Times of Oman - July 8, 2015

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RAMADAN PRAYER TIMINGS IFTAR 7.03PM FAJR 3.59AM

WEDNESDAY, July 8, 2015 / 21 Ramadan 1436 AH

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Ministry of EXERCISE CAUTION: The Public Authority of Civil Defence and Ambulance has advised motorists to

exercise caution while filling petrol tanks. – Supplied photo

Manpower officials

Call to ‘switch off’ as Barka petrol station catches fire

have warned that

MUSCAT: A fire broke out at a Shell petrol station in Barka on Monday evening, causing panic in the area. However, there were no reports of any injuries.

The Public Authority of Civil Defence and Ambulance (PACDA) officials said they were investigating the cause of the fire, and advised motorists to exercise caution while filling petrol tanks.

After the earlier incidents, a PACDA official had told the Times

of Oman that with temperatures soaring high in the country, any small spark can trigger a fire. The official called on motorists to install fire extinguishers in their vehicles and to abide by the rules.

Refuelling vehicle “Motorists should also switch off the vehicle’s engine while refuelling,” the official had said.

The PACDA also asked people not to smoke or talk on mobile phones at petrol stations, and urged them to report any spillage

to the staff. It asked petrol station attendants to ensure that the fuel pump nozzle was disconnected from the car fuel tank before the vehicle left. The latest incident is the fourth this year.

Last month, two people were injured and some vehicles damaged in a fire at a petrol station in Al Ghubrah.

On June 3, a car caught fire while refuelling in Bidbid at around 8am. In another incident, on June 2, a car caught fire at a petrol station in Yanqul.

B R O A D D AY L I G H T R O B B E RY

TOP THREE INSIDE STORIES

OMAN

Public should stay ‘alert’ for mobile phone thieves after incident Staff Reporter

Meet held to discuss Muttrah development

1

A meeting was held to develop Muttrah as a tourist destination and setting up of a tourist office to streamline tourism sector. The new office will house representatives from ROP, Muscat Municipality and the Ministry of Tourism. >A3

REGION

Lawyers to defend Moroccan women

2

Hundreds of lawyers have registered to defend two women who went on trial in Morocco accused of ‘gross indecency’ for wearing dresses considered provocative.

The women were arrested in the southern city of Agadir. >A7

MARKET

Banks in Oman comfortable

3

Oman’s banks are in a comfortable position in maintaining capital adequacy ratio — an international standard that measures a bank’s risk of insolvency from excessive losses. >B1

MUSCAT: People have been urged to remain cautious by the police after a mobile phone of a passerby was snatched from her hand by a thief in broad daylight on Monday.

The thief, identified by the police as a Pakistani national, had followed the victim and snatched the mobile while she was talking on the phone.

Speaking to the Times of Oman, a source at the Royal Oman Police (ROP) said that people should be ‘alert’ and ‘careful’ although this is not a ‘very common’ crime.

Usually complaints about cellphones theft are received from houses, vehicles or other places, said the source.

Recalling the incident, the victim said, “It was around 3.40pm when I was walking in an alley leading to the Shell gas station in Ruwi close to Sheraton Hotel.

This man suddenly hit my sunglasses, snatched my phone and fled. I was shocked but began screaming for help and chased him.” She added that while she was shouting for help, the thief threw down some items, but she did not notice whether the phone was among them.

“I did not stop to check but continued to chase him. The construction workers on the Sheraton flyover heard my cries for

help and also began chasing the man. Other workers at the other end of the flyover who witnessed the scene managed to nab him,” she recalled.

“Then I realised that it was my phone that he had thrown down.

The construction workers along with an Omani national held the thief while I headed back to find my phone. However, another person brought it to me,” she said.

“I had run so much that I could hardly breathe. I called the police and they reached the scene in five minutes or so. They took him to the police station in Ruwi and put him in a lock-up. I went there to complete the formalities,” said the victim.

“This is the first time that such a thing has happened to me. I always believed that it would never happen to me in Oman and that too in broad daylight,” said the victim.

Be careful “I should have been more cautious and not used my phone on the road, but I had to make an urgent call. I advise people, especially women, to be careful when they are outside alone,” she said.

“It is not just about mobile phones. They should be careful about everything such as their purse or whatever they are carrying and should not choose a road which is deserted,” she added.

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Outcry over early Eid pay from bosses

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any companies not paying salaries early,

by July 14, may face legal action

ELHAM POURMOHAMMADI FAHAD AL GHADANI

MUSCAT: Private companies should not be forced to pay salaries earlier as it disturbs their financial plans, and some companies cannot afford to do so, say members of the business community.

The Ministry of Manpower has made it clear that companies must comply with the decision regarding early payment of salaries in July, and any company violating the decision will face legal action, a reliable source at the ministry told the Times of Oman.

According to the ministerial

decision, salaries of private sector employees should be given by July 14 due to Eid Al Fitr.

“This is a ministerial decision and all private companies should abide by it,” said the source, and added that employees who do not get their salaries by the deadline should report it to the ministry.

“The Ministry of Manpower will then investigate the company, and if found guilty it will face legal action,” he said.

However, businessmen in the private sector say it is in an unfair decision and puts undue financial burden on companies.

Ahmed Al Hooti, a member of the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI), believes that the decision should be revised in the future as it leads

to certain problems. “I believe, the government sector knows the situation, so it depends on them.

But as far as the private sector is concerned, it is best left to the employees,” he said.

The employee should be given the choice and an advance payment can be made based on their requirements, he added.

“Today in the private sector, we have more than one million employees and just 20 per cent of them are Omanis. So the Omanis may need their salaries earlier, but the rest probably do not, and that creates quite a few problems,” he said.

“We do not want to force employees to take their salaries earlier,” he said, and added that employees may face some issues as they will have to wait longer for the next salary.

Sultan Ali Al Busaidi, managing director (MD) of the United National Oilfield Services (UNOS), a new generation start-up company, said that the ministry should revise the decision.

“Monthly financial (outlays) have to be planned very much in advance, and normally salaries are hitting our accounts on the 25th of every month,” he said, and added that it would be difficult for companies to pay salaries earlier. >A6

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W EDN ESDAY, JULY 8, 2015

OMAN

For the Omani economy, it (academic programme) is unique as it offers the basis for a viable economic diversification and employment creation Prof. Dr. Heba Aziz, GUtech academic

ACADEMIC

GUtech launches business and service management course TARIQ AL HAREMI tariqh@timesofoman.com

FUTURE AVENUES: The new programme focuses on the tourism sector and related service sectors like transportation, aviation and event management. – Jun Estrada/TIMES OF OMAN

MUSCAT: German University of Technology (GUtech) officially launched their new Bachelor’s Degree programme called International Business and Service Management (IBSM) under the auspices of Maitha Al Mahrouqi, Undersecretary of Ministry of Tourism, at the Bustan Palace Ritz Carlton Hotel.

The new IBSM programme is carefully aligned with the needs of the tourism and service sector in Oman as well as the overall requirements of the Omani business environment. The tourism industry is considered one of the largest industries in the world employing

approximately 10 per cent of the world labour force which is 1 in every 11 persons.

“Our new programme is the predecessor of the programme Sustainable Tourism and Regional Development. The programme focuses on the tourism sector and related service sectors like transportation, aviation, event management from an international business approach,” said Prof. Dr. Heba Aziz, Head of the Department of Logistics, Tourism and Service Management.

IBSM is an eight semester programme allowing full understanding of the tourism economy, both nationally and internationally, within the context of a detailed programme of international busi-

ness management. It follows the CTS credit hourly system.

The programme is not limited to classrooms as students will gain knowledge through field trips, entrepreneurship workshop, consultancy projects with public and private sectors as well as a twelve week internship at establishments such the Bustan Palace Hotel.

The IBSM programme is tailored to the requirements of the Sultanate and the region where it draws state of the art expertise accumulated at RWTH Aachen University, GUtech’s partner university in Germany.

“For the Omani economy, it is unique as it offers the basis for a viable economic diversification and employment creation on one side

and it is highly competitive due to Oman’s unique tourism product on the other,” said Aziz, explaining that the students will be equipped with the business knowledge they would need for this expanding sector.

Students could also get job offers from the likes of Oman Air, Oman Airport Management Company, Oman Exhibition and Convention Center, Omran Tourism Development, leading hotels among many other in the tourism and hospitality sector.

To shed light on the tourism sector and Oman’s economic vision for 2040; two million tourists have visited the Sultanate in 2014 which is an increase of 7 per cent compared to 2013.

NAKHAL MOSQUE TO BE INAUGURATED ON FRIDAY

Delegated by His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said, Nasr bin Hamoud Al Kindi, Secretary General of the Royal Court Affairs will open next Friday Sultan Qaboos Mosque in the Wilayat of Nakhal in the Governorate of South Al Batinah. The new mosque, which is located at Bab Al Dhfour area, west of the Wilayat of Nakhal, stretches over 92,267 square meters of which 5,826 square meters are the built up area and the remainder dedicated for green spaces, external works, car parks and an area for future expansion.-ONA

W E D N E S DAY, JU LY 8, 2 0 1 5

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New tourist office for Muttrah to be set up Officials discussed plans to raise the living standards of the residents of Muttrah without disturbing the historical and cultural identity of the city. Space for new roads and expansion of existing ones were among issues discussed FACELIFT PLANS: Officials from ROP and the Public Authority for Civil Defence and Ambulance,

representatives from the Muscat Municipality, Haya Company and the project consultant discussed plans for the upgradation of Muttrah. –File photo

Times News Service MUSCAT: Plans for upgrading Muttrah as a tourist destination and the setting up a tourist office that would help to streamline the facilities were discussed by top officials recently.

The new tourist office would house representatives from the Royal Oman Police (ROP), Muscat Municipality and the Ministry of Tourism, who would be there to offer any help required by tourists visiting Muttrah.

The meeting involved specialists from various directorates and departments of the ROP and the Public Authority for Civil Defence and Ambulance (PACDA) in the presence of representatives from the Muscat Municipality, Haya Company and the project consultant to discuss plans for the upgradation of Muttrah.

Space for new roads and expansion of the existing ones to address the traffic congestion problem were among the issues discussed. Plans to improve traffic movement, facilitate security surveillance, with a provision for ambulances and civil defence services along with creating enough parking space, were also discussed in the meeting.

Integrated plan The meeting included a visual presentation for an integrated plan of the Muttrah Development Project and the consultancy for the project which was aimed at designing infrastructure that would help in the rehabilitation of Muttrah.

The Muscat Municipality stated that it sought to raise the liv-

ing standards of the residents of Muttrah without disturbing the historical and cultural identity of the city.

The meeting addressed the current status of Muttrah and the problems being faced by the ROP to raise the level of services provided to residents.

The geographical nature of Muttrah, the large population and the narrow streets and pathways are major challenges faced by the ROP and the PACDA in providing security and safety to the residents.

The meeting also discussed providing fibre-optic cables to facilitate the process of close circuit cameras for improved surveillance, better control over the entry and exit of trucks, identifying special places for loading goods,

RAMADAN DRIVE

Ooredoo lauds charity team TARIQ AL HAREMI tariqh@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: Ooredoo concluded its 11th Goodwill Journey on Monday under the auspices of H.H Sayyid Kamil bin Fahad Al Said by honouring 22 volunteers for their contribution to charity during the Holy Month of Ramadan.

The Goodwill convoys, headed

by Khalid Ali Al Zadjali, department head of External Affairs – Government Relations, travelled through eleven cities. These were Mussanah, Liwa, Ibri, and Al Buraimi, in addition to Dima wa’Tayeen, Qurayat, Nizwa, and Samail. The convoys also visited Maseera Island, Duqm and Salalah. Their main purpose was to spread joy among people in these cities by offering donations and helping women hone their skills in cooking, tailoring and other handicrafts.

Manal Al Kiyumi, head of the Goodwill project said, “We have helped 24 women from Mussan-

SOCIAL PURPOSE: Goodwill convoys travelled through eleven cit-

ies to spread joy among people.– Jun Estrada/Times of Oman

ah graduate in tailoring, cooking and beauty workshops before the arrival of the convoys, to enable them to join us on our journey.

This is what we focus on in social development.”

Rather than providing onetime donations, the contributions will support communities in the long-term as well as spread hap-

piness in the short-term.

The convoys went around the cities providing toys to children in hospital wards, education and skill training to women’s associations, indoor playgrounds for school children as well as educational materials and resources, while spreading joy and spirituality of Ramadan.

CHARITY DRIVE

Oman Air helps rebuild Nepal Times News Service MUSCAT: Following the devastating earthquake in Nepal in April, Oman Air has risen to the challenge of meeting the needs of those affected, and maintaining operations on one of its key flagship routes.

Paul Gregorowitsch, chief executive officer of Oman Air, said, “Oman Air came forward wholeheartedly to collect money to be sent for the rehabilitation of those devastated by the earthquake. We collected close to OMR10,000. This has been handed over to the Oman Charitable Association, which is spearheading a campaign to help the victims of the earthquake.

“On behalf of all my colleagues, I would like to thank Awena Al Fehdi and Al Azhar Al Zaabi for organising the fundraising campaign,” he said.

HELPING HAND: The collected amount was donated to humanitarian organisations in Nepal, through the Oman Charitable Association. – Supplied photo

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and organising warehouses located near the Muttrah Souq. The enhanced security would also help in ensuring proper accommodation for bachelors in Muttrah.

Office set-up The meeting suggested the establishment of a building to be used as an office to streamline the tourism sector, which would house representatives from the ROP, the Muscat Municipality and the Ministry of Tourism.

In order to make better use of the land in Muttrah, the infrastructure and rehabilitation project will include more studies about the area in the near future. The studies will target roads, maritime tracks, light and heavy transportation, parking and other requirements in the field of transport.

MINISTRY OF MANPOWER

153 workers arrested for violating labour law MUSCAT: Expatriate workers found violating the labour law in the last week of June stood at 153 according to the report of the Joint inspection team of the Ministry of Manpower. The violators included 119 commercial workers, 15 farm workers and 19 housemaids and their equivalents.

The inspection teams caught 84 absconding workers, 48 astray workers and 19 workers with other violations. The Governorate of Muscat witnessed the highest number of workers violating the law with 55 cases, followed by the Governorate of North Al Batinah with 27 workers.–ONA

W EDNESDAY, JULY 8, 2015

TODAY’S DUAA ‘O Allah, on this day, beautify me with covering and chastity, cover me with the clothes of contentment and chastity, let me adhere to justice and fairness, and keep me safe from all that I fear, by Your protection, O the protector of the frightened.’

T

A U L RE T I R I P TR S E

he Arabic word ‘I’tikaf’ that is attributed to seclusion in the mosque can have several meanings. It has a number of implications: distancing oneself from worldly distractions, or preventing oneself from certain pleasures, or voluntarily trapping and restricting oneself in a confined space. It can also mean committing yourself to something, and in this case of course it means committing yourself to worship, deep thought, and rituals practised by our Prophet Mohammed (peace be upon him).

I’tikaf refers to the religious practice of spending the last ten days of Ramadan (either wholly or partly) in a mosque so as to devote oneself exclusively to worship. I’tikaf is a spiritual retreat and Islamic ritual in which a believer secludes himself from others to engage solely in acts of worship and keep away from worldly dealings, especially during Ramadan.

I’tikaf is for a person to confine himself to the mosque in obedience to Allah so as to separate himself from the people and free himself (from the chores of daily life) to exert himself in worshipping Allah. This can take place in any mosque, whether it is a mosque in which people gather for the Friday prayer or not. However, it is better (to perform the I’tikaf ) in a mosque in which the people gather for the Friday prayer so that one performing I’tikaf is not forced to leave the mosque (in which he is doing I’tikaf ) to go to another mosque for the Friday prayers. The last ten days of Ramadan has a special significance as it is most likely on one these days that the Lailatul Qadr (Night of Power), descends upon Muslims promising them bountiful rewards to those who spends time in Ibadaah (worship) and asks in humble supplication to Allah whatever they want.

Abdullah ibn `Umar, a learned Companion of the Prophet (peace be upon him), reported that “Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) used to stay in the mosque during the last ten days of Ramadan.”

(Al-Bukhari). Ramadan is special to all Muslims and so worship in this blessed month has its own special rewards.

So, the more you pray, recite the Holy Quran, do Zikr, engage in good deeds, avoid backbiting, telling, lies, etc, the more rewards you have been promised. We have completed fifty per cent of fasting and it is time to look inwards whether we have accomplished what Allah and Prophet (PBUH) enjoined upon us to do. Or, what we did was according to the Shariah parameters or our Ibadah was done with good intent. Here is a good opportunity coming up after we complete our 19th fast to engage in Ibadah in a way distractions are none and you are in direct hotline with Allah. Yes, spending your last ten days in a masjid, which our prophet (PBUH) practiced and recommended.

The night of Power or alternatively called the Night of Decree is the pinnacle of this season of worship. It takes place in the last ten days of the

I’tikaf refers to the religious practice of spending the last ten days of Ramadan (either wholly or partly) in a mosque so as to devote oneself exclusively to worship, AFTAB H. KOLA outlines its importance

Hadith of the day SAHL IBN SA’D reported that the Prophet (may Allah bless him and peace be upon him) said, “There is a gate in the Garden called Ar -Rayyan which those who fast will enter on the Day of Rising, and none but they will enter it.” It will be said, ‘Where are the fasters?’ They will stand up and none but they will enter it. When they have entered it, it will be closed and no one else will enter it.”

[Agreed upon]

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month when a Muslim’s devotion is brought to its climax. One good way of doing this is to stay in a mosque, following the Sunnah of the Prophet (PBUH). Reference to it is made in the Qur’an in Al Baqarah 2:187. All scholars agree that it is a Sunnah, following the practice of the Prophet. `A’ishah, the Prophet’s wife (may Allah be pleased with her), also reported that the Prophet (PBUH) used to stay in the mosque for the last ten days of Ramadan until he passed away, and his wives used to do the same afterward (Al-Bukhari). Most scholars agree that I`tikaf should be in a mosque, although one of school of thought makes it possible for a woman to practice this Sunnah in the place where she normally prays in her home.

Eminent scholar Adil Salahi writes, “When a person embarks on this Sunnah, it is permissible for him to pay a visit to his family at home to attend to their needs. He does this during the day and then comes back to resume his stay in the mosque. It is also permissible for his family to visit him in the mosque. It so happened that when the Prophet (PBUH) was in the midst of his stay in the mosque his wives visited him. When they left, he asked Safiyah, his wife, to stay a little longer, perhaps because she arrived later than the others and he wanted her to stay an equal length of time.

He accompanied her to her home, which was, like the homes of his other wives, just next to the mosque. “These days those sitting in I`tikaf do not go home until the announcement of Eid as needs of the house are taken care of by others in the family. A person who stays in a mosque in order to follow the Prophet’s (peace and blessings be upon him) example, may have some sleep before waking up to spend the rest of his night in worship, reciting the Holy Qur’an or praying. A Muslim can choose any number of days, even one night to stay in the mosque with the intention of I’tikaf and to make the most of any time spent there, no matter how short it is.

Away from the work and family and leaving behind all distractions including shopping, mobile phone, laptop, Internet access, and household chores, Allah has given a rare opportunity to dedicate ourselves solely to worship and to actually enjoy performing acts of worship, rather than doing them only as an obligation or duty. But now-a-days a new trend is being seen that a section of youngsters who stay in a masjid for I`tikaf are engaged in worldly discussion and engaged in WhatsApp. We should avoid this and keep away from WhatsApp, etc otherwise the very purpose gets defeated. Refrain from arguing and participating in idle talk with others. Better not to leave the boundaries of the mosque unless you have an important reason to do so. It is thus important to form a good group for I`tikaf where you can share Islamic knowledge . It is needless to say that I’tikaf is highly rewarded by Allah, as every action therein involves dedication.

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Evolution of Omani education through the eyes of a veteran Mohammad Mustafa has been part of

of his experiences

Before the 1980s, we were teaching other curriculum. It is like creating something which is not there to begin with

TARIQ AL HAREMI tariqh@timesofoman.com

Mohammad Mustafa

the evolution of education in Oman over the past 39 years. He talked to the Times of Oman

MUSCAT: “When you enter my classroom, it is like you have entered a mosque” is one of the most popular sayings Mohammad Mustafa, a fifty-year veteran of education is fond of.

It implies silence, discipline and respect to the teacher and a lesson which a generation of students have heard and abided by.

Arriving in the Sultanate during Ramadan on August 5, 1976, from Egypt where he taught for eleven years, Mustafa only taught at two schools. From 1976 to 1982 he taught at Hafs bin Rashid Public School in Seeb and from 1986 until his retirement in 2015, at the Sultan’s School in Al Hail.

He has been part of the evolution of education in Oman throughout the 39 years he has spent in the Sultanate while teaching history, geography and social studies to a generation of students who have become graduates under him.

Asked how education had changed through the years, Mustafa said, “Specifically with reference to Oman, it is not so much change as it is development in education.

The curriculum starting from the

Educationist

1980s began to be Omanised.”

“Before the 1980s, we were teaching other curriculum. It is like creating something which is not there to begin with,” he added.

He explained that by creating Omanised curriculum from the first grade to the twelfth and preparing teachers, Oman had scaled new heights. “Schools were totally dependent on expatriate teachers, but now you have the highest quality of Omani teachers who train, and possess sources of information among their many others traits,” said Mustafa.

Educational facilities Change is not a word he agrees with, and prefers development.

Since the late 1970s, schools have evolved into being state-of-theart educational facilities equipped with laboratories and classrooms which adhere to international standards of school books and advanced curriculum.

Some students feel that school is like a prison and it negates their

sense of freedom which in turn might make them appear disinterested in learning and expanding their knowledge. Mustafa said, “Back in those days, there were some people who did not give much importance to education, as much as now.

“But now, education is a necessity of life, to the extent that an individual understands that if he does not educate himself, he will not have a place in society.”

A student’s motivation depends on a number of factors, according to Mustafa, and one of them is the individual factor.

Some students believe in selfmotivation where they know their responsibilities, and what is expected from them, which are typical characteristics of someone who loves learning, while other students require encouragement and positive reinforcement to progress through their academic life. There are also students who are motivated just by the sight of the teacher.

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Troublemakers “Diverts” is a term Mustafa prefers to use for students who are a bit too much to handle during classes.

Mustafa said that there are two types of “diverts” – leaders and followers. “Some students cannot sit straight during a class and have to make a silly comment on anything that is said. People say he is a troublemaker but I prefer to dub them as “diverts” from the mainstream. They are not causing trouble,” he said.

“The followers, on the other hand, are not troublesome in nature but would rather wait for someone else to do something and then follow,” he said.

“They are also those who do not understand the lesson in hand and remain silent for the rest of the class or fiddle with something that will cover their misunderstanding of the subject,” explained Mustafa.

Based on his experience he explains that scolding them or talking to them in a firm tone does not

work since it is in their nature.

“What I do is I involve them in the lesson. Nobody can change one’s natural personality and so I use it in my lessons. If the student says something I ask him to repeat it for the class, and if he says something close to what is right, I commend him for it,” he said.

“If I scold and I am always firm, I will never get the result I want from my students,” he said.

“After a few weeks we become friends. They need to understand that the lesson is my way, not theirs,” he explained.

Mustafa advised that one needs to gain the trust of the students and build a friendship. So, when a teacher uses a firm tone the students understand that it is a tone of care and concern for their educational well-being.

Speaking about the future of education in the Sultanate, Mustafa said he has lived through the strategic educational plans under ministerial standards and explained that these plans are made to “continuously develop the education industry in Oman”.

“Recently, officials from the Ministry of Education and councils incharge of education in Oman visited so many countries to gain knowledge from those experiences. They will then implement what they have learnt that suits our nature,” he explained.

He stressed that learning from other cultures is important in building a strong foundation for Omani youths.

When asked for his predictions on education in the next 50 years, Mustafa replied, “In this day and age we now have studies that are a major within a major. As a history teacher, I could say, that every age is shorter than the previous one because the following age learnt from the previous one.”

“So, I believe in 50 years, branches of education will appear that we could never have thought of today,” the veteran educationist explained.

NAT I O NA L E C O N O M Y

SQU, Al Raffd Fund ink pact for SME loans Times News Service MUSCAT: The Sultan Qaboos University (SQU) on Tuesday signed an agreement of co-operation with the Al Raffd Fund.

This agreement has been implemented as per the directives of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said in culmination of the Forum on Development of Small and Medium Enterprises that was held in January, 2013, at Bahla, to establish the Al Raffd Fund to help youths to set up their own projects.

The agreement is part of the efforts to implement the decisions taken at the Saih Al Shamikhat Symposium at the Sultan Qaboos University’s Cultural Centre in January 2015, which reviewed the implementation of the recommendations of the Forum on Development of Small and Medium Enterprises. The agreement was signed

by Dr Ali bin Saud Al Bimani, vice chancellor of the SQU, and Tariq Sulaiman Al Farsi, chief executive officer of the Al Raffd Fund.

As per the agreement, the Al Raffd Fund will highlight the SQU logo on its website and will provide a list of beneficiaries of the loans, who can avail of the services of the SQU contracts.

The Al Raffd Fund will also include the SQU’s name in the annual reports submitted to His Majesty clarifying the latter’s contribution in supporting and encouraging the owners of small and medium enterprises. The Al Raffd Fund will give preference to SQU students who can benefit from the Al Raffd loan schemes if they meet the conditions.

Meanwhile, the SQU will provide work contracts and services to loan beneficiaries, according to the applicable regulations and provide training as per conditions agreed upon, based on the needs of both parties.

The SQU will give priority to the Al Raffd Fund loan beneficiaries in delivering required material and services to the university.

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W EDN ESDAY, JULY 8, 2015

OMAN

Parents should not force their children to fast and should instead encourage them to do it by talking about the good things of Ramadan Maryam Al Rashdi, Omani housewife

MINISTRY ORDER

A1 ‘Early pay affects < FROM

financial plans of companies’

It is not a ‘fair’ expectation from the private sector as the ministry does not know the financial situation of private companies, said Al Busaidi. The ministry should have a clearer vision of the situation, he added.

Negative impact The MD of UNOS, a 100 per cent Omani initiative, also said that the decision to pay salaries earlier could cause financial hardships to some people after Eid. He said, “It is good that people will have money to spend in Eid, but what next?”

Eid is the time to spend money and you spend what you have, said Al Busaidi, adding, “One tends to spend a lot if one has a lot of money.” After that, employees will start borrowing money to cover other expenses, he noted.

In addition, an Omani business owner in the private sector, who asked not to be named, said that not all companies have the financial resources to pay salaries before July 14, as requested by the Ministry of Manpower.

“The ministry should not issue such orders and should stop interfering in the working of private companies. Some companies may have the money to pay salaries earlier, but what about the companies which cannot afford to?” he asked.

He said that the ministry does not understand the situation faced by companies and such an order just disrupts their financial plans.

Delaying collection “After the issuance of this order, some companies are refusing to pay bills to other companies because they have to pay salaries earlier. That is delaying the collection of companies who have to receive the money,” he said.

He added, “It is wrong of the ministry to issue such an order. If they want to help employees, they should leave it to the company and the employee to decide. Maybe, some company might want to give 50 per cent of the salary in advance and give the rest at the end o f the month.”

The business owner also noted that some employees misuse the salaries they receive in advance and overspend on Eid shopping, when even Islamic teachings say

MUSCAT MEDIA GROUP ORGANISES IFTAR FOR EMPLOYEES, FAMILIES The Muscat Media Group organised an Iftar for its employees and their families at the Cave Restaurant on Monday evening. - Photo: O K Mohammed Ali

Some employees misuse the salaries they receive in advance and overspend on Eid shopping

that one should not spend more than what one can afford.

“At the end of the month, they do not have enough money to pay the rent or for other essential items.

So, they end up borrowing money, and next month their productivity is low because they are distracted by financial problems,” he claimed.

Protesting the decision “Companies must protest and should not entertain this demand.

If they cannot afford to pay the salaries earlier, should they be taken to the court because of something that the ministry has itself created?” asked the business owner.

Also, there will be companies which do not abide by the ministry’s decision and any action against them would be unfair, he said.

The ministry should not act in a ‘dictatorial’ manner, he noted.

“The ministry has already imposed a burden on the private sector with its Omanisation policy and this decision is putting undue pressure on companies,” he added.

Haidar, an Omani economic expert, says that the decision to pay the salaries earlier is made to help those who may be spending more on this special and celebratory occasion, including Eid shopping, and also those who have to transfer money abroad.

Companies are asked to pay salaries earlier as families of some workers live outside the country and they have to send money home before the banks close for several days, he said. The advance payment is only a matter of a few days, he added.

Haidar, however, cautioned employees to spend wisely and manage their finances well to avoid any financial pitfalls.

The infinite patience of fasting children Brought up in families who believe that the spirit of Islam should be ingrained in children in early stages of life, Sumaiya, 12, and Aziza, 11, have both been fasting during the Holy Month of Ramadan for the last three years

ELHAM POURMOHAMMADI

elham@timesofoman.com

MUSCAT: They may be small but their huge resolve and patience impresses everyone around.

Fifteen hours of fasting in this scorching hot weather is no child’s play, but Sumaiya Al Rashdi and her cousin Aziza Al Rashdi have proved that they are stronger than some adults.

Three years Brought up in families who believe that the spirit of Islam should be ingrained in children in early stages of life, Sumaiya, 12, and Aziza, 11, have both been fasting during the Holy Month of Ramadan for the last three years.

While Sumaiya could observe complete fast every single day of last Ramadan, Sumaiya missed only for two days as she was unwell. Sumaiya and Aziza say they both ‘love’ fasting and think other children should be fasting as well because they are strong enough to do it. They say that fasting teaches them to be patient and think of the poor, while praying brings them closer to God. Every Ramadan, they gather together with other family members and develop a plan for praying and reading the Holy Quran in the Holy Month.

Sumaiya admits that it was very difficult for her when she started fasting and would feel

THE SPIRIT OF ISLAM: From left, Sumaiya Al Rashdi, Saif Al Rashdi, Essa and Aziza Al Rashdi at their home. -Supplied picture

very hungry and tired, especially close to iftar time, but she refused to break her fast even when her parents told her she could do so if she felt unwell.

“Of course, it is not easy. It is difficult,” said Aziza, adding that she looks at the clock a lot when she is fasting and plays or does something else to distract herself and pass the time.

Suhoor In sheer honesty, they said that they try to remain awake until Suhoor by doing different activities such as praying and reading the Holy Quran because if they slept they would not wake up. So they prefer to sleep after having their Suhoor and saying their prayers.

The atmosphere at home has been so encouraging that even Sumaiya’s 7-year old brother, Essa, says he wants to try and fast this Ramadan. Credit goes to their parents, who have adopted a ‘not too strict and not too lenient’ approach when it comes to familiarising their children with Islamic teachings.

Sumaiya’s mother, Maryam Al Rashdi, says that parents should

teach their children about Islam, how to pray, and the importance of fasting from an early age.

Children watch their parents and imitate them, so it is important that parents prepare the children from childhood and teach them invaluable lessons about Islam through their own actions, she said.

However, Maryam says that parents should not force their children to fulfil their religious obligations and should instead encourage them by praising and rewarding them. She thinks parents should also not be too lenient.

Don’t force “Parents should not force their children to fast and should instead encourage them to do it by talking about the good things of Ramadan.

On the other hand, we should not say ‘Okay, our children are small and cannot fast’ and leave them like that because they will grow up that way, and when they get older it will be difficult to change their attitude,” she said.

Echoing a similar view, Sumaiya’s father Saif, says that parents should not let the children watch

from the sidelines but should involve them in their activities, so that they can also take advantage of this blessed time.

Reciting the Quran He says that during Ramadan, he and his wife sit with their children, recite the Quran and pray with them, take them to mosque and speak to them about the good deeds that they can do.

“When they fast, they learn to be patient and remember the poor.

Fasting is very important and parents should encourage their children to fast by giving them presents and praising them. We hold small celebrations at home when children complete their fasting and recite the Quran, and of course Eid Al Fitr is a big celebration itself,” said Saif.

Special opportunity Ramadan is a special opportunity provided by God in which the reward for good deeds is multiplied, he added.

“We should pass on this message to the children that their good deeds will be rewarded not only in this world but also in the next,” he said.

OMR463,000 DEAL

Pact signed with Canada for radiation detection network MUSCAT: An agreement worth OMR463,000 was signed on Tuesday for the first stage of expanding the radiation detection network in the Sultanate by Mohammed bin Salim Al Toobi, minister of environment and climate affairs, and Mike McCall, CEO of International Safety Research Inc. (ISR) of Canada.

The first stage includes identi-

fying new locations for the installation of system, while taking into account the existing locations.

The study covers all parts of the Sultanate, including islands.

The first stage of the project also includes preparing technical specifications for the machines, the designs of the stations, and preparing tender documents for the second stage of the project.

It also includes construction, installation, operation, and maintenance of the detection stations, in addition to supervising the operation and maintenance programme and providing training to employees.

The design will on par with the International Atomic Energy Agency standards for early warning system. -ONA

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REGION

More than 700 cholera cases have been reported in the capital Juba and Bor, the capital of Jonglei state, in the last five weeks, according to the UN children’s agency UNICEF

I N D E C E N C Y AC C U S AT I O N

500 lawyers to defend Moroccan women who go on trial over dresses RABAT: Hundreds of lawyers have registered to defend two women who went on trial in Morocco on Monday accused of “gross indecency” for wearing dresses considered provocative, an activist said.

The women were arrested in the southern city of Agadir in mid-June after walking through a marketplace in the dresses, spark-

ing anger among passers-by in the kingdom. The verdict is to be delivered on July 13, said Fouzia Assouli, head of women’s rights organisation LDDF. The two women, hairdressers aged 23 and 19, were charged with “indecent exposure” for which they could face up to two years in prison. They have been backed by hundreds of lawyers, many of

whom appeared in court on Monday, said Assouli. “Five hundred lawyers registered to defend the two women, but because of restricted space in the courtroom, only 200 were able to attend” the hearing, she told AFP. The lawyers took turns to put forward arguments in the case, she said. One of them, Sibai Bakar, said the trial was a “chance for

our country to amend its laws to conform with its commitments to human rights and especially individual freedoms”.

Denounced Rights organisations have denounced the trial and protests are to be held later this week in Agadir and in Morocco’s commercial capital Casablanca in support

Air strikes, clashes kill 200 in Yemen Monday’s casualities are the highest daily toll since the Arab air offensive began more than three months ago

SANAA: Saudi-led coalition air strikes and clashes killed at least 176 fighters and civilians in Yemen on Monday, residents and media run by the Houthi movement said, the highest daily toll since the Arab air offensive began more than three months ago.

The United Nations has been pushing for a halt to air raids and intensified fighting that began on March 26. More than 3,000 people have been killed since then as the Arab coalition tries stop the Houthis spreading across the country from the north.

The Houthis say they are rebelling against a corrupt government, while local fighters say they are defending their homes from Houthi incursions. Saudi Arabia says it is bombing the Houthis to protect the Yemeni state. On Monday, about 63 people were killed in air strikes on Amran province in the north, among them 30 people at a market, Houthi-controlled state media agency Saba said.

