Times of Oman - January 12, 2015

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RAJAPAKSA ACCUSED OF PLANNING COUP Sri Lanka’s new government on Sunday accused toppled former president Mahinda Rajapaksa of having tried to stage a coup to cling to power after losing last week’s presidential election. >A15

MONDAY, January 12, 2015 / 21 Rabi Al Awal 1436 AH

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NOC required for entry into Oman

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As per the recent clarification issued by the ROP, you may need a no objection letter from your previous employer even if you opt to enter Oman on family visa, business visit visa, or even investor visa. >A2

OMAN PRESTIGIOUS PROJECT:

More than 1m may visit Muscat festival

Oman is conducting a study to find out a financial model for other segments of the national rail project and funding will be a mixture of bonds, loans and government aid.

Rail project on the right track, vows minister National railway

Network

The railway is double track, non-electrified and designed to serve freight and passenger traffic.

Oil and gas fields

Total network

Potential mining areas

Ports network

Max. speed

2,135 km 1,537 km

Passenger train

Muscat

completing railway project on time, said the

Ibri Nizwa

Haima

Goods train

Despite falling crude, Oman is committed to

Sohar

Minister of Transport and Communications A. E. JAMES

Al Duqm

Mazyounah

200 km/h 120 km/h Source: Oman Railway Company

Salalah Graphics

businesseditor@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: Oman’s ambitious 2,135-km long national railway project will not be delayed due to plunge in oil revenue, Minister of Transport and Communications Dr Ahmed bin Mohammed bin

W E AT H E R F O R E C A S T

Rains, fog predicted in some parts of the Sultanate today REJIMON K

reji@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: Musandam, the coastal areas of Oman Sea, and Al Hajar Mountains could witness rain on Monday while there could be low level clouds or fog in the governorates of Al Buraimi, Al Dahirah and Al Wusta, Oman’s meteorological department said in its forecast.

In its 48-hour outlook, the Met department has forecast rough sea along Musandam and Oman Sea coasts with maximum wave height of 3.0 metres and chances of dust rising due to winds over deserts and open area.

In its weather alert on Sun-

day, the department has said that Yaaloni, Masirah, Adam and Mhout would have reduced visibility.

The BBC weather chart has predicted that temperature levels will dip again in Muscat in the coming days. “The minimum temperature will be 18 degree Celsius on Monday,” the report said.

Meanwhile, Mountain Forecast has predicted minus one degree Celsius at Jabal Shams, the highest mountain of Oman and parts of Al Hajar Mountains range.

During the last week of December, temperature in Jabal Shams had dropped below 0°C twice.

Meanwhile, wreaking havoc in parts of Middle East, snowstorm

Huda is heading towards Iraq, weather reports said. However, according to Oman’s Directorate General of Meteorology and Air Navigation, ‘Huda,’ which hit several parts of Middle East, will not have any impact in Oman although a slight drop in temperature could be witnessed in some parts of the country because of the snowstorm at the weekend.

The Met department says that wind will be northeasterly light to moderate along the coastal area of Arabian Sea and will be easterly to southeasterly light to moderate over rest of the Sultanate during day, becoming gradually to northwesterly through evening over most of the Sultanate.

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

New MERS case found, patient stable MUSCAT: A new case of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) has been detected in the Sultanate, the Ministry of Health said in a statement on Sunday.

The new case raises the total number of recorded cases of MERS-CoV in the Sultanate to four. This case relates to a person who was in contact with a patient diagnosed with the virus a few days ago. The condition of the patient is stable and improving. He is under observation and undergoing treatment at the referral hospital.

Monitoring The ministry said that it continues its efforts to monitor and control the disease through the epidemic monitoring system and all the referral hospitals are prepared to handle such cases.

As of January 6, 2015, the WHO has reported 945 human cases, including 348 deaths due to MERS. -ONA

NYT ranks Oman on top of Arab tourism map

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Salim Al Futaisi said on Sunday.

Oman crude plunged almost 50 per cent last year to as low as $48 per barrel now, resulting in a major hit on expected oil revenue this year, which contributes 79 per cent of the state income.

“Fall in oil price is a challenge, of course. There is a commitment

from all Gulf Cooperation Council countries to proceed with the railway project (and complete it by 2018), even if the oil prices go down. So, we believe that (funds for) the first segment SoharBuraimi has been allocated in the budget and will be financed by the government,” said Al Futaisi.

He was talking to the media on the sidelines of the GCC Rail and Metro Conference 2015, held under the auspices of His Highness Sayyid Shihab bin Tariq Al Said, adviser to His Majesty the Sultan.

The minister also noted that the government is conducting a study to find out a financial model for other segments of the national railway project. >A6 See also > B1

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More than one million people are expected to visit Muscat festival which will start from Thursday, organisers of the festival said on Sunday. Organisers believe that Jurrasic Park and snow village to be crowd pullers. >A4

OMAN

Saudi gamer is first ‘GCC King of Fighters’

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Reyadh Buabeid from Saudi Arabia emerged as a champion of the first GCC King of Fighters video game tournament held in Oman. Gamers from across the GCC gathered to battle it out in the first GCC King of Fighters video game tournament. >A6

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MONDAY, JAN UA RY 12 , 2 015 Giving NOC or release is the absolute prerogative of the employer and it is not a right per se under the Oman laws.

Legal Column

OMAN LEGAL COLUMN

Don’t litter a beautiful country like OMAN. Ensure proper disposal of garbage.

NOC from previous employer needed for entering Sultanate 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 SCAN HERE TO EMAIL YOUR QUERIES

I have joined a new company in Oman and am in the probation period for three months. If I decide to resign during the probation period, will it lead to a two-year visa ban? Is there any exemption for those resigning during probation?

If the employer terminates the services of an employee during probation, will visa ban rule be imposed or not?

There can be no exception for resignation during probation or otherwise, and the same rule will be applicable to all.

If your employer refuses to issue you a no-objection letter, you will find it difficult to reenter the country unless you complete a period of two years from the date of your exit from Oman. Please also note that as per the recent clarification issued by the ROP, you may need a no objection letter from your previous employer even if you opt to enter Oman in family visa, business visit visa or even investor visa.

I have been working with a company in Muscat for the last eight months. Now they have issued me two warnings in seven days time saying they are going to terminate my services on grounds of non-performance. The probation period mentioned in my offer letter is six months and the

contract is for an unlimited period. What are the rights of an employee in this case?

Does he have the right for a NOC/release?

Giving NOC or release is the absolute prerogative of the employer and it is not a right per se under the Oman laws. If you feel that you were denied natural justice by the employer, you may challenge the employer’s decision through the Ministry of Manpower. Legally, no ministry or statutory body or court can direct an employer to issue a release or NOC to any of its employees.

It is a nonnegotiable right of the employer.

I am working with a reputed company as a sales executive. Recently, I got a call from my manager for the an annual sales performance meeting.

When I met my manager and GM, they asked me to resign immediately. I was shocked to respond. When I asked for the reason they said, ‘your performance was not good enough’.

I pointed out that the market was dull for the sales team this year and that I had tried my best to achieve my target. However, they were not willing to listen so I told them I would not resign and they could take necessary

action against me. Can I approach the Ministry of Manpower?

You can always approach the Ministry of Manpower with your grievances and they will try to reconcile with your employers. But the success of your case will depend on the genuine nature of your claims and if your employers do not agree to the suggestions of the Ministry of Manpower, the ministry will refer the matter to the court where your issue will be adjudicated purely on merits. It is not unusual to terminate the services of an employee on the basis of poor performance under circumstances wherein achieving sales targets is one of the criteria for assessing the performance. For this, the employer would have given you sufficient opportunities (in the form of warning letters) to improve your performance and summary dismissal is unjustifiable and can be challenged before the appropriate forum.

Disclaimer: Opinions expressed in this column are for general guidance purposes only. They are based on facts presented to us and are not substitute 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.

M ONDAY, JANUARY 12, 2015

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NYT hails Oman’s natural beauty REJIMON K reji@timesofoman.com

The New York Times (NYT) included Oman on its list of places to go worldwide.

The prestigious magazine endorsed the Sultanate as the ‘Middle East’s bestkept secret no longer’

CHARMING TOURISTS: Oman’s virgin beaches have the potential to attract visitors. – Shabin E/ TIMES OF OMAN

SQU PROGRAMME

‘Co-operation Day’ focus on field training Times News Service MUSCAT: In order to boost co-operation with various ministries, government bodies and private sector organisations, and streamline training opportunities for students in these organisations, the Sultan Qaboos University, yesterday organised “Co-operation Day” under the patronage of Her Highness Sayyidah Dr Mona bint Fahad Al Said, SQU assistant vice chancellor for international cooperation.

The event was held under the theme ‘Field training, a partnership between the university and government and private sector institutions’.

Senior officials from various government and private organisations, and academicians responsible for training and community services at various colleges of the university participated in various panel discussions as part of the event.

MUSCAT: Oman is the only country from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, featured in The New York Times’ ‘52 Places to Go in 2015.’

The New York Times placed Oman at No. 20 position in this weekend’s edition featuring places to go worldwide. Each January, the editors of the Travel section of newspaper publish a Places to Go issue.

Endorsed as the “Middle East’s best-kept secret no longer,” the brief summary on Oman says staggering peaks in Oman’s landscapes come from mountains not skyscrapers; its dramatic coast-

lines owe little to man-made engineering; and the unending hubbub of Dubai and Abu Dhabi is contrasted here with the sheer silence of Oman’s numerous Wadis, or ravines.

“We discuss the merits and drawbacks of each suggested destination in a marathon meeting (or two) before cutting down the list. Our main goal is to have a variety of regions and interests, with some surprises mixed in. We also try for a mix of scale, including cities, regions and even entire countries,” the NYT’s travel section says while elaborating how the list was prepared.

According to the NYT, this year, the number one best place to visit is Milan, Italy, followed by Cuba

and Philadelphia. “Oman’s virgin landscapes and virgin beaches have the potential to lure more and more global tourists. Friendly locals and rich traditional and cultural values add more the country’s prospects. Moreover, the country is also investing more in developing tourist locations and properties to entice global tourists.

So, there is no wonder why Oman has found a place in the NYT’s list of ‘Places to Go’,” Renny Johnson, a senior official at Mezoon Travels, one of the oldest travel and tourism companies in Oman, said.

According to Oman’s Ministry of Tourism, last week Oman was ranked as a top travelling destination for GCC tourists looking for short holidays. This came after

Oman emerged as one of the most preferred destinations among GCC travellers, registering a 17 per cent increase in GCC citizens at the end of third quarter of 2014.

The latest government statistics by the National Centre for Statistics and Information say over 701,311 inbound tourists from the GCC visited the Sultanate until September 2014.

Oman attracted roughly 2.1mn visitors in 2013, about 50 per cent more than the previous two years, according to the tourism ministry.

More than 37 per cent of visitors last year came from Gulf countries, although Oman is also attracting a growing number of tourists from Britain, Germany, the United States and other Western nations.

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MONDAY, JAN UA RY 12 , 2 015

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Jan 15

is the inaugural day of the Muscat Festival. The Tour of Oman cycling race will be held from February 17-22

ACADEMICS

SQU professor bags Arab research award Times News Service MUSCAT: Prof. Imaddin Ali Al Omari, Professor in the Department of Physics at the College of Science at the Sultan Qaboos University, has been selected by the Association of Arab Universities for the ‘Distinguished Arab Researcher Award’ in the field of science and engineering for 2014.

The award was announced in Amman, Jordan, during the meeting of the executive council of the Association of Arab Universities, held recently.

Prof Al Omari will receive the award during the General Conference of the Association of Arab Universities to be held on March 25. The award includes a certificate from the Association of Arab Universities and a cash prize of $7,500.

Prof Al Omari has been working in the Sultan Qaboos University for 14 years and this award is based on his achievements in teaching, students’ training, research, service to the scientific community, and for the development of science in the Arab world during his entire academic career, especially in the past 10 years.

Prof. Imaddin Ali Al Omari

In addition to teaching physics to undergraduate and postgraduate students for the past 19 years in the Sultan Qaboos University, the University of Nebraska–Lincoln (USA), and the Jordan University of Science and Technology (Jordan), Prof. Imaddin Ali has published 103 scientific research papers in international referred, indexed, and recognized journals.

He has also presented 40 papers at international conferences and delivered several seminars at international institutions. He also served as principal investigator in more than 10 research projects.

ITALIAN ADMIRAL CALLS ON GEN AL NU’AMANI, SAF CHIEF OF STAFF Gen. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Nu’amani, Minister of the Royal Office, on Sunday received Admiral Luigi Binelli, Italy’s Chief of the Defence Staff, who is currently visiting the Sultanate. The meeting discussed bilateral relations, in addition to a number of matters of common concern. Lt Gen Ahmed bin Harith Al Nabhani, Chief of Staff of the Sultan’s Armed Forces (SAF), also received the visiting admiral as part of his current visit to the Sultanate. - ONA

‘Oman Fascinates’ to woo visitors at fiesta

STUDENT CHALLENGE

Muscat Festival will focus on cultural, education and entertaining events targeted at children.

This year will also witness more cultural events

RESEARCH HONOUR: Ahmed Abdullah Al Maimani and Mohammed Nasr Al Kindi, both engineering students, and Dr Ashish M. Gujrathi, Asst. Professor at the Sultan Qaboos University, showcased their winning submissions.–Supplied photo

SQU scholars earn kudos at The Hague Times News Service MUSCAT: Two students and a supervisor from the Sultan Qaboos University were named winners of the annual Honeywell UniSim Design Student Challenge for the Europe, Middle East, Africa (EMEA) region.

Ahmed Abdullah Al Maimani and Mohammed Nasr Al Kindi, both engineering students, and Dr Ashish M. Gujrathi, Asst. Professor at Petroleum and Chemical Engineering Department at the Sultan Qaboos University, showcased their winning submissions before more than 1,000 attendees at the 2014 Honeywell Users Group (HUG) EMEA meeting in The Hague, the Netherlands.

The research paper investigated ways to reduce the emission of hydrogen and carbon dioxide, which are main by-products in ammonia production. “This project embodies the sort of creative yet considered thinking we need more of in the process industries,” said Ali

Raza, vice president and general manager of Honeywell Process Solutions’ Advanced Solutions business. Using UniSim Design, Al Maimani, Al Kindi and Dr Gujrathi have created a clever solution for the process efficiency of ammonia plants.

The paper, entitled ‘Production of Synthetic Methane Hydrogen & Carbon Dioxide by-products from Ammonia Plants,’ concluded that it is possible to produce synthetic methane from these by-products and recycle it back into the plant in order to reduce the amount of natural gas required for certain production levels. The students’ research was supported by Dr Ashish M Gujarathi.

Honeywell’s UniSim Design Student Challenge seeks to recognise some of the most talented engineering students around the world. It challenges students to solve real-world problems facing industrial processing plants by using Honeywell’s UniSim Design process simulation.

WINTER SHOW: This year’s events will be held at different places including Al Naseem Park, Amerat Public Park, Seeb Beach, Al Madina Theatre, Oman Cars Club, Photography Association, Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque and Cultural Club.– Photo and videos: Jun Estrada and Talib Al Wahaibi

Times News Service MUSCAT: More than one million people are expected to visit the Muscat Festival this year, which will start this Thursday, organisers of the festival said on Sunday.

Speaking to the Times of Oman, Younis Sakhi Al Balushi, head of the Amerat Park at the Muscat Festival 2015, said that those visiting the 2015 Muscat Festival will have many events lined up for them.

“Last year, around one million people had visited the festival but this year we expect that number to go up as there are too many attractions at all the venues,” he said.

Organisers believe that the Jurrasic Park at the Nassem Park and a snow village at the Amerat Park will be the crowd pullers as they have been introduced for the first time. “This year, we are focusing on children and families,” said one of the organisers at the press conference, organised at Grand Hyatt on Sunday morning.

‘Oman Fascinates’ This year the theme is ‘Oman Fascinates’ and it would include cultural, entertainment and sporting events.

Khalid bin Mohammed Omar Bahram, Assistant Chairman of Muscat Municipality for Services Affairs, Deputy Head of the Main Organising Committee of the festival said that the festival will focus on child, cultural, education

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and recreational activities and the festival will witness the return of cultural events.

In the area of sports events, water sports activities will be organized, in collaboration with the Royal Navy of Oman (RNO) in conjunction with Oman Sailing.

They include sailing and racing boats, laser shows, child aerobic show, camel and equestrian racing show, tent pegging show, Muscat Marathon, universities and colleges beach soccer, beach volleyball, various auto shows, basketball competitions, marine craft village and the Tour of Oman.

Khalid bin Mohammed said that the festival will focus on cultural, education and entertaining events, targeted at children. He also said that this year’s festival will witness a return to the cultural events.

Nada Abdul Raheem Rahim Al Zadjali, Acting Director of the Muscat Festival Management, presented a visual presentation about the events and activities of Muscat Festival 2015.

This year’s events will be held in different places including Al Naseem Park, the Amerat Public Park, the Seeb Beach, Al Madina Theatre, the Oman Cars Club,

the Photography Association, the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque and the Cultural Club.

Since its inception in 1998, Muscat Festival has proved to be more than just a celebratory, cultural and artistic event in the Sultanate of Oman. It has managed to invent and reinvent itself into a major entertainment spectacle, plus a carnival and a shopping wonder, all rolled into one.

This year’s event will start from January 15 and come to an end on February 14. Elaborating, the organisers said that they have in-

cluded a large number of sporting events this year.

These include a maritime festival for traditional Omani vessels, a tattoo show, free style jumping, aircraft shows, aquatics (in coordination with the World Aquatics Association), hiking, cricket championship, camel racing and equestrian, modern triathlon race, various auto shows and aerobics. The much awaited Tour of Oman cycling race, which is in its sixth edition, will be held from February 17-22 as part of the festival.

ECO TOURISM

Salalah caves, sinkholes add to Dhofar’s natural attractions SALALAH: Dhofar is known for its numerous caves that attract adventure-loving tourists and those who admire nature. Dhofar mountains are riddled with caves that add to the rich ecology and archaeological attractions of the governorate.

Teiq sinkhole, which was discovered by Slovenian adventurers, in collaboration with the Sultan Qaboos University, is one of the biggest sinkholes in the world — about 975,000 cubic metres in size, 130-150 metres in diameter and about 211 metres deep. The sinkhole can accommodate an entire 70-storey building.

Teiq cave is found on top of the sinkhole. The 170,000 cubic metre in size cave, has six chimneys, the biggest of which is on the west-

ern entrance and wall. Mountain residents used caves as a shelter for themselves and their animals as well.

Suhoor cave in Wadi Naheez, about 12.5 km from Salalah, is one of the limestone rock caves.

The ‘ayoon’ (water springs) in Dhofar have many caves near them, such as the Itteen cave near the Garzeez spa, which is the biggest in size in this area. The cave is 10 km from Salalah and can be accessed through the Salalah-Itteen main road.

Razat cave, one of the biggest attractions for residents and visitors, is in the middle of the mountain overlooking Ain Razat, about 25 km from Salalah.

Wadi Darbat caves are also known for their natural arches and

decorations. They are also unique in terms of the calcified sediments in the rood.

Bats or Hamran water spring cave has a large number of bats inside, and is located about 40 km from Salalah.

Al Marneef cave in Al Mughsail area is one of the most beautiful caves and a major attraction for tourists and residents. The cave, about 40 km from Salalah, overlooks the sea.

The wilayats of Rakhyut and Dhalkut in the Governorate of Dhofar have a number of caves, such as Sharoot, Akhart, Hartoum, Shesaa, Mashloul and Asbeer.

Oman’s caves are a part and parcel of the Omani natural and ecological heritage and tourist attractions. -ONA

TOURIST DELIGHT: Oman’s caves are a part and parcel of the Omani natural and ecological heritage and tourist attractions.–ONA

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T H E TA M I N G O F T H E S H R E W

Stuttgart Ballet at ROHM this month Times News Service MUSCAT: Shakespeare’s comedy about a prickly woman whose true gentle nature is revealed by love will be told through a classical ballet when the Stuttgart Ballet visits the Royal Opera House Muscat with its production of The Taming of the Shrew, on January 16 and 17.

The ballet by South African choreographer John Cranko was created in 1969, inspired by Shakespeare’s play of the same name. It is set to music by KurtHeinz Stolze based on a lively Domenico Scarlatti score, with costumes and sets designed by Elisabeth Dalton. The Stuttgart Ballet company will be accompanied by the Slovenian Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by James Tuggle.

The Taming of the Shrew tells the story of Katherina, a shrewish girl whom nobody wants to marry because of her attitude, and Petruchio, a clever and dashing man who accepts the challenge, marries her and softens her with

TIMELESS CLASSIC: The Stuttgart Ballet will perform ‘The Taming of the Shrew’ on January 16 and 17, at 7:30pm. – Supplied photo

his love. Katherina is just the opposite of her pretty, but vain, sister Bianca, who has a number of handsome suitors but finds love with the unassuming student Lucentio who teaches her that looks aren’t everything.

Cranko’s choreography highlights the strong characters in Shakespeare’s play and provides the dancers with ample opportunity not just to impress their audiences with their dancing skills but also with their acting. Apart from Katherina, Petruchio, Bianca and

Lucentio, other entertaining characters include the girls’ long-suffering father and the local priest.

The ROHM’s Artistic Director, Umberto Fanni, stated: “We are very pleased to have the Stuttgart Ballet here in Muscat with this classic ballet. The story is one that has been told and retold, in theatre and film as well as dance, thanks to its universal, comedic appeal. The Taming of the Shrew is a ballet that will delight the whole family.”

The Stuttgart Ballet dates back

Iran pharma firm eyes Oman entry Iran-Oman joint investment in the pharmaceutical sector will benefit both countries, said Sharifani

ELHAM POURMOHAMMADI

elham@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: Farabi Pharmaceutical Company, a leading producer of medicines in Iran and the Middle East, is mulling expansion into Oman’s market with a commitment to deliver high-quality products.

Farabi company displayed its medications at an exhibition of Iranian products held in Muscat from January 6 to 10, with the aim of entering into partnership with Omani companies for cooperation in the pharmaceutical sector.

“Currently, we are producing 90 items, both antibiotics and non-

Ahmad Ali Sharifani

antibiotics, which are used for treating a wide range of diseases such as mental, cardiovascular and digestive diseases,” Ahmad Ali Sharifani, marketing and sales manager at Farabi company, told the Times of Oman.

Sharifani said that the company is exporting its products to a number of countries, including Iraq, Kazakhstan, Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tanzania, Belarus, Tajikistan, Somalia, the United Arab Emirates, Yemen, Azerbaijan, Cameroon, Sri Lanka and Uganda.

“We hope that in the near future we will be able to export our products to Oman after our medicines are registered here,” he noted, adding that his study of the

market showed that some of the foreign-made medicines available here are being produced in Iran at a lower cost.

The official also said that the Farabi company, which has been honoured for several years as a top Iranian exporter, has a lot to offer Oman in the light of growing cooperation between the two countries in the health sector.

Iran plans to set up a $1.5 billion multi-specialty hospital complex in Oman and is also considering setting up factories in the Sultanate for producing certain special kinds of medicines, including those for cancer treatment. Sharifani said that Iran-Oman joint investment in the pharmaceutical sector can help facilitate the process for cooperation and will benefit both countries.

Farabi Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Complex, which was inaugurated in January 1993 has an annual production record of 1,200,000,000 capsules, 45,000,000 suspensions and 360,000,000 film-coated tablets.

All production procedures are managed according to the guidelines of the World Health Organisation. It has obtained several international certificates including in quality management.

to the 17th-century court of Württemberg, in Germany.

In 1961, John Cranko was appointed Ballet Director and Choreographer of the ballet in Stuttgart, and a new era began. By the time of his sudden death in 1973, Cranko, one of the best choreographers of the 20th century, was able to rejuvenate the company bringing fresh, expressive choreography to narrative ballets such as Romeo and Juliet (1959, new version 1962), Onegin (1965, new version 1967) and The Taming of the Shrew (1969).

Currently, the Stuttgart Ballet is directed by Canadian-born Reid Anderson, formerly a Cranko soloist and director of the National Ballet of Canada from 1989 to 1996. The Stuttgart Ballet has continued to shine under his lead.

The Stuttgart Ballet will perform The Taming of the Shrew for two nights on January 16 and 17 at 7:30pm. For more information about Royal Opera House Muscat, tickets, and frequently asked questions, please visit the website at www.rohmuscat.org.om.

EVENT

Gulf citizenship seminar to be held in Muscat MUSCAT: A seminar on ‘Gulf Citizenship: Rights and Obligations’ will be organised by the GCC Secretariat General in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance at Crowne Plaza Hotel Muscat next Tuesday.

The seminar follows a decision taken during the 34th session of the Supreme Council, held in Kuwait.

The seminar, which includes two sessions that target GCC individuals and private sector, will cover the most important decisions that service the GCC joint action march. -ONA

DRIVE SLOWER LIVE LONGER

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MONDAY, JAN UA RY 12 , 2 015 I think for this for this particular show both our works are ephemeral, transient. It’s very fragile because frankincense is fragile and paper is fragile and delicate, so that is the commonality of the exhibition Dbjani Bhardwaj, Indian artist

OMAN

Foreign artists find inspiration in common elements of life in Oman matter, rather than using personal narratives. She says she has responded positively to the peaceful, calm atmosphere in Oman, which has made its way into her work.

Gordebi moved here from New York City 13 years ago, and though it took some time to adjust to the contrast, ultimately she found plenty of inspiration from Oman’s rich nature which helped her search for herself after feeling quite lost following the change.

Hungarian artist Gabriella Gorbedi and Indian artist Dbjani Bhardwaj have brought their work together for a joint exhibition called ‘Nectar in a Sieve’, at Gallery Sarah

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SARAH MACDONALD

sarah@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: One is from Hungary, the other is from India, but here in Oman they have both found inspiration for their art from common elements of life in the Sultanate.

Now Hungarian artist Gabriella Gorbedi and Indian artist Dbjani Bhardwaj have brought their work together for a joint exhibition called “Nectar in a Sieve” which opens Monday evening at Gallery Sarah in Old Muscat.

Gorbedi’s work revolves around frankincense, which she uses as the primary element for sculptures and collages, while Bhardwaj is inspired by the geometric

NECTAR IN A SIEVE: Gabriella Gorbedi’s work revolves around frankincense, which she uses as the primary element for sculptures and collages, while Dbjani Bhardwaj is inspired by the geometric Mashrabiya patters that decorate many buildings in Oman and she creates her own paper versions of these designs using elements of Omani culture as the base. – Photos, video: Jun Estrada

Mashrabiya patters that decorate many buildings in Oman and she creates her own paper versions of these designs using elements of Omani culture as the base.

“I think for this for this particular show both our works are ephemeral, transient. It’s very fragile because frankincense is fragile and paper is fragile and delicate, so that is the commonality of the exhibition,” Bhardwaj said of their work.

The artists both have very hands-on approaches to making

their work, too. Gorbedi’s sculptures, which combine pieces of frankincense, wires, beads, coconut palm parts, wood and other elements, are not only put together by hand, but are very tactile and make one want to reach out and touch them.

She says frankincense is used in so many ways by Omanis and now she has found a new way to use it.

“I just fell in love with it. For many years I felt I couldn’t do art, I was totally blocked. I was searching for a medium, and I never felt

I could do it for a long time until I arrived at frankincense. Working with this material is very special. The smell is very uplifting, the touch. I can really prove from my self-growth that it’s a healing thing,” she explained.

Bhardwaj’s work, meanwhile, is the result of a process of creating stencils, tracing them, and painstakingly cutting them out, creating lattice and lace-like designs from khanjars, palm trees, camels, Omani people, goats, vases and other aspects of Oman arranged

in a geometric way, a modern approach to Mashrabiya patterns.

Labour-intensive “I don’t like digital media at all. I like hands-on, really labour-intensive. The process itself is the piece. Making art itself is the art, as much as the result and final piece,” said Bhardwaj.

For Bhardwaj, who has lived in Oman for three years, this exhibition marks a departure in her work since it’s the first time she has focused on Oman as the subject

More beauty “This land basically helped me to open up towards that direction and then I found the material which is even [from] the land.

I’m just adding things that I find in wadis, beaches or in the souk,” she said. Both artists’ work is “out of the box,” as Gorbedi says, and quite unlike other art that has been exhibited in Oman, but they hope that viewers will appreciate it and be inspired to see more beauty and potential in everything around them.

“I think artists should get an idea of how you can introduce elements around you which are so obvious…and reinterpret it.

Be aware of your surroundings,” Bhardwaj said.

The artists also noted that they have been influenced by other modern artists. Bhardwaj admires the work of M.C. Escher, William Kentridge and Frida Kahlo. Barbara Depirro, Grayson Perry and Louise Bourjeois.

“Nectar in a Sieve” will be inaugurated at 7:30pm at Gallery Sarah

by Al Shaima Ali Al Raisi, member of Muscat Municipal Council.

It will run until February 2, from 9:30am to 6pm from Saturday to Thursday.

P R I VAT E S E C T O R PA R T I C I PAT I O N

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Oman is committed to railway project: Sayyid Shihab

The funding will be a mixture of bonds, loans and government support, he said.

Sayyid Shihab said that as per the statement of the minister responsible for financial affairs and the discussions of the ministers, the Sultanate is committed to implementing this project, even if the oil prices continue to decline.

Sayyid Shihab stressed the project’s importance and the challenges facing its implementation, including lack of qualified human resources.

He added that the participation of the private sector in the railway project will contribute to the growth of the GCC economies. He called on the GCC countries to activate and finance these major projects and link the GCC countries to different regions.

He also affirmed that the Sultanate’s unique and strategic position would enable the country to benefit from such logistical projects.

“Railway project is more of a strategic venture for the long-

term,” Dr Al Futaisi noted. Dr Al Futaisi also said that the prequalified companies would submit their technical bids on January 18.

“We are hoping to award the EPC contract (for 207-km long SoharBuraimi segment) by the middle of this year.”

Other eight segments, including Duqm-Thumrait-Salalah and Sohar Port-Muscat, are still in the design stage.

“We are designing and we hope to float some additional segments within this year.”

As many as 18 consortia have been pre-qualified for civil work and another five for technology systems for the prestigious Oman national railway project, which will be implemented by the Oman Railway Company (ORC).

The work on the Oman National Railway project is expected to start by the second half of 2015, after selecting a design-and-build contractor for the 207-km-long Sohar-Buraimi route.

Participating in a panel discus-

rail across the GCC. This provides a good environment to attract companies, manufacturers, human resources and capital to the region,” noted Dr Al Futaisi.

RAILWAY CONFERENCE: His Highness Sayyid Shihab bin Tariq Al Said, advisor to His Majesty the Sultan, at the GCC Rail and Metro Conference 2015 on Sunday. – ONA

sion, Dr Abdul Latif bin Rashid Al Zayani, secretary-general of the Gulf Cooperation Council, said that a consultant has been appointed to conduct a study for creating a common GCC regulatory authority for the integrated railway network.

Dr Al Futaisi said that common standard on several areas,

including safety, for GCC states on railway have been achieved without establishing a common regulatory authority. Each country has its own regulatory authority and common standards are achieved after discussions with all member states.

“Over $200 billion will be invested in over 40,000 kilometres of

Multiplier effect “Our challenge will not just be about how to ensure success in executing these projects from a technical and operational point of view, but on how to exploit the socio-economic potential of these massive investments so to ensure the multiplier effect on our economies.”

“Saudi Arabian Railways is building a massive network of 5,000 kilometres. Already, 1,400 kilometres is operational, and has the ability to transport phosphate and bauxite from mines to the manufacturing facilities at the port in Ras Al Khair. Since the line became operational, we have transported more than 6.5 million tonnes of phosphate. The benefits of using the railway are tangible – we have saved 70 per cent of the

fuel that would have otherwise been consumed by trucks,” noted Dr. Rumaih M. Al Rumaih, chief executive officer of the Saudi Arabian Railways.

He added that the impact on the environment is huge — there will be an estimated 50 per cent reduction in carbon dioxide as a result of using trains to transport goods.

More than 500 participants from 25 different countries participated in the conference, which discussed the social and economic benefits resulting from the major investments pumped in such kind of industries.

Participants shared notes about progress on project development and localisation initiatives, and took part in panel discussions to address key issues, challenges and opportunities enabling effective private sector participation.

“The GCC rail project is one of a kind, ambitious and complex in nature,” said Dr Ramiz Al Assar, Resident World Bank Advisor, GCC for the Arab states in the Gulf.

VIDEO GAME TOURNAMENT

Saudi gamer is first ‘GCC King of Fighters’ TARIQ AL HAREMI

tariq@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: Reyadh Buabeid from Saudi Arabia emerged as a champion of the first GCC King of Fighters video game tournament held in Oman.

Gamers from across the GCC gathered in Chefs’ Inn Restaurant on Friday to battle it out in the first GCC King of Fighters video game tournament.

More than 20 gamers, the eldest being in his 40s, competed across five stations hooked up with PS3s while one of those stations was connected to the internet for live streaming in HD. “There are several gamers here who are hardcore gamers. They are working men who enjoy a high social status. It is amazing to see that these people are here from around the GCC to compete. It is a competitive sport,” said Saeed Abdul Ghafoor, the event organizer and a member of the Oman Fighting Gamers Community (Oman FGC).

The format of the tournament involved four pools consisting of six players, each slugging it out to become the top two of the group,

COMPETITIVE SPORT: More than 20 gamers, the eldest being in his 40s, competed across five stations hooked up with PS3s.

who would then advance to the final eight where they would compete for the championship.

“It didn’t expect the turnout to be this big. It was going to be a small gathering in my place but things escalated to a stage that involved bringing in sponsors and booking the hall for the event,” said Abdul Ghafoor.

He added, “After the success of this tournament, we are planning

to make it an annual event. We hope to see more people participating next time.”

Ooredoo sponsored the event by providing a stable internet connection for live streaming as well as Redbull who provided the sound system for the tournament.

The King of Fighters is a video game franchise developed by SNK Playmore, a Japanese video game hardware and software developer.

The franchise has been running since 1994 with the first game being The King of Fighter ‘94 which was originally developed for SNK’s Neo Geo MVS arcade hardware.

It is a dream job for gamers to leave their regular, everyday jobs to be paid for playing games.

Japanese gamer Daigo Umehara and American gamer Justin Wong, both earn up to $100K a year just by playing video games online, from game developers and producers.

Many think gaming is for children and geeks, but it is a serious industry, grossing over $93 billion a year which makes it the fourth largest industry in the world.

“It is a dream job to be playing games for a living. I’ve been gaming my whole life and it certainly shaped the kind of person I am. So yes, if there was an opportunity, I would play for a living,” said Abdul Ghafoor. Some gamers can sense a connection between themselves and the characters in the games they play. “I personally can relate to the characters that I play with.

Each character has a story behind it,” he said.

M ONDAY, JANUARY 12, 2015 The ICC’s announcement that it was suspending its investigations was seen as a victory by President (Omar Al) Bashir Jerome Tubiana, Senior analyst for the International Crisis Group

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REGION

Bashir launches re-election bid other term. “Bashir is in a strong position internally within government,” said Ahmed Soliman, Horn of Africa research assistant at Chatham House.

He consolidated power earlier this month when parliament granted him the right to appoint state governors, who were previously elected. Bashir has worked to shed his image as an international pariah, travelling to Egypt and Saudi Arabia last year and welcoming Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov to Sudan.

Formal applications to register for the April 13 vote opened on Sunday, and the electoral commission said it had received President Omar Al Bashir’s nomination

KHARTOUM: Sudan’s President Omar Al Bashir launched his bid for re-election on Sunday, facing little threat to his quarter century in power despite an ailing economy, multiple insurgencies and allegations of war crimes.

Bashir’s supporters view him as a strong hand capable of holding the chaotic country together, while his opponents are hounded by the security forces, marginalised inside Sudan and riven by personal rivalries. It is unclear whether anyone will challenge Bashir to lead the country of nearly 39 million people that covers an area almost one-fifth the size of the United States. Formal applications to register for the April 13 vote opened

NOMINATION REVIEW: Members of Sudan’s National Electoral Commission review the applications from potential candidates on Sunday, in the capital Khartoum, as formal applications for the April 13 presidential and legislative poll opened. – AFP

on Sunday, and the electoral commission said it had received Bashir’s nomination.

The opposition looks set to boycott the vote, with Mariam Al Mahdi, deputy leader of the Umma Party, sharply criticising the move and saying her party would not take part in the April election.

“We believe it is a total waste not only of the time and resources of Sudan but also the hopes of the

people,” she said by telephone.

The opposition also boycotted elections in 2010, the first contested vote since Bashir came to power in 1989. In 2010, opposition leaders accused the president’s loyalists of rigging ballots.

But Bashir has proven to be a political survivor. Since 2009, the 71-year-old incumbent has defied an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court (ICC) for

OIL SLUMP

Kuwait plans $155b projects KUWAIT CITY: Kuwait’s government on Sunday announced plans to spend $155 billion (45.5 billion dinars) on projects over the next five years despite the plunge in world oil prices, a lawmaker said.

The spending is slated to cover 523 key projects in a five-year development plan starting in the fiscal year which begins on April 1, said parliament’s financial and economic affairs committee secretary, Mohammad Al Jabri.

He said the Gulf country’s state minister for planning and development, Hind Al Sabeeh, discussed the draft development plan with his panel.

The committee was assured that the sharp drop in oil revenues would not affect the projects of Kuwait, which has a massive sovereign wealth fund and invested billions of dollars in a “future generations fund”.

Oil revenues in the new budget from April will be calculated on the basis of $45 a barrel, down from $75 a barrel in the current fiscal year, Jabri said.

The price of Kuwaiti oil closed on $43.21 a barrel on Friday, compared to a price of over $110 a barrel in June 2014.

Oil income makes up around 94 percent of public revenues in Kuwait. — AFP

DRIVE SLOWER LIVE LONGER

alleged war crimes in the nearly 12-year-old conflict in Sudan’s western Darfur region.

In 2011, he oversaw a separation from South Sudan, after it voted to split following a 22-year civil war.

The president hinted last year he might not stand for re-election, raising fears of a succession struggle within his ruling National Congress Party, but in October, the NCP announced he would seek an-

Boosting relations China’s foreign minister also visited Khartoum on Sunday for talks about boosting relations and the conflict in neighbouring South Sudan. The ICC’s decision to shelve investigations into allegations of war crimes in Darfur over UN inaction gave him a further boost. “The ICC’s announcement that it was suspending its investigations was seen as a victory by President Bashir,” said Jerome Tubiana, senior analyst for the International Crisis Group.

“The NCP should win without difficulty but all the problems will still be left,” Tubiana added.

Sudan faces major economic challenges with nearly half of the country’s population living in poverty, according to World Bank figures. When South Sudan broke away, it took with it 75 per cent of the formerly united country’s

oil production. Insurgents are still battling government troops in Darfur as well as in Blue Nile and South Kordofan states on the South Sudan border.

Last January, Bashir announced a national dialogue to address the problems, inviting opposition groups, including rebels, to participate. But the talks have yet to materialise, and critics view the invitations as a bid by Bashir to buy time before the elections.

Opponents to Bashir’s rule are more united than they have been for years but are still expected to struggle to challenge him.

In December, the Umma Party joined other opposition parties and civil society groups to sign the “Sudan Call” document demanding a transitional government to pave the way for free and fair elections.

Sudan’s powerful National Intelligence and Security Service has kept up the pressure on opposition parties, arresting two signatories to Sudan Call.

NISS has also shown it will brook no dissent from protesters.

Its forces gunned down dozens of Sudanese who protested against the lifting of fuel subsidies in September 2013. Their handling of the protests caused divisions within the NCP, with Bashir adviser Ghazi Salahuddin Atabani breaking away to form his own party. But analysts say opposition failings have played into Bashir’s hands. — AFP

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MONDAY, JAN UA RY 12 , 2 015 The Congress has never undermined the importance of women voters. However, they have become much more aware socially and politically which is a good sign Sheila Dikshit, Former Delhi chief minister

INDIA

Modi promises ‘unlimited’ reforms in bid to transform Indian economy 2015 year for global action: Ban

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said

GANDHINAGAR: UN Secretary General Ban Kimoon on Sunday said 2015 was crucial for global action on issues such as sustainable development, climate change and inclusive growth.

“This is the most important and crucial year for humanity,” Ban Ki-moon said in his address at the seventh Vibrant Gujarat global investment summit here.

He said important decisions on global issues like climate change, sustainable development and inclusive growth were likely to be taken this year.

He called upon leaders of countries and the industrial and corporate sector to work in a way that these issues were addressed globally.

“We are living in a very young world where half of the population is young. We have to do much more for the youth,” the UN chief said.

On his first visit to Gujarat, Ban Ki-moon said the state could also be a crossroad for a new era of sustainable development while it had long been a cultural crossover to the world.

“This dynamic state has long been a cultural crossover to the world. Today, it can also be a crossroad for a new era of sustainable development,” Ban Ki-moon said at the three-day summit that began on Sunday.

Invoking the importance of land of Mahatma Gandhi’s birth, he said: “I hope all world leaders and businesses will be inspired by Gandhi’s vision and teachings.

“Gujarat is a state where technology meets climate action, where entrepreneur meet clear energy, where young people meet job opportunities.”

The achievement of a polio-free status by India,

he was also planning further reforms and development to revive India’s flagging economy, which has been struggling through the worst slowdown in decades

GANDHINAGAR: Prime Minister Narendra Modi promised “truly unlimited” reforms on Sunday in his bid to transform India’s economy into a global powerhouse as he showcased his home state to global political and business leaders.

Speaking at a major investment summit in the western state of Gujarat attended by US Secretary of State John Kerry, UN chief Ban Ki-moon and World Bank supremo Jim Yong Kim, Modi hailed India as a “land of opportunities” for business.

Modi was Gujarat chief minister for 13 years before leading his Bharatiya Janata Party to national power last May, and much of his electoral appeal centred around his economic stewardship of the coastal state.

The presence of Kerry and Kim is seen as a vote of confidence in Modi’s efforts to replicate his local success and kickstart growth in Asia’s third-largest economy.

Predicted Kim predicted Modi’s government was on the verge of lifting millions of Indians out of poverty, while Kerry said the world’s two largest democracies could make huge strides together.

The prime minister said his right-wing government had already introduced a slew of initiatives since ending a decade of rule

STRATEGIC DIALOGUE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US Secretary of State John Kerry meet during the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit 2015 in Gandhinagar in this handout photograph received from the Press Information Bureau (PIB) on Sunday. - AFP

by the left-leaning Congress. “In a very short span of seven months, we have been able to change the atmosphere of despair and uncertainty,” he told the “Vibrant Gujarat” conference.

“My government is committed to create a policy environment that is predictable, transparent and fair.”

But Modi said he was also planning further reforms and development to revive India’s flagging economy, which has been struggling through the worst slowdown in decades, without specifying details.

“The process of development we are taking up is not incremental.

We are planning to take a quantum leap. It is not limited to one sector or region, it is truly unlimited,” the prime minister said.

