gained over 679.29 points in six straight days. On a weekly basis, it climbed 646 points.

From the banking and financials space in Sensex, counters like HDFC, ICICI Bank, HDFC Bank, Axis Bank and SBI rose.

Bank of Baroda, Bank of India, Bank of Maharashtra and United Bank of India gained among PSU banks outside the index.

Besides banking, capital goods, IT, power, teck and realty counters too attracted good buying support. This was after an HSBC survey said that India’s manufacturing sector grew at its fastest pace in two years in December on strong orders flows from domestic buyers as well from abroad.

“The significant improvement in HSBC Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) provided the initial push,” said Religare Securities, President-retail distribution, Jayant Manglik,

“Bullish domestic equities largely lifted the rupee sentiment,” a dealer said.

The dollar strengthened in the global market on speculation the Federal Reserve is on course to raise interest rates this year while the European Central Bank prepares to extend its stimulus measures.

In New York, the US dollar hit its highest level in nearly nine years on Thursday against the basket of currencies, drawing strength from the US economy’s outperformance and the diverging outlook for monetary policies among major economies.

Rupee appreciated as local equities ended up by over one per cent, taking cues from positive global equities which helped rupee to trade firm against the strong dollar. - PTI

adding that hopes that fiscal position of the government is likely to improve during January-March quarter also encouraged sentiments.

Rupee recovers The rupee recovered from initial losses and even recovered marginally overnight losses by six paise to 63.29 per dollar on fresh selling of dollars by banks and exporters on hopes of more foreign capital inflows into equity market.

The rupee resumed lower at 63.43

B SECTION

LIFE & STYLE

NERD CULTURE GAINS GROUND If you love comic books, superheroes, your childhood toys or young adult fiction, this ought to feel like a delightful moment in popular culture

WWW.TIMESOFOMAN.COM S AT U R DAY, JA N UA RY 3, 2 0 1 5

M

arvel and DC have superhero movies on the calendar for years to come. Teenage girls are saving the world left right and centre. Even as the Transformers franchise has devolved into utter ridiculousness, Phil Lord and Christopher Miller are making up for it with their Lego Movie. So why in 2014 did it so often feel like we’d gotten everything we wanted, but lost our souls in the process? In order to win nerd culture the recognition we always felt like it deserved, Hollywood burdened storylines by ratcheting up the stakes and grim moral dilemmas. Of course, young adult novels and comic books have always had significant stakes. But they could also often be silly and happy as well, in a way that gets obscured by their current incarnations on the silver screen. Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) may be free from the murderous reality television shows staged by the tyrants of Capitol in The Hunger Games: Mockingjay-Part One. But in this third installment of The Hunger Games franchise, based on Suzanne Collins’ young adult books, she has to reckon with the idea that being a hero doesn’t necessarily mean making her own decisions, or living by her own moral code.

Instead, the District 13 resistance movement asks her to star in a series of propaganda films.

Peter Parker (Andrew Garfield) doesn’t have to rebel against a repressive government like fellow teen Katniss does (he lives, after all, in contemporary New York City). But in keeping with the tragic cast in superhero movies, he ends up inadvertently causing his girlfriend Gwen Stacy’s (Emma Stone) death in The Amazing Spider-Man 2.

The adults aren’t doing much better.

X-Men: Days of Future Past gives us a Professor Xavier (James McAvoy) who has become a depressive drug addict. President Richard Nixon is signing contracts for giant, murderous robots. And despite our heroes’ best efforts to keep peace, the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse are mounted up and ready to ride.

In Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) confronted both the challenges of the modern world and the corruption of the agency that employed him. Intended as a commentary on President Barack Obama’s kill list and use of drone strikes as a tactic in the War on Terror, Captain America rejected the idea that S.H.I.E.L.D. ought to preemptively execute citizens who were targeted because data analysis suggested they might someday become threats. But the movie was unable to reject the idea of targeted killings entirely. Instead, it just handed responsibility for making these difficult decisions to Captain America, who is presumed to have the rectitude to handle it. All in all, doing the right thing seems to mean embracing perpetual struggle and disappointment. Sustainable world peace is bad for the studio bottom line.

Heavy may be the shoulders which carry the vibranium-alloy shield. But elsewhere in movies, characters embraced heroism without undue agita about their moral responsibilities or concern about the collateral damage that so often seems to be cost of saving the world. As both Peter Quill, the charming ne’er-do-well in Guardians of the Galaxy, and the voice of Emmet Brickowoski, the construction worker-turned-accidental-champion of creative freedom in the The Lego Movie, Chris Pratt gives two performances that are arguments for the idea that swashbuckling has its own value, and that hero’s journey can be joyful rather than simply burdensome.

Like Han Solo before him, Peter starts out Guardians as a scoundrel. Or maybe it would be more accurate to say that he comes across a bit like Han Solo’s more relaxed younger brother: We meet Peter as he’s rocking out to Come and Get Your Love on an ancient Walkman and making off with an artefact that turns out to be rather more valuable than he expected.

His transformation into someone who “will not stand by as evil wipes out billions of innocent lives” doesn’t mean that Peter becomes less of a flirt, or that his spaceship gets any neater or more high tech. And it definitely doesn’t make Peter any less goofy or oriented towards fun. When Peter’s alien comrade Gamora (Zoe Saldana) insists that she’s too serious a person to get down and boogie, Peter lectures her that “On my planet, we have a legend about people like you. It’s called ‘Footloose.’ And in it, a great hero, named Kevin Bacon, teaches an entire city full of people with sticks up their butts that, dancing, well, is the greatest thing there is.” He challenges a supervillain (Lee Pace) to a dance-off as a diversion.

Approaching heroism as a solely grim enterprise is to give in to the idea that, as Peter puts it, “Life takes more than it gives.” That might be a morally sophisticated position to take, but it’s also a compromise.

Guardians of the Galaxy might not have the moral sophistication of Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight trilogy, but Peter Quill’s refusal to be destroyed by the responsibilities he assumes represents a more ambitious kind of optimism.

In The Lego Movie, Emmet is an even more unworthy vessel, an unthinking worshipper at the consumerist temples that President Business (Will Ferrell) has erected to distract his citizens from Business’ evil plan to freeze them into a state of perfection. “Trust your instincts,” the wizard Vitruvius (Morgan Freeman) tells Emmet, encouraging him to try to use creativity to escape Business’ henchmen. “Unless your instincts are terrible,” Vitruvius acknowledges a moment later, recognising Emmet’s utter lack of imagination. Unlike his superhero and action movie counterparts who must try to use violence responsibly and for the greater good, what Emmet needs to learn is how to play. “Batman’s a true artist, dark and brooding,” Wyldstyle (Elizabeth Banks), a pretty Lego piece tells Emmet of her superhero boyfriend, played as a hilarious bro by Will Arnett. But Emmet learns just as much from Unikitty (Alison Brie), a bizarre creation who rules over Cloud Cukoo Land where “There are no rules. There’s no government, no babysitters, no babysitters, no frowny faces ... no consistency.”

When the enemy is obsessed with order, vigorous senses of anarchy and fun that makes rigidity look ridiculous are powerful weapons. It’s oft-repeated conventional wisdom that all culture is nerd culture now. But The Lego Movie and Guardians of the Galaxy are powerful, delightful reminders that comic books, young adult fiction and franchises based on toys can’t truly be said to have conquered the world until we reach a point where we don’t need to artificially weigh them down to justify the pleasure we take in them. — By Alyssa Rosenberg/The Washington Post

B6

S ATUR DAY, JAN UA RY 3, 2 015

ENTERTAINMENT CINEMA SCHEDULE

BAHJA CINEMA Vice (2D) Action | Adventure (15+) Cast: Thomas Jane, Bruce Willis 5:30, 9:30 & 11:30 pm Legend Of Never Beast (2D) Animation | Adventure (PG) 2:00pm Legend Of Never Beast (3D) Animation | Adventure (PG) 4:15 & 5:45 pm Swelter (2D) Act | Thriller (15+) Cast: Jean-Claude Van Damme 3:30, 7:30 & 11:45 pm Into the Woods (2D)Com|Family (PG) Cast: Anna Kendrick, Meryl Streep 2:15 pm P.K (2D) Comedy | Drama(PG) Cast: Aamir Khan, Anushka Sharma 8:50 pm Unbroken (2D) Bio| Drama (15+) Cast: Jack O’Connell, Domhnall 4:30 & 7:15pm Laggies (2D) Rom | Com) (PG) Cast: Keira Knightley, Chloë Grace Moretz, Sam Rockwell 2:15 & 7:00 pm Woman In Black Angel Of Death (2D) (Horror | Thriller) (15+) Cast: Helen McCrory, Jeremy Irvine 9:45 & 11:45pm

Vice (2D) (Act | Adventure) (15+) Cast: Thomas Jane, Bruce Willis 1:30, 9:45 & 11:45 pm Gold Class: 3:45 & 11:15pm Legend Of Never Beast (2D) (Animation | Adventure) (PG) 12:30 pm

SCREEN 3

Legend Of Never Beast (3D) (Animation | Adventure) (PG) 2:00 & 5:15pm Gold Class: 12:15pm Swelter (2D) (Act | Thriller) (15+) Cast: Jean-Claude Van Damme 3:30 & 6:45pm Gold Class: 1:45pm P.K (2D) (Com | Drama) (PG) Cast: Aamir Khan, Sanjay Dutt, Anushka Sharma 7:15 pm Gold Class: 8:15pm Unbroken (2D) (Bio| Drama) (15+) 11:00 am & 8:45 pm Gold Class: 5:45 pm Laggies (2D) (Rom | Comedy) (PG) Cast: Keira Knightley 10:30 am, 3:30 & 5:30 pm Ironclad: Battle For Blood (2D) Action/Adventure (18+) Cast: Michelle Fairley, Roxanne McKee, Danny Webb 11:45 pm

Linga (Act|Drama) (Tamil) -(PG ) Cast: Rajnikanth, Sonakshi Sinha 3.30 pm Action Jackson (Act| Rom| Dr) (12+ ) Cast: Ajay Devgan, Sonakshi Sinha 7.00, 9.45 pm

The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies -3D (PG12) (Adv| Fantasy) Cast: Ian McKellen, Richard Armitage 7: 00 pm P.K. – 2D (PG) Com | Drama | Fantasy Cast : Aamir Khan, Anushka Sharma 12:30, 2:30, 8:45 pm Swelter – 2D (15+) Act | Dr | Thriller Cast:Jean-Claude Van Damme, 3:45, 7:45, 9:45, 11:45 pm Vice – 2D (15+) Act | Adv | Sci-Fi Cast : Thomas Jane, Bruce Willis 12:15, 2:00, 5:45, 9:45, 11:45pm Legend of the NeverBeast – 3D (PG) Animation | Adventure | Family Voice Overs: Ginnifer Goodwin, Rosario Dawson, Mae Whitman 2:30, 4:00, 5:30 pm Legend of the NeverBeast – 2D (PG) Animation | Adventure | Family Voice Overs: Ginnifer Goodwin, Mae Whitman 1:00, 3:15 pm The Woman in Black 2 Angel of Death – 2D (15+) (Drama | Horror) Cast: Helen McCrory, Phoebe Fox 4:40, 11:30 pm Unbroken – 2D (15+) Bio| Dr | Sport Cast: Jack O’Connell, Takamasa Ishihara, Domhnall 6:30, 11:15 pm Cousins – 2D (M) (PG) (Comedy)

SCREEN 1 P. K (Comedy | Drama | Social) (PG ) Cast: Aamir Khan, Anushka Sharma, Sanjay Dutt 3.30, 6.30, 9.30 pm SCREEN 2 P. K (Comedy | Drama | Social) (PG ) Cast: Aamir Khan, Anushka Sharma, Sanjay Dutt 4.00, 7.00, 10.00 pm

Cast: Kunchacko Boban, Indrajith Sukumaran, Suraj Venjaramoodu 12:00, 9:00 pm Laggies – 2D (PG) (Com | Romance) Cast : Keira Knightley, Chloë Grace 5:00, 7:00 pm

Vice (Act | Adventure | Sci-Fi ) (15+) Cast: Thomas Jane, Bruce Willis 3:30, 6:30, 8:15, 11:45 pm Swelter (Act | Dr | Thriller) (15+) Cast: Jean-Claude Van Damme 5:15, 7:00, 10:00, 11:30 pm P.K. (Com | Dr | Fantasy) (PG) Cast: Aamir Khan, Sanjay Dutt 3:45, 8:45 pm Legend of the NeverBeast - 2D (Animation | Adv | Family) (PG) 3:00 pm Legend of the NeverBeast - 3D Animation | Adv | Family) (PG) 4:30, 6:00 pm Cousins (Comedy) (PG) Cast: Kunchacko Boban, Indrajith Sukumaran, Suraj Venjaramoodu 7:30 pm The Woman in Black 2 Angel of Death (Dr | Horror | Thriller) (15+) Cast: Helen McCrory, Phoebe Fox 10:00, 11:45 pm

Swelter (Act | Dra) (15+) Cast: Jean-Claude Van Damme 3:00, 9:45, 11:45 pm Vice (Act| Adventure | Sci-Fi) (15+) Cast: Thomas Jane, Bruce Willis 5:00, 9:40, 11:30 pm

Legend of the NeverBeast(3D) (Animation | Adv | Family) (PG) 2:45, 4:15, 5:45 pm Cousins (Mal) (Comedy) (PG) Cast: Kunchacko Boban, Indrajith Sukumaran, Suraj Venjaramoodu 12:15, 7:15 pm P.K (Hindi) (Co | Dr | Fantasy) (PG) Cast: Aamir Khan, Sanjay Dutt 12:10, 6:45 pm

