Times of Oman - May 13, 2015

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WEDNESDAY, May 13, 2015 /24 Rajab 1436 AH

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C A M P D AV I D S U M M I T

R O YA L D E C R E E

Fahd arrives in Washington for US-GCC summit WASHINGTON: His Highness Sayyid Fahd bin Mahmoud Al Said, Deputy Prime Minister for the Council of Ministers, and his accompanying delegation arrived on a three-day visit to the United States on Tuesday.

On behalf of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said, Sayyid Fahd is leading the Sultanate’s delegation to the US-GCC Summit at Camp David scheduled for Thursday.

The summit is being organised on the invitation of US President Barack Obama.

An official welcome ceremony was accorded to Sayyid Fahd on

his arrival at Andrews Air Force Base in Washington. He was received by senior US officials and members of the Sultanate’s embassy in Washington.

The delegation accompanying Sayyid Fahd comprises Yousuf bin Alawi bin Abdullah, Minister Responsible for Foreign Affairs, Dr Ali bin Masoud Al Sunaidi, Minister of Commerce and Industry, Dr Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Futaisi, Minister of Transport and Communications, senior state officials and Hunaina bint Sultan Al Mughairiyah, Oman’s ambassador to the US. -ONA See also >A6

His Majesty appoints two advisors

GRAPPLING WITH CRISIS: Water shortage continues in many areas of Muscat and Sohar. –File photo

As parts of Muscat and Sohar continue to suffer amid the cut-off, some water merchants have hiked prices

reji@timesofoman.com fahadnews@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: Consumer protection officials have urged residents, whose water supply has been cut off for days, to register complaints against unscrupulous water suppliers.

“If we do not get complaints, how can we intervene? If somebody complains against the water suppliers, we will file a case and fine them,” said an official from the Public Authority for Consumer Protection (PACP).

“We are at the scene, but people need to speak up,” added the offi-

cial. As the water shortage continues in many areas in Muscat and Sohar, water tanker owners are charging exorbitantly, people told the Times of Oman.

Residents in Ghala said suppliers are asking for OMR150 for a tanker carrying 10,000 gallons of water, which was OMR90 just before the water crisis started.

“There are 225 flats in our building. We need around eight 10,000-gallon water tankers per day. Life is becoming horrible.

We do not know when this issue will be resolved,” said residents in Ghala. “Our building caretakers are running from pillar to post to obtain water at a reasonable price, but the suppliers are ex-

ploiting us,” said residents.

In Ghala, the water problem has been continuing for the past five weeks.

Residents in Sohar said that suppliers are asking for OMR40 for 400 gallons of water, when it was just OMR4 earlier.

“We have heard that in some areas, water supply is being restored slowly, but in other areas of the town people are still suffering. There are a few wells in some Omani houses and they have been kind enough to help us. For the past week, we have depended on them,” said residents in Sohar.

People in Barka have also been facing a similar situation for the past week. “We are getting a few litres of water from suppliers.

However, that is not enough, with restaurants being the worst affected,” said residents.

Meanwhile, as the water shortage continued in several areas, the Public Authority for Electricity and Water (PAEW) officials have recommended that people instal water tanks in their buildings to cope during an emergency. >A6 TOP THREE INSIDE STORIES

OMAN

Safety harnesses

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Installation of safety harnesses by the Muscat Municipality is underway on the Bausher – Amerat road. >A2

OMAN

Fund for power sector

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Investments of over OMR2 billion will be made in the power sector in Oman. >A5

Tributes pour in for scholar Sheikh Khalfan

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MUSCAT: His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said yesterday issued a Royal Decree No. 19/2015 appointing two advisors to the Minister of Heritage and Culture. Article (1) appoints Sayyid Faisal bin Hamoud bin Nasr Al Busaidi as Advisor to the Minister of Heritage and Culture with the Special Grade. Article (2) appoints Hassan bin Mohammed bin Ali Al Lawati as Advisor to the Minister of Heritage and Culture for Heritage Affairs with the Special Grade. Article (3) states that this Decree shall be published in the gazette and enforced on its day of issue.

Issued on May 12, 2015. -ONA

OFFICIAL HONOUR: His Highness Sayyid Fahd bin Mahmoud Al Said, Deputy Prime Minister for the Council of Ministers, being accorded a guard of honour on his arrival in Washington. -ONA

Water rip-off as price hike hits residents

REJIMON K FAHAD AL GHADANI

ISO 9001:2008 Certified Company

KILLER QUAKE

58 die in fresh quake

3

58 killed as a powerful quake and aftershocks shook Nepal & India. >A10

G OV E R N M E N T PA R D O N

Number of amnesty-seekers much lower than expected REJIMON K

reji@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: Even though thousands of illegal expatriates in Oman including absconders and migrant workers, have registered for the immigration amnesty, the number is far lower than what the embassies expected.

As the three-month-long amnesty enters its tenth day, around 3,000 workers from five Asian countries have registered with the Ministry of Manpower asking for amnesty.

The data on a new ministry website reveals that 3,148 mi-

3,000

workers from five Asian countries have registered with the Ministry of Manpower asking for amnesty

grant workers from India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, the Philippines and Bangladesh have registered with the ministry.

Broken down by country of origin, there are 1,243 Pakistanis, 859 Indians, 855 Bangladeshis, 100 Sri Lankans and 91 Filipinos.

“Uploading the data on the official website is a move to maintain

transparency. With the uploaded data, an employer will be able to check whether his employee who has absconded has registered himself with the ministry for amnesty or not. Moreover, the data will also make it easy for the ministry in functioning,” said an official from the Ministry of Manpower. >A6

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W EDN ESDAY, MAY 13, 2015 To ensure the safety of all road users, a diversion has been created by closing off the right lane heading to Bausher Muscat Municipality

OMAN

Oman Rail invites tenders for projects

ROYAL NAVY OF OMAN CELEBRATES ARRIVAL OF VESSEL

Royal Navy of Oman (RNO) on Tuesday celebrated the arrival of the vessel ‘A Seeb’ at the terminal of Said Bin Sultan Naval Base to join the RNO fleet. The ceremony was held at Said Bin Sultan Naval Base under the auspices of Mohammed bin Nasser Al Rasbi, Secretary-General of the Ministry of Defence. When the vessel docked, the chief guest got onboard and was briefed by the captain on its facilities. The ceremony was attended by Lt Gen Ahmed bin Harith Al Nabhani, Chief of Staff of the Sultan’s Armed Forces (SAF) and SAF, military and security units’ commanders, senior officers, and RNO personnel. - ONA

The purpose of this contract is to assign the scope of earth works, stations, depots, yards, facilities and utilities

ON THE TRACK: Oman Rail Company has opened bids.

under contractor for conventional civil infrastructure work project

Times News Service MUSCAT: Oman Rail has floated tenders for pre-qualification of engineering, procurement and construction contracting services for its rail projects from interested companies.

The purpose of this contract is to assign the scope of earth works, stations, depots, yards, facilities and utilities under contractor for conventional civil infrastructure work project (PQ-012-15).

For contractors interested in complex civil infrastructure works (PQ-016-15), the scope covers earth works, tunnels, bridges, structure track works and stations in addition to depots, yards,

facilities and utilities. The fee for participating is OMR300 and the applications have to be submitted

by June 1, 2015.

“All previously qualified bidders are automatically qualified only for the conventional segment (PQ012-15) provided they maintain the same JV structure,” said the announcement.

Last week, Abdul Rahman Al Hatmi, chief executive officer of Oman Rail, said that they were considering the financial bids of the companies that technically qualified for the first segment of Oman Rail project, which will connect the wilayats of Al Buraimi and Sohar. In a statement, he said that Oman Rail Company opened bids for the five companies that have technically qualified from among 18 bidders.

He hoped that segment 1 of the project (170 kilometres from Sohar to Al Buraimi, including a number of tunnels and bridges) would be awarded and implemented by the end of this year.

B AU S H E R –A M E R AT R OA D

C A P I TA L M A R K E T AU T H O R I T Y

Safety harnesses being installed

Course helps to hone skill of securities staff

Times News Service

MUSCAT: In an effort to enhance the skills of personnel employed in the securities companies, a training course for them kicked off here on Monday. This was the second such training course, organised in cooperation with the International Federation of Technical Analysts (IFTA) under the theme Technical Analysis.

MUSCAT: Installation of safety harnesses by the Muscat Municipality (MM) is under way on the Bausher-Amerat road.

Responding to criticism on social media by motorists about the frequent gridlock on the Bausher -Amerat road, the municipality explained on Twitter that traffic jams are happening because of the ongoing construction of the safety harnesses.

The municipality tweeted that it sympathised with road users about the traffic situation, but explained that the safety harness project was for people’s benefit.

“The safety project involves securing the rocks along the curvature of the mountainous roads to prevent them from falling on passing vehicles,” said the tweet.

Diversion created The municipality stated that transportation of materials, clean up, and installation of safety harnesses is causing traffic delays.

“To ensure the safety of all road users, a diversion has been created by closing off the right lane heading to Bausher,” it added. The project is expected to be completed in the second half of 2016.

Memorandum signed More than 18 employees from different securities companies are taking part at the three-day course. On the sidelines of the training course, Sheikh Abdullah bin Salim Al Salmi, Chairman of the Capital Market Authority

(CMA) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the International Federation of Technical Analysts (IFTA) related to organising some training courses for investment, technical analysis and risk management professionals.

