Times of Oman - May 11, 2015 by Muscat Media Group

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MONDAY, May 11, 2015 / 22 Rajab 1436 AH

M AY 1 3 A N D 1 4

Sayyid Fahd to lead Oman’s delegation to US-GCC meet MUSCAT: On behalf of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said, His Highness Sayyid Fahd bin Mahmoud Al Said, Deputy Prime Minister for the Council of Ministers, will lead the Sultanate’s delegation to the US-GCC Summit in Washington, scheduled for May 13 and 14. The leaders will discuss latest developments in the regional and international arenas as well as efforts made to maintain peace and stability. Sayyid Fahd will be accompanied by a delegation comprising Yousuf bin Alawi bin Abdullah, Minister Responsible for Foreign Affairs, Dr Ali bin Masoud Al Sunaidi, Minister of Commerce and Industry, Dr Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Futaisi, Minister of Transport and Communications and Hunaina bint Sultan Al Mughairiyah, ambassador to the US. -ONA

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Will VAT be added to goods in Oman? tion Committee, Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) reported. The agreement will be put into effect once the document of the endorsement is deposited at the GCC Secretariat. Darwish bin Ismail Al Balushi, Minister Responsible for Financial Affairs, represented Oman at the 100th meeting of the GCC Financial and Economic Cooperation Committee. The agreement will be put into effect once the document of the endorsement is deposited at the GCC Secretariat. Commenting on the issue of VAT, Ahmed Al Hooti, a member of the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI), said introducing VAT is a way to generate additional revenues now that the Gulf countries are facing challenges due to lower global oil prices. >A6

100th

Value-added tax levy will shore up

meeting of the GCC Financial and Economic Cooperation Committee announced the adoption of draft pact on VAT

revenues, check inﬂation and generate additional income, say experts

ELHAM POURMOHAMMADI

elham@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: Value-added tax (VAT), also known as sales tax, has taken a step towards reality in the Gulf, and potentially Oman, after the Gulf Coopera-

tion Council officials met at the weekend. While introducing the new tax would create an additional source of income for Oman and support the economy, effective measures should be taken to keep the resultant inﬂation in check, say economic experts. According to the VAT draft agreement recently adopted by

GCC officials, Oman, as well as other member states, should issue a local law to introduce VAT, provided that common principles of the agreement are included. The adoption of the draft agreement was announced by Kuwaiti Minister of Finance Anas Al Saleh, on the sidelines of the 100th meeting of the GCC Financial and Economic Coopera-

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BLESSED ANNIVERSARY

Al Isra’a Wal Miraj holiday on May 17 MUSCAT: Sayyid Khalid bin Hilal bin Saud Al Busaidi, Minister of the Diwan of Royal Court, Chairman of the Civil Service Council, yesterday issued a decision declaring Sunday, Rajab 28, 1436 AH corresponding to May 17, as an official holiday for employees at ministries, public authorities and other departments of the State’s Administrative Apparatus, on the occasion of the blessed anniversary of Al Isra’a Wal Miraj. The decision reads as follows: “On the occasion of the blessed anniversary of Al Isra’a Wal Miraj, it has been decided that Sunday, Rajab 28, 1436 AH corresponding to May 17, 2015 will be an official holiday for employees at ministries, public authorities and other departments of the State’s Administrative Apparatus.” >A6

M E T E O R O L O G I C A L D E PA R T M E N T

Rain forecast in Musandam, Buraimi Staff Reporter

Oman announces OMR200m debut sovereign sukuk issue TOP THREE INSIDE STORIES

OMAN

REGION

Sohar water plant

Visa ban on expats

Houthis accept truce

Yemen’s dominant Houthi group accepted a ﬁve-day humanitarian ceaseﬁre proposed by Saudi Arabia. >A7

PAEW has reported good progress in restarting the water desalination plant in Sohar. >A2

The decision not to issue visas to non-Omani sales and marketing personnel has been extended. >A5

MUSCAT: Rain is expected in Musandam and Buraimi governorates in the next 48 hours while Saiq in the Ad Dakhiliyah region will be hit by storm, the meteorological department has said in its latest advisory. “Rain can be expected in the coastal areas of Sea of Oman,” the forecast said. The Met office further stated, “There is a possibility of cloud formation over Al Hajar

Mountains and adjoining areas in the afternoon, with chances of isolated rain and occasional thundershowers associated with fresh downdraft wind and hail.” Rough sea “The sea will be moderate to rough along the coastal area of Arabian Sea with maximum wave height of 2.5 metres and along the rest of the coasts it will be 1 metre,” the forecast added. Meanwhile, the meteorologi-

cal department in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has also predicted rain. The UAE’s forecast stated that clouds will increase gradually with a chance of slight rain especially over the coastal, western and islands areas. Last week, rain and thundershowers had lashed Samail and Rustaq regions of the Sultanate of Oman, giving much-needed relief to residents and citizens from the searing heat.

M O N DAY, MAY 11, 2015

OMAN MIJEX

Muscat jewellery expo to be held from May 26 MUSCAT: Latest designs of famous international brands will be showcased as Oman International Exhibition Centre hosts the sixth edition of Muscat International Jewellery Exhibition (MIJEX), from May 26. Small enterprises The ďŹ ve-day exhibition this year will host 75 companies specialised in gold and jewellery from within and outside the Sultanate, in addition to the participation of representatives of gold and jewellery agents. The centre will allocate space

The five-day exhibition this year will host 75 companies specialised in gold and jewellery

to the small and medium enterprises (SMEs) as a kind of support as the last year. The exhibition managed to attract many local and international companies and traders, businessmen and specialists, jewellers, designers and professionals from region.

The exhibition is expected to attract thousands of visitors interested in ornaments and jewellery of all kinds to view and buy the latest models of the most luxurious jewellery, made of gold, diamonds, pearls and other precious stones. -ONA PA E W S TAT E M E N T

Desalination plant back in operation Times News Service MUSCAT: There has been good progress in restarting the water desalination plant in Sohar, the Public Authority for Electricity and Water (PAEW) has reported. The PAEW said in its third statement on the issue that the company which owns the plant has begun producing water and pumping it to the main tanks. The statement also pointed out that water is being pumped at a rate of about 3,000 cubic metres per hour, equivalent to about half the production capacity of the plant. The company is working on restarting pumping water to Liwa, Saham and Shinas. It will then pump water to Suwaiq and Sohar. The PAEW has called on citizens and residents to rationalise water usage and help tide over this stage, urging them. It also said information on areas affected by water shortage can be had by calling number 1442.

M O N DAY, MAY 11, 2015

OMAN

Oman Air eyes service to Shanghai this year

is going to be the number of aircraft in Oman Air’s ﬂeet size is expected by 2018. It is expected to rise to 70 aircraft by 2020

MINISTERY OF TOURISM

Tourism workshop discusses strategy execution tools TARIQ AL HAREMI

Oman Air honours travel agents at 2014 awards event

We have added three destinations so far this year and

Times News Service

are planning to add another three, said Oman Air’s General Manager Marketing, Mohammed Mubarak Al Shikely

RAHUL DAS

Oman Air stall at the Arabian Travel Market in Dubai.

rahuldas@timesofoman.com DUBAI: National carrier Oman Air is looking to launch direct flights to Shanghai in China, Najaf International Airport in Iraq and Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Bangladesh this year, according to a senior official of Oman Air. Speaking exclusively to the Times of Oman, Mohammed Mubarak Al Shikely, general manager marketing, Oman Air, said that the final approval is yet to come from China. “We are putting in place all the requirements so that we start flying to China in 2015,” he added, speaking on the sidelines of Arabian Travel Market in Dubai. The dates for flights to these destinations have not been finalised and Oman Air will announce the dates once everything is ready on the ground. “We have added three destinations so far this year and are planning to add another three,” he said. In 2015, Oman Air has launched direct flights to Singapore, Manila and Goa in India. He said they will be welcoming a brand new 787 Dreamliner by the end of the year.

As of April 2015, Oman Air’s fleet consisted of six Airbus A330-300s, four Airbus A330-200s, two Boeing B737-900s, 20 Boeing B737-800s, one Boeing B737-700, four Embraer E175s and two ATR 42s. Six Boeing 787 Dreamliners are on order for delivery from 2015. By 2018, Oman Air’s total fleet size is expected to be around 50 aircraft, rising to 70 aircraft by 2020. Regarding plans for 2016, he said it was a little early for him to talk about this. “However, there is a list of destinations which are being studied for 2016 as the expansion of the airline is in full swing,” he said. He, however, added that they are looking at Korea but no final decision has been taken. Regarding flights to India, he said Oman Air would like to operate more flights to that country. “We are continuously pushing India so that we can add more flights,” he said. “Oman Air can fly to more Indian destinations besides increasing capacities on the existing destinations,” he said.

MUSCAT: At a glittering ceremony held recently at the Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah Resort and Spa, Muscat, Oman Air praised the vital work of its travel agents. Chief Executive Officer Paul Gregorowitsch and Chief Operations Officer Abdulrahaman Al Busaidy hosted the event on behalf of the national carrier of the Sultanate of Oman. “Travel agents in the Sultanate play a vital role in promoting both Oman Air and the Sultanate of Oman to visitors around the world. Furthermore, they offer invaluable support for Oman Air by encouraging Omani air travellers to book with their national airline. “It is, therefore, a pleasure and an honour to recognise their contribution to the increasing success of our company and the nation we represent. “I would like to congratulate all the worthy winners in the Oman Travel Agents Awards 2014. I would also like to thank all those travel agents who may not have won awards, but whose commitment to Oman has played a part in growing the country’s travel and tourism sector.” Al Busaidy added, “The Sultanate’s travel agents and GSAs are pivotal to Oman Air’s success. Thanks

to their hard work and commitment, Oman Air continues to sell more tickets, carry more passengers and welcome more people to Oman than ever before. Furthermore, they help to raise awareness about our award-winning products and services, and of our expanding network of exciting destinations. “The Oman Travel Agents Awards 2014, therefore, offer a wonderful opportunity for Oman Air to both acknowledge individual contributions and thank the Omani travel trade as a whole.” Winners from both Muscat and Salalah were recognised at the Oman Travel Agents Awards 2014. From Muscat, they included Travel City, which received the Golden Award, Bahwan Travel Agencies, who received the Silver Award, and Majan International Agencies, who received the Bronze Award. Winning travel agents from Salalah included Bahwan Travel Agencies, who took the Golden Award; Al Manal Travel, who took the Silver Award; and International Travel & Tourism, who received the Bronze Award. In addition, Oman Orient Travel & Tours were presented with the award for the most improved performance throughout 2014.

tariqh@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: Tools needed for strategy execution were discussed at the first training programme organised by the Ministry of Tourism, here on Sunday. The workshop, titled ‘Sustainable Tourism,’ focussed on strategy planning, strategy execution and strategy implementation, and was held at the Ministry of Tourism. It focused on the tools needed by the ministry to execute its strategy. Ahmed bin Nasser Al Mahrizi, Minister of Tourism and Maitha Al Mahrouqi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Tourism, were present at the seminar along with ministry staff and stake holders. “We have been working on it (strategy plan) since June last year and hopefully, by the end of July to early September this year, we are going to have the first framework for the strategy,” said Al Mahrouqi. First of nine workshops The first framework is set to be finalised by the end of July 2015 and presented to the Supreme Council for Planning for final approval. Nine different workshops through the course of this year until September will cover subjects such as marketing and human capital development, each taking three days of training. Ministerial staff, stakeholders and private and public sectors are involved in the training. “It’s important to understand what the strategy is, why we are adopting this strategy and understand the vision and mission involved, because at the end of the day, who is going to execute the strategy? Our own staff,” Al Mahrouqi said, explaining the importance of the workshops.

According to statistics presented by Ghada Abdel-Fattah, consultant and qualified trainer in strategy planning, strategy execution and balanced a score card, and someone who is training the managerial staff during the first three days of the workshop, 7090 per cent of organisations fail in executing their strategy. On the right path When asked what the ministry needs to do to execute and follow their strategy, Ghada added, “The ministry is going on the right path; they are already revisiting the strategy and are implementing a framework to monitor the implementation of their strategy.” “They need to focus on stakeholder engagement, because tourism by nature is a multistake discipline. “They also need to start looking at this project as a change project and prepare their employees to (face) the challenges that will come through robust communication and change management,” she explains. The strategy will be implemented over a 25 year period by 2040. “In tourism, it will take time. “There are things you need to build and products you need to put in place,” said Ghada, explaining why it needs so much time to accomplish a vision which is usually set at five year down the line. Speaking about what Oman could expect in those 25 years, Maitha Al Mahrouqi said, “Good growth, more contribution to the GDP, better creation of sustainable jobs and having sustainable tourism. That is our main focus for pursuing this strategy.” The second training programme will take place at Al-Jabreen Hall, Intercontinental Hotel, from the May 11 to May 13, 2015.

F R O M O M A N S A I L I N I T I AT I V E

Youngsters seek inspiration in Oman’s seafaring past

CATCHING THEM YOUNG: The 15 youngsters, all members of Oman Sail’s Community Programme aged

between eight and 16 years, already possess a taste for the sea, having gained practical sailing experience with fully qualiﬁed sailing instructors at Oman Sail’s schools and training camps. – Supplied photo

Times News Service MUSCAT: Tales of Sinbad the Sailor have captivated children the world over for centuries but it was seafarers from Oman Shipping Company who enthralled their young audience with tales of storm blasts and swooping shearwaters at Oman Sail’s Community Sailing Programme event held yesterday with Oman Shipping Company. The ﬁfteen youngsters, all members of Oman Sail’s Community Programme aged between eight and 16 years, already possess a taste for the sea, having gained practical sailing experience with fully qualiﬁed sailing instructors at Oman Sail’s schools and training camps. Officers and ratings from Oman Shipping Company, who co-sponsor Oman Sail’s progressive youth programme, talked of their adventures and long voyages to exotic places as part of

a mission to enhance Oman’s maritime traditions and promote careers in the maritime industry at home and abroad. Filled with new-found enthusiasm from the ‘Life of a Seafarer’ tales, the children eagerly showed off their boats before taking part in their training session. Opportunity “Oman Sail’s Community Sailing Programme is providing hundreds of children across Oman with an opportunity to discover the sport of sailing. The tales of the sea have given them a new perspective and we look forward to more Omani children pursuing a career as a professional sailor as a result of their experiences,” said Rashid Al Kindi, Oman Sail’s National Sailing Team Manager. Tarik Al Junaidi, Acting CEO of Oman Shipping Company said: “We share Oman Sail’s passion for the sea and strongly believe in the potential of the Omani youth

to beneﬁt the nation long into the future. Our social projects focus on developing talent and preparing young Omanis for success in later life, and our continued support of the Oman Sail Youth Programme underlines our commitment to serving the Omani public. The inspirational stories of the seas are part of Oman’s history, and together we aim to make them a part of Oman’s future as well.” Fascinating “The fascinating seafaring tales from the merchant navy sailors brought their jobs to life and were really inspirational. Oman Shipping Company does a great job in providing maritime transport services around the world and together we aim to prepare young Omani sailors to heighten Oman’s international reputation by either representing the Sultanate in international competition or enhancing Oman’s overseas trade.”

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OMAN

LEGAL COLUMN

Employer can hold certificates of employees for legal purposes, but the same have to be returned to them upon ending of relationship My wife was offered a job in Muscat. She was pressurised to join office by the GM of the company even before her labour clearance procedures were initiated. An offer letter was also signed by her which clearly states that they would get clearance in three weeks time. She used to frequently remind the GM regarding the clearance. They got the clearance after four months during which time they asked us to furnish an educational certificate to process the same. But when they got it finally, unfortunately, my wife had a medical emergency and she had to travel back to her hometown. Presently she is on bed rest and has been advised not to travel. The GM was informed and during a discussion held before she flew back, regarding the return of her educational certificate, he started demanding money which was spent towards labour clearance charges and also some fine amount in order to release it. We are ready to pay the clearance charges though it is not required as visa is still not

That may be one of the reasons for demanding cost of labour clearance from you. This however does not have the sanction of law and therefore illegal

Times of Oman, in association with Khalifa Al Hinai Legal Consultants, will answer the legal queries of readers every Monday. Questions can be sent to readersclub@ timesofoman.com

issued on her name. Now he is threatening her frequently demanding big amount of money as ﬁne and also that a legal case would be lodged against us for not working there. We clearly mentioned to him that she is not able to work only because she is ill and not in a condition to travel anywhere. But he is not ready to accept these genuine reasons. Is there any legal clause on what he is demanding? What should we do to get her certiﬁcates back soon? Please advise us on this problem.

Though the employer is entitled to hold the certiﬁcates of employees for legal purposes, the same shall be returned to them upon ending of relationship between the parties. Your employer might have submitted copies of certiﬁcates to the Ministry of Manpower for obtaining a labour clearance in your wife’s name and since she failed to honour her commitments even though on medical grounds, the employer would have forfeited its rights on the labour clearance issued. That may be one of the reasons for demanding cost of labour clearance from you.

This however does not have the sanction of law and therefore is illegal. If your wife’s employer is still demanding money, you must approach the Ministry of Manpower to get the certiﬁcates released from the employer. I am a working woman on an employment visa and residing in Oman with my husband who also works here on an employment visa. Now I am pregnant and am planning to go to India for delivery. I read in one of your articles that a woman cannot sponsor a child so we

have planned to apply for the baby’s visa from my husband’s company. My query is whether the OMR600 salary rule applies for the new born visa also. While his position is not a problem, his salary does not match the requirement and even my position in the residence card is okay but the salary does not meet the requirement. Everyone has to meet and satisfy the minimum eligibility conditions to apply for family status in Oman. From your query, we infer that you are not on family visa, but on employment visa. It is not

Saraya Bandar Jissah scores with the residents of Qantab

normal for the ROP to allow a mother to sponsor her children under dependant visa. However, there may be exceptions at the discretion of the authorities. In your case, your husband has to satisfy the minimum salary condition of OMR600 - (rials Omani six hundred only) per month to apply for resident visa for any dependent including a new born. However, there could be chances of getting some exemption from this condition if the baby was born in Oman. Why don’t your husband and you plan your delivery in Oman so that the baby would be born in Oman and he/she would be granted a resident visa by default? That appears to be a better option in your case.

Disclaimer: Opinions expressed in this column are for general guidance purposes only. They are based on facts presented to us and are not substituted for expert legal advice. Readers are advised to seek legal assistance for speciﬁc legal issues. Times of Oman and Khalifa Al Hinai Advocates & Legal Consultancy do not assume any responsibility towards anyone on this matter.

MINISTRY OF MANPOWER

Ban on visa for expats in sales jobs extended FAHAD AL GHADANI

Saraya Bandar Jissah, has been closely involved in an array of initiatives aimed at making a meaningful difference to Qantab neighbourhood

MUSCAT: A FIFA-standard football pitch in Qantab is now open for use. Muscat’s most exciting Integrated Tourism Complex (ITC), Saraya Bandar Jissah, has been closely involved in an array of initiatives aimed at making a meaningful difference to the neighbourhood of Qantab as well as the community in Oman, at large.

WORLD CLASS: The 60m X 90m football pitch has synthetic grass installed by Saraya Bandar Jissah and is now ready for players to enjoy. – Supplied photo

The most recent of these efforts is a just-finished football field. In keeping with the Sultanate’s passion for football, the company recently completed a first class football pitch constructed to international FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association) standards for the young football enthusiasts of the Qantab area. The 60m X 90m football pitch has synthetic grass installed

by Saraya Bandar Jissah and is now ready for players to enjoy. “As a joint partnership between Omran and Saraya Oman, Saraya Bandar Jissah has always stressed the importance of establishing close ties with the local community, and we are indeed proud to maintain positive and fulﬁlling relationships with the residents of Qantab,” noted Said Juma Al Busaidi, Assistant PR & Com-

N S C I D ATA

Inflation registers decline in Sultanate during April Times News Service MUSCAT: Oman’s inflation rate last April recorded a 0.14 per cent decrease, compared to the figures logged during the same period in 2014. On the other hand, the inflation rate decreased by 0.24 per cent, compared to the figures recorded last March, according to the latest data released by the National Centre for Information and Statistics (NCSI) about consumer price indices. The fall in price index last April, as compared to the index recorded in April this year, is attributed to the decreasing prices of the foodstuffs and non-alcoholic beverages set whose prices decreased by 1.21 indices, in addition to the clothes and shoes set whose prices decreased by 1.29 indices. Household appliances The prices of the household appliances, equipment and customary maintenance set also decreased by 0.06 indices, while the telecommunications set logged a 0.18 indices decrease. Among the most significant sets that recorded an increase in prices last April, compared to the prices recorded in the same month of 2014, are the education set with 4.49 per cent, the set of accommodation, water, gas and other fuel types that increased by 0.17 per cent and the health set that

The fall in price index last April, as compared to the index recorded in April this year, is attributed to the decreasing prices of the foodstuffs and nonalcoholic beverages set whose prices decreased by 1.29 indices, in addition to the clothes and shoes set whose prices decreased by 1.29 indices The prices of the household appliances, equipment and customary maintenance set also decreased by 0.06 indices

recorded a 2.25 per cent increase. The transportation set logged a 0.43 per cent increase, while the restaurants and hotels set recorded a 0.34 per cent increase. At the governorates’ level, the Governorate of Al Dhahirah witnessed the highest inﬂation rate at 1.08 per cent. It was followed by the Governorate of Dhofar with 0.68 per cent, then the Governorate of Muscat with 0.06 per cent. On the other hand, the inﬂation rate recorded in the Governorates of Al Sharqiyah North and South decreased by 0.65 per cent, the Governorate of Al Batinah North also witnessed a 0.6 per cent decrease, while the fall recorded in

the Governorate Al Dakhiliyah was 0.37 per cent, compared to a 0.27 per cent decrease recorded in Al Buraimi. General index Compared to the previous month, the general index of consumer prices decreased by 0.24 per cent. The foodstuffs and non-alcoholic beverages set witnessed a 1.08 per cent decrease. The clothes and shoes set also decreased by 0.14 per cent. On the other hand, the prices for accommodation, water, gas and other fuel types increased by 0.01, while the transportation and health sets increased by 0.12 per cent.

munications Manager. He also added, “In addition to our immediate neighbours in Qantab, we at Saraya Bandar Jissah, have had the privilege of being able to better the lives of many, who needed our support, through a multitude of ways – be it through ﬁnancial assistance or by providing pro-bono support.” “It gave us great pleasure to hand over the football pitch to the people of Qantab as it is a great source of pride to the community as well for the team at Saraya Bandar Jissah. Expanding our efforts in the local community, we are also looking to increase our partnership with the local ﬁsherman of Qantab by providing any infrastructural support that they may require,” said Hisham Al Khusaibi, Project Controls Engineer at Saraya Bandar Jissah and project manager of the Playground. The Saraya Bandar Jissah team, mindful of the deep connections to the sea of the Qantab residents, has been actively working with

the local ﬁshermen of Qantab. In the near future, the company intends to build a comprehensive marine facility for the ﬁshing community to securely store their equipment and tools. The company is also actively replicating this success by engaging in community-minded initiatives throughout the Sultanate. Recently, Saraya Bandar Jissah supported the Omani Women’s Association with their presence as well as monetarily in commemoration of Arab Orphan Day, held by the Ministry of Social Development where more than a 1,000 orphaned children from various age groups had a fun day out. Meanwhile, on the occasion of World Health Day On April 7, Saraya Bandar Jissah undertook activities under the auspices of the Ministry of Health towards promoting healthy lifestyles. Saraya Bandar Jissah will be home to 398 exclusive residential units, spacious hilltop villas, stylish town all with attractive waterfront and mountainside views.

fahadnews@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: The decision of the Ministry of Manpower (MoM) not to issue visas to non-Omani sales and marketing professionals, has been extended for the next six months, according to a ministerial decision. The decision has been in place since December 2013. The MoM came out with the new regulation, extending its decision on stoppage to issuing visas for these two sectors for a period of six months recently. The Ministry in a statement recently said, “The private sector is required to reduce reliance on expatriates and provide Omanis with the required training to help them take over the jobs currently occupied by expatriates.” It added, “It follows with special interest the generation of job opportunities for Omanis in private sector organisations, which are required to enhance the Omanisation rate and help Omanis take over different posts in this sector.”

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OMAN

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

Painting for daily use, not just for decoration Radhika Hamlai has started painting ceramic dishes, organic cotton tote bags, and even wooden benches CREATIVE ART: Radhika Hamlai was inspired to start paint-

ing dishes when she ﬁrst went to Café Ceramique in Bareeq Al Shatti. Photo – Sarah MacDonald SARAH MACDONALD

sarah@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: Not everyone appreciates having a painting on the wall, but Omani artist Radhika Hamlai’s latest work is art people can use, not just use as decorations. The artist, who is known for her colourful, playful paintings, has started painting ceramic dishes, organic cotton tote bags, and even wooden benches in a move

away from canvas and paper. The bags can be used at the beach or for a unique trendy look, while the dishes make eating a lot more fun. “Some people don’t like having art on their wall, or don’t want to spend money on it. But these pieces you can use and enjoy looking at,” Radhika said at an exhibition of her work on Thursday at the Crafty Kitchen café in

Muscat. Radhika was inspired to start painting dishes when she ﬁrst went to Café Ceramique in Bareeq Al Shatti. Not just a café, it is a restaurant that lets its customer paint dishes with glazes and then ﬁres them in a kiln, making the shiny coats safe to eat from and long-lasting. Though it started just as a fun

thing to try, Radhika was soon hooked and bought a collection of dishes and glazes to paint in her studio. She paints the dishes with layers of glaze and then uses a special glaze pencil to sketch her characters onto the plates, bowls, serving platters and cups. The dishes and bags, as well as bright yellow bench, are covered with fun, romantic characters, mainly royalty-inspired creatures with billowing dresses and crowns. Some also tend to look like animals, such as cats with crowns. “For two years I have not worked with this style, so it took some time to get back to it,” explained Radhika, noting that for a couple of years she had been working on calligraphy and big, bold, geometric-inspired paintings. Though she may have moved on to other styles and techniques, Radhika’s new collection is a fresh and innovative approach to her older work, and one that people can enjoy using on a daily basis, not just admire on the walls.

Some people don’t like having art on their wall, or don’t want to spend money on it. But these pieces you can use and enjoy looking at Radhika Hamlai, Omani artist

SENEGAL

HM receives thanks MUSCAT: His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said has received a cable of thanks from President Macky Sall of the Republic of Senegal in reply to His Majesty’s greetings cable on the occasion of his country’s National Day.

In his cable, President Sall expressed his utmost thanks for His Majesty the Sultan’s greetings cable. He stressed the importance of strengthening ties of friendship and cooperation between the two countries. -ONA

FAREWELL CEREMONY Indian Social Club hosted a ceremony to bid farewell to J. S. Mukul, the Indian ambassador to Oman. — Supplied picture

A L I S R A’A WA L M I R A J

A1 Private sector holiday < FROM

VAT

< FROM

A1 ‘Companies should support economy’ This region is probably the only one in the world where no income taxes or similar taxes are levied, he said, adding that companies should support the economy since the country needs their support now. Some companies are making great contributions to the economy in the Gulf region, while some are not, noted Al Hooti. However, he said that the taxation policy should be ‘balanced’ and developed in such a way that it does not put unreasonable pressure on smaller companies, especially small and medium enterprises (SMEs), and also consumers.

Some companies are still not prepared to pay these taxes, the official said. Asked about the expected increase in the prices of goods and services after the introduction of VAT, the OCCI member noted that the GCC governments, including Oman’s government, should control the market through the concerned institutions. The implementation of the tax initiative requires the cooperation of the private sector and the government, Al Hooti added. Echoing a similar view, Dawood, an Omani economic expert, said the proposed policy should be implemented in such a way that it would not affect the lower-income

segment of the society, especially given the fact that there is no salary increase in sight. “Also, any new law should be applied on equal terms in all the GCC countries, otherwise investment will shift from one country to the other,” he said, adding that in general, VAT can contribute to the economy if implemented properly. He also noted that appropriate regulations should be put in place to monitor the market and prevent high inflation. The proposal for wider economic unification among GCC states has its roots in 2001 when member states inked the Unified Economic Agreement.

“Given the recent political developments in the GCC and considering the dip in oil price, the GCC union is the need of the hour to protect the interests of member nations. One of the proven way is to introduce broad-based sources of taxation (in the form of VAT), and excise duty on speciﬁc goods and services. The IMF has long urged GCC countries to introduce VAT. The implementation of VAT on consumption would help the government raise the required revenue from residents and expatriates, Dr Anchan C K, Managing Director, World Wide Business House, an International Business Advisory Firm, said.

“We seize this blessed occasion to extend our greetings to His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said, praying to Allah the Almighty to protect His Majesty, grant him good health, happiness and a long life and for the return of this and similar occasions on His Majesty for many years to come, the Omani people and our dear country further progress and welfare under his wise leadership and wellbeing for Muslims all over the world.” Ministerial decision Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser Al Bakri, Minister of Manpower yesterday issued a ministerial decision announcing Sunday, Rajab 28, 1436 AH corresponding to May 17 as an official holiday for employees

at the private sector’s companies and establishments. Work will resume on Monday, Rajab 29, 1436 AH corresponding to May 18 The decision allows employers and employees to agree on compensating this holiday if necessity arises, as well as compensating employees whom weekly holiday coincides with the mentioned occasion. All employees in the private sector extended their heartfelt greetings and best wishes to His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said on this blessed occasion, praying to Allah the Almighty to protect His Majesty, grant him good health, happiness and a long life and for the return of this and similar occasions on His Majesty and the Omani people with blessings. -ONA

MO N DAY, MAY 1 1 , 2 0 1 5 The planes that arrived on Saturday — eight Airbus A340 aircraft and an A321 — were purchased by Mahan Air. Iranian media

REGION

Houthi rebels say yes to five-day truce offer UAE welcomes move as coalition planes continue air strikes in Sanaa and Aden

CAIRO/ADEN: Yemen’s dominant Houthi group accepted on Sunday a five-day humanitarian ceasefire proposed by its Saudi Arabia but said it would respond to any violations of the pause. Neighbouring Saudi Arabia had said on Friday that the ceasefire could begin on Tuesday if the Houthi militia agreed to the pause, which would let in badly needed food and medical supplies. Backed by the United States, a Saudi-led coalition has been conducting air strikes against the Houthis and army units loyal to expresident Ali Abdullah Saleh since March 26 with the aim of restoring the government of President Abdrabbo Mansour Hadi. “We will deal positively with any efforts, calls or serious and positive measures that would help lift the suffering and allow aid, supplies and ships to move safely to Yemen,” the Houthis said in a statement carried by state media Saba. Confront attacks Colonel Sharaf Luqman, spokesperson for the Houthi-allied army, said on Sunday Yemeni forces had agreed to the truce but would confront any attacks by Hadi loyalists on battlefronts which stretch across much of the impoverished country. The Houthis say their campaign is aimed at defeating Al Qaeda militants based in Yemen and accuse Hadi’s forces of supporting the group. “Any military violation of the ceasefire from Al Qaeda and

RUNNING FOR SAFETY: People ﬂee as smoke billows after air strikes hit the house of Yemen’s former president Ali Abdullah Saleh in Sanaa on Sunday. – Reuters

those who stand with it ... will be responded to,” Luqman said in a statement published by Saba news agency. Coalition planes bombed for a second day in a row the vast compound in the capital Sanaa which is home to ex-president Saleh, a key player in Yemen’s political crisis whose loyalists in the army fight on the Houthis’ side. Saleh appeared unscathed and stood before the ruins of his political residence to taunt Saudi Arabia in remarks televised by his TV channel, Yemen Today. “It isn’t just me who is being targeted but every citizen ... This aggression is cowardly. Go ahead and come by land, we’ll make a welcome for you,” Saleh, wearing sunglasses, said calmly. Coalition air strikes also hit weapons caches at a military base and a presidential palace in the southern city of Aden, the epicentre of fighting for more than six weeks, and southern fighters questioned the proposed pause.

“We doubt that the Houthis would stick to a ceaseﬁre or truce because they have repeatedly broken political commitments they have made in the past,” a pro-Hadi militiaman in the city said. The Houthis’ acceptance of a truce came as Saudi ground forces conducted air strikes, ﬁred artillery and launched at least two dozen rockets on Saada province, a Houthi stronghold on Saudi Arabia’s southern border with Yemen. Riyadh has urged civilians to evacuate the province, a call that has drawn criticism from the United Nations. “The indiscriminate bombing of populated areas, with or without prior warning, is in contravention of international humanitarian law,” the UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Yemen Johannes van der Klaauw said in a statement. “Many civilians are effectively trapped in Saada as they are unable to access transport because of the fuel shortage. The targeting

I N V E S T I G AT I O N L AU N C H E D

Security failures blamed for Iraq prison break BAGHDAD: The mayor of an Iraqi town where more than 42 inmates escaped in a prison break claimed by the IS militant group said on Sunday that serious security failures were to blame. The interior ministry said an investigation had been opened into the prison break in Khalis, in a statement issued on Saturday that also mentioned “shortcomings in prison administration”. “Lack of intelligence was the main reason behind the prison break. If we had had information, this would not have happened,” Uday Al Khadran said by phone. He said that 42 prisoners escaped in Friday’s break-out, while 35 others were killed as well as six members of the security forces and three civilians who rushed to help. “The attack was planned, there were IEDs (improvised explosive devices) on the roads,” Khadran said, conﬁrming details of the attack provided in the IS claim on Saturday. MURDER CHARGES

Gaddafi’s son Saadi appears in Tripoli court TRIPOLI: Muammar Gaddafi’s son Saadi who fled abroad during Libya’s 2011 revolution and was extradited from Niger last year appeared in a Tripoli court on Sunday at the start of a trial on murder charges but the judge adjourned his case until July. Saadi, who had a brief career as a soccer player in Italy during his father’s long rule, appeared in the Tripoli courtroom wearing a blue jumpsuit and watched the proceedings from behind bars. “The trial of Saadi Gaddafi has been adjourned today by the court of south Tripoli until July 19,” the chief of the investigation office of the attorney-general, Sadiq Al Sour, said. — Reuters

STRICT VIGIL: A member of the Iraqi interior ministry’s antiterrorism forces stands guard on a vehicle outside the Habaniyah military base, near Anbar province’s capital Ramadi. – AFP

He said there were 88 prisoners at the detention facility in Khalis’s main police station when the break-out occurred, including “a large number of dangerous terrorists”. Khadran said the prisoners had been transferred from a facility in the Diyala provincial capital Baquba a year ago.

“I refused that they be put there because it was near the main road and an easy target, but the security authorities did not listen to me,” he said. He said that the attack was also a consequence of the fact that areas that have been reconquered from IS, such as Diyala, are then neglected by security forces. — AFP

of an entire governorate will put countless civilians at risk.” International concern about the humanitarian situation has grown as the strikes have killed more than 1,300 people, sent locals fleeing from their homes and destroyed infrastructure, leading to shortages of food, medicine and fuel. Anwar Gargash, minister of state for foreign affairs for the United Arab Emirates, welcomed the Houthis’ acceptance of a ceasefire and said he hoped it would lead to political talks. “The Houthis acceptance of the truce offer is important. Their realizing that they are part of the diverse Yemeni fabric and not a tool for regional influence is essential,” he wrote on his Twitter account. Saleh and the Houthis have asked for a UN-backed political dialogue, but their opponents say they have yet to make any concessions and have called for them to end their military push on Aden and Yemen’s south. — Reuters

NEW PURCHASE

Iran obtains 15 used planes to renovate curbs-hit ageing fleet TEHRAN: Iranian airlines have obtained 15 used planes since February as part of efforts to renovate the country’s ageing ﬂeet which remains subject to US sanctions, the transport minister said Sunday. An embargo dating from 1995 prevents Western manufacturers from selling equipment and spare parts to Iranian companies. The restrictions, which have been blamed for crippling the industry, were partially lifted by an interim agreement on Iran’s nuclear programme that came into force in January 2014. This allowed for the sales of spare parts, though direct sales of planes remained banned. But, without providing details of how the planes had been obtained, Transport Minister Abbas Akhoundi said nine planes, mostly built after 2003, had entered the country on Saturday. Eight other planes had been

obtained since February 20, he was quoted as saying by the ISNA news agency, though two of them are “too old to fly” and will be used for spare parts. “With the entry of these 15 planes in the fleet, the average age of (Iran’s) airliners dropped from 20 to 19 years,” the minister said. Iranian media reported that the planes that arrived on Saturday — eight Airbus A340 aircraft and an A321 — were purchased by Mahan Air. Before the recent purchases, the Iranian fleet had around 140 aircraft. “We hope that with the nuclear negotiations and the prospect of the lifting of sanctions, discussions will continue with major aircraft manufacturers,” Akhoundi added. Iranian aviation officials said in April that the country would need 400 to 500 airliners in the next decade to upgrade the country’s fleet. — AFP

M O N DAY, MAY 11, 2015 The meeting and sharing of stage by the two leaders is the ﬁnal scene of the drama which their respective parties had played since last year’s Lok Sabha polls to fool the people of this state Mohammad Salim, CPI-M politburo member

INDIA HIGHEST HONOUR IN INDIAN CINEMA

Actor Shashi Kapoor conferred Dadasaheb Phalke Award MUMBAI: Bollywood’s evergreen charmer Shashi Kapoor was on Sunday conferred the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, the highest honour in Indian cinema, by Information and Broadcasting Minister Arun Jaitley at the iconic Prithvi Theatre here. The 77-year-old was wheeled on to the stage by his son Kunal and daughter Sanjana before an august gathering. Shashi — the star of over 150 films in his over 40-year career — was all smiles upon receiving the Swarn Kamal (Golden Lotus), a cash prize of Rs1 million and a ceremonial shawl, which he accepted with reverence and folded hands. “Shashi Kapoor is undoubtedly one of the most versatile personalities Indian cinema has produced. An actor par excellence, who competed in his time with the very best and almost competed with different generations of film actors,” Jaitley said. “He even produced and directed various kinds of films; combined commercial cinema with alterna-

tive cinema; defined languages and brought Hindi cinema and Hollywood closer. Then also, he didn’t leave his love for theatre,” he added. The gathering saw the presence of Shashi’s nephew Rishi Kapoor, grand-nephew Ranbir Kapoor, grand-neice Karisma Kapoor and others like Neetu Singh, Amitabh Bachchan, Abhishek Bachchan, Waheeda Rehman, Asha Parekh, Nafisa Ali, Saif Ali Khan and Rekha. Due to Shashi’s ill health, he could not travel to the capital for the National Awards ceremony on May 3. So, minister Jaitley flew in here to confer the award on him at Prithvi Theatre, which Shashi launched with his late wife Jennifer Kendal in 1978.

