Times of Oman - January 13, 2015 by Muscat Media Group

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TUESDAY, January 13, 2015 / 22 Rabi Al Awal 1436 AH

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Rain, fog in parts of Oman

HM sends greetings MUSCAT: His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said has sent a cable of congratulations to President Maithripala Sirisena of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka on the occasion of being sworn in as the new president of his country. In his cable, His Majesty the Sultan expressed his sincere congratulations and best wishes of success to President Sirisena in leading the friendly people of Sri Lanka towards further progress, wishing the relations between the two countries further progress and prosperity. -ONA

Council seeks tram service for Muscat Besides reducing gridlock, it will save time, increase mobility and reduce pollution

FAHAD AL MUKRASHI

fahad@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: In a bid to improve mobility across Muscat, the Municipal Council has urged the Ministry of Transport and Communications to introduce a tram system in the capital. Tram, a rail vehicle that runs on tracks along public roads, is a popular mode of transport across the world. Closer home, it was launched in Dubai last year. Members of the Municipal Council will meet a consulting company next month to discuss ways to improve public transport in Muscat areas. “We will discuss the tram issue too,” Malik Al Yahmadi, member of Muscat Municipal Council, said after attending the council meeting on Monday. Speaking to Times of Oman, Al Yahmadi said the introduction of trams in Muscat would reduce traffic congestions, provide an alternative mode of public transport as well as reduce pollution. “With the capital growing by leaps and bounds, Muscat needs a good public transport system. Across the world it has been proven that trams provide high capacity service,” noted Al Yahmadi. Juma Al Hasani, a national, said that introducing a tram ser-

Tram is a railway vehicle that runs on tracks along public roads and is a popular mode of transport across the globe vice along with other advanced public transport like ferries and trains would be beneﬁcial to both citizens and residents. Al Hasani added that many employees would prefer to take a tram to avoid the morning traffic jams. “Having used trams, I can appreciate the ease of boarding and alighting from low-ﬂoor trams,”

L O N G WA I T T O E N D

FROM HOUTHI CAPTIVITY

NRIs upbeat over voting rights nod REJIMON K

reji@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: Indian expatriates in Oman are in an upbeat mood with the Indian government on Monday accepting the Election Commission’s (EC) proposal to provide voting rights to NonResident Indians (NRIs). This ends the long wait for NRIs, after the Indian Supreme Court (SC) had issued notices to the EC and the central government to ensure that the NRIs were made eligible for vote. The government informed the SC that it had accepted in letter and spirit the EC’s suggestion to extend voting rights to NRIs through e-postal ballots. “It is a welcome move. We were all awaiting this happy news. Now, we can be a deciding factor on who will govern us in our country,” said Shameer PTK, a Muscat-based social worker. “In future, we can also have our own representatives in our coun-

said another citizen. The call to introduce a tram system in Muscat came on the heels of the assurance given on Sunday by Dr Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Salem Al Futaisi, Minister of Transport and Communications, at the GCC Rail and Metro Conference 2015, that Oman’s ambitious 2,135-kilometre long national railway project will not be delayed due to the plunging crude. The members also approved the development of passenger waiting areas on a number of main roads in Muscat. The council also recommended to the Oman National Transport Company (ONTC), a proposal to introduce double-decker buses in the near future. At the same meeting, among the key recommendations made by the Muscat Municipal Council were to improve services for tourists, reduce airport taxi tariffs and increase ﬁnes for rude and drunken driving. As per the recommendations, the airport taxi meter will now begin at OMR6 with a 50baiza charge for every kilometre. The Municipal Council has also recommended that taxi services be made available roundthe-clock and drivers be made aware of how to deal with tourists. The Municipal Council has also recommended that airport taxi drivers should have memberships and taxi drivers working in the government or private sector should be denied memberships. The Oman Airports Management Company S.A.O.C (OAMC) will be asked to launch the revised taxi tariffs. >A6

try who can work for our welfare. This can be seen as a ﬁrst step in that direction,” added Shameer. The Supreme Court granted four weeks to the government to inform them on the steps it had taken to implement the EC’s suggestions in this regard. “It is a good thing if we are going to get voting rights. I was missing the chance to vote after migrating to Oman. The voting process might be a bit complicated, but I am ready for it,” said Madhu Reddy, an Indian bluecollar worker. The poll panel has ruled out the possibility of allowing NRIs to vote through the Internet or at diplomatic missions abroad for the time being. In a report submitted to the SC, the EC had said that the option of voting through a proxy appointed by overseas electors as well as e-postal ballot, where a blank postal ballot paper is transferred electronically to the NRI and returned by post can be considered. >A6

Oman brokers top Yemeni official release Times News Service SANAA: The Sultanate played a key role in the release of Yahya Al Murani, chief of Yemen’s internal intelligence unit, from the clutches of Houthi militants after two weeks in captivity, his son said on Monday. “My father was released and handed over to the Political Security Agency following Omani mediation,” Mohamed Al Marani, the son of Maj. Gen. Yahya Al Murani, said. According to Mohamed, the militants released his father after the Omani mediators agreed to the Houthi’s proposals, including his dismissal as the intelligence chief and the appointment of a pro-Houthi ﬁgure in his place. His son added that Houthi militants did not return the armoured car belonging to his father taken away at the time of his abduction.

ON GUARD

TOP THREE INSIDE STORIES

MERS under control, says health ministry REJIMON K FAHAD AL GHADANI

reji@timesofoman.com fahadnews@gmail.com MUSCAT: Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) infection, the viral respiratory illness, is under control in Oman, said a top official from the Ministry of Health. “Since December 2013, the Sultanate has been free of the MERS virus. The patient who died due to MERS infection had other ailments which complicated efforts during his treatment,” said the official. “The moment the patient was admitted to the hospital, laboratory tests were conducted and results conﬁrmed the infection.

However, as his condition worsened with other ailments, his life could not be saved,” explained the official. A patient in Al Dakhliyah region diagnosed with the MERS coronavirus died last Thursday. The case is the third of its kind in the Sultanate and was detected after a gap of one year since the two previous cases. Meanwhile, the World Health Organisation (WHO) office in Oman said that all health personnel in the country are being encouraged to remain vigilant in detecting suspected cases. According to a ministry statement on Sunday, a new case of MERSCoV has been detected in the Sultanate, raising the total number of recorded cases to four. >A6

OMAN

Curbs on wedding

Ministry of Interior has no plans to lift the restriction on Omani nationals marrying non-Omanis. >A3

OMAN

Honour for Khasab Port

UK-based The Telegraph newspaper has chosen Khasab Port of the Sultanate as one of the world’s most beautiful ports. >A4

MARKET

Centre of excellence

A major centre of excellence to cater to the needs of railways will be formed in country soon. >B1

TUE S DAY, JANUA RY 13, 2 015

OMAN

In terms of labour, we are focusing on how to encourage GCC nationals to ﬁnd employment through various programmes Abdulrahim Hasan Naqi, secretary general, FGCC Chambers

GCC plans integrated rail, metro projects Recommendations of the ‘GCC Rail and Metro Conference 2015’ were released after its conclusion in Muscat on Monday

Times News Service MUSCAT: There are plans to establish effective programmes to encourage experienced foreign companies in the sector to enter real partnerships with the regional private and public sectors, and to invest in railway and metro projects in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), which will beneﬁt from their professional and administrative experience. Plans are also in place to develop a comprehensive strategy to achieve the integration of railway and metro projects within a comprehensive transportation system and all its forms in the GCC, including passengers and goods transportation logistics. The strategy should form a part of comprehensive strategic planning in GCC countries. The recommendations of the GCC Rail and Metro Conference 2015 released after its conclusion in Muscat on Monday suggested that related policies and regulations should also be developed in line with projects executions requirements, to provide a suitable environment and purchase systems that will guarantee fair competition and transparency. The conference was organised by Ministry of Transport and Communications in Oman, in as-

INFRASTRUCTURE NETWORK : The conference also made recommendations to prepare a detailed study to establish a development fund to achieve sustainability in the GCC rail and metros.

sociation with the GCC for the Arab states of the Gulf. The conference also made recommendations such as the need to prepare a detailed study to establish a development fund to achieve sustainability in the GCC rail and metros. The main goals of the ‘GCC Sustainable Railway Development’, which will be ﬁnanced in partnership with the private sector, will be to establish training programmes, including on-the-job training, and establishing a GCC academy for the training and development of national talent. This will beneﬁt from the already available railway training institutes in the GCC countries as much as possible. Member states will work to ease processes to establish partnerships between GCC companies and specialised companies from developed countries who have experience in manufacturing requirements for rail projects, to transfer technology and experiences to the GCC countries through establishing joint manufacturing facilities for those requirements.

Plans are on to extend invitations to rail and metro specialised companies, and hold meetings with them to discuss the possibility of partnerships to establish joint GCC companies that offer passenger and goods transport services and supporting logistic services in the GCC. United economic bloc GCC countries to participate as a united economic bloc in international organisations such as UIC, AREMA, and ERA, that work on developing engineering speciﬁcations and standards, and rail and metro projects regulations and legislation in the GCC, to play a more effective role in making related decisions. It is necessary to reach an agreement between member countries to develop and improve institutional structure and establish comprehensive policies and systems to ease passenger and goods transportation between GCC countries through border posts to achieve the strategic goals and optimise use of transportation and

rail sectors in the GCC countries. Speaking at the conference on Monday panellists, Abdulrahim Hasan Naqi, secretary general, Federation of GCC Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FGCC Chambers), Imran Abdool Karim, strategy & marketing, Transnet Engineering and Nigel Ash, Managing Director, Network Rail Consulting, made a series of short presentations followed by a moderated discussion on identifying and agreeing the key areas and actions that need to be addressed to ensure effective and successful public-private participation. Naqi spoke about government policies and regulations for the development of the rail and metro projects – procurement, and labour issues. “In terms of labour, we are focusing on how to encourage GCC nationals to find employment through various programmes. These include training programmes, vocational and professional development initiatives such as the training development that Saudi Arabian Railways has established for building railway related skills and capability,” he said. “We are encouraging entrepreneurs and SMEs to be involved in this project. The Saudi metro projects, including the one in Riyadh, are focused on being established as public-private partnerships. We are also inviting the GCC private sector to get involved in the policies for the railway to enhance transparency and corporate governance,” said Naqi. Also a part of the panel discussions today, Ash outlined the key lessons that the GCC rail and metro sector can use for defining a vocational development strategy. He said, “There needs to be a greater focus on the development of key vocational skills concerning the operation and maintenance of a live railway system. The construction project may only last five years but the railways will last for decades to come.”

BRIEFS

HM Receives thanks and appreciation message MUSCAT: The participants of the GCC Railway and Metro Conference 2015, organised by the Ministry of Transport and Communications, in collaboration with the GCC Secretariat General, have sent a cable of thanks and apreciation to His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Said. The organisers and the participants wished His Majesty the Sultan good health and wellbeing. They expressed their sincere thanks and gratitude for the warm welcome and generous hospitality extended to them. -ONA

W E AT H E R R E P O R T

Light showers, fog in parts of Oman Times News Service MUSCAT: Some parts of Oman experienced light drizzle on Monday, according to the Directorate General of Meteorology and Air Navigation (DGMAN), which monitors weather conditions in Oman. Some residents even took to social media to report light drizzle, posting pictures of raindrops on their car windshields in Barka. In its daily weather forecast issued on Monday, the office said, “Clear to partly cloudy skies over Musandam, the coastal area of Oman Sea and Al-Hajar mountain with a chance of isolated rain. There are chances of low level clouds or fog during the late night to early morning over the governorates of Al Buraimi, AlDhahira, South Al Sharqiya and Al Wusta.”

It also reported that there dust may rise over desert and open areas. The depression, which is blowing eastwards towards the Gulf, will also bring about high winds over the sea. “The northerly winds will blow dust over scattered parts of the country over the next two days, reducing horizontal visibility in parts of Oman,” the report added. Additionally, the sea will be moderate to rough over Musandam and Omani seacoasts, with maximum wave heights of between 2 to 3 metres. Visibility, however, is expected to deteriorate over most of the Sultanate, becoming poor due to fog and rising dust. “In the next 48 hours there are chances of low level clouds during the late night to early morning over the governorates of Al Buraimi, Al Dhahira and Al Wusta,” it added.

WELCOME RAINDROPS: Some residents even took to social media to report light drizzle, posting pictures of raindrops on their car windshields in Barka.– JUN ESTRADA/TIMES OF OMAN

T UESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015

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No changes in curbs on marrying non-Omanis An official said that opening the door for Omanis to marry foreigners would have an impact on the social, family and cultural life

FAHAD AL MUKRASHI fahad@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: Ministry of Interior has no plans to lift the restriction on Omani nationals marrying non-Omanis, nor is such a move foreseeable in the near future. An official at the Ministry of Interior told the Times of Oman that opening the door for Omanis to marry foreigners would have a certain impact on the social, family and cultural life of the country. The official conceded there has been a demand from Omanis applying for marriage to non-Oma-

OMANI IDENTITY: According to Article 4 of the Ministerial Decision 92|93, anyone violating the regulation governing marriage, will be ﬁned.

nis. When the applicant meets the requirements of the regulations, the Ministry of Interior approves the application. New article Meanwhile, the Ministry of Interior has issued a new article in the annexure of the regulations about marriage of Omanis to non-Omanis in the Ministerial Decision number 92\93. The new article stipulates that the applicant has to pay OMR5

for marriage application file. The applicant also has to pay OMR20 for issuing or renewing the marriage license. For the issuing of the marriage evidence certificate, the applicant has to pay OMR20 as also for any change in the marriage certificate. For opening a file for anyone in violation of the regulation governing marriage of Omanis to foreigners, the applicant has to pay OMR150 as fees. The decision does not include those under

the social insurance. The new decision will come into effect by March 31. Regarding the new decision, the official pointed out that it was aimed at generating more income for the states’ coffers. Khalid Al Mashani, a social expert, told the Times of Oman that couples would ﬁnd it difficult to understand each other due to differences in customs and traditions and such a situation may lead to the divorce rate increasing. Al Mashani added that it will lead to the demographic composition of the population being impacted at a time when it must be preserved. Also, the Omani women’s rights should be maintained. Others believe the marriage of Omanis to non-Omanis should be optional for nationals as their personal decision. According to Article 4 of the Ministerial Decision 92|93, anyone violating the regulation governing marriage, will be ﬁned not less than OMR2,000 besides being deprived of a chance to work in the public sector. More than 90 per cent of the Omanis who married foreigners, are working in the private sector or are businessmen, according to sources in the Public Prosecution.

TUE S DAY, JANUA RY 13, 2 015

OMAN

Jan 30

will witness the fourth annual Muscat Marathon 2015, which will welcome runners from around the world to compete

H E A LT H Y L I F E S T Y L E

Run at the sporting events to stay fit this winter Times News Service MUSCAT: Citizens and residents of Oman can participate in walkathons, or in the Muscat Marathon, to stay fit this winter. Organisers say these events are aimed at raising awareness about the importance of exercising to stay fit. “These events also aim to educate the community on how to prevent many diseases and obesity by doing regular exercises and leading a healthy lifestyle,” said Ahmed Al Malki, chairman of Muscat Road Runners (MMR). The first one this month is the Oman Road Safety Association’s (ORSA) first walkathon on Tuesday, at Qurum Natural Park in partnership with BP Oman. The walkathon is a part of the greater ‘Buckle Up Every Person in Every Seat on Every Trip’ campaign, which aims to spread awareness on the importance of seatbelts. To boost the ongoing road safety

awareness campaign the walkathon will be offering awareness buses manned by the Royal Oman Police (ROP), a live painting activity, educational play settings for children, a seatbelt test demonstration and a blood bank among an array of activities. The walkathon is a part of BP Oman’s social investment educational programmes. This is part of the oil major’s commitment to safety in its operations as well as the community. The campaign’s role as an educational initiative is a unique addition to the programme through integrating safe attitudes in the community while raising awareness. Amor bin Nasser Al Matani, chairman of ORSA, said, “Since its launch, the ‘Buckle Up’ campaign has beneﬁted more than 2,500 people, predominately students and parents living near ten schools in Muscat, Al Dakhilyah and Al Dhahira. Through this walkathon, ORSA’s main objective is to raise

ty. For helping us to further this, I thank BP for its continuous support in Oman.”

HEALTH DRIVE: As part of the Muscat Festival, this year’s marathon promises to be a great community event.–File photo

awareness on the importance of seatbelts and child restraints, which we are encouraging through our donation of 50 child restraints to government hospitals.

“Judging by the response from the people we have approached, I can say that we are making sterling progress in our aim to educate people to the realities of road safe-

UK’s Telegraph lauds Khasab Port’s charm

Muscat Marathon 2015 Then, on January 30, the fourth annual Muscat Marathon 2015 will welcome runners from around the world to compete at distances of 10,000 metres, 21,000 metres and 42,000 metres. Participants will have training for months in order to be ﬁt and be ready to challenge themselves to complete the race. Hosted in the beautiful gardens of the Intercontinental Hotel, and generously supported by the sponsors, Bank Muscat, PDO, Schlumberger and Strabag, 500 hundred runners will be on the starting line early in the morning to ﬁnd out if all their hard work and training has paid off. “As part of the Muscat Festival, this year’s marathon promises to be a great community event drawing a multinational crowd from inside and outside Oman. Running

through the streets of Muscat, along the sea front and through Qurum Natural Park, the race showcases our beautiful city with participants enjoying the scenery at different places during the race,” said Ahmed Al Malki. Spectators are welcome to cheer the runners and there are many scenic spots for families to relax and watch the fun on the route. The marathon starts at 6am, the half-marathon at 7am and the 10,000-metre run at 8am, so there will be plenty of runners to on the course during the race. This event is organised by Muscat Road Runners, a multinational running club that gets together several times a week to run. “We have been doing so since October 1983, and while few remember those early days, the spirit of the group has grown and ﬂourished. Our numbers are currently around 150 and we have regular participation of up to 80 people of all abilities. We welcome all runners,” summed up Al Malki.

ACADEMICS

The reputed newspaper says: ‘Cruise visitors can explore the landscape on traditional dhows, NEW AVENUES: The workshop is intended to better empower and update the staff on the use of e-contents available on the Educational Portal Destination Success.–Supplied photo

see huge schools of tuna and get up

ISM staff upgrade their e-content skills

close to dolphins by swimming in the calm waters...’ OMAN’S PRIDE: Ships, including those of MSC Cruises, anchor some two miles from the old town, with its traditional souk, 17th century Portuguese fortress and shaded palm groves.– File photo

Staff Reporter MUSCAT: UK-based publication The Telegraph has chosen Khasab Port as one of the world’s most beautiful ports. Out of the world’s 10 most beautiful ports, Khasab Port is the only one selected in the region. Khasab Port is positioned at 7th place by the newspaper. “While the Omani capital of Muscat may be all the rage as a Gulf destination on the rise, the country’s Musandam Peninsula is a place of legend. An enclave separated from the rest of Oman by the United Arab Emirates, its remote desert fjords are an inhospitable, barrenly beautiful land inhabited by hardy shepherds and ﬁshermen,” says the brief summary

about Khasab by the newspaper. “Ships, including those of MSC Cruises, anchor some two miles from the old town, with its traditional souk, 17th century Portuguese fortress and shaded palm groves. Cruise visitors can explore the landscape on traditional dhows, see huge schools of tuna and get up close to dolphins by swimming in the calm waters surrounding Telegraph Island. Now known by its original name, Jazirat Al Maqlab was once home to a British repeater station used to boost the strength of messages along the Gulf submarine cable,” the summary adds. Khasab is also dubbed the ‘Norway of Arabia’. New York Port in US tops the list

and Santorini Greece is placed in the second position. Last week, Oman was featured in The New York Times ‘52 Places to Go in 2015’. The New York Times placed Oman in the number 20 position, being the only country so named in the GCC, in this weekend’s edition of places to go worldwide. Each January, the editors of the Travel section of The New York Times 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 landscape come from mountains, not skyscrapers; its dramatic coastlines owe little to man-made engineering; and the unending hub-

bub of Dubai and Abu Dhabi is contrasted here with the sheer silence of Oman’s numerous Wadis, or ravines. According to Oman’s Ministry of Tourism, Oman was last week ranked a top travel destination for GCC tourists who are looking for short holidays. This comes after Oman emerged as one of the most preferred destinations among GCC travellers, registering a 17 per cent increase in GCC citizens, as of the end of the third quarter of 2014. The latest government statistics by the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI) says over 701,311 tourists from the GCC visited the Sultanate as of September 2014.

Times News Service MUSCAT: As part of the ongoing staff development programme at Indian School Muscat (ISM), the 350 plus teaching staff of the school attended a workshop on the use of the e-contents, following the guidelines of the Central Board of Secondary Education, Delhi (CBSE). The inaugural session of the workshop was held in the new multipurpose hall. Wilson George, chairman, Board of Directors, Indian Schools in the Sultanate of Oman, Dr. Avirat Vaishnav, president of the school Managing Committee, and other members of the SMC were present on the occasion. The workshop is intended to better empower and update the staff in the professional front, in

the use of the e-contents available on the Educational Portal Destination Success. Trainers and resource persons from S. Chand Harcourt, India, a CBSE empanelled Teachers’ Training Organisation, are imparting knowledge and skills, and equipping teachers with innovative teaching methods using e-content tools and related systems. Addressing the teachers, Wilson said ISM has a great reputation, and teachers, the intellectual wealth of ISM, have helped the school to gain this. Dr Avirat shared the new initiatives of the school management. Principal Mr. Srinivas K. Naidu welcomed the gathering and thanked the Board of Directors and the School Managing Committee for their continuous support.

VA L U E A D D I T I O N

Smartphones, Wi-Fi add value for hospitality sector Times News Service MUSCAT: The hospitality sector in Oman is booming and according to the Ministry of Tourism, the industry is expected to grow to 10 per cent of the GDP by 2020 and hotel room capacity is forecast to expand at an annual growth rate of 5.3 per cent in the next three to four years. Rapid advancement of mobile computing and increased smartphone usage in Oman is giving hoteliers the opportunity to create additional value for their guests and lower operational costs by implementing mobile technology solutions. It is, therefore, surprising that plans of most hoteliers to implement mobile enablement solutions are rambling. Graeme Kane, sales manager, hospitality at Aruba Networks says that a revolution has taken place, from the days when there was one Ethernet port in the room with the hotels offering guests a wired connection, or a dedicated hotel business centre often found in the lobby. A couple years ago, the typical traveller would have carried only a laptop and a phone. With the huge

rise in the use of smart phones and tablets in the last three years travellers now use their devices anytime and anywhere – for business, personal entertainment, social media engagement and other such purposes. And when they arrive at a hotel, they expect to connect to everything all the time. Guests now demand always-on Wi-Fi across the hotel complex, access to self-service apps and content streaming without delay. This mobility revolution has created a need for hotels to engage guests through smartphone apps and untether their front-desk staff so they can assist guests anywhere on the property. Essentially, providing a guest the Wi-Fi experience is now a fundamental part of customer satisfaction. There is clear evidence of the change in guests’ mentality. A recently conducted survey by Aruba Networks found that with respect to hospitality, #GenMobile, a term coined for the growing segment of people for whom smartphones is now an integral part of their personal and professional lives, displayed some interesting characteristics.

A revolution has taken place, from the days when there was one Ethernet port Graeme Kane Sales manager, Aruba Networks For example, 65 per cent of travellers have three or more devices and 94 per cent cite Wi-Fi as the most important amenity. The survey also found that 77 per cent of #GenMobile travellers reference reviews before choosing a hotel and 36 per cent will hesitate to rebook after a poor Wi-Fi experience Business travellers now require VPN connections to their headquarters while leisure travellers

feel the constant need to update their online photo albums. These requirements demand for broadband internet speeds to be delivered over Wi-Fi networks. To remain competitive, hotels need to leverage a smarter, adaptive network infrastructure that delivers stable, simple, smart, secure Wi-Fi access to thousands of devices at a time, supports mobile collaboration for staff, and enables

personalised and location-based mobile engagement for guests. There are therefore a number of aspects that must be looked into and addressed in order to achieve this which include Issues like ease of logging in. Before checking out the pool or entertainment, the ﬁrst thing the modern traveller wants to access is the hotel’s Wi-Fi network. It is therefore imperative to make it easy for them to self-

register for secure Wi-Fi access without IT assistance or dealing with multiple login screens. The solution should integrate with the existing property management system and allow the hotel to create custom-branded registration portals and browser pages. Hotels continue to use traditional static promotional signage. But this does not always reach guests and often does not relate to them. Location-aware technology can also be used to push out relevant and timely offers to guests’ mobile devices based on where they are on the venue’s property. Hotels, resorts and casinos can now reward loyal guests by sending them personalised push-notiﬁcations that contain exclusive offers on inhouse services or events. By delivering stable, simple, smart and secure Wi-Fi to guests and then leveraging this network as a platform for innovation, hotels in Oman can set themselves apart in this highly competitive market. Done right, guests might use the very network developed for their satisfaction to post glowing reviews about the hotel and the service they received.

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CHARITY

Caledonian Society to raise money for Dar Al Hanan SARAH MACDONALD

sarah@timesofoman.com

FOR A CAUSE: Forbes Clow, Chieftan of Caledonian Society of Oman. – Jun Estrada/Times of Oman

MUSCAT: Caledonian Society of Oman will be raising money for the Oman Cancer Association’s Dar Al Hanan at its upcoming Robert Burns Nights, which honours Scotland’s national poet. The Society, an expat group started by Scottish residents of the Sultanate in 1976, holds a number of events through the year that both foster ties among the Scottish community and introduce Scottish culture to other people, as well as raising money to help charities in Oman and Scotland, Forbes Clow, Chieftan of the society said. In past years the society split the

funds it raised equally, donating half to an Omani charity and half to one in Scotland, but this year its members decided to give 70 percent to a local charity. Dar Al Hanan, the OCA’s home for sick children from outside of Muscat and their families to use when they need medical treatment, was chosen as the recipient along with the Children’s Hospice Association of Scotland. “As you can see, both of our charities are focused on children. We’ve all got children we care about. In this troubled world that’s our future,” said Clow, adding that the society hopes to raise about OMR3,000 OMR this year. A representative of the OCA

France’s Monte Carlo Doualiya Radio in Oman The station will bring new and different news, music and programming to Oman, presented by French citizens of Arab heritage who understand both French and

BOOSTING RELATIONS: Minister of Information Abdulmonem Al Hasani and France’s Ambassador to Oman Roland Dubertrand at the event to launch Monte Carlo Doualiya in Oman. – Ismail Al Farsi/ Times of Oman

Arab cultures

SARAH MACDONALD

sarah@timesofoman.com

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MUSCAT: France’s Arabic-language radio station Monte Carlo Doualiya (MCD) is hitting the Omani airwaves and to celebrate its arrival here, it is putting the spotlight on the Sultanate. MCD, the Arabic branch of France Medias Monde group can be heard on 92.2FM in Oman, allowing listeners here to join 7.5 million other listeners in the Middle East and North Africa, as well as fans who follow its broadcasts in France, Canada, Latin America and other countries. It will offer Oman international perspectives and something different from local stations, said Marie-Christine Saragosse, Chairwoman and CEO of France Medias Monde, at a press conference announcing the launch on Monday. ‘Not partisan’ “Monte Carlo Doualiya is not a partisan radio. It gives facts, offers debates and a variety of opinions, so it’s a radio that is well respected,” Saragosse said. The director of MCD, Souad El Tayeb, and a number of the presenters came to Oman this week for the launch, and they will be reporting from here over the next few days. “We are very happy to be here. Oman is very important to us and it has been on our radar for a while,” said El Tayeb. Though the station will bring new and different news, music and programming to Oman, pre-

sented by French citizens of Arab heritage who understand the cultures of both France and the Arab world, to celebrate its arrival in the Sultanate the programmes will feature all kinds of news, music, and information about Oman until January 18. Programmes Reports on its programmes Gulf Hour, Café Chaud, The News Revisited, Health Forever and Life and People will offer analysis on the changes and developments in Omani society, its culture, economy, politics and social issues. There will also be broadcasts introducing the MCD listeners everywhere to Oman, with reports on the Royal Opera House Muscat, local handicrafts, the Mutrah Souq, Oman Sail’s women’s programme, archeological excavations, the French presence in the Sultanate, and learning French in Oman. For the past two weeks MCD has been available through local station Al Wisal, and El Tayeb said she has received very positive feedback from people who have listened to it, especially taxi drivers who spend a lot of time listening to the radio in their cars. “They’ve told us that what they’ve heard the past two weeks has been different,” she said, adding that they have been interested in the international perspectives

heard on the station. HE Abdulmonem Al Hasani, Minister of Information, said he was happy to welcome MCD to the Sultanate, and also expressed his solidarity on behalf of the Omani people to the people of France following the attacks on their media last week. “We can do many things together and things for the Omani listeners. It’s something very important for Omani listeners and for the local media. I wish you all the success and I want to let you know we are here to help you,” Al Hasani said. Speaking on behalf the Embassy of France in Oman, Clément Moutel, Counsellor for Cultural Affairs and Cooperation, said it was important for Omanis to have the opportunity to listen to a French radio station in Arabic. It would also offer more news and information than other Arabic stations here. Point of view “It will offer a French point of view, a different perspective on international affairs. MCD is an informative station with open debates with auditors, directors, and specialists so I think this will interest many Omanis,” Moutel said. He added that was also a chance for the MCD journalists to discover the Sultanate, which he described as a special place because it’s at the crossroads between the Arab World, Asia and Africa. “It’s got a speciﬁc foreign policy, a policy of permanent dialogue and the absence of conﬂict, and I think it’s interesting for non-Omanis to discover this,” he said.

SQU HOSTS MEETING

‘Educational standards hold the key’ Times News Service MUSCAT: Educational standards are very signiﬁcant pillars of any educational system, and therefore its continuous development and improvement will have a long-standing positive impact on the outcomes of educational institutions, Her Highness Sayyidah Dr Mona bint Fahad Al Said, Sultan Qaboos University Assistant Vice Chancellor for International Cooperation, has said. She said this while chairing a special working group to prepare for the second meeting of the

working group of the committee on quality management system in educational institutions of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), which is being hosted by Sultan Qaboos University, in association with the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. The working group includes specialists from SQU, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and the Ministry of Higher Education. Speaking to the participants of the workshop on the ﬁrst day, HH Sayyidah Dr. Mona Al Said, said that SQU, being the

premier higher educational institution in Oman, was glad to host such a very important meeting. The Assistant Vice Chancellor praised ISO, the world’s largest developer of voluntary International Standards, for its great and continuous efforts in developing such high quality International Standards, and for giving SQU the honour and opportunity to host this meeting. Dr. Sandra Felciano, the Convener of ISO/PC288 Working Group 1, also spoke on the occasion, in which she thanked SQU for its hospitality.

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will be invited to the Robert Burns Night on February 5 at the residence of the British ambassador, who is the honorary chieftain, where a cheque will be presented. The event will also feature recitations of Burns’ poetry, Scottish music and dancing, and a dinner including haggis, a classic Scottish dish of sheep innards mixed with oatmeal and cooked inside the sheep’s stomach. “Some people want it more traditional and some people want more dancing so

we’re trying to cater to everybody this year,” noted Clow. The Robert Burns Night is one of several events the Caledonian Society of Oman holds each year, along with its St Andrew’s Ball, occasional sundowners, and pop-up ceilidhs (Gaelic word for party). This year the society is also planning on introducing some new events to Muscat, including traditional Highland Games, an event with bag piping, drumming and dancing competitions and Scottish heavy athletics, and a Kilt Walk for charity, in which people can wear their Scottish tartans and raise money for a good cause. While most of the members are Scottish, the Caledonian Society

of Oman is open to anyone who is interested in Scottish culture and now has nearly 200 members, Clow noted. “The society has really picked up since our annual general meeting in April 2014. We gained a very dynamic committee and have a lot of hardworking people here in Muscat. Through them we’ve able to get a lot of support and sponsorship for the society,” said Clow. To get involved in the Caledonian Society of Oman, or to buy tickets to the Robert Burns Night, which cost OMR50 for members and OMR55 for non-members, people can send an email to caledoniansocietyofoman@gmail. com or call 96056904.

TUE S DAY, JANUA RY 13, 2 015 The service is impeccable, yet discreet, in keeping with the sophisticated tone of the restaurant Ryan Stallwood, restaurant manager

OMAN

For exquisite Italian cuisine, visit Rossini

PAC T S I G N E D

From signature Italian dishes to distinctive HOUSING COMPLEX: The staff accommodation zone will be home to employees of the two Jumeirah hotels along with the resident staff of Saraya Bandar Jissah. – Supplied picture

Saraya Bandar Jissah awards contract to build staff quarters Times News Service MUSCAT: Saraya Bandar Jissah, the developer of the upcoming luxurious Integrated Tourism Complex, has awarded the construction contract of the staff accommodation zone to Ghantoot Transport & General Contracting LLC (GTGC). The company’s core competencies include executing large-scale projects with their highly skilled professional manpower and proven track record. The company has previously undertaken mega projects in buildings, palaces, road networks, bridges and power transmission and distribution networks as well as executing major infrastructure projects in United Arab Emirates and other Gulf countries. The staff accommodation zone will be home to employees of the two Jumeirah hotels along with the resident staff of Saraya Bandar Jissah. The staff housing will have its own recreational facility, com-

plete with a sports complex and various other amenities. On signing with GTGC, the CEO of Saraya Bandar Jissah, Sheikh Hamood bin Sultan Al Hosni said, “We look forward to working with GTGC as their projects are a reﬂection of their professionalism and industry leading expertise. Each zone of the Saraya Bandar Jissah project is well thought out and demonstrates true luxury. We are conﬁdent that with a leading contractor like GTGC on site, Saraya Bandar Jissah will evolve into one of the most unique architectural marvels in the Sultanate.” The staff accommodation zone will comprise 13 buildings and 207 allotted parking spaces. The breakdown of the 13 buildings includes eight accommodation blocks, one facilities management and retail building, one common facility building, one nursery block building for plants propagation and two MEP (mechanical, electrical and plumbing) rooms.

hospitality, this outstanding diner recreates the Italian experience in all its gastronomic grandeur

Times News Service MUSCAT: Exquisite Italian cuisine is set to be the latest culinary rage at The Cave with the launch of Rossini, the Sultanate of Oman’s newest and most authentic Italian restaurant. Brought to the Sultanate by Four Seasons Tourism LLC, which manages a chain of premium restaurant brands around the country, Rossini offers guests the opportunity of a culinary journey that is quintessentially Italian. From the signature Italian dishes to the distinctive hospitality, this outstanding diner recreates the Italian experience in all its gastronomic grandeur. Speaking at the opening, Ryan Stallwood, restaurant manager, said that around 90 people, including 16 in the VIP room, can be accommodated at this Italian restaurant. “The service is impeccable, yet discreet, in keeping with the sophisticated tone of the

DINERS’ DELIGHT: Brought to the Sultanate by Four Seasons Tourism LLC, which manages a chain of premium restaurant brands around the country, Rossini offers guests the opportunity of a culinary journey that is quintessentially Italian. –Jun Estrada/Times of Oman

restaurant,” he added. The menu is the carefully crafted handiwork of an experienced and professional Executive Chef Luca Umbreto Voncini and features a wide selection of Italian classics such as antipasti and risottos, succulent steaks and seafood dishes – all prepared to perfection by the team of chefs. À la carte Salads, soups and desserts add to the diversity of the À la carte menu. Only the freshest and ﬁnest ingredients are used in keeping with a commitment to culinary authenticity. All the pastas and other delicious creations are borne from scratch out of the kitchen. Complementing the delight-

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ful menu is Rossini’s elegant and contemporary décor. Lending a distinctively Italian feel to the restaurant are paintings and themes redolent of Italy’s historical charms. But the Rossini experience is more than just Italian fine dining and décor. For cigar aficionados, the stylish Cigar Lounge with its leather upholstery and refined appeal is the ideal setting for a puff. Tucked away in a discreet section of the restaurant is a private dining area catering to small

groups of customers eager for some privacy as they make the most of the exquisite Italian ﬁne dining experience that Rossini has to offer. Guests can dine either À la carte or choose from personalised menus with each dish prepared on order. Fine dining Commenting on the launch of Rossini, Lawrence D’sa, general manager of Four Seasons Tourism LLC, says, “Rossini is a brand that promises to take Italian ﬁne dining to a new level in Oman. Customers can look forward to an authentic Italian experience that our staff has trained long and hard to deliver. The experience will be an evening to remember – Italian-style!”

MERS-COV

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WHO encourages member states to raise surveillance

“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,” said the ministry statement. “The Ministry of Health is well prepared to respond to the MERS-CoV outbreak. All health personnel in the country, in both public and private health facilities, are encouraged to remain vigilant in detecting suspected cases and strictly implementing policies and guidelines that are

in line with WHO recommendations,” Dr Abdallah Assaedi, WHO representative in Oman, said in an email to Times of Oman. “Based on the current situation and available information, the WHO encourages all member states to continue their surveillance for acute respiratory infections and to carefully review any unusual patterns,” added Abdallah. As of January 6, 2015, the WHO has reported 945 human cases, including 348 deaths due to MERS. They were expecting ad-

ditional cases of this new strain of the coronavirus. Last December, Saudi Arabia also notiﬁed of three additional cases of the MERS-CoV infection, including one death. According to their health ministry, as of January 9, there are seven active cases of MERS-CoV infection in the Kingdom. “Self-medication by patients who are infected with inﬂuenza can worsen the situation. Those who have a recent travel history to Saudi Arabia should not be reluc-

tant to consult a doctor if they suffer from inﬂuenza, because only a detailed diagnosis and laboratory tests can conﬁrm whether the patient is infected with the MERS virus or not,” said Basheer A, a senior doctor at the general medicine department in Badr Al Samaa Ruwi Hospital. “In the initial phase the fatality rate is only one per cent. But in the second phase, it will be 50 to 60 per cent. So, patients, and those who are close to the patients, should be more cautious. Scientists are not sure of the origin of

the virus, but several studies have linked it to camels and some experts think it is being passed to humans through close physical contact or through the consumption of camel meat or camel milk. So, those who work in camel butchery shops or those who consume poorly cooked camel meat should be cautious,” said the doctor. The doctor also added that the Sultanate’s Ministry of Health has put in place all kinds of advanced treatment procedures to handle infected patients.