Exchange of information Al Salmi pointed out that the memorandum of understanding will help in enhancing the joint cooperation and facilitate exchange of information and resources related to improving knowledge and skills of technical analysis professionals in stock markets. -ONA

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SEISMOLOGY CENTRE

Latest Nepal tremors not felt in Oman REJIMON K

reji@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: Oman’s seismology centre did not record the tremors from the earthquake that rattled Nepal, China, India, Afghanistan and Indonesia on Monday, said a scientist.

“Tremors from the current earthquake were not felt in Oman. The present earthquakes have happened in a tectonic plate which is different from Oman,” the scientist told the Times of Oman.

“However, the last minor earthquake which was recorded in Oman was on May 10. It happened in the sea near Sur and the magnitude was 1.2,” added the scientist.

On Monday morning, a second major earthquake struck Nepal just weeks after a magnitude 7.8 earthquake killed more than 8,000 people and injured a further 17,000. The epicentre of the earthquake was 11 miles from Kodari, a border crossing from Nepal to Tibet, 47 miles from the Nepalese capital of Kathmandu, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGC).

The USGC initially recorded it as a magnitude 7.4 earthquake, later revising the figure to magnitude 7.3. At least five, smaller aftershocks were recorded.

Northern India rattled Meanwhile, big tremors were felt across northern India, including Delhi, at about 12.35 p.m. K S Dhatwalia, Indian home ministry spokesperson, said that the country was hit by two near-simultaneous earthquakes with epicentres in Nepal and Afghanistan. In Delhi, buildings shook and office workers were evacuated. People rushed out of their homes and offices in cities like Gurgaon, near Delhi. The metro service in the capital was halted for a few minutes.

OMAN AIR

Flights to Nepal delayed Staff reporter MUSCAT: After Tuesday morning’s major earthquake which struck eastern Nepal, Oman Air has delayed its flights from and to the quake-hit country.

“Due to the earthquake in Nepal, Oman Air flights from and to Nepal will be delayed,” the airline tweeted on its official account.

During the last earthquake also, which claimed 8,000 lives two weeks ago, the airline had initially delayed and then stopped flights to Nepal.

The initial reports state that scores of people were killed and a large number of people were injured. The latest earthquake hit near the town of Namche Bazaar, near Mount Everest.

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

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W EDN ESDAY, MAY 13, 2015 Dream big, aspire high; unleash your talent; transform the talent into skills; hold tight to your values; and aim to leave a legacy behind.

Sheikh Khalfan Al Esry, Omani scholar

OMAN

Sheikh Khalfan leaves behind legacy of positive life lessons SCAN THIS QR CODE TO INSTANTLY LAUNCH

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A recognised motivational speaker, he had

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

a huge fan following among Omani youth

Times News Service MUSCAT: Tributes have come in from across Oman for the highly respected Oman scholar Sheikh Khalfan Al Esry, who breathed his last on Monday night after battling illness for over a year.

Family friend and former colleague Hussain Al Noumani said, “Sheikh Khalfan was a wonderful, well spoken and fantastic role model. He changed a lot of people’s perceptions of Islam and he was a wonderful torch bearer for Muslims all around the Middle East and Oman. This is a big loss

to Oman. May God grant him Jannah. Ameen.”

A recognised motivational speaker, he had a huge fan following among Omani youth.

Smina Al Mahrooqi said, “Omani youth lost their big brother but he left a vast wealth of positive life lessons and guidance to be followed. Sheikh Khalfan was one of a kind, a humble and positive human being. Sincere condoles to his family and friends and the Omani nation.”

The man who attracted packed audiences as he lectured at universities, colleges, institutions or es-

ROLE MODEL: Sheikh Khalfan changed a lot of people’s perceptions

about Islam and he was a wonderful torch bearer for Muslims all across the Middle East and Oman. -Times of Oman

tablishments, was a guide, teacher, friend, colleague and great support for a number of people.

Aziz Al Amri said, “Sheikh Khalfan was a very dear friend, an excellent colleague and a coach. We

worked together in PDO and even outside I sought his advice. He’ll be missed dearly”.

Nutayla Al Kindy explained, “When Sheikh Khalfan worked as the corporate HSE manager at

PDO, I was fortunate to work in the office next door - what impact did he have on me? Everything I am today. If only preachers would use his clever, catchy and the most warmest approach in coaching and mentoring our youth, Oman would have the greatest future ahead. No words can ever express this greatest lost- of a man who made a profound difference. May his soul rest in peace.”

Describing what happened as “surreal”, Karima Farid said, “He might be physically gone but Sheikh Khalfan’s memory is with us because he will remain in our minds and hearts forever. His quotes, hard work, and accomplishments to name a few should

be taught in schools and universities and we should absolutely tell his success stories for generations to come.”

Karima added, “I consider myself privileged because I met him many times but also I interviewed him more than once. He surely is an inspirational figure across Oman and has touched countless people across the globe. He is someone who made hundreds fall in love with Islam and believe. He was a motivator to positivity.”

Sheikh Khalfan was also a coach and facilitator on personal leadership and human development. He had extensive knowledge and experience in multicultural management and organisational behaviour. Sheikh Khalfan has greatly contributed towards supporting organisations and societies with several programme.

He was also a member of the State Council.

Ten inspirational quotes of Sheikh Khalfan Al Esry

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Muslims are considered as the agents of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) on earth.

And for a human being, life is very short. So, in this short span of time, he or she should do good deeds and add value to society. A Muslim should always toil for the progress of society he lives in.

Dream big, aspire high; unleash your talent; transform the talent into skills; hold tight to your values; and aim to leave a legacy behind.

Those who have achieved their dreams didn’t do it sitting in a comfort zone. They challenged the status quo.

I ask the youth to move from one mindset to another.

They need to move from the

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mindset of focusing on the problem to focusing on the solution. They also need to change from the mindset of slogans and emotions to the mindset of peaceful dialogue. They need to shift from being emotional to rational, move from being subjective to objective.

What I am suggesting to the youth is stop being a mere spectator. Instead, get into the playing field; just understand how difficult it is to play the game. Understand how difficult it is to run an organisation, understand the difficulty of having employable people and then you will know the issues and appreciate how complex it is.

I am more optimistic than ever that this country’s

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tomorrow is going to be better, not only from the community’s point of view but also from the economical, social and political point of view. I am more optimistic than ever that this country is going to shine as it moves to the next era. This is going to happen under the wise guidance of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said.

There is nothing like mission impossible. We need to have a short-term will, medium-term resolution and long-term plan.

I would like to see every successful Omani businessman and businesswoman to mentor 10 young Omanis.

Without mentoring we won’t move forward.

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QUOTES

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

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Follow the “Four Ds,” which are desire, decision, discipline and determination. If you don’t have a strong desire, you won’t be successful, and you must make a decision and be ready to pursue your vision and passion. Discipline is a matter of doing what you need to do when you need to it. Determination is to say failure is not an option.

Being productive and sincere in the job will be rewarded.

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2015-2016 PERIOD

Youth panel unveils plans MUSCAT: Values, community partnership and loyalty were in focus as National Youth Commission (NYC) on Monday unveiled its plans for 2015-2016.

Dr Hamad bin Hamoud Al Ghafri, NYC Chairman, unveiled the commission’s plan for the period 2015-2016 in conducting 13 programmes, namely the national programme to promote the val-

ues, citizenship and identity, national programme to strengthen community partnership, pledge and loyalty march, media visionrelated to awareness with regulations, legislations and laws, media vision to publicise the NYC functions and roles, the guide for the volunteer initiatives.

The plan was revealed at a press conference held at Grand

Hormuz Hotel. The NYC Chairman also reviewed the programmes and activities currently being implemented by the commission, such as Expo Milan, the awareness and introductory programmes of NYC objectives and its terms of reference and a strategies guide for the private sector support for youth programmes and projects. -ONA

W E D N E S DAY, MAY 1 3, 2 0 1 5 We have launched an effective capital investment programme to further enhance our existing network, in addition to developing new networks to cater to the economic development of the country Eng Omar Al Wahaibi, Nama Group Chief Executive Officer

OMR2b scheme to boost power sector in Oman Investments in power sector We have launched

Transmission 2014

an effective

106.5

2015

113.5

Distribution 2016

161.9

2017

2018

2019

in addition to

Revenues

122.8

99.8

104.6

821.1

210.2

227.1

286.7

Total

362.6 429.2

250.4

2013

449.6 364.3

developing new Source: Nama Group

932,208

207.8

319.4 574.2

Customer base

863,156

796.6

further enhance our existing network,

Performance (OMR millions)

capital investment programme to

(OMR millions)

324.3

2014

2,141.6

2013

2014

Total Investment in the the current and next years Graphics

networks, said Eng Omar Al Wahaibi Nama Group’s chief executive officer

STAFF REPORTER

MUSCAT: Investments of more than OMR2 billion will be made in the power sector in Oman over the course of five years to develop the network and cater to the needs of the growing economy.

The OMR2.14 billion investments are the long-term plans of the subsidiary companies of Nama Group, formerly known as the Electricity Holding Company, which holds the shares on behalf of the government in eleven companies engaged in the procurement, generation, transmission and distribution of electricity and related water services.

“We have launched an effective capital investment programme to further enhance our existing network, in addition to developing new networks to cater to the economic development of the country,” Eng Omar Al Wahaibi, Nama Group’s chief executive officer, said at the group’s first annual performance press conference on Tuesday. The group’s actual capital expenditure in 2014 was OMR362.6 million, while the budget allocated for the whole group in 2015 is OMR429.2 million, he said.

