Times of Oman - January 7, 2016

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6 085010 120010 FROM THE WORDS OF HIS MAJESTY THE SULTAN

At the opening of the Annual Session of the Council of Oman, 2008

‘His Majesty’s Wisdom’ Good government performance in the different sectors, serving the country and citizens with honesty and dedication and putting public interest over all other considerations are the necessary pillars for any sustainable development.

THURSDAY, January 7, 2016 / 26 Rabi Al Awal 1437 AH timesofoman.com

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CABLES

HM sends greetings MUSCAT: His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said has sent a cable of congratulations to Emperor Akihito of Japan on the 27th anniversary of his accession to the throne.

In his cable, His Majesty the Sultan has expressed his sincere congratulations and best wishes of good health and happiness to Emperor Akihito and the Japanese people further progress and prosperity. -ONA

SAYYID FAHD MEETS MAJLIS, STATE COUNCIL CHAIRMEN His Highness Sayyid Fahd bin Mahmoud Al Said, Deputy Prime Minister for the Council of Ministers, visited the State Council and Majlis Al Shura on Wednesday.

Sayyid Fahd expressed his happiness for meeting chairmen of State Council and Shura.— ONA See also >A6

Organising

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North korea said it successfully tested a miniaturised hydrogen nuclear bomb, prompting scepticism among experts. >A13

MARKET

Drop in net earnings

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Major Omani firms are expected to post a 0.7 per cent fall in profit at OMR633.8m for 2015. >B1

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Committee has urged both nationals and expatriates to

MUSCAT: Muscat Festival’s 2016 Edition will be bigger and better.

Scheduled to be held from January 14 to February 13, the festival will feature a wide range of cultural, educational, business and sporting events covering Omani culture as well as cultures from around the world.

One of the prominent events featuring this year’s Festival is the global exhibition ‘1001 Inventions’, which will focus on the ancient Golden Age of Islamic civilization, which has produced Arab intellectuals and scientists like Al Razi, Ibn Sina, Ibn Al Haytham and others. An Omani Cultural Village, consisting of a model of a traditional Omani village and souq, will display Oman’s rich and diverse heritage.

In addition to a wide range of cultural activities, such as traditional Arabic poetry, Omani clothes shows and folk dances from outside the Sultanate, there will be a number of lectures taking place at both venues, such as ‘The Unity and Intellectual Tolerance of the Omani Society’, ‘The Impact of Oil Price Decline on the National Economy’ and ‘The Impact of Youtube’. The festival will be held at Al Amerat Park, Naseem Public Park and at Al Hail Beach.

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Vehicles and motorbikes show - Oman Automobile Association Water Sports and Sailing - Royal Navy of Oman and Shabab Oman Ship Tattoo Shows (Red Helmets) - Royal Guard of Oman Traditional Art and Folk Bands Parachutist Shows Sailing Experience Oman Sail Marathon Race Triathlon Race Acrobatics, balance shows, comics and clowns performances and cartoon characters Inflatable games for children Basketball Tour of Oman – 16 to 21 February 2016

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Youtube programmes and their impact on public opinion ‘Almald’ art The unity and intellectual tolerance of the Omani society The Impact of oil price decline on the national economy Muscat Festival in the eyes of photographers Awareness course for families titled ‘Family disintegration and its impact on children’s behaviours’ Awareness course for children titled ‘How can I protect myself.’

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See also >A4

tariqh@timesofoman.com

D I P L O M AT I C R O W

Sultanate deplores attack on Saudi embassy in Iran MUSCAT: The Sultanate of Oman on Wednesday deplored the storming of the embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Tehran and its consulate in Mashhad by Iranian protesters, which is a violation of Vienna Convention for Diplomatic Relations and international charters and norms that stress the sanctity of the diplomatic prem-

ises and their protection by the host country.

A statement issued by Foreign Ministry said that while the Sultanate considers this action as an “unacceptable act”, it stresses the need to find new rules that ban any form of meddling in the domestic affairs of other countries as this will ensure stability and peace. -ONA

MUSCAT: Omanis and expatriates alike can help contribute to the Sultanate’s economy in 2016 simply by having fun.

That was the message from the Muscat Festival Organising Committee, which yesterday urged the public to support the event and make it the biggestever yet.

The festival will be open to the public from January 14, 2016 until February 13, at Naseem Park, Amerat Park, and Oman Automobile Association venues.

Amid the global oil crisis, the Sultanate is bracing for a year of austerity where the price of fuel is expected to rise in the coming weeks.

However, Salem Al Maamari, Ministry of Tourism representative, said that the festival would definitely contribute to the economy and that the amount spent for the events and infrastructure is minimal compared to what the festival will be offering.

“We cannot give you an exact figure on how much is spent on the festival; however, the amount spent is nothing compared to

Trade Fair Family Village and Children’s Theatre: a diverse number of events for children, focusing on arts and sciences, education, agriculture, sports and various other sciences. The Family Village Theatre will host programmes from wellknown children channels.

Jungle Village: Automated anthropomorphic models of animals with sound and light effects Theatre events: including fire performance, acrobatics, balance shows, comics and clowns performances, magic, motorcycles and folk bands Illuminated Village: Containing replicas of plants and animals from the Omani wildlife and marine environment, in addition to landmarks.

Fireworks A display of governmental institutions and service associations Amusement Park

SPECIAL EVENTS

success to give a

TARIQ AL HAREMI

Cultural Village: An openair museum featuring a model of a traditional Omani village displaying the rich and diverse Omani heritage. Visitors will also be able to roam a traditional market (souq) and watch a traditional arts competition.

Science, Technology and Civilization Exhibition “1001 Inventions” Performances by folk bans from India, Lebanon, Kazakhstan, Turkey and Philippines Theatre events: fire performance, acrobatics, balance shows, comics and clowns performances, magic, trapeze and cartoon characters Dinosaur Village: featuring life-size dinosaurs that move!

Science and Knowledge Village Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) Exhibition Amusement Park activities

LECTURES

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Cultural Workshop between people with special needs and healthy people Traditional Poetry Musical Poetry Omani Fine Arts Pioneers Forum Literary symposium on writing historical fiction Safe Journey (Darbk Khadar) Workshop The influence of relations and mutual interests

SPORTS

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School admissions

North Korea’s bomb

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erik@timesofoman.com

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WORLD

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Muscat Festival 2016 poised to be bigger and better show ERIK PRINS

TOP THREE INSIDE STORIES

ISO 9001:2008 Certified Company

Muscat Festival success will give economy a boost Muscat Festival

MUSCAT: His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said has received a cable of thanks from Prince Albert II of Monaco in reply to His Majesty’s greetings cable on the occasion of his country’s National Day. In his cable, Prince Albert II expressed his utmost thanks for His Majesty the Sultan’s greetings along with his best wishes of good health and happiness to His Majesty and the Omani people further progress and prosperity. -ONA

Indian schools will open their online admissions for 2016-2017 for classes KG I to IX from January 10. >A3

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ACTIVITIES ORGANISED AT AL-AMARAT PARK

HM receives thanks

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Heritage Revival Week: 2 February – 6 February 2016 2 February - Omani traditional clothes show 3 February - Omani traditional clothes show, with participation of women societies 4 February – Modern Omani clothes and abayas show 5 February – Fashionable and casual clothes show 6 February – Results of the Omani traditional clothing design competition Clothes designing workshop Small & Medium Enterprises (SME) Fair, in cooperation with General Authority for Development of Small and Medium Enterprises Entrepreneurs Forum (E-business, Household business)

Setting aside the criticism on the holding of the festival, the government official said that the extravaganza would definitely contribute to the Sultanate’s economy

what the festival can provide to the people as well as the economy,” said Al Maamari on the sidelines of a press conference.

He added that restaurants, hotels and taxis would benefit from visitors and residents during the festival.

He also said that families visiting from around Muscat would also contribute indirectly by filling their cars with petrol, taking their families to restaurants and renting hotel rooms if they

were to stay in Muscat.

“Now if you multiply that with a million which was last year’s visitor count, for example, you receive a great number (of money),” said Al Maawali.

Earlier, the Municipal Council discussed plans to hold Muscat Festival every alternative year but Khalid Bahram, Deputy Head of the Main Organising Committee of Muscat Festival, said that the event would be held every year saying that it has become a “necessity”.

School holidays “Muscat Festival became a necessity to hold it annually since it coincides with school holidays, so there must be some entertainment (for the children),” said Bahram highlighting the need to hold Muscat Festival every year for the good of the economy.

Ironically, one highlight of the ‘cultural event’ is a talk about the impact of oil price decline on the national economy.

In a presentation, the organising committee reviewed the most prominent activities and events included in this session.

Amerat Park will host the Omani Heritage Village, performance of folklore groups from India, Lebanon, Kazakhstan, Turkey and the Philippines, entertainment Art Park, field shows, dinosaur village, science and knowledge village, and small and medium-sized enterprises exhibitions.

The Times of Oman reported on Wednesday how Al Shaima Al Raisi, a former member of the Muscat Festival Committee, claimed no financial returns in the reports submitted by the authorities and reviewed by the council, which prompted her to resign from her post as a member of the Muscat Festival Council.

Al Shaima was against the decision to go ahead with the holding of festival despite a majority vote to postpone it.

N I N E - H O U R WA I T

Crew shortage delays AI’s Muscat-Delhi flight Times News Service MUSCAT: A shortage of cabin crew and aircraft is reportedly affecting Air India’s efforts to operate international flights on time from the Muscat International Airport.

Officials said a Muscat-Delhi flight was delayed by more than nine hours on Monday because cabin crew and the aircraft weren’t available at the Delhi International Airport.

“Due to the shortage of aircraft and cabin crew, the flight from

Delhi got delayed. Accordingly, the Muscat-Delhi flight also got delayed,” confirmed a senior official working with Air India in Muscat.

“This is not a rare incident.

There were some delays in the past because of inadequate cabin crew,” the official added.

Meanwhile, the passengers were livid following the delays. “We checked in three to four hours before departure but had to wait for more than 12 hours until we finally left the airport,” said a passenger, who travelled to New Delhi.

The flight was supposed to leave for New Delhi on Monday night at 11:10pm, but it finally left on Tuesday morning around 8:15am.

Those waiting for a connecting flight from Delhi airport were also

stranded at the Muscat airport.

“There was no announcement of any delay and we had to wait for hours at the airport,” passengers complained.

From New Delhi, 169 passengers were coming to Muscat on that flight and around 137 passengers from Muscat had booked their tickets, officials said.

The Airbus 321 Muscat-Delhi flight can carry around 182 passengers, including 12 in business class. The flight took off from Muscat after 8:15am and landed in Delhi at 1:20pm.

A guitarist who has big fan following

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 7, 2016

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1,50,000

Muscat Hills acquires Oman Dive Centre

Was the total number of athletes who particiapated from CBSE affiliated schools in India and Gulf Countries.

I N D I A N S C H O O L M U S C AT

ISM teams shine at CBSE National Athletic Meet Times News Service

Muscat Hills Group will officially announce the acquisition of the dive centre after the completion of renovations

Staff Reporter

MAJOR RENOVATION: According to a spokesman of the centre, it became a part of the Muscat Hills Group from October 1, 2015. — Supplied picture

MUSCAT: Oman Dive Centre will now identify as Muscat Hills Dive Centre, after the Muscat Hills Group took over the diving centre last year.

According to a spokesman of the centre, it became a part of the Mus-

cat Hills Group from October 1, 2015. “We don’t belong to the Ministry of Tourism now,” he added.

“At the moment, the whole place is undergoing construction; major renovation and reconstruction

work is taking place at the centre,” a source from Muscat Hills Group further added. “We want to provide the guests with better services and a more pleasant ambience; and most probably work will finish

within a month,” the source added.

According to the Muscat Hills Group, it will officially announce the acquisition of the Dive centre after the completion of renovations and changes being made.

PAT I E N T S A F E T Y

Health Ministry unveils new initiative Times News Service MUSCAT: Patient Safety Friendly Hospital (PSFH), an initiative of the World Health Organisation’s (WHO’s) regional office for the Eastern Mediterranean, was lunched by the Ministry of Health, represented by the Quality Assurance Centre, at the Starcare Hospital on Tuesday.

SAFETY STANDARDS: The new initiative involves the implementa-

tion of patient safety standards at hospitals. — Supplied picture

Safety environment The initiative was launched at one of the private sector institutions due to its health services and safety environment and has also been launched at the Nizwa and Rustaq Hospitals.

It involves the implementation of a set of patient safety standards at hospitals. Compliance with the standards ensures that patient safety is accorded the necessary priority and that the staff implements the best practices.

Ministry of Health’s new initiative also aims to establish the principle of safety in health service institutions, and assessing patient safety in hospitals by providing a framework that enables hospitals to assess patient care from a patient safety perspective.

In addition to building the capacity of staff in patient safety, it also involves consumers in improving health care safety.

MUSCAT: Students from Indian School Muscat (ISM) did exceptionally well in the 20th CBSE National Athletic Meet held from December 26 to December 30, 2015, at the NH Goel World School, Raipur, India.

More than 1,50,000 athletes from CBSE affiliated schools in India and Gulf Countries, that had qualified for the Nationals at various cluster athletic meets conducted in various locations, competed at the event.

In the under-19 boys category, Alfred Menezes, Jeryl Jacob, Mohammad Hisham, and Mohammed Ali Iqbal and in under-16 girls category, Bernice Thambiraja, Anoushka Punja, Jennifer Catherine and Anakha Anil made the school proud, defeating strong contenders and bringing home silver medals in the 4x100 meters relay race and making it a reason for double exhilaration.

The athletics event was exceptionally significant for ISM as the team experienced great joy and pride from having obtained the unique credit of winning athletic

Under the training of coach, the total medals won during various CBSE National Athletic Meets so far has grown to 99

medals in all the CBSE National Athletic Meets held so far in different venues across India.

Under the supervision and training of Coach John Abraham, the total number of medals won during various CBSE National Athletic Meets so far has grown to 99.

Principal Srinivas K. Naidu, Senior Vice Principal Deep Wilson and the entire ISM fraternity congratulated the participants, their coach and the Physical Education Department for this accomplishment.

WELL DONE: Principal Srinivas K. Naidu, Senior Vice Principal Deep Wilson and the entire ISM fraternity congratulated the participants, their coach and the Physical Education Department for the accomplishment. — Supplied picture

THURSDAY, JANUARY 7, 2016

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Online admissions begin on January 10 at Indian schools

M I N I S T R Y O F H E A LT H

Key workshop focuses on women and child care MUSCAT: A national workshop on women and child care was organised by the Department of Women and Child Health at the Ministry of Health, on Wednesday, at Al-Shafaq Club, under the patronage of Dr Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Saidi, Minister of Health.

Winners in the 2015 birth-spacing programme contest, which was announced in December 2014, were also honoured at the workshop.

Dr Mohammed bin Saif Al Hosani, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Health for Health Affairs, and Dr Ali bin Talib Al Hina’ei, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Health for Planning Affairs, were among those who attended the workshop.

The first random draw will be held in mid-March, and parents will be informed about the school allotment and admission dates. Wait-listed applicants will be considered for the second draw in April

Times News Service MUSCAT: Indian schools in Oman will begin online admissions for the 2016-2017 academic year from January 10, for kindergarten (KG) and classes up to the ninth standard.

“The Board of Directors (BoD) is finalising the process of admission formalities for the academic year 2016-2017. The Centralised Admission System with online registration introduced by the BoD has facilitated the entire admission process, making it convenient for parents and schools to cope with the rush during admissions,” a spokesperson from the BoD said.

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ADMISSION SCHEDULE: Every year, there is a heavy rush for admissions at the Indian schools, where the board receives around 5,000

applicants. - Times file picture

First random draw The first random draw will be held in mid-March. Parents will be informed about the school allotment and admission dates.

Vacancy statuses will be updated after the first lot of admission procedures, and wait-listed applicants will be considered for the second draw, which will be held in the first week of April.

The website related to admissions: www.indianschoolsoman. com is accessible with updated

information and answers to all likely questions.

According to the official, a new branch of Indian School Muscat will start functioning from April 1 in North Ghubra, where admissions will initially be given only for KG classes. Children passing out from this branch after KG II will be provided seats in Class one in Indian Schools in the capital area.

Recently, Wilson V. George, chairman, board of directors, In-

CONTINOUS SUPPORT

dian Schools in Oman, said the board is also working to open new schools in Al Amerat, Al Ansab and Barka.

All the capacity increases planned for Indian schools are in addition to the current expansion projects ongoing at existing schools, such as at the Indian School Al Maabela, which inaugurated its Phase-III building recently.

Every year, there is a heavy rush for admissions at Indian schools,

where the board receives around 5,000 applicants.

The Board of Directors hope that with the new schools coming up and with the capacity increases at existing schools, pressure on admissions will ease and it may help get rid of the two-shift system in some of the existing schools in the near future.

Indian schools are the largest community schools in Oman, where over 40,000 students are enrolled.

160 participants In addition, around 160 participants were attended from all the Governorates of the Sultanate, as well as representatives from the international agencies in the Sultanate.

Dr Al Saidi stressed in his speech that: “Women & Child Health is an extremely important topic.

Birth-spacing is not to reduce the population of the Sultanate but to maintain the health of the mother and the child.”

“This workshop today with participation from all the health sector in the Sultanate will concentrate on these issues and I hope the message will reach everybody if we want a healthy and productive society,” he further added.

At the end of the event, the chief guest honoured the winners who participated in the workshop. — ONA

S O L O S I TA R

India’s sitar virtuoso Anoushka Shankar set Civil Service ministry extends to perform at Royal Opera House concert technical support to organisations Times News Service

MUSCAT: The ministry has provided technical support to different organisations by organising workshops, Sheikh Khalid bin Omar bin Said Al Marhoon, Minister of Civil Service, has said in a statement to the Oman News Agency (ONA).

It also provided training to a number of specialised employees on how to prepare service manual.

It provides continuous technical support to the work team in charge of preparing manuals at the governmental organisation.

He added that such initiatives come within the efforts made by the government to implement the directives of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said related to the importance of improving governmental performance and accelerating the implementation of the e-government scheme to ensure quick processing of the transactions at the different organisations.

They are also based on the approval provided by the Council of Ministers to a number of proposals that aim at developing governmental performance. As per the proposals, each governmental entity should have a vision and mission that are inspired from the government’s vision and mission ; providing effective and efficient governmental services.

The proposals also include developing a manual for services for each governmental entity that documents the e-services, give an TRAFFIC SAFETY

ROP to award winners

overview about how to apply for this service, the documents required to process them and the duration for processing.

He added that as of this date, the ministry approved 39 visions and missions, as well as 20 service manuals for the ministries and governmental units .

He added that till date 1,764 governmental services have been surveyed at the organizations that prepared their manuals.

He also said that over the coming period, the public organisations will enlist their service manuals in their websites and afterwards these manuals will be linked to the e-portal ‘ www.oman.om ‘ , supervised by the Information Technology Authority (ITA).

This will save time and efforts of Omanis and expatriates and facilitates benefiting from these services.

At the end of his statement, the Minister of Civil Service thanked all public organisations for their cooperation and the efforts they made to develop governmental performance and facilitate procedures. He also urged the rest of the public organisations to complete the required manuals. — ONA

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Honouring ceremony The honouring ceremony will be held at the Traffic Safety Institute under the patronage of Mohammed bin Al Zubair bin Ali, Advisor to His Majesty the Sultan for the Economic Planning Affairs. — ONA

GIFTED MUSICIAN: Before the age of 20, Anoushka Shankar had recorded three classical sitar albums with Angel/EMI and received the first of her four Grammy nominations. — Supplied picture

between Indian music and a variety of external genres, including Western classical music, flamenco, jazz, and electronic music.

Shankar has also collaborated in her recordings with a diverse range of musicians and luminaries, such as Sting, Joshua Bell and Herbie Hancock. She has subtly

incorporated traditional Indian sounds into a panorama of contemporary musical styles, bringing the ancient spiritual roots of her music to today’s global spectrum of audiences.

ROHM’s sitar concert is one of seven world music concerts being staged this season.

The performances that are still to come are from renowned African singer Salif Keifa on January 28, the Silk Road theatrical dance show by Syrian company Ornina on February 25 and 26, TROY: An Anatolian Legend on April 1 and 2; and, China’s Golden Dragon Acrobats on May 24 and 25.

P O P U L A R E AT E RY

‘Reports of restaurant being shut down baseless’ Staff Reporter

MUSCAT: The winners of Traffic Safety Competition 2015, will be honoured by the Royal Oman Police (ROP) next Sunday.

MUSCAT: One of the leading figures in world music today, sitar player and composer Anoushka Shankar will perform at the Royal Opera House Muscat (ROHM) on Thursday (January 7) at 7pm.

Her performance at the ROHM is important in itself as a worldclass music recital and also as ROHM’s first concert for solo sitar. With this unique concert, ROHM will celebrate an iconic instrument that flourished in the Mughal courts of India in the 16th and 17th centuries.

Shankar was thoroughly schooled in Indian classical music. From the age of nine, she exclusively studied under the guidance of her father and guru, the legendary sitarist and composer Ravi Shankar (1920-2012).

She made her professional début at the age of 13 and has since performed at prestigious venues, such as the Royal Albert Hall and Carnegie Hall. Shankar has championed her father’s orchestral works in recitals with the world’s leading orchestras under conductors, such as Zubin Mehta.

Before the age of 20, she had recorded three classical sitar albums with Angel/EMI and received the first of her four Grammy nominations.

A gifted and visionary musician, she was the first Indian woman and the youngest ever nominee in the Grammy World Music category.

In her 20s, when Shankar was established as one of the world’s foremost classical sitar players, she began to compose, exploring fertile ground in the crossover

MUSCAT: Reports on social media about a popular eatery in Ruwi being shut down by the Muscat Municipality are baseless, one of the of the restaurant officials said.

“The restaurant was closed for a day only, on January 2, by the municipality over maintenance and hygiene issues. We reopened the next day itself,” he said.

Pictures of seized meat said to

be of donkey, which was stored inside the restaurant to be used in the preparation of dishes, were widely circulated on social media.

“Some miscreants loaded fake pictures from fake IDs on social media claiming we were selling donkey meat. If that is the case, would the municipality allow us to reopen our eatery again?” he asked. “We have lodged a case against these miscreants and soon we will get to know who is trying

to malign our reputation,” the restaurant owner said.

However, Muscat Municipality officials were reluctant to comment over the issue.

Last week, a leading bakery in Ruwi was also shut down by Muscat Municipality officials.

According to a tweet posted by the Muscat Municipality on its Twitter handle, the bakery was closed down after officials found rats inside the bakery.

Municipality officials in Oman have recently intensified food safety raids at hotels, restaurants and bakeries in Oman.

A few days ago, Ibri Municipality officials were forced to shut down 42 commercial shops and destroyed more than 3,000 kilograms of stale food in 2015.

According to the municipality’s officials, 698 health violation letters were issued throughout the year, as well as 541 warnings were

issued to different institutions operating in the wilayat.

More than 40 technical violations were recorded in 2015. However, the violation of health standards was not restricted to Ibri.

Surprise inspections by the Muscat Municipality at 125 restaurants in the course of the last few days in Bausher found that around 53 restaurants were not meeting food safety standards and were violating municipality rules.

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 7, 2016

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The festival will be held at Al Amerat Park, Naseem Public Park and at Al Hail Beach.

ACTIVITIES ORGANISED AT AL-AMERAT PARK z

Muscat Festival 2016 poised to be bigger and better show ERIK PRINS

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CULTURAL EVENTS

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MUSCAT: Muscat Festival’s 2016 Edition will be bigger and better.

Scheduled to be held from January 14 to February 13, the festival will feature a wide range of cultural, educational, business and sporting events covering Omani culture as well as cultures from around the world.

One of the prominent events featuring this year’s Festival is the global exhibition ‘1001 Inventions’, which will focus on the ancient Golden Age of Islamic civilization, which has produced Arab intellectuals and scientists like Al Razi, Ibn Sina, Ibn Al Haytham and others. An Omani Cultural Village, consisting of a model of a traditional Omani village and souq, will display Oman’s rich and diverse heritage.

In addition to a wide range of cultural activities, such as traditional Arabic poetry, Omani clothes shows and folk dances from outside the Sultanate, there will be a number of lectures taking place at both venues, such as ‘The Unity and Intellectual Tolerance of the Omani Society’, ‘The Impact of Oil Price Decline on the National Economy’ and ‘The Impact of Youtube’. The festival will be held at Al Amerat Park, Naseem Public Park and at Al Hail Beach.

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Cultural Workshop between people with special needs and healthy people Traditional Poetry Musical Poetry Omani Fine Arts Pioneers Forum Literary symposium on writing historical fiction Safe Journey (Darbk Khadar) Workshop The influence of relations and mutual interests

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Vehicles and motorbikes show - Oman Automobile Association Water Sports and Sailing - Royal Navy of Oman and Shabab Oman Ship Tattoo Shows (Red Helmets) - Royal Guard of Oman Traditional Art and Folk Bands Parachutist Shows Sailing Experience Oman Sail Marathon Race Triathlon Race Acrobatics, balance shows, comics and clowns performances and cartoon characters Inflatable games for children Basketball Tour of Oman – 16 to 21 February 2016

Cultural Village: An openair museum featuring a model of a traditional Omani village displaying the rich and diverse Omani heritage. Visitors will also be able to roam a traditional market (souq) and watch a traditional arts competition.

Science, Technology and Civilization Exhibition “1001 Inventions” Performances by folk bans from India, Lebanon, Kazakhstan, Turkey and Philippines Theatre events: fire performance, acrobatics, balance shows, comics and clowns performances, magic, trapeze and cartoon characters Dinosaur Village: featuring life-size dinosaurs that move!

Science and Knowledge Village Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) Exhibition Amusement Park activities

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Trade Fair Family Village and Children’s Theatre: a diverse number of events for children, focusing on arts and sciences, education, agriculture, sports and various other sciences. The Family Village Theatre will host programmes from wellknown children channels.

Jungle Village: Automated anthropomorphic models of animals with sound and light effects Theatre events: including fire performance, acrobatics, balance shows, comics and clowns performances, magic, motorcycles and folk bands Illuminated Village: Containing replicas of plants and animals from the Omani wildlife and marine environment, in addition to landmarks.

Fireworks A display of governmental institutions and service associations Amusement Park

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Youtube programmes and their impact on public opinion ‘Almald’ art The unity and intellectual tolerance of the Omani society The Impact of oil price decline on the national economy Muscat Festival in the eyes of photographers Awareness course for families titled ‘Family disintegration and its impact on children’s behaviours’ Awareness course for children titled ‘How can I protect myself.’

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Heritage Revival Week: 2 February – 6 February 2016 2 February - Omani traditional clothes show 3 February - Omani traditional clothes show, with participation of women societies 4 February – Modern Omani clothes and abayas show 5 February – Fashionable and casual clothes show 6 February – Results of the Omani traditional clothing design competition Clothes designing workshop Small & Medium Enterprises (SME) Fair, in cooperation with General Authority for Development of Small and Medium Enterprises Entrepreneurs Forum (E-business, Household business)

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Teachers urged to develop new teaching ideas ity classes and giving feedback.

Chaired by Ghada Sarhan, the symposium had her delivering a speech where she spoke about professional development needs of language teachers and said teachers should be full of ideas, instead of stuffing students with facts.

A good teacher should innovate constantly and develop new ideas to teach, which make the teaching process as well as learning easier, ELT consultant said Gary Pathare. — Picture by AR Rajkumar/Times of Oman

STAFF REPORTER

MUSCAT: Teachers should develop new ideas to teach, a trainer and English Language Teaching (ELT) consultant said.

“A good teacher should innovate constantly and develop new ideas to teach their subjects, which make the teaching process, as well as the learning process easier,” Gary Pathare, a trainer and ELT consultant said.

Pathare, who is from Spain, has worked in Dubai for the last 15 years and has written a number of books.

He was delivering a speech at the opening of the 2nd ELT Professional Development Symposium held at the Higher College of Technology on Tuesday.

According to him, the teaching process in the region needed to re-energised with some innovative ideas.

“In this region, the educational background is different. We have

to invest more effort because of the different language system for writing,” Pathare told the Times of Oman.

Share ideas He also asked the participants to share ideas with their colleagues.

The theme of the symposium was centred on, “Innovative Approaches in ELT.” The two-day symposium, which will end today, will feature a series of workshops and presentations. More than 200 participants are attending the symposium.

The workshop will cover topics and themes, such as techniques, instructional technology, student motivation, autonomous learning, classroom management techniques, student—centred teaching and assessment. The varied presentations are based on sub-themes, such as skill integration, critical thinking, mixed abil-

Quite effective “It’s quite effective and helpful.

It is a great experience to learn from experts,” a symposium participant, said.

“From this symposium I hope to learn some new innovative classroom teaching techniques.

I want it to be more student oriented,” said Vijaya Mohandas, English lecturer at the English Language Centre of HCT and a member of the organizing committee of ELT. “I am especially looking forward to picking up some technology related activities, more so where students are happily allowed to use their mobile phones in class as well. Students today show keen interest when technology is incorporated with learning. So I hope to use and implement some new techniques from some of the sessions,” she added.

The symposium aims to advance teaching and learning processes by addressing the staff ’s professional needs and providing them with opportunities for sharing ideas, reflecting and exchanging experiences about different issues in the field.

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

E D UC AT I O NA L N E E D S

India Education Exhibition to be held in Muscat from January 18 Times News Service Muscat: A two-day India Education Exhibition will open on January 18 at Haffa House.

Allowing free entry, the event will be an exclusive showcase for Indian education abroad and will present Indian educational resources, best practice methods and training.

Each year across 15 countries, over 10,000 visitors attend, get counselling, discuss and compare thousands of resources, designed to meet a huge range of educational needs.

January 18-19 The exhibition will take place on January 18 and 19 at Hotel Haffa House in Muscat from 03:45p.m. to 9:30pm and will offer a vast array of resources, course information, training and demonstrations that will make the event the most useful date in non-resident Indians (NRIs) calendar.

The exhibition is considered

Each year across 15 countries, over 10,000 visitors attend, get counselling to meet a huge range of educational needs

a rich source of information by NRIs in Oman.

It will bring together leading education experts and practitioners for the two-day event. NRI students and parents will get an opportunity to interact with academic heads of various institutions across India. They will also offer one-on-one counselling to the visitors.

It is proven that in spite of in-

formation available in digital form in websites, interaction with academic heads and professors in person is highly ranked as the best mode of getting information about the courses available, fee structure, job opportunities and placements and helps the parents and students decide which field of study they want to opt for.

Information on more than 100 courses, which is in demand, scholarships information for NRIs are on display during the event and all this happens only in exhibitions and that is the only opportunity NRIs get in Oman by visiting the event.

Participants include Anna University, Manipal University India, SRM University, Hindustan University, Dr. DY Patil University, Datta Meghe Medical University, KJ Somaiya Institutions, MVJ Colleges, Thapar University, NITTE University, Jain International School, SDM Group, Ramdeo Baba Engineering College, and Sona Engineering College.

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OMAN S A L A L A H M E T H A N O L C O M PA N Y

Nine major agreements signed SALALAH: Nine contracts on social responsibility, financed by the company to support a number of projects and development programmes in the governorate, were signed by Salalah Methanol Company.

The contracts were signed on the sidelines of the annual ceremony held by the company yesterday evening at Crowne Plaza Salalah Hotel, under the auspices of Dr Mohammed bin Hamad Al Rumhi, Minister of Oil and Gas in the presence of Sayyid Mohammed bin Sultan Al Busaidi, Minister of State and Governor of Dhofar.

The first contract stipulated that Salalah Methanol Company will

fund scholarships for low-income and social security families. In second contract the company will finance a training programme in the field of craft industries. Third relates to the financing of a programme to establish incubators for entrepreneurs at Salalah Gardens complex. The fourth and fifth contracts stipulate the company to finance purchase of prosthetic devices and medical aids for people with special needs in Dhofar.

Sixth contract states that the company will finance a programme to raise the level of schools at the neighbouring areas. The seventh relates to the financing of summer 2016 sports activities in the

Governorate of Dhofar. The eighth contract will fund the purchase of a cooling truck for distribution of goods to families of orphans in various wilayats of the governorate.

The ninth contract provided for the finance of training 10 orphans at the international IATA Diploma programme.

Awad bin Hassan Al Shanfari, CEO of Salalah Methanol said, “Contracts reflect true partnership between the public and private sectors to work together, noting that social responsibility is one of the basic pillars of sustainable development in order to achieve integration in economic, social and environmental aspects. — ONA

E-SPORTS

Local gamers to participate in Red Bull Player One event Times News Service MUSCAT: Online gamers across Oman went head-to-head for five days during the Red Bull Player One online qualification stage, held from December 18 to 22, hoping for a chance to compete in a live final on January 7 at VOX Cinemas, City Centre Muscat.

Players battled in a real time strategy games, which challenges in-game heroes across a variety of battlefields, maps and game modes. Only the top 16 gamers made it through to the live final to play one-on-one matches.

Players must move quickly, plan their attack and outwit their opponent, avoiding their special skills, and then plan every move. Without the support of the team, gamers cannot rely on support elsewhere; it is every player for themselves.

The first prize is a gaming PC equipped with an NVIDIA GeForce GTX950 graphics card and runners up will receive a GTX950 card to add to the speed and power of their existing gaming rig.

KEEN INTEREST: Players must move quickly, plan their attack and outwit their opponent, avoiding their special skills, and then plan every move. — Supplied picture

Taking about the upcoming first time event, Chantelle Tavid, regional marketing manager, NVIDIA Middle East said: “We are delighted to expand e-sports in the Middle East on a professional and organised level.”

The free for all public event is being held in partnership with Omantel, Oman’s Ministry of Tourism, VOX Cinemas, Power League Gaming, NVIDIA Middle East, Hi Fm Muscat, Hala FM and See Muscat.

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 7, 2016 My brother introduced me to music and of course metal too, and I fell in love with certain aspects of the metal genre and it inspired me to become a metal musician Prateek Rajgopal, a guitarist

OMAN MEETINGS

Sayyid Fahd visits State Council, Majlis Al Shura

VISIT: Upon arrival to the State Council, His Highness Sayyid Fahd bin Mahmoud Al Said, Deputy Prime Minister for the Council of Ministers, was received by Dr. Yahya bin Mahfoudh Al Mantheri, Chairman of the State Council. He was received at Majlis Al Shura by Khalid bin Hilal Al Ma’awali, Chairman of Majlis Al Shura. –ONA

MUSCAT: His Highness Sayyid Fahd bin Mahmoud Al Said, Deputy Prime Minister for the Council of Ministers, on Wednesday visited the State Council and Majlis Al Shura.

Upon arrival to the State Council, Sayyid Fahd was received by Dr. Yahya bin Mahfoudh Al Mantheri, Chairman of the State Council and members of the executive. Upon his arrival to Majlis Al Shura, Sayyid Fahd was received

by Khalid bin Hilal Al Ma’awali,

Chairman of Majlis Al Shura and members of the executive office.

During the visit, Sayyid Fahd expressed his happiness for meeting chairmen of State Council and Majlis Al Shura in response to their invitation to visit the edifice, which is one of the fruits of the blessed era for the Sultanate under the wise leadership of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said. Sayyid Fahd held talks with them on a number of issues of interest for the citizens of the Sultanate.

He pointed out that the Omani Shura experience has reached advanced stages in meeting the social and economic development of the state and the government gives top priority to the activation of role of the Council of Oman.

Council of Oman He also highlighted the important role played by the Council of Oman in ensuring the success of general policies and the development plans for enhancing the Sultan-

TRAINING PROGRAMME: The function was held in the presence of Mona bint Salem Al Jerdaniah, undersecretary at the Ministry of Labour for Vocational Education and Training.

joy for Sayyid Fahd’s visit and asserted their keenness to continue cooperation with the government in addressing different issues in a constructive and wise way that serve the interests of the country and citizens. They also expressed utmost thanks and appreciation to His Majesty the Sultan for the care accorded to these councils and for supporting their views and proposals that are in line with the development witnessed by the Sultanate. -ONA

During his days at Ghubra school,

23 honoured for completing English language training

Prateek Rajgopal

and this number has reached 30 trainees, since the start of training programme three years ago.”

“The association is very proud of the members, who have managed to develop their speaking and writing skills in English through the training course. The programme has contributed significantly for encouraging mass media people to learn English.

This is one of the objectives sought by OJA,” he added.

Al Matani further stated, “The association has sent five members, who completed the training course in scholarships to the United States, Australia and Britain to continue their studies in English for an additional period of three months. This step has significantly contributed to promoting their levels in English.”

Following this, Al Jerdaniah distributed the certificates and gifts among the graduates.

Hind Zahran, lecturer of English at the Higher College of Technology expressed her happiness on the graduation of the third batch of OJA’s members.

She said the courses were provided for trainees in specialized English in three batches. Every batch graduated after completing one academic year in the English Language Study Programme.

He completed his

MUSCAT: Twenty-three people who completed the fourth level of an English language training course, were honoured by the Omani Journalists Association (OJA). The training was provided by the association in collaboration with the English Language Centre at the Higher College of Technology.

The ceremony was held at OJA’s headquarters at Airport Heights, in the presence of Mona bint Salem Al Jerdaniah, undersecretary at the Ministry of Labour for Vocational Education and Training.

Al Jerdaniah honoured the members, who completed the fourth level and a course on media writing in English during the ceremony. The training course is provided annually as part of OJA’s plan to develop its members’ skills in the English language that are essential to their media work.

On the occasion, Ali bin Rashid Al Matani, OJA’s board member and the head of the Training Committee at the association gave a speech, where he said: “The persons who completed this training course will now qualify as OJA’s members in English,

gets Omani youths who can turn their aspirations towards good living into reality and who can contribute to the building of the nation through diversifying sources of national economy and maximising the gains from the investments in a number of sectors that provide more job opportunities for individuals.

On their parts, the chairmen and members of the executive offices for the State Council and Majlis Al Shura expressed their

A guitarist who has a big fan following

ENHANCING SKILLS

Times News Service

ate’s potentials and achieving the public interests for the current and future generations.

Sayyid Fahd stressed the importance of enhancing joint cooperation among the government, the Council of Oman and other public institutions through consultative meetings and exchanging views on everything that may serve the interests of the citizens and the nation.

He also stressed the importance of enhancing awareness that tar-

participated in many competitions and won the hearts of many music lovers. schooling in the Sultanate and went back to India for his graduation

YOUNG TALENT: Prateek Rajgopal joined the Gutslit band in mid-2013 and formed The Minerva Conduct at the end of 2014. – Supplied photo

MOBIN MATHEW BLESSON

mobinmathew@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: For Prateek Rajgopal, music is not just a hobby, but a passion, which he recognised could be turned into a potential career.

He plays the guitar for two bands: Gutslit and The Minerva Conduct. The band Minerva Conduct was formed by Rajgopal himself. Today, Times of Oman (TOO) is featuring Rajgopal, an alumnus of the Indian School Al Ghubra, in its #OmanPride campaign.

“Music is everything to me, it can make me really happy or really depressed,” Rajgopal told TOO. According to him, the Gutlist band plays a niche sub-genre of metal known as Death grind/ Grind core/Death metal, while The Minerva Conduct plays Progressive (instrumental) metal.