VOTING RIGHTS

C O M M U N I C AT I O N S K I L L S

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A1 ‘A milestone for democracy’ “Voting rights will enable us also to participate in the elections. I am here for more than three decades and I have missed my voting rights on numerous occasions, as I am stuck in Oman due to my work schedule. Now, the e-postal ballot will be a great help,” said Bino PP, a production manager in an advertising agency in Muscat. “This will be a milestone in Indian democracy. Now, the voice of the NRIs can be heard in the parliament. Voting rights will help them, especially those in the Gulf countries, to raise their issues in the parliament and get them resolved. However, the government bodies should also ensure to make the polling process foolproof,” said Shaji Sebastin, a Muscat-based social worker. According to the EC, the epostal ballot system has almost no risk of manipulation, rigging or violation of secrecy. The EC said the system can be initially tried in one or two constituencies in elections to

the legislative assemblies. The system can then be scaled up to more assembly elections and ﬁnally parliamentary elections if found feasible, practicable and meeting the objectives of free and fair elections, it added. On proxy voting, the EC said that the facility of voting through an appointed person — ordinarily from the same constituency as the voter — is currently available to service voters belonging to the armed forces and paramilitary forces. The poll panel said, “Proxy voting facility would be a convenient, efficacious and doable method of providing a voting facility to overseas electors.” “Since the appointment of a proxy can be made at any point of time, the issue of time constraints, logistical issues of the embassy and the related issues of host country permission is eliminated in this system,” stated the EC report. The EC report was submitted

by a committee formed to look into the issue following the SC order. A committee was formed to explore the possibility of allowing NRIs to cast their votes overseas while it heard a public interest litigation (PIL) ﬁled by Dr. Shamseer Vayalil, the Dubaibased NRI litigant from Kerala, who contended that the existing provision which mandates any NRI voter to be physically present in the constituency to exercise his franchise was discriminatory and a violation of a citizen’s fundamental rights. “A historic day for all NRIs,” Dr. Vayalil told Times of Oman over phone from the Indian capital New Delhi. “I feel proud and happy. Now, millions of NRIs who were deprived of the right to participate in the Indian democratic process can do so. It is dream come true for me and other NRIs. I thank everyone who was with me in this ﬁght for our rights,” added Dr. Vayalil.

M U N I C I PA L C OU N C I L

A1 Sports facility in Muscat discussed < FROM

The municipal council has been briefed on the plans of the Haya Water Company to establish a sewage treatment plant in Musfah area of Bausher wilayat. The municipal council also discussed the challenges facing the sports

Meanwhile, a Haj and Umrah operator said that they follow the Ministry of Health instructions strictly for their pilgrims to avoid the risk of contracting the virus. “We make sure that the pilgrims who approach us to travel to Saudi Arabia for the pilgrimage have got the health clearance certiﬁcates and are ﬁt to travel. “It is mandatory and we follow it,” said Irshad Ali Khan, regional manager at Travel Point, a specialist in organising Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages from Oman.

sector in Muscat, mostly with regard to the limited areas available for sporting facilities. The new residential schemes in the Muscat governorate do not have allocated areas for building sport facilities which force

youths to encroach on the green covers in Muscat. All these recommendations were made during the meeting at the municipality presided by HE Mohsin Al Shaikh, the chairman, on Monday.

Workshop on entrepreneurs’ skills at SQU Times News Service MUSCAT: Good communication and leadership promote the ability to speak to what is essential and what isn’t, and facilitates decision making and meetings, development of staff. Communication and leadership skills begin with good listening, an expert said here. Experts from the University of Michigan delivered a series of lectures on entrepreneurship related topics at the Academic Innovation Assistance Programme (AIAP), at Sultan Qaboos University on Monday. The topics included communication skills for entrepreneurs, theory in new directions in brand love, and access to capital for technology oriented startups. Giving a lecture on “Leadership Skills for Entrepreneurs: Effective and Mindful Communication”, Surry Scheerer, consultant coach for custom programmes at the University of Michigan Ross School of Business Executive Education Program, said that good communication and leadership promotes authenticity, clarity, trust and effective relationships. Surry Scheerer said the more a leader listens to others, the more likely he or she is likely to hear what colleagues need to do their jobs; hear what clients and customers want; hear good ideas; receive bad news, and avoid mistakes and build stronger ties.

T UESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015

REGION

President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi appears to be succeeding where predecessors Hosni Mubarak and Mohamed Morsi both failed in the delicate task of reforming a system that has drained the state’s ﬁnances while angering the population

Zarif calls for greater Russian role in talks

LINKS TO BOMB BLASTS

A more active Russian role is an NOTORIOUS: A view of Roumieh prison. Lebanese forces stormed

the country’s largest prison on Monday where militants are detained, security sources said, as authorities searched for those behind a double suicide attack at the weekend. – Reuters

Lebanese troops raid notorious Roumieh prison BEIRUT: Security forces raided Lebanon’s notorious Roumieh prison on Monday after discovering that inmates were linked to a deadly bomb attack last week, security services said. The Internal Security Forces (ISF), in a statement, said an operation was underway at the prison’s B block, where many highproﬁle prisoners are held. The block in Roumieh, east of Beirut, is known as a virtual nogo zone for security forces, where prisoners have access to laptops, phones and money. Riots The ISF said some prisoners had rioted, starting ﬁres to thwart the operation, which follows a double suicide bomb attack Saturday in the Jabal Mohsen district of the northern city of Tripoli.

“The operation is taking place as planned,” said the statement, published by Lebanon’s official National News Agency. “The situation is under control and there are no casualties and the plan being implemented complements the overall security plan for Lebanon,” it added. “Roumieh prison is part of that plan, especially after the discovery of ties between a number of prisoners and the terrorist blasts in the Jabal Mohsen area.” The attack in often-tense Tripoli killed nine people in the neighbourhood. Fighting has regularly broken out between residents of the neighbourhood and militants in neighbouring Bab Al Tebbaneh. The Saturday attack was carried out by Lebanese from another Tripoli district. — AFP

important element in accelerating the ﬁnal settlement of questions for a global nuclear agreement, Iran’s Foreign Minister said

TEHRAN: Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said on Monday that a more active role for Russia could speed up talks aimed at sealing a comprehensive deal on Tehran’s disputed nuclear programme. With meetings between Iran and world powers to resume in Geneva on Wednesday, Russia’s deputy foreign minister Sergei Ryabkov was visiting Tehran, with both sides seeking a breakthrough. “A more active Russian role is an important element in accelerating the ﬁnal settlement of questions for a global nuclear agreement,” Zarif was quoted as saying on state media. With a ﬁnal deal at stake by a June 30 deadline, the talks have stalled on key issues. Ryabkov, who heads up the Russian nego-

SEEKING A BREAKTHROUGH: Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, right, meets with Russian deputy foreign minister Sergei Ryabkov in Tehran on Monday. – AFP

tiating team under the P5+1 talks, said good ties between Tehran and Moscow can still help “a rapid settlement of nuclear relations relating to Iran”. Technical steps Experts say such technical steps push back the “breakout capacity” to make an atomic weapon, while Iran denies seeking a nuclear bomb. Iran’s atomic agency chief Ali Akbar Salehi, however, said Sunday that Tehran was insistent on increased uranium enrichment, saying that in eight years it would need to produce 12 times more than at present. Iran says it needs more enrichment to create

fuel for peaceful nuclear energy production, but the issue has been a stumbling block in talks with world powers, who say a lower capability would suffice. In Geneva, US Secretary of State John Kerry will meet Zarif on Wednesday, with lower-level P5+1 meetings on January 18. The other main obstacle to a ﬁnal deal is the timeline for lifting sanctions imposed on Iran for pursuing its nuclear programme in the face of international pressure. Although Iran is led in the talks by Zarif and a team of negotiators, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, as Iran’s supreme leader, has the ﬁnal say on any decision.

Kerry said that he and his Iranian counterpart would seek at their meeting to lay the ground for negotiations on Tehran’s nuclear programme to make greater progress. “The meeting is calculated to take stock, number one, and to provide direction to our teams, number two, and to hopefully be able to accelerate the process to make greater progress,” Kerry told reporters on a visit to India. “We’re at a juncture where most of the issues are now getting ﬂeshed out and understood and I think it’s important for him and for me to take stock,” Kerry said of his meeting with Zarif on Wednesday. — Reuters

MAJOR ACHIEVEMENT

Sisi scores success with smart cards for bread subsidies CAIRO: The successful roll-out so far of a new “smart card” system to distribute subsidised bread has been a major achievement for Egypt’s government, saving money while earning praise from families who no longer have to wake early to ﬁght for loaves. President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi appears to be succeeding where predecessors Hosni Mubarak and Mohamed Morsi both failed in the

delicate task of reforming a system that has drained the state’s ﬁnances while angering the population. While the government still has a long way to go to roll out the new system countrywide, success so far marks an important civilian achievement for the president, a former army chief mainly known for security issues, including a harsh crackdown against Morsi’s Muslim Brotherhood followers.

“In the time of Mubarak and Morsi, there was no organisation at bakeries. People fought each other. Now we all take what we need and there’s bread for all,” said Bakhita Ibrahim, a Cairo resident at a bakery in the Sayyeda Zeinab district. For generations, Egypt’s government has fed the public by distributing subsidised ﬂour to bakeries, which sell bread for as little as 5 pi-

SNOWSTORM

astres a loaf, less than one US cent. The system turned Egypt into the world’s biggest importer of wheat, draining the government’s foreign currency reserves. Cairo spends $3 billion a year on imports for it. Nor has it pleased the public. Bread has been sold on a “ﬁrst come, ﬁrst served” basis, forcing people to queue up for hours in the morning to get it before it runs out, and sometimes BRUSHING OFF CLAIMS

Meshaal is welcome in Qatar: Attiyah DOHA: Hamas chief Khaled Meshaal remains welcome in Qatar, the Gulf country’s foreign minister said on Monday, brushing off claims that the Palestinian leader had been asked to leave. “Khaled Meshaal is a dear guest in Qatar. He is in fact at home,” Khalid Al Attiyah said. - AFP

SHIVERING COLD: A Syrian man carries wood for a ﬁre in the rebel-held city of Douma on Sunday The snowstorm that hit large swathes of Syria on Sunday caused the death of seven people, the Observatory said. – AFP

Five more die of freezing temperatures in Syria BEIRUT: Five more people have died of freezing temperatures in Syria, bringing to 11 the country’s death toll in a week-long storm battering the region, a monitoring group said on Monday. Seven children, including twin baby girls, were among the dead, said the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. “The snowstorm that hit large swathes of Syria on Sunday caused the death of seven people,” the Observatory said, updating an earlier toll. Among the latest deaths was

a two-day-old girl in the Firdous district of the northern city of Aleppo whose twin sister was reported dead on Sunday. Twins “Both twins have now died because of the cold,” Observatory director Rami Abdel Rahman said. The other new deaths included three boys: in Beit Sahem, south of Damascus, in the eastern town of Albu Kamal, controlled by the IS militant group, and in southern Syria’s Daraa province.

The ﬁfth additional death was in Deir Ezzor province, which neighbours Iraq, where a man died because of a lack of heating, the group said. Victims All the victims lived in rebel-held areas, where shortages of food, heating and medical equipment are especially severe. In neighbouring Lebanon, at least two Syrian refugees died last Wednesday due to plunging temperatures. — AFP

leading to violence. Those who arrive at the bakery early sometimes buy extra bread to feed to their livestock. Meanwhile, those who arrive too late can get nothing. And bakers are widely accused of siphoning off flour to sell on the black market, profiting while running up the government’s bills. Under the system, families are issued plastic cards allowing them to buy five loaves per family mem-

ber per day. Buyers no longer have to queue. Bakeries are paid for the subsidised loaves they sell, rather than being given a fixed allotment of cheap flour, making it harder to siphon off subsidies. The cards have so far been introduced in 17 of Egypt’s 29 provinces and consumption in those areas is already down between 15 to 35 percent, Supplies Minister Khaled Hanafi, who has led the reforms, said. — Reuters

TUE S DAY, JANUA RY 13, 2 015

Those groups indulging in violence, division of people and extortion have to be shunned. I seek your help to ﬁght violence and insurgency Rajnath Singh, Union Home Minister

INDIA

ASSAM KILLINGS

HARVEST FESTIVAL Schoolgirls clad in traditional Punjabi dress toss puffed rice, peanuts and popcorn into a bonﬁre on the eve of the Lohri festival in Amritsar on Monday. The Lohri harvest festival, which falls on January 13 this year, is marked in northern India with celebrations involving the ﬂying and battling of kites. - AFP

No talks with militant outfits indulging in violence, says Rajnath GUWAHATI: Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday categorically said there will be no talks with those militant outfits that indulge in violence though doors are open for parleys with others. “Doors are open for discussions. Talks we will have but under no circumstances we will have talks after the militants indulge in violence. We will not talk with such extremist groups under the Narendra Modi government,” asserted the Home Minister addressing the closing ceremony of the 19th National Youth Festival here. Appealing to the North East region based insurgent outfits to stop their violent activities, the Home Minister said, “they do not understand the poor people’s problems. The poor are being massacred and the youth cannot remain silent but have to fight them, however, powerful they are.” “Those groups indulging in violence, division of people and extortion have to be shunned. I seek your help to fight violence and insurgency,” Singh said. Twelve Bodo militants were on Sunday arrested from three places in Assam along the inter-

BRIEFS

13 die after consuming spurious liquor in UP LUCKNOW: Thirteen people died in two separate incidents on Monday after consuming illicit liquor in Uttar Pradesh, on the outskirts of the state capital, police said. More than two dozen people were admitted to various hospitals in Lucknow where the condition of 18 is said to be “very critical.” The ﬁrst incident occurred at Datli village in Malihabad, the mango belt of the state. An official said that ﬁve people died on the spot while consuming the country made liquor. Five others died in hospitals. People in serious condition have been admitted to Balrampur hospital and the trauma centre at the Lucknow Medical College. In the second incident early Monday three persons died after consuming spurious liquor in Talvasarai village in Unnao, neighbouring the state capital. The deceased belonged to Datli, Pahadpur, Khadta, Rampur, Gondwa, Baraunja and Bhogla. Many people are feared to have lost their eye sight.

Civil nuclear deal on Obama-Modi agenda US Secretary of State John Kerry said we will try to make progress on issues like defence

Tharoor may be questioned soon in Sunanda’s murder

agreements, civil

NEW DELHI: Congress MP Shashi Tharoor may be questioned soon in connection with his wife Sunanda Pushkar’s murder, Delhi Police chief B.S. Bassi said Monday. “I know Tharoor is in Delhi. Our SIT (Special Investigation Team) is working on the case, and if they require, they will call him (Tharoor) soon,” Bassi told the media. Tharoor reached Delhi on Sunday from Kerala, where he was undergoing ayurvedic rejuvenation. Pushkar, 52, was found dead in a luxury hotel here on January 17, 2014. Police have said she was poisoned to death. In response to a question, Bassi said Pakistani journalist Mehr Tarar, whose friendship with Tharoor had reportedly led to a row between him and Pushkar, may also be questioned if needed. Pushkar was found dead just days after an open spat on Twitter drew attention to the couple’s personal life and Tarar.

as well as economic

Andhra Pradesh to launch ‘e-biz’ portal for investors HYDERABAD: As part of plans to create a business-friendly environment and woo more investment, south Indian state Andhra Pradesh has drawn up a plan to launch an ‘e-biz’ web portal. The objective of the portal is to make easier for investors to obtain licenses and permissions for business, official sources said. Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu held a meeting on the proposed portal last week. So far, the investors have to go through lengthy processes to obtain permissions for setting up industries. - Agencies

national border with Bhutan, a day after an insurgent involved in the massacre of tribals 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. “The 12 cadres include a member of the outfit’s central committee, a deputy commander and a platoon commander,” said Inspector General of Police (BTAD) L.R. Bishnoi. They were being interrogated to ascertain their links with the recent violence in three districts, he said. Four AK-56 rifles, five pistols, one .303 rifle, one .315 rifle, 12 magazines, four grenades and 785 rounds of ammunition were seized from them. Security forces Saturday gunned down Jeblang alias Jagat Basumatary, platoon commander of the NDFB in Kokrajhar district, who was involved in firing in Pakriguri area in Kokrajhar on December 23 that left over 30 people dead. - Agencies

nuclear agreement progress

GANDHINAGAR: The US and India will try to make progress in defence and civil nuclear cooperation when President Barack Obama visits Delhi this month end, Secretary of State John Kerry said on Monday. He also said that they expected India to sign a landmark climate change agreement in Paris at the end of this year and this would be part of the discussions Obama will have with Prime Minister Modi. Obama will be in India as chief guest at the Republic Day celebrations this year. He will also have discussions with Modi on bilateral and other issues. “We will try to make progress on issues like defence agreements, civil nuclear agreement as well as economic progress,” Kerry told reporters here giving the outline of the discussion with Modi. “We are also working together to

DOING THE GROUNDWORK: United States Secretary of State John Kerry announces he will visit Paris later in the week, at a news conference in Gandhinagar on Monday. - AFP

strengthen maritime security. We are strengthening our partnership to combat terrorism, piracy and proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. We are committed to regional dialogue on key political and security issues,” he said. After the landmark nuclear deal between the two countries in 2008, cooperation in the sector has been stalled over the tough provisions in the Civil Nuclear Liability Act that have come as a dampener for foreign operators. Productive discussion Speaking about his Sunday’s meeting with Modi, Kerry said, “I had productive discussion with prime minister Narendra Modi when President Obama is coming here next month. Obama is honoured to be invited as a chief guest at the Republic Day parade and is going to be the ﬁrst

sitting president to be on a visit to India for the second time”. Kerry, who is here to take part in the seventh edition of the Vibrant Gujarat summit, his second visit to India after Modi took over as prime minister, also said that he is impressed by the event. “We expect to sign a landmark climate change agreement with India in Paris at the end of this year. And I know that this topic would be part of President Obama’s discussion with the prime minister during his upcoming visit,” he said. Given that Prime Minister Modi has been in office for only six months, it is not surprising that the two countries have not completely resolved these things, the official said. “There has been a great deal of rolling up your sleeves discussion going on the civil liability issue, on the nuclear side on civil/nuclear,

and I think there’s a commitment on both sides to try to find a way through that. “I don’t know whether that will be resolved in time for the President’s visit, but I would say I think there is progress being made there,” the official said. Talking about the patents issue, the US official said it has to be put in the context of the larger intellectual property issues. “There has been a great deal of progress and discussion on the copyright side and a commitment by India to introduce new legislation on copyright, particularly with respect to the film industry and piracy there,” the official said. Noting that the patents issue had not been resolved yet, the official said there is a robust discussion taking place and will continue to take place. Kerry unhurt in accident Meanwhile, US Secretary of State John Kerry and his staff were involved in a minor road accident Monday during his visit to western India, but none of the party were injured, an official said. Kerry was heading to the airport in Ahmedabad city in Gujarat state when his car and another in the motorcade were involved in the accident, a State Department official said. “During the drive to the airport in Ahmedabad... two cars in the motorcade had a minor traffic accident resulting in some damage to both cars,” State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said. “Secretary Kerry was in the first of the two vehicles. He sustained no injuries nor did any staff or personnel.” - Agencies

SETBACK FOR TRINAMOOL CONGRESS

CBI summons Mamata aide for questioning in Saradha scam KOLKATA: The CBI on Monday summoned Trinamool Congress general secretary and former railway minister Mukul Roy for questioning in connection with the Saradha chit fund scam. The opposition termed the development a major “setback” for the Trinamool, while West Bengal’s ruling party accused the Bharatiya Janata Party-led central government of using the Central Bureau of Investigation as a “political tool”. Conﬁrming that he has been called for questioning, Roy — presently in Delhi — said he would appear before the CBI once he returns to Kolkata. “Question doesn’t arise about any summons but I have been informed by the CBI. I am here (in Delhi) for a day or two, and once I go back to Kolkata, I will deﬁnitely

Narendra Modi’s office or by Amit Shah at the BJP headquarters?” asked O’Brien. “This is a deliberate bid to try and ﬁnish all regional parties and they are doing this against many states. The Trinamool functioned almost as the main opposition party in parliament. By doing this, the BJP hopes to silence us. This devious strategy will not succeed, because we do not succumb. We ﬁght politically,” he added.

meet the CBI people,” Roy told reporters in Delhi. “I have never been involved in any illegal or immoral activity. They (CBI) have called me but I am here. Once I return to Kolkata, I will meet them,” he added. Claiming that the CBI’s summons to Roy was yet to be received, Trinamool spokesperson and Rajya Sabha chief whip Derek O’Brien wondered if the investigating agency was being run by BJP president Amit Shah. Mukul Roy

Nasty ploy “The nasty ploy of using the CBI as a political tool by the BJP continues. They could not ﬁght us politically in Bengal in the Lok Sabha elections. So now, these dirty tactics months before the corporation elections. We will ﬁght them — strongly, po-

litically,” the spokesperson said in a written statement. “This is blatant vindictiveness. The so-called summons has not yet reached and the BJP honchos are already giving bytes. Is the CBI being run by (Prime Minister)

Arrested Four Trinamool leaders — including Rajya Sabha members Kunal Ghosh and Srinjoy Bose, and state Transport Minister Madan Mitra — have been arrested in connection with the scam. The CBI and the Enforcement Directorate have also questioned many Trinamool MPs as part of

the probe. Claiming that the Trinamool frontline leadership was involved in the scam, BJP national secretary S.N. Singh said Roy’s summoning was a major setback for the state’s ruling party. Significant step “The summoning of Roy by the CBI is a big setback for the Trinamool. Moreover, Roy was the last person whom Saradha chief Sudipta Sen had met before he fled to Kashmir. So his summoning by the CBI is a significant step,” the BJP leader said. Former state Congress president Pradip Bhattacharya said Roy’s summoning by the CBI “was imminent”. “It has become evident how the Trinamool’s frontline leadership was directly and indirectly involved in the scam. Their involve-

ment in ruining lakhs of poor people cannot be denied,” he said. CPI-M politburo member Sitaram Yechury demanded that properties of all those involved in the scandal should be conﬁscated and sold off and every person connected to the graft be called for questioning, irrespective of their positions including Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. “The matter must be investigated in its entirety and all those who are involved irrespective of their position must be quizzed and if found guilty, action must be taken against them. “More importantly, the money that was swindled from the poor must be returned by conﬁscating and selling their properties, whatever position they may hold, including the chief minister,” Yechury said. - IANS

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INDIA

Delhi assembly polls on February 7 Counting of votes for the election to the 70-member Assembly will be held on February 10, ahead of the expiry of President’s Rule which was imposed in the capital on February 15, last year

COMMUNIQUE: Chief Election Commissioner V. S. Sampath along with Election Commissioners H.S. Brahma and Syed Ahmed Zaidi at a press conference for the announcement of the schedule for the Delhi Assembly elections, in New Delhi on Monday. - PTI

NEW DELHI: The Assembly election in Delhi, being touted as a direct contest between BJP and AAP, will be held on February 7, the Election Commission announced on Monday. Counting of votes for the election to the 70-member Assembly will be held on February 10, ahead of the expiry of President’s Rule which was imposed in the capital on February 15, last year. With the declaration of the poll schedule, the Model Code of Conduct will come into force with immediate effect, the EC said.

The notiﬁcation for the polls will be issued by the Lt Governor on January 14 while the last date for ﬁling nominations is January 21. The date of scrutiny is January 22, while candidates can withdraw from the electoral battle by January 24. Addressing a press conference here, the full Commission comprising Chief Election Commissioner V. S. Sampath and Election Commissioners H. S. Brahma and Nasim Zaidi, said 1.30 crore voters were eligible to exercise their franchise to elect a new Assembly. “The dissolution (of the Delhi Assembly) order of the President

will expire by February 15 and in order to restore the mandate of the people as expeditiously as possible, the Commission has decided to go in for elections where the results will be known well before February 15,” Sampath said. Hectic campaign expected The electoral process in Delhi will be completed by February 12. The CEC said that the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi will witness a “very heated and hectic” political campaign as there are no polls being held anywhere in the country during that period

and the “focus of all political parties” will be here. He said the EC has put up a mechanism for conduct of a free and fair election and all measures to check the use of “money power” will be taken. Responding to a volley of questions that the EC was not following the principle of giving a month’s time between announcement of the polls and the date of nomination, Sampath said three weeks is the “outer limit” but the timeline can be reduced to two weeks or even one week. “Giving more time would have

GLOBAL CHALLENGES

Ban asks India to play key role in ensuring nuclear disarmament in South Asia NEW DELHI: Recognising its growing stature, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on Monday asked India to play a major role in ensuring nuclear disarmament in South Asia, bringing back peace and stability in Afghanistan and combating key global challenges like terrorism, climate change and poverty. Expressing deep concern over rise in violent extremism and radicalisation in the region, Ban said India must shoulder the responsibility” to help South Asia stop developing nuclear arsenals and urged it to sign the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) which provides for banning all nuclear tests. In an address to a select group of diplomats and foreign affairs experts at the Indian Council of World Affairs here, the UN Secretary General identified terrorism as major global challenge and said the terror attack in Paris was to strike at the “heart of our freedom”. Concern over terrorism Earlier, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj held expansive discussion with Ban during which issues such as growing global concern over terrorism, UN Peacekeeping Mission and UN reforms figured among others. India has been seeking reform of the UN Security Council to reflect

ONE FOR THE ALBUM: From left: Bollywood actress Nandita Das, Indian Nobel laureate Kailash Satyarthi, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, former Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar and Bollywood actress Sharmila Tagore at a function, in New Delhi, on Monday. - AFP

realities of the modern world. India stressed on the need for a decision-making mandate in the evolving UN doctrine on peacekeeping. India has been one of the largest contributors to UN Peacekeeping missions. The issue of “Indian air component” which had been withdrawn by India in Congo in peace keeping mission also ﬁgured in the talks. In his lecture on “India and the United Nations in a Changing World”, Ban also mentioned about 26/11 terror attack on Mumbai and

killing of school children in Peshawar recently and said a secure regional environment and stability in South Asia will help India reach its “ambitions and goals”. “As world’s largest democracy, India has important role. Political leaders must put aside long-standing grievances and resolve old disputes. Specially in case of India and Pakistan. Continued instability in Pakistan and Afghanistan is not only responsibility of those nations,” he said in his lecture. “When I come to Delhi I am

SUPREME COURT ORDER

‘Create mechanism to allow NRIs to vote in eight weeks’ NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Monday asked the government to take steps, within eight weeks, for implementation of e-voting by NRIs after being told the government has accepted the poll panel’s recommendation to this effect. The government has accepted both in “letter and spirit the recommendation of the Election Commission. Further steps are to be taken to implement the suggestions in eight weeks”, said a bench of Chief Justice H.L.Dattu and Justice A.K.Sikri in their order. The order came as government on Monday informed the court that it has accepted the EC report on voting by the NRIs. Appearing for the petitioners Nagender Chindam, Naresh Kumar Hanchate and Shamsheer V.P, senior counsel Dushyant Dave told the court that the recommendation of the panel set up by the Election Commission could be carried out both by the executive order or by taking a legislative route. At this court said: “They (govern-

The order came as government on Monday informed the court that it has accepted the EC report on voting by the NRIs

ment) will take the follow-up action. If it is amending the law then they will amend and if it is through an executive order then they will pass it.” It also told the government to do it “at the earliest”. Senior counsel Meenakshi Arora, who appeared for the poll panel, told the court that for facilitating NRI voting as suggested by the expert panel would require amending the law as it at present the votes could only be exercised at the polling booth concerned.

In a related plea, the court also sought the response of the Election Commission on the facilities that could be extended to migrant workers within the country to cast their votes for the constituency where they are registered as voters from their native place. As Arora said that they could get registered afresh as voters in the city where they are working, the counsel for petitioners said there were enormous difficulties including that of identity in getting registered as voters in a new place. The apex court on November 14 had asked the government to consider the report of the Committee for Exploring Feasibility of Alternative Options for Voting by Overseas Electors, set up by the poll panel, recommending electronic or proxy voting by NRIs staying overseas. The panel had however, rejected the feasibility of NRIs voting at the diplomatic missions. It had also not favoured internet voting till appropriate technology/IT applications as well as other vulnerabilities are addressed. - IANS

a full man as I had left my heart here,” this was how UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on Monday reminisced his days as a young diplomat here 43 years ago. “I had left my heart in Delhi. I am returning regularly to check whether half of my heart is totally functioning,” he said delivering a lecture at the Indian Council of World Affairs. Ban worked in South Korean Embassy as vice consul which was his ﬁrst overseas posting after joining foreign service. - PTI

been a ritual than a requirement as people were anticipating polls for a very long time,” he said. Warning political leaders against making hate speeches, the Election Commission of India on Monday said there will be strict and “ruthless” enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct during Delhi polls and it will have zero tolerance against such occurrences. “Any statement made before the Model Code is one thing. Any statement made after the enforcement of the Model Code is another...there cannot be any advance ruling on the issue. Ruling can be made when it happens...there will be strict and ruthless enforcement of the code,” Chief Election Commissioner V. S. Sampath said. He was responding to a volley of questions on hate speeches and re-conversion programmes like ‘ghar wapsi’. Responding to a similar question, he said the poll watchdog has “zero tolerance” against prohibited activities or speeches during the conduct of polls. During the Lok Sabha polls earlier this year, EC had banned rallies of BJP chief Amit Shah and UP minister Mohammad Azam Khan for allegedly making inﬂammatory speeches. While ban on Shah was lifted after he approached the Commission, ban on Khan had remained as he did not clarify his stand before the poll body. - PTI

AAP not an alternative, says Sheila NEW DELHI: BJP leaders admit the AAP is their main foe in Delhi, but three-time chief minister Sheila Dikshit doesn’t feel that the Arvind Kejriwal-led party is an alternative to the BJP or the Congress. As Prime Minister Narendra Modi goes all out campaigning for the BJP in Delhi, Sheila says her party is very much in the reckoning with a view to keeping the BJP out of power. “The Congress agenda is to keep the BJP out. It’s a political battle,” said Dikshit. “I don’t know whether they (AAP) have any potential or not... That party is more of a media creation. Look at their behaviour the last time when they worked for 49 days and ran away,” Sheila added. - IANS

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TUE S DAY, JANUA RY 13, 2 015

PAKISTAN

PESHAWAR SCHOOL REOPENS

BACK TO SCHOOL: Pakistani parents gather at the Army Public School with their children after it was reopened following an attack there by Taliban militants in Peshawar on Monday. — AFP

Across the country, schools had remained shut for an extended winter break as authorities strengthened security and announced new measures including death penalty to combat militants

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PESHAWAR: Survivors of Pakistan’s worst-ever militant attack returned on Monday to the school where Taliban gunmen massacred their classmates, with students and parents expressing a mixture of deﬁance and apprehension. The December 16 attack on the Army Public School in Peshawar claimed the lives of 150 people, mostly children, and prompted a bout of national soul-searching even in a country used to high levels of violence. Across the country, schools had remained shut for an extended winter break as authorities strengthened security and announced new measures including the death penalty to combat insurgents. Most reopened Monday along with the army school in the northwestern city. For 16-year-old Shahrukh Khan, who was shot in both legs while

REASSURING PRESENCE: Pakistani Army Chief General Raheel Sharif, right, is seen speaking with students at the Army Public School in Peshawar which was reopened on Monday, almost a month after an attack there by Taliban militants. — AFP/INTER SERVICES PUBLIC RELATIONS

pretending to play dead in his school’s auditorium, going back was traumatic. ‘Lost 30 friends’ “I have lost 30 of my friends. How will I sit in the empty class, how will I look towards their empty benches?” he told AFP before the school reopened. “My heart has been broken. All the class fellows I had, have died. Now my heart does not want to attend school,” he added. At least 20 soldiers were seen at the main entrance of the Army

STRENGTHENING TIES

Hugging streets Raheel Sharif, the head of Pakistan’s powerful army, made an unannounced visit with his wife, greeting and hugging students dressed in green blazers. Parents spoke of having to sit down with their children and men-

tally prepare them for their return to the school, which has undergone a complete renovation to remove all traces of the bloody attack. “He was terriﬁed but we talked him up. We cannot keep him imprisoned between four walls and we must stand against militancy,” Muhammad Zahoor said as he walked his son along the city’s main Warsak Road. “I want to go to school to see my friends. I will join the army after my schooling and will take revenge,” said Muhammad Zaid, his son.

Of the 150 victims killed in Pakistan’s deadliest-ever militant attack, 134 were children. Survivors recounted Taliban gunmen moving from room to room hunting for students and teachers. Sometimes the militants toyed with them and pretended they would let them go, before lining them up and shooting them in front of their peers. Like Muhammad Zaid, many struck a deﬁant note. “I am not scared. No force can stop me from going to attend my school. I will go and will tell the at-

P L A N S T O V I S I T P E S H AWA R S C H O O L

Akhtar, Ghani for joint anti-militant efforts KABUL: Pakistan’s intelligence chief met Afghanistan’s new president to discuss ways to boost coordination in ﬁghting militant attacks in the region, an official said on Monday, in a sign of improving ties between the often uneasy neighbours. It was the third trip to Afghanistan in recent months for the powerful Inter-Services Intelligence chief, Rizwan Akhtar, hinting at new cooperation between the countries that have long accused each other of harbouring extremist insurgents. Afghan President Ashraf Ghani met Akhtar on Sunday, said Ghani spokesman Nazifullah Salarzai. “In this meeting, both sides discussed ways to strengthen joint efforts against terrorism and extremism,” Salarzai said.

Public School, with an airportstyle security gate installed at the front. Elevated boundary walls with steel wire fencing have been put in place in some schools around Peshawar and nationwide.

tackers, ‘We are not afraid of you’,” 16-year-old Zahid Ayub, who sustained minor wounds, told AFP. A teacher said rows of empty seats, especially in the 9th and 10th grade classes, had made the ﬁrst day back at school a surreal experience. “Students were greeting each other and saying ‘You’re alive?’ They were taking their parents to different spots and explaining to them where they were during the time of the attack and how it happened,” he said, on condition of anonymity. “Photographs of the martyred are pasted on a noticeboard in the school. Students and teachers were placing ﬂowers in front of it and weeping,” he added. Parents across Pakistan spoke of their fears in what was widely seen as a key moment for the country. “Driving to school in the light of a quietly subdued rising sun. There’s a kind of stillness in the air. It sounds like a million mothers saying a silent prayer as they drop their babies to school. Stay safe. Stay safe,” wrote Saima Jamil Ashraf, a parent in Karachi, on Instagram. Pakistan has strengthened its offensive against the Taliban since the Peshawar attack, ending its six-year-old moratorium on the death penalty in terror cases. It plans to set up nine military courts to hear terrorism-related cases, prompting concern from rights groups who believe the army will use the crisis to wrest more powers from civilian authorities. The country’s liberals have held protests to pressure the government into arresting clerics who praise the Taliban, and into cracking down on sectarian and antiIndia militant groups who operate with relative impunity. Analysts say Pakistan must end its dualist policy — that tolerates “good” militants while taking action against “bad” ones -- if gains against extremism are to be made sustainable. — AFP

He declined to go into detail. Ghani — unlike his predecessor Hamid Karzai who had difficult relations with Islamabad — made a state visit to Pakistan soon after being sworn into office last year, pledging to improve ties. In the latest meeting, the sides agreed to coordinate against militant groups that fight against each government and exploit the porous border to flee military crackdowns. Pakistan wants Afghanistan’s help in stopping the Pakistani Taliban, which is under attack by the military from gaining shelter on Afghan territory. Afghanistan for its part hopes Pakistan might use its influence to bring the exiled top leaders of the Afghan Taliban, who reportedly are in hiding in Pakistan, to the negotiation table. — Reuters

Kerry arrives on unannounced visit ISLAMABAD: US Secretary of State John Kerry arrived on Monday on an unannounced visit to Pakistan and reportedly plans to visit a school where Taliban gunmen last month killed 150 people in the country’s worst ever militant attack. “We heard you are planning to visit Peshawar and the school,” Sartaj Aziz, the national security adviser to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif told Kerry shortly after he arrived for an unannounced two-day visit. CRUCIAL MEET: US Secretary of State John Kerry, left, meets

No confirmation Pakistan’s Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif shortly after his arrival in There was no immediate State De- Islamabad, on Monday. — AFP/RICK WILKING/POOL partment confirmation of Kerry’s trip to the insurgency-wracked A senior State Department officity, which would be the first by bout of national soul-searching a high-ranking American official even in a country accustomed to cial said Kerry would chair annual since Speaker John Boehner went high levels of violence. Kerry at the strategic talks between the two time along with President Barack countries during the visit. in 2011. “The secretary’s engagement The December 16 raid on the Obama led global condemnation, Army Public School prompted a calling the attack “gut-wrenching”. will be very critical to advancing

our shared ﬁght against militant extremism,” the official, who asked to remain anonymous, said. While there has been good cooperation in the ﬁght against AlQaeda militants, the US wants to “ensure that actions are met with a real and sustained effort to constrain the ability” of other groups such as the Haqqani Network, the Pakistani Taliban — who were responsible the school attack — and the Afghan Taliban. “We’ll be talking about the elimination and not distinguishing between any terrorist groups,” the official said. “It’s obviously no secret that the US has pushed Pakistan to do far more on counter-terrorism.” “But I also think that the government of Pakistan deserves credit for moving pretty decisively both after Peshawar and in the actions it has undertaken in North Waziristan,” the official said. — AFP

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WORLD

One black box of crashed AirAsia plane retrieved; report in a month Airbus, regulator discuss ejectable ﬂight recorders

The cockpit voice recorder, which was spotted by divers a short distance from the ﬁrst had not yet been retrieved because it was trapped under wreckage

JAKARTA: Indonesian divers on Monday retrieved the flight data recorder of the AirAsia plane that went down in the Java Sea with 162 people on board, a potential breakthrough in efforts to discover what caused the crash. The second black box, the cockpit voice recorder, was spotted by divers a short distance from the first but they had not yet managed to retrieve it because it was trapped under wreckage, officials said. They also gave new dramatic details of the accident, saying a rapid change in pressure caused the plane to “explode” as it hit the water. Navy divers brought the flight data recorder to the surface early in the morning, said national rescue chief Bambang Soelistyo, after a fortnight-long frustrating search often hampered by bad weather. “We succeeded in bringing up part of the black box that we call the flight data recorder,” Soelistyo told reporters in Jakarta. S.B. Supriyadi, a director with the rescue agency, said efforts would resume on Tuesday to recover the second recorder, which was about 20 metres (65 feet) from the first and trapped under a wing.

