Times of Oman - August 4, 2016

THURSDAY

August 4, 2016 30 Shawwal 1437 AH

FROM THE WORDS OF HIS MAJESTY THE SULTAN

Eight-page special supplement on Olympics with today’s edition

On the occasion of the 10th National Day, 1980

‘His Majesty’s Wisdom’ We shall not waste our efforts and our resources on meaningless prestige projects; everything shall be directed to the continued improvement of the standard of living of all our people and the strengthening of our national infrastructure and the security and stability of our country.

Founded 1975 . Volume 41 No. 138 | 44 Pages . Baisas 200 . Subscription OMR63 | ISO 9001:2008 Certified Company | Chairman/Editor-in-Chief: Mohamed Issa Al Zadjali | Printed & Published by Muscat Media Group

Close shave for passengers as Emirates jet crash lands

One firefighter loses his life while dousing the aircraft blaze

Turn to >A5,7,8

Air traffic schedules of airlines go haywire as Dubai airport closed All flights from Muscat and Salalah to Dubai have also been delayed

Law to protect online buyers

TOP THREE INSIDE STORIES

OMAN

Taxing time for taxis

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Civil orange taxis are feeling the heat, given the stiff competition. >A3

WORLD

Prachanda new PM

New legislation aims to shield shoppers who

2

get shortchanged on buying products online

MARKET

HASAN SHABAN AL LAWATI

Maoist chief Prachanda was elected by lawmakers as Nepal’s premier. >A10

Wind power project

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A deal to build first windbased power project is expected soon. >B1

Large sandstorm blankets Oman regions

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hassan@timesofoman.com

MUSCAT: Oman is discussing legislation to protect online shoppers from being caught out by small print or by fraudsters,

an official at the Public Authority for Consumer Protection (PACP) said.

He explained that a number of authorities are working on a legal framework “to protect consumers from any problematics”.

“After finalising the law, it will be passed over to the higher authorities for final approval,” he explained.

For now, he advised online shoppers to read all terms and conditions before purchasing an item to avoid any misunderstanding – especially the small print.

The multi-agency approach to protecting Oman based online shoppers comes after some buyers bought items assuming that they would be able to get refunds or replacements without reading the small print. >A6

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THURSDAY, AUGUST 4, 2016 All of a sudden it started at around 12:30pm. It was quite scary. We all stopped work and ran for shelter.

Sandstorm blankets Nimr >A4

OMAN New book tells story of Oman postal services

HELP

Police reunite lost child with parents REJIMON. K

reji@timesofoman.com

Salalah Festival envelope

The release of Hatim Al Attar’s 192 page book coincides

B I L AT E R A L C O O P E R AT I O N

with the golden HASAN SHABAN AL LAWATI

hassan@timesofoman.com

jubilee of Oman’s postal services, and provides readers with a rare view of the 50 years of achievements

by Oman’s postal services

HASAN SHABAN AL LAWATI

hassan@timesofoman.com

MUSCAT: An Omani stamp collector has published a history of the country’s postal services.

The release of the 192 page book coincides with the golden jubilee of Oman’s postal services, and provides readers with a rare view of the 50 years of achievements by Oman’s postal services.

Hatim Al Attar, 50, worked for three years to collect, analyse and document data, after visiting stamp collectors and 98 post offices throughout the Sultanate.

The Sohar-born man announced that his book will be the first Omani publication to take part in a regional completion, which will kick off in Bangkok on on Sunday.

He is also hoping for international recognition for Oman when he participates in a global competition on August 21 in Taiwan.

MUSCAT: A lost child was reunited with her parents by the Royal Oman Police (ROP) in Salalah, the authority tweeted on their official twitter handle.

“We received a report about a child stranded in souq without parents. The police took the child to the police station. After two hours, the child was reunited with parents at the police station,” the Royal Oman Police tweet read.

METICULOUS WORK: Hatim Al Attar, 50, worked for three years to

collect, analyse and document data, after visiting stamp collectors and 98 post offices throughout the Sultanate. – Jun Estrada

The book, entitled ‘Sultanate of Oman Postal System 1966-2016’, has a golden cover, and it contains valuable information about different eras of the postal service.

After 36 months of research and writing, Hatim asked his two daughters and elder son to put the final touches on its design and improve the quality of some old images. The publishing of this book is meant to coincide with the celebration of the Golden Jubilee of Oman’s postal services, Hatim explained in his introduction.

The postal services began in Muscat in 1856, with the opening of the first post office by the Indian government.

However, the first official record is a document displayed in the

Delhi Postal Museum from May 1, 1864, which was the date of opening the first post office in Oman.

Different shapes and designs of post boxes, rare Omani stamps, along with a catalogue of regular hand stamps and post cards from the 1960s, are featured in the book, which can be purchased at the Oman Post office in Ruwi for OMR10.

Hatim started collecting stamps during his school days in 1972, while beginning his indepth research on stamps and their history in 1994.

Interested buyers can contact the author at hatimomani@hotmail.com. Hatim noted that the book was funded by the Omani Philatelic Association.

MUSCAT: Oman Post issued on Wednesday a memorial envelope to celebrate the Salalah Tourism Festival 2016.

Times of Oman was able to get its hands on the first special edition at an Oman Post office in Ruwi. The envelope displays a group of male and female Omanis practicing the traditional Dhofari dance.

The Salalah Tourism Festival 2016 had commenced on July 15 and will last till August 31; it is based on the theme “Oman: Love & Peace.”

The festival will also include many activities and programmes, such as the traditional village, which highlights the traditional handcrafts, arts, games, meals and costumes of Oman.

About 333,000 people visited the Governorate of Dhofar during the Khareef “Monsoon Season” from June 21 to August 1, according to latest data.

NATURE RESERVE: The visiting Qatari minister toured Al Qurum Nature Reserve. -ONA

Environment minister receives Qatari guest MUSCAT: Mohammed bin Salim Al Tobi, Minister of Environment and Climate received in his office yesterday Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Rumaihi, Minister of Municipality and Environment in the State of Qatar and his accompanying delegation, currently visiting the Sultanate.

The two sides reviewed means of enhancing the joint cooperation between the Sultanate and Qatar, within the framework of encouraging cooperation and sharing experience with the sisterly and friendly countries in scientific, research and academic fields, in addition to

the importance of enhancing cognitive exchange in the environmental and climate affairs areas.

The two sides also reviewed the advanced experience to protect environment and combating pollution, as well as benefiting from the international experiences and activating them to promote sustainable development level.

The Qatari guest toured Al Qurum Nature Reserve during which he familiarised himself with its natural components and the exerted efforts in protecting marine organisms and birds, besides reviewing the planting of mangroves. -ONA

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OMAN

TRANSPORT

Civil taxis feel the blow as other taxi services flourish Staff Reporter MUSCAT: Almost all the taxis at Muscat International Airport are now metered, while city orange and white cab drivers say they are still waiting for their meter plans to get the green light.

Omani civil taxis still refuse to install a meter under the pretext

that their main customers are labourers and will not be able to pay the fare and tend to negotiate a price prior to boarding the taxi.

Suleiman, representing taxi drivers in the Sultanate, said it is not logical to install a taxi meter since there are minibuses also operating on the streets and they cannot charge for more than one

people at any given time.

He added that many of his customers are labourers and they won’t be able to pay a large amount for travelling on a meter.

“The buses take 200 to 300 baisas from Ruwi to Maabelah and they can carry more than 30 passengers. If I take one passenger, which is a labourer in most cases,

FINANCIAL CRIMES

ROP warns of phone scammers Times News Service MUSCAT: Nationals and residents have been warned by police to be wary of calls from strangers claiming they have won a prize.

Royal Oman Police (ROP) warned the public about suspicious calls coming from within the Sultanate claiming that victims won a cash prize, while asking the recipient of the call to reveal bank account information.

A senior ROP official from the Department of Combating Financial Crimes of the Directorate General of Inquiries and Investigations, noted, “Some nationals and residents are receiving calls from unknown persons that tell them that they won a cash prize from a telecommunications company in the Sultanate.

“To claim the prize they ask the victims for their bank account number and identification number. They would then enter the bank applications and accounts to withdraw all the money in that account,” explained the official.

The Directorate General of Inquiries and Investigations warned the public to never disclose personal information or answer suspicious calls.

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charge for the same distance and on a meter, he won’t be able to pay,” said Suleiman, adding that the labourer will then opt for the cheaper option.

When asked as to why not suggest a fair price for the service, he said, “Logically speaking, even if a price is suggested, not everyone will pay for the taxi while you have a bus

taking you for a much less price.”

Meeting Last year, Suleiman and other taxi drivers had a meeting with the Ministry of Transport and Communications to agree on regulating the prices suggested, but unfortunately the meeting resulted in a standstill while a response is yet to

be given by the ministry.

Suleiman said they have been hit hard by the emergence of new taxi services saying they did not make as much as they used to.

“I used to stand at our ‘take-off’ point in Ruwi for 30 minutes until my minibus fills up; now I wait for hours and don’t move until it is full,” Suleiman explained.

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THURSDAY, AUGUST 4, 2016

OMAN

Sandstorm blankets Nimr in Marmul, heavy rain in Salalah Oman Meteorology Department had issued an advisory during the morning about dust and sandstorms for Qarn Alam, Thumrait, and Muqshin

REJIMON K

reji@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: A large sandstorm blanketed Nimr in Marmul and Dhofar areas, some 900kms from Muscat, for hours on Wednesday.

“All of a sudden it started at around 12:30pm. It was quite scary.

We all stopped work and ran for shelter. I have not seen such a huge sandstorm,” a worker at a camp in Nimr told the Times of Oman.

According to the worker, high wind continues to blow in the area.

“We all are remaining inside,” the workers said.

Oman Meteorology Department had issued an advisory during the morning about dust and sandstorms for Qarn Alam, Thumrait, and Muqshin.

At around 2pm, in a tweet, the department said that dusty winds with speeds of 24knots had hit Haima, 30knots in Duqm and 27

knots in Thumrait.

Meanwhile, Bader Ali Al Baddaei, an administrator at www. rthmc.net, a local web-based forum that discusses weather in Oman, told the Times of Oman that heavy rain fell in different parts of Salalah in the afternoon.

“Roads were flooded and wadis were overflowing. Traffic was disrupted in some parts, too,” he said.

In its latest report, the Oman Meteorology Department has also predicted cloudy skies will be seen over coastal areas of Dhofar Governorate and adjoining mountains, with intermittent drizzle.

“There are mainly clear skies over the rest of the Sultanate, with chances of medium and high cloud advection over most of the Sultanate and chances of convective cloud development and isolated rains, along with occasional thundershowers over the Al-Hajar Mountains and adjacent wilayats,” the report added.

Meanwhile, Jason Nicholls, a senior meteorologist at AccuWeather, predicted storms in Oman beginning on Wednesday.

www.rthmc.net

E D UC AT I O N

PRECIOUS SOURCE

How to save 335 gallons at home

335 gallons

Gallons

Action to take

Water production in 2015

15-45

Doing laundry only when the washing machine is full

(Total production of large desalination plants)

12

Reducing bath time to a period of 5 minutes

19

Flushing only when it is necessary

Million cubic metres per day 70

0

21

Using brooms to clean the backyards

38

Covering swimming pools to reduce evaporation rate

33

Washing dishes in sink full of water, or running dishwasher only when it is full

20

Repairing taps and closing leaks

Ghubra (including temporary plant)

60.71

31.11

Barka 1

Barka 1 (Ext-1)

15.79

43.10

Barka 2

5 40 The equivalent of 335 gallons:

67

Closing taps while brushing teeth

Installing water sprinklers in right places to avoid any waste of water in agricultural fields

Barka 2 (Ext-2)

Sohar

5-gallon bottles

100

47.57

Using pail instead of hose to wash your car Sur

2

2.79

27.46

Limiting water usage to one and half litres for ablution Graphics

Source: Public Authority for Electricity & Water

PAEW launches campaign to conserve water, urges people to use it judiciously TARIQ ZIAD AL HAREMI

coverage is planned for the next two decades.

“We have been experiencing in the last few years a rapid and continuous growth in water demand where there is a 15 per cent increase on average per year as a result of robust economic and demographic growth in Oman,” said PAEW.

tariqh@timesofoman.com

MUSCAT: Water has always been a valuable resource for the Sultanate and as its demand rises, so must the supply, but the Public Authority for Water and Electricity (PAEW) has urged consumers to save water.

The #I_Commit campaign conducted by PAEW is aimed at encouraging residents and nationals to save water due to the fact that Oman’s water resources are scarce and invaluable.

The campaign seeks to reduce the consumption of water and give advice on how to efficiently use the resource.

“Water is a critical resource for life in Oman. Our economy, our environment and our day-to-day lifestyle needs water to flourish.

In Oman, water demand is increasing every year,” said PAEW. Pressure on resources “This puts pressure on the water resources and the water pro-

duction capacity of our assets,” they added.

Not only does using water efficiently allow saving water resources, but also allows saving money in hefty bills paid by each household. Currently, the price for water in residential buildings is 2 baizas per gallon from 1 to 5,000 gallons and 2.5 for consuming over 5,000 gallons of water.

PAEW has advised the public to refrain from continuously running the tap during activities, such as brushing teeth, washing dishes, washing fruit and vegeta-

bles and shaving which could save them gallons of water and help go easy on their water bill.

“Turning off the water while brushing your teeth can save 25 gallons a month. In most of the situation you are going through, you can reduce the use of water,” explained PAEW. Coverage plan Currently, approximately 60 per cent of the Sultanate is covered by a water network and the target for 2016 is to increase this coverage to 64 per cent, while 90 per cent

Production In 2015, large desalination plants produced 228.6 million cubic metres of water, while small desalination plants produced 11 million cubic meters during the same year.

Wells accounted for 61.4 million cubic metres of water produced.

171.95 million cubic metres of water have been distributed through the network, up from 159.49 million cubic metres in 2014, while 25.45 million cubic metres have been distributed by tankers, compared with 25.04 million cubic metres in 2014.

As a result, water distribution grew by 7 per cent in 2015, according to PAEW.

Oman link of Oxford Union debate winner DEEBA HASAN

deeba@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: Dr Rahul Gandhi, a 33 year-old doctor who spent part of his life in Oman studying at the Indian School Muscat, recently won a debate on DNA manipulation at the Oxford Union.

Gandhi spoke against the motion, arguing with Sir Ian Wilmut, considered one of the greatest authorities in genetics, whose lab cloned Dolly the Sheep.

His presence at the Oxford Union was meant to bring a very important topic in the world of science to the fore,as well as to highlight the potential benefit MBA degrees offer the world through social entrepreneurship a move that Oxford has embraced, as opposed to most traditional schools of business.

Founded in 1823, the Oxford Union has grown to become the most prestigious student society in the world,and has hosted world leaders in almost every field, including Presidents Reagan, Nixon and Carter, Malcolm X, Michael Jackson and Albert Einstein, among others.

While Dr Gandhi’s team won the debate by a large margin, he noted that winning the debate was not his ultimate goal.

“In the wake of advances in medical science, mankind has unlocked the secrets to genetic configuration and holds the potential to address the global burden of chronic disease. The development of CRISPR-Cas9 allows scientists to edit what society may perceive to be defective or undesirable genes, for example to mitigate HIV risks or cancer.

“There is a fear, though, that such a move is a step too far – that it is ‘playing God’, even. Moreover, many are concerned about what types of ‘defects’ will be weeded out: today, cancer, but tomorrow, those with low IQ? Such worries fuel the view that perhaps the possibility of so-called ‘designer babies’ is a threat posed by progress in genetic engineering. But does that mean abandoning the chance to save lives and wipe out diseases? Or do we have an ethical obligation that overrides this?

These were a few of his points of argument at the Union. Currently, Dr Gandhi is pursuing an MBA at Oxford and MPH at Harvard, with a view to be an advocate for equitable healthcare.

“Health is being regarded as a

Dr Rahul Gandhi

commodity, whereas it is a fundamental human right. Access is limited by capitalistic models of health delivery, but collective action allows for universality in coverage. To study this falls within the broader realms of medical practice, and it was a perfect opportunity in the middle of my internal medical residency training that I could not refuse.”

Gandhi came to Oman from India as a teenager in 1997, along with his family, and enrolled at the Indian School Muscat in standard nine. After completing standard 12 in 2001 from Oman, he left for India to pursue Eastern and Indian philosophy at a ‘school of philosophy’ on the outskirts of Mumbai, his hometown, before turning on to become a neuroscientist in New Zealand.

He is currently on term break in Oman with his family, where his father manages a pharmaceutical company. “I am here to see family, this is in between term time at Oxford, so I thought I would come and spend time with them before heading to India for a project.”

“Oman and ISM in particular have contributed to my pursuit. I recall fondly my teachers at school providing the impetus for me to remain fascinated by Science. Clare Antony, M. Krishnamurthy, Premkumar and Vijayaraghavan were the giants on whose shoulders hundreds of students have stood to realize their visions. I am very thankful for my time here.”

THURSDAY, AUGUST 4, 2016

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Emirates jet bursts into flames, fliers unhurt An Indian passenger on the Emirates flight was all praise for the Dubai rescue team personnel whose timely intervention saved many lives

REJIMON K

reji@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: A dramatic crash landing at Dubai International Airport ended with an Emirates jet engulfed in a fireball moments after 300 passengers and crew had safely evacuated.

A firefighter died tackling the flaming plane on the ground at Dubai International Airport yesterday and passengers travelling on Oman Air flights – among many other scheduled routes – were stuck in limbo for hours.

Several Oman flights were cancelled and re-routed and the delays are expected to have a knockon effect on travel tomorrow.

Flights from Muscat to Dubai and via Salalah were delayed or cancelled.

At 12:50pm Emirates EK521 Trivandrum (India)-Dubai made a crash landing in Dubai and burst into flames.

There were 282 passengers and 18 crew on board and, miraculously, nobody was seriously injured in the incident.

One lucky passenger, travelling with his wife and three daughters,

THUMBS UP: The two minutes after disembarking were crucial,

says the Indian passenger.

fled the aircraft barefoot and with only a minor leg injury.

The Dubai Media office, quoting the General Civil Aviation Authority, tweeted at around 7:25pm that a firefighter lost his life battling the blazing plane while saving the lives of others.

Following the incident the runway was closed and operations were only resumed at 6:30pm.

28 flights According to an update from Emirates, the airline had to cancel 28 flights to different destinations. Several were returned to their departure airport and 22 were diverted to other airports in the region on Wednesday.

Soon after the incident, Oman Airport Management Company (OAMC) tweeted that all flights from Muscat via Muscat and Salalah airports to Dubai would be delayed because of the closure

of Dubai International Airport.

Transferred passengers In another tweet, the OAMC reported that all services and facilities in Muscat Airport were ready to host all transferred passengers from Dubai Airport.

Meanwhile, Emirates tweeted that they were doing everything they could to help passengers rebook flights.

“Emirates commercial passengers and Skywards members who had purchased tickets on or before August 3 will have rebooking; re-issue; and cancellation charges waived,” the airline tweeted.

At around 3pm, Oman Air tweeted that Flights WY609/610 MCT-DXB-MCT were cancelled due to the incident at Dubai International Airport.

Talking exclusively with Times of Oman, survivor Shaji Kochukutty, a medical consultant in Dubai,

said that Dubai Airport’s rescue team’s prompt actions saved them all. “After disembarking from the aircraft through the exit, we heard the first explosion, and then we heard the second and third. By then the aircraft was fully on fire,” Shaji said.

“I didn’t hear any announcements from the pilot that they were making an emergency landing. Some said that they heard an announcement. However, we felt that it was not a proper landing.

Soon after the landing, we saw smoke inside the flight. By then everyone was panicked and somebody had opened the emergency exit door,” he added.

Shaji, who suffered some minor bruises on his leg while leaving through the emergency door – minus his shoes – added: “My girls, 15, 11 and 8, are safe. My wife has suffered a minor strain on her leg.

We have reached home safely,” he said.

According to Shaji, the two minutes after disembarking were crucial.

Blast “If the blast had happened while we were inside, what would have happened? Additionally, we were also taken to a safe distance by the rescue team. A big thumbs-up for them. Dubai Airport’s rescue team’s promptness saved us all,” Shaji added.

The crashed aircraft was a Boeing 777 that has been in service since 2003, according to Flight Radar 24.

On Tuesday it flew from Dubai to Tunisia, Tunisia to Malta, Malta back to Dubai. On Wednesday morning it made an early flight from Dubai to Thiruvananthapuram on India’s southern tip. It was returning back to Dubai from India when it crashed.

1 0 - D AY C O N F E R E N C E

Indian School Ghubra students take part in US Global Young Leadership Conference Times News Service MUSCAT: Eight students from the Indian School Al Ghubra recently participated in the Global Young Leadership Conference held in New York and Washington, United States.

The students, Achintya Jayakumar, Durva Mahale, Dipesh Haldar, Charlette Thankam, Amartya Jagadish Naik, Adarsh Varghese, Aditya Deepak and Arvindakshan Rajesh participated in a variety of lectures, group discussions, site visits and recreational activities in the 10-day conference that was held from June 13 to 22.

Each delegate was assigned one of the six country groups for the conference. The country groups worked together towards the final “Global Summit” simulation, an event that replicates a United Nations meeting, where countries try to solve pressing issues and reach resolutions.

The delegates debated on issues ranging from poverty to the economy and the military, an experience of a lifetime.

The keynote speeches delivered by various students were related to the fields of education,

ENRICHING EXPERIENCE: The students participated in a variety

of lectures, group discussions and recreational activities in the 10-day conference that was held from June 13 to 22. – Supplied picture

sports, medicine and filmmaking and were immensely rewarding.

The delegates also discovered the value of other cultures and made friends from various countries as there were more than 150 students from 70 countries all over the globe. They visited

the embassies of foreign countries in the United States to understand how the diplomatic process works.

They also took the opportunity to explore the streets of New York and experience some remarkable places, including the Empire State

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Building, Wall Street, the Lincoln Memorial, the White House and the US Department of State and saw Matilda the Musical.

A visit to the National Air and Space Museum and the US Holocaust Memorial in Washington was inspirational for the delegates. In addition, they were fortunate to attend to a lecture by Angelica Silvero, a spokesman for the World Bank on the international currency scenario.

A cultural evening, where each of them spoke about his/her country and exchanged gifts, was also held. The conference helped them build confidence and develop leadership skills that will be invaluable for their future at universities and beyond.

It’s indeed a very rare honour and privilege that the delegates had received a personal invitation to attend the Presidential Inauguration Leadership Summit.

A great opportunity for them to listen to the Inaugural Speech of the 58th US President and attend a three-day conference at the UN Security Council from January 18 to 22, 2017. ISG takes great pride in the achievement of these meritorious students.

NEW AGREEMENT

28 Dhofar firms agree to pay higher wages to Omani nationals FAHAD AL GHADANI

fahanews@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: Omani nationals working in 28 companies based in Dhofar are expected to benefit from an increase in the minimum wage, thanks to an agreement between the government and private operators.

The workers will see an increase in their monthly rate from OMR325 to OMR400 after the Directorate General of Ministry of Manpower in Dhofar signed agreements with the companies to raise the minimum wage for nationals, an official at the General Directorate of the Ministry of Manpower in Dhofar said.

“We have signed agreements with 28 companies so far and more will agree in the coming days,” the official said.

Companies, including the Salalah port, Mina Petroleum, Salem Group, Dhofar Fisheries, Dhofar Structures and Iron industries, Dhofar Vegetable Oil and Derivatives, Dhofar Cattle Feed Company, Dhofar Poultry Company and other companies have agreed to raise the minimum wage for nationals,” said Khalid bin Hamad Al Rawahi, director of the General Directorate of the Ministry of Manpower in Dhofar, said.

He added that the decision was not only for now, but will be applicable in the future too.

“Raising the minimum pay for nationals, who receive OMR325, will reflect in the salaries for others too, such as those who earn more than OMR400. We try to create good relations with companies and explain that such issues have become necessary, especially in Dhofar, as most of the nationals don’t prefer to work for less than OMR400 as a monthly salary,” said Al Rawahi, adding that if the ministry wants to push nationals to work in the private sector, then it has to put this into action and create a better work atmosphere for them, especially when it comes to their pay.

“Companies should also show that they are willing to employ nationals and in return we can understand their situation whenever they are in a bad shape,” said Al Rawahi.

“We are working now with seven other companies and in the coming days, we might sign an agreement with them to raise the minimum salaries for nationals.

We work according to a plan and our moves can be counted upon to push as many companies to raise the nationals’ salaries. We target companies, which have a higher number of Omanis as employees and also companies that have nationals as employees, with salaries of less than OMR400,” explained Al Rawahi.

He further stated that the ministry has come across several cases where nationals were only being paid OMR280 after deducting social insurance, which made it quite difficult for them to meet their needs for the entire month.

“Such people resign after a short time. They feel they are not benefiting from their jobs. When moves, such as raising the minimum wages for nationals take

place and result in paying nationals OMR400 after the deduction of the social insurance, nationals will be happy to work and will not think of resigning,” said Al Rawahi.

“We followed up with the nationals working in companies, which have signed agreements with us and found them doing better at their jobs. Such examples are evidence for refuting the common theory that Omanis are not ready to work in the private sector. Once the work environment is fine, nationals will join the private sector and improve themselves and their careers,” Al Rawahi stressed.

“We are not special here in Dhofar, but it is about the efforts we made in the last eight months, which resulted in the agreements being signed with 28 companies.

We tend to create better relations with companies. We not only follow the regulations and law, but also open doors for negotiation.

When a company is running into losses and is in need of an expat workforce and therefore it has to employ nationals to get clearances for expat workers, we don’t put pressure on that company, but negotiate and find the best practice to make the company benefit and succeed, but at the same also benefit the nationals working in it. In some cases, some regulations can be delayed for sometime till the company starts doing well again in its business, which gives them a clear sign that they are benefiting from employing nationals,” said Al Rawahi.

He added that the he has no idea if the minimum wage for nationals working in the private sector in the whole Sultanate will be raised or not, but such decisions are taken by the government.

“Such a decision also has an impact on investment and therefore the economy of the Sultanate. Under the current situation, we can’t place more pressure on companies as the Sultanate is opening and facilitating opportunities for investment, but we can always negotiate and sign an agreement for the benefit of the nationals working in the private sector and also the companies,” Al Rawahi said, adding that it’s important for the government that companies, especially those that employ a large number of nationals, do not lose, but earn more and benefit the country and its nationals.

Yesterday, the General Directorate of Manpower in Dhofar had signed an agreement with the Dhofar Poultry Company to raise the minimum wage of its employees, who are Omani nationals to OMR400.

The agreement will become effective from September 2016. The current minimum wage in Oman stands at OMR325.

In response to the agreement, Salim Al Mashani, chief executive officer of Dhofar Poultry Company, said such an agreement will push nationals to work in the private sector in a better atmosphere.

“The company is keen to create a suitable atmosphere for nationals to become more productive in the private sector. We are always ready to work towards the benefit of nationals as we believe they are the real future of the Omani economy.

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THURSDAY, AUGUST 4, 2016

OMAN AL NU’MANI VISITS STF UNIT IN QURIYAT

Gen. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Nu’mani, Minister of the Royal Office visited the Royal Oman Police Special Task Force Unit (STF) in the Wilayat of Quriyat in the Governorate of Muscat. Nu’mani toured the unit’s facilities during which he was briefed on its duties. -ONA

Broadband strategy to bridge digital divide The strategy is based on three main pillars, reviewing the telecom regulatory framework, stimulating demand for broadband and enhancing the broadband infrastructure

IMPRESSIVE LEAP: The Council of Ministers has mandated that the Ministry of Transport and Communications oversee strategy implementations. – ONA

MUSCAT: Council of Ministers’ approval of the National Broadband Strategy (NBS) marks an impressive leap in terms of keeping pace with modern developments in the field of broadband and meeting needs of the market and operators with relation to broadband services.

The Council of Ministers has mandated that the Ministry of Transport and Communications oversee strategy implementation, provide the Council of Ministers with periodic reports on the work progress and approve the recommendations proposed hereto.

This important move comes in response to the growing demand for high-speed broadband internet services during the last few years; especially internet-based applications and services that have become an integral part of economic life and a prerequisite for improving the standard of living of all beneficiaries.

The Sultanate’s NBS is designed in a manner to ensure that it is in line with other national strategies in a bid to maximise their prevalence and the socioeconomic benefits generated by it.

By approving the NBS, the

Sultanate’s government seeks to overcome several challenges, such as the low percentage of fixed broadband take-up with slower growth and high cost of broadband, compared with GDP per head benchmarked across the region and globally.

The strategy also seeks to overcome various constraints for expansion of mobile broadband coverage, including spectrum limitations, provision of backhaul connectivity, adding new towers, limited competition among broadband providers and the high cost of reaching rural areas, which CAUTION

N E W R E G U L AT I O N S

Haj mission chief A1 meets firms’ owners

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MUSCAT: A meeting was held yesterday to review the new regulations in Saudi Arabia this year for serving pilgrims and the new systems for performing pilgrimage in connection with the owners of Haj companies and campaigns, including e-payment for Haj companies and campaigns with respect to housing, catering and transportation in the Sacred Land.

Sheikh Nasser bin Yousef Al Azri, Chairman of the Omani Haj Mission yesterday met with the owners of Haj companies and campaigns in the Sultanate.

The meeting also touched on the role of the Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs, being the organiser and responsible for the Omani Haj Mission.

The meeting highlighted the

represent 23 per cent of the total population. Broadband services enable citizens and expatriates to get high speed internet services at affordable rates, which will make the services provided by various organisations, as per international standards, more competitive and in turn will bridge the digital divide.

The strategy is based on three main pillars, namely reviewing the telecom regulatory framework, stimulating demand for broadband and enhancing the broadband infrastructure.

The Oman Broadband Company (OBC) endeavours to provide high quality infrastructure, with high capacity to cover half of the urban areas by 2020 and 95 per cent by 2030.

It also seeks to close the digital divide in the rural areas by providing a broadband network with basic capacity by 2020.

This is in line with the government vision of building a knowledge-based economy.

The company builds and operates the broadband network infrastructure in a way that meets international quality standards and becomes environment friendly. It seeks to avail the service for more beneficiaries through novel ways.

To this end, it has signed agreements with other infrastructure providers to streamline efforts and reduce the cost of construction, which in turn will ensure affordable costs for all service providers. -ONA

services by the mission for Omani pilgrims and the campaigns.

It also clarified the followed procedures with regard to campaigns and services offered by Haj companies and campaigns, as well as the role of the mission in taking care of pilgrims, citizens and residents in Oman.

The meeting also highlighted the role of Haj campaigns in serving the pilgrims and transporting them to the Sacred Land.-ONA

‘Read riders carefully before buying items’

One online shopper in Oman was surprised when purchasing from a major online baby store in the UAE. She said: “I ordered an item which clearly stated on the purchase page free returns within seven days. But when I tried to return it they said it only applied to customers in the UAE. There was no mention of that anywhere on the product page, however, hidden lower on the website was another returns policy page, and right at the end of that was the GCC returns policy.

“The joke was that I even arranged to have the item taken back to the UAE for them to collect, but they still refused to give me a refund as we’d opened the sealed plastic packaging it had come in. “Of course there was no way to check the item without opening the bag, but again, hidden away on the website, was their policy that they won’t accept items back if packaging was opened. It’s ridiculous.”

Omar bin Faisal Al Jahdhami, vice chairman of the PACP for consumer services and market control, urged online buyers to read previous customers’ comments to establish if there is anything wrong with the product they intend buying.

He urged consumers not to purchase electronics as they are more prone to damage and might cause warranty issues.

“Other products such as fabrics are safer to purchase online,” he said. “However, they need to check for the original shop price

before ordering as the online product includes the delivery fee which, when put together, can surpass the shop price,” Al Jahdhami warned.

He also warned about social media sellers who offer products that may come with faulty designs and cannot be replaced later as they are sold without providing bills or warranty.

Countries like Sweden have clear do and don’t links to instruct consumers before purchasing anything online.

The list includes: Watch out for fraud. z Be suspicious of cheap offers or unbelievably good products. z Read all the purchasing information on the website. z Don’t contact companies which are not bona fide z Check the total cost. Are packaging, delivery and any customs charges included? z How long is the delivery time?

This can be useful to know if you need the goods by a particular date. z If there is no mention of right to cancel, think carefully before you place an order. 14 days’ right to cancel is a legal right when shopping within Sweden. z It shouldn’t cost you anything to cancel a purchase, but you may have to pay the return postage. z Once you have ordered goods, you should always get a confirmation. The confirmation should also provide details of your right to cancel.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 4, 2016

A7

REGION EMIRATES AIRLINE PLANE CATCHES FIRE AT DUBAI AIRPORT

An Emirates Airline flight is seen after it crash-landed at Dubai International Airport, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), on Wednesday. Right: Passengers run away from the burning plane. A spokesperson for operator Dubai Airports said everyone aboard flight EK521 coming from Thiruvananthapuram, India, were evacuated safely. — Reuters/PTI

Tunisian president names Youssef Chahed as new PM New premier, a young technocrat, says to tackle corruption, public finances; new unity government to be named in 30 days

TUNIS: Tunisia’s President Beji Caid Essebsi named a little-known technocrat as prime minister on Wednesday after parliament ousted Habib Essid in a vote of no-confidence over his handling of economic reforms and security.

Opposition parties quickly denounced the appointment of Youssef Chahed, an agricultural science specialist and junior minister under Essid, saying he lacked the credentials for the job and had

IN NEW ROLE: Tunisia’s prime minister-delegate Youssef Chahed

poses for photographers after being appointed by the Tunisian president at Carthage Palace in Carthage, on Wednesday. – AFP

been chosen simply because he was a pliant ally of the president.

Since its 2011 revolution to oust Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, Tunisia has grown into a model of democracy in a turbulent region.

But militant attacks on tourist

POLITICAL RIFT WIDENS

South Sudan president fires ministers allied to rival Machar JUBA: South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir fired six ministers allied to his long-time rival Riek Machar late on Tuesday, widening a political rift in the world’s newest nation and drawing threats of more fighting.

Kiir filled the vacant posts, including that of petroleum minister, with people linked to a breakaway faction of Machar’s SPLM-IO party, further aggravating divisions between senior politicians in the oil-producing nation.

About 60,000 people have fled an outbreak of fighting between the two men’s supporters over the past three weeks, the United Nations says, on top of the hundreds of thousands already forced to flee in two years of ethnically charged violence.

Humanitarian crisis United Nations emergency relief coordinator, Stephen O’Brien, said the violence and “the culture of impunity” must stop before the humanitarian crisis worsened even further.

“The people of this country have suffered far too much.

There is no military solution to this conflict, the fighting must stop and the atrocities must end immediately,” he told a news conference during a visit to Juba.

Both sides agreed a peace deal last year and set up a unity government. But the ceasefire broke down several times and Machar left the capital last month, demanding an international force intervene to keep

their forces apart. The chaos has dismayed regional and world powers who helped broker South Sudan’s secession from Sudan in 2011, and had hoped its independence would draw a line under decades of war and instability that spread across east Africa.

Dismissed Kiir dismissed the ministers of the interior, petroleum, higher education, labour, water, as well as lands and housing in a statement read out on state television.

The replacements were made on the recommendation of Vice President Taban Deng Gai, who announced he was taking over the SPLM-IO in July.

“We are not surprised by the steps taken by... Kiir and Taban Deng Gai,” Machar’s deputy spokesman, Nyarji Jermlili Roman, said.

“We will march to Juba and put an end to this drama if the foreign forces are not deployed,” he said, referring to the buffer force demanded by Machar.

Civil war The two years of civil war that erupted after Kiir sacked Machar as vice president in 2013 has killed more than 10,000 people and displaced more than 2 million, many of whom fled to neighbouring Uganda, Ethiopia, Kenya and Sudan.

The personal rivalry between Kiir, from the Dinka group, and Machar, a Nuer, has worsened ethnic splits in a country awash with weapons. — Reuters

spots last year have tested the government, and political infighting in the ruling coalition has slowed economic progress needed to ease social tensions especially among the young employed.

Essebsi had been pushing for a

new national unity government in an attempt to overcome Tunisia’s current woes.

Chahed, who is also a senior member of the secular Nidaa Tounes party, told reporters: “The president has put me in charge of the national unity government.

This is a message of confidence for young people also. In this delicate time, we need a lot of audacious decisions.”

“Our priorities are a war on corruption, winning the war on terrorism, push for growth and balancing public finances,” he said.

He dismissed reports he had any family ties to Essebsi, responding to opposition criticism and local media that he was a distant relative of Essebsi.

Nidaa Tounes and the Ennahda party, both part of the ruling coalition, control a majority of the seats in parliament, meaning that Chahed’s nomination is likely to be accepted by lawmakers when they vote on his approval.

Essebsi already faces widespread criticism over what some

see as his attempt at a hereditary transfer of power to his son Hafed, the new leader of Nidaa Tounes.

This has split his party with critics breaking to form a new movement.

“Essebsi succeeded in getting those close to him into power and turning the political system to his favour,” Adnen Monsar, leader of the Alirada opposition party. “Now he has a premier who will follow his instructions.”

Chahed has 30 days to name a new government. But he will be under pressure to deliver on reforms demanded by Tunisia’s multilateral lenders such as the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank.

Among the economic reforms needed in Tunisia are to overhaul investment and fiscal codes, and reduce high public subsidies as well as promoting job growth.