FITTING TRIBUTE: Legendary Bollywood actor Shashi Kapoor gets felicitated with the Dada saheb Phalke Award by Union Minister Arun Jaitley in Mumbai on Sunday. - PTI

Illustrious family Jaitley said it’s “a ﬁtting tribute... the award is being physically and symbolically conferred on him in an institution that he himself created — the Prithvi Theatre”. This is the third Dadasaheb Phalke Award for the illustrious

Kapoor family after Shashi’s father Prithviraj Kapoor and elder brother Raj Kapoor. “The way it (the family) produces talent, I’m sure that it’s not the last one. My best wishes to you for a improved health and a very

long life. We wish you all the best, Shashi Kapoor,” Jaitley said. A special audio-visual celebrating Shashi’s ﬁlm and personal journey was also screened at the event. It featured Amitabh, Shabana Azmi, Sharmila Tagore, Ri-

shi, Randhir Kapoor among others talking about the cinematic icon. Amitabh, who has co-starred with Shashi in films like Trishul, Silsila, Kabhi Kabhie and Kaala Patthar, thanked him for always being a “compassionate person and a generous and caring friend”. Since it was also Mother’s Day on Sunday, Rishi aptly recounted Shashi’s trademark dialogue — Mere paas maa hai — to a loud applause. Shashi started his tryst with acting at the age of four, with plays directed and produced by his father Prithviraj. He started acting in films as a child artiste in the late 1940s. His best known performances as child artiste were in Aag (1948) and Awaara (1951), where he played the younger version of the character played by his elder brother Raj. When he grew up, he made his debut as a leading man in the 1961 film Dharmputra, and went on to appear in more than 150 Hindi films. A popular name in Bollywood during the 1960s, 1970s and until

the mid-1980s, Shashi was one of India’s first actors to go international. He is known internationally for starring in many British and American films, notably Merchant Ivory Proudctions run by Ismail Merchant and James Ivory, such as The Householder (1963), Shakespeare Wallah (1965), Sara Akash (1969), Bombay Talkies (1970) and Heat and Dust (1982). He also starred in other British and American films such as Siddhartha (1972) and Muhafiz (1994). In 1978, Shashi set up his production house Film Valas, which produced critically acclaimed films such as Junoon (1978), Kalyug (1981), 36 Chowringhee Lane (1981), Vijeta (1982) and Utsav (1984). He also produced and directed a fantasy film titled Ajooba, which had Amitabh and Rishi in the lead roles. In 2011, he was honoured with the Padma Bhushan, and he is also a proud recipient of three National Film Awards. - IANS

Modi for better centre-state ties; says time to build ‘Team India’ Vowing to work with the states to ‘take

If there is Team India, we can solve problems of international issues and internal ones very easily

India forward’, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said it has been a ‘misfortune’ that in the past there have been tensions

VISIT TO BELUR MATH: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, second left, walks with monks of Belur Math in Belur, around 24km north west of Kolkata on Sunday. - AFP

Narendra Modi Prime Minister

between states and the Centre

BURNPUR (WB): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday made a vigorous pitch for the Centre and states to work together as ‘Team India’ to take the country forward, a view endorsed by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. And in comforting words to the ﬁery Trinamool Congress chief, Modi expressed conﬁdence that West Bengal, whose progress, he said, had earlier determined the country’s economic development,

would surely bounce bank in the coming days and become an “important economic power”. Vowing to work with the states to “take India forward”, the prime minister said it has been a “misfortune” that in the past there have been tensions between states and the Centre. “I too have been a chief minister for many years and I know that this attitude (of the Centre) towards states will not help anyone. Our Constitution has given us a federal structure. But unfortunately Centre-state relations have always come under stress”, he said after

the inauguration of modernised IISCO Steel Plant here in the presence of Mamata. Asserting that PM and CMs would act as a team which would take India forward, he said, “Delhi alone will not rule India as has happened for 60 years. Delhi will not be the only pillar on which the country will stand, but it will be supported by 30 pillars (of states)” and cited the creation of Niti Aayog which has all states as partners. Citing the recent Land Boundary Agreement with Bangladesh, Modi said it was the perfect example of the success of “Team India”.

“We are proud that the states of WB, Assam and Tripura had worked with Delhi in addressing the vexed issue which had remained unsolved for the past 41 years since the time of Mujibur Rahman. “If there is Team India, we can solve problems of international issues and internal ones very easily,” he said. Turning to West Bengal, the prime minister said his government’s effort was to make eastern India powerful. “For this, West Bengal needs to be strengthened ﬁrst.” “Earlier, the economic develop-

ment of India was decided by the progress made in Bengal... Bengal will have to climb the ladder of development in the interest of the nation,” said Modi. “Bengal will surely bounce bank in the coming days and become an important economic power,” he hoped, adding “if Bengal and Kolkata cannot become strong, then no part of the country can become strong”. “To take India forward, this land of Bengal will come to the country’s help”. The prime minister said that political differences would remain, but it should not come in the way of country’s development. Earlier, Mamata said, “If we can work together, the country moves ahead. When we divide, the country is doomed. We don’t want division among people. Politics will be there and development will also be there. The federal and central structure will be there and we will work together within the ambit of the Constitution”. Modi also took a dig at the previous UPA regime, saying the media was full of reports of “scams” of all kinds in that period. “Now, the reports are not about coal scam but about coal auction,” he quipped, adding there had been no report of any scam even as his government got ready to complete one year in office this month. -PTI

‘Meeting of Mamata, Modi political opportunism’ KOLKATA: Describing the one-to-one between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee as “political opportunism”, opposition parties in West Bengal on Sundaycriticised the interaction. “The meeting and sharing of stage by the two leaders is the ﬁnal scene of the drama which their respective parties had played since last year’s Lok Sabha polls to fool the people of this state,” CPI-M politburo member Mohammed Salim said. The religious card played by both the parties only “complimented and supplemented” their brand of politics in Bengal, Salim alleged. - PTI

SOCIAL SCHEMES

‘Modi government renaming, repackaging schemes of UPA’ NEW DELHI: The Congress criticised the BJP-led government on Sunday for “renaming, repackaging and relaunching” programmes launched by the previous UPA government. Criticising the Narendra Modiled National Demorcratic Alliance (NDA) government over its social schemes like Atal Pension Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Beema Yojana and Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Beema Yojana, the Congress said it was nothing but “renaming, repackaging and relaunching” programmes of the UPA government. The subterfuge and plagiaristic repackaging with which these schemes were launched, belie the Prime Minister Modi’s claims that he was not launching them to “reap political beneﬁts”, Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said here in a statement. It also belies the claim that he was not one of those “several small-time politicians who launch certain schemes to win the next election”, he added. “The fact is that the high voltage media exercise undertaken yesterday, was yet again a blatant attempt at renaming, repackaging and relaunching coupled with the now characteristic event management style of governance. It has again established the ‘NAMO’ style of governance i.e. ‘Nothing Original-Message Only’,” he said.

AMBITIOUS PROJECT: Prime Minister Narendra Modi launching Atal Pension Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Beema Yojana and Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Beema Yojana, at Nazrul Manch in Kolkata on Saturday. - PTI

“Contrary to the claims, the entire exercise was aimed at credit taking by looking to be pro-people in the midst of the anti people ‘Suit Boot Sarkar’ image that this government has made for itself by its misdeeds and crony friendly policies,” the Congress leader said. The people of this country, however, can see through this subterfuge, he said. “They know that the schemes are nothing but repackaged Aam Aadmi Beema Yojana (AABY), Rajiv Gandhi Shilpi Swasthya Beema Yojana (RGSSBY) and the Rashtriya Swasthya Beema Yojana (RSBY) schemes that the previous government launched with an aim to widen the social security net,” he said.

These far-reaching schemes, ever since their launch in 2007 and 2008, benefited about five crore people (with AABY), 42 lakh (RGSSBY) and 12 crore (RSBY) and an amount of Rs2,155 crore, Rs327.71 crore and Rs4,300.07 crore, respectively, have been disbursed already. The cumulative number of individuals covered under these schemes exceeds 17 crore (6 crore families) and the amount benefiting them totals over Rs7,800 crore, Surjewala added. “We sincerely hope that the Modi government is not wanting to shut down these major schemes providing a security umbrella to 17 crore people of the country,” he said. -IANS

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INDIA

Black money bill to be tabled in Lok Sabha The government had, in March, introduced

unaccounted

And, therefore, if you transact within the limits of law, it is much safer. If you breach it, gone are the days where offences would go undetected

funds abroad

Arun Jaitley

the black money bill, which provides for heavy penalties and imprisonment of up to 10 years for stashing

Finance Minister NEW DELHI: With barely three days to go for the budget session of the Lok Sabha to end, the government is set to move the Undisclosed Foreign Income and Assets Bill, or the black money bill, on Monday. The lower house sitting has been extended for three days from Monday. The government had, in March, introduced the black money bill, which provides for heavy penalties and imprisonment of up to 10 years for stashing unaccounted funds abroad. It will also provide a window to those with funds abroad to come clean by paying tax, interest and

penalty. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has warned corporates not to take unfair advantage of the liberalised tax environment, saying the world is moving towards a more transparent regime that would remove the veil of secrecy from unlawful transactions. Judgement call “I think, for every assessee, every person in the commercial business also, it is a judgement call that in a liberal economic environment of reasonable and lower taxation rates, ‘go straight’,” he said earlier this month at the

foundation day celebrations of the enforcement directorate. “And, therefore, if you transact within the limits of law, it is much safer. If you breach it, gone are the days where offences would go undetected,” he added. Initiative He also said that the G20 group of countries’ initiative on automatic transmission of information will make every monetary transaction transparent by 2017. At the G20 Brisbane summit last November, leaders endorsed a new global transparency stand-

ard by which more than 90 jurisdictions will begin automatic exchange of tax information, using a common reporting standard by 2017-18. The Income Tax department has filed 121 cases of prosecution against those entities whose names have appeared in the HSBC Geneva bank list. A senior official said 121 cases were filed before the March 31 deadline after which these cases would have become time-barred and thus could not be prosecuted by the department. Assessment The finance minister has recently said the government had completed an assessment of 350 foreign accounts and tax evasion proceedings had been initiated against 60 of the account holders. India has no official estimate of illegal money stashed away overseas, but unofficial assessments put it somewhere between $466 billion and $1.4 trillion. Jaitley told the Rajya Sabha earlier this week that the government was examining the reports of three institutes on the matter. The previous Congress-led United Progressive Alliance government had in March 2011 asked the National Institute of Public Finance and Policy (NIPFP), National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER) and National Institute of Financial Management (NIFM) to estimate unaccounted income and wealth inside and outside the country. -IANS

D I S P R O P O R T I O NAT E A S S E T S C A S E

Tight security in Bengaluru for Jaya verdict BENGALURU: Security has been stepped up in Bengaluru ahead of Monday’s crucial verdict by a special bench of the Karnataka High Court on former Tamil Nadu chief minister J. Jayalalithaa’s appeal against her conviction in a disproportionate assets case. Ban order “We have deployed additional forces in the city and imposed ban order within 1km radius of the Karnataka High Court from 6am to 9 pm on Monday to main-

tain law and order,” Additional Commissioner of Police Alok Kumar said. The special high court bench headed by Justice C.R. Kumaraswamy will pronounce the judgment at 11 am as directed by the Supreme Court, which extended Jayalalithaa’s bail up to May 12. “Ten platoons of the Karnataka State Reserve Police, 500 policemen and 25 senior police officers will be present in and around the high court to ensure peace and prevent any untoward incident.

Entry into the high court will also be restricted to avoid crowding,” Kumar said. A trial court, headed by special judge John Michael D’Cunha, had on September 27, 2014 convicted and sentenced Jayalalithaa and her three accomplices to a fouryear jail term in the Rs.66.65-crore illegal assets case that dragged on for 18 years. The three co-convicts are Sasikala Natarajan, her nephew V.N. Sudhakaran and her aunt J. Ellavarsi. Sudhakaran is also the dis-

B I L AT E R A L T I E S

Huge potential for enhancing business ties with Russia

PARLEYS: In this handout photograph released by the Presidential Palace on Saturday, Indian Presi-

dent Pranab Mukherjee meets with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin in Moscow. - AFP

MOSCOW: Underlining the huge potential for enhancing commercial and investment exchanges between India and Russia, President Pranab Mukherjee has said that new opportunities arising between the two economies should be fully tapped. Speaking at a reception hosted on Saturday by India’s ambassador to Russia P.S. Raghavan for the Indian community here, Mukherjee said the last 15 years have seen a qualitative change in India’s relations with Russia. Association “With the signing of a declaration on India-Russia strategic partnership in October 2000, India established perhaps its closest institutionalized ties with any foreign country. This association has since continued to grow and

diversify into newer areas,” an official statement on Sunday cited Pranab as having said. Pranab said India today terms its relationship with Russia as “a special and privileged strategic partnership” in recognition of the multi-faceted bilateral engagement. He said the Indian community in Russia has contributed significantly to development of close ties between India and Russia. The president noted that interaction between the two countries at the people-to-people level have always been warm and friendly. “This has been exemplified by Russian interest in Indian cinema, culture and heritage and the popularity in India of Russian literature, arts, circus and sciences.” He said total trade between India and Russia was $6 billion annually, which is less than

one per cent of India’s total trade of $765 billion. FDI inﬂows into India in the past 15 years have been to the tune of $246 billion, out of which only $1 billion has come from Russia. Opportunities “Given the size of the economies of both the countries, there is huge potential to enhance commercial and investment exchanges. The synergies and new opportunities arising between the two economies should be fully utilized,” he said. Pranab said that Indian community in Russia, “as repositories of unique information and insights about India and Russia”, can play an important role in propelling economic ties between the two countries to a higher trajectory. - IANS

owned foster son of Jayalalithaa. Interim bail The apex court on October 17, 2014 had granted interim bail till December 18 to the 67-year-old Jayalalithaa and her three co-convicts. Their bail was subsequently extended till May 12. The general secretary of Tamil Nadu’s ruling AIADMK had also spent three weeks in the central jail on the city’s outskirts after the high court rejected her bail petition. - IANS

TRAGEDY

Two firemen killed in Mumbai blaze MUMBAI: Two fire fighters lost their lives while two were injured, one of them critically, while battling a massive blaze in a Mumbai building late on Saturday night, officials said on Sunday. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Sunday announced a high-level probe into the incident which took a heavy toll on its firemen. A report would be submitted within three weeks. The firemen — M.M. Desai and S.W. Rane of the Mumbai Fire Brigade — were reported missing since late Saturday evening when they rushed to fight the blaze in Gokul Nivas, an under-repair

building in the congested Kalbadevi area of south Mumbai, said an official of the BMC disaster control department. Their badly charred bodies with more than 80 per cent burns were recovered from the site around 12.30am, the official said. Chief fire officer Sunil Nesrikar and another senior officer S.G. Amin suffered serious burns. After initial treatment, they were shifted to the National Burns Centre (NBC) in Navi Mumbai. Midway during the firefighting, the building collapsed in parts, burying the two firemen — Desai and Rane. - IANS

A10

M O N DAY, MAY 11, 2015

PAKISTAN

Pakistan has requested the IMF to treat the security-related expenditures as a special one-off item Rana Assad Amin, Finance ministry spokesperson

IMF urged to consider security costs Last month, Pakistan military’s media wing, the ISPR, announced that a special security division, comprising army battalions and Civil Armed Forces wings, was being raised as a dedicated force for China-Pakistan Economic Corridor projects

The request to relax its key condition of restricting the next ﬁscal year’s budget deﬁcit to Rs1.25 trillion has been made in view of the ongoing military operations and key development projects

ISLAMABAD: Amid the country’s growing security expenses, Pakistan has asked the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to relax its key condition of restricting the next ﬁscal year’s budget

deﬁcit to Rs1.25 trillion. During a policy-level dialogue with an IMF team in Dubai, Pakistan sought additional space to incur expenditures of around Rs160 billion or roughly half percentage points of the GDP, ﬁnance ministry officials said. The space has been sought in view of the ongoing military operations and for initiating a 10,000-strong special security force for the protection of Chinese workers in Pakistan for the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), said the officials.

The government has also requested the global lender to treat the spending on military operation in North Waziristan as a one-off expense. Special one-off item “Pakistan has requested the IMF to treat the security-related expenditures as a special one-off item,” confirmed Rana Assad Amin, the finance ministry spokesperson. Sources said that if the IMF accepted Pakistan’s demand, the budget deficit for the 2015-16 fiscal could come to be around 4.4 per

cent of the GDP or over Rs1.4 trillion as against IMF’s condition to bring it down to 3.9 per cent of the GDP or Rs1.25 trillion. Last month, Pakistan military’s media wing, the ISPR, announced that a special security division, comprising army battalions and Civil Armed Forces wings, was being raised as a dedicated force for CPEC projects. In Dubai, talks were held to review the performance of Pakistan’s economy in the third quarter (January-March) and for agreement on the next ﬁnancial year’s

fiscal framework. Finance Minister Ishaq Dar led Pakistan’s delegation while the IMF team was led by Harald Finger, the fund’s Washington-based Mission Chief to Pakistan. Both the sides held detailed deliberations for IMF’s 7th review, according to an official handout. The finance ministry sources, however, said some issues, particularly related to the last quarter (April-June) of the current fiscal year, and broader targets for the next fiscal year needed final resolution. “We are still discussing, and plan to continue on Monday in Islamabad,” said Tokhir Mirzoev, IMF’s country representative to Islamabad. He said both sides were expected to conclude talks on Monday. Both sides were supposed to conclude talks on Saturday aimed at paving the way for the release of the 8th loan tranche of over $500 million for Pakistan. The outcome of Pakistan-IMF talks will determine whether or not the government continues its policy of fiscal consolidation by

cutting down subsidies and raising taxes in its third year as well. Sources said the IMF and Pakistan agreed to further lower the three-time revised, Rs2.691 trillion tax target, as despite five minibudgets Federal Bureau of Revenue (FBR) had failed to achieve the target. In the current fiscal year, the government has so far imposed Rs360 billion in additional taxes – the highest figure in any single year. Biggest obstacle They said the FBR’s failure became the biggest obstacle in successful culmination of talks. Due to the debacle, the outgoing fiscal year’s budget deficit target of 4.9 per cent could not be achieved and the government would close the year at around 5.4 per cent of the GDP. According to the original IMF plan, the government was supposed to bring down the deficit by another 0.9 per cent of the GDP by the end of 2015-16 fiscal from the 4.9 per cent level determined for the current year. — Express Tribune

DIRECTIVE

Court rejects reports by police on missing persons KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) rejected reports of the police and Rangers regarding the detention of citizens and declared that ‘it is the duty of the state to trace the missing people.’ “It is the responsibility of the law enforcement agencies, particularly the police, to trace the missing people,” ruled the twojudge bench, while hearing petitions seeking the whereabouts of citizens missing from different parts of the metropolis since several months. The division bench, comprising Justices Naimatullah Phulpoto and Shaukat Ali Memon, directed

the Karachi police chief and his subordinate investigation officers to make all possible efforts to recover the missing citizens and produce them in the court of law. Mobina Town police official submitted a progress report during the hearing of a petition seeking the whereabouts of Muhammad Aslam, who has been missing since December 2013. The officer said that the report, which was registered at his police station for the offence under Section 365 (kidnapping) of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC), has been disposed of. Advocate Ayesha Rehman con-

tended that the petitioner’s son, Ghulam Qadir, was still missing. Sindh Rangers consultant Advocate Habib Ahmed denied the allegations that the man was detained by the paramilitary force. The law enforcement agencies’ denial of the detainee’s custody irked the judges, who directed the East Zone Senior Superintendent Police to make all possible efforts to recover the detainee ‘well before the next date of hearing’. The hearing was adjourned till May 28. The petitioner had claimed that his son was taken away by the Rangers from a hotel on December 14, 2013. — Express Tribune

LUCKY ESCAPE Pakistani soldiers lift Dutch Ambassador Marcel de Vink, centre, who was injured in an army helicopter crash, on to a military plane to be taken to Islamabad from Gilgit, on Saturday. Three ambassadors to Pakistan who survived a helicopter crash that killed seven people have described the terrifying moment the aircraft span out of control before slamming into the ground and catching ﬁre. — AFP

GUNFIGHTS

Land row claims 47 lives in N. Waziristan BANNU: At least 47 tribesmen have been killed and another 25 injured as gunfights between two rival tribes over a land dispute in North Waziristan Agency continued for a second day on Saturday. Sources said the dispute relates to a mountain, which has been a bone of contention between Mada Khel and Pepali Kabul Khel tribes for the past three years. Several local courts held to settle the issue have failed. The latest fighting broke out on Friday and the tribesmen were using heavy and light weapons against each other in Datta Khel district. Afghanistan This time, the situation has become more serious as most of the tribal elders who can broker a ceasefire have already migrated to elsewhere in Pakistan or Afghanistan because of the volatile security situation in North Waziristan.

Sources said the dispute relates to a mountain, which has been a bone of contention between Mada Khel and Pepali Kabul Khel tribes for the past 3 years The area where the ﬁghting is under way is located near the Pak-Afghan border. Some families from the area had recently migrated to Afghanistan due to the long-running dispute between the two tribes. Sources said the tribesmen were making arrangements to take their injured to Afghanistan, as the local political administration was not allowing them to take the casualties to Peshawar. — Express Tribune

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DEEPENING CRISIS

Gun battles kill 22 in Macedonia KUMANOVO (MACEDONIA): Macedonia said on Sunday its police had wiped out a group of ethnic Albanian veterans of insurgencies in ex-Yugoslavia in a day-long gun battle that left at least 22 dead and deepened fears of instability following months of political crisis. The government said eight police and 14 members of an “armed group” were killed after police staged a raid in an ethnic Albanian area on Saturday seeking gunmen from outside Macedonia it said were planning to attack civilian and state targets. It said 37 officers were wounded in the ﬁghting, which recalled clashes in 2001 between government forces of the Macedonian Slav majority and guerrillas from the ethnic Albanian minority. Authorities said the death toll could still rise. “The terrorist group is completely neutralised and eliminated,” Interior Ministry spokesman Ivo Kotevski told a news conference. He said the gunmen were again led by ethnic Albanian former rebel commanders from Kosovo, which broke away from Serbia in war in 1999. The government declared two days of national mourning and President Gjorge Ivanov convened the national security council, in-

The government said eight police and 14 members of an ‘armed group’ were killed after police staged a raid in an ethnic Albanian area on Saturday seeking gunmen from outside Macedonia

viting leaders of the opposition and the main ethnic Albanian parties in a gesture of unity. The events will deepen concern in the West over stability in Macedonia, where the government is on the ropes over allegations by opposition Social Democrat leader Zoran Zaev of illegal wire-tapping and widespread abuse of office. Protesters demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski clashed with police last week and the opposition is threatening to protest on May 17. — Reuters

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swiftly ruled out Schwytz. In 2007, he was investigated for causing bodily harm and in 2012 he was probed after making verbal threats. Police had searched his home on April 2 this year but no ﬁrearms were found.

a terrorist attack, characterising the incident as a ‘tragic relational drama’, with the man turning his gun on himself

ZURICH: A Swiss man killed three in-laws and a neighbour in a town near Zurich before turning his gun on himself, police said Sunday, sending shockwaves through the normally tranquil nation. Local police swiftly ruled out a terrorist attack, characterising the incident as a “tragic relational drama”. The drama was played out on Saturday evening in the town of Wuerenlingen, near Zurich, local police spokesman Michael Leutpold told a news conference. All the victims and the gunman were

NIGHTMARE: A photo taken on Sunday shows barricade tape blocking off the site of a shooting in Wurenlingen, northern Switzerland. — AFP

Swiss. Police said the attacker was 36-year-old but did not reveal his identity.He was a father of three but no longer living with his family. He did not have a gun licence and did not fire with a military weapon, the police spokesman said. The gunman first went to a house in a residential area and fired on three people, killing a 58-year-old man, his 57-year-old

wife and a 32-year-old man. The older couple were his parentsin-law and the younger man his brother-in-law, police said. He then went to another house and shot dead a 46-year-old male neighbour, before turning the gun on himself. The shooter had a record of violence and lived apart from his family in the nearby canton of

Housed in shelter Saturday’s attack came after the man’s wife and children left the family home and were housed in a shelter. “The mother and her children are safe,” said local police official Markus Gisin. He said the investigation into the shooting was made difficult by the fact that there “are several crime scenes.” Neighbours had alerted police after hearing gunshots after 11:00 pm (2100 GMT) Saturday. The latest shooting, which follows a similar incident last November, sent shockwaves through the tiny Alpine nation. “This is not possible, we are after all the richest and happiest country in the world,” said the German-language Swiss newspaper Blick. — AFP

WIDENING SPYING SCANDAL

NSA asked Germany to spy on tech-giant Siemens: Report BERLIN: The US intelligence agency NSA asked its German partner service BND to spy on the European country’s engineering and technology giant Siemens, a German newspaper reported Sunday. In the latest report on a widening spying scandal, the newspaper said the US National Security Agency (NSA) suspected

that Siemens was supplying communications technology to a Russian secret service, said the newspaper, citing unnamed US intelligence sources. A Siemens spokesman said the German company was “not aware of any facts in the company’s area of responsibility” that would support making it a target of such surveillance, reported the same news-

paper, Bild am Sonntag. It said it remained unclear whether the BND had in fact delivered any intelligence on Siemens to the NSA. BND affair The “BND affair” -- in which the German service allegedly also spied on the Airbus Group, the French government and the European Commission for

the NSA -- has rattled Chancellor Angela Merkel’s government and angered some of Germany’s European partners. In response to the scandal, which is straining Merkel’s ruling left-right coalition, the BND last week reportedly scaled back its cooperation with the NSA on communications intercepted at its listening post in Bad Aibling in the

southern state of Bavaria. Berlin has declined demands by a parliamentary oversight panel to release a list of the NSA’s requested search terms or “selectors” for IP and email addresses and mobile phone numbers, citing its ongoing consultations with Washington. The Bild am Sonntag reported Sunday that the United States had already rejected the request,

citing its ongoing operations, and that it had threatened to scale back cooperation if Berlin released them anyway. The US side had warned it would limit its help to terror warnings but would no longer share material such as high-resolution images of war zones or of areas where German citizens have been kidnapped, the report said. — AFP

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How racism actually doomed Baltimore

he Baltimore riots threw a spotlight on the poverty and isolation of the African-American community where the unrest began last month. The problems were underscored on Friday when the Justice Department, in response to Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake’s request, started an investigation of the Police Department, which has an egregious history of brutality and misconduct. Other cities are plagued by the same difficulties, but they have proved especially intractable in Baltimore. A new study from Harvard offers evidence that Baltimore is perhaps the worst large city in the country when measured by a child’s chances of escaping poverty. The city’s racially segregated, deeply poor neighbourhoods cast an especially long shadow over the lives of low-income boys. For example, those who grew up in recent decades in Baltimore earn 28 per cent less at age 26 than otherwise similar kids who grew up in an average county in the United States. As shocking as they are, these facts make perfect sense in the context of the century-long assault that Baltimore’s blacks have endured at the hands of local, state and federal policy makers, all of whom worked to quarantine black residents in ghettos, making it difficult even for people of means to move into integrated areas that offered better jobs, schools and lives for their children. This happened in cities all over the country, but the segregationist impulse in Maryland generally was particularly virulent and well-documented in Baltimore, which is now 63 per cent black. Americans might think of Maryland as a Northern state, but it was distinctly Southern in its attitudes toward race. In the ﬁrst decade of the 20th century, for example, the Legislature approved amendments to the State Constitution to deny the vote to black citizens. Voters rejected these amendments, not out of sympathy for civil rights, but because of suspicion that the political machine would use disenfranchisement to gain a stranglehold over state politics. The segregationist effort in Baltimore gained momentum in 1910, shortly after a Yale-educated black lawyer bought a house in the well-heeled Mount Royal section of the city. The uproar among whites led to an ordinance that partitioned the city into black blocks and white blocks: No black person could occupy a home on a block where more than half the people were white; no white person could move into a block where more than half the residents were black. In 1910, The New York Times described this as “the most pronounced ‘Jim Crow’ measure on record.” Segregation that traps black families in dangerous, decrepit neighborhoods continues to be an issue in Baltimore. As recently as 2012, for example, the United States District Court in Maryland approved a settlement in the long-running public housing desegregation suit, Thompson v. HUD, which sought to eradicate 100 years of government-sponsored segregation in the Baltimore region. - The New York Times News Service

WASHINGTON WATCH

Palestinian private sector needs support JAMES J. ZOGBY

Fighting patriarchy

he women of Pakistan have a major problem. It is called ‘men’. Patriarchy and misogyny poison the lives of women from womb to tomb. It is of course unfair to tar all men with the same brush, there are exceptions, and the gentlemen of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) are today providing one such. It has taken exception, and rightly so, to reports of women being barred from voting in a recent by-poll in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P). Women in the PK-95 constituency of Lower Dir are said to have been denied the vote after a consultation meeting among tribal elders and the electoral candidates. Whilst we are not privy to the detail of the discussions, it may reasonably be surmised that the ‘cultural’ argument was advanced, namely that it was “culturally inappropriate” for women to vote as it would mean that they crossed a “cultural boundary” by so doing. Not all aspects of every culture are defensible, and all cultures mutate and shift over time. In purely cultural terms, nothing is ever completely static, and the men of Lower Dir are out of step with the way the rest of the world is moving — towards the emancipation of women and their greater participation in public life. On May 8, the ECP put on notice the seven candidates who contested the by-poll. It also says that the K-P chief secretary and the district returning officer of PK-95 Dir be asked to explain themselves if the reports are found to be true, and there seems little doubt that they are. If candidates are found to have deliberately excluded women from voting — as is their constitutional right — then they must be disqualiﬁed and the by-poll re-run, the next time including women voters for whom it is possible to make separate provision enabling them to vote. The toxins of patriarchy and misogyny for too long have coursed through Pakistan’s cultural veins. They have rarely been challenged and we are heartened to see that the ECP has taken up the cudgels on behalf not only of the women of Lower Dir but all women, everywhere. We wish it luck in this enterprise. - The Express Tribune

Do we really need a special day to respect our parents? Why do we need days like Mothers Day and Fathers Day if we remember them every day, respect them every day, love them every day and try to speak to them at least every day when we are far away from them. Why do we need a day to thank them for everything that they have done for us, or how much they have sacriﬁced for us, if we can show our gratitude to them by doing our duty towards them every time, everywhere and in all the ways that we can? Couldn’t we just love them and make them proud of us? Couldn’t we take care of them the way they took care of us? Why make such a big deal when it’s the easiest thing to do? Bringing a smile on their face is really not that hard if you come to think of it. For me, every day of the year is Moth-

ers Day and Fathers Day. Do we really need a special day for that? Linda Louis Muscat

US must stop promoting its brand of democracy West’s dabbling in Middle East hasn’t been a story of democracy’s triumph but a sordid tale of autocracy reinforced. Consider the cases of Egypt, Tunisia, Libya and even Yemen. And so shall Syria if the Assad regime were to fall. The United States must stop promoting its brand of democracy across the globe. At least we in the Middle East do not need the US help, nor do we need its brand of democracy. We have had enough. The fall of Hosni Mubarak, Zine El Abidine Ben Ali and Muammar Gaddaﬁ has changed nothing. Repression of

While business development and job creation are no substitute for political progress in establishing an independent Palestinian state, it is wrong to insist that efforts to grow the economy and create jobs take a back seat to political developments

have written before of some of my Palestinian American heroes, including men like Ibrahim Abu-Lughod and Zahi Khouri. I want to add to that list, my friend, Sam Bahour. Two and a half decades ago, Ibrahim was a respected tenured professor at Northwestern University and Zahi was Chairman of the Board of a major Park Avenuebased investment group. Sam, the youngest of the group, was a successful small businessman in Youngstown, Ohio. When the Oslo Agreements were signed 22 years ago, these three made tough and courageous choices. Realising that the struggle to build a new Palestinian reality was beckoning them, they pulled up stakes and moved to the parts of Palestine that were newly assigned to the fledging Palestinian Authority to become a part of the building process. Ibrahim, who had been an important mentor to me in my formative years, relocated to Birzeit University dedicating himself to mentoring a new generation of Palestinian youth. Ibrahim passed away in 2001. Zahi moved to Jerusalem where he waged a difficult but ultimately victorious struggle to win the right to operate a franchise in the Palestinian territories. To do this he had to wrest control of the franchise from an Israeli owner who wanted to maintain control over both Israel and the occupied Palestinian lands. For his part, Sam made a seamless transition using both his business and political acumen to contribute to setting up the first Palestinian telecommunications company, PALTEL, and the first modern Palestinian shopping centre, PLAZA. Sam focuses his organising around key issues of importance to the Palestinian American community. For many years now, Sam has been the central resource for information on the difficulties Israel has created for Palestinian Americans traveling to and working in the Palestinian Authority areas. When then Senator Barack Obama made his first visit to the West Bank in 2006, Sam joined the Palestinian business community to brief the Senator about the burdens imposed on them by the Israeli authorities. On his return to the US, Obama thanked me for the introduction and told me how much he had learned from the group. Now Sam Bahour has launched a new and vitally important venture. Working with a number of other Palestinian American business leaders and an impressive group of American business executives, they have launched Americans for a Vibrant Palestinian Economy (AVPE). I met with the group a short while back and recognised that driving their efforts were the same convictions that motivated Vice President Gore’s Builders for Peace (BfP) project, with which I had been associated two decades ago. First and foremost, there is the recognition that building the private sector, especially through the creation of small and medium-sized enterprises, is

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Empathy is at the heart of the actor’s art MERYL STREEP

the key to job creation and economic growth and is also central to democracy. Another important consideration is the fact that while business development and job creation are no substitute for political progress in establishing an independent Palestinian state, it is wrong to insist that efforts to grow the economy and create jobs take a back seat to political developments. They also realise that the Israeli occupation has placed crippling impediments on the Palestinian business community leading to distortions in the Palestinian economy. Palestinians can’t freely import raw materials or export their products. Because their access to external and even internal markets is limited by the Israeli occupation, businesses can’t easily grow or benefit from economies of scale. As a result, the Palestinian Authority has become the single largest employer and has, itself, become dependent on foreign financial support. And finally, they understand that despite these difficulties, the enterprising Palestinian private sector has not only survived, but has continued to play a central role in the economic life of their country. While the private sector accounts for slightly less than the Palestinian Gross Domestic Product, it accounts for almost two-thirds of all employment in the territories. The bottom line is that the private sector is essential, resilient, and dynamic. And because it is surviving against amazing odds, it deserves support. This important truth, though recognised by Vice President Gore, was never understood by the Clinton Administration’s “peace team”. Instead of seeing business development as an essential parallel track to the “peace process”, they deemed it unworthy of their attention. As a result, the Palestinian private sector was left to fend for itself—until now. AVPE is determined to change this negative dynamic by “linking American businesses to Palestinian partners in an effort to bolster the Palestinian economy’s ability to withstand continued Israeli constraints on growth”. The AVPE effort is not a substitute for Palestinian independence — since it recognises that only with independence can the full potential of the Palestinian economy be realized. At the same time, however, AVPE knows that creating jobs, finding markets, and growing the private sector can’t be set aside for another 20 years because Palestinians need to feed their families and provide for their essential needs today. Sam and his pioneering team recognize that they are inviting businesses to take a risk, but they believe that these are risks that promise high rewards for peace and prosperity. The AVPE is an initiative worth supporting. The author is the President of Arab American Institute. All the views and opinions expressed in the article are solely those of the author and do not reflect those of Times of Oman.

free will and trampling of human rights continues to manifest in their ugliest manifestations. Khalid Mumtaz Jung Muttrah

Xenophobic sentiments are sweeping across Greece Greece, which is at the centre of Europe’s present ﬁnancial woes, is currently facing a serious political disintegration where neither pro-austerity nor the anti-austerity measures are working and the country is fast getting sucked into a vortex of cataclysm from which it may probably never recover. There also exists a perceptible under current of xenophobia in Greece — a deep resentment against the migrant workforce. Sohail Ahmed Wadi Kabir

Hyderabad’s performance has surprised many fans Kolkata Knight Riders are now poised to lift the IPL cup for the third time this year. The team did not start well this year but as the tournament progresses the Knight Riders are improving in all the departments of the game. But what has surprised me is the performance of the team from Hyderabad. They have already become popular as giant killers and they have been playing well this year. One who had seen their performance last year will be surprised to see their performance this year. The team may not move to the ﬁnal but they have really played well. I will be very happy if the team can end the tournament somewhere in the ﬁfth position. Ashok Panicker Seeb

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

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PERSPEC IVE We are all migrants. Aren’t we? T

housands of people are dying in quest for a new life. The mass drowning off the Italian island of Lampedusa has caused an outcry across Europe, with newspapers calling it the “EU’s darkest day.” European officials are making all the right noises to suit the occasion. EU foreign affairs chief Federica Mogherini says Europe has “no more excuses” not to act on the migrant crisis. German Chancellor Angela Merkel says she’s “appalled” by the disaster, calling it “not worthy of Europe.” “A continent which feels committed to humanity must look for answers even when there are no easy answers,” she’s quoted as saying. These are all very touching, of course. The day after the tragedy and profound platitudes though, everyone moves on. Within no time, the tragedy and the faceless, nameless victims will be little more than a mere speck on the map and a lifeless statistic. Until another rickety, overloaded boat with its human cargo washes ashore or is swallowed up by the hungry waters of the Mediterranean.

AIJAZ ZAKA SYED

Maritime rescue operations Refugee and rights groups have been urging European governments to beef up maritime rescue operations and address the underlying causes of the ﬂood of asylum-seekers on Europe’s shores. Thousands of migrants are being claimed by the world’s biggest watery cemetery as they ﬂee wars and strife in the Middle East and crushing poverty and chaos of Africa. Some 11,000 migrants were rescued last week alone. At least 1,700 of them have lost their lives this year. The month of April saw more deaths than the years 2012 and 2013 combined: 1,200. A migrant has died every two hours. Chasing the dream of a new world of possibilities, more and more people from the global South are moving up north, often at the cost of their lives. Some of them venture as far as Australia and America. Why do people migrate? Given a choice, who would want to leave the comforting familiarity and security of their homes, loved ones and the land of their birth? And when one does leave, one often does so compelled by extreme circumstance. Migration is hardly a modern phenomenon. For thousands of years, humanity has migrated far and wide, in search of greener pastures and often to escape poverty and persecution. We are all migrants, in some way or the other. The Aryans, Romans, Arabs, Mongols and later

Refugee and rights groups have been urging European governments to beef up maritime rescue operations and address the underlying causes of the flood of asylum-seekers on Europe’s shores

Europeans traversed the distances of thousands of miles to conquer the world. Cheap labour Where would Europe be without the riches and cheap labour sourced from its former colonies? European immigrants and conquerors colonised and created entire new nations around the world. Immigrants made America what it is today — a melting pot of a nation attracting the best of talent and expertise from around the world. America’s strength is not its military prowess but the cultural and ethnic diversity and global talent pool at its disposal. The world’s greatest economy has been powered by the wave after wave of immigrants. Its Ivy League universities attract the brightest from around the world, with Indians capturing the Silicon Valley. This is also true of Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Who can ignore the role Asian workers have played in spawning economic miracles in the Arabian desert? The spectacular success of bustling business hubs like Dubai, Singapore and Hong Kong would be incomplete without migrants. So this growing hue and cry in the West, especially in ‘newfound’ lands like North America and Australia, over the new arrivals from the Third world not only smacks of hypocrisy, it is also short-sighted and self-centred. Political and economic refugees In the past few years, political and economic refugees have arrived in droves and shiploads from countries that have been consumed by conflict, devastating wars and self-serving international policies — from sub-Saharan Africa to Syria and from Arab Maghreb to Palestine and Afghanistan. This is a humanitarian crisis and it cannot be tackled without addressing the underlying causes of conflict. To quote professor Jagdish Bhagwati, the globalisation guru, “as people walk, fly, and swim across borders, fleeing or simply seeking a better life, and their numbers steadily rise, the time has come to address institutionally the ethics and economics of this flow of humanity instead of leaving it to the whims of individual nation states.”. The author is an award-winning Gulf based writer. All the views and opinions expressed in the article are solely those of the author and do not reflect those of Times of Oman.

Of David Cameron’s policy triangle

avid Cameron, re-elected as Britain’s Prime Minister, faces three major leadership challenges. Financially he has to grapple with the £30 billion of promised welfare cuts within a declining economy, where 2015 first quarter growth slipped to 2012 levels. Faltering Eurozone growth, predicted to be 1.5 per cent, and a slackening Chinese economy may also coalesce making Britain’s economic recovery fragile. Low productivity, around 38 per cent lower than in France, also endorses Britain as a low wage, low skilled, service economy, where cheap labour is also being substituted for capital investment. Cameron’s previous Conservative government was also running an annual trade deficit of around £100bn, whilst Britain’s national debt accelerated skyward from £1 trillion to £1.6 trillion (BBC source). Cameron’s earlier government also failed to deliver his promised increases in British manufacturing output — now lower than five years ago. By comparison Germany’s annual automotive output is currently valued at £250bn; whilst Britain’s automotive production is annually worth a mere £50bn (BBC source).

GARY SMITH

Economically vulnerable, Cameron has to find £8bn by 2017 to avoid the financial meltdown of the English National Health Service, where many NHS Trusts are currently racking up significant financial deficits. His promise of an in/out EU referendum following Britain’s renegotiated membership also foreshadows a possible constitutional crisis, as Europe and the Scottish home rule question are interlinked. The renegotiation of Britain’s EU membership terms may additionally draw Cameron into conflict with his European peers. This issue may also destructively split Cameron’s parliamentary Conservatives. To address this possibility he appointed an anti-European, right-wing, Foreign Secretary. Cameron faces uncertainties in negotiating his preferred EU treaty changes and, following this, gaining the agreement of all EU member governments. He also has to draft a referendum question agreeable to his British Conservatives, and acceptable to the nation — including Scotland. Significantly, the Chancellor of Germany, Angela Merkel, has previously stated that Germany could live with a British decision to exit Europe.