He joined the Gutslit band in

mid-2013 and he formed The Minerva Conduct at the end of 2014.

Speaking about how he came into the field of music, Rajgopal said, “My brother introduced me to music and of course metal too, and I fell in love with certain aspects of the metal genre and it inspired me to become a metal musician.”

According to Rajgopal, his musical journey is breathtaking so far.

“The journey has been wonderful so far, and I have had immense opportunities of touring all across

Europe twice (Switzerland, Germany, Czech, Netherlands, Belgium etc.) and India with both my bands,” he said.

“I have met and collaborated with various musicians across the globe, and at my age (21), there’s no better feeling than having such a story,” he said.

Rajgopal and his bands are getting ready to record and release their new albums this year, which will be followed by an international tour.

During his days at the Ghubra School, he participated in many competitions and won the hearts of many music lovers. He completed his schooling in Oman and went back to India for his graduation.

“I don’t see myself as a guitarist, I see myself as a songwriter or a composer,” Rajgopal said.

“I love most instruments, and I always have some vision of how every instrument should fit, speak,

breathe in every track I write; I don’t focus on just guitars. So I love the idea of making music in general, the idea of bringing together a bunch of different instruments or sounds and giving every instrument its space in a song,” he added.

Speaking about his future Rajgopal said, “I don’t have any expectations at all, I’ll only go with the flow because I quite expect the unexpected; I have a whole bunch of ambitions to fulfil.”

He also thanked his parents and his brother for the support they offer to his career.

Rajgopal’s message for children is that if your parents are not supportive of your passion, find a way of making them happy first and then show them that you have something to prove with your passion or what you love Prateek also participated in the world cultural festival of the Art of Living foundation in Berlin in 2011.

S TAT I S T I C A L D ATA

Majlis praises NCSI, launch of digital studio complex MUSCAT: At a meeting on Wednesday, Majlis Al Shura praised the efforts of the National Center for Statistics and Information (NCSI), which serves as a platform to provide a broad base of statistical data and information in various fields.

Stressing the benefit from such data and information in studies, Majlis Al Shura said the principle of transparency in receiving, collecting, analysing and disseminating information enhances the role of state institutions in the develop-

ment of business in line with the vision of the Sultanate The Majlis Al Shura yesterday held its 5th regular meeting of the first annual sitting of the eighth term under the chair of Khalid bin Hilal Al Ma’awali, Chairman of Majlis Al Shura.

The meeting studied a set of requests addressed to the government, including the ones related to the activation of the real partnership between the government and the private sector in the implementation and management of

projects and service facilities, the formation of volunteer civil teams in all wilayats of the Sultanate. In addition, it also discussed the issue of importing used vehicles and motorcycles through land ports.

The meeting reviewed the inquiries addressed to the Chairman of the Information Technology Authority on the completed stages of the e-government transformation plan, to the Minister of Transport and Communications on the integration of logistic services to the airport and the port of Salalah,

and the inquiry to the Minister of Commerce and Industry about the contribution of free zones in the GDP. The meeting reviewed the requests addressed to the Minister of Health, the Minister of Social Development and the Minister of Education about health and social services and educational services for people with autism, in addition to the reply of the Ministry of Transport and Communications to the inquiries about the expatriate labour force conditions

at NCR working at Muscat International Airport.

Media committee The Media and Culture Committee of Shura held their fourth meeting of the first annual sitting of the 8th term under the chairmanship of Hamouda bin Mohammed Al Harsosi, Head of the Committee and commended the Public Authority for Radio & TV’s launching of the digital studios complex, Oman Radio and TV’s new identity and the cultural channel.

They stressed the great role played by PART in keeping pace with the media development and introducing modern technologies.

The members of the Committee pointed out that the establishment of a cultural channel has been one of the recommendations of the committee when it studied the tangible and non-tangible heritage during the third annual session of the 7th term of Shura. The committee reviewed the vision of the cultural channels, its aims and the programs it will have. -ONA

THURSDAY, JANUARY 7, 2016 By punishing the attackers and those who orchestrated this obvious offence, we should put an end once and forever to such damage and insults to Iran’s dignity and national security Hassan Rouhani, Iran President

REGION

Gaza Strip first new hospital opens for patients in decade Built on a hilltop outside Jabalya, Gaza’s largest refugee camp, the hospital serves 300,000 people who live in the far north of the territory

GAZA: The Gaza Strip’s struggling healthcare system will get some much needed help in 2016 after the first new hospital in a decade opened its doors in the territory last month and as two more foreign-funded clinics are set to launch this year.

After nearly five years of construction, with delays caused by fighting and restrictions on imports imposed by Israel and Egypt, the Indonesia Hospital opened its doors on December 27 and has since been treating more than 250 patients a day.

Built on a hilltop outside Jabalya, Gaza’s largest refugee camp, it serves 300,000 people who live in the far north of the territory, an area hard hit in the conflict with Israel in 2014.

Heavy aerial bombardment of the densely populated Gaza Strip killed 2,100 people, mostly civil-

NEWLY-BUILT: People stand outside the Indonesia Hospital in the northern Gaza Strip, on January 4,

2016. – Reuters

ians, according to Palestinian officials, and caused widespread destruction. Israel put the number of its dead at 67 soldiers and six civilians.

Indonesian NGO Funded by an Indonesian NGO, the $9 million facility has 110 beds, compared to the 62 beds of the old local hospital, and will make a big difference to the local population, said Muaeen Al Masri, its head of media and public relations. Gaza, home to nearly 2 million people, has around 30 hospitals and major clinics, providing an average of 1.3 beds for every 1,000 people, ac-

cording to the World Bank.

By comparison, Israel has an average of 3.3 beds per 1,000 and the European Union 5.4 per 1,000.

Ashraf Al Qidra, spokesman for the Palestinian Health Ministry, said there was a shortage of doctors in Gaza, especially trained physicians and surgeons. Seriously ill patients must travel to Israel, Egypt and beyond if they need specialist medical treatment, he said.

Because Israel only admits deaththreatened patients and Egypt keeps its border crossing with Gaza largely closed, hundreds of lives are at risk, said Qidra.

The largest hospital in the terri-

GROWING DIVISIONS

A7

tory is Shifa, in the centre of Gaza City, with 750 beds. A vast facility, it is frequently overrun with patients, leading to shortages of medicine, equipment and staff.

“They (the new hospitals) will represent a great contribution to the health situation in Gaza,” Qidra said.

One hospital expected to open this year is a Qatar-funded centre for prosthetics, an area much in demand in Gaza where repeated conflicts with Israel since 2006 have left thousands of people with missing limbs.

Turkey, a major supporter of the Palestinians, is building health

facilities in both Gaza and the occupied West Bank. The Indonesia Hospital employs 400 people, paid by the health ministry.

Many locals gathered at the hospital compound on Wednesday to get a glimpse of the new facility, the first new hospital in Gaza since 2006.

The two-storey building, pristine and smelling of fresh paint, will provide outpatient clinics, general and orthopaedic surgery and a specialist department for abdominal diseases.

Umm Hashem, a mother bringing her 17-year-old daughter to the hospital to have a stomach problem examined, praised the new facility, saying it was long overdue.

“The best thing here is the X-ray machine,” she said, referring to the CT-scanner. “We used to go to Shifa hospital to get checked, but now we can do it here.”

Gaza’s health ministry has four other CT scanners, but they are old and have had frequent technical problems in recent years.

Some private medical centres in the territory have their own, but the cost is prohibitive for the average Gazan.

“We came to Gaza in 2009 and we saw patients and no medicine and not enough hospitals,” said Edy Wahyudi of Indonesia’s Medical Emergency Rescue Committee, which funded the facility.

Wahyudi, who oversaw the construction, said the funding had come from individuals in Indonesia who wanted to help Gazans.

Rooms in the hospital are named after donors and some of Indonesia’s 17,000 islands. — Reuters

E M B A S S Y AT TA C K

Rouhani asks judiciary to prosecute attackers DUBAI: President Hassan Rouhani asked Iran’s judiciary on Wednesday to urgently prosecute the people who attacked the Saudi embassy in Tehran.

Members of the UN Security Council released a statement on Monday condemning the attack, and another on a consulate in the city of Mashhad, “in the strongest terms”. “By punishing the attackers and those who orchestrated this obvious offence, we should put an end once and forever to such damage and insults to Iran’s dignity and national security,” Rouhani was quoted as saying in a letter published on the state news agency IRNA. Arrest In the letter to the head of judiciary, Rouhani asked Sadeq Larijani, to bring those behind the attacks to justice. Iranian police have already announced the arrest of 50 people for the attacks on the Saudi mission. The Iranian government has distanced itself from the attack, saying the protesters entered the Saudi embassy despite widespread efforts by the police to stop them.

Meanwhile, Iraq dispatched its foreign minister to Tehran on Wednesday with an offer to mediate between Saudi Arabia and Iran.

Iraqi Prime Minister Haidar Al Abadi sent Foreign Minister Ibrahim Al Jaafari to Tehran to help defuse the crisis. “We have solid relations with the Islamic Republic (Iran) ... and also we have relations with our Arab brothers and therefore we cannot stay silent in this crisis,” Jaafari told the joint press conference in Tehran. — Reuters

VIOLENCE

Senior Tunisian ruling party Fire spreads to five oil tanks after clashes at Libyan ports member set to break away TUNIS: A senior member of Tunisian President Beji Caid Essebsi’s ruling party said on Wednesday he plans to break away and form a new political movement because of a perceived power play

by Essebsi’s son.

The rift in Nidaa Tounes, a secular movement formed after Tunisia’s 2011 revolt against Zine Abidine Ben Ali, comes at a delicate time as the North African state struggles to contain militant violence and spur economic growth. Divisions have been growing inside Nidaa Tounes since last year after a dispute emerged between a wing of the party led by Essebsi’s son and another by Mohsen Marzouk, a leftist activist and one of its founders.

Marzouk leads a group of 30 Nidaa Tounes lawmakers who threatened to resign over what they said were attempts by Hafhed Caid Essebsi to change regulations in a bid to exercise greater control over the party. The president denied those allegations.

Marzouk’s backers see an attempt by Essebsi at a hereditary transfer of power and a return to the autocratic style of the Ben Ali era, though the president’s allies dismiss claims they are looking to put his son in a position of influence. “They left us no choice,” Marzouk told reporters

BENGHAZI: Fires caused by fighting between IS militants and guards near Libya’s biggest oil ports have spread to five oil storage tanks that were still burning on Wednesday, a guards spokesman said.

Ali Al Hassi said the Petroleum Facilities Guards were in control of Es Sider and Ras Lanuf ports, but that clashes continued. At least nine guards were killed and more than 40 injured in fighting around the perimeter of the area on Monday and Tuesday.

Hassi said guards had recovered bodies of 30 IS militants, and had also captured two military tanks and other vehicles from the militants. Four of the fires are at Es POWER PLAY ALLEGATIONS: Mohsen Marzouk speaks during a news conference in Tunis, Tunisia on Wednesday. – Reuters

on Wednesday. “We tried in a positive way to reach a consensus, but the dialogue did not go as it should have.” He said he would formally announce the split from Nidaa Tounes at a party conference set for January 10 and launch the new party in March.

In the 217-member parliament, Nidaa Tounes has 82 seats. A split by 30 if its members would leave rival Ennahda party the strongest single block in the assembly with 69 seats. The rest are held by lawmakers from smaller parties.

With a new constitution and a consensus politics, Tunisia has been praised as a model of democratic transition since the ouster of Ben Ali. It has mostly avoided the violent upheaval of other states in the 2011 protests. But after three major attacks by militants last year, Tunisia is struggling with severe security challenges. It needs reforms to help ease public spending and create the economic opportunities that many Tunisians hoped their revolution would deliver. . — Reuters

Sider and one at Ras Lanuf. Two blazes were triggered by shelling from IS, and fire had spread to three more, Hassi said.

Mohamed Al Manfi, an oil official in eastern Libya, said each of the four oil tanks was estimated to contain 420,000 to 460,000 barrels of oil. Es Sider and Ras Lanuf have been closed since December 2014.

They are located between the city of Sirte, which is controlled by IS, and the eastern city of Benghazi.

Libya is split between political factions and armed groups competing for power and for the country’s oil wealth, four years after the revolt that toppled Muammar Gaddafi. Oil output has dwindled

to less than one quarter of a 2011 high of 1.6 million barrels per day.

IS has profited from a security vacuum to expand its presence, though it has not taken control of oil installations in the country.

Mustafa Sanalla, chairman of the National Oil Corporation (NOC) in Tripoli, said he hoped the violence would “lead political leaders on all sides in Libya to understand the magnitude of the threat we face”.

“We need to unite against this common enemy, not tomorrow or next week, but now,” he said. The NOC also issued a separate statement saying it would do all it could to honour contracts and protect Libya’s oil resources. — Reuters

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 7, 2016

INDIA Pathankot attack aimed at derailing talks: Mirwaiz Expressing deep concern over the

We appreciate their courage and we urge them to take the peace process forward in a bold way and to focus on taking bold steps to resolve issues

recent attack in Pathankot, Hurriyat Conference Chairman Mirwaiz Umer Farooq said in a statement that it was aimed only at derailing the

Mirwaiz Umer Farooq

process initiated at

Hurriyat Conference Chairman

the highest level in the two countries

SRINAGAR: Moderate faction of Hurriyat Conference, a separatist amalgam, on Wednesday welcomed efforts of India and Pakistan to “cooperate” in the aftermath of the Pathankot terror attack which was aimed at derailing the peace process.

Expressing deep concern over

the recent attack in Pathankot air base, Hurriyat Conference Chairman Mirwaiz Umer Farooq said in a statement that it was aimed at only derailing the process initiated at the highest level in the two countries.

The Hurriyat Conference said “we appreciate the efforts by the Indian and Pakistani Prime Ministers to cooperate to ensure the creation of a positive atmosphere

BRIEFS

Mufti’s condition worsens; put on ventilator support NEW DELHI: The condition of Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Mohammed Sayeed, admitted in AIIMS for past 14 days, is believed to have further worsened with doctors putting him on ventilator support.

Seventy-nine-year-old Sayeed, detected with sepsis, decreased blood counts and pneumonia, was admitted to the hospital on December 24, with complains of neck pain and fever. Since then, he continues to be in the Intensive Care Unit of All India Instititue of Medical Sciences giving anxious moments to the doctors as his platelets dropped dangerously low.

AI flight’s tyre deflates, all passengers escape unhurt BHOPAL: Ninety-five passengers on board an Air India flight arriving from Delhi escaped unhurt when a tyre of the aircraft deflated during taxiing here this morning. “All the passengers are safe,” AI station manager P Kujur said. Reduced pressure was found in one of the tyres of the Airbus 320 aircraft, operating on Delhi-Bhopal-Delhi route after it landed at the Raja Bhoj Airport and was taxiing to the terminal building, an Air india spokesperson in New Delhi said.

Congress expels Jogi RAIPUR: The Congress on Wednesday expelled its Chhattisgarh legislator Amit Jogi, son of former chief minister Ajit Jogi, for six years for indulging in anti-party activities. The junior Jogi later said he would challenge his expulsion as the party is not anybody’s Bapoti. The expulsion came in the wake of revelations about Amit Jogi’s alleged role in fixing the Antagarh by-election in 2014. The decision was taken during a meet of the Congress state unit in Raipur that also approved a proposal to suspend his father and senior Congress leader Ajit Jogi. - Agencies

for dialogue. They must resolve to carry forward and work together to try and rid the region of conflict and violence.”

On the Pathankot terror strike, the statement said this has been happening in the past as well.

“Whenever there is a serious effort made by India and Pakistan to resolve issues, incidents like this have been taking place with the aim to derail the dialogue process.

“The elements which seek to vitiate the atmosphere and derail the dialogue process are working against the interests of the people of South Asia.

“Keeping in mind the nuclear dimension, such incidents can jeopardise the very future of the region, and have the potential to trigger a serious crisis between India and Pakistan,” the statement said.

The Mirwaiz said despite these

REMISSION OF SENTENCE

Sanjay Dutt to be released on February 27

challenges, “we urge the Prime Ministers of India and Pakistan to carry forward with the peace efforts and dialogue process in a visionary way. It is important that the dialogue process is not allowed to get derailed.”

Encouraging step He said resumption of dialogue process between India and Pakistan is an “encouraging” step especially that it has been led at the highest political levels and that the two Prime Ministers have personally committed themselves towards the pursuit of peace.

“We appreciate their courage and we urge them to take the peace process forward in a bold way and to focus on taking bold steps to resolve issues, especially the main issue of Kashmir,” he said.

The Mirwaiz said India and Pakistan should actively involve all the stakeholders so that the dialogue process has maximum support from every side.

“It is important that, to succeed, the process needs broad support from the political opposition and general public in both countries.

“The people of Indian-administered-Kashmir who are the primary stakeholder have to be involved in any successful dialogue process aimed at resolving the Kashmir issue,” he added. - PTI

MUMBAI: Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt, convicted in the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts case and currently lodged in Pune’s high-security Yerawada Central Prison, will walk out of jail on February 27 after the Maharashtra government cleared a proposal for remission of his sentence.

Dutt is being given remission as per the jail manual after clearance from the Home department, a senior official said.

Dutt was sentenced to fiveyear imprisonment after he was convicted for possessing an illegal weapon, part of the cache meant to be used during the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts in which 257 people were killed.

The 56-year-old actor was jailed in 1996 and spent 18 months behind bars before walking out on bail. Dutt is now completing the remaining prison term of 42 months. - PTI

EASE OF DOING BUSINESS

‘No scope in Modi’s pro-business India for less government, more governance’ MUMBAI: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi came to power in 2014 with a promise: “Less government, more governance.”

When it comes to the economy, it turns out India can’t afford less government just yet. It’s not that Modi hasn’t tried.

He’s made it easier to start a company, streamlined bureaucratic procedures and eased restrictions on foreign ownership.

However companies aren’t following through with investment as a fractious parliament blocks key bills, bad debt chokes credit lines, and China’s slowdown jeopardizes global prospects.

That’s left Modi to spend on roads and ports to spur growth, even at the risk of worsening Asia’s widest budget deficit.

Manufacturing slack at companies means it will take time before four interest-rate cuts in 2015 begin to boost investment rates.

“We are not too confident of a private sector investment recovery-led growth,” Kunal Kundu, a Bengaluru-based economist at Societe Generale SA, said by email. “There’s still a long way to go for balance sheets to be properly cleaned up.”

Even before Modi won India’s largest electoral mandate in 30 years, investors including Goldman Sachs Group Inc. had said

India’s budget deficit was 87 per cent of the full-year target in the first eight months alone and the Finance Ministry in December warned it may have to reassess next year’s goal if growth slows

he’s viewed as “business-friendly” and “an agent of change.” However, the structure of India’s legislative system and losses in state polls means he lacks a majority in the upper house of parliament, where the opposition has stalled crucial bills in tit-for-tat politics.

Modi also can’t expect much help from the central bank, where economists say Governor Raghuram Rajan will keep borrowing costs unchanged until at least June as inflation threatens to stay above his 2017 target.

That means fiscal policy would need to do the heavy lifting through expenditure on roads and railways or the more likely route of boosting consumption through a scheduled pay hike for state employees and an increase in military pensions.

“The coming budget is crucial,” said Jay Shankar, an economist

with Religare Securities Ltd. in New Delhi. Modi should consider building rural roads to connect India’s cities to the hinterland and spur demand, while also better managing food supplies to keep prices in check, he said.

“These are the limited options before the government, outside the legislative logjam,” Shankar said. In its previous budget, the government vowed to reinvigorate the economy through public investment. The momentum was reflected in growth in fixed assets such as new factories, which jumped 6.8 per cent in July-September compared with 4.9 per cent the previous quarter, according to Nomura Holdings Inc. However that’s taken a toll on public finances. India’s budget deficit was 87 per cent of the full-year target in the first eight months alone and the Finance

Ministry in December warned it may have to reassess next year’s goal if growth slows.

There’s also little sign of the private sector following.

Stressed assets at a 13-year high keep commercial credit growth near a 20-year low, and capacity utilization stays below 75 percent.

Private projects under implementation rose 1.3 per cent in October-December from a year earlier, compared with 15.2 percent for public projects, according to Morgan Stanley, which cited numbers from data company Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy Pvt. The Nikkei and Markit Economics’s purchasing managers’ index in December signaled a manufacturing contraction for the first time since 2013.

“It remains to be seen whether growing public investment can crowd in private investment on a sustained basis,” central bank Governor Raghuram Rajan wrote in a December 2 statement.

Investment demand will pick up gradually, Goldman economist Tushar Poddar predicts, helped by higher public spending and foreign direct investment, and Modi’s “nuts and bolts” reforms that have pushed India to 130 in the World Bank’s latest ease of doing business ranking from a revised 134. - Bloomberg News

B O L LY W O O D S U P E R S TA R

Aamir Khan no more mascot of ‘Incredible India’ campaign NEW DELHI: Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan, whose comments on perceived intolerance in the country had created a controversy, ceases to be the mascot for government’s ‘Incredible India’ campaign as the contract for it has expired.

“Our contract was with the McCann Worldwide agency for ‘Atithi Devo Bhava’ campaign.

The agency had hired Aamir for the job. Now the contract with the agency is over. Ministry has not hired Aamir.

“It was the agency which has hired him. Since the contract with the agency is no more, automatically the arrangement with the actor no longer exists,” Union Tourism Minister Mahesh Sharma said on Wednesday.

Asked specifically whether Aamir is still Tourism Ministry’s brand ambassador, the minister said, “Definitely not”.

‘Atithi Devo Bhava’ campaign, part of the Incredible India campaign was launched during the UPA regime.

Amir Khan

Earlier, the ministry issued a vague statement in response to certain news reports following government’s answer to a RTI query on the issue.

“In response to certain news reports appearing in the media, about Aamir Khan, the Ministry of Tourism clarifies that there is no change in the stand of the ministry in this matter. The ministry further clarifies that at present it has a contractual agreement with

creative agency McCann Worldwide to produce social awareness campaign and the said campaign featured Aamir Khan,” the ministry statement said.

Two months ago, Aamir had made controversial comments on perceived intolerance in the country for which he was criticised by many senior union ministers. At an event here, Aamir had said that his wife Kiran Rao had asked if they should move out of the country, as she feared for the safety of their children in a climate of insecurity.

When contacted, Prasoon Joshi, the head of McCann Worldwide agency, only said, “We at McCann had a contractual agreement with the Ministry of Tourism for a social awareness campaign Atithi devo bhava’.

Aamir Khan had graciously lent his support for the same. We have delivered the campaign to the Ministry.” Sharma said the contract for Rs29.6 million with McCann Worldwide agency was now over. - PTI

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INDIA

PAT H A N K O T A I R B A S E T E R R O R AT TA C K

Why senior Punjab Police officer is being seen with suspicion PATHANKOT (Punjab): Is senior Punjab Police officer Salwinder Singh a suspect or a victim in the terrorist attack on the Pathankot air base?

Investigating agencies, especially the NIA, are probing the police officer’s role in the incident for over 24 hours before the actual terror attack took place on Saturday.

The inconsistencies in the statements of Superintendent of Police Salwinder Singh, his cook Madan Gopal and his jeweller-friend Rajesh Verma, regarding the same incident have made investigators curious. This has led to the SP being put under the scanner.

Discrepancies in statements The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has been questioning all three since Tuesday evening. One of the discrepancies in their statements is regarding the number of terrorists.

While Verma, who travelled the most distance with the terrorists, said there were four terrorists, the police officer and his cook said they were 4-5 terrorists.

Another inconsistency was about the terrorists hitting them with rifle butts. While Verma and the cook had bodily injuries, the SP had none.

Also, the SP claimed that he could not hear much of what the terrorists were talking among themselves.

Verma said they talked to their “commander” and addressed each other as “alpha” and “major”.

Investigators are baffled by the fact that the terrorists killed the Innova taxi driver, Ikagar Singh, by slitting his throat and stabbing him and also attempted to slit the throat of the SP’s friend Verma, leaving him with injuries.

Why did they spare the SP, who had not a scratch?

The police officer, Salwinder Singh, is claiming that he and two others were stopped in his Mahindra SUV and abducted by 4-5 heavily armed terrorists near Kolian village on December 31 night around 11.30.

He claimed that he and the cook were dumped in a drain in a forest area by the terrorists after some

PATROLLING: Security personnel guard Pathankot Air Force base on Wednesday, a day after the end of military operations. - PTI

distance, unharmed, but with their hands, legs and mouths tied.

He said that both his mobile phones were taken away by the terrorists.

The cook, Gopal, however, said that the police officer still had one phone with him with which he contacted his senior.

The officer’s friend Rajesh Verma has claimed that the terrorists

threw him in the boot of the multiutility vehicle and drove towards the Pathankot air force base.

The questions being raised by investigators are: Why was the SP travelling late in the night in the border belt? Why did he take that particular link road on the fateful night when, by his own admission, there was another road link to the shrine, where he claimed he had

gone to offer prayers, in Kathua district of adjoining Jammu and Kashmir? He even claimed that he did not know anything about this ‘short-cut’ road.

Why was he not carrying his gunmen in the vehicle with him?

Why was he not carrying his official weapon with him?

Being a police officer, shouldn’t he have resisted the terrorists even at the cost of his own life? If he and his companions had got into a scuffle with the terrorists and the terrorists had fired at them, their presence in the area would have been known more clearly.

Why didn’t he or his friend take any action, like throwing the keys, to somehow stop the terrorists from taking away the vehicle?

According to Salwinder Singh’s version, he untied himself and the cook after the terrorists dumped him and called up his superior officers around 3.30am to inform them about the terrorists.

However, he was not taken seriously. If his immediate seniors were not taking his version seriously, did he take any steps to in-

form top officers in Punjab Police?

His SUV was found later by the police, abandoned near Akalgarh village, not far from the Pathankot Air Force Station (AFS).

Surveillance It was only after Punjab Police put the SP’s mobiles on surveillance that it was known that calls were made to Pakistan from these.

This alerted the senior officers about the situation and it was shared with the concerned authorities in New Delhi.

Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Suresh Arora said that there was no delay on the part of the state police in acting on the SP’s claims.

“It was for the first time that the NSG (National Security Guards) were deployed much before the attack. The alert was shared and arrangements were made,” Arora claimed. Seven security personnel were killed in the pre-dawn attack by terrorists on the air base on Saturday. Six terrorists were killed with the combat operation ending on Monday evening. - IANS

Fix responsibility for the lapses in security, Congress tells Modi Base despite advance intelligence alert and reporting of prior incident.

Accusing the government of having ‘totally failed’ on the security front, Congress leaders played out video clips of Modi favouring a tough approach to deal with Pakistan and slamming UPA’s

MATERIAL RECOVERED FROM TERRORISTS: Soldiers show the bullets and other material recovered from the terrorists who had attacked the Indian Air Force base in Pathankot, on Wednesday. - PTI

handling of Pakistan affairs before the Lok Sabha elections

NEW DELHI: Scaling up the offensive against the government over Pathankot terror attack, Congress on Wednesday asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to fix responsibility for the “grave security lapse” and suggested that some heads must roll.

“They should realise that it has gone wrong and resignations should happen. If there is a lapse, resignations should happen,” former Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde told reporters at the AICC briefing when repeatedly asked whether Congress is demanding resignation of Home Minister Rajnath Singh or Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar into the matter.

“This government has totally failed. It has no system in place to protect the nation,” he added.

All India Congress Committee Communication Department chairman Randeep Surjewala also said that the Prime Minister should fix the responsibility and

Pathankot security operation most successful: BJP NEW DELHI: Slamming Congress after it termed the Pathankot terror attack as a “grave security lapse”, BJP said the security operation at the air base was “most successful” and drew a parallel with the Mumbai attack in which terrorist killed over 164 people despite “intelligence inputs” about its likelihood.

Hitting back at the Congress after it questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Pakistan policy, BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) said Modi “conveyed the nation’s anger” to his Pakistani

take action against the home and defence ministers.

“First responsibility is of the prime minister as he is the head of the government. Then defence minister and home minister are also responsible as they deal with the matter.

counterpart Nawaz Sharif when the latter called him up following the attack and reminded it that there was no such response from Pakistan after Mumbai attack.

“Modi has sought timebound and serious action from Pakistan. Sharif assured him of cooperation. There was no response from Pakistan following 26/11 terror attack in Mumbai. The operation in Pathankot was a most successful exercise against a fidayeen strike. Congress has made a reference to Mumbai attack.

“The prime minister should act decisively and not merely talk. The prime minister should fix responsibility for this negligence and he reaches to the same conclusion that the nation has arrived at that there has been a huge lapse in the nation’s security, he should then

“So many people were killed then despite intelligence inputs being received about the terror strike. It has no moral right to question the government. Its charges only show its mental bankruptcy,” BJP secretary Shrikant Sharma said.

In Pathankot, terrorists were confined to an outer ring and could not harm the assets of Air Force, he said. BJP’s counterattack came after Congress fielded former Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde to question the government over the Pathankot operation. - PTI

take action against the defence minister and the home minister,” Surjewala said.

The party asked will the prime minister and the BJP government explain as to who is responsible for “grave security lapse” as terrorists managed to reach Pathankot Air

‘Totally failed’ Accusing the government of having “totally failed” on the security front, the Congress leaders played out video clips of Modi favouring a tough approach to deal with Pakistan and slamming UPA government’s handling of Pakistan affairs before the Lok Sabha polls.

Wondering why the NDA goverment is “soft on Pakistan” over the Pathankot attack.

Surjewala and Shinde also wondered why the Modi government has not lodged a formal protest till date with Pakistan government, summoned their High Commissioner and taken a decision to place the matter before international fora, so as to “expose and isolate Pakistan” as a state that is “abetting and permitting its soil to be used for anti-India terror activities”.

Taking a swipe at the prime minister, Shinde said Modi used to say that UPA ministers were serving Biryani to Pakistani leaders but what is happening now.

“He (Modi) himself went to meet Nawaz Sharif and after that Pathankot happened,” Shinde said.

Shinde said if this government continued like this, “then it looks like we may lose our country to terrorists.”

He referred to the strong remarks of Modi after the Mumbai terror strikes.

“In the run-up to the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, Modi bitterly criticised Congress-led UPA by mocking us saying stop writing love letters to Pakistan and give Pakistan an answer in the language it understands. In fact Modi held a press conference in Mumbai amidst the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack and criticised the then prime minister Manmohan Singh.

“One of the principal electoral rhetoric of Modi always was that there has been enough of attacks on the border and it is time for Modi government now (bahut hua seema par waar; Abki baar Modi

sarkaar). We have seen Modi ji’s view on 26/11 attacks. We have seen what were his demands at that time. We hope that he introspects about what he had said in Mumbai,” he said.

Shinde said there has been a “rise” in the incidents of terror attacks since the NDA came to power.

“Four major attacks have happened during NDA between 1999 and 2004. During NDA-I, there were hijackings, attacks on Red Fort, Jammu and Kashmir Assembly and Parliament.

Whenever BJP comes to power, terrorism increases.

“In 1999, IC 184 hijack happened. The then foreign minister accompanied the terrorists to Kandahar and released them.

Since 1999, there is a belief that India has no strength. Terrorists think they can do anything and they will be released,” Shinde said.

Alleging that timely action was not taken in the Pathankot attack, Shinde said that till coordination is not in place, such attacks cannot be handled.

Sensitive area “Pathankot is a sensitive area.

When you received intelligence, you should have shut down all movements from airbase,” he said.

“We can be friends with Pakistan, but we will not tolerate any terrorist attacks. What did Modi ji discuss in Pakistan? We are in dark about what they discussed.

“Why did it take Pakistani PM Nawaz Sharif five days to call Indian Prime Minister despite overwhelming evidence about citizenship identity, origin and handling of Pathankot Air Base attackers from Pakistan?” he asked.

The former home minister also rued that the BJP had raked up his “Hindu terror” remark in Parliament and said that there was a rise in terror incidents after that and wondered if that was the case why a number of terror incidents happened during the earlier rule of National Democratic Alliance (NDA). - PTI

SECURITY BEEFED UP

Republic Day alert: Additional frisking, shoe check at vital airports NEW DELHI: With high alert being sounded across India in view of forthcoming Republic Day celebrations, security agencies have stepped up vigil at sensitive airports in the country entailing passengers to go through a second round of frisking and scanning of their footwear and handbags.

At large and important airports like Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Chennai and Ahmedabad, passengers are being screened through multiple layers of CISF and airport security and a number of them are being asked to take out shoes and open hand baggages for a thorough checking.

Airlines and special teams of the CISF and airport security have been asked to conduct risk-based Secondary Ladder Point Check (SLPC) which entails frisking pas-

sengers on the air side just before entering the aircraft.

“The instructions have been issued keeping in mind the prevailing security situation and based on the assessment of Central security agencies. While these measures are not new and there is nothing to panic, they are being deployed to add to the extra layer of security and ensure that nothing misses the eyes of the security personnel,” a senior official said.

Armed Quick Reaction Teams of Central Industrial Security Force commandos and local police have been positioned at vantage locations around vital airports and leaves of jawans and officers are being regulated strictly so that maximum numbers are on ground at least till January 26 and in some cases even beyond that, they said.

Special anti-sabotage teams and bomb detection and disposal teams and sniffer dogs have been kept in readiness at these airports.

Delhi will remain on high alert, sounded after the Pathankot attack, as the Centre has asked the Delhi Police to be prepared to foil any attempt by terrorists to carry out strikes in the city. Similar directives, sources said, have been issued by various other states too.

“There is a general alert to all sensitive and vital installations in view of the Pathankot attack and keeping in mind the new year and Republic day festivities. The security paraphernalia at places where there is large public interface is definitely more proactive than earlier keeping in mind there are no added hassles in their movement,” they said. - PTI

STRICT VIGIL: Policemen check vehicles at Raisina Hill as security has been beefed up in New Delhi on Wednesday. - PTI

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 7, 2016

PAKISTAN SWINDLING

SHARIF VISITS SRI LANKAN BOTANICAL GARDEN Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, centre, and his wife Kalsoom Nawaz Sharif, centre-right, ride in a buggy during a visit to The Peradeniya Royal Botanical Garden in Kandy on Wednesday. Sharif is in Sri Lanka on a two-day official visit. — AFP

Mishi Khan

Actor Mishi indicted in fraud case RAWALPINDI: A district and sessions court in Rawalpindi on Wednesday indicted television actor Mishi Khan in a case related to allegedly swindling money from a homeopathic lady doctor, Express News reported.

According to reports, civil judge Kashif Javed indicted the actor for criminal breach of trust; however, Khan denied all charges against her.

Khan was booked by the New Town police in July last year for allegedly swindling money from homeopathic lady doctor Afshan Khan to run the advertisement campaign of her clinic and beauty salon and not keeping her end of the bargain. — Express Tribune P E A R L C O N T I N E N TA L

Fire breaks out at hotel in Rawalpindi RAWALPINDI: A fire broke out at a five-star hotel in Rawalpindi in the wee hours of Wednesday, Express News reported.

Rescue workers and firefighters managed to extinguish the fire and no casualties were reported in the incident.

According to initial reports, the fire, whose cause is not yet known, started in a room of the hotel’s finance section. The smoke reportedly billowed to the upper floors and filled the entire multi-storey building.

Further, rescue teams and firefighters reached the scene and managed to pull out people trapped inside the hotel and extinguish the fire.

Factory collapse Meanwhile, at least one person died while another 30 were injured on Wednesday after the roof of a factory collapsed on Sheikhupura road in Gujranwala, Express News reported.

According to initial reports, the roof of the factory collapsed following a boiler explosion which triggered cylinder blasts.

Baldia factory fire: Reinvestigation report on next hearing, court assured Rescue teams arrived at scene, evacuated the injured with the help of locals and shifted them to nearby medical facilities. “Our workers have shifted at least 21 people to Civil Hospital for emergency medical treatment,” Rescue 1122 in-charge Muhammad Umar said.

Four blasts According to eyewitnesses, as many as four blasts were heard in the factory which employs around 200 workers. Rescuers are still searching for those trapped under the debris.

Meanwhile, the deputy commissioner of Gujranwala has declared medical emergency in hospitals across the city. — Express Tribune

Import of gas only solution to energy crisis: Minister During the term of current government, 67 gas discoveries were made, but the rate of depletion of older gas reserves was higher than that, the petroleum and natural resources minister said

GUJJAR KHAN: Petroleum and Natural Resources Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi has announced that the government will eliminate the energy crisis before the end of its five-year term.

“We will be able to say in our five-year tenure we have resolved the energy crisis and formulated a future strategy,” Abbasi said on Tuesday at inauguration of the liquefied petroleum gas/natural gas liquid plant-III at Pakistan Petroleum Limited’s (PPL) Adhi field in Gujjar Khan, Rawalpindi.

National Assembly members Raja Javed Ikhlas and Malik Ibrar Ahmed were also present besides provincial and local government officials as well as PPL management and staff.

Imported gas Abbasi said it was unfortunate that the only solution to the energy crisis was imported gas.

“For the last 15 years, there has been no increase in domestic natural gas production which stands at 4 billion cubic feet per day (bcfd),” he said, adding the demand had jumped to 8bcfd and the govern-

GEARING UP TO MEET THE CHALLENGE: Petroleum and Natural Resources Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi declared that the government would come up with a sustainable solution to the energy crisis. — AFP file photo

ment was striving to enhance local production.

During the term of current government, he pointed out, 67 gas discoveries were made, but the rate of depletion of older gas reserves was higher than that.

Abbasi declared that the government would come up with a sustainable solution to the energy crisis. “We are working on a pipeline project worth Rs150 billion and will start work on another pipeline costing Rs250 billion to provide gas to the consumers.”

The minister denied that any province was self-reliant in gas production. “Gas demand has gone

up in all provinces compared to their production,” he said, adding Punjab had gas to meet the needs of 60 per cent of its consumers whereas the rest were facing the load management plan.

Fleecing consumers “Twenty two per cent of the population receives gas through pipelines whereas 78 per cent depend on firewood and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG),” he said, insisting that LPG distributors were fleecing the consumers.

Elaborating, the minister said LPG producers had cut prices by 30% but dealers had instead in-

creased the rates by 50 per cent for end-consumers.

The petroleum ministry has sent a summary to the Council of Common Interests (CCI) seeking powers to regulate LPG prices in order to provide relief to the consumers. “LPG consumers are paying 10% higher prices compared to gas supplied through pipelines,” Abbasi said.

Speaking on the occasion, PPL Managing Director Syed Wamiq Bokhari outlined the company’s recent achievements and milestones along with projects initiated under the corporate social responsibility programme for the

disadvantaged communities living around its operational areas, especially Adhi.

Located about 70 kilometres south of Islamabad in the Pothwar region, Adhi field is a joint venture among PPL, which works as an operator, Oil and Gas Development Company and Pakistan Oilfields Limited.

At present, 16 wells are producing hydrocarbons at the field, churning out on average around 50 million cubic feet of gas per day, 2,000 barrels of natural gas liquid per day, 4,500 barrels of oil per day and 155 tons of LPG per day. — Express Tribune

SEDITION CASES

Sindh court grants bail to MQM leader Waseem Akhtar KARACHI: The Sindh High Court on Wednesday granted a prearrest bail to Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) senior leader and mayor-nominee for Karachi, Waseem Akhtar, in cases related to sedition and terrorism.