The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies (3D/PG12) (Adv/Fantasy) 11:45pm Vice (2D/15+) (Act/Adv/Sc-FI) 2:00, 5:45, 9:45, 11:45pm Swelter (2D/15+) Act/Dr/Thriller) 12:00, 7:45, 9:30pm Ironclad: Battle for Blood (2D/18+) (Action/Adventure) 3:45, 11:30pm Let the Bullets Fly (2D/18+)Act/Co 1:30pm Legend of the Never Beast (3D/PG) (Action/Adventure/Family) 4:00, 5:30pm Legend of the Never Beast (2D/PG) (Action/Adventure/Family) Voice Overs: Ginnifer Goodwin 11:00am, 2:30pm Unbroken (2D/15+) (Ro/Comedy) 4:00, 7:00pm P.K. (2D/PG) (Com/Dr/fantasy) 9:00pm The Woman in Black 2 Angel of Death (2D/PG) (Dr/Horr) 12:30, 11:45pm Cousins (2D/PG) (Comedy) 6:30pm

Swelter (Action / Thriller) (15+) Cast: Mindy Robinson, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Alfred Molina 6.00, 10.00 & 11.55 pm Ironclad: Battle for Blood (Action / Adventure) (15+) Cast: Michelle Fairley, Roxanne McKee, Danny Webb 4.00, 8.00 & 11.55 pm Unbroken (Drama)(15+) Cast: Ian McKellen, Martin Freeman, Richard Armitage 4.30, 7.00 & 9.30 pm Camp X-ray (Drama) Cast: Kristen Stewart, Peyman Moaadi, Lane Garrison 2.00 pm; CP No: 2673 (18+) The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies (Adventure / Fantasy) Cast: Ian McKellen, Martin Freeman, Richard Armitage 2.00 pm; CP No: 2574 (PG12)

Film Information - 24540856 / Advance Booking - 24540855 Website: www.albahjacinemaoman.com

STARS CINEMA Film information 24791641 / 24786776

Mukunda (Telugu) (Drama/Act) Cast: Varub Tej, Pooja Hegde 3:00pm at Cinema Main, 6:30 & 9:30pm at Cinema 3 Cousins (Mal) (Com) Cast: Kunchako Boban, Indrajit 3:30pm at Cinema 2, 6:30 & 10:00pm at Cinema Main PK (Hindi- Drama) Cast: Aamir Khan, Sanjay Dutt 3:45, 6:45, 9:45pm at Cinema 3 Lingaa (Tamil) (Act |Dr| Thriller) (PG) Cast: Rajnikanth & Anushka Shetty 3:45 & 6:45pm at Cinema 4 Meagamann (Tamil) (Act) Cast: Arya & Hansika Motwani 9:30pm at Cinema 2

For More Information 24789032, 24786776 Website: www.isurf.co.om

ACES ON BRIDGE

SUDOKU

Defenders use the same strategy

3 6 3 9 3 7 4 9 1 6 5

HOW TO PLAY Fill the empty cells with the numbers 1 to 9, so that each number appears once in each row, column and area.

— Seven Galaxies

5 4 1 7

8 9 1 1 5 9 6 3 7 5 4 7 2

3

9 8 5 6 1 4

1 4 7 9 8 6 3 5 2 8 9 5 2 4 3 6 7 1 6 3 2 7 5 1 8 9 4

B I G NAT E

52 53 55 56 57 58 59 60

Saved by the — Gold-coated Singleton Weak, as an excuse Ogle Alps, for short Mythical archer Bandleader — Duchin

DOWN 1 Lot of bills 2 Haik wearer 3 Caligula’s nephew 4 Beau Brummel, for instance 5 Hopi dwellings 6 Language of Pakistan 7 Wild fear 8 Obstacle race 9 Harvard rival 10 Quite a ways away 11 Fem. title 19 Hearty laugh 20 Bring a ship into port 23 Mark of Zorro 24 Architect’s wing 25 Pinch, in a way 27 — Wiedersehen

29 Middling grade 30 Airport code for O’Hare 31 Time divs.

33 “Cheers” regular 35 Spotty disease 38 Teeter 40 So long!

43 Unambiguous 45 Bird that soars

46 Long, angry complaint 47 Luau strummers 48 Blondie kid 49 Attached 50 Husky’s burden 51 — Kippur 54 Make an attempt

BORN LOSER

Answer to previous puzzle

ACROSS 1 Harry Potter prop 5 Baby seals 9 Orange root 12 Environs 13 River in Russia 14 Kenya’s loc.

15 Mend by stitching 16 Ferber or Best 17 Scale notes 18 Arnold, once 21 “Westworld” name 22 Sound from a pigeon 23 Koan discipline 26 RV haven 28 Kirk and Spock’s friend 32 High spirits 34 Total 36 “The King and I” actress 37 Pipe joint 39 Groundhog mo.

41 MS polishers 42 Transport for Sinbad 44 Skipper’s okay 46 Model A features (2 wds.)

51 Tibetan ox

January 3, 2012

7 1 9 4 6 2 5 3 8 3 8 4 5 7 9 2 1 6 2 5 6 3 1 8 9 4 7

MARMADUKE

CROSSWORD

JUAN JUBY KURIAN

9 7 8 1 2 5 4 6 3 4 6 3 8 9 7 1 2 5 5 2 1 6 3 4 7 8 9

Previous puzzle Solution

NAOMI Judd, a country singer and songwriter who had 15 No. 1 hits with her daughter, Wynonna Judd, said, “A dead-end street is a good place to turn around.”

In yesterday’s deal, declarer used an opponent’s opening bid to help him place the missing honour cards. This can also be done by the defenders. Look at the North and East hands. South is in four spades after the given auction. West leads the heart ace. How should East plan the defence?

South’s two-spade rebid guaranteed at least a six-card suit.

With only five spades, he would have shown a second suit, rebid in no-trump or raised clubs. North jumped to game, of course.

At trick one, East had no desire for his partner to shift to another suit. So he encouraged with his heart eight. West cashed the heart king and played a third heart to East’s queen. Now East shifted to the diamond queen. However, declarer won with his ace, drew trumps and claimed.

The diamond suit was a dead-end street. East should have counted up the high-card points. He had seven, dummy held 13 and West had already produced seven in hearts.

That left only 13 unaccounted for.

Surely South had them all. And if he did, the defenders were not winning a trick in the minors. Their only chance was to gain a trump trick.

When the defenders have taken every possible side-suit trick, it cannot cost — and might gain — to concede a ruff-and-sluff.

If East had led his last heart, West could have ruffed with his spade eight. Then, after dummy overruffed with the queen, East would have been assured of a trump trick.

— By Phillip Alder

WITH LOVE

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

KIDSPOT

H E A LT H C A P S U L E

SAT URDAY, JANUARY 3, 2015

PRAYER TIMINGS

Dhuhr Asr Maghrib Isha Fajr (Tomorrow)

Y O U R B I R T H D AY

BORN today, you are one of the most graceful, well-mannered, poised individuals born under your sign. You know how to present yourself well in almost every situation, you know how to take compliments and bear criticism with the same measure of grace and ease, you know how to instruct others in a way that is supportive and inspiring and you know how to get the job done — whatever it may be — in a manner that makes others wonder if there is nothing you cannot do! You are also honourable, dedicated and something of a visionary. When you see that things are not as you or others would really like them, you know how to focus your efforts to make your vision of a better world come to pass.

You play by the book, but you are also open to inspiration whenever it may strike. You believe in luck, and you will always take full advantage of an unexpected opportunity when it arises. This is not to say that you are ever unprepared. On the contrary, preparation is your key to success — you are usually prepared for anything and everything!

Also born on this date are: Eli Manning, football player; Mel Gibson, actor and filmmaker; J.R.R. Tolkien, author; Victoria Principal, actress; Bobby Hull, hockey player; George Martin, music producer; Stephen Stills, singer-songwriter; Victor Borge, pianist and comedian; Robert Loggia, actor; Dabney Coleman, actor; Sergio Leone, director; Ray Milland, actor.

12.16pm 3.17pm 5.38pm 6.53pm 5.29am

Sunset Sunrise (Tomorrow)

5:32pm 6.49am

High tide Low tide

7.30am 2.21am

8:55pm 1.05pm

[DEC. 22-JAN 19]

FIND-IT-ALL

W E AT H E R

AIRLINES

M

ainly clear skies over most of the Sultanate with chance of early morning low level clouds or fog patches along the coastal areas of Oman sea and over governorates of Musandam, Al-Buraimi, Al-Dhahira, South Al-Sharqiyah, and AlWusta.

EXPECTED WINDS: Winds will be northeasterly light to moderate along Oman Sea and Arabian Sea coast becoming variable during night along Oman Sea, whereas it will be light to moderate northwesterly over the rest of the Sultanate.

SEA STATE: Moderate along the coasts of Arabian Sea with

maximum wave height of 2.0 metres and slight over along the rest of the areas with maximum wave height of 3.25 metres.

HORIZONTAL VISIBILITY: Good over most of the Sultanate becoming poor during fog formation.

THE NEXT 48 HOURS OUTLOOK: Mainly clear skies with chances of late night to early morning low level clouds or fog patches along the coastal areas of Oman Sea and over governorates of Musandam, Al-Buraimi, Al-Dhahira, South Al-Sharqiyah, Al-Wusta and Dhofar.

Max

OMAN

WORLD

Max 27 Min 14 Max 4 Min 2

Max 19 Min 9

Max 26 Min 18 Max 9 Min 6

Max 25 Min 17

Max 2 Min 1

Max 25 Min 12

Max 27 Min 11

Max 27 Min 12

Max 26 Min 16

CAPRICORN You may have to attempt the same thing two, three, even four times before you get it right, but this learning process can be enjoyable.

Max 26 Min 13

Max 27 Min 20

Max 17 Min 5

Max 27 Min 23 Max 31 Min 21

Source: www.met.gov.om

[JAN. 20-FEB. 18]

FROM MUSCAT (RUWI)

You must be willing to get down to work as the day begins. Any delay is likely to cost you dearly, in ways you cannot anticipate.

PISCES [Feb. 19-March 20] You’re likely to be surprised by how eager someone else is to join forces with you. Do you suspect anything?

Investigate!

ARIES [March 21-APRIL 19] You may have some trouble getting others to pick up the pace and work harder toward a goal that you recognise as essential.

TAURUS [APRIL 20-MAY 20] Time has been on your side, but it may feel as though things are turning slightly, and you don’t want to be caught unprepared.

GEMINI [MAY 21-JUNE 20] You’ll be reminded of something that has been important to you in the past, but has recently been forgotten.

QURIYAT - SUR - JAALAN (Route 36) Dept Destination Arrival Time Time 15:00 Quriyat 16:30 15:00 Sur 18:00 15:00 Jaalan 19:30

GULF Abu Dhabi Doha Dubai Kuwait Manama Riyadh

25 25 26 23 23 18

16 16 17 9 17 9

WORLD Athens Baghdad Beijing Berlin Boston Cairo Colombo Frankfurt Hong Kong Istanbul Johannesburg Kuala Lumpur Lisbon Paris Perth Singapore Tokyo Toronto

13 18 5 5 1 17 30 3 18 6 30 32 13 14 29 32 8 0

5 9 -5 2 -1 7 23 2 11 3 17 23 7 4 18 25 0 0

TO AL BURAIMI (Route 41) 06:30 Sohar 06:30 Buraimi 08:00 Buraimi 13:00 Sohar 13:00 Buraimi 16.00 Sohar 16.00 Buraimi TO SINAW (Route 52) 17:30 Sinaw

[JUNE 21-JULY 22] The information you are after may be hard to come by, as others can explain. You may feel that those explanations no longer apply.

LEO [JULY 23-AUG. 22] You have good reason to think that someone is going behind your back and trying to arrange something that could undermine your efforts.

VIRGO [AUG. 23-SEPT. 22] Don’t stop thinking about tomorrow, but be sure that what you imagine for yourself is in line with the facts you learn today.

LIBRA L [[SEPT. [S S 23-OCT. 22] You may have to wait longer than expected to receive word back from someone you reached out to for a vital piece of information.

SCORPIO S [[OCT. 23-NOV. 21] You are running out of time to get a certain thing done. Could it be that you waited too long, or were your expectations unrealistic?

SAGITTARIUS S [[NOV. 22-DEC. 21] You will want to dress to impress — which, to you, means something quite different from what it means to another.