GCC power trading He added that OMR574.2 million, OMR449.6 million, OMR364.3 million and OMR324.3 million will be invested in 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019, respectively.

Al Wahaibi also said that there are plans for power transfer between the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.

“We have the GCC Interconnection Authority which, in case we have a problem, can supply power to us from other parts of the GCC, and hopefully this year, we will start trading some power between us, to (help) the countries that need it during summer or any other period,” the official told reporters after the event.

Privatisation Al Wahaibi also said that in order to further engage the private sector the Nama Group is fully privatising Dhofar Generation Company, one of its subsidiaries.

The group is also initiating a study to assess the readiness of the Muscat Electricity Distribution Company for privatisation, he noted.

Other subsidiaries of the group are Al Ghubrah Power and Desalination Company, Majan Electricity Company, Mazoon Electricity Company, Oman Electricity Transmission Company, Oman Power and Water Procurement Company in addition to Rural Areas Electricity Company, Wadi Al Jizzi Power Company, Dhofar Power Company and Utilities Centre for Competency Development.

Revenue Commenting on Nama Group’s performance in 2014, Al Wahaibi said in his speech that the group’s revenue increased to OMR821.1 million in 2014 from OMR769.9 in 2013. In 2014, its customer base increased by 8 per cent to 932,208 subscribers compared to 2013 and the electricity supplied

increased by 11 per cent to 25,121 GWh (gigawatt-hours). The staff strength of Nama Group as on December 31, 2014 is 2,828, with a 91 per cent Omanisation rate.

Distribution loss Al Wahaibi further said that member companies are doing their best to reduce the amount of distribution loss.

According to the 2014 data provided by Nama Group, the distribution loss in the main interconnected system was 10.3 per cent and 9.9 per cent in rural areas and the Dhofar Power Company.

Eng Ahmed Al Jahdhami, chief executive officer of Oman Power and Water Procurement Company, also provided an overview of the implemented and upcoming projects, which will help reduce power and water cuts and shortages.

Upcoming projects The 445 MW Salalah 2 Independent Power Project (IPP) will start operations in Q1 of 2018 and the 120 MW Musandam IPP will come on stream in Q4 of 2016, he said.

Ibri and Sohar IPPs, the recently tendered projects with a total capacity of 3,200 MW, are expected to start operations in 2018 and 2019 respectively, said Al Jahdhami.

According to him, the projects commissioning in 2015 are the Muscat City Desalination Plant and the ACWA Barka expansion.

In addition, the official said that the upcoming projects tenders include Barka Independent Water Project (IWP) for 2018, Sohar IWP for 2018, Sharqiyah IWP for 2019, Salalah IWP for 2019 and Duqm IWP for 2019.

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OMAN N C S I D ATA

21% decline in road accidents MUSCAT: Road accidents in Oman fell by 20.8 per cent in March, according to National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI) data based on Royal Oman Police (ROP) figures.

Deaths rate fell by 24.1 per cent and injuries by 68.8 per cent, according to latest preliminary statistics issued by NCSI. According to the data 1,275 in-

cidents were reported in the first three months of 2015, compared to 1,609 reported in the same period in 2014. In March 455 accidents were reported.

The number of deaths due to road accidents during the period from the beginning of the year until March 2015 stood at 161, a decline by 24.1 per cent compared with the same period last year,

which saw 212 deaths. The deaths included 107 Omanis; 84 males and 102 females. Fifty-four expats died in those incidents including 47 males and seven females.

A total of 773 people were injured in accidents in the first three months of 2015, a decrease of 68.8 per cent, compared to the same period in 2014 when 2,352 people were injured. -ONA

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W EDN ESDAY, MAY 13, 2015

OMAN

The Chedi Muscat is one of those iconic properties that you always hope to go back to someday Morton Johnston, general manager of The Chedi Muscat

NEW STINT

Johnston rejoins The Chedi Muscat as general manager

SAYYID FAHD LEADS OMAN’S DELEGATION TO THE USA

His Highness Sayyid Fahd bin Mahmoud Al Said, Deputy Prime Minister for the Council of Ministers and his accompanying delegation arrived on a three-day visit to the United States on Tuesday. On behalf of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said, Sayyid Fahd is leading the Sultanate’s delegation to the US-GCC Summit at Camp David, scheduled for Thursday. -ONA

Times News Service MUSCAT: After having served at The Chedi Muscat in 2004 and then honing his skills in Taiwan, Goa and Mumbai, Morton Johnston has returned to Oman as general manager of The Chedi Muscat.

A native of Ireland, Johnston earlier worked at The Chedi Muscat in 2004 as rooms division manager. He was part of the pioneering team and in 2006, after two years in his role, was promoted to executive assistant manager of the award-winning resort. In 2007, GHM tapped Johnston for his first general manager’s role, to run a sister property in Korea.

Johnston most recently worked at The Regent Taipei as general manager from 2013 to 2015 and from 2009 to 2011. In between these two stints in Taiwan, he honed his management skills with the upscale Indian hotel brand, The Leela, in Goa and Mumbai.

Rejoining GHM was a major factor in his decision to return, as was the appeal of a destination that proved especially durable.

“The Chedi Muscat is one of those iconic properties that you always hope to go back to someday,” said Johnston, adding, “That is as

Morton Johnston, general manager of The Chedi Muscat.

true for someone on staff as it is for a guest, and I feel fortunate for the opportunity to return.”

Big asset That someone with roots already established in Muscat is returning to run the hotel is a tremendous asset, according to York Brandes, GHM’s Vice-President president of operations and the long-time general manager of The Chedi Muscat.

“With Morton, we have the best of both worlds,” said Brandes.

O F F I C I A L PA R D O N

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Amnesty seekers

An official from the Bangladesh embassy said that around 15,000 have registered with them and they have forwarded 5,000 applications to the ministry.

“Finally, nearly 1,000 have got amnesty and they will be leaving Oman in the coming week,” said the official.

“The rest will be done in the coming days,” he added.

Last month, after the embassies were alerted verbally to be prepared for the amnesty, they began registrations.

“We were expecting a huge number. In the initial days, the numbers were high. Now, it has come down,” added the official.

Last month, Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi and Sri Lankan embassies all together were expecting around 50,000 undocumented, overstaying and absconding migrant workers who could make use of the amnesty.

“It seems migrant workers who are eligible to make use of the amnesty are not coming forward to make use of this opportunity,” said Shaji Sebastin, a Muscat-based Indian social worker.

“The same thing had happened during the last amnesty.

More than 20,000 had registered and only 15,000 made use of the opportunity. I wonder why migrant workers are putting themselves at risk by not making use of this opportunity,” asked Shaji.

‘No directive from India on remittance fee’ NRIs in Muscat have voiced their concern that if the government imposes GST on remittances, it will surely be a burden on them

REJIMON K

reji@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: So far, money exchange firms have not received any official communication from the Indian government to impose goods service tax (GST) on remittance fee, said a top official from a money exchange house in the region.

“We have not received any official communication to impose GST on remittance fee and neither have talks been held in this regard. The picture is still unclear. We do not think that the GST will be imposed,” said Adeeb Ahamed, chief executive officer of Lulu International exchange. He

was talking on the sidelines of a function organised as part of relocating its Ruwi Branch yesterday.

Money transfers Last October, the Indian government had brought money transfers from abroad also under the service tax net.

Recently, there were reports that when the Indian government rolls out the reformed goods and services tax (GST) by April 1 next year, the tax rates will be increased to 27.54 per cent from the current 12.36 per cent, up by 120 per cent, and the burden will be passed on to the customers.

The revised tax rates were recommended by the National Insti-

tute of Public Finance and Policy, an autonomous society set up as a result of a joint initiative of the Ministry of Finance and other government bodies.

Non-resident Indians in Muscat have voiced their concern that if the government imposes the new GST on remittances, it will surely be a burden on them.

27.54 per cent tax “Now, as per the current arrangement, we customers are not affected. But if the new GST is implemented and the government decides to impose the 27.54 per cent tax on remittances, we will be affected a lot. This will prompt people to look for other options and illegal money transfers may flourish,” said Sunil Kumar KK, an NRI businessman. “We have to wait and see whether the exchange houses will pass on the tax to their clients or not,” added Sunil Kumar.

Last December, the Indian Cabinet approved the reformed GST and at present, it has been tabled in the lower house of parliament.

WAT E R S H O R TA G E

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Instal water tanks: PAEW

In a notice on Tuesday, officials of the Public Authority for Electricity and Water (PAEW) urged people to instal water tanks depending on the number of members in the family, which can meet the needs for at least 48 hours in an emergency.

An official from the PAEW said that 75 per cent of the problem has been resolved and they are waiting for equipment from abroad to rectify the problem at the fourth distillate in the Sohar desalination plant.

“In Muscat, we are also working

on a huge plant which was supposed to be completed by 2014end. Due to some delays from the company side, it will now be completed only by 2015-end. When it is ready, the water problems in Muscat will be completely resolved,” added the official.

W E D N E S DAY, MAY 1 3, 2 0 1 5

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REGION

We are convinced there is no solution to Yemen’s problem except through a dialogue, which must be Yemeni Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, new UN envoy

Coalition air raids pound Sanaa Mauritanian diplomat Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, the new UN envoy to Yemen, arrives to jumpstart political talks as air raids kill 90 people on Monday

CAIRO/ADEN: Saudi-led coalition air strikes pounded the rebel-held Yemeni capital Sanaa on Tuesday just hours before a fiveday humanitarian ceasefire was set to begin.