Under Congress, investors frequently complained about a hostile business climate in India, frustrated by bureaucracy and corruption.

India slipped two places down the World Bank’s ease of doing business rankings last year to 142 out of 189 countries.

In contrast, Gujarat won a reputation as India’s most investorfriendly state during the era of ‘Modi-nomics’ — even if critics say he favoured big business through tax breaks and subsidies.

Addressing the summit earlier on Sunday, Kerry told hundreds of participants that bilateral trade

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between the two economic giants has grown nearly fivefold since 2000 alone.

Bilateral foreign direct investment now stands at nearly $30 billion, he said, describing Modi as a “visionary prime minister”.

“Together, we can create an environment where all of our companies play leading roles in bringing cutting-edge technologies, equipment, capital, and know-how not just to India but to countless countries that need this growth and development now,” Kerry said.

Modi swept to power in May elections last year, partly on a promise to revitalise the world’s third largest economy.

And he pledged to the conference to slash red tape and banish India’s reputation as a hard place to do business.

A senior State Department official said Modi was already being true to his word, by removing barriers, helping “to make the business climate better for Indian businesses (and) are also going to help US businesses.”

“They’re going to help India take its place in the global supply chain,” the official said.

But the official acknowledged that some of the hardest and thorniest issues — such as on civilian liability for nuclear energy cooperation — had yet to be resolved.

India and the US, which have had bumpy relations at times, struck a landmark civilian nuclear deal in 2008. But US companies have been reluctant to get to work in India as they are seeking greater protection from liability in the event of a nuclear disaster.

The issue is sensitive in India, where thousands died in 1984 in a leak from a US-owned pesticide factory in Bhopal.

Washington is also keen to move into India’s expanding solar energy programme, but is running into hurdles over New Delhi’s insistence that all parts for such projects should be made in India.

Negotiators were “rolling up their sleeves” with the aim of reaching some “tangible” deals including on climate change to unveil during Obama’s visit, the official said.

Kerry took a rare moment off his busy schedule of meetings to visit the Mahatma Gandhi Ashram, founded by India’s independence hero in 1917 on the banks of the River Sabarmati.

Removing his shoes, the top US diplomat visited Gandhi’s simple home which became the focus of his movement of passive resistance. - AFP

This dynamic state has long been a cultural crossover to the world. Today, it can also be a crossroad for a new era of sustainable development Ban Ki-moon UN Secretary General

including Gujarat, was an important milestone in health indicators for the South-East Asia region, Ban Soon-taek wife of United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said Sunday.

Ban Soon-taek congratulated the national, state and local governments for their strong will and painstaking efforts to drive out polio at a function to celebrate Gujarat’s polio-free status. - IANS

S A F E T Y A N I M P O R TA N T I S S U E

Parties woo women like never before for Delhi assembly polls NEW DELHI: Women in Delhi are being wooed by political parties like never before, with their safety becoming an important issue in the assembly polls expected next month.

Of Delhi’s 13 million voters, women account for 44.51 percent — the lowest proportion of female voters across the country, according to the Election Commission.

However, their voting percentage has been rising and has gone up from 46.41 per cent in the 1998 assembly polls to over 65 per cent in 2013.

Issues like women’s security have become important for all political parties and the three main political players in the national capital — the Bharatiya Janata Party, the Aam Aadmi Party and the Congress —are going the extra mile to show their sensitivity on issues concerning women.

Leaders from the three parties, as also women activists, say that issues concerning women, particularly their safety and education, have moved away from the periphery and are now part of the main political discourse.

They say that more and more female voters are taking interest in politics and are making their own choices in casting their ballots, irrespective of the thinking of their family members.

In Delhi, the issue of women’s security has added significance in view of the increasing incidents of crime against them. The grisly gang rape and murder of a 23-year-old physiotherapist in Dec 2013 had forced the people to come out on the streets.

The city reported 1,441 rapes in 2013, according to National Crime Record Bureau data.

The AAP and the BJP — considered the main contenders in

WOMEN POWER

Of Delhi’s 13 million voters, women account for 44.51 per cent

In Delhi, the issue of women’s security has added significance in view of the increasing incidents of crime against them

The city reported 1,441 rapes in 2013, according to National Crime Record Bureau data

Interestingly, more women cast their votes compared to men in 10 of 70 assembly segments in the last polls

the upcoming polls — are holding a series of meetings to finalise their vision for the capital’s 5.8 million women.

AAP a step ahead The AAP appears to have taken a lead by conducting a dialogue with women last November which, the party says, was preceded by some 300 meetings spread across all of Delhi’s 70 assembly constituencies. Among the promises made by the AAP, which finished a close second to the BJP in the 2013 assembly polls, were 200,000 public toilets for women, 100 new courts to fast-track rape cases and Wi-Fi connected CCTV cameras.

“Our party is taking women

voters seriously as they have emerged as a new bloc, especially after the Nirbhaya (2013) incident,” prominent AAP woman leader Atishi Marlena said.

She admitted that the AAP, which was born in 2013 from an anti-corruption movement, did not initially have a comprehensive roadmap for women.

“Corruption was our main plank. But we cannot ignore women voters now as they vote independently,” Marlena added.

The BJP, which is hard-selling the development model of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to come to power in Delhi, has conducted a survey on women’s safety.

“We gave a small questionnaire to 3,000 women, asking them about their problems and how we can address them. We have collected six most common suggestions to improve their safety which will be taken into account while preparing the party’s manifesto,” Kamaljeet Sehrawat, president of the Delhi BJP’s Mahila Morcha, said.

Interestingly, more women cast their votes compared to men in 10 of 70 assembly segments in the last polls.Former Delhi chief minister Sheila Dikshit, who was in office for 15 years, said that women have always been important for the Congress.

“The Congress has never undermined the importance of women voters,” Dikshit said. “However, they have become much more aware socially and politically which is a good sign,” she added.

Women’s rights activist Ranjana Kumari said political parties are going the extra mile to woo women because they are increasingly exercising their franchise independently and in larger numbers. - IANS

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KERALA

Idukki set to become first district with full broadband access AFTAB H. KOLA

Our Correspondent KOCHI: The Idukki district in the southern Indian state of Kerala will on Monday become the first district in the country to have complete access to broadband Internet through the National Optic Fibre Network.

Communications and Information Technology Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad will formally launch on Monday the commissioning of Rs.200-billionNational Optical Fibre Network (NOFN) project under the Digital India programme through videoconference. After today’s inauguration, the entre hilly district will be boradband connected.

Panchayat offices in Idukki will now have high-speed broadband connectivity, enabling citizens to access a wide range of e-services and e-applications and providing local bodies with a technology tool for development planning.

The NOFN uses Gigabit Passive Optical Network technology to enable a single optical fibre to serve multiple premises. It provides broadband connectivity to reach e-health, e-education, e-governance and e-commerce services

and videoconferencing to gram panchayats and block offices.

Part of the Digital India programme, it aims to make broadband Internet available in the 250,000 villages in the country by December next year. The project is aimed at extending the existing optical fibre network, which is available up to district and block levels, to the gram panchayat level. Thiruvananthapuram, will also become a complete broadband district soon.

The over-all plan involves dividing the country into different zones and outsourcing the fibre rollout to private agencies.

As per a study conducted by the World Bank, with every 10 per cent increase in broadband penetration, there is a 1.4 per cent increase in GDP growth.

The NOFN enables maintenance of village records and citizen databases and performance monitoring of panchayats as well as intra-village and intra-district sharing of practices and resources and delivery of citizen services like health, education and finance.

It offers a single point of government-to-citizen interaction for centrally sponsored, central and state-sponsored schemes.

BRIEFS

India staffer ‘offloaded’ at Delhi airport: Greenpeace NEW DELHI: Delhi airport authorities barred a Greenpeace India staff member on Sunday from flying out of India despite holding a valid visa, a move the campaign group described as “bullying” by the government. Priya Pillai, a senior campaigner, was on her way to London when immigration officials stopped her and stamped “offload” on her passport, a statement from the international environmental group said. Officials told her she was barred from leaving the country and they were “just following orders from the Indian government”.

“Today my right to freedom of movement has been infringed and there was an attempt to treat me like a criminal,” Pillai said in the statement.

Christian bhawan in Bihar vandalised by Bajrang Dal PATNA: A group of Bajrang Dal activists on Sunday attacked and vandalised the Christian bhawan (building) at a Bihar town, police said. The incident created panic among the small Christian community — who demanded police protection for their security — in Jehanabad town of the same district, 52km from Patna. “Some Bajrang Dal activists attacked and vandalized the Christian bhawan at Jehanabad town,” a district police official said. They were apparently protesting against the alleged conversion of poor Hindus by Christians. They also blocked National Highway 83 connecting state capital Patna to Gaya district.

12 Bodo militants arrested GUWAHATI: Twelve Bodo militants were on Sunday arrested from three places in Assam along the international border with Bhutan, a day after an insurgent involved in the massacre of adivasis was shot dead, police said. The cadres of the anti-talk faction of the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) were arrested in Chirang district in operations jointly carried out by Assam Police, the Central Reserve Police Force and the Sashastra Seema Bal. - Agencies

A9

INDIA

Tharoor to be quizzed over Sunanda’s death The case was registered on January 1, almost a year after her death, following the final post-mortem report from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) that was submitted December 28, last year

On Saturday, Delhi Police said they will question the former union minister after the people who were in the hotel and in touch with Sunanda before she was found murdered Sunanda Pushkar

NEW DELHI: Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Sunday reached the national capital and is likely to be questioned by Delhi Police in connection with his wife Sunanda Pushkar’s murder.

Tharoor arrived at the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) airport from Kerala around 2 pm and went to his house in central Delhi’s Lodhi Estate.

Tharoor did not reply to questions from journalists, and merely E N D I N G S P E C U L AT I O N S

Manjhi to continue as Bihar CM, says Nitish PATNA: Senior Janata DalUnited leader Nitish Kumar on Sunday said Jitan Ram Manjhi will continue to be Bihar’s chief minister, ending speculations over his removal.

“Manjhi would continue as the chief minister. All speculations about his removal are wrong,” Nitish Kumar told media here after his return from Delhi.

He said he went to Delhi to meet party president Sharad Yadav, Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Lalu Prasad and Samajwadi Party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav to discuss the merger of Janata parivar.

Merger plan “I was in Delhi to discuss the merger plan of Janata parivar. It had nothing to do with the issue of Manjhi’s removal as reported,” he said.

Speculations over Manjhi’s removal have been doing the rounds for the past 72 hours though four Bihar ministers have repeatedly said there was no move for leadership change in Bihar.

Earlier Manjhi had said that as a chief minister he has been pursuing Nitish Kumar’s road map of development. - IANS

said: “I have already spoken with the media (in Kerala).”

He drove away in a car with his security staff. After reaching home, he consulted his lawyers and discussed the case.

Policemen have been deployed outside his residence.

Tharoor was undergoing ayurvedic rejuvenation in Thrissur district of Kerala. Soon after his discharge, he raised questions on

the Delhi Police investigation and demanded a professional probe.

Assured cooperation He also said he wrote to Delhi Police Commissioner B.S. Bassi, assuring him full cooperation with the investigating team. Pushkar, 52, was found dead in mysterious circumstances in a luxury hotel here on January 17, 2014.

On Saturday, Delhi Police said

they will question Tharoor after the people who were in the hotel and in touch with Pushkar before she was found murdered.

List compiled Police have compiled a list of people to be questioned in the case. They have already questioned Tharoor’s domestic help Shri Narain Singh, who told them there was a fight between Tharoor and Pushkar, a day before she was found dead.

In November last year, police also questioned Pushkar’s businessman friend Sunil Trakru - who had then dropped Pushkar at the hotel when she came to Delhi in January 2014. A police official said Pushkar’s viscera samples would soon be sent abroad for ascertaining the poisonous substance administered to her.

The case was registered on January 1, almost a year after her death, following the final postmortem report from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) that was submitted December 28, last year. Police had collected pieces of broken glass from Pushkar’s hotel room which purportedly implied that a scuffle took place inside the room before her death. - IANS

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MONDAY, JAN UA RY 12 , 2 015 I was sitting on top of the bus when I saw a tanker hit it, and a minute later it caught fire. There were three of us on the roof of the bus. We jumped to the ground to save our lives when we saw the fire Ikhtiyar Ali, Accident survivor

PAKISTAN

62 die in blaze as bus, tanker collide Initial reports said the tanker was travelling on the wrong side of the road along a dilapidated stretch of highway. It was the second crash involving major loss of life in Sindh province in less than three months

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KARACHI: At least 62 people including women and children were killed early on Sunday in southern Pakistan when their bus collided with an oil tanker, starting a fierce blaze which left victims burnt beyond recognition.

Initial reports said the tanker was travelling on the wrong side of the road along a dilapidated stretch of highway.

It was the second crash involving major loss of life in Sindh province in less than three months.

Authorities transferred the remains to a local morgue after taking samples for DNA testing in order to identify them.

Doctor Semi Jamali at Karachi’s Jinnah hospital said another four passengers with minor injuries have been discharged.

The bodies were “completely burnt and stuck to each other”, she earlier told AFP. The overloaded bus was en route to the town of Shikarpur from the southern port city of Karachi when the collision occurred.

“I was sitting on top of the bus when I saw a tanker hit it, and a minute later it caught fire,” said Ikhtiyar Ali. “There were three of us on the roof of the bus. We jumped to the ground to save our lives when we saw the fire.”

The tanker was carrying oil and a compressed natural gas cylinder was fitted in the bus, said Talib Husain, a relative of one of the victims. “After the collision the bus caught fire and, as a result, the CNG cylinder exploded,” Husain said. “One passenger bravely smashed the window from inside and rescued his family while the bus was on fire.”

Senior police official Rao Muhammad Anwaar said the bus “hit the oil tanker, which according to initial reports was coming in the wrong direction” and caught fire.

“We are trying to ascertain if the driver of the oil tanker was solely at fault or whether the bus driver also showed negligence,” Anwaar

INCONSOLABLE: Relatives of the victims of the accident involving a passenger bus and an oil tanker react outside a hospital, in Karachi, on Sunday. — AFP

DESPERATE SEARCH: Pakistani volunteers look inside a burnt out passenger bus after it collided with an oil tanker along the Super Highway near Karachi early on Sunday. — AFP

said. Pakistan has an appalling record of fatal traffic accidents due to poor roads, badly maintained vehicles and reckless driving.

A total of 57 people, including 18 children, were killed in November last year when a bus collided with a coal truck near the town of Khairpur in Sindh. After that crash police blamed the poor condition of

the road and the lack of warning signs and said they would investigate the government department responsible -- the first time such an investigation has been launched in the country.

Last April a bus smashed into a tractor-trailer in a high-speed collision in Sindh, killing 42 people, while in March a horrific crash be-

tween two buses and a petrol tanker left 35 dead, with many burned alive when the fuel ignited.

The recovery equipment available to Pakistani emergency services is often basic. When crashes happen some distance from major towns, rescue efforts can take time and the injured have less chance of survival. — AFP

EXTREMISM

SHELL-SHOCKED: A mourner outside a hospital in Karachi early on

Sunday. — AFP

CLAIM

IS-linked militants behead soldier Harassment of civil DERA ISMAIL KHAN: A group of Pakistani and Afghan militants have beheaded a Pakistani soldier after pledging allegiance to the IS extremist group, according to a new video released online, copying execution tactics used by the outfit.

IS, which controls large areas of Iraq and Syria, has gained a foothold in Pakistan and Afghanistan in the past year, with a number of former Taliban militants setting up a new group purporting to represent IS interests in the region.

Little is known about its activities or its size. It remains unclear whether IS-inspired militants hiding on the Pakistani-Afghan border are acting on their own or on direct orders from the IS leadership in Iraq and Syria.

In the latest Arabic-language video, whose authenticity could not immediately be confirmed, a large group of turbaned militants, many on horseback and holding rifles and black IS flags, are seen gathered in an undisclosed forested area.

A militant identified by the SITE intelligence group as former Pakistani Taliban spokesman Shahidullah Shahid is then seen addressing the crowd to announce

society condemned

A militant identified by the SITE intelligence group as former Taliban spokesman Shahidullah Shahid is then seen addressing the crowd to announce pledges of allegiance to IS from leaders of various groups in Afghanistan and Pakistan

pledgesofallegiancetoISfromleaders of various groups in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

“We want to inform you that we have brought together the emirs of 10 groups who want to pledge their allegiance to the Caliph Abu Bakr Al Baghdadi,” he said, referring to the IS leader.

At the end of the 16-minute video a man wearing a helmet, a T-shirt and combat trousers, identified as a Pakistani soldier, is seen being beheaded with a machete.

According to SITE, those present during the execution included both Afghan and Taliban militants but nothing was known about the beheaded soldier or how he was captured.

IS’s radical ideology appears to have inspired many fighters operating across the region, posing a possible challenge to more established local groups such as the Taliban.

But, while some fighters switched sides to declare alle-

giance to IS in the past year, most Taliban insurgents remained staunchly loyal to Mullah Mohammad Omar, an Afghan Taliban leader who has been at the helm of the movement since the 1990s.

Videos of beheadings, popularised by IS, are not commonplace in the Afghanistan-Pakistan region, although the Taliban and other local militant groups often resort to similarly gruesome attacks against security forces and civilians. — Reuters

LAHORE: The Pakistan Civil Society Forum (PCSF) on Saturday condemned the harassment of non government organisations (NGOs) by police in the name of assuring security.

In a statement, Muhammad Tahseen, the PCSF secretary general, claimed that police were intimidating NGO workers.

“Police have started visiting offices of NGOs in the Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and interrogating workers about their programmes, activities and funding sources,” he said.

“They are also enquiring about the staff and volunteers in a manner which will hamper voluntary work and discourage efforts being undertaken for peace and democracy in Pakistan,” he said.

“This is alarming. Instead of targeting militant outfits involved in terrorism and isolating them, the government is trying to equate them with NGOs. “It has given a free hand to law enforcing agencies to gag civil society,” he said.

He said that civil society organisations had an unequivocal policy on terrorism and support-

This is alarming. Instead of targeting militant outfits involved in terrorism and isolating them, the government is trying to equate them with NGOs. It has given a free hand to law enforcing agencies to gag civil society, a Pakistan Civil Society Forum official said ed the efforts of the government and other state institutions to curb terrorist elements.

“Interrogating the civil society organisations will only harm the much-needed solidarity, unity and collective efforts of patriotic forces to fight terrorism. — Express Tribune

M ONDAY, JANUARY 12, 2015

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SPREADING INSURGENCY

IS blamed as Lebanon cafe suicide blasts kills 8 BEIRUT: A double suicide attack that killed eight people at a cafe in the Lebanese city of Tripoli was carried out by the IS group, the interior minister said on Sunday, contradicting a claim of responsibility by the Al Qaeda-linked Nusra Front.

Nohad Machnouk also said he expected more instability linked to the Syrian civil war that has been at the heart of repeated violence in Lebanon over the last four years.

Claimed by Nusra Front The Nusra Front said on Saturday it was behind the bombing in the Syrian ruling sect’s neighbourhood of Jabal Mohsen — an attack Lebanese leaders said aimed to ignite communal strife where long-standing sectarian tensions have been inflamed by the Syrian conflict.

Machnouk said investigators were questioning men who belonged to the same organisation as the two bombers, both of whom have been identified as men from Tripoli.

Lebanese security officials have warned of plans by IS and the Nusra Front to further destabilise Lebanon.

Tripoli, historically a stronghold for extremism, is seen as particularly vulnerable.

The last major flare-up in the city, Lebanon’s second biggest, was in October, when 11 soldiers and at least 22 militants were killed.

Still holding That followed an August attack by militants affiliated to the Nusra Front and IS in Arsal a town on the border with Syria.

The militants are still holding some two dozen members of the security forces.

Machnouk said: “Naturally, we expect that all the while the fire in Syria continues, the escalation will increase more and more.”

Lebanese flags covered the coffins of eight victims at their funeral and leaders from across the political spectrum have called for unity, warning that the attack aimed to ignite strife.

Kin of the two bombers condemned the attack. “Crime has no religion, creed, neighbourhood or family,” a spokesman for the families said, adding there would be no mourning for the bombers. — Reuters

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WEEK-LONG STORM

Extreme cold kills three girls in Syria DAMASCUS: Three small girls and an elderly man have died in Syria in the past 24 hours due to bitterly cold temperatures and a week-long storm, a monitoring group said on Sunday.

“A girl less than two days old passed away (Sunday) in the southern Aleppo district of Firdous because of the extreme cold,” said Syrian Observatory for Human Rights director Rami Abdel Rahman.

“An elderly man from the Maghayir district of Aleppo died as a result of the poor weather and because he had no heating,” said the Observatory.

Another small girl, aged just one, died in the southern Damascus district of Al Hajar Al Aswad on Saturday night, while the extreme cold also caused the death of a girl in Deir al Asafir, a town east of the capital.

Since last Wednesday, six people have died across Syria as a result of freezing temperatures. All the victims lived in areas under opposition control, where shortages of food, heating and medical equipment are rife.

In besieged Yarmuk of southern Damascus, a man died of “poor living conditions and a lack of medicines and necessary treatment”, said the Observatory. — AFP

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WORLD

Crashed AirAsia jet black box found, stuck on seabed An Indonesian official said, the recorders were at a depth of 30-32 metres. Divers will try on Monday to shift the position of the wreckage to access the black box

JAKARTA: Indonesian divers on Sunday found the crucial black box flight recorders of the AirAsia plane that crashed in the Java Sea a fortnight ago with 162 people aboard, the transport ministry said.

But they failed to retrieve it immediately from the seabed because it was stuck under debris from the main body of the plane, the ministry added.

“The navy divers in Jadayat state boat have succeeded in find-

CRUCIAL TASK: People watch as a section of the tail of AirAsia QZ8501 passenger plane is lifted off a ship and onto the back of a truck, the day after it was lifted from the seabed, in Kumai Port, near Pangkalan Bun, central Kalimantan on Sunday. — Reuters

ing a very important instrument, the black box of AirAsia QZ8501,” said Tonny Budiono, a senior ministry official.

The recorders were at a depth of 30-32 metres (99-106 feet), he said in a statement.

Divers will try on Monday to shift the position of the wreckage to access the black box.

“However, if this effort fails,

then the team will lift part of the main body using the same balloon technique used earlier to lift the tail,” Budiono added.

After a frustrating two-week search often hampered by bad weather, officials earlier Sunday raised hopes by reporting that strong ping signals had been detected by three vessels involved in the search.

Those signals were coming from the seabed less than one kilometre (0.6 miles) from where the tail of the plane was found, Malaysian Navy chief Abdul Aziz Jaafar said in a post on Twitter. Malaysia’s Navy is helping in the search.

The Indonesian meteorological agency has said stormy weather likely caused the Airbus A320200 to crash as it flew from the Indonesian city of Surabaya to Singapore on December 28.

But a definitive answer is impossible without the black box, which should contain the pilots’ final words as well as various flight data.

water on Saturday using giant balloons and a crane.

It was brought by tugboat on Sunday to a port near the search headquarters, at Pangkalan Bun town on Borneo island.

All but seven of those on board the flight were Indonesian.

The bodies of a South Korean couple were identified on Sunday, but their 11-month-old baby remains unaccounted for, Indonesian authorities said.

The other foreigners were one Singaporean, one Malaysian, one Briton and a Frenchman -- co-pilot Remi Plesel. Their bodies have not been recovered.

Main body S.B. Supriyadi, a director with the National Search and Rescue Agency, told reporters earlier in the day that an object believed to be the plane’s main body had also been detected near the source of the pings. The search, which has involved US, Chinese and other international naval ships, has recovered 48 bodies so far.

Supriyadi said many bodies were believed trapped in the cabin, so reaching that part of the wreckage was also a top priority.

The tail of the plane, with its red AirAsia logo, was lifted out of the

Under scrutiny While the cause of the crash is unknown, the disaster has once again placed Indonesia’s chaotic aviation industry under scrutiny.

Indonesian officials have alleged Indonesia AirAsia did not have a licence to fly the route on the day of the crash, although the airline rejects the claim.

Indonesia’s transport ministry quickly banned AirAsia from flying the Surabaya-Singapore route.

On Friday it suspended dozens more routes operated by five other domestic airlines for similar licence violations. — AFP

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Intelligence offers us the best defence

A

s Cole Moreton says, writing about the three terrorists who killed 17 people in Paris, “they got what they wanted”. They wanted to be noticed, and they got that attention. In that sense, journalists become complicit with the terrorist at times like this, but only, we would argue, because people need to know what has happened and why. We hope that media reporting of the horror that hit France on Wednesday strikes the right balance, help to understand them and minimise the threat from similar attacks in Britain. But the scale and the intensity of the reaction does pose questions: what would be an overreaction? What would be the best response?

There is a tendency for the debate about the security response to terrorist outrages to follow the media cycle and to swing sharply from one extreme to another. Immediately afterwards, most people readily accept the inconvenience of having to take their shoes off to go through airport security, and some of us positively welcome the reassurance that it provides. But then, as the months turn into years, such precautions start to chafe and, when the restrictions on taking fluids on aeroplanes were lifted, most of us were mightily relieved.

Inevitably, there is already a debate in this country about whether our security services have the resources and powers that they need.

That is a debate that swings from strong public support for a higher spending and intrusive measures in the days after a shock, to a more sceptical mood during the longer periods between them. This is the context for the speech delivered on Thursday by Andrew Parker, the head of MI5, in which he restated his view that his service still needed more powers to monitor internet communications.

This is not necessarily a bad time for him to make his argument. It is not necessarily a bad thing to be reminded of the threats from which MI5 exists to protect us. And it is better that Parker himself should make these arguments than a politician.

Parker’s concerns should be considered calmly. We should not rush into new legislation as a panicked response to the horror in Paris, but neither should we relapse into the complacency of the quiet times.

We should not dismiss his speech as a power grab by a securocrat. We know that there are problems with the law on what data the internet companies have to keep and under what terms they have to disclose it to the security services. We should avoid panic responses in the immediate wake of horrible deaths, but on the other hand we should be more aware of the hidden threat when the surface of the pond seems still. What is needed now is sustained and balanced application of lessons learned. That is the best way to anticipate threats and to protect ourselves from them. - The Independent

CHARLIE HEBDO

Unity is crucial to countering terrorists DOMINIQUE MOISI

Sectarian strife

D

espite the talk of laws and other measures against hate speech and the spread of violence we have heard over the past few days, notably since the December 16 shooting at the Army Public School in Peshawar, there has been little impact in real terms.

This has been demonstrated by the attack on an Imambargah in the Chittian Hattian area of Rawalpindi on January 9. The attack took place while a ceremony was being held to mark Eid Miladun Nabi.

It is somewhat unclear if this was a suicide bombing or if an explosive device placed in a neighbouring house was the cause of the blast.

But there is no ambiguity about the fact that at least seven people have been killed and at least 20 others injured, with most of them still in critical condition. Just days ago, four Shias were killed in an attack during a volleyball match in the Orakzai Agency.

Sectarian strife then continues to spread its black web across our already shattered society. We can see that new laws and strident promises from the government will not instantly stop this. The death toll caused by sectarian killings is already high. It continues to rise steadily. It is quite apparent we have to deal with the problem on an urgent basis. There is no button we can press to do this instantaneously. But the steps that will eventually bring about change need to be put in place now. We must act against sectarian outfits, which are still operating, in some cases under the new names they assumed after they were banned.

We must also use the media, mosque loudspeakers, school curriculum and every other means at our disposal to undo the hatred preached year after year and decade after decade. We see today how it has left our society in ruins. Rebuilding it will take time and effort.

Both a short- and long-term strategies are required. But it is important we begin thinking about what these should constitute of so we can put them in place and prevent the continuing sequence of deaths which takes place when people are at their places of worship or are targeted simply because of their faith. - The Express Tribune

Hiking air fares during peak seasons very unfair This refers to the news story, Indian budget airline fares off balance with Kerala fliers (January 11). I did not find anything surprising in this report as it happens regularly, especially when there is a higher demand for tickets. The justification offered by Air India’s country manager is surprising. The steep rise in air fare is unjustified since the operational costs of the airlines remain the same throughout the year.

Ramachandran Nair Ruwi

Competition could have helped air passengers This refers to the news story, Indian budget airline fares off bal-

ance with Kerala fliers (January 11). I wish some other airlines provided flights to these destinations. Air India wouldn’t reduce the ticket fares unless there are some competitors. It’s not a good idea to depend on a single airline for travelling.

Vivek Sherugar Muscat

Bhand-e-Pather is a unique genre of performing art This refers to the article, Bhande-Pather, a fading art of Kashmir (January 11) by Tahir Ibn Manzoor. The article made me recall my visit to Anantnag in early 70’s when I was fortunate enough to watch this satirical performance.

Bhand means performer and Pather meaning drama. The beauty of this performing art, based on

So far, a climate of national unity is prevailing in France, just as it did in America immediately after 9/11. And that is as it should be, for unity is crucial to countering terrorists, whose priority is to create division, incite confrontation, and marginalise moderates

W

as the attack on Charlie Hebdo France’s 9/11? In the immediate aftermath of the massacre at the satirical magazine, the comparison with Al Qaeda’s 2001 attack on the United States has taken hold across France. Indeed, the January 7 attack was the most murderous France has known since the end of the Algerian War in 1962. But how accurate is the analogy?

At first blush, the comparison seems artificial and far-fetched. Twelve people died in Paris, whereas nearly 3,000 were killed in the attacks on New York and Washington, DC. The attackers used Kalashnikovs, not hijacked planes. And, unlike the 9/11 attackers, they were all citizens of the country they were attacking. That is why the attack in Paris 2015 looks more like a combination of two other attacks: the London Underground bombing in 2005 (the terrorists were all national citizens) and the plot executed in Mumbai in 2008 (the terrorists used small arms and targeted people individually).

Yet, despite the major differences, the attacks in Paris and in New York share the same essence. Both cities incarnate a similar universal dream. Both are metaphors for light and freedom. Both belong to the world, not only to their respective countries.

Moreover, in both cases, the targets chosen by the terrorists were highly symbolic. In New York, the Twin Towers embodied capitalist ambition and achievement.

In Paris, Charlie Hebdo has given form to the spirit of democratic freedom: the ability to write, draw, and publish anything — even extreme (and at times vulgar) provocations. There is a strong sense in Paris, as there was in New York, that the real target was Western civilization itself.

Like most Frenchmen, I say, out of disgust for the attack and empathy for the victims, Je suis Charlie — a phrase that recalls the newspaper Le Monde’s declaration, immediately after 9/11: Nous sommes tous Américains. But I must admit that I did not always feel that way. In 2005, I had reservations about the decision by the Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten to publish a series of highly provocative and controversial caricatures and about Charlie Hebdo’s choice to reproduce the cartoons the following year.

At the time, I felt that it was a dangerous and unnecessary — and thus politically irresponsible —

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To freely bloom - that is my definition of success GERRY SPENCE

provocation. One does not play with matches next to a gas pipeline or a bundle of dynamite.

Our era is probably much more religious than the eighteenth century ever was. To invoke Voltaire is one thing, I thought at the time, but to act responsibly may presuppose refraining from insulting what is most sacred to others, whether it be Christ, Muhammad, or the Shoah.

Today, given the nature of the attack, I leave those reservations behind, though I resist the temptation to sacralise the victims’ memories, as so many Frenchmen are doing. In France, laïcité, wrongly translated in English as “secularism,” is the equivalent of a religion — the religion of the Republic.

For the cartoonists of Charlie Hebdo, religion was just another ideology, and they took aim at all three major monotheistic faiths (though perhaps with a greater emphasis on one particular faith, probably owing to its more visible fundamentalist face).

So far, a climate of national unity is prevailing in France, just as it did in America immediately after 9/11. And that is as it should be, for unity is crucial to countering terrorists, whose priority is to create division, incite confrontation, and marginalise moderates. Indeed, even Marine Le Pen, the leader of the far-right National Front, initially warned against the dangers of an anti-Muslim backlash, stating that a few lost young men were in no way representative of the majority of French Muslims.

But how long will national unity prevail? The scars of colonialism are fresher in France than anywhere else in Europe; the country has Europe’s largest religious minority; and, with moderates seeming particularly weak and divided, the extreme right is cresting in opinion polls.

These ingredients could constitute a recipe for disaster. Already, Le Pen appears to be reverting to form. “National unity is a pathetic political manoeuvre,” she complained, after she was not invited to a rally the day after the attack.

But, if the right leaders are at the helm, the January 7 attack could spur a renewed sense of collective purpose and political revival. We French must face this terrorist attack the same way the Americans did after 9/11: firmly and clearly, but also with responsibility. That means, above all, that we must avoid becoming like America in 2003, when President George W. Bush extended the “global war on terror” to Iraq. France’s task now is to uphold the values that have made it a target. - Project Syndicate

mythological stories incorporating contemporary social satire, is that it is passed on from generation to generation. They are normally performed anywhere and do not need a stage or make up or a script. The performers, deft actors, acrobats, dancers and singers, show ingenuity by improvising according to situation, giving the audience an ultimate theatre experience.

Usha Devi Rao Suddapalli Ruwi

Players not to blame for Oman football’s poor show I feel sorry to say that Oman stands no chance of passing the first round of AFC Asian Cup Australia 2015, but I don’t blame the players. Oman’s performance under the guidance and coaching of Macala was better and the team

looked promising. Oman’s team is good and the players are more than capable of performing better.

However, there are some people at the helms of the affairs of Oman football who are simply clueless and know little about how to improve the game and performance of the players. This is why Oman football is languishing.

Aziza Al Busaidy Dubai

Will India put up a fight in the ODI against Australia?

After a near washout in the Test series against Australia we hope Dhoni’s boys will be able to put up some fight in the ODI series. I hope Dhoni himself will prove his worth as the ODI captain.

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)

T I M E S OF OMAN

M ONDAY, JANUARY 12, 2015

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PERSPEC IVE Should the right to freedom France, the of speech be just absolute? real crucible M

y old boss M J Akbar had only one commandment in journalism so far as I remember. This was (and I am paraphrasing him): write whatever you want about any subject, but never make fun of religion.

I am not sure whether this was said because he wanted his newspapers to show respect for religion or he wanted to avoid the trouble that usually comes when religion is ridiculed in our parts. Perhaps, it was both.

Writing in Business Standard about the attack on the French weekly Charlie Hebdo, T N Ninan wrote that: “Many societies, especially those who are a part of the Western Enlightenment, admit to few if any limits on the right to free speech — including the right to offend. Free speech was included in the ‘Declaration on the Rights of Man’ during the French Revolution as ‘one of the most precious’ rights of man.”

However, he added, “In the broad tradition of Sarva Dharm Samabhav (equality of all religions), it is pretty much inconceivable that any Indian publication would publish a cartoon in the full knowledge that it would cause offence to millions.” Yes, and even if an adventurous editor were to be so inclined, he would probably desist because of the trouble it would bring. Not just the violence and the threats but also the legal problems.

India has a troubled tryst with free speech and even the great Jawaharlal Nehru was unsure of how to approach this fundamental freedom. Article 19 (1) (a) of the Indian Constitution guaranteed free speech to Indians on January 26, 1950.

Fifteen months later, Nehru backed down from this guarantee and imposed restrictions. Half a dozen laws restrict freedom of speech in India. Many of these are strange.

Ninan adds in his piece that “India has a more nuanced approach; the right to free speech is a fundamental but not an absolute right; the Constitution limits it on grounds of ‘public order’ as well as ‘decency and morality’, all of which are elastic terms.

Why, even writing that could affect relations with friendly countries is debarred.

Apart from the issue of principle, there is the practical difficulty that there is no approved list of friendly and unfriendly countries.”

There are specific laws we have on provoking religious violence, promoting enmity, insulting a religion and wounding re-

AAKAR PATEL

For journalists, who are in the frontline of the free speech debate, it is not easy to see the issue in black and white. I did not know that Charlie Hebdo had fired one of its journalists for anti-Semitism

ligious feelings. But these laws aren’t new.

Our laws curbing free speech were drafted in 1837. When he was only 33, Thomas Macaulay began producing the Indian Penal Code. It has continued in more or less the same form for 175 years. It shows what a remarkably unchanging culture we are despite living amid the trappings of modernity.

The code, a colonial set of laws, remains in force in free India. This is because an Englishman accurately assessed us, and predicted our behaviour and our reaction to external stimulus. This makes Macaulay a very great man. He could tell with confidence in 1837 how many of us would go bestial in 1984 and 1993 and 2002. The Indian Constitution made great and universal promises, but then succumbed to the reality of India’s communal violence.

For journalists, who are in the frontline of the free speech debate, it is not easy to see the issue in black and white.

I did not know that Charlie Hebdo had fired one of its journalists for anti-Semitism. I was surprised to know this had happened, given how enthusiastic the magazine was about attacking other faiths.

The Daily Telegraph reported in 2009 that ”Maurice Sinet, 80, who works under the pen name Sine, faces charges of ‘inciting racial hatred’ for a column he wrote last July in the satirical weekly Charlie Hebdo.

The piece sparked a summer slanging match among the Parisian intelligentsia and ended in his dismissal from the magazine. ““L’affaire Sine” followed the engagement of Sarkozy, 22, to Jessica Sebaoun-Darty, the Jewish heiress of an electronic goods chain.

Commenting on an unfounded rumour that the president’s son planned to convert to Judaism, Sine quipped: “He’ll go a long way in life, that little lad.” “A high-profile political commentator slammed the column as linking prejudice about Jews and social success.

Charlie Hebdo’s editor, Philippe Val, asked Sinet to apologise but he refused, exclaiming: “I’d rather cut my testicles off.”

“Val’s decision to fire Sine was backed by a group of eminent intellectuals, including the philosopher Bernard-Henry Levy, but parts of the libertarian Left defended him, citing the right to free speech.”

It might seem as a clear case of hypocrisy, but, like all of us, Charlie Hebdo also had its doubts about free speech. - The Express Tribune

Castles in the air evidently win votes MEMPHIS BARKER

I

might be a target voter for the Green Party. If not, I probably should be. I worry about the environment and jot down frightening facts on inequality. I’ve voted for them before. On some of the “big issues” — energy, drugs, housing, asylum — the Greens’ bait is one I’d take gladly. And yet…

Castles in the air evidently win votes. The Ukip utopia — where nurses recite Mary Poppins, and Britain can stay “Great” while leaving the EU — has 15 per cent of the population queuing up to join. It’s right-wing balderdash.

The door leads nowhere. But it works. And though the Greens look and sound very different from Farage, they have started to quack a bit like him. The reward is a jump in the polls; rumblings, even, that Russell Brand would be a Green voter if he only settled down a bit.

Greens’ utopia would be a thousand times more pleasant than Ukip’s but the problem is, it’s also a utopia. Ergo if someone snapped their fingers and tried to make it so, as many people might be pulled down as pushed up.

It’s hard not to spit where the Greens spit: at exploitative corporations, the growth of poverty in Britain, the destruction of the environment, the lack of social homes, the burden of student debt forced on the young. But their central economic policy idea is a pear to Ukip’s fantasy pickle — a Citizens’ Income for all the population, regardless of means, that will “act as a safety net to enable people to choose their own types and patterns of work”. That stands as much chance of success as mankind does of morphing into the Eloi of H. G. Wells’ The Time Machine — the chinless, hairless race whom total comfort has turned into sub-human dribblers.

In the meantime, the Party has called for a minimum wage set at £10 by 2020. Which also comes from the right place but ends up in the wrong one. More than miserliness keeps the level of the minimum wage set by the technocrats of the Low Pay Commission, not party politicians.

Increase the level too much, and employment falls. People lose jobs or don’t find them. Poor gov-

ernment, you could see it as, jobs being what, if anything, makes the world go around. That shouldn’t sound like a Conservative thing to say because somewhere around there lies the centre ground.

This isn’t to say their influence on Westminster is necessarily a doltish one; if the Green surge pulls mainstream politics to the left, at least Farage will have competition for the role of Pied Piper, and the direction taken will be a kinder one.

A lot of their policies match the progressive with the possible. My grouse is with the promise of a future that lies beyond the power of boring, snoring politics to realise, without bringing living standards down left, right and centre. And thereby ensuring the experiment is short-lived.

Lily Cole hinted at a vote for the Greens in an interview with this week’s Radio Times. The supermodel now runs a sparsely populated social network that aims to conjure up a “gift economy”, called impossible.com.

A good match, if it’s not too unkind to say so. - The Independent

of Europe ROSS DOUTHAT

T

he France that endured a vicious terrorist attack last week is a France that has suffered, for decades and centuries, from anxieties about its own decline.

And for good reason: Since the 18th century, when it bestrode Europe and seemed poised to dominate the globe, France has seen its relative power diminish, suffering defeats and humiliations at the hands of rival forces, from Britain’s navies to Germany’s jackboots to the invading might of American popular culture.

Now these longstanding anxieties have been thrown into relief by the murderous attack on the satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo, an attack linked to all the various spectres haunting contemporary France: fears of creeping religious bigotry and rising anti-Semitism, fears of the far right’s growing power and anti-minority backlash — and all of it bound up in a larger sense, amid economic stagnation, of betrayal at the hands of the continent’s elite.

But notwithstanding these declinist fears, France isn’t actually irrelevant or spent.

Instead, it’s arguably becoming more important, more central to the fate of Europe and the West.

No, the age of the Sun King isn’t about to return. But politically, culturally, even intellectually, events in France over the next half-century could matter more than at any point since before the two world wars.

Indeed, more than Germany or Greece or Britain or any other actor, it’s in France that the fate of 21st-century Europe could ultimately be decided.

Consider the specific issue at the heart of the Hebdo nightmare: the question of whether European nationstates can successfully integrate immigrants, and what will happen if they don’t.

Here France looks like the crucial test case. It has the largest religious minority population of any major European country, and parts of that population are more assimilated and others far more radicalised than elsewhere on the continent.

Not surprisingly, their response to religion is divided as well: minorities are regarded more favourably in France than elsewhere in Western Europe, and yet French politics features an increasingly potent far-right party, Marine Le Pen’s National Front, whose electoral clout is now likely to increase.

Meanwhile, France’s foreign policy has distinctive (often military) entanglements across Northern Africa and the Levant, which means the ripples from French domestic politics have more room to spread and then return.

So if there’s a path to greater assimilation and inclusion, it’s more likely to be pioneered in France.

If radicalism is going to gain ground or mutate into something more pervasive and dangerous, it’s also more likely to happen in France’s sphere of influence than elsewhere.

And if Europe’s muchfeared far right is going to complete its journey from the fringe to the mainstream, it will probably happen first in Paris.

French politics is likewise central to the fate of the wider European Union project, which is in crisis at the moment because of the gulf between Germany’s interests and the interests of the EU periphery, Greece and Italy and Spain. But that gulf means that the Germans, however economically dominant, cannot hold the union together on their own.

Instead it’s France, for reasons of history and culture as well as geography, that has to bridge the divide between Europe’s north and south and make the EU work politically.

Unless, of course, the French gradually and fatefully choose not to, in which case the entire project will fall apart or be completely reconceived.