FROM JAALAN-SUR-QURIYAT (Route 36) Dept Destination Arrival Operating Time Time Days 05:30 Sur 06:45 Daily 05:30 Quriyat 08:30 Daily 05:30 Ruwi 10:00 Daily

08:50 11:00 14:30 15:45 17:40 18.35 20:20

Daily Daily Daily via Ibri Daily Daily Daily Daily

20:50

Daily

TO AL BURAIMI (Route 41) 07:00 Sohar 07:00 Ruwi 13:30 Ruwi 13:00 Sohar 13:00 Ruwi 13:00 Sohar 17:00 Ruwi TO SINAW (Route 52) 07:00 Ruwi

To Yanqul (Route 54) 14:30 Nizwa 14:30 Yanqul

16:50 19:30

Daily Daily

TO IBRI (ARAQI) (Route 54) 08:00 Nizwa 08:00 Al Araqi

10:20 12:30

TO SUR (Route 55) 07:30 Sur 14:30 Sur TO FAHUD - YIBAL (Route 62) 06:30 Fahud 06:30 Yibal

08:55 11:40 20:20 14:55 17:40 19:20 22:15

Daily Daily Daily via Ibri Daily Daily Daily Daily

10:25

Daily

To Yanqul (Route 54) 06:00 Nizwa 06:00 Ruwi

08:40 11:00

Daily Daily

Daily Daily

TO IBRI (ARAQI) (Route 54) 15:40 Nizwa 15:40 Ruwi

17:55 20:20

Daily Daily

12:00 18:45

Daily Daily

TO SUR (Route 55) 06:00 Ruwi 14:30 Ruwi

10:45 19:00

Daily Daily

10:30 11:15

Daily Daily

TO YIBAL - FAHUD (Route 62) 12:30 Fahud 12:30 Ruwi

13:15 17:30

Daily Daily

TO MARMUL-SALALAH (Route 100) 07:00 Salalah 20:00 10:00 Marmul 20:30 10:00 Salalah 23:30 19:00 Salalah 07:40

Daily Daily Daily Daily

TO SALALAH -MARMUL (Route 100) 07:00 Ruwi 19:50 10:00 Marmul 13:15 10:00 Ruwi 22:30 19:00 Ruwi 07:30

Daily Daily Daily Daily

TO MARMUL (Route 101) 06:00 Marmul

Daily

TO MARMUL (Route 101) 06:00 Marmul

16:30

Daily

Daily

DUBAI TO SALALAH (Route 102) 15:00 Salalah 07:00

Daily

16:50

SALALAH TO DUBAI (Route 102) 15:00 Dubai 07:00

CANCER

TO MUSCAT (RUWI)

Operating Days Daily Daily Daily

TO DUBAI (Route 201) 06:00 Sohar 06:00 Dubai 13:00 Sohar 13:00 Dubai 15:00 Sohar 15:00 Dubai

08:30 11:30 15:30 18:30 17:35 20:55

Daily Daily Wed,Thur Wed,Thur Daily Daily

TO DUBAI VIA FUJIRAH & SHARJAH (Route 204) Dept Destination Arrival Operating Time Time Days 07:00 Fujairah 11.45 Daily 07:00 Sharjah 13.30 Daily 07:00 Dubai 14.00 Daily

TO DUBAI (Route 201) 07:30 Sohar 07:30 Ruwi 13:00 Sohar 13:00 Ruwi 15:30 Sohar 15:30 Ruwi

10:50 13:40 16:15 19:10 18:45 21:35

Daily Daily Thur-Fri Thur-Fri Daily Daily

FROM DUBAI VIA FUJIRAH & SHARJAH (Route 204) Dept Destination Arrival Operating Time Time Days 16:00 Sharjah 16:30 Daily 16.00 Fujairah 18.15 Daily 16.00 Ruwi 23.00 Daily

LISTINGS

PHARMACIES Round the clock Al Hashar Pharmacy, Ruwi: 24783334; Appolo Medical Centre, Hamriya: 24782666; Muscat Pharmacy, Ruwi: 24702542, Salalah: 23291635; Atlas Pharmacy, Ghubra: 24503585; Ruwi 24811715 Muscat Region Apollo, Al Hamriya. Tel: 24787766 Muscat, A Seeb Market. Tel: 24421691 Muscat, Al Khuwair. Tel: 24485740 Muscat, Al Hail South. Tel: 4537080 Dhofar Region Muscat, Al Nahdha Road, Salalah.

Tel: 23291635 HOSPITALS Al Amal Medical & Health Care Centre: 24485052 Atlas Hospital: Ruwi: 24811743/ Ghubra: 24504000 Al Musafir Specialised Medical Clinic: 24706453 Hatat Polyclinic LLC, Ruwi: 24563641, Azaiba: 24499269, Sohar: 2683006 Al Raffah Hospital: 24618900/1/2 Al Massaraat Clinic & Laboratory: 24566435 Al Makook Medical Coordinance Centre: 24499434 Apollo Medical Centre, Hamriya: 24787766, 24787780 Capital Polyclinic: 24707549 Badr Al Samaa Polyclinic, Ruwi: 24799760/1/2 Capital Clinic, Seeb: 24420740 Ceregem National Raak: 24485633 Dr Harub’s Clinic: 24563217 Elixir Health Centre: 24565802 Emirates Medical Centre: 24604540 1st Chiropractic Centre: 24472274 Hamdan Hospital: 23212340 International Medical Centre LLC: 24794501/2/3/4/5 Kims Oman Hospital: 24760100

24 Hrs Emergency: 24760123 Lama Polyclinic, Sohar: 26751128, MBD: 24799077, Al Khuwair: 24478818 Magrabi Eye and Ear Hospital: 24568870 Muscat Private Hospital: 24583600 Welcare Diagnostic and Treatment Centre, Al Khuwair: 24477666 Al-Hayat Polyclinc LLC: 22004000 ROYAL OMAN POLICE Emergencies and inquiries: 9999 General Directorate of Passport and Residence: 24569603 Directorate General of Customs: 24521109 Traffic violations inquiries: 24510228 Public Relations Admin: 24560099 ACCOMMODATION Al Bahjah Hotel: 24424400 Al Bustan Palace: 24764000 Al Khuwair Hotel Apartments: 24478171 Al Madina Holiday Inn: 24596400 Al Maha International Hotel: 24494949 Al Fanar Hotel: 24712385 Al Falaj Hotel: 24702311 Al Qurum Resort: 24605945 Azaiba Hotel Apartments: 24490979 Beach Hotel: 24696601 Bowshar Hotel: 24491105 Coral Hotel Muscat: 24692121 Crowne Plaza Muscat: 24660660 Crystal Suites: 24826100 Golden Tulip Seeb: 24510300 Grand Hyatt Muscat: 24641234 Haffa House Hotel: 24707207 Hotel Muscat Holiday: 24487123 InterContinental Muscat: 24680000 Majan Continental Hotel: 24592900 Marina Hotel: 24711711 Midan Hotel Suites: 24499565 Mina Hotel: 24711828 Muttrah Hotel: 24798401

Nuzha Hotel Apartments: 24789199 Oman Dive Centre: 24824240 Park Inn: 24507888 Qurum Beach House Hotel: 24564070 Radisson Blu Hotel: 24487777 Ramee Dream Resort Seeb: 24453399 Ramee Guestline Hotel: 24564443 Ruwi Hotel: 24704244 Safeer Hotel Suites: 24691200 Sheraton Oman Hotel: 24772772 Shangri-La’s Barr Al Jissah Resort and Spa: 24776666 The Chedi Muscat: 24524400 The Treasurebox Muscat Hotel: 24502570 AIRLINE OFFICES Muscat Airport Flight information (24 hours): 24519456/24519223 Aeroflot: 24704455, Air Arabia: 24700828, Air France: 24562153, Air India: 24799801, Air New Zealand: 24700732, Biman Bangladesh Airlines: 24701128, British Airways: 24568777, Cathay Pacific: 24789818, Egypt Air: 24794113, Emirates Air: 24404400, Ethiopian Airlines: 24660313, Gulf Air: 80072424, Indian: 24791914, Iran Air: 24787423, Japan Airlines: 24704455, Jazeera Airways: 23294848, Jet Airways: 24787248, Kenya Airways: 24660300, KML Royal Dutch Airlines: 24566737, Kuwait Airways: 24701262, LOT Polish Airlines: 24796387, Lufthansa: 24796692, Malaysian Airlines: 24560796, Middle East Airlines: 24796680, Oman Air: 24531111, Pakistan International Airlines: 24792471, Qatar Airways: 24771900, Qantas: 24559941, Royal Jordanian: 24796693, Saudi Arabian Airlines: 24789485, Singapore Airlines: 24791233, Shaheen Air: 24816565, SriLankan Airlines:

SATURDAY

Min

L O N G D I S TA N C E B U S T I M I N G S ( O M A N N AT I O N A L T R A N S P O R T C O M PA N Y S A O C ) * S U B J E C T T O C H A N G E

AQUARIUS

B7

24784545, Swiss International Airlines: 24796692, Thai Airways: 24705934, Turkish Airlines: 24703033 MUSEUMS Bait Al Baranda: Corniche (seafront opp fish market), Open from Saturday to Thursday 9am to 1pm and 4 to 6pm Natural History Museum: Al Khuwair, Tel: 24604957, Open from Saturday to Wednesday: 8am to 1:30pm; Thursday: 9am to 1pm Museum of Omani Heritage: (former Omani Museum), Madinat Al Alam, Sat-Wed 8am to 1:30pm, Thursday 9am to 1pm, Tel: 24600946 Armed Forces Museum: Bait Al Falaj, Tel: 24312651, Open from Sat to Wed: 8am to 1:30pm; Thurs 9-12pm and 3-6pm; Fri 9-11am and 3-6pm. Al Hoota Caves 24498258; Turtle Beach 96550606/96550707 Children’s Science Museum: Shatti Al Qurum, Tel: 24605368, Open from Saturday to Wednesday: 8am to 1:30pm, Thursday: 9am to 1pm Oman-French Museum: near Muscat Police Station, Tel: 24736613, Open from Sat to Wed: 8am to 1:30pm, Thurs: 9am to 1pm Bait Al Zubair, Muscat: Tel: 24736688, Al Saidiya St., Muscat museum@baitalzubairmuseum.com Open from Sat to Thurs: 9:30am to 6pm.

National Museum Ruwi: Tel: 24701289, Open from Saturday to Wednesday: 8am to 1:30pm, Thursday: 9am to 1pm Sohar Fort Museum: Tel: 26844758, Open from Saturday to Wed: 8 to 1:30pm Thurs: 9am to 1pm Muscat Gate Museum: at Al Bahri Road, Muscat open from Sat to Wed 8am to 2pm

FLT NO

ARRIVALS FROM

WY406 WY676 WY648 WY816 WY916 PK225 TK774 PK229 QR1132 ET624 EK866 GF560 EY384 FZ041 MS930 WY902 WY668 WY638 WY658 WY686 WY412 WY644 WY114 WY122 WY154 WY692 WY674 WY142 WY672 WY132 WY602 WY202 WY432 WY102 WY422 FZ043 WY274 G9114 WY242 WY236 PK191 WY346 EK862 WY252 IX443 QR1128 EY382 IX549 9W530 WY342 WY604 FZ037 IX337 WY268 PA450 WY904 WY3302 BG023 WY326 NL771 WY606 WY632 WY918 IX817 WY906 WY656 WY328 SV532 FZ045 MP95 WY204 WY292 WY246 WY610 WY3304 WY284 WY232 WY216 QR1126 EK864 GF564 G9116 FZ047 WY614 WY914 WY386 KL441 AI973 WY624 WY312 6.00E+81 9W534 FZ049 WY374 WY254 AI907 WY224 QR1134 UL205 WY338 GF566 EY388 WY814 BA073 WY908 AI985 WY662 LX242 9W540 WY654 LH618 WY116 WY612 WY928 WY636 WY696 WY696 WY717

SUNDAY ETA

FLT NO

ARRIVALS FROM

CAIRO 0005 JEDDAH 0005 KUWAIT 0010 BANGKOK 0015 SALALAH 0150 KARACHI 0210 ISTANBUL 0215 LAHORE 0215 DOHA 0345 ADDIS ABABA 0350 DUBAI 0355 BAHRAIN 0405 ABU DHABI 0405 DUBAI 0415 CAIRO 0430 SALALAH 0630 DOHA 0635 ABU DHABI 0650 BAHRAIN 0700 RIYADH 0700 AMMAN 0705 KUWAIT 0715 FRANKFURT 0715 MUNICH 0715 ZURICH 0720 DAMMAM 0725 JEDDAH 0730 MALPENSA 0745 MEDINA 0745 PARIS 0800 DUBAI 0805 BOMBAY 0815 TEHRAN 0815 LONDON HEATHROW 0820 BEIRUT 0830 DUBAI 0850 JAIPUR 0855 SHARJAH 0915 DELHI 0920 HYDERABAD 0920 TURBAT 0930 ISLAM ABBAD 0940 DUBAI 0940 MADRAS 0940 COCHIN 1010 DOHA 1010 ABU DHABI 1015 TRIVANDRUM 1020 TRIVANDRUM 1035 LAHORE 1100 DUBAI 1110 DUBAI 1200 CALICUT 1210 LUCKNOW 1210 LAHORE 1215 SALALAH 1215 MUKHAIZNA 1230 DACCA 1245 KARACHI 1255 PESHAWAR 1300 DUBAI 1330 ABU DHABI 1330 KHASAB 1400 MANGALORE-ABU DHABI 1440 SALALAH 1445 BAHRAIN 1530 LAHORE 1550 JEDDAH 1550 DUBAI 1555 AMSTERDAM 1645 BOMBAY 1710 CALICUT 1720 DELHI 1730 DUBAI 1730 MUKHAIZNA 1730 BANGALORE 1740 HYDERABAD 1740 TRIVANDRUM 1740 DOHA 1745 DUBAI 1800 BAHRAIN 1810 SHARJAH 1915 DUBAI 1945 DUBAI 2030 SALALAH 2035 MALE 2110 AMSTERDAM-DOHA 2120 DELHI 2125 DUBAI 2125 CHITTAGONG 2125 BOMBAY 2130 COCHIN 2140 DUBAI 2145 COLOMBO 2150 MADRAS 2155 MADRAS 2200 COCHIN 2205 DOHA 2210 COLOMBO 2225 KATHMANDU 2235 BAHRAIN 2240 ABU DHABI 2250 BANGKOK 2250 LONDON HEATHROW-ABU DHABI 2255 SALALAH 2305 AHMEDABAD-BOMBAY 2310 DOHA 2315 ZURICH-DUBAI 2320 BOMBAY 2325 BAHRAIN 2330 FRANKFURT-ABU DHABI 2330 FRANKFURT 2335 DUBAI 2335 SALALAH 2345 ABU DHABI 2350 DAMMAM 2350 DAMMAM 2350 ZANZIBAR-DARESSLAM 2355

WY406 WY676 WY682 WY648 WY904 WY816 WY824 WY916 4H583 NL669 TK776 QR1132 ET624 EK866 GF560 EY384 FZ041 WY324 WY686 WY902 4H584 WY638 WY658 WY668 WY674 WY602 WY202 WY102 FZ043 WY274 NL768 G9114 WY236 WY242 WY226 EK862 WY252 WY212 WY346 QR1128 EY382 IX549 WY3302 WY282 WY3922 WY604 G9841 WY372 FZ037 WY424 IX337 PK223 WY606 WY918 WY906 WY812 WY656 WY632 FZ045 WY204 WY292 WY610 WY246 WY264 WY232 WY664 QR1126 GF564 WY3306 G9116 WY254 TG507 FZ047 WY434 WY614 WY914 WY386 WY152 WY312 WY116 WY124 KL441 WY144 AI973 WY624 6.00E+81 WY134 WY414 FZ049 AI907 QR1134 UL205 GF566 EY388 BA073 WY908 AI985 WY648 LX242 9W540 WY654 LH618 WY612 WY696 WY910 WY928 WY717