Looking to prepare for the truce and jumpstart stalled political talks among Yemen’s civil war factions, the new UN envoy to the country arrived in Sanaa, saying fighting would not resolve a conflict that crosses ethnic and religious faultlines.

“We are convinced there is no solution to Yemen’s problem except through a dialogue, which must be Yemeni,” the envoy, Mauritanian diplomat Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, was quoted as say-

DEADLY ATTACK: An air strike hits a military site controlled by the Houthi group in Yemen’s capital Sanaa on Tuesday. – Reuters

ing by the local Saba news agency.

Seeking to restore exiled President Abdrabbo Mansour Hadi, an alliance of Gulf Arab nations has since March 26 been bombing the Houthi militia and allied army units that control much of Yemen.

Saudi-led air strikes on a rocket base in Sanaa on Monday killed 90 people and wounded 300, a local official was quoted as telling Saba.

N U C L E A R TA L K S

Tehran hopes for agreement before June-end deadline VIENNA: Tehran’s top nuclear negotiator said on Tuesday he hoped diplomacy resuming this week will yield results before a self-imposed deadline for a final deal to curtail Iran’s atomic programme expires at the end of June.

“We hope we can pull together an agreement before July 1,” Abbas Araqchi was quoted as saying

by Iran’s Mehr news agency as he met European officials in Vienna.

Diplomats are trying to fill gaps in an April 2 framework pact that would curb Iran’s nuclear programme, allaying Western fears it may be geared to developing an atomic bomb capability, in return for relief from international sanctions.

Iran, which denies seeking nuclear weapons, has said sanctions must be rescinded as soon as any final deal is signed. The United States wants a gradual lifting of restrictions - a big sticking point left unresolved so far.

Framework deal The framework deal did not spell out all details about the future of Iran’s atomic research and development programme, the exact scope of the UN atomic watchdog’s monitoring regime, and what kind of uranium stockpile Tehran will be allowed to keep.

VENUE OF TALKS: A security

guard walks on a balcony at the Palais Coburg Hotel in Vienna, on Tuesday, where Iran nuclear talks were held behind closed doors. – AFP

“We have to abide by the solutions and agreements that we reached in Lausanne, and we will only negotiate in that framework,” Araqchi said, referring to the interim deal between Iran and the United States, Russia, China, France, Britain and Germany.

This week’s diplomatic flurry sees European Union Political Director Helga Schmid meeting with Araqchi and Iranian diplomat Madjid Takht Ravanchi in Vienna.

Chief US negotiator Wendy Sherman is due to travel to Vienna on Wednesday to join the talks, while the other big powers send officials on Friday. — Reuters

If confirmed, the death toll would be among the highest in a single bombing incident throughout Yemen’s war. Sanaa residents said there were three air strikes on a base for army contingents aligned with the Houthis in the north of the capital on Tuesday, sending up a column of smoke.

The ceasefire will allow the shipment of food and medicine to

the blockaded country, which aid groups warn faces a humanitarian catastrophe. Iran says it will send a cargo ship full of aid to the Yemeni port of Hodaida, held by Houthi fighters. Iranian warships will escort the vessel, a naval commander was quoted as saying by state news agency IRNA. “The 34th fleet, which is currently in the Gulf of Aden, has

special responsibility to protect the Iranian humanitarian aid ship,” Admiral Hossein Azad said, referring to a destroyer and support vessel in international waters off Yemen. But the United States called on Iran to direct the cargo ship to a United Nations distribution hub in Djibouti.

“If the Iranians follow UN protocol, move the ship to a port in

Djibouti, allow the humanitarian cargo they claim is on the ship to be distributed through UN channels, then they will have done the right thing in this case,” Pentagon spokesman Colonel Steve Warren said. “Anything short of that would not be the right thing,” he said.

Saudi Foreign Minister Adel Al Jubeir was quoted as saying on Monday that the truce in Yemen may be extended if “(aid deliveries) succeeded and if the Houthis and their allies don’t engage in hostile activities”.

Adrian Edwards, a spokesman for UN refugee agency UNHCR, said planes were poised to take off from Dubai in the United Arab Emirates bearing 300 tonnes of sleeping mats, blankets and tent material. “The UNHCR is making final preparations for a huge airlift of humanitarian aid into Yemen’s Sanaa, to take place over the next days if today’s proposed ceasefire comes into effect and holds,” he told a briefing in Geneva.

As the ceasefire neared, witnesses said the Saudi-led alliance bombed Houthi positions in the southern port of Aden, where local armed groups were still fighting the rebels. Locals said four Aden residents were killed in Houthi shelling, while four anti-Houthi militiamen operating a tank were killed in an Arab air strike -- one of the first reported incidents of friendly fire since the campaign began. — Reuters

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W EDN ESDAY, MAY 13, 2015

INDIA Modi: NDA achieved more in 10 months than UPA’s 10 years Addressing party lawmakers at a

People feel even though Modiji looks different from others...people will have their own assessments....

But (I) can’t see much of a difference in the (two) Governments. Same partiality, corruption is there

meeting of BJP Parliamentary Party, the prime minister said nothing can stop the government from initiating development in the country, as it’s committed to taking the country to

UPBEAT: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, senior BJP leader L.K. Advani, M. Venkaiah Naidu and

K. N. Govindacharya Former BJP ideologue

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley at BJP parliamentary board meeting in New Delhi on Tuesday. - PTI

greater heights

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said the NDA government has more achievements to its credit in the last 10 months as compared to 10 years of Congress rule and asked party MPs to proudly highlight them before public on completion of one year of the government.

Addressing party MPs at a meeting of BJP Parliamentary Party, he said nothing can stop the government from initiating development in the country, as it is committed to serving humanity and taking the country to greater heights.

He said the fight is not against the Opposition but against those power-brokers who enjoyed the benefits of power and after being dejected are indulging in negative publicity of the government and party MPs should not be drawn into it.

Meanwhile, the party lauded

Modi’s efforts towards cooperative federalism and setting in motion a strategy for inclusive development and hoped it will succeed in fulfilling promises made to the people.

Unanimous resolution As it prepares to highlight government’s achievements during the anniversary celebrations from May 26 to 31, the BJP Parliamentary Party, in a unanimous resolution passed at its meeting chaired

by Modi, backed initiatives to ensure social security for poor and vulnerable sections of society and provide transparent and accountable governance.

“The BJP Parliamentary Party has commended Prime Minister Narendra Modi for arresting the drift in governance by infusing the much desired sense of purpose and for improvising the governance architecture through cooperative federalism, for providing transparent and accountable governance and for enhancing the country’s

standing and image among the international community,” the resolution moved by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said.

“Prime Minister Narendra Modi told party MPs that during the celebrations on completion of one year of NDA government, MPs should highlight the initiatives taken by the government in each of their constituencies,” Union minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said after the meeting.

Union ministers, MPs and party functionaries will go to various parts of the country to tell people about the welfare measures taken for underprivileged sections and farmers as part of a week-long ‘Jan Kalyan Parv’ from May 26 to 31.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu said while BJP was pursuing “politics of development” some sections of the political class are keen to promote the “politics of poverty”.

“For their own reasons, they want the people of our country to

remain poor. We will not let this happen,” he said.

Meanwhile, BJP’s former ideologue K. N. Govindacharya on Tuesday questioned the policies of the Modi Government, saying that he saw the “same partial” and “corrupt” dispensation like that during the previous UPA rule.

Govindacharya, founder of outfit Rashtriya Swabhiman Andolan, also said that the prime minister has to come up with “Made for India” policies.

Internal differences “The government has completed a year. But at this moment, we can’t see a ground to list their achievements, which is a matter of concern. On one hand, it is directionless (on policy issues) while on the other there are internal differences amongst ministries.

“People feel even though Modiji looks different from others...people will have their own assessments....But (I) can’t see much of

a difference in the (two) Governments. Same partiality, corruption is there,” he told reporters.

On the government’s policies over land acquisition bill and concepts of Smart Cities and Make in India, he cautioned the Prime Minister against his advisors in these matters.

“I don’t know who are the advisors of Narendra Modi... who unnecessarily (have) brought into his head this type of a problem of Land Acquisition bill in which the basic norms could not be followed.

“Therefore, I think, that a clever person like Narendra Modi...I think he should beware of his advisors,” he said.

Govindacharya advised the government to properly supplement the “Make in India” concept with “Make for India” and “Made by India” policies.

“Otherwise, it will just be a signboard that ‘India on Sale’, which won’t do any good to people of Bharat,” he said. - PTI

CRICKET DIPLOMACY

PM seeks to improve relations with Pakistan via cricket NEW DELHI: Despite apprehensions raised by some BJP MPs about a proposed IndiaPakistan cricket series, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is determined to break the ice with the neighbouring country through “cricket diplomacy”, informed sources here said.

“We have taken the decision to start a cricket series between both countries to improve our relations,” said Modi on Tuesday during a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) parliamentary party meeting, a BJP MP who was present said on the condition of anonymity.

Soon after a resolution was adopted appreciating initiatives taken by the Modi government during its first year in office, Modi said some of the members have expressed concern against the series and that is why he was “clearing the air”, said the source.

Raised apprehension Party lawmaker R.K. Singh, a former union home secretary, had raised apprehension over the issue in the Lok Sabha on Monday.

Cricketer-turned-BJP MP Kirti Azad had also opposed the move.

According to the source, Modi also asked the MPs to present a report to the people on a year’s progress and works undertaken by the government in their respective constituencies.

The initiatives will help in ensuring social security of the poor and vulnerable sections of the society, he said.