The court ordered Akhtar to furnish two surety bonds worth Rs50,000 each in two cases lodged against him at Sohrab Goth and SITE Super Highway police

stations, sources told The Express Tribune.

The MQM leader had accused military establishment, including Pakistan’s premier intelligence agency, the Inter Services Intelligence agency and the government of trying to eliminate the MQM. Earlier on Tuesday, the court had issued notices to the provincial prosecutor general and others on Akhtar’s plea seeking

pre-arrest bail on sedition and terrorism charges.

Akhtar had moved the high court for bail soon after several party leaders were booked in various reports—two of them lodged in Karachi —for allegedly listening to their party chief’s speeches against national institutions.

In Karachi, two FIRs were lodged at the Sohrab Goth and SITE police under sections 123-A,

124-A of the Pakistan Penal Code, read with the Section 25 of the Telegraph Act and Sections 6/7 of the Anti-Terrorism Act. Akhtar had argued that he belonged to a large political party which has been striving for the national cause at the national level.

The applicant said in early October he had come to know about the registration of cases under “false” allegations. — Express Tribune

Akhtar had moved the high court for bail soon after several party leaders were booked in various reportsfor allegedly listening to their party chief’s speeches against national institutions

THURSDAY, JANUARY 7, 2016

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ASIA TEST FLIGHTS

DRUG NETWORK BUSTED Thailand’s national police chief Jakthip Chaijinda inspects confiscated drugs during a news conference at Royal Thai Police headquarters in Bangkok, Thailand, on Wednesday. Police displayed nearly 400,000 tablets of amphetamines, 3 kilograms of methamphetamines and weapons on a table during a news conference, after police busted two criminal networks in Pathum Thani province. - Reuters

China again lands planes on island in South China Sea BEIJING: China on Wednesday landed two test flights on an island it has built in the South China Sea, four days after it angered Vietnam with a landing on the same runway in the disputed territory, the Xinhua state news agency said.

The two flights are likely to spark further condemnation from Vietnam, which launched a formal diplomatic protest over the weekend, and the Philippines, which said it was planning to do the same. Both countries have claims to the area that overlap with that of China, which claims almost the whole of the South China Sea. Xinhua said the two planes landed on an artificial island in the Spratly Islands on Wednesday morning.

“The successful test flights proved that the airport has the capacity to ensure the safe operation of large civilian aircraft,” Xinhua said, adding that the airport would facilitate the transport of supplies, personnel and medical aid. Xinhua did not give any more detail about what type of aircraft had landed.

The runway at the Fiery Cross Reef is 3,000 metres (10,000 feet)

Bangladesh court upholds death sentence for Nizami orchestrating the massacre of top intellectuals during the 1971 war.

“The court upheld the death sentence. We are happy with the verdict,” state prosecutor Syed Haider Ali said.

Jamaat-e-Islami, which has said the charges against Nizami to be baseless, called for a nationwide strike on Thursday in protest. Nizami, a former legislator and minister under opposition leader Khaleda Zia’s last term as prime minister, has been in jail since 2010 when he was charged with war crimes by the tribunal set up by prime minister Sheikh Hasina that year.

Bangladesh’s Supreme Court rejected an appeal

by Motiur Rahman Nizami who was sentenced to death in 2014 by the tribunal for genocide, rape and orchestrating the massacre of top intellectuals during the 1971 war

DHAKA: Bangladesh’s Supreme Court upheld the death penalty for a top Jamaat-e-Islami party leader on Wednesday for atrocities committed during the country’s war of independence more than four decades ago, a government lawyer said.

The executions have come

PLEA REJECTED: Bangladesh’s highest court on Wednesday, has upheld the death sentence for Motiur Rahman Nizami, chief of Bangladesh’s Jamaat-e-Islami party, for crimes during its 1971 independence struggle, paving the way for his execution within months. - AFP file photo

amidst a rise in militant violence in Bangladesh, with militant groups claiming the murder of two foreigners and four secular writers and a publisher last year.

The court rejected an appeal

by Motiur Rahman Nizami, head of the Jamaat-e-Islami, who was sentenced to death in 2014 by the tribunal for genocide, rape and

Tribunal denounced Jamaat have denounced the tribunal as part of a politically motivated campaign aimed at weakening the leadership of Jamaat-e-Islami, a key ally of the country’s main opposition party.Nizami could be hanged within months unless the Supreme Court reviews his case again, or he is granted clemency by the president.

“My client will decide whether he will file a review petition,” chief defence prosecutor Khandker Mahbub Hossain told reporters.

The government has blamed the increase in violence on the Jamaat-e-Islami but the party denies any link to the militant at-

tacks. Jamaat’s secretary general Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mujaheed, who was Nizami’s top aide in 1971, was executed last year along with Salauddin Quader Chowdhury, a stalwart of the key opposition BNP which is a crucial ally of the fundamentalist party.

War crimes Bangladesh so far executed four war crimes convicts since the belated trial process of the top Bengali perpetrators of 1971 atrocities started in line with the electoral commitment of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in 2008.

Two others — former Jamaat chief Ghulam Azam and ex-Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) minister Abdul Alim — earlier were handed down “imprisonment until death” instead of capital punishment considering their old age. They subsequently died in the prison cells of a specialised state-run hospital.

Bangladesh says three million people were killed during the nine-month liberation war in 1971. - Agencies

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long and is one of three China has been building for more than a year by dredging sand up onto reefs and atolls in the Spratly archipelago.

On Saturday, China landed a civilian plane on the same runway in the Spratlys in its first test, which was also the first time it had used a runway in the area.

The United States has criticised China’s construction of the islands and worries that it plans to use them for military purposes, even though China says it has no hostile intent.

Concerned The United States said after the first landing it was concerned that the flight had exacerbated tension. The runways would be long enough to handle long-range bombers and transport aircraft as well as China’s best jet fighters, giving it a presence deep in the maritime heart of Southeast Asia that it has lacked until now.

More than $5 trillion of world trade is shipped through the South China Sea every year.

Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, the Philippines and Taiwan have rival claims. - Reuters REPORT

2015 was fifth hottest year on record for Australia MELBOURNE: Australia recorded its fifth hottest year in history in 2015 with soaring temperatures breaking new records across the country, according to a new report.

“The national mean temperature was 0.83 degree Celsius above average, with a number of notable heatwaves during the year and record-breaking temperatures from October to December,” the Bureau of Meteorology figures reported.

The combination of the most El Nino, a phenomena which sparks global weather extremes, in nearly two decades and background warming led to very warm temperatures globally throughout 2015 and contributed to Australia’s warm year, the bureau said.

The World Meteorological Organisation has said 2015 is almost certain to be the warmest year on record globally. The El Nino also led to below average rainfall over much of eastern Australia. Rainfall was well below average in southwest Western Australia, southeast South Australia, western to central Victoria, much of Tasmania and a large area of inland Queensland in 2015, the bureau said in an annual statement on climate. The year started with a wetter than average January in large parts of the country but most of 2015 was drier than average across Australia. - PTI

FIGHT AGAINST TERROR

Indonesia turns to China as ethnic Uighurs join extremists JAKARTA: Indonesian authorities are working with their counterparts in China to stem a flow of ethnic Uighurs seeking to join extremists in the world’s most populous Muslim country, Indonesia’s counter-terrorism chief said.

Saud Usman Nasution’s comments come amid mounting concern in Indonesia about possible attacks by sympathisers of the IS group and follows the arrest of 13 men across the island of Java, including a Uighur with a suicidebomb vest.

The appearance among Indonesian militant networks of Uighurs, who come from the Xinjiang region in far-western China, is likely to add to Beijing’s concerns that exiles will return to their homeland as experienced and trained extremists.

China says militants and separatists operate in energy-rich Xinjiang on the borders of central Asia, where violence has killed hundreds in recent years.

Rights groups say much of the unrest can be traced back to frustration at controls over the Uighurs’ culture and religion, and that most of those who leave are only fleeing repression not seeking to

SECURITY CHECK: A security guard checks a car before entering the National Counter-Terrorism Agency building in Bogor, on Tuesday. Indonesian authorities are working with their counterparts in China to stem a flow of ethnic Uighurs seeking to join extremists in the country. -Reuters

wage extremism. China denies repressing rights.

Nasution, who heads the National Counter-Terrorism Agency, said in an interview on Tuesday that several Uighurs had responded to a call last year by Santoso, Indonesia’s most high-profile backer of IS, to join his band of fighters.

IS and human trafficking networks helped them travel via Myanmar, Thailand and Malaysia to

Santoso’s hideout in an equatorial jungle of eastern Indonesia, he said. However, the would-be suicide bomber arrested on December 23 was hiding in a house just outside the capital, Jakarta.

Investigating evidence “We are cooperating with China and investigating evidence such as ATM cards and cellphones,” Nasution said, adding that an Indone-

sian team went to China to interview members of the man’s family, who would not confirm that they were related to him.

There was no immediate comment from China’s foreign ministry on whether Beijing is collaborating with Indonesia.

“As far as China is concerned, these people are running off, some of them taking part in extremism and planning to strike back,” said

Pan Zhiping, a terrorism expert at the Xinjiang Academy of Social Sciences. “Of course we must stop them. I believe, in terms of jointly guarding against extremism, it is necessary that we cooperate.”

Bilveer Singh of the Rajaratnam School of International Studies in Singapore said the direct involvement of Chinese Uighurs in Southeast Asian militancy added “an external dimension to the existing home-grown terrorist threat”.

“It could also complicate ties with a rising China, which may want to play a bigger counter-terrorism role in the region,” Singh said in a Eurasia Review article.

Indonesia’s security forces have given Santoso, who styles himself as the commander of the IS army in Indonesia, until January 9 to surrender along with his force of about 40 men on the far-flung island of Sulawesi.

However, security analysts believe a larger threat is emerging across the populous island of Java as networks of support for IS grow.

Indonesia has been largely successful in disrupting domestic militant cells since the bombing of two nightclubs on the resort island of Bali in 2002, and sporadic

attacks have been mainly targeted at the police.

The government is now worried that the influence of IS, whose fighters hold swathes of territory in Syria and Iraq, could bring a return of extremist violence and strikes against foreigners and soft targets. Officials believe there are more than 1,000 IS supporters in Indonesia, and say that between 100 and 300 have returned from Syria, though this includes women and children.

Nasution said that monitoring of radical groups had revealed plans to launch attacks on Christmas Eve and around the New Year holiday but the situation was now under control.

Police spokesman Suharsono said the Uighur arrested just outside Jakarta was part of an IS-affiliated group based in the Central Java city of Solo.

Officials declined to comment on media reports that two other Uighurs from the same group were on the run, but they did confirm that three Uighurs were with Santoso. Four others were sentenced last year to six years in prison for conspiring with Indonesian militants. - Reuters

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READERS’ FORUM Lodha Committee report will help remove corruption This refers to the news story, Lodha Committee proposes sweeping reforms for BCCI (January 6). I wish to call it a red letter day in the annals of Indian cricket. Congratulations to the former COO of Indian Premier League, Sunder Raman, for coming out clean. If the Justice Lodha Committee report is implemented, the world of sports in general, and cricket in particular, will witness drastic changes, as it is the ministers and government officials — the committee has asked to show the door to them — who usually misuse the power. Soon there would be none like Scan this QR code Jaitleys, Pawars or Lalus in the BCCI to to send letters to the lord over the game of cricket. Similarly, Readers’ Forum, by recommending the participation of the containing not more than 200 words with players association in the management of full name, address BCCI, the game will have a more demoand telephone cratic and more participatory format. It number, may be sent would also pave the way for bringing the by mail (Times of Oman, P.O. Box 770, BCCI under RTI ambit — a giant move toP.C. 112, Ruwi). wards a corruption-free sports arena. The lovers of the game would be very happy with the winds of change which are set to sweep the dirt of corruption. However, the sceptic in me anticipates that politicians will join together to resist, and probably succeed in getting most of these proposals shot down by one way or the other, in their own style, as they do in parliament when it comes to a common goal. — Mohammad Osama Rawat, Ruwi

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ast year, three facts about climate change became clear: Achieving a low-carbon economy is essential; new technologies make that goal attainable at an acceptable cost; but technological progress alone will be insufficient without strong public policies.

Extreme weather in December – big floods in South America, the United States, and Britain, and very little snow in the Alps – partly reflected this year’s strong El Niño (caused by warmer Pacific Ocean water off Ecuador and Peru). But the planet’s rising surface temperature will increase the probability and severity of such weather patterns, and 2015 – the warmest year on record – confirmed that human greenhouse-gas emissions are driving significant climate change. Earth’s average land surface temperature is now about 1°C above pre-industrial levels.

Faced with that reality, the climate agreement reached in Paris last month represents a valuable but still insufficient response.

All major economies are now committed to reducing emissions below business-as-usual levels: but the combination of national commitments would likely result in warming of almost 3°C above preindustrial levels – a terrifying prospect, given the adverse consequences already apparent from a 1°C rise.

To cap the global increase in temperature at 2°C (the target endorsed in Paris), let alone to limit global warming to 1.5°C (an aspiration which was also confirmed), will require that emissions in the year 2030 be about 20 per cent lower than the combined national commitments envisage.

Moreover, it demands further reductions beyond 2030 that ensure subsequent progress toward net-zero carbon emissions by the second half of this century.

But 2015 also provided further evidence that we can achieve a low- or even zero-carbon global economy without sacrificing the growth still needed to pull many people out of poverty. Wind energy is now cost-competitive in many locations, and the costs of solar energy continue to plummet – down around 70 per cent since 2008.

Rapid cost reductions are also being achieved in battery and other energy-storage technologies, bringing electric cars closer to economic viability and enabling flexible electricity supply even

where a large percentage of power comes from intermittent sources.

These and other technologies will enable the transition to low-carbon economies to be carried out at a manageable cost. Estimates from the International Energy Agency (IEA) suggest that in a “new policies” scenario that is broadly comparable with national commitments enshrined in the Paris agreement, the world would need to invest $68.3 trillion in energy-related systems between now and 2040.

By contrast, in a scenario compatible with limiting warming to around 2°C, the required investment would be $74.6 trillion. Given annual global GDP of $74 trillion, the incremental $6 trillion of investment over 25 years represents only a small economic burden.

But while the absolute increase in required investment is moderate, the IEA’s low-carbon scenario entails a dramatic change in the pattern of investment. An additional $14 trillion should allocated to renewable or nuclear energy, or to buildings and transport systems to deliver improvements in energy efficiency, offset by a decline of more than $6 trillion in investment in oil, gas, and coal production. Reducing investment in fossil fuels reflects the reality that if the world is serious about its maximum 2°C target, two-thirds of known reserves must be left permanently in the ground. And lower investment would be matched by a decline in cumulative fossil-fuel revenues amounting to as much as $34 trillion more than under the IEA’s “new policies” scenario, owing not only to lower volumes of oil, gas, and coal consumed, but also to significantly lower prices.

And therein lies the problem. Lower oil, coal, and gas prices would reduce incentives to develop and deploy renewable energy technologies, or to improve energy efficiency. And with technological progress continuing to reduce extraction costs, fossil fuels may at times over the next several decades still look cheap relative to low-carbon alternatives. We certainly will be able to produce low-carbon energy cheaply enough to support sustained economic growth and prosperity; what is much less certain is whether it will be cheaper than fossil fuels soon enough to avoid climate disaster.- Project Syndicate

CLIPPINGS FROM OUR ARCHIVES JANUARY 2001 ROP celebrates police day MUSCAT: The Royal Oman Police yesterday celebrated Police Day, which falls on January 5 every year. The day is observed by all police commands, directorate general, departments and units. “January 5 is day to review the achievements and prepare future programmes for the ROP.” Since the beginning of Oman’s renaissance in 1970, the Royal Oman Police (ROP) has received great attention from His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said, the Supreme Commander of police force. The ROP, as security achievements testify, has been successful in shouldering its duty and responsibility.

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WORLD

While a fourth nuclear test had been long expected, the claim that it was a hydrogen device, much more powerful than an atomic bomb, came as a surprise, as did the timing.

North Korea tests hydrogen bomb

SETTING OFF ALARM BELLS: People watch a news report on North Korea’s first hydrogen bomb test at a railroad station in Seoul on Wednesday. –AFP

The test, the fourth

North Koreans celebrate success of tests two days ahead of leader’s birthday

time the country has exploded a nuclear device, was ordered by young leader Kim Jong Un and drew condemnation abroad, including from China and Russia

SEOUL: North Korea said it successfully tested a miniaturised hydrogen nuclear bomb on Wednesday, prompting scepticism among experts and officials who doubt Pyongyang has achieved such a major advance in its strike capability.

The test, the fourth time the state has exploded a nuclear device, was ordered by leader Kim Jong Un and successfully conducted at 10:00am local time (0130GMT), North Korea’s official KCNA news agency said.

“Let the world look up to the strong, self-reliant nuclear-armed state,” Kim wrote in what North Korean state TV displayed as a handwritten note.

South Korean intelligence officials and several analysts questioned whether Wednesday’s explosion was a test of a full-fledged hydrogen device, pointing to the fact that it was roughly as powerful as North Korea’s last atomic test in 2013.

But the development unnerved South Korea and Japan and drew international criticism, including from China and Russia, North Korea’s two main allies.

Condemned United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon condemned North Korea’s action, calling it “profoundly destabilizing for regional security”, while US House Speaker Paul Ryan said it “looks like a provocation”.

No countries were given advance warning of a nuclear test, South Korea’s intelligence service said, according to lawmakers briefed by intelligence officials.

In previous such tests, Pyongyang had notified China, Russia and the United States beforehand, they said. While a fourth nuclear test had been long expected, the claim that it was a hydrogen device, much more powerful than an atomic bomb, came as a surprise, as did the timing.

It ensures that North Korea will be a key topic during the US presidential campaign. Republican candidate Marco Rubio blamed North Korea’s nuclear activities on President Barack Obama’s “failed” foreign policy.

Rubio’s rival Donald Trump said

SEOUL: By the time North Korean state radio teased listeners on Wednesday morning that a “special announcement” was due at midday, those outside the country were already fairly sure what was coming.

A 5.1 magnitude earthquake detected near a known nuclear test site signalled that North Korea had probably conducted a fourth nuclear test, and that is what state TV told its audience, in the reverential tones saved for historical events.

While North Korea uses its nuclear tests to project power abroad, they are also a domestic propaganda tool for its thirdgeneration rule.

The years since Kim Jong Un took power following his father Kim Jong Il’s death of a heart attack in late 2011 have been turbulent.

“The North Korean government generally looks weak from the outside but nuclear tests like this strengthen the image of a powerful state domestically,” said Christopher Green, a North Korea expert at Leiden University in the Netherlands.

Musical interlude After a brief musical interlude, a male newsreader dressed in a dark suit and tie said Kim had personally ordered the country’s first hydrogen bomb test. That was followed by a full announcement from Ri Chun Hui, a well-known figure in North Korea best remembered outside the country as the emotional middle-aged woman who delivered the news in 2011 that thenleader Kim Jong Il had died.

The elder Kim’s death sparked an unsettled period marked by two nuclear tests, the purge of Kim Jong Un’s powerful uncle, and the violent execu-

the onus was on China to solve what he called the North Korean “problem”, and if it did not, the United States “should make trade very difficult for China”.

North Korea has long coveted diplomatic recognition from Washington, but sees its nuclear deterrent as crucial to ensuring the survival of its third-generation rule. “With Iran being off the table, the North Koreans have placed themselves at the top of the foreign policy agenda as far as nationstates who present a threat to the US”, said Michael Madden, an expert on the country’s secretive leadership.

The device had a yield of about 6 kilotonnes, according to the office of a South Korean lawmaker on the parliamentary intelligence committee - roughly the same size as the North’s last test, which was equivalent to 6-7 kilotonnes of TNT. “Given the scale, it is hard

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: North Korean people watch a huge screen broadcasting the government’s announcement in Pyongyang, North Korea, in this photo released by Kyodo on Wednesday. – Reuters/Kyodo

tion of the militarised state’s defence chief, Hyon Yong Chol.

The latest dramatic death or disappearance in the close circle of deputies to the country’s leader was Kim Yang Gon, Pyongyang’s top negotiator with South Korea, who was killed in what state media said was a traffic accident a week before the test.

“These personnel shuffles and so forth are always part of North Korean political culture,” said Michael Madden, an expert

to believe this is a real hydrogen bomb,” said Yang Uk, a senior research fellow at the Korea Defence and Security Forum. “They could have tested some middle stage kind (of device) between an Abomb and H-bomb, but unless they come up with any clear evidence, it is difficult to trust their claim.”

Joe Cirincione, a nuclear expert who is president of Ploughshares Fund, a global security organisation, said North Korea may have mixed a hydrogen isotope in a normal atomic fission bomb.

“Because it is, in fact, hydrogen, they could claim it is a hydrogen bomb,” he said. “But it is not a true fusion bomb capable of the massive multi-megaton yields these bombs produce”.

The United States Geological Survey reported a 5.1 magnitude quake that South Korea said was 49 km (30 miles) from the Punggye-ri site where the North has

on North Korea’s secretive and opaque leadership circle.

“Under Kim Jong Un, what we have seen from 2012 to 2015 was very similar to what happened from 1994 to 1998 as Kim Jong Il took the formal reigns of power”.

The nuclear test comes a few months ahead of what is scheduled to be just the seventh congress of the country’s ruling party, which was founded 70 years ago, and two days before what is believed to be the young

conducted nuclear tests in the past. North Korea’s last test of an atomic device, in 2013, also registered at 5.1 on the USGS scale.

The test nevertheless may mark an advance of North Korea’s nuclear technology. The claim of miniaturising, which would allow the device to be adapted as a weapon and placed on a missile, would pose a new threat to the United States and its regional allies, Japan and South Korea.

The North’s previous miniaturisation claims have not been independently verified. Many experts also doubt whether the North possesses missile technology capable of reliably delivering a warhead to the continental United States.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said Japan would make a firm response to North Korea’s challenge against nuclear non-proliferation.

“North Korea’s nuclear test is a serious threat to our nation’s secu-

leader’s birthday. He is understood to be in his early 30s.

“The test is being used to build a legacy for Kim Jong Un, ahead of the seventh congress of the Workers’ Party rather than as a bargaining chip with the outside world,” said Chang Gwang-il, who headed the South Korean defence ministry’s policy department from 2009 to 2011. The state news agency, KCNA, quoted the head of a metals plant and chairwoman of the board at a collective farm

rity and we absolutely cannot tolerate it,” Abe told reporters. “We strongly denounce it.”

South Korea said it would take all possible measures, including possible United Nations sanctions, to ensure Pyongyang paid the price after its fourth nuclear test.

“The government must now work closely with the international community to ensure that North Korea pays the commensurate price for the latest nuclear test.”

President Park Geun-hye said in a statement. “We must respond decisively through measures such as strong international sanctions.”

North Korea has been under UN Security Council sanctions since it first tested an atomic device in 2006 and could face additional measures. The Security Council will meet later on Wednesday to discuss what steps it could take, diplomats said.

While the Kim regime boasts

lauding the test and saying it would help inspire them and their co-workers to increase productivity.

Alongside Wednesday’s announcement, state television showed images of Kim signing what it said was the order to begin the test.

A close up of that order showed a note, attributed to Kim Jong Un, bearing a handwritten promise to “open 2016 with the thrilling boom of an H-bomb”. — Reuters

of its military might to project strength globally, it also plays up the need to defend itself from external threats as a way to maintain control domestically.

The North’s state news agency said it will not give up its nuclear programme as long as the United States maintained what it called “its stance of aggression”.

The nuclear test came two days ahead of what is believed to be Kim’s birthday.

The North called the device the “H-bomb of justice” and said: “The US is a gang of cruel robbers which has worked hard to bring even a nuclear disaster to the DPRK,” using the official acronym for North Korea. However, the agency said Pyongyang will act as a responsible nuclear state and vowed not to use its nuclear weapons unless its sovereignty was infringed. It said it will not transfer its nuclear capabilities to other parties. — Reuters

A 14

THURSDAY, JANUARY 7, 2016

GLOBAL EYE

JORDAN: A general view of Salt city centre, Jordan, on Tuesday. Al Salt municipality has chosen 23 buildings to submit for nomination to the UNESCO World Heritage List. — Reuters

FRANCE: People participate in a sack race at a shopping centre

in Paris on the first day of the winter sales in France, on Wednesday. — Reuters

RUSSIA: Russian President Vladimir Putin takes part in a training session of the Night Hockey League at the Galaktika centre in Kras-

naya Polyana, Russia, on Wednesday. — AFP/SPUTNIK/ALEKSEY NIKOLSKYI

CHINA: A man dressed in traditional cloth performs dance next to a frozen lake in Harbin, northeast China’s Heilongjiang province, on Wednesday. — AFP

GERMANY: A woman pulls a child on a sled across a snow-covered street in Berlin, Germany, on Wednesday, after heavy snowfall hit the capital overnight. — AFP

AUSTRIA: Kenneth Gangnes of Norway soars through the air during the first round of the final jumping at the 64th four-hills ski jumping tournament in Bischofshofen, Austria, on Wednesday. — Reuters

THAILAND: A man takes a pictures of seagulls at Bang Pu seaside resort in Samut Prakan province on the outskirts of Bangkok, Thailand, on Wednesday. — Reuters

THURSDAY, JANUARY 7, 2016

A15

WORLD Syrian refugees find Turkey ‘hardest’ for operating trade In the first 10 months of 2015, Turkey exported $1.3 billion in goods and services there, according to the Turkish Statistical Institute, compared to less than half a billion in 2012.

TEPAV research suggests the rising number of Syrian firms in border provinces such as Kilis, Mardin and Hatay has helped the recovery in exports.

But their composition has changed, reflecting the needs of a war economy, with food, generators and pick-up trucks eclipsing building materials and cars.

More than 1,000 companies were established in Turkey with at least one Syrian partner in the first seven months of 2015, compared with 30 in 2010, before the start of the war

GAZIANTEP (TURKEY): Sitting in the bare office above his factory where thousands of baby rattles and plastic bottles are cranked out every hour, Saad Chouihna believes that if you can make it in Turkey, you can make it anywhere.

“The Turkish market is the hardest,” said the 28-year-old Syrian from the city of Aleppo, bemoaning the tangled bureaucracy, cut-throat competition and a business culture that depends on long-term relationships.

But armed with a knowledge of Turkish and the local culture, Chouihna is finding his way.

He has opened a branch of his family’s plastics business in the southeastern city of Gaziantep, where the many Syrian restaurants and Arabic signs in some districts bear witness to the proximity of the border and the growing Syrian population.

His firm is one of nearly 2,000 set up by Syrians in Turkey in the almost five years since their homeland descended into civil war.

A quarter of a million people have been killed since then and millions more displaced, with Turkey now home to 2.2 million Syrians, the world’s largest refugee population.

“Our business is plastic - that’s what we know,” Chouihna said.”

But the established companies here have the contacts and experience locally so as a new company here it is really hard to get contacts or get contracts from big

DISPLACED: Yazidi children refugees pose at a refugee camp after a snowfall in the main Kurdishmajority city of Diyarbakir in southeastern Turkey, on January 10, 2015. — AFP

There has been a big jump in the numbers of businesses founded by Syrians probably because they are finally realising they are likely to remain in Turkey for many more years Esra Ozpinar Researcher from economic think tank TEPAV

medical companies, for example.

A lot of them don’t even come to the phone.”

But Chouihna, who has a wife and baby daughter, said he saw “no difference between me and a Turkish company” because he employs Turks as well as Syrians and pays his taxes.

Flow of refugees In November Ankara promised to help stem the flow of refugees trying to reach Europe in return for $3.2 billion in aid and renewed talks on joining the European Union.

Ankara has spent more than $8.5 billion on feeding and hous-

HELMAND PROVINCE

Clear Marjah Provincial police chief Abdul Rahman Sarjang said 120 Taliban insurgents had been killed since Monday, when security forces began an operation to clear Marjah.

There was no independent confirmation of the figure.

“We have had a lot of achievements from this operation and we will continue until we free

Economic hub In Gaziantep, new buildings have sprung up beside the city’s medieval fortress and old market thanks to modern investments and economic incentives offered by the government which have helped it become an economic hub and the most industrialised city in Turkey’s south.

Chouihna exports to Egypt, Lebanon, Romania, Tunisia and Yemen and does some trade in Turkey.

He also sells his products in Syria, helping Turkey’s exports to its neighbour get back close to their pre-war levels.

Turkish exports to Syria dipped in 2011 and 2012, but have recovered significantly.

Erdogan lashes out at pro-Kurd opposition ISTANBUL: Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said on Wednesday some lawmakers and local mayors from the pro-Kurdish opposition were behaving like members of a terrorist organisation and renewed his call for legal action against them.

The predominantly Kurdish southeast has sunk into its worst violence since the 1990s after a two-year ceasefire between Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) militants, who are fighting for greater autonomy, and the state collapsed last July.

Erdogan and the government accuse the pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP), parliament’s third-biggest grouping, of being an extension of the PKK. The HDP says it is opposed to violence and wants a peaceful solution for Turkey’s Kurds.

“In Turkey there is no Kurdish issue but a terrorism issue. All ethnic minorities have problems of their own and we have always tried to solve these,” Erdogan said in a speech to elected neighbourhood administrators.

More Kurdish politicians were likely to be prosecuted, he said, urging the authorities to treat them on equal terms as members of the PKK, deemed a terrorist group by Turkey, the United States and the European Union.

“I believe parliament and the judiciary are obliged to act against lawmakers who behave like members of the terrorist organisation,” he said, although he said he was opposed to closing political parties down.

“Titles like lawmaker, mayor or head of a party can’t save anyone from being held accountable before the law if they have sided with the terrorist organisation.”

Clashes have intensified in recent days as a large-scale military campaign entered its fourth week.

Residents have complained the operations are indiscriminate and that round-the-clock curfews have left even the sick unable to get to hospital.

Turkish tanks on hills around Cizre, a town bordering Iraq which has seen some of the heaviest fighting, pounded targets inside the city on Wednesday as dozens of people including children left with bags and luggage, Reuters TV footage showed. — Reuters

OREGON

US conducts air strikes as Afghan fighting rages KABUL: US aircraft carried out a dozen strikes in Helmand province in southern Afghanistan on Wednesday as fierce battles continued with Taliban insurgents around the town of Marjah near the provincial capital, a US army spokesman said.

The strikes came a day after one US service member was killed and two other Americans and a number of Afghan special forces soldiers were wounded during operations in the province, which has seen months of heavy fighting.

US army spokesman Col. Michael Lawhorn said US special forces were still in place on Wednesday, supporting Afghan army units in Marjah and Sangin district, further to the north, and air support had also been provided.

“US forces have conducted 12 air strikes in support of operations in and around Marjah,” he said.

The strikes highlight the intensity of the combat in Helmand, a traditional Taliban stronghold where hundreds of British and American soldiers and marines were killed or wounded fighting the insurgency.

ing Syrian refugees since the start of the war, but has yet to introduce a policy to allow them to work legally.

Echoing concerns voiced in other countries about the flow of refugees, lower-income Turks fear that Syrians, including the estimated 250,000 now working illegally in Turkey, will undercut them and take their jobs.

But data suggests Syrians such as Chouihna are a boost for the Turkish economy.

According to TOBB, an umbrella body for local chambers of commerce, more than 1,000 companies were established in Turkey with at least one Syrian partner

in the first seven months of 2015, compared with 30 in 2010, before the start of the war.

Although there is no estimate yet of the increase in output from these firms, economists say they have boosted trade with Syria in parts of Turkey where instability and violence in border areas have dented trade with neighbours.

“There has been a big jump in the numbers of businesses founded by Syrians probably because they are finally realising they are likely to remain in Turkey for many more years,” said Esra Ozpinar, a researcher from economic think tank TEPAV.

Crucial Economist Harun Ozturkler of the Centre For Middle Eastern Strategic Studies in Ankara says these businesses could in the long term be crucial to the Turkish economy.

“The most important contribution will be their network in the Arab world because the owners of these firms were merchants in Syria,” he said.”Finding new markets for Turkey is going to be the most important.”

But there is animosity in Gaziantep among some businessmen who see firms like Chouihna’s as a threat.

“We know there are many unregistered firms and they cause unfair competition,” said the Chamber’s communications chief, Senay Copur.

“The advantage is they (Syrian firms) are serving generally their own citizens and create employment opportunities,” she said, adding that efforts were under way to bring such companies into the tax system.

Chouihna said the authorities turn a blind eye to his Syrian staff since he also employs some Turks, but he would rather they were officially documented.

Another Syrian living in Gaziantep, Abu Tareq, said he had found investors for his plan to start a company producing $1 million worth a year of refrigerators for restaurants, food stores and factories.

He plans to base his firm in the same industrial district as Chouihna’s and intends to hire 14 people, the majority of whom will be Syrian, he said.

After working in the same business in Syria, he saw an opportunity in the Turkish market. — Reuters

LEGAL ACTION

Marjah from Taliban,” he said.

The US and Britain have sent additional special forces personnel to the province to help train and assist Afghan police and army units.

But officials said their main role is not to be involved in fighting.

Over the past six months, the Taliban has overrun much of the province, one of the world’s major centres of opium production, in a broad offensive that has put Afghan government forces under severe strain.

Ended combat operations Although international troops ended combat operations last year, the United States has continued to conduct some air strikes in support of Afghan troops, while special forces units have also been drawn into fighting on occasion, officials have said.

The fact that US troops are back in Helmand and engaged in fighting, even after the end of the main combat mission, has raised questions about the effectiveness of Afghan forces, which have struggled to contain the insurgency.

In Marjah, the road from the provincial capital Lashkar Gah has been repeatedly cut and blocked by landmines, complicating efforts to relieve government forces that have been restricted to a small area around the administrative centre.

Heavy fighting went on all night on Tuesday and the Taliban said fighters had shot down a helicopter in Marjah. — Reuters

Armed standoff over land rights leaves US native tribe bewildered BURNS (US): When armed men first took over a wildlife refuge in Oregon this weekend, the leader of the area’s Native American tribal council could relate to their landright dispute but disagreed with their gun-toting approach.

“I just think they’re a bunch of glory hounds,” Charlotte Rodrique, the chairwoman of the federally recognised Burns Paiute Tribe, said in an interview on Tuesday at the tribal reservation’s meeting house. ‘Look at us, look at what we’re doing.’ I don’t give much credence to their cause.”

The Malheur National Wildlife Refuge and the small town of Burns have been thrust into the spotlight by the takeover, which began on Saturday and marked the latest protest over federal management of millions of acres (hectares) of land in the West.

The armed militia’s standoff with the US government over ranchers’ land rights has bewildered the leaders of the tribe.

Although the Paiute have their own disputes over land and water with US government agencies, they prefer a less adversarial approach. The reservation is not far from the wildlife reserve and the tribe has been living off the arid western Oregon mountains since long before Europeans arrived in North America.

“There was never an agreement that we were giving up this land.

We were dragged out of here,” Rodrique said. The tribe’s approach has typically been less provocative than the protesters who picked up guns to further their anti-government cause.

“I’m, like, hold on a minute, if you want to get technical about it the land belongs to the Paiute

SIEGE: A member of an anti-government militia holds an assault rifle as he stands guard at a check-

point in front of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge Headquarters, on Tuesday near Burns, US. - AFP

here,” said Selena Sam, a member of the tribe’s council who waitresses at a local diner.

Council meeting The tribe held a council meeting on Tuesday to discuss the sudden national attention land rights are once again getting.

She said the government has become increasingly bureaucratic about allowing the tribe to catch trout, bass and perch in the rivers lacing the mountains and hunt elk and deer in the woods.

But they tribe wants to avoid the

increasingly prevalent gun-toting approach to grievances favoured by the group led by Ammon Bundy, whose father had a similar standoff with federal agents over grazing rights in Nevada.

Setting fires Bundy and his supporters arrived in Oregon after local ranchers Dwight Hammond Jr. and his son, Steven, were handed longer prison terms for setting fires that spread to federal land, saying the government wanted to seize ranch lands for its own use.

It was not clear how many protesters were involved in the occupation and federal law enforcement officials have kept their distance, following guidelines instituted to prevent a repeat of deadly standoffs such as those in Ruby Ridge, Idaho, and later in Waco, Texas, in the early 1990s.

“I feel like it’s happening all over again but to a different set of people,” Sam said of the anger felt by the ranchers and their supporters.

“They’re like ‘Let’s grab some guns.’ We have a different approach.” — Reuters

A 16

THURSDAY, JANUARY 7, 2016

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No drop in refugees influx: Germany Deputy interior minister said that 3,200 refugees are reaching Germany daily on average

BRUSSELS: Germany has seen no drop in the number of people arriving and seeking asylum despite EU efforts to confront a migration crisis, the deputy interior minister said on Wednesday, blaming a lack of controls at Europe’s borders.

More than a million people fleeing the Middle East and Africa arrived in Europe in 2015. Denmark began 2016 by imposing checks on its border this week, prompting the EU to call Germany, Denmark and Sweden to a meeting in Brussels. Germany has been one of the most seriously affected EU member states. Sources in Berlin said on Wednesday the country registered some 1.09 million asylum seekers last year.

“We had an average influx of 3,200 refugees per day arriving in Germany, and the numbers are not declining in the last days,” Ole Schroeder, the deputy German minister, told a briefing in Brus-

MEETING ON ASYLUM SEEKERS: German Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere, right, arrives to address a news conference in Berlin on Wednesday to present the annual report on immigration. – AFP

sels. “Our problem at the moment in Europe is that we do not have a functioning border control system, especially at the Greece-Turkey border,” Schroeder said.

The European Union is counting on Turkey to help reduce the number of migrants entering the bloc following a deal between Brussels and Ankara late last year

for Turkey to absorb more people fleeing Syria’s civil war.

Meeting Schroeder was speaking after meeting with EU migration chief Dimitris Avramopoulos and with Danish and Swedish officials to discuss temporary border controls after Denmark implemented

spot checks on its border, raising new concerns about the durability of the EU’s passport-free Schengen area. Germany, Denmark and Sweden all said that they wanted to safeguard the Schengen zone but that effective controls on Europe’s external borders, as well as other agreed measures, were necessary. The European Com-

mission, which has sought to help forge an EU migration policy since the death of hundreds of migrants in the Mediterranean last April, underscored the limited progress so far.

Of the 160,000 migrants that EU governments have agreed to relocate from Italy and Greece to other parts of the Union, only 272

people have been moved so far, it said on Wednesday. Three migrant screening centres, known as hotspots, are operational in Italy and Greece now, below the target of 11, although Italy is due to add two more early this year, the Commission said.

Pascal Brice, a director with Ofpra, the agency in charge of granting asylum in France, said this explained the slow start to some extent, but that refugees’ own destination preferences were also a factor. “The French system is ready but the migrants’ appetite for it remains weak,” he told Reuters in an interview. Germany is attractive for its positive stance towards refugees as well as the strength of its economy, he said.

“You have to remember the relocation mechanism is offered to migrants on a voluntary basis,” he said.

“For now, most of the migrants choose Germany and also Britain to some extent, which explains the situation we face in Calais,” the French port city where thousands of migrants have been camped out in the hope of reaching Britain.