SUCCESS: The ﬂight data recorder of AirAsia QZ8501 is lifted out of a carrying case at the airbase in Pangkalan Bun, Central Kalimantan on Monday. — Reuters/Adek Berry/Pool

He told reporters in Pangkalan Bun on Borneo island, the search headquarters, that giant balloons might be used to raise the wing so that the device could be retrieved. The ﬂight data recorder monitors information such as airspeed and heading, while the cockpit voice recorder stores radio transmissions and sounds in the cockpit. Both are located near the rear of the plane and designed to survive underwater. Flight QZ8501 crashed on December 28 on a short journey from the Indonesian city of Surabaya to Singapore. Indonesia’s meteorological agency has said stormy weather likely caused the Airbus A320-200 to go down but a deﬁnitive answer is impossible without the data recorders. After a lengthy search, rescuers

on Sunday detected “ping” signals from the recorders’ emergency transmitters close to what was initially thought to be the main body of the plane. However Indonesian military chief Moeldoko told reporters aboard navy ship the KRI Banda Aceh that the main cabin, which is believed to contain most of the victims, had not yet been found. Just 48 bodies have so far been recovered. Officials said they believe the ﬂight data recorder is in good condition and it was being ﬂown to Jakarta on Monday. Indonesia’s National Transport Safety Committee said it would undergo a lengthy analysis in the capital, with the help of a team of experts including from France and manufacturer Airbus. The committee has said a pre-

N O R M A L I S I N G R E L AT I O N S

Cuba releases prisoners ahead of talks with US WASHINGTON/HAVANA: Cuba has released all 53 prisoners it had promised to free, senior US officials said, a major step toward détente with Washington. The release of the remaining prisoners sets a positive tone for historic talks next week aimed at normalising relations after decades of hostility, the officials said. They described the Cuban government’s release over the weekend of the last detainees on the list as a milestone but said they would keep pressing Havana to free more people the United States considers political prisoners. The officials, speaking to Reuters on condition of anonymity, did not say how many prisoners were released over the weekend or identify them. But the White House will provide the names of all 53 to Congress and expects lawmakers to make them public, the officials added. There had been questions over whether Havana would release all 53 prisoners as part of the deal Presidents Barack Obama and Raul Castro announced on December 17 to restore diplomatic ties that Washington severed more than 50 years ago. Intense secrecy surrounding the 53, whose names have been withheld by both countries, had fuelled skepticism over Cuba’s

FREEDOM: Recently released dissidents Aide Gallardo, left, and Sonia Garro hold the Cuban national ﬂag during a march in Havana, on Sunday. — Reuters/Stringer

intentions and played to critics who said Washington hasn’t pressured Havana enough on human rights in exchange for normalising ties and loosening economic and travel restrictions. The US exchanged three convicted Cuban spies for an agent who had spied for the US government. The United States also received Alan Gross, a US aid worker jailed in Cuba. The Cuban government informed the Obama administra-

tion over the weekend that the last of those on the list of prisoners had been released, and the US Interests Section in Havana, which handles consular affairs and other contacts for Washington, conﬁrmed it, the officials said. The US officials said they would pressure communist-ruled Cuba to release more prisoners. “The fact of the matter is there are other individuals whose cases we have raised in the past,” one of the officials said. — Reuters

NEW BEGINNING

60 members in Somalia cabinet MOGADISHU: Somalia’s newly appointed prime minister named a giant cabinet of 60 people late on Sunday, as he warned of the “huge task” ahead to bring peace to the war-torn nation. Prime Minister Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke, endorsed by parliament last month after the president fell out with the previous premier amid bitter inﬁghting, released his choice of names for lawmakers to approve.

The 60 members include 26 ministers, 25 deputies and nine state ministers, an increase of ﬁve posts from the previous cabinet. Many of those named were in the previous cabinet. Huge task “There is a huge task ahead....we will put our efforts into bringing peace among Somalis,” Sharmarke told reporters. Somalia is due to vote on a new

constitution next year ahead of elections in 2016, but Al-Qaeda linked Shebab rebels remain a major threat. The Somali government, which took power in August 2012, was the ﬁrst to be given global recognition since the collapse of Siad Barre’s hardline regime in 1991. Billions in foreign aid has been poured in, with the government hailed as offering the best chance for peace in a generation. — AFP

liminary report on the accident will be produced within a month, and a ﬁnal report after a year. Supriyadi said initial analysis of the wreckage so far recovered indicated that the plane broke apart on impact with the water. “It exploded because of the pressure,” he said. “The cabin was pressurised and before the pressure of the cabin could be adjusted, it went down -- boom. “That explosion was heard in the area.” The search has involved US, Chinese and other international naval ships. The tail of the plane, with its red AirAsia logo, was lifted out of the water on Saturday using giant balloons and a crane. It was brought by tugboat on Sunday to a port near Pangkalan Bun. All but seven of those on board the ﬂight were Indonesian. — AFP

MONTREAL/PARIS: Airbus has begun talks with a European regulator to make ejectable flight recorders available on its two largest models, the A380 and the new A350, potentially making them the first commercial planes to use the technology. The European company said that further ahead it could also expand the use of ejectable recorders, which combine voice and data recordings, to new versions of its A330 and A320 jets. The talks with the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) come as global aviation authorities consider recommending the devices to make it easier to recover evidence in cases such as the December 28 crash of an AirAsia jet. Used in military planes for decades, ejectable or “deployable” recorders separate from the tail during a crash and float, emitting a satellite distress signal. “Airbus is working with EASA ... and other stakeholders to advance the approval of such a solution industrywide,” an Airbus spokesman said, adding there was no indication when the devices might be in use. “In the future, applicability for our other aircraft products could be likewise considered, but presently we have decided to focus on the A350 and A380,” he added. EASA declined to comment. Recommended by investigators after an Air

Used in military planes for decades, ejectable or ‘deployable’ recorders separate from the tail during a crash and float, emitting a satellite distress signal

France A330 jet crashed in 2009, ejectable recorders are gaining support at the UN’s International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). New package A proposal recommending that new commercial aircraft certiﬁed after 2016 be quipped with them is to be heard by ICAO’s Air Navigation Commission this month. If approved, following a three-month consultation among 191 member states, it would likely appear in a new package of ICAO standards in 2016 and could come into force from around 2021. ICAO’s standards are not always implemented by all members. — Reuters

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The world was united in outrage against terrorism

he solidarity march of more than one million people in Paris on Sunday was rich in placards and symbols but appropriately devoid of speeches. Like many in the vast throng that filled the broad boulevards between Place de la République and Place de la Nation, the world leaders who marched a portion of the route with President François Hollande locked arms and embraced. But there was no podium, no pulpit, only ubiquitous signs reading “Je suis Charlie.” For the moment, that said it all. “Je suis Charlie” has become a declaration of solidarity and grief, displayed on kiosks, armbands, headbands, TV screens and banners. There were some other signs too. Many displayed a simple pencil, symbol for the freedom of expression that came under attack when terrorists massacred cartoonists and editors at Charlie Hebdo. There’s much that can and should be discussed as a result of the tragedy — about freedom of the press, about the growing backlash across Europe against a section of immigrants, about terrorism and fundamentalism. Certainly many of the dozens of national leaders in the Paris march — including the leaders of Britain, Germany, Spain, Italy, Turkey, Jordan, Israel, the Palestinian Authority and Greece — could have said plenty. Many of their countries have known vicious terrorist attacks in recent years; many are contending with rising anti-immigrant movements. But with the horror and fears raised by the attacks still fresh, it was important and proper that the first response in Paris — as elsewhere in France, across Europe and across the Atlantic — was a resounding and united demonstration of outrage and solidarity. Simply by turning out in vast numbers, the marchers eloquently demonstrated a shared conviction that Charlie Hebdo was exercising a right fundamental to democracy, the right of free expression. No perceived provocation, no grievance and certainly no religious conviction justifies killing those who wield only a pen. The Charlie Hebdo murders are certain to intensify exploration for effective ways to combat terrorism. Perhaps the greatest danger in the wake of the massacres is that more Europeans will come to the conclusion that all immigrants from a particular community on the Continent are carriers of a great and mortal threat. Anti-immigrant sentiments were already at a dangerous level, making it essential for national and pan-European leaders in coming days to underscore that extremism is not inherent to the faith, and that the radical bigots themselves are hardly a single entity. That point was searingly made by the brother of Ahmed Merabet, a French police officer who was one of the people gunned down in the Charlie Hebdo attackers. “My brother was Muslim,” said Malek Merabet, “and he was killed by two terrorists, by two false Muslims”. - The New York Times News Service

GROWING CHASM

Why Israelis will not serve Israel army now MORIEL ROTHMAN -ZECHER

Security for schools

chools in most parts of the country are ready to reopen from January 12, with those in Sindh having been told that they can only reopen only if they have adequate security arrangements in place. An extension in winter vacations was announced soon after the terrible events at the Army Public School in Peshawar. The tragic incident shook the authorities into action, with strikes against militants increasing across the country. Students are now ready to don their uniforms once again after spending their winter holidays watching the horror that unfolded in Peshawar, as well as its aftermath. But as stated previously, the schools that they are eager to rejoin may not reopen unless they have “foolproof” security measures in place, in the words of a statement released after a meeting of senior officials of the Sindh government. It seems that the authorities in Sindh at least have made the school administrations responsible for arranging their own security, which is an immature strategy at best. One hopes that other provincial authorities do not have similar ideas. With countless schools operating in the country, it is unlikely that all of them will have the resources, the expertise and the capacity to arrange proper security checks and prepare for an attack as brazen as the one in Peshawar. The ultimate responsibility for providing security lies with the federal and provincial governments and law enforcement agencies. Deterrents can be placed in the form of strict checks at school entrances, allowing only authorised vehicles to enter premises and hiring guards to man the boundaries around school buildings. While these measures can be taken more easily in larger school buildings, they may be difficult to implement in schools located in dense neighbourhoods. There is a need for governments and law enforcement agencies to form plans that take into account all these considerations. Keeping shut those schools that are unable to ensure adequate security is not a solution to the problem at hand. - The Express Tribune

Oman is indeed one of the most beautiful countries

Politicians, please stay away from interfering!

This refers to the news story, NYT hails Oman’s natural beauty (January 12). I am a European living in Oman for the past seven years and I can vouch that in its natural beauty — comprising its pristine beaches, mountains and wadis — the Sultanate is indeed comparable with many countries in Europe. It is no wonder that the New York Times has hailed Oman’s beauty. I am very sure that with its abundant beauty, political and economic stability, friendly local people and good hotels, Oman can become one of the most sought after tourist destinations for travellers from all over the world. What is required is a bit of aggressive marketing. David Croft Azaiba

This refers to the news story, Tharoor to be quizzed over Sunanda’s death (January 12). It is natural that the husband will be questioned in the case of a woman’s unnatural death. However, some recent revelations pertaining to the mysterious death of Sunanda Pushkar have raised many a question. Gradually the interference of politicians into the matter is becoming evident. Political pressure would obviously affect fair investigations and may not help identifying the real cause of Sunanda’s death. In the interest of the truth, investigation agencies must be given the freehand as the people of India reserve the right to know the truth. Ramachandran Nair Ruwi

The idea that the ‘real Israelis’ serve and those who refuse are ‘traitors’ is a false dichotomy. The reality is that a majority of Israeli citizens do not serve in the military, including Palestinian citizens of Israel, or the ‘fifth column’, as they are often branded

here is a growing chasm between Israeli rhetoric and reality. In the discourse of Israel’s Knesset and media, the Israel Defence Forces represent a “people’s army.” Refusal to serve is portrayed by politicians and pundits — many of whom began their careers through service in elite units — as treacherous and sacrilege. This rhetoric becomes the common wisdom: A popular bumper stickers reads, “A real Israeli doesn’t dodge the draft.” The outrage is disproportionate. Rarely do more than a few hundred Jewish Israelis publicly refuse to serve each year in protest against Israel’s occupation of the Palestinian territories. The shrill condemnation of refusers is thus an indication of the establishment’s panic. Last year brought something of a surge in refusals. Open letters of refusal were published by a group of high schoolers, a group of reservists, veterans of the elite intelligence Unit 8200 and alumni and former staff members of the prestigious Israel Arts and Sciences Academy. All were denounced by politicians and in the media: In September, the Knesset’s opposition leader, the Labour member Isaac Herzog, blasted the letter from Unit 8200 as “insubordination.” Aggression toward refusers is widespread. When I accompanied a refuser named Udi Segal to his draft station during the Gaza war last summer, we were met by a group draped in Israeli ﬂags and chanting, “Udi, you’re a traitor! Go live in Gaza!” After signing the scholars’ letter, Raya Rotem, a former literature teacher whose husband was killed in the 1973 Yom Kippur War, received a threatening phone call. And a friend of 50 years severed ties with her. The idea that the “real Israelis” serve and those who refuse are “traitors” is a false dichotomy. As Rotem told me, “Israeli patriotism today means resisting anything which frames the occupation as normal.” It’s also inaccurate: The reality is that a majority of Israeli citizens do not serve in the military, including Palestinian citizens of Israel, or the “ﬁfth column,” as they are often branded, and the ultra-Orthodox, or “leeches,” as they’ve been called. The largest group is the 1.7 million Palestinian citizens of Israel. Members of this community are not required by law to enlist, and only a tiny fraction volunteer (about 100 Christians and a few hundred Muslims in 2013). In 2014, the defence forces began sending “voluntary draft notices” to Christian Arab citizens, inciting Palestinian protests at Hebrew University and in Tel Aviv. Even among the Druze, an Arabic-speaking mi-

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Joy is not in things; it is in us RICHARD WAGNER

nority whose male members have been drafted since 1956 and whose Arab and Palestinian identities are often played down or denied, dissent is rising. Omar Saad, a soft-spoken viola player, is the most prominent of a rising number of Druze refusers. He spent the first half of 2014 in and out of jail. In his letter of refusal, he wrote, “How can I bear arms against my brothers and people in Palestine?” The next biggest group of non-serving Israelis are the Haredim, ultra-Orthodox Jews. Historically, they have been exempted from service as long as they were enrolled full-time in a yeshiva. Recently, though, a coalition formed in the Knesset over a proposal to draft the Haredim — which resulted in a 500,000-strong public demonstration. Most Haredim cite religious reasons for refusing, but the Haredi refusenik Uriel Ferera, recently released after six months in jail, gave the occupation as a primary factor in his decision. There are also thousands of “grey refusers,” who find quieter ways to get out of the army, mostly by seeking mental health exemptions, known as a “Profile 21.” Like most public refusers in recent years, I was released after a month in military jail with a Profile 21. Most of the prisoners with me in Military Jail No. 6 were Mizrahim (Jews of Middle Eastern origin), Ethiopians and Russians. Many of these members of Israel’s most marginalised Jewish communities told me of their intention to “get out on 21,” despite the risk this entailed for their future: Employment and educational opportunities often depend on completing military service. In a recent interview, the Israeli author Amos Oz urged politicians to act as “traitors,” and make peace. But the type of traitors Oz wishes for — visionary ministers, peace-minded military men — are non-existent. The most left-wing of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s potential challengers in Israel’s coming election is the same Herzog who attacked the 8200 refusers. Peace won’t come from the next Knesset, or the one after that. But some hope for a less violent, more decent future lies with the real traitors, the disregarded millions of Israeli citizens who have refused to serve in the army. The reasons for not serving may differ between a Palestinian youth from Acre and a Haredi from Beit Shemesh, between me and the deserter in Military Jail No. 6, but there is a deeper consensus: We all refuse to see the government as a moral guide and military service as sacrosanct. As the Israeli government leads us further from peace, and the army faithfully executes its violent orders, this is the kind of treachery we need most. - The New York Times News Service

Freedom of expression cannot be absolute

The US must stop pursuing what cannot be achieved

This refers to the article, Paris massacre ignites clash of civilisations (January 11). I cannot agree more with the author of the referred article about the fears he has expressed. The attack on Charlie Hebdo will now lead to isolation of a section of people despite the fact that they have got absolutely nothing to do with the murderous attack on the magazine’s office. The community or the co-religionists will bear the brunt of the suffering and will undergo castigation because of the crimes of the misguided few. Though the attack cannot be condoned or justiﬁed we cannot also deny the fact that the freedom of expression cannot and must not be offensive. Usha Devi Rao Suddapalli Ruwi

American buffaloes suffered extinction primarily because of their inability to evolve with time and their inability to foresee the inevitable. In its pursuance of an antediluvian, two-state solution, Palestine and Israel, Washington appears more like the American buffaloes running away from emerging reality with its eyes resolutely shut. Its fall to death from cliff in Middle East is foreseeable and imminent. Yet, in its efforts to run counter to the inevitable, Washington appears rather in pursuit of a mirage. The two-state solution in West Asia has become an obsolete and unfeasible option. What is needed right now is a single-state solution. Yahyah Mubeen Al Ghubra

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

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PERSPEC IVE The newfound Modi-Obama Pakistan is bonhomie is set to continue waiting and T

he newfound bonhomie between the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Obama seems to continue for an extended phase. What started with the famous kem cho greeting by Obama has already blossomed to a new height with the White House confirming that the President will indeed be a guest of honour during the symbolic, but highly significant Republic Day celebrations in India, in January 2015. This clearly marks the beginning of a new era of Indo-US relationship, successfully stemming the diplomatic stalemate around the arrest and stripsearch of the Indian consular, Devyani Khobragade. The proposed second summit, in a short span of less than four months, also depicts the emerging possibilities and warming ties between the world’s two largest and diverse democracies. The visit of President Obama in January 2015, stands out as a diplomatic victory for the new BJP Government in Delhi. Prime Minister Modi can well be credited with galvanising and fast-tracking the wilting Indo-US tie. While both the countries are likely to politically posture this move as a diplomatic leap in their effort to strengthen and expand the Indo-US partnership, there are some serious business lying ahead for both. If Modi’s US visit was meant to break the ice, now is the time to push substantive agreements around business and international strategic affairs. Obama’s extensive authority in influencing Indo-US policies may seem slightly doused with the mid-term electoral debacle of the democrats, but he is still likely to call a few shots. This critical summit is coming at a propitious time, when both the countries are showing early signs of recovery after a protracted period of economic slump. Both the countries are seeking FDI and access to free market in their bid to reinvigorate their respective economies. The key officials from the state department and the PMO must be working overnight to prepare an extended bucket list, ahead of this crucial meet. It must be ensured that the deliberations this time take a quantum leap and don’t stop at the usual diplomatic rhetoric of increasing security ties and transfer of green technology. Washington, for its part, is also eager for India to become stronger so that it can play a greater role as a counterweight to a rising and assertive Beijing. The growing bond between India and the US is being viewed as a soft-check on the expansionist agenda of the red dragon in the South China Sea,

SUJEET SARKAR

PART -1

The visit of President Obama in January 2015, stands out as a diplomatic victory for the new BJP Government in Delhi. Prime Minister Modi can well be credited with galvanising and fast-tracking the wilting Indo-US tie

and other maritime and border disputes. More than Modi, the proposed visit will be an acid test for Obama. He has to walk a diplomatic tightrope in New Delhi to ensure that relations with Pakistan and China, often at loggerheads with India, stay stable and unperturbed. The Pakistani camp on its part has already turned up the decibel on Kashmir, soon after the announcement of Obama’s visit. The calls made by President Obama to his counterpart in Islamabad exposed the need to pacify an anxious Pakistan. It is indeed imperative that India and the US move ahead strategically in the light of the changing power equations in Asia. Obama’s decision to pass the immigration reform law, largely benefitting the Indians in the US, has set the tone for the upcoming meeting. The Modi Government has reciprocated with the same alacrity by passing the long-pending insurance legislation, increasing the FDI cap in the insurance sector. This would enable greater participation of the US corporates in the grossly under-insured, but hugely lucrative Indian market. There is much on the agenda for both the incumbent leaders to deliberate upon before they ink the deal. The Indian list would far exceed the US, for sure. But there are again a set of contentious issues for both the leaders to deal with. The first and foremost agenda would be to kickstart the frozen Indo-US civil-nuclear deal. The historic nuclear agreement is yet to translate into concrete action and has been languishing over intellectual-property rights and nuclear-liability disputes. Prime Minister Modi would be interested in getting the deck cleared, allowing greater participation from the US nuclear power giants supplying turbines and technical know-how, to bridge the growing power deficit in India. Modi would also like to see the greater participation of the US private sector in his pet project of building 100 smart cities in India. Beside these, the Indian camp would once again pitch their flagship campaign of ‘Make in India’ and elicit affirmative commitment from the US corporates who would be a part of the entourage of President Obama. To be concluded... The writer is an author and works as an international advisor on governance and civil society. All the views and opinions expressed in the article are solely of the author and do not reflect those of Times of Oman.

Eurozone continues to drag down growth

he British economy “came off the boil” in the ﬁnal quarter of 2014, according to the latest estimate from the National Institute of Economic and Social Research (NIESR) released recently. The think-tank said GDP expanded by 0.6 per cent, down from the 0.7 per cent growth registered in the third quarter. The NIESR noted that the growth would be broadly in line with the average over the past 18 months, but the slowdown adds to the impression of a recovery that is losing steam. Over 2014 as a whole, the NIESR estimates that the economy grew by 2.6 per cent. That would be the strongest expansion since 2007 but also well short of the three per cent pencilled in by the Office for Budget Responsibility, the Government’s official forecaster, only last month. There were sizeable downward statistical revisions to growth in 2013, largely attributable to trade performance, which have considerably depressed the annual GDP expansion rates and confounded widespread expectations of three per cent plus growth in 2014. Surveys also point to a slow-

BEN CHU

down in the final quarter. Recent activity readings from the manufacturing and services sectors, in the much-watched composite purchasing managers’ index from Markit/Cips, indicate the slowest rate of GDP growth since the third quarter of 2013. Hard data from the Office for National Statistics yesterday added to the impression of declining momentum. Construction output fell two per cent in November and industrial production flatlined in the same month. There was, however, slightly better news from manufacturing, where output rose 0.7 per cent in November. The trade deficit also fell to £8.8bn, from £9.6bn the previous month, helped by cheaper oil imports. Ross Walker at Royal Bank of Scotland cited an “underlying moderation” in the recovery and said a stronger performance in the services sector was not offsetting the weakness in construction and industry. Rob Wood of Berenberg bank said the economy “came off the boil late last year” but argued that weaker oil prices, lower mortgage rates and the prospect of rising real wages would push growth up

in 2015. “Falling oil prices put a huge new stimulus in the pipeline that should rev up the UK economic engine again.” Wage growth has finally turned positive thanks to an unexpectedly rapid decline in inflation to just 1 per cent in October, its lowest rate since 2002. Figures due next week are expected by analysts to show inflation dipping still further in November, hitting 0.7 per cent. The latest UK trade figures showed the drag from the struggling eurozone, with exports to the Continent declining by 1.5 per cent in the three months to November on the same period in the previous year. There was further evidence of weakness in the eurozone’s core economy, Germany, with industrial output dipping 0.1 per cent in November. In the US, by contrast, there were strong signs of a pickin growth yesterday, with the number of new jobs created in December rising by 252,000. November’s job-creation figures were also revised up from 321,000 to 345,000, the strongest monthly performance since January 2012. - The Independent

watching Many Pakistanis continue to be disillusioned by politicians. It is our politicians that have let us down time and again with regards to our aspirations for democratic governance in the country. There is so much corruption in the country

KAMAL SIDDIQI

enator Raza Rabbani was reported to have been in tears as the 21st amendment to our muchamended constitution was passed some days back. It was for him, and many others, a moment of shame. Rabbani voted on principle because his party had taken this line and also hinted that he and his party may part ways in the coming days. Some unkind souls termed them crocodile tears but I for one know that if there is anyone who has been behind having democracy implemented in its true spirit, that person is Senator Raza Rabbani. For nearly a decade in the senate and many years in and out of power, he has worked to bring sense to the sometimes senseless politics of Pakistan. It is to him that we credit with the passage of the 18th amendment, which was described as one of the most signiﬁcant pieces of legislation to bring the government closer to the people. The devolution process was started but it has met with limited success. Since the passage of that historic legislation in 2010, all efforts have been made to kill it in letter and spirit by those who feel threatened by giving power to the provinces. It is ironic that even when the Peoples Party government was both at the centre and in at least one province, nothing was done to have the amendment implemented in the manner that was envisaged. Coming back to Senator Rabbani, one can sympathise with him. I once met him many years ago at a dinner in Karachi and asked him, quite naively, why some elected representatives of his party acted as hooligans. Leave alone the Aman committees and the massive outer city encroachments, why do they force us off the roads in their brand new SUVs and abuse us if we don’t do so. Senator Rabbani looked at me and then turned the other way and walked off. At least he did not attempt to give me a spiel like some other PPP leaders I know. I can live with that. Like me, many Pakistanis continue to be disillusioned by politicians, but in some cases not democracy. It is our politicians that have let us down time and again with regards to our aspirations for democratic governance in the country. There is so much corruption in the country and the lack of accountability at every level that many long for some sort of change – no matter what the cost. This is not a good place to be in. So the 22nd amendment

should come as no surprise. It was cobbled together by the father of consensus politics in Pakistan, former president Asif Zardari. He seems to have specialised in the art of give and take. The only problem with this arrangement is that it is the people of Pakistan that usually end up giving. But do people care that the amendment distorts the principle of separation of powers. It is also in some way a reversal of earlier amendments to the constitution where efforts were made to vest power in the elected representatives. One wonders what the compulsion was to go ahead with this other than being on the right side of public opinion after the Peshawar tragedy. The only person to have showed some protest was Maulana Fazlur Rehman, but that too was not for ideological reasons. There are many who argue, however, that desperate times call for desperate measures. Pakistan is in a state of war. The state had been unable to respond effectively to the threat owing to political and legal compulsions. But one cannot ignore the stakeholders who have forced these conditions on us. Our army chief has argued that military courts are not the desire of the army but the need of extraordinary times. Possibly in the larger picture, they will play a role in the war on terror which has been forced upon us. Sectarian and ethnic killings continue. We will have to ﬁght this cancer as well. And for this we need both agreement within and determination all around. What we do know is that we have to ﬁght terrorism but the litmus test in this is how we deal with those who some quarters do not consider to be working against the interests of the state. We wait and see. - The Express Tribune

Divers recover “black box” ﬂight recorder

TODAY IN HISTORY

Airbus A320-200 disappeared with 162 people on board

M A L AY S I A SINGAPORE

1846

Intended ﬂight path

1862

President Lincoln names Edwin M. Stanton Secretary of War.

1900

To combat Czech nationalism, Emperor Franz Joseph of AustriaHungary decrees German the official language of the Imperial Army.

Dec 28, 06:17: Communication with plane lost INDONESIA Sumatra

200km

Jan 12: FDR found under wing of plane

Jakarta

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Seach area for debris and bodies

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INDONESIA Java Surabaya, I NDI A N Dec 28, 05:35 local time OC E A N Flight QZ8501 departs

President James Polk dispatches General Zachary Taylor and 4,000 troops to the Texas Border as war with Mexico looms.

1937

Hitler denounces the Weimar Republic as 5,000 storm troopers demonstrate in Germany. The United States bars Americans from serving in the Civil War in Spain.

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FROM OUR ARCHIVES INCREASE IN DEMAND FOR OIL TO CONTINUE: OFFICIAL

MUSCAT: Rashid bin Khalid Al Barwani, adviser of the oil and gas minister for marketing, has said that increase in oil demand will continue during this year to guarantee the continuation of the current price improvement. In a statement published by Al Watan daily yesterday, Barwani said the compliance of Opec and non-Opec states with the production quotas, would safeguard the market price stability.

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BOLIVIA: Drivers compete during 2015 Dakar Rally stage 8 between Uyuni and Iquique in Bolivia, on Sunday. The Uyuni salt ﬂat is the lasrgest in the world, located in Bolivia near the crest of the Andes, some

3,650 metres above sea level. – AFP

JAPAN: Twenty-year-old women wearing kimonos ride a rollercoaster after attending a ‘Coming-of-Age Day’ celebration at the Toshimaen amusement park in Tokyo on Monday. The number of people aged 20 years old, the legal age of adulthood in Japan, is estimated to stand at 1.26 million this year, an increase of 50,000 from 2014. – AFP

CHINA: A couple rides a skating bicycle on the frozen Houhai Lake in central Beijing, China on Sunday. – Reuters

HAITI: Protesters burn tires during a march against the government of Haitian President Michel Martelly in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, on Sunday. The US embassy in Haiti urged the Caribbean country’s politicians on Sunday to ﬁnd a solution to the political crisis that will soon see its parliament’s mandate end, leaving a perilous political vacuum. – AFP

UNITED STATES: Miss Mexico 2014 Josselyn Garciglia paints at Britto Central in Miami on Sunday. The 63rd Miss Universe pageant takes place on January 25 in Doral-Miami, Florida. – Reuters

T UESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015 Three women were named in the Afghan cabinet, as ministers for higher education, information and culture, and women’s affairs

Afghanistan unveils unity government Three women named in the cabinet, as ministers for higher education, information and culture, and women’s affairs NEW ROLE: Afghan President Ashraf Ghani addresses an event

KABUL: Afghanistan’s new cabinet was unveiled on Monday after three months of wrangling following the election of President Ashraf Ghani and the formation of a “national unity government” in the wake of last year’s fraudmired election. Ghani was inaugurated in late September after signing a powersharing deal with his poll rival Abdullah Abdullah. The “unity government” deal was seen as saving Afghanistan from the risk of imminent civil war when both candidates claimed to have won the election in a standoff that fanned long-standing ethnic tensions. But negotiations over ministerial posts brought politics to a stalemate and threatened to fuel the Taliban insurgency. Abdul Salam Rahimi, Ghani’s chief of staff, read out the names of the 25 new ministers at the presidential palace in Kabul. The list will now go before parliament for approval. Three women were named in the cabinet, as ministers for higher education, information and culture, and women’s affairs. Allocating the ministries

at the Presidential Palace in Kabul in this photograph taken on January 1, 2015. – AFP File photograph

was fraught with difficulty due to Afghanistan’s complex ethnic divisions and rivalries. Ghani, a former World Bank economist, is largely backed by Pashtun tribes of the south and east, while Abdullah, a former antiTaliban resistance fighter, draws his support from Tajiks and other northern groups. Monday’s breakthrough comes at a sensitive time as Taliban insurgents push to exploit the end of NATO’s combat mission on December 31 after 13 years of fighting. Conflict still rages across Afghanistan, with a record number of civilian and Afghan security force casualties in 2014. About 17,000 US-led foreign troops will remain deployed this year, focusing on training the Afghan police and army and conducting a limited counter-terrorism mission. “There are a lot of new and less experienced faces who could be tested soon,” Haroon Mir, a Ka-

bul-based political analyst, said. “Some names you can say are there because they actively supported one side in the election campaign. “Today’s move will calm people who have been waiting for a long time to see the new government, but it takes time to see if they are a better, less corrupt cabinet.” Proposed defence minister Sher Mohammad Karimi and ﬁnance minister Ghulam Jilani Popal are both close to Ghani. Nominee interior minister Noorul Haq Ulumi and foreign minister Salahuddin Rabbani are both Abdullah supporters. Last year’s presidential election, which was meant to be the keystone legacy of the massive international development effort in Afghanistan, was marred by fraud and bitter disputes over the result. The US embassy said in a statement it “welcomes (the) nomination of the Cabinet of Ministers by Afghan President Ashraf Ghani.” — AFP

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10,000 soldiers to secure France where four hostages and another gunman were killed. That gunman declared allegiance to IS insurgents and said he was acting in response to French military deployments against militant extremist groups overseas. Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve said 4,700 police officers would be placed at all 717 Jewish schools across the country in addition to some 4,100 gendarmes already deployed. “Synagogues, Jewish schools, but also mosques will be protected because in the past few days there have been a number of attacks against mosques,” Prime Minister Manuel Valls told BFM TV. France has Europe's largest Muslim and Jewish communities. The ﬁrst two attackers, who had travelled to Yemen in 2011 for training, were killed on Friday after a siege north of the capital. Police said all three men were part of the same Paris-based militant extremist cell.

Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said the country remained at risk of further attacks. Soldiers would guard transport hubs, tourism sites and key buildings and mount general street patrols

PARIS: France will deploy 10,000 soldiers on home soil by Tuesday and post almost 5,000 extra police officers to protect Jewish sites after the killing of 17 people by extremist militants in Paris last week, officials said. Speaking a day after the biggest French public demonstration ever recorded, in honour of the victims, Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said the country remained at risk of further attacks. Soldiers would guard transport hubs, tourism sites and key buildings and mount general street

BESIEGED: A French soldier patrols near the Eiffel Tower as part of the highest level of 'Vigipirate' security plan after a shooting at the Paris offices of 'Charlie Hebdo' on Monday.— Reuters

patrols. “The threats remain and we have to protect ourselves from them. It is an internal operation that will mobilise almost as many men as we have in our overseas operations,” Le Drian told reporters after a cabinet meeting. The victims, including journal-

ists and police, died in three days of violence that began on Wednesday with a shooting attack on the political weekly ‘Charlie Hebdo’, known for its satirical attacks. Many at Sunday's march wore badges and carried placards declaring “I Am Charlie”.