The parliamentary party also commended Modi for his achievements during the past one year in office and a resolution was passed in this regard, the source said. - IANS

G R U E S O M E AT TA C K

Five farm labourers hacked to death in Karnataka BENGALURU: In a gruesome attack, five labourers from Tamil Nadu were brutally hacked to death by some workers at a farm at Harale village in Chamarajna-

gar district of Karnataka.

The victims, including two women and a 11-year-old girl and the labour contractor, were killed in the wee hours while they were

sleeping in their makeshift tents by some among the workers employed in the field, Chamarajnagar District Superintendent of Police Rangaswamy Naik said. - PTI

A10

W EDN ESDAY, MAY 13, 2015

KILLER EARTHQUAKE Fresh quake kills 58 in Nepal, India The earthquake was centred 76km east of the capital Kathmandu in a hilly area close to the border with Tibet, according to coordinates provided by the US Geological Survey

NATURE’S FURY ONCE AGAIN: A man stands on the debris of

collapsed houses after a fresh 7.3-magnitude earthquake struck Nepal, in Sankhu on Tuesday. - Reuters

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SANGACHOWK/ NEW DELHI: A 7.3 magnitude earthquake killed at least 41 people and spread panic in Nepal on Tuesday, bringing down buildings already weakened by a devastating tremor less than three weeks ago and unleashing landslides in Himalayan valleys near Mount Everest.

Most of the reported fatalities were in villages and towns east of Kathmandu, only just beginning to pick up the pieces after the April 25 quake that left more than 8,000 people dead.

The new earthquake was centred 76km east of the capital in a hilly area close to the border with Tibet, according to coordinates provided by the US Geological Survey. Villagers who watched their homes collapse said they only survived because they were already living in tents.

Aid workers reported serious damage to some villages in the worst affected Charikot area and said some people were still trapped under rubble. Witnesses said rocks and mud came crashing down remote hillsides lined

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

with roads and small hamlets.

“We still don’t have a clear view of the scale of the problem,” said Dan Sermand, emergency coordinator at Medecins Sans Frontieres, which surveyed the area by air and saw multiple landslides.

In the town of Sangachowk, residents were outside receiving government food aid when the quake struck.

“It was really lucky. If we were inside, it would have been a lot worse,” said Purushottam Acharya, 38. A family sat on the edge of road where their house had just fallen down the hill, rubble spread over hundreds of feet below.

“We watched it go down slowly, slowly,” said Ashok Parajuli. 30.

In Charikot, where at least 20 bodies were recovered, hotel owner Top Thapa said the quake was at least as strong as last month. “We saw houses falling, collapsing along the ridge,” said Thapa, owner of Charikot Panorama Resort.

He said he saw five or six multistorey buildings come down.

Politicians dashed for the exit of Nepal’s parliament building and office towers swayed as far away as New Delhi.

The tremors that began at around 12.30pm could be felt in Bangladesh and were followed by a series of powerful aftershocks.

The earthquake epicentred in Nepal sent strong tremors through several eastern and northern parts of India on Tuesday, leaving 17 dead, including 16 in Bihar, and causing panic.

Bihar once again bore the brunt of the temblor that occurred less than three weeks after the monster quake that devastated Nepal, with 38 of the 39 injuries reported from the state.

Union Home Ministry sources said Bihar’s capital Patna accounted for the largest number of four deaths, followed by Darbhanga and Saran (two each), besides Siwan, Nawada,Samastipur, Muzaffarpur, Sitamarhi, Madhepura, Motihari and Purnia recording one death each. Another death was reported from Uttar Pradesh. The April 25 earthquake had left 58 dead in Bihar, the largest in the country. - Agencies

W E D N E S DAY, MAY 1 3, 2 0 1 5

A1 1

PAKISTAN INFRASTRUCTURE

ADB approves $6billion loan for projects KARACHI: The Asian Development Bank on Tuesday approved a $6 billion loan to help build up Pakistan’s dilapidated power network and other key infrastructure, Islamabad said.

Among the projects to be financed by the ADB are a 660-megawatt coal-fired power plant in southern Pakistan, while funds will also be allocated for projects related to health, education and highway construction.

Electricity crisis “(The ADB) agreed to finance US$6 billion for the next five years in Pakistan,” an economic affairs ministry statement said, adding that the funds would help Pakistan tackle a long-running electricity crisis.

Along with the 660-megawatt plant, the funds will be used for several hydroelectric dams that will each generate between 100 and 300 megawatts. — AFP

Sharif promises Ghani help in hunting down militants The Pakistani prime minister was speaking during a joint appearance with the Afghan president, who has made improving ties with

KABUL/ISLAMABAD: Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif promised on Tuesday to help Afghanistan’s government hunt down militants, saying on a visit to

JUSTICE: An ambulance believed to transport the body of a con-

victed activist, leaves the Mach jail following his execution in the Mach area, in Balochistan province on Tuesday. — AFP

MQM political activist hanged for murder

Exiled in London In the video he said the party chief Altaf Hussain -- who has been in self-imposed exile in London since 1992 -- had ordered him to carry out the murder.

“Altaf Hussain directed us through Babar Ghauri (a senior party leader) that the KESC (Karachi Electric Supply Company) MD has to be killed,” Mirza had said in the video, which was leaked to dozens of news channels. It was not clear who shot or leaked the video.

Latest blow Altaf strongly denied Mirza’s allegations in comments broadcast by all major TV channels.

The confessional video statement was the latest blow to MQM, whose headquarters were raided by paramilitary forces in March on an intelligence tip-off

with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, during a press conference at the Presidential Palace in Kabul on Tuesday. — AFP

Pakistan a priority

CONTROVERSY

QUETTA: Pakistan on Tuesday hanged a political activist convicted of murder, whose execution was delayed after he claimed in a video that his party chief had ordered him to carry out the killing.

Saulat Mirza was in 1999 sentenced to death for the murder of the then managing director of the city’s state-owned electricity company two years earlier.

“Saulat Mirza was hanged at 4:30 am early morning today (2330 GMT Monday),” Sikandar Kakar, a senior official at Mach jail in southwestern Balochistan province where Mirza was imprisoned, told AFP. “A doctor examined his health just before the execution and declared him fully fit,” Kakar said, adding that the convict apologised to all jail inmates and staff for any offence he had caused before heading to face the gallows.

A senior official of the jails department Zia Tareen also confirmed the hanging.

Mirza was due to be hanged on March 19, but his execution was postponed several times on medical grounds after he appeared in a video making striking allegations against Karachi’s main party, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), for which he was an activist.

CONVERGENCE: Prime Minster Nawaz Sharif, left, shakes hands

Altaf Hussain

Saulat Mirza was due to be hanged on March 19, but his execution was postponed several times on medical grounds after he appeared in a video making striking allegations against Karachi’s main party, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement, for which he was an activist

that convicted criminals were hiding inside.

The raid resulted in one death, the arrest of dozens of activists and the seizure of a cache of weapons.

Peshawar school attack Pakistan has executed over 100 convicted murderers after lifting a moratorium on capital punishment following the most bloody terrorist attack in the country’s violent history on a school in northwestern Peshawar city in December.

Human rights group Amnesty International estimates that Pakistan has more than 8,000 prisoners on death row, most of whom have exhausted their appeals. — AFP

Kabul that he condemned a recent offensive by Taliban insurgents.

Former Afghan president Hamid Karzai had long accused Islamabad of tacit support of the Afghan Taliban, whose leaders are believed to be hiding in Pakistan.

“Any effort by any militant or group to destablise Afghanistan will be dealt with severely and such elements will be outlawed and hunted down,” Sharif said on Tuesday.

He was speaking during a joint

appearance with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, who has made improving relations with Pakistan a priority since taking office last year.

The neighbours are seeking to increase military cooperation to fight the two main branches of the Taliban, one fighting to topple the US-backed government in Kabul and the other against Pakistan’s government.

“I assure you, Mr President, that the enemies of Afghanistan cannot be friends of Pakistan,” Sharif said.

Ghani’s move to mend ties with Pakistan is partially aimed at convincing Islamabad to use whatever influence it has among Taliban leaders to persuade them to join peace talks.

The Afghan Taliban have been fighting to restore their extremist regime that was ousted in a USled military action in retaliation

for sheltering the Al Qaeda planners of the September 11, 2001 attacks on American cities.

Meanwhile, two former senior Pakistani military officials told AFP on Tuesday that a defector from Pakistani intelligence assisted the US in its hunt for Osama bin Laden but denied the two countries had officially worked together.

The officials’ accounts come after the publication of a controversial new report by US journalist Seymour Hersh in which he claims to have uncovered a secret deal between Washington and Islamabad that resulted in the killing of the terror chief in 2011.

The White House has flatly rejected Hersh’s claims that Pakistan was told in advance about the May 2 Special Forces raid in the garrison town of Abbottabad, 110 kilometres (70 miles) north of the capital. — Agencies

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W EDN ESDAY, MAY 13, 2015

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A reminder of what unity can achieve

A

s Britain woke up to news of winners and losers, there was an added poignancy in remembering the day 70 years ago, when the country celebrated a victory as one; when unity was, for a while, the order of the day. The Second World War is fading in the world’s collective memory, and yet for those who fought, its awfulness remains fresh in the mind. That a conflict could take the lives of 75 million people or more is hard now to comprehend: no wonder the overriding feeling for many who crowded into Trafalgar Square and other public spaces on May 8, 1945 was relief, even if war in the Pacific remained to be won.

