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WEDNESDAY, March 4, 2015 /13 Jumada Al Ula 1436 AH timesofoman.com

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HM receives thanks

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Up to 1,000 workers are currently employed at the Saraya Bandar Jissah site in the Al Hajar Mountains turning the dream into a reality that will house 398 exclusive residential units, including spacious hilltop villas, townhouses and luxury apartments. - Photo: Times of Oman See also >A4

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

MUSCAT: His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said has received a cable of thanks from President Maithripala Sirisena of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka in reply to His Majesty’s congratulatory cable on the occasion of being elected as a President of the Republic. In his cable, President Sirisena expressed thanks for His Majesty the Sultan’s best wishes to him and the Sri Lankan people and wished to enhance the existing cordial relations between the two countries for the good of the people of two countries. -ONA TOP THREE INSIDE STORIES

OMAN

Majlis poll website updates latest news

With Majlis Al Shura elections due, the official election website is ready and has started updating the public with poll news. “It is not the ﬁrst time we have launched a website, but in every session we try to improve it to enable the public to get more information,” said an official. >A5

MARKET

Pact inked for digital meter production

Digital meters and devices to protect electrical networks will be manufactured at a plant to be set up within the industrial estate in Oman. The plant will be operating within the industrial estates of the Public Establishment for Industrial Estates (PEIE). >B1

SPORTS

South Africa ﬂatten Ireland in World Cup

Hashim Amla and Faf du Plessis hit centuries, while Steyn shone in his 100th One-day International, as South Africa showcased their prowess with a 201-run rout of Ireland in the World Cup on Tuesday. Hashim Amla scored 159 off 128 balls to become the fastest man to reach 20 One-day International centuries. >C5 T W O - D AY V I S I T

British defence secretary arrives MUSCAT: Michael Fallon, British Secretary of Defence, and his accompanying delegation arrived on a two-day ofﬁcial visit to the Sultanate. -ONA

1,000s to be hit by school place crisis Tentative vacancies in Indian schools Morning shift

Class sizes are

School

expected to be as big as 55 children

rising numbers

MUSCAT: Thousands of students face an uncertain future as the crisis deepens among Indian schools which are again looking at up to 55 children in a classroom. School admission prospects for nearly 50 per cent of Indian children in Oman look bleak as the number of applicants for new admissions is double the tentative vacancy list for the coming year. “There is a 10 per cent rise in the number of applications for fresh admissions this year. The schools in the capital together have got nearly 5,000 applications and we are working on various possibilities to offer admissions to all. But it may not be as per their ﬁrst choice,” Wilson George, chairman of the board of Indian Schools in Oman, told the Times of Oman. The tentative list of Indian schools in Oman shows that there are only around 2,400 seats

FAHAD AL MUKRASHI

fahad@timesofoman.com

(Academic year 2015-2016)

Afternoon shift

Class KG I

IS Muscat

Kindergarten

Standard grade

STD V STD VI

STD VII STD VIII STD IX

Total

KG II

STD I

STD II

STD III

STD IV

400

290

135

608

407

538

100

IS Darsait

140

IS Ghubra

100

IS Wadi Kabir Staff Reporter

Efforts on for release of Omani jailed in India

300

per room as Indian schools cope with

C O N S U L AT E O F F I C I A L

180 180

105

270

IS Seeb IS

210 51

Total applicants

124

5,000

2,378

Source: Board of Directors Indian Schools, Sultanate of Oman

available for all classes, including morning and afternoon shifts. The six Indian schools in the capital are in Muscat, Darsait, Ghubra and Wadi Kabir in addition to Seeb and Mabelah. On an average, around 50 to 55 students are accommodated in junior classes in some of the Indian schools in Muscat due to space constraints. On Monday, the Muscat Municipality and Municipal Council in a joint meeting decided to convey to the Indian schools in and

around Darsait to cap the intake of new admissions to ease traffic congestion. There are around 13,000 students in the two Indian schools in and around Darsait and residents have complained about the traffic chaos caused during working hours. Speaking about the plans to bring down the number, the chairman said this year they have decided not to take the same number of children in lower classes on par with the num-

Total vacancies

Graphics

ber of those who pass out from higher classes. “Every year, around 400 students pass out from higher classes from the Indian School Muscat. So, eventually there will be 400 vacancies available in the lower classes. However, we have agreed not to ﬁll all 400 vacancies, so as to keep the numbers down. Moreover, we have permission to have different sessions in some other schools and expansions are progressing there too,” added the chairman. >A6

MUSCAT: Coordinated efforts are being made for the release of the Omani man lodged in a Mumbai prison, said a source from the Sultanate of Oman consulate in Mumbai. “We have arranged legal assistance. The Oman embassy in New Delhi and consulate ofﬁcials in Mumbai are working together to get the Omani released as soon as possible,” the source from the consulate told the Times of Oman over phone from India. The Omani national along with a Saudi national were sent to judicial custody by an Indian court on Monday. In jail Speaking to the Times of Oman from Mumbai, a senior official of Mumbai Police said the two were sent to jail after they were produced in front of Chief Metropolitan Magistrate, 8th Court, Mumbai. “But they can appeal against this order in a higher court,” said the police official. Both of them have been booked under Sections 354, 354A, 354B, 452 and 34 of the Indian Penal Code for molestation. Both the Arab nationals were arrested by the Colaba police after an American woman alleged that she was molested in her room at the Taj Mahal Hotel at Apollo Bunder last week. >A6

DEFINING MOMENT

Can Oman oil sector weather low price storm? SALEH AL SHAIBANY

saleh@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: It is going to be a tough year and perhaps beyond 2015 for Oman’s oil industry for both suppliers and producers, as low oil prices show no signs of recovery, delegates at an oil seminar said yesterday. Officials and experts were in agreement that there are challenges that the local energy industry must resolve but warned both contractors and producers must work together to weather the low oil prices storm. “It is a crisis but the message is very clear to all companies in the oil industry that we must identify opportunities in this difficult time. If we enjoyed the beneﬁts when the oil prices were high, we must accept the challenge now that the

oil prices are down. Now we have to see things differently,” Salim bin Nasser Al Auﬁ, undersecretary of Oil and Gases, told delegates at an oil industry seminar at Grand Hyatt Hotel yesterday. He added that this was a particularly deﬁning moment to test the relationship between the government and the contractors in the oil industry. “We have to see whether our relationship with contractors is solid or not about costs, best practices;

whether they are cutting corners or take short cuts. They (contractors) need to be professional by working together to overcome the low oil prices challenges,” Al Auﬁ pointed out. But the undersecretary’s biggest concern was the job security of Omani workers in the oil industry. “If Omanis are to lose their jobs, we want to be informed. Contractors must tell us about it so we can work together in this respect,” he added. Raoul Restucci, Petroleum Development Oman’s (PDO) Managing Director, said that this year would be particularly difficult for Oman’s oil industry but urged contractors to be positive and stay on track. “It’s going to be a very difficult second quarter or third quarter or even 2015 but we are repositioning ourselves for the challenge

and stay on track on the lower oil price situation. I don’t see this as a crisis but it is challenging times. Oil prices at $50 or $60 per barrel is a tough going but it will pick up just as fast. At PDO, we are up to the task with our EOR (Enhance Oil Recovery) programme,” Restucci said. Other producers in the country echoed similar sentiments. The local subsidiary of oil giants Occidental said it has already taken measures to offset the lower oil prices situation. “It is a tricky situation and we are re-engineering and re-designing ourselves. We also need to be efficient and reduce costs. We have to sustain productions by reevaluating our operations,” Said Al Balushi, technical senior vice president of Occidental Oman, said in his address to the delegates.

A14

Volcano erupts in Chile, thousands evacuated

W EDN ESDAY, MARCH 4, 2015

OMAN

The ship was carrying more than 350 heads of cattle but a hundred of them swam to the shore in the freezing waters as the ship sank

I N V E S T I G AT I O N

Ras Al Hadd ship sinking claimed lives of 250 cattle FAHAD AL MUKRASHI fahad@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: Rough seas and strong winds led to the sinking of a ship off the Ras Al Hadd shore in South Sharqiyah Governorate on Saturday afternoon resulting in the death of 250 cattle, initial investigations have revealed. The ship was carrying more than 350 cattle but a hundred of them swam to the shore in the freezing waters as the ship sank, conﬁrmed an official. Meanwhile, Ras Al Hadd’s beach is back to normal with the

authorities conducting intensive cleaning operations. An official at the Ministry of Environment and Climate Affairs told the Times of Oman, that all the safety procedures had been taken. The waste related to the incident was cleaned up from the shore, added the official. Crew members The 11 crew members are being questioned over the incident. “The cattle that survived have been transferred to a quarantine area to make sure that they are not infected,” said the official.

The official added that the ship was still at the same spot where it sank. Local saviours Many of the residents of Ras Al Hadd risked their lives to rescue the cattle from drowning and the social media was abuzz with the pictures of the incident, thanking residents for such a noble act. Witnesses said they were stunned to see so many animals swimming towards the shore. No loss of human life was reported in the incident, an ROP ofﬁcial told the Times of Oman. E M P L O Y M E N T AV E N U E S

Civil Service to announce 600 new jobs MUSCAT: Around 600 vacancies at the different ministries and government units governed by the Civil Service Law and its executive bylaws will be announced by the Ministry of Civil Service on Wednesday. In a statement, the Ministry explained that these vacancies cover different qualiﬁcations and specialities. They will include one vacancy for postgraduate degree holders, 168 for bachelor degree holders, 144 for the post- secondary diploma holders, four the vocational diploma holder, 59 for the general education degree holders and 224 for lower grades. The announcement will also include 2% of vacancies for people with disabilities (13 of the announced vacancies). The statement pointed out that workers in the private sector can apply for these vacancies as per the decision of the Council of Ministers.–ONA

W EDN ESDAY, MARCH 4, 2015 We are 50 per cent ahead of target of what we had set in 2015. Last year we had 80 per cent Omani buyers, but this year we have buyers from all over the world Lee O’Donoghue, vice president, Saraya Bandar Jissah

OMAN

Saraya Bandar Jissah dream turns into luxury landmark

THE RESEARCH COUNCIL

Workshop focuses on science parks management Times News Service

Work on the main resort hotel is well under way, and construction of the boutique hotel is also due to begin ‘any day’

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

MAJESTIC VIEW: Scheduled for a grand opening in 2017, the development also incorporates two luxury hotels operated by Jumeirah

Hotels and Resorts.

Times News Service MUSCAT: It is a vision worth $600 million, but the view is priceless! Up to 1,000 workers are currently on site in the Al Hajar Mountains turning the dream into a reality that will eventually materialise into 398 exclusive residential units, including spacious hilltop villas, townhouses and luxury apartments. Scheduled for a grand opening in 2017, the development also incorporates two luxury hotels operated by Jumeirah Hotels and Resorts. Work on the main resort hotel is well under way, and now officials at the project have revealed, during a tour of the site yesterday, that construction of the boutique hotel is also due to begin ‘any day’. “The contract for the boutique hotel has been awarded and the construction work will begin any day,” said Lee O’Donoghue, vice president of marketing and sales of Saraya Bandar Jissah. The ﬁrst hotel is set to be a boutique ﬁve-star hotel, occupying 61,000 square metres (sqm) and comprising 112 rooms. The second hotel, the larger of the two, will occupy a plot area of 74,000sqm and will comprise rooms and individual villas. The project also includes a beach-front ballroom for weddings and events, international cuisine restaurants and sports activities.

“Work for the resort is evolving at very high speed. The resort sees itself in the structure phase as the ballroom structure’s columns and shear walls are being completed, while the car park has achieved 80 per cent completion. “Running parallel, the contractor for the staff accommodation is setting up their site facilities and progressing with excavation work,” said O’Donoghue. The five main contractors working on the Integrated Tourism Complex (ITC) are Nagarjuna Construction Company International, Carillion Alawi, Leighton Middle East, Towell Construction and Ghantout Transportation and General Contracting. The four consultants overseeing the work of the contractors are Halcrow Middle East, WS Atkins International & Co., DSA Architects International and KEO International Consultants. Other than the two five-star hotels, the project will deliver 398 exclusive residential units in five distinct residential zones – Zaha, Nameer, Na’eem, Safa and Wajd, the last featuring grand exclusive cliff-top residences set to be ‘the most desirable locations in the region’. Saraya Bandar Jissah was recently awarded the ‘best international mixed-use development’ at the International Property Awards. “We are 50 per cent ahead of target of what we had set in 2015,”

said O’Donoghue on the sales. Regarding the buyers, he said they are a mix of Omani, GCC nationals and international buyers. “Last year we had 80 per cent Omani buyers, but this year we have buyers from all over the world,” he added. Zaha, the first residential zone introduced to the market in 2014, is now at an advanced stage with concreting for 21 of the four bedroom villas foundations ready, along with concreting of columns finished on the ground floor for 10 of the 21 units. Seven of them are casted with first floor columns. “Foundations of all three bedroom villas have been laid. Reinforcing, concreting and shuttering

work has been prepared for the ground floor and first floor. Additionally, the foundations of five units of the 21 apartment/duplex buildings were casted,” added O’Donoghue. Mohammed Al Hadeethi, senior construction manager of Saraya Bandar Jissah, said that advanced earthworks within the residential zones Zaha and Nameer, the two hotels, the staff accommodation, technical zone and a majority of roads have been completed. “In January 2015, a contractor conducted the last blast operation, marking 139 safe rock blast operations that generated around 900,000 cubic metres of excavated material. Other structural works

including the lagoon surrounding Nameer, weirs, retaining walls, culverts and wadi channels are now complete,” he said. Saraya Bandar Jissah offers freehold ownership of properties to foreign investors who also have the right to apply for residency in Oman for themselves and direct family members. “The prices are ‘competitive’ considering the quality that is offered, and moreover, buyers can pay 50 per cent after the project is completed,” said O’Donoghue. “The project is going to be a ‘unique’ one in every respect and is different from other projects not only in Oman but also in the entire region,” he added.

MUSCAT: A three-day workshop on business incubators and science parks management was inaugurated by The Research Council, (TRC) represented by the science parks department of the Innovation Park Muscat (IPM) project, on Tuesday. The workshop is being organised in cooperation with the Isfahan Science & Technology Town (ISTT). The workshop, which will last till Friday, would be addressed by speakers from the Islamic Republic of Iran, who have expertise and experience in the field of business incubators and scientific areas management. They will familiarise the participants with the experience of Isfahan City for Science and Technology, one of the largest and oldest, scientific cities in Iran. The workshop will also shed light on the business incubators that focus their efforts to embrace innovation and scientific ideas, and the mechanism that should be followed to provide appropriate support and help innovators to turn ideas into real products. The experts will focus on benefits of rewarding the individual and society for sustainable development of the Sultanate through the shift towards knowledge-based economy. They will open prospects for integration with the private sector enterprises and attract them specialists in manufacturing and production. The workshop will address the importance of such incubators, which support the growth of small and medium enterprises, and to work on their development and marketing. It will seek to provide opportunities that would help directly to develop and enable innovative scientific ideas quickly and in a manner inexpensive through training and rehabilitation. The workshop, on its first day, introduced the concept of pre-incubation, and also discussed the evaluation, financial issues, marketing, development and exit scenario, etc.

H E A LT H I S S U E S

SQU study to suggest steps to curb smoking among students Times News Service MUSCAT: A study about the spread of smoking habits among university students and its causes, is being conducted by the student counselling centre at the Sultan Qaboos University (SQU). This study reﬂects the university’s interest in providing a suitable academic environment for students, by creating awareness on the negative impact of smoking on the health, physiological and social spheres. It will also focus on how the negative impact of smoking reﬂects directly on the students’ ability and achieving their academic and career goals.

Dr Saeed bin Sulaiman Al Dhafri, director of the centre, said that this study is considered a practical tool to reveal the extent of smoking habit among SQU’s students. It will help the university to take necessary steps to solve the problem based on scientiﬁc evidence. This study is expected to contribute to formulating treatment and therapies for students who are addicted to smoking. Dr Dhafri said the idea of this study came from the directives of Dr Ali bin Saud Al Bimani, vice chancellor, who is keen to follow up various issues related to the students.

The research is being carried out by a team led by Dr. Al Dhafri. The other members of the team are Prof. Dr. Samir Ibrahim Hassan, Dr. Zakiya bint Qahtan Al Busaidi, Dr. Manal bint Khasib Al Fazari and Dr. Maha Abdul Majeed Al Ani in addition to Al Mur bin Mohammed Al Hashmai and Marawa bint Nasser Al Rajhi. Dr. Zakiya Al Busaidi, senior consultant, Family Medicine and Public Health at the SQU Hospital, has introduced a service to offer treatment and counselling for students at the clinic. Also, processes are under way to conduct campaigns against smoking.

W E D N E S DAY, MAR C H 4, 2 0 1 5

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OMAN

Children get lessons on eco wealth The roadshow is aimed at introducing Oman’s amazing wealth of biodiversity to children aged eight to 12 years

Times News Service MUSCAT: Treasures of Oman Roadshow, an Oman Animal and Plant Genetic Resources Centre (OAPGRC) initiative, has started its journey across all 11 of Oman’s governorates. The roadshow is currently at Sultan Qaboos University (SQU) where it expects to welcome more than 500 children from schools in the area.

NATURAL TREASURES: The roadshow travels on a uniquely designed and decorated truck.– Supplied photo

Dr. Nadiya Al Saady, executive director of OAPGRC, said, “This is such a wonderful opportunity to introduce our young people to Oman’s fantastic wealth of genetic resources, educate them about how important they are for our

OMAN-US TRADE

Private sector urged to benefit from FTA MUSCAT: Dr Ali bin Masud Al Sunaidi, Minister of Commerce and Industry, has called upon private sector organisations to benefit from the opportunities provided by Oman-USA Free Trade Agreement (FTA). In a statement, the minister said that the private sector companies should go beyond the limited benefits generated since the implementation of the agreement on January 1, 2009. He affirmed that the FTA includes many areas that have not been utilised, including the Omani

investments in the USA and the joint investments in the Sultanate which have been limited to some products. He said that the benefit to the Omani companies was limited to exports, especially plastic products and building materials. The benefits did not include the products that target the GCC region or Africa. The minister pointed out that there are certain US companies that benefited from the Oman-USA FTA, especially due to the tax exemptions it provides. -ONA

MINISTRY OF INTERIOR

Majlis poll website updates latest news FAHAD AL GHADANI fahadnews@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: With Majlis Al Shura elections due later this year, the official election website is ready and has started updating the public with election news. “It is not the ﬁrst time we have launched a website, but in every session we try to improve it further to enable the public to get more information about the election process,” said an official at the Ministry of Interior. The official added that the new website was much better than the earlier ones. “It updates the public with various bits of information, including the names of those nominated and the election laws and regulations,” he said. The ﬁrst draft of the nomina-

tions is still under process. “The names will be published on the website as soon as they are approved by the security authorities,” said the source. The website is part of the transparency required in such parliamentary systems. February 4 was the last day for ﬁling of nominations for the upcoming Majlis Al Shura eighth term membership elections. Applications were submitted to the walis’ offices. The ministry started receiving applications on January 18, in accordance with the ministerial decision No. 221/2014 issued by the Minister of Interior. The decision speciﬁed that the date for receiving applications was February 5 and the deadline for the withdrawal of applications is August 25.

future and encourage them to get involved in its conservation. Indeed, we would like to think that the roadshow will inspire some of our visitors to embark on careers in this sector.” The roadshow was inaugurat-

ed by Dr Ali bin Saud Al Bimani, vice chancellor of Sultan Qaboos University, along with Dr. Hilal Al Hinai, secretary general of The Research Council (TRC). Aimed at introducing the wonders and importance of Oman’s

amazing wealth of biodiversity to children aged eight to 12 years, the roadshow’s next stop will be Rustaq from March 8 to 12. Carried to each of its destinations on a uniquely designed, adapted and decorated truck, the roadshow has four fun-ﬁlled sections, one each for the animal, plant, marine and microbial kingdoms. “We are delighted by the enthusiastic response and reactions of the schoolchildren so far,” said Fatmah Al Mashraﬁ, one of the eight graduates from the SQU’s College of Agriculture and Marine Sciences, who has been specially trained to man the roadshow. Fellow SQU graduate, Skorooq Al Mahrazi added, “I am sure many of our young visitors are going to be thinking about getting involved in conserving our genetic resources and hopefully, others will be thinking about the career possibilities in this area. Certainly, all our visitors will be more aware of how our lives are touched by these precious resources and the importance they have for our future.” “I would like to take this op-

portunity to congratulate the OAPGRC Team who have worked so incredibly hard to bring the vision we had for this event, a part of our public awareness programme, to reality,” added Dr. Al Saady. “I would like to thank, in particular, our eight graduates from the SQU’s College of Agriculture and Marine Sciences who are hosting our visitors. They are doing a fantastic job. I am sure all the visitors will not only enjoy the result of their efforts but will also beneﬁt enormously. Hopefully, from the enjoyment, their interest and involvement will grow,” she said. Dr Al Saady added, “We are immensely grateful for the support we have had from the Ministry of Environment and Climate Affairs, the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries Wealth, Oman Botanic Garden, the Diwan of the Royal Court and the Ministry of Heritage and Culture, in addition to the Sultan Qaboos University and Sharqia University. We extend our sincere thanks to them. Without their help the roadshow would not have been possible.”

W EDN ESDAY, MARCH 4, 2015 We are proud of the women working for the Banat Oman project. Hanan Al Rumhy, PDO’s social investment adviser

OMAN Lama Polyclinic set to become a hospital ment in a number of specialities, which include general medicine, paediatrics, dentistry and dermatology in addition to homoeopathy, obstetrics and gynaecology. It also offers treatment in ophthalmology, orthopaedics, otolaryngology [ENT], urology and general surgery apart from ayurveda, pulmonology and physiotherapy.

Ten Omanis and 58 expats are working at the polyclinic, which currently has branches in CBD and Al Khuwair. The medical facility has met the Omanisation target set by the Ministry

EXPANSION PLANS: The plan to change the polyclinic into a hos-

pital is on ‘fast track’. Photo–Times of Oman

of Manpower

elham@timesofoman.com

national hospitals so that we can change Lama Polyclinic into a hospital,” Geetha Menon, general manager of Lama Polyclinic, told the Times of Oman.

MUSCAT: Lama Polyclinic, one of the oldest clinics in the Sultanate, plans to expand and transform into a hospital to offer its services to a wider range of patients, according to officials at the polyclinic. “We do not have an in-patient service at the moment, but it is in the pipeline and we are trying to collaborate with some inter-

25 years of service She was speaking on the sidelines of a ceremony held to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the clinic, co-founded by Hussain Mohammed Hassan Al Saleh, the polyclinic’s chairman, and Eng. Redha Juma Al Saleh, the managing director. Menon said that the plan to change the polyclinic into a hos-

ELHAM POURMOHAMMADI

pital is on ‘fast track’ and may be complete by the end of this year. “This is our projection,” she added. Around 300 people are being treated at Lama Polyclinic every day, she added. Ten Omanis and 58 expatriates are working at the polyclinic, which currently has branches in CBD and Al Khuwair. The medical facility has met the Omanisation target set by the Ministry of Manpower. “We encourage more locals to come and join us in various ﬁelds,” she urged. Lama Polyclinic offers treat-

New specialities According to the polyclinic’s general manager, plans are underway to add new specialities such as cardiology and gastroenterology. In a speech at the ceremony held to honour the dedicated staff of the polyclinic, the chairman said that the completion of 25 years is a ‘major milestone’ in the life of a health institution and commended the employees for their dedication and professionalism. Value-based services He said that the Lama team’s vision is to provide value-based services to people in Oman and elevate the polyclinic’s status in the health sector. “As you all know, the medical industry is booming and every day new hospitals are coming up. To keep pace with the market, we are planning to associate with some of the international hospitals and eventually convert Lama Polyclinic to Lama Hospital,” he stated.

U S W O M A N A L L E G AT I O N

< FROM

Omani national was held at airport

In her statement, the 52-year-old victim, owner of a big US ﬁrm, said she had arrived in Mumbai from the US on February 22 and checked into the hotel, where she met the Omani the next day. On Thursday, at 12.43am, she

had called the Omani to her room for a drink. At around 1.20am, she returned from the washroom to ﬁnd the Omani in her room with a stranger. The Omani told her that the man was his friend from Saudi Arabia. At that point, the Omani

left the room, but the Saudi national stayed back. When she asked him to leave, he molested her. However, the hotel security came to her rescue. The Saudi national was arrested on the spot, but the Omani

was nowhere to be found and was eventually arrested at the airport on Thursday evening. The American woman returned to the US after giving her statement, while a case was registered against both men.

P D O I N I T I AT I V E

TOP QUALITY: The agreement, which will see the goods on the shelves in the second half of this year, is the latest in a series of retail deals for Banat Oman products across Oman. – Supplied picture

Pact inked for supply of quality handicrafts to Muscat Duty Free Times News Service MUSCAT: Banat Oman, the social development project of Petroleum Development Oman (PDO), has signed a commercial agreement with Muscat Duty Free to produce and supply high quality handicraft merchandise. The enterprise, set up by PDO to offer vocational training to low-income women, will supply mini dishdasha design pouches containing superior quality frankincense. The pouches are the ﬁrst Omani handicraft products that meet the strict quality standards of Muscat Duty Free. As a result, 20 women are empowered to support their families through a signiﬁcant increase in household income. The agreement, which will see the goods on the shelves in the second half of this year, is the latest in a series of retail deals for Banat Oman products across the Sultanate. Hard work Hanan Al Rumhy, PDO’s social investment adviser, said, “We are proud of the women working for the Banat Oman project. The quality of the products they produce through their hard work, dedication and commitment enables us to negoti-

ate on their behalf and market them with leading retailers, as in this case where they can take their place among the other world class products offered by Muscat Duty Free.” “In addition to creating direct income for the women, this project is also benefitting their families and their neighbourhoods as they can pass on their skills to others and provide a sustainable economic boost to their communities,” added Al Rumhy. Local products Tom Byrne, Muscat Duty Free general manager, said, “We continuously strive to offer our customers a range of authentic locally sourced products and the Banat Oman dishdashas are the first Omani handicraft products we are honoured to supply to our international customers. “We believe this product has a good story to tell, as it satisfies many requirements of modern travellers in its offering of a cultural and natural heritage product that educates as well as supports local communities and women in particular.” More than 200 women have so far been trained through the Banat Oman project in skills such as tailoring, embroidery, dairy and bakery product manufacturing and camel bone carving.

ADMISSION IN SCHOOLS

A1 Municipality’s directive on Indian < FROM

schools leaves parents worried

The municipality and the council also decided in a joint meeting that further expansion of infrastructure could not be approved at the ISM. Admissions “We are worried about the admission of our child. We have given

ISM as the ﬁrst choice and Indian School Darsait as the second. If he gets admission in Seeb or Mabelah, it would be difficult as we live in Darsait. How can we send a three-year-old to a school in Seeb? So, we have to look for other options,” said a parent. “Since there are not too many

good nursery schools functioning, it will be difficult. Except for the Indian schools, the Sri Lankan, British and American schools are unaffordable,” added the parent. Last year in June, dozens of nurseries functioning in Muscat were temporarily suspended or permanently shut down by the

Ministry of Social Development for violating rules and regulations each month on an average. The closing of the nurseries also added to the pressure on the junior classes in the Indian schools. At present, there are around 40,000 students studying in 19 Indian schools in Oman.

CUTTING-EDGE TECHNOLOGIES

India extends scholarships to 150 Omani students this year Times News Service MUSCAT: Nearly 150 Omani students have beneﬁtted from a fully-funded training scholarship under the Indian Technical and Economic Co-operation (ITEC) programme offered by the Indian government. Speaking at an event organised by the Indian embassy in Muscat to celebrate the annual ‘ITEC Day’ with participation of ITEC alumni, J S Mukul, Indian ambassador to Oman, said, “Under the ITEC programme, India had been extending fully-funded training scholarships to Oman covering technical and vocational training courses from traditional areas to cutting-edge technologies.” “Given the popularity in Oman of the ITEC programme, which

has globally acquired a brand name or brand image of its own, the ITEC scholarships had been increased for Oman to 85 in 20122013, 125 during 2013-2014 and finally to 150 in the current financial year 2014-2015,” he said. Close bilateral relations “Keeping in mind our exceptionally close bilateral relations and Oman’s interest and optimal utilisation, we are pleased to announce that the ITEC scholarships for Oman will remain at the enhanced number of 150 for the next financial year 2015-2016 starting from April 1, 2015, and marking an increase of 200 per cent, from 50 to 150 in the last three years,” he added. Shaikh Khalid bin Omar bin Said Al Marhoon, Minister of Civ-

il Services, graced the occasion as the chief guest for the evening. In his address, the ambassador said, “Last year, the celebrations were special, as we marked the golden jubilee of ITEC. This year is even more special as we commemorate the 60th anniversary or the diamond jubilee of the establishment of India - Oman diplomatic relations, when the Consulate of India was ﬁrst established in Muscat in 1955. The ITEC Day provides us with an opportunity to interact with ITEC alumni from Oman and to share their experiences of participating in the ITEC programme in India.” The ambassador explained that India and Oman are exploring ways to enhance, augment and intensify co-operation in the ﬁelds of higher education and training.