Either way, France’s star may rise as Germany’s descends. Demography, the source of so much Gallic anxiety in the past, suddenly has turned in France’s favor: The Germans are rich but aging, whereas even amid economic drift the French birthrate has risen sharply.

By the 2050s, under some scenarios, France could once again have the larger economy and population — making it either dominant in a more integrated Europe, or the most important power on a continent more divided than today.

France has always been a country of extremes — absolutist and republican, Catholic and anticlerical, Communist and fascist.

Now it’s once again the place where strong forces are colliding, and where the culture’s uncertainties — about religion, secularism, nationalism, Europe; about modernity itself — suggest that new ones might soon be born.

The decline has been real, but the future is unwritten. If there is real history yet to be made in Europe, for good or ill, it might be made first in la belle France. - The New York Times News Service

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“All Gulf Air aircraft IT systems and applications rolled over into the new millennium smoothly,” according a press note from the airliner yesterday. “The investment has been worthwhile, and we now have a much improved IT infrastructure, which means better service allowing us to meet and exceed the needs of our customers both quickly and efficiently,” it said.

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JAPAN: Japanese Ground Self Defence Forces’ airborne troop personnel parachute from a transport

plane during a new year exercise in Narashino, Chiba prefecture on Sunday. Some 500 personnel, 30 aircraft and helicopters took part in the open exercise at the defence forces Narashino training ground. – AFP

SPAIN: People take part in a demonstration called by Sare, a citizens’ network against dispersion of Basque prisoners, in the northern Spanish Basque city of Bilbao on Saturday. – AFP

PANAMA: A woman wears golden jewellery, part of the traditional clothing known as ‘Pollera’, before the annual Thousand Polleras parade in Las Tablas, in the province of Los Santos, Panama, on Saturday. According to local residents, the Pollera dates back to the 18th century and was worn by the Spanish lower classes. Today, it has become the Panamanian national costume. The dress is made entirely by hand and the jewellery worn is pure gold and worth thousands of dollars. – Reuters

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M ONDAY, JANUARY 12, 2015 Farmers are the worst sufferers. Their vegetables are rotting on the fields Kazi Akramuddin Ahmed, President of the Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry

WORLD

Rajapaksa accused of planning to stage coup Former president Mahinda Rajapaksa had in fact tried to persuade the army and police chiefs to help him stay in office with the use of force, said a top aide to President Maithripala Sirisena

COLOMBO: Sri Lanka’s new government on Sunday accused toppled former president Mahinda Rajapaksa of having tried to stage a coup to cling to power after losing last week’s presidential election.

Rajapaksa, South Asia’s longestserving leader before losing last Thursday’s polls, had been widely praised for conceding defeat to Maithripala Sirisena before the final results had been announced.

But a top aide to Sirisena told reporters that Rajapaksa had in fact tried to persuade the army and police chiefs to help him stay in office with the use of force.

Peaceful transition “People think it was a peaceful transition. It was anything but,” Mangala Samaraweera, who is expected to be named as Sirisena’s foreign minister, told a press conference.

“The first thing the new cabinet will investigate is the coup and conspiracy by president Rajapaksa.

“He stepped down only when the army chief and the police Inspec-

IN SEAT: New Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena gestures to supporters in the central town of Kandy on Sunday. – AFP

tor General (N.K. Illangakoon) refused to go along with him.”

Illangakoon was “very vocal and did not want to be a party to this coup” while army chief Daya Ratnayake also refused to deploy troops for Rajapaksa to seize power, said Samaraweera. The attorney general’s department had also warned that there would be “dangerous consequences”, he said.

Samaraweera said diplomatic pressure had in addition been brought to bear on Rajapaksa, who came in for international criticism during his near-decade in office over his administration’s human rights record. Critics also accused him of increasing authoritarianism and a culture of nepotism and corruption. “Some world leaders also spoke with president Rajapaksa and prevailed on him to ensure a peaceful transition,” Samaraweera said. “I don’t know who had spoken (to him), but we know some leaders did talk to him.”

US Secretary of State John

Kerry and even Sirisena himself had thanked Rajapaksa for quitting in the early hours of Friday, after his defeat in an election he had seemed certain to win when he called it in November.

The head of the army was not immediately available for comment. But military spokesman Ruwan Wanigasooriya said he was “not aware of such a coup attempt”.

Samaraweera said it was important for the new administration to disclose what had happened while results were being released, and an independent investigation probe would be a priority.

In an address to the nation, Sirisena appealed for a government of national unity to carry out the political and economic reforms he promised in his election campaign.

The new president wants to establish independent commissions to run the police, the public service and the judiciary and to transfer many of his executive powers to parliament. “I hope all the par-

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ties will accept my invitation and join hands to ensure good governance, rule of law and carry out the reforms we have promised to improve the quality of life for our people,” he said from the historic hill city of Kandy.

The president invited all parties to join his cabinet, which is expected to be finalised by January 19 when parliament will open.

He reiterated a call to normalise relations with Western nations and neighbouring India.

Another top lieutenant said Sirisena had already received the backing of more than 40 lawmakers previously loyal to Rajapaksa, virtually assuring approval for his programme of radical constitutional reforms.

“We now have more than we need in parliament,” Rajitha Senaratne said.

Sirisena previously had the backing of 89 lawmakers and needed another 24 for a simple majority in the 225-member house. — AFP

OPPOSITION’S PROTEST

Transport blockade hits Bangladesh economy hard DHAKA: A rolling transport blockade organised by the opposition is taking a huge toll on Bangladesh’s economy, with the vital garment industry hit particularly hard, a business leader warned on Sunday.

Opposition leader Khaleda Zia called the open-ended blockade of roads, railways and waterways after she was confined to her office by police on January 3 while trying to mobilise anti-government protests.

In the nine days that Zia has been locked in her office, supporters of her Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) have taken to the streets in their hundreds, torching vehicles and even derailing trains by removing tracks.

The country’s top business chamber said the transport sector alone had been losing $26 million (two billion taka) a day since the blockade began, with at least 200,000 buses and lorries kept off the road for fear of attacks. “The disruption in the transport sector has created immense troubles for the passengers and also hampered supply of goods,” said Kazi Akramuddin Ahmed, president of the Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry.

“Farmers are the worst sufferers. Their vegetables are rotting on the fields,” he said, adding they were “deeply concerned” at the worsening political crisis.

Zia leads a 20-party opposition alliance which boycotted a general election last year on the grounds it would be rigged. She has said the blockade will continue until Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina agrees to new polls organised by a caretaker government.

At least 162 buses, lorries and cars have been torched while hundreds more have been damaged. Train schedules have also gone haywire after several major services were derailed, leaving at least 50 people injured.

Top business chamber said the transport sector alone had been losing $26 million a day since the blockade began , with at least 200,000 buses and lorries kept off the road for fear of attacks

On Sunday one person died in a hospital in Dhaka after he was firebombed on a bus, police said, bringing the toll in the unrest to nine. At least 250 people have been injured, including 86 policemen. Authorities have provided guards for buses and lorries carrying shipments to the ports.

The paramilitary Border Guard Bangladesh has said it alone has provided security to some 3,000 buses and trucks.

Ahmed said garment manufacturers, who account for 80 percent of the country’s $27.3 billion annual exports, fear the worst since a prolonged blockade could prompt Western retailers to divert orders to other nations.

“The impact has not been visible yet, but the supply chain has been disrupted and naturally garment sector won’t be immune from the fallout,” he said.

Bangladesh is the world’s second largest garment exporter after China. The sector provides jobs for four million people, mostly women, and has spurred economic growth to over six percent a year in the last decade. — AFP

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‘Sea of humanity’ on Paris streets signals defiance of terror attacks used more than five million times.

Europe will “win the challenge against terrorism,” pledged the Italian leader.

US President Barack Obama was represented by Attorney General Eric Holder, who took part in an emergency meeting of interior ministers to discuss the threats from extremism.

A sea of humanity flowed through Paris’ iconic streets, breaking into applause

Strengthening of borders The ministers urged a strengthening of the EU external borders to limit the movement of extremists returning to Europe from the Middle East and said there was an “urgent need” to share European air passenger information.

Speaking on a visit to India, US Secretary of State John Kerry said: “We stand together this morning with the people of France. We stand together not just in anger and outrage but in solidarity and commitment in confronting extremists.”

Hollande has warned his grieving country not to drop its guard in the face of possible new attacks.

Ahead of the march, he met representatives from the Jewish community who said authorities had agreed to even deploy soldiers to protect Jewish schools and synagogues “if necessary.”

and spontaneous renditions of the national anthem, as a shell-shocked France mourned the victims of three days of bloody violence

PARIS: Hundreds of thousands of people and dozens of world leaders marched together through Paris on Sunday in a historic show of solidarity and defiance after terrorist attacks in the French capital that claimed 17 lives.

French President Francois Hollande and leaders including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas marched at the front of the mammoth procession, which began near where gunmen killed 12 people at satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo.

A sea of humanity flowed through Paris’ iconic streets, breaking into applause and spontaneous renditions of the national anthem, as a shell-shocked France mourned the victims of three days of bloody violence.

“Charlie! Charlie!” chanted the vast crowd, in honour of the cartoonists and journalists killed at ‘Charlie Hebdo’.

ALL FOR FRANCE: Citizens carrying a banner which reads, ‘We’re all French today’ take part in a solidarity march (Marche Republicaine) in the streets of Paris, on Sunday. — Reuters

Emotions ran high in the grieving City of Light, with many of those marching bursting into tears as they came together under the banner of freedom of speech and liberty after France’s worst terrorist bloodbath in more than half a century. Lassina Traore, a 34-yearold French-born Muslim from the Ivory Coast, said the march is “a real sign of how strong France is. It shows that France is strong when she is united against these people.”

Netanyahu and Abbas’ presence was a stark demonstration of such unity, as they honoured vic-

tims that included a Muslim police officer. The leaders observed a minute’s silence as the march got underway.

Came with families On the streets, many came with their families. Jean-Alain said he brought his seven-year-old son Alessandro with him “so it’s more concrete for him, so that he can see that we all think the same thing.”

“The people who pick up a gun and kill people are cowards,” the 39-year-old gently explained to his boy.

“I want to show that we’re not scared of the extremists. I want to defend freedom of expression,” said 70-year-old Jacqueline SaadRouana. The families of those who died in the shootings led the march, alongside heads of state and royalty.

Security in the French capital was beefed up, with police snipers stationed on rooftops and plainclothes officers among the crowd in a city still reeling from the extremist attacks.

“Today, Paris is the capital of the world,” Hollande said. “The entire

country will rise up,” he told ministers before the march.

Challenge Jordan’s King Abdullah II and Queen Rania were present alongside a host of top European leaders, including German Chancellor Angela Merkel and British Prime Minister David Cameron.

Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi pledged that Europe “will win the challenge against terrorism”. Earlier he had tweeted using the hashtag #jesuischarlie (I am Charlie), which has already been

Wave of attacks The rampage by three gunmen who claimed to be members of the Al Qaeda and IS extremist groups was followed by a chilling new threat from the Yemen-based AlQaeda in the Arabian Peninsula.

AQAP top official Harith Al Nadhari warned France to “stop your aggression against the Muslims” or face further attacks, in comments released by the SITE monitoring group.

German newspaper Bild said the bloodshed in France could signal the start of a wave of attacks in Europe, citing communications

by IS leaders intercepted by US intelligence. — AFP

R E V E N G E AT TA C K

German tabloid firebombed after ‘Charlie Hebdo’ tribute BERLIN: A German tabloid that paid tribute to those killed at Charlie Hebdo by reprinting cartoons from the French satirical paper was firebombed on Sunday, police said.

With security services on high alert after an extremist killing spree in Paris, police in the northern German port city of Hamburg said no one was at the headquarters of the regional daily Hamburger Morgenpost at the time of the attack, which caused only slight damage.

Hamburg police said it was “too soon” to tell whether there was a connection between the Charlie Hebdo tribute and the firebombing, which would be the first attack against the cartoons since Wednesday’s massacre of 12 people at the French weekly.

Rocks thrown “Rocks and then a burning object were thrown through the window,” a police spokesman said.

“Two rooms on lower floors were damaged but the fire was put out quickly.”

The Hamburger Morgenpost, known locally as the MOPO, had splashed the Charlie Hebdo cartoons on its front page after the massacre at the Paris publication with the headline “This much freedom must be possible!”.

Police said the attack had occurred at about 0120 GMT and that two men, aged 35 and 39, seen acting suspiciously near the scene were detained and are being questioned.

Thick smoke The newspaper, which has a circulation of around 91,000, offered regular updates on the firebombing on its website.

“Thick smoke is still hanging in the air, the police are looking for clues,” it said in its initial story, under the headline “Arson attack on the MOPO — Due to the ‘Charlie Hebdo’ cartoons?”.

Later on Sunday it had removed any reference to Charlie Hebdo but quoted the regional representative body for the media as calling the attack a “cowardly

UNDER ASSAULT: Burnt and damaged files piled up in the editorial office’s courtyard of German regional newspaper ‘Hamburger Morgenpost’ in Hamburg, Germany, on Sunday after an arson attack. — AFP/DPA/Bodo Marks

and insidious act of terror against press freedom”.

Editor-in-chief Frank Niggemeier said in a statement said his team was “shocked that something like this could happen in a cosmopolitan and liberal city like Hamburg”.

He declined to speculate about a motive and said the Monday edition would go to press as planned.

Hamburg is Germany’s second city, with a population of around 2.4 million.

Meanwhile, also on Sunday the offices of a Belgian newspaper that published the cartoons were evacuated after it received an anonymous bomb threat, its staff said.

Heightened tensions The Hamburg firebombing comes at a time of heightened tensions over the rise of a new anti-Muslim movement in Germany.

The right-wing populist group, “Patriotic Europeans Against the Islamisation of the Occident”(PEGIDA), has called for its 12th weekly march in the eastern city of Dresden Monday to be dedicated to “the victims of terrorism in Paris”.

Justice Minister Heiko Maas accused the group of trying to exploit the killings and urged it to call off its rally.

“The victims do not deserve to be misused by rabble-rousers like these,” he told the daily Bild.

On Saturday about 35,000 people, organisers said, took to the streets in Dresden against PEGIDA. And several Muslim groups have called a silent march in Berlin on Monday to denounce violence and call for social cohesion.

Chancellor Angela Merkel, who was in Paris Sunday for a massive march for the victims, on Saturday addressed members of her party in Hamburg.

‘Reason for concern’ She stressed the need for the exchange of security intelligence among Europe’s secret services, particularly between members of the Schengen passport-free zone.

Thomas de Maiziere of Germany told DPA news agency the Hamburg attack showed “that we have reason to be concerned and on alert” but he urged caution in assigning blame until the probe was completed.

Hamburg’s extremist scene came to global attention in 2001 when it emerged that three of the suicide hijackers from the September 11 attacks on the United States, including ringleader Mohammed Atta, had lived and studied in the city. — AFP

B

WWW.TIMESOFOMAN.COM M ON DAY, JAN UARY 12, 2015

MARKE

OIL PRODUCTION EDGES UP IN DECEMBER LAST YEAR Oman’s crude oil and condensates production in December 2014 rose 1.15 per cent to 28.89 million barrels, an average of 932,096 barrels per day. >B3

‘Localisation of railways vital for long-term development’ would be possible only if certain agreements and arrangements are made between the Gulf countries.

The localisation of this industry will help

Localised manufacturing unit

create more job opportunities for the locals

He said that one option is the establishment of a common integrated localised manufacturing unit for the procurement of the main components instead of building individual units in each country and then taking on a collective commitment to use the services and products of that unit.

and will benefit all industries, including the small and medium enterprises, said a senior OCCI executive

MUSCAT: Oman has joined calls by other Gulf countries for the localisation of the railway industry both in terms of know-how and manufacture, with an expert saying that the key to attract locals to this sector is ‘respect’.

development of the country as it will help create more job opportunities for the locals and will benefit all industries including small and medium enterprises,” Mohammed Hassan Al Ansi, a senior official in charge of logistics and transportation affairs at the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI), told Times of Oman.

“Localisation of this industry will contribute greatly to the long-term

He was speaking on the sidelines of the two-day Gulf Coopera-

ELHAM POURMOHAMMADI

elham@timesofoman.com

Mohammed Hassan Al Ansi, senior official, OCCI

Sir Charles Shaw, a representative of Pearson TQ

tion Council (GCC) Rail and Metro Conference 2015, which kicked off at Al Bustan Palace Hotel on Sunday under the theme of ‘A vision for sustainable development.’

During a panel discussion, officials from Saudi Arabia highlighted the necessity of acquiring

the know-how to operate the upcoming rail and metro networks in the GCC and manufacture the required components.

Eng. Mohamed Khaled Al Suwaiket, general president of Saudi Railways Organisation (SRO), said that localisation of the rail sector

Al Suwaiket also noted that coordination between the GCC countries would help facilitate the exchange of knowledge and expertise.

“Localisation of jobs is as important as the implementation of the project,” the official said, adding that Saudi Arabia is ready to share its expertise in this field with other Gulf nations.

DrRumaih Al Rumaih, chief executive officer of Saudi Railway Company (SAR), also emphasised

the necessity of training locals and briefed the participants on the company’s pioneering initiative that led to the establishment of a specialised technical institute to train locals for the operation and maintenance of Saudi railways according to international standards.

Sir Charles Shaw, a representative of Pearson TQ, the leading training and educational company in the world, said that the company is running Saudi Arabia’s rail college and Oman, like Saudi, needs to focus on developing effective and international quality employees.

The key to attracting the locals to join the railway sector and accept to take up jobs even at lower positions is ‘respect’, said the official.

“Some locals may not have academic degrees but are practically good. So these are the people that we should focus on,” he further noted, adding that this can pave the way for their academic development as well. >B4

B2

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PERFORMANCE

OPEC

Maduro in Saudi for oil crisis talks

Oman Cables net profit rises Times News Service

CARACAS: Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has arrived in Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries’ (Opec) leading oil producer Saudi Arabia, state media reported yesterday, after he visited Iran to discuss the impact of plummeting crude prices.

Maduro landed on Saturday in Riyadh where Deputy Crown Prince Moqren bin Abdul Aziz received him, the Saudi Press Agency said. “The Venezuelan president was accompanied by a number of ministers,” it said, giving no further details.

Saudi Arabia is the world’s

largest crude exporter and the biggest producer in the 12-member Opec, to which Venezuela and Iran also belong.

While Saudi Arabia says it is financially strong enough to withstand the drop in world oil prices, which fell about 50 per cent last year, the budgets of Venezuela and Iran are under strain.

Venezuela has said it is willing to cut production to support prices but Opec decided in November to maintain an output ceiling of 30 million barrels per day.

The decision intensified the price slide that began in the middle of the year. - AFP

MUSCAT: Oman Cables Industry, the largest power cable manufacturer in Oman, on Sunday reported a consolidated net profit (attributable to equity holders) of OMR17.72 million for 2014 as compared to OMR16.89 million for the previous year, registering an increase of 4.9 per cent.

The revenues of the group stood at OMR303.15 million for the year ended December, 2014 compared to OMR306.06 million reported for 2013, showing a marginal drop of 1 per cent, according to a disclosure statement posted on Muscat Securitie Market website.

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Greek exit could trigger break-up The amount Athens owes its partners is equivalent to just a tiny fraction of the eurozone’s economy, but analysts are still worried that a ‘Grexit’ could cost Europe its single currency

BRUSSELS: A Greek exit from the eurozone would certainly come at a cost to Europe, but just how expensive would it be?

The amount Athens owes its partners is equivalent to just a tiny fraction of the eurozone’s economy, but some analysts are still worried that a ‘Grexit’ could ultimately cost Europe its single currency.

Global markets plunged at the beginning of last week, seized by a fresh bout of fears that Greece may be forced to leave the euro.

A snap election in Greece on January 25 could bring to power the far-left Syriza party, which wants to abandon the austerity policy imposed by the European Union (EU) and International Monetary Fund (IMF) as part of the country’s €240-billion ($282 billion) international bailout.

The market selloff was triggered by media reports indicating that if a new government in Athens reversed course, Germany was ready to let Greece leave the European club of common currency users. Most analysts doubt it would come to that, but if it did Athens would be hard pressed to repay its bailout loans and would likely default.

“A Greek default on its around €240 billion in rescue loans would send another shock wave to the (euro) area,” said Guy Verhofstadt, president of the liberal ALDE group in the European Parliament. Germany stands to lose the most if Greece fails to pay up: some €56.5 billion according to

AT A GLANCE

A snap poll in Greece could bring to power the far-left Syriza party, which wants to abandon the austerity policy imposed by EU and IMF as part of €240 billion bailout

Germany stands to lose the most if Greece fails to pay up some €56.5 billion

The €195 billion that Greece owes its partners is equivalent to just four per cent of 2013 eurozone government spending

calculations by Eric Dor, director of economics research at France’s IESEG School of Management, based on EU data. That works out to €699 per resident. For France the total cost comes to over €42.4 billion, or €644 per resident.

For Italy the cost would be €37.3 billion, Spain €24.8 billion, the Netherlands €11.9 billion, Belgium €7.2 billion, Austria €5.8 billion, €Portugal 1.1 billion and Ireland €300 million.

Eurozone lenders While the headline numbers are huge, they are minuscule in comparison to the eurozone economy.

The €195 billion that Greece owes its partners is equivalent to just four per cent of 2013 eurozone government spending. Moreover, the loans were scheduled to be repaid over many years.

And eurozone banks, which were once considerably exposed to Greece, are no longer so.

JPMorganCazenove recently calculated that the eurozone lenders it covers have only about €5 billion in exposure to Greece.

Financial stampede Another cost of a Grexit how-

ever would be the uncertainty it would spark in a eurozone economy that has already nearly stalled, and could exact a very high price.

“The biggest worry is about a financial stampede” to get out of Europe, said Thomas Grjebine, an economist at the CEPII international economics institute.

“If investors are not reassured that the eurozone is really solid there could be an increase in interest rates, which are currently very low, and thus borrowing costs,” he said. A rise in the cost of credit and drop in investment would pull the rug out from under efforts to revive eurozone growth.

Analysts are divided over whether a Grexit could be contained or if it would it lead to a break-up of the eurozone.

Some see Europe as being far better prepared to handle a Grexit thanks to the creation of a €500-billion bailout fund. - AFP

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DISINVESTMENT

No plans to sell music publishing business: Sony LOS ANGELES: Sony has no plans to sell the music publishing business that controls rights to songs from the Beatles and Taylor Swift, as was suggested by leaked e-mails, Sony Entertainment chief executive officer Michael Lynton said.

Sony’s music-publishing business, the largest in the world, has a catalog of more than 2 million songs. Music publishers collect songwriting royalties from album sales, use on televison and other performances.

E-mails and documents released in the cyber-attack on Sony mentioned a ‘top secret’ plan to sell the music publishing business because it had few growth prospects, it has been reported last month.

Top management at Tokyobased Sony was concerned about the complex ownership and governance of the business. In a January 8 interview, Lynton said a sale isn’t under consideration.

Music revenue Music publishing accounts for 14 per cent of Sony’s music revenue, with recorded music generating the larger part. The business includes Sony/ATV Music Publishing, a joint venture with the estate of Michael Jackson, and EMI Music Publishing, in which Sony has a 30 per cent stake.

Sony/ATV chief executive officer Martin Bandier said in a memo to staff on January 9 that he’s been advised by Sony that the venture isn’t for sale, the New York Post reported. Sony/ ATV was established in 1995 in

partnership with Jackson, who had acquired rights to the Beatles songs a decade earlier.

Sony’s partners In 2012, Sony paid $2.2 billion for the larger EMI Music Publishing, along with investors including Jackson’s estate, Blackstone’s GSO Capital Partners, entertainment mogul David Geffen and Mubadala Development, owned by the Abu Dhabi government.

Sony/ATV administers EMI on behalf of the investors.

The combined Sony publishing business represents stars from Bruce Springsteen to Lady Gaga and songs including New York, New York, Jailhouse Rock and I Heard It Through the Grapevine.

Sony and Jackson’s estate each own half of Sony/ATV, which contains more than 750,000 songs, according to a 2012 press release. EMI Music Publishing has 1.3 million songs in its catalog. - Bloomberg News

M ONDAY, JANUARY 12, 2015

B3

MARKET OIL OUTPUT

Oman’s crude oil production increases in December

MARGINAL RISE: The Sultanate’s crude oil and condensate production in December 2014 amounted to 28,894,980 barrels, an average of 932,096 barrels per day.– File picture

MUSCAT: The Sultanate’s crude oil and condensate production in December 2014 amounted to 28,894,980 barrels, an average of 932,096 barrels a day (bpd), a rise by 1.15 per cent compared to November 2014 when calculating the daily average.

The monthly report by the Ministry of Oil and Gas said that the total exported crude oil in December 2014 amounted to 23,999,859 barrels, an average of 774,189 bpd, and a 3.45 per cent decline in comparison to November 2014 when calculating the daily average.

The Asian markets, as usual, have the biggest share of the Oman’s oil exports.

China still tops the list of Oman’s

crude oil importers in December 2014 with 83.98 per cent. The percentage of the imported quantities

by Taiwan hit 8.23 per cent, a decline by 12.45 per cent.

Imports dip Meanwhile, the imported quantities by Thailand, Sri Lanka and Tanzania declined marginally. However, they remained at low levels. The average price for American crude oil in New York Mercantile Exchange in December 2014 amounted to $59.72 per barrel, indicating a $16.09 decline compared to the trading of the November 2014.

The North Sea (Brent) basket in ICE in London averaged $63.53

ACWA Power signs water purchase pact Agreement with Oman Power and Water Procurement Company has been signed for the expansion of its existing water desalination capacity by 12.5 MIGD

Times News Service MUSCAT: ACWA Power Barka has signed a water purchase agreement with Oman Power and Water Procurement Company and other project agreements for the expansion of its existing water desalination capacity by 12.5 MIGD (56,825 cubic metres per day), which is the second phase of expansion.

A usufruct agreement for the use of the project land will be signed between the company and Ministry of Housing. The water connection agreement will be signed between the company and the Public Authority for Electricity and Water, according to a disclosure statement posted on MSM website.

The second phase expansion is an independent water project

to be developed on a build, own, operate basis and will be located at Barka, 65 kilometres north of Muscat. The expansion project will be constructed adjacent to the company’s existing plant and will benefit from its synergies.

Financing the project The additional water capacity produced by the expansion project will help in meeting the projected shortfall in the Sultanate’s water desalination production capacity and the steadily increasing annual demand for potable water.

The board of directors at the meeting held on December 15, has approved the company entering into the project agreements required for the second phase expansion project, obtaining a loan to finance the project and entering into a supplemental opera-

Additional water capacity produced by the expansion project will help in meeting the projected shortfall in Oman’s water desalination production capacity and the steadily increasing annual demand for potable water

tion and maintenance agreement with a related party to operate and maintain the expansion project.

The term of the water purchase agreement will effectively expire with the existing Power and Water Purchase Agreement. The second phase expansion will be funded by a syndicated loan from local financial institutions. Con-

AUTOMOTIVE

Volvo to sell Chinese-made cars in US this year BEIJING: Volvo Car plans to export a Chinese-made midsize sedan this year to the United States, and is starting to weigh the possibility of building a vehicle factory in the US. Both moves would be significant for the auto industry and Volvo’s parent, Zhejiang Geely Holding. So far, global automakers have chosen not to ship vehicles made in China to the US market in any significant num-

bers, and efforts by Chinese automakers to export vehicles to the United States have foundered.

Volvo is also behind rivals BMW and Mercedes in establishing production in the United States, which insulates the German brands from currency fluctuations.

Volvo might also export a large “strategic, flagship” sedan based on a newly developed underpinning technology, said the ex-

ecutives, who work for Zhejiang Geely. That car would be shipped out of China in addition to the Volvo S60L, a long wheelbase version of the S60 sedan Volvo began producing in the southwestern China city of Chengdu more than a year ago.

The moves are aimed at reviving Volvo’s momentum in the US market where volume last year fell 8 per cent from 2013 to 56,371 vehicles. - Reuters

sidering a challenging timeline of completion, construction of the expansion project has gained momentum from the date of signing of the agreements.

Three phases The company is targeting to complete this expansion and start water production in three phases beginning from the third quarter of 2015 with final commercial operation in the first quarter of 2016.

First National Company for Operation & Maintenance Services, a subsidiary of First National Company for Operation & Maintenance Services, is intended to be the O&M provider for the expansion and is the current O&M provider for the existing plant and 10 MIGD water expansion project (Phase I) of the company. The second phase expansion will be built according to Omani environmental regulations.

The company anticipates reasonable income generation from the second phase of water expansion for all shareholders.

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per barrel, comprising a decline by $16.33 compared to the trading of last month. The average Oman’s oil price in December 2014 delivery amounted to $86.96 per barrel; a sharp decline by $10.30 compared to delivery in November 2014.

The oil prices continued their decline this month amid traders’ worries due to the continuous decline from August till date. While there are certain times when prices improved, still the general trend continued moving downward.

The lowest price for Brent Mix was $57 — an indication that the five-year long upward movement of price shifted downward to create a new pricing framework that keeps pace with the latest develop-

ments in world oil and gas markets, the global economy, the complex geopolitical situations and Organiation of Petroleum Exporting Countries’ (Opec) stance towards the recent price movement.

DME Oman Oman oil price (February delivery 2015) stood at $61.01, thus it sharply declined to $17.23 compared to January delivery 2015.

The trading of Oman crude oil future contract on the Dubai Mercantile Exchange (DME Oman) witnessed a decline in price in the same month, as it has been the case with other crude oils due to the same factors. It averaged between $70.55 and $53.13 per barrel. - ONA

B4

MONDAY, JAN UA RY 12 , 2 015

MARKET

Stay ahead of the curve with WhatsNews

SCAN THIS TO INSTANTLY INSTALL WHATSNEWS

M U S C AT B OU R S E

MSM ends higher MUSCAT MUSCAT: Muscat bourse opened the week on a strong note and closed at 6,403.16 points, up by 2.39 per cent. MSM Sharia index closed at 970.93 points, up by 1.11 per cent.

Al Anwar Holding was the most active in terms of volume while Bank Muscat was the most active in terms of turnover. Bank Sohar, up by 8.84 per cent was the top gainer of the day while National Aluminium Products, down by 2.50 per cent, was the top loser of the day.

As many as 2,039 trades were executed during the day’s trading session generating turnover of OMR8.1 million with more than 30.1 million shares changing hands. Out of 51 traded stocks, 35 advanced, two declined and 14

remained unchanged. GCC and Arab Investors were net buyers for OMR635,000 followed by Omani investors for OMR371,000 while foreign investors were net sellers for OMR1.0 million worth of shares.

Financial Index was the best performing sector on Sunday and closed at 7,776.91 points, up by 2.63 per cent.

Industrial Index ended the day’s trading session at 8,540.63 points, up by 1.91 per cent.

Services Sector Index increased by 1.57 per cent to close at 3,505.57 points. OIFC, Ooredoo, Al Jazeera Services, Renaissance Services and Sembcorp Salalah increased. — United Securities

SECURITIES MARKET

INDICES Index .................................................High .................Low..................... Value ............... Prev . Value.......... Diff ...............Diff % MSM30 Index ........................................6,403.16 .............. 6,253.82 ................... 6,403.16 ...................6,253.55................149.61 ...................2.39 Financial Index ..................................... 7,776.91 ............... 7,579.65 .................... 7,776.91 ....................7,577.46............... 199.45 ................... 2.63 Industrial Index ................................... 8,540.64 .............. 8,380.60 ................... 8,540.63 ...................8,380.60............... 160.03 ................... 1.91 Services Index .......................................3,505.57 .............. 3,453.60 ................... 3,505.57 ................... 3,451.52................. 54.05 ................... 1.57 MSM SHARIAH INDEX.......................970.93 ..................960.82 ...................... 970.93 ......................960.24..................10.69 ....................1.11 Trading Summary Volume ................Turnover ..........Trades .............. Market Cap............. Up............Down ............. Equal .........Sec. Traded 30,157,608...................8,174,861 .................2,309 ...............14,608,360,760 ................35 ........................2 .................... 14 .........................51

SHARE PRICE BULLETIN FOR SUNDAY, JANUARY 11 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 .........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

OM0000003398 ...........BANK SOHAR................................................................ 2,566,244 .....601,242..................... 94 ............0.212 ...........0.236 ...........0.212........... 0.234 ............. 0.215.............0.019 ............. 8.837 ................0.231 ..............0.231...................0.236..................267,696,000........0.100 OM0000003521 ............GALFAR ENGINEERING AND CON. .................. 1,112,549....... 207,693..................... 84 ............0.182 ........... 0.189 ...........0.181 ............0.187 ............. 0.172.............0.015 ............. 8.721.................0.189 ..............0.188...................0.189...................49,296,708 .........0.100 OM0000001525 ............OMAN INVESTMENT AND FINANCE.............. 1,703,962 ......376,562................... 168 ............0.212 ...........0.227 ...........0.210........... 0.221 .............0.207 ............0.014 ............. 6.763 ................0.225..............0.225...................0.226 ................. 44,200,000 ........0.100 OM0000002614............ONIC. HOLDING .......................................................... 365,584 ..........131,267......................19 ........... 0.350 ...........0.360 ...........0.350........... 0.360 .............0.340 ........... 0.020............. 5.882 ................0.360..............0.360...................0.364 ..................62,432,370.........0.100 OM0000001681 ............OMAN AND EMIRATES INV. HOLDING........... 2,386,840 ..... 314,698...................149 ............0.129 ........... 0.135 ...........0.124........... 0.132 ............. 0.125............ 0.007............. 5.600 ................0.133 .............. 0.133...................0.134...................16,087,500 .........0.100 OM0000002820 ...........GULF INVESTMENT SERVICES ......................... 3,381,162 ...... 521,555................... 195 ............0.150 ........... 0.156 ...........0.150 ........... 0.154 .............0.146............ 0.008............. 5.479 ................0.156 .............. 0.155...................0.156.................... 9,061,855 ..........0.100 OM0000003661 ............VOLTAMP ENERGY ..................................................... 78,110 .............30,419......................15 ........... 0.370 ...........0.390 ...........0.370........... 0.390 .............0.370 ........... 0.020............. 5.405 ................0.390..............0.376...................0.388...................23,595,000.........0.100 OM0000002440 ...........AL SHARQIA INVESTMENT HOLDING ........... 3,241,691 ......463,393................... 211 ............0.138 ........... 0.147 ...........0.138 ........... 0.143 ............. 0.136............ 0.007............. 5.147 ................0.145 .............. 0.145...................0.146...................12,372,360 .........0.100 OM0000001772 ............AL ANWAR HOLDING............................................... 4,120,661 ..... 834,304...................302 ............0.197 ...........0.207 ...........0.194........... 0.202 ............. 0.193............ 0.009............. 4.663 ................0.204 ............ 0.204...................0.205 ..................26,361,000.........0.100 OM0000003968 ...........OOREDOO....................................................................... 194,925 ..........127,801.....................24 ........... 0.632 ...........0.660 ...........0.632........... 0.656 .............0.628 ........... 0.028............. 4.459 ................0.660..............0.660...................0.672.................. 427,019,415 ........0.100 OM0000001707 ............OMAN CABLES INDUSTRY.................................... 220,789 .........441,645..................... 36 ............1.915 ........... 2.105 ........... 1.915 ........... 2.000 ............. 1.915 .............0.085 ............. 4.439 ................2.000 ............ 2.000...................2.100..................179,400,000........0.100 OM0000001517 ............HSBC BANK OMAN .......................................................57,016 ...............8,267........................5 ............0.145 ........... 0.145 ...........0.145 ............0.145 ............. 0.139............ 0.006............. 4.317 ................0.145 ..............0.140...................0.145..................290,045,355 .......0.100 OM0000001087............OMAN UNITED INSURANCE ............................... 775,406 ..........217,963..................... 77 ........... 0.272 ...........0.289 ...........0.272........... 0.281 .............0.270 ............0.011 ............. 4.074 ................0.289..............0.287...................0.289 ..................28,100,000.........0.100 OM0000002226 ...........AL JAZEERA SERVICES .......................................... 215,044 ........... 66,666..................... 35 ............0.310 ........... 0.312 ...........0.310........... 0.310 .............0.298 ............0.012 .............4.027 ................0.310 ..............0.308...................0.310...................18,973,325 .........0.100 OM0000001962............AL MADINA INVESTMENT ................................... 375,761 .............27,050......................19 ........... 0.070 ........... 0.073 ...........0.070........... 0.072 .............0.070 ........... 0.002............. 2.857 ................0.072.............. 0.071...................0.072...................14,914,900 .........0.100 OM0000003224 ...........RENAISSANCE SERVICES ..................................... 203,080 ............97,422..................... 27 ........... 0.470 ...........0.486 ...........0.470........... 0.480 .............0.468 ............0.012 .............2.564 ................0.470..............0.472...................0.484 .................135,405,338 ........0.100 OM0000002028 ...........GULF INTERNATIONAL CHEMICALS ............ 348,242 ........... 56,592..................... 34 ............0.161 ........... 0.164 ...........0.161 ............0.163 ............. 0.159............ 0.004............. 2.516 ................0.164 .............. 0.165...................0.170....................3,423,000 ..........0.100 OM0000003026 ...........OMAN TELECOMMUNICATION ........................ 371,604 ........ 642,229...................142 ............1.700 ........... 1.740............1.700 ............1.730 .............1.690............ 0.040............. 2.367 ................1.740 .............. 1.740................... 1.745 ................1,297,500,000 ......0.100 OM0000001483............NATIONAL BANK OF OMAN ................................. 752,392 .........243,325..................... 39 ............0.318 ...........0.330 ...........0.318 ........... 0.324 ............. 0.318............ 0.006............. 1.887 ................0.330..............0.328...................0.334 .................394,900,110........0.100 OM0000001160 ............NATIONAL GAS ........................................................... 290,500 ......... 162,483..................... 57 ........... 0.550 ........... 0.566 ...........0.550........... 0.560 .............0.550 ............0.010 ..............1.818.................0.558..............0.550...................0.558...................25,514,392 .........0.100 OM0000001418 ............RAYSUT CEMENT .......................................................... 9,362 .............15,920........................5 ............1.700 ............1.710............1.700 ............1.700 ............. 1.670............ 0.030............. 1.796................. 1.710 ...............1.715...................1.790 ................. 340,000,000 .......0.100 OM0000002796 ...........BANK MUSCAT ............................................................ 2,686,686... 1,505,821....................151 ........... 0.552 ...........0.564 ...........0.552........... 0.560 .............0.552 ........... 0.008............. 1.449 ................0.560..............0.558...................0.564................1,222,305,385 ......0.100 OM0000001749 ............OMAN CEMENT ............................................................47,209 ............ 24,366......................14 ............0.510 ...........0.520 ...........0.510 ............0.516 ............. 0.510............ 0.006..............1.176.................0.520..............0.510...................0.528.................. 170,730,318 ........0.100 OM0000003141 ............ACWA POWER BARKA ...............................................57,040 .............46,773..................... 10 ........... 0.820 ...........0.820 ...........0.820........... 0.820 .............0.812............ 0.008............. 0.985 ................0.820............. 0.800...................0.824 .................131,200,000........0.100 OM0000002200 ...........AHLI BANK .................................................................... 698,641 ..........165,921..................... 33 ........... 0.235 ...........0.239 ...........0.235........... 0.237 .............0.235 ........... 0.002............. 0.851 ................0.236..............0.236...................0.237..................307,030,515 ........0.100 OM0000002168............AL ANWAR CERAMIC TILES .................................74,400 .............36,010........................7 ........... 0.484 ...........0.484 ...........0.484........... 0.484 .............0.480 ........... 0.004............. 0.833 ................0.484..............0.478...................0.484 .................119,472,852 ........0.100 OM0000001533 ............OMINVEST .................................................................... 926,641 ..........391,681..................... 36 ........... 0.422 ...........0.426 ...........0.422........... 0.422 .............0.420 ........... 0.002............. 0.476 ................0.424..............0.424...................0.426 .................142,105,546........0.100 OM0000001145 ............PORT SERVICES CORPORATION ............................1,100 .................. 370........................1 ........... 0.336 ...........0.336 ...........0.336........... 0.336 .............0.336 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.336............. 0.340...................0.360 ..................31,933,440 .........0.100 OM0000001889............SALALAH MILLS......................................................................7 .....................10........................1 ............1.485 ........... 1.485 ...........1.485 ........... 1.490 .............1.490............ 0.000.............0.000 ................1.485 ..............1.400...................1.485 ................... 71,762,965 .........0.100 OM0000002176 ............AL JAZEERA STEEL PRODUCTS ............................ 2,750 ..................908........................1 ........... 0.330 ...........0.330 ...........0.330........... 0.336 .............0.336 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.330..............0.314...................0.330 .................. 41,965,715 .........0.100 OM0000002374............UNITED FINANCE ..................................................... 313,502 ........... 42,636........................7 ............0.136 ........... 0.136 ...........0.136 ............0.136 ............. 0.136............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.136 .............. 0.133...................0.136................... 37,401,798 .........0.100 OM0000003125 ............GLOBAL FINANCIAL INVESTMENT .....................1,650 ...................193........................1 ............0.117 ........... 0.117............ 0.117 ............0.117 ............. 0.117 ............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.117 ...............0.117...................0.120...................23,400,000 ........0.100 OM0000003711 ............SOHAR POWER.................................................................2,110 ..................802........................1 ........... 0.380 ...........0.380 ...........0.380........... 0.376 .............0.376 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.380..............0.380...................0.400 ..................83,099,760 .........0.100 OM0000004248 ...........SMN POWER HOLDING ..............................................6,000 ...............3,960........................1 ........... 0.660 ...........0.660 ...........0.660........... 0.660 .............0.660 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.660..............0.660...................0.668.................. 131,759,496 ........0.100 OM0000003281............TAAGEER FINANCE .................................................. 20,000 ...............3,026........................3 ............0.151 ........... 0.152 ........... 0.151 ............0.151 ............. 0.152............-0.001 ........... -0.658 ...............0.151 ...............0.151...................0.152...................38,292,090.........0.100 OM0000001319 ............NATIONAL ALUMINIUM PRODUCTS ............. 138,000 ...........42,930..................... 30 ............0.312 ........... 0.316 ...........0.310........... 0.312 .............0.320 ...........-0.008 ........... -2.500 ...............0.310 ............. 0.290...................0.310...................10,474,292 .........0.100 .............................................SUM: .................................................................................. 27,746,660 .7,853,903............... 2,034 ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. ...................................................................................................................................TRADED SEC. ...............36........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

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

OM0000002564 ...........AL HASSAN ENGINEERING.................................. 792,483 ........... 82,235..................... 63 ............0.101 ........... 0.108 ...........0.101 ........... 0.104 ............. 0.101............ 0.003.............2.970 ................0.105 ..............0.106...................0.107.................... 7,821,632 ..........0.100 OM0000004735 ...........SEMBCORP SALALAH..................................................6,200 .............13,322........................2 ............2.110 ........... 2.150 ...........2.110 ........... 2.150 .............2.100 ........... 0.050............. 2.381 ................2.150 .............. 2.110...................2.200 ................ 205,232,969 .......1.000 OM0000005005 ...........ALMAHA CERAMICS ................................................ 120,649 ........... 64,648................... 112 ........... 0.530 ...........0.542 ...........0.530........... 0.536 .............0.524 ............0.012 .............2.290 ................0.542..............0.540...................0.542 ..................26,800,000 ........0.100 OM0000004768 ...........AL MADINA TAKAFUL............................................. 103,660 ..............9,304......................11 ........... 0.090 ...........0.090 ...........0.089........... 0.090 .............0.088 ........... 0.002............. 2.273 ................0.090..............0.090...................0.091...................15,750,000 .........0.100 OM0000002366 ...........AL BATINAH DEV. INV. HOLDING ...................... 183,710 ............ 22,421.....................24 ............0.120 ........... 0.124 ...........0.120........... 0.122 .............0.120 ........... 0.002............. 1.667 ................0.122.............. 0.121...................0.122....................3,660,000 ..........0.100 OM0000001566 ............OMAN FISHERIES .......................................................47,496 ...............3,400........................9 ............0.071 ...........0.072 ...........0.071 ........... 0.072 ............. 0.071.............0.001 ............. 1.408 ................0.072.............. 0.071...................0.072....................9,000,000 ..........0.100 OM0000002580 ...........OMAN EDU. & TRIN. INV. HOLDING....................10,000 ...............1,400........................1 ............0.140 ........... 0.140 ...........0.140........... 0.140 ............. 0.139.............0.001 ............. 0.719.................0.140............. 0.000...................0.145....................9,800,000 ..........0.100 OM0000001368 ............CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS IND. .................. 198,545............... 7,397........................6 ........... 0.037 ...........0.038 ...........0.037........... 0.037 .............0.037 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.038..............0.037...................0.038.................... 3,145,000 ..........0.100 OM0000004420 ...........BANK NIZWA ................................................................ 507,613 ............40,894..................... 29 ............0.081 ........... 0.081 ...........0.080........... 0.081 ............. 0.081............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.080..............0.080...................0.082 .................121,500,000........0.100 OM0000004511 ............ALIZZ ISLAMIC BANK............................................... 64,500 ...............5,948........................6 ........... 0.095 ........... 0.095 ...........0.092........... 0.092 .............0.092 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.092..............0.093...................0.095.................. 92,000,000 ........0.100 OM0000004669 ...........SHARQIYAH DESALINATION ...................................7,549 ............24,906........................3 ........... 3.295 ...........3.300 ...........3.295........... 3.300 .............3.300 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................3.300..............3.000...................3.295................... 32,274,713 .........1.000 OM0000004776 ...........TAKAFUL OMAN INSURANCE ............................ 100,000 ..............9,800........................ 1 ........... 0.098 ...........0.098 ...........0.098........... 0.098 .............0.098 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.098..............0.098...................0.104....................9,800,000 ..........0.100 OM0000004933 ...........AL SUWADI POWER ....................................................85,305 .............14,587........................3 ............0.171 ........... 0.171............ 0.171 ............0.171 ............. 0.171 ............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.171 ...............0.171...................0.180..................122,163,484........0.100 .............................................SUM: .................................................................................. 2,227,710 ......300,262...................270 ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. ........................................................................................................................................... TRADED SEC. ......13........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

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

OM0000004867 ...........BANK MUSCAT C C B 4.5 ......................................... 182,110 ............ 20,578........................3 ............0.112 ........... 0.113............0.112 ............0.113 ............. 0.112.............0.001 ............. 0.893 ................0.113 ..............0.106................... 0.113 ................... 36,119,622 .........0.100 OM0000004602 ...........BANK MUSCAT CONV. BONDS 4.5 ...........................1,128 ...................118........................2 ............0.105 ........... 0.105 ...........0.105 ........... 0.106 .............0.106 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.105 ..............0.105...................0.107...................32,091,406 .........0.100 .............................................SUM: .................................................................................. 183,238 ........... 20,697........................5 ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. ........................................................................................................................................... TRADED SEC. ........2........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

VO C AT I O NA L T R A I N I N G

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Maharat committed to train Omani employees

Shaw is also the chief executive officer of ‘Maharat’, an Omanbased company, which is committed to generating In-Country Value (ICV) through providing ‘focused’ world-class vocational training for locals, particularly in the railway sector.