Brice said he was nevertheless confident France would be able to take in the 32,000 refugees it has promised to accept under the mechanism on top of those it grants asylum to annually. In 2015, France gave asylum to 25,000 citizens, up 60 percent year on year. — Reuters

U K ’ S O P P O S I T I O N L A B OU R PA R T Y

BRINGING CHANGE: Britain’s opposition Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn leaves his home in north London, Britain. – Reuters

Seeking control, Corbyn sacks top party members LONDON: Britain’s opposition Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has sacked his EU policy chief for disloyalty and moved his pronuclear defence spokeswoman to another job in an attempt to tighten control over his rebellious parliamentary party.

The party’s main culture spokesman also went and the moves triggered some resignations among junior members of Corbyn’s team. But foreign policy chief Hilary Benn, whose position had initially appeared in doubt, stayed.

Political leaders in Britain often change their teams, but the emphasis on loyalty and adherence to Corbyn’s leftist policies underlined Labour’s fragility after it suffered an overwhelming election defeat last year to the Conservative Party.

Corbyn, a veteran left-wing activist, was elected party leader after the election by tapping into a desire for change among grassroots party members.

But his four-month tenure has deepened divisions between him and several of Labour’s leading lawmakers, including with Benn, who publicly opposed Corbyn’s position last month by supporting the Conservative government’s Syrian bombing campaign. Benn kept his job as Corbyn tried to forge unity with the party’s more moderate members, but three junior ministers in Labour’s ‘shadow cabinet’, which mirrors the government, resigned over their differences with the leader.

Labour said on Wednesday Emily Thornberry would replace Maria Eagle as defence spokeswoman. Eagle was in favour of renewing Britain’s nuclear-armed Trident submarine programme, putting her at odds with Corbyn who has argued that the more than £100 billion ($147 billion) price tag to replace the country’s deterrent could be better used.

Thornberry has voted against renewing Trident.

Europe shadow secretary Pat McFadden said he had been sacked in part because of comments he made in parliament seemingly at odds with statements Corbyn had made on the causes of terrorism. Corbyn, he said, had taken them as a personal attack.

He will be replaced by Pat Glass, a pro-Europe former junior education spokeswoman.

Culture spokesman Michael Dugher said on Tuesday he had been sacked.

Corbyn had been under pressure by his allies to take control of Labour, which has struggled to challenge the ruling Conservatives.

Labour’s finance spokesman, John McDonnell, said Corbyn had questioned some leading lawmakers’ loyalty.

“There were issues where there has been undermining of his(Corbyn’s) leadership and not accepting his mandate from the party members that he received in the election,” he told Sky News.

McDonnell said Corbyn was trying to “hold everyone together but be very clear about our direction of travel in terms of policy”.

But Jonathan Reynolds, the party’s rail spokesman, said in his resignation letter posted on Facebook: “I understand your need for a greater degree of discipline on the front bench and therefore believe it would be more appropriate to advocate these causes as a backbencher (a rank and file Labour lawmaker).”

Foreign Affairs spokesman Stephen Doughty, who quit on live TV, said he agreed with McFadden’s views on terrorism and national security and was going as a matter of conscience.

Armed Forces spokesman Kevan Jones said he disagreed with Corbyn on scrapping Britain’s nuclear weapons and would make a more effective case for Labour to have “strong, credible defence and security policies” from the backbenches. — Reuters

B

WWW.TIMESOFOMAN.COM THU RS DAY, JANUARY 7, 2016

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Muscat 5,390.52 - 26.52 - 0.49%

Dubai 3,071.62 - 7.11 - 0.23%

Abu Dhabi 4,269.94 - 13.61 - 0.32%

Kuwait 5,563.97 - 0.18 - 0.00%

Saudi Arabia

6,502.00 - 240.91 - 3.57%

Bahrain 1,209.75 - 0.28 - 0.02%

Qatar 10,070.89 + 111.22 + 1.12%

CRUDE OIL PRICE

CURRENCY RATES*

DRAFT RATES (OMR1)*

GOLD PRICES*

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

Forex rates vs OMR1* US Dollar ................................. 2.58 Euro ............................................ 2.38 Pound ............................................1.75 Indian Rs ............................. 172.65 Pak Rs .................................... 267.74 Bangla Taka....................... 201.01

Indian Rs ...................................173.40 Pakistan Rs .............................272.00 Sri Lanka Rs ........................... 371.00 Bangla Taka........................... 203.50 Phil Peso .....................................121.75

Muscat 24ct per gm (OMR) .......13.85

Oman Crude............. (Spot) ........$30.45 Dubai Crude ............. (Spot) ........$29.95 Murban Crude ........ (Spot) ..........$33.11 Arabian Light ......... (Spot) ........$28.80 N.Sea Brent............... (Spot) ........$34.85

* Rates are as of Jan. 6 Source: Bank Muscat

West Texas Int ....... (Spot) ........$34.80

* Rates as of Jan. 6 Source: Oman UAE Exchange

Major firms expected to post drop in net earnings Expected revenues and net earnings of MSM30 firms in 2015

Revenues of these companies are estimated

In million rials

to edge up by 1.9% to OMR3.72b for 2015,

Net profit

633.8

Change: +1.9%

Revenue

3,720

Change: -0.7%

over the previous year, according to Gulf Baader Capital Markets report

A. E. JAMES

businesseditor@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: Major Omani firms that constitute the MSM 30 Index are expected to post a 0.7 per cent fall in profit at OMR633.8 million for 2015, compared to the previous year. However, the revenues of these companies are estimated to edge up by 1.9 per cent to OMR3.72 billion for 2015, over the previous year, according to a research note prepared by Gulf Baader Capital Markets.

The decline is mainly due to a slowdown in demand and subdued performance of investment firms following a sluggish trend on the Muscat Securities Market (MSM), which declined by 14.77 per cent last year.

Revenue of MSM index firms, including investment holding companies, for the fourth quarter alone are estimated at OMR925.16 million, a marginal rise of 0.8 per cent on year-on-year and a fall of 3.2 per cent on quarter-on-quarter basis. However, the revenue of MSM 30 Index companies, excluding investment holding firms for the fourth quarter of 2015 is estimated to decline by 2.6 per cent year-over-year and 3.2 per cent on quarter-on- quarter basis to OMR881.26 million amid the estimated lower demand, subdued investment sector performance and also on seasonality among the services sector companies.

The earnings of index firms, excluding investment holding companies, for the fourth quarter of

Source: Gulf Baader Capital Markets

Graphics

2015 is projected at OMR132.981 million, showing an increase of 1.6 per cent year on year and a decline of 17.4 per cent on sequential basis.

“We expect the banking sector performance to reveal relative weakness during the fourth quarter amid tightened market liquidity, possibility of increase in funding costs, slowdown in credit off-take along with the estimated increase in cost of risk. Banking sector earnings for the fourth quarter of 2015 is estimated to increase by 6.2 per cent year-onyear and sharply decline by 12.6 per cent quarter on quarter basis to OMR77.5 million,” noted the research report.

In the third quarter of 2015, banking sector credit (conventional and Islamic combined) increased OMR468 million in absolute terms, reporting steady growth of 2.4 per cent quarter on quarter amid few government related project draw-downs and growth in personal credit.

Credit growth According to the latest Central Bank of Oman (CBO) monthly report, the total credit growth in banking sector remained strong during the year, increasing by 10.8 per cent for the first ten months driven by project lending, quasigovernment project drawdown and higher personal credit demand.

The investment holding companies earnings for the fourth quarter is estimated at OMR4.37 million, reporting a decline of 32 per cent sequentially, due to the negative impact of the overall secondary market performance in Oman and the GCC region.

For industrial sector, total revenue is expected to decline by 12.6 per cent year-on-year and to rise by 4.6 per cent quarter on quarter basis amid estimated lower performance from construction and building materials sector com-

panies. Services sector revenue is estimated to fall by 1.3 per cent year on year and to decline by 7.1 per cent quarter on quarter.

The tepid performance of the industrial sector is likely to continue during the fourth quarter of 2015 and further impact to be seen over the coming quarters. The expected fiscal consolidation and subsidy reform measures in the form of increase in fuel and utilities costs to have negative impact on the performance of Industrial sector companies during 2016, which needs to be watched out.

During the fourth quarter of 2015, the estimated decline in capital expenditures by regional governments adjusting to the prevailing low oil price environment to have an impact on the performance of construction, building materials and allied sectors, under the industry sector.

Investments related to economic zones, sea ports, airports and other industrial clusters to drive growth.

Support from regional governments and grants to assist in specific infrastructure projects. Market activity to remain muted for the first half of 2016 amid weak fundamentals and the negative impact seen in corporate performance.

Muscat 22ct per gm (OMR) .......13.40 Dubai 24ct per gm (Dh) ............ 129.75 Dubai 22ct per gm (Dh) ............ 123.00 * Rates as of Jan. 6 Source: Malabar Gold & Diamonds

THREE-YEAR LOAN

BankDhofar closes $250m term loan Times News Service MUSCAT: BankDhofar has announced the successful closing of a $250 million, three-year term loan facility.

Bank ABC, BNP Paribas, Commerzbank, Credit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank, HSBC Bank Middle East and National Bank of Abu Dhabi acted as mandated lead arrangers and book runners.

Financing projects “The facility will be used to finance large-scale projects of national importance. The facility demonstrates the confidence global markets have in the financial strength of BankDhofar and the stability of the Omani banking sector,” said Kamal Hassan Murazza, chief wholesale banking officer of Bank Dhofar.

Bashir Al Subhi, AGM treasury and financial institutions of BankDhofar, thanked the arrangers for their confidence and support that led to the success of this facility.

“This facility is an outstanding success by several measures: the size, the pricing and the diverse lender group that comprised leading banks. The trust bestowed on us by prominent international and regional banks underpins our position as a leading bank in Oman,” he said.

B2

THURSDAY, JANUARY 7, 2016

MARKET APPOINTMENT

Global oil firms plan to sell assets amid falling prices

Adil Darwish Yousef Al Lawati

Cheap crude prices

New general manager at Al Hassan Engineering

and limited funding

Times News Service

consultant HIS

MUSCAT: Al Hassan Engineering has appointed Adil Darwish Yousef Al Lawati as general manager (projects), in its efforts to empower qualified Omanis to assume executive roles. He will be reporting to Steve Scott, the chief executive officer.

Adil has over two decades of extensive and diverse work experience in the Oil & Gas business.

He holds a distinction in Bachelor of Science (Mechanical Engineering) from the University Of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, US. Work experience His last assignment was with Tebodin & Partner where he worked for 8 years and prior to that he worked as a director – major contracts division. Before Tebodin, Adil worked in Petroleum Development Oman (PDO) where he started his career and worked on various assignments for 19 years which includes a stint with Shell Exploration & Production UK in Aberdeen for three years.

During his tenure with PDO, he worked on various assignments starting from construction, through facilities/process/ concept engineer to head process/ concept engineering and subsequently head - Project Engineering South & North. His last assignment before leaving PDO was as Fahud steam project manager.

options force debtsaddled energy companies to sell assets, according to

SYDNEY: Oil and gas producers should see an increase in deals this year as cheap crude prices and limited funding options force debt-saddled energy companies to sell assets, says consultant HIS. An uncertain oil price outlook discouraged M&A (merger and acquisitions) last year, with the value of transactions falling 22 per cent to $143 billion, despite the boost from Royal Dutch Shell’s agreement to take over BG Group, IHS said in a report on Wednesday.

The deal pace will probably pick up as energy companies face further financial pain after a 35 per cent drop in Brent prices last year.

Debt burdens “Oil and gas producers with heavy debt burdens and hedges rolling off in 2016 will become increasingly vulnerable,” Christopher Sheehan, director of energy M&A research at IHS, said in the report. “They will either have to dispose of prized assets, face serious restructuring — including the potential for bankruptcy — or become takeover targets in 2016.”

The number of deals almost halved in 2015 to the lowest level since 2001 while big, unsolicited takeover bids were rejected, the report showed. Other than the Shell purchase, there were no cor-

UNCERTAIN OUTLOOK: An uncertain oil price outlook discouraged merger and acquisitions (M&A) last year, with the value of transactions falling 22 per cent to $143 billion, despite the boost from Royal Dutch Shell’s agreement to take over BG Group. – File picture

porate takeovers exceeding $5 billion, it said.

Scaling back Chinese oil companies spent less than $5 billion on acquisitions for the second straight year, while Asian national oil companies scaled back overseas acquisition spending for the second straight year, according to IHS. Excluding the Shell-BG deal, North America accounted for about 60 per cent of global upstream value for the second year.

“The likelihood for wider consolidation in the oil and gas industry will increase in 2016 as producers face further financial pain and will have more constrained financing options due to persistently weak oil prices,” Sheehan said.

National oil companies in Asia will probably resume purchases with PetroChina and Oil & Natural Gas Corporation of India among potential buyers, Sanford C. Bernstein. - Bloomberg News

Oil falls over China growth worries NEW YORK: Global equity markets were flat on Tuesday after their worst January kickoff in years as concerns about the global economy weighed on sentiment and pushed traders to seek the relative safety of the low-risk yen.

Crude oil prices fell on concerns about the pace of growth in China, the world’s second-largest oil consumer.

News that Chinese rail freight volumes logged their biggestever annual decline in 2015 added to economic growth worries.

A rally in mining and telecom stocks helped European shares edge slightly higher in volatile

trade, while major averages on Wall Street were slightly higher. MSCI’s all-country world stock index fell 0.01 percent and its emerging markets index rose 0.09 per cent.

On Wall Street, the Dow Jones industrial average gained 9.72 points to 17,158.66.

The S&P 500 rose 0.2 per cent to 2,016.71 and the Nasdaq Composite lost 0.2 percent, to 4,891,43.

“The main reason for the uncertainty is China, given that company numbers and the macroeconomic picture in Europe and the U.S. have not changed,” said Alessandro Allegri, chief executive of Ital-

ian asset manager Ambrosetti Asset Management.

In Europe, the pan-regional FTS Eurofirst 300 index rose 0.66 percent to 1,410.37. The heavyweight German index DAX gained 0.3 per cent. The yen climbed to its strongest level since April against the euro and hovered at its highest since October versus the dollar. The Japanese currency is traditionally sought at times of risk aversion.

The yen jumped more than 1 percent against the euro, rising to 127.99. Against the dollar, the yen was up 0.3 per cent on the day at 119.03 yen, EBS data shows. - Reuters

E X PA N S I O N

Retail major Lulu Group opens fifth hypermarket in Bahrain MANAMA: Middle East retail major Lulu Group, which is on an expansion mode, opened its fifth hypermarket in Bahrain. The 120th Lulu Hypermarket of the group was inaugurated by Shaikh Khaled bin Abdulla Al Khalifa, deputy prime minister of Bahrain, at Juffair.

Zayed Al Zayani, minister of industry & commerce; Jameel Humaidan, labour minister; Shaikh Khalifa bin Daij Al Khalifa, president of Crown Prince Court; Shaikh Ahmed Khalifa Al Khalifa, Crown Prince Court, and other senior government officials and various ambassadors were present at the function.

Speaking to media after the inauguration, Yusuffali M. A., chairman of Lulu Group said, “the success of Lulu Hypermarket in Bahrain, since it opened its doors here in 2007 has been due to the leaders and the people of the country. I take this opportunity to thank King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, the prime minister and Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and first deputy premier for their transformative leadership and the government for its transparency, accessibility and effectiveness.”

“Lulu Hypermarket has built its brand on the quality promise and we are very happy that the

people of Bahrain have responded so warmly to the range of products, the cost-effectiveness and top quality of Lulu.

Bahrainis have excellent people skills and have been the backbone of our business growth. We are proud of their participation in our multi-cultural employee force,” he added.

The new 120,000 square feet Lulu hypermarket will serve the residents of Juffair, Hoora, Gudaibiya, Adliya and Umm Al Hassam areas with its widest range of products from all over the world.

As always Lulu hypermarket provides the widest range of quality and value-for-money products all under one roof.

Investment in India Lulu Group will invest Rs10 billion in Uttar Pradesh’s capital Lucknow to set up a convention centre, shopping mall and a fivestar hotel. Announcing this, Lulu Group chairman M. A. Yusuff Ali said: “As a businessman I travel to many countries. But whether I go to Europe, Asia or Far East, or in the Gulf countries, I find NRIs from Uttar Pradesh and the state of Kerala.”

The investment in Indian state of Uttar Pradesh will create an employment for 3,000 people, Yusuff Ali said while addressing the maiden UP Prawasi Divas in Agra

on Monday. “I don’t believe in declarations, we believe in work.

If everything is ready, we promise to begin our construction.”

With a net worth of $3.4 billion, Yusuff Ali was ranked 24th on ‘Forbes’ list of India’s richest 100 people last year.

He also hit the headlines in July last year for the $170 million purchase of the iconic Scotland Yard building in London.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav who was present at the function said the Pravasi Diwas was a positive start to the state government’s efforts to reach out to its non-residents and for the state machinery to facilitate their connection with roots.

“I welcome Yusuff Ali’s promise to invest in Uttar Pradesh.

The government will make every effort to ensure that land and any other assistance is provided to him so that he can begin work,” he said.

Lulu currently operates 118 hypermarkets and shopping malls in the Middle East and India. Globally, Lulu Group employs more than 35,000 people.

Lulu hypermarkets and department stores have a 32 per cent share of the retail market in GCC countries. The group also has invested in India’s retail market also with a mega mall in Kochi.

- Times News Service/Agencies

THURSDAY, JANUARY 7, 2016

B3

MARKET MSM index in red zone

OMAN STOCKS

MUSCAT SECURITIES MARKET

INDICES Index .................................................High .................Low..................... Value ............... Prev . Value.......... Diff ...............Diff % MSM30 Index ........................................5,417.22 .............. 5,390.49 ................... 5,390.52 ....................5,417.09................-26.57 .................. -0.49 Financial Index .....................................6,505.71 ...............6,451.55 ....................6,451.89 ...................6,505.37................-53.48 .................. -0.82 Industrial Index .................................... 6,785.18 ............... 6,769.14 ................... 6,785.00 ....................6,769.14..................15.86 ...................0.23 Services Index ...................................... 3,066.38 .............. 3,045.28 ...................3,045.40 ................... 3,065.91................-20.51 .................. -0.67 MSM SHARIAH INDEX....................... 859.12 ..................856.99 .......................857.00 ...................... 858.38...................-1.38 .................. -0.16 Trading Summary Volume ................Turnover ..........Trades .............. Market Cap............. Up............Down ............. Equal .........Sec. Traded 10,085,751 ...................1,778,226 .................... 402 ............... 15,827,700,687 .................. 4 ......................16 .................... 17 .........................37

Jazeera Steel Products, up by 2.86 per cent, was the top gainer, while ACWA Power Barka

SHARE PRICE BULLETIN FOR WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 6

was the top loser, down by 9.84 per cent ISIN ......................................SECURITY NAME ..................................................................VOLUME..... TURNOVER............TRADES ......OPEN PRICE......HIGH ............. LOW ........ CLOSE PR. ...PREV. CLOSE...DIFF (RO).........DIFF % .............LAST PR.....LAST BID .............LAST OFFER ........MARKET CAP.PAR VALUE

MUSCAT: Selling pressure on index heavyweight stocks dragged the MSM 30 Index to end lower at 5,390.52 points, down by 0.49 per cent. MSM Sharia Index closed at 857.00 points, down by 0.16 per cent.

Bank Nizwa was the most active in terms of volume as well as turnover. Jazeera Steel Products, up by 2.86 per cent, was the top gainer while ACWA Power Barka was the top loser, down by 9.84 per cent.

As many as 402 trades were executed on Wednesday, generating a turnover of OMR1.77million with 10.08 million shares changing hands. Out of 37 traded securities, four advanced, 16 declined and 17 remained unchanged.

Omani investors were net buyers to the tune of OMR222,000 worth of shares, followed by GCC and Arab investors at OMR140,000 .

Foreign investors, who were net sellers sold shares amounting to OMR362,000.

Financial Index closed at 6,451.89 points, down by 0.82 per cent. Oman United Insurance, Gulf Investment Services, BankDhofar and Bank Sohar declined by 2.27 per cent, 2.11 per cent, 1.87 per cent and 1.28 per cent, respectively.

Industrial Index ended at 6,785.00 points, up by 0.23 per cent. Jazeera Steel Product, Al Anwar Ceramic and Al Maha Ceramic increased by 2.86 per cent, 0.66 per cent and 0.52 per cent, respectively.

Services Index closed at 3,045.40 points, down by 0.67 per cent. Oman Telecommunications Company (Omantel) was the only gainer and was up by 0.32 per cent to close at OMR1.570. ACWA Power Barka, Oreedoo Oman, OIFC and Renaissance Services declined by 9.84 per cent, 1.67 per cent, 1.47 per cent and 0.61 per cent, respectively.

Saudi stocks decline Saudi stocks fell to the weakest level in more than three years after oil, the nation’s main source of income, dropped to the lowest since 2004.

The Tadawul All Share Index retreated 3.7 per cent in Riyadh to 6,492.82, extending declines to a third day. Al Rajhi Bank’s 3.4 per cent slide was the biggest contributor to the drop. The Tadawul All Share Petrochemical Industries Index sank to the lowest level since May 2009.

Brent crude slumped below $35 a barrel before United States government data forecast to show fuel supplies rose in the world’s biggest consuming nation. The continued slide in crude intensifies the pressure Saudi Arabia’s finances are already under as the nation fights in Yemen. Relations with Iran deteriorated this week after the Saudis executed 47 men.

“Saudi Arabia’s market is correlated to the oil price,” said Nayal Khan, the Riyadh-based head of institutional equities sales trading at Saudi Fransi Capital.

Tension between Iran and Saudi Arabia “means that it would be more difficult for them to come to an agreement in terms of curbing supply,” he said.

Relations between the world’s biggest oil exporter and Iran have soured in the worst diplomatic crisis between the two since the late 1980s. Saudi Basic Industries Corporation, one of the world’s biggest petrochemicals manufacturers, slid 4.2 per cent and was headed for the lowest level since September 2009. The Tadawul’s petrochemicals gauge dropped 5.5 per cent.

European stocks fell after China’s latest weakening of its currency refreshed concerns about the outlook for global growth.

The Stoxx Europe 600 Index slid 1.7 per cent to 352.84 in London. - United Securities/Bloomberg News

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

OM0000002176 ............AL JAZEERA STEEL PRODUCTS ........................ 1,155,472....... 166,108......................41 ............0.144 ........... 0.144 ...........0.143 ........... 0.144 .............0.140 ........... 0.004............. 2.857 ................0.144..............0.144...................0.145................... 17,985,306 .........0.100 OM0000002168............AL ANWAR CERAMIC TILES .................................16,500 ............... 5,016........................3 ........... 0.304...........0.304 ...........0.304 .......... 0.304 .............0.302 ........... 0.002............. 0.662 ................0.304............. 0.300...................0.304 ..................90,048,959.........0.100 OM0000005005 ...........ALMAHA CERAMICS .....................................................6,881 ...............2,676........................5 ........... 0.386 ...........0.390 ...........0.386........... 0.388 .............0.386 ........... 0.002............. 0.518 ................0.390..............0.390...................0.410...................20,370,000.........0.100 OM0000003026 ...........OMAN TELECOMMUNICATION ........................ 181,869 ..........286,269..................... 39 ............1.570 ........... 1.575............1.570 ............1.575 ............. 1.570............ 0.005............. 0.318 ................1.570 ..............1.560...................1.570................ 1,181,250,000 ......0.100 OM0000001509............DHOFAR INT.DEV.AND INV. HOLD............................100 .....................38........................1 ........... 0.380 ...........0.380 ...........0.380........... 0.398 .............0.398 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.380..............0.382...................0.398...................98,067,200.........0.100 OM0000001749 ............OMAN CEMENT ........................................................... 50,000 ............23,000........................2 ........... 0.460 ...........0.460 ...........0.460........... 0.460 .............0.460 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.460..............0.420...................0.460 .................152,201,447........0.100 OM0000002028 ...........GULF INTERNATIONAL CHEMICALS ............ 122,200 ............32,318......................13 ........... 0.264 ...........0.267 ...........0.264 .......... 0.264 .............0.264 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.267..............0.265...................0.267....................5,544,000 ..........0.100 OM0000002200 ...........AHLI BANK .................................................................... 651,226 ......... 125,687..................... 10 ............0.193 ........... 0.193 ...........0.193 ............0.193 ............. 0.193............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.193 ............. 0.000...................0.193..................275,031,976 ........0.100 OM0000002374............UNITED FINANCE ..................................................... 271,755 ............ 33,426........................8 ............0.123 ........... 0.123 ...........0.123 ............0.123 ............. 0.123............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.123 ..............0.120...................0.123...................38,224,088.........0.100 OM0000002796 ...........BANK MUSCAT ............................................................ 477,051 ......... 224,224..................... 38 ........... 0.470 ........... 0.472 ...........0.468........... 0.470 .............0.470 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.470..............0.468...................0.470.................1,077,156,621.......0.100 OM0000003521 ............GALFAR ENGINEERING AND CON. .......................8,161 .................. 563........................5 ........... 0.069 ...........0.069 ...........0.069........... 0.069 .............0.069 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.069..............0.069...................0.070...................20,008,664.........0.100 OM0000003661 ............VOLTAMP ENERGY ........................................................... 110 .....................48........................1 ........... 0.432 ...........0.432 ...........0.432........... 0.436 .............0.436 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.432..............0.432...................0.436...................26,378,000.........0.100 OM0000004925 ...........AL BATINAH POWER.................................................... 9,230 ................1,763........................4 ............0.191 ........... 0.191............0.191 ............0.191 ............. 0.191 ............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.191 .............. 0.191...................0.201..................128,903,499........0.100 OM0000004933 ...........AL SUWADI POWER ...................................................... 9,120 ............... 1,742........................3 ............0.191 ........... 0.191............0.191 ............0.191 ............. 0.191 ............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.191 .............. 0.191...................0.201.................. 136,451,611 ........0.100 OM0000001533 ............OMINVEST .........................................................................7,785 ...............3,425........................3 ........... 0.440...........0.440 ...........0.440 .......... 0.440 .............0.442 ...........-0.002 ........... -0.452 ...............0.440..............0.430...................0.450..................243,259,122........0.100 OM0000001772 ............AL ANWAR HOLDING............................................... 318,645.............54,154..................... 27 ............0.170 ........... 0.170 ...........0.169 ........... 0.170 ............. 0.171 ............-0.001 ........... -0.585 ...............0.169 ..............0.169...................0.170................... 25,512,750 .........0.100 OM0000003224 ...........RENAISSANCE SERVICES ..................................... 137,605 ............22,430........................5 ............0.163 ........... 0.163 ...........0.163 ............0.163 .............0.164............-0.001 ........... -0.610 ...............0.163 .............. 0.163...................0.164................... 47,376,116 .........0.100 OM0000001483............NATIONAL BANK OF OMAN ................................. 333,531............ 88,386.....................24 ........... 0.265 ...........0.265 ...........0.265........... 0.265 .............0.267 ...........-0.002 ........... -0.749 ...............0.265............. 0.260...................0.265..................355,288,216........0.100 OM0000001517 ............HSBC BANK OMAN .................................................... 200,715............ 20,072........................6 ........... 0.100 ........... 0.100 ...........0.100........... 0.100 ............. 0.101............-0.001 ........... -0.990 ...............0.100..............0.100...................0.101 ..................200,031,279........0.100 OM0000004768 ...........AL MADINA TAKAFUL..................................................9,150 .................. 732........................3 ........... 0.080 ...........0.080 ...........0.080........... 0.080 ............. 0.081............-0.001 ............-1.235................0.080..............0.078...................0.080 ..................14,000,000.........0.100 OM0000003398 ...........BANK SOHAR................................................................ 272,175.............41,886......................21 ............0.153 ........... 0.154 ...........0.153 ........... 0.154 ............. 0.156............-0.002 ........... -1.282 ...............0.153 .............. 0.153...................0.154..................221,981,760 ........0.100 OM0000001525 ............OMAN INVESTMENT AND FINANCE.............. 105,918 .............21,265......................13 ............0.201 ...........0.203 ...........0.200 .......... 0.201 .............0.204 ...........-0.003 ............-1.471 ................0.203..............0.201...................0.203 ................. 40,200,000 ........0.100 OM0000003968 ...........OOREDOO.........................................................................46,901 ............ 33,206........................6 ............0.708 ........... 0.708 ...........0.708........... 0.708 .............0.720 ...........-0.012 ............-1.667................0.708..............0.708...................0.720..................460,868,515........0.100 OM0000002549 ...........BANK DHOFAR ............................................................ 247,390 ............51,952........................2 ............0.210 ........... 0.210 ...........0.210........... 0.210 .............0.214 ...........-0.004 ........... -1.869................0.210..............0.210...................0.230 ................ 324,392,995 .......0.100 OM0000002820 ...........GULF INVESTMENT SERVICES .......................... 20,000 ...............1,860........................1 ........... 0.093 ...........0.093 ...........0.093........... 0.093 .............0.095 ...........-0.002 ........... -2.105 ...............0.093..............0.092...................0.094 ................... 5,472,419 ..........0.100 OM0000001087............OMAN UNITED INSURANCE ............................... 731,000 ..........157,520..................... 28 ............0.215 ........... 0.216 ...........0.210............0.215 .............0.220 ...........-0.005 ........... -2.273 ...............0.216 .............. 0.215...................0.220 ..................21,500,000.........0.100 OM0000003141 ............ACWA POWER BARKA ............................................... 46,757 ............ 30,860........................8 ........... 0.660 ...........0.660 ...........0.660........... 0.660 .............0.732............-0.072 ........... -9.836 ...............0.660............. 0.000...................0.728..................105,600,000 .......0.100 .............................................SUM: .................................................................................. 5,437,247 ...1,430,624...................320 ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. ........................................................................................................................................... TRADED SEC. ......27........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

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

OM0000001368 ............CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS IND. ....................36,000 ................1,116........................4 ............0.031 ........... 0.031 ...........0.031 ............0.031 ............. 0.031............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.031 .............. 0.031...................0.032 ...................2,635,000 ..........0.100 OM0000001566 ............OMAN FISHERIES .............................................................150 ....................... 8........................1 ........... 0.052 ...........0.052 ...........0.052........... 0.052 .............0.052 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.052.............. 0.051...................0.052....................6,500,000 ..........0.100 OM0000004776 ...........TAKAFUL OMAN INSURANCE ................................5,000 ..................500........................2 ........... 0.100 ........... 0.100 ...........0.100........... 0.100 .............0.100 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.100..............0.100...................0.105...................10,000,000.........0.100 OM0000005963 ...........PHOENIX POWER ...................................................... 158,318 ............ 22,752......................14 ............0.143 ........... 0.144 ...........0.143 ........... 0.144 .............0.144 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.144..............0.143...................0.145..................210,614,610 ........0.100 OM0000002580 ...........OMAN EDU. & TRIN. INV. HOLDING....................30,943 ...............4,965........................3 ............0.160 ........... 0.161............0.160........... 0.160 ............. 0.161 ............-0.001 ........... -0.621................0.160..............0.160...................0.165...................11,200,000 .........0.100 OM0000004420 ...........BANK NIZWA ................................................................ 4,304,295 .....306,878..................... 52 ........... 0.072 ...........0.072 ...........0.071 ............0.071 .............0.072 ...........-0.001 ........... -1.389................0.072.............. 0.071...................0.072................. 106,500,000 .......0.100 .............................................SUM: .................................................................................. 4,534,706...... 336,218..................... 76 ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. ........................................................................................................................................... TRADED SEC. ........ 6........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

BONDS AND SUKUK MARKET ......................................................................................................................................................................

OM0000004602 ...........BANK MUSCAT CONV. BONDS 4.5 ............................. 624 .....................69........................2 ............0.111 ............0.111 ............ 0.111 ............0.110 ............. 0.110............ 0.000.............0.000 ................ 0.111 ...............0.111...................0.200 ..................33,302,402.........0.100 OM0000004867 ...........BANK MUSCAT C C B 4.5 .................................................521 .....................52........................1 ........... 0.100 ........... 0.100 ...........0.100........... 0.100 .............0.100 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.100..............0.100...................0.000 ..................31,964,268 .........0.100 OM0000005971 ............B.MUSCAT COMPL. CONVR. B.B.3.5 ...........................530 .....................50........................1 ........... 0.095 ........... 0.095 ...........0.095........... 0.095 .............0.095 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.095..............0.095...................0.099...................30,795,353 .........0.100 OM0000004628 ...........BANK SOHAR BONDS 4.5 ........................................ 112,123 ............. 11,212........................2 ........... 0.100 ........... 0.100 ...........0.100........... 0.100 ............. 0.101............-0.001 ........... -0.990 ...............0.100..............0.100...................0.110 .................... 7,150,000 ..........0.100 .............................................SUM: .................................................................................. 113,798 .............11,384........................6 ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. ........................................................................................................................................... TRADED SEC. ........4........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

INDIAN STOCKS

ISLAMIC BOND

Global sukuk issues expected lower at $55b this year: S&P er the Islamic route, because it is less complex. However, the market could benefit from the European Central Bank’s programme of quantitative easing (QE) in a yield-hunting environment.

Times News Service MUSCAT: Excluding its biggest issuer, the global market for sukuk will remain at below-peak levels in 2016, Standard & Poor’s (S&P) said in a report.

The rating agency expects issuance to reach $50 to $55 billion in 2016, compared to $63.5 billion in 2015 and $116.4 billion in 2014, the report entitled ‘The global sukuk market: the correction is here to stay,’ said.

The correction started last year, mainly because the central bank of Malaysia (Bank Negara Malaysia; BNM) — the largest issuers of sukuk worldwide — stopped issuing. Excluding the BNM effect, sukuk issuance dropped by around 5 per cent in 2015 from 2014.

“In our view, three main factors will shape the performance of the sukuk market in 2016: monetary policy developments in the United States and Europe, the drop in

SLACK BUSINESS: The correction started last year, mainly because Bank Negara Malaysia — the largest issuers of sukuk worldwide — stopped issuing. – Bloomberg News

oil prices, and the possible lifting of sanctions on Iran,” said Standard &Poor’s global head of Islamic finance, Mohamed Damak.

The first two factors are likely to drain liquidity from global and local markets. Standard & Poor’s thinks that if oil prices remain weak, some governments of oil-exporting countries in the

INDIAN CURRENCY

Rupee falls to three-week low MUMBAI: India’s rupee dropped to a three-week low as demand for riskier assets ebbed after China weakened the yuan’s fixing to the lowest since 2011 and North Korea said it tested a hydrogen bomb.

The rupee declined 0.4 per cent to 66.83 a dollar in Mumbai. It fell to 66.8350 earlier, the weakest level since December 16. A gauge of dollar strength advanced for an eighth day, set for its longest run of gains since September 2014.

The yuan sank to a five-year low as the People’s Bank of China

lowered its reference rate for a seventh day, spurring speculation policy makers are becoming more tolerant of depreciation as intervention costs rise and economic growth slows. While allowing weakness may help the Chinese economy, it risks spooking global markets, according to Japan’s Resona Bank.

“The yuan is pulling all other Asian currencies lower,” said Paresh Nayar, head of currency and money markets at the local unit of South African lender FirstRand. - Bloomberg News

Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and Malaysia may have no other choice than to reduce investment spending, resulting in lower financing needs and potentially lower issuances (conventional and Islamic).

In addition, it thinks that several issuing countries might decide to go the conventional route, rath-

Sanctions against Iran Also, if sanctions against Iran are lifted, and the country starts spending more on infrastructure projects, see some new growth opportunities could be seen for the sukuk market.

Over the next few years, Standard & Poor’s believes the market will benefit from the greater involvement of traditional stakeholders — such as the Islamic Development Bank Group, the Islamic Financial Services Board, the Accounting and Auditing Organisation for Islamic Financial Institutions, and the International Islamic Financial Market — as well as new ones like the International Monetary Fund.

Sensex sheds 174 points MUMBAI: Global cues continued to batter Indian equities as the benchmark BSE Sensex slipped for a third day by 174 points to hit a three-week low of 25,406.33, bogged down by China continuing to devalue its currency and news of a nuclear test in North Korea.

Resuming higher at 25,628.23, the Sensex touched the day’s high of 25,632.57 on the back of spurt in RIL and a few other blue-chip

stocks. However, the index later slipped into the negative zone and touched a low of 25,357.70 before ending at 25,406.33, a fall of 174.01 points or 0.68 per cent. This is the lowest closing since December 15, when it had closed at 25,320.44.

The NSE Nifty also remained under pressure and dropped 43.65 points or 0.56 per cent to close the day at 7,741.00. From the Sensex kitty, ITC was the worst-hit. - PTI

B4

TIMES O F O MAN

THURSDAY, JANUARY 7, 2016

DYNAMIC STRATEGY TO FACE CHALLENGES, SUSTAIN BANKING EXCELLENCE

AbdulRazak Ali Issa

Ahmed Al Abri

Waleed Al Hashar

Sulaiman Al Harthy

K. Gopakumar

Abdullah Al Hinai

Sheikha Al Farsi

Abdul Kader Darwish Al Balushi

Salim Al Kaabi

Said Ahmed Al Badai

Said Salim Al Aufi

Shamsa Al Seefi

Abdul Nasir Al Raisi

Abdullah Tamman Al Mashani

Tariq Atiq Khan

Yaseen Hassan Abdul Latif

Ilham Murtadha Al Hamaid

Ali Said Ali

Ahmed Faqir Al Balushi

Abdul Wahid Al Murshidi

Ahmed Musallam Al Barami

Aliya Al Balushi

Fatima Al Maskiry

Osamah Al Abdullatif

Talal Al Zadjali

• Realignment to achieve strategic objectives • Focus on customer-centricity • Reinforce control environment • Career advancement for competent Omani youth • Representation from the regions

U

shering in a new era characterised by a dynamic strategy reflecting the readiness to face future challenges, the new organisational structure unveiled by Bank Muscat, the flagship financial institution in the Sultanate, sum up the bank’s confidence and determination to stretch the boundaries in banking excellence. In step with the strategy for the coming period, the bank’s new Man-

agement Team maintains a fine balance between experience and youth.

Against the backdrop of challenging economic situation, the new organisational structure has been developed to realign the bank to achieve its strategic objectives, focus on customer-centricity, reinforce the control environment, and provide more career development opportunities for capable Omanis.

The new Executive Management of

the bank comprises AbdulRazak Ali Issa, Chief Executive; Ahmed Al Abri, Chief Operating Officer; Waleed Al Hashar, Deputy Chief Executive Officer; Sulaiman Al Harthy, Deputy Chief Executive Officer – Islamic Banking; and K Gopakumar, Deputy Chief Operating Officer.

The new structure assigns higher emphasis to customer centricity, whereby the bank’s functions are aligned based on the main customer segments being served. Additionally, the structure incorporates representation of branches by two representatives in the Management Team to ensure that opinions of customers and employees from different parts of the country are reflected at highest management levels. On the other hand, the structure aims to provide more career development opportunities for talented Omanis and maintain gender diversity.

AbdulRazak, said: “The dawn of 2016 marks a momentous occasion as Bank

Ahmed Omar Al Ojaily

Saleh Al Maini

Muscat completes 33 years of successful growth on the solid foundation of its talented people. The last comprehensive review of the bank’s organisational structure was done four years ago in 2011 and became effective on January 1, 2012. The current Management Team has led the bank through a successful period recording progress in all performance indicators.