In the same province, about 20 fighters and civilians were killed

BADLY HIT: Smoke billows from weapons depot at a Houthi-controlled military airport hit by the Saudi-led coalition air strikes in the capital Sanaa on Tuesday. – AFP

at a Houthi checkpoint outside the main city, also named Amran, about 50km (30 miles) northwest of the Yemeni capital of Sanaa, local residents said. Arab alliance war planes also killed about 60 people at a livestock market in the town of Al Foyoush in the south. Also in the south, residents reported a further 30 killed in a raid they said apparently targeted a Houthi checkpoint on the main road between Aden and Lahj.

They said 10 of the dead were Houthi fighters. Tribal sources in the central desert province of Marib said about 20 Houthi fight-

ers and soldiers fighting alongside them were killed in air raids and gun battles with tribal fighters, who support Yemen’s president in exile Abdrabbo Mansour Hadi.

On Tuesday, UN envoy to Yemen Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed continues meetings with Houthi officials in Sanaa to try to broker a ceasefire to allow aid deliveries.

One Houthi official said Monday’s attacks had dealt a blow to peace efforts. “Even as the UN envoy is present, there are a hundred martyrs and hundreds of wounded...

No truce, no retreat, no surrender.

Forward, forward heroes of Yem-

D E A D LY D I S E A S E

Cholera kills 32 in South Sudan LONDON: A cholera outbreak in war-torn South Sudan has killed at least 32 people, a fifth of them children under five, and schools have a major role to play in stemming the spread of the disease, the United Nations said on Tuesday.

More than 700 cholera cases have been reported in the capital Juba and Bor, the capital of Jonglei state, in the last five weeks, according to the UN children’s

agency UNICEF. “Cholera is a deadly disease that inordinately affects young children,” Jonathan Veitch, UNICEF representative in South Sudan, said in a statement.

“One of the most powerful ways we can respond to this outbreak is by equipping schoolchildren with the information and tools they need to protect themselves and their families.”

An intestinal infection often linked to contaminated drinking water, cholera causes diarrhoea and vomiting, leaving small children especially vulnerable to death from dehydration.

As many as 5,000 children under five are at risk of dying from cholera unless urgent action is taken to contain the outbreak, the UN humanitarian agency OCHA said last week. — Reuters

en, for victory is coming,” Yahya Ali Al Qahoom wrote on his Twitter account.

Fighting, bombing and a nearblockade by the Arab coalition has deepened suffering in the country.

The UN says more than 80 per cent of Yemen’s 25 million people need some form of humanitarian aid. “(There is) a quite catastrophic situation we are facing today after three months of hostilities,” Antoine Grand, head of the International Committee of the Red Cross in Yemen, told a UN briefing in Geneva by telephone from Sanaa. — Reuters

of the two women. In the police report, the women were said to have been wearing clothes that were “too tight”.

Article 483 of Morocco’s penal code states that anyone found guilty of committing an act of “public obscenity” such as “gross indecency” can be jailed for between a month and two years.

The case comes amid growing

calls for “morality” to be respected in Morocco, which has been frequently criticised by international groups for rights abuses.

Last month, pop star Jennifer Lopez sparked anger in Morocco -- and triggered much debate -- for being, according to media, “scantily” dressed during a concert in Rabat that was broadcast on public television. — AFP

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W EDN ESDAY, JULY 8, 2015 Both India and Central Asia cannot achieve their full potential without each other. Nor will our people be safer and our region more stable without our cooperation Narendra Modi, Prime Minister

INDIA

7/ 1 1 M U M B A I S E R I A L T R A I N B L A S T S

TURKISH AIRLINES JET CLEARED AFTER BOMB HOAX

A Turkish Airlines passenger jet sits on the tarmac after it made an emergency landing at the Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi on Tuesday. The flight from Bangkok with 157 passengers and crew on board, which landed under emergency conditions following a bomb scare, was cleared for take-off after the security agencies did not find any explosive. - PTI

Mumbai blast victim dies after nine years in coma MUMBAI: After being in a coma and semi-conscious state for the last nine years, 7/11 blast victim Parag Sawant died at a hospital here on Tuesday.

Thirty-six-year-old Sawant was admitted to the P. D. Hinduja Hospital on July 12, 2006, with severe head injuries.

He is survived by wife Priti and a daughter, who was born when he was in a vegetative state.

“He was in deep coma for about two years and then his condition gradually improved into a semiconscious state where he would understand simple commands,” Dr B K Misra, consultant neurosurgeon at P D Hinduja Hospital said in a statement here.

“He underwent multiple operations for brain treatment and then was on supportive care and

Modi seeks security ties with Central Asia to combat terror SCAN THIS QR CODE TO INSTANTLY VISIT

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Asserting that he

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

has come to write a never before, Modi said it was a force that is larger and more enduring than its changing names, locations and targets.

“So, we must ask ourselves: Will we let a generation of youth be lost to guns and hate, because they will hold us accountable for their lost future?,” he said.

Describing Kazakhstan as “a nation of global stature and respect”, he said this was not just because mother nature has been generous to it with resources of every kind.

‘new chapter in an ancient relationship’, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, ‘the Islamic heritage of both India and Central Asia is defined by the highest ideals of Islam’

ASTANA: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday underlined the common Islamic heritage of both India and Central Asia which has always rejected the forces of extremism and strongly pitched for enhanced defence and security cooperation between the two to combat terrorism.

On his first visit to Central Asian countries, Modi, who flew to Kazakhstan’s capital from Uzbekistan earlier in the day, asserted that both India and Central Asia cannot achieve their full potential without each other and nor will the region be more stable without the cooperation between the two.

Frontier of instability Addressing a gathering at the Nazerbayev University, the Prime Minister said, “We live at the frontier of instability. We live close to the crucible of extremism and ter-

BILATERAL RELATIONS: Prime Minister Narendra Modi shakes hands with his Kazakhstan counterpart Karim Massimov during the inauguration of India-Kazakhstan Centre for Excellence in Information and Communication Technology in Astana on Tuesday. - PTI

rorism. We see terrorism spawned by nations and groups. Today, we also see cyber space become a platform without borders for terror to draw recruits to its cause.

“So, during this visit, we will strengthen our defence and security cooperation in the region. But, we will also combat terrorism by the strength of our values and our commitment to humanism.”

Asserting that he has come to write a “new chapter in an ancient relationship”, Modi said, “the Islamic heritage of both India and Central Asia is defined by the highest ideals of Islam.

Noting that the richness of ties between India and Central Asia was written into the contours of

Indian cities and daily lives there, Modi said one could see this in architecture, art, handicraft and textile and in most popular foods.

“The dargahs of Delhi resonate with Sufi music that draws people from all faiths. The cities of Central Asia have become centres of yoga and Hindi, long before the world came together to celebrate the International Day of Yoga on 21st June,” the prime minister said.

However, he also rued that the engagement between India and Central Asia falls short of its promise and potential and said, “We have a special place in our hearts for each other. But, we have not paid as much attention to each other as we should. This

will change. That is why I am travelling to all five countries in the region in the early stages of my Government.”

Global challenge “Both India and Central Asia cannot achieve their full potential without each other. Nor will our people be safer and our region more stable without our cooperation,” Modi said while noting that they have built modern, inclusive and pluralist nations at a time when many in the region are caught in conflict and instability.

Stressing that from theatres of conflicts to the calm neighbourhoods of distant cities, terrorism has become a global challenge as

Voice of responsibility “Kazakhstan is a voice of responsibility and maturity in international forums, including the United Nations.”

He also recalled Kazakhstan’s generosity in making way for India’s bid for the membership of the UN Security Council in 201112 and assured India’s support for the Central Asian country’s bid in 2017-18.

On trade ties, Modi said trade was expanding, but it was still modest. The cooperation in energy sector has begun, he said while highlighting today’s launch of the drilling of the first oil well with Indian investments in Kazakhstan.

He also said Indian investments in Central Asia have started flowing in and asserted that India was prepared to invest more in a new partnership of prosperity.

The prime minister also offered expertise in information and communication technology to create wealth and opportunities for the youth as well as in the field of space technology for closer partnership in development and resource management. - PTI

physiotherapy for few years.

At 5.30am, the staff nurse checked Parag and his condition was stable.

Later, at 6am his saturation levels dropped and he was put on oxygen to stabilise his breathing condition,” he said.

Sawant had a sudden respiratory arrest for which the CPR team tried to conduct all resuscitation measures.

“In spite of all resuscitation measures, Parag could not be revived and was declared dead at 6.54 am today. He died because of cardiorespiratory arrest and most likely possibility of immediate deterioration could be pulmonary embolism,” Misra said.

Nearly 188 people were killed and 817 others injured in the 7/11 Mumbai serial train blasts. - PTI L E G I S L AT I V E C OU N C I L

Record 94% turnout in Bihar council election PATNA: A record 94 per cent polling was recorded in Tuesday’s election to 24 legislative council seats in Bihar, which has been billed as a semifinal ahead of the crucial assembly polls scheduled later this year.

The Election Commission said the figures were preliminary as the final polling figure from various districts would reach it in a couple of days.

Additional Chief Electoral Officer(ACEO) R Lakshmanan said “Voters participation was very good in the polls on Tuesday and 94 per cent of the 139,000 voters exercised their franchise.

“The percentage may increase after final figures come from the districts.”

He said around 15 cases of violation of model code of conduct were registered against various candidates, including Education Minister P. K. Shahi and Road Construction Minister Lalan Singh.

FIRs were registered against Shahi and Singh for violation of the model code of conduct like use of official vehicle and red beacon light while voting, he said.

The two ministers later on surrendered themselves at Gandhi Maidan police station and took bail from there.

Cash seized Lakshmanan also said around Rs300,000 in cash was seized by EC flying squads from various places like Begusarai and Khagaria.

Polling was held in 534 booths and Nalanda reported the maximum turnout of 98.71 per cent, followed by 98.42 per cent in Saran and 98.28 per cent in Bhojpur-cum-Buxar.Aurangabad and Siwan districts reported 98.05 per cent each.

Alliances of RJD, JD(U), Congress and NCP and the BJP-led NDA fielded candidates in all the 24 seats. - PTI

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Chouhan asks for CBI probe into Vyapam scandal The announcement by the beleagured chief minister came two days before the Supreme Court hears a clutch of petitions seeking a CBI inquiry into the

BELEAGUERED: Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh

scam monitored

Chouhan addressing a press conference at Mantralaya in Bhopal on Tuesday. - PTI

by the apex court

BHOPAL: Under relentless opposition attack, central Indian state Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Tuesday said he will recommend to the high court a CBI probe into the Vyapam scam, a day after the Centre and BJP disfavoured handing it over to the central agency without a court directive.

The announcement by the beleagured Chief Minister at a hurriedly called press conference came two days before the Supreme Court hears a clutch of petitions seeking a CBI inquiry into the scam monitored by the apex court.

“Loktantra lok lajja se chalta hai (public perception is important in democracy). Honouring public sentiments, I will request the high court for a CBI probe,” Chouhan said, adding “the functioning of the government should be beyond any doubt.”

“I have full respect for both High Court and the Supreme Court and have total faith in the ongoing probe into the Vyapam scam,” he said. In a related development, the Supreme Court agreed to hear on July 9 the plea of Congress leader Digvijay Singh and three whistleblowers seeking an apex court-monitored CBI probe into the scam.

Singh and whistleblowers — Ashish Chaturvedi, Anand Rai and Prashant Pandey — have also moved the apex court seeking a CBI probe under its supervision.

Chouhan was under mounting pressure from opposition parties, particularly the Congress to order a CBI probe following the death of Arun Sharma, the dean of a Jabalpur medical college probing the scandal on Sunday in Delhi, a day after Akshay Singh, a journalist of the TV Today group on the Vyapam scam trail, mysteriously died minutes after he had interviewed the parents of a deceased girl accused. At least five people

associated with Vyapam, including Sharma and Singh, have died under mysterious circumstances in the last one week.

‘Unnatural deaths’ The opposition has claimed nearly 45 people linked to the scandal in some manner have died so far though the official figures put the “unnatural deaths” at 25. Chouhan, who has been under opposition attack, said people wanted to know the truth and it had become imperative that the case be probed by CBI now to put to rest all doubts.

Congress has been demanding sacking of Chauhan and has been insisting that a fair probe is not possible with him at the helm.

Troubles mounted for Chouhan on Monday over Vyapam scam after a woman trainee subinspector recruited by the state board was found dead in a lake, triggering demands from Congress for his immediate sacking and an impartial probe. - PTI

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PAKISTAN

Malala for $39b in funding to extend basic education years quite hard,” she said. But she said her approach will be unaffected.

The cash, to allow

No limit of age “I think there’s no limit of age... to speak of all children’s rights.

My father has been doing it as a teacher and I will continue to do it as a woman,” she said.

“As an adult, you can be the voice of children.”

Malala, who now lives in England, was a joint winner of the 2014 Nobel Peace Prize. Ban praised her in a speech, saying she “embodied the courage of girls resolved to claim their rights.”

Also at Tuesday’s conference, Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg won U.N. backing for a commission to look into new ways to raise funds for education. It would make recommendations by September 2016.

all children to attend secondary schools, was the equivalent of cutting global military spending for eight days, said the youngest Nobel Peace Prize winner

OSLO: Pakistan’s Malala Yousafzai, the youngest winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, urged an extra $39 billion a year for education worldwide on Tuesday and said she wants to remain the “voice of children” even after she turns 18 next week.

The cash, to allow all children to attend secondary schools, was the equivalent of cutting global military spending for eight days, she told Reuters at an international education conference in Oslo.

Think bigger “The world needs to think bigger and it needs to dream bigger,” she said, saying U.N. goals for 2015 MAIN POWER LINE

Blackout in Karachi as Bin Qasim plant trips KARACHI: Most parts of Karachi plunged into darkness on Tuesday evening after the main power line from Bin Qasim Power plant tripped, Express News reported.

Due to tripping of the main power line from Bin Qasim power plant, all the units of the plant shut down, creating a shortfall of 700 mega watts (MW) in the city.

The plant’s shut down caused a power break down in many parts of city.

Technical issue The K-electric company said that an extra high tension power line had tripped leading to a technical issue which caused the power outage. — Express Tribune

BIG DREAM: UN Secretary-General Ban Ki moon, fourth right, Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala Yousafzai, second right, and Norway’s Prime Minister Erna Solberg, right, participate in the Oslo Summit on Education for Development at Oslo Plaza in Oslo, Norway on Tuesday. — Reuters/Vegard Wivestad Grott/NTB Scanpix

wrongly only focused on universal primary schooling. Fifty-nine million children, many in war zones, do not even attend primary school.

Best known by her first name, Malala became a global symbol of defiance after she was shot on a school bus in 2012 by the Taliban

for advocating girls’ rights.

The extra $39 billion a year is the estimated cost of extending basic education to 12 years from nine. “If nine years of education is not enough for your children, it is not enough for the rest of the world’s children,” she told sev-

A1 1

eral hundred delegates including United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.

Malala, who started her speech by saying “I am here as the voice of children”, also noted she becomes an adult on July 12. “My life of being a child will come to an end, it’s

Chaired by Brown The commission, also backed by the leaders of Indonesia, Malawi, Chile and the UN children’s fund UNICEF, will be chaired by former British prime minister Gordon Brown.

Malala, who has two more years at school, said she hoped to return to Pakistan after university. “I am more interested in history, economics, these kind of subjects, so I might go to Oxford,” she said.

But she added, jokingly: “I have got so many honorary degrees - from Edinburgh and many others.” — Reuters

TA L I B A N D E N I A L

Afghan peace talks being held in capital ISLAMABAD: Afghan Deputy Foreign Minister Hekmat Khalil Karzai arrived in Islamabad on Tuesday on an unannounced visit for talks with Afghan Taliban, sources told The Express Tribune.

“I can confirm that the Afghan Deputy Foreign Minister Hekmat Karzai is in Islamabad,” a source privy to the development said.

The minister is accompanied by former governor of Nangarhar Haji Deen Muhammad and other officials.

It was learnt the Afghan deputy foreign minister is leading a ninemember team for ‘talks with the Afghan Taliban.’

Confirmation The Afghan Presidential Palace in Kabul confirmed that a four-member delegation of the High Peace Council is visiting Islamabad for talks with the Taliban.

Deputy presidential spokesperson Zafar Hashmi told the media in Kabul that three Taliban leaders are taking part in the talks. He did not disclose the names.

However, an Afghan Taliban spokesperson denied having any knowledge of the talks in Islamabad.

“I do not have any information and will share if there is any,” Zabihullah Mujahid said.

A diplomatic source said Hekmat Karzai-led delegation ‘continued consultations’ for a second day on Tuesday and the formal talks with Taliban leaders could start on Wednesday.” — Express Tribune

JAISH-UL-ISLAM

Anti-Hazara militants killed in Balochistan QUETTA: Pakistani security forces killed the leader of a fiercely anti-Hazara militant group during a targeted operation early on Tuesday on the outskirts of the southwestern city of Quetta, security officials said.

Jaish-ul-Islam has claimed many of the recent attacks on Hazara in Balochistan province, of which Quetta is the capital.

It is similar to the larger Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, which has carried out large attacks minority sects, who the movement says should leave the country.

The military’s Frontier Corps and intelligence agents acted on a tip to conduct the Quetta raid, according to Frontier Corps spokesman Khan Wasey.

Jaish-ul-Islam’s chief, Mehmoodur Rehman Rind, was killed along with two other militants, he said.

“Rind was involved in targeted killings and planning suicide at-

SUCCESS: Ambulances carrying the bodies of suspected extremist

WANTED: A Pakistani official looks at an identity card of a sus-

militants killed in a security forces’ operation arrive at a hospital in Quetta late on Monday. — AFP

pected extremist militant killed in a security operation in Quetta late Monday. — AFP

tacks on the Hazara community and many other attacks,” Wasey told Reuters.

Heavy weapons including rockets and grenades were used in the

nority sects have been killed in attacks in Pakistan this year, including 45 Ismailis gunned down on a bus in Karachi and 62 in a suicide bombing in January.

battle, which lasted for several hours. One Frontier Corps officer was wounded in the exchange of fire.

More than 100 members of mi-

On Monday in Quetta, gunmen riding motorcycles gunned down two Hazara brothers and a police officer outside the city’s passport office. — Reuters

R A R E TA L E O F S U C C E S S

Blindness no roadblock to success, says disabled mechanic KARACHI: As a boy, Asif Patel would take apart toys and transistor radios, relying only on his sense of touch to rebuild them, having been robbed of his sight by a rare condition that meant he was born without eyes.

Now a renowned mechanic with his own workshop in Pakistan’s sprawling metropolis of Karachi, Patel’s story is a rare tale of success in a country which offers few opportunities for the blind.

At a small workshop that employs seven people in the city’s Lasbela area customers come and go, leaving their cars in the trusted hands of their old mechanic.

Making adjustment Patel, 44, makes his way over to an older Toyota, pops open the bonnet and places his hands inside, feeling the out-of-tune whirring of the carburettor and carefully making adjustments.

“I used to play with those things and I used to break them,” he tells AFP of his childhood.

“Whenever my dad brought things I would open them up, then try to fit it back how I opened it, and I saw how it worked.”

Pakistan has nearly two million blind people, according to the Fred Hollows Foundation, with more than half afflicted due to treatable conditions like cataracts.

Opportunities for the blind, like those with other disabilities, are few and far between, with many sight-impaired reduced to begging

A mechanic’s work is to diagnose. Anyone can become a fitter.

The main thing is to diagnose if there is a problem and why it is there. So it is a gift from Allah that I can find out what fault actually is FIGHTING THE ODDS: File photograph shows Pakistani blind mechanic Asif Patel, centre, working on a

Asif Patel

Mehanic

car engine at his workshop in Karachi. —AFP

on the streets to make ends meet.

They often have to deal with social taboos surrounding disability and have little by the way of government facilities to aid them in public spaces. Many are rejected by their own families.

Not so for Patel.

“No, I was encouraged at home,” he says.

The key to his success, he ex-

plains, is his keen sense of touch.

“It is important for us that we touch, and see how it is, and what it is.” After dropping out of school, he found a part-time job at age 15 at an auto-workshop and was assigned the task of dismantling a clutch plate.

“I had to open the clutch plate and they were a little shocked because they thought my confidence

showed that I had worked somewhere else too,” he said.

The next part of his training involved taking apart a gear box.

“I said ‘yes’ and lay under the car and saw that the clutch plate we opened was put in with a flywheel and the area behind it is the gear,” he said.

“So mentally I figured out the rounds of the gear and its founda-

tions and in barely 15 minutes, I took it out and was done.

“When I opened and put the gear out, I gained their trust and they knew that this boy had some gift from God and could do this work.”

He eventually bought his own car to train himself further in the intricacies of auto mechanics, and started his career swapping out engines.

And he is keen to distinguish himself as a true “mechanic” and not merely a fitter of parts, which he says any child can do.

“A mechanic’s work is to diagnose. Anyone can become a fitter.

The main thing is to diagnose if there is a problem and why it is there,” he said.

“So it is a gift from Allah that I can find out what the fault actually is.” Fahad Younis, a 30-something client with his own car importexport business, drops off a Nissan Platz for repair. He says Patel’s customers come for one reason only: the quality of the work.

“He fixes the problems whatever they are,” he said. “We give him all our cars, big and small.”

It has not always been a smooth ride. “Once I was experimenting with the engine and petrol and was squirting it in. It caught fire and I had to throw sand on it to put it out,” Patel said.

Another time a jack collapsed while he was working under a car, dropping the vehicle on him.

“I didn’t worry too much about it, just lifted it up, put in another jack and carried on working,” he said.

While some might rue their luck at being blind, Patel says he prefers to count his blessings -- and insists he doesn’t really think of himself as disabled.

“If I ever felt that I was handicapped from something, I would not be able to do what I am doing right now,” he said. — AFP

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Cathartic exit is the only remedy for Greece now

ADRIENNE WICHARD-EDDS

reek Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis’s resignation -- even after Greek voters firmly backed the government’s refusal to accept its creditors’ demands for economic austerity -- is the clearest sign yet that Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras is serious about getting a new bailout deal. Unfortunately, it’s probably too late to keep Greece in the euro. The euro zone now faces a horrible choice. Tsipras will resume negotiations claiming to have a fresh democratic mandate, making it unlikely he’ll accede to the tax and pensions changes he’s previously rejected. So a new bargain would look awfully like Greece getting its own way -- a reward for ‘bad faith’ and ‘bad behaviour’. Kicking Greece out of the euro, on the other hand, would prove once and for all that euro membership can be revoked.

Nevertheless, the latter option remains the better of two bad choices.

When the nation’s banks fail to reopen and a fresh agreement on aid isn’t completed within “one hour” -- two predictions confidently made last week by Varoufakis to help persuade his fellow Greeks to vote “no” -- the 61 per cent of Greeks who took his advice may start to regret their decision. The euro’s guardians, meanwhile, who had insisted that Greeks were voting on their future euro membership (no matter how incomprehensible the actual ballot question was) will struggle to accommodate the result without looking as if they’re giving into a form of blackmail.

Rather than come up with some convoluted formula to give Greece enough money to stave off bankruptcy, European leaders should cut their losses and start the process of easing Greece out of the common currency project.

The nation’s stubborn ‘contradictory stance’ -- yes to the euro, no to the conditions of continued membership -- isn’t consistent with the euro’s future well-being.

The German newspaper Handelsblatt summed the situation up neatly last week, with a front page showing Tsipras holding a gun to his own head with the caption “give me money or I shoot myself.”

Greece, for its part, should seize the opportunity to get out of the euro on the best terms possible. Those would include a restructuring of its debts, with creditors taking a one-time

hit and reducing the debt burden from about 180 percent of gross domestic product. A new and devalued currency could help put the economy back on the path to recovery; economists including Roger Bootle at Capital Economics in London have argued this is Greece’s best alternative. Varoufakis announced his decision to quit on Twitter, directing followers to a statement on his personal web site: “Soon after the announcement of the referendum results, I was made aware of a certain preference by some Eurogroup participants, and assorted ‘partners’, for my ... ‘absence’ from its meetings; an idea that the Prime Minister judged to be potentially helpful to him in reaching an agreement. For this reason I am leaving the Ministry of Finance today.”

Call me old-fashioned, but it strikes me that Greece’s negotiations have relied far too much on messages of 140 characters or fewer delivered via social media, adding to the government’s reputation as amateurs.

While there’s little evidence of contagion in financial markets -- the euro is barely changed from where trading closed on Friday, and bang in line with its three-month average value against the dollar -- Greece still poses a potential threat. The 89 billion euros Greek banks owe the European Central Bank for its emergency liquidity assistance, combined with the 100 billion euros owed by the Greek central bank to its Eurozone peers, is almost double the ECB’s equity and reserves of 98.5 billion euros, according to calculations by the Cobden Centre, a research organisation. Whatever the true value of the Greek collateral that the ECB owns against those liabilities, it certainly isn’t 100 percent of its face amount. That poses a financial stability risk to the entire region.

Moreover, the ECB will struggle to maintain the myth that Greek banks are solvent when their ATMs are close to empty, their doors remain locked, and the government’s aid package remains in limbo.

The euro’s rules about what the central bank can and can’t do for a member in trouble have been broken long enough. This has to end. The euro region needs the catharsis of a Greek exit, not the uncertainty of yet more wrangling. Greeks have had their say loud and clear: They’re not willing to endure the strictures of membership. So they should leave the common currency. - Bloomberg View

READERS’ FORUM Very hot weather behind petrol station fires This refers to the online story Petrol station in Oman catches fire (July 7). The main issue behind this is the very hot weather. It has been approximately 50 degrees Celcius during the past 1 week but the concerned authorities are not advising the public how to deal with this weather. In my experience, people refuse to turn off their engines while filling petrol because it is too hot and they don‘t want to turn off the air conditioner. People need to choose between sweat snd death?

Additionally, it seems to me the pump attendant doesn‘t seem to have professional training to handle with these situations as well. The petrol companies need to staff and professional attendants. They need to start spending some money on awareness and safety.

— Nabeel Irshad Hussain, Ruwi Scan this QR code to send letters to the Readers’ Forum, containing not more than 200 words with full name, address and telephone number, may be sent by mail (Times of Oman, P.O. Box 770, P.C. 112, Ruwi).

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Petrol pump attendants should make sure engines are shut off This refers to the online story Petrol station in Oman catches fire (July 7). After a series of incidents, it is a surprise that people are still disinclined to switch off the engine while petrol is being filled in their cars. In my view, the attendent should insist on this firmly.

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Obsession over finding alien life senseless This refers to the news story Comet carrying Philae probe could be hosting ‘alen life’ (July 7). I simply cannot understand why scientists are fixated on finding alien life. As if we don’t have enough worries here. There are so many things unknown on our planet. Why not decipher them? How can meeting aliens ever be helpful to the current dismal human condition. — Melissa Smart, Muscat

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It’s still raw 10 years on. You see things you don’t want to see again. It was horrendous.

Mark, 40-year-old train driver

Britons observe minute of silence for 2005 London bombings victims Prime Minister David Cameron led the tributes by placing a wreath at a memorial in Hyde Park

LONDON: Britons laid flowers at the sites of the 2005 London suicide bombings and held a nationwide minute of silence for the 52 victims on Tuesday on the tenth anniversary of the attacks.

Prime Minister David Cameron led the tributes by placing a wreath at a memorial in Hyde Park, less than a fortnight after an attack in Tunisia in which 30 Britons were killed.

The ceremony began at exactly 8:50am (0750 GMT) -- the time the first of four homegrown militants detonated his device on London’s transport system on July 7, 2005.

“It’s still raw 10 years on,” said Mark, a 40-year-old train driver fighting back tears on the plaza outside King’s Cross train station, near two of the four blast scenes.

“You see things you don’t want to see again. It was horrendous,” he said, adding that he was on duty at the time and was “involved” in rescue operations.

Tavistock Square Bouquets of flowers were laid in nearby Tavistock Square, on the spot where one of the bombers detonated his device on a red doubledecker bus, killing 13 people.

“Our precious daughter Shyanu. When heaven took our angel back, they left two broken hearts,” read one message left in honour of 30-year-old Shayanuja Parathasangary.

FLORAL TRIBUTES: A woman places a floral tribute for victims of the July 7, 2005 London bombings,

at Aldgate Station in London, Britain on Tuesday. Right: Britain’s Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Gerald Oppenheim, right, lay flowers at the 7/7 memorial in Hyde Park on Tuesday. – Reuters/ AFP

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At Russell Square Underground station where a second device was detonated on a train, a tent was erected near the station entrance where mourners could sit and pay a silent tribute.

Spectators at the Wimbledon tennis tournament joined in the minute of silence, as did tourists outside St Paul’s Cathedral, where petals were dropped from the dome during a service for families of the victims and survivors.

“Ten years on from the 7/7 London attacks, the threat from terrorism continues to be as real as it is deadly,” Cameron said. “The mur-

der of 30 innocent Britons whilst holidaying in Tunisia is a brutal reminder of that fact. But we will never be cowed by terrorism.”

The Britons were among 38 people killed when a gunman went on the rampage at a popular Tunisian beach resort on June 26, Britain’s worst terror incident since the 2005 bombings.

Social media tribute In a social media tribute that quickly trended on Twitter, many commuters posted pictures of themselves walking to work as part of a #WalkTogether campaign by leaders of different faiths to honour the victims.

In the past decade, successive governments have strengthened security powers and improved the way the emergency services respond to attacks after criti-

cism of severe delays.

But they are still struggling to address the problem of radicalisation exposed by the bombings, which were carried out not by foreign fighters but by four young men who grew up in Britain and were inspired by Al Qaeda.

Hundreds of British young people are now flocking to join the IS militant group in Syria and Iraq, raising fears that they might return to attack their homeland.

For many of those directly affected by the London bombings, the anniversary has brought back painful memories.

“Whatever help you get, it’s still there. You can never get rid of it,” said Mark, the train driver.

David Boyce was a 25-year-old supervisor at Russell Square station and one of the first to witness the carnage.

“There was body parts all over the place and dead bodies lying all over the train,” he told AFP. The general emergency response was fractured, hampered by poor communications inside the tunnels and between controllers.

This has been overhauled, as has the government’s counter-terrorism strategy, with new measures introduced to clamp down on radical preachers and give police and security services tougher powers to question and track suspects.

Despite the new measures, the

head of the MI5 domestic intelligence agency, Andrew Parker, warned that the risk remained high. “Appalling acts are attempted by individuals who have grown up here but decided for whatever twisted reasons to identify their own country as the enemy,” he said in a rare public statement.

“The continuing fact that some people, born in the UK, with all the opportunities and freedoms that modern Britain offers, can nonetheless make those sorts of warped choices presents a serious societal and security challenge.” — AFP

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UN arms curbs on Iran to stay after deal: US Iran and the six world powers earlier extended an interim nuclear deal through Friday in order to give the delegations additional time to work through several

TOUGH TALKS: High Representative of the European Union for

Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini, left, and US Secretary of State John Kerry, right, meet in Vienna, Austria on Tuesday. — AFP

remaining sticking points in order to get a long-term accord

VIENNA: Iran will continue to face restrictions on its missile programme as well as its trade in conventional arms under an emerging nuclear agreement, a senior US official said on Tuesday.

Six major powers and Iran are still not where they need to be to achieve an agreement under which Iran would restrict its nu-

clear programme in exchange for relief from economic sanctions, the official added on condition of anonymity.

“There will be an ongoing restriction on arms (if there is a deal), just like there will be ongoing restrictions regarding missiles,” the official said. “It will be part of the (United Nations) Security Council resolution.”

Any deal concluded by Iran, the United States, Britain, France, Germany, Russia and China will include a draft Security Council resolution that terminates all UN sanctions but re-imposes

some specific measures. That resolution will then be presented to the 15-nation council for official adoption.

Iran and the six powers earlier extended an interim nuclear deal through Friday in order to give the delegations additional time to work through several remaining sticking points in order to get a long-term accord.

Earlier, an Iranian official revealed on Monday that Tehran was pushing for removal of any mention of a UN arms embargo in any final nuclear agreement.

“There is no evidence that the

arms embargo has any relation with the nuclear issue,” the official said. The US official acknowledged the Iran nuclear talks were “not a missile negotiation, and that “countries are allowed to have a conventional missile programme.”

But under UN Security Council resolutions there are “provisions... that are address both technology and missiles capable of carrying nuclear weapons as part of the nuclear-related bases of those resolutions. And that is what we are addressing,” the official said.

Negotiators were drafting a new resolution which will go before the UN Security Council to endorse the Iran nuclear deal.

“What this means there will be continued restrictions in this area and we’ve always said that,” the official said.

Meanwhile, senior officials from the International Atomic Energy (IAEA) have made “further progress” in meetings in Tehran but more work will be needed to resolve outstanding issues between the UN nuclear watchdog and Iran,it said on Tuesday.

“A team of senior IAEA officials held constructive talks in Tehran on Monday on ways forward to resolve all outstanding issues,” the agency said. — Agencies

WORLD RECORD HOLDER

LONG INNINGS: In this file picture taken on August 20, 2014,

one-hundred-eleven-year-old Japanese man Sakari Momoi, right, receives a certificate naming him as the world’s oldest man by the Guinness World Records at a hospital in Tokyo. Momoi, has died in Japan at the ripe old age of 112, an official said on Tuesday. — AFP/ Files/Japan Pool via Jiji Press

World’s oldest man dies in Japan at 112 TOKYO: The world’s oldest man, Sakari Momoi, has died in Japan at the ripe old age of 112, an official said on Tuesday.

Momoi, born months before the Wright brothers made their first successful flight, passed away late Sunday, said the official at Saitama City, north of Tokyo, where he had lived for many years.

The supercentenarian, recog-

nised as the world’s oldest male at the age of 111 last year, died of kidney failure in a care home in Tokyo. “We heard from his family... that his health worsened one or two weeks ago,” the official said.

Momoi, a former high school principal who was born on February 5, 1903, received a certificate from Guinness World Records confirming the achievement last year. — AFP

TO BE FOR MERCHANDISE, PROJECTS

Syria parliament approves deal for Iranian credit worth $1b BEIRUT: Syria’s parliament on Tuesday approved a deal with Iran under which Tehran will provide the government a new line of credit worth $1 billion, state media said.

The credit line will be the third that Tehran has extended to Damascus since the conflict in Syria erupted with anti-government protests in March 2011.

“The People’s Council approved a deal on a line of credit of $1 billion,” which was signed on May 19 in Damascus by Syria’s Commercial Bank and the Export Development Bank of Iran, the official SANA news agency said.

It said the credit would be used for “importing merchandise and carrying out projects.”.

Iran is the key regional ally of

President Bashar Al Assad’s government, and has provided him with military and financial support through Syria’s conflict.

In 2013, Tehran extended Damascus two lines of credit worth a total of $4.6 billion, with much of that devoted to the purchase of oil.

After more than four years of conflict that has left some 230,000 people dead, Syria’s government

has become increasingly dependent on credit and other aid from allies like Iran.

Rare sources “It is one of the rare sources of currency that remains for the Syrian government,” said Jihad Yazigi, director of the economic news website The Syria Report.

Meanwhile, Syrian Kurdish

fighters have recaptured more than 10 villages seized by IS militant group north of its de facto capital of Raqqa city, aided by USled coalition air strikes, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported on Tuesday.

Intensified air strikes across northern Syria and clashes on the ground have killed at least 78 IS militants since Sunday night, the

Britain-based Observatory said.