CAIRO 0005 JEDDAH 0005 RIYADH 0005 KUWAIT 0010 SALALAH 0015 BANGKOK 0015 KUALA LUMPUR 0055 SALALAH 0150 DACCA 0200 SIALKOT 0200 ISTANBUL-BAHRAIN 0300 DOHA 0345 ADDIS ABABA 0350 DUBAI 0355 BAHRAIN 0405 ABU DHABI 0405 DUBAI 0415 KARACHI 0540 RIYADH 0600 SALALAH 0630 DOHA 0640 ABU DHABI 0650 BAHRAIN 0700 DOHA 0710 JEDDAH 0730 DUBAI 0805 BOMBAY 0815 LONDON HEATHROW 0820 DUBAI 0850 JAIPUR 0855 LAHORE 0900 SHARJAH 0915 HYDERABAD 0920 DELHI 0920 COCHIN 0930 DUBAI 0940 MADRAS 0940 TRIVANDRUM 0940 ISLAM ABBAD 0955 DOHA 1010 ABU DHABI 1015 TRIVANDRUM 1020 MUKHAIZNA 1045 BANGALORE 1100 DUQUM OMAN 1105 DUBAI 1110 RAS AL KHAIMA 1120 COLOMBO 1130 DUBAI 1200 BEIRUT 1205 CALICUT 1210 PESHAWAR 1220 DUBAI 1330 KHASAB 1440 SALALAH 1445 BANGKOK 1525 BAHRAIN 1530 ABU DHABI 1535 DUBAI 1555 BOMBAY 1710 CALICUT 1720 DUBAI 1730 DELHI 1730 LUCKNOW 1735 HYDERABAD 1740 DOHA 1745 DOHA 1745 BAHRAIN 1810 MUKHAIZNA 1845 SHARJAH 1915 MADRAS 1920 BANGKOK-KARACHI 1935 DUBAI 1945 TEHRAN 2000 DUBAI 2030 SALALAH 2035 MALE 2110 ZURICH 2110 CHITTAGONG 2115 FRANKFURT 2115 MUNICH 2115 AMSTERDAM-DOHA 2120 MALPENSA 2120 DELHI 2125 DUBAI 2125 BOMBAY 2130 PARIS 2130 AMMAN 2135 DUBAI 2145 MADRAS 2200 DOHA 2210 COLOMBO 2225 BAHRAIN 2240 ABU DHABI 2250 LONDON HEATHROW-ABU DHABI 2255 SALALAH 2305 AHMEDABAD-BOMBAY 2310 KUWAIT 2315 ZURICH-DUBAI 2320 BOMBAY 2325 BAHRAIN 2330 FRANKFURT-ABU DHABI 2330 DUBAI 2335 DAMMAM 2350 SALALAH 2355 SALALAH 2355 ZANZIBAR-DARESSLAM 2355

FLT NO

DEPARTURES TO

FLT NO

DEPARTURES TO

AI986 LX243 9W539 BA072 SG062 LH619 WY685 WY251 WY201 WY235 WY273 WY345 WY601 WY241 WY431 WY643 WY637 WY657 WY115 WY667 WY691 TK775 PK226 PK230 WY267 ET625 EK867 FZ042 QR1133 EY385 MS931 GF561 WY603 WY903 WY3301 WY325 WY813 WY215 WY291 WY327 WY823 FZ044 WY385 WY283 WY231 WY245 G9115 WY815 PK192 WY373 WY605 WY905 WY631 WY203 WY311 WY717 WY917 EK863 EY383 WY655 IX554 QR1129 IX442 9W533 WY337 IX350 WY253 PA451 FZ038 WY3303 WY101 WY223 WY927 BG024 WY609 NL668 WY405 IX818 WY675 WY913 SV533 WY613 FZ046 MP95

BOMBAY 0005 DUBAI-ZURICH 0020 BOMBAY 0025 ABU DHABI-LONDON HEATHROW 0025 AHMEDABAD 0030 ABU DHABI-FRANKFURT 0050 RIYADH 0105 MADRAS 0110 BOMBAY 0120 HYDERABAD 0135 JAIPUR 0140 ISLAM ABBAD 0150 DUBAI 0150 DELHI 0155 TEHRAN 0155 KUWAIT 0200 ABU DHABI 0205 BAHRAIN 0205 FRANKFURT 0215 DOHA 0220 DAMMAM 0235 ISTANBUL 0310 KARACHI 0310 LAHORE 0315 LUCKNOW 0355 ADDIS ABABA 0450 DUBAI 0455 DUBAI 0510 DOHA 0520 ABU DHABI 0525 CAIRO 0530 BAHRAIN 0745 DUBAI 0800 SALALAH 0800 MUKHAIZNA 0800 KARACHI 0820 BANGKOK 0855 TRIVANDRUM 0920 CALICUT 0920 LAHORE 0920 KUALA LUMPUR 0930 DUBAI 0935 MALE 0940 BANGALORE 0940 HYDERABAD 0955 DELHI 0955 SHARJAH 1005 BANGKOK 1010 TURBAT-GWADUR 1015 COLOMBO 1020 DUBAI 1030 SALALAH 1030 ABU DHABI 1030 BOMBAY 1030 CHITTAGONG 1040 ZANZIBAR-DARESSLAM 1045 KHASAB 1050 DUBAI 1055 ABU DHABI 1105 BAHRAIN 1110 TRIVANDRUM 1110 DOHA 1115 COCHIN 1115 COCHIN 1135 KATHMANDU 1310 CALICUT 1310 MADRAS 1315 LAHORE 1315 DUBAI 1315 MUKHAIZNA 1330 LONDON HEATHROW 1330 COCHIN 1355 SALALAH 1415 CHITTAGONG-DACCA 1415 DUBAI 1420 SIALKOT 1430 CAIRO 1430 MANGALORE 1530 JEDDAH 1630 SALALAH 1630 RIYADH-JEDDAH 1650 DUBAI 1700 DUBAI 1700 DUBAI WORLD CENTRESINGAPORE 1815 DUBAI 1820 DOHA 1845 RIYADH 1845 SALALAH 1850 BAHRAIN 1855 DOHA 1900 KUWAIT 1900 BAHRAIN 1910 DAMMAM 1910 DUBAI 1915 SHARJAH 2005 DUBAI 2025 ABU DHABI 2030 DUBAI 2040 SALALAH 2135 DUBAI 2225 DOHA-AMSTERDAM 2230 TRIVANDRUM 2240 BOMBAY 2245 MADRAS 2300 DELHI 2310 DOHA 2320 BAHRAIN 2325 COLOMBO 2335 ABU DHABI 2350 SALALAH 2350 JEDDAH 2350

AI986 LX243 BA072 9W539 LH619 WY685 WY811 WY323 WY211 WY251 WY201 WY225 WY235 WY273 WY601 WY341 WY151 WY241 WY281 WY423 WY657 WY637 WY371 WY123 WY133 WY115 WY667 WY143 WY345 4H584 NL772 TK777 ET625 EK867 FZ042 QR1133 EY385 WY3301 WY3921 4H584 GF561 WY903 WY603 WY291 WY263 FZ044 WY245 WY231 G9115 WY905 WY203 NL769 WY605 WY253 WY311 WY717 EK863 EY383 IX554 WY655 QR1129 WY3303 WY917 WY331 G9842 WY631 IX350 FZ038 PK224 WY663 WY413 WY101 WY433 WY927 WY609 WY405 WY3305 WY675 WY913 FZ046 WY613 WY623 WY681 QR1127 WY907 GF565 WY647 WY661 WY695 WY653 WY909 G9117 WY611 WY635 FZ048 TG508 WY825 WY915 FZ050 KL442 WY817 6.00E+82 AI908 AI974 QR1135 GF567 UL206 EY381 WY673 WY901 WY671

BOMBAY 0005 DUBAI-ZURICH 0020 ABU DHABI-LONDON HEATHROW 0025 BOMBAY 0025 ABU DHABI-FRANKFURT 0050 RIYADH 0105 BANGKOK 0105 KARACHI 0105 TRIVANDRUM 0110 MADRAS 0110 BOMBAY 0120 COCHIN 0125 HYDERABAD 0135 JAIPUR 0140 DUBAI 0150 LAHORE 0150 ZURICH 0155 DELHI 0155 BANGALORE 0200 BEIRUT 0200 BAHRAIN 0205 ABU DHABI 0205 COLOMBO 0210 MUNICH 0210 PARIS 0215 FRANKFURT 0215 DOHA 0220 MALPENSA 0225 ISLAM ABBAD 0250 DUBAI-DACCA 0300 PESHAWAR 0330 BAHRAIN-ISTANBUL 0350 ADDIS ABABA 0450 DUBAI 0455 DUBAI 0510 DOHA 0520 ABU DHABI 0525 MUKHAIZNA 0715 DUQUM OMAN 0720 DACCA 0740 BAHRAIN 0745 SALALAH 0800 DUBAI 0800 CALICUT 0920 LUCKNOW 0920 DUBAI 0935 DELHI 0955 HYDERABAD 0955 SHARJAH 1005 SALALAH 1030 BOMBAY 1030 LAHORE 1030 DUBAI 1030 MADRAS 1040 CHITTAGONG 1040 ZANZIBAR-DARESSLAM 1045 DUBAI 1055 ABU DHABI 1105 TRIVANDRUM 1110 BAHRAIN 1110 DOHA 1115 MUKHAIZNA 1115 KHASAB 1140 KATHMANDU 1205 RAS AL KHAIMA 1210 ABU DHABI 1225 CALICUT 1310 DUBAI 1315 PESHAWAR 1320 DOHA 1330 AMMAN 1330 LONDON HEATHROW 1330 TEHRAN 1340 SALALAH 1415 DUBAI 1420 CAIRO 1430 MUKHAIZNA 1515 JEDDAH 1630 SALALAH 1630 DUBAI 1700 DUBAI 1700 DUBAI 1820 RIYADH 1845 DOHA 1845 SALALAH 1850 BAHRAIN 1855 KUWAIT 1900 DOHA 1900 DAMMAM 1910 BAHRAIN 1910 SALALAH 1940 SHARJAH 2005 DUBAI 2025 ABU DHABI 2030 DUBAI 2040 KARACHI-BANGKOK 2040 KUALA LUMPUR 2110 SALALAH 2135 DUBAI 2225 DOHA-AMSTERDAM 2230 BANGKOK 2235 BOMBAY 2245 MADRAS 2300 DELHI 2310 DOHA 2320 BAHRAIN 2325 COLOMBO 2335 ABU DHABI 2350 JEDDAH 2350 SALALAH 2350 MEDINA 2350

WY623 QR1127 WY681 WY907 GF565 WY661 WY647 WY653 WY695 EK865 G9117 WY611 WY635 FZ048 WY915 FZ050 KL442 9W529 6.00E+82 AI908 AI974 QR1135 GF567 UL206 EY381 WY901 WY673

ETD

ETA

ETD

B8

S ATUR DAY, JA N UA RY 3, 2 015

EXTRA BRIEFS

Akshay Kumar to return to ‘MasterChef India’?

DRESS TO IMPRESS IN TROUSERS AND SLACKS

IF ALL GOES as planned, Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar will reportedly return to the world of reality TV show again after Dare 2 Dance with MasterChef India season four. “The programming team is trying to get Akshay on board the show as ‘maha-judge’.

Nothing is finalised yet as talks are still on,” said a source. Culinary experts Sanjeev Kapoor, Vikas Khanna and Ranveer Brar will judge the show, which is aired on Star Plus and is expected to premier January-end. Akshay’s love for food is not a hidden secret. The Khiladi of the tinsel town judged the first season of the Indian adaptation of the internationally popular format as well. Expounding about his role as maha-judge, the source added, “As maha-judge, Akshay will rule over what the three judges say.” For the upcoming season, a lot of twists and turns are planned starting with ‘only vegetarian’ condition.

The show will see chefs and food enthusiasts from around the country using their creativity for fancy gourmet dishes, exotic desserts and rich Indian food — but all vegetarian.

Nowhere is it written that only a little sparkly dress will do it for you, so why is it so hard to move beyond the default setting?

E

ven harder than deciding your party dress would be choosing the style statement for the year ahead. Requirements for the perfect party outfit include, but are not limited to: a nod to the trends without being too 2014; comfortable enough to dance in; and being a touch different than your everyday attire.

You’ll note though, that nowhere is it written that only a little sparkly dress will do all that, so why is it so hard to move beyond the default setting?

This has been a big year for trousers - Raf Simons’ winter Dior collection was full of them and they cropped up at shows as varied as Christopher Kane and Givenchy.

Party-appropriate versions could incorporate a bright colour or a directional shape – wide leg Bugsy Malone numbers or even gener-

Katrina is my favourite co-star: Anushka Sharma

ACTRESS Anushka Sharma, who has worked with various actresses in the past, says Katrina Kaif is her favourite co-star and she doesn’t believe in the concept of cat-fights in Bollywood. “As an actress, we need to kill those cat-fight things.

I called Kangana (Ranaut) when I watched Queen, I called Deepika (Padukone) after Cocktail. I was like more than excited about it. “Katrina is my favourite co-star because I had such a good relationship with her. She is a real person and not pretentious. I had a great time working with her (in Jab Tak Hai Jaan). I know she feels happy for me,” she said. Anushka, who is currently enjoying the success of PK, says she is very satisfied with her career graph as an actress and says she doesn’t like falling into brackets and categories. Asked if she is happy with whatever she has achieved so far, Anushka said: “I won’t lead my life little bit if I was not happy. I know what I want to do and I don’t like falling into brackets and categories. I didn’t want to do too many films. Whatever I have done, I have done best. People give advices but I do what I feel is right. I am very satisfied right now. I wanted to work in good films and good directors and I think my career graph is going well,” she added.