Charlie Hebdo's remaining members are working on an eight page issue due to come out on Wednesday with a one-million copy print run. The three days of bloodshed ended on Friday with a hostagetaking at a Jewish deli in Paris

Liberation of Paris About 1.5 million people marched in Paris on Sunday and 2.5 million more in the provinces. The Paris march was led by dozens of foreign leaders. Some commentators said the last time crowds of this size were seen in the capital was at the Liberation of Paris from Nazi Germany in 1944. After an emergency cabinet meeting on Monday to outline

Britain's response to the attacks, British Prime Minister David Cameron pledged to give security and intelligence services new powers to monitor Internet communications. German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi and Cameron were among 44 foreign leaders marching with French President Francois Hollande on Sunday. Israel's Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas were also present. Controversial invitation His invitation to French Jews to migrate to Israel if they wanted irritated some. Valls scrambled to reassure the community it was safe and an integral part of France. “It was essential he came to show that he was with us French, Jews of France,” said Mauricette Abouchaya. “(But) we're in France, we want to stay in France. It is our country.” With growing calls for a comprehensive investigation into whether there had been security failings given that the three gunmen were known to intelligence services, Valls and main opposition leader Nicolas Sarkozy agreed on a bi-partisan parliamentary commission into the attacks. Valls also said the government had begun studying ways to strengthen the ﬁght against “homegrown terrorism”. — Reuters

TERROR CONDUIT

ESCAPE: The wanted partner of one of the gunmen behind the

terror attacks in France — Hayat Boumeddiene, right, — is seen presenting her passport at Ataturk airport in Istanbul on January 2, 2015. — AFP/IHLAS NEWS AGENCY

Attack accomplice Hayat entered Syria via Turkey ISTANBUL: The suspected female accomplice of extremist militants behind attacks in Paris was in Turkey five days before the killings and crossed into Syria on January 8, Turkish officials said on Monday. France launched a search for 26-year-old Hayat Boumeddiene after police killed her partner Amedy Coulibaly while storming a Jewish supermarket where he had taken hostages. Authorities described her as armed and dangerous. Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, in an interview on staterun Anatolian news agency's website, said Boumeddiene had arrived in Istanbul from Madrid on January 2. Turkey had received no request from Paris to deny her access. “There is footage (of her) at the airport. Later on, she stayed at a hotel with another person and crossed into Syria on January 8. We can tell that based on telephone records,” he said. Those dates would put Boumeddiene in Turkey before the violence in Paris began, and leaving for Syria while the attackers were still hiding from police. Coulibaly had said he was carrying out the attack in the name of IS. Seventeen people, including journalists and policemen, were killed in three days of violence that began with the storming of the satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo on last Wednesday, and ended with a hostage-taking at a kosher supermarket on Friday when four hostages were killed. Three gunmen were killed and there was some confusion at first about whether Boumeddiene had been present in the supermarket when police stormed it and had escaped. Footage from security cameras posted on the HaberTurk news website showed a woman it identified as Boumeddiene walking

We need to receive intelligence first so we can track people. We have 7,000 people on a no-entry list and deported 2,000, including French and German citizens Ahmet Davutoglu Turkish Prime Minister

with a man to passport control at Istanbul's Sabiha Gokcen Airport after ﬂying in from Madrid. The woman is wearing a long dress and winter coat and her head is covered with a white head scarf. Her companion has a short pony tail. She is seen brieﬂy conversing with a Turkish immigration officer before the undated footage ends. An official French police photograph shows Boumeddiene as a young woman with long dark hair hitched back over her ears. Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, speaking at a press conference in Berlin with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, said Turkey could not blamed for allowing Boumeddiene to travel through its territory because it had not been asked to bar her. “Is it Turkey's fault that it has borders with Syria?" Davutoglu said. — Reuters

WWW.TIMESOFOMAN.COM TU ES DAY, JAN UARY 1 3, 2015

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Muscat 6,438.91 + 35.75 + 0.56%

Dubai 3,749.37 - 25.49 - 0.68%

Abu Dhabi 4,449.43 - 30.63 - 0.68%

Kuwait 6,561.02 - 1.96 - 0.03%

Saudi Arabia

8,436.71 - 8.42 - 0.10%

Bahrain 1,430.24 + 4.59 + 0.32%

Qatar 12,033.70 + 19.35 + 0.16%

CRUDE OIL PRICE

CURRENCY RATES*

DRAFT RATES (OMR1)*

GOLD PRICES*

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

Forex rates vs OMR1* US Dollar ................................. 2.58 Euro .............................................2.16 Pound ........................................... 1.70 Indian Rs ...............................161.13 Pak Rs ................................... 257.00 Bangla Taka.......................199.52

Indian Rs .................................... 161.15 Pakistan Rs .............................261.00 Sri Lanka Rs .......................... 343.00 Bangla Taka............................ 201.80 Phil Peso .................................... 115.95

Muscat 24ct per gm (OMR) .......15.65

Oman Crude............. (Spot) .........$46.14 Dubai Crude ............. (Spot) ........$46.92 Murban Crude ........ (Spot) ........$48.92 Arabian Light ......... (Spot) .........$49.31 N.Sea Brent............... (Spot) ........$48.85 West Texas Int ....... (Spot) .........$47.24

* Rates as of Jan. 12 Source: Oman UAE Exchange

* Rates are as of Jan. 12 Source: Bank Muscat

Muscat 22ct per gm (OMR) .......15.05 Dubai 24ct per gm (Dh) ............ 148.75 Dubai 22ct per gm (Dh) ............. 140.75 * Rates as of Jan. 12 Source: Malabar Gold & Diamonds

Major ‘centre of excellence’ for railway sector to come up soon The new centre, being formed by Oman Railway Company, is aimed at ensuring high standards among professional colleges and vocational training institutes for training professionals for the railway sector

SKILL DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE: With Oman gearing up to award the ﬁrst contract for 207 km-long Sohar-Buraimi route, the centre will play an important role. — Times picture

A E JAMES

of skills. We will be able to utilise the existing infrastructure like professional colleges and vocation training institutes,” Eng Abdulrahman Al Hatmi, chief executive officer of Oman Railway Company, told Times of Oman, on the sidelines of GCC Rail and Metro 2015 conference. “We are trying to get international expertise.” The new centre will also look into quality assurance and licences for working in the railway field. With Oman gearing up to award the first engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract for 207 km-long Sohar-Buraimi

businesseditor@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: A major centre of excellence to cater to the emerging requirements of professionals in railway sector will be formed in the country soon. The new centre, which is being formed by Oman Railway Company, is aimed at ensuring high standards among professional colleges and vocational training institutes for training professionals for the railway sector. “We will start the centre soon. It is a framework to manage and govern the progress and development

railway project by the middle of this year, the Centre of Excellence will play an important role in strengthening availability of professionals with specialised skills, with the help of training institutes. Pan-GCC railway network It is also signiﬁcant in view of the fact that the GCC countries are investing as much as $250 billion for the pan-GCC railway network, which drives demand for specialised professionals in the region. Eng Al Hatmi said the Centre of Excellence would be more focusing on skilled workforce required for the building railway line, rather

than those required for operation and maintenance. GCC states are also contemplating to establish a common training academy for moulding railway professionals. The total manpower requirement for the railway project in the country is not yet known. Abu Timam GrantThornton is helping the Oman Railway Company in determining the human resources requirement and to establish operational framework and organisational structure. Talking about the plans to appoint an operator for running the railway, Oman Railway Company chief said there are three options –

either Oman Rail can run it, or go for some sort of partnership with a private ﬁrm or give it completely to a private agency. “We have now almost ﬁnalised the model, which is going through approval process.” However, he declined to reveal the model the company has selected. Responding to another question on private sector involvement in procuring rolling stocks, he said there are three options — either to buy it, take it from private sector on lease or the operator can buy it. “We have offers from private sector (within the country) to buy the rolling stock and lease it to us,” added Eng Al Hatmi. “The private

sector has a critical role to play and it cannot be done by the government alone.” Eng Al Hatmi also noted that the Sohar-Buraimi route will be for both freight and passenger traffic. The national railway project will start construction phase by the middle of this year, with the government’s plans to award the ﬁrst segment. The entire project will include laying of 2,135 kms of track, construction of 35 kms of tunnels and 40 km of bridges, and building of 50 terminals and 8 marshalling yards. In total, this will require 12,000 km of track, 10 million concrete sleepers and 40 million fasters.

COMMODITIES EXCHANGE

R A I LWAY I N F R A S T R U C T U R E

GCC railway to boost Oman’s exports DME records 33% and foreign investment: Ithraa official growth in trading volumes in 2014 ELHAM POURMOHAMMADI

elham@timesofoman.com Times News Service MUSCAT: Oman’s efforts to increase the volume and efficiency of exports and attract foreign investment will get a major boost through the implementation of the Gulf-wide railway project, said an Omani official. “From our perspective, it is a very signiﬁcant project as it will encourage many industrial companies to invest in Oman for the supply of the required products and services while creating lots of opportunities for local businesses,” Faris Nasser Al Farsi, director general for investment promotion at the Public Authority for Investment Promotion and Export Development (Ithraa), told Times of Oman. Investment areas Speaking on the sidelines of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Rail and Metro Conference 2015, which concluded on Monday,Al Farsi said that Ithraa’s role is to identify and promote potential areas for investment in the railway sector in the international market in cooperation with Oman Rail, the Ministry of Transport and Communications and other authorities concerned. The plans to boost Oman’s connectivity in the railway segment can also provide an incentive for foreign-based companies to establish their own factories in the country, the official added. Al Farsi also noted that a multimodel transport network providing connectivity through sea, air and land can further boost the position of Oman as a logistic hub in

From our perspective, it is a very significant project as it will encourage many industrial companies to invest in Oman for the supply of the required products and services, while creating lots of opportunities for local businesses Faris Nasser Al Farsi Director general for investment promotion, Ithraa

the region given its strategic location and access to other countries. Commenting on the railway project’s contribution to the Sultanate’s exports, he said that this alternative route for transport will definitely help increase the volume of exported commodities and will also increase the efficiency of the transport. “It will help reduce the costs and save time and energy apart from many other direct and indirect impacts. It was a wise decision to implement this project.” SMEs Ithraa’s official said that small and medium enterprises (SMEs) will benefit from the railway project, especially if they join hands together to fulfill the needs of big contractors. In addition, Al Farsi highlighted the importance of adopting an integrated approach

towards the implementation of the project to avoid duplication of activities that would serve the same purpose. Deadline During a panel discussion at the conference, Eng Abdulrahman Al Hatmi, chief executive officer of Oman Rail, expressed conﬁdence that the project will be completed on time and will not miss the 2018 deadline. He said that the countries involved in the project should stick to the set deadline, adding that a loose deadline may create a situation where the parties would keep delaying the work. Eng Al Hatmi also noted that certain mechanisms will be developed to pave the way for the contribution of the private sector, especially the SME sector, to

the railway initiative. Commenting on the deadline, Rumaih Al Rumaih, chief executive officer of the Saudi Railway Company, said that in his opinion a 2019 deadline is expected to be met if the project cannot be accomplished in 2018. Transparent Al Rumaih and other participants at the panel discussion also said that the tendering process and other related activities are quite transparent and will remain so. The panelists included officials from Etihad Rail, Qatar Rail, UNIFE and HSBC as well.

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MUSCAT: The Dubai Mercantile Exchange (DME), the premier international energy futures and commodities exchange in the Middle East, registered an impressive performance in 2014, posting a 33 per cent growth in trading volumes to average 8,431 lots per day. Over 160 different traders from more than 90 entities traded on the DME in 2014 – the broadest level of participation ever recorded. During the year, DME set records in every aspect of the DME Oman contract with record daily and monthly volumes, record physical delivery, record EFP (Exchange Futures for Physical) activity, and record open interest in addition to record marker windows. In December, DME average daily volume (ADV) was 6,975 lots (7.0mn bl), which was nine per cent up year-on-year. Physical delivery for February loading was 11.6mn bl while EFP/EFR (Exchange for Risk) volumes were 7.8mn bl. “Our performance in 2014 reﬂects the success we have had in providing a mature and fully transparent price discovery mechanism for industry participants,” said Christopher Fix, Chief Executive of DME. “Our consistent growth in volumes can also be attributed to the conﬁdence of global players in the DME value proposition which has been boosted by measures that we have taken to enhance our trading platform. The global oil markets have never been more volatile and so the need for quality benchmarks and hedging mecha-

Christopher Fix. — Supplied picture

nisms have become even more imperative. Our impressive performance and our ever increasing roster of members from Asia is a deﬁnite sign that the DME Oman is the undisputed crude oil benchmark in Asia.” A key focus last year was to make trading on the DME easier for customers and so the Exchange allowed Letters of Credit (LCs) to be issued from Singapore and Tokyo with participating banks SocGen, RBS, Rabobank and Mizuho. The exchange also introduced Trade at Marker (TAM) functionality and revised the duration required for LCs. The DME also made major strides in increasing the number of market participants in 2014 in order to expand its presence globally. The exchange welcomed four new trading members — Marubeni, Idemitsu, Mitsui, Itochu — in addition to attracting four new clearing members, namely GH Financials, Advantage Futures, Phillip Capital and Straits Financial.

TUE S DAY, JANUA RY 13, 2 015

MARKET BRIEFS

alizz islamic bank opens Salalah branch MUSCAT: alizz islamic bank yesterday announced the soft launch of its branch in Salalah on January 11. The opening of a new branch is part of the bank’s strategic initiatives to reach new customers with innovative and value-added products and services to further boost the alizz islamic bank brand, according to a disclosure statement on MSM website.

Qatar reserves touch record high of $46.5 billion DOHA: Qatar’s international reserves hit an all-time high of $46.5 billion (€39 billion) in November and are expected to climb higher despite falling oil prices, Qatar National Bank figures revealed. The latest figure was a jump of almost $7 billion on the level of reserves recorded by the energy-rich Gulf state at the same time in 2013. In its monthly monitor, the emirate’s largest commercial bank said it expected the new record to be broken in 2015 and for Qatar’s economy to power ahead over the next 12 months as it diversifies away from the energy sector. It also said Qatar’s population grew by over nine per cent in 2013. - Times News Service/Agencies

Lenders back Dubai World’s debt optimisation proposal An agreement has been reached with a substantial majority by value of its creditor banks on its proposal to amend and extend terms of debt totalling $14.6b BUSINESS AS USUAL: Dubai World entered into discussions with representative creditors with signiﬁcant holdings of its debt for several months around a voluntary transaction to improve terms and conditions of existing credit agreement for both company and lenders. – Bloomberg News

Times News Service MUSCAT: Dubai World on Monday said that it has reached formal agreement with a substantial majority by value of its creditor banks on its proposal to amend and extend the terms of its outstanding debt totalling $14.6 billion. As part of its debt optimisation strategy, Dubai World entered into discussions with a wide range of representative creditors with signiﬁcant holdings of its debt for several months around a vol-

untary transaction to improve terms and conditions of the existing credit agreement for both the company and the lenders. Following these discussions, the company hosted meetings with lenders in Dubai and London in early December 2014, to explain the in-principle agreement reached, the headlines of which are: full, early repayment of 2015 maturities totalling $2.92 billion, extension of 2018 maturiBIG BOOST

Japan plans a record budget for next fiscal TOKYO: Japan plans a record budget for next fiscal year to support an economy that fell into recession after Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s government increased the sales tax. Government ministers and the ruling coalition parties approved the ¥96.34 trillion ($814 billion) budget proposal for the 12 months starting April 1 at a meeting in Tokyo, Finance Minister Taro Aso told reporters. Japan, with the world’s heaviest debt burden, will halve the primary balance deficit next fiscal year as new bond issuance declines to 36.86 trillion yen, the lowest since 2008. Tax revenue is projected to rise to ¥54.53 trillion. The economy contracted for two straight quarters after the sales tax was hiked three percentage points to 8 per cent. In response, the government deferred another played bump in the levy and assembled a ¥3.5 trillion stimulus.- Bloomberg News

ties to 2022, enhanced economics through increased pricing, introduction of amortisation targets, and additional collateral. Decree 57 As contemplated at the meetings, Dubai World has now made a voluntary arrangement notiﬁcation under Decree 57. Decree 57 is being utilised as an implementation tool to effect the necessary amendments to the existing

agreement. The decree requires that at least 66.67 per cent of creditors (by value) vote to approve the agreement and existing commitments from lenders means that this threshold has already been comfortably exceeded. Speciﬁc Dubai World subsidiaries include Dubai World Group Finance, Istithmar World Holdings, Istithmar World and Port & Free Zone World, have also made similar notiﬁcations in their ca-

pacities as guarantors under the existing facility. The company aims to continue to sign up more lenders to the agreement during the Decree 57 process, which in the ordinary course will take several months to complete. Throughout the process, business will continue as usual for Dubai World and its subsidiaries all of whom will continue to meet their existing contractual obligations in the ordinary course. Dubai World commented that it is delighted to have substantial majority support from its lenders on the proposals, as the agreement represents a ‘win-win’ for the company and lenders, providing an improvement on the existing credit agreements for both sides. The commencement of the Decree 57 process which is tried and tested, and has very similar characteristics to parallel regimes in other international jurisdictions, is an entirely logical and expected step to complete the agreed debt optimisation exercise.

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WORLD MARKET

Crude prices sink further; US dollar hit by wage data NEW YORK: Oil prices tumbled again yesterday, while most Asian stock markets also retreated after a sell-off in New York at the end of last week that came in reaction to data showing weak United States wage growth. The news on wages, which overshadowed another forecastbeating rise in jobs creation, pushed the dollar down against the euro and yen as it complicates the Federal Reserve’s plans to hike interest rates. Weak demand and a supply glut sent crude to new five-and-a-halfyear lows, with analysts tipping further losses this week. The US benchmark, West Texas Intermediate for February delivery, lost $1.00 to $47.36 a barrel, while Brent was $1.06 to $49.05. Singapore’s United Overseas Bank said in a commentary: “Oil prices continued to tumble and headed for a seventh straight weekly loss as key producers show no sign of cutting output in the face of a supply glut.” China and eurozone Crude oil prices have lost more than half their value since the middle of last year, with weakness in key markets China and the eurozone adding to the supply and demand crisis. Wall Street provided a negative lead for stock markets after figures showed US wages grew 1.7 per cent year on year in December, barely keeping up with inflation and indicating consumer spending power remained low. The Dow slipped 0.95 per cent, the S&P 500 fell 0.84 percent and the Nasdaq lost 0.68 per cent. Traders latched on to the data, ignoring the fact that unemployment fell to 5.6 per cent, the lowest level in six and a half years, while 252,000 new posts were created in December to cap the best year for job creation since 1999. “Despite the robust US jobs data, markets chose to focus on the weak wages growth and the likelihood that it will keep the Fed

After Saudi Arabia, Iraq ups Basrah crude price for Asia DUBAI: Iraq, Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries’ (Opec) secondlargest producer, raised the selling price for February shipments to Asia of its main Basrah Light crude by 30 cents a barrel, after Saudi Arabia boosted its pricing to the region. Iraq set Basrah Light at a discount of $3.70 a barrel to the average of Middle Eastern benchmark Oman and Dubai grades, the country’s Oil Marketing Company said in an e-mailed statement. The announcement followed increases January 5 by Saudi Arabia, the biggest producer in the Opec, for its main grades to Asia. Iran raised its prices to Asia last week. The Basrah Light discount for February, while narrower than the January discount of $4 a barrel, was greater than for any other month since at least August 2003. “It’s in line with the Saudi move,” Robin Mills, the head of con-

Reserve ‘patient’ about any rate hike,” United Overseas Bank said. Interest rates Economists took the report as allowing the Federal Reserve to hold off hiking interest rates too soon, denting speculation of an increase in April and making the dollar less attractive to investors. “This tug of war between deﬂation and expectations of the ﬁrst rate hike in many years by the US Federal Reserve is likely to result in intense volatility,” Nader Naei-

sulting at Manaar Energy in Dubai, said by phone. “Saudi Arabia is always the trendsetter, and everyone has to bear that in mind.” Supply glut Oil slid to the lowest level in more than ﬁve years last week amid speculation that a global supply glut will linger through the ﬁrst half of 2015. Saudi Arabia raised the cost of its oil sales to Asia in February, prompting concern that the world’s largest exporter is retreating from using record price discounts to defend market share against North American shale drillers and other non-Opec producers. Iraq cut the price for February sales of Basrah Light to Europe, widening the grade’s discount to Dated Brent to $5.95 a barrel from $4.35 for January. It also reduced export prices for North and South America, deepening the discount. - Bloomberg News

mi at AMP Capital Investors in Sydney, told Bloomberg TV. In Asian trade it bought 118.21 yen compared to 118.46 yen on Friday in New York. The euro fetched $1.1860 against $1.1842, while it was also at 140.20 yen compared to 140.29 yen. Gold cost $1,228.96 an ounce, compared with $1,211.42 on Friday. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co eased 1.49 per cent to Tw$132.0 while Hon Hai Precision Industry was 0.92 perc ent lower at Tw$85.7. — AFP

T UE SDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015

MARKET R E N E WA B L E E N E R G Y

India’s Adani, SunEdison to build $4 billion solar panel unit NEW DELHI: Indian conglomerate Adani Group and global energy ﬁrm SunEdison have announced a deal to build the largest solar panel factory in the energy-starved nation, worth $4 billion. The project will be set up in the next three to four years in Mundra city in the western state of Gujarat, a press release said. Mundra already hosts India’s largest private port owned by the Adani Group. “By pairing SunEdison’s solar technology expertise with Adani’s experience in creation of infrastructure, we will be able to transform the region into a solar production powerhouse,” said Ahmad Chatila, president and chief executive of US-based SunEdison.

Bank Muscat optimistic on Oman’s economic outlook The bank’s CEO said the government’s

The Sultanate has weathered similar crises in the past, including the global financial crisis in 2008 as well as fluctuations in oil prices and overcome the challenges

affirmation that development projects will continue as planned is a clear indication that the

AbdulRazak Ali Issa

economy is on track

Times News Service 20,000 jobs The planned unit is likely to create more than 20,000 jobs in the region and would be a step in Prime Minster Narendra Modi’s ‘Make in India’ campaign that aims to turn the country into a global manufacturing hub, the companies said. “India has embarked on an ambitious program to become a world leader in power generation from renewable technologies, and sees solar as a key part in realising that goal,” said Adani Power’s chief executive Vneet Jaain. Blackouts in India are frequent and solving the country’s energy shortage is seen as key to generating economic growth. Currently more than 60 per cent of India’s electricity comes through coal, the supply of which can be unreliable given the low efficiency of mines and transport networks. Just last week, the country was facing possible power cuts after workers at the biggest coal mining ﬁrm, Coal India, went on a strike that lasted two days. - AFP

ing human capital. Oman is aware of its potential as well as requirements to remain competitive and is getting ready for that,” the chief executive said.

MUSCAT: Bank Muscat, the leading financial services provider in the Sultanate, is optimistic on the outlook for Oman’s economy, notwithstanding the challenges arising from the volatile oil prices. “The outlook on the Sultanate of Oman’s economy continues to remain strong owing to its stable fundamentals and expansive policies to support growth of both oil and non-oil sectors. The government affirmation that development projects will continue as planned without any negative impact on the lives of citizens is a clear indication that the economy is on track in achieving its objectives,” said AbdulRazak Ali Issa, chief executive, of Bank Muscat. “The Sultanate has weathered similar crises in the past, including the global financial crisis in 2008 as well as fluctuations in oil prices and overcome the challenges. The Vision 2020, which serves as the economic blueprint of the Sultanate, has paved the way for

Chief executive, Bank Muscat

comprehensive economic diversification polices, investment opportunities and infrastructure development in the country.” “During challenging situations, the cushioning effect from budget surplus has led to sustained momentum for development projects in the country. In the prevailing situation, the government has initiated comprehensive measures, as reflected in the 2015 budget, to maintain economic and social growth,” he added. “The key to sustaining economic development is attracting both local and foreign investment in strategic projects and enhancing the role of the private sector. Oman has identified alternatives for oil and gas revenues by investing heavily in agricultural, industrial, fisheries, tourism and other sectors. The promotion of small and medium enterprise (SME) sector is another priority for Oman to equip the youth to embark on selfemployment ventures and thereby contribute to nation-building,” the chief executive said. “The

ECONOMY

prevailing situation confirms the importance of intensifying efforts to diversify the sources of national income away from a reliance on oil revenues to overcome fluctuation of financial resources. Oman has adopted realistic five-year development plans to diversify the source of national economy and leverage the human, natural and non-oil resources. The big challenge for Oman is to reduce reliance on oil revenues,” AbdulRazak Ali Issa said. OMR30b worth projects “The current value of projects being executed in Oman is about OMR30 billion. This is part of a pipeline of projects valued at OMR49 billion to be delivered within the country’s Eighth FiveYear Development Plan, which ends in 2015. Oman’s quest to develop economic clusters in strategic locations around the country with the objective of creating jobs for local people and spreading development across the nation is gaining momentum in Salalah, So-

har, Sur and Duqm where worldscale maritime and industrial ventures are underway,” he said. “Capitalising on Oman’s vantage geographical position, the focus is on the transportation sector - airports, railways, ports and highways – as well as the tourism sector. Oman’s efforts aimed at building trade infrastructure will help the country become a major player in global trade as well as a very competitive producer of goods in the region,” AbdulRazak Ali Issa added. “Oman has all the main ingredients to be not only an international player, but also a hub for trade and transit. Oman’s ﬁscal freedom, including investment and trade, witnessed further improvement in the 2014 Index of Economic Freedom as the country’s economic freedom score stood at 67.4, making it the 48th freest economy in the world. Oman is doing the right things and investing signiﬁcantly in not only physical infrastructure improvement, but also in terms of develop-

Stable performance “The Omani banking sector has recorded stable performance on the back of sound macro-economic policies, strong fiscal system and fine-tuned monetary policy measures in the country. Amidst the challenging situation, high capital adequacy and profitability have defined the banking sector in Oman. Against the backdrop of the steady economic advancement, Oman’s banking sector is witnessing healthy growth in lending, deposits and earnings. The liquidity position is very comfortable for the banks to participate and sustain the economic development in Oman,” he explained. “During the last 33 years since its inception in 1982, Bank Muscat has been closely involved in the progressive march of the nation. The outlook for Oman’s economy is positive and in view of the government commitment to economic and social development by accelerating non-oil revenue growth, Bank Muscat anticipates considerable growth opportunities. The bank remains committed to supporting the government objectives in diversifying the national economy, creation of employment opportunities to young educated Omani youth and expansion of industrialisation in the Sultanate,” he added.

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BLOOMBERG BILLIONAIRES INDEX

Oil price slide not to affect Hong Kong tycoon set to replace Qatar’s $30 billion projects Alibaba chief as richest in Asia Times News Service MUSCAT: Qatar’s infrastructure projects pipeline is set to soar with more than $30 billion worth of new projects deals in 2015, according to the latest data from MEED Projects, the region’s leading online projects tracker. The record year has come on the back of major project awards on Ashghal’s expressway and local roads and drainage programmes as well as significant investment OPTIMISTIC: Qatar’s Ministry of Development Planning & Statisin real estate and transport pro- tics said the economy would expand by 7.7 per cent. - Supplied photo jects such as Lusail and the new port project. This year will be boosted by to be the fastest-growing econo- stance and population growth,” forecast project awards on the my in the Gulf Cooperation Coun- the ministry said. “In calendar years 2014-2016, $5 billion-plus Al Karaana petro- cil (GCC) in the years to 2020 as chemical complex, the $2 billion- the country presses ahead with the overall fiscal balance is explus rolling stock and systems one of the world’s most compre- pected to stay in surplus.” Qatar is the Middle East’s contract on the Doha Metro, and hensive and ambitious economic five main multi-billion-dollar development and infrastructure most creditworthy economy. The packages on the mega water res- programmes, the annual MEED Standard & Poor’s credit rating is Qatar Projects Conference in AA. Moodys rating for Qatar sovervoirs main packages. “Despite falling oil prices, Qa- Doha fro, March 10 to 11 March ereign debt is Aa2. The IMF’s annual Article IV tar has the project pipeline, the will be told. report on the Qatar economy pubpolitical impetus, and the finanlished earlier this year showed cial reserves to continue project LNG exports spending as it prepares to host According to the Qatar’s Ministry Qatar’s budget and balance of the FIFA 2022 World Cup,” says of Development Planning & Sta- payments’ surpluses were by far Ed James, director of Analysis at tistics, Qatar’s economy will ex- the highest in the region and were pand by 7.7 per cent in 2015, pro- among the largest in the world. Its MEED Projects. “With around $30 billion worth viding evidence that the world’s financial reserves are more than of projects, 2014 witnessed a leading LNG exporter expects 100 per cent of GDP. Qatar’s oil and gas wealth per 25 per cent increase in project lower oil prices will have minimal capita is the highest in the world. spending as compare to the year impact on growth. “Solid expansion in non-hydro- “Qatar has enormous oil and gas 2013, and there will continue to be an upward trend in project ac- carbon activities will continue to wealth, especially in relation to drive overall economic momen- the size of its national populativity,” he added. Project spending will be boost- tum, propelled by investment tion,” Qatar National Bank said in ed by the fact that Qatar continues spending, an expansionary fiscal a report in September.

HONG KONG: Hong Kong billionaire Li Ka-shing is set to regain his spot as Asia’s richest person as ﬂagship Cheung Kong’ shares surged the most in more than six years following his $24 billion reorganisation plan. The 86-year-old tycoon has a $30.8 billion fortune as of the close in Hong Kong. That puts him almost $3 billion ahead of Jack Ma, the billionaire chairman of Hangzhou, China-based Alibaba, who was worth $28.2 billion as of January 9, according to Bloomberg Billionaires Index. The increase in Li’s wealth puts him on track to become the 15th richest person in the world, overtaking European retail billionaires Bernard Arnault and Stefan Persson. Li proposed to restructure the assets of his companies into two new entities, one focusing on prop-

Li Ka-shing. – Bloomberg News

erty mainly in Hong Kong and China, and the other on global assets from utilities and ports to retail stores across more than 50 countries. “This reorganisation is far from a surprise and has long been discussed,” Andrew Lawrence, an analyst with CIMB Group, wrote

in a research note. “It will make for a cleaner corporate structure and remove many of the crossgroup investments that made it difficult to understand the group,” he added. Cheung Kong shares jumped 15 per cent to HK$143.20, the biggest gain since October 2008. Hutchison Whampoa, which is 50 per cent controlled by Cheung Kong, climbed 13 per cent, the most since October 1997. More than half of Li’s wealth is derived from Cheung Kong, which had declined 4.2 per cent this year before today’s surge. Alibaba’s Ma, 50, last month brieﬂy overtook Li as Asia’s wealthiest, the ﬁrst change in Asia’s top spot since April 2012. The two billionaires have since been in a close race for the number one position in the region. - Bloomberg News

TUE S DAY, JANUA RY 13, 2 015

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INDICES Index .................................................High .................Low..................... Value ............... Prev . Value.......... Diff ...............Diff % MSM30 Index ....................................... 6,450.26 .............. 6,398.88 ................... 6,438.91 ................... 6,403.16..................35.75 ................... 0.56 Financial Index .....................................7,846.07 ...............7,786.28 ................... 7,805.38 ....................7,776.91................. 28.47 ................... 0.37 Industrial Index ................................... 8,553.36 .............. 8,532.25 ................... 8,538.53 ...................8,540.63.................. -2.10 .................. -0.02 Services Index ...................................... 3,540.84 ...............3,505.57 ................... 3,539.95 ...................3,505.57................. 34.38 ...................0.98 MSM SHARIAH INDEX.......................975.97 ...................971.13 .......................975.48 ...................... 970.93....................4.55 ................... 0.47 Trading Summary Volume ................Turnover ..........Trades .............. Market Cap............. Up............Down ............. Equal .........Sec. Traded 26,950,569 ..................7,330,372 ................. 1,966 ............... 14,640,397,457 ................ 18 ......................11 .................... 23 .........................52

Gulf International Chemicals, up by 4.29 per cent, was the top gainer of the day, while

SHARE PRICE BULLETIN FOR MONDAY, JANUARY 12

Construction Materials, down by 2.70 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

per cent, was the top loser on Monday REGULAR MARKET ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... OM0000002028 ...........GULF INTERNATIONAL CHEMICALS ............ 675,178...........114,955..................... 58 ............0.165 ........... 0.172 ...........0.165 ........... 0.170 ............. 0.163............ 0.007.............4.294 ................0.170 ...............0.171...................0.175 ....................3,570,000 ..........0.100 OM0000001772 ............AL ANWAR HOLDING............................................... 6,048,074...1,270,770...................397 ............0.215 ........... 0.215 ...........0.205........... 0.210 .............0.202 ........... 0.008............. 3.960 ................0.205..............0.205...................0.206 ..................27,405,000.........0.100

MUSCAT: Muscat bourse’s general index - MSM30 Index - moved up 0.56 per cent to close at 6,438.91 points. MSM Sharia index closed at 975.48 points, up by 0.47 per cent. Al Anwar Holding was the most active in terms of volume while Bank Muscat was the most active in terms of turnover. Gulf International Chemicals, up by 4.29 per cent was the top gainer of the day while Construction Materials, down by 2.70 per cent, was the top loser of the day. A total number of 1,966 trades were executed during the day’s trading session generating turnover of OMR7.3 million with more than 26.9 million shares changing hands. Out of 52 traded stocks, 18 advanced, 11 declined and 23 remained unchanged. Omani investors were net buyers for OMR377,000 while GCC and Arab Investors were net sellers for OMR357,000 followed by foreign investors for OMR19,000 worth of shares. Financial Index gained 0.37 per cent and closed at 7,805.38 points. Al Anwar Holding, Oman United Insurance, Oman & Emirates Holding, Bank Sohar and Al Sharqia Investments increased by 3.96 per cent, 3.56 per cent, 3.03 per cent, 2.56 per cent and 2.10 per cent respectively. Al Madina Takaful, Gulf Investment Services, National Bank of Oman, Bank Nizwa and Ahli Bank decreased by 2.22 per cent, 1.30 per cent, 1.23 per cent, 1.23 per cent and 0.84 per cent respectively. . Industrial Index ended the day on a ﬂat note at 8,538.53 points, down marginally 0.02 per cent. Gulf International Chemicals, Al Maha Ceramics, Oman Cements and Voltamp Energy increased by 4.29 per cent, 1.49 per cent, 0.78 per cent and 0.51 per cent respectively. Construction Materials, Dhofar Cattlefeed, Al Ja-

zeera Steel and Oman Fisheries decreased by 2.70 per cent, 2.69 per cent, 2.38 per cent and 1.39 per cent respectively. Services Sector Index closed at 3,539.95 points, up by 0.98 per cent. OIFC, Ooredoo, National Gas, Renaissance Services and Sembcorp Salalah increased by 3.62 per cent, 3.05 per cent, 1.79 per cent, 1.67 per cent and 1.63 per cent respectively. Sharqiyah Desalination decreased by 0.30 per cent to close at OMR3.290.

OM0000001525 ............OMAN INVESTMENT AND FINANCE.............. 2,027,274 ......463,663................... 154 ........... 0.224...........0.232 ...........0.223........... 0.229 .............0.221 ........... 0.008............. 3.620 ................0.223............. 0.222...................0.225 ..................45,800,000 ........0.100 OM0000001087............OMAN UNITED INSURANCE ............................... 773,430 .........224,687..................... 57 ........... 0.286 ...........0.292 ...........0.286........... 0.291 .............0.281.............0.010 ............. 3.559 ................0.289..............0.287...................0.290 ..................29,100,000.........0.100 OM0000003968 ...........OOREDOO....................................................................... 199,540 ......... 134,801..................... 27 ........... 0.660 ...........0.684 ...........0.660........... 0.676 .............0.656 ........... 0.020............. 3.049 ................0.672..............0.664...................0.668................. 440,038,299 .......0.100 OM0000001681 ............OMAN AND EMIRATES INV. HOLDING........... 3,035,586 ...... 412,196................... 175 ............0.135 ........... 0.139 ...........0.131 ............0.136 .............0.132............ 0.004............. 3.030 ................0.132 ...............0.131...................0.132...................16,575,000 .........0.100 OM0000003398 ...........BANK SOHAR................................................................ 1,162,278 ......278,627.....................60 ........... 0.226 ...........0.245 ...........0.226........... 0.240 .............0.234 ........... 0.006.............2.564 ................0.235..............0.233...................0.235................. 274,560,000 .......0.100 OM0000002440 ...........AL SHARQIA INVESTMENT HOLDING ........... 684,325 ............99,748..................... 67 ............0.146 ........... 0.149 ...........0.140........... 0.146 ............. 0.143............ 0.003.............2.098 ................0.140..............0.140...................0.142...................12,631,920 .........0.100 OM0000001160 ............NATIONAL GAS .............................................................19,042 .............10,846........................5 ........... 0.572 ........... 0.572 ...........0.566........... 0.570 .............0.560 ............0.010 ............. 1.786.................0.566..............0.552...................0.566...................25,970,006.........0.100 OM0000003224 ...........RENAISSANCE SERVICES ..................................... 199,167 ............ 97,222.....................40 ........... 0.490 ...........0.490 ...........0.480........... 0.488 .............0.480 ........... 0.008............. 1.667 ................0.480..............0.474...................0.480 .................137,662,094 ........0.100 OM0000003026 ...........OMAN TELECOMMUNICATION ........................ 222,290.........388,009..................... 75 ............1.730 ............1.755............1.730 ............1.745 ............. 1.730.............0.015 ............. 0.867 ................1.750 .............. 1.750................... 1.755 ................1,308,750,000 ......0.100 OM0000001749 ............OMAN CEMENT ........................................................... 40,227 ............ 20,947......................11 ............0.514 ...........0.524 ...........0.514 ........... 0.520 ............. 0.516............ 0.004............. 0.775 ................0.524.............. 0.516...................0.524 .................172,053,809........0.100 OM0000002226 ...........AL JAZEERA SERVICES .......................................... 164,229 .............51,151..................... 34 ............0.310 ........... 0.314 ...........0.310........... 0.312 .............0.310............ 0.002............. 0.645 ................0.310 ..............0.310...................0.314................... 19,095,733 .........0.100 OM0000003661 ............VOLTAMP ENERGY ................................................... 427,718 .......... 168,082..................... 32 ........... 0.390 ...........0.394 ...........0.386........... 0.392 .............0.390 ........... 0.002............. 0.513 ................0.386..............0.386...................0.390 ..................23,716,000 .........0.100 OM0000001145 ............PORT SERVICES CORPORATION ........................... 1,000 ..................340........................1 ........... 0.340...........0.340 ...........0.340 .......... 0.336 .............0.336 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.340..............0.342...................0.346 ..................31,933,440 .........0.100 OM0000001319 ............NATIONAL ALUMINIUM PRODUCTS ............. 100,000 ........... 31,200........................7 ............0.312 ........... 0.312 ...........0.312 ........... 0.312 .............0.312............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.312 ..............0.302...................0.312...................10,474,292 .........0.100 OM0000001418 ............RAYSUT CEMENT ...........................................................1,631 ...............2,773........................2 ............1.700 ........... 1.700 ...........1.700 ............1.700 ............. 1.700............ 0.000.............0.000 ................1.700 .............. 1.700...................1.740 ................. 340,000,000 .......0.100 OM0000001517 ............HSBC BANK OMAN ............................................................107 .....................16........................1 ............0.145 ........... 0.145 ...........0.145 ............0.145 ............. 0.145............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.145 ..............0.140...................0.145..................290,045,355 .......0.100 OM0000001533 ............OMINVEST .................................................................... 227,741 ............ 96,035........................6 ........... 0.430 ...........0.430 ...........0.418 ........... 0.422 .............0.422 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.418 ..............0.414...................0.418..................142,105,546........0.100 OM0000001707 ............OMAN CABLES INDUSTRY........................................ 9,920 .............19,840........................5 ........... 2.000...........2.000 ...........2.000 .......... 2.000 .............2.000 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................2.000 .............1.900...................2.000 .................179,400,000........0.100

Damac shares rise Damac Properties Dubai Co., the developer working with Tiger Woods and Donald Trump on a golf course in Dubai, climbed in debut trading in the emirate. Damac added as much as 21 per cent before closing 1.8 per cent higher at Dh2.84. The company received regulatory approval to list in Dubai last month and offered to exchange each Londonlisted global depository receipt, known as GDRs, for 23.077 ordinary shares in Dubai until January 9. The stock declined 11 per cent in London last year compared with a 2.7 per cent drop in the FTSE 100 Index. “Many of these companies that went and looked for international recognition through listings in London are coming back amid low trading volumes there,” Mohammed Ali Yasin, managing director of NBAD Securities in Abu Dhabi, said by phone. “They are ﬁnding out that people who will pay premiums for the shares are those who are familiar with it in its home market.” Damac began trading in London in December 2013 and was followed by Abu Dhabi-based Gulf Marine Services, whose shares plunged more than 20 per cent since their debut trade in March.