The strikes are some of the most sustained since they began in September, according to US officials who say they are aimed at curbing the rebels’ ability to operate out of Raqqa and to prevent it from fighting back against Kurdish advances. But, on Tuesday, the extremist group was still in control of Ain Issa, the Observatory said. — Agencies

1MDB GRAFT SCANDAL

Bank accounts linked to Malaysia’s premier frozen KUALA LUMPUR: A task force investigating Malaysia’s troubled state investment fund 1MDB said on Tuesday it had frozen half a dozen bank accounts following a report that hundreds of millions of dollars had been transferred to an account of Prime Minister Najib Razak.

The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported last week that investigators probing the debt-laden 1MDB had traced nearly $700 million to bank accounts they believed belonged to the prime minister.

Najib has denied taking any money from 1MDB or any other entity for personal gain, and is considering legal action.

The special task force said it had frozen six bank accounts in relation to the allegations, but it did not specify whose accounts they were or the banks involved.

The team also took possession of documents related to 17 accounts from two banks to help with the investigations.

Meanwhile, WSJ published what it said were government documents from the probe of the prime minister, detailing a money trail of nearly $700 million that led to his personal bank account.

A link on its website opened to a nine-page document that included remittance application forms, some flow charts and an authorisation letter.

Some portions of the documents were redacted.

Reuters could not independently verify these documents.

The Prime Minister’s office did not respond to a request for comment. Malaysia’s longest-serving prime minister has repeatedly demanded Najib account for the disappearance of billions of dollars borrowed by state fund 1MDB, or resign.

The attorney-general said on Saturday he had received documents from the investigating task force that are “connected to allegations” money was transferred into the prime minister’s account.

Malaysian opposition lawmakers on Tuesday accused authorities of blocking a planned

UNDER THE SCANNER: Malaysia’s Prime Minister Najib Razak speaks to the media at a mosque outside Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on Sunday. — Reuters

Truly, the one who shamed the country is Najib with his 1MDB. Prior to this, the country has never been insulted by unanswered allegations, unlike now, said former prime minister Mahathir Mohamad in his latest blog posting on Tuesday

meeting in parliament to discuss the allegations against Najib, which threaten to become the biggest political crisis in the country’s history.

Stop any discussion About 100 lawmakers, activists and lawyers were prevented from entering a meeting room in parliament, and were left sitting on the steps outside the building in downtown Kuala Lumpur.

Officials said the room had been double booked, and was being used by the Youth and Sports Ministry.

“It’s fairly obvious what the authorities are doing. They are in cahoots to stop any discussion about the allegations the prime minister is facing,” said Tony Pua,

a lawmaker from the Democratic Action Party (DAP).

Meanwhile, members of Najib’s party, the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), have closed ranks behind the prime minister, who had already been on a back foot over the mismanagement of 1MDB and his handling of the economy.

1MDB, whose advisory board is chaired by Najib, has debts of nearly $11.6 billion. Even before the WSJ report it was the subject of separate investigations by the central bank, auditor general, police and the parliament’s Public Accounts Committee. The Wall Street Journal, citing documents from a government investigation, said there were five deposits into Najib’s account. — Reuters

W E D N E S DAY, JU LY 8, 2 0 1 5

WORLD 3 Saudi brothers arrested for Kuwait attack Riyadh said three Saudi brothers were arrested in connection with the bombing of the Kuwaiti mosque that killed 27 people, after a shootout with one

BLAST SITE: Kuwait Special Forces control the area around the Imam Sadiq Mosque in Al Sawaber area of Kuwait City, on June 26, 2015, after a bomb explosion killed 27 people during Friday prayers. - Reuters

of the suspects

KUWAIT CITY/RIYADH: Two brothers arrested in Saudi Arabia had transported the explosives used in the suicide bombing of a mosque in Kuwait, the interior ministry said Tuesday.

Earlier Riyadh said on Tuesday that three Saudi brothers were arrested in connection with the bombing of the Kuwaiti mosque that killed 27 people, after a shootout with one of the suspects.

It said Majed Al Zahrani and Mohammad Al Zahrani smuggled in the explosives in an icebox by car through Nuwaiseeb border post from Saudi Arabia, a day before the June 26 bombing that killed 26 people.

The two Saudis then delivered the explosives near the border post to Abdulrahman Sabah Eidan Saud, a stateless Arab who passed them on to the suicide bomber and drove him to the target mosque, the ministry said.

It said tests had shown that the explosives were of the same type

as used in two similar attacks on mosques in eastern Saudi Arabia.

In Saudi Arabia, the interior ministry said Mohammad Zahrani was arrested in Khafji, another border town near Nuwaiseeb, after a shootout with Saudi security forces. Two security personnel were wounded in the shootout, it said, adding that brother Majed was arrested in the southwestern Saudi city of Taif.

“As result of the shooting, two security personnel were injured and rushed to hospital,” the ministry said. A third brother was arrested in Kuwait and handed over to Saudi authorities, officials in Kuwait said.

“Two of them were born in Kuwait and they have ties to a fourth sibling who is present in Syria as

part of IS,” the Saudi ministry said.

Kuwait has said more than 40 people could face charges in connection with the mosque blast.

An IS-affiliated group calling itself Najd Province claimed the Kuwait bombing and also said it carried out the two suicide attacks at mosques in Saudi Arabia in May. The IS militant group claimed the June 26 suicide bombing of the mosque in Kuwait City, which it said was carried out by a Saudi.

On Friday a Saudi policeman was shot dead during a raid in Taif, where officers said they found IS flags. Three suspects were arrested. A fourth escaped but was later killed in a gun battle with law enforcement officers, the interior ministry said. - AFP

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Swiss test drone parcel service Switzerland’s postal service said on Tuesday it had begun testing parcel deliveries by unmanned drones

BAS-VULLY (SWITZERLAND): Wondering where your package is? Look up!

Switzerland’s postal service said on Tuesday it had begun testing parcel deliveries by unmanned drones, although widespread use of the flying postmen is not likely to kick in for another five years. Postal service executives showed off the drones for the first time on Tuesday and said initial tests of the machines’ postdelivery abilities would run until the end of July.

The snow-white drones consist of four branches with propellers on the end extending from a hollow ring the size of a toilet seat. A yellow box, bearing the postal service logo, is lodged in the middle.

“The drone has an extremely light construction and is capable of transporting loads of up to one kilo (2.2 pounds) over more than 10 kilometres (6.2 miles) with a single battery charge,” Swiss Post said in a statement.

The drone “flies autonomously, following clearly defined, secure flight paths, which are drawn up by cloud software developed by Matternet (the drone’s US manufacturer)”, Swiss Post added.

Swiss Post, which is cooperating on the project with Swiss WorldCargo — the air freight division of Swiss International Air Lines — stressed that the drones

FLYING POSTMAN: A Swiss Post and Swiss WorldCargo ‘Matternet’ drone is flown during a presentation at Bellechasse airfield in Bas-Vully near Fribourg, Switzerland, on Tuesday. – Reuters

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would be thoroughly tested before being put to wide-scale use.

“Until the time of their realistic commercial use in around five years, there are various requirements which need to be clarified,” the statement said.

This includes exploring the regulatory framework that would apply when sending the unmanned aircraft out across the Alpine country, which is dotted with numerous remote and isolated villages where drone deliveries could be useful. Swiss Post also said extensive tests would be carried out to explore the technical restrictions of the drones, includ-

ing limited battery life. For now, Swiss Post said it expects to mainly use the drones in emergency situations, which could “involve bringing supplies to an area that has been cut off from the outside world following a storm.”

“Another realistic possibility is the urgent transport of consignments with the highest priority, such as laboratory tests,” it added.

Switzerland is not the only place where package-delivering drones could soon appear. Amazon, the world’s largest online retailer, announced in late 2013 a plan to airlift small parcels to customers by drone in select markets, less than 30 minutes after an order is received. But the company warned last month that proposed US rules regulating the use of civilian drones could block it from launching the service, and called for them to be overhauled. — AFP

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Indian Rs ...................................164.70 Pakistan Rs ............................ 263.50 Sri Lanka Rs .......................... 346.50 Bangla Taka.............................201.70 Phil Peso ....................................116.60

Muscat 24ct per gm (OMR) .......14.95

Oman Crude............. (Spot) ..........$56.11 Dubai Crude ............. (Spot) .........$55.91 Murban Crude ........ (Spot) ......... $57.77 Arabian Light ......... (Spot) .........$56.01 N.Sea Brent............... (Spot) ..........$57.17 West Texas Int ....... (Spot) ........$52.64

Banks in Oman comfortable in capital adequacy Reserves and core capital of commercial banks rose by 7.8% to OMR3.24 billion in 2014, while banks’ supplementary capital elements

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES: The banking regulator said that the

increase in customer deposits with banks in 2014, augmentation of the capital base and borrowings from banks abroad provided the additional resources for further asset creation. – Times file

grew by 2.9% to OMR651.4 million

A. E. JAMES

businesseditor@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: Oman’s banks are in a comfortable position in maintaining capital adequacy ratio — an international standard that measures a bank’s risk of insolvency from excessive losses.

The core capital and reserves of commercial banks increased by 7.8 per cent to OMR3.24 billion in 2014, while banks’ supplementary capital elements went up by 2.9 per cent to OMR651.4 million, said the Central Bank of Oman in its annual report.

The BIS (Bank for International Settlement) capital adequacy ratio of commercial banks averaged 15.4 per cent by the end of 2014, which exceeded the 12.625 per cent (including 0.625 per cent capital conservation buffer) mandated for individual banks.

“Total provisions and reserved interest held by commercial banks

continued to surpass the stock of non-performing loans,” the annual report noted.

The gross non-performing loans increased by 9.1 per cent from OMR458 million in 2013 to OMR500 million in 2014. However, the gross non-performing loan ratio as a proportion to total loans and advances net of reserve interest, remained unchanged at 2.1 per cent by the end of 2014, over the previous year.

Credit growth Central bank said that the increase in customer deposits with banks in 2014 to the tune of OMR1.69 billion, augmentation of the capital base by OMR0.3 billion and borrowings from banks abroad of OMR0.2 billion provided the additional resources for further asset creation.

The increased funds were mainly deployed in the expansion of credit by OMR1.72 billion as well as in investments.

In fact, the Central Bank of Oman issued the final framework on Liquidity Coverage Ratio (LCR) and LCR disclosure stand-

* Rates as of July 7 Source: Oman UAE Exchange

* Rates are as of July 7 Source: Bank Muscat

ard requirements under Basel III in December 2014, after due process of consultations.

The Basel Committee on Banking Supervision developed the LCR to promote the short-term resilience of the liquidity risk profile of banks by ensuring that they have sufficient high quality liquid assets to survive a significant stress scenario lasting 30 calendar days.

The standard for LCR was effective from January 1, 2015 with a minimum ratio of 60 per cent.

Oman’s banking sector comprised 16 conventional commercial banks of which 7 were locally incorporated and 9 were branches of foreign banks, two specialised banks, two full-fledged Islamic banks together with six local commercial banks operating separate Islamic windows for banking operations.

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Muscat 22ct per gm (OMR) .......14.40 Dubai 24ct per gm (Dh) ............ 141.00 Dubai 22ct per gm (Dh) ............. 133.75 * Rates as of July 7 Source: Malabar Gold & Diamonds

TENDER BOARD

Consultant to be appointed for Salalah port expansion A. E. JAMES

businesseditor@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: Oman’s Ministry of Transport and Communications on Tuesday floated a tender to select a consultant for conducting studies and designing the third phase expansion of Port of Salalah.

According to the Tender Board website, the consultant will conduct a study on the third phase expansion and will design the expansion programme. The tender documents will be distributed up to August 6, while the tenders will be opened on August 31.

In fact, Port of Salalah has formulated a 20-year master plan (2011-30) few years ago, which envisions the establishment of the Salalah hub that includes a railway connection and distribution centre, food reserve and processing centres among warehousing and other logistics facilities, dedicated terminals for cruise tourism and liquid storage along with dedicated facilities. Port of Salalah is among the world’s top transshipment ports and continues to provide an important service to the global supply chain. It provides a significant opportunity for businesses

to benefit from the Salalah hub network of multi-modal transport (sea-air-road) and Salalah Free Zone incentives, the company said in its first quarter report.

Transshipment volume Port of Salalah continues to achieve considerable volume growth at the General Cargo Terminal (GCT), which reflects the role of the port in supporting local businesses expansion and growth.

However, transshipment volumes at the Container Terminal (CT) have declined as compared to the corresponding period last year.

B2

W EDN ESDAY, JULY 8, 2015

MARKET NUCLEAR DEAL

Oil pares biggest drop in five months over Iran nuclear deal LONDON: Oil pared its biggest decline since February as signs Iran and world powers will miss their Tuesday deadline for a nuclear deal damped expectations that sanctioned crude will soon return to global markets.

Futures rose as much as 1.5 per cent in New York. Countries negotiating with Iran said an agreement that could lift sanctions isn’t assured even as differences between negotiators in Vienna continued to narrow. Global refining margins will drop later this year amid a product surplus, while organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (Opec) output further outpaces demand growth, Goldman Sachs predicted.

Oil is trading at the lowest level

since April as investors avoid risky assets amid the Greek crisis and analysts warn of a persistent supply glut. While United States crude inventories are forecast to have fallen last week, supplies are still about 20 per cent above the five-year average level for this time of year.

“The question really then is how quickly can the sanctions come off ” if there’s an agreement, Paul Stevens, distinguished fellow at London-based Chatham House, said by phone. “It’s going to take a lot longer than a lot of people think. And then we get to the more medium-term issue of how quickly can the Iranians restore their production.”

West Texas Intermediate for August delivery climbed as much

as 78 cents to $53.31 a barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange and was at $53.17 at 9:34 a.m. London time.

The contract decreased 7.7 per cent on Monday, the most since February 4, to close at $52.53.

Nuclear deal Brent for August settlement gained as much as $1.03 cents, or 1.8 per cent, to $57.57 a barrel on the London-based ICE Futures Europe exchange. It slid $3.78 to $56.54 on Monday, the lowest

close since April 8. The European benchmark crude traded at a $4.25 premium to WTI. United States secretary of state John Kerry and Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif held talks until early Tuesday in Vienna, along with their counterparts from China, France, Germany, Russia and the UK. There’s an agreement on the main body of a nuclear accord, while negotiations continue on an annex related to a new United Nations Security Council resolution, according to Iran’s Etemaad newspaper.

Unrealistic ambitions Iran’s plan to sell more crude remains a long way off, Goldman, Bank of America and Societe

Generale said last week. Its goal of boosting exports by 50 per cent would require an extra 500,000 barrels a day of production, which the banks project will take six to 12 months as the country revives ageing oil wells.

Oil prices have been driven lower by a global supply surplus, rather than an escalation of the Greek crisis, Goldman Sachs said in an e-mailed note dated July 6. The market has yet to rebalance amid increased supply from the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries, according to the bank.

Opec’s output surged last month to the highest level since August 2012. The 12-member group pumped 32.1 million barrels a day in June. - Bloomberg News

Samsung profit drops as phone sales fail to click Technoloy giant has seen profits sag since late 2013 due to tough competition in a smartphone market that it had dominated for years

SEOUL: Samsung Electronics on Tuesday flagged a second quarter drop in operating profit that missed analyst estimates after sales of its newest flagship smartphone failed to meet expectations.

In an earnings estimate, the giant South Korean smartphone and memory-chip maker predicted operating profit of around 6.9 trillion won ($6.1 billion) for the April-June period, down just over 4 per cent from a year earlier.

That compared ato the 7.2 trillion won average of 33 analyst estimates, but still marked a 15 per cent increase from the first quarter. Tuesday’s estimate, which comes ahead of audited results to be released later in the month, did not provide a net income figure. It also gave no breakdown of divisional earnings.

The company has seen profits sag since late 2013 due to heightened competition in an increasingly saturated smartphone market that it had dominated for years. Samsung has faced a double challenge from United States arch-rival Apple in the high-end smartphone market and rising Chinese firms like Xiaomi in the mid- and low-end market.

SEVERE COMPETITION: Samsung has faced a double challenge

from Apple in the high-end smartphone market and rising Chinese firms like Xiaomi in the mid- and low-end market. – AFP

Hopes of a turnaround had largely been pinned on the sixth edition of its flagship smartphone launched in April. The Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge with a wraparound screen received rave reviews, but company predictions of record sales fell short of expectations, partly due to production and supply constraints.

Overall sales were around 48 trillion won in the second quarter, Samsung said Tuesday, compared to the 53 trillion won average of 37 estimates. “Shipments of the Galaxy S6 were clearly not as strong as had been hoped for,” said Greg Roh of HMC Investment Securities, citing manufacturing delays that trimmed sales of the S6 Edge.

Disappointing Samsung’s shares, which has fallen 7.2 per cent this year, was largely unchanged in early trading following the earnings estimate.

In an effort to see off smaller rivals nipping at its heels in emerging markets, Samsung slimmed down its line of low- and midend smartphones last year, and ramped up production of those that remained in a higher-volume, lower-price strategy.

At the same time, its semiconductor unit has managed to mitigate some of the slump in the mobile division, posting strong profit growth in the least few quarters.

Leadership change The slump in Samsung’s once stellar growth has coincided with preparations for a once-ina-generation leadership change, with control of the family-run conglomerate’s main business expected to pass from ailing patriarch Lee Kun-Hee to only son Lee Jae-Yong.

Faced with what will be a massive inheritance tax bill, Lee and his siblings have been seeking to pare down and simplify the byzantine system of cross-holdings that link the many branches of the Samsung empire.The anticipated reforms have helped keep Samsung on the “buy” list of many analysts, despite the recent profit downturn. - AFP

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W E D N E S DAY, JU LY 8, 2 0 1 5

B3

MARKET TENDER

Oman’s ministry commences e-tendering MUSCAT:: Oman’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry started implementing the e-tendering system through an e-portal of the Tender Board. The scheme is part of the e-government initiative promoted by the Oman government in a bid to facilitate businesses.

The e-tendering system, implemented in collaboration with Information Technology Authority (ITA), is a multi-stage system that will be used in the tendering process at the ministry starting from the preparation of the technical specifications for the tender until awarding the tender.

Said bin Awadh Al Shukri, head of IT Development Department, said that the payment of fees will be done electronically through the e-payment gateway of the ITA. The financial, technical bids, copy of the banking guarantee, e-signature and submission of bids will be completed using the password provided to the user.

The second feature is the opening of bids and ensuring that the bids meet the requirements in terms of payment of fees and submission of banking guarantee.

The third feature is the assessment and award of tenders. The system has a feature that allows to assess bids, its technical and financial offers and makes a comparative analysis among the different bids. - ONA C O R P O R AT E

National Finance net profit up 14% Times News Service MUSCAT: National Finance Company said its net profit surged ahead by 13.81 per cent to OMR2.78 million for the first six months of 2015, from OMR2.44 million for the same period last year.

The company’s net operating income was up 8.41 per cent to OMR6.32 million.

Global sukuk market likely to remain subdued: S&P Sukuk market is heading towards a correction worldwide in 2015 after Central Bank of Malaysia — one of the largest issuers of sukuk worldwide — stopped issuing earlier this year, says a report by Standard & Poor’s

Times News Service MUSCAT: Sukuk market across teh world is heading toward a correction in 2015 after the Central Bank of Malaysia (BNM) — one of the largest issuers of sukuk worldwide — stopped issuing earlier this year, says a report by Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services.

But as the report, titled ‘Global sukuk issuance stalls in 2015 as major issuer exits the market’, points out, BNM’s move leaves the door open to issuers such as the International Islamic Liquidity Management Corporation (IILM) and the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) to step up their issuance and provide the industry with liquidity, thereby contributing to the development of an Islamic yield curve.

“In the first half of 2015, BNM’s pullback saw total sukuk issuance drop by 42.5 per cent compared to the same period a year earlier,” said Standard & Poor’s global head of Islamic Finance Mohamed Damak. “In 2014, BNM alone is-

DROP IN SUKUK ISSUANCE: In the first half of 2015, Central Bank of Malaysia’s pullback saw total sukuk issuance drop by 42.5 per cent compared to the same period a year earlier, said Standard & Poor’s in its report. – File photo

AT A GLANCE

S&P revised forecast for total sukuk issuance in 2015 to $50b-$60b from $100b-$115b

Excluding this effect, the market performed relatively well despite the decline in oil prices s.

List of potential sukuk issuers continues to increase, but the timing of their issuance is uncertain

sued about $45 billion of sukuk out of a total issuance of $116.4 billion.

“We understand part of the reason behind BNM’s decision was that its sukukwere subscribed

to by a broad array of investors, preventing them from reaching their intended end-users (primarily Malaysian Islamic banks for liquidity management pur-

poses). As a result, BNM decided to switch to other instruments restricted to banks.”

Excluding the BNM effect, the worldwide volume of sukuk issuance performed in line with expectations, total issuance dropping by only 10.7 per cent, confirming that the impact of falling oil prices on recurring government spending and investment projects in core markets (namely GCC countries and Malaysia) was limited in the first half of 2015, said S&P. Lower oil prices While S&P expects this trend to continue in the second half of 2015, the effect of lower oil prices on sukuk issuance in 2016 remains uncertain. Such an effect

will depend on whether there is a recovery in oil prices or whether governments in core markets decide to reprioritise their spending and avoid continuing using their reserves and tap the capital markets more aggressively to finance their spending. Sukuk market performance in the first half of this year was also aided by returning sovereign issuers and large, albeit sporadic issuances from banks and a few nonfinancial firms in the Gulf and Malaysia.

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DEBT CRISIS

IMF under pressure to recover huge loan from Greece WASHINGTON: Hated in Athens and brushed off by the Europeans, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) approaches the next round of negotiations with Greece in a delicate position.

The global crisis bank is anxious to craft a compromise, but also under pressure to recover the billions it has lent to the country.

In a sign of its caution, the IMF waited nearly 24 hours to react to Greece’s referendum on Sunday — in which the people strongly rejected another reform-heavy bailout plan from the EU creditors.

In addition, the fund will not send a representative to the meeting of the Eurogroup, the zone’s finance ministers, to discuss their next

steps in the Greece crisis.

“The IMF has taken note of the referendum held in Greece. We are monitoring the situation closely and stand ready to assist Greece if requested to do so,” the Fund’s managing director Christine Lagarde said in a terse statement.

“If requested” is the issue. It is not clear the Europeans still want the IMF by their sides at the table to negotiate a new deal with the nearly bankrupt Greek government. The two bailout programmes crafted by the IMF, the European Commission and European Central Bank came with tough reforms and austerity policies that forced the government to slash spending.

ommended that, to stabilise the country through 2018, the Europeans would need to put another €36 billion ($40 billion) into the rescue operation. That proposal was enough to irritate the Fund’s closest allies on the continent, especially Germany.

One unpredicted result is that, despite all the bailout funding, the Greek economy has contracted 25 per cent over five years. Last month, Greek prime minister Alexis Tsipras said the IMF had

“criminal responsibility” for Greece’s debt crisis.

Last Thursday, the IMF released its study of Greece’s economy and finances that predicted zero growth again this year, and rec-

Default “As long as they were doing what the Europeans wanted to hear, which is asking for tougher measures to Greece, then their voice was being heard,” said Ashoka Mody, who was the architect behind the IMF bailout of Ireland.

“But presumably when they were saying things that the Europeans didn’t want to hear, it

doesn’t work,” he said.

The IMF’s ability to pressure Athens now is limited since Greece defaulted last week on a €1.5-billion payment, said Susan Schadler, the former deputy director of the IMF’s European Department.

“Having not received the payment lask week, it means that its role is constrained, because it can’t right now lend to Greece,” Schadler said.

Moreover, she noted, it is in part an issue of ‘political will’ among the Europeans: as long as they don’t free up more funds for Greece, the IMF cannot get paid.

The EU could then decide to reimburse the IMF on behalf of Greece themselves, or provide the country special credits to that end. - AFP

B4

W EDN ESDAY, JULY 8, 2015

MARKET MSM index ends lower

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OMAN STOCKS

MUSCAT SECURITIES MARKET

INDICES Index .................................................High .................Low..................... Value ............... Prev . Value.......... Diff ...............Diff % MSM30 Index ....................................... 6,435.04 ...............6,427.53 ...................6,428.46 ...................6,435.04.................. -6.58 .................. -0.10 Financial Index .................................... 7,809.20 ............... 7,784.17 ....................7,784.85 ....................7,796.77................ -11.92 .................. -0.15 Industrial Index ....................................8,327.42 .............. 8,299.37 ................... 8,299.37 ................... 8,327.21................-27.84 .................. -0.33 Services Index .......................................3,447.85 ...............3,435.19 ................... 3,446.89 ................... 3,441.18.....................5.71 ................... 0.17 MSM SHARIAH INDEX...................... 990.24 .................. 988.11 ....................... 988.11 ......................990.24.................. -2.13 .................. -0.22 Trading Summary Volume ................Turnover ..........Trades .............. Market Cap............. Up............Down ............. Equal .........Sec. Traded 11,705,152 ..................3,202,584 .................... 846 ...............15,060,388,259 .................. 8 ......................11 ....................24 .........................43

Muscat Finance, up by 4.17 per cent, was the top gainer, while Oman United Insurance,

SHARE PRICE BULLETIN FOR TUESDAY, JULY 7

down by 5.12 per cent, was the top loser 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: With eyes of the world on Greece debt crisis and Chinese stock market slump, local investors remained cautious as the MSM 30 Index closed at 6,428.46 points, down by 0.10 per cent. The MSM Shariah Index closed at 988.11 points, down by 0.22 per cent.

Phoenix Power remained the most active in terms of volume as well as turnover. Muscat Finance, up by 4.17 per cent was the top gainer, while Oman United Insurance, down by 5.12 per cent was the top loser.

As many as 846 trades were executed during the session generating a turnover of OMR3.2 million with over 11.7 million shares changing hands. Out of 43 traded securities, 8 advanced, 11 declined and 24 remained unchanged. GCC and Arab investors were net buyers to the tune of OMR227,000, while foreign investors, who were net sellers, sold shares amounting to OMR195,000, followed by Omani Investors at OMR32,000.

Financial Index retreated 0.15 per cent to close at 7,784.85 points.

Muscat Finance, Takaful Oman, Bank Nizwa, HSBC Bank and Bank Muscat increased 4.17 per cent, 3.60 per cent, 1.37 per cent, 0.76 per cent and 0.72 per cent respectively. Oman United Insurance, DBIH and NBO declined 3.85 per cent, 1.61 per cent and 1.18 per cent respectively.

Industrial Index ended the day at 8,299.37 points, down by 0.33 per cent. Al Anwar Ceramics, Oman Fisheries and Galfar Engineering decreased 2.84 per cent, 1.82 per cent and 0.79 per cent respectively.

Services Sector Index ended positively at 3,446.89 points, up by 0.17 per cent. Al Maha Petroleum gained 3.57 per cent to close at OMR2.175. Sharqiyah Desalination, OIFC, Omantel, Al Jazeera Services and Renaissance Services declined 1.33 per cent, 0.96 per cent, 0.57 per cent, 0.54 per cent and 0.36 per cent respectively.

Emerging stocks fall Emerging-market stocks fell toward a six-month low and currencies weakened as investors as European leaders gathered to decide the fate of Greece within the euro zone and concern grew that China’s bid to stem a rout in the equities gauge is failing.

The Shanghai Composite Index sank 1.3 per cent amid a record drop in margin bets. Chinese shares traded in Hong Kong entered a bear market as Citic Securities and Haitong Securities plunged more than 13 per cent. Russia’s ruble headed for a three- month low versus the dollar, while South Africa’s rand lost 0.6 per cent.

The MSCI Emerging Markets Index slid 1.2 per cent to 932.19 in London, its fifth day of declines.

Euro-area leaders and finance ministers are meeting Tuesday after German Chancellor Angela Merkel said “time is running out” for Greece to unveil a plan to stay in the currency union. A Bloomberg gauge of 20 currencies has dropped 4 per cent in the past two months, in part on concern the Federal Reserve is moving closer to raising interest rates.

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

OM0000003000 ...........ALMAHA PETROLEUM PRODUCTS MAR. .......12,500 .............27,215........................5 ........... 2.100 ........... 2.195 ...........2.100............2.175 .............2.100 ............0.075 ............. 3.571 ................2.175 ..............2.125...................2.175 ..................150,075,000........0.100 OM0000001517 ............HSBC BANK OMAN .................................................... 200,000...........26,600........................6 ............0.133 ........... 0.133 ...........0.133 ............0.133 .............0.132.............0.001 ............. 0.758 ................0.133 ..............0.134...................0.135 ..................266,041,601........0.100 OM0000002796 ...........BANK MUSCAT ............................................................ 1,766,561 .......992,425..................... 87 ............0.558 ...........0.564 ...........0.558........... 0.562 .............0.558 ........... 0.004............. 0.717.................0.564..............0.564...................0.566................1,288,004,300......0.100 OM0000001772 ............AL ANWAR HOLDING............................................... 237,319 ............ 48,770..................... 28 ........... 0.205 ...........0.207 ...........0.205........... 0.206 .............0.205 ............0.001 ............. 0.488 ................0.207..............0.207...................0.208 ..................30,915,450 .........0.100 OM0000001145 ............PORT SERVICES CORPORATION ........................... 1,000 ..................204........................1 ........... 0.204...........0.204 ...........0.204 .......... 0.204 .............0.204 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.204 ............ 0.202...................0.204 .................. 19,388,160 .........0.100 OM0000001418 ............RAYSUT CEMENT ........................................................... 1,161 ............... 1,742........................2 ............1.500 ........... 1.500 ...........1.500........... 1.500 .............1.500 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................1.500..............1.480...................1.500................. 300,000,000 .......0.100 OM0000001681 ............OMAN AND EMIRATES INV. HOLDING............ 22,000 ...............2,660........................5 ............0.120 ........... 0.121............0.120............0.121 ............. 0.121............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.121 .............. 0.121...................0.122................... 14,746,875 .........0.100 OM0000001707 ............OMAN CABLES INDUSTRY..................................... 25,000 .............57,500........................4 ........... 2.300...........2.300 ...........2.300 .......... 2.300 .............2.300 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................2.300 ............ 2.280...................2.300 ................ 206,310,000 .......0.100 OM0000001749 ............OMAN CEMENT .............................................................. 1,800 .................. 943........................1 ........... 0.524 ...........0.524 ...........0.524........... 0.524 .............0.524 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.524..............0.524...................0.550..................173,377,300 ........0.100 OM0000001822............UNITED POWER ............................................................. 1,400 ...............2,184........................3 ............1.560 ........... 1.560 ...........1.560 ........... 1.560 .............1.560............ 0.000.............0.000 ................1.560 .............. 1.535...................1.555 ....................3,120,000 ..........1.000 OM0000001962............AL MADINA INVESTMENT .....................................55,050 ...............4,129........................5 ............0.075 ........... 0.075 ...........0.075........... 0.075 .............0.075 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.075..............0.073...................0.075...................15,536,354 .........0.100 OM0000002176 ............AL JAZEERA STEEL PRODUCTS ............................ 8,386 ...............2,013..................... 10 ........... 0.240...........0.240 ...........0.240 .......... 0.240 .............0.240 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.240 .............0.233...................0.239...................29,975,510 .........0.100 OM0000002440 ...........AL SHARQIA INVESTMENT HOLDING ............ 20,000 .............. 2,500........................3 ............0.125 ........... 0.125 ...........0.125 ............0.125 ............. 0.125............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.125 ..............0.126...................0.127...................11,250,000 .........0.100 OM0000002614............ONIC. HOLDING ...............................................................1,150 .................. 547........................1 ............0.476 ........... 0.476 ...........0.476........... 0.480 .............0.480 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.476............. 0.000...................0.480 ..................83,243,160 .........0.100 OM0000003398 ...........BANK SOHAR................................................................ 579,404 ..........110,087......................13 ............0.190 ........... 0.190 ...........0.190........... 0.190 .............0.190 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.190..............0.190...................0.192..................273,873,600........0.100 OM0000003661 ............VOLTAMP ENERGY ................................................... 147,159 ............ 63,480......................21 ........... 0.440...........0.440 ...........0.430........... 0.432 .............0.432 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.430..............0.430...................0.440 ..................26,136,000 .........0.100 OM0000003711 ............SOHAR POWER................................................................... 540 ..................204........................2 ........... 0.378 ........... 0.378 ...........0.378........... 0.380 .............0.380 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.378............. 0.000...................0.378...................83,983,800.........0.100 OM0000003968 ...........OOREDOO....................................................................... 205,200..........157,594........................9 ............0.768 ........... 0.768 ...........0.768 ............0.768 ............. 0.768............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.768 ..............0.764...................0.768..................499,925,169........0.100 OM0000004735 ...........SEMBCORP SALALAH..................................................... 500 ...............1,250........................1 ........... 2.500...........2.500 ...........2.500 .......... 2.565 .............2.565 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................2.500 ............ 2.500...................2.565..................244,847,705........1.000 OM0000004768 ...........AL MADINA TAKAFUL............................................. 144,587 ............12,734......................14 ........... 0.088 ...........0.090 ...........0.088........... 0.088 .............0.088 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.088..............0.088...................0.090 ..................15,400,000.........0.100 OM0000004925 ...........AL BATINAH POWER..................................................41,052 ...............8,293........................6 ........... 0.202...........0.202 ...........0.202 .......... 0.202 .............0.202 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.202 ............ 0.202...................0.205 .................136,327,261 ........0.100 OM0000004933 ...........AL SUWADI POWER ................................................... 43,002 ...............8,686........................4 ........... 0.202...........0.202 ...........0.202 .......... 0.202 .............0.202 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.202 .............0.203...................0.206 .................144,310,081 ........0.100 OM0000005005 ...........ALMAHA CERAMICS .................................................... 2,469 ............... 1,359........................4 ........... 0.552 ........... 0.552 ...........0.550........... 0.552 .............0.552 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.550..............0.550...................0.554...................28,980,000 ........0.100 OM0000003224 ...........RENAISSANCE SERVICES ..................................... 119,750 ............ 33,389.....................24 ........... 0.279 ...........0.280 ...........0.277........... 0.279 .............0.280 ...........-0.001 ........... -0.357 ...............0.278..............0.277...................0.278...................78,704,353 .........0.100 OM0000002226 ...........AL JAZEERA SERVICES ............................................65,000 ............ 23,920........................1 ........... 0.368 ...........0.368 ...........0.368........... 0.368 .............0.370 ...........-0.002 ........... -0.541 ...............0.368..............0.364...................0.368...................22,523,172 .........0.100 OM0000003026 ...........OMAN TELECOMMUNICATION ........................ 216,471 .......... 376,187..................... 50 ............1.745 ........... 1.745............1.730 ............1.740 ............. 1.750............-0.010 ............-0.571................1.735 .............. 1.730...................1.740 ................1,305,000,000......0.100 OM0000003521 ............GALFAR ENGINEERING AND CON. ....................83,000 .............10,458..................... 10 ............0.126 ........... 0.126 ...........0.126........... 0.126 ............. 0.127............-0.001 ........... -0.787 ...............0.126 ..............0.126...................0.127...................36,537,560 .........0.100 OM0000001525 ............OMAN INVESTMENT AND FINANCE.............. 116,000............ 24,039........................8 ........... 0.208...........0.208 ...........0.207........... 0.207 .............0.209 ...........-0.002 ........... -0.957 ...............0.207............. 0.206...................0.207 ..................41,400,000.........0.100 OM0000001483............NATIONAL BANK OF OMAN .....................................8,600 ...............2,872........................1 ........... 0.334 ...........0.334 ...........0.334........... 0.334 .............0.338 ...........-0.004 ............-1.183................0.334..............0.334...................0.338..................447,797,224 ........0.100 OM0000004669 ...........SHARQIYAH DESALINATION ......................................750 ............... 2,775........................1 ............3.700 ........... 3.700 ...........3.700........... 3.700 ............. 3.750............-0.050 ............-1.333................3.700..............3.700...................3.900 .................. 36,186,799 .........1.000 OM0000002366 ...........AL BATINAH DEV. INV. HOLDING ........................37,200 ...............4,535........................7 ............0.122 ........... 0.122 ...........0.121 ........... 0.122 .............0.124 ...........-0.002 ............-1.613 ................0.122..............0.122...................0.124....................3,660,000 ..........0.100 OM0000002168............AL ANWAR CERAMIC TILES ............................... 261,750.......... 107,494......................19 ............0.414 ........... 0.414 ...........0.408........... 0.410 .............0.422 ...........-0.012 ........... -2.844 ...............0.410 ..............0.406...................0.410.................. 121,447,610 ........0.100 OM0000001087............OMAN UNITED INSURANCE .................................25,700 ............... 7,057........................3 ........... 0.260........... 0.275 ...........0.260 .......... 0.275 .............0.286 ...........-0.011 ........... -3.846 ...............0.275..............0.276...................0.286 ..................27,500,000.........0.100 .............................................SUM: .................................................................................. 4,451,461 .. 2,125,844...................359 ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. ........................................................................................................................................... TRADED SEC. ......33........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

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

OM0000001590............MUSCAT FINANCE......................................................29,867 .............. 4,480........................1 ............0.150 ........... 0.150 ...........0.150 ........... 0.150 .............0.144 ........... 0.006............. 4.167 ................0.150 ..............0.150...................0.000 .................. 37,742,771 .........0.100 OM0000004776 ...........TAKAFUL OMAN INSURANCE ..............................28,016 ...............3,221........................8 ............0.111 ........... 0.119............ 0.111 ............0.115 ............. 0.111 ............ 0.004............. 3.604 ................0.119 .............. 0.116................... 0.119 ...................11,500,000 .........0.100 OM0000004420 ...........BANK NIZWA ..................................................................60,889 ...............4,497........................7 ........... 0.073 ........... 0.074 ...........0.073........... 0.074 .............0.073 ............0.001 ............. 1.370 ................0.074..............0.074...................0.075..................111,000,000 ........0.100 OM0000002564 ...........AL HASSAN ENGINEERING................................... 22,000 .............. 2,200........................2 ........... 0.100 ........... 0.100 ...........0.100........... 0.100 .............0.100 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.100..............0.100...................0.101 ....................7,520,800 ..........0.100 OM0000005963 ...........PHOENIX POWER ...................................................... 6,491,318 ...1,000,927.................. 444 ............0.153 ........... 0.155 ...........0.153 ........... 0.154 .............0.154............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.154 ..............0.154...................0.155 ................. 225,240,625 .......0.100 OM0000001566 ............OMAN FISHERIES ........................................................67,913 ...............3,682..................... 10 ............0.055 ........... 0.055 ...........0.054........... 0.054 .............0.055 ...........-0.001 ............-1.818................0.055..............0.052...................0.055....................6,750,000 ..........0.100 .............................................SUM: .................................................................................. 6,700,003...1,019,008...................472 ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. ........................................................................................................................................... TRADED SEC. ........ 6........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

BONDS MARKET ........................................................................................................................................................................................