“Our founders and investors are all Omani investors who are focused on training Omani employees,” he said, adding that Maharat and Pearson have a 10-year

exclusive agreement for providing training in the field of railway transport to Omanis.

Internationally certified Speaking to Times of Oman, the official noted that all the courses being offered are internationally certified and Maharat is building a vocational training centre in collaboration with its strategic partners in Muscat.

“Our plan is to have branches

throughout Oman so rather than the Omanis having to come to our training facility, we would go there,” he said, adding that the branches may be opened in Barka and Al Buraimi.

Maharat’s CEO also said it is necessary that technical colleges in Oman start offering courses related to the railway sector to ensure the success of the GCC-wide railway project as well as national metro projects.

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W W W.T I M E S O F O M A N . C O M M ON DAY, JAN UARY 1 2, 2015

SECTION

E-

IMES TECH STUFF

SEEING FULL VERSION OF A SITE FOR DESKTOP BROWSERS For example, with a mobile site open in the Chrome browser for Android and iOS, tap the “Menu” button on the Chrome toolbar and choose “Request desktop site.” In the Safari browser for Apple’s iOS 8 system, tap the URL at the top of the window. When the box of favourite sites appears, drag down on it with your finger to see the “Request Desktop Site” button. In Internet Explorer for Windows Phone 8.1, tap the “More” button and select Settings, where you can choose “Desktop version” or “Mobile version” in the Website Preference area.

A fitness watch, smart bulbs and a self-watering flower pot level in a plant, then automatically water it from a reservoir on the side of the pot.

At CES 2015, some were startling, like Sharp’s Beyond 4K television, which borders on exceptional 8K (ulta high-definition) resolution. Some were laughable yet intriguing, like Belty, a so-called smart belt that automatically expands and contracts itself as your waist requires

MOLLY WOOD

A

T the International CES, tens of thousands of gadgets from thousands of manufacturers are on display. And yet, each year, a few rise to the surface.

At CES 2015, some were startling, like Sharp’s Beyond 4K television, which borders on exceptional 8K (ulta high-definition) resolution.

Some were laughable yet intriguing, like Belty, a so-called smart belt that

automatically expands and contracts itself as your waist requires. A few others stuck out.

Withings Activité Pop As we await the arrival of the Apple Watch, manufacturers are rushing to refine their smartwatches and activity trackers. The French electronics maker Withings released a new smartwatch called the Activité Pop that grabbed attention for its looks, simple features, waterproof design and astounding eight-month battery life. (It runs on a traditional watch cell battery.) It also has an appealing price: just $150.

Withings also makes a premium model activity-tracking watch, the original Activité, which costs $450 and is a Swiss-made timepiece with high-end components. It’s lovely, but too expensive for many consumers.

The Pop, Withings said, is meant

to be a more mass-market tracker, and although it does nothing more than track your daily movements (via a small dial on the watch face that runs from 0 to 100), the company said it believed activity was a fundamental component of health.

After wearing the Pop for a few days, I found it lightweight and comfortable as well as attractive as a timepiece, and I appreciated the at-aglance activity updates.

The accompanying app is fairly bare bones, although it can synchronise with MyFitness Pal if you count your own calories. If you own a whole suite of Withings products, like its smart scale and blood pressure monitor, you could build a more complete picture of your health. But if you want a nice-looking, inexpensive and waterproof watch that gently motivates you to move a little more, the Pop does the job.

Misfit Bolt A company better known for its wearable technology jumped on the smart home trend at CES, introducing a smart light bulb. Misfit makes the Shine activity tracker as well as the Beddit sleep tracking pad, which I recently reviewed.

And while many companies sketched a vision of a smart home that could be controlled or monitored using a smartwatch or other mobile device, Misfit brought more of the pieces together with the Bolt, a Wi-Fi-connected, colour-changing light bulb.

The Bolt is a competitor to the Philips Hue connected bulb system, but far cheaper at $50 a bulb or $130 for three. It doesn’t require you to plug in a hub for wireless control.

The Philips Hue three-pack is $200 and includes a hub.

Connected bulbs let you control

their colours — depending on your mood — using smartphone apps.

And Misfit said the Bolt could work with the Shine, Flash tracker and Beddit sleep sensing pad to wake you up gently, with a “sunrise simulation” during a light sleep stage.

It would seem that, after smart TVs and connected thermostats, light bulbs are an increasingly popular connected home gadget. Qualcomm also announced what it called easy-to-use blueprints so any company can create Internet-connected LED bulbs.

Parrot Pot File this under laughable at first, but brilliant on second notice.

The obviously named Pot, by the French electronics maker better known for its drones (among other devices) is a Bluetooth-connected flower pot that can sense the water

Accompanying app You use the Pot’s accompanying app to specify what kind of plant you have, so the watering decisions are personalised to the plant, so to speak, and you don’t waste water. It features a two-litre reservoir, which Parrot says can keep a plant watered and healthy for about a month. Parrot calls the Pot the “most advanced connected plant pot,” a claim I would be hard-pressed to dispute.

Parrot also announced the Flower Power H2O, a sensor and irrigation system that you can put into your own flower pots to make them “smart.”

You can attach your own water bottle to the irrigation system and get the same monitoring and watering as with the Pot. With both devices, a free app for Android or iOS will give you advice about your plant care and, if you haven’t attached a water bottle to the H20, the app will let you know if your plants are thirsty or otherwise suffering. Pricing has not been announced.

Parrot’s booth at the Las Vegas Convention Centre featured an interesting combination of drones and a very large garden display, showing off the Pot, the Flower Power H20 and a refreshing garden of growing things.

And while the idea of a smart flower pot might have seemed trivial, the ability to keep plants alive with minimal work and updates about their health is, judging from the crowds around the Pot, tech most people can use.

— The New York Times News Service

SMART APP

Games played by using Newton’s laws of motion KIT EATON

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ONG before I wrote about apps for a living, I spent many years at university learning to be a physicist, and I worked as a professional scientist for a while. So I get an extraspecial kick out of all the physicsbased games that can be played on a smartphone.

Though you may not think of it this way, every “Angry Birds” game relies on a little physics: elastic stretching for the catapult and ballistics for the curved trajectory that the projectiles (i.e., “Angry Birds”) follow as they fly through the air. “Angry Birds Space” takes it one step further and demonstrates Newton’s laws of motion and gravity. In this game, each bird flies through the zero-gravity environment of space in straight lines, or curves through gravitational fields of moons and planets. Collisions with objects (pigs) also happen in more or less the right way, with both bird and object recoiling with its own momentum.

First of all, it’s an entertaining game, but this app is also a great way to bring up science with young children, to gently introduce them to physics. “Angry Birds Space” is $1 on iOS and free for Android.

Another fabulous game, “Gravity Evolved,” free for iOS and Android, uses gravitational physics as part of the gameplay. The game is a little abstract, but essentially you are battling with and against planets armed with different weapons.

Shots fly through space in orbits affected by the planets they pass near. If you see a screen shot of the game, its simple graphics are not visually impressive. But it is satisfying to play, and it is challenging to try to move through its many levels. The physics aspects of the game add to its charm and difficulty.

Newton’s laws of motion play an important part in “Osmos,” an even more abstract game. In this game a tiny bluish blob of life bumps into and absorbs blobs that are like it while avoiding bad guys (reddish blobs).

The blob propels itself around the game arena by rocketing out a little bit of material — a process you control by tapping on the screen. This is the physics part. It’s easy to learn but tricky to master because you have to remember

to slow the blob down in the right way once it is up to speed. I love the game, although it can feel a little repetitive after a while.

“Osmos” costs $3 for iOS and Android. There is a free test edition on Android. For a more classic

game that relies on all sorts of complex physics and materials science, even though you would never think so, check out “Jenga,” free on iOS and Android. This game simulates the real-life blockstacking game using all the right science, so that as you move your chosen block by gesturing on the screen, you will slowly dislodge some blocks higher up the “Jenga” pile in just the right way.

It’s difficult, just like the real thing, and satisfying. It’s even fun to watch the simulated pile fall over on the screen, and know that you don’t have to pick up all the blocks and restack them by hand to play again.

“Freeze!,” a free iOS and Android app, is a more puzzling physics-based game that may keep your attention for a little longer than “Jenga.” In this game, as you rotate the landscape, a hero with one eye and a round body must escape each level by rolling and falling through the air in the right way to avoid bad guys, spikes and other challenges.

The trick to winning this game is learning how to gesture to turn the landscapes around just the right amount, and knowing when to use the “freeze” button to overcome the effect of gravity. It has wickedly gloomy but amusing graphics and great sounds. It’s a lot of fun and also definitely a game that younger players will appreciate.

“Leo’s Fortune” is another popular game. In this one, a round hero tries to navigate difficult terrain while falling under gravity.

This game, which is $3 on iOS and Android, has a slightly more developed story line than “Freeze!,” and includes a few more physics-based challenges, like spring doors that must be jumped on to open. It’s a game my 4- and 6-year-old love to play, and so do I. “World of Goo,” $3 on iOS and $5 on Android, also incorporates the idea of gravity as part of the game. But in this game you also have to understand the mechanics of how gooey balls stick together like living elastic.

— The New York Times News Service

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ROUND-UP Infiniti Q60 Concept: The power to captivate coupe with its sports personality,” he added.

The visual excitement in the edgy lines of the concept is set off by the custom 21-inch wheels which take up the entire wheel arch. Inspired by jet turbine blades, the black spokes in a combination of mattes and chromes stretch to the edge of the wheel, further emphasising how “planted” the coupe is.

The high-quality ambience inside speaks of Infiniti’s meticulous attention to detail, clearly evident from the impeccable hand-stitched leather to the precise treatment of the carbon fibre accents.

The striking Q60 Concept is poised to entice coupe fans with its sharp contours and handcrafted interior, while at the same time suggesting performance and power to match

DETROIT: Ahead of the 2015 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit, Infiniti raises the curtain on its vision of a premium sports coupe.

The striking Q60 Concept is poised to entice coupe fans with its sharp contours and handcrafted interior, while at the same time suggesting performance and

power to match. Result: a no-compromise fusion of looks and speed, says a press release.

The Q60 Concept sits low and wide in a road-hugging stance hinting at exceptional dynamics and driving pleasure.

Fresh concept While the Q60 Concept is fresh and original, it evokes a sense of déjà vu at times with whiffs and traces of the Q80 Inspiration (shown this past October at the Paris Motor Show) evident in its finest details.

The audaciously low roofline

and quilted leather seats remind one of the elegant full-size Q80 Inspiration, while the aerodynamic gills behind the front wheel arches are inherited from the Q50 Eau Rouge sports sedan concept.

“The Q80 Inspiration was an indication of Infiniti’s future design language,” said Alfonso Albaisa, Infiniti Executive Design Director.

“The Q60 Concept is the next step in the journey. The sweeping lines of the Q80 Inspiration gave the Q60 Concept its coupe silhouette and looks while the Formula One-inspired touches from the Q50 Eau Rouge endowed the

N E W F L AV O U R

Genuine “2+2” coupe Infiniti designers use a variety of leathers on the seats to provide just the perfect balance of comfort and support as befits a premium sports coupe. They also make the Q60 Concept a genuine “2+2” coupe by giving rear passengers more legroom through the use of genuine sport seats.

As a foreshadowing of the next generation of Infiniti’s premium sports coupe, the Q60 Concept makes use of taut lines and sports car cues to convey exceptional stance and presence.

C B S E AT H L E T I C M E E T

ISD sprinters fly to India MUSCAT: An athletic team comprising seven members from Indian School Darsait (ISD) left for India to participate in the CBSE National Athletic Meet being held at Divine Child School, Mehsana, Gujarat, says a press release.

The team accompanied by Lal A Pillai, head of Co-Scholastic Department includes Rafeek T. A. for 200m and 400m, Suhail T. N. for 100m and Jessin Raju for 200m and 400m. The participants for 4x100m relay include Haseen Ahmad, Sachin Murali, Sooraj Francis, Rafeek T. A. and Suhail T. N. These students had performed exceedingly well in the CBSE Oman Cluster Athletic Meet held at ISM in December 2014.

The participants were blessed abundantly at a ceremony held recently at the senior school auditorium. Speaking on the occasion, principal Dr Sridevi P. Thashnath, said that the participants were winners in their own sense as they had competed with

the champion athletes from other Indian schools to reach this level.

Dr Amsa Parambil, vice president, SMC and head of the Academic Sub Committee motivated the participants with his inspiring words. He said, “Since students who are good at sports are more dedicated and disciplined, they should try their best to excel in academics too.”

Thampi Raja, the Mentor of the team said that he was extremely delighted to have been part of the athletes’ mentoring programme and wished that they would exhibit a sparkling performance to bring laurels to their Alma mater.

Sunil Dutt, the member heading the Sports Subcommittee, SMC and Seeniya Biju, Chief Operating Officer, Al Rafah Hospital, who sponsored the T-shirts for the team were the other dignitaries who attended the ceremony.

Radhakrishna Kurup, coordinator, Clubs and Events, and a good number of parents were also present on the occasion.

‘A R T A N D T U N E S ’

Pizza Hut launches all-new Cheesy Garlic Twist Pizza

Bank Sohar extends support to National Day art exhibition

MUSCAT: The beginning of a new year is a time to celebrate with loved ones, and Pizza Hut makes family time more special with a terrific new launch — the Cheesy Garlic Twist pizza.

Made with a unique ‘twisted’ crust stuffed with garlic-infused mozzarella cheese, Parmesan and melting garlic butter, and loaded with your favourite toppings in the middle, Cheesy Garlic Twist is a finger-licking work of art by the masters of pizza-making. The new variety is available at all Pizza Hut outlets in Oman, and will be offered in two sizes: medium and large, says a press release.

The Pizza Hut brand today is about ‘pizzas and much more’.

Besides its signature pizzas, Pizza Hut offers pastas, starters, salads, flatbreads, lasagne, mocktails, desserts and more.

However, the stuffed crust range remains one of its biggest success stories since 1995.

In 2013, Pizza Hut Oman launched the trio of Crunchy, Spicy and Volcano Stuffed Crust pizzas. This year, diners were intrigued when the brand announced its spiciest pizza ever — the Cheesy Jalapeño Stuffed Crust Pizza. And now, Pizza Hut has launched a dish with a twist — literally. The Cheesy Garlic Twist has a crust filled with garlic-flavoured mozzarella cheese and brushed to perfection with extra garlic butter and Parmesan sprinkle. It combines the delicious pungency of garlic with soft bread, a thick, melted cheese filling and your desired pizza toppings.

“We love surprising our guests with whacky and innovative — but also delicious and wholesome —

MUSCAT: As an addition to its National Day celebrations, Bank Sohar sponsored the recently held ‘Art and Tunes Exhibition’ at the Royal Opera House Muscat. The event was organised in order to showcase 44 pieces of art by the talented Omani artist Mazin Al Mamari, in commemoration of the Sultanate’s 44th National Day, says a press release.

The ‘Opera Art Exhibition’ took place at the Opera Galleria, located at the Royal Opera House Muscat, from December 28 to January 2. The event was inaugurated under the auspices of Abdulaziz bin Mohammed Al Rowas, Adviser to His Majesty the Sultan for Cultural Affairs.

Representing the bank at the event was Abdulla Al Mahmoodi, chief manager of Events and Promotions, together with several members of the bank’s marketing department.

The inauguration ceremony began with a welcome speech by Mazin Al Mamari, followed by a speech by the guest of honour Al Rowas. Shortly after, guests were treated to some classical Omani tunes played by a group of Omani artistes from across the country.

The guests were then taken on a tour of the exhibition, which had 44 stunning pieces of art by Mazin Al Mamari on display, some of which even had live music playing in order to truly bring them to life. The event came to a close with Bank Sohar being honoured as a key sponsor of the event.

Commenting on the sponsorship, Munira Abdulnabi Macki, DGM Human Resources and Corporate Support said, “Being an Omani organisation, we col-

We love surprising our guests with whacky and innovative — but also delicious and wholesome — dishes that enhance their dining experience Vivek Pande, CEO, Khimji Ramdas Lifestyle Group dishes that enhance their dining experience. It’s all about taking different elements and playing with flavours until we have a winner. And that’s exactly what we’ve got with the Cheesy Garlic Twist Pizza,” said, Vivek Pande, CEO, Khimji Ramdas Lifestyle Group.

“Today, Pizza Hut as a brand is about much more than pizzas. However, given our enviable reputation for stuffed crust pizzas, our guests have huge expec-

tations from us. Therefore, we try to anticipate how best we can give them products that strike a chord deep within. It’s a philosophy built around original ideas, great taste, amazing value and an enjoyable time with your loved ones,” said Anil Khimji, director, Khimji Ramdas.

The Cheesy Garlic Twist Pizza is available at all Pizza Hut Oman outlets on dine-in, delivery and take-away.

lectively share a deep sense of national pride and love for our culture and heritage. Art and culture transcends boundaries created by language and are a true reflection of a nation’s identity.

“By promoting such exhibitions we are doing our part in giving these talented Omani artists the exposure they deserve by providing them with an excellent platform to showcase their talents as well as spread a sense of nationalism that we all hold so dear to our hearts. In doing so we can also offer our gratitude to our beloved leader His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said and thank him for his wise and benevolent leadership that has led this country on a 44-year long path of growth and prosperity.”

In addition to the ‘Art and Tunes Exhibition’, the bank also sponsored two other key events that were held in celebration of the

country’s 44th National Day – the ‘Portrait of a Nation’ art competition and ‘Tawaf Al Khaleej’.

The former was a nation-wide art competition for children aged 6 to 17, offering cash prizes for the best entries while also offering the top 44 entrants the opportunity to showcase their art as part of a special collage titled ‘Portrait of a Nation’ for all the public to see and admire. Meanwhile, ‘Tawaf Al Khaleej’ was a GCC-wide bicycle tour undertaken by renowned Omani cyclist Khalid Al Shabibi.

The tour saw Al Shabibi visit each of the GCC Nations alongside an exhibition that showcased pictures of His Majesty the Sultan along with videos of his speeches and tours within and outside Oman. These sponsorships were in addition to the banks own internal staff celebrations that took place on November 18, 2014.

SUPPORT

Mazda Oman hands over Mazda2 cars to 14 football clubs MUSCAT: The top 14 teams in the country will compete for the Mazda Professional Cup and the final match will be played on January 29. Mazda Oman has always linked itself closely with the game and supported it across various levels, says a press release.

“Mazda Oman is committed to supporting football, the games that excites and unites the nation. As proud partners of Oman Football Association and as owners of Mazda Professional Cup, we will make every effort to promote this game across all levels, in the interest of our customers and in the interest of our country. One such step is to hand over Mazda2 cars to the 14 football teams that will be playing in the upcoming Mazda Professional Cup competition. We hope this will help in the smooth and efficient transportation of teams and officials in the matches,” a senior spokesperson of Towell Auto Cen-

As proud partners of Oman Football Association and as owners of Mazda Professional Cup, we will make every effort to promote this game across all levels, in the interest of our customers and in the interest of our country Towell Auto Centre spokesperson tre (TAC) comments.

“Our support to football is largely conditioned by our belief in defying conventions. Conventions everyone follow, only those who defy it make a mark. We feel our sportspersons have fought against

all odds and conventions to make Oman a great footballing nation.

We salute them and their spirit.

By providing cars to the clubs, we want to make sure that the teams travel safely, in style and comfort,” the TAC spokesperson added.

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All-new Lexus unveils LF-C2 concept that capture the beauty of light,” said Yasuo Kajino, Chief Designer LF-C2, Lexus Design Division.

The latest Lexus LF-C2 roadster, unveiled a few days ago at the Los Angeles auto show, was influenced by the way various surface shapes interact with different types of light

LOS ANGELES: If you ever wondered how serious Lexus is about making cars that are much beyond just exceptional, take a look at their latest concept, the LF-C2.

Approach it and the grille will draw your attention first. Pass that and you’ll still spend a lot of time in amazement.

The result would most likely be, you end up making a wish to own

that someday, says a press release.

The latest Lexus LF-C2 roadster, unveiled a few days ago at the Los Angeles auto show, was influenced by the way various surface shapes interact with different types of light. Designers created edges, planes and curvature in ways that allow the LF-C2 to exude a different character when seen from different angles—and under

different lighting conditions.

Multi-layer paint process That brilliant, golden yellow is produced by a multi-layer paint process. The first coat is a primer,

E X PA N S I O N

CUSTOMER CARE

Global Money Exchange opens 30th branch in Ibri IBRI: Global Money Exchange Company managed by State Bank of Travancore (SBT), the premier bank in India’s Southern State, Kerala, has accomplished a milestone by opening its 30th branch.

K. S. Subromoniyan, Managing Director, Global Money Exchange Company, inaugurated the newest branch in Ibri in the presence of V. G. Rajeev, General Manager, company officials and several other dignitaries and customers, says a press release. ‘‘Opening of the 30th branch marks a major milestone in the history of our 12 years of operations as it is a testament towards our commitment to the citizens and residents across the country. Expansion of our business indicates that we are increasingly strengthening our goodwill year-after-year.

As far as our relationship with the customers is concerned, our business has been recording substantial growth since 2002, exemplifying our excellent relationship with the customers. Today, Global Money Exchange is a household name, as we continue to maintain our motto of value addition and customer-satisfaction,’’ said Subromoniyan.

Global Money Exchange is principally engaged in the business of remittance services to different countries through speed remittance facilities directly to the ben-

followed by silver, a clear coat and then a yellow that reflects off the silver to deliver a brilliant lustre. A final top coat is then applied.

“We’ve been instinctively drawn to and inspired by those things

Highly styled layout The LF-C2 concept involves a highly styled 2+2 layout and is derived from a pure and simple sports coupe idea. Its open-air design allows the driver and passengers to feel the wind through their hair at all times—there is no top covering the cabin. Inside, the LF-C2’s interior designers opted to instal a balanced atmosphere of power and simplicity that harmonises with our primary senses.

The dashboard design is designed for functional simplicity with an attractive-yet-straightforward instrument cluster, a central video monitor controlled by a Remote Touchpad on the centre console, and a classically styled

analogue clock placed between the central air vents.

The thick leather-wrapped steering wheel implies that this is a driver’s car, as do the form-fitting seats. White-and-grey leather surfaces are soft to the touch while LED lights run along the length of the interior below the windows.

The inviting cabin of the LF-C2 blends the open-air excitement that results from an eye-catching roadster with a heavy dose of Lexus luxury.

Lexus is constantly looking to the future, driven by innovation.

The process to create a Lexus vehicle is unique within the automotive industry. Taking inspiration from fields as diverse as the fashion industry, architecture, the arts and medicine, each vehicle is painstakingly crafted to meet Lexus’ exacting standards.

MILESTONE: K. S. Subromoniyan, managing director, Global Money Exchange Company, inaugurating its 30th branch. — Supplied photo

eficiary’s bank account, issue of demand drafts, instant transfer of cash, buying and selling of foreign currencies etc.

Ibri branch will function seven days a week. Global Money Exchange ensures safer and speedier remittances, supported by the management and well-experienced staff members. The company has been offering remittance facilities to various countries, including India, Bangladesh, Philippines and Pakistan. Services, including Western Union, Trans-

Fast and Express Money, are also offered at Global Money Exchange branches, ensuring the best, very competitive exchange rates and free SMS confirmation.

Recently, Global Money Exchange has entered into arrangements with Himalayan Bank for Nepal Remittance, Commercial Bank for Sri Lanka and Ez Remit for instant cash remittances to various corridors.

Moreover, its branches are authorised for exchange of all major foreign currencies.

FRiENDi partners with BankDhofar MUSCAT: Responding to the needs of customers and moving proactively to meet their future demands, FRiENDi mobile, Oman’s third biggest mobile service provider, has partnered with BankDhofar, one of the region’s leading banks, to extend the convenience of recharging their mobile phones through all E-channels.

FRiENDi mobile’s tie up with BankDhofar means that all BankDhofar E-channels will provide FRiENDi customers with the possibility to recharge their prepaid accounts wherever they are and whenever they want, says a press release.

“Constantly giving customers that extra level of convenience is something that FRiENDi mobile always strives to achieve. Our new partnership with BankDhofar will provide our customers with additional options and larger network to recharge their prepaid accounts,” said Martin Glud, CEO, FRiENDi mobile.

“By partnering with industryleading enterprises such as BankDhofar, we will be able to better serve our customers as we build our brand and increase the scope and scale of our services across the country and the online channels,” he added.

FRiENDi mobile customers can now recharge their accounts or recharge on behalf of their friends and family members through BankDhofar’s online channels (including the mobile

RECRUIT QUOTES You may only succeed if you desire succeeding; you may only fail if you do not mind failing. — Philippos Only put off until tomorrow what you are willing to die having left undone. — Pablo Picasso Success is liking yourself, liking what you do, and liking how you do it. — Maya Angelou As we look ahead into the next century, leaders will be those who empower others. — Bill Gates

Constantly giving customers that extra level of convenience is something that FRiENDi always strives to achieve. Our new partnership with BankDhofar will provide our customers with additional options and larger network to recharge their prepaid accounts Martin Glud CEO, FRiENDi mobile

application) and will soon be able to recharge at BankDhofar CDM machines.

All transactions will be completed in real-time, and customers will receive an SMS confirm-

ing their recharge.

FRiENDi mobile was launched in April 2009 and offers a great prepaid mobile experience that combines exciting offers and services with competitive prices.

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ROUND-UP

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An outstanding year for Ooredoo The leading telecom services company achieved exceptional results in enhancing public and private sector relations during 2014

MUSCAT: Ooredoo has reflected on its relations with the public and private sectors and have proclaimed 2014 an outstanding success through the creation of a healthy, collaborative environment which facilitates the exchange and sharing of best practices and experiences.

The culmination of those efforts came through the signing and completion of 17 Memorandums of Understanding (MoU) between Ooredoo and a group of ministries and government entities on the basis of mutual interests.

These MoU’s mean that Ooredoo will continue to play an active role within the ministries and their partners through the delivery

of market leading telecoms services, says a press release.

“2014 saw us reach new heights on all levels of operations as the government relations directorate worked to develop and implement the 17 agreements. These collaborations are as a result of Ooredoo’s ability to understand and deliver upon the requirements of a demanding set of customers and allows us to provide a wide range of cutting edge products and services that meet the ever-changing demands of the fast-paced telecommunications industry,” said Raed bin Mohammed Dawood, director of Government Relations and Corporate Affairs at Ooredoo.

“We are looking forward to 2015 and signing new agreements which will further reinforce our public and private sector relations and bring best-in-class telecom-

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Suhail Bahwan Group unveils revamped corporate website MUSCAT: Suhail Bahwan Group Holding, one of the largest private corporate entities in the Sultanate of Oman, has unveiled its fully revamped website www.suhailbahwangroup.com.

Sporting a refreshingly new look and feel, the new corporate website has been designed incorporating the group’s branding, with a modern outlook while embedding its heritage and history, says a press release.

With its easy-to-navigate features the website takes the visitor on a visual and informative journey of its corporate profile, business divisions as well as media and career sections.

The Corporate Profile features the group’s rich heritage and history tracing its sea faring tradition and its enterprising nature that saw the group growing from small trading house to a diversified corporate entity with its businesses covering almost every aspect of our life.

Developed in-house The Business Divisions section has been divided into seven verticals, i.e., Lifestyle, Engineering and Infrastructure, Energy and Power, IT and Telecom, Healthcare, Fertilisers and Chemicals and, Logistics, giving the visitor an overview of the diversified nature of the group. The website was conceptualised, designed and developed completely in-house.

Sporting a refreshingly new look and feel, the new corporate website has been designed incorporating the group’s branding, with a modern outlook while embedding its heritage and history. With its easy-tonavigate features the website takes the visitor on a visual and informative journey of its corporate profile, business divisions as well as media and career sections

international trade and investment works due to globalisation, Oman seeks to explore new opportunities for mutual economic benefits and strengthening of friendly ties. Bank Muscat looks forward to embarking on a new frontier of mutually beneficial association with counterparts in Malta, thereby contributing to strengthening of relations between Oman and Malta.”

Bank Muscat is very active in trade finance and financial institution (FI) business, with FI risk appetite covering prominent countries in Asia as well as parts of Africa. Bank Muscat is among few GCC based banks in a position to provide customers and counterparts pan-GCC coverage. With direct and indirect presence in all the GCC states, Bank Muscat is uniquely positioned to serve their requirements in the GCC region.

Education Interaction Meet to showcase ‘best of India’ MUSCAT: The two-day Indian Education Interaction Meet 2015 being held at Hotel Haffa House today and tomorrow is a one-stop information event for learning about the variety of professional and vocational courses that NRI and other students can pursue in reputed institutions of higher learning.

Students, along with their parents will get an opportunity to personally interact with college administrators and professors, to know about the variety of educational programmes available in India, says a press release.

The interaction meet displays attractive options available to NRI and other students from Muscat and beyond to obtain undergraduate and post-graduate degrees in various disciplines, including medicine, engineering, business management, marketing and communications, arts and science, hospitality & hotel management and Allied Health Sciences.

This event will have nearly 15 leading and highly reputed Indian institutions with more than 75 institutions under them offering nearly 200 and above programmes. Few of the leading institutions are Anna University, SRM University, Thapar University, NITTE University, Hindustan University, Datta Meghe Medical Science University, D.Y Patil University, KJ Somaiya Group of

SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

Students, along with their parents will get an opportunity to personally interact with college administrators and professors to know about the variety of educational programmes available in India during the two-day education meet

Institutions, Vishwakarma Institute of Technology, M. S. Ramaiah University of Applied Sciences, Jain International School and many more. All the participating institutes are recognised by the AICTE, UGC and respective government bodies in India.

The participating institutes include international schools, universities, deemed universities, engineering colleges, medical colleges, MBA and management, Bschools, distance education, pharmacy & nursing, bio informatics, information technology, colleges offering higher education in arts & science, hotel management & catering technology, post graduation & research, diploma studies, international schools, unique and specialised programmes.

Courses offered by the participating institutes include BE, ME, B.Tech, M. Tech, MCA, BCA, B.Arch, BBA, BBM, MBA, MFA,

MIB, PGDM, B.Com, M.Com, B.A, B.Sc, M.Sc, MA, B.Ed, M.Ed, D.Ed, Diploma in Engg, PG Diploma, D.Pharm, B.Pharm, M.Pharm, MBBS, MS, MD, BDS, BPT, MPT, BHMS, Nursing, GNM, Paramedical, BAMS, MCM, MFC, LLB, LLM, P.G. Diploma in Medicine and Law, ANM, Hotel Management & Catering Technology, Ph.D, Pre Univesity Programmes, International Boarding Schools, Bank Management, Marketing Management, Accounting and Finanace, BS (Biotechnology, Computer Science, Information Technology.) M.Phil (Library and Information Science, Education), D.F.A (Film Acting), PG Diploma (Journalism), B.Design, M.Arch, BASLP, B.Sc. Medical Laboratory Technology, B.Sc. Medical Record Science, B.Sc. Optometry, BOT, MOT, MPH, MBA-MPH (dual degree), M.Sc in Human Anatomy, Human

Physiology, Medical Biochemistry, Medical Microbiology, Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Optometry, Medical Laboratory Technology, Medical Record Science, Opthalmic Technology, Blood Bank Technology, Health Inspector, Aeronautical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Avionics, Aircraft Maintenance Engineering, M.E. Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning, Aviation Management, Media & Entertainment, Flight Radio Telephony Operators Licence, Private Pilot Licence (PPL), Commercial Pilot Licence, Nautical Science, Higher National Diploma in Nautical Studies, Marine Engineering and much more.

Documents required for provisional admission include: Admission request form, HSSC/XII Marks Sheet / ‘A’ Level or equivalent certificate examination passed / appeared with respective subjects, SSC/X marks sheet / ‘O’ level certificate or equivalent certificate, school / college leaving / transfer certificate, migration certificate, nationality certificate / citizenship certificate, visa (either working / business) of NRI / guardian of NRI, employer certificate or salary certificate of NRI, passport copy of NRI / guardian of NRI, affidavit of guardian of NRI (original), affidavit of parents of NRI if guardian is appointed (original) and transcripts, if any (applicable for foreign students).

C E L E B R AT I O N

Petrogas partners with OWA to help empower women MUSCAT: In its effort to ensure continued wellbeing of the community and as part of its ongoing corporate social responsibility programme, Petrogas E&P has extended its support to Omani Women’s Association (OWA), Al Qurum branch.

The funding was extended to support the association’s various activities. The company has provided the association with several essential commodities that will help women be self-reliant, says a press release.

The Omani Women’s Association is a social and cultural organisation aimed at advancing Omani women in all social and cultural fronts. In coordination with multiple government organisations, the association strives to empower Omani women to enter social voluntary work and to advocate cul-

NEW LOOK

O N E - S T O P I N F O R M AT I O N E V E N T

Bank Muscat set to lead business delegation to Malta MUSCAT: Bank Muscat, the flagship financial services provider in the Sultanate, in pursuance of the private sector role in the economic development of Oman, is leading a business delegation to Malta to explore investment and trade opportunities between the two countries. The delegation led by AbdulRazak Ali Issa, Chief Executive, will visit the Mediterranean island nation connecting Europe with African markets from January 12 to 15, says a press release.

Oman and Malta enjoy growing trade relations. Malta is a strategically located offshore financial centre with world class facilities in ports, logistics and education.

During the visit, the delegation comprising representatives from key sectors will meet the Prime Minister of Malta, the Governor of the Central Bank of Malta and high-level officials of Malta Freeport, Malta Financial Services Authority, Fimbank and Grand Harbour Regeneration Corporation. Based on the findings of the delegation, possible avenues for investment and trade will be identified and an appropriate strategy formulated for initiating potential trade and business relations between Oman and Malta.

AbdulRazak Ali Issa said: “Oman is a forward looking nation that is proud of its friendly relations with countries across the world. Given the structural shift in the way how

munication services, technology and expertise to local communities across Oman,” he added.

The agreements and MoUs signed during 2014 covered a wide range of activities and events.

Ooredoo worked with the Ministry of Civil Service on the development of several training programs and workshops, while also working with the Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs and the Ministry of Social Development on programmes such as ‘Istiqrar’. Other agreements included the Public Authority for Craft Industries (PACI), the Oman Establishment for Press, Publishing and Advertising (OEPPA), and the General Union of Workers of the Sultanate of Oman. Ooredoo also showcased its support to Small and Medium Enterprises through signing with the National Business Centre, part of the Public Establishment for Industrial Estates (PEIE) to sponsor the ‘Reyooq’ programme.

On a community level, Ooredoo signed MoUs with the Ministry of Health, the Public Authority for Consumer Protection, the Directorate General of Awqaf and Bait Al Mal Funds Development, the National Committee for Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, and Oman Charitable Organisation to support them spread awareness on their causes through nation-wide text messages.

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tural, social and health awareness.

The goal is to improve the economic and social standing of the family and to train women to locate and earn sustainable sources of income.

“Omani women have always played an integral role in the development and upliftment of the community. The association is non-profit informal social and support group that facilitates and supports Omani women. We are

glad to be able to offer our support to the association and hope our contribution offers them a sustainable source of income,” said, Iman Al Barwani, CSR & Corporate Communications Manager, Petrogas E&P. Iman Al Ghafri, president, Omani Women’s Association – Al Qurum branch expressed her gratitude to Petrogas E&P for making such a generous contribution.

“Our organisation works to improve women’s social and economic opportunities and enhance their rights. Extensive in-country network and years of experience give us credibility and the necessary tools to complete our projects. This generous support that we have received from Petrogas E&P will add to our cause. We look forward to partnering with them in the future as well,” she said.

Mega musical night on January 16 MUSCAT: As part of New Year 2015 celebration and Sankranti Festival, Indian Social Club (ISC) Karnataka Wing is all set to present a mega musical and comedy event ‘Retro to Metro - unplugged with RJ Mayur’ on Friday, January 16 at Al Bustan Palace. The event is sponsored by the annual sponsor Bank Muscat, says a press release.

Speaking about the event, S. D. T. Prasad, Convener of ISC Karnataka Wing, said, “A promise is a promise; we made a promise to all our Karnataka Wing members that we will give quality programmes and continuous cultural activities throughout a year.

“The committee has made a big effort and has conducted eight programmes in the last six months and we are back again with a mega event. Many of our sponsors and most of the members have appreciated the wing activities.”

He thanked all wing members for their continuous support for each activity.

One part will feature an unplugged music show with one of Bangalore’s most popular radio jockeys Mayur from 92.7 Big FM. The idea based on a very popular radio show hosted by Mayur in Bangalore, ‘Unplugged with Mayur’, will bring out the best music from Kannada film industry. In the history of Muscat Karnataka Wing, for the first time the wing is inviting Dr Shiva Rajkumar, Geetha Shivaraj Kumar and Guru Datt as chief guests for the programme.

Dr Shiva Rajkumar is an Indian film actor, producer, playback singer, philanthropist and television presenter best known for his work in Kannada cinema. He was conferred honorary doctorate by Vijayanagara Sri Krishnadevaraya University. Geetha Shiva Rajkumar who is the daughter of ex

CM Bangarappa’s will be accompanying Dr Shiva Rajkumar.

Guru Dutt is an Indian actor and director primarily concentrating on Kannada and Tamil feature films. He debuted along with Shiva Rajkumar in the 1986 blockbuster Anand. Other part of the concert will see Sihi-Kahi Chandru making the audience roll with laughter who will be presenting a stand-up comedy show.

This 45 minute stand-up comedy show is going to be a grand hit with the Kannadigas of Oman.

Known for his uncanny wit and on the spot creativity, Chandru needs no introduction to the Kannada speaking folks. Again for the first time ISC-KW will be providing platform to a local young Omani singer Haitham Rafi and team and he will be singing a Kannada song; such initiative will always strengthen the process of centuries-old cultural exchange between India and Oman.

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MCCULLUM, ANDERSON SET UP WIN FOR KIWIS A cracking half-century by Brendon McCullum set New Zealand up for a comfortable three-wicket win over Sri Lanka in their first One-day International in Christchurch on Sunday. >C3

UAE steamroll Gulf champions UAE striker Ahmed Khalil pounced with two goals and Ali Ahmed Mabkhout also added a brace as they cancelled out Khalfan Ibrahim’s neat opening strike for Qatar

CANBERRA: The United Arab Emirates gladly made the most of a woeful performance from Qatari goalkeeper Qasem Burhan to rout the Gulf Cup winners 4-1 in their Asian Cup opener on Sunday.

The experienced custodian was at fault for two of the UAE’s goals and will have felt he could have done better with the third as the UAE stormed back from a goal down to open Group C with three well-deserved points.

Striker Ahmed Khalil pounced with two goals and Ali Ahmed Mabkhout also added a brace as they cancelled out Khalfan Ibrahim’s neat opening strike for Qatar.