OM0000001889............SALALAH MILLS......................................................... 400,400.........596,594........................7 ............1.490 ........... 1.490 ...........1.485 ........... 1.490 .............1.490............ 0.000.............0.000 ................1.485 .............. 1.485...................1.490................... 71,762,965 .........0.100 OM0000001962............AL MADINA INVESTMENT ................................... 221,775 ............. 16,013......................18 ........... 0.072 ........... 0.073 ...........0.071 ........... 0.072 .............0.072 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.071 .............. 0.071...................0.072...................14,914,900 .........0.100 OM0000002168............AL ANWAR CERAMIC TILES ................................ 34,000 .............16,436........................5 ........... 0.484 ...........0.484 ...........0.480........... 0.484 .............0.484 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.480..............0.478...................0.484 .................119,472,852 ........0.100 OM0000002614............ONIC. HOLDING ............................................................10,000 ...............3,600........................1 ........... 0.360 ...........0.360 ...........0.360........... 0.360 .............0.360 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.360..............0.346...................0.360 ..................62,432,370.........0.100 OM0000002796 ...........BANK MUSCAT ............................................................ 2,789,709 ....1,561,917...................222 ........... 0.560 ...........0.562 ...........0.556........... 0.560 .............0.560 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.556..............0.552...................0.556................1,222,305,385 ......0.100 OM0000003000 ...........ALMAHA PETROLEUM PRODUCTS MAR. ......... 1,900 ...............4,085........................1 ............2.150 ........... 2.150 ...........2.150........... 2.205 .............2.205 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................2.150 ..............2.150...................2.300 .................152,145,000........0.100 OM0000003141 ............ACWA POWER BARKA .................................................... 900 .................. 738........................1 ........... 0.820 ...........0.820 ...........0.820........... 0.820 .............0.820 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.820..............0.812...................0.820 .................131,200,000........0.100 OM0000003281............TAAGEER FINANCE ................................................... 86,915 .............13,124......................11 ............0.151 ........... 0.152 ...........0.150 ............0.151 ............. 0.151 ............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.150 ..............0.146...................0.150...................38,292,090.........0.100 OM0000003521 ............GALFAR ENGINEERING AND CON. .................. 953,397 ..........177,903.....................80 ............0.189 ........... 0.190 ...........0.180............0.187 ............. 0.187............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.180.............. 0.177...................0.180...................49,296,708 .........0.100 OM0000003711 ............SOHAR POWER................................................................ 5,974 .............. 2,246........................4 ............0.376 ........... 0.376 ...........0.376........... 0.376 .............0.376 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.376..............0.376...................0.386...................83,099,760 .........0.100 OM0000004248 ...........SMN POWER HOLDING ...............................................6,114 ...............4,035........................1 ........... 0.660 ...........0.660 ...........0.660........... 0.660 .............0.660 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.660..............0.660...................0.000 ................. 131,759,496 ........0.100 OM0000002200 ...........AHLI BANK .................................................................... 342,000............80,412........................5 ........... 0.236 ...........0.236 ...........0.233........... 0.235 .............0.237 ...........-0.002 ........... -0.844 ...............0.233..............0.230...................0.235................. 304,439,540 .......0.100 OM0000001483............NATIONAL BANK OF OMAN ................................. 159,000 ........... 50,880........................9 ........... 0.320 ...........0.320 ...........0.320........... 0.320 .............0.324 ...........-0.004 ............-1.235................0.320..............0.310...................0.320 ................ 390,024,800 .......0.100 OM0000002820 ...........GULF INVESTMENT SERVICES ......................... 3,400,488...... 516,863................... 199 ............0.155 ........... 0.155 ...........0.148 ............0.152 .............0.154............-0.002 ........... -1.299 ...............0.148 .............. 0.147...................0.148....................8,944,169 ..........0.100 OM0000002176 ............AL JAZEERA STEEL PRODUCTS ......................... 49,800 .............16,367......................13 ........... 0.330 ...........0.334 ...........0.320........... 0.328 .............0.336 ...........-0.008 ........... -2.381 ...............0.320..............0.322...................0.330 ..................40,966,531 .........0.100 OM0000001301 ............DHOFAR CATTLE FEED ........................................... 50,000 ...............9,070........................5 ............0.180 ........... 0.185 ...........0.180............0.181 ............. 0.186............-0.005 ........... -2.688 ...............0.181 .............. 0.181...................0.190...................13,937,000 .........0.100 .............................................SUM: .................................................................................. 24,531,129...... 6,956,190 ..........1,796 ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. ........................................................................................................................................... TRADED SEC. ......36........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

PARALLEL MARKET ................................................................................................................................................................................. OM0000004735 ...........SEMBCORP SALALAH...................................................7,803 .............17,062........................4 ............2.180 ...........2.200 ...........2.180............2.185 .............2.150.............0.035 ............. 1.628 ............... 2.200 .............2.180...................2.220 .................208,573,971........1.000 OM0000005005 ...........ALMAHA CERAMICS ................................................ 188,240 .........102,500..................... 65 ........... 0.542 ...........0.546 ...........0.538........... 0.544 .............0.536 ........... 0.008............. 1.493 ................0.538..............0.536...................0.538...................27,200,000.........0.100 OM0000004925 ...........AL BATINAH POWER..................................................62,146 .............10,608........................7 ............0.170 ........... 0.171............0.170 ............0.171 ............. 0.170.............0.001 ............. 0.588 ................0.171 ...............0.171...................0.173 .................. 115,405,751 ........0.100 OM0000004933 ...........AL SUWADI POWER ....................................................80,382 .............13,792........................8 ............0.171 ........... 0.172 ........... 0.171 ............0.172 ............. 0.171 .............0.001 ............. 0.585 ................0.172 .............. 0.172...................0.173 ..................122,877,890........0.100 OM0000002366 ...........AL BATINAH DEV. INV. HOLDING ........................40,275 ...............4,933........................8 ............0.125 ........... 0.125 ...........0.120........... 0.122 .............0.122 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.120..............0.120................... 0.121 ....................3,660,000 ..........0.100 OM0000002564 ...........AL HASSAN ENGINEERING.................................. 114,847............. 11,919.....................22 ............0.105 ........... 0.105 ...........0.102........... 0.104 .............0.104 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.103 ..............0.103...................0.104.................... 7,821,632 ..........0.100 OM0000004511 ............ALIZZ ISLAMIC BANK............................................... 22,000 .............. 2,024........................3 ........... 0.092 ...........0.092 ...........0.092........... 0.092 .............0.092 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.092..............0.092...................0.095.................. 92,000,000 ........0.100 OM0000004776 ...........TAKAFUL OMAN INSURANCE ................................ 1,249 .................. 122........................1 ........... 0.098 ...........0.098 ...........0.098........... 0.098 .............0.098 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.098..............0.098...................0.102....................9,800,000 ..........0.100 OM0000004669 ...........SHARQIYAH DESALINATION ...................................7,549 ............ 24,836........................1 ........... 3.290 ...........3.290 ...........3.290........... 3.290 .............3.300 ...........-0.010 ........... -0.303 ...............3.290..............3.100...................3.290 .................. 32,176,911 .........1.000 OM0000004420 ...........BANK NIZWA ................................................................ 351,540 ........... 28,047..................... 23 ............0.081 ........... 0.081 ...........0.079........... 0.080 ............. 0.081............-0.001 ............-1.235................0.079..............0.079...................0.081................. 120,000,000 .......0.100 OM0000001566 ............OMAN FISHERIES .......................................................16,000 ................1,136........................2 ............0.071 ........... 0.071 ...........0.071 ............0.071 .............0.072 ...........-0.001 ........... -1.389................0.071 .............. 0.071...................0.073....................8,875,000 ..........0.100 OM0000004768 ...........AL MADINA TAKAFUL............................................. 131,000.............11,564......................12 ........... 0.090 ...........0.090 ...........0.088........... 0.088 .............0.090 ...........-0.002 ........... -2.222 ...............0.088..............0.087...................0.090 ..................15,400,000.........0.100 OM0000001368 ............CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS IND. ................... 40,000 ...............1,460........................2 ........... 0.036 ........... 0.037 ...........0.036........... 0.036 .............0.037 ...........-0.001 ........... -2.703 ...............0.037..............0.036...................0.038....................3,060,000 ..........0.100 .............................................SUM: .................................................................................. 1,063,031 ......230,003................... 158 ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. ........................................................................................................................................... TRADED SEC. ......13........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

BONDS MARKET ........................................................................................................................................................................................ OM0000004602 ...........BANK MUSCAT CONV. BONDS 4.5 ...................... 777,341 ............ 82,398........................2 ............0.106 ........... 0.106 ...........0.106........... 0.106 .............0.106 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.106..............0.106...................0.107...................32,091,406 .........0.100 OM0000004628 ...........BANK SOHAR BONDS 4.5 ............................................... 280 .....................29........................2 ............0.103 ........... 0.103 ...........0.103........... 0.103 .............0.103............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.103 ..............0.102...................0.000 ...................7,364,500 ..........0.100 OM0000004867 ...........BANK MUSCAT C C B 4.5 ......................................... 578,788.............61,752........................8 ............0.110 ........... 0.110............0.106........... 0.107 ............. 0.113 ............-0.006 ........... -5.310................0.106..............0.106................... 0.113 ...................34,201,766 .........0.100 .............................................SUM: .................................................................................. 1,356,409 ...... 144,179......................12 ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. ........................................................................................................................................... TRADED SEC. ........ 3........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

— United Securities/Bloomberg News

INDIAN MARKETS

Sensex and rupee advance MUMBAI: The BSE Sensex reversed losses to end stronger on Monday on optimism ahead of the retail inflation data due later in the day while sentiment was boosted after European shares gained on increased mergers and acquisition activity in the healthcare sector. The local share market had earlier dropped as much as 0.5 per cent as lower oil prices hurt energy stocks. Retail inflation Traders will closely watch the retail inflation print, due to be released later in the day, which is likely to determine the central bank’s stance during its monetary policy review on February 3. A Reuters poll showed the consumer price index accelerating to 5.4 per cent in December from 4.4 per cent in November, but still within the central bank’s comfort zone. The benchmark BSE Sensex closed 0.46 per cent higher at 27,585.27. The broader Nifty gained 0.46 per cent to 8,323.

Rupee, bonds rise Indian bonds rose with the rupee, pushing the 10-year yield to the lowest since July 2013, as a drop in US wages spurred speculation the Federal Reserve will delay an increase in interest rates. Average hourly earnings of US workers fell 0.2 per cent in December, the biggest decrease since records began in 2006. Chair Janet Yellen signalled last month that the central bank is on track to increase rates as the world’s largest economy improves. “Any bad US data reading has an impact on the market’s expectations of a Fed rate hike,” said N.S. Venkatesh, the Mumbaibased head of treasury at IDBI Bank. “Indian assets are rallying also amid hopes of a reduction in domestic interest rates as inﬂation stays under control.” The yield on Indian sovereign bonds due July 2024 declined three basis points, or 0.03 percentage point, to close at 7.81 per cent in Mumbai, prices from the Reserve Bank of India’s trading system show. That’s the lowest

level for the benchmark 10-year debt since July 2013. The rupee advanced 0.3 per cent to 62.1350 a dollar in Mumbai, prices from local banks compiled by Bloomberg show. The currency, which climbed for a fourth day, touched 62.0950 earlier, the strongest level since December 10. A report may show consumer prices rose 5.35 per cent in December from a year earlier, according to a Bloomberg News survey. While that will be higher than the 4.38 per cent gain in November, it’s still below the central bank’s 6 per cent inﬂation target for January 2016. RBI Governor Raghuram Rajan raised the benchmark repurchase rate three times from September 2013 to January 2014 and has since kept it steady at eight per cent. One-year interest-rate swaps, derivative contracts used to guard against swings in funding costs, fell for a fourth day, retreating three basis points to 7.65 per cent, data compiled by Bloomberg show. — Agencies

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ROUND-UP

Bank Muscat najahi a big hit with small businesses Within a span of its launch, najahi has extended a helping hand to 260 micro and small business customers with more than OMR6 million non-collateral

MUSCAT: The first-of-its-kind najahi suite of products and services launched by Bank Muscat as part of its commitment to encourage entrepreneurial initiatives has become a big hit with micro and small businesses. Within a span of three months from its launch, najahi has extended a helping hand to 260 micro and small business customers with more than OMR6 million noncollateral finance facilities, says a press release. The new initiative from the flagship financial services provider

BEST PRACTICES

OETC holds workshop on risk management

three months from

ﬁnance facilities

in the Sultanate offering a major boost for start-up and small businesses in Oman is aimed at complementing the government efforts in encouraging Omani youth to embark on entrepreneurial pursuits and thereby make vital contributions to the economy. Bank Muscat has taken major initiatives to provide the required support for entrepreneurs, especially youth, who constitute the future of Oman. The bank’s commitment stems from the strong belief that entrepreneurial ventures help boost the local economy, contribute to the GDP and create self-employment opportunities for youth. The specially designed najahi

products include credit facilities not requiring collaterals or guarantees for the small business segment to establish and develop their business. With najahi, Bank Muscat fulfils the primary need of finance for the small business segment to embark on entrepreneurial ventures. In the market, there are small business customers who do not have access to formal credit facility. najahi offers the required facilities and support for micro and small businesses to take their first step confidently in the journey of success as well as encourages youth to join the world of entrepreneurship. The najahi suite of products

O U T S TA N D I N G A C H I E V E M E N T

comprises ﬂexi loan to support working capital, business expansion and other business needs; contractors loan to complete contracted jobs; contractors bill of discounting against bills submitted for completed contracted jobs; specially designed current account facility with dedicated relationship managers and insurance cover for business premises. Bank Muscat has launched a series of initiatives to strengthen the SME sector in Oman. Serving as building blocks for entrepreneurs, these initiatives assume importance in the backdrop of the priority accorded by the government to develop the SME sector in Oman.

MUSCAT: Under its new policy that classiﬁes risk management as one of the important work pillars, Oman Electricity Transmission Company (OETC) conducted a risk management workshop recently at Holiday Inn Hotel located in Mawelah. The event was part of a series of workshops organised by Business Planning and Risk Management Department of OETC, says a press release. The goal of the workshop was to explain and educate the staff about relevant concepts and the best policies and practices involved in risk management, thereby reinforcing its application in all areas of the company's business. It emphasised the need to develop a risk management that is proportionate to the risks levels and be part of the decision making process. The framework will be developed and structure based on ISO 31000/2009 in order to implement common approach of risk management in all areas of the company's business.

The workshop stressed on the important of staff training for effective implementation and use of risk management as well as providing the required human and ﬁnancial resources to implement the risk policy. It was highlighted that the Audit Committee is responsible for supervising the implementation and maintenance of the risk management framework. Furthermore, Business Planning and Risk Management Department will provide the required support for all other departments. It will also be responsible for ensuring compliance with risk policy and coordinating with stakeholders tow ensure the company is committed to the group's risk management policy. "The company is going ahead to develop framework for risk management and recently we introduced specialised department in Risk Management which aims at developing risk management for all the company activity,” said Eng. Ali Al Haddabi, OETC CEO.

RECOGNITION

Ghubra Power Co. recognises employees in safety awards MUSCAT: Al Ghubra Power and Desalination Company (GPDCo) recently held a ceremony to recognise its employees and top performing department for 'outstanding achievement' in protecting employees, property and the environment as well as maintaining the HSE culture within the company, says a press release. The awards aimed to encourage practices that improve the safety standards which operate within the plant. “At GPDCo, we attribute our accomplishments to our team and their understanding of our philosophy towards the main GPDCo HSE goal of providing safe working environment rewarding our top achievers in safety encourages other to contribute the HSE culture,” said Yaqoob Al Rabaani, HSSE/Compliances Manager. Another important aspect of maintaining a culture that focuses on the safety of its employees is continuous education; and that is why the company decided that a central trait in the awarded employees is contributions in raising awareness of the HSE culture to their fellow employees through regular workshops and safety briefs. Furthermore, GPDCo has strengthened this HSE culture through understanding and addressing safety issues before they arise through the “Near Miss Report”. The report highlights areas that may result in accidents regardless of how minor they may be, and encourages suggestions on how to improve these situations.

Malabar Gold honours staff for making ‘world’s longest handmade gold chain’

This also leads to raising awareness of the safety philosophy within the employees of GPDCo as well as the contractors and suppliers of the company. The six employees and the Mechanical Department have been granted the HSE Outstanding

Achiever award, and have been recognised as part of GPDCo’s continued strategy to identifying the hazards at site by reporting the near miss which lead to reduce the incident as well as increasing education through peer education and workshops for the coming year.

DUBAI: Malabar Gold & Diamonds, one of the leading jewellery retailers, honoured 60 staff for their involvement and participation in the creation of world’s longest handmade gold chain, which was jointly manufactured by Malabar Gold & Diamonds, Dubai Gold & Jewellery Group (DGJG) and Dubai Festival & Retail Establishments (DFRE) along with selected manufacturers. This chain has created another record for Dubai and secured yet another position in the Guinness Book of World Records, says a press release. This remarkable creation, which is ﬁttingly named as ‘Dubai Celebration Chain’, was manufactured to commemorate the 20th Anniversary of DSF. “This is a very special occasion for us and we are honoured to be a part of this success. Being the largest partner in manufacturing 1.32km of the chain out of the total 5.52km, we can deﬁnitely say that

it was a painstaking task. But our entire team was in high spirits and took it as a challenge. "As recognition of their commitment and hard work, we honour our staff in our two manufacturing divisions in UAE, who had worked day and night to complete this mission on time,” said Shamlal Ahamed, managing directorInternational Operations. “We are proud of this achievement and consider this as the success of jewellery industry as a whole. It required 60 staff members, 28,800 manhours and 45 days for manufacturing 61.75kg of the total 256kg chain. We consider this as the success of gold industry as a whole,” stated Faisal A. K., corporate executive director, Jewellery Manufacturing, Malabar Gold & Diamonds. The management team members spent a day with the factory team members and together they cut a cake to celebrate this success.

Mementos and certiﬁcates were also distributed to the team members who were involved in the creation of Dubai Celebration Chain. The public can be a part of this unique project by booking a piece of the chain. The booking can be made by paying 10 per cent of the total amount as advance deposit. Customers can own it as a bracelet of 8g or as chains ranging from 22 to 26g. The chain will be delivered to customers in an exclusive branded pack along with a uniquely numbered certiﬁcate that states that it is a part of the world’s longest handmade chain. Other partners of DGJG in this initiative are Siroya Jewellers, Sky Jewellery, Joy Alukkas and Emerald Jewellers DMCC. With every piece of chain, the customers will also get raffle coupons, which will make them eligible to win up to 100 kilo gold and 40 carats of diamonds in raffle draws during the DSF 2015.

RIDING COMPETITION

Sheikh Hamdan wins 2015 Longines Endurance Cup DUBAI: Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Sports Council, won the 2015 Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Endurance Cup presented by Longines and hosted by the Dubai Equestrian Club at the Dubai International Endurance City, says a press release. To further its long-term commitment with Meydan, Longines was once again the presenting partner, official timekeeper and official watch of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Endurance Cup, which took place in Dubai recently. This impressive international event featured some of the top names from the world of endurance riding competing over a distance of 160km. The winner of the

cup, Sheikh Hamdan, received, along with the prestigious trophy, an elegant Longines watch, the Longines 24 Hours Single PushPiece Chrono. This stainless steel chronograph watch piece of the Heritage Collection houses a selfwinding mechanical chronograph movement. Its reﬁned black dial displays hours in a 24 hours scale, minutes and small seconds at 9 o’clock and date. In addition, the total prize money for the winners of the Endurance Cup amounted to AED 9.6 million. Longines is a signiﬁcant partner of endurance riding. Besides this renowned Endurance Cup presented by Longines since 2010, the Swiss watch brand is also the title partner of the Longines FEI World Endurance Championships, which will take place in 2016. The discipline shares Longines’ values of

elegance, precision, reliability and a perfect mastery of technique. The passion of Longines for equestrian sports dates back to 1878, with the design of a chronograph featuring an engraved jockey and his mount. The brand is partnering for the ﬁrst time with an international show-jumping competition in Portugal. This passion continues today as, in addition to endurance riding, Longines is also committed in show jumping and horseracing. Elegance, performance and tradition are values that both equestrian sport and Longines share. Longines' growing involvement and partnerships to umbrella institutions, prestigious events, as well as numerous races and competitions in equestrian sport make the Swiss watch brand resolutely indissociable from the equestrian world.

TUE S DAY, JANUA RY 13, 2 015

ROUND-UP Bank Nizwa engages Fikra youth group on Islamic banking in Oman Held under the patronage of Muhanna bin Saif Al-Mawali, wali of Bausher, the panel discussion aimed to empower the Omani youth by raising their awareness on what Islamic banking offers to people as individuals as well as how this growing trend will continue to positively impact the Sultanate

MUSCAT: Bank Nizwa, Oman’s ﬁrst Islamic bank, recently participated in a panel discussion on local banking, organised by Fikra, a youth engagement group based in the Wilayat of Wadi Al Ma’awel. Held under the patronage of Muhanna bin Saif Al-Mawali, wali of Bausher, the session aimed to empower the Omani youth by raising their awareness on what Islamic banking offers to people as individuals, as well as how this growing trend will continue to

positively impact the Sultanate, says a press release. The panel included Dr Ashraf Al Nabhani, general manager of Corporate Support at Bank Nizwa, who alongside prominent Islamic Economist, Adel Al Hassani, and Ahmed Al Hooti, Chief of Bureau of Al Jazeera channel in Oman, addressed the progress of Islamic banking in Oman and how the growth of this alternative banking system is contributing to the national economy.

“Raising the level of awareness on Islamic banking is much more than sales and marketing, it is about delivering an understanding of how the growth of Shari’a-compliant institutions and an increased market share is functioning to strengthen economic development. Our products and services are inherently valuable assets and have become increasingly popular across our growing markets; however this is just the starting point, the added value that fully-ﬂedged Islamic

banks are bringing to the socioeconomics of the Sultanate is profound,” said Dr. Ashraf. Bank Nizwa has maintained a strong stand on raising awareness on Islamic banking since obtaining its license in 2012. To date, market analysis has demonstrated that as the level of awareness increases, so does the segment’s market share, which currently rests at 4.4% and has been forecast to grow to as high as 10% by 2018.

Raising the level of awareness on Islamic banking is much more than sales and marketing, it is about delivering an understanding of how the growth of Shari’acompliant institutions and an increased market share is functioning to strengthen economic development Dr Ashraf Al Nabhani GM, Corporate Support at Bank Nizwa

ACCOLADE

Manpower Ministry recognises Al Hassan for excellence in Omanisation MUSCAT: The Ministry of Manpower recently celebrated and honoured leading private sector organisations for their signiﬁcant contributions in training and employment of national workforce. Al Hassan Engineering Company was honoured at this ceremony as one of the leading companies for achieving its Omanisation percentage targets in construction sector, says a press release. “Al Hassan has persevered for decades on Omanisation, training and development and employing nationals in cadres across various disciplines in all its projects. It endeavours at all times to fulﬁl its vital role and social responsibility

as one of the top Omani construction companies, which necessitates supporting and promoting Ministry of Manpower’s efforts for providing employment opportunities to Omani nationals,” stated Maqbool Ali Salman, MD

of AHEC, on being bestowed with this prestigious award. To this end, the company has developed plans and programmes for vocational training and upgrading employment enabling skills. It regularly sponsors train-

ings of Omani nationals through various government and private institutions, most notably the Ministry of Manpower. These programmes have a signiﬁcant impact in supporting and motivating Omani nationals as they not only provide them with training, but also employment and career growth opportunities. The core objective of the company’s Omanisation drive is to provide multiple levels of training which are consistent with the market needs and also to enhance the chances and opportunities of employment for fresh graduates in coordination with universities and colleges in the Sultanate.

EXCITING PRIZES

Muscat Electronics rewards Daikin promotion winners MUSCAT: Muscat Electronics (ME) recently concluded its Daikin air-conditioner promotion that gave their retail customers the chance to win exiting prizes, which included ﬁve sets of Daikin’s premium FTD series wallsplit air-conditioners, six Sharp LED TVs, and gift vouchers worth OMR1,200. On every purchase of a Daikin wall-split AC, customers were given a raffle coupon to enter the draw, which was held in three stages, says a press release. The draws were held at Muscat Electronics’ newest showroom in Al Farahidi Street, Ruwi in the presences of representatives from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and following the draws a prize distribution ceremony was held. During the function the CEO, Faisal Al Yousef and the management of ME networked with the customers and further comprehend their feedbacks and suggestions. The prizes were distributed to

the winners by Salah Al Mawalli along with Faisal Al Yousef. “We received an impressively overwhelming response from our consumers during the promotion period and which may not have been without our authorised dealers’ support, and this has also motivated us to roll-out even more exciting offers in the coming months and thereby adding more value for our loyal customers” said Faisal Al Yousef. “We have a wide range of products to suit the needs of our retails customers, of which the

FTD series is the deluxe range of wall-mount split ACs and is a flagship product of Daikin that is focused on providing homes with optimum comfort as well as air purification system. It offers ultra-silence and high energy efficiency even in very high ambient outdoor temperatures, bringing home pure cool comfort and we are among the first few to introduce in the Oman market residential wall-mount split ACs with the environment friendly R-410A refrigerant,” stated Geeju Paul, General Manager, AC division.

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ROUND-UP

After a great 2014, MGM expects an exciting 2015

RECEPTION

Now boasting a total of 142 outlets within

Al Nab’a charts roadmap for 2015 at grand get-together

2014 was an excellent year for us as the mall welcomed 15 new global brands to the Sultanate and we’re proud to have a top-quality tenant mix to cater to the Sultanate’s diverse shoppers. Given the range of exciting events and campaigns held throughout the year, we also witnessed an overwhelming record footfall of over nine million visitors to the mall

the mall complex and a unique collection of apparel brands,

MUSCAT: Al Nab’a Holding rang in the New Year with a grand event showcasing strategies and initiatives designed to sustain growth across all facets of its well-diversiﬁed business portfolio over the course of 2015. The reception was conceived in keeping with the group’s time-honoured tradition of inwelcoming each new year with a celebratory get-together toasting a successful year gone by, while ushering in a new year ﬁlled with opportunity and promise, says a press release. Also on the occasion, a number of long-serving employees of the group were feted on the completion of 25 years and 10 years of service. The tradition of felicitating long-service staff at New Year get-togethers underscores the value and importance accorded by the group to its human capital. Commenting on the get-together, the Group Chairman Sayyid Khalid bin Hamed bin Saif Al Busaidi said: “This inaugural event, coinciding with the start of the New Year is an opportunity for us at the decision-making and management levels of the group to review our past performance

while recommitting ourselves to the achievement of new objectives and goals during the current year. It is also an opportunity to applaud our long-serving staff who, along with the rest of the 9,000 Al Nab’a family, represent the lifeblood of our group. We look forward to 2015 with great positivity and promise.” But the New Year event is also about corporate strategy and business growth — themes designed to set the group’s companies ﬁrmly on a path to success for another year. Helping kick off the formal part of the evening was the screening of the group’s new corporate video. Slickly produced to capture the new dynamism driving its growth, the video provides a fascinating snapshot of the remarkable strides made by the group in developing its business portfolio, expanding its market footprint, and achieving new benchmarks in its service delivery. Later, company executives took turns to offer their appraisals of the many highs that characterised Al Nab’a’s performance during 2014 — a year commemorating 3 decades of successful operations in the service of the Omani nation.

Muscat Grand Mall has steadily become one of the most popularly visited destinations in

Hassan Jaboub

downtown Muscat

MUSCAT: Reﬂecting on an eventful and prosperous year, Muscat Grand Mall (MGM) has announced that 2014 witnessed an impressive growth in footfall ﬁgures at Oman’s favourite lifestyle destination, with the mall also welcoming 15 new global brands during the year. Now boasting a total of 142 outlets within the mall complex and a unique collection of apparel brands, MGM has steadily become one of the most popularly visited destinations in downtown Muscat. “2014 was an excellent year for us as the mall welcomed 15 new global brands to the Sultanate and we’re proud to have a top-quality

General manager of Muscat Grand Mall

tenant mix to cater to the Sultanate’s diverse shoppers. Given the range of exciting events and campaigns held throughout the year, we also witnessed an overwhelming record footfall of over nine million visitors to the mall. Furthermore, the mall expansion project has gathered momentum and will further add to the choice and selection for Muscat shoppers, for 2015 we are looking forward to a very exciting year, indeed,” said Hassan Jaboub, general manager of Muscat Grand Mall. Among the new outlets which opened at the Mall during 2014 are international brands such as Original Marines, Hunkemoller, Toy

DEVELOPING FRAMEWORK

CBFS hosts strategic planning workshop MUSCAT: As part of its periodic introspection, the College of Banking and Financial Studies (CBFS) conducted a review of its strategic plan and documents underpinning its principles. The two-day strategic planning workshop was preceded by several rounds of deliberations of the CBFS’ key documents by internally formed teams — the Strategic Planning Review Taskforce and the Institutional Effectiveness Taskforce. The taskforces, comprising representative members of faculty, staff, stakeholders as well as students, had submitted their input to the external consultants who facilitated the workshop. The workshop was also attended by CBFS’ Board of Directors and stakeholders,

says a press release. The objectives of the workshop were to develop a framework for long term strategy by realigning it with the vision and the mission of the college. After ﬁnalising the vision

and mission, participants worked in groups to deliberate on goals, objectives and KPIs that should be followed. Prior to the workshop, CBFS had also conducted a ‘comprehensive

market study’ for capturing the market needs of academic, professional and training programmes in the banking and financial sector. The study also identified impacts of future expansion of CBFS’ services and resources. Ali Hamdan Al Raisi, chairman of CBFS Board of Directors and vice-president of the Central Bank of Oman, stressed that committing time and resources to implementing the strategic plan is equally important to having well defined strategy documents. The Dean of the College, Dr Ahmed Mohsin Al Ghassani expressed gratitude to all those who participated in the workshop and emphasised the importance of quality in all activities of the college.

Store, bYSI, Go Sport, Reebok, Migato, Franklin & Marshall, Silvian Heach and other apparel stores in addition to the Lebanese cuisine operator, Semsom. For 2015, the Mall is looking at increasing its value and brand offerings with outlets such as Mavi, Dresscode and Mandi Express as well as bringing more innovative experiences for its customers. Muscat Grand Mall is Oman’s most dynamic shopping destination and recent recipient of the MENA ICSC Award for marketing excellence. It is the fastest growing lifestyle hub in the Sultanate offering choice and convenience for shoppers and residents, as part

of a combined leisure experience. Boasting more than 142 stores, a three-screen cinema, high-end residences and office space, in addition to hosting the largest food court in Oman, Muscat Grand Mall is also home to leading global brands such as Franklin & Marshall, Silvian Heach, US Polo Association., Garage, PAUL, Monsoon Children, Gymboree, Carrefour, Happy Land, City Cinema, Sharaf DG, R&B, HomesRUs, Chili’s and Patchi among others. Customers can have the ultimate shopping experience at Muscat Grand Mall along with a variety of dining, amusement and fun activities.

TUE S DAY, JANUA RY 13, 2 015

ROUND-UP

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Toyota cars: A winning range Every generation of Toyota sets a new benchmark and represents the evolution of iconic Toyota models

MUSCAT: Toyota continues to enhance customer satisfaction with its wide range of vehicles to suit varied needs, wants and aspirations. Toyota models are known to continue to perform well, offering good resale value … even after clocking many years of use, says a press release. Every generation of Toyota sets a new benchmark and represents the evolution of iconic Toyota models. According to an automotive expert, “Toyota manufactured its ﬁrst passenger vehicle in 1936, and since then has continuously pursued the number one position for total customer satisfaction in all areas, ranging from manufacturing and products to sales and service.” Today, too Toyota’s winning range that includes the all-new Yaris hatchback, Yaris sedan, Corolla (with a new 2.0 L engine), Camry, Aurion and Avalon … present owners with superb driving experiences. The all-new 2015 Yaris hatchback has made a grand entry into Oman with a sportier design, larger proﬁle and classleading performance. It is powered by a 1.5 L VVT-i engine with a maximum output of 107 HP and a maximum torque of 14.4 Kg-m. The all-new 2015 Yaris hatchback boasts bigger exterior dimensions to meet the needs of consumers desiring a more spacious and impressive design. A worthy choice, the 2015 Toyota Yaris is an exciting sedan,

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available in 1.5 L and 1.3 L engine choices, Toyota Yaris also has a compact 4-speed automatic gearbox delivering excellent response and a smooth gear shift. The 2015 Toyota Corolla is a pride to own and a joy to drive. It offers two engine variants. Customers can choose a powerful 2.0 L Engine with maximum power of 143 HP (net). The second option is a 1.6 L engine delivering 121 HP (net). The Toyota Camry is the top-selling car for the past 11 years in America. The 2015 Camry offers a 2.5L Dual VVT-i Engine delivers 178 HP, 6 speed multi-mode A/T transmission, 6 airbags (driver+ passenger+ front side + curtain) combination along with VSC and TRC. The elegant and luxurious Aurion is available with 6-speed

multimode automatic transmission, with a 3.5 L engine and a maximum output of 268 HP, delivering top-class level fuel economy and a powerful driving experience. The Toyota Avalon is an excellent sedan with an athletic design. It utilises a 3.5-litre, six-cylinder engine that features Dual VVT-i (variable valve timing with intelligence). The V6 engine produces 273 horsepower and provides the Avalon with competitive acceleration. All specifications listed are standard Toyota equipment. Safety kit (fire extinguisher, warning triangle, tyre pressure gauge and first aid kit) and floor mats are dealer installed non Toyota items provided on Toyota Fortuner as standard equipment. Vehicle specifications may change without prior notice. Pictures and colours may differ from actual specifications of the vehicle. In Oman, Toyota’s outstanding product quality is supported by the nationwide parts and service network of Saud Bahwan Automotive.

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SOCIAL MEDIA

Nissan Oman Facebook page among the ‘most liked’ in automotive sector MUSCAT: Nissan Oman’s facebook page has gained huge momentum over a year as they have been successful in reaching out to a diverse audience on the social media platform. Beating top competitors in the Sultanate, Nissan Facebook page has been the most liked or a favourite page since May 2013 leading up to the highest fan following today of 39,378, says a press release. The aim of Nissan’s Facebook page has always been to offer viewers and Nissan fans an interactive experience and since Nissan as a brand is built on the ethos of ‘innovation that excites’; through its page, Nissan showcases its cutting-edge technology to connect with its audience. The Facebook page also showcases Nissan’s path breaking technological features of its various models in easy to understand mode focusing on core advantages. The page also provides a plethora of information on the wide range of models from Nissan which is updated on a daily basis to provide the latest information at all times comprising interactive videos, behind-the-scenes access, international news, pictorial galleries, aesthetic details, and unique model features. The page also regularly runs contests on all its latest models to keep viewers enticed and engaged at all times. The aim has been to be at par with customers’ requirements and needs. The creative strategy to have a social media campaign on Nissan’s official Facebook page is aimed at being a social advertising innovator. The success is measured through evaluation of brand perceptions and assessing audience feedback from the Facebook page as well as the number of clicks requesting test drives. “By using social media in a smart way any traditional ad, be it on TV, in print, or billboard has the potential to become a subject of interest; a gateway that leads the audience to more engaging information and communicating core beneﬁts with Audio Visual content. Be that new products or USPs or existing and

NEW MODEL

The aim of Nissan’s Facebook page has always been to offer viewers and Nissan fans an interactive experience and since Nissan as a brand is built on the ethos of ‘innovation that excites’; through its page, Nissan showcases its cuttingedge technology to connect with its audience

upcoming offers or prizes, deeper engagement, or an enriched experience, it is all about creating a social moment,” commented a senior SBA official. The Nissan Oman Facebook page has gathered over 90 per cent interest and viewership from online viewers which is available both in English and Arabic versions. The page has officially made

a new record of creating buzz and excitement in the market on their latest product offering from the 2015 range of models purely through social media content. Social Bakers, a company offering monitoring and tracking tools for analysis of social networks that are used for comparing social media stats and metrics has credited SBA Nissan Oman’s Facebook post as one of the most engaging in their study of the Mena region. SBA is known to have a prestigious nationwide network of over 19 showrooms, 22 service and 35 parts centres. The group is famous for their world’s largest Nissan showroom in Qurum, Oman along with the largest Nissan warehouse in the GCC for parts, ensuring 98 per cent parts availability at all times. SBA has successfully spearheaded Nissan’s growth in Oman making them the fastest growing market for Nissan in the entire GCC. They have been awarded the Nissan Champion Distributor Award three consecutive years in a row (2009, 2010 & 2011). SBA also won the Global Distributor Award in 2013. SBA also has to its credit the achievement of excellence in Sales, Service and Parts and Operations for Nissan, making them one of the pioneering leaders in the automobile companies in customer satisfaction. The Facebook page also is a gateway to information on all of Nissan’s vehicles — the Nissan range consists of sedan vehicles like Sunny, Sentra, Tiida hatchback, Altima and Maxima.

PROFESSIONAL MUSICIANS

Jaguar F-PACE: All-new performance Malagasy duo is back to perform at Park Inn crossover, set to join line-up in 2016 MUSCAT: Jaguar has conﬁrmed it will introduce an all-new model to the Jaguar line-up, to go onsale in 2016, named the Jaguar FPACE, says a press release. “We received such an overwhelmingly positive response to the C-X17 concept car last year that we just had to make it a reality. The Jaguar F-PACE, inspired by the F-TYPE, represents a perfectly judged balance of performance, style and practicality. “It offers a unique combination of Jaguar sports car inspired exterior design, fused beautifully with a thoroughly practical and spacious luxury interior. The FPACE is our family sports car,” commented, Ian Callum, director of Design, Jaguar. The Jaguar F-PACE couples class-leading interior space and exceptional on-road dynamics with ﬁve-seat usability to produce a true performance crossover. It will encapsulate everything that Jaguar stands for: beautiful design, precise handling, a supple

The F-PACE sports car is going to be manufactured in Solihull, United Kingdom ride, luxurious interior ﬁnishes and cutting-edge technology. Speaking in Detroit, Andy Goss, Jaguar Land Rover Global Sales Director said: “In 2015 we will celebrate Jaguar’s 80tw year. We have started it by announcing our ﬁrst performance crossover which we consider to be the ultimate practical sports car — a car that builds on the marque’s founding ideals of Grace, Pace and Space to become one of the most innovative Jaguars we’ve ever developed. The F-PACE has now begun its engineering and development testing programme ahead of the new model going on sale in 2016.” The F-PACE will be manufactured in Solihull, UK.