OM0000004602 ...........BANK MUSCAT CONV. BONDS 4.5 ...................... 121,964.............13,028........................2 ............0.107 ........... 0.107 ...........0.106........... 0.107 .............0.106 ............0.001 .............0.943 ................0.106..............0.106...................0.108...................32,394,155 .........0.100 OM0000003810............BANK MUSCAT SUBORDINATED BONDS .......... 1,900 ............... 1,995........................1 ............1.050 ........... 1.050 ...........1.050 ........... 1.050 .............1.050............ 0.000.............0.000 ................1.050 ..............1.000...................1.055 ...................78,750,000 .........1.000 OM0000004867 ...........BANK MUSCAT C C B 4.5 ...........................................52,038 ...............5,308........................4 ............0.102 ........... 0.102 ...........0.102........... 0.102 .............0.102 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.102..............0.102...................0.108...................32,603,553 .........0.100 OM0000005971 ............B.MUSCAT COMPL. CONVR. B.B.3.5 ................... 377,786 .............37,401........................8 ........... 0.099 ...........0.099 ...........0.099........... 0.099 .............0.099 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.099..............0.099...................0.100...................32,092,000 ........0.100 .............................................SUM: .................................................................................. 553,688 ............57,732......................15 ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. ........................................................................................................................................... TRADED SEC. ........4........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

– United Securities/Bloomberg News

INDIAN MARKETS

ENERGY SECTOR

Sensex declines; rupee down Nigerian President urged

MUMBAI: India’s benchmark index - BSE Sensex - snapping its two days of gains, settled 37.07 points lower, dragged down by profit-booking in blue chips companies. “After a sustained uptrend, the domestic markets were showing a consolidation phase.

This consolidation may continue for one or two days and after that, the market movements may be based on the quarterly numbers,” said Alex Mathews, head (Research) of Geojit BNP Paribas Financial Services.

After moving between the day’s high of 28,335.23, its highest in 10 weeks, and the low of 28,084.36, the 30-share index closed down 37.07 points, or 0.13 per cent, at 28,171.69. The Nifty too fell 11.35 points, or 0.13 per cent, to settle at 8,510.80.

Despite a solid start, sentiment remained cautious ahead of the earnings season starting this week as the Greek confusion led to selling in the late-afternoon trade.

However, India’s strong macro parameters as well as some buying support cushioned the fall.

In the Sensex group, Vedanta fell the most, followed by NTPC, while HeromotoCorp, Hindalco, RIL, ONGC, Cipla and ICICI Bank ran up losses, too. The notable gains came from Coal India, HDFC, Wipro, SBI, Sun Pharma and Dr Reddy’s, as Bajaj Auto, Axis Bank, HDFC Bank ended in the positive zone, thus cushioning the fall.

Sectorally, the technology index fell the most, plunging 0.48 per cent, followed by IT, power, auto and oil and gas. The broader market outperformed benchmarks as

BSE small-cap rose 0.62 per cent.

Rupee depreciates Snapping five-session rising steak, the rupee slipped by 6 paise at 63.46 against the United States dollar due to fresh demand for the American currency from banks and importers amidst strong overseas sentiments.

The greenback’s strength against other Asian currencies and lacklustre local equity markets made the rupee depreciate further, forex dealers said. The local currency resumed firmly higher at 63.30 against Monday’s closing level of 63.40 at the Interbank Foreign Exchange market on sustained dollar selling by exporters. However, the rupee suddenly turned volatile and immediately drifted to hit a fresh intra-day low of 63.4825. - PTI

to overhaul oil industry JOHANNESBURG: Advisors to Nigerian President Mohammedu Buhari have recommended a root and branch overhaul of Africa’s biggest oil industry and increased borrowing to help pay off $20 billion of government arrears, a reform proposal document shows.

Buhari, who won a shock election victory in March, has so far given little indication of his policy agenda as he has focused on his main election pledges of tackling corruption and a six-year insurgency by Boko Haram sect.

A ‘transition committee’ set up

by Buhari in April submitted 800 pages of policy recommendations to the president last month but the details were not made public.

Among its recommendations were slashing the size of the civil service, overhauling the muchcriticised state oil company and removing costly petrol and kerosene subsidies, according to an executive summary. Buhari should appoint a ‘Reform Czar’ within the President’s office to oversee changes, the committee suggests.

“Time is of the essence, and expectations are high. The administration must act now,” the report says. The paper lays bare the dire state of public finances in Nigeria, which has been hammered

Mohammedu Buhari. – Bloomberg News

by a halving of oil prices last year.

Nigeria relies on oil exports for 80 per cent of government revenues and 90 per cent of foreign exchange earnings.

Troubled finances Nigeria has arrears totalling 4.1 trillion naira ($20.6 billion), including 400 billion naira in unpaid salaries, 200 billion in arrears to fuel importers and 1 trillion naira to the oil industry, the paper shows.

The committee recommends paying salary arrears and fuel subsidies immediately to avoid “mass labour unrest”. The accountant general said on Monday he would share $1.7 billion from the oil savings account between the three tiers of government to cover outstanding arrears, suggesting the committee’s proposals are being implemented.

Paying government arrears should be funded by issuing 600 billion naira in bonds, restructuring existing debt and renegotiating or scrapping some government contracts. “The incoming government will therefore have very limited resources and a plethora of challenges to address,” it said.

The report stressed the need for an independent central bank and said it would “ensure that only professionals” served on its board. It made no mention of monetary policy. It recommends cutting costs by slashing the number of government ministries to 19 from 28 and removing “top-heavy appointments” within the presidency.

Part of the streamlining would also include establishing a new ministry of energy to oversee power and oil and gas, a merger that would create a powerful and important portfolio. - Reuters

W E D N E S DAY, JU LY 8, 2 0 1 5

ROUND-UP

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Shakeaway launches its first outlet in Sultanate

The milkshake outlet offers an array of flavours which can be combined all kinds of ways and served hot or cold, with ice cream or yogurt as the base

MUSCAT: Adding to Muscat Grand Mall’s (MGM) already enviable collection of food and beverage outlets, the mall announced that Shakeaway — the world’s largest milkshake company has now opened a brand new location, and their first franchise in the Sultanate, says a press release.

Endless choices Amina Al Zadjali, GM of Bandera Group and owner of the Omani franchise commented, “With over 180 flavours and millions of possible combinations, each milkshake is freshly made to order for every customer!

"At Shakeaway, the choices are endless such as Ferrero Rocher and Daim Bar, real fruit such as banana and passion fruit in addition to luxury shakes such as Lindt truffles and black forest gateau, as well as the Millionaire’s Milkshake made with real 23 carat edible gold and the fizzy pop shakes made with real coca cola, red bull and more. We are really excited to bring Shakeaway to Oman!”

Unique concept The Shakeaway concept is unique.

The milkshake outlet offers an array of flavours which can be combined all kinds of ways and served

hot or cold, with ice cream or yogurt as the base. Now open in seven countries, Shakeaway is also known to localise its menu in the country that it established presence.

In Oman there are familiar flavours such as dates, date mahmoul, Omani kahwa, Omani halwa and Nabil cookies, to name a few.

At Shakeaway, customers can also try the smoothie and healthy shake ranges, both made with real fruit and 100 per cent fat free frozen yoghurt. In addition to their range of drinks, the MGM outlet will also serve their unique low fat crispy fries and handmade Shakeaway style frozen yoghurt desserts.

C E L E B R AT I O N S

TSC’s Qaranqasho a resounding success MUSCAT: Celebrating the holy month of Ramadan and commemorating the Omani culture, The Sultan Centre (TSC) hosted the Qaranqasho night, a traditional festivity to mark the 14th night of the holy month of Ramadan.

A large number of families answered TSC invitation and brought their children to join in TSC Qaranqasho celebrations which took place in TSC’s Qurum and TSC Wholesale Centres in Al Khoud and Al Amerat, says a press release.

The event was a roaring success and the night of July 1 came alive with the excited laughter of children. There was a range of fun activities to keep them spellbound and well entertained.

From 9pm till the stroke of midnight, children were engaged in activities such as face painting and a fun line-up of games; some of the world’s most beloved cartoon characters made an appearance and interacted with the children. At the end of the festivities, children received a Qaranqasho treat bag from TSC. “We are very delighted to see so many families accepting our invitation and bringing their children

to take part in the Qaranqasho night across three of our seven outlets,” said, Mahmoud Al Shaikh, marketing manager of TSC Oman. “At The Sultan Centre, we are keen to participate in all traditional events that are integral parts of the Omani culture; it is our way of getting involved in the community and spreading the message of generosity, sharing and caring which form the very essence of the holy month of Ramadan.”

ACHIEVEMENT

P R O M I N E N T L O C AT I O N

ahlibank relocates Al Ghubra branch to Oman Avenues Mall MUSCAT: ahlibank, the Sultanate’s ‘Best Bank’ as per OER–Gulf Baader for the fourth consecutive year, has recently relocated its Al Ghubra branch to Oman Avenues Mall, Sultanate’s latest shopping destination in Bausher.

The branch was inaugurated by Dr Rasheed bin Al Safi Al Huraibi, chairman of the Tender Board, along with the senior management of the bank recently, says a press release.

The newly designed branch is conveniently located to provide easy access to ahlibank’s growing customer base in various areas and has been outfitted with state-of-the-art technology, which will positively impact the delivery of quality service to its customers; thereby reinforcing the bank’s commitment to providing customer centric solutions to its customers always.

The bank has also installed a new full functional machine at the premises to provide round the clock cash deposit, cheque deposit, cash withdrawals and bill payment services or its consumers. Customer account number and details will remain the same.

Speaking at the inauguration, Lloyd Maddock, CEO of ahlibank

B5

Nissan Oman Facebook page achieves record fan following during Ramadan MUSCAT: Nissan Oman’s Facebook page has gained huge momentum for over a year as they have been successful in reaching out to a diverse audience on the social media platform.

During the holy month of Ramadan, the page has gained a record fan following of 50,000 and more.

Beating top competitors in the Sultanate region, Nissan Facebook page has been the most liked or favourite page leading up to having the highest fan following since 2013, says a press release.

said, “It gives us great pleasure to launch a branch at Oman Avenues Mall. The Oman Avenues Mall is the ideal location for our branch due to the high foot-fall the mall is expected to have.

“At ahlibank we have a clear strategy and an unwavering commitment to deliver outstanding service for our customers no matter how big or small. Through our international expertise and local capability we will continue to deliver to our customers and local businesses; building on both our presence and enabling greater access to our products and services.”

Over the past years, the bank has aggressively expanded the product portfolio, along with the

PA M P E R I N G , E X P E C TA N T M O T H E R S

footprint in response to its customer’s needs and feedback by launching conveniently located kiosks, offsite ATMs, CDMs and other electronic channels. ahlibank’s customer strategy revolves around attracting new clients and the bank strives to be at customers’ doorsteps through its prime and prominent locations.

Apart from the Oman Avenues Mall in Bausher, ahlibank has branches in Wattayah, Seeb, Sohar, Nizwa, Sur, Ibri, Ibra, Salalah, Barka, Al Khoud, Al Khuwair and Mabelah. To serve you better ahlibank’s Oman Avenues Mall branch will be open from 9am to 9pm (cash transactions until 7pm) Sunday to Thursday.

Interactive experience The aim of Nissan’s Facebook page has always been to offer viewers and Nissan fans an interactive experience and since Nissan as a brand is built on the ethos of ‘innovation that excites’; through its page, Nissan showcases its cutting-edge technology to connect with its audience. The Facebook page also showcases Nissan’s path breaking technological features of its various models in easy to understand mode focusing on core advantages.

The page also provides a plethora of information on the wide range of models from Nissan which is updated on a daily basis

to provide the latest information at all times comprising interactive videos, behind-the-scenes access, international news, pictorial galleries, aesthetic details, and unique model features. The page also regularly runs contests on all its latest models to keep viewers enticed and engaged at all times. The aim has been to be at par with customers’ requirements and needs.

Creative strategy The creative strategy to have a social media campaign on Nissan’s official Facebook page is aimed at being a social advertising innovator. The success is measured through evaluation of brand perceptions and assessing audience feedback from the Facebook page as well as the number of clicks requesting test drives.

“By using social media in a smart way any traditional ad, be it on TV, in print, or billboard has the potential to become a subject of interest; a gateway that leads the audience to more engaging information and communicating core benefits with audio visual content. Be that new products or USPs or existing and upcoming offers or prizes, deeper engage-

ment, or an enriched experience, it is all about creating a social moment,” commented a senior SBA official.

New record The Nissan Oman Facebook page has gathered over 90 per cent interest and viewership from online viewers which is available both in English and Arabic versions. The page has officially made a new record of creating buzz and excitement in the market on their latest product offering from the 2015 range of models purely through social media content.

The Facebook page also is a gateway to information on all of Nissan’s vehicles — the Nissan range consists of sedan vehicles like Sunny, Sentra, Tiida hatchback, Altima and Maxima.

Their crossovers range consists of Juke and Murano; SUV’s consist of X-Trail, X-Terra, Patrol and lastly the Armada.

Nissan’s LCV range too comprises top models like the single cab and the double cab pickup, Navara, Patrol Pick up, Urvan 15 seater and panel van buses and Civilian with 26 seats and 30 seater variants.

MILESTONE

Mazda CX-5 production reaches 1 million units

Babymoon bliss at The Chedi Muscat MUSCAT: The babymoon is becoming something of a trend as expectant mothers treat themselves to a holiday in the months before having their first baby.

With elegant suites, a worldclass spa and a zen-like ambience, The Chedi Muscat is the perfect place to relax and enjoy kids-free solace before the imminent joy and chaos that a new arrival brings, says a press release.

Mothers-to-be can now take time out to indulge and pamper at The Spa, which has recently introduced a specialist Earthlite Maternity Bed, the only bed of its kind in Oman that has been designed especially to let pregnant women lie at ease during their time of indulgence for complete comfort and relaxation.

Under the hands of an expert therapist, pregnant mothers will leave feeling revitalised and rejuvenated with an array of treatments including the Ila Mother-

To-Be Massage.

The treatment begins with an exfoliation using a blend of Himalayan pink salt, rosehip and blackcurrant seeds to stimulate lymphatic drainage and release water retention, followed by a soothing massage with organic argan oil. To finish, heating poultices with lavender and calendula are used over marma points to bring balance and harmony to mother and baby. Guests can choose to enjoy in the tranquil surroundings of the spa or in the privacy of their hotel suite.

Following a day of pampering, expectant mothers can look forward to reclining by one of the three temperature controlled pools, complete with king-sized sun-loungers and staff on hand to cater to every whim. Meanwhile partners can be kept entertained at the state-of-the-art Health Club or with a round of golf at a nearby championship course.

MUSCAT: Mazda Motor Corporation announced recently that the cumulative production of the Mazda CX-5 globally has surpassed one million units.

In just three years and five months since its production commenced in 2011, the CX-5 is the second fastest Mazda model to reach the milestone one-millionunit mark, following the Mazda3, says a press release.

Mazda CX-5 was launched into the growing global crossover SUV market in February 2012 as a new core model for the Mazda brand.

Since then, it has won more than 60 different awards around the world from the ‘Crossover of the Year’ to the ‘Best Value for Money SUV’, and from the ‘Most Fashionable Imported Car’ to the ‘Best SUV at the Green Awards’.

It has also won the prestigious Car of the Year Japan in 20122013. It is noteworthy that CX-5 is Mazda’s first new-generation model that features the SKYACTIV technology and KODO-Soul of Motion design.

In Oman too, the all-new 2016 CX-5 is gaining popularity for its advanced features, styling and driving pleasure.

A senior spokesperson of Towell Auto Centre (TAC), the sole distributors of Mazda range of cars in Oman comments: “The CX-5 indeed is a celebrity model of Mazda full of innovative features and advanced technology. Its worldwide growth has been commendable.

Even in our country, we have witnessed marvellous response to the CX-5, within few days of its launch.

We are committed to ensure that it remains a popular choice among people and will appeal to even more customers in the future.”

Offering the trendiest of Japanese cars, Mazda has brought in a lot of excitement in Oman’s auto-

mobile 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 out-

lets spread across Oman, TAC is the only Mazda distributor in the world to win the Mazda Customer Service award five years 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.

B6

W EDNESDAY, JULY 8, 2015

ROUND-UP A’Saffa online campaign concludes successfully After gathering a record number of over 10,000 ‘Likes’ for the ‘Let Us Achieve Their Dreams - 2’ campaign post online, A’Saffa Foods presented the selected children with the gifts so desired by them

MUSCAT: A’Saffa Foods’s recently concluded ‘Let Us Achieve Their Dreams - 2’ campaign on Facebook was a huge hit amongst users of the popular social networking site, as it helped realise the dreams of 10 selected children with special care

at special homes putting a huge smile on their little faces.

The fortunate kids Farida, Anjum, Hassan, Nasreen, Sameera, Shahid and Tabassum were given an iPad each; and Sumair, Saleh and Ahmed were given a Play Station each, says a press release.

The online initiative received a tremendous response from people from all walks of life within the Sultanate who appreciated and supported the effort undertaken

by A’Saffa Foods. To participate online, users were requested to ‘Like’ the A’Saffa Foods Facebook from May 10 to June 25.

S O C I A L G AT H E R I N G

Every ‘Like’ helped generate 100 baisa that was donated by A’Saffa Foods towards presents for 10 selected children; presents that the children chose and felt would help achieve their dreams.

After gathering a record number of over 10,000 ‘Likes’ for the campaign’s post online, A’Saffa Foods presented the selected children with the gifts desired by them.

The initiative enabled viewers to engage themselves with all the information on the brand and the campaign and is a testament to the dedicated following that A’Saffa Foods has on Facebook.

Sidhartha Lenka, head of Marketing and Sales, A’Saffa Foods said, “It gave us immense pleasure to see the smiles on the faces of the selected children. We hope that with the help of our patrons we continue to make a difference in society through our sustainable initiatives such as these.”

A’Saffa Foods has been committed to helping children within the Sultanate with hope and opportunity for several years now. The company’s recently concluded social media initiative is a step that has come as a result of the organisation’s keenness towards engaging and interacting with consumers, and reiterating to them the brand’s pure, natural, and halal brand promise.

As Oman’s leading poultry producer and one of the biggest food companies, A’Saffa has been instrumental in extending a helping hand towards society as a whole, and children in particular through their social outreach programmes. The organisation is a constant supporter of sports, health programmes and educational programmes for children within Oman.

AT ’A C A M PA I G N

omanoil donates 10% of ahlain sales to charity MUSCAT: In the spirit of the holy month of Ramadan, Oman Oil Marketing Company (omanoil) launched a special At’a campaign to raise funds to help those in need.

Under the theme ‘Together We Give More’, omanoil will be donating 10% of all sales from a selected number of ahlain convenience stores in Muscat, Al Batinah, Al Sharqiyah, Al Dakhiliyah, and Salalah to charity, says a press release.

“Ramadan is not just a time of spiritual growth but it is also the month of giving, making it the perfect time to launch our At’a campaign. We are constantly searching for ways to better serve our beloved nation and utilising our far-reach and the extensive product portfolio of our Ahlain convenience stores, we are confident that we will be able to make a difference in the lives of many people in Oman,” explained Al Moatasam Al Amri, corporate communications & CSR executive.

“Starting from July 19 until July 29 all funds raised from this nationwide campaign will go towards community empow-

Under the theme ‘Together We Give More’, omanoil will be donating 10% of all sales from a selected number of ahlain convenience stores

erment and children development programmes across the country,” he added.

Firm believers in the power and impact of charitable initiatives, omanoil’s At’a campaign further reaffirms the company’s decade-long commitment to remain at the forefront of humanitarian causes, leading by example and giving back to the community. To date, the company has spearhead a diverse range of social initiatives and campaigns.

GET TOGETHER

OIE sponsors Iftar in Seeb Souq

Indian Social Club Salalah hosts Iftar MUSCAT: A grand Iftar Mahfil was held recently at Seeb souq.

The Iftar Mahfil gathering was sponsored by Oman International Exchange (OIE) and held under the aegis of NRB (non resident Bangladeshis) Chittagong Samity Oman was attended by Sheikh Esa Al Shiyabi of Seeb and four other prominent Omani dignitar-

ies, says a press release.

More than 2,000 Non Resident Bangladeshis participated in the Iftar. The Iftar Mahfil prayed for the long life of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said and well being and prosperity of the Sultanate.

Yaseen Chowdhury conducted the Iftar Mahfil programme representing NRB Chittagong Samity.

SALALAH: Indian Social Club (ISC) Salalah celebrated the holy month of Ramadan in Salalah by hosting an Iftar meet on the premises of Indian Social Club Salalah along with its various wings, recently, as a gesture to the fasting Muslim community.

The gathering was attended by

R A M A D A N I N I T I AT I V E

prominent personalities from Indian community, socio-cultural activists, members of the Indian Social Club and its regional wings and people for different communities and religion. Over 1,000 people attended the Iftar including women, says a press release.

Separate seating arrangement

was made for ladies and children.

The function was lead by Manpreet Singh, chairman of ISC Salalah and was coordinated by the members of the management committee and executive members of various linguistic wings.

Speaking about the importance of fasting in various reli-

gions, Manpreet said fasting is observed by different religion in different ways. It purifies human being physically and mentally as it prevents all kinds of evils and instils spiritual values in human mind. Gathering Iftar meets, certainly promote brotherhood and human values.

SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

Sohar Islamic extends support to Salam Sports Club Ramadan Tent

Khimji Ramdas annual blood drive draws positive response

MUSCAT: With the aim of supporting the community and as part of its Ramadan initiatives, Sohar Islamic, Bank Sohar’s Islamic Banking Window, sponsored a special Ramadan Tent organised by Al Had Support team — part of Al Salam Sports Club in Wilayat Liwa — for the second year running.

The tent was set up with the aim to uphold the values of Islam and spread awareness on how to maintain a healthy lifestyle during the holy month of Ramadan. The event included several activities where Sohar Islamic sponsored the Family Ramadan Competition and handed over cash prizes for the winners in the competition, says a press release.

The opening ceremony was held on June 16, under the auspices of Eng. Abdullah Salim Al Gaithy, head of Corporate Affairs at Vale Oman. Attending the opening ceremony on behalf of Sohar Islamic was Talib Ali Al Balushi, Chief Branch Manager of Sohar Islamic Falaj Al Qabail (Sohar) Branch.

As part of the opening ceremony, a panel discussion was conducted by renowned scholars Dr Abdullah Almaenai and Dr Ali Al Raysi.

The panel discussion, titled ‘Don’t waste your Ramadan’ touched on topics related to religion and health during the holy month.

Commenting on the bank’s sponsorship of the event, Mohammed Haris, AGM of Sohar Islamic said, “Ramadan is a time of solidarity and spiritual reflection.

While fasting and abstinence is important during the holy month, it is also important to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

“It is vital to spread awareness amongst the community on how to effectively do so. In addition to achieving this objective, the tent was also set up to spread awareness on other key values and concepts. We are glad to be in a position to sponsor this tent for

MUSCAT: The Khimji Ramdas Group recently conducted its annual blood donation drive as part of its ongoing corporate social responsibility initiatives.

Conducted under the guidance and supervision of the Central Blood Bank of Oman, Ministry of Health, the event is a conscious effort to involve KR staff, their families and friends to selflessly step forward and voluntarily donate blood for a noble cause, says a press release.

Anil Khimji, director, Khimji Ramdas, said: “We thank all those who came forward to voluntarily support this noble cause, which will help maintain a balance between supply and demand throughout the year. The Khimji Ramdas management and staff are delighted to witness a sat-

the second year running and look forward to doing so in the future as well.”

The Ramadan Tent, which has a seating capacity of 300 people, is open from 8pm to 12am everyday till July 10, with the tent open specifically for families and children every Monday and Wednesday.

Various programmes As part of its daily activities, the tent includes various Ramadan themed and family oriented competitions as well as programmes to spread awareness on key concepts of Zakat and fasting, in addition to a blood donation campaign and Family Ramdhan Competition where Sohar Islamic provided 10 cash certificates for the winners in the contest.

As part of its sponsorship, Sohar Islamic had a stand at the tent where it showcased its bevy of shari’ah compliant financial service; focusing on auto finance promotion during the month of Ramadan in addition to other products such SME finance, construction and housing finance and savings accounts. Other retail products from Sohar Islamic also include

term deposits and current accounts. In addition to these retail products, Sohar Islamic also has a comprehensive range of additional banking solutions that cover a wide array of corporate financing needs that encompass asset finance, working capital finance, trade finance, treasury and investment products.

All products and services offered by Sohar Islamic adhere to the highest level of Shari’ah compliance and are specifically designed to meet certain key criteria including a complete segregation of funds, stand alone and independent branches, separate sales staff, a strong Shari’ah Supervisory Board and Shari’ah Audit and Compliance unit, committed management, and the application of the world’s best Islamic banking software. Sohar Islamic assures compliance with the standards of the Accounting and Auditing Organisation for Islamic Financial Institutions (AAOIFI). Sohar Islamic customers also enjoy free of charge withdrawals from over 1,000 Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) within the OmanNet platform, spread across the Sultanate.

isfactory turnout for this year’s blood donation drive during the month of Ramadan, a time of selfless caring and giving. We look forward to your continuous support and contributions in the years to come.”

He pointed out that, since the inception of Blood Bank

SUPPORT

of Oman, the Khimji Ramdas Group, for over 35 years now, has actively organised its annual blood drives through its staff and their families. “It was heartening to see so many individuals volunteer blood in the spirit of giving and sharing during the holy month of Ramadan.”

H O LY M O N T H

Park Inn Muscat provides Iftar meals to Dar Al Atta’a MUSCAT: Ramadan is the season of reflection, sharing and giving. The Park Inn by Radisson Muscat, supported the Ramadan Al Atta’a activity of the charity organisation, Dar Al Atta’a, led by Rabih Zein, general manager, Park Inn Muscat and Park Inn Duqm.

A worth of 166 Iftar meals was donated by the hotel to Dar Al Atta’a and was appreciably received by May Al Bayat, marketing director, Dar Al Atta’a.

“We support local communities, as part of our responsible business activity. Taking responsibility of the environment and local community has been an important part of the broader commitment of the Carlson Rezidor

InterContinental hosts Iftar for staff

Hotel Group. As part of the group, we maintain to be involved in this kind of activities for us to share awareness to the community that by sharing a small act can make a big difference,” says Rabih Zein.

MUSCAT: In celebration of the holy month of Ramadan, InterContinental Muscat hosted an Iftar get together for its employees and their families at the Jabrin ballroom recently.

The season presents with a unique opportunity to serve and support its employees in the company binding them in solidarity and trust. The Iftar gathering is held every year, says a press release.

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Daily ‘Ooredoo Surprises’ offers reward customers ‘Ooredoo Surprises’ will receive daily SMS messages which will have details of the offer of the day.

Customers with Ooredoo’s ‘More’ packages will also receive great deals on recharges, to supplement their ‘More Internet’, ‘More Credit’ and ‘More International’ services.

Running until September 25, customers will be awarded with daily exciting offers including reduced rates on national and international calls, SMS’, and more

MUSCAT: Ooredoo aspires to deliver new and inspiring services and for Ramadan and beyond they are giving prepaid and business users daily ‘Ooredoo Surprises’.

Running until September 25, customers will be awarded with

daily exciting offers including reduced rates on national and international calls, SMS’, and more, says a press release.

Feras Al Shaikh, director of Consumer Sales, said, “Ramadan is the month of giving and generosity,

which makes it the perfect time for us to reward our customers. This is our way of saying thank you for your loyalty throughout the years.”

Customers who opt-in for

Value-added services Feras added: “Delivering an exceptional customer experience is at the centre of everything we do and ‘Ooredoo Surprises’ builds on the many successful offers we have given customers in the past. From June to September, we are inviting customers to enjoy unbeatable rates and the best value added services entirely free-of-charge.”

HELPING THE NEEDY

Bank Nizwa facilitates zakat donations during Ramadan MUSCAT: Supporting the Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs efforts to help individuals make their zakat (alms giving) donations, Bank Nizwa is facilitating the process by opening a special zakat account to make it easier for contributors to deposit or transfer funds.

Providing people with an additional opportunity to make a difference in the community, the bank has also opened a sadaqah

account with the option of setting up standing orders for successive donations. People utilising both accounts are not required to be Bank Nizwa customers, says a press release.

“We have joined hands with the ministry to offer people convenience and peace of mind while giving back in this holy month. We have also made our recourses and Islamic Banking experts available to all contributors, whether it is

RECRUIT

People utilising the accounts are not required to be Bank Nizwa customers to use our zakat calculator or answer any questions they have on the processes of zakat, sadaqah and Islamic finance,” explained Dr

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Ashraf Al Nabhani, GM, Corporate Support at Bank Nizwa.

Contributors can pay their zakat through account number 001-22211222-001 and sadaqah through account number 00122200222-001. In a similar collaboration, Bank Nizwa partnered with the Oman Charitable Organisation, a local humanitarian establishment, by opening a sadaqah account for them to support the underprivileged.

RAMADAN SCHEME

Honda Oman picks raffle draw winners MUSCAT: Known to be a trusted name amongst auto enthusiasts, Honda Oman has always strived to be different and unique by offering unmatched services towards their patrons.

Honda Oman is offering a unique Ramadan experience towards their customers by offering unmatched service and packages making it one of the most admired and desirable brand of vehicles.

This year’s Ramadan scheme gave customers a chance to win a wide array of fabulous prizes including cash prizes as part of their daily and weekly raffle draws. It was a first of its kind Ramadan scheme where Honda showcased exclusive giveaways along with a selfie contest for social media enthusiasts, says a press release.

Eleven lucky winners were announced as part of their daily raffle draw at the Honda showroom along with a weekly raffle draw

winner that went to K. A Al Rawahi. Customers who purchased a new Honda vehicle were entitled to participate in the draw.

The daily raffle draw winners were entitled to individual cash prizes worth OMR500 and weekly draw raffle winner won cash prizes worth OMR1,000.

All the winners were ecstatic with joy and expressed their gratitude towards Honda not only as a brand but the impeccable service that it renders to valued customers. They were happy to be associated with the brand.

Adil Al Zadjali, Honda Oman’s National Sales Manager said, “At Honda, we always believe in providing unique and exciting offers to our valued customers.

Honda as a brand is known for its superior driving finesse and we want our customers to be able to experience all of that. This year’s Ramadan scheme has been a success so far, and we would like to congratulate all the winners.”

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Meethaq Ramadan automotive finance evokes good response The special Meethaq Ramadan auto finance is available at 4.50 per cent profit rate, including life takaful or insurance, during the finance period and special giveaways

MUSCAT: Meethaq, the pioneer of Islamic banking in Oman from Bank Muscat, has evoked good response to an attractive auto finance campaign coinciding with the holy month of Ramadan.

The special Meethaq Ramadan auto finance is available at 4.50 per cent profit rate, including life takaful or insurance, during the finance period and special giveaways. The limited period offer is

valid till July 31.

The Shari’a compliant Meethaq auto finance is based on the concept of Murabaha wherein the cost of goods and profit is disclosed to the buyer. Meethaq purchases the vehicle as per customer request and sells it to them at a cost plus agreed profit, says a press release.

The exclusive benefits of Meethaq auto finance include financing up to 80 per cent of the value of vehicles, repayment tenure up to 8 years and free life takaful or insurance coverage during the finance period.

Notably, financing is also available for purchasing used vehicles.

The bank does not charge any pro-

cessing fee and offers competitive pricing. With minimal documentation and fast processing, the Meethaq car finance is available for citizens and residents.