The match had been billed as the battle of two of Asia’s finest playmakers but both had their disappointments, with Omar Abdulrahman having a quiet game and Khalfan being replaced with 30 minutes to go after fading following a bright initial burst.

Khalfan, the 2006 Asian Player of the Year, showed his class in the 22nd minute by chipping a lob over the backtracking Majed Naser into the net after the Emirati goalkeeper had come out to block an effort from striker Mohammed Muntari.

The goal came against the run of play but they could have had a

WOEFUL SHOW: Qatar’s most experienced goalkeeper Qasem Bruhan, right, had his worst day on field as United Arab Emirates had a field day after conceding an early goal. – Times of Oman / CIO DATAN

second shortly after when a mazy Khalfan dribble set up fullback Abdelkarim Hassan, but his low powerful shot found the side netting.

The defender was part of a comical defensive effort that led to the UAE equaliser, with Qatar bumbling a number of mistimed clearances and Qasem fumbling to allow Khalil to equalise in the 36th minute.

The striker in the right place to use his tummy to deflect in from close range after his initial header was fired back at him from Ibrahim Majed’s goalline clearance.

Khalil bagged a second seven minutes after the halftime interval when he fired a free kick from the corner of the penalty area to the far post. Senegal-born Qasem appeared unsighted by a flurry of defenders in front of him but the Qatari stopper should have been able to get a hand to the effort from an acute angle.

Qasem, named goalkeeper of the tournament when Qatar won

the Gulf Cup last month, had no excuses for the UAE’s third some four minutes later when he fumbled with Khamis Esmaeel’s tame free kick straight back in front of goal with Ali Ahmed Mabkhout smashing home.

Mabkhout added a fourth on the break with a minute remaining, firing in at the near post past a broken Qasem to complete the rout.

UAE will next play Bahrain in Canberra on Thursday, while Qatar head to Sydney to take on Iran the same day.

Years of labour United Arab Emirates coach Mahdi Ali said on Sunday that his side were finally seeing the fruits of years of labour.

UAE got their quest for Asian Cup glory off to a sensational start in Canberra thanks to braces from Ahmed Khalil and Ali Mabkhout, and a standout performance from silky midfielder Omar Abdulrahman.

UAE have been knocked out of

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the Asian Cup at the group stage in the last three tournaments and failed to score during the 2011 edition in Qatar.

But Ali insisted that the time was now right for his players to succeed after almost a decade of working with them.

“I have been with this group a long time, maybe around nine years,” Ali said.

“More than 16 of them have worked with me since 2004 when I was an assistant coach and then since 2008 as head coach.

“We’ve grown together, we help each other a lot, we know each other, we understand each other and this is what I need to do my job.”

Ali singled out man of the match Khalil as an example of what can happen when coach and player

ASIAN CUP 2015

work together for a number of years. “I have been working with Ahmed since 1998, since he was eight years old,” Ali said of on on Sunday’s man of the match.

“He always plays well in big events and in the most important games, he always makes a difference for the team.”

But Ali insisted his squad wouldn’t get carried away after their opening Group C win against their Gulf rivals.

“We always think about how we can improve because we define success better than yesterday and today we played a good game but we have to work hard.

“There are many things we have to work harder at so we can go far ahead in this competition.”

Belmadi unhappy Qatar coach Djamel Belmadi was left fuming by his side’s numerous costly errors as their campaign begun with a dismal defeat. Goalkeeper Qasem Burhan, who was

Belmadi’s star turn in last month’s Gulf Cup triumph, had a particularly difficult day. His errors resulted in three of the UAE’s four goals, with Ahmed Khalil and Ali Ahmed Mabkhout grabbing two each.

“There were no positives to take from this game. They were better than us, showed more quality and more creativity,” the Algerian told reporters in Canberra.

“If we analyse goal by goal there were a lot of individual mistakes for their equaliser and in the second half it was two free-kicks for them that made the difference.

After that it was really difficult to come back in the game against good opponents.

“I tried to help us come back into the game with some changes but we didn’t do enough and it was too late to equalise. Our players were focused and prepared for this game, so we cannot say our defeat was due to a lack of preparation or focus, we will have to search for the reason for this loss.” — Agencies

FOOTBALL

Le Guen promises full-blooded effort SYDNEY: Oman coach Paul Le Guen warned Australia his side will fight for everything, according to his comments posted by beIn Sports website.

The Omanis face a crucial clash against Australia in Sydney following their narrow 1-0 defeat to South Korea in Canberra on Saturday.

While they will have one less day than the Socceroos to prepare for the match, Le Guen has promised a full-blooded effort from his side.

“They ran a lot of on the pitch [against South Korea on Saturday].

I have to take that into consideration,” Le Guen said. “I am convinced we will fight. We have one day less recovery … it will be tough for many reasons but we will fight.”

Skipper and goalkeeper Ali Al Habsi, who was solid in the loss to South Korea, knows how tough it will be for his team to get a positive result, with a big home crowd to get behind the Socceroos.

“That will be harder than (the South Korea) game,” Al Habsi said of facing Australia. “They are at home and the first time they are hosting the AFC Asian Cup so we’ll face a really quality team.”

Despite being on the back foot for much of the contest against South Korea, Oman’s defence held strong which could pose a problem for Australia in what could be heavy conditions in Sydney due to the expected rain.

Asked about his side’s performance against the highly-fancied South Koreans, Le Guen said: “I am disappointed because we were so close and we had chances, clear chances and against such a team.

“It proves we are on the right way, we are improving by it is not enough.” Oman can at least draw some confidence from their last clash against the Socceroos in Sydney, a 2-2 draw in a World Cup qualifier in 2013.

Jedinak out Meanwhile accoring to an AFP report, Australia captain Mile Jedinak will miss his country’s clash with Oman after injuring an ankle

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We have one day less recovery … it will be tough for many reasons but we will fight Paul Le Guen Oman coach

during the 4-1 win over Kuwait, the team said on Sunday. The Crystal Palace midfielder twisted his left ankle in the first half of Friday’s opening game, although he played on, and was seen wearing a protective moonboot brace as he departed Melbourne the following day.

The loss of their talismanic skipper is a blow to Australia ahead of Tuesday’s match in Sydney as the tournament hosts seek to qualify

from Group A, but coach Ange Postecoglou said the Socceroos could cope with the loss.

“We’ve decided to rule Mile out of the Oman game after he copped an ankle injury against Kuwait,” Postecoglou said in a statement.

“He’s not quite right to play, and at this stage of the tournament we are better to give it a few days’ extra rest and we will reassess where he’s at for the game against Korea Republic.”

While Australia should be able to cope without Jedinak against Oman, who were beaten 1-0 by fellow title contenders South Korea on Saturday, Postecoglou will be anxious to have his grizzled skipper back for the tougher challenges ahead. “While it is not ideal for Mile to miss the game I’m confident we have the players and depth to be able to cover for not having him out there,” said the coach.

“We worked hard on increasing our depth over the last six months leading into the Asian Cup and that has us in a good position to be able to cover for the loss of a player of Mile’s calibre.”

Centre-back Trent Sainsbury also expressed confidence the green and gold had enough cover to adapt. “We’ve got enough depth in the squad to still keep moving forward,” he said. “Mile will be a big miss, but at the same time his leadership skills don’t just end on the pitch.”

Sainsbury praised his skipper for battling on after rolling his ankle. “It just shows how tough he is, playing on for the rest of the game with an ankle that looked like it had buckled sideways,” he added, with Tim Cahill and Mark Bresciano the leading candidates to take over the captain’s armband.

Postecoglou has shown he is not afraid to tinker with his lineup and he could be tempted to rotate players to manage the demands of playing three games in nine days.

“The whole team will get used at some point,” said striker Nathan Burns, who looked sharp coming off the bench against Kuwait, twice going close to scoring. “It’s important that all the players that didn’t play in the last game should be ready. “We need the whole squad to win this tournament. Everyone knows that and we’ve all got our part to play.” — Agencies

JUBILANT: Iran’s Masoud Shojaei, left, celebrates scoring against Bahrain with Vouria Ghafouri during their Asian Cup Group C soccer match at the Rectangular stadium in Melbourne. – Reuters

Hajsafi and Shojaei strike in Iran’s win MELBOURNE: Ehsan Hajsafi and Masoud Shojaei each scored volleyed goals to fire Iran to an emphatic 2-0 win in their Asian Cup opener against Bahrain in Melbourne on Sunday.

Utility player Hajsafi struck a brilliant, blistering volley from outside the area a minute into stoppage time of the first half.

Midfielder Masoud Shojaei netted a far less elegant shot in the 71st minute that nonetheless sealed the match for Team Melli in front of a boisterous crowd of Iranian fans at the Melbourne Rectangular Stadium.

Bahrain, ranked 122nd in the world and outgunned by Iran’s playmakers, battled hard but will rue the loss of a gilt-edged chance early to midfielder Sayed Shubbar who headed a shot over the bar when unmarked in the area.

Hajsafi’s goal, however, may be among the finest of the tournament when it ends with the final on January 31. Controlling a rebound out of goal from a setpiece, the seasoned 24-year-old hammered the ball with his right foot into the top-right corner of the net, raising thunderous cheers from a 17,000 crowd dominated by Irani fans.

Shojaei’s shot was more fortunate. Outpositioning his marker to swing a right foot at a corner kick, the inelegant shot dribbled

low and slow, but was enough to beat lunging keeper Sayed Mohammed Abbas. Both sides had their chances early and it appeared the match would be locked at 0-0 at the half until Hajsafi’s wonder strike.

Shubbar ghosted into the area unmarked in the 16th minute to latch onto a superbly weighted ball from Sami Al Husaini but he made an absolute mess of the header, sending it soaring over the cross-bar. The hot chance followed a tougher opportunity in the eighth minute by Nigeriaborn striker Jaycee Okwunwanne who volleyed a poor attempt at a clearance but sent the shot wide of the left post.

Iran, the tournament’s topranked side, could have made Bahrain pay four minutes after Shubbar’s errant header when Shojaei crossed from the left to the dangerous Ashkan Dejagah in the area.

The attacking midfielder had only to beat the keeper but waited too long for his shot and it was well cut off by keeper Abbas.

A well-organised Bahrain defence frustrated Iran’s main attacking threats but conceded a free kick just outside the box in the 39th minute when Dejagah was brought down in a challenge.

Captain Javad Nekounam blasted the shot over the bar. — AFP

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Jordan eye crucial win against Iraq

WARMING UP: Iraq’s national team jogs during training session ahead of their Asian Cup Group D soccer match against Jordan at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane. – Reuters

Monday’s Group D game will be Jordan’s first competitive match under Ray Wilkins, who seems to have no illusions about the task he is facing

BRISBANE: Jordan coach Ray Wilkins believes his team cannot afford to lose their AFC Asian Cup Australia 2015 opener against Iraq if they are to return to the quarterfinals of the tournament.

“We could live with a draw,” Wilkins said at Brisbane Stadium on the eve of Jordan’s first Group D game versus the 2007 champions. “But then we have to score a lot of goals in our remaining games and that will be a big problem for us. Ideally we would like to win, but to not be defeated is important as well.

“In any tournament — and I’ve been fortunate to play in a few of them myself — the first game is of

the utmost importance. Japan are obviously the strongest team in the group but nevertheless, it’s 11 guys against 11 guys so every game will be extremely tough but the first game is very important.”

Fresh challenge The former Manchester United and Chelsea midfielder has only been in charge since September and has yet to lead Jordan to a win ahead of the nation’s third Asian Cup appearance. They reached the quarter-finals in 2004 and 2011.

Monday’s game will be Jordan’s first competitive match under Wilkins, who seems to have no illusions about the task he is facing.

Wilkins’ contract is up at the end of the tournament but the former England international wants to extend the relationship after what will hopefully be a productive Asian Cup. “I think we’re in a tough group.

Every game will be extremely difficult but we are prepared to start our campaign tomorrow (Monday),” he said.

“It’s the pride and the privilege of beating the opposition which counts. I’m not overly concerned because we’ve improved. I’m looking forward to the game because it is our first competitive match. I’m sure we’ll get the maximum result from the players.

“We’ve enjoyed the experience.

It ends, unfortunately, at the end of this month. We hope it can continue but the only way it can continue is if we’re productive. We’ll keep our fingers crossed.

“It’s quite refreshing when you work with these young men because everything you ask of them, they try to put into practice. We have a situation back in England where we have some big, big players and they’re not always as responsive as these guys have been.

“If we don’t go through, it won’t be for a lack of trying. If we do get out of the group, we’re going to be a problem for some teams in the tournament.” — AFC

ASIAN CUP PREVIEW

Match-fixing claims continue to haunt Japan’s Aguirre NEWCASTLE: Japan coach Javier Aguirre attempted on Sunday to brush off intrigue into his role in a Spanish match-fixing inquiry which continues to overshadow the holder’s Asian Cup defence. Japan begin their campaign in Newcastle on Monday against debutants Palestine with a comfortable victory predicted for the Blue Samurai.

With that being the case, the Mexican was asked about being named by Spain’s anti-corruption prosecutor in a probe into Real Zaragoza’s 2-1 win at Levante on the final day of the 2010-11 La Liga campaign where Aguirre’s Zaragoza side won to avoid relegation.

The prosecutor alleged the Levante players were paid a total of 965,000 euros to deliberately lose the game. Aguirre has long denied he fixed a game and didn’t welcome further questioning.

“I have already held a press conference to speak about this a few weeks ago and won’t be answering that question,” he told reporters on Sunday. “I have been at four World Cups, four Gold Cups and three Copa Americas and in each of

those tournaments I have only ever spoken about soccer. That is what I want to do at my first Asian Cup.” Japan remain favourites to extend their record of Asian titles to five despite a shaky start under Aguirre, who was appointed after the team’s World Cup group stage exit in June.

The former Mexico and Atletico Madrid boss, though, remained confident his squad would be receptive to his ideas and deliver another title in Sydney come January 31. “Obviously we are the champions and want to defend our title,” the 56-year-old said.

“We have to respect the other 15 teams in the tournament but we have confidence in ourselves.”

That respect starts with Palestine, who are competing among Asia’s best 16 sides for the first time.

Aguirre said his side would not be taking the West Asians lightly even though his squad have admitted in the build up to knowing little about the AFC Challenge Cup winners. “Palestine are here on merit. They are making their first appearance in the tournament, so they are a team that we have to be

and coaching staff are pulling in the same direction.”

While Japan are Asia’s secondranked side at 54 in the Fifa rankings, Palestine come in 61 places lower at 115, the second-lowest in the tournament and above only Kuwait. If they could somehow produce even a draw in Newcastle — itself a massive ask — it would trigger wild celebrations from the West Bank to the Gaza Strip and provide a small slice of solace in their homeland, devastated by years of war and political turmoil.

Japan, however, will be looking to make a statement after watching hosts Australia open their campaign with a thumping 4-1 victory over Kuwait and midfielder dynamo Keisuke Honda has been putting in extra hours on the training ground fine-tuning his trademark free kicks.

Hit with little or no spin, in a similar fashion to Real Madrid superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, Honda’s technique can bamboozle the world’s best, as he has frequently demonstrated since he shot to fame at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. — Agencies

wary of,” the Mexican said.

“They have big hopes and are hungry and we have to be aware of their speed on the counter attack.”

Meanwhile, war-torn Palestine will attempt to bridge one of the widest gaps in Asian football.

The team from the Palestinian territories has already made history just by reaching their first Asian Cup, thanks to their AFC Challenge Cup triumph last year.

But they face arguably the toughest assignment of the group stages with a Group D opener against Japan, whose star-studded lineup is targeting a recordextending fifth Asian Cup title.

It remains to be seen how the Blue Samurai will react to a matchfixing scandal engulfing coach Javier Aguirre, who is set to give evidence in court in Valencia next month following allegations over a match in 2011 when he was manager of Spanish club Zaragoza.

“I can tell you clearly that it has had no effect on the team,” Japan captain Makoto Hasese told reporters, when asked about the furore. “We all believe in one another in this team, all the players

A S I A N C U P S TA N D I N G S

Country

P

W

D

L

F

A

Uzbekistan

1

1

0

0

1

0

3

North Korea

1

0

0

1

0

1

0

3

Saudi Arabia

1

0

0

1

0

1

0

Pts

Group A Australia

1

1

0

0

South Korea Oman Kuwait

4

1

1

1

0

1

0

0

0

1

0

3

Group C

1

0

1

0

UAE

1

1

0

0

4

1

3

1

0

0

1

1

4

0

Iran

1

1

0

0

2

0

3

1

1

Bahrain

1

0

0

1

0

2

0

0

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Group B China

M ONDAY, JANUARY 12, 2015

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SPORTS AUSTRALIA TEAM

Clarke’s fitness deadline to lead Australia SYDNEY: Selectors named Michael Clarke on Sunday as captain of Australia’s squad for next month’s World Cup, with a fitness contingency should he not be able to play following recent hamstring surgery.

A standby player for Michael Clarke has not been named however Marsh said that if he became unavailable, George Bailey would captain the side in his absence.

Squad: Michael Clarke (capt), George Bailey, Pat Cummins, Xavier Doherty, James Faulkner, Aaron Finch, Brad Haddin, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Johnson, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, David Warner, Shane Watson. — AFP

WEST INDIES SQUAD

Darren Bravo, Roach get Windies’ nod JAMAICA: Highly-rated off spinner Sunil Narine, top order batsman Darren Bravo and fast bowler Kemar Roach were all named in the West Indies World Cup squad on Saturday despite missing out on the current South Africa tour.

Narine was summoned to share spin bowling duties with Suleiman Benn, Bravo was recalled after choosing to sit out the current series for “personal reasons” while Roach has recovered from an injury.

Squad: Jason Holder (captain), Marlon Samuels, Sulieman Benn, Darren Bravo, Jonathan Carter, Sheldon Cottrell, Chris Gayle, Sunil Narine, Denesh Ramdin, Kemar Roach, Andre Russell, Darren Sammy, Lendl Simmons, Dwayne Smith, Jerome Taylor. — AFP

UAE SQUAD

Tauqir, 43, to lead UAE at World Cup DUBAI: Mohammed Tauqir was named as the captain of the United Arab Emirates squad for the World Cup on Saturday with the 43-year-old Dubai native replacing Pakistan-born Khurram Khan at the helm.

The UAE will be playing at the World Cup for the first time since 1996 and have been drawn in Pool B alongside defending champions India, South Africa, Pakistan, West Indies, Zimbabwe and Ireland.

Squad: Mohammed Tauqir (capt), Khurram Khan, Swapnil Patil, Saqlain Haider, Amjad Javed, Shaiman Anwar, Amjad Ali, Nasir Aziz, Rohan Mustafa, Manjula Guruge, Andri Berenger, Fahad Al Hashmi, Muhammad Naveed, Kamran Shahzad, Krishna Karate. — AFP

McCullum & Anderson sets up victory for New Zealand SCOREBOARD

SRI LANKA Karunaratne lbw Milne 5 Dilshan st Ronchi b N. McCullum 19 Sangakkara c Williamson b Milne 4 Jayawardene c Anderson b McClenaghan 104 Mathews run out (B. McCullum/Ronchi)15 Thirimanne c Williamson b McClenaghan 23 J. Mendis c B. McCullum b McClenaghan23 T. Perera c Ronchi b McClenaghan 0 N. Kulasekara not out 6 S. Senanayake c Ronchi b Anderson 7 S. Eranga not out 5 Extras (w-7) 7 Total (9 wkts, 50 overs) 218 Fall of wickets: 1-10 (Karunaratne), 2-16 (Sangakkara), 3-51 (Dilshan), 4-82 (Mathews), 5-155 (Thirimanne), 6-200 (Mendis), 7-200 (Jayawardene), 8-200 (Perera), 9-213 (Senanayake) Bowling: Boult 10-1-46-0 (4w), Milne 10-1-37-2, McClenaghan 10-1-36-4 (2w), Anderson 10-0-61-1 (1w), N. McCullum 10-1-38-1

After Brendon McCullum’s 51 in 19 balls had provided his side a comfortable target well under four an over as they chased 219, Corey Anderson stepped up with 81 to ensure the job was done

CHRISTCHURCH: A cracking half-century by Brendon McCullum set New Zealand up for a comfortable three-wicket win over Sri Lanka in their first Oneday International in Christchurch on Sunday. After McCullum’s 51 in 19 balls had provided his side a comfortable target well under four an over as they chased 219, Corey Anderson stepped up with 81 to ensure the job was done.

When Anderson was dismissed New Zealand required a further 10 runs which they achieved with seven overs remaining.

“I thought Corey under pressure really stepped up nicely and got the job done,” New Zealand skipper McCullum said, adding Anderson’s catch to remove Sri Lankan

AGGRESSIVE MOOD: New Zealand’s Brendon McCullum lofts a drive as Sri Lanka’s wicket keeper Ku-

mar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene look on. – AFP

centurion Mahela Jayawardene was also crucial. “That dismissal of Mahela when he was looking to pull the trigger at that stage, to get him with a very good outfield catch from Corey allowed us to get some momentum.”

Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews believed the target they set New Zealand was 30-40 runs short of what was required. “It wasn’t the easiest wicket to bat on. It was a little bit two-paced. It wasn’t coming on to the bat really well so we had to work really hard,” he said.

“The batters had to hang in there

TWENTY20

Du Plessis heroics in vain as West Indies win run-fest JOHANNESBURG: Faf du Plessis blasted the second fastest century in Twenty20 internationals but it was not enough for South Africa as West Indies produced a record chase in a runfest to win by four wickets at The Wanderers on Sunday.

The tourists were set 232 for victory and passed that mark with four balls remaining as Chris Gayle bludgeoned 90 from 41 balls to set up their seriesclinching win. It is the highest successful run chase in Twenty20 international cricket, beating India’s 211 against Sri Lanka in 2009, with 467 runs scored in under 40 overs.

Du Plessis smashed 119 from 56 balls with 11 fours and five sixes to record the highest score by a South African in the shortest format of international cricket, taking his side to 231 for seven

in their 20 overs. He missed the record for the fastest hundred in T20 cricket by a single ball as he took 46 to reach his ton, one more than compatriot Richard Levi against New Zealand in 2012.

The visitors were well on course for the win as Gayle punished the helpless home bowling along with Marlon Samuels (60 from 39 balls) as the pair took the score to 171 for one before the former was out in the 14th over.

That sent the jitters through the West Indies dugout as they lost four quick wickets, but Darren Sammy clubbed 20 from seven balls to carry the tourists to victory as they finished on 236 for six from 19.2 overs.

Brief scores: South Africa 231-7 in 20 overs lost to West Indies 236-6 in 19.2 overs. Series: West Indies lead the three-match series 2-0. — Reuters

and try and rotate the strike but we kept losing wickets.”

Sri Lanka, electing to bat first, posted 218-9 on the back of Jayawardene’s 104 in 107 balls.

It was the 18th ODI century for the 37-year-old, the fifth highest run-scorer in the history of the shortened game, who was rarely in trouble by the New Zealand attack until caught in a wicket meltdown late in the late innings.

Although Jayawardene received little support in the middle, Sri Lanka had reason to believe their modest target was defendable when

they removed Martin Guptill on the third ball of New Zealand’s reply.

But for McCullum that was a signal to open up as he blazed away to bring up his 50 in just 19 deliveries with six fours and three sixes.

It was the seventh fastest half century of all time, and only two behind the record held by Sri Lankan Sanath Jayasuriya, who took 17 balls to reach 50 against Pakistan in 1996. Later Tom Latham was stumped on 15 and New Zealand were 101-5 before Anderson and Ronchi put the innings back on course. — AFP

NEW ZEALAND Guptill c Dilshan b Kulasekara 0 B. McCullum st Sangakkara b Senanayake 51 K. Williamson c Jayawardene b Senanayake15 T. Latham st Sangakkara b Dilshan 15 G. Elliott b Kulasekara 1 C. Anderson lbw Dilshan 81 L. Ronchi c Mathews b Eranga 17 N. McCullum not out 25 A. Milne not out 7 Extras (lb-5, w-2, ) 7 Total (7 wkts; 43 overs) 219 Fall of wickets: 1-0 (Guptill), 2-63 (B. McCullum), 3-76 (Williamson), 4-77 (Elliott) 5-101 (Latham), 6-149 (Ronchi), 7-209 (Anderson) Bowling: Kulasekara 10-1-43-2 (1w), Eranga 6-0-49-1 (1w), Senanayake 10-043-2, Mathews 2-0-17-0, Dilshan 7-0-28-2, Perera 7-0-29-0, Mendis 1-0-5-0 Series: New Zealand 1-0

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MONDAY, JANUA RY 12 , 2 015

SPORTS Sizzling Sanad seizes two titles at Oman Rotax Max Challenge While Sanad won first rounds of Rotax Max Challenge, Oman’s motorsports legend Hamed Al Wahaibi returned to action and clinched a podium finish

MUSCAT: Oman’s karting sensation Sanad Al Rawahi began the Rotax Max Challenge season with a bang, clinching both the titles on offer in the DD2 category at the Oman Automobile Association (OAA) karting track, Muscat Speedway, during the weekend.

Driving his new Birel Art kart, Sanad clinched the first round with a fine show on Friday and followed it up with another scintillating performance in the second round on Saturday.

In both the events, he got the better of his teammate Oliver George from the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The seasonopening wins have boosted the youngster’s confidence ahead of the third and fourth rounds, which will be held along with seventh and eighth rounds of the UAE Rotax Max Challenge, next week.

Sanad was at his aggressive best in the second round on Saturday, and it was in sharp contrast with the cautious approach he adopted on Friday during the first round of the competition.

Starting from the pole, Sanad broke away from the rest and took a comfortable lead before completing the first lap.

The lead widened with each lap, though Oliver tried his best to catch with him. Sanad finished 14 laps in 13 minutes and 36.615 seconds, a good 6.019 seconds ahead of Oliver.

The first round, however, saw the top two drivers engaged in a close battle for supremacy. Sanad, who started from the pole, made his intentions clear from the word

WINNERS ALL: Winners in various categories pose for a group photo after the conclusion of Rotax Max Challenge rounds at Oman Automobile Association. – Supplied photo

go and was able to gain a lead of 0.541 seconds in the second lap.

But Oliver was in no mood to throw in the towel. When the contest reached half-way mark, Sanad had a meagre lead of 0.046seconds, but his expertise to negotiate the curves eventually won him the title.

The Team Birel Art drivers, who used the 2015 model chassis brought from Italy, said the first two rounds gave them a perfect warmup for next week’s competition.

“I am happy to begin the season on a bright note. We fought well in both the rounds, and it gave us good avenues to test different strategies prior to next week’s races where we have to brush our shoulders with top drivers from the region,” said Sanad.

Oliver George, who is competing in the Muscat Speedway for the second time, said the new kart gave him a promising start.

“The good show in the first two rounds have raised my confidence

for next week’s tough competition,” he said.

Return of Hamed Al Wahaibi Oman’s seasoned motorsports campaigner Hamed Al Wahaibi too hogged a fair share of the limelight, as he scorched the track on his DD2 kart. The veteran, who made a comeback to a karting competition after a long gap, however, didn’t show any signs of nerves as he stepped up the gas and gave the youngster a tough competition.

He produced his best in the second round on Saturday, managing a podium finish behind Sanad and Oliver. He was at No. 2 position till the second lap. Though he conceded the advantage to Oliver in the third lap, he drove aggressively to maintain the No. 3 position, despite his nearest rival, Andrew Fuller, breathed down his neck all the time.

“I am happy to make a podium finish on my comeback. I competed not to win titles, but to inspire

Omani youngsters and attract them to motorsports. But I must confess that I enjoyed the competition very much. I hope to continue the momentum in the remaining rounds,” he said.

The veteran was in his elements on Friday too. He completed the first round in the third position, but an incident during the race denied him a deserving podium finish.

Patrick Hannah was dominant in Senior Max category as he won both two rounds, ahead of Faisal Al Zubair. In the junior category, Taymour Kermanshahchi from UAE asserted his supremacy winning both the races pushing Oman’s Khalid Al Wahaibi to second place.

It was not just the experienced drivers, children below four years of age who competed in the Bambino category too drew maximum applause on both the days of the competition. Spectators watched with curiosity when tiny tots put on the safety overalls and helmets

and stepped up the gas like seasoned karting drivers.

After three time trails of 10 minute each, the winners were decided based on the accumulated points. On Friday, an ever-smiling Eamonn Djeridi took the top honours, followed by Ali Al Maskary and Khalid Al Farsi in that order.

Djeridi made it a double on Saturday, finishing ahead of Gabriel Piazzolla and Khalid Al Farsi.

Round 1 results DD2 (14 laps): 1. Sanad Al Rawahi (13:40.567); 2. Oliver George (13.40.747); 3. Andrew Fuller (14:06.496).

Senior Max (14 laps): 1. Patrick Hannah (14:08.342); 2. Faisal Al Zubair (14:22.717); 3. Muhammad Al Zubair (14:23.246).

Junior Max (12 laps): 1. Taymour Kermanshahchi (13:52.529); 2. Khalid Al Wahaibi (13:56.843); 3. Marcus Lee Marker (14:01.001).

Mini Max (11 laps): 1. Shihab Al Habsi (12:06.480); 2. Annas Al Rawahi (12:33.204).

Micro Max (11 laps): 1. Ziggy Kermanshahchi (12:53.147); 2. Mohammed Al Habsi (12:54.859); 3. Theo Kekati (12:58.340).

Bambino (after three time trial rounds): 1. Eamonn Djeridi (59 points); 2. Ali Maskary (56 points); 3. Khalid Al Farsi (53 points).

ROUND 2 RESULTS DD2 (14 laps): 1. Sanad Al Rawahi (13:36.615); 2. Oliver George (13:42.634); 3. Hamed Al Wahaibi (13:48.962).

Senior Max (14 laps): 1. Patrick Hannah (14:13.029); 2. Faisal Al Zubair (14:25.117).

Junior Max (12 laps): 1. Taymour Kermanshahchi (15:18.940); 2. Khalid Al Wahaibi (15:26.895); 3. Marcus Lee Marker (15:27.289).

Micro Max (11 laps): 1. ZiggyKermanshahchi (11:17.566); 2. Theo Kekati (11:27.430). Mohammed Al Habsi was disqualified for being underweight.

Mini Max (11 laps): 1. Shihab Al Habsi (10:45.120).

Bambino: 1. EamonnDjeridi; 2. Gabriel Piazzolla; 3. Khalid Al Farsi.

CRICKET

ISG TENNIS PLAYERS SHINE AT CBSE NATIONALS The Indian Schools Al Ghura (ISG) under-19 tennis team, comprising Yashica Jain and Rupsha Debnath, did their school proud with excellent performances at the recentlyconcluded CBSE National Tennis Tournament at Emerald Heights International School in Indore, India. Yashica Jain clinched the runners-up spot in the mixed doubles. Rupsha Debnath and Yashica Jain also reached the quarterfinals of the team event. The principal and staff congratulated the team members for their remarkable performance in this tournament. — Supplied photo

Broad questions sacking of KP LONDON: England fast bowler Stuart Broad has questioned Kevin Pietersen’s sacking saying the English and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) could have dropped the batsman instead of ending his international career.

Pietersen was discarded by ECB in February 2014 after their 0-5 Ashes defeat last year.

“I just think the sacking became a media uproar, it just seemed a bit unnecessary when every other player gets dropped for poor form, don’t they,” Broad was quoted as saying by bbc. com on Sunday.

Broad also said the issue could have been handled differently by the ECB selectors, perhaps telling him to prove his worth in domestic matches.

“If I’d have been there I might have said: ‘Look, that was such a disastrous Australia tour - all the players didn’t perform to an international standard. You have to go and perform in county cricket at the start of the year to get back in the England team in May’. - IANS

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F DIVISION: Newrest Wacasco who defeated Al Daam International.

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SPORTS

G DIVISION: OUA Travels after their win over OCT Mabella.

H DIVISION: Abu Maather celebrate their win over FOS. – Supplied photos

Ton-up Aaqib stars for Muscat CT Batting first, Raha scored 226 for the loss of nine wickets in 50 overs. In reply, Muscat CT scored 230 for one in 33.1 overs

MUSCAT: Aaqib Ilyas smashed 109 runs off 59 deliveries as Muscat CT defeated Raha CT by nine wickets in a Muscat Pharmacy and Stores-sponsored 50 overs-a-side A Division match on Saturday.

Put into bat first, Raha scored 226 for nine in 50 overs with Sultan Ahmed (56) and Waseem (42) putting on a 81-run partnership for the fourth wicket. Shaheed Nazeem and Farhan scored 24 runs each while No. 11 batsman David remained unbeaten on 20.

In reply, Muscat CT started off aggressively as the openers stood good for a 132-run partnership.

The only wicket fall was that of Aaqib Ilyas, whose knock of 109 included 12 fours and eight sixes.

After his dismissal, his partner Swapnil K. and one drop Vaibhav Wategaonkar combined well to achieve the target in style in just

33.1 overs to win the game with a bonus point. The unbeaten opener scored 71 and Vaibhav made 42.

Aaqib Ilays was declared the man of the match.

Brief scores: Raha 226 for 9 in 50 overs (Sultan 56, Waseem 42, Farhan 24, Shaheed 24, David 20, Badal 2/57) lost to Muscat CT 230 for 1 in 33.1 overs (Aaqib 109, Swapnil 71, Vaibhav 42).

Easy for OCT Seeb In an Al Ansari Group of Companies sponsored C Division T20 match, batting first Powertech Engineering scored 122 all out in 19.4 overs but could not restrict the all-Omani team of OCT Seeb from reaching the target. Anburaj A. with 42 in 37 balls was the main scorer for Powertech and opener K. Prabhakaran made 22 runs. Issam Othman and Younis Murad took three wickets each for OCT Seeb.

In reply, OCT Seeb achieved the target in 16.6 overs with five wickets in hand, thanks to a quick fire knock of 36 in 22 balls by Issa Rahim. Earlier, Farooq Hussain made 31 in equal number of deliveries.

The two batsmen were involved in a 68-run stand for the fourth wicket and raised the score from 33 for three to 101 when Farooq was dismissed. Aravindan picked up two wickets for Powertech.

Brief scores: Powertech 122 all out in 19.4 overs (Anburaj 42, Prabhakaran 22, Issam 3/14, Younis 3/22) lost to OCT Seeb 126 for 5 in 16.6 overs (Issa 36, Farooq 31, Aravindan 2/19).

Newrest Wacasco win In an F Division T20 match, Newrest Wacasco beat Al Daam International by 19 runs after setting a score of 175 for six in 20 overs and restricting their opponents to 156 for eight in 20 overs.

For the eventual winners, Sandeep Rajan made 55 off 36 balls and scores of 38, 23 and 20 by Bibin Sasi, Dipu R. J. and Deepak Gakhar aided the side to set up a match winning score.

For Al Daam, the major contribution with the bat came from Jayakumar as he made a quick 43 off 24 balls. Abhilash and Nissar made

RUGBY

MRFC start Gulf Conference with a win over Doha 2nds MUSCAT: The Gulf Conference opened in Muscat on Friday with hosts Muscat Rugby Football Club (MRFC) starting with a well deserved 17-14 victory over Doha 2nds. The MRFC were in their new home at the Bausher Club and the venue was the scene of a hard fought victory, a press release from the club said.

The home side had strengthened their side over the festive break with new players and the return of others from injury.

The Muscat scrum and line out again dominated affairs in the first half. It looked like a very different side that competed last year. Hard tackling and a rush defence cause havoc in the Doha backline who found it difficult to string phases of play together.

Although a stubborn defence from the visitors inside their own 22 and some missed final passes meant that the score was a mere 3-0 at the break. The only score coming from the boot of Karl Ras-

The second half began much like the first, with Muscat putting pressure on the opposition try line mussen in the 35th minute. The second half began much like the first, with Muscat putting pressure on the opposition try line.

It finally told when Simon Tylor brushed off three tacklers to dive over the line to score on his debut.

From the kick-off Muscat returned up the pitch. A long flat pass from scrum-half Pete Maxton released Conor Quaid. The blindside flanker crashed over the line to leave the score line 17-0.

One would have expected the

home side to kick on from there to record a high score but this wasn’t the case. A change to uncontested scrums because of injury to a Doha player gave the visitors a platform to launch a comeback.

Their tactic of the kick and chase finally paid off when an awkward bounce allowed the winger to side foot the ball forward and touch it down under posts. This was followed by a continued attack from the visitors who crossed the line again with a long pass that cut out the home defence. This was then impressively converted.

With eight minutes remaining, only three points separated the teams. Muscat reverted a pick and drives to run down the clock.

Referee Eugene Deegan from the UAE blew the final whistle and ended the game at 17-14.

Muscat are at home to Exodus Wasps next weekend, a team desperate for victory after a heavy defeat to Dubai Exiles.

23 and 21 respectively. Sai Rajesh and Arun Jesvin scalped two wickets each for Wacasco while Deepesh was the only bowler to pick up two wickets for Al Daam.

Brief scores: Newrest Wacasco 175 for 6 in 20 overs (Saneep 55, Bibin 38, Dipu 23, Deepl 20, Deepesj 2/28) bt Al Daam International 156 for 8 in 20 overs (Jayakumar 43, Abhilash 23, Nissar 21, Rajesh 2/28, Arun 2/28).

OUA Travels post win OUA Travels beat OCT Mabella by seven wickets in a G Division game. Batting first after winning the toss, all-Omani team of OCT Mabella made 121 for eight in 20 overs with Shabir Ahmed scoring a useful 35 off 20 balls. Shafeer Ismail and Shahib Deen both returned with two wickets each for OUA Travels.

In response, the Travels team reached the target in 14 overs with seven wickets hand. Opener Nahas Haneefa made 26 while one drop batsman Mohammed Imtiyaz remained unbeaten on 40 made in 28 balls.

Brief scores: OCT Mabella 121 for 8 in 20 overs (Shabir 35, Shafeer 2/9, Shahib 2/19) lost to OUA Travels 122 for 3 in 14 overs (Imtiyaz 40 n.o., Rathesh 23, Nahas 20).

Abu Maather down FOS In a H Division game, Abu Maather won their encounter against Future Oilfied Services (FOS) by eight wickets. Put in to bat first, FOS made 176 for nine in 20 overs in which Wasim Abbas scored 51 in 20 balls with six boundaries and two hits over it while opener Mohammed Shamel and Nazim Mohamed contributed 37 and 23 respectively earlier in the innings.

Reyaz Zaidi with three wickets and Mohammed Rizwan and Mohammed Arshad with two wickets each were the main wicket-takers for Abu Maather.

In response, Abu Maather started off well with the openers Wasim Jamadar and Abu Bakar standing good for a 84-run partnership until the dismissal of the latter for 37 made in 25 balls.

Wasim was the only other batsman to be dismissed with his personal score on 56 made in 40 balls with seven hits to the rope and one over it. One drop Reyaz who remained unbeaten on 45 scored in only 29 balls with six boundaries combined well with Mohd Rizwan to finish the game with a win for his side in 18.3 overs.

Brief scores: Future Oilfield Services 176 for 9 in 20 overs (Wasim 51,

Shamel 37, Nazim 23, Reyaz 3/19, Rizwan 2/26, Arshad 2/36) lost to Abu Maather 177 for 2 in 18.3 overs (Wasim 56, Reyaz 45 n.o., Abu Bakar 37).

Facile win for Ahli Bank In a contest between two bank teams, Ahli Bank and Bank Sohar, in the I Division, the former emerged victorious by seven wickets after having restricted their opponents to 151 for eight in 20 overs, in which, Sharif Sabzal made 38 while Nandakumar R and Suren S made 29 and 26 respectively.

For the Ahli Bank, Muhammed Ramzan and Jaspreet Singh captured two wickets each.

In reply, Ahli Bank reached their target in 15.2 overs as Haris Alam and Syed Imran combined well to raise the score from 15 for two to 145 when Haris was dismissed for 66 made in 46 balls with six fours and three sixes.

Imran remained unbeaten on 54 made in 34 balls with seven boundaries and one over it. For Bank Sohar, Arun Nair scalped two of the three wickets to fall.

Brief scores: Bank Sohar 151 for 8 in 20 overs (Sharif 38, Nandakumar 29, Suren 26, Ramzan 2/25, Jaspreet 2/25) lost to Ahli Bank 153 for 3 in 20 15.2 overs (Haris 66, Imran 54 n.o., Arun 2/40).

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MONDAY, JANUA RY 12 , 2 015

SPORTS

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AT H L E T E S I S S U E S

OOC team to attend Asian Athletes Forum MUSCAT: The Oman Olympic Committee (OOC) has received an invitation from the Athletes Commission of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) to participate in the Asian Athletes Forum to be held in Kuwait from January 22 to 24 under the patronage of OCA chief Sheikh Ahmad Al Fahad Al Sabah.

The forum, in its second year, will discussing the current global issues concerning athletics and educating the National Olympic Committees on how to take advantage of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and international sports federations’ programmes.

Rashid Jaber Al Yafei, Chairman of the OOC’s Oman Athletes Committee, and committee member Dr. Mansour Al Touqi will be attending the meeting.

Dr. Mansour will be presenting a working paper on the findings and recommendations of Asians athletes’ views.

More than 100 athletes from the Asia will take part in the forum and discuss about the activities of the Athletes’ Commission of their respective NOCs. Besides that the participants will exchange their knowledge and views related to the issues concerning the athletes.

MAGICAL MILESTONE: Roger Federer of Switzerland celebrates after defeating Milos Raonic of Canada, for his 1,000th career win, in the Brisbane International final on Sunday. – Reuters

Federer outlasts Raonic for 1,000th career win Federer survived the inevitable serving blitz from the towering Canadian to win the two hour and 13 minute slugfest 6-4, 6-7 (2), 6-4 and join Jimmy Connors (1,253) and Ivan Lendl (1,071) as the only men to reach the magical milestone

BRISBANE: Roger Federer beat Milos Raonic in an enthralling final at the Brisbane International on Sunday to register his 1,000th ATP career win and complete the perfect build up to this month’s Australian Open.

Federer survived the inevitable serving blitz from the towering Canadian to win the two hour and 13 minute slugfest 6-4, 6-7 (2), 6-4 and join Jimmy Connors (1,253) and Ivan Lendl (1,071) as the only men to reach the magical milestone.

The Swiss master, as fiercely competitive as ever at the age of 33 even if he doesn’t move quite as quickly as he once did, also chalked up his 83rd career title and has now won at least one tournament every year since 2001, an unbroken streak spanning 15 seasons.

Federer was presented with the tournament trophy by Roy Emerson, a 12-time grand slam winner, and also received a special framed photo marking his 1,000th win from Rod Laver, the only tennis player to

win all four majors in the same year on two separate occasions.

“It’s a special moment, no doubt about that,” Federer said at the post-match presentation.

“I’ve played a lot of tennis over the years...so to get to 1,000 wins means a lot to me and I will never forget this match.”

Raonic, one of the emerging stars of men’s tennis since making the semifinals at Wimbledon last year was gracious in defeat and also paid tribute to Federer, saying he was in awe of his achievements.