SEMINAR

Focus on laws regulating jobs MUSCAT: A seminar on ‘Revision of Legislations Governing the National Workforce in the Private Sector’ began on Tuesday under the patronage of Sheikh Khalid bin Sultan Al Hosni, deputy chairman of the State Council. During the seminar, laws and policies regulating employment in the private sector, education

and training outputs and their conformity with the requirements of the labour market in the private sector will be assessed. The two-day seminar being held at the headquarters of the Council of Oman, will assesses the Omani Labour Law and its conformity to the requirements of the national workforce and

the criteria upon which the relevant ministerial decisions are based. It will also discuss work environment in the private sector, work ethics of the national labour force, the Social Insurance Law and its contribution to the promotion of the national workforce in the private sector. -ONA

W E D N E S DAY, MAR C H 4, 2 0 1 5 As Aden and Taez are not accepted by some, I call for shifting the talks to the headquarters of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) in Riyadh Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi, Yemeni President

REGION

INTERNAL STRIFE

Rival Libyan forces carry air strikes on oil terminals, airport BENGHAZI (LIBYA): Rival Libyan forces carried out tit-for-tat air strikes on oil terminals and an airport on Tuesday, escalating their battle for control of the country days before United Nations peace talks were due in Morocco. The OPEC oil producer’s oil installations and other key infrastructure are increasingly a target

in the conﬂict which pits two rival governments and their armed forces against each other, nearly four years after the ousting of Muammar Gaddaﬁ. Prime Minister Abdullah Al Thinni’s internationally recognised government and elected parliament have been operating from the east since rival Libya Dawn

forces took over Tripoli in the summer and set up their own administration. A warplane belonging to Tripoli-allied forces bombed the oil ports of Ras Lanuf and Es Sidra, causing only minor damage, according to a security official with Thinni’s government. “They targeted the civil airport in Ras Lanuf, and oil tanks

Iraqi soldiers in a bid to seal off the IS militants Security forces backed by militia ﬁghters were advancing but their progress slowed by roadside bombs and snipers

BAGHDAD: Thousands of Iraqi soldiers and militiamen sought to seal off IS militants in Tikrit and nearby towns on Tuesday, the second day of Iraq’s biggest offensive yet against a stronghold of the radical militants. Iranian military commander Qassem Soleimani, who has helped coordinate Baghdad’s counter-attacks against IS since it seized much of northern Iraq in June, was overseeing at least part of the operation, witnesses said. In contrast the US-led air coalition which has been attacking IS across Iraq and Syria has not yet played a role in Tikrit, the Pentagon said on Monday, perhaps in part because of the high-level Iranian presence. Iraqi military officials said security forces backed by the militia known as Hashid Shaabi (Popular Mobilisation) units were advancing gradually, their progress slowed by roadside bombs and snipers. They have yet to enter Tikrit, best known as the hometown of executed former president Saddam Hussein, or the nearby Tigris river town of Al Dour, which officials describe as a

BATTLE GROUND: Iraqi forces and allied militias ﬁre weaponry from a position in the northern part of Diyala province, bordering Salaheddin province, as they take part in an assault to retake the city of Tikrit from militants of IS group, on Monday. – AFP

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major centre for the IS militants. On the southern ﬂank of the offensive, army and police officials said government forces moving north from the city of Samarra could launch an attack on Al Dour later. Soleimani, head of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Quds Force, was directing operations on the eastern ﬂank from a village about 55km (35 miles) from Tikrit called Albu Rayash, captured from IS two days ago. Militias help With him were two Iraqi paramilitary leaders: the leader of the Hashid Shaabi, Abu Mahdi Al Mohandis, and Hadi Al Amiri who leads the Badr Organisation, a powerful militia. “(Soleimani) was standing on top of a hill pointing with his hands towards the areas where IS are still operating,” said a witness

R E C O N C I L I AT I O N TA L K S

Hadi wants Yemen crisis talks moved to Saudi Arabia ADEN: Yemeni President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi called on Tuesday for troubled UNbrokered reconciliation talks to be moved to neighbouring Saudi Arabia if agreement cannot be reached on a venue inside Yemen. The call came as at least 32 people were killed in clashes between Houthi gunmen and tribesmen backed Al Qaeda militants in central Yemen, tribal source said. The talks, which had been held in the Houthi militia-held capital Sanaa, have broken down since Hadi escaped to second city Aden last month after weeks under effective house arrest. Call for shifting The Western-backed president, who withdrew a January resignation offer after his escape saying it had been made under duress, had proposed that the talks resume in Aden or in Yemen’s third city Taez, which is also outside the control of the Houthi militia. “As Aden and Taez are not accepted by some, I call for shifting the talks to the headquarters of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) in Riyadh,” Hadi told tribal chiefs. He also called for the six-member GCC to sponsor the talks, an aide said. The Houthis, who

control much of northern Yemen and have set up their own government institutions in the capital, have opposed any change of venue for the UN-brokered talks. The General People’s Congress party of ousted strongman Ali Abdullah Saleh, who is widely accused of backing the militia, has warned that it will boycott any talks held outside Sanaa. It is by no means clear that Riyadh will be any more acceptable as a venue to the Houthis or their supporters. The GCC has thrown its support behind Hadi and several member states have moved their embassies to Aden since his escape. The Houthi militia has clashed repeatedly with tribes as they have advanced into confessionally mixed areas of central Yemen since overrunning the capital last September. At least 25 Houthis and seven tribesmen were killed in ﬁghting in Baida province on Tuesday, tribal sources said. Yemen’s feared Al Qaeda branch, which has sought to exploit the power vacuum, kept up its attacks on the army in the troubled southeast. A bomb attack killed three soldiers near the militants’ stronghold of Qatan in the Hadramawt valley in the province’s rugged interior, a military official said. — AFP

who was accompanying security forces near Albu Rayash. The offensive is the biggest military operation in the Salahuddin region north of Baghdad since last summer, when IS fighters killed hundreds of Iraq army soldiers who had abandoned their military base at Camp Speicher outside Tikrit. Several Hashid Shaabi fighters have described this week’s campaign as revenge for the Speicher killings. Prime Minister Haider Al Abadi has urged them to protect civilians in Salahuddin province. The drive follows several failed attempts to push the militants out of Tikrit. Since IS declared a caliphate last year in territories under its control in Iraq and Syria, Iraqi forces have not managed to recapture and control a single city. But months of US-led air strikes, backed up by the militias, Kurdish peshmerga fighters and Iraqi soldiers, have contained IS in Iraq and pushed it back from around Baghdad, the Kurdish north, and the eastern province of Diyala. — Reuters

in Es Sidra. The rockets fell near the tanks, resulting in only minor damage,” said Ali Hassi, a spokesman for the forces guarding Libya’s oil infrastructure. Es Sidra and Ras Lanuf, which make up half of Libya’s oil output when operating normally, shut down in December due to the conﬂict. Libya currently produces

around 400,000 barrels of oil per day, compared to 1.6 million bpd before Gaddaﬁ was toppled. Warplanes also hit Maitiga, Tripoli’s airport, air force commander Saqir El Jaroshi said, and there were plans to carry out air strikes on the airport of port city Misrata, which is also a base of Libya Dawn. Jaroshi said the

strikes were retaliation for Tripoli forces bombing Zintan, a town loyal to Thinni’s government, and also to stop supplies to the militants. A source at Maitiga said a warplane struck close to the runway but did not cause major damage. Most international airlines stopped ﬂying to Libya and foreign diplomats were pulled out. — Reuters

W EDN ESDAY, MARCH 4, 2015

INDIA

If we are able to reach 8 per cent this year, grow it further and aim for 9-10 per cent growth rate and then continue at that pace for many many more years than 10 years, that is what India requires Arun Jaitley, Finance minister

‘Indian economy needs sustained growth of 9-10%’ Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said that to provide better infrastructure and bring down poverty rates, a growth rate of close to 10% is required and added that the investment available within the country is modest

NEW YORK: Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has said that Indian economy needs to grow at 9-10 per cent and sustain that growth rate over the next decade and beyond to provide better infrastructure and bring down poverty rates. Jaitley, who is here on a private visit, said India should aim to achieve 8 per cent growth rate this year and grow it to 9-10 per cent over the next 10 years and more. “I can sound very optimistic but I will be realistic,” he said in response to a question about his vision for India over the next 5-10 years during a session at Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs here on Monday. Citing the example of China, Jaitley said the Asian country grew by about 9 per cent on an average for over three decades

SPELLING OUT: Union Minister of Finance Arun Jaitley, right, speaks about challenges and opportunities for the Indian economy as Lee Bollinger, President of Columbia University, looks on, at an event at the university in New York on Monday. - PTI

and reached where it is today. “If we are able to reach 8 per cent this year, grow it further and aim for 9-10 per cent growth rate and then continue at that pace for many many more years than 10 years, that is what India requires,” he said before a packed house at a session on ‘Indian Economy: The Way Forward’. The event was also attended by former Columbia professor Arvind Panagariya, who has been appointed as Vice Chairman of the newly created NITI Aayog. Jaitley said India needs resources to push up growth rates but it cannot get those resources unless it grows by 9- 10 per cent. He stressed that a sustained growth rate of close to 10 per cent over the next decade and more is required to create improved infrastructure and bring down poverty rates. “I think if we continue at that rate of growth over the next 10 years we would have substantially created a better infrastructure and brought down poverty rates at a faster pace,” he said, adding that “I would like to see India

grow by that rate over the next 10 years, I would like to see a very large part of that resource plus all that investment.” He said there is a need to correct one of the political debates in India of “are you pro-industry (or) are you pro-poor. “As though there is a conﬂict between the two. I think that is the mistake the previous government made. In order to just concentrate on distribution of resources, they forgot the steps which were required to push up the growth rates.” He also underscored that India will need to get investment from outside in order to fuel economic growth. “I have no doubt about the fact that the investment available within the country is very modest. “Even our banks’ ability to ﬁnance that is modest therefore we need it from wherever it is available and a lot of those resources have to go into infrastructure, a lot of additional enrichment of the government has to go into further strengthening our poverty alleviation and elimination schemes,” he said. - PTI

W E D N E S DAY, MAR C H 4, 2 0 1 5

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INDIA

INTERVIEW

December 16 gang-rape convict has no remorse, blames victim NEW DELHI: A British ﬁlm maker’s interview of one of the December 16 gang rape convicts for a documentary in which he showed no remorse kicked up a storm on Tuesday with the government taking a serious view of the matter and seeking an explanation from Tihar jail authorities. The parents of the December 16, 2012 gang rape victim reacted

angrily to the remarks made by convict Mukesh Singh in the interview where he seeks to blame their daughter for the horrific incident, calling it shameful and demanded he be hanged. The filmmaker Leslee Udwin on her part said the film is her attempt to examine the attitude of men towards women and that there was nothing sensational in it.

Udwin also claimed she took permission from the then Director General of Tihar jail Vimla Mehra before interviewing Mukesh in the prison for BBC. Taking the incident of the convict being interviewed in custody very “seriously”, Home Minister Rajnath Singh spoke to Tihar jail Director General Alok Kumar Verma and sought a detailed report on

AAP rift widens, Kejriwal terms it as ‘ugly battle’ Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said he was ‘hurt and pained’ by what was going on within the party and all this has ‘betrayed’ the trust imposed by the people

NEW DELHI: The rift within Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) escalated on Tuesday with Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal terming it as an “ugly battle”, while his camp launched an all out war accusing senior leaders Shanti Bhushan and Prashant Bhushan of wanting to have a “vice-like grip” on the party. Breaking his silence for the ﬁrst time on the issue, Kejriwal said he was “hurt and pained” by what was going on within the outﬁt as all this has “betrayed” the trust imposed by the people. Kejriwal, who is the party’s national convener, said he refuses to be drawn into this “ugly battle”

and will concentrate on Delhi’s governance. On the other hand, Kejriwal’s camp launched an all out attack on the Bhushans. Ashish Khetan, a key member of the AAP’s Delhi unit, accused party patron Shanti Bhushan and his son and daughter — Prashant and Shalini —of wanting to control all the wings of the party. “Those who are ﬂoating the ridiculous one man party theory wanted to make AAP one family party,” Khetan said on twitter. “Father son daughter trio of Shanti Prashant & Shalini (sic) wanted to have a vice-like grip on all party wings, from PAC to policy committee to National Execu-

tive,” he further said. Ashutosh, another party leader close to Kejriwal, said Bhushan should have raised his issues at the National Executive meeting and not before the media. Shanti Bhushan, a founder member, sought to play down the rift, asking both Prashant and Yadav to support Kejriwal. “Differences within the party are not good. Prashant and Yogendra(Yadav) should support Arvind (Kejriwal),” he said in a letter to the party’s national executive. Sharp differences have come to the fore within AAP with allegations that Prashant and Yadav were trying to “remove” Kejriwal from the post of party convener. AAP has convened a meeting of its national executive tomorrow to decide on all issues, including the latest controversy over differences in the party. Sources said a proposal may be mooted in the NE meet to remove Bhushan and Yadav on Wednesday. Sources added that Kejriwal is unlikely to attend the meeting on Wednesday. - PTI

it urgently, official sources said. During the telephonic conversation, the DG briefed the Home Minister about the incident and the action taken so far, the sources said. In the interview, Mukesh, who was awarded death sentence for the brutal rape and murder of the 23-year-old girl, said the women who went out at night had only themselves to blame if they

attracted the attention of gangs of male molesters. “A girl is far more responsible for rape than a boy,” he had said. Mukesh also said that had the girl and her friend not tried to ﬁght back, the gang would not have inﬂicted the savage beating, which led to her death later. India’s Daughter tells the story of the Delhi gang rape incident from

the perspective of the convicts and victim’s parents, Udwin claimed. The ﬁlmmaker asked people not to have pre-conceived notion about the movie, which will premiere in India on March 8 on NDTV. “The ﬁlm ends with global statistics around the world, country by country. Rape is not an Indian problem. It’s a global problem,” she told reporters. - PTI

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W EDN ESDAY, MARCH 4, 2015

PAKISTAN

Pakistan has recognized that there is no single source to its woes. India might be one of them but there are many others. India, on the other hand, still likes to believe that Pakistan is its only nemesis. I am positive on Pakistan as it has shown it wants relations to improve Hina Rabbani Khar, Former foreign minister

CRITICISM

Just talks about talks: Hina KARACHI: Former foreign minister Hina Rabbani Khar said on Tuesday that relations between India and Pakistan are at their lowest, while summing up the Indian foreign secretary’s visit as “talks about talks”. “The foreign-secretary level talks are just talks about talks. How do they get to talk, who gets what pretext,” Khar said in an exclusive interview with The Express Tribune. Indian Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar arrived in Islamabad Tuesday morning and met his counterpart Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry to discuss issues related to the South Asia Association for Regional Cooperation.

“The current talks are held under the shrouds of the ‘Saarc Yatra’,” Khar said, which she believed was largely unhelpful to the dialogue process.

little hope of progress from the Indian side. Sporadic outbreak of hostilities have bedeviled relations between the two countries in recent months.

Relations at lowest “Look at the irony, in 67 years, we cannot even agree on what kind of dialogue to hold,” the former foreign minister said. “Pakistan-India relations are at their lowest,” she said when asked if relations have improved since she held office as the foreign minister. The former foreign minister hoped that Line of Control tensions and the 2003 ceaseﬁre would be on the agenda but had

Being scared “Narendra Modi’s government has been overly cautious about IndiaPakistan relations. To the extent of being scared,” Khar said. “In the past one year, Modi’s government has only given in to the constituency of hate mongers and they have encouraged an environment of hostility.” She said if Modi wants to be statesman he envisions to be then he needs to take up issues as they are. — Express Tribune

Pakistan-India dialogue aims for ‘common ground’ Indian Foreign Secretary Subrahmanyam Jaishankar is visiting Pakistan for the ﬁrst senior-level dialogue between the two countries since their prime ministers met in New Delhi

BACK ON TRACK: Pakistan’s Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmad

Chaudhry, back right, holds talks with his Indian counterpart Subrahmanyan Jaishankar at the Foreign Ministry in Islamabad, on Tuesday. — Reuters/Aamir Qureshi/Pool

last May

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and India held their first high-level talks for nearly a year on Tuesday, with a senior Indian diplomat hailing the meeting in Islamabad as “positive and constructive”. Indian Foreign Secretary Subrahmanyam Jaishankar is visiting Pakistan for the first senior-level dialogue between the nuclear-armed rivals since their prime ministers met in New Delhi last May. Relations between the two countries, always fraught, soured further last August amid increased firing along their borders and a row over a Pakistani diplomat meeting Kashmiri separatists. Jaishankar, India’s top official for foreign affairs, met his counterpart Aizaz Ahmed Chaudhry and said afterwards talks were

held “in a very positive and constructive atmosphere”. “We agreed to work together to ﬁnd common ground and narrow our differences,” he told reporters. “I reiterated our known concerns on cross-border terrorism including on the Mumbai (attacks). We agreed that ensuring peace and tranquility on the border was vital.” The attacks on Mumbai in 2008, blamed on Pakistan-based militants, have been a perennial thorn in relations in recent years. India has been infuriated at Pakistan’s failure to either extradite or prosecute effectively the alleged masterminds of the carnage, which left 166 people dead. Jaishankar’s trip is part of a tour that also includes Bhutan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan. But Pakistan-India issues, which tend to dominate regional politics, were clearly prominent on the agenda.

He was also due to meet Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif as well as the de facto foreign minister Sartaj Aziz, according to Pakistani state media. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s surprise move to invite Sharif to his swearing-in ceremony last May spurred hopes of a resumption of longstalled talks. But India abruptly cancelled a planned round of dialogue between foreign secretaries in Delhi in August after Pakistan’s high commissioner met Kashmiri separatists. The meeting with pro-independence leaders in the Indianadministered part of the disputed Himalayan territory infuriated New Delhi but Pakistan defended it as a “longstanding practice”. Pakistan and India have traded blame for an upsurge in ﬁring and shelling which started in October. — AFP

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WORLD H AC K E D T O D E AT H

FBI set to assist Bangladesh in blogger's killing probe DHAKA: The US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) will help investigate the case of an American blogger hacked to death in Dhaka last week, a senior police official said on Tuesday. Avijit Roy, an engineer of Bangladeshi origin, was killed by machete-wielding assailants on Thursday while returning from a book fair. His wife and fellow blogger Rafida Ahmed, who lost a finger and suffered head injuries, remains in hospital. US State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki called it “a shocking act of violence ... horrific BIDDING ADIEU: People arrive to attend a memorial service before the funeral of Russian leading opposition figure Boris Nemtsov in Moscow, on Tuesday. — Reuters

Thousands attend Nemtsov’s burial Most of those paying their respects were members or sympathisers of Russia’s liberal opposition

MOSCOW: Thousands of Russians, many carrying red carnations, on Tuesday ﬁled past the coffin of Boris Nemtsov, the Kremlin critic whose killing last week, friends say, showed the hazards of speaking out against Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Nemtsov, a former deputy prime minister, was the most prominent opposition figure to be killed in Russia during Putin’s 15year rule. Most of those paying their respects were members or sympathisers of Russia’s liberal opposition, who feel deep alarm at Nemtsov’s shooting but represent only a minority of the Russian population. Polls show most Russians support Putin, despite a sharp slide in the rouble and international sanctions over the Ukraine crisis. But at the ceremony there was a show of solidarity for Nemtsov from several prominent figures who served with him under former President Boris Yeltsin and who still have influence within the business and political elite. None of them criticised the Kremlin but their presence led by Yeltsin’s widow Naina -

showed that there are faultlines within the system of power built by Putin which could deepen if that system comes under more stress. The casket lid was open, revealing Nemtsov’s head and upper body. Photographs of the 55-yearold hung on the walls, and sombre music played. Nemtsov’s mother, dressed in black, stood stooped over the cofﬁn. His former partner Yekaterina Odintsova, with a black headscarf pulled over her blonde hair, stood nearby. The Russian government sent two deputy prime ministers. The queue of people waiting to go in stretched about a kilometre in the streets outside the hall, and hundreds had to be turned away. “He was our hope,” said Tatyana, a pensioner. “I feel like Putin killed me on the day he died. This last year has been full of suffering.”— Reuters

in its brutality and cowardice” last Friday and offered US help for the probe. “An FBI team might come to Dhaka this week to assist in our investigations of the killing of writer and blogger Avijit Roy,” said Dhaka Metropolitan Police spokesman Monirul Islam. Bangladesh’s anti-terrorism unit said it had arrested the main suspect in the case, Farabi Shaﬁur Rahman, in Dhaka on Monday. Rahman has been jailed in the past for his ties to the extremist Hizbut Tahrir group. The Rapid Action Battalion

(RAB) spokesman said Rahman had confessed to threatening to kill Roy. He was placed on a 10-day remand on Tuesday. Avijit’s killing follows a string of similar attacks in recent years in Bangladesh. In 2013, Muslim militants targeted several secular bloggers who had demanded capital punishment for extremist leaders convicted of war crimes during Bangladesh’s 1971 war for independence. Blogger Ahmed Rajib Haider was killed that year near his home in Dhaka after he led one such protest. — Reuters

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Congress has a critical role to play on trade

he Obama administration and the governments of 11 countries could conclude a sweeping trade agreement known as the Trans-Pacific Partnership in the coming months. Members of In recent years, trade agreements have become increasingly comprehensive, covering subjects that go far beyond familiar trade issues like tariffs and quotas. The TPP negotiators, for instance, are discussing labour rights, environmental protection, patent and copyright law and how governments treat state-owned businesses. Done right, such deals can raise standards everywhere, protecting workers and opening new markets. But there are potential downsides, too, including possible job losses. Congress has a responsibility to give the American negotiators, in advance of any agreement, clear instructions on what it would like to see in the agreement. The vehicle for doing so is a bill that could be introduced. The bill would also commit lawmakers to an up-or-down vote without amendment on the final deal if the deal meets the criteria established in the legislation. This is designed to give other countries assurance that Congress will not amend an agreement after it has been negotiated. Some liberal Democrats will not support this “fast track” bill because they believe trade agreements always harm American workers. And some far-right Republicans are opposed to the idea of a fast track because they think it gives too much power to a president they have accused of acting like a king. That means any trade legislation will have to pass with bipartisan support. Even though the final trade deal may not be done for months, it is critical that lawmakers act now to demand strong provisions protecting the right of workers to unionise, preventing wanton environmental damage and preserving access to generic drugs for consumers in poor countries. They should also seek to prohibit TPP countries from deliberately manipulating their currencies. Currency manipulation undermines free and fair trade. Some countries like China have artificially depressed the value of their currencies to boost exports. There is broad political consensus that trade agreements must address currency manipulation. The Centre for American Progress, a liberal research group, recently called for just that, as did Senator Orrin Hatch, Republican of Utah. In addition to the currency issue, Congress should also extend the Trade Adjustment Assistance programme, which provides needed aid to workers hurt by trade deals. The programme expires at the end of this year. Congress needs to use the leverage it has to have its voice heard. Otherwise, legislators cannot be fully involved in shaping agreements that cover many complex issues and could result in big changes to domestic laws. - The New York Times News Service

WAR WITH IS

What might the battle for Mosul now bring? PATRICK COCKBURN

BBC is still an asset

he arrival of the digital age is shaking up the world of television. Average TV viewing times are dropping as people abandon the “box in the corner” for the laptop and whichever digital platform network caters to their particular niche interest. Viewers who want to watch Scandinavian noir thrillers back to back — and nothing else — can do so with ease these days, without going near a TV. The BBC is struggling to keep abreast of this revolution, which has consequences for its finances. As a growing number of people opt out of the licence fee on the grounds that they do not possess a TV — the figure stands at half a million — pressure to find an alternative solution to the Corporation’s financial dilemmas before its Royal Charter expires in 2016 is becoming intense. The decision of Tony Hall, the BBC Director-General, to back the introduction of a household levy, which everybody would pay, is a sound one. Today, he will call for “a universal fee for a universal service”, warning that the most likely alternative to a household levy — a subscription fee — would condemn the Corporation to a form of slow financial death. Lord Hall’s words, which echo the findings of the parliamentary Culture, Media and Sport Committee, should be heeded. It is easy to knock the BBC. It has been insufficiently transparent with public money in the past, wasting cash on grandiose projects, payoffs and on recruiting big names. The disastrous purchase of Lonely Planet, sold later for a loss of £80m, was a gift to the kind of right-wing ideologue who dislikes the idea of a public broadcaster on principle. However, as Wolf Hall has shown, the BBC is still capable of creating drama of a quality that outshines anything put out by its rivals as well as commanding international attention. Aside from its value at home, the BBC is an ambassador for British culture in the world whose importance is if anything increasing as our military and diplomatic clout declines. The BBC is an asset, not a burden. If a general levy can secure its future for the long term, we should support it. – The Independent

OAMC still charges less tax than in the United States This refers to the news story, Airport tax to pour millions into coffers (March 3). The Oman airport management has to cover costs, and the fees they have initiated are much cheaper compared to the fees charged by American airports. If I buy an air ticket from New York, I have to pay equivalent of OMR15 plus the airlines have to pay a lot more than what the charges are in Oman as landing fees. Arjun Nath New York

who cross over to the neighbouring country by land rather than burning holes into the pockets of air passengers. Hundreds of lowpaid labourers ﬂy out from Oman to their homes on vacation and they all will be hardest hit. Many of them do not earn more than OMR100 per month and the new charges will not be fair to them. We ought to be making it a little easier for them. Salman Baloch Muscat

Increase in airport taxes will not hit Oman’s tourism The new departure tax will hit some people very hard This refers to the news story, Airport tax to pour millions into coffers (March 3). I feel that such taxes should be imposed on people

We seem to be more concerned about our own pockets with regard to new airport charges. While, it’s true that everyone will have to shell out more money while travelling, tourists coming to Oman are

The population of Mosul has strong motives for trying to escape any battle for their city. The Iraqi army held Mosul for 10 years up until 2014, during which time they acted very much as a foreign occupation force widely resented by a section of the people

s many as one million people could flee Mosul in northern Iraq if the Iraqi army, backed by US air strikes, seeks to recapture the city later this year feel aid. And those agencies are preparing by building up stocks of food at sites around Mosul to feed those forced into a mass exodus. The International Committee of the Red Cross has also issued a statement warning of a mass flight from Mosul, although without giving an estimate of the number likely to be affected. Syed Jaffer Hussain, the World Health Organisation’s representative in Iraq, also says that an attempt to recapture Mosul could lead to hundreds of thousands seeking refuge in Kurdistan. The exodus could begin as soon as Isis becomes unable to stop people leaving Mosul, and the US increases the number of its air strikes. Scepticism has been expressed about the ability of the Iraqi army to recapture the city, but even the beginning of an attempt to do so might lead to a mass flight. The US Central Command said earlier this month that an offensive to retake the city would start in April or May and would involve up to 25,000 Iraqi soldiers, although the exact date would depend on their degree of combat readiness. One problem is that a section of Arabs from Mosul are currently banned from entering Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), which has already given refuge to 1.4 million people displaced by fighting in Iraq and Syria. Aid agencies are hopeful that, in the event of an exodus from Mosul, the KRG authorities will change their mind and let them into its territory. If they do not, those in flight from Mosul would probably head for Kirkuk. Before an expected IS drive towards Kirkuk at the end of January, one road was opened between it and Mosul. The WFP is already feeding 80,000 people in the Kirkuk area. The population of Mosul has strong motives for trying to escape any battle for their city. The Iraqi army held Mosul for 10 years up until 2014, during which time they acted very much as a foreign occupation force widely resented by a section of the people. The Isis victory and the Iraqi army’s disintegration was widely welcomed by them. They are also fearful that the notoriously sectarian militia forces, which number some 120,000 men, would be involved in any assault on Mosul. Where they have captured towns and villages around Baghdad in the past, they have treated all

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those who have not fled as Isis sympathisers, regardless of their actual allegiance, if any. Young men have been detained, tortured, held for ransom or killed. Some residents of Mosul suspect that the same thing could happen to them. Even if Mosul did not fall to the Iraqi army, Kurdish Peshmerga or other anti-Isis forces, an attempt to capture it would involve heavy US air strikes. During the four-month siege of the Syrian Kurdish town of Kobani, much of the city was destroyed by US bombs aimed at Isis militants. Aside from civilian casualties, an air assault would further reduce Mosul’s already limited supplies of electricity, fuel and clean water. Many people are in hospital suffering from intestinal illnesses brought about by drinking dirty water. The WFP’s Marwa Awad said any exodus from Mosul would be the latest in a series that has uprooted 2.2 million people from their homes since January 2014. It was in that month that Isis captured the city of Fallujah, 40 miles west of Baghdad, and began a long struggle with the Iraqi army for the vast Arab province of Anbar that sprawls across the western third of Iraq. The extremists now hold 85 per cent of the province. It was this war in Anbar, in the first half of 2014, that provoked the first wave of 450,000 refugees seeking safety elsewhere in Iraq. In June, the capture by Isis of Mosul and much of northern Iraq outside Kurdish-held areas created a further 500,000 refugees. An Isis offensive directed against the Kurds in August displaced another 600,000, many of them Yazidis from Sinjar, west of Mosul, who were terrified by the threat of massacre, rape and slavery. Christians, who had been forced out of Mosul city in June and July, saw their towns and villages in the Nineveh Plain around Mosul seized, forcing them to flee into Kurdistan. Since August, a further 650,000 have been displaced by fighting, mostly in the provinces around Baghdad. It is extremely unlikely that Isis would give up Mosul without a fight to the death, because it was the city’s unexpected capture by the movement last year that enabled it to proclaim the caliphate on 29 June. Its loss would constitute a devastating blow to its prestige and sense that its victories are divinely inspired. Even at Kobani, where Isis forces were in poor tactical positions battling Syrian Kurdish fighters known for their determination and discipline, Isis was able to hold on for three months despite presenting an ideal target for 700 US air strikes. – The Independent

not going to be bothered about this increase. I feel the new tax imposed by OAMC will not impact tourism much. Suresh Balakrishnan Muscat

from Australia and New Zealand. One bad day can shatter India’s dream to lift the World Cup for the second successive time. Ashok Panicker Seeb

Indians have so far had a dream run at World Cup

Men in blue have come back very strongly

Of all the teams in fray for the ICC World Cup, India has not lost a single match as yet. India won the ﬁrst three matches in a row and with élan. Even if we don’t take a serious note of its performance against the UAE, India won against Pakistan and South Africa with much ease. However, what scares me now is what if the law of average comes into play hereafter. Mahendra Singh Dhoni and his men in blue have a long way to go and they will be facing formidable challenge

The rise of Indian cricket team is like the fabled bird phoenix. The men in blue literally rose again from ashes. It was only 10 days before the ICC World Cup started that Indian team was one of the most demoralised and shattered units in the world. But all that changed when Dhoni and his boys faced Pakistan and virtually crushed Misbah and company. What could have been the magic? D. N. Sharma Darsait

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

T I MES OF OMAN

W E D N E S DAY, MAR C H 4, 2 0 1 5

A1 3

PERSPEC IVE Sultanate shows the way in consumer protection I

ALI BIN RASHID AL MATANI

The laws will go a long way in protecting consumer rights. They will also open up new vistas for fair competition, and more importantly, seek to demolish the monopoly of a few players

n a first-of-its-kind move in the Arab region, this month will witness the enforcement of two new laws that benefit consumers — Consumer Protection Law promulgated by Royal Decree No. 66 for 2014, and Competition Protection and Monopoly Prevention Law promulgated by Royal Decree No. 67 for 2014. The two laws aim to regulate the relationship between consumers and traders in the Sultanate of Oman, and have raised considerable public interest and debate among local communities. Traditional and new media including social networking sites focused heavily on reporting different reactions to these important laws, which were passed after extensive reviews by various legislative and administrative bodies. The review process witnessed great row over approval of some articles that were seen contrary to the interests of some groups and over strict penalties for violators of consumer rights. Undoubtedly, the laws, whose provisions regulate the relations between consumers and providers of goods and services, will go a long way in protecting consumer rights. Both pieces of legislation impose appropriate punishment on those who evade compliance with the stipulated rights and duties. They also open up new vistas for fair competition, and more importantly, seek to demolish the monopoly of a few players in the market giving all a fair chance to compete. The efforts by Oman’s Public Authority for Consumer Protection (PACP) towards developing effective ways of dealing with consumer issues, as well as increasing public awareness about consumer rights, are indeed the first of their kind in the whole of Arab world. They significantly contributed to establishing a healthy relation between consumers and businesses; several cases of violations were referred to the judicial authority after the PACP failed to reach a compromise between conflicting parties. In fact, concerns over stringent penalties that are inconsistent with the seriousness of rights violations prompted authorities to streamline the consumer rights domain by enacting new pieces of legislation that serve to deter offenders reasonably and effectively. The amendments to the Consumer Protection Law have introduced penalties that are commensurate with the gravity of wrong practices. Though several provisions were cancelled and penalties reduced, the amended version is much better than its earlier edition. As for the Competition Protection and Monopoly Prevention Law, it aims to create a favourable economic climate, in-

crease market competition, allow new players to enter the Omani market, and offer greater consumer choices, thus ending market monopoly of a few producers or service providers. The Law will also help promote the Omani market as one that encourages fair competition, improve its competitiveness and attract more businesses and consumers. Better consumer options, attractive pricing and quality post-sale services will all result from the open and fair competition encouraged by the new law. PACP has been successful in not only raising public awareness about consumer rights, but empowering consumers to demand their rights, and forcing businesses to meet legal obligations towards consumers as well. As such, PACP’s new initiatives were widely welcomed and the authority was able to expedite fine-tuning of consumer laws to effectively deal with the changes taking place in markets. The new laws undoubtedly add great value to the legal framework of consumer protection and market competition. For instance, monopoly practices used to be handled as per a single Article that was applicable in only certain cases, which effectively restrained the authority with limited penalties, which did not exceed OMR5,000 and thus failing to act as a strong deterrent to violators. The new laws have addressed such legislative deficiencies satisfactorily. Of course the enforcement of the two laws will provoke strong reaction in the market, particularly with regard to how consumers must be treated, which is based on the principle of “neither harm nor malice” toward them. This will force service providers to think twice before committing rights violations. However, consumer awareness about the revised laws and their usage alone can ensure their effectiveness. If consumers fail to capitalise on such laws, nobody would volunteer to take up their cause. If consumers do not report the fraud, the PACP would not be able to defend their rights. Of course, the PACP is keen to make the consumer an integral part of its initiatives, which is quite commendable. On the other hand, violations and abuses will certainly continue, even if stiffer laws are passed, owing to the greedy human nature, and we should not expect cheating to disappear in a jiffy. The author is a member of Oman Journalist Association and a senior writer for Arabic newspapers. All the views and opinions expressed in the article are solely those of the author and do not reflect those of Times of Oman.

The silencing of women’s voices in popular culture

can still remember when I first heard the term ‘cultural femicide’. It was four years ago at an event I organised with the Bristol Feminist Network and Bristol Fawcett Society called Where are the Women. We discussed how few films were directed by women, how few plays were written and directed by women, how music festival lineups were dominated by men and how newspapers told men’s stories, whilst topless women provided default male readers with something to look at. ‘It’s cultural femicide,’ writer and journalist Bishida explained. So what is cultural femicide? It’s the way in which women’s stories and lives are silenced by a popular culture that gives priority to men’s narratives. And it has a real impact on women’s lives. This silencing of women’s voices in popular culture creates a ripple effect that sends a message that women’s lives aren’t as worthwhile as the lives of men. Male stories are the default. Women’s stories are “other”. Finally I had a name that explained the unease I had long felt about the strange absence of women on our cultural landscape. Naming the problem had a galvanising effect. I decided that it was time for me to stop talking about the absence of women and instead do something to reverse it. It was time to create my own festival and carve out a space where women’s voices, women’s stories and women’s lives could be celebrated — the Bristol Women’s Literature Festival. To me, the festival has two distinct aims. The first is to hear from women writing today. This is a real and unique opportunity to discover new and established writers who are working across literary forms — novelists and playwrights, poets and filmmakers, academics and journalists. This year, these women include Michele Roberts, Xiaolu Guo,

SIAN NORRIS

Amy Mason, Samantha Ellis, Helen Mort, Emma Rees, Helen Lewis, Beatrix Campbell, Nimko Ali, Annemarie Jacir and Selma Dabbagh. The second theme of the festival is focused on re-discovering the forgotten women writers of the past. In doing this, we are continuing the second wave feminist project of bringing ignored and sidelined women artists and writers of years gone by back into the ‘literary canon’ where they be-long. As with much of our history, the history of literature has been written by men, and written for a default male audience. As a result, the canon can feel like a long list of great, white, male writers. The women working alongside them were pushed aside and or dismissed. Before the 1970s, trying to ﬁnd a volume of Christina Rossetti’s poetry was incredibly difficult. But thanks to the women who campaigned to celebrate her work, Rossetti is now an icon of Victorian poetry. The Bristol Women’s Literature Festival aims to continue this great feminist tradition of raising the proﬁle of women writers from history. That’s why in 2015 we have Professor Helen Hackett introducing the women writers of the Renaissance. These often forgotten and ignored contemporaries of Shakespeare demand our attention and deserve to be recognised as part of our literary heritage - just as Bill’s male contemporaries are. Four years ago I was given the words to describe the impact women’s cultural absence has on all women. Three years ago I set out to kick back at suppression of women’s stories by organising a festival that would give women writers a voice. I believe I have achieved my aim of bringing women’s work and women’s stories to the forefront, and challenging this cultural femicide that has kept us silenced and side-lined for too long. – The Independent

A good idea makes the best bridge CHARLES M. BLOW

never know how to set my expectations for the Conservative Political Action Conference, also known as CPAC. I try to approach it with as much of an open mind as I can muster, understanding that I am at odds, fundamentally, with many conservative principles and conservatives’ views about the role, size and scope of government, but also realising that apart from a debate setting, this may be the best place to take the temperature of, and hear from, the broadest range of conservative leaders. I still think, perhaps naïvely so, that people can be ideologically opposed but intellectually engaged, that a good idea makes the best bridge. So I do my best to follow the speeches — from afar — and wait to hear something that jolts my consciousness or challenges my sense of things. But once again this year, I was disappointed. There remains in the Republican Party, as evidenced by the speakers at this event, a breath-taking narrowness of vision and deﬁcit of creative thought. The confab, for the most part, felt to me like a revelry of contrarians. Rather than presenting the party as one with a plan, many of the speakers seemed determined to cement it as the party of resistance and opposition. Where were the grand conservative thinkers? Where was the philosophical heft? Where was the vision of a future not built on a transporting to the past? It was largely absent. In its place was too much rhetoric about defending, defeating, defunding, de-authorising. There was so much antiObama and anti-Hillary obsessing that the “pro” alternatives — to the extent that a case could be made — were obscured. Furthermore, it was hard to skip over all the missteps. Scott Walker, the leader in a new and oh-so-early Quinnipiac University poll of likely Iowa Republican caucus participants, compared union protesters in Wisconsin to the savage Isis members. Rick Perry still couldn’t get his facts straight. He said the president “says that Isis is a religious movement. Again, he’s simply wrong.” No, sir, you are wrong. The president has taken pains to make the opposite argument, and has taken some shots for that. Perry also said that “Isis represents the worst threat to freedom since communism.” Really? Calm down, cowboy.