Meanwhile, we have also witnessed significant changes in the operating and regulatory environment as well as the size, scale and complexity of the bank’s business, whereby it became imperative that we review our current organisational structure and realign it with the current and medium term requirements of the bank.”

Bank Muscat has the distinction of outstanding leadership at all levels and has achieved 94 per cent Omanisation, giving priority for Omanis to occupy important positions. The bank’s human resources strategy is notable in maintaining gender

Amjad Al Lawati

Taya Bait Sabeea

diversity as 48 per cent of employees are women holding various positions, including senior management positions.

AbdulRazak said: “The rationale behind the new Management Team is in line with the vision of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos for a qualitative shift in national workforce, thereby providing more career growth opportunities for talented youth.

“During the recent years, the operating and business environment has significantly changed and increased in size, scale and complexity of business. The increased competition and the consolidation of Islamic banking also weighed in the bank’s review of the Organisational Structure.”

The bank’s ‘Let’s Do More’ vision reiterates a leadership which continuously challenges everything, from listening to improving and looking for positive change as the bank believes that only through questioning convention can it truly deliver sustainable value.

T I M E S OF OMAN

THURSDAY, JANUARY 7, 2016

B5

New Organisational Structure L E A D E R S H I P TA L E N T

Fine balance between experience, youth A

ligning the medium and longterm strategic plans, the new organisational structure of Bank Muscat reflects the continued strength of executive talent within the bank, providing opportunities for experienced and capable Omani employees to assume key leadership positions.

Commenting on the new organisational structure, Ahmed Al Abri, Chief Operating Officer, said: “Bank Muscat is renowned for its legacy to provide career growth opportunities for competent employees and the new structure is set to energise the bank in its quest for greater achievements. The leadership talent gives breadth to the overall business growth of the bank and exemplify best practices in business solutions and commitment to self-development.

Reflecting the leadership quality, the bank’s new organisational structure maintains a fine balance between experience and youth to sustain growth.”

Assuming the role of Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Waleed Al Hashar, has a vast responsibility in charting the bank’s strategic growth covering Wholesale Banking, Finance, Strategy and Organisational Development, and Enterprise Services. His responsibilities encompass delivering and executing strategies for all businesses.

Waleed Al Hashar said: “The new organisational structure is a strategic step by the Board of Directors who have recognised and rewarded competent employees who steered the bank to where it is today.

“The dynamics of promoting young and energetic men and women into the new Management Team fits with the bank’s strategy for the coming period.

“Focused on customer-centricity, the new structure reiterates the bank’s focus to sustain the leadership position, understanding the trends that will shape the business in the future and moving swiftly to prepare for what is to come. Bank Muscat strongly believes that its wealth in human resources is the key to its growth and success in serving the nation and the people as the bank of first choice.”

Commenting on the new responsibility, Sulaiman Al Harthy, Deputy Chief Executive Officer – Islamic Banking, said: “I am honoured to be given the responsibility to head one of the most complex, vital and strategic divisions of the bank.

“Bank Muscat enjoys the legacy of a stable leadership and competent Management Team committed to initiating changes that lead to future success. The new organisational structure is a step in this direction as Meethaq Islamic Banking will focus on consolidating its leadership position, thereby complementing the financial sector in Oman.”

Gopakumar, Deputy Chief Operating Officer, will be responsible for leading the Retail Banking and International Operations. K Gopakumar said: “The new organisational structure reflects a strategy to facilitate business growth and

The new structure reflects the expectations, goals, roles and responsibilities of the management team to achieve the bank’s growth objectives. The most important aspect of the new structure is the strong stand taken by Bank Muscat, placing its full trust in young Omani talent within the organisation

expansion. Adding fresh blood to the Management Team as well as realigning the business strategy to address the challenges will help the bank to reap the fruits of new opportunities.”

Abdullah Al Hinai, who has assumed the role of General Manager, Wholesale Banking, will be responsible for Corporate Banking, Transaction and Public Sector Banking, Investment Banking, Asset Management, Financial Institutions and Treasury businesses.

Abdullah Al Hinai said: “Bank Muscat pursues a progressive strategy to develop Omani talent to take bigger roles in the organisation. I am honoured to be entrusted with important responsibilities and thankful to the bank for my professional achievements. The new organisational structure is a step in the right direction in developing and empowering employees for further growth and success of the bank.”

Sheikha Al Farsi, General Manager – Strategy and Organisational Development, will be responsible for Strategy, Human Resources, Corporate Communications & Sustainability, and Customer Experience. Sheikha Al Farsi said: “The bank’s key strength is its competent people. The Board of Directors and the Management are focused on empowering employees to make vital contributions to ensure the bank’s growth and success.

“The bank is renowned for developing competent Omanis and equipping them to take up important responsibilities. I am thankful to the bank for providing key support for my career advancement.”

Abdul Kader Darwish Al Balushi, General Manager – Credit Policy and Planning, said: “I am thankful to the Board of Directors and the Management for reposing their confidence and entrusting me with the new responsibilities.

The bank’s new organisational

structure reflects the ambitious roadmap and strategy for the coming period. In pursuit of the ‘Let’s Do More’, vision, we remain committed to achieving the bank’s growth objectives.”

Salim Al Kaabi, General Manager – Credit, said: “The bank is focused on grooming competent Omanis to take up leadership roles.

The new organisational structure emphasises the bank’s commitment to equip Omani employees to excel in all respects. Bank Muscat has the right people, infrastructure, channels and other competitive advantages to continue being the strongest player in the market.”

The new structure reflects the expectations, goals, roles and responsibilities of the management team to achieve the bank’s growth objectives. The most important aspect of the new structure is the strong stand taken by Bank Muscat, placing its full trust in young Omani talent within the organisation.

Grooming a pool of competent young Omanis to take up management roles, the bank is well prepared to face any future challenges.

Members of the management also include: Inkawan Dharma Jusi, General Manager – Personal Banking; Leen Kumar, Chief Risk Officer; Marco Walters, General Manager – Enterprise Services; Thomas Gerard Totton, Chief Internal Auditor; T. Ganesh, Chief Financial Officer; Naresh Chandwani, Group Deputy General Manager – Service Excellence Centre; Rajshekar Singh, Group Deputy

General Manager – Corporate Banking; Said Ahmed Al Badai, Group Deputy General Manager, Mass Banking; Said Salim Al Aufi, Group Deputy General Manager – Projects & Infrastructure; Shamsa Al Seefi, Group Deputy General Manager – Technology; Yousif Abbaker, Chief Legal Advisor & Secretary to the Board of Directors; Abdul Nasir Al Raisi, Deputy General Manager – Premier Banking; Abdullah Tamman Al Mashani, Deputy General Manager – Institutional sales & Products Development; Abdul Wahid Mohammed Al Murshidi, Deputy General Manager – CEO Muscat Capital; Ahmed Faqir Al Balushi – Deputy General Manager; Ahmed Musallam Al Barami, Deputy General Manager – Chairman’s Office; Ali Said Ali, Deputy General Manager – Capital Markets Back Office; Damian John O’Riordan, Deputy General Manager – Compliance; Ilham Murtadha Al Hamaid, Deputy General Manager – Large Corporates; Mallikarjuna Korisepati, Deputy General Manager – Treasury & Capital Markets; Manas Das, Deputy General Manager – International Operations; Nilesh Gavankar, Deputy General Manager – Investment Banking; Tariq Atiq Khan, Deputy General Manager – Transaction and Public Sector Banking; Yaseen Hassan Abdul Latif, Deputy General Manager – Support Services; Ahmed Omar Al Ojaily, Senior AGM – Business Solutions and Applications and Muhammad Nadeem – AGM – Islamic Banking.

O M A N I TA L E N T S

Seven young Omanis inducted to leadership roles

B

ank Muscat enjoys the legacy of moulding the finest Omani talents and has adopted innovative strategies to equip Omani employees to take up leadership positions in tandem with future challenges. The bank has been able to derive maximum mileage in this regard as majority of its management cadres are drawn from within the bank.

In line with the vision of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said to accord priority for human resources development and empowerment of women, Bank Muscat has spearheaded the Omanisation initiatives in the country. The new organisational structure reaffirms the commitment to maintain this momentum by assigning higher responsibilities to seven young Omani men and women, and providing them with opportunities to further sharpen their leadership capabilities.

Quantum leap for gender diversity Reiterating the bank’s commitment to gender diversity, the new Management Team has welcomed two more women members at the level of Assistant General Manager. Bank Muscat understands that the development of Oman significantly hinges on the role played by women and as the nation’s premier financial institution, the bank seeks to provide

all the required support for women to realise their full potential.

Aliya Al Balushi, AGM – Internal Audit, said: “In light of the challenging situation, the coming phase is an important stage in the growth and development of the bank, which has taken a well calculated strategy to induct competent youth who will contribute to the growth and progress of the bank. The new organisational structure reflects the confidence of the Board of Directors and the Management in competent Omani youth to assume leadership positions in the bank. I am honoured to be entrusted with this very important responsibility.

The new structure marks a quantum leap in gender diversity and we look forward to making a mark in the success of the bank.”

Committed to strengthen SME sector Reflecting the bank’s commitment to strengthening the SME sector, the new Management Team includes an Assistant General Manager to manage the operations of SME Credit and Marketing department.

Commenting on the new position, Fatima Al Maskiry, AGM – SME Credit and Marketing, said: “I am proud to be recognised as part of the new Management Team. Bank Muscat is renowned

for equipping employees, especially competent young Omanis, for leadership roles.

“The management pursues a prudent strategy to ensure that competent, young Omanis receive proper learning and development opportunities to assume leadership positions in the organisation. The new structure has fresh blood and diverse talents, who can with the support of the Board of Directors and the Management, chart further growth and success for the bank.”

Bank Muscat attaches great importance to the small and medium enterprises (SME) sector and is committed to providing them the required support, thereby facilitating an entrepreneurial environment in Oman, especially for youth to complement the country’s economic development.

New structure reflects readiness for next stage Osamah Al Abdullatif, Assistant General Manager, said: “I am honoured to be chosen for this important responsibility. I thank the Board of Directors and the Management for the confidence placed in competent Omani youth to assume leadership positions and participate effectively in the growth and success of the bank.

The new structure reiterates the bank’s readiness for the next stage

to face the challenges in the banking sector. Further, it is evidence of the appreciation for the hard work of employees to contribute to the bank’s progress in all areas.”

Strategy to consolidate digital channels In line with the country moving towards a digital society, Bank Muscat has taken the lead to consolidate its digital and alternate channel operations with the appointment of a new Assistant General Manager.

In tune with the banking requirements of a young, tech-savvy generation, Bank Muscat enjoys an edge in hi-tech products and services, including electronic payment and web-based services.

Commenting on the new responsibility, Amjad Al Lawati, AGM – Cards and E Banking, said: “Bank Muscat is at the forefront in equipping competent Omani youth to take up leadership roles and I am thankful to the Board of Directors and the Management for entrusting me with this responsibility. I am aware that this new role would be challenging given the operating environment.

“However, I am confident that with a professional team, the bank will further build on its past successes. The bank’s ‘Let’s Do More’ vision is a clear roadmap to maintain the leadership position with a

mix of technology-based services, making banking easier and convenient for customers. The bank envisions a clear strategy to stay ahead of competition through dependable and innovative digital and alternate channel services for customers.”

Big boost for branch operations In step with the dynamic ‘Let’s Do More’ vision, the focus of Bank Muscat is clear – create a sustainable financial platform for society and business and thereby contribute to the Sultanate’s economic growth. The bank’s biggest footprint and presence across the Sultanate with 137 branches and world class products and services are helping to make the vital differentiation in banking excellence.

Giving a boost for branch operations, the new organisational structure has given representation for branches by inducting two representatives in the Management Team. Saleh Al Maini, AGM – Interior Regions, and Taya Bait Sabeea, AGM – Capital Regions, will be responsible for ensuring that opinions of customers and employees from different parts of the country are reflected at highest management levels.

Saleh Al Maini said: “I am thankful to the Board of Directors and the Management for entrusting

me with this responsibility which affirms the bank’s commitment to remain focused on its customercentric strategy.”

Taya Bait Sabeea said: “The new organisational structure reflects the bank’s thrust on customer service to provide world class banking at the doorstep of customers.

I thank the bank for facilitating unique learning and development opportunities for competent employees to assume leadership positions in the organisation” Operations to improve banking efficiency The appointment of Talal Al Zadjali as AGM – Operations, reiterates the bank’s commitment to provide world class banking services through the latest technology and innovation. The Operations department is focused on further improving the banking service efficiency offered to the largest banking family in Oman, including retail, corporate and government customers.

Commenting on the new responsibility, Talal Al Zadjali said: “The new organisational structure reflect the bank’s ambitious roadmap and strategy for the coming period.

In pursuit of the new growth strategy, we remain committed to achieving the medium and long-term objectives of the bank.”

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 7, 2016

ROUND-UP Redefined 2016 Nissan Altima comes with advanced features If you’ve never driven an Altima before, get ready to have your notion of a mid-size sedan redefined

MUSCAT: The Nissan Altima, which breaks new ground for the mid-size sedan segment is handsdown the most engaging vehicle in its class. And if you’ve never driven an Altima before, get ready to have your notion of a mid-size sedan redefined, says a press release.

Exclusive features include: Remote engine starter in Mid and Top Grades: Nissan vehicles are known to offer smoother ride comfort, more refinement and benchmark fit and finish, while delivering breathtaking performance and road-holding. Their ‘multidimensional performance’ means the driver can enjoy the full depth of a Nissan’s capabilities whether navigating the corners of a winding mountain road, cruising on a motorway or even travelling in an urban environment.

The Altima comes with the Nissan Intelligent Key that allows the owners to drive in comfort and style regardless of the rising temperatures of the Sultanate.

The Nissan Intelligent Key allows drivers with a tap of a button on the door handle or trunk to unlock them, while the keys stay inside a pocket or purse. Drivers can start a car from up to 60 metres away with the Remote Engine Start System.

This convenient solution lets drivers cool down the vehicle before it’s time to get in, provided they set the climate control functions when they step out.

With vehicles facing the brunt of the heat in this part of the world; drivers are faced with extreme driving conditions. By using the remote engine starter, drivers can get the car engine running and activate the cooling before they step inside. That gives them the opportunity to stay indoors in the cool until the car is ready to drive. This can be particularly handy if drivers have young children and babies, or anyone else that is very sensitive to extreme temperatures.

Standard Tyre Pressure Monitoring System: smart technologies are designed to help monitor conditions like a warning to let the driver know about straying lane, or a system that helps ensure they are travelling on properly inflated tyres.

Standard Tyre Pressure Monitoring System with Easy-Fill Tyre Alert lets drivers know when a tire is low and the Easy-Fill Tyre Alert takes the guess work out of filling tyres with a beep of the horn when they have reached the correct pressure.

The Altima 2.5 SL Grade comes with NissanConnect This uses hands-free technology, smartphone, and Nissan’s display screen to help customers stay in touch with the outside world from inside their vehicle. It is loaded with features and compatibility with a growing list of apps that lets you play your music, keep tabs on your social network, and navigate any city like a local.

Other features include sunroof, blind spot warning, moving object detection, lane departure warning, paddle shifter, 8-way power driver seat and 2 way lumbar support, LED Type tail lamp, xenon projec-

tor headlamps, leather seats and premium trim console and door.

Reverse Sensor (flush type): a seamless sensor designed at the rear bumper of the vehicle makes the Altima look sleek.

Nissan Altima’s Safety Shield technologies: In addition to its many other functions, the Advanced Drive-Assist Display can be linked to three new available safety features – Blind Spot Warning (BSW), Lane Departure Warning (LDW) and Moving Object Detection (MOD) – typically offered only on more upscale vehicle and first time in the segment. Thanks to the use of the systems’ advanced next-generation rear view camera, the BSW, LDW and MOD are integrated and intuitive.

The Altima offers superior quietness through efforts to reduce cabin noise coming from the powertrain (new engine and exhaust mount designs), climate system

(increased HVAC mounting rigidity) and the body (increased body rigidity) versus the previous Altima design. New noise absorption materials with a 30 per cent increase in absorption capability (versus previous Altima) are also used throughout the cabin, including areas such as the roof trim, instrument panel and floor mats.

Best-in-class seat comfort In the desire to help reduce the fatigue experienced during long commutes or extended road trips, Nissan turned to seating and posture from zero-gravity research.

According to this research, the least fatiguing seats are those that come closest to a ‘neutral posture’ – a relaxed position that the human body takes in a weightless environment.

Altima seats help reduce muscular and spinal loads, and improve blood flow – thereby helping reduce fatigue over long periods

behind the wheel. Seat surface perforations provide increased ventilation, breathability and comfort.

Along with premium seat comfort, the all-new Altima offers superior quietness through efforts to reduce cabin noise coming from the powertrain (new engine and exhaust mount designs), climate system (increased HVAC mounting rigidity) and the body (increased body rigidity) versus the previous Altima design. New noise absorption materials with a 30 per cent increase in absorption capability (versus previous Altima) are also used throughout the cabin, including areas such as the roof trim, instrument panel and floor mats.

Altima’s Remote Engine Start gives the driver the power to start the car engine and switch on the AC from as far as 60 metres.

With it vehicle owners can also lock or unlock doors, and open the trunk. Coupled with plush interiors and revolutionary technologies like Push Button Ignition, Dual Zone Automatic Temperature Control and more, the Nissan Altima is designed to give passengers a comfortable driving experience that’s simple out of the world.

Attractive multimedia The Altima Audio system includes an AM/FM/CD design with RDS, MP3, and six speakers. A BOSE Premium Audio System is available with nine speakers (including woofers), designed in collaboration with BOSE engineers to deliver a richer sound and acoustics experience.

Three connectivity levels are offered to passengers including USB for iPod and compatible devices, aux-input and a Bluetooth Streaming Audio and hands-free phone connectivity.

The Navigation system is similarly packed with a rich range of features and is incredibly easy to use with its 7.0-inch touch-screen, 3D-effect map views, and turn-byturn navigation integrated into the Advanced Drive-Assist Display.

The new Advanced Drive-Assist Display comes standard on every model and is customisable, easyto-use and integrates key information right in front of the driver.

Driving performance Building on Altima’s reputation for superior dynamic performance, the Altima offers a redefined multilink rear suspension benchmarked to leading European sports sedans.

Responsive steering is provided by a new Electronic Hydraulic Power-Assisted Steering (EHPS) system that preserves the feel of hydraulic steering rack while offering the efficiencies of an electric power steering set-up.

Nissan Altima’s 4-wheel powerassisted disc brake system was also re-engineered utilising human ergonomic studies to optimise pedal travel and force, providing a premium blend of immediate response, confident braking and reduced fatigue. Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) and Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD) are standard.

A refined vehicle in its own right, the Nissan Altima aims to attract a wider audience with its contemporary good looks, eye-catching exterior colour range, spacious and fashionable interior, in addition to a powerful high performance engine and a range of other options to make city driving easier.

SBA is largely committed to supporting Nissan’s growth in the Sultanate through major emphasis on customer satisfaction and by providing world-class after-sales services in Oman.

E N D O R S I N G O M A N I L I T E R AT U R E

Zubair’s ‘Iqra’ initiative opens libraries in Ibra Hospital MUSCAT: Encouraged by the positive response to the ‘Iqra’ initiative which aims at establishing libraries, The Zubair Corporation in association with Ibra Hospital management, opened three public libraries on the hospital premises.

The location for the three libraries inside the premises was decided based on the suggestion made by the Ibra Hospital management, says a press release.

Ibrahim Al Salmi, Social Communication manager at The Zubair Corporation said, “The ‘Iqra’ initiative is part of the company’s CSR programme that is aligned with its strategy and keenness to engage with the community. ‘Iqra’ which is a project of Zubair Corporation’s Social Advisory Committee has received encouraging response. The libraries, launched as part of this programme in Royal Hospital, Nizwa Hospital and Rustaq Hospital, are running successfully. Patients, visitors and bystanders now use the waiting time in these hospitals by reading.”

Al Salmi added that the main aim of the ‘Iqra’ has been to promote a reading culture and endorse Omani literature.

“This is a community-based programme that gives importance to the needs of the society. We will open libraries in more hospitals and public buildings. We are happy that ‘Iqra’ initiative is helping to inculcate the culture of reading as well as encourage Omani writers.

Promoting books and writings by Omanis is a main objective and that is why we stock libraries with books written by them. We are

The establishing of libraries in hospitals where people have access to good books is a major move that will lead people to become avid readers. Reading can stimulate people to be creative and innovative happy that the Omani community is introducing themselves to the books authored by local writers.

We are confident that this worthy effort will go a long way in inspiring a culture of reading and widening the quest for knowledge,” Al Salmi said.

Thanking The Zubair Corporation, Abdullah Al Menji, GM of Ibra Hospital said, “The ‘Iqra’ initiative is committed to fostering the growth of development of knowledge. The establishing of libraries in hospitals where people have access to good books is a major move that will lead people to become avid readers.

“Reading can stimulate people

to be creative and innovative.”

Al Menji also added, “Above all in a hospital setting to be occupied with books is a welcome distraction for patients and bystanders.”

Faisal Al Alawi, member of Social Advisory Committee in The Zubair Corporation said, “Reading is a very important culture to develop for a young nation. As part of the team we are keen on establishing libraries across different governorates in the Sultanate in locations frequented by people.”

Al Alawi also added, “Role of libraries is very important as they are key institutions as information centers and lifelong educational agencies. I believe accelerating

reading habits, especially among young generation, through libraries is important in the process of nation building.”

Hoping that the initiative will contribute to creating a positive atmosphere in the hospital and an increased interest in reading, Nasir Al Malki from Ibra Hospital said, “This is great news for the people who visit this hospital.

“The initiative aims to boost the concept of reading among the public and we want to congratulate the Zubair Corporation for the idea.

We are happy that the library has come to our hospital.”

This initiative comes as part of The Zubair Corporation’s strat-

egy and vision to support the Omani society with sustainable programmes.

The ‘Iqra’ initiative was officially launched at the Bait Al Zubair in early 2015in the presence of Khalid bin Mohammed Al Zubair, Managing Director of the Zubair Corporation. Omani writers, prominent personalities belonging to the local literary scene, in addition and cultural institutions attended the opening.

The ‘Iqra’ initiative is the brainchild of the Social Advisory Committee formed by the Zubair Corporation. The committee consists of eminent personalities from the Omani society who choosesocial

Abdullah Al Menji GM of Ibra Hospital

responsibility projects to be undertaken by them.

So far under the ‘Iqra’ initiative, three libraries were opened in Nizwa Hospital to coincide with the declaration of Nizwa as the Capital of Islamic Culture in 2015. Four libraries were opened in Royal Hospital in Muscat. Three libraries were opened in Rustaq Hospital.

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ROUND-UP

Ooredoo upgrades its Shahry Business Packs

LUXURY MOTORING

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars announces future engineering developments

Tailor-made for Oman’s business

We understand that customers need more and more data, so we are providing them with what they need, at no extra cost, to make sure that their businesses remains competitive and that business owners are able to plan with confidence for the year ahead

community, the bundles now offer more data to allow customers to stay connected longer for exactly the same price

Said Al Shanfari Director of Business Marketing at Ooredoo MUSCAT: To mark an exciting new year, Ooredoo has launched its upgraded Shahry Business Packs to deliver more value than ever before.

Tailor made for Oman’s business community; the bundles now offer more data to allow customers to stay connected longer for exactly the same price. What’s more, Ooredoo is still offering business customers a chance to get up to four months’ free subscription if they sign-up before the end of January. The increased data quotas will also be provided for all existing customers on all Shahry Business Packs by default, so thousands of business customers will get this benefit starting this month, says a press release.

The upgraded packs include more data on all plans, and for cus-

tomers who opt for the flagship Shahry Business Pack 30, there will now be 4 GB of data, 1,000 minutes of calling to any network in Oman, 2,000 SMS and 2,000 CompanyNet minutes as well as 1GB of GCC roaming data through Musafir and 30 roaming minutes within the GCC every month. This means that any customer signing up for Shahry Business Pack 30 during the month of January will get an amazing 400 per cent of the value of their spend, in terms of included benefits, over the length of their contract.

Said Al Shanfari, director of Business Marketing at Ooredoo said, “Since their launch in 2013, our Shahry Business Packs

have set the standard in the B2B market by providing all-in-one cost effective mobile bundles.

Our aim is to meet the changing needs of Oman’s burgeoning entrepreneurial community and today, we are proud to be raising the bar even higher. We understand that customers need more and more data, so we are providing them with what they need, at no extra cost, to make sure that their businesses remains competitive and that business owners are able to plan with confidence for the year ahead.”

He added, “Change is inevitable in our industry and as the datadriven era of telecommunications progresses, we promise to contin-

U N I QU E I N I T I AT I V E

ue leading the market by offering innovative and value-added products and services that will ensure our customers have what they want, when they want it, hassle and stress-free.”

A total communications provider, Ooredoo is committed to catering to the needs of every market segment. As such, the Shahry Business Packs were designed to champion the growth and development of companies of all sizes. Today, its flagship and best value mobile product has empowered thousands of businesses across Oman, supported by a dedicated team of professionals and a reliable state-ofthe-art modernised network.

MILLENNIUM RESORT

MRM appoints new HR manager

MoH selects Starcare to showcase Patient Safety Friendly initiative MUSCAT: The MOH-Director General of Quality Assurance Centre along with the WHO (World Health Organisation) and Ministry of Health (MoH) Private Affairs division have together embarked on a unique public private partnership for launching ‘Patient Safety Friendly’ hospital initiative (PSFHI) at the Starcare hospital, Muscat.

A first-of-its-kind activity in GCC, the initiative is triggered by the MOH, in collaboration with WHO to assess and assist hospitals within the country to launch a comprehensive patient safety programme, says a press release.

“Starcare Hospital was selected as the first hospital in the country to launch this project as they have most, if not all, of the safety systems and processes already in place and it will be a good learning experience for MOH and WHO teams to test the new model in such a private hospital, before rolling out to other centres,” said Dr Ahmed bin Salim Al Mandhari, director general of Quality assurance at MOH, after inaugurating the initiative at Starcare. Starcare has the unique distinction of being accredited JCI (USA) from the very first year of its opening and has been reaccredited again in 2015.

The implementation of the pilot project the ‘Patient Safety Friendly’ initiative is destined to be a milestone in the quest of the MOH – Quality Assurance Centre to achieve patient safety in healthcare institutions in Oman.

The Starcare hospital has formed a team called the Steering committee to be a part of the mission and consider its selection as recognition for its continuous efforts in the field of quality assurance.

Starcare Hospital is rightly considered the benchmark for quality practices and the team as reflected by Dr Sadik Kodakat, chairman, Starcare, “Quality is a way of life at Starcare, we have

strived to inculcate the importance of measuring and improving quality care at every juncture.”

The ‘Patient Safety Friendly’ initiative aims to establish the principles of safety within institutions and assess the effectiveness. It cares for the community in improving the capacity of staff and involving consumers in improving the patient safety. The different parameters for measuring the patient safety will be classified as Critical, Core and Development standards.

Dr Mohammed Naseem, CEO, Starcare Hospital was all excited about the programme and he considers it as an opportunity to work with the MoH towards the interest of the community seeking Healthcare services.

The launch of this programme took place on January 5 at Starcare Hospital Seeb by Dr Ahmed Bin Salim Al Mandari, director

general Quality Assurance Centre and Yahya Abdullah Saud Al Busaidi, Director Starcare.

On this occasion Dr Ahmed said, “We are pleased to work with Starcare Hospital as one of the first in this venture as we believe their JCI accreditation and Quality culture puts them as a foremost choice to implement this and take this programme forward.”

Ruth Murby, WHO representative, opined this is a huge step in the right direction in the journey of safe and quality patient services.

A presentation on details of the project operation was done

by Dr Ahmed during the meeting.

The staff and doctors of Starcare participated enthusiastically during the launch. Dr Naseem, the CEO presented the system set in the hospital for the PFSHI and shared that they wished it to be a benchmark for private healthcare in this region.

MUSANNAH: Millennium Resort Mussanah (MRM) has appointed Khalid Yousuf Al Balushi as its new Human Resources and Administration Manager as part of its efforts to attract qualified Omani talent.

In his new role Al Balushi will be in charge of all human resource matters, the planning and implementation of human resource policies and procedures, employee relations, performance management as well as recruitment and training, says a press release.

With almost two decades of experience in Human Resource management, Khalid has played a key role in some of the most prestigious public and private sector companies in the Sultanate.

DUBAI: In February 2015, RollsRoyce Motor Cars announced the development of an all-new aluminium space-frame architecture that will underpin all future RollsRoyce models arriving in market from early 2018.

The company announced that it has begun the testing phase of this new architecture, with early preparatory activity seeing new engineering mules tested in public around the world, says a press release.

The future of pure luxury motoring is already taking shape as Rolls-Royce Motor Cars begins testing its new aluminium spaceframe architecture which will underpin all future Rolls-Royce model lines. The architecture will arrive in market from early 2018.

Engineering mules will be assessed on public roads in various locations around the world. The current testing phase aims to ensure that the new space-frame

structure perfectly delivers RollsRoyce’s trademark ‘magic-carpet ride’ on a variety of surfaces and that it is resilient to extreme weather conditions. The assessment of the new proprietary architecture is the first stage of a development programme that will see a new generation of Rolls-Royce motor cars become available from early 2018.

“Since 2003 and the commissioning of the new Home of RollsRoyce at Goodwood, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has reset the benchmark for luxury motoring,” comments Torsten Müller-Ötvös, chief executive officer of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. “Now it is time to take the next step in the luxury journey. This is why I am announcing today that on-road testing of our all-new proprietary architecture is beginning. This new architecture of pure luxury represents considerable investment in the future of our great brand.”

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 7, 2016

ROUND-UP

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Mazda CX-9 makes luxury affordable One of the most preferred cars in its segment, the CX-9 has made luxury truly affordable as it is available in Oman at the unbelievable starting price of OMR10,900 only

MUSCAT: Mazda CX-9, the only seven-passenger All Wheel Drive SUV within the Mazda range, has captivated the hearts of Omanis and expats alike with its luxurious design, advanced features and evolved automotive technology.

One of the most preferred cars in its segment, the CX-9 has made luxury truly affordable as it is available in Oman at the unbelievable starting price of OMR10,900 only.

Towell Auto Centre (TAC) is the sole distributor of Mazda range of cars and is committed to enhance the popularity of this remarkable

vehicle, says a press release.

A senior spokesperson of TAC comments: “Mazda CX-9 is a complete value package. It offers a great combination of premium features, class leading comfort, efficient performance and utmost safety.

It is an ideal vehicle for those discerning customers who are looking for a sporty SUV that gives more space along with a driving pleasure that maybe compromised or even absent in a bigger vehicle.

Mazda CX-9 delivers on the ZoomZoom experience and its smooth 3.7 litre V6 engine offers versatil-

ity and legendary Mazda handling.

2016 has arrived and in this present global economic scenario, we might be faced with tough choices.

Choosing the CX-9 would certainly not be one of them.”

The Mazda CX-9 is available in Classic and Luxury variants and comes with sporty 20-inch alloy

wheels. Some of its class leading features are: premium leather seats with electronic driver seat control, dynamic stability control, rear vehicle monitoring system, active adaptive front light system, daytime running lights, lane departure warning system, forward obstruction warning system, high

LIMITED-EDITION TIMEPIECE

beam control system, xenon light, sunroof, rear view camera, smart entry system, BOSE speakers, among many others.

“With extra style and features, the new Mazda CX-9 enhances the luxury experience every time you get out on the road. It is based on Mazda’s KODO design that

makes it look sporty, stylish yet sophisticated. It features advanced technology that delivers an exceptionally smooth ride and precise handling,” the spokesperson adds.

Offering the trendiest of Japanese cars, Mazda has brought in a lot of excitement in Oman’s automobile industry with their ‘stylish, spirited and insightful’ branding.

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

With a network of 13 service outlets and 10 parts outlets spread across Oman, TAC is the only Mazda distributor in the world to win the Mazda Customer Service award for five times in a row. With 98.2 per cent parts deliverability, TAC also offers quick, efficient service with genuine parts available for all models and have highly trained staff who pride in their quality of service.

E X PA N S I O N

Romain Jerome unveils Super Mario Bros MUSCAT: Luxury watchmaker Romain Jerome has recently unveiled a limited-edition timepiece for all Super Mario fans.

The new Super Mario Bros collection released in honour of the genre-defining game’s 30th anniversary is yet another addition to RJ’s Generational Icons collection, says a press release.

Romain Jerome watches are available in Oman through their sole distributors Mistal.

Commenting on the new collection, Dharmesh A. Khimji, the managing director of Mistal, said “RJ-Romain Jerome is one of the most sought-after collections among watch enthusiasts in Oman and are renowned for its unique concept, “DNA of famous legends.”

“Through their new collection, Romain Jerome has managed to skilfully recreate the essence of the original Super Mario Bros game in this piece of art. RJ has unveiled the newest Super Mario collection as a perfect way to pay tribute to this genre-defining and generation-captivating video game. The Super Mario Bros collection is definitely an eye-catching piece of art for all Nintendo fans who wish to get their hands on this anniversary-edition timepiece. These watches can be made

These watches (Super Mario Bros) can be made available to our Mistal customers on request Dharmesh A. Khimji Managing director of Mistal available to our Mistal customers on request,” he added.

The timepiece is limited to just 85 pieces to pay homage to 1985, the year Super Mario Bros. debuted in Japan. The dial perfectly depicts symbolic elements of the game in an eye-catching and pixilated 8-bit style. The 46mm case features tiny enamelled figures of the jumping Mario, the signature cloud, mushroom, and bush in pixel-like designs. Nintendo’s

legendary character – Mario – is exceptionally dressed in his recognisable red shirt and blue overalls.

It also features the brand’s signature ‘RJ’ on black wristband and its dial. The opulent timepiece is made out of black titanium that adds timeless appeal to its classic Nintendo-styled appearance.

The black pixelated 3D dial is built on a complex three-layered plate, each with different finishes,

which produces the impressive 3D effect of the dial. The characters and elements appliqués on the dial has been hand-painted in cold enamel and delicately set on the dial to add even more perspective to the ensemble.

Honouring the game that captivated a generation in the form of a watch, RJ’s new Super Mario Bros. themed timepiece is the perfect expression of playfulness and modern watchmaking. For Mario enthusiasts, the watch will indeed remain a cool commemorative piece to relive memories of the iconic game of all times.

Located in Geneva, Switzerland, Romain Jerome was founded in 2004 and allows its customers to own a part of history by creating highly emotional timepieces and accessories inspired by and incorporating the DNA of contemporary legends. Romain Jerome has in the past also created watches in honour of Tetris, Pac-Man, and Space Invaders.

RJ’s watches are Swiss made and combine craftsmanship and know-how with outstanding technological expertise. They embody the values of their time: a sense of distinctiveness, a need for speed and a spectacular yet discreetly sophisticated aura of virility.

Redtag opens new outlet in Azaiba MUSCAT: Marking the end of a successful year, Redtag, the value fashion and home lifestyle brand has opened a new store at Azaiba, to cater to the needs of its customers in neighbouring areas, says a press release.

Commenting on the launch, Shehbaz Shaikh, Chief Retail Officer at Redtag said, “We are proud to launch our seventh store in the Sultanate of Oman.

Our steady expansion is a result of the popularity the brand is gaining among customers in the Sultanate.

Out of a total of the brand’s over 170 stores across the Middle East, seven are currently in Oman, with a large presence in other countries including KSA, Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Nigeria, Oman, Qatar, Tunisia, UAE, Uzbekistan and Yemen.

E N T E R TA I N M E N T

Abhijeet charms fans at New Year event hosted by Country Club MUSCAT: Country Club successfully hosted the 8th edition of Asia’s biggest New Year extravaganza in the Middle East.

The group invited the mellifluous Indian Idol Abhijeet Sawant and his professional team of orchestra from Mumbai, India to celebrate the New Year in Oman with the Country Club members and guests.

This was also his maiden performance in this region. Abhijeet was the talk of the town and won the hearts of members and guests with his stupendous performance, says a press release.

Indra Mani Pandey, the Indian Ambassador to Oman officiated the event as the chief guest. In his speech addressing the gathering, he congratulated Country Club for organising such an amazing New Year show and conveyed his New Year wishes to all. He also presented Exclusive Country Club Membership Card to Abhijeet.

Interactive performance Interspersed with dances by Rits

Indian Idol Abhijeet Sawant was the talk of the town and won the hearts of members and guests with his stupendous performance

Group of Dancers from Dubai and Abhijeet’s interactive performance, the evening was abuzz with New Year fever with everyone in the audience losing themselves to the melodies.

DJ Syverno, also from Dubai, spiced up the evening with his professional grooving skills.

“We are delighted to see a full house at Qurum Amphitheatre today. It is very reassuring to

know that we are not just meeting, but far exceeding the expectations of our discerning members,” said Arun Kumar, Branch In-charge, Oman.

Country Club has been or-

ganising such signature events exclusively for its members in Oman every year. Y. Rajeev Reddy, chairman and managing director of Country Club organises such events in all their locations

worldwide, including UAE. “The phenomenal response we have seen year on year pushes us to provide our patrons with the best entertainment possible. We take great pride in ensuring our members get larger than life entertainment and experience when they associate themselves with us.

Looking ahead to 2016, Country Club aims to become one of the ‘go to’ destinations for people to enjoy quality entertainment and best in class service,” Rajeev says.

Times of Oman were the media sponsors. National Mineral Water and SAPIL supported the event.

E - L E A R N I N G I N I T I AT I V E

Mena HR Solutions partners with Hurix Systems MUSCAT: Mena HR Solutions (IBD Group), an integrated HR Services provider in Oman, and Hurix Systems, a leading digital content solution provider, announced a partnership agreement to provide eLearning, digital content and education technology services to joint customers.

The objective is to help corporations and educational institutions ‘Go Digital’ in the Middle East, says a press release.

In this strategic engagement, Hurix brings a full service port-

folio of e-learning services to the partnership, including custom content development, mobile based learning, content refurbishment, transformation and localisation, flash to HTML5 conversion and technology services which includes LMS and custom application development.

“We are glad that we have rightly timed this partnership with Hurix which will enable us to service this specific need in our market.

In partnership with Hurix, Mena HRS will offer E-learning, Digital

Content and EduTech services to Corporate and Education Institutions alike,” says Rajkumar Tadi, director at Mena HR Solutions.

“Mena HR Solutions has a massive potential in its region and an impressive set of services to offer which will help corporates and educational institutions go digital, says Piyush Bhartiya, vice president Sales and Operations at Hurix Systems. “To date 6 million users use our platform and now that we have made an Arabic version, we are sure to scale new boundaries.”

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England hold on for exciting draw SCOREBOARD

England were 159 for six in their second innings, with Jonny Bairstow (30) and Moeen Ali (10) unbeaten, before drizzle and bad light halted play soon after tea on Wednesday

CAPE TOWN: Poor weather brought a limp end to a compelling second Test as England survived a final day onslaught from South Africa to draw the match and keep up their 1-0 lead in the series.