“We all know today is a significant milestone for Roger,” he said. “When we came out and they listed all the things you’ve won, I thought you must have been playing for 2,000 wins.”

Raonic was unable to dictate terms against the vastly more experienced Federer once he adapted to his booming serve but pushed his opponent all the way in a high-quality match where the pair hit a combined total of 92 clean winners.

Raonic had blasted 34 aces past Kei Nishikori in his semi-final but

TENNIS

EPL

Dominant Wawrinka wins third Chennai Open title CHENNAI: An aggressive Stanislas Wawrinka won his third Chennai Open title on Sunday beating qualifier Aljaz Bedene in the final for a perfect buildup to his Australian Open title defence later this month.

The world No. 4, winner in 2011 and last year, hardly broke sweat against his Slovenian opponent for a 6-3, 6-4 victory.

“It’s just amazing to win it again, to start the year with a trophy,” the 29-year-old Swiss, in his seventh straight year in the south Indian city, said in a courtside interview.

In a match between opponents who had split their previous two encounters, Wawrinka drew first blood in the sixth game, breaking Bedene before going on to seal the first set.

In the second set, Wawrinka converted a second break point to forge 4-3 ahead and eventually clinched title without losing a set in the tournament which bodes well for his

managed only 12 against Federer, who replied with 20 of his own, including one where Raonic misjudged the bounce and took an embarrassing air swing.

Federer, returning the ball deep and mixing up his shots, broke Raonic’s serve once in each set as the capacity crowd at the Pat Rafter Arena roared in admiration.

The world No. 2 broke in the third game of the match when Raonic dumped a backhand into the net then broke him again in the opening game of the second set.

But Raonic showed that he has more to his game than just his big serve when he quickly broke back and forced a tiebreaker, his sixth of the tournament.

Federer won the first two points of the tiebreaker but Raonic reeled off the next seven on the trot to square the match at one set apiece.

The standard of play rose along with the tension in the deciding set before Raonic blinked first, double faulting to give Federer match point then hitting a forehand into the net to concede defeat. - Reuters

AMAZING TO WIN IT AGAIN: Stanislas Wawrinka

Australian Open campaign.

“It would be a strange feeling to come back as the defending champion in a Grand Slam,” he said the of the year’s first major starting on January 19.

“First I’m going to enjoy a little

bit (winning) this trophy. It’s not every week that you win a trophy.”

Bedene was the first qualifier in the 20-year history of the tournament to reach the final, winning seven matches en route to his maiden ATP Tour final. - Reuters

Sanchez’ show boosts Arsenal’s top-four bid LONDON: Alexis Sanchez delivered a majestic display as Arsenal closed the gap in the race for a top four finish in the Premier League with a 3-0 victory over Stoke on Sunday.

Sanchez made Laurent Koscielny’s opener and then netted his 17th and 18th goals of the season either side of half-time at the Emirates Stadium to lift Arsenal above Tottenham into fifth spot.

The battle for Champions League qualification is heating up, with Arsene Wenger’s side now level on points with fourth placed Southampton. Manchester United are in third place.

French defender Koscielny opened the score with a sixth minute header from Sanchez’s cross. The hosts struck again in the 33rd minute through Sanchez. Sanchez wasn’t finished yet and his deflected freekick four minutes after the interval sealed the points. - AFP

C

SECTION

LIFE & STYLE

WWW.TIMESOFOMAN.COM M O N DAY, JA N UA RY 1 2 , 2 0 1 5

The blood-thirsty warlord decreed nobody was ever to know where he was buried

True to his word, the location, somewhere in the vast terrain of modern Mongolia, has remained secret for 800 years

When Genghis Khan died, he didn’t want to be found. So soldiers in his burial party butchered anyone they saw on their way to his burial tomb

Then they killed the people who built the monument.

Then, finally, they killed themselves

W

ho knows whether the perhaps apocryphal tale is true but even today, nearly 800 years after the death of the greatest conqueror the world has ever known, the location of his tomb remains unknown.

Many people have tried to find it, from archaeologists who uncovered Genghis Khan’s palace to a lawyer from Chicago who led an expedition to 60 unopened tombs in the Mongol warlord’s realm.

The quest is for history — and for riches.

According to Mongolia Today, incredible treasures were buried with Genghis Khan from every corner of his vast empire and, as one researcher told the Associated Press, “if we find what items were buried with him, we could write a new page for world history”. That page may be written sooner than many imagine. That’s thanks to a new way to search for the tomb that scours vast tracts of underpopulated and undulating Mongol

terrain — from space. “Ultra-high resolution satellite imaging enables a new paradigm in global exploration,” said a study published last week in the journal Plos One. But the breadth of the search was so daunting and vast that researchers with the University of California at San Diego, led

by Albert Yu-Min Lin, have outsourced the search to the general public.

“This is a needle in a haystack problem where the appearance of the needle is unknown,” wrote Lin, who has been described as a “modern-day Indiana Jones” and has been photographed dramatically riding horses across the Mongol expanse. So “we charged an online crowd of volunteer participants with the challenge of finding the tomb of Genghis Khan, an archaeological enigma of unknown characteristics widely believed to be hidden somewhere within the range of our satellite imagery”.

One of the problems, however, is that there was so much land to study. The sweep

of Genghis Khan’s empire, which began when he united Mongolia’s warring tribes in the early 13th century, is dizzying to contemplate. It first subsumed all of what is modern-day Mongolia before spilling across Asia on the might of the Mongol invasions, conquering terrain from China to the gates of western Europe by the turn of the century.

Many now suspect Khan’s final resting place is much closer to the roots of his power — in Mongolia itself, near the site of his palace, around 150 miles east of the nation’s capital, Ulan Bator. So, in a partnership with National Geographic, Lin’s team constructed a landscape of more than 84,000 tiles that spanned more than 6,000 sq km and launched what they called a “virtual exploration system” in 2010.

The task for participants: tag anything that looks like it could be an “archaeological enigma that lacks any historical description of its potential visual appearance’’.

It was essential to get help, the magazine

said: “A single archaeologist would have to scroll through nearly 20,000 screens before covering the whole area.” Still, no one expected they would get so much of it. More than 10,000 people gave it a go, tagging anything they thought looked like a location where a great Mongol warlord would want to rest in peace.

In all, they clocked more than three years’ worth of work — 30,000 hours — and generated more than two million tags.

From that number, the researchers have culled 100 locations for further inquiry and identified 55 “potential archaeological anomalies” that ranged from the Bronze Age to the Mongol period.

So far, no Khan yet. But the search is complicated by a number of factors unique to the quest for Khan’s tomb. As explained by Vice Media’s Ben Richmond, the Mongols absolutely hate archaeologists trampling on their turf disturbing the nation’s most holy sites. -The Independent

C8

MONDAY, JAN UA RY 12 , 2 015

EXTRA

Quick!

Who designed this dress ?

T

he red carpet — that staple of award shows — is bad for fashion. This wasn’t always so, but now it is.

The benefits celebrities reap from the season of step-andrepeat, which begins in earnest with Sunday’s Golden Globe Awards, are significant, whether it is a boost to a level of acclaim that their resume does not support or a steady stream of attention while they await their next role. What do designers get? The opportunity to create a pretty — but safe — formal gown that briefly amuses the eye but does little to move the fashion needle.

Actors such as Jessica Chastain, Jennifer Lawrence, Lupita Nyong’o and Eddie Redmayne have all used fashion as a way of propelling themselves forward — faster than their admirable acting chops alone would have done.

They glow in the pop culture galaxy, swooned over in Vogue and GQ — their aesthetic acumen conflated with their acting skills.

It is hard to blame them for their efforts. Hollywood no longer is producing the kind of matinee idols of yore, the ones whose very presence on the big screen could send consumers running to the box office. We still have stars to transport us, the beleaguered, to fantasyland, but they are not built by Hollywood alone. Designers have become part of the myth-making machine — as important as the lighting director, the makeup artist and the hairstylist. And almost as invisible.

The morning after a splendid showing on the red carpet, after everyone has discussed who looked marvelous and who should try harder, few people are rhapsodising over the skill of a bias cut or the brilliant use of beading. The designer names go virtually unmentioned. It’s all about Lupita’s (Ralph Lauren) cape, Pharrell’s (Vivienne Westwood) hat and Rihanna’s (Tom Ford) pasties.

In the fashion salons of New York, Milan and Paris, workers may be keeping score — Did more women wear Versace than Valentino? Designers and manufacturers may be sussing out a trend or two from the kleig-lit promenade. Perfect for prom! But in the broader world, where all the hard work of an atelier is supposed to get noticed, in our consideration of the red carpet, the designer is no longer essential.

During award show season, the clothes flow by like bonbons on a conveyor belt. We consume the delights so quickly that we can’t fully appreciate them. The umpteenth Versace gown no longer feels special — even if it happens to be an especially nice one. And the more times stars are asked “Who made your dress?,” the faster we forget the answer.

In the beginning, which is to say back in 1988 when Giorgio Armani opened his Beverly Hills boutique and proceeded to dress actress Michelle Pfeiffer elegantly and uniquely in a navy cocktail suit for the Academy Awards, the wardrobing of an actor for the red carpet was one of the few ways for designers to rocket their name into the pop culture vernacular. Back then, the inner loop of the fashion industry consisted of designers, models and editors. A celebrity sighting at a fashion show was something worth bragging about.

And to dress an Oscar nominee was a coup.

Award shows were rare and the light shone so brightly on the stars who were welldressed — because not all of them were; in fact, most of them weren’t — that everyone in their orbit was gloriously illuminated, including the designers. Who made your

dress? The answer — Armani, Prada, Badgley Mischka, Vera Wang — could transform a lucky designer’s business. That was more than 25 years ago.

Today, designers, whether they believe it or not, no longer need the wattage of celebrities to bring them buzz, make them legit or otherwise bless them with cultural relevance. They have social media. Designers can star in their own television shows. They can live-stream their runway productions. Celebrities are no longer a boon; they are a crutch.

It is always flattering to have someone of the stature of Julianne Moore knock on a designer’s door in search of a fancy dress. It must be personally gratifying to make a young starlet feel like Cinderella for an evening. But celebrities need fashion — benefit from fashion — a lot more than designers now benefit from stars.

One of the most sought-after handbag brands of the last season, the upstart Mansur Gavriel, has no celebrity endorsers. And one of Hollywood’s longfavored brands, Gucci, is sorting through financial woes.

For celebrities, however, fashion is more necessary than ever. They are constantly Instagramming their own self-consciously styled lives — Solange goes glamping at Joshua Tree! — and paparazzi hunt stars even when they’re just walking out of the gym. But nothing beats an awards show red carpet. An appearance there in just the right look has the potential to turn starlets into style icons and make a convincing argument that a class clown can play a leading man.

Few actors have remained disengaged from fashion while staying atop the heap.

Only the great Meryl Streep immediately comes to mind. Some, such as Johnny Depp, have cast themselves as fashion eccentrics. Others such as Jodie Foster and, now, Angelina Jolie, have eschewed glamour for studied intellectualism. But all of them, in some way, use fashion.

Small design houses barely stand a chance. And at its worst, the red carpet derogates young designers into creating one-of-a-kind gowns that they cannot afford to make in the hopes that lightning will strike and theirs will become the dress that everyone talks about the next morning. But even when that happens, it wasn’t Peter Som’s beautiful floral dress or Prabal Gurung’s grand red gown. It was Julie Bowen’s adventurous spirit and January Jones’ regal stance. Such a Catch-22 — When designers are at their best, as these were, the applause should be for the woman and not the frock.

Last year, Nyong’o made masterful use of fashion on the red carpet. She embraced an aesthetic that defined her as a new classic. Nyong’o won the Oscar, but perhaps even more important, People magazine declared her the “most beautiful” woman in the world; Lancôme signed her to an endorsement deal; and Vogue ran a cover story that described her as a “deity.”

Rihanna’s star has risen steadily higher — and it’s not due to her modest vocal range.

Seventh Avenue declared the Grammy winner a fashion icon; she is a muse to French designer Olivier Rousteing and was the star of his Balmain advertising campaign.

Last year, she was named creative director for Puma. Even Michael Jordan didn’t get to be creative director of Nike, and he was an actual athlete.

-Robin Givhan/The Washington Post.

The red carpet rolls out for stars, but it’s a doormat for fashion designers

M ONDAY, JANUARY 12, 2015

C9

ENTERTAINMENT CINEMA SCHEDULE

BAHJA CINEMA Seventh Son (2D) (Adve| Family) (PG12) Cast: Ben Barnes, Julianne Moore, 5:15 PM Seventh Son (3D) (Adv|) (PG12) 9:30, 11:30 PM Automata (2D) (Sci-Fi | Thriller) (PG) Cast: Antonio Banderas 3:00, 7:15 PM Zulu (2D) (Crime | Drama) (15+) Cast: Orlando Bloom, Forest Whitaker 9:45 PM Tevar (2D) (Action |Romance) (TBC) Cast: Arjun Kapoor, Manoj Bajpayee 8:50 PM Tom Little and Magic Mirror (2D) (Animation |Adventure) (PG) Cast: Nanette Iglesias, Ada Cruz 4:00 PM The Imitation Game (2D) (Bio | ) (12+) Cast: Benedict Cumberbatch, Keira Knightley 5:30, 6:45 PM Woman In Black Angel Of Death (2D) (Horror | Thriller) (15+)11:45 PM Vice (2D) (Action | Adventure) (15+) Cast: Thomas Jane, Bruce Willis 2:00, 11:45 PM P.K (2D) (Comedy | Drama) (PG) Cast: Aamir Khan, Sanjay Dutt 4:00 PM From A to B (2D) (Adv |Comedy) (12+) Cast: Fahad Albutairi, Shadi Alfons 2:00, 7:45 PM

Seventh Son (2D) (Adv) (PG12) Cast: Julianne Moore, Jeff Bridges 03:30 PM Seventh Son (3D) (Adv/Fantasy) (PG12) Cast: Julianne Moore, Jeff Bridges 09:45 PM & 11:45 PM. Gold Class: 11:15 PM Automata (2D): (Sci-Fi/Thriller) (PG) Cast: Antonio Banderas 05:30 PM & 11:45 PM P K (2D) (Com/fantasy) (PG) Cast: Aamir Khan, Sanjay Dutt 04:00 PM Gold Class: 05:15 PM Jack & The Cuckoo-Clock Heart (2D): (Animation/Adventure) (PG) 10:30 AM & 02:15 PM From A To B (2D) (Com/Adv) (12+) Cast: Fahad Albutairi, Shadi Alfons, 12:15 PM & 06:45 PM. Gold Class: 01:00 PM Tevar (2D) (Act/Rom) Cast: Arjun Kapoor, Manoj Bajpayee 08:45 PM Gold Class: 08:15 PM

Seventh Son (Fantasyn|Adventure) (English) -(PG12 ) Cast: Rajnikanth, Sonakshi Sinha 3.45, 6.45, 9.45 pm

P.K. – 2D (PG) Com | Drama | Fantasy Cast : Aamir Khan, Sanjay Dutt, Anushka Sharma 09:00 PM Vice – 2D (15+) Act | Adventure | Sci-Fi Cast : Thomas Jane, Bruce Willis, Ambyr Childers 03:45 , 11:45 PM Seventh Son – 2D (PG12) Adv | Family Cast : Ben Barnes, Julianne Moore, Jeff Bridges 03:15 PM Seventh Son – 3D (PG12) Adv | Family 05:15 , 09:30 , 11:30 PM The Imitation Game – 2D (12+) Biography | Drama | Thriller Cast : Keira Knightley, Matthew Goode 04:00 , 07:15 PM Zulu – 2D (15+) Crime | Thriller Cast : Orlando Bloom, Forest Whitaker, Tanya van Graan 06:15 PM Tevar – 2D (TBC) Action | Romance Cast : Arjun Kapoor, Sonakshi Sinha and Manoj Bajpayee 08:15 , 11:15 PM Tom Little and Magic Mirror – 2D (PG) Animation/Adventure/Fantasy Cast : Nanette Iglesias, Ada Cruz 03:15 , 05: 30 PM From A to B – 2D (12+) Adv | Co | Drama Cast : Fahad Albutairi, Shadi Alfons, 04:45 , 07: 00 PM Mylanchi Monchulla Veedu – 2D (M) (PG) Family | Drama

SCREEN 1 Tevar (Action | Romance ) (PG12 ) Cast: Aamir Khan, Anushka Sharma , Sanjay Dutt 3.30, 6.30, 9.30 pm

Tom Little & Magic Mirror (2D): (Animation/Adventure) (PG) Cast: Nanette Iglesias, Ada Cruz 10:15 AM & 02:00 PM The Imitation Game (2D): (Bio) (12+) Cast: Keira Knightley, Matthew Goode 11:45 AM & 07:30 PM Gold Class: 03:00 PM

Cast : Asif Ali, Jayaram, Kanika 06:45 PM Automata – 2D (PG) Sci-Fi | Thriller Cast : Antonio Banderas, Dylan 09:45 , 11:45 PM

SCREEN 3

SCREEN 2 P. K (Comedy | Drama | Social) (PG ) Cast: Aamir Khan, Anushka Sharma , Sanjay Dutt 3.45, 6.45, 9.45 pm

Seventh Son – 2D (Adv | Fam) (PG15) Cast: Ben Barnes, Julianne Moore 03:15 PM Seventh Son – 3D (Adv | Fa ) (PG15) 05:15, 09:15 PM Poker Night (Act | Thriller) (PG12) Cast: Beau Mirchoff, Ron Perlman 07:15, 11:45 PM Zulu (Crime | Drama | Thriller) (15+) Cast: Orlando Bloom, Forest Whitaker 03:15, 09:45 PM Swelter (Act | Drama | Thriller) (15+) Cast: Jean-Claude VanDamme, Mindy 05:15 PM From A to B (Adve | Com) (12+) Cast: Fahad Albutairi, Shadi Alfons 05:00, 07:00 PM Tevar (Action | Romance) (…)

Cast: Arjun Kapoor, Sonakshi Sinha 07:00, 09:00, 11:15 PM Autómata (Sci-Fi | Thriller) (PG) Cast: Antonio Banderas, Birgitte Hjort Sørensen, Dylan McDermott 03:00, 11:45 PM

Zulu (Crime | Drama | Thriller) (15+) 11:45 PM Vice (Act | Adventure | Sci-Fi) (15+) 06:45 PM Seventh Son (3D) (Adv ) (PG12) 09:45 PM

Seventh Son (2D) (Adv) (PG12) 04:45 PM Mylanchi Monchulla Veedu (Mal) (Family | Drama) (PG) Cast: Asif Ali, Jayaram, Kanika 11:15 PM Tevar (Hindi) (Co | Fantasy) (PG12) 08:30 PM From A to B (Arabic) (Adv | Co ) (12+) 05:00 PM P.K (Hindi) (Comedy | Drama | Fantasy) (PG) 07:00 PM

Seventh Son (3D/PG12) (Adve/Fantasy) Cast: Ben Barnes, Julianne Moore, Jeff Bridges ; 09:45PM, 11:45PM Seventh Son (2D/PG12) (Adv/Fantasy) 02:30PM The Imitation Game (2D/12+) (Biography/Drama/Thriller) Cast: Keira Knightley, Matthew Goode 01:30PM, 07:30PM Poker Night (2D/PG12) (Act/Thriller) Giancarlo Esposito 12:30PM, 11:15PM Jack and the Cuckoo-Clock Heart (2D/ PG) (Animation/Adventure/Drama) 02:30PM Vice (2D/15+) (Act/Adventure/Sc-FI) 11:45AM, 11:30PM Zulu (2D/15+) (Crime/Drama/Thriller) 09:30PM From A to B (2D/12+) (Adv/Co/Drama) Cast: Fahad Albutairi, Shadi Alfons 4:15PM, 06:15PM P.K. (2D/PG) (Hindi- Com)06:45PM Tevar (2D/PG12) (Hindi-Act) Cast: Arjun Kapoor, Sonakshi Sinha and 11:30AM, 04:30PM, 08:15PM Mylanchi Monchulla Veedu (2D/PG) (Family/Drama) Cast: Asif Ali, Jayaram, Kanika 03:45PM

Seventh Son (Adventure/Fantasy) Cast: Jeff Bridges, Ben Barnes, Alicia Vikander Kit Harington, Olivia William 4.00, 8.00, 10.00 & 11.55 pm CP No: 2015/62 (PG 12 ) Autómata (Sci-Fi-/Thriller) Cast: Antonio Banderas, Birgitte Hjort Sørensen, Melanie Griffith 2.00. 6.00, & 10.00 pm ; CP No: 2015/61 (PG) Zulu (Crime /Drama /Thriller) Cast: Orlando Bloom, Forest Whitaker, Tanya van Graan 4.00, 8.00 & 11.55 pm; CP No: 2015/60 (15+) Iron Clad: Battle for Blood (Act) Cast: Michelle Fariley, Roxanne Mckee 2.00 pm; CP No: 2015/2 (18+) Swelter (Action/Thriller) Cast: Jean Claude Van Damme 6.00 pm; CP No: 2015/3 (15+)

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

STARS CINEMA Film information 24791641 / 24786776

Chinnadana Nee Kosam (Telugu) ( Rom\Com) Cast: Nitin Reddy and Mishti 3:30pm at Cinema Main, 6:30 & 9:30pm at Cinema 2 Mylanchi Monchulla Veedu (Mal) (Rom\Com) Cast: Jayaram & Asif Ali 3:30 pm at Cinema -2\ 6:30 & 9:30 pm Cinema Main P K (Hindi) (Com) Cast: Aamir Khan, Anushka Sharma & Sanjay Dutt 3:45, 6:45 & 9:45 pm Cinema-3 Vellakkara Durai (Tamil)(Com) Cast: Vikram Prabhu & Sri Divya & Soori 3:45, 6:45 & 9:45 pm at Cinema -4 NEXT CHANGE: I (Tamil) 14/1/2015

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

ACES ON BRIDGE

What do you do with those losers?

SUDOKU

5 1 8 3 2 9 7 4

1 9 4 5 3 6

HOW TO PLAY Fill the empty cells with the numbers 1 to 9, so that each number appears once in each row, column and area.

— Seven Galaxies

6 1 8 8 2

3

6 8 4

2 3 7 8 5 1

1 4 3 8 9 3

4 6 5 3 9 8 7 2 1 3 2 7 4 1 6 8 9 5 1 8 9 5 7 2 4 3 6

9 4 3 8 5 1 2 6 7 8 7 2 6 4 3 5 1 9 5 1 6 7 2 9 3 4 8

MARMADUKE

CROSSWORD

B I G NAT E

52 — kwon do 53 Steady 54 Fictional sub commander 55 Come to a conclusion 56 Lucy Lawless role DOWN 1 Moving option 2 Cousteau’s islands 3 “Slither” actor 4 This, in Barcelona 5 Planck’s thanks 6 Discoverer’s shout 7 Gypsy wagon 8 Arlene of old films 9 Consume 10 Constantly, to Poe 11 Pantyhose shade 17 Wedding-cake part 19 Anderson Cooper’s channel 22 Ms. Zellweger of “Chicago” 23 Woody’s son 24 Stir-fry pans 25 Vinyl records 26 Construction toy

27 28 30 31 32 35

Drop Devotee’s suffix Faint Disdainful snort Repeat Seaweed derivative 36 Left, to a horse 39 Made mention of 40 Dog in Beetle

42 43 44 45 46 47 48 50

Bailey Alpine goat Cathedral part Valley Tailor’s aid Half a pair Brink Woosnam of golf Spiral molecule

Answer to previous puzzle

ACROSS 1 Bad habit 5 — Holliday 8 Composition for two performers 12 Mournful wail 13 So! 14 Aboard ship 15 Uncluttered 16 — lights 18 In-between-meal goodie 20 Catch a bug 21 Daredevil’s asset 23 Boring tool 26 Kind of chop 29 Pendant jewellery 31 Garment edges 32 Motel of olden times 33 Sorts 34 Move briskly 36 Med. plans 37 Tropical 38 — Davis of films 40 Dory mover 41 Due for payment 45 Type of painting 49 Like Kojak 51 No future — —

CHARUDHI CHANDRASEKHAR

ADITYASAI

January 12

January 12

6 3 4 1 8 7 9 5 2 2 5 8 9 6 4 1 7 3 7 9 1 2 3 5 6 8 4

Previous puzzle Solution

KIN Hubbard, a journalist and humorist who died in 1930, said, “It’s the good loser who finally loses out.”

At the bridge table, it’s the good winner who finally eliminates his losers.

There are two common ways of eliminating losers: Ruff them in the shorter trump hand or discard them on side-suit winners.

In this deal, how should South play in four spades after West leads the heart king?

North had a minimum hand for a raise to two spades, but bridge is a bidder’s game. Over four spades, West wondered if his side had a cheap save at the five-level, but he knew the spades were breaking badly for his opponents.

South has rounded-suit losers and seems to have nine top tricks: six spades, one heart and two diamonds. However, in case the play takes a nasty turn or two, declarer should play to ruff losers on the board.

He wins the first trick with his heart ace, cashes the diamond ace and returns a heart. West, who sees his partner play high-low to indicate a doubleton, wins and continues with the heart 10. But since South has also noted East’s signal, he discards a club from the dummy. East pitches his second diamond. West now leads his diamond queen, East ruffs dummy’s king, and declarer overruffs. South then concedes a club trick to void the dummy of that suit.

Suppose East wins with his queen and returns a trump.

Declarer wins and crossruffs home, trumping two clubs on the board and two diamonds in his hand.

— By Phillip Alder

WITH LOVE

BORN LOSER

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

C1 0

MONDAY, JAN UA RY 12 , 2 015

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

BORN today, you aren’t always one to follow the rules. Indeed, you’re likely to get more bang from your buck doing things your own way, especially if they go against the grain, cause a ruckus and generally disturb everyone’s sense of propriety. You enjoy being the topic of conversation, and you know just how to ensure that you will constantly be in everyone’s mind, simply by doing what comes naturally to you and not worrying about what you are supposed to do.

You are never afraid of sharing your opinions about things; the more incendiary the topic the better, as far as you are concerned. If an argument arises, so be it — you thrive on heated disagreement!

Despite appearances, you may be quite a homebody, deriving solace and confidence from harmony at home and from steady, calm, loving interaction with family members. It could be said that you are one person at home and another away from home — and those two people could hardly be more different!

Also born on this date are: Howard Stern, radio host; Kirstie Alley, actress; Joe Frazier, boxer; Rush Limbaugh, radio host; Jack London, author; Tex Ritter, singer and actor; Oliver Platt, actor; Joe E. Lewis, singer and comedian; Forrest Tucker, actor; Olivier Martinez, actor.

W E AT H E R

WORLD

Max 27 Min 19 Max 3 Min -2

Max 20 Min 6

Max 26 Min 19 Max -2 Min -17

Max 25 Min 18

Max -0 Min -9

Max 27 Min 14

Max 25 Min 12

Max 25 Min 10

Max 26 Min 16

Max 28 Min 17

[DEC. 22-JAN 19] Max 30 Min 20

Max 18 Min 11

Max 29 Min 22 Max 23 Min 20

—www.met.gov.om

GULF Abu Dhabi Doha Dubai Kuwait Manama Riyadh

21 19 21 14 16 14

18 12 18 8 14 2

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

15 13 1 6 -1 18 29 7 14 11 27 31 13 9 32 29 9 -1

6 1 -6 6 -2 10 20 5 13 3 16 23 6 8 18 24 3 -16

FROM MUSCAT (RUWI)

TO MUSCAT (RUWI)

[JAN. 20-FEB. 18]

PISCES [Feb. 19-March 20] Some who are close to you may feel you are not doing what is right.

Today you can prove that you are.

ARIES [March 21-APRIL 19] You know how to get done what must be done, yet some will object to your seemingly random approach — which is anything but!

TAURUS [APRIL 20-MAY 20] The time you spend with others who share your dreams will prove beneficial in many ways, and you won’t feel quite so alone.

GEMINI [MAY 21-JUNE 20] You’re tempted by someone who has more sexual energy than you are used to encountering. Consider all possible outcomes.

CANCER [JUNE 21-JULY 22] You’ve been working long and hard to see that everyone involved in a certain project is on the same page. A key goal is recognised.

LEO [JULY 23-AUG. 22] You are enjoying things in a way that is rather new to you. You want to explore this phenomenon more deeply, and you’ll have the chance.

VIRGO [AUG. 23-SEPT. 22] There is quite a buzz surrounding what you are about to unveil. No one has guessed the details, but many sense the significance.

LIBRA L [[SEPT. [S S 23-OCT. 22] You know how to put two and two together, but it will take more than mere arithmetic to come up with the right answers.

SCORPIO S [[OCT. 23-NOV. 21] You may be confused by someone who is throwing out too many options at once. You need to have your thoughts directed a bit more clearly.

SAGITTARIUS S [[NOV. 22-DEC. 21] You are not likely to be the centre of attention, and that suits you just fine. You’re not feeling quite yourself, perhaps.

Sunset Sunrise (Tomorrow)

5:38pm 6.51am

High tide Low tide

1:39am 8:21am

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

Operating Days Daily Daily Daily

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

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

Daily Daily Daily via Ibri Daily Daily Daily Daily

20:50

Daily

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

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

Daily Daily Daily via Ibri Daily Daily Daily Daily

10:25

Daily

08:40 11:00

Daily Daily

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

16:50 19:30

Daily Daily

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

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

10:20 12:30

Daily Daily

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

17:55 20:20

Daily Daily

TO SUR (Route 55) 07:30 Sur 14:30 Sur

12:00 18:45

Daily Daily

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

10:45 19:00

Daily Daily

TO FAHUD - YIBAL (Route 62) 06:30 Fahud 06:30 Yibal

10:30 11:15

Daily Daily

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

13:15 17:30

Daily Daily

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

Daily Daily Daily Daily

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

Daily Daily Daily Daily

TO MARMUL (Route 101) 06:00 Marmul

Daily

TO MARMUL (Route 101) 06:00 Marmul

16:30

Daily

Daily

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

Daily

16:50

SALALAH TO DUBAI (Route 102) 15:00 Dubai 07:00 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 may stumble across one or two important clues, and the mystery you’ve been grappling with is that much closer to being solved.

12.20pm 3.23pm 5.44pm 6.58pm 5.31am

12:52am 6:51pm

maximum wave height of 1.5 metres becoming moderate to rough along Musandam coast and Oman Sea with a maximum wave height of 3.0 metres.

HORIZONTAL VISIBILITY: Good over most of the Sultanate becoming poor during fog formation.

THE NEXT 48 HOURS OUTLOOK: Mainly clear over most of the Sultanate. Rough sea are expected along Musandam and Oman Sea coasts with a maximum wave height of 3.0 metres. Chance of dust rising by wind over deserts and open areas.

Max

OMAN

AQUARIUS

Dhuhr Asr Maghrib Isha Fajr (Tomorrow)

AIRLINES

Clear to partly cloudy skies over governorates of Musandam ,coastal area of Oman Sea and Al-Hajar mountain with chance of isolated rain.

Chances of low level clouds or fog during late night to early morning over governorates of Al-Buraimi, Al-Dahira, Al-Wusta.

EXPECTED WIND: Wind will be northeasterly light to moderate along the coastal area of Arabian Sea and will be easterly to southeasterly light to moderate over rest of the Sultanate during day becoming gradually to northwesterly through evening over most of the Sultanate.

SEA STATE: Slight to moderate along most of Oman coasts with a

CAPRICORN You’re eager to see if your work will last beyond the immediacy of its present situation. Others are looking ahead with you.

PRAYER TIMINGS

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

National Museum Ruwi: Tel: 24701289, Open from Saturday to Wednesday: 8am to 1:30pm, Thursday: 9am to 1pm Sohar Fort Museum: Tel: 26844758, Open from Saturday to Wed: 8 to 1:30pm Thurs: 9am to 1pm Muscat Gate Museum: at Al Bahri Road, Muscat open from Sat to Wed 8am to 2pm

TUESDAY FLT NO

ARRIVALS FROM

JEDDAH 0005 CAIRO 0005 RIYADH 0005 DACCA-CHITTAGONG 0100 SALALAH 0150 DACCA 0200 ISTANBUL-BAHRAIN 0300 DOHA 0345 DUBAI 0355 BAHRAIN 0405 ABU DHABI 0405 DUBAI 0415 SALALAH 0630 ABU DHABI 0650 ABU DHABI 0650 KARACHI 0700 RIYADH 0700 BAHRAIN 0700 JEDDAH 0730 MEDINA 0745 DUBAI 0805 BOMBAY 0815 LONDON HEATHROW 0820 DUBAI 0850 SHARJAH 0915 DELHI 0920 HYDERABAD 0920 KHASAB 0930 COCHIN 0930 MADRAS 0940 TRIVANDRUM 0940 ISLAM ABBAD 0940 DUBAI 0940 DOHA 1010 ABU DHABI 1015 TRIVANDRUM 1035 LAHORE 1100 JAIPUR 1100 BANGALORE 1100 DUBAI 1110 COLOMBO 1140 DUBAI 1200 MALE 1205 CALICUT 1210 KATHMANDU 1210 LAHORE 1215 SALALAH 1215 BANGKOK 1235 DUBAI 1330 MUKHAIZNA 1330 SALALAH 1415 BAHRAIN 1530 ABU DHABI 1535 DUBAI 1555 BOMBAY 1710 CALICUT 1720 DUBAI 1730 DELHI 1730 MUKHAIZNA 1730 LUCKNOW 1735 HYDERABAD 1740 DOHA 1745 DOHA 1745 DUBAI 1800 BAHRAIN 1810 DUQUM OMAN 1900 KUWAIT 1900 SHARJAH 1915 MADRAS 1920 DUBAI 1945 TEHRAN 2000 DUBAI 2030 BANGALORE-HYDERABAD 2105 AMSTERDAM-DOHA 2120 DUBAI 2125 DELHI 2125 CHITTAGONG 2125 BOMBAY 2130 AMMAN 2135 COCHIN 2140 DUBAI 2145 MADRAS 2200 DOHA 2210 KATHMANDU 2235 BAHRAIN 2240 ABU DHABI 2250 LONDON HEATHROW-ABU DHABI 2250 AHMEDABAD 2300 SALALAH 2305 AHMEDABAD-BOMBAY 2310 DOHA 2315 ZURICH-DUBAI 2320 BOMBAY 2325 BAHRAIN 2330 FRANKFURT-ABU DHABI 2330 DUBAI 2335 SALALAH 2345 DAMMAM 2350 ABU DHABI 2350 ZANZIBAR-DARESSLAM 2355 SALALAH 2355

WY406 WY682 WY682 WY676 WY648 WY816 NL768 WY916 TK774 PK281 PK225 QR1132 ET624 EK866 GF560 EY384 FZ041 WY902 WY638 WY658 WY412 WY668 WY644 WY122 WY114 WY692 WY674 WY154 WY132 WY602 WY202 WY432 WY102 WY422 FZ043 G9114 WY236 WY242 WY252 EK862 QR8550 QR1128 EY382 WY3302 WY272 WY604 WY904 G9841 FZ037 WY314 WY268 IX337 PK191 BG023 WY918 WY606 WY326 WY918 IX817 WY906 WY812 KU677 WY656 WY328 FZ045 WY632 WY204 WY292 WY246 WY232 WY216 WY348 WY664 QR1126 EK864 GF564 WY284 WY610 WY3306 SV534 G9116 TG507 FZ047 WY614 WY914 WY624 AI973 6.00E+81 WY224 FZ049 WY374 WY254 WY814 AI907 QR1134 UL205 GF566 BA073 EY388 WY908 AI985 WY662 LX242 9W540 LH618 WY654 WY612 WY696 WY636 WY910 WY717

CAIRO 0005 RIYADH 0005 RIYADH 0005 JEDDAH 0005 KUWAIT 0010 BANGKOK 0015 LAHORE 0130 SALALAH 0150 ISTANBUL 0215 ISLAM ABBAD-SIALKOT 0225 KARACHI 0230 DOHA 0345 ADDIS ABABA 0350 DUBAI 0355 BAHRAIN 0405 ABU DHABI 0405 DUBAI 0415 SALALAH 0630 ABU DHABI 0650 BAHRAIN 0700 AMMAN 0705 DOHA 0710 KUWAIT 0715 MUNICH 0715 FRANKFURT 0715 DAMMAM 0725 JEDDAH 0730 MALPENSA-ZURICH 0745 PARIS 0800 DUBAI 0805 BOMBAY 0815 TEHRAN 0815 LONDON HEATHROW 0820 BEIRUT 0830 DUBAI 0850 SHARJAH 0915 HYDERABAD 0920 DELHI 0935 MADRAS 0940 DUBAI 0940 DOHA 1000 DOHA 1010 ABU DHABI 1015 MUKHAIZNA 1045 JAIPUR 1100 DUBAI 1110 SALALAH 1110 RAS AL KHAIMA 1120 DUBAI 1200 CHITTAGONG 1210 LUCKNOW 1210 CALICUT 1210 GWADUR 1220 CHITTAGONG 1245 KHASAB 1245 DUBAI 1330 KARACHI 1355 KHASAB 1440 MANGALORE-ABU DHABI 1440 SALALAH 1445 BANGKOK 1525 KUWAIT 1525 BAHRAIN 1530 LAHORE 1550 DUBAI 1555 ABU DHABI 1635 BOMBAY 1710 CALICUT 1720 DELHI 1730 HYDERABAD 1740 TRIVANDRUM 1740 ISLAM ABBAD 1745 DOHA 1745 DOHA 1745 DUBAI 1800 BAHRAIN 1810 BANGALORE 1810 DUBAI 1845 MUKHAIZNA 1845 RIYADH 1900 SHARJAH 1915 BANGKOK-KARACHI 1935 DUBAI 1945 DUBAI 2030 SALALAH 2055 DUBAI 2125 DELHI 2125 BOMBAY 2130 COCHIN 2140 DUBAI 2145 COLOMBO 2150 MADRAS 2155 BANGKOK 2200 MADRAS 2200 DOHA 2210 COLOMBO 2225 BAHRAIN 2240 LONDON HEATHROW-ABU DHABI 2240 ABU DHABI 2250 SALALAH 2305 AHMEDABAD-BOMBAY 2310 DOHA 2315 ZURICH-DUBAI 2320 BOMBAY 2325 FRANKFURT-ABU DHABI 2330 BAHRAIN 2330 DUBAI 2335 DAMMAM 2350 ABU DHABI 2350 SALALAH 2355 ZANZIBAR-DARESSLAM 2355

FLT NO

DEPARTURES TO

FLT NO

DEPARTURES TO

AI986 LX243 9W539 BA072 LH619 WY685 WY211 WY251 WY201 WY225 WY235 WY601 WY345 WY341 WY241 WY281 WY637 WY657 WY323 WY371 WY667 WY383 BG022 4H584 TK777 WY271 EK867 FZ042 QR1133 EY385 WY917 GF561 WY3931 WY903 WY603 WY291 WY263 FZ044 WY245 WY231 WY3301 G9115 WY815 WY905 WY203 WY605 WY311 WY253 WY717 EK863 EY383 WY655 QR1129 9W533 WY631 IX350 WY337 PA451 FZ038 WY413 WY101 WY663 WY433 WY645 WY113 WY3303 WY153 WY121 WY131 WY609 WY405 WY3921 WY675 WY613 FZ046 WY623 WY681 QR1127 WY907 GF565 WY647 WY661 WY653 WY695 EK865 WY909 WY913 G9117 WY611 WY635 FZ048 WY915 AI978 FZ050 WY421 KL442 9W529 WY411 6.00E+82 AI908 AI974 QR1135 GF567 WY434 WY673 EY381

BOMBAY 0005 DUBAI-ZURICH 0020 BOMBAY 0025 ABU DHABI-LONDON HEATHROW 0025 ABU DHABI-FRANKFURT 0050 RIYADH 0105 TRIVANDRUM 0110 MADRAS 0110 BOMBAY 0120 COCHIN 0125 HYDERABAD 0135 DUBAI 0150 ISLAM ABBAD 0150 LAHORE 0150 DELHI 0155 BANGALORE 0200 ABU DHABI 0205 BAHRAIN 0205 KARACHI 0210 COLOMBO 0210 DOHA 0220 MALE 0235 CHITTAGONG-DACCA 0250 DACCA 0300 BAHRAIN-ISTANBUL 0350 JAIPUR 0350 DUBAI 0455 DUBAI 0510 DOHA 0520 ABU DHABI 0525 KHASAB 0630 BAHRAIN 0745 SOHAR 0800 SALALAH 0800 DUBAI 0800 CALICUT 0920 LUCKNOW 0920 DUBAI 0935 DELHI 0955 HYDERABAD 0955 MUKHAIZNA 1000 SHARJAH 1005 BANGKOK 1010 SALALAH 1020 BOMBAY 1030 DUBAI 1030 CHITTAGONG 1040 MADRAS 1040 ZANZIBAR-DARESSLAM 1045 DUBAI 1055 ABU DHABI 1105 BAHRAIN 1110 DOHA 1115 COCHIN 1135 ABU DHABI 1225 CALICUT 1310 KATHMANDU 1310 LAHORE 1315 DUBAI 1315 AMMAN 1330 LAHORE 1330 DOHA 1330 TEHRAN 1340 KUWAIT 1340 FRANKFURT 1345 MUKHAIZNA 1400 MALPENSA-ZURICH 1405 MUNICH 1415 PARIS 1420 DUBAI 1420 CAIRO 1430 DUQUM OMAN 1515 JEDDAH 1630 DUBAI 1700 DUBAI 1700 DUBAI 1820 RIYADH 1845 DOHA 1845 SALALAH 1850 BAHRAIN 1855 KUWAIT 1900 DOHA 1900 BAHRAIN 1910 DAMMAM 1910 DUBAI 1915 SALALAH 1940 SALALAH 1950 SHARJAH 2005 DUBAI 2025 ABU DHABI 2030 DUBAI 2040 SALALAH 2135 HYDERABAD-BANGALORE 2200 DUBAI 2225 BEIRUT 2230 DOHA-AMSTERDAM 2230 TRIVANDRUM 2240 AMMAN 2240 BOMBAY 2245 MADRAS 2300 DELHI 2310 DOHA 2320 BAHRAIN 2325 SALALAH 2350 JEDDAH 2350 ABU DHABI 2350

AI986 LX243 9W539 BA072 SG062 LH619 WY685 WY251 WY201 WY811 WY235 WY601 WY241 WY431 WY643 WY637 WY313 WY657 WY667 NL769 WY691 TK775 PK282 PK226 WY271 WY267 ET625 EK867 FZ042 QR1133 EY385 WY3301 GF561 WY603 WY903 WY813 WY327 WY325 WY291 WY215 WY823 FZ044 WY231 WY245 G9115 WY815 WY283 WY373 WY203 WY605 WY905 WY347 WY717 EK863 EY383 WY655 QR1129 QR8551 WY917 G9842 PK192 WY337 IX350 FZ038 WY253 WY3931 WY223 WY631 WY663 WY101 BG024 WY405 WY3305 IX818 WY609 KU678 WY675 WY913 FZ046 WY613 WY623 QR1127 WY681 WY907 GF565 WY647 WY661 WY653 WY695 EK865 WY821 WY909 SV535 G9117 WY611 WY635 TG508 FZ048 WY915 FZ050 6.00E+82 AI908 AI974 QR1135 GF567 UL206 EY381 WY901 WY673

BOMBAY 0005 DUBAI-ZURICH 0020 BOMBAY 0025 ABU DHABI-LONDON HEATHROW 0025 AHMEDABAD 0030 ABU DHABI-FRANKFURT 0050 RIYADH 0105 MADRAS 0110 BOMBAY 0120 BANGKOK 0120 HYDERABAD 0135 DUBAI 0150 DELHI 0155 TEHRAN 0155 KUWAIT 0200 ABU DHABI 0205 CHITTAGONG 0205 BAHRAIN 0205 DOHA 0220 LAHORE 0230 DAMMAM 0235 ISTANBUL 0310 SIALKOT 0325 KARACHI 0330 JAIPUR 0350 LUCKNOW 0355 ADDIS ABABA 0450 DUBAI 0455 DUBAI 0510 DOHA 0520 ABU DHABI 0525 MUKHAIZNA 0715 BAHRAIN 0745 DUBAI 0800 SALALAH 0800 BANGKOK 0805 LAHORE 0920 KARACHI 0920 CALICUT 0920 TRIVANDRUM 0920 KUALA LUMPUR 0930 DUBAI 0935 HYDERABAD 0955 DELHI 0955 SHARJAH 1005 BANGKOK 1010 BANGALORE 1010 COLOMBO 1020 BOMBAY 1030 DUBAI 1030 SALALAH 1030 ISLAM ABBAD 1040 ZANZIBAR-DARESSLAM 1045 DUBAI 1055 ABU DHABI 1105 BAHRAIN 1110 DOHA 1115 DUBAI WORLD CENTRE-DOHA 1130 KHASAB 1140 RAS AL KHAIMA 1210 GWADUR-TURBAT 1305 KATHMANDU 1310 CALICUT 1310 DUBAI 1315 MADRAS 1315 SOHAR 1315 COCHIN 1325 ABU DHABI 1325 DOHA 1330 LONDON HEATHROW 1330 CHITTAGONG 1415 CAIRO 1430 MUKHAIZNA 1515 MANGALORE 1530 DUBAI 1545 ABU DHABI-KUWAIT 1625 JEDDAH 1630 SALALAH 1650 DUBAI 1700 DUBAI 1700 DUBAI 1820 DOHA 1845 RIYADH 1845 SALALAH 1850 BAHRAIN 1855 KUWAIT 1900 DOHA 1900 BAHRAIN 1910 DAMMAM 1910 DUBAI 1915 KUALA LUMPUR 1930 SALALAH 1940 RIYADH 2000 SHARJAH 2005 DUBAI 2025 ABU DHABI 2030 KARACHI-BANGKOK 2040 DUBAI 2040 SALALAH 2135 DUBAI 2225 BOMBAY 2245 MADRAS 2300 DELHI 2310 DOHA 2320 BAHRAIN 2325 COLOMBO 2335 ABU DHABI 2350 SALALAH 2350 JEDDAH 2350

FLT NO

ARRIVALS FROM

WY676 WY406 WY682 BG021 WY916 4H583 TK776 QR1132 EK866 GF560 EY384 FZ041 WY902 WY638 WY638 WY324 WY686 WY658 WY674 WY672 WY602 WY202 WY102 FZ043 G9114 WY242 WY236 WY918 WY226 WY252 WY212 WY346 EK862 QR1128 EY382 9W530 WY342 WY272 WY282 WY604 WY372 FZ037 WY384 IX337 WY332 PA450 WY904 WY818 WY606 WY3302 WY906 WY656 WY632 FZ045 WY204 WY292 WY610 WY246 WY3304 WY264 WY232 WY664 QR1126 EK864 GF564 WY3922 WY646 G9116 WY254 FZ047 WY434 WY614 AI977 KL441 WY624 AI973 WY312 6.00E+81 WY414 9W534 FZ049 AI907 QR1134 WY338 GF566 EY388 BA073 SG061 WY908 AI985 WY662 LX242 9W540 WY654 LH618 WY612 WY914 WY696 WY636 WY717 WY910

ETA

ETD

ETA

ETD

M ONDAY, JANUARY 12, 2015

C11

EXTRA H E A LT H N O T E S

Gene mutations put some smokers at pancreatitis risk GENE MUTATIONS in some people who drink and smoke put them at an increased risk of developing chronic pancreatitis, researchers from the University of Pittsburgh’s School of Medicine in the US said. Smoking and drinking are known to be strong risk factors for chronic pancreatitis but not everyone who smokes or drinks damages their pancreas. “Our new study identifies gene variants, which when combined with lifestyle factors make people susceptible to chronic pancreatitis and may be useful to prevent patients from developing it,” said David Whitcomb, chief of gastroenterology, hepatology and nutrition at Pitt’s School of Medicine. The 12-year study provides insight into why some people develop this painful and debilitating inflammatory condition while most heavy smokers or drinkers do not appear to suffer any problems with it.

