Times Of Oman - May 6, 2015

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143,000 jobs to be created in tourism

S H O P P I N G D E S T I NAT I O N

Jobs creation

PHASE II EXPANSION: An artist’s impression of the proposed project after its completion.

City Centre Muscat to add jobs; expansion nears the finish line Staff Reporter MUSCAT: Around 1,500 people are currently working at the City Centre Muscat as the expansion of the first and largest lifestyle shopping destination in Oman is all set to create more jobs when it is ready by the end of this year.

Around 50 per cent of the workers in the existing mall are Omanis and the redevelopment

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will result in the creation of additional jobs for locals, Husam Al Mandhari, senior mall manager for the City Centre Muscat, told the Times of Oman.

He was speaking on the side-

lines of a press meet held in the mall on Tuesday to announce the latest updates in phase two of its OMR27m redevelopment plans, which was followed by an exclusive tour of the construction site for media representatives.

According to Al Mandhari, the expansion work has created more than 450 jobs on the site, including career opportunities for nationals. >A4

MEETING

Key issues discussed

by Majlis

As Oman projects

Direct jobs 2014

itself on the world

44,500

2025

72,000

Tourism investment (Percentage of the total) 10.3 6.3 3.6

tourism map, citizens can reap its spin-off in employment field

REJIMON K

reji@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: A boom in Oman’s travel and tourism sector will create 143,000 direct and indirect jobs by 2025, said a top official from Omran, the Sultanate’s tourism development and investment arm.

“Over the next 10 years, the projected employment growth within Oman’s travel and tourism sector is set to increase 3.8 per cent annually, totalling 143,000 direct and indirect jobs. These

2.8%

3.7% of total employment

2014

267

OMR million

2025

OMR million

Source: World Travel and Tourism Council

figures are a clear evidence of the sector’s increasingly important role in creating a sustainable future for our citizens,” Wael Al Lawati, group CEO of Omran, told the Times of Oman in an exclusive interview.

In its 2015 forecast, the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) has predicted that by 2025, Oman’s travel and tourism will support 3.7 per cent of total employment. According to the report, in 2014, travel and tourism had directly supported 44,500

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Graphics

jobs or 2.8 per cent of total employment in the Sultanate.

This is expected to rise 11.0 per cent in 2015 and 3.8 per cent per annum to accommodate 72,000 jobs or 3.7 per cent of the total employment, in 2025.

“Given Omran’s position as the nation’s tourism developer, it is pleasing to witness the steady increase in employment opportunities as the travel and tourism sector in the Sultanate continues to elevate its position on the world stage,” added Al Lawati. >A6

TOP THREE INSIDE STORIES

Times News Service MUSCAT: A law to support small and medium enterprises (SMEs), and differences in suggestions made by the State Council and Majlis Al Shura on amending some provisions of the Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, were discussed in the Shura meeting yesterday.

The meeting addressed the draft law for regularising the work of engineering consultants. Related issues like employment, funding and financial losses were discussed in the meeting.

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MARKET

Agarwood in Oman

Rain, hail lash Oman

Research in oil & gas

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New eco lifestyle brand Agarwood will enter the Oman market with the launch of a 286-key resort. >A2

Sayyid Shihab attends GCC meeting

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While hail fell in Nakhal, residents in Samail and Rustaq witnessed rain and thunderstorm on Tuesday. >A5

Research and development in the oil and gas sector in Oman is gaining ground. >B1

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The book is a modest effort at recording the history of the development process since 1970, led most ably by His Majesty the Sultan and his wise Government, in cooperation with the private sector Dr Mohamed Musa Al Yousef, Former minister and chairman of Al Yousef Group

Shihab participates in GCC meeting The leaders are discussing among other things, the GCC coordination for the May 13 meeting with American President Barack Obama

RIYADH: Representing His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said, His Highness Sayyid Shihab bin Tariq Al Said took part in the 15th consultative meeting of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) leaders, which commenced in capital Riyadh on Tuesday under the chairmanship of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) in the presence of the French President Francois Hollande.

The leaders are discussing the GCC coordination on the meeting, scheduled to be held on May 13 between US President Barack Obama and the GCC leaders at the White House.

They will discuss the means of

promoting security cooperation between the GCC states and the US administration and the importance of the Lausanne Nuclear Framework Agreement between the 5+1 group to lead to a final agreement in a bid to enhance security and stability in the region.

Yemen crisis The meeting will also address the Yemen crisis, the latest developments in the region, the GCC march, and the importance of the GCC support to emergency measures being adopted by the Yemeni government to tackle the serious humanitarian situation there.

Sayyid Shihab also received the French President. At the beginning of the meeting, the French Presi-

dent asked Sayyid Shihab to convey his greetings and best wishes to His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said and the Omani people further progress and prosperity under His Majesty’s wise leadership.

France-Oman ties The two leaders discussed bilateral relations and reviewed topics to be discussed by the GCC leaders in their consultative meeting.

They also reviewed the regional and international situations and matters of common concern.

The meeting was attended by the delegation accompanying Sayyid Shihab and from the French side by the delegation accompanying the French President. -ONA

SHARING VIEWS: The 15th consultative meeting of the GCC leaders commenced in Riyadh on Tuesday under the chairmanship of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. – ONA

TOURISM

Agarwood to set up resort in Salalah RAHUL DAS

rahuldas@timesofoman.com DUBAI: New eco lifestyle brand Agarwood will enter the Oman market with the launch of a 286key resort in Salalah by 2017.

Construction work for the Agarwood resort will start from the third quarter of this year and will include a hotel, villas and apartments, all set in beautiful natural surroundings in Salalah.

“The resort will include an all-day speciality restaurant, a wellness spa, business centre, children’s club, retail outlets and ballroom,” said Abdul Rahman Barham, CEO, Al Madina Real Estate Company while speaking exclusively to the Times of Oman.

Millennium & Copthorne MEA entered into an agreement with Al Madina Hotels & Resorts, the hospitality arm of Al Madina Real Estate Company, to develop the Group’s Agarwood brand and to develop another three-star hotel, Studio M, near the airport.

In this regard, Millennium & Copthorne signed an agreement

Construction work for the Agarwood resort will start from the third quarter of this year and will include a hotel, villas and apartments, all set in beautiful natural surroundings in Salalah

with Al Madina Real Estate Company at the Arabian Travel Market in Dubai on Tuesday.

“All the necessary approvals are in place for both the hotels,” declared Barham.

He also said, “These signings will add to a rapidly growing portfolio that includes the recently opened Millennium Executive Apartments Muscat and the Millennium Hotel Mussanah and both projects play a key part in the company’s wider strategic plan

that includes the introduction of Grand Millennium & Copthorne hotel brands to Muscat later this year. The move will result in Millennium & Copthorne becoming one of the largest hotel operators in Oman.”

Regarding the budget brand, Studio M, he said that Millennium & Copthorne will be launching its new budget boutique Studio M hotel concept in the Al Hail in 2017.

“The 302-key property will combine a chic minimalist design

and contemporary functionality to cater to the new generation of independent travellers who are young at heart,” he said.

There are also plans for Millennium & Copthorne to extend the Studio M footprint across a number of key urban locations across the Gulf Cooperation Council.

Ali Hamad Lakhraim Alzaabi, president and CEO, Millennium & Copthorne MEA said, “We are not only delighted to strengthen our presence in Oman but we are even more delighted to extend our relationship with our trusted partners in Al Madina Real Estate. The signing will make us one of the largest hotel operators in the Sultanate, and we believe that the major tourism and infrastructure projects will support our hotel developments in Oman.”

“We are excited to be pioneers with the launch of the Agarwood brand in the region, and we believe it is a concept that will perfectly complement the natural beauty of Salalah where tourism is growing at an amazing rate,” added Barham.

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I became so fascinated with Oman following my visit that I have kept, as much as possible online with the recent developments under the leadership of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said. I am personally impressed by his wise decision to promote the policy of neutrality in the conflicting zone his nation finds itself today.

Sir James R. Mancham, founding president of Seychelles

Oman has important role to play in promotion of peace: Mancham Waking up in Muscat

The first president of Seychelles was so impressed by Oman during his visit that he wrote a poem

Times News Service

FASCINATING: The beauty of Oman has enchanted all visitors and the founding president of Seychelles was no exception. – Shabine E

MUSCAT: Sir James R. Mancham, founding president of Seychelles has a special connection to Oman.

This link with Oman goes back to 1998. The first president of Seychelles was so impacted by what he saw and discovered about Oman at the time he visited Oman that he wrote a poem entitled, “Waking up in Muscat”.

Speaking to the Times of Oman, he said, “I became so fascinated with Oman following my visit that I have kept, as much as possible online with the recent developments under the leadership of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said. I am personally impressed by his wise decision to promote the policy of neutrality in the conflicting zone his nation finds itself today.”

He added, “I believe that Oman has a unique role to play in the promotion of peace in the Gulf and particularly in promoting the policy of reconciliation between the West, the Gulf States and Iran.”

He added that as a statesman and a trained military strategist, His

Majesty is fully aware that winning a battle does not mean winning the war. Mancham, who received the International Jurists’ Award for World Peace at the International Conference of Jurists in 2010, has been speaking at special forums across the world.

At the third Baku Forum held at the Nizami Ganjavi International Centre in Azerbaijan on the theme “Building Trust in the emerging world order”, Mancham said, “trust is essential for a new world order.”

Mancham was one of the ninety leading figures in global politics invited to take part in this gamechanging event to debate the current trends in international relations and human security.

The meeting provided a space for current and former presidents, prime ministers, ministers, leading scholars and experts to assess the current state of the world and the most pressing threats to international security and to peace and to elaborate concrete steps

for today’s leadership to overcome these divisions. The meeting was opened by Hillam Alliev, president of the Republic of Azerbaijan, on April 28, following which special messages were read from Angela Merkel, chancellor of Germany; David Cameron, prime minister of UK; Boutros Boutros Ghali, former secretary general of the United Nations, and Henry Kissinger, former US Secretary of State, before the welcoming address by Vaira VikaFreiberga who was president of Latvia between 1999 and 2007 and is today the current president of Le Club de Madrid and co-chair of the Nizami Ganjavi International Centre.

Intense discussions during the two-day gathering revolved around the need for a declaration of enhanced trust in the world order.

Discussions were held on the subjects of interfaith dialogue as a tool for building trust and energy security as a tool for co-operation in peace.

Sir James R. Mancham

Perhaps the most important focus of the conference evolved around the subject of the conflict within Ukraine resulting in increased tensions prevailing between the West and Russia which resulted in a growing cold war situation. The session, which was facilitated by Aleksandar Kwasniewski, former president of Poland between 1995 and 2005, was addressed by three former presidents of Ukraine - Leonid Kravchuk, Leonid Kuchma and Viktor Yushenko.

This former president addressed the issues that are important to ensure a continued stable, strong and united Ukraine while alleging violations of Ukraine’s sovereignty

by Russia’s military intervention, its annexation of Crimea and its active support to rebel forces within Ukraine. It is during this session that founding president Mancham made a forceful intervention stating that he fully supported the view of facilitator Aleksandar Kwasniewski that the Ukraine problem

There is an air of majesty here And serenity too There is a quietness and peacefulness Forever gone from other spheres From the patio of the Hyatt I watch Muscat come to life Against the background of the rising sun With mountains all around Talking poetry and eloquence to the sky I cannot but salute the Ruler of this land For the cleanliness everywhere The feeling of awe which prevails And the harmony which I feel In this oasis of a well-kept desert Where beauty and strengths interact To project the friendliness of the Omani tribe Muscat - modern city with ancient look Omani people - ancient tribe with modern outlook Surely I am glad I came To see you both just as you are James R Mancham , 27th May 1998

was not an internal or a regional issue, but it was an international issue. Mancham said that everything had to do with the lack of trust between the big powers in today’s unhappy state of the world. NATO is active within Europe because Russia is not trusted. Russia itself feels threatened because it is encircled

by NATO bases. All these, Mancham said, are happening because the policy of Might is Right has taken over from the policy of Right is Might which sees ever increasing defence budgets at the expense of human resources development.

The world, Mancham said, should be grateful that the leadership in Azerbaijan today is supporting this third Global Baku forum focussing on the need to build trust in a New World Order.

“The confrontation that we are witnessing today between Russia and the West is not only a geo-political military conflict but one rooted in economic principles, political culture and norms for international co-operation that we assumed would constitute the new World Order which emerged at the end of the Cold War,” he stated.

C I T Y C E N T E R M U S C AT

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A1 Oman sees 7 per cent rise in visitors During the media briefing, Al Mandhari noted that the completion of the expansion work and refurbishment is expected to complete this year, with a new Seeb flyover to be constructed in 2016 to facilitate access.

According to the mall’s officials, the first phase of the development of the City Centre Muscat, owned and operated by Majid Al Futtaim, featured the launch of a 10-screen VOX Cinemas, the renovation of Magic Planet, the mall’s food court dining area, and the addition of 700 car park spaces.

In the second phase of its 10,000-square metre retail expansion, the mall will be welcoming 60 additional new shopping outlets featuring a diverse collection

of lifestyle-oriented brands, including 12 new high profile international retailers making their debut in the Omani market for the very first time.

Revamped destination Some of the highlights of the revamped destination include a new state-of-the-art, ecologically sustainable LED lighting system, elegantly designed flooring, and updated ceiling structures that allow better sound acoustics as well as more natural light throughout the mall. New high-profile international brands headed to the mall include Virgin Megastore, Bershka, American Eagle and Koton, in addition to fashion accessories F&F, New Look, Guess

Accessories, and Lovisa. Pandora jewellery and handmade cosmetics Lush, are also coming to Oman for the first time.

Expanded dining zone An expanded dining zone will host five new casual-dining restaurants offering a variety of international cuisines include Kosibasi Turkish restaurant, Ahwak Arabic restaurant, Pizza Express, Paul restaurant from France, and Shake Shack, the burger specialist.

The mall, which is home to more than 160 international lifestyle brands, is also introducing larger, well-appointed prayer rooms, increasing toilet provisions, introducing a mother’s

room and refurbishing existing toilets. Majid Al Futtaim’s redevelopment plans are in line with customers’ growing demand and changing needs.

The mall recorded a significant increase in footfall and sales in 2014. More than 10 million shoppers visited the destination for shopping, dining and entertainment, representing a 7 per cent increase compared to the previous year.

The City Centre brand is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year.

On the occasion, Majid Al Futtaim is hosting year-long events, promotions, activations, community initiatives, and instant rewards.

H E A LT H

Save Your Mom drive to mark International Mother’s Day Times News Service MUSCAT: To help raise awareness about health-related issues among women, a ‘Save Your Mom’ campaign is being launched on the occasion of International Mother’s Day. An initiative by Dr Rajyashree N Kutty, specialist surgeon, Barakath Al Noor Clinic in Al Khuwair, the Save Your Mom campaign will see a torch relay and special event on May 8 and 9.

The torch will be taken through private schools in Oman.

“The torch will be kept in each school for a week. This campaign aims to spread the importance of health awareness, a healthy lifestyle and regular health screening among mothers through their children. Cancer awareness lectures would also be conducted as part of this campaign in schools and other institutions,” said Dr Rajyashree.

Sadly, women always accord their own health the last priority, pointed out Dr Rajyashree.

“Women are known for not taking care of their health and putting the needs of others first. So the best way to remedy that is to get children to force their mothers to be aware of their health,” she said.

“Being healthy is obviously a pro-active choice we make each day to better our lives,” she said.

The event on May 8 and 9, is being held to mark International

This part of the campaign aims at reaching out to mothers through their children in schools in the Sultanate Dr Rajyashree N Kutty Specialist Surgeon, Barakath Al Noor Clinic in Al Khuwair

Mother’s Day, which is observed on the second Sunday in May every year.

“As part of this campaign, we are organising a two-day gala event at the Marah Land, Qurum, on those days. It will include games, competitions, magic shows, face painting and henna, ear and nosepiercing and a special photo session with your mother. Along with all the fun, there will be a little education on healthy living and awareness,” she said.

Dr Rajyashree explained, “This event will also see the inauguration of the Save Your Mom Torch relay on May 9, which will

be hosted by different schools in the Sultanate throughout 2015.

This part of the campaign aims at reaching out to mothers through their children in schools.

If schools are interested in the participation of their institution in this campaign they can call 99474995.”

“I want to remind mothers not to wait for symptoms before going for a check-up, but to ensure a regular check-up with or without symptoms. Ignorance and lack of awareness are the main enemies of all types of cancers. Awareness is the key to early detection and a complete cure,” she added.

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W E AT H E R

Rain brings respite from heat REJIMON K

reji@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: While hail fell in Nakhal, residents in Samail and Rustaq witnessed rain and thunderstorm on Tuesday.

“There was a hailstorm and rain in the evening. It gave us some respite when mercury levels are soaring. The wadis are also overflowing,” said the residents.

Oman’s meteorological department had predicted rain in Muscat, Amerat, Quriayt and Buraimi in addition to Ibra, Madha, Sohar and Khasab.

The department also predicted rain in Samail, Bahla, Nakhal, Nizwa and Rustaq apart from Qalhat, Sur, Bidiyah, Shinas and TOURISM

Hotels worth $3.3b being developed SCAN THIS QR CODE TO INSTANTLY VISIT

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Times News Service MUSCAT: Oman’s Ministry of Tourism is unveiling luxury hotel developments to accommodate booming tourist arrivals.

To support new tourist arrivals, 10 projects are currently being developed in the country at a total investment of more than $3.3b. Among those that will be opening their doors will be hotels from Westin, St. Regis and W and Ritz Carlton - the Muscat Reserve at a cost of $200m.

High-end mixed-use developments such as the Saraya Bandar Jissah Resort valued at $840m are also under way as well as the Kempinski, Louis Vuitton and Fairmont hotels, which will be completed in the next few years.

Nakhal witnessed hail.

– Photo courtesy www.rthmc.net

Saham in its latest forecast.

“Rain fell in Rustaq, Nakhal and Samail, while Wadi Al Shtain is overflowing,” said Bader Ali Al Baddaei, an administrator of www.rthmc.net, a local

web-based forum that discusses weather trends in Oman. According to the forecast, the skies will be partly cloudy over most of the Sultanate with chances of isolated rain over the governorates of Musandam and North Al Batinah.

“There are chances of cloud development over Al Hajar Mountains and adjoining areas in the evening resulting in rain,” said the latest forecast.

In addition to rain, a dust storm has also been predicted by the meteorological department.

“Dust storms may cover Qarn Alam, Yaaloni, Thumrait and Marmul along with Qairoon Hairiti, Adam Duqm Airport and Bidiya,” added the meteorological department in its forecast.

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W E D NE S DAY, MAY 6, 2 015 We have a dream. Our dream is colourful music education for all people, children or old people. Usually when we make a concert people are all with white hair Sergio Martinoli, Italian musician

OMAN YEMEN PM VISITS ROHM As part of his three-day visit to the Sultanate, Khalid Mahfouz Bahah, vice-president and prime minister of Yemen, visited the Royal Opera House Muscat (ROHM). Dr Nasser Al Taee, advisor to the Board of Directors for Education and Outreach, welcomed Bahah at ROHM.- Photo: Khalid Al Busaidi

Italian quartet inspire PDO School students To encourage young students to develop an interest in classical music, the musicians demonstrated how their instruments sounded and the different techniques of playing them

PASSION FOR MUSIC: The music education workshops are an integral part of the Muscat Chamber Music Series created by Arabesque International that is dedicated to bringing free music education and concerts to Oman. - Photo: Sarah MacDonald

SARAH MACDONALD

sarah@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: Four Italian musicians hoped to inspire a love of classical music in the hearts and minds of 65 young students at PDO School on Tuesday morning.

The musicians were the members of Quartetto Mitja, string quartet from southern Italy, who are in Oman as part of Arabesque International’s Muscat Chamber Music Series. Violinists Giorgiana Strazzullo and Sergio Martinoli, viola player Carmine Caniani and cellist Alessandro Mazzacane said they were delighted to be in Oman where they could share their passion for classic music with young people, inspiring a new generation of fans for their genre of music.

“We have a dream. Our dream is colourful music education for all people, children or old people. Usually when we make a concert people are all with white hair,” said Martinoli, adding that they would like to have concerts where black, brown, red and

blond hair could be seen from the stage, too, an indication of a younger audience.

To encourage the students, who were 7 and 8 years old, to develop an interest in classical music, the members of the quarter demonstrated how their instruments sounded and the different techniques to playing them. They also showed how to conduct a group of musicians and let some of the students lead them as they played.

“Workshops are our way to create real communication with people and they might start to enjoy a new repertoire, a new kind of music for them. It’s even more important than a concert,” explained Mazzacane.

The musicians said they hoped the students would tell their friends and families about the workshop and the music they heard, which included compositions by Haydn and Mozart, and be inspired to listen to more classical composers.

“For us the classical music is rock’n’roll,” added Strazzullo.

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John Talbot, the music teacher at PDO School, said he was delighted when Arabesque International contacted him and asked if the Quartetto Mitja could hold a workshop with some of his students.

“It’s really nice to have that initiative in town, and give these kids the opportunity to see music at a young age and training them to be an audience,” he said.

The students at PDO learn how to play instruments like the piano, guitar and clarinet, but it wouldn’t cross most of their minds to consider music as a long-term professional career goal. He said it was a wonderful opportunity for students to meet professional musicians and see that music can be a wonderful job.

“It’s nice for them to see that there is an outcome to being a mu-

sician. We’ve got quite a lot of kids that are very music and it’s nice for them to see this. A lot of our kids come from cultures where music isn’t a strength, where you wouldn’t aim to be involved in it professionally,” Talbot explained.

In addition to their visit to PDO School, Quartetto Mitja will hold workshops at the British School Muscat, Madinat Sultan Qaboos Private School, and GUtech.

They will also have a master class with the Royal Oman Symphony Orchestra.

These music education workshops are an integral part of the Muscat Chamber Music Series, a non-profit organisation created by Arabesque International that is dedicated to bringing free music education and concerts to Omani society.

Quartetto Mitja’s free public concert will be held on Tuesday, May 12 at 7:30pm at Bait Al Zubair in Old Muscat. For more information about the quartet or to listen to their music, visit http://www. quartettomitja.it/.

T O P D E S T I NAT I O N

A1 ‘Oman has huge tourism potential’ < FROM

“Oman has an enormous potential in the tourism sector that is largely untapped. However, we must recognise that global competition in tourism is increasingly. Hence, to exploit the countless opportunities, Oman should launch a coordinated marketing effort to promote the beauty of our country and devise a holistic approach involving top international tour operators,” said Fabio Scacciavillani, chief economist at the Oman Investment Fund.

“Oman’s beautiful landscapes and beaches have the potential to lure more and more global tourists. Friendly locals and rich traditional and cultural values add to the country’s prospects. Moreover, the country is also investing in developing tourist locations and properties to entice global tourists. So, there are no surpris-

es on how Oman will create more job opportunities in the travel and tourism sector,” said Renny Johnson, a senior official at Mezoon Travels, one of the oldest travel and tourism companies in Oman.

Recently, in an interview with the Times of Oman, Al Lawati had said that the state-owned company has established three strategic subsidiaries to position itself as a major investor, master developer and manager of tourism-related projects across the nation.

The three subsidiaries are The National Omani Hospitality Company, which will manage the hospitality facilities of selected Omran properties, and the Oman Heritage Development and Projects Management Company, which will develop and manage a number of heritage facilities in Oman.

The third is the Oman Project Management and Development Company (OPMDC), which is responsible for developing small and medium tourism and hospitality projects throughout the Sultanate, some of which are currently under way.

Oman was ranked 15th worldwide by WTTC in terms of growth in travel and tourism investment, second worldwide in terms of growth of travel and tourism’s direct and total contribution to employment, 48th globally in terms of travel and tourism’s direct contribution to GDP in the 2015 forecast and 17th worldwide in terms of travel and tourism’s total contribution to GDP in the 2015 to 2025 growth forecast. Recently, Oman was voted the first travel destination for 2015 by the global travel industry website skift.com.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 6, 2015 The Government of the Sultanate is happy with this graciousness and appreciation of Iran in the selection of the Sultanate to be the guest of honour in the book fair Dr Abdulmunim bin Mansour Al Hassani, Oman’s Minister of Information

O P E N I N G T O D AY

Oman takes part in Tehran book fair TEHRAN: Iranian President Hassan Rouhani opened the 20th Tehran International Book Fair in Tehran in the presence of Dr Abdulmunim bin Mansour Al Hassani, Oman’s Minister of Information, on Tuesday.

Al Hassani is heading the Sultanate’s delegation to the fair. The Sultanate, represented by the Ministries of Information, Heritage and Culture and Awqaf and Religious Affairs, is participating as a guest of honour at the fair.

At the opening ceremony, Al Hassani said, “It is a great honour for me to stand here today congratulating you for the opening of this fair, participating with my colleagues on behalf of the Government of the Sultanate of Oman.

“The Government of the Sultanate is happy with this graciousness and appreciation of Iran in the selection of the Sultanate to be the guest of honour in the book fair”. - ONA

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Need to confront

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external threat, says Saudi king

RIYADH: Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia opened the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) summit in Riyadh on Tuesday, which came amid mounting international concern about the impact on civilians of Saudi-led air strikes targeting Yemeni rebels.

The summit was also attended

by French President Francois Hollande, who said his country was “by the side” of Gulf nations.

Salman spoke of the need to

CONTRACTS WORTH BILLIONS OF EUROS

Saudi Arabia and France seek deals RIYADH: France is in talks to agree billions of euros worth of contracts in Saudi Arabia that could be completed quickly, ranging from defence to civil aviation, transport and energy, the French government said on Tuesday.

Speaking after President Francois Hollande held talks with key ministers of Saudi Arabia’s new cabinet, Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said the two countries had set up a joint committee to seal some 20 projects over the coming months.

“If these projects are finalised, then that will represent several dozen billions of euros,” he told reporters, adding the first deals

ARTICLE, PHOTOS

should be realised “quickly.”

“We feel there is the desire by the new team to go quickly in its choices.”

Declining to give specific company details, he said talks in the defence sector were at an advanced stage. He confirmed that some of those deals involved naval projects.

Hollande said some of the contracts could be confirmed as early as June, with more to be announced at a Franco-Saudi business forum in October.

“We want to act quickly,” he told a news conference in Riyadh.

“We are here to set up a long-lasting strategic partnership.” — Reuters

confront an external threat that “aims to expand control and impose its hegemony”, threatening regional stability and creating “sectarian sedition”.

Hollande, the first Western leader to attend a GCC summit, said France shared the dangers facing the region and he had come “to affirm the commitment of France to be by your side”.

The summit brought together leaders from Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Saudi Arabia has said it is considering temporary halts in air strikes to allow aid deliveries in Yemen.

Hollande told the summit France supports coalition efforts “to ensure the stability of Yemen”, and backs Saudi Arabia’s position that talks between Yemen’s political forces must be held in Riyadh.

Hollande arrived in Riyadh from Qatar. Hollande’s visit came as US President Barack Obama prepares to host GCC leaders for talks next week.

Most GCC countries are also part of a US-led coalition targeting the IS militant group in Iraq and Syria. Security is high in Riyadh after IS threats to attack the kingdom, with green-bereted Royal Guards manning checkpoints, an armoured car, and a sniffer dog checking vehicles.

Both Paris and Washington have sought to reassure the Gulf countries about an international accord being finalised over Iran’s nuclear programme. — AFP

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TIMES O F O MAN

W E D NE S DAY, MAY 6, 2 015

INDIA AAP defends Vishwas, says families targeted A young AAP woman activist went public saying her life was in ruins because Kumar Vishwas was refusing to publicly deny the ‘rumours’ of their alleged affair

NEW DELHI: Describing the personal attack on his colleague Kumar Vishwas as “despicable”, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday said the AAP will no more respond on the issue even as a member of the Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) quit in protest.

Kejriwal told media that the Aam Aadmi Party would prefer to be silent as families of party leaders were being targeted in the name of politics.

“You may have a fight against us, against our political stand. Do not

DIVIDED HOUSE: Women Commission’s chairperson Barkha Singh, left, looks on as a member Juhi Khan speaks over AAP leader the Kumar Vishwas issue and offers her resignation, during a press conference in New Delhi on Tuesday. - PTI

drag our families and children into this. I am extremely disappointed over all this,” he said.

“Some media houses are trying to malign us. We have decided to keep quiet now and will not respond any more. We will answer your questions if you ask about our governance or our work.

“The way Kumar Vishwas and his family were targeted by the media, I think it was despicable.”

A young AAP woman activist went public here saying her life was in ruins because Kumar Vish-

was was refusing to publicly deny “rumours” of their alleged affair.

She has taken the matter to the Delhi Commission for Women (DCW), which has issued notices to Kumar Vishwas.

Kejriwal said the issue had hit Kumar Vishwas’ family hard.

“Vishwas’ family is under depression. His daughter is being asked in school what relations her father has (with this woman),” the AAP leader said.

“Kumar Vishwas and the girl, both have said there was nothing

between them and that the rumours were baseless, yet the media is reporting without any proof,” Kejriwal said.

Earlier in the day, a press conference called by the DCW over the issue broke up in acrimony as one of the members said Kumar Vishwas was being framed and announced her exit from the women’s panel.

As DCW chief Barkha Singh prepared to address the media, panel member Juhi Khan, sitting beside her, told the journalists that Kumar Vishwas was innocent and was being framed.

She also accused Barkha Singh, who is from the Congress party, of trying to “gain political mileage” out of the matter.

Upon this, an upset Barkha Singh accused Juhi of being an AAP member. Juhi then walked out and declared that she was quitting the DCW. “Kumar Vishwas is innocent and he is being framed,” she said.

The DCW on Monday reportedly issued summons to Kumar Vishwas in the case to appear before it on Tuesday.

After Kumar Vishwas said he had not got any summons, Barkha Singh said fresh summons would be issued. - IANS

INTELLIGENCE SOURCES

Hyderabad techie who joined IS dies in Syria HYDERABAD: An engineering graduate from Hyderabad, who joined the terror group IS, has died “while fighting in Syria,” Intelligence sources on Tuesday said quoting his family members.

Mohd Haneef Waseem, 27, had reportedly joined the IS in Syria in February this year, they said.

The Telangana Police are in the process of gathering more information about Haneef’s alleged links with IS. They are also trying to find out how he could have gone to Syria.

“We are collecting more information and the process in this regard is on,” a top Intelligence officer said.

“He (Haneef ) completed engineering degree from Hyderabad around four years back. He later went to London where he completed his masters course. In February this year, he left for Syria from London. He seems to have joined the IS in Syria where he died,” the officer said.

Family informed police “How he died we do not know... while fighting or in landmine blast or accidental death, we are not sure, but he died in March and the same was informed to his family members around 10 days back, who stay in Rajendra Nagar here,” the officer said, adding that Haneef’s family members in turn

informed the matter to police.

The family, native of Mancherial town at Adilabad district in Telangana and settled in Hyderabad for past few years, was informed about Haneef’s death through an SMS in Arabic language, which they got translated, he said.

Asked about reports that Haneef had taken another youth of Karimnagar district along with him to Syria, the Intelligence officer said, “He was all alone.”

It appears that he might have joined the IS after getting attracted to it through social media, he said.

To a question about the youth’s body, he said, “It seems they (IS) themselves might have buried it.”

Last year, Hyderabad Police had foiled “attempts” by six youths from the city, including two engineers and a former Google employee, who were allegedly plotting to join the IS ranks after getting attracted to the terror group’s propaganda on social networking sites.

Besides, a 19-year-old woman from the city who was residing in Qatar and had flown to Turkey, allegedly wanted to join the IS but had come back to India in December last year after seeing the conditions there, police had earlier said. - PTI

SUPERSONIC

Army inducts indigenously-built surface-to-air missile Akash NEW DELHI: More than three decades after the project was initiated, army on Tuesday inducted the indigenously-developed supersonic surface-to-air missile Akash, capable of targeting enemy helicopters, aircraft and UAVs from a range of 25 km.

The missiles, developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), will be a boost for the Army Air Defence Corps, which had been grappling for years with obsolete air defence weapons.

“The capability that we have with this system will ensure that it takes care of vulnerability of our assets. Akash is a step towards self-realisation of indigenisation,” Army chief General Dalbir Singh Suhag said while presiding over the formal dedication ceremony here.

Maximum range He added that the Army was in the process of reinventing the command and control and battlefield management system of the Army Air Defence.

Akash Missile System is an in-

digenously developed supersonic short range surface-to-air missile system with the capability to engage a wide variety of aerial threats like aircraft, helicopters and unmanned aerial vehicles up to a maximum range of 25km and up to an altitude of 20km.

The system, which has 96 per cent indigenisation, is capable of simultaneously engaging multiple targets in all weather conditions and is capable of providing comprehensive short range missile cover to the vulnerable assets in the field force of the army.

The Akash Weapon System, which will be deployed facing the western borders, employs command to line of sight guidance and relies on sophisticated radars and control systems to guide the missile to its targets.

The Army has initially ordered two Akash regiments, with six firing batteries. The total cost of the order which includes hundreds of missiles is about Rs19,500 crore, defence sources said.

They said that the first full regiment should be ready by June-July and the second one by end of 2016.

BOLSTERING DEFENCE: Army chief General Dalbir Singh Suhag with others during the induction ceremony of Akash Weapon System at Manesksaw Centre in New Delhi on Tuesday. - PTI

IAF has already inducted its own version of the missile system.

“The Army version is movable and is mounted on vehicles unlike that of the IAF. This means that it can be moved quickly based on operational needs,” G. Chandramouli, Project Director of Akash, said.

Akash is one of the five core missile systems of the integrated guided missile development pro-

gramme, launched by DRDO in 1984. On the delays in the project, the Army Chief said, “The journey of Akash has not been easy. It took more than three decades for this moment to arrive. There have been numerous challenges, number of setbacks, ups and downs.”

But the cycle of development continued, he added.

The missiles will replace the

ones that were inducted in 1970s.

Its weapon system has been designed and developed by DRDO. While Bharat Dynamics Limited is the lead integrator for the Army Akash Weapon System, the other major system provider are BEL, ECIL, HAL, TATA Power SED, L&T and others.

Besides this, a large number of medium and small scale industries has been actively involved in this indigenous development programme, Defence officials said.

Special Secretary of Defence Production in the Defence Ministry, Ashok Kumar, said that a number of countries like Thailand and Belarus has evinced interest in Akash.

“This shows that Akash is a world-class contemporary weapon system. DRDO deserves kudos for this and also for the fact that unlike other weapon systems that they have designed and developed here, the indigenisation, is very high, which is 96 per cent, and it perfectly fits in the ‘Make in India’ concept,” he said.

General Suhag said that Tuesday was the beginning of a new era for Indian army and Army Air De-

fence towards modernisation.

“Indian economy is a power horse and India is expected to play a major role in the new world order. Rightly so, we need to be prepared to undertake any challenge that comes our way in future,” he said. The chief noted that air defence has become more dynamic and challenging.

Modernisation “In fact air threat has gone beyond the deployment of aircraft and helicopter. Hence, we need to make sure that we have effective state of art air defence weapon system,” he said.

General Suhag added that modernisation of air defence system is one of the seven critical schemes that the Army has identified as part of its modernisation programme.

“There are two ways through which we are addressing air defence. Firstly by upgradation of existing systems and second by way of induction of state-of-the-art weapon system. We are also in the process of reinventing the command and control and battlefield management system of the Army Air Defence,” he said. - PTI

T I M E S OF OMAN

WEDNESDAY, MAY 6, 2015

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INDIA W O R L D P O P U L AT I O N P R O S P E C T S

SINGAPORE AIR FORCE PLANE MAKES EMERGENCY LANDING A Singapore Air Force plane with 15 personnel onboard made an emergency landing at the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata on Tuesday due to a ‘fuel leakage’ problem. Only six minutes of fuel was left in the aircraft when it made ‘full’ emergency landing at the NSC Bose International Airport at 13:25 hours, Kolkata Airport sources said. - PTI

India’s population to overtake China’s by the year 2028 NEW DELHI: The government on Tuesday said the birth rate in India is greater than that of China and said the country’s population will cross China’s by 2028.

“Yes. As per World Population Prospects — the 2012 revision, the population of India will cross the population of China by 2028,” Health Minister J. P. Nadda told Rajya Sabha.

He was replying to a question whether the birth rate in India is greater than that of China and if this trend continues, India will surpass the population of China.

Fertility rate declined Nadda, however, said the population control measures taken by the government were not ineffective. “No. As a result of the efforts of the government, the decadal growth rate of the country has declined significantly from 21.54

MUMBAI SERIAL BLASTS ACCUSED

Dawood’s location not known: Government NEW DELHI: Underworld don Dawood Ibrahim’s location is not known to the government and once he is located, his extradition process will be initiated, Lok Sabha was informed on Tuesday.

Minister of State for Home Haribhai Parathibhai Chaudhary said Dawood is an accused in the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts case and a red corner notice has been issued against him.

“The United Nations Security Council has also issued a special notice against him. The subject has not been located so far. Extradition process with regard to Dawood Ibrahim would be initiated once the subject is located,” he said in reply to a written question.

The government has been maintaining for a long time that Dawood is living in Pakistan with the patronage of Pakistani security establishment.

India had handed over to Pakistan several dossiers on Dawood, India’s most wanted fugitive, giving details about his locations in Pakistan.

On December 27, 2014, Home Minister Rajnath Singh had said in Lucknow that Dawood is India’s most wanted terrorist and India has repeatedly asked Pakistan to hand him over to it.

On the same day, Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju had said in New Delhi that In-

dia asked Pakistan to hand over Dawood as enough evidence had been given to it on the prime accused in the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts case.

“We have been asking to hand over him to India for a long time.

Already many evidence has been given to Pakistan. Pakistan should now act and hand him over to us,” Rijiju had said.

Chaudhary said on Tuesday that India has made requests in respect of fugitive wanted by Indian authorities in terror cases namely Willy Naruenartwanch to Thailand, Usman Ghani Khan to Saudi Arabia, Abdul Wahid Siddibapa to the UAE, Velu alias Boopalan to the UK and Mohammad Hanif Tiger to the UK for expeditious extradition of these fugitives.

As media carried news on the question, a red faced government prepared to issue a clarification in Lok Sabha on Wednesday.

Government sources said Chaudhary held a meeting with Union Home Secretary L. C. Goyal where they discussed the modalities of briefing Parliament on Wednesday.

Officials sought to blame bureaucratic goof up for the reply.

They claimed that the Home Ministry prepared the reply in consultation with External Affairs ministry. - PTI

per cent for the period 1991-2000 to 17.64 per cent during 2001-11.

“The total fertility rate also declined from 3.6 in 1991 to 2.3 in 2013 as per the Sample Registration System. 24 states/UTs have achieved the replacement TFR of 2.1 or less,” Nadda said.

Elaborating on the strategies for attaining population stabilization and interventions under family planning programme, Nadda said that a scheme for home delivery of contraceptives by Aahas has been launched while a scheme for Asha to ensure spacing in births has also been made operational.