Chris Christie hung much of his question and answer presentation on bemoaning his coverage in the media, skirting the obvious fact that previous media fawning is a large part of the reason he rose to national prominence. Live by the pen; die by the pen. Jeb Bush did his best before a somewhat hostile crowd — there were boos and hisses and some folks walked out (some in costume, of course) and reportedly shouted, “No more Bushes.” It must be noted here that CPAC is a particular kind of crowd: not exactly like the Republican electorate, and not at all like the national electorate as a whole. But Bush seemed awkward and uncomfortable, trying to set up camp on both sides of the ravine on some issues like immigration and the Common Core. At least he made the point that conservatives “have to start being for things again.” This is where the Republican Party continues to falter. The cavalcade of contra nothingness at CPAC barrelled forward with more speakers who lacked vision and brio. I guess one could make the argument that if the Republican pool of candidates is wide but shallow, that’s good for Democrats. Indeed, it is. Republicans have done exceedingly well in the recent midterms — in part because of anti-Obama Tea Party animus in 2010 and the fact that voter turnout for the 2014 midterms was the lowest of any election cycle since World War II. But presidential election years are a different story: They are national elections with a different electoral proﬁle and greater participation. And nationally, the Republican brand remains tarnished. A Pew Research Centre report released last week found that “majorities say the Democratic Party is open and tolerant, cares about the middle class and is not ‘too extreme.’ By contrast, most Americans see the GOP lacking in tolerance and empathy for the middle class, and half view it as too extreme.” This, of course, does not mean Democrats will have it easy in 2016 or thereafter. In fact, history tells us that politics swing like a pendulum. But if this is the quality of candidates and discourse of the Republican side when that pendulum swings back, then that’s tragic. If the bulk of your message is about what you are against rather than what you are for, if it’s about dragging the country back rather than leading it forward, then we’ll all suffer. - The New York Times News Service

Iraq begins operation to recapture Tikrit Areas of control (as of Feb 25, 2015) IS militant group

Kurdish peshmerga Kurdistan regional government

Iraqi security forces

Detail area Baghdad IRAQ

Fishkhabur

300km

TODAY IN HISTORY 1152

Frederick Barbarossa is chosen as emperor and unites the two factions, which emerged in Germany after the death of Henry V.

1461

Henry VI is deposed and the Duke of York is proclaimed King Edward IV.

1766

The British Parliament repeals the Stamp Act, the cause of bitter and violent opposition in the colonies.

Dohuk 100km

Sinjar SY R I A

Mosul

IRA N

Irbil

NINAWA

Tikrit Hometown of former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein was seized by IS forces in June 2014.

Sulaymaniyah AL TAMIM

Hawija

Kirkuk

1789

SALAH AD DIN AL ANBAR

Jalawla

I R A Q

The ﬁrst Congress of the United States meets in New York and declares that the Constitution is in effect.

1944 Berlin is bombed by the American forces for the ﬁrst time.

DIYALA Source: Stratfor

HISTORYNET.COM Graphic News /

Graphics

OPINION POLL FROM OUR ARCHIVES OCCI FOOD COMMITTEE MEETS

MUSCAT: The food committee at the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI) held its regular meeting yesterday, under the chairmanship of Shihab bin Humaid Al Shakaili, member of the OCCI board and committee chairman. The committee discussed the possibility of the Omani private sector’s participation in a seminar, due to be held at King Faisal University in Saudi Arabia, from October 9 – 11, which will discuss foodstuff safety.

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SANTIAGO: Volcano Villarrica in southern Chile erupted in the early hours of Tuesday, sending a plume of ash and lava high into the sky, and forcing the evacuation of nearby communities. The volcano, located near the popular tourist resort of Pucon around 750km (460 miles) south of the capital Santiago, is one of South America’s most active. It last erupted in 2000. A column of ash and rock particles shot up to 3km (nearly 2 miles) into the night sky at around 3am (0600 GMT), said the national geological service Sernageomin. Some 3,385 people had been evacuated as a preventative measure, said Interior Minister Rodrigo Penailillo. TV pictures After day broke on Tuesday morning, TV pictures showed intermittent steam and gases spewing from a fumarole, or opening, on a side of the Volcano and rivulets of lava coursing down the mountain slopes. The eruption is a ‘stromboli eruption’, an event of relatively low impact characterised by low volumes of material reaching an

Egypt poll deferred by court A new date for parliamentary polls, which were due in March, would be set after the law has been amended

VOLCANO VILLARRICA: Ash and lava spew from Volcano Villarrica, as seen from Pucon town in the south of Santiago, on Tuesday. – Reuters

altitude of less than 5km (3 miles), said Sernageomin. Ash from the Volcano was for now well under the ﬂight paths used by commercial airliners, and ﬂights were unaffected, said Juan Carlos Rojas, air transit head at the government’s civil aeronautics division. Following an emergency meet-

ing with police and military in the presidential palace in Santiago on Tuesday morning, Chilean President Michelle Bachelet said she would travel immediately to the affected region. Chile, situated on the so-called Paciﬁc Rim of Fire, has the second largest chain of volcanoes in the world after Indonesia, in-

cluding around 500 that are potentially active. In 2011, the eruption of Puyehue sent an ash cloud into the atmosphere that disrupted ﬂights in neighboring Argentina for months. The government said experts from Sernageomin were ﬂying over the Villarrica area to determine next steps. — Reuters

CAIRO: An Egyptian court on Tuesday deferred a long-awaited parliamentary election due in March indefinitely after another court declared the election law’s provision on voting districts as unconstitutional, judicial sources said. Egypt has been without a parliament since June 2012, when a court dissolved the democratically elected main chamber, reversing a major accomplishment of the 2011 protests that toppled former leader Hosni Mubarak. This delay prolongs a period in which President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi has wielded sole legislative authority and slows Egypt’s progress towards democracy since its first freely elected president was ousted by the army in 2013. The decision The decision by Egypt’s Administrative Court came as expected after a ruling on Sunday by the Supreme Constitutional Court against an article on voting districts in an election law which heralded a likely delay to the poll. The first phase of voting was due to begin on March 22. The spokesman for the High

Election Committee, which said on Sunday it was working on a new timetable, said on Tuesday a new date would be set after the law had been amended. Sisi directed his government to change the law within one month. Analysts say it could be several months before elections were held. According to one expert, Sunday’s ruling requires the government to merge or create new voting districts so that each contains an equal number of voters. “If we assume the legal committee ﬁnishes this work within one month, a new period for nominations will have to be opened, which will delay us about three months,” Hassan Nafaa, a professor of political science at Cairo University, said. “The ﬁnal result is the same: no parliament, and the continuation of the executive enjoying legislative authority without any checks or balances,” wrote H.A. Hellyer, associate fellow at the Royal United Services Institute, following Sunday’s ruling. Ahmed Imam, member of the opposition Strong Egypt party which had announced it would boycott the election because it lacked credibility given a clampdown on political freedoms, said changes to the voting districts alone would not result in a fairer election. Imam said that in order for the elections to be fair, no party should be excluded from running, the state should be neutral throughout and party lists, rather than individual candidates, should take precedence. “Without these basic changes, whether the election is held now, a month or three months from now, the situation for us won’t have changed.” — Reuters

VISIT TO CHINA

William scores with football diplomacy SHANGHAI: Britain’s Prince William practised sports diplomacy in China on Tuesday, striding onto the football pitch at a Shanghai school. Wearing a dark blue suit, he stopped a stray ball, tapped it twice with his black shoe before giving it a confident kick on the artificial turf. His trip to China, making him the highest-profile royal visitor since Queen Elizabeth II in 1986, has been laden with symbolism as Britain attempts to improve top-level diplomatic relations with Beijing. On Monday, William reached out to China’s top leader, President Xi Jinping, telling him: “I also gather you’re quite a football fan.” State media have called Xi an “avid” fan and reported that the leader last year recommended that all Chinese children learn the game. William — a supporter of relegation-threatened Aston Villa — chatted with students taking part in the football clinic at Nanyang secondary school, part

of a programme run by the British Council and the Premier League. Elementary school student Li Ziyu, 11, exchanged a “high ﬁve” with William as he told him about his enthusiasm for the Beautiful Game. “I have played since I was small,” he said afterwards. China’s national team has historically underperformed and last week Beijing unveiled a government initiative to improve its poor showings, in part by fostering young talent. While the domestic football league offers foreign players and coaches lucrative contracts, the national side remains in a lowly 82nd place, tied with Guatemala, in FIFA’s latest global rankings. “The game is evolving here,” said Paul Hughes, head coach for the global programme Premier Skills, which ran the school event. “Sometimes it’s about enhancing the game from the bottom. With that, more children are going to get the opportunity to participate,” he said. — AFP

W E D N E S DAY, MAR C H 4, 2 0 1 5 I would like to make an appeal, a plea, to all public actors, to facilitate rather than to put in danger diplomatic efforts that are extremely serious, extremely difficult. These are the times of hard political choices for someone but also for collective responsibility because this would bring in the end a result, in terms of more security, for everybody, starting from the actors in the region Federica Mogherini, European Union foreign policy chief

B L AC K L I S T I N G T H R E AT

UNSC sets up sanctions regime for South Sudan UNITED NATIONS: The UN Security Council on Tuesday established a sanctions regime for South Sudan but stopped short of imposing worldwide travel bans and asset freezes on officials in the conflict-torn country or an arms embargo. The unanimously adopted resolution, drafted by the United States, threatens to blacklist anyone undermining security or interfering with the peace process after Thursday and April 1 deadlines set by the regional East African IGAD bloc. Unsuccessful attempts IGAD has so far been unsuccessful in its attempts to mediate an end to the civil war. The latest round of IGAD-led peace talks are due to end on Thursday. Conflict has been rife in South Sudan since December 2013 when fighting erupted in the capital Juba between soldiers allied to President Salva Kiir and those loyal to his former deputy, Riek Machar. The resolution says future UN sanctions steps could include both an arms embargo and the blacklisting of individuals. — Reuters

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Iran rejects Obama demand for 10-year nuclear freeze Iran will not accept excessive and illogical demands. Obama’s stance is expressed in unacceptable and threatening phrases, Barack Obama

said Foreign Minister

US President Barack Obama had told Reuters that Iran must commit to a verifiable halt of at least 10 years on sensitive nuclear work for a landmark atomic deal to be reached

Javad Zarif

MONTREUX (SWITZERLAND): Iran on Tuesday rejected as “unacceptable” US President Barack Obama’s demand that it freeze sensitive nuclear activities for at least 10 years, but said it would continue talks aimed at securing a deal, Iran’s semi-official Fars news agency reported. “Iran will not accept excessive and illogical demands,” Iranian

Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif was quoted as saying by Fars. “Obama’s stance ... is expressed in unacceptable and threatening phrases ... ,” he reportedly said, adding that negotiations underway in Switzerland would nonetheless carry on. Zarif and US Secretary of State John Kerry sat down for a second day of meetings hours after Obama had told Reuters that Iran must commit to a veriﬁable halt of

at least 10 years on sensitive nuclear work for a landmark atomic deal to be reached. The aim of the negotiations is to persuade Iran to restrain its nuclear program in exchange for relief from sanctions that have crippled the oil exporter’s economy. The United States and some of its allies, notably Israel, suspect Iran of using its civil nuclear programme as a cover to develop a nuclear weapons capability. Iran

denies this, saying it is for peaceful purposes such as generating electricity. Kerry and Zarif met in the Swiss lakeside town of Montreux as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu prepared to criticize the diplomacy in a speech to Congress in Washington. European Union foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini told reporters that the talks were going well, but “spreading fear is not helpful at this stage”. “I would like to make an appeal, a plea, to all public actors, to facilitate rather than to put in danger diplomatic efforts that are extremely serious, extremely difficult. “These are the times of hard political choices for someone but also for collective responsibility because this would bring in the end a result, in terms of more security, for everybody, starting from the actors in the region,” she said. Despite the tough tone of Zarif’s remarks quoted by Fars, the Iranian foreign minister struck a more conciliatory tone when he spoke brieﬂy to reporters after about two hours of talks with Kerry.

Asked if the two sides had reached an agreement, Zarif replied: “We’ll try, that’s why we are here.” “There is a seriousness that we need to move forward. As we have said all along, we need the necessary political will to understand that the only way to move forward is though negotiations,” he added. Speaking after the morning round of talks, Kerry told reporters: “We’re working away. Productively.” The two sides have set a deadline of late March to reach a framework agreement and of June for a comprehensive ﬁnal settlement that would curb Iran’s nuclear activity to ensure it cannot be put to bomb-making in return for the lifting of the economic sanctions. Iran wants a swift end to sanctions in any deal -- one of the sticking points in the high-level negotiations. While the United States has played the lead role in the talks with Iran, it is representing ﬁve other major powers: Britain, China, France, Germany and Russia -- a group collectively known both as the P5+1 and the E3+3. — Reuters

ONLINE POSTING

Echoing IS rebels, Boko Haram releases beheading video ABUJA: Nigerian Boko Haram extremists released a video purporting to show it beheading two men, its ﬁrst online posting using advanced graphics and editing techniques similar to footage from IS. The ﬁlm, released on Monday, shows militants standing behind the two men who are on their knees, hands tied behind their backs, with one man standing over them, holding a knife. One of the kneeling men is made

to tell the camera that they were paid by authorities to spy on the militant group, before the film moves to another scene showing their decapitated bodies. It was not possible to confirm the film’s authenticity or date. Raise concerns The footage will raise concerns that Boko Haram, which evolved out of a clerical movement focused on northeast Nigeria, is expanding

its scope and seeking inspiration from international militant networks including Al Qaeda and IS. Nigeria’s President Goodluck Jonathan has said Boko Haram is allied to both Al Qaeda and IS, though that has not been conﬁrmed by Boko Haram itself. The group previously had links to Al Qaeda and though Boko Haram and IS have acknowledged each other, the Nigerian militants have not officially pledged alle-

giance to IS leader Abu Bakr alBaghdadi. Hundreds kidnapped Boko Haram has killed thousands and kidnapped hundreds in its bid to carve out an extremist state in its homeland, and in recent months has increased cross-border raids into Cameroon, Chad and Niger. The group came to control an area the size of Belgium but the

Nigerian army, helped by Chadian troops, has recaptured some territory in the last few weeks. The improved video quality comes soon after the group began to establish a social media presence this year through a communications unit, Al Urwa Al Wuthqa. Previously, Boko Haram would leak videos to selected journalists. The media unit opened its ﬁrst Twitter account in January. It was shut down and replaced on March

1 by a new one, where it has begun publishing videos and statements in English, French and Arabic. It would be difficult to determine whether the Twitter accounts are authentic or represent only a faction. The latest video, entitled ‘Harvest of Spies’, includes introductory animation with streaming computer code on a purple background before the start of the main event. — Reuters

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Kuwait 6,557.89 + 10.81 + 0.17%

Saudi Arabia

9,487.73 + 98.34 + 1.05%

Bahrain 1,469.52 - 0.79 - 0.05%

Qatar 12,291.90 - 158.44 - 1.27%

CRUDE OIL PRICE

CURRENCY RATES*

DRAFT RATES (OMR1)*

GOLD PRICES*

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

Forex rates vs OMR1* US Dollar ................................. 2.58 Euro ............................................ 2.24 Pound ........................................... 1.70 Indian Rs ............................. 159.77 Pak Rs ...................................258.40 Bangla Taka.......................199.40

Indian Rs ..................................160.60 Pakistan Rs ............................ 264.00 Sri Lanka Rs .......................... 343.65 Bangla Taka.............................201.70 Phil Peso .................................... 113.95

Muscat 24ct per gm (OMR) .......15.45

Oman Crude............. (Spot) .........$55.13 Dubai Crude ............. (Spot) ........$54.56 Murban Crude ........ (Spot) ........$56.98 Arabian Light ......... (Spot) .........$57.43 N.Sea Brent............... (Spot) ........$56.64 West Texas Int ....... (Spot) .........$51.46

* Rates as of Mar. 3 Source: Oman UAE Exchange

* Rates are as of Mar. 3 Source: Bank Muscat

Muscat 22ct per gm (OMR) .......14.90 Dubai 24ct per gm (Dh) ............146.50 Dubai 22ct per gm (Dh) ............ 139.00 * Rates as of Mar. 3 Source: Malabar Gold & Diamonds

OIC MEMBER GROUPING

Sultanate ranks 14th in latest Islamic growth market index Times News Service STRATEGIC DEAL: The agreement was signed on Monday by Shumookh Investment and Services

(investment arm of Public Establishment for Industrial Estates), Anwar Al Majed United Company and Linkwell Telesystem — Supplied picture

Pact signed for producing digital meters in Oman The plant, which will be the ﬁrst of its kind in the Middle East, will be operating within the industrial estates of the Public Establishment for Industrial Estates

Times News Service MUSCAT: Digital meters and devices to protect electrical networks will be manufactured at a plant to be set up within the industrial estate in Oman. The plant, which will be the ﬁrst of its kind in the Middle East, will be operating within the industrial estates of the Public Establishment for Industrial Estates (PEIE). An agreement to this effect was signed on Monday between the investment arm of the PEIE — Shumookh Investment and Services, Anwar Al Majed United Company and Linkwell Telesystem.

Shumookh Investment and Services will be providing techni-

cal, logistical and administrative support to the manufacturer of these devices — Anwar Al Majed United Company, with the plan to develop and manufacture digital meters and devices to protect and secure electrical networks. Besides, Shumookh will be assisting the company to obtain necessary permits and licences from the local authorities to establish a specialised company and set up the factory. It will also provide essential support to obtain the required funding by negotiating with the banks to win the best offers as well as providing land to establish and operate the plant, and attain vital incentives from PEIE to support the project.

Anwar Al Majed, which is situated at the National Business Centre (NBC), provides a range of services including building electrical substations and electrical networks, installation of electronic and prepaid meters, and temporary connections, in addition to protection and security of the installed electrical networks. The National Business Centre offers promising Omani entrepreneurs a platform to develop their business ideas into ventures. The centre presents a premier platform for Omani entrepreneurs by providing business development support and guidance, training and mentoring, access to markets and industry experts and state-of-the-art, fully equipped, office space, meeting rooms and presentation facilities. Shumookh is an Omani closed shareholding company, established in 2010 with 84.26 per cent owned by PEIE and Omani Pension Funds. Being the investment arm of PEIE, Shumookh endeavours to develop infrastructure projects and encourage investment in the industrial estates under Public Establishment for Industrial Estates.

DUQM PORT

Deadline extended for Duqm liquid berth pre-qualiﬁcation A E JAMES

businesseditor@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: Pre-qualiﬁcation deadline for international engineering ﬁrms to submit applications to participate in a tender to design and build a major bulk liquid berths terminal at Duqm port has been extended from March 10 to April 7.

The world-class liquid berth will come up alongside the targeted launch of a major refinery. The facility will be suitably equipped to handle liquid volumes, mainly refined petroleum products, chemicals and petrochemicals that will be generated when the refinery

and other petrochemical plants, come on stream at the adjoining economic zone.

EPC contract The Special Economic Zone Authority, which is developing the liquid berth, said that an invitation to tender will be issued to pre-qualiﬁed companies in the second quarter of 2015 for awarding an engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract. Commencement of the work at Duqm port is planned in the fourth quarter of 2015, with terminal handover scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2018.

“The terminal will be the outbound port for the proposed Duqm Refinery, which will be built adjacent to the terminal and accordingly, construction of the terminal will be schedule-driven,” stated a tender notification issued by the authority. The capacity of the liquid terminal will be large enough to handle the import and export requirements of a 230,000 barrels per day capacity refinery proposed at Duqm, as well as liquid volumes that will be generated by a future oil and petrochemical based industry and tank farm expected to take root in Duqm.

MUSCAT: Oman was ranked 14th in the 2015 Islamic Growth Markets Investment Index which ranks countries investment potential relatively within the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) member country grouping, said a report. The Index is based on a set of nine metrics covering the categories of a country’s growth fundamentals, growth momentum, investment momentum and relative country risk. The index highlighted zero per cent

relative country risk for the Omani market, latest report by Thomson Reuters in partnership with Dinar Standard, an Islamic markets research & advisory ﬁrm. They presented the key ﬁndings of Islamic Growth Markets Investment Report 2015 during the Global Islamic Investment Gateway conference in Bahrain. The report says Indonesia showed the strongest growth fundamentals among the top three having the highest population and GDP, while Malaysia had the strongest growth and investment momentum. Among

the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) economies led by UAE are also on the top 10 list including Qatar and Saudi Arabia. Other markets on the top 10 include Kazakhstan, Egypt, Turkey, Morocco, and Mozambique.

In order to leverage this widely dispersed yet connected opportunity landscape, the report presents DinarStandard’s OIC Industry Clusters Model that is a sector based investment strategy. It identiﬁes unique region-wide roll-up, carve-out, growth, operation-value-creation and alliance opportunities across a sector’s value chain.

W EDN ESDAY, MARCH 4, 2015

MARKET Singapore is world’s costliest city goods analyst at EIU, said in a statement. Beyond the appearance of stability, “things are changing quickly, especially with the fall in oil prices,” he said.

The island nation beat Paris, Oslo, Zurich and Sydney, which also retained their spots in the ranking, says Economist Intelligence Unit

SINGAPORE: Singapore maintained its international ranking as the most expensive city for a second straight year on higher prices of items, according to the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU). The island nation beat Paris, Oslo, Zurich and Sydney, which also retained their spots in the ranking, the EIU’s 2015 Worldwide

Cost of Living Survey released on Tuesday showed. The report compares the price of products and services including food, clothing, transport, private schools and domestic help in 140 cities with New York City as a base. Singapore, smaller in size than New York City, has seen home prices surge to records in recent

years amid rising wealth and an inﬂux of foreigners. A vehiclepermit system makes cars more expensive than in other countries, while the expansion of the island’s private banking industry and the presence of regional hubs for global companies have drawn top

talent, boosting salaries. “The situation of an unchanged top ﬁve is very rare for the Worldwide Cost of Living Survey and disguises some signiﬁcant global drivers that are impacting the cost of living everywhere,” Jon Copestake, chief retail and consumer

Transport expensive Singapore’s transport costs are almost three times higher than New York and it’s the most expensive place to buy clothes globally, along with Seoul, the EIU report said. Car buyers must pay for excise and registration duties that more than double the vehicle’s market value. They must also bid for a limited number of permits that are auctioned by the government. Hong Kong and Seoul are the other Asian cities that make up the Top 10, even as deﬂation and

a devaluation of the Japanese yen have dragged Tokyo and Osaka lower, according to the report. The unpegging of the Swiss franc from the euro means that, at today’s exchange rates, Zurich and Geneva would be the world’s most expensive cities, it said. At the other end of the scale, Karachi and Bengaluru, formerly known as Bangalore, offer the best value for money, the EIU report showed. Asian cities make up six of the bottom 10, it said. - Bloomberg News

HAVE YOUR SAY

Send us your comments at facebook.com/timesofoman blog.timesofoman.com haveyoursay@timesofoman.com A I RWAV E S AU C T I O N

India’s mobile carriers head for $14 billion survival fight NEW DELHI: What happens when a wireless operator with millions of customers loses the airwaves it needs to provide service? We may soon find out about an unusual government auction taking place in India. The government will open the bidding on Wednesday for airwaves already in use by the biggest carriers, including Bharti Airtel and Vodafone. They’ll have to compete to keep their licences in the auction against Mukesh Ambani, who is India’s richest man and has signaled his determination by making the largest deposit of the competition. 300 million customers India’s approach, which is unlike what happens in the United States, could mean seismic change for the world’s secondlargest smartphone market. The airwaves up for auction serve more than 300 million customers and account for almost half of the $19 billion in combined revenue for the four largest operators. “For some of the telcos, renewal of spectrum is a key for survival,” said Nitin Soni, a director at Fitch Ratings in Singapore. Bharti, India’s biggest carrier, and second-ranked Vodafone could each spend as much as $4.5 billion for the spectrum, Soni said. Ambani’s Reliance Jio Infocomm submitted a Rs45 billion ($726 million) bank guarantee, the most of any carrier, to participate in the auction, according to data from Mjunction Services, which is running the sale. Bharti Airtel was second with Rs43 billion, and Vodafone gave a guarantee of Rs37 billion. Voice focus India adopts a staggered approach to spectrum, selling 22 regional ‘circles’ of coverage with different expiry dates. Last year, the government raised Rs612 billion from airwaves in cities including Mumbai and New Delhi. The government said on January 6 it expects to raise Rs648.4 billion from this year’s sale. A Supreme Court judge considering challenges to the procedures will rule on the final result, with the next hearing scheduled for March 26. This year’s auction includes 20 circles covering 1.1 billion people, with the bidding starting on Wednesday and lasting as long as two weeks. Reliance Jio secured 1,800 Mhz spectrum in last year’s auction. - Bloomberg News

W EDN ESDAY, MARCH 4, 2015

MARKET

New warehouse near Muscat set to open Services’ planned development is in a prominent and easily accessible position on the Muscat-Sohar highway in Rumais

Times News Service MUSCAT: A large scale ware-

A notable feature is that the 12 units along the front of the development have been designed as retail warehouses, which will allow occupiers to take advantage of the prominent highway frontage. The ﬁrst phase is under construction on the eastern part of the 81,000sqm development site. The First Logistic Services Company’s planned development is in a prominent and easily accessible position on the Muscat-Sohar highway in Rumais, approximately 1.5 kilometres (kms) from the Naseem Gardens junction and

Sensex rises to one month high, rupee weakens MUMBAI: Rising for the fourth session, the benchmark Sensex on Tuesday jumped 134.59 points to end at over one-month high of 29,593.73 and the National Stock Exchange’s (NSE) Nifty breached the 9,000-mark for the ﬁrst time on the back of foreign buying in RIL, Cipla, Sun Pharma and TCS shares.

First Logistic

house in Rumais, which is expected to be ready for rent in May this year, will provide 36 warehouse units in three different types with floor areas of 500 square metres (sqm) to 1,000sqm, according to Cluttons, a leading international real estate consultancy.

INDIAN MARKETS

NEW FACILITY: Cluttons has been appointed as the lead marketing and leasing agent. — Supplied picture

30kms to the west of Muscat International Airport. The location allows easy access to and from Muscat Expressway, and the under-construction Batinah Expressway and proposed Barka railway goods yard. It is ideally positioned for occupants looking to service the Muscat and interior markets, particularly following the recent movement of sea freight from Port Sultan Qaboos to Port of Sohar. Cluttons has been appointed as the lead marketing and leasing agent. Matthew Wright, head of industrial for Cluttons Oman, said, “We are delighted to continue our association with this well considered development,

with which we have been involved from inception. The new warehouses offer a prime opportunity for tenants to acquire good quality warehousing, ideally positioned to service the Muscat market. Our appointment reﬂects our successful track record and expertise in the warehousing sector across the region, allied to our ability to offer market-leading services. As the development nears completion, we are witnessing increased market interest.” The developer, First Logistic Services Company, is a joint venture between the Golden Group of Companies and First Investment Company. The Golden Group of Companies is one of the Sultanate’s

leading real estate developers while First Investment Company is a major investment ﬁrm from Kuwait, with over OMR500 million of assets under management.

“We are delighted to be able to combine the expertise and experience of the Golden Group of Companies and First Investment Company, to deliver the much needed warehouse units for the rental market in this prime location. We are currently assessing the development of Phase 2, which can also provide build-to-suit opportunities for clients looking for purpose built premises, designed to their operational requirements,” said Ayman Mohammed of First Logistic Services Company.

The Nifty, after hitting record high of 9,008.40 in the fag-end, settled a tad lower at new closing peak of 8,996.25 — a gain of 39.50 points or 0.44 per cent. The NSE index on Tuesday surpassed its previous all-time record of 8,996.60 hit on January 30 and also beating its previous closing peak of 8,956.75 in Monday’s trade. In four days, it has gained 310 points or 3.6 per cent. Growth oriented Budget proposals and buying in reﬁnery, pharma and IT scrips helped. After slipping to the red on proﬁtbooking amid data showing growth in eight core industries slowed to 13-month low in January, the 30-share Sensex bounced back. It touched the session’s high of 29,636.86 on buying, before settling with a gain of 134.59 points, or 0.46 per cent, at over one-month high of 29,593.73. In the four-days of the rally, it has jumped nearly 850 points.

Reliance Industries led the surge as its scrip zoomed over four per cent on the back of fund-buying and expectations of solid proﬁt growth in March quarter. IT giant TCS also spurted about four per cent, followed by two per cent gains in HDFC and Sun Pharma. The drug major will buy GSK’s

Opiates business in Australia. Among others, Cipla, Bajaj Auto, Sesa Sterlite, Tata Power, Wipro, Hindalco, DRL and Hero MotoCorp gave support. “Sentiment was so strong that even proﬁt-taking at higher levels was absorbed”, said a Delhi-based stock broker. Rupee remains weak The rupee continued its slide for the third straight session, falling by ﬁve paise to end at 61.92 against the Greenback following sustained demand for the American currency from importers and better dollar overseas. At the Interbank Foreign Exchange (Forex) market, the local currency commenced modestly lower at 61.89 a dollar from previous close of 61.87 and moved down further to a low of 61.94 owing to initial volatility in domestic equities. However,

it rebounded smartly to touch an intra-day high of 61.79 on the back of fresh dollar selling by exporters and participants before concluding at 61.92 per dollar, disclosing a loss of five paise, or 0.08 per cent. The strong rallying momentum in bourses lifted the benchmark Sensex by 135 points to finish at 29,593.73 while the Nifty index ended at a new closing peak of 8,996.25 after briefly hitting a lifetime peak of 9,000. Benchmark Brent crude rebounded to trade above the $60 a barrel after a brief overnight sharp slide tracking a drop in US rig counts and also supported by record Wall Street closing. — PTI

MSM30 INDEX

Oman’s share index ends on a ﬂat note MUSCAT: The MSM30 Index ended on a ﬂat note at 6,566.57 points, down by 0.05 per cent. The MSM Sharia Index closed at 997.28 points, marginally up by 0.01 per cent. Al Anwar Holding was the most active in terms of volume as well as turnover. As many as 1,216 trades were executed during the day’s trading session generating turnover of OMR5.93 million with more

than 16.98 million shares changing hands. Out of 51 traded stocks, four advanced, 17 declined and 30 remained unchanged. GCC and Arab investors switched to net buyers for OMR883,000 while Omani Investors switched to net sellers for OMR803,000 followed by Foreign Investors for OMR81,000 worth of shares. Financial Index ended the day at 8,206.49 points, down by 0.16

per cent. Al Anwar Holding was the only gainer and was up by 0.35 per cent to close at OMR0.284. Gulf Investment Services, Al Batinah Development, Al Madina Takaful and Al Sharqiya Investment declined by 2.92 per cent, 1.17 per cent, 1.12 per cent and 1.11 per cent respectively. Industrial Index was down by 0.26 per cent to close at 8,689.43 points. Oman Cables was the only

gainer and was up by 0.50 per cent to close at OMR2.005. Dhofar Cattlefeed, Galfar Engineering, Al Jazeera Steel Product, and Al Maha Ceramics declined by 2.70 per cent, 2.53 per cent, 1.12 per cent and 0.65 per cent respectively. Services Sector Index closed at 3,548.52 points, down by 0.10 per cent. Oredoo Oman was the only gainer and was up by 0.56 per cent to close at OMR0.724. — United Securities

W E D N E S DAY, MAR C H 4, 2 0 1 5

ROUND-UP Oman Air returns to ITB Berlin with focus on fleet and network expansion The CEO of Oman Air, Paul Gregorowitsch, will lead the airline’s high-level delegation, which will also include Chief Officer Sales Mahfood Al Harthy

MUSCAT: Oman Air’s iconic white exhibition stand will this week be the focus for a wide range of industry meetings, media interviews and authentic Arabian hospitality, as the national carrier of the Sultanate of Oman participates in ITB Berlin 2015. The event will be held at Messe Berlin, located to the west of the German capital from today until March 8, says a press release. As the airline prepares to launch new services to Singapore, Goa and Dhaka from later this month, it aims to use the platform

that ITB offers to raise awareness of Oman Air’s ever-expanding network of exciting international destinations, as well as the warm welcome and outstanding range of attractions that Oman offers for every visitor. The Chief Executive Officer of Oman Air, Paul Gregorowitsch, will lead the airline’s high-level delegation, which will also include Chief Officer Sales Mahfood Al Harthy. Delighted “ITB Berlin is the world’s largest

VA L U E - O R I E N T E D M E N U

Subway opens outlet in Ruwi MUSCAT: The grand opening of Subway held in Ruwi recently was a big success. Subway offers a value-oriented menu with many delicious options and varieties. The Ruwi branch is located next to Central Bank of Oman in the business district. The shop opens from 7am to 12 midnight; Sunday to Thursday, on Friday and Saturday it opens from 9am to 1pm, says a press release. APPOINTMENT

ASIS inducts new leadership director MUSCAT: Kevin Brown (MEd Inclusion), recently joined Al Seeb International School (ASIS), as its leadership director, bringing along a vast experience in all aspects of leadership and education, says a press release. He is a qualified teacher, child first aid instructor and martial arts instructor. ASIS is the flagship school in Oman for the World Leadership Academy UK. Kevin’s role at ASIS is to implement the UK ‘Teaching Future Leaders’ programmes which are endorsed by the UK Royal Chartered Management Institute and lead to a formal recognised qualifications in leadership. Kevin Brown states, “Every child has the potential to be a leader. We have a duty; as parents and educators; to help them reach that potential. Here at ASIS we believe that the realities of an ever developing world means that we must help students meet the challenges they will face during their lifetimes and not just educate them to meet the challenges of today.” The school’s motto is ‘Serve to Lead’ and it is in the service of the country, family, community and friends that we will learn to become leaders.

showcase for the travel industry and Oman Air is delighted to once again be taking part. The event gives us an essential opportunity to renew relationships with our travel trade partners, both from Germany and from further aﬁeld. It also offers the prospect of building new partnerships with travel agents, tour operators and hoteliers, as well as letting the media know about our ambitious programme of growth. “And, for the second year in a row, we look forward to recognising the invaluable coverage of

Oman Air and the Sultanate of Oman provided by the German media. We will be announcing the results of the Oman Air Media Awards on March 5 and, with the judges having considered a vast number of entries, the results are eagerly anticipated,” Gregorowitsch commented. ITB Berlin 2015 is the ﬁrst major international travel event to be held since Oman Air launched its expansion programme in November 2014. This will see the airline increase its ﬂeet size from 20 aircraft to around 50 by 2018. It will

also escalate the number of destinations it offers and increase frequencies on a number of established routes. ITB Berlin brings together 10,000 exhibitors from 180 countries across ﬁve continents. With 20,000 convention visitors, 50,000 private visitors and 110,000 trade visitors — including 600 qualiﬁed top buyers — the event presents an unequalled array of opportunities for both businesses and individuals. The business undertaken at ITB Berlin 2015 is expected to turn over more than six billion Euros.

W EDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 2015

ROUND-UP Omran gains LEED certification for Alila Jabal Akhdar resort The certiﬁcation underscores the resort’s commitment to sustainable design and construction methods

MUSCAT: Alila Jabal Akhdar, developed by the Oman Tourism Development Company (Omran), has been awarded LEED Silver Certiﬁcation in the building design and construction rating system for new construction by the US Green Building Council.

The first development in Oman to obtain the prestigious international LEED certification, Alila Jabal Akhdar represents a milestone achievement for the development of infrastructure in the Sultanate, says a press release. LEED certification is recognised across the globe as the premier mark of achievement in green building. To receive the LEED certification, or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, building projects require multiple energy saving and environmental criteria to be met including; sustainable sites, water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, materials and resources, indoor environmental quality, and innovation in design. Alila Jabal AKhdar, has been awarded for its focused objective to maximise the use of local materials in the construction phase and minimise the ongoing energy us-

age footprint in the long term. The resort incorporates various ecofriendly elements such as innovative water treatment facilities for use in irrigation, solar panels that provides upto 60% of the energy required for hot water supply and energy saving lighting and thermal control systems. “We are proud that the resort is the ﬁrst development in Oman to achieve this LEED certiﬁcation

and to be recognised internationally for its sustainability credentials. The vision of sustainability for Alila Jabal Akhdar goes beyond the architectural design and construction phase, it also reflects the guiding principles of Omran, as well as the day to day operation and management of the resort which is centered on the principles of sustainability and environmental safety,” said, Eng. Wael Al Lawati, CEO of Omran. “The certification underscores the vital role of Omran in developing innovative and sustainable tourism destinations with advanced environmental specifications. At Omran we place a great emphasis on implementing sustainable measures and practices across all areas of our mandate, including economic, environmental, cultural and within local communities. We have eight other

developments in our portfolio that have achieved, or are in the process of achieving, LEED accreditation. Being awarded is a positive motivation that pushes us forward for more developmental achievements that are based on the highest criteria for sustainability. It is our aim to see further Omran projects and developments awarded with LEED certiﬁcation in the years to come,” said Al Lawati. In congratulating Omran, Richard Fedrizzi, CEO and Founding Chairman of US Green Building Council said, “On behalf of the US Green Building Council, I am proud to award the Alila Jabal Akhdar Resort and recognise Omran for its groundbreaking contribution to sustainable building and design in the Sultanate of Oman and the wider region. “LEED is the premier international certiﬁcation for environ-

mentally sustainable construction and it is deeply pleasing to bestow this prestigious award for the ﬁrst time in Oman. It is our sincere hope that Alila Jabal Akhdar Resort’s new green credentials will raise awareness of the importance of sustainable development and will serve as a model for environmental standards for construction in the Middle East. “A sound environment is essential to social wellbeing and business sustainability. We are proud to be partnering with Omran in this meaningful quest. At Alila, our vision is to integrate natural conservation, community and commerce hence our green efforts extend to and beyond the operational aspects so that we can make a positive impact on the community - economically, socially and culturally,” said, Mark Edleson, President of Alila Hotels & Resorts.

ALL-TERRAIN VEHICLE

Renault Duster: A reliable SUV with genuine off-road ability MUSCAT: Renault Duster from the house of Suhail Bahwan Group is a strong and reliable SUV with genuine off-road ability. The Duster is versatile and combines a spacious interior with saloon-car comfort. The Renault Duster is designed to face all types of terrain, globally. In order to meet these wideranging needs, Renault Duster is available in both 4x4 MT and 4x2 AT version. The 4x2 AT version has been designed for customers who want good ground clearance and a reassuring elevated driving position, as well as loose-surface ability, but who don’t have a real need for

all-wheel drive, says a press release. Today’s all-terrain vehicles are often synonymous with bulk, but the Renault Duster is an antidote to that idea. With a length of 4.31 metres and a width of 1.82 metres, the Renault Duster is very compact but roomy. From the front, it exudes an impression of toughness: the wide wheel-arches, the imposing lines of the chrome grille and the sump guard clearly emphasise the 4x4 DNA of the Renault Duster. Seen from the side, the high ground clearance, clearly deﬁned wheelarches, protective mouldings encourage the driver to tackle even

RECRUIT

the toughest roads and tracks. Despite its compact footprint, the Renault Duster is a very spacious car, with ﬁve people able to travel in total comfort. Rear passenger headroom (seat cushion

to roof ) is 895mm, knee room is 183mm and elbow room amounts to 1,438mm, enabling it to comfortably seat three adults at the rear, where there is also ample space to ﬁt child seats.

There are several pack options available on the Renault Duster, “The Modularity Pack” on the PE version is meant to enhance the driver’s comfort, as it contains 1/3 - 2/3 split folding rear bench seat, height adjustable driver’s seat, height adjustable (tilt) steering wheel and height adjustment on front seatbelts. “The Safety Pack” on the SE version is made to keep every Renault Duster passenger safe as it has ABS with Emergency Brake Assist, front passenger airbag (deactivatable), front side airbags and unlock alarm (visual and audible) on front passenger seatbelt.

And for an enhanced appearance the Renault Duster offers the “Exterior Look Pack” on the SE version; it has satin chrome door mirrors, satin chrome longitudinal roof rails, front/ rear skid plate addons with satin chrome appearance paint, side skirt cover with satin chrome appearance paint, extra tinted rear windows, rear quarter glass and rear windscreen. Suhail Bahwan Automobiles is largely committed to supporting Renault Oman’s growth in the Sultanate through major emphasis on customer satisfaction and by providing world-class after-sales services in Oman.

WWW.TIMESOFOMAN.COM WEDNESDAY, MAR CH 4, 2015

SECTION

RECRUI JOB POSTINGS

CAREER COACH

Tips for answering awkward questions I RECEIVE many questions from people who are job hunting and who really want to make a good impression in their interviews. But sometimes applicants are unsure how to handle the awkward questions. This column focuses on some of possible responses: Why did you leave your previous employer? There are many reasons why you may have left a firm. The company could have relocated their offices or downsized their staff; they could have fired you or not renewed your contract. Whatever the reason, you need to keep your response positive. It is amazing to me how many people reveal how much they hated their old boss or colleagues or even the work itself. The next firm does not want to hear negative information about your previous employer. They will probably assume you will talk “trash” about them as well. Think about a positive, yet truthful way of communicating why you left (i.e., you wanted greater opportunities, you needed to relocate for family reasons, etc.). You also do

not need to provide a detailed account of why you left. Employers understand that there have been many economic reasons why employees may have left a job. Why do you have so many gaps in your resume? Employers look for continuity in your career progression. If you have periods of no employment or gaps in schooling, they will likely ask you about those holes. They want to know what you were doing and how it might be related to your career. First, make sure your resume is as thorough as possible and addresses any gaps. If possible, indicate what you were doing (if it was part-time work, schooling or international travel). Second, be honest, but you do not have to go into detail about what you were doing. Just help them see how whatever you were doing is somehow related to the career your are pursuing now. Why have you changed jobs so frequently? In our parents’ day, people stayed in one job for most of their

careers. Today, we know that people change jobs and careers more frequently. Employers are looking for some assurance of stability. Since they are making a big investment in you, they want to be sure that you are going to stay with the company for a while. If you have gone from job to job, yet without career advancement, they will be even more concerned about your stability and loyalty to a ﬁrm. You will need to explain to them why you changed jobs, and how those changes all enabled you to develop stronger knowledge and skills for the position you are pursuing. Explaining previous health, drug and alcohol abuse, or conviction and probation experiences If you are currently capable of working, I would not volunteer much information about past issues. The most important thing to a potential employer is whether you can perform the major duties of the job, whether that includes travelling, long hours, working weekends or whatever is required.

That is what they really want to know. If an employer asks about a gap in your work performance and you tell them it was due to health problems, then be quick to point out that you can currently successfully perform the duties required. If you still need some time off for doctor’s visits you can possibly use sick leave without having to give them a lot of upfront details about the reasons for your time off. These are just some of the awkward questions you may get in an interview. Consult other career sites to identify additional questions to address in your interview preparation. Employers are trying to piece together your background and how you might best ﬁt within their ﬁrm. View their questions from this perspective — as their attempt to better understand you. This will enable you to calmly and thoughtfully address their questions. Most importantly, you need to be fully prepared. Have an answer ready for these challenging questions if they pertain to you. — Joyce E. A. Russell/The Washington Post

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QUOTES Live daringly, boldly, fearlessly. Taste the relish to be found in competition – in having put forth the best within you. — Henry J. Kaiser To be successful, you have to have your heart in your business, and your business in your heart. — Thomas Watson, Sr

Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm. — Ralph Waldo Emerson

W EDN ESDAY, MARCH 4, 2015

ROUND-UP

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2015 Toyota Coaster launched in Sultanate Coaster is a balanced combination of economy, comfort and performance, making it ideal for everyday commuting. It has a spacious cabin, large comfortable seats, big windows and high ceiling

MUSCAT: When the Toyota Coaster was introduced in 1969, it created an instant following on the strength of its reliability and dependability. Now, the 2015 Coaster has arrived in Oman to gratify its owners with precise handling, powerful response and comprehensive safety, says a press release. “It is indeed a balanced combination of economy, comfort and performance – making it ideal for

everyday commuting,” remarks the spokesperson, “Which is why it is a common sight in Oman’s schools, government and private sector organisations, hypermarkets and other businesses dealing with regular and large scale movement of people.” Amongst ﬂeet owners and corporate clients, Toyota Coaster is one of the most popular range of people movers. In many places it is not unusual for ‘Coaster’ be used to signify a bus – the spacious cabin, large comfortable seats, big windows and high ceiling create a feeling of capaciousness. The Coaster comes with a choice of powerful

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2.7L gasoline and 3.7L or 4.2L diesel engines. These generate ample power and torque to efficiently transport the occupants. Customers will be delighted to know that double leaf rear door conﬁguration is now available. Also, the audio system has a provision for USB and AUX. The Coaster provides outstanding response in tough driving and load situations, be it either a diesel version or gasoline. The diesel engine with overhead valves offers reduced oil consumption and the gasoline version with DOHC engine churns out high power smoothly and quietly. The chassis and

independent suspension (Double wishbone independent – front; leaf spring - rear) were engineered for a perfect balance of comfort and durability. High performance air-conditioners with individual air vents designed speciﬁcally for GCC keep passengers cool all through the journey. Toyota Coaster employs a wide range of safety measures. For example, the large laminated shatterproof windshield, the driver’s safety window and the easy-to-adjust seat position help the driver detect hazards by offering a clear and expansive all-round view. Quick acceleration, excellent handling and high level of braking performance all add up to easy control of the vehicle, assisting in safe motoring. The brake lights, front wipers, front and rear wider mirrors, all come as bonus safety measures. The back-buzzer, useful during reversing, provides added safety. The front wipers clear a large area of the front windshield with each sweep. There are enough models, with seating capacity from 26 to 30, which makes it a tailor made option for any given requirement. Last but not the least, Toyota’s concern for the environment is made apparent in Toyota Coaster by excellent fuel efficiency and low exhaust emissions.

DESSERT

Pizza Hut introduces ultimate Hershey’s Chocolate Chip cookie MUSCAT: Pizza Hut, the Sultanate’s most loved pizza chain, has added a new sumptuous dessert, the Hershey’s Chocolate Chip cookie to its menu which is sure to delight the sweet tooth of its customers across the Sultanate. This fabulous melt in the mouth cookie creation made with delicious Hershey’s chocolate chips hit Pizza Hut restaurants recently and has already become one of the favourite dessert. It is baked in house and can be enjoyed warm for an even more decadent end to a meal, says a press release. Pizza Hut is a brand that is very well loved in Oman with a loyal base of customers who regularly enjoy its ﬂavoursome pizzas. It recently launched its Cheesy Garlic Twist Pizza and to celebrate this it is offering an Ultimate Hershey’s Chocolate Chip Cookie at the great price of OMR1.300 as part of a combo meal. “Our mouths are watering for this sweet treat and we are thrilled to have teamed up with Hershey’s to offer our customers such a great tasting experience. We are constantly looking for additions to our menu to excite Pizza Hut diners and we know that they are in for a real rush with the Ultimate Hersheys Chocolate

Chip Cookie. Hershey’s Chocolate Chip Cookie is also available on delivery and take away menus in special packing so that it stays fresh for a longer time giving customers the comfort of enjoying the desert where ever they want,” said Vivek Pande, CEO, Khimji Ramdas Lifestyle Group. True decadent treat “The comforting smell of freshly baked cookies is giving everybody, staff and customers alike, a real feel good happiness at Pizza Hut. Enjoyed on its own as a delicious snack or as part of a meal, this piece of chocolaty goodness is a true decadent treat,” said, Anil Khimji, Director, Khimiji Ramdas.

127TH OUTLET

Malabar Gold to open its outlet in Umm Al Quwain tomorrow MUSCAT: The leading jewellery retailer from India- Malabar Gold & Diamonds, which started its international journey by opening its ﬁrst outlet in Sharjah, now marks its presence in all the seven Emirates by opening its 127th outlet in Umm Al Quwain. Malabar Gold & Diamonds is the only jewellery brand of Indian origin that has its presence in all the

seven Emirates of UAE. Their outlet in Umm Al Quwain will be opened tomorrow at 5pm. Conveniently located at Riyad Plaza - King Faizal Street, this showroom will display a wide range of collection in gold, diamond and platinum from different parts of the world at attractive prices to cater the needs of its diverse customers, says a press release.

Promotion As a part of their inaugural offers, customers who purchase diamond jewellery worth AED5,000 will get 1gm gold coin free and for every purchase of gold jewellery worth AED3,000, they will get a free gold coin free. This offer is valid until March 31 at their outlet in Umm Al Quwain only. The jewellery group with its

presence in all Middle East countries plans to add more showrooms in GCC to strengthen its presence in the region. Expansion spree The retail chain that has 126 outlets worldwide operates 46 showrooms in the GCC countries, out of which 22 are in UAE. Recognising their potential in the Middle East,

they have embarked on expanding their footprints across the region and are planning to add three showrooms in UAE, three in Oman and one each in Qatar, KSA and Bahrain in the next two months. In UAE, they are all set to unveil three new outlets in Umm Al Quwain; Abu Dhabi and Ajman by the mid of April 2015. The group represents Far East

with three outlets in Singapore. Far East expansion They are planning to expand their presence in the Far East by entering into Malaysia in the month of April. The jewellery group also plans to roll out into retail markets like Hong Kong and to spread their operations into USA and UK for immediate expansion.

SPECIALIST UNIT

Volkswagen launches ‘Das WeltAuto’ approved pre-owned car division MUSCAT: Volkswagen Oman has launched ‘Das WeltAuto’ approved pre-owned car division, which will enable customers in the Sultanate to purchase fully approved and checked pre-owned Volkswagen cars. The specialist unit has been created to meet growing demand from across the Sultanate for quality pre-owned Volkswagen vehicles and will guarantee buyers a total peace-ofmind ownership experience, says a press release. The new division ensures that customers who wish to purchase a used Volkswagen can do so with confidence, as all Volkswagen ‘Das WeltAuto’ pre-owned models in Oman are put through the rigorous testing programme by Volkswagen trained and certified technicians. Only after passing the comprehensive check programme does the car make the grade as a Volkswagen approved pre-owned vehicle. As part of the ‘Das WeltAuto’ pre-owned car programme, customers also benefit from a guaranteed trade in and a minimum 12 month unlimited mileage warranty when making a purchase.

Commenting on the new ‘Das WeltAuto’ approved used car division, Andrew Squires, the General Manager of Wattayah Motors said, “Our mission at Volkswagen Oman has always been to provide our customers with the highest levels of customer satisfaction through sales and after-sales service. With our ‘Das WeltAuto’ approved used car division we want to extend similar levels of service and a satisfying ownership experience to our used car buyers as well. This is why every car undergoes a comprehensive technical inspection by our in-house Volkswagen certiﬁed technicians and this is backed by a comprehensive warranty and full service history, making it the safest way to purchase a pre-owned Volkswagen.”

Through the Das WeltAuto approved used car division, Volkswagen Oman offers German engineering for everyone by offering customers affordable personalised ﬁnance options; with EMIs starting from as low as OMR67 for the Polo sedan. In addition to purchasing from the ‘Das WeltAuto’ pre-owned car outlet, conveniently located near the Volkswagen showroom in Azaiba, customers can also use the new web-based Volkswagen ‘Das WeltAuto’ Vehicle Locator for Oman. The online locator can be accessed from www.dasweltauto.me and offers a premium search experience as well as detailed information on cars available in stock, in both Arabic and English languages.

ENERGY HEALING SYSTEM

‘Your Health is in Your Hands’ seminar on March 14 MUSCAT: To understand how the energy healing system works, Muscat Energy Healing Centre will be conducting a free open seminar ‘Your Health is in Your Hands!’ on March 14 at the Bahja Hall, next to Jungle restaurant Qurum, from 10am to 12pm, says a press release. In this seminar you will learn: 1. Principles that govern your health. 2. About your invisible self. 3. To feel the energy between your palms. 4. Instant energy enhancing techniques. 5. A powerful breathing technique. 6. How your thoughts can affect your energy.

7. A simple stress relief meditation and much more. “Man, through the use of his hands, as they are energised by his mind and will, can inﬂuence his own health,” Mary Reilly has said. This is so true! We use our hands daily to do all the work, chores, eat, drink, write, etc. Our hands are also effective tools to heal - ourselves and others. Our body already has the ability to heal itself, and it does it magniﬁcently. Through some process

that we don’t fully understand, our body has the amazing, innate ability to repair itself. We have a storehouse of energy that our body uses for healing. What if you could learn to increase and direct that healing energy to improve your general well being and relieve speciﬁc health problems? Do you know that you have an energy body, or aura, around you? In line with this aura, we also have energy centres, which are power stations to supply energy continuously to our body. The seminar offers you the opportunity to discover mind-body beneﬁts for better physical, emotional and mental health, enabling you to live a happy, healthy and fuller life.

WWW.TIMESOFOMAN.COM WEDNESDAY, MAR CH 4, 2015 5

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SPOR YOUR GAME

DE VILLIERS HAILS SOUTH AFRICA’S ‘ROCK’ AMLA South Africa captain AB de Villiers hailed opening batsman Hashim Amla as the team’s “rock” after the opener cracked 159 in the crushing 201-run World Cup victory over Ireland on Tuesday. >C4

Legal team to finalise GCC Sports Disputes Resolution Committee During a meeting in Doha, the heads of GCC Olympic Committees thanked His Majesty the Sultan for supporting sports. They also named a legal team to ﬁnalise the

HONOURING THE BEST: Oman Committee for Sports and Environment Chairman Mohammed Al Mahrami, third right, receives the GCC Sports and Environment Award in Doha on Tuesday. – Supplied photo

formation GCC Sports Disputes Resolution Committee

MUSCAT: The heads of GCC National Olympic Committees thanked His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Al Said for supporting sports during their meeting in Qatari capital of Doha on Tuesday. According to information re-

ceived here, the GCC Olympic chiefs also took a number of major decisions including the forming of legal team to ﬁnalise the formation GCC Sports Disputes Resolution Committee and to annually observe a common GCC Sports Day. The 29th meeting of GCC Olympic chiefs was chaired by Sheikh Saud bin Ali Al Thani, the Personal Representative of His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, President of the Qatar Olympic Committee, in the presence of

Abdullah bin Juma Al Shibli, Assistant Secretary-General for Economic Affairs of the Secretariat of the Gulf Cooperation Council. The Sultanate was represented at the meeting by Oman Olympic Committee (OOC) chief Sheikh Khalid bin Mohammed Al Zubair. The Olympic chiefs lauded Sheikh Khalid Al Zubair and the OOC for their support in hosting the fourth GCC Women’s Games, which will be organised in Muscat from March 8 to 18.

They also praised the Oman Women’s Sports Committee for showing interest in hosting the event as well as their keenness to make it a great success. During the meeting, a number of GCC sports leaders were honoured for their contribution to the development of sports in the region and those honoured included Dr Abdullah Al Hashim, Assistant Secretary-General for Human and Environmental Affairs at the GCC Secretariat, and Mohammed Has-

san Al Meshal, Secretary-General of the Saudi Arabian Olympic Committee. The meeting also honoured the winners of the 2014-15 GCC Sports and Environment Awards. The awards were announced last week when Oman Committee for Sports and Environment was declared the winner of the ﬁrst prize. The award was received by Mohammed Al Mahrami, chairman of the Oman Committee for Sports and Environment.

GCC Sailing Organising Committee took the second place while GCC Basketball Organising Committee were the third place winners. The meeting approved a proposal to annually observe a common GCC Sports Day. The decision, which comes after a suggestion made by the Qatar Olympic Committee, will see the GCC nations celebrating the Sports Day on the second Saturday of February every year. The objective of observing the GCC Sports Day is to promote the concept of sports among the communities. The GCC Olympic heads, meanwhile, ﬁnalised a legal team which will be entrusted with the responsibility of constituting statutes for forming GCC Sports Disputes Resolution Committee. The decision to form the GCC Sports Disputes Resolution Committee came after a suggestion to this effect by Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Chairman of the Bahrain Olympic Committee. The legal team will comprise two experts and a representative from each of the six GCC National Olympic Committees. The Sports Disputes Resolution Committee will be headquartered in Bahrain. FOOTBALL

SEEB EDGE AL ARABI FOR FIRST WIN AT GCC CLUBS TOURNEY

Seeb edged Qatar’s Al Arabi for their first victory in the GCC Clubs Football Championship on Tuesday. In a Group B match played at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex, Seeb overcame one goal deficit to defeat Al Arabi by a 2-1 margin. In the three-team group, which also comprises Al Shabab of the UAE, Seeb are in second place with four points from three outings. Al Shabab lead the group with six points earned from two matches. Al Arab have one point. Seeb play their final group match against Al Shabab on March 17. Meanwhile, it is learnt Oman national team will play a friendly match against Malaysia on March 26. — JUN ESTRADA/Times of Oman

Terry to get new deal: Mourinho LONDON: Jose Mourinho has assured Chelsea fans that John Terry, subject of a ‘captain, leader, legend’ banner that is on permanent display at Stamford Bridge, will be at the club next season. “I know what my board tells me and there’s no doubt he is going to get his (new) contract before the end of the season,” manager Mourinho said ahead of Wednesday’s game at West Ham United. - Reuters

W EDN ESDAY, MARCH 4, 2015

SPORTS

Pietersen does not warrant England return: Hussain Former skipper Nasser Hussain ‘feels there’s too much baggage with KP now’

LONDON: Kevin Pietersen does not warrant a recall to the England team despite apparent support from incoming incoming ECB chief Colin Graves, according to former skipper Nasser Hussain. Pietersen was sacked by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) last year but England’s dreadful start to the World Cup has inevitably raised debate over whether the 34-year-old could still play a role. “I’ve always believed in picking

‘NOT THE PLAYER HE ONCE WAS’: Kevin Pietersen.

the best side, then managing it,” Hussain said in the Daily Mail. “But I feel there’s too much baggage with KP now. “Also, he’s not the player he once was. If he was 24, rather than 34,

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you might give him another go. The focus should be on England’s oneday team, not Pietersen.” Pietersen appeared to have severed any chance of returning to international cricket following the

release of his controversial autobiography last year, but in an interview with the BBC, Graves refused to rule out Pietersen’s return. “The ﬁrst thing he has to do if he wants to get back is start playing county cricket,” Graves said. “The selectors and the coaches are not going to pick him if he’s not playing, it’s as simple as that.” Pietersen, who scored 8,181 Test runs and 4,422 ODI runs, told British media he was excited about the development, but the ECB later issued a statement that appeared to pour cold water on the chances of his reinstatement. Hussain also called on one-day captain Eoin Morgan to concentrate on what he does best as England seek to avoid an embarrassing early exit from the World Cup, having already been thrashed by Australia, New Zealand and Sri Lanka. Morgan’s men must beat Afghanistan and Bangladesh to reach the last eight. - Reuters

WINTER CUP

MAN OF THE MATCH: Shami of Asad XI and Sendan Smashers’

Robin, below, receive their awards. – Supplied photos

Asad XI and FCC enter semiﬁnals

PROMOTING SPORT

Bank Muscat widens scope of Green Sports initiative MUSCAT: Bank Muscat, the ﬂagship ﬁnancial services provider in the Sultanate, as part of its commitment to promoting a sporting nation has widened the scope of Green Sports initiative beyond greening of playgrounds across the Sultanate. From 2015, sports teams and clubs seeking Green Sports support can choose from four options to either green their playgrounds with natural or synthetic turf, or

avail support to instal ﬂood lights or water sprinklers. The move is aimed at providing wider representation to sports clubs and teams in building up sustainable sports infrastructure in all parts of Oman. Green Sports application forms are available at the CSR department in the bank’s head office or can be downloaded from the Bank Muscat website www.bankmuscat.com. Completed forms must be submitted before April 9.

The Green Sports CSR programme was launched by the bank in 2012 to lay the foundation at the grass-root level for a sustainable sports infrastructure. In a record time, the bank has achieved notable success in developing green ﬁelds in all parts of the Sultanate, thus contributing to realising the sporting dreams of clubs and teams. Till date in the ﬁrst three years of the programme, 34 sports clubs have been given support to green

their playing fields. The bank’s support to the initiative stems from its commitment to giving a helping hand to all deserving teams and clubs in Oman to green their playing fields. The bank recognises that local clubs wield immense influence on neighbourhood communities, especially youth, hence clubs with modern infrastructure facilities can help raise sporting heroes for the country.

MUSCAT: Asad XI and FCC reached the semiﬁnals of the Winter Cup cricket tournament organised by Holiday Cricket Club (HCC). Results: Muscat Super King 55 for 5 in 8 overs (Ramesh 20 n.o.) lost to South XI 56 for 3 in 5.3 overs (Rakesh 21). Man of the match: Rakesh of South XI. Smashers 72 for 7 in 8 overs (Bipin 18) bt National Gas 61 (Ajeesh 3/13). Man of the match: Ajeesh of Smashers. Sunshine 36 in 8 overs lost to Asad XI 37 for 2 in 3.5 overs (Sherbaaz 19). Man of the match: Sherbaaz. FCC 69 for 9 in 8 overs (Farvez 19) bt Smashers 53 for 4 in 8 overs. Man of

CRICKET

the match: Farvez of FCC. Sarco 64 for 3 in 7 overs lost to Asad XI 65 for 4 in 7.3 overs (Shami 18). Man of the match: Shami of Asad XI. Coastal 82 for 9 in 8 overs (Sushant 25) bt South XI 36 for 8 in 8 overs. Man of the match: Sushant of Coastal. Sendan Smashers 53 for 5 in 7 overs (Vijesh 25) bt Manglore United 32 for 6 in 7 overs (Ebi 4/2). Man of the match: Ebi of Sendan Smashers. FCC 75 for 5 in 7 overs (Faisal 28) bt OEC 68 for 7 in 7 overs. Man of the match: Faisal of FCC. Al Khoud CT 46 for 9 in 7 overs lost to Sendan Smashers 48 for 3 in 6.4 overs (Robin 4/9). Man of the match: Robin of Sendan Smashers.

FOOTBALL

English FA wants British team at Rio Olympics

Trust Oilfield down Douglas OHI to lift Al Hail CT Junior Trophy MUSCAT: Trust Oilfield defeated Douglas OHI by 40 runs in the final match to lift the title at Al Hail CT Junior T10 Championship. Electing to bat first, Trust Oilfield Cricket Team scored 102 runs. In reply, Douglas OHI were restricted to 61 runs for seven wickets.

Shamsudheen Irfan of Trust Oilﬁeld won the man of the ﬁnal award. Wajid Jutt bagged both man of the tournament and best batsman awards while Praveen Shetty was named the best wicketkeeper. The other teams that took part in the tournament are Caledonian

College Cricket Team, Muscat Titans Cricket Team, Khalsa United Cricket Team, Newrest Wacaso Cricket Team and RAHRC Team. The tournament was sponsored by Pocari Sweat, Oasis Water Company, Muscat Titans and Baab Al Hail Company.

LONDON: A combined British soccer team could take part in next year’s Rio de Janeiro Olympics after the English Football Association (FA) signalled its intent to enter the qualification process. At London 2012 Britain fielded a unified soccer team managed by the FA, after a 52-year absence, although at the time it was seen as a one-off move to mark the home Games. The British Olympic Association (BOA) said on Tuesday that the FA had confirmed its desire to send a team to Brazil. “We have received confirmation from the FA of their intention to enter into the qualification process for Rio 2016 for both men and women’s tournaments,” a BOA spokesman said. World soccer’s governing body Fifa would still have to sanction a British team. - Reuters

W E D N E S DAY, MAR C H 4, 2 0 1 5

UAE’s revelation: Shaiman Anwar

TODAY’S MATCHES

POOL B: PAKISTAN V UAE (5:00AM OMAN TIME) POOL A: AUSTRALIA V AFGHANISTAN (10:30AM OMAN TIME)

Halfway through the pool phase of the World Cup, an unlikely name, Shaiman Anwar, sits perched among the tournament’s best batsmen

nheralded before the World Cup, the United Arab Emirates’ middle-order batsman Shaiman Anwar has been a revelation, turning heads with his cool displays at the crease. In three innings, he has scored 208 runs to be in the top 10 and ahead of the likes of Brendon McCullum, Virat Kohli and every player from Australia and England. He is averaging 69.33 with an impressive strike rate of 114.28 and has already scored a hundred against Ireland and a half-century against Zimbabwe. Anwar’s lowest score at the World Cup is 35, against the reigning world champions India, in a match where only one of his team mates made double figures. “He is one of the best players we have on our team,” said UAE allrounder Amjad Javed. “On his day he can really score quick runs for us, and we have seen it.” “He’s very dangerous. Once he starts scoring he will score more and big runs.” Born in Pakistan, Anwar moved to the UAE in 2007 when he was offered a job in shipping. He was picked to play for his adopted country in 2010 and in 2014, he made his first One-Day International appearance, helping the Emirates qualify for the World Cup. Despite his reputation as a big hitter, Anwar failed to make much of an impression in his first full season of ODIs. In his first six matches, he managed a total of just 78 runs, with a top score of 26 not out. In his final ODI before the World Cup, against Afghanistan in December, he posted his first halfcentury, and the 35-year-old has not looked back. He announced his arrival at the sport’s global spectacle with a polished 67 against Zimbabwe before making an impressive 106 against Ireland, becoming the first batsman from UAE to score a century at the World Cup. Thrust into the limelight, Anwar said he was overwhelmed by the response his century generated. “I have hardly been able to put my mobile down. Everyone is calling me from Dubai and Pakistan,” he told reporters. “I never thought scoring a century in a World Cup would elicit such a response. “I realised that if you hit a century in the World Cup, the entire world will watch you. It is a huge platform. I did not have any idea how big it can get.” Unfortunately for Anwar, his performances have largely been in vain with his team losing all three matches so far and facing a nearimpossible task of making the quarter-finals. To have any chance of reaching the knockout phase, UAE would have to win their final three matches against Pakistan, South Africa and West Indies and rely on other results going their way. But for a country that is relatively new to the game of cricket and making just their second appearance at the World Cup, winning the admiration of their rivals means as much as winning matches. “I tell my teammates, it is a great opportunity, enjoy it and perform,” Anwar said. “Then you will see what kind of response and respect you get.” - Reuters

W EDN ESDAY, MARCH 4, 2015

De Villiers hails ‘the rock’ Amla Ireland left to rue the one that got away

The South African captain said he was very happy with the performance against

CANBERRA: Ireland got an early and painful reminder of what a fickle mistress cricket can be in their 201-run defeat at the hands of South Africa in their third World Cup match on Tuesday. The Irish, who came into the contest at Manuka Oval with a burgeoning reputation and two victories under their belts, had already removed South African opener Quinton de Kock when Kevin O’Brien came on to bowl in the sixth over. De Kock’s partner Hashim Amla, who had scored 10 runs, clipped the first delivery to Ed Joyce at mid-wicket only for the former England batsman to put the catch down on the Manuka Oval turf. Some 44 overs later and Amla had 159 runs next his name on the scoreboard and Ireland were chasing a nigh on impossible target of 412 for victory. “Obviously it was a big chance there and he obviously made us pay,” said Ireland captain William Porterfield. “He’s a fantastic player, we’re not going to get too many chances off him, especially in such a good wicket. “But that’s cricket, we’ve got to move on from that.” Ireland’s run chase also started badly as South

Ireland, especially the batting in which they piled up 411 for four and then bowled out the rivals for 210

CANBERRA: South Africa captain AB de Villiers hailed Hashim Amla as the team’s “rock” after the opener cracked 159 in the crushing 201-run World Cup win over Ireland on Tuesday. Amla reached his 20th One-day International century faster than any batsman, his career-best score coming in his 108th innings, with India’s Virat Kohli the next quickest to reach 20 tons, in 133 innings. The Proteas piled up 411 for four, the second-highest total in World Cup history. “Amla is still the rock and will always be that for us. He was incredible. Hopefully that form can continue for the rest of the tour,” said de Villiers, whose team are virtually certain of a place in the quarterfinals after a third win in four matches. “It was a good game. We did it our way. We follow our game plans and the guys set it up very nicely up top for our middle order. Amla had made 65 in the 257run rout of the West Indies and praised his team, who have now racked up two successive totals of 400-plus. Five different players have also made centuries in South Africa’s four games. David Miller (138 not out) and JP Duminy (115 not out) both reached three figures against Zimbabwe, while de Villiers hit 162 not out against the West Indies before Amla and du Plessis reached three figures on Tuesday. “Fortunately we got off to a good start. We had wickets in hand so that gave us the luxury of being

able to go for it, to see what happened and fortunately it paid off,” said Amla. “Any hundred is a good hundred. I’m just happy to get some runs and set it up for the boys at the back end.” Ireland suffered their ﬁrst loss after wins against the West Indies and the UAE but are still in the running for a quarter-ﬁnal slot with a key game against Zimbabwe coming up in Hobart on Saturday.