Yet for all its horror, Britons who lived and fought through the war were sustained by a compelling and collective belief that opposing the tyranny of Nazism was the right — indeed the only — course of action.

Their shared experience helped to maintain a post-war consensus even as political divisions emerged. There has been nothing remotely comparable since. Britain’s wars have been divisive; economic ups and down have been felt unequally; moments of common national feeling have been brief and fleeting. British society is arguably more fractured now than at any time since the depression of the 1930s.

The reason why this year’s anniversary of VE (Victory in Europe) Day has particular resonance is that it coincides with a renewed sense of instability and disharmony across Europe. Nationalism of various stripes is on the rise, driven not only by fear of radical Islam but also by a usually ill-defined anti-Europeanism. VE Day celebrations in Russia were not attended by British or American leaders, in protest against Moscow’s military assistance to rebels in Ukraine. For the Allies whose combined efforts defeated Hitler 70 years ago, relations are now at their lowest ebb since the Cold War. And there is nothing to suggest things will improve. It is always dangerous to draw simplistic comparisons between a “golden” generation of yesteryear and a flawed vision of modernity. Even so, as we remember the many who gave their lives in the cause of freedom, we could do worse than to draw on their resourcefulness, their belief in change through politics and their confidence in our United Kingdom, as we face an uncertain future of our own. - The Independent

POLITICS

Of the locust years of Western politics MOHAMED A. EL-ERIAN

The spread of surveillance

A

fter the 9/11 attacks, the Patriot Act sailed through Congress, imperilling the rights of Americans on the premise that the authorities urgently needed greater powers to defend the nation.

Liberal-minded Canadians and Europeans tut-tutted, as they would even louder when the whistle-blower Edward Snowden revealed the scope of the surveillance that resulted. Then came the Charlie Hebdo massacre in Paris, and on Tuesday the French Parliament approved a bill giving the authorities sweeping surveillance powers. On Wednesday, reacting to the killings of two soldiers last October in lone-wolf terrorist attacks, Canada’s lower house passed a bill greatly expanding the powers of its security services.

It is easy to sympathise with the impulse of lawmakers and citizens, confronted with terror attacks, to broaden the powers of their intelligence and security agencies, especially if existing laws date from an era before the Internet and social media became instruments of terrorist recruitment and communication. It is the job of governments to protect their citizens, and it is the right of citizens to surrender a measure of civil liberty in exchange for security. The problem comes when greater police powers are not accompanied by precise rules on what those powers can be used for, and by effective judicial and political oversight. History has demonstrated the tendency of secret services to overstep their mandates when left to their own devices.

The French Prime Minister, Manuel Valls, said he would never “infringe on the principles of law and values.” In Ottawa, the Public Safety minister, Steven Blaney, called the suggestion that legitimate protest could be targeted as terrorism “completely false, and frankly ridiculous.” Even if that were so, sweeping antiterrorism laws passed by liberal democracies are used as justification for repressive states to make Big Brother even bigger. The Patriot Act, and the laws in France and Canada, differ in many respects. But they are all what Gérard Biard, the editor in chief of Charlie Hebdo, called “opportunistic laws” — hastily written to satisfy the urge for exceptional measures against exceptional threats. In Washington, Congress is moving toward altering the Patriot Act in ways that tighten the scope of permissible surveillance, though still insufficiently. In France and Canada, the bills have to get through their Senates, but passage is deemed certain. All these legislatures should have produced laws that defined the targets of surveillance more carefully, required more transparency, and ensured that judges and elected officials had the last word on what can and cannot be done. - The New York Times News Service

Most of the school bus drivers are young, brash This refers to the news story, Survivor back from the brink of death (May 12). It is not enough for the school authorities to start managing the school buses. It’s a good step but it will not solve the problem. Instead, the quality, experience, social responsibility and maturity level of these drivers need to be tested. Otherwise these accidents will continue to happen.

Last week a bus got fully burnt just outside a school in Muscat. It was reported that there was no water in the radiator. Also last week, a school bus overtook my car from the wrong side in CBD area and the driver seemed in a hurry. These drivers are young and brash. The ROP should make the process of selection of these Omani drivers more stringent, otherwise the ac-

cidents are just waiting to happen.

The Pakistan school bus tragedy is still fresh in our minds. I pray that all children go and come back from their schools safely.

Thomas Mathew Kalloor Muscat

Parents must play a role in rectifying the situation This refers to the news story, Survivor back from the brink of death (May 12). I am extremely saddened for this child and her family. She has survived by the grace of God but her life is forever changed for no fault of her own. It makes me so angry to see the aftermath of the appalling driving standards of the school buses here in Oman. I see this on a daily basis. Two weeks ago I had a terrifying experience of almost being involved in an

Future generations will likely remember this as a time of lost economic opportunities.

Instead of bowing to polarisation and paralysis, policymakers should be promoting growthand productivityenhancing infrastructure investments

S

ince my teenage years, I have been fascinated by the permutations and machinations of national politics. Today, I find myself focusing on broader political trends that also help to explain global economic issues. One such trend is the political fragmentation and polarisation evident in Western democracies. Fringe movements, some operating within established political structures, and others seeking to create new ones, are placing pressure on traditional parties, making it difficult for them to mobilise their supporters, and, in some cases, causing them real damage. Desperate not to appear weak, long-established parties have become wary of cooperating across the aisle.

The resulting refusal to work together on the major issues of the day has had a dramatic impact on economic policies. Once formulated through negotiations conducted at the political centre, where Western democracies have long been anchored, policymaking is increasingly shaped by stubborn forces on the extreme left and right. This approach has, it must be said, yielded the occasional breakthrough — sometimes good, sometimes bad. But the overall result has been policy paralysis, with even the most basic elements of economic governance suffering as a result. Needless to say, the greater the governance and policy challenges at home, the more difficult regional and global cooperation become.

The Tea Party in the US is a case in point. After its success on the national stage in the 2010 midterm congressional election, many Republican lawmakers became so concerned about securing their party’s “base” for future re-election bids that they no longer felt comfortable pursuing the type of bipartisan cooperation that underpin effective economic policymaking. But the Tea Party’s impact did not end there. By contributing to a shutdown of federalgovernment operations and repeatedly raising the threat of a technical default, it risked undermining an already-fragile US economic recovery. While the movement has evolved and no longer threatens to hold the economy hostage, it continues to contribute to overall policy paralysis.

Europe now seems to be headed down a similar path, as non-traditional parties — many of them driven by single issues — become increasingly influential. Movements like France’s anti-immigration National Front are making leading mainstream parties more likely to pander to extremists in order to preserve their support.

Of course, their fear is not irrational, as Pasok, a long-established left-wing party in Greece, found out when the far-left, anti-austerity Syriza Party surged to victory in January. But that does not change the fact that parties’ need to address their electoral fears is causing serious damage to national policymaking.

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Indeed, most established parties are so busy playing defence that they have little inclination to engage in the type of forward-looking strategic thinking that is needed to re-energise exhausted growth models, anchor financial stability, and ensure that technological innovation enables broad-based prosperity. As a result, Western economies are running chronically below their potential — and risk undermining their future potential.

That is why future generations will likely remember this as a time of lost economic opportunities.

Instead of bowing to polarisation and paralysis, policymakers should be promoting growth- and productivity-enhancing infrastructure investments, funded at exceptionally low interest rates, scaling up labourmarket reforms, and working to address the growing income and wealth inequality that is increasingly limiting access to economic opportunity. Likewise, policymakers should be revamping incoherent and inconsistent tax structures that are riddled with unfair exemptions. And they should be pursuing immigration reform to overhaul a system that penalises talent, encourages malfeasance, and, as illustrated by the thousands of migrants who have drowned in the Mediterranean Sea in recent years while trying to reach Europe, often leads to human tragedy.

Despite widespread dissatisfaction with political institutions in many Western countries — the US Congress, for example, has very low approval ratings — it is difficult to see what will break the current logjam.

Within established parties, forces promoting rejuvenation are weak and uneven. Add to that an increasingly polarised and quasi-tribal news media, which can amplify divisions in society, and the scope for collaborative transformation is extremely limited.

For their part, many of the fringe parties, despite their rising popularity, are struggling to achieve power, a challenge illustrated in the recent British election. And those that succeed, such as Syriza, quickly become frustrated by the largely immovable systems in which they must operate — a situation that their lack of governing experience makes all the more difficult. Over time, Western political systems will evolve to meet the needs of their economies.

But, in the interim, the vast majority of companies and households will have to cope with systems that do relatively less to help them reach their potential, placing them at a disadvantage vis-à-vis competitors operating in more supportive systems.

To some extent, technological innovation will pick up the slack, as it empowers individuals and companies to live more self-directed lives, creating pockets of excellence and wellbeing. But, while this is good news for some, it is inadequate to arrest the rising inequality of income, wealth, and opportunity — or to unleash the inclusive prosperity that Western economies can and should be generating. – Project Syndicate

accident with a school bus which was carrying children of this age. I chased that bus all over Mawaleh and when he eventually deigned to pull over he claimed he could not speak English. I did manage to get the telephone number of the school and despite phoning in excess of four times the person answering the call also claimed that he did not speak English. I named the school on Facebook and also asked if anybody could give me directions on how to get to the school as I wanted to personally go in and see the headmaster.

Not a single person answered that particular post, even though I have no doubt that a parent who has children at that school must have read my post! It is very sad to think that there still are parents who put their children’s lives in danger every day and yet when they see a

chance to rectify the situation they do nothing about it. I hope that this little angel will recover soon and go from strength to strength.