Viewed from the French perspective; Le Monde — a leading French newspaper — front paged Cameron’s victory as: ‘UK triumph for Cameron, Unease for Europe’. Cameron’s third nightmare — his constitutional difficulty — is that the SNP burst across Scotland akin to an asteroid hitting the planet and destroying all existing political life. Only one of each Westminster political species survived this impact. Acknowledging Scotland’s political realignment Cameron rapidly promised Scots “the greatest devolution of powers of any country worldwide”. This may become his domestic constitutional ghost. The last time so many nationalists sat in Westminster was in 1910; and the Irish Free State was created twelve years later. Keeping his Conservative government united, and constitutionally balancing Europe and Scotland, whilst ensuring economic growth and prosperity, shall undoubtedly test Cameron’s political dexterity. The author is a freelance contributor based in Britain. All the views and opinions expressed in the article are solely his and not of Times of Oman.

The green superpower THOMAS L. FRIEDMAN

week at the American Academy in Berlin leaves me with two contradictory feelings: one is that Germany today deserves a Nobel Peace Prize, and the other is that Germany tomorrow will have to overcome its deeply ingrained post-World War II pacifism and become a more serious, activist global power. And I say both as a compliment. On the first point, what the Germans have done in converting almost 30 per cent of their electric grid to renewable energy from near zero in about 15 years has been a great contribution to the stability of our planet and its climate. The centrepiece of the German Energiewende, or energy transformation, was an extremely generous “feed-in tariff ” that made it a no-brainer for Germans to install solar power (or wind) at home and receive a predictable high price for the energy generated off their own rooftops. There is no denying that the early days of the feed-in tariff were expensive. The subsidies cost billions of euros, paid for through a surcharge on everyone’s electric bill. But the goal was not simply to buy more renewable energy: It was to create demand that would drive down the cost of solar and wind to make them mainstream, affordable options. And, in that, the energiewende has been an undiluted success. With price drops of more than 80 per cent for solar, and 55 per cent for wind, zero-carbon energy is now competitive with fossil fuels here. This is a world-saving achievement. And, happily, as the price fell, the subsidies for new installations also dropped. The Germans who installed solar ended up making money, which is why the programme remains popular, except in coalproducing regions. Today, more than 1.4 million German households and cooperatives are generating their own solar/wind electricity. “There are now a thousand energy cooperatives operated by private people,” said the energy economist Claudia Kemfert. Oliver Krischer, the vice chairman of the Green Party’s parliamentary group, told me: “I have a friend who comes home, and, if the sun is shining, he doesn’t even say hello to his wife. He first goes downstairs and looks at the meter to see what (electricity) he has produced himself. ... The idea now is that energy is something you can (produce) on your own. It’s a new development.”

And it has created so much pushback against the country’s four major coal/ nuclear utilities that one of them, E.On, just split into two companies — one focusing on squeezing the last profits from coal, oil, gas and nuclear, while the other focuses on renewables. Germans jokingly call them “E.Off ” and “E.On.” One problem: Germany still has tons of cheap, dirty lignite coal that is used as backup power for wind and solar, because cleaner natural gas is more expensive and nuclear is being phased out. So if that’s the story on renewable power, how about national power? Two generations after World War II, Germany’s reticence to project any power outside its borders is deeply ingrained in the political psyche here. That is a good thing, given Germany’s past. But it is not sustainable. There is an impressive weight to Germany today — derived from the quality of its governing institution, its rule of law, and the sheer power of its economy built on midsize businesses — that is unique in Europe. When you talk to German officials about Greece, their main complaint is not about Greek fiscal policy, which is better lately, but about the rot and corruption in Greece’s governing institutions. The Greeks “couldn’t implement the structural reforms they needed, if they wanted to,” one German financial official said to me. Athens’ institutions are a mess. With America less interested in Europe, Britain fading away both from the European Union and the last vestiges of it being a global military power, France and Italy economically hobbled and most Nato members shrinking their defence budgets, I don’t see how Germany avoids exercising more leadership. Its economic sanctions are already the most important counter to Russian aggression in Ukraine. And in the Mediterranean Sea, where Europe now faces a rising tide of refugees, Germany will have to catalyse some kind of EU naval response. The relative weight of German power vis-à-vis the rest of Europe just keeps growing, but don’t say that out loud here. A German foreign policy official put their dilemma this way: “We have to get used to assuming more leadership and be aware of how reluctant others are to have Germany lead — so we have to do it through the EU” Here’s my prediction: Germany will be Europe’s first green, solar-powered superpower. Can those attributes coexist in one country, you ask? They’re going to have to. - The New York Times News Service

Hamas cracks down on IS in Gaza Palestinian group Hamas is trying to clamp down on terror activity in the Gaza amid claims and indications that militants are developing a presence in the territory

TODAY IN HISTORY

Suspected IS-related activity October 8, 2014 Powerful blast rocks French Cultural Centre in Gaza City.

Apr 6, 10, 17 Improvised explosive devices detonate in Gaza City, causing minimal damage and no casualties. Wilayat Gaza claims responsibility for some attacks

November Group issues statement demanding women abide by rules of dress December 1 Reports of ﬂier signed by “ISIS – Gaza Province” emerge on social media websites, threatening to kill several Gaza-based writers and poets if they continue “insulting Islam” April 6, 2015 Hamas security forces arrest Adnan Khader Mayat, accusing him of IS membership

Border crossing Refugee camp Attacks

Apr 17 Apr 6

QATABI, NASIR RECEIVE KUWAITI DELEGATION Beit Hanoun

Jabalia Oct 8

GAZA CITY

Jabalia camp

ISRAEL MEDITERRANEAN SEA

Apr 10 GAZA

3km 2 miles

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Henry of Anjou becomes the ﬁrst elected king of Poland.

1689

French and English navies battle at Bantry Bay.

1745

French forces defeat an Anglo-DutchHanoverian army at Fontenoy.

1812

British prime Minster Spencer Perceval is shot by a bankrupt banker in the lobby of the House of Commons.

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Indian mutineers seize Delhi.

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MUSCAT: Sheikh Abdullah bin Ali Al Qatabi, president of the Majlis Al Shura, received in his office yesterday Mohammed Yousuf Al Rafae, head of the Kuwaiti judicial supreme council and constitutional and cessation court. Sheikh Al Qatabi explained to the guests the structure of Majlis Al Shura and its role in lending support to the government in its efforts to upgrade economic and social legislations and in revising draft laws prepared by ministries and government bodies. The meeting was attended by Sayyid Said bin Hilal Al Busaidi, president of the penal court; and Abdul Qadir bin Salim Al Dhahab, secretary general of Majlis Al Shura. Mohammed bin Nasir Al Alawi, minister of legal affairs, also met yesterday the visiting Kuwaiti judicial delegation.

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GERMANY: Freight trains standing on rail tracks at the Maschen marshalling yard in Seevetal, northwestern Germany on Saturday. German train drivers Sunday ended a week-long walkout, the longest in the history of rail operator Deutsche Bahn, with a promise to give strike-weary passengers ‘a break’ for a while. – AFP

GREECE: Greek Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis arrives for a cabinet meeting at the Prime minister’s office in Athens on Sunday, a

UNITED STATES: Kelly Killoren Bensimon with her horse Cuba at Old

day ahead a Eurogroup meeting. – AFP

Westbury Equestrian Center in Long Island, New York.

MONACO: Prince Albert II of Monaco, left, and his wife Princess Charlene leave the cathedral after the baptism of their twins Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella in Monte Carlo, on Sunday. – AFP

– AFP

SPAIN: Motorcyclists ride Harley-Davidson bikes through the streets of Madrid, Spain, during the 13th edition of the Km 0 Harley-Davidson meeting on Sunday. – AFP

THAILAND: Well-wishers hold portraits of Thai King Bhumibol THE NETHERLANDS: Dutch singer Trijntje Oosterhuis, third left, poses for photographs at Schiphol airport on Sunday prior to her de-

parture to represent The Netherlands in the 60th Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna. – AFP

Adulyadej and wave national ﬂags as they line up the streets outside the Siriraj hospital in Bangkok waiting for the King to pass by in a convoy in the southern city of Hua Hin on Sunday. – AFP

MO N DAY, MAY 1 1 , 2 0 1 5 We received a report from ﬁshermen this morning that there were boat people stranded in the waters off north Aceh. We despatched teams there and evacuated 469 migrants who are Rohingya from Myanmar and Bangladeshis. There are women and children among them. So far, all of them are safe, said an Indonesian official

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S. Africa’s main opposition party elects first black leader Mmusi Maimane, aged just 34, joined the Democratic Alliance in 2009 and was fast-tracked through the ranks by Helen Zille, who stood down as party leader after eight years in office

JOHANNESBURG: South Africa’s main opposition party, the Democratic Alliance (DA), on Sunday elected its ﬁrst black leader, a major step in its bid to present itself as an alternative to the ruling African National Congress (ANC). The DA, which has been widely seen as a party of middle-class whites, won 22 per cent of the ballot in last year’s general election and is looking to broaden its appeal among black voters, two decades after the end of the apartheid regime. Mmusi Maimane, aged just 34, joined the DA in 2009 and was fast-tracked through the ranks by Helen Zille, who stood down as party leader after eight years in office. Zille did not publicly endorse Maimane, but he was the clear favourite to win the secret ballot. “I don’t agree with those who say that they don’t see colour — because if you don’t see that I am black then you don’t see me at all,” Maimane told cheering delegates in his victory speech.

MAKING HISTORY: South Africa main opposition party Democratic Alliance’s newly elected leader Musi Maimane, centre, raises his ﬁst

as he celebrates his victory, in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, on Sunday. — AFP

“Many young black South Africans continue to be denied access to opportunities, just as their parents were during apartheid -- this is what we must change if we are going to succeed as a nation.” Standing ovation At the end of his speech he paid tribute to his white wife Natalie, who joined him on stage as he received a standing ovation. Sunday’s vote marked “a milestone for the DA and South African politics”, according to an editorial in the Sunday Times. “For much of the past two dec-

ades, our political contest has been a black-versus-white affair, with the ANC seen as the party of the previously oppressed and the DA as a party of white interests.” Raised in Soweto, the heartland of anti-apartheid resistance, Maimane broke away from his family’s ANC roots to join the Democratic Alliance. Last year he was elected the party’s leader in parliament, where he has often locked horns with ANC lawmakers and President Jacob Zuma. The DA has been pushing for legal action against Zuma over cor-

DEFYING OPPOSITION CALLS

Erdogan courts diaspora in Germany to vote for AKP KARLSRUHE (GERMANY)/ ISTANBUL: Defying opposition calls to stay out of campaigning, President Tayyip Erdogan rallied Turks in Europe on Sunday, urging them to vote in a June general election he hopes will help bring him greater powers. Erdogan is constitutionally bound to remain above party politics after becoming head of state last August. But opponents say he has used rallies around Turkey, and now Europe, to lobby for the ruling AK Party ahead of an election that could reshape Turkey’s political landscape. “They say the president cannot pick a side. True. Don’t get me wrong ... I am at an equal distance to every party of course,” he told a rally of thousands of Turks in the German city of Karlsruhe on Sunday. But his speech extolled the virtues of creating a presidential system, something Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu has said would be a priority for the AK Party if, as expected, it keeps its parliamentary majority in June. “We are obliged to leave coming generations with a method of governing that is lasting and strong. This is why we say (we need) a new constitution and executive presidency,” he said. Breaching constitution The pro-Kurdish People’s Democratic Party (HDP) complained to the electoral commission last week that Erdogan was breaching the constitution with speeches backing the AKP and criticising its opponents. The complaint was rejected. Following a visit to Turkey, a delegation from the Council of Europe also said last week it had heard “serious complaints ” about Erdogan’s involvement “despite a clear constitutional provision that he remains without bias”. Under the current constitution, the head of state must be politically impartial. What Turkey has now under Erdogan, who founded the AK Party and was prime minister for 11 years before winning

ON A MISSION: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his

wife Emine Erdogan wave to the audience during their visit in Karlsruhe, southwestern Germany, on Sunday. — AFP

We are obliged to leave coming generations with a method of governing that is lasting and strong. This is why we say (we need) a new constitution and executive presidency, Tayyip Erdogan Turkey’s President

the presidency last August, is an awkward compromise. He wants the AK Party to raise the number of parliament seats it holds to 400 of 550 in June, comfortably giving it the twothirds majority needed to change the constitution and create a presidential system without a referendum. Strong majority unlikely Pollsters say such a strong majority looks unlikely. Some 2.8 million Turks abroad are eligible to vote. Around 1.4

million of them live in Germany, a number equivalent to the electorate of Turkey’s ﬁfth largest city, Adana. German police said about 13,000 people attended the rally in Karlsruhe, with about 3,000 anti-Erdogan protesters outside. He was due to hold another rally in Belgium later on Sunday. “It’s not right that he was allowed to enter the country and give his speech here,” said Umut Donmez, one of those protesting close to the Karlsruhe rally. — Reuters

ruption allegations, and Maimane vowed to succeed in this pursuit. “Make no mistake Mr President, you will have your day in court,” he told the racially mixed audience. “Nobody is above the law. And, equally so, no political party has the divine right to rule this country.” Dominant force The ANC, which has ruled since 1994 when anti-apartheid icon Nelson Mandela became president, and remains the dominant force in politics, faces tricky local

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elections next year when the DA hopes to beneﬁt from the government’s poor economic record and high unemployment. But the radical leftist Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) party is also on the rise, seeking to gather votes from working-class blacks frustrated with a lack of progress under the ANC. In her farewell speech on Saturday, Zille said the selection of a new party leader would be “a turning point, not only for the DA but also for South Africa”. Zille, 64, announced last month that she would be stepping down. — AFP

S T R A N D E D I N B OAT

Indonesia rescues 469 Rohingya migrants JAKARTA: Rescuers Sunday brought ashore 469 migrants from Myanmar and Bangladesh after their wooden boat arrived off Aceh in northwest Indonesia, an official said. “We received a report from fishermen this morning that there were boat people stranded in the waters off north Aceh,” Aceh provincial search and rescue chief Budiawan told AFP. “We despatched teams there and evacuated 469 migrants who are Rohingya from Myanmar and Bangladeshis. “There are women and children among them. So far, all of them are safe,” he added. He said the group would be taken to a detention centre in north Aceh district, where police and immigration officials would carry out “further processing” which would include investigating their motives. Darsa, a disaster management agency official, said the group had arrived near a beach in north Aceh district early Sunday and were told to swim to shore. “One of the migrants who could speak Malay told me that their agent had told them they were in Malaysia, and to swim to shore. Some of them did. But later they found out from fishermen that they were in Indonesia,” he added. According to the migrant, five boats had departed from Myanmar last week to escape the conflict in their country, Darsa said. “He said the Muslims were beaten and had hot water poured on them and they just wanted to get out of Myanmar as soon as possible, to anywhere where they could seek refuge,” he said. Myanmar views its population of roughly 800,000 Rohingya as illegal Bangladeshi immigrants, and they have been targeted in outbreaks of sectarian violence there in recent years, prompting many to flee. — AFP

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Thousands flee as typhoon Noul hits Philippines The storm hit Cagayan province late Sunday afternoon and knocked out power in much of the province

MANILA: Typhoon Noul slammed into the northern tip of the Philippines on Sunday, triggering warnings of possible flash floods, landslides and storm surges and prompting almost 3,000 people to flee their homes. The storm hit Cagayan province late Sunday afternoon and was expected to move north towards Japan, the government weather station said. The civil defence office said there were no immediate reports of storm-related deaths but the typhoon knocked out power in much of the province, making it difficult to get data. Meteorologists said Noul’s movement slowed slightly before reaching the Philippines, but it also strengthened to pack gusts of 220 kilometres (137 miles) per hour. In Taiwan, authorities warned sailors of strong winds and high waves and evacuated almost 1,000 tourists from an island off the southeast coast. “This is a very dangerous storm. It is the strongest so far this year,” said Rene Paciente, head of the Philippines’ marine weather division. More than 1,680 people in Cagayan were evacuated from coastal villages before the storm

HIT HARD: Residents along Manila Bay play in the waves created by nearby Typhoon Noul on Sunday before it slammed into the northern tip of the Philippines. – AFP

hit and the exercise was continuing, said Norma Talosig, regional civil defence chief. “They have to evacuate to higher ground, not in their village. They are being assisted by the local governments using buses and trucks, even ambulances,” she said. More than 2,000 were expected to ﬂee but Talosig expressed fears some people would refuse to go due to complacency. “The weather was good there earlier so it was a bit hard to get the message out,” she said. “Some people were worried about the security of the belongings they may leave behind. We have been trying our best, aiming for zero casualties but our efforts will be useless if some people don’t listen,” she added. Over 1,200 other people evacuated their homes in the neighbouring province of Isabela as a precautionary measure before the storm, the civil defence office said. National civil defence chief Alexander Pama said that given the

possibility of storm surges of up to two metres (6.5 feet), they were taking no chances. “There is no exact science in this. So we will stay on the safe side” by ordering evacuations in vulnerable areas, he said. “Even as we speak, our armed forces are already moving... to help in the evacuation. So too are our police forces who are conducting evacuations in their municipalities,” he told reporters. Storm surges—tsunami-like waves generated by powerful typhoons—have become a major concern during storms. In November 2013 storm surges were the main killers as Super Typhoon Haiyan ravaged the central Philippines, leaving more than 7,350 people dead or missing. Several hundred people living in a farming hamlet below the restive Bulusan volcano on Luzon were also evacuated due to fears that rain would mix with volcanic ash on its slopes and form deadly and fast-moving mudﬂows. — AFP

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Oman announces OMR200m debut sovereign sukuk issue Sukuk, Tahir Salim Al Amry said, “The sovereign Sukuk is primarily aimed at addressing the need of the nascent but fast growing Islamic ﬁnancial sector in Oman. The Sukuk will serve as a domestic investment and liquidity management instrument to Islamic ﬁnancial institutions in the country.”

Issue will be through a private placement process and marketed primarily to Islamic ﬁnancial institutions, and sophisticated investors with a minimum subscription amount of OMR500,000

Tahir Salim Al Amry. — Supplied picture

Times News Service MUSCAT: Oman government on Sunday officially announced the much-awaited maiden sovereign Sukuk issue of OMR200 million. The sovereign Sukuk issue will be through a private placement and will open for subscription soon. “The sovereign Sukuk issue will be through a private placement process and marketed primarily to Islamic ﬁ-

nancial institutions, and sophisticated investors with a minimum subscription amount of OMR500,000,” said Tahir Salim Al Amry, who heads the Sukuk committee “We have secured the in-principle approval from the CMA and are in advance stages of the structuring and documentation of the transaction,” added Tahir, who is also the director general of Budget & Contracts at the Ministry of Finance.

The Government sees the debut sovereign Sukuk issue as a benchmark transaction that will form a key milestone in the evolution of the Sukuk market in Oman, while providing an essential domestic liquidity management instrument for Omani Islamic financial institutions and an alternative to conventional financial institutions. Elaborating on the objectives of the Government’s first sovereign

Creating a benchmark “In addition, the issuance of the debut sovereign Sukuk will support the Government in fulﬁlling its development targets and creating a benchmark for capital market transactions in Oman in general and Sukuk in particular.” “This is important for Islamic banks as it will help them to manage their liquity,” Abdullah Al Salmi, executive president of the Capital Market Authority, told Times of Oman. “The CMA considered the plans proposed by the Ministry of Finance, and provided an in-principle approval for the debut sovereign

Sukuk issuance. We are conﬁdent that this will have a positive impact on Oman’s capital market by serving as a benchmark for future Sukuk issuances,” added Al Salmi. The face value of the Sukuk issue will be OMR1 and the investor community can buy the Islamic instrument once it is listed on the Muscat Securities Market, Al Salmi told Times of Oman. Speaking on the role of the CMA, Al Salmi added, “This issuance forms an integral part of the overall strategy of the CMA to enable the capital market to play its vital role in the economic development of Oman, particularly in the ﬁxedincome market, where Sukuk forms an important element, to further develop Oman’s Islamic capital market.” “The transaction will also enhance the depth and breadth of the overall capital market in Oman. In a short span of two years since the issuance of the IBRF, besides the establishment of Islamic banks

and windows, the Islamic capital market has seen the launch of the new MSM Shariah Index, three Shariah compliant investment funds, the ﬁrst corporate Sukuk, and two Takaful operators.” Bank Muscat Investment Banking along with the bank’s Sharia-compliant banking window Meethaq, and Standard Chartered Bank have been appointed to advise the Government on the transaction. The committee comprises a select team of professionals from the MoF, the Central Bank of Oman (CBO) and the Capital Market Authority (CMA). The committee is also being assisted by the MoF Coordination Team.Islamic banking in Oman has made notable progress and now represents approximately 5 per cent of the total banking sector in Oman. Since the enactment of the Islamic Banking Regulatory Framework (IBRF) by the CBO in December 2012, through Royal Decree No. 69/2012.

M O N DAY, MAY 11, 2015

MARKET High-end online directory to be launched this week Oman Business Tube brings together useful content from a wide range of sites and is designed to be a resource for local people – Supplied picture

Times News Service MUSCAT: A high-end version of an online directory – The Oman Business Tube – covering the whole gamut of information in Oman, including contact numbers, route maps, images and videos, will go live on May 12 and can be accessed by visiting www. omanbusinesstube.com. The service brings together useful content from a wide range of sites and is designed to be a resource for local people. The site has placed a real emphasis on pro-

viding a simple to use directory, to make available large amounts of information that is both quick and easy to ﬁnd, according to a press release. The online directory will have a wide range of useful information at a single location, including references to care and emergency services (Royal Oman Police, hospitals, ambulances and blood bank). Users can search the site for anything from employment vacancies, water and electricity utilities, to holiday activities and

local transport information. The public can also register to receive regular service updates. The directory also allows residents and homemakers to access information classiﬁed in a wellorganised fashion, ensuring the ease of access. “Our vision for the new directory was to have a ‘one-stop shop’ for all services in the Sultanate, so residents have a single, trusted source of information,” said Sam T Daniel, business development manager at Win Way Trading & Contracting

Our vision for the new directory was to have a ‘one-stop shop’ for all services in the Sultanate, so residents have a single, trusted source of information Sam T Daniel business development manager at Win Way Trading & Contracting Co Co. L.L.C, the company behind the directory. Daniel added that the directory was all the more important for tourists and visitors who seek a wide range of information at the click of a mouse. For instance, visitors can receive contact details of airports and airlines, with access to a wide range of airport management services.

The website will also be available on mobile devices, including Android, Apple and Windows platforms. Tourists can also avail details of embassies, money exchanges, restaurants, travel agencies and cabs. Yet another feature of the site is that both the corporate sector and job seekers can use this as a platform for match making. “It also has a separate section for merchandising products, which includes household items. All these advertising services are free of cost,” added Daniel. Other major categories include contact details of ministries, educational institutions, banks, automobile dealers, petrol stations, real estate firms, recruitment consultants, studios, advertising agencies, fitness centers, insurance firms and shipping agencies in the Sultanate of Oman. “We will be working with partners to add more information in the coming months so the service will get better and better over time. Also, the corporate sector can list their businesses and contacts for better reach, including international clients.” Further, the website will also have FM radios and live streaming of important events in Oman.

A P R I L D ATA

Oman’s oil production falls 1.7% to 29m barrels Times News Service MUSCAT: Oman’s production of crude oil and condensate stood at 28.81 million barrels in April this year, a 1.67 per cent fall in production compared to the previous month. Average daily crude oil production stood at 960,300 barrels in April, according to a monthly report released by the Ministry of Oil and Gas here on Sunday. Similarly, total crude oil exports were 23.7 million barrels, which was equivalent to 790,132 barrels per day, a decrease of 9.31 per cent, compared to March 2015. Asian markets imported the major share of the Sultanate’s crude oil. China continued to

Asian markets imported major share of the Sultanate’s crude oil. China continued to maintain its lead among top importers of Oman Crude in April 2015. China’s imports declined by 5% in April, compared to March

maintain its lead among top importers of Omani crude oil in April 2015. However, imports declined by 5 per cent in April, compared to March, to settle at a level of 82.94 per cent. Meanwhile, imports of Omani crude by both Japan and Thailand

increased by 3 per cent and 1 per cent, respectively. Taiwan was responsible for the largest rise in April, as purchases of imported crude oil rose by 11 per cent, compared to the previous month, to settle the total exports of Omani crude oil at

12.4 per cent. With regard to the movement of the price of oil in April 2015, the average oil price of West Texas American on the New York Mercantile Exchange stood at $55.65 per barrel, an increase of $6.56 a barrel. Average Brent crude Also, the average Brent crude at the London market was $61.77, up $4.59 per barrel, compared to the previous month. It is worth noting that the volatility experienced by the world oil markets, which continued through this month, may be overshadowed by the character of the marked rise in prices, as well as several other factors, such as the important signs of a slight decline

in US oil production, and the declining value of the US dollar and continuing tensions in the Middle East, particularly in Yemen. Rises in prices was also attributable to the continued decline witnessed in crude oil platforms in the United States, a reference to the affected mass production processes that are unprecedented in North America, thus it is anticipated that there will be a return of some balance between a global supply and demand for crude oil. The average price of Omani crude for June delivery stood at $58.68 per barrel, up $3.59 a barrel. Also, the Oman Oil Futures Contract on the Dubai Mercantile Exchange rose along with other brands throughout the world.

SHARIA-COMPLIANT

ahlibank’s Al Hilal Mena Fund posts 12% return Times News Service MUSCAT: Al Hilal MENA Fund (AHMF), a Sharia-compliant open-ended fund managed by ahlibank asset management, has posted a commendable return of 12 per cent year-to-date, as on April 30, 2015. The impressive performance has elevated Al Hilal MENA Fund to become the ‘highest performing’ open-ended mutual fund in Oman. The returns are representative of the NAV appreciation – 12 per cent year to date, NAV stood at OMR1.009 as on April 30, 2015. Al Hilal MENA Fund is the first and only Sharia-compliant fund sponsored and managed by a bank in Oman. The fund invests across listed equities and sukuk issued and tradable within the GCC region. The current investments represent geographical coverage spanning Oman, Qatar, United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia. The diversified sector exposure constitutes investments into petro chemicals, fertiliser producers, industrial chemicals, oil and gas exploration, Islamic banking, takaful, real estate, telecom, consumer discretionary and industrial manufacturing. In Oman, the fund has investment holdings in corporates ideally suited to facilitate growth of the Omani youthful labour force into a skilled resource to augment economic prosperity of the nation. About the performance of the fund, Lloyd Maddock, Chairman, sighted dynamic asset allocation as the key catalyst for portfolio gains. “Given our investment expertise and knowledge of the region, we repositioned the portfolio to maximise on the return as the oil prices start to recover.” “The balanced nature of the fund, diversified sector exposure and given the regional economic buoyancy, the fund provides investors an ideal opportunity to garner returns accruing via capital markets in a Sharia compliant manner,” he added. Investors can subscribe to the fund units via any of the 20 branches spread across the Sultanate of Oman. Al Hilal MENA Fund is managed by ahlibank Asset Management.

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Renaissance raises OMR45.3m debt for Duqm project Times News Service MUSCAT: Renaissance has successfully raised OMR45.3 million worth of debt required to finance its OMR75.5 millionDuqm accommodation project. The project is scheduled to open by mid-2016. The Duqm project has evoked strong interest in the financial community, as a result of which the long-term debt was significantly oversubscribed. Renaissance kept to its inclusive banking policy and arranged for a group of financial backers to provide the facility together (ahli bank, Al Omaniya Financial Services, BankDhofar, Bank Muscat, Bank Sohar, HSBC Oman, National Bank of Oman and Oman Arab Bank) with whom Renaissance shares a strong and long standing relationship. Bank Muscat - Investment Banking division acted as the financial advisor to Renaissance for financing the project. “We are excited about the Duqm accommodation project, where scale and design are coming together to create a unique offering at extremely competitive

terms. The success of this ﬁnancing exercise shows, once again, the strong relationships Renaissance enjoys with investors and lenders, and we are grateful for the support shown by our valued partners,” said Vishal Goenka, Group CFO of Renaissance. An integral part The project will create the largest permanent accommodation facility in Oman, with fully serviced housing, recreation and catering facilities for over 16,000 people. The accommodation facility itself is an integral part of the government’s plan to develop the Duqm Special Economic Zone into a world class investment and logistics hub. The ﬁnancial backers were interested in how Renaissance is taking advantage of challenges offered by such a large project: the economies of scale mean the cost is well below that of setting up temporary structures, but a much more comfortable lifestyle is created, with full services offered, from dining to recreation and medical. This is important in itself, but has also been shown to improve productivity.

MO N DAY, MAY 1 1 , 2 0 1 5

MARKET ‘Region needs almost 3,000 planes in next two decades’ Emerging markets, led by China and Middle East, continue to grow faster than global average, with doubledigit growth and this is expected to continue

Robust growth in demand for planes from the region is projected between 2014 and 2033, mainly driven by industry growth, said Boeing

A E JAMES

businesseditor@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: As many as 2,950 new planes worth $640 billion will be needed in the Middle East region for the next two decades between 2014 and 2033, according to a forecast by Boeing. The robust growth in demand for planes from the region is mainly due to the industry growth. “We expect demand for planes to continue to increase in the Middle East market in response to ongoing industry growth, and we are well positioned to support the region in its efforts to become a global transportation hub,” said Marty Bentrott, vice president – sales, the Middle East, Russia and Central Asia, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. As many as 46 per cent of these are expected to be single aisle such as the 737MAX, while 37 per cent is expected to be for twin-aisle airplanes such as the Boeing 777, the 787 Dreamliner family and the 747-8, he added in response to Times of Oman queries. Bentrott said that the Middle East’s unique geographical location at the crossroads between

Marty Bentrott. — Supplied picture

Asia, Africa, and Europe, provides it with an advantage in competing for traffic connecting these regions, booming demand in neighbouring regions. Also, local demand is also driving growth in the Middle East market. Hub aggregation is also a key to enabling growth, because the region’s central hubs allow carriers to serve hundreds of routes that have insufficient traffic to warrant point-to-point service. “Alliances, partnerships, and equity stakes in airlines of neighbouring regions also feed the Middle East hubs,” added the Boeing official. Business model innovation has also supported growth in the region as low cost carriers reduce short-haul fares, set up crossborder subsidiaries, and institute mobile booking portals to improve access to air transport services.

He also said that the growth in many emerging markets continues to outpace that in developed economies. Overall, emerging markets, led by China and the Middle East, continue to grow faster than the global average, with double-digit traffic growth and this is expected to continue. Improved proﬁtability is allowing airlines to increase strategic investment for future growth. Airlines are boosting investments to enhance their customer product offering and operating efficiencies. For example, in addition to new airplanes such as the 787, airlines are investing in new information and mobile technology, upgraded cabin interiors for higher levels of service, and additional seats to improve unit costs. Some airlines are increasing equity investment in other airlines

and cross-border partnerships to solidify and expand networks. Reinvestment of proﬁt into airline products enhances the long-term growth prospects for the industry. The Middle East is a rapidly growing region for aviation which results in higher demand for aircraft. It is a key market for Boeing and holds potential for ongoing growth in the aerospace sector including aircraft, infrastructure expansion, services and ﬁnancing. Boeing is keen to continue participating in the ambitious growth plans of this region by providing the right products and services to its customers while also establishing strong and enduring business, industrial and social partnerships. Boeing continues to be fully supportive of industry efforts to develop standards for quickly re-

covering flight recorders in the event of an accident. “The company endorses a coordinated, international approach to ensure harmonization of global aviation safety regulations and is working with customers and industry regulators to develop a global standard for recovering flight recorder data,” added Bentrott. The aviation industry continually adapts to market forces. Key among these are fuel prices, economic growth and development, environmental regulations, infrastructure, market liberalization, airplane capabilities, other modes of transport, business models, and emerging markets. “Fuel is now the largest component of airline cost structure, and while costs are lower now than they were before, fuel costs are always fluctuating. This fact has spurred us to produce more efficient airplanes, such as the 787 and 737 MAX, and encouraged airlines to optimise other cost and revenue centers to maintain profitability in the face of high fuel prices,” noted Bentrott. These planes now utilize technology specifically designed to ensure that the aircrafts are able to fly further on less fuel and carry additional passengers.

E-COMMERCE

Alibaba hikes its stake in online retailer Zulily to 9.3% NEW YORK: Alibaba Group Holding, China’s biggest e-commerce company that held its initial public offering last year, bought $56.2 million of stock in US online retailer Zulily Inc. this week, according to a regulatory filing. The purchases brought Alibaba’s holdings of Seattle-based Zulily to 11.5 million shares, or a 9.3 per cent stake, according to regulatory filings and data compiled by Bloomberg. Alibaba’s Zulily holdings were worth $152.9 million at Friday’s closing price of $13.30. Alibaba Chairman Jack Ma has set a goal of getting 50 per cent of sales from outside China as the nation’s economy is projected to grow at its slowest pace since 1990. Online commerce from China accounted for 80 per cent of revenue in the March quarter, while international e-commerce sales were just nine per cent of the company’s total, Alibaba said. Alibaba has announced at least $2.4 billion in investments in the past 12 months including a Chinese soccer team, a smartphone maker and a mobile application for hailing taxis. The company is trying to diversify while still tapping the more than 557 million Chinese who access the Internet from their smartphones and tablets. Zulily, which sells clothing, home decor and related items, mostly to women, has seen its stock fall 82 per cent since its alltime closing high of $72.75 on February 27, 2014, after a November 2013 initial public offering. The stock dropped to a record low close of $10.82 on May 6 and then rebounded 23 per cent in the following two days as Alibaba added to its stake. At the end of March, Zulily had five million customers who had made at least one purchase in the previous year, up 35 per cent from the previous year. More than half of all Zulily sales are on mobile devices. — Bloomberg News

SPECIAL ECONOMIC ZONE

$62.7m sebacic acid project to come up in Duqm BUSINESS REPORTER

PACT SIGNED: An usufruct agreement for setting up a sebacic acid

project was signed by Yahya bin Said bin Abdullah Al Jabri, chairman of the Special Economic Zone Authority at Duqm (SEZAD), and representatives of the company. — Ismail Al Farsi/Times of Oman

MUSCAT: A ﬁrst-of-its kind sebacic acid production plant is planned to be built in the Duqm Special Economic Zone with an investment of $62.7 million, according to the officials involved in the project. An usufruct agreement for the establishment of the facility was signed on Sunday by Yahya bin Said bin Abdullah Al Jabri, chairman of the Special Economic Zone Authority at Duqm (SEZAD), and representatives of Sebacic Oman Company. The plant will be spread over 400,000 square metres of land. Sebacic acid is extracted from castor oil and is used in a wider range of chemical industries including

plastics and pharmaceuticals. The ceremony witnessed the signing of partnership agreement between Sheikh Hilal bin Khalid Al Mawali as local investor and the foreign partner Pradeep Nair as well as the signing of the ﬁnancing agreement between Sebacic Oman and Meethaq Islamic Banking. Ismail bin Ahmed Al Balushi, deputy chief executive officer of SEZAD, said that partnerships represent another step towards realising the vision of SEZAD to become an important economic engine in meeting the Su ltanate’s goals to diversify the sources of national income. He explained that the plant would be the ﬁrst of its kind in the Middle East and will create 450 employment opportunities in

its first phase. The second phase, which is expected to begin during the next five years, shall witness an investment of around $250 million and will provide 250 jobs, bringing the total of employment opportunities to around 700 jobs. SEZAD officials mentioned during the event that the available investment opportunities in Duqm are numerous and diversified. The last few years have witnessed the signing of many usufruct agreements with local and foreign companies. It was also stated that having foreign investors contributes to the development of local experiences and promotes local capabilities to work in major projects such as the ones that are currently being implemented.

Al Mawali, the local partner in Oman Sebacic Company, said that entering into such eco-friendly strategic projects has always been a priority for the company. The project would allow citizens to benefit by planting trees that produce the necessary feedstock in the Sultanate, he said, adding that the tree is known in the Sultanate for thousands of years as the ‘castor oil plant’ and that its oil has many usages and is easy to plant in different areas. Al Mawali also confirmed the company’s commitment to purchasing the farmer’s produce, pointing out that the company has begun carrying out a study that aims to encourage local Omani farmers to grow this tree in a scientific way, especially in untapped agricultural areas.

M O N DAY, MAY 11, 2015

MARKET

MSM index ends ﬂat Sunday’s top gainer was Al Madina Investment, up by 9.68% while Al Izz Islamic Bank, down by 3.61%, was the top loser

MUSCAT: Muscat bourse’s general index - MSM30 Index - ended on a ﬂat note amid thin trading activity at 6,312.06 points, marginally down by 0.09 per cent. The MSM Sharia Index declined 0.14 per cent to close at 974.50 points. Al Madina Investment was the most active in terms of volume as well as turnover. Sunday’s top gainer was Al Madina Investment, up by 9.68 per cent while Al Izz Islamic Bank down by 3.61 per cent was the top loser for the day. As many as 459 trades were executed during the day’s trading session generating turnover of OMR1.19 million with more

than 6 million shares changing hands. Out of 39 traded securities, three advanced, 15 declined and 21 remained unchanged. Foreign investors were net buyers for OMR41,000 followed by GCC and Arab investors for OMR35,000 while Omani Investors were net sellers for OMR76,000 worth of shares. Financial Index was down by 0.22 per cent to close at 7,626.56 points. Al Madina Investments was the only gainer in the sector and was up by 9.68 per cent to close at OMR0.068. Al Izz Islamic Bank, Al Anwar Holding, Oman & Emirates and Al Madina Takaful declined by 3.61 per cent, 2.91 per

MUSCAT SECURITIES MARKET

cent, 2.80 per cent and 2.30 per cent respectively. Industrial Index closed at 8,330.41 points, down by 0.22 per cent. Raysut Cement was the only gainer in the sector and was up by 0.63 per cent to close at OMR1.585, Oman Fisheries, Construction Material Industries, Gulf International Chemicals and Al Anwar Ceramics declined by 3.57 per cent, 2.50 per cent, 1.32 per cent and 0.97 per cent respectively. Services Sector Index declined 0.19 per cent to end the day at 3,437.76 points. Oreedoo Oman was the only gainer in the sector and was up by 0.54 per cent to close at OMR0.744. Renaissance Services, OIFC and Omantel declined by 2.19 per cent, 0.87 per cent and 0.30 per cent respectively. Dubai stocks gain Dubai stocks rose to the strongest level in more than a week after US employment data helped boost the price of oil. Abu Dhabi’s shares rose.