England were 159 for six in their second innings, with Jonny Bairstow (30) and Moeen Ali (10) unbeaten, before drizzle and bad light halted play soon after tea on Wednesday.

South Africa’s quick bowlers made inroads in the morning to offer the likelihood of a remarkable come-from-behind victory after England had dominated the opening two days to amass 629 for six declared in their first innings.

South Africa clawed back over the next two days, keeping England in the field on hot, energy-sapping days as they slowly regained a foothold and eventually declared just two runs short of the visitors’ total.

A four-wicket burst before lunch on Wednesday suddenly offered the tantalising possibility of a result and two more in the second session brought South Africa even closer to scuttling out England before chasing down a modest target.

But dogged resistance from Bairstow and Ali, in an unbroken 43-run partnership, and the gloomy weather dashed South Africa’s hopes of pulling off a remarkable victory.

England started the day on 16-0 in their second innings, with a lead of 18 runs, but captain Alastair Cook was strangled down the leg side and caught by wicketkeeper

TENSE MOMENT: England’s Moeen Ali watches as South Africa’s Chris Morris, left, drops a catch during the second cricket Test match in Cape Town. – Reuters

Quinton de Kock off Kagiso Rabada’s bowling with just the eighth ball of the morning. He went for eight with England having added a single to their overnight total.

Reprieve Alex Hales (5) was then snagged by a brilliant diving one-handed catch from Chris Morris at slip to give Morne Morkel a deserved wicket after some fiery bowling.

Joe Root was caught in the slips

by AB de Villiers off Morkel on 17 but television replays showed the bowler had stepped over the line.

But England’s top-ranked batsman failed to capitalise on the reprieve and scored 12 more runs before being bowled by Morris to leave England on 55-3.

Nick Compton (15) fell 10 minutes before lunch after playing straight to Faf du Plessis at short mid-wicket as he became the first of three victims for Dane Piedt.

After the interval, the off spinner dismissed Ben Stokes, caught at deep square leg for 26, and James Taylor, who got a nasty bounce up onto his gloves and was caught by Temba Bavuma at short leg for 27.

The third Test will be at the Wanderers in Johannesburg from January 14-18. England won the first Test in Durban by 241 runs. - Reuters

England 1st innings: 629 for 6 decl (B. Stokes 258, J. Bairstow 150no, A. Hales 60, J. Root 50) South Africa 1st innings: 627 for 7 decl (H. Amla 201, T. Bavuma 102no, A. de Villiers 88, F. du Plessis 86, C. Morris 69) England 2nd innings (Overnight: 16-0) A. Cook c de Kock b Rabada 8 A. Hales c Morris b M. Morkel 5 N. Compton c du Plessis b Piedt 15 J. Root b Morris 29 J. Taylor c Bavuma b Piedt 27 B. Stokes c M. Morkel b Piedt 26 J. Bairstow not out 30 M. Ali not out 10 Extras (lb-4, nb-5) 9 Total (for 6 wickets, 65 overs) 159 Fall of wickets: 1-17, 2-19, 3-55, 4-85, 5-115, 6-116 To bat: S. Broad, J. Anderson, S. Finn Bowling M. Morkel 16-7-26-1 (nb-3), K. Rabada 13-2-57-1 (nb-2), C. Morris 12-424-1, D. Piedt 18-8-38-3, D. Elgar 6-2-10-0 Umpires: Aleem Dar and Bruce Oxenford TV umpire: Rod Tucker

Hashim Amla quits as South Africa captain CAPE TOWN: Hashim Amla said on Wednesday he was stepping aside as South Africa’s Test captain with immediate effect, a day after a double century rescued his country from possible defeat in the second test against England.

The 32-year-old made the surprise announcement just minutes after the Test at Newlands ended in draw and after Amla had led a fight back to haul his team from a precarious position.

AB de Villiers will take over as captain for the last two tests against England.

“Naturally this decision is not an easy one but the more I think about it the more I believe I can be of greater value to the Proteas as a fully focused batsman and senior player at this time or rebuilding our team,” Amla told reporters. “I will continue to give my all to the team.”

Amla said he had been considering quitting over the last

STEPPING ASIDE: Hashim Amla said the decision was not easy as responsibilities go back to AB de Villiers. – Reuters

fortnight, even before the start of the series against England and the loss of the first test by 241 runs in Durban last week.

“It’s a bit of relief,” he said.

Amla captained South Africa for 14 Tests with four wins, six draws and four defeats. South

C A L L F O R AT H L E T E S

Africa, despite being the topranked test nation, have not won in their last eight Tests sketching back to more than a year and Amla’s form has suffered.

He scored 251 Test runs in 2015 but seemed to have got right the balance of making

runs and captaining the team with a double century on Tuesday as his stoical performance rescued his side from the possibility of going 2-0 down in the series.

“We respect Hashim’s decision and the manner in which he thought about it and then communicated with me. He still has a huge role to play in shaping the success of our team without the need for a leadership title. He is just that type of a person and we are very fortunate to have him in our stable,” Cricket South Africa chief executive officer Haroon Lorgat said.

South Africa lost the first test against England last week by 241 runs and play the next two in Johannesburg and Pretoria.

The third Test at the Wanderers starts on Jan. 14.

“It’s a bit of a shock. I haven’t got anything to say,” England captain Alastair Cook said reacting to the news. - Reuters

TEST SERIES

Simmons still wants best talent available to play for West Indies FROM THE FILES: A snap from the past which shows participants in action during one of the previous triathlon event in Muscat.

Muscat Festival Triathlon on February 5 Sports Reporter MUSCAT: Even as the Muscat Municipality is gearing up for the much-looked-forward to event — Muscat Festival, the Oman Triathlon Team is preparing to host the Festival Triathlon.

The popular ‘swim, cycle and run’ competition will once again be held during the ever growing Muscat Festival and this year it will take place on February 5 at Azaiba beach.

According to Oman Triathlon Team’s Suleiman Al Alawi, also an experienced triathlete who represented Oman at various international competitions, the event received good response last year and the organisers are expecting the same this time around.

“Last year it was a great success with the participation of around 30 athletes. We are hoping to have more participants this year, we are expecting the number to go up to 50 at the least,” he said.

Giving details of the competition, he said: “We will have competitions in two distances — in sprint and Olympic distances.”

The sprint competition includes 750m swim, 22kms bike and 5km

We will have competitions in two distances — in sprint and Olympic distances

Suleiman Al Alawi Oman Triathlon Team

run sections while the Olympic event will comprise 1,500m swim, 42km bike and 19km run.

Like some of Muscat Triathlon Team’s previous events, the Festival event too will be organised in Azaiba but there will be a change in the route.

The event will start off Azaiba Beach/Jetty Car Park and the bike section taking the competitors along the 18th November Street to The Wave, Muscat and back.

The run course is along the Azaiba beach road which the organisers described as ‘reasonably safe’.

The participants can also take part in just one or two events of the triathlon.

Interested athletes may register their entries at the venue from 6.00 to 6.45 a.m. on the day of the event. The entry fee is OMR 2. The race will start at 7.00 a.m.

SYDNEY: Coach Phil Simmons has not given up on any West Indies players and still wants the best talent available to represent the region in all formats of the game. It has not gone unnoticed that while an inexperienced test side has succumbed to two heavy defeats on their current tour of Australia, a string of seasoned West Indies players are starring in the local Twenty20 Big Bash League.

Some, like opener Chris Gayle, say they are not currently fit to play the longest format but others, like all-rounder Dwayne Bravo, remain exiled as the fallout from the costly withdrawal from the tour of India in 2014 continues to resonate.

There have been suggestions by some in the Caribbean that West Indies should write off the older generation and concentrate on developing the existing squad, but Simmons would still like to welcome them back to the fold.

“I still have the feeling that it will always be good to get the best players from West Indies playing all formats of the game,” he told reporters. “If we can get that, then we will have an organisation that is moving forward. That is my hope now.

“At the end of the day we might have a solution but we still might have players that might not think they can play Test cricket, or might not really want to play test cricket anymore. So when we get to that solution between the parties that are involved then we can see where that takes us.”

No play on fourth day SYDNEY: Heavy rain washed out play in the third test between Australia and West Indies for the second successive day on Wednesday, further reducing the already slim chance of a result in the dead rubber match.

The rainfall, which had prevented any action on day three and all but 11 overs on day two at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG), continued unabated into the fourth day of the contest and play was officially abandoned just before 1 p.m. (0200 GMT). — Reuters

Simmons, who took over as coach at the end of last year’s World Cup, was suspended from his role last year for complaining publicly about not having the best players available for a tour of Sri Lanka.

Despite still not having his pick of the top talent, Simmons has been encouraged by the performances of some of the younger players, with the bat at least, in Australia. — Reuters

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 7, 2016

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Starc rules out World Twenty20 appearance

RARE BREED

The 25-year-old left-arm quick had

I’ve played probably nonstop for two years and the silver lining is I get to give the body a bit of a break and rebuild that strength.

Make sure everything is 100 percent before I go again

surgery on ankle spurs after sustaining a stress fracture in his foot during the inaugural day-night test against New Zealand in November

Mitchell Starc Australia fast bowler

SYDNEY: Fast bowler Mitchell Starc has all but written off his chances of making a fasterthan-expected recovery from ankle surgery and playing a part in Australia’s bid for a first World Twenty20 title.

The 25-year-old left-arm quick had surgery on ankle spurs after sustaining a stress fracture in his foot during the inaugural daynight Test against New Zealand in November.

Starc, the player of the tournament at last year’s 50-overs World Cup, was always an outside shot to make the March 11-April 3 World Twenty20 in India due to the estimated recuperation period and he was unable to offer a better prognosis on Wednesday.

“It’s very unlikely,” he told reporters at the Sydney Cricket Ground. “Everything would have to go perfectly to be any chance. I won’t know until I can start doing some stuff on it.

“I don’t want to rush it. I want to make sure it’s 100 percent because I’ve rushed back before and been dropped after a game.

“I’ve played probably non-stop for two years and the silver lining

NO HOPE: This photo taken on November 29, 2015 show Australia’s pace spearhead Mitchell Starc walking onto the field with crutches at the end of first day-night cricket Test match against New Zealand at the Adelaide Oval. – AFP

is I get to give the body a bit of a break and rebuild that strength.

Make sure everything is 100 percent before I go again.”

Starc said the operation had gone well but it would be a while before he was bowling in excess of 150 kilometres per hour as he

did in the second Test against New Zealand in Perth in November, when one delivery was clocked at 160 kph.

“Everything had felt great on that day, so I think it just comes back to the rhythm and smoothness in my action on any given

day,” said Starc, sporting a ‘moon boot’ to stabilise the injured joint.

“It’s going to take a while to get back to my bowling workload and get that rhythm back after spending some time out.

“It always takes some time to get that pace back. You obviously are not going to bowl at full pace soon as you come back, it takes a bit of time, so I’m not sure how it’s going to go.”

Starc will miss Australia’s oneday series against India, February’s two-Test series in New Zealand and is not even certain he will be fit to play in the Indian Premier League in April and May. It was probably modesty, however, that led him to question whether Australia’s main strike bowler would not ease straight back into the national side once he was fit again.

“I don’t think you can ever say 100 percent that you’ve cemented a spot,” he said.

“I’m still going to have to work my butt off when I get back to bowling to get my spot back. But I’d like to think in the last 10-12 months I’ve come a long way in all forms of cricket.” - Reuters

Bowling fast remains priority for India’s Yadav MUMBAI: Umesh Yadav belongs to the rare breed of Indian bowlers who can bowl consistently quick and the 28-year-old is not ready to sacrifice pace to gain more control on his line and length. The right-arm fast bowler has failed to cement his place in the Indian bowling line-up since making his debut in an one-day international against Zimbabwe in May, 2010.

Yadav, who has an economy of 5.84 in the 50-over format, has played 17 Tests and 52 ODIs for India but has often been panned for being wayward while striving for extra pace.

“I am here because of my pace,” Yadav told reporters on the eve of the team’s departure for a limited-overs series in Australia.

“Whenever I come on to the ground or the pitch (to bowl) I always think about my pace. I do not think about my line and length.”

Yadav’s words would delight cricket fans in the country who often bemoan the tendency among the Indian pacemen to

drop pace once they have made the team, apparently to prolong their career.

Yadav has often lost his place in the team to fellow right-arm fast bowler Varun Aaron and with India slated to play a lot of cricket this year on spin-friendly tracks at home, they are likely to vie with each other for a spot.

The fast bowler accepts it is difficult to bowl fast while also sticking to the line and length to keep the runs down.

While Yadav is working with the support staff on identifying the best spot to land his deliveries, he is also keen to bowl even faster.

“I have just been focussing on keeping my line and length closer to the off-stump,” he said.

“I also try to swing the ball. I know if my wrist position is good, I can swing the ball easily.

“Sometimes you will have bad days and you miss your length and give away easy scoring opportunities. But I am trying to build more pace in my bowling.” - Reuters

CRICKET

Waqar to remain Pakistan coach till end of England Tour: PCB

EXTENDED TENURE: Waqar Younis.

KARACHI: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has decided to retain Waqar Younis as head coach for the full tour of England this year although his two-year coaching contract expires in June.

PCB chairman Shaharyar Khan said that Waqar would continue as head coach for the full England tour, which begins in early July and continues till September.

“There is no reason to change Waqar or the coaching staff and we will only review their performances and contracts after the England tour,” Shaharyar Khan said.

Waqar joined the Pakistan team for a second stint as coach in June 2014 after earlier having stepped down from his post in 2011 after an 18-month stint.

Shaharyar Khan said that although Waqar’s contract expires in

The England tour is an important one for us especially since we will be going there for the first time after the infamous 2010 spot-fixing scandal Shaharyar Khan, PCB Chairman June but he had been told he would continue for the full England tour which includes Tests, ODIs and T20 matches.

“The England tour is an important one for us especially since we will be going there for the first time after the infamous 2010 spot-fix-

ing scandal,” he said.

He said this is why he had asked Misbah-ul Haq to continue as captain for the tour. “I had a chat with him and he indicated he would not retire now. But he is yet to agree formally,” he added.

Misbah retired from ODIs after

S PAT W I T H R E P O R T E R

ZIMBABWE TOUR

Bangladesh name rookies Rony and Nurul in T20 squad DHAKA: The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has called up young revelations Abu Haider Rony and Nurul Hasan for the T20 International series against Zimbabwe. The board announced a 14-man squad for the first two matches of the series on Tuesday, reports bdnews24.com.

The youngsters were selected on the back of some fine performances in Bangladesh Premier League last month. Shuvagata Hom Chowdhury, who is yet to play an international T20 match, is in the squad as well. BCB made five changes to the squad that played T20Is against Zimbabwe in November last year. The selectors have left out Nasir Hossain, Litton Kumer Das, Jubair Hossain, Kamrul Islam Rabbi and Anamul Haque for the first two matches of the four-match series.

Left-handed opener Soumya Sarkar returned to the fold after recovering from an injury while

last year’s World Cup and has indicated he wants to retire from Tests as well but stalled the decision after the series against England.

“We want Misbah to continue as captain because he is a dependable, stable and sensible captain and he can handle pressure and maintain discipline in team. We know the tour to England will not be easy because of the spot fixing scandal. And with Amir back in the side this is why we want Misbah to continue as captain.”

Khan said that he had already informed Mohammed Amir and other players they should be prepared for a hard time when they go on tour.

“But with time we are sure things will die down and people and media will then focus on the team’s performance,” he added. - PTI

Shakib Al Hasan, too, made his way back after spending some time with his family.

The inclusion of left-arm seamer Rony, who grabbed 21 wickets in the BPL, was somewhat certain but the addition of wicketkeeper-batsman Nurul came as a surprise.

Bangladesh have been in search of a batsman to play at No. 7 in T20s for some time. The team management is likely to thrust Nurul into the role with the World T20 coming a couple of months later.

Zimbabwe will reach Bangladesh on January 11. The matches are scheduled to be played on January 15, 17, 20 and 22 in Khulna.

Squad: Mashrafe bin Mortaza (capt), Shakib Al Hasan (vice-captain), Tamim Iqbal, Imrul Kayes, Soumya Sarkar, Sabbir Rahman, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah, Arafat Sunny, Quazi Nurul Hasan, Shuvagata Hom Chowdhury, Mustafizur Rahman, Abu Haider Rony, Al Amin Hossain. - IANS

Miffed Afridi leaves press conference KARACHI: A miffed Pakistan Twenty20 captain Shahid Afridi on Wednesday abandoned a press conference midway in Lahore after he had a verbal spat with a reporter leading to a partial protest by the media demanding an apology from the flamboyant all-rounder.

The mediapersons raised slogans against Afridi outside the dressing room at the Gaddafi stadium before a practice match after the spat took place earlier in a press conference addressed by the senior cricketer.

The ugly incident sparked off after a reporter of a television channel asked Afridi what he planned to do as a captain to win the upcoming ICC World Twenty20 since his record as a leader was very poor.

“Your record has not been as impressive as previous Pakistan Twenty20 captains, do you think there is a need to change the way you are leading the side?” the reporter asked Afridi. — PTI

THURSDAY, JANUARY 7, 2016

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SPORTS TENNIS

Nishikori and Azarenka march into last eight of Brisbane International BRISBANE: Japan’s Kei Nishikori and Victoria Azarenka of Belarus continued their Australian Open preparations by swiftly marching through to the quarterfinals of the Brisbane International on Wednesday.

Nishikori cruised past Kazakhstan’s Mikhail Kukushkin 6-3, 6-4 on Pat Rafter Arena before twice Australian Open champion Azarenka dispatched Belgian lucky

loser Ysaline Bonaventure 6-3, 6-2.

Azarenka battled with her serve early in the first set against the young Belgian, who played valiantly after stepping in for world No. 2 Simona Halep, who pulled out with an Achilles problem.

Azarenka, currently ranked 22 in the world, served seven double faults and lost her opening service game but broke back in a marathon fourth game to take control

of the contest as her novice opponent faded. The Belarusian whizzed through the second set in just over half an hour and sealed victory on her first match point when Bonaventure sent a forehand return long.

Azarenka will next play U.S. Open finalist Roberta Vinci of Italy for a place in the semifinals.

Nishikori also reached the final of the New York grand slam in

2014 and his game looks suited to the hot and fast conditions likely to await the players in Melbourne when the year’s first major gets underway on January 18.

The Japanese second seed needed only 90 minutes to brush past Kukushkin and will await the winner of Wednesday evening’s encounter between home hope Bernard Tomic or Czech Radek Stepanek. - Reuters

STRAIGHT SETS WIN: Victoria Azarenka of Belarus celebrates after defeating Ysaline Bonaventure of Belgium at Brisbane International tennis tournament on Wednesday. – AFP

‘Improved’ Kyrgios upsets Murray in Hopman Cup Murray, who led Britain to their first Davis Cup triumph in 79 years just over a month ago, stormed past France’s Kenny de Schepper in his opening match of the mixed teams event on Monday but did not seem to be at his 100 percent against Kyrgios

PERTH: Andy Murray’s preparations for this month’s Australian Open suffered a setback on Wednesday when the world No. 2 went down in straight sets to local favourite Nick Kyrgios at the Hopman Cup in Perth.

Murray, who led Britain to their first Davis Cup triumph in 79 years just over a month ago, stormed past France’s Kenny de Schepper in his opening match of the mixed teams event on Monday but did not seem to be at his 100 percent against Kyrgios.

The 20-year-old Australian, ranked 30th in the world, had never won his previous four meetings against Murray, including three losses in Grand Slams last year.

But he salvaged some pride with a 6-4, 7-6(5) win on Wednesday to give his team, Australia Green, a 1-0 lead against opponents Britain.

“I did promise a few of my friends that next time I played Murray I would beat him, and there you go,” Kyrgios said at a court-side interview after his win.

“I’ve improved a lot. I’ve put a lot of hard work in over the offseason and it has paid off.”

PROMISED TO BEAT: Nick Kyrgios of the Australian Green hits a return against Andy Murray of Britain during their match on day four of the Hopman Cup tennis tournament in Perth on Wednesday. – AFP

KING’S CUP

Negredo hits hat-trick, Valencia beat Granada MADRID: Striker Alvaro Negredo scored a hat-trick, including two second half penalties, as Valencia thrashed Granada 4-0 in the first home leg of their King’s Cup last 16 clash on Wednesday.

Negredo has been given a new lease of life under coach Gary Neville and the win was a confidence boost for Valencia who have yet to pick up a victory in La Liga under the former Manchester United and England player.

He robbed the ball off Diego Mainz and stroked it into the corner past keeper Ivan Kelava after seven minutes.

Santi Mina laid the second on a plate for Rodrigo Moreno and then Mina was fouled by Uche Agbo with Negredo scoring the subsequent penalty after 62 minutes.

Negredo, the former Manchester City player who has had appendicitis and was frozen out by former-coach Nuno Espirito Santo, scored his third from the spot in the 83rd after he himself was fouled by Matheus Doria.

Second half goals from Inaki Williams, Aritz Aduriz and Aymeric Laporte earlier saw Athletic Bilbao come from behind to beat high-flying Villarreal 3-2.

A confident Villarreal had won their previous five matches and went ahead through Leo Baptistao and Samu Garcia but Bilbao came back fighting after the break. Baptistao slotted home clinically following a good

Alvaro Negredo

team move after 16 minutes and Samu Castillejo then sent a defence splitting pass for Garcia, who rounded keeper Iago Herrerin and knocked the ball into an empty net.

Williams led the comeback with a 53rd minute strike, after being set up by Benat Etxebarria, and then found Aduriz to score from the centre of the penalty area.

Laporte completed the turnaround by converting a Benat freekick from a tight angle after 80 minutes. A poor second half for Villarreal also saw the dismissal of Mario Gaspar with three minutes to go.

Real Madrid were disqualified from the Cup for fielding an ineligible player against Cadiz in the last round. - Reuters

Serena pulls out Meanwhile, world No. 1 Serena

Williams pulled out of the mixed teams Hopman Cup event due to a knee injury on Wednesday, less than two weeks before the start of the Australian Open.

After pulling out of Monday’s tie against Ukraine with inflammation in her knee, the 34-yearold American hobbled through her match against Australian Jarmila Wolfe the following day before deciding she could not go on.

She had refused to rule out returning to the court for the United States’ match against Czech Republic but officially put an end to that on Wednesday.

Williams will hope that the injury will not scupper her plans for the Australian Open, which starts in Melbourne on January 18.

“I have some knee inflammation that’s going away very slowly.

It’s going, it just needs a little more time,” Serena had told reporters after retiring against Wolfe.

“Maybe a day off or two will really make the world of difference.

“It’s not even a bump — just a really minor thing in the road and I’ll fly over it.”

Williams, who was using the event as preparation for her tilt at a 22nd Grand Slam singles title, will be replaced in the U.S. team by 20-year-old Vicky Duval. - Reuters

FOOTBALL

Klopp not to blame for injury crisis: Lallana LONDON: Liverpool’s injury woes have nothing to do with a change in training methods under manager Juergen Klopp, midfielder Adam Lallana has said.

Liverpool beat Stoke City 1-0 in their League Cup semi-final first leg on Tuesday night, but the win was marred by hamstring injuries to midfielder Philippe Coutinho and centre-back Dejan Lovren, leaving Klopp with 11 players on the treatment table.

Daniel Sturridge, Martin Skrtel, Divock Origi and Jordan Rossiter are also nursing hamstring problems, and critics have sought to blame the manager’s high-pressing style and the intensity of his training sessions for the injuries.

Lallana, however, sprang to his manager’s defence and refused to blame Klopp for the injuries.

“Sometimes you are just unlucky with injuries and we’ve had a lot of bad luck recently,” he told the club’s website. “I know from my time at Liverpool that we’ve got a world class medical team here.

We certainly can’t point the finger at anyone.

“We have had a change of manager this season. When that happens lads look to impress more and give more. But I don’t think these injuries have got anything to do with any changes to our training.”

The midfielder pointed instead to the club’s crowded fixture list as a more likely cause and said Liverpool’s misfortune was part of a wider trend in the Premier League.

“We’ve had so many games recently that we’ve mainly been doing recovery sessions between games so it’s not as if the training has been really intensive. You can’t blame that,” he said.

“Look at the amount of games we’ve had over the Christmas period. If you look at teams around the league, I bet you’ll find the number of injuries has definitely increased.” - Reuters

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 7, 2016

SPORTS Carneiro’s claims against Brazil’s football Chelsea set for full hearing boss accused FOOTBALL

in FIFA scandal returns to work

The doctor did not speak to the media either when she arrived or left the building for the industrial tribunal hearing in Croydon, south of London, where she was accompanied by her husband Jason de Carteret

LONDON: Chelsea and former first team doctor Eva Carneiro failed to agree a settlement at an initial preliminary hearing on Wednesday into her dismissal by the Premier League club, according to media reports.

A full hearing will be held later in the year. The BBC reported Carneiro’s lawyer Mary O’Rourke as saying no settlement was reached.

The doctor did not speak to the media either when she arrived or left the building for the indus-

NO SETTLEMENT: Former Chelsea first-team doctor Eva Carneiro, centre, accompanied by her hus-

band Jason De Carteret, left, leaves Croydon employment tribunal in London on Wednesday. – AFP

trial tribunal hearing in Croydon, south of London, where she was accompanied by her husband Jason de Carteret.

Carneiro, who worked for Chelsea for six years until she left in September, is claiming constructive dismissal and sex discrimination against the Premier League champions. She was relieved of her match day duties following a public disagreement with then-Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho in August.

Carneiro is seeking reinstatement in her role as first-team doctor, damages for sex discrimi-

nation from Mourinho, and a personal injury compensation and aggravated damages from Chelsea.

Carneiro and Mourinho clashed in the closing minutes of Chelsea’s opening league match of the season against Swansea City at Stamford Bridge on August 8.

Carneiro ran on to the pitch together with physio Jon Feran after being called on by referee Michael Oliver to treat Belgian midfielder Eden Hazard. After the game Mourinho described them as “impulsive and naive” because it meant Chelsea being briefly reduced to

nine men near the end of the game after previously having goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois sent off.

Mourinho was himself sacked by Chelsea last month after a poor run of results left the side 16th in the table hovering just above the relegation zone. Wednesday’s hearing took place after both sides failed to reach an earlier agreement.

It was held to allow them to deal with witness statements and disclose documents before the full hearing is held later this year, probably after the end of the season, in late May or early June. - Reuters

FOOTBALL

Liverpool sign Serbian teen Grujic LONDON: Liverpool completed a deal for Red Star Belgrade’s 19-year-old Serbian midfielder Marko Grujic on Wednesday in Juergen Klopp’s first signing since he took over as manager in October.

Grujic, who has played for Serbia at under-21 level and was a

member of the under-20 squad that won the World Cup in 2015, will return to Red Star on loan to the end of the season.

The Premier League club did not disclose a transfer fee but British media reported it to be about £5.1 million ($7.5 million) with the

player said to be contracted to the club until 2020. He has scored five goals in 21 league appearances for Red Star this season.

“We’re very pleased because Marko is a big talent and we’ve seen him a lot of times,” Klopp told the club’s website. “When I came

here, our scouts showed me some footage of a very skilled player from Red Star Belgrade. We watched it, we spoke to him, we met each other — he’s a good boy, a young boy but plays an important role at the moment at Red Star, who are the best team in Serbia.” - Reuters

RIO DE JANEIRO: Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) head Marco Polo Del Nero returned to work on Wednesday after completing a 45-day leave of absence taken to fight charges he is involved in soccer’s wideranging corruption scandal, the organisation said.

Del Nero was charged by U.S. prosecutors on Dec. 3 with participating in schemes designed to solicit and receive millions of dollars in bribes and kickbacks to sell media and marketing rights for soccer tournaments and matches.

He denied the allegations but took a leave of absence to defend himself, giving evidence to a Congressional enquiry in Brazil but otherwise keeping a low profile.

His replacement during that period, Marcus Antonio Vicente, stood down on Tuesday and said his job was done.

“I have completed my mission as interim head of the CBF,” he said in a video posted on the CBF’s website on Tuesday night.

“It was agreed with Marco Polo Del Nero that I would stay until January 5.”

In a short statement, the CBF added: “With Vicente standing down, the president of the CBF Marco Polo Del Nero will resume his activities.”

Del Nero took over in April 2015 from Jose Maria Marin.

Marin was arrested on similar charges in May and is awaiting trial in New York. His predecessor, Ricardo Teixeira, was named alongside Del Nero in the latest indictment in December.

They are just some of the 41 people and entities charged in a scandal that has decimated FIFA’s leadership, particularly in the Americas.

People from all 10 members of the South American Football

Ethics panel extends Valcke suspension ZURICH: FIFA’s ethics watchdog on Wednesday extended the suspension of FIFA Secretary General Jerome Valcke, a day after its investigators had recommended an extension and that he also be banned from soccer for nine years over alleged corruption.

“The adjudicatory chamber of the ethics committee chaired

by Mr Hans-Joachim Eckert has decided to extend the suspension of Mr Jerome Valcke by 45 days, at the request of the investigatory chamber,” the ethics body for Zurich-based soccer body FIFA said in a statement.

“The extension of the suspension starts from today.” - Reuters

Confederation have been indicted and the last three presidents of the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football region have also been accused.

FIFA president Sepp Blatter was banned for eight years last month for ethics violations, as was his one-time ally, UEFA president Michel Platini. - Reuters

FOOTBALL

AL FAISAL WIN NEW YEAR CRICKET TOURNAMENT Al Faisal CT defeated Coastal CC by six wickets to clinch the title at the New Year Special Day/Night Cricket Tournament organised by Al Madha Club in Nizwa on January 1. The tournament was organised with the support from Express Car Cleaning and Malik Altaf Tariq. In the final of the tournament, which attracted 10 teams, Coastal CC after electing to bat first, scored 65 runs in eight overs. Al Faisal successfully chased the target with six wickets and four balls to spare. Earlier in the semifinals, Costal CC defeated Bisiya Lions by 55 runs and Al Faisal beat Behala XI by the same margin. Chief guests Malik Altaf Tariq, Syed Khalifa and Juma Al Obidani handed over the prizes. — Supplied photo

Prince Ali fears ‘catastrophe’ for FIFA if wrong leader elected LONDON: FIFA faces a “catastrophic” future if the wrong man is elected head of world soccer’s governing body, presidential candidate Prince Ali Bin Al-Hussein said on Tuesday when he published his election manifesto.

The 40-year-old Jordanian royal, who was beaten by 133-73 votes by Sepp Blatter in last May’s election, is one of five men looking to replace the Swiss, who was banned from soccer for eight years last month for ethics violations.

Prince Ali told reporters at a round-table in London that next month’s vote in Zurich represents a final chance for scandal-hit FIFA to right the wrongs of the past.

“This is an incredibly important moment for the future of the organisation. It will be a catastrophe for the organisation if things do not go the right way,” he said.

“The most important thing is that we have to have a real, responsible leadership in FIFA, no matter what happens in the future, you have to have a leadership that can implement the right changes and that is what I am dedicated to doing.

“We don’t want the situation where a year or two down the line more scandals come out. I am determined to save FIFA and to do it from within. There are a lot of people around the world who

This is an incredibly important moment for future of organisation Prince Ali want to have a strong, solid FIFA and I am one of them.”

Prince Ali’s manifesto calls for a maximum of two four-year terms — there is currently no limit — for the FIFA president and executive committee members and for total transparency, which

would include publishing the salaries of senior executives.

He wants a revised bidding process for the World Cup from 2026 onwards and wants to increase the annual financial assistance to members from $250,000 to $1 million. The current FIFA crisis began last May when the FBI and Swiss authorities indicted 14 officials and marketing executives in raids in Zurich two days before the FIFA Congress when Blatter defeated Prince Ali. In the wake of those investigations Blatter said he was leaving office this year, but he was suspended last month, one of many high profile casualties of the scandal which includes UEFA president Michel Platini and FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke.

Platini has been banned for eight years while on Tuesday FIFA’s ethics committee called for a nine-year ban for Valcke over alleged corruption involving the sale of World Cup tickets.

As well as Ali, the other presidential candidates are former FIFA deputy secretary general Jerome Champagne, Gianni Infantino, the current UEFA general secretary, AFC chief Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, and South African businessman Tokyo Sexwale. The vote takes place on February 26. - Reuters

C

LIFESTYLE

SECTION

THURSDAY, JANUARY 7, 2016

Culture WWW.TIMESOFOMAN.COM

Story T.A. Ameerudheen

HISTORY MAKER Salim Bahwan is all set to become the first Arab actor to star in an Indian movie

I

t’s going to be another feather in the illustrious cap of Salim Bahwan. The popular Omani actor-cum-director will do a prominent role in a soon-to-be shot Malayalam movie. In the process, he will become the first Arab actor to star in an Indian film.

Salim will play the role of Kamal Yousuf in Uppappa (Grandfather), directed by awardwinning director, TA Razak. The movie will be shot in Calicut in Kerala and Dubai.

A self-confessed fan of Bollywood and Indian language movies, Salim considers the invitation to associate with Uppappa as a high point in his career.

“It is a dream come true for me as I always draw inspiration from Indian films. It is a challenging role. I am sure the film will create ripples all over the world. Malayalam has produced renowned artistes like Mammootty

and Mohan Lal. I had worked with technicians from Mollywood during the filming of my movies,” Salim said.

The film narrates the mental agonies of Ibrahim, who marries off his daughter, Nasriya, to an Arab merchant, Kamal Yousuf. Yousuf goes back to Dubai after his father falls ill.

He cannot comeback to Calicut owing to family pressure. He divorces pregnant Nasriya.

The story develops through the life of Nasriya’s son.

Veteran Malayalam actor Siddique plays Ibrahim, while Salim dons the role of Kamal Yousuf. Nuzarath Jahan is the heroine.

The movie marks a milestone for TA Razak too. A veteran who entered film industry in 1991, he will be penning 50th screenplay for Uppappa. He had won four Kerala state film awards for best story and screenplays.

Razzak said he is happy to cast an Arab artist for the first time in an Indian movie. “I thank Salim Bahwan for accepting the challenging role.”

Nuzarath Jahan, who shot to fame with her role in The Written, a short film that depicted the life of Reyhaneh Jabbari who was executed in Iran for murdering a police man who tried to molest her, said she is thrilled to act in a movie with an Arab star.

“I am so indebted to Razak for giving me the lead role. It is a huge challenge and I hope to live up to his expectation. I hope the movie will help me get good roles in Arab movies,” she said.