Nadda said that other initiatives include introduction of a new family planning method post partum IUCD (PPIUCD), dedicated family planning counsellors have been introduced amongst others. - PTI

‘GST bill will benefit both state and centre’ For the Constitution to be amended, it

At the moment, the states do not get any shares of service tax. It entirely goes to the centre. But under the new regime, states will also get a share of services tax Arun Jaitley

needs two-thirds majority in both houses of parliament and then its ratification by at least 15 state legislatures

NEW DELHI: To help states in the transition phase of implementing the Goods and Services Tax, the government has proposed levy of an additional tax on inter-state trade on goods of up to one percent and kept out petroleum products from its purview till later, parliament was told on Tuesday.

Besides, the Constitution (122nd Amendment) Bill, 2014 tabled in the Lok Sabha proposes that compensation to the states for loss of revenue owing to GST may be extended to five years, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley told the Ra-

Finance minister jya Sabha in a written reply.

“Levy of an additional tax of goods, not exceeding one percent in the course of inter-state trade or commerce to be collected by the government of India for a period of two years, and assigned to the states from where the supply originates,” he said.

In the case of petroleum and petroleum products, it has been provided that these goods will not be

subject to the GST levy till a date notified on the recommendation of the Goods and Service Tax Council, he added. Moving the bill in the Lok Sabha last month, Jaitley said it was a win-win situation for both the states and the centre.

“At the moment, the states do not get any shares of service tax. It entirely goes to the centre. But under the new regime, states will also get a share of services tax,” Jaitley said.

The finance minister also said every decision in terms of levies under the tax will have to be ratified by 70 per cent majority of a new council proposed in the amended bill, adding this will prove to be a much-desired example of cooperative federalism.

For the constitution to be amended, it needs two-thirds majority in both houses of parliament and then its ratification by at least 15 state legislatures.

It will then be sent to the president for his assent. Once this farreaching amendment is carried out, India will have a new goods and services tax regime that will do away with central indirect taxes such as excise duty, countervailing duty, and service tax, as also state levies such as value added tax, octroi, and luxury tax.

The tax, thus, collected will be divided between the central government and states on the basis of formulae approved by parliament, based on the recommendations of a GST council to be set up under the new statute.

The union cabinet has recently approved the payment of compensation to states for the loss they would incur on account of a reduction in the central sales tax from 4 per cent to 2 per cent for three years from fiscal 2010-11. - IANS

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W E D NE S DAY, MAY 6, 2 015

PAKISTAN

The Quaid-e-Azam Solar Plant, spread over 500 acres of sun-baked southern Punjab, is a link in an ambitious plan for a China-Pakistan economic corridor, unveiled

by China’s President Xi Jinping last month

First solar power plant unveiled The solar park in Punjab, built at a

Since I became prime minister my one goal has been to eliminate darkness in Pakistan, and bring lights back to the country. By 2017-2018, there will be an end to load shedding

cost of $190m, produces 100MW of power, which will be increased to 1,000MW

Nawaz Sharif

by next year

ISLAMABAD: Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Tuesday inaugurated the country’s first solar power plant, the latest fruit of increasingly close cooperation with China and a step towards an electoral promise to end crippling power cuts.

The solar park in Punjab province produces 100 MW of power,

Pakistani Prime Minister

which will be increased to 1,000 MW by next year.

The plant, owned by Punjab province and built by China’s Tebian Electric Apparatus Stock Co Ltd (TBEA), took a year to build at a cost of $190 million, Pakistani government documents show.

“Since I became prime minister

my one goal has been to eliminate darkness in Pakistan, and bring lights back to the country,” Sharif said in a speech.

“By 2017-2018, there will be an end to load shedding,” he said, referring to a system of rolling black-outs used to ration electricity. The country generated an average of 15,500 MW of power last

year, about three-quarters of what it needs, a power ministry spokesman said.

The shortfall can soar during peak summer months.

Power shortages cripple industry and have led to widespread discontent. Sharif is keen to address the problem before the next election, due by 2018.

The Quaid-e-Azam Solar Plant, spread over 500 acres (202 hectares) of sun-baked southern Punjab, is a link in an ambitious plan for a China-Pakistan economic corridor, unveiled by China’s President Xi Jinping last month.

The corridor, linking Pakistan’s Arabian sea port of Gwadar with western China’s Xinjiang region, includes energy and infrastructure projects worth up to $46 billion.

Chinese investment Pakistan says $37 billion of Chinese investment is going into energy ventures to generate 16,400 MW of power.

Camels and horses pranced to the beat of traditional drums as national flags fluttered over the inauguration ceremony.

China’s ambassador, Sun Weidong, said the plant marked a new phase of cooperation between the neighbours.

Sharif said that the solar plants planned across the country would produce a total of 4,260 MW of power. — Reuters

BIGGEST-EVER DRUG HAUL

Coast Guards seize 3 tonnes of hashish in Balochistan KARACHI: Pakistan’s Coast Guards (PCG) said they seized on Tuesday three tonnes of hashish in one of their biggest drug hauls.

The naval force carried out the raid in the southwestern coastal town of Pasni in Balochistan province, a spokesman said, adding three smugglers were arrested.

They also took custody of two motor vehicles and an oil tanker in which the hashish had been concealed in secret chambers, Coast Guards spokesman Major Zafar Ahmed said. The raiding party had to cut into the tanker with power tools to retrieve the 3,010 kilogrammes of the drug.

“In the history of the PCG, this is the biggest ever seizure of drugs,” Ahmed.

He said one of the men arrested was high on the list of the country’s most wanted smugglers, but declined to give their names. — AFP

WEDNESDAY, MAY 6, 2015

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Nepal village is wiped out by avalanche The entire Langtang village, which includes 55 guesthouses for trekkers, was wiped out by the avalanche and rescuers are digging in the snow for signs of about 120 others believed buried

KATHMANDU: Bad weather has cut links with a remote village in Nepal where dozens of villagers and trekkers are believed to be buried under an avalanche set off by last month’s devastating earthquake, officials said on Tuesday.

The death toll from the April 25 quake in the Himalayan nation has reached 7,566, and over 14,500 people were injured, the government said.

About 100 bodies were recovered on Saturday and Sunday at Langtang village, 60 km north of Kathmandu, which is on a trekking route popular with Westerners. The entire village, which includes 55 guesthouses for trekkers, was wiped out by the avalanche and rescuers are digging in the snow for signs of about 120 others believed buried.

Gautam Rimal, assistant chief

MASSIVE AVALANCHE: Soldiers take part in an operation to recover bodies after a massive avalanche triggered by last week’s earthquake overwhelmed Langtang village, Nepal, in this May 2, 2015 police handout photo. — Reuters

district officer in the area where Langtang is located, said authorities had not made contact with Langtang for more 24 hours because of bad weather.

The dead include at least seven foreigners, but only two had been identified, he said.

Controversy Meanwhile, a row has broken out between Nepal and some international agencies over the handling of aid that poured into the country after the earthquake, with each side blaming the other for confusion and delays in getting help to victims.

Frustrated by the lack of coordination, some donors are circumventing the authorities and sending supplies directly through non-governmental organisations for distribution, said an aide to Prime Minister Sushil Koirala.

“There are differences between

the government and some donors over this,” the aide said.

The government has begun asking foreign teams to wrap up search and rescue operations as hopes of finding people alive in the rubble receded.

“They can leave. If they are also specialists in clearing the rubble, they can stay,” Rameshwor Dangal, an official at Nepal’s home ministry, told Reuters on Monday.

A European Union source said only about 60 citizens from the 28-nation bloc were still unaccounted for. Last week a senior EU official had estimated around 1,000 EU citizens were missing after the quake.

Home Ministry spokesman Laxmi Prasad Dhakal said the government had been informed of 318 people missing, including foreigners, but said many more could be buried under landslides or in the ruins of their homes. — Reuters

WORLD

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TIMES O F O MAN

W E D NE S DAY, MAY 6, 2 015

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Founder: Essa bin Mohammed Al Zedjali Chairman and Editor-in-Chief: Mohamed Issa Al Zadjali Deputy Editor-in-Chief: Anees bin Essa Al Zedjali Chief Executive Officer: Ahmed Essa Al Zedjali Editorial: 24726666, Fax: 24813153; E-mail: editor@timesofoman.com Advertising: 24726666, Fax: 24812624 Circulation: 24726600, Fax: 24818270; E-mail: circulation@timesofoman.com Printed and published by: Muscat Media Group P.O. Box 770, Ruwi, Postal Code: 112, Sultanate of Oman.

Subscription: RO70 per year.

Judicial killings will not benefit the society udicial killing has taken many forms down the ages, none of them pretty and all of them grotesque to a greater or lesser degree.

The Indonesian government recently executed eight drug traffickers. They were tied to crosses before being shot, were reported to have refused to be blindfolded and sang “We shall overcome” together before the firing squads did their work. Pakistan recently hanged its hundredth man since the moratorium on the death penalty was lifted in the wake of the massacre at the Army Public School (APS) in Peshawar last December. The moratorium was initially only lifted for those convicted in terrorism cases but later it was lifted for all cases in which the death penalty had been awarded.

There are thousands on death row in the country and Pakistan, complete with its deeply flawed judicial system, has 27 offences which carry the option of the death penalty. There is ample evidence, anecdotal and empirical, that the wider population supports the death penalty, and there are elements of that population which even support the public execution of criminals by methods which much of the rest of the world regards as barbaric.

Looking at the list of those executed thus far there are few who have been hanged for acts of terrorism, and most of those hanged had committed acts of domestic violence, often killing multiple people. Their convictions are for the most part long-standing and they had exhausted all roads of appeal. There have been a handful of ‘high-profile’ executions but thus far there is not a lot of evidence that the lifting of the moratorium has done much to deter terrorism. Indeed, the converse effect may be in play — those who commit terrorist acts often do so with the desire for ‘martyrdom’ at the forefront of their minds so it is questionable whether the death penalty has played the role of an effective deterrent in such cases.

In Pakistan, a person may be sentenced to death for sabotage of the railway system, gang-rape, drug smuggling, trading arms — the list goes on. What is really problematic is that the determination of guilt in respect of any or all of these offences is flawed from top to bottom, and given that many of those recently hanged were convicted at a time when police procedures were even more lax, primitive and corrupt.

The lifting of the moratorium after the APS atrocity today looks like little more than a knee-jerk reaction with a strong element of populism deeply embedded.

The government was quickly able to take and implement a decision that gave the impression of ‘doing something’ in response to the APS killings. In reality, the hanging of a succession of men who for the most part have committed what may be classed as ‘crimes of passion’, does absolutely nothing beyond satisfy a public that is under the illusion that it does. And that is also wrong. - The Express Tribune

THE INDEPENDENT

J

EUROPE’S MYOPIA

Once again, West fails to understand Russia MARY DEJEVSKY

Invest in British railways

P

ity the poor commuter, paying thousands of pounds each year for the ordeal of travelling on Europe’s most congested rail network. Yesterday, the Overground line from London Euston to Watford Junction was closed to rush-hour travellers. Elsewhere, a scattering of broken-down trains, signalling problems and, tragically, suicide caused delays the length and breadth of the kingdom. Such issues are common around Europe. In Britain, though, the impact is more extreme because of the intensity with which we run our rail network. Passenger numbers are likely to hit an all-time high this year, exceeding a peak set in the 1920s when the network was much bigger. The railway industry deserves credit for extracting implausible amounts of capacity from the nation’s constricted arteries. But it also means that when things go wrong, there is little slack in the system for a managed service recovery.

While commuters from Leamington to Liverpool cursed the system, an event in London’s Docklands pointed towards the future. The opening to the public of the spectacular new Crossrail station at Canary Wharf shows what can be achieved with generous quantities of investment and vision — and the economic value conferred by connectivity. Crossrail will shrink journey times impressively from Reading to the Thames Estuary, but the project is principally about capacity, not speed: providing a much-needed clearway from east to west beneath Western Europe’s biggest city.

Politicians are likely to put short-term expediency ahead of longterm planning. But when the democratic dust settles, the nation deserves an early commitment to dramatic improvements in northern England’s railways. The immediate benefits include the creation of thousands of jobs. In the longer term, resilience and reliability will prove essential for a thriving economy — and the frayed nerves of rail passengers. - The Independent

The idea is not to force the expats out of top positions This refers to the news story, Majlis united on call to end expat grip on top jobs (May 5). The idea is not to force the expats out of the top positions. It is, on the contrary, to train and develop Omanis and give them opportunities at top levels and have succession plans.

Muhanned Al-Lawati Muscat

There are many brilliant Omanis waiting to perform This refers to the news story, Majlis united on call to end expat grip on top jobs (May 5). I totally agree that there are many brilliant Omanis who are looking for a chance to rise and shine. I know so many Omanis who, I believe, were not given a fair opportunity

to give their best and showcase their skills.

Btees Moe Stella Muscat

Omanis are now ready to lead the organisations This refers to the news story, Majlis united on call to end expat grip on top jobs (May 5). Omanis, I am convinced, are now ready to handle any tough job and take decisions.

We Omanis are very hard working people. It is true that we were once led by the expatriates because we lacked experience and know-how.

However, after what His Majesty has done for us and the country, I am sure this is time that we come forward and take over the lead roles in building our country.

Aliya Al Bahry Muscat

This year is an opportunity for the Kremlin to demonstrate that Russia, as a great power, is back.

The advance of the decadent West has been halted in Ukraine and the sacred territory of Crimea has been returned to the motherland

W

hy are Western countries by and large so indulgent of the anniversaries that contribute to their own nationhood, and so insensitive towards those of others? On Saturday, President Vladimir Putin will take the salute at a grand military parade in Moscow’s Red Square. Victory Day — 9 May is when Russia commemorates its part in the Allied victory over Nazi Germany — is at once the most solemn and overtly patriotic occasion. It is one of the few public holidays to have made the transition from the Soviet to the post-Soviet calendar intact. Victory Day was a highlight of the year I spent as an exchange student in Voronezh — a city rarely mentioned without the accompanying phrase “the last front before Stalingrad”. Preparations took weeks: placards were painted; bunting and flags adorned the streets. It was a huge honour to bear the university standard. Food stocks in the shops miraculously improved.

Reporting from Moscow over a decade later, I recall the barriers piled up around Red Square, the overnight arrival of the tanks and, above all, the suffocating stench of their fuel, as the iron monsters waited to join the triumphal formation.

The Victory Day parade was something to cling to, even as the Soviet Union neared collapse.

This year’s commemoration will be second to none. As the 70th, it is a round-number anniversary. As with the plethora of Second World War anniversaries being commemorated this year, this is probably the last time that there will be anything like a quorum of those who actually participated in or witnessed these events able to attend.

Then, of course, there is the trickier, most contemporary and specifically Russian, aspect. This year is an opportunity for the Kremlin to demonstrate that Russia, as a great power, is back. The advance of the decadent West has been halted in Ukraine and the sacred territory of Crimea has been returned to the motherland.

All this is why Western leaders — who went to Moscow en masse for Victory Day’s 60th anniversary — are staying away. They do not wish to associate with Putin — certainly not while Ukraine’s very existence as a sovereign state is under threat.

They especially do not want to appear at a Russian military occasion, which could be seen as signalling acceptance of the events of the past 18 months. Strictly speaking there is no Western boycott, and there are degrees of absence.

The Czech president will go to Moscow, but not

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Strong lives are motivated by dynamic purposes KENNETH HILDEBRAND

attend the parade. Angela Merkel will arrive a day later and lay a wreath — an act that might anyway seem more appropriate for a German Chancellor at a wartime anniversary.

As for the UK, who knows who the prime minister will be by Saturday? Declining the invitation was excusable, regardless of Ukraine. Some may see the attendance list, headed by the Chinese and Indian leaders — but not by North Korea’s Kim Jong-un, who has just cried off — followed by the autocrats of Central Asia, as evidence of where Russia’s foreign policy is now heading. Maybe. But the Kremlin’s response to the Western stay-away suggests otherwise. It has been peevish, but also shot through with incomprehension. For Russians, what is happening in Ukraine and Russia’s part in the victory of 1945 are qualitatively and quantitatively quite different things.

Each 9 May, Russia does not just celebrate victory over Nazi Germany; it mourns the loss of more than 20 million war dead, and it reconsecrates the idea of Russian suffering to save Europe. In conversation with Russians in recent weeks, I have had to field a stream of injured questions along the lines of “has the West ever understood Russia’s sacrifice?” and: “Will the West ever appreciate it?”

The notion that Ukraine is a real stumbling block here is beyond comprehension; the stay-away is rather seen as further proof that Russia will never, ever, be considered “one of us”.

Countries keep memories alive, often unrealistically flattering ones, for many reasons. Last June, in a recognition of the wartime alliance, Putin was controversially invited to join the Allied commemoration of the Normandy landings, at a time when Russia’s seizure of Crimea was even fresher in the memory than it is now.

But this offered an opportunity for Western leaders and for Putin to speak their minds, while preserving dignity on either side. One result was the first formal meeting between Putin and Ukraine’s newly elected president — without which Ukraine’s situation might be even worse than it is today. To join Putin on the podium for Saturday’s parade would not be politic; but to dine in the Kremlin or take part in a wreath-laying would surely not be out of place. Most Westerners might not fear any resurgence of fascism in Ukraine, but discussion with Putin and others — whose fathers fought on that front and others — could afford an understanding of why many Russians might. In recent years, the West has missed one opportunity after another to understand how Russia’s past influences its present. And here is another gone. – The Independent

Sultanate one of the best tourism destinations This refers to the news story, ‘Infrastructure investments boosting growth of tourism’ (May 5). It is true that the Sultanate of Oman, with all its natural beauty, has the potential to attract five million tourists per year. Nature seems to have been more than benevolent on Oman in its endowments.

Behind its rugged exterior there is a beauty that stuns everyone who visits this country. Tourism thrives not just on hotels, connectivity and other logistics. It needs warmth of people to grow and lure people from abroad. And in this, Oman has already earned a global reputation — for being one of the most friendliest nations in the world and the friendliest in the region. People in Oman are naturally warm hearted and hon-

est. When I go out on visits outside Oman I select my destinations on these very parameters. I am very bullish about the growth of tourism in Oman.

Jacob Varughese Wadi Kabir

School admissions a big challenge for Indian expats This refers to the article, Urgent need for more Indian schools in and around Muscat (May 5). The author has touched the nerve centre of the problem that the Indian expats face in Oman with regard to children’s education. It is true that to get admission in any of the Indian schools in Muscat is a big challenge that the parents and students face here in Oman.

Madhu Nair Darsait

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

T I M E S OF OMAN

WEDNESDAY, MAY 6, 2015

A13

PERSPEC IVE Touching story of a child that our society rejected A

lot of what I read on Facebook turns me off — homespun philosophy, quotations by famous people, witticisms, some with double entendres, beauty pageants, announcements that somebody is just about to enter or leave a restaurant in Budapest where the paprika was too hot, birthdays, with requests to send greetings, people repeatedly changing their profile picture every four days and other trivia.

But occasionally, very occasionally, I come across something that catches my attention that makes me grit my teeth and hunt for my Samurai sword. Such a story was the one that Aziz Allahwalla and Tinker Osman Ali shared with me last week.

It is a tale of courage and defiance and unrequited valour that has a touch of Dickensian gloom about it. It is the chronicle of Iqbal Masih, “a little guy who is more of a man than most men walking around, who has done more in the 11 short years of his life for others than most have done in their lifetime!” If you feel like skipping this article because you have a hangover or want to watch cricket on the telly or are getting late for your brunch I fully understand.

Because nobody really wants to read about the kids that society rejected a long time ago or about crimes that are constantly being committed against children.

Iqbal Masih’s story is typical of life in the village and in the slums of the big cities. Born in 1983 in a poor rural Christian family just outside the city limits of Lahore, all the little fellow ever knew was hardship and deprivation.

He was sold in bonded labour at an early age to the owner of a carpet weaving business. Why? Because his father had taken a loan from the same carpet weaving boss in order to marry off Iqbal’s elder brother.

It was the father’s way of repaying the

ANWER MOORAJ

Iqbal Masih was sold in bonded labour at an early age to the owner of a carpet weaving business.

Why? Because his father had taken a loan from the same carpet weaving boss in order to marry off Iqbal’s elder brother

Restoring our faith in justice

loan he had taken. The poor mite worked daily for 12 hours, seven days a week. When he was 10 he managed to escape from forced captivity. But he was caught by the police and brought back to his native place and returned to the carpet weaver.

He escaped once again and this time he joined the Bonded Labour Liberation Front of Pakistan. He worked with this organisation tirelessly so he could free children like himself and with the help of his juvenile colleagues was successful in freeing from bondage around 3,000 children. And then, when he was only 11-year-old in 1995, he was shot dead. As this is Pakistan and not the United Kingdom, nobody really knows or will ever know who killed him. Was it somebody hired by the owner of the carpet weaving enterprise? Or a farmer, perhaps, as somebody maintained? Actually the issue is no longer relevant especially in a country where nobody takes any notice of Articles 14 and 25 of the Constitution and The Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act of 1992.

And so children who have been incarcerated to wipe out a debt by their fathers continue to be abused in the brick kiln and carpet weaving industries. However, his legacy lives on in the world’s second-largest democracy. The United States Labour Department has an annual award in his honour — the Iqbal Masih Award.

But in his own country he is hardly known! So after you’ve taken two aspirins, watched your cricket and had your brunch and decide you want to go back to this piece, shed a tear for the thousands of Iqbal Masihs who have been imprisoned for no fault of their own. The police, the government and the judicial machinery are not helping.

But you can. Unless, of course, you believe in slavery! – The Express Tribune

World needs insurance against disaster

N

atural disasters like the devastating earthquake in Nepal constitute a highly uncertain but quantifiable risk. No one can say for sure when a major earthquake will strike.

But the fault lines are known. We need a new global system of disaster insurance, akin to how homeowners guard against calamity.

Relief teams and millions of dollars of aid are arriving in Nepal, but despite the best of intentions, emergency operations will be a desperate patchwork, and long-term rebuilding will be hampered by lack of funds, donor fatigue and red tape.

That’s what happened in Haiti after the 2010 earthquake, in the Philippines after a string of recent typhoons, and in the West Africa Ebola epidemic. We need a better approach.

Even poor countries can take precautions, especially if international organisations help them to do it. Think of commercial airline safety, which, though not flawless, is high even in the poorest regions in the world. There is an integrated system that connects airplane manufacturers, airline companies, air-traffic controllers, global insurers and national and global regulators.

Catastrophes like earthquakes, typhoons, droughts, floods and epidemics pose quantifiable risks. These risks can’t be specified with the actuarial precision that underlies home and life insurance, but there is enough

JEFFREY D. SACHS

precision to allow for insurance coverage. For hundreds of years, Lloyd’s and other insurers have been diversifying the risks of even one-time events; natural hazards like earthquakes are not one-time events, but occurrences that return with calculable probabilities.

Suppose Nepal’s government could have gone shopping for earthquake insurance to cover the large-scale losses and publicsector response after a disaster.

Potential underwriters would examine the probabilities of earthquakes at various magnitudes, using the historical record, seismic modelling and assessments of the vulnerabilities of the buildings.

The leading insurer, generally a reinsurance company, would then sell off its excess exposure to Nepal’s earthquake risk to other insurance companies, or even capital markets around the world via so-called catastrophe bonds and similar instruments.

These risk carriers would receive part of Nepal’s premium payments, and be required to pay out to Nepal in the event of an earthquake. Nepal would be financially protected, and insurers would diversify the risk.

The original insurance underwriter would have made demands of Nepal, that it implement costeffective earthquake-preparedness measures, like updated building and zoning codes; a disaster response plan; and emergency health systems. These

steps would limit expected damages caused by natural disaster — and lower the premium and expected payout. Over time, underwriting benchmarks would be standardised around the world.

Most low-income countries and some rich ones as well are woefully unprepared for the quantifiable catastrophic risks they face, whether seismological shocks, climate-related catastrophes or epidemics.

After each disaster, the afflicted countries and United Nations agencies must call on other countries to make ad hoc pledges of funds and response teams; there’s no global equivalent of the fire department. It’s often too little, too late Insurance would reveal how vulnerable certain parts of the world are to rising costs of disasters, including those associated with global warming. But at least we’d be able to begin to account for this.

It would provide a powerful way to drive mitigation and adaptation investments, a point emphasised in recent years by Rowan Douglas of the insurer Willis Group.

A global system of disaster insurance would of course not be perfect and would take time to implement, but could save many lives and livelihoods in the years ahead, and help vulnerable low-income countries like Haiti and Nepal chart a path to sustainable development. – The New York Times News Service

CHARLES M. BLOW

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altimore’s chief prosecutor, Marilyn J. Mosby, charged six officers in the death of Freddie Gray.

The charges included seconddegree murder, manslaughter, assault, misconduct in office and false imprisonment.

(These were only charges.

There will be a defense and a trial. The officers remain innocent until and unless proven guilty.)

Mosby said at a news conference as she laid out the case and announced the charges: “To the people of Baltimore and the demonstrators across America: I heard your call for ‘No justice, no peace.’ ” She continued: “Last but certainly not least, to the youth of the city. I will seek justice on your behalf.

“This is a moment. This is your moment. Let’s ensure we have peaceful and productive rallies that will develop structural and systemic changes for generations to come.

You’re at the forefront of this cause and as young people, our time is now.”

Mosby seemed to recognise in that moment that this case and others like it are now about more than individual deaths and individual incidents, but about restoration — or a formation — of faith for all of America’s citizens in the American justice system itself.

Faith in the system is the bedrock of the system. Without it, the system is drained of its inviolable authority.

This is the danger America now faces.

After George Zimmerman shot Trayvon Martin through the chest and walked free. After there was no indictment of the officer who choked the life out of Eric Garner on video.

After an officer shot and killed John Crawford in an Ohio Walmart as he walked around the store with an air rifle he’d picked up off the store’s own shelves, and another officer grilled his girlfriend until she cried, “accusing her of lying, threatening her with jail time and suggesting she could be on drugs,” according to CNN. After the city of Cleveland claimed — then apologised for claiming — that Tamir Rice was responsible for his own death when officers shot him in the stomach — an injury he would later die from — in a park as he played with a toy gun.

According to The Washington Post: “In the court filing, which was a formal response from the city to a federal lawsuit by the Rice family, city attorneys declare that Tamir and his family ‘were directly and proximately caused by their own acts...’ and added that Tamir caused his own death ‘by the failure... to exercise due care to avoid injury.’”

And after Anthony Ray

Hinton sat on Alabama’s death row for 30 years — “one of the longest serving death row prisoners in Alabama history,” according to the Equal Justice Initiative, which won his release last month — for murders he didn’t commit.

He was arrested and charged based on the assertion that a revolver taken from his mother’s home was used in two capital murders and a third uncharged crime.

Even after experts found in 2002 that the gun didn’t match the crime evidence, prosecutors refused to revisit the case.

It took more than a decade of additional litigation before a judge threw out the case. Prosecutors finally conceded that the crime bullets couldn’t be matched to the Hinton weapon.

“For all of us that say that we believe in justice, this is the case to start showing, because I shouldn’t have (sat) on death row for 30 years, Hinton told the press. “All they had to do was test the gun.”

Last year Glenn Ford, Louisiana’s longest-serving death row prisoner, was also set free after nearly 30 years facing execution for a murder that he also did not commit.

According to The New York Daily News: “A judge freed Ford from the Louisiana State Penitentiary a year ago when evidence, believed to have been suppressed during the trial, surfaced exonerating him from the all-white jury’s decision in the murder of a nearly blind Shreveport watchmaker, Isadore Rozeman.”

The lead prosecutor in the Ford case, A.M. Stroud III, apologised in a column published by The Shreveport Times, saying: “In 1984, I was 33 years old.

I was arrogant, judgmental, narcissistic and very full of myself. I was not as interested in justice as I was in winning.

“To borrow a phrase from Al Pacino in the movie ‘And Justice for All,’ ‘Winning became everything.’ ” He concluded: “How totally wrong was I.” After last month NPR reported that Mayor Rahm Emanuel of Chicago was supporting a $5.5 million reparations package for victims of a former police commander and his officers in that city.

As MSNBC’s Trymaine Lee put it, they “for decades ran a torture ring that used electrical shock, burning and beatings on more than 100 black men.”

All of this and more eats away at public confidence in equal justice under the law and reaffirms people’s worst fears: that the eyes of justice aren’t blind but jaundiced. As Langston Hughes once wrote: “That Justice is a blind goddess / Is a thing to which we black are wise: / Her bandage hides two festering sores / That once perhaps were eyes.” - The New York Times News Service

State of the parties 326 seats needed to form absolute majority Net change in seats (2010-15)

Share of vote CON 278

CON

LAB

-28

+13

32.8% LAB 271

Turnout:

TODAY IN HISTORY 1527

65.1% Result at 13:00GMT

31.9%

3.5%

1529

Babur defeats the Afgan Chiefs in the Battle of Ghagra, India.

1682

King Louis XIV moves his court to Versailles, France.

1856

US Army troops from Fort Tejon and Fort Miller prepare to ride out to protect Keyesville, California, from Yokut Indian attack.

1942

General Jonathan Wainwright surrenders Corregidor to the Japanese.

5.4%

LIB DEM 30

SNP 46 UKIP 3

Plaid Cymru 3

DUP 8

SDLP 3

Sinn Fein 5

To be declared 0

German troops begin sacking Rome.

Libraries are destroyed, the Pope is captured and thousands are killed.

Other 3

Graphic News /

Graphics

HISTORYORB.COM

FROM OUR ARCHIVES MAQBOOL IN TALKS WITH INDIAN FIRMS

MUSCAT: Maqbool bin Ali Sultan, minister of commerce and industry, met yesterday representatives of a number of prestigious Indian companies operating in the field of information technology (IT). The minister said he met representatives of two companies active in Infotech training and education and consultancy besides officials of other Indian companies. The minister said a detailed account of the investment climate and the Sultanate’s policy in IT sector was offered during the meeting.

OPINION POLL Will infrastructure investments boost the growth of tourism in the Sultanate?

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W E D NE S DAY, MAY 6, 2 015

WORLD

Enemies of peace and stability of Afghanistan attacked police posts in Warduj district of Badakhshan. Thirteen of our policemen were martyred and 17 were wounded.

Afghanistan’s Interior Ministry

INSURGENCY

Taliban militants kill 13 Afghan policemen in Badakhshan KUNDUZ: Taliban militants killed at least 13 policemen after storming security outposts in Afghanistan’s remote mountainous northeast, officials said on Tuesday, despite peace talks between insurgent representatives and an Afghan delegation.

The pre-dawn raid in Badakhshan province on Monday came just weeks after a similar Taliban raid on army checkpoints in the province in which 18 soldiers were killed — including some who were beheaded. “Enemies of peace and

stability of Afghanistan attacked police posts in Warduj district of Badakhshan,” the interior ministry said in a statement. “Thirteen of our policemen were martyred and 17 were wounded,” it said, adding that 10 policemen who went missing had returned to their posts.

Noor Mohammad Khawri, the health director of Badakhshan, gave a higher death toll, saying health authorities received the bodies of 18 border policemen and eight others who were wounded.

The Taliban, who launched their

annual spring offensive late last month, claimed responsibility for the attack. It marks another grim setback for Afghan forces, facing their first fighting season without full NATO support. NATO’s combat mission formally ended in December but a small follow-up foreign force of about 12,500 mainly US troops has stayed on to train and support local security personnel.

Monday’s attack comes after a 20-member Afghan delegation last weekend launched two days of “open discussion” in Qatar with

representatives of the Taliban, ousted from power by a 2001 USled invasion of Afghanistan.

The Taliban reiterated their hardline stance on peace talks, ruling out negotiations until US forces leave the country and the insurgents are allowed to open a political office.

Representatives at preliminary talks agreed that Taliban insurgents should open a political office for negotiations.

A statement issued on Monday outlined the agreements reached

by at least 40 delegates to a “nonofficial meeting” bringing together Taliban representatives, Afghan government figures and UN representatives at a two-day meeting held in Qatar. The delegates agreed that the Taliban should re-open a political office in Doha that caused a furore in 2013 when it was briefly inaugurated as part of a previous, failed attempt to start negotiations.

At the televised inauguration ceremony, the Taliban representatives raised the flag of their former regime, enraging then-presi-

dent Hamid Karzai and dooming hoped-for talks.

In Washington, US State Department spokesman Jeff Rathke declined comment on the report of a new Taliban office. The delegates also called for the removal of key Taliban leaders’ names from a UN terrorism blacklist so they could travel to negotiations, according to the statement by the Pugwash Council, a global organisation that promotes conflict resolution. It cohosted the talks with Qatar’s government. - Agencies

WEDNESDAY, MAY 6, 2015 I visited Somalia today because your country is turning around. Now we are returning in collaboration with the international community and bearing high hopes - but also mixed with ongoing concerns, said US Secretary of State John Kerry while visiting Somalia

LABOUR CITY

Qatar to house 250,000 labourers in new ‘cities’ DOHA: Qatar is to build seven “cities” to house more than a quarter of a million migrant labourers building major infrastructure and projects for the 2022 World Cup, officials said Tuesday.

Government officials said all seven should be built by the end of 2016 and that the largest, “Labour City” for 70,000 people and complete with its own 24,000-seat cricket stadium, will begin housing workers in the next few weeks.

The move to construct more modern facilities comes amid continued criticism of the accommodation provided by Qatar for the vast number of migrant workers.

In total, 258,000 workers -some 25 per cent of Qatar’s migrant labourer population -- will be housed, officials said.

Dr Abdullah bin Saleh Al Khulaifi, labour and social affairs minister, told AFP the new accommodation centres were the “future”.

“That’s the blueprint,” he said of Labour City.

“There are in the pipeline (several) cities around the nation. I know our people want to have better accommodation for their labourers.”

Khulaifi added that Qatar has effectively doubled its number of housing inspectors to 300. — AFP

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of the devastated Yarmuk camp on the outskirts of Damascus last month and has been battling other armed groups inside, putting 18,000 Palestinian and Syrian residents at increased risk

BEIRUT: The UN children’s fund said on Tuesday it had delivered aid to families driven out of an embattled Palestinian refugee camp outside Syria’s capital into areas to which UNICEF has had no access for two years.

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Somalia ‘turning around’, says Kerry on landmark visit

Fragile government Kerry’s visit was aimed at giving a diplomatic push to Somalia’s fragile government in their fight against Al Qaeda’s Somalia branch, the Shebaab, who despite losing territory have continued to attack in the capital, across the country, and in neighbouring states.

“The next time I come, we have to be able to just walk downtown,”

PHOTO GALLERY

IS seized large parts

WA R - T O R N C O U N T RY

MOGADISHU: US Secretary of State John Kerry said on Tuesday that war-torn Somalia was facing a better future, as he made a landmark visit as the most senior US official to visit since Washington’s doomed military intervention more than two decades ago.

The top US diplomat spent just a few hours in the capital, Mogadishu, and did not venture out of the heavily-fortified airport, where he met Somalia’s internationally-backed President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Prime Minister Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmake.

“More than 20 years ago, the United States was forced to pull back from your country,” Kerry said, referring to the infamous ‘Black Hawk Down’ battle of 1993, when 18 American soldiers and hundreds of Somalis were killed during a military and humanitarian intervention that went wrong.

“I visited Somalia today because your country is turning around,” Kerry said. “Now we are returning in collaboration with the international community and bearing high hopes - but also mixed with ongoing concerns.”

WORLD

UNICEF delivers aid to Yarmuk camp displaced

ITALY STUDENTS PROTEST Students protest against Italian government’s ‘Good School’ reform bill with their hand coloured with paint in front of the Democratic Party on Tuesday in Rome. — AFP

A15

The US diplomat spent just a few hours in the capital, Mogadishu, and did not venture out of the heavilyfortified airport

Kerry said as he met President Mohamud, whose presidential compound — the Villa Somalia — has been a regular target of Shebab suicide attackers.

Great moment “Downtown Mogadishu is very different now than it was two years ago,” the Somali president replied, asserting that security was steadily improving and describing Kerry’s flying visit as a “great moment” for the chronically unstable nation.

Kerry promised further US support for Somalia, a country wracked by war and repeated humanitarian crises since the collapse of Siad Barre’s hardline regime in 1991.

“We all have a stake in your success. The world cannot afford to have places on the map that are essentially ungoverned.

That is why Somalia’s return to effective government is an historic opportunity,” Kerry said in a video message to the people of Somalia. — AFP

MUCH-NEEDED HELP: A Palestinian woman, who fled the Yarmuk refugee camp, presents documents in order to receive parcels of humanitarian aid from the European Al Wafaa Campaign in the town of Yalda, southern outskirts of Damascus, on Tuesday. — Reuters

IS seized large parts of the devastated Yarmuk camp on the southern outskirts of Damascus last month and have been battling other armed groups inside, putting 18,000 Palestinian and Syrian

residents at increased risk.

UNICEF said it had delivered baby diaper kits, aid packages for newborns, medicine and children’s clothes this week to areas close to the camp where it esti-

mated around 2,500 families had fled, raising the local population to more than 50,000 people.

UNICEF had been unable to reach these areas previously because it lacked permission from

the Syrian government to cross over, UNICEF spokeswoman Juliette Touma said.

“This is a breakthrough but we need so much more,” she said.

UNICEF says it has only been able to send seven convoys across conflict lines in Syria this year.

Yarmuk was already a civil war battleground before the IS attack, having been reduced to rubble from street fighting, air attacks and shelling.

Food, water and medical aid have long been scarce in a camp where hundreds of people regularly queue for meagre aid supplies and around 3,500 children live.

The two sets of aid deliveries were made across conflict lines and supported the work of the UN Relief and Works Agency which provides assistance to Palestinian refugees. The deliveries had to cross five checkpoints to reach the families in Yalda, Babila and Beit Saham, around 10 km south of Damascus, UNICEF said. — Reuters

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Hadi seeks talks from May 17 to end Yemen crisis This is the first time a date has been mentioned for the proposed talks, which the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) held in Riyadh

DESTROYED: An airport official looks at the wreckage of a Yemeni air force military transport aircraft after it was destroyed by an air strike, at the international airport of Yemen’s capital Sanaa Tuesday. – Reuters

RIYADH: Yemen’s exiled President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi wants talks between his country’s rival political forces to begin in the Saudi capital on May 17, Qatar’s foreign minister said after a regional summit on Tuesday.

This is the first time a date has been mentioned for the proposed talks, which the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) insists must be held in Riyadh, which is leading a coalition launching air strikes on Yemen Houthi rebels. “The president of Yemen has called for the start of the dialogue in Riyadh on the 17th of May,” Qatari Foreign Minister Khalid Al Attiyah told reporters after an extraordinary summit of the GCC nations. Attiyah said Hadi wishes “that everyone accept and join the other Yemen colleagues that are already in Riyadh... to start this process”.

Hadi and members of his government fled to Saudi Arabia after the rebels seized the Yemeni capi-

tal and advanced onto the president’s last refuge in the war-torn country — the main southern city of Aden. The Houthis have so far rejected attending talks in Saudi Arabia. Fighting between pro- and anti-government forces continues on the ground, with mounting international concern over the war which the United Nations says has killed at least 1,200 people.

Meanwhile, mortar shells fired by Houthi rebels struck the Saudi border town of Najran on Tuesday, prompting a Saudiled military coalition to warn it would hit back.

The Al Ekhbariya state television showed images of buildings and cars damaged in the attack, which was confirmed by the coalition. Coalition spokesman Brigadier General Ahmed Assiri told Al Ekhbariya that the rebels had “randomly” shelled Najran “hitting hospitals, schools and civilian homes”.