Dubai’s DFM General Index added 1.1 per cent to 4,147.28, the highest close since April 30. Emaar Properties, the developer with the biggest weighting on the emirate’s gauge, led the increase with a 2.3 per cent gain. Abu Dhabi’s ADX General Index rose 0.5 per cent. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index last week rose to within 0.1 per cent of a record as a rebound in payrolls data and the lowest unemployment rate since May 2008 boosted optimism the US economy is accelerating. Oil prices capped the longest stretch of weekly gains since February 2013. The United Arab Emirates is home to about six per cent of the world’s proven crude reserves, and the Gulf Cooperation Council holds almost a third. “It’s a sentiment driven move as there’s no local catalyst to move the markets, so they are taking a cue from international peers.” Tariq Qaqish, a fund manager at Al Mal Capital, said by phone from Dubai. - United Securities/Bloomberg News

INDICES Index .................................................High .................Low..................... Value ............... Prev . Value.......... Diff ...............Diff % MSM30 Index ........................................6,319.89 .............. 6,303.83 ................... 6,312.06 ....................6,317.66.................. -5.60 .................. -0.09 Financial Index .....................................7,649.27 ...............7,623.26 ....................7,626.56 ....................7,631.44..................-4.88 .................. -0.06 Industrial Index ................................... 8,349.22 .............. 8,325.84 ................... 8,330.41 ................... 8,349.18................ -18.77 .................. -0.22 Services Index ...................................... 3,446.20 ...............3,437.22 ....................3,437.76 ...................3,444.43.................. -6.67 .................. -0.19 MSM SHARIAH INDEX.......................976.32 ...................973.71 ...................... 974.50 ...................... 975.87...................-1.37 .................. -0.14 Trading Summary Volume ................Turnover ..........Trades .............. Market Cap............. Up............Down ............. Equal .........Sec. Traded 6,009,704 ....................1,192,045 .....................459 ............... 14,709,796,692 .................. 3 ......................15 .................... 21 .........................39

SHARE PRICE BULLETIN FOR SUNDAY, MAY 10 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

REGULAR MARKET ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... OM0000001962............AL MADINA INVESTMENT ................................... 2,090,370 .....142,054..................... 77 ........... 0.064 ...........0.068 ...........0.064........... 0.068 .............0.062 ........... 0.006............. 9.677 ................0.068..............0.068...................0.000 ..................14,086,294.........0.100 OM0000001418 ............RAYSUT CEMENT ........................................................12,500 ............. 19,813........................5 ............1.585 ........... 1.585 ...........1.585 ............1.585 ............. 1.575.............0.010 ............. 0.635 ................1.585 ..............1.560...................1.585 ..................317,000,000........0.100 OM0000003968 ...........OOREDOO....................................................................... 190,576...........141,789......................14 ............0.744 ........... 0.744 ...........0.744........... 0.744 .............0.740 ........... 0.004............. 0.541 ................0.744 ..............0.736...................0.744................. 484,302,507 .......0.100 OM0000001145 ............PORT SERVICES CORPORATION ............................1,150 .................. 253........................1 ........... 0.220...........0.220 ...........0.220 .......... 0.221 .............0.221 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.220 .............0.205...................0.220 ..................21,003,840.........0.100 OM0000001160 ............NATIONAL GAS ...............................................................3,000 ............... 1,182........................4 ........... 0.394 ...........0.394 ...........0.394........... 0.394 .............0.394 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.394..............0.380...................0.394 ..................19,700,000 .........0.100 OM0000001483............NATIONAL BANK OF OMAN ................................. 150,000 ........... 47,400........................3 ............0.316 ........... 0.316 ...........0.316 ............0.316 ............. 0.316............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.316 ..............0.312...................0.316................. 423,664,439 .......0.100 OM0000001749 ............OMAN CEMENT .......................................................... 175,100 .............91,052........................9 ........... 0.520 ...........0.520 ...........0.520........... 0.520 .............0.520 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.520..............0.520...................0.524 .................172,053,809........0.100 OM0000002200 ...........AHLI BANK .................................................................... 224,063 ............47,053........................8 ............0.210 ........... 0.210 ...........0.210........... 0.210 .............0.210 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.210.............. 0.195...................0.210..................299,257,590........0.100 OM0000002366 ...........AL BATINAH DEV. INV. HOLDING ..........................3,000 ..................380........................2 ............0.134 ........... 0.134 ...........0.125 ............0.125 ............. 0.125............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.125 .............. 0.125...................0.130.................... 3,750,000 ..........0.100 OM0000002374............UNITED FINANCE ....................................................... 79,901 ...............9,908......................14 ............0.124 ........... 0.124 ...........0.124........... 0.124 .............0.124 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.124..............0.124...................0.125...................38,534,853 .........0.100 OM0000002440 ...........AL SHARQIA INVESTMENT HOLDING ...............5,000 .................. 670........................1 ............0.134 ........... 0.134 ...........0.134........... 0.134 .............0.134............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.134 ..............0.126...................0.134...................12,060,000.........0.100 OM0000002549 ...........BANK DHOFAR ....................................................................520 ...................148........................3 ........... 0.284 ...........0.284 ...........0.284 .......... 0.280 .............0.280 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.284..............0.278...................0.284 .................432,523,993 .......0.100 OM0000002614............ONIC. HOLDING .......................................................................3 ........................1........................1 ........... 0.444 ...........0.444 ...........0.444 .......... 0.460 .............0.460 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.444..............0.440...................0.470................... 79,774,695 .........0.100 OM0000002804 ...........ASAFFA FOODS ............................................................... 9,329 ...............8,023........................1 ........... 0.860 ...........0.860 ...........0.860........... 0.860 .............0.860 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.860............. 0.800...................0.000 ................ 103,200,000 .......0.100 OM0000003000 ...........ALMAHA PETROLEUM PRODUCTS MAR. .......38,323 .............84,311......................21 ........... 2.200...........2.200 .......... 2.200 .......... 2.200 .............2.200 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ............... 2.200 .............1.980...................2.200 .................151,800,000........0.100 OM0000003141 ............ACWA POWER BARKA ..................................................1,083 .................. 905........................1 ........... 0.836 ........... 0.836 ...........0.836........... 0.836 .............0.836 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.836..............0.836...................0.840 .................133,760,000........0.100 OM0000003281............TAAGEER FINANCE ..................................................... 3,648 ...................518........................1 ............0.142 ........... 0.142 ...........0.142........... 0.142 .............0.142 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.142..............0.142...................0.000 ..................36,009,780 .........0.100 OM0000003398 ...........BANK SOHAR.....................................................................3,769 ...................671........................1 ............0.178 ........... 0.178 ...........0.178 ............0.181 ............. 0.181............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.178 .............. 0.178...................0.182................. 260,900,640 .......0.100 OM0000003711 ............SOHAR POWER................................................................5,000 ...............1,800........................3 ........... 0.360 ...........0.362 ...........0.360........... 0.370 .............0.370 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.362............. 0.000...................0.362 .................. 81,773,700 .........0.100 OM0000004735 ...........SEMBCORP SALALAH................................................12,572 .............30,173........................8 ........... 2.400...........2.400 ...........2.400 .......... 2.400 .............2.400 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................2.400 ............ 2.400...................2.410..................229,097,268........1.000 OM0000003026 ...........OMAN TELECOMMUNICATION ..........................71,907 ........... 117,765........................8 ............1.635 ........... 1.640 ...........1.635 ........... 1.640 ............. 1.645............-0.005 ........... -0.304 ...............1.640..............1.640...................1.645................1,230,000,000......0.100 OM0000002796 ...........BANK MUSCAT ..............................................................98,685 ............ 52,693......................12 ........... 0.530 ........... 0.536 ...........0.530........... 0.534 .............0.536 ...........-0.002 ........... -0.373 ...............0.534..............0.532...................0.534................1,223,833,267 ......0.100 OM0000003521 ............GALFAR ENGINEERING AND CON. .................. 301,043 ........... 38,505......................31 ............0.128 ........... 0.129 ...........0.127 ........... 0.128 .............0.129............-0.001 ............-0.775................0.129 ..............0.128...................0.129....................37,117,522 .........0.100 OM0000001525 ............OMAN INVESTMENT AND FINANCE.............. 191,214 ............43,420......................14 ........... 0.226 ...........0.228 ...........0.225........... 0.227 .............0.229 ...........-0.002 ........... -0.873 ...............0.227..............0.227...................0.229 ..................45,400,000 ........0.100 OM0000002168............AL ANWAR CERAMIC TILES ............................... 113,037 ............46,424........................4 ............0.410 ........... 0.414 ...........0.410........... 0.410 ............. 0.414............-0.004 ........... -0.966 ...............0.414 ..............0.414...................0.420 ................. 121,447,610 ........0.100 OM0000002028 ...........GULF INTERNATIONAL CHEMICALS ..............58,350 .............13,143......................15 ........... 0.226 ...........0.226 ...........0.224 .......... 0.225 .............0.228 ...........-0.003 ............-1.316................0.224..............0.223...................0.224 ...................4,725,000 ..........0.100 OM0000003224 ...........RENAISSANCE SERVICES .......................................15,004 ............... 5,371........................2 ........... 0.358 ........... 0.358 ...........0.358........... 0.358 .............0.366 ...........-0.008 ........... -2.186 ...............0.358..............0.362...................0.368..................100,989,815 ........0.100 OM0000002820 ...........GULF INVESTMENT SERVICES ......................... 159,700 .............21,001......................18 ............0.135 ........... 0.135 ...........0.130........... 0.132 ............. 0.135............-0.003 ........... -2.222 ...............0.130 ..............0.129...................0.130.....................7,767,305 ..........0.100 OM0000004768 ...........AL MADINA TAKAFUL...............................................27,400 ...............2,324........................6 ........... 0.086 ...........0.086 ...........0.084........... 0.085 .............0.087 ...........-0.002 ........... -2.299 ...............0.084..............0.084...................0.085...................14,875,000 .........0.100 OM0000001681 ............OMAN AND EMIRATES INV. HOLDING........... 765,480 ............79,516..................... 67 ............0.106 ........... 0.106 ...........0.103........... 0.104 .............0.107............-0.003 ........... -2.804 ...............0.105 ..............0.105...................0.106...................12,675,000 .........0.100 OM0000001772 ............AL ANWAR HOLDING............................................... 412,409 ........... 96,660..................... 33 ........... 0.239 ...........0.240 ...........0.231 ........... 0.234 .............0.241 ...........-0.007 ........... -2.905 ...............0.231 ..............0.230...................0.231...................30,537,000 .........0.100 .............................................SUM: .................................................................................. 5,223,136 ...1,144,926...................388 ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. ........................................................................................................................................... TRADED SEC. ......31........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

PARALLEL MARKET ................................................................................................................................................................................. OM0000001400 ...........OMAN FLOUR MILLS ...................................................... 400 ..................200........................2 ........... 0.500 ...........0.500 ...........0.500........... 0.506 .............0.506 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.500..............0.500...................0.000 ..................79,695,000 .........0.100 OM0000001608............OMAN PACKAGING ....................................................15,000 ............... 3,510........................1 ........... 0.234 ...........0.234 ...........0.234........... 0.234 .............0.234 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.234..............0.234...................0.000 ................... 7,589,991 ..........0.100 OM0000004420 ...........BANK NIZWA ..................................................................41,639 ................3,115......................12 ............0.075 ........... 0.076 ...........0.074........... 0.075 .............0.075 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.075..............0.075...................0.076..................112,500,000........0.100 OM0000004776 ...........TAKAFUL OMAN INSURANCE ..............................38,928 .............. 4,282........................6 ............0.110 ........... 0.110............0.110 ............0.110 ............. 0.110............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.110 .............. 0.110................... 0.112 ...................11,000,000 .........0.100 OM0000002564 ...........AL HASSAN ENGINEERING.................................. 127,437 .............12,687......................19 ........... 0.099 ........... 0.100 ...........0.098........... 0.100 ............. 0.101............-0.001 ........... -0.990 ...............0.098..............0.098...................0.100....................7,520,800 ..........0.100 OM0000001368 ............CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS IND. .................. 483,300 ............ 18,815..................... 23 ........... 0.040........... 0.041 ...........0.038........... 0.039 .............0.040 ...........-0.001 ........... -2.500 ...............0.038..............0.038...................0.039.................... 3,315,000 ..........0.100 OM0000001566 ............OMAN FISHERIES .......................................................71,864 ...............3,870........................6 ........... 0.057 ........... 0.057 ...........0.053........... 0.054 .............0.056 ...........-0.002 ............-3.571................0.053..............0.053...................0.055....................6,750,000 ..........0.100 OM0000004511 ............ALIZZ ISLAMIC BANK..................................................8,000 ..................640........................2 ........... 0.080 ...........0.080 ...........0.080........... 0.080 .............0.083 ...........-0.003 ............-3.614................0.080..............0.077...................0.080 ..................80,000,000 ........0.100 .............................................SUM: .................................................................................. 786,568 ............47,120......................71 ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. ........................................................................................................................................... TRADED SEC. ........ 8........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

GLOBAL MARKETS

Markets test patience of Fed chief WASHINGTON: Janet Yellen could be losing patience. And that could mean a lot for global markets. When the chair of the Federal Reserve said on Wednesday that stocks were overvalued and bond yields too low, it was a signal that investors should not expect to indulge on the Fed’s cheap dollars forever. But after a knee-jerk reaction

to the warning, two days later Wall Street was back near record highs and bond yields even lower than before Yellen spoke. The reason? Friday’s April jobs report that suggested the economy still has some ways to go to meet the Fed’s criteria for beginning to raise interest rates. And that means more easy money for investors. When Yellen became Fed chair

15 months ago the path ahead seemed clear: end the huge quantitative easing stimulus programme of her predecessor, Ben Bernanke, in October 2014, and then after around six months begin raising interest rates. That was the path toward “normalisation,” easing out of the crisis-era monetary policy that had the Fed pumping trillions of dollars into the economy. - Bloomberg News

W W W.T I M E S O F O M A N . C O M MONDAY, MAY 11, 2015

SECTION

E-

IMES TECH STUFF

Two retail veterans take aim at Amazon’s e-commerce reign

A start-up has been working on something out of left ﬁeld — a selective online store called Enjoy, which, for no additional cost, will send an expert to hand-deliver tech products and spend an hour helping people set up and learn to use their new things.

here are two ways for start-ups to take on Amazon, the reigning monarch of US online shopping. One is to mount a frontal attack: Raise hundreds of millions of dollars from investors, build huge warehouses and a complex delivery infrastructure, establish deals with thousands of merchant partners and aim, through sheer brute force, to compete with Jeff Bezos’ behemoth on the very qualities that have made Amazon peerless — selection, speed, customer friendliness and price. The other way is to do something out of left ﬁeld. While ceding some advantages to the Bezos machine — admitting that it may never beat Amazon on price, say — a start-up could cleverly marshal new technologies to attack the giant on more favourable ground. For instance, as I argued in December, a new breed of on-demand companies like Postmates and Instacart is challenging Amazon on same-day delivery by using smartphone-routed workers to pick up goods from local stores and efficiently cart them to customers. In the past few months, two retail veterans have been working on companies that explore these different avenues of breaking into online commerce. Ron Johnson, who, with Steve

Jobs, created Apple’s lucrative physical stores, has been working on something out of left ﬁeld — a selective online store called Enjoy, which, for no additional cost, will send an expert to hand-deliver tech products and spend an hour helping people set up and learn to use their new things. The service, Johnson said, is a smartphoneera take on his past at Apple — an effort to create the friendliness of an Apple Store in people’s homes and offices. Then there’s Marc Lore, an ecommerce veteran who in 2010 sold his company, Quidsi, to Amazon for about $550 million. Lore’s new service, Jet.com, represents a frontal assault on Amazon. Lore has raised more than $200 million — a staggering sum before even opening up shop — to create a nationwide e-commerce giant to compete with Amazon on selection, service and, especially, price. Jet’s promise is simple and, if the company can keep it, potentially momentous: to offer the absolute lowest price on just about everything, from paper towels to oatmeal to tennis rackets, guaranteed. I’ve been chatting with Johnson and Lore about their ambitions, and testing each of their services in early, prerelease form. While their companies are com-

pletely different — and, like all start-ups, face long odds in reaching a critical mass of users — they each represent potentially transformative ways to shop online. Their efforts suggest that online commerce remains a huge area of innovation and opportunity — and that Amazon, as big and indomitable as it sometimes seems, doesn’t have the whole thing locked up. “E-commerce today is primarily logistics and convenience — you order today and, boom, get it tomorrow,” Johnson said in a recent interview at Enjoy’s headquarters, a bustling warehouse in Menlo Park, California. That model, he said, would remain a primary way people buy things, but smartphone-powered local delivery networks have also opened up a potential new way of shopping that Johnson calls “personal commerce.” New e-commerce model Johnson began noodling around with the idea that would become Enjoy early in 2014, about a year after he was dumped from a disastrous run as chief executive of J.C. Penney. He became intrigued, he said, by the possibility of reimagining Personal Setup, a service he created at Apple that offers free instore assistance to people who buy new products. “I remember when we launched that, Steve said, ‘Are you sure you can do that? Your stores are busy,’” Johnson said. “But I thought it was the right thing to do. And within a matter of weeks of launching it, well over half the purchases were being set up in a store.” Enjoy, which has recruited several former Apple employees, aims to offer a similar kind of setup, but at a time and place of the customer’s choosing. Among other things, Enjoy’s representatives will show you how to transfer your data from your old smartphone to your new

one, train you to shoot and edit video on a GoPro, or explain how to add music to your Sonos audio system. As I saw in my own session with an Enjoy rep, the company will even teach you how to fly your new drone. Enjoy is starting small. The company, which has raised around $30 million from investors, is starting out in just the San Francisco Bay Area this week and in New York City next week. Enjoy does not compete with Amazon on selection; it offers only about a dozen or so high-margin tech products for sale, among them laptops, GoPros, drones and, in an exclusive deal, smartphones and tablets purchased from AT&T. Johnson believes that by limiting selection, Enjoy can offer free delivery and setup. Because it needs to stock only high-end products, the company hopes to squeeze enough out of each purchase to cover delivery and personal consultation. Enjoy’s big bet is that it can stock, route and schedule appointments efficiently enough to justify its staff of travelling experts — all of whom, in an interesting twist, are salaried employees and not hired on contract, a model used by many other logistics start-ups, including Uber. Enjoy is in stark contrast with Jet, which, when it opens to the public in early July, does not aim to start small. Right out of the gate, it makes a huge promise: “You should never find an item that’s more expensive on Jet than anywhere else,” Lore told me this week. Lore says he believes he can keep that promise thanks to an unusual business model. Like Costco, Jet will charge an annual membership fee, in this case $49.99. That fee is intended to free Lore from making any profit on each item — and thus pass all potential savings to customers. I’ve been using Jet for about a week and a half, and have found it a work in progress— FARHAD MANJOO/The New York Times News Service

CAN ONE GET iPHOTO PROGRAMME BACK? Apple’s new Photos programme is intended to replace both its older iPhoto and Aperture software for picture-editing and management. The Photos icon even supplants iPhoto in the Dock after you upgrade to OS X 10.10.3, but iPhoto is not removed from your Mac and you can still ﬁnd it in the Applications folder. When you open iPhoto, however, Apple does remind you that your photo library has been moved to the Photos app. You can still work in iPhoto, but new pictures you add or edit there stay in the now-retired programme.

SMARTPHONE APPS

In the event of a natural disaster, please tap here THE DEADLY earthquake in Nepal serves as a reminder that natural disasters can strike at any time. But being prepared and informed can help, and a smartphone can be a vital tool for that. The FEMA app, from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, can help before, during and after a disaster. It has several important sections, beginning with its “prepare” menu. This area includes clearly written advice on how to prepare for many different kinds of natural catastrophes, including drought, earthquakes and even volcanic eruptions. It also has advice on how to assemble emergency kits to keep in the home for different types of disasters. In addition, there is a section for keeping notes on emergency meeting locations that users can prearrange with their families. This is information that could be easily forgotten in the event of a disaster. FEMA offers weather alerts for up to five locations in the United States, and will send notifications if severe weather threatens any of them. There is a section for finding out where official shelters are, and even help on applying for post-disaster financial assistance. A photograph-sharing system could be useful to help disaster workers and others understand what is happening on the ground. Users can see what others have uploaded, and upload their own photos. FEMA’s plain style, straightforward menus and clear writing make its advice and instructions easy to understand. Its text is interesting as well as informative, so it is great to read even when a disaster is not looming. Most of the features work without a cellphone connection, which could be critical if communications are disrupted. It is available free for iOS and Android. If a disaster strikes, you may find yourself having to help people with injuries. That’s where First Aid by American Red Cross is useful. Here you’ll find step-by-step guidance for dealing with minor cuts and burns and more serious injuries like broken bones and serious bleeding. It is primarily an educational app, with text, diagrams and videos to help teach first aid, along with quizzes and a badgebased reward system. Guidance is given in clear, simple language, easy to follow in stressful circumstances. Emergency services can be contacted from inside the app, and most features work without needing a cell connection. It is free for iOS and Android devices. Disaster Alert from the Pacific Disaster Centre pulls together warnings and advisories from around the world, alerting users to earthquakes, approaching hurricanes and cyclones, and floods and wildfires.

Disaster Alert’s main interface is a map that shows where disasters either have happened or are threatening. Users can also choose to see the alerts in list form. Tapping on an alert brings up more detailed information, like the exact area affected and when the alert was issued. Free for iOS and Android, Disaster Alert is easy to use and quite informative. But the free version simply presents all alerts as they happen; filtering the list by location or severity costs up to $10 a year. Disasters can separate families, and that is where ReUnite can help. Users can share information on people who are missing or post the whereabouts of people who were separated from their families. The hope is that separated people will eventually be able to find each other. It is simple to use, and encryption protects sensitive personal information in the event a device is lost. ReUnite requires a network connection. It is free for iOS and Android devices. Quick call Zero can help with the annoying issue of a flooded email inbox. It helps get to the fabled “inbox zero” state by helping users scan quickly through incoming mail. This is a different approach from other email clients, and an interesting one. The app is not perfect, but it could help and it is free to try now on iOS. — KIT EATON/ The New York Times News Service

MON DAY, MAY 11, 2015

ROUND-UP New India hosts farewell for outgoing Indian envoy MUSCAT: Indian Ambassador J.S. Mukul was given a ﬁtting farewell by K.V. Francis, chief operating officer, along with Majid Abdul Rahim Jaffar, chairman of Abdul Aziz & Brothers Co (Majid Group) and all staff members of the New India Assurance Co Ltd, the Indian giant in the insurance sector, in a small but glittering ceremony in the company’s head office in Hamriya, says a press release. In his brief speech, Francis highlighted the achievements of the Indian ambassador with regard to further strengthening the bilateral relationship of India and Oman during his over three-year tenure as Ambassador of India to the Sultanate. An all-round development in the bilateral trade, socio-developmental programmes initiated and implemented by the ambassador were also remembered in the function.

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Al Araimi Complex announces summer bonanza on top brands

The entire New India team extended their best wishes to the outgoing ambassador for his new assignment in The Netherlands. In his thanksgiving speech, J.S. Mukul mentioned various peopleoriented programmes initiated by

‘New India - Oman’. “Introduction of new insurance schemes, like health insurance, exclusively for Indian expatriates and other innovative products is highly commendable’, the outgoing ambassador said.

YOUTH DEVELOPMENT

A memento was presented to Mukul as a token of respect and appreciation for all the good work, by Majid Abdul Rahim Jaffar, chairman of Majid Group, chief agents for the New India Assurance Co since 1974. SUMMER COACHING

Bank Muscat extends major support to education sector

Polyglot offers wide range of new courses

MUSCAT: Bank Muscat as part of its commitment to promote education and support the future generations, has extended partnership to the Directorate General of Education in the Governorate of Muscat. The move is aimed at providing support to all major activities organised by the Directorate General of Education in Muscat Governorate, thereby complementing the learning experience of school children and motivating the teacher community, says a press release. Abdullah Tamman Al Mashani, AGM – Direct & Institutional Sales, and Khamis Al Wahaibi, director of Education, discussed the framework of the partnership between the bank and the Ministry of Education in a review meeting held at the bank’s head office.

MUSCAT: Polyglot Institute offers a wide range of courses this summer to suit all tastes — for all ages from 11 to 17 with classes available at both centres in Wattayah and Al-Hail, says a press release. English classes are available to develop language skills and to help cope with school work in the coming terms. Levels range from beginners to pre-intermediate. Special classes are available for older students to prepare for further studies in college or university. This year, the IT department offers keyboarding, office application programmes, exploring Windows 7 operating system and Creative Editor to learn how to design images and create web pages. With classes starting on June 14, registrations have already started.

“The partnership comes within the framework of joint co-operation between the public and private sectors in order to contribute to the support and development of the community, and stemming from the belief of Bank Muscat in linking the development of community projects to achieve common goals in sustainable development. The initiative stems from our commitment to the country’s future generations,” said Abdullah Al Mashani. Bank Muscat has adopted a series of measures to support

various community activities complementing the progressive march of the nation. The bank remains committed to shouldering its developmental and social responsibilities within the framework of co-operation and co-ordination with all segments of society, especially children and youth who represent the country’s future. The bank seizes every opportunity to contribute to Oman’s future by investing in sectors such as education nurturing talent which is the real wealth of the nation.

MUSCAT: Al Araimi Complex, one of Oman’s premier and long standing shopping destinations, continues to be a major attraction for fashion enthusiasts and brand conscious shoppers. Al Araimi offers a plethora of choices when it comes to International brands in lifestyle and luxury as well as top local brands. Spanning an area of 15 thousand sq. metres, the mall has been popular for some of its international food chains, contemporary coffee shops, banks and most of all the parking lot can accommodate over 1000 vehicles, says a press release. “The stores at Al Araimi Complex complement the selection of retailers already in place. Our unique retail mix creates a sense of excitement and offers patrons a comfortable shopping experience, which demonstrates our commitment to creating great moments for everyone, every day,” said a senior spokesperson from Al Araimi management. Animal World is the only pet store in Al Araimi Complex that houses wide range of animals from sea animals to terrestrial animals. It also offers accessories comprising cage, aquariums, animal food and much more. Visitors with pets can avail up to 50% discount on cages and aquariums that lasts for limited time only. Oman Trading Establishment is one of the leading distributors of LG and Bosch products in Oman, known for some of their exclusive offers on televisions, dishwashers, washing machines and other gadgets. Consumers can beneﬁt from their regularly held ‘LG Summer Savings’ on

gadgets and electronic items. Customers are also entitled to receive gift vouchers on every purchase of OMR300 and 1 year additional warranty on selected products/items. One of their signature brands, Marina Home features one of the best places for stylish furniture, accessories, lighting, styles etc. Marina Home is currently having a sale up to 50% on its modern home furnishings that include the living room, drawing room, bedroom and study room for a limited period only till May 23, 2015. Optifasion is one of the wellknown optical stores in Oman offering buy 1 get 1 free on selected items till May 14. Visitors can choose from a wide variety of styles and design. Arabian Oud, the scent of luxury and most refined merchandise for a perfumer, is ranked one of the best in perfumes and first in the Arab world. Visitors can now avail a 1 plus 1 offer on all its exclusive perfumes for limited time only that lasts May 14, 2015. URBAN offers some of the latest women clothing style and trendsat Al Araimi Complex. Stay on top of fashion trends and avail benefits and offers galore till May 22. Raymonds and Lakhoos are offering upto 30% off on brands like Park Avenue, Manzoi, Colorplus and many more. Al Araimi Complex demonstrates its commitment in sustaining the ever-changing demands of their fashion conscious patrons by showcasing leading brands around the globe.

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QUOTES It’s ﬁne to celebrate success but it is more important to heed the lessons of failure. — Bill Gates The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall. —Ralph Waldo Emerson Sometimes by losing a battle you ﬁnd a new way to win the war. —Donald Trump

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You make mistakes. Mistakes don’t make you. — Maxwell Maltz

M O N DAY, MAY 11, 2015

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Last 3 days to benefit from Toyota ‘Summer Surprises’ Comprehensive one year Insurance (Oman only) and 1st year registration are being offered on various models

MUSCAT: Customers can utilise a host of benefits in the ‘Summer Surprises’ campaign launched by Toyota Oman before the scheme ends on May 13. The benefits are applicable on 2015 year models which also are 2015 production vehicles for all purchases except government organizations and ministries, says a press release. Comprehensive one year Insurance (Oman only) and 1st year registration are being offered on various models. But that’s not all. Customers can also avail 1000 litres of fuel (petrol or diesel as applicable on a model) and iPhone 6 (16 GB, space gray colour) on select models. In case, a customer doesn’t want to go for the above, he/she also has a choice to avail cash gift up to OMR500 as applicable on select models. All these exciting benefits being offered on the formidable and dynamic range of vehicles from Toyota’s stable, make a compelling consideration for anybody who is looking at a new purchase. Terms and conditions apply on various benefits that are being offered as a part of the summer surprises campaign (mentioned above). “I am happy that Toyota vehicles are now available with a host of benefits during the ‘Summer Surprises’ campaign … I think many people will enjoy the benefits,” feels a loyal customer about Toyota’s exciting campaign.

The comprehensive range of Toyota includes a number of popular vehicles. A worthy choice, the Toyota Yaris is an exciting sedan, available in 1.5 L and a 1.3 L engine choice, Toyota Yaris made for the young and young at heart sets the hearts racing and adds to your style at play. The Toyota Corolla is the Middle East Car of the Year for 2014. With an enviable lineage, Corolla is the most sold car worldwide. Driving one puts you in the spotlight with all eyes on you. Customers can choose between a powerful 2.0 L engine & a 1.6 L engine. The Toyota Camry is the topselling car for the past 11 years in

America. Camry is an iconic sedan that marks a beginning of a new era in the world of automobiles. The 2015 Camry offers a 2.5L Dual VVTi engine that delivers 181 HP, 6-speed multi-mode A/T transmission, 6 airbags along with VSC and TRC. The luxurious Aurion is a vehicle that elevates your class and helps you carve an image that is just right. Available with 6-speed multi-mode automatic transmission, with a 3.5L Engine and a maximum output of 268 HP, delivering top-class level fuel economy and a powerful driving experience. The Toyota Avalon is a par excellence sedan with an elegant design meant for the discerning. It utilizes a 3.5-litre, six-cylinder en-

gine that features Dual VVT-i. The V6 engine produces 273 horsepower and provides the Avalon with remarkable acceleration. The Hilux is unbeaten and unstoppable. With a Hilux one can boldly and powerfully conquer the unexplored paths. Be it the narrow lanes or uneven terrain, the Hilux is sure to partner your ambitions. The large deck, the strong build, the aggressive stance make Hilux an all-time favourite. Made available in 3 options of single cab, double cab and 4x4; it suits every business, every need. Feature-packed and ‘fungineered’, the Toyota RAV4 is powered by a 2.5-litre, 4-cylinder Dual VVT-i engine that churns out 177 HP. Its cutting edge features include Xenon headlamps with daytime running lights, aero stabilizing ﬁns, aerodynamic roof rails, ﬂoor mounted spare wheels, moon roof and rear parking sensors (4 pieces). A smooth ride, plenty of cargo space and proven reliability are its hallmarks. A genuine 4-wheel drive, the Fortuner TRD Sportivo is equipped with an advanced large displacement engine and tough chassis for an uncompromising running performance, whether on-road or off-road. Prado, born with the Toyota Land Cruiser DNA in its bloodline, takes Toyota’s enviable 4WD legacy way further. A top-seller in regions around the world, the Prado is a pride to own and a joy to drive. The Land Cruiser is the standard by which other off-road vehicles are measured. The pride of the land, is regarded as a symbol of strength, durability and reliability. Rugged yet luxurious, the Land Cruiser delivers high-end performance and advanced off-roading capabilities. In Oman, Toyota’s outstanding product quality is supported by the nationwide parts and service network of Saud Bahwan Automotive. No wonder then that today, Toyota is one of the most trusted and wellknown brands.

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TURBOCHARGING PROGRAMME

Ooredoo keeps enriching customer experience MUSCAT: After three successful years of network modernisation and upgrades, Ooredoo has now ‘turbocharged’ over 70 percent of its network across Oman. Following extensive work to build and expand coverage and transform all sites within the turbocharged areas to either 3G+ or 4G, analysis of the customer experience reflects a significant improvement in quality as well as coverage strength of each and every modernised base station, says a press release. Starting from just 53 percent 3G+ population coverage in mid-2012, Ooredoo’s mobile 3G+ population coverage now stands at almost 90 percent as of the end of Q1 2015. What’s more, Ooredoo now delivers state-ofthe-art 3G+ technology through five different 3G carriers, further enriching customers’ online experience with download speeds of up to 10Mbps. Superfast 4G data services are also expanding rapidly and now cover many areas across Muscat, Salalah, Sohar and Dqum. Fixed service customers have also benefitted from the extensive countrywide transformation from WiMAX technology to 4G. Today more than 95 percent of Ooredoo’s Home Broadband services are delivered over their 4G network. Celebrating the successful progress of the countrywide network turbocharging programme, Hassan Al Lawati, director of Capability Management at Ooredoo said, “By challenging ourselves, we have boosted our customer experience by introducing state-of-the-art mobile and fixed LTE technologies to the Sultanate. Our customers will now also be able to enjoy LTE Advanced, or 4.5G, the next generation of 4G technology, in hotspots around Muscat. Work to cover these locations has already started. Having completed testing back in 2014, we demonstrated this new technology in COMEX this year, show-

casing download speeds of far more than 200 Mbps. This is very exciting for our customers as it opens up a whole new online experience.” Ooredoo’s turbocharging programme will deliver further upgrades across the Sultanate during 2015. A number of cities will see and feel the difference with the expansion extending to Manah, Al Hamra, Izki, Adam, Bahla and Nizwa, Al Mudaybi, Dima Wattayeen, Bidiyah, Ibra, Al Qabil, Jaalan Bani Bu Ali, Khasab, Bukha, Qurayyat, Masirah, Hayma, Hallaniyat, Al Jazir and Thumrait. As a result of their widespread upgrades, Ooredoo has seen a signiﬁcant rise in broadband uptake within turbocharged areas, as customers enjoy the beneﬁts of faster data speeds with higher quality. Customers on Ooredoo’s 3G+ network can enjoy data download speeds as high as 10Mbps which is almost four times faster than the speeds experienced at the beginning of the Turbocharging programme back in 2012. For those on the 4G network, the speeds are even faster.

MILESTONE

Hyundai Motor celebrates Sonata’s 30th anniversary MUSCAT: Hyundai Motor Company is this year celebrating the 30th anniversary of one of its best-selling models, the Sonata mid-size sedan. The Sonata, which made its debut in 1985 in Korea, has played a pivotal role in Hyundai’s growth and reputation, especially in the Middle East and Africa, where it was launched in 1988, and by April 2015 it had registered sales of some 314,181 units in this region alone. In total, it has recorded sales of over 7.3 million units globally since its introduction 30 years ago, ensuring its place as a family sedan much loved by customers all around the world, says a press release. During its 30-year history, the Sonata has been constantly reinvented with a fresh new look and innovative technologies to ensure each generation is the leader in the class. Most recently, the Korean brand introduced the all-new Sonata, 7th Generation, to the Middle East in September 2014. “Over the past 30 years we have continued to aspire to become the world’s most beloved brand and the ongoing success of the Sonata has helped contribute to this goal,” said James Kim, vicepresident and head of Hyundai Africa and Middle East. “Since 1988, this iconic model has been a huge factor in Hyundai’s growth not only in Africa and the Middle East but around the world, this is thanks to the constant reinvention of the model which has ensured that it has continued to stay ahead of competitor models and at the forefront of our customer’s minds.” The latest generation, named the all-new Sonata stays true to Hyundai’s acclaimed ‘Modern Premium’ brand direction, where it offers modern styling, excellent performance, and practical application of the latest Hyundai technologies. It is the second model to have been designed using Hyundai’s Fluidic Sculpture 2.0 philosophy boasting dramatic looksand a design concept that focuses on ‘Inner Force’, a theme

that points to evolved aesthetics and confident perfection. History of the Sonata 1st Generation (1985): The 1st Generation Sonata was one of the first models designed with Hyundai Motor’s in-house capabilities. It began the legacy of Sonata by exceeding 1 million unit sales in Korea by a single model name for the first time. 2nd Generation (1988): Unlike the 1st Generation model, the 2nd Generation Sonata employed a front wheel drive system. As Korea’s first independently designed model, it departed from the angular design and adopted a curvy aerodynamic design. The facelift, launched in 1991, was the first model to be badged with a revised Hyundai Motor logo. 3rd Generation (1993): The 1990s saw the world turn digital, and the Sonata was no exception. The 3rd Generation Sonata enjoyed a great boost in popularity due to many advanced features, including automated side mirrors and ABS. 4th Generation (1998): The 4th Generation Sonata was launched in 1998. The mid-sized sedan was sold in Europe and was equipped with an internally developed engine and Hyundai Intelligent Vehicle Electronic Control (HIVEC) transmission. It became the highest scoring mid-sized sedan in the 2004 J.D. Power Initial Quality Survey in the US. 5th Generation (2004): The

5th Generation Sonata was developed to achieve the goal of becoming a world-class car. The design adopted a European style, boasting both elegance and character. Equipped with advanced features and a greatly improved safety rating, the 5th Generation Sonata received unanimous praise from its customers. 6th Generation (2009): The 6th Generation Sonata was one of the first Hyundai Motor models to employ the fluidic sculpture design philosophy. Its bold and unique design, powerful engine and solid performance created a sensation in the mid-sized sedan market all around the world with record unit sales, allowing Sonata to become one of the Hyundai Motor’s most recognizable models. In addition, the Sonata Hybrid was introduced in 2010. 7th Generation (2014): The all-new Sonata, 7th Generation, has further refined and balanced the trendy style of the evolved version of Hyundai Motor’s Fluidic Sculpture design philosophy, making it truly pioneering in the mid-sized sedan class in terms of both design and performance. Every detail has been upgraded to perfection and various design elements have been balanced to embrace consistency to achieve the ‘essential qualities’ of an automobile. Launched in the Middle East in Jordan in September 2014, the 7th Generation Sonata impresses customers with superb drivability, safety and emotional satisfaction, as well as advanced features.

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SPOR YOUR GAME

ROSBERG CRUISES TO SPANISH GRAND PRIX WIN Nico Rosberg beat Mercedes team mate Lewis Hamilton for the ﬁrst time this season and cut the Formula One world champion’s lead to 20 points with a commanding victory in the Spanish Grand Prix on Sunday. >C3

INDIAN PREMIER LEAGUE

Chennai Super Kings back on top

SUPERB BATTING: Royal Challengers Bangalore skipper Virat

Kohli and century maker AB de Villiers pat each other after the scintillating Bangalore innings. – BCCI

Amazing AB drives RCB past Mumbai Powered by a swashbuckling 133 off just 59 balls by AB de Villiers and a classy 82 from skipper Virat Kohli, Royal Challengers Bangalore trounced Mumbai Indians

MUMBAI: Powered by a swashbuckling 133 off just 59 balls by AB de Villiers and a classy 82 from skipper Virat Kohli, Royal Challengers Bangalore trounced Mumbai Indians by 39 runs in an IPL cricket match here on Sunday. South Africa’s de Villiers, who came in at the fall of opener Chris Gayle’s wicket, simply tore apart the MI bowling as he hammered four sixes and 19 fours on a superb batting track at the Wankhede Stadium as RCB rattled up 235 for 1. De Villiers and Kohli, who faced 50 balls and struck 4 sixes and six fours, completely dominated the MI attack during their all-time IPL record partnership of 215 in 102 balls, which bettered the previous all-time best of 206 between Adam Gilchrist and Shaun Marsh for Kings XI Punjab against RCB in 2011 at Dharamsala. Chasing the huge score, the third 200-plus total by RCB this season and the season’s highest total by all teams, MI made a brave effort before ﬁnally ending up with 196 for 7. Opener Lendl Simmons made an unconquered 68, studded with 5 fours and 3 sixes in 53 balls and also featured in a breezy stand of 70 in 37 balls for the third wicket with Kiron Pollard (49), but the target was too stiff to scale. The victory pushed RCB up in the standings to no. 4 with 13 points to their credit with three

games in hand, a position from which they seem well-poised to enter the play-offs. MI, on the other hand, had to remain content with 12 points from as many games to stay in the sixth spot with two more matches in hand. The day belonged in large measure to de Villiers, who struck his second ton in IPL history, who was complemented in superb fashion by Kohli, who was lucky to be let off by Harbhajan Singh when on 6. MI had in fact looked to have had things under control when they restricted RCB to 39 for 1 at the end of the power-play overs before things fell apart as de Villiers, in particular, went hammer and tongs ﬁrst at the spin duo of Harbhajan Singh and Jagadeesha Suchith. Harbhajan was carted for 15 runs in each of his two overs and then was not called upon to bowl at all even though all other bowlers, barring Lasith Malinga, were taken to the cleaners by the two batsmen. Strangely Kieron Pollard did not bowl a single ball even when the mayhem was on. The worst bowling efforts came from Jasprit Bumrah, who had replaced R Vinay Kumar in the eleven and served up juicy full-tosses for de Villiers and Kohli to feast upon, and Hardik Pandya. Both these bowlers conceded over 50 runs. — PTI

SCOREBOARD

ROYAL CHALLENGERS BANGALORE C. Gayle c Simmons b Malinga 13 V. Kohli not out 82 AB de Villiers not out 133 Extras (w-6, nb-1) 7 Total (1 wicket; 20 overs) 235 Fall of wicket: 1-20 Bowling: M. McClenaghan 4-0-40-0; L. Malinga 4-1-27-1; J. Bumrah 4-0-52-0; J. Suchith 3-0-35-0; Harbhajan Singh 2-030-0; H. Pandya 3-0-51-0 MUMBAI INDIANS P. Patel run out (Kohli/Karthik) L. Simmons not out

19 68

R. Sharma c Mandeep b Patel 15 K. Pollard c Starc b Aravind 49 H. Pandya st Karthik b Chahal 8 A. Rayudu c de Villiers b Patel 14 Harbhajan c Kohli b Starc 3 J. Suchith c Karthik b Chahal 4 M. McClenaghan not out 12 Extras (lb-1, w-3) 4 Total (7 wickets; 20 overs) 196 Fall of wickets: 1-29, 2-63, 3-133, 4-143, 5-174, 6-178, 7-184 Bowling: M. Starc 4-0-41-1; S. Aravind 4-0-29-1; D. Wiese 4-0-38-0; H. Patel 4-036-2; Y. Chahal 4-0-51-2 Player of the match: AB de Villiers

CHENNAI: Chennai Super Kings (CSK) climbed to the top of the Indian Premier League (IPL) points table with a 12-run victory over Rajasthan Royals in a league match at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium here on Sunday. Chasing 158, Royals were restricted to 145 for nine in 20 overs. CSK improved to 16 points from 12 matches, keeping Royals in the third spot with 14 points after 13 games. Royals began their runmaking process sedately with openers Ajinkya Rahane (23) and Shane Watson (28). They mixed caution with aggression to build a strong platform for their team. Just as it seemed they have settled into a nice rhythm Rahane departed in the sixth over dismissed by Mohit Sharma. No.3 batter Steve Smith (4) also didn’t last long as Royals slumped to 48 for two in the eighth over. But they received a bigger jolt when Watson had to depart, caught brilliantly by an acrobatic Dwayne Bravo at long on off the bowling of Ravindra Jadeja in the 10th over. Rajasthan’s situation worsened 11 balls later. Jadeja struck again to

SCOREBOARD

MAN OF THE MATCH: Ravindra

Jadeja. – BCCI

dismiss Karun Nair (10) to reduce Royals to 75 for four. The asking rate steadily went up and Royals needed 73 runs off the last seven overs. Earlier, Brendon McCullum’s 81 off 61 balls lifted Chennai Super Kings (CSK) to a ﬁghting total of 157 for 5. McCullum hit four sixes and seven fours and joined hands with Faf du Plessis (29) for a 101-run stand in 76 balls for the third wicket

CHENNAI SUPER KINGS D. Smith c Faulkner b A. Sharma 6 B. McCullum c A. Sharma b Morris 81 S. Raina c Faulkner b Morris 3 F. du Plessis run out (Watson) 29 P. Negi c Smith b Morris 2 MS Dhoni not out 13 D. Bravo not out 15 Extras (lb-1, w-7) 8 Total (5 wickets; 20 overs) 157 Fall of wickets: 1-12, 2-15, 3-116, 4-129, 5-129 Bowling: C. Morris 4-0-19-3; S. Watson 2-0-19-0; Ankit Sharma 4-0-31-1; P. Tambe 3-0-24-0; J. Faulkner 4-0-40-0; R. Bhatia 3-0-23-0 RAJASTHAN ROYALS A. Rahane c Bravo b Sharma 23

that was the driving force behind Chennai’s competitive score. After electing to bat ﬁrst, Chennai got off to a poor start, losing aggressive opening batsman Dwayne Smith (6) and ever-reliable Suresh Raina (3) inside four overs. While left-arm spinner Ankit Sharma removed West Indian Smith, caught by James Faulkner, left-hander Raina too offered a

S. Watson c Bravo b Jadeja 28 S. Smith b Jadeja 4 K. Nair c Ashwin b Jadeja 10 D. Hooda c Raina b Jadeja 15 S. Samson c Smith b Bravo 26 J. Faulkner c Bravo b Sharma 16 C. Morris not out 16 R. Bhatia c du Plessis b Sharma 0 A. Sharma c Nehra b Bravo 0 P. Tambe not out 1 Extras (lb-2, w-2, nb-2) 6 Total (9 wickets; 20 overs) 145 Fall of wickets: 1-37, 2-48, 3-63, 4-75, 5-90, 6-123, 7-130, 8-130, 9-143 Bowling: A. Nehra 4-0-29-0; M. Sharma 4-0-25-3; P. Negi 4-0-35-0; R. Jadeja 4-0-114; D. Bravo 4-0-43-2 Man of the match: Ravindra Jadeja

catch to Faulkner off pacer Chris Morris to leave the hosts in spot of bother at 15 for 2. McCullum waiting for weak deliveries to pounce upon, like he did against Pravin Tambe, who got hit for two sixes in the sixth over. Afterwards, Dhoni (not out 13) and Bravo (not out 15) raised 28 runs in the ﬁnal 15 deliveries to take Chennai to the decent total. — IANS

M O N DAY, MAY 11, 2015

SPORTS

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Hyderabad take on Punjab need to come up with a competitive show against the famed SRH bowling to make matters difficult for the hosts. It would be no mean task for KXIP bowlers either as top SRH batsmen like captain David Warner, Dhawan, Henriques and Morgan would be determined to keep the winning momentum going and secure a play-off berth. Even on the head-to-head count, SRH have an edge over KXIP with 3-2 win-loss record in ﬁve games.