‘PK’ becomes Bollywood’s highest grossing film AS PROTESTS against the film continued, the producers of Aamir Khan-starrer PK on Friday said the film has broken Dhoom 3 record to become the biggest earner in Bollywood by collecting Rs2,785.2m since its release on December 19. The film has faced criticism by right-wing organisations who said the Rajkumar Hirani-directed film disrespects Hindu religion, an allegation rejected by its makers. Hirani, 52, said the film’s word-of-mouth performance has been overwhelming. “I had never in my wildest dreams thought this film will cross these numbers. It reinforces faith that content is king. We can continue making films we believe in. The messages I get are overwhelming. People are watching the film over and over again.

It’s humbling,” the director said in a statement. —Agencies

ous culottes provide optimum shimmying capacity on the dance floor. And on top? Blouses are having a bit of a moment and one with a bit of detail – maybe a ruffle or relaxed pussy bow – is best here.

Finish the ensemble with some shiny brogues or pony skin slipons - your feet will thank you.

For those not ready to go the top-to-toe tailoring route but don’t want to be stuck in a dress, a good compromise is an evening jumpsuit in a dark colour or lightreflecting fabric like brocade or lurex. Simply add heels for a complete look without complications.

A cocktail jacket is another way to make party dressing easy-peasy.

Hanging to the knee, or hovering just above, the jacket can be slung over whatever comes to hand, be it jeans and a T-shirt or a slinky slip.

Now the only hard choice is who’ll be witnessing your style statement. — Naomi Attwood/The Independent

T R A N S F O R M AT I O N

The word of the year is not actually a word — it’s the heart-shaped emoji THE HEART-SHAPED emoji is the top word in Global Language Monitor’s annual survey of English words, phrases and names.

The Texas-based media company develops the lists by analysing the frequency and usage of English words across the Internet, including sources such as Twitter, as well as the top 250,000 print and electronic new media sources.

The emoji’s topping the list marks the first time a graphic symbol has held highest ranking on GLM’s annual survey. In 2013, “404 was the top word, and “Apocalypse” and “Armageddon” were the top words in 2012.

Some will surely lament (heart) being the top word as one more sign that the English language is crumbling and soon high school seniors will be writing “TBH” in college essays. But why not accept this news

as a sign of human ingenuity, that necessity breeds invention and we are becoming increasingly efficient at communicating with one another? There is no longer a need

to use extra space and time by employing a bunch of different letters to convey a word such as “heart” or refer to a concept as complex as “love.” Just type out the emoji, and

boom, you’re done. The nonprofit Unicode Consortium maintains character software standards, including the emojis that emerged in 1990s Japan and have recently exploded in popularity. They often appear in colour when used on mobile platforms. (You’re probably accustomed to seeing the heart emoji in bright red.)

Unicode points to emojitracker. com, which shows the real-time usage of emojis at any given time on Twitter.

“The English Language is now undergoing a remarkable transformation unlike any in its 1,400 year history — its system of writing, the Alphabet, is gaining characters at amazing rate,” GLM president and chief word anaylist Paul JJ Payack said in a release. And that’s a development you may either (heart) or hate. — Elahe Izadi/The Washington Post

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*Classified Advertisement space booking with text, should be done till 12.00 noon for next day’s publication. * Subject to space availability

VACANCY

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DAILY GUIDE

Email: dailyguide@timesofoman.com classifieds@timesofoman.com Tel.: 24726666 Ext: 413 / 430 /431 / 456 / 461

FOR RENT

One / Two BR, directly from owner at Bausher. Contact 92158031 2 BHK available in Darsait, 1 B/R and hall, 2 B/R and hall. Contact 99357586, 97500025, 97884787 Premium 7 bedrooms villa with built up area of 550 SQM is available for immediate lease at Al Ghobrah North. The villa is suitable for office/ residential accommodation and is located adjacent to Hotels vicinity area (behind private preparatory science school). Interested party contact owner directly 99411607

Fully Equipped Restaurant / Industrial Kitchen for Sale with existing catering orders, CR & Labour Clearance, Restaurant space and Outdoor sitting area on Sale at Mawaleh Call: 9906 4589 Office space with cassette type A/C’s with free internet at al Khuwair near KM Hypermarket. Contact 99460330 1 & 2 Bhk Flat in Wataya.

Contact 99792181 2 BHK in Flat in Mumtaz Area.

Contact 99792181

New deluxe 2 BR fully furnished & unfurnished with free Internet available at Al Khuwair near KM Hypermarket. Office space with cassette type AC’s with partition with free internet available at Al Khuwair near KM Hypermarket.

Contact 99460330

5 BHK villa in qurum.

Contact 99792181

5 bedrooms villa with 2 halls, 4 bathrooms in Darsait behind Khimjis Mart. Contact 24700120, 92584715

6 BHK villa in Bowsher Heights.

Contact 99792181

2 BHK flat opposite Star Cinema.

Contact 92926199 / 95774738

2 BHK Flat in Ghobra. Contact 99792181

House in North Al Hail with 3 rooms, Majlis & 3 toilets. #99439568

Fabulous A/C flat Al Khoud, 3 rooms, 280 rials. Contact 99334699

Luxury 2 bed room villa at BausherAL Ansab Phase 3.Call. 99324456

2 single room flats available @ RO 160/- per month, including Electricity & Water. Contact 99441798

6 shops in Maabela Industrial Area.

Each Shop OMR 400 Monthly.

Tel: 99333479 or 95215360

New bldg 3 BR flats located at Darsait, Muscat close to Kims Pvt Hospital. Contact 92020004 / 99800838

6 bedroom villas at Al Ansab (nr Express highway). Contact 99199365

2 BHK with A/C near ISM RO.325/1BHK Al Falaj without A/C RO.200/2 BHK with A/C near Kims hospital RO.300/- Darsait commercial or residential with A/C RO.230/- Studio at Al Falaj RO.170/-. 2 BHK without A/C at Wadi Kabir RO.300/Contact - 92144045

Building of 3 flats each 4 BR, rent RO 2500/-. Contact 99776071 / 99057348 Villas & flats & stores. Contact 99776071 / 99057348 Basement for rent behind Bank Muscat at Wadi Kabir. Contact 99373290, 24815012 2 BHK flat, 2 toilets, kitchen in Darsait near Baladiyah Office on the way to Indian School. Contact 99552832 Warehouse for rent : available for rent in Rusayl Area 2400 SQM with security. Interested parties please contact 91137033, 99386759 3 office spaces available in RUWI FOR RENT 450 OMR & 500 OMR. 96986132

Brand new 2BHK with split A/C near SQU round about at Al Khoud, near to Muscat highway, building no.

4558/1, way no. 5350.

Contact 92850717 1 BHK with balcony new bldg, split AC + curtains near Khimjis Mart, MBD. Contact 99061408 / 99024039 Room with separate toilet and WiFi, Wadi Kabir near pencil building.

Contact 93416854 Showroom in Barka Market (Souq), 600 sqm. Contact 99342661 2 & 3 BHK flat for rent in Al.Khuwair.

Contact – 99792181 3 BHK in PDO Heights, 2nd floor villa, RO 350 with A/C. Contact 99342661

3 bedroom single story villa in Al Khuwair, near to Zaker Mall. It has Split A/C’s and private shaded car park. OMR 690 monthly. Tel: 99333479 or 95215360 New Building in Muttrah, 2 B/D Room Flat + Setting Room, 3 Baths+ Kitchen with split unit Ac’s. Behind Khimjis main office/opposite to Oman House Call 99419712

Villa 3 BR, 2 sitting room, store, kitchen and 4 bathrooms with A/C in Al Khoudh 3. Contact 94671441 Abu Adnan Tower - flat for rent available at Al Mabelah, 2 B/R, 1 hall, 2 toilets, 1 kitchen. Contact 95566475 / 99654252 BHK flats Muttrah near Oman House. Contact 97007934 / 92629232

1 BHK flat in CBD. #99792181 300 SQR mtrs Labor camp or Store for Rent in Wadi Kabir.#99792181

Villa 2 bedrooms & majlis, 2 toilets, kitchen in Mawaleh.

Contact 91376619

We have 1 BHK, 2 BHK, 3 BHK flats, 4, 5 bedrooms villa, open space offices & shops available in Ghala, Ghobrah, Qurum, Mabela, Ruwi, Darsait, Mumtaz, Wadi Kabir. All brand new buildings & very affordable prices.

Contact 93782735 / 99208033

3 new Villas for rent, located in South Ghubrah behind American School, each has 11 bedrooms including 2 Majlis, 8 bathrooms and kitchen. For residential or institutional rent. Contact 99233729 / 98539366

1 BHK flat in Al.Khuwair 25.

Contact - 99792181

Flats in Al Khuwair 42 with 2 rooms, Majlis. Contact 96961306

2 BR, 2 toilets, kitchen at Al Mawaleh. #99444786, 99747560 300 Sqr mtrs store or labor camp for Rent in Wadi Kabir.

Contact - 99792181 1,000 sq mtrs industrial land in Misfah Industrial area near to Khanco. OMR 1,500 Monthly. Electricty and boundary wall will be provided.

Tel: 99333479 or 95215360

2BHK, 2 Toilets, 1 Store, own desk, room size 4x4.Location: back of City Center Seeb, near Shell Station.

Contact: Ms. Lyn 97004746 Flat for rent 2 bedrooms one hall in South Al Hail. RO 270.

Contact 93221474 1 & 3 BHK flat for Rent in Darsait.

Contact 99792181 Flats and shops. Contact 93009999 2 Bedroom flat at Muscat OMR.180).

Call- 91393005 Studio flat in Ruwi.Contact 99792181

3 BHK flat in Al.Khuwair.

Contact 99792181 6 BHK commercial villa in Ghobrah. Contact - 99792181 Flat for rent in Al Khuwair consists of 2 bedrooms and living room at RO 350. Contact 99109094 2 BHK flat in Wattaya.

Contact - 99792181

3 BHK flat in Al.Khuwair 33.

Contact 99792181 For rent (flats), 2 bedrooms +hall+kitchen, location: South Al Mawaleh. Contact 99870020 2 BHK flat in Wattaya.

Contact 99792181 1 BHK flat in Ruwi. #99792181

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DAILY GUIDE

FOR RENT

OFFICES FOR RENT - Premium offices to let a very good location on the main road very close to Zakher Mall, Al Khawiar. Business Center has offices with sizes of 50m2, 110m2, 180m2, 207m2, 230m2, 437m2.

FOR RENT

FOR SALE

- Showroom also available at Business Center, Area 500m2 with central A/c.

- Offices with Central Air-conditions, Security System with CCTV cameras, and Security presence in the building.

Contact: 97377355 / 95530121, Email id: aaleem@ggcoman.com

FOR SALE

ACC. AVAILABLE

We are dealing with sale of all beauty salon equipments, furnitures & cosmetics.#942 888 61 / 942 888 63

Furnished single room with separate bathroom near al meera hypermarket, azaiba. Gsm 94288863

Restaurant items on sale, like plates, spoons, soup spoons etc. please contact 93833107

Room available in Al Khuwair with sharing kitchen and bathroom for matured person near Blu Radisson Hotel. Contact 96930219

A newly opened Barber Shop for sale at upcoming industrial zone in Misfah. Expat leaving Oman.

Genuine buyers call 93833107 (Sale Price Negotiable) 2 flats building in Al Khuwair 17/1.

Contact 99477009

1BHK Flat For rent MBD area.

Contact 99737812 1 / 3 BHK Flat Ghobrah, close to ISG Way 4041, building 4390.

Contact 99319880 Villa, ground floor in Al Khuwair.

Contact 99743569, 97004265 Show room on the main road Saham center total area 450 m sq. Contact: 99366558 / 99334226 For rent apartments: An apartment in old Muscat at Oman Arab Bank’s building. 3 bedrooms + 3 bathrooms, dining room, living room and a kitchen. Air conditioned apartments. 2 bedrooms + 2 bathrooms, living room, dining room area and kitchen in an excellent location in Al Khuwair opposite the court of first instance. For further information call 97072976

FOR RENT New deluxe building in Misfah Industrial Area, 11 shops with A/C, each 4cm x 9cm, an additional 12 huge spaces including kitchens and bathrooms which can be used for offices or residences. The building location first row close to main road.

Contact - 98880333

1 BHK at Ghobrah - Near Indian School. Contact: 99014885

1 BHK with attached toilet & bathroom behind Bank Muscat at Wadi Kabir. Contact 99373290, 24815012

2 B/ R Fully Furnished Executive Apartment @ Al Khuwair 33 Near Zaker Mall. 3 Bedroom Furnished executive apartment @ Al Khuwair 25 5 B/R Luxury Fully Furnished villas at Azaiba with servants, 3 Bedroom Unfurnished Villa @ Mawalah South Area 6 with Servant Quarter, 5 Bedroom Unfurnished Villa @ An Apartment that resembles a penthouse has 2 rooms with 2 toilets, living room & an elegant balcony.

Fully furnished, suited for families.

Final price RO.300/- Mabela 8 near German University. # – 99888400

2 BHK at Al Azaiba, Building No.5145 Way 4470. Contact 99224748, 99425665

Flats/villas owned by ROP pension fund available for rent in Muscat.

Contact 99349526

Flats ground floor, 3 Rooms & AC, kitchen, hall, in Al Mabaila South.

Contact 99377290

6 Nos. flat for rent and sale in Mawaleh Block-5, each flat area – 123 SQM, have 3 bedrooms, 3 toilet, Majlis and kitchen, rent RO 280 and sale – RO 40,000. Contact Said – 91174310, Adnan – 97777911 1 BHK & Single room in Wadi Kabir.

RO 180/-. Contact 99376454

Apartments in Al Khuwair new area each apartment contains (2 bedrooms + living room) for RO 365. Contact 93181111 New Villa for Rent Two floors newly built villa in Maabillah, 8 Fullfledged Residential Area 6 Rooms, 8 Toilets, excellent finishing spacious Kitchen, Big Dining Rooms in Both Floors, Easy Access to Muscat and Sohar using Maabillah Bridge. Contact 92828303

Apartment with a twist in Al Mabela, spacious apartment 3 rooms, 3 toilets, dining area, living room & fully air-conditioned. Perfect for families. Final price RO.250/Contact - 99888400

Restaurant about 250 SQM @ 5/- SQM, heart of Ruwi Market in Plaza Hotel for sale / rent. Contact 99326339 / 24833314

23,886 Sq Mtrs Agriculture land with water well in Al Salwa, Barka.