Sulaiman Al Harthy, group general manager, Meethaq Islamic Banking, said: ”Meethaq strives to fulfil the needs of customers with innovative Shari’a based products and is well positioned to provide Islamic financial expertise to diverse segments and thereby promote the good of society as a whole.”

Oman is home to the world’s best known auto brands and Meethaq remains committed to helping people to own their dream

vehicles. By encouraging people to buy top quality vehicles, Meethaq reiterates its commitment to road safety, thereby spreading safety and happiness in Oman.

Meethaq has adopted the best practices in Islamic banking and finance worldwide to combine a robust model which protects customers and complements the Islamic banking industry. Every Meethaq product goes through the process of Shari’a compliance certification by the Shari’a Supervisory Board and is created in line with the guidelines of the Central Bank of Oman.

As the pioneer of Islamic banking in Oman, Meethaq stands out

for its independent Shari’a Supervisory Board, separate capital allocation from shareholders’ money, unique risk management tools, complete fund segregation, separate books of account, core banking system which supports Islamic banking operations, stand-alone Islamic banking branches and proper profit distribution mechanism among investment account holders/depositors. The adoption of AAOIFI standards (Accounting & Auditing Organisation for Islamic Financial Institutions) distinguishes Meethaq Islamic banking practices in terms of standardisation of products and services.

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

AIR SERVICE AGREEMENT

Qatar Airways boosts frequency of flights on Doha-Manila route MANILA: Qatar Airways will be adding six extra flights per week between Doha and Manila starting from October 26, following an expanded Air Service Agreement signed between the State of Qatar and the Republic of Philippines, says a press release.

Qatar Airways’ group chief executive Akbar Al Baker, said: “The increase in flight frequencies on the Doha-Manila route serves to further strengthen commercial and trade links between our two countries and we are delighted to be able to provide our Philippinesbased passengers with greater connectivity options when they choose to fly with Qatar Airways.”

seamlessly onward to their final destination. Passengers travelling with Qatar Airways beyond Doha can also look forward to flying on some of the world’s most advanced aircraft, including the A350 XWB,” said Al Baker.

The Doha-based carrier, most recently crowned Airline of the Year at the 2015 annual Skytrax World Airline Awards, is currently flying eight flights per week to Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila.

With the increase in weekly flights, Qatar Airways will operate a full twice-daily service to Manila, in addition to its daily flights between Clark and Doha.

Award-winning hospitality “Now, more passengers will be able to experience our awardwinning hospitality and also our state-of-the-art Hamad International Airport when transiting

Hi-tech facility The Doha – Manila route is operated by the Boeing 777 aircraft, featuring 24 Business Class seats and 356 seats in Economy Class.

Passengers travelling in Business

Class can look forward to relaxing in one of the most comfortable and hi-tech, fully-flat beds with a 78inch seat pitch.

Qatar Airways’ premium passengers can also enjoy its five-star food and beverage service, which is served ‘dine on demand’.

Qatar Airways Premium and Economy Class passengers travelling beyond Doha can also enjoy the airline’s state-of-the-art home base, Hamad International Airport (HIA). Home to one of the world’s best and largest Business Class lounges, the Al Mourjan Business Lounge, HIA also has more than 70 retail and 30 food and beverage outlets offering world-class duty free shopping and dining experiences for all.

Additional weekly flights from Doha-Manila from 26 October 2015: Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

TeO signs partnership pact with MHD Group MUSCAT: Integrated Telecommunications Oman (TeO) has signed a partnership agreement with MHD Group to foster closer collaboration in a range of areas.

The agreement was signed at the MHD corporate office in the presence of the top management from both the companies, by Suleiman Al Yahya’ae, chairman, TeO and Lujaina Mohsin Haider Darwish, chairperson, MHD Group. The agreement includes the distribution of various TeO services and building on other synergies to benefit both parties.

Suleiman Al Yahya’ae remarked: “At TeO, we believe in strong part-

nerships. This philosophy is core to our long term vision of introducing the finest telecommunication products and services to the people of Oman. The agreement with MHD is an important step in that direction. We look forward to passing on the expected benefits to our customers and stakeholders.”

Lujaina Mohsin Haider Darwish added: “In a short span of time, TeO has created a niche for itself in the Omani telecom market. We are pleased to be working closely with them. The combination of MHD’s professional distribution network and TeO’s products and services will

be a strong factor that ultimately benefits our customers.”

TeO is Oman’s first private Class I licensee international gateway operator, a mobile services reseller and international calling card services provider in the Sultanate of Oman. TeO currently operates with its consumer product brand “Allo” and its endorsed brands “TeOGlobe” and “TeO Business”.

MHD Group is one of Oman’s leading business houses, with activities spanning manufacturing, services, imports and distribution of a large portfolio of brands and products.

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FROOME RETAINS GRIP ASS MARTIN CLAIMS YELLOW Chris Froome lost his yellow jersey but retained his grip on his rivals after surviving a day on the cobbles in the Tour de France. German Tony Martin won the fourth stage with a late attack and snatched the overall lead at the end of body-punishing ride. >C4

Big four target semifinal spots It’s Serena vs Azarenka and Radwanska vs Muguruza

Defending champion, top seed and 2011 winner Djokovic takes on US Open champion Marin Cilic boasting a 12-0 career lead over the Croatian

LONDON: Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, Andy Murray and Stan Wawrinka can justify their status as Wimbledon’s big four by making the semifinals on Wednesday.

Defending champion, top seed and 2011 winner Djokovic takes on US Open champion Marin Cilic boasting a 12-0 career lead over the Croatian.

Seven-time champion Federer faces Gilles Simon with the Frenchman playing in his maiden Wimbledon quarter-final while 2013 winner Murray, seeded three, is up against surprise quarter-finalist Vasek Pospisil of Canada.

Fourth seed Wawrinka tackles 2007 semifinalist Richard Gasquet, the second Frenchman in the last-eight. Cilic, 26, lost to Djokovic in five sets in the quarter-finals in 2014 despite being two sets to one ahead.

He then went on to win a maiden Grand Slam title at the US Open in September. “I know him very well.

We played many, many matches on different surfaces,” said Djokovic after reaching his seventh successive Wimbledon quarter-final and 25th in a row at the majors with a 6-7 (6/8), 6-7 (6/8), 6-1, 6-4, 7-5 win over Kevin Anderson of South Africa.

“I remember him mentioning earlier this year that he wants to focus mostly on Wimbledon, grass.

That’s where he feels like he has a best chance besides US Open. He’s playing at a very high level.”

Cilic admitted he needs to match Djokovic blow for blow on Wednesday. “When Novak is playing at the speed that he’s playing, I’m going to have to be more aggressive to play more risky tennis,” said Cilic.

Federer, 33, is bidding to become the oldest Wimbledon champion and win a record eighth title.

The Swiss has been virtually untroubled on serve on his way to a 13th Wimbledon quarter-final, just one behind the record of 14 held by Jimmy Connors.

He has yet to drop serve, has faced just two break points in 58 service games and has committed only three double faults.

Service king The last time he dropped serve was in the second set of his opening round win over Philipp Kohlschreiber in Halle -- more than 100 service games ago.

“Maybe the guys are returning terrible,” joked Federer.

“Gilles Simon is one of the best return players we have in the game. I would think I’ll be tested a lot. So that streak’s maybe coming to an end, in my opinion.”

Simon, one of three over-30s in the last eight, last made the quarterfinals of a Grand Slam in Australia in 2009.

CLASSIC WIN: Novak Djokovic of Serbia celebrates after winning

his match against Kevin Anderson of South Africa at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London. – Reuters

He trails Federer 5-2 in career clashes. After winning their first two meetings in 2008, the Frenchman has lost five in succession although their only two Grand Slam matches — at the 2011 Australian Open and 2013 French Open — went to five sets.

Murray is into his eighth successive Wimbledon quarter-final and takes a 3-0 lead into his match-up with world number 56 Pospisil who had never previously got beyond the third round of a major before this Wimbledon.

All their three meetings have come in the last 10 months with the 25-year-old Canadian unable to win a single set. Pospisil spent more than eight hours on court on Monday, first beating Viktor Troicki in the singles in five sets and then losing a five-setter with Jack Sock against Murray’s brother Jamie and John Peers.

“He’s played a lot of tennis here which is a positive for him,” said

Murray. “But also maybe he’s a little bit fatigued. So if that is the case, and I won’t bank on that being the case, but if that is the case, I’ll try to use that to my advantage.”

Pospisil’s win over Troicki was his third five-set win in four rounds at the All England Club this year.

French Open champion Wawrinka is in the quarter-finals for the second successive year and is bidding to become just the fifth man to win Roland Garros and Wimbledon in the same year.

Wawrinka, the only quarterfinalist not to have dropped a set at the tournament, faces 21st seed Gasquet with the two men locked at 1-1 in career meetings.

Gasquet won their first clash at the Paris Masters in 2006 with the 30-year-old Swiss gaining revenge at the 2013 French Open when he recovered from two sets to love down to win a fourth round encounter. - AFP

LONDON: Top seed Serena Williams overpowered Victoria Azarenka in an absorbing Wimbledon quarterfinal on Tuesday, recovering from a set down to win 3-6, 6-2, 6-3.

The American, who will face Russia’s Maria Sharapova in the semifinals, is two wins away from holding all four grand slam titles concurrently — the so-called Serena Slam she also achieved in 2002-03.

The 33-year-old was second best in the first set against the Belarussian former world number one on Centre Court, but she found an extra gear and dominated thereafter.

Three consecutive aces at 4-2 in the third set moved her to within a game of victory and although 23rd seed Azarenka hung on and threatened to break back, Williams would not be denied and stayed on course for a 21st grand slam title.

“It was fun out there and I saw Victoria smiling as well, we both really enjoyed it,” fivetimes Wimbledon champion Williams, who has won 26 grand slam matches in a row, said in a TV interview.

Agnieszka Radwanska set up a semifinal clash with Spain’s Garbine Muguruza after the Polish 13th seed defeated Madison Keys 7-6 (7/3), 3-6, 6-3.

Radwanska, the 2012 Wimbledon runner-up, hit only 13 winners on Court One, but was able to take advantage of 40 unforced errors from American 21st seed Keys, while making only seven herself.

The 26-year-old will be making her fourth Grand Slam semifinal appearance and her third at Wimbledon.

Meanwhile, Sharapova survived a gamesmanship row with a 6-3, 6-7 (3/7), 6-2 victory over Coco Vandeweghe.

Sharapova needed two hours and 45 minutes before she finally saw off unseeded Vandeweghe to reach her fifth Wimbledon semi-final and her first since 2011.

But the world number four was accused of unsporting

I HAVE DONE IT: Serena Williams exults after beating Victoria

Azarenka. – Reuters

behaviour by Vandeweghe, who was unhappy that Sharapova was moving during the 23-year-old American’s service action. Vandeweghe protested to the umpire during the quarter-final and repeated her complaint in the post-match press conference “She (the umpire) said she didn’t believe she was doing it during the motion. I strongly disagreed. Towards the later end of the second set, I said if she has a problem speaking to Maria, if she’s too scared to do it, I had no problem speaking to her,” said the American.

“What I felt from her moving around in between my serving motion was not, I don’t think, sportsmanlike. I try to play as fair as I can. “When I felt like it wasn’t being reciprocated, that’s when I spoke with the umpire for her to deal with.”

Nothing out of ordinary But Sharapova insisted she was doing nothing out of the ordinary.

“It is what it is. What she said, I’m not going to argue against her words,” said the Russian. Joining Sharapova in the last four was 20th seed Garbine Muguruza, who defeated Swiss 15th seed Timea Bacsinszky 7-5, 6-3 to become the first Spanish woman to make the Wimbledon semifinals since Arantxa SanchezVicario in 1997.

Sharapova was well below her best on Centre Court, making 23 unforced errors, serving 10 double faults and hitting only 19 winners.

But the always tenacious 28-year-old somehow found a way to secure her 20th Grand Slam semi-final appearance that has brought her five major titles. It was Muguruza who took the giant leap towards the sport’s upper echelons as she defeated Bacsinszky, a surprise French Open semi-finalist last month, in 86 minutes on Court One. To reach the quarterfinals, Muguruza beat fifth seed and former world number one Caroline Wozniacki on Monday and also defeated 10th seed Angelique Kerber in the third round.

The 21-year-old, born in Venezuela but raised as a tennis prodigy in Barcelona, had never been made the semifinals of a Grand Slam.

She had fallen in the last eight of the French Open for the last years.

“It is just amazing. I am so happy. It was a very tough match and I am just so excited.

It was a very intense final game so it is just relief,” Muguruza said.“It is very hard to make the last four of Wimbledon so to achieve this so I am very proud.” Muguruza will take on Polish 13th seed Agnieszka Radwanska, the 2012 runnerupfor a place in the final. - AFP

SET FOR SERENA SHOWDOWN: Russia’s Maria Sharapova returns to US player Coco Vandeweghe during their women’s quarterfinals match. – AFP

ICC TWENTY20 QUALIFIERS

Ireland bowlers too good for Oman as warm-up washed out

UNCONVINCING BUILD-UP: Oman national cricket team found Ire-

land bowlers too hot to handle in Tuesday’s warm-up. – Supplied photo

MUSCAT: Ireland put in a great performance with the ball as they bowled Oman out for 91, before heavy rain brought a premature end to proceedings at Stormont.

According to information received here, on a day when most of the matches were affected by rain, Oman batsmen failed to impress.

Jatinder Singh (10), Vaibhav Wategaonkar (26), Aamir Kaleem (18) and Rajesh Kumar Ranpura (10 not out) were the batsmen who reached double figures. Ireland’s George Dockrell and Alex Cusack picked up three wickets each, as the Ireland bowling attack dominated.

John Mooney was also in the wickets, picking up 2-15 from his three overs, while there was a

wicket apiece for Tyrone Kane and Kevin O’Brien. Dockrell in particular caused the Oman batsmen all sorts of problems as he extracted good turn and bounce, only conceding 15 runs off the four overs he bowled from the Dundonald end.

While Cusack again showed why he is one of Ireland’s finest T20 bowlers picking up wickets at the top and bottom of the innings.

Just as Dockrell claimed an excellent catch on the mid-wicket boundary off Cusack to end the Oman innings in 18.5 overs, the heavens opened bringing the match to a close with no prospect of the players getting back on the field before the cut off time.

Ireland are in action in their first

group match at the same venue on Friday against Namibia. Oman will be up against Kenya on July 11.

The top six sides from the 18day tournament, during which 51 matches will be played, will join the 10 Full Members for the ICC World Twenty20 India 2016, which will be held from March 11 to April 3 next year.

The sides that top the two groups will automatically qualify for the ICC World Twenty20 India 2016, while those that finish second and third in each of the two groups will play cross-over matches with the two winners joining the table-toppers for the India tournament.

De Lange is determined that Scotland will qualify the simple

way by topping Group B, a difficult task considering Afghanistan, UAE, Netherlands, Canada, Kenya and Oman lie in wait.

“We have prepared really well for this. I think we’ve been really thorough and very specific in areas of the T20 game. I feel we’ve covered those things very well and I sense there is a lot of confidence out of our preparation coming into this tournament,” he was quoted on the ICC website.

Across in Group A, Ireland go in as favourite to top the pool, especially with home advantage, but any mistake will be seized upon by a teams aiming to take that top spot, namely Namibia, Nepal, Hong Kong, PNG, USA and Jersey.

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Proteas clinch T20 series SCOREBOARD

Debutant leg-spinner Leie claimed 3-16 and left-arm spinner Phangiso took 3-30, as Bangladesh were all out for 138 runs with five balls remaining in reply to South Africa’s 169-4

DHAKA: Spinners Eddie Leie and Aaron Phangiso shared six wickets between them as South Africa thrashed Bangladesh by 31 runs in the second Twenty20 international to take the two-match series 2-0 in Dhaka Tuesday.

Debutant leg-spinner Leie claimed 3-16 and left-arm spinner Phangiso took 3-30, as Bangladesh were all out for 138 runs with five balls remaining in reply to South Africa’s 169-4.

Tamim Iqbal and Soumya Sarkar put on 46 runs in the opening stand to give Bangladesh a strong start before Wayne Parnell removed Tamim for 13.

Leie struck in his first over to drag Sarkar (37) out of his crease and had him stumped and then dismissed Mushfiqur Rahim (19) and Sabbir Rahman (one) in successive balls.

Phangiso removed Shakib Al Hasan (eight) off his first ball before taking the wicket of Nasir Hossain who fell for a duck and Lit-

ALL SMILES: South Africa captain Faf du Plessis poses for a photograph with teammates as he holds

the tournament trophy. – AFP

ton Das (10) in his next two overs to put South Africa in control.

South Africa captain Faf du Plessis hailed his team’s performance. “We had all the answers from a bowling point of view,” he said. “So really proud of the boys.

Extremely tough conditions to beat Bangladesh 2-0 like that.

Great job,” du Plessis added.

Paceman Kyle Abbott, who claimed three wickets for 20 runs, completed the rout with wickets off his last two balls.

Earlier, Quinton de Kock and AB de Villiers put 95 runs for South Africa in the opening stand after du Plessis won the toss and elected to bat. De Kock top-scored with 44 runs and de Villiers added 40 as the visitors looked for a series sweep after winning Sunday’s opening game by 52 runs.

Left-arm spinner Arafat Sunny forced de Kock into chipping a catch to Sabbir at midwicket to earn Bangladesh’s first breakthrough in the 11th over.

‘No excuse’ Left-handed de Kock faced 31 balls and hit four fours and two sixes in his innings.

Bangladesh were immediately back in the contest as Nasir made a double strike in the next over to put a brake on the run flow.

JP Duminy got a leading edge off the second ball of the over to hoist a catch which Shakib gleefully took at short midwicket to remove him for six.

De Villiers gloved the next ball to wicketkeeper Rahim to end his 34-ball innings which included six sixes.

David Miller survived a strong caught behind appeal in the same over to put on 34 runs for the fourth wicket with du Plessis (16).

Miller (30 not out) and Rilee Rossouw (19 not out) then took 32 runs in the last two overs to give South Africa a respectable total.

Nasir finished with 2-26 for Bangladesh.

“There are some positives. And we have to learn from our mistakes too,” Bangladesh captain Mashrafe Mortaza said.

“So hopefully, we’ll come back in the one-dayers.

“We haven’t played too many T20s recently. Not an excuse. We just have to improve,” he added.

The two teams will now play a three-match One-day international series, beginning on July 10 at the same ground. - AFP

SOUTH AFRICA Q. de Kock c Sabbir b Sunny 44 A. de Villiers c Rahim b Nasir 40 J. Duminy c Shakib b Nasir 6 F. du Plessis c Rahim b Mustafizur 16 D. Miller not out 30 R. Rossouw not out 19 Extras (b-4, lb-1, w-9) 14 Total (four wickets; 20 overs) 169 Did not bat: D. Wiese, W. Parnell, A. Phangiso, K. Abbott, E. Leie Fall of wickets: 1-95 (de Kock), 2-102 (Duminy), 3-102 (de Villiers), 4-136 (du Plessis).

Bowling: Sunny 4-0-31-1 (w2), Nasir 4-0-26-2(w6), Mustafizur 4-0-34-1(w1), Shakib 4-0-37-0, Mortaza 3-0-25-0, Sarkar 1-0-11-0 BANGLADESH Tamim Iqbal c Wiese b Parnell 13 Soumya Sarkar st de Kock b Leie 37 Shakib Al Hasan c Rossouw b Phangiso 8 Mushfiqur Rahim c Rossouw c Leie 19 Sabbir Rahman c Miller b Leie 1 Nasir Hossain c Rossouw b Phangiso 0 Rony Talukdar b Abbott 21 Litton Das c Weise b Phangiso 10 Mashrafe Mortaza b Abbot 17 Arafat Sunny not out 5 Mustafizur Rahman b Abbott 0 Extras (w-6, nb-1) 7 Total (all out; 19.2 overs) 138 Fall of wickets: 1-46 (Tamim), 2-55 (Soumya), 3-69 (Shakib), 4-82(Sabbir), 5-82 (Rahim), 6-82 (Nasir), 7-103 (Das), 8-125 (Mortaza), 9-137 (Rony), 10-138 (Mustafizur) Bowling: Abbott 3.2-0-20-3 (w3), Duminy 4-0-26-0 (nb1, w1), Parnell 3-0-29-1 (w2), Weise 2-0-17-0, Leie 3-0-16-3, Phangiso 4-0-30-3 Result: South Africa won 31 runs Series : South Africa won series by 2-0 Toss: South Africa Umpires: Anisur Rahman (BAN) and Enamul Haque (BAN) TV Umpire: Sharfoudoulla Saikat (BAN) Match Referee: David Boon (AUS)

ODI SERIES

Bangladesh recall fit-again Mahmudullah and Anamul DHAKA: Bangladesh Tuesday recalled batsmen Mohammad Mahmudullah and Anamul Haque in a 14-man squad for the first two of the three one-day internationals against South Africa. Mahmudullah missed Bangladesh’s previous series against India at home after he sustained a fracture on his left index finger.

Anamul was injured during the World Cup in March and was sent back home from Australia. He missed the home matches against India and Pakistan.

Mominul Haque and Rony Talukdar, who were part of the squad for Pakistan and India series but did not feature in any of the matches, made way for Mahmudullah and Anamul.

Paceman Taskin Ahmed will also miss the first two ODIs due to a rib injury he picked up during a training session last week.

The three-match ODI series begins on July 10 at the Shere-Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka.

The second and third ODI will be held on July 12 and 15 in Dhaka and Chittagong.

Squad: Mashrafe Mortaza (capt), Tamim Iqbal, Anamul Haque, Soumya Sarkar, Mohammad Mahmudullah, Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim, Sabbir Rahman, Nasir Hossain, Litton Das, Arafat Sunny, Jubair Hossain, Rubel Hossain and Mustafizur Rahman. - AFP

TEST SERIES

Younis leads Pakistan to series win PALLEKELE: Younis Khan hit a brilliant unbeaten 171 as Pakistan defeated Sri Lanka by seven wickets in the third Test on Tuesday to win their first series on the island since 2006. The tourists achieved the sixth highest successful chase in history when they surpassed the target of 377 runs in the postlunch session of the fifth day’s play in Pallekele, finishing on 382-3.

Skipper Misbah-ul Haq made 59 not out, smashing the winning six off Jehan Mubarak to end his nation’s long winless streak in Sri Lanka where they had lost the last three series in 2009, 2012 and 2014. “This is such a big victory for us,” said a delighted Misbah as Pakistan jumped three places to number three in the official rankings behind South Africa and Pakistan. “We had lost some Tests in Sri Lanka earlier because we panicked. We just wanted to bat calmly this time.

“This series win means a lot to me after we did not fare well in the last three series in Sri Lanka.”

It was the first time a visiting team had scored more than 300

SCOREBOARD

TRIUMPHANT: Pakistan players celebrate Test series win. – AFP

runs in the fourth innings to win a Test on Sri Lankan soil.

Sri Lankan captain Angelo Mathews said he expected his team to have defended the 377run target. “That was not a small total to get, so obviously I am very disappointed,” he said. “I thought we were sitting pretty when we gave them 377 to win.

“It was a good game of cricket, but Pakistan played better than us and deserved to win. There may have been a bit more turn towards the end, but there was nothing in

the wicket for the seamers over the last couple of days.”

Mathews said the team were trying to overcome the absence of batting greats, the retired Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara, who opted out of the final Test. Sangakkara, the world’s leading current Test scorer, will play two more Tests against India next month before retiring. “We know we don’t have Mahela and Sanga,” said Mathews. “We will need to take on the challenge and move on.”

Younis, who made his 100th Test

Sri Lanka 1st innings: 278 Pakistan 1st innings: 215 Sri Lanka 2nd innings: 313 Pakistan 2nd innings (overnight 230-2): Shan Masood st Chandimal b Kaushal 125 Ahmed Shehzad b Lakmal 0 Azhar Ali c Chandimal b Prasad 5 Younis Khan not out 171 Misbah-ul Haq not out 59 Extras: (b-5, lb-10, w-2, nb-5) 22 Total (for three wickets, 103.1 overs) 382 Fall of wickets: 1-0 (Shehzad), 2-13 (Azhar), 3-255 (Masood).

Bowling: Prasad 20-2-65-1 (nb1, w1), Lakmal 19-5-48-1 (nb3), Pradeep 17-3-510 (w1), Mathews 13-2-34-0 (nb1) Kaushal 31-1-153-1, Mubarak 3.1-0-16-0 Result: Pakistan won by seven wickets, clinch series 2-1 Umpires: Ian Gould and Paul Reiffel TV umpire: Sundaram Ravi (IND) Match referee: Chris Broad (ENG)

appearance in the second match, ended the game just 19 runs away from surpassing Javed Miandad’s tally of 8,832 runs to become Pakistan’s leading scorer in Tests. — AFP

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SPORTS Cook hopes Johnson threat is less Left-arm fast bowler Johnson took 37 wickets at under 14 apiece as Australia crushed England 5-0 in the 2013/14 Ashes ‘Down Under’

LONDON: It’s hard to have more than one series of a lifetime and England captain Alastair Cook hopes that in Mitchell Johnson’s case it has already happened.

Left-arm fast bowler Johnson took 37 wickets at under 14 apiece as Australia crushed England 5-0 in the 2013/14 Ashes ‘Down Under’.

As a result, there has been talk he could inflict similar damage when this season’s Ashes get underway with the first Test in Cardiff on Wednesday.

But just as Cook himself has come nowhere near matching his tally of 766 Test runs at 127.66 during England’s victorious 2010/11 Ashes tour — indeed he averages under 28 in all other series against Australia — so he believes Johnson will find it hard to replicate his haul of wickets.

“Mitchell had the series of a lifetime (in 2013/14), pretty similar to what happened in 2010/11 with my form,” Cook said on the eve of the first Test.

“You get on a bit of a roll and you can’t do no wrong. Credit when it’s due, he bowled very well and bowled quickly.

“Whether he can repeat that, that’s the challenge and we’ve got to make sure we cope with it better if he does.”

Cook, taking up a theme voiced

by England paceman Stuart Broad, also suggested conditions in Britain would work in England’s favour when it came to facing Johnson.

“Obviously, the pace and bounce

in these wickets aren’t as much (as Australia),” he said.

With several members of England’s squad yet to play a Test against Australia and leg-spinner Adil Rashid still to make a debut at this level, Cook said an injection of youthful verve would serve his side well in their quest to regain the Ashes.

‘End of life cycle’ “That side at the end of 2013/14 was right at the end of its life cycle I suppose,” he said. “A lot of players have gone from that side that were kind of hanging on.

“In this side we’ve got two or three slightly older statesmen I suppose you could call them, with 80 plus caps, and the majority of the side is under 15 caps and are really excited about their future,” explained the 30-year-old Cook, himself a veteran of 114 Tests.

“They’ve got the chance to create their own history,” said Cook, England’s all-time leading Test run-scorer. Australia parachuted Darren Lehmann into the position of coach after Mickey Arthur was sacked shortly before the 2013 Ashes in England.

Although Australia lost that series, they’ve have enjoyed plenty of success under former Test batsman Lehmann since then, including winning this year’s World Cup. Now England find themselves preparing for a first series under a new Australian coach in Trevor Bayliss, formerly in charge of Sri Lanka and New South Wales.

“There is no nonsense to him. He says what he thinks and we’ve only known him a week but he’s pretty simple in his approach he’s made that clear,” said Cook of Bayliss.

“Obviously, he’s got some good knowledge of the Australians from working with them over the last few years. That’s going to help us but at the end of the day it’s the 11 players that have got to do it.”

But Cook, who added the fact that England assistant coach Paul Farbrace, who stood in as caretaker after Peter Moores was sacked, had worked with Bayliss before in Sri Lanka had helped smooth the transition between regimes. - AFP

ASHES

Botham’s tales fire up Buttler CARDIFF: Ian Botham may not appreciate the comparison but there was no doubt Jos Buttler was paying him a compliment when he said listening to the England hero’s tales of Ashes past was “like storytime with your granddad”.

Botham, one of England’s greatest all-rounders, reserved many of his best performances for ‘old enemy’ Australia.

And such was his impact on the 1981 series it was labelled ‘Botham’s Ashes’ after several stunning individual displays with both bat and ball helped turn the series in England’s favour.

Botham was invited to give the current England squad a pep talk ahead of the first Test against Australia in Cardiff starting on Wednesday and Buttler lapped up every word. “It was great,” said England wicketkeeper/batsman Buttler. “It was like storytime with your granddad, really.”

Buttler, who at the age of 24 is not quite two generations removed from the 59-year-old Botham, added: “’Beefy’ — everyone sat around listening to stories of the rockstar life he led.

“It was quite different the way he went about it as to our how our preparation has been.”

It seems the most pertinent piece of advice that Botham, who relished the big occasion, passed

INSPIRED: Jos Buttler. – Reuters

on was to enjoy all the hype that surrounds the Ashes without letting it affect your own game.

“He said you have to understand that is how it is — but the cricket doesn’t change,” Buttler explained. With England bidding to recover the Ashes after a 5-0 thrashing in Australia in 2013/14, the scale of the task ahead has enthused Buttler.

“You always dream of playing in this series that is always talked about,” he said.

“It’s going to be a huge challenge for me personally and the team — but it’s something you want to be a part of, to test yourselves in these situations.”

But even if this season ends up being ‘Buttler’s Ashes’, the kind of exploits that Botham used to enjoy mid-Test won’t be an option for the present-day England team, given that rest days have long since been abolished. - AFP

ALL SET: England captain Alastair Cook and Australia captain Michael Clarke pose with a replica of the Ashes urn. – Reuters

Johnson ‘as fast as ever’, says Clarke CARDIFF: Australia captain Michael Clarke believes all the talk of whether fast bowler Mitchell Johnson can succeed in British conditions has “put fire into his belly”. The left-arm paceman took 37 wickets at under 14 apiece as Australia crushed England 5-0 in the 2013/14 Ashes ‘Down Under’.

But the likes of England captain Alastair Cook have questioned whether Johnson can replicate that form in the upcoming Ashes series, which gets underway with the first Test in Cardiff starting on Wednesday.

Clarke, however, insisted Tuesday that his spearhead was in prime form. Mitchell Johnson

is as ready as I’ve seen him,” Clarke told a news conference at Cardiff’s Sophia Gardens ground.

“He’s bowling as fast as I’ve ever seen him bowl in the nets and he’s swinging it too. It’s not fun to face,” he added “He’s fit, healthy and excited about what lies ahead. There’s been things said about whether he can perform in these conditions and that’s put fire into his belly.”

Cook, who himself has come nowhere near matching his tally of 766 Test runs at 127.66 during England’s victorious 2010/11 Ashes tour — indeed he averages under 28 in all other series against Australia — suggested Johnson would find it hard to replicate his past success.

“Mitchell had the series of a lifetime (in 2013/14), pretty similar to what happened in 2010/11 with my form,” Cook said.

“You get on a bit of a roll and you can’t do no wrong. Credit when it’s due, he bowled very well and bowled quickly.

“Whether he can repeat that, that’s the challenge and we’ve got to make sure we cope with it better if he does.”

Cook, taking up a theme voiced by England paceman Stuart Broad, also suggested conditions in Britain would work in England’s favour when it came to facing Johnson.

“Obviously, the pace and bounce in these wickets aren’t as much (as Australia),” he said.

Much has been made in the build-up regarding Cook’s conservative captaincy style, which has been contrasted with the more aggressive approach of Clarke.

Trevor Bayliss, England’s new Australian coach, has said they must “fight fire with fire” if they are to regain the Ashes.

But Cook said Tuesday that leadership was often about the players at your disposal.

He added that the current make-up of the side, featuring the likes of attacking batsman Joe Root, all-rounder Ben Stokes, wicket-keeper/batsman Jos Buttler and fast bowler Mark Wood, was very different to the one that was at the “end of its life cycle” in 2013/14. - AFP

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SPORTS

FOURTH STAGE ACTION: Great Britain’s Christopher Froome, third left, wearing the overall leader’s yellow jersey rides in the pack during the 223.5 km fourth stage of the 102nd edition of the Tour de France cycling race between the Belgian city of Seraing and Cambrai, northern France. – AFP

Froome retains grip, Martin yellow Team Sky rider Froome was expected to be tested on the seven cobbled sectors that peppered the course, as the Tour entered France for the first time since the grand depart in Utrecht, Netherlands, and he passed with flying colours

CAMBRAI: Chris Froome lost his yellow jersey but retained his grip on his rivals after surviving a day on the cobbles in the Tour de France on Tuesday.

German Tony Martin won the fourth stage with a late attack and snatched the overall lead at the end of a body-punishing 223.5-km ride from Seraing, Belgium.

Team Sky rider Froome was expected to be tested on the seven cobbled sectors that peppered the course, as the Tour entered France for the first time since the grand depart in Utrecht, Netherlands, and he passed with flying colours.

Froome almost fell off his bike after being slightly elbowed by

Italian Jacopo Guarnieri, his front wheel hitting a kerb, but the Briton regained control and soldiered on in impressive fashion.

The 2013 champion, who crashed out of last year’s Tour just ahead of the first cobbled sectors, even accelerated in the finale, showing he was in top shape as he stamped his authority on the race.

Martin leads Froome by 12 seconds overall with American Tejay van Garderen, another contender for the overall victory, in third place 25 seconds off the pace.

Vincenzo Nibali and his Astana team mate Lars Boom attacked repeatedly on the cobbles hoping to shake Froome but all the

defending champion got was the prize for the most aggressive rider of the day.

Among the other top favourites, Spain’s Alberto Contador and Colombian Nairo Quintana could only follow, but stayed in contention as the most treacherous part of the race is now behind them.

Contador eighth Contador is in eighth spot 48 seconds behind Martin. Nibali is in 13th position 1:50 off the pace and Quintana lies 17th, 18 seconds further back.

A four-man breakaway built an eight-minute advantage but they never had a chance as Team Sky took control of the peloton just ahead of the first cobbled sector, dramatically upping the pace.

The peloton was eventually skimmed to about 30 riders after Frenchman Thibaut Pinot, who had already lost a chunk of time on Monday, was ruled out of contention for good in this Tour following two mechanical failures.

Martin powered away with three km left and the triple time trial world champion never looked back.

His compatriot John Degenkolb sprinted for second ahead of Slovakia’s Peter Sagan. - Reuters

GREAT FINISH: Etixx-Quick Step rider Tony Martin of Germany celebrates as he crosses the finish line

to win the 223.5 km (138.9 miles) 4th stage of the 102nd Tour de France cycling race from Seraing in Belgium, to Cambrai, France. – Reuters

MOTORSPORTS

Ahmad targets British GT podium MUSCAT: Oman Racing Team driver Ahmad Al Harthy returns to Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium later this week for the resumption of the Avon Tyres British GT Championship, where the 33-year-old says he will be targeting nothing less than a podium challenge at the wheel of his Aston Martin V12 Vantage GT3.

According to the information received, while the round five of the 2015 campaign on Saturday will mark the sole overseas visit of the year for British GT, Muscat racer Ahmad and team-mate Daniel Lloyd, who were both in testing action at Spa a couple of weeks ago with the Blancpain Endurance Series.