Having found a place among the top-four teams in the ongoing IPL T20 tournament, Sunrisers Hyderabad would look to consolidate their gains when they take on beleaguered Kings XI Punjab on Monday

GOOD GOING: Sunrisers Hyderabad skipper David Warner celebrates with teammates after beating

Delhi Daredevils in Raipur. – BCCI

HYDERABAD: Having found a place among the top-four teams in the ongoing IPL T20 tournament, Sunrisers Hyderabad would look to consolidate their gains when they take on beleaguered Kings XI Punjab at the Rajiv Gandhi International cricket stadium here on Monday. After struggling to ﬁnd the right momentum, the David Warner-led side improved its stock in the recent matches and it now stands at fourth position in the points table following its six-run victory over Delhi Daredevils in Raipur on Saturday.

The weak area for SunRisers has been their middle-order, which was expected to complement the effort of its swashbuckling openers, Warner and Shikhar Dhawan. However, the middle-order batsmen like Moises Henriques, Eoin Morgan and Naman Ojha have come up with impressive performances in recent matches. Leg-spinner Karn Sharma has also come in handy with the bat. Henriques' unbeaten 74 runs in 46 balls led the team to score a signiﬁcant win against Delhi Daredevils, which brought the team in

real contention for the play-offs. The star-studded bowling attack, including Dale Steyn, Trent Boult, Bhunveshwar Kumar, Ishant Sharma and Karn has been the potent weapon of the Hyderabad-based side. The upbeat mood in the camp and the advantage of playing at home, is sure to give any rival team a run for its money. SRH beat the table-toppers Chennai Super Kings in their last home match on May 2. The Kings XI Punjab, on the other hand, is languishing at the botCRICKET

Pakistan proposes India series in December KARACHI: Pakistan wants to host the first bilateral Test tour by India in eight years in the United Arab Emirates in December, the country’s cricket chief Shaharyar Khan said on Sunday. The tour, comprising three Tests, five One-dayers and two Twenty20 games is part of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed between the two boards last year to play five series in the next eight years. “We want to resume IndiaPakistan series in the UAE,” Khan, the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board, told reporters after a meeting with Indian cricket chief Jagmohan Dalmiya in Kolkata on Sunday. The reluctance of the Indian government to clear bilateral cricket matches against Pakistan due to political tensions has meant the two nations have not contested a Test series since 2007. But they continue to meet in multi-nation tournaments like the World Cup or the Champions Trophy. Dalmiya said he was hopeful the series will go ahead — provided the government gave the green signal. “We are very hopeful of reviving the series,” he said. “But a few things need to be sorted out. Without the support of the federal home ministry and the government, we can’t go forward.” The Board of Control for Cricket in India said in a statement that it was “desirable to recommence cricket contact” with Pakistan. “After proactive discussions, since there are certain matters that need to be addressed and considered, it was decided to take appropriate steps,” the statement said. “The two boards would be in regular touch and review the situation.” — AFP

tom of the points table having won just two matches and four points in the tournament. The Punjab side, the runnersup in last year's tournament, has not been able to play to its full potential despite having big names like Glenn Maxwell and Mitchell Johnson. Though KXIP has only a few matches left in the tournament, they would like to salvage some pride by defeating SRH in their own den. Punjab batsmen like Murali Vijay, Manan Vohra, Wriddhiman Saha, Maxwell and David Miller

Teams Sunrisers Hyderabad: David Warner (capt), Shikhar Dhawan, Lokesh Rahul, Naman Ojha, Kane Williamson, Dale Steyn, Moises Henriques, Eoin Morgan, Ravi Bopara, Trent Boult, Parveez Rasool, Karn Sharma, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Ishant Sharma, Ashish Reddy, Ricky Bhui, Chama Milind, Praveen Kumar, Hanuma Vihari, Prasanth Padmanabhan, Siddarth Kaul. Bipul Sharma. Kings XI Punjab: George Bailey (capt), Murali Vijay, Manan Vohra, Wriddhiman Saha (wk), Glenn Maxwell, David Miller, Axar Patel, Mitchell Johnson, Anureet Singh, Karanveer Singh, Sandeep Sharma, Virender Sehwag, Beuran Hendricks, Gurkeerat Mann Singh, Parvinder Awana, Rishi Dhawan, Shardul Thakur, Shaun Marsh, Shivam Sharma, Thisara Perera, Nikhil Naik, Yogesh Golwalkar. — PTI

IPL

Moody praises Henriques RAIPUR: Sunrisers Hyderabad coach Tom Moody has praised Moises Henriques for his outstanding 74-run knock in an IPL match, saying the Australian all-rounder is a capable player who has delivered with both bat and ball. Henriques struck a blistering 74 off 46 balls against Delhi Daredevils in an Indian Premier League encounter, helping his side reach 163/4 at the Shaeed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium here. Daredevils were restricted to 157 for 4, losing by six runs. “Moises Henriques is an experienced player. He hasn't played a lot of international cricket but he has been around IPL getting a lot of opportunity. What he has shown is more than capable (today), taking the responsibility in the top order batting well. His bowling has also been handy, he gives us depth with the ball too,” Moody said. The 49-year-old coach also praised the skills of Indian pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar. "Absolutely he is backing up well. With the new ball, he is dangerous. In the closing overs when the pressure is on his defensive skills has been outstanding," Moody said. — PTI

BIG RESPONSIBILITY

ECB director Strauss faces biggest test as Ashes loom Hussain calls for Gillespie

Andrew Strauss

LONDON: England cricket director Andrew Strauss faces a frenetic start to his reign as he looks to appoint a new coach to galvanise a struggling team for the home Ashes series against Australia. The highly respected former captain moved quickly to end Peter Moore’s unhappy year in charge of the side and the identity of his replacement will dominate Strauss’s agenda in the coming weeks. Whether or not Moores was badly treated by the England and Wales Cricket Board will be debated long and hard but the cold reality is that, having taken over following the humbling 5-0 defeat in the last Ashes series, he failed to improve the team. A depressing World Cup this year in which England were eliminated at the group stage after playing a turgid and outdated style of cricket was followed by a frustrating drawn test series against a modest West Indies side. Moores decided to recall Jonathan Trott as an opener and the experiment was an unmitigated failure, the 34-year-old retiring from international cricket after admitting he was no longer up to coping with the demands of test cricket. Trott followed Graeme Swann, Kevin Pietersen and Matt Prior out of the England fold, leaving captain Alastair Cook with just four other players who have experienced Ashes success. James Anderson and Stuart

LONDON: Nasser Hussain said former Australia fast bowler Jason Gillespie was the right man to revive England’s ﬂagging fortunes following the sacking of Peter Moores as the national side’s coach. Moores, also England coach from 2007 to 2009, was axed for the second time on Saturday, shortly after the England and Wales Cricket Board announced Andrew Strauss had been appointed to the newly-created role of director of cricket. Paul Farbrace, currently England’s assistant coach, will be in charge for the upcoming two-Test series at home to New Zealand that starts at Lord’s on May 21. But that still leaves open the possibility that Gillespie, currently the coach of English county champions Yorkshire, could be in permanent command of his old foes when they face Australia in the ﬁrst Ashes Test in Cardiff on July 8. Under the 40-year-old Gillespie, Yorkshire have

Broad should still form a potent opening bowling partnership, particularly in home conditions, and Ian Bell and Joe Root are proven test batsman. With Gary Ballance established at number three in the order, the batting looks in reasonable shape, but the new coach will have many other decisions to make to ﬁnd a team capable of mixing it with the powerful Australians. Strauss may be tempted to appoint an Australian coach with

produced England regulars in batsmen Joe Root and Gary Ballance, with several others waiting in the wings. Hussain, like Strauss an ex-England captain who played against Gillespie during the paceman’s 71-Test career that yielded 259 wickets, told Sky Sports: “I really like Jason Gillespie, I have to say. What Yorkshire have done as a club, their academy structure, it’s absolutely phenomenal,” Hussain added. “You just have to look at the England set-up to see how many good Yorkshire players are coming through, and I think Jason takes a lot of credit for that—and the way he’s handled himself.” Gillespie was brought on board at Headingley four years ago by incoming ECB chairman Colin Graves, who then held a similar role with Yorkshire. “Any opportunity that comes up you obviously look at,” Gillespie told the Adelaide Advertiser. “It is ﬂattering but I still have a job to do.” — AFP

Jason Gillespie and Justin Langer among the favourites for the role. Former fast bowler Gillespie, 40, has enjoyed success as coach of English county Yorkshire and is reportedly keen to step up to international level. The 44-year-old Langer formed a proliﬁc opening partnership with Matthew Hayden and knows Strauss well after they played together for Middlesex but he has strong family ties to his native Western Australia. — AFP

MO N DAY, MAY 1 1 , 2 0 1 5

SPORTS MOORES SACKING

ECB should hang heads in shame: Stewart

Alec Stewart.

LONDON: The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) should “hang their heads in shame” over their sacking of coach Peter Moores, according to former captain Alec Stewart. Moores was dismissed on Saturday shortly after Andrew Strauss was appointed England’s director of cricket, though reports of his sacking were leaked during the team’s washed-out One-dayer against Ireland on Friday. Moores, who also spent two year as coach between 2007 and 2009, bore the brunt of criticism for a dismal World Cup, in which England failed to progress from the group stages, and the drawn Test series against the West Indies. “The fact that all these leaks came out the day before the man was officially told— you’ve got to show a bit of respect to employees,” Stewart, England’s most capped Test cricketer, told the BBC. England assistant coach Paul Farbrace will take charge for the two-test series against New Zealand which begins on May 21 but Stewart said appointing a permanent successor quickly was vital. “There are a couple of names being bandied about, both Australians, Jason Gillespie, Justin Langer. They’ve either got someone lined up already, to have made this decision, or they’re going to have to ﬁnd someone pretty quick.” Stewart was also touted as a possible candidate for the director of England cricket role but said the appointment of former captain Strauss was an astute move ahead of the Ashes series starting on July 8. “He’s captained his country and when you’re captain you make bold decisions, you make brave decisions, you make decisions you believe in,” Stewart said. “I don’t take it that Andrew Strauss is a ‘yes’ man or he’s too close to that dressing room. If he has to be cut-throat then he will be. “It’s going to be tough. Australia are the best side in the world. They’re going to start as the underdogs, but the underdogs do sometimes win.” Former England captain Michael Vaughan said the dismissal of Moores, who won 19 of his 52 matches in charge across all formats of the game, was “disgraceful”. - Reuters

FINE WIN: Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team’s German driver Nico Rosberg celebrates winning as he crosses the ﬁnish line drives at the Circuit de Catalunya. – AFP

Rosberg pips Hamilton in Spanish Grand Prix victory Lewis Hamilton, who had won three of the ﬁrst four grands prix, had lost the battle for pole position and a slow getaway from the front row left the Briton playing catchup all afternoon

BARCELONA: Nico Rosberg beat Mercedes team mate Lewis Hamilton for the first time this season and cut the Formula One world champion’s lead to 20 points with a commanding victory in the Spanish Grand Prix on Sunday. Hamilton, who had won three of the first four grands prix, had lost the battle for pole position and a slow getaway from the front row left the Briton playing catch-up all afternoon. Hamilton tried his best, clawing back second place from Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel, but Rosberg remained well out of reach and took the chequered flag 17.5 seconds clear of his title rival. “This is a fantastic weekend. Everything worked out on Saturday and on Sunday, it all came together,” Rosberg told reporters of the ninth win of his Formula One career and third Mercedes onetwo of the season. “That still we are dominating in such a way is fantastic to see,” he added. Hamilton now has 111

FIRST WIN THIS SEASON: Nico Rosberg enjoys the moment of triumph. – AFP

points to Rosberg’s 91, with 14 races remaining. After parking his car alongside Rosberg’s, Hamilton shook the German’s hand and clapped him on the back in recognition of a job well done. His race engineer had told the champion, who made three stops to Rosberg’s two after losing time with a slow ﬁrst one, to resign himself in the closing laps on a circuit where overtaking is famously difficult. “I don’t think it would be possible with the remaining laps, we’d be better just looking after this

one, let him have it (the victory),” Hamilton was told. “Is it impossible?,” the Briton replied, with the engineer’s reply confirming that there was no hope: “He is going to respond if we pick the pace up. It would be impossible.” Hamilton agreed that it had been a simple case of damage limitation. “I had quite a poor start, it’s been quite a time since I had such a bad start,” he added. Vettel, who had seized second place into the first corner, finished third but was frustrated to see

Mercedes still so far away. “I’m not happy with the gap (to the front), not happy at all,” said the four-times world champion despite his fourth podium appearance of the year. The victory was Rosberg’s first since Brazil in November and made him the ninth different winner in the last nine years at the Circuit de Catalunya. Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen found himself in a Williams sandwich, finishing fifth behind fellow-Finn Valtteri Bottas and ahead of Bra-

zilian Felipe Massa. Daniel Ricciardo was seventh for Red Bull with Romain Grosjean eighth for Lotus and Spanish rookie Carlos Sainz scoring points at home with ninth for Toro Rosso. The ﬁnal point went to Red Bull’s Russian Daniil Kvyat. McLaren’s Fernando Alonso, who had hoped for his team’s ﬁrst points of the year, retired after 28 laps with a brake problem that caused him to overshoot his pitstop as the jack mechanic leapt out of the way. — Reuters

M O N DAY, MAY 11, 2015

SPORTS HORSE RACE

Oman’s Lahoob wins honours at Al Nahyan Cup in Lingfield Park MUSCAT: The horse, Lahoob, owned by Sheikh Nasser bin Mohammed bin Nasser Al Hashar, has achieved a new laurel for the Sultanate winning the fifth round of the HH Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Cup for 1600m horse race for Arabian horses organised in Lingfield Park, Great Britain on Saturday. Amidst tough competition, Lahoob, aged six, won Sheikh Zayed Cup ahead of Al Habhab of Sheikh

Hamdan bin Rashid Aal Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance. The festival was organised as per the directives of Sheikh Mansoor bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Presidential Affairs and Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, chairperson of the General Women Trade Union. The festival comprises Sheikh Zayed Cup and Sheikha Fatima

bint Mubarak for Ladies World Championship. The festival is supported by Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority in collaboration with Abu Dhabi Sports Council and the UAE Horserace Society. It also backed by the UAE Foreign Ministry, Public Authority for Youth Care and Sports with the National Archive being the official partner and Emirates Air the national carrier.

Four Omanis on key WAGF committees

TOP SEED

The OOC members were selected it to the WAGF panels during a meeting held in Kuwait Al Mutassim Al Zadjali.

READY FOR THE SHOW: Oman contingent pose for a group photo after attending the inaugural ceremony of the Islamic Solidarity Sports Federation (ISSF) International Tennis Championships being organised in the Indonesian city of Palembang. – Supplied photo

Fatma given pride of place at ISSF tennis championships MUSCAT: Omani star Fatma Al Nabhani has been given the top seeding in the women’s singles at the Islamic Solidarity Sports Federation (ISSF) International Tennis Championships being organised in the Indonesian city of Palembang. According to a press release issued by the Oman Tennis Association (OTA), Fatma has been given the pride of place thanks to her ITF ranking. The championships opening

ceremony and the draw were held on Saturday. The championships, which concludes on May 18, includes singles and doubles competitions for both men and women. A total of 12 countries are taking part in the championships. Besides Oman and hosts Indonesia, the other participating nations are Tunisia, Syria, Malaysia, Lebanon, Tajikistan, Uganda, Cameroun, Maldives, Bangladesh and Cambodia.

The Omani men’s team comprises Saleh bin Ghazhi Al Zadjali, Younis bin Tufail Al Rawahi, Omran bin Mohammed Al Balushi and Fawwaz bin Ali Al Manzari. In the women’s team, besides Fatma Al Nabhani, also consists of Sarah Al Balushi and Samar Al Bakri. Oman delegation is led by OTA Executive Director Salman bin Abdulrahman Al Balushi. The teams are accompanied by Fatma’s mother and women’s coach Huda and men’s coach Ruel Leoprdas.

MUSCAT: Four officials of the Oman Olympic Committee (OOC) have bagged the membership of four committees of the West Asian Games Federation. The four Omanis have made it to the Legal Committee, Finance Committee, the Information and Statistics Committee and the Environment Committee in addi-

tion to chairmanship of the Media Committee. This was announced during the 16th West Asian Games Federation board meeting held in Kuwait under the chairmanship of Sheikh Talal Al Fahd Al Ahmed, chairman of the federation in the presence of OOC board member Sheikh Badr

bin Ali Al Rawas and West Asian Games Federation board member Hilal bin Ali Al Sinani. The members selected OOC board member Dr. Said bin Ahmed Al Shahri as the member of the legal committee, which chaired by Hashim Al Sayed Haidar of Lebanon. OOC Treasurer Al Mutassim bin Hamood Al Zadjali, who is also the chairman of the Oman Tennis Association, has been selected as a members of the Finance Committee which chaired by Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Ahjari of Yemen. Sheikh Badr Al Rowas has been selected as a member the Information and Statistics Committee, which is chaired by Kuwait’s Obaid bin Zayed Al Anzi, while Jihad bin Abdullah Al Sheikh, another OOC board member, has made it to the Environment Committee.

OMAN BEACH SOCCER TEAM FOR EGYPT TOURNEY Oman beach soccer team began training at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex as part of their preparations for the Beach Soccer World Cup to be held in Portugal. The reigning Asian champions are also scheduled to take part in a tournament in Egyptian city of Sharm El Sheikh from June from 8 to 12. Meanwhile, coach Talib Hilal has called up two new players - Bausher Club goalkeeper Mohammed Al Dheeb Saroor and Ahmed Salim Al Farsi from the wilayat of Sur. — Supplied photo

FOOTBALL

Juventus Unity tourney a big hit

MUSCAT: The fans of Juventus successfully organised a ﬁvea-side Juventus Unity football tournament at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex here recently. The two-day tournament attracted seven teams, including Juventus fans community team of Kuwait. Teams representing Real Madrid, Celtic and Barcelona fans clubs as well as Arsenal

Soccer School joined the first of its kind competition in the Sultanate. The hosts participated with two teams, Juventus A and Juventus B which were set in two different groups. Barcelona fans club team qualified for the semifinals after securing nine points in Group A. Juventus B joined them in the last four, advancing with six

points after defeating Kuwait’s Juventus and Celtic fans clubs. From Group B, Real Madrid fans club sealed their qualification with two wins while Juventus A team claimed the second qualifying spot with five points before beating FC Barcelona fans club in the semifinals and snatching the victory on penalty kicks in the final against Real Madrid fans club.

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SPORTS

OGC plans summer camp for Oman junior golf team The OGC is planning a training camp for the

Last year, our boys had a great time when they went to Sweden for a summer camp. This time, we are in discussions with a few countries and we will finalise (the venue) very shortly

junior golfers as part of their preparations for the Asian Junior Golf Championship

Mundhir Al Barwani MUSCAT: The Oman Golf Committee (OGC) is planning to arrange a summer training camp for the Sultanate’s junior national golf team ahead of their participation in the Asian Junior Golf Championship to be hosted in Taiwan in August. According to a press release issued by the OGC on Sunday, the committee is yet to ﬁnalise the venue for the training camp but is looking at top golﬁng destinations in Europe and South East Asia for their options. The junior national team is go-

OGC Chairman

ing to take part in the Asian Junior Golf Championship in Taiwan in August. The summer camp would help the junior golfers to hone their skills before the big tournament. OGC Chairman Mundhir Al Barwani said: “We are in discussion with a few countries, we will ﬁnalise (the venue) very shortly. Last year, our boys had a great time when they went to Sweden for a

summer camp.” Because of the scorching summer heat, golf takes a back seat in the mid-year months in the Sultanate. To continue with the training in the summer months, the OGC has decided to repeat the summer camp programme. Al Barwani said: “This trip would be an ideal preparatory programme for our golfers before the

tournament in Taiwan. It will help sharpen their golﬁng skills. It will also help them adapt to overseas conditions and will be a good exposure trip for our boys.” The OGC chairman revealed that they are exploring venues along the lines of the Sweden camp that took place last year. The three-week camp had taken place at the Volkswagen Golf

OMAN CRICKET

Arena in the Swedish city of Halmstad, the hub of golf in the country. The training and conditioning camp was attended by five members of Oman’s junior national team — Hamood Al Harthy, Rashad Al Harthy, Amjad Al Toky, Fahad Al Mahrooqi and Fahad Al Kitani. Ahmed Al Balushi, a member of Oman’s senior national team, also attended the programme. OGC Vice-Chairman Ahmed Al Jahadhamy said: “We are here to develop and look after the benefit of our junior team. They are in good form and we hope that they will continue with the same kind performance in the rest of the year.” The junior team members are in excellent form in this year. The trio of Hamood Al Harthy, Rashad Al Harthy and Haitham al Zubair won the Under-15 GCC Championship in Dubai. Another junior team member Fahad al Kitani emerged as the champion in the gross category at the second GCC Under-15 Golf Championship. The trio of Kitani, Rashad and Hamood finished third in recently concluded GCC Golf Championship.

FOOTBALL

Wenger wants Walcott to stay at Arsenal LONDON: Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has stated he does not want to miss winger Theo Walcott’s “golden age” by allowing him to leave the side at the end of the current season. The England forward has struggled for game time after his long injury lay off. But after making himself ﬁt he has spent his time on the sidelines due to the impressive form of Alexis Sanchez and Aaron Ramsey. “He loves the club and I think he wants to stay. (Out) of the whole squad he is the player who has played the most games for us. Nobody has played more for us than Theo. I think he has played 202 games and that means he is part of us.,” Wenger was quoted as saying by arsenal. com on Sunday. “I bought him from Southampton when he was 17 because I believe in his qualities as a good ﬁnisher and the timing of his runs are very intelligent.” “He’s at the best age now. Being 26 to 32 as a striker is the best age as a striker and I wouldn’t like to miss that golden age.” - IANS

AT H L E T I C S

Powell clocks 9.84secs

CHAMPIONS: Assarain A pose for a group photo after defeating Raha for a title-clinching victory. – Supplied photo

Assarain retain A Division crown MUSCAT: Assarain A retained the Muscat Pharmacy & Storessponsored A Division 50 overs-aside title when they recorded a 46run win against Raha in a crucial game played on Friday at the MOS Turf Ground at Al Amerat. Invited to bat ﬁrst, Assarain A were precariously placed at 52 for four wickets at the end of the 15th over with opening batsman Arun Poulose chipping in with 25 runs. Skipper Arif Hussain coming in at the fall of the ﬁrst wicket batted stubbornly to score 64 runs and together with Sindo Michael (61)

put together 98 valuable runs for the fifth-wicket. A further 57-run sixth-wicket partnership between Sindo and Zanal Nazar (41) and a quickfire unbeaten 27 from No. 10 batsman Kaleemullah helped the score to 265 for the loss of eight wickets in 50 overs. Skipper Khalid Rasheed and Syed Tariq Hussain bagged three wickets each. In reply, Raha made a solid start with Mohammed Nadeem (52) and Akmal Shahzad (35) putting on 81 runs for the first wicket in

14 overs. But after the departure of the duo the team lost their way and were restricted to 219 for nine wickets in 50 overs. Farhan Ahmed (33) and Sultan Ahmed (31) made valuable contributions. Zeeshan Maqsood claimed four wickets while Mohammed Nadeem bagged two. Assarain A topped the league table with 44 points from 12 matches — winning nine games, eight of which were with bonus points. Muscat Cricket Team, with 43 points from 12 games, ﬁnished the runners-up. They won nine

matches, seven of them with bonus points. Arif Hussain for his contribution with the bat was adjudged man of the match. Brief scores: Assarain A 265 for 8 in 50 overs (Arif Hussain 64, Sindo Michael 61, Zanal Nazar 41, Kaleemullah 27 n.o., Arun Poulose 25; Khalid Rasheed 3/28, Syed Tariq Hussain 3/42) bt Raha CT 219 for 9 in 50 overs (Mohammed Nadeem 52, Akmal Shahzad 35, Farhan Ahmed 33, Sultan Ahmed 31; Zeeshan Maqsood 4/35, Muhammed Nadeem 2/20). Points: Assarain A - 4 (12 games, 44 pts), Raha CT - Nil (12 games, 39 pts).

FOOTBALL

Blatter hosts heads of Israel, Palestinian FAs ZURICH: Fifa President Sepp Blatter on Sunday hosted the presidents of the Israeli and Palestinian Football Associations in Zurich for talks aimed at mending relations between the two parties. The world game’s governing body said the main purpose of the meeting was to discuss the Palestinian FA’s request to suspend their Israeli counterparts at the upcoming Fifa Congress. Fifa added that “both member

associations agreed to pursue the dialogue” after the talks involving PFA head Jibril Rajoub and his IFA counterpart Ofer Eini. Blatter had previously spoken out against suspending the Israeli FA, saying at the Confederation of African Football (Caf) general assembly in Cairo last week: “Such a situation should not come up at the Fifa Congress because the suspension of a federation, whatever the reason may be, is always damaging

to the organisation as a whole.” The Palestinians have denounced “the racist behaviour of Israel towards the Arabs” and the creation of “ﬁve clubs in settlements on land occupied by the Israelis since 1967, clubs who compete in Israeli competitions in violation of international law”. They also accuse Israel of hindering sporting activities in the occupied territories, notably by imposing restrictions on move-

ment between the Gaza Strip and the West Bank and controlling imports of sporting equipment. The PFA intend to present a resolution to the situation at the next Fifa Congress, which starts on May 28, although they would need the backing of three-quarters of the 209 members to get it passed. Blatter said that he intends to visit the presidents of both associations and the respective Heads of State before the Fifa Congress. - AFP

KINGSTON: Former world record-holder Asafa Powell clocked a world leading 9.84 seconds to win the 100-meter dash at a World Challenge athletics meeting in Kingston on Saturday. Jamaica’s Powell ﬁnished ahead of American Ryan Bailey, who crossed the line in 9.93, with Jamaican Nesta Carter in third with 9.98. “I knew after I ran 10.08 into a head wind on a dead track in Guadeloupe that I could run a sub-10 seconds,” Powell said. “I felt easy out there tonight and I am very happy with how I executed my race. The crowd was wonderful and it just shows they appreciate what I do.” Powell, who owned the 100-meter world record from 2005 until 2008, when Usain Bolt broke the mark, tested positive for a banned substance in 2013 and is on the comeback trail after a ban that ended last year. Powell improved on the previous 2015 season best

of 10.01 set by Trinidad and Tobago’s Keston Bledman on April 24 in Gainesville, Florida. It was Powell’s fastest 100 meters since a 9.78 at Lausanne in 2011. His personal best is 9.72, clocked in 2008. “This is huge for Asafa and for everyone involved to see his return in such a big way,” said Powell’s agent, Paul Doyle. “We knew he had it in him and we are glad he came through the race healthy, the wind cooperated and the crowd was with him.” Powell beneﬁted from a favorable wind of 1.8 meters per second as well as an electric atmosphere at Kingston’s National Stadium. Bailey stirred up the crowd with a mocking take on six-time Olympic champion Bolt’s favorite postrace celebratory pose. The American was showered with boos as he modiﬁed Bolt’s gesture, adding his own cut-throat motion. - AFP

M O N DAY, MAY 11, 2015

SPORTS

City send QPR down QPR’s humiliating defeat left them bottom of the table, nine points adrift of safety

LONDON: Sergio Aguero scored a hat-trick as Manchester City sealed Queens Park Rangers’ relegation from the English Premier League with a 6-0 victory on Sunday. Meanwhile, Liverpool’s hopes of a Champions League place were all but ended despite Steven Gerrard’s goal in a 1-1 draw with English title-winners Chelsea. QPR’s humiliating defeat left them bottom of the table, nine points adrift of safety and with only a maximum of six available from their ﬁnal two league games. By contrast, victory saw deposed champions City stay second behind Chelsea and secure their place in next season’s Champions League. “We came here with a lot of hope, shot ourselves in the foot and gave away three set-pieces which they scored from,” QPR manager Chris Ramsey told Sky Sports. “On the day we didn’t really turn up and they (City) are a very good team.” Ramsey, asked if he wanted the QPR job on a permanent basis, said: “Yes. I really do. It’s a club I’ve taken to my heart.” Aguero’s treble cemented his position as the Premier League’s

HAT-TRICK HERO: Manchester City’s Sergio Aguero shoots to score against QPR during their English

Premier League match at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester on Sunday . – AFP

top scorer this season, the Argentina forward’s tally for the campaign now standing at 25 goals. “He wants to be the top scorer this season but I think it’s also the way he is playing,” said City manager Manuel Pellegrini. “He is working a lot more during the game, moving more and receiving more balls.” Improbable mission Any thoughts of an improbable survival mission for QPR were dashed as early as the fourth minute when Aguero shrugged off some weak tackles before beating QPR goalkeeper Robert Green. Aleksandar Kolarov doubled City’s lead with a well-struck freekick from the edge of the box in the 32nd minute.

City saw Aguero make it 3-0 in the 50th minute before he completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot 15 minutes later after David Silva was brought down. Aguero then turned provider to set up James Milner for City’s fifth goal in the 70th minute before Silva completed the rout three minutes from time. Queens Park Rangers will now return to the Championship following their promotion via the play-offs last season. They will be joined in the second tier by Burnley, whose relegation was confirmed on Saturday. The third and final relegation place is currently occupied by Hull City but several other clubs are also in danger of being demoted. At the other end of the table,

Chelsea faced Liverpool in what was Anfield great Gerrard’s final match at Stamford Bridge before he joins the LA Galaxy after the end of this season. Realistically, Liverpool had to win to maintain their hopes of a top-four finish. But the signs were not promising when Chelsea captain John Terry headed in from a corner to put the Blues 1-0 up in just the fifth minute. However, opposing skipper Gerrard got Liverpool back on level terms in similar fashion when the midfielder headed in a free-kick at the far post a minute before halftime. This result left Liverpool six points behind Manchester United, who currently occupy the fourth and final Champions League qualifying place. - AFP

LA LIGA

Atletico miss chance to pull away in third MADRID: Atletico Madrid squandered a chance to all-but secure their place in next season’s Champions League group stage when Fernando Torres had to come off the bench to rescue a 2-2 draw at La Liga strugglers Levante on Sunday. After fourth-placed Valencia drew 2-2 at Real Madrid on Saturday, a win for the champions would have propelled them six points clear in third with two games left but they slipped up against a team ﬁghting for their top-ﬂight status. David Barral tapped in at the far post in the 32nd minute to

put 14th placed Levante ahead at their Ciutat de Valencia stadium before Guilherme Siqueira levelled with a smart volley three minutes later. Atletico fell behind again in the 63rd minute when Kalu Uche bundled the ball over the line and Torres secured a point when he nodded powerfully home following a corner 10 minutes from time. “We knew what it means to play here, where Levante are very strong,” Siqueira told Spanish television. “In this ﬁnal part of the season

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every point is crucial,” added the Brazilian. “We have two games left to make sure of the third spot that we want.” Atletico have 77 points from 36 matches, with Valencia on 73 in fourth, which carries a berth in qualifying for Europe’s elite club competition. Leaders Barcelona (90 points) are on the brink of a ﬁfth title in seven years after they won 2-0 at home to Real Sociedad on Saturday to stretch their advantage over Real Madrid (86) to four points. This weekend’s matches are

being played under the cloud of a possible strike orchestrated by the Spanish soccer federation (RFEF) and the players’ union (AFE) due to a dispute over a new law on collective bargaining for the sale of television rights. The two organisations, who complain the law does not take their interests sufficiently into account, have threatened to halt games from May 16, meaning the last two La Liga match days and the King’s Cup ﬁnal between Barca and Athletic Bilbao are under threat. - Reuters

S T I L L TA L K I N G

Pep to City rumours fly as Bayern lose MUNICH: Fresh claims linking Pep Guardiola to Manchester City are circulating after Bayern Munich warmed up for their Champions League semifinal second leg against Barcelona by slumping to a fourth straight defeat. The Bundesliga champions were beaten 1-0 at home by Augsburg on Saturday, hardly the best preparation for Tuesday’s clash with Barcelona, when they must somehow overturn a 3-0 firstleg deficit. The emphatic defeat at the Camp Nou last week followed an exit from the German Cup semifinals on penalties to Borussia Dortmund and a league loss at Bayer Leverkusen and the current run is the worst of Guardiola’s coaching career. The morale-sapping Augsburg reverse means Bayern have suffered four defeats in a row for the first time in 24 years and have now failed to score in three consecutive matches for the first time in 15 years. The Bavarian giants have wobbled since clinching their 25th German championship, but Guardiola, who has so far won 19 titles as a coach at Barcelona and Bayern, has said he will fulfil the final year on his Munich contract which expires in June 2016. However, there have been new claims that Premier League giants

City are negotiating with Guardiola to bring the 44-year-old to the Etihad Stadium to replace Manuel Pellegrini as head coach. Broadcaster beIN Sports tweeted on Saturday that Guardiola has made a verbal agreement to manage City next season. “Guardiola was contacted two months ago by Manchester City and rejected. Contacted again two weeks ago: didn’t accept nor reject, still talking,” beIN sports reporter Tancredi Palmeri added on Twitter. Guardiola has reportedly been offered 22 million euros ($32.75 million) a year to help City usurp Chelsea at the top of the English league and give them the success in the Champions League that their owners so crave. “From my information they are in the advanced stages of discussions and it is very possible that he will already start there next season,” said former Bayern, City and Germany midﬁelder, and Sky expert, Dietmar Hamann. Reports in England, meanwhile, say that City, whose CEO Ferran Soriano and director of football Txiki Begiristain both used to work at Barcelona, have dismissed suggestions there is any agreement with Guardiola to come to the club in the near future. - AFP

G R E AT R E AC T I O N

Draw ends ‘toughest week of my life: Carver LONDON: Newcastle United manager John Carver said Saturday’s 1-1 draw with West Bromwich Albion had ended “probably the toughest week of my life” and that a huge point would be crucial in their battle to avoid relegation. The draw gave Newcastle their ﬁrst Premier League point since February and halted a run of eight successive defeats which had dragged them from mid-table security into a relegation battle. Newcastle are still in a precarious position, one place and two points above the drop, but Carver said the mental boost of halting their losing run would give his side renewed optimism. “That could be huge,” Carver,

who was heartened by postmatch applause from Newcastle’s disgruntled fans, told reporters. “It was important to stop the slide and that run of defeats. “There has been a lot said in the last week after the Leicester game and rightly so, but there was a response from the players and deﬁnitely from the fans. “One thing I would say is when you see a performance like that — and hopefully it’s not too late — is that the players do care and they do want to stay in the Premier League. It was a great reaction from the fans and it affected the reaction of the players. They showed great character and determination to come back.” - Reuters

POSITIVE

Ancelotti maintains faith despite La Liga blow MADRID: Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti believes his side can overcome a 2-1 deficit to reach the Champions League final against Juventus despite seeing their La Liga title hopes all but extinguished by a 2-2 draw with Valencia on Saturday. The European champions are now four points behind league leaders Barcelona with just two games left to play and have to come from behind against Ancelotti’s old side at home on Wednesday to keep their season alive. “We need to be positive and value how well we played in this match,” said the Italian. “Our small errors are costing us dearly at the moment, but we need to have the cool head and confidence necessary to come back.” Some poor defending allowed Paco Alcacer and Javi Fuego to give Valencia a 2-0 lead inside 25 minutes. Madrid struck the woodwork through Gareth Bale, Cristiano Ronaldo and Javier Hernandez before Ronaldo also saw a penalty saved by Diego Alves on the stroke of half-time. Alves produced another string

COOL HEAD: Carlo Ancelotti

of ﬁne saves after the break, but the hosts did at least salvage a point through Pepe’s towering header and an excellent curling strike from Isco. “There are two games to go, we need to win them, but obviously it is more difficult (to win the league),” said Ancelotti. “The result isn’t good, but the performance was the complete opposite. We had a lot of chances, hit

the post three times, missed a penalty, sometimes it just isn’t enough. We’ll take a lot of positives from the game and if we play like that on Wednesday it will go well.” Ancelotti was also upbeat about Madrid’s injury problems ahead of the visit of the Italian champions in midweek. Toni Kroos hobbled off midway through the ﬁrst-half against Valencia, but Ancelotti is conﬁdent

of having the German World Cup winner and the French international duo of Karim Benzema and Raphael Varane ﬁt for Wednesday. “Kroos had a knock in his hip, it didn’t seem like a muscular problem, so we are quite positive. The same goes for Karim. “Varane had a fever during the night, so he was quite tired. Tomorrow he will be able to train normally.” And Madrid right-back Dani Carvajal believes the atmosphere of a big European night at the Bernabeu will make the difference. “We conceded twice on two attacks and that marked the course of the game. We were the better side, but two moments cost us the match. With a bit of luck we would have won, but you have to congratulate Diego Alves, who has won his side a point,” said the Spanish international. “The fans were with us till the end, they never gave up. You will see a raucous Bernabeu (on Wednesday) that will give everything to go through. We are playing for our season and the Bernabeu will be the 12th man.” - AFP