“Air and ground forces will respond in the right way to these

insists must be

hazardous acts and will not allow them to be repeated,” Assiri said.

Apache combat helicopters The Saudi military had already deployed Apache combat helicopters to target the rebels in the border area, he added.

The kingdom’s ground forces have repeatedly clashed with the rebels near its border with Yemen and its helicopters have been involved in the military action.

Assiri accused the rebels of attempting to sabotage a tentative coalition initiative announced on Monday to pause its air strikes to allow deliveries of humanitarian aid in Yemen. “After the announcement of the humanitarian initiative yesterday, they want to express their rejection to any peace initiative and so targeted Najran,” he said.

The spokesman described Tuesday’s rebel attacks on Najran as “suicidal”, warning that “all those who approach the border will be killed”. — AFP

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Research in oil and gas gaining ground Although a lot of research is being done, there is a shortage of technical universities and colleges which can contribute to the development of the industry, an official of Oman Society for Petroleum Services said

ELHAM POURMOHAMMADI

elham@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: Research and development (R&D) in the oil and gas sector in Oman is gaining ground but more technical schools are required to push it further, said an official at the Oman Society for Petroleum Services (Opal).

A lot of research is being conducted but there is a shortage of

technical universities and colleges which can contribute to the development of this industry, Musallam Al Mandhari, Opal’s chief executive officer, told the Times of Oman.

He made these remarks on the sidelines of a roundtable meeting at the Occidental office on Monday to discuss the main challenges facing local service companies in the oil and gas sector.

Asked about the fact that there are not many engineers and companies in the Gulf region with a significant number of patents related to oil and gas techniques, the official said that Oman has made good progress in the field of research over the past years.

For example, Petroleum Development Oman (PDO) has a research centre and they work closely with Sultan Qaboos University, he said, adding that PhD students are also working on a number of subjects and their accomplishments will contribute to the field of oil and gas.

Incentives Al Mandhari also noted that there are enough incentives to attract students to technical disciplines but unfortunately the existing technical schools are not sufficient.

“We need more technical universities in the country as cur-

rently most of our graduates are coming from abroad,” said the CEO of Opal, the Sultanate’s first and only oil and gas society.

The panel discussion was attended by Salim bin Nasser Al Aufi, undersecretary at the Ministry of Oil and Gas as well as Raoul Restucci (PDO), Hamoud Al Tobi (Al Shawamikh Oil Services) and Hans Erlings (Galfar), along with Hilal Al Busaidy (Gulf Energy), Ali Suleym Al Junaibi (Al Ghalbi International), Robert Swain (Occidental of Oman Inc. – Oxy Oman) and Zeinoun Klink (Halliburton). Tatsuro Yamaguchi (Mitsui) and Fahmy Al Musharfi (Daleel Petroleum) were the other officials who attended the panel discussion.

In a comment about technology in the oil and gas sector, Klink from Halliburton said that Oman is slow in ‘technology adaptation’ and this poses a challenge to the sector.

SHARIA-COMPLIANT

– Supplied picture

Fincorp unveils new services, mobile app Times News Service MUSCAT: Fincorp on Tuesday launched Sharia-compliant Islamic investment banking services as well as unveiled a new mobile application, Finxpress Trade, available on popular IOS and Android platforms. This app is for those who are trading in securities listed on the Muscat Securities Market.

The event was attended by a host of media people, Fincorp board of directors and representa-

tives from MSM, under the auspices of Sheikh Abdullah Al Salmi Chairman of the Capital Market Authority (CMA).

Sheikh Nasr bin Amur Al Hosni, CEO of Fincorp said that the new services launched will complement the existing products and services carried out by Fincrop; these services will support the traditional services of Brokerage, Asset Management, private equity, corporate finance, wealth management and advisory. > B3

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W E D NE S DAY, MAY 6, 2 015

MARKET I N C U B AT E D C O M PA N I E S

National Business Centre hosts session on Business Gateways Times News Service MUSCAT: National Business Centre (NBC) recently organised an awareness session for its incubated companies that were acquainted with the services offered

by Business Gateways and the benefits earned by the incubated companies through registering in this institution.

This session comes within the framework adopted by NBC to open new marketing channels to serves its incubated companies at the local and regional levels.

Business Gateways is headquartered at the Knowledge Oasis

Muscat (KOM) the premier ICT Park in Oman.

Stimulation platform Its vision is to become the global stimulation platform for national economies through a network of Business Gateways, and therefore enhance opportunities, expand reach and excel performance of its corporate members by integrating human excellence, technology and business governance.

Business Gateways support companies to connect with various governmental bodies to help them manage their business better.

It should be noted that the National Business Centre is an initiative launched by the Public Establishment for Industrial Estates (PEIE) at the Knowledge Oasis Muscat to offer promising Omani entrepreneurs a platform to develop their business ideas and advance them into growing ventures.

The centre offers a premier platform for Omani entrepreneurs by providing business development support and guidance, training and mentoring, access to markets and industry experts, and stateof-the-art and fully equipped office space, meeting rooms and presentation facilities.

Regional travel outlook robust, survey reveals see is that people from this region are serious about their leisure time. People from the MENA region holiday for an average of 13 nights per trip – which is more than the global average, and travellers from Saudi Arabia and Egypt put aside the largest travel budgets per trip,” said Marcello Baricordi, general manager, UAE and Global Accounts Lead at Visa MENA.

Future travel sentiment from the Middle East and North Africa looks very positive with 81 per cent of people surveyed from the region planning to

Marcello Baricordi.

— Supplied picture

travel for leisure in the next year

Times News Service MUSCAT: Travellers from the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) region travel longer and spend more on their vacations compared to other travellers around the world.

This was revealed by Visa, the global payments technology company, in their latest Global Travel Intentions Study 2015.

The study, which was launched at the Arabian Travel Market in Dubai, surveyed 13,603 travellers across 25 countries in January and February 2015.

Travel trends The regular barometer of travel trends from Visa revealed that future travel sentiment from the Middle East and Africa looks very positive with 81 per cent of people surveyed from the region planning to travel for leisure in the next year. Travellers from Saudi

Arabia and United Arab Emirates (UAE) are even more positive with 97 per cent and 95 per cent of travellers from these countries respectively planning to travel in the next year.

This optimism is reflected largely by the millennial generation, with over 40 per cent of those aged between 25 and 35 in Kuwait, Morocco and Egypt planning to travel for leisure in the coming year.

Travelling close by This positivity bodes well for the region’s travel industry as MENA travellers are generally travelling close by with the UAE, Turkey and Egypt topping their favourite destinations. Great scenery, interesting attractions and good shopping are the top three drivers for individuals from this region who are planning their next vacation. Budget is no longer the primary driving factor when choosing a holiday destination.

“Our latest Visa Global Travel Intentions Study is shining a very positive light on the region’s industry and what is interesting to

Big spenders While globally, respondents say they put aside a median travel budget of US$2,281 per trip, those from the MENA region report they will spend substantially more. Of the 25 countries surveyed, travellers from Saudi Arabia said they spend the most – a median of $5,866 per trip - closely followed by Egyptians at $4,917 in second place and Chinese travellers at $4,780 in third.

The study also found strong use of payment cards throughout a holiday – both to plan and pay before one leaves and to pay for activities during a holiday. In the planning stage, cards are the most preferred way to pay for holidays with 46 per cent of global travellers using only cards at that stage.

While at their destination, eight out of 10 global travellers, or 81 per cent, use a combination of cards and cash to pay.

Marcello Baricordi further added, “The convenience, security and benefits that payment cards offer are aspects that travellers really value. Our study showed that one in two MENA travellers prefer to use cards across all merchants when they are at their destination. In fact globally, 29 per cent of travellers said they would spend more if they are able to use cards more frequently and at more merchants.”

S T R AT E G I C PA R T N E R S H I P

Watermelon ties up with Italian firm Times News Service MUSCAT: Watermelon Communications announced a strategic partnership with Bresciabased PR, marketing and digital consultancy, Soluzione Group, a PRN Network agency, to extend its reach to Italy and Europe.

Watermelon Communications currently has offices in Dubai, Doha and Singapore.

The alliance enables Watermelon to stay at the leading edge of public relations and maintain its best practices and facilitates to develop marketing and communications strategies appropriate for European region, while maintaining its Middle East and Asia regional relevance.

“We see a need to this partner-

ship as a number of companies in this region have existing and potential business interests in Italy and vice versa. Our tie-up is all the more important, as we are at the threshold of Expo Milan 2015.

Now, we can act as a gateway to Italian and European companies aiming to enter the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and Middle Eastern markets,” said Madhu Kuttat, Managing Director, Watermelon Communications.

“Moreover, our involvement with participants at Expo Milan 2015 will be a benchmark for us to gear up for Expo 2020,” said Kuttat further added.

“This alliance enables Watermelon to assist participants in Milan Expo 2015 in exploring new ventures and to get exposure in

Gulf Cooperation Council print, electronic and digital media.

We can also facilitate Businessto-Business and Governmentto-Government relations in the United Arab Emirates and Italy.

As our long term objective, we can be the intermediary for European and Italian business houses looking forward to establish their presence in the UAE targeting Dubai Expo 2020,” added Madhu.

“For the period 2015 - 2018, Soluzione Group is developing a real internationalization policy and the choice to work with the United Arab Emirates and Gulf Countries is based on the opportunities that this region offers Italian companies and vice versa,” says Anna Pelucchi of Soluzione Group.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 6, 2015

B3

MARKET F I N C O R P I N I T I AT I V E S

B1 New mobile trading platform launched < FROM

Nasr Al Hosni highlighted that the new mobile trading application is a useful value addition to the existing tools for the investors; as it enables them to follow and trade in securities listed On the MSM. The application is intended to increase the number of traders and trading operations.

Nasr Al Hosni asserted that the new services are in line with the company vision; including increasing client assets, supporting investments and contributing to the growth of the local economy.

Throughout its journey since inception, Fincorp has put in extra efforts to develop and create new services, products and solutions for Investors. Currently, the funds and portfolios managed by Fincorp are amongst the best-performing investments in Oman and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), thanks to the highest level of transparency, responsibility and law-abiding the company adheres to.

“Matching the developments

of 2015, 90 deals were announced as compared with 89 deals in first quarter 2014, Ernst and Sheikh Nasr bin Amur Al Hosni. — Supplied picture

Young’s update on Mena region shows Phil Gandier. — File picture

all over the world, Fincrop is very keen to deliver the same high quality products and services but in a way that is compatible with the Islamic law —Sharia — to give more opportunities to traders and investors to drive their wealth and assets,” Al Hosni said.

Iraq seeks IMF loan An RFI is a facility created by the IMF to provide quick financial assistance and economic policy advice to member countries with urgent balance of payments needs. An RFI loan should be repaid within 3-1/4 to five years, according to the IMF’s website.

The RFI might pave the way in the longer term for a larger IMF lending programme for Iraq, if that were needed, Ahmed added.

Such a programme could involve more extensive economic policy commitments by Baghdad.

Iraqi Finance Minister Hoshiyar Zebari told Reuters last week that Baghdad would obtain a sovereign credit rating to facilitate the bond issue. The government has also introduced or is planning measures including a local currency bond issue to banks, taxes on some consumer goods, and public wage cuts.

Ahmed noted that Iraq had started running down its international reserves and said its economy was likely to grow only marginally this year, after shrinking 2.4 per cent in 2014. — Reuters

Times News Service MUSCAT: Announced deal value in the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) region increased from $8.2 billion in first quarter (Q1) 2014 to $8.9 billion in Q1 2015, an increase of nine per cent, according to Ernst and Young’s Q1 Mena Merger & Acquisition (M&A) update.

In Q1 2015, 90 deals were announced as compared with 89 deals in Q1 2014.

The inbound announced deal value increased from $0.4 billion in Q1 2014 to $2.6 billion in Q1 2015, while domestic announced deal activity value decreased 48 per cent from $1.7 billion in Q1 2014 to $0.9 billion in Q1 2014.

The outbound announced deal value decreased 11 per cent from $6.1 billion in Q1 2014 to $5.5 billion in Q1 2015.

Phil Gandier, Mena head of

to the exceptionally strong 12.2 per cent rise reported for February. February’s performance, however, was positively skewed by the combined impacts of the timing of the Lunar New Year and the labour dispute at US West Coast seaports.

Freight performance over the first quarter of the year indicates year-on-year growth of 5.3 per cent. This is in line with gen-

maintain the current transaction strategy, according to the CCB. Average deal sizes are going up primarily as a result of activity in certain sectors. In the last couple of years, this has largely been focussed on defensive sectors which tend to perform well in relation to other industries during a period of market or economic weakness, such as education, health-care and consumer products, which for the most part were small-scale. More recently, though, there has been more activity in the oil and gas and financial services sectors, where transactions tend to be larger.

Anil Menon, Mena M&A and IPO leader, EY, says, “Deal flow is looking very healthy, underpinned by the re-emergence of Egypt and the bounce back of other markets that had slowed in recent years.

This year we are likely to see many more outbound deals as overseas forays are back on the Mena ra-

Acquisition opportunities Mena CCB respondents are optimistic about pursuing acquisitions. The number of acquisition opportunities remains high at 68 per cent, broadly in line with the global trend, and deal pipelines in Mena look to be getting stronger.

The survey shows that 28 per cent of Mena businesses have three deals on hand, up from 9 per cent last October. The number of Mena businesses with an average of five deals in the pipeline has also increased over the past six months.

“Appetite for acquisitions remains high in Mena, driven mostly by appropriate valuation expectations from both sides of the isle.

The valuation gap in Mena is lower than the global trend, which suggests the market is not overheated.

More than two-thirds of Mena businesses see either no valuation gap between buyers and sellers and the vast majority (81 per cent) of Mena executives see this staying the same through the year. This should support more deal closures in coming months,” says Anil.

Within Mena, small-to-midmarket deals below $250 million will continue to figure prominently in the plans of executives, particularly among the dominant family-owned businesses. The survey shows that 88 per cent of Mena executives will look for deals in the lower middle market, up from 77 per cent six months ago.

Standard & Poor’s upgrades Pakistan outlook KARACHI: Standard & Poor’s (S&P) raised Pakistan’s credit rating outlook to positive from stable, as lower energy costs and an IMF loan boost growth and improve finances.

“The positive outlook reflects our expectations of Pakistan’s improved economic growth prospects, fiscal and external performance, and the supportive rela-

Air freight clocks modest growth MUSCAT: International Air Transport Association (IATA) released data for global air freight markets, showing a modest 1.6 per cent rise in volumes in March compared to a year ago, measured in Freight Tonne Kilometres (FTK).

The industry’s March performance stands in sharp contrast

transaction advisory services (EY) said, “The Mena M&A market continues to display resilience in the challenging regional geopolitical climate in parts of the region.

The sustained volume of M&As indicate that regional M&A performance has a low correlation to oil price volatility. The inbound M&A market performed very well compared to the same period last year which reflects the sustained demand from foreign investors.

The pipeline of M&A deals looks robust for the rest of the year. According to EY’s latest Mena Capital Confidence Barometer (CCB), which looks at the sentiments of C-suite executives across the region, the majority of Mena executives (69 per cent) expect the deal market to remain stable in 2015.”

More than half of Mena businesses are planning for larger deals in the coming year, compared to 28 per cent who said they would

dars. Around one third, or 34 per cent, of businesses in the region plan to focus on investing in new geographies and markets for organic business growth, compared with just 6 per cent a year ago.”

C R E D I T R AT I N G

I ATA R E P O R T

Times News Service

More than half of Mena businesses are planning for larger deals in the coming year, compared to 28% who said they would maintain the current transaction strategy

In the first quarter

F I NA N C I A L A S S I S TA N C E

DUBAI: Iraq has requested financial assistance from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and agreement may be reached within weeks on a loan of about $800 million, a senior IMF official said. Iraqi finances have been hit hard by the plunge of oil prices since last year. The government has projected a budget deficit of about $25 billion this year, in a budget of some $100 billion.

Aid from the IMF could ease the pressure and by increasing investor confidence, help Iraq raise money from other sources.

Baghdad has said it plans to issue $5 billion of debt in its first international bond sale for nine years.

“Teams will work on the issue in coming weeks. We hope we can reach a conclusion relatively soon,” Masood Ahmed, Director of the IMF’s Middle East and Central Asia Department, said.

Ahmed said the aid would probably come in the form of a Rapid Financing Instrument (RFI) and would be “relatively small, about $800 million or so”.

Value of inbound deals increase by 9% to $8b

eral global economic trends and slightly higher than the 4.5 per cent growth that was anticipated in IATA’s December outlook.

“The air cargo industry is on a solid but unspectacular growth trend. And there is little evidence today that would point towards an acceleration as the year goes on,” said Tony Tyler, International Air Transport Association ’s Director General and chief executive.

tionship of external donors over the next 12 months,” the company said in a statement on Tuesday.

B- rating It affirmed its B- rating, which is among the so-called junk grades, and raised the 2015-2017 average growth projection to 4.6 per cent from 3.8 per cent. Risks include higher oil prices, weakness in key

trading partners and violence, S&P said.

The move follows a similar step

by Moody’s Investors Service in March as Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif looks to resolve Pakistan’s crippling power shortages and boost investment. The nation’s foreign exchange reserves have almost doubled to $12.6 billion with the help of an International

Monetary Fund (IMF) loan. “Foreign inflows can be expected in the country and more dollars would mean more economic stability,” Saad Khan, an economist at Arif Habib said by phone from Karachi after the upgrade.

China pledged $45 billion for roads, ports and power plants when President Xi Jinping visited Pakistan last month. — Bloomberg News

B4

W E D NE S DAY, MAY 6, 2 015

MARKET Index rises marginally

OMAN STOCKS

MUSCAT SECURITIES MARKET

INDICES Index .................................................High .................Low..................... Value ............... Prev . Value.......... Diff ...............Diff % MSM30 Index ........................................6,355.01 ...............6,342.17 ....................6,351.66 .................. 6,342.34....................9.32 ................... 0.15 Financial Index ..................................... 7,748.77 ................7,717.43 ....................7,728.22 ....................7,719.34....................8.88 ................... 0.12 Industrial Index ....................................8,375.39 .............. 8,340.97 ...................8,340.97 ................... 8,358.79................ -17.82 .................. -0.21 Services Index ...................................... 3,458.04 .............. 3,452.42 ................... 3,452.42 ................... 3,457.57...................-5.15 .................. -0.15 MSM SHARIAH INDEX....................... 976.13 .................. 975.65 .......................975.65 .......................975.74.................. -0.09 .................. -0.01 Trading Summary Volume ................Turnover ..........Trades .............. Market Cap............. Up............Down ............. Equal .........Sec. Traded 13,811,916 ...................3,857,853 .....................929 ...............14,878,366,228 .................. 5 ......................16 ....................22 .........................43

Tuesday’s top gainer was HSBC Bank Oman,

SHARE PRICE BULLETIN FOR TUESDAY, MAY 5

up by 3.85%, while Al Hassan Engineering, down by 9.01%, was the top loser of the day

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

MUSCAT: MSM30 Index closed with gains at 6,351.66 points, up by 0.15 per cent. The MSM Sharia Index ended flat at 975.65 points, down by 0.01 per cent.

Al Anwar Holding was the most active in terms of volume while Omantel was the most active in terms of turnover. Tuesday’s top gainer was HSBC Bank Oman, up by 3.85 per cent while Al Hassan Engineering down by 9.01 per cent was the top loser for the day.

A total number of 929 trades were executed during the day’s trading session generating turnover of OMR3.85 million with more than 13.8 million shares changing hands.

Out of 43 traded securities, five advanced, 16 declined and 22 remained unchanged. At the session close, GCC & Arab investors were net buyers for OMR766,000

followed by Foreign Investors for OMR424,000 while Omani Investors were net sellers for OMR1.19 million worth of shares.

Financial Index advanced 0.12 per cent to close at 7,728.22 points. HSBC Bank Oman, Al Madina Investments and NBO increased by 3.85 per cent, 1.61 per cent and 0.63 per cent respectively. Dhofar Insurance, Oman & Emirates Holding, Al Sharqia Investments, Gulf Investment Services and Al Anwar Holding declined by 7.49 per cent, 4.39 per cent, 2.86 per cent, 2.78 per cent and 1.20 per cent respectively.

Industrial Index ended the day at 8,340.97 points, down by 0.21 per cent. Al Hassan Engineering, Oman Fisheries, Construction Materials and Al Maha Ceramics decreased 9.01 per cent, 3.51 per cent, 2.44 per cent and 1.50 per cent respectively. — United Securities

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

OM0000001517 ............HSBC BANK OMAN .................................................... 2,166,915 ......292,549..................... 48 ............0.133 ........... 0.136 ...........0.133 ............0.135 .............0.130............ 0.005............. 3.846 ................0.136 .............. 0.135...................0.136................. 270,042,227 .......0.100 OM0000001962............AL MADINA INVESTMENT .................................... 43,900 ............... 2,747........................7 ........... 0.062 ...........0.063 ...........0.062........... 0.063 .............0.062 ............0.001 ..............1.613.................0.063..............0.062...................0.063................... 13,050,537 .........0.100 OM0000001483............NATIONAL BANK OF OMAN ................................. 268,000............85,760........................7 ........... 0.320 ...........0.320 ...........0.320........... 0.320 ............. 0.318............ 0.002............. 0.629 ................0.320..............0.308...................0.320 .................429,027,280 .......0.100 OM0000003026 ...........OMAN TELECOMMUNICATION ........................ 745,549 ......1,220,655.....................60 ............1.630 ........... 1.645 ...........1.630 ............1.635 ............. 1.630............ 0.005............. 0.307 ................1.645 .............. 1.635...................1.645 ................1,226,250,000......0.100 OM0000001087............OMAN UNITED INSURANCE ................................. 27,120 ............... 8,136........................4 ........... 0.300...........0.300 ...........0.300 .......... 0.300 .............0.300 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.300 ............ 0.000...................0.300 ..................30,000,000 ........0.100 OM0000001707 ............OMAN CABLES INDUSTRY........................................3,500 ............... 7,350........................8 ........... 2.100 ........... 2.100 ...........2.100........... 2.060 .............2.060 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................2.100..............2.100...................2.110 ..................184,782,000........0.100 OM0000001749 ............OMAN CEMENT .......................................................................3 .......................2........................1 ........... 0.520 ...........0.520 ...........0.520........... 0.520 .............0.520 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.520..............0.490...................0.528..................172,053,809........0.100 OM0000001822............UNITED POWER ............................................................. 8,836 .............14,138......................12 ............1.600 ........... 1.600 ...........1.600........... 1.600 .............1.600 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................1.600..............1.600...................1.650....................3,200,000..........1.000 OM0000002028 ...........GULF INTERNATIONAL CHEMICALS .............. 13,827 ............... 3,153........................4 ........... 0.228 ...........0.228 ...........0.228........... 0.228 .............0.228 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.228..............0.228...................0.230 ...................4,788,000 ..........0.100 OM0000002168............AL ANWAR CERAMIC TILES ................................... 1,000 ..................420........................1 ........... 0.420 ...........0.420 ...........0.420............0.416 ............. 0.416............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.420..............0.410...................0.416..................123,224,892........0.100 OM0000002226 ...........AL JAZEERA SERVICES ............................................18,500 ...............6,284........................8 ........... 0.340...........0.340 ...........0.338........... 0.340 .............0.340 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.340..............0.338...................0.340 ..................20,809,453.........0.100 OM0000002275 ...........SHELL OMAN MARKETING ......................................1,010 .............. 2,020........................2 ........... 2.000...........2.000 ...........2.000 .......... 2.000 .............2.000 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................2.000 ............ 0.000...................2.000 ................ 190,000,000 .......0.100 OM0000002366 ...........AL BATINAH DEV. INV. HOLDING ............................. 800 ...................107........................1 ............0.134 ........... 0.134 ...........0.134............0.135 ............. 0.135............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.134 ............. 0.000...................0.135 ....................4,050,000..........0.100 OM0000002796 ...........BANK MUSCAT ............................................................ 1,230,882 ...... 657,543................... 132 ........... 0.534 ........... 0.536 ...........0.532........... 0.534 .............0.534 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.534..............0.534...................0.538................1,223,833,267 ......0.100 OM0000003000 ...........ALMAHA PETROLEUM PRODUCTS MAR. .............550 ............... 1,210........................1 ........... 2.200...........2.200 .......... 2.200 .......... 2.200 .............2.200 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ............... 2.200 ............ 2.200...................0.000 .................151,800,000........0.100 OM0000003281............TAAGEER FINANCE ..................................................... 4,337 ...................616........................1 ............0.142 ........... 0.142 ...........0.142........... 0.142 .............0.142 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.142..............0.142...................0.149...................36,009,780 .........0.100 OM0000003398 ...........BANK SOHAR..................................................................44,180 ...............8,030........................7 ............0.182 ........... 0.182 ...........0.181 ........... 0.182 .............0.182............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.181 .............. 0.178................... 0.181 ................. 262,342,080 .......0.100 OM0000003521 ............GALFAR ENGINEERING AND CON. .................. 845,273 .........109,480..................... 69 ............0.133 ........... 0.133 ...........0.128........... 0.130 .............0.130............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.129 ..............0.128...................0.129................... 37,697,483 .........0.100 OM0000003968 ...........OOREDOO........................................................................... 1,064 .................. 796........................2 ............0.748 ........... 0.748 ...........0.748 ............0.748 ............. 0.748............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.748 ..............0.740...................0.748................. 486,906,284 .......0.100 OM0000004925 ...........AL BATINAH POWER................................................. 22,462 .............. 4,290........................5 ............0.191 ........... 0.191............0.191 ............0.191 ............. 0.191 ............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.191 .............. 0.191...................0.192..................128,903,499........0.100 OM0000004933 ...........AL SUWADI POWER .................................................... 31,768 ...............6,068........................8 ............0.191 ........... 0.191............0.191 ............0.191 ............. 0.191 ............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.191 .............. 0.191...................0.192.................. 136,451,611 ........0.100 OM0000003224 ...........RENAISSANCE SERVICES ..................................... 721,426 ......... 267,729..................... 48 ............0.374 ........... 0.374 ...........0.368........... 0.372 .............0.374 ...........-0.002 ........... -0.535 ...............0.368..............0.366...................0.368..................104,939,137 ........0.100 OM0000002374............UNITED FINANCE ...................................................... 25,900 ...............3,209........................4 ............0.124 ........... 0.124 ...........0.121 ........... 0.124 ............. 0.125............-0.001 ........... -0.800 ...............0.121 .............. 0.121...................0.124...................38,534,853 .........0.100 OM0000003125 ............GLOBAL FINANCIAL INVESTMENT ................ 150,500 ............ 17,105........................4 ............0.115 ........... 0.115............0.110 ............0.114 ............. 0.115 ............-0.001 ........... -0.870 ...............0.110 ...............0.111................... 0.114 .................. 22,800,000 ........0.100 OM0000001160 ............NATIONAL GAS .............................................................12,388 .............. 4,930........................7 ........... 0.398 ...........0.398 ...........0.398........... 0.398 .............0.402 ...........-0.004 ........... -0.995 ...............0.398..............0.394...................0.400 ..................19,900,000.........0.100 OM0000004768 ...........AL MADINA TAKAFUL...............................................36,000 ............... 3,061........................6 ........... 0.085 ...........0.086 ...........0.085........... 0.085 .............0.086 ...........-0.001 ............-1.163................0.085..............0.085...................0.086...................14,875,000 .........0.100 OM0000001772 ............AL ANWAR HOLDING............................................... 2,309,245 .....572,683................... 172 ........... 0.252 ...........0.254 ...........0.243........... 0.248 ............. 0.251............-0.003 ............-1.195 ................0.245............. 0.244...................0.245 ..................32,364,000 ........0.100 OM0000001525 ............OMAN INVESTMENT AND FINANCE.............. 212,100 ...........48,800..................... 27 ........... 0.233 ...........0.233 ...........0.226........... 0.230 .............0.233 ...........-0.003 ........... -1.288 ...............0.230..............0.230...................0.231.................. 46,000,000 ........0.100 OM0000005005 ...........ALMAHA CERAMICS .....................................................5,061 ...............2,662......................11 ........... 0.526 ...........0.526 ...........0.524........... 0.526 .............0.534 ...........-0.008 ........... -1.498................0.524..............0.524...................0.526................... 27,615,000 .........0.100 OM0000001145 ............PORT SERVICES CORPORATION ............................8,789 ............... 1,938........................5 ........... 0.222...........0.222 ...........0.220 .......... 0.221 .............0.225 ...........-0.004 ............-1.778................0.220 .............0.210...................0.220 ..................21,003,840.........0.100 OM0000002820 ...........GULF INVESTMENT SERVICES ......................... 277,882 ........... 38,822..................... 26 ............0.141 ........... 0.141............0.136 ........... 0.140 .............0.144 ...........-0.004 ........... -2.778 ...............0.136 .............. 0.135...................0.136....................8,238,050 ..........0.100 OM0000002440 ...........AL SHARQIA INVESTMENT HOLDING .............55,000 ...............7,490........................8 ............0.139 ........... 0.139 ...........0.135 ............0.136 .............0.140 ...........-0.004 ........... -2.857 ...............0.135 ...............0.131...................0.134...................12,240,000.........0.100 OM0000001681 ............OMAN AND EMIRATES INV. HOLDING........... 1,108,913........ 121,311..................... 68 ............0.116 ........... 0.116............0.107 ........... 0.109 ............. 0.114............-0.005 ........... -4.386 ...............0.108..............0.107...................0.108...................13,284,375 .........0.100 OM0000001095............DHOFAR INSURANCE ..................................................6,000 ...............1,260........................1 ............0.210 ........... 0.210 ...........0.210........... 0.210 .............0.227 ...........-0.017 ............-7.489................0.210............. 0.000...................0.215.................. 42,000,000 ........0.100 .............................................SUM: .................................................................................. 10,408,680.....3,522,351...............775 ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. ........................................................................................................................................... TRADED SEC. ......34........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

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

OM0000001400 ...........OMAN FLOUR MILLS ...................................................5,300 ...............2,658........................4 ........... 0.502 ...........0.502 ...........0.500........... 0.502 .............0.502 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.500..............0.502...................0.510...................79,065,000.........0.100 OM0000001426............OMAN REFRESHMENT ...............................................3,750 ............... 9,375........................1 ........... 2.500...........2.500 ...........2.500 .......... 2.500 .............2.500 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................2.500 ............ 2.500...................2.520 .................125,000,000 .......0.100 OM0000004420 ...........BANK NIZWA ................................................................ 1,606,344 ...... 123,688.....................20 ........... 0.077 ........... 0.077 ...........0.077........... 0.077 .............0.077 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.077..............0.076...................0.077..................115,500,000........0.100 OM0000004735 ...........SEMBCORP SALALAH................................................21,646 .............51,942........................6 ........... 2.395 ...........2.400 ...........2.395........... 2.400 .............2.400 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................2.400 ............ 2.400...................2.440 .................229,097,268........1.000 OM0000001368 ............CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS IND. .................. 475,528 ............ 19,015......................17 ............0.041 ........... 0.041 ...........0.039........... 0.040 .............0.041 ...........-0.001 ........... -2.439 ...............0.039..............0.039...................0.040 ...................3,400,000 ..........0.100 OM0000001566 ............OMAN FISHERIES ..................................................... 111,325 ............... 6,169.....................22 ........... 0.056 ...........0.056 ...........0.054........... 0.055 .............0.057 ...........-0.002 ........... -3.509 ...............0.054..............0.054...................0.055....................6,875,000 ..........0.100 OM0000002564 ...........AL HASSAN ENGINEERING.................................. 918,843 ........... 92,634..................... 78 ............0.108 ........... 0.108 ...........0.100............0.101 ............. 0.111 ............-0.010 ........... -9.009 ...............0.100..............0.100...................0.103.................... 7,596,008 ..........0.100 .............................................SUM: .................................................................................. 3,142,736 ......305,482...................148 ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. ........................................................................................................................................... TRADED SEC. ........ 7........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

B0NDS MARKET .................................................................................................................................................................................

OM0000004487 ...........RENAISSANCE SERVICES BONDS3.75 ............ 100,000 ............12,525........................3 ............0.124 ........... 0.126 ...........0.124............0.125 .............0.124 ............0.001 .............0.806 ................0.126 ..............0.124...................0.000 ..................52,892,710 .........0.100 OM0000004602 ...........BANK MUSCAT CONV. BONDS 4.5 ...................... 160,500 ............ 17,495........................3 ............0.109 ........... 0.109 ...........0.109........... 0.109 .............0.109 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.109..............0.104...................0.109...................32,999,653 .........0.100 .............................................SUM: .................................................................................. 260,500 ...........30,020........................6 ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. ........................................................................................................................................... TRADED SEC. ........2........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

INDIAN MARKETS

Most Indian stocks fall, rupee declines MUMBAI: Most Indian stocks fell, led by automakers and utilities, after the benchmark index rose the most in Asia on Monday.

Mahindra & Mahindra slid 1.9 per cent after posting a drop in April tractors sales, Bajaj Auto lost 1.3 per cent after surging the most since May 2009. Tata Power and Coal India fell by at least 1.5 per cent. Sesa Sterlite rallied to a fourmonth high, sending the S&P BSE India Metal Index to its biggest gain in eight weeks.

The S&P BSE Sensex slid 0.2 per cent to 27,440.14 at the close, after changing direction at least 12 times. The measure rebounded from a three-month low on Monday as automakers posted an increase in monthly sales and energy companies rallied. The index capped a second monthly loss in

April on concern slowing earnings growth will spur capital outflows.

“The up and down moves show the market is consolidating, waiting for some positive triggers to emerge as most negatives have been priced in,” Jitendra Panda, chief executive officer at Peerless Securities, said by phone from Kolkata.

Mahindra slid to 1,179.25 rupees. Tractor sales in April fell 13 per cent from a year ago to 18,011 units, the company said in a statement on Tuesady. Tata Power fell 1.6 per cent after climbing two per cent on Monday, while Coal India rose 1.5 per cent.

Sesa Sterlite jumped 6.7 per cent, the best performance on the Sensex. Aluminium maker Hindalco Industries surged 4.7 per cent, the most since March 17,

while Tata Steel climbed 5.1 per cent to a three-month high.

“Prices of many metals rose to a four-month high last week on talks of a stimulus package from China,” Chokkalingam G., managing director at Mumbai-based Equinomics Research, told Bloomberg TV India on Tuesday. “Metal stocks have been beaten down in the past year.”

Rupee ends lower After four-day break, the rupee continued its downwards march against the American currency for the third session on Tuesday by slipping marginally by two paise to 63.44 per dollar on persistent dollar demand from banks and importers on the back of higher dollar in the overseas market.

The rupee opened lower at 63.54 as against the last weekend’s level

of 63.42 per dollar on initial heavy dollar demand from banks and importers and dropped further to 63.59 per dollar.

However, it recovered from initial losses to 63.3850 per dollar before concluding at 63.44 per dollar, still showing a loss of two paise or 0.03 per cent. The rupee has dropped by 29 paise or 0.46 per cent in the three days.

It hovered in the range of 63.59 to 63.3850 during the day.

Pramit Brahmbhatt, Veracity Group CEO said,” Today local equities closed lower which left Rupee alone to fight against the mighty”.

Though exporters & banks were seen selling dollar which helped Rupee to trade firm at 63.3850 in the afternoon before finishing at 63.44 per dollar. — Agencies

ECONOMY

Gulf oil exporters must cut spending, diversify: IMF DUBAI: Gulf oil exporters must reduce spending, including subsidies, and diversify their economies to cope with lower revenues caused by the sharp drop in crude prices, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) said.

The wealthy countries, however, should “not react in a knee-jerk way to lower oil prices”, the IMF Middle East and Central Asia chief Masood Ahmed told AFP in an interview on Monday.

They would be better off to “adjust gradually” using the large financial reserves they have accumulated during several years of bumper oil receipts, he said in Dubai.

But as oil prices have dropped lower than budgeted breakeven levels, “it is important that they gradually, but in a determined way, progressively reduce their spending (and) consolidate their fiscal position,” Ahmed said.

Oil prices have shed half of their value since June 2014, and are expected to be lower than the break-

even point for Gulf countries in the next three to four years.

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) includes Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates — economies all heavily dependent on energy revenues.

A combined budget surplus for 2014 of $76 billion is expected to turn into deficit of $113 billion this year, the IMF said in its latest regional report.

The forecast did not account for fallout from the conflict in Yemen, where a Saudi-led coalition launched in March an air campaign against rebels in support of exiled President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi.

“They need to act to reinforce their efforts to diversify their economies to become less dependent on oil,” said Ahmed, pointing out that many have already taken such measures.

“The UAE is more advanced in terms of diversification. The others also are in varying degrees

trying to encourage private sector activity outside the oil area.”

Curb subsidies GCC countries were also urged to cut energy subsidies in a bid to minimise public spending and trigger a change in consumer behaviour. “Most GCC countries still have the domestic sale price for energy products below the international prices... We think that over time it is important to tackle the issue of energy subsidies to reduce them,” Ahmed said.

Gulf countries should also contain salary growth in the public sector, which usually employs nationals as opposed to the private sector that depends on millions of foreigners. In addition, GCC countries would need to prioritise investment projects that “most advance the development agenda,” said Ahmed.

Oil-export revenues for GCC countries are forecast to be $280 billion lower this year than a year ago. — AFP

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ROUND-UP

All-new Nissan Sentra now comes loaded with features Loaded with full options, the Sentra 1.6 SV has an edge over competitors in its segment, making it an enticing option

MUSCAT: After gaining rave reviews from auto enthusiasts and local patrons, the Sentra now comes in a new 1.6 SV CVT P26 from the house of Suhail Bahwan Automobiles which is set to create another milestone.

The new Sentra boasts of top of the range options that focus on class-above design standards inside and out. Loaded with full options, the Sentra 1.6 SV has an edge over competitors in its segment, making it an enticing option for patrons, says a press release.

The presence of the Nissan Sentra vehicles on the road is aptly supported by Nissan Oman’s world-class service facilities and trained manpower.

The Nissan Sentra offers drivers the spaciousness and comfort of cars usually found in the larger segment, as well as technol-

ogy usually associated with much more expensive cars.

Apart from Nissan Sentra 1.6 and 1.8L engine options, the Sentra 1.6 SV has an engine capacity of 113hp, dimensions (LxWxH) 4615 x 1760 x 1495mm and Xtronic CVT Transmission.

Interior options The Sentra 1.6 SV features rear window defroster with timer, it comes with power window (both front and rear), central lock, keyless entry, driver seat manual height adjuster, roof console sunglass holder, map lamp, manual A/C + rear vent in CTR console, 1CD, AM/FM, MP3, Aux, 2-speakers, power steering speed sensitive with manual tilt and telescopic, tachometer, drive computer and outside temperature display.

The steering features state of

the art audio and drive computer, Intelligent key w/push engine starter, rear headrest, rear seat CTR armrest, armrest through, wood trims, 4 speakers, audio with USB/I-pod connectivity and Bluetooth, navigation with 5.8” display and Nissan Connect and rear view camera.

Exterior options The Sentra 1.6 SV features rear LED combination lamp, side turn lamp on fender, it comes with 16” alloy wheels, rear window glass antenna and Fr headlamp with LED accent lamp.

Interior technology • Push Button Ignition: The engine activates just by turning the ignition knob (or pressing the engine start switch), without taking the key out and inserting it.