Statin treatment also curbs heart disease risk in women

World’s thinnest, strongest material Graphene was first isolated a decade ago, but the single-atom-thick sheet of carbon is still turning up surprises

T

hought to be an impermeable barrier, research reported in Nature shows that graphene in fact allows protons to pass through it, opening up the possibility of its use as an ultrathin membrane in fuel cells.

Meanwhile, a separate report in Science reveals that graphene outperforms both steel and a composite Kevlar armour in its ability to withstand “bullets.”

Proton filter Protons’ ability to travel through graphene suggests that the material could be used as a membrane to sieve hydrogen from air, and to help extract energy from that hydrogen in a fuel cell, says coauthor Andre Geim, a materials scientist at the University of Manchester, UK, who won a Nobel prize in 2010 for his pioneering experiments on graphene.

Fuel cells convert the chemical energy stored in hydrogen (or other fuels) into electricity by breaking it apart into protons and electrons: the electrons race around an outside wire to create a current, with the protons flowing through a membrane within the cell. (Electrons and protons recombine at an electrode to react with oxygen.) Today’s membranes, such as a commercial

polymer called Nafion, are tens of micrometers thick but do not entirely prevent hydrogen fuel from leaking through; their thickness also means that proton flow is not as great as it might be, reducing the cell’s power. A strong, ultrathin barrier that blocks everything except protons could solve both problems at a stroke.

This, says Geim, is what graphene could provide — as could, the team reports, another atomically thin sheet made of boron nitride.

Fuel-cell experts say that the work is proof of principle, but are cautious about its immediate application. Factors such as to how grow a sufficiently clean, large graphene sheet, and its cost and lifetime, would have to be taken into account. “It may or may not be a better membrane for a fuel cell,” says Andrew Herring, a chemical engineer at the Colorado School of Mines in Golden.

Geim’s team used a similar approach to filter clean hydrogen from water using a graphene membrane. Such a technique might pull hydrogen from air, Geim says. “It’s speculation, but before this paper it would be science fiction,” he says. Graphene itself might not be the only solution, however. In 2013, researchers showed how a stacked series

of graphene oxide membranes created small channels that sieved hydrogen from mixtures of carbon dioxide or nitrogen.

Strong armour Graphene has already been proved to be the world’s strongest material — by measuring the resistance of the sheet to being pressed with a diamond tip. But now the material has been targeted by “bullets” for the first time, with tiny silica spheres being fired at layers of graphene.

These layers can very rapidly disperse the energy of an impact before they shatter, because disruptions ripple outward through the material so fast, explains coauthor Edwin Thomas, from Rice University in Houston, Texas. The upper limit on this effect is the speed of sound in a material, and in stiff, light graphene, a sound wave can travel at 22 kilometres per second — as opposed to just 332 meters per second in air. A composite material based on graphene layers and other lightweight, strong materials could be a “very promising armour system,” Thomas says.

A question of scale These latest experiments suggest even more potential for

STUDY

Exposure to cold could keep you thinner: Scientists EXPOSING YOURSELF to cold temperatures on a regular basis could help to make you thin because it may change the way the body metabolises fat according to scientists who believe they have discovered why.

Cooling the body’s core temperature even slightly appears to act as a trigger for the conversion of harmful “white” fat, which is linked with obesity, to the less harmful “brown” fat used to generate body heat, they said.

Studies on laboratory mice found that a protein called Zfp516 is critical for the formation of

brown fat and that mice with high levels of the protein gained 30 per cent less weight that other mice when fed a high-fat diet, the researchers said. “Knowing which protein regulates brown fat is significant because brown fat is not only important for thermogenesis (heat generation), but there is evidence that brown fat may also affect metabolism and insulin resistance,” said Hei Sook Sul of the University of California, Berkeley. “If you can somehow increase levels of this protein through drugs, you could have more brown fat, and could

possibly lose more weight even if eating the same amount of food,” Dr Sul said.

“This protein could become an important target for research into the treatment and prevention of obesity and obesity-related diseases,” she said.

Brown fat burns energy and helps to keep the body warm.

It does this because it contains relatively high levels of mitochondria, the “power plants” of the cells, which also accounts for why these fat cells appear brown compared to the usual “white” fat cells. -Steve Connor/The Independent

graphene, which is already being trialled for hundreds of uses, including batteries, night-vision goggles, medical scanners, condoms and photodetectors. But in all cases, industrial partners’ main concern is manufacturing: whether graphene sheets, or composite materials that include graphene, can be made in large scale at sufficient quality and to reliable standards. “There is a confused market out there,” says James Baker, business director of the National Graphene Institute in Manchester, England. One touted application - replacing the rare compound indium tin oxide used in touchscreens for mobile phones — now looks less likely, because graphene cannot provide the same quality at the same cost, for example.

Dozens of companies are currently actively making and commercialising graphene or graphene-based materials, but few have reached the market after years of development. But what may seem a slow pace of development to outsiders is only to be expected for new materials, says Baker. “You won’t know if particular applications will work unless you talk to industry,” he adds.

- Richard Van Noorden/The New York Times News Services

RESOLVING a major uncertainty, a large international study has conclusively shown that statin treatment also reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease in women, just as it does in men. “It has long been known that, by reducing low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, statin medications prevent heart attacks and strokes in people at risk of these diseases,” said lead investigator Anthony Keech, professor of medicine, cardiology and epidemiology at University of Sydney. Whether statin therapy is as effective in women as in men is debated, especially for primary prevention. “This analysis of the effects of statins on 174,000 patients, undertaken by combining results from 27 different trials, shows beyond any reasonable doubt that women gain the same benefits from statins as men,” Keech added. Statins are beneficial not only to women who have already had a cardiovascular event such as a heart attack or stroke, but also in those who are at an increased risk of such diseases, the findings showed.

Gene couple that boosts stress disorder identified PEOPLE WHO carry two specific genes are at greater risk of developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), shows new research, suggesting that even heredity influences a person’s risk of developing the debilitating mental disorder. The two genes called COMT and TPH-2 play important roles in brain function.

“We found a significant association between variants of COMT and TPH2 with PTSD symptoms, suggesting that these genes contribute to the onset and persistence of the disorder,” said lead author Armen Goenjian, a researcher at University of California, Los Angeles. -IANS

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MONDAY, JAN UA RY 12 , 2 015

EXTRA

You can now play nearly 2,400 MSDOS video games in your browser

Tech firms want devices connected to the internet From blankets to shoes, companies are rushing to create and embed chips in everything

I

f technology firms have their way, everything we use on a daily basis, from our toothbrush to our car, will one day be connected to the internet.

At this year’s International CES — the consumer tech industry’s annual Las Vegas confab — you can’t go more than a few steps without hearing someone talking about a way to connect something new to the internet.

But as companies rush to create apps and embed chips in everything from blankets to shoes, it’s unclear whether consumers are as hot on the “smart everything” trend.

After all, people probably don’t need an alert on their phone to tell them when their toast is ready — the bread popping out is a pretty good clue.

It’s one thing to have a smart appliance that saves you time or money, which is the main selling point for successful devices such as the Nest thermostat.

A critical and consumer darling, analysts have estimated that the Nest sells around 100,000

units per month. But other smart products have not been so quick to catch on.

Companies are tight-lipped about sales figures for smart appliances, but even Whirlpool has admitted that its smart washing machine is “a little bit of a hammer looking for a nail right now”.

Experts project that the market for smart appliances overall will reach only around $4.99 billion in sales by 2015; by contrast, Whirlpool alone took in around $18.9 billion in sales for its appliance businesses last year.

And that may indicate a slow market for smart devices, except for the really useful ones.

Do we really want to monitor obsessively the updates from a smart nappy, an app-connected toothbrush or an automatic, internet-connected belt?

For the majority of average consumers, the answer right now is: “No, thank you.” In a new survey by Nielsen’s Affinnova group, just over 40 per cent of adults said that the smart products they’ve seen so far seem like gimmicks, and 59 per cent said

that they need real value to spend money on a smart product, not just novelty.

That presents a major challenge for companies such as Samsung, which has thrown itself wholly into the development of smart appliances and electronics.

In a speech on Monday night, Samsung’s chief executive, BK Yoon, said that he would like to see all of Samsung’s products connected to the internet within the next five years.

But even consumers who are buying such products appear to want more than just connectivity.

They also crave simplicity. The research firm Accenture found in a global survey released this week that 83 per cent of people who have used smart devices such as fitness monitors, homesecurity systems and even smart thermostats have had frustrating problems getting those devices to work.

Just over one-fifth of those surveyed deemed smart devices “too complicated to use”.

Nearly as many also said that

they had problems even setting up the devices. And once they did get them working, 19 per cent said that they felt the products didn’t work as advertised.

Those problems may be dampening enthusiasm for the revolution that web-oriented companies are trying to foment — a trend that analysts predict could rake in more than £2 trillion by 2020 if firms get it right.

So while enthusiasm for “the Internet of Things” is a hot catchphrase these days in the tech industry, it’s still decidedly in its awkward adolescent phase.

To sell the idea — convincingly — to consumers, companies will have to think hard about how to make connected devices useful, safe and understandable to the average person.

That’s not to say “the Internet of Things” isn’t going to happen, but it probably requires a little more time at the drawing board, given the products companies in Vegas are pitching this week.

More interesting objects may be unveiled in future.

-Hayley Tsukayama/The Washington Post

NEARLY 2,400 MS-DOS games are now available to play — for free — in almost any browser on the Internet Archive.

A lot of people of a certain generation are once again able to play the games they played over and over and over again as kids.

The Internet Archive is arguably best-known for its Wayback Machine, the neat and useful repository of home pages past that lets you, say, see what the White House's website looked like 15 years ago. But it does a lot more than simply send surfers back in time.

Many video game enthusiasts learned that over a year ago with the launch of the console living room, a similar project that brought early games (like those on the old Atari consoles) into the browser as playable emulations.

Here’s a sample of the playable games out there: Master of Orion A super popular turn-based galactic conquest game that might remind some players of the Civilisation series.

The Oegon Trail This game probably needs little introduction, but just in case: you travel from the east on the Oregon Trail like a pioneer — and it's magical and addicting.

The Lion King What? I liked it when I was a kid.

There are a ton more, which you can explore at https://archive.org/details/softwarelibrary_msdos_games. Some of the games are going to be buggy, but they’re working on it.

The MS-DOS project is likely to see similar popularity to the console experiment.

Although this isn’t the first time some of these games have made it into a playable browser format, the Internet Archive’s undertaking is an unprecedented work of interactive preservation. In addition to simply posting a best-shot attempt at emulating the game experience in a browser, software curator Jason Scott is soliciting feedback on what does and doesn't work for users as more and more people explore the software archives.

In a Monday post announcing the new resource, Scott wrote: “I really worked hard to have only fully-functioning programs up, or at least, programs that gave viable, useful feedback. Some of them will still fall over and die, and many of them might be weird to play in a browser window, and of course you can’t really save things off for later, and that will limit things too.

But on the whole, you will experience some analogue of the MS-DOS program, in your browser, instantly.”

-Abby Ohlheiser/The Washington Post.

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

SECTION

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

RENT

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VACANCY

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CARGO

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*Classified Advertisement space booking with text, should be done till 12.00 noon for next day’s publication. * Subject to space availability

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M O N D AY, JA N UA RY 1 2 , 2 0 1 5

DAILY GUIDE

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

FOR RENT

FOR RENT New deluxe building in Misfah Industrial Area, 11 shops with A/C, each 4cm x 9cm, an additional 12 huge spaces including kitchens and bathrooms which can be used for offices or residences. The building location first row close to main road.

Contact - 98880333 2 BHK available in Darsait, 1 B/R and hall, 2 B/R and hall. Contact 99357586, 97500025, 97884787 2 BR flats with split A/C’s & internet free & 2 BR fully furnished deluxe flats available at Al Khuwair near KM Hypermarket. Office space 115 SQ mtr with partition & cassette type A/C’s available at Al Khuwair near KM Hypermarket.

Contact 99460330 2 Bedroom Spacious flat for rent at Al Khuwair 25 for OMR 400/- per month . Contact: 99379988.

Flats in Muttrah near Oman House per flat RO 230. Contact 92815855 / 95181077 6 shops in Mabela Industrial Area.

Each Front Shop OMR 400 and Side Shop OMR 300Monthly.

Tel: 99333479 or 95215360 1,000 sq mtrs industrial land in Misfah Industrial area near to Khan co. OMR 1,500 Monthly. Electricity and boundary wall will be provided.

Tel: 99333479 or 95215360 2 BHK available in Mumtaz area, Ruwi & Ghubra, nr Indian School.

Contact 99269751

FOR RENT Brand new 2BHK with split A/C near SQU round about at Al Khoud, near to Muscat highway, building no. 4558/1, way no. 5350.

Contact - 92850717 OFFICES FOR RENT

Fully Equipped Restaurant / Industrial Kitchen for Sale with existing catering orders, CR & Labour Clearance, Restaurant space and Outdoor sitting area on Sale at Mawaleh Call: 9906 4589

- Premium offices to let a very good location on the main road very close to Zakher Mall, Al Khawiar. Business Center has offices with sizes of 50m2, 110m2, 180m2, 207m2, 230m2, 437m2.

- Showroom also available at Business Center, Area 500m2 with central A/c.

- Offices with Central Air-conditions, Security System with CCTV cameras, and Security presence in the building.

Office space with cassette type A/C’s with free internet at al Khuwair near KM Hypermarket. Contact 99460330 2 BHK, Darsait near Kims Hospital.

Contact 99024730 1 & 2 BHK & villa 3 BR-Darsait near ISM & ISD. Contact 99024730 1 BHK, 2 BHK, Ghala, new bldg.

Contact 99024730 1 BHK, Wadi Kabir. Contact 99024730 Flat for Rent in Ruwi, Bareeq Shatti, Mawalah. Contact 92521080, 98899916 Spacious 2 BR flat in MBD. Contact 99713489 2 bedrooms, big bathroom, sharing kitchen for rent with Electric and Water Bill =RO 220/-. Only for family.

Location / Place – Mumtaz Area near Khimjis Mart. Contact 98917915 / 99823591

Family room available for rent at Muttrah Souq. Contact 24712088 / 99022790

2 BHK flat in Mumtaz.

Contact 99792181

Office space & store, CBD 20059.

Contact 99024730

1, 2, 3, BHK in Alkhuwair.

Contact 99792181

Contact: 97377355 / 95530121, Email id: aaleem@ggcoman.com 200 Sqr mtrs Showroom in CBD. Contact 99792181 1 & 2 BHK in Wataya.

Contact 99792181 100 & 180 Sqr mtrs office space in Al khuwair. Contact 99792181

Rent, new flat Wadi Adai, 2 big bedrooms, 1 big toilet, 1 big hall, 1 big kitchen. Contact 99345137 Barber Shop for Rent/Sale in Hail North near Shell Petrol Pump.

Contact : 92864522 , 96448372

6 BHK commercial Villa in Ghobra.

Contact 99792181

1 / 3 BHK Flat Ghobrah, close to ISG Way 4041, building 4390.

Contact 99319880

Spacious well maintained 2 BHK at Rex Road from 1st February.

Contact 92227165

We have special villa in Bausher, Al Muna, 5 bedrooms, rent RO 800/-.

Contact 99622885

Flat for rent Ghubrah South, ground floor flat, 3 bedrooms, majlis, family hall, RO 425/-.

Contact 94669711

1 BHK commercial, Darsait, RO 225/-. Contact 97799175

2 BHK Pent House with split A/C in all rooms, very spacious balcony with sea & city view RO 350, 2 BHK RO 340, Bldg #1619, Way #1322 adjacent to Indian Nursery Darsait.

Contact 99476728 / 99831047 1 BHK bedroom flat in Wadi Kabir neat Kuwaiti Mosque RO 200/-.

Contact 95094028

2 BHK, Al Khuwair. Contact 99024730

2 BHK in Bowsher.

Contact 99792181

2 BR deluxe flats at Ghubrah and Ruwi. 2 BR furnished flat at Ghubrah.

Contact 99885391 / 99354010

2 BHK, CBD. Contact 99024730

1 & 2 BHK in Ruwi.

Contact 99792181

Shop & flats available.

Contact-24813822

1,2,3 BHK flats & Villas.

Contact 92144045 Separate Villa, Al Athaibah, 3 BHK, hall, living room, maid rooms, A/C split, family only, RO 600/-.

Contact 92479515 Villa, Al Khuwair 33, 4 BHK, living room, split A/C, family only, RO 600/-Contact 92479515 Fully furnished one bedroom penthouse Wadi Kabir behind Sana Hassan, weekly RO.140/- Monthly RO 350/- Contact – 99349990 6 bedroom villas at Al Ansab (nr Express highway). Contact 99199365

2 BHK flat for rent RO.350/- at Al Khuwair near Sultan Taimur Mosque. Contact – 98893294 Apartments & villas available.

Contact 95178930 1 BHK residential flat at Honda road.

2 BHK residential flat opposite to Al Nahdha hospital.

Contact – 93219590 1 BHK flat Qurum RO.270/- with split A/C. Contact – 99358589 / 95570288 /97079146 2 BHK flat at Al Khuwair RO.370/with split A/C. Contact – 99358589 / 95570288 /97079146 2 BHK in Seeb RO.200/Contact – 99455334

Fully Furnished ( A/C , Fridge, T.V, Cooking Gas ) 3 rooms in a flat with Kitchen at Azaiba. 2BHK Flats Un furnished at Azaiba next to Al Meera Hyper market ( Families) Contact -99424470 Time : 9 am to 7 pm Fabulous A/C flat Al Khoud, 3 rooms, 280 rials. Contact 99334699 2 single room flats available @ RO 160/- per month, including Electricity & Water. Contact 99441798

2 BHK Commercial Al Khuwair, RO 375/-. Contact 97799175

New bldg 3 BR flats located at Darsait, Muscat close to Kims Pvt Hospital. Contact 92020004 / 99800838

If require flats for rent in Wadi Kabir please send messages through Whatsapp or call – 99376454

Building of 3 flats each 4 BR, rent RO 2500/-. Contact 99776071 / 99057348

3 office spaces available in RUWI FOR RENT 450 OMR & 500 OMR. 96986132

Villas & flats & stores. Contact 99776071 / 99057348

Villa, Al Ansab, 5 BHK, living room, split A/C, family only. RO 550/-.

Contact 92479515

Basement for rent behind Bank Muscat at Wadi Kabir. Contact 99373290, 24815012

Luxury 2 bed room villa at BausherAL Ansab Phase 3.Call. 99324456

6 shops in Maabela Industrial Area.

Each Shop OMR 400 Monthly.

Tel: 99333479 or 95215360

Flat in Ghala, opposite Zubair, 2 BHK, living room, split A/C, family only, RO 350/-. Contact 92479515

5 bedrooms villa with 2 halls, 4 bathrooms in Darsait behind Khimjis Mart. Contact 24700120, 92584715

M O N DAY, JA N UA RY 1 2 , 2 0 1 5

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DAILY GUIDE

FOR RENT

FOR RENT

FOR SALE FOR SALE

2 BHK flats for rent behind Kims Hospital. Contact 93161573 / 97769759 Penthouse near Sultan Centre Al Amerat with 2 A/Cs. Contact 99612270 3 bedroom furnished Executive Apartment @Al Khuwair 25, 2 BR fully furnished Executive Apartment @Azaiba near Zubair Showroom, 2 BR fully furnished executive Apartment @Al Khuwair 33 near Zakher Mall. Please contact : Atlas Real Estate & Rent A Car LLC, 99249069 / 92888376 / 93201688, email : info@alshahiintl.com 2 BHK flat Muttrah / Mabelah.

Contact 95915154 Studio flat Darsait. RO 150/-.

Contact 92144045

Abu Adnan Tower - flat for rent available at Al Mabelah, 2 B/R, 1 hall, 2 toilets, 1 kitchen.

Contact 95566475 / 99654252 300 SQR mtrs Labor camp or Store for Rent in Wadi Kabir.

Contact 99792181 BHK flats Muttrah near Oman House.

Contact 97007934 / 92629232 Villa 2 bedrooms & majlis, 2 toilets, kitchen in Mawaleh.

Contact 91376619 2 BR, 2 toilets, kitchen at Al Mawaleh. Contact 99444786, 99747560 We have 1 BHK, 2 BHK, 3 BHK flats, 4, 5 bedrooms villa, open space offices & shops available in Ghala, Ghobrah, Qurum, Mabela, Ruwi, Darsait, Mumtaz, Wadi Kabir. All brand new buildings & very affordable prices.

Contact 93782735 / 99208033 Flat for rent 2 bedrooms one hall in South Al Hail. RO 270.

Contact 93221474 3 new Villas for rent, located in South Ghubrah behind American School, each has 11 bedrooms including 2 Majlis, 8 bathrooms and kitchen. For residential or institutional rent. Contact 99233729 / 98539366 House in North Al Hail with 3 rooms, Majlis & 3 toilets. Contact 99439568 2 BHK with A/C near ISM RO.325/1BHK Al Falaj without A/C RO.200/2 BHK with A/C near Kims hospital RO.300/- Darsait commercial or residential with A/C RO.230/- Studio at Al Falaj RO.170/-. 2 BHK without A/C at Wadi Kabir RO.300/Contact - 92144045

300 Sqr mtrs store or labor camp for Rent in Wadi Kabir.

Contact - 99792181 For rent apartments: An apartment in old Muscat at Oman Arab Bank’s building. 3 bedrooms + 3 bathrooms, dining room, living room and a kitchen. Air conditioned apartments.

2 bedrooms + 2 bathrooms, living room, dining room area and kitchen in an excellent location in Al Khuwair opposite the court of first instance. For further information call 97072976 Flats and shops.

Contact 93009999 Studio flat in Ruwi.

Contact 99792181 For rent (flats), 2 bedrooms +hall+kitchen, location: South Al Mawaleh. Contact 99870020 1 / 3 BHK Flat Ghobrah, close to ISG Way 4041, building 4390.

Contact 99319880 Show room on the main road Saham center total area 450 m sq. Contact: 99366558 / 99334226 Flats/villas owned by ROP pension fund available for rent in Muscat.

Contact 99349526 Villa, ground floor in Al Khuwair.

Contact 99743569, 97004265

New Villa for Rent Two floors newly built villa in Maabillah, 8 Fullfledged Residential Area 6 Rooms, 8 Toilets, excellent finishing spacious Kitchen, Big Dining Rooms in Both Floors, Easy Access to Muscat and Sohar using Maabillah Bridge. Contact 92828303 Flats ground floor, 3 Rooms & AC, kitchen, hall, in Al Mabaila South.

Contact 99377290 2 B/ R Fully Furnished Executive Apartment @ Al Khuwair 33 Near Zaker Mall. 3 Bedroom Furnished executive apartment @ Al Khuwair 25 5 B/R Luxury Fully Furnished villas at Azaiba with servants, 3 Bedroom Unfurnished Villa @ Mawalah South Area 6 with Servant Quarter, 5 Bedroom Unfurnished Villa @ An Apartment that resembles a penthouse has 2 rooms with 2 toilets, living room & an elegant balcony. Fully furnished, suited for families. Final price RO.300/- Mabela 8 near German University. Contact 99888400 1 BHK with attached toilet & bathroom behind Bank Muscat at Wadi Kabir. Contact 99373290, 24815012 1 BHK at Ghobrah - Near Indian School. Contact: 99014885 1 BHK & Single room in Wadi Kabir.

RO 180/-. Contact 99376454 Al Qurum heights Sea view.

Contact - 99249069 / 92888376/ 93201688

Restaurant about 250 SQM @ 5/- SQM, heart of Ruwi Market in Plaza Hotel for sale / rent. Contact 99326339 / 24833314

We are dealing with sale of all beauty salon equipments, furnitures & cosmetics.#942 888 61 / 942 888 63

Shop for sale near ONTC bus stand Ruwi near Sun City Hotel on main road.Contact 99326339 / 24789801

Port cabins – New & refurnished Porta cabin for sale and rent.

Contact 96723468

Dental clinic for sale in Sohar. Contact immediately 99705760,92625962 Flats for Sale in Bowshar: OMR 35 Thousand 1 bedroom. OMR 45 Thousand 2 bedroom. Monthly income 1 bedroom OMR 270 and 2 bedroom OMR 350. Tel: 99333479 or 95215360 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 Mobile shop & store for sale with stocks in Dhofar building Ruwi.

Contact 92239696 / 98001233 Used furniture bedroom sofa dining A/Cs Majlis washing machine, table keyboard, Expat leaving.

Contact 99353978 Readymade Garments shop furniture. Contact 99386170 Building material shop for sale, near Mars Hypermarket, Al Ghoubra.

Contact 93797343 / 99881647 Well running pharmacy.

Contact no . 93240949 Sale!, all household items, like fridge, freezer, cooking range, washing machine, window/split A/Cs, LCD TV, Laptop, tab and many more for attractive prices. Location : near Toyota service Center, Honda Road.

Contact - 97048983, 95293643

Apartments in Al Khuwair new area each apartment contains (2 bedrooms + living room) for RO 365. Contact 93181111

2 BHK at Al Azaiba, Building No.5145 Way 4470. Contact 99224748, 99425665

Industrial Land in Misfah.

Contact 93009999

2 BHK with A/C, commercial Al Khuwair. Contact 92144045

Restaurant for leasing/sale in Al Hail. Contact 94148970, 94148972, 97820877

For rent shops and offices in Al Mabela. Contact 99355330

Flat one bedroom at Al Khuwair 33, owner. Contact 92800007

Household items on sale.

Contact 93833107

Running establishment for sale, industrial license, marble & granite, aluminum workshop, fully equipped showroom. Serious buyers please contact 99334540 Running Workshop for Tiles / Marble & Granite cutting & skirting in Wadi Kabir for immediate sale.

Contact 99105492 Well decorated shop for sale at Sur around 75 SQM, ground floor & same size at Mezzanine, RO 150/per month only. Contact 98644622 2 residential plots in Mumtaz Area, Ruwi. Contact 99323266, 99370605 Used household furniture and other items for sale.

Contact 91566996 Restaurant items on sale, like plates, spoons, soup spoons etc. please contact 93833107 A newly opened Barber Shop for sale at upcoming industrial zone in Misfah. Expat leaving Oman.

Genuine buyers call 93833107 (Sale Price Negotiable) 2 flats building in Al Khuwair 17/1.

Contact 99477009 HOUSEHOLD, SALES, Ghubra: Sofa 3x3, King Bed, Multi Gym, GymBike, Microwave, Table, Racks, Mixi, AttaKneader, Contact: 95053480 Beauty parlour for sale Ghala Al Ansab near Al Maha petrol pump.

Contact – 92540355 / 97748706 Office for sale at Al Khuwair with furniture, more than 700 sqm good condition. Contact – 99055571 Workshop for sale near Misfah behind Kanco with good fabrication shed electricity 1150 sqm area.

Contact – 98951026

Sale!, all household items, like fridge, freezer, cooking range, washing machine, window/split A/Cs, LCD TV, Laptop, tab and many more for attractive prices. Location : near Toyota service Center, Honda Road.

Contact - 97048983, 95293643 Restaurant for leasing/sale in Al Hail. Contact 94148970, 94148972, 97820877 Darsait Business Office furniture, Isuzu 4 ton brand new. # 91391363 Running Electrical Building Material Shop for sale in Muscat.

Contact 95330905

AVAILABLE Established Restaurant for rent with sponsorship.

Contact 97628242 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

BUYING/SELLING Looking for purchase of Used Portable Compressor (350 CFM, 7 Bar Pressure) powered with Diesel run Generator.

Kindly Contact 99014686 or operation@khancogroup.com Used household & office furniture and electronic items. Contact 99834373, 97102699 Looking for commercial lands for sale in Al Ghobrah North (urgent serious buyers, commercial lands in al Ghobrah North (corners prime location). Contact 91155779

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

DAILY GUIDE

SITUATION WANTED

SITUATION SITUATION WANTED VACANT

ACCOUNT. & FINANCE Chartered Accountant, 10+ yrs experience, B.Com, CA, CIA. Immediate availability. Audit, Finance.

Contact 94641805

ACCOUNT. & FINANCE

ENGINEERS

Required experienced Accountant Tally, excellent English & driving license. Contact – omanlaw.om@gmail.com / 24497762 / 92192510

Construction Company requires Civil Engineer with degree only with 10 yrs of local or GCC Experience.

Email : omaniantrad@gmail.com

Urgently required Senior Accountant (exp. required minimum 5 yrs having driving license), Assistant Accountant (exp. req minimum 3 yrs). Contact 99322373 , omanlightsmarketing@gmail.com, alzahraexports@gmail.com.

Urgently required a leading construction requires B.Tech Electrical Engineers with 5-10 yrs Gulf experience. Interested candidates who are willing to join immediately may send their CV to hrdarabianmktg@gmail.com

An Accountant with minimum 3 yrs experience in managing financial records & administration functions is required for an IT company in Muscat. Send your CV with updates photo to itmuscat2014@yahoo.com

Urgently required Biomedical Engineer with 5 yrs experience with Laboratory Diagnostic instruments for a Medical Diagnostic Company.

Candidate with Omani Driving License preferred. Contact imsllc@imsoman.net

ADMIN Construction Company requires female executive assistant, with good computer and communication skills, advanced English, fluent Arabic. Please send your CV harun.koyyar@adaliholding.com One of the leading Business Groups in Oman is looking for the following person : Secretary (Male-Indian) – 1 No., min 5 yrs of experience preferably in spare parts & bearings. Please send your CV to kumar@muscatsteel.com A reputed 3 star hotel in Muscat requires qualified Omani Nationals for front office, security and food and beverage departments.

Interested candidates please contact 99061335, email : agm@hotelgoasis.com

Urgently required light car drivers for a VIP service Company.

Preferred Philipino National.

Contact 98266319.

Email : lord.ofarts@yahoo.com Good growing Company in Muscat is looking for 2 drivers. English language needed. Email : yesterdaysun1@hotmail.com Needed 2 drivers, offering good salary. Contact 99441798 Wanted driver. Contact 95112461

DOMESTIC HELP Need cutter for Tailoring shop.

Contact 99825211 Housemaid required urgently.

Please contact +968 92806900 Required Housemaid for Indian family, Visa will be provided.

Contact 94291473

ENGINEERS Urgently required Mechanic Supervisor (B.Tech in Mechanical / Automobile Engg) for a reputed company in Muscat with min of 5 yrs experience in Grader, Dozer etc with GCC/Oman License. Those interested may email CV along with certificates to p.m@watcooman.com, g.m@watcooman.com or contact 99288717 Required urgently Civil Engineer with minimum 5 years experience driving license must. If you interesting send your CV on email: Towershr70@gmail.com STRUCTURAL ENGINEER (full time) Responsibilities: To work with architect, To provide of construction issue documentation for a projects.

Desired candidate Profile: min of 3-5 years experience in Structural Design, Should be AutoCAD competent. Please send your CV to Email: info@pak2pak.com Tel. 99196733, 99419766

Indian female, 29 yrs, MBA, HR, finance, international Business having 2 yrs experience, Oman expert Tally Peach tree looking for part time/ full time, well experience accounting.

Contact 95319660 Indian female, having 9 yrs experience in Administration & 4 yrs in Accounts seeks suitable placement, preference for the straight shift. Release available. Contact 92239617

SALES / MARKETING OFFICE/ SEC Looking for smart/ dynamic male for front desk office, pref. fluency in English. Contact 95176500 (Salalah)

MECH/ TECHNICALCAL Urgently required an experienced person in gliding, fixing & installation works at buildings, for a well established advertisement co.in Sohar. Send your CV to : mohammed.tauseef2@gmail.com younis.alshezawi@live.com, Call : 96367342,95728453

MANAGER

DRIVER

ACCA, 24 yrs, female, looking for a suitable position, Accounting/ Finance in a reputed firm.

Contact 91710657

We are looking for :- 1) Firefighting equipment Engineer / Technician, 2) Marketing Executive, 3) Crane Maintenance Technician. Email : alsarooj@omantel.net.om

ARCHITE. / INTERIOR Architect ( Autocad 3D / 3D Max / photoshop / presentation ) in a reputed office. Tel 24794481 fax 24794482 kamalismailconsultant@hotmail.com

Finance & Accounts manager based in Oman with multi-faceted experience in Finance, Costing, Audit ,Erp software implementation with over 18 yrs of post qualification experience in leading Gulf/ India based Companies involved in Construction, Contracting, Manufacturing, Trading activities. I am seeking suitable challenging position in leading coys/Groups in Oman.

Please contact mobile no-+968 99601390 or 92209357 or email vr6954@gmail.com for detailed experience

2-3 years experienced electrical panel technician. Contact Mobile No:93838449/98987386 Excellent cleaning company required Operation Manager, experience in Muscat cleaning companies preferred.

Contact 92868123

Urgently required Sales Managers & Sales Executives for the following fields: 1) Information technology, 2) Gifts & promotion 3) Readymade Garments & textile. Experience required minimum 3 yrs & having valid Oman Driving license.

Contact 99322373 , omanlightsmarketing@gmail.com, alzahraexports@gmail.com

A well reputed Steel Fabrication & Machining Workshop Company in Oman requires experienced Salesman / Sales Engineer with Diploma / Degree Qualification.

GSM 99228046 Email : oman518@gmail.com,

Wanted MBBS Doctor, Staff Nurse and Lab Technician for a Clinic in Capital Area. Please contact 93431024, send CV to drasyanaseem@gmail.com Required Physiotherapist.

Contact: 91453024 General practitioner Doctor is required to work urgently in Dreams Clinic at Al Khoudh and must be resident in the Sultanate of Oman.

Please send your CV to the following email: towershr70@gmail.com, balushi70@gmail.com & info@towersinternationalgroups. com, Mobile 99882340, Tel: 24545914 Dentist required to work urgently in dreams clinic at Al Khoud and must be resident in Sultanate of Oman.

Please send your CV to the following email – towershr70@gmail.com / balushi70@gmail.com / info@towersinternationalgroups.com Mobile – 99882340 / 24545914

MISCELLANEOUS

Accountant, 4 yrs experience in Oman, NOC available.# 96799714 Indian Male, MBA 2 yrs experience in Accounts, Admin & HR on visit visa. Contact 92045306 India Accountant: Male, M com, 7 Yrs experience in Accounts up to finalization, having knowledge of ERP, Tally, seeks suitable placement. Contact:93950138 Email: lijinrajan123@gmail.com

CATERING Indian male, working Bakery Pastry as Sr. Chef De Party, 15 yrs experience in Oman, 10 yrs exp in one of the 5 star Hotels, still working, get release.

Contact 96460519, 99063817

DESIGNER AutoCAD Designer D/man 2D/3D/ Revit/Photoshop, experienced.

Contact : 97103168 Interior Designer, Gulf Exp, AutoCAD 2D/3D/ Corel draw.

Contact : 97103168 Indian male, 8 yrs GCC experience in 3D & Architectural Designing with D/L. Contact 97263199

DRIVER Light Driver having own visa looking for job as driver Contact 92303692 Light Driver looking for job.

Contact 92787245 Driver with vehicle, Keralite.

Contact 94251067

Part time Accountant with 15 yrs exp in Accounting, Auditing, Taxation Management. Contact 95857199

Bangladeshi male driver, exp 12 yrs looking for job in any company & office. Contact 99165961

Indian male, 35, MBA with 8 yrs experience, 2+ yrs in Admin & Accounts and 5+ yrs in USA as Retail Manager holding American Driving License looking for suitable position.

Contact 91341786, Email : mfasiuddin@gmail.com

Pakistani male light vehicle driver with 1.5 yrs experience. #98219599

Leading Construction company requires young purchase assistant with Oman driving license.

Contact 99108425

A logistics company located at Sohar, requires Candidate for the post of marketing and accounts.

Valid Oman License and experience is added qualification.

Contact: 99381 82, 24499091, Email: info@excellenceoman.com

Required an experienced person who has ideas to start a new business in electrical field or supply with minimum cost. Contact 99426421

Highly reputed Perfume Company requires Omani Sales girl promoters. # 95663682, 92956876

Indian driver need job with car.

Contact 91254539

SITUATION WANTED

Finance Manager, MBA (Finance) with more than 20 yrs of experience in GCC/India, involved in Construction Contracting, Manufacturing, fully knowledgeable in Finance General and Management Accounting, NOC available. Contact 93245973

ADMIN/HR

Accounts part time works upto finalization & finalization works.

Contact 96247295

Required Salesman, Tailor, Barber.

Contact 91114884 Looking for outdoor salesman for heavy equipments.

Contact- 93292015, 99656542

Graduate Indian female having 5+ Years Oman experience in Admin/Procurement/Logistics with excellent computer skills(PGDCA).

Seeking suitable Placement.

NOC available.

Contact:95382966 Indian male 32 years, B.A Tourism & Travel Management. 2 and Half years Dubai experience in Front office & reservation in a 3 star hotel with good command over English & Hindi, seeking placement in HR or Admin. Contact - 9454 1041.

Indian male MBA 32 yrs having 10 yrs of exp seeking suitable placement in Admin/ HR/ Operations/ Coordination/ Logistics etc.

Holding valid Oman D/L .

Contact - 99054786 Omani Man looking for a job with experience in HR/ Admin/ accounting. # 99767666

ACCOUNT. & FINANCE

Indian male having NOC with 7 yrs Oman experience in recruitment / on boarding general admin.

Immediate joining.

Contact 96684424

Indian female, 25 yrs, bachelors of businesses management, having experience of 5 years as a fund/ financial administration, on visit visa,looking for suitable placement.

Contact 94662416 Apurwaverma@gmail.com

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

26 hrs Indian Accountant with 2 years experience, B.Com, seeking suitable position, available immediately, contact No:9821 3292, e-mail: Indite2faraaz@gmail.com

Indian female with excellent communication skills, confident, dedicated to work and enthusiastic.