SECTION

LIFE & STYLE

WWW.TIMESOFOMAN.COM MON DAY, MAY 1 1 , 2 0 1 5

RESEARCH IN SPAIN HAS FOUND THAT PEOPLE WHO LIVE AT HIGH ALTITUDES ARE 13 PER CENT LESS LIKELY TO BECOME OVERWEIGHT OR OBESE

A GOOD DIET, exercise and cutting back on drinks all come highly recommended, but scientists have identiﬁed another possible strategy for preventing obesity — head for the hills. Research in Spain has found that people who live at high altitudes are 13 per cent less likely to become overweight or obese. Experts believe the phenomenon may result from the body’s natural response to low-oxygen environments, suppressing hunger and enabling us to obtain energy from less oxygen, and less food. The study, which is being presented at the European Congress on Obesity in Prague this week, recruited 9,300 students of healthy weight, living throughout Spain. They were followed up for an average of eight and a half years and their postcodes divided into three categories — low altitude (below 124 metres above sea level), medium (124 – 456 metres) and high (above 456 metres). More than 2,000 of the study par-

ticipants went on to become overweight, but those living above 456 metres were 13 per cent less likely to do so, than those who lived below 124 metres. The results were adjusted for factors such as diet, age and rates of activity — so cannot be explained by the extra exercise people living up hills might be getting. Instead, researchers from the University of Navarra said that the results were likely to be linked to low oxygen intake, or hypoxia, which causes increased production of leptin and other hormones involved in appetite control. They said that this can lead to both less oxygen and less food being required to obtain energy, which would lead to feelings of suppressed hunger. It may be that this reaction has its roots in an evolutionary mechanism that allowed humans to survive in high altitude environments, where food would have been scarce, the authors of the study suggested. The researchers are also inves-

tigating whether living at a higher altitude lowers the risk of cardiovascular disease. There is some evidence that extended exposure to high altitudes may ease high blood pressure and combined with a lower risk of getting fat, this may mean a lower heart disease risk, the researchers believe. Dr Maira Bes-Rastrollo, of the University of Navarro, who led the study, said: “While it might not be realistic to expect everyone to move further uphill to reduce obesity levels, it is encouraging to see this effect occurred at only 450 metres altitude. The results are in agreement with potential biological mechanisms that are caused by hypoxia.” Unfortunately for people living in the UK, nearly every settlement in the country is below the elevation at which signiﬁcantly lower heart disease risk was observed. However, residents of Flash, in Staffordshire, which claims the title “highest village in Britain” elevation 463 metres, may have

noticed some benefits. A previous study in America, which looked at greater extremes of altitude, found that those who lived in towns and cities below 500 metres above sea level, were five times more likely to be obese than their countrymen living in the mountains, 3,000 metres or more above sea level. Health: Vitamin D obesity link Taking vitamin D supplements has been found to aid weight loss in obese people who are deficient in the vitamin, research has found. Previous studies have shown that vitamin D deficiency is associated with developing obesity and related complications, scientists at the University of Milan said. They estimated that in northern Italy, severe vitamin D deficiency ranges from 6 per cent in overweight people to 30-40 per cent in the morbidly obese. Almost all obese subjects did not have a vitamin D level in the optimal range. -Charlie Cooper/The Independent

M O N DAY, MAY 11, 2015

EXTRA

ust a few years ago, when I was less embroiled in the throes of dad-dom, I had no idea about the pervasive characterisation of the dumb dad. But it is everywhere. You can ﬁnd dumb dads in young-reader books like The Berenstain Bears, sitcoms from Leave It To Beaver to All in the Family to Married. . .with Children to Everybody Loves Raymond and an enduring legacy of commercials since the 1950s. As Homer Simpson — perhaps the most enduring of his ilk — quips, “Marriage is like a coffin, and each kid is another nail.” For generations, those bumbling oafs set a subconscious example for the rest of us, giving us implicit permission to leave household duties to our wives because — obviously — we just weren’t that good at them, anyway. But now the disconnected father who exits stage left for the better part of the week and washes his hands at the door of competence or emotional engagement is starting to fade into pop-culture history. Ed O’Neill’s character in Modern Family may be the best example — Jay Pritchett has come a long way from the goon-dad stereotype of Al Bundy. Or look at what happened to Huggies when the diaper company tried to traffic in dumb-dad stereotypes for a 2012 commercial — dads and moms alike protested the ad’s conceit, which was that dads were so oblivious to their children that they’d leave diapers on well past the point that other brands would fail. Clorox tried something similar the following year, then meekly withdrew its ad, too. By last year, Cheerios had learned the lesson: Its two-minute “how to dad” ad showed a cool, calm father doing it all, with mom nowhere in sight, and it racked up 1.6 million YouTube views (though it only ran in the US after a trial in Canada). And Nyquil put out an ad showing a dad begging for a sick day from his child, not his boss, with the tag line “dads don’t take sick days” — it was virtually identical to a similar ad targeting moms. Why the change in attitude? Advertisers and TV writers are just catching up to demographic trends. Married couples haven’t been in the majority for the past ﬁve years, a decline from 78 per cent in the 1950s to 48 per cent by 2010 (which means the old standard of a mom who ran the home and a dad who didn’t know what to do once he was back from the office no longer makes much sense). In most two-parent

In the US, married couples haven’t been in the majority for the past five years, a decline from 78 per cent in the 1950s to 48 per cent by 2010. Which means the old standard of a mom who ran the home and a dad who didn’t know what to do once he was back from the office no longer makes much sense families, Pew research shows, both parents are working outside the home at least parttime. And in a growing number of them, dads are the ones taking care of the domestic end — Between 1995 and 2011, the number of stayat-home-dads in the US nearly tripled from 64,000 to 176,000. It was about time all this changed. A generation of women had been spending eight hours (at least) at the office, followed by a “second shift” of housework that amounts to an estimated extra month of work per year. When Mom finally did manage to collapse in front of the tube, the networks gave her a parade of hapless dimwits stumbling around ordinary household chores, seemingly incapable of lifting a spatula, running a dishwasher or tying a bow. But as I’ve learned in the five years I’ve been a part-time writer and full-time stay-at-home dad while my wife builds a technology company, that image is neither accurate (except when it comes to wrapping gifts, where I’m still hopeless) nor particularly satisfying. No, the domestic hemisphere is not for the faint of heart. Not just because it’s hard. It is definitely another job, but it’s also often humble work, tending to others and scheduling your life around their schedules, while remaining

engaged enough to be emotionally present for your kids. There’s little external reward, and for many smart and driven people, even when you do it well, it’s not enough. For me, the chance to quit my teaching job and try my hand at writing, while raising our kids, sounded like a dream. I can say now that both novel writing and domestic duties have proven to be far more challenging than anything I could have imagined — and yet I wouldn’t trade what I’m experiencing, and what we as a family have grown into. There are, though, intangible beneﬁts of discovering that domestic involvement is not merely “helping” your spouse — like feeling good about yourself. After all, dads report higher levels of happiness, positive emotion, and life meaning than men who aren’t dads. And the countries that rank the highest in annual lists of the happiest countries are — no surprise in my household — also the countries near the top of the World Economic Forum’s ranking of those doing the best at closing the gender gap between men and women in a range of areas. Historically speaking, the competent domestic dude may not be such a wild, progressive concept, anyway. Roman Krznaric, an anxious father-to-be, did some research into the roles of fathers throughout the world and in other eras. His startling discovery? Men have historically participated closely in domestic life. Take this small linguistic fact: “hus” is the old spelling for house, and “band” is the bond to the house he rented or owned. A man primarily farmed to take care of his home, a meaning still in use today in “husbandry.” With the Industrial Revolution, though, many of men’s skills became increasingly obsolete in the Western world, as machines took over most chores men used to do so they could go work outside the house. Alas, as Krznaric notes, “there were no clever gadgets invented to nurse a sick child.” The dumb dad may be turning into an endangered species, but he’s not likely to go extinct any time soon. For one, dumb people will always be with us, and unfortunately, some of them will always be dads. For another, many men feel dislocated when they aren’t clear on how they’re contributing. Better to “sacriﬁce,” get out of the house and earn some dough. -Chad Prevost/The Washington Post.

MO N DAY, MAY 1 1 , 2 0 1 5

ENTERTAINMENT CINEMA SCHEDULE

BAHJA CINEMA AVENGERS AGE OF ULTRON (3D) (Action, Adventure) (PG12) Cast: Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, 02:15 pm /06:10 pm /08:50 pm /11:30 pm Hot Pursuit (Comedy) (12+) Cast: Reese Witherspoon, Sofía Vergara, Matthew Del 3:50, 7:45, 10:00 PM

SCREEN 3 Gabbar - Hindi (Action/Drama ) – PG Cast: Akshay Kumar, Shruti K. Haasan, Kareena Kapoor. 3.45 PM Avengers: Age of Ultron (2D)( Action, Adventure, Fantasy)– PG12 Cast: Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo 6.45, 9.45 PM

KAJAKI (15+) Cast : Mark Stanley, David Elliot 12:15 pm /09:40 pm BACKCOUNTRY (15+) Cast : Missy Peregrym, Eric Balfour 3:40 pm

ABSOLUTION (Act, Adventure) (15+) Cast : Steven Seagal, Byron Mann 2:00 pm /02:20 pm /07:00 pm /11:30 pm

KAHLIL GIBRAN’S THE PROPHET (PG12) Cast : Liam Neeson, Salma Hayek, John Krasinski 10:30 am /12:15 pm /02:00 pm

PIKU (Comedy, Drama)(PG) Cast : Amitabh Bachchan, Deepika Padukone, Irrfan Khan 07:35 pm

WORDS & PICTURES (12+) Cast : Clive Owen, Juliette Binoche, Bruce Davison 05:25 pm

KAJAKI (Adventure, Drama) (15+) Cast: Mark Stanley, David Elliot 05:30 pm /09:25 pm /11:45 pm

HOT PURSUIT (12+) Cast : Reese Witherspoon, Sofía Vergara, Matthew Del 10:30 am /07:35 pm

WORDS & PICTURES (Com, Dr) (12+) Cast: Clive Owen, Juliette Binoche 05:30 pm KAHLIL GIBRAN’S THE PROPHET (Animation)(PG12) Cast : Liam Neeson, Salma Hayek, John Krasinski 02:00 pm /03:45 pm

AVENGERS AGE OF ULTRON (3DPG12 Cast: Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans 02:20 pm /07:00 pm /11:45 pm AVENGERS AGE OF ULTRON (3D) (PG12) Cast : Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans 03:15 pm /08:30 pm

SCREEN 1 Piku (Drama / Comedy) – PG Cast: Amitabh Bachchan, Deepika Padukone, Irrfan Khan. 3.30, 9.30 PM Gabbar - Hindi (Action/Drama ) – PG Cast: Akshay Kumar, Shruti K. Haasan, Kareena Kapoor. 6.30 PM SCREEN 2 Avengers: Age of Ultron (3D)( Action, Adventure, Fantasy)– PG12 Cast: Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo. 3.45 PM Piku (Drama / Comedy) – PG Cast: Amitabh Bachchan, Deepika Padukone, Irrfan Khan. 6.45 PM Gabbar - Hindi (Action/Drama ) – PG 9.45 PM

Hot Pursuit - 2D (12+) Action |Comedy Cas : Reese Witherspoon, Sofía Vergara, Matthew Del. 3:15 , 7:00 pm Absolution – 2D (15+)Action, Adventure, Crime Cast: Steven Seagal, Byron Mann, Josh Barnett 5:00 , 7:00 ,11:45 pm Avengers: Age of Ultron – 3D (PG12) Action |Adventure |Sci-Fi Cast: Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo 2:15 ,8:45 ,11:30 pm Words and Pictures - 2D (12+) Comedy, Drama, Romance Cast: Clive Owen, Juliette Binoche, Bruce Davison 4:50, 7:20 pm Piku -2D (PG) Comedy, Drama Cast: Amitabh Bachchan, Deepika Padukone, Irrfan Khan 9:00 , 11:20 pm It Follows - 2D (15+) Horror | Mystery Cast: Maika Monroe, Keir Gilchrist, Olivia Luccardi 3:15 , 11:45 pm Kajaki – 2D (15+) Adventure, Drama, Thriller Cast: Mark Stanley, David Elliot, Malachi Kirby 5:15, 9:30 pm Kahlil Gibran’s The Prophet - 2D (PG12) Animation Cast: Liam Neeson, Salma Hayek, John Krasinski, 2:30 , 4:10 pm

Oru Vadakkan Selﬁe - 2D (M)(PG) Comedy Cast: Nivin Pauly, Aju Varghese, 06:30 pm Gabbar - 2D (PG) Action |Crime |Drama Cast: Akshay Kumar, Shruti K. Haasan, Kareena Kapoor . 9:15 pm

Avengers: Age of Ultron- 3D (PG12) Cast: Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo 04:45/09:00 PM Kajaki - 2D (15+) Cast: Mark Stanley, David Elliot, Malachi Kirby 03:00/11:45 PM Hot Pursuit-2D (12+) Cast: Reese Witherspoon, Sofía Vergara, Matthew Del 05:15/07:15 PM Backcountry 2D (15+) Cast: Missy Peregrym, Eric Balfour, Nicholas Campbell 05:00/09:15 PM Absolution 2D (15+) Cast: Jennifer Aniston, Jennifer Esposito, Imogen Poots 07:00/11:15 PM Gabbar is Back 2D (PG) Cast: Akshay Kumar, Shruti K. Haasan, Kareena Kapoor 09:00 PM Kahlil Gibran’s the Prophet (2D) (PG12)

Avengers: Age of Ultron (3D)(Act) (PG12) Cast: Robert Downey Jr, Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo. 8:30 PM Khalil Gibran’s - The Prophet (Animation) (PG12) Cast: Liam Neeson, Salma Hayek. 5:00 PM

Piku (Comedy / Drama ) (PG) Cast: Amitabh Bachchan, Deepika Padukone, Irrfan Khan.11:00 PM Kajaki (Adv/ Drama / Thriller) (15+) Cast: Mark Stanley, David Elliot, Malachi Kirby. 6:30, 8:00 PM Absolution (Act / Adv / Crime) (15+) Cast: Steven seagal, Byron Mann, Josh Barnett. 4:30, 11:45 PM Hot Pursuit (Action / Com) (12+ ) Cast: Reese Witherspoon, Soﬁa Vergara, 6:15, 10:00 PM

Avengers :AgeOf Ultron (3D)(PG12) ( Action, Adventure,Sci-Fi) Cast: Robert Dwney Jr,Chris Evan, 11:00AM/3:35/7:15/11:30PM Kajaki (2D)(15+)( Adv, Dr, Thriller ) Cast: Mark Stanley, David Elliot 10:30AM/12:45/11:45PM Kahlil Gibran’s The Prophet (2D)(PG12) (Animation) Cast: Liam Neeson, Salma Hayek, 11:15AM/12:30PM Words and Pictures (2D) (12+) (Com ) Cast: Clive Owen, 4:30PM It Follows (2D)(15+) (Horror | Mystery) Cast: Maika Monroe, 2:45/6:35PM Hot Pursuit (2D) (12+) (Comedy) Cast: Reese Witherspoon, Sofía Vergara, Matthew Del 2:00/5:30/9:45PM Gabbar (2D)(PG) (Ac/Crime/Drama) Cast: Akshay Kumar, Shruti K. Haasan, Kareena Kapoor; 11:15PM Oru Vadakkan Selﬁe (2D)(PG)(Comedy) Cast: Nivin Pauly, 8:30PM Absolution (2D)(15+)( Act, Adv, Crime ) Cast: Steven Seagal, Byron Mann, 1:30/6:05/10:00PM Piku (2D)(PG)( Comedy, Drama) Cast: Amitabh Bachchan, Deepika Padukone, Irrfan Khan, 3:15/7:45PM

ABSOLUTION (Action) Cast: Steven Seagal, Byron Mann, Josh Barnett 12.00, 6.00, 10.00 pm CP No: 1127 ( 15+ ) HOT PURSUIT ( Act / Com ) Cast: Soﬁs Vergara, Reese Witherspoon, Mathew Del Negro 11.45 am, 4.00, 8.00 pm CP No : 1131 (12+ ) KAJAKI (Adv/Thriller/War ) Cast:Mark Stanley, David Elliot, Malachi Kirby 1.15, 5.30, 11.55 pm CP No: 1130 (15+ ) BACKCOUNTRY ( Hor/ Thril) Cast: Missy Peregrym, Eric Balfour 2.00 & 11.55 pm CP No: 1128 (15+) PIKU (Hindi) ( Comedy/Drama ) Cast: Amitabh Bachchan, Depika Padukone, Irrfan Khan 3.15, 7.30 & 9.45 pm CP No: 1129 (PG )

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

STARS CINEMA Film information 24791641 / 24786776 Oru Vadakkan Selﬁe (Mal) (Rom) Cast: Navin Pauly, Manjima, Aju 3:30, 6:30, 9:30 pm at Cinema Main Piku (Hindi) (PG) Cast: Amitabh Bachchan, Deepika Padukone, Irrfan Khan, 3-45 , 6-45 & 9-45pm at Cinema 3 Uthama Villain (Tamil ) ( Rom/Com ) Cast: Kamal Hassan, Jayram, Pooja Kumar & Urvashi 3-30 & 9-30 pm at Cinema -2 Dohchay (Telugu) (Com/Act) Cast: Naga Chaitanya & Kirti Sanon 3-45 , 6-45 & & 9-45 pm at Cinema 4 O Kadhal Kanmani (Tamil/Rom) Cast:Dulqar Salman & Nitya Menon 6:30pm at Cinema 2 Next Change: Bhaskar the Rascal (Mal) 36 Vayathinile (Tamil), Purampokku (Tamil)

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

ACES ON BRIDGE

Can they promote a fourth winner?

ifford Pinchot, who was a governor of Pennsylvania and the ﬁrst chief of the United States Forest Service, said, “Conservation is the application of common sense to the common problems for the common good.” By applying common sense to this bridge problem, can South conserve his contract? He is in four spades. West leads the heart ace: four, eight (start of a high-low with a doubleton), nine. West cashes the heart king — seven, three, two. West continues with a third heart, and East ruffs

dummy’s queen with his spade 10. How should South continue? The bidding has a modern slant. North’s three-heart response is called a cue-bid raise. It shows three or more spades and at least gameinvitational strength. Using this cue-bid, a jump to three spades would be preemptive, indicating four-card support but fewer than 10 support points. However, if you prefer to keep three spades as a game-invitational limit raise, go with it. Note West’s third heart lead. This had two strategies. First, ruffing

away dummy’s heart queen would stop declarer gaining a later discard on it. Also, perhaps East’s trump would be high enough to effect an uppercut. Note that both of these ideas come to fruition. South can no longer pitch his club loser on the heart queen. Also, if he over ruffs the spade jack, West will gain a trump trick, and the defenders will eventually take a club for down one. South, though, should see that if he sheds his club three under the spade 10, his contract will be safe (unless West is void in a minor). — By Phillip Alder MARMADUKE

CROSSWORD

B I G NAT E

Answer to previous puzzle

ACROSS 1 Tree with triangular nuts 6 Make sense 11 Marilyn or Vaughn 12 Carmaker’s woe 14 About, in memos (2 wds.) 15 Thick board 17 Conversational pause 18 Twice DI 19 Flight board info 20 Vitamin amt. 21 Restless urge 23 WNW opposite 24 Pear-shaped fruits 25 Buddies 27 Golden Fleece

princess 28 Muscle spasm 29 Unlatch, to a bard 30 Remove price controls 33 Bushy ﬂowers 37 Throw forcefully 38 Shaggy-haired ox 39 Black mark 40 Salt Lake City player 41 Corn holder 42 Tissue layer 43 Realty wd. 44 Show embarrassment 46 Good buy 47 Antenna 49 No-goodnik 51 Watchdog’s warning 52 Sonnet stanza

DOWN 1 Mackerel 2 Add vitamins 3 Sooner than 4 Boulder’s st. 5 Wise to 6 Wooden container 7 Jazzy Horne 8 Yuck! 9 Important mineral, for short 10 Inelegant solution 11 Ape or parrot 13 Tibet’s capital 16 “The Road — Travelled” 20 Free of 22 Travel stopover

23 Common abbr. 24 Has an intuition 26 18-wheeler 27 Radar meas. 29 Hard wood 30 ‘Star Trek’ officer 31 Kitchen spice 32 Opposite of post33 Pats on 34 Block 35 Cafe — — 36 Vogue 38 “— Accomp’ny Me” 41 Dog nail 44 Proﬁle 45 Cable network 46 Banned bug spray 48 B&O, for example 50 Apt. plus

BORN LOSER

WITH LOVE

MOHD ALI AZEEM May 11, 2012

Send us a colour photograph of the child (below 16 years) whose birthday you are celebrating, along with his/her full name, date of birth, address, telephone number and parents’/your name to Times of Oman, With Love, PO Box 770, PC 112, Ruwi or through e-mail to extra@timesofoman.com

KIDSPOT

H E A LT H C A P S U L E

C10

MON DAY, MAY 11, 2015

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

BORN today, you are an energetic and forceful individual with a great deal of personal charisma and the vision and skill required to make a better future for yourself and for others. You are never satisﬁed with doing the same old thing again and again; you want to take what you have done before — and what others have done, also — and build upon it, making it bigger, better and more rewarding than ever before. You can, at times, be difficult to deal with, especially when you get the bit between your teeth and refuse to listen to any dissenting views. But such times are rare; you are usually quite collaborative, though certainly destined to play a leading role. Your endeavours are not likely to go unnoticed, and you must always go about your business knowing that others are paying attention to your every move, whether large or small. It’s important that you play by the rules — unless, of course, you are doing something that is actually designed to change those rules! Also born on this date are: Cam Newton, football player; Salvador Dali, artist; Natasha Richardson, actress; Irving Berlin, songwriter; Louis Farrakhan, religious leader; Martha Graham, choreographer and dancer; Foster Brooks, actor; Tim Blake Nelson, actor; Martha Quinn, television personality; Cory Monteith, actor; Phil Silvers, actor and comedian; Frances Fisher, actress; Laetitia Casta, model; Amanda Freitag, celebrity chef.

W E AT H E R

WORLD

Max 40 Min 28 Max 22 Min 18

Max 43 Min 27

Max 39 Min 31 Max 28 Min 14

Max 39 Min 29

Max 20 Min 12

Max 42 Min 27

Max 43 Min 27

Max 41 Min 31

TAURUS

Max 35 Min 27

[APRIL 20-MAY 20] Max 32 Min 25

Max 25 Min 14

Max 32 Min 27 Max 20 Min 12

—www.met.gov.om

GULF Abu Dhabi Doha Dubai Kuwait Manama Riyadh

37 38 38 40 37 39

25 24 23 26 24 22

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

25 38 19 20 21 34 30 26 28 18 21 31 28 28 25 31 20 15

17 19 12 13 9 16 26 12 24 13 11 26 14 14 12 28 12 11

FROM MUSCAT (RUWI)

TO MUSCAT (RUWI)

[MAY 21-JUNE 20]

CANCER [JUNE 21-JULY 22] You’ll surely be ready for a ﬁght if you ﬁnd that a rival is encroaching on territory you have always considered yours.

LEO [JULY 23-AUG. 22] You have been hiding your desires for too long, even from yourself. Try dusting them off and seeing how you feel about them.

VIRGO [AUG. 23-SEPT. 22] You may be required to travel farther from home than you had originally intended — but the beneﬁts will be clear.

LIBRA L [SEPT. [[S S 23-OCT. 22] You’ll recognise someone not for what he brings to the table, but for what he doesn’t. This kind of thinking can lead to more insights.

QURIYAT - SUR - JAALAN (Route 36) Dept Destination Arrival Time Time 15:00 Quriyat 16:30 15:00 Sur 18:00 15:00 Jaalan 19:30 TO AL BURAIMI (Route 41) 06:30 Sohar 06:30 Buraimi 08:00 Buraimi 13:00 Sohar 13:00 Buraimi 16.00 Sohar 16.00 Buraimi TO SINAW (Route 52) 17:30 Sinaw

[[OCT. 23-NOV. 21] It’s important for you to read between the lines in order to get the entire message that is being transmitted to you.

SAGITTARIUS S [[NOV. 22-DEC. 21] Remember, you don’t have the beneﬁt of tone or facial expression to help you decipher messages sent to you electronically.

CAPRICORN [DEC. 22-JAN 19] You’re ready to take on a new burden, but in reality, you don’t think of it as a burden in any way whatsoever.

AQUARIUS [JAN. 20-FEB. 18] You don’t see the worth in something that is widely accepted by others as highly valuable. This surely sets you apart.

PISCES [Feb. 19-March 20] It may be time, at long last, for you to begin redeﬁning the central relationship in your life. It’s not

ARIES [March 21-APRIL 19] By being painfully honest with yourself and others, you give yourself the best possible chance of progressing to a new level.

Operating Days Daily Daily Daily

FROM JAALAN-SUR-QURIYAT (Route 36) Dept Destination Arrival Operating Time Time Days 05:30 Sur 06:45 Daily 05:30 Quriyat 08:30 Daily 05:30 Ruwi 10:00 Daily

08:50 11:00 14:30 15:45 17:40 18.35 20:20

Daily Daily Daily via Ibri Daily Daily Daily Daily

20:50

Daily

TO AL BURAIMI (Route 41) 07:00 Sohar 07:00 Ruwi 13:30 Ruwi 13:00 Sohar 13:00 Ruwi 13:00 Sohar 17:00 Ruwi TO SINAW (Route 52) 07:00 Ruwi

To Yanqul (Route 54) 14:30 Nizwa 14:30 Yanqul

16:50 19:30

Daily Daily

TO IBRI (ARAQI) (Route 54) 08:00 Nizwa 08:00 Al Araqi

10:20 12:30

TO SUR (Route 55) 07:30 Sur 14:30 Sur TO FAHUD - YIBAL (Route 62) 06:30 Fahud 06:30 Yibal

08:55 11:40 20:20 14:55 17:40 19:20 22:15

Daily Daily Daily via Ibri Daily Daily Daily Daily

10:25

Daily

To Yanqul (Route 54) 06:00 Nizwa 06:00 Ruwi

08:40 11:00

Daily Daily

TO IBRI (ARAQI) (Route 54) 15:40 Nizwa 15:40 Ruwi

17:55 20:20

Daily Daily

12:00 18:45

Daily Daily

TO SUR (Route 55) 06:00 Ruwi 14:30 Ruwi

10:45 19:00

Daily Daily

10:30 11:15

Daily Daily

TO YIBAL - FAHUD (Route 62) 12:30 Fahud 12:30 Ruwi

13:15 17:30

Daily Daily

TO MARMUL-SALALAH (Route 100) 07:00 Salalah 20:00 10:00 Marmul 20:30 10:00 Salalah 23:30 19:00 Salalah 07:40

Daily Daily Daily Daily

TO SALALAH -MARMUL (Route 100) 07:00 Ruwi 19:50 10:00 Marmul 13:15 10:00 Ruwi 22:30 19:00 Ruwi 07:30

Daily Daily Daily Daily

TO MARMUL (Route 101) 06:00 Marmul

Daily

TO MARMUL (Route 101) 06:00 Marmul

16:30

Daily

DUBAI TO SALALAH (Route 102) 15:00 Salalah 07:00

Daily

16:50

SALALAH TO DUBAI (Route 102) 15:00 Dubai 07:00

SCORPIO S

6:39pm 5.27am

High tide Low tide

1:40am 8:24am

TO DUBAI (Route 201) 06:00 Sohar 06:00 Dubai 13:00 Sohar 13:00 Dubai 15:00 Sohar 15:00 Dubai

08:30 11:30 15:30 18:30 17:35 20:55

Daily Daily Wed,Thur Wed,Thur Daily Daily

TO DUBAI VIA FUJIRAH & SHARJAH (Route 204) Dept Destination Arrival Operating Time Time Days 07:00 Fujairah 11.45 Daily 07:00 Sharjah 13.30 Daily 07:00 Dubai 14.00 Daily

TO DUBAI (Route 201) 07:30 Sohar 07:30 Ruwi 13:00 Sohar 13:00 Ruwi 15:30 Sohar 15:30 Ruwi

10:50 13:40 16:15 19:10 18:45 21:35

Daily Daily Thur-Fri Thur-Fri Daily Daily

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

LISTINGS

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

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

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

MONDAY

Min

L O N G D I S TA N C E B U S T I M I N G S ( O M A N N AT I O N A L T R A N S P O R T C O M PA N Y S A O C ) * S U B J E C T T O C H A N G E

You can demonstrate that you are far from irrelevant, but you may suspect that someone still wants you out of the picture for some reason.

Sunset Sunrise (Tomorrow) 2:21pm 8:37pm

SEA STATE: Moderate to rough along the coastal area of Arabian Sea with a maximum wave height of 2.5 metres, and slight along the rest of the coasts with a maximum wave height of 1.0 metre. HORIZONTAL VISIBILITY: Good over most of the Sultanate becoming poor during fog and thundershowers. THE NEXT 48 HOURS OUTLOOK: Mainly clear skies over most of the Sultanate. Chance of convective clouds over Al-Hajar mountains and adjoining area during afternoon with chance of isolated rain and occasional thundershowers associated with fresh downdraft wind and hail. Chance of late night to early morning low level clouds or fog patches along the coastal areas of Arabian Sea.

Max

OMAN

GEMINI

12.08pm 3.32pm 6.44pm 8.02pm 4.05am

AIRLINES

artly cloudy skies over governorates of Musandam and Al-Buraimi with chance of isolated rain and mainly clear skies over most of the Sultanate with chances of convective cloud development and isolated rain with occasional thundershowers that may be associated fresh downdraft wind over Al-Hajar mountains and adjoining area, during evening may extend to the coastal areas of Oman Sea. Chance of early morning low level clouds or fog patches over governorates of South Al-Sharqiya and Al-Wusta. EXPECTED WIND: Along the coastal areas of Oman Sea wind will be northeasterly light to moderate during day becoming southwesterly light during night, while it will be southerly to southwesterly light to moderate over rest of the Sultanate and occasionally fresh along the coastal areas of Arabian Sea.

Max 42 Min 27

Someone is ready to show you the ropes if you are ready to listen and learn. The time has come for you to consider all options.

PRAYER TIMINGS

Dhuhr Asr Maghrib Isha Fajr (Tomorrow)

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

TUESDAY FLT NO

ARRIVALS FROM

MEDINA 0005 KUWAIT 0005 CAIRO 0005 JEDDAH 0005 RIYADH 0010 SALALAH 0020 SALALAH 0120 ISTANBUL 0135 DACCA 0200 LAHORE 0215 BAHRAIN 0325 DOHA 0345 ADDIS ABABA 0350 DUBAI 0350 ABU DHABI 0400 DUBAI 0415 FRANKFURT 0515 BAHRAIN 0635 ABU DHABI 0640 SALALAH 0645 KUWAIT 0650 ZURICH 0700 MALPENSA 0705 DOHA 0715 JEDDAH 0735 LONDON HEATHROW 0740 DUBAI 0800 BEIRUT 0805 DUBAI 0805 ISLAM ABBAD 0815 LAHORE 0825 JAIPUR 0830 BOMBAY 0835 HYDERABAD 0900 SHARJAH 0905 COCHIN 0920 DUBAI 0930 GOA 0935 DELHI 0935 TRIVANDRUM 0950 MADRAS 0955 DOHA 1000 ABU DHABI 1010 MANILA 1020 TRIVANDRUM 1045 DUBAI 1115 KHASAB 1115 MUKHAIZNA 1120 BAHRAIN 1130 DUBAI 1140 COLOMBO 1140 CALICUT 1155 LAHORE 1215 DARESSLAM-ZANZIBAR 1215 KUALA LUMPUR-SINGAPORE 1215 ABU DHABI 1220 BANGKOK 1220 SALALAH 1230 DOHA 1250 KARACHI 1300 KATHMANDU 1305 ABU DHABI 1335 DUBAI 1340 KHASAB 1445 DUBAI 1535 MUKHAIZNA 1550 BAHRAIN 1635 DOHA 1650 BOMBAY 1655 CALICUT 1710 LUCKNOW 1740 DOHA 1745 DUBAI 1745 HYDERABAD 1750 DELHI 1750 MADRAS 1750 BANGALORE 1750 DUQUM OMAN 1755 DUBAI 1800 BAHRAIN 1810 SHARJAH 1905 RIYADH 1915 KUWAIT 1920 DUBAI 1940 DUBAI 2025 JAKARTA 2035 KATHMANDU 2040 TEHRAN 2055 DUBAI 2100 AMSTERDAM-DOHA 2105 BANGALORE-HYDERABAD 2105 MUNICH 2105 DACCA 2115 COCHIN 2115 DELHI 2125 BOMBAY 2130 LONDON HEATHROW-ABU DHABI 2140 DUBAI 2150 SALALAH 2155 MADRAS 2200 CHITTAGONG 2210 DOHA 2225 ZURICH-DUBAI 2225 BAHRAIN 2240 FRANKFURT-DOHA 2245 ZANZIBAR-DARESSLAM 2250 AHMEDABAD 2300 ABU DHABI 2300 SALALAH 2310 BOMBAY 2315 SALALAH 2320 BOMBAY 2325 DOHA 2335 BAHRAIN 2340 ABU DHABI 2340 SALALAH 2345 BANGKOK 2350 DUBAI 2355 DAMMAM 2355

WY406 WY648 WY676 WY682 WY914 BG021 WY916 NL768 TK774 4H583 PK281 GF560 QR1132 EK866 ET624 EY384 FZ041 WY114 WY412 WY658 WY638 4H562 WY902 WY644 WY326 WY686 WY154 WY144 WY678 WY668 WY132 WY674 WY102 FZ043 WY432 WY602 WY346 WY342 WY272 WY202 G9841 WY236 G9114 WY282 EK862 WY242 WY252 QR1128 IX817 EY382 9W530 WY3302 WY604 WY918 WY652 GF562 FZ037 WY372 IX337 WY384 WY822 WY705 WY904 WY634 WY818 BG023 WY670 WY324 WY332 PA950 PK191 WY606 WY906 WY920 FZ045 WY632 WY656 QR1126 WY3304 WY204 WY292 WY264 WY664 WY216 EK864 WY232 WY246 WY610 WY694 GF564 TG507 SV534 G9116 WY374 WY646 FZ047 WY908 RG125 WY386 WY224 WY614 WY338 FZ049 WY124 9W534 AI973 6.00E+81 WY254 BA073 WY624 UL205 AI907 WY312 LX242 QR1134 GF566 LH616 EY388 WY910 9W540 AI985 WY662 WY654 WY636 WY928 WY816 WY696 WY612

CAIRO 0005 KUWAIT 0005 JEDDAH 0005 RIYADH 0010 SALALAH 0020 DACCA 0100 SALALAH 0120 LAHORE 0130 ISTANBUL 0135 DACCA 0200 ISLAM ABBAD-SIALKOT 0300 BAHRAIN 0325 DOHA 0345 DUBAI 0350 ADDIS ABABA 0350 ABU DHABI 0400 DUBAI 0415 FRANKFURT 0515 AMMAN 0515 BAHRAIN 0635 ABU DHABI 0640 JEDDAH 0645 SALALAH 0645 KUWAIT 0650 KARACHI 0650 RIYADH 0655 ZURICH 0700 MALPENSA 0705 MEDINA 0710 DOHA 0715 PARIS 0735 JEDDAH 0735 LONDON HEATHROW 0740 DUBAI 0800 TEHRAN 0805 DUBAI 0805 ISLAM ABBAD 0815 LAHORE 0825 JAIPUR 0830 BOMBAY 0835 RAS AL KHAIMA 0855 HYDERABAD 0900 SHARJAH 0905 BANGALORE 0910 DUBAI 0930 DELHI 0935 MADRAS 0955 DOHA 1000 MANGALORE 1010 ABU DHABI 1010 TRIVANDRUM 1045 MUKHAIZNA 1050 DUBAI 1115 KHASAB 1115 BAHRAIN 1125 BAHRAIN 1130 DUBAI 1140 COLOMBO 1140 CALICUT 1155 MALE 1210 KUALA LUMPUR-SINGAPORE 1215 DARESSLAM-ZANZIBAR 1215 SALALAH 1220 ABU DHABI 1220 BANGKOK 1220 DACCA-CHITTAGONG 1230 DOHA 1250 KARACHI 1300 KATHMANDU 1305 SIALKOT 1310 GWADUR 1320 DUBAI 1340 SALALAH 1440 KHASAB 1445 DUBAI 1535 ABU DHABI 1605 BAHRAIN 1610 DOHA 1650 MUKHAIZNA 1650 BOMBAY 1655 CALICUT 1710 LUCKNOW 1740 DOHA 1745 TRIVANDRUM 1745 DUBAI 1745 HYDERABAD 1750 DELHI 1750 DUBAI 1800 DAMMAM 1805 BAHRAIN 1810 BANGKOK-KARACHI 1900 RIYADH 1900 SHARJAH 1905 COLOMBO 1915 KUWAIT 1920 DUBAI 1940 SALALAH 2000 ABU DHABI 2005 MALE 2020 COCHIN 2025 DUBAI 2025 KATHMANDU 2040 DUBAI 2100 MUNICH 2105 COCHIN 2115 DELHI 2125 BOMBAY 2130 MADRAS 2135 LONDON HEATHROW-ABU DHABI 2140 DUBAI 2150 COLOMBO 2155 MADRAS 2200 CHITTAGONG 2210 ZURICH-DUBAI 2225 DOHA 2225 BAHRAIN 2240 FRANKFURT-DOHA 2245 ABU DHABI 2300 SALALAH 2310 BOMBAY 2315 BOMBAY 2325 DOHA 2335 BAHRAIN 2340 ABU DHABI 2340 SALALAH 2345 BANGKOK 2350 DAMMAM 2355 DUBAI 2355

FLT NO

DEPARTURES TO

FLT NO

DEPARTURES TO

AI986 9W539 WY657 WY225 WY637 WY211 WY235 WY201 WY643 WY345 WY271 WY341 WY601 WY371 WY123 WY901 WY847 WY241 WY667 TK775 WY209 4H584 PK226 WY331 EK867 ET625 EY385 FZ042 QR1133 GF561 WY603 WY903 WY3301 WY917 WY323 WY669 FZ044 WY633 WY815 WY253 WY291 WY263 WY717 WY821 G9115 WY231 WY283 WY631 WY605 WY203 WY245 EK863 WY337 QR1129 EY383 WY311 9W533 WY919 GF563 WY655 FZ038 WY3303 IX350 PA451 WY113 WY663 WY683 WY131 WY645 WY143 WY101 WY153 WY927 WY405 WY609 WY433 WY3921 WY675 FZ046 WY613 WY905 QR1127 WY681 WY623 WY647 WY909 GF565 WY907 EK865 WY695 WY661 WY653 G9117 WY913 WY635 FZ048 WY611 WY411 WY915 FZ050 AI978 4H561 KL442 WY817 9W529 6.00E+82 AI908 WY677 WY705 AI974 GF567 LX243 BA072 QR1135 WY673 LH617 EY381