OMR 260 Thousand. Tel: 99333479 or 95215360

Shop for sale near ONTC bus stand Ruwi near Sun City Hotel on main road.#99326339 / 24789801

Restaurant for leasing/sale in Al Hail. Contact 94148970, 94148972, 97820877

Sale!, all household items, like fridge, freezer, cooking range, washing machine, window/split A/Cs, LCD TV, Laptop, tab and many more for attractive prices. Location : near Toyota service Center, Honda Road.

Contact - 97048983, 95293643

Pharmacy for sale in Al Amerat.

Contact 98994208

Port cabins – New & refurnished Porta cabin for sale and rent.

Contact 96723468 Café Shop for Sale at Ghobrah North.

Contact 99359755 Tables, chairs & shfandish for sale.

Call 99368907

BUYING/SELLING Looking for purchase of Used Portable Compressor (350 CFM, 7 Bar Pressure) powered with Diesel run Generator.

Kindly Contact 99014686 or operation@khancogroup.com Looking for commercial lands for sale in Al Ghobrah North (urgent serious buyers, commercial lands in al Ghobrah North (corners prime location). Contact 91155779

Al Qurum heights Sea view.

Contact - 99249069 / 92888376/ 93201688

Well running Computer / Mobile Sale & Service Shop. Good location in Darsait with 2 clearances.

Contact 98523634

For rent shops and offices in Al Mabela. Contact 99355330

Household items on sale.

Contact 93833107

Furnished & unfurnished deluxe 2 BHK flats with split A/Cs, fixed wardrobes, kitchen appliances, CCTV, security access system & secured car park, opposite Kims Hospital, Al Falaj. Contact 99657906 or 24702141

Darsait Business Office furniture, Isuzu 4 ton brand new.

Contact 91391363

Established Restaurant for rent with sponsorship. Contact 97628242

Running Electrical Building Material Shop for sale in Muscat.

Contact 95330905

Building of 3 floors with 20 rooms in Mawaleh near Pizza Hut. Contact 99044164

3 floor Commercial building in Muttrah behind Police. Generating income of OMR 20 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

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

Industrial Land in Misfah.

Contact 93009999 2 BHK with A/C, commercial Al Khuwair. Contact 92144045 Flat one bedroom at Al Khuwair 33, owner. Contact 92800007

Flats for Sale in Boushar: OMR 35 Thousand 1 bedroom. OMR 45 Thousand 2 bedroom. Monthly income 1 bedroom OMR 270 and 2 bedroom OMR 350. Tel: 99333479 or 95215360

Used household & office furniture and electronic items. Contact 99834373, 97102699

AVAILABLE

ACC. AVAILABLE Single room available for exclusive bachelors in Azaiba and Ghubrah and complete ground floor with kitchen facility bedroom and hall in Darsait. # 98048207, 99261773

Single room at Walja, opposite MBD area available for executive bachelors or single working woman for OMR 100. Contact 93079877 Single room with sharing kitchen for Executive bachelor or working lady, Ruwi, in front of Apollo Hospital.

Contact 98232567 / 91673718 Independent rooms in Qurum / Al Hail. Contact 95529970 Room for executive bachelor available at Al Ansab. Contact 98806430 Furnished room attached bath for executives in Mumtaz area.

Contact 99743709 Single room with sharing kitchen (expat only) couple / ex-bachelor at Al Khuwair. Contact 94143636 Furnished spacious room attached toilet for working lady executive bachelor, ISM Darsait. Contact 97100472, 24797387 Flat for rent in AlKhoudh suq 3Bedrooms, 3Bathrooms, kitchen Ground Floor-350 OMR Contact95151522 Excellent 3 bedrooms , 2 sitting rooms, 3 bathrooms, kitchen & store with A/C. 92817777 Room with attached bathroom available for rent in Al Khuwair 33 opposite Al Maya supermarket. Contact 97607198 Room + balcony + separate toilet for non cooking single Indian Bachelor, RO 140/-. Contact 98928458 Furnished single room with attached bathroom near Mars Hypermarket, Al Ghubrah. Contact 97312111, RO 150/- per month Furnished room in CBD Area for non-cooking bachelor free Wi-Fi, advance deposit call 99078540 2 Bedroom flat for offices with furniture near Al Manaf Hotel, Ghala.

Contact 99525743, 99439705 Excellent 3 bedrooms , 2 sitting rooms, 3 bathrooms, kitchen & store with A/C. 92817777 1 BR accommodation available at Rex Road, suitable for bachelors.

Contact 99889590

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DAILY GUIDE

SITUATION WANTED

SITUATION SITUATION WANTED VACANT

ADMIN/HR

ACCOUNT. & FINANCE

Indian male MBA 32 yrs having 10 yrs of exp seeking suitable placement in Admin/ HR/ Operations/ Coordination/ Logistics etc.

Holding valid Oman D/L .

Contact - 99054786

Indian Male, qualified ICWA, M.com with 2years experience in accounts, costing, auditing & SAP in reputed listed companies, seeks suitable placements. Mob: 94619453 Email: cmashahidkt@gmail.com.

Omani Man looking for a job with experience in HR/ Admin/ accounting. kindly contact me on: 99767666

Indian Male 25 years B.Com having 3 years of exp of Oman in Accounts/Administration.Well versed with computer knowledge looking for suitable position. Immidiately available. Contact:93207867 email:tambeazhar@gmail.com

Indian Male MBA Graduate 9 years experienced in Administration ,HR ,Operations, Finance /Accounts and Marketing, seeking suitable position.

Currently on visit and ready to join immediately. Contact: 92493110 Young Indian male with British degree in business administration and 5 years Muscat experience in procurement and administration, with driving license seeks placement.ph:94400671 Indian male having NOC with 7 yrs Oman exp in recruitment, on boarding, general admin. Immediate joining. Contact - 96684424 Indian Male MBA 32 yrs having 8+ yrs of Exp (GCC, AFRICA), urgently looking job in HR/Admin/ /Operation/Purchase/Academics / BD. Now on visit visa, NOC available, join immediately. Contact 94535618, 95930705 Indian female with excellent communication skills, confident, dedicated to work and enthusiastic.

Knowledge about ms office. Has 6 years of experience in customer service, telecommunication, HR.Looking for immediate placement. Contact # 97348819 Pakistani Male, 27 yrs, MBA in HR, BBA in Marketing and Finance having 2 yrs experience in Sales and Admin, on family visit till 15 February looking for suitable position.

Contact 94543222, email: wajid_rais@hotmail.com

ADMIN

ACCOUNT. & FINANCE

Looking for smart / dynamic, male for front desk office, preference fluency in English. Contact 95176500 (Salalah)

Male Indian, 28 yrs MBA Finance, 3 yrs Building Material & Structural Steel Sales experience Omani Driving License. NOC available.

Contact 98840669 / 97162513

Omani Female receptionist wanted. Location Ruwi. Contact - 24781011/1101 Ext 107

ACCOUNT. & FINANCE A leading construction company needs – part time Accountant, mason, carpenter, painter. Interested candidates should contact 96399457, 96576685. Send your CV to vsituation@gmail.com Required experienced Accountant Tally, excellent English & driving license. Contact – omanlaw.om@gmail.com / 24497762 / 92192510

ARCHITECT For reputed Consultancy at Al Ghubrah, Muscat requires Bachelor of Architect with minimum 10 yrs experience. Send your CV to email : almoheetgroups@gmail.com, Mr. Gireesh : 95265198, Mr. Raju : 99102175, fax : 24499913.

DRIVER Required heavy duty driver with Omani Driving License from locally or abroad. Clearance available. Please send CV to azatllc@ gmail.com, fax : 24422458, or call 99344279 Needed 2 drivers, offering good salary. Contact 99441798 Required driver for a Company in Ghala, preferably English speaking & present in Oman. Contact 99454425

DOMESTIC HELP Required House maid urgently in Al Khuwair (Indian or Srilanka).

Contact. 96103792.

ENGINEERS STRUCTURAL ENGINEER (full time) Responsibilities: To work with architect, To provide of construction issue documentation for a projects.

Desired candidate Profile: min of 3-5 years experience in Structural Design, Should be AutoCAD competent. Please send your CV to Email: info@pak2pak.com Tel. 99196733, 99419766 Urgently required Omani/ non Omani looking for Electrical Engineer having 3 to 4 years Oman experience with good communication skills. Send CV to info@reddotsgroup.com

EDUCATION A well known private school in Seeb is in need of Physics teacher.

Email : recruitment.oman@gmail. com, 98830787

ELECTRICIAN / TECHNIElectrician with driving license.

Call 92341826 Fire safety technician.

Call 92341826

OFFICE/ SEC Looking for smart/ dynamic male for front desk office, pref. fluency in English.# 95176500 (Salalah)

Wanted driver. Contact 95112461 Driver cum building material salesman required. Send CV to sajimon2010@hotmail.com or fax 24834351 Light duty driver with Marketing knowledge. Send CV to jobs@prestigeprojectsoman.com or call 92341826

DESIGNER Looking for an Interior Designer with knowledge of AutoCAD 2D & 3D, basic Microsoft Office and can handle accounts. Contact 95342240, 97670666, Email CV at bhatiahmed@gmail.com

Accountant, 4 yrs experience in Oman, NOC available.

Contact 96799714

MEDICAL General practitioner Doctor is required to work urgently in Dreams Clinic at Al Khoudh and must be resident in the Sultanate of Oman.

Please send your CV to the following email: towershr70@gmail.com, balushi70@gmail.com & info@towersinternationalgroups. com, Mobile 99882340, Tel: 24545914 G.P. Doctor required with MOH license for a leading clinic in capital.

Contact 99044345 / 99339396

Accountant, 2 yrs experience (purchasing, coordinator) with D/L and NOC. Contact 94174403

MEDICAL Urgently required Male Nurses and Lab Technicians for a reputed medical center in Muscat, email : jobsoman001@gmail.com, Ph : 93217982 Private Dental Clinic in Buraimi city needed a dentist have practice license in Oman. Contact 98379121 Dentist required to work urgently in dreams clinic at Al Khoud and must be resident in Sultanate of Oman.

Please send your CV to the following email – towershr70@gmail.com / balushi70@gmail.com / info@towersinternationalgroups.com Mobile – 99882340 / 24545914 Medical Centre at Sinaw requires: General practitioners (GP), dental surgeons, gynecologist, pediatrician, staff nurses, X-ray technician, lab technician, pharmacist & physiotherapist. Contact 92104057 and send CV’s to halamedicalgroup@gmail.com Urgently required temporary/permanent General Physician & Gynecology Doctors. Contact 96064925, kunoozghala@gmail.com

SALES / MARKETING Required Salesman, Tailor and barber. Contact 91114884 A reputed Oil & Gas Supplies Company is looking for Sales/Marketing in-charge personnel. Send your CV to : rahbi_mohd@yahoo.com Highly reputed Perfume Company requires Omani Sales girl promoters. Contact 95663682, 92956876 Required an experienced person who has ideas to start a new business in electrical field or supply with minimum cost.

Contact 99426421

SITUATION WANTSIT. WANTED ED ACCOUNT. & FINANCE

SALES / MARKETING

Indian female, 25 yrs, bachelors of businesses management, having experience of 5 years as a fund/financial administration, on visit visa,looking for suitable placement.#94662416 Apurwaverma@gmail.com

Required Marketing Executive with experience female / male (Arabic or English) in PR for a media & advertising company.

Email : job08080@gmail.com

26 hrs Indian Accountant with 2 years experience, B.Com, seeking suitable position, available immediately, contact No:9821 3292, e-mail: Indite2faraaz@gmail.com

A leading Printing Press Firm requires – Offset Printer, Marketing Executives, Driver. Interested candidates should contact 96399457, 96576685. Send your CV to vsituation@gmail.com

Indian Male, 28 yrs old B.Com having 7 yrs experience (3 yrs in MCT) looking for a suitable placement in Accounts / Sales currently on visit visa. Contact 93128830, email: gopusree.gopu407@gmail.com

Salesman wanted for prestigious interior design and office furniture Supply Company. Experience and driver’s license needed. Excellent remuneration package.

Email: tony@materials-plus.com

Male 25 Pakistani MA Economics/ CAT.4 years experience in utility sector flexible to do any role in finance/HR & supply chain. https://www.linkedin.com/profile/ view?id=186570782 no 94626209

B.Com, 6 yrs experience in finance & accounts operations at Mumbai, currently on visit visa, looking for suitable position. Contact 95941675 / 94302309.

Email : mayurparmar83@gmail.com Indian male, Accountant, 7 yrs experience in Oman having valid Omani Driving License seeking suitable placement. NOC available.

Contact 91208949 Indian male MBA, 29 yrs having 3+ years of exp (India) urgently looking for job in financial services, accounting, administrator. Now on visiting visa, NOC available, join immediately. Contact 92187116 28year Indian female (MBA) with 3+yrs experience (Oman) in Accounts is seeking suitable placement in Accounts/Admin.

Contact 96141283 Accounts Assistant B.Com having 4 yrs of exp in accounts, well versed with computer languages like C, C++, SQL, HTML, VB Networking.

Seeks suitable placement.

Contact 93995483 Finance Manager, CPA, with more than 15 yrs. of experience in GCC. Fully knowledgeable in Finance, General & Management Accounting .

NOC available. Contact 96209331 Accountant, Indian B.Com, 5 yrs experience in Oman in finance & Accounts with valid Oman D/L. Contact 95960600 Egyptian Female, 3 yrs experience in Finance & Accounts, Administration skills, speaking English fluently, good skills in computer.