Many young people in central and southern regions long dependent on agriculture say they feel abandoned by Tunis and let down by the revolution’s promise of opportunity. — Reuters

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

Egyptian tycoon gives up 75 per cent of wealth CAIRO: Hussein Salem, a businessman and ally of Egypt’s deposed president Hosni Mubarak, and his family have given up 75 per cent of their wealth in a deal that will allow them to return to Egypt without facing prosecution, his lawyer said.

Salem was arrested in 2011 under an international warrant in Spain, where he fled in the aftermath of the 18-day protest.

An Egyptian court sentenced him in absentia to seven years in jail and fines totalling more than $4 billion in 2011 after convicting him of money laundering and profiteering. He later faced further graft-related convictions but was cleared in 2014 of charges related to gas exports to Israel along with Mubarak and a former oil minister.

“I am very happy with the outcome of the case and feel that we can begin to move forward,” says Mahmoud Kabish, a former dean of the Faculty of Law at Cairo University and Salem’s lawyer. — Reuters

A8

THURSDAY, AUGUST 4, 2016

INDIA A S S I S TA N C E

Saudi Arabia to assist stranded workers: Singh RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has agreed to assist thousands of laid-off Indian workers stranded in the kingdom without money or food, an Indian minister said on Wednesday.

India’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs VK Singh, visiting Riyadh on Wednesday to meet Saudi Labour Minister Mufrej Al Haqbani, said the Saudi government had provided assurances that it would resolve the crisis and ensure workers’ financial claims were pursued, even if the workers returned home.

“Things are not as bad as they have been shown and projected,” the minister said in joint remarks with Haqbani after their meeting.

“Things are very fine. We are in constant touch with all the officials and the various departments of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.”

“Yesterday (on Tuesday), we contracted all the providers to provide health, catering, maintenance and everything, and we contracted the airlines to send back anybody who wants to go there upon the approval of the Embassy of India,” Haqbani said, according to a text of the remarks provided by his ministry.

A total of about 7,700 Indian workers were stranded, according to Indian officials.

Meanwhile, considering the special circumstances in Saudi Arabia, Kerala state cabinet, which met on Wednesday, decided to send Jaleel and Department Special secretary VK Baby, an official release said. — Agencies

Upper House finally passes GST Bill with amendments The passage of major tax reform marks

Goods and Services Tax (GST) is one of the most significant tax reforms in the history of India

a victory for Prime Minister Narendra Modi as he eyes an economic boost for the country

NEW DELHI: India’s upper house of parliament backed a major tax reform on Wednesday that seeks to transform the country into a common market, though opposition benches urged Finance Minister Arun Jaitley not to overtax businesses and consumers.

A bill allowing the constitution to be amended so that a nationwide Goods and Services Tax (GST) could be rolled out was held up for years by political in-fighting. Its passage marks a victory for Prime Minister Narendra Modi as he eyes an economic boost for Asia’s third-largest economy.

“GST is one of the most significant tax reforms in the history of India,” Jaitley told lawmakers.

The finance minister vowed to roll out the new sales tax as soon as possible, but refrained from

Arun Jaitley Finance Minister

committing to a firm schedule after missing the original launch date of April 2016.

The measure would harmonise 11 state and central levies into a national sales tax, reducing business transaction costs.

Economists at HSBC forecast the GST would produce a boost of 0.8 percentage points in India’s economic growth within three to five years. The gains are far from granted, however, and much will depend on its implementation, in particular pitching the tax at the right level to offset possible rev-

enue losses without fuelling inflation. A government-appointed panel has suggested a standard GST rate of 17-18 per cent but Indian states want a higher level.

Morgan Stanley reckons a higher rate could push up retail inflation by as much as 70 basis points.

That should worry Modi, whose Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) faces tough tests in crucial state elections next year.

“There is most definitely a risk that the GST will contribute to a pickup in inflation,” said Amitabh Dubey, an analyst at Trusted

Sources. “That will contribute to negative sentiment.”

The Modi government’s most ambitious reform has been a long time coming. The Indian leader had wanted the GST to come into effect in April 2016, hoping to reap its economic dividends in time for his expected re-election bid in 2019. Although the measure enjoyed broad political support, its passage was blocked by differences over its design, and a series of compromises agreed to win over states risks diluting the tax’s impact.

MAHARASHTRA

G UJA R AT C H I E F M I N I S T E R

More than 20 missing as old bridge collapses MAHAD (MAHARASHTRA): More than 20 people are missing as two buses have been swept away in swollen Savitri river after a British-era bridge collapsed on the Mumbai-Goa Highway near Mahad in Raigad district of the west Indian state of Maharashtra, where the massive search yielded two bodies on Wednesday.

Rescuers fished out bodies of two men from the river and an intense search is on to trace those missing, Raigad Collector Sheetal Ugale said at the mishap spot, 170 kms from Mumbai.

Two state transport buses with 18 passengers and four crew members (two drivers and two conductors) have gone missing in the tragedy that occurred late Tuesday night, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said in a tweet. Fadnavis, accompanied by state Public Works Department (PWD) Minister Chnadrakant Patil and opposition leader Radhakrishna Vikhe Pati, conducted an aerial survey of the area to review the search and rescue operations in progress.

“An eyewitness informed us that he saw a few buses, cars and vehicles being swept away in the river. After corroborating his statement with the State Road Transport Corporation, we

The two-year-old deadlock was broken only after the government offered concessions to the opposition Congress party, which had originally proposed the GST while in power but has opposed what it termed as a “flawed” tax.

P. Chidambaram, Jaitley’s predecessor and a senior Congress leader, blamed the government for the deadlock. “It could have been resolved in five minutes,” he said. “But the government was rather stubborn.”

Chidambaram warned of the risk of “creeping taxation” and urged capping the GST rate by law at 18 per cent to ensure it is “noninflationary, acceptable to public and an efficient way of taxing without tax evasion”.

He also asked for safeguards to prevent any tinkering in the rate without the approval from both houses of parliament.

The passage of the constitutional amendment bill on Wednesday kicks off a legislative marathon in which both the federal and state parliaments will need to pass further laws setting the rate and scope of the GST. Tax experts say that passing further legislation, training tax collectors, setting up IT systems and preparing companies for the new tax regime makes launching the GST by next April, the start of the next financial year, very challenging. If all goes well, they say, a July or October 2017 start date looks more probable. — Reuters

SWEPT AWAY: Bystanders look at the wreckage of a partially collapsed bridge over the River Savitri in Raigad District South of Mumbai. – AFP/Indian Coastguard

found that two of its buses have not reached their destinations and therefore we apprehend that those two buses were the same which were swept away in the river,” the district collector said.

Unconfirmed reports, quoting eye witnesses, said some cars have also been washed off after the bridge collapsed.

According to district officials, one of the buses was proceeding

to Mumbai from Jaigad in Raigad, and the other was on its way to Borivali from Rajapur.

Four teams of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), comprising of 40 deep divers each have joined the Coast Guard and other agencies engaged in rescue and relief operations. “As soon as we got information about the tragic incident, we dispatched two teams from Pune and two teams

from Mumbai who are searching for missing persons in the swollen river,” an NDRF official monitoring the rescue operations, said.

“Also, we have kept two teams in Mumbai and two teams in Pune in stand by mode, and they would be roped in as and when needed,” he said.

Fadnavis, who is monitoring the situation, said, “There were two parallel bridges; one is a new

bridge and one constructed during the British era. The old one collapsed.” “The primary reason seems to be the high pressure caused due to flooding of river Savitri because of heavy rains in catchment of Mahabaleshwar,” he said. The old bridge, located 4 kms from Mahad is said to have been constructed in 1928 while the new bridge came up in 2001.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Fadnavis and was briefed about the tragedy. “The PM offered all help in rescue and relief operations,” Fadnavis said.

Terming it as one of the biggest search and rescue efforts so far in country, Ugale said, “Two choppers of Navy and Coast Guard are involved in the operation while two choppers of IAF have carried out reconnaissance.”

The Coast Guard had deployed a Chetak helicopter at about 8:15am to carry out search for people who were swept away. A Seaking 42C all-weather aircraft with a diving team has been launched by the Navy. A Seaking 42B helicopter on another mission was also diverted to the area for search. According to locals, rain and darkness had hampered rescue work, which began on Wednesday morning, almost 12 hours after the bridge collapse. — PTI

Anandiben submits resignation GANDHINAGAR/NEW DELHI: Chief Minister of the west Indian state of Gujarat Anandiben Patel on Wednesday submitted her resignation to Governor OP Kohli hours after the BJP Parliamentary Board accepted her offer to quit and authorised party president Amit Shah to pick her successor to lead the party in 2017 polls.

Anandiben, who will turn 75 this November, handed over the resignation letter to Kohli in the presence of ministers and party leaders at Raj Bhavan in the evening. Kohli has asked her to continue until the new chief minister takes charge.

Earlier in the day, the BJP Parliamentary Board which met in Delhi authorised Shah to pick Anandiben’s successor after accepting her offer to resign.

The meeting of the Parliamentary Board, which was chaired by Shah and attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, appointed Union Minister Nitin Gadkari and BJP general secretary Saroj Pandey as party’s central observers to hold consultations with the MLAs for electing the new leader.

Shah will be travelling to Gujarat on Thursday. — PTI

E M I R AT E S F L I G H T C R A S H - L A N D I N G

Airlines cancel flights to Dubai NEW DELHI: More than a dozen flights to Dubai from India were cancelled on Wednesday while many more diverted after an Emirates flight from Thiruvananthapuram crash-landed on the runway of the Dubai International Airport, leading to the suspension of operations temporarily.

While Budget carrier IndiGo said it has cancelled 11 flights to Dubai from various domestic destinations, full service carrier Jet Airways cancelled two flights, one each from Mumbai and Delhi.

State-run Air India diverted nine of its Dubai-bound flights from different Indian cities to nearby airports like Sharjah and Al Maktoum International Airport. “We have cancelled all our 11 flights to Dubai for today (Wednesday) due to non-availability of the runway at the Dubai International Airport,” an IndiGo spokesperson said.

“Two of our flights have been affected owing to the runway closure at Dubai airport,” Budget carrier SpiceJet said in a statement. “Our second flight from Amritsar which was expected

ANXIOUS WAIT: Relatives wait for news at the departures termi-

nal of Thiruvananthapuram International Airport. – AFP

to arrive at Dubai airport at 1715 hours IST has been diverted to a nearby airport (DWC Al Maktoum International Airport) due to the runaway closure in accordance with the instructions by the Dubai Airport Authorities.”

SpiceJet’s second flight from Amritsar which was expected to arrive at Dubai airport at 1715 hours Indian time has been di-

verted to a nearby airport, it said adding, “We have taken all requisite measures to ensure adequate refreshments for the stranded passengers.”

Emirates, also announced the cancellation of its flights to Mumbai and Kolkata from Dubai in the wake of the accident. “We are expecting an 8-hour network wide delay,” Emirates said. — PTI

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CONTROVERSY

PTI leader seeks ban on Doraemon cartoons LAHORE: A Pakistani opposition lawmaker on Wednesday proposed banning 24-hour cartoon TV channels, specifically the popular Japanese series “Doraemon”, drawing ridicule on social media in a country fighting corruption, poverty and extremist militants.

Malik Taimur, from cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan’s political party, said such channels could have a negative influence on children.

The resolution submitted in Punjab province’s assembly requested “the federal government that it make it binding upon PEMRA (state regulator) that it close down cartoon channels, specifically Doraemon, or only run them for limited time periods”.

“Children’s education and physical health is being affected by these 24-hour cartoon channels,” the resolution said.

Doraemon is a small, blue robot cat from the future sent back in time to help a hapless schoolboy and his family.

Many episodes of the animated version feature lessons about moral values, and the series has been translated into over 30 languages. — Reuters

A9

PAKISTAN

Sindh, Centre at odds over policing powers of Rangers Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah signed two summaries on Monday seeking a yearlong extension in the Rangers’ stay in the province with policing powers in Karachi only

BONE OF CONTENTION: Interior ministry rejects Sindh govt sum-

mary seeking policing powers for paramilitary force in Karachi alone. — AFP file photo

for 90 days

ISLAMABAD: The Centre and Sindh are again at loggerheads over policing powers for the Rangers which has been conducting targeted operations against criminals, particularly terrorists, target killers, kidnappers and extortionists, in the province since September 2013. The federal government on Tuesday voiced serious reser-

vations over a Sindh government move to limit the special powers of the paramilitary force to Karachi.

Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah signed two summaries on Monday seeking a yearlong extension in the Rangers’ stay in the province with policing powers in Karachi only for 90 days. The legal wing of the federal interior ministry, however, rejected one of the summaries, resurrecting a row

that had apparently been averted a day earlier.

The legal wing pored over the summaries sent by the Sindh chief minister and concluded that one of them relating to the Rangers special powers doesn’t conform to Article 147 of the Constitution, sources in the ministry told The Express Tribune.

Nonetheless, sources said Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali

Khan might review the summary.

“The government of a province may, with the consent of the federal government, entrust, either conditionally or unconditionally, to the federal government, or to its officers, functions in relation to any matter to which the executive authority of the province extends,” reads Article 147.

Chaudhry Nisar believes the Rangers’ special powers cannot be restricted to Karachi only – and constitutionally, the policing powers, if granted, would apply to the whole of Sindh.

“The paramilitary force has thus far conducted 154 raids in rural Sindh which have yielded 533 arrests,” he told a news conference on Monday.

Incensed by the interior minister’s hard line, a vocal Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) senator, Saeed Ghani, advised him not to become a ‘viceroy’.

“The Sindh government has granted special powers to the paramilitary force in a manner which had been decided by the Sindh Assembly and an all-party conference,” said Ghani who is expected to get a portfolio in the new cabinet of Sindh.

This is a Sindh government prerogative to decide where to deploy the Rangers in the province.

“Chaudhry Nisar considers himself a viceroy and he wants to sabotage the understanding which was reached with harmony to fight the war against terrorism. It has become abundantly clear that Chaudhry Nisar is working on some hidden agenda,” Ghani added.

Sindh Law Adviser Murtaza Wahab, meanwhile, said the provincial government has sought the same powers for the Rangers that the paramilitary force has been enjoying since 2013, the year when targeted operations were launched in Karachi. “ “We have not curtailed the Rangers powers. I don’t know why the federal government has rejected the summaries,” he said, adding that before the Karachi operation, all political parties and stakeholders had evolved a consensus to give the Rangers special powers only in Karachi.

He claimed that security situation in other districts of Sindh was under control, and the police were diligently handling the situation.

Reacting to PPP’s criticism, Parliamentary Secretary for Information Broadcasting and National Heritage Mohsin Shahnawaz Ranjha said the PPP should put its own house in order and improve its governance in Sindh. — Express Tribune

E X T R E M I S T T H R E AT

FESTIVE TIMES

Men walk past a national flag hanging at the roadside for the upcoming Independence Day festivities in Islamabad on Wednesday. Pakistan will celebrate the 69th anniversary of the country’s independence from British rule on August 14. — AFP

Pakistan joins group to counter terrorism ISLAMABAD: Pakistan, along with three other regional member states, joined on Wednesday the Quadrilateral Cooperation and Coordination Mechanism (QCCM) to counter terrorism.

According to the media military wing, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the group includes armed forces of Pakistan, Afghanistan, China, and Tajikistan, which have agreed to establish the QCCM in order to coordinate and provide mutual support against terrorism.

These countries’ armed forces will help one another in countering terrorism, clue verification, intelligence sharing, capacity building and joint training exercises.

Army chief General Raheel Sharif, Afghan army chief Qadam Shah, head of Tajikistan Army Major General E A Cobidrzoda and Chief of Joint Staff Department of Central Military Commission General Fang Fenghui were present on the occasion.

The participants unanimously agreed that terrorism and extrem-

Quadrilateral Cooperation and Coordination Mechanism includes armed forces of Pakistan, Afghanistan, China, and Tajikistan ism were serious threats to regional stability, reiterating to cooperate for tackling them for peace and stability of all member countries.

Earlier during the day, the COAS held meetings with Chief of General Staff General Fang of People Liberation Army. He discussed military to military relations, bilateral security cooperation, as well as all dimensions of long-term CPEC security.

General Raheel also held separate meetings with Xinkiang province Party Secretary Zhang Chun Xian. — Express Tribune

SEEKING RECOGNITION

First female qawwali group Manwa Sisters set to release debut song LAHORE: Claiming to be the first group of female singers to take up qawwali (genre of Sufi songs) as a profession, Manwa Sisters are set to release their first video song Allah Janey.

Comprising Saba, Fauzia and Zille Huma, the band has been moving from strength to strength ever since its arrival in Lahore.

Hailing from Faisalabad, the sisters belong to the qawwali singing family of Kerala gharana that has produced numerous renowned musicians in the past.

Apart from qawwali, the sisters are also into film music and frequently perform popular numbers of their idols Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and Noor Jahan. Allah Janey is their first attempt to put out an original song.

Dilip Kumar Talking to The Express Tribune, the group’s front woman Saba said their family has had a long association with the trade.

“Indian superstar Dilip Kumar would frequently invite our grand uncle Rasheed Faridi at his place to listen to him. After our grandfather’s death, no one was interested in continuing with music.” Perhaps this is what spurred the girls into action.

When asked why they named the group Manwa, Saba laughed, saying, “We chose the word Manwa because that (literal meaning of the word in Urdu) is what we want to do.

TRENDSETTERS: Apart from qawwali, the sisters are also into

film music and frequently perform popular numbers of their idols Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and Noor Jahan. Allah Janey is their first attempt to put out an original song. — Express Tribune

“We want to get our talents recognised.” They may have formally launched their group a while ago, but the sisters have been singing together ever since they were quite young. We have been singing at family events and private functions for a while.

“It wasn’t until three years ago that we finally decided to start our group and take music up as a profession,” she added.

Honing their skills under the

tutelage of many masters of Indian classical music and qawwali ever since, the girls decided that in order to advance their careers, they will have to move out of Faisalabad. “We thought moving to Lahore would be a great idea. We will get to perform at bigger events and find more career opportunities,” Saba said.

“For the past 12 odd months, the sisters have been residing in the provincial capital.

Comprising Saba, Fauzia and Zille Huma, the band has been moving from strength to strength ever since its arrival in Lahore.

The sisters belong to the qawwali singing family of Kerala gharana that has produced numerous renowned musicians

During their many TV and stage appearances, the girls performed Lollywood hits and even folk and semi-classical tunes. However, they feel their forte lies in qawwali.

Comes very naturally “We have tried to adopt the qawwali style because it comes very naturally to us. It is in our blood,” Saba said.

Zilla Huma pitched in by saying that they are aware of the trends

in the music industry. ““Besides qawwali, we also sing light stuff and will continue to release such singles in the future,” she added.

Leading a proper qawwal party is no easy task. For industry amateurs, it is quite a challenge from a financial standpoint. “At the moment we are not making a lot of money so we cannot run a whole party and hire all the musicians.

How will we pay them?” asked Saba. For now, the Manwas have decided to stick to keeping the band small.

Training at Alhamra Meanwhile, they are still working on their vocals with a training programme at Alhamra. In order to keep the stove burning and afford the challenging career that they have taken up, the sisters also give private tuitions to schoolchildren in their locality.

“All three of us completed our graduate degrees while in Faisalabad. Things are expensive here in Lahore so tuitions just help with that,” Saba said.

Once they establish themselves in the city’s entertainment circuit, these girls want to be known solely for their qawwali singing.

When asked if the three ever have any disagreements over who will lead or who will sing a particular part, Saba said, “Not at all.

There’s unity among us. In fact, we find it difficult to sing with anyone else, such is our understanding.”

The sisters have already been ap-

proached by numerous artists to join their bands.

“For now we want to stick with our own group. In the future we might consider collaborations.”

Often referred to as the Manchester of Pakistan, thanks to its industrial estates, Faisalabad was introduced to the world by its prodigal son Nusrat Fateh. Nusrat’s name was taken forward by his bright nephew Rahat Fateh Ali Khan.

Getting help not ease While the city is famous for its qawwals and the many families associated with music that still live there, Saba said getting help is not easy. “No gharana is willing to help us. They don’t want to teach anyone,” she said.

On the other hand, their gender, too, is a problem. “Girls, in the past, haven’t normally ventured into qawwali singing and we hardly come across a proper female qawwal in the Indian subcontinent,” said Zille Huma. “The challenges are there but we are committed.

We have been doing it for three years now and have been appreciated for our work. Wherever we go, we get a very heartening response.”

— Express Tribune

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THURSDAY, AUGUST 4, 2016

WORLD NEW CONSTITUTION

VOLCANO ERUPTS IN INDONESIA

Indonesian residents look at the Mount Sinabung volcano as it spews volcanic ash near the Tiga Pancur village in Karo, North Sumatra, on Wednesday. Volcanic eruptions in Indonesia in recent days have forced the closure of two airports and disrupted some flights to the holiday island of Bali, officials said. — AFP

Thailand to deploy 200,000 police officers for referendum BANGKOK: Thai authorities will deploy about 200,000 police for a referendum on a contentious new constitution on Sunday but violence is seen as unlikely, police and the government said on Wednesday, despite widespread opposition to the charter.

In the vote, the country will decided on whether to accept the military’s constitution in the biggest test of public opinion since the generals seized power in May 2014, with prospects for an election next year possibly in the balance. Authorities have arrested and detained dozens of activists and politicians in the run-up to the referendum, some for trying to hand out leaflets urging people to vote ‘no’. The military said the constitution will usher in stable, clean politics and heal more than a decade of bitter political division.

“From intelligence received, nothing points to any likelihood of violence on referendum day,” Colonel Peerawat Saengthong, a spokesman for the Internal Security Operations Command, a military unit dealing with national security, told reporters.

Critics of the proposed constitution have held small, symbolic protests against it but they have been muted. — Reuters

WA R O N D RU G

Philippine police kill six bodyguards of mayor linked to drug trade MANILA: Philippine police commandos killed six bodyguards on Wednesday who worked for a town mayor who had turned himself in over links to the illegal drug trade, as President Rodrigo Duterte’s anti-drug war shifted from street peddlers to officials.

National police spokesman Dionardo Carlos told reporters there had been a gunbattle between the police and bodyguards working for Rolando Espinosa after police went to search Espinosa’s home on Leyte island in the central Philippines earlier on Wednesday.

Espinosa, mayor of Albuera town, turned himself in to the national police chief on Tuesday after Duterte asked him and his son, Kerwin, to surrender over their involvement in the drug trade, warning they would be killed if they resisted arrest. Espinosa has publicly denied any part in the drug trade but said his son was peddling “shabu” (methamphetamine), which he gets from a jailed Chinese drug trader. “The incident was related to the investigation on alleged drug trade by the mayor and his son,” Carlos said.

He said six men were killed and six others escaped. “We have recovered 13 high-powered firearms and five pistols from the scene,” he said. Charges would be laid against the mayor for keeping unlicensed guns, Carlos said. The raid signalled a shift in Duterte’s drug war from running after street-level peddlers and users to powerful regional politicians and foreign drug traffickers. — Reuters

Maoist chief Prachanda is new Nepal prime minister Prachanda, whose real name in Pushpa Kamal Dahal, won 363 votes of the 573 votes cast in the 595-member parliament

KATHMANDU: Nepal’s parliament on Wednesday elected Prachanda, who led a decade-long insurgency that topped a feudal monarchy, as the Himalayan nation’s new prime minister, a week after KP Oli stepped down to avoid a no-confidence motion.

Nepal has long been mired in political instability and Prachanda, 61, becomes its 24th prime minister since protests led to the establishment of a multi-party democracy in 1990. He has served once before, after winning power in 2008.

Prachanda, whose real name in Pushpa Kamal Dahal, won 363 votes of the 573 votes cast in the 595-member parliament. Lawmkers draped Buddhist prayer scarves around his neck after he was elected unopposed.

“I will work for national unity, to promote the interest of the country and its people,” the bespectacled leader had told lawmakers earlier.

NEW LEADER: Nepal’s newly-elected Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, centre, looks on before leaving the Parliament Building in

Kathmandu on Wednesday. – AFP

The return of Prachanda, who still uses his nom de guerre, which means “fierce”, but has lost his former Robin Hood image, is unlikely to end the revolving-door politics that has sapped business confidence in the country.

“I don’t think he will be stable,” said Guna Raj Luitel, editor of the daily Nagarik.

“There is no agreement between parties on a basic agenda for the country. They have only agreed for convenience, and there is already a deal to change the prime minister after nine months.”

Prachanda’s confirmation be-

came possible with the support of parliament’s biggest party, the centrist Nepali Congress, and several smaller parties. The Maoists are the third biggest group in the legislature.

Power-sharing deal Under a widely reported powersharing deal, Nepali Congress leader Sher Bahadur Deuba is expected to take over from Prachanda before Nepal holds a general election at the beginning of 2018.

Party officials have declined to comment. The two leaders make for a disparate combination.

Deuba headed the cabinet that offered a bounty of $50,000 (5 million rupees) for Prachanda in 2001, at the peak of the insurgency. Two years later, Maoist guerrillas shot up Deuba’s convoy in west Nepal, but he escaped unhurt.

Frequent changes of government are blamed on politicians who are seen as selfish and power hungry, and who show little concern for the plight of Nepal’s 28 million people. Nearly a quarter live on less than $2 a day.

Politics in Nepal, which has great potential to generate hydro-

electric power, is closely watched by giant neighbours. Prachanda said his government would continue the pacts Oli signed with China and India.

The Madhesis, mostly southern plains dwellers with ties to India, say the charter weakens their position in the central government by dividing their homeland.

The new leader also faces a huge reconstruction effort after earthquakes that killed 9,000 people last year, besides overseeing settlement of war crimes cases against the Maoists and the security forces. — Reuters

CABINET RESHUFFLE

Japan’s prime minister picks hawkish ally as defence minister TOKYO: Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe appointed a conservative ally as defence minister on Wednesday, in a cabinet reshuffle that left most key posts unchanged, and he promised to speed up the economy’s escape from deflation and boost regional ties.

New Minister of Defence Tomomi Inada, previously the ruling party policy chief, shares Abe’s goal of revising the post-war, pacifist constitution, which some conservatives consider a humiliating symbol of Japan’s World War Two defeat.

CHANGE IN TEAM: Japan’s new defence minister Tomomi Inada arrives at Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s official residence in Tokyo, Japan, on Wednesday. – Reuters

Frayed relations She also regularly visits Tokyo’s Yasukuni Shrine for war dead, which China and South Korea see as a symbol of Japan’s past militarism. Japan’s relations with China and South Korea have often been

frayed by the legacy of Japan’s military aggression before and during World War Two. Abe told a news conference the economy was his top priority and he would devote himself to lifting the country out of deflation, but that he also aimed to mend regional relations in the face of the threat posed by North Korea. “We will steadily strengthen ties with neighbouring countries such as China and South Korea, and proceed with talks with Russia for a peace treaty,” he said, referring to the fact that Japan and Russia never signed a treaty after World War Two because of a territorial dispute.

Abe is expected to travel to China in September for a Group of 20 summit, where he may meet Chinese President Xi Jinping to help mend ties also strained by a row

over tiny isles in the East China Sea and China’s growing assertiveness in the South China Sea. Inada, a 57-year-old lawyer, is the second woman to hold the defence post. The first, Yuriko Koike, who held the job briefly in 2007, was recently elected Tokyo governor. The foreign ministries of China and South Korea had no immediate comment on her appointment. Abe is trying to rekindle growth as he ponders the possibility of staying in office after his term as president of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) ends in 2018. On Tuesday, his outgoing cabinet approved 13.5 trillion yen ($133.58 billion) in fiscal steps to try to revive the economy.

Abe, who took office in December 2012, will retain his right-hand man, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, along with Fi-

nance Minister Taro Aso and Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida.

Economics Minister Nobuteru Ishihara will also be kept on along with Health, Welfare and Labour Minister Yasuhisa Shiozaki. Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Hiroshige Seko will become trade and industry minister.

Tamayo Marukawa, who served as environment minister in the previous cabinet, was appointed minister in charge of overseeing preparations for Tokyo’s 2020 Summer Olympic Games.

Abe also appointed a new LDP executive line-up.

The appointment of Toshihiro Nikai, 77, as LDP secretary general was seen as signalling Abe’s hopes for a third term. Nikai has said he would support an extension for Abe, which would require a change in party rules. — Reuters

THURSDAY, AUGUST 4, 2016

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WORLD

ROBOTIC LANDER

US issues clearance to first private company to fly to moon CAPE CANAVERAL: A Floridabased company won US government permission on Wednesday to send a robotic lander to the moon next year, the firm’s founder said, marking the first time the United States has cleared a private space mission to fly beyond Earth’s orbit.

The Federal Aviation Administration’s unprecedented go-ahead for the Moon Express mission also sets a legal and regulatory framework for a host of other commercial expeditions to the moon, asteroids and Mars.

As approved by the FAA’s Office of Commercial Space Transportation, the privately held Moon Express, headquartered in Cape Canaveral, plans to fly a suitcasesized lander to the moon for a two-week mission in 2017, said the TEST FOR JACOB ZUMA

South African vote tests ANC hold on cities JOHANNESBURG/PRETORIA: South Africans voted in local elections on Wednesday that could see the ruling African National Congress (ANC) and its scandalhit leader lose control of the capital and other key cities for the first time since the end of apartheid.

Many queuing in the winter cold said they were worried about President Jacob Zuma’s performance and the state of Africa’s most industrialised economy.

Analysts say the ANC is facing the toughest electoral challenge in its history - a narrow win in key cities would still be a significant blow for a movement which embodied South Africa’s liberation struggle. Its next major test comes in national elections in 2019.

“Where I live I don’t have electricity and we use paraffin stoves to cook. We’re struggling. For 22 years the ANC has been in power but nothing has changed,” said Philemon Mathebula, an unemployed 35-year-old from Johannesburg.

He told Reuters he had switched his allegiance to the main opposition Democratic Alliance party, a historically white-dominated movement that is hoping for growing support under its new black leader Mmusi Maimane.

Opinion polls see a particularly close race in the capital Pretoria, economic-hub Johannesburg and the symbolic Nelson Mandela Bay municipality named after the antiapartheid icon.

The Democratic Alliance was expected to keep hold of Cape Town, the only major city not run by the ANC. “The vote will be a referendum on Zuma and the performance of his government on the national economy as well as the local level,” said BNP Paribas Securities South Africa political analyst Nic Borain.

“I’m voting because I want access to electricity and water and other services.

“Unemployment is rife and I think voting will help change that,” said pensioner William Mahlangu in Pretoria. — Reuters

The Federal Aviation Administration’s unprecedented go-ahead for the Moon Express mission also sets a legal and regulatory framework for a host of other commercial expeditions to the moon, asteroids and Mars

company founder and chief executive Bob Richards.

The spacecraft will carry a number of science experiments and some commercial cargo on its oneway trip to the lunar surface, including cremated human remains, and will beam back pictures and video to Earth, the company said.

Before now, no government agency was recognised as having authority to oversee private missions beyond Earth’s orbit, though a 1967 international treaty holds the United States responsible for any flights into space by its nongovernment entities.

So far, only government agen-

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe described the launch as a ‘grave threat’ to Japan and said Tokyo ‘strongly protested’. Japan also said its self-defence force would remain on alert in case of further launches

SEOUL: North Korea launched a ballistic missile on Wednesday that landed in or near Japanese-controlled waters for the first time, the latest in a series of launches by the isolated country in defiance of United Nations Security Council resolutions.

The main body of the missile landed in Japan’s economic exclusion zone, a Japanese defence official said, escalating regional tensions that were already high after a series of missile launches this year and the decision by the United States to place a sophisticated anti-missile system in South Korea.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe described the launch as a “grave threat” to Japan and said Tokyo “strongly protested”. Japan also said its self-defence force would remain on alert in case of further launches.

A US State Department spokesman condemned the launch, and said it would “only increase the international community’s resolve to counter” North Korea’s actions.

The US Strategic Command

DEFIANT: A man passes by a TV news programme with file footage of a North Korean rocket launch at the Seoul Railway Station in

Seoul, South Korea, Wednesday. North Korea fired a ballistic missile into the sea, South Korea’s military said.

said it had detected two missiles, one of which it said exploded immediately after launch.

The missile that landed in the Sea of Japan was launched at about 7:50am Seoul time (2250 GMT on Tuesday) from a region in South Hwanghae province to the southwest of North Korea’s capital, Pyongyang, South Korea’s Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement.

The launch showed North Korea’s ambition to “directly and broadly attack neighbouring countries and target several places in the Republic of Korea such as ports and airfields”, the South Ko-

Hong Kong protest activist is ‘American-led Western power’

Harrowing images The video, released on August 1 by the Supreme People’s Procuratorate via its official Weibo account, depicts harrowing images of refugees from Central Asia, the Middle East and Eastern Europe dying or in horrific conditions.

The video then contrasts this with pictures of a strong and stable China. Hong Kong, Taiwan, Tibet and Xinjiang, are singled out,

Fly to Mars Elon Musk, founder and chief executive of Space Exploration Technologies, plans to fly a spacecraft to Mars in 2018, a mission that raises a host of issues dealing with protecting potential indigenous life on the planet from contamination by Earth microbes.

Among other private space ventures in the works are missions

to mine asteroids, operate science labs and repair and service satellites.

Planetary protection is less of a concern on the moon, but Moon Express did have to contend with concerns about disturbing Apollo and other historic lunar landing sites, among other issues.

“We proposed a scenario that built on the existing FAA mission-approval framework,” Richards said.

NASA and other agencies, including the Defense, State and Commerce departments, ultimately agreed that no new law was necessary, Richards said.

As part of the agreement, NASA will advise, but not regulate, Moon Express activities on the lunar surface. — Reuters

Missile fired by North Korea lands near Japan’s waters

OFFICIAL CHINESE VIDEO

HONG KONG: China’s top prosecution body has cast a thin, bespectacled teenage activist from Hong Kong as a pro-independence advocate backed by the United States in an online video that warns against uprising movements across the country.

Joshua Wong, a student leader who rose to fame at the age of 15 for forcing the Hong Kong government to shelve a pro-China national education scheme in schools, appears in a video with a caption that says “American-led Western power”.

cies have flown spacecraft beyond the orbit of the Earth.

To address the conundrum, the FAA, which already exercises jurisdiction over commercial rocket launches in the United States, led an interagency review of the Moon Express proposal, which included steps the company would take to

ensure compliance with the 1967 Outer Space Treaty.

“It’s been a very steep mountain,” Richards said in a telephone interview.

“We had to lay the track at the same time that we wanted to do the mission.” Other companies are expected to soon follow the same framework.

video statements as a joke and had not advocated for Hong Kong independence.

The democracy activist was found guilty by a Hong Kong court on July 21 for unlawful assembly related to demonstrations that paralysed key arteries of the Chinese-ruled city in 2014.

DISSIDENT: Student leaders The 79-day “Occupy Central” (from left) Joshua Wong, Nathan street demonstrations crippled Law and Alex Chow pose before parts of Hong Kong and were one a verdict, outside a court in of the boldest populist challenges Hong Kong July 21, 2016. to Beijing’s Communist Party Wong said on his Facebook leaders in decades. page that he viewed the video Hong Kong is technically part statements as a joke and had of China but governed by sepanot advocated for Hong Kong rate laws under a “one country, independence. — Reuters file photo two systems” framework agreed with the British when it was as are dissident activists who are handed back from colonial rule “damaging China’s internal sta- in 1997.

Relations between the two have bility and harmony by hook or by crook. Behind all these incidents, frayed in the year and a half since we can often catch a glimpse of the end of the protests.

The video ends with a message the dark shadow of the Stars and warning watchers to “Protect Stripes,” the video states.

Wong, now 19, said on his Fa- China, be cautious against colour cebook page that he viewed the revolutions.” — Reuters

rean office said, referring to South Korea by its official title.

The missile appeared to be a Rodong-type medium-range missile that flew about 1,000 km (620 miles), it said. The United States will begin large-scale annual drills with its ally South Korea later this month that it bills as defensive in nature and not provocative. North Korea typically protests against the drills, which it says are a rehearsal for invasion.

“The North Koreans seem to have been timing their recent short-range and medium-range missile tests to the weeks ahead of US-South Korean joint exer-

cises,” said Joshua Pollack, editor of the US-based Nonproliferation Review. “If the allies can exercise their armed forces, so can the North,” he said.

Three ballistic missiles On July 19, North Korea fired three ballistic missiles that flew between 500km and 600km (300360 miles) into the sea off its east coast. The North later said the launches were part of an exercise simulating preemptive strikes against South Korean ports and airfields used by the US military.

The latest launches follow an agreement last month between

- AP/PTI

South Korea and the United States to deploy an advanced Terminal High Altitude Area Defence anti-missile system in the South.

North Korea had threatened a “physical response” against the deployment decision. The North came under the latest round of UN Security Council sanctions in March after its fourth nuclear test in January and the launch of a longrange rocket the following month.

Tensions have been high on the Korean peninsula since the January nuclear test. The two Koreas remain technically at war under a truce that ended fighting in the 1950-53 Korean War. — Reuters

A12

THURSDAY, AUGUST 4, 2016

WORLD M AT E R I A L S U P P O R T

Washington police officer charged with helping IS

MYSTERIOUS CROP CIRCLE

Sightseers visit an incorporated oversized crop circle in a cornfield, not far from the small community of Mammendorf near Munich, southern Germany, on Wednesday. The crop circle has a diameter of 180 metres. Many people visited during the last days the cornfield with the oversized floral ornament. Owner of the grain field is a farmer from the nearby village Mammendorf, but also does not know how the crop circle has come in his field. — AFP

WASHINGTON: A Metro transit police officer in Washington, DC was arrested on Wednesday morning on charges he attempted to provide material support to IS, according to the US Justice Department.