BOMBAY 0020 BOMBAY 0020 BAHRAIN 0055 COCHIN 0105 ABU DHABI 0105 TRIVANDRUM 0110 HYDERABAD 0110 BOMBAY 0115 KUWAIT 0120 ISLAM ABBAD 0125 JAIPUR 0135 LAHORE 0145 DUBAI 0145 COLOMBO 0155 MUNICH 0200 SALALAH 0215 JAKARTA 0215 DELHI 0215 DOHA 0225 ISTANBUL 0230 GOA 0255 DACCA 0300 KARACHI 0315 KATHMANDU 0350 DUBAI 0450 ADDIS ABABA 0450 ABU DHABI 0500 DUBAI 0510 DOHA 0515 BAHRAIN 0715 DUBAI 0750 SALALAH 0750 MUKHAIZNA 0800 KHASAB 0815 KARACHI 0835 DOHA 0835 DUBAI 0845 ABU DHABI 0900 BANGKOK 0905 MADRAS 0915 CALICUT 0915 LUCKNOW 0940 ZANZIBAR-DARESSLAM 0940 SINGAPORE-KUALA LUMPUR 0945 SHARJAH 0955 HYDERABAD 1000 BANGALORE 1000 ABU DHABI 1015 DUBAI 1020 BOMBAY 1025 DELHI 1040 DUBAI 1045 KATHMANDU 1050 DOHA 1100 ABU DHABI 1105 CHITTAGONG 1140 COCHIN 1145 KHASAB 1145 BAHRAIN 1215 BAHRAIN 1215 DUBAI 1225 MUKHAIZNA 1230 CALICUT 1255 LAHORE 1315 FRANKFURT 1320 DOHA 1330 RIYADH 1335 PARIS 1345 KUWAIT 1350 MALPENSA 1350 LONDON HEATHROW 1400 ZURICH 1420 SALALAH 1430 CAIRO 1440 DUBAI 1445 TEHRAN 1445 DUQUM OMAN 1455 JEDDAH 1615 DUBAI 1620 DUBAI 1710 SALALAH 1735 DOHA 1750 RIYADH 1840 DUBAI 1840 KUWAIT 1845 SALALAH 1850 BAHRAIN 1855 SALALAH 1900 DUBAI 1910 DAMMAM 1915 DOHA 1920 BAHRAIN 1920 SHARJAH 1955 SALALAH 2000 ABU DHABI 2015 DUBAI 2025 DUBAI 2035 AMMAN 2100 SALALAH 2100 DUBAI 2145 HYDERABAD-BANGALORE 2200 JEDDAH 2215 DOHA-AMSTERDAM 2220 BANGKOK 2225 TRIVANDRUM 2230 BOMBAY 2245 MADRAS 2300 MEDINA 2310 DARESSLAM-ZANZIBAR 2310 DELHI 2310 BAHRAIN 2325 DUBAI-ZURICH 2325 ABU DHABI-LONDON HEATHROW 2330 DOHA 2330 JEDDAH 2350 DOHA-FRANKFURT 2355 ABU DHABI 2355

AI986 9W539 SG062 WY657 WY637 WY235 WY281 WY685 WY201 WY643 WY251 WY345 WY271 WY601 WY341 WY431 WY371 WY123 WY325 WY901 WY241 WY667 WY383 BG022 NL769 TK775 4H584 WY331 PK282 EK867 ET625 EY385 FZ042 QR1133 GF561 WY651 WY3301 WY903 4H562 WY603 WY917 WY323 WY669 FZ044 WY633 WY373 WY215 WY815 WY291 WY263 WY385 G9842 WY821 G9115 WY231 WY905 WY605 WY203 WY245 EK863 WY337 IX818 QR1129 EY383 WY311 WY919 9W533 GF563 WY223 WY655 FZ038 WY631 IX350 WY253 WY113 WY693 WY3303 WY663 WY131 WY143 WY645 WY101 BG024 PK192 PA951 WY927 WY405 WY609 WY907 WY675 FZ046 WY671 WY613 QR1127 WY623 WY681 WY647 WY909 GF565 EK865 WY695 WY661 WY653 G9117 SV535 WY913 TG508 WY635 FZ048 WY611 RG126 WY915 FZ050 WY411 WY421 WY817 9W529 6.00E+82 AI908 UL206 AI974 GF567 LX243 BA072 QR1135 WY673 LH617 EY381

BOMBAY 0020 BOMBAY 0020 AHMEDABAD 0030 BAHRAIN 0055 ABU DHABI 0105 HYDERABAD 0110 BANGALORE 0110 RIYADH 0115 BOMBAY 0115 KUWAIT 0120 MADRAS 0120 ISLAM ABBAD 0125 JAIPUR 0135 DUBAI 0145 LAHORE 0145 TEHRAN 0155 COLOMBO 0155 MUNICH 0200 KARACHI 0210 SALALAH 0215 DELHI 0215 DOHA 0225 MALE 0230 CHITTAGONG-DACCA 0230 LAHORE 0230 ISTANBUL 0230 DACCA 0300 KATHMANDU 0350 SIALKOT 0400 DUBAI 0450 ADDIS ABABA 0450 ABU DHABI 0500 DUBAI 0510 DOHA 0515 BAHRAIN 0715 BAHRAIN 0730 MUKHAIZNA 0730 SALALAH 0740 DACCA 0745 DUBAI 0750 KHASAB 0815 KARACHI 0835 DOHA 0835 DUBAI 0845 ABU DHABI 0900 COLOMBO 0900 TRIVANDRUM 0900 BANGKOK 0905 CALICUT 0915 LUCKNOW 0940 MALE 0945 RAS AL KHAIMA 0945 SINGAPORE-KUALA LUMPUR 0945 SHARJAH 0955 HYDERABAD 1000 SALALAH 1020 DUBAI 1020 BOMBAY 1025 DELHI 1040 DUBAI 1045 KATHMANDU 1050 MANGALORE 1100 DOHA 1100 ABU DHABI 1105 CHITTAGONG 1140 KHASAB 1145 COCHIN 1145 BAHRAIN 1215 COCHIN 1215 BAHRAIN 1215 DUBAI 1225 ABU DHABI 1240 CALICUT 1255 MADRAS 1255 FRANKFURT 1320 DAMMAM 1330 MUKHAIZNA 1330 DOHA 1330 PARIS 1345 MALPENSA 1350 KUWAIT 1350 LONDON HEATHROW 1400 DACCA 1400 GWADUR-TURBAT 1405 SIALKOT 1430 SALALAH 1430 CAIRO 1440 DUBAI 1445 SALALAH 1540 JEDDAH 1615 DUBAI 1620 MEDINA 1705 DUBAI 1710 DOHA 1750 DUBAI 1840 RIYADH 1840 KUWAIT 1845 SALALAH 1850 BAHRAIN 1855 DUBAI 1910 DAMMAM 1915 DOHA 1920 BAHRAIN 1920 SHARJAH 1955 RIYADH 2000 SALALAH 2000 KARACHI-BANGKOK 2005 ABU DHABI 2015 DUBAI 2025 DUBAI 2035 ABU DHABI 2045 SALALAH 2100 DUBAI 2145 AMMAN 2205 BEIRUT 2215 BANGKOK 2225 TRIVANDRUM 2230 BOMBAY 2245 MADRAS 2300 COLOMBO 2305 DELHI 2310 BAHRAIN 2325 DUBAI-ZURICH 2325 ABU DHABI-LONDON HEATHROW 2330 DOHA 2330 JEDDAH 2350 DOHA-FRANKFURT 2355 ABU DHABI 2355

FLT NO

ARRIVALS FROM

WY672 WY648 WY406 WY676 WY682 WY914 WY916 TK774 4H583 PK229 GF560 QR1132 ET624 EK866 EY384 FZ041 WY114 WY658 WY638 WY902 WY644 WY154 WY144 WY668 WY674 WY102 FZ043 WY422 WY602 WY346 WY342 WY272 WY202 WY236 G9114 WY226 EK862 WY210 WY242 WY212 WY252 QR1128 EY382 WY844 9W530 WY604 WY918 WY3302 GF562 FZ037 WY372 IX337 PA450 WY705 WY822 WY634 WY818 WY904 WY670 WY324 WY332 WY632 WY606 WY920 FZ045 WY3304 WY656 QR1126 WY204 WY292 WY264 WY664 EK864 WY232 WY246 WY254 WY284 WY3922 WY610 GF564 G9116 WY684 WY646 FZ047 WY614 WY848 WY338 WY434 FZ049 KL441 AI977 WY124 4H561 9W534 AI973 6.00E+81 BA073 WY624 WY906 AI907 WY312 QR1134 LX242 GF566 LH616 WY717 SG061 EY388 WY910 9W540 WY908 AI985 WY662 WY654 WY636 WY928 WY816 WY612 WY696

ETA

ETD

ETA

ETD

MO N DAY, MAY 1 1 , 2 0 1 5

C 11

EXTRA H E A LT H N O T E S

Eat healthy for a super brain as you age PEOPLE WHO are having healthier diets with higher quantities of vegetables, fruits, ﬁsh, nuts, soy products intake are at a reduced risk of cognitive decline as they get older, says new research. The team from Ontario-based McMaster University tracked the health and habits of 28,000 people who were taking part in two international studies across 40 countries. Researchers found that of the 5,700 people with the healthiest diets, 14 per cent had developed cognitive decline. On the other hand, in the 5,460 people with the least healthy diets, about 18 per cent of them experienced cognitive decline. The unhealthy foods were red meat, deep-fried foods and sweets. It may not sound like a big difference but it is about a 24 per cent reduction in risk for the people on healthy diets. “The consumption of ‘healthy’ choices may be beneﬁcial but the effect may be reduced with the consumption of ‘unhealthy’ choices,” Forbes reported.

Simple exercises can help control snoring, says research IF SNORING is hampering your partner’s sound sleep, simple mouth and tongue exercises can do wonders. Researchers have found that these exercises can reduce frequency of snoring by 36 percent and total power of snoring by 59 per cent. “This study demonstrates a promising, non-invasive treatment for large populations suffering from snoring, the snorers and their bed partners, that are largely omitted from research and treatment,” said Barbara Phillips, medical director, sleep laboratory at the University of Kentucky College of Medicine in the US.

Master protein that initiates organ formation found

Climate change threatens species As the planet warms it could drive to extinction as many as one in six animal and plant species, according to a new analysis

n a study published Thursday in the journal Science, Mark Urban, an ecologist at the University of Connecticut, also found that as the planet warms in the future, species will disappear at an accelerating rate. “We have the choice,” he said in an interview. “The world can decide where on that curve they want the future Earth to be.” As dire as Urban’s conclusions are, other experts said the real toll may turn out to be even worse. The number of extinctions “may well be two to three times higher,” said John J. Wiens, an evolutionary biologist at the University of Arizona. Global warming has raised the planet’s average surface temperature about 1.5 degrees Fahrenheit since the Industrial Revolution. Species are responding by shifting their ranges. In 2003, Camille Parmesan of the University of Texas and Gary Yohe of Wesleyan University analyzed studies of more than 1,700 plant and animal species. They found that, on average, their ranges shifted 3.8 miles per decade toward the planet’s poles. If emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases continue to grow, climate researchers project the world could warm by as much as 8 degrees Fahrenheit. As the climate continues to change, scientists fear, some species won’t be able to ﬁnd suitable habitats. For example, the American pika, a hamsterlike mammal that lives on mountains in the West,

has been retreating to higher elevations in recent decades. Since the 1990s, some pika populations along the species’s southernmost ranges have vanished. Hundreds of studies published over the past two decades have yielded a wide range of predictions regarding the number of extinctions that will be caused by global warming. Some have predicted few extinctions while others have predicted that 50 percent of species face oblivion. There are many reasons for the wide variation. Some scientists looked only at plants in the Amazon while others focused on butterflies in Canada. In some cases, researchers assumed just a couple of degrees of warming while in others they looked at much hotter scenarios. Because scientists rarely were able to say just how quickly a given species might shift ranges, they sometimes produced a range of estimates. To get a clearer picture, Urban decided to revisit every climate extinction model ever published. He threw out all the studies that examined just a single species, such as the American pika, on the grounds that these might artificially inflate the result of his meta-analysis. (Scientists often pick out individual species to study because they already suspect they are vulnerable to climate change.) Urban ended up with 131 studies examining plants, amphibians, fish, mammals, reptiles and invertebrates spread out across the planet. He reanalysed all the

Hundreds of studies published over the past two decades have yielded a wide range of predictions regarding the number of extinctions that will be caused by global warming. Some have predicted few extinctions while others have predicted that 50 per cent of species face oblivion data in those reports. Overall, he found that 7.9 per cent of species. were predicted to become extinct from climate change. Estimates based on low levels of warming yielded much fewer extinctions than hotter scenarios. By his calculation, with an increase of 3.6 degrees Fahrenheit in surface temperature, 5.2 per cent of species would become extinct. At 7.7 degrees, 16 percent would. Urban found that the rate of extinctions would not increase steadily, but would accelerate if temperatures rose. Richard Pearson, a biogeographer at University College Lon-

don, called the new meta-analysis “an important line in the sand that tells us we know enough to see climate change as a major threat to biodiversity and ecosystems.” But he said that Urban was likely underestimating the scale of extinctions. The latest generation of climate extinction models are more accurate, Pearson said: sadly, they also produce more dire estimates. Wiens also noted that the tropics have been underrepresented in climate extinction studies. In Urban’s meta-analysis, 78 studies focused on species in North America and Europe while only seven came from South America. Yet when Urban combined all the data from South American studies, he found that 23 percent of species were at risk of extinction. In North America, by contrast, only 5 percent faced extinction. What makes this imbalance all the more glaring, Wiens said, is the fact that most of the planet’s species live in tropical forests such as the Amazon. If climate extinction research took tropical diversity into account, the planet’s overall risk would be much higher. Urban acknowledged that his meta-analysis is far from the ﬁnal word. “This is a summary of the best information we have right now,” he said. As predictions improve, Urban said, they will allow conservation biologists to pinpoint the species at greatest risk of extinction and help plan strategies to save them. -Carl Zimmer/The New York Times News Service

RESEARCHERS have identiﬁed the “master” protein that directs the development of multi-cellular animals One of developmental biology’s most perplexing questions concerns what signals transform masses of undifferentiated cells into various organs. The new research provides evidence that it all begins with a single “master” growth factor receptor that regulates the entire genome. At the centre of the discovery is a single protein called nuclear Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor 1 (nFGFR1). “FGFR1 occupies a position at the top of the gene hierarchy that directs the development of multicellular animals,” said study author Michal Stachowiak from University at Buffalo in the US. The FGFR1 gene is known to govern gastrulation, occurring in early development, where the threelayered embryonic structure forms. -IANS

C12

M O N DAY, MAY 11, 2015

EXTRA

RANDOM EVENTS MAKE GAMBLERS WANT TO BET Seeing patterns in things when they are not actually there becomes a toxic when combined with impulsive behaviour, says a study

abitual gamblers see things the rest of us don’t, which repeatedly leads them to make impulsive bets they are likely to lose, a study has found. Scientists said that people with a pathological gambling habit are more likely than the general public to believe they have seen nonrandom patterns in the things they are betting on — such as slot machines or roulette wheels. Seeing patterns in things when they are not actually there be-

comes a toxic cocktail when combined with impulsive behaviour, according to a study comparing gamblers with non-gamblers. The innate ability of the human brain to perceive non-random patterns in the natural world has been honed by millions of years of evolution but this appears to go awry in gamblers, scientists said. This explains why gamblers can convince themselves they are on a winning streak even when rational analysis should tell them the odds are against them, they explained. “Our re-

sults suggest that gamblers are more willing to bet impulsively on perceived illusory patterns. They are overly prone to accept random series of events as non-random — and non-random enough to be worth betting on,” said Wolfgang Gaissmaier, professor of psychology at the University of Konstanz in Germany. “For gamblers, this misperception of randomness seems to be particularly pronounced,” he said. The study, published in the Journal of Gambling Studies,

compared 91 habitual gamblers with 70 members of the public. Both sets of people were asked to place imaginary bets on two slot machines, one with a 67 per cent chance of winning and one with a 33 per cent chance of winning. Before the experiment began, the participants were able to make test bets on each machine which would have indicated that one of them was always going to give them a better chance of winning. It would have made sense rationally to always place a bet on the 67 per cent machine and to

ignore the other machine. However, gamblers were more likely than other people to place bets on the 33 per cent machine, believing they “knew” when a win was more likely — which is impossible for random machines. The researchers said this is like the erroneous feeling when playing roulette that a red is “due” after ﬁve blacks, or when tossing a coin it is time for a head after a series of tails — when in fact the actual chance is unchanged at 50:50. -Steve Connor/The Independent

B O L LY W O O D

A mother is always our ﬁrst, last love: Ranbir HE’S ALWAYS guarded when speaking about his romantic relationships — but one “love” Bollywood actor Ranbir Kapoor is always willing to shower compliments on is his mother Neetu Singh. Ahead of Mother’s Day, celebrated on Sunday, Ranbir told IANS: “I don’t believe in Mother’s Day. A mother is always our ﬁrst love, and our last love, and there’s no greater relationship than a child and mother. “We are what we are because of our mother. And I hope I can keep my mother happy, smiling and positive always, and that she enjoys all her life. That’s my top priority.” Son of veteran actors Rishi Kapoor and Neetu, he makes no bones about admitting that he has been “closer to my mom”. “My dad had a busy life and the kind of personality he had — didn’t match my temperament. So we didn’t have a buddy-buddy relationship, but I am grateful for my father’s energy in my life because it keeps me on my toes. He’s my reality check, he’s someone I have to make proud.

‘Piku’ success is victory of the audience: Irrfan SHOOJIT SIRCAR’S Piku has generated rave reviews and roaring applause from movie buffs. Actor Irrfan Khan says the response is a win both for the audience as also for a filmmaker who knows how to entertain and engage with a difference. “THANKSss to all for the success of @PikuTheFilm. Feeling Great full, hopeful, beautiful and so light. It’s the victory of the audience and the new film makers who wants to engage audience on a different level,” Irrfan posted on Twitter on Sunday. Piku, which stresses on the camaraderie between a father and daughter, is endearing for the honesty with which Amitabh Bachchan and Deepika Padukone, along with Irrfan, have slipped into their respective characters. Served with dollops of comedy and emotions, the movie is finding fans among all age groups.

Deepak Dobriyal wants to escape being typecast ACTOR DEEPAK Dobriyal, who will be seen in Tanu Weds Manu Returns, says he tries his best not to get typecast in Bollywood by doing a variety of roles. Seen in films like Omkara and Dabangg 2, Deepak told IANS: “After Tanu Weds Manu (2011), I knew I will be offered only comedy roles and I was pretty sure I will reject all of them.” “If it’s my type of role I will do it but as an actor one should decide what to do and what not to do. That’s why I try to do all kinds of films so that I don’t get typecast.” Deepak, who is often seen in supporting roles, says he wants to feature in a biopic. “I want to do fullfledged roles like biopics. We think about these things, but don’t get the roles that you (we) dream of all the time. Now lets see what’s in my destiny. I am keen on doing a biopic,” he added. -IANS

W W W.T I M E S O F O M A N . C O M M O N DAY, M AY 1 1 , 2 0 1 5

SECTION

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

RENT

VACANCY

CARGO

M O N DAY, M AY 1 1 , 2 0 1 5

DAILY GUIDE

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

FOR RENT

Villa for rent with 4 bedroom at Al Khodh, Rent 600/-RO.#92888115 Flat at Darsait. Contact 99326879 3 bedroom ﬂat for rent in Al Hamria Contact: 99341112

Showroom for rent 200 m in Al Misfah, Bousher facing the main road. Contact 95202430

C.B.D 2BHK. Contact 99024730

New building, residential apartments and offices, in Al Khoud Souq. Contact 95202340

Independent rooms in Qurum / Al Hail. Contact 95529970

Deluxe 1, 2 BHK flats in Darsait, AL Khuwair 1deal for office & residence.# 99369081 /99142314 2BHK with split AC in W. K behind Sana Fashion. contact 96708000 Flats shops and store for rent in Ruwi, MBD Honda road. Contact 97293708 / 92433127 2 & 3 BHK , A/C Qurum. Contact 99024730 2& 3 BHK , Madinat Sultan Qaboos. Contact: 99024730 For rent flat 2 BHK 350/- R.O in North Al Ghubrah. Contact 97004127 For rent flat 3BHK 390/-R.O in North Al Ghubrah. Contact 97004127 Full storey at Al Khuwair, 3BHK 525/- R.O. Contact: 94232344 New flat at Al Qurum, 2 BHK 450/R.O . Contact: 94232344

1,000 sq mtrs industrial land in Misfah Industrial area near to Khanco. OMR 1,500 Monthly. Electricity and boundary wall will be provided. Tel: 99333479 or 95215360 1,000 sq mtrs industrial land in Misfah Industrial area near to Khanco. OMR 1,500 Monthly. It has Electricity and boundary wall. Tel: 99333479 or 95215360 2 & 3 BHK flat in Al Khuwair. Contact 99792181 Labour Camp for Rent in Wadi Kabir. Contact 99792181 2 BHK flat in Rex Road. Contact 99792181 1 BHK flat in Honda Road (Ruwi). Contact 99792181

Studio & 1BHK ﬂat in Wadi Kabir. Contact: 99376454

2 bedroom apartment in Ruwi for rent or sale for information. Contact: 99360303

1BHK R.O 250/-, Bldg # 1690 way # 6926 near to ISWK Kindergarten Wadi Kabir. Contact : 99476728

Well maintained spacious, 2BHK at Rex Road from 1st August. Contact: 92227165

1 & 2BHK at Honda road, 2 bedrooms, 1 hall, 2 bath rooms. Contact 99224748 / 99332297

We have ﬂats for rent in South Al Mabella stage -8 along the highway. Contact 95121222

2BHK at Al Azaiba, 2bedrooms, 1 hall & dinning , 3 bathrooms. Contact : 99224748 / 99425665

2 BHK in Muttrah, 2 bedrooms, 1 hall, 1 bathroom & 1 kitchen. Contact 99342790

3000 sq mtrs Industrial landß, in Barka Sanaiya, with electricity 400KW, shed, staff accommodation and office. Ready to start any kind of factory. Contact 99384255. 3 Office space available between 120-142 sqm, with data cable, pantry, cassette AC, parking, @ RO. 5/- per/sqm. At Jibroo Muttrah. 2 BHK ﬂat at Azaiba, behind Al Meera Hypermarket. RO. 330/-.Contact: 93221054, 99229263, 95215289

1BHK, 2 toilets at South Ghubra include E/W and AC split with fully furnished OMR 350/-. Contact 92811110

1 Bedroom bachelors, sharing K & T in Al Khuwair R.O 100/-. Contact 95154331

Flats for rent near Indian School in Wadi Kabir. Contact 99777122

Labour camp for Rent in Wadi Kabir. Contact 99797422

First ﬂoor one unit ﬂat 3 bed, 3 bathrooms, hall, sitting, dining at Ghubra South. Contact 98087644

2 Bed room Portion of a Villa for rent at Honda road, Rent 225/-RO. (For Indain family) Contact: 91218273

2 BHK (with split AC) residential ﬂat at Honda road. Contact 98087644 / 99795241

Flat for rent, 2 BK near Kuwaiti Mosque, Wadi Kabir. Contact 97007934 / 92629232

1, 2, 3, BHK ﬂats. Contact: 97799175

2 BHK & studio ﬂat at Darsait 1SM. Contact 99024730

2BHK Muttrah behind Oman house. Contact 95915154

Flat for rent 2 BK near Oman House Muttrah. Contact 97007934 / 92629232

1/3 BHK Flat Ghubrah, close to ISG Way 4041, building 4390. Contact 99319880

Furnished ﬂats for rent in Al Buraimi, daily, weekly, monthly. Contact 97819981 / 93593336

200 Sqr mtrs office space in CBD. Contact 99792181

If require ﬂats for rent in Wadi Kabir please send me messages through whatsapp or call 99376454

New furnished ﬂat at Amerat 3BHK, 3Toilets RO230 pm. Contact 95113797

1BHK A.C Mumtaz. Contact 97799175 2 BHK with A.C, M.B.D, R.O 325/-. Contact: 92144045 2 bedroom flat for rent in Azaiba near Mitsubishi showroom, Rent 300/-. Contact : 92447365 One BHK flat for rent in Ghobra with attach and common bathroom. For Indian family. Contact - 92322096 2 BHK with A.C Ghubra R.O 350/-. Contact: 92144045 2BHK without A.C Mumtaz R.O 275/-. Contact 92144045 1BHK Ghubra R.O 350/-. Contact 92144045 2BHK flat with very big balcony for rent at MBD, rent R.O 400/-Month. Contact 94273529 1& 2BHK for rent at Wadi Kabir, Hilal Al Sad and Al Khoud areas . Contact Office: 24834644 Mobile: 93994401/02/03

New Building in Mutrah, 2 B/D Room Flat + Setting Room,3 Baths+ Kitchen with split unit Ac’s. Behind Khimiji’s main office/opposite to Oman House Call 99419712 Two bedroom Flat Available at Darsait/Near Muscat Municipality/ Call 99107588 Ground floor flat in Mabela South with 2 big room & living room, 3 toilets, kitchen, small store & hall. Contact 93295953 1 BHK new bldg with A/C, curtains near Khimji Mart MBD. Contact: 99061408 / 99024039 Studio flat Wadi Kabeer 160/-O.R. Contact - 99358589 / 97079146/ 95570288 2BHK Al Khuwair. Contact : 99024730 Ware House & office space. Contact 99024730

2 bedrooms ﬂat with hall, 2 bathrooms in Ruwi behind Boys school. Contact 92584715 / 24700120 1BHK ﬂat near star cinema with split A/C 230/- O.R. Contact - 99358589/ 97079146/95570288 Bath attached room for rent Al Khuwair. Contact 99743569 2 B/R Apartment Luxury Fully Furnished @ Azaiba Near Zubair Showroom. 2 B/R Apartment Executive Fully Furnished @ Al Khuwair 33. 1 B/R Apartment Executive Fully Furnished @ Al Khuwair 33. 3 B/R Apartment Executive Fully Furnished @ Al Khuwair 25. 5 B/R Villa - Fully Furnished at Madinat Al Ilam. Contact - Atlas Real Estate & Rent A Car LLC / 24783341- 24834888/ 99249069 / 92888376/ 93201688 Email: info@alshahiintl.com

Room main road, Al Khuwair R.O 110/-. Contact 97799175 Room with attached bathroom Al Khuwair 33 area. Contact 96059431 Apartments for rent Ghubra : near Indian School Ghubra & Al Maha International Hotel (2BHK with 5 split A/C units).Contact 99273774 / 99202278 /94652485 Villa in Al Khuwair and Seeb. Contact 95250300/ 99119699 / 92125648 Ghubra near Al Maha hotel & Indian school (2BHK with 5 split ac units). Contact 94652485/ 99273774 / 99202278 Big ﬂat in Al Khuwair 33, 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, sitting, dining, family lounge, kitchen, store with A/C, rent 550/- OMR. Contact 97278169

M O N DAY, M AY 1 1 , 2 0 1 5

DAILY GUIDE

BUYING / SELLING Used household & office furniture and electronic items. Contact 99834373, 97102699

FOR SALE 23,886 Sq Mtrs Agriculture land with water well in Al Salwa, Barka. OMR 260 Thousand. Tel: 99333479 or 95215360 3 floor commercial building in Muttrah behind Police. Generating income of OMR 18 Thousand annually. Neat and well maintained. Built on 197 sq mtrs land. 2 tailor shops on ground floor and 6 flats. OMR 207 Thousand. Tel: 99333479 or 95215360

NRI

FOR SALE

Shop for sale Al Khoudh. Contact 92820541

558 Sq mtrs residential land in Barka (Al Jenainah) near Lulu and near to school. OMR 32 Thousand. Tel: 99333479 or 95215360

Restaurant for sale well running with open area and good parking area. 3 new clearance also in Wadi Kabeer near Mars hyper market. Contact 99656863

We have ﬂats for sale in south Al Mabella stage -8 along the highway. Contact 95121222

Residential land for sale 21000 sqm, best for housing complex at Al Harm – Barka, opp to Khimji logistic. Contact 99438397 Beauty salon for sale with all its equipments in Al Khuwair. Contact 99827772 60,000 Sq Mtrs Agriculture Land in Misfah, can be changed to Industrial Land. OMR 27 Per Square Meter. Tel: 99333479 or 95215360

5.1 cents land with a house at Tripunithura hill palace for immediate sale. Contact 0091 7736764525 Email: utham@yahoo.com 56 cents plot for sale at NH 47 Eramallour Ernakulam – Cheethala road. Contact 0091 7736764525 Email: utham@yahoo.com Residential land for sale in Chennai Kundrathur and Poonamaalee, we construct house in your budget. Contact 98753366

FOR RENT 1,000 sq mtrs industrial land in Misfah Industrial area near to Khanco. OMR 1,500 Monthly. Electricity and boundary wall will be provided. Tel: 99333479 or 95215360 Industrial land for rent in Wadi Kabir 7000 Sq mtrs. Contact 99354340 1 Bedroom ﬂat in Azaiba. Contact 99385835/99428143 Flat for rent 1 & 2 bedroom available behind Zaker Mall Al Khuwair. Contact - 99530405 For rent 3 industrial land. Contact 92702891/ 95490842 Flats/villas owned by ROP pension fund available for rent in Muscat. Contact 99349526 Spacious 2 BHK ﬂats in Ruwi MBD area only on 350/- OMR. Contact – 95122188 / 96441499

40 FT Seaworthy used containers for sale located in Sur and Sohar in very good condition. Contact 99771466 Used Furniture of Ready made showroom for Sale.contact 24704370, 99798452 (Ashwin) Port cabin new & refurbished – porta cabin for sale & rent. Contact 96723468 / 97775501 / 97775502 Coffee shop for sale in North Al Ghubra. Contact 95256009 Used General 2 Ton A/C window RO. 120/-, double tube light ﬁtting RO. 3/, supermarket Gondola RO .40/- per meter. Contact : 97752395 Restaurant for sale in Wadi Kabir. Contact : 99425461 2,560 sq mtrs industrial land Wadi Kabir Main Road, First line on way to Al Bustan hotel. Possible to make petrol station or hotel. OMR 990 Thousand Tel: 99333479 or 95215360 2 Prime Movers Man 2008 with 40 ton petrol tank each working at the moment in Al Maha. Price OMR 35 Thousand each. Tel: 97000155 or 92688692 5 Flats of 1 bedroom for Sale in Boushar: OMR 35 Thousand each. Monthly income OMR 270 Tel: 99333479 or 95215360

558 Sq mtrs residential land in Barka (Al Jenainah) near Lulu and near to school. OMR 32 Thousand. Tel: 99333479 or 95215360

2 residential Lands together, one 610 and the other 600 sq mtrs, in Al Haram on way to Barka. OMR 49 Thousand both. Tel: 99333479 or 95215360

Well established coffee shop & BBQ with open parking along with 5 clearance located in Wadi Kabir. Contact 97161811

Chalo ab Laot Chalein Har koi ka yahi sapna Lucknow main ho ghar apna. Plots, ﬂats, villas, duplex farm houses any where in Lucknow, Varanasi, Allahabad, Nainital, Aligarh. Contact Qamruddin : 91273414

3 floor commercial building in Muttrah behind Police. Generating income of OMR 18 Thousand annually. Neat and well maintained. Built on 197 sq mtrs land. 2 tailor shops on ground floor and 6 flats. OMR 207 Thousand. Tel: 99333479 or 95215360

All the ﬁttings and equipment for sale from a closed restaurant. Contact : 99425461 1BHK Ruwi & Wadi Kabir. Contact 99024730 Shopping center for sale at Bousher by good price 400 m2 with all equipment. Reason for selling part-time. Contact 92916490 Shfandish & tables for sale. Contact 99368907 House hold shop / Empty shop for sale Al Hail Zam Zam line. Contact 97039497 A Building in CBD opposite to the central bank of 3100 Sq mtr built up area of expected rent of 205 K per annum for 1 million 350 thousands. Contact 95330200 2,560 sq mtrs industrial land in Wadi Kabir. First line on way to Al Bustan hotel. Possible to make petrol station or hotel. OMR 1 Million. Tel: 99333479 or 95215360 5 Flats of 1 bedroom for Sale in Bousher: OMR 35 Thousand each. Monthly income OMR 270 Tel: 99333479 or 95215360 2 residential Lands together, one 610 and the other 600 sq mtrs, in Al Haram on way to Barka. OMR 49 Thousand both. Tel: 99333479 or 95215360 23,886 Sq Mtrs Agriculture land with water well in Al Salwa, Barka. OMR 260 Thousand. Tel: 99333479 or 95215360

For running beauty saloon for sale. Contact 97786792 / 96914627

M.V. FOR SALE

ACC. AVAILABLE Furnished room in Ruwi for non cooking Executive bachelor. Contact 94412557 Sharing accommodation available opp. to oman house at Muttrah, for executive bachelors. Contact 92506852 Single room for Executive bachelor near Al Falaj hotel. Contact 99643845 Room for rent Ex- bachelor / working lady in Ruwi. Contact : 99777496 Single furnished room in Ruwi. Contact: 24833609 room, with A/C kitchen available near ONTC Bus station (Ruwi). Contact 95569740 Sharing for non-cooking Executive bachelor in CBD area wi ﬁ free, advance deposit. Contact 95934642 Room for rent with fully furnished available for non-cooking executive bachelor (preferably Indian/ Srilanka).near to GMC’ behind Bausher Baladiya. Price OMR: 175/inclusive of Wiﬁ, Elect & water. Contact 97373888. Family room available for rent at Muttrah Souk. Contact 24712088 / 99022790 Single room available at Hamriyah. Contact 92390266 Single room & AC attached bath at Mumtaz area. Contact 95212017 & 93103337 Sharing accommodation available Wadi Kabir attached room with sharing, kitchen. Contact 96575016 Sharing acc. Available in Muttrah behind Oman house. Contact 99354340 Sharing family accommodation in Wadi Kabir. Contact 99335057 Accommodation available for South Indian family, one bedroom with attached toilet, kitchen, hall in a villa, Al Ghubrah. Contact 99209160 Room for rent in Wattaya for executive Bachelor. Contact 99036715

For sale 18 Ton Mitsubishi 2014. Contact 95292503 call between 5 pm -10 pm

Mazda 3 model KMS 140,000 fully automatic single driven company maintained.Contact 92302159

Toyota Yaris model 2007 manual very good condition accident free full service history 210000 km. Contact: 94223132 expat leaving.

Mercedes delivery van 2002. Contact 99755644

Pajero 2010, GCC, 230000 km white 6200/- R.O. Contact 92857111 Freezer Trucks Volvo Scania Mercedes Benz 10 & 12 & 18 Ton & 40 Ft good condition. Contact 99890151 / 99814635 Expat owned car for sale in Sohar. Nissan-Altima 3.5V-SL (Topend). 2013 Model, bought Jan 2014. Only 25000 km. As good as showroom condition. Contact +968 97752903.

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

ACC. WANTED I BHK Wanted In MBD Or CBD area (R0. 200 or 230) Contact : 93262152 Looking for 2 BHK ﬂat in Ruwi, Darsait or surrounding areas. Contact 96027403

LOST Indian passport number F6650837, name - Jaikishin Mahadevmal Makhija. If found please contact 99335013 / 95194007

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 Land Cruiser 2012. # 99336093 Nissan Sunny 2007, 1.6, automatic, good condition km 1,48000. Contact 99781671

GOOD NEWS Ayurvedic treatment for backache, paralysis, arthritis etc & massage, All Season (Vaidyaratnam). Contact 24475280 / 95371554 / 92504980 www.siddhayur.com Ayurvedic treatment for joint pain, backache, paralysis massage, steam bath, obesity, spondylitis IDEAL , CARE Ayurvedic Clinic 18 November street, Azaiba. Contact 99639695 / 99117987 FREE INFORMATION ABOUT ISLAM. If you would like to know more about Islam, please call: 99425598, 96050000, 99353988, 99253818, 99341395, and 99379133. For ladies: 99415818, 99321360, 99730723 Orvisit: www.islamfact.com Taimour Ayurvedic Clinic, Ruwi offers genuine & effective treatment for back pain, paralysis, cervical and lumbar spondylitis, osteoarthritis, joint pains, sinusitis, migraine, allergic problems, varicose vein and all other health related problems. Kerala massage and rejuvenation package available. For details please Contact 92197920/ 24799689

M O N DAY, M AY 1 1 , 2 0 1 5 Email: dailyguide@timesofoman.com classiﬁeds@timesofoman.com Tel.: 24726666 Ext: 413 / 430 /431 / 456 / 461

DAILY GUIDE SITUATION SITUATION WANTED VACANT

SITUATION WANTED SIT. WANTED ACCOUNT. & FINANCE Indian male MBA finance, 6 years experience finance & accounting, specially in Oil & Gas now on visit visa. Contact 94327063 Email: shabab3939@yahoo.com Indian female qualification BBA Finance exp 7 years in Media Advertising (Branch Manager) looking job in Media Accounts / HR /Admin. Contact 91342861 Email: indrabhushan23@gmail.com Indian Female 25 MBA looking for a suitable opening in Accounts, Admin/Hr. Contact 97013375 Indian male, B.Com experience in Accounts, looking for Accountant job or in Sales on visit visa. Contact- 98295101 Indian male 25 yrs B.Com PGDBM currently on visit visa, looking for suitable opening in accounts, store and Admin. Contact: 96986349 Email: gafoordawre@gmail.com

Wanted urgently Full Time Cook for an Omani family Salary R.O.250/-

SALES / MARKETING A leading software company urgently requires marketing person with minimum 4-5 years experience in Oman market with good communication skills and driving license - Omani / expats with release. Fax 24564459 Email: mhca@mhabibgroup.com

Kindly send your CV to alraid@alraidgroup.com

or contact 24567070

Software company looking for Telesales Executives – Female, with minimum 2 years of experience. Suitable candidates can send their resume to omanerpsales@gmail.com

ACCOUNTANT Urgently required Accountant with valid Oman D/L. Send your CV to accounts@progroupoman.com

EDUCATION

MEDICAL

Cosmetic leading company is looking for: professionally qualiﬁed and experienced Accountant. Please email your CV at maryanaoman@hotmail.com

Physics, Chemistry Edexcel ‘A’ level board teacher urgently required to teach a student of 12th standard. Teacher’s experience preferred. Contact: 99349076.