MUSCAT: Park Inn by Radisson Muscat introduces the Malagasy duo Thierry and Sandra to perform at Sama Terrazza rooftop lounge. Thierry and Sandra are professional musicians hailing from an island like Madagascar where there is an abundance of talent and years of experience in the music industry, says a press release. The duo has travelled and performed in hotels in the Middle East, Africa and Indian Ocean’s Islands. Performing an extensive repertoire of well known songs in multiple languages (English, Italian, Spanish, French and international standard). The music they play is full of heart and soul, a quality emphasised by the passion they share for all genres of music. Playing anything from jazz to current hits, old classics, sizzling Latin music, soul, pop and their native style: tropical. “The evening repertoire can be an elegant blend of smooth, jazzy songs and/or celebrated party an-

thems; they warm many hearts and interact well with the audience. We extract on what guest wants and try diverse concepts,” said Rabih Zein, General Manager, Park Inn by Radisson Muscat. The duo will play from Saturday to Friday (except Thursday, DJ Night) at Sama Terrazza rooftop. On Thursday (DJ Night) an entry fee of OMR 5 will be charged for men, inclusive of one selective beverage, while the ladies will be allowed complimentary entrance.

FOOD AND BEVERAGE BRAND

Bin Mirza International celebrates 10th anniversary ahead of dining trends to tailor to evolving lifestyles and provide even greater and more memorable experiences at our selection of restaurants and cafés,” she added.

MUSCAT: Bin Mirza International (BMI), the Omani franchise partner for some of the world’s most recognisable food and beverage brands, celebrated its 10th anniversary as one of the country’s pioneers in the hospitality industry. In commemoration of the milestone, a special dinner was held for the company’s staff of 150 and their families, says a press release. Unique brand of hospitality “In true BMI spirit, we celebrated the occasion with our employees who we consider an extension of our family. We all share a passion for raising industry benchmarks with our own unique brand of

hospitality that is underpinned by products and service of international quality standards. This has seen us come a long way since our early beginnings and together,

we are turning vision into reality,” said Jannat Moosa, Marketing director at Bin Mirza International. “Our success over the years is not only a result of our growth but of

how we have adapted to the market. We introduce leading global brands that cater to the tastes and culture of the people, while staying in tune with customer needs and keeping

Recent addition BMI has gone from strength to strength throughout its 10 year journey, carving a name for itself with a strong market presence of eight Second Cup cafés from Canada, two Nando’s PERi-PERi Chicken restaurants from South Africa and soon-to-be three boutique BreadTalk bakeries from Singapore. The most recent addition to the company’s ever-growing portfolio which also includes the franchise rights of CinnZeo

Bakery cafés from Canada is the American restaurant, Steak Escape Sandwich Grill. Reinforcing its position in the hospitality industry is the many accolades BMI has received including ‘International Franchise Partner of the Year’ from Second Cup International as well as a number of wins at Oman Today’s Restaurant Awards for ‘Best Café’ and ‘Best Casual Dining’. Looking to the next decade, BMI is gearing towards supporting the country’s growing population and tourism industry with plans to expand its retail network while also acquiring brands to introduce to the market and enhance the nation’s dining options.

WWW.TIMESOFOMAN.COM TU ES DAY, JAN UARY 1 3, 2015 15

SECTION

SPOR YOUR GAME

OMAN OPTIMISTIC AHEADD OF AUSSIE SHOWDOWN Despite having lost their opening match and with hosts Australia next up at Stadium Australia on Tuesday, goalkeeper and captain Ali Al Habsi insists there is still plenty of optimism within the Oman squad. >C2

Blue Samurai pummel Palestine Aguirre, currently embroiled in a matchﬁxing scandal linked to his time as manager of Zaragoza in 2011, opted to save legs for his side’s next two Group D games against Iraq and Jordan as the champions eased off the gas in the latter stages

CANBERRA: Holders Japan cruised to a 4-0 win over Palestine in their Asian Cup opener on Monday, setting up the deckchairs in the second half with the job already done. The Blue Samurai, who won the tournament for a record fourth time in 2011, needed only eight minutes to take the lead against a nervy Palestine team making their ﬁrst appearance in Asia’s showcase competition. Yasuhito Endo, making his 149th appearance for Japan, riﬂed a shot into the bottom corner, goalASIAN CUP BRIEFS

Ball boy, 12, becomes China penalty hero BRISBANE: If China go far in this Asian Cup, they may have a 12-yearold ball boy to thank. Unassuming Brisbanite Stephan White has been hailed in China after helping goalkeeper Wang Dalei save a crucial penalty in the 1-0 win over Saudi Arabia. As Naif Hazazi lined up his kick, Wang asked White which way to dive. The ball boy answered “left”, Wang followed his advice and saved the spot-kick with his legs. The grateful Chinese team rewarded White by inviting him to train with them ahead of their second match against Uzbekistan in Brisbane on Wednesday.

Iraq’s Mahmoud to decide future after Asian Cup BRISBANE: Iraq’s Asian Cup-winning hero Younis Mahmoud said he’ll decide his next move following the current tournament in Australia, after spending the past year without a club. Mahmoud famously scored the winner in Iraq’s 1-0 win over Saudi Arabia in the 2007 ﬁnal, but he has been unemployed since his departure from Saudi outﬁt Al Ahli. Despite his lack of regular football, the “Lions of Mesopotamia” talisman, who turns 32 next month, is now appearing in his fourth Asian Cup.

Sanctions choking Iran’s progress, says Queiroz MELBOURNE: ran coach Carlos Queiroz has his voiced anger at how international sanctions are damaging his plans to build for the team’s future. “It’s been very difficult,” the former Portugal and Real Madrid manager said. “We suffer a lot to prepare friendly games and to move internationally to prepare the team and players. After the World Cup the situation is getting worse and worse. — Agencies

keeper Ramzi Saleh going down in installments to gift the J-League player of the year his 15th international goal. Shinji Okazaki, who has been in a rich vein of form for German club Mainz, scored with a poacher’s strike in the 25th minute, reacting with razor-sharp reflexes to head in a volley from Shinji Kagawa which looked to be fizzing wide. Keisuke Honda, Japan’s bleachblond cult hero, then stroked home a penalty just before half-time before defender Maya Yoshida nodded in a fourth as the floodgates

GOOD START: Japan’s goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima, second left, congratulates teammates after win over Palestine in a Group D football match of the Asian Cup in Newcastle. – AFP

threatened to burst open in blustery Newcastle. “People assume Japan are vastly superior to Palestine but in modern football it’s not easy to win by four goals,” Japan coach Javier Aguirre told reporters. “Palestine fought hard, they’re battlers. We didn’t play a perfect game but I’ve got to be happy with four goals. Their keeper also made some good saves.” Aguirre, currently embroiled in

a match-ﬁxing scandal linked to his time as manager of Zaragoza in 2011, opted to save legs for his side’s next two Group D games against Iraq and Jordan as the champions eased off the gas in the latter stages. Political turmoil Palestine, whose preparations for tournaments are invariably disrupted by political turmoil in their war-torn homeland, were barely

given a sniff by a well-drilled Japan backline marshalled by Southampton centre-back Yoshida. Japan goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima, who had little to do during the 90 minutes, said: “The ﬁrst game was always going to be difficult but we scored an early goal which made it easier. “We are conﬁdent as we won the title last time and we’ve gained experience in the last four years. We’re very calm.”

Aguirre was less relaxed, bellowing at his players from the touchline as their concentration levels dropped off significantly towards the end of the game. The Mexican, whose honeymoon period came to an abrupt end after a poor run of performances, is under intense pressure to lift the trophy following Japan’s World Cup flop last year under Alberto Zaccheroni. “The coach is a good motivator,” said man of the match Okazaki after scoring his 41st goal in 85 appearances for Japan. “It was important to get some momentum and to boost confidence after what happened at the World Cup.” The game wasn’t a complete washout for Palestine forward Mahmoud Dhadha, however, after exchanging shirts with AC Milan’s Honda. “I got to swap jerseys with Honda,” he beamed. “He was a gentleman and I will be keeping it.” Dhadha added: “We can’t make the same kind of mistakes against the other teams in the group. I hope we can do better and make everyone in Palestine proud of us.” — AFP

TUE S DAY, JA N UA RY 13, 2 015

SPORTS

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Oman full of optimism ahead of Socceroos showdown in Sydney While Oman were edged out 1-0 by South Korea, Australia are fully aware of the threat posed by Paul Le Guen’s side having been forced to come from two goals down to salvage a 2-2 draw in a 2014 Fifa World Cup qualiﬁer at Stadium Australia in March 2013

SYDNEY: Despite having lost their opening match and with hosts Australia next up at Stadium Australia on Tuesday, goalkeeper and captain Ali Al Habsi insists there is still plenty of optimism within the Oman squad. Oman lost 1-0 to Korea Republic on Saturday after conceding just before half-time, but put in a good performance against the two-time winners in the Group A opener. “We played well against Korea,

WARMING UP: Oman skipper Ali Al Habsi and hie teammates warm-up before a training session. – Times of Oman / CIO DATAN

but we were just unlucky with the result,” said Al Habsi, who has been playing for England’s Wigan Athletic since 2010. “We were unlucky with some of the chances against Korea. It wasn’t our strikers’ day. For the last 15 minutes, we were the better team. For tomorrow’s game it will be different. We have to be confident.” Oman desperately need three points to have a chance of qualifying for the quarter-finals for the first time, while Australia are looking to take control of the group after beating Kuwait 4-1 on Friday. “They are a good team, a quality team, and we always enjoy playing against this kind of team,” added the Oman goalkeeper. And Oman coach Paul Le Guen, who saw his side let slip a two-goal lead in a Fifa World Cup qualifier

at Stadium Australia in 2013 en route to a 2-2 draw with Australia, is not expected to make any changes to his side. ‘The stadium will be crowded,” said the Frenchman, who has been at the helm of Oman since 2011. “It is a great game to play and we know it will be tough, but sometimes it is good to play tough games in such a context. “We have refreshed the team and there is a good mix. With a bit more experience we could have got a better result against Korea. “To compete against Australia and Korea we need a little bit more experience. I am convinced that with more experience this team will be able to compete at this level and become really ambitious.” Australia will be without captain Mile Jedinak due to injury A S I A N C U P S TA N D I N G S

Country

P W D L F APts

Group A Australia

1 1 0 0 4 1 3

South Korea

1 1 0 0 1 0 3

Oman

1 0 0 1 0 10

Kuwait

1 0 0 1 1 40

as the Socceroos look to build on their opening win over Kuwait. “They have a large squad, and when you have such substitutes on the bench, it is not a big blow when you miss one player,” added Le Guen. “I think they have all the subs they need to complete the team. We know we need to get the result, but to say it is not enough. We know we are in a tough group.” Respect for Oman Stand-in captain Tim Cahill insists Australia will have to “focus 24/7 for a massive game” when they face Oman in Group A of the AFC Asian Cup Australia 2015 on Tuesday at Stadium Australia. Cahill will captain the tournament hosts in the absence of Mile Jedinak, who suffered an ankle injury in the ﬁrst half of Friday’s 4-1

win over Kuwait in Melbourne. And while Oman were edged out 1-0 by Korea Republic, Australia are fully aware of the threat posed by Paul Le Guen’s side having been forced to come from two goals down to salvage a 2-2 draw in a 2014 Fifa World Cup qualiﬁer at Stadium Australia in March 2013. “We respect the team highly,” said Cahill. “We are going to have to focus 24/7 for a massive game tomorrow (Tuesday). Oman are a strong side. We know they have a great squad and a coach who has been with them for a very long time. Their team has been together for a while, they have familiarity, so they have the upper hand there, but we just have to focus on ourselves.” Cahill equalised on Friday after Kuwait had opened the scoring after just eight minutes, while Mas-

simo Luongo, Jedinak and James Troisi were also on target as Australia eventually made the ideal start to their campaign. Oman, on the other hand, conceded just before half-time in their defeat by the Koreans although Le Guen’s side were unfortunate not to salvage a draw as Amad Al Hosni’s stoppage time header was tipped onto the crossbar. “We have watched a lot of Oman, not just the Korea game, but also the Gulf Cup when they beat Kuwait 5-0. We know attacking wise in transition they are very good,” added Cahill. “We also know defensively in the last game they played with five full backs. We always do our homework. They were unlucky as well in that match. “We are definitely wary of the Oman team no matter how many times we have played them before.” Australia had won just one of five friendlies following the Fifa World Cup, which included a 2-1 defeat in Japan in November, but against Kuwait on Friday the Socceroos recovered from conceding inside the first 10 minutes to eventually ease to a comfortable victory. “The players are a lot more comfortable now with the way we play. We gave plenty of players opportunities, and the group of players we have now has grown with that. There is definitely a lot more understanding now,” said Australia coach Ange Postecoglou. Postecoglou, meanwhile, confirmed Australia will continue to monitor Australia captain Jedinak ahead of the final Group A game against Korea on Saturday. — AFC

ASIAN CUP 2015

Magical goal sees Iraq beat Jordan

Group B China

1 1 0 0 1 0 3

Uzbekistan

1 1 0 0 1 0 3

North Korea

1 0 0 1 0 10

Saudi Arabia

1 0 0 1 0 10

Group C UAE

1 1 0 0 4 1 3

Iran

1 1 0 0 2 0 3

Bahrain

1 0 0 1 0 20

Qatar

1 0 0 1 1 40

Group D Japan

1 1 0 0 4 0 3

Iraq

1 1 0 0 1 0 3

Jordan

1 0 0 1 0 10

Palestine

1 0 0 1 0 40

CELEBRATION: Yaser Safa Kasim, centre, of Iraq celebrates his goal against Jordan with teammates during the ﬁrst round Asian Cup football match. – AFP

BRISBANE: A magical goal from midfielder Yaser Kasim gave Iraq a crucial 1-0 win over a 10-man Jordan in the Asian Cup on Monday. Kasim, who plays for Swindon Town in the third tier of English football, scored the winner in the 77th minute with a touch of Messi magic and a little slice of luck. Taking the ball from outside the Jordan box, the 23-year-old dribbled his way past three defenders, then unleashed his shot at goal. The ball took a deflection off the outstretched boot of Tareq Khattab, leaving Jordan captain and goalkeeper Amer Shafi with no chance of making the save. Kasim’s spectacular strike

ended what had been a relatively dour contest with teams adopting a cautious approach to the Group D clash at Lang Park. Although it was their ﬁrst match of the tournament, the stakes could not have been higher for both teams, with defending champions Japan having launched their Group D campaign with a 4-0 rout of Palestine earlier in the evening. Iraq are now in the box seat to reach the quarter-ﬁnals and perhaps start another fairytale run reminiscent of their 2007 Asian Cup triumph, which became a rare moment for celebration in the war-torn country. Few people had given Iraq any

chance of going far this time after a haphazard preparation brought about by the troubles at home, forced to train and play qualiﬁers in other neighbouring countries, including Jordan. Neither Iraq nor Jordan had won a match since March last year and Jordan’s defeat was compounded by the sending off of Anas Bani-Yaseen, who picked up a second yellow card in a ﬁery match during which the referee made seven bookings. Although Iraq had the lion’s share of possession, they still had to survive some anxious moments from a Jordan team coached by former English international Ray Wilkins. — Reuters

T UE SDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015

SPORTS FOOTBALL

Cahill one of the best, says Ali Al Habsi SYDNEY: Oman goalkeeper Ali Al Habsi on Monday said Tim Cahill remained one of the best strikers around as he prepares to resume battle with the Australian at the Asian Cup. Al Habsi, who knows Cahill only too well from both the Premier League and Oman’s clashes with the Socceroos, said Cahill’s form at 35 years old was impressive. Stand-in captain Cahill scored one of the great World Cup goals in Brazil last year and on Friday, set Australia on their way to a 4-1 win over Kuwait. “He’s a class player. It’s great to see Tim in this competition. He’s 35 now, he’s kept himself fit and it’s always a pleasure to play against him,” Al Habsi said. “But I think he’s always scoring against me! Of course it’s going to help me to know him, his career with the Premier League or with the national team.” Cahill will lead the Socceroos, in the absence of injured skipper Mile Jedinak, against Oman in Sydney on Tuesday as they seek a win which could put them into the last eight. Oman are fighting for their lives after losing 1-0 to South Korea in their opening game, in which they were denied a strong penalty appeal and nearly scored at the death. English-based Al Habsi said Oman, who have won one and drawn two of their last three games against Australia, would have to know how to deal with the New York Red Bulls forward. “I know how classy he is, especially how he finishes with headers or the way he jumps, how strong he is and how confident in the box, his experience,” the goalkeeper said. “For me he’s one of the best strikers I’ve played against in the world. He always causes problems in the box... This kind of player, you have to take care of him.” — AFP

Olaroiu still seeking recipe for Saudi Arabian success Three-times champions Saudi Arabia are living on borrowed time in their ninth straight Asian Cup after a 1-0 defeat against China in the Group B opener and desperately need a victory against North Korea in their second match in Melbourne

MELBOURNE: Saudi Arabia coach Cosmin Olaroiu is a big a fan of the writings of John Wooden and will be hoping his players can follow the basketball icon’s most famous maxim by making Wednesday their own Asian Cup “masterpiece”. Three-times champions Saudi Arabia are living on borrowed time in their ninth straight Asian Cup after a 1-0 defeat against China in the Group B opener and desperately need a victory against North Korea in their second match in Melbourne. Olaroiu has had precious little time to put in place many changes to the team tactically since taking over as coach in early December, making his ability to inspire a playing group often described as ‘difficult’ all the more important. The 45-year-old’s track record of club success in Romania, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emir-

ASIAN CUP

South Korea urged to show killer instinct CANBERRA: South Korea coach Uli Stielike on Monday urged his players to find a killer touch against defence-minded Kuwait as they look to secure their place in the Asian Cup quarterfinals. The Taeguk Warriors are far from prolific and they only defeated Oman 1-0 on Saturday despite dominating possession in their opening Group A clash. And they would have paid for their lack of goals had goalkeeper Kim Jin-Hyeon not expertly tipped a header onto the crossbar at the death. Stielike said South Korea had to learn to “kill the game” and take their chances when they come. “Our problem was that during a very good phase when we came out for the second half we had 70 per cent of ball possession and we had three clear chances,” Stielike said. “In that moment you have to kill the game. You have to make it 2-0 and then play the last half-anhour quietly,” the German added. “We will not change our philosophy. The team that has control of the ball has control of the game but this team in the big moments has to score and that’s what we have to learn from the Oman game.” South Korea’s bid for a first Asian Cup trophy in 55 years was dealt a blow shortly before the start of the tournament when

target man Kim Shin-Wook was ruled out through injury. But they still have the ingenuity of Bayer Leverkusen star Son Heung-Min and Saturday’s goalscorer Cho, who is fit to face Kuwait after shaking off an injury. Pressure to deliver Stielike warned that the Gulf side, who lost 4-1 to Australia in their opening match, would be determined not to concede. “You think they will attack? I don’t think so,” said the German. “A team who defends from the first minute of the tournament, it’s very difficult for them to change. They are not going to come out with three or four offensive players. They’ll have nine men behind the ball, and will close spaces, so we have to move a lot to break them down.” But Kuwait coach Nabil Maaloul rejected Stielike’s assessment of his side. “I never ask the players to play defensively,” the Tunisian said. “Against Australia our (opening) goal gave the players confidence and we tried to score again. We want to win.” South Korea last won the Asian Cup in 1960 and are under pressure to deliver after a disappointing World Cup in Brazil last summer saw them exit at the group stage. — AFP

TRAINING SESSION: Members of the Saudi Arabia football team train ahead of their next match at the AFC Asian Cup in Melbourne. – AFP

ates should have been enough to earn him the respect of the players. In Romania, he inspired two unfashionable clubs to top four ﬁnishes before getting his chance at Steaua Bucharest, leading them to the league title and the semiﬁnals of the Uefa Cup in 2006. Taking his talents to the oilrich Gulf, he won the Saudi title and two cups with Al-Hilal, the Qatari Stars Cup with Al Sadd before moving on to the United Arab Emirates, where he won back-toback league titles with Al Ain in 2012 and 2013. A controversial defection to Al Ahli followed but Olaroiu’s midas touch did not desert him and he led the Dubai club to the UAE title last year. It was to help inspire the team for their title defence that Olaroiu turned to the “Leadership Game Plan for Success” written by late college basketball coaching great Wooden, whose most famous quote was “Make each day your

masterpiece”. “Motivation is the key to success in all sport,” Olaroiu told the Gulf News in October. “This book speaks about success in (basketball), but I find that it can be applied to all sports including football, basketball, tennis and golf. The measures and guidelines laid down are like a recipe towards success.” In the short period he has been in charge of the Green Falcons, Olaroiu has just about had enough time to throw together a sandwich from the ingredients at his disposal, let alone a gourmet meal. What will not help in keeping up the spirits of his side was the bad luck he bemoaned after the loss to China, who scored the winner from a deflected free kick and also saved Naif Hazazi’s penalty. That match came hot on the heels of Asian player of the year, the prolific striker Nasser Al Shamrani, being ruled of the tournament with an abdominal injury.

“We just have to look forward to the game against North Korea,” Olaroiu said after the match. “We still have a chance to qualify — it’s not finished after just the first game. We have to win the next two games and we can do it.” Their first chance to get back to winning ways comes against the North Koreans — the lowest ranked team in the tournament — at the Rectangular Stadium in Melbourne on Wednesday. They stay in Melbourne to conclude their group action against Uzbekistan on Sunday. The Saudis may yet emulate the 2011 squad by crashing out without a point after the group stage but that will not be through lack of effort from Olaroiu — at least if he is true to his philosophy. “It’s not important for me to win a trophy,” the Romanian said last April. “What’s important is that I can go home having done everything possible to win every day.” — Reuters

TUE S DAY, JAN UA RY 13, 2 015

SPORTS C O M M E N TA RY

Bowling is the only major worry for Team India

he final scoreline of 2-0 to Australia suggests a better series for India than the one in 2011-12 when they were walloped in all four Tests. On that tour, they had the greatest names in the history of Indian cricket playing for them and yet were unable to get the kind of scores that the younger lot of 2014-15 did. Granted, the pitches were better for batting with less bounce than three years back and the Australian attack perhaps not as incisive as then, but this batting lineup, apart from Virat Kohli, was playing in Australia for the first time and they were nothing short of brilliant. India now has the nucleus of a batting line up that can be the envy of the rest of the cricketing world with players capable of taking on any attack in all kinds of conditions and being able to adapt their game to the needs of the situation. Leading them will be Virat Kohli, who batted so well that a century looked as inevitable as morning following night and the government raising taxes. Murali Vijay has developed into the kind of opening batsman that is needed in modern cricket with a sound defence and terrific judgement of the off stump and the ability to up the tempo when required. At the highest level, temperament is what separates the men from the boys, and Rahul showed that he has a good one as the Australians tried to unsettle him with verbals and what not. Rahane enhanced his reputation with another calm collected display throughout the series. Kohli’s masterstroke was in sending Rohit Sharma at number three. Today’s cricket needs a number three

who will not just be a watch dog but a bull terrier who can counter attack, and Sharma has all the qualities to do so. Like all elegant batsmen, he will also get out stylishly which gives the erroneous perception that he doesn’t care, but he hurts as much as Kohli, Rahane or anybody else when he gets out. As he settles down at the new spot, he will be a lot more choosy in his shot selection and make the big runs that he does at the oneday format. With Shikhar Dhawan and Cheteshwar Pujara also in the frame, this is a batting lineup that can serve India well in the future. It is the bowling that is a worry, for it is not just about not taking wickets, it is about not learning anything from the previous over that has been the feature of this attack. Three of them — Ishant, Umesh Yadav and Ashwin were on their second Australian tour, and they have not progressed even a millimetre since then, committing the same mistakes time and again and allowing the Australians off the hook. The Australians were vulnerable at the start of the series with the tragedy that had shaken them, but the Indian bowlers helped them get back to normalcy quicker than was thought. India has an impressive new captain, a healthy looking new batting lineup, and if it wants to win overseas they must have a new bowling attack too. — PMG

J DIVISION: Starcare Hospital celebrate their win over Douglas OHI. NBO B heroes, right photo, Homeshwar Ratre and Siddharth Oza.

Melwin smashes ton in Z Axis’ facile win Electing to bat ﬁrst, Arrow Overseas scored 152 for the loss of eight wickets in 20 stipulated overs. Z Axis Media reached their target scoring 153 for the loss of two wickets in 18 overs

MUSCAT: Opening batsman Melwin Mathew scored a brilliant unbeaten 102 off 65 balls to help Z Axis Media register an easy eight-wicket win against Arrow Overseas in an Al Ansari Group of Companies-sponsored C Division T20 match. Electing to bat first, Arrow Overseas scored 152 for the loss of eight wickets in 20 stipulated overs with a top score of 56 from Abdul Raheem. K.G. Bentick was the pick the bowlers ending with figures of three for 26 in four overs while skipper Nowfal Raymarakkar bagged two wickets in two overs. Z Axis Media reached their target scoring 153 for the loss of two wickets in 18 overs. Melwin and fellow opener Vijeesh Velunni (21) put together 88 runs for the first wicket. Brief scores: Arrow Overseas 152 for 8 in 20 overs (Abdul Raheem 56; K.G. Bentick 3/26, Nowfal Raymarakkar 2/22) lost to Z Axis Media 153 for 2 in 18 overs (Melwin Mathew 102 n.o., Vijeesh Velunni 21). Points: Z Axis Media - 2 (4 games, 8 pts), Arrow Overseas –Nil (4 games, 4 pts).

Shamsudheen stars Shamsudheen scored a brilliant

GOOD SHOW: Z Axis players, from left, Bentick, Vijesh and Melwin

51 and thereafter claimed four wickets conceding 14 runs off three overs to steer Trust Oilfield Services to an easy 89-run win against Oneic in an I Division Twenty20 match. Opting to bat first, Trust Oilfield Services piled up 222 runs for the loss of four wickets in a match reduced to 19 overs-a-side due the late submission of the team list by them. Shahid Mehmood (75) and Wajid Akram (43) put together 82 runs for the first wicket. Talal Al Balushi chipped in with an unbeaten 21 off just 10 balls. Oneic, in reply, scored 133 for the loss of six wickets in 18 overs, after being docked an over for slow over rate, thanks to a top score of 53 not out from opening batsman Atif Jalali while skipper Kamal Haider made 32. Brief scores: Trust Oilfield Services 222 for 4 in 19 overs (Shahid Mehmood 75, Shamsudheen 51, Wajid Akram 43, Talal Al Balushi 21 n.o.) bt Oneic 133 for 6 in 18 overs (Atif Jalali 53 n.o., Kamal Haider 32; Shamsudheen 4/14). Points: Trust Oilfield Services -2 (5 games, 6 pts), Oneic – Nil (5 games, 1 pt).

Sayarti down Bank Muscat Sayarti recorded a three-wicket win against Bank Muscat in a H Division T20 match. Deciding to bat ﬁrst, Bank Muscat were restricted to 148 for the loss of seven wickets in 20 overs. Mony Subramony with 34 runs and Yousuf Abdul Al Balushi with 27 made major contributions. Achintha, Imtiaz Ahmed Shah and Ruwan Rupasinghe claimed two wickets apiece.

In reply, Sayarti achieved the target scoring 151 for the loss of seven wickets in 18.3 overs thanks to a well compiled 56 from Sunil Kumar. Opening the batting Ruwan Rupasinghe (24) and Achintha (21) made valuable contributions. Younis Murad, skipper Pratik Dalal and Benny Mathew claimed two wickets apiece. Brief scores: Bank Muscat 148 for 7 in 20 overs (Mony Subramony 34, Yousuf Abdul Al Balushi 27; Achintha 2/21, Imtiaz Ahmed 2/21 and Ruwan Rupasinghe 2/29) lost to Sayarti 151 for 7 in 18.3overs (Sunil Kumar 56, Ruwan Rupasinghe 24, Achintha 21; Younis Murad 2/27, Pratik Dalal 2/32 and Benny Mathew 2/35). Points: Sayarti - 2 (5 games, 8 pts), Bank Muscat - Nil (6 games, 6 pts).

Al Ansari beat RAHRC In an I Division T20 match, Al Ansari registered an easy sevenwicket win against RAHRC. Batting ﬁrst, RAHRC scored 160 for the loss of seven wickets in 20 overs with Sujith Ramesh top scoring with 68. Skipper Suresh Ramachandran chipped in with 36 runs. Ameet Sampat bagged two wickets. In reply, Al Anasri reached their target scoring 163 for the loss of three wickets in 14.2 overs thanks to a fabulous 82-run ﬁrst wicket partnership off just 5.3 overs between Sajid Tanwar (74 not out) and Sohail Khan (32). Brief scores: RAHRC 160 for 7 in 20 overs (Sujith Ramesh 68, Suresh Ramachandran 36; Ameet Sampat 2/40) lost to Al Ansari 163 for 3 in 14.2 overs (Sajid Tanwar 74 n.o., Sohail Khan 32). Points: Al Ansari - 2 (6 games, 4 pts), RAHRC - Nil (6 games, 5 pts).

Starcare win Starcare Hospital defeated Douglas OHI by 26 runs in a J Division T20 match. Opting to bat ﬁrst, a 10-man Starcare Hospital team were bowled out for 150 in 20 overs. Major contributions came from Sidhi V.S. (32), Meesam Ali (30) and opening batsman Jestin Augustin (28). Ramshela Prasad claimed three wickets while and skipper Viplav Kumar bagged two. In reply, Douglas OHI were bowled out for 124 in 18.5 overs. Viplav Kumar top scored with 31. Meesam Ali was the pick of the bowlers ending with ﬁgures of three for 28 in 3.5 overs. Brief scores: Starcare Hospital 150 in 20 overs (Sidhi V.S. 32, Meesam Ali 30, Jestin Augustin 28; Ramshela Prasad 3/25, Viplav Kumar 2/25) bt Douglas OHI 124 in 18.5 overs (Viplav Kumar 31; Meesam Ali 3/28). Points: Starcare Hospital - 2 (6 games, 10 pts), Douglas OHI - Nil (6 games, 6 pts).

Easy for NBO B In another J Division match, National Bank of Oman B (NBO B), aided by an unfinished opening partnership of 228 runs between Siddharth Oza (111 not out) and Homeshwar Ratre (99 not out), registered a 78-run win against ISC Kutch Wing. Electing to bat first, NBO B piled up 218 runs for no loss in 20 allotted overs. In reply, ISC Kutch Wing scored 150 for the loss of five wickets in 20 overs. Opening the batting Hardik Limbani scored 47, Suketu Limbani 26, Salim Mohammed 25 not out, Ahmed Mohammad 23 and skipper Ashish Jethwa 20. Siddharth Oza followed his batting performance with an equally good bowling feat ending with figures of three for 16 in four overs. Brief scores: NBO B 228 for 1 in 20 overs (Siddharth Oza 111 n.o., Homeshwar Ratre 99 n.o.) bt ISC Kutch Wing 150 for 5 in 20 overs (Hardik Limbani 47, Suketu Limbani 26, Salim Mohammed 25 n.o., Ahmed Mohammad 23, Ashish Jethwa 20; Siddharth Oza 3/16). Points: NBO B 2 points (5 games, 8 pts), ISC Kutch Wing - Nil (6 games, Nil).

H DIVISION: Sayarti pose for a group photo after their win against Bank Muscat. Trust Oilﬁeld stars, right photo, Wajid Jutt, Talal Al Aalushi, Shahid Jaan and Shamsudeen Irfan.

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Sultan Ahmed to lead Oman at ACC T20 Cup

ROARING FORM

off against Singapore on January 27. After a rest day, Oman will clash with Maldives on January 29 before completing their engagements with a match against Kuwait on January 30. Oman team: Sultan Ahmed (captain), Syed Aamir Kaleem, Shuaib Ismail Al Balushi, Syed Amir Ali, Rajeshkumar Ranpura, Jatinder Singh, Adnan Sulheri, Zeeshan Maqsood, Ajay Lalcheta, Sufyan Mahmood, Munis Ansari, Muhammad Nadeem, Aaqib Sulheri and Gayash Dias. Coach: Duleep Mendis. Manager: Jameel Zaidi. Physio: Jaganathan Premnath.

The tournament, scheduled to be held in Sharjah from January 25 to 30, IN FINE TOUCH: Aaqib Ilyas

serves as a qualifying

Aaqib Ilyas excels with bat on return to Muscat CT MUSCAT: Aaqib Ilyas, who returned to the Sultanate after his studies in the neighbouring UAE, made an immediate impact with the bat while turning up for Muscat CT in the Oman Cricket’s A Division League. In a recent match against Raha CT, Aaqib smashed a blistering 109 off 59 deliveries, a knock which was studded with eight sixes and 12 fours, winning man of the match accolades in Muscat CT’s comprehensive victory. Aaqib, younger brother of Oman national player Adnan FOOTBALL

Ilyas, started his cricketing career at Pakistan School Muscat playing in the inter-school tournaments conducted by Oman Cricket. Aaqib, who later moved to Dubai to further his studies at the Manipal University, continued his playing career with the university team. He also represented Danube Cricket Club in various tournaments in the UAE. On his return to Muscat, he has registered to represent Muscat CT in the ‘A’ Division in the current league tournament.

event for World Twenty20 Qualiﬁers to be hosted by in

SELECTED TO LEAD: A ﬁle photo of Sultan Ahmed. – ACC

Ireland in June

Times News Service MUSCAT: Wicketkeeper-batsman Sultan Ahmed has been selected as the captain of Oman cricket team that will take part in the ACC Twenty20 Cup to be organised in Sharjah later this month. The tournament is scheduled to be played at Al Dhaid Cricket Village and Sharjah Cricket Stadium from January 25 to 30. The winners of the tournament will book a berth in the World Twenty20 Qualiﬁer to be hosted by in Ireland in June and July this

year. They will be joining teams like Afghanistan, Hong Kong, Nepal and United Arab Emirates (UAE) in the Ireland Qualiﬁer. Besides Oman, the other teams who will be vying for the top honours in Sharjah will be Kuwait, Malaysia, Maldives, Saudi Arabia and Singapore with the matches to be played on round robin league format. The 15-member Oman team also includes a debutant in talented Aaqib Ilyas Sulheri and his brother Adnan Ilyas Sulheri, who is an experienced campaigner. The squad also includes two Omani talents Shuaib Ismail Al Balushi and Sufyan Mahmood. The members of the team are

ATT R AC T I V E P R I Z E S

Syed Aamir Kaleem, Syed Amir Ali, Rajeshkumar Ranpura, Jatinder Singh, Zeeshan Maqsood, Ajay Lalcheta, Munis Ansari, Muhammad Nadeem and Gayash Dias. The team is coached by Sri Lankan great Duleep Mendis, who also the Development Officer of Oman Cricket. Jameel Zaidi will be accompanying the team as manager while Jaganathan Premnath is the physio. First match against Saudi Oman are scheduled to launch their campaign with a match against Saudi Arabia on January 25 and the following day they will take on Malaysia. Duleep Mendis’ boys will square

Fixtures January 25: Malaysia vs Maldives at Al Dhaid; Oman vs Saudi Arabia at Sharjah; Kuwait vs Singapore at Sharjah. January 26: Kuwait vs Saudi Arabia at Al Dhaid; Maldives vs Singapore at Sharjah; Malaysia vs Oman at Sharjah. January 27: Oman vs Singapore at Al Dhaid; Kuwait vs Maldives at Sharjah; Malaysia vs Saudi Arabia at Sharjah. January 29: Maldives vs Oman at Sharjah; Saudi Arabia vs Singapore at Sharjah; Kuwait vs Malaysia at Sharjah. January 30: Maldives vs Saudi Arabia at Sharjah; Kuwait vs Oman at Sharjah; Malaysia vs Singapore at Sharjah.