Knowledge about ms office. Has 6 years of experience in customer service, telecommunication, HR.Looking for immediate placement. Contact # 97348819

Indian Male, qualified ICWA, M.com with 2years experience in accounts, costing, auditing & SAP in reputed listed companies, seeks suitable placements. Mob: 94619453 Email: cmashahidkt@gmail.com.

SALES / MARKETING

Indian male, Graduate expert in admin and purchase for 9 yrs holding Omani D/L looking for suitable job.

Contact 99626821, NOC available.

Indian Male 25 years B.Com having 3 years of exp of Oman in Accounts/Administration.Well versed with computer knowledge looking for suitable position. Immidiately available. Contact:93207867 email: tambeazhar@gmail.com

Required (fast food restaurant), a part time marketing / Sales professional on commission basis – 5 Nos. in Muscat. Forward CV to fastfoodoman2014@gmail.com

Omani with 6 yrs experience as PRO, 3 years Admin / Procurement Officer, excellent English can travel out of Oman, PDO D/L seeks job.

Contact 96996938

Indian female, 25 yrs, B.Com with computer Application, 1 yr experience as Accountant, looking for suitable job.

Contact 98847165

Required Japanese, Korean car parts Salesman with Gulf exp.

Contact – 98489140

Indian female, MBA, HR 1 yr experience in India seeking suitable opportunity. Contact 99257214

Accountant, 2 yrs experience (purchasing, coordinator) with D/L and NOC. Contact 94174403

Required Laundry men (Ironing) visa ready. Contact – 92868123

Indian Accountant: male, B.Com, 6 out of 10 yrs experience in Oman.

Having NOC & valid Oman D/L. Can join immediately. Contact 95740191, email : lashks@gmail.com

Indian CA with 14 yrs exp. working as Head of Finance Oman for US MNC looking for job. Ph94047434

B.Com Graduate, 3 yrs experience in Accounts, Indian male, looking for accounts or suitable job. Contact afsarsabith@yahoo.com, 93975526

Salesman for Sales of Printing Press supplies urgently required in Dubai. Must be knowledgeable about Printing Presses and have a valid GCC Driving License. Email CV to sales@ies-oman.com

MEDICAL We are looking for an Optometrist for an Optical with minimum 3 yrs experience. Please contact 99340769 or email : aeooman@gmail.com

Chartered Accountant & company Secretary : currently in Oman, Indian male, 34 yrs, 10 yrs experience in Finance, accounting, consulting, MIS looking for position in finance.

Release available. Contact 96731642

ACCOUNT. & FINANCE

M.Com with MS Dynamics and Tally, 8 yrs experienced Accountant requires Accountant (Senior Accountant) position (NOC available).

Contact 93687011 Indian, MBA, Graduate specialized in Finance, Marketing with GCC, D/L looking for good job opportunity.

Contact 93197431 Bangladeshi male, Chartered Accountant with 2 yrs London exp. looking for job. Contact 99640986/ ahammadmds@gmail.com, +447958036642 Pakistani Male, 26 yrs, MS-Supply Chain & Project Management, BSFinance & Business Administration, +2 yrs experience in Trading Firm responsible for Supply Chain & Accounts. Skills including strong operation managerial Communication & interpersonal, fluent in English, SAP and EPM. Contact 94663827, email : musadiqfayyaz@gmail.com Finance Manager, CPA, with more than 15 yrs. of experience in GCC. Fully knowledgeable in Finance, General & Management Accounting .

NOC available. Contact 96209331 Accountant / Auditor, Srilankan male 27, having 3+ yrs experience looking for suitable placement.

Contact 93556320 Accounts Finalization, Part Time Accounting, Audit Preparation, Internal Audit, Onsite Tally Training, Onsite Training for Accountants, Inventory Management. #94669089, email : ibfcoman@hotmail.com Indian male, 32 years, M. Com.7 out of 9 years experience in Oman in Accounts/finance. Having NOC and valid Oman D/L. Contact 98277143, Email: anzarks@gmail.com

Driver seeking job. # 99805236

Driver with car. Contact 96954496 6 Years experience light duty driver.

Contact – 96736744

Light vehicle driver available.

Contact 96756014 / 97938893 Light driver looking for job.

Contact 96794309 / 98335778 Bangladeshi male light vehicle driver, looking for job. Contact 93113447 Pakistani male light vehicle driver 2 yrs exp. Contact - 96342684 Light driver looking for job.

Contact 92791678

DRAUGHTSMAN Auotcad, Well Experienced, Arch, Stucture, knows 3D, Revit Photoshop Ph : 97103168 Civil Draughtsman, Indian Male, 23 yrs with 3yrs experience in AutoCAD 2D & 3D, MEP, HVAC, 3Ds Max and Photoshop looking for suitable position, presently in Muscat, Oman on visit visa. Contact 91764358, mohdsiraj02@yahoo.com

EDUCATION Currently working as Lecturer of IT, (M.Sc IT) (M Phil computer Science) having experience for more than 5 years, looking for suitable placement. Contact 91105949

ENGG. / TECHNICAL Sudanese Mechanical Engineer, 3 yrs experience as Sit Engineer, HVAC System, and driving license, easy to transfer immediately.

Contact 91135140 B.E Civil 5 yrs exp (2 yrs in India) 2 yrs Oman & 1 year in Qatar. Salary expected RO.500/- above. # 94412557 Looking Part time Job in HVAC93198128 Indian Male, 22 yrs, B.Tech, Marine Engineer, presently on visit visa seeks suitable placement. # 93191777, email: ask.akash@gmail.com Experienced female Electrical Engineer.Contact 93800906

M O N DAY, JA N UA RY 1 2 , 2 0 1 5

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DAILY GUIDE SITUATION WANTED ENGG. / TECHNICAL Seeking job, BTech Instrumentation, 12 years experience Design, FEED, Detailed engineering, Oil & Gas, Instrumentation systems, Oman Driving license.

Email :- wilfridsjacob@gmail.com Mobile:- 00968 99048130 Jordanian Civil Engineer with 4 yrs experience in Construction Field (release available). Contact 95157199 / 92866288, email : best66_pl@hotmail.com B.Sc, Civil Engineer, over 19 yrs experience in construction field with project management skills, seeks suitable placement. NOC available & can join immediately.

Contact 92198264, Email : mdrana1970@gmail.com Mechanical Engineer, 3+ yrs exp.

(2 yrs. in Oman) experience looking for better prospects. NOC available.

Email : myopportunities2015@ gmail.com, 968 94403484 Civil Engineer, male, 25 yrs, 3 yrs experience in site, CAD,3D, MS Project, now in India, seeks job in Oman.

Contact 92887561, jubincivileng@gmail.com B.Tech Civil Engineer since 9 yrs in Oman experienced in Project coordination / Quantity surveying, looking forward to work with contractor/ consultants/client. Email: mmali_03@yahoo.com, Contact 93457995 26, female, B.Tech in Electronics & biomedical engineering with 1 And Half yrs experience in medical field is seeking suitable job openings.

Email : aswathiravirak@gmail.com, ph : 94652908 B.E, Civil Engineer, 7 yrs experience (3 in UAE & 4 in Pak), skilled – MS word. Excel, AutoCAD. # 98499008 Email : saadichan1331@gmail.com, Civil Engineer, BE, 5 yrs experience, minimum 2 yrs in Oman.

Contact : ansari_eruv@yahoo.co.in Indian male, 25 yrs, Electrical & electronics Engineer, 7.8 CGPA, history of no backlogs, Zonal topper in English Communication, with Cambridge certification, looking for suitable position, 2 yrs experience.

Contact 93918271, abhilaleerian89@gmail.com MSc. UK Graduated Indian Male 26yrs Looking for Research Assistant Post. MSc. Agriculture For Sustainable Development (UK) B.tech. Biotechnology. Currently on Visit Visa Email: nithinalex@gmail. com Contact: +968 91709479 Mechanical Engineer, Indian male, 6 yrs exp (3 yrs in GCC) seeks suitable openings. Have valid GCC driving license. Email : msfebco@gmail. com. Contact 91228398 Fabrication Engineering / Diploma in Mechanical Engg. 17 yrs experience in Oman looking for suitable placement, NOC available.

Contact 95426225, 93206605 Telecommunication Engineer with 5 yrs experience in the Gulf.

Contact 95219822 Electrical Project Engineer, 4 yrs experience OHL, Substations, Oil & Gas field, AutoCAD. D/L available.

Contact 95120225 IT Engineer, Indian male, 25 yrs having 3 yrs experience in Technical Support (IT) Networking, Sales Marketing, looking for a job.

Email ID : abumohd3@gmail.com, 91687294

Sr. Site Supervisor (civil) since March 2010 in Oman, looking for better opportunity (rel. available).

Contact 93061107 Nebosh Qualified HSE 15 yrs exp safety Engineer Military (Indian Navy) background, valid Oman driving license. Contact – 97352324 Quantity Surveyor (Civil Building) looking for Part time job Contact no:-94391712 E-mail addressinayathhussain@yahoo.com Industrial Electrician with Oman Driving license. Contact 96348016 Indian male, 26 yrs B-Tech (ECE) with MBA in Marketing / HR looking for a suitable placement. Currently on visit visa valid up to 30 January 2015. Contact 93754428, email : shijosirius709@gmail.com Sudanese Civil Engineer, 10 yrs experience 4 yrs in Oman in Government Projects Supervision looking for a job with D/L. Contact 96966790 Civil Engineer (Diploma) looking for an urgent placement. #95200650 Civil Engineer (Fresher from NIT) skilled in Autocad & Primavera, holding oman D/L seeks suitable placement. Contact -97309804, Email-nizam.m5@hotmail.com Diploma of Associate Civil Engineering, Diploma of AutoCad, having 3.5 yrs experience, 2 yrs experience of Oman in Building Construction, valid transferrable ID Card.

Contact 94378581 B.Tech Civil Engineer, Indian, 16 yrs in Oman with experience in PDO Road Pipelines building with Omani D/L looking for suitable placement.

Contact 98005456 A , M Tech GEO TECHNICAL ENGINEERING Lady Engineer PRIMAVERA - STADD holder on visit seeks suitable opening - preferably Sohar area Contact 91277256 satishcharuvil@gmail.com BE Civil Engineer, 5 yrs experience.

NOC available. Contact 98970233 B.Sc in Civil Engineering, 2 yrs experience (1 yr 3 months in Oman + 10 months in Bangladesh) knowing AutoCAD, MS Office & detailing, fluent speaker in English, Hindi and Bangla. # 94038642 Email : shaikhhasib.ce@gmail.com Diploma in Civil Engineer, 15 yrs Oman experience (total 28 yrs) looking for senior position with valid D/L, NOC available. Contact 99013465 DAE (Civil) having 3.5 years Experience 2 years from Oman with driving licences, seeking for suitable position in Construction field NOC and release available Contact 96968554 mehranahmad26@yahoo.com BE Mechanical, 9 yrs experience in Sales & Business Development, Oil & Gas equipments like pumps etc.

Contact 91139771 Mechanical Engineer, Gold Medalist, B.Tech with 3.5 yrs experience in Thermal Gas Power Plant in LDO, HFO Pipeline Fabrication erection boiler banker turbine. GSM: 97025338 Email : warisheyat329@gmail.com Presently in Oman on visit visa.

M. Tech Electrical Eng. Female, now in visit visa. Contact +968-94654481.

B. Tech Civil Eng. 3 yrs exp in Oman with driving license. Contact 93733627.

Mail id : joinvisam@gmail.com, neethusprakash@gmail.com

Indian male, B.Tech (Electronics & Electrical) working in Saudi Arabia as Plant Manager for more than 2 yrs, seeks suitable opening in Oman. Contact +966593599187, Email: noushadpm149@gmail.com.

Oman : 98875103, 99480523

Female, 26 yrs, B.Tech in Mechanical Engineer with 3 yrs experience in Piping Stress Analysis in Oil & Gas Sector, currently on family visa, looking for a placement.

Contact 95890939, email : rita.debnath682@gmail.com

Indian B.Tech Mechanical Engineer, 26 yrs, 4 yrs experience in HVAC/MEP. Contact 94669629, rajeevhpd15@yahoo.com

Indian Male, IT Support Engineer, 2 yrs in Oman & 5 yrs Indian experience. Contact 97311847

BSc Architectural Engineer, 7 yrs experience (6 yrs in Oman) site work. Contact 99178218, 92579358, email: ah.elnakash@yahoo.com BE (Elec and Tele Engg), Experienced as Application Engg, Certified in BMS SCADA Ph: 94037935/ 97103168

Civil Engineer (B.Tech), Indian Male, 24 yrs with 1+ yrs Indian experience (Certified in Quantity Survey/Primavera/AutoCAD) looking for a suitable position, available in Sultanate of Oman (Muscat) on visit visa. Contact 91303860, email: mdayubmak@gmail.com

Land Surveyor 10 yrs experience on visit visa. Contact – 93522354 / sibivarun89@gmail.com

Jordanian Engineer Electrical 7 yrs exp. Consulting, site & shop drawing works. Ready to join immediately.

Worked in UAE & Saudi Arabia.

Contact - 00971555594733

Civil Engineer with 12 years Experience Looking For Job. Contact 98162295

Civil Engineer B Tech, Site Engineer Experienced, Drafting on Visit Visa Ph : 91642050

HOSPITALITY Housekeeping supervisor & outlet supervisor, currently working in Damman Golden Tulip, seeks placement in Oman as an outlet supervisor. Well experience in room service managed with 160 rooms with 4 star hotel.

Contact 94641320

MANAGER/ SUPERVISOR

INFORMATION TECH IT Professional, 7 yrs exp in System Administration, IT Support, Networking etc. currently on visit visa. Contact 94064579, email : preejes01@gmail.com

Indian male Graduate with 12+ yrs experience in Purchase/ Logistics/ Costing/Scheduling and Warehousing in Building Materials & Construction sector looking for suitable placement. Local release available on request. Contact: 94657319

IT Technical Support Engineer, 3 yrs experience in Networking, specializing in DHCP,DNS,NTP etc also Desktop level 3 helpdesk. jeni_personal@yahoo.co.uk 94525630

MBA Graduate 10+ exp FMCG food serv. Sales channel/ Branch Manager. Contact - 99185205

B.Tech IT, 1 yr experience programming with asp.net visual basic network certified.

Contact 96748154 Indian Male 23 yrs – IT / Prepost Sales Consultant / Business Analyst / Web Designing. 2 yrs. exp. Languages-HTML5, WebRTC, Java, CSS, C++, .Net, SQL, Oracle, ERP-Microsoft Dynamics CRM. Looking for suitable job.

Contact: 98802504, email:shrihari26@gmail.com Indian male, 23 yrs, having 1 yr experience in IT hardware & networking & 3 months in Oman, currently on visit visa, qualification B.Sc Electronics CCNA, MCITP, RHCE. ph : 92089719 Email : sujithvijayan119@gmail.com, IT support Technician, B.Sc computer science, 1 yr experience in Desktop support & 3 months experience as System administrator, Indian male, 25 yrs.

Email : rameezkk@outlook.com, Contact 94525218 MCA Graduate, Office mgmt typing speed 45-50 wpm, 5+ yrs of experience in UAE & India.

Contact 98762816 Indian Male M.Sc electronics, having 7.5 years of experience in IT Hardware and Networking, seeking placement. Contact: 97202522 email: connectjinomjohn@yahoo. com B.Tech IT Professional, Indian Male with 3 yrs of Exp. In System Admin, IT Support, Networking, Installing Active Directory, DHCP, DNS,RAS, configuring maintaining and managing servers, configuring cisco routers, Exp in handling SQL database, With Valid Driving Licence. Contact - 968 98863507 IT Prof, MCA having 6+ yrs exp, seeks suitable position.

Contact 94543668 IT Professional, Indian male, B.Sc Graduate with 4+ yrs Gulf (UAE) good exp in System Administration, IT Support, Server Desktop, laptop, smartboard, datashow biometric, CCTV, currently on visit visa.

Contact 98936548, vaseemj@yahoo.com Female, B Tech (Software Professional), Oracle SQL .NET Database, Experienced (Teaching & Engg) Ph: 94550127

MANAGER/ SUPERVISOR Indian male Graduate with 20+ years of Administration, Operations & Management experience in IT, Oil & Gas & Hospitality Industry. 12 years in Oman with vast contacts, very strong management, operational, communication and interpersonal skills, can handle any size of business and projects whether it’s in initial stage or established. Can join immediately. Local release available on request. Contact: 9906 4589 Management Professional, expertise in team building operations, project management, leadership, writing on visit visa till 19th January 2015. Contact 93516436, email: dsouza.amit@gmail.com Qualified Manager: (12+ yrs. Oman Exp.) Vast knowledge in A/c & Admin, Costing, Banking, Credit Control, Insurance, International Purchase/ Logistics & Finance, With D/L looking for suitable position.

Gsm: 93826090 Email: jskanchan01@gmail.com Indian female with nine years of experience in 5 Star hotels as Assistant Food & Beverage Manager looking for a suitable placement in a reputed Star hotel.Contact: 91219787

Looking for job, holding valid Oman Driving License, experience in food & beverage, McDonalds & Retail Starbucks Coffee, UAE. Working now as House Manager in HB Excellency house Muscat. Contact 93407470, email : sanjeevmulla@gmail.com Indian male Graduate with 20+ years of Administration, Operations & Management experience in IT, Oil & Gas & Hospitality Industry. 12 years in Oman with vast contacts, very strong management, operational, communication and interpersonal skills, can handle any size of business and projects whether it’s in initial stage or established. Can join immediately. Local release available on request. Contact: 9906 4589 MBA, male, 31 yrs, 5 yrs Production management exp, 1 yr sales experience, 4 yrs admin & accounts exp. strong IT team management skills, immediately available for joining.

Contact 94670691, ibrjhung@gmail.com General Manager / working partner 20 years in Dubai adverting agency experience. Contact 93031168

MEDICAL Veterinary Doctor 4 years experience in Military Cattle farm, Pet Animals & butchery, looking for a suitable placement.

Contact: 9789234 Physiotherapist (BPT), Indian male, 4.5 yrs experience, looking for suitable job, available in Oman (Muscat) on visit visa. Contact 92692143, Email: asadshabeeh@yahoo.com Indian male Pharmacist (B.Pharma) 5 1/2 years experience in Oman seeking suitable placement in Muscat. NOC from the present employer available.

CONTACT +968 98525100 Indian female Nurse, prometric passed, 64%. Contact 97916986, 96146016, 22068598 Indian Female, Dentist fresher looking for suitable placement.

Contact 98857686, email : drsumbulahmad@gmail.com Lab Technician, Civil (8yrs Gulf experience) looking for a suitable job (NOC available) Contact-93344378

MISCELLANEOUS Logistics Officer, Experience in Store keeping. Contact : 99505934

SECRETARIAL/OFFICE Female 24 yrs Indian MBA and IATA,1yr experience Ticketing &1.6yr experience in Front office looking suitable jobs Travels, Admin& Front office .Oman on Family visa .

Contact 94614318 Indian female, well experienced in secretarial, administration, customer care & supervisory jobs.

5 years experience in Muscat.

Immediately available for joining.

Contact: 92139298

SKILLED / UNSKILLED Civil foreman maintenance D/L, 12 yrs in Oman, 2 yrs in Kuwait.

Contact 96405865, 99534138, India - +91 7589248550, +91 9464255409, email: sukhwinder9@yahoo.com

SALES / MARKETING Indian male, 22 yrs, BBM Graduate looking for suitable job in sales/ marketing, currently on visit visa.

Contact 91757222, email : danishdani460@gmail.com

SALES / MARKETING

TECHNICIAN

Sales & Marketing Indian male MBA (marketing & sales) business development experience at all levels of management. Currently on visit visa. Contact – 91272819

Instrument Technician (M.Sc Instrumentation) with 2 yrs experience (1 yr Indian + 1 yr in SABIC Petro Chemical Plant, Saudi Arabia), currently available in Muscat on visit visa looking for a suitable position in Oman.

Contact 97165988, email : shabeer812@gmail.com

Graduate, Indian, having 6 yrs experience in Sales with D/L, NOC available. Contact 93410723 Pakistani male, 34, College 2 yrs, 2 yrs experience as Sales Representative, 3 yrs experience as Clerk / Office Assistant, 3 yrs experience as Salesman in Oman, Computer Skill : Excel, BUSY, ERP, languages known – English, Arabic, Hindi and Urdu.

Contact 96763346 Indian male, 7 yrs Gulf exp in Sales (Indoor – Outdoor), looking for immediate placement, release available.

Contact 99433816 / 93159202 Indian male, Diploma in Automobile & BBA, 8 yrs experience in Sales looking for a job in Sales.

Contact 94480382 MBA Professional with Omani Driving License seeking Sales or Marketing job. Contact 94143154, rinojnathen008@gmail.com Indian male, 25yrs, MBA in HR/ Marketing.6yrs exp with MNC and pharma. Presently in family visit visa looking for suitable placements.

Contact no-94657379/ 96645182 Indian male, 7 yrs Gulf exp in Sales (Indoor – Outdoor), looking for job.

Contact 99433816 / 93159202 B.Com Graduate experience marketing 8 yrs (India) valid Oman driving license. Contact – 97916044 / 97382638 Indian male having 3 yrs Oman exp in sales and administration with valid Oman license. Looking for suitable placement. NOC available, own vehicle also available.

Contact – 98956725 15 years experience in Business Development , marketing, purchase – UAE & Oman-staff coordination, documentation, civil & technical maintenance, -valid GCC license-looking for working partnership or management post. Contact:91568362 / Email vpj555pem@gmail.com Indian Male, B.Tech E&I, 10 yrs experience in Sales, Procurement, BDM. 6 yrs Oman experience in Oil & Gas Sector. Seeking suitable placement. Oman D/L, NOC available. Contact 97233074 Indian Male, MBA in Marketing and Finance, 10 years’ Sales & Business Development Experience with valid D/L of Oman & UAE looking for a suitable placement. NOC Available.

Contact: 93969961 e-mail abhilash.pvrk@gmail.com Indian Male, 7 yrs experience in building materials trading having Oman D/L, immediate release available. Contact 98676713 18 yrs Oman experience in Building Materials seeking suitable placement, NOC available. Contact 93105775

TECHNICIAN Indian male, Instrumentation Technician with 3 yrs Diploma & 1 yr exp in Maintenance Dept, seeks job. Call +971554275155

MISCELLANEOUS Graduate, Indian, having 6 yrs experience in Sales with D/L, NOC available. Contact 93410723 3 Years experienced Administrative Executive seeking for Virtual Admin Opportunities. Can work for 6 hours/day from a virtual location for 100 RO/month. Call: 95811820 An Indian driver with car looking for part time job.

Contact - 91103909 Indian, Female, Pharmacist available with NOC and MOH License, preferably in Muscat.

Contact 9439 1355.

Indian, 24 years, B.Tech with Diploma in Sound Engineering & Sound Recording seeking suitable placement. Currently on Visit Visa.

Contact: 95615436. Email: siddharthsadasiv@gmail.com Indian Female-Tech Electrical, from third best college, Government Engineering College Trissur. Fluent in English. Excellent presentation skill.Engineering, IT, teaching or account sector job wanted. Contact -97724630 / email: vyshnaparthan@gmail.com IT supports 6 yrs experience, male, Filipino Desktop Support, Backup administrator, Wireless Networking, server admin.

Contact - +96896126502 Indian male, 31 years of Rich Oman experience in Multifunctional Management, Admistration, Business Development, Purchase & Operations seeking suitable Manager/Supervisory Position.

Visa transfer/ NOC Available.

GSM: 95036410 Filipino Accountant with 13 years working experience in the field of accounting looking for a suitable job in Muscat. Contact: 94547323 Well experienced MOH Licensed Indian female staff nurse looking for placement under contract with Schools, Medical Centres, other Institutions. Contact 98140024.

Phd – Management, specialization in management, e-marketing and online consumer behavior, 6 years of academic and research experience. Indian lady GSM 97240687 & 93463439 Indian Male having 14 years of experience in HR, Purchase Dept having Oman Driving License looking for a suitable position NOC available. Email – madhuvtk@gmail. com. #: 99252635, 99239498 28 years Indian male with 7yrs of experience in Accounts & Finance up to finalisation in Construction Oil & Gas and also in Manufacturing industries with Oman D/L seeking suitable placement.

Contact me on 97104364 .email: moorthy_cbe@hotmail.com

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M O N D AY, JA N UA RY 1 2 , 2 0 1 5

DAILY GUIDE

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

EVERY FRIDAY 2.00PM ON INDIA’S KAIRALI PEOPLE TV

● Worldwide ● Air Ticket ● Car Rental ● Holiday Packages ● Hotel Reservations ● Travel Insurance Call: 0096824790400, 0096898569830 Email: info@omanorienttravels.com

SITUATION WANTED 26,male, ACCA finalist, exp. upto finalisation of accounts, statutory and internal audit, expertise in using tally and focus & oracle software, have 2 years exp. in accounts till finalisation and statutory audit, seeking fill time / part time job,GSM-97654769,email idabdullah.nooralam@yahoo.com MBA & chemical Engineer having 20 yrs Purchase & Logistic experience in Petrochemicals & oil field seeking jobs in Oman/ Abudhabi/ Qatar/ SA .#97813849 Indian male 22 Yrs, diploma in fire & safety, special Trainings completed from Cochin Port Trust Fire Service & The Travancore-Cochin Chemicals Ltd searching for a suitable placement, now on visit visa, Contact No. 96722632 Indian Male 26 years B.Com having 5years rich experience in Accounts and Admin looking for suitable placement.

Contact: 96897914340, 00919902200486, E mail: sudhakaranchan06@gmail.com Indian Male, 24 yrs, MBA in HR/ Marketing. More than 1 years experienced in retail Banking (Axis Bank) Presently in family visit in Oman seeking for a suitable placement.#99892082 / 997 43 709

Indian female MA. B.Ed. with One year three months Teaching experience. Subject: English ,seeking for a Better placement.

Now working in Oman . Contact: -: 93961142, 92184408 Email:-anoopkesavan78@gmail.com.

MBA with 1 yr experience, Indian looking for job, salary 40000 INR. Contact 96271935 Part time delivery man available.

Contact 95178930 BLDG Caretaker Gulf Exp, knows HINDI/ARABIC/ENG PH: 94304348 Admin Executive, 31, Indian Male, having 8+ years exp. in reputed companies, seeking suitable placement in any gulf region. #+968 99276601 & 97693456. muralimahdav77@gmail.com Indian male, 26 yrs - MBA Graduate with 3 yrs of Experience in Banking (Standard Chartered Bank Scope International - Operations) & Coffee Vending Machine (Fresh & Honest Cafe ltd - , Operations) on Visit Visa seeks placement. Ph: 91267867, Email: jai.ks1988@gmail.com Tunisian women looking for job, khnows english, frensh, Italian and arabic. Contact: 91171838

26,male, ACCA finalist, have professional experience up to finalization of accounts, statutory and internal audit, expertise in using tally and focus & oracle software, 2 years experience in accounts till finalization, seeking job, GSM-97654769,email idabdullah.nooralam@yahoo.com

28 year Indian male with 7yrs(5yrs in Oman) of experience in Accounts & Finance up to finalisation in Construction Oil & Gas and also in Manufacturing industries with Oman D/L seeking suitable placement.

Contact me on 97104364 email: Moorthy_cbe@hotmail.com

Indian Male 26 years BCOM having 5years rich experience in Accounts and Admin looking for suitable placement. Contact: 96897914340, 00919902200486, E mail: sudhakaranchan06@gmail.com

Looking out for the post of Travel coordinator/Senior travel Consultant, 14 years (10 years in GCC Countries) of experience in the travel industry looking for a suitable placement. #96328687

Operation Manager, Indian male, 30 yrs exp. In Front Office Hotel Industry with Omani driving license seeks placement.NOC / Release Available. #99799774 Indian Male, B.COM, ICWA, CMA Australia, 24 years experience in finance, costing, accounts, internal audit. Valid Oman driving license.

NOC available. Can join immediately. Contact 97917136 Indian female M.A B.Ed. with One year three months teaching experience. Subject: English seeking for a better placement. Now working in Oman #93961142, 92184408 Email:anoopkesavan78@gmail.com.

B.Sc. Computer science graduate with CCNA certification and also with a working 2 years experience, looking for a suitable position in IT sector. #96892595819 Diploma in Civil engineering, male, 5 yrs experience in Oman, worked as Site Engineer at Hyundai Engineering & Construction Company.

Beximco Engg Const Company, PHP Steel Mills Ltd seeking job urgently.

Contact 97140857 Indian male 27year B.Com graduate 2year experience in marketing.

Looking for good placement in any field, since from 4year in Oman.

Contact 98765838 Indian Male 23years B.E Electrical and Electronics Engineering having 1 year experience in Admin, Electrical Engineer, Electrical supervisor and Project Engineer looking for suitable placement. Contact : +96899682689, +91 8136994996.

Email: thalus09@gmail.com

Female dentist with MOH license and release looking for a suitable placement in Muscat, presently residing in Muscat. ##99147426 Indian Female. B-Tech Electrical, from third best college, Government Engineering College Thrissur. Fluent in English. Excellent presentation skill. Engineering, IT, teaching or account sector job wanted. GSM-97724630, email: vyshnaparthan@gmail.com Structural Engineer with 14 years experience in structural design and supervision fields with full knowledge of structure design programs, Omani D/L, seeking a reputed engineering consultancy office vacancy Tel. 96248598.

Indian female dentist with 4 year experience.

Call Nazia 96488737 Manager Maintenance/Engineering/Purchase, 31 yrs. exp. in mechanical, electrical, electronics, parts fabrication, purchase deptt, oman exp. 5yrs, have NOC, looking for job. Contact pkv2k3@yahoo.com, 99331289 Indian Male, 31 years of Rich Oman experience in Multifunctional Management, Administration, Business Development, Purchase & Operations seeking suitable Manager/Supervisory Position.

Visa transfer/NOC Available.

GSM: 95036410 Indian Male, B.COM, ICWA, CMA Australia, 24 years experience in finance, costing, accounts, internal audit. Valid Oman driving license.

NOC available. Can join immediately. Contact 97917136

ACC. AVAILABLE

Office space near KFC, Al Khuwair, office basement near Mars, Al Ghubrah, double & single bedroom flat Al Ghubrah near Mars and Wadi Kabir near Lulu. Contact 95755551 / 92222045 Room + balcony + separate toilet for non cooking single Indian Bachelor, RO 140/-. Contact 98928458 Furnished single room with attached bathroom near Mars Hypermarket, Al Ghubrah. Contact 97312111, RO 150/- per month 2 Bedroom flat for offices with furniture near Al Manaf Hotel, Ghala.

Contact 99525743, 99439705 Excellent 3 bedrooms , 2 sitting rooms, 3 bathrooms, kitchen & store with A/C. 92817777

MATRIMONIAL Parents of Christian girl (Roman Catholic),27yrs,fair,5.5”, from Kerala working in TCS, Bangalore as Systems Engineer seeks suitable alliances. Call: +968 92010215 / +968 99278649 Proposals are invited from parents of professionally qualified Nair Boys for 24 year old Upper Middle Class Nair girl hail from Trivandrum, (171 cm, Star-Bharani) employed in a reputed Company in Oman. Contact: 0968-9950 2593 /99798041.

(KM ID.2844689)

TRANSPORTATION Pick & drop anytime in al Khuwair.

Contact 99764307 Transportation. Contact 98505294 Transportation. Contact 91379976 Transportation with car & driver.

(VIP’s only). Contact 95040768 Transportation. Contact 93425167 Pick & Drop any time. Contact 97014786 Transportation. Contact 99664703

NRI

Furnished single room with separate bathroom near al meera hypermarket, azaiba.

Gsm 94288863 Sharing accommodation available at Mumtaz area, Ruwi.

Contact 97612335 Independent room furnished Executive at Wadi Kabir.

Contact 99336206

Furnished house for sale near Vattiyoorkavu, Thiruvananthapuram, 5 cents, 220 SQ Ft. Contact 96099215 / 99016230

Furnished room in Wadi Kabir.

Contact 94012930 Separate entrance room with attached bathroom and A/C near Wadi Adai roundabout for Executive bachelor. Contact 92148188 Accommodation available for rent in SEEH AHMER FANJA near Oman Oil, only 10 mtrs drive from Rusayl industrial area, Please Call on 95200429 or 99224352

MANPOWER

3100 Sq ft two storied buildings, ground floor flat, 1611 sq ft with 2 cents of land around the building for sale. Location – near St. Marys Church Pattom, Trivandram, Palm drive lane, House No. 10. Contact 99747481 / +91 9746239049 For Astrological consultation, Jathakam. Contact: 99860435 / 97102599 Villa for sale 2200 sq ft in 8 cent.

Kottayam. Contact: 92652534

Room with A/C, furniture for expats at Al Khuwair. # 97004265 / 99689315

10 cent (404.7m2) residential land for sale at kalamassery (kochi) for immediate sale contact Biny 95298395

Furnished room in CBD Area for non-cooking bachelor free Wi-Fi, advance deposit call 99078540 Room available in Al Khuwair with sharing kitchen and bathroom near Blu Radisson. R.O 100/-+W/E. Contact 96930219

BUSINESS

Room for Sri Lankan executive at AL Khuwair. Contact – 96536307 Sharing accommodation available near Khimji Mart at Mumtaz area in Ruwi for couple. Living room, bedroom, kitchen available. # 96659817 Executive room at Mumtaz area.

Contact – 93103337 / 95212017 Single room with sharing kitchen for Executive bachelor or working lady, Ruwi, in front of Apollo Hospital. Contact 98232567 / 91673718 Room with separate toilet and WiFi, Wadi Kabir near pencil building.

Contact 93416854

GOOD NEWS

Room with separate entrance & A/C in Al Khuwair near Rawasco for noncooking Indian Bachelor, rent RO 125/-. Contact 97201100, 95397442

Transportation available 99159277 Transportation. Contact 96538078 Transportation Available Contact 97180655 CONTD on pg 7

SITUATION SIT. WANTED WANTED More than 10 years experience in Sales & Marketing, Insurance, Direct marketing, Advertisement, Credit Control & logistics.

Contact: 99322748, 91071097

NOTICE Union Disyinction Line for Trad L.L.C which is recorded under the commercial register in directorate general for trade industry number 1208315 is going to change its name to Middle East Gate Modernistic for Trad L.L.C company . This is to inform anybody who concerns about that.

LOST

Post Graduate Engineer with 5+ years experience in Project Planning & Management currently on visit visa looking for a Project Co-ordinator/Planning Engineer position in reputed organizations.

Please contact (968) 96105079

Akram Hossain has lost Bangladeshi Passport No. BA0149909.

Finder please handover to ROP.

Indian Female, IATA, BSc looking for suitable placement.

Contact 95514305.

Email-jitureshmi@gmail.com

Samiya Nasrin has lost Bangladeshi Passport No. E1809281.

Finder please handover to ROP.

MECHANICAL ENGINEER (B Tech), Indian Mail, with NDT Level 2(ASNT), Autocad, Solidworks, 2 year above experience (as Mechanical Site Engineer and Design Engineer), Seeking suitable placement(on visit visa).

Contact: 91591548, 00919447300022, Email: vishnu300022@gmail.com

Nazrul Islam Shoeb has lost Bangladeshi Passport No. E1809280. Finder please handover to ROP.

Fakhrul Islam has lost Bangladeshi Passport No. E1809282.

Finder please handover to ROP. Riyaz Thaikkandi Kuniyil has lost Indian Passport No. H6687099.

Finder please handover to ROP. Mijanur Rahman has lost Bangladeshi Passport no. F0286387.

Finder please handover to ROP.

Genuine Ayurvedic treatments & massage, Ayurvedic clinic at Al Khuwair. Contact 24478618 / 97263637 /93309131 FREE INFORMATION ABOUT ISLAM. If you would like to know more about Islam, please call: 99425598, 96050000, 99353988, 99253818, 99341395, and 99379133. For ladies: 99415818, 99321360, 99730723 Orvisit: www.islamfact.com Ayurvedic treatment for backache, paralysis, arthritis etc & massage, All Season (Vaidyaratnam).

Contact 24475280 / 95371554 / 92504980 , www.siddhayur.com Ayurvedic treatment for joint pain, backache, paralysis, massage, steam bath, obesity, spondylitis, ideal care Ayurvedic Clinic, 18 November Street, Azaiba.# 99639695 / 99117987

M.V.WANTED Required Nissan Tida / Toyota yaris / Suzuki swift / hyundai/Kia hatchback car in good condition.

Contact 95405033

Excellent investment, business and earning opportunity in Sultanate of Oman and other GCC countries.

Looking for investors and sponsors (Omani Nationals only). For meeting and discussions please call on 91285860 Licensed Engineering Consultancy (Chemical) Company looking for International or local partners to start operations in Oman. For enquiries call 99264162 Wanted dentist or investor to buy a well-running dental clinic in Sohar immediately. Contact 92625962, 95904234 Omani National looking for expat investing partner in Restaurant in Al Amerat. Infrastructure almost ready. Jamal Adan Trading.

Contact 98711083, email : faisal.patel0038@gmail.com We assist in new business set up local sponsorship, real estate services, assist in company formation services. Contact - 93166088

M O N DAY, JA N UA RY 1 2 , 2 0 1 5

D7

DAILY GUIDE TOURS

SITUATION WANTED CARGO

TOURS

RENT A CAR

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

DRIVING

RENT A CAR

TRANSPORTATION Transportation. Contact 99542393 Transportation. Contact 93405941 Transportation. Contact 98178135 Transportation available.

Contact 95570429 Driver with car. Contact 92179395

M.V. FOR SALE M.V. FOR SALE Expat Prado VX6, model 2008, excellent condition, 2 fuel tanks, 180 ltrs, cool box, leather seats, 122500 kms, last Toyota Service in Jan 2015. Contact 99435226 Nissan Sunny Auto 2009, 100 k, RO 2500. Contact 93289652

Renault Safrane, model-2010 kms100000, full option, good condition. price-2900/- negotiable CONTACT-97881927

Toyota Yaris 1.5, full automatic 2010 Dec, new insurance, new tyres 83,000 kms in excellent condition, OMR 3300/-. Contact 93291179

Pajero 3.8 v6 full option, 2008 model expat driven single owner, excellent condition, accident free, 217k.

Contact - 92590781 Lexus GS300, 2006. #93218349

Mitusbishi ASX white colour, 1.5 yrs old, excellent condition, RO 5900/- ďŹ nal. Contact 95278815 Prado 2012. Contact 99336093 UM Aisha Trading Ladies Beauty Saloon, Al Wadi Kabir main road, Al Hassan Complex near top up supermarket. Contact 95241147/ 96700192 Lexus IS 250, model 2007, good condition. Contact 95530560 Hyundai Elantra white 2010 model full auto. Contact - 95212017

D8

M O N D AY, JA N UA RY 1 2 , 2 0 1 5

DAILY GUIDE

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

SITUATION WANTED SERVICES

SITUATION WANTSERVICES

WEBSITE

CLASSES

Al Manar Vocational pleased to announce at vocational short and long term courses in tailoring, cooking and internal design. Contact us now : 24698070 or 91144335

COMPUTER

WEB, ERP and Business Intelligence (BI) creation and management at rock bottom price.

Contact: http//webviewoman

SITUATION WANTSERVICES

MARBLE CRYSTALLIZATION restore the original shine of your marble. # 24793614/ 99314807 Pest Control Treatments!!!

Termites! Cockroaches! Bedbugs!

Ocean Centre LLC. Contact 99344723

Carpet & sofa cleaning, house cleaning. Contact 99542979 / 98855815

Contact: 91262820 / 96458007

Marble Restoration, Mosaic tiles polishing, carpet shampooing, maintenance. Contact ABU QABAS- 99320217 /24788722

For All Your Maintenance Solutions, A/c Servicing & Fixing, Painting, Cleaning, Electric.

Contact. 99002390 Water proofing ABUQABASContact 99320217/24788722

Split & window AC servicing and repairing. Contact 99557080

Marble Restoration, Mosaic tiles polishing, carpet shampooing, maintenance. Contact ABU QABAS- 99320217 /24788722

Civil maintenance, electrical & plumbing work. Contact 99557080, 96236476

Door to Door Computers repair specialist laptop software Website cartridges. Contact 99199376

Building Caretaker, Gulf Experienced, knows Arabic, Hindi English Ph : 94304348

A.M Trading Pest control.

Contact 99067923

PRO services.

Contact 99368907 Fast & Right Way - For all PR related works – permanent Visa stamping, family visiting visa holders, clients contacts – with NOC letter with signed & sealed photocopy documents – Contact: 91568362 *Classified Advertisement space booking with text, should be done till 12.00 noon for next day’s publication. * Subject to space availability

GUARANTEED CLEANING: Carpet & sofa shampooing, Contact 99314807/24792998

Catering services We do industrial catering service, Canteen/ mess, 3 times packed meals, and all types of catering events.

Contact 92188777/ 99249899

Split & window A/C servicing & maintenance. Contact 93769089 GULF INTERNATIONAL LLC all kind of pest control.

Contact 92326955 Window & split unit AC servicing & maintenance. Contact 96236476 Waterproofing, light weight Screed, Antitermite and MS Fabrication.

Contact 92888337 For All Your Maintenance Solutions, A/c Servicing & Fixing, Painting, Cleaning, Electric. Contact 99002390

FOR HIRE

Window & split unit A/C servicing & maintenance. Contact 96236476 Civil Maintenance, Painting Electric, Plumbing, Decor, Tile Fixing, Lecithin Copra Board flat stifling , Carpet Cleaning and A/C Servicing.Contact 97897831 (Indian keralite) For all your maintenance needs including, Painting, Plumbing, Electricity, Laying of Interlock Tiles, Marbles etc. Tel: 99383574 Mr. Chandran Electrical Plumbing Painting Contract and Maintenance.

Contact 98456535 Carpet Shampoo, marble & tile polishing, pest control & anti-termite treatment, general cleaning painting, Plumbing, Electrical, shifting. Contact Mundhir AlRizaiqi trading. L.L.C. # 24810137, 99450130

TRUCK FOR HIRE Isuzu 10 ton cargo body truck

For HT cable jointing and termination works 33KV/11KV. Contact 99056438 / Email: npgoman@gmail.com House shifting transport. Contact 99657644, 98518013 Painting Interlock plumbing maintenance. Contact 92142319 Carpet & Sofa Shampooing.

Ocean Centre LLC. # 99884591 Maintenance – 1) A/C Maintenance, 2)fridge, washing machine & dish washer repairing, 3)painting & cleaning services, 4)electrical & plumbing carpentry work. # 99447257 / 97014234 / 24504281

(2012 FVR) with UAE experienced driver available for long term / short term rent.

Contact: 95346950 Running truck wash for rent in Ouhi Sunia Sohar. Serious people can. Contact on 97864747 50 seater bus with PDO specification for rent or lease.

Contact 99839898

BEAUTY Varkey’s Gents Salon & Spa – Offer 25% on all spa facilities like hamam spa, massages with steam bath, Jacuzzi, aroma therapy, pedicure & manicure, facial treatments.

Contact 92935679