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• Lockout Protection: In order to avoid a key being shut up inside the vehicle cabin or trunk, the technology detects the status of the door lock and whether the key is inside the vehicle, it alerts drivers via a buzzer and simultaneously automatically unlocks the door or opens the trunk.

Nissan’s Intelligent Key: This technology allows owners to lock and unlock the door just by pressing the ‘Request Switch’ on the door while just simply carrying the key. Drivers can also open and close the trunk, and can start the engine without having to insert the key, making departure seamless. By cutting out the trouble of putting in the key, there is no need to search for the key inside a bag or pocket. It also eliminates the fear of accidentally shutting the key inside the vehicle or trunk.

All models benefit from the standard fitment of soft interior trims, and a wide range of safety equipment including dual airbags, ABS (anti-lock Braking System), EBD (Electronic Brake- force Distribution), and BA (Brake Assist).

The Nissan Sentra’s lightweight body surrounds an interior offering class-leading roominess.

All passengers can spread out comfortably whether in the front or the rear which boasts legroom to match models in the higher mid-size sedan segment. Luggage is equally well accommodated thanks to Sentra’s 510-litre boot –

again, much bigger than models in its class and matching those in the mid-size sedan segment.

The Nissan Sentra comes standard with antilock brakes, stability control, front-seat side airbags, full-length side curtain airbags and active front head restraints.

Most Sentra models come with rear drum brakes, although rear discs are an option.

Suhail Bahwan Automobiles offers wide range of after sales service with modern technology and state-of-the-art facilities in strategic locations. Their practice of total ownership experience and customer-centric approach will ensure that customers are given par excellence professional services for all car related needs.

Nationwide presence Suhail Bahwan Automobiles, the exclusive importers and distributors of all Nissan vehicles in Oman, have their Nissan showrooms spread across the Sultanate. Their showrooms are strategically located all across the country in Muscat, Sohar, Sur, Salalah, Shinas, Samail, Ibra, Ibri, Nizwa, Buraimi, Barka, Bahla, Jalan Bani Bu Ali, Seeb, Mabella, Sinaw and Bidaya.

This goes to show that Nissan Oman has been successfully growing in operations and is consistently spreading its network throughout the Sultanate of Oman.

MEDICAL EMERGENCY

KIMS Hospital

saves French tourist’s life MUSCAT: KIMS Oman Hospital (KOH) successfully treated a 46-year-old Frenchman who was diagnosed at the Medical Intensive Care Unit (ICU) with very serious condition of acute inferior wall MI with severe neurological injury after being rushed to the hospital from a tourist ship in Muscut’s port.

The patient was admitted for 13 days at KIMS Hospital’s cardiology department ICU, where he received special care and medical treatment by Dr Saad Haddad, specialist cardiologist, and his professional medical staff. He was later discharged after he completely recovered. The patient thanked KOH’s medical team for saving his life. He also conveyed his appreciation and gratitude for the distinct service and great hospitality he received at KOH. High quality services “I would like to express my pride of our expert medical team, who indeed has the capability to treat and deal with the most serious and critical cases,” said Dr Hussam Akoum, chief operating officer of KOH. “KOH is committed to provide high quality services with care, compassion and courtesy to its patients at an affordable price.

We strive to give our very best to the patient in clinical as well as non-clinical aspects of health care. For us the patient is the sole cause of existence and we reciprocate the faith and trust that patient’s exhibit in our brand.”

FLOWER ARRANGEMENT

ANNUAL EVENT

ISC ladies treated to Bonsai wonders

MB Holding Group conducts 7th blood donation campaign MUSCAT: The MB Holding Group held its 7th annual blood donation campaign at their head office in Azaiba recently.

The event was held successfully with the support of Ministry of Health represented by the Department of Blood Services, says a press release.

This campaign has taken shape as a regular annual event in the MB Holding calendar and was marketed internally across various pieces of communication to invite employees from across the group companies within Oman.

“It is extremely gratifying to see such a large turnout from across the group. This further reaffirms our philosophy of thinking beyond just our business and contributing to the environment and people around us,” stated Said Al

Jabri, director Corporate Operations, MB Holding.

The blood donation campaign is yet another initiative by the group to give back to the community. Further encouraged by recognition from the Ministry of Health officials on earlier campaigns signifies the importance of such roles taken by private sector companies.

Deputy Chief Medical Officer of MB Holding Group Dr. Dhishaan Al Shanfari was thrilled at the response to this year’s campaign and said, “This is the 7th time that we are conducting the blood donation drive at our office. Medically speaking, blood donation enhances the production of new red blood cells and reduces the risk of heart diseases. It energizes the body and gives one a sense of ful-

fillment by actively contributing to a noble cause.”

The MB Holding Group is devoted to achieving their vision of global eminence with diversified presence in more than 20 countries. The dynamic group which started operations in 1982 has diversified businesses including drilling and oilfield services, exploration and production of oil and gas, marine and engineering services, mining and mineral exploration and investments. The MB Holding Group employs more than 5000 employees from over 51 nationalities who are committed to achieving its vision and mission. For decades, in Oman and internationally, the company has achieved growth, efficiency and profitability with focus on quality, safety and teamwork.

MUSCAT: The ladies of the Indian Social Club were treated to a flower arrangement demonstration by Devyani Latwala. As she painstakingly put each arrangement together, Devyani explained the steps and little nuances that need to be borne in mind while assembling these beautiful displays, says a press release.

At the end of her presentation, she generously handed out three arrangements to a few lucky ladies.

Adept at the art of flower arranging, Devyani also uses her ingenuity to create the most natural looking ceramic flowers and terrariums. The numerous bonsai displays in her garden are a witness to this lady’s creative talents.

SOCIAL MEDIA

Khimji’s Watches now available on Instagram MUSCAT: Making its strong presence felt on the country’s social media platforms, @khimjiswatches is the new digital address to get a glimpse of the world’s best brands, luxury watches and accessories in Oman. The Instagram page of Khimji’s Watches will be used to share pictures and videos of Khimji’s Watches’ global brands, says a press release.

The company will also utilise this platform to understand its customers’ tastes and requirements, take cognisance of its customer feedback and invite potential clients to its showroom to view its various collections.

“We are very happy to introduce our Instagram page. Instagram is a fast and fun way to boost visibility for our brands for the benefit of our prospective clients and strengthening relationship with existing clients. We would also utilise this feature to keep our customers updated with our events and new acquisitions. Instagram has a huge number of active users in Oman and the world over and we look forward to reaching out to them,” stated Madhursinh Jesrani, General Manager, Khimji’s Watches.

Set up in 1973, Khimji’s Watches is one of Muscat’s leading franchisees for luxury watches, jew-

ellery, accessories and writing instruments. The showroom is located at Way No. 3036, Building No. 2825, Al Ufouq Building, Shatti Al Qurum, Muscat.

Global designs Khimji’s Watches offers a range of global designs from Rolex, Cartier, Chopard, Piaget, Mikimoto, Girard Perregaux, Tudor, Oris, Frederique Constant, Bell&Ross, Caran d’Ache and recently launched Kieninger clocks. Khimji’s Watches also has an exclusive Rolex standard Service Centre that offers aftercare services for all its premium watch brands.

YOUNG LEADERS

ISM appoints junior prefects at colourful investiture ceremony MUSCAT: The annual Investiture Ceremony of the Junior Prefectorial Council, the head boy, the head girl, the vice-captains of the four houses, the house mistresses and masters of the middle section of Indian School Muscat (ISM) was held recently in the school’s new multipurpose hall.

The function commenced with the impressive march by the prefect designates of Class VIII up to the dais to the slow beat of the drum. This was followed by the welcome address by Jacob Zacharias, vice principal of the Middle Section. He welcomed the gathering which consisted of the guests of honour, Commander Austin Smith, Commander Royal Navy, Naval and Air Attache, British Embassy Muscat and Rebecca Smith, Dr Avirat Vaishnav, president of the school managing committee, members of SMC, Principal Srinivas K. Naidu, the vice principals

and the assistant vice principals of senior, middle and primary sections, heads of various departments, proud parents of the newly elected prefects, teachers and students of Class VIII. One twenty five boys and girls were formally appointed as Prefects by the principal and other dignitaries of ISM. Young leaders The highlight of the ceremony was the assembling of the elected prefects in a perfect V formation, flanking the school and house flags. Principal Srinivas K. Naidu administered the oath to the office bearers, wherein the young leaders pledged to take up their responsibilities and discharge their duties diligently and to the best of their ability, upholding the honour of the school always, and invested the head boy and the head girl with their badges. The guests of honour of the day honoured the house vice

captains, the house masters and mistresses with their badges of office, followed by the pinning of the badges, after which they addressed the gathering, says a press release.

The guest of honour then congratulated the prefects and urged them to live up to the pledge that they have taken and exhorted them to be perfect role models to others and to work with the teachers to make the school a better place, lead by example and be self-disciplined.

Later, the assistant vice principal Eskalin Gonsalves led the prefects in prayer. The Head Girl Megan Erica D’Souza proposed the vote of thanks.

The melodious rendition of the song ‘We shall overcome’ by the school choir reverberated the message that the newly elected office bearers are all set to face every challenge and do their very best to preserve the honour and reputation of the school.

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ROUND-UP AWA R E N E S S D R I V E

Bank Sohar holds conference on thematic investments MUSCAT: Bank Sohar, together with Pictet Asset Management, recently held a Thematic Investments Conference with the aim of increasing awareness among local investors with regards to the merits of thematic investing focusing on effectively leveraging emerging market trends to earn healthy returns, says a press release.

The conference, which was held at the Grand Hyatt Muscat, was attended by several prominent business heads, VIPs and other high net worth individuals. Representing Bank Sohar at the event was Mohammed Dohadwala, AGM of Investments & Correspondent Banking, together with members of Bank Sohar’s Wealth Management Team, says a press release.

Commenting on the conference and advantages of thematic investment, Rashad Ali Al Musafir, act-

ing CEO of Bank Sohar said, “Bank Sohar is delighted to join hand with Pictet Asset Management to host this conference which aims at identifying best practices and approachfor investment opportunities. Due to current market conditions, taking on a thematic approach towards investment may be better suited to some investors and is a growing trend in the global financial industry.

“As a bank that prides itself on its active involvement with clients in its role as a financial advisor, we feel that it is vital to spread awareness on the benefits of thematic investments whilst opening doors to such investments for our clients in the country.”

The conference commenced with a welcome address by Mohammed Dohadwala who also commented on how simple ways

of diversification, such as investing in numerous stocks or across different countries and industries, is being replaced by a trend towards diversification across themes or strategies.

This was followed by a comprehensive introduction on Thematic Investment by Bharat Pratap, senior manager of Institutional Clients at Pictet Asset Management; who explained that thematic in-

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vesting is an investment concept that identifies key trends based on demographics, human behaviour, resource depletion and lifestyle trends. The idea is to invest in emerging trends that are expected to become businesses in the medium term in order to earn relatively superior returns. The risk is managed by diversifying across trends.

Unlike conventional diversification strategies, thematic investing allows the manager to invest across industries, countries and stocks.

At the end of the conference, Alexandre Mouthon, senior product specialist of Theme Funds at Pictet Asset Management, explained in details how themed investment was handled at Pictet Asset Management. The event concluded with a comprehensive Q&A session and buffet lunch.

“The conference was a great

success with attendees commending both Bank Sohar and Pictet Asset Management for the insightful and detailed explanation of the concept. In keeping with our customer-focused approach, we aim to continue organizing similar indepth conferences and workshops for our valued customers in the future,” added Rashad Al Musafir.

Bank Sohar’s Wealth Management Division focuses on providing innovative solutions to its clients’ investment needs in an ethical and risk managed framework. The team ensures understanding the investment needs of its clients and proposes solutions in line with these needs. The team also aims at simplifying the complications and challenges that are related toinvestment opportunities whilst ensuring diversification approach to their investments.

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SECTION

RECRUI JOB POSTINGS

QUOTES Hard work spotlights the character of people: some turn up their sleeves, some turn up their noses, and some don’t turn up at all.

— Sam Ewing

When you form a team, why do you try to form a team? Because teamwork builds trust and trust builds speed.

— Russel Honore Yesterday is not ours to recover, but tomorrow is ours to win or lose — Lyndon B. Johnson Opportunities are usually disguised as hard work, so most people don’t recognise them.

—Ann Landers

The only place success comes before work is in the dictionary.

— Vince Lombardi

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Marque Real Estate showcases Dubai properties for investment Marque offers numerous investment properties from developers like Emaar, Damac, Tameer and Omniyat amongst others

MUSCAT: Marque Real Estate Dubai, an Al Ansari Group company, had a successful opening day of their sales event of Dubai-based properties at the Grand Hyatt yesterday. Several investors showed keen interest in real estate invest-

ment opportunities in Dubai, says a press release.

The event continues today at the Grand Hyatt from 10am to 8pm.

Marque offers numerous investment properties from renowned developers like Emaar, Damac,

Tameer and Omniyat amongst others. A vast portfolio of ready and off-plan apartments, villas, serviced apartments, plots, and labour camps are being offered from prices starting at OMR50,000 and rental returns of up to 10 per cent.

Developers are offering easy payment plans and financing options which have further increased investor interest.

Investors at the event are optimistic about investing in Dubai as the economy continues to witness aggressive growth fueled by government and private sector spending in preparation for Dubai Expo 2020.

MUSICAL CONCERT

JOB OPPORTUNITIES

Singer Vakil to perform in TeO offers career counselling ‘Sham-e-Ghazal’ on May 8 at Omanisation Career Fair MUSCAT: Lovers of Urdu ghazal have a musical treat lined up for them by Urdu Wing of the Indian Social Club when it hosts ‘Shame-Ghazal’ May 8.

Scheduled to start at 7.30 pm at the Indian Embassy auditorium, the event will feature Mohammed Vakil, a renowned ghazal singer from India, says a press release.

“Urdu Wing has been one of the most active wings of Indian Social Club with a philanthropic approach and has been enriching the social, cultural and literary fabric of the Sultanate through its various endeavors. It tries, through its events to work effortlessly for the preservation, conservation and promotion of Urdu language,” said an Urdu Wing official.

Sham-e- Ghazal being one of such events is eagerly awaited by one and all. Technical and Administrative Training Institute (TATI), one of the largest private

training organisations in the Sultanate of Oman with a portfolio of more than 200 training programmes, will be the presenter of the event.

J S Mukul, Indian ambassador to Oman, will be the chief guest.

Mohammed Vakil, besides being the winner of TVS Sare Ga Ma and many other awards, has four exclusive albums to his credit.

He is a well-known name in Bol-

lywood, singing for Veer Zara and Yash Chopra Productions, serials and has performed in concerts globally. His expertise lies in being traditional yet adding innovations to this genre of music and Urdu poetry. He has been successful in intermingling eastern and western instruments for his ghazal’s music yet has effectively maintained the Roohdari and Raagdari in his presentations.

He has honed his skills under renowned Ghazal maestros Ustad Mohammed Hussain and Ustad Ahmed Hussain and attributes his success to his gurus (masters).

The event is supported by Al Hashar Travels, Techno Plastic Industry, Great Vision, Raha and Jindal Shadeed. “The entry is by invitation only. Urdu lovers in Oman are excited about Sham-eGhazal, which is a regular feature of the cultural calendar of Urdu Wing,” he added.

MUSCAT: Integrated Telecommunications Oman (TeO) participated at the Omanisation Career Fair (OCF), 2015 held at the Oman International Exhibition Centre recently. TeO shared information on the telecommunication industry, TeO’s plans for the future and the career opportunities available, says a press release.

“At the three-day event, a large number of students and young job-seekers visited the TeO pavilion and inquired about the employment and training opportunities offered by us. The response that we received particularly from young Omani students demonstrated their interest in the rapidly growing telecom industry and the opportunities it opens up for them. At TeO, we are committed to encourage these talented youngsters and guide them to choose suitable career paths,” said Tania Dole, TeO spokesperson.

“Last month, TeO had partici-

pated at the Caledonian College Career Fair. We believe Oman has a very large pool of untapped human capital. TeO’s long term objective is to provide an outlet for the young people of Oman to utilise and showcase their creativity and energy.” Tania explained.

Integrated Telecommunications Oman (TeO) is Oman’s

first private CLASS I licensee international gateway operator, a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) and the first-of-its-kind over-the-top telecom service provider in the Sultanate of Oman.

TeO currently operates with its consumer product brand ‘Allo’ and its endorsed brands ‘Teo Globe’ and ‘TeO Business’.

ISLAMIC FINANCE

Meethaq marks graduation of ‘Little Investor’ programme

MUSCAT: Meethaq, the pioneer of Islamic banking in Oman from Bank Muscat, marked the graduation of ‘Little Investor’ programme, aimed at promoting Islamic banking concepts in society with particular emphasis on children and youth, at the bank’s head office.

During the event, school students presented various projects reflecting innovation in savings and investments. The ‘Little Investor’ programme endorsed by the Ministry of Education was launched in co-operation with the Happy Family Centre for Family and Educational Consultancy, says a press release.

Based on well-defined scien-

tific principles, the savings and investment programme is part of Meethaq’s strategies aimed at promoting Islamic banking concepts. In the first phase of the programme, three schools were covered and more schools will be covered in the upcoming period in various governorates of Oman.

The ‘Little Investor’ programme is aimed at promoting and disseminating the basic concepts of financial planning and saving among families and school students during various stages of schooling. By launching this programme, Meethaq Islamic Banking aims to realise a number of objectives, most importantly to familiarise participants with the

fundamentals of financial planning and money management as well as scientific methods to be followed in financial planning, saving and maintaining proper financial records, the ultimate goal being to utilise this knowledge to develop prudent financial habits.

In 2014, Meethaq launched Baraem, the first Sharia-based children’s savings account in Oman. The special savings account for children is aimed at encouraging savings culture among them and helping parents to prepare for the future of children.

Baraem is designed to help teach children handle money responsibly and encourage savings habit from an early age.

H E A LT H C A R E

Top nephrologist brings vital expertise to Hatat Polyclinic MUSCAT: Professional dedication, academic excellence and social responsibility are what Dr Vijay Kher, an internationally recognized nephrologist at Medanta - The Medicity, will bring to Hatat Polyclinic in Oman.

Regular visits to Hatat Polyclinic by Dr Kher, chairman of the Division of Nephrology, Medanta Kidney and Urology Institute, are planned as part of the recent tieup between the two well-established medical facilities .

An astute clinician, a teacher par excellence and a keen researcher, Dr Kher is all set to visit Hatat Polyclinic on May 10 to of-

fer his knowledge and expertise in kidney transplantation, immunosuppression, progressive renal diseases, acute kidney injury, glomerulonephritis and all other kinds of renal ailments to patients in Oman, says a press release.

He has established Academic and Clinical departments of Nephrology at Sher-e-Kashmir, Institute of Medical Sciences in Srinagar, SGPGIMS in Lucknow, Apollo Hospitals in New Delhi, Fortis group of hospitals in NCR, Delhi and most recently at Medanta. He has been awarded fellowships of National Academy of Medical Sciences, Royal College

of Physicians Edinburg and Indian Society of Nephrology.

Published papers He has published more than 150 papers in peer reviewed journals and 24 book chapters and has edited five books.

Dr Kher’s belief in research, combined with his friendly and inclusive demeanor, has long inspired the nephrology fraternity in India and his visits to Hatat Polyclinic will provide a link between the patients in Oman and Medanta - The Medicity, one of India’s largest multi-specialty medical institute.

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ANOTHER BRICK FALLS OFF ENGLAND’S WALL Jonathan Trott followed Graeme raeme Swann, Kevin Pietersen and Matt Prior into the n Monday international wilderness on ly short of to leave England desperately ar’s Ashes experience ahead of this year’s series against Australia. >C2

Barcelona firing on all cylinders, but defence yet to dispel doubts The South American trio of Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez reached a scorching 108 goals for the season

BARCELONA: While there may still be a question mark over treble-chasing Barcelona’s defence, their fearsome attacking trident is firing on all cylinders ahead of Bayern Munich’s visit in the Champions League semifinals on Wednesday. The South American trio of Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez reached a scorching 108 goals for the season following the La Liga leaders’ 8-0 destruction of Cordoba on Saturday, eight more than the previous club record set

by Messi, Samuel Eto’o and Thierry Henry when Barca won the treble in 2009.

Argentina captain Messi is on 51 goals in all competitions, Uruguay striker Suarez, whose ban for biting an opponent at last year’s World Cup finals expired at the end of October, has 24, and Brazil forward Neymar 33.

With a defence that has looked shaky at times this season, however, Barca’s hopes of reaching next month’s Champions League final at Berlin’s Olympic Stadium may hinge on them scoring more goals than they inevitably concede.

The Catalan giants have most of the same personnel at the back, including the likes of Gerard Pique, Jordi Alba, Dani Alves and Marc Bartra, as when they crashed to a

humiliating 7-0 aggregate defeat to Bayern in the last four of Europe’s elite club competition two years ago.

The rampant German champions won the first leg in Munich 4-0 and the return 3-0, the heaviest two-legged European defeat in Barca’s history, and Bayern went on to beat Bundesliga rivals Borussia Dortmund in the first allGerman final. “It was a fantastic experience, we played brilliantly and astonished the football world,” forward Thomas Mueller said on Bayern’s website (www.fcbayern. de) on Sunday. “We know their strengths and above all they have world-class players up front,” added the Germany international.

Both clubs have changed coaches since 2012-13, with Luis Enrique in charge at Barca in place of Tito Vilanova, who succumbed to cancer last year, and former Barca player and coach Pep Guardiola at the Bayern helm.

“We are armed and ready,” Mueller said. “The coach knows this team better than any other. He’ll give us a game plan, but the rest is up to us players.”

Four-time winners Barca are seeking their eighth final appearance and five-times champions Bayern, who host the return leg the following Tuesday, their 11th. - Reuters

TRAINING SESSION: From left, Barcelona’s Uruguayan forward Luis Suarez, Argentinian forward Lionel Messi, defender Gerard Pique and midfielder Sergio Busquets take part in a training session at the Sports Centre FC Barcelona Joan Gamper in Sant Joan Despi, near Barcelona on on the eve of the Uefa Champions League semifinal first leg football match against Bayen Munich. – AFP

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Pep Guardiola looks to outwit old friends

BATTLE ROYAL: A combination of file pictures shows Bayern Munich’s Spanish coach Pep Guardiola, left, gesturing during the football match against Stuttgart in Munich last year and Barcelona’s coach Luis Enrique, right, gesturing during the Champions League match against Ajax Amsterdam at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona last year. – AFP

BARCELONA: Pep Guardiola will return to the Camp Nou with the away side for the first time on Wednesday as Barcelona’s most successful coach takes Bayern Munich to the Catalan stronghold in the first-leg of their Champions League semifinal. As a player Guardiola was a key cog of the Barca side that won their first ever European Cup in 1992. And as a coach he led the club to 14 trophies, including two Champions Leagues titles during a glorious four-year spell between 2008 and 2012.

However, he now must find a way to outwit former teammate and friend, the Barcelona coach Luis Enrique, and a host of his former charges who are in sensational form. Having won 26 of their last 28 games in all competitions, Barca are on course to repeat the historic treble of La Liga, Champions League and Copa del Rey which they won in Guardiola’s first season in charge.

“There is a good relationship there, because we’ve known each other for so long,” said Barca midfielder Andres Iniesta.

“We went through a lot together and, therefore, it will be nice and special for everyone.”

The tie could even see brothers come face-to-face as former Barca midfielder Thiago Alcantara returns to his former club where younger brother Rafinha is now a first-team regular. Revenge could also be on Barca’s minds, though,

Luis Enrique shining in Guardiola’s shadow BARCELONA: Despite the presence of Lionel Messi and 14 World Cup winners, the attention will be on the touchline as much as the pitch when Pep Guardiola leads his Bayern Munich side into the stadium he called home for so long on Wednesday. Guardiola has been to Barcelona’s Camp Nou hundreds of times, as captain during an 11-year playing career and most memorably in winning 14 trophies in a four-year spell as the club’s most successful ever coach.

The last time he was there, for Barca’s Champions League win over Manchester City in February, he sat in his seat, a season

as they suffered their heaviest ever European defeat in a 7-0 aggregate thrashing by Bayern at this stage of the competition two years ago.

“These games are surrounded by tension given what you are playing for and because it is just one step from the final,” added Iniesta.

“Moreover, the season is going great and we are just a little away from achieving our objectives.

ticket in the stands next to his father. This midweek, though, he will experience the vast concrete bowl of a ground from a different angle, as the opposition coach as Bayern travel to Catalonia in the first-leg of their Champions League semifinal. His visit couldn’t have come at a better time for his former teammate and friend Luis Enrique.

The Barca boss has followed in Guardiola’s footsteps throughout his playing and coaching career. Enrique became captain after Guardiola’s departure and started his managerial career by succeeding his former teammate as Barca B

These are all extra elements which add to the game, but the key is to enjoy what you are doing.”

Thomas Mueller certainly enjoyed the meeting two years ago as he scored three times over the two legs and the German World Cup winner is hoping those good memories will lift a Bayern side that has struggled for fitness and form in recent weeks.

“It was a great experience, we played

coach when Guardiola took over the senior team in 2008.

That pattern continued when Barca called on a former legend and fan-favourite to spark an under-achieving squad after a trophyless season by hiring Enrique, just as they had when Guardiola supplanted Frank Rijkaard. Almost 12 months later Enrique stands on the brink of matching Guardiola’s biggest achievement by delivering the treble in his first season in charge. As well the pursuit of a fifth European Cup, Barca hold a two-point lead in La Liga with three games to play and will host Athletic Bilbao in the final of the

brilliantly back then and had the whole footballing world marvelling at us,” he said. “I will certainly arrive at the stadium on Wednesday with a positive feeling.”

Bayern’s top-scorer Robert Lewandowski looks set to play with a protective face mask despite breaking his nose and cheekbone in last week’s penalty shoot out defeat to Borussia Dortmund in

Copa del Rey at the end of the month. The similarities to Guardiola’s first season are striking.

Propelled by a star front three, Barca top scored and conceded least in La Liga, beat Athletic in the Cup final and overcame French and English opposition as well as Bayern on the way to the Champions League.

Yet, Enrique has also been his own man and statistically made an even better start to his Barca coaching career than Guardiola, winning 48 of his first 56 games in charge to Guardiola’s 40.

The forward triumvirate of Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar have already surpassed the 100-

the German Cup semifinals. The German champions will be without Arjen Robben, Franck Ribery, David Alaba and Holger Badstuber through injury, though.

By contrast, Barcelona are at full-strength and in top form having struck 16 goals without reply in their last two games.

The stellar front three of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar

goal record set by the Argentine, Thierry Henry and Samuel Eto’o six years ago with 108 goals between them this season despite Suarez missing the first two months of the season due to suspension. Most significantly Enrique has changed Barca’s somewhat dogmatic style under Guardiola for more varied sytle that relies less on possession.

When the semifinal draw was made he described Guardiola as “the best coach in the world, for what he has won, how he has adapted to a new country.”

There would be no better way to ensure his future is at the Camp Nou. - AFP

registered 11 of those goals to take their tally for the season to 108, along with 50 assists.

However, Mueller is confident that Guardiola’s inside knowledge could give them the upper hand.

“The coach knows this team better than anyone else.

“He will give us the formula for success — the rest we’ll have to do as players.” - AFP

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W E D NE S DAY, MAY 6, 2 015

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Buoyant Bangladesh eye maiden Test win

TROTT QUITS

The Tigers are WALKING OUT: Jonathan Trott says he will not play international

cricket anymore. – Reuters

buoyed by a remarkable fightback

Another brick falls off England’s wall

in the drawn first Test in Khulna where they avoided defeat for the first time in

LONDON: Jonathan Trott followed Graeme Swann, Kevin Pietersen and Matt Prior into the international wilderness on Monday to leave England desperately short of experience ahead of this year’s Ashes series against Australia. Trott was forced to admit that he is no longer capable of coping with the demands of test cricket following a dismal return to the side in the drawn series in West Indies.

That leaves only Alastair Cook, Ian Bell, James Anderson and Stuart Broad as England players with experience of Ashes success and, with the Australians heading over brimful of confidence, home hopes of reclaiming the precious urn look forlorn.

Cook’s team are in disarray following their erratic performances in the Caribbean. Although the captain made his first international century for nearly two years in the final test in Barbados, the batting looks highly vulnerable.

Trott’s retirement leaves a gap at the top of the order and Yorkshire’s Adam Lyth looks to be the next candidate to open with Cook. Only Joe Root enjoyed a consistent series against a moderate West Indies attack and although Bell looked in sublime form when he made 143 in the first match in Antigua, he contributed little after that.

Gary Ballance has established himself at number three but the middle order is in a state of flux with Moeen Ali and Ben Stokes unpredictable influences and Jos Buttler struggling to translate his dynamic One-day form to the fiveday game. Anderson continues to lead the attack with great skill and energy but England’s leading test wicket-taker needs more sup-

port. Broad blows hot and cold, Chris Jordan and Stokes have failed to provide potent seam back-up and the spinning department looks threadbare.

Moeen failed to kick on from his impressive performances against India last year with wildly erratic spells in West Indies and Root provided only modest back-up.

James Tredwell is not a wicket-taking bowler in tests and the reluctance of the selectors to give Adil Rashid a game in West Indies suggests they do not fully trust the Yorkshire leg-spinner.

With major doubts hanging over the future of England coach Peter Moores the portends for the Ashes do not look bright.

But the hosts can take heart from the experience of Australia last time they toured England when Mickey Arthur was removed as coach two weeks before the first test and his replacement Darren Lehmann immediately galvanised the team.

“This was a tough decision to make but I don’t feel my game is at the level you need to be at to play for England,” said Trott in an England and Wales Cricket Board statement. “I was honoured to be given the opportunity to come back and play international cricket again and I’m disappointed it didn’t work out. I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has helped me and given me the chance to represent England.”

The 34-year-old Trott, who intends to continue his county career with Warwickshire, added: “I’ve had incredible highs and some real lows in an England shirt but wouldn’t change a thing.

“I look forward to continuing at Warwickshire and hopefully helping us win more silverware.” — Agencies

nine matches against Pakistan despite trailing by 296 runs on the first innings

DHAKA: Bangladesh hope to build on their new-found confidence by securing their first-ever Test victory over Pakistan when the second and final match starts in Dhaka on Wednesday.

The Tigers are buoyed by a remarkable fightback in the drawn first Test in Khulna where they avoided defeat for the first time in nine matches against Pakistan despite trailing by 296 runs on the first innings.

The gallant display followed their dominant form against the struggling Pakistanis in the limited-overs contests where the hosts swept the one-day series 3-0 and easily won the lone Twenty20 international.

In Khulna, Bangladesh showed their batting prowess as Tamim Iqbal hit his nation’s highest score of 206 and shared a 312-run opening stand with Imrul Kayes (150) in the crucial second innings.

Bangladesh’s only series wins so far since gaining Test status in 2000 have come against fellow wooden-spooners Zimbabwe and against an under-strength West Indies.

But former Test captain Habibul Bashar felt the time had arrived for Bangladesh to take a major step forward and win the series against Pakistan, who are placed third in the official rankings.

“We can surely go for the kill,”

TALKING STRATEGIES: Bangladesh cricket coach Chandika Hathurusingha, left, speaks with Bangladesh cricket captain Mushfiqur Rahim, right, during a practice session in Dhaka – AFP

Bashar said ahead of the Test at the Sher-e-Bangla stadium. “We have a positive mindset which can help us gain an edge over the opponents. Our comeback in Khulna raised the team’s confidence to a new level. Not many teams can do what we did against a side like Pakistan who have such a versatile bowling attack.

“After such a performance, the boys will naturally look for a win in Dhaka.”

Bangladesh are worried about the fitness of captain and wicketkeeper Mushfiqur Rahim, having already lost strike seam bowler Rubel Hossain for the Test due to a side strain.

Ajmal uncertainty Rahim hurt a finger on the right hand while attempting a catch in Khulna and left the field. He batted in the second innings but was dismissed without scoring.

Bashar, a selector, said that Rahim could be replaced behind the stumps by the uncapped Litton Das, who was a wicketkeeper at under-19 level.

“Rahim can play as a batsman alone, but if he is unable to keep, we may include Litton,” he said.

Pakistan have brought in allrounder Bilawal Bhatti to replace seamer Rahat Ali, who had been ruled out of the tour ahead of the first Test due to a hamstring injury.

It was uncertain if star off-spinner Saeed Ajmal will be recalled after being ignored for the third one-dayer and the Khulna Test.

Ajmal, who returned to international cricket with a remodelled action in the preceding limitedovers series, failed to impress with just one wicket in three games on the tour.

Ajmal told the Cricinfo website that he needed time to regain confidence and return to his best.

“I knew it will be tough moving forward,” said Ajmal. “I’d said prior to coming here that I need time and I am disappointed that I am not able to fulfil the expectations of the nation.

“But I spoke to the captain and the coach and they have a plan for me. I need time to regain my confidence. It does not come overnight.”

Bangladesh fast bowler Rubel Hossain has been ruled out of the second test against Pakistan starting on Wednesday due to a side strain, the country’s cricket board said.

Rubel ruled out Rubel will be replaced by paceman Abul Hasan, who has played three tests for Bangladesh, the last more than two years ago against Sri Lanka.

Rubel injured himself during the fourth day of the first test in Khulna, which ended in a draw, and a scan confirmed a Grade 1 left side strain.

“It takes about three to four weeks to recover from such injuries. He will begin his rehab in the next couple of days,” Bangladesh physiotherapist Bayjedul Islam said in a statement.

Bangladesh (from): Mushfiqur Rahim (capt), Tamim Iqbal, Imrul Kayes, Litton Das, Mominul Haque, Sakib Al Hasan, Mohammed Mahmudullah, Shuvagata Hom, Soumya Sarkar, Taijul Islam, Jubair Hossain, Abul Hasan, Shahadat Hossain, Mohammad Shahid.

Pakistan (from): Misbah-ul Haq (capt), Babar Azam, Mohammed Hafeez, Sami Aslam, Asad Shafiq, Azhar Ali, Younis Khan, Haris Sohail, Saeed Ajmal, Yasir Shah, Zulfiqar Babar, Sarfraz Ahmed, Wahab Riaz, Junaid Khan, Imran Khan, Bilawal Bhatti. - Agencies

IPL PREVIEW

Bangalore seek to seal spot in top four BANGALORE: Royal Challengers Bangalore would seek to consolidate their position in the top four, while the bottom-placed Kings XI Punjab would try to end a four-match losing streak when the two sides lock horns in an Indian Premier League cricket match here on Wednesday.

Placed fourth in the points table, RCB is coming off a 24-run defeat at the hands of Chennai Super Kings on Monday.

The hosts, led by Virat Kohli, would be the favourites to emerge victorious against Kings XI Punjab, whose chances of making the playoffs are all but over after seven losses from nine matches.

RCB have four wins and as many losses in nine matches they have played so far, while KXIP remained at the bottom with four points against their name.

RCB would like to forget their defeat against CSK and return to winning ways at the crucial business end of the season. In fact, a loss here and there could spell doom for the hosts.

RCB could not get past the paltry CSK total of 148 for nine as

HOPING TO BE CONSISTENT: Royal Challengers Bangalore celebrating a wicket during the match they lost to Chennai. – PTI

they were all out for 124 following a horrendous batting display during which they lost seven wickets for 27 runs in 5.5 overs.

RCB have struggled to come good before their home crowd and lost three matches before pulling off a 10-over-a-side match against Kolkata Knight Riders.

With the likes of the big-hitting Chris Gayle, who missed out against CSK, A B de Villiers and Kohli himself in the team, the hosts can fancy their chances at Chinnaswamy stadium.

Mandeep Singh, hero against KKR, was unfortunately run out in the last match but he would

look to impress one more time.

De Villiers, who made 21 in the last game, would be eager to get a big one, which is due from his willow. On the bowling front, Mitchell Starc has infused confidence into other RCB bowlers, which was reflected in the last game where David Wiese and Harshal Patel, took two wickets. The Australian bowler ended with figures of three for 24 in four overs.

On the other side, KXIP have made changes in their playing eleven, often resting Glenn Maxwell and David Miller, without much gain. Their batting has been a great letdown compared to last year when they reached the finals.

Virender Sehwag, Shaun Marsh and Glenn Maxwell have not managed to make the kind of impact they were expected to ahead of the tournament.

KXIP’s bowlers too have been a huge disappointment with pace spearhead Mitchell Johnson being the biggest flop. Barring pacer Sandeep Sharma and left-arm spinner Axar Patel, the KXIP bowling has never looked threatening. - PTI

WEDNESDAY, MAY 6, 2015

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SPORTS C O M M E N TA RY

Root for Punjab, for smile’s sake

Mumbai Indians surge continues

T

he most visible, vibrant image of the Indian Premier League 2014, especially during the Abu Dhabi-Dubai-Sharjah leg of the season, was that of a bubbly lady in the red-andsilver team shirt springing to her feet and beaming that famous, fabulous, dimpled smile as Glenn Maxwell and Co went about their job with complete disregard of the situations that might have put morbid fear in the minds of lesser mortals.

The lady with that infectious charm was Preity Zinta, the co-owner-cumcheerleader of Kings XI Punjab who looked invincible almost till the end of the season. The guys who put eternal sunshine in the face of the pretty lady and the fans of her franchise looked as if they were men from another planet where cricket balls were hit with a force and passion unknown to exist on our earth. Those were the days.

The sunshine has now vanished. The image of Preity Zinta standing in the dugout with shock and dismay evenly spread on her face is the visible sight of season eight for Kings XI Punjab and their fans. The heroes of the past season, Maxwell in particular, looked like aliens who stayed on earth longer than they should have and lost their magic-mystic powers that separated them from the lesser, earthly mortals.

With just four points from nine games, and the league stage hurtling towards its complex end, Kings XI stare at a different reality than they did this time last year. Their neck is on the line, and if they do not put a stop today to their three-game-in-a-row losing streak, they might be completely out of the big picture.

How they could do that looks like a peak taller, treacherous than Everest.

Obviously, chopping and chipping has failed to do the trick. Virender Sehwag is not getting the starts, Murali Vijay is not anchoring the innings, Maxwell is in awful form. They get shot out for 118 when they bat first and fall by the wayside chasing targets in the range of 150.

Mitchell Johnson, before

Off the field, Bravo enjoys doing music

SCOREBOARD

Yuvraj Singh found form to strike 57 off 44 balls, with seven boundaries and two the start of the season, was the kind of gun you love to tuck under your belt and dramatically pull out and fire at the enemy when conventional, less lethal weapons fail to do the work. His complete failure to get the respect of batsmen is a mystery, while the disrespect displayed by Mumbai Indians’ Parthiv Patel at Mohali was shocking.

Johnson seemed so powerless to do anything to avoid the 17-run humiliation that he was taken out of attack right after just one over, and when he came in again, Patel harvested 11 runs from three balls, to post an impressive 28-run yield from just nine balls off the bowling of arguably the most-ruthless hunter of the current times.

On the other hand, the guy who pushed Johnson out of the limelight and made him come at first change for team Australia in the World Cup walked into the Royal Challengers Bangalore lineup a bit late, but showed the world how just one guy could make the difference, left-handedly.