In July, Nicholas Young, who lives in Virginia, sent codes for gift cards worth $245 to an FBI informant. The gift cards were intended for mobile-messaging accounts that IS uses to recruit its followers.

Young believed the informant was an acquaintance of his who was working with the militant group, court records said.

The 36-year-old Young, who had worked for the transit authority since 2003, had been on the radar of US law enforcement since 2010, according to an affidavit in the complaint filed in federal court in Virginia on Tuesday. Metro authorities said Young was fired immediately after his arrest on Wednesday.

In 2014, he met several times with an undercover agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation as an eager recruit of IS, according to the affidavit. — Reuters

Turkey to swiftly overhaul spy agency, gendarmerie tak), which saw its offices raided on Sunday, an official there said.

Broadcaster NTV said “many people” had been detained, but the official gave no details. Tubitak funds science research projects in universities and the private sector and employs more than 1,500 researchers, according to its website.

In the first visit to Turkey of a high-profile European official since the coup, the head of human rights body the Council of Europe said Turkey needed to take on those responsible for the putsch but stressed that this needed to be done in line with the rule of law.

More than 60,000 people in the military, judiciary, civil service and education have been detained, suspended or placed under investigation following the July 15 coup attempt

ANKARA/ISTANBUL: Turkey will soon complete an overhaul of its intelligence agency and make new appointments to its gendarmerie as it tries to rid its security apparatus of the followers of a US-based cleric blamed for an attempted coup, officials said on Wednesday.

President Tayyip Erdogan said new appointments in the gendarmerie, responsible for security in rural areas and key in the fight against Kurdish militants, would come within 48 hours.

Interior Minister Efkan Ala said work on restructuring the MIT intelligence agency was ongoing and “should not take too long”.

More than 60,000 people in the military, judiciary, civil service and education have been detained, suspended or placed under investigation following the July 15 coup attempt, prompting fears among Western allies and rights

IN CONTROL: A handout picture released by the Turkish Presidential Press office on August 3, 2016

shows Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, left, facing the presidential guards during a welcoming ceremony at the Turkish General Staff headquarters in Ankara. - AFP/TURKISH PRESIDENTIAL PRESS OFFICE

groups that Erdogan is using the events to crack down on dissent.

The government says the purges are justified by the gravity of the threat to the state.

More than 230 people were killed in the attempted putsch and parliament was bombed by the country’s own aircraft and tanks for the first time in its history.

In a speech to the Religious Affairs Directorate, the country’s top religious authority, Erdogan said he had initially misread the intentions of cleric Fethullah Gulen, whose network of followers were at one time close to his ruling AK Party.

“We did not see this structure had insidious plans,” Er-

dogan said, dismissing Gulen as the “charlatan in Pennsylvania”, where he has lived in self-imposed exile since 1999.

“I am very saddened by the fact that we were unable to see the true face of this cruel group before ... May my people and God forgive me,” he said. Mehmet Gormez, Turkey’s top cleric, said Gulen’s movement should not be seen as a religious community, describing it as a terrorist organisation and saying it was “our moral duty” to stand against such structures.

“An organisation that can massacre innocent people in one night cannot be associated with Islam,” he said.

In interviews from his retreat

in the Poconos mountains, Gulen has condemned the coup and denied any involvement. institutions over several decades.

After their rise to power in 2002, the AKP founded by Erdogan became dependent on the Gulenists in their common fight against the army, which had long seen itself as guardian of the secular order. It was mainly Gulenist prosecutors who, after Erdogan and his party narrowly escaped being banned in 2008, built two big conspiracy trials targeting the upper echelons of the military.

The purges of Gulen’s suspected followers extended to the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (Tubi-

Little understanding Secretary-General Thorbjorn Jagland also said that there had been little understanding in Europe on the extent to which “this secret network” had infiltrated the army and judiciary, posing a challenge to Turkey’s democratic institutions.

“The coup attempt was outrageous ... Last time there was a coup in Turkey, its membership at the European Council was suspended. If the coup makers had won that very night, the same would have happened, I am quite sure,” he said.

“We see a need for cleaning all this up. (It is) important that this is done in conformity with the rule of law and human rights,” he told a joint news conference with Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu in Ankara. Erdogan and many Turks have been frustrated by US and European criticism of the crackdown that has followed the coup, accusing the West of greater concern about the rights of the plotters than the gravity of the threat to a NATO member state. — Reuters

MIGRANT CRISIS

Czech deputy PM rejects quotas on refugees PRAGUE: The Czech Republic should not accept any refugees, Deputy Prime Minister Andrej Babis said on Wednesday, rejecting the European Union’s quotas and threatening legal action if sanctions are imposed.

Babis, a billionaire, is also the finance minister and leads political party ANO, currently the country’s most popular.

“After what has been happening in Europe, I say clearly that I don’t want even a single refugee in the Czech Republic, not even temporarily,” Babis said in an op-ed article for www.expres.cz on Tuesday.

The Czechs and other central European countries have been highly critical of the European Union’s response to the migrant crisis, which saw more than a million people fleeing war and poverty in the Middle East and beyond enter the bloc last year. Prague opposes an EU quota system to redistribute asylum seekers but has not followed Slovakia and Hungary in challenging it in the courts.

Hungary will also hold a referendum on October 2 to ask its citizens whether they accept the EU system. The quotas were agreed by a majority of EU states but whether or how Brussels could force countries to take in refugees against their will is unclear.

Babis has said he opposes even a modest pledge by Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka’s government to accept 80 Syrian migrants from a Turkish camp.

His comments echo views expressed by Czech President Milos Zeman, who according to his spokesman believes the country should refuse to take in refugees so they cannot commit “barbaric attacks” like those in Germany and France recently. — Reuters

R E V O LT

Party chief angered by Trump’s refusal to back House speaker WASHINGTON: Donald Trump’s White House campaign was in turmoil on Wednesday, with a senior Republican Party official furious over his criticism of a dead soldier’s family and his refusal to back the re-election campaign of House of Representatives Speaker Paul Ryan.

Trump hit back on Tuesday at critics in the Republican leadership who have taken him to task for his insistent public dispute with the parents of the soldier, a Muslim US Army captain killed in the Iraq war.

In a revolt against the party, he denied both House Speaker Paul Ryan and Senator John McCain support in their re-election bids.

Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus was

furious over the failure to endorse Ryan, who is the most senior elected Republican, and over Trump’s feud with the Khan family, two Republican sources said.

“He feels like a fool,” a Republican source familiar with the situation said.

More any other major figure in the Republican establishment, Priebus worked to bring Trump into the party’s fold despite the New York businessman’s status as an outsider.

Trump, who had never previously run for public office, broke with party orthodoxy as he beat 16 rivals to become the White House nominee for the November 8 election.

Ahead of last month’s Republican Party Convention, the RNC

In a revolt against the party, Donald Trump denied both House Speaker Paul Ryan and Senator John McCain support in their re-election bids

sought to rally the fractured party behind Trump.

Priebus feels burned by Trump’s string of self-inflicted wounds and his refusal to observe basic decorum by giving Ryan his support.

Trump, who made his comments about Ryan and McCain in an interview with The Washington Post, shrugged off the growing party backlash.

“There is great unity in my campaign, perhaps greater than ever before. I want to thank everyone for your tremendous support. Beat Crooked H!” he wrote on Twitter early on Wednesday, referring to his Democratic rival, Hillary Clinton.

Campaign manager Paul Manafort sought to reinforce the message, telling Fox News Channel the

campaign was moving in a positive direction, with the candidate himself in control.

“The campaign is in very good shape. We are organised. We are moving forward,” Manafort said.

However, a Republican source said Manafort was struggling to get the candidate back on message.

Trump’s always unruly campaign has been wracked by turmoil in recent days.

On Monday, he fired a senior adviser, Ed Brookover, who had been hired to serve as a liaison between the campaign and the Republican National Committee.

Trump has had a running dispute with the parents of Army Captain Humayun Khan since they took the stage at last week’s Democratic National Convention.

Khizr and Ghazala Khan cited the sacrifice of their son, who was killed by a car bomb in 2004, and criticised Trump’s proposal to combat terrorism by temporarily banning Muslims from entering the United States.

A Republican congressional aide said there was deep frustration on Capitol Hill that Trump keeps engaging in “petty spats.”

The aide said congressional offices that support Trump got two sets of talking points on Monday from the campaign about the Khan situation but have not heard anything from the campaign about Trump’s Ryan comments.

The dispute over Trump’s treatment of the Khans was the latest rift in a party frayed by dissent over the candidate. — Reuters

THURSDAY, AUGUST 4, 2016

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US is going to have an immigration policy. Thus there will be limits.

Some people will come here in violation of them. If we don’t deport some of them, then we effectively don’t have limits, and we’re back to the fact that this is unworkable.

Many of the people we deport will be nice folks who want nothing more than to make a better life

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READERS’ FORUM Lets strive to make our roads zero accident zone This refers to report , Indian dies in road accident (August 3). Regular occurrence of road accidents shows that we are not learning from mistakes of other people. Accidents destroy love and hope of families along with the future of their children. Road accidents can happen to anyone at anytime, that means we need more awareness about roads. We should not call the person who is driving. Pedestrians should understand the difficulty of drivers thus they should stop crossing the road wherever they like. Let‘s follow the traffic rules sincerely and avoid mistake of a single minute taking away the Scan this QR code happiness of our whole life. Lets all join to send letters to the together and make our road zero accident Readers’ Forum, zone. containing not more than 200 words with — Subbashini.M, Al Khuwair

RICARDO HAUSMANN

Venezuela’s experience holds important lessons for other countries. Venezuela’s crisis is not the result of bad luck. On the contrary, good luck provided the rope with which the country ended up hanging itself.

Instead, the crisis is the inevitable consequence of government policies

full name, address and telephone number, may be sent by e-mail (akhtar@ timesofoman.com).

People should be careful while playing Pokemon game I refer the Facebook page post‚ Pokemon hunters in Oman join the global craze for the latest pokemon game (August 3).Pokemon is a dangerous game as it can get the player killed or put others life in danger if played while walking on the road or driving. Please be careful.

— Omar Farook, via Facebook

NEW INDIA ASSURANCE

“Insure with New India and be secure”

Tel: 24838800 | Fax: 24838899 | Email: niamct@omantel.net.om | Website: www.newindiaoman.com A man‘s respect for law and order exists in precise relationship to the size of his paycheck.

ADAM CLAYTON POWELL JR.

I

f you ever lose faith in the power of hope, not to mention the importance of never giving up, remind yourself of the story of Mohammed Kosha. A 16-year-old Syrian refugee living in Lebanon, Mohammed has overcome obstacles that most of us cannot even imagine, in order to excel in his education.

World leaders should take note.

Four years ago, Mohammed and his family fled their home in the town of Darya, a suburb of Damascus, to escape relentless bombardment by Syrian armed forces.

Having already lost a year of primary education in his hometown, where it was simply too dangerous to attend school, he then spent another year out of the classroom when the family arrived in Lebanon, where they now reside.

Mohammed’s life changed when Lebanon’s government opened the country’s public schools to refugees. Classes were not only crowded; they were also conducted in English, meaning that he would have to learn a new language. But Mohammed seized the opportunity to learn, and threw himself into his studies. Last month, against all odds, he scored the second-highest marks in Lebanon’s Brevet secondary-school exam. And he is not done yet.

Mohammed knows that education is the key to building a better future. In his words, “Learning gives us hope.” If only world leaders had even a fraction of his wisdom.

There have been some encouraging signals. At a meeting in London in February, international donors recognised the importance of education for refugees, promising to get all of Syria’s refugee children into school by the end of 2017. They even pledged $1.4 billion to achieve that goal.

It was an ambitious promise to a group of highly vulnerable children. Today, about one million Syrian refugee children aged 5-17 – roughly half the total – are out of school. And most of those who are in school will drop out before starting their secondary education. In the space of a single primary-school generation, Syria has suffered what may be the greatest education reversal in history. Enrollment rates for the country’s children are now well below the regional average for sub-Saharan Africa.

But now, just six months later, the promise of education for all refugees is about to be broken, dashing the hopes of millions of Syrians. Just 39 per cent of the $662 million in urgent education aid sought by United Nations humanitarian agencies this year has been funded. And as documented in a Theirworld report published today, only a fraction of the $1.4 billion pledged in London has been delivered.

As the international community shirks its responsibilities, Syria’s neighbours have continued to make extraordinary efforts to address the crisis. Lebanon, Jordan, and (to a lesser extent) Turkey have opened up their public schools to Syrian refugees.

But these countries’ education systems, which were strained even before the crisis, cannot handle the burden that they are being forced to shoulder. Syrian refugees now comprise one-third of all Lebanese public-school students. This is like the American primary-school system suddenly having to absorb all of Mexico’s children.

There are simply not enough teachers, classrooms, or textbooks to deliver decent educations to the refugee children.

The February conference was supposed to produce solutions that would ease the burden on Syria’s neighbours. Host-country governments did their part, preparing in advance their plans for delivering universal education to refugee children. They then worked with donors to develop comprehensive strategies for reaching all out-of-school children and raising the quality of education. Yet, with the international community having failed to hold up its end of the bargain, progress has not just stalled; it could be reversed.

More than 80,000 Syrian refugees now in school in Lebanon are at risk of losing their places.

The human consequences of the education crisis among Syrian refugees are impossible to miss. They are apparent in the growing army of child labourers picking vegetables in Lebanon’s Bekaa Valley or working at garment factories in Turkey, where a half-million refugees are out of school. - Project Syndicate

CLIPPINGS FROM OUR ARCHIVES AUGUST 2001 Hygienic inspection campaigns SUMAIL: The hygienic monitoring department at the Sumail Municipality has conducted several intensive inspection campaigns of restaurants, bakeries, foodstuff selling outletss and barbershops during this month. Mahmoud bin Mohammad Al Rowahi, deputy director of the Sumail Municipality, said in a statement that the department put hand on more than 500 Spanish oil cans and some sort of soya sauce suspected for containing a carcinogen. This was in addition to damaging many kilograms of foodstuffs, which were not not valid for human consumption.

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PICTOGRAPH

INCIDENCE RATES ASSOCIATED WITH MALARIA per 100,000 population

56.5 1995

TODAY IN HISTORY INVITATION TO WRITERS We invite our readers to write articles on topics related to Oman. The articles should not exceed 800 words.

Send us your article along with your picture to akhtar@timesofoman.com

1717: A friendship treaty is signed between France and Russia.

1789: The Constituent Assembly in France abolishes the privileges of nobility.

1914: Germany invades Belgium causing Great Britain to declare war on Germany.

2007: NASA launches Phoenix spacecraft on a mission to Mars.

0.37 2014

Source National Centre for Statistics & Information

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THURSDAY, AUGUST 4, 2016

LIFESTYLE CULTURE

Date Time Story Mohammed Shafeeqe

It is that time of the year in Oman when farmers harvest the priced fruit — dates.

D

ates are synonymous with the Middle Eastern life as we know that there are few more appealing ways to round off a meal in the Sultanate than eating a handful of sweets and succulent dates. These tasty fruits have been a key part of the diet in the Middle East for thousands of years, and their popularity shows no sign of waning even in the modern era.

In many parts of Oman the locals still plant the shoot of a date palm as a tradition on the occasion of the birth of a son. The child’s personal tree grows with him. It is said that the lifespan of a date palm is about that of a human and this personal tree is a guarantee against starvation. The tree is so rooted in tradition and the Middle Eastern life.

It is the time of the year here again that the golden fruit garland Sultanate’s palm fields across many governorates. For the past many days several of these green fields have been witnessing the harvesting of dates with much traditional fervour. Dates harvest (Suh) or as locally known as ‘Jidad’ of Date Palms is a social event participated by all members of the family. They separate good quality dates and store it for consumption, for gifting or selling in the local markets and export to foreign markets. The damaged and low quality dates are given as food for the livestock.

In each region of the country the

harvesting and the associated procurement of the priced fruit have traditional variations. In North Al Sharqiyah Governorate, South Al Batinah and South Al Sharqiyah Governorates it is ‘Tabseel’ season of ‘Al Mabsali’ and other varieties of dates, which is an economic event rooted in social tradition.

According to local farmers, the ‘Tabseel’ season is the harvesting and procurement of ‘Al Mabsali’, a type of date palm. This variety of date is yellow in colour and is cooked before it ripens fully, thus calling it ‘Busur’. ‘Busur’ is big in size and grown in these parts of Oman. Many of the farmers who grow ‘Busur’ dates in Bidiyah wilayat say that in olden days ‘Tabseel’ was celebrated like Eid celebrations.

Not only the local produce, dates from neighbouring countries also fill the market leading to fluctuating prices. This season, the prices were hugely varying - ranging from OMR16 per kg for Ajwa variety from Medina in Saudi Arabia to the 600 baisa for local varieties. “At the start of harvest season in May, the same dates selling today at 600900 baisa per kilo were priced at OMR4-6.500. The prices also keep fluctuating by day according to demand. If the demand grows high, the prices go even higher. Sometimes when the supply is good, the prices go low,” said a vendor at the Mawaleh vegetable market.

In Omani dates, Al Khalas is believed to be of the highest quality, according to experts. With 75% of

In each region of the country the harvesting and the associated procurement of the priced fruit have traditional variations.

The villagers observe the ceremony as part of a social legacy, which pays good money for the family.

the cultivated land dedicated to date farming, the fruit is produced almost in parts of the country, with Nizwa and Suwaiq being the focal centres along-with the various wilayats of the Sharqiyah regions.

In the Sultanate, the farmers grow more than 250 indigenous varieties of dates, of which, the most relished for their succulence and taste are Khalas, Khunaizi, and Fargh.

In the northern part of the country, the centre of date harvest is Fanja souq. Since the beginning of the harvest season, the market becomes flooded with the farm fresh dates, brought by the truckload from Sumail, Bidbid, Dima wa’

Tayeen, Ibra, Samad A’Shan, and Al Rowdha.

The Ash Patash and Al Nagal varieties are the first to hit the market, but it is said that these varieties are not as sweet as the ones that arrive at the markets after that. As the season progressed, dates of the Al Khunaizi variety, described as the most sugary in taste, and Al Khalas also entered the market—followed by Al Mebselli and Al Khasab varieties.

However, farmers say that some quantities of dates, especially Al Khalas and Al Khunaizi, were left on the tree to naturally ripen, thus allowing the fruit to acquire its full taste and flavour. “These are harvested in big quantity during the second stage, known as Al Tamer.

The Al Tamer harvest generally represents dates of guaranteed taste, flavour, and quality. The annual yield of a single tree may reach 270kg, with each cluster of dates weighing up to 12kg,” said Rashid, an exporter in Fanja.

Storing is also easy, as they are dry fruits and hassle free to store.

Fresh dates could be kept in refrigerator in an airtight container for up to six months. The dried ones have a shelf life of up to one year.

“Freezing is also a storage option that allows for an even longer lifespan when kept in an airtight plastic bag or container. However, the traditional Omani method of preserving the dates in clay pots could enable a shelf life of many years,” revealed Rashid.

—shafeeq@timesofoman.com

Photography: MMG Photographers

It’s a phenomenon rooted in tradition

THURSDAY, AUGUST 4, 2016

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CHILDREN BELOW THE AGE OF 3 YEARS ARE NOT ALLOWED IN THE CINEMA | BOX-OFFICE COUNTER OPENS 30-MINUTES PRIOR TO THE SCREENING OF THE FIRST SHOW

CITY CINEMA Contact (10 am to 6PM) 24567664 | 68 www.citycinemaoman.net facebook.com/citycinemaoman SHATTI Suicide Squad – 3D (12+) Action, Crime, Fantasy Cast: Will Smith, Jared Leto, Margot Robbie Timing: 03:30, 06:30, 09:00, 11:30 PM Ice Age: Collision Course – 3D (PG) Animation | Adventure | Comedy Cast: Ray Romano, Denis Leary, John Leguizamo Timing: 03:00, 05:30, 07:30PM Bad Moms – 2D (15+) Comedy Cast: Mila Kunis, Kathryn Hahn, Kristen Bell Timing: 07:15 PM The Conjuring 2 – 2D (15+) Horror Cast: Vera Farmiga, Patrick Wilson 9:15 PM The Legend of Tarzan – 3D Action Cast: Alexander Skarsgård, Rory J. Saper 3:15, 9:30, 11:45 PM (PG12) Jason Bourne – 2D (PG12) Action Cast: Matt Damon, Tommy Lee Jones, Alicia Vikander 5:00, 11:45 PM

Sumail Gap

A Rocky Boat in the Interior Story Fullah Sunshine

T

he Sumail Gap, the mind blowing natural passage dividing the Eastern and Western Hajjar Mountains, has been since the old times one of the main communication routes connecting the seaside with the interior. Several intertwined wadis decorated with little towers and forts here and there form the natural route used once by traders and caravans, and nowadays by curious tourist with their cameras in hand or local families on a weekend out.

The pictures of Sumail Gap have also been printed in multiple postcards sold from Nizwa to Muttrah souqs. Its cut rocks bordering the top have a very peculiar shape that attract the eyes of the visitors and the postcard buyers but wait a minute. What does it exactly resemble?

Yes, you got it: A boat, a rocky boat kilometres away from the sea. But how is that possible? How did a boat end up getting petrified

A1 5

The Sumail Gap looks like a a boat, a rocky boat kilometres away from the sea. How did a boat end up getting petrified on the top of the mountain?

There is a great legend behind it.

on the top of the mountain?

Tells the local legend that many many years ago a group of sailors reached shore. Hesitantly, they dared to enter the interior to get some provisions before continuing their trip but instead of a grumpy seller they found a little cute girl who sold them the provisions needed. Getting brave all of a sudden (or due to the small size of the little girl) they decided to play pirates-to-be and leave the village without paying her what they owned. However the girl didn’t sit on the floor and start crying. She went to see her sheikh and complain about the sailors. Enraged by their coward act, the sheikh rode fast till the harbour, took their ship and against the wind he pulled it back up to the top of the mountain as a punishment for their act and a warning sign for other pirates-to-be. The ship got petrified and decorates now the view of Sumail Gap, visitors’ pictures and tourists’ postcards.

—lifestyle@timesofoman.com

MUSCAT GRAND MALL Central Intelligence (Action) (12+) Cast: Dwayne Johnson and Kevin Hart 3:15 & 11:45PM The Ice Age: Collision Course (3D) (PG) Cast: Ray Romano, Denis Leary, John Leguizamo 1.15, 2.45, 4.45, 7.30pm The Legend of Tarzan (3D) (PG12) Cast: Alexander Skarsgård, Rory J. Saper, Christian Stevens 12:30, 6:45, 9:30PM Suicide Squad Gold Class (3D)(12+) Cast: Will Smith, Jared Leto, Margot Robbie 3:45, 6.15, 8.45, 11.15pm Suicide Squad (3D)(12+) Cast: Will Smith, Jared Leto, Margot Robbie 9.00, 11.30pm Bad Moms (2D) English (15+) Cast: Mila Kunis, Kathryn Hahn, Kristen Bell 5:30PM PANORAMA MALL Suicide Squad - (3D) (Action) (12+) VIP LOUNGE Cast: Will Smith, Jared Leto, Margot 3:45PM, 09:00PM & 11:30PM Suicide Squad - (4D) (Action) (12+) MX4D 9:00 & 11:30PM Suicide Squad - (3D) (Action) (12+) 2:30, 6:45, 9:15 & 11:45PM Ice Age: Collision Course - (4D) (Animation) (PG) MX4D Cast: Ray Romano, Denis Leary 3:30PM, 05:30PM & 07:15PM Ice Age: Collision Course - (3D) (Animation) (PG) 5:00PM & 07:30PM Midnight Sun - (2D) (Drama ) (PG) Cast: Bella Thorne, Patrick Schwarzenegger, Rob Riggle 5:30PM Bad Moms - (2D) (Comedy) (15+) Cast: Mila Kunis, Kathryn Hahn, Kristen 7:30PM The Legend of Tarzan - (3D) (Action) (PG12) VIP LOUNGE 6:30PM The Legend of Tarzan - (3D) (Action) (PG12)

@ PANORAMA MALL

Ice Age: Collision Course - (4D) (Animation) (PG) MX4D Voice Overs: Ray Romano, Denis Leary 3:30, 5:30 & 7:15PM

2:45PM, 09:30PM & 11:35PM Jason Bourne - (2D) (Action ) (PG12) Cast: Matt Damon, Tommy Lee Jones 3:15PM & 09:15PM The Conjuring 2 - (2D) (Horror ) (15+) Cast: Vera Farmiga, Patrick Wilson, 5:00PM & 11:30PM AZAIBA Ice Age: Collision Course (3D) (Animation | Adventure | Comedy) (PG) 2:45, 06:00 PM The Legend of Tarzan (3D) (Action) Cast: Alexander Skarsgard 4:30, 09:00, 11:30 PM (PG12) Suicide Squad (3D) (Crime) (12+) Cast: Will Smith, Jared Leto, Margot Robbie Timing: 03:30, 06:15, 07:45, 11:45 PM Dishoom (2D) (Action |Adventure) (PG12) Cast: John Ibrahim , Varun Dhawan 3:45, 6:15, 8:45, 11:15 PM Sultan (Hindi) (2D) (Action) (PG12) Cast: Salman Khan, Anushka Sharma 3:00, 10:15 PM Kasaba (Mal) (2D) (Action ) (PG12) Cast: Mammootty, Jagadish, Sampath Raj 6:35, 09:10 PM RUWI Screen 1 Dishoom (Action) –PG Cast : John Abraham, Varun Dhawan 2.30, 5.30, 8.30, 11.30 PM Screen 2 Suicide Squad-2D (Action/Crime/) (12+) Cast: Will Smith, Jared Leto, Margot Robbie 3:30, 11:45PM Sultan (2D) (Action, Drama) –PG12 Cast : Salman Khan, Anushka Sharma 6.00 PM Kasaba-2D (Malayalam/ Action) (PG12) Cast: Mammootty, Jagadish, Sampath Raj 9.15PM Screen 3 Sultan (2D) (Action, Drama, Sport) –PG12 3.30, 11.45 PM Kasaba -2D (Malayalam/ Action) (PG12) 6.45PM Suicide Squad-2D (Action) (12+) Cast: Will Smith, Jared Leto, Margot 9.15 PM SUR The Legend of Tarzan (3D – Action) 7.00 PM, 11.30 PM (PG12) Dishoom (Action – Hindi)(PG12)

Cast: John Ibrahim, Varun Dhawan 9.00 PM Ice Age: Collision Course (Animation 3D)(PG) 3.30 PM, 5.15 PM Suicide Squad (Action –English 3D)(12+) Cast: Will Smith, Jared Leto, Margot 3.45, 9.15, 11.45 PM Kasaba (Action- Malayalam)(PG12) Cast: Mammootty, Jagdish, Sampath Raj 6.45 PM SOHAR The Legend of Tarzan - 3D (Drama) 3:00, 5:15, 9:15, 11:30PM (PG12) Jason Bourne 2D (Action ) (PG12) Cast: Matt Damon, Tommy Lee Jones 2:30, 11:30PM Ice Age: Collision Course-3D (Animation/Adventure/Comedy) (12+) 5:00, 7:25PM Mojave – 2D (Thriller) (12+) Cast: Oscar Isaac, Garrett Hedlund, Louise Bourgoin 4:45, 11:45PM Midnight Sun – 2D (Romance) (PG) Cast: Bella Thorne, Patrick Schwarzenegger, Rob Riggle 4:45, 11:45PM Suicide Squad-3D (Action/Crime) (12+) 2:30, 6:45, 9:15, 11:45PM Kasaba-2D (Mal/ Action/Drama) (PG12) 8:55PM Dishoom - 2D (Action/Adventure) (PG12) 6:30, 9:15PM BURAIMI The Legend of Tarzan (3D) PG12 3.30, 7.30 & 9.30 PM (Action ) Suicide Squad (3D) 12+ (Action ) Cast: Will Smith, Jared Leto, Margot 3.45, 6.15, 8.45 & 11.45 PM Ice Age: Collision Course (3D) PG (Animation | Adventure | Comedy) 3.30 & 5.45 PM Dishoom PG12 (Hindi ) (Action | ) 7.00 & 11.15 PM Mojave 12+ (Thriller) Cast: Oscar Isaac, Garrett Hedlund, Louise Bourgoin 5.15 & 11.30 PM Kasaba PG12 (Mal) (Action |Drama ) 9.15 PM SALALAH Suicide Squad (3D) (12+) (Action, Crime ) Cast: Will Smith, Jared Leto, Margot 12:45/02:00/06:45/09:10/11:45PM Ice Age: Collision Course (3D) (PG) (Animation) Voice Overs: Ray Romano, Denis Leary 12:15/03:15/05:15PM The Legend of Tarzan (3D) (PG12) (Action ) Cast: Alexander Skarsgård, Rory J. Saper, Christian Stevens 04:30/07:15/11:55PM Jason Bourne (2D) (PG12) (Action) Cast: Matt Damon, Tommy Lee Jones, Alicia Vikander 01:30/06:00/09:25PM Bad Moms (2D) (15+) (Comedy) Cast: Mila Kunis, Kathryn Hahn, Kristen Bell 4:00PM Kasaba (2D) (PG12) (Action |Drama | Thriller) Cast: Mammootty, Jagadish, Sampath Raj 8:35PM Dishoom (3D) (PG12) (Hindi) (Action) Cast: John Ibrahim, Varun Dhawan, Jacqueline Fernandez 11:15PM

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Kasaba-2D (Malayalam/ Action) (PG12) Cast: Mammootty, Jagadish, Sampath Raj 6.45, 9.15PM

BAHJA CINEMA

Film information 24540856 / Advance Booking 24540855 Website: www.albahjacinemaoman.com Suicide Squad (Action / Adventure / Comedy) Cast: Will Smith, Jared Leto, Margot Robbie 5.15 p.m., 7.30 p.m., 9.45 p.m. & 11.55 p.m.

CP No : 1950 (12+) Mojave (Thriller) Cast: Oscar Isaac, Garrett Hedlund, Louise Bourgoin 1.15 p.m. & 4.00 p.m.

CP No :1951 (12+) Bad Moms (Comedy) Cast: Mila Kunis, Kathryn Hahn, Kristen Bell 2.00 p.m. & 6.00 p.m.

CP No : 1952 (15+) The Legend Of Tarzan ( Action) Cast: Alexander Skarsgard, Rory J. Saper 10.00 p.m. & 11.55 p.m.

CP No: 1946 ( PG12 ) Jason Bourne ( Action/Thriller ) Cast : Matt Damon, Alicia Vikander 3.00 p.m. & 7.45 p.m.

CP No : 1947 (PG12)

STAR CINEMA Film information 24791641 / 24786776 Website: www.isurf.co.om Kasaba (Mal) ( Act) ( PG 12) Cast : Mammootty & Varalaxami Sarathkumer 3-00, 6-30 & 10-00 pm Cinema Main Kabali ( Tamil) ( Action) ( PG 12) Cast : Rajanikanth & Radika Apte 3-45, 6-45 & 9-45 Pm Cinema –4 From Friday : 6-45 pm Cinema-4 Anuraga Karikkin Vallam (Mal) ( Comedy) (PG 12) Cast: Biju Menon & Asif Ali 3-45 , 6-45 & 9-45 pm Cinema –3 From Friday : 3-45 & 9-45 pm Cinema-4 Thirunaal ( Tamil)(Act) ( PG 12) ( From Friday) Cast : Jiva & Nayantara 3-45, 6-45 & 9-45 Pm Cinema -3 Next Change: Rustom ( Hindi); Babu Bangaram ( Telugu); Dharma Durai ( Tamil) Programmes are subject to change

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THURSDAY, AUGUST 4, 2016

LIFESTYLE

The Perfect Gift for Loved Ones the Deema brand; Islamic Heritage, Heritage, Architecture, and Nature, each including its own beautiful assortments, with individual inspirations and telling their own exceptional story.

Islamic Heritage The Peace Collection Luminescent, lemon quartz, blue topaz and blue aquamarine stones are blended with 18K yellow gold and diamonds to create the Islamic eight-pointed star pattern, promoting the heritage and richness of Islamic patterns and architectural designs; the inspiration behind the collection.

Heritage The Harmony Collection Richly hued blue, green, orange and pink gemstones conjuring up thoughts of deep oceans and its colourful corals, complement perfectly with lavish 18K white gold and diamonds, to create astonishing beauty in this luxurious collection. The materials symbolically reflect the nautical heritage of the Arabian Gulf re-

gion; the blues representing the seas that connect the land with the rest of the world in harmony.

Nature The Palm Collection Amethyst gemstones and diamonds are intricately set against earthy tones of sapphire dark green, light green and 18K yellow gold; evoking thoughts of the true beauty of mother nature. The ‘Palm’ is inspired by the striking date trees; the fruit of the Middle East.

Other Deema collections include Butterfly, Eqaam, Deco Art, and exclusively for men, Opera and Riyam. Prices start from OMR174.

—lifestyle@timesofoman.com Follow Deema facebook.com/ Deema0man?ref=hl instagram.com/deemaoman/ For private orders contact: Email: shadya@deemacollection. com Call: +968 9644 4200 +968 2459 3969

Pictures: Supplied

T

reat your special someone to a unique gift that will be treasured forever and always held close to the heart. Award winning design house Deema, who specialises in the creation of bespoke luxury jewellery, chinaware, and fine artefacts, has a new set of collections.

From 18 carat gold and richly hued gemstones to delicate diamonds, Deema’s collections are inspired by the rich cultures and heritage of Oman; each piece is made with intricacy and love. As requests for its exquisite designs increased, Deema has extended its beautiful collections to luxury linen and fine dining tableware.

All is crafted and finished with the finest materials (nearly 50 per cent bone for chinaware, and minimum of thread counts for linen) and quality.

The brand, led by mother and daughter design duo Shadya Al Ismaily and Suad Al Riyami, was founded in 2008 as the first ever fine jewellery brand to be born in Oman. Four distinct lines make up

BRIEF

Amy’s charity sets up rehab house The Amy Winehouse Foundation — a charity set up in memory of the late English singer-songwriter Amy Winehouse — has partnered with a housing provider to open a home for women recovering from alcohol and drug addiction. This has been done to mark the star’s fifth death anniversary. Winehouse died aged 27 in July 2011 from accidental alcohol poisoning. The Foundation was set up by her family following the singer’s death, and works to prevent young people misusing alcohol and drugs, as well as to support disadvantaged young people to help them fulfil their potential.

Known as Amy’s Place, the recovery house is based in east London and aims to help recovering female addicts reintegrate into society and sustain their recovery, The Guardian reported.

It will be made up of 12 selfcontained apartments, four of which are two-bed, and can house up to 16 women.

Dominic Ruffy, the special project director at the Amy Winehouse Foundation, said it decided to set up Amy’s Place because of the general lack of women-specific services for addiction treatment in Britain, despite research showing that women have a far greater chance of relapse without such support. —IANS

B

WWW.TIMESOFOMAN.COM THUR SDAY, AUGUST 4, 2016

OMAN CRUDE EDGES UP

MARKE

Oman Crude (October delivery) edged up 15 cents to $39.59 per barrel on Wednesday. The average price of Oman Crude (August delivery) stabilised at $46.60 per barrel -$2.27 higher than July delivery. – ONA

Muscat 5,848.21 - 8.07 - 0.14%

Dubai 3,431.90 -37.60 - 1.08%

Abu Dhabi 4,509.62 + 2.27 + 0.05%

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DIGEST VIDEO Top stories in one minute with our new daily Digest

Kuwait 5,470.80 + 7.65 + 0.14%

Saudi Arabia

6,249.88 - 18.25 - 0.29%

Qatar 10,582.97 - 67.89 - 0.64%

Bahrain 1,155.86 - 5.94 - 0.51%

CRUDE OIL PRICE

CURRENCY RATES*

DRAFT RATES (OMR1)*

GOLD PRICES*

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

Forex rates vs OMR1* US Dollar ................................. 2.58 Euro ............................................ 2.29 Pound ........................................... 1.93 Indian Rs ............................. 173.04 Pakistan Rs .........................267.31 Bangla Taka....................... 201.01

Indian Rs ...................................173.90 Pakistan Rs ..............................271.70 Sri Lanka Rs .................................. N/A Bangla Taka........................... 203.50 Phil Peso .................................... 121.80

Muscat 24ct per gm (OMR) ........17.40

Oman Crude............. (Spot) ........ $38.67 Dubai Crude ............. (Spot) ........$38.82 Murban Crude ........ (Spot) ........$40.02 Arabian Light ......... (Spot) ........$38.95 N.Sea Brent............... (Spot) ........$42.09 West Texas Int ....... (Spot) ........$39.82

The renewable energy project is being jointly developed by the state-owned Raeco and the UAE-based Masdar

A. E. JAMES

businesseditor@timesofoman.com

CLEAN ENERGY: According to earlier reports, as many as 15 to 25 turbines will be installed with heights of 120 to 145 metres from the surface of the land depending on topography. – File photo

and meet the country’s increasing energy demand.

Considering the potential intermittency of this resource, it is not currently considered as firm capacity. “This position may be altered with experience of the project’s electricity output. OPWP has evaluated hourly wind data collected at the site, and simulated the project’s likely production profile and contribution to the Dhofar Power System,” noted the seven-year outlook report.

Direct, indirect jobs In addition to creating a number of direct and indirect jobs, the Dhofar wind farm project will also help in the development of a

G O O D S A N D S E RV I C E S TA X

India’s huge tax reform to get green signal NEW DELHI: Throughout years of political gridlock, the risk that India might pass its biggest tax reform since independence appeared reassuringly remote for many businesses. Until now.