Contact 94067437 Indian Male, MBA 2 yrs experience in Accounts, Admin & HR on visit visa. Contact 92045306 Indian, Male, Chartered Accountant with 22 years of GCC experience seeks Senior Finance / Accounts position. Currently on visit and available immediately. Contact 94657378. (rmif1969@gmail.com)

B.Com Graduate, 5 yrs experience, Indian male 26 yrs, looking for Accountant job. Contact 93975526, email : afsarsabith@yahoo.com Male, MBA, 10 yrs exp in production in Marble Industry Sales & Marketing, Admin & Accounts. Ready to join.

Contact 94670691 Indian male, 32 years, M. Com.7 out of 9 years experience in Oman in Accounts/finance. Having NOC and valid Oman D/L. Contact 98277143, Email: anzarks@gmail.com India Accountant: Male, M com, 7 Yrs experience in Accounts up to finalization, having knowledge of ERP, Tally, seeks suitable placement. Contact:93950138 Email: lijinrajan123@gmail.com

AUTOCAD AutoCAD 3D, 2D Photoshop, 3D max Ph: 97103168

DESIGNER Indian male, 8 yrs GCC experience in 3D & Architectural Designing with D/L. Contact 97263199 Interior Designer, UAE Experience, Knows Photoshop, Corel draw etc..

Ph : 97103168 Interior Designer, UAE Experience, Knows Photoshop, Corel draw etc..

Ph : 97103168

DRIVER Light Driver having own visa looking for job as driver Contact: 92303692 Driver with car. Contact 96954496 6 Years experience light duty driver.

Contact – 96736744 Indian driver need job with car.

Contact 91254539 Light vehicle driver available.

Contact 96756014 / 97938893 Light driver looking for job.

Contact 96794309 / 98335778 Bangladeshi male light vehicle driver, looking for job. Contact 93113447 Bangladeshi male light vehicle driver 12 yrs exp. looking for job in any company. Contact – 99165961 Pakistani male light vehicle driver 2 yrs exp. Contact - 96342684 Driver available with car.

Contact 95068976 Light driver looking for job.

Contact 92791678

DRAUGHTSMAN Auotcad, Well Experienced, Arch, Stucture, knows 3D, Revit Photoshop Ph : 97103168 Auto cad d/man, gulf exp, 3d, 3dmax, Photoshop, NOC available ph: 93772966 Civil Draughtsman, Indian Male, 23 yrs with 3yrs experience in AutoCAD 2D & 3D, MEP, HVAC, 3Ds Max and Photoshop looking for suitable position, presently in Muscat, Oman on visit visa. Contact 91764358, mohdsiraj02@yahoo.com

EDUCATION English Teacher (M.A, B.Ed) Indian Female with 1.5yrs of experience looking for suitable positions.

Contact 91507099.

Currently working as Lecturer of IT, (M.Sc IT) (M Phil computer Science) having experience for more than 5 years, looking for suitable placement. Contact 91105949

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C5

DAILY GUIDE SITUATION WANTED

FOR HIRE

SALES / MARKETING

ENGG. / TECHNICAL

TRUCK FOR HIRE Isuzu 10 ton cargo body truck

BE Civil, Worked with Indian Government for 25 years in IRRIGATION and Construction projects.

96758383

Quantity Surveyor (Civil Building) looking for Part time job Contact no:-94391712 E-mail addressinayathhussain@yahoo.com

Executive Post, MBA 14 years Experience in Multinational Groups in Marketing & Management. M.Z. 93190806.

D.C.E Engineer QS 7 yrs exp (total 15 yrs) GCC. Road & infrastructure, seeking placement in Oman with valid D/L. NOC available. #91376802 / niga2000@rediffmail.com

B.Tech Engineer QA/QC, 7 yrs GCC Oil & Gas experience API.570 CSWIP 3.1 NDT Level 2 seeking placement in Oman. NOC available.

Contact sajinrj009@gmail.com

Purchase Officer, B.Com, Graduate, Indian, total 9 yrs experience in construction field. NOC & release available. Contact 99188257.

BE Civil Engineer, 5 yrs experience.

NOC available. Contact 98970233

Pakistani Male, 32 yrs, MBA Marketing, 6+1 experience in Sales/ Marketing/Business Development having valid Omani Driving License looking for suitable placement.

Contact 95492039, shahid.mood@gmail.com

Diploma in Civil Engineer, 15 yrs Oman experience (total 28 yrs) looking for senior position with valid D/L, NOC available. Contact 99013465 B.Sc in Civil Engineering, 2 yrs experience (1 yr 3 months in Oman + 10 months in Bangladesh) knowing AutoCAD, MS Office & detailing, fluent speaker in English, Hindi and Bangla. # 94038642 Email : shaikhhasib.ce@gmail.com Indian male, 24 yrs, BE (Electronics & Electrical) with 2 yrs experience seeking suitable placement.

Contact 98201244 DAE (Civil) having 3.5 years Experience 2 years from Oman with driving licences, seeking for suitable position in Construction field NOC and release available Contact 96968554 mehranahmad26@yahoo.com Mechanical Engineer 22 yrs Indian male having experience in fabrication, seeking suitable job placement.

Presently on visit visa.

Contact – 99796730 / padsalamilap123@gmail.com M. tech Electrical Eng. Female, now in visit visa. Contact +968-94654481.

B. Tech Civil Eng. 3 yrs exp in Oman with driving license.

Contact +968-93733627.

Mail id : joinvisam@gmail.com, neethusprakash@gmail.com Mechanical Engineer, Gold Medalist, B.Tech with 3.5 yrs experience in Thermal Gas Power Plant in LDO, HFO Pipeline Fabrication erection boiler banker turbine. GSM: 97025338 Email : warisheyat329@gmail.com Presently in Oman on visit visa.

Mechanical Engineer Indian male 6 yrs exp (3 yrs in GCC) seeking suitable placement in OIL & Gas sector. Have valid GCC D/L. Contact – 91228398 / msfebco@gmail.com Agriculture Engineer has 5 yrs experience in Landscaping, pest control and tenders in Oman.

Contact 93340641 Civil Engineer B Tech , Site engineer Experienced, Drafting on Visit Visa Ph : 91642050 Mechanical Engineer BE with experience in maintenance & service of Heavy construction equipments, vehicles, cranes, inspection, safety, managing workshop & site.

Contact: 97458641.

Civil Engineer with 2 yrs experience (structural design – construction works-instructor of structural design soft ware’s), computer literacy (ETAB-SAFE-AutoCAD-Primavera).

Contact 94634906 Sr. Site Supervisor (Civil) since March 2010 in Oman looking for better opportunity having Omani D/L (Release available). Contact 93061107 27 yrs, Male, Diploma in Civil Engineering, 7 yrs exp, 05 yrs in Oman as Site Engineer. NOC available seeking a suitable placement immediately. Kindly contact 98925718 / 94619501.

Email: engineertanoli@gmail.com Sudanese Engineer, computer and network engineering, 7 yrs experience work in Oman 3 yrs.

Contact 9916606 / 96272760 Indian Male, IT Support Engineer, 2 yrs in Oman & 5 yrs Indian experience. Contact 97311847 Sudanese Electrical Engineer working as a project manager in Oman for 2 yrs total experience, 5 yrs driving and Muzoon CEP license.

Contact 91473717 Female, 26 yrs, B.Tech in Mechanical Engineer with 3 yrs experience in Piping Stress Analysis in Oil & Gas Sector, currently on family visa, looking for a placement.

Contact 95890939, email : rita.debnath682@gmail.com Indian Male, 25 yrs M.Sc Tech applied Geology, presently on visit visa seeking for Geologist job.

Contact 94076379, email: yasiralig786@gmail.com

BE Mechanical, 9 yrs experience in Sales & Business Development, Oil & Gas equipments like pumps etc.

Contact 91139771 Indian, B Tech Electrical & Electronics, 5 yrs exp in India. On visit visa in Oman. Looking for suitable opening in Oman. Available for immediate placement. Contact 97879255. mail1605unni@gmail.com Civil Engineer (B.Tech), Indian Male, 24 yrs with 1+ yrs Indian experience (Certified in Quantity Survey/Primavera/AutoCAD) looking for a suitable position, available in Sultanate of Oman (Muscat) on visit visa. Contact 91303860, email: mdayubmak@gmail.com Jordanian Engineer Electrical 7 yrs exp. Consulting, site & shop drawing works. Ready to join immediately.

Worked in UAE & Saudi Arabia.

Contact - 00971555594733 Indian male, 24 yrs, diploma in Electronics, 2 yrs experience in Sales, with Oman, D/L seeking suitable placement. Contact 93195828, 99312081

MANAGER/ SUPERVISOR

INFORMATION TECH Female , B Tech, Software Professional 2 yrs exp in Oracle,SQL,Database,.Net and I yr exp in Teaching Ph : 94550127 Indian Male 23 yrs – IT / Prepost Sales Consultant / Business Analyst / Web Designing. 2 yrs. exp.

Languages-HTML5, WebRTC, Java, CSS, C++, .Net, SQL, Oracle, ERP-Microsoft Dynamics CRM. Looking for suitable job. Contact: 98802504, email:shrihari26@gmail.com Indian male, 23 yrs, having 1 yr experience in IT hardware & networking & 3 months in Oman, currently on visit visa, qualification B.Sc Electronics CCNA, MCITP, RHCE. ph : 92089719 Email : sujithvijayan119@gmail.com, Dual expertise – programming / networking, Indian male, 25 yrs, B.E, Computer Science, CCNA, certified, 2 yrs experience in programming, databases, server / network support & administration. Contact 91770547, mudassirdf@gmail.com

Civil Engineer B Tech, Site Engineer Experienced, Drafting on Visit Visa Ph : 91642050

Indian male, 24 yrs Post Graduate, MCA Certified in Microsoft MCSE, MCSE-Messaging, EMC 2 seeking for job in IT field, 1 yr Indian experience as CCTMS Trainer, TCS Control Staff under Ministry of Home Affairs Project, India. Contact 98649167, email- rahulsathyagairairadhika@ gmail.com

Sudanese Mechanical Engineer, 3 yrs experience as Sit Engineer, HVAC System, and driving license, easy to transfer immediately.

Contact 91135140

Omani citizen searching job in the field of computers especially in data base professional in operating SQL, D/SQL FORMGT report.

Contact - 96977368

B.E Civil 5 yrs exp (2 yrs in India) 2 yrs Oman & 1 year in Qatar. Salary expected RO.500/- above.

Contact - 94412557

IT Professional, Indian male, B.Sc Graduate with 4+ yrs Gulf (UAE) good exp in System Administration, IT Support, Server Desktop, laptop, smartboard, datashow biometric, CCTV, currently on visit visa.

Contact 98936548, vaseemj@yahoo.com

Electrical Engineer, 9 yrs GCC exp in Electrical Projects with valid Omani D/L, NOC available can join immediately. Contact 99148940 Email : jobluk.om@gmail.com.

B.Tech Chartered Electrical Engineer from India with 4 years experience in various electrical projects, core strength in designing power scheme layouts, estimations, BOQs, execution, commissioning, testing etc. Contact 94638744, 96473165, email : ceng.shaz@gmail.com CAPTAIN-All Type Tankers Unlimited (Ind/UK) + STCW Certification + 19Yrs experience and 3.5Yrs as Captain LPG/ OilChem with MNC SEEKS JOB at OMAN in PORT DEVELOPMENT/ DRYDOCK/ MARINE SUPDT./ MOORING MASTER. Visiting MUSCAT 25 Dec ~ 5 Jan shall be available for interview. Contact mstmariner@gmail.com or +968 99476560 B.Tech Indian Female, Electrical Engineer, 2 yrs experience in Kiriloskar Electric Co. & KSEB looking for suitable position.

Contact 94564078, Email: elnaj19@gmail.com

Female, B Tech (Software Professional), Oracle SQL .NET Database, Experienced (Teaching & Engg) Ph: 94550127 IT Prof, MCA having 6+ yrs exp, seeks suitable position.

Contact 94543668

MISCELLANEOUS Pakistani male, 34, College 2 yrs, 2 yrs experience as Sales Representative, 3 yrs experience as Clerk / Office Assistant, 3 yrs experience as Salesman in Oman, Computer Skill : Excel, BUSY, ERP, languages known – English, Arabic, Hindi and Urdu. Contact 96763346 Welder 6g, 3g, Tig, KSA Experienced Ph : 97103168 Logistics Officer, Experience in Store keeping. Contact : 99505934 Building Caretaker, Gulf exp, knows Arabic, Hindi Ph : 91218278

Looking Part time Job in HVAC93198128

Welder 6g 3g, Gulf Experienced Ph : 97103168

Project Manager, Civil Engineer, Total Experience 5 Years, 4 Years in Oman. Construction Building Experience .Fluent Arabic, English and V. Good Hindi. Good in Excel and AutoCAD. Contact – 97858589

Autocad 3Dmax , Photoshop Ph : 97103168

Indian Male, 22 yrs, B.Tech, Marine Engineer, presently on visit visa seeks suitable placement.

Contact 93191777, email: ask.akash@gmail.com Experienced female Electrical Engineer.Contact 93800906

HOSPITALITY 21 yrs experienced in Hotels and Hospitality business, 14 yrs worked in leading hotels in Oman looking for a suitable management position Hospitality Industry. Contact 93191659 / 99149131

Indian Male, 39 yrs having Degree in B.Sc Maths and Diploma in Supply Chain and Logistics with computer knowledge having 14 yrs experience in store keeping within that 5 yrs in Dubai seeking opportunities in store, logistics or office assistants. Contact 96186573

Indian male Graduate with 20+ years of Administration, Operations & Management experience in IT, Oil & Gas & Hospitality Industry. 12 years in Oman with vast contacts, very strong management, operational, communication and interpersonal skills, can handle any size of business and projects whether it’s in initial stage or established. Can join immediately. Local release available on request. Contact: 9906 4589 Indian male Graduate with 20+ years of Administration, Operations & Management experience in IT, Oil & Gas & Hospitality Industry. 12 years in Oman with vast contacts, very strong management, operational, communication and interpersonal skills, can handle any size of business and projects whether it’s in initial stage or established. Can join immediately. Local release available on request. Contact: 9906 4589 Looking for job, holding valid Oman Driving License, experience in food & beverage, McDonalds & Retail Starbucks Coffee, UAE. Working now as House Manager in HB Excellency house Muscat. Contact 93407470, email : sanjeevmulla@gmail.com 15 Years experienced Indian male with D/L, joinery gypsum partition, gypsum ceiling, interior fit outs and costing. Looking suitable placement.