Look at the way Mitchell Starc bowled at Dwayne Smith in their losing cause against CSK the other day.

Five dot balls and the sixth ball disrupted the woodwork — and it all seemed inevitable right from ball one.

Preity Zinta, by her own admission, is in a relationship with “someone nice”, and feels that “IPL doesn’t need me anymore”, which means she may not be regularly seen around cheering for Kings XI this time around next year.

Perhaps now are the last few times left for us to enjoy that spontaneous, dimple smile along with sizzling sixes, but for that to happen Kings XI need to rediscover their 2014 touch. Root for the Kings, for smile’s sake.

The writer is a freelance contributor based in India. All the views and opinions expressed in the article are solely those of the author and do not reflect those of Times of Oman

CRICKET

Akram, Vengsarkar seek home-grown coach for India KOLKATA: With the Indian cricket team currently looking for a coach, Pakistani pace legend Wasim Akram and former India skipper Dilip Vengsarkar batted for a home grown expert for the job, citing their knowledge about domestic cricketers on Tuesday.

Incumbent coach Duncan Fletcher’s tenure ended after India’s failed World Cup defence where they crashed out in the semis against eventual champions Australia. While Vengsarkar picked Akram to take up the team India’s coaching mantle, Kolkata knight Riders (KKR) bowling coach said it was difficult for him to make himself available for fulltime coaching owing to his commercial and family commitments.

The duo participating in an interactive event at the Delhi Public School here said it was imperative for the coach to know about the domestic players, including the players from the Under-19 and Indian A teams.

“Today a team doesn’t need to be coached like kids, rather you need a person who can man-manage. A foreign coach often goes on holiday when there is a domestic tournament and there are no international commitments,” said Akram. “For me, you need a coach who knows the domestic players and can pronounce their names. I think a local coach is the answer for India.”

Echoing Akram’s thoughts, Vengsarkar expressed his reservations about a foreigner taking

R O C K S TA R

up the job. “I feel Duncan Fletcher should not continue. A foreign coach is not aware what’s happening in the domestic circuit or the Under-19 cricket or about India A players,” he said.

“You have to have a coach who is interested in Indian cricket. A guy who can spot and groom young talent, which I don’t think foreign coaches are interested in doing.”

“There was a foreign coach who stayed at a Mumbai hotel but did not even visit the Ranji final being played between Mumbai and Bengal at the Wankhede Stadium once, which was just a kilometre away from the hotel,” said the former batsman and India skipper.

Reacting to Vengsarkar calling him as the right choice, Akram said it was difficult for him to coach a national team. “For me, coaching a national team will be tough considering my commentary commitments, my job with KKR and of course my family.

It will be tough for me because Indian team travels all year round. At the tender age of 49, I don’t think I can stay away from my family,” said Akram.

Akram though said as a former cricketer it was his duty to pass on to youngsters whatever he has learnt. “People often ask me why being a Pakistani I coach youngsters from India. For me, be it Indian, Bangladeshi, Pakistani or Sri Lankan kids, whoever comes to me, it’s my duty to teach them whatever I can,” said Akram. - IANS

sixes, but his knock was not enough to stop Mumbai Indians from chasing down the Delhi Daredevils total

MUMBAI: Mumbai Indians beat Delhi Daredevils by five wickets in their Indian Premier League (IPL) encounter at the Wankhede Stadium here on Tuesday.

For Mumbai, Ambati Rayudu and Kieron Pollard remained unbeaten on 49 and 26 runs respectively, followed by Rohit Sharma on 46.

In fact, they faltered and stumbled on a number of occasions and at one stage it looked like they would lose horribly. Lendl Simmons was dismissed off the first legal delivery of the innings. Zaheer Khan bowled very well and trapped Simmons numb.

Hardik Pandya, who was mysteriously sent one down, was the next man to fall. Nathan CoulterNile was the man who picked his wicket. Mumbai Indians’ mood to experiment wasn’t satisfied how-

ever as they then sent out Harbhajan Singh who got out for five runs to Coulter-Nile again he rain interruption came as a saving grace for the home-side as Rohit Sharma and Ambati Rayudu played very well after the break to stage a healthy recovery. They got the odd boundary and kept the singles coming. Importantly, they staged a sixty run partnership to give MI some hope.

Later Keiron Pollard completed formalities in Rayudu’s company.

Earlier, Yuvraj Singh’s late blitz helped Delhi Daredevils post 152 for 6. Yuvraj struck 57 off 44 balls, with seven boundaries and two sixes, before getting out in the 19th over. For Mumbai, offspinner Harbhajan Singh (2/11) and Sri Lankan pacer Lasith Malinga (2/33) were the main wickettakers. — Agencies

DELHI DAREDEVILS M. Agarwal c Patel b Malinga 0 S. Iyer c Vinay b Harbhajan 19 JP Duminy c & b Suchith 28 K. Jadhav st Patel b Harbhajan 16 Y. Singh c Simmons b Malinga 57 A. Mathews c Suchith b Pandya 12 S. Tiwary not out 13 N. Coulter-Nile not out 3 Extras: (b-1, lb-2, w-1) 4 Total: (for 6 wickets, 20 overs) 152 Fall of wickets: 1-0, 2-43, 3-50, 4-78, 5-102, 6-143 Bowling: Lasith Malinga 4-0-33-2; Mitchell McClenaghan 4-0-37-0; Vinay Kumar 3-0-31-0; Harbhajan Singh 4-1-112; Jagadeesha Suchith 3-0-24-1; Hardik Pandya 2-0-13-1 MUMBAI INDIANS L. Simmons lbw b Zaheer 0 P. Patel c Mishra b Mathews 13 H. Pandya c Tahir b Coulter-Nile 5 R. Sharma b Mishra 46 Harbhajan b Coulter-Nile 5 A. Rayudu not out 49 K. Pollard not out 26 Extras: (lb-1, w-8) 9 Total: (for 5 wickets, 19.3 overs) 153 Fall of wickets: 1-1, 2-8, 3-29, 4-40, 5-100 Bowling: Zaheer Khan 4-0-32-1; Nathan Coulter-Nile 4-1-30-2; Angelo Mathews 4-0-33-1; Yuvraj Singh 1-0-5-0; Amit Mishra 4-0-25-1; Imran Tahir 2.3-0-27-0 Man of the match: Harbhajan Singh

ASIAN BEACH HANDBALL

Oman bounce back with stunning win over Pakistan MUSCAT: After two consecutive defeats, Oman overcame former champions Pakistan to stay in contention for the top three places in the ongoing Asian Beach Handball Championships on Tuesday.

In a closely contested match at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex, Oman came up against a formidable Pakistan but managed to win the match by a 2-0 margin.

However, the hosts were made to toil by Pakistan in both sessions.

But all credit to Oman for taking the honours by narrowest of margins in both sessions at 17-16, 19-18.

The victory, their second in four matches, helped Oman to keep their hopes of making it to the 2016 World Beach Handball Championships in Hungary alive.

The top three from the six-team Asian event will qualify for the world championship.

In another match played on Tuesday, Bahrain defeated Viet-

JUBILANT: Oman players celebrate win over Pakistan.

nam 25-13, 28-8. Bahrain, who too recorded their second victory, are also back in contention for the top three places.

But fortunes of both Oman and Bahrain will depend on the final day’s proceedings on Thursday, when the latter face Iran and the former take on leaders Qatar.

However, Pakistan’s victory over

DRIVE SLOWER LIVE LONGER

Vietnam in Wednesday’s match may change the equations.

Meanwhile in the women’s competition on Tuesday, Chinese Taipei defeated Turkmenistan 20-11, 19-12 and Thailand won 20-14, 1912 against Jordan.

In Wednesday’s matches, Jordan take on Vietnam and Thailand face Chinese Taipei.

MUSIC LAUNCH: West Indies all-rounder Dwayne Bravo dancing during the launch in Chennai on Sunday. – PTI

CHENNAI: Chennai Super Kings cricketer Dwayne Bravo says he likes to unwind by composing music when he’s not on the field. The West Indian cricketer is also in awe with Indian music and has launched his latest single Chalo Chalo, which he terms an “achievement in that (sphere)”.

“When i’m not playing cricket, I’m known as DJ Bravo. I enjoy doing music. I’ve always been interested to do something in Indian music.’Chalo Chalo’ is an achievement in that (sphere),” Bravo said.

On Sunday, Bravo sang and danced to the single, which also features Indian origin Trinidad singer Nisha B. Dressed in a golden sherwani, Bravo launched the single in the presence of Chennai Super Kings teammates and some friends from Royal Challengers Bangalore.

“Chalo Chalo is a mixed genre song featuring Caribbean music with western and Indian influences,” Bravo said. The song, he said, was conceived when he was made to sit out of the West Indian World Cup team.

“I was disappointed and bored for about two months. I wanted to divert my concentration on something else and that’s when I decided to work on this track,” he added.

Chalo Chalo is Bravo’s seventh single. Divo, a Chennaibased digital entertainment company, has released the song.

The official music video will be released shortly. One of the star players of Chennai Super Kings team, Bravo has been part of the side for the last few seasons.

He considers Chennai “home away from home”. “I can take a walk whenever I feel like in Chennai. The people here are so nice. It feels like another home. I enjoy eating mangoes,” he added.

In the past, he has grooved to a Tamil folk song from the film Ula. He also played a cameo in it.

“I’d love to do more films. I think love for music is common in India and my hometown Trinidad and Tobago,” said Bravo.

A hardcore Indian music lover, Bravo said he loves Telugu song Ringa Ringa and Lungi Dance from Chennai Express. - IANS

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W E D NE S DAY, MAY 6, 2 015

SPORTS Pacquiao may face sanctions for failing to disclose pre-bout injury Manny to undergo shoulder surgery: media report

Barely one hour after Mayweather won the bout, Pacquiao’s

LAS VEGAS: Manny Pacquiao will undergo surgery this week for a torn rotator cuff, with the recovery time expected to put the Filipino out of action for 9-12 months, ESPN.com said on Monday.

Pacquiao claimed a shoulder injury hampered his bid to hand Floyd Mayweather a first loss as a professional in the richest fight in boxing history at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday.

Mayweather won a unanimous decision in the four-belt unification bout to improve his record to 48-0.

The injury would appear to rule out any chance of a rematch after the 38-year-old Mayweather said he would have one more fight in September before retiring.

“We have an MRI scan that confirms he has a rotator cuff tear. He has a significant tear,”

promoter, Bob Arum, said the 36-year-old southpaw had been hampered by an ‘old’ injury to his right shoulder

LOS ANGELES: The fallout from the “Fight of the Century” became murkier on Monday with possible lawsuits in the works and Manny Pacquiao likely to face disciplinary action for failing to disclose a prebout shoulder injury.

Filipino Pacquiao lost on a unanimous decision to undefeated American Floyd Mayweather Jr in a heavily hyped welterweight showdown in Las Vegas on Saturday that is expected to be the top grossing prize fight of all time.

Barely one hour after the contest ended, Pacquiao’s promoter, Bob Arum, said the 36-year-old southpaw had been hampered by an ‘old’ injury to his right shoulder.

On Monday, an MRI scan in Los Angeles confirmed the boxer has a torn rotator cuff that will require surgery. The major problem here is that apparently neither Pacquiao nor his team informed the Nevada Athletic Commission about the shoulder issue until a couple of hours before the start of the fight when they asked for an anti-inflammatory injection.

At that point, it was too late for the commission to investigate whether or not Pacquiao was suffering a genuine injury and there were no MRIs or medical paperwork to support the claim made by the boxer’s team, the commission said.

orthopedic surgeon Neal El Attrache told ESPN.com.

Pacquiao (57-6-2, 38 KOs), known for his aggressive and all-out attacking style, was clearly not the his typical offensive-minded self in Las Vegas. After the fight, Top Rank promoter Bob Arum said Pacquiao suffered a shoulder injury in training camp about two-and-a-half weeks earlier and that it hampered him in the fight.

Top Rank and Pacquiao confirmed the account of the injury in a statement on Monday, saying that the 36-year-old and his doctors had concluded that with rest, treatments and monitoring, he would be ready for the fight.

However, they said the Nevada Commission stopped the treatment a few hours before the fight, telling them it was unaware of the shoulder injury. - Reuters

SIGNED FORM: When Team Pacquiao filled in its pre-fight medical questionnaire on Friday, a query about any shoulder injury was marked clearly “No”. – AFP

“The first I heard of this was at 6:08 (p.m. PT) when he (Pacquiao) arrived in the locker room,” commission chairman Francisco Aguilar told reporters during the postfight news conferences.

“I have no proof of the injury. If he told us on Friday, we would have gotten the MRIs and there are a lot of things we could have done.”

While the commission was seemingly kept in the dark, and clearly no boxer wants to give an opponent any hint of possible weakness or injury ahead of a fight, the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) was fully aware of Pacquiao’s injury.

The Filipino suffered the injury during a sparring session at

the Wild Card Boxing Club in Los Angeles last month and USADA, after being consulted by Team Pacquiao, permitted treatment through Toradol, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory.

Pacquiao’s promoter said in a statement on Monday that doctors had “concluded that with short rest, treatments and close monitoring, Manny could train and, on May 2, step into the ring against Floyd Mayweather”.

Pacquiao continued to work out and his shoulder improved, “though not 100 percent”, but he decided to proceed with the fight after anticipating that he could receive his pre-bout treatment.

“On his pre-fight medical form

filled out earlier in the week, Manny’s advisors listed the medications that Manny used in training and the medications that might be used on fight night,” Pacquiao’s promoter said.

“A few hours before he was expected to step in the ring, when Manny’s doctors began the process, the Nevada Commission stopped the treatment because it said it was unaware of Manny’s shoulder injury.”

USADA had been informed about the injury but its role was limited only to testing the fighters for banned substances in training and on the night of the bout.

The commission was in overall control, yet when Team Pacquiao

filled in its pre-fight medical questionnaire on Friday, a query about any shoulder injury was marked clearly “No” before the form was signed by Pacquiao and his advisor.

A copy of the questionnaire was posted earlier on Monday on the http://true.ink/boxing/ website where Aguilar confirmed that Pacquiao faced possible sanctions from the state attorney general’s office for filling out a state form incorrectly.

“It’s something we’re looking at, and an issue we’ll be discussing with the attorney general,” said Aguilar.

“Boxers are tough, and it’s our job often to protect them from themselves.”

The fact that Pacquiao did not

disclose his injury until the night of the fight could also lead to possible lawsuits from boxing fans who feel cheated after paying record sums for either tickets in the MGM Grand Garden Arena or payfor-view (PPV).

Some of the coveted ringside spots in the 16,800-seat Garden Arena demanded up to $350,000 on resale site StubHub while a record $300 million or more is expected in PPV revenue from at least three million customers who paid $100 to watch.

Pacquiao, who is renowned for his attacking style, connected with just 81-of-429 punches on the night while the defence-minded Mayweather landed 148-of-435. - Reuters

FOOTBALL

Slick Arsenal top style charts, not the league LONDON: If honours were handed out for stylish football Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal would clean up.

The Gunners were at their irresistible best at times in a 3-1 victory at Hull City on Monday that guaranteed an 18th consecutive season in the Champions League.

With the impish Santi Cazorla conducting an orchestra containing the likes of Chile’s Alexis Sanchez, Welsh wizard Aaron Ramsey and Mesut Ozil, Arsenal picked off a struggling Hull side with a degree of nonchalance few teams can match.

Sanchez’s second goal, and his side’s third, just before halftime was Arsenal’s 100th of the season.

Since losing to Tottenham Hotspur in February, Arsenal have collected nine wins from 10 Premier League matches, drawing the other one 0-0 at home to champions Chelsea. It is title-winning form and they are playing with a panache that Chelsea have not matched this season — all with the likes of England trio Jack Wilshere, Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain on the sidelines nursing injuries.

Yet, there is a nagging sense of “same old Arsenal” — the team belatedly firing on all cylinders long after the title race was won at a canter by a meaner, more streetwise outfit. There was evidence

There is a nagging sense of “same old Arsenal” — the team belatedly firing on all cylinders in Arsenal’s tame performance against Chelsea last week that they are still lightweight when up against the very best.

Five consecutive last-16 exits in the Champions League offer more ammunition to those who say Wenger’s tactics are inadequate when up against the game’s smartest coaches. Wenger points to injuries early in the season to explain his side’s slow start which ultimately left them too far behind Chelsea to make a real fight of the title.

However, those kind of excuses for the bad spells that afflict Arsenal at some stage every season are wearing thin.

Fantasy football Arsene Wenger knows that for all the fantasy football his side are capable of, they will not get the bet-

ter of Mourinho’s Chelsea without the ability to grind out results when off form and, more importantly, before the pressure is off.

He talks about “quality” as being paramount, whereas Mourinho’s simple mantra is “winning”.

“The target is always quality,” Wenger said. “We work very hard to get the quality of our game very high and I do not see myself telling the team that we don’t want quality.

“It can happen that you play well and don’t win the games but after 38 games the quality always dictates the result. Not always but most of the time.”

Should they pip Manchester City for the runners-up spot it would seem to largely justify that comment, but will Arsenal find the missing ingredient before the start of next season which will start, should they beat Aston Villa in the FA Cup final, with a Community Shield curtain-raiser against Chelsea?

“That is unpredictable and nobody knows how strong the team will be at the start of the season,” Wenger said. “What’s important is that you go out of the season by thinking we have made progress, and that the confidence is high.

“We need to start strong again next year. Who will be there fighting for the championship next season? It’s difficult to know.” - Reuters

STYLISH FOOTBALL: Arsenal’s Alexis Sanchez, left, tries to shoot past Hull City’s goalkeeper Steve Harper during their English Premier League match at the KC Stadium in Hull on Monday. – AFP

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SPORTS

Ali eyes new challenge after leaving Wigan Ali Al Habsi’s brother Ahmed revealed

He was thinking about this (leaving Wigan) for some time now. His contract is expiring this summer anyway. He is looking for a new challenge now

the Omani captain is ‘looking for options’ to join a new club soon

NISHAD PADIYARATH

Ahmed Al Habsi

nishad@timesofoman.com

Ali’s broner and OFA board member

MUSCAT: Omani superstar Ali Al Habsi is looking for another challenge in the new football season, according to his elder brother Ahmad Al Habsi.

Speaking to Times Sport on Tuesday soon after the 33-year-old Ali confirmed that he will be leaving relegated English Championship side Wigan Athletic, Ahmad said his younger brother is now looking forward for a new challenge.

“He was thinking about this (leaving Wigan) for some time now. His contract is expiring this summer anyway. He is looking for a new challenge now,” Ahmad said without revealing any details.

However, when pressed, Ahmad who is also an Oman Football Association board member, said Ali is “looking for options” to join a new club soon.

“As Ali said in social media, he

GO FOR IT: Ali Al Habsi

will be announcing the details in June. But frankly, there is nothing concrete yet. Options are still open and we are hoping to come out in detail in a month’s time,” Ahmad said.

When asked if Al Habsi informed him prior to announcing his decision via social media, Ahmad had this to say: “Of course, he spoke to me before he did that and he told me he wanted a change and that he wants to look for another challenge. I said we are always with him and go for it!”

On Monday, the inspirational footballer posted an emotional message on Instagram to bid farewell to the club he played for five years.

“I guess it is time to say goodbye after a wonderful five years spend with Wigan Athletic Football Club.

I am proud that I participated in

more than 150 official matches which consisted of 100 matches in the Premier League.”

The sudden decision by the Oman football captain has come after the Championship club’s relegation from second-tier championship to third-tier League One last week.

Al Habsi thanked his fans and the club with whom he was associated for five years.

“A big thank you from my heart to the club and the fans for their continuous support and love.

Without your provision and support, we wouldn’t have won the FA Cup and I would have won the best player of the season award in 2012,” Al Habsi said.

“Thank you to all the fans from my beloved country Oman and

the Middle East. You have always cheered and encouraged me to move forward regardless of any obstacles facing me,” Al Habsi said.

It is worth mentioning that, Al Habsi first joined Wigan on loan during the 2010-11 season.

According to sources at Latics, Habsi is believed to have mutually agreed with the club to leave.

However, it is still not clear if Al Habsi is planning to sign a new club but he has confirmed that he would make his next move public in June.

“I have lived an exceptional experience playing in the strongest league, the premier league, and I hope that it will continue more.

Most of you really wish to know my next move, which I think will be clear on June,” he added.

TENNIS

Murray faces race against time to adjust to Madrid courts MADRID: Andy Murray was working on Tuesday to make a one-day turnaround from slow, heavy conditions in Munich to the high-altitude, faster-bouncing clay of the Spanish capital in order to be ready for an opening challenge at the Madrid Masters.

The third-ranked Scot arrived after winning his first clay title in Munich in a delayed Monday final, but was facing a race against time to adjust to the totally different courts of Madrid’s Caja Magica.

DANISH FIXING CASE

Man handed suspended sentence COPENHAGEN: A 28-yearold man was handed a one-year suspended prison sentence by a Danish court on Tuesday after being found guilty of fixing football matches involving second tier club Hvidovre.

He was accused of serious fraud relating to three matches in 2010 involving Hvidovre, the club for whom former Denmark goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel played before joining Brondby and Manchester United.

The man was found to have fixed games and betted on the results of those matches, while also sharing information with a syndicate in the Philippines.

A co-defendant in what is believed to be Denmark’s first match-fixing court case was found not guilty. Four former Hvidovre players are also suspected of having been involved, but the court has ordered that none of the names of the defendants should be made public. - Reuters

“(Winning on Munich clay) is obviously a positive for me, it was a goal that I had for this year,” said Murray, who can boast of only a trio of quarterfinal placings since Madrid changed to clay in 2009.

Murray beat German Philipp Kohlschreiber in the three-hour German final and could run into his opponent in the second round on Wednesday should Kohlschreiber defeat qualifier Alejandro Falla in the first round.

“It was an extremely tough

match and a dramatic finish. That always makes it a little bit nicer,” Murray said of his success.

“This gives me a little bit more confidence obviously with the French Open just a few weeks to go. It’s nice to win events at any level. I hope I can have a good run at one of the next two events, either here or Rome, and get myself ready for the French.”

Murray’s Munich win also marked a standout first week with new coach Jonas Bjorkman, with

the experienced Swede coming aboard to pick up the team slack due to the pregnancy of groundbreaking female coach Amelie Mauresmo.

“There were a lot of rain delays, but the positives were that we also got to spend quite a lot of time at the site getting to know each other and him getting to know the team well too,” Murray said of his opening week with Bjorkman.

“Obviously the outcome of the tournament was a good, positive

start and hopefully I can continue that this week.”

Murray was heading quickly to the practice courts for an acclimatising hit-out on the Madrid clay.

“Conditions last week were very different to what they are here.

Obviously I think a little bit more altitude here.

“But it’s been very warm. Last week it was very cold a lot of the days and raining.

“It’s going to be a tricky turnaround. I practice this afternoon,

and will just make the best of the time that I’ve got before my match tomorrow (Wednesday).”

In the first round matches, tenth seed Grigor Dimitrov advanced when Donald Young retired trailing 6-4, 3-0.

The seeded French pair of JoWilfried Tsonga and Gael Monfils advanced comfortably, with number 12 Tsonga beating Lukas Rosol 7-5, 6-3 and 13th-seeded Gael Monfils crushing Viktor Troicki 6-2, 6-0. - AFP

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W E D NE S DAY, MAY 6, 2 015

SPORTS

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Musandam-Oman Sail on Round Ireland record bid

CRICKET

In 2013, MusandamOman Sail attempted to break the record of 44 hours, set in September 1993 by Steve Fossett in 60ft trimaran ‘Lakota’, but were forced to abandon due to BRIGHT FUTURE: Bharat Srinivas with Duleep Mendis.

unsafe conditions.

ISM boy Bharat impresses with his all-round abilities

But hopes are high this time around

MUSCAT: Oman Sail’s recordbreaking crew onboard the Ministry of Tourism flagship boat, Musandam-Oman Sail, began their attempt to set a new Round Ireland record on Monday night.

Setting off from the port town of Dun Laoghaire in Ireland, just south of Dublin, skipper Sidney Gavignet and his Omani crew of Fahad Al Hasni, Yasser Al Rahbi and Sami Al Shukaili, key members of last year’s Round Britain and Ireland world record setting team, are joined by Spain’s Alex Pella and French multihull veteran Jean Baptiste Levaillant.

The existing record has stood since September 1993 when Steve Fossett’s 60ft trimaran — Lakota — completed the course in 44 hours.

Musandam-Oman Sail attempted to break the Round Ireland record in 2013 but were forced to abandon due to unsafe conditions. Hopes are high this time and, if the weather is kind, the Oman Sail crew has an opportunity to add this speed record to a growing collection.

HIGH HOPES: Oman Sail crew has an opportunity to add this speed record to a growing collection.

In November last year, Musandam-Oman Sail set a new record in the Sevenstar Round Britain and Ireland Race, smashing the previous best of 16 minutes and 38 seconds.

The crew were honoured for its impressive achievement by General Sultan bin Mohammed Al Numani, Minister of the Royal office.

Speaking ahead of this attempt, Fahad Al Hasni said: “The existing record was set by great sailors, so it would be an amazing achievement and give us an incredible sense of national pride to break it.

“We are expecting a lot of challenges along the way and very low temperatures in the north, but we are prepared and looking forward

to making history for Oman.”

Skipper Sidney Gavignet, said: “From what we saw before we set out, there is very little wind to start with, but we had to start otherwise we were likely to hit too much wind on the west coast of Ireland in a few hours’ time, making the attempt very difficult.”

Yasser Al Rahbi added: “We have been training and will put everything into this attempt. We are hopeful of breaking the record and raising the Omani flag high again.

Breaking the record and adding another achievement for Oman is like a dream come true to me and the whole crew will be very proud.”

The boat has undergone a rou-

tine refit for this season and Gavignet has been training with his crew in Lorient, France, by taking part in the Grand Prix Guyader in Douarnenez in Brittany, France where they flew the Omani flag in Europe for the first time this year in competitive racing after a winter sailing with other crew on different classes of boat.

Gavignet added: “We are focusing this season on the sailor’s strength and fitness to make them better offshore sailors so there won’t be many record attempts on our schedule but this one is our primary goal and if we can get the record, it would be very good for the guys, for Oman Sail and for Oman.”

MUSCAT: Ten year old Bharat Srinivas, the captain of the Indian School Muscat (ISM) Under-11 team, impressed with his all-round abilities at the recently concluded Max Talent Tournament 2015 was organised by Muscat Cricket Coaching Centre (MCCC).

The tournament, which included under-11, under-13, under-16 and under-19 competitions, saw the participation of teams all over Oman as well as neighbouring UAE. Eventually, the ISM teams emerged champions of under-11 and under-16 events.

The ISM under-11 team was ably led by Bharat Srinivas, who also donned the role an all-rounder to perfection. The southpaw, opening the batting, amassed a total of 285 runs in five outings while also claiming seven wickets with his left-arm spin.

His performance was reward-

ed with the player of the tournament award which Bharat richly deserved. All credit for grooming Bharat goes to his coaches Hemal Mehta, ISM coach Karthikeyan and Sandesh Duri.

Bharat has been fortunate to receive cricket coaching at MCCC under the able guidance of head coach Hemal Mehta, who is also the assistant coach of the Oman national cricket team which took part in the ACC T20 tournament held in the United Arab Emirates.

Bharat currently leads the ISM Under13 B team.

Bharat’s role models include Suresh Raina and Yuvaraj Singh and he intends to be an allrounder in future. Bharat is also fortunate to have received blessings of Sri Lankan great Duleep Mendis, who has witnessed his performance in the earlier occasions.

TENNIS

OTA lauds Fatma’s achievements

MUSCAT: Oman Tennis Association (OTA) chief Mutassim Al Zadjali lauded the Sultanate’s tennis star Fatma Al Nabhani’s achievements at the recent $10,000 ITF Pro Circuit Heraklion tournament in Greece.

The Omani girl won both the singles and the doubles titles, the latter in the company of Cristina Sanchez-Quintanar of Spain in the second of back-to-back Heraklion tournaments. In the first tournament too Fatma won the

second place in the doubles when she teamed up with India’s Sharrmadaa Baluu.

On her return home from Greece on Monday evening, Fatma, her mother and coach Huda as well as assistant coach Ruel Leopardas were received at the Muscat International Airport by OTA General Secretary Mohammed bin Ibrahim Al Balushi, Treasurer Siddiq bin Qamar Al Hashmi and Executive Director Salman bin Abdulraheem Al Balushi.

In his remarks, OTA chief Mutassim said: “This is the third personal achievement of Fatma Al Nabhani and the fourth for Oman Tennis Association this year.

“The first honour was achieved in Oman at the fourth edition of GCC Women’s Games where Fatma scored the first position in the singles competition as well as the first place in the doubles with Sarah Al Balushi.

“Fatma also won the singles and doubles titles at Bahrain Inter-

national Championship held in March,” he said.

“We take the opportunity to express our thanks and appreciation to Fatma Al Nabhani on her outstanding performance. We would like to urge Fatma and all other players to give their best and achieve more laurels for the country.”

He also said that OTA board will spare no efforts or time in working towards promoting and developing tennis.

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LIFE & STYLE E

WWW.TIMESOFOMAN.COM W ED N ES DAY, M AY 6, 2 0 1 5

Simplifying flavours means more prep work, since you can’t use processed stuff from the supermarket

don’t need to tell you that food has fashions. Remember when every restaurant with any ambition had a spinach salad with pecans, goat cheese and some sort of onion shaving? That’s now passé even in its last refuge, the twee cafes of Rust Belt suburbs. Or when truffles seemed to sprout from menus like, er, mushrooms, only to disappear almost as quickly, presumably off to hibernate in some subterranean darkness?

For the last five to 10 years, the most notable fashion has been for the complex, spicy and exotic. Foodies exchange worried tips for storing the “basic” spices now grown too numerous for any sort of conventional cupboard. Bitter supertasters exchange angry polemics on the snobs who don’t seem to realise that those of us with less blunted palates might not want anything well fortified with chops. Those whose sensitive or ageing gastrointestinal tracts cannot cope with all that glorious capsaicin sigh — order the roasted chicken. Again.

History is reaction and counter reaction.

The pendulum is swinging back, and I detect a new movement afoot— Oh yes! Keep it simple, stupid. And I like it.

Last spring and summer, I found myself focusing on meals that were almost all veg-

etables, cooked with minimal spices. Zucchini sliced thin and roasted, tossed with a little garlic and lemon, and possibly, if I was feeling extravagant, herbes de provence or parmesan. Corn cut off a fresh cob and parboiled for just a minute, then finished with brown butter or truffle oil. Fresh tomato sandwiches with homemade bread and ricotta. And our new household favourite — chicken roasted with Thomas Keller’s Epicurious.com recipe, above a pan filled with new potatoes, frozen artichoke hearts and pearl onions. Without all the spices, you get the simple, perfect flavours of the underlying ingredients.

There is, however, a problem with this sort of cooking — When you have only a few ingredients, they often must be really good.

Cooking this way with tomatoes and corn off the supermarket shelf is bound to be fairly disappointing.

It’s no accident that certain sorts of food movements, like “eat local” and “eat simple,” tend to start and thrive on the West Coast. If you’re living next door to California’s abundant, incredible produce, it’s easy to say that everyone ought to eat fresh local produce rather than some processed or imported version. Elsewhere, however, it’s available in only a narrow annual window — and if you don’t have the income to shop at a farmer’s

market, or nearby land where you can shop at farm stands or grow your own, it functionally isn’t available at all. Buying lots of spices isn’t cheap, but it’s a lot cheaper than trying to feed a family of four on farm-fresh produce in a typical metropolitan area.

These recipes are often also quite labour-intensive. In spicy dishes, cooking time and lots of ingredients can substitute for prep work.

Simplifying flavours means more prep work, since you can’t use processed stuff from the supermarket, and precision cooking. That corn dish above isn’t terribly difficult, but you do need to shuck all those ears, then slice the kernels off, then make brown butter while watching it intently to ensure it doesn’t go from “brown” to “carbonised,” then boil the kernels for exactly a minute in salted water, then fish them out with a strainer, and plop them into the pan with the brown butter —and a lot of you thought “sheesh, never mind” sometime around Step 3. Moreover, unlike spicy ragouts or casseroles, all this prep has to be done shortly before you eat, meaning there’s no lounging around with the guests in the living room during cocktail hour. Or arriving home from work half an hour before serving dinner.

Some recipes that work just fine with supermarket substitutes and less-bothersome-

than-you’d-think prep. That tomato sandwich can be made with a no-knead bread recipe and grape tomatoes whirled around in the food processor for 10 seconds with a clove of garlic and a cube of Dorot frozen basil. Homemade ricotta is absurdly easy.

You can also improve the quality of your ingredients at least somewhat. My favourite discovery this year was dry-ageing a rib roast at home and then cutting it into steaks, using Umai Dry’s new consumer system, which is basically some special bags and a vacuum sealer that let you age in your refrigerator.

Though I gave up on vacuum-sealing the bags, using the water displacement method instead, after 28 days our Costco rib roast had turned into tender, amazingly flavourful steaks that I’d estimate as better than 90 per cent of the way there to a piece of meat at a top-notch steak place like David Burke’s Primehouse — at a total cost, for all 12 steaks, less than taking one of us to David Burke’s for some dinner.

So if you want to bring a little more simplicity into your cooking, you probably can. Nonetheless, I’d guess that this won’t become a lifestyle for more than a narrow elite. For the cash and time-constrained consumer, the new simplicity is just too complicated. -Megan McArdle/The Washington Post

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P

eople recovering from heart attacks have a lot to attend to. They face the shock of a close call; their initial recovery may take longer than they expect; and, to top it off, they get a new regime of medications, diet and exercise. It can be overwhelming.

A heart attack also can serve as a wake-up call and compelling motivation to make changes in lifestyle and behaviour. Even so, many people are apprehensive about exercise after experiencing a heart attack.

Understandably so. We read in the newspaper about heart attack deaths from shovelling snow and think it’s best to keep exertion to a minimum. Doctors thought the same thing early in the past century, says Michael Chen, a cardiologist at the University of Washington’s Harborview Medical Centre in Seattle. “Patients were put on bed rest for days to weeks, as doctors feared activity would cause more damage to the heart.”

Now it’s well accepted that physical activity is beneficial to heart attack survivors and is key to preventing a second attack. And it begins right away. “Phase 1 of cardiac rehabilitation starts in the hospital,” Chen says, where patients are encouraged to get up and walk as soon as 12 hours after treatment for heart attack.

Still, there are barriers to starting

and sticking to an exercise programme.

The usual culprits include time and opportunity (a gym membership or some convenient place to bike, walk or run).

Particular obstacles that can crop up after a heart attack include feelings of vulnerability and helplessness.

There also is fear.

“It’s exceedingly common for someone to feel anxious after a heart attack,” says Una McCann, a Johns Hopkins psychiatrist who studies anxiety and depression in the context of heart disease, “or to want to avoid situations that remind them of a recent traumatic health event such as a heart attack.”

For some people, fear can become pathological. Anxiety disorders, whether pre-existing or triggered by the heart attack, can interfere with patients’ following their treatment plans and can impede recovery. In such cases, a mental health professional can help.

Cognitive behavioural therapy, which might include relaxation techniques and re framing of automatic negative thoughts, is the first-line treatment, McCann says. In some cases, psychiatric drugs may also be prescribed.

The best way to start an exercise program is through a formal cardiac rehabilitation program. “It’s the standard of care,” Chen says, “and a central component of

So we read in the newspaper about heart attack deaths from shovelling snow and think it’s best to keep exertion to a minimum. Doctors thought the same thing early in the past century. Now it’s well accepted that physical activity is beneficial to heart attack survivors and is key to preventing a second attack.

And it begins right away cardiac rehab is supervised exercise.”

In a cardiac rehab session, the patient is monitored by a nurse or an exercise physiologist while walking on a treadmill or pedalling an exercise bike. After a warm-up period, the patient is asked

to increase the intensity. “Usually it’s a conservative goal, such as increasing the patient’s heart rate by 20 beats per minute,” Chen says.

As a general rule, cardiac rehab does not involve high-intensity exercise, Chen says. Patients should be able to carry on a conversation while working out.

The exercise portion of rehab usually includes light weights and stretching.

A formal cardiac rehab programme has an important advantage, providing an expert to monitor your activity and offer advice. “It’s really important when you’re at high risk to get help,” says Caroline Richardson, a family medicine doctor at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor who researches how best to incorporate physical activity in patients with chronic diseases.

“Some patients have never really exercised before, so it may be their first time feeling short of breath from exercise,” Chen says. Shortness of breath, of course, is a cardinal symptom of a heart attack. So the monitored exercise sessions help patients learn what the signs of good exercise are — as well as the signs of overdoing it.

Specific warning signs to a heart patient include chest pain or pressure, heart palpitations, dizziness and shortness of breath out of proportion to the exercise.

Cardiac rehab programs are generally covered by private insurance or Medicare. Such programmes are advised for people who have had heart attack, bypass surgery, stable angina, heart valve surgery, stent insertion, heart transplant or congestive heart failure.

And yet, cardiac rehab is under used.

Only one in five patients who are eligible are actually referred to such programs, according to a 2014 review of studies. In addition, many referred patients don’t begin rehab, and 40 to 60 per cent of those who do don’t finish the prescribed course.

“The long-term compliance is not great, either,” Chen says. “Patients will go to all the sessions, but then fall off of their own exercise program.”

But it needn’t take a gym membership or a personal trainer to undertake a heart-healthy exercise program. “You know, walking is probably the world’s best exercise,” Chen says.

To encourage patients to stick to an exercise program, Richardson suggests working out with others. “There are community groups, Y groups and mallwalking groups,” she says.

For heart patients, Richardson says, “you want to gradually increment your physical activity over time.”