Suddenly, the prospect that a new Goods and Services Tax (GST) could enter force next year has bosses panicking at the likely impact and seeking advice on how to cope.

The expected passage by parliament on Wednesday of a key constitutional amendment would resolve crucial issues needed to transform India’s $2 trillion economy and 1.3 billion consumers into a single market for the first time.

The amendment is likely to clear the upper house after the opposition Congress party, which originally proposed the GST while in power, wrung concessions from Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government.

Yet the vote will only fire the starting gun in a legislative marathon in which the national parliament and India’s 29 federal states have to pass further laws determining the - still unknown - rate and scope of the tax.

At the same time, a huge IT system needs to be set up, tax collectors trained and companies brought up to speed on a levy that experts say will force them to overhaul business processes from front to back. One boss who

isn’t ready is G.R. Ralhan, head of Roamer Woollen Mills in the northern city of Ludhiana.

“Companies, particularly smaller ones, are apprehensive,” Ralhan said, calling for more time to adjust and saying a high rate of GST could put his firm out of business.

Countries that have introduced GST in the past have often faced a relative economic slowdown before the benefits of a unified tax regime feed through.

Hurdles Tax experts say that only 20 per cent of - mostly big - firms are getting ready for the GST. The rest are taking things as they come in a country where coping with a changing tax regime has been a way of life for decades.

Yet even those actively preparing must contend with a series of unknowns as the national and state parliaments tackle the task of transforming a “model” GST law into the real thing. The first hurdle will be for a majority of state parliaments to pass the GST amendment, which would establish a GST Council to finalise key terms of the new tax.

That could take until November and mean that the legislation to put the GST into force would only come before the winter session. Hitting the government’s target launch date of next April 1, the start of the fiscal year, looks ambitious. - Reuters

cadre of Omanis specialising in the construction and operation of wind turbines.

Oman government has been encouraging investment in renewable energy since it will contribute immensely in reducing the use of traditional fossil fuel for generating electricity.

Thus, the country can divert these precious resources for other industries, which will add value and generate employment opportunities. It will also contribute to the government’s plan to reduce subsidy, which has been surging ahead year after year.

The proposed wind project will come up in a total area of 200,000 square metres and the power ca-

Dubai 24ct per gm (Dh) ............165.50 Dubai 22ct per gm (Dh) .............155.50 * Rates as of Aug. 3

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

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

Wind power project deal expected soon

MUSCAT: A contract to build the Sultanate’s first large-scale windbased renewable power project is expected to be signed by next month. A European company is seen bagging the project, which will generate 50 megawatt electricity at Harweel in Dhofar governorate, according to a source.

The renewable energy project is being jointly developed by the state-owned Rural Areas Electricity Company (Raeco) and the UAE-based Masdar.

The construction will take anywhere between 18 to 24 months to start power generation, after awarding the project.

“The project will be operated

by Raeco under a power purchase agreement with Oman Power and Water Procurement Company (OPWP). The project is expected to reach commercial operation in 2017,” said a seven-year outlook for power and water demand released by the Oman Power and Water Procurement Company.

Earlier reports suggested that the renewable energy project in Dhofar will cost $125 million.

The plant will help reduce Oman’s reliance on fossil fuels

Muscat 22ct per gm (OMR) .......16.65

pacity of the plant will be sufficient for about 50 per cent of consumption in Dhofar region during winter season, said an earlier report. According to earlier reports, as many as 15 to 25 turbines will be installed with heights of 120 to 145 metres from the surface of the land depending on topography.

The estimated capacity of the single turbine is 2 to 3.2 MW, depending on its location and wind movement.

HAVE YOUR SAY

Send us your comments at facebook.com/timesofoman blog.timesofoman.com haveyoursay@timesofoman.com

Source: Malabar Gold & Diamonds

CUTTING EDGE TECHNOLOGY

Samsung unveils iris-reading Note 7 SEOUL: After extending its lead over Apple in the global smartphone market with the Galaxy S7, Samsung Electronics is now trying to keep that spirit alive before a new iPhone arrives.

The South Korean company announced the latest iteration of its large-screen smartphone with the 5.7-inch Note 7 that can be unlocked with an iris-scanning camera. Sporting a display that curves down both sides, Samsung’s successor to the Note 5 skipped a number to synchronise its name with the technology used for its top-selling Galaxy S7.

With consumers putting greater emphasis on multimedia when choosing devices, the Note 7 also supports so-called high-dynamic range video content and the company partnered with Amazon.com to make such streaming content available in selected regions in time for the launch.

HDR is seen as one of the next big advances in television and movie picture quality, alongside 4K Ultra HD and virtual reality.

Samsung drew attention to the extra security that an iris-scanner providers, because the human retina is virtually impossible to replicate and more accurate.

That may help security-conscious users warm to the new phone but, without wider acceptance of mobile payments and biometric verification, may not prove enough of a selling point to many would-be buyers.

“Adding an iris-reading sensor was a positive move. But to make a bigger splash, it needs to be backed up by more of the financial and payments industry,” said Park Kang Ho, an analyst at Daishin Securities in Seoul.

The Note 7 will go on sale starting Aug. 19 and roll out gradually across the globe, Samsung said.

The new device comes with Samsung Pay services and will be offered in four different colours, including gold, black, silver and

IN A NUTSHELL

Galaxy Note 7 will go on sale from August 19

5.7-inch Note 7 can be unlocked with irisscanning camera

It also supports socalled high-dynamic range video content

Smartphone will be available in four different colours -gold, black, silver, blue

blue. The Korean company also unveiled an upgraded version of its Gear VR, a gadget that twins with a Samsung phone to display virtual reality images.

Enhanced security The iris-scanning technology, which relies on an infrared camera lens mounted on the front of the phone, can also be used to unlock a secure folder within the Android operating system.

Users can store sensitive documents and apps in the directory, which remain encrypted even if the phone is unlocked. Iris-detection is fast, identifying a registered face and unlocking the device in less than a second during a demonstration in London. - Bloomberg News

B2

THURSDAY, AUGUST 4, 2016

MARKET MSM index ends lower

OMAN STOCKS

MUSCAT SECURITIES MARKET

INDICES Index .................................................High .................Low..................... Value ............... Prev . Value.......... Diff ...............Diff % MSM30 Index ....................................... 5,855.02 ...............5,839.45 ................... 5,848.21 ...................5,856.28.................. -8.07 .................. -0.14 Financial Index ..................................... 7,511.46 ...............7,482.92 ....................7,485.49 ....................7,513.88................-28.39 .................. -0.38 Industrial Index .................................... 7,491.53 ...............7,474.24 ................... 7,474.24 ................... 7,499.95................ -25.71 .................. -0.34 Services Index ...................................... 3,200.74 ............... 3,195.19 ................... 3,200.74 ................... 3,201.10.................. -0.36 .................. -0.01 MSM SHARIAH INDEX.......................890.38 ...................887.71 ...................... 888.54 ...................... 890.38.................. -1.84 .................. -0.21 Trading Summary Volume ................Turnover ..........Trades .............. Market Cap............. Up............Down ............. Equal .........Sec. Traded 12,766,459................... 2,119,107 .....................532 ................ 17,110,592,148 .................. 3 ......................12 .................... 19 .........................34

Ominvest was the top gainer, up by 1.82 per cent, while the top loser was Bank Nizwa with

SHARE PRICE BULLETIN FOR WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 3

a loss of 2.56 per cent.

ISIN ......................................SECURITY NAME ..................................................................VOLUME..... TURNOVER............TRADES ......OPEN PRICE......HIGH ............. LOW ........ CLOSE PR. ...PREV. CLOSE...DIFF (RO).........DIFF % .............LAST PR.....LAST BID .............LAST OFFER ........MARKET CAP.PAR VALUE

MUSCAT: Amid very low trading volumes, the MSM 30 Index declined by 0.14 per cent to close at 5,848.21 points. The MSM Sharia Index ended at 888.54 points, down by 0.21 per cent.

Oman & Emirates Holding was the most active stock in terms of volume as well as turnover. Ominvest was Wednesday’s top gainer, up by 1.82 per cent while the top loser was Bank Nizwa with a loss of 2.56 per cent.

As many as 532 trades were executed on Wednesday, generating turnover of OMR2.12 million with 12.77 million shares changing hands. Out of 34 traded securities, three advanced, 12 declined and 19 remained unchanged. Arab and GCC investors were net buyers to the tune of OMR147,000 worth of shares.

Foreign investors, who were net sellers, sold shares amounting to OMR91,000 followed by Omani investors at OMR56,000.

Financial Index ended on a negative note at 7,485.49 points, down by 0.38 per cent. Ominvest, up by 1.82 per cent, was the only sector gainer. Bank Nizwa, Al Anwar Holding, Al Sharqia Investments, HSBC Bank and NBO declined by 2.56 per cent, 1.55 per cent, 1.42 per cent, 1.01 per cent and 0.79 per cent, respectively.

Industrial Sector Index retreated 0.34 per cent to close at 7,474.24 points. Al Jazeera Steel, Oman Fisheries and Galfar Engineering declined by 1.89 per cent, 1.61 per cent and 0.95 per cent, respectively.

Services sector Index remained flat at 3,200.74 points,

down by 0.01 per cent. Al Suwadi Power and Oman Telecommunications Company gained by 1.54 per cent and 0.30 per cent, respectively. Renaissance Services declinedby 1.77 per cent to close at OMR0.277.

REGULAR MARKET .........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

OM0000001533 ............OMINVEST .................................................................... 162,634 ............ 91,011......................13 ........... 0.560 ...........0.560 ...........0.558........... 0.560 .............0.550 ............0.010 ..............1.818.................0.558..............0.558...................0.560 .................356,042,897 .......0.100 OM0000004933 ...........AL SUWADI POWER ....................................................68,264 .............13,501........................3 ............0.197 ........... 0.198 ...........0.197 ........... 0.198 ............. 0.195............ 0.003............. 1.538 ................0.198 ..............0.196...................0.205 .................141,452,455 ........0.100 OM0000003026 ...........OMAN TELECOMMUNICATION ..........................69,100 .......... 114,350......................14 ............1.650 ........... 1.660 ...........1.650 ............1.655 ............. 1.650............ 0.005.............0.303 ................1.660 .............. 1.645...................1.660................1,241,250,000 ......0.100 OM0000001145 ............PORT SERVICES CORPORATION .........................65,308 ............. 15,413........................6 ........... 0.236 ...........0.236 ...........0.236........... 0.236 .............0.236 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.236..............0.234...................0.236...................22,429,440.........0.100 OM0000001160 ............NATIONAL GAS ...............................................................2,544 ...............1,564........................4 ............0.616 ........... 0.616 ...........0.612 ............0.616 ............. 0.616............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.616 .............. 0.616...................0.620 ..................33,880,000.........0.100 OM0000001525 ............OMAN INVESTMENT AND FINANCE................36,822 ............... 7,475........................7 ........... 0.203 ...........0.203 ...........0.203........... 0.203 .............0.203 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.203..............0.203...................0.204 ..................40,600,000 ........0.100 OM0000002028 ...........GULF INTERNATIONAL CHEMICALS ..............60,084 .............15,021........................5 ........... 0.250 ...........0.250 ...........0.250........... 0.250 .............0.250 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.250..............0.250...................0.251....................5,250,000 ..........0.100

Emerging stocks fall Emerging-market stocks fell the most in four weeks and currencies dropped as oil trading below $40 a barrel added to concern that economic growth is faltering.

Turkish assets slid after inflation accelerated more than forecast.

The Borsa Istanbul 100 Index retreated 1.4 per cent and Turkish bond yields rose the most in emerging Europe as inflation quickened to 8.79 per cent in July. Societe Generale’s Czech unit Komercni Banka slumped the most since 2011 after saying it was reviewing its dividend guidance. Cnooc and Lukoil declined in Hong Kong and Moscow as oil in New York hovered near four-month lows. The Turkish lira and the Malaysian ringgit lost 0.7 per cent.

Equities in the developing world may witness a “meaningful pullback” in the second half due to risks of slowing growth in China, changes in the timing of US rate-increase probabilities and lower oil prices, Goldman Sachs Group Inc. said in a research note on Wednesday.

The MSCI Emerging Markets Index fell 1.1 per cent to 867.47 in London, falling for a second day.

The gauge remains 9.3 per cent stronger this year.

OM0000002168............AL ANWAR CERAMIC TILES ................................. 41,776 ...............9,323........................6 ........... 0.225 ...........0.225 ...........0.223........... 0.223 .............0.223 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.225..............0.225...................0.229 .................. 66,055,651 .........0.100 OM0000002200 ...........AHLI BANK ...................................................................... 77,708 .............14,297........................4 ............0.183 ........... 0.184 ...........0.183 ........... 0.184 .............0.184 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.184..............0.184...................0.187................. 262,206,650 .......0.100 OM0000002226 ...........AL JAZEERA SERVICES .......................................... 237,089 ............47,836..................... 29 ........... 0.200...........0.204 ...........0.199 ........... 0.202 .............0.202 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.202 .............0.201...................0.202 ..................12,363,263 .........0.100 OM0000002275 ...........SHELL OMAN MARKETING ...........................................60 ...................114........................1 ........... 1.900 ........... 1.900 ...........1.900........... 1.900 .............1.900 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................1.900..............1.900...................2.090 .................180,500,000 .......0.100 OM0000002549 ...........BANK DHOFAR ................................................................4,570 ................1,101........................1 ............0.241 ........... 0.241 ...........0.241........... 0.241 .............0.241 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.241............. 0.240...................0.241..................409,507,537........0.100 OM0000003125 ............GLOBAL FINANCIAL INVESTMENT ................ 295,000 ........... 45,625........................7 ............0.155 ........... 0.155 ...........0.154 ............0.155 ............. 0.155............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.154 .............. 0.153...................0.154...................31,000,000.........0.100 OM0000003398 ...........BANK SOHAR................................................................ 100,000 ............18,100........................3 ............0.181 ........... 0.181............0.181 ............0.181 ............. 0.181 ............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.181 .............. 0.179................... 0.181 ..................290,414,381 ........0.100 OM0000003661 ............VOLTAMP ENERGY ....................................................... 2,953 ...............1,329........................7 ........... 0.450 ...........0.450 ...........0.450........... 0.458 .............0.458 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.450..............0.450...................0.460 ..................27,709,000 .........0.100 OM0000003711 ............SOHAR POWER....................................................................730 ..................204........................1 ........... 0.279 ...........0.279 ...........0.279........... 0.284 .............0.284 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.279..............0.266...................0.279...................62,766,840.........0.100 OM0000003968 ...........OOREDOO....................................................................... 111,626 ............ 83,803......................15 ............0.748 ........... 0.752 ...........0.744........... 0.752 ............. 0.752............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.752 ..............0.752...................0.760..................489,510,061 ........0.100 OM0000004735 ...........SEMBCORP SALALAH..................................................... 500 ...................118........................1 ........... 0.235 ........... 0.235 ...........0.235........... 0.235 .............0.235 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.235..............0.235...................0.260 ................ 224,324,408 .......0.100 OM0000004925 ...........AL BATINAH POWER................................................ 100,000 ............19,500........................1 ............0.195 ........... 0.195 ...........0.195 ............0.195 ............. 0.195............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.195 ..............0.196...................0.200 .................131,603,049 ........0.100 OM0000002796 ...........BANK MUSCAT ............................................................ 326,568 ..........126,411..................... 48 ........... 0.386 ...........0.388 ...........0.386........... 0.388 .............0.390 ...........-0.002 ............-0.513................0.388..............0.386...................0.388..................968,545,100........0.100 OM0000002374............UNITED FINANCE ..................................................... 250,000 ............37,500..................... 10 ............0.150 ........... 0.150 ...........0.150 ........... 0.150 ............. 0.151 ............-0.001 ........... -0.662 ...............0.150 ..............0.150...................0.158...................48,945,478.........0.100 OM0000001681 ............OMAN AND EMIRATES INV. HOLDING........... 6,154,453 ......849,280........................6 ............0.138 ........... 0.138 ...........0.137 ............0.137 ............. 0.138............-0.001 ........... -0.725 ...............0.137 .............. 0.137...................0.139................... 16,696,875 .........0.100 OM0000001483............NATIONAL BANK OF OMAN ......................................5,194 ...............1,303........................4 ........... 0.253 ...........0.253 ...........0.250............0.251 .............0.253 ...........-0.002 ............-0.791................0.250..............0.253...................0.256..................370,170,100 ........0.100 OM0000003521 ............GALFAR ENGINEERING AND CON. .................. 708,316 ............73,665..................... 37 ............0.104 ........... 0.104 ...........0.104........... 0.104 .............0.105............-0.001 ........... -0.952 ...............0.104..............0.104...................0.105................... 30,157,986 .........0.100 OM0000001517 ............HSBC BANK OMAN ...................................................... 16,180 ................1,591........................4 ........... 0.098 ...........0.099 ...........0.098........... 0.098 .............0.099 ...........-0.001 ............-1.010................0.099..............0.098...................0.099..................196,030,653 ........0.100 OM0000002440 ...........AL SHARQIA INVESTMENT HOLDING .............87,000 .............12,123........................8 ............0.140 ........... 0.140 ...........0.139 ............0.139 ............. 0.141............-0.002 ............-1.418................0.139 .............. 0.139...................0.140...................12,510,000 .........0.100 OM0000001772 ............AL ANWAR HOLDING............................................... 979,133...........187,225...................122 ............0.193 ........... 0.193 ...........0.190............0.191 .............0.194 ...........-0.003 ........... -1.546................0.192 .............. 0.191...................0.192...................33,425,469 .........0.100 OM0000003224 ...........RENAISSANCE SERVICES ..................................... 141,445.............39,155......................13 ........... 0.279 ...........0.279 ...........0.275........... 0.277 .............0.282 ...........-0.005 ............-1.773................0.275..............0.270...................0.275................... 82,761,416 .........0.100 OM0000002176 ............AL JAZEERA STEEL PRODUCTS ........................ 329,812............ 85,680..................... 53 ........... 0.264 ...........0.264 ...........0.258........... 0.260 .............0.265 ...........-0.005 ............-1.887................0.259..............0.258...................0.259...................32,473,470 .........0.100 .............................................SUM: .................................................................................. 10,434,869 .1,913,618...................433 ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. ........................................................................................................................................... TRADED SEC. ......29........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

PARALLEL MARKET .................................................................................................................................................................................

OM0000001368 ............CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS IND. .................. 110,000............... 3,410........................3 ............0.031 ........... 0.031 ...........0.031 ............0.031 ............. 0.031............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.031 .............. 0.031...................0.032 ...................2,635,000 ..........0.100 OM0000004511 ............ALIZZ ISLAMIC BANK.............................................. 808,057 ............50,772..................... 36 ........... 0.063 ...........0.063 ...........0.062........... 0.063 .............0.063 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.063..............0.063...................0.064 ..................63,000,000 ........0.100 OM0000005963 ...........PHOENIX POWER ...................................................... 595,139.............91,645..................... 28 ............0.154 ........... 0.154 ...........0.153 ........... 0.154 .............0.154............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.154 .............. 0.153...................0.154................. 225,240,625 .......0.100 OM0000001566 ............OMAN FISHERIES ..................................................... 176,000 ............10,736..................... 10 ............0.061 ........... 0.061 ...........0.061 ........... 0.061 .............0.062 ...........-0.001 ............-1.613 ................0.061 ..............0.061...................0.062 ................... 7,625,000 ..........0.100 OM0000004420 ...........BANK NIZWA ................................................................ 642,394 ...........48,926.....................22 ........... 0.076 ........... 0.077 ...........0.076........... 0.076 .............0.078 ...........-0.002 ........... -2.564 ...............0.076..............0.076...................0.077..................114,000,000........0.100 .............................................SUM: .................................................................................. 2,331,590 ......205,489..................... 99 ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. ........................................................................................................................................... TRADED SEC. ........ 5........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

- United Securities/Bloomberg News

F I R S T H A L F R E S U LT

Standard Chartered profit falls 46% on revenue drop LONDON: Standard Chartered reported a 46 per cent drop in first-half profit as falling revenue outstripped cost cuts amid turbulent markets and slowing growth in emerging economies.

Adjusted pretax profit was $994 million in the first half compared to $1.8 billion a year earlier, the London-based lender said in a filing Wednesday. That fell short of the $1.12 billion average estimate of five analysts surveyed.

Adjusted revenue fell 20 perc ent to $6.81 billion.

Chief executive officer Bill Winters, 54, in his first year in the job raised capital, suspended the dividend, and laid out plans for cutting 15,000 jobs and restructuring or divesting $100 billion of risky assets.

A sharp drop in revenue and surging loan impairments drove the Asia-focused lender to its first annual loss last year since 1989 . Jose Vinals, an International Monetary Fund executive, was named the bank’s new chairman last week, adding to Winters’s rebuilt management team.

“Although our performance has substantially improved, income growth remains muted and returns are weak,” Winters said in the statement.

“The progress we have made has been hard won, and has been

SHARP DROP: A sharp drop in revenue and surging loan impair-

ments drove the Asia-focused bank to its first annual loss last year since 1989. – Bloomberg News

achieved against a backdrop of deteriorating external conditions.

Interest rate expectations are lower for longer than previously predicted, growth in our markets is slow and global trade volumes are down.”

Stock plunges The bank trades at about half its book value after the stock plunged 39 per cent in 2015.

The shares have climbed 4.6 per cent this year before today, avoiding the plunges many other UK-based banks have faced after the nation’s vote to leave the

European Union.

Winters has been shrinking the balance sheet and tightening lending standards after his predecessor Peter Sands was replaced last June after eight years at the helm. The CEO has also hired several senior executives and cracked down on ethics within the bank after discovering some employees were acting “ above the law.”

HSBC, the other UK bank that gets most of its profit in Asia, said pretax profit fell 45 per cent to $3.61 billion in the second quarter from a year ago. – Bloomberg News

THURSDAY, AUGUST 4, 2016

B3

MARKET HSBC’s $2.5b buy-back boosts shares Bank pared ambitions to grow dividends and returns as it took pragmatic steps to soothe investors amid slowing growth in its home markets of Britain and Hong Kong

HONG KONG/LONDON: HSBC on Wednesday announced a $2.5 billion share buy-back and pared ambitions to grow dividend payouts and returns as it took pragmatic steps to soothe investors amid slowing growth in its home markets of Britain and Hong Kong.

P R I VAT E P L A C E M E N T

Al Hassan okays OAB investment arm’s appointment Times News Service MUSCAT: Al Hassan Engineering on Wednesday said that its board has approved the appointment of Oman Arab Bank’s (OAB) Investment Group, as manager for private placement services.

The mandate covers raising private equity both for Al Hassan Engineering in Oman and its subsidiary Al Hassan Engineering Abu Dhabi. This initiative is in line with strategy to restructure financial capability for future projects.

FOREIGN INVESTMENT

Iran approves new crude oil contract to boost output TEHRAN: Iran approved an outline for a new oil contract model, taking the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (Opec) member a step closer to welcoming foreign investment in its energy industry and boosting production even more into an oversupplied market.

The outline was approved at a cabinet meeting on Wednesday, the official Islamic Republic News Agency reported, without saying where it got the information. Priority will be given to boosting production at jointly owned oil and gas fields, state radio reported, citing Oil Minister Bijan Namdar Zanganeh.

The government wants to lure international oil companies that can make long-term investments worth billions of dollars and bring cutting-edge technology into Iran after sanctions that restricted its crude supplies were eased in January.

Big oil companies such as Italy’s Eni and France’s Total have expressed an interest in developing Iran’s oil and gas fields.

Iran has been working on the oil contract model for the past two years. The country hopes companies will invest as much as $50 billion a year.

It’s already succeeding in meeting its pledge to regain market share it lost due to the sanctions over its nuclear program. Production was 3.55 million barrels a day in July, 27 per cent higher for this year and the most since December 2011, data shows.

The new contract model was approved in a cabinet session recently. - Bloomberg News

The lender’s London-listed shares were trading 3.6 per cent higher at 0808 GMT after the buyback took the sting out of a 29 per cent drop in January-June pretax profits, which matched analysts’ expectations.

As Britain’s vote to leave the

European Union clouds economic prospects and Hong Kong absorbs slower growth in China, HSBC, Europe’s biggest bank, has opted to “remove a timetable” for reaching its targeted return on equity (RoE) in excess of 10 per cent by the end of next year. Return on equity at end-June was 7.4 per cent.

“Abandoning the timetable for reaching a 10 percent RoE is not pessimistic as much as realistic that interest rates in the United States aren’t going up and ‘lowerfor-longer’ is brutal for them,” Richard Buxton, chief executive officer of Old Mutual Global Investors, one of HSBC’s 30 largest investors, said.

Group chief executive Stuart Gulliver said the bank had re-

dividend cut could therefore still be on the cards, especially if a new leadership takes a different view.”

moved the word “progressive” from its guidance on dividend payout plans, as a reflection of tougher market conditions. “ ’Progressive’ was interpreted by everyone as meaning it is going to go up every quarter notwithstanding what is happening in the world, so what we are saying is we are committed to sustain the dividend at the current level,” he told Reu-

ters. While investors interpreted the new guidance as pragmatic, analysts at Shore Capital said they were “less than convinced” by the management’s pledge to maintain the dividend, noting that both Gulliver and chairman Douglas Flint are set to step down in the next couple of years.

“With the earnings outlook continuing to deteriorate ... a future

Capital boost The share buy-back follows HSBC’s disposal of its Brazil unit last month in a $5.2 billion deal.

Gulliver said HSBC’s core equity ratio would move to 12.6 per cent from 12.1 per cent at the end of June, following the buy-back, in line with the bank’s target range of 12-13 per cent.

The bank could announce further buy-backs up to the value of the entire Brazil disposal in the future, Gulliver said, depending on the global economic outlook next year and beyond. HSBC’s reserves could be boosted yet further. - Reuters

B4

THURSDAY, AUGUST 4, 2016

FEATURE

GOLD GLITTERS AGAIN

YELLOW METAL’S $50B M&A SPREE BUILDS AS RALLY BOOSTS VALUES A $50 billion gold industry deals spree is extending into its third year, even as a surging bullion price makes sealing transactions and valuing mines more difficult.

Gold has regained its lustre as investors seek havens from volatile markets and weak interest rates. While the metal is up about a quarter this year, the value of mergers and acquisitions (M&A) has soared. The average paid in 133 transactions in the three months to June was $64 an ounce of gold equivalent in the ground, up from $36 in the first quarter of 2016, as buyers factor in better long-term price expectations, according to Bloomberg Intelligence.

“Companies are receptive to doing deals and there are sellers there, and naturally they are trying to get the prices up,” according to Liam Twigger, managing direc-

tor of industry adviser PCF Capital, which has acted in about 80 transactions over the past seven years and advised clients including Barrick Gold. “There’s enough value in companies’ share prices, and enough capital’s been raised, to enable these deals to be done.”

Right price Barrick, the biggest producer, last week announced plans to sell its 50 per cent share in Australia’s largest open-pit gold mine and joint owner Newmont Mining has signaled it would be willing to buy the stake at the right price.

The stake may fetch as much as $1 billion, according to people familiar with the matter, while analyst valuations range from $400 million to about $1.5 billion.

Mergers and acquisitions and the metal’s surge this year after

three straight annual declines will be major topics discussed by about 1,800 delegates, including executives from Newmont and AngloGold Ashanti, at the annual three-day Diggers and Dealers mining sector forum in the Western Australian town of Kalgoorlie.

Completed and pending gold sector deals totaled almost $9 billion in the first half, including Newmont’s $1.3 billion sale of Indonesian copper and gold assets to a local consortium and Centerra Gold Inc.’s $1.1 billion purchase of Thompson Creek Metals Co. Volumes rose in 2015 to $21 billion, the highest annual total since 2011.

Bullion for immediate delivery was little changed at $1,350.63 an ounce in Sydney, according to Bloomberg generic pricing. It’s rallied 27 per cent this year, rising

2.2 per cent in July after back-toback quarterly gains.

Gold Road Resources is in talks with four parties over the potential sale of a stake in its Gruyere development project in Western Australia and will demand any deal reflects the higher bullion price, according to chief executive officer Ian Murray.

Potential deals “The cycle has turned,” Murray said in an interview in Kalgoorlie on Sunday. The Gruyere site is “a world-class deposit by any definition and if we get a transaction, it would command a premium price.” Perth-based Doray Minerals is hunting globally for potential deals to add more production, managing director Allan Kelly told reporters in Kalgoorlie. “It’s tough to find good value in the market at

the moment,” Kelly said.“Things are either very well priced, or the projects are very old and tired.”

Valuations vary on Barrick and Newmont’s Super Pit in Kalgoorlie — a giant 3.5-km long operation at a site where metal has been produced continuously since a late 19th century gold rush — not only because of price assumptions but also on views that exploration could extend the mine’s life beyond a slated close of 2030.

Barrick President Kelvin Dushnisky said the company would sell assets including the Super Pit — if it got a fair price, according to an interview last month. Likewise, Newmont’s Gary Goldberg said in July that it would like to acquire Barrick’s stake, if they could come to an agreement.

After mid-sized producers, including Northern Star Resources,

completed a raft of mine acquisitions from larger rivals, activity is now likely to accelerate in company takeovers and asset deals among smaller companies, according to PCF Capital’s Twigger.

“That’s greased the wheels, and I’m confident that once we get through the Diggers and Dealers conference, we may well see a bunch of deals,” he said.

“It’s like a mountain of champagne glasses, you pour champagne in the top row — and they are the producers — and it cascades over into the developers.

The interest is going to be very strong going forward.”

Perth-based Northern Star said on Monday it had agreed to sell its Plutonic asset in Australia to Billabong Gold Pty, to focus on its assets at Jundee, Paulsens and in Kalgoorlie. - Bloomberg News

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ROUND-UP

Barr Al Jissah launches 9 Bannenberg & Rowell limited edition townhomes

Super yacht designers bring ‘yacht living’ to Barr Al Jissah

MUSCAT: Barr Al Jissah, the exceptional luxury destination in Oman, announced the launch of the world’s first Bannenberg & Rowell limited edition townhomes, due for completion in summer 2016.

The internationally acclaimed designers Bannenberg & Rowell are one the most famous names in yacht design and are responsible for some of the world’s most iconic super yacht interiors.

Bringing ‘yacht living’ to Barr Al Jissah, Bannenberg & Rowell have drawn on their extensive experience in contemporary yacht design, taking inspiration from the spectacular ocean setting and Omani architecture, to create the cutting-edge interiors for the nine limited edition townhomes, says a press release.

Elevated above Barr Al Jissah,

the four bedroom, five bathroom townhomes offer uninterrupted views across the Sea of Oman.

Featuring details more typically associated with super yachts, the homes aim to bring the stunning natural surroundings inside while evoking a sense of place and Omani authenticity.

Bannenberg & Rowell have utilised elements of stone, marble, teak and bronze combined with rich, intense blue hues; while the dramatic entrance - expertly created by dedicated craftsmen using locally sourced stone - and panoramic windows instantly draw the eye to the teak outdoor decking and stunning horizon beyond.

Commenting on the project, Dickie Bannenberg said: “Oman’s stunning coastline and deep sense of heritage have always appealed.

When we first visited Barr Al Jissah in June last year, we were immediately struck by the beauty of the destination and its deeprooted connection to the ocean.

Despite being in Muscat, you get a real sense of space and seclusion that is attractive to a discerning yachting audience.

For the townhomes, we wanted to put our Bannenberg & Rowell touch on the interiors referencing

our yacht design heritage whilst at the same time that of the region.”

The limited edition townhomes are perfectly complemented by private marina facilities, offering the perfect base from which to discover Oman’s 1,700km pristine coastline. An upcoming membersonly beach club and boardwalk with Al Fresco dining and marinaside retailing will further enhance this exclusive offering – providing homeowners with unrivalled access to a vibrant Riviera lifestyle at Barr Al Jissah.

All residents benefit from lifestyle amenities provided by the Shangri-La managed hotels located within the destination, as well as enjoy luxury concierge services from Quintessentially Lifestyle and Bentley transportation.

Homeowners also qualify for a family resident’s visa and can take advantage of preferential rates and priority banking services from Oman Arab Bank.

Firas Matraji, CEO of Barr Al Jissah, commented: “We are delighted to be working with Bannenberg & Rowell on this project.

Here at Barr Al Jissah, we are committed to going above and beyond to offer truly outstanding products for our home owners, and our col-

laboration with Bannenberg & Rowell allows us to bring a worldfirst to the destination by creating the very essence of ‘yacht living’ for our residents.

We pride ourselves on remaining true to our historical heritage and geographical location, and this partnership allows us to do this while at the same time delivering a truly unique home.”

The Bannenberg & Rowell Limited Edition Townhomes will bring a new standard of luxury yacht living to Barr Al Jissah.

Situated in a secluded bay where the Sea of Oman meets the dramatic mountainous coastline - Barr Al Jissah is the prestigious business behind Oman’s leading luxury destination.

It brings together high-end homes with three luxury hotels managed by Shangri-La, complemented by a souq with heritage village ideal for outdoor concerts and a private marina, offering the perfect base to explore Oman’s pristine coastline.

For private viewing contact its sales centre on +968 2477 6844 or visit its website www.barraljissah. com. Follow them on: Instagram: @barraljissah; Twitter: @barraljissah; Facebook: @barraljissah1

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THURSDAY, AUGUST 4, 2016

ROUND-UP Ford tests latest sensor technology to see in dark Ford’s LiDAR – working with the car’s virtual driver software – is robust enough to steer flawlessly around winding roads

MUSCAT: Ford Motor Company has been actively involved in continuously redefining technology in its automobiles.

Many of these futuristic features and technologies have made their way in to Ford vehicles allowing customers to go further on every journey.

Recently, under the cover of night, a Ford Fusion Hybrid autonomous research vehicle with no headlights on, navigated along lonely desert roads, performing a task that would be perilous for a human driver, says a press release.

Driving in pitch black at Ford Arizona Proving Ground marks the next step on the company’s journey to delivering fully autonomous vehicles to customers around the globe.

It’s an important development, in that it shows that even without cameras, which rely on light, Ford’s LiDAR – working with the car’s virtual driver software – is robust

enough to steer flawlessly around winding roads. While it’s ideal to have all three modes of sensors – radar, cameras and LiDAR – the latter can function independently on roads without stoplights.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration data has found the passenger vehicle occupant fatality rate during dark hours to be about three times higher than the daytime rate.

“Thanks to LiDAR, the test cars aren’t reliant on the sun shining, nor cameras detecting painted white lines on the asphalt,” said Jim McBride, Ford technical lead-

er for autonomous vehicles. “In fact, LiDAR allows autonomous cars to drive just as well in the dark as they do in the light of day.”

To navigate in the dark, Ford self-driving cars use high-resolution 3D maps – complete with information about the road, road markings, geography, topography and landmarks like signs, buildings and trees.

The vehicle uses LiDAR pulses to pinpoint itself on the map in real time. Additional data from radar gets fused with that of LiDAR to complete the full sensing capability of the autonomous vehicle.

For the desert test, Ford engineers, sporting night-vision goggles, monitored the Fusion from inside and outside the vehicle.

Night vision allowed them to see the LiDAR doing its job in the form of a grid of infrared laser beams projected around the vehicle as it drove past. LiDAR sensors shoot out 2.8 million laser pulses a second to precisely scan the surrounding environment.

“Inside the car, I could feel it moving, but when I looked out the window, I only saw darkness,” described Wayne Williams, a Ford research scientist and engineer.

“As I rode in the back seat, I was following the car’s progression in real time using computer monitoring. Sure enough, it stayed precisely on track along those winding roads.”

After more than a decade of Ford autonomous vehicle research, the company is dedicated to achieving fully autonomous driving capability, which, as defined by SAE International Level 4, does not require the driver to intervene and take control of the vehicle.

This year, Ford will triple its autonomous vehicle test fleet – bringing the number to about 30 self-driving Fusion Hybrid sedans for testing on roads in California, Arizona and Michigan.

These developments are key elements of Ford Smart Mobility, the plan to take Ford to the next level in connectivity, mobility, autonomous vehicles, the customer experience, and data and analytics.

In Oman, Ford vehicles are brought to you by Arabian Car Marketing Co.

DYNAMIC DESIGN

McDonald’s unveils new packaging style MUSCAT: McDonald’s Arabia, recently announced the new packaging rollout within the region, in line with the global vision of a modern, progressive burger and breakfast company.

Giving the brand a quick refresh with the simple yet bold look, the new design will be featured on all carry-out bags and beverage cups.

This initiative is the latest step in the company’s ongoing commitment to connect with the consumers and be at the forefront of evolving trends. The new look and feel of the design was developed by a team of designers from agencies across the world for a culturally rich and global design, says a press release.

With the new packaging already introduced in US restaurants in January, the rest of the 119 international markets will roll out the designs by end the year. The customers can experience the new roll out across all McDonald’s outlets.

Ali K. Daud, president and development licensee at McDon-

ald’s Oman, commented: “McDonald’s is a brand that does not shy away from trying something new. This holds true for every part of our business, from our food to our sourcing and now to our packaging. We serve millions of customers in the region, and our packaging is the one thing that virtually every customer interacts with; it’s a moving billboard, and we want consumers to feel good carrying it.”

Not only is the packaging fun and modern, it also means something to McDonald’s customers.

The company has committed to sourcing 100 per cent of all fibrebased packaging from recycled or certified sources by 2020.

“McDonald’s has a global vision to source all their food and packaging sustainably and has made significant strides in this area for more than 20 years,” Daud said.

McDonald’s has a long record of sustainability leadership action to create positive change and the new packaging design is well in line.