Aesthetic and laser center in Oman seeking full time dermatologist with experience in cosmetology (Botox Fillers) good English as MOH license required. Package upon the experience and skills. For more information. Contact 00968 95233442 email: history@omantel.net.om

Urgently required for a newly opened shopping center in Ghubra: 1) Omani Lady – as Cashier, 2) Part time Accountant. Send CV to info@dolphin-oman.com or fax to 24492718 Urgently required: Junior Accountant and Store keeper with 3 years experience in building construction and immediately join. Apply, fax 00968–24605955, emails sbc@steelbuildingsllc.com, sbeoman@yahoo.com

CATERING Wanted cook for Omani family at Muttrah. Contact 24712088 / 99022790 A fast food restaurant in Muscat required : 1) Cashier cum order taker with experience, speak ﬂuent in Arabic and English, 2) Social Media Services. Forward CV : oman.job2win@gmail.com

DRIVER Wanted tipper drivers for Road works. Contact 95565039 / 98878989 Urgently required for Omani Family: a private driver with minor knowledge of domestic maintenance. Contact 93387962. Looking for freelance driver with car in Mabela industrial area. Contact 24460287 / 96220165

DOMESTIC HELPER Urgently Required Full time Housemaid for a respectable Omani Family. Contact: 99845838 / 99357273, Email: ijaz.beaver@gmail.com Wanted an Indian family in Al Ghubra requires a full time living housemaid. Contact 97084023 Wanted fulltime Housemaid or houseboy for Indian family in Azaiba. Contact 97448484

EDUCATION Wanted Graduate in Electronics / Mechatronics for teaching position for school students. Send CV to info@iiriss.com A school requires teachers for English, Science, Math, IT and Science Laboratory technician minimum requirements masters degree IELTS (band6). Contact send CV to: 96606121. Email: fred-cate2@yahoo.com

ENGI./ELECT./TECH.. Required Quantity Surveyor for Salalah, min 5 years experience. Email: hussainbaomar2@gmail.com Quantity Surveyor 1 No Civil Engineer – 1No. with seven years minimum Gulf construction experience. Email: omaniantrad@gmail.com We are looking for the post of diesel mechanic -2, thermo king mechanic -2, denting worker -1, Painter -1, Marketing & Sales -1 (with Oman light license), GCC experience 3 years clearance are available. Contact : 99890151 / 95160851/ 99814635 Email: hiralal.rajgor@yahoo.com

MEDICAL Urgently required Arabic Speaking Marketing Executive with Driving license preferably with Medical / Pharmacy background to work in a reputed specialty center in Muscat. Forward your cv to fax 24571119 or alqaimtrd@gmail.com Medical CARE Centre, Al Seeb, requires Gynecologist, General Practitioners and Medical Lab Technicians. Mail CVsarita_h23@yahoo.com or call 97884856 Urgent! Omani healthcare company looking for a smart proactive marketing executive cum product specialist, with strong English communication skills and clinical microbiology/biotechnology background, for medical equipment division. Omani driving license is a must. Candidates with experience in laboratory diagnostics will be given preference. Mail your CV to: vacancymedeq@gmail.com

Urgently required Staff Nurse, Pharmacist and endodontist Female Staff nurse, Pharmacist and endodntist with MOH License/ Prometric exam passed with 60% and above. Contact 24780088, 97374459 Email : karamadental@gmail.com Immediate placement ( with or without MOH) A. Pharmacist 3 nos B. Asst.pharmacist - 2 nos Contact Tel.99338219 , 93240949 Wanted female Gynecologist, female Staff Nurse -2 no, Dentist, Dental Technician with MOH license for Al Saadi specialized Medical Centre in Mussana. Contact 92025033

MANAGER Multinational Consultant Hiring, Senior: Architect/ Design Manager/ Project manager above 10 Years’ Experience, Senior: MEP & Site Engineers Above 5 years’ experience. Send CV: lvjob2015@gmail.com

SALES / MARKETING A Leading FMCG Company require Sales Executives (Graduates) & Merchandisers, with Omani D/L. Candidates with local release only apply. Send CV to FAX: 24501542 or e-mail: fmcgsaleshr@gmail.com Software company is recruiting minimum 3-5 years experienced Omanis for Sales Manager position. Interested candidates are requested to send their resume to omansupport@gmail.com

Urgently required (All female only) Radiographer, Physiotherapist, Echo Technician, EEG technician & Nurses. Contact: 99374223, 22081700 email: hr@gshoman.com

Reputed building materials company looking for Outdoor Sales Executive having valid Omani driving license with more than 2 years local sales experience tiles / sanitary ware. Fax your CV to 24798709 Email: united@omantel.net.om

Wanted doctor or any person to run a medical complex & pharmacy in Salalah. Contact 95675488 / 99480068

Looking for Electrical Salesman with diploma certiﬁcate. Contact 97616265 email: brightsilverllc@gmail.com,

Wanted a Staff Nurse to work in a private clinic in EBRI (Ibri) preference will be given to candidates who have cleared their prometric exam. Contact: 99502851

Wanted Salesman with Oman driving license for Advertising Company. Contact 96440587

Wanted Medical Lab Technician (male or female) for a reputed polyclinic. Contact 97101062 or send Email : arunjeni11@gmail.com

Urgently required 26 yrs & above with 2 +years experience in sales, marketing, Business development / production controlling in FMCG. Contact : 98989620 Email: contact@sixarfoods.com

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 Sales Executives for Media Enterprise. Oman D/L. Contact: essential. jobs@interacoman.com A company at Muscat looking for a senior salesman of building materials who has minimum 3 years experience & NOC as well. Contact no 93991932

SECRETARIAL & OFFICE Required Office Assistant 160+25+Acc, Contact 99454425

7 years experience (2 yrs in Oman) MBA (Fin), B.Com, C.A (Found.) currently looking for suitable placement. Contact +968 - 97736404 Email: adnantahir1990@gmail.com Accountant 35 years India male 8 years experience in accounts up to finalization & Admin with Oman D/L. Contact 92838233 Email: salihkkc@gmail.com Indian male 22 yrs B. Com Graduate 1 year exp in Accounts, currently on visit visa. Looking for suitable job. Contact 94341848 / Email – mohdhaji7272@gmail.com Indian male M.Com, 5 years experience in finance /HR and Purchase department in Oman companies having valid D/L available to join immediately with NOC. Contact 98363897 Email: prince9496@hotmail.com Part – time accountant qualified experience accountant available. Contact 9675938527, male ACCA with 4 years of work experience in a reputed company looking for a suitable position in accounts / finance. Contact 98489141 MBA (international business) from London, 4 years of UK experience in banking operational, looking for suitable position. Contact 91710075 Indian female B.Com PGDCA, Tally -9, 10 years exp in Accounts & HR at Oman. Contact 93726921 / 99058722

AUTO CAD AUTOCAD D MAN, Gulf Exp In Major Projects, knows ARCH, Structural, MEP, Noc available PH: 98225740 Draughtsman-Civil: Diploma in Architecture with 3 years experience. Proﬁcient in AutoCAD, Google Sketchup, Photoshop and MS Office. Email: dilshadmayas@gmail.com Mob: +91 9645124241, 93004426 Indian male draft man, 3 D visualiser, 18 month experience in Oman driving license. Contact 96285891 / 98414107 Email: prasadvv4u@gmail.com

ADMIN/HR India Female MBA 3 Year Experience in Admin MIS. Contact 98234427, jkjsmith01@gmail.com Omani national ﬂuent in English looking for suitable placement. Contact 91908052 Indian Female, 34 yrs, B.Com, Knowledge in MS Office & Tally, exp in accounting & admin seek suitable placement 99199710/96744965 Indian female Post Graduate with 5 years experience in HR & Admin looking for good opportunity. Contact 94692244 Omani experience in the legal, administrative, public relations, education. Contact 97243393 Email: mwm3003@gmail.com Over 15 years of gulf experience in Admin /HR /Logistics, ﬂuent in Arabic & English with D/L looking for suitable position. Contact 95824598 B.A graduate with 8 years experience (2 years in Oman) in admin / business development and sustainably (green buildings) on visit visa. Contact 91626216 Indian female with 10 yrs of experience in HR/Banking/Operations seeks a suitable placement. Can be contacted on 98919015 or sherianne.coelho@gmail.com Female 26, 3 yrs exp in HR & Admin, with Oman D/L, looking for a suitable opening. Contact 98236033 Indian male 2+yrs oman exp in HR. joing immediatly. release available. Contact :93671437

CATERING

SITUATION WANTSIT. WANTED

30 yrs Indian B.Com 7 yrs experience looking for job in accounts, Admin department. Contact 91935828

ACCOUNT. & FINANCE

Indian Chartered Accountant post qualiﬁcation experience 22 years working in Muscat since July 2011. Senior position seeks suitable change. NOC available. #94201290 Email: chakjain37@yahoo.com

Pakistani male B.Com /PGD having 2 years experience in Accounting and Inventory field seeking suitable job, on visit visa. Contact 94129550 Finance Manager (M.Com. MBA) with start-up skill & group consolidation, Baking,corporate funding, restructuring of finance and accounts with new system and procedure.amritaa.m2002@gmail.com 3 yrs experience, Indian female, 26 years, Masters in Financial Management, B.com, Seeking suitable placement. Contact: 99345132 Email: Sandhya1735@gmail.com Finance / Accounts Manager 12 years experience at senior position in leading companies 9 years in Oman CPA – USA& modern accounting certificate from AUC. Contact 99139926 Egyptian Accountant using ERP system on visit visa 1year experience. Contact: 96019233 Sri Lankan male qualified CIMA (UK) Accountant & bachelor degree in accountancy with over 10 years experience in various industries looking for job position as Senior Accountant / Finance Manager currently in Muscat available on visit visa. Contact 97299017 Email: mnm_ruzan79@yahoo.com Indian Male, 25, CA, CMA, ACMA, looking for a challenging assignment in finance or Investment Banking field. Contact +917567122122 or umang@snthakar.com Chief Accountant Indian male having 16+ years experience in Oman/ GCC up to finalization of accounts. Contact 92729422 Indian male, B.Com Graduate having 10 years exp 6 years in Oman looking for an Accountant job. Contact : 93830171 Email: nidbivtl@yahoo.com

M.Com, CA (Article ship), 15 years Gulf experience looking for suitable position in finance & account on visit visa, valid up to 10/07/2015. Contact: 97135855 / 94097305 Email: altabhossain2008@hotmail.com Tanzanian male, 25 yrs Accountant 3 month successful experience in Tanzania looking for suitable placement in any field. Contact : 96710154 Finance Manager, CPA, with more than 15 yrs. of experience in GCC. Fully knowledgeable in Finance, General & Management Accounting . NOC available. Contact 96209331 India Accountant: Male, M com, 7 Yrs experience in Accounts up to finalization, having knowledge of ERP, Tally, seeks suitable placment. contact 93950138 Email: lijinrajan123@gmail.com Indian male, 32 years, M. Com. 7 out of 9 years experience in Oman in Accounts/finance. Having NOC and valid Oman D/L. # 98277143, Email: anzarks@gmail.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 #92130188 MBA Graduate with 6 yrs exp in finance/accounts/ auditing. Specialized in accounts payable dept, Oracle app user, proficient in Sap (fico) end user & tally 9.0. lean &six sigma certified trainer on visit visa. Contact – 91967213 / 99064780 Part time Accountant with 15 years experience in accounts, finance tax, audit management. #95857199

Indian Cook, Tandoori cook and Chinese cook looking for a cook job in hotel restaurant. Contact: 98744307

DESIGNER Interior Designer Syrian Nationality one year experience in design. Contact 95246737 Email: yassalnajjar@gmail.com Female architect bachelor, 4 yrs experience (internal & external design, project coordinate, office management) with valid Oman D/L NOC available. Contact 94348074

DRIVER Light duty driver with car looking for job. Contact: 99365092 Indian male looking for job as driver. Have 08 years experience in Oman. Contact 95256489 Bangladeshi male looking for driving job, knows speaking English, Arabic & Hindi. Contact 93098895 Light duty driver seek job. Contact 95546316 Heavy driver valid license Omani need job & visa. Contact 91139936 Light Vehicle Driver requires job in any transportation / private co. Contact 96015617 Driver looking for job. Contact 94195818 Driver with car and electrician, 3 years experience looking for job. Contact 92041902 Looking for job light duty driver well experience in Oman. Contact 96749970 Need job LTV exp driver Pakistani. Contact 94436276 Driver looking for job exp 15 years. Contact 95904566

M O N DAY, M AY 1 1 , 2 0 1 5

DAILY GUIDE SITUATION WANTED

DRIVER Light driver, 4 years exp need job. Contact 94208089 Bangladeshi male looking for driving job. Contact 98066704 Pakistani male Light Duty Driver, past 4 years at Oman.Contact 96134311

ENGG. / TECHNICAL

White car with driver. Contact 96771598 Driver looking for job. Contact 94435912 Driver looking for job. Contact 92137431 Light duty driver looking job experience 4years Oman. Contact 96088707

EDUCATION Indian female MSc, MPHIL Chemistry currently on visit visa, 3 years teaching experience seeks immediate placement. Contact 96916534 Indian female Graduate 26 yrs having 3 years exp in teaching seeks a suitable position in the ﬁeld of biology. Contact 99341926 Indian female B.Ed M.SC Organic Chemistry 3 years experience looking for suitable job. Contact 91006851 Sudanese male BSC electronic Engineer 2 years experience in GSM, 10 years experience in oil industry (Drilling & Measurements). Contact 91198104 Email: husseintalat@hotmail.com Sudanese BSC industrial Engineer experience 4 yrs in QA /QC and 8 yrs in production. Contact 94041960 Email: mekkimedani@hotmail.com / mekkimedani78@gmail.com

ENGG. / TECHNICAL Electrical Engineer, 5 years experience in E& I commissioning, construction and maintenance wastewater with Oman D/L. Contact : 97753382 Chemical Engineer, 5 years Industrial experience looking for job. Contact: 91380787 Indian male 27 yrs, Instrumentation / Automation Engineer having 5 years exp in Oil & Gas and wastewater with valid Omani D/L, looking for a suitable job NOC available. Contact : 96082604 Civil Engineer Female, 3 yrs experience in structural design, on visit visa seeking suitable placement. Contact: 99195433 Indian M, 25yrs, B.E Mechanical 3 yr exp in Oil & Gas now on visit visa seeking jobs in project, sales and marketing. Contact: 96487013 Email: riarun.007@gmail.com Indian male 29 yrs, on visit visa, Diploma Mechanical Engineering and 1 ADC Rig Pass looking for a job in oil ﬁeld drilling department experience, 4 years in India. Contact: 91926005 Email: ossubeesh83@gmail.com Indian male 29 years Diploma in Petrochemical 06 yrs, experience in EPS company and piping of oil & gas and maintenance valid D/L also available. Contact 93330817 Email: shahidk8448@yahoo.com Indian male B.Tech Mechanical three years varietal experience in piping Engineering & management of retail mobile phone shops seeking sales engineering job with Oman D/L. Contact 94401234 Young Energetic Indian male, 7 years Oman experience in retail wholesale, sales including electronics, building materials with Oman D/L. Contact: 98465550 Indian male 55 diploma Electrical Engineering 21 years experience Oman project estimation MEP valid Omani driving license having NOC from present employer seeks suitable placement. Contact 99052900 Electronics Engineer with 4 years experience in embedded product development seeking for suitable job in Oman now in visit visa. Contact: 95218030 BE Mechanical Engineer -NDT level 2, Quality Control (Oil & Gas) . 1 year exp ph: 95908293 B. Eng (e & c): RF validation Engineer, was in Iws-India looking for suitable opening-on visit. Contact (98584498 / 91981503)

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 Lead Instrument/E&I Engineer: 8+ years Exp. in OIL & GAS, Marketing, Project Planning, Erection, Commissioning, M & O. NOC Available M: jaganmohan_ks@yahoo.com , GSM: +968 97296534 Mechanical Design Engineer, 7 years of experience in Piping Design & Development, with good sound knowledge of AutoCAD, AUTOPLANT 3D,CATIA/V5,SOLIDWORKS,etc Looking for a suitable position. NOC available. Contact :+968-94549776, ashrafvpt@yahoo.co.in Indian male B.Tech Mechanical having 4 years experience with QA/ QC & CWSIP looking for suitable position. Contact 99447106 / 24483297 Graduate Civil Engineer, Indian, Total 16+ Yrs exp., 7+ GCC seeking suitable Senior/Mid level Job in PMC/Contracting, NOC Available & Valid GCC Driving License. Contact : GSM: 94363574; E-mail : Crashu_78@yahoo.com Male 26, B.Tech in Electronics & Communication Engineering having 4.8 years experience (including experience in Japan) seeks suitable placement & can join immediately. Contact: 91902646 Email: ajumalmajeed@gmail.com Procurement Officer 7 years experience in Oman construction civil & structural steel NOC, ITI & driving license in Oman.Contact: 92023761 QA/QC inspector 5 yrs exp in O&G Industry with diploma mechanical & NDT level 2 on visit. Contact : 91231007 sf.aseem@gmail.com B.Tech Mechanical Engineer on visit visa looking for job, two years experience as QC Engineer, NDT level-2 certified. Contact: 98386074 Email: jayeshthilakan@gmail.com Indian male 29, Mechanical Engineer CSWIP3.1 certified having 5.5 years experience in steel structural construction projects seeking suitable position. Contact: 91078780 Email: nikhilhai@gmail.com Electrical Engineer (B.E) : 5 years of experience (4 years in Oman) with valid Omani D/L. NOC available. GSM: 92260391 Mechanical Engineer (B.E) : Four years of experience (3 years in Oman). NOC available. Contact :92530471 B.Tech biomedical Engineering having Omani driving license. Contact 91352248 Indian male, 24 yrs B.Tech (MECH) on visit 1 year experience as PPC Engineer looking for suitable placement. Has, HVAC, AutoCAD and CATIA designing skills. #98925685 Indian male Instrumentation Engineer having 2 years experience in process instruments, seeks suitable placement. Contact 95954385 Indian male Senior Site Engineer (Diploma) having total 11 years experience in GCC, 7 years in Dubai and 4 years Oman. With valid Omani driving license, seeking for suitable position in building construction field, NOC available. Contact 97943703 / 93458841 Email: georgesaji77@gmail.com Sudanese looking for job as Desktop Support Engineering good experience in UAE and Saudi Arabia. Contact: 94519363 PIPE fitter 3 years experience CS pipe DSS pipe, SS PIPE, P.D.O permit holder seeks suitable placement in only P.D.O areas seeking urgently. Contact 92533253 Civil Engineer (DCE) Indian male with 20 years experience, 10 years in Oman worked with reputed consultancy and contracting companies as RE, PE, PM and did projects for MOD and PDO with D/L Seeks suitable position. Contact 93251720

Indian Male ,4 year experience as Safety Officer with NEBOSH currently on visit visa. Contact 9565910,email: yadavchandan287@gmail.com Indain Male with ITI certiﬁcation in Mechanical Drafting with good experience looking for good opportunity Contact 91949181 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 24 years, Mechanical Engineer,pdms.1 yr experience in pipeline,16years in oman seeking immediate placement Contact 95775742 B.E (Mechanical), Indian male 8 years experience (HVAC – 4 years, operation / production / maintenance, 4 years) looking suitable position. Contact 96696190 Email: faisalmnz@gmail.com Indian male I.T.I diesel mechanic experience 4 yrs Qatar (11 yrs in India) seeking for suitable placement carpentry on visiting visa. Contact 91969224 Email: anilk6102@gmail.com

Diploma in electronics & Telecom, Engineering with 5 years experience in Engineering & sales, marketing. Contact 95932219 Indian Male, IT Support Engineer, 2 yrs in Oman & 5 yrs Indian experience. Contact 97311847 Electrical Eng. Degree (MEP) need suitable job of construction 12 yrs exp. Email: mohd.ateeq.khan@gmail.com

HOSPITALITY Indian male/30years with hotel management degree, 02 years experience in F&B service at 5 star hotel in Dubai and 05 years in American 6 star cruseliner as butler. Contact No 911 35371. Indian male 18 yrs hotel experience Dubai procurement logistics stores suitable position NOC available. Contact + 968 96573591 Email: namraj1973@rediffmail.com

IT Indian male fresher BCA young and energetic, seeking good opportunites.email: jlaxmimenon@gmail. com, Contact 00919567722270 Indian male B.Sc, IT Graduate, MCSE, CCNA, RHCE, Certiﬁed seeking job at good company. Contact 96974352 Email: niyas.mohammed1@gmail.com Indian female MCA seeks suitable position as IT Administrator. Contact: 94133849 / 95215272

Bachelor degree B.SC (Honours) Telecommunication Engineering CCNA , CISCO, Certiﬁed network associate experience installation operation maintenance, ATMS & Electronics, Surveillance Security systems Nationality Sudanese age 25. Contact: 92617282

IT system support Engineer, 26 years Indian male 6 years experience on windows VMware , Lo tus domino , desktop, on visiting visa immediate joining. Contact : + 968 96316459 Email: nairvipint@gmail.com

Male Civil Engineer (B.Sc) having 10 years Gulf experience 2 years in Oman looking for suitable placement. Contact 99561877 Email: zahid_ruet@hotmail.com

Network system Engineer B.E / ECE + CCNA & Ms certiﬁed with 4+ yrs exp looking for a job. Currently in Oman on visit visa. Contact: 92589502 Email: careersjegan@gmail.com

Electrical Engineer (B.Tech) looking for suitable vacancies, Now in Oman on visit visa. Contact 93293597. Email: subinjohn26@gmail.com

IT System Support Engineer,28 Years, Indian male,7.8 years experience,3 years from Oman, NOC available, having driving license, ready to join immediately, Mob : 93551182, E-mail: aniljose4u@gmail.com

Indian male 25 B.Tech ( IT) Engineer 3 years experience in networking (MCSE- CCNA) certiﬁed currently on visit visa looking for suitable job. Contact 91006851 Network / system Engineer B.E / ECE + CCNA & Ms certiﬁedwith 4+ yrs exp looking for a job. currently in Oman on visit visa. Contact : 92589502 Email : jeganscareer@gmail.com B.Tech, instrumentation Engineer, Indian male with 4 yr experience in EPC and Sales / 2 yr Oman experience having valid Oman driving license. Contact 94145460 Email: jgeevarughese@gmail.com Project (Electrical) Engineer with BE 10 years of experience (8 years in Oman).Driving license and NOC available. Looking for job. GSM- 92197288 Male civil Engineer 6yrs experience 4 yrs in Oman (B.B.S and steel shop drawing prepare, M.Q.C sit management, D, W, M report) with valid Oman D/L NOC available. Contact 99870370 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. Education +2 Diploma Mechanical Engineering skills 2 C (Non destructive testing) experience 1 year 6 months company GB Engineering Pvt Ltd S.D Engineering pvt ltd. Position Production Engineer, Production Supervisor. Contact 99799237 Electrical and Electronics Engineer (BE) 1+ year of experience now on visit visa seeking suitable opportunities Email: djnitheesh@gmail.com Contact 99254469

IT Network and Security Engineer with a master degree, CISCO and Linux red hat certiﬁed seeking a suitable job in a good company. Contact 99818601

MISCELLANEOUS Indian male 26 yrs B.Com PGDM, IETS-6, 2 yrs exp. Contact : 91694170

MANAGER/ SUPERVISOR Indian male, Graduate, with 12yrs solid exp in construction & building materials purchase / logistics/ warehouse seeks suitable placement. NOC available. Contact: 94657319 Hotel ﬁeld diploma in Computer B.Com, Indian, Diploma in Hotel Management MBA in hospital management at pursuant operation manager in a resort India. Contact 97864635 / 91815776074 Projects/ contracts Manager 31 yrs (26 yrs Oman) experience in management & coordination of multi-million R.O projects of government & private sector, Post Graduate Structural Engineer with structural & QS Background looking for senior position. Contact +00968-91400599 Indian male BBA, 5 years worked as Operations Manager Omani D/L. Born, brought up in Muscat seeking suitable position. Contact : 93408014 Experience Restaurant Manager with valid driving license and NOC for immediate placement. Contact: 92953199 Indian male Graduate with Oman work experience for 10 years in construction trading, automotive Industries seeking mid management position in business development, sales & marketing. Contact 92133277 Email: bijuma73@yahoo.com

MEDICAL GM/Head of Business with experience in developing and managing group of healthcare companies in Oman actively seeking fresh opportunities in healthcare related companies. Contact 93504997, Email: josephstergin@gmail.com Indian, BINU. M Scaria medical lab technician, 15 years experience prometric passed BSc, MLT+ pursuing Msc MLT. Contact 97850841 / 97864635/ 919447935234 Lab Technician, Civil (8yrs Gulf experience) looking for a suitable job (NOC available) Contact-93344378 Well experienced MOH Licensed Indian GP Doctor looking for locum / permanent position in the Capital area. Contact 98140024 email:drgpoman@yahoo.com BSc male Nurse with MOH license and NOC on visit visa. Contact 96414215

SALES / MARKETING Indian male 10 years experience in Welding Supervisor NDT Technician, MIG Welding specialist seeking suitable job. Contact 96771841 Egyptian male 11 years in ﬁve stars international hotels management sales marketing D/L available residency visa. Contact 93577497 Email: elkomy82@hotmail.com MBA Marketing professional with 05 years experience in sales and distribution looking for job in Oman currently on visit visa. #97006353 Email: ashhadhm@hotmail.com Indian male Sales Manager looking for suitable position, 9 years experience in Oman. Contact: 97986445 MBA supply chain professional with 03 years experience in freight forwarding and distribution looking for job in Oman currently on visit visa. Contact: 97089944 Email: ali_shayan340@hotmail.com Indian male 3 years experience Media Hospitality Sales Marketing looking for suitable job valid driving license car, NOC available. Contact 96054202 Indian male 31 years, MBA, 7yrs experience in sales & marketing with valid driving license seeking suitable placement. Contact 98719219. EMAIL: recruitme1984@gmail.com Stores In Charge / Purchase coordinator with 6 years oman experience seeking placement. Contact 95439645 or storeoman@gmail. com Release / NOC available. Indian male 24 years, MBA in Marketing looking for suitable placement currently in Muscat on visit visa. Contact: 93507063 Email: zamer_124@yahoo.com Indian 23 years B.Com Graduate, 2 years experience in sales knowledge of tally E.R.P & MS Office. Contact 93134643 Indian female Graduate, 3 yrs experience in MNC as process associate & CED seeking for suitable job. Contact: 94657273 Pakistani male 34 yrs Intermediate 2 yrs exp in sales & marketing in Oman. Looking for suitable job. Contact - 92146864

SALES / MARKETING Indian male MBA 7 years experience in Hospitality industry, operation, sales & marketing looking for suitable vacancy. Contact 92115860 Email vibin.py@gmail.com 37 years male 15 years experience in facility superior & specialized in ﬁtness equipment maintenance, excellent skill in English on visit visa. Contact: 94514883 / 99679306 Email: jobin163@gmail.com Indian male 45+ yrs , 20 yrs exp as sales supervisor in India looking for indoor sales /stores /cashier or any suitable placement can speak Hindi , English, Malayalam, Tamil, kannada can join immediately on visit visa. Contact 93086105/33016546

SECRETARIAL/OFFICE Indian male more than 10 years Gulf experience in Office / Sales Coordinator, Admin (employees visa processes), Secretarial and purchase coordination with good computer skills. Having Driving license and NOC available. Looking for suitable placement. Contact 99709336

TOURS & TRAVELS 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 Civil autocad draughtsman part time work for job mob :96023726 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 Indian female, B.Com. knowledge of MS Office &Tally, 4yrs experience in Accounts &admin dept. looking for good placement in any ﬁeld. Contact.98928220 Indian female MBA Finance currently on visit visa. Seeks immediate placement. Phone: 968-98430089 Key Account Executive , currently working with a reputed FMCG company Oman is looking for a placement asap, NOC available, valid Omani driving license. Total experience in Oman is 12yrs and particularly in Sales is 8 1/2 years. Contact 95589765 Email : agnelfrancis@yahoo.co.in Senior IT Professional, Indian Male, more than 17 yrs. of experience in software development(PB, Oracle, SAP ABAP) and IT Support with valid Oman DL and NOC available Contact : 92193867, Email : cp.prasad@gmail.com 23,Male, ACCA with 2.5 years experience in Big6 audit ﬁrm and Oil/ Gas,looking for permanent placement in Accounts/Audit. Contact #95140445 a.saran891@gmail.com Indian female MBA Finance currently on visit visa, seeks immediate placement. Phone- 98430089

M O N DAY, M AY 1 1 , 2 0 1 5

DAILY GUIDE

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

SITUATION WANTSIT. WANTED MISCELLANEOUS Indian Male 34 years Mechanical Engineer 3 years of Experience seeking suitable placement immediately Contact: 91991435, 93310821 Female British Beauty Therapist looking for suitable situation. Contact 97175240 Indian Male 34 years Mechanical Engineer 3 years of Experience seeking suitable placement immediately contact: 91991435, 93310821 Indian female BA graduate. My total experience is 4 and half year in Call Center looking for jobs in admin and HR. Contact : 96089143, Email: sharanjit_kaur2009@yahoo.com Civil supervisor-8 year’s experience in commercial and residential building, including portable cabin, natural and artificial play ground’s, and Oxy petroleum field, at sultanate of Oman. GSM :91249005. Mail :sandeep88joseph@gmail.com Indian Male 28yr age having 6year gulf+ Indian experience in HR field. Looking for suitable placement. Contact: 97914340, Email: rajkv3086@gmail.com Indian male, 28 years, 7 years experience in transporting & heavy equipment renting company. Having Omani driving license seeks suitable positions. Contact 94410485 Indian male 27, looking for suitable placement in Piping Design & Engineering. Having 7 years of experience in AutoCAD. Also familiar with PDMS (11.6 Version),CAESAR ll. Contact : 97351786 / 96143708, E-mail : mohammednazeer07@gmail.com ACCA affiliate & Bsc (Oxford Brookes University), 2.5 years experience in oilfield & audit/finance in Big6 firm, seeking permanent placement. Release available. #95140445, a.saran891@gmail.com Indian male 21 Diploma in Mechanical Eng with HVAC certified having 6 yrsexp and seeking job in HVAC field as a supervisor. Currently on visit visa. Contact 92835952/ 92734863 Indian Female: MCA, 3 Years Exp. as Asst. Professor, Specialization in C # (sharp).net, Data Comm.& Networking, Knowledge about Web Development, ASP.Net, Oracle, SQL,VB.net. Seek Immediate Placement. Now on Visit Visa.9588 7051 ashwininakod@gmail.com

SITUATION WANTED Indian Male 33 looking for Scaffolding Supervisor vacancy in Oil & Gas ﬁeld in Oman. Having 5 years experience in CCC Qatar and 3 years in Saudi” Contact 96155921 fysal.nellaya@gmail.com or Sharing accommodation available for ladies opposite Al Nahda hospital. Contact - 96524717

Indian female, B.Com. Knowledge of MS Office &Tally, 4yrs experience in accounting & admin dept. looking for good placement in any ﬁeld. Contact.98928220

Indian Male 58yrs, Oman experience 31yrs in Multifunctional Management, Administration, Business Development, Purchase & Operations, seeking suitable Manager/ Supervisory Position. Visa transfer/ NOC Available. GSM: 95036410

Sudanese/Bsc IT/26/2 years experience/excellent Eng-Arb speaking/ Omani driving license/96387227/ henrykarrar@gmail.com

Indian female B.Com graduate, 4years experience in accounts & administration department looking for suitable placement. #98928220

Sudanese / 29 years old / Bsc English language and Translation / 3 years experience in Oman teaching & translation / have driving license. 94211377. hosam.karar.1@gmail.com

Indian male 27 years, MBA, having more than 5 yrs experience in sales and marketing, looking for suitable job. Contact no.99224057, +919824823734

Indian Male 27, Piping Design Engineer looking for suitable placement in Piping Design & Engineering. Also familiar with PDMS (11.6 Version),CAESAR ll, AutoCAD. Contact : 97351786 / 96143708, E-mail : mohammednazeer07@gmail.com Mechanical Engineer B.E fresher (QA, QC , Piping & NDT + 1 month practical training in production & oil ﬁeld) seeking immediate placement currently on visit visa. Contact – 0096896107833, Email albinalbin.thomas@gmail.com Civil Autocad draughtsman looking for part time job. Mobile: 95218737

Indian male, 34 yrs, ca inter pass, with 14 yrs experience, is seeking suitable placement, currently on visit visa & ready to join immediately. Contact: 95585069 or 95630747 26 years Indian male with MBA & PGDFM, Total 3.8 years experience in Administration, seeking suitable placement in any gulf region. Holding Oman valid driving license. Contact :93359371 ACCA affiliate,male,2.5 years experience in an audit ﬁrm in Finance & Audit, looking for suitable immediate placement. Release available. Contact 95140445, a.saran891@gmail.com

23 yrs old Pakistani bachelor in accounts and marketing 3.5 yrsexp 2 yrsexp in Oman, looking for a job. Contact- 99374062 Indian female 25 yrs MBA finance currently on visit visa seeks immediate placement. # +(968) 9843 0089 Indian male 21 IT Engineer Networking & Computer hardware course 01 yr experience currently on visit visa looking for suitable job. Contact 96036273, E mail faizanfarooqui23@gmail.com Sales/ Marketing Executive : 35 years old Indian male, MBA, having experiences in UAE and India in sales and marketing field, presently on visit visa, looking for a suitable job in Salalah or in Oman. Contact 91233648 Well experienced hair dresser/ beautician required, visa available. Contact – 96524717 Indian male, 14 yrs Experience in Maintenance & Supervisor in hotel field ( Electrical . Ac Mechanical & Plumber ) N O C available mob : 95 25 36 40 . email = hareeshma24@yahoo.com Part- Time Accountant, well versed with all accounting, Finalization, Budgeting available. Contact 98803439 Indian female MBA finance currently on visit visa seeks immediate placement.Contact (968) 9843 0089 Indian female, B.Com graduate, 2 years experience in admin department looking for a suitable placement. Contact 92531929

SITUATION WANTED ACCA affiliate, male, 23, 2.5years of vast experience in finance & audit in audit firm,seeking suitable placement immediately. # 96895140445, a.saran891@gmail.com 30 years Indian male with hotel management degree, 02 years experience in F&B service at five star hotel in Dubai and 05 years in American 6 star cruiseliner as Butler . Currently in Muscat on visit visa. Contact 91075704 Indian Female looking for an Internship or Part time opportunity in any Interior Design, Architectural or Design Firm . Contact 95811820 Male - B.E Mechanical Engineer fresher( QA, QC , Piping & NDT + 1 month practical training in production & oil field ) seeking immediate placement currently on visit visa. Contact - 0096896107833 Email albinalbin.thomas@gmail.com Senior Accounts Professional, Indian Male, 35 years, M.Com, MBA (Fin) 8 years in Oman, with valid Oman DL and NOC available. Capable to handle accounts up to finalization. Contact 9602 3965. Indian female,available on visit visa,knowledge in AutoCAD 2012,Revit 2012,Adobe photoshop C3, Google sketchup, seeking suitable position. Email:dhiyana.mhmd@gmail.com.

Indian Male, B.Tech Mechanical Engg 29 Yrs old,4 year experience,2.5 year experience as Lifting Inspection Engineer in Qatar. Looking for suitable placement. NOC available. Contact No.93269839, Email: saneersainu@gmail.com Indian male experience in electrical and plumbing looking for a suitable position. Contact 92282845 Indian female Looking for an Accounts part time job, preferred to do from home. Well versed with TALLY , Accounting software. Contact 95482970. Indian male, 14 yrs Experience in Maintenance & Supervisor in hotel ﬁeld (Electrical, Ac Mechanical & Plumber) N O C available. Contact 95253640 Diploma in Fire and Safety Engineering, Completed IOSH and have PDO passport. Having experience of 3.5 years as Safety Advisor in Oman. Have valid Omani driving license. For further information please contact me on 96896176872, 9689808527 Indian Male, B.Tech Mechanical Engg 29 Yrs old, 4 year experience, 2.5 year experience as Lifting Inspection Engineer in Qatar. Looking for suitable placement. NOC available#93269839/ Email: saneersainu@gmail.com

25yrs experienced indian marketing mangr seeking suitable position. .presently working as a General Manager one of the leading Hyper Market Group in Oman.valid omani driving licence. Release available . contact number.92205026. aparayath@Gmail.Com

Female B. Sc Maths, B. Tech, Computer science CCNA, RHCE, MCP 7 years experience. Email : devi2571997@gmail.com

Indian male executive secretary having vast experience in admin, logistics & procurement well versed with computer seeks suitable placement. Contact : 99514286

Indian ,Male 43,CA/ISA, Experience in Retail, NBFC, Logistics, Banking, Automobile, Investment and Facility Management seeking for a change. Valid D/L. Release available. Contact: aurosun@gmail.com

Young male, 22 years, B. Arch. Graduate with 12 months training experience, seeks suitable entry-level position in an architecture ﬁrm or architecture and engineering consultancy. Currently on visit visa, ready to join immediately. #92488990 Email: jay.kay.92@gmail.com Light driver looking for job. Contact 92791678

Indian male- 32, 6 years’ experience in store incharge in Africa seeks suitable job, Contact 97385874

Indian Male- 29 BCA & Diploma, IT document controller & database. 8 years’ experience in India seeks suitable job. Contact: 97385864 Indian female, B.Sc, PGDCA currently on family joining visa. immediate joining seeks suitable placements. contact no. (968) 95573205 /95949230/ 95800792

Indian male, 29 yrs, MBA in Marketing, 6 yrs exp. in Marketing/ Sales presently on family visa seeks suitable placement. #92345569, Email : tapankumarupadhyay@gmail.com Indian Accounts / Audit assistant with 2 years of experience currently on a visit visa looking for suitable job openings. Contact 94677338, 97041086 Email: ajeeshkcy1989@gmail.com A Fresh ACCA Affiliate, Pakistani male, 24 yrs, open for positions of Accounts, Audit and finance. Contact : 94541539 email: wasiqnasir_3@yahoo.com ACCA finalist and BSc from Oxford Brookes University UK, having 18 months working experience, currently in Muscat on visit, seeking immediate and suitable position. Contact : 95375282 Indian Male, 27 yrs MBA (Fin), SAP, 4 Yrs Exp in Finance Seeking Suitable Job with a Reputed Firm Currently on Visit Visa #92481230 22 years of experience in Multinational Companies & reputed firms in Financial Management, Project Management, Budgeting and Cost control, seeking a strategic Financial/Management Accounting role in a dynamic organization . Contact : +971-506178139, Email.georg_vargis01@yahoo.com

MATRIMONIAL Hyderabadi Sunni Muslim parents invite alliance for their daughter, age 25 years height 5’1”, fair, M.Tech (Assistant professor in Engineering College), from professionally qualiﬁed boys, age between 27 to 29 years, well settled in Oman, UAE, Saudi or Qatar, from a decent family only. Contact 91-8885350596 Email Id: watad1988hr@gmail.com, agents please excuse. Hindu Ezhava family, settled in Muscat looking for suitable groom working within Oman for their daughter 25 yrs (MBA) working with a reputed company in Muscat. Contact : 98689663 We are Muslim family seeking alliance for our son interested families. Contact 97664009

M O N DAY, M AY 1 1 , 2 0 1 5

DAILY GUIDE SITUATION WANTED CARGO

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

TOURS

RENT A CAR

M O N DAY, M AY 1 1 , 2 0 1 5

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SITUATION WANTED SERVICES

WEBSITE

BUSINESS

COMPUTER

ACCOUNTANTS AND CONSULTANTS

WE ARE PROVIDING ACCOUNTING/ AUDITING TAX/ CONSULTING CONTACT: 24 567 251 / 95 498 033

Software development based on requirements such as: Web development & cloud computing, SAP implementation & services. Android App development networking. Contact 97423932

DRIVING

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

CLASSES

Looking for a genuine investor for an IT company. Good prospects. Contact 99329216 Email: sales@aditsllc.com Required business Researcher. contact 99229700 Email: kjaaraimi@hotmail.com We have some companies for rent with the following activities: press publishing & advertising, information consultancy, organizing event management & conference, real estate, landscaping, maintenance etc Contact 93946622 / 91408005 Road Safety concrete barriers for sale all over Oman available in sizes 2 meters and 3 meters. Contact 94546200 Business Consultant, feasibility study. Contact 99229700

LOST MD Sala Uddin has lost Bangladeshi Passport No. B 1946923. Finder please handover to ROP. Mohammed Abu Yousef lost Bangladeshi Passport No. AB 8279386. Finder please handover to ROP

Learn driving with professional only automatic. Contact 94022250

TRANSPORTATION

MANPOWER

Transportation. Contact: 99542393 Transportation Contact 99159277 Transportation. Contact: 98505294 House shifting & transporting. Contact 92490422 Transportation. Contact 99508282 Transport to ISWK. Contact 93172589 Pick & Drop any time. Contact 97014786

CHANGE OF NAME We JINU PUTHANVEEDU MATHEW (name of father as per the passport, holder of Indian Passport No J6976645) and ANITA MERCY JINU (name of mother as per the passport holder of Indian Passport No M6621077) having permanent address in PUTHANVEEDU, VAYYATTUPUZHA P.O, CHITTAR, PATHANAMTHITTA, KERALA (complete postal address in India) and presently residing at following address in HAIL (Muscat) P.B No. 800 P.C. No 111 Sultanate of Oman, hereby solemnly affirm and declare to change the name of our child Miss/Master JOEL P JINU (name as per present Passport), holder of Indian Passport No. J93392132 date of issue 19/05/2010 issued at PATNA. The name of our child will be henceforth known as JOEL (Given Name) PUTHANVEEDU JINU (Surname) (new name) for all purposes. Any objection towards change of our minor child may please be communicated to Embassy of India, Muscat, Diplomatic Quarters, Al Khuwair, P.Box No. 1727, Postal Code 112, Ruwi, Sultanate of Oman. I, Ameera Mohammed (holder of Indian Passport No. L 3313097) daughter of Mohammad Athar Khan having permanent residence in 8-4-549/74, Netaji Nagar, Hyderabad, AP (complete postal address in India) and presently residing at P. Box No. 43, PC 123, Al Khoud, Sultan Qaboos University (SQU), Muscat, Sultanate of Oman (complete postal address in Oman), intend to change my name from Ameera Mohammed (old name) to Ameera (given name) Mohammed Khan (surname) (new name) for all practical purposes. Any objection towards my name change may please be communicated to Embassy of India, Muscat, Diplomatic Quarters, Al Khuwair, P. Box No. 1727, PC 112, Ruwi, Sultanate of Oman.

CANADIAN MANPOWER CO. based in Oman Recruitment for legal jobs - Hotel staff ,Construction staff, Medical staff ,Gas & Oil Free consultancy, 2 years contract, work visa, free tickets, accommodation, social & medical ins. Contact us on 93392630 , pls send CV to margholdingoman@yahoo.com

FOR LADIES Electric, Plumbing, painting & all kinds of building maintenance. Contact 93896787 / 97924862

Beauty package for vacation for ladies 10/-R.O, 15/-R.O, 20/-R.O. Contact : 99410160

Sewage remove tanker sewage tank cleaning & block remove all maintenance sewage tanks. Contact 97412505 / 98852238

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SPLIT & WINDOW A.C servicing & maintenance. Contact 96236476

We do building maintenance all kind of works. Contact 99247663

SPLIT & WINDOW A.C servicing & maintenance.# 93769089 / 95323517

P.R.O services. Contact 99368907

Marble Restoration, Mosaic tiles polishing, carpet shampooing, maintenance.#ABU QABAS99320217 /24788722 House shifting packing. Contact 99657644/ 98518013 Water prooďŹ ng ABUQABASContact 99320217/24788722 Carpet Shampoo, marble & tile polishing, pest control & anti-termite treatment, general cleaning painting, Plumbing, Electrical, shifting. Contact Mundhir Al-Rizaiqi trading. L.L.C. # 24810137, 99450130