- Jill U. Adams/The Washington Post.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 6, 2015

C9

ENTERTAINMENT CINEMA SCHEDULE

BAHJA CINEMA Avengers Age Of Ultron (3D) (Action, Adventure)(PG12) Cast: Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo 2:15, 6:10, 8:50, 11:30 pm Avengers Age Of Ultron (2D) (Action, Adventure)(PG12) Cast: Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans 3:30 pm She’s Funny That Way (Comedy) (15+) Cast: Jennifer Aniston, Jennifer Esposito, Imogen Poots 2:00, 6:45 pm Fast & Furious 7 (Action, Crime) (12+) Cast: Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Dwayne Johnson 6:45 pm Tracers (Action)(12+) Cast: Taylor Lautner, Marie Avgeropoulos, Adam Rayner 5:00, 11:45 pm Lemon Tree Passage (Horror)(15+) Cast: Jessica Tovey, Nicholas Gunn, Pippa Black 4:00, 11:45 pm Gabbar Is Back (Action, Crime) (PG) Cast: Akshay Kumar, Shruti K. Haasan, Kareena Kapoor 9:15 pm Hot Pursuit (Comedy) (TBC) Cast: Reese Witherspoon, Sofía Vergara, 08:00, 9:45 PM

Fast & Furious 7 (12+) Cast : Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Dwayne Johnson 11:30 am Avengers Age Of Ultron (3D)PG12 Cast : Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo 4:00, 6:35, 9:10, 11:45 pm

SCREEN 3

Avengers Age Of Ultron(2D) PG12 Cast : Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo 10:00 am Avengers Age Of Ultron (3D) (PG12) Gold Class Cast : Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo 1:15, 6:00, 8:35, 11:15 pm She’s Funny That Way (15+) Cast: Jennifer Aniston, Jennifer Esposito, Imogen Poots 12:40, 2:15 pm Lemon Tree Passage (15+) Cast: Jessica Tovey, Nicholas Gunn, Pippa Black 2:30, 11:45 pm Gabbar Is Back (PG) (Hindi) Cast : Akshay Kumar, Shruti K. Haasan, Kareena Kapoor 9:15 pm Uttama Villain (Tamil) (Comedy) (TBC) Cast: Kamal Haasan, Dr. K. Viswanath, K. Balachander 6:00 pm

Uttama Villain – Tamil ( Comedy/Drama)– PG12 Cast: Kamal Haasan, Parvathy Nair, 3.30, 6.35, 9.45 PM

SCREEN 1 Gabbar Is Back - Hindi (Action/Drama) – PG Cast: Akshay Kumar, Shruti K. Haasan, Kareena Kapoor, 3.30, 6.30, 9.30 PM SCREEN 2 Avengers: Age of Ultron (3D)( Action, Adventure, Fantasy)– PG12 Cast: Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo 3.45, 6.45, 9.45 PM

Fast & Furious 7 - 2D (12+) Act/Cri Cas : Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Dwayne 6:30 PM Avengers: Age of Ultron – 2D (PG12) Action |Adventure |Sci-Fi Cast: Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans 03:40 pm Avengers: Age of Ultron – 3D (PG12) Action |Adventure |Sci-Fi 6:15, 8:50, 11:30 PM Tracers - 2D (12+) Action Cast: Taylor Lautner, Marie Angelopoulos, 6:50, 11:45 PM She’s Funny That Way -2D (15+) (Com) Cast: Jennifer Aniston, Jennifer Esposito 3:00, 5:00 PM May in the Summer - 2D (12+) Com |Dr Cast: Hiam Abbass, James Garson Chick, Cherien Dabis 2:30, 4:45 PM Lemon Tree Passage – 2D (15+) Horror |Mystery | Thriller Cast: Jessica Tovey, Nicholas Gunn, Pippa Black 3:00, 6:45, 11:45 PM Ott We Far - 2D (Arb) (PG12) Com Cast: David Walliams, Pudsey, 4:30 PM Oru Vadakkan Selfie - 2D (M)(PG) Comedy Cast: Nivin Pauly, Aju Varghese, 9:00 PM Gabbar is Back- 2D (TBC) (Act |Cri |Dra) Cast: Akshay Kumar, Shruti K. Haasan, Kareena Kapoor

11:30 pm Uttama Villain – Tamil ( Co/Dr)– PG12 Cast: Kamal Haasan, Parvathy Nair, 8:30 PM Hot Pursuit - 2D (TBC) Action | Comedy Cast: Reese Witherspoon, Sofía Vergara, 09:00 pm

Avengers: Age of Ultron- 3D (PG12) Cast: Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo 6:45, 9:15, 11:45 PM Avengers: Age of Ultron- 2D (PG12) 3:15pm In Fear (2D) (15+) Cast: Iain De Caestecker, Alice Englert, Allen Leech 3:00, 5:25, 11:30 PM She’s Funny That Way (2D) (15+) Cast: Jennifer Aniston, Jennifer Esposito, Imogen Poots 7:00 PM Gabbar is Back (2D/PG) Cast: Akshay Kumar, Shruti K. Haasan, Kareena Kapoor 4:30, 8:45, 11:20 PM Uttama Villain – Tamil ( Com/Dr)PG12 Cast: Kamal Haasan, Parvathy Nair, 2:45, 8:25 PM Oru Vadakkan Selfie (2D) (PG) Cast: Nivin Pauly, Aju Varghese, Vineeth Sreenivasan 5:45 pm

Avengers: Age of Ultron (3D) (Act | Adventure | Sci-Fi) (PG12) Cast: Robert Downey Jr, Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo 6:30, 9:00, 11:30 PM Avengers: Age of Ultron (2D) (PG12) Cast: Robert Downey Jr, Chris Evans,

Mark Ruffalo, 4:00PM Gabbar is Back (Action ) (PG) Cast: Akshay Kumar, Shruti K Haasan, Kareena Kapoor; 10:30 PM She’s Funny That Way ( Com) (15+) Cast: Jennifer Aniston, Jennifer Esposite, 4:15 PM Oru Vadakkan Selfie (Malayam) (Comedy) (PG) Cast: Nivin Pauly, Aju Varghese, Vineeth 6:05 PM Hot Pursuit (Action / Comedy) Cast: Reese Witherspoon, Sofia Vergara, 08:45 PM

Avengers :Age Of Ultron (3D)(PG12) (Action, Adventure,Sci-Fi) Cast: Robert Dwney Jr,Chris Evan 2:45, 6:30, 9:00, 11:35pm Avengers :Age Of Ultron (2D)(Action) 10:45AM; (PG12) Tracers (2D)(12+) (Action) Cast: Taylor Lautner, Marie Avgeropoulos 10:30AM, 7:00 PM Hot Pursuit (2D)(TBC) (Action /Comedy) Cast: Reese Witherspoon, Sofía Vergara 10:05PM Fast & Furious 7 (2D) (12+) (Act/Crime) Cast: Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Dwayne Johnson; 12:10, 4:30PM She’s Funny That Way (2D)(15+) (Comedy) Cast: Jennifer Aniston, Jennifer Esposito, 1:00, 2:45, 5:15PM Lemon Tree Passage (2D) (15+) (Hor ) Cast: Jessica Tovey, Nicholas Gunn 1:15, 5:00, 11:45PM Gabbar is Back (2D)(PG) (Action/Crime) Cast: Akshay Kumar, Kareena Kapoor 10:45AM, 2:35, 11:20PM Oru Vadakkan Selfie (2D)(PG) (Comedy) Cast: Nivin Pauly, Aju Varghese 8:45PM Uttama Villain (2D)(PG12)( Comedy) Cast: Kamal Haasan, K. Balachander 7:00pm

FAST & FURIOUS 7 (Act/Crime ) Cast: Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Dwayne Johnson, 11.55 pm, CP No : 819 ( 12+ ) BARELY LETHAL ( Act / Adv) Cast: Samuel L.Jackson, Sophie Turner, Jamie King 10.00 pm, CP No: 1077 ( 12+ ) CYMBELINE (Drama) Cast: Ethan Hawke, Ed haris, Milla Jovovich 4.00 pm. CP No: 1076 (12+) SHE’S FUNNY THAT WAY (Com / Dr) Cast: Oven Wilson, Imogen Poots, Jennifer Aniston 2.00 & 6.00 pm, CP No: 1121 (15+) MAY IN THE SUMMER (Dr / Ro) Cast: Hiam Abbas, James Garson Chick, Cherien Dabis 2.00, 6.00 & 8.00 pm. CP No: 1122 ( 12+ ) LEMON TREE PASSAGE (Horror) Cast: Jessica Tovey, Nicholas Gun 4.00, 8.00, 10.00 & 11.55 pm CP No : 1123 ( 15+ )

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

STARS CINEMA Film information 24791641 / 24786776

Oru Vadakkan Selfie (Mal) (Rom/ Com) Cast: Navin Pauly, Manjima, Aju 3:30 & 9:30 pm at Cinema Main, 6:45pm at Cinema 3 Uthama Villain (Tamil) (Rom/Com) Cast: Kamal Hassan, Jayram, Pooja Kumar and Urvashi 6:15 pm at Cinema Main; 3:45pm at Cinema 3, 9:30pm at Cinema 2 O Kadhal Kanmani (Tamil/Rom) Cast:Dulqar Salman & Nitya Menon 3:45, 6:45 & 9:45pm at Cinema 4 Ennum Eppozhom (Mal/Com) Cast: Mohanal, Manju Warrior, Lena 9:45pm at Cinema 3 Kanchana (Tamil) (Com/Horror) 3:30, 6:30 pm Cinema 2 Next change: Dohchay (Telugu)

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

ACES ON BRIDGE

Options continue to be elusive

G

eorge Eliot said, “The strongest principle of growth lies in human choice.”

In bridge, you have a choice of which card to play, with the restriction that you must follow suit.

But sometimes when it seems that you are spoiled for choice, you had better be careful.

In this deal, South barrels into seven spades.

He wins the diamond lead with his ace and cashes the spade king to draw the missing trump.

But what should he do next?

Declarer starts with 12 top tricks: eight

spades, one heart, two diamonds and one club.

At first glance, it looks as though he will need the club finesse to work. But there is another potential source for an extra winner — what?

Maybe hearts will split 4-3, a 62 per cent shot, and the heart eight can become a winner.

However, that will require four dummy entries, three for heart ruffs in hand and one to return to dummy to cash the last heart. What are declarer’s dummy entries?

There are three obvious ones: the heart ace, spade

ace and spade queen. The fourth must be the spade four. So South must take care with his spade two.

He does best to put it in his pocket.

The play continues: heart to the ace, heart ruff high, spade to dummy’s queen, heart ruff high, spade to the ace, and a heart ruff high. Now declarer retrieves his spade two, overtakes it with dummy’s four, and discards his club four on the heart eight.

Finally, note that if hearts break badly, the club finesse is still available.

— By Phillip Alder MARMADUKE

CROSSWORD

B I G NAT E

Answer to previous puzzle

ACROSS 1 5 8 12 13 14 15 16 18 20 21 23 26 29 31 32

Wrench or hammer Ryan or Tilly Be in accord (with) Kauai neighbour Back when Mountains or river Straight-laced They make wake-up calls Former frosh Ally opposite Yup (hyph.)

Moo companion Excite, in slang It may be owed Four-letter word AARP members

33 Pointed arch 34 Move in curling masses 36 Make messy or untidy 37 Freight amts.

38 Frolics 40 Wall Street figure 41 Snow shelter 45 Minimise (2 wds.)

49 Livy’s bear 51 Dits and dahs 52 Rate 53 Spreadsheet unit 54 Went very quickly 55 Nourished 56 — & the Gang

DOWN 1 Mountaineer’s goal 2 Paddle cousins 3 Buckeye State 4 Gravy no-no 5 Cattail locale 6 Id companion 7 Mistakes (hyph.)

8 Rope fiber 9 Umbrage 10 Happy hour site 11 Loop trains 17 Manhattan locale 19 Center 22 Muslim women’s quarters 23 Peat sources 24 Years and years 25 Mate’s comeback

26 27 28 30 31 32 35 36 39 40 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 50

Duds 66 and I-80 Just as I thought!

“Skip to My —” Night flier Impress others (2 wds.)

Trampled Flavor enhancer Yearned deeply Changed color “Wish me —!”

Chocolate cookie Nobel Prize city Hackers’ machines Remove, as branches Lime cooler Petite Omitting none

BORN LOSER

WITH LOVE ALINA KHAN

RYAN ASRI

MALAVIKA MANOJ

JEREMY ROBIN

May 6, 2012

May 6, 2012

May 6, 2007

May 6, 2004

MERCYLIN

MOHD HAZIM

MINHAJ MOHAMMED

THAMRAH SIDDIQI

May 7

May 7, 2011

May 7, 2004

May 8, 2013

Send us a colour photograph of the child (below 16 years) whose birthday you are celebrating, along with his/her full name, date of birth, address, telephone number and parents’/your name to Times of Oman, With Love, PO Box 770, PC 112, Ruwi or through e-mail to extra@timesofoman.com

KIDSPOT

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

C10

W E D NE S DAY, MAY 6, 2 015

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

BORN today, you are not likely to learn the most important lessons from formal education; indeed, classrooms and textbooks are anathema to you. You’re likely to go elsewhere for the kind of experience and practical knowledge that can really help you forge a successful path in life. It is very likely that your path will be unconventional in some way, not the kind that requires you to sit in an office, work hours at a time in front of a computer, or otherwise remain stationary and focused on a narrow range of tasks. You’re far more likely to choose a life that gives you freedom to roam, freedom to express yourself, and freedom to change your mind when you find that your current situation doesn’t content you.

You are the kind of person that other people often want to be, yet it’s not likely that many could actually fill your shoes. You are a unique individual, not easily pigeonholed, and you are always eager to move on to the next thing that strikes your fancy. You’re a traveler, not a settler.

Also born on this date are: George Clooney, actor and filmmaker; Tom Bergeron, television host; Sigmund Freud, psychoanalyst; Willie Mays, baseball player; Bob Seger, singer; Tony Blair, British prime minister; Gabourey Sidibe, actress; Orson Welles, actor and filmmaker; Robert Peary, explorer; Rudolph Valentino, actor; Stewart Granger, actor.

W E AT H E R

C

WORLD

Max 36 Min 26 Max 20 Min 12

Max 45 Min 26

Max 38 Min 29 Max 20 Min 8

Max 39 Min 29

Max 15 Min 6

Max 36 Min 24

Max 39 Min 26

Max 40 Min 23

Max 38 Min 29

Max 35 Min 27

[APRIL 20-MAY 20] Max 32 Min 26

Max 19 Min 14

Max 35 Min 27 Max 19 Min 12

—www.met.gov.om

GULF Abu Dhabi Doha Dubai Kuwait Manama Riyadh

40 35 39 32 36 37

26 25 25 24 25 24

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

30 35 20 19 21 32 31 20 28 19 24 37 19 16 21 30 24 18

17 17 11 11 9 15 26 8 24 11 7 25 11 8 16 28 15 9

FROM MUSCAT (RUWI)

TO MUSCAT (RUWI)

[MAY 21-JUNE 20]

CANCER [JUNE 21-JULY 22] It’s the little things that matter most, like a friendly embrace or perhaps even a favorite snack. Get rest, and focus on the truth.

LEO [JULY 23-AUG. 22] You have the knowhow to get a certain thing done and fulfill the expectations of someone in charge.

What’s stopping you?

VIRGO [AUG. 23-SEPT. 22] The quicker you are, the more likely you will be to hit the bull’s-eye, but be careful not to take your eyes off the target!

LIBRA L [[SEPT. [S S 23-OCT. 22] Someone may be trying to get you to commit to something that is not right for you. Trust those instincts that tell you to say “no.”

QURIYAT - SUR - JAALAN (Route 36) Dept Destination Arrival Time Time 15:00 Quriyat 16:30 15:00 Sur 18:00 15:00 Jaalan 19:30 TO AL BURAIMI (Route 41) 06:30 Sohar 06:30 Buraimi 08:00 Buraimi 13:00 Sohar 13:00 Buraimi 16.00 Sohar 16.00 Buraimi TO SINAW (Route 52) 17:30 Sinaw

[[OCT. 23-NOV. 21] Put yourself in another’s shoes, and you’ll have the chance to see where you have really been standing all this time.

SAGITTARIUS S [[NOV. 22-DEC. 21] It won’t take much for you to impress those on the outside, but it’s those on the inside whom you want to impress most of all.

CAPRICORN [DEC. 22-JAN 19] You may be asked to name a price, and you must be sure that you consider all potential variables before offering a quote.

AQUARIUS [JAN. 20-FEB. 18] What are you waiting for? Today, you’ll recognise yet another chance to do something you’ve long wanted to do — so why not go for it?

PISCES [Feb. 19-March 20] You shouldn’t have to travel far to meet up with someone who shares your point of view. What happens next will defy expectation.

ARIES [March 21-APRIL 19] You will find yourself yearning for another time or place, and the reason will seem absurdly simple when it finally dawns on you.

Operating Days Daily Daily Daily

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

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

Daily Daily Daily via Ibri Daily Daily Daily Daily

20:50

Daily

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

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

Daily Daily Daily via Ibri Daily Daily Daily Daily

10:25

Daily

08:40 11:00

Daily Daily

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

16:50 19:30

Daily Daily

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

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

10:20 12:30

Daily Daily

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

17:55 20:20

Daily Daily

TO SUR (Route 55) 07:30 Sur 14:30 Sur

12:00 18:45

Daily Daily

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

10:45 19:00

Daily Daily

TO FAHUD - YIBAL (Route 62) 06:30 Fahud 06:30 Yibal

10:30 11:15

Daily Daily

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

13:15 17:30

Daily Daily

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

Daily Daily Daily Daily

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

Daily Daily Daily Daily

TO MARMUL (Route 101) 06:00 Marmul

Daily

TO MARMUL (Route 101) 06:00 Marmul

16:30

Daily

Daily

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

Daily

16:50

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

SCORPIO S

Sunset Sunrise (Tomorrow)

6.37pm 5.30am

High tide Low tide

11:19am 4:36am

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

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

Daily Daily Wed,Thur Wed,Thur Daily Daily

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

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

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

Daily Daily Thur-Fri Thur-Fri Daily Daily

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

LISTINGS

PHARMACIES Round the clock Al Hashar Pharmacy, Ruwi: 24783334; Appolo Medical Centre, Hamriya: 24782666; Muscat Pharmacy, Ruwi: 24702542, Salalah: 23291635; Atlas Pharmacy, Ghubra: 24503585; Ruwi 24811715 Muscat Region Apollo, Al Hamriya. Tel: 24787766 Muscat, A Seeb Market. Tel: 24421691 Muscat, Al Khuwair. Tel: 24485740 Muscat, Al Hail South. Tel: 24537080 Dhofar Region Muscat, Al Nahdha Road, Salalah.

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

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

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

WEDNESDAY

Min

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

Someone far from home is reaching out to you. Don’t neglect to sign on the dotted line when asked to do so.

Focus on what you really want.

12.09pm 3.33pm 6.42pm 7.58pm 4.09am

9:52pm 4:27pm

to moderate over rest of the Sultanate and occasionally fresh over south AlSharqiya, Al-Wusta and Dohfar governorates.

SEA STATE: Rough along the Arabian Sea coastal areas with a maximum wave height of 2.5 metres and slight along the rest of the coasts with a maximum wave height of 1.25 metres.

HORIZONTAL VISIBILITY: Good over most of the Sultanate becoming poor during low cloud formation, dust and thundershowers.

THE NEXT 48 HOURS OUTLOOK: Partly cloudy skies over northern part of the Sultanate with chance of isolated rains. Occasional thundershower over Al-Hajar mountains and adjoining areas. Chance of early morning low level clouds or fog patches along the coastal areas of Arabian Sea and Oman Sea.

Max

OMAN

GEMINI

Dhuhr Asr Maghrib Isha Fajr (Tomorrow)

AIRLINES

lear to partly cloudy skies over most of the Sultanate with chances of isolated rain over the governorates of Musandam and North Al-Batinah and chance of convective cloud development over Al-Hajar mountains and adjoining area during evening that may give isolated rain and occasional thundershower over Al-Hajar mountains and adjoining area associated with downdraft and hail. Chance of dust rising wind over deserts and open areas of governorates of south Al-Sharqiya, Al-Wusta and Dohfar. Chance of early morning low level clouds over most of coastal areas of the Sultanate.

EXPECTED WIND: Wind will be northeasterly light to moderate becoming southerly to southwesterly light to moderate at during night along the coastal areas of Oman Sea, while it will be southerly to southwesterly light

TAURUS Contact with someone who has been part of your life in the past will remind you of the importance of something you’ve recently forgotten.

PRAYER TIMINGS

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

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

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KUWAIT 0005 CAIRO 0005 JEDDAH 0005 MEDINA 0005 RIYADH 0010 SALALAH 0020 SALALAH 0120 ISTANBUL 0135 DACCA 0200 LAHORE 0215 BAHRAIN 0325 DUBAI 0340 DOHA 0345 DUBAI 0350 ADDIS ABABA 0350 ABU DHABI 0400 FRANKFURT 0515 AMMAN 0635 BAHRAIN 0635 ABU DHABI 0640 SALALAH 0645 KUWAIT 0650 RIYADH 0655 RAS AL KHAIMA 0655 MALPENSA 0705 DOHA 0715 JEDDAH 0735 PARIS 0735 LONDON HEATHROW 0740 DUBAI 0800 TEHRAN 0805 BEIRUT 0805 DUBAI 0805 LAHORE 0825 LAHORE 0830 BOMBAY 0835 HYDERABAD 0900 SHARJAH 0905 BANGALORE 0910 COCHIN 0920 DUBAI 0930 DELHI 0935 TRIVANDRUM 0955 MADRAS 0955 DOHA 1000 ABU DHABI 1010 COCHIN 1020 DOHA 1035 DUQUM OMAN 1035 BAHRAIN 1040 TRIVANDRUM 1045 KHASAB 1115 DUBAI 1115 MUKHAIZNA 1120 BAHRAIN 1130 DUBAI 1140 COLOMBO 1140 CALICUT 1155 LAHORE 1215 KUALA LUMPUR-SINGAPORE 1215 BANGKOK 1220 ABU DHABI 1220 SALALAH 1230 DOHA 1250 KARACHI 1300 KATHMANDU 1305 DUBAI 1340 SALALAH 1440 KHASAB 1445 ISLAM ABBAD 1515 SHARJAH 1525 DUBAI 1535 MUKHAIZNA 1550 BAHRAIN 1610 DOHA 1650 BOMBAY 1655 CALICUT 1710 LUCKNOW 1740 DOHA 1745 DUBAI 1745 HYDERABAD 1750 DELHI 1750 MADRAS 1750 DUBAI 1800 BAHRAIN 1810 TRIVANDRUM 1820 SHARJAH 1905 JAIPUR 1910 KUWAIT 1920 DUBAI 1940 SALALAH 2000 ABU DHABI 2005 ABU DHABI 2005 MALE 2020 DUBAI 2025 JAKARTA 2035 KATHMANDU 2040 DUBAI 2100 BANGALORE-HYDERABAD 2105 AMSTERDAM-DOHA 2105 MUNICH 2105 COCHIN 2115 DELHI 2125 BOMBAY 2130 LONDON HEATHROW-ABU DHABI 2140 DUBAI 2150 MADRAS 2200 CHITTAGONG 2210 ZURICH-DUBAI 2225 DOHA 2225 BAHRAIN 2240 FRANKFURT-DOHA 2245 ZANZIBAR-DARESSLAM 2250 KARACHI 2250 ABU DHABI 2300 AMMAN 2300 SALALAH 2310 BOMBAY 2315 BOMBAY 2325 DOHA 2335 ABU DHABI 2340 BAHRAIN 2340 SALALAH 2345 BANGKOK 2350 DUBAI 2355 DAMMAM 2355

WY424 WY676 WY648 WY682 WY914 BG021 CV610 WY916 TK774 4H585 PK225 GF560 QR1132 EK866 ET624 EY384 PK291 MS930 FZ041 WY114 4H586 WY658 WY638 WY902 WY644 WY686 WY154 WY144 WY678 WY668 WY674 WY102 FZ043 WY602 WY346 NL768 WY272 WY202 WY236 G9114 WY226 EK862 WY210 WY242 WY212 WY252 QR1128 EY382 IX817 IX443 WY652 9W530 WY604 WY918 GF562 WY372 FZ037 IX337 WY822 WY818 WY634 WY904 BG023 WY670 WY332 PA950 CV611 WY606 WY3302 WY632 WY906 WY920 WY3922 FZ045 KU677 SV530 WY344 QR1126 WY204 WY292 WY264 WY664 EK864 WY254 WY232 WY246 WY284 WY3932 GF564 TG507 G9116 WY374 WY646 FZ047 WY908 RG125 WY614 WY848 WY338 WY434 FZ049 KL441 WY124 4H561 9W534 AI973 6.00E+81 BA073 WY624 UL205 AI907 WY312 LX242 QR1134 GF566 LH616 WY414 SG061 EY388 WY910 WY910 9W540 AI985 WY662 WY662 WY636 WY654 WY816 WY612 WY696 WY612

BEIRUT 0005 JEDDAH 0005 KUWAIT 0005 RIYADH 0010 SALALAH 0020 DACCA 0100 LUXORE 0115 SALALAH 0120 ISTANBUL 0135 DACCA 0200 KARACHI 0215 BAHRAIN 0325 DOHA 0345 DUBAI 0350 ADDIS ABABA 0350 ABU DHABI 0400 ISLAM ABBAD 0410 CAIRO 0410 DUBAI 0415 FRANKFURT 0515 DOHA 0600 BAHRAIN 0635 ABU DHABI 0640 SALALAH 0645 KUWAIT 0650 RIYADH 0655 ZURICH 0700 MALPENSA 0705 MEDINA 0710 DOHA 0715 JEDDAH 0735 LONDON HEATHROW 0740 DUBAI 0800 DUBAI 0805 ISLAM ABBAD 0815 LAHORE 0830 JAIPUR 0830 BOMBAY 0835 HYDERABAD 0900 SHARJAH 0905 COCHIN 0920 DUBAI 0930 GOA 0935 DELHI 0935 TRIVANDRUM 0950 MADRAS 0955 DOHA 1000 ABU DHABI 1010 MANGALORE 1010 COCHIN 1020 BAHRAIN 1040 TRIVANDRUM 1045 DUBAI 1115 KHASAB 1115 BAHRAIN 1130 COLOMBO 1140 DUBAI 1140 CALICUT 1155 KUALA LUMPUR-SINGAPORE 1215 BANGKOK 1220 ABU DHABI 1220 SALALAH 1230 DACCA-CHITTAGONG 1230 DOHA 1250 KATHMANDU 1305 SIALKOT 1310 MADRAS 1315 DUBAI 1340 MUKHAIZNA 1350 ABU DHABI 1355 SALALAH 1440 KHASAB 1445 DUQUM OMAN 1510 DUBAI 1535 KUWAIT-ABU DHABI 1540 JEDDAH 1550 LAHORE 1605 DOHA 1650 BOMBAY 1655 CALICUT 1710 LUCKNOW 1740 DOHA 1745 DUBAI 1745 MADRAS 1750 HYDERABAD 1750 DELHI 1750 BANGALORE 1750 SOHAR 1805 BAHRAIN 1810 BANGKOK-KARACHI 1900 SHARJAH 1905 COLOMBO 1915 KUWAIT 1920 DUBAI 1940 SALALAH 2000 ABU DHABI 2005 DUBAI 2025 JAKARTA 2035 KATHMANDU 2040 TEHRAN 2055 DUBAI 2100 AMSTERDAM-DOHA 2105 MUNICH 2105 DACCA 2115 COCHIN 2115 DELHI 2125 BOMBAY 2130 LONDON HEATHROW-ABU DHABI 2140 DUBAI 2150 COLOMBO 2155 MADRAS 2200 CHITTAGONG 2210 ZURICH-DUBAI 2225 DOHA 2225 BAHRAIN 2240 FRANKFURT-DOHA 2245 AMMAN 2300 AHMEDABAD 2300 ABU DHABI 2300 SALALAH 2310 SALALAH 2310 BOMBAY 2315 BOMBAY 2325 DOHA 2335 DOHA 2335 ABU DHABI 2340 BAHRAIN 2340 BANGKOK 2350 DUBAI 2355 DAMMAM 2355 DUBAI 2355

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9W539 AI986 WY657 WY637 WY235 WY281 WY201 WY685 WY643 WY251 WY341 WY601 WY431 WY371 WY123 WY847 WY241 WY901 WY667 TK775 4H584 PK230 WY331 EK867 ET625 EY385 FZ036 QR1133 WY651 GF561 WY3921 G9842 WY603 WY903 WY3301 WY917 WY347 WY669 WY323 FZ044 WY633 WY815 WY291 WY215 WY253 NL769 WY717 WY263 WY385 WY821 WY843 G9115 WY231 WY905 WY605 WY203 WY245 EK863 IX554 WY337 QR1129 EY383 IX442 WY311 9W533 WY919 QR8550 WY655 GF563 WY273 FZ038 WY3303 IX350 PA451 WY113 WY663 WY143 WY645 WY101 WY423 WY153 WY927 WY413 WY405 WY609 WY907 WY675 G9110 FZ046 WY631 WY613 QR1127 WY327 WY623 WY681 WY647 WY909 GF565 EK865 WY695 WY661 WY653 G9117 WY913 WY635 FZ048 WY611 RG126 WY915 FZ050 AI978 KL442 WY817 9W529 6.00E+82 AI908 AI974 WY677 GF567 LX243 BA072 QR1135 WY673 EY381 LH617

BOMBAY 0020 BOMBAY 0020 BAHRAIN 0055 ABU DHABI 0105 HYDERABAD 0110 BANGALORE 0110 BOMBAY 0115 RIYADH 0115 KUWAIT 0120 MADRAS 0120 LAHORE 0145 DUBAI 0145 TEHRAN 0155 COLOMBO 0155 MUNICH 0200 JAKARTA 0215 DELHI 0215 SALALAH 0215 DOHA 0225 ISTANBUL 0230 DACCA 0300 LAHORE 0315 KATHMANDU 0350 DUBAI 0450 ADDIS ABABA 0450 ABU DHABI 0500 DUBAI 0510 DOHA 0515 BAHRAIN 0645 BAHRAIN 0715 DUQUM OMAN 0740 RAS AL KHAIMA 0745 DUBAI 0750 SALALAH 0750 MUKHAIZNA 0800 KHASAB 0815 ISLAM ABBAD 0830 DOHA 0835 KARACHI 0835 DUBAI 0845 ABU DHABI 0900 BANGKOK 0905 CALICUT 0915 TRIVANDRUM 0915 MADRAS 0915 LAHORE 0930 ZANZIBAR-DARESSLAM 0940 LUCKNOW 0940 MALE 0945 SINGAPORE-KUALA LUMPUR 0945 MANILA 0955 SHARJAH 0955 HYDERABAD 1000 SALALAH 1020 DUBAI 1020 BOMBAY 1025 DELHI 1040 DUBAI 1045 TRIVANDRUM 1045 KATHMANDU 1050 DOHA 1100 ABU DHABI 1105 COCHIN 1120 CHITTAGONG 1140 COCHIN 1145 KHASAB 1145 DUBAI WORLD CENTRE-DOHA 1205 BAHRAIN 1215 BAHRAIN 1215 JAIPUR 1220 DUBAI 1225 MUKHAIZNA 1230 CALICUT 1255 LAHORE 1315 FRANKFURT 1320 DOHA 1330 MALPENSA 1350 KUWAIT 1350 LONDON HEATHROW 1400 BEIRUT 1415 ZURICH 1420 SALALAH 1430 AMMAN 1440 CAIRO 1440 DUBAI 1445 SALALAH 1540 JEDDAH 1615 SHARJAH 1615 DUBAI 1620 ABU DHABI 1640 DUBAI 1710 DOHA 1750 KARACHI 1810 DUBAI 1840 RIYADH 1840 KUWAIT 1845 SALALAH 1850 BAHRAIN 1855 DUBAI 1910 DAMMAM 1915 DOHA 1920 BAHRAIN 1920 SHARJAH 1955 SALALAH 2000 ABU DHABI 2015 DUBAI 2025 DUBAI 2035 ABU DHABI 2045 SALALAH 2100 DUBAI 2145 HYDERABAD-BANGALORE 2200 DOHA-AMSTERDAM 2220 BANGKOK 2225 TRIVANDRUM 2230 BOMBAY 2245 MADRAS 2300 DELHI 2310 MEDINA 2310 BAHRAIN 2325 DUBAI-ZURICH 2325 ABU DHABI-LONDON HEATHROW 2330 DOHA 2330 JEDDAH 2350 ABU DHABI 2355 DOHA-FRANKFURT 2355

9W539 AI986 WY657 WY637 WY225 WY235 WY211 WY685 WY201 WY643 WY251 WY345 WY601 WY371 WY123 WY901 WY241 WY847 WY667 BG022 TK775 WY209 4H585 PK226 WY331 CV610 EK867 ET625 EY385 FZ042 MS931 PK292 QR1133 WY651 4H586 GF561 WY903 WY603 WY917 WY669 FZ044 WY633 WY373 WY815 WY343 WY253 WY291 NL769 WY263 WY821 G9115 WY231 WY283 WY3301 WY905 WY605 WY203 WY631 WY245 EK863 WY337 QR1129 IX818 EY383 IX442 WY311 9W533 WY919 WY3921 WY655 GF563 FZ038 IX350 WY113 WY663 WY645 WY143 WY101 BG024 PA951 WY927 WY405 WY413 CV611 WY433 WY907 WY3931 WY675 FZ046 KU678 SV531 WY613 QR1127 WY623 WY681 WY647 WY909 GF565 EK865 WY695 WY661 WY653 G9117 WY913 TG508 WY635 FZ048 WY611 RG126 WY915 FZ050 WY411 4H561 KL442 WY817 9W529 6.00E+82 AI908 UL206 WY705 WY677 AI974 GF567 LX243 QR1135 BA072 WY673 EY381 LH617

BOMBAY 0020 BOMBAY 0020 BAHRAIN 0055 ABU DHABI 0105 COCHIN 0105 HYDERABAD 0110 TRIVANDRUM 0110 RIYADH 0115 BOMBAY 0115 KUWAIT 0120 MADRAS 0120 ISLAM ABBAD 0125 DUBAI 0145 COLOMBO 0155 MUNICH 0200 SALALAH 0215 DELHI 0215 JAKARTA 0215 DOHA 0225 CHITTAGONG-DACCA 0230 ISTANBUL 0230 GOA 0255 DOHA 0300 KARACHI 0315 KATHMANDU 0350 MADRAS 0355 DUBAI 0450 ADDIS ABABA 0450 ABU DHABI 0500 DUBAI 0510 CAIRO 0510 ISLAM ABBAD 0510 DOHA 0515 BAHRAIN 0645 DACCA 0700 BAHRAIN 0715 SALALAH 0750 DUBAI 0750 KHASAB 0815 DOHA 0835 DUBAI 0845 ABU DHABI 0900 COLOMBO 0900 BANGKOK 0905 LAHORE 0915 MADRAS 0915 CALICUT 0915 LAHORE 0930 LUCKNOW 0940 SINGAPORE-KUALA LUMPUR 0945 SHARJAH 0955 HYDERABAD 1000 BANGALORE 1000 MUKHAIZNA 1000 SALALAH 1020 DUBAI 1020 BOMBAY 1025 ABU DHABI 1030 DELHI 1040 DUBAI 1045 KATHMANDU 1050 DOHA 1100 MANGALORE 1100 ABU DHABI 1105 COCHIN 1120 CHITTAGONG 1140 COCHIN 1145 KHASAB 1145 DUQUM OMAN 1210 BAHRAIN 1215 BAHRAIN 1215 DUBAI 1225 CALICUT 1255 FRANKFURT 1320 DOHA 1330 KUWAIT 1350 MALPENSA 1350 LONDON HEATHROW 1400 CHITTAGONG-DACCA 1400 SIALKOT 1430 SALALAH 1430 CAIRO 1440 AMMAN 1440 LUXORE 1445 TEHRAN 1445 SALALAH 1540 SOHAR 1600 JEDDAH 1615 DUBAI 1620 KUWAIT 1640 MEDINA-JEDDAH 1650 DUBAI 1710 DOHA 1750 DUBAI 1840 RIYADH 1840 KUWAIT 1845 SALALAH 1850 BAHRAIN 1855 DUBAI 1910 DAMMAM 1915 DOHA 1920 BAHRAIN 1920 SHARJAH 1955 SALALAH 2000 KARACHI-BANGKOK 2005 ABU DHABI 2015 DUBAI 2025 DUBAI 2035 ABU DHABI 2045 SALALAH 2100 DUBAI 2145 AMMAN 2205 JEDDAH 2215 DOHA-AMSTERDAM 2220 BANGKOK 2225 TRIVANDRUM 2230 BOMBAY 2245 MADRAS 2300 COLOMBO 2305 DARESSLAM-ZANZIBAR 2310 MEDINA 2310 DELHI 2310 BAHRAIN 2325 DUBAI-ZURICH 2325 DOHA 2330 ABU DHABI-LONDON HEATHROW 2330 JEDDAH 2350 ABU DHABI 2355 DOHA-FRANKFURT 2355

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WY648 WY406 WY676 WY672 WY682 WY914 WY916 TK774 4H583 PK229 GF560 FZ035 QR1132 EK866 ET624 EY384 WY114 WY412 WY658 WY638 WY902 WY644 WY686 G9841 WY144 WY668 WY674 WY132 WY102 FZ043 WY432 WY422 WY602 WY342 NL768 WY202 WY236 G9114 WY282 WY226 EK862 WY242 IX549 WY252 QR1128 EY382 IX443 QR8550 WY3922 WY652 9W530 WY918 WY604 WY3302 GF562 FZ037 WY372 IX337 PA450 WY822 WY818 WY634 WY904 WY670 WY324 WY332 WY606 WY906 WY920 WY348 G9119 FZ045 WY3304 WY656 QR1126 WY204 WY292 WY264 WY664 EK864 WY232 WY246 WY254 WY610 GF564 WY216 G9116 WY274 WY646 FZ047 WY908 RG125 WY632 WY386 WY614 WY848 WY338 FZ049 AI977 KL441 WY124 9W534 AI973 6.00E+81 BA073 WY624 AI907 WY312 LX242 QR1134 GF566 LH616 WY717 WY328 EY388 WY414 WY910 9W540 AI985 WY662 WY636 WY654 WY928 WY816 WY612 WY696

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EXTRA H E A LT H N O T E S

Restaurants can push healthy eating options for children CONTRARY TO popular belief, more healthy meals for children were ordered after a regional restaurant chain added more healthy options to its kids’ menu and removed soda and fries, says a study. Including more healthy options on the menu didn’t hurt overall restaurant revenue, and may have even supported growth, reveals the study done by researchers from Tufts University. “Our study showed that healthier children’s menu options were ordered a lot more often when those options were more prevalent and prominent on children’s menus, highlighting the promise of efforts to shift the status quo and make healthier options the new norm,” said lead author Stephanie Anzman-Frasca.

‘Internet fasting’ camp curbs teenage online fixation Japanese government has successfully conducted a trial, ‘Net fasting’ camp, aimed at keeping Internet-addicted teenagers away from smartphones and computers

T

he Japanese Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Ministry said a trial run was conducted in August last year. According to a survey conducted three months later, daily Internet usage fell by about 30 percent.

The ministry plans to run the camp in earnest from this fiscal year. The test run had “certain effects as they became aware of interesting aspects of life in the real world,” according to a ministry official, “by distancing themselves from an online environment and starting to build new human relationships.”

A fiscal 2014 Cabinet Office survey indicates middle school students spend an average two hours and 10 minutes online during weekdays and three hours and five minutes for high school students. High school students using the Internet for at least five hours a day accounted for 19 percent. The hours tended to become longer year after year.

In some cases, addicted stu-

dents started skipping school.

Seeking appropriate measures, the education ministry decided to hold a nine-day, eight-night camp last summer by outsourcing the project to the National Institution for Youth Education.

Ten male participants, ranging from middle school to university students who spent an average of 10 hours a day online, experienced life without smartphones as they stayed at the National Chuo Youth Friendship Centre in Gotemba, Japan.

There were plenty of activities including a hike to Mt. Fuji as well as a barbecue party. They also received treatment and counselling from doctors at the National Hospital Organization’s Kurihama Medical and Addiction Centre in Kanagawa Prefecture, which has a special out-patient clinic to treat Internet addiction.

A survey conducted three months after the camp showed that daily average Internet use for participants was reduced to 6.8 hours. Three out of seven stu-

The test run had certain effects on teenagers as they became aware of interesting aspects of life in the real world by distancing themselves from an online environment and starting to build new human relationships

dents who skipped school and played online games at home all the time for nearly two years were found to be attending school every day as of February this year.