The director hopes to screen the movie in international film festivals before its commercial release. ameerudheen@timesofoman.com

THURSDAY, JANUARY 7, 2016

C6

PRAYER TIMINGS

FIND-IT-ALL @ MGM

@SOHAR

Cast: Victoria Justice, Will Forte 4:00 PM Echo Effect ( Action | Thriller ) ( 12+ ) Cast: Michael Jai White, Max Ryan 2:15, 6:35, 10:00 PM Wazir - (Hindi)( Action | Thriller ) ( PG12 ) Cast: Amitabh Bachchan, Farhan Akhta 2:00, 5:30, 11:00 PM Charlie (Malayalam) (Comedy) (PG12) Cast: Dulquer Salman, Parvathi Menon 7:30 PM The Revenant (Adventurer) ( 12+) Cast : Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Hardy 3:50, 8:15, 11:45 PM

@SHATTI

CITY CINEMA Contact (10 am to 6PM) 24567664 | 68 www.citycinemaoman.net facebook.com/citycinemaoman SHATTI Extraction(2D) (Action | Thriller) (12+) Cast: Bruce Willis, Kellan Lutz, Gina Carano 2:45, 08:15 PM The Revenant (2D) (Thriller) (12+) Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Hardy 2:30, 05:30, 08:30, 11:30 PM Point Break (3D) (Action | Sports) (12+) Cast: Édgar Ramírez, Luke Bracey 7:15 PM Wazir (Action | Crime | Thriller) (PG12) Cast: Amitabh Bachchan, Farhan Akhtar 5:15, 09:30 PM The Forest (Horror) (15+) Cast: Natalie Dormer, Eoin Macken 10:00, 11:45 PM Lost in the Sun (2D) (Action) (12+) Cast: Josh Duhamel, Josh Wiggins 3:00, 11:30 PM Daddy’s Home (2D) (Comedy) (12+) Cast: Will Ferrell, Mark Wahlberg 4:30, 06:15 PM

Wazir (Hindi | Action| Thriller) PG12 Cast : Amitabh Bachchan, Farhan Akhtar, Aditi Rao Hydari 3:15 & 9:30PM Gold Class: 6:00 & 11:00PM

Charlie - 2D (M) (PG12) (Comedy/ Romance) Cast : Dulquer Salman, Parvathi Menon, Aparna Gopinath 9:00 PM

1:15PM & 04:45PM The Good Dinosaur-3D (Animation) U 11:15PM & 06:45PM

RUWI Screen 1 Wazir (Action / Thriller) – PG12 Cast : Amitabh Bachchan, Farhan Akhtar 2.30, 4.45, 7.00, 9.15, 11.30 PM Screen 2 Dilwale (Action/Romance) – PG12 Cast : Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol 2.40 PM Ho Mann Jahan – Pakistani – Urdu - (Musical/Drama) – TBC Cast : Mahira Khan, Sheheryar Munawar 5.30, 8.35, 11.45 PM Screen 3 Ho Mann Jahan – Pakistani – Urdu - (Musical/Drama) – TBC Cast : Mahira Khan, Sheheryar Munawar 2.40 PM Bajirao Mastani (Romance/Drama) – PG12 5.45, 11.45 PM Dilwale (Action/Romance) – PG12 8.45 PM

SOHAR Dilwale - 2D (PG12) Action | Comedy Cast : Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol, Varun Dhawan 6:45 PM Point Break - 3D (12+) Action | Crime | Sport Cast : Édgar Ramírez, Luke Bracey 5:30 PM The Good, the Bad and The Dead - 2D (15+) Action| Thriller | Western Cast : Johnny Messner, Dolph Lundgren 7:45 PM The Revenant - 2D (12+) Adventure | Drama Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Hardy 2:30, 8:45, 11:30 PM Wazir - 2D (PG12) Action| Thriller Cast : Amitabh Bachchan, Farhan Akhtar 3:00, 9:30, 11:30 PM The New Adventures of Aladin - 2D (PG12) Cast : Kev Adams, Jean-Paul Rouve 5:00 PM Echo Effect - 2D (12+) Action | Thriller Cast : Michael Jai White, Max Ryan 7:00, 09:45 PM Lost in the Sun - 2D (12+) Action | Drama Cast : Josh Duhamel, Josh Wiggins 2:45 , 7:00 , 11:45 PM The Forest - 2D (15+) Horror Cast : Natalie Dormer, Eoin Macken 3:00 , 11:30 PM Get Squirrely - 2D (PG) Animation | Cast : Victoria Justice, Will Forte 5:00 PM Charlie - 2D (M) (PG12) Comedy/ Romance Cast : Dulquer Salman, Parvathi Menon 9:00 PM

SUR Get Squirrely ( Animation ) ( PG )

BURAIMI Echo Effect – 2D (Action, Thriller) (12+)

The Revenant (2D) (Thriller) (12+) Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Hardy, Will Poulter 2:30, 5:30, 8:30, 11:30 PM

Cast : Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac 3:45 pm /6:30 pm /09:00 pm /11:30 pm Point Break (Action, Crime)(3D)(12+) Cast : Édgar Ramírez, Luke Bracey 3:00 pm Bajirao Mastani (Drama)(2D)(PG12) Cast : Priyanka Chopra, Deepika Padukone 8:45 pm

PANORAMA MALL The Revenant (Adventure, Drama)(2D)(12+) Cast : Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Hardy 2:45 pm /05:45 pm /11:45 pm The Revenant (Adventure, Drama) (2D) (12+) VIP LOUNGE Cast : Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Hardy 3:00, 6:00, 11:00 pm Lost In The Sun (Action, Drama)(2D) (12+) Cast : Josh Duhamel, Josh Wiggins 5:15 pm /11:15 pm Daddy’s Home (Comedy)(2D)(12+) Cast : Will Ferrell, Mark Wahlberg 7:00 pm /09:15 pm Wazir (Hindi, Action)(2D)(PG12) Cast : Amitabh Bachchan, Farhan Akhtar 3:45 pm /07:30 pm /09:30 pm /11:30 pm Wazir (Hindi, Action)(2D)(PG12)-VIP LOUNGE 9:00 pm Snow Time (Animation)(2D)(PG) Cast : Angela Galuppo, Mariloup Wolfe 5:45 pm Star Wars (Action, Adventure)(MX4D)(PG12)

MUSCAT GRAND MALL The Revenant ( Drama | Thriller) 12+ Cast : Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Hardy 12:15PM,08:45PM & 11:30PM Gold Class - 03:00PM & 08:00PM Wazir (Hindi | Action| Thriller) PG12 Cast : Amitabh Bachchan, Farhan Akhtar 3:15PM & 09:30PM Gold Class - 06:00PM & 11:00PM Fathers and Daughters (Drama) 12+ Cast : Amanda Seyfried, Jane Fonda 5:15PM Extraction (Thriller) 12+ Cast : Bruce Willis, Kellan Lutz, Gina Carano 7:30PM & 11:45PM Snow Time - (Animation | Family) PG 3:00PM The Peanuts Movie - (Animation) PG

2:30, 5:30, 11:30 PM

AZAIBA Wazir – 2D (PG12) Hindi | Action| Thriller Cast – Amitabh Bachchan, Farhan Akhtar 2:30, 4:30, 6:30, 8:30, 10:30, 11:45 PM Charlie – 2D (PG12) Comedy/ Romance Cast – Dulquer Salman, Parvathi Menon 6:30, 9:00 PM Dilwale – 2D (PG12) Action, Romantic Cast – Shahrukh Khan, Kajol, Varun Dhavan 5:45, 8:30 PM Get Squirrely – 2D (PG) Animation Cast – Victoria Justice, Will Forte 3:00, 4:45 PM Bajirao Mastani – 2D (PG12) Drama, History, Cast – Ranveer Singh, Deepika Padukone 2:45, 8:45, 11:30 PM The Revenant – 2D (12+) | Drama | Thriller Cast – Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Hardy

LONG DISTANCE BUS TIMINGS (OMAN NATIONAL TRANSPORT COMPANY SAOC) *SUBJECT TO CHANGE

FROM MUSCAT (RUWI) Destination

TO MUSCAT (RUWI) Arrival Operating time days

Dept time

Destination

Arrival Operating time days

FROM JAALAN-SUR-QURIYAT (ROUTE 36)

TEMPERATURE

05:30 05:30 05:30

Maximum

16:30 18:00 19:30

Daily Daily Daily

Sur Quriyat Ruwi

06:45 08:30 10:00

TO AL BURAIMI (ROUTE 41)

TO AL BURAIMI (ROUTE 41)

06:30 06:30 08:00 13:00 13:00 16.00 16.00

07:00 07:00 13:30 13:00 13:00 13:00 17:00

Sohar Buraimi Buraimi Sohar Buraimi Sohar Buraimi

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

TO SINAW (ROUTE 52) Sinaw

Nizwa Yanqul

20:50

Daily

Nizwa Al Araqi

07:00

Ruwi

10:25

16:50 19:30

Daily Daily

06:00 06:00

Nizwa Ruwi

Daily Daily

Fahud Yibal

12:00 18:45

Daily Daily

08:40 11:00

Salalah Marmul Salalah Salalah

20:00 20:30 23:30 07:40

Daily Daily

15:40 15:40

Nizwa Ruwi

17:55 20:20

Daily Daily

Marmul

Dubai

16:50

Daily

Sohar Dubai Sohar Dubai Sohar Dubai

10:45 19:00

Daily Daily

12:30 12:30

Fahud Ruwi

13:15 17:30

Daily Daily

07:00 10:00 10:00 19:00

Ruwi Marmul Ruwi Ruwi

19:50 13:15 22:30 07:30

06:00

Marmul

16:30

Daily

Daily

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

Daily Daily Wed,Thur Wed,Thur Daily Daily

15:00

Salalah

07:00

Daily

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

Daily Daily Thur-Fri Thur-Fri Daily Daily

TO DUBAI (ROUTE 201) 07:30 07:30 13:00 13:00 15:30 15:30

Sohar Ruwi Sohar Ruwi Sohar Ruwi

TO DUBAI VIA FUJIRAH & SHARJAH (ROUTE 204)

FROM DUBAI VIA FUJIRAH/SHARJAH (ROUTE 204)

07:00 07:00 07:00

16:00 16.00 16.00

Fujairah Sharjah Dubai

11.45 13.30 14.00

Programmes are subject to change

0

RELATIVE HUMIDITY

50-70%

ADVAITH MANOJ January 7, 2008

KRISH SHIBU NAIR January 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

LISTINGS

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Sharjah Fujairah Ruwi

16:30 18.15 23.00

Emergencies and inquiries: 9999 General Directorate of Passport and Residence 24569603 Directorate General of Customs 24521109 Traffic violations inquiries 24510228 Public Relations Admin 24560099 EMBASSIES IN OMAN

Daily Daily Daily Daily

DUBAI TO SALALAH (ROUTE 102)

07:00

TO DUBAI (ROUTE 201) 06:00 06:00 13:00 13:00 15:00 15:00

Ruwi Ruwi

TO MARMUL (ROUTE 101)

SALALAH TO DUBAI (ROUTE 102) 15:00

06:00 14:30

TO SALALAH -MARMUL (ROUTE 100) Daily Daily Daily Daily

TO MARMUL (ROUTE 101) 06:00

Charlie ( Mal) ( Drama\Comedy) Cast : Dulquer Salmaan & Parvathy 3-00, 6-30 & 10-00 pm Cinema Main Su Su Sudhi Vatmeekam (Mal) (Drama\Com) Cast : Jayasurya , Mukesh & Shivada 3-30 & 6-30 pm Cinema -2 Dilwale ( hindi ) ( Act\ com) Cast : Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol & Varun Dhawan 9-30 PM Cinema -2 Wazir ( Hindi) (Act Cast : Amitabh Bachchan, Farhan Akthar & Aditi Rao Hydari 3-45, 5-45, 7-45 & 9-45 pm Cinema-3 Bajirao Mastani (Hindi) (rom\ Act \ drama ) Cast : Ranveer Singh , Deepika Padukone & Priyanka Chopra 6-45 pm Cinema-4 Pasanga 2 ( Tamil) ( Drama \Comedy) Cast : Surya & Amala Paul 3-45, & 9-45 pm Cinema -4

Minimum

Daily Daily

TO YIBAL - FAHUD (ROUTE 62)

10:30 11:15

TO MARMUL-SALALAH (ROUTE 100) 07:00 10:00 10:00 19:00

Film information 24791641 / 24786776 Website: www.isurf.co.om

Daily

TO SUR (ROUTE 55)

TO FAHUD - YIBAL (ROUTE 62) 06:30 06:30

STAR CINEMA

TO IBRI (ARAQI) (ROUTE 54)

10:20 12:30

TO SUR (ROUTE 55) Sur Sur

SALALAH The Revenant (2D) (12+)( Action| Thriller) Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Hardy 11:45AM/03:15/08:45/11:45PM Fathers and Daughters (2D) (12+) (Drama) Cast: Amanda Seyfried, Jane Fonda 4:30PM Daddy’s Home (2D) (12+) (Comedy) Cast: Will Ferrell, Mark Wahlberg 11:30AM/06:45PM Extraction (2D) (12+) (Thriller) Cast: Bruce Willis, Kellan Lutz, Gina Carano 2:45PM Wazir (2D) (PG12)( Action| Thriller) Cast: Amitabh Bachchan, Farhan Akhtar 1:15/3:00/9:15/11:15PM Dilwale (2D) (PG12) (Action | Romantic ) Cast: Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol, Kriti Sanon 6:15PM Lost in the Sun (2D) (PG12) Action | Drama ) Cast: Josh Duhamel, Josh Wiggins 11:15AM/07:00PM Charlie (2D) (12+) (Malayalam)( Comedy) Cast: Dulquer Salman, Parvathi Menon, Aparna Gopinath 9:00PM Snow Time (2D) (PG) (Animation) Cast Angela Galuppo, Mariloup Wolfe 1:15PM The Forest (2D) (15+) (Horror) 5:00/11:30PM

25 17

ROYAL OMAN POLICE 07:30 14:30

Echo Effect (Action / Thriller) Cast: Michael Jai White, Max Ryan, Steve Austin 4.00, 8.00, 10.00 & 11.55 pm CP No : 3060 (12+) Daddy’s Home (Comedy) Cast: Will Ferrell, Mark Wahlberg, Linda Cardellini 3.45, 7.30 & 9.15 pm CP No: 3061 (12+) Fathers and Daughters (Drama) Cast: Russell Crowe, Amanda Seyfried, Jane 2.00 & 6.00pm CP No: 3062 (12+) Get Squirrely (Animation / Comedy / Family) 2.00 & 5.30 p.m.

CP No: 3063 (PG) Dilwale (Action / Comedy) Cast: Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol, Varun Dhawan 11.00 p.m.

CP No: 3047 (PG12)

SAMRAN AKHTAR KHAN January 7, 2009

TO YANQUL (ROUTE 54)

TO IBRI (ARAQI) (ROUTE 54) 08:00 08:00

08:55 Daily 11:40 Daily 20:20 Daily via Ibri 14:55 Daily 17:40 Daily 19:20 Daily 22:15 Daily

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

0

TO SINAW (ROUTE 52)

TO YANQUL (ROUTE 54) 14:30 14:30

Sohar Ruwi Ruwi Sohar Ruwi Sohar Ruwi

Daily Daily Daily

BAHJA CINEMA

WEATHER

15:00 15:00 15:00

Quriyat Sur Jaalan

Cast: Michael Jai White, Max Ryan 5:45, 7:15, 11:30PM The Revenant– 2D (Adventure, Drama, Thriller) (12+) Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Hardy, Will Poulter 3:00, 9:00, 11:45PM The Forest – 2D (Horror) (15+) Cast: Natalie Dormer, Eoin Macken , Stephanie Vogt 5:15, 9:45, 11:30PM Get Squirrely – 2D (Animation) (PG) Voice Overs: Victoria Justice, Will Forte 3:30, 5:45PM Wazir – 2D (Action, Thriller) (PG12) Cast: Amitabh Bachchan, Farhan Akhtar 3:45, 7:30, 9:30PM Charlie– 2D (Comedy, Romance) (12+) Cast: Dulquer Salman, Parvathi Menon, Aparna Gopinath 7:15PM

WITH LOVE

QURIYAT - SUR - JAALAN (ROUTE 36)

17:30

12.18pm 3.20pm 5.40pm 6.55pm 5.30am

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

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PHARMACIES Round the clock Al Hashar Pharmacy, Ruwi 24783334

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 7, 2016

C7

LIFESTYLE The Café Culture

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WEEKEND UPDATE

Fathers and Daughters (In theatres now)

Omani Honey online

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Bowling at Al Masa Bowling Alley

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MUSIC

Reunited Guns N’ Roses to Headline California Fest Legendary hard rock band Guns N’ Roses is officially reuniting for the 2016 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in California.

Following reports that the band’s original members, including Axl Rose and Slash, would take the stage together, it was announced that they would headline the annual festival alongside LCD Soundsystem and Calvin Harris.

Other acts slated to perform on the same days include Zedd, A$AP Rocky, CHVRCHES, Halsey, James Bay, Run the Jewels, Gary Clark Jr.,

Vince Staples and SZA. This won’t be the first time a group has reunited at the Coachella festival.

A press release from Guns N’ Roses said the group is upholding a three-decade tradition of breaking ground, creating trends, and forever changing the face of rock ‘n’ roll.

“For months, critics and audiences alike have generated immense excitement and speculation over the possible regrouping of the iconic line-up. The April performances will mark the first time since 1993 the Gunners will share the stage for

what is certain to be an explosive event,” the release said.

“Following the group’s 1985 formation, Guns N’ Roses injected unbridled and unstoppable attitude into the burgeoning Los Angeles rock scene. The spirit went on to captivate the entire world with the release of their 1987 debut Appetite for Destruction – the best-selling US debut ever, moving 30 million copies globally.

“In 1991, the seven-time platinum Use Your Illusion I and Use Your Illusion II occupied the top

two spots of the Billboard Top 200 upon release. Over the course of the past decade, Guns N’ Roses have performed sold out shows and headlined festivals worldwide following the critically acclaimed release of 2008’s RIAA platinumcertified ‘Chinese Democracy.’ Six studio albums later, Guns N’ Roses are one of the most important and influential acts in music history and continue to set the benchmark for live performances connecting with millions of fans across the globe,” it added. — IANS

O

ne evening last week, I was sitting in a café at the Wave Muscat and watched people. I had my eyes on a red Ferrari that cruised past. But I was not the only who was looking at it.

A few seconds after it disappeared around a corner, I noticed a man in shabby clothes rummaging the bins.

This time, I was the only one looking at him. Unlike drivers of super sports cars, the poor don’t attract attention at all. Every meal of the day is a battle to them. The rich have battles of their own, too, like which car to buy and where to spend their holidays.

If you think there are no desperate people in Oman struggling to put food in their mouths, then you are looking at the wrong places.

The people of Oman are part of a proud society. As a matter of fact, some are too proud to admit that their stomachs constantly rumble with hunger. It has always been that way but with the social media applications available to all, the poor are ‘exposed’ whether they like it or not.

However, Oman has many remote villages and for some villagers, too remote to enjoy the connection of electricity or water supply.

The real tragedy is that they are also too isolated for the food supply chain to get to them.

If you need any evidence of that, just drive to those areas and see for yourself but you might need a fourwheel drive to get there.

I considered myself ‘lucky’ when I managed to get in one of those places.

They toil in a piece of land growing their food. Carrots and watermelons don’t just pop out of the land when you are hungry. They watch them grow and between crop harvesting, their meals are dried dates and milk. Even the goats and sheep are malnourished there. They dare not slaughter them for meat because the animals provide them with an essential part of their diet.

Places like the Wave Muscat is a showcase for both the ‘haves’ and the ‘have-nots.’

Some of us spend every evening

having coffees, smoking sheeshas or have a hearty meal very much oblivion for those who can only manage a meal a day.

Like my grandmother used to say, “money goes down the drain” when you eat outside. But we make excuses that we need to ‘chill out’ after a long day at the office.

Yes we do and I personally do that almost every day without a thought for those who cannot. When I was 15, I was fascinated by the socialism governments. China was a role model to me on how you can spread wealth to all. At least the theory was right but then later on, I realised it was hard to put it into practice. Capitalism won the battle of economic idealism and created a deep division between the sheesha smokers in cafés and the bin rummagers in the streets.

Personally, I don’t have anything against people with money to burn as long as they occasionally take a trip to the deep rural areas to see how others live at the other side of the country. If they go there, they should take their children with them so they could learn something about life. I am not going through saying what kind of legacy we should leave behind for our children to follow but what we do in the cafés is not the only heritage they need to know.

SALEH AL-SHAIBANY

SO TO SPEAK What do you think?

Scan below to have your say on Facebook/ TimesofOman

Photography: MMG

WATCH

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 7, 2016

LIFESTYLE

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Legendary d o o w y l l o BHero

h b a t i m A Feels n a h c h c a B s n Fa Are a tial Part

of

n Essen

an Actor’s Career

or years, fans have thronged the gate of his Mumbai bungalow every Sunday morning. He has the maximum followers on Twitter for an Indian, and has a burgeoning ‘extended family’ of those who read his blog. Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan who, at 73, attracts fans galore wherever he goes, says they are an ‘essential’ part of an actor’s career.

The actor, who has spent over four decades in the film industry, often shares instances of how his fans end up getting either amused or startled if he's travelling in the same airplane as them; or of the exhilaration that they experience upon clicking selfies with him; and more.

But Amitabh, a globally popular face from Bollywood and one who has admirers across the world, brushes it off as just a result of ‘celebrity’ status.

“I think this would happen to any one that has claims to being a celebrity. There is nothing wrong in it or objectionable. Fan interest is essential for an actor. They make us who we are. Giving them attention or getting it from them is justifiable,” Amitabh said.

That has been an ongoing phenomenon throughout his career.

It’s interesting how the actor has been experimenting with his driving skills — whether it’s riding a bicycle for Piku, a scooter for Te3n or even a ‘tuk-tuk’ for leisure. But he says the best drive for him has been his 45-year-long journey in showbiz.

Asked to share his best driving memory, the three-time National Award winner, said: “Driving memories? 45 years in the film industry has been a wonderful drive!”

And why not? Best known for his roles in films like Anand, Agneepath, Namak Haraam, Don, Hum, Zanjeer, Black and Paa to name a few, Amitabh has regaled Hindi film buffs as much with his ‘angry young man’ avatar as in romantic avatars; as much as in intensely dramatic roles, as those with a comical streak.

From essaying a 12-year-old boy Auro in Paa; a friendly ghost in Bhoothnath Returns; a failed actor and drunkard in Shamitabh; and a grumpy father in Piku - these are a few of his recent portrayals on the silver screen that have been a window to Amitabh’s talent, which has not faded, but only enhanced with age.

“At my age, this is the best that can come my way and one should be thankful and grateful that there is work available at this time of my career,” said the son of late poet Harivansh Rai Bachchan and Teji Bachchan.

The experience of facing the camera, he says, has not changed.

“Every day is an experience for me. Filmmaking has only one gospel - the sound of ‘Start sound’, ‘camera’, ‘clap’, ‘action’... And you better get it right after hearing those words,” he said.

Adding more versatility to his filmography comes Wazir, which features Amitabh as a paralysed chess grandmaster, confined to a wheelchair.

He said the wheelchair made matters “a lot easier”.

“I did not have to worry where to keep my hands... Hehe.. But seriously, though it was great to be able to portray a character I had never done before,” said Amitabh, who said the preparations for the role weren't too many.

It’s a project that Amitabh readily said “yes” to, especially since it was an idea that filmmaker Vidhu Vinod Chopra — whom he describes as an “astute producer” — had narrated to him around 15 years ago and he had liked it.

Now that the film is ready to hit theatres today, Amitabh describes it as a “smart and modern film, unique in its structure and presentation”.

“And, yes, this one has been made most sensitively as well. It’s intelligent and swift-paced,” added the actor, who has also sung a track titled Atrangi yaari along with co-star Farhan Akhtar for the Bejoy Nambiar directorial. — IANS

D

W W W.T I M E S O F O M A N . C O M T H U R S DAY, JA N UA RY 7, 2 0 1 6

SECTION

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

RENT

D2

VACANCY

D4

CARGO

D6

FOR RENT AL KHUWAIR :

5 BED ROOM VILLA SPLIT A/C - MAID ROOM

RUWI : Ware House - 630 M2 SPACIOUS -2 B H K FLATS

Contact :

24 70 30 60

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

D2

T H U R S D AY, JA N UA RY 7, 2 0 1 6 Email: dailyguide@timesofoman.com classifieds@timesofoman.com Tel.: 24726666 Ext: 413 / 430 /431 / 456 / 461

DAILY GUIDE FOR RENT

*Tourist visa arranged

NEW Flats & Showrooms for Rent

FOR RENT

1/2/3 BHK Flats & Showrooms at Muttrah, near Oman flour mills, 10 min. from corniche. equipped with split/ cassette unit ACs, internet points, freeto-air dish connection, CCTV monitored, basement parking. Rent RO.250/350/450 (Negotiable) per month.

2BHK, 3 washroom Flat with Split Air Conditioners Near Lulu Darsait

Contact : 99229263; 93221054; 95215289

Apartment and room for rent in Al Khuwair near IBIS hotel.

Contact: 95724975 3 Bedroom flat for rent near ONTC Ruwi. Contact: 99653336 Flats for rent Direct from the owner: 2BHK flats with A/Cs at Ruwi MBD area, Way No. 3526, Pizza Muscat building.

Contact: 99333110 / 24814853 3 bedroom flat in Wadi Kabeer.

Contact 95755953 / 95555162 To let rooms in Qurum.

Contact: 99664703 House for rent Mabela.

Contact: 99204400 Store / warehouse for rent 52 sqm at Maabela Sinaiya.

Contact: 92454170 02 BHK Commercial / Residential (with split AC) flat at Honda road.

Contact: 99342733 / 99795241 02 BHK residential flat opposite to Al Nadha hospital.

Contact : 99342733 /99795241 Flat for rent in Darsait 3 BR, 2 toilets, sitting room R.O 250/-.

Contact: 92328142

CONTACT :

FLATS FOR RENT

10,000 Sqm Industrial Land/Plot in Sumail - Leveled with Full Drawing and Full Permission from Govt. for only RO 30,000 Contact : 99012201

93202733

In a Luxury Building in Al Seeb Market Near Police station

2 BR flat with 1 sitting room, 1 family hall with 3 attach bathroom in Wadi Kabir. Contact 99277787

600 SQT commercial flat for rent opposite Oman flourmill Darsait more details. Contact 91214849/ 99364735

Call: 99888007 - 99473500

Flats for rent in Wadi Kabir.

Contact: 99376454 2BHK at Al Nahdha Hospital behind MHD Building.

Contact: 99224748 / 99332297

Residential Commercial building consists of 30 Flats in Al Khoud 6 the following details: 20 flats with 2 rooms and a hall, bathroom and kitchen. 10 flats with room and hall and 2 toilet. Shop 500 square meters. for total 30 Flats rent 7,000 RO per month and rent the exhibition 10 RO per m2 Contact 99314314 500 sqm Basement Godown/warehouse For Rent in Mabela industrial area. CALL: 99366008 / 99236455 1000 sqm industrial land with compound well & two rooms at Misfah. Contact: 99342733/ 99795241 Commercial / residential flats in a new building for rent near Muttrah Police Station residential 1BHK / 2BHK more details. Contact: 99364735 / 95729711 2BHK flat opp. star cinema & 3BHK office. Contact 92926199 1000sqmtrs industrial land for rent in Ghala suitable for warehouse workshop etc. Contact 24700120 / 92584715

Furnished villa for rent in BarkaRumes, 3 big BRooms + Majlis + Saloon + kitchen. Contact : 98999667 Labour camp accommodation facilities near Sohar Gardens for 1500-2000 peoples. All modern facilities & natural atmosphere will provide as per customer requirement, interested people can contact 93221277 for further details. as per the client requirement, we will make all facilities within short period.

2 rooms, Bathroom, kitchen near Muscat OR 110/-.

Contact: 95094028 2bedrooms flat with hall, 2 bathrooms in Darsait near Muscat Municipality. Contact: 92584715 / 24700120 House in old Muscat town near Bab Al Mathaib, 5 bedrooms, living room & kitchen. Contact 99319829 1 BHK new bldg with A/c curtains, near Khimji Mart, MBD. Contact 99061408 / 99024039

2 BHK Flats for rent Muttrah near Oman house S/ AC. Contact: 97007934 / 92629232 Profs/ Jack. Contact 93219378 2 BHK at Ghala & Al Khuwair.

Contact 99024730 1,2,3 BHK Darsait.

Contact 99024730 Villa at Shatti Qurum for rent.

Contact 99315150 Flat new Al Wadi Kabir. Contact: 92130703 / 99733992 2 Room + hall & kitchen ,3 toilets in Bareeq Al Shatti 750 RO. Contact 99314314 Brand new apartments opp Oman flour mills MUTRAH 1,2,3 BHK with private parking, suitable for bachelors call 95450450 Luxurious, 2 BHK flat with 3 toilets, store, equipped kitchen, split ACS , Gym, party hall& 24 hours security at Mumtaz area Ruwi rent RO 375/-. Contact: 92622506

2BHK Ghubra R.O 300/- , 325/-.

Contact: 92144045 / 97799175 Show room / shop for rent area 155 sqm at 600/-R.O shops at 160/- R.O. Contact 97714433 / 92822437 1BHK Mumtaz R.O 250/-.

Contact: 97799175 / 92144045 3 BHK flat near Darsait ID medical.

RO 420/- Contact – 99358589 / 97079146 / 95570288 7 Bedrooms villa in Ghobrah North. Contact - 96420432 1& 2 BHK flats for rent at Hamriya Mabela and Al Khoud shop at Al Khoud. Contact: 24834644 / GSM : 93994401 /02/03/3lines Flats shops & store for rent in Ruwi Honda road Mumtaz.

Contact: 97293708 / 92433127 0Shop for rent behind building behind whole center Al Amerat good for offices or stores only space 11x4 meters R.O 250/- PER month.

Contact : 92877449

Duplex villa in QURUM 29.

Contact - 94051789-97201688 One flats for rent 2 bedroom all with bath al Ghobrah north near Indian school (hot burger restaurant) Tel. 9976610 Flat for Rent 1/2 BHK Flat at Muttrah, near Oman flour mills, 10 min. from Corniche.Equipped with split unit ACs, internet points, free-to-air dish connection, CCTV monitored, basement parking.

Rent RO.250/350 per month.

Contact: 99229263; 93221054; 95215289 1BHK flat near Star Cinema 220/Contact 99358589 /95570288 Flats in Darsait.

Contact 94051789-97201688 Flats in Wadi Kabir. Contact 94051789-97201688 Flats in Muttrah. Contact 94051789-97201688 Offices in Ghala. Contact 94051789-97201688

2BHK commercial RO 375/-, 350/Contact: 97799175 / 92144045

For rent 1bed room flat, near Indian school (ISD) at Darsait.

Contact: 94776771/ 99669216

Brand new villas in Al Ansab.

Contact - 94051789-97201688

2BHK Al Khuwair R.O 375/-.

Contact: 92144045 / 97799175

Offices & Showrooms in Al Khoud.

Contact - 94051789-97201688

Offices & Showrooms in Muttrah.

Contact - 94051789-97201688

T H U R S DAY, JA N UA RY 7, 2 0 1 6

D3

DAILY GUIDE

FOR SALE Office furniture, fixtures & electric appliances for urgent sale.

Contact: 92122705 Used home furniture and household appliances in good condition for sale. (Else 3bhk can be taken for rent along with furnitures.)

Contact: 99738104 Beauty Salon for urgent sale in Azaiba prime location behind Al Fardan building. With sponsor and 1 staff and 1 ready visa clearance. Call: 95318629 / 95169411 3 BHK flat in Greater Muttrah Dar Al Maha for immediate sale.

Contact: 95061994 / 96435858 Dental equipments sparingly used for sale. Contact: 91232778 / 99722457 Exercise cycle for sale.

Contact – 92847957 Full dental unit for sale.

Contact: 00968 92737149 Email: drpkabbas@yahoo.co.in Used Portacabins.

Contact: 94521205 Godown Rack sets (shelf).

Contact: 94521205 Luxury villa for sale at Al Hail South building area 375m land area 323, 6 rooms, 3 halls, 7 toilets.

Contact 99839898 Curtain shop for sale with 2 visas at Muttrah. Contact 91135930 / 93231403 A well running coffee shop for sale, at Wadikabir, near KFC. Contact 92772825 Luxury Apartments in Boucher (35). Contact - 9505680897201688

FOR RENT Mini Furnished Apartment in Qurum. Contact 9405178997201688 Fully Furnished apartments in Boucher (35) Contact 9405178997201688 1,2 BHK Ghubra R.O 300/-, 325/- & 350/-. Contact: 97799175 Offices in Qurum opposite City Center. Contact: 94051789-97201688 Single BHK flat available in Honda road Ruwi. Contact - 24833972/ 24833974/99367448

BUILDING

FOR SALE MUMTAZ AREA (NEAR RUWI HOTEL)

FOR SALE Dozer Kom 355A -3 Dozer Kom 155A- 3 Grader Champion 780 Excavator PC 400 with breaker Man green water tanker 5000 IG All are in good condition

CONTACT - 99353931

99310448/99612010/95208455

FOR SALE

ACC. AVAILABLE

Mangalorean restaurant at Wadi Kabir & shop at Ruwi for sale.

Contact: 98428507 / 93655003 Villas in Al Khoud. Contact 95056808-97201688 3Ton Forklift, Special made for Oman market, Japanese Isuze C240 Engine, Cascade side shifter, High amount exhaust, 3m lifting height, Solid tyres, One year warranty.

Contact: 98883445 Fully Furnished apartments in Boucher (35) Contact -9505680897201688

MV SALE Toyota Innova family, 2011 model, fully automatic, white color expat driven , kms-84500. dealer maintained, no accident. good condition. Contact 99001726 Toyota Yaris 2012 (Automatic) low mileage white colour.

Contact: 97214143 2012 Suzuki (Full automatic) excellent. Contact: 99737879 Mercedes Benz E-300, Model 2010-Advantgrade, Color Obsidian Black Not in Working Condition.

Interested parties can see the car at Embassy of India premises during 1000 hrs to 1600 hrs and send offers in sealed envelopes latest by 15.01.2016 addressed to HOC, Embassy of India, Muscat.

Contact: 24684577 2008 Model Hyundai Tucson 90,000 KM expatriate driven in very good condition & Accident free for Sale for OMR 4,000/- ,Serious buyers contact Mobile : 95137538 Hummer H2 model 2006, 178000 km, Full options Number 1 Army edition.OMR 7200. Contact -99466773 Chaverlet Epica 2004 model RO -700, for sale. Contact 92194205 BMW 318/ 2003 for sale.

Contact 96364990

Furnished sharing accommodation in ruwi near O.K. Center for non-cooking indian bachelor.

Contact - 98805474 Large size room in Al Falaj with attached bathroom for Executive bachelor (non cooking) with A/C, rent RO 150 inclusive Electricity & Water. Contact Mr. Hari : 24821717 / 99657906 Veg Couple or bachelor room in Wadi Kabir. Contact: 99014325 / 91165580 2 rooms with separate bathroom near Lulu Darsait for couple / bachelors. Contact: 98929665 / 99352320 Sharing accommodation in Barka single family or working lady.

Contact: 93861300 Family sharing 3 B/R, hall, 2 toilets in Wadi Kabir.

Contact: 99336206 FOR RENT 3BHK along with furnitures in Ruwi.

Contact: 99738104 Semi furnished spacious room with attached washroom separate entrance near Indian school Al Ghobrah for non cooking Executive Indian bachelor.

Contact: 95146361/92657598 Single room for expat Indian bachelors near Al Aktham restaurant Al khuwair for RO 120.

Water and electricity included.

Contact 98803261 Single bedroom flat near Indian School Ghubrah.

Contact 99203954 Single bedroom flat behind German Embassy, near Al Nahdha Hospital.

Contact 99203954 Furnished room in new building for working Muslim lady/ Muslim couple only. Location AINT, Darsait. Contact - 99008069 Room for rent with furniture.

Al Bustan villeage.

Contact 93687466

DRIVING

BULK SALE Hall type & Individual Portacabins (100 nos.) for immediate sale in Muscat area.

Contact 93208398 / 93215830 FOR HIRE Bobcat available for rent.

Contact 97623299 Low bed Trailer (PDO – SPC) available monthly / daily for Rent. Contact: 96633970 32 seater toyota bus available on hire basis monthly or yearly contract gsm 99705821

AVAILABLE Party & Wedding equipment rentals.

Full line, from Tables, Linen & Skirting, Chairs & Chair covers, Cutlery, Crockery, Glassware, Chafing Dishes, Ice Sculptures, to Large Sound Systems and spectacular lighting.

Call Andrea 9606 2222 for Catering and Croyden 9623 5555 for Sound & Light. ww.tunesoman.com, E-mail: info@tunesoman.com

WANTED Second hand cup lock scaffolding system required any sellers please Contact: 99340205 IELTS Coaching (academic) required nearby wadi Kabir area. Please call on mobile or msg on Whats up. Mobile no: 92927880/99012165

NRI Plot for sale Shadnagar Municipality, Mahboob Nagar District, walk able distance to existing colonies, national highway and basic amenities at reasonable price. Contact – 0091 8686631669

GOOD NEWS AL RAZI AYURVEDIC CLINIC Near Khimji Mart, MBD Area, Ruwi Our Ayurvedic Treatment includes Abhyangam, Kizhi Massage, Shirodhara, Vasti, Udwarthnam 50% Discount on full body massage.

Contact 24814222 or 97112510 for appointment

SITUATION WANTBUSINESS ED

Ayurvedic treatment for backache, paralysis, arthritis etc & massage, All Season (Vaidyaratnam). Contact 24475280 / 95371664 / 92504980 www.siddhayur.com FREE INFORMATION ABOUT ISLAM. If you would like to know more about Islam, please call: 99425598, 99250777, 99353988, 99253818, 99341395, and 99379133. For ladies: 99415818, 99321360, 99730723 Orvisit:www.islamfact.com Ayurvedic treatment for joint pain, backache, paralysis, massage steambath, obesity, Spondylitis, Ideal Care Ayurvedic Clinic, 18 November Street Azaiba.

Contact: 99639695 / 98342990

MATRIMONIAL Christian Orthodox girl 24 yrs, BSC MLT working in Government Hospital Thiruvalla, seeking suitable alliance from Orthodox family.

Contact: 99734325 / 99898130 Proposal invited for employed BSc Nurse in Muscat for her, Remarriage age 28 years Christian Jacobite.

Contact: 93262428 Hindu Nair Malayalee 32 yrs working in Muscat seeking suitable alliance. Contact 98262970

NRI Plot, propeties for sale in prime location in pune 95272138, (+918390982975)

Looking for investor in steel fabrication plant. Contact 98667442 / 98119694 Canadian Consultancy company (recruitment & immigration) is looking for a partner company in Oman.

For contact 00973 39990830 eurogulf.ca@gmail.com, Low firm office in Shatti Al Qurum looking for an Indian legal advisor has got 5 years experience in Oman and good contacts with the big companies and banks in Oman.

Email: rahbi.lawyers@gmail.com We will register LLC. trade license for foreign investors and do all actions. Contact: 92833566

LOST Shajahan Seman has lost Indian Passport No. F 8719168. Finder please handover to ROP

D4

T H U R S D AY, JA N UA RY 7, 2 0 1 6 Email: dailyguide@timesofoman.com classifieds@timesofoman.com Tel.: 24726666 Ext: 413 / 430 /431 / 456 / 461 Fax: 24812624

DAILY GUIDE

SITUATION WANTSIT.WANTED

SITUATION SITUATION WANTED VACANT A Leading Manufacturing Company in Muscat has immediate Requirement Looking for Qualified and Experience

URGENTLY REQUIRED A reputed 3 star hotel in Muscat is looking for a

Trading Business Development Manager

MARKETING MANAGER

With Min. 10yrs experience in the field of Electrical & Building Material Products and should have good knowledge of Local and Export Market and should have valid GCC / Omani Driving License Send CVs to

Must possess: Relevant hotel experience Valid GCC driving license Strong communication skills

Contact – 95020704 operations@hotelgoasis.com

vacancyinoman123@gmail.com

URGENTLY REQUIRED FOLLOWING STAFFS FOR A LEADING ENGINEERING CONSULTANCY 1. DESIGN ENGINEER ROADS AND BRIDGE - BTECH CIVIL +MINIMUM 10 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE

2. SENIOR QUANTITY SURVEYOR

- BTECH CIVIL

+MINIMUM 12YEARS OF EXPERIENCE IS CIVIL & MEP

3. STRUCTURAL ENGINEER

- MTECH STRUCTURE

+MINIMUM 8 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE IN BUILDINGS

4. ELCTRICAL ENGINEER

- BTECH ELCETRICAL

+MINIMUM 12 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE

5. PROJECT PLANNER – BTECH CIVIL + PSP CERTIFICATION +MINIMUM 12 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE

All the above position required Experience in Huge Medical City Construction

REPLY IMMEDIATELY EMAIL :- vacancyamec@gmail.com

INTERNATIONAL CONSULTING FIRM WISHES TO RECRUIT HIGHLY QUALIFIED ENGINEERS FOR OUR PROJECTS IN SULTANATE OF OMAN

Sr. Electrical Engineers 4 Nos. • Maters/B.Sc Degree in Electrical (Power) with 15 yrs. experience including 5 yrs. in GCC • Construction of 400/220/132kV Grid Stations, OHTL and UGC. • SCADA/PROTECTION/AutoCAD • Design of Electrical protection system complying with latest standards.

• Software experience in designing & PMP Certification • Computer skills (Microsoft Office) & MS projects program • Knowledge in all financial aspects & market changes research experience • HSE Skills for different construction projects.

• Light vehicle license is mandatory

Email: omanengineco@yahoo.com The following staff is required by a leading Engineering & Contracting Company in Oman.

Estimation Engineer (1Position) Mechanical Engineer with 5-7years post graduate experience in MS, CS, SS Piping work, HVAC piping, Storage tanks, Vessels and steel structure estimation. Applicant must have commands on AutoCAD, familiarity of budgets and can estimate EPC Projects.

Site Engineer (1Position) Mechanical Engineer with 5years post graduate experience as a Site Engineer in piping or HVAC piping installation works. Applicant must be professional and have expertise in project planning & coordinating with client

Interested Candidate can send their CVs at hr.muscat2015@gmail.com

SALES / MARKETING

ACCOUNT. & FINANCE

An excellent grade company requires Sales Executive for their Aluminium division. Min 3 to 5 years GCC experience in the same field with D/L may kindly send CV to info@sunubunited.com or sunubunited@gmail.com

Indian male good experienced in Accounts, ERP Tally 9 & Admin in India & Oman, presently on visit visa, looking for suitable placement.

Contact 94834687

A Chemical trading Company is looking for Salesmen with diploma certificate, 3 years experience, with valid driving license and a car. Send CVs to greatstar@omantel.net.om

SKILLED LABOR Immediate Requirements for experienced Tailors (Designer wears, casual clothing). Please call for interview 99471085 Looking for experienced construction laborers as a subcontractor for a villa construction in Mawaleh. Contact: 96203333 Urgently required 2 caretakers / cleaners for a building in Capital area. Contact 93888666, Email : arajtrad@gmail.com

REQUIRED 1. Occupational Health Advisor

SITUATION WANTSIT.WANTED

(with OH qualifications & 5 years oil field or relevant experience)

ACCOUNT. & FINANCE

2. Lead Emergency Physician (10 yrs experience in emergency medicine in remote work (occupational) setting.

Have ACLS, ATLS, PHTLS & food safety level 4.

Male 15yrs experience as Senior Accountant with D/L seeking suitable placement. Contact: 91176085 Email: sahil_70@hotmail.com

Indian male Accountant looking for a suitable placement in Salalah/ Muscat. More than 20 yrs experience in Accounting job (upto the finalization of accounts).