COOKING COMPETITION

Mars hosts Filipino food festival MUSCAT: Mars Hypermarket in Al Khuwair organised Filipino food festival in association with Queens Restaurant recently.

The event introduced and showcased the wealth and range of products from the Philippines into the local market.

As a part of the food festival a cooking competition was also held encouraging Filipinos to participate and win amazing prizes, says a press release.

Nazer Mustaffa, the Labour Attaché of Philippines Embassy, was the chief guest for the event, under the patronage of C. J. Rajendra Prasad, chief operating officer, Unnikrishnan Pillai, general manager and other senior management staff of Mars Hypermarket and Queens Restaurant.

Norlinda Y. Cura, principal of Philippine School, Al Khuwair and Christiya Orazco, Filipino Social Community Club also witnessed the cooking competition which had over 15 participants.

Winners Maria Teresa Palmarin won the

first prize, Sally Bactad was the second prize winner and Lilia Arcelia bagged the third prize.

All the winners were presented with attractive gifts. This event was judged by a panel including the chief chef from Queens Restaurant and representatives from the Filipino School and Filipino Social Community Club.

During the event, the chief guest as well as others present

were treated to an array of Filipino dishes and delicacies. A range of fruits from the Philippines, such as banana, pineapple, turnips, avocado, were also displayed.

Mars Hypermarket is a leader in organised retail and has a strong presence in the length and breadth of the Sultanate. Mars is best known among Filipinos as the ‘one stop hypermarket’ for its wide-range selection of products

from the Philippines.

The Filipinos who gathered for the event expressed their appreciation to Mars Hypermarket for organising the food festival. They said that it was heartwarming to see the interest and enthusiasm of the Omanis and other foreigners towards Filipino products in general, and the various dishes and delicacies that were prepared in particular for this special event.

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Insight Information wins Omantel’s SME award The founders of Insight Information Technology Company thanked Omantel for the support they received that enabled the business to expand its customer base

MUSCAT: Insight Information Technology Company has won the Omantel’s 2015 SME Excellence Award for the Best Success Story, says a press release.

According to the founders of Insight Information Technology Company, Rashid bin Salim Al Salmi and Mohsin Al Salmi: “Due to the increasing dependency on electronic systems in the public and private sectors and the great pace of technological development in the Sultanate, we saw a gap in the market and a great need for a quality, Oman-based, cyber

security company.”

Rashid continued: “We started in 2003 by providing cybersecurity solutions for companies according to the information security standards and needs of the market here in Oman. Our services cover a number of aspects of data infrastructure protection including supporting network security and data protection.”

Speaking about the future vision of the company, Rashid added: “We have noticed a growing awareness of the importance of data protection among Omani organisations and we hope this trend will continue to grow in the coming years.

We aim to play greater role in providing the latest technologies and services in this field.”

Mohsin Al Salmi, the founding co-partner of Insight Information Technology also noted: “Information security is a new and fast growing field that and face many challenges such as a lack of awareness among the public about the importance of information security and how to deal with increasing threats towards data infrastructure. We work together to provide these services for our clients.”

Mohsin also noted the government’s focus and His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said’s support of SMEs to play a greater role in economic and technological development in the Sultanate.

“The invention of the internet and the rapid development of technology and telecommunications has revolutionised the way we do business as a society and has enhanced our reach to different markets, suppliers and customers. The royal directives reflects the growing importance of technology for SME development in this country.”

According to Rashid, telecommunications support from Omantel is vital for the success of both Insight Information Technology and many other SMEs around the Sultanate. “There is no doubt that telecommunications enriches the society and opens the door to wider commercial opportunities and knowledge transfer. Information technology is intrinsically linked to telecommunications and In-

sight Information Technology, like many other organisations, benefit from the quality services provided by Omantel, especially internet services that form the back-bone of our business.”

“We are deeply honoured to win the Omantel SME Excellence Award for the Best Success Story, an achievement that will help to further build our confidence in the market, promote our business and gain client trust,” added Rashid.

The pair thanked Omantel for the support they received that enabled the business to expand its customer base.

Rashid urged government departments to look towards SMEs during their procurement processes in order to support the organic and sustainable economic growth of the Sultanate.

Investing in the future of the nation, Omantel connects even the most remote communities of the Sultanate to each other and the rest of the world. Omantel is the Sultanate’s first and leading integrated telecommunications services provider, enabling the digital society to flourish, allowing new ways of doing business and delivering a world of information, news and entertainment.

Today, Omantel boldly innovates to deliver the highest levels of customer satisfaction, the broadest and most reliable nationwide network while investing for Oman’s future development.

SUMMER WINNINGS

Joyalukkas promo winner gets Audi

MUSCAT: Since its launch in June 2016, Joyalukkas Summer Winnings has proven to be one of the world’s favourite jeweller’s most successful promotions to date.

The Joyalukkas Summer of Winnings Oman grand draw was held on August 2 at the Ruwi showroom, says a press release.

Winner of the Audi car, Geetha was overjoyed to discover that she won the grand prize.

“I couldn’t believe it at first,” said Geetha of her experience getting the confirmation call that she had won. “With so many entries, I thought my chance was one in a million. I am so happy that I won my dream car.

Thank you, Joyalukkas!”

With thousands of entries received across the GCC, John Paul Alukkas, executive director, Joyalukkas Group, has nothing but gratitude for the overwhelming response from the customers.

“Support for our Summer Winnings promotion has been overwhelming. We are very grateful

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for the thousands of loyal patrons who have participated in the draw, and like them we are very excited to know who are the lucky winners of the luxury car,” said John Paul.

“We hope they enjoy the prizes as much as we enjoy creating meaningful promotions and prizes that fit their needs,” he added.

PROMOTION

MGM picks winner of OMR10,000 prize in ‘Shop & Win’ draw MUSCAT: Muscat Grand Mall (MGM) has announced the winner of the second ‘Shop & Win’ campaign. The draw was carried out recently, with the winning ticket drawn by a representative of Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

The lucky winner, named as S.M.G, has won MGM vouchers for a shopping spree worth OMR10,000 which can be redeemed in any of the mall’s 142 shopping outlets, including clothing, jewellery, electronic and so much more, says a press release.

MGM management congratulated the winner explaining that the ‘Shop & Win’ campaign is one from many examples of how MGM endeavours to make the visitor and shopping experience even more memorable. According to the management, the exciting campaign sets the tone for more offers, activities and competitions to come soon.

The second ‘Shop & Win’ campaign followed the success of the first instalment that took place during Ramadan. The grand prize, a luxurious Lexus LX570, was won

by Ruby George.

MGM continues to host exciting events and activities during the school holiday period. For the young adventurer, children have the opportunity to explore the mall from a completely new perspective with the ‘Kinder Balloon’ which continues till August 10.

Youngsters can literally reach for the stars by flying above the mall entrance area in the Kinder Balloon, wowing friends and family with their unique photographs and special stories.

Meanwhile, tech minded children have the chance to try out their skills with games and activities including Neuroland – a virtual reality game that allows players to move objects without the need for voice commands.

Committed to enriching the visitor experience, MGM offers some of the best shopping on offer in Oman, with over 142 retail outlets to visit. This summer, parents can shop with ease, while children enjoy the many exciting events, entertainment and activities on offer.

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THURSDAY, AUGUST 4, 2016

ROUND-UP

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Bank Muscat lines up high value prizes in latest al Mazyona draw Sheikh Abdullah Aqeel Al Ibrahim, acting deputy governor of Dhofar, will be the guest of honour at the event in which six winners covering all regions, including two from asalah Priority Banking and two from al Jawhar Privilege Banking, will receive high value prizes totalling OMR800,000

SALALAH: Bank Muscat, the flagship financial services provider in the Sultanate, is all set to celebrate the second quarterly prize draw of al Mazyona Savings Scheme on Sunday, August 14 at Hilton Salalah Resort.

Sheikh Abdullah Aqeel Al Ibrahim, acting deputy governor of Dhofar, will be the guest of honour at the event in which six winners covering all regions, including two from asalah Priority Banking and two from al Jawhar Privilege Banking, will receive high value

prizes totalling OMR800,000, says a press release.

The ceremony will be attended by dignitaries, Premier banking customers and management team members from the bank.

Quarterly prizes al Mazyona quarterly prizes include OMR100,000 each for two customers across Oman, OMR250,000 each for two asalah Priority banking customers and OMR50,000 each for two al Jawhar Privilege banking customers.

al Mazyona 2016 scheme offering OMR10 million in prize money is an incredible incentive for maintaining a healthy savings habit. al Mazyona ensures higher winning chance to all customers across the Sultanate.

With attractive weekly, monthly, quarterly, special and year-end prizes, the popular scheme offers high-value prizes throughout the year to maximum number of customers in all regions.

Committed to enhancing banking services to the premier segment, the bank’s strategy focuses on differentiated and specialised banking experience distinguishing Premier banking clients from competitors.

The exclusive prizes for asalah Priority banking customers include two monthly prizes of OMR50,000 each, two quarterly

prizes of OMR250,000 each and the year-end jackpot prize of OMR500,000 for one customer.

The bank also offers special prizes to al Jawhar Privilege Banking customers, including two monthly prizes of OMR25,000 each and two quarterly prizes of OMR50,000 each. Premier banking customers can also participate in all other al Mazyona weekly, monthly, quarterly and special prize draws.

Reaching out Reaching out with a powerful call for savings, al Mazyona offers exclusive prizes for different segments, including women, children, youth and high saving customers.

As on date, al Mazyona savings scheme guaranteeing more for everyone to share is the biggest prize money in Oman and the region with prizes ranging from

OMR1,000 a week to OMR10,000 a month and OMR100,000 every quarter, in addition to special and year-end prizes.

Adding excitement to festivals and national celebrations, the 2016 savings scheme also rewards customers with special prizes, besides aspirational prizes of OMR1 million to be shared by two customers at the end of year.

An exclusive draw for Zeinah women customers coinciding with Omani Women’s Day is a highlight in which 10 customers will be rewarded with OMR10,000 each. On the occasion of the National Day, a special draw will be held offering OMR10,000 each for 10 winners.

The eligibility for al Mazyona prize draws is to maintain a minimum balance of OMR100 which entitles customers to win OMR1,000 every week. By maintaining a minimum balance of OMR1,000, customers are eligible win the OMR10,000 monthly prize, OMR100,000 quarterly prize and the grand prize of OMR500,000 at the end of the year. For every OMR100 balance, customers get 1 chance to win – so with OMR1,000, they get 10 chances to win. The more the sav-

ing, the better the chances to win. al Mazyona continues to be the only savings scheme to recognise and reward loyalty for customers based on their association with the bank. For example, if a customer has been saving for five years, his chances of winning get multiplied by five times and similarly if he has been maintaining al Mazyona savings account for 20 years, his chances get multiplied 20 times and so on. This benefit is unique only to al Mazyona savings scheme holders and no other bank offers this loyalty reward.

The double-your-salary scheme is another attraction of 2016 al Mazyona savings scheme which entitles customers maintaining a salary account with the bank to win a free bonus salary every month. The salary prize scheme is open to all customers with a minimum monthly salary of OMR500. For instance, a customer whose salary is OMR500 can win an additional salary prize of OMR500 whereas a customer whose salary is OMR3,000 can win back an equivalent bonus salary of OMR3000 and so on. In all, there will be 30 winners every month who will gain a bonus salary with al Mazyona savings account.

ART PROMOTION

IBRI LULU CELEBRATES 3RD ANNIVERSARY

Lulu Hypermarket, Ibri celebrated its 3rd anniversary recently. Nelson Filip – Operations manager, senior management of Lulu and several well wishers were present on the occasion. — Supplied picture

Indian artists’ exhibition on Omani culture opens at City Seasons Hotel MUSCAT: Mahija Suresh, Bincy Lee Binu, Usha Satheesan, Mita Poddar and Sony Libin are exhibiting their paintings at the Al Majilis Art Cafe at City Seasons Hotel in Al Khuwair which opened yesterday. The exhibition will continue until the end of this month.

This exhibition is a part of the WOW (Wednesday On Walls) event held at the City Seasons Hotel to promote upcoming artists in the country, says a press release.

The exhibition is titled ‘The Arabs Decorem’ (The Arabian Beauty). The theme of the art expo is mainly about Oman and its culture though they will be showcasing a few of their other art works as well. They are five amateurs for whom art is an intriguing pursuit, residing in Oman for around 10 years and they enjoy assimilating their surroundings and work their way on canvas. Finding inspirations from the picturesque scenes of Oman their paintings are aesthetic and naturalistic.

Though all of them began paint-

P R O M O T I N G S AV I N G H A B I T

ing since their young age back in their home country, it was only after they began as a group in Muscat that they found their fad more exciting and fascinating. They found happiness and solace while working in the presence of each other. They have conducted two exhibitions before, which were well appreciated by the art world in Muscat from Kalamandalam.

“It is after a lot of hard work that we are able to exhibit our paintings. I hope people acknowledge our work and appreciate

them,” said Mahija.

Acrylic, oil, clay, jute and pencil are the different mediums they work on. Each of them focus on different mediums as well as mix mediums.

“We would like to thank City Seasons Hotel, Suji Sir, Anjali Pawar and our near and dear ones who have been monumental in instilling our confidence and without whose love and support this would never have been possible,” stated Bincy who is also a staff member at the City Seasons Hotel.

O R T H O PA E D I C S U R G E O N

Bank Sohar’s Al Mumayaz Savings Scheme receiving positive response

Apollo specialist receives fellowship in total joint replacement from Germany

MUSCAT: Launched in January, the Al Mumayaz Savings Scheme was revamped for 2016 to include a larger number of winners with more frequent draws, expanded prize segmentation and guaranteed winners from each branch across the country.

It has since seen over 800 customers, across all categories and branches, win it big so far in 2016, says a press release.

Commenting on the success of the Al Mumayaz Savings Scheme 2016, Khamis Masoud Al Rahbi, senior AGM and acting head of Retail Banking at Bank Sohar, said: “As we pass the half way mark of our Al Mumayaz Savings Scheme for 2016, we have received very positive feedback from our customers for all the draws conducted with their high appreciation on the increased number of winners in our monthly draws. These monthly draws alone have seen over 160 winners covering all categories and branches. In addition, we have also conducted over 546 hourly prize draws and so far this year.”

The bank has also placed great emphasis on minor accounts this year with the introduction of daily children’s draws, of which it has conducted over 136 so far. This when coupled with minor account winners of the monthly children’s, brings the total number of minor account winners to over 141. The bank has also introduced, for the first time ever, a dedicated ladies draw as part of the monthly draws.

MUSCAT: Dr Raghavan Sivaram, specialist orthopaedic surgeon at Apollo Hospital, Muscat, received his fellowship in Total Joint Replacement and Joint Preserving Techniques from The Schoen Clinic, Germany. Schoen Clinic Germany is widely recognised and voted as Germany’s’ top orthopaedic centre.

As part of the one month training Dr Raghavan worked under the direct supervision of Prof Roland Wetzel, who is a specialist in endoprosthetic surgery for knee and hips and his team performs nurmerous cases each year. As a part of the fellowship Dr Raghavan assisted in primary replacement procedures as well as complex revision on total knee joints. Furthermore, he assisted in hip arthroscopies, open wedge tibial osteotomies, shoulder replacement procedures, arthroscopic repair of the rotator cuff and other general outpatient surgeries, says a press release.

“At Apollo we believe in the power of on-going training in helping our doctors and strengthening their clinical and surgical skills which is very important in today’s fast changing world of information and technology,” said V. T. Sailesh, managing director of Apollo Hospital Muscat. We are happy to welcome Dr Raghavan back post his advanced training which will further help us deliver the exceptional care we are proud to provide for our patients.”

As we pass the half way mark of our Al Mumayaz Savings Scheme for 2016, we have received very positive feedback from our customers for all the draws conducted with their high appreciation on the increased number of winners in our monthly draws. These monthly draws alone have seen over 160 winners covering all categories and branches.

In addition, we have also conducted over 546 hourly prize draws and so far this year Khamis Masoud Al Rahbi

Senior AGM and acting head of Retail Banking at Bank Sohar

“Our increased focus on minor accounts stems from our belief in promoting the habit of savings in the community right from a young age. Following customer feedback, we also placed greater emphasis on a broader spectrum of our customers and especially women with a dedicated ladies draw as part of

the monthly draws. We also placed increased focus on our branches, hosting dedicated branch draws every month that ensures a winner of OMR1,000 from every branch each month, totalling 135 so far this year. On behalf of the bank I would like to congratulate each of our winners so far. I would also

like to encourage our customers to continue saving to increase their chances of winning, especially considering our more prizes yet to be won this year,” added Khamis Masoud Al Rahbi.

This year, the Al Mumayaz Savings Scheme continues with its hourly prize draws of OMR1,000 each from Sunday to Wednesday; totalling over 900 winners by the end of the year. A new addition this year is the daily Children’s Draw, which sees one minor account win OMR100 every day from Sunday to Thursday. The bank also conducts a monthly draw specifically for children where one minor account wins OMR1,000. In total there will be more than 240 winners of children’s draws before the end of the year.

This year’s general draws include a monthly draw of 10,000 and a year-end draw of OMR200,000 split amongst four winners. As part of the monthly draws the bank conducts branch guaranteed draws where one account from each of the bank’s branches wins OMR1,000. This equates to over 250 winners before the end of the year. Also as part of the monthly draws, and for the first time ever, a dedicated ladies draw is also conducted, with two winners of OMR5,000 each; totalling 20 winners. Lastly, the bank also conducts exclusive draws of OMR10,000 each month and a draw for OMR50,000 as part of the year-end draw.

Apollo Hospital, Muscat offers convenient accessibility to a full range of orthopaedic surgeons and patient services provided through a state-of-the-art facility that includes 24X7 laboratory and imaging services (offering MRI, CT Scan, Digital X- Ray, ultrasound), a fully equipped physiotherapy centre and a multi-speciality team support. The department performs all types of hip and knee joint replacement, revision and complex joint replacement surgeries and spine surgeries, keyhole surgery and trauma.

Apollo Hospital Muscat is part of the Asia’s largest healthcare chain the Apollo Hospitals Group, India which has been envisioned with the aim of bringing healthcare of international standards to the residents of Oman. To achieve the same, Apollo Hospital Muscat has an expert panel of clinicians, latest technology and brand new facility and team of professions offering its patient specialises services.

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WORLD BODY CLEARS INDIA’S NARSINGH FOR RIO >C3

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Ballance, Moeen lead fightback for England

ANDY MURRAY RELISHES ‘DIFFERENT’ ATMOSPHERE

Adjusting quickly to the Olympic atmosphere and its unfamiliar environment will be key for Andy Murray as he bids to defend the title he won in London four years ago, the world No. 2 has said. >C4

TEST SERIES

SCOREBOARD

England 1st innings A. Cook lbw R. Ali 45 A. Hales c S. Ahmed b S. Khan 17 J. Root c Hafeez b S. Khan 3 J. Vince c Y. Khan b S. Khan 39 G. Ballance c S. Ahmed b Y. Shah 70 J. Bairstow c S. Ahmed b S. Khan 12 M. Ali c S. Ahmed b M. Amir 63 C. Woakes c S. Ahmed b R. Ali 9 S. Broad c A. Ali b M. Amir 13 S. Finn not out 15 J. Anderson lbw S. Khan 5 Extras (lb-1, nb-4, w-1) 6 Total (all out, 86 overs) 297 Fall of wickets: 1-36, 2-48, 3-75, 4-144, 5-158, 6-224, 7-244, 8-276, 9-278.

Bowling: M. Amir 16-3-53-2; S. Khan 23-3-96-5 (nb-4); R. Ali 20-4-83-2 (w-1); Y. Shah 27-3-64-1.

Fast bowler Sohail Khan took four wickets to put the hosts in trouble at 158 for five but Gary Ballance made a gritty 70 and Moeen 63 to leave the match delicately poised

BIRMINGHAM: Moeen Ali’s late counter-attack lifted England to 297 all out on a fluctuating first day of the third Test against Pakistan in Birmingham on Wednesday.

Fast bowler Sohail Khan took four wickets to put the hosts in trouble at 158 for five but Gary Ballance made a gritty 70 and Moeen 63 to leave the match delicately poised. Sohail, recalled to the side, removed Alex Hales, Joe Root, James Vince and Jonny Bairstow after Pakistan had won the toss in overcast conditions at Edgbaston.

Hales was the first man out for 17, edging a fine delivery from Sohail to wicketkeeper Sarfraz Ahmed.

Root, who made 254 in the last Test, was caught at first slip by Mohammed Hafeez for three and captain Alastair Cook was trapped lbw

by Rahat Ali for 45 before England took lunch on 100 for three.

FABULOUS FIVE: Pakistan’s Sohail Khan, centre, celebrates after

dismissing England’s Joe Root during the first day of their third Test match at Edgbaston in Birmingham on Wednesday. – Reuters

Vince played nicely for his 39 but, as so often in his fledgling Test career, he failed to take full advantage and edged right-armer Sohail to second slip where Younus Khan

took a fine low catch.

Bairstow, on 12, tried to cut a ball too close to him and gave Sarfraz another easy chance and Pakistan sensed the opportunity to dismiss

SAILING

Oman Sail’s eves team all set for Farr30 Internationals in Sweden MUSCAT: Oman Sail’s Dee Caffari is in Sweden this week with her all-women crew on board EFG Sailing Arabia — The Tour to compete in the Farr 30 Internationals as a training platform for next year’s offshore classic around the Arabian Gulf and to promote EFG Sailing Arabia — The Tour 2017.

Caffari has put together a team of six Omani and European sailors for the event in Bastad in Sweden, which runs till August 7 with four days of racing.

Most familiar among the Omani crew is Ibtisam Al Salmi who has spent part of the summer competing in Europe on the Oman Sail all women’s J80 alongside Marwa Al Khaifi and Tamadher Al Balushi, her teammates for the trip to Sweden, all of them taking time out from their ‘day jobs’ as Oman Sail sailing instructors.

Volvo Ocean racers Libby Greenhalgh and Abby Ehler, who were both members of the all-women’s Team SCA in the last race will make up the rest of Caffari’s team alongside Kate Macgregor, the British match racer who competed at the London 2012 Olympics.

Caffari and her Omani girls are all familiar with the one design Farr 30 boats, which have been used in EFG Sailing Arabia — the Tour, the Gulf region’s No. 1 offshore race, since it was created in 2011.

“So far this year, the girls have been racing J80s in Europe so making the switch back to Farr 30s should be straightforward but really this event is all about promoting EFG Sailing Arabia — The Tour 2017 which is a fantastic event especially for international teams looking for serious warm water competition in the European winter,” said Caffari.

The annual EFG Sailing Arabia — The Tour has changed and grown with each edition over six years to become the most highly regarded sailing event in the Middle East as well as an effective platform for showcasing the Gulf, tourism and its maritime heritage.

Sailor’s blogs from last year’s Tour gave an insight as to why

TRAINING PLATFORM: Oman Sail’s Dee Caffari and and her Omani

girls are all familiar with the one design Farr 30 boats. – Supplied photo

EFG Sailing Arabia - The Tour is gaining ground among competitors and becoming an iconic and sustainable sailboat race.

They spoke at length about the scenery, which ranged from ‘utterly barren to stunningly beautiful’ with 1000m cliffs and massive sandbanks and of the navigational hazards that ocean going sailors find so irresistible such as giant tug boats and barges, oil fields, exclusion zones and islands.

There were night time reports from Team Averda of ‘oilfields burning hot and red, oceans being lit up by ‘phosphorescence so luminous the boats left a trail of ‘glow in the dark’ plankton behind them’.

All the teams made reference to the gruelling physical and mental exertion brought on by the long watches and the sudden changes in conditions from a perfect 10 knot breeze and clear skies to leaden skies, lumpy seas and 30 knot gusts.

For the professionals, EFG Sailing Arabia – The Tour is a test of skills. To everyone else, it is a test of character which explains its appeal.

In February this year, French skipper Sidney Gavignet took the title for the third time on EFG Bank Monaco and the interest generated in the event accounted for a total media value of over six

million euros, which was more than 50 percent higher than the media value of previous editions.

The 2017 edition will take place just a few months before the start of the round the world Volvo Ocean Race and is set to attract a number of teams seeking warm weather training opportunities.

“We created EFG Sailing Arabia — The Tour to offer both professional and amateur racing teams an opportunity to participate in a popular new one design circuit and explore a region that was probably new to them and it has been a great success,” said Salma Al Hashmi, Oman Sail’s Chief Marketing Officer.

“Each year, we listen to how the sailors and sponsors feel the race could be improved and we freshen up the route – they want a race track that tests young professionals starting out on their offshore careers, seasoned professionals looking for a challenge and experienced recreational sailors who fancy their chances against the professionals.”

“We use EFG Sailing Arabia – The Tour as a way of promoting the Gulf region and now our aim is to use the Farr 30 Internationals in Sweden as a way of promoting SATT17 to generate even more teams, more sponsors and attract more interest around the world.”

England for less than 200.

But Ballance dug in and Moeen provided watchful support to take the hosts through to tea without further loss.

Ballance passed fifty for the first time since being recalled to the side and he struck seven fours in more than three hours at the crease before edging leg-spinner Yasir Shah to Sarfraz down the leg-side.

Chris Woakes, on nine, gave the wicketkeeper his fourth catch, off Rahat, and Stuart Broad made 13 before he slashed Mohammed Amir high to Azhar Ali at third slip.

Moeen’s cameo ended when he nicked Amir to Sarfraz and Sohail trapped James Anderson lbw to complete figures of five for 96 on his first Test appearance for five years.

The four-match series is level at 1-1. - Reuters

STUBBORN KNOCK: West Indies’ Roston Chase plays a shot on the fifth day of the second Test against India. – AP/PTI

Blackwood, Chase frustrate India KINGSTON: Roston Chase and Jermaine Blackwood frustrated India with their gritty half-centuries as the West Indies reached 215 for five at lunch on the fifth and final day of the second cricket Test on Wednesday.

Chase scored his maiden Test fifty (70 batting) at an opportune time for the troubled hosts as he weaved together a 93-run stand with Blackwood (63) before spinner R Ashwin removed the latter.

Chase (122 balls, 9 fours, 1 six) found another solid support in Shane Dowrich who was batting at 33 in an unbeaten 74 run stand for the sixth wicket as a bright sunny day made conditions better for batting at Sabina Park.

West Indies are still trailing by 89 runs and need to bat out the remaining two sessions to deny India the win and a 2-0 lead in the four-match series. Starting at overnight 48 for four, Chase and Blackwood came out with a plan to defy the Indian bowlers. There had been no rain since play on day four had been called off and not a cloud was in sight on Wednesday.

The visitors started off with Mohammed Shami (2/53) and

SCOREBOARD

West Indies 1st innings: 196 India 1st innings: 500 for 9 decl West Indies 2nd innings: K. Brathwaite c Rahul b Mishra 23 R. Chandrika b I. Sharma 1 D. Bravo c Rahul b Shami 20 M. Samuels b Shami 0 J. Blackwood c Pujara b R. Ashwin 63 R. Chase not out 70 S. Dowrich not out 33 Extras (lb-2, nb-2, w-1) 5 Total (for 5 wickets at lunch) 215 Fall of wickets: 1-5, 2-41, 3-41, 4-48, 5-141 To bat: J. Holder, D. Bishoo, M. Cummins, S. Gabriel Bowling: I. Sharma 10-1-34-1 (nb-1), M. Shami 13-3-53-2, A. Mishra 11-1-56-1 (nb-1), U. Yadav 6-1-21-0 (w-1), R. Ashwin 14-3-49-1

Amit Mishra (1-56), but Blackwood attacked them both and hit them out of the attack.

Ishant Sharma (1/34) and Umesh Yadav (0/21) were then deployed, but Blackwood smacked his second fifty in the Test off only 41 balls, bringing it up in the 31st over as 79 runs came in the first hour’s play. - PTI

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THURSDAY, AUGUST 4, 2016

SPORTS

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CRICKET

India-Bangladesh one-off Test in February next year NEW DELHI: India will host Bangladesh for a one-off Test in February next year, marking the neighbouring country’s first official trip here since claiming Test status in the year 2000.

“India will play Bangladesh in a historic one-off Test match from February 8-12, 2017 at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Hyderabad. The Test match will mark Bangladesh’s first official visit to India since attaining Test status in 2000,” BCCI Secretary Ajay Shirke said in a statement.

Underlining the significance of the Test, Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) President Anurag Thakur said the match will

add value to India’s home season.

“As a leading Test playing nation it is BCCI’s responsibility to give opportunity to every Test playing nation. It is my pleasure to announce the historic one-off Test match against our neighbours — Bangladesh early next year. This will be a great addition to our home season 2016-17,” he said.

Bangladesh Cricket Board President Nazmul Hassan said the short tour would be a cherished experience for players and fans of both countries.

“The long wait for us to play a Test match on Indian soil is finally over and this is a time for celebration,” he said. - PTI INTENSIVE RACING: Winners and participants pose for a group photo at the end of Oman Sail’s July Ranking Regatta at Al Musannah

Sports City. – Supplied photo

Al Farsi dominates Musannah Regatta The 14 year-old Al Farsi, a member of the Musannah Sailing School, was the runaway winner in a fleet of 33 youth competitors

MUSCAT: Al Moatsem Hamood Al Farsi, the young Optimist sailor who was Oman’s best prospect at the recent Optimist World Championships in Portugal, was top of the leaderboard in Oman Sail’s July Ranking Regatta at Musannah Sports City this week.

The 14 year-old Al Farsi, a member of the Musannah Sailing School and the best performing Omani youngster in the 100 strong Optimist class at 2016 Musannah Race Week in January, was the runaway winner in a

CREAM OF YOUTH PROGRAMME: Action from Oman Sail’s July

Ranking Regatta at Musannah Sports City. – Supplied photo

fleet of 33 youth competitors, the cream of Oman Sail’s Omantel Youth Programme.

After two days of intensive racing, he swept to victory in four of the six races completed to take the gold medal.

Alaa Al Amrani also from Musannah and Mohammed Al Alawi from Sur were tied on points in second place but Alaa took the silver

medal on tie break with Mohammed having to settle for bronze.

The success of fourth placed Ahmed Al Oraimi demonstrated the massive progress being made at Sur Sailing School, which is the newest and most remote of the Oman Sail sailing schools of which there are now four at Almouj, Musannah, Bandar Al Rowdha and Sur.

These improvements were also in evidence in the Schools Team rankings where Sur closed the gap on defending champions Al Mouj to four points.

The National Ranking Regattas are staged six times a year and are used as selection trials for the Omantel Youth Squad, which represents Oman at international competitions across the region and beyond, as well as training opportunities to upskill sailors, coaches and race officials.

“We saw improved performances from the sailors on the second day of the ranking races and it gives us a better idea for our selections,” said Oman Sail’s Youth Manager, Mohsin Al Busaidi.

“These youngsters have a lot of work to do to be competitive at international level as we saw in the recent world championships but they are talented and more than capable of achieving their aims,” he added.

“The next time we will see them in action will be at the 2016 National Championships at Sur from August 14-18 where all the youth classes — the Optimists, Laser 4.7 and Techno 293 windsurfer — will be competing.”

SIX-A-SIDE

Oman hockey veterans for Morocco tourney

MUSCAT: Oman Veterans Hockey team will leave for Morocco on Thursday to take part in a six-aside indoor hockey tournament to be organised from August 6 to 9.

Oman, who had won a similar tournament in Egypt early this year, will be fielding two teams in

the Morocco tournament, which will also see participation of two Egyptian teams, Sudan, Libya, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.

Mohammed Shambeh Al Raisi, chairman of the Oman Veteran Hockey, will accompany the 23-member Oman team as head

of the delegation. Abdulrehman Al Raisi (coach) and Mustafa Al Lawati (manager) will also be travelling with the team that will be captained by Yusuf Darwish.

WJ Towell has offered to sponsor the trip of the Oman Hockey Association-supported team.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 4, 2016

SPORTS ‘Naivete’ almost cost Armitstead Rio spot In a statement posted on Wednesday the British world road race champion Lizzie Armitstead vowed to hold her head high at the Olympics

LONDON: British world road race champion Lizzie Armitstead has said she was “very naive” in failing to contest the first of three missed doping tests, a decision that almost cost her a place at the Rio Olympics.

The 27-year-old, who won silver in the London Olympics road race and will be among the favourites in Rio, was facing an automatic ban under the “whereabouts system” after three missed tests within a year.

Under the system, athletes are required to inform anti-doping officials of a location where they can be contacted during a particular hour of every day.

However, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS)

ruled that procedures were not followed correctly for the first of the tests, clearing the way for her to compete in Rio. “The reason I didn’t (appeal against the first missed test) was because it was my first strike and it was very close to the World Championships, so I was travelling to America,” she told the Daily Mail.

“I also didn’t have the legal advice. It felt very much them against me. I was very naive. I went ahead to the World Championships and I didn’t want the distraction.

“I’ve been on this ‘whereabouts’ system since 2006. I’ve travelled the world, been in hotels, training camps, races,

for all that amount of time. And I’ve never had a problem with a testing official trying to find me in a hotel.”

Armitstead had said she was cleared on the grounds that the anti-doping officer had not followed procedure for the first missed test and not tried hard enough to find her, though the Swiss-based CAS has yet to confirm their judgement. She said the third missed test, which triggered the ban, was the result of her not updating her location after “an emergency change of plans due to a serious illness within her family” while the second was an administrative failure on her part.

In a statement posted on Wednesday, Armitstead vowed to hold her head high at the Olympics. “I love sport and the values it represents,” she wrote.

“It hurts me to consider anybody questioning my performances.

“Integrity is something I strive for in every part of my life,” she added. “I am sorry for causing anyone to lose faith in sport.

“I hate dopers and what they have done to sport.” - Reuters

WRESTLING

World wrestling body clears India’s Narsingh Yadav for Rio Olympics NEW DELHI: Cleared by the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA), Narsingh Yadav on Wednesday got the go ahead of United World Wrestling (UWW) to compete in the Rio Olympics even as he waited for a WADA clearance as well.

Narsingh, cleared by NADA on Monday, was awaiting response from UWW on the Wrestling Federation of India’s request to reconsider his name in the 74kg weight division.

“After Narsingh was given a clean chit by NADA, we immediately wrote a letter to the world body to reconsider his name in 74kg category. Today I am really delighted to announce that UWW has reverted back saying that Narsingh will be allowed to participate in the Olympics,” Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) President Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh said.

“Now they just need a confirmation letter from us and we have already sent it. So, there should not be any problem as far as the world body is concerned about Narsingh’s participation,” he added.

However, the 26-year-old grappler would have to wait for some more before boarding the flight to Rio as the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) had on Tuesday asked NADA to send the case file

Dharambir under dope cloud, skips Rio flight NEW DELHI: India’s dope shame in the Rio Olympics build-up continued with indications that 200m runner Dharambir Singh has returned positive for a banned substance in an in-competition test conducted last month.

Dharambir, who became the first Indian male sprinter to qualify for the Olympics after 36 years, missed his flight to Rio Tuesday night, amid speculation that he had tested positive for an anabolic steroid in his A sample taken

by National Anti-Doping

of Narsingh for a review.

After studying the case, WADA can appeal against a decision of Anti-Doping Disciplinary Panel or Appeals Panel of any of its member countries to the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) within 21 days.

If WADA appeals against the decision of the disciplinary panel at the ad hoc division of the CAS,

Agency (NADA) during the Indian Grand Prix Meet in Bangalore on July 11. However, neither NADA nor the Athletics Federation of India confirmed whether the athlete had flunked a dope test.

The 27-year-old Haryana athlete was to leave for Rio on Tuesday but was told to stay back, according to sources.

Sources said NADA has asked Dharambir whether he wants to get his B sample tested and he has seven days to get the procedure completed.

If his B sample also tests

specifically constituted to render decisions quickly during the Olympics, Narsingh may have to wait some more days to know his fate regarding his participation in the Rio Games.

Earlier, in a sensational turnaround, Narsingh was exonerated of doping charges by the NADA’s AntiDoping Disciplinary Panel, which concluded that he was a victim of

positive, he is certain to miss the Olympics besides facing the prospect of an eight-year ban since this was his second dope offence. He was earlier stripped of his gold medal won in 100m race during the National InterState Championships in 2012 for evading a mandatory dope test and a lengthy ban may bring an end to his career.

According to sports medicine experts, there is no provision of a life ban under the new WADA Code of 2015 and maximum punishment is eight years. - PTI

sabotage, boosting his chances of making it to the Olympics.

After more than a week of drama, which began with Narsingh testing positive for a banned anabolic steroid methandienone in tests conducted on June 25, NADA Director General Navin Agarwal put an end to the suspense on the wrestler’s fate by exonerating him on Monday. - PTI

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SPORTS CONFIDENT

Indian hockey team staying focused in Rio ‘magic world’ MUMBAI: PR Sreejesh says his dual role as India hockey captain and goalkeeper is to allow his teammates the freedom to express themselves in Rio but knows he must keep them focused on the medal hunt in the “magic world” of the Olympics.

The 30-year-old was second choice at London 2012 behind then captain Bharat Chetri but has since established himself as the clear number one. He was named captain for the recent Champions Trophy in London where India rested some seniors, including regular captain Sardar Singh, ahead of the Rio Games.

While Sreejesh led the side to the sliver medal, as India lost the final to Australia in a penalty shootout, he said he never imagined it would lead to him wearing the armband at the Rio Games too.

“I never expected it,” Sreejesh said in a recent interview. “I have always said being part of the team

and winning a medal for my country was my first preference.

“I never dreamt of captaining the team and leading the side in the Olympics. It’s a great honour.”