One of their parents said their child had started studying for an hour each day at home.

But some of the participants regressed back to their old habits later on, after a brief period of spending less time online. “The camp motivated them to spend less hours online, but being able to keep that up depends on their situation at home,” an official at the centre said.

This fiscal year, programs such as cooking will be offered. The education ministry intends to promote the camp.

“Various activities at the camp enabled participants to be able to express themselves and reflect on their Internet-addicted lives through additional treatment,” said Susumu Higuchi, head of the centre. “It’s necessary to keep an eye on them in the future.”

-The Washington Post

RESEARCH

Where children sit affects their personality and success later in life A FRIEND asked me recently about where we sit as a family when we’re around the dinner table. She was keen to know whether we had fixed seats and, if so, what dynamic this engendered between different family members, particularly our three children.

I thought about it for a while and realised that, yes, we all occupied the same position each night — my partner and I at opposite ends, and the kids along the middle. To her question about dynamics, I guess our arrangement was, in some way, reinforcing a particular pattern of behaviour.

Certainly, when it came to eye contact, we were all seeing each other from the same angle, each night. Interaction between siblings is a fascinating business to observe for any parent, not just those of us who are also psychologists. And there was, I thought, no better place to watch this phenomenon unfold than around the dinner table.

That was until I started working with Škoda to promote its family model, the Octavia. New research has been released about the impact of different car positions and how they impact chil-

dren in later life. As many families hit the roads this weekend, parents will be confronted with the age-old dilemma of how to keep their brood occupied and behaving on long journeys. For those with more than two offspring, there’s also the added issue of who sits where. Similar to the dinner table conundrum, careful selection is required.

Car booster chairs may mean

that one window seat is immediately taken by the youngest child, and a history of travel sickness or a headstrong eldest sibling may take care of the other. But what becomes of the “unfortunate” individual that ends up in the middle? Are they destined for a life of always having to compromise?

Not so, according to the research. These young folk should count themselves lucky for being

a middle seat kid. In fact, in the survey of over 1,000 people (now grown up) with two siblings or more, 90 per cent of those at a director level position at work sat in the middle on family car journeys.

Even more tellingly, four fifths of these respondents believe that sitting between brothers and sisters directly contributed to their professional success.

-Laverne Antrobus/The Independent

A little extra fat may not be that bad for diabetics BEING A bit on the heavier side may not be that bad for diabetics as researchers have found that patients with Type-2 diabetes who are overweight but not obese live longer than those who are underweight or normal-weight. Researchers call this effect the “obesity paradox” as higher body mass index (BMI) is a known risk factor for cardiovascular disease and Type-2 diabetes. For the study, the researchers followed more than 10,500 patients with Type-2 diabetes for a median of 10.6 years. The overweight and obese patients had an increased risk for cardiovascular events, but those who were overweight had better survival rates compared to those who were underweight or normal-weight.

Distractions in old age affect memory: Study AS WE get older we tend to hold less information in our minds. But that has less to do with cognitive decline and more with distractions, says a new study. While 16- to 17-year-olds can hold an average of 6.5 numbers in mind for a short time in their “working memory”, this drops to five numbers for 75 to 79-year-olds. Being able to effectively ignore distraction seems to be crucial for working memory, said the large-scale study conducted using a smartphone game as part of the Great Brain Experiment. “It may be this that underlies the age-related decline in working memory capacity,” the researchers from University of Birmingham said. -IANS

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EXTRA B O L LY W O O D

Priyanka, Kangana enjoy girls night out

IT WAS a celebration time for both Kangana Ranaut and Priyanka Chopra after the 62nd National Awards, and both the actresses were seen enjoying a girls night out in a photograph shared online. Kangana received the Best Actress Award for Queen at the 62nd National award while Priyanka’s film Mary Kom received the Best Popular Film Provinding Wholesome Entertainment.

Priyanka took to photosharing website Instagram to share a selfie with Kangana and Shraddha Kapoor. The three were all smiles while they were looking towards the camera.

Big B shares a throwback photograph

International Space Station is now equipped with ‘ISSpresso’ Samantha Cristoforetti had an espresso out of this world, and she did it in the name of science

S

amantha Cristoforetti had an espresso on Sunday that was out of this world, and she did it in the name of science.

Cristoforetti is an astronaut, the seventh Italian and the first Italian woman to venture into orbit. She has been at the International Space Station since November, and over the weekend got to do something quintessentially Italian: She became the first person to drink an authentic serving of what she called “the finest organic suspension ever devised” in space.

“Fresh espresso in the new Zero-G cup! To boldly brew ... ” she posted on social media, where she has been chronicling her stay on the station with photos and explanatory videos.

However much she may have enjoyed her first espresso in more than five months, making the drink in orbit was no lark, but “a very serious study in fluid physics,” Roberto Battiston, president of ASI, the Italian space agency, wrote in an emailed statement. “Until Sunday, we didn’t know exactly how hot fluids under high pressure reacted” in the near-weightless environment of the space station, he said. “Now we do.”

A special espresso maker, named ISSpresso, was designed for the task by Argotec, an engineering and software firm based in Turin, and the Italian coffee producer Lavazza, with help from the space agency. It was included

ACTOR Amitabh Bachchan shared a photograph of himself along with veteran actors Shashi and Rishi Kapoor, which he feels is from their movie Kabhie Kabhie. The 72-year-old took to his micro-blogging website Twitter to share the image with his fans and well-wishers. “Shashi ji, Chintu and moi — a moment I think from Kabhie Kabhi — a wedding sequence or an event —Dunno,” the actor tweeted alongside a photograph where the three were standing together dressed up as grooms.

Rajkummar Rao wishes luck to Hansal Mehta

among the experiments and technical demonstrations that Cristoforetti, a captain in the Italian air force, was scheduled to carry out on her mission to the station, which ends in mid-May. “Coffee represents one of the distinctive elements of Italian culture,” said a spokeswoman for the agency, who requested anonymity under her agency’s rules for employees.

Making a proper espresso — a singular alchemy of high temperature, water pressure and perfectly tamped coffee — is difficult enough to master on Earth. Microgravity conditions made the task still more complicated, and Argotec took two

years to work out how to do it.

“We developed our hardware on the basis of the parameters for making good coffee, while considering safety requirements,” said Valerio Di Tana, an engineer at the company.

The squat, 44-pound machine wound up looking something like an old-fashioned laboratory incubator, built from militarystandard components. “You don’t see those on terrestrial machines,” Di Tana said.

The dripless system is even designed to emit a small waft of freshly brewed coffee odor when the straw is inserted into the pouch containing the brew.

Two small flaps on the side allow an astronaut to hold it without burning a hand.

An important part of the espresso-in-space experience is the newly developed microgravity coffee cup, which allows astronauts to sip liquids more or less the way they would use a cup on Earth. It does not have an open top that would allow spills, though; instead, the liquid reaches the astronaut’s lips by capillary action - “almost like the wicking of water through a paper towel,” a NASA blog post explains. The cup also provides data on the passive movement of complex fluids

in space, NASA said. The ISSpresso machine makes other hot drinks as well, including tea and consommé. “This is important from the nutritional aspect, but also gives the astronauts a psychological boost,” David Avino, the managing director of Argotec, said in a telephone interview on Monday.

The company had already begun the project when another Italian astronaut, Luca Parmitano, remarked in a June 2013 interview from the space station that the one thing he really missed in space “was a good cup of espresso.”-Elisabetta Povoledo/The New York Times News Service

ACTOR Rajkummar Rao wishes luck to filmmaker Hansal Mehta for their film CityLights, which will be screened at the New York Indian Film Festival (NYIFF). Rajkummar took to his micro-blogging website Twitter to wish Mehta.“Good luck my dearest @mehtahansal sir for #CityLights screening at the New York festival.

Have a great time. See you soon :-), the actor tweeted.

-IANS

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FOR RENT

First floor one unit flat 3 bed, 3 bathrooms, hall, sitting, dining at Ghubra South. Contact 98087644

200 Sqr mtrs office space in CBD. Contact 99792181 Labour Camp for rent in Wadikabir. Contact 99792181 Showroom for rent 200 m in Al Misfah, Bousher facing the main road. Contact 95202430 New building, residential apartments and offices, in Al Khoud Souq. Contact 95202340 Deluxe 1, 2 BHK flats in Darsait, AL Khuwair 1deal for office & residence.contact 99369081 /99142314

2 BHK Flat in Rex Road.

Contact 99792181 2 BHK flat in Ruwi.

Contact 99792181 1 BHK new bldg with A/C, curtains near Khimji Mart MBD. Contact: 99061408 / 99024039 2BHK Al Khuwair.

Contact : 99024730

2 BHK (with split AC) residential flat at Honda road. Contact 98087644 / 99795241 1B/Room flat for rent in Darsait near Indian School R.O 190/-.

Contact 99224702 1, 2, 3, BHK flats. Contact: 97799175 6B/R villa in Al Ghubra / 3B/R flat in Ruwi Mumtaz / 4B/R (2flats bldg) in Al Khoudh.

Contact 99776071/ 99057348 One BHK flat for rent in Ghobra with attach and common bathroom. For Indian family.

Contact - 92322096

2BHK with split AC in W. K behind Sana Fashion. contact 96708000

Ware House & office space.

Contact 99024730

New Building in Mutrah, 2 B/D Room Flat + Setting Room,3 Baths+ Kitchen with split unit Ac’s. Behind Khimiji’s main office/opposite to Oman House Call 99419712

C.B.D 2BHK. Contact 99024730

1/3 BHK Flat Ghubrah, close to ISG Way 4041, building 4390.

Contact 99319880

House for rent 4 bedroom, one toilet, one kitchen, 1 living room at Muttrah, near Health Center way 1614. Contact 92665121

If require flats for rent in Wadi Kabir please send me messages through whatsapp or call 99376454

Independent rooms in Qurum /Al Hail. Contact 95529970

Al Khuwair (17) a room and hall, kitchen, toilet with ACs ground floor owner. Contact 99385553

1, 2 & 3 BHK Flat in Al Khuwair.

Contact 99792181 10 BHK villa in Al Khuwair 25.

Contact 99792181 Ground floor flat in Mabela South with 2 big room & living room, 3 toilets, kitchen, small store & hall.

Contact 93295953

1BHK, 2 toilets at South Ghubra include E/W and AC split with fully furnished OMR 350/-.# 92811110 Flats for rent near Indian School in Wadi Kabir. Contact 99777122

Flats and villa for rent in North Ghubra, the first line on 18 November Street opposite of chedi hotel suitable for offices.

Contact 96130361

Villa for rent with 4 bedroom at Al Khodh, Rent 600/-RO.#92888115 Flat at Darsait. contact 99326879 2 bedrooms flat with hall, 2 bathrooms in Ruwi behind Boys school.

Contact 92584715 / 24700120 1BHK flat near star cinema with split A/C 230/- O.R. Contact 99358589/ 97079146/ 95570288 Studio flat Wadi Kabeer 160/-O.R. Contact - 99358589 / 97079146/ 95570288 Bath attached room for rent Al Khuwair. Contact 99743569 Covered space available near Misfah INDL, NCPT 100sq, mtr, ideal for ware house.

Contact 93965831 Furnished flats for rent in Al Buraimi, daily, weekly, monthly.

Contact 97819981 / 93593336 2BHK available Ghubra near Indian School, 1BHK Mumtaz Ruwi.

Contact 99269751 New furnished flat at Amerat 3BHK, 3Toilets RO230 pm.

Contact 95113797 Shop for rent Misk house bldg Walja area near Honda road.

Contact 99312674 / 96917934

3 bedroom flat for rent in Al Hamria Contact: 99341112 Apartments for rent Ghubra : near Indian School Ghubra & Al Maha International Hotel (2BHK with 5 split A/C units).Contact 99273774 / 99202278 /94652485 1 Bedroom bachelors, sharing K & T in Al Khuwair R.O 100/-.

Contact 95154331 Room main road, Al Khuwair R.O 110/-. Contact 97799175 2 B/R Apartment Luxury Fully Furnished @ Azaiba Near Zubair Showroom. 2 B/R Apartment Executive Fully Furnished @ Al Khuwair 33. 1 B/R Apartment Executive Fully Furnished @ Al Khuwair 33. 3 B/R Apartment Executive Fully Furnished @ Al Khuwair 25. 5 B/R Villa - Fully Furnished at Madinat Al Ilam.

Contact - Atlas Real Estate & Rent A Car LLC / 24783341- 24834888/ 99249069 / 92888376/ 93201688 Email: info@alshahiintl.com New 3 bedroom flats split AC, attached toilets available behind Kims Oman Hospital.

Contact 95225662

3000 sq mtrs Industrial landß, in Barka Sanaiya, with electricity 400KW, shed, staff accommodation and office. Ready to start any kind of factory. Contact 99384255.

3 Office space available between 120-142 sqm, with data cable, pantry, cassette AC, parking, @ RO. 5/- per/sqm. At Jibroo Muttrah. 2 BHK flat at Azaiba, behind Al Meera Hypermarket. RO. 330/-.

Contact: 93221054, 99229263, 95215289 Room with attached bathroom Al Khuwair 33 area.

Contact 96059431 1BHK R.O 250, Bldg # 1619 Way # 1322 adjacent to Indian Nursery Darsait.contact 99476728 / 24705453 For rent flats, shops, villas in Al Hail, Mawalih, Ruwi, Khuwair, special prices, fast service.

Contact 98588240 / 24487033 Villa in Al Khuwair and Seeb.

Contact 95250300/ 99119699 / 92125648 Family flats in Wadi Kabir, MBD, Ruwi, Muttrah, AL Khuwair, Al Hail and Seeb. Contact 96055889 /95250300 / 92125648

W E D N E S DAY, M AY 6, 2 0 1 5

D3

DAILY GUIDE

AVAILABLE

FOR SALE

BUYING / SELLING

Party & Wedding equipment rentals.

Full line, from Tables, Linen & Skirting, Chairs & Chair covers, Cutlery, Crockery, Glassware, Chafing Dishes, Ice Sculptures, to Large Sound Systems and spectacular lighting. Call Andrea 9606 2222 for Catering and Croyden 9623 5555 for Sound & Light. www.tunesoman.com, E-mail: info@tunesoman.com

FOR RENT Industrial land for rent in Wadi Kabir 7000 Sq mtrs.

Contact 99354340 Labour camp for Rent in Wadi Kabir. Contact 99797422 Villa for rent in Al Khuwair 33, 8 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms with parking area near Tuimur Mosque.

Contact 99366624 1 Bedroom flat in Azaiba.

Contact 99385835/99428143 Flats shops and store for rent in MBD area, Honda rood and Rex Road. Contact 92433127 / 97293708/ 95150632 Ghubra near Al Maha hotel & Indian school (2BHK with 5 split ac units). Contact 94652485/ 99273774 / 99202278 Flat for rent 1 & 2 bedroom available behind Zaker Mall Al Khuwair.

Contact - 99530405 For rent 3 industrial land.

Contact 92702891/ 95490842 1BHK with A/C in Ghubra 250/R.O. Contact 97799175 New one B/R directly from owner Behind Bank Muscat Bausher.

Contact 92158031 New 2B/R flats with split unit D/C & free Internet & office space available at Al Khuwair near Mustafa Sultan Philips showroom.

Contact 99460330 2BHK at Azaiba, 2 bedrooms, 1 hall, dining, 3 bath rooms.

Contact 99224748 / 99425665 Big flat in Al Khuwair 33, 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, sitting, dining, family lounge, kitchen, store with A/C, rent 550/- OMR. Contact 97278169 2BHK at Honda road, 2 bedrooms, 1 hall, 2 bath rooms. Contact 99224748 / 99332297 1,000 sq mtrs industrial land in Misfah Industrial area near to Khanco. OMR 1,500 Monthly.

Electricity and boundary wall will be provided. Tel: 99333479 or 95215360 Residential land for sale 21000 sqm, best for housing complex at Al Harm – Barka, opp to Khimji logistic. Contact 99438397 2BHK Flats for families at Azaiba next to Al Meera Hyper Market.

Contact : 96457757 2 BHK & studio flat at Darsait 1SM. Contact 99024730 Flats/villas owned by ROP pension fund available for rent in Muscat. Contact 99349526 Spacious 2 BHK flats in Ruwi MBD area only on 350/- OMR. Contact – 95122188 / 96441499

Used household & office furniture and electronic items.

Contact 99834373, 97102699

Used Furniture of Ready made showroom for Sale.contact 24704370, 99798452 (Ashwin) Port cabin new & refurbished – porta cabin for sale & rent.

Contact 96723468 / 97775501 / 97775502 60,000 Sq Mtrs Agriculture Land in Misfah, can be changed to Industrial Land. OMR 27 Per Square Meter.

Tel: 99333479 or 95215360

M.V. FOR SALE

All the fittings and equipment for sale from a closed restaurant.

Contact : 99425461 1BHK Ruwi & Wadi Kabir.

Contact 99024730 Shopping center for sale at Bousher by good price 400 m2 with all equipment. Reason for selling part-time.

Contact 92916490 Shfandish & tables for sale.

Contact 99368907 Used supermarket shelving, Gandola – tube light fittings, window A/C. Contact: 97752395 House hold shop / Empty shop for sale Al Hail Zam Zam line.

Contact 97039497 Road Safety concrete barriers for sale for best quote available in sizes 2 meters and 3 meters.

Contact : 94546200 Solid metal scrap & scaffoldings/ jacks for immediate sale. Contact 94652485 / 99273774 / 99202278.

Fabrication machinery & tools in excellent condition for immediate sale. Contact 94652485 / 99273774 / 99202278.

Furnished office for sale at Walja.

Contact 99024272 / 95604205 A Building in CBD opposite to the central bank of 3100 Sq mtr built up area of expected rent of 205 K per annum for 1 million 350 thousands.

Contact 95330200 The used household items like Refrigerator, Washing Machine, Sofa Set, Dining Table & Chairs and other items are available for disposal on “as is where is basis”. Interested parties are requested to contact GSM 95475591 for further details.

2,560 sq mtrs industrial land in Wadi Kabir. First line on way to Al Bustan hotel. Possible to make petrol station or hotel. OMR 1 Million. Tel: 99333479 or 95215360 5 Flats of 1 bedroom for Sale in Bousher: OMR 35 Thousand each.

Monthly income OMR 270 Tel: 99333479 or 95215360 2 residential Lands together, one 610 and the other 600 sq mtrs, in Al Haram on way to Barka. OMR 49 Thousand both. Tel: 99333479 or 95215360 3 floor commercial building in Muttrah behind Police. Generating income of OMR 18 Thousand annually. Neat and well maintained. Built on 197 sq mtrs land. 2 tailor shops on ground floor and 6 flats. OMR 207 Thousand. Tel: 99333479 or 95215360

FOR SALE 23,886 Sq Mtrs Agriculture land with water well in Al Salwa, Barka.

OMR 260 Thousand. Tel: 99333479 or 95215360 558 Sq mtrs residential land in Barka (Al Jenainah) near Lulu and near to school. OMR 32 Thousand.

Tel: 99333479 or 95215360 Beauty parlour for sale. Serious buyers. Contact 99609265 Shop for sale Al Khoudh.

Contact 92820541 Expat leaving, furniture for sale.

Contact 99224702 For running beauty saloon for sale.

Contact 97786792 / 96914627 Restaurant for sale well running with open area and good parking area. 3 new clearance also in Wadi Kabeer near Mars hyper market.

Contact 99656863

ACC. AVAILABLE Sharing for non-cooking Executive bachelor in CBD area wi fi free, advance deposit. Contact 95934642 Furnished room in Ruwi for non cooking Executive bachelor.

Contact 94412557

ACC. AVAILABLE Single room & AC attached bath at Mumtaz area. Contact 95212017 & 93103337 Building of 2floors in Al Hail, each 3Bedrooms, 3bathrooms, Sitting room, lounge, kitchen, store Contact 92817777 Sharing accommodation available Wadi Kabir attached room with sharing, kitchen. Contact 96575016 1B/R available for bachelors in REX ROAD, Ruwi. contact 99889590 Sharing acc. Available in Muttrah behind Oman house.

Contact 99354340

Family room available for rent at Muttrah Souk. Contact 24712088 / 99022790 Independent room available for Executive/small family.

Contact 968 96996179 Single room available at Hamriyah.

Contact 92390266

For sale 18 Ton Mitsubishi 2014.

Contact 95292503 call between 5 pm -10 pm

Kia Rio, Maroon Colour, 7300 kms Done, Very good condition, Insurance valid till March 2016, Price OMR 3800/- Contact 95793970

Pajero 2010, GCC, 230000 km white 6200/- R.O. Contact 92857111

Land Cruiser 2012. #99336093 Hyundai Elantra model 2015 km 37712, 1.6 cc, 10 months used, price 4650. Contact 99170202 Nissan Sunny 2007, 1.6, automatic, good condition km 1,48000.

Contact 99781671 Mazda 3 model KMS 140,000 fully automatic single driven company maintained. Contact 92302159

BUSINESS

Freezer Trucks Volvo Scania Mercedes Benz 10 & 12 & 18 Ton & 40 Ft good condition. Contact 99890151 / 99814635 Expat owned car for sale in Sohar.

Nissan-Altima 3.5V-SL (Topend).

2013 Model, bought Jan 2014. Only 25000 km. As good as showroom condition. Contact +968 97752903.

2 Prime Movers Man 2008 with 40 ton petrol tank each working at the moment in Al Maha. Price OMR 35 Thousand each. contact 97000155 or 92688692 Mercedes delivery van 2002.

Contact 99755644

Sharing family accommodation in Wadi Kabir. Contact 99335057

TRANSPORTATION

Accommodation available for South Indian family, one bedroom with attached toilet, kitchen, hall in a villa, Al Ghubrah. Contact 99209160

Transportation Contact 99159277

Room for rent in flat for bachelor / bachelors near ISWK primary wing, Way 6930 rent 100 OMR per month. Contact 97687055 / 98001645

Transportation. Contact: 98505294 House shifting & transporting.

Contact 92490422 Transportation. Contact 99508282

BUSINESS

Transportation. Contact 94087276

Sharing accommodation available opp. to oman house at Muttrah, for executive bachelors.

Contact 92506852 Room for rent with fully furnished available for non-cooking executive bachelor (preferably Indian/ Srilanka).near to GMC’ behind Bausher Baladiya. Price OMR: 175/- inclusive of Wifi, Elect & water.

Contact on: 97373888.

2010 Camry GCC 94000 KM, automatic, valid insurance price RO 3700. Contact 91322757

Road construction Demolition Company invites equipments for long term on rental basis. 10 Nos. Tipper 18 Cu. M, 5 Nos. 3 Axle tippers, 5 Nos. Excavators, Showel, Roller & Grader. Payment - 60 days.

Contact 99454425 Local company based in Ghala requires business development Manager with good experience and driving license.Contact 99166930 / 93782735 Software development based on requirements such as: Web development & cloud computing, SAP implementation & services. Android App development networking.

Contact 97423932

Looking for a genuine investor for an IT company. Good prospects.

Contact 99329216 Email: sales@aditsllc.com A construction company since 2008 with 40 employees is looking for a construction engineer as business partner. Contact 99373727 Business Consultant, feasibility study. Contact 99229700

Transport to ISWK. Contact 93172589 Pick & Drop any time.

Contact 97014786

BUSINESS Required business Researcher. contact 99229700 Email: kjaaraimi@hotmail.com We have some companies for rent with the following activities: press publishing & advertising, information consultancy, organizing event management & conference, real estate, landscaping, maintenance etc Contact 93946622 / 91408005

D4

W E D N E S D AY, M AY 6 , 2 0 1 5 Email: dailyguide@timesofoman.com classifieds@timesofoman.com Tel.: 24726666 Ext: 413 / 430 /431 / 456 / 461

DAILY GUIDE SITUATION SITUATION WANTED VACANT Wanted urgently Full Time Cook for an Omani family Salary R.O.250/-

SALES / MARKETING

alraid@alraidgroup.com

Required Sales man - 1 Person Qualification. Gulf Experienced Minimum 5 Years with Oman Driving Licence Language - English Education:- Any Degree Further Contact :Mr. Abdul Hameed Nashabat - Mobile No: 97414307 and -92807399 amn@yaqeeneng.com

or contact 24567070

SECRETARIAL & OFFICE

Kindly send your CV to

Required Office Assistant 160+25+Acc, Contact 99454425

TOURS Counter staff male/female experience 2 years of travel agency experience. Interested candidate shall send his / her CV to officer1_ajyad@yahoo.com Wanted an experienced person in reservations and ticketing using airlines Sabre system for a new travel agency; please send your CV to sunairways1@gmail.com

ACCOUNTANT Cosmetic leading company is looking for: professionally qualified and experienced Accountant. Please email your CV at maryanaoman@hotmail.com Urgently required for a newly opened shopping center in Ghubra: 1) Omani Lady – as Cashier, 2) Part time Accountant. Send CV to info@ dolphin-oman.com or fax to 24492718 Urgently required: Junior Accountant and Store keeper with 3 years experience in building construction and immediately join. Apply, fax 00968–24605955, emails sbc@steelbuildingsllc.com, sbeoman@yahoo.com Required urgently qualified and skilled Accountant having suitable experience in accounts / finalization / audit management and knowledge in tally for a reputed express industry. Email: info@atsglobex.com

ADMIN Young experienced English speaking telephone operator wanted.

Contact 99466062

ARCHITECT Urgently required an Architect with experience. Contact email: engineering_district@yahoo.com

CATERING Shawarma /BBQ/Tandoor /helper wanted. Contact 95529970

DRIVER Looking for freelance driver with car in Mabela industrial area.

Contact 24460287 / 96220165

DOMESTIC HELPER Wanted fulltime Housemaid or houseboy for Indian family in Azaiba. Contact 97448484

EDUCATION A school requires teachers for English, Science, Math, IT and Science Laboratory technician minimum requirements masters degree IELTS (band6).

Contact send CV to: 96606121.

Email: fred-cate2@yahoo.com

ENGI./ELECT./TECH..

Required Quantity Surveyor for Salalah, min 5 years experience.

Email: hussainbaomar2@gmail.com Urgently required a SERVICE ENGINEER with B.Tech or Diploma for a heavy equipment trading firm.

Applicants should have 3-5 years experience. Apply to jobtechoman@gmail.com Available heavy equipment Mechanic Driver’s Operators Civil Engineers with Oman GCC license ready. Medical and hundred helpers.

Contact: 98408488 / 97784397 Email: alkubratrading@gmail.com Required Civil Foreman with electrical/plumbing 5 yrs experience with Oman driving license. Contact 94652485 / 99273774 / 99202278.

ENGI./ELECT./TECH..

We are looking for the post of diesel mechanic -2, thermo king mechanic -2, denting worker -1, Painter -1, Marketing & Sales -1 (with Oman light license), GCC experience 3 years clearance are available. Contact : 99890151 / 95160851/ 99814635 Email: hiralal.rajgor@yahoo.com Road construction Demolition Company invites equipments for long term on rental basis. 10 Nos. Tipper 18 Cu. M, 5 Nos. 3 Axle tippers, 5 Nos. Excavators, Showel, Roller & Grader. Payment - 60 days.

Contact 99454425 Required heavy Driver, Operators for Excavator, Grader, Dozer & Showel.

Contact : 99454425 Looking for Civil Engineer with Diploma from India, Pakistan Indonesia or any of these Southern Asia countries to work with small company in Ibri, Oman.

Contact 99251428 email: almarshoudi4@gmail.com

HOSPITALITY A reputed hotel has a requirement for front desk Receptionist (Omani). Apply to benoyjacob2@gmail.com Contact: 94146486 / 92883346

MISCELLANEOUS Wanted for immediate appointment HSE officers - degree in safety engineering, Electrical site engineers- degree in electrical engineering, linemen class C- transmission – basic qualification. Gulf exp is preferred for all posts. Apply with bio data to – hr_oman1@yahoo.com immediately

MEDICAL Urgent! Omani healthcare company looking for a smart proactive marketing executive cum product specialist, with strong English communication skills and clinical microbiology/biotechnology background, for medical equipment division. Omani driving license is a must. Candidates with experience in laboratory diagnostics will be given preference. Mail your CV to: vacancymedeq@gmail.com Wanted doctor or any person to run a medical complex & pharmacy in Salalah. Contact : 95675488 / 99480068 Wanted Medical Lab Technician (male or female) for a reputed polyclinic. Contact 97101062 or send Email : arunjeni11@gmail.com Aesthetic and laser center in Oman seeking full time dermatologist with experience in cosmetology (Botox Fillers) good English as MOH license required. Package upon the experience and skills. For more information. Contact 00968 95233442 email: history@omantel.net.om Urgently required qualified two male home Nurse.

Email: jvacancy05@gmail.com Urgently required Staff Nurse, Pharmacist and endodontist Female Staff nurse, Pharmacist and endodntist with MOH License/ Prometric exam passed with 60% and above. Contact 24780088, 97374459 Email : karamadental@gmail.com

MEDICAL Immediate placement ( with or without MOH) A. Pharmacist 3 nos B. Asst.pharmacist - 2 nos Contact Tel.99338219 , 93240949 Wanted female Gynecologist, female Staff Nurse -2 no, Dentist, Dental Technician with MOH license for Al Saadi specialized Medical Centre in Mussana.

Contact 92025033 Wanted Nurse for polyclinic in Mabella South ph 97339965

SALES / MARKETING Sales Executive male / female experience 2 years of travel agency experience. Interested candidate shall send his / her CV to officer1_ajyad@yahoo.com Urgently required 26 yrs & above with 2 +years experience in sales, marketing, Business development / production controlling in FMCG. Contact : 98989620 Email: contact@sixarfoods.com Software company is recruiting minimum 3-5 years experienced Omanis for Sales Manager position.

Interested candidates are requested to send their resume to omansupport@gmail.com A leading software company urgently requires marketing person with minimum 4-5 years experience in Oman market with good communication skills and driving license - Omani / expats with release. Fax 24564459 Email: mhca@mhabibgroup.com Reputed firm in Oman is looking out for experienced Sales Executives with driver’s license (knowledge in building materials will be added advantage) and an experienced Secretary. Please forward your CV along with recent photograph to: Email: sivakumar649@hotmail.com A company at Muscat looking for a senior salesman of building materials who has minimum 3 years experience & NOC as well.

Contact no 93991932 A reputed media advertising & publishing company looking for female Sales Executives. Send CV to job08080@gmail.com or Contact 91408005 A REPUTED TRADING & CONTRACTING CO. requires urgently Sales Executive (male) having at least 3 years experience of building material products specially in paints in Oman, with valid driving license.

Send CV through Fax 24495411 or email: info@styletrading.net Software company looking for Telesales Executives – Female, with minimum 2 years of experience.

Suitable candidates can send their resume to omanerpsales@gmail.com Required Salesman for a press and preferably if he has valid driving license. Kingdom of Creative Press.

Contact 99520777 Email: alibda.d@gmail.com Requires a Sales and Marketing person (Female) for Home linen Company with minimum experience. Please send your CV on e-mail zeyanaalharmaly@yahoo.com A leading Marble & Granite Trading company looking for Experienced Sr. Sales Executive with D/L. Send CV with details : jskanchan01@gmail.com immediately.

SITUATION WANTSIT. WANTED

SITUATION WANTED SIT. WANTED

ACCOUNT. & FINANCE Pakistani male B.Com /PGD having 2 years experience in Accounting and Inventory field seeking suitable job, on visit visa. Contact 94129550 27, male ACCA with 4 years of work experience in a reputed company looking for a suitable position in accounts / finance. Contact 98489141 MBA (international business) from London, 4 years of UK experience in banking operational, looking for suitable position. Contact 91710075 ACCA affiliate & B.Com hons with NOC, morc than 5 years of experience in accounting & finance looking for a suitable job car join immediately. Contact 97012146 Indian female B.Com PGDCA, Tally -9, 10 years exp in Accounts & HR at Oman. Contact 93726921 / 99058722 30 yrs Indian B.Com 7 yrs experience looking for job in accounts, Admin department. Contact 91935828 Indian Chartered Accountant post qualification experience 22 years working in Muscat since July 2011.

Senior position seeks suitable change.

NOC available. Contact 94201290 Email: chakjain37@yahoo.com M.Com, CA (Article ship), 15 years Gulf experience looking for suitable position in finance & account on visit visa, valid up to 10/07/2015. Contact: 97135855 / 94097305 Email: altabhossain2008@hotmail.com Tanzanian male, 25 yrs Accountant 3 month successful experience in Tanzania looking for suitable placement in any field. Contact : 96710154 Masters Criminology with experience of 1.5 years in Litigation & Recovery department with Standard Chartered Bank in Karachi is looking for a job. Contact # 94677814 Indian male management (banking & finance) worked with multinational bank skill in MS Office SQL etc.

Contac 94693310 Finance Manager, CPA, with more than 15 yrs. of experience in GCC. Fully knowledgeable in Finance, General & Management Accounting .

NOC available. Contact 96209331 Indian male MBA having more than 5 years experience in Indian automotive finance construction having valid UAE, D/L currently on visit visa seeking suitable job.

Contact 96787992 Email: reeyasoceekey@gmail.com India Accountant: Male, M com, 7 Yrs experience in Accounts up to finalization, having knowledge of ERP, Tally, seeks suitable placment. contact 93950138 Email: lijinrajan123@gmail.com Indian male, 32 years, M. Com. 7 out of 9 years experience in Oman in Accounts/finance. Having NOC and valid Oman D/L. Contact 98277143, Email: anzarks@gmail.com Senior Accountant Indian male 43 years B.Com Graduate + DCA. Total 15 years exp, 7 years in Oman, 4 years in Bahrain knowledge in tally 9, Peachtree & MS Office having NOC, seeks placement.

Contact 97060826 Email: tomnedum71@yahoo.co.in

ACCOUNT. & FINANCE Accountant, Indian male 10 years experience, 6 years in Oman with Oman driving license, seeking suitable job. Contact 96012973 Indian male MBA finance, 6 years experience finance & accounting, specially in Oil & Gas now on visit visa. Contact 94327063 Email: shabab3939@yahoo.com Indian female qualification BBA Finance exp 7 years in Media Advertising (Branch Manager) looking job in Media Accounts / HR /Admin.

Contact 91342861 Email: indrabhushan23@gmail.com Education M.Com Finance experience 4 years, 7 months, 3 other course IELETS British Council, software ERP Oracle Tally ERP designation Chief Accountant.

Contact +968 96744752 Email: rehmanmushtaq786@gmail.com Accountant 35 years India male 8 years experience in accounts up to finalization & Admin with Oman D/L. Contact 92838233 Email: salihkkc@gmail.com Indian male 26 Years, MBA Finance with 3 years experience in Accounting Field, on visit visa, looking for an opening - Contact 96435141 Indian male 22 yrs B. Com Graduate 1 year exp in Accounts, currently on visit visa. Looking for suitable job.

Contact 94341848 / Email – mohdhaji7272@gmail.com Finance / Accounts Manager 12 years experience at senior position in leading companies 9 years in Oman CPA – USA& modern accounting certificate from AUC. Contact 99139926 Indian male with total 5 year experience (2 years experience in Accountant cum sales co ordinator in a FMCG Company in Oman) in accounts field and NOC available Looking for suitable job Contact 92130188 MBA Graduate with 6 yrs exp in finance/accounts/ auditing. Specialized in accounts payable dept, Oracle app user, proficient in Sap (fico) end user & tally 9.0. lean &six sigma certified trainer on visit visa.

Contact – 91967213 / 99064780 Part time Accountant with 15 years experience in accounts, finance tax, audit management. # 95857199

ADMIN/HR

ADMIN/HR India Female MBA 3 Year Experience in Admin MIS. Contact 98234427, jkjsmith01@gmail.com Indian male 2+yrs oman exp in HR. joing immediatly. release available.

Contact :93671437 Indian Female, 34 yrs, B.Com, Knowledge in MS Office & Tally, exp in accounting & admin seek suitable placement 99199710/96744965 Indian female Post Graduate with 5 years experience in HR & Admin looking for good opportunity.

Contact 94692244 Omani experience in the legal, administrative, public relations, education. Contact 97243393 Email: mwm3003@gmail.com Female Expat, 10 yrs exp in Oman with valid driving License as a project co ordinator, tenders documentation, Admin & HR.NOC available, looking for suitable job.

Tel no.93285538.

Email:shabana1405@gmail.com

AUTO CAD Indian male draft man, 3 D visualiser, 18 month experience in Oman driving license.

Contact 96285891 / 98414107 Email: prasadvv4u@gmail.com

CATERING Young Bangladeshi male 26 knowing coffee shop work as waiter or sandwich maker or juice maker, presently in Bangladesh if any employer need. Contact with his brother 92278538

DRIVER Driver with car and electrician, 3 years experience looking for job.

Contact 92041902 Light driver available, 4 years experience in Oman language English, Hindi & Arabic. Contact 96162027 Looking for job light duty driver well experience in Oman. #96749970 Need job LTV exp driver Pakistani.

Contact 94436276 Driver looking for job exp 15 years.

Contact 95904566 Light driver, 4 years exp need job.

Contact 94208089

Over 15 years of gulf experience in Admin /HR /Logistics, fluent in Arabic & English with D/L looking for suitable position.

Contact 95824598

Bangladeshi male looking for driving job. Contact 98066704

B.A graduate with 8 years experience (2 years in Oman) in admin / business development and sustainably (green buildings) on visit visa. Contact 91626216

White car with driver.

Contact 96771598

Indian female with 10 yrs of experience in HR/Banking/Operations seeks a suitable placement.

Can be contacted on 98919015 or sherianne.coelho@gmail.com Female 26, 3 yrs exp in HR & Admin, with Oman D/L, looking for a suitable opening. Contact 98236033

Pakistani male Light Duty Driver, past 4 years at Oman.# 96134311

Looking for job light duty driver and office boy experience 2 years.

Contact 95789583 Driver looking for job. Contact 99748264 Indian male looking for driver job.

Contact 93051674 Driver looking for job. contact 94435912

W E D N E S DAY, M AY 6, 2 0 1 5

D5

DAILY GUIDE SITUATION WANTED

DRIVER Light Vehicle Driver requires job in any transportation / private co.

Contact 96015617 Driver looking for job.

Contact 92137431 Light duty driver looking job experience 4years Oman.

Contact 96088707

DESIGNER 8 years of experience as a Web Graphic designer looking for a part time job in a reputed company after 4 pm contact 97276004 email info@studiodesignz.com Interior Designer Syrian Nationality one year experience in design.

Contact 95246737 Email: yassalnajjar@gmail.com Female architect bachelor, 4 yrs experience (internal & external design, project coordinate, office management) with valid Oman D/L NOC available. Contact 94348074

DOMESTIC HELPER House maid looking for full time job Sri Lankan. Contact 99865938

EDUCATION Indian female Graduate 26 yrs having 3 years exp in teaching seeks a suitable position in the field of biology. Contact 99341926 Indian female B.Ed M.SC Organic Chemistry 3 years experience looking for suitable job. Contact 91006851 Indian female 32 yrs, BSc, MCA , 3+ years teaching experience in India and 3 yrs exp in technical side in Muscat, Oman seeks suitable placement in teaching. Contact 96124929 B.Ed & BCA Indian female with 5 yrs exp in teaching primary section in Dubai currently looking for appropriate placement in teaching.