Africa’s pacemen Dale Steyn and Kyle Abbott combined to reduce them to 42 for four in the ninth over. Andrew Balbirnie and O’Brien stopped the rot with a 81-run partnership, however. Stiff Irish resistance kept the contest alive until the 45th over and avoided the embarrassment of the heaviest defeat in more than four decades of ODIs. “When you are four down coming out to 10, you are going to struggle,” Porterfield added. “All credit to the lower order, there was some pretty aggressive bowling out there but they stuck at it. I was very pleased the way we kept going on the field, as well, coming down the back end. Just a lot of enthusiasm and a lot of energy shown then. “It was quite easy to drift away, but no one really shied away from the task of either taking the ball or in the field, which was pleasing.” Irish pride may have taken bit of a dent but their hopes of a quarterfinal spot are still very much alive, with Saturday’s match against Zimbabwe in Hobart looming as a crunch game. “Every game throughout is a two-pointer for us, and Hobart is no different,” said Porterfield. - Reuters

They complete their Pool B campaign with tough assignments against defending champions India at Hamilton on March 10 and Pakistan in Adelaide ﬁve days later. “It was a difficult evening, they played very well. We had one early breakthrough and wanted more but then it was hard for us,” said Ireland skipper William Porterﬁeld whose evening got off to

Any hundred is a good hundred. I’m just happy to get some runs and set it up for the boys at the back end Hashim Amla South Africa

a great start when out-of-form South Africa opener Quinton de Kock was dismissed for one. “We tried to put some pressure on, but we would’ve liked a few more wickets early on.” He added: “Obviously the match against Zimbabwe is a big one, so we will be looking to take the two points.”The Proteas are often regarded as the best team never to have won cricket’s showpiece

event, having fallen in the knockout rounds after cruising through the league stage. But de Villiers was conﬁdent history could be re-written this time, but preferred not to look too far ahead. “Look I have believed for the past year that we can win the World Cup, but we are taking it pretty much match by match,” de Villiers. “I have told the boys to try and not watch other games, just focus

on what we have to do. The focus now is to play Pakistan in Auckland on Sunday. “When we reach the quarterﬁnals we will think of the opposition and give it our best shot.” De Villiers said he was very happy with the performance against Ireland, especially the batting in which they piled up 411 for four and then bowled out the rivals for 210. - Agencies

BEFORE LOSS TO SOUTH AFRICA

Unlikely fan McGuinness leads Twitter cheers for Ireland DUBLIN: Hours after Ireland made it two wins out of two at the cricket World Cup, the team were still the most talked about topic on Twitter back home. This was indeed before they lost to South Africa by a big margin in Canberra on Tuesday. Cricket might not be played widely in Ireland but for the third

World Cup running, the national side are winning new fans as they followed up their opening game upset of West Indies with a nerveshredding two-wicket victory over United Arab Emirates. Congratulations on Twitter — including from politicians like Northern Ireland deputy ﬁrst minister Martin McGuinness -- made

sure Ireland’s cricketers replaced Barcelona and Luis Suarez as the top trending topics on the country’s social network. “Came out of an important Ministerial meeting with PR (Peter Robinson, Northern Ireland’s ﬁrst minister) & Irish Govt Ministers Flanagan & Sherlock to learn that @Irelandcricket won. #thrilled,”

McGuinness tweeted following the victory. McGuinness, an Irish Republican Army (IRA) commander during its bitter war against British rule in Northern Ireland, is an unlikely fan of a sport that for years was shunned in Ireland because of its associations with its former colonial ruler.

However, Sinn Fein’s McGuinness has talked almost nothing but cricket with his 44,000 Twitter followers, including a late night of live-tweeting as West Indies wickets fell before appearing on national radio the next day to analyse the win. Asked in parliament if he would pass his congratulations on to the

team, local media quoted Prime Minister Enda Kenny as replying; “279 in Sunny Brisbane and we wish them good luck,” referencing the team’s innings score against the UAE. Ireland, who have now recorded four of the top 10 all-time World Cup run chases, have four points from three matches. - Reuters

W E D N E S DAY, MAR C H 4, 2 0 1 5

South Africa flatten Ireland Hashim Amla scored 159 off 128 balls to become the fastest man to reach 20 ODI centuries and Faf du Plessis made 109 as the Proteas piled up a massive 411 for four CANBERRA: Hashim Amla and Faf du Plessis hit centuries, while Dale Steyn shone in his 100th One-day International, as South Africa showcased their prowess with a 201-run rout of Ireland in the World Cup on Tuesday. Amla scored 159 off 128 balls to become the fastest man to reach 20 ODI centuries and Faf du Plessis made 109 as the Proteas piled up a massive 411 for four after taking first strike at Canberra’s Manuka Oval. Steyn put aside worries of mountain fires near his home in Cape Town as he bowled a hostile opening spell to wreck Ireland with two wickets in his first three overs. The fast bowler, who had grabbed just three wickets in South Africa’s first three pool matches, finished with two for 39 and Kyle Abbott grabbed four for 21 as Ireland were bundled out for 210 in 45 overs. The Irish were reduced to 21 for three by the fifth over and slipped to 48 for five by the 11th before Andy Balbirnie (58) and Kevin O’Brien (48) led a late revival by adding 81 for the sixth wicket. South Africa’s third win in four matches brought them level on six points with defending champions India, who have played one less match, in Pool B. Ireland have four points from three games. Amla and du Plessis put on 247 off 217 balls for the second wicket to lift South Africa to the second highest total in World Cup history, just two runs behind India’s record 413 for five against Bermuda in 2007. It was the second successive 400-plus total for the Proteas in the current tournament, following their 408 for five against the West Indies in Sydney last week in which skipper AB de Villiers hammered 162 off 66 balls. With victory almost assured, de Villiers used eight bowlers — including himself — ahead of tougher games. Amla smashed 16 boundaries and four sixes, while du Plessis contributed 10 fours and a six in a scintillating display of attacking batting on a dry, run-laden pitch. Both batsmen were dismissed in the space of three overs, but Rilee Rossouw hit an unbeaten 61 off 30 balls and David Miller chipped in with 46 not out as South Africa hammered 131 runs in the last 10 overs. Prior to Amla and du Plessis’s stand, Ireland were initially in the game when seamer John Mooney, whose first two overs were maidens, had Quinton de

FAF DU PLESSIS

HASHIM AMLA

runs from 109 balls 10 fours, 1 six

runs from 128 balls 16 fours, 4 sixes

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S TA N D I N G S POOL A

Teams New Zealand Sri Lanka Bangladesh Australia Afghanistan England Scotland

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

Kock caught behind for one. South Africa would have been in further trouble when Kevin O’Brien, who became Ireland’s most-capped player on Tuesday with 87 ODI appearances, came on in the sixth over and nearly claimed a wicket with his ﬁrst ball. Amla, then on 10, ﬂicked uppishly to short mid-wicket where Ed Joyce,

normally a safe catcher, dropped the ball after getting both hands to it. Ireland paid dearly for the lapse as seamer Max Sorensen conceded 24 runs in one over, with Amla smashing him for two sixes and a four and du Plessis lofting him for six. Amla’s career-best century, in his 108th innings, was a new record, with India’s Virat Kohli being the next fastest to reach 20 ODI hundreds in 133 innings. South Africa next play Pakistan in Auckland on March 7, while Ireland take on Zimbabwe in Hobart the same day. - AFP

ALL-ROUND SHOW: South African players celebrate win over Ireland. – AFP

SOUTH AFRICA Hashim Amla c Joyce b McBrine 159 Q. de Kock c Wilson b Mooney 1 F. du Plessis b K. O’Brien 109 AB de Villiers c N. O’Brien b McBrine 24 D. Miller not out 46 R. Rossouw not out 61 Extras: (b-1, w-7, nb-3) 11 Total (4 wkts, 50 overs) 411 Did not bat: Farhaan Behardien, Dale Steyn, Kyle Abbott, Morne Morkel, Imran Tahir Fall of wickets: 1-12 (de Kock), 2-259 (du Plessis), 3-299 (Amla), 4-301 (de Villiers). Bowling: Mooney 7-2-52-1 (2nb, 1w); Sorensen 6-0-76-0 (1nb, 6w); K. O’Brien 7-0-

95-1; Dockrell 10-0-56-0; Stirling 10-0-68-0; McBrine 10-0-63-2 IRELAND W. Porterﬁeld c du Plessis b Abbott 12 P. Stirling c de Kock b Steyn 9 E. Joyce c Amla b Steyn 0 N. O’Brien c Amla b Abbott 14 A. Balbirnie c Rossouw b Morkel 58 G. Wilson lbw b Abbott 0 K. O’Brien c Rossouw b Abbott 48 J. Mooney b de Villiers 8 G. Dockrell b Morkel 25 M. Sorensen c De Kock b Morkel 22 A. McBrine not out 2 Extras: (lb-3, w-9) 12

Total (all out, 45 overs) 210 Fall of wickets: 1-17 (Stirling), 2-21 (Porterﬁeld), 3-21 (Joyce), 4-42 (N. O’Brien), 5-48 (Wilson), 6-129 (Balbirnie), 7-150 (Mooney), 8-167 (K. O’Brien), 9-200 (Sorensen), 10-210 (Dockrell) Bowling: Steyn 8-0-39-2; Abbott 8-0-21-4 (1w); Morkel 9-0-34-3 (3w); Tahir 10-1-50-0; Behardien 2-0-13-0; Rossouw 2-0-13-0; Du Plessis 4-0-30-0 (5w); De Villiers 2-0-7-1; Result: South Africa won by 201 runs Man of the match: Hashim Amla Umpires: Steve Davis, Ranmore Martinesz TV umpire: Ian Gould (ENG) Match referee: Roshan Mahanama (SRI)

W EDN ESDAY, MARCH 4, 2015

PREVIEW

Pakistan eye batting improvement against UAE NAPIER: Pakistan will target a huge improvement in batting to boost their net run-rate in the World Cup Pool B match against minnows United Arab Emirates in Napier on Wednesday. Pakistan’s long standing batting woes have continued in the tournament as they lost their opening game against arch-rivals India by 76 runs and went down by a big 150-run margin in their second to the West Indies. The 1992 champions ﬁnally opened their World Cup account with a scrappy 20-run win over Zimbabwe in Brisbane on Sunday and skipper Misbah-ul-Haq warned his team cannot afford any more slip-ups.

“From now on we have to play every game as it is a knock out match,” said Misbah whose team also face a tough game against inform South Africa in Auckland (March 8) and a dangerous Ireland in Adelaide on March 15. “I think the top order is always the key, and if we really want to go further in this World Cup, we have to improve that,” said Misbah of the openers who in the last 10 onedayers have six single-digit stands, five of them one run or less. Pakistan tried veteran Younis Khan as opener in the first match but that backfired. Pakistan were 1-4 against the West Indies at Christchurch in the worst-ever start in all one-day

internationals, while they were 4-2 against Zimbabwe with Nasir Jamshed and Ahmed Shehzad failing on both occasions. Pakistan struggled to score 2357 against Zimbabwe, a total Misbah believed will not help against South Africa. “If we really want to win against South Africa and we really want progress in this World Cup, we have to come up with some performances, if we keep scoring 200 to 230, 235 runs, it could be really difﬁcult for us to win.” Pakistan with two points in three games are likely to ﬁght the West Indies (two wins in four matches) and Ireland (two wins in two and who face South Africa on

Tuesday) for a place in the quarterfinals. The top four from each of the two pools of seven teams will reach the quarterfinals. Pakistan will also look to improve their net run-rate which stands at a poor -1.37. Considering UAE’s weakness against spin, highlighted by Ravichandaran Ashwin’s 4-25 in India’s nine-wicket win on Saturday, Pakistan can bring in leggie Yasir Shah and also Sarfraz Ahmed as opener for Jamshed. Pakistan have won their two one-day internationals against UAE — both by nine wickets — the first in Sharjah in 1994 and the second at Gujranwala in the 1996 World Cup.

UAE have Pakistan-born middle-order batsman Shaiman Anwar as the only bright spot who has scores of 67, 106 and 35 in his team’s three defeats. But skipper Mohammad Tauqir said the whole tournament is a learning experience for his team. “Look, we had two good games to start with,” said Tauqir of his team’s narrow two-wicket loss to Ireland and four-wicket defeat against Zimbabwe. “We would like to forget about it and erase this game as soon as possible and would like to do well in the next three games and gain experience. “This whole tournament is a learning experience for us.” - AFP

Pakistan captain Misbah Ul-Haq. NO FEAR

DRIVE SLOWER LIVE LONGER

Not afraid of Pakistan giant Irfan, says Javed

HOPEFUL: UAE’s Amjad Javed.

NAPIER: United Arab Emirates allrounder Amjad Javed said his batsmen will not fear facing giant Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Irfan in Wednesday’s World Cup match in Napier. Irfan, international cricket’s tallest-ever player at a towering 7 feet one inch, tore apart Zimbabwe in Pakistan’s first win of the tournament in Brisbane with figures of 4-30, bowling a series of fierce, short-pitched deliveries in a 20-run win. But Javed said the UAE are already familiar with the Irfan challenge having come across him during club games in the Gulf. “Irfan played in Dubai seven years back,” said Javed of the paceman who featured in domestic one-dayers in the UAE before breaking into the Pakistan team in 2010. “If you have faced a bowler in a domestic match in Dubai before, then it’s okay. If you have not faced anyone, like Dale Steyn, that’s a different matter,” said Javed of the South Africa spearhead who the UAE will face in Wellington on March 12. Javed said head coach Aaqib Javed and batting coach Mudassar Nazar, who both played for Pakistan at international level, were advising the players on how to negotiate the Irfan threat. “We are ready for Irfan and are not scared, Aaqib is helping us, batting coach (Mudassar) is helping us. If you saw our first two games we almost upset Ireland and Zimbabwe, we are here to upset some good teams and we will try to do that again,” said Javed. Javed said the fact that nine of the 15 Emirati players were either born in Pakistan or have Pakistani roots. “I think we are representing UAE,” said Javed, who was born in Dubai to Pakistani parents. “It doesn’t matter if we are Pakistani and playing against Pakistan, we will give hundred percent.” Javed said every defeat is helping the UAE learn new lessons about the game at the top level. — AFP

W EDN ESDAY, MARCH 4, 2015

Australia acid test awaits Afghanistan FA C T B O X

Afghanistan have been the ‘Cinderella’ story of this World Cup, with their maiden win— a thrilling one-wicket victory over Scotland in Dunedin last time out — one of the highlights of the competition so far

PERTH: Afghanistan face their toughest test of the World Cup so far when they play four-time champions Australia in Perth on Wednesday. Afghanistan have been the ‘Cinderella’ story of this World Cup, with their maiden win— a thrilling one-wicket victory over Scotland in Dunedin last time out — one of the highlights of the competition so far. But the pace and bounce of the WACA pitch is unlike any surface Afghanistan have experienced before and, in such fast bowlers as Mitchell Johnson and Mitchell Starc, Australia have the attack to exploit the conditions. It may well have been with this match in mind that International Cricket Council chief executive David Richardson told AFP on Friday: “I’m pleased with the performances of the qualiﬁers so far, but the bigger tests are still to come.” The following day the amateurs from the UAE were skittled out for just 102 at the WACA by defending champions India, whose pace attack is nothing like as intimidating as that of Australia. “As everyone knows the UAE has been our home ground due to security reasons and the pitches

Clarke sidesteps Lehmann fall-out talk PERTH: Michael Clarke shrugged off suggestions he was at loggerheads with Australia coach Darren Lehmann by telling reporters on Tuesday: “You won’t get headlines out of me”. In the aftermath of the onewicket loss to New Zealand at the weekend, Clarke’s observation that Australia had failed to prepare for the swinging ball was seen as thinly-veiled blast at Lehmann for an apparent lack of planning. But when asked on Tuesday what input Lehmann had provided for Wednesday’s crunch World Cup pool game against Afghanistan in Perth, Australia captain Clarke refused to take the bait. “We’ve trained really well in preparation for this game. You guys will get no headlines out of me,” said Clarke, who returned to the team for the ﬁrst time since November for Saturday’s defeat in Auckland, having been sidelined with a hamstring injury. “’Boof’ (Lehmann) made it pretty clear to us today that he wants us to stay focused on what’s right in front of us this game, and we’ll worry about Sunday (when Australia face

in UAE are slow and favour spin,” said Afghanistan captain Mohammad Nabi. “Whereas tracks in Australia and New Zealand are very different, there is much more pace and bounce.” However, Afghanistan’s last Pool A match against a Test nation saw them reduce Sri Lanka to 51 for four before Mahela Jayawardene’s hundred restored the status quo. Furthermore, the likes of fast bowler Hamid Hassan and left-arm quick Shapoor Zadran, who starred with bat and ball

CANDID: Australian captain Michael Clarke.

Sri Lanka in Sydney) after tomorrow’s game.” Australia had a scare in the WACA nets on Tuesday when batsman Steve Smith was struck on his left hand while batting but after ice treatment the 25-year-old returned to practice. Paceman Pat Cummins won’t play after injuring his left side during the loss to New Zealand but all-rounder James Faulkner is ready to return against Afghanistan. “Smithy got hit on the hand

against Scotland, could ﬁnd the WACA to their liking. The more concerning issue is how Afghanistan’s batsmen will cope, although Samiullah Shenwari was in bullish mood about the prospect of playing Australia after his superb 96 set up up the win over Scotland. ‘Tough time’ for Aussies “Hopefully we’ll give them a tough time and we will not give up easy,” he said. “So we’re looking forward to giving them a tough time

facing a spinner, and he went back in the nets, so I think he’s ﬁne,” Clarke said. “I just spoke to (selector) Rod Marsh, and he wants to see how everyone pulls up after training before he selects the eleven.” Josh Hazlewood will likely replace Cummins, leaving either Shane Watson or Mitch Marsh to be dropped to accommodate Faulkner. Afghanistan go into the game having won their ﬁrst World Cup match against Scotland

and looking forward to winning the match.” Afghanistan still have a chance of gate-crashing the quarter-ﬁnals, standing just a point behind Australia after losing to Bangladesh and Sri Lanka before beating the Scots. Yet were Afghanistan to win on Wednesday it would arguably be the greatest upset in the history of one-day international cricket. For Australia, it is the classic ‘no-win’ situation in that anything less than a huge victory, never mind a defeat, will be regarded

last time out following losses to Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. Clarke refused to predict a comprehensive win for Australia even though Afghanistan’s batsmen are expected to struggle on the fast, bouncy WACA wicket. “I think they’ve shown the world they’ve got a really good team that can perform at this level against the best,” Clarke said. “I think this is great for the game. I’ve always been a believer in the more countries that we can get involved in the game of cricket, the better.” Australia are fourth in Pool A after an opening win over England was followed by a noresult washout against Bangladesh in Brisbane and then last weekend’s narrow defeat by New Zealand at Eden Park. “We’d love to win every game we play, but I don’t think that’s realistic in the game of cricket,” said Clarke. “So we certainly respect and appreciate how good a team New Zealand are, and they beat us the other day. “It’s up to us to turn things around and come out and perform really good on Wednesday.” - AFP

with dismay by their supporters. Australia need points on the board after their 111-run opening win over England was followed by a no-result washout against Bangladesh and last weekend’s thrilling one-wicket defeat by New Zealand in Auckland. Australia captain Michael Clarke’s lament about his side’s inability to play swing bowling, after they slumped to 151 all out against a New Zealand attack featuring a ﬁve-wicket haul from left-arm paceman Trent Boult, was interpreted in some quarters

AUSTRALIA Captain: Michael Clarke Coach: Darren Lehmann Squad: Clarke, Aaron Finch, David Warner, Shane Watson, George Bailey, Pat Cummins, Xavier Doherty, James Faulkner, Brad Haddin, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Johnson, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc. Results so far at 2015 World Cup: Beat England by 111 runs; match abandoned against Bangladesh; Lost to New Zealand by one wicket Top performers: Aaron Finch (149 runs); Mitchell Starc (eight wickets) Remaining Pool A matches: v Sri Lanka (March 8); v Scotland (March 14) AFGHANISTAN Captain: Mohammed Nabi Coach: Andy Moles Squad: Nabi, Nawroz Mangal, Asghar Stanikzai, Samiullah Shenwari, Afsar Zazai, Najibullah Zadran, Nasir Jamal, Mirwais Ashraf, Gulbadin Naib, Hamid Hassan, Shapoor Zadran, Dawlat Zadran, Aftab Alam, Javed Ahmadi, Usman Ghani. Results so far at 2015 World Cup: Lost to Bangladesh by 105 runs; Lost to Sri Lanka by four wickets; Beat Scotland by one wicket. Top performers: Samiullah Shenwari (176 runs); Shapoor Zadran (seven wickets) Remaining Pool A matches: v New Zealand (March 8), v England (March 13) Head-to-head: Australia beat Afghanistan by 66 runs in their only meeting in a One Day International at Sharjah on Aug. 25, 2012.

as a criticism of coach Darren Lehmann’s training methods. Australia fast bowler Pat Cummins is set to miss Wednesday’s match with a side strain, his place likely to go to Josh Hazlewood in an attack where Starc, who took six for 28 against New Zealand, is becoming increasingly inﬂuential. Meanwhile all-rounder Shane Watson, under renewed scrutiny after giving his wicket away cheaply in Auckland, coud lose his place if James Faulkner regains full ﬁtness. - AFP CONFIDENT

YOUR BIGGEST ROAD HAZARD IS IN YOUR HAND A TIMES OF OMAN HANDS-FREE DRIVING INITIATIVE

Not scared, says Nabi PERTH: Afghanistan captain Mohammad Nabi has insisted his side are “not scared” of Australia heading into Wednesday’s World Cup clash in Perth. “We are not scared of them, but we respect them because they have good attacking bowlers and qood quality batsmen and ﬁelders as well,” Nabi told reporters at the WACA ground on Tuesday. They don’t come much harder than playing Australia in Perth but Nabi was heartened by the way his side had improved since their lone previous one-day international meeting. Three years ago, Australia beat Afghanistan by 66 runs in Sharjah, a match where Nabi made 46 before being bowled by left-arm quick Mitchell Johnson. “We played against Australia in Sharjah. They scored 272 and we scored 206,” said Nabi. “It was a quite good experience against them. Our team now is better from that time.” Amid much debate about the ICC’s plans to reduce the number of teams taking part at the 2019 World Cup in England to 10, Australia captain Michael Clarke insisted teams such as Afghanistan were worth their place. And Nabi said his side were no longer star-struck when they came up against the world’s best players. — AFP

LIFE & STYLE

SECTION

WWW.TIMESOFOMAN.COM W EDN ES DAY, MAR C H 4 , 2 0 1 5

There has been passionate debate on the Internet over a blue and black dress that to some people — perhaps even the majority — appears white and gold

hat really is the reason behind a discrepancy that has caused such division within households and offices? As a guitarist and singer for folk band Canach, Caitlin McNeill has long dreamed of achieving worldwide fame. But it was a picture of a dress rather than her musical talent has made her a global star — and all because no one could agree on its real colour. Commented on by everyone from celebrities to politician, the unexpected popularity of the photo has left Caitlin reeling. The story began when Caitlin McNeill posted a picture of a dress that was worn to a wedding, but no one appeared to be able to agree on what colour it was. The picture, and debate, went viral. The physical colour of light coming

from an object is made up of two components: the colour of the object and the colour of the light that shines upon it. The combined colour can vary widely. For example, daylight is much redder in the evening than at midday. Most of the time, however, we need to know the colour of the object, not the colour of the illumination — we don’t want to think that fruit is ripe in the evening just because the sun is going down. Our visual system has therefore developed to discount the colour of the illumination. Colour vision in particular works in three main stages. We have receptors in the eye for just three colours, roughly, blue, green and red. We then make comparisons between the colours in a further three ways: red versus green, blue versus yellow (the sum of red and green for lights) and bright versus dark.

These comparisons are made over different times and different points in space. So if we stare at a blue screen for a long time, when we then view a white object it may appear yellow. Similarly, an orange spot will appear red when surrounded by green, and green when surrounded by red. Finally, the colour signals are passed to the visual cortex, where the brain tries to work out the colour of the illumination from all the colours available and then calibrates the colours of the objects according to this illumination colour. This is called colour constancy, and it’s what stops the apparent colours of objects changing during the day. With the blue dress, it’s possible that some people have more blue photo-receptors than other people, or that their

colour contrast system is biased for or against blue. But the most likely explanation is that colour constancy is responsible for the differences of opinion. When the dress occupies most of the image, some people take the blue cloth as their reference for the illumination and so see the dress as white cloth in blue light and the black frills as gold or yellow. Yellow things don’t reﬂect much blue and so ought to look dark in a blue light. People correcting for a blue light will therefore see the dark frills as yellow. But other people may use the background objects as their white reference and so see the dress as a blue garment in a yellowish-white light. These people will see the frills as dark because dark frills remain dark when compared with a white light. — Andrew Schoﬁeld/ The Independent

C10

W EDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 2015

PRAYER TIMINGS

FIND-IT-ALL Y O U R B I R T H D AY

BORN today, you have a complex mind and a vivid imagination, and you are able to visualise almost anything at all, whether real or fanciful, and give it a life of its own deep within your soul. You are an artist in the truest sense, in that you are driven to create, create, create. What separates you from many, however, is the fact that you refuse to succumb to the notion of the “starving artist” or live a life of want just to suffer for your art; on the contrary, you insist that an artist can be quite successful in every sense, and you wield your own creativity in much the same way as a ﬁnancier wields money. You always have your feet on the ground, even when your head is in the clouds. You are willing and able to grapple with many of the great problems in life, and while you may not come up with a satisfactory answer to every question that arises, you are never likely to tire of the search. You are able to see both sides of every issue, which can be a great advantage. Also born on this date are: Antonio Vivaldi, composer; Knute Rockne, football coach; Paula Prentiss, actress; John Garﬁeld, actor; Steven Weber, actor.

W E AT H E R

OMAN

Max

WORLD

Max 6 Min 1

Max 23 Min 11

Max 32 Min 22 Max 11 Min 1

Max 34 Min 20

Max 2 Min 0

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Max 34 Min 17

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Max 27 Min 20

[Feb. 19-March 20]

You may be reunited with someone who brings out the best in you. You will have an opportunity to return the favour before the day is out.

TAURUS [APRIL 20-MAY 20] You have big plans as you wait for things to get started. You may be penalised at some point for something that is entirely unintended.

GEMINI [MAY 21-JUNE 20] You may require assistance with something that is actually quite simple — even routine — but your mind is occupied elsewhere.

CANCER [JUNE 21-JULY 22] You’re likely to become involved in a decision-making process that involves two or three others who challenge you at every turn.

LEO [JULY 23-AUG. 22] You may well get further than expected simply because you’re doing things in the most direct way possible, with no attempts at deception.

VIRGO [AUG. 23-SEPT. 22] You may be able to avoid the ﬁrst major obstacle you encounter, but not the second, which is more complicated by far.

LIBRA L [[SEPT. [S S 23-OCT. 22] You may not be able to continue according to plan, but with a few onthe-spot adjustments, you can score a personal victory.

SCORPIO S [[OCT. 23-NOV. 21] You won’t have to look back to know that someone is looking out for you. Trust is a valuable asset, and it’s very much in play.

SAGITTARIUS S [[NOV. 22-DEC. 21] You don’t have to make a dramatic statement in order to have an impact. Indeed, little things can count the most.

CAPRICORN [DEC. 22-JAN 19] You know what is expected of you, and you know that if your luck holds, you’ll be able to do that and more.

AQUARIUS [JAN. 20-FEB. 18] What you gain may be a mystery to others, but you’ll beneﬁt greatly from something that is meaningful only to you.

6.11pm 6.27am

High tide Low tide

8:47am 3:11am

Max 27 Min 21

Max 22 Min 8

Max 33 Min 22 Max 29 Min 19

—www.met.gov.om

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

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

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

LISTINGS

PHARMACIES Round the clock Al Hashar Pharmacy, Ruwi: 24783334; Appolo Medical Centre, Hamriya: 24782666; Muscat Pharmacy, Ruwi: 24702542, Salalah: 23291635; Atlas Pharmacy, Ghubra: 24503585; Ruwi 24811715 Muscat Region Apollo, Al Hamriya. Tel: 24787766 Muscat, A Seeb Market. Tel: 24421691 Muscat, Al Khuwair. Tel: 24485740 Muscat, Al Hail South. Tel: 24537080 Dhofar Region Muscat, Al Nahdha Road, Salalah. Tel: 23291635 HOSPITALS Al Amal Medical & Health Care Centre: 24485052 Atlas Hospital: Ruwi: 24811743/ Ghubra: 24504000 Al Musaﬁr Specialised Medical Clinic: 24706453 Hatat Polyclinic LLC, Ruwi: 24563641, Azaiba: 24499269, Sohar: 2683006 Al Raffah Hospital: 24618900/1/2 Al Massaraat Clinic & Laboratory: 24566435 Al Makook Medical Coordinance Centre: 24499434 Apollo Medical Centre, Hamriya: 24787766, 24787780 Capital Polyclinic: 24707549 Badr Al Samaa Polyclinic, Ruwi: 24799760/1/2 Capital Clinic, Seeb: 24420740 Ceregem National Raak: 24485633 Dr Harub’s Clinic: 24563217 Elixir Health Centre: 24565802 Emirates Medical Centre: 24604540 1st Chiropractic Centre: 24472274 Hamdan Hospital: 23212340 International Medical Centre LLC: 24794501/2/3/4/5 Kims Oman Hospital: 24760100

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

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

WEDNESDAY

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

[March 21-APRIL 19]

Sunset Sunrise (Tomorrow) 9:09pm 2:38pm

height of 1.25 metres . HORIZONTAL VISIBILITY: Moderate over the northern parts of the Sultanate and good over the rest of the Sultanate, becoming poor during fog formation. THE NEXT 48 HOURS OUTLOOK: Mainly clear skies over most of the Sultanate with chances of late night to early morning low level clouds or shallow fog over parts of the governorates of Dhofar, southern Al-Sharqiya and Al-Wusta. Moderate to rough sea along western coast of the Musandam governorate and the Arabian Sea coasts. Slight increase in the temperature. Advection of high clouds over the northern regions of the Sultanate.

Max 24 Min 16

ARIES

12.24pm 3.45pm 6.16pm 7.26pm 5.12am

AIRLINES

azy conditions in the northern regions of the Sultanate and mainly clear skies over most of the Sultanate with chances of late night to early morning low level clouds or fog patches over governorates of southern Al-Sharqiya and Al-Wusta. EXPECTED WIND: Along Oman Sea coasts wind will be northeasterly light to moderate during day becoming southwesterly light during night, while it will be southerly to southwesterly light to moderate and occasionally fresh along the Arabian Sea and Musandam coasts and northwesterly light to moderate over rest of the Sultanate. SEA STATE: Moderate along the governorate of Musandam western coast and the Arabian Sea coast with a maximum wave height of 2.5 metre and slight along the Oman Sea coasts with a maximum wave

PISCES You have a decision to make, and who you will be tomorrow depends on what you choose now — though neither option is necessarily bad.