Although the focus of that outing was key preparation for the upcoming Total 24 Hours of Spa at the end of July — round four of the Blancpain season — the additional track time enjoyed at the Ardennes venue should still pay dividends for the latest instalment of British GT a few days from now. “I’m really looking forward to being back at Spa so soon, it’s an amazing track and somewhere I always enjoy racing”, said Aston Martin Middle East and North Africa ambassador Ahmad, “Heading back there this week with the recent Blancpain test still fresh in our minds should be an advantage but we know it’ll be another challenging weekend.

“The team has been doing a

The team has been doing a fantastic job all season, and Dan and I have both shown very good pace Ahmad Al Harthy Oman Racing Team

fantastic job all season, and Dan and I have both shown very good pace, but there have been a couple of things which have gone against us and cost us points. We know we should be competitive at Spa, the podium is the target and I’m confident we can achieve that.”

Arriving in Belgium fifth in the British GT championship standings, 18 points shy of the coveted top three with one podium to their credit so far this year from round three at Rockingham, Ahmad and team-mate Lloyd also hold the lead in the Silver Cup class. In the

entrant standings, the Oman Racing Team leads the way comfortably by more than 40 points.

Last time out in British GT, the rain affected three-hour Silverstone 500 at the end of May, the duo only just missed out on making it two podiums from the first four races of the season when a late Safety Car period spoiled their hopes and resulted in a top four finish for the Oman Air, Oman Ministry of Sports Affairs, Ooredoo, National Bank of Oman and Al Hashar Group-supported entry.

During the corresponding Spa

event last year, where two onehour races were contested, Ahmad and then team-mate Michael Caine raced to second position in the first of the weekend’s encounters so a repeat performance could well be on the cards.

“We know we have a good car at Spa, the team performed well there last year and we’re all going back with a lot of confidence and positivity”, added Ahmad, “The weather is always a big factor, rain is often a risk, but as we know from Silverstone we’re quick in the wet and dry so should be strong.”

W E D N E S DAY, JU LY 8, 2 0 1 5

SPORTS

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Hard work pays dividends for Oman Sail’s Optimist talents selected to head up the Optimist preparations.

“They are happy and motivated, so even though the days, where we can spend up to eight hours on the water, can leave them tired, it is exciting to see them take such huge strides forward in their development.”

“We came here because there is guaranteed breeze, typical of the sort we will experience in Poland, allowing the sailors to try out new race strategies and learn to handle their boats more confidently in these conditions.

“We are seeing more boat speed and their decisions over where they should be on the race track are becoming smarter.”

Long days spent working on fitness levels, boat handling techniques and race strategies are paying dividends and presenting national selectors with food for thought ahead of the World Optimist Championships in Poland

MUSCAT: Eight young Optimist sailors from Oman Sail are proving themselves ahead of a packed international schedule at an intensive training programme, held in Nea Makri on the east coast of Greece.

The youngsters, aged between 10 and 15 and members of the Omantel Youth Programme, cosponsored by Oman Shipping Company, are halfway through a two-week training camp and have impressed Oman Sail coaches with their work rate and progress during the team and individual challenges, on and off the water.

Long days spent working on fit-

TRAINING HARD: Optimist team during one of the the training sessions.

ness levels, boat handling techniques and race strategies are paying dividends and presenting national selectors with food for thought ahead of the World Opti-

mist Championships in Poland in August where five places are up for grabs. Selectors will also have to choose six contenders for the IODA Optimist African championships

– Supplied photo

in Algeria in September and six for the Asian and Oceanian Championships in Doha in October.

“These young sailors are working very hard, which has resulted

in a dramatic improvement in performance,” commented Sultan Al Zadjali, the Mussanah Sailing Centre coach who is also gaining valuable experience after being

Exciting potential Al Zadjali, who is working in conjunction with Marina Psichogiou, Oman Sail’s Youth Programme Manager, in Greece, says the potential among the Oman National Optimist squad is exciting, an observation that Rashid Al Kindi, Oman Sail’s National Youth Team Manager, endorses.

“This is not just about sailing, the sailors are learning how to work together as a team and have been bringing the best out of each other.

“They will return home as improved sailors, fitter than they have ever been and better prepared as a team to aim higher in the upcoming international competitions,” he said.

He added: “These youngsters are being put through their paces during the training camp and we confident it is equipping the youth to deliver great performances in future racing events.”

OMANTEL RAMADAN CRICKET

Irfan shines for Cheema XI, Al Nafeesa ease past Bisya MUSCAT: Al Nafeesa and Cheema XI prevailed in the Pakistan Social Club organised Omantel Ramadan Cricket Tournament 2015 being played at the Pakistan School ground.

In the first match on Monday night, Al Nafeesa beat Bisya CC by 15 runs.

Batting first Al Nafeesa made 76 FOOTBALL

Lionel Messi devastated by new defeat BUENOS AIRES: Lionel Messi has told of the pain of losing the Copa America final after the football superstar faced criticism in his native Argentina.

Messi finally posted a statement on his facebook account late Monday having hidden his devastation at losing another major final since the 4-1 penalty shootout defeat by Chile on Saturday.

“There’s nothing more painful in football than losing a final,” Messi said.

“But I don’t want to leave it any longer to say thank you to everyone who has always supported us and continued to during the tough moments.”

Messi, 28, has now lost one World Cup and two Copa America finals and still has to win a major international event despite his success with Barcelona. Argentina, beaten 1-0 by Germany in last year’s World Cup final, have now not won a major title for 22 years. — AFP

for 7 in 8 overs with contributions coming from Naveed (21), Farhan (19) and Aqib (10).

For Bisya, Sankat claimed three wickets for 8 runs and Shani took two wickets for 8 runs.

In reply, Bisya CC could manage only 61 for 4 in 8 overs with Akbar (26) and Rehan (17) contributing with the bat.

Al Nafeesa bowlers Adnan and Fayyaz claimed two wickets each costing 9 and 22 runs respectively.

Naveed was declared the man of the match.

In the second match of the night, Cheema XI defeated CSI Warriors by 37 runs. Cheema XI, batting first, set a total of 86 for 7 in 8 overs with Irfan smashing 41

CRICKET

Satish and Jitu stars of the night

DAY’S STARS: Satish of SS Friends and Jitu of Abu Dhabi Travel.

MUSCAT: SS Friends and Abu Dhabi Travel won their matches in the knock-out tournament of the 6th Al Turki/NMC Cup 2015 underway at the Al Rifa ground near the Azaiba beach.

The tournament is being sponsored by Al Turki Enterprises and National Metal Cans.

In the first match on Monday night, SS Friends beat National Gas by 9 wickets and in the match that followed Abu Dhabi Travel defeated Al Nafeesa Jewellers by six wickets. Satish of SS Friends and Jitu of Abu Dhabi Travel won

the man of the match awards for their respectives matches.

Brief scores National Gas 48 for 8 in 8 overs (Qamar 14, zahid 8, Ganesh 2 for 16) lost to SS friends 49 for 1 in 6 overs (Shiva 17 not out, Satish 19 not out). Man of the match: Satish of SS Friends. Al Nafeesa Jewelers 47 for 4 in 8 overs (Ateeq 11, Naveed 14 not out, Jitu 1 for 12) lost to Abu Dhabi Travel 48 for 4 in 6.1 overs (Shami 13 not out, Jitu 15, Salman 2 for 14). Man of the match: Jitu of Abu Dhabi Travel.

runs and Ihsan 15 runs.

Imtiaz (2 for 16) and Aqib (2 for 21) bowled well for CSI Warriors, who in reply could manage only 49 for 6 in 8 overs.

Abbass (2 for 6), Zaheer (3 for 21) and Bilal (1 for 13) bowled well for Cheema XI, while Irfan of Cheema was declared man of the match.

MAN OF THE MATCH: Irfan of Cheema XI receiving the award.

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W EDN ESDAY, JULY 8, 2015

SPORTS

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RELIEF THROUGH CRICKET: Asian labourers relax during a cricket game at the Asian Town Cricket Stadium in the Qatari capital Doha. – AFP

Cricket oasis for Asians in Qatar house 258,000 labourers as Qatar attempts to build a better reputation on accommodation for foreign labourers.

It could also provide a boon for Asian Town Cricket Stadium.

Shah Zaleri Sikka, an Indian cricket supporter, was one of the first to move into Labour City.

The Asian Town Cricket Stadium is a colourful place of rest and recreation in a mostly greylooking part of Qatar’s capital that serves as the engine room of the country’s booming economy, full of small industrial workshops, factories

BIGGER EVENTS LIKELY: Asians play cricket at the Asian Town Cricket Stadium in the Qatari capital Doha. The organisers are planning a Qatar Premier League or Doha Premier League. – AFP

and labourers

DOHA: In a nondescript corner of Doha’s Industrial Area, sandwiched between building works, a dusty landscape and overused roads, sits a green oasis for Asian labourers and cricket enthusiasts.

The Asian Town Cricket Stadium is a colourful place of rest and recreation in a mostly greylooking part of Qatar’s capital that serves as the engine room of the country’s booming economy, full of small industrial workshops, factories and labourers.

A large orange and blue-seated amphitheatre, the stadium’s ca-

pacity — 14,000 — seems even more remarkable considering Qataris do not play cricket and it is used mostly by amateurs.

The ground is actually larger than the stadium housing Qatar’s current football champions, Lekhwiya, and rivals Al-Sadd, where Xavi Hernandez, formerly of Barcelona, will play next season.

Asian Town is less than 2,000 seats short of the SWALEC stadium capacity where this summer’s first Ashes test between England and Australia, arguably the fiercest rivalry in cricket, starts on Wednesday.

Like many things in Qatar, the

stadium owes its existence to the phenomenal change the energyrich country has undergone in recent years.

It was built specifically for the vast number of labourers who have poured into Qatar, particularly from countries such as India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

Between them, migrants from these four countries account for almost one million of the 2.3 million people in Qatar, which has faced criticism for the treatment of foreign workers.

High standard On the night AFP visited, a T20

match was being held under floodlights between the “Shah XI”, mostly made up of players from Pakistan, and the eventual victors “Al Zaman Exchange”, drawn largely from India.

The standard was high though there was a sparse Asian crowd -it was the middle of the week and during the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan. “The labourers are living very near that’s why they come,” said tournament organiser, Sajjad Chaudhry.

“They are coming and watching, especially the teams’ supporters and friends, and especially people who have spent a long time in

Qatar, who haven’t seen this kind of facilities.” One of those who attends a game every night is mechanic Nitiss Sikder, a 35-year-old from Kolkata in eastern India.

He has been living in Doha for eight years and is a self-confessed cricket lover. Sikder is among the few regulars at the moment but that might be about to change.

A far bigger building has been completed nearby.

“Labour City” — Qatari place names may not be imaginative but are accurate — a vast sand-coloured housing complex for 70,000 workers is just opening its doors.

Seven such “cities” will in total

Qatar Premier League?

“The atmosphere is really good in Labour City,” he said.

“We get a good chance to rest in our rooms as they are really nice and most evenings we come here to pass the time and get a chance to watch a match as well.”

Chaudhry believes that with Labour City nearby and the riches of Qatar, there is scope for bigger and better tournaments in Doha.

The Ramadan Tournament, made up of 18 sides, awards 50,000 Qatari riyals ($13,500) to the winning team, enough to encourage some to draft in professional players from overseas.

But Chaudhry said organisers should aim higher and try to replicate the success of the popular T20 Indian Premier League.

“We are planning a Qatari Premier League or Doha Premier League,” he said. “We are planning (a launch) for the first of September. We are working on that. Inshallah, inshallah... we hope.”

Whoever plays, it is likely Sikder will be there watching and larger crowds are expected.

“Last time there was a (big) match here a lot of people came to see it. The stadium was packed. If there are more matches like that in the future, a lot of people will come,” he said. - AFP

C

SECTION

LIFESTYLE

Leisure WWW.TIMESOFOMAN.COM

By Salim Joseph The Sultanate is blessed with some of the best diving locations in the world where you can rub shoulders with reef fishes, moray eels, sting rays, turtles, and even whale sharks.

Dive masters hold the key to finding the best of Oman’s underwater bounty.

W ED N ES DAY, J U LY 8, 2 0 1 5

C8

W EDN ESDAY, JULY 8, 2015

LIFESTYLE Most Popular Diving Locations Off Muscat Coast Al Dimaniyat Islands Ä&#x160;Ĺ&#x2014; )(-# , Ĺ&#x2014; (Ĺ&#x2014;#(. ,( .#)( &Ĺ&#x2014; nature reserve and one of the most beautiful diving locations in the Sea of Oman Ä&#x160;Ĺ&#x2014; (Ĺ&#x2014; Ĺ&#x2014;, " Ĺ&#x2014;#(Ĺ&#x2014;ßÿÄ&#x161;ýúĹ&#x2014; minutes by boat from nearest dive centres in Seeb or Sawadi (Barka) Ä&#x160;Ĺ&#x2014; )'*)- Ĺ&#x2014;) Ĺ&#x2014;(#( Ĺ&#x2014;#-& ( -Ä&#x2026;Ĺ&#x2014; contains more than 20 known diving sites Ä&#x160;Ĺ&#x2014; # "Ĺ&#x2014;1#."Ĺ&#x2014;(# Ĺ&#x2014;-) .Ĺ&#x2014; ),als, rare coral species, sea turtles Al Fahal Island (Shark Island) Ä&#x160;Ĺ&#x2014; #./ . Ĺ&#x2014; ,)/( Ĺ&#x2014;Ăž%'Ĺ&#x2014; ,)'Ĺ&#x2014; the mainland (PDO area) 1#."Ĺ&#x2014; (Ĺ&#x2014; , Ĺ&#x2014;) Ĺ&#x2014;$/-.Ĺ&#x2014;ĂźÄ&#x201E;ßÞĹ&#x2014;%'Ăź Ä&#x160;Ĺ&#x2014; 0 (Ĺ&#x2014; ),Ĺ&#x2014; ' (Ä&#x201C;-Ĺ&#x2014; #0 ,- Ĺ&#x2014; ďŹ sh and coral species including sting rays and turtles Ä&#x160;Ĺ&#x2014; ), Ĺ&#x2014;" , Ĺ&#x2014; ), &Ĺ&#x2014;." (Ĺ&#x2014;-) . Ä&#x160;Ĺ&#x2014;Features at least 6 dive sites besides a tug and barge site Ä&#x160;Ĺ&#x2014; ), Ĺ&#x2014; *Ĺ&#x2014; #0 -Ĺ&#x2014;1#."Ĺ&#x2014;1 &&-Ĺ&#x2014; of corals (dives go up to 30 metres as restricted by Diving Federation rules) Bandar Khayran Reserve Ä&#x160;Ĺ&#x2014; .Ĺ&#x2014; Ĺ&#x2014; #-. ( Ĺ&#x2014;) Ĺ&#x2014;ýúÄ&#x161;ÞúĹ&#x2014;'#(utes by boat from Bandar Al Rawdha Marina Ä&#x160;Ĺ&#x2014; /' ,Ĺ&#x2014;) Ĺ&#x2014; )0 -Ä&#x2026;Ĺ&#x2014;#(& .-Ĺ&#x2014; ( Ĺ&#x2014; shallow areas with high coral abundance Ä&#x160; 0 Ĺ&#x2014; ,)/( Ĺ&#x2014;ßúĹ&#x2014; #0#(!Ĺ&#x2014;-#. Ä&#x160;Ĺ&#x2014; ./, -Ĺ&#x2014; &Ĺ&#x2014; /( --#,Ĺ&#x2014;1, %Ĺ&#x2014; with a length of 85 metres (The Royal Navy of Oman sank this for divers in 2003)

T

Dive Centres years ago near the Fahal Island. There is lots of beautiful coral around it.

There are nearly 20 diving sites along the coves and inlets at Bandar Al Khayran which also features a shipwreck: Al Munassir, which the Royal Navy of Oman sank for divers in 2003.

Covered with beautiful coral now, the wreckage had rooms only half-ďŹ lled with water till several years ago. Many divers recall how nice it was to be able to remove the regulator and talk to onesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; buddy deep down under water.

It is very dark in the wreckage, and many divers ďŹ nd themselves surprised by a large fish that suddenly darts by. But, thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s no need to panic. â&#x20AC;&#x153;A diver is never attacked under water as he or she will be seen like another fish. In Oman, we only have friendly sharks and in the history of scubadiving in the Sultanate, thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not been a single incident of shark attack,â&#x20AC;? says Keith Holt, the codirector of Global Scuba. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I came to Oman in 1973 and I know what His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said told the citizens when he took to power: to have friendship with foreigners, to have the respect for them. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s same down there under water. They all listen to him,â&#x20AC;? Keith grins.

Visit one of the many great dive centres in Muscat to plan your underwater summer adventure.

Oman Dive Centre Qantab 24824240, 24824198 Email: reservation@omandivecentre.com, dive@omandivecentre.com Euro Divers Oman Al Sawadi Beach Resort 95057317 euro-divers.com Global Scuba Civil Aviation Club, Azaiba 24692346 enquiries@global-scuba.com SeaOman Dive Centre Almouj Marina at The Wave Muscat & Millennium Resort Musannah 24181400 dive@seaoman.com Bluzone Diving Marina Bandar Al Rowdha 24737293 bluzonediving.com

PHOTOGRAPHY: COURTESY OF GLOBAL SCUBA AND OMANTA SCUBA; SALIM JOSEPH (TOP 2ND AND 3RD)

hereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a whale shark divers often come across in the Dimaniyat Islands during September. Last year, he came out in August, along with six others. â&#x20AC;&#x153;That was something new. This year too we can expect to see them early,â&#x20AC;? says Monique Borlee, the director of Global Scuba, the dive centre located at the Civil Aviation Club in Azaiba.

But, for her, the most adorable under water creatures are seahorses and Dimaniyat, considered to be the best diving location in the Sea of Oman, is the best place to ďŹ nd them. â&#x20AC;&#x153;They are quite big out there. But itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not that easy to spot them as they have speciďŹ c paths.â&#x20AC;?

Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s where dive leaders or dive centres comes in handy, as they can take divers to just the right coral beds to spot a seahorse, or the right cove in which to spy eels, turtles, and sting ray. There are many underwater destinations to explore in Oman, which is blessed by some of the best diving sites in the world.

Summer is best for scuba-diving, they say, as underwater visibility is greater than in the winter season. Besides that, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s very cool down there, a relief from the blazing heat above, but not freezing so there is no need for a wet suit. At the Dimaniyat diving sites, visibility ranges from 5 to 15 metres during winter and the water temperature is typically around 23 degree Celsius. In the summertime the visibility is around 8 to 20 metres and the temperature averages 28 degrees Celsius.

A nature reserve for almost two decades, Dimaniyat is simply the best diving location around Muscat, says Yannick Borlee, the business development manager at Global Scuba. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It only takes us about 30 minutes by boat from here, and there you have the abundance of corals, really nice soft corals. Last year marine biologists came across some unknown coral species here and there are some species that you can ďŹ nd only in Oman.â&#x20AC;?

Other popular diving sites around Muscat include Fahal Island off Mina Al Fahal (PDO) and Bandar Al Khayran. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s more about the deep dives at Fahal where one can go as far as 30 metres down (the maximum depth allowed by Diving Federation) and you can find more hard corals than soft corals. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have the tug and barge dive site, where a small tug and barge sank many

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LIFESTYLE

Game On

Monument Valley Mobile

Video games often engage passion and

THE HOBBYIST Ali Jani Gaming

dedication, but can also be very toxic if time management is an issue. So it’s good to play with your friends online, but don’t forget to meet them in real life too

World of Warcraft PC

Destiny PS4 - XBOX One

Why do you love it?

I’m a voracious reader and a casual movie watcher. Yet, those are still passive mediums. Video games, on the other hand, provide an interactive experience and a real immersion into really great storytelling with fantastic settings wrought from the hands of very dedicated artists/creators. It’s also a great match with my other hobby which is tinkering with computers.

How did you get into it?

I grew up in the late 80s and the early 90s during the golden age of video game consoles. Obviously every kid on the block had to get one. My first exposure to video games was with an Atari 2600 that my father brought us. It had very basic graphics and very straightforward games.

A few years later, we got our hands on a second-hand PC that I learned to build, repair, and improve. I also discovered more immersive and complex games (“Doom” anyone?).

And I’ve been playing video games on a PC ever since.

How can I get into it?

Nowadays, you can have access to video games very easily on your phone or even your web browser.

Although, the best crafted games are available on dedicated systems and PC. The choice then depends on your preferred setting to enjoy them.

Game consoles are for those who like playing on the couch of your living room with your family and friends.

PCs are geared toward online multiplayer and hardcore gamers that like to upgrade them to keep them in line with the more demanding titles.

What’s your pro-tip?

Video games often engage passion and dedication, but can also be very toxic if time management is an issue.

So it’s good to play with your friends online, but don’t forget to meet them in real life too.

Resources for gaming The Internet is ripe with websites dedicated to gaming. My personal favourites are: Metacritic.com/game This site aggregates reviews for video games on all platforms as well as music, movies and TV shows Pcgamer.com A go-to for everything PC gaming, from video game news to tips and tutorials on building and maintaining a gaming setup Gameinformer.com A comprehensive video game news website

Photography: VENECIO DATAN

What’s your favourite hobby?

Want to tell us about it? Contact salim@timesofoman.com

Y O U R FAV O U R I T E B O O K

Eat, Pray, Love A memoir by Elizabeth Gilbert Reviewed by Swati Dasgupta

ELIZABETH GILBERT’S memoir of self-discovery, Eat Pray Love, touched a chord for me way back in 2006 when it was first published. Even nine years later, this heartfelt memoir continues to be a favourite. A beautifully written book on choices, faith, and maintaining life’s balance, Eat, Pray, Love explores and recognises the various facets of the feminine experience. The author, despite having a successful career and a good life never knew what made her happy (or unhappy) in life or what was she longing for.

Was it her disintegrating marriage? Her motherhood compul-

sions? Simply the uncertainties of life?

In a moment of crushing depression she prayed in despair trying to reach out to God for help. She then began a journey of self-discovery on which she unearthed her potential, fought her shortcomings, and set out in search of her true self. As she travelled through Italy, Indonesia, and India, she gradually began to see clearly what she didn’t want from life to what she truly desired.

As the story of her journey unfolds there are moments when I felt the author was very self absorbed, but her words and thoughts are soaked in honesty

and she manages to weave an emotional tapestry as she describes every moment of pain and anguish with candor.

“I don’t think I will ever write another book as raw, intimate and revealing as Eat, Pray, Love, which I wrote without imagining that millions of people would ever read it,” Gilbert confessed in an interview following the huge success of her book. Her book was later adapted into a feature film starring Julia Roberts.

There are many great lines in the book, but my favourite was: ‘You need to learn how to select your thoughts just the same way you select your clothes every day.

This is a power you can cultivate.

If you want to control things in your life so bad, work on the mind.

That’s the only thing you should be trying to control.’

A must read for those on their own quest for ‘pleasure, guidance, experience and wholeness’.

ARE YOU A PROLIFIC READER? Which is your favourite book? Pick one and send in your thoughts on it.

Contact salim@timesofoman.com

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W EDN ESDAY, JULY 8, 2015

FIND-IT-ALL CINEMA SCHEDULE

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

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

CITY CINEMA

Jurassic World (Action / Adventure) Cast: Chris Pratt, Judy Greer, Ty Simkins 9.30 pm CP No: 1495 (PG12) Guardian (Action, Thriller) (15+) Cast: Sarah Carter, Tio Pakusodewo, Nino Fernandez 11:45 pm CP No: 1613 Cold in July (Crime / Thriller) (15+) Cast: Michael C. Hall, Sam Shepard, Don Johnson.

9:30 & 11:45 pm CP No: 659 (15+)

Contact (10 am to 6pm) 24567664 | 68 . www.citycinemaoman.net facebook.com/citycinemaoman SHATTI Jurassic World (Action, Adventure) (3D) (PG12) Cast: Chris Pratt, Bryce Dallas Howard, Ty Simpkins, 9:15 pm

Gold Class: 11:15 pm

9:30 pm

COLD IN JULY

SWORD OF VENGEANCE (Action) (15+) Cast: Stanley Weber, Edward Akrout Misa Beric, 9:30 pm

(2D) (Crime, Thriller) (15+) Cast: Michael C. Hall, Sam Shepard Don Johnson

Cold in July (15+) Cast: Michael C. Hall, Sam Shepard, Don Johnson 11:30 pm

Papanasam (2D) ( Drama/Thriller) (PG12) Cast: Kamal Haasan, Gautami Tadimalla, Kalabhavan Mani, 9:30 pm

Sword Of Vengeance (Action) (15+) Cast: Stanley Weber, Edward Akrout, Misa Beric 9:30 pm

SCREEN 3 Papanasam (Tamil) (Drama/Family/Thriller) – PG12 Cast: Kamal Haasan, Gautami Tadimalla, Kalabhavan Mani, 9.30pm

Cold in July (2D) (Crime, Thriller) (15+) Cast: Michael C. Hall, Sam Shepard, Don Johnson Gold Class 11:15 pm

Dark Summer (Horror, Thriller) (15+) Cast: Peter Stormare, Grace Phipps, Keir Gilchrist 11:15 pm Papanasam (Drama, Family)(PG12) Cast: Kamal Haasan, Gautami Tadimalla, Kalabhavan Mani, 9:45 pm

RUWI SCREEN 1 ABCD-2 (Dance/Musical ) – PG Cast: Varun Dhawan, Shraddha Kapoor and Prabhudeva, 9.45 pm

MUSCAT GRAND MALL Jurassic World (3D) (Action/Adventure) (PG12) Cast: Chris Pratt, Bryce Dallas Howard 11:15 pm Gold Class: 9:00 pm

SCREEN 2 Second Hand Husband (Comedy/Romance) – PG Cast: Gippy Grewal, Tina Ahuja, Dharmendra, Geeta Basra, 9.00 pm

Just The Way You Are (2D) (Dance/Romance) (12+) (Language - Tagalog) Cast: Enrique Gil, Liza Soberano, Yves Flores 9:15 pm

Destination

Dept time

Destination

BURAIMI Cold in July - 2D (Crime/ Thriller) (15+) Cast: Michael C. Hall, Sam Sheppard, Don Johnson 9:30 pm

Sword Of Vengeance (Action) (15+) (2D) Cast: Stanley Weber, Edward Akrout, Misa Beric, 9:45 pm

Arrival Operating time days

FROM JAALAN-SUR-QURIYAT (ROUTE 36)

TEMPERATURE

15:00 15:00 15:00

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) 17:30

Sinaw

Nizwa Yanqul

20:50

Daily

Nizwa Al Araqi

16:50 19:30

Daily Daily

Sur Sur

Daily Daily

Fahud Yibal

Daily Daily

Salalah Marmul Salalah Salalah

10:30 11:15

Daily Daily

Marmul

20:00 20:30 23:30 07:40

Daily Daily Daily Daily

Dubai

16:50

Daily

Sohar Dubai Sohar Dubai Sohar Dubai

Nizwa Ruwi

08:40 11:00

Daily Daily

15:40 15:40

Nizwa Ruwi

17:55 20:20

Daily Daily

06:00 14:30

Ruwi Ruwi

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

07:00

06:00

Marmul

16:30

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

Daily Daily Wed,Thur Wed,Thur Daily Daily

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

Papanasam (Tamil) (Drama/Family/ Thriller) – PG12 Cast: Kamal Haasan, Gautami Tadimalla, Kalabhavan Mani 9:30 pm at Cinema 2

Second Hand Husband (2D) (PG) (Comedy, Romance) Cast: Gippy Grewal, Tina Ahuja, Dharmendra 9:00 pm

Laila O Laila (Mal) (Action / Thriller) (PG12) Cast: Mohanlal, Amala Paul, Sathyaraj, Joy Mathew 10.30 pm

Laila O Laila (Mal) (Romance / Thriller) Cast: Mohanlal, Amala Paul, Sathyaraj, Joy Mathew 9.45 pm at Cinema 3

Papanasam (2D) (PG12) (Drama, Family, Thriller) Cast: Kamal Haasan, Gautami Tadimalla, Kalabhavan Mani, 11:00 pm

Kakka Muttai (Tamil) Cast: Ramesh & Silam Barasan 9.45 pm at Cinema 4

Laila O Laila (2D) (PG12) (Action, Thriller) Cast: Mohanlal, Amala Paul, Sathyaraj, Joy Mathew, 9:00 pm

NEXT CHANGE: 2nd Class Yatra (Mal) Bahubali (Telugu)

Sword of Vengeance (2D) (15+) (Action) Cast: Stanley Weber, Edward Akrout, Misa Beric; 11:55 pm

(Programmes are subject to change) WITH LOVE

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ADITHYA PRAVEENLAL July 8, 2012

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RELATIVE HUMIDITY

20-60%

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

Daily Daily Daily

Sharjah Fujairah Ruwi

16:30 18.15 23.00

LISTINGS

ROYAL OMAN POLICE Emergencies and inquiries: 9999 General Directorate of Passport and Residence 24569603 Directorate General of Customs 24521109 Traffic violations inquiries 24510228 Public Relations Admin 24560099 EMBASSIES IN OMAN

Daily Daily Daily Daily

DUBAI TO SALALAH (ROUTE 102)

TO DUBAI (ROUTE 201) 06:00 06:00 13:00 13:00 15:00 15:00

06:00 06:00

TO MARMUL (ROUTE 101)

SALALAH TO DUBAI (ROUTE 102) 15:00

Daily

TO SALALAH -MARMUL (ROUTE 100)

TO MARMUL (ROUTE 101) 06:00

10:25

TO YIBAL - FAHUD (ROUTE 62)

TO MARMUL-SALALAH (ROUTE 100) 07:00 10:00 10:00 19:00

Ruwi

TO SUR (ROUTE 55) 12:00 18:45

TO FAHUD - YIBAL (ROUTE 62) 06:30 06:30

07:00

Premam (Mal) (Comedy) Cast: Nivin Pauly, Anupama Parameshwaran and Sai Pallavi 10:00 pm at Cinema Main

Cold in July (2D) (15+) (Crime, Thriller) Cast: Michael C. Hall, Sam Shepard, Don Johnson; 11:30 pm

SUR Cold in July (Crime / Thriller) (15+) Cast: Michael C. Hall, Sam Shepard, Don Johnson 9:30 pm

45 37 Minimum

Film information 24791641 / 24786776 Website: www.isurf.co.om

TO IBRI (ARAQI) (ROUTE 54)

10:20 12:30

TO SUR (ROUTE 55) 07:30 14:30

Papanasam– 2D (Drama/Family/Thriller) (PG12) Cast: Kamal Haasan, Gautami Tadimalla, Kalabhavan Mani, 9:30 pm

STAR CINEMA

SALALAH Jurassic World (3D) (PG12) (Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi ) Cast: Chris Pratt, Bryce Dallas Howard, Ty 9:15 pm

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

Laila O Laila – 2D (Action/Thriller) (PG12) Cast: Mohanlal, Amala Paul, Sathyaraj, Joy Mathew; 9:00 pm Dark Summer - 2D (Horror/Thriller) (15+) Cast: Peter Stormare, Grace Phipps, Keir Gilchrist 11:55 pm

TO SINAW (ROUTE 52)

TO YANQUL (ROUTE 54) 14:30 14:30

Sohar Ruwi Ruwi Sohar Ruwi Sohar Ruwi

Daily Daily Daily

PAPANASAM 2D (Drama/Family (PG12) Cast: Kamal Haasan, Gautami Tadimalla, Kalabhavan Mani, 9:30 pm

WEATHER

QURIYAT - SUR - JAALAN (ROUTE 36) Quriyat Sur Jaalan

9:30 pm

10:30 pm

LAILA O LAILA (Mal) (Action / Thriller) (PG12) Cast: Mohanlal, Amala Paul

Sword Of Vengeance ( Action ) (15+) Cast: Stanley Weber, Wdward Akrout, Misa Beric; 11:30 pm

Sword of Vengeance – 2D (Action) (15+) Cast: Stanley Weber, Edward Akrout, Misa Beric 11:30 pm

Dark Summer (Horror, Thriller) (15+) (2D) Cast: Peter Stormare, Grace Phipps, Keir Gilchrist, 11:30 pm

TO MUSCAT (RUWI) Arrival Operating time days

Laila O Laila - 2D (M) (PG12) Action | Thriller Cast : Mohanlal, Amala Paul, Sathyaraj, Joy Mathew 9:00 pm

Cold in July (2D) (Crime, Thriller) (15+) Cast: Michael C. Hall, Sam Shepard, Don Johnson 9:15, 11:55 pm

LONG DISTANCE BUS TIMINGS (OMAN NATIONAL TRANSPORT COMPANY SAOC) *SUBJECT TO CHANGE

Dept time

Papanasam(Tamil) (Drama/Family/Thriller) – PG12 (2D) Cast: Kamal Haasan, Gautami Tadimalla, Kalabhavan Mani 9.30 pm

SOHAR Jurassic World (3D) (PG12) (Action |Adventure | Sci-Fi) Cast: Chris Pratt, Bryce Dallas Howard, Ty Simpkins, 11:30 pm

Dil Dhadakne Do (Romance/Drama/ Comedy ) – PG12 Cast: Anil Kapoor, Ranveer Singh, Shefali Shetty, Anushka Sharma, Priyanka Chopra 11.00 pm

FROM MUSCAT (RUWI)

9:00 pm

SECOND HAND HUSBAND (Comedy/ Romance) – PG Cast: Gippy Grewal, Tina Ahuja

Daily Daily Daily

Afghanistan Algeria Bahrain Bangladesh Brazil Brunei China Cyprus Egypt France Germany India Indonesia Iran Iraq Italy Japan Jordan Kazakhstan Kenya South Korea Kuwait

24698 791/4 24605 593 24 605 074/133 24 698 660 24640100 24 603533 24 696782 24 699815 24 600 982/411 24681 800 24835000 24684500 2469 1050 24 696 944/7 24603642 24693727 24 601 028 24692760/1/3 24 692418 24 697664 24 691490 24 699628

Lebanon Libya Malaysia Morocco Nepal Netherlands Pakistan Palestine Philippines Qatar Russia Saudi Arabia Senegal Somalia South Africa Spain Sri Lanka Sudan Switzerland Syria Tanzania Thailand Tunisia Turkey UAE United Kingdom United States Yemen

24 693208 24603466 24698329/643 24696152/3 24696177 24603706 24603439 24601312 24605335 24 691 153/2/4 24602894 24601705 24694139 24697977 24647300 24691101 24697841/2 24697875 24603267 24697904 24601 174 24 602684/5 24603486 24697050/1/2 24400000 24609000 24643400 24600815

PHARMACIES Round the clock Al Hashar Pharmacy, Ruwi 24783334

Appolo Medical Centre, Hamriya Muscat Pharmacy, Ruwi Salalah Atlas Pharmacy, Ghubra Muscat Region Apollo, Al Hamriya Muscat, A Seeb Market Muscat, Al Khuwair Muscat, Al Hail South Dhofar Region Muscat, Al Nahdha Road, Salalah

24782666 24702542 23291635; 24503585 24787766 24421691 24485740 24537080

23291635

HOSPITALS Al Amal Medical & Health Care Centre 24485052 Atlas Hospital Ruwi 24811743/ Ghubra 24504000 Al Musafir Specialised Medical Clinic 24706453 Hatat Polyclinic LLC, Ruwi 24563641 Azaiba 24499269 Sohar 2683006 Al Raffah Hospital 24618900/1/2 Al Massaraat Clinic & Laboratory 24566435 Al Makook Medical Coordinance Centre 24499434 Apollo Medical Centre,

Hamriya 24787766, 24787780 Capital Polyclinic 24707549 Badr Al Samaa Polyclinic, Ruwi 24799760/1/2 Capital Clinic, Seeb 24420740 Ceregem National Raak 24485633 Dr Harub’s Clinic 24563217 Elixir Health Centre 24565802 Emirates Medical Centre 24604540 1st Chiropractic Centre 24472274 Hamdan Hospital 23212340 International Medical Centre LLC 24794501/2/3/4/5 Kims Oman Hospital 24760100 24 Hrs Emergency 24760123 Lama Polyclinic, Sohar 26751128 MBD 24799077 Al Khuwair 24478818 Magrabi Eye and Ear Hospital 24568870 Muscat Private Hospital 24583600 Welcare Diagnostic and Treatment Centre, Al Khuwair 24477666 Al-Hayat Polyclinc LLC 22004000 AIRLINE OFFICES Muscat Airport Flight information (24 hours) 24519456/24519223 Aeroflot 24704455 Air Arabia 24700828 Air France 24562153 Air India 24799801

Air New Zealand 24700732 Biman Bangladesh Airlines 24701128 British Airways 24568777 Cathay Pacific 24789818 Egypt Air 24794113 Emirates Air 24404400 Ethiopian Airlines 24660313 Gulf Air 80072424 Indian 24791914 Iran Air 24787423 Japan Airlines 24704455 Jazeera Airways 23294848 Jet Airways 24787248 Kenya Airways 24660300 KML Royal Dutch Airlines 24566737 Kuwait Airways 24701262 LOT Polish Airlines 24796387 Lufthansa 24796692 Malaysian Airlines 24560796 Middle East Airlines 24796680 Oman Air 24531111 Pakistan International Airlines 24792471 Qatar Airways 24771900 Qantas 24559941 Royal Jordanian 24796693 Saudi Arabian Airlines 24789485 Singapore Airlines 24791233 Shaheen Air 24816565 SriLankan Airlines 24784545 Swiss International Airlines 24796692 Thai Airways 24705934

W E D N E S DAY, JU LY 8, 2 0 1 5

C11

LIFESTYLE

Enjoying the Journey Ĺ&#x2022;! . 1 3Ĺ&#x2022;#(Ĺ&#x2022; ' (Ĺ&#x2022; #,Ä?-Ĺ&#x2022; /-#( --Ĺ&#x2022; & --Ĺ&#x2022;-. ,.-Ĺ&#x2022;&)(!Ĺ&#x2022; ), Ĺ&#x2022; ." Ĺ&#x2022;1" &-Ĺ&#x2022;!)Ĺ&#x2022;/*ĂžĹ&#x2022;Ĺ&#x2022;By Scott Armstrong

Oman Air Business Class Highlights Ä&#x201E;Ĺ&#x2022;Ĺ&#x2022; ")1 ,Ĺ&#x2022;,))'-Ĺ&#x2022;1#."Ĺ&#x2022; ."Ĺ&#x2022;,) -ĂżĹ&#x2022;.)1 &-ĂżĹ&#x2022; Ĺ&#x2022;-" 0#(!Ĺ&#x2022;%#.-ĂżĹ&#x2022; ( Ĺ&#x2022;&/2/,3Ĺ&#x2022; Ĺ&#x2022;.)#& .,# -ĂżĹ&#x2022;#( &/ #(!Ĺ&#x2022; Ĺ&#x2022; ')/ ! Ĺ&#x2022;* , /' Ä&#x201E;Ĺ&#x2022;Ĺ&#x2022; "#& , (Ä?-Ĺ&#x2022;*& 3Ĺ&#x2022;,))'ĂżĹ&#x2022; 1#."Ĺ&#x2022;.)3-ĂżĹ&#x2022;')0# -ĂżĹ&#x2022; ( Ĺ&#x2022; Ĺ&#x2022;! ' Ä&#x201E;Ĺ&#x2022; Ĺ&#x2022; (. ,( .Ĺ&#x2022; -Ä&#x201E;Ĺ&#x2022;Ĺ&#x2022; 1 , Ä&#x201D;1#((#(!Ĺ&#x2022;- -)( &Ĺ&#x2022; #(#(!Ĺ&#x2022;' (/-Ĺ&#x2022; Ä&#x201E;Ĺ&#x2022;Ĺ&#x2022; & Ĺ&#x2022;Ä&#x2026;Ĺ&#x2022; ' & Ĺ&#x2022;*, 3 ,Ĺ&#x2022; ,))'Ä&#x201E;Ĺ&#x2022;Ĺ&#x2022; )'*&#' (. ,3Ĺ&#x2022;þÚĹ&#x2022; '#(/. Ĺ&#x2022;' -- ! Ĺ&#x2022; ,)'Ĺ&#x2022; ." Ĺ&#x2022;&)/(! Ĺ&#x2022;-*

PHOTOGRAPHY: COURTESY OF OMAN AIR

T

hereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a Taoist proverb that says â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;the journey is the rewardâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;.