Contact – 99632862 General Manager / working partner 20 years in Dubai adverting agency experience. Contact 93031168 Management Professional, expertise in team building operations, project management, leadership, writing on visit visa till 19th January 2015. Contact 93516436, email: dsouza.amit@gmail.com

MEDICAL Indian female, B.Pharm, 12 yrs experience, MOH holder seeking immediate placement with NOC. Contact 99252636 Indian female Nurse, prometric passed, 64%. Contact 97916986, 96146016, 22068598 Indian Female, Dentist fresher looking for suitable placement.

Contact 98857686, email : drsumbulahmad@gmail.com Pharmacist-Indian female having MOH license looking for new opportunities. On family visa valid up to Aug 2016. Contact: 92247993 Lab Technician, Civil (8yrs Gulf experience) looking for a suitable job (NOC available) Contact-93344378

MECH./TECHNICAL Welder 6G, 3G, TIG, ARC, Fabrication, Gulf Exp Ph: 97103168

SALES / MARKETING 15 years experience in Business Development , marketing, purchase – UAE & Oman-staff coordination, documentation, civil & technical maintenance, -valid GCC license-looking for working partnership or management post. Contact:91568362 / Email vpj555pem@gmail.com

Indian Male, MBA Marketing and IT, 1 yr experience currently on visit visa, age 24 yrs seeking suitable placement. Email: nithinsolamonbaby@gmail.com.

Contact 94541453 Male, 26 yrs, M.Com, last 1 yr & 9 months in sales with Oman Driving License seeking for sales job.

Contact 95116991

(2012 FVR) with UAE experienced driver available for long term / short term rent.

Contact: 95346950 JCB for hire. Contact 96399457, 96576685 Running truck wash for rent in Ouhi Sunia Sohar. Serious people can. Contact on 97864747 50 seater bus with PDO specification for rent or lease. # 99839898

BUSINESS

Sales & Marketing Indian male MBA (marketing & sales) business development experience at all levels of management. Currently on visit visa. Contact – 91272819 Indian Male, MBA in Marketing and Finance, 10 years’ Sales & Business Development Experience with valid D/L of Oman & UAE looking for a suitable placement. NOC Available.

Contact: 93969961 e-mail abhilash.pvrk@gmail.com Indian Male, 7 yrs experience in building materials trading having Oman D/L, immediate release available. Contact 98676713

SECRETARIAL/OFFICE Indian Female experienced front office executive on visit visa seeks suitable placement. #94284565 Email - priyamenon51@yahoo.co.in Indian male, 44 yrs, experience 22 yrs office boy, job required, NOC available. Contact 96162171 Indian female, well experienced in secretarial, administration, customer care & supervisory jobs.

5 years experience in Muscat.

Immediately available for joining.

Contact: 92139298

MISCELLANEOUS Indian male 31 yrs Automobile Diploma with various exp. currently on visit visa, seeking suitable placement. Contact - 91044994 Filipino Accountant with 13 years working experience in the field of accounting looking for a suitable job in Muscat.

Contact: 94547323

Licensed Engineering Consultancy (Chemical) Company looking for International or local partners to start operations in Oman. For enquiries call 99264162

Tunisian women looking for job, khnows english, frensh, Italian and arabic. Contact: 91171838

Wanted dentist or investor to buy a well-running dental clinic in Sohar immediately. Contact 92625962, 95904234

MECHANICAL ENGINEER (B Tech), Indian Mail, with NDT Level 2(ASNT), Autocad, Solidworks, 2 year above experience (as Mechanical Site Engineer and Design Engineer), Seeking suitable placement(on visit visa). Contact: 91591548, 00919447300022, Email: vishnu300022@gmail.com 3 Years experienced Administrative Executive seeking for Virtual Admin Opportunities. Can work for 6 hours/day from a virtual location for 100 RO/month.

Call: 95811820 Indian Female, Graduate having good experience looking for suitable job. NOC available.

Contact 91774397

TRANSPORTATION Pick & drop anytime in al Khuwair.

Contact 99764307

Sales Executive with driving license, 5 yrs experience in IT seeks job. Contact 94263243, website : www.gulzeb7.webs.com

Transportation. Contact 98505294

Transportation. Contact 91379976

MANAGER/ SUPERVISOR

Indian Male, B.Tech E&I, 10 yrs experience in Sales, Procurement, BDM. 6 yrs Oman experience in Oil & Gas Sector. Seeking suitable placement. Oman D/L, NOC available. Contact 97233074

Indian female with nine years of experience in 5 Star hotels as Assistant Food & Beverage Manager looking for a suitable placement in a reputed Star hotel.Contact: 91219787

Indian male, 22 yrs, BBM Graduate looking for suitable job in sales/ marketing, currently on visit visa.

Contact 91757222, email : danishdani460@gmail.com

Pick & Drop any time. contact 97014786

Qualified Manager: (12+ yrs. Oman Exp.) Vast knowledge in A/c & Admin, Costing, Banking, Credit Control, Insurance, International Purchase/ Logistics & Finance, With D/L looking for suitable position. Contact: jskanchan01@gmail.com , Gsm: 93826090

Male, 35 yrs looking for a job for LTV driving having good experience of official field in UAE and Oman and good educated performance and Sales and Marketing experience. Spoken languages Hindi, English, Arabic.

Contact 93529686

Transportation available. Contact 97924934

Transportation with car & driver.

(VIP’s only). Contact 95040768 Transportation. Contact 93425167

Transportation. Contact 99664703 Transportation. Contact 99508282 Transportation available 99159277 Transportation. Contact 96538078 Transportation Available contact 97180655

We assist in new business set up local sponsorship, real estate services, assist in company formation services. Contact - 93166088 Omani National looking for expat investing partner in Restaurant in Al Amerat. Infrastructure almost ready. Jamal Adan Trading.

Contact 98711083, email : faisal.patel0038@gmail.com

MATRIMONIAL Parents of Christian girl (Roman Catholic),27yrs,fair,5.5”, from Kerala working in TCS, Bangalore as Systems Engineer seeks suitable alliances. Call: +968 92010215 / +968 99278649 Kerala Muslim boy, 26 yrs, MBA Finance working as Accounts Manager in Oman seeking suitable alliance. Contact 92193672 Parents of Christian Girl (Catholic / Cheramar) age 30 yrs, 5.4”, medium complexion from Ernakulum district, Kerala working in a reputed hospital in Muscat as Pharmacist seeking for suitable alliance. # +91-9946510794 (Oman - +968 99066561) Christian Boy, 32 yrs Muscat Business looking for suitable alliance from reputed family.

Contact 98003111 Proposals are invited from parents of professionally qualified Nair Boys for 24 year old Upper Middle Class Nair girl hail from Trivandrum, (171 cm, Star-Bharani) employed in a reputed Company in Oman. Contact: 0968-9950 2593 /99798041.

(KM ID.2844689) Urdu speaking Sunni Muslim boy working as physiotherapist in MOH hospital seeking suitable bride. Cont: 93753655, Email: inayath777@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 SERVICES

SITUATION WANTSERVICES

WEBSITE

CLASSES

Al Manar Vocational pleased to announce at vocational short and long term courses in tailoring, cooking and internal design. Contact us now : 24698070 or 91144335

WEB, ERP and Business Intelligence (BI) creation and management at rock bottom price.

Contact: http//webviewoman

COMPUTER GOOD NEWS

Split & window AC servicing and repairing. Contact 99557080 Window & split unit AC servicing & maintenance. Contact 96236476

Contact: 91262820 / 96458007

GUARANTEED CLEANING: Carpet & sofa shampooing, Contact 99314807/24792998 MARBLE CRYSTALLIZATION restore the original shine of your marble. # 24793614/ 99314807 FREE INFORMATION ABOUT ISLAM. If you would like to know more about Islam, please call: 99425598, 96050000, 99353988, 99253818, 99341395, and 99379133.

For ladies: 99415818, 99321360, 99730723 Orvisit: www.islamfact.com Ayurvedic treatment for backache, paralysis, arthritis etc & massage, All Season (Vaidyaratnam).

Contact 24475280 / 95371554 / 92504980 , www.siddhayur.com Ayurvedic treatment for joint pain, backache, paralysis, massage, steam bath, obesity, spondylitis, ideal care Ayurvedic Clinic, 18 November Street, Azaiba. Contact 99639695 / 99117987

BEAUTY Varkey’s Gents Salon & Spa – Offer 25% on all spa facilities like hamam spa, massages with steam bath, Jacuzzi, aroma therapy, pedicure & manicure, facial treatments. Contact 92935679

Pest Control Treatments!!!

Termites! Cockroaches! Bedbugs!

Ocean Centre LLC. Contact 99344723 Marble Restoration, Mosaic tiles polishing, carpet shampooing, maintenance. Contact ABU QABAS- 99320217 /24788722 Marble Restoration, Mosaic tiles polishing, carpet shampooing, maintenance. Contact ABU QABAS- 99320217 /24788722 Door to Door Computers repair specialist laptop software Website cartridges. Contact 99199376 A.M Trading Pest control.

Contact 99067923

Civil maintenance, electrical & plumbing work. Contact 99557080, 96236476 Building Caretaker, Gulf Experienced, knows Arabic, Hindi English Ph : 94304348 For All Your Maintenance Solutions, A/c Servicing & Fixing, Painting, Cleaning, Electric. Contact.

99002390 Water proofing ABUQABASContact 99320217/24788722

Catering services We do industrial catering service, Canteen/ mess, 3 times packed meals, and all types of catering events.

Contact 92188777/ 99249899 Carpet Shampoo, marble & tile polishing, pest control & anti-termite treatment, general cleaning painting, Plumbing, Electrical, shifting. Contact Mundhir AlRizaiqi trading. L.L.C. # 24810137, 99450130

GULF INTERNATIONAL LLC all kind of pest control.

Contact 92326955

For HT cable jointing and termination works 33KV/11KV. Contact 99056438 / Email: npgoman@gmail.com

Window & split unit A/C servicing & maintenance. Contact 96236476

House shifting transport. Contact 99657644, 98518013

Civil Maintenance, Painting Electric, Plumbing, Decor, Tile Fixing, Lecithin Copra Board flat stifling , Carpet Cleaning and A/C Servicing.Contact 97897831 (Indian keralite)

For All Your Maintenance Solutions, A/c Servicing & Fixing, Painting, Cleaning, Electric. Contact 99002390

Split & window A/C servicing & maintenance. Contact 93769089

Waterproofing, light weight Screed, Antitermite and MS Fabrication.

Contact 92888337

For all your maintenance needs including, Painting, Plumbing, Electricity, Laying of Interlock Tiles, Marbles etc. Tel: 99383574 Mr. Chandran

Carpet & sofa cleaning, house cleaning. Contact 99542979 / 98855815

Electrical Plumbing Painting Contract and Maintenance.

Contact 98456535

PRO services. Contact 99368907 Fast & Right Way - For all PR related works – permanent Visa stamping, family visiting visa holders, clients contacts – with NOC letter with signed & sealed photocopy documents – Contact: 91568362

MANPOWER

Painting Interlock plumbing maintenance. Contact 92142319 Carpet & Sofa Shampooing. Ocean Centre LLC. Contact 99884591 Maintenance – 1) A/C Maintenance, 2)fridge, washing machine & dish washer repairing, 3)painting & cleaning services, 4)electrical & plumbing carpentry work.

Contact 99447257 / 97014234 / 24504281

*Classified Advertisement space booking with text, should be done till 12.00 noon for next day’s publication. * Subject to space availability

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DAILY GUIDE SITUATION WANTED CARGO

TOURS Dolphin Watch, Dhow Cruise with Buffet, & Land Tours Al- Ainain Marine Tours Contact98029602, 92808636

RENT A CAR

M.V. FOR SALE

Pathfinder silver 2008, Gulf, full option, No.1, in very good condition.

Contact 91376619 Peugeot partner 2011 model, serviced only at authorized dealer for sale. Interested parties please call 91405549. Expected price RO 2000 (negotiable).

For sale, Ashok Leyland Bus, 66 seater, white color, model 2012.

Contact 99413089, 99235411 For sale, Nissan X-trail, white color, model 2009. Contact 99413089, 99235411

Lexus GS300, 2006 for sale.

Contact 93218349 Prado 2010 full automatic 80,000 km. excellent condition, RO 11,900/-. Contact 95573638

M.V.WANTED Required Nissan Tida / Toyota yaris / Suzuki swift / hyundai/Kia hatchback car in good condition.

Contact 95405033

DRIVING Hyundai Santafe-2.4 GL model-2012, km-73000, dealer service.

Contact 99444341 & 99352790 Pajero 3.8 v6 full option, 2008 model expat driven single owner, excellent condition, accident free, 217k.

Contact - 92590781 Lexus IS 250, model 2007, good condition. Contact 95530560

NRI

3 BHK furnished apartment at Marine Drive, Kochi with 4 sea facing balconies & interior decoration for sale, price 1.85 Cr. (negotiable).

Interested parties please call 99754109 or +917025233980, email : porus2009@gmail.com Villa for sale 2200 sq ft in 8 cent.

Kottayam. Contact: 92652534

For Astrological consultation, Jathakam. Contact: 99860435 / 97102599

*Classified Advertisement space booking with text, should be done till 12.00 noon for next day’s publication. * Subject to space availability

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DAILY GUIDE

Indian, Arabic, Chinese dishes, BuďŹ&#x20AC;et Lunch (On Friday) Indoor & Outdoor, Catering, Party hall available Take Away & Home Delivery

Party booking & sugges ons 99320065, 99341643

Email: dailyguide@timesofoman.com Tel. 24726666 Ext: 413 / 430 431 / 456 / 461 Fax: 24812624