Dhuhr Asr Maghrib Isha Fajr (Tomorrow)

24784545, Swiss International Airlines: 24796692, Thai Airways: 24705934, Turkish Airlines: 24703033 MUSEUMS Bait Al Baranda: Corniche (seafront opp ﬁsh market), Open from Saturday to Thursday 9am to 1pm and 4 to 6pm Natural History Museum: Al Khuwair, Tel: 24604957, Open from Saturday to Wednesday: 8am to 1:30pm; Thursday: 9am to 1pm Museum of Omani Heritage: (former Omani Museum), Madinat Al Alam, Sat-Wed 8am to 1:30pm, Thursday 9am to 1pm, Tel: 24600946 Armed Forces Museum: Bait Al Falaj, Tel: 24312651, Open from Sat to Wed: 8am to 1:30pm; Thurs 9-12pm and 3-6pm; Fri 9-11am and 3-6pm. Al Hoota Caves 24498258; Turtle Beach 96550606/96550707 Children’s Science Museum: Shatti Al Qurum, Tel: 24605368, Open from Saturday to Wednesday: 8am to 1:30pm, Thursday: 9am to 1pm Oman-French Museum: near Muscat Police Station, Tel: 24736613, Open from Sat to Wed: 8am to 1:30pm, Thurs: 9am to 1pm Bait Al Zubair, Muscat: Tel: 24736688, Al Saidiya St., Muscat museum@baitalzubairmuseum.com Open from Sat to Thurs: 9:30am to 6pm. National Museum Ruwi: Tel: 24701289, Open from Saturday to Wednesday: 8am to 1:30pm, Thursday: 9am to 1pm Sohar Fort Museum: Tel: 26844758, Open from Saturday to Wed: 8 to 1:30pm Thurs: 9am to 1pm Muscat Gate Museum: at Al Bahri Road, Muscat open from Sat to Wed 8am to 2pm

THURSDAY FLT NO

ARRIVALS FROM

ABU DHABI 0005 CAIRO 0005 RIYADH 0005 JEDDAH 0005 KUWAIT 0010 BANGKOK 0015 SALALAH 0030 SALALAH 0125 LAHORE 0215 ISTANBUL-BAHRAIN 0255 DOHA 0345 DUBAI 0355 BAHRAIN 0405 ABU DHABI 0405 DUBAI 0415 FRANKFURT 0610 BAHRAIN 0640 JEDDAH 0645 ABU DHABI 0650 SALALAH 0655 RIYADH 0700 MALPENSA 0720 JEDDAH 0730 DOHA 0735 KUWAIT 0735 PARIS 0800 DUBAI 0805 BOMBAY 0815 TEHRAN 0815 LONDON HEATHROW 0820 LAHORE 0830 DUBAI 0850 SHARJAH 0915 LAHORE 0920 DELHI 0920 HYDERABAD 0920 COCHIN 0930 DUBAI 0940 MADRAS 0940 BANGALORE 1000 COCHIN 1010 DOHA 1010 ABU DHABI 1015 TRIVANDRUM 1020 TRIVANDRUM 1035 DUQUM OMAN 1035 DUBAI 1110 KHASAB 1115 RAS AL KHAIMA 1120 BAHRAIN 1130 COLOMBO 1140 DUBAI 1200 MALE 1205 CALICUT 1210 SALALAH 1215 LAHORE 1215 MUKHAIZNA 1230 BANGKOK 1305 DUBAI 1330 KARACHI 1355 SALALAH 1445 KHASAB 1445 ABU DHABI 1530 DUBAI 1555 ISLAM ABBAD 1625 MUKHAIZNA 1630 BAHRAIN 1630 TRIVANDRUM 1705 BOMBAY 1710 CALICUT 1720 DELHI 1730 DUBAI 1730 LUCKNOW 1735 JAIPUR 1740 HYDERABAD 1740 DOHA 1745 DOHA 1745 DUBAI 1750 BAHRAIN 1810 KUALA LUMPUR 1910 SHARJAH 1915 MADRAS 1920 KUWAIT 1925 DUBAI 1945 KATHMANDU 2010 DUBAI 2030 JAKARTA 2055 MUNICH 2105 BANGALORE-HYDERABAD 2105 MALE 2110 AMSTERDAM-DOHA 2120 DELHI 2125 DUBAI 2125 BOMBAY 2130 COCHIN 2140 CHITTAGONG 2140 DUBAI 2145 MADRAS 2200 SALALAH 2205 DOHA 2210 BAHRAIN 2240 LONDON HEATHROW-ABU DHABI 2240 ABU DHABI 2250 AMMAN 2255 SALALAH 2305 AHMEDABAD-BOMBAY 2310 DOHA 2315 ZURICH-DUBAI 2320 BOMBAY 2325 FRANKFURT-ABU DHABI 2330 DUBAI 2335 BAHRAIN 2340 SALALAH 2345 DAMMAM 2350

WY406 WY682 WY676 WY636 WY648 WY816 WY910 BG021 WY916 PK225 TK774 QR1132 ET624 EK866 GF560 EY384 PK291 FZ041 MS930 WY114 WY658 WY638 WY902 WY678 WY686 WY412 WY144 WY154 WY674 WY668 WY644 WY602 WY202 WY102 NL768 FZ043 G9114 WY242 WY236 WY226 WY346 WY252 WY212 EK862 QR1128 IX443 EY382 9W530 WY604 WY844 WY918 GF562 WY424 WY372 FZ037 IX337 WY904 WY716 WY324 WY3302 WY818 WY606 BG023 IX817 WY920 WY906 PK229 WY3922 WY632 SV530 FZ045 WY328 WY656 WY204 WY292 WY246 WY3304 WY610 WY264 WY284 WY232 WY274 QR1126 EK864 WY3932 GF564 WY822 G9116 WY254 WY646 TG507 WY434 FZ047 WY664 WY338 WY614 WY124 4H561 KL441 AI973 WY624 6.00E+81 9W534 WY312 WY374 FZ049 AI907 QR1134 WY914 UL205 GF566 BA073 EY388 SG061 WY908 AI985 WY662 LX242 9W540 LH618 WY612 WY654 WY928 WY696 WY717

CAIRO 0005 RIYADH 0005 JEDDAH 0005 ABU DHABI 0005 KUWAIT 0010 BANGKOK 0015 SALALAH 0030 DACCA-CHITTAGONG 0100 SALALAH 0125 KARACHI 0210 ISTANBUL 0215 DOHA 0345 ADDIS ABABA 0350 DUBAI 0355 BAHRAIN 0405 ABU DHABI 0405 ISLAM ABBAD 0410 DUBAI 0415 CAIRO 0430 FRANKFURT 0610 BAHRAIN 0640 ABU DHABI 0650 SALALAH 0655 MEDINA 0700 RIYADH 0700 AMMAN 0705 MALPENSA 0720 ZURICH 0720 JEDDAH 0730 DOHA 0735 KUWAIT 0735 DUBAI 0805 BOMBAY 0815 LONDON HEATHROW 0820 LAHORE 0830 DUBAI 0850 SHARJAH 0915 DELHI 0920 HYDERABAD 0920 COCHIN 0930 ISLAM ABBAD 0930 MADRAS 0940 TRIVANDRUM 0940 DUBAI 0940 DOHA 1010 COCHIN 1010 ABU DHABI 1015 TRIVANDRUM 1035 DUBAI 1110 MANILA 1110 KHASAB 1115 BAHRAIN 1130 BEIRUT 1130 COLOMBO 1140 DUBAI 1200 CALICUT 1210 SALALAH 1215 ZANZIBAR 1225 KARACHI 1230 MUKHAIZNA 1230 BANGKOK 1305 DUBAI 1330 CHITTAGONG 1345 MANGALORE-ABU DHABI 1440 KHASAB 1445 SALALAH 1445 LAHORE 1500 DUQUM OMAN 1520 ABU DHABI 1540 JEDDAH 1550 DUBAI 1555 LAHORE 1600 BAHRAIN 1630 BOMBAY 1710 CALICUT 1720 DELHI 1730 MUKHAIZNA 1730 DUBAI 1730 LUCKNOW 1735 BANGALORE 1740 HYDERABAD 1740 JAIPUR 1740 DOHA 1745 DUBAI 1750 SOHAR 1805 BAHRAIN 1810 KUALA LUMPUR 1910 SHARJAH 1915 MADRAS 1920 KUWAIT 1925 BANGKOK-KARACHI 1935 TEHRAN 1940 DUBAI 1945 DOHA 1955 KATHMANDU 2010 DUBAI 2030 MUNICH 2105 DACCA 2115 AMSTERDAM-DOHA 2120 DELHI 2125 DUBAI 2125 BOMBAY 2130 COCHIN 2140 CHITTAGONG 2140 COLOMBO 2140 DUBAI 2145 MADRAS 2200 DOHA 2210 SALALAH 2215 COLOMBO 2225 BAHRAIN 2240 LONDON HEATHROW-ABU DHABI 2240 ABU DHABI 2250 AHMEDABAD 2300 SALALAH 2305 AHMEDABAD-BOMBAY 2310 DOHA 2315 ZURICH-DUBAI 2320 BOMBAY 2325 FRANKFURT-ABU DHABI 2330 DUBAI 2335 BAHRAIN 2340 SALALAH 2345 DAMMAM 2350 ZANZIBAR-DARESSLAM 2355

FLT NO

DEPARTURES TO

FLT NO

DEPARTURES TO

AI986 BOMBAY LX243 BA072 9W539 LH619 WY685 WY251 WY201 WY225 WY235 WY601 WY341 WY281 WY431 WY241 WY643 WY821 WY657 WY637 WY123 WY371 WY667 WY383 WY901 WY847 PK230 TK777 EK867 FZ042 QR1133 EY385 WY3921 GF561 4H562 WY903 WY603 WY3301 WY917 WY215 WY263 WY323 WY291 WY347 NL769 FZ044 WY385 WY245 WY231 WY843 G9115 WY815 WY273 WY905 WY605 WY203 WY253 WY337 EK863 WY311 EY383 IX554 QR1129 IX442 9W533 WY919 WY655 G9842 GF563 WY631 WY3303 IX350 PA451 FZ038 WY663 WY113 WY101 WY153 WY645 WY927 WY143 WY609 WY405 WY413 WY675 FZ046 WY613 WY913 WY623 QR1127 WY681 WY907 GF565 WY647 WY661 EK865 WY695 WY653 G9117 WY909 WY611 FZ048 WY635 WY915 AI978 FZ050 KL442 WY817 WY411 9W529 6.00E+82 AI908 AI974 WY677 QR1135 GF567 WY673 EY381

AI986 0005 DUBAI-ZURICH 0020 ABU DHABI-LONDON HEATHROW 0025 BOMBAY 0025 ABU DHABI-FRANKFURT 0050 RIYADH 0105 MADRAS 0110 BOMBAY 0120 COCHIN 0125 HYDERABAD 0135 DUBAI 0150 LAHORE 0150 BANGALORE 0150 TEHRAN 0155 DELHI 0155 KUWAIT 0200 KUALA LUMPUR 0205 BAHRAIN 0205 ABU DHABI 0205 MUNICH 0210 COLOMBO 0210 DOHA 0225 MALE 0235 SALALAH 0240 JAKARTA 0245 LAHORE 0315 BAHRAIN-ISTANBUL 0350 DUBAI 0455 DUBAI 0510 DOHA 0520 ABU DHABI 0525 DUQUM OMAN 0740 BAHRAIN 0745 DACCA 0745 SALALAH 0800 DUBAI 0800 MUKHAIZNA 0800 KHASAB 0815 TRIVANDRUM 0845 LUCKNOW 0920 KARACHI 0920 CALICUT 0920 ISLAM ABBAD 0920 LAHORE 0930 DUBAI 0935 MALE 0940 DELHI 0955 HYDERABAD 0955 MANILA 1000 SHARJAH 1005 BANGKOK 1010 JAIPUR 1030 SALALAH 1030 DUBAI 1030 BOMBAY 1030 MADRAS 1040 KATHMANDU 1040 DUBAI 1055 CHITTAGONG 1100 ABU DHABI 1105 TRIVANDRUM 1110 DOHA 1115 COCHIN 1115 COCHIN 1135 KHASAB 1145 BAHRAIN 1210 RAS AL KHAIMA 1210 BAHRAIN 1215 ABU DHABI 1220 MUKHAIZNA 1300 CALICUT 1310 LAHORE 1315 DUBAI 1315 DOHA 1330 FRANKFURT 1400 LONDON HEATHROW 1400 ZURICH 1405 KUWAIT 1405 SALALAH 1415 MALPENSA 1415 DUBAI 1420 CAIRO 1430 AMMAN 1455 JEDDAH 1630 DUBAI 1700 DUBAI 1700 SALALAH 1800 DUBAI 1820 DOHA 1845 RIYADH 1845 SALALAH 1850 BAHRAIN 1855 KUWAIT 1900 DOHA 1900 DUBAI 1905 DAMMAM 1910 BAHRAIN 1920 SHARJAH 2005 SALALAH 2015 DUBAI 2025 DUBAI 2040 ABU DHABI 2040 SALALAH 2110 HYDERABAD-BANGALORE 2200 DUBAI 2225 DOHA-AMSTERDAM 2230 BANGKOK 2235 AMMAN 2240 TRIVANDRUM 2240 BOMBAY 2245 MADRAS 2300 DELHI 2310 MEDINA 2310 DOHA 2320 BAHRAIN 2325 JEDDAH 2350 ABU DHABI 2350

AI986 LX243 BA072 9W539 WY715 LH619 WY685 WY211 WY251 WY423 WY201 WY225 WY235 WY345 WY601 WY241 WY643 WY637 WY657 WY821 WY123 WY371 WY667 WY901 BG022 PK226 TK775 ET625 EK867 FZ042 PK292 QR1133 EY385 MS931 GF561 WY903 WY323 WY603 WY917 WY3301 WY291 WY263 NL769 WY327 FZ044 WY283 WY245 WY231 G9115 WY815 WY273 WY203 WY605 WY905 WY337 WY373 WY253 WY717 EK863 WY311 EY383 IX442 QR1129 9W533 WY919 WY655 GF563 WY3921 WY631 IX350 FZ038 WY3303 WY433 WY113 WY101 WY645 WY927 WY143 WY131 WY609 WY405 BG024 IX818 WY663 WY3931 PK230 WY675 SV531 FZ046 WY613 WY913 WY623 WY681 QR1127 WY907 GF565 WY661 WY647 EK865 WY695 WY653 G9117 WY909 WY611 WY635 FZ048 TG508 WY915 4H561 FZ050 KL442 WY817 9W529 6.00E+82 AI908 WY677 AI974 QR1135 GF567 UL206 EY381 WY673

BOMBAY 0005 DUBAI-ZURICH 0020 ABU DHABI-LONDON HEATHROW 0025 BOMBAY 0025 ZANZIBAR 0040 ABU DHABI-FRANKFURT 0050 RIYADH 0105 TRIVANDRUM 0110 MADRAS 0110 BEIRUT 0115 BOMBAY 0120 COCHIN 0125 HYDERABAD 0135 ISLAM ABBAD 0150 DUBAI 0150 DELHI 0155 KUWAIT 0200 ABU DHABI 0205 BAHRAIN 0205 KUALA LUMPUR 0205 MUNICH 0210 COLOMBO 0210 DOHA 0225 SALALAH 0240 CHITTAGONG-DACCA 0250 KARACHI 0310 ISTANBUL 0315 ADDIS ABABA 0450 DUBAI 0455 DUBAI 0510 ISLAM ABBAD 0510 DOHA 0520 ABU DHABI 0525 CAIRO 0530 BAHRAIN 0745 SALALAH 0800 KARACHI 0800 DUBAI 0800 KHASAB 0815 MUKHAIZNA 0830 CALICUT 0920 LUCKNOW 0920 LAHORE 0930 LAHORE 0930 DUBAI 0935 BANGALORE 0940 DELHI 0955 HYDERABAD 0955 SHARJAH 1005 BANGKOK 1010 JAIPUR 1030 BOMBAY 1030 DUBAI 1030 SALALAH 1030 KATHMANDU 1040 COLOMBO 1040 MADRAS 1040 ZANZIBAR-DARESSLAM 1045 DUBAI 1055 CHITTAGONG 1100 ABU DHABI 1105 COCHIN 1115 DOHA 1115 COCHIN 1135 KHASAB 1145 BAHRAIN 1210 BAHRAIN 1215 DUQUM OMAN 1220 ABU DHABI 1230 CALICUT 1310 DUBAI 1315 MUKHAIZNA 1330 TEHRAN 1330 FRANKFURT 1400 LONDON HEATHROW 1400 KUWAIT 1405 SALALAH 1415 MALPENSA 1415 PARIS 1420 DUBAI 1420 CAIRO 1430 CHITTAGONG 1500 MANGALORE 1530 DOHA 1540 SOHAR 1600 LAHORE 1600 JEDDAH 1630 MEDINA-JEDDAH 1650 DUBAI 1700 DUBAI 1700 SALALAH 1810 DUBAI 1820 RIYADH 1845 DOHA 1845 SALALAH 1850 BAHRAIN 1855 DOHA 1900 KUWAIT 1900 DUBAI 1905 DAMMAM 1910 BAHRAIN 1920 SHARJAH 2005 SALALAH 2015 DUBAI 2025 ABU DHABI 2040 DUBAI 2040 KARACHI-BANGKOK 2040 SALALAH 2110 JEDDAH 2215 DUBAI 2225 DOHA-AMSTERDAM 2230 BANGKOK 2235 TRIVANDRUM 2240 BOMBAY 2245 MADRAS 2300 MEDINA 2310 DELHI 2310 DOHA 2320 BAHRAIN 2325 COLOMBO 2335 ABU DHABI 2350 JEDDAH 2350

FLT NO

ARRIVALS FROM

WY636 WY406 WY682 WY676 WY648 WY816 WY910 WY916 PK229 TK776 QR1132 EK866 GF560 EY384 FZ041 WY114 WY658 4H562 WY638 WY902 WY686 WY144 WY674 WY668 WY644 WY132 WY602 WY202 WY432 WY102 NL768 FZ043 G9114 WY342 WY242 WY236 WY226 EK862 WY252 WY282 IX443 QR1128 EY382 IX549 9W530 WY3922 WY604 WY918 G9841 GF562 WY372 FZ037 WY384 IX337 WY904 PA450 WY3302 WY818 WY606 WY324 WY906 WY920 WY632 FZ045 WY348 WY3304 WY656 WY216 WY204 WY292 WY246 WY610 WY264 WY274 WY232 QR1126 WY664 EK864 GF564 WY822 G9116 WY254 WY646 FZ047 WY338 WY614 WY848 WY124 AI977 WY386 KL441 AI973 WY624 6.00E+81 9W534 WY312 FZ049 AI907 WY914 QR1134 GF566 BA073 EY388 WY414 WY908 AI985 WY662 LX242 9W540 LH618 WY612 WY654 WY928 WY696

ETA

ETD

ETA

ETD

W E D N E S DAY, MAR C H 4, 2 0 1 5

C11

ENTERTAINMENT CINEMA SCHEDULE

BAHJA CINEMA Focus (2D) (Comedy | Crime) (18+) Cast: Will Smith, Margot Robbie 3:00, 7:15, 9:30, 11:45 PM Combustion (2D) (Action) (15+) Cast: Adriana Ugarte, Álex González 11:45 PM Protector 2 (2D) (Action) (15+) Cast: Tony Jaa, RZA, 9:30, 11:30 PM Captain Sabertooth (2D)(Act)(PG12) Cast: Fridtjov Såheim, Tuva Novotny, 3:30, 7:45 PM Black or White (2D) (Drama) (PG12) Cast: Kevin Costner, Octavia Spencer, 5:30 PM Fort Bliss (2D) (Drama/War) (15+) Cast: Michelle Monaghan, 7:15 PM The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water (2D) (Animation) (PG) 1:45 PM Boys of Abu Ghraib (2D) (Dr) (15+) Cast: Luke Moran, Sara Paxton 9:30 PM The Wedding Ringer (2D) (Co) (TBC) Cast: Kevin Hart, Josh Gad,5:15 PM Plan B (2D) (Thriller) (12+) Cast: Khaled El Nabawy, 5:15 PM Kingsman: The Secret Service (2D) (Action | Adventure) (15+) Cast: Colin Firth, Samuel L. Jackson 2:45 PM

Shamitabh - Hindi (Drama) - (PG) Cast: Amitabh Bachchan, Dhanush, Akshara Haasan, 3.45 pm Badlapur – (Action | Drama) – 15+ Cast: Varun Dhawan, Huma ureshi, Yami Gautam 6.45, 9.45 pm

The Protector 2 – 2D (15+) Action Cast: Tony Jaa, RZA, 03:30 , 07:45 , 09:45 , 11:45 PM Fort Bliss – 2D (15+) Drama | War Cast: Michelle Monaghan, Emmanuelle Chriqui, Pablo 05:30 , 11:30 PM Zarafa – 2D (PG) Animation | Family Cast: Max Renaudin Pratt, Simon Abkarian, 2:45 , 05:15 PM Focus– 2D (18+) Comedy | Crime Cast: Will Smith, Margot Robbie 04:15 , 09:45 , 11:45 PM Combustion – 2D (15+) Action Cast: Adriana Ugarte, Álex González 03:15, 06:15 PM Captain Sabertooth and the Treasure of Lama Rama– 2D (PG12) Action | Adventure Cast: Fridtjov Såheim, Tuva Novotny 08:00 , 09:45 PM Serena – 2D (15+) Drama Cast: Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence, Sam Reid ; 3:15 PM Kaaki Sattai – 2D (PG12) Act | Com Cast: Sivakarthikeyan, Sri Divya, Prabhu Ganesan, Imman; 06:45 PM Fireman – 2D (PG) Act | Dr | Cast: Mammootty, Andrea Jeremiah, Salim Kumar; 07:15 PM Youm Malosh Lazma– 2D (12+) (Arb) Comedy

SCREEN 1 Ab Tak Chhappan 2 – Hindi(Act)12+ Cast: Nana Patekar, Gul Panag 3.30, 6.30, 9.30 PM SCREEN 2

The Wedding Ringer (2D)(Com)(15+) Cast: Kevin Hart, Josh Gad, Gold Class: 05:00 PM Focus (2D)(Comedy/Crime) (18+) Cast: Will Smith, Margot Robbie 03:00 PM, 07:15 PM & 09:30 PM Gold Class: 2:45, 9:00 & 11:15 PM

Cast: Noah Taylor, Kodi SmitMcPhee, Jacki Weaver; 5:15 PM Ab Tak Chhappan 2 – 2D (12+) Action | Crime Cast: Nana Patekar, Ashutosh Rana, Gul Panag; 9:30 , 11:35 PM

SCREEN 3

Boys Of Abu Gharib (2D)(War) (15+) Gold Class: 07:00 PM The Protector (2D) (Action) (15+) Cast: Tony Jaa, RZA 03:30 PM & 11:45 PM Combustion (2D)(Act/Adv) (15+) Cast: Adriana Ugarte, Álex González 05:30 PM Zarafa (2D): (Animation) (PG) Cast: Max Renaudin Pratt, 10:30 AM, 12:00 PM & 01:30 PM The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out Of Water (2D) (Animation/Co) (PG) 11:30 AM & 01:30 PM Serana (2D) (Drama) (15+) Cast: Bradley C, Jennifer Lawrence, 05:15 PM Black or White (2D) (Drama) (PG12) Cast: Kevin Costner; 07:15 PM Fort Bliss (2D) (Drama/War) (15+) 09:30 PM Captain Sabertooth (2D)(Act)(PG12) Cast: Fridtjov Såheim 11:45 PM

Badlapur – (Action | Drama) – 15+ Cast: Varun Dhawan, Huma Qureshi, Yami Gautam 3.45 pm Kaaki Sattai – Tamil(Act) – PG12 Cast: Sivakarthikeyan, Prabhu, Sri Divya 6.45, 9.45 PM

The Protector 2 – 2D (15+) Action Cast: Tony Jaa, RZA, 03:45, 05:45, 07:45, 09:45, 11:45PM Focus – 2D (18) Com | Crime Cast: Will Smith, Margot Robbie 03:15, 05:15, 09:30, 11:30PM Dragon Blade – 2D (PG12) Act | Ad Cast: John Cusack, Jackie Chan 07:15, 11:45 PM The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water – 2D (PG) Animation | Cast: Tom Kenny, Antonio Banderas, 03:45, 05:30 PM Fireman – 2D (PG) Act | Thriller Cast: Mammootty, Nyla Usha, Andrea Jeremiah, Salim Kumar, Siddique 07:15, 09:30 PM

Dragon Blade ( Act / Adv ) (PG12) Cast : John Cusack, Jackie Chan 7:00 PM The Protector 2 ( Action) (15+) Cast : Tony Jaa, RZA, 5:00, 11:15 PM

Focus ( Comedy / Crime ) (18+) Cast : Will Smith, Margot Robbie, Rodrigo Santoro 5:00, 7:00, 9:15 PM Fireman (Malayalam – Act(PG) Cast : Mammootty, Nyla Usha, Andrea Jeremiah, Salim Kumar, Siddique 11:15PM American Heist (Action) (15+) Cast: Adrien Brody,Hayden Christensen, 09:15 PM

Focus (2D) (18+) (Com| Crime) Cast: Will Smith, Margot Robbie, 11:00 AM /5:00/ 9:00/11:15 PM Dragon Blade (2D/PG12) (Act | Adv) Cast: John Cusack, Jackie Chan 1:00/4:30 PM Combustion (2D/15+) (Action) Cast: Adriana Ugarte, Álex 5:30/11:45 PM The Protector 2 (2D/15+) (Action) Cast: Tony Jaa, RZA, 11:30 AM/2:30/7:00/9:30 /11:30 Zarafa (2D/PG) (Animation) Cast: Max Renaudin Pratt, Simon Abkarian, 11:30AM/1:00/3:15 PM Captain Sabertooth and the Treasure of Lama Rama (2D/PG) (Action | Adventure Comedy) 1:30 /3:30 PM Fireman (2D/PG) (Act | Drama ) 9:30 PM Kaaki Sattai (2D/PG12) (Act | Co) Cast: Sivakarthikeyan, Prabhu Ganesan, Imman; 6:45 PM Youm Maloush Lazmah(2D)(12+) (Comedy) Cast: Noah Taylor, Jacki Weaver 7:15 PM

FOCUS ( Comedy ) ( 18+ ) Cast: Will Smith, Margot Robbie 2.00, 6.00, 10.00 & 11.55 pm; CP No: 559 FORT BLISS : (Drama ) Cast: Michelle Monaghan, 10.00 pm; CP No: 560 ( 15+ ) COMBUSTION ( Action ) Cast: Adriana Ugarte, Alex Gozales 4.00 & 8.00 pm; CP No: 562 (15+) SERENA ( Drama ) Cast: Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence, Sam Reid 2.00, 5.45 pm; CP No: 558 (15+) THE SPONGEBOB MOVIE: SPONGE OUT OF WATER : ( PG ) (Animation ) 4.00 pm; CP No: 474 DRAGON BLADE: ( Action ) Cast: Jackie Chan,John Cusack 7.45 pm; CP No: 473 ( PG 12 ) AMERICAN HEIST : (Action ) Cast: Andrien Brody,Hyden Christensen, 11.55 PM

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

STARS CINEMA Film information 24791641 / 24786776 Fire Man (Mal ) (Act/ Thriller ) Cast: Mammootty,Unni Mukundan & Nyla Usha 3:30 & 9:30 pm at Cinema Main 6:45pm at Cinema -3 Kakki Sattai (Tamil) (Com/Rom ) Cast: Shiva Karthikeyan, Sri Diya; 3:45 & 9:45 at Cinema -3 6:30pm at Cinema Main Temper -Telugu (Act) 3:30, 6:30 & 9:30pm at Cinema 2 Badlapur (Hindi) (Act) Cast: Varun Dhawan, Yami Gauthami 3:45, 9:45pm at Cinema 4 Yennai Arindhaal(Tamil)(Act) Cast: Ajit Kumar,Trisha, Anushka Shetty, 6:45 pm at Cinema- 4

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

ACES ON BRIDGE

Entries can affect the play in a suit

SUDOKU

6 9

2 4 8 5 7 3 7 6 1 2

9 8 5 6 9

8 9 7 6

7 4 2 5 3

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

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

MARMADUKE

CROSSWORD

B I G NAT E

51 52 53 54 55

discovery Big bell or big rat Please Trampled Build, slangily Opposite of post-

DOWN 1 — of luxury 2 Hoofbeat 3 Lox locale 4 Fridge maker 5 Marsupial pockets 6 Muscle for pushups 7 Less trusting 8 Czar name 9 Calls at Wimbledon 10 Bird abode 12 Terra — 17 Language of Pakistan 19 Above, to poets 22 Dinghy’s need 23 It has long arms 24 Not stringent 25 Explosive letters 26 Sprawl 27 Recede

28 29 31 34 35 36 37 39

Luau welcome Mil. noncom Roadie’s gear Completely wrecked The avenging Mrs. Peel Giants hero of yore Cloudbursts Overturn

40 Foolish 41 Qatar ruler 42 Orchid-loving Wolfe 43 Ersatz butter 44 Sudden ouster 45 Mingle 47 Consumer protection org. 49 Paris season

BORN LOSER

Answer to previous puzzle

ACROSS 1 Kind of PC screen 4 Deadly snake 7 Become limp 11 Obi-Wan portrayer 13 Ginnie or Fannie 14 Maintain 15 Game with mallets 16 Right on the money 18 Mountain climbing gear 20 Dishwasher cycle 21 Leaves in a bag 22 Sonnet kin 23 Wedding site 26 Prizes in early Olympics 30 Prospect for gold 31 Melody 32 Beseech 33 Drastic 36 Moon track 38 Ballpark ﬁgure 39 Tony-winner — Hagen 40 Jeans fabric 43 Branch of physics 46 Willing 48 Quick letter 50 Caveman

CHARUNIVETHA.C.S March 5, 2011

VANSH JETHAN1 March 5

ARJUN MENON March 3, 2009

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

Previous puzzle Solution

SUE Gardner, a Canadian journalist who used to be the executive director of the Wikimedia Foundation, said, “It’s a funny habit to write encyclopedia entries. It’s not a mass taste.” Good bridge players have the funny habit of watching entries. Sometimes, though, the number of entries that you have in, say, the dummy, may affect not only your line of play but also the right way to handle a suit combination. In today’s deal, South is in three no-trump, and West leads the club queen. How should declarer plan the play? In particular, how should he handle the heart suit? And would his method vary if he had a second dummy entry? South, with no time or entries to work on diamonds, should try to take these nine tricks — three spades, three hearts, one diamond and two clubs. But how should he go after those heart winners? If declarer had sufficient dummy entries, he would play a heart to his ace and a heart back to dummy’s queen. The chance of success would be just over 22 per cent. Here, though, that will not work, due to a lack of a second dummy entry. Instead, South should hope that East has king-singleton or -doubleton in hearts, which, of course, is even less likely at just more than 9 per cent. At trick two, declarer leads the heart eight (or nine) from the dummy and, unless covered, runs it. With his layout, West takes the trick with his 10 and perseveres in clubs. South wins with his king, cashes the heart ace to drop the king, and plays a heart to dummy’s nine (or eight). Yes, very lucky, but many would not take advantage of the good fortune. — By Phillip Alder

WITH LOVE

6 8 3 2

2 3 8 1

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

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

C12

W EDN ESDAY, MARCH 4, 2015

EXTRA DRIVE SLOWER LIVE LONGER

Celebrating motherhood at Milan Fashion Week The designer clothing Dolce and Gabbana saluted women around the world at the fall/ winter 2015 show, which featured babies, children and a pregnant model

t isn’t Mothering Sunday until May in Italy — at least, not officially. But Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana care naught for that kind of stuff. The Sunday of every Milanese womenswear week is traditionally Dolce day, but this time they made it mother’s day, too. “Viva la Mamma” they called their show — in English, it translates oddly to “Hurray for Mum” — less Italian romance, more the post-war jolly hockey sticks Enid Blyton school of British children’s literature. The helm of Dolce and Gabbana’s catwalk has been littered with human props for the past couple of seasons — this time, a group of D&G-clad mothers clutched their listless children. It looked a bit like a paediatrician’s waiting room. Despite all the mamma stuff, I doubt Dolce and Gabbana had anything like ticking biological clocks on their mind when designing this collection. They just saw their mammas as another unmistakable symbol of Italy — 79 per cent of the country’s young adults (18-29) still reside at home, the highest percentage in Europe. Viva la Mamma is also the title of a song by Neopolitan crooner Edoardo Bennato. Dolce and Gabbana translated it into fourteen languages, and presented it

as their press notes. Referencing postwar beauty queens and ﬁfties-styles, it was almost a blueprint for their collection. These clothes, clutching at the waist and oomphing out the breasts and hips in a fecund hourglass shape, reminded me of that era, of the styles that Christian Dior turned the world on to, convincing them they looked new. In actual fact, sociologists have analysed that, in part, it was reactionary, reinforcing women’s

roles as mother and ideologically banishing women from the working roles they adopted during the Second World War. Again, I doubt Dolce and Gabbana were thinking philosophical thoughts about the duality of modern women’s roles. Leave that sort of thinking to Miuccia Prada. They just ran with the visual of Big Mamma Italiano, (the model Bianca Balti, heavily pregnant, was the only exception to their waist-whittled rule). Were there any trousers? I didn’t spot a single pair. The celebration of souped-up, Italian womanhood was, actually, business as usual in the standard Dolce mould. It almost could be a mould, turned out as it is in different materials each season. The suits and dresses were studded with glitzy, Schiaparelli-ish buttons

this time, a couple of inside-out fur coats, like your mamma’s tattered mink requisitioned. A few evening dresses were decorated with the children’s scribbles — houses, families — that cropped up on the invite too. The latter were apparently the designers’ own, from their childhood. They reminded me of the embroideries across Angelina Jolie’s wedding dress. The photographic prints, standardly splashed on shifts, were for this round of Madonna and child, sometimes graffitied with a beaded word, say “Amore,” like a defaced Tuscan altarpiece. Roses clambering across bodies recalled mother’s day bouquets, or maybe the ﬂoral-festooned “Mother” tattoos inked on many a bicep in slightly dodgy homage. Perhaps that’s looking too deep. -Alexander Fury/The Independent

BRIEFS

Shun anxiety and enjoy life to its fullest DO YOU think that a minor tiff with your girlfriend can spoil your relationship forever or the arrival of a new boss at the workplace is threat to your career? Chill out now else you will end up making bad decisions amid uncertainty. According to new research, anxious people have more trouble deciding how best to handle life’s uncertainties and may even catastrophise minor issues. In gauging people’s response to unpredictability, scientists at the University of California-Berkeley and the University of Oxford found that people prone to high anxiety have a tougher time reading the environmental cues that could help them avoid a bad outcome.

Watching sad movies can make you fat LOVE WATCHING sad movies? Check out your weight. According to an interesting study, movie-goers watching tearjerkers ate more popcorn in various settings. According to the ﬁndings, movie goers ate 28 percent more popcorn when watching the tragedy Love Story than when watching the comedy Sweet Home Alabama in a lab setting. After weighing discarded popcorn and counting popcorn boxes, researchers found that moviegoers who bought popcorn and watched a sad movie Solaris ate an average of 55 per cent more popcorn than those watching the more upbeat movie My Big Fat Greek Wedding in a theatre.

Facebook addiction can lead to depression CHECKING Facebook to see what your friends are doing could drive you to depression, a new study warns. The study found that heavy Facebook users might experience envy, which can lead to extreme sadness. The researchers surveyed 736 college students and found that if one quietly stalks their friends on Facebook and then realise that their life doesn’t measure up to others. “If Facebook is used to see how well an acquaintance is doing ﬁnancially, his relationship — things that cause envy — use of the site can lead to feelings of depression,” said Margaret Duffy, professor at the University of Missouri School of Journalism. -IANS

W W W.T I M E S O F O M A N . C O M W E D N E S DAY, M A R C H 4 , 2 0 1 5

SECTION

CONNEC T H E D A I LY G U I D E

RENT

VACANCY

CARGO

*Classiﬁed Advertisement space booking with text, should be done till 12.00 noon for next day’s publication. * Subject to space availability

W E D N E S DAY, M A R C H 4 , 2 0 1 5

DAILY GUIDE

Email: dailyguide@timesofoman.com classiﬁeds@timesofoman.com Tel.: 24726666 Ext: 413 / 430 /431 / 456 / 461

FOR RENT

OFFICES FOR RENT Premium offices to let a very good location on the main road very close to Zakher Mall, Al Khawiar. Business Center has offices with sizes of 50m2, 110m2, 180m2, 207m2, 230m2, 437m2. Showroom also available at Business Center, Area 500m2 with central A/c. Offices with Central Air-conditions, Security System with CCTV cameras, and Security presence in the building.