Sreejesh has been a rock for India in front of goal since making the junior national team in 2004.

It took him another couple of years to make the cut for the senior side.

He made crucial saves during the 2014 Asian Games final when India beat arch-rivals Pakistan, which sealed their spot for Rio. In 2015, Sreejesh received the Arjuna award for his contribution to the national team.

No extra burden Sreejesh said the captaincy would not have a huge influence on his role. “I am a goalkeeper. My first duty is to save the goal,” he said by telephone from the team’s training camp in Bengaluru. “The second is to communicate with my defenders and organise them.

Olympics is a place where you can be easily distracted to a lot of things and it will seem like a magic world. It will all be about reminding them (teammates) our goal PR Sreejesh

Indian hockey team captain

“Third is I need to give them confidence as a goalkeeper. I think as captain too I have to do these three things. There is no extra burden on me.

“It’s all about giving them the freedom to do what they want.”

“Olympics is a place where you can be easily distracted to a lot of things and it will seem like a

Nadal ready to play in all three events in Rio After two days of training in Rio alongside compatriot David Ferrer, Nadal said ‘It’s evident that the condition of my wrist is not ideal and if it wasn’t the Olympics, I would not take this risk’

RIO DE JANEIRO: Spain’s Rafael Nadal has confirmed he will compete in all three tennis events at the Rio Olympics despite being not at his best after being sidelined with a wrist injury since May. There were doubts whether the 2008 gold medalist, who withdrew from the French Open and missed Wimbledon, would recover in time to compete at the Games.

After two days of training in Rio alongside compatriot David Ferrer, Nadal told Spanish radio station Cadena Cope on Wednesday: “It’s evident that the condition of my wrist is not ideal and if it wasn’t the Olympics, I would not take this risk.

“However, having spoken to my team and with Conchita (Martinez), I’ve decided to play the singles and everything else.

“There is always a risk but I

GREAT NEWS: Spain’s Rafael Nadal addresses the media after a training session at the Olympic Tennis Centre in Rio de Janeiro. – AFP

trained six hours between Monday and Tuesday and although the wrist still bothers me, at least it hasn’t worsened and that is great news.

“I already missed London.”

The 14-time Grand Slam champion, 30, missed the Olympics four years ago with a knee injury.

World No. 5 Nadal, who is due to be Spain’s flag bearer, will compete in the singles event and also take part with Marc Lopez in the doubles and Garbine Muguruza in the mixed doubles.

“I’m going to do as best as possible in every event I play in,” Nadal said. “The doubles might be a bet-

ter option for me considering how I arrive to the Olympics but you never know.

“The only thing I can say is that I will give my best and no one is going to take away my enthusiasm to compete at the Olympics in whatever way I can and to try to win a medal.”

Nadal’s recovery would come as a significant boost for tennis at the Games with several other highprofile players missing.

Swiss players Roger Federer and Stan Wawrinka have pulled out due to injury problems while Wimbledon finalist Milos Raonic withdrew citing fears over the Zika virus.

Conchita Martinez, captain of the Spain Fed Cup and the Davis Cup team, is optimistic Nadal will deliver.

“We needed time to see how the wrist will respond to intense training before confirming that he would play in all three events,” Martinez told Cope. “It was a joint decision and it was an easy one to take.

“It’s obvious that he is lacking playing time but when we talk about Nadal, we know how competitive he is and what a great level he has. Nadal is the best option we have to win a medal. Rafa can do great things.” — Reuters

magic world,” Sreejesh said.

“It will all be about reminding them our goal as a team.”

India are the most decorated nation in the sport’s Olympic history

but the South Asians collected the last of their eight gold medals back at the Moscow Games in 1980.

After failing to qualify for Beijing, India made it to London four years later but finished last of the 12 countries taking part.

India, who are in Pool B in Rio along with Argentina, Canada, Germany, Ireland and the Netherlands, have created optimism back home thanks after a strong buildup to the Games.

Sreejesh feels India have the right balance between youth and experience, with a number of players from London 2012 still part of the mix for Rio. Consistency will be the key, he added.

“The last couple of years has given us confidence. We have beaten all the top teams and won medals,” he said.

“It has given us confidence that now we are ready to beat any team and we will carry that to Rio,” the Indian captain said. — Reuters

TENNIS

Murray relishes ‘totally different’ atmosphere RIO DE JANEIRO: Adjusting quickly to the Olympic atmosphere and its unfamiliar environment will be key for Andy Murray as he bids to defend the title he won in London four years ago, the world No. 2 has said.

The Scot, who beat Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer en route to gold in 2012, is representing Britain in the men’s singles in Rio and will also partner his brother Jamie in the men’s doubles.

“Here it’s totally different conditions, different venue, different country, so I’ll try and treat it like any other tournament and prepare as best I can,” he said.

“I remember when I was in Beijing (in 2008), the whole atmosphere surrounding an Olympics is different because you’re around loads of the best athletes in the world.

“It was just nice being surrounded by the best athletes from your country, seeing them coming back with medals, it feels a lot more like a team environment.”

Half of the men’s top 10 will miss this month’s Olympics.

World No. 4 Stan Wawrinka pulled out with an injury on Tuesday, joining his Switzerland teammate Federer in sitting out the Games.

Other notable absentees include Canadian Milos Raonic and Czech Republic’s Tomas Berdych, who withdrew citing concerns over the Zika virus, and Austrian Dominic Thiem, who has decided to focus on the ATP Tour.

Murray, however, said the competition would still be fierce.

“It’s still a pretty strong field, a

ANDY MURRAY: “It feels a lot more like a team environment.”

lot of the top-20 players are here even if unfortunately there’s a few of the top 10 missing,” the 29-year-old added.

The tennis competition at the Rio Games takes place from August 6 to 14. - Reuters

F O O T B A L L G R E AT

Pele asked to light Rio cauldron, checks with sponsors

PELE: “As a Brazilian, I’d love to do it.”

BRASILIA: Pele has been invited to light the Olympic pyre for the Rio Games on Friday but the Brazilian soccer great is checking with his sponsors to see if he is free to lead the torch ceremony in the Maracana Stadium.

“I have a contract that I am bound to fulfil,” Pele told Globo TV, adding that he was consulting the U.S. company that holds the rights to his brand name whether he can take up the invitation from the Olympic organising committee. “As a Brazil-

ian, I’d love to do it,” said the 75-yearold, who helped his country win the World Cup three times and would be launching the Games in the stadium where he scored his 1,000th goal in 1969. Pele later said that IOC President Thomas Bach and the head of the Brazilian committee Carlos Arthur Nuzman had personally asked him to light the pyre and that he would have an answer on Thursday.

He said he would have to cancel a trip organised by his sponsors.

Pele played in four World Cups

and is the only player to have won it three times: in 1958 in Sweden, when he was just 17, in 1962 in Chile and in 1970 in Mexico.

‘Master of new generation’ Pele also said world record holder Usain Bolt has surpassed his own legacy, and despite being dubbed by many as the “Master” Pele regards the Jamaican sprint legend as “Master of the new generation”.

In statements published by French newspaper Le Parisien on

Tuesday, Pele said that Bolt is the best athlete in the history of the Olympic Games and joked that it could have been him if he was involved in sports other than football.

The retired Brazilian explained he has always wished to compete in boxing at the Olympics so that he could face the late ever boxing champion Muhammad Ali. He added if Brazil wins the gold medal at Rio, he has no doubt that people will be out on the streets to celebrate the victory as if it is a carnival. - Agencies

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for rent 6 rooms, 4 bathrooms, house maid room, AC split unit, swimming pool

One flat in CBD 2 bedrooms, sitting room, 2 bathrooms & Kitchen

One flat in Qurum 29 – 1 & 2 rooms, AC split unit, 2 bathrooms, Kitchen

In Al Hail one office space – (Near Main Road) one room attach with bathroom and kitchen.

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

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T H U R S D AY, AU G U S T 4 , 2 0 1 6

DAILY GUIDE

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

FOR RENT

*Tourist visa arranged

FOR RENT

1000 sqm Industrial plot compound wall & two room at Misfah I/A. Contact: 99342733

2BHK split A/C for rent Muttrah near Oman House.

Contact: 97007934 / 92629232

5 bedroom brand new villas for rent in Al Khoud, near Al Ruwad International School.

1& 2BHK Flat for rent at MBD, Hallat Saad, Opp. Al Nahda Hospital, Al Khoudh Souq and Mabela Sanaya No.2 and shop at Al Khoudh.

Contact: 24834644, 93994401/ 02/ 03

Flats for rent near Indian School in Wadi Kabir. Contact 99777122

Contact 99447002 / 98116480

Flats, shops & store for rent in MBD area Ruwi, Mumtaz area.

Contact: 97293708 / 92433127

Flat for rent in Wadi kabeer near Indian Primary School 1B & 2B, 1 H& 1K. Contact: 92222922

Flats for rent in Mumtaz, 2 bedrooms , hall Way no 3352 building no. 3447 & 3668.

Contact: 90991079

Flats for rent at Al Khuwair, bedroom and toilet. Contact: 92277419 Flats, shops for rent in Ruwi Mumtaz, MBD area Honda road.

Contact : 97293708 / 92433127 / 96291778 14 flats for rent in Al Hail each flat 2Bed rooms, hall, 2 toilets & kitchen, price 250/- O.R for each.

Contact: 99222130 Fully furnished 2 Bedroom luxury flat for rent at Ghala for short or long term basis.

Contact: 97762321 / 99881653 New 2BHK with AC, Darsait.

Contact: 95311488

2 BHK flat at Wadi Kabir, behind Pioneer Hotel Apartment.

Contact 99261522 / 99857332 Flat for rent in Al Mawaleh South 3, 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, hall, kitchen & store with air condition.

Contact 98575157 3 Rooms, 2 Toilets Flat for Rent.

18 November Street. Near Mars Hypermarket and The Chedi. Ghobrah -Good for Commercial or Residential use. OMR 295/- month.

Call 94477222 4 BHK Villa in Al khuwair.

Contact 99792181 2 BHK Flat in Alkhuwair.

Contact 99792181

Spacious 3 BHK apartment + store room with split A/C Al Seeb, Mabelah South near Goat market, near Expressway R.O 320 negotiable.

Contact: 96920789 / 98309890 Ruwi office space for rent, Saravana Bhava Building. Contact: 95729549 Fully furnished office and warehouse for Rent Near Coca Cola Warehouse Ghala. Contact : 99366810 2 B/R new bldg, Bausher from owner. Contact : 92158031

Warehouse in Barka for rent from 1,000 – 10,000 sqm available.

Contact: 91155779

2 BHK flat in Azaiba 18 Nov Street.

Contact 99792181

Mabella Industrial land for rent.

Contact : 91155779

1 & 2 BHK Flat in Ghobra.

Contact 99792181

1 bedroom family / bachelors in Al Khuwair R.O 90/-.

Contact: 95154331

2 Bed rooms flat with hall, 2 bathrooms in Darsait near Muscat Municipality. Contact: 24700120/ 92584715

2 BHK Flat in Qurum.

Contact 99792181

Rooms for rent in Al Khuwair near Ibis hotel. Contact: 95724975

2-3 B/ Room flats in Al Khuwair 2 B/ room flat, 3 B/room villa in Ruwi & Mumtaz. Contact: 99776071 / 99057348

Flats in Al Wadi Al Kabeer near to Al Kuwaiti Mosque.

Contact : 99428958

3 bedroom flat in Wadi Kabeer, 2 bed room villa in Sidab.

Contact : 95755953 / 95555162 30 New Deluxe Flats & Shops in Al Khoud. Contact 99738881 Room for rent near Al Daser Rex road Ruwi. Contact: 92099367 /99797645 2BHK spacious room available in Al Khuwair behind Zawawi Mosque/Rotana Hotel.

Contact 99590942 Furnished room in CBD for Executive bachelors WIFI free, advance deposit. Contact: 90631572 2 BHK Flat in Darsait, Near ISM. Contact 99792181

1 room with A/C, big hall and toilet and one kitchen in Wada Adai. Contact: 96348654 Flats in Al Khuwair, Al Bustan, Azaiba, Wadi Kabeer, Darsait, Hamirya, Al Hail & Seeb.

Contact: 24182000 / 95250300 / 99110600 4 BHK villa Qurum 550/-.

Contact: 92230462 / 92144645 1,2,3 BHK Flats & villas.

Contact: 92230462 / 92144645 Single flat for rent in Darsait near Indian School. Contact: 95453813 / 95806611

2 B/R near Grand Hypermarket Ruwi.

Contact: 92617250 / 92880738

3 bedroom well maintained flat (villa Type - only 2 flats in one bldg) in Al Khuwair, behind Al Akhtam Restaurant Villa No1839, Way No 3922, Block No 239.

Contact: 99253125 Commercial space for rent 90 Sq. meter office space in Ghala, fully furnished with A/C, gents & ladies toilet, pantry and car park available for immediate rent.

Contact: 24502820 Email: omsc@omzest.com 2BHK near CBD and Star Cinema.

Contact: 99233116 3BHK Al Khuwair. Contact : 99024730

1 BHK Flats are available near Lulu Darsait (Opp. to Min. of Defense) Contact: 93202733 / 94771769 Spacious 4 BHK with split A/Cs 4 Bathrooms and storeroom near Church roundabout Mumtaz area rent R.O 550. Contact: 99349672 Flats for rent near Indian School in Wadi Kabir. Contact 99777122 Studio Al Khuwair R.O 175/-.

Contact: 92144045 / 92230462 Room Al Khuwair free 4.5, R.O 110/-. Contact: 97799175 / 99138696 1BHK Ghubra 240/-. Contact: 921144045 / 92230462 2 BHK Ghubra R.O 300/-.

Contact: 92144045 / 92230462 Flat for rent in Darsait nr Indian School with 2 room & kitchen.

Contact: 92245110 / 98191919 3 BHK Al Khuwair R.O 350/-.

Contact: 92144045 / 92230462 3 BHK flat in Azaiba, opp. Sultan Centre. Contact 99261522 / 99857332 I BHK Flat -3 Nos at Hamriya – R.O. 175/-3 Bed Room/ 3 Bath room/ Very big sitting area/ kitchen - Villa 1st floor with A/C at Al Khuwair Near Rayyan Residence.

R.O 360/-For families. Contact: 94934353 - 9 am to 7 Pm. Email – forrentksd@gmail.com

Wadi Kabeer Industrial 80 sm show rooms for rent 400/- R.O. Contact: 99879939 Ghubra & Al Khuwair, 1 bed room, hall. Contact: 90991079 Flat for Rent 2 bed room Near ISM muscat Indian Scoole Darsate Tel : 00 968 95158570 Flat with 2 room + kitchen +hall, 3 toilets in al Quram Breeiq Al Shatti RO 650. Contact 99738881 / 99314314 Two bedrooms flat behind German Embassy near to Al Nahda Hospital. Contact: 99209354 Open land farm of around 40 thousand sq m2 at a good location near to Rusayl for rent or waiver at a very attractive rate. Good for farm or camp. Fr more info pls contact 93692228 / 91155779 2BHK split A/C 200/- Monthly & 1BHK spilt A/C 150/- monthly new building good location Barka Market. contact 99342661 Flat for rent in Al Khoud, 2 rooms & hall. Contact: 91763665 Flat behind Mazoon Mosque with 3 room + 3 toilets, RO 230.

Contact 99738881 / 99420346 2 bedrooms flats R.O 370/- & one bedroom flat R.O 325/- in South Ghubra, behind Asalah Bhawan building. Contact: 96202490

1 Bed room, sharing K& T, R.O 100, 2 bedrooms , sharing K& T R.O 200/- in AL Khuwair.

Contact 95154331 Flat in Al Khuwair opp grand mall 4 room 3 toilet + hall kitchen in 3 floor 400. Contact 99420346 2BHK Big Size Flat Behind Bank Muscat, Wadi Kabir. Near ISWK. 97826454, 24815012.

Flat for rent in South AlGhubrah 3 rooms, hall and 3 toilets, kitchen rent 450/-. Contact: 99335580 Furnished office (61M2) for sale / rent Al Khuwair near Zawawi Mosque. Contact: 95611569 Flat for rent 2 BHK 2 split A/C, 2 toilets, Wadi Kabir near Kuwaiti Masjid. Contact 97007934 / 92629232 Warehouse at Wadikabir - total area 3500 sqm - covered warehouse (500sqm), office, accommodation (1000sqm), open area (2000sqm) please contact: 99273774 - 99202278 Flats for rent South Al Mabela.

Contact: 95233117 / 95230355

WANTED Urgently required looking to immediately buy used Grit blasting & airless spray equipment 1 No each. Contact: 968 24810930 / 93203772 / 93203773 / 93203778 IELTS Coaching (academic) required nearby wadi Kabir area. Please call on mobile or msg on Whats up. Contact 92927880/99012165

T H U R S DAY, AU G U S T 4 , 2 0 1 6

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DAILY GUIDE

ACC. WANTED One single furnished room with attached bathroom required for a Indian decent Executive bachelor non cooking, in MBD, CBD, Rex road, Ruwi, Hamriya Area.

Contact 96328687

FOR SALE SHUTTERING PLYWOOD SIZE : 4’ X 8’ X 18MM

ACC. AVAILABLE Furnished room in ruwi and azaiba for rent for executive bachelors. Gsm 99058344

GSM: 92835445,93205253,93205423

FOR SALE Coffee shop near Al Sarooj “Turkish Shawarma & Grill “ at the prime location for sale. Contact: 94034778 / 94034731

Dental chairs for sale sparingly used dental units for sale.

Contact Mr. Ansari 92616343.

Kumar 99570284

Ice cream shop. Prime location, Ruwi for sale. Contact: 92150455

Steel Scrap materials for immediate sale.Contact 99273774/ 99202278

Ladies beauty parlour for sale near ROP Building Honda road Ruwi. Contact: 98746259 / 96713752 / 92486412

Restaurant for sale heart of Ruwi.

Contact 93687466

Coffee shop for sale at Al Khuwair 33. Contact: 92994415

Space for printing press available at wadikabir with or without machinery.

Contact 99328430

Building in Al Khuwair for sale, also we have in Ghala, Al Hail, Al Khoudh 6, Mabella.

Contact: 91155779

Almost new beach/ garden lounge chairs /bar stools/ counter.

Photos can be sent 95865457

Mabellah industrial land 6000 sqm for sale. Contact: 91155779

Shop for sale near Oman House, Muttrah. Contact 99024362.

Farm in Barka for sale.

Contact: 91155779 Hotel apartment in Mawaleh for sale. Contact: 91155779 Economical villa consist of 16 room in Al Hail North suitable for School or Staff accommodation.

Contact: 91155779 5 BHK villa at AL Khuwair 17/1 R.O 135/- thousands.

Contact: 98802280 3BHK flat Qurum R.O 75/- thousands. Contact: 98802280 10000 meter land commercial in Ghala, opposite Turkey Block factory. Contact: 95621079 1No brand new containerized package type STP 100 m3/ day with blower equipments (suitable for camps). Serious Buyers may.

Contact: 99445367 Kids & women cloth, shoes accessory shop in Al Khoud.

Contact: 91121277 Beauty Saloon for sale, next to Wedding hall, Amerat.

Contact 99609265 HD Scaffoldings, Shuttering Jacks, Wooden Planks, Shuttering wood assorted, Tower hoist (lift), Concrete Mixer, Bending Machine, Steel Fabrication Machinery (Searing/Cutting, lathe & Welding) including tools for immediate sale: Contact 99273774/ 99202278 Single colorful Bed and Sofa for Sale at Al Khuwair. Contact 92881849 / What`s up No 97290565

RENT A CAR

Furnished apartment for rent, two rooms, majlis, hall, kitchen.

Near Carrefour al-mawalah.

Contact 99336776

MV SALE Sportage model 2012, Corolla 1.6, 2013, Mazda 6 2012, Mitsubishi pick up diesel 2011 4WD. Contact: 96565082 / 99839898 2013 Lexus GS 350, Single Owner, No Accident,45 000km,Black.

Contact 98960915 Kia Sportage, 2008 4 CYL, excelent condition. Contact 99378397 Nissan Qashqai 2013 Kms 30,000 VGC comprehensive insurance UAE / Oman.

Contact: 96995430 2015 Chrysler 300 S ,Special Edition, Hard to find,19000 km, single owner, No Accident, beautiful Red, Full option. Contact 98960915 Lexus 350. Model 2014, single Expat driving,180,000 km. agency full service. Light blue. Interested parties may contact : 24790420 / 99057290 / 99854899 / 99245434. Sealed offer should be submitted on or before 11th August, Ruwi, Office.

2012 Camry GL, 56000 km.

Contact: 98054940 2015 Toyota Camry SE, single Owner, No Accident 27000 km, All power. Contact 98960915

Sharing accommodation available for an Executive Bachelor in Al Khuwair (near Zawawi Mosque).

Contact 92138451.

Ex bachelor or couple room in Wadi Kabir. Contact: 99014325 / 91165580 Furnished room available with attached bath & balcony near MBD area. Contact: 95031132 A big room available near Hamriya round about for Muslim couple / small family / Executive bachelor rent 125/- per month including W+E. Contac: 99495131 Furnished unfurnished room for rent at Mumtaz area.

Contact: 95212017 Large room, furnished sep/ entrance, Wadi Kabir Executives.

Contact: 99336206 Spacious semi furnished room with separate bathroom for Executive bachelor Opp. O.C. Centre Ruwi . Call : 90611670 Room with attached bathroom for a family in Wadi Kabir.

Contact 97167857 1 BHK appartment for rent in Al Khoud Shabiya near mazoon mosque for rent (next to alkhoud medical center and squ) MOB: 93913224 Sharing Accommodation available for working ladies opposite Al Nadhah Hospital. Preferably Indians. Room with seperate toilet and sharing kitchen.RO.90.

Contact: 96524717 Furnish bedroom with attach bathroom for executive bachelor.

Contact: 97704794 Furnished room with bathroom at Darsait. Contact: 93289652 Room available in Mumtaz area 1 room, 1 Bathroom, Kitchen & 1 room, common bathroom. Interested please contact 92680041 Mr. Altaf

2015 Mazda 3i Sport, Single owner, No Accident, 22000 km,2.0 Engine. Contact 98960915

Furnished room attached bath for Indian bachelor, Al-Falaj Ruwi & lady Wadi Kabir near Mars hypermarket. Contact: 96202458/96761960

Toyota Corolla 2012 Automatic Reg. upto 2017, R.O 2900/- negotiable. Contact: 92703319

Room available for Executive bachelor at Al Hail.

Contact 96234708

25 - 50 seater bus with PDO & BP specification for monthly rent & small car with driver. # 99839898

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

BUYING Bobcat available for rent.

Contact 97623299 Buying cars for cash.

Contact 90202090

ACC. AVAILABLE Room, bath room for executives in Wadi kabir. Contact 99336206 Room with attached bathroom and sharing kitchen available for Executive bachelor or small family at wadikabir. Contact 93049849 Sharing accommodation near ISD. Contact: 99657340

LOST Samiullah Ahmad Mushtaq has lost Pakistani Passport No. AN 5297072.

Finder please handover to ROP Rased Mohammad has lost Bangladeshi Passport No. BA0619619. Finder please handover to ROP Franklin Lobo has lost Indian Passport No. J 6495358. Finder please handover to ROP

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T H U R S D AY, AU G U S T 4 , 2 0 1 6

DAILY GUIDE

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

SITUATION WANTED

SITUATION SITUATION WANTED VACANT ACCOUNTANT REQUIRED Required an Accountant with minimum 3 years of experience in construction/ real estate company.

Preferably in GCC for immidiate appointment.

Contact: 95739143 Email:

admin@omanihome.com

MARKETING MANAGER

Required Urgently Female

ACCOUNTANT

With minimum 5 years experience in Stainless Steel & Aluminum Fabrication Industry.

Mail resume to:

alarzaqunited@gmail.com

With well versed experience in retail business/inventory control preferably in the cosmetic and beauty SPA and saloon industry.

Please send your C.V to saadest@omantel.net.om

IT ENGINEER REQUIRED

MARKETING EXECUTIVE

t Min 2-4 years experience in IT Sales (Enterprise level Software, Solution, Biometric, CCTV, etc) in Oman with D/L t 1SFQBSBUJPO PG 2VPUBUJPO BOE QSPQPTBMT NFFUJOH DVTUPNFST and present the solution t 1SFTBMFT PO #JPNFUSJD "UUFOEBODF 4ZTUFN $$57 %PDVNFOU NBOBHFNFOU TZTUFN FUD t &YDFMMFOU DPNNVOJDBUJPO BOE QSFTFOUBUJPO TLJMM TQPLFO BOE XSJUUFO JO &OHMJTI

t .VTU CF BCMF UP NFFU TUSJDU TBMFT UBSHFU

REQUIRED

Send CV to hr@unitedsystemsit.com

ŝǀŝƐŝŽŶĂů ,ĞĂĚ /ŵŵĞĚŝĂƚĞ ZĞƋƵŝƌĞŵĞŶƚ ZĞƋƵŝƌĞĚ Ă LJŶĂŵŝĐ ŝǀŝƐŝŽŶĂů DĂŶĂŐĞƌ

ACCOUNTS

MISCELLANEOUS

Require Candidates with excellent accounting skills. Candidates may send their resume at hanifbaig1@gmail.com or Contact: 90938452 An Omani Audit firm is seeking audit partner to join the firm, the candidate should be completed any certificate course CIA,CPA, CA, ACC, and 4 years’ experience, interested candidates to submit their CVs to : auditbureau2016@gmail.com

CATERING Shawarma / grill / Salad / Asian Cook. Contact: 95529970

DOMESTIC HELPER House maid for Omani family.

Contact: 99773100

DRIVER Required Omani Driver for a restaurant. Contact 95929911

DESIGNER Interior designer needed urgently.

Email: batrading2014@gmail.com

EDUCATION/TRAINING Required English, computer and science female Teachers up to grad 4. Contact - 95054916, aa77345@gmail.com. contact time after 5PM

ENG./TECHNICIAN Required Electrical B.Tech with 5 years of Oman experience & D/L. Electrical with ITI -Industrial & MEDC license.

Contact: 99454425 Ducted A/C Mechanic & duct fabricator. Visa available package depends on skill.

Contact: 99050954

IT Require experienced Customer Service (Omani – Pilipino lady), IT Executive and Graphic designer. Send CV to Email: eacmd@omanmcc.com Required Shop Sales man + Hardware Technician for IT Company with minimum 2 years experience.

Contact: 98825806 / 98825806, Email: info@rns-group.com

Contact 71108232, Email : lightingvacancy@gmail.com

-FBEJOH .&1 DPOUSBDUJOH DPNQBOZ MPPLJOH GPS GPMMPXJOH experienced hands DCRP licensed Electricians DCRP licnesed Cable Jointers

A construction company requires Accountant, minimum 5 years experience in construction field of accounts and who can independently will be plus point with release letter .

Apply with bio data to Email: tec_oman@hotmail.com Contact: 99339661

Wanted Executive for Marketing lights & lighting control system.

Candidate must have minimum 5 years experience in similar field & valid GCC license.

SITUATION VACANT

for a fast growing Aluminium & Glass Workshop ŝŶ DƵƐĐĂƚ͘ Send CV to ĚLJŶĂŵŝĐŝĐŽŵΛŐŵĂŝů͘ĐŽŵ

C.C.T.V Technician, building material Salesman, Electrician cum plumber with D/L & maintenance Supervisor with D/L. Contact: 99383044 Required candidates for following posts: Accountant, Storekeeper, Foreman Building Maintenance, Van-salesman (water), Helpers.

Candidates with Omani driving license preferred.

Contact 99273774/99202278

MANAGER/ SUPERVISOR Catering Co. requires Procurement Manager (7 years with Gulf experience) & Pest Control Supervisor (5 years with Gulf experience). Omani Heavy Truck (freezer) driver, 5 yrs experience with PDO license will be preferred. Send CV : info@rcsoman. com, contact 95892831 / 99040032

MEDICAL Urgently required Internist, male Nurse, Orthodontist for a reputed Medical Center in Salalah .

Email: hrmdimc2010@gmail.com Urgently required GP, Staff Nurse (male) X- Ray Technician, Lab technician. Contact: 94562008/ 99030773 Email: halamedicalgroup@gmail.com Wanted Staff Nurse for a dermatology clinic in Muscat .

Must have MOH license and NOC. Attractive salary offered. Email: clinicvacancy2015@gmail.com Required gynecologist GEN: practitioner lady lab Technician and pharmacologist immediately for a clinic in Suwaiq.

Contact 95081010 Email: umchealthcare@gmail.com A medical centre is looking to hire immediately a talented Nurse to join our successful team, required 3 years of experience, Oman prometric, data flow. Send your CV to- issalibi@gmail.com or Whatsapp - 91254820 GP doctor needed for reputed clinic. Preferably with MOH license or with Dataflow & Paramatics pass Contact: 95388934 Care Medical Centre Al Seeb requires Gynecologist and General Practitioner. Mail CV to: sarita_h23@yahoo.com

SKILLED / UNSKILLED Required Indian Mason – 5 nos., eligibility (minimum 5 yrs experience in road construction field).

Contact: 99882127 Email: georgymv@yahoo.com

Indian female, senior Accountant /ast.Finance manager having 15 years oman experience with d/l and noc looking for a suitable placement . Contact : 94838231

Indian male age 26, Accountant one year experience in accounts looking for suitable job. Contact Email: Anishkhan991867@gmail.

Com Mobile: +968 9565 9415

Indian (M) / B. Com, MBA in Finance, in GCC for 26 years, well experienced in Accounts & Finance, 4 years in L&T , Speaks Arabic, having Driving License & NOC. Contact: 95588565

Indian male 25 yrs, Graduate in commerce, overall 5 yrs exp in accounts/ finance field. On visit visa. Immediately available.

Contact 92836216 / muhammad.tausif623@gmail.com

Indian male, MBA 2 yrs of experience in accounting looking for suitable placement in finance joining immediately. Contact: 93972065

Indian/MBA/male Chief Accountant 18Yrs Experience, MIS, C.Flow, Budgeting, ERP, Cost accounting &Liasing with auditors. NOC available.

Contact: 92254691/97826674 email: khader2305@gmail.com

Indian (M) Qualified CA seeking suitable placement in accounts, finance, or audit with Oman driving license NOC available.

Contact: 96357827 Email: ubaiskeeran@gmail.com Part Time Accounting, Audit Preparation, Internal Audit, Monthly Reports, Accounting set up for new companies, GSM : 96975454, email: ibfc.gcc@gmail.com Indian male, B.Com, MBA in Finance, 4 yrs in Larsen & Tourbo, 26 yrs in Oman, English/ Arabic speaking with driving license. NOC available. Contact 95588565 24 years, Indian Lady -Married , Educational Qualification, ICWA (FOUNDATION), M.Com (COSTING), MBA (FINANCE), PGD IN TAXATION AND LAW, India and looking for a job in Oman to gain experience in the field of Accounting / Finance / Management. Contact -rakhipatil509@gmail.com or +968 94959636 / +968-94288177

Minimum 4 years in Oman is preferred.

Kindly send your CV to hr.green.mct@gmail.com

Part time work as Survey Interviewers: College Students, Omanis male / female, read & write in English part time work only.

Call or SMS: 97984307

ACCOUNT. & FINANCE

WANTED Female Gynaecologist, Female GP- Two Female Staff Nurse (From India or Pilipino)and One Female Dental Assist and Female Lab Technician.

With MOH Licence and Data Flow for Al Saadi Specilised Medical Centre, Musanna.

Contact # 92025033, Email : dr.srininvas76@gmail.com

A leading perfumes and &D ' ŝƐƚƌŝďƵƟ ŽŶ ĐŽŵƉĂŶLJ ƌĞƋƵŝƌĞ

ĐĐŽƵŶƚĂŶƚ ; ͘ ŽŵͿ with 3-5 years experience preferably in &D ' ŝŶĚƵƐƚƌLJ ƐŚŽƵůĚ ďĞ ƉƌŽĮ ĐŝĞŶƚ ŝŶ dĂůůLJ͘ ĂŶĚŝĚĂƚĞƐ ǁŝƚŚ ƌĞůĞĂƐĞ ͬ EK ŵĂLJ ĂƉƉůLJ͘ Please send CVs to

ĐĂƌĞĞƌƐΛũƵƌŝLJĂƉĞƌĨƵŵĞƐ͘ĐŽŵ Žƌ &Ădž͗ Ϯϰϰϴϳϲϴϴ

SALES / MARKETING Required experienced Sales Executive with a valid Oman D/L for an Office stationery company in Muscat contact to info@centraltrading-oman.com Required building material Salesman with Arabic and English language. Contact 97004186 Required smart, young, dynamic Sales & Marketing Executive having 2-3 years sales experience for a reputed manufacturing company in Oman, having its Head Office in Ruwi. Experience in building materials is an added advantage. Omani Driving License and NOC is a must. Attractive remuneration package.

Apply with photograph to E-mail: salesjobds@gmail.com Required building material sales Man with Arabic and English language tel 97004186

Furniture & décor co. require Outdoor sales team, immediate joining. Email: batrading2014@gmail.com Urgent requirement Salesman / showroom in charge required for a Reputed Automotive service showroom with 3 years experience, Having Driving license is a plus point. Salary will be best as per Industry Standards and Depending on qualification and experience. Interested please contact @ 00968- 91411657.

Or send email to vyasan.united@gmail.com.

Required marketing / PR manager for a modern restaurant group in Oman , proficient in illustrator & Photoshop charismatic , proactive , creative & flexible excellent writing / Editing skills degree in relevant area fluent in English. Send CV to marketingpr2016@gmail.com

SITUATION WANTED ACCOUNT. & FINANCE An Audit & finance professional with 4+ years of diversified GCC experience, available for a suitable position.

Contact: 91206192 or Email: ahsun. nadeem@live.com for further details.

Indian Keralite, B.Com, male 25 yrs, 1.5 yrs exp.,looking for suitable job in Muscat currently on visiting visa. Contact: 90931930 Email: shijin.p450@gmail.com

Accountant 8Years Experience with D/L and NOC. Contact 97712084

7 Years experience as Financial Analyst, MBA in finance. Responsibilities- research contributor, financial statement analysis, generating MIS & efficiency report, managing TAT, business & clients.

On visit visa in Muscat.

Contact- 90191628 / 96175780

Indian female 26 yrs MBA in finance 2 yrs exp in MNC, (RR Donnelly) .Contact: 90551366 Indian female CA Inter, M.Com, 3 years experience in Audit, seeking suitable jobs. Contact: 94863876 Indian male 34 Yrs, Dual MBA Finance and marketing with IT skills, 7+ yrs of experience, Looking for suitable placement.

Contact 94879615,Emailsajan_chacko1981@yahoo.com 28/male/MBA - finance/B.Com Accountant with 4 years of Dubai/ India experience looking for a suitable placement.

Contact 90187483 shobinkarikkan1987@gmail.com Young Pakistani BBA finance professional is looking for entry level job salesman etc. Contact: 95589058

Accounts part time services available to handle all accounts up to finalization on monthly basis.

Finalization and audit works.

Contact: 96247295 Finance Manager 16 years experienced chartered accountant (Sri Lankan) looking for a suitable post. NOC available.

Contact: 92194926 Email: manomuscat@gmail.com Indian, Kerala Male B.COM & B.PE, Currently on Visit Visa. Looking for a suitable job in Accounts, Store Keeper, Sales etc. Ready to join as early as possible.

Contact 96988923 email:- sajith3969@gmail.com

Senior Accountant, B Com, Indian, 10 yrs of Finance and Accounts experience (7 yrs Oman and 4 yrs Dubai) , NOC Available.

Contact: 99776450; Email:mobinmum1@gmail.com Indian female, B.Com, Materials management 9 yrs exp in purchase & accounts seeks suitable placement NOC Available.

Contact: 92695946 B.Com 2 years Oman experience (Auditing & Accounting), seeking suitable placement.

Contact: 98546543 Email: sadakpnu@gmail.com Indian male 26 yrs, B.Com, 2 years experience Accountant & 2 years Salesman in Oman.

Contact: 90922545 Accountant B.com Indian male 12 yrs exp seeks suitable job.NOC available . Contact : 91212471 Email: rennyj6@gmail.com Indian Female,33 Years MBA,MCOM & CA Inter , 3 Years’ experience in Accounts and Auditing ,seeking suitable position .Knowledge in MS Excel, Tally and having good communication skills.NOC Available.

Mob:90146233, E-mail: priyamerinjoy@rediffmail.com Accountant B.Com Indian male B.Com Tally experienced 3 years in Muscat with NOC looking suitable job. Contact: 97151457 Senior Accountant /Ast. Finance Manager-M. Com Finance-Indian with 7 years experience in Finance & Accounts Dpt and Banking & Facilitation. Having D/L & NOC. Mob: 98278801, cammk13@gmail.com Fresher 25, ACCA Affiliate, Advanced diploma in Accounting and Business seeking suitable placement in Accounts, Finance or Audit with oman driving license.

Contact - 92430152 , Email - raju.rd619@gmail.com Accountant available with NOC, 7 years experience in Oman.

Ready to join immediately.

Contact 98263394 24 M, MBA, B.Tech, 2 yrs HVAC - fire fighting experience seeking placement. Contact: 90924711 Email: prasith.k.aniyan@gmail.com ACCA member with 6 yrs of experience in Oman looking for a suitable job in finance.

Contact 99284193 Accountant & sales & marketing.

Contact: 99730968 / 90696269 Sudanese Accountant, Alexandria University Graduate bachelor of commerce Diploma of Marketing professional photographer worked in PR and social media for 2 years looking for a job in public relations media, social media or marketing.