Cathy Burn Muscat

School bus drivers are seen on phones while driving This refers to the news story, Survivor back from the brink of death (May 12). Yesterday morning I saw a big school bus on the road with a message written boldly on its body saying, ‘watch your speed limits and don’t use your phone while driving’. The driver was on his phone. I wasn’t sure if the message on the bus he was driving was for others or for him! I pray for speedy recovery of the little one.

Priya Gk Muscat

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

T I MES OF OMAN

W E D N E S DAY, MAY 1 3, 2 0 1 5

A1 3

PERSPEC IVE The protest march in London The vampires was a voice against austerity of Wall Street Y

ou could be forgiven for thinking that on Saturday only two things happened — first, that the Women’s War Memorial was graffitied, and second that there was a riot police officer who looked remarkably like Ed Miliband.

When I took and tweeted that picture I knew it was funny, but I didn’t expect to see it go viral. It’s fascinating at first when you get retweeted hundreds of times, but then you start to realise: no one knows this was taken at an anti-government march, everyone just thinks it’s a funny photo.

I want people to know the real reason I was there staring at an armed police officer.

I joined the demonstration called by London Black Revs against the Tories, who had wasted no time in announcing the first of what will be many savage cuts and attacks on personal freedom. There were at least 2,000 people there (Sky News Claimed there were only 200) and the only violence I could see happened when the police charged the crowd, trapped them, and then brutally arrested people as young as 16 and kept them in cells all night.

I protested on the streets of London that day because, like at least 63 per cent of the population, I didn’t ask for five more years of austerity and I won’t accept it. The main parties want us to think that casting a vote for one of them every five years is democracy. The fact that they all support some level of austerity reveals this choice to be an illusion. That’s why we march. Our society is more than the parties in power and we need to our voices to be heard.

Britain is in the very early days of majority Tory rule, and already we have seen

MAEV MCDAID

I protested on the streets of London that day because, like at least 63 per cent of the population, I didn’t ask for five more years of austerity and I won’t accept it. The main parties want us to think that casting a vote for one of them every five years is democracy

evidence of their intentions. The Human Rights Act is under threat, £12bn further welfare cuts are to be made, and now we have a Justice Secretary in favour of the death penalty. The new government, much like the previous coalition supports a bedroom tax and disability cuts.

It aims to punish millions for the sake of millionaires. People are going to die because of the government’s carelessness and lack of compassion.

That’s why we need to fight back through national and local campaigns against cuts, through strikes in our work places, and by demanding a fairer society. We must support those who are most vulnerable, by opposing the cuts and winning victories over pay and conditions.

To those outraged by the graffiti, I ask you to take that outrage and use it for people today, people who will suffer because of more cuts to welfare and public services. Why is stone worth more outrage than the bedroom tax imposed on the families of dead soldiers because their room is now empty?

And to the almost 70,000 people across social media who think my picture was funny (and it was), please ask yourself why were there armed riot police on the streets of London at an anti-austerity demonstration? What message is the government sending us, and who are the violent presence on our streets - protesters with placards or police with guns?

The People’s Assembly have called for a national ‘March Against Austerity’ on 20th June. The Government needs to know we are serious. They don’t represent us. See you there. – The Independent

Our esteem is not dependant on Facebook likes

W

hen we think of addicts, the picture that normally comes to mind is that of a gaunt man or woman, huddled in a corner, trying desperately to get his/her next fix of heroin. But addiction isn’t just about substance abuse.

If a person engages in an activity (gambling, for instance) to the point where it becomes compulsive and interferes with ordinary life, then as per Psychology Today, that too counts as addiction.

Now look around you. If you are the parent of a teenager, chances are that your child is too busy communing with his or her smartphone to give you the time of day. If you’re a young adult, chances are that you live a large part of your life in the virtual world. We tend to take such behaviour as normal.

But in an increasing number of cases, such behaviour isn’t normal. It has crossed the line over into addiction.

A number of studies have looked at not only internet addiction generally, but addiction to social networking websites, and Facebook in particular. For example, a recent study at the University of Albany found that excessive use of online social networking websites like Facebook can not only be addictive, but that such usage may be associated with problems such as substance abuse.

Similarly, an earlier study at the University of Bergen found that women, extroverts and people unable to sleep until very late at night were particularly in danger of becoming addicted to Face-

JUGGUN KAZIM

book. Yet another study by researchers in California found that the compulsive use of social media websites such as Facebook resulted in the same kind of changes in people’s brains as those caused by drug addiction.

As in the case of other types of addiction, there are two types of behaviours found in internet addiction. The first is a constant or increasing desire to interact with the object of the addiction. The second is feeling bad when that interaction isn’t available.

In the case of social media websites, what hooks people is the rush they get from social recognition, the thrill of getting a ‘like’ or a re-tweet.

That ‘social high’ causes addictive personalities to check their Facebook, Instagram and Twitter timelines every few minutes.

But as soon as they hit one level of social recognition, they want to go one level higher.

Suddenly, it’s no longer enough to have five friends laugh at your clever turn of phrase or status on Facebook; it has to be at least 50.

And when you hit 50, then it has to be 100. And so it goes.

But what’s wrong with all this, you might ask? At the end of the day, nobody gets hurt if somebody spends too much time on Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat or Twitter.

Unfortunately, people do get hurt — just not visibly. In the obvious sense, a person who is so obsessed with their Facebook status that they have to check it every few minutes is not going to be very productive at work.

We all like to think we are

masters of multi-tasking. But the truth is that except for a few genetically blessed individuals, the rest of us are terrible at it. And what that means is that every time we leave a Facebook window open on our work computer, we are all but ensuring that very little work will get done, and that too of mediocre quality.

There are other losses as well.

Take, for example, the selfie obsession that has taken social media by storm. Unattractive and equally unnecessary, these selfies are taken anywhere and everywhere. The most memorable and shocking would have to be the one taken by a gentleman in the bathroom with his shalwar hanging in the background.

Another candidate for the most shocking selfie (at least in my knowledge) is the one I saw of a girl with a huge grin on her face sitting in front of a dead body at a funeral.

It’s not just the fact that such behaviour is frightening and highly inappropriate. It’s also the fact that the self-esteem of so many people seems to hang on how many ‘likes’ their selfies get.

I don’t want to suggest that we all go back to an age before computers. Yes, Facebook can be great for catching up with your friends and family. Yes, Twitter can be fun and amusing. The only point is that you have to know what you’re dealing with. Social media is the equivalent of candy for the brain.

Yes, it’s good to get a sugar rush once in a while. But if you do nothing but live on chocolate-frosted doughnuts, you’re not going to be too healthyt. – The Express Tribune

PAUL KRUGMAN

L

ast year the vampires of finance bought themselves a Congress. I know it’s not nice to call them that, but I have my reasons, which I’ll explain in a bit. For now, however, let’s just note that these days Wall Street, which used to split its support between the parties, overwhelmingly favours the GOP And the Republicans who came to power this year are returning the favour by trying to kill Dodd-Frank, the financial reform enacted in 2010. And why must Dodd-Frank die? Because it’s working.

This statement may surprise progressives who believe that nothing significant has been done to rein in runaway bankers.

And it’s true both that reform fell well short of what we really should have done and that it hasn’t yielded obvious, measurable triumphs like the gains in insurance thanks to Obamacare.

But Wall Street hates reform for a reason, and a closer look shows why.

For one thing, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau — the brainchild of Senator Elizabeth Warren — is, by all accounts, having a major chilling effect on abusive lending practices.

And early indications are that enhanced regulation of financial derivatives — which played a major role in the 2008 crisis — is having similar effects, increasing transparency and reducing the profits of middlemen.

What about the problem of financial industry structure, sometimes oversimplified with the phrase “too big to fail”? There, too, Dodd-Frank seems to be yielding real results, in fact, more than many supporters expected.

As I’ve just suggested, too big to fail doesn’t quite get at the problem here. What was really lethal was the interaction between size and complexity. Financial institutions had become chimeras: part bank, part hedge fund, part insurance company, and so on.

This complexity let them evade regulation, yet be rescued from the consequences when their bets went bad.

And bankers’ ability to have it both ways helped set America up for disaster.

Dodd-Frank addressed this problem by letting regulators subject “systemically important” financial institutions to extra regulation, and seize control of such institutions at times of crisis, as opposed to simply bailing them out.

And it required that financial institutions in general put up more capital, reducing both their incentive to take excessive risks and

the chance that risk-taking would lead to bankruptcy.

All of this seems to be working: “Shadow banking,” which created bank-type risks while evading banktype regulation, is in retreat.

You can see this in cases like that of General Electric, a manufacturing firm that turned itself into a financial wheeler-dealer, but is now trying to return to its roots.

You can also see it in the overall numbers, where conventional banking — which is to say, banking subject to relatively strong regulation — has made a comeback. Evading the rules, it seems, isn’t as appealing as it used to be.

But the vampires are fighting back.

OK, why do I call them that? Not because they drain the economy of its lifeblood, although they do: there’s a lot of evidence that oversize, overpaid financial industries — like ours — hurt economic growth and stability. Even the International Monetary Fund agrees.

But what really makes the word apt in this context is that the enemies of reform can’t withstand sunlight. Open defences of Wall Street’s right to go back to its old ways are hard to find.

When right-wing think tanks do try to claim that regulation is a bad thing that will hurt the economy, their hearts don’t seem to be in it.