Contact: 97377355 / 97307476, Email id: aaleem@ggcoman.com

Fully furnished 1 bedroom penthouse Wadi Kabir behind Sana Hassan, monthly RO 300/-. Contact 99349990 Villa for rent with 4 bedroom at Al Khodh, Rent 750/-RO. Contact 92888115

2BHK /1BHK Commercial & residential ﬂat at Honda road. Contact 98087644

We have all kind of crockery items for rent. Items include: tables, buffet tables, chair, buffet, plates, glasses, spoons, table clothes, carpets. Call 97180999

Prime location Showroom in Qurum Available for Rent. Main roan facing. Please contact: 92944717 Well maintained 2BHK, with split A/C’s and basement parking, near KM Hypermarket, Al Khuwair is available from 01.04.2015. Rent OMR 375 pm. Contact 96181229 Shop for rent Honda road. Contact 95204636 Fully furnished flat one bed room hall and kitchen for sharing. Opp. Star Cinema Ruwi. Contact 99324543 Flat in Wadi Al Kabir, 2BHK. Contact 95099787 1& 2BHK at Honda road Ruwi. Contact 99224748/ 99332297 For rent in a quite area in South Mabela commercial services, kids area, near the Masjid close to Al Noor round about, spacious apartment separate entrance. Contact 99766760 Qurum Flat in front Qurum park Fahud Road have 3 Bedroom +sitting room +Family hall +3 toilets +kitchen with AC For 500 Rials. Contact 95999904 Ghubra north Flat in front of Al Maha hotel have 2 Bedroom +Family hall +3 toilets +kitchen +balcony with AC For 350 Rials. Contact 95999904 New Villa in Baushar Officers heights have 5 Bedrooms +sitting room +Dinning +6 toilets +kitchen +maid room With AC & parking,Rent 700 Rials. Contact 95999904 Half Villa in Ghubra North in front of Indian school first floor have 3 Bedroom +Sitting room +family hall +3 toilets +kitchen +balcony with AC for 450 Rials. Contact 95999904 Al. Khuwair 33 Flat near Taimur Mosque have 2 Bedroom +Sitting room +dinning +2 toilets +kitchen +balcony with AC for 375 Rials. Contact 95999904 Furnished room available on Seeb share with small family for couple working ladies. Contact 96996938 1 Bedroom attached toilet Al Khuwair area only for ladies or husband and wife without children. Contact 9:00 pm to 7:00 am 95765719

Commercial Building in Al Khodh, 35 Apartments and shops. Contact 95202340 2 BHK Flat, 3 Bath with Spacious Balcony in Al Ghobrah Behind Oxy / Bahwan Residency Area. Ready for Immediate Occupancy. RO 420/PM. Contact: 92193885 / 94045125 Full furniture for rent for family. Contact 99251975 Showroom, 1BHK, 2BHK, Al – Azaiba North behind Al - Fair. Contact 99565364 / 95497323 Industrial /commercial shops at Wadi Kabir 4 x 5.6 x 4.6 MTR height. Showroom with mezzanine & office at Al Noor Street near Switz bakery & Al Masa hall corner building all on roads & parkings in front of shops & show room. Contact 99065900 or 99354975 Flats shops and store for rent in Ruwi, Honda road, Rex Road. Contact 95902218/ 92433127 / 97293708 Room with A.C Al Khuwair R.O 110/-. Contact 97799175

We have commercial villa in Al Khuwair 33 New villa 2 ﬂoor bedroom, with lift very nice location, ideal for big company. Contact 93782735 We have 150 sqm office in Ghubra main road prime location Glass partition ready with 2 toilets & pantry, ideal for office. Contact 93782735 2BHK with split A/C in W.K behind Sana furnishing. Contact 96708000 For rent from owner directly 4 nos of luxurious spacious 3 BHK plus big family hall apartments, 1 no of luxury spacious 2 BHK plus big family hall apartment in al Khoudh 6 close to Sultan Qaboos university, next to shopping area and has easy access to express highway. Contact: 99436348/97600322 Al.Khuwair studio behind platinum hotel rent 130/-R.O PDC. Contact 99879939

We have brand new villa in ANSAB, for rent 4 bedroom, sitting hall, majlis, dining hall, maid room laundry room covered car parking. Contact 93782735

Flat at Darsait. Contact 99326879

We have 2BHK, 3BHK, ﬂats, office & 4 BHK villas available for rent at Ghubra, Ghala, Ruwi , Mabela7 and Darsait. Contact 93329476

Spacious 2 BHK ﬂats in Ruwi MBD area only on 350/- OMR.Contact – 95122188 / 96441499

4 BHK Wadi Kabeer near Lulu Hypermarket. Contact 97007934 / 92629232 Flats in Mumtaz 2 bedrooms sitting room, kitchen, toilet, Way no 3352 building no 3447 & 3668 . Contact 98003444 Flat at Athaiba near Al fair, 3BHK living room, 3bath rooms, split ac for family only 430/- R.O Ground ﬂoor. Contact 92479515 2BHK in Muttrah near Oman house with split ac. Contact 97007934 / 92629232

5BHK Semi furnished villa, Qurum 29.R.O 950/-. Contact 97799175

AL Khuwair behind platinum hotel 4 BHK, 3bathrrom, sitting dinning split AC. Contact 99879939

1BHK ﬂats at Muttrah. Contact 93231403

2& 3 BHK Darsait near I.S. M School. Contact 99024730

Single room with A/C having separate entrance for non –cooking Indian Executive, near Rawasco, Al Khuwair rent 130/- including (W& E). Contact 92888691/95397442/97201100

2& 3 BHK Darsait near I.S.D school new, with A/C. Contact 99024730

Furnished room with AC for expatriate in Al Khuwair. Contact 99689315

1& 2 BHK Wadi Kabir. Contact 99024730

Villas & ﬂats at Ansab. Contact 98458542

Deluxe 3 bedroom apartment for rent in Mumtaz area for more information. Contact 99336263 Flat Wadi AL Kabeer, 2BHK, sitting room, 3 bathroom balcony split /AC 300/- R.O Contact 99324402 1,000 sq mtrs industrial land in Misfah Industrial area near to Khan co. OMR 1,500 Monthly. Electricity and boundary wall will be provided. Tel: 99333479 or 95215360 1,000 sq mtrs industrial land in Misfah Industrial area near to Khan co. OMR 1,500 Monthly. It has Electricity and boundary wall. Tel: 99333479 or 95215360

3BR top class ﬁtting ﬂat ideal for top executives Mumtaz area, Ruwi. Contact 91287824

Attached single bedroom with A/C at Al Khuwair for Exe - bachelors. Contact 99636550

2BHK Al Hail North near main road. Contact 99330385

85 SQM shops in Ruwi only on 350/- OMR. Contact – 95122188 / 96441499

Beautiful office space available in Ruwi MBD area only on 2/- OMR per sqm.Contact – 95122188 / 96441499 Studio commercial / Darsait, RO 200/-. Contact 92144045 1,2,3 BHK Flats & villas. Contact 92144045 2BHK flat in Muttrah for rent (R.O 290/-) immediate occupancy. Contact 99321580 New flats Wadi Kabeer 1BHK, hall, kitchen, bathroom with split a/c for family only 250/- R.O. Contact 92479515 2BHK with A.C Darsait R.O 300/-. Contact 92144045 2BHK Wadi Kabeer R.O 300/-. Contact 92144045 4 & 5 Bhk Villa for Rent in Qurum. Contact 99792181 Flat at Athaiba near Horizon Gym, first floor 3BHK, hall living room, 3bathrooms split ac 550/- R.O family only. Contact 92479515

Prim location, nice finishing villa for RENT. 2 big bedrooms . Main large sitting room. Small maid room. Kitchen and 3 bathrooms. At Alkhuwair. near Holiday Inn & Oman Club. 99426662, PDC only. For families & college girls. 2 B/R Luxury Fully Furnished @ AZAIBA. 2 B/R Luxury Fully Furnished @ Al Khuwair 33. 1 B/R Luxury Fully Furnished @ Al Khuwair. 5 B/R Fully Furnished villa @ Madinat Al Ilam. 3 B/R Furnished flat at Al Khuwair 25. Available for Daily, Weekly and Yearly Lease Contract. Contact: Atlas Real Estate & Rent A Car LLC. 99249069 / 93201688/92888376, Email: info@alshahiintl.com Flats and shops. Contact 93009999 2BHK apartment fro at Qurum near PDO, Gate 2. Contact 94057023 1 / 3 BHK Flat Ghobrah, close to ISG Way 4041, building 4390. Contact 99319880 Villa Al Khuwair, 8 bedroom, 7 bathroom, 3kittchen. 950/-. Contact 99358589/ 5121126/95570288 6 bedroom villa for rent at Al Mawalah near City Center Seeb. Contact 99654252 2BHK flat Al Khuwair with split A/C. 350/- Contact 95121126/99358589/97079146 1BHK flat available at Darsait near medical. Contact 24705742/24705639 Family flats and villas at Ansab. Contact 98458542 Villa OPP Grand Mall 2 living room, 2 hall + 3 rooms, kitchen & maid room with AC. Contact 99738881

1BHK near Oman house behind Khimji, HO. Contact 95865686

Villa with 6 rooms + 2hall, Majlis, 7 toilets, studio in Shatti Al Qurum 2500/- R.O. Contact + (968) 99738881

1 & 2 Bhk Flat in Ruwi. Contact 99792181

Sharing room available near Oman house – Muttrah. Contact 99467054

2 BHK ﬂat in bowsher. Contact 99792181

Labour Camp for Rent in Wadi Kabir. Contact 99792181

Flats/villas owned by ROP pension fund available for rent in Muscat. Contact 99349526

1BHK available Ghobrah near Al Maha International Hotel. Contact 99269751

1BHK new bldg with A/C curtains, near Khimji Mart MBD. Contact 99061408 / 99024039

1BHK Al Falaj R.O 200/-. Contact 92144045

Industrial Land in Misfah. Contact 93009999

Deluxe 1 bedroom ﬂat, ideal for ofﬁce / residence at Qurum near PDO. Contact: 97721313 / 95070421

Studio with A/C Darsait R.O 200/-. Contact 92144045

1 & 2 bhk ﬂat in Alkhuwair. Contact 99792181

If require ﬂats for rent in Wadi Kabir please send messages through Whatsapp or call – 99376454

1BHK ﬂat Wadi Kabir, 250 RO split AC & maintenance. Contact- 95439351

1 bedroom attached toilet in Al Khuwair bachelors / family R.O 140/- . Contact 95154331

1000 sq mtrs industrial land for rent in Ghala suitable for Ware house workshop. Contact 24700120 / 92584715

1B/R available for Bachelors in REX ROAD, Ruwi. Contact 99889590

W E D N E S DAY, M A R C H 4 , 2 0 1 5

DAILY GUIDE

FOR SALE Commercial kitchen equipment for sale. cont; 99024519 Brand new highly ﬁnished luxury twin villa for sale in Mawaleh Phase -1 land area for each villa 300,00 m2 builtup area for each villa 433.50 sqm both villas with separate krooki. Contact 99164959

FOR SALE 5 Flats of 1 bedroom for Sale in Boushar: OMR 35 Thousand each. Monthly income OMR 270 Tel: 99333479 or 95215360 Supermarket shelving and tube light ﬁtting. Contact 99386170 Well running multi – cuisine restaurant in AL Khuwair for sale only serious buyers May. Contact 98519517 Clinic For Sale One Established new Clinic in Muscat, with Valid License & Clearance, for sale ASAP interested Parties can contact 91283188 or send your inquiries to mohamedsfarah@hotmail.com A Reputed & proﬁtable restaurant located strategically in Mabela in industrial state road no 6 is available for immediate sale interested parties may. Contact Mr. .Faisal Khan at phone 99059013 for details & visit. 2 Prime Movers Man 2008 with 40 ton petrol tank each working at the moment in Al Maha. Price OMR 35 Thousand each. Tel: 97000155 or 92688692 23,886 Sq Mtrs Agriculture land with water well in Al Salwa, Barka. OMR 260 Thousand. Tel: 99333479 or 95215360 Barbar shop in Al Khuwair good running business, location : near Al Akhtham Restaurant. Contact +968- 99616650

M.V. FOR SALE

3 floor building in Muttrah behind Police. Generating income of OMR 18 Thousand annually. Neat and well maintained. Built on 197 sq mtrs land. 2 tailor shops on ground floor and 6 flats. OMR 207 Thousand. Tel: 99333479 or 95215360 Want Company engaged in selling food to sell coolers non repairable (scrap) quantity: 192 pieces. Contact 93650084 Offices: 24614874 Dental Clinic with license for sale in Sohar. Contact 92816015 Steel fabrication work shop for sale, 1500 sqm ready for use with all equipment . serious buyers. Location: Falaj Al Ouhi . Ind Area. Contact: +971558662772 /95179637 Commercial registration with excellent name Grade A for business software for sale. Contact 92959251 Shop for sale prime location at Al Khoud Souq Tejari. Contact 99083308 Running super market & coffee shop for sale in Muscat. Contact 93471848 A well running coffee shop with 4 clearance for sale at Wadi Kabir Sanayya. Brokers also. Contact 94159356 Port cabins – New & refurnished Porta cabin for sale and rent. Contact 96723468 Shop for sale at Ruwi. Contact 99103077

ACC. AVAILABLE Furnished rooms for Indian bachelor in Al Falaj Ruwi & lady in Wadi Kabir. Contact 95941515.

Room with attached bathroom, separate entrance available near Al Nahdha. Contact 92337075 /96987553

Toyota Camry white 2011 km -51000 R.O 4800/-. Contact 99561562

Room available at Honda road. Contact 99366591

Sharing accommodation available in Al Khoudh. Contact 98292798

Prado 2009. Contact 99336093

Gubrah furnished room, attached bath dish TV, WIFI, kitchen available for Executive single person, couple. Contact 99658689

Single room MBD Ruwi. Contact 95698714

Mazda 323 2001 model. Contact 92582523

Room in CBD area for non cooking Executive bachelors free WIFI, Advance deposit. Contact 95934642 Separate room with toilet available at Ruwi near Badar Al Sama hospital. Contact after 5 pm 99504291 Furnished single room with attached bathroom and split A/C available for executive bachelors opposite Mars hyper market Barka. Contact 92973534 Single room, separate bathroom for working girls/couple behind Al Nahdha hospital. Contact 95871148 (after 4 pm) Room for executive bachelors (no Kitchen) including W/E. 125 RO. Contact 98949724

Bachelor Accommodation Available in Bausher area with Free Wi-Fi, Split AC & Bed, Car parking, close to Spar Express. 80 Rials only. Contact: JP 94267848 / Ahmed - 98333093 3 Bedrooms ﬂat in Al Hail- 92817777 Sharing bed room with ac near Hamriya R about main road Ruwi. Contact 93677898. Furnished 1 bed room available near Indian School, Seeb for small family. Contact 91354846 Ro-130, big room in Darsait for family / ladies with Kerala family. Contact 95323562 Single room with attached bathroom, kitchen near Muscat Palace family or bachelor OMR 90/-. Contact 95094028

Car sale Land Rover L.R 3 & model 2008 K.M 140000, company maintenance. Single person Use (doctor). Contact 99372860 Trucks & cars for sale quantity: 16 vehicles. Contact 96724225 / 99513419 office: 24614949

ACC. AVAILABLE Furnished room with attached bath for non-cooking bachelor in Ruwi, R.O 150/-. Contact 92478852 Flats in Darsait of 1 room, hall, 2 toilets and kitchen. Contact 99357586 / 97500025 Single furnished room in Ruwi. Contact 24833609 Rooms for bachelors with A/C bed near CBD/ ONTC, Ruwi R.O 100/-. Contact 96585123 Sharing family ﬂat near Indian School Wadi Kabir. Contact 99335057 Independent rooms in Qurum/Al Hail. Contact 95529970

Accommodation available for South Indian family, one bedroom with attached toilet, kitchen, hall in a villa, Al Ghubrah. Contact 99209160 Room for SRI LANKAN Executive at Al Khuwair. Tel 96536307 Fully furnished at W. Kabir. Contact 99325387

ACC. WANTED Wanted a 2 bedroom ﬂat in around Ruwi area. Gsm 99761216

W E D N E S DAY, M A R C H 4 , 2 0 1 5 Email: dailyguide@timesofoman.com classiﬁeds@timesofoman.com Tel.: 24726666 Ext: 413 / 430 /431 / 456 / 461

DAILY GUIDE SITUATION SITUATION WANTED VACANT

SITUATION WANTED TOURS Sales Manager for luxury yacht in Muscat. Experience in Oman market preferred. Email cv and photo: alibadawy@gmail.com. Temporary boatman wanted for month of April and May 2015. Contact 99466062

SITUATION WANTSIT. WANTED ED ACCOUNT. & FINANCE MBA finance graduate Indian male on visit visa one year’s internship experience in financing/marketing looking suitable marketing /finance position. Contact 95394938 safeer. buzz@gmail.com Internal Auditor MBA (fin) Indian male having 8 years Oman experience with valid Omani D/L & Noc available. Contact 92274373 E mail: willy316@gmail.com Part Time Accounting, Accounts Finalization, Audit Preparation, Internal Audit, Onsite Tally Training, Inventory Management Contact : 96975454, email : ibfcoman@hotmail.com Indian male 22 yrs B. Com Graduate 1 year exp in Accounts, currently on visit visa. Looking for suitable job. Contact – 94341848 / Email – mohdhaji7272@gmail.com Indian M.Com Finance exp 1 year now in visiting visa. Contact 96970734

DRAUGHTSMAN

ENGI./ELECT./TECH..

SALES / MARKETING

Urgently required, AutoCAD Draughts man with knowledge of interior design. Minimum 1-2 years experience. Interested candidate may please send CV to fax: 24694998 Email: fareedadesign@gmail.com

Leading metal fabrication group requires Sales Engineer, minimum 2 yrs exp. with valid Oman D/L. Contact: hr@khancogroup. com 99102383

Urgently IT Marketing Eng. 2 years experience in Oman. Driving License. Email - darr_al_maan@yahoo.com GSM 99058770

DRIVER Looking for a House Driver with at least 3 years experience. Contact : 92807807 Requires Indian Light Duty driver for a Omani family. Visa will be provided. Contact 95225662

Civil Engineer (1 No.) , Electrical Engineer (1No) 5- 10 years experience with Omani driving license. Contact 99222137

IT Urgently required Omani IT software professional ﬂuent in Arabic and English with 2 years experience Email: mhca@mhabibgroup. com fax: 24564459

Wanted driver. Contact 95112461 Required a private driver from India. Contact 92345861

BEAUTICIAN Urgently requited Indian experience Beautician in location Al Hail near Al Khamis Shop. Visa available Good salary + food + accommodation. Contact 92284899/ 92139922

DOMESTIC HELPER Wanted urgently an Indian House Driver and a Part Time cook for an Omani family. Kindly send your cv to alraid@alraidgroup.com or contact on 24567070 Require House maid in Mabela. Contact. 95200180

ENGI./ELECT./TECH.. A Fast Growing Construction Company Requires, Site Engineer (1no) (Diploma)- 3 to 5 yrs Oman exp, Civil Foreman (1no) 6 to 8 yrs Oman Exp, Light duty Expatriate Driver (1no), Omani Driver (3Ton) - 1no. Those are having Oman driving license & NOC / Release can apply Contact # 96920919 and send your CV to builtinsharp@gmail.com A/C Mechanic, Electrician plumber, computer hardware etc. Contact 99447257 / 97014234 mansur75@hotmail.co.uk A leading MEP Contracting Company urgently requires the following with minimum 3-4 yrs experience. 1) HVAC Estimation Engineer. Those who are interested may contact on 99221471, Email : Kevin@airmechoman.com , fax 24447061

IT Sales Executive GCC Experience - 2+ Years Valid Driving license Graduate in IT With MBA or Marketing back ground in IT ﬁeld. E mail : towershr70@gmail.com, info@towersinternationalgroups.com Required IT Technician for computer shop. Send your CV at khalid@rayyancomputer.com

MISCELLANEOUS Required tailor, barber. #96964767

MEDICAL Urgently required a female nurse with MOH license to work permanent or leave vacancy for a reputed clinic. Salary Negotiable. Contact 94618483 Urgently required Pharmacist. Contact 94200385/ 95206905/ 97433142 Email: anitho@gmail. com Hala Medical Center, Sinaw require G.P, Gynecologist, Pediatrician, Staff Nurse, Lab Technician Radiographer & Lady Receptionist. Contact 99795113 Email: halamedicalgroup@gmail.com Required Nurse for a clinic in Al Buraimi, S. of Oman. Contact 00968 92737149. Send CV to drpkabbas@yahoo.co.in Wanted Doctor with or without MOH license for a Polyclinic. Excellent salary with accommodation and commission. Contact: 97091664. Email: mmcmuscat@gmail.com

SALES / MARKETING

Wanted Civil Engineer, Email: almoosaengineering@gmail.com

Urgently required an excellent grade construction ﬁrm based in Muscat has immediate vacancy for Marketing Executive minimum 5 years experience with D/L. Email your CV to info@omannc.com

Required Sales Engineer for the sale of building Material, with 3-5 years experience in Oman, holding a valid Omani driving license. Qualiﬁed candidates mail in your CV to migc.vacancies@gmail.com

Sohar based manufacturing company is looking for an experienced Young Sales Person with MBA qualiﬁcation. Only candidates with immediate local release & D/L need apply. Email CV to – edelweissprasad@rediffmail.com.

Required Salesman. Contact 96964767 Wanted part time Marketing Executive to sell beautiful property project to NRI’s. Attractive terms offered. Contact 97445835 Our company CHABROS LLC is seeking for Indian salesman. Have an experienced in building materials. Please send CV to chabros@omantel.net.om Looking for an experienced sales man for building materials and electrical shop in Amerat, candidate should be ﬂuent in speaking Arabic & Hindi. Contact 92418044 Required Business Development Executive for a clearing and forwarding company. Please mail CV to wisal.international@gmail.com Urgently required SALES EXECUTIVES for a reputed company dealing in TRUCK SPARE PARTS. Fresh graduates are also welcome. Attractive salary packages. Send CV: Jibalmansur@gmail.com 97988908/ 95415900 Urgently required out door sales executive for furnishing company with valid Oman license and minimum 3 years experience in furniture ﬁeld. Contact 93231403 or mail: rainbowfurnishing156@gmail.com Wanted Salesman with driving licence and car. Gsm : 98805474 or email id: jobssales2015@gmail.com

SKILLED / UNSKILLED Shawarma/BBQ/ Tandoor / helpers wanted. Contact 95529970 Urgently required experienced store keeper who can look after store and logistics for a reputed company in Muscat. Pls forward your CV to accounts@ies-oman.com Required Electrician for Maintenance Company. Contact 97205114 WANTED: A.C Technician with experience in split and duct A/C for a well established company in Muscat. Salary plus bonus. Email CV to: hralsom@gmail.com For a reputed contracting company urgently required, tiles Mansons, general Mansons, furniture carpenters, painters, carpentry foremen, civil foreman with license, accountant, and electrician cum plumber. Contact: - 99889450/99343461, fax no: 24619716. E mail:goldenrayconstruction@gmail.com

B.Com India. Languages : English, Hindi & Malayalam. Contact 92954613 FCCA- Qualified from UK with 9 years of experience in Big 4 & Top 30 UK firms. Currently working as Manager Finance & Accounts for more than 2years. NOC available, please contact 9259 3748. Indian female B.com Inter 3 years internship completed 2 years accounting experience currently on visit visa seeking for suitable job . Contact 94682798/95736496 Email: giby2605@gmail.com MBA Finance with diploma in accounting PGDM two years experience in India presently in Oman on visit. Contact 99748549/98457670 Indian male with one years experience in logistics, cargo operation and accounts seeks suitable placement. Contact 97826180 Email: nihalsiddheeque@gmail.com Indian female MBA finance 3 years experience in account/ finance and knowledge in ERP, SAD, tally, Peachtree, quick box & trade easy seeking suitable position in finance, banking accounts. Contact 97883275/97837143 Email: jairajmungath@gmail.com MBA Finance (Indian) with 3 years experience in Accounts & Finance field. Looking for suitable position. Contact- 94276956/ irshadbhk@gmail.com MBA (finance & accounts) having 3 years working experience as accountant possessing good skills in tally , ERP seeks suitable placement currently available on visit visa. Contact 97095686 Indian male B.com professional looking for suitable job, 2 years experience finance and marketing. Contact 95983091 Email: akhil.mathew556@gmail.com Accountant / Purchase manager (Release Available) 29yrs Indian male having 7yrs experience in Oman seeking suitable placement Mob:95325041,email:vijayapalanbinu.aniyan@gmail.com Indian B.Com Graduate having 7 years of experience in logistics in Dubai and 2 years of Oman experience in accounts with valid D/L is looking for a suitable placement. Contact 00968 91234320 Indian male (34), B. Com with computer application , 3 years experience in Muscat as Accountant . Having valid Oman D/L, looking for a part time job. Contact 91586632 Part time Accountant, up to finalization, looking for job after 5 pm (location prefer - Qurum to Al Khoudh). Contact 92917574 Accountant (B.Com, MBA pursuing) Indian male, 25 years, 2 years experience as an Accountant in India seeking better placement on visit visa. Contact 97709327

ACCOUNT. & FINANCE 22 years of experience in Multinational Companies & reputed firms in Financial Management, Project Management, Budgeting and Cost control, seeking a strategic Financial/Management Accounting role in a dynamic organization . Please contact Mob. +971-506178139, Email. georg_vargis01@yahoo.com ACCA finalist and BSc from Oxford Brookes University UK, having 18 months working experience, currently in Muscat on visit, seeking immediate and suitable position. Contact : 95375282 A Fresh ACCA Affiliate, Pakistani male, 24 yrs, open for positions of Accounts, Audit and finance. Contact 94541539 email: wasiqnasir_3@yahoo.com Looking for part time job as accountant having experience up-to finalization. Contact. 99002390 C.A with 11 years experience (6 years in Oman) with NOC. Contact 93731296 Indian 34 yrs B.Com CA Inter pass 12 yrs exp in Audit A/C, Finance on visit seeks suitable placement. Contact 95585069 Indian male, 25 yrs,MBA (Finance) 3 years experience as Accountant immediately available. Contact 968 99485943, Email : hyd.mushu@gmail.com Accountant B.Com CIMA finalist 8 yrs experience. Contact 95522109 Finance Manager, CPA, with more than 15 yrs. of experience in GCC. Fully knowledgeable in Finance, General & Management Accounting . NOC available. Contact 96209331 MBA HR&FINANCE Indian Female with 2 years work experience in leading MNC looking for suitable placement in HR / FINANCE, Contact: 99791008 / 93888576 Pakistani male, 25 yrs, MBA Finance, 1.6 yrs exp in Accounts seeking placement in Accounts, Administration or Business Management. # 92651927 / 94250149 Accountant with bachelor degree in Business Administration & Accounting from Majan College with 1 year experience in Oman. Contact 96132149 Indian male 26 years, with 4 years experience in accounts and administration looking for suitable placement. Contact 93008891 Accountant B.Com MBA, Indian male having 5 yrs GCC exp in similar field with valid Omani D/L & NOC available. Contact: 91719385 Email: shinuyesodharan@gmail.com, Female with MBA finance, financial and tax professional four and half years of experience seeks suitable opportunities in reputed organizations. Contact- 99792457 Email: msparveen1@gmail.com Indian male, B.Com, Accountant – 6yrs exp in Oman, NOC availableReady to join.contact: 98162671 ; email: prasanths3@gmail.com Indian Male, 25 yrs currently in Oman on visit looking for suitable vacancies in accounts, B.Com completed 1 yr experience. Contact 92024380 B.com doing CA Accounts/ office job male now working in Oman Noc, release available. Contact 92715465 Email: alsabathehm@gmail.com Indian male- B.Com/B.Ed/15 years Exp – 5 in Oman, seeks job in Accts/Sales/Logistics have NOC and Oman D/L with car. Contact – 92919625/93511425/ 93424828; Emailseshadricpioman@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

Male, total 17 years experience in India & Oman - India - 9 years & Oman - 8 years In the ﬁeld of procurement, material controller and accountancy - Local release available (Noc) Cont no. 91680124 , 98606546

ADMIN/HR 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 Over 14 years of gulf experience in Admin /HR /Logistic ﬂuent in Arabic & English with D/L , looking for suitable position. Contact 95824598 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 Indian male MBA 35 years having 12 years of experience in Oman seeking placement in Admin /HR operations /accounts holding valid Oman D/L. Contact 96055815 Noc available can join immediately Email: shaiks111@gmail.com B.Sc Graduate with 6 yrs of exp in HR & Administration looking for suitable positions. Contact 91507099 Indian, Male, 30 Years, B.COM, 8 Years’ Experience as HR / Administration in Oman, seeks suitable placement, NOC Available, Contact No. 00968 94652591 Young Indian male with 5 years Muscat experience in admin, purchase & Masters from UK seeks placement. Possess driving license. Contact 94400671

ARCHI./ DRAUGHTSMAN AutoCAD operator, Indian male 3 yrs experience in Auto CAD 2D & 3Ds Civil Draftsman, MAX and Photo shop, presently on visit visa seek suitable placement. Contact 91764358 Email: mohdsiraj02@yahoo.com Auotcad knows 3D,REVIT, MAX Ph : 97103168

ADVOCATE Experienced Indian Lawyer BA (Arabic) LLB,MBA on visit seeks opportunity. Contact 97351649, Email : advocatesharaf@gmail.com

CATERING Indian cook, Tandoori cook, male, 32 yrs, having 4 yrs of experience in Muscat in India, looking for a cook job in Hotel. Contact 93753523 / 98744307 / 92175119.