Email: rani_sweet786@live.com contact: 97384206 Sudanese male BSC electronic Engineer 2 years experience in GSM, 10 years experience in oil industry (Drilling & Measurements).

Contact 91198104 Email: husseintalat@hotmail.com Sudanese BSC industrial Engineer experience 4 yrs in QA /QC and 8 yrs in production. Contact 94041960 Email: mekkimedani@hotmail.com / mekkimedani78@gmail.com

ENGG. / TECHNICAL Indian- B.E.-MBA having 25 years Experience. Last 12 years in Oil & Gas Sector in Oman. Indian Male ,4 year experience as Safety Officer with NEBOSH currently on visit visa.

Contact 9565910,email: yadavchandan287@gmail.com Marine Engineer, Filipino, 33 years old, seeking for suitable job in Oman with 8 years work experience.

Contact Number-96627685 Indian male 22 Mechanical Diploma holder Engg with HVAC certified, having 1 year exp. seeking suitable position. Currently available on visit visa. Contact - 92835952 Omani Mechanical Engineer, has 3 years experience ,has HSE, H2S, Riggers/Banks men Permit, Drawing / cad, SCBA, Safety Leadership and Initial Fire Response Courses. good with computer and English language looking for suitable job. Contact 99224319-98454500 Indian male Instrumentation Engineer having 2 years experience in process instruments, seeks suitable placement. Contact 95954385 Electrical and Electronics Engineer (BE) 1+ year of experience now on visit visa seeking suitable opportunities Email: djnitheesh@gmail.com Contact 99254469 Electrical Engineer: Indian male 29 years having 5 years of experience in industrial automation and utility maintenance in India (MRF Tyres) seeking suitable placement.

Contact 92789995 Email: akhilabrahamlktr@gmail.com Indian Male, IT Support Engineer, 2 yrs in Oman & 5 yrs Indian experience. Contact 97311847 Electrical Eng. Degree (MEP) need suitable job of construction 12 yrs exp.

Email: mohd.ateeq.khan@gmail.com

ENGG. / TECHNICAL Indian- B.E.-MBA having 25 years Experience. Last 12 years in Oil & Gas Sector in Oman. Business Development /Sales. Looking opening in Oil Gas Trading/Drilling Service Companies as GM/ Country Manager/ Business Development Manager. Email : gmbdm2015oilandgas@gmail.com; Contact -94688594 Mechanical Design Engineer, 7 years of experience in Piping Design & Development, with good sound knowledge of AutoCAD, AUTOPLANT 3D,CATIA/V5,SOLIDWORKS,etc Looking for a suitable position. NOC available. Contact :+968-94549776, ashrafvpt@yahoo.co.in Expatriate male MBA marketing and engineering working in Oman having valid D/L available to join immediately with NOC and release.

Contact 94553097 3Years Experienced Indian Male Electronics & Telecommunication Engineer Seeks Suitable Job in Electronics Design and or Relevant Field in Muscat. Ph.99286081.

Sudanese looking for job as Desktop Support Engineering good experience in UAE and Saudi Arabia.

Contact: 94519363 PIPE fitter 3 years experience CS pipe DSS pipe, SS PIPE, P.D.O permit holder seeks suitable placement in only P.D.O areas seeking urgently.

Contact 92533253 Civil Engineer (DCE) Indian male with 20 years experience, 10 years in Oman worked with reputed consultancy and contracting companies as RE, PE, PM and did projects for MOD and PDO with D/L Seeks suitable position. Contact 93251720 Indian male I.T.I diesel mechanic experience 4 yrs Qatar (11 yrs in India) seeking for suitable placement carpentry on visiting visa.

Contact 91969224 Email: anilk6102@gmail.com Bachelor degree B.SC (Honours) Telecommunication Engineering CCNA , CISCO, Certified network associate experience installation operation maintenance, ATMS & Electronics, Surveillance Security systems Nationality Sudanese age 25.

Contact: 92617282 Male Civil Engineer (B.Sc) having 10 years Gulf experience 2 years in Oman looking for suitable placement. Contact 99561877 Email: zahid_ruet@hotmail.com Electrical Engineer (B.Tech) looking for suitable vacancies, Now in Oman on visit visa. Contact 93293597.

Email: subinjohn26@gmail.com Business Development /Sales.

Looking opening in Oil Gas Trading/ Drilling Service Companies as GM/ Country Manager/ Business Development Manager. gmbdm2015oilandgas@gmail.com; Contact -94688594.

Indian male 25 B.Tech ( IT) Engineer 3 years experience in networking (MCSE- CCNA) certified currently on visit visa looking for suitable job.

Contact 91006851 Indian male 25 diploma Civil Engineer 6 years experience in India looking for suitable placement.

Contact 96750429 Indian / male B. E / B. Tech Civil / Site Engineer 3 years D.L. NOC available. Contact 93883136 email:mohammedcivilengineer.mct @gmail.com Iraqi Civil Engineer with more than 25 years experience in (Iraq ,U.A.E. and Oman) looking for a job, (N.O.C.) is available. Contact 94043735, amin.sarim007@gmail.com Omani 9 years as PRO & 8 years safely HSE Officer with PDO, D/L seek good job. Contact 96996938 Network / system Engineer B.E / ECE + CCNA & Ms certifiedwith 4+ yrs exp looking for a job. currently in Oman on visit visa.

Contact : 92589502 Email : jeganscareer@gmail.com Indian, M 25 yrs BE mechanical 3 yrs exp in Oil & Gas now on visit visa. Contact 96487013 Email: riarun.007@gmail.com Electronics & Communication Engineer with 14 yrs exp (10+ yrs Oman) experienced in sales & marketing of extra low voltage systems (CCTV, Structured Cabling, PA system, access control etc.

Contact 99771815 Email: teledata1978@rediffmail.com

Indian female, 24 yrs, B.Tech Engineer excellent academic qualification 2 yrs experience at IBM India, SAP- ABAP, currently under dependent visa, looking for suitable placement.

Contact 99450960 Email: sajyodine@gmail.com Indian male, B.E ( computer science engineer), MBA (finance), OCA certified, having 5 years of experience in oracle Dba/ oracle apps Dba, seeks a suitable position in the field of IT. Contact: 96212062 email: zubairkhan11@gmail.com B.Tech, instrumentation Engineer, Indian male with 4 yr experience in EPC and Sales / 2 yr Oman experience having valid Oman driving license. Contact 94145460 Email: jgeevarughese@gmail.com B.Tech biomedical Engineering having Omani driving license.

Contact 91352248 Project (Electrical) Engineer with BE 10 years of experience (8 years in Oman).Driving license and NOC available. Looking for job.

GSM- 92197288

IT Network system Engineer B.E / ECE + CCNA & Ms certified with 4+ yrs exp looking for a job. Currently in Oman on visit visa. Contact: 92589502 Email: careersjegan@gmail.com Indian male 22 yrs fresher BCA young and energetic, seeking good opportunites. email: jlaxmimenon@gmail.com Contact 00919567722270 IT Network and Security Engineer with a master degree, CISCO and Linux red hat certified seeking a suitable job in a good company.

Contact 99818601

MISCELLANEOUS Indian male 26 yrs B.Com PGDM, IETS-6, 2 yrs exp.

Contact : 91694170

Civil Engineer Female, 3 yrs experience in structural design, on visit visa seeking suitable placement.

Contact 99195433

Indian Graduate (32) computer literate seeks any official job presently on visit visa. 95697715

Indian Engineer B.Tech & diploma in instrumentation & control having one & half years experience seeking for suitable post. Contact 98873416 Email: afsalp_06@gmail.com

Indian male 36 years with visit visa having 16 years experience in training (soft skills) Admin marketing looking for a suitable job.

Contact 99644501 / 96974356

Male civil Engineer 6yrs experience 4 yrs in Oman (B.B.S and steel shop drawing prepare, M.Q.C sit management, D, W, M report) with valid Oman D/L NOC available.

Contact 99870370 Diploma in electronics & Telecom, Engineering with 5 years experience in Engineering & sales, marketing.

Contact 95932219 Indian female, B.Tech biotechnology with strong computer skills and 2 years experience as associate research analyst (Media Monitoring) in Nasdaq Oman seeking growth oriented jobs. Contact 92044603 /918056169148 or angeline.babithac@gmail.com.

25 yrs (f) B.Tech (Civil) 2 yrs in Oman (QS & Tendering) Estimation.

Contact 91228615 Education +2 Diploma Mechanical Engineering skills 2 C (Non destructive testing) experience 1 year 6 months company GB Engineering Pvt Ltd S.D Engineering pvt ltd.

Position Production Engineer, Production Supervisor.

Contact 99799237 Indian male 24 years, Mechanical Engineer,pdms.1 yr experience in pipeline,16years in oman seeking immediate placement #95775742 B.E (Mechanical), Indian male 8 years experience (HVAC – 4 years, operation / production / maintenance, 4 years) looking suitable position. Contact 96696190 Email: faisalmnz@gmail.com

HOSPITALITY Indian male 18 yrs hotel experience Dubai procurement logistics stores suitable position NOC available.

Contact + 968 96573591 Email: namraj1973@rediffmail.com

IT

Network Engineer,Female,CCNA,3 yrs exp specializing in DHCP,DNS,NTP also desktop level 3 assistance in different OS.94525630 / 93215372 Indian 25 yrs B.Sc computer science 2 yrs exp in computer hardware and networking and CCTV looking for job.

Contact 93243372 Indian male 22 years BCA graduate, CISCO Certified Network Associate and COMPTIA A+ (Installing, configuring and troubleshooting). Fresher with good computer proficiency seeking for suitable opportunities. Ready to do other office routines and work anywhere in Oman. Valid Indian driving license. Currently on visit visa.

Contact 99704508 / 91258708 Email: chiran280293@gmail.com IT System Support Engineer,28 Years, Indian male,7.8 years experience,3 years from Oman, NOC available, having driving license, ready to join immediately, Mob : 93551182, E-mail: aniljose4u@gmail.com

SALES / MARKETING

MISCELLANEOUS

Indian male looking job in Sales & Marketing on visit visa having Qatar experience with driving license.

Contact 96669152

Indian Male 34 years Mechanical Engineer 3 years of Experience seeking suitable placement immediately Contact: 91991435, 93310821

Indian male 10 years experience in Welding Supervisor NDT Technician, MIG Welding specialist seeking suitable job. Contact 96771841

Female British Beauty Therapist looking for suitable situation.

Contact 97175240

Indian male 24 years, B.Com + ACCA level 1 on visit visa seeking for suitable job. Contact 91883811

Indian Male 34 years Mechanical Engineer 3 years of Experience seeking suitable placement immediately contact: 91991435, 93310821

Sales & marketing professional with 14 years exp in Oman market seeking for a suitable placement.

Immediate release available (NOC).

Contact 92679055

Indian female BA graduate. My total experience is 4 and half year in Call Center looking for jobs in admin and HR. Contact : 96089143, Email: sharanjit_kaur2009@yahoo.com

Egyptian male 11 years in five stars international hotels management sales marketing D/L available residency visa. Contact 93577497 Email: elkomy82@hotmail.com

Civil supervisor-8 year’s experience in commercial and residential building, including portable cabin, natural and artificial play ground’s, and Oxy petroleum field, at sultanate of Oman. GSM :91249005. Mail :sandeep88joseph@gmail.com

Stores In Charge / Purchase coordinator with 6 years oman experience seeking placement. Contact 95439645 or storeoman@gmail.com Release / NOC available.

Indian male 24 years, MBA in Marketing looking for suitable placement currently in Muscat on visit visa. Contact: 93507063 Email: zamer_124@yahoo.com Indian 23 years B.Com Graduate, 2 years experience in sales knowledge of tally E.R.P & MS Office.

Contact 93134643

MANAGER/ SUPERVISOR

Indian female Graduate, 3 yrs experience in MNC as process associate & CED seeking for suitable job.

Contact: 94657273

Indian male BBA, 5 years worked as Operations Manager Omani D/L. Born, brought up in Muscat seeking suitable position.

Contact : 93408014

Indian male 26 yrs BSC Maths with 5 yrs exp in sales / operations / banking looking for a suitable job currently on visit visa. Contact : 96673159 / 95602012

Experience Restaurant Manager with valid driving license and NOC for immediate placement.

Contact: 92953199

Graduate Indian male 25 with Good communication skill looking for suitable placemen in sales or marketing field in a reputed organization.

Contact 98558648 Email: risham54@gmail.com

Indian male Graduate with Oman work experience for 10 years in construction trading, automotive Industries seeking mid management position in business development, sales & marketing.

Contact 92133277 Email: bijuma73@yahoo.com NOC available. Living in Oman more than 20 Years, With Valid Drivers license and more than 3.5 Years Working Experience in Logistics/ Operations/ Supply chain/ QHSE. Contact : 98515670 Joinery & Interior Manager seeking opportunities Indian male 10 years industry experienced, excellent knowledge in technical line, production, materials and machinery. Good experience in business strategy, well experience in factory setting up.

Contact 93974701 Email: gemct2015@gmail.com

MEDICAL GM/Head of Business with experience in developing and managing group of healthcare companies in Oman actively seeking fresh opportunities in healthcare related companies. Contact 93504997, Email: josephstergin@gmail.com BSc male Nurse with MOH license and NOC on visit visa. #96414215 Lab Technician, Civil (8yrs Gulf experience) looking for a suitable job (NOC available) Contact-93344378 Well experienced MOH Licensed Indian GP Doctor looking for locum / permanent position in the Capital area. Contact 98140024 email:drgpoman@yahoo.com Doctors available for immediate placement Internist MBBS, MD with Oman MOH license with NOC and release and a lady Paediatrician. Available immediately. Contact 96276347 nadakkavil1984@gmail.com

SALES / MARKETING Indian male MBA 7 years experience in Hospitality industry, operation, sales & marketing looking for suitable vacancy. Contact 92115860 Email vibin.py@gmail.com Indian male 45+ yrs , 20 yrs exp as sales supervisor in India looking for indoor sales /stores /cashier or any suitable placement can speak Hindi , English, Malayalam, Tamil, kannada can join immediately on visit visa.

Contact 93086105/33016546

Pakistani male 34 yrs Intermediate 2 yrs exp in sales & marketing in Oman. Looking for suitable job.

Contact - 92146864

SECRETARIAL/OFFICE Indian male more than 10 years Gulf experience in Office / Sales Coordinator, Admin (employees visa processes), Secretarial and purchase coordination with good computer skills. Having Driving license and NOC available. Looking for suitable placement. Contact 99709336

TOURS & TRAVELS

Indian Male 28yr age having 6year gulf+ Indian experience in HR field.

Looking for suitable placement.

Contact: 97914340, Email: rajkv3086@gmail.com Indian male 27, looking for suitable placement in Piping Design & Engineering. Having 7 years of experience in AutoCAD. Also familiar with PDMS (11.6 Version),CAESAR ll. Contact : 97351786 / 96143708, E-mail : mohammednazeer07@gmail.com ACCA affiliate & Bsc (Oxford Brookes University), 2.5 years experience in oilfield & audit/finance in Big6 firm, seeking permanent placement. Release available. #95140445, a.saran891@gmail.com Indian male 21 Diploma in Mechanical Eng with HVAC certified having 6 yrsexp and seeking job in HVAC field as a supervisor. Currently on visit visa. Contact 92835952/ 92734863 Indian Female: MCA, 3 Years Exp. as Asst. Professor, Specialization in C # (sharp).net, Data Comm.& Networking, Knowledge about Web Development, ASP.Net, Oracle, SQL,VB.net.

Seek Immediate Placement. Now on Visit Visa.9588 7051 ashwininakod@gmail.com Indian female, B.Com. Knowledge of MS Office &Tally, 4yrs experience in accounting & admin dept. looking for good placement in any field.

Contact.98928220 Indian male, 28 years, 7 years experience in transporting & heavy equipment renting company. Having Omani driving license seeks suitable positions. Contact 94410485 Sudanese/Bsc IT/26/2 years experience/excellent Eng-Arb speaking/ Omani driving license/96387227/ henrykarrar@gmail.com

Indian female, B.Sc in Travel & Tourism, 9 months exp in Oman as Travel Consultant .GDS-Sabre, Amadeus, Galileo, seeking suitable Job. GSM-95883404.

Sudanese / 29 years old / Bsc English language and Translation / 3 years experience in Oman teaching & translation / have driving license.

94211377. hosam.karar.1@gmail.com

25 Indian female B.S.C. Fashion Technology. 5 years experience in textile industry as a merchandiser and good in fashion marketing.

Currently available on visit visa, seeking for a suitable job.

Contact 96990368.

Email: simmy.missy@gmail.com

Indian Male 27, Piping Design Engineer looking for suitable placement in Piping Design & Engineering. Also familiar with PDMS (11.6 Version),CAESAR ll, AutoCAD. Contact : 97351786 / 96143708, E-mail : mohammednazeer07@gmail.com

MISCELLANEOUS Indian male, 34 yrs, ca inter pass, with 14 yrs experience, is seeking suitable placement, currently on visit visa & ready to join immediately. Contact: 95585069 or 95630747 26 years Indian male with MBA & PGDFM, Total 3.8 years experience in Administration, seeking suitable placement in any gulf region.

Holding Oman valid driving license.

Contact :93359371 23 yrs old Pakistani bachelor in accounts and marketing 3.5 yrsexp 2 yrsexp in Oman, looking for a job.

Contact- 99374062 Indian female 25 yrs MBA finance currently on visit visa seeks immediate placement. # +(968) 9843 0089 Indian male 27 years, MBA, having more than 5 yrs experience in sales and marketing, looking for suitable job. Contact no.99224057, +919824823734 Indian male 21 IT Engineer Networking & Computer hardware course 01 yr experience currently on visit visa looking for suitable job.

Contact 96036273, E mail faizanfarooqui23@gmail.com

Indian female B.Com graduate, 4years experience in accounts & administration department looking for suitable placement. #98928220 Mechanical Engineer B.E fresher (QA, QC , Piping & NDT + 1 month practical training in production & oil field) seeking immediate placement currently on visit visa. Contact – 0096896107833, Email albinalbin.thomas@gmail.com Civil Autocad draughtsman looking for part time job. Mobile: 95218737 Indian Male 33 looking for Scaffolding Supervisor vacancy in Oil & Gas field in Oman. Having 5 years experience in CCC Qatar and 3 years in Saudi” contact fysal.nellaya@gmail. com or 96155921 Well experienced hair dresser/ beautician required, visa available.

Contact – 96524717 Sharing accommodation available for ladies opposite Al Nahda hospital.

Contact - 96524717 Indian Male 58yrs, Oman experience 31yrs in Multifunctional Management, Administration, Business Development, Purchase & Operations, seeking suitable Manager/ Supervisory Position. Visa transfer/ NOC Available. GSM: 95036410

D6

W E D N E S D AY, M AY 6 , 2 0 1 5

DAILY GUIDE

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

SITUATION WANTED Indian female MBA finance currently on visit visa, seeks immediate placement# +(968) 9843 0089 Omani mechanical engineer, has 3 years experience ,has HSE, H2S, Riggers/Banks men Permit, Drawing / cad, SCBA, Safety Leadership and Initial Fire Response Courses. good with computer and English language looking for suitable job. Contact 99224319-98454500 Sudanese/Diploma/Electronics Engineering Communication/Optical Fiber Cable/Installation and Survey new towers/Experience 3 years.

Contact 00968 95932219 Indian Male 25 B-Tech(IT) Engineer 3 years experience in Networking(MCSE,CCNA-CERTIFIED)currently on visit visa looking for suitable job. # 99570776 Indian female, B. Ed-M. Sc organic chemistry 3years Experience looking for suitable job #99570776 7 Years successful experience.

Accountant, Indian male, 29 years.

Presently working in Oman as a Senior Accountant with Oman Driving license seek suitable opportunity.

GSM: 97705854 Indian female, B.SC, PGDCA currently on family joining visa. Two years working experience in Oman as customer care / sales coordinator.

Immediate joining seeks suitable placements. Contact no. (968) 95573205 /95949230/ 95800792 Indian Pune based 29 years looking for job in Travel industry or any good company as a front office reception.

Contact: 93221054, Email: rufinabhavania@gmail.com Indian female, B.Com. knowledge of Ms. Office & Tally, 4yrs experience in A/Cing & admin dept .looking for good placement in any field.

Contact.98928220

Indian male MBA 32 yrs having 10 yrs of exp seeking suitable placement in Admin/ HR/ Operations/ Coordination/ Logistics etc. Holding valid Oman D/L .Contact - 99054786 Indian female, well experienced in secretarial, administration, customer care & supervisory jobs. 5 years experience in Muscat. Immediately available for joining. contact 92139298 22 years of experience in Multinational Companies & reputed firms in Financial Management, Project Management, Budgeting and Cost control, seeking a strategic Financial/Management Accounting role in a dynamic organization .

Contact : +971-506178139, Email.georg_vargis01@yahoo.com M.Tech Civil (structure) with 3 yrs experience looking for a suitable job with reputed consultants or contracting companies. #93137035, Email : mdshahzar.khan@gmail.com Generator maintenance in charge with 4 yrs experience with Cummins, caterpillar, kirloskar and voltas. Contact - email: shibinmundakkal@gmail.com Experienced female Electrical Engineer. Contact 93800906 Aircraft Maintenance Technician with one year experience seeks suitable placement. Contact amaljohn2002@gmail.com Sudanese Mechanical Engineer 11 years exp in oil & gas industry.

Contact - 95928035 Telecom Engineer with 4.5 years Oman experience looking for a suitable opportunity, interested even in Marketing also. Possess valid Oman driving license. Contact 94145460 Civil Engineer with 12 years Experience Looking For Job.#98162295

Accountant, Indian Male 24 , 2 Years successful experience in Oman with Oman Driving License.

NOC Available seek a suitable opportunity. GSM : 9340 9315

DAE (Civil) having 3.5 years Experience 2 years from Oman with driving licences, seeking for suitable position in Construction field NOC and release available . Contact 96968554 Email: mehranahmad26@yahoo.com

An Indian expatriate female, Graduate with TEFL certificate seeks suitable openings with Language centres or schools. Email : write2nishanair@ gmail.com, Contact : 97216963

24 years Indian female diploma in computer science and engineering now on visit visa seek suitable placement.

Contact 96314974/99107369

Indian Female, MBA with 2.5 years of experience in Marketing seeking a suitable placement in sales/media/administration. Have Oman experience & valid driving license.#92460623

B.Tech Mechanical Engineer (Automobile)&Diploma in QC with 2yrs experience in oil & gas company seek suitable placement job currently on Visit Visa.#.96071081, 99214308 , Email: rahulvarikkat@gmail.com

Indian male, 29 yrs, MBA in Marketing, 6 yrs exp. in Marketing/ Sales presently on family visa seeks suitable placement. #92345569, Email : tapankumarupadhyay@gmail.com

Diploma of Associate Civil Engineering, Diploma of AutoCad, having 3.5 yrs experience, 2 yrs experience of Oman in Building Construction, valid transferrable ID Card. #94378581

Tunisian women looking for job, knows english, frensh, Italian and arabic. Contact: 91171838

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

Indian Accounts / Audit assistant with 2 years of experience currently on a visit visa looking for suitable job openings.# 94677338, 97041086 Email: ajeeshkcy1989@gmail.com Indian Male, 27 yrs MBA (Fin), SAP, 4 Yrs Exp in Finance Seeking Suitable Job with a Reputed Firm Currently on Visit Visa #92481230 A Fresh ACCA Affiliate, Pakistani male, 24 yrs, open for positions of Accounts, Audit and finance.

Contact : 94541539 email: wasiqnasir_3@yahoo.com ACCA finalist and BSc from Oxford Brookes University UK, having 18 months working experience, currently in Muscat on visit, seeking immediate and suitable position.

Contact : 95375282

B.com doing CA Accounts/ office job male now working in Oman Noc, release available. Contact 92715465 Email: alsabathehm@gmail.com Indian female (Aviation and hospitality management) with excellent communication skill, confident, dedicated to works and enthusiastic and 1 year experience in admin department looking for immediate placement . Contact 93351256 email : hinakhan.hk88@gamil.com LV Driver- 2 yrs Exp-know English- Contact 95292064 Accounting up to finalization, auditing & contact for tally ERP software Contact– 91720465

Hardware specialist B.Tech M.Tech electronics with 10 years experience seeks suitable opportunities in reputed organizations.

Contact 91289459 Email: shrn.shrf@gmail.com

Light driver looking for job.

Contact 91376612

IT Prof, MCA having 6+ yrs exp, seeks suitable position. #94543668

Indian male- B.Com/B.Ed/15 years Exp – 5 in Oman, seeks job in Accts/Sales/Logistics have NOC and Oman D/L with car. #92919625/93511425/ 93424828; Email- seshadricpioman@gmail.com

B.Tech IT Professional, Indian Male with 3 yrs of Exp. In System Admin, IT Support, Networking, Installing Active Directory, DHCP, DNS,RAS, configuring maintaining and managing servers, configuring cisco routers, Exp in handling SQL database, With Valid Driving Licence. Contact -968 98863507

Accountant: a well experienced Indian male, M.Com, more than 20 years experience in accounting field (GCC & India), looking for job as accountant or accounts manager in oman. presently working in India and ready to join immediately.

Contact :99087175

Indian male Graduate (BSc. IT) 25 years new on visit visa in Muscat.

1 year experience in Accounts looking for suitable position. #95752827 Email: mhdfsrn@gmail.com

Indian male 26 years, with 4 years experience in accounts and administration looking for suitable placement. Contact 93008891

Female pharmacist with 3 years experience and MOH license currently in Oman, #92455124 Indian male 25 B.Tech (IT) Engineer 2.5 yrs exp in hardware networking.

Currently on visit visa looking for suitable job. Contact – 94359564 Indian female with nine years of experience in 5 Star hotels as Assistant Food & Beverage Manager looking for a suitable placement in a reputed Star hotel. Contact: 91219787 Medical- Indian female, 27 yrs, masters in hospital administration, fellowship in HTA studied in a super specialty medical sciences and research center in India and done project in an established hospital in sultanate of Oman.

Contact 93200827, 91026506 Welder, 3G, 6G, TIG, Exp in Fabrication , Gulf Exp Ph : 97103168 Indian Male, MBA 2 yrs experience in Accounts, Admin & HR on visit visa. Contact 92045306 1 year experience in teaching all subject to KG classes, currently working as a teacher in Oman, seeking suitable placement, Family visa. #92178304 / 99036256 Care taker, Gulf Exp knows Hindi, Arabic Ph: 94238840 Logistics Officer, Experience in Store keeping. Contact : 99505934 Keralite Bachelor professional building designer with AutoCAD, 3D Max & Accounts. #96535497, email : bhaviwky90@gmail.com Indian cook, Tandoori cook, male, 32 yrs, having 4 yrs of experience in Muscat in India, looking for a cook job in Hotel. Contact 93753523 / 98744307 / 92175119 Young Indian male with 5 years Muscat experience in admin, purchase & Masters from UK seeks placement.

Possess driving license. #94400671 Pakistani male, 25 yrs, MBA Finance, 1.6 yrs exp in Accounts seeking placement in Accounts, Administration or Business Management. # 92651927 / 94250149 Indian Male, 25 yrs currently in Oman on visit looking for suitable vacancies in accounts, B.Com completed 1 yr experience.

Contact 92024380 Indian male, 15 years experience in managing department stores, in Karnataka, India, looking for placement.#93086105 or 99016546 Female with MBA finance, financial and tax professional four and half years of experience seeks suitable opportunities in reputed organizations. Contact- 99792457 Email: msparveen1@gmail.com

Indian male, B.Com, Accountant – 6yrs exp in Oman, NOC availableReady to join.contact: 98162671 ; email: prasanths3@gmail.com Results-oriented professional, 11 years Oman exp in reputed companies handling Administration, Operations, General Management, International Procurement, Credit, Business Dev, etc seeks role in MNCs/Reputed Companies/ International Organizations. Quick Joining, Release. # 98179887 Professional Manager, highly qualified, quality communication & English, excellent 11 years Oman exp in EPC/Media/Services/ Healthcare industries handling important portfolios, seeks Senior Role in reputed companies. Immediately available, NOC. contact 98179887 Pakistani Male having 6 years experience Valid Omani Driving license working as a Mobile Crusher Incharge looking for a suitable position. salary is negotiable. Email : umar_um44@yahoo. com Mob: +96895133167 Indian Male, B.Tech IT Engineer.

10 yrs experience as Computer Teacher & Project Manager. Good Knowledge on Computer.

Looking for suitable position. currently on Visit Visa.

Contact: 93120348, 97068258. swarnabadampudi@gmail.com

SITUATION WANTED Sales/ Marketing Executive : 35 years old Indian male, MBA, having experiences in UAE and India in sales and marketing field, presently on visit visa, looking for a suitable job in Salalah or in Oman.

Contact 91233648 Indian male, 14 yrs Experience in Maintenance & Supervisor in hotel field ( Electrical . Ac Mechanical & Plumber ) N O C available mob : 95 25 36 40 . email = hareeshma24@yahoo.com Part- Time Accountant, well versed with all accounting, Finalization, Budgeting available.# 98803439

Civil Draughtsman expecting parttime job (quantity as per specification and infrastructure jobs. Contact 95914642

ACCA affiliate,male,2.5 years experience in an audit firm in Finance & Audit, looking for suitable immediate placement. Release available.

Contact 95140445, a.saran891@gmail.com

Indian female 25 years MBA finance currently on visit visa seeks immediate placement.

Contact: +(968) 9843 0089 / (968) 97851940

Indian female MBA finance currently on visit visa seeks immediate placement.# (968) 9843 0089

Indian female 25 years MBA finance currently on visit visa.

Seeks immediate placement.

Contact: +(968) 9843 0089 Indian Female MA. B.Ed. with One year three months Teaching experience, English seeking for a Better placement. Now working in Oman.#93961142, 92184408 Email:anoopkesavan78@gmail.com 24 year Indian Chartered Accountant male with 3yrs of experience is seeking suitable placement in Muscat, currently on visit visa & ready to join immediately.

Contact him on 98201476 or email at lokeshkaluri@gmail.com Experienced Housemaid available to look after elderly persons. On visit visa (Goan-Ind).

Contact :98238579 23,male,ACCA affiliate,2.5 years of experience in Finance and Audit in an audit firm ,looking for permanent replacement. Contact +96895140445, a.saran891@gmail.com

Senior Accounts Professional, Indian Male, 35 years, M.Com, MBA (Fin) 8 years in Oman, with valid Oman DL and NOC available. Capable to handle accounts up to finalization.

Contact 9602 3965.

25yrs experienced indian marketing mangr seeking suitable position. .presently working as a General Manager one of the leading Hyper Market Group in Oman.valid omani driving licence. Release available . contact number.92205026. aparayath@Gmail.Com Indian male executive secretary having vast experience in admin, logistics & procurement well versed with computer seeks suitable placement. Contact : 99514286 Young male, 22 years, B. Arch.

Graduate with 12 months training experience, seeks suitable entry-level position in an architecture firm or architecture and engineering consultancy. Currently on visit visa, ready to join immediately. Phone no. 92488990 Email: jay.kay.92@gmail.com

Indian female, B.Com graduate, 2 years experience in admin department looking for a suitable placement. Contact 92531929

Light driver looking for job.

Contact 92791678

ACCA affiliate, male, 23, 2.5years of vast experience in finance & audit in audit firm,seeking suitable placement immediately. # 96895140445, a.saran891@gmail.com

Indian Male, B.Tech Mechanical Engg 29 Yrs old,4 year experience,2.5 year experience as Lifting Inspection Engineer in Qatar. Looking for suitable placement. NOC available. Contact No.93269839, Email: saneersainu@gmail.com

30 years Indian male with hotel management degree, 02 years experience in F&B service at five star hotel in Dubai and 05 years in American 6 star cruiseliner as Butler . Currently in Muscat on visit visa. Contact 91075704 Indian Female looking for an Internship or Part time opportunity in any Interior Design, Architectural or Design Firm . Contact 95811820 Male - B.E Mechanical Engineer fresher( QA, QC , Piping & NDT + 1 month practical training in production & oil field ) seeking immediate placement currently on visit visa.

Contact - 0096896107833 Email albinalbin.thomas@gmail.com

Diploma in Fire and Safety Engineering, Completed IOSH and have PDO passport. Having experience of 3.5 years as Safety Advisor in Oman. Have valid Omani driving license. For further information please contact me on 96896176872, 9689808527 Indian female,available on visit visa,knowledge in AutoCAD 2012,Revit 2012,Adobe photoshop C3, Google sketchup,seeking suitable position.

Email:dhiyana.mhmd@gmail.com.

Indian male experience in electrical and plumbing looking for a suitable position. Contact 92282845

W E D N E S DAY, M AY 6, 2 0 1 5

D7

DAILY GUIDE SITUATION WANTED CARGO

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

TOURS

RENT A CAR

RENT A CAR

D8

W E D N E S D AY, M AY 6 , 2 0 1 5

DAILY GUIDE

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

SITUATION WANTED SERVICES

WEBSITE

COMPUTER

CLASSES

NRI

DRIVING

WEB, ERP and Business Intelligence (BI) creation and management at rock bottom price.

Contact: http//webviewoman

DRIVING

MANPOWER

2 years experienced B.Com graduate looking for a Job in Accounts/Sales.

Now on visit visa.#98546162.

Indian Male 29 yrs, having 7year India + Gulf experience in Procurement Engineer, looking for suitable placements. # 96035370, Email: samyram1986@gmail.com Indian male, 14 yrs experience in maintenance & Supervisor in hotel field (Electrical, Ac Mechanical & Plumber). NOC available. #95253640 Diploma in Fire and Safety Engineering, having 3.5 years of experience as an Safety Advisor.

Having PDO PASSPORT and IOSH. Have valid Omani driving license is looking for job. Contact number 968 96176872, 968 9808527.

Indian male, 22 years, B.com graduate, Knowledge of Tally ERP9, MS Excel & MS word. Currently in Oman on visit visa, looking for suitable placement. #99894250, email: fouzishaque@gmail.com

CHANGE OF NAME Chinna Ashayya Ushanna Bumenna (holder of indian passport no. J 5404429) son of Ushanna having permanent residence in Bandalingapuram (post) Ibrahimpatnam (M) Karimnagar(dist), Telangana (ap) India. (complete postal address in India) and presently residing in Al Hajiry Trading LLC Wadikabir, Oman (complete postal address in Oman) intend to change my name from Chinna Ashayya Ushanna Bumenna (old name) to Bommena Chinna Ashaiah (given name) Ushanna (surname) (new name) for all practical purpose. Any objection towards my name change my please be communicated to embassy of India, Muscat, Diplomatic quarters, Al Khuwair, P.Box no.1727, Postal Code-112, Ruwi, sultanate of Oman.

5.1 cents land with a house at Tripunithura hill palace for immediate sale. Contact 0091 7736764525 Email: utham@yahoo.com 56 cents plot for sale at NH 47 Eramallour Ernakulam – Cheethala road. Contact 0091 7736764525 Email: utham@yahoo.com Residential land for sale in Chennai Kundrathur and Poonamaalee, we construct house in your budget.

Contact 98753366 For sale 3BHK 1205’ builtup at Goregaon Mumbai. +96899850753 2pm – 4pm.

CANADIAN MANPOWER CO. based in Oman Recruitment for legal jobs - Hotel staff ,Construction staff, Medical staff ,Gas & Oil Free consultancy, 2 years contract, work visa, free tickets, accommodation, social & medical ins. Contact us on 93392630 , pls send CV to margholdingoman@yahoo.com

GOOD NEWS MATRIMONIAL Kerala Ezhava girl (presently in Oman) 25 yrs, 167 cm B.Tech, Star Pururutathi, (Sudhajathakam) upper middle class, seeking suitable alliance from professionals.

Contact: 93881787 Indian male 38 yrs working in Muscat, looking for life partner.

Any Nationality. Divorced or widow. Contact:96059801 Hindu Ezhava family, settled in Muscat looking for suitable groom working within Oman for their daughter 25 yrs (MBA) working with a reputed company in Muscat.

Contact : 98689663 Kerala Syro Malabar Catholic girl 28 years working in MOH Salalah seeks suitable alliance from Keralite professionals in Muscat.

Contact 99436476 / 99357901 We are Muslim family seeking alliance for our son interested families.

Contact 97664009

Ayurvedic treatment for backache, paralysis, arthritis etc & massage, All Season (Vaidyaratnam). Contact 24475280 / 95371554 / 92504980 www.siddhayur.com Ayurvedic treatment for joint pain, backache, paralysis massage, steam bath, obesity, spondylitis IDEAL , CARE Ayurvedic Clinic 18 November street, Azaiba.#99639695 / 99117987 FREE INFORMATION ABOUT ISLAM. If you would like to know more about Islam, please call: 99425598, 96050000, 99353988, 99253818, 99341395, and 99379133.

For ladies: 99415818, 99321360, 99730723 Orvisit: www.islamfact.com Taimour Ayurvedic Clinic, Ruwi offers genuine & effective treatment for back pain, paralysis, cervical and lumbar spondylitis, osteoarthritis, joint pains, sinusitis, migraine, allergic problems, varicose vein and all other health related problems.

Kerala massage and rejuvenation package available. For details please Contact 92197920/ 24799689

GUARANTEED CLEANING: Carpet & sofa shampooing, Contact 99314807/24792998 MARBLE CRYSTALLIZATION restore the original shine of your marble.contact 24793614/ 99314807 WINDOW & SPLIT unit A.C servicing & repairing. contact 99557080 SPLIT & WINDOW A.C servicing & maintenance. contact 96236476 SPLIT & WINDOW A.C servicing & maintenance.contact 93769089 / 95323517 We do building maintenance all kind of works. Contact 99247663 A/C maintenance & servicing.

Fridge, washing machine & dish washer repairing. Painting & cleaning services & electrical & plumbing. Contact 99447257/97014234/ 24504281 Sewage remove tanker sewage tank cleaning & block remove all maintenance sewage tanks. Contact 97412505 / 98852238 Electric, Plumbing, painting & all kinds of building maintenance.

Contact 93896787 / 97924862

Split & window A.C servicing & maintenance. Contact 93769089 / 95323517

A/C maintenance split A/C servicing. RO. 10 only. Contact 94217681/ 99210141

P.R.O services. Contact 99368907

House shifting. Contact 99708138

Marble Restoration, Mosaic tiles polishing, carpet shampooing, maintenance.#ABU QABAS99320217 /24788722

Painting- building maintenance & management - excavation.

Contact : 99057348

House shifting packing.

Contact 99657644/ 98518013 Water proofing ABUQABASContact 99320217/24788722 Learn driving with professional only automatic.

Contact 94022250 Carpet Shampoo, marble & tile polishing, pest control & anti-termite treatment, general cleaning painting, Plumbing, Electrical, shifting.

Contact Mundhir Al-Rizaiqi trading. L.L.C. # 24810137, 99450130

LOST Indian passport number F6650837, name - Jaikishin Mahadevmal Makhija. If found please contact 99335013 / 95194007 I, Imran Abbas Khan, (Pakistani National) have lost my passport bearing number TM4102983 at Salalah/Muscat Airport on 27 April 2015.

Anyone who finds it, kindly contact me at +96899299790 or send it to Pakistan Embassy, at Building No. 1702, Way No. 2133, MSQ, P.O. Box. 1302, PC 112, Muscat Oman.