Contact: 96976240

Qualified and experienced MBA post graduate with proven work exposure in Middle East & India, having more than 5.5 years of rich experience in accounts , project coordination and administration in (3.5 years UAE experience) oil and gas projects is currently looking for suitable job.

Contact 93953613, Emailallen.mathew83@gmail.com Indian female 28 yrs B.Com 4 yrs experience in MNC’s currently in Muscat seeking suitable placement in Finance / Admin.

Contact :94743790

ARCH./ INTERIOR DEC. Sudanese Architect with 3 years of experience one and half in Oman have valid driving license looking for suitable position with consultancy office or interior designer firm.

Contact: 94673937 Freelance Sr. Architect / Interior 2D / 3D, walkthrough Contact- 95047231 , mycadvision@gmail.com Interior Designer with 5 years of experience in Dubai & Sudan.Professional in 3DMax, ArchiCAD & Auto CAD Looking for good opportunity . Tel.: 90690460 whats-app: 00971565594324 Junior Architect, female from NIT, looking for suitable placement.

Contact: 92705130 Architect Engineer seeking for suitable job, 8 years experience.

GSM : 96075000, Email : haytham_201046@yahoo.com

ADMIN Indian Female, MBA-HR having 8+ experience in Administration/ HR, Customer Support, Office Coordinator with good Computer skill, Now on Visit Visa, looking for suitable position.

Contact: 90196235 Filipino HRD especialist / material controller supervisor with 18 yrs experience looking for suitable job in Oman. Contact: (+968) 98037142 / (+968) 92659817

BEAUTY Indian, Bangalore Female 25 yrs, Looking Job as a Beauty Adviser.

6 yrs experience in Bangalore (Nivea, Olay & Loreal). Visit Visa, Contact : 93122338, vijuss1100@gmail.com

CATERING Chinese cook looking for job only in hotel apartment.

Contact : 98224709

DESIGNER/ DRAUGHTSMAN Iraqi 18 years experience in management, computer preparation of studies programs and designs expertise in the field of computer software. Contact: 96951450 Freelance ARCH 2D / 3D rendering / graphic design bldg PH : 97103168 email: mass.m@hotmail.com Architectural Draftsmen diploma in construction technology with 6 years experience in drafting and detailing as per British standard in Oman with valid Omani license looking for suitable opportunity Noc available.

Call 94375897.

Filipino Senior Revit/AutoCAD Draftsman with 20 years professional experience is looking for suitable job in Oman.

Please Contact: 96489798, (+974) 66653780.

T H U R S DAY, AU G U S T 4 , 2 0 1 6

D5

DAILY GUIDE SITUATION WANTED ĹŻÄ&#x17E;Ä?Ć&#x161;Ć&#x152;Ĺ?Ä?Ä&#x201A;ĹŻ ĹśĹ?Ĺ?ĹśÄ&#x17E;Ä&#x17E;Ć&#x152; Íž Í&#x2DC;dÄ&#x17E;Ä?Ĺ&#x161;ÍżÍ&#x2022;

Indian Male MBA (UK),

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PROJECT MANAGER,

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Finance & Marketing 26 yrs IBWJOH ZFBST PG FYQFSJFODF JO 'JOBODF .BSLFUJOH Contact: 95206140/ 96992013

B.Tech, MBA, PRINCE-2, British Citizen now available with NOC in OMAN. 25 ZST FYQ JO &1$ 1SPKFDU .BOBHFNFOU PG Oil & Gas, Pipelines, Refineries & Power 1MBOUT 4FFLJOH KPC JNNFEJBUFMZ

Contact -

having 7 yrs of Gulf experience, Ä&#x17E;Ç&#x2020;Ć&#x2030;Ä&#x17E;Ć&#x152;Ć&#x; Ć?Ä&#x17E; Ĺ?Ĺś WĆ&#x152;ŽŊÄ&#x17E;Ä?Ć&#x161; DÄ&#x201A;ĹśÄ&#x201A;Ĺ?Ä&#x17E;ĹľÄ&#x17E;ĹśĆ&#x161;Í&#x2022; Ć&#x2030;ĹŻÄ&#x201A;ŜŜĹ?ĹśĹ?Í&#x2022; Ä?ŽŜĆ?Ć&#x161;Ć&#x152;ĆľÄ?Ć&#x; ŽŜ Ä&#x201A;Ä?Ć&#x; Ç&#x20AC;Ĺ?Ć&#x; Ä&#x17E;Ć?Í&#x2022; Ć&#x161;Ä&#x17E;Ć?Ć&#x; ĹśĹ? Î&#x2DC; Ä?ŽžžĹ?Ć?Ć?Ĺ?ŽŜĹ?ĹśĹ? ŽĨ Ä&#x17E;ĹŻÄ&#x17E;Ä?Ć&#x161;Ć&#x152;Ĺ?Ä?Ä&#x201A;ĹŻ systems, presently on visit visa, Ć?Ä&#x17E;Ä&#x17E;ĹŹĆ? ĹŠĹ˝Ä? Ĺ?Ĺś DĆľĆ?Ä?Ä&#x201A;Ć&#x161;Í&#x2DC;

97281023 / 90631567

ŽŜĆ&#x161;Ä&#x201A;Ä?Ć&#x161; Ͼϭώώϴϭϲϳ

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bonnythomas007@gmail.com

Email:

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KĹľÄ&#x201A;Ĺś Ä&#x17E;Ç&#x2020;Ć&#x2030;Ä&#x17E;Ć&#x152;Ĺ?Ä&#x17E;ĹśÄ?Ä&#x17E;Ä&#x161; /ĹśÄ&#x161;Ĺ?Ä&#x201A;Ĺś >Ä&#x201A;Ç Ç&#x2021;Ä&#x17E;Ć&#x152;Í&#x2022;

Indian female 25 yrs M.Sc Biotechnology

Administrator, 30 yrs experience as Office Manager Project Executive Secretary, document Controller, Commercial Officer XJUI ESJWJOH MJDFOTF PO SFMFBTF

Indian male, MBA,

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6 yrs experience in Sales & .BSLFUJOH &YQPSU *NQPSU MPHJTUJDT HFOFSBM USBEJOH

IPMEJOH 0NBO ESJWJOH MJDFOTF presently on visit visa, MPPLJOH GPS TVJUBCMF KPCT

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Contact - 91544858

Ä&#x201A;ĹŻĹŻ ϾϳϴϹ ϹϭϲϏ

ŽŜĆ&#x161;Ä&#x201A;Ä?Ć&#x161; Ρ ϾώϴϯϾϹϭϲ

DRAUGHTSMAN Sri Lankan male, 38 yrs Sr. Quantity surveyor / Estimator, with 13 yrs experiences, seeking for suitable job immediately. Presently working in Oman NOC available.

Contact: 91161924 Email: mimrusfan@gmail.com

3D Draughtsman 5 years experience seeks suitable job software experience, 3D max, Rivet AutoCAD. Contact: 93746877

Mechanical/ Piping Engineer (B.Tech.), on visit visa looking for suitable job. Contact 94703350, Email: nadeembcoolboy@gmail.com

Revit, Autocad D/man, expected salary 200 OMR PH :92279784 Interior Designer 3 years experience, visit visa.

Contact: 94957404 Email: midunmv@gmail.com

DRIVER Light duty driver 3 yrs experience seeks placement. Knows Hindi, Arabic & Urdu.

Contact: 97762303 Looking for driver job having 5 years experience in Oman.

Contact: 98779907 Looking for light driving job.

Contact: 91209086 4 years experience D/L (driver) seeking suitable placement.

Contact: 96251983 Looking for light driver, 6 yrs exp.

Contact: 97098018 Looking for light driver, 5 yrs exp.

Contact: 96246074 Light driver with car.

Contact: 99716938 Driver with car. Contact: 95892363 Driver looking for job.

Contact: 95892363 Looking for light driving job 3 years exp. Contact: 91625977 Driver with car. Contact: 93346085 Looking for driving, 4 years exp know Eng, Arabic, Hindi, Education - B.A. Contact: 98522914 Car available with driver and without driver model 2008 Honda City black full automatic â&#x20AC;&#x201C; if & one need. Contact: 97784828 Experience driver available.

Contact: 94744004 Looking for driving job.

Contact: 94706179

EDUCATION/TRAINING Mathematics Lecturer , Indian Female, M Sc Mathematics from a Prestigious University, B.Ed qualiďŹ ed, distinction holder with 7 yrs teaching experience in colleges.

Contact: 91360147.

Female B. Ed English teacher, 7 yrs exp seeking suitable placement. Contact 99739415 / 92091528 Mathematics Lecturer , Indian Female, M Sc Mathematics from a Prestigious University, B.Ed qualiďŹ ed, distinction holder with 6 yrs teaching experience in colleges.

Contact: 91360147.

Indian female, 29 yrs M.A English with B.Ed (Teaching) Graduate and having computer knowledge seeks suitable placement. #95845208 Teacher Female , Phd in Chemistry having 3.5 yrs of Experience in India. Staying here on Family Visa & seeking for a suitable placement. Contact â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 99675828, Email - Anupam.tiwari67@gmail.com

ŽŜĆ&#x161;Ä&#x201A;Ä?Ć&#x161; ϾϳϯϹϭϲϰϾÍ&#x2022; ĹľÄ&#x201A;Ĺ?ĹŻ Í&#x2014; Ä&#x201A;Ä&#x161;Ç&#x20AC;Ĺ˝Ä?Ä&#x201A;Ć&#x161;Ä&#x17E;Ć?Ĺ&#x161;Ä&#x201A;Ć&#x152;Ä&#x201A;ĨÎ&#x203A;Ĺ?ĹľÄ&#x201A;Ĺ?ĹŻÍ&#x2DC;Ä?Žž

With 2 yrs experience in Scientific "OBMZTJT MPPLJOH GPS TVJUBCMF QMBDFNFOU JOUFSFTUFE JO 2VBMJUZ $POUSPM JO GPPE QSPDFTTJOH TFDUPS .FEJDBM Sector also.

Contact - 98842135, 98030818

ENGG. / TECH./MECH.

AutoCAD Draughtsman Indian male 8 years experience in Oman well knowledge in Civil, Interior, pre casting having GCC driving license (NOC Available) Contact: 92188496 Email: vimalg.kannur@gmail.com

Architectural Interior Draftsman seeking job. Contact: 95516807

ĎŻĎąÍ&#x2022; Í&#x2022; Ć&#x152;Ä&#x201A;Ä?Ĺ?Ä?Í&#x2022; >> Í&#x2022; D Í&#x2022; knows English, Arabic looking for Ć?ĆľĹ?Ć&#x161;Ä&#x201A;Ä?ĹŻÄ&#x17E; Ć&#x2030;Ĺ˝Ć?Ĺ?Ć&#x; ŽŜ Ĺ?Ĺś ŽžĆ&#x2030;Ä&#x201A;ĹśĹ?Ä&#x17E;Ć? Ĺ˝Ć&#x152; ĹŻÄ&#x17E;Ĺ?Ä&#x201A;ĹŻ ÄŽ Ć&#x152;ĹľĆ?Í&#x2DC;Í&#x2022; Ć&#x2030;Ć&#x152;Ä&#x17E;Ć?Ä&#x17E;ĹśĆ&#x161;ĹŻÇ&#x2021; Ç Ĺ˝Ć&#x152;ĹŹĹ?ĹśĹ? Ä&#x201A;Ć? >Ä&#x17E;Ĺ?Ä&#x201A;ĹŻ Ä&#x161;Ç&#x20AC;Ĺ?Ć?Ĺ˝Ć&#x152;Í&#x2DC; EK Ä&#x201A;Ç&#x20AC;Ä&#x201A;Ĺ?ĹŻÄ&#x201A;Ä?ĹŻÄ&#x17E;Í&#x2DC;

27 yrs, Indian male Civil Engineer (B.Tech) with 5 yrs India exp as Site Engineer in residential, commercial, industrial projects looking for job opportunity presently in Oman on visit visa ready to join immediately.

Contact: 968 94965278 Email: mdulings@gmail.com Electrical Engineer having 16 years experience in Switchgear / transformer / over head lines & lines & trading for sales / procurement & project execution, valid Oman D/L. Contact: +968- 95994727, Email : qurm340@gmail.com Civil Draughtsman seeking job.

Contact: 93136850 Mechanical Production Engineer 1 year experience in Automobile Industry B.Tech in Production Engg, also did QA/ QC Engg & NDT level looking for suitable job.

Contact: 98462210 Email: vvysakhtv@gmail.com Civil Engineer (B.Tech, M.E) 8 yrs experienced (6 yrs in Oman) holding valid Oman driving license seeking suitable position.

Contact: 968 95487843 Mechanical Engineer (B.Tech) Indian male with 2 year experience, AREA OF INTEREST Work on Oil Rigs, Work as an QA/QC inspector, Ultrasonic testing, Radiographic testing. Contact: +91 9567526566 Email: adujohnson10@gmail.com Biotechnology Engineer with valid Oman D/L job suitable placement. Contact: 92839983 Civil diploma 5 years experience available on contract.

Contact: 97982812 Email: projects@vibrantunited.com Sudanese Civil Engineer 3 years experience have valid Oman residency looking for suitable position.

Contact: 94284030 Diploma Civil Engineer 3 years work experience (2 years in Oman) with Oman with D/L & N.O.C seeking suitable position.

Contact: 97424853 Email: sreeboss666@gmail.com BSc Software Engineer 2 years in ASPN, NET, C#, SQL Server, Mysql, Crystal report, visual studio capable of Java, Php, HTML, Android looking for suitable vacancy.

Contact: 968 90696220 Email: sszpirit@gmail.com An IT Engineer with 1.5 yrs experience in software development with proďŹ cient skills in PHP CSS , HTML, CSS jquery C# .

Contact: 97751959 , Email : ritesh_chitrakar@hotmail.com Civil Engineer having professional grade 14 years experience in project management tendering Fidic Contract Management well reused with Omanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s regulations EPC projects, PMP EMBA all round experience from initiation to closing. Release available.

Contact: 98826815 Email: suraj968@gmail.com Syrian Civil Engineer experience in Supervision & implementation.

Contact: 96649016 Civil Engineer (Indian male) 5 years experience in Oman with valid Omani driving license & NOC looking for suitable opportunity.

Contact: 93101283

Indian male Civil Engineer 1.6 yrs exp, having Omani D/L, looking for suitable position. NOC available.

Contact â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 92157694 / mohammedamair.bin@gmail.com Quick Solution in Civil construction ďŹ eld planning, Estimation on primavera P6 / MS Project & prepare BOQ/ MAS List. Contact: 94194399 Email: saashibly@gmail.com Indian male Civil Engineer 12 years experience looking for suitable placement having DL / NOC. Contact: 94194399 Email: saashibly@gmail.com Diploma in Mechanical Engg, 10 years exp in steel fabrication site work with valid Oman driving license. Contact: 94696192 Civil Engineer diploma, 4 yrs exp seeks suitable position in a reputed company. NOC available.

Contact 96789711 B.E Mechanical Engineer, age 24 with almost 1 year experience as Production Shift Engineer, has achieved training on HVAC Engineering design and has good hands on software like AutoCAD and HAP.Currently in Oman on a visit visa, looking for a suitable placement.Contact: 95065955 email: mjs.jazeb@gmail.com Civil Engineer 8 years experience Structural buildings marine. Available NOC release. Contact 92451323.

Email: zubairali134@yahoo.com B.TECH (EEE) knowledge in AUTOMATION , PLC , SCADA currently on VISIT SEEKING job contact NO : 90793431 B.Tech (Electronics and Communication),MBA(Banking and Finance) with 7 years of experience, Oman driving license and NOC looking for suitable jobs.

Contact:96563721, Email: nigil.marokey@gmail.com Sr. Electrical Engineer with17+ yrs of exceptional exp in spear heading strategic planning and project management initiatives & executing various high rise residential & commercial building as well as roads and highway project with proďŹ ciency in installation, seeking a challenging position in a dynamic organization. Contact 96570891 Indian male B-tech 8 years experience as senior electrical project engineer / QC engineer on visit visa seeks suitable placement.

Contact 94094543 Email: anwar425@gmail.com Mechanical Engineer, Graduate, Indian male, 21 yrs from Symbiosis Pune 6 months work experience at SKF India looking for Engineering on technical services on visit visa.

Contact 97945161, Email : iancardoz11@gmail.com Iraqi Civil Engineer Oman D/L, 15 yrs experience in construction works and sites management including 8 yrs in Dubai.

Contact: 99186930 Email: basher-1974@yahoo.com 17 years MEP Engineer exp in Oman U.A.E with transferable visa looking for suitable job in same ďŹ eld. Contact : 91758258 Email: upahoia@gmail.com Male, Diploma in Civil Engineering, 5 yrs experience, 6 months PDO Oman experience seeks suitable job. Contact 92726423/97879383 Email : engr.rabiul@gmail.com Indian male 24 ,B.E ( E.C.E ) graduate with 3 years of experience in the ďŹ elds of BMS and Low current systems and has good knowledge about Electronic Security Systems, currently working in Oman, NOC Available.

Contact:- 94737033/ mohdmuhafez45@gmail.com

Indian male Electrical Engineer, having 6 years gulf experience in designing, assembling, commissioning execution etc having valid GCC license too looking for a suitable.

Contact: 00968-98052942 Email: azamjeelani78@gmail.com Civil Engineer (B.Tech), Indian male 24 years with 1+years Indian experience,(CertiďŹ ed in Staad Pro/ Quantity Survey/ Auto Cad).Looking for a Suitable position. Available In Sultanate of Oman (Muscat) on Visit Visa. CONTACT 92157694. E-mail: mohammedamair.bin@gmail.com An Iraqi civil with more than 30 years experience in (Iraq and G.C.C) looking for a job, (N.O.C) available. Contact: 96561306 Email: iq.bgd.mnsr@gmail.com Indian male, Mechanical Engineer having 1year experience, on visit visa looking for suitable job. Contact:97416564, Email:jovinmathias@gmail.com Civil Engineer 8 years experience in Oman as a project engineer for governmental & private projects.

Contact â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 90164912 Young Indian, Engineering in Bio-technology, Bio-chemical and Chemical, looking for a challenging placement in Oman.

Contact 97607000. Email: sivasankarjayakumar@gmail.com B.Sc Civil Engineer, 7 yrs Gulf experience having GCC D/L seeking for suitable replacement, local release available.

Contact 99534085, email: alhamyabi786@gmail.com Diploma in Refrigeration & Air conditioning, male 16 yrs exp. 5 yrs exp in Oman on Supervising building maintenance & workshop (civil, electric & plumbing) staying here on family visa, seeking for a suitable job with valid D/L. Contact : 99851277 Civil Engineer (B.Sc) with 5 years experienced (more than 4 years in Oman) in construction & project management and seeking suitable position (NOC available). #99604563, Email: saiful.hasjv@gmail.com Mechanical/ Piping Engineer (B.Tech.) on visit visa looking for suitable job. Contact 94703350 mail: nadeembcoolboy@gmail.com Site Supervisor, Diploma in Civil Engg (cert attested) knows autocad revit, salary exp: 250 Ph : 92279784 Iraqi Civil Engineer 25 years experience in governments building and construction projects resident in Oman. speak And write English Contact: 98930502.

Email: aminaloraiby@gmail.com Mechanical Engineer (B.Tech) Indian male with 1 year experience on visit visa looking for job, QualiďŹ cations in QA, QC, Piping & HVAC. Contact: 90510800 Email: muhammedjaseem07@gmail.com Pakistani male Diploma Civil Engineer 4yrs exp in Oman bulling & mega projects, valid license Oman. Contact: 98921022 Indian male, Structural Engineer looking for job in structural design ďŹ eld. Having 6 years of experience in design ďŹ eld. Residing in Muscat. Contact: 91176187 Email: syam036@gmail.com Electrical Engineer (B.SC) with 1 year experience currently seeking job on 3 month visit. # 91791568 Civil Engineer, young Indian having almost 2 years experience looking for a challenging position seeks suitable position in Oman/ GCC. Please contact 92718490, Email ID: uvais.pk82@gmail.com

Construction Machinery repairs Engineer, 5 years, driving license, Contact - 94001961 Electrical & Electronics Engr, knows autocad & revit.

PH: 93837973

HOSPITALITY Indian male Diploma in Hotel Management with 16 years of experience (F & B Service) in GCC & India, expert in Crafting new outlet, having Omani D/L seeking suitable placement. Contact: 92100141 /92221956 Young, female, diploma in aviation, hospitality, travel management, with family visit visa, seeks suitable placement with employment visa in airlines / hospitality / administration & in any company. Gsm 9092-1438 Housekeeping Supervisor, Hotel Industry seeks placement.

Contact 96152305

IT IT Support Engineer, Exp 3 years in Oman 2 years in India.

Contact: 94672759 Indian Male, MCA Graduate, 15 yrs exp in ERP, CSM CertiďŹ ed, seeking suitable role.NOC Available. Contact : GSM : 90189284 Email: meetlibran@gmail.com Indian male 3 years experience in IT as Linux Administrator & 1 year experience in Amazon EC2 CLOUD at Wipro Bangalore seeking suitable placement. Contact: 92889678 Email: amalpathikal@gmail.com

MISCELLANEOUS Filipino Male, 28 years Old. Looking for job, Have experience in Rent a Car/ Cargo & Logistics / Real Estate/ Customer Care Executive / Sale Executive & Marketing/ Shop In- Charge. Hard working w/ good computer and communication skill.

GSM: 97761075 Indian male looking for a suitable post with 30 yrs experience in showroom project hotel handling on visit visa. Contact : 95213689 Email: imusilking@yahoo.co.in Filipino Graphic Designer / I.T. looking for a suitable job with 10 years experience. Very good in Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Photography, Knowledge in CCTV & Access Controls. Pls. Call 95098512.

Indian male, 28, post graduate, 6+ yrs exp in Oman in sales (back office) & credit control with valid Oman D/L looking for suitable lacements. NOC available.

Contact 92066 523 Sudanese male bachelor geology and mining with 3 years experience in MUD logging and training in soil investigation.#92956848

MEDICAL Indian female GNM Nurse 10 years experience Oman prometric & dataďŹ&#x201A;ow passed. Contact: 94413100 / 00918281710464, Email: jobysmily@gmail.com Experienced Dentist with MOH license looking for suitable position in Muscat preferably.

Contact: 92522562 Iraqi Dentist, 9 yrs exp pass prometric and dataďŹ&#x201A;ow searching for suitable placement.

Contact: 90611395 Iraqi Dentist female, MOH license seeks suitable job in clinic in Muscat. Contact 97891219 Veterinary Doctor: Indian Female looking for a suitable placement.

Contact: 96906534 / 99014885, Email: monishmajeed@gmail.com

SECRETARIAL & OFFICE Lady Secretary / Sales Co-coordinator 12 years experience in Oman in reputed companies, seek immediate Employment.

Call: 95244761

Indian female IT Post Graduate (MCA) with 3 yrs experience in teaching, seeking job in IT ďŹ rms ad knowledge in MS Office & other basic software. Contact: 98454159

Indian female Software Engineer (B-TECH IT) working in Infosys Ltd for the past 6 years, on visit visa looking for any administrative , secretary or software jobs .contact 96246205 steffyraphel@gmail.com

Computer hardware maintenance & CCTV Technician Indian male, 8 years experience in Computer hardware & 2 years experience in CCTV, presently on visiting visa seeking suitable placement.

Contact: 92164971 / 94638875

Executive Secretary / HR & Admin with 22 years of experience (13 years in Oman) with NOC & Oman Driving License. Contact 93769921 or lsf_1972@yahoo.com

Pakistani male, having 25 yrs experience of IT in Oman & have release. Have own car & ready to join any IT company, ready to work for company outdoor work also.

Contact 99008870 Indian female M.Sc Computer Science seeking suitable placement in Muscat area.

Contact 98660672 Indian male 4 years experience in IT as Programmer / Web Support/ CCNA/ Network on visit visa seeking placement. #93069694 Email: mrabrar14@gmail.com

MANAGER/ SUPERVISOR Indian, 15+ years experience In Purchase looking for suitable jobs in Oman (NOC available). Contact 96388496,ranju.uma@gmail.com Territory manager MBA in marketing ICFA (Mumbai) Indian, 2 years experience in ďŹ eld of sales and marketing on visit visa.

Contact: 94955908 Email: vivian24coelho@gmail.com Indian male, Country Manager, 48 years, M.Tech MBA, 25 years experience seeks suitable placement valid, D/L & NOC. Contact: 92279972 Email: iamjohnpv@yahoo.co.in

MISCELLANEOUS BS in Electrical Engineering, Experience: 5 years(Power Plants).

Contact: 92475206 Email: zahaibzafar007@gmail.com

Looking for part time job Secretarial / Data Entry / Documentation available every day after 5:00 pm Friday / Saturday full day area preferred Ruwi/ CBD/ MBD / Al Khuwair. Contact: 90414827

SALES / MARKETING Filipino Male, 28 years Old. Looking for job, Have experience in Rent a Car/ Cargo & Logistics / Real Estate/ Customer Care Executive / Sale Executive & Marketing/ Shop In- Charge.

Hard working w/ good computer and communication skill. GSM: 97761075 Filipino female 33 years, 8 years experience in retail sales, local release available looking for suitable job. Contact: 96974183 Email: sherylcureg30@gmail.com Indian female, BBA Graduate, pursuing MBA, seeking for placement in any corporate ďŹ rm, job proďŹ le related to marketing, advertising, retail & branding, valid D/L. Contact 97907311 Indian male 1 yr exp in sales automotive (TBL) looking for best opportunity , NOC available.

Contact: 97793879 Email: shyampkn@gmail.com Indian female 29 years Post Graduate with computer Knowledge 2 years of Oman experience in coordinator & 5 years of experience in customer service, client relation officer with excellent communication skill seeks suitable placement.

Contact: 95337665

D6

T H U R S D AY, AU G U S T 4 , 2 0 1 6

DAILY GUIDE

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

SITUATION WANTED

MANPOWER

MISCELLANEOUS Part- Time Accountant, well experience senior accountant, doing all type of accounting works, Finalization, Budgeting available.

Contact 98803439

SIT.WANTED Indian male, 24 yrs Civil Engineering Graduate, on visit visa looking for a suitable placement.

Contact: 92724814 Sr Project Engineer, 30 Years, Mechanical, 8 Yrs. experience in Oman & Qatar, Qatar Petroleum approved, Experienced in EPIC Projects Tanks, Vessels, Piping, Steel structures. Ph-00974 66772193 Mail: snu057@gmail.com.

INDIAN male, 33 yrs, BSC Chemistry 8years, experience as Medical Representative In Zydus company in India, seeking suitable Job. Contact -00919505671750, Email; bbroshini53@gmail.com

SALES / MARKETING Indian male Diploma having 6 yrs experience in Sales & Marketing (FMCG) with Saudi, valid driving license currently on visit visa looking for suitable position.

Contact: 92720013 Executive purchase logistics with 10 years experience, NOC available.

Contact: 91432512 Indian male age 24, B.Com. having 2 year experience and currently in visit visa. Looking for suitable placement in Sales, Marketing & finance.

Contact: 90766307 Email: shhaazz.007@gmail.com Oil & gas experienced Indian lady with 6 years in sales & marketing to PDO and having valid Omani driving license. Contact 96143430 / 99875919 Indian male, 4 years experience, looking job in call centres/infocom.

Contact No.968-96349191.

Looking for job Office Secretary Store Incharge sales & purchase coordinator, 50 yrs, Indian on visit visa 23 years gulf experience .

Contact: 91968378 Graduate degree 4 years experience as marketing & merchandising in Oman with D/L & NOC, local change available looking for a suitable placement. Contact: 98281478 Email: omerali1478@gmail.com Female PhD in biotechnology with 3 years teaching and bio fertilizer company experience seeking suitable placement. Interested to work as teacher, lecturer, microbiologist in food pharma, desalination industries currently at Muscat on family visa.

Contact: 91751142 / 92955851 Indian lady MCA 28 years, 3 years experience in Office Assistance Oman looking for suitable, NOC available. Contact: 98874227 Whatsapp : 93108040 Indian male Graduate with 18 years of Marketing experience presently in Oman on family visit visa, looking for best opportunity.

Contact: 96168687 Email: dhibupaul@gmail.com Indian Male, MBA marketing 5 yrs exp. in sales & 4 yrs in FMCG sector, looking for best opportunity.

NOC available. Contact: 96001877

Young male having Omani driving license with excellent computer skills knows English, Arabic and Hindi seeking job opportunity.

Visa transferable. Contact: 92957251 Indian Male, 26 M.Com with 4 yrs of Experience in Accounting & Administration in a Financial Company in India, seeks suitable job, Currently in India.

Contact India:-+918907212253 Akhil:-93626288, Email: Sumeshpsmkr1989@gmail.com Resident in Oman 18 years, 10 years experience in setup marketing plans and strategies, sales, import & logistics, procurement, Omani government tenders, organizing projects & events, import fireworks for festivals, NOC available, have car. Contact 94123939.

Email: 002015r@gmail.com Indian male 26 years of experience of sales & marketing in surgical and laboratory equipments.

Looking for good replacement.

Contact – 92015894 / 95774854 Indian male 37 years MBA graduate in marketing with 9yrs of experience in UAE in field of brand promotions & marketing with UAE D/L on a visit seeking suitable position. Conatct 95792820

MISCELLANEOUS Indian Female, 28 Years - MSc Microbiology, Quality checking food industry, Looking for suitable job. Contact 98170510 Email: lasyapriyaprasanth@gmail.com Indian senior Mechanical Engineer experienced in EPC projects in crushing, construction chemical, concrete products etc. # 9109 6940 E: kpopragmatic@gmail.com Electrical Engineer, 24 yrs, Indian Male Fresher, Training Undertaken in Electrical Draughtsman, Fire Alarm and Fire Fighting. Salary expected negotiable. #94989767, Email: Junaiz987@gmail.com Filipina, 33yrs old, with Bachelors Degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management, with experience as Senior Housekeeping Supervisor in famous hotels and resorts looking for suitable job in Muscat. Please contact 97943735/96489798.

Indian male, 26 years, 3 Years’ experience in Projects of Tanks, Boilers and Steel structures Aware of int. Standards, B tech in Mech engg. Contactrahulkunnath23@gmail.com, Mob-00917350860889 MECHANICAL ENGINEER, Indian Male, 26 years, 3 Years’ experience in Projects of Tanks, Boilers and Steel structures Aware of int.

Standards, B.Tech in Mech engg.

Contact-rahulkunnath23@gmail. com, Mob-00917350860889 Female Architect on visiting visa, two years’ experience, graduated from School of Planning and Architecture (under MHRD). Proficient in AutoCAD, Google Sketchup and creative visualization. Email saatvika.frozenmusic@gmail.com.

Contact 00968-94057427.

Indian male 33 yrs, MBA-HR, worked on Recruitments, Training, OD, PMS, Site-HR, Omanisation and development plans of nationals ,10.yrs exp. seeking a job.NOC avl.

Contact 94179499 saiprasad_18@yahoo.com Indian Male B-Com graduate 2 year experience in various Fields Valid Oman Driving License. Looking for any suitable post. Please contact: 94409500 Indian Male 23 Photographer searching for suitable job.

Contact: 90801420 WhatsApp: +917411062397 for my sample shots, Email: anwaar223969@gmail.com Indian male 25, Graduate in commerce (B.com) having 2 years of experience in Accounts looking for a suitable placement presently on a visit visa. Contact : 97939084 / 97351786 E-mail : mohammednsr126@gmail.com Indian male Executive Secretary having vast experience in admin, logistics & procurement well versed with computer seek suitable placement. Contact : 99514286 email: azimmohd@yahoo.co.in IT professional, BE. in IT, CCNA, MCSA, MCSE, 3yrs exp. in it, valid Omani D/L seeking suitable placement in it/network/server support/ retail sales. Contact 91496939.

Indian male, 26 years, 3 years’ experience in projects of tanks, boilers and steel structures, aware of int. standards, b tech in Mech engg. contact-rahulkunnath23@ gmail.com, mob-00917350860889

Mechanical, 8 Yrs. experience in Oman & Qatar, Qatar Petroleum approved, Experienced in EPIC Projects, Tanks, Vessels, Piping, Steel structures.

Mail;snu057@gmail.com Ph-00974 66772193 4 years experience in IT Executive and also ticketing staff, seeking placement contact 94948622.

Email Jarar.haider@yahoo.com B.E Engineer and also did NEBOSH (IGC), Fire and Safety (HABC) First Aid.3 year of Gulf experience As a Safety Engineer looking for job.

Available to join respective firm.

Contact # 94618504, Email: shan37yousfani@gmail.com 3 years’ experience in production industry, B tech in Mech engg, Proficiency in AutoCAD, Primavera certified. Contact arn9895@gmail. com, Mob 00919895233155 Indian female, IT seeking position. Contact: 94133849 Indian Female 23 Years, B.Sc Nursing , Seeking for Nursing Jobs , Good Communication Skill Contact 96723359, 97470727 E-mail : anaswara271@gmail.com

Civil Engineer (B-tech) Indian male 1+ years experience in high rise building (G+21) site Engineer, experience in QC ,QS, and surveying looking for a job (NOC) available. Contact : 90924737 / 97470742 Email: kannanknply92@gmail.com Indian male 25, Graduate in commerce (B.com) having 4 years of experience in Office Administration (admin) looking for a suitable placement presently on a visit visa. Contact : 97939084 / 97351786, E-mail : mohammednsr126@gmail.com INDIAN FEMALE 28 yrs, M.Sc B.ed Science, Experience 2Years In Teaching In India, seeking suitable Job. Contact 0091 9676814123, Email;bbroshini53@gmail.com Civil Engineer (B-tech) Indian male 1+ years experience in high rise building (G+21) site Engineer, experience in QC ,QS, and surveying looking for a job(NOC) available contact :90924737 / 97470742 Email:kannanknply92@gmail.com Chief Accountant , 7 years experienced (out of 25 years experience in accounts) worked in reputed group companies. Currently procuring MBA finance and having Omani Driving License seeks suitable openings from reputed companies.

Contact 98803439 / 97413784

Experienced Restaurant Manager/ supervisor, direct sales searching for suitable position Indian male 23 Diploma in Automobile engineering. Contact: 90801420, Email: anwaar223969@gmail.com

B.E Engineer and also did NEBOSH (IGC), Fire and Safety (HABC) First Aid.3 year of Gulf experience As a Safety Engineer looking for job.

Available to join respective firm.

Contact number# 94618504, Email: shan37yousfani@gmail.com

Indian Male 23, BE. Mechanical Engineer currently on visit visa Seeking for suitable Job. Software Proficiency AUTOCAD, CATIA, ANSYS, SOLIDWORKS. Contact No: 90924672 / 98859557, tsprakash01@gmail.com

Electrical Engineer, Indian male 4 years of experience in India / Oman. NOC available Looking for job in electrical field, Having good academic records and good communication skill. GSM: 94579857 Email: zahirpb@gmail.com

Indian male Accountant.

Completed MBA with 1 year experience, good working knowledge in Tally & Excel. Searching for suitable job. Contact : 919715874548 , 918015907437, Email : jovin8910@gmail.com

MBA in HR & Finance with 2 years experience in HR seeking for a suitable post, presently in family joining visa. Contact : 9058 7631

B. Tech Comp Science 3+ yrs, looking for administration or IT / Management or other profile with flexible timings. Contact 95761562 Graduate (C.M.A & B.Com) having 4 yrs experience in U.A.E & Pakistan in accounts/ Audit now in Oman immediate available.

Cell # 94973273 (call & Whatsaap) Sr Project Engineer, 30 Years, Mechanical, 8 Yrs. experience in Oman & Qatar, Qatar Petroleum approved, Experienced in EPIC Projects Tanks, Vessels, Piping, Steel structures. Ph-00974 66772193, Mail: snu057@gmail.com 2 years experience looking for a job accounts / logistics field on visit visa. Contact: 93884951 Indian male, 11 years exp. in accounting, knowledge in tally also. looking for a part time job.

Contact . 98983122 Looking for Land surveyor job 5 years experience in Oman fully know autocad GPS and latest total station instruments NOC available:+96894144052 wasifnaz313@Yahoo.com Well-qualified Indian Female with 8 years Oman experience in Procurement Supply Chain from reputed Companies in Oman seeks placement, contact – 95423692 MECHANICAL/PRODUCTION ENGINEER, 3 years’ experience in production industry, B tech in Mech engg, Proficiency in AutoCAD, Primavera certified, Contact arn9895@gmail.com, Mob 00919895233155 B.E Mining Engineer and also did NEBOSH (IGC), Fire and Safety (HABC) First Aid.3 year of Gulf experience looking for job. Available to join respective firm. #94618504 B.E Engineer and also did NEBOSH (IGC), Fire and Safety (HABC) First Aid.3 year of Gulf experience As a Safety Engineer looking for job.

Available to join respective firm.

Contact 94618504 Indian Male, 26 years, 3 Years’ experience in Projects of Tanks, Boilers and Steel structures Aware of int. Standards, B tech in Mech engg. Contact- 00917350860889 rahulkunnath23@gmail.com

Iraqi Civil Engineer 25 years experience in governments building and construction projects resident in Oman. speak And write English Contact: 98930502.

Email: aminaloraiby@gmail.com

4 years experience in officer coordinator & Sales Executive looking for suitable placement, NOC and Oman driving license available.

Contact: 98215753 / 92392646, thankansam@gmail.com Civil Engineer 5 years experience in Oman / India as Quantity Surveyor for mosque & building (N.O.C) Contact: 97826597 Email: sai.praba.777@gmail.com Indian P.G , DCA need job.