DESIGNER 3D designer Indian male, good experience with 3 omax photo shop 1llustratori. Contact 93909636 /98461278 Indian Female Architect with 3.5 years experience looking for suitable job (1.5 years experience from Oman) B. Arch. Contact 96146645 Email: anjuovil@gmail.com Keralite Bachelor professional building designer with AutoCAD, 3D Max & Accounts. Contact 96535497, email : bhaviwky90@gmail.com Indian female, 25yrs BscFASHION DESIGNING, 3yers experience in designing ﬁeld and teaching. looking for a sutable placement. Contact: 98785310. Email: vinaya.m.nair@gmail.com

DRIVER

Indian male, 32 years, M. Com. 7 out of 9 years experience in Oman in Accounts/ﬁnance. Having NOC and valid Oman D/L. Contact 98277143, Email: anzarks@gmail.com

Light driver looking for job. Contact 92791678

Indian Male, MBA 2 yrs experience in Accounts, Admin & HR on visit visa. Contact 92045306

Light driver looking for job. Contact 91376612

Accountant 8 yrs experience looking for part time job. # 99867456 Accounting up to ﬁnalization, auditing & contact for tally ERP software Contact– 91720465

Light duty driver looking for job, 2 yrs exp. Contact 98356230

Light driver looking for job, 3 yrs exp. in Oman, 5 yrs exp in Saudi Arabia, English, Arabic. Contact 96088707 LV Driver- 2 yrs Exp-know English- Contact 95292064

W E D N E S DAY, M A R C H 4 , 2 0 1 5

DAILY GUIDE SITUATION WANTED MANAGER/ SUPERVISOR Qualiﬁed Manager: (12+ yrs. Oman Exp.) Vast knowledge in A/c & Admin, Costing, Banking, Credit Control, Insurance, International Purchase/Logistics & Finance, With D/L looking for suitable position. Gsm: 93826090 Email: jskanchan01@gmail.com

INFORMATION TECH

ENGG. / TECHNICAL

DRIVER

MEDICAL Light Driver having own visa looking for job as driver.Contact 92303692 Tower crane operator having visa NOC. Contact Atthar har 97377834 Looking for job LVD experience, 2 years in Oman. Contact 96534239 Light duty driver with 2 yrs exp seeks job. Contact 97311715 Light driver having only visa looking for job as driver. Contact 93308178 Driver available 5 years experience Oman driving light. Contact 92505581 With car driver available and only driver. Contact 96771598

ENGG. / TECHNICAL Indian male 24 years, Mechanical Engineer,pdms.1 yr experience in pipeline,16years in oman seeking immediate placement Contact 95775742 Chemical Engineer B.Tech Indian male 2+ years of experience seeking suitable placement. Contact 92545630 Email: vkarun77@gmail.com MS in Engg Management (UK), B. Tech in CS, 5+ years of exp in project management /sales /business development, MOB: 92798469 Chartered Electrical Engineer 5 yrs experience with core strength in design, installation, commissioning and testing effective skills in preparation of BOQ. Estimations, switchgears substations commercial and residential buildings Contact 94638744/ 96473165 Email : ceng.shaz@gmail.com Elet.Engr 9+ yrs exp Noc available can join immediately. Contact 99148940 Email: jobluk.om@gmail.com M.Tech Manger /Civil Engineer with PMP, Indian male, 18 yrs experience (including 4 yrs in Dubai and 3yrs in Oman) in construction field for multi million projects like five star hotels , waterfront, properties , high rise buildings, luxurious villas and ROP projects seeking placement , Noc available , ready to join . Contact 91158903 / tuminousmercury@gmail.com Indian male with 5 yrs experience in CCTV, (AV technician) and 4 yrs experience as Supervisor / billing section on visit visa. Contact 93570126 Indian male 27, B.A Economics, Diploma in fire & safety engineering, NEBOSH, IOSH, OSHA, certification, 4 years experience as Safety Officer in India on visit visa. Contact 91092826 Civil Engineer (Diploma) 3 yrs exp seeking for placement. Contact 95200650 Qualified Chemical Engineer over twenty years experience in water and waste water with Oman driving license and Noc available for suitable job. Contact 94479435 B.E /B.Tech civil 2-3 years. Contact 93850875 Civil Engineer having 4 and Half years experience in building construction looking for suitable placement valid D/L available. Contact 92153392 Diploma in Architect 2.5 years experience in Oman having driving. Contact 92967404 Project Engineer Indian male 3yrs dip12 yrs experience all kind mechanical civil, interiors decoration job Oman driving license. Contact 93260559 Mechanical Engineer 30 years experience fabrication erection production on visit visa. Contact 93663121 Electrical Engineer B.E Engineer, 6 years experience in Dubai, Bahrain with G.C.C. professional licenses holding GCC driving license. Contact 98063081 Email: imran.engr08@gmail.com

B.E Civil Engineer Indian male 16 years exp in project mgmt site and construction mgmt computer skills valid Oman D/L seeking suitable placement with NOC can join immediately. Contact : 99446335 Civil Engineer, male 25 yrs, 3 years experience in site CAD, 3D, MS project, seeking job in Oman. Contact 92887561 Email: jubincivileng@gmail.com Project Engineer, civil engineer BSC, Building Construction 5 Years Exp in Oman ﬂuent Arabic, English and good Indian .Contact - 97858589 Sudanese Mechanical Engineer 6 yrs. exp (generators, solar, A/C sales, control) 5 months (HVAC) Omani D/L. Noc vehicle. Contact 97452159 Email: mohamedkarrar.mk@gmail.com

Civil Engineer B Tech, Site Engineer Experienced, Drafting on Visit Visa Ph : 91642050

Indian Male, IT Support Engineer, 2 yrs in Oman & 5 yrs Indian experience. Contact 97311847

Looking for job Tunisian Bachelor with experience 5 years in Network/IT. Cont.:91368102

Project Manager BSC Civil Engineering with MBA have Oman experience with 9+ years. Contact 97046565

Indian male, 26 yrs B-Tech (ECE) with MBA in Marketing / HR looking for a suitable placement. Currently on visit visa valid up to 30 January 2015. Contact 93754428, email : shijosirius709@gmail.com

MCA, MBA, CCNA, MCSE, Indian male with 10 years of experience, holding Oman driving license on visit visa seeks any suitable placement. Contact 92716116 / 91266535 Email: sijuayur@gmail.com

B.Sc Electrical Engineer, more than 16 years experience, 3 years in Oman experience in EPC contract, power plant – grid station – primary substation – SCADA system – test and commissioning engineer – DCRP approval. Contact 96964917 Muscat Arabic and English / Oman driving license

B.Tech IT Engineer, Indian male with 3yrs of exp. as System administrator, IT support, Networking, installing active directory, DHCP, DNS, RAS, exp. in handling SQL database, currently in Oman on visit visa, with valid Qatar driving license and immediate available. Contact: 93925281

Quality Assurance Design, BTech Elec, MBA (TQM) , IT Infrastructure(WLAN , TETRA) Security systems(CCTV AACS),Project control Engineering, Document Control / CAD Managing /Change management, Exp in Major projects, NOC available Ph : 99506977 Quantity Surveyor, B.Tech & H.N.D with 4 yrs experience looking for suitable placement on visit visa. Contact 96978752, 95751278, email : hmirfan527@gmail.com

Looking Part time Job in HVACContact - 93198128

Mechanical engineer (B.Tech in Mechanical) with certiﬁed quality controller –NDT level 2 qualiﬁed as per ASNT – SNT - TC - IA having experience in sales and marketing in India, presently on visiting visa seeks suitable placement. Contact 92417032 Email: joel.aries@gmail.com

Quantity Surveyor (Civil Building) looking for Part time job Contact no:-94391712 E-mail addressinayathhussain@yahoo.com

Indian Male, 5 yrs exp. Hardware & net working Engineer on short visit requires suitable placement. Contact 92458622

Indian B.Tech Mechanical Engineer, 26 yrs, 4 yrs experience in HVAC/MEP. Contact 94669629, rajeevhpd15@yahoo.com

B.Tech Electronics and Biomedical Engineering, female with approximately 2 years in medical ﬁeld is seeking any job position. Contact 94652908 mail id: aswathiraviraj@gmail.com

B.E Mechanical Engineer, Indian male, 4 yrs experience in sales, Seeking suitable job on visit visa. Contact 96137079 , 93095565, Email : elangovivek@yahoo.co.in

Procurement Engineer Indian male, 6 years exp in oil & gas sector in Oman & Bahrain currently on visit visa looking for suitable placement .Contact 92967443 Civil site Engineer diploma holder 9 am want job my exp, 8 years Oman & Dubai. Contact 95714327 B.Tech Mechanical Engineer (Automobile)&Diploma in QC with 2yrs experience in oil & gas company seek suitable placement job currently on Visit Visa. Contact no.96071081, 99214308 , Email: rahulvarikkat@gmail.com Sudanese male, Architect 3 years experience in Oman as an Architectural designer and Site Supervisor, designing software known (Auto CAD, 3D Max, revit, ArchiCAD, photo shop and primavera. Contact 92327536 Email: ahmedstar89@hotmail.com Indian male, 28 diploma in fire and safety Engineering computer hardware net working 1 yr customer service experience trouble shooting technical support on visit visa. Contact 91025050 / 98856803 Email: purujith8797@gmail.com BE/EEE Electrical Engineer Indian male 25 years having 2.5 years experience currently on visit visa looking for suitable placement. Contact 00968-96522624 / 92770316 contact India +91- 9994024477 / 9597539520 Civil Engineer (B.E) Indian male, 1 year experience, (India) with knowledge of AutoCAD MS project MS Office seeking for suitable job in construction industry. Contact 94350900 Electrical Engineer Indian male 29 years, having 5 years of experience in Industrial Automation & utility maintenance in India (MRF Tyres) seeking suitable placement. Contact 92789995 Email: akhilabrahamlktr@gmail.com Arabic /English fluent Mechanical Engineer, MBA, PMP 8 yrs of experience, 5 yrs in project field (management and supervision familiar with primavera P6 on visit visa looking for a challenging job position . Email: abdelgader1982@gmail.com Contact 94687010 Electrical Engineer experience 2008-2015 in Oman and experience 2004- 2008 outside Oman, 34 years. Contact 96968275 / 97445304 Email: alsada_1981@yahoo.com Bachelor in Telecommunication Engineering from CCE ,CCNA certificate IELTS, score 7 experience certificate from Central Bank of Oman. Contact 95331455 / 92210958

Telecom Engineer with 4.5 years Oman experience looking for a suitable opportunity, interested even in Marketing also. Possess valid Oman driving license. Contact 94145460 BE 2 yrs exp electrical projects AutoCAD design/ commission available attested. Contact 97835922 Email: anascadd11@gmail.com M. Sc Mechanical Engineer 5 years experience in crusher plants production manufacturing release visa CAD/CAM. Contact 92156387 / 97838220 Electronics & Communication Engineer with 4 years Oman experience in telecom ﬁeld looking for a suitable opportunity. Interested in marketing also. Possess valid Oman driving license. Contact 94145460 DAE (Civil) having 3.5 years Experience 2 years from Oman with driving licences, seeking for suitable position in Construction ﬁeld NOC and release available . Contact 96968554 Email: mehranahmad26@yahoo.com 24 years Indian female diploma in computer science and engineering now on visit visa seek suitable placement. Contact 96314974/99107369 Sudanese Mechanical Engineer 11 years exp in oil & gas industry. Contact - 95928035 Electrical Eng. Degree (MEP) need suitable job of construction 12 yrs exp. Email: mohd.ateeq.khan@gmail.com Mechanical Engineer, Gulf Exp in Design and Manufacturing Ph: 97097688 Generator maintenance in charge with 4 yrs experience with Cummins, caterpillar, kirloskar and voltas. Contact - email: shibinmundakkal@gmail.com Aircraft Maintenance Technician with one year experience seeks suitable placement. Contact amaljohn2002@gmail.com Telecom Engineer with 4 yrs experience in Engineering & Sales VOIP. Contact 92577245 Diploma of Associate Civil Engineering, Diploma of AutoCad, having 3.5 yrs experience, 2 yrs experience of Oman in Building Construction, valid transferrable ID Card. Contact 94378581 Experienced female Electrical Engineer. Contact 93800906 Civil Engineer with 12 years Experience Looking For Job. Contact 98162295

EDUCATION Indian Female, BE (Electrical and Electronics), M.Tech (VLSI Design and Embedded Systems) with 3.5 yrs experience in teaching/education ﬁeld, seeking suitable teaching/nonteaching job in Muscat. Contact 93686493 Email: n.akshatha12@gmail.com Indian Female (M.Com, B.ED) 2Yrs Experience in teaching seeks suitable placement . Specialization in ( Accounting, Business studies, Human resource management, Economics). Presently in Visit Visa Status. Contact:97342709, Email: sininair27@gmail.com Indian female 25 years MSC polymer chemistry holder seeking suitable placement. Currently on visit visa. Contact 96128290 Email ID: najeeb27@gmail.com Experienced Librarian seeks suitable position. Contact 92887119 1 year experience in teaching all subject to KG classes, currently working as a teacher in Oman, seeking suitable placement, Family visa. Contact 92178304 / 99036256

INFORMATION TECH 28 years male M. Sc, 7+ years experience in WEB developer and designer currently working at Microsoft India seeking suitable placement. Contact 93936878 Information Technology IT professional Indian male 23 diplomas in computer hardware and networking maintenance, CCNA, and B.com 2+ years experience in IT infrastructure and security camera instigation currently on visiting visa looking for a suitable job in IT technical . Contact 91583251 Email: shyam111191@gmail.com Omani citizen searching a job in the ﬁeld of computer Especially in data base professional in operating oracle SQL , PL/ SQL , form6i , Report 6i . Contact 96977368 Email: talaloml@yahoo.com

ERP Software professional, Indian male, 20 yrs (5 yrs Oman) experienced. Interested in ERP/ CRM, Development, Implementation, support position. Contact 93501977 Email: go4nadeem@gmail.com Indian Female, MCA, 2 years experience in Oman seeks suitable placement in IT or Admin, contact no: 95094154, 99436069, Email: ramanrami@rediffmail.com Indian male 25 B.Tech (IT) Engineer 2.5 yrs exp in hardware networking. Currently on visit visa looking for suitable job. Contact – 94359564 SAP BO/BODS consultant 6 years experience with EMBA (IT) B. Tech (IT) OCP, OCA, ITIL & AIX qualified seeks suitable posting. Contact 92532996 / 95740250 Email: elango2840@gmail.com Hardware specialist B.Tech M.Tech electronics with 10 years experience seeks suitable opportunities in reputed organizations. Contact 91289459 Email: shrn.shrf@gmail.com B.Tech IT Professional, Indian Male with 3 yrs of Exp. In System Admin, IT Support, Networking, Installing Active Directory, DHCP, DNS,RAS, configuring maintaining and managing servers, configuring cisco routers, Exp in handling SQL database, With Valid Driving Licence. Contact - 968 98863507 IT Prof, MCA having 6+ yrs exp, seeks suitable position. Contact 94543668

MISCELLANEOUS Philipino male 27 on visit visa is looking for suitable job. Contact 98588717 Indian male M. Sc Graduate with telecom AV experience for 6 years looking for suitable position. Contact 00971-557041574 / 95135218 email: nazid83@gmail.com Store keeper 26 yrs, 6 yrs experience 4 yrs in Oman NOC/release available. Contact 97657823

BSc. Computer Engineer having skills in IT Support, Networking and Technical Sales. Looking for a job opportunity. Mobile: 9127 9617, Email: Javaid_iqbal1@hotmail.com

Logistics Officer, Experience in Store keeping. Contact : 99505934

Indian male IT prof, MCA, 2 yrs exp as System Administrator in Oman 3+ yrs exp in (hardware, networking, widows server, exchange server, SharePoint) and 1 yr exp in (PHP, CSS, HTML, JavaScript, Ajax, My SQL in India). NOC available. Contact 97496998

19years UAE experience in management sales and business development, additional Indian experience valid UAE D/L, on express visa. Contact 91602809 Email: thomasalexander210@gmail.com

Seeking IT job (on contract basis) having 8 yrs exp , with ( COT NET, SQL SERVER, ORACLE , BO reporting , application maintenance, IT support , ERP support & development) valid IT visa up to 11-07 2016 and D/L Oman. Contact 92064496 India, Male BCA, IT Engineer, hardware, networking MCSA, CCNA, ITIL, Office administration, Accounts Email: e.mustafa@live.com IT Professional (25) (Srilankan), B. Tech dip, MCTS, MCP, CCNA, LINUX having 4 years experience, looking for suitable position (on visit visa). Contact 93354526 Email: jamsith.pc@gmail.com Required suitable possistion for the experinced B Tech (hard ware) Engineer. Contact: - 99343461/ email: msureshbabumct@g mail.Com

MANAGER/ SUPERVISOR

Indian male, looking for a senior management position, 25 years of experience in GCC with multinational consulting ﬁrms, currently working as contracts/project manager, seeks immediate placement. #99376691 Emails: 1962jobs@gmail.com

Female Dentist Indian, 28 years Dental Surgeon, 3 years of experience, Oman prometric passed with 64%, looking for a suitable placement in Muscat region. Contact 91377681 Email: hashmisarwat@gmail.com 24 years old Indian BSC Nursing, 2years experience, looking for a job as a staff nurse. Contact 94035637 /95068075 Medical- Indian female, 27 yrs, masters in hospital administration, fellowship in HTA studied in a super specialty medical sciences and research center in India and done project in an established hospital in sultanate of Oman. Contact 93200827, 91026506 Indian male Pharmacist (B.Pharma) 5 1/2 years experience in Oman seeking suitable placement in Muscat. NOC from the present employer available. Contact +968 98525100 Lab Technician, Civil (8yrs Gulf experience) looking for a suitable job (NOC available) Contact-93344378 Female pharmacist with 3 years experience and MOH license currently in Oman , CONTACT 92455124

SALES / MARKETING Indian male, graduate with 7 years experience in hospitality industry, sales & marketing .M.B.A in human resource management. # 92115860 MBA (marketing & operations) with 2 years experience in marketing & operations looking for suitable placement, presently on visit visa. Contact 97920125 Email: hareeshg111@gmail.com Purchase Manager with 14 years experience in construction industry with valid D/L & NOC. Contact 92884811, Email : bati.rajesh@gmail.com Indian male Graduate 4 years experience in Sales & marketing in Oman, with Oman D/L holder seeking suitable placement. Contact 92878855 Indian male with MBA in international management and BSC in hotel management & diploma in event management with, 4 years experience in this ﬁeld looking for job. Contact 96146645 Mail: sarsthmcc549@gmail.com Well experienced restaurant Manager with Ample knowledge of sales and operations seeking suitable placement Noc available. Contact 92953199 Indian male, MBA in Marketing, 10 years experience with UAE driving license looking for suitable placement. Contact 98125226 Email: jobapplication1199@gmail.com Indian Male 31 Yrs M.B.A having 9 years experience 5 yrs in India and 4 yrs in Oman Having knowledge in Group Marketing/Sales/Media/ Advertising with valid Oman driving license seeking suitable placement .Contact 92016431 Young female, having experience of working in Oman with expertise in the ﬁeld of Event Management, Advertising, Marketing and Hotel Management. Currently on a visit visa. Seeking for a suitable Job. Contact 96153578 6 years Oman experience in Sales seeking suitable placement. NOC available. Contact 99669137

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 29 yrs having two yrs exp in sales seeking suitable replacement in sales store keeper back office support, warehouse assistant admin. NOC available. Contact 94142747 Email: oasis0987@outlook.com

Indian female with nine years of experience in 5 Star hotels as Assistant Food & Beverage Manager looking for a suitable placement in a reputed Star hotel. Contact: 91219787

Indian male, B.Com, 20 yrs experience in Sales & Marketing having UAE light D/L looking for suitable post. Contact +91 9946699062, email : sajim40@gmail.com

Indian female 7 yrs experience in Admin /Sales Coordination in Oman with valid Oman driving license urgently seeks suitable placement. Contact 94176308

W E D N E S DAY, M A R C H 4 , 2 0 1 5

DAILY GUIDE

Email: dailyguide@timesofoman.com Tel. 24726666 Ext: 413 / 430 431 / 456 / 461 Fax: 24812624

SITUATION WANTED SALES / MARKETING

MISCELLANEOUS

Indian male 22, holding BCA, seeking jobs in Desktop Supporting, data cable termination, cum Office Asst now on visit. Contact 95110487

Indian Male, 7 yrs experience in building materials trading having Oman D/L, immediate release available. Contact 98676713 Indian Male having 7 yrs in experience in Oman Sales & Marketing Ofﬁce Automation Printer, Copier, MFP, IT products & Stationery. Looking for Suitable Placement NOC Available Contact :97384748

SKILLED / UNSKILLED Welder, 3G, 6G, TIG, Exp in Fabrication , Gulf Exp Ph : 97103168 Care taker, Gulf Exp knows Hindi, Arabic Ph: 94238840

SECRETARIAL/OFFICE Tunisian women looking for job, knows english, frensh, Italian and arabic. Contact: 91171838 Indian Male more than 10 years gulf experience in Office / Sales Coordinator, Admin (employees visa processes), Secretarial and purchase coordination with good computer skills. Having Driving license and NOC available. Looking for suitable placement. Contact 99709336 Indian female with 10 yrs of experience in HR/Banking/Operations seeks a suitable placement. Can be contacted on 98919015 or sherianne.coelho@gmail.com Indian female, well experienced in secretarial, administration, customer care & supervisory jobs. 5 years experience in Muscat. Immediately available for joining. Contact: 92139298

MISCELLANEOUS Senior Accounts Professional, Indian Male, 35 years, M.Com, MBA (Fin) 8 years in Oman, with valid Oman DL and NOC available. Capable to handle accounts up to finalization. Contact 9602 3965. Indian female, Graduate, Certified in IATA, with 8 months experience in Travel and 2 and half years experience in Operations and HR looking for job in Field of Travel/ Office Management. Contact -92816803/ 92459686. Emailvijetadevilishangel@gmail.com MBA (international business) with 2.5 years experience in sales and also experience in vehicle spare parts (in-charge) looking for a suitable job presently on visit visa. Contact 93539456, 95765868, E mail: mathewsantony936@gmail.com INDIAN FEMALE ,Graduate, Certified in IATA, with 2 and half years experience in Admin/ Accounts and Office coordinator looking for job in Field of Travel/Office Management. Contact -92459686/ 92816803, Emailkrupa_patel1984@yahoo.com Indian female, B.Com. knowledge of Ms .Office & Tally, 4yrs experience in A/Cing & admin dept .looking for good placement in any field. Contact.98928220 Part Time Accounting Job Complete Data Entry, Reporting and Finalization. Any Time Available. Location Ruwi to Bharka. Please Contact- +968-92049215 Email:- aiafe.oman@gmail.com

ACCA-UK, having 2.5 years of experience in Accounts, Book keeping and Audit. Looking for job in Accounts/Finance or Internal Audit department. Also worked on Oracle R12, Tally, Quick Books and Peachtree. Contact mr.shoaibaslam@gmail.com Gsm: +968-95459488 Accountant , Indian Male,24 years , 3+ years experience in Finance and Accounts, M.com Finance , Exposure in SAP & Tally ERP 9 , Good communication skill, on visit Visa. Contact 95366407 CAT (UK) , ACCA (UK) , 3 year experience. (including one year experience in EY world 3rd largest audit firm) looking for reputed company for a job of Internal Audit, Finance and Accounting. Contact no: 00923008833525 Indian female B.Com Graduate, 4yrs experience in accounts, admin dept looking for placement in any field 98928220 Indian female, 24yrs, M.COM (Accounts) having 3yrs experience in Accounts, HR, Administration, Customer Service. Good Computer Proficiency seeking Suitable Position. Visa Transfer/NOC Available. Contact: 99654913 ACCA-UK, having 2.5 years of experience in Accounts, Bookeeping and Audit. Looking for job in Accounts/Finance or Internal Audit department. Also worked on Oracle R12, Tally, Quick Books and PeachTree. Email: mr.shoaibaslam@gmail.com Gsm: +968-95459488 ACCA-UK and B.Sc (OBU-UK) Experienced, Male 25, looking for permanent job in Accounting, Finance and Auditing field. 2 years of practical experience with an audit firm in Pakistan. Email: AliRiazMughal@Outlook.com Gsm:+968-95459936 Job seeker with ten years of experience in management, banking, and marketing. Muscat, mobile number: 91262609 Male 24,looking for permanent job in Computer, IT, or Communication field ,BSC in Computer and Communication Engg. from Dofar University, Salalah. Have some exp. in Telecom field. 4-month Practical training in Hayyat Communicatin company (subcontractor of ooredoo). Email:adilbutt102@gmail.com. Gsm:+968-92328726.

SITUATION WANTED Experienced, male 25, hardworking, looking for permanent job in Accounting, Finance and Auditing ﬁeld, ACCA UK and B.Sc in applied accounting (OBU-UK). 2-years of practical experience with an audit ﬁrm in Pakistan. Email: AliRiazMughal@Outlook.com, Gsm:+968-95459936

ACCA-UK, having 2.5 years of experience in accounts, Bookeeping and audit. Looking for job in Accounts/Finance or Internal Audit department, also worked on Oracle R12, Tally, Quick Books and PeachTree. Email: mr.shoaibaslam@gmail.com, Gsm: +968-95459488

B.Tech Mechanical Engineer (Automobile) & Diploma in QC with 2yrs experience in oil & gas company seek suitable placement job currently on Visit Visa. Contact no.96071081, 99214308 Email: rahulvarikkat@gmail.com

Indian male 28 years, 4year exp in Oman .now on free visa looking for job as freelancer. Any ﬁeld Contact 95642297

Diploma in Fire and Safety Engineering, Completed IOSH, have PDO Passport.3.5 year experience as a Safety Advisor in Carillion Alawi 27 year Indian male also having valid Omani driving license, looking for job. Email:govindansreejit@ gmail.com Contact: 9689808527,96896176872 Sudanese/Bsc IT/ 2 years experience/ excellent English-Arabic speaking/ Omani driving license/ Contact: 96387227, henrykarrar@gmail.com Indian female, 24yrs, M.Com (Accounts) having 3 yrs experience in Accounts, HR, Administration, Customer Service. Good Computer Proﬁciency seeks suitable Position. Visa Transfer/NOC Available. Contact: 99654913 Indian Female, B.tech bio-technology graduate. Knowledgeable in food processing techniques, having 2 yrs experieince as associate research analyst(media monitoring) in Nasdaq Omx, seeking for growth oriented job. Contact 92044603, angeline.babithac@gmail.com. Female, MSc Chemistry, BEd, with 1.5yrs of experience as research officer in a chemical manufacturing company in India. Ph: 95243584

Male 24, looking for job in Accounts/Finance or Internal Audit department. ACCA-UK. Experience: 2 years of experience from an audit ﬁrm, also worked on Oracle R12, Tally, Quick Books and PeachTree. Email: mr.shoaibaslam@gmail.com, Gsm: +968-95459488

Diploma in Fire and Safety Engineering, 3.5 year experience as a Safety Advisor in Carillion Alawi 27 year Indian male also having valid Omani driving license, looking for job Email:govindansreejit@gmail.com, Contact 968 9808527, 968 96176872

37 years Indian Male with 10 years PDO experience Store Keeper seeking suitable placement. Contact: 95849804 Omani Citizen Mechanical Engineer with 1 yr exp looking for job. Contact:95993315 email:eaz-s@hotmail.com

Indian Female, 24 yrs MS. Software Engg. Currently on family visa, 1 year experience in SAP WM & IT seeks suitable placement. Contact: 95490105 Accountant , Indian Male,24 years , 3+ years experience in Finance and Accounts, M.com Finance , Exposure in SAP & Tally ERP 9 , Good communication skill, on visit Visa. Contact ( 95366407 ,96921443) IT support 6 yrs experience, male, Filipino Desktop Support, Backup administrator, Wireless Networking, server admin, laptop support, DB admin. Contact +96896126502 Indian Male, 31 years of Rich Oman experience in Multifunctional Management, Admistration, Business Development, Purchase & Operations. Seeking suitable Manager/ Supervisory Position. Visa transfer/ NOC Available. GSM: 95036410 Indian male, 31 years of Rich Oman experience in Multifunctional Management, Administration, Business Development, Purchase & Operations seeking suitable Manager/Supervisory Position. Visa transfer/NOC Available. GSM: 95036410 Young Indian with 8 years experience in Multi faceted exposure in various ITES domains is looking for job in IT client/sales/delivery relationship manager. Immediate availability 98885188, fahad079@gmail.com Male 24, looking for permanent job in Computer, IT, or Communication ﬁeld ,BSC in Computer and Communication Engineering. Have some experience in Telecom ﬁeld. 4-month Practical training in Hayyat Communication company (subcontractor of ooredoo). Email: adilbutt102@gmail.com. Gsm:+968-92328726. Accountant, Indian male, 24 years. Presently working in Oman as Accountant. 2 years experience in Accounts with Oman Driving license. NOC available seeks suitable opportunity.GSM: 93409315

MBA graduate having more than 2 years of experience in event management company as event coordinator. Looking for a suitable job in your esteemed organization which will commensurate with my qualiﬁcations#+96894560161, Email- qaisebukhari@gmail.com

Srilankan male, 23 yrs, CIMA part qualiﬁed (completed Management level), 3 yrs experience in an American Company as an Internal Auditor/ management Trainee seeks suitable placement in Oman, good command of English in written & spoken. Contact 94633968

Male 24, looking for permanent job in Computer, IT, or Communication ﬁeld ,BSC in Computer and Communication Engineering. Have some experience in Telecom ﬁeld. 4-month Practical training in Hayyat Communication company (subcontractor of ooredoo). Email:adilbutt102@gmail.com. Gsm:+968-92328726.

Indian male having valid Oman D/L, exp. in Accounts work seeks suitable placement. . Contact 95731665

Pakistani, Male 24, looking for job in Accounts, Finance or Internal Audit department. ACCA-UK. 2 years of experience from an audit firm, also worked on Oracle R12, Tally, Quick Books and PeachTree. Email: mr.shoaibaslam@gmail. com, Gsm: +968-95459488 Indian male executive secretary having vast experience in admin, logistics & procurement well versed with computer .seek suitable placement. #99514286, email: azimmohd@yahoo.co.in Indian male graduate with 9 years of experience in Procurement / Contract Management SAP/ARIBA on a visit visa seeking position. Contact: 98483858. Pakistani, Male 24, looking for job in Accounts, Finance and Internal Audit department.Qualification: ACCA-UK. 2 years of audit and financial services experience from an audit firm. Also worked on Oracle R12, Tally, Quick Books and PeachTree. Gsm: +968-95459488 Email: mr.shoaibaslam@gmail. com ELECTRICIAN : Indian male, 24 years old, a well experienced, ITI qualified, holding wireman license, 4 years experience in India, presently working in India, looking for a job in Oman. Ready to join immediately. Contact :99087175 Indian Female, as an Accountant. having +5 years experience in Oman till Nov 2014. Seeking suitable placement.NOC available. Currently in family visa. #98447045 email:anilavandika@gmail.com PLANNING ENGINEER, 7 years of Experience in project planning and control in oil and gas, PDO & QP Approved Planner,PRIMAVERA-6,B. Tech in Mechanical engineering from CUSAT. CONTACT- mail: ullasprabhakaran@yahoo.co.in, ph-00974 70230223

B.E. Electronics & Telecom, Having one year experience in Muscat in Electronic field of AV System Design and installation with good Pre-sales experience. Looking for more better opportunity on executive and managing level. Contact 97423932Email: mzeeshanshaikh89@gmail.com Male 24, looking for permanent job in Computer and Communication field ,BSC in Computer and Communication Engineering. 4-month Practical training in Hayyat Communication company (subcontractor of ooredoo). Gsm: 92328726. Email: adilbutt102@gmail.com. Male 24, looking for permanent job in Accounts, Finance or Internal Audit department, Qualification: ACCA-UK. Having experience of 2 years from an audit firm. Worked on Oracle R12, Tally, Quick Books and PeachTree. Email: mr.shoaibaslam@gmail.com, Gsm: +968-95459488

TRANSPORTATION Transportation. Contact 93405941 Transportation. Contact 98518979 Transport to ISWK. Contact 93172589 Transportation available. Contact 98425762 Ruwi to Ghala Gulfar . Contact 99562527 Transportation . Contact 98178135 Transport available. Contact 95356877 Transportation available. Contact 95570429 Transportation. Contact 91379976 Pick & Drop any time. Contact 97014786 Pick & drop anytime in al Khuwair. Contact 99764307

W E D N E S DAY, M A R C H 4 , 2 0 1 5

DAILY GUIDE SITUATION WANTED CARGO

Dolphin Watch, Dhow Cruise with Buffet, & Land Tours Al- Ainain Marine Tours Contact- 98029602, 92808636

TOURS

RENT A CAR

W E D N E S DAY, M A R C H 4 , 2 0 1 5

DAILY GUIDE

Email: dailyguide@timesofoman.com Tel. 24726666 Ext: 413 / 430 431 / 456 / 461 Fax: 24812624

SITUATION WANTED SERVICES

COMPUTER

CLASSES

WEBSITE

MANPOWER

Learn Baking cakes, cup cakes & Icings, Handicrafts. Contact 95941515. Tutoring ACCA/CAT subjects, passing exams by expert lectures. Contact +( 968) 99229700

BUSINESS

WEB, ERP and Business Intelligence (BI) creation and management at rock bottom price. Contact: http//webviewoman

DRIVING

NRI

Wanted Finance Partner for frozen ﬁsh shop around RO 6000/-. Contact 98796982

GUARANTEED CLEANING: Carpet & sofa shampooing, Contact 99314807/24792998

GOOD NEWS FOR HIRE

TRUCK FOR HIRE Isuzu 10 ton cargo body truck (2012 FVR) with UAE experienced driver available for long term / short term rent.

Contact: 95346950 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. Contact 99839898

AVAILABLE Established Restaurant for rent with sponsorship. Contact 97628242 Party & Wedding equipment rentals. Full line, from Tables, Linen & Skirting, Chairs & Chair covers, Cutlery, Crockery, Glassware, Chafing Dishes, Ice Sculptures, to Large Sound Systems and spectacular lighting. Call Andrea 9606 2222 for Catering and Croyden 9623 5555 for Sound & Light. www.tunesoman.com, E-mail: info@tunesoman.com

Ayurvedic treatment for joint pain, backache, paralysis massage, steam bath, obesity, spondylitis IDEAL , CARE Ayurvedic Clinic 18 November street, Azaiba.Contact 99639695 / 99117987 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

WANTED Clinic required, One Established new Clinic in Muscat, with Valid License & Clearance is required to purchase interested Parties can contact 91283188 or send your inquiries to mohamedsfarah@hotmail.com

MATRIMONIAL Muslim boy age 27 height 5,6 B.Tech petroleum engineering , working in Oman parents , residing in Qatar, looking for beautiful professional girls preference , GCC settled family, Ernakulam / Thrissur/ Malapuram Dist. Contact +974 33446790, 968 91256474 Indian Sunni family with Omani nationality seeking proposals from Indians with Omani nationality for their daughter aged 23. Contact 99641047 Ezhava girl , 30, BTech, MBA, working in Kerala as deputy manager in a nationalized bank looking for a professionally qualiﬁed boys.interested please contact: 9727 1526 *Classiﬁed Advertisement space booking with text, should be done till 12.00 noon for next day’s publication. * Subject to space availability

SITUATION WANTSERVICES

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

GULF INTERNATIONAL LLC. all kind of pest control. Contact 92326955

MARBLE CRYSTALLIZATION restore the original shine of your marble. Contact 24793614/ 99314807 Cheapest prices all types window, curtains and Blinds. Contact 99539521 Carpet & sofa shampooing. Ocean Centre LLC. Contact 99884591 / 92682970 Cleaning services, carpet & sofa shampooing, marble restoration (grinding) and polishing, pest control, fogging service. Contact 99448057, 95401996 Cheapest Prices, all types window, curtains and blind. Contact 99539521 Computer service/ AMC/ Networking. Contact 91339882 Marble Restoration, Mosaic tiles polishing, carpet shampooing, maintenance. Contact ABU QABAS- 99320217 /24788722 For All Your Maintenance Solutions, A/c Servicing & Fixing, Painting, Cleaning, Electric.Contact 99002390 Marble Restoration, Mosaic tiles polishing, carpet shampooing, maintenance. Contact ABU QABAS- 99320217 /24788722 House shifting. Contact 99708138

Feasibility study, market research, ﬁnancial analysis of companies. (968) 99229700

House shifting packing. Contact 99657644, 98518013

Split & window unit A.C servicing & repairing. Contact 99557080

Window & spilt unit A.C servicing & maintenance. Contact 96236476

Door to Door Computers repair specialist laptop software Website cartridges. Contact 99199376

Marble polishing & crystallization, building cleaning ﬂoor, ﬂoor polishing, carpet, sofa shampooing, pest control, anti termite shifting, maintenance. Contact 99504275

Water prooﬁng ABUQABASContact 99320217/24788722 Carpet Shampoo, marble & tile polishing, pest control & anti-termite treatment, general cleaning painting, Plumbing, Electrical, shifting. Contact Mundhir Al-Rizaiqi trading. L.L.C. # 24810137, 99450130 All maintenance solution. A/c Service & Fitting, Carpenter, Cleaning, House Shifting & Packing. Contact: 99002390 A/C maintenance & servicing & washing machine & dish washing repairing, painting & painting & cleaning services & electrical & plumbing. Contact 99447257/97014234/24504281 Pest control & cleaning services professionals in pest control service bedbugs treatment, rodent, treatment, snake treatment and termite treatment, pre and post construction. Contact 93098450, 96408964, fax : 24472116

LOST Mohammed Haroon Ruhul Amin has lost Bangladeshi Passport No. AG 3609831. Finder please handover to ROP Nasrin Begum has lost Bangladeshi Passport No. AG 1128558. Finder please handover to ROP.

NOTICE Announces Alkhoima Glories of Modern Trade recommendation restricted to the Department of Trade and Industry in South Eastern under No. 1086993 it proposes to amend its trade name to a company Weil and his son Mohammed Trading of recommendation and all of his objection to it that reasons for his objection to apply to the Department of Trade and Industry and the southern province of Eastern.