ON LOAN

Schalke sign Man City’s Nastasic

Anelka ‘too old’ to join Algerian club ALGIERS: Controversial French striker Nicolas Anelka was on Monday refused permission to join an Algerian club on the grounds that he was too old. The 35-year-old former Arsenal, Chelsea, Juventus and Real Madrid star was on the verge of joining Nasr Athletique d’Hussein-Dey (NAHD). But the move was blocked by the Algerian Football Federation, Mahfoud Kerbadj, president of the Algerian professional football league, told APS news agency. “The rules concerning foreign players being allowed to play in the Algerian league are clear,” he said. “Only those aged under 27 and playing on the international level for their countries are allowed to sign up with our clubs.” Anelka has been training with NAHD and had hoped to sign an 18-month contract with what would have been his 13th club. The 69-capped forward’s most recent employers were Mumbai City in the Indian Super League. Last March he was ﬁred by English side West Bromwich Albion for “gross misconduct” after he made an alleged anti-Semitic gesture as a goal-scoring celebration. - AFP

BERLIN: Bundesliga club Schalke 04 have signed Manchester City defender Matija Nastasic on loan until the end of the season. “Matija Nastasic to the Royal Blues. Schalke get Serbia international on loan,” the club said on Twitter. The tall 21-year-old joined City as a teenager in 2012 on a ﬁve-year

GOOD DECISION: ISC Open Tennis Tournament Organising Committee members pictured during meeting ahead of the tournament. – Supplied photo

ISC to reward tennis tourney winners with cash awards MUSCAT: Winners and runnersup at the forthcoming ISC Open Junior Tennis Tournament will receive attractive prize-money, said the organisers, the Indian Social Club Muscat in a press release. The organising committee of the ISC-Muscat Pharmacy Open Junior Tennis Tournament, met on Monday to ﬁnalise arrangements and issued a statement in which they conﬁrmed that winners and runners-up at the ISC tournament will receive attractive cash prizes. The tournament, which has be-

come a regular feature of the tennis calendar in Muscat, will get underway on January 20. The tournament includes singles events for juniors in the under-10, under-12, under-14 and under-18 categories. A junior doubles event is also included this time, seeing the popularity of tennis and the successful tournaments that the Indian Social Club. The tournament is open to players of all nationalities, Omanis as well as expatriates residing in the Sultanate. Entry forms are available at the Indian Social Club

in Darsait as well as at the Oman Tennis Association in Bausher and all training centers. The deadline for submission of entries is set for 8.00 PM on January 15. For more information call the Indian Social Club in Darsait (Tel. 24701347/24797921) between 11.00 a.m. and 11.00 p.m. Muscat Pharmacy & Stores LLC, together with brands Pocari Sweat and Horlicks, are the main sponsors of the tournament, which is co-sponsored by Supa Sportsman LLC and Khimji Ramdas Watches Division.

deal but has been unable to force his way into Manuel Pellegrini’s side. Nastasic has made just one appearance for City this season, in the 3-0 Community Shield defeat by Arsenal in August. Schalke, who are ﬁfth in the Bundesliga, have conceded 21 goals in 17 league games compared to leaders Bayern Munich’s four. - Reuters

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Van Gaal defends methods after United defeat to Southampton United top EPL salary list

Van Gaal, whose side have taken six points from a possible 15, argued that Southampton had been ‘lucky’ to avenge their 2-1 loss to United in December FORCED TO DEFEND: Louis van Gaal

LONDON: Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal was forced to defend both his tactics and squad management following a disjointed 1-0 home defeat by Southampton in the English Premier League. Substitute Dusan Tadic’s 69th minute goal earned Southampton a first victory at Old Trafford since January 1988, which allowed Ronald Koeman’s side to climb above United to third place in the table. Victory was the visitors’ reward for a disciplined and intelligent display, but United misfired badly in attack, failing to muster a shot on target in a home league game for the first time since a 0-0 draw

with Arsenal in May 2009. On that occasion, the draw was enough to give United the league title, but Sunday’s defeat left them with 37 points from 21 games — the same amount as Van Gaal’s hapless predecessor David Moyes had mustered at this stage last season. Koeman suggested that United were having trouble adapting to Van Gaal’s preference for a threeman defence, opining that “they have difficulties to build up with three centre-backs”. But Van Gaal, whose side have taken six points from a possible 15, rejected the claim and argued that Southampton had been “lucky” to avenge their 2-1 loss to United

in December. Asked if United had struggled to bring the ball out of defence, he replied: “I don’t think so, because we were the dominating team. You have seen that today (Sunday). That for me is not any question.” Van Gaal also had to explain his decision to omit Radamel Falcao from his 18-man squad, having selected 19-year-old striker James Wilson ahead of the Colombia international. With Luke Shaw, Daley Blind and Angel di Maria playing after injury, Van Gaal said he needed defensive and midﬁeld cover on the bench and had plumped for Wilson over Falcao “because I know I

LONDON: Manchester United have the highest wage bill in the Premier League, according to ﬁgures released on Monday. United paid out a total £214.8 million ($324 million) on salaries in the 2013-14 season, while English champions Manchester City’s wage costs dropped last season to £205 million. Chelsea, currently top of the Premier League, paid £190.5 million, up eight per cent from £176 million, according to the club’s annual accounts which were lodged at Companies House this week.

want speed in attack”. In the end, Van Gaal threw Marouane Fellaini on as an auxiliary striker, but Juan Mata squandered late chances to equalise when he failed to convert a pair of excellent opportunities created by Blind. Koeman rebukes Tadic Falcao may get a recall at Queens Park Rangers next weekend, with

Arsenal are next in the pay league with a total wage bill of £166.4 million, while the scale of Southampton’s recent success is illustrated by the fact that their wage bill was a fraction of their topfour rivals. The latest figures available for 2012-13 show the Saints, currently third in the Premier League after beating United on Sunday, paid out just £47.1 million in salaries. Chelsea’s accounts confirm the club’s announcement in November that they made a £18.4 million profit last season. - AFP

Van Gaal revealing at the end of a spiky press conference that Robin van Persie had sustained an ankle injury. Southampton’s campaign appeared to have come off the rails following a run of four straight defeats in early December, but they have now won four of their last ﬁve matches, defeating Arsenal and United and drawing 1-1 at

home to leaders Chelsea. Seven of the 14 players who featured at Old Trafford were not even at the club last season and Koeman believes his side are acquiring the belief required to mount a sustained challenge for a Champions League place. “We know that we have a strong team and it was important in the end of December that we got a point against Chelsea and the three points against Arsenal,” said the former Netherlands international. “That’s always what you need if you are not a big club and you have to play against a big one that belief in the players, and not (being) afraid about the name, not afraid about the stadium. We have 11 clean sheets now (actually 10) in 21 games. “If we keep the spirit and we know what we have to do in our organisation, we can keep in front in the table.” Tadic was booked for whipping off his shirt after scoring with the game’s only shot on target following up after Graziano Pelle had hit the post and Koeman said that he would speak to the Serbian winger about the matter. “I don’t like that,” Koeman said. “Because it’s a yellow card and a stupid fault is your second (yellow card), and it’s a red card. “When it’s the last minute of the season and you have qualiﬁed for European football, then it’s no problem. But keep that shirt on.” - AFP

AT H L E T I C S

Powell tries new regime to win elusive gold medal KINGSTON: Jamaica’s Asafa Powell, who has struggled to produce form his best at major championships, believes a change in coach and a new approach to training will improve his fortunes. The sprinter who held the 100m world record between 2005 and 2008 before compatriot Usain Bolt lowered it to 9.58 seconds believes he can rediscover his form and improve his personal best time of 9.72 seconds. “Anything is possible. Justin Gatlin surprised me last year, he ran his personal best times of (9.77 and 19.68) at age 32,” said Powell, who ended 2014 as the fastest Jamaican with 9.87 seconds after serving a six-month drug suspension for using the banned stimulant Oxilofrine. “I think I’m capable of doing a lot more than most of the sprint-

ers out there. My best is yet to come, so it’s just to be patient,” said Powell who is eying gold at this year’s world championships in Beijing. “I feel a lot stronger, I’m a lot more focused and I think I’m smarter now, so I know what it takes to do it,” added the man who has run a world-record 84 times under 10 seconds. “It’s just to put myself out there and do what I’m supposed to do,” he added. Powell’s brother Donovan, a 100m quarterﬁnalist at the 1997 world championships, is backing his 32-year-old sibling to add gold to his two bronze medals from 2007 and 2009. “Nothing is impossible, 32 is the year you really get to put everything together,” he said. “We are doing different things.

OMAN EQUESTRIAN FEDERATION HOLDS MEETING The Oman Equestrian Federation (OEF) board members held their ﬁrst meeting of the year under the chairmanship of OEF chief Sayyid Mundhir Al Busaidy. During the meeting, the members discussed various issues concerning the development of equestrian sport in the Sultanate. In his remarks, Sayyid Mundhir lauded the members for their untiring efforts in organising and popularising the federation’s activities. — Supplied photo

He’s really working hard to achieve the 9.72 he ran a few years ago and I personally think if he keeps focused and remains healthy, he can do it,” he said. The ﬁfth fastest man in history is set to run three 60m indoors before bidding for the elusive 100m world title. “The main focus is the trials ﬁrst because that is like a world championships by itself and then the world championships in China,” said Powell, in reference to the glut of Jamaican sprinters with sub-10 credentials. They include Bolt, Yohan Blake, Nesta Carter, Kemar Bailey-Cole and Nickel Ashmeade. “I’m just trying to stay healthy, put in all the hard work and make sure that I stay focused and just win the gold (in Beijing),” Powell added. - Reuters FOOTBALL

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Women offer Fifa ‘good-faith’ proposal in World Cup turf war LONDON: Players at this year’s women’s World Cup, trying to settle a lawsuit against Fifa, will play on artificial turf as long as the final matches are on natural grass, their lawyer said on Monday. The proposal is the latest twist in a rolling dispute that picked up steam in August when players said a proposal to play the June6-July 5 tournament in Canada on artificial turf was discriminatory and violated human rights. “The battle over the use of plastic pitches at the women’s World Cup can easily and quickly come to a peaceful resolution,” attorney Hampton Dellinger said in a statement. “All Fifa and the Canadian Soccer Association need to do is accept the players’ feasible, affordable, and more than fair deal.” Fifa has previously said there were no plans to change the decision to play the tournament on artificial surfaces. The players, who filed a lawsuit against soccer’s governing body and the Canadian Soccer Association last year, are now proposing playing all but the semifinal, third-place and final matches on artificial turf. The proposal lays out how top quality grass fields could be prepared for and installed in each of the three stadiums hosting the

The proposal lays out how top quality grass fields could be prepared for and installed in each of the three stadiums

tournament’s final two rounds. According to the proposal, the plan is modelled on systems used successfully for previous men’s and women’s World Cups, and is approved by leading world experts on sports grass. The tournament’s final game will be played in Vancouver with Montreal and Edmonton hosting semifinals. The third-place game will also be in Edmonton. “The players continue to believe a women’s World Cup should not be singled out for field conditions men’s World Cups have never been subjected to,” the proposal said. “But this settlement offer represents a good-faith attempt at compromise.” - Reuters

SECTION

LIFE & STYLE

he latest campaign ad for Céline, the soughtafter French fashion label headed by Phoebe Philo, featuring a typically impenetrable Joan Didion. Shot by Juergen Teller, the literary lioness’s trademark giant shades are framed by her famous silver bob. She looks, in a word, badass. The internet went crazy for it when it appeared online last week. In no time, pretty much everyone was proclaiming their adoration for the writer, who celebrated her 80th birthday last month. LOVE magazine stopped reporting on Cara Delevingne’s latest activities for ﬁve minutes to publish a reading list of Didion’s books. The singer Lorde changed her Twitter avatar to the

campaign snap. And my entire Instagram feed became clogged with women (and a few men) reposting the image and celebrating this most unlikely pairing. But how unlikely is it? After all, for a certain slice of the population, Didion’s appeal lies not just in her incisive prose but also her timeless chic. She is the original “cool girl”. And Philo has previously hinted at her admiration for the writer. For Céline’s resort campaign late last year, she had the model Daria Werbowy recreate a 1968 Julian Wasser portrait of Didion staring out the window of her Corvette Stingray . So why the fuss? “Designers are subverting our expectations when it comes to advertising and they’re re-calibrat-

ing the vision of the kind of woman that we aspire to be,” suggests Laura Weir, Vogue’s fashion features editor. “Joan is an icon. She represents a shift in society that’s saying it’s not age that matters, it’s style that counts.” It might seem odd to celebrate a writer’s wardrobe instead of their work, and, at times, the fashion industry has been accused of lionising Didion because she conforms to an aesthetic ideal. But it seems foolish to suggest that one cannot appreciate both her output and her outﬁts. Besides, Didion began her career at a fashion magazine. After winning an essay contest in 1956 for which the prize was a job at Vogue, Didion rose from copywriter to features editor and published her ﬁrst book of essays, Slouching

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Towards Bethlehem, in 1968. Tom Wolfe was so impressed with her story about a murder in San Bernardino that he included it in The New Journalism. She has published five novels, a number of screenplays, one play, and more than a dozen collections of non-fiction writing, including her most famous work, 2005’s The Year of Magical Thinking, about her grief following the death of her husband of almost 40 years, the writer John Gregory Dunne. Now an octogenarian, Didion finds herself as much a part of the zeitgeist as ever. Last October, a trailer for a Joan Didion documentary, We Tell Ourselves Stories In Order To Live, debuted on the crowd-funding website Kickstarter. To be directed by her nephew, the writer

and actor Griffin Dunne, it opens with footage of Obama presenting Didion with the National Medal of Arts and Humanities in 2013. “I’m surprised she hadn’t already gotten this award,” the President says wryly. With an appeal for $80,000 to make the ﬁlm, Didion fans pledged $221,135. Laura Bailey, the model and writer, confesses to being “long obsessed with Joan”. Having contributed funds towards the making of the documentary, she was thrilled to receive a hand-written list from Didion of her all-time favourite books. “2015 reading list sorted,” she enthuses. what is so special about her? “Joan Didion simply makes me want to read more, write more, and not look back.” - Gillian Orr/The Independent

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EXTRA

orn in Shimane Prefecture in 1926, Mori graduated from Tokyo Women’s Christian University. She opened a clothing store, Hiyoshiya, in 1951. From the 1950s, Mori designed costumes for more than 200 movies, including “Kurutta Kaji-tsu” (“Crazed Fruit”) and “Taiyo no Kisetsu” (“Season of the Sun”). In 1996, she was awarded the Order of Culture. The Western-style dressmaking boom began right after World War II, with dressmaking schools springing up across the country. I began attending one of these schools so I could make clothes for myself and my children. My classmates were women who had lost their husbands in the war and were learning a trade to support themselves, and others who were “training” to become wives. We had spent the war wearing clothes like monpe work pants and were eager to put on something more beautiful. Only poor material was available, but we poured everything into making clothes. Even though the clothes produced by women were modest, they were infused with the anticipation of affluence, beauty and a wonderful future. My dream was to make clothes for large numbers of women. In 1951, I opened a Western clothing store in Tokyo’s Shinjuku district that I called Hiyoshiya. The store was on the second floor of a building and hard to spot, so I installed windows in the wall facing the street and placed U.S.-made mannequins there. For material, I bought goods released from the Occupation forces in places like Ameyayokocho in Tokyo. As soon as I placed a piece of pink or yellow clothing on a mannequin, someone would swoop in and buy it. I ran out of things to dress the mannequins in, so I wrapped them in the paper I used for wrapping the items on sale at my store. Clothes reflect the times. The miniskirt boom that started in the mid-1960s was an expression of the energy women had to break through old value systems. When Prime Minister Eisaku Sato visited the United States in 1969 to negotiate the return of Okinawa, I designed outfits for his wife, Hiroko, who accompanied him. When the 62-year-old Hiroko stepped out of the airplane’s door and waved to the crowd, her knees were visible. Someone in the Japanese Embassy in Washington had told me that in the United States, where miniskirts were hugely popular, long hemlines would stand out. So I spoke with the first lady, and she was excited to try something new. I created an ensemble of a coat and dress that stopped 5 centimeters (about two inches) above her knees. Opinions were mixed about Hiroko’s appearance. In letters to the editor in a newspaper, a man accused her, saying, “She should stick to being a Japanese wife,” while a woman praised her, saying, “The prime minister’s wife looked wonderful in a miniskirt.” I felt that the miniskirt fad was a symbol of how women were moving from a passive role to one in which they actively expressed their views. In the 1980s, suits with padded shoulders became popular. The Equal Employment Opportunity Law came into effect in 1986, and a suit became the symbol of the working woman. My father, who was a doctor, once told me: “If you’re going to work, become a doctor. Otherwise, be a housewife.”

How clothing reﬂected the changing status of women

That man’s daughter became a designer and in 1986, was the first woman to become a member of the Japan Association of Corporate Executives in its 40-year history. I have spent many years feeling women’s energy and transformation through clothing. What I have kept in mind was to make clothes that would not overly emphasize femininity but rather show the presence of women. It makes me happy to see female leaders appearing in various fields around the world. In Japan as well, the government is trying to help women prosper. But still, men need to change. I think it is important that we create a society in which both men and women have more choices. “One dollar blouse” — seeing these words in a famous New York department store shocked me on my first visit to the city in 1961. The store was designed so that the higher up in the store you went, the more luxurious the products were. On a basement sales floor I saw some Japanesemade cotton blouses. The price? $1 each. That showed me how cheap Japanese products were. This made me sad because I had made movie costumes for many famous Japanese actresses, and I had seen high-quality fabrics and traditional techniques all over the country. I decided I needed to show the world how great the fabrics and techniques of Japan were. But at the time, Japanese saw Americans as living modern lifestyles, with homes filled with appliances, and everyone wanted to catch up to the United States. Nobody was thinking about exporting luxury women’s clothing to the United States. The only person who would support me was my husband. In 1965, I showed my work in New York for the first time. I felt like I was carrying the Rising Sun on my shoulders. I sent invitations made from Japanese paper from Japan using stamps commemorating the Tokyo Olympics. I used handwoven Nishijin-ori fabric, indigo dye and other techniques to make clothes that expressed a traditional Japanese beauty. In 1977, I went to Paris and became a full member of La Chambre Syndicale de la Couture Parisienne. I was the first new member to the world of high-class, custom-made clothing in 10 years. At the time, there were few women, and I was the first Asian. A famous journalist critiqued me as making clothes that were “more French than those made by the French.” At first I took it as praise, but apparently it meant that I should look more closely at my roots and seek my own personal style. Working in the West made me highly aware of Japan. Seeking to know more, I traveled around the country examining fabrics used in kimono and obi sashes. I also took up the study of dyeing techniques again. Those experiences helped me establish a style that was my own. After the war, Japanese people had a great appetite for Western culture and information. Our lives became more affluent, and these trends were reflected in our fashion. I think that is a good thing, but I am skeptical about what has happened to Japan recently. People are flooded with information and controlled by it. To me, everyone looks like everyone else. People appear to have trouble expressing their own personal style. We have entered an age in which people and information flow freely across national borders. And precisely because of that, we should look closely at our roots. If we can do that, we can create a style that is truly ours. — Tokyo/Izumi Miyachi

T UESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015

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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

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 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

Mylanchi Monchulla Veedu – 2D (M) (PG) Family | Drama Cast : Asif Ali, Jayaram, Kanika 06:45 PM Automata – 2D (PG) Sci-Fi Cast : Antonio Banderas, Dylan 09:45 , 11:45 PM

SCREEN 3 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 | Adv | 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 | Drama Cast : Fahad Albutairi, Shadi Alfons, 04:45 , 07: 00 PM

SCREEN 1 Tevar (Action | Romance ) (PG12 ) Cast: Aamir Khan, Anushka Sharma , Sanjay Dutt 3.30, 6.30, 9.30 pm 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 (Adv | Com) (12+) Cast: Fahad Albutairi, Shadi Alfons 05:00, 07:00 PM Tevar (Action | Romance) (…) 07:00, 09:00, 11:15 PM Autómata (Sci-Fi | Thriller) (PG) Cast: Antonio Banderas 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 |

Seventh Son (3D/PG12) (Adve/) Cast: Ben Barnes, Julianne Moore, Jeff Bridges ; 09:45PM, 11:45PM Seventh Son (2D/PG12) (Adv) 02:30PM The Imitation Game (2D/12+) (Biography/Drama/Thriller) 01:30PM, 07:30PM Poker Night (2D/ PG12) (Act/Thriller) 12:30PM, 11:15PM Jack and the Cuckoo-Clock Heart (2D/PG) (Animation/Adv/Drama) 02:30PM Vice (2D/15+) (Act/Adventure/Sc-FI) 11:45AM, 11:30PM Zulu (2D/15+) (Crime/Thriller) 09:30PM From A to B (2D/12+) (Adv/Drama) 4:15PM, 06:15PM P.K. (2D/PG) (Hindi- Com)06:45PM Tevar (2D/PG12) (Hindi-Act) 11:30AM, 04:30PM, 08:15PM Mylanchi Monchulla Veedu (2D/ PG) (Family/Drama) 03:45PM

Seventh Son (Adventure/Fantasy) Cast: Jeff Bridges, Ben Barnes, Alicia Vikander Kit Harington 4.00, 8.00, 10.00 & 11.55 pm CP No: 2015/62 (PG 12 ) Autómata (Sci-Fi-/Thriller) Cast: Antonio Banderas, Birgitte Hjort, 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

SUDOKU

Only seven trumps, but 10 tricks are there

4 9 6

6 1 9

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

WITH LOVE

4 7

3 5 8 6 6 9 1 8 8 4 2 9 7 1 5 6 8 4 3 9 1 9 6 7 3

6 4 5 3 9 7 2 1 8 1 8 3 2 6 5 4 7 9 9 2 7 8 1 4 5 3 6

2 3 9 6 7 1 8 4 5 7 6 4 5 3 8 9 2 1 8 5 1 9 4 2 3 6 7

MARMADUKE

CROSSWORD

B I G NAT E

49 50 52 54 57 60 61 62 63 64 65

Mr. Perot Comrade Wall Street dread Tots Sidestep Lemon cooler Kilt-wearer’s refusal Operatic voice So-so mark Install a lawn Turn down

DOWN 1 Short swim 2 Make a hole in one 3 Esteem 4 Oriental 5 Latest news 6 Wray of “King Kong” 7 Layered cookie 8 Dough 9 Kind of story 10 Family docs 12 Noon, on a sundial 17 Derrick arm 19 Black-ink entry 21 Leaf of grass 22 Pine for 24 Depot (abbr.) 26 Fishing lures

27 29 31 35 37 40 42 44

Map collection Wine category Quiche base Prickly plant part Checked in Hurrah! Expired Time of the mammals 46 Skip stones

48 Okefenokee loc. 51 Camera’s eye 53 “Mona Lisa” crooner 54 Big burger 55 Keats opus 56 Lao-Tzu’s “way” 58 L. — Hubbard 59 Hear a case

BORN LOSER

Answer to previous puzzle

ACROSS 1 Be bold enough 5 Unexplained sighting 8 Chow mein additive 11 Mountaineer’s tool (2 wds.) 13 Golfer’s benchmark 14 Dinny’s rider 15 Coke rival 16 Salon offerings (2 wds.) 18 Ancient Phoenician port 20 Well output 21 Eight bits 23 ACLU concerns 25 Rum-soaked cake 28 Wanton looks 30 Summer in Cannes 32 Checkroom item 33 Battery size 34 Kan. neighbor 36 Turkish potentate 38 Prairie st. 39 Good for cacti 41 — -de-sac 43 “Ninotchka” name 45 Oklahoma town 47 Tattered cloth

MAYUKH KRISHNA

SMRITI VENKATESH SESHADRI

January 13, 2012

January 13, 2008

4 9 6 1 8 3 7 5 2 5 7 8 4 2 6 1 9 3 3 1 2 7 5 9 6 8 4

Previous puzzle Solution

SEBASTIAN Bach, a Canadian heavy metal singer, said, “So, it ended up being what you have there, seven songs brand new and 10 live songs, which is a good mix.” It is not often a good mix at the bridge table when 10 tricks are required and only seven trumps are held, especially when those trumps are divided 4-3. But if you try to ﬁnd 10 winners, maybe a successful line will be apparent. In this deal, South is in four spades. West leads the heart ace and continues with the heart king. What should declarer do? West would normally have held an eight-card suit for his four-heart opening, but he hoped to silence his opponents. North had too many points to pass and nothing better to do than double. If South had passed, the penalty would have been 500 for down two. But hoping that his partner had four-card spade support, he advanced with four spades. South ruffed the second heart, cashed his spade ace, and led a spade to dummy’s queen. West’s discard caused declarer to deliberate for a few moments. South eventually realised that he needed to take these 10 tricks: three clubs, two diamonds and ﬁve trumps. Declarer cashed dummy’s diamond ace-king and club kingqueen, then played a club to his ace. When East had to follow suit, South ruffed a club with dummy’s spade king and called for the heart nine. If East had ruffed high with his spade jack, declarer would have discarded; and when East threw his last diamond, South ruffed for his 10th trick via a coup en passant. — By Phillip Alder

DAIVIKA V. PAI

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

TUE S DAY, JAN UA RY 13, 2 015

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

BORN today, you have a mellow sort of approach to life, but this belies a rapid current of heightened emotions running just beneath your cool, calm exterior. You feel very strongly about almost everything, but you also feel strongly that others needn’t know what you feel at every turn. For this reason, you keep close tabs on what you are projecting to the world at large. You are keenly aware of how you ﬁt into the world and what your role is — and what it can be if it is allowed to develop and grow organically. You are also quite ambitious, and the combination of self-knowledge and professional desire is sure to take you very far, very quickly! You have a strong personality and the ability to take charge of a situation if and when you are required to do so. You will often grab the reins simply because your instincts tell you that you have what it takes to move things forward and increase the odds of success. Also born on this date are: Orlando Bloom, actor; Patrick Dempsey, actor; Trace Adkins, singer-songwriter; Julia LouisDreyfus, actress; Charles Nelson Reilly, actor; Robert Stack, actor; Penelope Ann Miller, actress; Sophie Tucker, singer and actress.

PRAYER TIMINGS

W E AT H E R

WORLD

Max 27 Min 19 Max -1 Min -6

Max 21 Min 7

Max 26 Min 19 Max -12 Min -18

Max 25 Min 18

Max 1 Min -1

Max 27 Min 14

Max 25 Min 12

Max 25 Min 10

Max 26 Min 16

Max 29 Min 12

[DEC. 22-JAN 19] Max 30 Min 20

Max 20 Min 10

Max 29 Min 23 Max 27 Min 23

—www.met.gov.om

GULF Abu Dhabi Doha Dubai Kuwait Manama Riyadh

21 20 24 15 17 14

18 12 11 9 14 2

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

12 15 2 9 3 17 29 2 11 8 29 31 14 10 32 29 11 -12

7 1 -3 4 -4 8 19 4 8 3 16 23 8 5 18 24 2 -13

FROM MUSCAT (RUWI)

TO MUSCAT (RUWI)

[JAN. 20-FEB. 18]

PISCES [Feb. 19-March 20] You’ll gravitate toward those who seem to maintain different opinions and views from your own. What is it that you have to learn?

ARIES [March 21-APRIL 19] You’re trying to cover up something that is likely to be public knowledge very soon anyway. Why not come clean now, and remain in control?

TAURUS [APRIL 20-MAY 20] You’re in a ﬁne position to broaden your horizons. You can also, if you choose, break a bad habit or two.

GEMINI [MAY 21-JUNE 20] That which holds the greatest sway over you is likely to release its grip for a time, granting you more freedom than you’re used to.

CANCER [JUNE 21-JULY 22] You seem to think that everything can be summed up in just a few words, but perhaps you’re oversimplifying.

LEO [JULY 23-AUG. 22] You may be angered by someone who thinks it’s acceptable to pass judgment on your hard work with a ﬂippant comment. Don’t get carried away.

VIRGO [AUG. 23-SEPT. 22] You’re likely to share more about yourself than you had anticipated — particularly if you continue along the same course.

LIBRA L [[SEPT. [S S 23-OCT. 22] You may be able to convince another that your way is the right way — but if you cannot, it’s no reason to give up. Keep trying!

SCORPIO S [[OCT. 23-NOV. 21] What you seek may be currently unavailable, but if you know where it comes from, you can be ready to take possession of it later on.

SAGITTARIUS S [[NOV. [N N 22-DEC. 21] You’re looking at a very serious situation in a way that doesn’t allow for any differences of opinion. This is a mistake.

5.39pm 6.51am

High tide Low tide

2:10am 9:12am

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

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:

TUESDAY

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’re feeling as though anything is possible, and so it is — but not for an inﬁnite amount of time. Get things done now!

Sunset Sunrise (Tomorrow) 1:43pm 7:22pm

SEA STATE: Moderate to rough over Musandam and Oman Sea coasts with maximum wave height between 2 to 3 metres and moderate along southeastern coast with maximum wave height 2.0 metres. HORIZONTAL VISIBILITY: Good over most of the Sultanate becoming poor during fog and dust rising. THE NEXT 48 HOURS OUTLOOK: Chances of low level clouds during late night to early morning over governorates of Al-Buraimi, Al-Dhahira and Al-Wusta.

Max

OMAN

AQUARIUS

12.20pm 3.24pm 5.45pm 6.59pm 5.31am

AIRLINES

Clear to partly cloudy skies over government of Musandam, the coastal area of Oman Sea and Al-Hajar mountains with chances of isolated rain. Chances of low level clouds or fog during late night to early morning over governorates of Al-Buraimi, Al-Dhahira, south Al-Sharqiya and Al-Wusta. Chances of dust rising over desert and open areas. EXPECTED WIND: Wind will be northwesterly slight to moderate occasionally fresh over most of the Sultanate while northeasterly light to moderate along southeastern coast.

CAPRICORN If it’s up to you, you’ll surely make things happen in ways that please the most people at once. You’re not in a selﬁsh mood.

Dhuhr Asr Maghrib Isha Fajr (Tomorrow)

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

WEDNESDAY FLT NO

ARRIVALS FROM

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

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RIYADH 0005 CAIRO 0005 JEDDAH 0005 KUWAIT 0010 BANGKOK 0015 BANGKOK 0015 KUALA LUMPUR 0055 DACCA-CHITTAGONG 0130 SALALAH 0150 LAHORE 0215 ISTANBUL-BAHRAIN 0300 DOHA 0345 DUBAI 0355 BAHRAIN 0405 ABU DHABI 0405 DUBAI 0415 ABU DHABI 0520 SALALAH 0630 RIYADH 0700 BAHRAIN 0700 DOHA 0710 KUWAIT 0715 DAMMAM 0725 JEDDAH 0730 DUBAI 0805 BOMBAY 0815 TEHRAN 0815 LONDON HEATHROW 0820 LAHORE 0830 LAHORE 0835 DUBAI 0850 SHARJAH 0915 HYDERABAD 0920 KHASAB 0930 COCHIN 0930 DELHI 0935 DUBAI 0940 ISLAM ABBAD 0940 MADRAS 0940 COCHIN 1010 DOHA 1010 ABU DHABI 1015 TRIVANDRUM 1020 TRIVANDRUM 1035 DUBAI 1110 KUALA LUMPUR 1115 DUQUM OMAN 1115 RAS AL KHAIMA 1120 DUBAI 1200 LUCKNOW 1210 CALICUT 1210 CHITTAGONG 1210 LAHORE 1215 SALALAH 1215 MUKHAIZNA 1330 DUBAI 1330 KARACHI 1355 KHASAB 1440 KHASAB 1440 SALALAH 1445 JAIPUR 1515 BAHRAIN 1530 ABU DHABI 1535 DUBAI 1555 TRIVANDRUM 1705 BOMBAY 1710 CALICUT 1720 DUBAI 1730 DELHI 1730 MUKHAIZNA 1730 BANGALORE 1740 HYDERABAD 1740 DOHA 1745 DOHA 1745 DUBAI 1800 BAHRAIN 1810 SHARJAH 1915 MADRAS 1920 MALPENSA 1930 DUBAI 1945 DUBAI 2030 SALALAH 2035 BANGALORE-HYDERABAD 2105 AMSTERDAM-DOHA 2120 DUBAI 2125 DELHI 2125 BOMBAY 2130 AMMAN 2135 COCHIN 2140 DUBAI 2145 MADRAS 2200 DOHA 2210 JAIPUR 2235 BAHRAIN 2240 LONDON HEATHROW-ABU DHABI 2240 ABU DHABI 2250 SALALAH 2305 AHMEDABAD-BOMBAY 2310 DOHA 2315 MUNICH 2320 ZURICH-DUBAI 2320 BOMBAY 2325 FRANKFURT-ABU DHABI 2330 BAHRAIN 2330 DUBAI 2335 FRANKFURT 2345 SALALAH 2345 ABU DHABI 2350 DAMMAM 2350 ZANZIBAR-DARESSLAM 2355 SALALAH 2355

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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

AI986 LX243 9W539 BA072 LH619 WY685 WY251 WY201 WY225 WY235 WY601 WY345 WY341 WY431 WY241 WY151 WY643 WY313 WY637 WY657 WY115 WY667 WY123 WY143 4H584 WY691 PK230 TK777 WY267 EK867 FZ042 QR1133 EY385 WY617 WY3921 GF561 WY903 WY603 WY273 WY215 WY325 WY291 NL769 FZ044 WY283 WY245 WY231 WY3301 G9115 WY815 WY203 WY905 WY605 WY253 WY717 EK863 EY383 WY655 IX554 IX442 QR1129 9W533 G9842 WY631 IX350 FZ038 PA451 WY101 WY663 WY413 WY3303 WY927 WY609 WY405 WY331 WY913 WY675 FZ046 WY613 WY623 QR1127 WY681 WY907 GF565 WY661 WY647 WY653 WY695 EK865 WY909 G9117 WY611 WY635 FZ048 WY825 WY915 AI978 FZ050 KL442 9W529 6.00E+82 AI908 AI974 QR1135 GF567 WY901 EY381 WY673

BOMBAY 0005 DUBAI-ZURICH 0020 BOMBAY 0025 ABU DHABI-LONDON HEATHROW 0025 ABU DHABI-FRANKFURT 0050 RIYADH 0105 MADRAS 0110 BOMBAY 0120 COCHIN 0125 HYDERABAD 0135 DUBAI 0150 ISLAM ABBAD 0150 LAHORE 0150 TEHRAN 0155 DELHI 0155 ZURICH 0155 KUWAIT 0200 CHITTAGONG 0205 ABU DHABI 0205 BAHRAIN 0205 FRANKFURT 0215 DOHA 0220 MUNICH-PARIS 0220 MALPENSA 0225 DACCA 0230 DAMMAM 0235 LAHORE 0315 BAHRAIN-ISTANBUL 0350 LUCKNOW 0355 DUBAI 0455 DUBAI 0510 DOHA 0520 ABU DHABI 0525 KHASAB 0630 DUQUM OMAN 0715 BAHRAIN 0745 SALALAH 0800 DUBAI 0800 JAIPUR 0815 TRIVANDRUM 0845 KARACHI 0920 CALICUT 0920 LAHORE 0930 DUBAI 0935 BANGALORE 0940 DELHI 0955 HYDERABAD 0955 MUKHAIZNA 1000 SHARJAH 1005 BANGKOK 1010 BOMBAY 1030 SALALAH 1030 DUBAI 1030 MADRAS 1040 ZANZIBAR-DARESSLAM 1045 DUBAI 1055 ABU DHABI 1105 BAHRAIN 1110 TRIVANDRUM 1110 COCHIN 1115 DOHA 1115 COCHIN 1135 RAS AL KHAIMA 1210 ABU DHABI 1225 CALICUT 1310 DUBAI 1315 LAHORE 1315 LONDON HEATHROW 1330 DOHA 1330 AMMAN 1330 MUKHAIZNA 1400 SALALAH 1415 DUBAI 1420 CAIRO 1430 KATHMANDU 1455 SALALAH 1630 JEDDAH 1630 DUBAI 1700 DUBAI 1700 DUBAI 1820 DOHA 1845 RIYADH 1845 SALALAH 1850 BAHRAIN 1855 DOHA 1900 KUWAIT 1900 BAHRAIN 1910 DAMMAM 1910 DUBAI 1915 SALALAH 1940 SHARJAH 2005 DUBAI 2025 ABU DHABI 2030 DUBAI 2040 KUALA LUMPUR 2110 SALALAH 2135 HYDERABAD-BANGALORE 2200 DUBAI 2225 DOHA-AMSTERDAM 2230 TRIVANDRUM 2240 BOMBAY 2245 MADRAS 2300 DELHI 2310 DOHA 2320 BAHRAIN 2325 SALALAH 2350 ABU DHABI 2350 JEDDAH 2350

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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

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T UE SDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015

C11

EXTRA

Music lessons spur emotional, behavioural growth in children

arents who have patiently sat through countless music recitals and questioned their sanity at encouraging all those trumpet or violin lessons need do so no longer. Even ear-splitting dissonance has an upside. Music training not only helps children develop ﬁne motor skills, but aids emotional and behavioural maturation as well, according to a new study, one of the largest to investigate the effects of playing an instrument on brain development. Using a database produced by

the National Institutes of Health Magnetic Resonance (MRI) Study of Normal Brain Development, researchers at the University of Vermont College of Medicine analysed the brain scans of 232 healthy children ages 6 to 18 speciﬁcally looking at brain development in children who play musical instruments in the UK. “What we found was the more a child trained on an instrument,” said James Hudziak, a professor of psychiatry at the University of Vermont and director of the Vermont Centre for Children, Youth and Families, “it accelerated cortical organisation

in attention skill, anxiety management and emotional control.” The cortex, or outer layer of brain, changes in thickness as a child grows and develops. Previously, Hudziak and colleagues Matthew Albaugh and Eileen Crehan found relationships between cortical thickening and thinning in various areas of the brain responsible for depression, aggression and attention problems. This research, announced last month in the Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, was different. “I wanted to look at positive things, what we believe beneﬁts

NEWS

Experts call for research to avoid dangers of artiﬁcial intelligence

HUNDREDS OF SCIENTISTS and technologists have signed an open letter calling for research into the problems of artiﬁcial intelligence in an attempt to combat the dangers of the technology. Signatories to the letter created by the Future of Life Institute including Elon Musk

and Stephen Hawking, who has warned that AI could be the end of humanity. Anyone can sign the letter, which now includes hundreds of signatures. It warns that “it is important to research how to reap its beneﬁts while avoiding potential pitfalls”. It says that “our AI systems must

do what we want them to do” and lays out research objectives that will “help maximise the societal benefit of AI”. That will be a project that involves not just scientists and technology experts, they warn. Because it involves society as well as AI, it will also require help from experts in “economics, law and philosophy to computer security, formal methods and, of course, various branches of AI itself” A document laying out those research priorities points out concerns about autonomous vehicles — which people are already “horrified” by — as well as machine ethics, autonomous weapons, privacy and professional ethics. Elon Musk has also repeatedly voiced concerns about artificial intelligence, describing it as “summoning the demon” and the “biggest existential threat there is”. The document is signed by many representatives from Google and artificial intelligence companies. -Andrew Griffin/The Independent

Music training not only helps children develop fine motor skills, but aids emotional and behavioural maturation as well

child development,” Hudziak said. “What I was surprised by was the emotional regulatory regions. Everyone in our culture knows if I lift 5-pound, 10-pound, 15-pound weights, my biceps will get bigger. The same is true for the brain. We shouldn’t be surprised we can train the brain.” Because the study’s participants were all mentally healthy children, Hudziak thinks the positive effect of music training on those who are not could be signiﬁcant. “A kid may still have ADHD,” he said. “It’s the storm around it that improves.” Inspired by his own research, and having never

learned to play an instrument, the 56-year-old Hudziak decided to take viola lessons last year. “I had this passion for health promotion in children, it seemed silly not to do it myself,” he said. Though music isn’t his only health-related extracurricular activity — Hudziak also engages in regular exercise and meditation — he believes the viola lessons contribute to his overall wellness. They have not, however, contributed much to his overall playing ability — at least not yet. The sanguine psychiatrist had just one word for his viola skills: “Horrible.” - Amy Ellis Nutt/The Washington Post

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TUE S DAY, JA N UA RY 13, 2 015

EXTRA GOLDEN GLOBES 2015

Kathy Bates heard screaming in pain at the Golden Globes AMERICAN HORROR Story: Freak Show actress Kathy Bates was apparently heard screaming out in agony after suffering an accident mid ceremony. Her cries were apparently heard moments before she lost out on the Best Supporting Actress in a TV Drama, Movie or Miniseries to Downton Abbey star Joanne Froggatt (the other Mrs Bates). The source of her pain? E! Online reports that someone stepped, rather heavily, on her foot.