With the Gulf sweating in the sun, thoughts turn to travel to cooler climes, with Europe a favourite among Oman tourists I decided to test if that statement holds true for Oman Airâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Business Class service to Heathrow, London.

To date Oman Air has won a host of awards for its Business Class service, most recently in the Business Destinations Travel Awards, winning Best Business Class Airline 2015 in the Middle East category, as it did in 2011, 2012 and 2013.

Why? Firstly the 1-2-1 conďŹ guration of seating on board provides comfort whether you are travelling alone, or as a couple.

This is the seating map that many other airlines reserve solely for their ďŹ rst class passengers With every business class ďŹ&#x201A;ight itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the seat that really counts, and it is here that Oman Air wins many battles in the sky with one of the largest, most comfortable seats in the world. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t believe us? Check out seatguru.com (run by tripadvisor) to compare.

Just hold Oman Airâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s offering up against its two (also excellent) neighbours Etihad Airways and Emirates Airlines, based in the UAE. There are perhaps four key

elements that make a good airline seat: being fully ďŹ&#x201A;atbed, bed length, seat width and seat pitch - the distance from any point on one seat to the exact same point on the seat in

front or behind it. While it is not the exact equivalent of â&#x20AC;&#x153;legroomâ&#x20AC;?, it does give a very good approximation of how much seat room you should expect.

THE ULTIMATE SEAT Fully ďŹ&#x201A;at bed (180 degrees): Oman Air: Yes. Etihad is also a yes, but on Emirates it depends on what aircraft you are on, working out to roughly a 50- 50 chance of getting a true ďŹ&#x201A;at bed.

Seat Width: Oman Airâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s is one of the best in class with a generous 22 inches, with Emirates offering 20.5 inches, and Etihad 20 inches.

Bed Length: Oman Air can be conďŹ dent with its 77.5-inch offering (1.96m or 6ft 4in).

Compare that to Etihadâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 73 inches, while on Emirates again you roll the dice with either 70 inches or 79 inches.

Seat Pitch: Oman Air is one of the dominators worldwide on what could be considered legroom with a whopping 82 inches. Here Etihad trails with 73 inches, while Emirates offers 60 inches.

If it was a boxing match itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fair to see why the judges would award Oman Air the win for its consistency and quality.

Each seat also features an electrically controlled backrest/ seat bottom and leg rest, an adjustable seat pan depth, a 17-inch screen, a power point, and two USB plugs.

The ďŹ&#x201A;ight is also mobilefriendly, with paid WiFi available, allowing you to connect your laptops, tablets or smartphone to the web, plus you can send SMS messages and make calls. Food and drink comes with a smile from the attentive staff, served in cut crystal and bespoke chinaware. Once fed and watered, relax with the inďŹ&#x201A;ight entertainment package that offers a host of new blockbusters from around the world.

If you simply want to sleep, ask the hostess for a sleep suit (yes theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll give you pyjamas) and ask to be woken at a certain time. As you land youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll of course be given a fast-track pass to smooth immigration at your destination, which also helps one sleep soundly.

Relaxed, and refreshed as you enter the UK, all in all Oman Airâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Business Class proves that there is wisdom in that old proverb.

C12

W EDN ESDAY, JULY 8, 2015

LIFESTYLE FIVE THINGS I CAN’T TRAVEL WITHOUT

Manuela Zekri

Fashion editor, runway coach, fashion show choreographer, and art director of @OmanByNight eMagazine

WHITE DRESS

02

MOISTURISER

I always travel with Colbert MD daily moisturiser, it protects my skin against environmental changes.

04

JEWELLERY

Jewellery and accessories are the sparkle kle you leave wherever you go. I like to carry accessories essories that will suit most of my outfits.

LIP BALM I use lip balm all the time to keep 03

my lips hydrated. My personal favourite is Charlotte Tilbury lip magic balm.

05

HIGH HEELS

I love high heels! They give me power — they make me feel ready to face the world.

PHOTOGRAPHY: SHUTTERSTOCK; SUPPLIED

01

A white dress is chic every time and everywhere. It makes me feel fresh, comfortable and relaxed.

D

W W W.T I M E S O F O M A N . C O M W E D N E S DAY, J U LY 8 , 2 0 1 5

SECTION

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

RENT

D2

VACANCY

D4

CARGO

D7

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W E D N E S DAY, J U LY 8 , 2 0 1 5

DAILY GUIDE

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

FOR RENT

BUYING/SELLING All type of car scanner available easy car diagnostic for professional and self use Authorize LAUNCH and Autel dealer. GSM:92393972 www.omancartools.com Used furniture & Electronic items, office & house. Contact: 99834373

FOR RENT

2 BHK commercial / residential flat at Honda Road.

Contact: 99342733/99795241 Small old house for rent Al Ghobrah.

Contact 95112461 1BHK, Darsait, walking distance to ISM , neat and clean building, ground floor, OMR 260/- per month rent Call IQRAR on 99076557 Fully furnished 3 BHK accommodation with all spacious rooms in a villa at Darsait near ISD. Contact: 9526 5289 / 9604 8422 Furnished room for rent at Al Khuwair R.O 225/- for family only.

Contact: 99251975

3000 sq mtrs Industrial landß, in Barka Sanaiya, with electricity 400KW, shed, staff accommodation and office. Ready to start any kind of factory. Contact 99384255.

1BHK close to ISWKG Wadi Kabir Bldg # 1690 R.O 250/-.

Contact: 99476728 3 BHK Flat in Azaiba.

Contact 99792181

ACC. AVAILABLE Flat for rent in Mabellah 8th.

Contact: 97147240 2BHK with split AC at Al Khuwair 33. Contact: 94057023 1BHK, 2BHK, 3BHK new flat available at Mabela in front of Modern English School Contact: 96239126

Studio Flat in Ruwi.

Contact 99792181

Flats shops for rent in Ruwi MBD area Mumtaz area.

Contact: 97293708 / 92433127

1 BHK Flat in Honda Road (Ruwi).

Contact 99792181

2BHK at Al Khodh, 2BHK at Wadi Kabir 2 room, 1hall, dining, 2 bathrooms. Contact: 99224748 / 99332297 Store in Wadi Kabir 1900 SQM. Contact: 99473751 / 91471067 1BHK Darsait R.O 225/-.

Contact: 92144045

1 & 2 BHK flat in Al Khuwair.

Contact 99792181 Labour Camp + Store in Wadi Kabir.

Contact 99792181 Flat with A/C in the South Al Mabella close to the Mosque Al Tawab consists of 2 rooms, hall, 2 bathrooms and kitchen.

Contact: 99388995

2BHK Darsait R.O 300/-.

Contact: 92144045

2 bedrooms apartments for rent in Al Khuwair and Ghubra. Call Yellow Bird property on 24615375 / 97137989 or visit www.muscat-realty.com

2BHK Ghubra R.O 250/-. Contact: 92144045

Good flat villa type at Mobeileah Senaiya. Contact : 99879872

1BHK Wadi Kabeer, RO 225/-.

Contact: 92144045

Three new three bedrooms flats with servants rooms Al Khuwair 39.

Contact: 99207840 4 BHK single villa in Al Khuwair.

Contact: 97616158 1 Villa & 3 big Flats of 2/3 BHK with hall, Kitchen & ACs Al Khoudh 6, Close to express way, from owner. Tel 97600322 alnehang@gmail.com 1BHK with A/C Mumtaz. R.O 250/-.

Contact 97799175 Fabulous AC flat at Al Khoud 3 bedrooms, hall and kitchen RO 270/- for rent. Contact: 99334699 Deluxe 3 BHK Penthouse with Seaview, ideal for office / residence at Qurum near PDO. Contact: 9772 1313 / 9507 0421

New building in Wadi Kabir, 2 bedroom flats. Contact: 99313274

Flats shops and store for rent in Ruwi, MBD Honda road.

Contact 97293708 / 92433127

3 Bedroom flat in Wadi Kabeer and 2 bedroom villa in Sidab- Muscat.

Contact: 95755953

3 bed room flat near ONTC Ruwi.

Contact: 99653336

Flats for rent near Indian School in Wadi Kabir. Contact 99777122

Spacious 2- BR flat in MBD. Contact 99713489

Six bed room twin villa Al Athaiba.

Contact: 99207840

2 BHK flat in Al Ansab with split A/C. RO.250/- Contact – 93191111

1,2,3 BHK. Contact: 97799175

For rent office CBD flat in Ruwi.

Contact: 92820734 / 95345909

4 bed room flat at Al Hail South.

Contact: 99207840

2 bed rooms, kitchen, toilet & car park in Al Khuwair R.O 200/- .

Contact 95154331 Deluxe furnished / unfurnished flats Qurum. Contact: 24566217 / 24564686

Deluxe 1, 2 BHK flats in Darsait, AL Khuwair 1deal for office & residence. Contact 99369081 /99142314 Flat at Darsait. Contact 99326879

Villa AL Ghobrah, 6 bedroom 1200/R.O. Contact: 99340055/97557555

Party & Wedding equipment rentals.

Full line, from Tables, Linen & Skirting, Chairs & Chair covers, Cutlery, Crockery, Glassware, Chafing Dishes, Ice Sculptures, to Large Sound Systems and spectacular lighting. Call Andrea 9606 2222 for Catering and Croyden 9623 5555 for Sound & Light. www.tunesoman.com, E-mail: info@tunesoman.com

Mob + 968 96177505

Residential /commercial 2 B/R near Medical College Bausher from Owner. Contact: 92158031 256 sq mtrs restaurant for rent in Plaza Hotel, Walja Ruwi.

Contact 99326339

AVAILABLE

Building In Rusail Industrial ŶĞĂƌ ƚŽ ŵŝĂŶƟƚ KŵĂŶ comprising a store divisible area 266 sq. meters.

The building includes Studios ĂŶĚ ƌŽŽŵƐ ǁŝƚŚ ĚŝīĞƌĞŶƚ ƐŝnjĞ ƐƵŝƚĂďůĞ ĨŽƌ ŽĸĐĞƐ Žƌ residence.

Preferably to be leased to one company.

2BHK near Oman house behind Khimji, H.O. Contact: 95865686

506sqm space with mezzanine available for rent in AL Wadi Al Kabir, Suitable for carpentry / Auto workshop and / or electrical shop interested parties may.

Contact: 24703981 For rent if require flats for rent in Wadi Kabir please send me messages through Whatsapp.

Contact: 99376454 Villa for rent in Al Khuwair 33, 8 bedrooms & 5 bathrooms with parking area near Taimur Mosque.

Contact: 99366624 Office space at Alasfoor Plaza Qurum. Contact : 24566217 /24564686 2 BHK Flats for rent Muttrah near Oman house.

Contact: 97009734/92629232 Flat in South Al Hail, 2 bedrooms, Majlis, 2 bathrooms, kitchen RO 250/-. Contact 93221474 Flat in Ruwi Mumtaz 2 BHK RO 300 or 1 BHK 250 RO. Contact 98588240 2BHK with split AC near PDO Gate no -2 at Qurum. Contact: 94057023 Luxury 3 BHK flat in Al Wattaya with split A/C & private parking.

RO.500/- Contact – 93191111

For rent in Qantab European style 4 bedrooms, 4 baths, Guest toilet, fully equipped modern kitchen, covered car park for two cars, approximately 150 meters from the beach. For enquiries, please Contact: Yasser at 92606005 Bath attached room for rent Al Khuwair. Contact 99743569 Commercial 3 BHK flat in Al Ghobra 18 Nov Street. RO 700/Contact 93191111 2 BHK flat in Al Azaiba near sea, with split A/C. RO.340/- # 93191111 Villa of 5 BHK in Al Ansab with split A/C. RO.650/- Contact – 93191111

ACC. AVAILABLE Rooms available with separate bathroom for executive bachelors in azaiba near al meera hyper market.

Gsm 99053844 Single room with sharing kitchen available for executive bachelor near Saud Bahwan Residency Complex, Wadi Kabir. Contact 99024362, 93166353.

ACC. WANTED Required a room in Darsait / WadiKabir /Ruwi area. # 95405033

Fully furnished 1BHK with all household items in Darsait near Lulu on monthly Basis. Contact : 99378397/99493500 Independent rooms in Qurum / Al Hail. Contact 95529970 Full furnished single /sharing room for Exe. bachelor at Rex Road near Kamat with WIFI available.

Contact 92873832 Available sharing accommodation for non cooking Executive bachelor near Indian School Al Ghoubra with Keralite family. Contact 91697955 Furnished bedroom with separate bathroom and kitchen on sharing in Darsait for Ex- bachelors.

Contact : 95376096 Furnished room attached bath room & kitchen for Executive bachelor / family, Honda road near NBO bank Ruwi. Contact: 98582078 Fully furnished room for a decent expatriate. independent kitchen, bathroom in Wadi Adai.

Contact 96243086 at 5p.m.

For sharing accommodation room with toilet attached, kitchen sharing near clean building next to main road near Indian school Wadi Kabir, Indian couples family or bachelor.

Contact: 95345537 / 94672007 Furnished room attached bath for lady in Wadikabir (Mars Hypermarket) – 95941515 Furnished room with attached bathroom in W/K. Contact: 97167857 Sharing for non cooking executive bachelor in CBD area WIFI free, Advance deposit. Contact: 95094504 Single room rear Oman house Muttrah. Contact: 97477670

W E D N E S DAY, J U LY 8 , 2 0 1 5

D3

DAILY GUIDE

MOTOR VEHICLE FOR SALE

FOR SALE Equipped kitchen showroom company for sale at Ghubrah, Muscat.

6 visa available, Contact owner at 96303747 House hold items. Contact: 97094797

Coffee shop at Liwa main road.

Contact : 99515419 Sale & repair of Tyres 315/80 R 22.5 & 12.00 R 24. Contact: 97477128 Salon for sale in Muttrah next to Muttrah Health Center 2/500 -R.O .

Contact: 99012807 Brand new 4 BHK plus Maids room in Barka, 2 Kms from Lulu.

Contact: 99347089 Turkish MDF door with frame for sale, size 210 x 100 Price: RO 75/-.

Contact: 95899296 / 92141514

Spacious bedroom, T& K in Wadi Kabir. Contact: 96098443 Furnished room for Indian couples or family near Honda Road (Walja).

Contact 98952904 Fully furnished room in Ruwi for non cooking ex- bachelor.

Contact 94412557 A/C room with separate balcony and big wardrobe available for non-cooking bachelor in CBD area (near Stars cinema). Rent OMR125 inclusive of electricity and water charges. Contact 96568110

SITUATION WANTMATRIMONIAL Kerala Nair girl, B.Com, 22 yrs, 5.2” very fair, slim, (Star Uthrattathi) Presently working in infosis, Chennai. Financially sound, from parents of nair boys from Trissur, Palakkad and Eranakulam & Calicut dist. .

Contact :0091 8301865688 email: raveendrandr@yahoo.com Alliance invited for a Nair girl 24 yrs, 5ft, 1”, fair, slim, B.Tech graduate reputed family of Ernakulam dist. (Star Thiruvonam Sudhajathakam) financially sound, from parents of B.Tech nair boys from Trissur, Palakkad and Eranakulam dist. . Contact 00919495924302

Shawarma Double burner for sale.

Contact: 95395378 Well established medium size construction company for sale.

Equipments, 30 employees & ongoing projects. Serious buyers only 99412020

Total Station Survey Instrument S3 2” / Servo/ Trimble access bundle - batch 9101025 – not used.

Contact: 94282782 / 95425747

ACC. AVAILABLE

6 bedroom, 6 bath rooms, sitting & dining villa at Qurum.

Contact: 99342733

Wall papers, grass carpets sale & fixing. Contact: 99834373 / 97102699 Commercial land for sale 3000 m in quriyat road main high way can use as a petrol station license available asking price 350,000 For more information please call on 99070701 with out name Fully decorated & Equipped kitchen cabinet and marble showroom for sale at Mabela industrial area road no – 10 only serious buyers can.

Contact: 99337670/97763560

NRI

Prado ,2012. Contact : 99336093

Suzuki Desire 2015, silver colour, 17000 km, excellent condition, 4 months old for just R.O 3,500/-.

Contact: 96473187

Peugeot 206-2007 Model, expat driven. Contact 99209285

Toyota Prado 2008, Toyota Corolla 2009, Honda CRV 2009, low mileage available at Bombay Medical, behind Ruwi Police Station. #99326339

2 Prime Movers Man 2008 with 40 ton petrol tank each working at the moment in Al Maha. Price OMR 35 Thousand each. Contact 97000155 or 92688692

Chevrolet Epica 2008 very good condition. Contact 92802299

SITUATION WANTMATRIMONIAL Christian CSI Syrian boy, 31/178, fair, working as Business Development Officer in a reputed company Muscat. Suitable proposals solicited.

Email: jamesmails2010@gmail.com Contact: 98582078, M4 - Marry - 4083713 Kerala Hindu Ezhava girl (28 yrs, 164 cm), Staff Nurse (MOH), seeks suitable alliance from Graduates / professionally qualified boys.

Contact: 91 9746343275 / +91 9747801255

38 cents plot with 2BHK house by the river bank in Thrissur Dist. near Irinjalakuda (Karavanoor).

Contact: 99347089 500 acre agricultural land suitable for rubber plantation for sale in Ratnagiri Maharashtra. price 2 lakh per acre, rubber board approved land, minimum purchase 20 acre. We provide care taking by experienced Malayalee team for your plantation. please call , prasad 95760790

Touareg 2011 Oman cars, 114000 KM, silver, 8500/-R.O. Contact: 92857111

Indian Kerala male 31 years Hindu Ezhava working in Muscat looking for life partner. Contact: 99893119

FOR LADIES Hair dressing, facial massage & other beauty treatment for women.

Contact: 94689448

LOST Rahul Chandra Mohan has lost Indian Passport No. M 2735765.

Finder please handover to ROP

Sportage, 2013. Contact:99336093

Land Cruiser 2012. # 99336093

CHANGE OF NAME I Mohammad Irshad (name exactly as in present passport) son of Mohammad Samdani presently residing at the following address in Wattaya P.B No. 1693, P.C No.112 Sultanate of Oman and having permanent address in India Zulekha Manzil Azad Colony Degloor Dist Nanded Maharashtra (India) (as per present passport) , holder of passport No. K 4638604 date of issue 03/12/2012 place of issue Muscat solemnly affirm and declare that my Mother’s name is Shameem Akhtar for all purpose. Any objection towards this name change may please be communicated to Embassy of India, Muscat, Diplomatic Quarters, Al Khuwair, P.O. Box No. 1727, Postal Code 112, Ruwi, Sultanate of Oman.

LOST Velayudhan Kutty Periya Swamy Chettiar has lost Indian Passport No. G 4357505. Finder please handover to ROP.

D4

W E D N E S DAY, J U LY 8 , 2 0 1 5

DAILY GUIDE

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

SITUATION SITUATION WANTED VACANT

ADMIN

SITUATION WANTED

Vacancy for Omani PRO Email: abid673@yahoo.com Mob 94192526

ACCOUNT. & FINANCE

Vacancy for lady Receptionist at Sinaw Hala Medical Center - Fluency in English and Arabic Omani or non Omani. Contact: 25524180 / 91362141 Email: halamedicalgroup@gmail.com Urgently Required: Administration with an experience minimum in 3 years in building construction, required immediately join and MUST have NOC.Apply, fax 00968–24605955, emails sbc@steelbuildingsllc.com, sbeoman@yahoo.com.

ACCOUNTANT Urgently required a part – time female Accountant fluent in English with 2-3 years experience in Tally.

Email: mhca@mhabibgroup.com Fax: 24564459 Urgently required female accountant with an experience minimum 3years Email CV on cv.hrcharity@gmail.com Urgently required Junior Accountant. Please send CV: hr.azatllc@gmail.com

BEAUTY Required Beautician for a parlor in Ghubra. Contact: 94241385 / 97244766 Wanted experienced Beautician for beauty parlor in Al Amerat 3.

Contact: 91107337

CATERING Chinese/ Arab/ continental cook & helper wanted. Contact 95529970 Required experience Waiter / Supervisor/ Juice maker, Shawarma maker. Contact: 95395378 Traditional Omani restaurant requires: Waitress for restaurant.

Delivery man with bike license preferred. Interested candidates send CV to: Email: omanhari@yahoo.com Contact: 95892831

DESIGNER Designer required for wooden joinery company with excellent knowledge of 3D Max, 2D Autocad.

Contact: 94249047 Email: mfqazi@gmail.com

DRIVER Driver required for a Company, 2 years experience. Visa available.

Contact 24479922 Driver needed, preferably female.

Must hold valid driving license.

Contact 95591068

ENGINEER Looking for a Sales Engineer (Mechanical) with 2 to 3 year relevant experience in the Oman market with driving license .

Please forward your CV to : mbdeast@gmail.com Required Civil Engineer (buildings) Oman experience 5+ years, BOQ+ Tendering + site supervision.

Contact: 95218004 Email: alhilalint@yahoo.com

Indian CA with 15 yrs exp working as Finance Head of MNC looking for Job. NOC Available. 94047434 Married lady 25 years, Master Accounts having 5 years experience in Indian looking for full / part time job. Contact: 95140332 /93223050 family visa holder.

Contact 95140332

ENGINEER

Indian male, well experienced in Accounts and Admin looking for a suitable vacancy. Contact : 98717938

Fire and Safety Technician with NIFE or equivalent Diploma holder preference to those having D/L. Send CV to visionansara@gmail.com

Indian female, M.Com Finance, DCA, 3 years experience in Accounts / finance& knowledge in ERP & Tally seeking suitable position in corporate finance / banking / consulting.

Email: prapullasuvarna@gmail.com Contact: 96953705 now in family visa.

Required MEP Diploma Engineer specialized in building maintenance.

Fluent in English and computer holding valid Omani driving license & NOC. Send CV to Email: info@alrabiyahrealestate.com to arrange interview Urgently Required: Civil Engineer with an experience minimum in 5 years in building construction, MUST have NOC and immediately join. Apply, fax 00968–24605955, emails sbc@steelbuildingsllc.com, sbeoman@yahoo.com Construction Company in Oman urgently requires following candidates: BE Civil Engineer, minimum 3-5 years gulf experience & Civil site foreman, minimum 5 years gulf experience, diploma not required.

Email: applyforoman@gmail.com Construction Company in Oman urgently requires the following: B.Sc Civil Engineer, minimum 3-5 yrs Gulf experience. Civil Site Foreman, minimum 5 yrs experience with operating knowledge of Tally.

Please Email CV ; applyforoman@gmail.com Leading Construction Company requires Quantity Surveyor (QS) with 4-6 yrs Gulf experience. Send your CV : qsmuscat2015@gmail.com (NOC required).

Required for Engineering consultancy office a Supervision Staff for road project at Ibri region: Civil Engineer (B.Sc) RE with 12 years experience & Land Surveyor (Diploma) with 8 years experience.

Please email CV & certificate copy to alsarh@omantel.net.om Required a part time steel Structural Design Engineer for a reputed steel fabrication company in Muscat. Interested person may Contact : 99451158

EDUCATION English medium private school in Sinaw urgently required English & Science teachers. Send CV : saminternationalschoolsinaw@ gmail.com Contact: 98927055

IT IND male WEB developer 5 yrs exp B.Tech (comp science) PHP, HTML MYSQL Java script CSS. Contact: 95990529 Email: renjith341@gmail.com

MISCELLANEOUS A company from UAE require 2 merchandisers in retail food supply, store keeper with English and invoicing experience. Email: yesterdaysun@hotmail.com

Indian male, B.Com, Accountant, 10 yrs in Oman experience in Accounts, knowledge of Tally ERP 9, focus RT having NOC & D/L, looking for suitable job.

Contact 93086105

MISCELLANEOUS

SALES / MARKETING

Well established company in selling chocolate, Arabian sweets and fresh flowers, opening ITS first branch in Muscat seeking: 1- sweets and chocolates Sales man 2- flower arranger (Asian/ Filipino Nationality) # 94490011 Email: labelleoman@gmail.com

Urgently required female Sales Promoters individual with pleasant personality, excellent communications & presentation skills & experience in selling perfumes cosmetics and skincare products would be preferred. Send your CV & details with recent photograph to info@mawaridoman.com or fax no 24127484/ Tel: 24127485

Mason, C.C.T.V, Technician, Electrician cum Plumber.

Contact - 99383044

MEDICAL Vacancy Lab Technician for inquiry or send CV zmczahara@yahoo.com Contact 24571094 Fax: 24571097 Required Prometric passed nurse to join clinic from end August.

Contact: 99352793 Urgent! Omani healthcare company looking for a smart proactive marketing executive cum product specialist with strong English communication skills, healthcare background and marketing experience in medical/pharmacy/microbiology/ biotechnology field. Omani driving license is a must. Mail your CV to: vacancymedeq@gmail.com

MANAGER Urgently Required: Male – handles overall store operations of the Supermarket, Prior Experience a MUST, knowledgeable in MSOffice. Send CV to chanda@dolphin-oman.com or fax to 244-92718.

SKILLED Urgently required experienced sub-contractors for Marble Flooring / Marble Cladding / Grinding / Carving works. Contact 92884177 / 99485595 Urgently required a silk Screen printer with good knowledge and release letter or NOC. Contact: 93280288 or send CV to albayanstamps@gmail.com

SECRETARIAL & OFFICE Required Office Assistant 160+25+Acc, Contact 99454425

Wanted part time female Sales Executive with D/L for a reputed company. Contact 94688874 A leading marketing company is looking for outdoor Sales Executives on part time or full time basis in Salalah. Contact 92760281 / 96436719

Male 26 yrs, MBA in Accounts and Finance, 2 years Experience in Management and Accounts Fields, and 1 year experience in Operations in Oman Looking for a suitable job.

Contact 94374745 Indian male 32 years MBA, 6 out of 14 years experience in Oman in accounts / finance having NOC and Valid Oman driving license last date in Oman 01/AUG/2015.

Contact: 94051463 Email: gkvenkatesh83@gmail.com Part Time Accounting, Accounts Finalization, Audit Preparation, Internal Audit, Onsite Tally Training, Inventory Management Contact : 96975454, email : ibfc.gcc@gmail.com

Looking for Outdoor Salesman for heavy equipment spare parts.

Contact - 93292015, Email: mail.om@gulfcenter.co

Dynamic, Young Accountant Professional with CPA and ACCA (in progress) 2/3 years experience up to finalization of accounts. currently in Oman on visit. Contact: 94704330 / 99094531

Required Sales man - 1 Person Qualification. Gulf Experienced - Minimum 5 Years with Oman Driving Licence Language - English Education:- Any Degree Further Contact : Mr. Abdul Hameed Nashabat - Mobile No: 97414307 and -92807399 amn@yaqeeneng.com

Indian male with total 5 year experience (2 years experience in Accountant cum sales co ordinator in a FMCG Company in Oman) in accounts field and NOC available. Looking for suitable job Contact 92130188

Urgently required Sales and Marketing Executive for Graphic designing company. Contact: 96727631 mail: smartgraphic518@gmail.com Required male or female candidate with 5 years experience in renting of properties. Interested candidates may please mail to alqurumprop@gmail.com Minimum 2 years of experience with valid gulf light driving license interested candidates please Contact: 99222086 /98585851

TOURS Required exp. employee for travel agency in Saham.

Contact :93655939 / 92900021

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

Indian female 25 MBA looking for a suitable opening in Accounts, Admin/Hr. Contact 97013375 Accountant 8 yrs experience looking part time job.

Contact 99867456 MBA Graduate with 6 yrs exp in finance/accounts/ auditing. Specialized in accounts payable dept, Oracle app user, proficient in Sap (fico) end user & tally 9.0. lean &six sigma certified trainer on visit visa.

Contact – 91967213 / 99064780 Young, energetic 24, ACCA finalist, Advanced diploma in Accounting and business, seeking suitable placement in accounts, finance or audit. Contact: 92430152 Email: rau_dey@yahoo.com Motivated and energetic male 25 having 4 years of experience in finance with Master’s degree in Economics and CAT Certified seeking opportunity in Accounts/finance/ audit in a reputable organization.

Cell no: 00968-94626209 E-Mail: omerjawedshah@gmail.com

Indian male 22 yrs B. Com Graduate 1 year exp in Accounts, currently on visit visa. Looking for suitable job. Contact 94341848 / Email – mohdhaji7272@gmail.com Finance Manager, CPA, with more than 15 yrs. of experience in GCC. Fully knowledgeable in Finance, General & Management Accounting .

NOC available. Contact 96209331 Sudanese Accountant seeking job in Nizwa state experience 10 years 3 years in Saudi Arabia, 7 yrs in Sudan. Contact : 97796394 / 94003247 Indian Accountant: Male, M com, 7 Yrs experience in Accounts up to finalization, having knowledge of ERP, Tally, seeks suitable placment.Contact 93950138 Email: lijinrajan123@gmail.com

ADMIN Indian male 2+yrs oman exp in HR. joing immediatly. release available.

Contact :93671437 Indian Female MBA, 3 years experience in Admin MIS, Family Visa.

Contact 98234427, jkjsmith01@gmail.com A Lady with 5 years experience in HR/Admin is looking for suitable job and can join immediately.

Contact : 94465835 System administrator with 3 years experience hold a degree, MCITP, CCNA , CCTV biometric , seeking job in a company.

Contact: 99630084/98129845 Indian female with 10 yrs of experience in HR/Banking/Operations seeks a suitable placement.

Can be contacted on 98919015 or sherianne.coelho@gmail.com

AUTO CAD/DRAUGHTSElectrical draftsman AutoCAD switch gear & MEP control panel 7 years experience Qatar. Contact: 92546203/96228100

ADVERTISING Looking for JOB. I have done BS Hons in Mass communication and media, Specialised in Public Relations and Advertising. I have upto 1 year of experience. Immediate Available. Open for any JOB. Sultan Zafar #97034134

CATERING Indian male 38 yrs Senior Chef de.

De. Party pastry exp 15 yrs in five star hotels, 10 yrs exp Oman get NOC looking for job in hotel & bakery.

Contact: 96460519

DESIGNER Architect and Interior designer, 8 years exp capable of managing turn key projects, design, BOQ, Execution.

NOC available. Contact : 95273166 Interior Designer: Indian male 31, 8 years exp. in GCC, NOC available.

95217586

DRIVER Light driver. Contact: 96961993

W E D N E S DAY, J U LY 8 , 2 0 1 5

D5

DAILY GUIDE SITUATION WANTED

DRIVER

ENGG. / TECHNICAL

Indian (Kerala) light driver seeking for job, 5 yrs experience in Oman.