8 yrs working experience in Middle East in Dubai, Muscat & Salalah. Contact 91325029 Indian male 25 yrs, Graduate in commerce, overall 5 yrs exp in accounts/ finance field. On visit visa.

Immediately available.

Contact – 92836216 / muhammad.tausif623@gmail.com Indian male B.Com accountant job 6 years experience in Oman looking suitable placement. #95741442 navaskamaru944@gmail.com Accountant Indian female, 26 yrs, B.Com 2 yrs experience in accounting, purchase vouchers, bank reconciliation. Contact: 95690207 Email: pereira.rita08@gmail.com Indian lady, bachelor degree in Preparatory Programme (BPP) and Bachelor of Commerce (BCom), completed training course in MS Word, Excel, Power Point and Outlook from KTI looking for full time / part time job opportunity in Oman.

Contact 92437568, 96795853, Email: linda_navs@yahoo.com

Email : medicalinformation2016@gmail.com

ACCOUNT. & FINANCE Experienced Accountant required for Restaurant. Contact 96500750 We are looking for Chief Financial Officer, Male 40- 45 years old, Bachelor of Science in Accountancy with 5 - 15 yrs. of experience.

Contact: +968 24702133 Email: admin-dept@daud.om

BEAUTY Urgently requited Indian Gulf experienced Beautician al Hail, good salary & allowances.

Contact: 96175350 Wanted experienced Beautician & hairdresser for the reputed ladies beauty center at Qurum.

Contact 99791572 / 97453246, souzawilfred@gmail.com Required experience Beautition Contact 99619409

CATERING Indian Chinese Tandoor cooks required for hiring.

Contact: 95061994 / 96435858 A fast food restaurant in Muscat required experience:- (i). Social Media service provider. (ii). Part time Marketing and Forward CV :fastfoodoman2014@gmail.com

DESIGNER A reputed Interior company urgently required Interior Designer having well experience for self-design, AutoCAD, 3D max, Photoshop & V-ray Email: suresh@saharaintl.net

DRIVER Personal Driver for reputed family in Muscat. Requirements is fluent in English, valid GCC driving license, age must be 28 to 35.

Contact: 99466062 Wanted HEAVY DUTY DRIVER for an Electro-Mechanical Company.

Pl mail resume to heavydutydrivermuscat@gmail.com or call 92343611. Local candidates need to have an NOC. Reputed Construction Company require experienced light Vehicle Driver. Contact 95526871 Urgently required 1 experienced House Driver to work in capital area. Contact 93888666 / 24493666 Looking for an Indian experienced house Driver for an Omani family. Interested candidates may call: 96203333

Well reputed Marble Company looking for

WANTED IMMEDIATELY

3 SALESMEN

A Senior Manager/ Director for an Audit Firm

Requires minimum 3 years experience and valid Omani driving license.

Interested candidates please Fax your CV to 24601724 or Email on saab2803@gmail.com

DOMESTIC HELP Looking for housemaid urgently clearance available good salary yearly ticket. TEL 24446920 / 99238121, ravi.ztc@omzest.com

ENGINEER/TECH/MECH Civil Site Supervisor for telecom tower projects across Oman. Send CV to fyjo@spec-link.com or call +968 9946 7227 BE Civil Engr - 5-10 yrs Exp Diploma Civil Engr - 5-7 yrs Exp Civil Foreman - 10-15 yrs Exp All must have valid DL send CV to jnstpmco@gmail.com Crankshaft Grinding Technician, Engine block boring technician, turner required urgently for immediate appointment. call or whatsapp 98898273 Wanted Chemical Engineer with 5-10 years experience in STP Operations and Maintenance.

Also wanted Market Research Expert with experience in Feasibility Studies.

Kindly send your resumes to advance@omantel.net.om or Fax us at +968-24792175.

Oman. Contact : 94069402 Wanted Market Research Expert with experience in Feasibility Studies. Kindly send your resumes to advance@omantel.net.om or Fax us at +968-24792175.

MANAGER/ SUPERVISOR A reputed Interior and Kitchen company urgently required well experienced supervisor having minimum 5 years of experience in Carpentry related job with valid Omani driving license. Send CV to suresh@saharaintl.net.

MEDICAL Urgently required Medical Staff only male LAB Technician, Radio Tech, Assistant pharmacist, Dental Tech. Must be with 5 years experience along with 60% prometric. Contact: 92412429 / 99648532 Wanted urgently lady Doctor GP or DGO for immediate appointment. Contact : 99310590 Email: tjmaluke@gmail.com Wanted a female Nurse for a dental clinic in capital area.

Contact:-99855050

C.A/ CPA / ACCA Qualified With not less than 10 years or more experience in a leading Audit firm, preferably in Oman Please apply in full confidence to

hrnvk2016@gmail.com Salary and benefits will commensurate with qualification & experience

MEDICAL Urgently required General Practitioners (male), lab technician, Staff Nurse & Receptionist (female, Arabic & English speaking) for a reputed Medical Centre, Salalah.

Email : hrmdimc2010@gmail.com Required General Practitioners male & female with MOH license to work in a polyclinic in the Capital area. Contact 99372860 Required female Nurse with MOH license dental clinic in Al Khuwair.

Contact: 99010755 Email: akdmuscat@hotmail.com Female marketing for medical centre in Al Khuwair with driving license. Contact: 99010755 Email: akdmuscat@hotmail.com

MISCELLANEOUS Sales Ladies wanted for Ladies Boutique. Age: 20-35 yrs.

Al Khoudh. Send CV to sameer916@hotmail.com or call 91159905 Urgently required for a reputed company in Oman (Tyre, Battery & Lubricant division) Sr. Executives/Executive-5 nos (Sohar, Nizwa & Muscat), Techno Commercial Professional-5nos, Driver (Omani)-1no. Required minimum 3-5 yrs experience in the same field with market exposure holding valid Omani driving license or GCC. Kindly fwd your CV’s to ashwin@taasintl.org Contact: (+968)93891700

SALES / MARKETING Required experienced Dentist with MOH license to manage dental clinic in Muscat.

Email: akdmuscat@hotmail.com Wanted Nurse for a Dental centre in capital area. Interested may contact 93431024 or send CV to – drasyanaseem@gmail.com Wanted GP Doctor with MOH license, job location in Muscat with good salary and benefits. Drop your cv at 0careerhr1972@gmail.com.

Urgently required Lab Tech & Radiologist for medical Center in ruwi interested candidate kindly send short CV bmdcsg@yahoo.com or cont: 95220350 Urgently required full time female Nurse (with MOH), Receptionist (Omani) for Dental clinic in Muscat (Ruwi). Candidates in Oman only need to apply. Contact 93582582, abbas@essacogroup.com Staff Nurse required for a reputed dental centre in Muscat. Send the CV to omandentalnurse@gmail.com

MISCELLANEOUS Instrumentation & controls Technician with 2-3 years experience preferably in water sector and having valid driving license Send CV to shiju@spec-link.com or call Ph:+968 99450811 Part Time Job Seekers mail your timejoboman@gmail.com

A reputed Interior and Kitchen (Domestic & Commercial) company urgently required well experienced Sales & Marketing Executive having minimum3 years of experience at the related job with valid Omani driving license. send CV to suresh@saharaintl.net Salesman require for building material with driving license & 10 years working experience.

Fax your C.V 24833043.

(Mustafa Hardware Store) Looking for a foreign staff has experience in Oman in real estate field. Contact Email: aburashid94dd@gmail.com An excellent Grade company requires Foreman / Supervisor for their false ceiling division. Min 5 to 8 years experience in handling the projects & execution, kindly send CV to hrjobs1679@gmail.com Male Sales Executive wanted: age 24-32 yrs, minimum 2-5 yrs experience in sales, preferably in furniture / interior design / turnkey contracting business. Salary commensurate with experience. Any degree with GCC driving license preferred. Apply to fax : 24560806 careers@teejanequipment.com Wanted Sales Executive for IVMS, experienced minimum 1 year in the same field. Interested Candidate can email the details to: sameeh@cyclonellc.net

28/male/MBA - finance/B.Com Accountant with 4 years of Dubai/ India experience looking for a suitable placement. shobinkarikkan1987@gmail.com Contact 90187483 Part time accountant, up to finalization of accounts, looking for job after 5PM (Location prefers –n MSQ to AL Hail) Contact: 95694737 Accounts & finance Indian male 35 years B.Com M.B.A (F) 7 years experience valid Oman D/L family visa N.O.C available.

Contact: 93257426 / 95230114 Email: sibigeorgep@gmail.com Chartered Accountant - Indian, 9 yrs + Exp (7 yr in Oman & UAE ) in Finance, Accounts & Auditing, seeking suitable position in Muscat/ Dubai, Can Join Immediately, NOC Available , Contact #: 98707434 / Email: casmart007@gmail.com Indian, well experienced in UAE and Oman, in construction accounts and administration with own car seek part time/full time placement. Contact 98598099 Indian Male, 24 yrs, BBM, 3+ years’ experience as an assistant Accountant & Assistant Auditor, now on visit visa, looking for suitable placement in Accounts / Sales / Stores. Contact 93498293 Email:kevingieven@gmail.com MBA (Banking & Finance) Pakistani male-37 yrs, 15 years experience (12 years in banking Industry with Omani D/L) Seeking suitable position, Contact : 93865002, madeelazhar@gmail.com SENIOR ACCOUNTANT-M. Com Finance-Indian with 7 years experience in Finance & Accounts up to finalization. Currently employed in Oman. Having D/L & NOC. Mob:94122464, cammk13@gmail.com 28 years, female, 4 years experience in finance currently in Oman, seeking suitable placement.

Contact: 94743790 Part time Accountant with 15 yrs exp. in Accounts Finance, Tax Audit Management.Contact 95857199 Accounts part time services available to handle all accounts up to finalization, consulting & audit works. Contact: 96247295 25 years Oman experienced, who can handle accounts up to finalization, job costing, timely follow for receivable & timely settle payable looking for suitable opening.

Contact : 94070799 B.Com, CA Articleship, 12 yrs experience in Accounts handling accounts upto finalization, having NOC letter & Oman light vehicle driving license. Contact Prasad: 0091 8129121179 Om Prakash : 98050341 Telecom Engineer with bachelor degree, CCNA seeking suitable job in good company.

Contact 97269189

MBA (finance) one year experience in Oman, have Oman license looking for a good job. Contact 94103975 Indian male, B.Com, 10 yrs Accounts exp in Tally & focus knowledge of Admin, HR, Purchase having NOC & D/L, looking for suitable job. Contact 93086105 Young 24, ACCA affiliate, advanced diploma in Accounting and business, seeking suitable placement in accounts, finance or audit with valid driving license.

Contact: 92430152 Email: rau_dey@yahoo.com B-Com Graduate male 28 yrs seeks suitable job in the field of administration, clerical or accounting related to construction, automobile, hospital admin ,money exchange or project management.

Contact :97892255 SENIOR ACCOUNTANT, with 13yrs experience, 6 yrs Oman in manufacturing, trading & contracting Cos, capable of handling all accounting, finance, banking, L/C, import, export & finalization seeks placement. NOC Available.

Call+968-98932752, mail:jjohnmuscat@hotmail.com 28/ male MBA – finance /B.com – accountant with 4 years of Dubai / India experience looking for a suitable placement.

Contact: 90187483 Email: shobinkarikkan1987@gmail.com

ARCHITECT India Architect (B.arch) with 5 years working experience available in Muscat on visit visa.

Contact 92774992 , Email: shabnaarch@gmail.com Architect looking for freelance work in (design plans and 3dmax).

Contact: 96041201

ADMIN Filipino male with 13 years HR and Administration managerial experience. MBA & CIPD holder. Currently looking for job in Oman. Interested employer pls call 97728418.

Male Graduate , worked 19 years experience in U.A.E , Oman , Qatar , Saudi, Kuwait in the field of documentation as a document controller , planning Asst & some part of admin seeking suitable placement & ready to join immediately.

Contact: 93220534 Email: aniyer789@gmail.com Indian Female, MBA-HR having 8+ experience in Administration/ HR, Customer Support, Office Coordinator with good Computer skill, Now on Visit Visa,looking for suitable position. Contact: 90196235 Indian having more 15 years of experience (7 years in UAE) in construction as site administrates for / document controller / HR assistant / store assistant presently on visit seek suitable placement.

Contact: 92196001/98598099

T H U R S DAY, JA N UA RY 7, 2 0 1 6

D5

DAILY GUIDE SITUATION WANTED ADMIN

DRIVER

Indian Female MBA, 3 Year experience in Admin MIS, Family Visa.

Contact 98234427, jkjsmith01@gmail.com

Experienced Light Duty Driver, Fluent in English, Arabic Well knowledge of Oman Areas Seeking Suitable placement 97950869

BE Electronics, Female with 2 years experience in Oman with Omani D/L. NOC available.

Contact 95143294

Indian lady, having NOC seeking admin or accounts asst or showroom sales job. Contact 94417080

Looking for light driving job, 2 years exp. Contact: 91625977

Indian male, Mechanical Engineer having 1year experience, on visit visa looking for suitable job.

Contact:97416564, Email:jovinmathias@gmail.com

14 years of Gulf experience in HR/ Admin & logistics fluent in Arabic & English with D/L looking for suitable position, NOC available.

Contact: 95824598 Indian male MBA- UK 18 yrs Gulf exp in Administration/ HR & Public relationship. Fluent in Arabic/ English with D/L. Looking for suitable position.

Contact - 99897280 Indian female Graduate over 6 years of Admin operations experience looking for similar jobs.

Contact: 94231020 Indian female 29 MBA (HR) BSc Oman & India, 3 years exp in Admin & HR seeks suitable placement. Contact: 95619537 13 years Gulf experience in FMGC & CFD administration dept with GCC valid D/L looking for suitable placement. Contact: 93553051 Indian female 27 yrs with 5 yrs HR /Admin experience seeking suitable placement with valid Oman driving license.

Contact: 98236033 Gulf experienced (7 years in UAE) as Site Administrator/Document Controller/Site Secretary/Site Store Keeper in visit visa seek suitable placement. Contact 94674031 Pakistani female Graduate plus Post Graduate diploma in logistics 6 years experience in shipping, office administration and customer service. Fluent English and very presentable on visit visa.

Contact: 91528567 Indian female, Masters in HR, having 4 + years Oman experience in media management and HR, looking for openings in HR, Education, Admin, Corporate communications. Contact 98252030

DESIGNER/DRAUGHTSMAN 25 years male BA. English , Qualified as mast in digital animation having 5 yrs ex in character animation specialized Auto Desk mago and motion building software knowledge, seeking suitable placement.

Contact: 97917357

DOMESTIC HELP Full time Malayalee House maid.

Contact: 90178404 / 94451344 / 93000935

CATERING Cooks (Arabic Indian) gulf exp looking job. Contact: 99531802

DRIVER Looking for heavy duty driving job 5 years experiences in G.C.C, with heavy duty license.

Contact: 97474978 Light driver Pakistani male 32 years with valid driving license seeking placement required visa.

Contact: 97106232 Driver with new car looking for job.contact: 95873286 Pakistani driver, with 3 yrs, exp looking for job.

Contact: 96342684 Indian light driver having 2 years experience in Oman know language Hindi, English & Arabic need job. Contact: 97366822 Light driver 6 years exp education CO level language English, Arabic, Hindi looking for office driver. Contact: 99640986 Looking for job driver with car.

Contact: 99154473 Bangladeshi male 48 yrs, light driver 14 yrs of exp, need job & visa. Contact - 98326656 Driver with experience of 10 years in Oman seeks suitable placement. Contact: 92191698 Driver (light & heavy duty) valid gulf /Indian) looking job.

Contact: 95175192

ENGG. / TECH./MECH. Civil Engineer 11 years experience in construction having driving license & NOC. Contact: 94194399 Email: shiblyrock@gmail.com Male 29 years (BE) MEP Engineer 8.5 years of experience in building construction. Seeking a suitable job. Contact -95119765/ Email id jayachandranmep@gmail.com NOC available Civil Engineer (B.Tech), Indian male 24 years with 1+years Indian experience,(Certified in Staad Pro/ Quantity Survey/ Auto Cad).

Looking for a Suitable position.

Available In Sultanate of Oman (Muscat) on Visit Visa.

Contact: 92835952. E-mail: mohammedamair.bin@gmail.com B.Tech (IT) Indian Male 2 years Oman experience in I.T & Networking, holding Oman Driving License, presently on employment visa, seeks for a suitable placement.

Ready to join immediately. NOC available. Contact: 92462578

ENGG. / TECH./MECH.

Project Engineer, BSc, 6 years experience in Oman, building construction Fluent Arabic, English and good Hindi Release and NOC Available). Tel: 97858589 Indian male, 25 yrs, Diploma in Hardware & Network Engineering having 4 yrs experience now in Oman, on visit visa seeking suitable placement. Contact 98779754 / 92720311 Civil Engineer, 2 years GCC experience seeking job in construction & infrastructure industry.

Contact: 97309549 Civil Engineer (Diploma) having total 11 yrs experience in building construction looking for suitable placement having Oman driving license, NOC available.

Contact 95075365, Email : azharraaz@gmail.com Civil structural Engineer 6 years experience Oman license.

Contact: 96380693

Indian male Electrical Engineer, having 6 years gulf experience in designing, assembling, commissioning execution etc having valid GCC license too looking for a suitable. Contact: 00968-98052942 Email: azamjeelani78@gmail.com

Indian male, 26 yrs, having 5 yrs Gulf experience as pre sales Engineer in IT field, looking for suitable job. NOC available, having Oman driving license with own car. Contact 96929899, Email : umeshreshmiya2@gmail.com

Electrical Engineer (B. Tech) 6 years experience in Oman, expertise in medc/mzec projects, valid oman D/L. Contact : 99281715

Indian male, Mechanical Engineer with 6 yrs experience in MEP field, seeking for a job, on visit visa with GCC license available.

Contact 98086267, Email : khaleel1586@gmail.com

Indian Electrical Engineer Btech, female 24 seeking job, presently in oman having 2 year experience in design and estimation of Ht &Lt projects. Contact 968 97436557, Mail id : sibinanoop1@gmail.com Civil Engineer 6 yrs Exp in Oman with license. Contact: 98975528 B. Tech Mechanical Engineer fresh Graduate, on visit visa looking for opportunities. Contact:94743373 email:akasharavind1@gmail.com B.Tech Civil Engineer Indian male having 1 year experience in home country, having Indian driving license. Contact 92367429 / 918801851806 Civil AutoCAD Draughtsman 12 years experience 9 years Gulf experience. Contact: 93528255 Diploma in Electronics, 2 years exp in telecommunication.

Contact: 94519571 Email: telecommunicationvishnumadhull @gmail.com Male B.S.C Engineer Civil total 10 years experience 7 years in Oman 2.5 years as Contractor Engr and 4.5 years as Consultant Engr, total 7 years in Oman seeking a job.

Contact: 95540721 Email: sheikcuet@gmail.com Senior Telecom Engineer 4 years experience in Oman valid driving license MBA project management.

Contact: 95688953 Email: johan.joy@gmail.com Male (23) BE Electrical Engineer looking for job as Electrical Engineering job experience 6 months in MEP designing & electrical designing job. Contact 98209070 Email: punivinlal@gmail.com B.Tech (IT) Indian male 2 years Oman experience in I.T & Networking, holding Oman Driving License, presently on employment visa, seeks for a suitable placement. Ready to join immediately.

NOC available. Contact: 92462578 email: kiren88@gmail.com Indian Civil Engineer 2 yrs exp in building construction /knowledge in staad PRO primavera / apostille attested certificate seeking immediate placement. Contact: 96637494

Sudanese Electrical Engg, 1 yr exp. in Generators, on visit visa.

Contact 94768845, Email : mohamedkarrar.mk@gmail.com Mechanical Engg, 7 yrs exp. in Generators, solar sys, HVAC, NOC & D/L available. Contact 97452159, Email : mohamedkarrar.mk@gmail.com Instrument Technician (diploma), Indian male, 24 yrs, 3 yrs experience in reputed oil & gas companies, currently on visit visa, seeks suitable job. Contact: 92007218 Email: ahmed0515@gmail.com Indian male, BE, Mechanical, with trainee level experience at Galfar & autoCAD, Creo, Ansys, certified individual looking for suitable placement in Oman. Contact 91232147, Email : shamil21siraj@gmail.com, Mr. Shamil Siraj.

Fresher Graduate looking for job (Electrical & Electronics Engineering), special course (Simatic P/C).

Contact 97304565 Electrical Engineer: Indian male, 30 yrs having 5 yrs of experience in industrial automation & utility maintenance in India (MRF tyres), holding valid Oman D/L. Contact 92789995, email : akhilabrahamlktr@gmail.com Diploma in Electrical Engineering with 6 years’ experience in Electrical Automation, Programming, Project, Power, Energy and Supervision in Civil Work.

Currently in Oman and looking for suitable position, Please contact 94873560/92406652.

Indian Mechanical Engineer having 2+ yrs experience in India & Qatar looking for suitable job.

Contact 93828354. Email : shemseer23191@gmail.com Sudanese Civil Engineer with 5 years experienced AutoCAD primavera & GIS Arabic & English language looking for a suitable job.

Contact: 91340584 29 yrs Indian male B.E (ECE) with more than 5 yrs experience in Oman with valid D/L. Contact: 96652145

Civil Engineer (BE) male 3 years experience (2 yrs in India) seeks placement, NOC available.

Contact 98639039

Mechanical Engineer M.Tech 2 years experience HVAC design & site Engg revit MEP Auto CAD. Contact: 90150913 Email: mahmanmechengg@yahoo.im

Sudanese Architectural Engineer 2 years experience in Oman, Revit, AutoCAD 3Ds max Archicad looking for suitable job.

Contact: 94722356 Email: maya40999@hotmail.com

Indian female, 31 yrs, 7 yrs experienced as AutoCAD civil draftsman (2 yrs experience in Oman) currently in Oman seeks suitable.

Contact 96789441 Email: simi5304@gmail.com

B.Tech C.Eng. AMIEI, Electrical Engineer with 5years experience in the field of electrical power system (transmission & distribution) area expertise in design Ele-SLD, preparing BOQ, LS & estimation transformers switchgear selection installation testing & commissioning in all sectors. Contact: 94638744, EMAIL : ceng.shaz@gmail.com Civil Engineer diploma, 4 yrsexp seeks suitable position ina reputed company. NOC available.

Contact – 96789711 Indian male, Mechanical Engineer having 1Year experience, on visit visa looking for suitable job.

Contact: 97416564, Email: jovinmathias@gmail.com Civil Engineer 8 years experience in Oman as a project engineer for governmental & private projects.

Contact – 90164912 Network Engineer BA: CS with experience CCNA, MCSA. Contact: 92346191 Civil Engineer 6 yrs Exp in Oman with license. Contact: 98975528 7 Yrs Exp. PM in Mech. Engg in the field of Building Const. Oil & Gas Seeking Job.94625598 Indian male (B.Tech EEE) 31 yrs having managerial skills AutoCAD quality control electrical fault debugging 6 yrs experience in electric field & good communication skills. Contact: 90181566 Email: jittoandrewsnesto@gmail.com Bachelor Civil Engineer 6 Years in Oman experience Valid Driving License seeks suitable placement Phone 97619722 Email – golamrob@yahoo.com Road and Construction Engineer with 5 years exp in Oman.

Contact: 97667113 Civil Engineer 6 yrs Exp in Oman with license. Contact: 98975518 Electrical Engineer with 18 years exp in UAE. Contact: 98148034 Email: shassalih66@gmail.com Indian Male 23 years B.Tech Civil having 2 years experience in quantity survey and site management looking for suitable placement. Contact:- 95042656 Diploma in Mechanical Eng piping system in AutoCAD work, 21+ years experience with Driving license. Contact: 95267113 Email: rkakkaryil@gmail.com Mechanical Engineer with 3 Yrs experience in international Oil & Gas company looking for job Contacts: Tel: 90164236 Email: mustafaoshi-62@hotmail.com Civil Engineer (BE) having total 5 years experience in building construction looking for a suitable placement. D/L available Contact# 94450270 Indian female civil engineer B.Tech having 3 years experience sound knowledge of software, REVIT STAD PRO structural detailing currently on family visa seeks suitable placement. Contact: 95345591 Civil maintenance painting, tile works decor works, plumbing, electric, shop furnishing carpentary works and all other maintenance. Contact 97897831, 92112094 (Indian, Keralite) Sri Lankan Engineer (27 Years old) – B.Sc Engineering (Hon) Mining / Geotechnical Presently in Muscat, 1.5 years experience.

Contact 91295802 / acmfaslan123@gmail.com Bcs Civil Engineer, 3 years experience, NOC available looking for suitable replacement. GSM-97409350.

Mail- kamrul07cuet@gmail.com Diploma in Mechanical Engineering, 36 years, Male, Indian, having 16 years of experience in machine maintenance & machine breakdown, worked with reputed companies in India, currently on visit visa seeking suitable placement.

Contact- 99011507 E-mail: rsdengroman@gmail.com

HOSPITALITY Indian male 42 B.A Degree & diploma in hotel management with 16 yrs experience in India Abroad having V/L Oman D/L looking for suitable placement.

Contact: 91575956 / 95451547 Email: lijosaju@yahoo.com

SALES & MARKETING PROFESSIONAL WITH 17 YRS OF EXPERIENCE IN CONSUMER ELECTRONICS SEEKS C-LEVEL PLACEMENT. COMMITTED P&L DELIVERIES COUPLED WITH BUSINESS DEVPT & STRATEGY FORMS MY CORE.

CALL +968 97912950 HOSPITALITY

MISCELLANEOUS Indian female 28 years, presently on family visa looking for a suitable post. Contact: 93916523 Email: arya.surendran87@gmail.com

Hospitality/Hotel/ Restaurants Dynamic result oriented hospitality professional with 20 years of international exp. MBA in Hotel Management, specializing in Hotel/Restaurant start ups, concepts & Franchise development with proven records. Seeking for Challenging positions in reputed groups as GM/COO/CEO/Business Head. (NOC available) Contact: 96059470

Indian female on visit MBA (International Business- Marketing & Logistics), BE (Computers & Science Engg.) Trained in SAP-BI/ BW with 1 year experience seeking for job Contact: 90228586 Email:fathimasha16@gmail.com

Dutch male qualified commercial pilot (Faa-ME-IR certified) is looking for job openings in middle east. rutjestom@outlook.com

MANAGER/ SUPERVISOR

IT Indian Male, IT System Engineer having 4 yrs of experience in system administration.CCNA,MCSE, Linux. Looking for suitable job.

Contact :91272867 Indian female B.Tech IT with 2 years experienced in HCL presently on family visa.

Contact: 90357203 Email: ammupravda123@gmail.com IT Coordinator 6 years experience in hardware & networking diploma (2 yrs) in Hardware & net working on visit visa. Contact: 99610415 Bachelor of Computer Applications, 27 years, Male, excellent communication skills in English, 2 years experience as Administrative Assistant, seeks suitable placement. Contact GSM: 93985563, Email: wazim86@gmail.com 10 years Oman experience ICT Sector, capable of handling large accounts, looking for suitable Senior Executive position.

Contact: 98987654 NEBOSH, IOSH Indian male HSE officer experience 8 yrs, 6 yrs GCC. Contact: 93235457 Email: srecjithsurcndran3@gmail.com Indian female, 28 yrs, MCA, B. Com, 3 yrs experience in the field of Computer hardware, ERP Softwares & windows networking where planning, implementing & trouble shooting with multiple platform of OS Microsoft XP / 7/ on visit visa. Contact 95089170, email : anjuretnakar@gmail.com Communication Network CCNA fresh Graduate. Contact: 98194924 Indian male MCA, Oracle , orion , ERP, 15 years experience , 5 years in Oman with NOC. Contact: 95398567 Email: anasa4@gmail.com Senior IT Engineer Sudanese male 9 years experience in Govt./ Private sectors. Contact: 94675984 Senior IT Engineer Sudanese male 9 years experience in Govt. / Private sectors.Contact: 94874758 B.Tech (IT) Indian Male 2 years Oman experience in I.T & Networking, holding Oman Driving License, presently on employment visa, seeks for a suitable placement. Ready to join immediately.

NOC available. Contact: 92462578 Hardware & net working, 2 years exp. Contact: 96244031

MISCELLANEOUS Indian female with experience in Physiology & logistics, currently as Logistic Coordinator seeks suitable placement. Contact 96400107, Email : amiablesheru@gmail.com Indian female, Masters in Computer Application,26 yrs, 2 yrs of exp in administration, seeking suitable job in administration, IT, teaching, banking etc. Preferably in Muscat. Contact:99417993 dhanyaparumala@gmail.com 21 yrs, male, Oman experience, 2 yrs, educational qualification S.S.E, languages Arabic, Hindi, with Oman driving license seeks job. Contact 94157194 / 94116029

Graduate, computer literate, experienced in sales, credit control, accounts, Omani D/L , seeks suitable placement. Gsm 98805474

Purchase MGR / Transport in charge 9 yrs exp in Oman having D/L & NOC join immediately.

Contact: 90187891 Email: mohammedshariff35@gmail.com Indian male, MBA Graduate, GCC with valid D/L, currently working as branch Manager in Muscat, 4 yrs Oman experience in Admin & HR Executive trainer, customer service, sale supervising accounting, fluent in Arabic, English, Hindi looking for suitable placement.

Release & NOC available.

Contact 97644108, email : basheervision21st@gmail.com MBA (marketing) with 17 years experience in freight forwarding/ logistics industry in GCC & Oman.

Presently working as branch manager in Muscat. Looking for a suitable position. Release and NOC available. Contact: 99856331 Indian, 40 yrs, 16 yrs in Gulf, Supervisor in steel fabrication company, seeks suitable placement98667442 / 98119694 Indian HSE Manager Grad IOSH & I Dip NEBOSH with 18 years experience presently working in Oman seeking suitable HSE jobs Oman driving license & NOC available.

Contact: 94401830 Email: hseoman101@gmail.com The Business Development Manager, Iraqi, Experience 15 Years Inside and outside Oman following activities: construction(Very strong and qualified to bringing business for civil work Or any type of the construction work for many million per year with a good experience in pricing and collect payment and cash management of the company & marketing projects & investments& tenders & real estate.

Contact 92385033 Result oriented hospitality professional with 20 years management experience in Oman and other gulf countries looking for a suitable vacancy in hotels, restaurants and catering companies.

Contact 97204636 Indian male M.B.A with 7 years Oman experience in Insurance sector with D/L, NOC available seeking suitable position.Contact: 99278672 Indian male, with experience in operations management, information security, purchase & stores mgmt, hold UAE driving license, on visit visa, seeks suitable job.

Contact 91904541 Email: naushers@yahoo.com Indian male 8 yrs exp in Oman working as housekeeping supervisor in star hotel, seeking for a job NOC available. Contact – 91753210 Purchase/Planning & Logistics Manager, MBA (Finance), 14yrs.

Oman Exp. with D/L, NOC available, looking for suitable position.

Contact : 93826090, Email: jskanchan01@gmail.com 25 years Gulf experienced Manager in operations, projects, properties, holding valid Oman driving license, with NOC, looking for suitable opening. Contact: 91283701 The Business Development Manager, Iraqi, Experience 15 Years Inside and outside Oman following activities: tenders& real estate& construction & marketing projects& investments& transportation & Marine services& companies management& develop business. Contact :- 92385033

D6

T H U R S D AY, JA N UA RY 7, 2 0 1 6

DAILY GUIDE

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

SITUATION WANTED MEDICAL Indian female 27 years, BSC ML T 3 years experience as lab technician currently in Muscat looking for job. Contact: 91849807 Email: jeethaiype63@gmail.com 10+ yrs experience as Optical Practice Manager, Diploma in Ophthalmic Assistant, BCA seeking for good placement.

Email : udayasuresh87@gmail. com, 99576403 / 91 9962888824 Dentist Indian female with MOH license working in Oman since last 2 yrs & worked in India for 5 yrs is looking for a suitable placement in Sohar urgently. NOC available.

Contact : 94227073 Indian female Dentist prometric passed, 3 yrs experience looking for suitable position in Muscat.

Contact 91429337 / 98631283 An experienced Sudanese female Dentist with MOH license looking for job. Contact: 96436517 /97396088

SALES / MARKETING Professional with 12 years experience in Export industry. Dealt with markets across US, EU, Latin America & Asian countries for business development, sourcing & supply chain in the made-to-order business inclusive of product development & marketing. Currently employed in Oman with driving license. NOC available. Contact 96931557.

B.Com male 2 yrs experience in sales Computer knowledge, seeking suitable placement. # 99648334 14 yrs MNC Sales /Marketing Manager experience with D/L visa NOC. Contact: 90205082 Looking for immediate sales & marketing job with 7 yrs Gulf experience and driving license till 12 Feb 16.

Contact: 99642611 Email: kashif_lam@yahoo.com Indian (keralite) male 25 yrs MBA in marketing & logistics ,2 yrs marketing exp presently in Oman in residential visa (NOC could obtained) with Oman D/L seeks suitable placement. Contact :90263368, Email: getintouchtst@gamil.com

Indian Male B.com, PGDCA & Tally,14 years’ experience in Customer Care, Operations, Sales, Coordination, Accounts & Admin.

Seeking suitable position.

Currently on Visit Visa Contact – 94871963 or 99440152.

Email: rajeshkv.pmna@gmail.com MBA ( HR & Marketing), B.Com, Indian male, 28 yrs, 2 yrs exp. in Qatar, having Oman driving license, presently on family visa in Salalah (NOC available), looking for HR, Admin (NOC available), looking for HR, Admin, Assistant Accountant, Marketing & sales job in Salalah.

Contact 98138376, Email : subinabraham87@gmail.com Indian male 5 years experience in Store keeping & driving license, release available. Contact: 95197065 Indian male, 25 yrs, MBA, Marketing with 1 yr experience in Sales & Marketing looking for immediate placement. Contact 91945577 B.Com male 5 yrs exp. in sales Oman D/L. Contact: 94824000 Email: sharseem@gmail.com

MBA graduate having 6 years exp in Sales & Marketing, 4 years with PEPSI, India, having international driving license permit seeks suitable placement. Cont : 95308167, Email : samir.pag@gmail.com MBA 14 years Experience in Multinational Groups in Sales & Marketing with Omani Driving Licence.

M.Z. 96220975 Indian male 23 MBA Marketing and HR with 8 months experience in sales and marketing looking for suitable placement. # 91987119 Email: reny.cherian1@gmail.com Indian male, MBA Marketing having 2.5 years Sales experience immediately looking for a suitable position. Contact: 91415145, Email: shariqs88@gmail.com Looking for driving & marketing job, 4 yrs exp. in Muscat, English, Arabic & Hindi. Contact 99548180 38 yrs, male, Graduate, 7 yrs experience in Sales/ Marketing Electronic field having NOC & D/L. Contact 92453375

SKILLED / UNSKILLED Indian male 40 having 5 years experience in UAE, looking for suitable placement in Oman. Contact: Rethish Kumar: 00968 99282901 / 00968 93988015 Email: rethishkumar@gmail.com

More than 8 yrs experienced mill with fitter & pipe fitter. #95600418 Mason, SH / carpenter, steel fitter gulf & Indian exp looking job.

Contact: 95175192

SITUATION WANTED CARGO

RENT A CAR

RENT A CAR

TRANSPORTATION

RENT A CAR

TRANSPORTATION 7 Ton/ 10 Ton- Trailer Local transport- MCT- UAE

Contact 96609857 Amir Ali Transportation available Ruwi to Al Khuwair, Ghubra & Azaiba.

Contact: 91103909 Transportation. Contact 99508282 Transportation. Contact: 99664703 Transportation. Contact 96173326 Transportation. Contact 94510847 Transportation Contact: 99077395

TRANSPORTATION Pick & drop anytime in Al Khuwair. Contact 99764307

Transportation taxi mini bus.

Contact: 93091106

Al Sharouq rent a car. Contact: 99222617 Silver car, car rental at good rate.

Contact: 96166155/93530540

Car available with driver for monthly, weakly, daily rent.

Contact 96728056 / 98031620 Rental car. Contact: 92516090

25 - 50 seater bus with PDO & BP specification for monthly rent & small car with driver.

Contact 99839898

T H U R S DAY, JA N UA RY 7, 2 0 1 6

D7

DAILY GUIDE TOURS

SITUATION WANTSERVICES

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

SITUATION WANTED SERVICES

We arrange tours & accommodation at all the beautiful places in Oman. Contact 99839898

SITUATION WANTED EDUCATION/CLASSES/TRAINING

IELTS & TOEFL Academic / General Target Band 8 TQT Institute.

Ph # 24480800 / 99347202

Spoken Arabic class for Non Arabic Speakers & English class for Malayalam Speakers

in Azaiba and Ruwi

• Learn in two months • Satisfaction guaranteed

Tel: 95244310 Karate and self defense classes at Azaiba 18 Nov Street. RO 10 per month twice a week Monday and Tuesday 6. 30 TO 7. 30. PM. CONTACT 98294551

COMPUTER

SERVICES

IELTS PREPARATION

We Provide Cleaners, Office boys, Cleaning Contracts, General cleaning etc.

Al Mudakhir National Est. LLC Contact : 94277020

Classes for Spoken English TOEFL / GRE / GMAT / SAT Excellent Guidance and Coaching Satisfaction Guaranteed EAGLES INSTITUTE

Target Band 8.0

92325542 | 93657915 | 93657917 | Email: engominst@gmail.com

House shifting & transporting.

Contact 92490422 Split & window A/c servicing & maintenance. #: 93769089 / 95323517 Water proofing ABUQABASContact 99320217/24788722 Catering for Party & Birthday service Cnt 97196675 Marble grinding resurfacing & ceiling crystallization / polishing general cleaning of villas & flats.

Terrazzo floor scrubbing, ceiling, polishing & buffing.

Contact: 98598280 /94134784 MARBLE CRYSTALLIZATION restore the original shine of your marble. Contact 24793614/ 99314807

Cleaning & Carpet Shampooing, Ocean Center LLC. Contact: 99344723 Pest Control Treatments.

Ocean Center LLC. Contact: 99344723 House shifting. Contact: 99657644/98518013

WEBSITE

GUARANTEED CLEANING: Carpet & sofa shampooing, Contact 99314807/24792998 Carpet Shampoo, marble & tile polishing, pest control & anti-termite treatment, general cleaning painting,Plumbing, Electrical, shifting. Contact Mundhir Al-Rizaiqi trading. L.L.C. Contact: 24810137, 99450130 Al farzdaq Al Fedi Trad and Cont Maintenance services electric, plumbing and A/C. Contact: 96524904 / 94285064 Marble Restoration, Mosaic tiles polishing, carpet shampooing, maintenance.

Contact ABU QABAS- 99320217 /24788722

FOR LADIES Special offer for ladies only, All beautification for 15 RO. Al Doom beauty parlour in Ruwi. (Home service also) Contact 99619409

SERVICES We provide loading unloading helper for contracting.

Contact: 94777137

WEB, ERP and Business Intelligence (BI) creation and management at rock bottom price.

Contact: http//webviewoman

D8

T H U R S D AY, JA N UA RY 7, 2 0 1 6

DAILY GUIDE

SITUATION WANTED DINING DELIGHTS

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