Man passes out at table next to Jane Fonda AN AMBULANCE was called to the Golden Globes last night after a male attendee passed out at his table mid-ceremony. The Beverly Hills Police Department conﬁrmed that paramedics were alerted to an incident at the awards in Los Angeles, but were cancelled before they got there. The man was originally reported to be Jane Fonda’s boyfriend, Richard Perry. However, a spokesperson for the actress told the Hollywood Reporter that Perry remained in good health throughout the evening, and that the casualty was actually an unidentiﬁed man at a nearby table.

Prince’s appearance draws surprise reaction PRINCE MADE a surprise appearance at the 72nd Golden Globe Awards last night to a rapturous reception. As he walked onstage to present the award for Best Original Song he was met with cheers, whistling, and possibly the best facial expression from Allison Janney. Hands down the best-dressed man of the night, he strolled out to greet the audience in a shiny metallic suit and a diamond studded cane.

Chrissy Teigen laughs after her crying face goes viral WATCHING HER husband accept his Golden Globe was always going to be an emotional moment for Chrissy Teigen. But as the camera cut to John Legend’s proud wife, tears streaming down her face, the social media commentators went wild. Luckily Sports Illustrated star Chrissy saw the funny side, joking on her own Twitter account: ‘Sorry I don’t practice my cry face okay.’ - Agencies

Lorde, Amal Clooney make a Golden Globes statement In the midst of a Golden Globes red carpet that overﬂowed with ﬂoor-length gowns in shades of sunny yellow, dusty rose and robin’s-egg blue, two people stood out — a singer and a spouse

he vocalist Lorde wore a tuxedo. Begone sparkles, hand-sewn paillettes and buffed cleavage! And Amal Clooney, the human rights lawyer recently married to George, wore a black Dior gown, elbow-length white gloves and a “Je Suis Charlie” button on her clutch. Lorde’s custom black tuxedo was created by designer Narciso Rodriguez. The trousers ﬂowed loosely and the oversize blazer, with its strong shoulder, was open to reveal a cropped black top with a low — but not revealing — neckline. Seemingly a million carats of Neil Lane diamonds sparkled around her neck. And her dark hair was slicked back. She resembled her goth-loving self, only more glamorous and sleek. Mostly, she looked like an individual with a point of view, rather than a dress-up doll who chose a gown from Column A and a suite of jewels from Column B. The ensemble was sophisticated and grown-up. Some might argue that it was too mature for a woman who has yet to celebrate her 21st birthday. But it was re-

freshing to see a young woman willing to go on the record to deﬁne sex appeal and beauty in a way that did not involve revealing decolletage. In the past few weeks, several design houses have revealed advertising campaigns that have focused on older women — that is those who are over age 30. Julia Roberts stars in ads for Givenchy, and Joan Didion is the centerpiece of Celine’s marketing campaign. Fashion may not be reshaping itself to cater to a more mature demographic, but it is suggesting that there is a compelling conﬁdence to be found on that distant horizon. Lorde wore a look that aspires toward a kind of personal swagger that comes after wading through a decade or two of insecurity and self-criticism. She was an interesting counterpoint to the women on the red carpet who are more than twice her age and showing twice as much skin. Jennifer Lopez wore a Zuhair Murad gown that was a bit like a shiny-gray superhero-caped costume. The neckline plunged low and required a dancer’s perfect

posture, which Lopez possesses. She wore it well, but it also looked like a rather exhausting aesthetic choice. Jessica Chastain wore a bronze, starburst-pleated Versace gown that was essentially a frame to draw the eye directly to the curve of her breasts. So often, celebrity profiles are quick to point out that an of-a-certain-age actress has a great figure or a tight jawline. The message is that they should be applauded for being so well preserved — for still looking like the starlet they once were. Lorde’s choice suggests that clutching on to youth isn’t all that it is believed to be. Amal Clooney, whose appearance was anticipated as the arrival of a kind of fashion supernova, noted that she had styled her Dior gown to express her solidarity with the French. This was, of course, her husband’s night; he received a Cecil B. DeMille Award for lifetime achievement. And so her gesture was an awkward remark delivered in the midst of a brief flurry of light banter. She must have known that it would be virtually impossible

to say anything intelligent and thoughtful about the terror that has unfolded in France. Attempting to do so within the context of discussing couture is treacherous. But she risked it. And by taking that risk, it seemed that she was being herself. She was willing to make the jarring remark during an interview with E! Entertainment’s Ryan Seacrest. Many years ago, the late great Joan Rivers — queen of redcarpet interrogations — noted that she was once criticized for not asking more thoughtful questions of celebrities. Her response was essentially: Do you want me to ask some starlet about how she would promote world peace? Amal Clooney is no starlet. And as much as observers joke wryly about her education and accomplishments and how her gravitas far outweighs that of her husband, one can see the pressure on her to consistently up her fashion game, to dazzle and to entertain. On the Globes’ red carpet, she refused. Her remark may have made eyes roll. But she did not seem to care. -Robin Givhan/The Washington Post

A C C E P TA N C E S P E E C H

Maggie Gyllenhaal celebrates wealth of ‘actual women’ on TV MAGGIE GYLLENHAAL used her acceptance speech at this year’s Golden Globes to celebrate the wealth of “actual women” cast in roles on screen. The actress, who won for her performance in The Honourable Woman, praised the number of ‘complicated female roles’ on screen. The actress, who won for her performance in The Honourable Woman, paid tribute to the growing number of “complicated women” portrayed on TV. “I’ve noticed a lot of people talking about the wealth of roles for powerful women in television lately. And when I look around the room at these women who are in here and I think about the performances that I’ve watched this year, what I see actually are women are sometimes powerful and sometimes not; sometimes beautiful, sometimes not; sometimes honourable and sometimes not,” she said.

“And what I think is new is the wealth of roles for actual women in television and in film. That’s what I think is revolutionary, and evolutionary, and it’s what’s turning me on.” She went on to thank the “wonderfully complicated” women in her life, before rushing to finish her speech in time. “I gotta thank Hugo Blick who wrote, directed and produced every minute of The Honorable Woman, I share this with you. And to my husband who is a lover of complicated women. I could never have done this without you. Thank you,” she said. Gyllenhaal’s character herself on The Honorable Woman was all but honourable. In trying to do the right thing for her family, Gyllenhaal made many ethically questionable choices. The show turned the “Can women have it all?” question up to full throttle, becoming a show about deeply flawed love. -Agencies

W W W.T I M E S O F O M A N . C O M T U E S DAY, JA N UA RY 1 3, 2 0 1 5

SECTION

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

RENT

VACANCY

CARGO

T U E S D AY, JA N UA RY 1 3 , 2 0 1 5

DAILY GUIDE

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

FOR RENT

OFFICES FOR RENT - 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.

Contact: 97377355 / 95530121, Email id: aaleem@ggcoman.com

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 Five tower cranes with operators. (50 m height, 55m boom length and 2.5 tons lifting capacity at Jib). Please contact : ravin0225@gmail. com or call 96529679 Fully furnished rooms for rent for family. Contact 99251975, Al Khuwair Office space for rent in Ruwi, OMR 500. Contact 91120552 Flats in Muttrah near Oman House per ﬂat RO 230. Contact 92815855 / 95181077 Furnished room with attached bathroom for Executive bachelor behind Al Meera Hypermarket, Azaibah RO 150. Contact 99455735 Villa in Al Khuwair 33 close to Technical College with 3 bedrooms, 1 sitting room and shaded balcony. Directly from owner not for brokers. Contact 92814242 Flat, shops, basement, Ruwi-MBD Area, Honda Road. Contact 96942749, 92433127 Office space (3 BHK ﬂat – Ample space) located in prime area at 18th November street, Al Azaiba (nr. To Sultan Center). Contact 99261522 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

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 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

6 BHK commercial Villa in Ghobra. Contact 99792181

Office space with cassette type A/C’s with free internet at al Khuwair near KM Hypermarket. Contact 99460330

Spacious well maintained 2 BHK at Rex Road from 1st February. Contact 92227165

2 BHK available in Mumtaz area, Ruwi & Ghubra, nr Indian School. Contact 99269751

Flat for rent Ghubrah South, ground ﬂoor ﬂat, 3 bedrooms, majlis, family hall, RO 425/-. Contact 94669711

Family room available for rent at Muttrah Souq. Contact 24712088 / 99022790

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

Office space & store, CBD 20059. Contact 99024730 2 BHK, Al Khuwair. Contact 99024730

1 BHK bedroom ﬂat in Wadi Kabir neat Kuwaiti Mosque RO 200/-. Contact 95094028

2 BHK, CBD. Contact 99024730

2 BR deluxe ﬂats at Ghubrah and Ruwi. 2 BR furnished ﬂat at Ghubrah. Contact 99885391 / 99354010

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 BHK ﬂat in Mumtaz. Contact 99792181

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 1, 2, 3, BHK in Alkhuwair. Contact 99792181 2 BHK in Bowsher. Contact 99792181 1 & 2 BHK in Ruwi. Contact 99792181

2 Bedroom Spacious ﬂat for rent at Al Khuwair 25 for OMR 400/- per month . Contact: 99379988. 2 BHK available in Darsait, 1 B/R and hall, 2 B/R and hall. Contact 99357586, 97500025, 97884787 200 Sqr mtrs Showroom in CBD. Contact 99792181

Shop & ﬂats available. Contact-24813822 Rent, new ﬂat Wadi Adai, 2 big bedrooms, 1 big toilet, 1 big hall, 1 big kitchen. Contact 99345137 1 / 3 BHK Flat Ghobrah, close to ISG Way 4041, building 4390. Contact 99319880

1 & 2 BHK in Wataya. Contact 99792181

We have special villa in Bausher, Al Muna, 5 bedrooms, rent RO 800/-. Contact 99622885

100 & 180 Sqr mtrs office space in Al khuwair. Contact 99792181

1 BHK commercial, Darsait, RO 225/-. Contact 97799175

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 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

T U E S DAY, JA N UA RY 1 3, 2 0 1 5

DAILY GUIDE

FOR RENT

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

2 BHK ﬂats for rent behind Kims Hospital. Contact 93161573 / 97769759 Penthouse near Sultan Centre Al Amerat with 2 A/Cs. Contact 99612270

2 BHK in Seeb RO.200/Contact – 99455334

BHK ﬂats Muttrah near Oman House. Contact 97007934 / 92629232

2 BHK Commercial Al Khuwair, RO 375/-. Contact 97799175

2 BR, 2 toilets, kitchen at Al Mawaleh. Contact 99444786, 99747560

If require flats for rent in Wadi Kabir please send messages through Whatsapp or call – 99376454 3 office spaces available in RUWI FOR RENT 450 OMR & 500 OMR. 96986132 Villa, Al Ansab, 5 BHK, living room, split A/C, family only. RO 550/-. Contact 92479515 Luxury 2 bed room villa at BausherAL Ansab Phase 3.Call. 99324456 Flat in Ghala, opposite Zubair, 2 BHK, living room, split A/C, family only, RO 350/-. Contact 92479515 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 New bldg 3 BR flats located at Darsait, Muscat close to Kims Pvt Hospital. Contact 92020004 / 99800838 Villas & flats & stores. Contact 99776071 / 99057348 6 shops in Maabela Industrial Area. Each Shop OMR 400 Monthly. Tel: 99333479 or 95215360 Abu Adnan Tower - flat for rent available at Al Mabelah, 2 B/R, 1 hall, 2 toilets, 1 kitchen. Contact 95566475 / 99654252

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 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

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

Villa, ground ﬂoor in Al Khuwair. Contact 99743569, 97004265

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 2 BHK at Al Azaiba, Building No.5145 Way 4470. Contact 99224748, 99425665 2 BHK with A/C, commercial Al Khuwair. Contact 92144045 Flat one bedroom at Al Khuwair 33, owner. Contact 92800007

FOR SALE

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

FOR SALE

Apartments in Al Khuwair new area each apartment contains (2 bedrooms + living room) for RO 365. Contact 93181111

For rent shops and offices in Al Mabela. Contact 99355330 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

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

Industrial Land in Misfah. Contact 93009999

Studio ﬂat in Ruwi.Contact 99792181 300 SQR mtrs Labor camp or Store for Rent in Wadi Kabir. Contact 99792181

1 BHK with attached toilet & bathroom behind Bank Muscat at Wadi Kabir. Contact 99373290, 24815012

Restaurant about 250 SQM @ 5/- SQM, heart of Ruwi Market in Plaza Hotel for sale / rent. Contact 99326339 / 24833314 Shop for sale near ONTC bus stand Ruwi near Sun City Hotel on main road.Contact 99326339 / 24789801 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

Used furniture bedroom sofa dining A/Cs Majlis washing machine, table keyboard, Expat leaving. Contact 99353978 Dental clinic for sale in Sohar. Contact immediately 99705760,92625962 23,886 Sq Mtrs Agriculture land with water well in Al Salwa, Barka. OMR 260 Thousand. Tel: 99333479 or 95215360 Well running pharmacy. Contact no . 93240949

Building material shop for sale, near Mars Hypermarket, Al Ghoubra. Contact 93797343 / 99881647 Running establishment for sale, industrial license, marble & granite, aluminum workshop, fully equipped showroom. Serious buyers please contact 99334540 CONTD on pg 6

T U E S D AY, JA N UA RY 1 3, 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

URGENTLY REQUIRED

a leading construction requires

Chartered Accountant, 10+ yrs experience, B.Com, CA, CIA. Immediate availability. Audit, Finance. Contact 94641805

B.Tech Electrical Engineers with 5-10 yrs Gulf experience.

Indian male, 25 yrs, 3 yrs experience, Diploma in foreign & Indian accounting, Diploma in ﬁre & safety eng, looking for suitable position in Oman. Contact 96582370

Interested candidates who are willing to join immediately may send their CV to

hrdarabianmktg@gmail.com

Indian accountant with more than 30 years of experience in construction (financial / cost accounting) with experience in material management ,HR and general administration seek part time/full time assignment. Ready to work any where in Oman. Contact 98598099 Part time Accountant, up to finalization, looking for job after 5 pm (Location prefer – Qurum to Al Khoudh). Contact 92917574 Accountant B.Com & CIMA Part qualified, 8 yrs experience currently in Sri Lanka. Contact +94777222392 or 91126314

ADMIN Urgently required: Receptionist (Omani) - 01 no with 2-4 years experience Marketing Executive - 01 no; with 5 years experience (Location - Mawelah, Muscat) . PRO -02 no with min 10-15 years experience (Location - Muscat & Sohar). Interested candidates may send CV to infoduqumoil@gmail.com A leading foodstuff company requires the following : Office Coordinator – with experience in related fields, female. Interested candidates may send their resumes at jobs.om@outlook.com 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

ACCOUNT. & FINANCE Required experienced Accountant Tally, excellent English & driving license. Contact – omanlaw.om@gmail.com / 24497762 / 92192510 Accountant with 5 yrs experience for Oman / UAE. The candidate should be able to manage the Company’s A/C’s department independently and capable to handle / co-ordinate independently with internal and external auditors. Email : realconsco@gmail.com or fax 24210016 or contact 99273774 / 99202278 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. 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

ARCHITE. / INTERIOR Architect ( Autocad 3D / 3D Max / photoshop / presentation ) in a reputed office. Tel 24794481 fax 24794482 kamalismailconsultant@hotmail.com

DRIVER Heavy duty drivers with GCC HD Driving License. Send CV to jobs@prestigeprojectsoman.com. Call +968 92341826 Light duty driver with Marketing knowledge. Send CV to jobs@prestigeprojectsoman.com or call +968 92341826 Light duty driver for office work. Contact 92341826 Wanted driver. Contact 95112461

DRIVER

Female Accountant with 4 years experience in Oman seeking suitable placement. Contact 98721909

An excellent company seeking for experienced male Light Duty Driver to work in Salalah. Contact 92322588 / 99653350, email : sadiq.fm@omantel.net.om

ACCA, 24 yrs, female, looking for a suitable position, Accounting/ Finance in a reputed ﬁrm. Contact 91710657

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 Heavy duty drivers. English language needed. Email : yesterdaysun1@hotmail.com Needed 2 drivers, offering good salary. Contact 99441798

DOMESTIC HELP Need cutter for Tailoring shop. Contact 99825211 Required Housemaid for Indian family, Visa will be provided. Contact 94291473

EDUCATION Required Teacher for ISWK student studying in VII & III at Honda Road Ruwi. Contact 99471699

ENGINEERS Construction Company requires Civil Engineer with degree only with 10 yrs of local or GCC Experience. Email : omaniantrad@gmail.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 We are looking for :- 1) Firefighting equipment Engineer / Technician, 2) Marketing Executive, 3) Crane Maintenance Technician. Email : alsarooj@omantel.net.om 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

MECH/ TECHNICAL 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 2-3 years experienced electrical panel technician. Contact Mobile No:93838449/98987386

MEDICAL We are looking for an Optometrist for an Optical with minimum 3 yrs experience. Please contact 99340769 or email : aeooman@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

SALES / MARKETING

SALES / MARKETING Looking for outdoor salesman for heavy equipments. Contact- 93292015, 99656542 Required an experienced person who has ideas to start a new business in electrical ﬁeld or supply with minimum cost. Contact 99426421 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, 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 Highly reputed Perfume Company requires Omani Sales girl promoters. # 95663682, 92956876

TOUR / TRAVELS Urgently required Ticketing Agent for travel Agency in Muscat minimum one year experience. Contact 95417255

SIT. WANTED ACCOUNT. & FINANCE

Required (fast food restaurant), a part time marketing / Sales professional on commission basis – 5 Nos. in Muscat. Forward CV to fastfoodoman2014@gmail.com

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

A leading Company in Oman looking for – (1) Customer Care Service – male (1 no.), (2)Customer Care Service – female(1 no.), (3) Driver – (2 no.) Contact 97461515 / 99101733

26 hrs Indian Accountant with 2 years experience, B.Com, seeking suitable position, available immediately, contact No:9821 3292, e-mail: Indite2faraaz@gmail.com

Pentagon Oman a leading worldwide logistics company with over 40 offices worldwide offers a CAREER OPPORTUNITY for a Business Development Manager. A good standard of written and Oral English is a must. Candidates, preferably Omani – and with experience, are requested to email their CV to sukumara@pfsoman.com and pentagonoman@gmail.com

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

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 Required Salesman, Tailor, Barber. Contact 91114884 Leading Construction company requires young purchase assistant with Oman driving license. Contact 99108425

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 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 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 B.Com Graduate, 3 yrs experience in Accounts, Indian male, looking for accounts or suitable job. Contact afsarsabith@yahoo.com, 93975526 Part time Accountant with 15 yrs exp in Accounting, Auditing, Taxation Management. Contact 95857199 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 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 Accounts part time works upto finalization & finalization works. Contact 96247295 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

Indian female, 25 yrs, B.Com with computer Application, 1 yr experience as Accountant, looking for suitable job. Contact 98847165

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

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

Finance Manager, CPA, with more than 15 yrs. of experience in GCC. Fully knowledgeable in Finance, General & Management Accounting . NOC available. Contact 96209331

Accountant, 2 yrs experience (purchasing, coordinator) with D/L and NOC. Contact 94174403

Accountant / Auditor, Srilankan male 27, having 3+ yrs experience looking for suitable placement. Contact 93556320

Indian CA with 14 yrs exp. working as Head of Finance Oman for US MNC looking for job. Ph94047434 Indian Male, MBA 2 yrs experience in Accounts, Admin & HR on visit visa. Contact 92045306

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, 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. 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

ADMIN/HR 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 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 having NOC with 7 yrs Oman experience in recruitment / on boarding general admin. Immediate joining. Contact 96684424 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 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, Graduate expert in admin and purchase for 9 yrs holding Omani D/L looking for suitable job. Contact 99626821, NOC available. 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, MBA, HR 1 yr experience in India seeking suitable opportunity. Contact 99257214

ARCHI./ DRAUGHTSMAN ARCHITECT/DRAFTSMAN/SITE ENGINEER: Indian, Male.5 Years’ Experience; In Edu Trust, and Commercial Complexes. Currently in Oman In Visit Visa Cont. No.93957502 / 97899661 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

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 Driver seeking job. # 99805236

T U E S DAY, JA N UA RY 1 3, 2 0 1 5

DAILY GUIDE SITUATION WANTED DRIVER

TOUR / TRAVELS

ENGG. / TECHNICAL

Bangladeshi male driver, exp 12 yrs looking for job in any company & office. Contact 99165961

Telecommunication Engineer with 5 yrs experience in the Gulf. Contact 95219822

Civil Engineer B Tech, Site Engineer Experienced, Drafting on Visit Visa Ph : 91642050

Pakistani male light vehicle driver with 1.5 yrs experience. #98219599

Electrical Project Engineer, 4 yrs experience OHL, Substations, Oil & Gas ﬁeld, AutoCAD. D/L available. Contact 95120225

Sudanese Mechanical Engineer, 3 yrs experience as Sit Engineer, HVAC System, and driving license, easy to transfer immediately. Contact 91135140

MANAGER/ SUPERVISOR

B.E Civil 5 yrs exp (2 yrs in India) 2 yrs Oman & 1 year in Qatar. Salary expected RO.500/- above. # 94412557

MBA Graduate 10+ exp FMCG food serv. Sales channel/ Branch Manager. Contact - 99185205

Looking Part time Job in HVAC93198128

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

6 Years experience light duty driver. Contact – 96736744 Indian driver need job with car. Contact 91254539 Light vehicle driver available. Contact 96756014 / 97938893 Light driver looking for job. Contact 92791678

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, B.Tech 4 yrs MNC experience, installation commissioning & on-site repairs / maintenance of heavy mechanical equipment. Contact 93387867, mamgain9806@rediffmail.com B.E Production / Diploma Fabrication, 2 yrs experience valid PDO permit holder visa expiry on 26/01/2015. Contact 94270360, +91 9925140499, pankajrathod1985@gmail.com Mechanical Engineer, Indian male, seeking suitable job on visit visa. Contact 99796730, 92031312, email : pudsalamilup123@gmail.com Indian male, B.E. Electrical Engineer having 15 months experience in a leading Indian Company, seeking suitable placement. Now in Oman on visit visa. Contact 92453891, email : jestinjose007@gmail.com Civil Engineer (Pakistani) holding light and private light license of Oman. Contact 95980506 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. Contact 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, abhilileeeian89@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 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 Indian B.Tech Mechanical Engineer, 26 yrs, 4 yrs experience in HVAC/MEP. Contact 94669629, rajeevhpd15@yahoo.com 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 Land Surveyor 10 yrs experience on visit visa. Contact – 93522354 / sibivarun89@gmail.com Civil Engineer with 12 years Experience Looking For Job. Contact 98162295 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 BE Civil Engineer, 5 yrs experience. NOC available. Contact 98970233 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

Experienced female Electrical Engineer.Contact 93800906

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

INFORMATION TECH

Indian who has experience in independently managing business is the ﬁeld of maintenance, carpentry and interior works looking for suitable openings has been in Oman since 6 yrs valid Omani D/L. Contact 93284862 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

IT Professional, 7 yrs exp in System Administration, IT Support, Networking etc. currently on visit visa. Contact 94064579, email : preejes01@gmail.com

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 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 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

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.

IT Prof, MCA having 6+ yrs exp, seeks suitable position. Contact 94543668

B. Tech Civil Eng. 3 yrs exp in Oman with driving license. Contact 93733627. Mail id : joinvisam@gmail.com, neethusprakash@gmail.com

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. # 98936548, vaseemj@yahoo.com

Jordanian Engineer Electrical 7 yrs exp. Consulting, site & shop drawing works. Ready to join immediately. Worked in UAE & Saudi Arabia. Contact - 00971555594733

MISCELLANEOUS

BCA Gratuate, Indian male with 1yr of exp in System Admin, IT Support, Network Admin and 1yr exp as sales Executive.CCNA,MCSE .looking for suitable job. contact no +968-95938303 email- hafsalhs@gmail.com

B.Tech IT Professional, Indian Male with 3 yrs of Exp. In System Admin, IT Support, Networking, Installing Active Directory, DHCP, DNS,RAS, conﬁguring maintaining and managing servers, conﬁguring cisco routers, Exp in handling SQL database, With Valid Driving Licence. Contact - 968 98863507

Indian Male, IT Support Engineer, 2 yrs in Oman & 5 yrs Indian experience. Contact 97311847

IATA Certiﬁed experienced Indian Lady looking for job. Currently on visit. Contact 94613747, 91339846

MANAGER/ SUPERVISOR General Manager / working partner 20 years in Dubai adverting agency experience. Contact 93031168

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

MEDICAL Indian female Pharmacist, 28 yrs MOH license holder with 3 yrs experience seeking suitable placement. Contact 94037178

Graduate, Indian, having 6 yrs experience in Sales with D/L, NOC available. Contact 93410723

SALES / MARKETING Sales & Marketing Indian male MBA (marketing & sales) business development experience at all levels of management. Currently on visit visa. Contact – 91272819 Graduate, Indian, having 6 yrs experience in Sales with D/L, NOC available. Contact 93410723 MBA Finance, 6 yrs exp in Sales & Marketing with Omani Driving License seeks suitable placement. Contact 94685706 Sri Lankan Salesman cum driver with NOC. Contact 97265733 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 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, 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

Home nurse. Contact 99156191 Veterinary Doctor 4 years experience in Military Cattle farm, Pet Animals & butchery, looking for a suitable placement. Contact: 97892349 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, 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 Indian female Nurse, prometric passed, 64%. Contact 97916986, 96146016, 22068598

Indian male, 22 yrs, BBM Graduate looking for suitable job in sales/ marketing, currently on visit visa. Contact 91757222, email : danishdani460@gmail.com

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

TECHNICIAN MISCELLANEOUS Quality Assurance Officer, ISO Quality System Internal Auditor, BSc Graduate, female 27, with 4 years experience seeks suitable placement. Contact nipuni.d.silva@gmail.com Microbiologist & Quality Assurance Executive, BSc Graduate, female, 27 with 4 yrs experience in food industry looking for a suitable placement. Email : nipuni.d.silva@gmail.com Logistics Officer, Experience in Store keeping. Contact : 99505934

Indian male, Instrumentation Technician with 3 yrs Diploma & 1 yr exp in Maintenance Dept, seeks job. Call +971554275155 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

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 Indian, female, Pharmacist available with NOC and MOH License, preferably in Muscat. Contact 9439 1355. Male 28, seven & half an year experience. Worked as maintenance division co-ordinator, purchaser’s assistant, and office administration works. Valid driving license. 94454847 Mechanical Engineer with 10+ years experience currently on visit visa looking for a Operation Manager/Branch Manager position in reputed organizations. Contact : 95757845 Senior Accounts Professional, Indian Male, 35 years, M.Com, MBA (Fin) 8 years in Oman, with valid Oman DL and NOC available. Capable to handle accounts up to finalization. Contact 9602 3965. 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. Contact : 96328687. 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. Contact: 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 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.

T U E S D AY, JA N UA RY 1 3 , 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 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 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 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

MBA with 1 yr experience, Indian looking for job, salary 40000 INR. Contact 96271935 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 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 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 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 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 Indian Female, IATA, BSc looking for suitable placement. Contact 95514305. Email-jitureshmi@gmail.com

FOR SALE

Household items on sale. Contact 93833107 Running Workshop for Tiles / Marble & Granite cutting & skirting in Wadi Kabir for immediate sale. Contact 99105492 A newly opened Barber Shop for sale at upcoming industrial zone in Misfah. Expat leaving Oman. Genuine buyers call 93833107 (Sale Price Negotiable) 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 Port cabins – New & refurnished Porta cabin for sale and rent. Contact 96723468 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

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

SITUATION WANTSIT. WANTED ED 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 Indian Female, Graduate having good experience looking for suitable job. NOC available. Contact 91774397 22 Indian Female, BCA (MCA), 4 Years’ Experience in Teaching, Training & Management of Ofﬁce and Computer Applications, looking for suitable vacancy in the ﬁeld of Teaching/IT/Office Management Contact – 94540768, Email – paipreethi01@gmail.com 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

NRI

ACC.WANTED Single room or studio ﬂat required in Ruwi area. Contact : 95405033

ACC. AVAILABLE Furnished single room with separate bathroom near al meera hypermarket, azaiba. Gsm 94288863 Land for sale, 13.2 cents prime residential land near Perourkada Junction on Vattiyoorkavu Road, Trivandrum at 12L per cent. Contact 92973928

Single furnished room in Ruwi. Contact 24833609 Single room available for a working lady with separate bathroom & sharing kitchen with a family @ Rex Road. Contact 95423572 Flat sharing, big two rooms, independent bath near Al Falaj, semi furnished quiet area, small family, OMR 150, call 93218110

Furnished house for sale near Vattiyoorkavu, Thiruvananthapuram, 5 cents, 220 SQ Ft. Contact 96099215 / 99016230

MANPOWER

Single room for Executive bachelor near ISWK, Wadi Kabir. Contact 92739154

For Astrological consultation, Jathakam. Contact: 99860435 / 97102599 Villa for sale 2200 sq ft in 8 cent. Kottayam. Contact: 92652534

Sharing accommodation for family in Wadi Kabir. Contact 97167857

MATRIMONIAL

Sharing accommodation available at Mumtaz area, Ruwi. #97612335

Keralite girl, 26 (180), BSC Nurse at South America seeks suitable alliance. Contact 94413100, 98335340

Independent room furnished Executive at Wadi Kabir. Contact 99336206

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)

Furnished room in Wadi Kabir. Contact 94012930 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

BUSINESS

Room with A/C, furniture for expats at Al Khuwair. # 97004265 / 99689315 Room for Sri Lankan executive at AL Khuwair. Contact – 96536307 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

GOOD NEWS

Room with separate toilet and WiFi, Wadi Kabir near pencil building. Contact 93416854 Room with separate entrance & A/C in Al Khuwair near Rawasco for noncooking Indian Bachelor, rent RO 125/-. Contact 97201100, 95397442 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 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

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

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. Contact 99639695 / 99117987

AVAILABLE Established Restaurant for rent with sponsorship. Contact 97628242

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 Wanted dentist or investor to buy a well-running dental clinic in Sohar immediately. Contact 92625962, 95904234 We assist in new business set up local sponsorship, real estate services, assist in company formation services. Contact - 93166088

M.V.WANTED Required Nissan Tida / Toyota yaris / Suzuki swift / hyundai/Kia hatchback car in good condition. Contact 95405033

T U E S DAY, JA N UA RY 1 3, 2 0 1 5

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

M.V. FOR SALE

TRANSPORTATION Transportation. Contact 99542393 Transportation. Contact 93405941 Transportation. Contact 98178135 Transportation available. Contact 95570429 Pick & drop anytime in al Khuwair. Contact 99764307

FOR HIRE

TRUCK FOR HIRE Isuzu 10 ton cargo body truck (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. # 99839898

Tucson V-6, 2007, automatic RO 2500/-. Contact 99384640 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 Pajero 3.8 v6 full option, 2008 model expat driven single owner, excellent condition, accident free, 217k. Contact - 92590781 Lexus GS300, 2006. Contact 93218349 Mitusbishi ASX white colour, 1.5 yrs old, excellent condition, RO 5900/- ﬁnal. Contact 95278815

Prado 2012. Contact 99336093 Transportation. Contact 98505294 UM Aisha Trading Ladies Beauty Saloon, Al Wadi Kabir main road, Al Hassan Complex near top up supermarket. Contact 95241147/ 96700192 Hyundai Elantra white 2010 model full auto. Contact - 95212017

Transportation. Contact 91379976 Transportation with car & driver. (VIP’s only). Contact 95040768 Transportation. Contact 93425167 Pick & Drop any time. # 97014786

*Classiﬁed Advertisement space booking with text, should be done till 12.00 noon for next day’s publication. * Subject to space availability

Transportation. Contact 99664703 Transportation available 99159277 Transportation. Contact 96538078 Transportation Available Contact 97180655

T U E S D AY, JA N UA RY 1 3 , 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 Split & window AC servicing and repairing. Contact 99557080 Civil maintenance, electrical & plumbing work. # 99557080, 96236476 Building Caretaker, Gulf Experienced, knows Arabic, Hindi English Ph : 94304348

GUARANTEED CLEANING: Carpet & sofa shampooing, Contact 99314807/24792998 MARBLE CRYSTALLIZATION restore the original shine of your marble. # 24793614/ 99314807

Computer service/ AMC/ Networking. Contact 93552434 Pest Control Treatments!!! Termites! Cockroaches! Bedbugs! Ocean Centre LLC. #99344723

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 . # 91568362 Catering services We do industrial catering service, Canteen/ mess, 3 times packed meals, and all types of catering events. Contact 92188777/99249899 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

*Classiﬁed Advertisement space booking with text, should be done till 12.00 noon for next day’s publication. * Subject to space availability

For HT cable jointing and termination works 33KV/11KV. Contact 99056438 / Email: npgoman@gmail.com Painting Interlock plumbing maintenance. Contact 92142319

Waterprooﬁng, light weight Screed, Antitermite and MS Fabrication. Contact 92888337

Cheapest Prices, all types window, curtains and blind. Contact 99539521

Marble Restoration, Mosaic tiles polishing, carpet shampooing, maintenance. Contact ABU QABAS- 99320217 /24788722 Marble Restoration, Mosaic tiles polishing, carpet shampooing, maintenance. Contact ABU QABAS- 99320217 /24788722

GULF INTERNATIONAL LLC all kind of pest control. Contact 92326955 Window & split unit AC servicing & maintenance. Contact 96236476 For All Your Maintenance Solutions, A/c Servicing & Fixing, Painting, Cleaning, Electric. Contact 99002390 Carpet & sofa cleaning, house cleaning. Contact 99542979 / 98855815 For All Your Maintenance Solutions, A/c Servicing & Fixing, Painting, Cleaning, Electric. # 99002390

Door to Door Computers repair specialist laptop software Website cartridges. Contact 99199376

Water prooﬁng ABUQABASContact 99320217/24788722

A.M Trading Pest control. Contact 99067923

Window & split unit A/C servicing & maintenance. Contact 96236476

Split & window A/C servicing & maintenance. Contact 93769089

Civil Maintenance, Painting Electric, Plumbing, Decor, Tile Fixing, Lecithin Copra Board ﬂat stiﬂing , Carpet Cleaning and A/C Servicing. Contact 97897831 (Indian keralite)

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

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

House shifting transport. Contact 99657644, 98518013

LOST Akram Hossain has lost Bangladeshi Passport No. BA0149909. Finder please handover to ROP

CHANGE OF NAME We, Gurudath Narashiv Shenoy (name of father as per the passport, holder of Indian Passport No. K8458983) and Mamata Gurudath Shenoy (name of mother as per the passport, holder of Indian Passport No. G7948805) having permanent address in Loyala Msg Co-op Scty, bldg No 2- ﬂat 3, Ambaji, Fatorda – Goa (complete postal address in India) and presently residing at the following address in Ruwi, P.B. No 880, P.C. No 112, Sultanate of Oman, hereby solemnly affirm and declare to change the name of our child Miss Sumathi Shenoy (name as per present passport), holder of Indian Passport No. J1166928, date of issue 18/04/2010 issued at Muscat. The name of our child will be henceforth known as Sumati Gurudath Shenoy (new name) for all purposes. Any objection towards change of name of our minor child may please be communicated to Embassy of India, Muscat, Diplomatic Quarters, Al Khuwair, P.B.No 1727, Postal Code 112, Ruwi, Sultanate of Oman.

Upendra singh has lost Indian Passport No. G6752809. Finder please handover to ROP

CHANGE OF NAME I, Benedicta Jenitha Martin (holder of Indian Passport No. K2074684) daughter of Alban John Martin having permanent address in Kanchigara House, Pernal Post, SK 574116 (complete postal address in India) and presently residing in Al Khuwair, Way No 3928, House No. 2430 (complete postal address in Oman) intend to change my name from Benedicta Jenitha Martin (old name) to Jenitha Benedicta (given name) Martin Lasrado (surname) (new name) for all practical purposes. Any objection towards my name change may please be communicated to Embassy of India, Muscat, Diplomatic Quarters, Al Khuwair, P.B.No 1727, Postal Code 112, Ruwi, Sultanate of Oman.