Contact: 98029273 Looking for driving job. Contact: 98219182

Mechanical Engineer, Indian 24 with 2 yrs experience in HVAC- MEP Revit – MEP, AutoCAD – MEP Navis solid works Catia PRO-E primavera.

Contact: 96975382 Email: bonny491@gmail.com

Driver: 15 years Driving Experience in Saudi Arabia, Looking for suitable place, Contact.. 91624908, 93540898

MBA having 4years Gulf experience in Coordination with contracting company .NOC Available.

Ph: 95405885

Driver available with car and without car Education, B. A exp. 5 years, language Hindi, Arabic, English.

Contact: 98522914

Indian female, BE, Civil engineer with 1 year experience looking for suitable vacancy, on visit.

Contact 95139583, Email : aisushetty09@gmail.com

Heavy duty driver with PDO license, 5 yrs Intl. exp. Contact: 95546585 Bangladeshi male light driver seeking suitable placement 1 yr experience. Contact: 94158238 Driver available with car driver & without car. Contact 96771598 / 94039796 Driver, 42 yrs seeks for suitable job KSA, 12 years Oman 4 years,.

Contact: 95796030 Light driver. Contact: 95779594 Driver looking for job. Contact 99507039 Pakistani driving available.

Contact : 96913836

EDUCATION Professional Teacher Qualified M.Com Post Graduate in finance for teaching Accounting subject.

Contact: 91251210

ENGG. / TECHNICAL Structural Engineer of 2 years & 7 months experience, specialized in Structural Design and Site Supervision looking for a job. Contact: 94634906 / 94370767 Email: muazomer45@gmail.com B.E in ECE worked as Junior Scientist Trainee in Chennai worked as System Admin in Berik Honda Nagger coil worked at Technical Support in Samsung Service, presently in Bangalore.

Contact : 0091 7026267513 Indian female 23, B.Tech (Electrical & Electronics) & Diploma in Electrical CAD on Visit Visa seeks suitable placement.

Contact: 99278410 / 94027398, Email: renju.raghavan7@gmail.com Indian Civil Engineer (buildings) available immediately as supply contract. Contact: 93263834 CARPENTER-15 years gulf exp.

Indian male looking for suitable post. Present working in Crown Plaza. NOC available.

Please contact Jacob 96940120. jacob.sabu11@gmail.com Chemical Engineer with 04 years experience in petrochemical refinery sector seeking for & suitable position in petrochemical oil & gas, refinery EPC Companies.

Contact 00968 91748400 Indian female, B.Tech biotechnology with strong computer skills and 2 years experience as associate research analyst (Media Monitoring) in Nasdaq Oman seeking growth oriented jobs. Contact 92044603 /918056169148 or angeline.babithac@gmail.com.

Electrical Eng. Degree (MEP) need suitable job of construction 12 yrs exp.

Email: mohd.ateeq.khan@gmail.com Indian Male, IT Support Engineer, 2 yrs in Oman & 5 yrs Indian experience. Contact 97311847 Btech computer science graduate 2015 passout.. Android application marketing.. Having good communication skills and mindset to work in a team. Contact 91024385 Engineer with 3 yrs experience in Indian in MEP, HVAC& mechanical maintained field on visit visa looking for suitable job. Contact 99191535 Email: fareed029@gmail.com

Degree holder Civil Engineer having 10 years experience with driving license looking for better position.

Contact 98451844 Email: zahid_ruet@hotmail.com Indian male Safety Officer, 4+ years experience diploma in fire & safety Eng seeks suitable post.

Contact: 98843139 Indian male, 38 years old, DME – Mechanical Maintenance Technician 11 years Oman experience.

Ready for NOC, VISA transfer, ready to join immediately, Mob +968 95612870, seeniselvan@gmail.com Indian male, 34 years old, DEE – Electrical Supervisor 10 years Oman experience. Ready for NOC , VISA transfer and valid Oman driving license light, ready to join immediately. Contact +91 9740679094, kulasekar1980@gmail.com

SALES / MARKETING

MISCELLANEOUS Female Postgraduate searching suitable job. Contact 97792820 Indian male Oman D/L 2 years Saudi experience in electrical, fire and safety one year Oman logistic management experience.

Contact : 91233475 Bangladeshi Post Graduate seeks a job good command in English and computer ready to take the challenge. Contact 93982627 Email: saymun.riyad@gmail.com Filipino Male looking for a job & have experience in sales, waiter, barista, technical support / customer service with good communication skills. Contact 91789465 Indian material controller/ store keeper seeking job in Oman NOC / Release available.

Contact: 91946174

MEDICAL Electrical Engineer Indian male 29 years, having 5 years of experience in industrial automation and utility maintenance in India (MRF Tyres) seeking suitable placement.

Contact: 92789995 Email: akhilabrahamlktr@gmail.com

IT Indian Male Web developer with 5 year experience. Indian, Male, 27 years, B Tech(Computer science), professional in php, html, mysql, javascript, css. Contact:95990529 Email:renjith341@gmail.com

Well experienced MOH Licensed Indian GP Doctor looking for locum / permanent position in the Capital area. Contact 98140024 email:drgpoman@yahoo.com Female Dentist Indian, Prometric passed 63%,4 years of work experience, immediately available to join.

Contact 97469553, nazianbaig@gmail.com Indian male GP doctor, 12 years experience parametric passed with 74% seeks suitable post. Email: ppdr2020@gmail.com

Indian male, B.E ( computer science engineer), MBA (finance), OCA certified, having 5 years of experience in oracle Dba/ oracle apps Dba, seeks a suitable position in the field of IT. Contact: 96212062 email: zubairkhan11@gmail.com

Indian female Dentist MOH Oman passed seeking a suitable placement in capital region.

Contact– 91377681 hashimsarawat@gmail.com

Indian female MCA, 24 years seeking suitable job. Contact 93439467

Lab Technician, Civil (8yrs Gulf experience) looking for a suitable job (NOC available) Contact-93344378

B.E Computer Science, Indian male looking for suitable job in the field of software or information technology having good knowledge in Java, ASP. Net, MS Sql, MS Word.

Contact: 91986919 Email: dileep2468.a@gmail.com Indian male 25 yrs exp in Administration, Telecom, Optical Fiber Communication, Networking, MS Office.

Seeks any job. On visit visa.

Contact 91385373 / sridharbsnlma1455@gmail.com Network system Engineer B.E / ECE + CCNA & Ms certified with 4+ yrs exp looking for a job. Currently in Oman on visit visa. Contact: 92589502 Email: careersjegan

MISCELLANEOUS Indian Female with over 9 yrs experience with good communication skills seeks jobs in customer service or sales field. Contact : 96108289, shijipaul84@gmail.com Part- Time Accountant, well experience senior accountant ,doing all type of accounting works, Finalization, Budgeting available.

Contact: :98803439 13 Years UAE experienced in MNC & reputed firms logistics distribution looking for a suitable placement, on visit visa contact 99838743, gani.dawood@gmail.com Male Indian BBM Graduate 8 years experience in logistics and ware housing in a reputed company valid driving license NOC available looking for suitable position.

Contact : 96311786 Email: ubinfs@gmail.com

MANAGER/ SUPERVISOR Production Manager 13 years experience in cast Aluminium fab. field and good track record seeking for a suitable job. NOC ready in Hand.

Contact: 96392319 Indian male, with 8 yrs exp. in Oman (BA- Graduate) working as a project Sales Coordinator, with Oman D/L, looking for suitable job, ready to join immediately with NOC. Contact 95245057

SALES / MARKETING Indian male 45+ yrs , 20 yrs exp as sales supervisor in India looking for indoor sales /stores /cashier or any suitable placement can speak Hindi , English, Malayalam, Tamil, kannada can join immediately on visit visa.

Contact 93086105/33016546 Indian 6 years experience as Sales Executive with 2 years visa, driving license seek suitable job.

Contact 92233068

Indian male MBA 7 years experience in Hospitality industry, operation, sales & marketing looking for suitable vacancy. Contact 92115860 Email vibin.py@gmail.com MBA from UK with 9 yrs experience in London, Dubai & Mumbai.

Specialized GCC experience in top real estate co & bank with driving license. NOC available.

Contact 968 95168205, dubaihomes1@gmail.com Looking for Sales Assistant job (having Oman driving license).

Contact : 95872634 Indian male MBA Graduate 10 years experience in Sales and Marketing (Tyre Industry and Electrical Industry) looking for a suitable position. Contact: 96065164 Email: pradeesh123in@yahoo.co.in Indian male 31 visionary business strategist having over 8+ years of global experience seeking a challenging position that utilizes my years of experience currently on visit. Contact: 91902154 Indian male. 27, Post Graduate, 5+ yrs exp in Oman in Sales & Credit Control, with valid Oman driving License, NOC available, looking for suitable placements. Ph: 9199 3376 Indian Male, B.Com Graduate, 23, with experience in Sales looking for suitable placements. .

Contact 98371144 Indian male Graduate with 18 years experience in Sales and Marketing currently on visit visa seeks suitable placement. Contact : 91996486 / 99732070

TOURS & TRAVELS 25 Indian female B.S.C. Fashion Technology. 5 years experience in textile industry as a merchandiser and good in fashion marketing.

Currently available on visit visa, seeking for a suitable job.

Contact 96990368.

Email: simmy.missy@gmail.com

MISCELLANEOUS Tanzanian male, 25 yrs Accountant successful experience in Tanzania looking for suitable placement in any field. Contact : 96710154 Content Executive, freshers with good communication skills and willingness to learn may apply on job@socioholics.com Business development Manager/ Executive. Preferably minimum of 2 years experience. Valid driving licence can apply on job@socioholics.com ACCA Affiliate, 2.5years experience in Audit/Finance in Global Big6 Firms and Oil company in Oman, Looking for suitable permanent placement. Release NOC Available.

Contact: #95140445, a.saran891@gmail.com Electrical Engineer, 29, Indian Male, having 7+ years exp. in reputed companies. Seeking suitable placement in any Oman. Contact - 97693456.

Mail ID : venkatbadri23@gmail.com

Pakistani male 34 yrs Intermediate 2 yrs exp in sales & marketing in Oman. Looking for suitable job.

Contact - 92146864

BE. Biomedical Engineer, 5 years experience in the same field (Hospital/company)looking for suitable placement. Contact:92084807 Email:bonnygeorge1005@gmail.com

6 years experienced male holding Masters Degree with experience in customer relationship, real estate, Sales and IT. Contact: 98823248 Email: sajjadhussain@yahoo.com

ELECTRICAL ENGINEER – Indian male seeking Electrical Engineer job with 2 years’ experience.

Contact: 94263445, E mail – janardhanan53@gmail.com

Market research / Hospitality Indian male Graduate with nearly 30 yrs experience in Market research & hospitality industry. NOC available.

Contact: 99347089

32 years, Filipina with experience in Teleperformance, Manila call centre, now working as Waitress in Qatar seeking suitable post.

Contact 99022484

MISCELLANEOUS MOH Indian Dentist 10 years experience in Oman. Can speak Arabic, has driving license. Contact 98995321 or ventureoman007@gmail.com BRANCH-HEAD, MBA-BBA, Indian Male having experience in UAE, India, Oman total 5 years (including MNC), looking for similar or same openings.NOC available.

Mobile :92700670, E mail:catanalur131@gmail.com Qualified Native speaking male English Teacher with 18 years experience seeks position. Salary Negotiable. Whatsapp on +968 9334 1047 / +968 93952732 or e-mail me on nadgov@gmail.com Indian female, IATA, B. Sc, looking for suitable placement.Contact-95514305, E mail idraveendranmala@gmail.com ACCOUNTANT, Indian male, 29 years, 8 years experience. Presently working in Oman as a Senior Accountant with Oman Driving license.

NOC available seek suitable opportunity. GSM: 98184170 12 yrs exp FREELANCE 2d, 3d Draughtsman (holding Omani driving license). Contact : 93790601 Sudanese male, 31 year, have 3 year Diploma in Electrical Engineer, 6 years experience in construction and electrical plant.

Mobile No ; +96894549609 Freelance Graphic Designer available to assist in Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign and Corel Draw Projects.

Contact : 95811820 Indian Female Lawyer 36 Yrs having 11 yrs experience presently working in Oman as Legal Advisor seeks placement in Legal/HR/Admin NOC available Contact-94436960 Email: famidakhan123@gmail.com 23, Male, ACCA Affiliate, 2 years+ experience in Audit and Finance in audit firm, Looking for suitable permanent placement, NOC release Available. Contact: #95140445 a.saran891@gmail.com MBA - (F), M.Com, B.COM. Indian female having knowledge of accounts with Tally looking for part time or full time job. Presently on family visa. Contact :- 91892264.

Email:- yashicapandya@gmail.com Indian Female 10 years exp as cook in Oman. South Indian & Gujarati special looking for part-time job Contact 96733187.

Indian male-28 Years, Diploma in Electrical Egg, having gulf experience. Specialization on Electrical Installation and Maintenance, Operation. 7 years experience seeks for suitable placement.

Mob – 968-95334580. E-mail -sunilkumar257.sk23@gmail.com Indian male auto cad draughtsman (civil) 8 years experience seeking for part time job Mobile no: 00968 99070584, E mail: remluvp@gmail.com Seeking Teaching Position. Qualified and experienced Native English speaking teacher seeking position in Muscat, I have a Teaching Diploma , two Honours Degrees and a CELTA Certificate. Position at Language school will be suitable. Will e-mail CV. Whatsapp only +96893952732

Available for part time accounting job, contact 99196621 MBA (F), B.COM. Indian female having knowledge of accounts with Tally looking for full or part time job. presently on family visit visa.

Contact :- 96259171.

Email:- bhumicapandya@gmail.com SENIOR ACCOUNTANT, Indian male,29 years.8 years experience .Presently working in Oman as a Senior Accountant with oman Driving license. NOC available, seek suitable opportunity. GSM: 97705854 Sudanese male (B.Sc Computer Science) (Diploma Computer Engineering) 6 yrs. experience DBA Oracle PLSQL , MS SQL-server, MS visual studio VBA, network. Contact :91415886 BSc Graduate, INDIAN male , seeking suitable jobs.

GSM: +91-8589820233.

MAIL ID: prajinap45@gmail.com Syrian male 3yrs. exp in IT support, Networking, Security systems, Server support, IT sales and marketing.

Valid Omani D/L seeking suitable placement. Contact 91033395 Indian Male, 38 years old, DME – Mechanical Maintenance Technician 11 years Oman experience. Ready for NOC , VISA transfer, ready to join immediately, Mob +968 95612870, seeniselvan@gmail.com Indian Male, 34 years old, DEE – Electrical Supervisor 10 years Oman experience. Ready for NOC , VISA transfer and valid Oman driving licence light, ready to join immediately, Mob +91 9740679094, kulasekar1980@gmail.com 24 years, Indian Chartered Accountant male with 3 yrs of experience is seeking suitable placement in Muscat, currently on visit visa & ready to join immediately. Kindly contact him on 98201476 or email at lokeshkaluri@gmail.com Young Indian Chartered Accountant, female, Having 6 years experience in Oman and India. Accounts and Finance Manager, Auditor. Urgently seeking suitable positions.# 92530131, jobcareer44@gmail.com Tunisian women looking for a job, khnows english,frensh, italian and arabic. Contact: 91171838 Indian male 25 years B.tech computers (Having 3 years of experience in customer service/Admin/IT Support) looking for suitable position.

Visa Transfer/NOC Available immediate to join. Contact: 98402389, Mail: naresh6672@gmail.com Manager, Young Indian Male, MBA, BBA. Having excellent managerial experience (around 5 years) in leading Multi-National-Company.

Looking for suitable positions.

Contact: 92700670, fardhaan@gmail.com Indian Female MA. B.Ed. with One year three months Teaching experience. Subject: EnglishSeeking for a Better placement.

Now working in Oman.

Contact 93961142, 92184408, Email:-anoopkesavan78@gmail.com ACCOUNTANT: Indian male 25 having 4years experience in accounting & having well knowledge in tally.

Contact:968094535881, 0091 9037622048 Email: vishnuraj889@gmail.com

D6

W E D N E S DAY, J U LY 8 , 2 0 1 5

DAILY GUIDE

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

SITUATION WANTED Omani Mechanical Engineer, has 3 years experience ,has HSE, H2S, Riggers/Banks men Permit, Drawing / cad, SCBA, Safety Leadership and Initial Fire Response Courses. good with computer and English language looking for suitable job.

Contact 99224319-98454500 Indian male 22 Mechanical Diploma holder Engg with HVAC certified, having 1 year exp. seeking suitable position. Currently available on visit visa. Contact - 92835952 Indian male Diploma, Civil engineer 4.3 year experience at building construction and consulting company with Oman driving licence and N.O.C available seeking suitable placement Contact 95989500 email cv.shihabedappal@gmail.com Sudanese/ 26 years/ master of clinical pharmacy(1st class)/ 1 year experience/live in India/excellent communication in English(IELTS Certificate) and arabic/pharmacist license/hassan_kassala@hotmail. com 00919600413966-96387227 24 Years, indian male 2.5 Years experience in admin & accounts, dubai.

Currently on visit visa. Seeking suitable placement in admin & accounts.

M: 93016252 EMAIL: shahabaskp@gmail.com Indian male, MBA with 20 years of experience in back office operation, risk and operational management, financial management for Finance and Trading companies. Presently available on visit visa. #91276221 CCNA MCITP network support /network technician with 2 years experience indian male having bachelors degree on visit visa. #93080871 sean.f.peters@outlook.com Video Editor 29 years Indian male with 8 years experience on visit visa looking for a suitable placement #91275969 leomoorkoth@gmail.com Omani male , BBA ,with 6 year experience in HR &Admin looking for opportunity in HR & Admin in Muscat. Joint date after one month notice period . Mobile 92223279 Having 9+ years exp. in Admin, Purchase, Stores & Warehouse in reputed companies. Presently working in Muscat and seeking for suitable placement. Contact +968 97693456. email : muralimahdav77@gmail.com Sudanese male, 31 year old, have 3 year Diploma in electrical engineer, 5 year experience in different activities. Contact; +96894549609 More than Ten years of experience in Sales & Marketing, Advertisement and Credit Control and Logistics& Administration.

Contact; 91076608 / 99322748 ACCA Affiliate, Experience in audit/ finance of 2.5 years in Big 6 Firm and Oil industry, looking for suitable permanent placement, Release NOC available. Contact: #95140445 a.saran891@gmail.com B.Tech Computer Engineer Wanted job to work on(IT/Banking/Administrator/Technical/Office works) having NOC with the limited time from (04/06/2015 to 13/06/2015).

Mobile:98402389 email:naresh6672@gmail.com British Beauty Therapist looking for suitable position. please contact :97175240 Highly Qualified & Experienced Finance Manager Pakistani with USA , UK & Canadian Degrees , CPA ,ACCA-UK . MBA-USA ,IFA- Financial Consultants Canada , Corporate Analyst USA Professional of Banking , Audits ,ERPs & Profit Maximizations ( NOC available ) call 94 504505 – 94403270

Filipino Male looking for a job & have experience in sales, waiter, barista, technical support / customer service with good communication skills. # 91789465 PART TIME ACCOUNTANT, Indian male, M. Com, 35 years, 12 Years exp. in Accounts, 8 years in Oman.

Knowledge upto finalization. Having valid D/L, seeks suitable Placement.

GSM: 96249124 Egyptian Civil Engineer, total experience 7 years - 2 years experience in Oman. I am looking for Project Engineer, I have good experience in site & office works.

Contact number:91148708 Indian Male 24 years, Looking for a Suitable Job in Telecom / Networking. 1 year sales experience. MSc. Communications Engineering & Valid Driving license. Ph: 91280121.

Email: jackrprasad@yahoo.com.

ACCOUNTING – Indian male seeking accounting job with 2 years experience in accounting.

Contact: 94263445, E mail – contactantonyxavieranand@gmail. com Sudanese male: 27 yrs, 2 years experience in accounting, other experience (purchasing – HR - Coordinating and Office Management), looking for a job Omani Driving License, NOC. Contact: 94174403 24 year Indian Chartered Accountant male with 3yrs of experience is seeking suitable placement in Muscat, currently on visit visa & ready to join immediately. Contact him on 98201476 or email at lokeshkaluri@gmail.com Sudanese male (B.Sc, computer science) (diploma computer engineering), 6 yrs. experience DBA oracle PL-SQL, MS SQL - Server, MS visual studio vba, network. # 91415886 Syrian male 3yrs. exp in IT support, Networking, Security systems, Server support, IT sales and marketing.

Valid Omani D/L seeking suitable placement. Contact 91055584 Over 15 years experience in Gulf.

Interior Architect, Lebanese Nationality, on visit visa seeking a suitable Placement. 96268005.

PRODUCTION OPERATOR – Indian male seeking production operator or related jobs with 4 years of experience in oil & gas field. #94263445.

Email: tonyxavier4u@gmail.com Indian Keralite Male 35 looking for Scaffolding supervisor post having 5 years of Supervisor and HSE experience in GCC Qatar and Saudi Arabia.

Fluent in English Arabic and Hindi .

Contact 96155921, or mail fysal.nellaya@gmail.com Indian Male 28 yrs, having 7 years Gulf + Indian experience in HR and Admin field, looking for suitable placement. Contact: 97914340, Email: rajkv3086@gmail.com Indian Male 28 years MSM, B. Com having 6years experience in Gulf and India as a HR and Admin looking for suitable placement.# :97914340.

Email: rajkv30@gmail.com B.Sc. Mechanical Engineer Sudanese 3 yrs of exp. In industrial field available in muscat on vist visa seeking suitable job .

Contact: 95868922, Email: almouthanaosman@yahoo.com IT system and Printer engineer ME, 5Years bank IT Management exp in India looking for full time job visit visa contact 94462150 Indian male with 8 yrs experience in FMCG in Oman as Sales Supervisor looking for suitable placement.

NOC available. Gsm: 96495206

24 year Indian Chartered Accountant male with 3yrs of experience is seeking suitable placement in Muscat, currently on visit visa & ready to join immediately. Contact him on 98201476 or email at lokeshkaluri@gmail.com MCA IT Professional Indian Female seek placement in Teaching/ Non Teaching field. Presently on visit visa. 9588 7051, ashwininakod@gmail.com ACCA Affiliate, Indian, 2.5Years experience in Audit/ Finance in Big 6 Audit Firm and Oil Accounting in PDO, For Permanent Placement for Finance or Accounts or Audit. Release NOC Available on hand.

Contact #95140445, a.saran891@gmail.com Finance ACCA Affiliate, Worked as an Auditor with 2.5 Years Experience in reputed firm, Handled independent audit/finance assignments, Looking for permanent placement, NOC available. #95140445. a.saran891@gmail.com Piping Design Engineer, Indian male 27, looking for suitable placement in Piping Design & Engineering. Having 7 years of experience in AutoCAD. Also familiar with PDMS (11.6 Version),CAESAR ll. Contact : 97351786 / 96143708, E-mail : mohammednazeer07@gmail.com Sudanese male (B.Sc Computer science) (diploma computer engineering) 6 yrs. experience DBA Oracle plsql, MS sql-server ,ms visual studio vba, network. Contact :91415886 Indian Male, Graduate, 11 years Sales experience in Lighting / Industrial products, ready to join immediately. GSM: 9710 5356 Indian heavy duty driver with 8 years experience in oman available with NOC. GSM : 93601943 GSM : 94496457 Indian male, 28 yrs MBA (HR/M) 2 years experience in Indian Oman in HR & admin seeks suitable placements. NOC available.

Contact 97484159 Email: rameshkapa86@gmail.com M.Sc 3+ years exp from France & India in IT Support Engineer / Hardware & Networking / Server support / scientific system support looking for suitable positions. Indian, male on visit visa, contact 98898781/ anoopys@gmail.com Looking for managerial post (full time ), More than Ten years of experience in Team Development ,Training, planning, Administration, Sales & Marketing, Advertisement and Credit Control and Logistics. Contact 91076608 / 99322748. Release & noc available Indian male, 34years having 10 years of experience in Sales, Sales Coordination and Administration.

Experienced in SAP and MS Office. NOC available.

Contact # 94686594 Indian Male MBA Marketing/HRM 3 year experience with Omani D/L, seeking suitable jobs.

Contact: 97424188 email: dharwesh@gmail.com Indian, Male, 23 years, BE Electrical, having 2 years experience in Electrical Works-H.T. cabling etc, & Construction, looking for a suitable placement. # +968 96927880 (Oman), +91 9765376109 (India), Email: rahulrevi6@gmail.com Indian Female M.Com with Computer Skills and Four Month Experience as Accountant ,Currently On Family Visa Looking for a Suitable Placement, Available Immediately.

Contact : 95846642, Email : dhanyashree91@yahoo.com

SITUATION WANTED 27 year Indian female who has 4 years of experience with logistics function in distribution of spares for both heavy machinery & wind turbine parts. Kindly contact me on +91 9790769104 E-mail: joemohana@yahoo.co.in Indian male Executive Secretary having vast experience in admin, logistics & procurement well versed with computer .seek suitable placement. Contact : 99514286 Indian male MBA (U.K), 10 Years of experience in Admin, Sales, HR, stores and logistics seeks suitable placement. Contact 99271903.

Indian Female MCA, 4 plus Years of experience in Web designing, Admin, P.A, seeks suitable placement.

Contact 99486374 8 Years successful experience, SENIOR ACCOUNTANT, Indian male,29 years. Presently working in Oman as a Senior Accountant with oman Driving license seeks suitable opportunity. GSM: 97705854 7 and half years experience working accounts / inventory manager looking suitable job. Contact: 96991782 Email: srinivasu.sp@gmail.com Indian female , MCA BCA, certification PL SQL , 6months training PHP, date warehouse looking for suitable placement. #95694330 Email: mondkashyapodl@gmail.com B.Com with more than 5 yrs exp. looking for an accounts part tome job work. know with tally.

Email-shilpa_62@yahoo.com Part- time accountant, well experience senior accountant , doing all type of accounting works, finalization, budgeting available.

Contact : 98803439

HSE Advisor, NEBOSH IGC, Indian male, 4 years experience in construction and oil fields, seeking suitable jobs. Gsm: 97458900, Mail: miroshbabu@gmail.com

Indian Male, 29 years, CCNP, MCITP having Bachelor degree and 6 years of experience in Networking looking for job. 96760618 / varghese.manthara@gmail.com

Highly Experienced Finance Manager, CPA ,ACCA-UK . MBA-USA , Professional of Banking, Audits , ERPs Sap , Management as Team Leader and Problem Solver call 94 504505 / 94403270

Female Executive Assistant/Executive Secretary with 27+ experience, worked with top management/Board in financial services with shorthand skills & Omani driving license, seeks suitable placement. call 95941515

Indian male MBA Finance presently OMAN IN visit visa, 26 years, looking for an accountant job. # 95240641, email Id mohammadabdulazharuddin@gmail.com Admin Executive, 31, Indian Male, having 9+ years exp. in reputed companies. Seeking suitable placement in any gulf region. Contact +968 99276601 & 97693456. email : muralimahdav77@gmail.com MEP Quantity Surveyor-EstimationProject, 10 Years Experience (3 years in Oman). Having NOC & Oman D/L, looking for suitable job, Contact - 98291626 Indian house maid looking full time job. Contact : 98254909 B.E. Civil Engineer age 27, total 3 years of experience in Mumbai looking for placement asap in oman now on visit visa of 1 month ph 9571 3441 Email. Khatrialeem@gmail.com Indian Male, 29 years, CCNP, MCITP having Bachelor degree and 6 years of experience in Networking looking for job. 96760618 / varghese.manthara@gmail.com Sudanese male, 31 year old, have 3 year Diploma in electrical engineer, 5 years experience in different activities . Mobile No ; +96894549609

Indian male, looking for a part time accounting job. Having additional knowledge & experience in HR admin & purchase.

Contact 99196621

ACCA affiliate, with 2.5 years experience in Big6 audit firm and Oil industry, looking for permanent placement in Accounts/Audit.

Release available Contact :95140445 a.saran891@gmail.com

Indian Female, 24yrs, M.COM (Accounts) having 3yrs experience in Accounts, HR, Administration, Customer Service. Good Computer Proficiency. Seeking Suitable Position. Visa Transfer/NOC Available.

Contact: 99654913

Indian Female, Commerce Graduate, Total 9 yrs of experience in India. worked as Accounts Assistant and Business executive seeking for suitable placement.

Tel : 96173533/24222457 Email : topranidivya@gmail.com

B.E. Civil Engineer from India with 3 years of experience looking for suitable vacancy in oman now on visit visa. Contact 9571 3441, Email . Khatrialeem@gmail.com Indian male 21 IT Eng. networking & computer hardware diploma, 1 year experience, currently on visit visa looking for a suitable job.# 96036273 email: faizanfarooqui23@gmail.com 8 yrs exp Site supervisor cum 2d, 3d Draughtsman (holding Omani driving license) seeking job.

Contact : 93790601 Indian, 32 years, completed M.A. English, M.Sc. Psychology and B.Ed in English. Searching for suitable job in the field of teaching. To Contact: 00968 99869535 Email: sahadkeyi33@gmail.com Indian Male 24 years, Looking for a Suitable Job in Telecom / Networking. 1 year sales experience. MSc. Communications Engineering & Valid Driving license. Ph: 91280121.

Email: jackrprasad@yahoo.com 26 years Indian male with MBA & PGDFM, Total 3.8 years experience in Administration, seeking suitable placement in any gulf region.

Holding Oman valid driving license.

Contact :94501423 24 year Indian Chartered Accountant male with 3yrs of experience is seeking suitable placement in Muscat, currently on visit visa & ready to join immediately. Contact him on 98201476 or email at lokeshkaluri@gmail.com Finance ACCA Affiliate, 2.5 years experience in audit/finance and oil company in reputed firms. Looking for suitable permanent placement. Release available. Contact 95140445, a.saran891@gmail.com

W E D N E S DAY, J U LY 8 , 2 0 1 5

D7

DAILY GUIDE SITUATION WANTED CARGO

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

TOURS

RENT A CAR

RENT A CAR

Butter cup rent a car presents fantastic offers all vehicles are model 2016.

Contact : 97249449

RENT A CAR

GOOD NEWS

DRIVING

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

SITUATION WANTMANPOWER

FREE INFORMATION ABOUT ISLAM. If you would like to know more about Islam, please call: 99425598, 96050000, 99353988, 99253818, 99341395, and 99379133.

For ladies: 99415818, 99321360, 99730723 Orvisit: www.islamfact.com Ayurvedic treatment for backache, paralysis, arthritis etc & massage, All Season (Vaidyaratnam).

Contact 24475280 / 95371554 / 92504980 www.siddhayur.com

Learn driving with professional only automatic. Contact 94022250

TRANSPORTATION Transportation. Contact: 96538078 Transportation. Contact: 98522914 Transportation. Contact 99508282

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

Transportation. Contact: 98244078 Pick & Drop any time. Contact: 97014786

D8

W E D N E S DAY, J U LY 8 , 2 0 1 5

DAILY GUIDE

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

SITUATION WANTED SERVICES

ACCOUNTANTS AND CONSULTANTS

WE ARE PROVIDING ACCOUNTING/ AUDITING TAX/ CONSULTING CONTACT: 24 567 251 / 95 498 033

COMPUTER

WEBSITE

SIT.WANTED B.E Biomedical Engineer, having 5 years of experience in Diagnostics division seeking suitable position.

94151658 Indian Male 34 years Mechanical Engineer 3 years of Experience seeking suitable placement immediately Contact: 91991435, 93310821 Indian female with MBA (Finance) on visit visa, seeks immediate placement. Phone: 968-98430089 Indian female B.ED & BCA looking for a suitable placement in school or admin office, having 5 yrs exp in same field. Contact – 97384206 / rani_sweet786@live.com CCNP Network Professional with 6 years experience having Bachelors degree on visit visa looking for suitable job. Contact: 96 76 06 18 Indian male, 28 years, 7 years experience in transporting & heavy equipment renting company. Having Omani driving license seeks suitable positions. Contact 94410485 Indian male, Engineer, BE Mechanical, having with 21 years of experience in India and 13 years in Oman, In production, project management, quality control and assurance and MR for ISO and API Standards looking out for a suitable placement in Oman. GSM: 00968 97311616.

E-MAIL: fahazasa@yahoo.com Indian male, post graduate, currently in Oman on visit visa. Seeks suitable placement.Contact 92388346

Electronics and instrumentation Engineer 28 year Indian male, electrical, electronic, industrial, building & automation exp of 4+ yrs in India.

Contact - 93154156 CCNP Network Professional with 6 years experience having Bachelors degree on visit visa looking for suitable job. #96760618 email: varghese.manthara@gmail.com

A/C Maintenance & servicing, fridge, washing machine & dish washer repairing, painting & cleaning services, electrical & plumbing. Contact: 99447257 / 97014234 / 24504281

Civil Engineer, Diploma, Male 25, 3 years experience in site, CAD, 3d, MS Project, Seeking job in Oman.

Contact 92875345, jubincivileng@gmail.com Indian male, total experience is 5 years in Retail industry. Currently supervisor in Sun and sand sports Muscat City centre.

Contact : 96994345.

Email : jsp.jsr85@gmail.com

Pest control Treatments, termites, cockroaches, bedbugs Ocean Center LLC. Contact: 99344723 House shifting & transporting.

Contact 92490422

WEB, ERP and Business Intelligence (BI) creation and management at rock bottom price.

Contact: http//webviewoman

CLASSES

MARBLE CRYSTALLIZATION restore the original shine of your marble. Contact 24793614/ 99314807 House shifting. Contact 99708138

CLASSES

Carpet, curtain, sofa, floor, cleaning, shampooing, marble & mosaic tiles grinding, polishing and painting. Contact : 93630133 / 95821193 House shifting packing.

99657644 / 98518013

Admission Open: CAMBRIDGE / BILINGUAL CURRICULUM admission started in Al Burj Private School, Azaiba for KG and Grade I to IV. Please register soonest.

Contact: 93211417 / 92887809.

Learn Cup cakes, exotic cakes, Icing decorations, handicrafts.

Contact 95941515

Carpet Shampoo, marble & tile polishing, pest control & anti-termite treatment, general cleaning painting, Plumbing, Electrical, shifting. Contact Mundhir Al-Rizaiqi trading. L.L.C. # 24810137, 99450130

Split & widow unit A.C servicing & repairing. Contact: 99557080

BUSINESS

Split & window unit A.C servicing & maintenance.

Contact: 96236476 Window & split unit A.C servicing & maintenance. Contact : 93769089 / 95323517 Split & window A.C servicing & maintenance. Contact 93769089/95323517 Air condition maintenance split and window services AC specialist ducted and package type unites.

Contact: 98667326 GUARANTEED CLEANING: Carpet & sofa shampooing, Contact 99314807/24792998 Water proofing ABUQABASContact 99320217/24788722 Marble Restoration, Mosaic tiles polishing, carpet shampooing, maintenance.Contact ABU QABAS99320217 /24788722 Carpet, Sofa Shampooing. Ocean Center LLC. Contact: 99884591 AC servicing maintenance fixing.

Contact: 99540621

General Investors. Gsm-99674870

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