Contact: 94829545 Search job as light driver, experience 3 years language Hindi, English, Arabic. Contact: 97941771 Indian male need part time job.

Contact : 90169048 3 years experience in production industry, B tech in Mech engg, Proficiency in AutoCAD, Primavera certified. Contact arn9895@gmail. com, Mob 00919895233155 Purchase & store experienced 8 years in Oman Construction company Indian male 47 years looking for suitable job, NOC release, Oman driving license available.

Contact: 98456535 / 93996983 Building foreman, Experience : More than 20 years with 12 years in Saudi Arabia 4 years in Oman and 4 years in Pakistan with D/L. Contact : 968 94153911, Email : iqbalsaleem10777@gmail.com Indian male 6 years exp as Sales Executive with valid Oman driving license, languages known Hindi and English, looking for any good job. Contact 95642297 Indian male, 28 YEARS Msc Bed Chemistry 2 years, experience In Teaching In India seeking suitable Job. Mob No-00919505671750, Email;bbroshini53@gmail.com Indian Female 10 years exp as cook in Oman, South Indian & Gujarati special .looking for job, Contact 95795971 Male, Electrical Engineer, 4 years of experience in India /Oman. NOC available. Contact Mob: 94579857, Email: zahirpb@gmail.com, Indian male part time Accountant looking for a job. Contact 96761026 Email: mehreenraiz@gmail.com

Airfreight/logistics Manager, male 35, MBA, Indian, 5 years experience in Oman seeks job. Contact- 00919526166169 / 99630159, E mail - bijoabyjohns@yahoo.co.in

Electrical Foreman, 25 years’ experience, Indian male currently in Oman looking for suitable position.

Gsm – 96718013, Email : manikandan1196@gmail.com

B.E(Mechanical) 12years industrial sales one year Muscat experience, presently in India , Immediately ready to join ,Mobile no :917338899372 , email id : ganesh2008sep@gmail.com

Regin accountant, male Indian, 2 years of experience doing accounts in tally and excel searching for suitable job. GSM no: 7373387282 E mail: regin1690@gmail.com

Driver with car available.

Contact : 90139903 Airfreight/logistics Manager, male 35, MBA, Indian, 5 years experience in Oman seeks job. Contact0091-9526166169 / 99630159 , e mail - bijoabyjohns@yahoo.co.in Indian male 25, Graduate in commerce (B.com) having 2 years of experience in purchase (supply chain management) looking for a suitable placement presently on a visit visa. Contact : 97939084 / 97351786, E-mail : mohammednsr126@gmail.com B.E Engineer and also did NEBOSH (IGC), Fire and Safety (HABC) First Aid.3 year of Gulf experience As a Safety Engineer looking for job.

Available to join respective firm.

Contact # 94618504 , Email: shan37yousfani@gmail.com Diploma in Civil Engineering, B. Tech in Civil engineering from Kurukshetra university, persuing M. Tech Structural Engineering distance mode from Kurukshetra University, more than 07 years experience. Contact+96891431483 email mohsinyousuf86@rediffmail.com Civil Engineer, B.E 26 years, 4 yrs experience GCC, 6 years Singapore in roads, buildings, infrastructure have employment visa, release available. Contact: 94786687 Email: shasha9292@gmail.com / asad3248@gmail.com MECHANICAL/PRODUCTION ENGINEER, 3 years’ experience in production industry, B tech in Mech engg, Proficiency in AutoCAD, Primavera certified, Contact Mob 00919895233155 mail: arn9895@gmail.com

B.E Engineer and also did NEBOSH (IGC), Fire and Safety (HABC) First Aid.3 year of Gulf experience As a Safety Engineer looking for job.

Available to join respective firm.

Contact number# 94618504Email: shan37yousfani@gmail.com Indian female 23 Oracle ERP technical consultant 2+exp skills: oaf, forms & reports, bipublisher email: ramyaoracleapps02@gmail. com, Contact: 91156571 Indian Male, 22, Diploma in Automobile Engineering (DC), Experience In Restaurant Management and in sales looking for suitable position. Contact: 90801420, Email: anwaar223969@gmail.com Heavy Driver available with Oman Driving License.Contact: 94190541 Sr Project Engineer, 30 Years, Mechanical, 8 Yrs. experience in Oman & Qatar, Qatar Petroleum approved, Experienced in EPIC Projects Tanks, Vessels, Piping, Steel structures. Ph-00974 66772193 Mail;snu057@gmail.comIndian Male 25, Graduate in commerce (B.com) having 2 years of experience in Sales & Marketing looking for a suitable placement presently on a visit visa. Contact: 97939084 / 97351786, mailmohammednsr126@gmail.com Mathematics Lecturer Indian Female, M. Phil in Mathematics with 5 years of experience in school and colleges. Now in Oman on Visit Visa. Contact- 92119428, 96714746 4 Years experience as Electronics Service Engineer. Knowledge in all type of Electronics items, looking for suitable placement.

GSM- 99105043

T H U R S DAY, AU G U S T 4 , 2 0 1 6

D7

DAILY GUIDE SITUATION WANTED CARGO

SITUATION WANTED COMPUTER/WEB./ EDU./CLASSES

TRANSPORTATION

TOURS

Transport. Contact: 99542393 Azaiba, Al Khuwair, Qurum, Ghala & Ruwi. Contact: 97424997 Transportation. Contact: 98522914 Transportation Engage.

Contact: 92711421

Spoken Arabic class for Non Arabic Speakers & English class for Malayalam Speakers

in Azaiba and Ruwi earn in two months

tion guaranteed

Tel: 95244310 Karate and self defense classes at Azaiba 18 Nov Street. RO 10 per month twice a week Monday and Tuesday 6. 30 TO 7. 30. PM. Contact: 98294551

SITUATION WANTBUSINESS ED

Transportation. Contact: 98657739 Transportation. Contact: 91310107 Transportation. Contact: 94510847 Transportation available Al Khuwair, Ghobrah, Azaiba, Al Hail & Al Khoud. Drop & pick.

Contact 95250161 Transportation available Ruwi to Al Khuwair, Ghubra & Azaiba.

Contact: 91103909 Transportation. Contact 99508282

SITUATION WANTSERVICES

Transportation required from Qurum to WadiKabir at afternoon only 1 PM. Contact - 99012165

DRIVING

Transportation. Contact 92015894 Transportation. Contact 94510847

GOOD NEWS

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

SITUATION WANTSERVICES Furniture shifting with expert technicians. Contact: 99041337 Water proofing ABUQABASContact 99320217/24788722 House shifting. Contact 99708138 House shifting packing.

Contact: 99657644/98518013 Marble crystallization & grinding, Ocean center LLC Contact: 99344723 Carpet Shampoo, marble & tile polishing, pest control & anti-termite treatment, general cleaning painting,Plumbing, Electrical, shifting. Contact Mundhir Al-Rizaiqi trading. L.L.C. Contact: 24810137, 99450130 Pest control treatments, Ocean center LLC Contact 99344723 Pest control Gulfa international.

Contact: 92326955 CAD drawings Archi/ MEP CAD – comply BIM. Contact: 91233975 All Maintenance and services electric, CCTV Camera, Plumbing, A/C service and gas installation, painting tiles. Contact: 96524904 / 94285064

Ayurvedic treatment for joint pain, backache, paralysis, massage, steam bath, obesity, Spondylitis. Ideal Care Ayurvedic Clinic, 18 November Street, Ghubra.

Contact: 99639695 / 97397320

MARBLE CRYSTALLIZATION restore the original shine of your marble. Contact 24793614/ 99314807 Window & split unit A.C servicing & repairing. Contact: 99557080 Split unit & window unit A.C servicing & maintenance.

Contact 96236476 Split unit & widow unit A.C servicing & maintenance. Contact 95323517 / 93769089 Al farzdaq Al Fedi Trad and Cont Maintenance services electric, plumbing and A/C. Contact: 96524904 /94285064 For any 3d signboard, acrylic works with painting please contact us on 90786240 or follow us in instagram: silver_concepts Marble Restoration, Mosaic tiles polishing, carpet shampooing, maintenance. Contact ABU QABAS- 99320217 /24788722 Marble crystallization & grinding, cleaning & carpet shampooing.

Ocean center LLC. Contact 99344723 A/c Servicing & Maintenance.

Contact Abdul Rehman Contact: 99382104 Contd On pg 8

INVESTOR PARTNER REQUIRED For a successfully Catering Restaurant Investor cum Partner is required.

Investor with fixed returns also welcome.

1MFBTF DPOUBDU o

Email: muscatcoffeeshop@gmail.com Investor required for a healthcare setup Smartcure with Global Expansion plans for long & short term prospects. Connect at support@smartcure.net or call Rajesh 00919717088908 If you want to sell your product in the market. Contact: 92162623 WEB, ERP and Business Intelligence (BI) creation and management at rock bottom price.

Contact: http//webviewoman

Car care - care for your car.

Stop worrying about your car. Enjoy your vacation peacefully. Here is a solution for safe parking and cleaning your car when you are away on vacation. Taking very good care of your car, trust us.

Contact: 96964767 Ayurvedic treatment for backache, paralysis, arthritis etc & massage, All Season (Vaidyaratnam). Contact: 24475280 / 95371664 / 92504980 www.siddhayur.com Pure VEG coffee shop open 3/8/16 Dabeli, VADA PAV, PAV Bhaji many more at Al Khuwair near Rawasco behind NBO. Contact: 99066469 / 96951587 Ayurvedic treatments & massage – Ayurvedic Clinic Al Khuwair.

Contact 97263637 / 93309131

MATRIMONIAL NAIR GIRL,B.Tech. , 25/163cm , Uthradam, working in MNC in india, ISG student, seeks suitable alliances from parents of boys working abroad and having M.S.in Engg. Parent contact: 98584850

Dolphin Watch, Dhow Cruise with Buffet, & Land Tours Al- Ainain Marine Tours contact 98029602, 92808636 We arrange tours & accommodation at all the beautiful places in Oman.

Contact 99839898

MATRIMONIAL Wanted a suitable veg Tamil groom for bride- age 32 (DOB 14/11/1983. 6.10- AM, Trichy, Tamil Nadu), Ht 170 cm, Wt 72 Kgs, wheatish, ME qualified, working in college, Oman, Expected : Age difference 3 yrs max, “Rich in honesty”; please contact: E.Ramesh Baabu-92040174 Parents of Pune based girl, BE Computers, 24 yrs/5ft, seeks alliance from Indian Sunni Muslim family boys; Engineers/CA/MBA Finance/Accounts, well employed & settled in Pune/Mumbai or Oman/UAE with family status.

Contact +96894102122/ aneesan2011@gmail.com Malankara Catholic Male Nurse (28) from Thiruvalla working in Nizwa Private Co. Alliance invites parents/nurses working in Oman.

Contact 968 98267338, 0091 9287215726

Looking bride for boy, 35 yrs, BE(MS) working in London as a Software Engineer, Christian, height 5’5, reference : Reg. no. M 2194, www.muscatmatrimonial.com, Email : matrimonialmuscat@gmail.com Kerala girl (Dilna TK),based Hindu, Viswakarma aged 32 divorced, slim, working as financial controller in Muscat seeking suitable alliance from any caste.

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WE SERVE OMAN

2016 OLYMPIC PREVIEW

2 AUGUST 4, 2016

Athletics

Shooting

47

20 21 6

EVENTS GUIDE

WHAT TO WATCH

Oman Team Barakat 8 18 Al-Harthi M 9 100m) 17 10 16 Mazoon 15 11 14 13 12 Al-Alawi W 100m 19

7

Archery 20 5

19

4 6

8 9 10

18 17 16 15

· Individual Competition · Team Competition

11

14 13 12

Boxing 20 21 6

19

8 9 10 11

14 13 12

Equestrian 20 21 6

19

Highlights M W · Dressage · Eventing · Jumping

7

18 17 16

8 9 10 15

Cycling (Mountain Bike) 20 21 6

8 9 10 15

20 21 6

19

7

18 17 16

8 9 10 15

11

14 13 12

19

20 21 6

15

14 13 12

7

19

15

14 13 12

19

20 21 6

7

14 13 12

11

· Canoe single · Canoe double · Kayak single · Kayak double · Kayak four

19

· Individual stroke play tournament

2

20 21 6

8 9 10 15

11

14 13 12

HOW FAR IS BRAZIL FROM OMAN?

19

· Tournament

20 21 6

7

18 17 16

8 9 10

4

19

15

19

19

2 7 8 9 10

15

14 13 12

20 21 6

15

11

14 13 12

19

7

15

Highlights M W · Team sprint · Sprint · Keirin · Team pursuit · Omnium

7

14 13 12

19

20 21 6

14 13 12

19 8 · Tournament 9 10

7

11

7

14 13 12

20 21 6

19

7 8 9 10

14 13 12

2

Highlights · Duets · Teams

20

6

14 13 12

19

14 13 12

19

18 Disciplines 7

· Freestyle M W

14 13 12

20 21 6

15

14 13 12

M

11

7 8 9 10 11

2

Highlights M W · Men’s Tournament · Women’s Tournament

Swimming

34

Highlights M W · Freestyle 8 · Backstroke 9 · Breaststroke 10 · Butterfly 15 11 · Medle 14 13 12 · Relay 20 21 6

7

Football 19

19 20 3

2 Highlights M W 4

17 16 13

6 6 7 12 10 9

9

· Men’s Title (16 countries) · Women’s Title (12 countries)

Tennis 19

8 · Singles 9 · Doubles 10

20 21 6

18 17 16

Highlights M W 7

11

Beach Volleyball

13

18 17 16 15

15

19

4

14 13 12

8 · Greco9 Roman 10

11

Table Tennis 20 21 6

19

18 17 16

· Singles · Doubles · Mixed Doubles

14

18 17 16

Highlights M W 7

8 9 10 11

Wrestling

W

5

14 13 12

7

Highlights M W 20 21 6 19 7 · Lightweight 18 8 (extra/half ) 17 9 · Middleweight 16 10 · Heavyweight

11

8 9 10 15

8 · Tournament 9 10

Highlights M W · Men’s Tournament · Women’s Tournament

Badminton

11

RIO DE JANEIRO

Football Group & Decisive Stages

5

20 21 6

Highlights M W 7

18 17 16

8 9 10 15

11

Deodoro Stadium

14 13 12

11

· Singles · Doubles · Doubles mixed)

Airport X-Park

DEODORO Olympic Shooting Centre

Youth Arena

Olympic Equestrian Centre

Olympic Hockey Centre

BRAZIL

Deodoro Aquatics Centre

Mané Garrincha Stadium Brasília

S

11

20 21 6

8 Highlights · Under 58kg M · Under 80kg · Over 58kg · Under 49kg W · Under 67kg · Over 67 kg

VENUES Fonte Nova Arena Salvador

UR 18 HO

7

18 17 16

2

Amazônia Arena Manaus

Oman

2

18 17 16

19

· Men’s Tournament · Women’s Tournament

Highlights · Under 56kg M · Under 85kg · Over 105kg · Under 48kg W · Under 75kg · Over 75kg

Synchronised Swimming

Highlights M W

18 17 16 15

14 13 12

Highlights M W

Rugby Sevens 20 21 6

15

2

2

11

8 9 10

15

8 9 10 15

20 21 6

19

11

18 17 16

7

18 17 16

Highlights M W · 10km marathon

Basketball

11

VENUES OUTSIDE RIO

20 21 6

8 9 10

Highlights M W

18 17 16

11

18 17 16

11

2

14 13 12

15

Volleyball

10

Marathon Swimming

· Tournament

Hockey

7 8 9 10

Highlights M W

18 17 16

20 21 6

14 13 12

W

15

8 9 10 15

Wadha Al-Balushi W 10m/25m pistol

Judo

11

18 17 16

11

18 17 16

7

Water Polo

14 13 12

20 21 6

19

· Individual

Cycling (Track)

Highlights M W · RS:X - windsurfer 8 · Laser - one person 9 dinghy 10 · Finn one person 15 11 (heavyweight) 14 13 12

20 21 6

8 9 10

15

10

7

2

Weightlifting

2

Highlights M W

18 17 16

11

14 13 12

20 21 6

19 18 17 16

19

20 21 6

14 13 12

11

14 13 12

18 17 16

Highlights 20 21 6 19 7 · Individual 18 8 all-around 17 9 · Group 16 10 all-around 15

Modern Pentathlon

Highlights M W · Road race

Sailing

19

7

2

Cycling (Road)

Highlights M W

18 17 16

W Women’s competition

Highlights M W 19 · Swimming 7 18 8 (1.5km) 17 9 · Cycling (40km) 16 10 15 11 · Running 14 13 12 (10km)

Highlights M W 8 9 10

15

12

17 Exhibition gala

20 21 6

7

18 17 16

Highlights M W 8 9 10

20 21 6

M Men’s competition

Oman Team Hamed Said 8 Al-Khatri M 9 10m/50m rifle

Taekwondo

Rhythmic Gymnastics

Total number of medal events

21 Competition date

Triathlon

15

8

47

21 Medal event date

11

Handball

2 7

14 13 12

Highlights M W · BMX Racing

Canoe (Sprint)

· Lightweight four · Pair, Four, Eight

18 17 16

7

2

Highlights M W · 3m springboard 8 · 10m Platform 9 · Synchronised 10 3m springboard 15 11 · Synchronised 14 13 12 10m platform

19 18 17 16

8 · Single sculls 9 · Double sculls 10 · Quadruple sculls

11

20 21 6

8 9 10

Highlights M W

Golf 20 21 6

19

Highlights M W · Canoe Single · Canoe Double · Kayak · Kayak

14

18 17 16

11

Diving

4

Rowing

14 13 12

18 17 16 15

Canoe (Slalom)

7

Highlights M W · Épée · Foil · Sabre (All events: team and individual)

Cycling (BMX)

2

11

14 13 12

20 21 6

8 9 10 15

Highlights M W · Cross-country

7

18 17 16

19

10

18 17 16

Olympic Debut · Paris 1900

11

14 13 12

19

Fencing

6

SCHEDULE

14

Highlights M W 20 21 6 7 19 · Floor Exercise 8 · Pommel Horse 18 9 · Parallel Bars 17 16 10 · Horizontal Bars 15 11 · Vault 14 13 12 · Rings

Highlights M W · Flyweight · Bantamweight · Lightweight · Welter weight · Middleweight · Heavyweight

7

18 17 16 15

Artistic Gymnastics

7

10 15

15

13

20 21 6

18 17 16

The Rio Olympics 2016 will officially kick off with its opening ceremonies tomorrow at the legendary Maracanã Stadium. All Summer Sports activities will commence on this day except for football which began early (August 3) with its preliminary matches on different sports arenas outside Rio de Janeiro (see Venues Outside Rio map below). The closing ceremonies will be held as well at Maracanã Stadium on August 21.

Highlights M W

7

19

15

Maracanã, Maracanãzinho

Sambódromo Marina da Glória

MARACANÃ

Olympic Stadium

1,000km

COPACABANA

Brazil OLYMPIC PARK

RIO DE JANEIRO Mineirão Belo Horizonte

Corinthians Arena São Paulo

Olympic Golf Course Pontal

Ambassador Abelardo Bueno Avenue

Carioca Arena 2 Judo, Freestyle Wrestling, Greco-Roman Wrestling

Maria Lenk Aquatics Centre Diving, Synchronised Swimming

SOUTH ATLANTIC OCEAN

RIO DE JANEIRO VENUES

Carioca Arena 1 Basketball

Future Arena Handball

5km

BARRA BA

OLYMPIC PARK VENUES

Carioca Arena 3 Fencing, Taekwondo

Beach Volleyball Arena

Lagoa Stadium Fort Copacabana

Riocentre Pavillon 2,3,4,5,6 6

5

Deodoro Stadium Rugby, Modern Pentathlon (Horse Riding, Combined Running and Shooting) Olympic Shooting Centre

8

Main Press Centre

Deodoro Aquatics Centre Modern Pentathlon (Swimming)

3 International Broadcast Centre

Olympic Equestrian Centre Equestrian Dressage, Eventing and Jumping

2

Riocentro Pavilion 2 Weightlifting

1

Olympic Aquatics Stadium Swimming, Water Polo 200m Olympic Tennis Centre

4

Pavilion 4 Badminton

Rio Olympic Arena Artistic Gymnastics, Rhythmic Gymnastics and Trampoline Gymnastics Rio Olympic Velodrome Track Cycling

Source: International Olympic Committee | International Association of Athletics Federations | International Shooting Sport Federation | Graphic News

Pavilion 3 Table Tennis

Pavilion 6 Boxing Pontal Road Cycling (time trial) Live Site

X-Park Canoe Slalom, BMX Cycling, Mountain Bike

Olympic Golf Course Olympic Hockey Centre Sambódromo Marathon, Archery Olympic Stadium Football (group phase), Athletics (track and field) Maracanã Opening/Closing Ceremonies, Football (decisive stages) Maracanãzinho Volleyball Lagoa Stadium Rowing, Canoe sprint Marina da Glória Sailing Beach Volleyball Arena Fort Copacabana Marathon Swimming, Triathlon, Road Cycling (road race) Youth Arena Basketball, Modern Pentathlon (Fencing)

3 AUGUST 4, 2016

ATHLETICS

Specializing in 100-metre event, Al Harthi qualified Rio 2016 by winning the first place at 10.16 seconds in 2015 Military World Games, Mungyeong. In June 2016, he recorded his personal best at 10.05 seconds. Al Harthi won bronze in 100-metre event of 2010 Asian Games, Guangzhou.

He had been given an honour in the London 2012 by completing the same event at 10.41 seconds.

Barakat Al Harthi 28 years old (Ibra) Athletics: 100m Going to Rio through qualification

2009

PERFORMANCE Completion of 100m outdoor (seconds)

2010

2011

2012

2013

2013

2014

2014

2015

2016

10.5 10.4 10.33 10.3

10.27

18 years old (Muscat) Athletics: 100m Going to Rio through invitation (wild card) 2014

PERFORMANCE 12.3

12.28

60m

12.04

12.0

Will the Sultanate finally get the elusive Olympic medal in Rio? The Oman delegation will be represented by four hopeful athletes.

Two will compete in athletics and two in shooting events.

Except for Al Alawi, all three are from the interior of Oman

Al Harthi (Ibra) Al Khatri (Al Hamra)

, READY AIM, RUN

Al Alawi (Muscat)

OMAN AT RIO

Al Balushi (Rustaq)

SHOOTING

SHOOTING Khatri won gold in 10-metre Air Rifle at the 2014 Arab Shooting Championships, individual bronze in 50-metre Rifle 3 Positions and team bronze at the 2011 Pan Arab Games. Like Wadha Al Balushi and Mazoon Al Alawi, Hamed Al Khatri was also given the wild card invitation by the IOC to take part in Rio 2016.

Hamed Al Khatri 31 years old (Al Hamra) 50m rifle 3 positions | 10m air rifle Going to Rio through invitation (wild card)

1

Participated in couple of World Cups and World Championships, Balushi had bagged bronze medal in 2014 Asian Championships for the 40-metre Air Pistol event. Wadha Al Balushi was granted a place in the 10-metre Air Pistol event and will be the first Omani female shooter to compete in the Games.

Wahda Al Balushi 27 years old (Rustaq) 10m air pistol | 25m pistol Going to Rio through invitation (wild card)

2009 2010 2011 2012

PERFORMANCE Ranking

60m Hurdles

7.83s 9.03s

12.1

10.16 Al Harthi had a steedy inprovement in his performance during 10.05 the last three years. On June 9 he recorded his best time ever

10.0

Indoor

12.2

10.17

10.1

2016

12.4

10.27

10.26

10.2

10.29

With personal best at 12.04 seconds in 100-metre sprint recorded in June this year, Alawi was handed one of the wild card invitations by the International Olympic Committee. Alawi is the youngest among the Omani athletes who will compete in the Games. Rio 2016 will be her track debut and her first race will commence on 12 August.

Mazoon Al Alawi Completion of 100m outdoor (seconds)

10.36 10.29

ATHLETICS

2013

2014

2015 2016

Ranking

6

2013

PERFORMANCE 1

2014

2015

3 18

31 60

40 63

58

His best rank 120

2016

106

80

Her best rank 78

68 Graphics

4 AUGUST 4, 2016

THE OLYMPIC MEDALS

Countries sorted in alphabetical order

A COUNTRY'S CROWNING GLORY More than 100,000 athletes have gathered in the 27 Olympic Games.

This is excluding the 1906 Intercalated Games in Athens whose medals are not officially recognised by the IOC today.

Among the 200 countries that competed, only 146 have won at least one medal. Here is a break down of all the participating countries and their medals.

C

EXPERIENCE

1

Cameroon

1

121

25

1

7 10

1

Ecuador

1900

1904

1908

1912

1920

1924

1928

1932

1936

1948

1952

1956

1960

1964

1968

1972

1976

1980

1984

1988

1992

1996 2000 2004 2008 2012

2016

Total number of games

4

99

Chile

7

126

22

1

9

0

15

Eritrea

12

5

11

13

17

9

Colombia

F 7

Ethiopia

1

6 1

10

6

G

202 84

Finland

France

H 1

1

Haiti

21

4

1

167

1

1

165

Hong Kong

15

11

I

32

2

13

2

Kuwait

5

1

1

Mozambique

Namibia

9

6

4

104

223

6

23

Netherlands

2

4

17

2

9

9

6

15

India

6

11

Indonesia

13

1

10 Lithuania 5

Luxembourg

8

23

5

3

14

1

22

12

8

3

4

Russian Empire

20

Russia

145

3

2

126

Sri Lanka

2

Sudan

1

1

176

Suriname

Macedonia

8

21

12

North Korea

9

1

Saudi Arabia

Senegal

10

13

5

47

1 59

1

S

143

Spain

M

15

134

94

Nigeria

11

1 Romania

15

1

Niger

65

164

Sweden

20

Iran

6

88

119

Qatar

25

10

14

39New Zealand18

Netherlands Antilles

R

Puerto Rico

Lebanon

27

23

16

1

85

37 35

2

24

42

Q 8

11

10

25

4

11

1

1

77

1

Portugal

Latvia

5

N

2

Independent participants

3

Kyrgyzstan

12

2

19

L

Kenya

11

Iceland

25

25 29

2

144

Hungary

15

12

1

Gabon

246 13

7

Croatia

14

101

117

5

Costa Rica

24

Belarus

11

2

6

39

Barbados

18

21

Estonia

1

Silver

Country name

Chinese Taipei

9

13

100

2

11

9

Egypt

5

200

Bronze

146

2

300

3

China

Algeria

Gold

Length indicates the number of medals won per country

201

8

Afghanistan

27

2

Canada

13

1896

5 2

RESULTS

Years in which the country has participated

59

3

A

Switzerland

1

1 1

73

Syria

1

976 22

U

2 2

Uganda

3

55

14

16

11

33

45

Ukraine

27

11

18 2

1

5

666

36

3

26

9 3

1

20-24-28

1

1

68-72

84-88-92-96

Mark Spitz

Carl Lewis

Country: US Discipline: Swimming Born: 1985

Country: Soviet Union Discipline: Women’s Artistic Gymnastics Born: 1934 Retired: 1966

Country: Finland Discipline: Athletics Born: 1897 Died: 1973

Country: US Discipline: Swimming Born: 1950 Retired: 1966

Country: US Discipline: Athletics Born: 1961 Retired: 1997

6 2

Melb/Stock Rome 1956 1960

8

4 2

3

4 1 1

München 1972

2 1

Source: International Olympic Committee | Whashington Post | The Guardian | Sports-Reference

2 2 2

20

9

Paavo Nurmi

London 2012

Uruguay

757

Larisa Latynina

Beijing 2008

6

54

United Team of Germany

Michael Phelps

Athens 2004

2

The pantheon of athletes with the most badges is composed of medalists who have had themselves made superior performances than some countries on the list.

Phelps is going for his fourth Olympic appearance. In terms of medals, he has already surpassed Carl Lewis who had participated in four Olympic Games.

0

56-60-64

United States

8

9

4

04-08-12-16

1

United Arab Republic

8

9

2

12

28

United Arab Emirates

1

TOP 5 MEDALISTS: WHAT IF THEY WERE A COUNTRY?

27

1

29Unified Team38

5

26

Antwerp 1920 3 1

Paris 1924

Amsterdam 1928 5

Mexico 1968

1

2 2

1 1

Munich 1972 7

Los Angeles Seoul 1984 1988 2 4 1

Barcelona 1992 2

Atlanta 1996 1

2

5 AUGUST 4, 2016

139 18

1 9

28 Argentina 24

3

Armenia

23

2

5

18 4

Australasia

5

35

Australia

177

2

25

1

52

3

Bermuda

25

Bohemia

13

1

Botswana

3

72 67

Cyprus

19

1

Czech Republic

15

5

5

3

Germany

182

217 5

Ghana

15

9 12

Iraq

Ireland

13

3

Malaysia

3

1

28

Mauritius

O

P

49

4

Oman

24

8

2

1 4

4

Serbia and Montenegro

Serbia

3

272

1 1

185

26

13

8 4

21

3

1 3

2

Singapore

2

8

15

T

1

68

42

Tajikistan

1

Tanzania

5

11

2

Thailand

12

V

5 10

5

5

MEDAL RANKING

15

5

20

2

Vietnam

17

14

2

Moldova

13

2

Paraguay

16

11

7

4 9

9

Slovenia

1

27

6

Tonga

9

8

1

Virgin Islands

11

1

56 81

West Germany

67

28

5

By effectiveness 7,602

1 Soviet Union

40.8%

5,447

2 East Germany

36.2%

3

Great Britain

780

3

France

5,095

3 United States

31.6%

4

France

671

4

Italy

3,818

4 Germany (United Team)

24.8%

483 476

9

5

Germany

3,707

5 Russia

24.1%

6

Canada

3,329

6 UniďŹ ed Team

23.6%

7

Australia

3,309

7 China

22.7%

8

Japan

3,035

8 Australasia

22.6%

China

473

9

Sweden

2,801

9 Ethiopia

21.8%

10 Australia

468

10 Netherlands

2,581

10 Jamaica

20.9%

11 East Germany

409

11

Hungary

2,495

12 Japan

398

12 Soviet Union

2,475

13 Russia

395

13 Poland

2,325

14 Finland

302

14 Spain

2,325

15 Romania

301

15 China

2,081

Soviet Union was in 9 games with 2,475 athletes. They won 1,010 medals (1 medal per 2.5 athletes)

19

17

Kazakhstan

5

6 9

1

11

Montenegro

Morocco

2

Great Britain is third in total number of medals, but considering the number of athletes sent to the games their effectiveness is low

11 Romania

20.7%

12 Georgia

20.2%

13 Hungary

19.1%

14 Kenya

19.0%

15 Finland

18.9%

5

13

64 7

3

2

125

Philippines

20

20

23

81

395

26

80

South Korea

18

16

2

3 5

4

82

296

Soviet Union

38

Tunisia

3

24

24

Turkey

21

Z 29

319

9

13

Yugoslavia

82

Poland

17

3 1

Zambia

1

1

4

Zimbabwe

12

Previous gamesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; host cities

Great Britain

Hungary

16

126

Japan

NO MEDALS YET

United States

Sweden

142

16

1

7

K

21

26

W

2

8

30

16

1,010

573

16

10

2,399

549

13

Trinidad and Tobago

Soviet Union

Italy

8

South Africa

United States

Germany

1

1

Guyana

Peru

1

5

5

Guatemala

Mongolia

6

Togo

129

East Germany

Grenada

12

2

6

13

127

1

By total athletes

US is the top medalist (total medals) but not in terms of effectiveness: one medal for every 3.2 athletes.

6

16

Since 1853, these top countries have participated in the Olympics. We have computed the countries 'effectiveness' by the number of medals over the total number of participants per country.

By total medals

2

Dominican Republic

Jamaica

5

W

Venezuela

153

2

2 8

Uzbekistan

1

1

Djibouti

130

12

5

6

5

19

17

7 2

Burundi

1

Greece

Panama

Slovakia

85

3

Ivory Coast

5

3

1

E

1

166

Bahrain

8

Bulgaria

1

J

Mixed team

22

2

39

272

78

British West Indies

27

Italy

15

Pakistan

3

30

Great Britain

16

2

236

198

2

30

Denmark

26

1

15

43 68

2

51

Brazil

16

27

Mexico

Oman has not yet won any medals at the Olympic Games

Norway

1

49

13

Israel

8

56

3

5

20

12

43

8

D

Czechoslovakia

6

1

Bahamas

5

21

45

174

Georgia

55

49

15

9

1

9

14

Cuba

14

5

Azerbaijan

23

Belgium

70

5

5

15

26

37 53

33

Austria

152

B

6

12

There are still 75 countries around the World that have not won any Olympic medals.

Countries without medals

Rio de Janeiro

Graphics

6 AUGUST A UGUS U T4 4, 2016

INEXTINGUISHABLE FLAME

SPECIFICATIONS

Designer Chelles and Hayashi

Second windbreak

Composition Recycled aluminium, resin with a satin finish Weight 1 - 1.5 kg Colours White, green, blue Based on hues found in Brazilian flag

First windbreak

Micro gas outlet holes Third windbreak Torch burner

Thermal isolation

The outer coating of the torch is made of aluminium recycling material

RETRACTABLE MECHANISM When it is open, it reveals elements representing Brazil’s harmonious diversity, contagious energy and exuberant nature.

The Sky

Closed

Open

(63.5cm)

(69cm)

The sun is represented by the topmost part of the Olympic Torch. Like Brazilians, it shines and illuminates wherever it passes. Its golden colour embodies the ultimate achievement at the Games.

The Mountains

Rio’s natural beauty, expressed in the green curves of its hills and valleys.

THE OLYMPIC TORCH

SOUL OF A COUNTRY

The Sea

Blue, organic and fluid ripples symbolises the sea, always present in the landscapes of Brazil and Rio.

The Ground

The Rio Olympic Torch Relay convoy passes through 500 cities and towns – 300 of which are hosting and the rest cheering as it goes by. Following the traditional Olympic flame lighting ceremony in the Greek city of Olympia, ancient olympic games’ birthplace, the torch relay travelled across Brazil in around 100 days.

Summing up the population of these municipalities, the relay has reached an estimated 180 million spectators – that’s 90% of Brazil’s current population.

Inspired by Rio’s famous site, the design emulates the black and white tiles of Copacabana’s promenade.

OLYMPIC 2016 TORCH RELAY

Lifting Mechanism When the torchbearer switches the lift button, located at the bottom of the torch, an internal spring pushes the system up. This opens the torch and makes it go taller.

April 21. Athens

May 3. Brasilia

May 15. Barbacena

May 24. Salvador

Greek actress Katerina Lehou, playing the role of High Priestess, passes the Olympic flame to the first torchbearer, Greek gymnast Eleftherios Petrounias (April 21, 2016).

Brazil’s President Dilma Rousseff hands over the Olympic torch to Brazilian volleyball player Fabiana Claudino.

Brazilian volleyball player Sassa carries the Olympic flame through the city of Barbacena.

This young percussionist, Magno Macedo (7 years old), celebrated the arrival of Rio 2016 torch in his city.

JUN18 Boa Vista JUN16 Macapa

JUN 05.

Fernando de Noronha

JUN 11 Palmas JUN 21 Rio Branco

START JUN 23 Cuiaba

A B

June 16. Macapa 106-year-old Aida Gemanque is the oldest Olympic torchbearer .

MAY 03 Brasilia MAY 24 Salvador

B

Lifting stop system

MAY 15 Barbacena

APR 21. Athens

C

MAY 03. Brasilia

FINISH JUL 11 Florianopolis

Source: The Olympic Studies Centre | O Estado de Sao Paulo Newspaper

Capillary tube (carrying the liquid gas to the burner)

AUG 05 Rio de Janeiro

July 11. Florianopolis Brazilian rower Anderson Nocetti takes the Olympic torch for a ride in an eight-person row boat.

Liquid gas cylinder

Pilot flame holes

7 AUGUST AUGUS U T4 4, 2016

FORERUNNERS

80 cm 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0

Berlin

London

1936

Melbourne/ Stockholm

Helsinki

1940

1952

1956

Rome

1960

Tokyo

1964

Mexico

1968

Munich

1972

1976

Moscow

1980

Los Angeles

1984

Seoul

Barcelona

1988

Atlanta

1992

1996

Sydney

2000

Athens

2004

Beijing

2008

London

2012

Rio de Janeiro

2016

775 km.

1,863 km

3,075 km 3,365 km

Montreal

5,532 km

7,492 km 13,536 km

4,526 km

5,000 km

6,307 km

15,000 km

15,775 km

20,470 km 26,065 km 29,016 km

THE ROUTES BEFORE RIO Since 1936, when the torch made its first appearance, it has travelled a total of 377,631 km around the world and has been carried by 208,374 torchbearers.

38,235 km 45,696 km

ac This tu i th al s s an e t iz or e o ch f

cel len Ex

ct spe Re

ce

84,600 km

Friendship The first Olympic Torch runner was a young athlete named Konstantinos Kondylis.

Texture The triangular texture reflects the three Olympic values.

Torch Bottom The gas containing it is unlocked by a safety handle. When rotated 80° clockwise, the torch rises. Rotated a bit more, the gas is released to ignite the flame.

137,000 km Liquid gas cylinder

Finishing: Satin

80°

Human touch acts as a sensor to keep the torch warm

Button

On

Off

The gas is turned off by turning the knob counter-clockwise

The Gas cartridge can fuel the flame for about 18 minutes but this varies depending on weather conditions (At a higher altitude and temperature, consumption is greater).

Graphics