For example, the latest such “study,” from the American Action Forum, runs to all of four pages, and even its author, the economist Douglas Holtz-Eakin, sounds embarrassed about his work.

What you mostly get, instead, is slavery-is-freedom claims that reform actually empowers the bad guys: for example, that regulating too-big-and-complex-to-fail institutions is somehow doing wheeler-dealers a favour, claims belied by the desperate efforts of such institutions to avoid the “systemically important” designation.

The point is that almost nobody wants to be seen as a bought and paid-for servant of the financial industry, least of all those who really are exactly that. And this in turn means that so far, at least, the vampires are getting a lot less than they expected for their money.

Republicans would love to undo Dodd-Frank, but they are, rightly, afraid of the glare of publicity that defenders of reform like Senator Warren — who inspires a remarkable amount of fear in the unrighteous — would shine on their efforts.

Does this mean that all is well on the financial front?

Of course not. Dodd-Frank is much better than nothing, but far from being all we need. And the vampires are still lurking in their coffins, waiting to strike again. But things could be worse. - The New York Times News Service

EU to propose mandatory refugee quotas

TODAY IN HISTORY

The distribution of asylum seekers within the EU is highly uneven, with Germany receiving almost one-third of the 626,710 asylum applications made in 2014, and Sweden taking in more than 80,000 Asylum applications made within EU (2014) Other 49,420 (7.9%) Germany

Denmark 14,675 (2.3%)

202,685

Belgium 22,710 (3.6%)

(32.4%)

Netherlands 26,220 (4.2%)

TOTAL

Austria

626,710

FROM OUR ARCHIVES

28,035 (4.5%)

45% increase on 2013

UK

31,745 (5.1%)

Sweden

81,075

Hungary

(12.9%) Italy

64,635

42,770 (6.8%)

OMAN TO TAKE PART IN MOROCCO, GULF MEET

France

MUSCAT: The Sultanate’ delegation left for Morocco yesterday to participate in the Moroccan – Gulf gathering for partnership and investment scheduled to begin in Morocco later yesterday and continue for three days. The Omani delegation is headed

by Dr Abdul Malik bin Abdullah Al Hinai, undersecretary for economic affairs, at the Ministry of National Economy; and comprises officials from the Omani Centre for Investment Promotion and Exports Development (Ociped) and the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI) together with Omani businessmen. The participants to the gathering will visit the exhibition of Moroccan products and other productive units such as microelectronics and car assembling units.

62,740 (10.0%)

(10.3%) Asylum applicants to EU (28 countries from 2013) 2008

226,330

2009

266,395

2010

260,835

2011 2012 2013

309,820 336,015 432,055

1779

The War of Bavarian Succession ends.

1846

The United States declares war on Mexico after fighting has already begun.

1861

Britain declares its neutrality in the American Civil War.

1944 Allied forces in Italy break through the German Gustav Line into the Liri Valley.

1968

Peace talks between the United States and North Vietnam begin in Paris.

1981

Pope John Paul II survives an assassination attempt.

626,710

2014

HISTORYNET.COM Source: Eurostat

Graphic News /

Graphics

A 14

W EDN ESDAY, MAY 13, 2015 What we’re hearing from these people is that they’ve been stuck out at sea for weeks and months and then the smugglers just deserted them, left them with very little food and water, no fuel for the engines, so they’re drifting Jeffrey Savage, UNHCR official

WORLD

MYSTERY

BIRD’S EYE VIEW

An aerial view taken from a sea plane shows Swiss pilot and original Jetman Yves Rossy (front) and Vince Reffett flying over Dubai’s Palm Island, United Arab Emirates, on Tuesday. Rossy had overflown the Swiss Alps with his jet-engine equipped wings for the first time in 2008. He made similar flights over the English Channel, the Grand Canyon in the United States and other iconic locations. Reffet became Rossy’s official partner after five years of training. Rossy is the first man in history to fly a using 55kg suit strapped to his back, and has made it possible to fly up to a height of 4,000meters for 10 minutes over Dubai’s skyline with a speed of 260-km per hour.— Reuters

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Missing Khaleda aide surfaces in Indian city SHILLONG (INDIA): Police in India have detained the chief spokesman of Bangladesh’s main opposition party after he was found wandering in a disorientated state near the border, more than two months after he went missing in an alleged abduction.

Salahuddin Ahmed, a former minister for the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, told AFP that he had been snatched in his home country back in March 10 but had no idea how he had come to surface in the northeastern Indian state of Meghalaya.

“I was kidnapped by a group of unidentified people from Uttara (a district in the Bangladeshi capital Dhaka) but I do not know how I landed in this place,” he said in brief comments on Tuesday before being led away to a prison cell in the state capital Shillong.

Secret arrest Ahmed’s mysterious disappearance at the height of deadly anti-government protests in early March sparked widespread allegations that he had been secretly taken into custody by intelligence agents.

His fate had become a growing source of tension between the opposition and government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, with her administration insisting that it knew nothing about what had happened to him.

Police in Meghalaya said that Ahmed had been picked up near a golf course on Monday morning after being alerted by the public “about the suspicious movement of an individual” and then brought in for questioning. — AFP

TIES WITH BLOC

Britain may hold early referendum on EU issue LONDON: Prime Minister David Cameron will hold an early referendum on membership of the European Union if he can first reach a deal that satisfies his demands for major changes in Britain’s relationship with the bloc, his spokesman said on Tuesday.

Cameron, who won a majority in Thursday’s general election, has pledged to renegotiate Britain’s ties with Europe and then give voters an in-out referendum on EU membership by the end of 2017.

“If we can do it earlier we will,” his spokesman said when asked if Cameron would like to hold the vote earlier.

The spokesman added that Cameron would seek changes to EU’s basic treaties as part of the renegotiation.

The prospect of a vote on membership by the EU’s second-biggest economy has worried both investors and allies, who say Britain’s influence would be diminished if it dropped out of the world’s biggest trading bloc.

Cameron says he wants to stay in a reformed EU but has also said that he would not be heartbroken if Britain left. Opinion polls show British voters are divided, with a little over half in favour of membership. — Reuters

‘Massive humanitarian crisis if migrants in boats not saved’ Thailand announced on Tuesday that it was organising a meeting of 15 countries, to be held in Bangkok on May 29, to address ‘the unprecedented increase of irregular

BLEAK FUTURE: Staff from the UN refugee agency talk to migrants,

migration across

believed to be Rohingya, inside a shelter after they were rescued on Sunday from boats in Lhoksukon, Indonesia, on Tuesday. — Reuters

the Bay of Bengal in recent years’

LHOKSUKON (INDONESIA)/ LANGKAWI (MALAYSIA): Several thousand migrants, many of them hungry and sick, are adrift in boats in Southeast Asian seas and governments of the region must rescue them quickly to avert

a “massive humanitarian crisis”, the United Nations said on Tuesday. It appealed to authorities in Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia not to push back boats that are packed with refugees who have been abandoned by smugglers following a Thai government crackdown on traffickers.

There has been a surge in migrants from impoverished Bangladesh and Myanmar to Malay-

sia and Indonesia following the clampdown in Thailand, usually the first destination in the region’s people-smuggling network.

Many of the arrivals are Rohingya, a stateless Muslim minority from Myanmar described by the United Nations as one of the most persecuted minorities in the world.

Jeffrey Savage, who works for the UN High Commissioner for

Refugees (UNHCR) in Jakarta, said that perhaps thousands of people were stranded in the waters between Malaysia and Indonesia. “What we’re hearing from these people is that they’ve been stuck out at sea for weeks and months and then the smugglers just deserted them, left them with very little food and water, no fuel for the engines, so they’re drifting,” he told Reuters on the northern coast of Sumatra in Indonesia, where several hundred arrived in boats last weekend.

He said the UNHCR was calling for an international search and rescue operation between the Andaman Sea and the Straits of Malacca to respond to what he termed “a massive humanitarian crisis waiting to happen”.

Thailand announced on Tuesday that it was organising a meeting of 15 countries, to be held in Bangkok on May 29, to address “the unprecedented increase of irregular migration across the Bay of Bengal in recent years”.

“Countries of origin, transit and destination must work together to address the problem comprehensively by addressing the root causes as well as all the contributing factors...” it said in a statement.

An estimated 25,000 Bang-

ladeshis and Rohingya boarded rickety smugglers’ boats in the first three months of this year, twice as many in the same period of 2014, the UNHCR has said.

Most landed in Thailand, where they were held by the smugglers in squalid jungle camps until relatives paid a ransom.

Traffickers’ camps Thailand ordered a clean-up of suspected traffickers’ camps last week after 33 bodies, believed to be of migrants from Myanmar and Bangladesh, were found in shallow graves near the Malaysian border.

That has led to many migrants being left out at sea.

“Up to 8,000 people are at sea, of which more than 1,000 have landed,” said Joe Lowry, regional spokesman for the International Organisation for Migration.

“We believe there are no more departures from the Bay of Bengal because of a crackdown by Thai authorities but those who are still at sea have been there for weeks or even months.”

The UNHCR estimates that around 300 people died at sea in the first quarter of this year as a result of starvation, dehydration and abuse by boat crews. — Reuters

BID TO REVIVE TIES

Kerry has ‘frank’ talks with Putin about Ukraine, Syria SOCHI (RUSSIA): US Secretary of State John Kerry said he had “frank” talks about Ukraine, Syria and Iran with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday and said it was important to keep in contact.

With the United States and Russia on opposite sides of the conflicts in Ukraine and Syria, Kerry’s trip appeared designed as much to maintain contact as anything else with US-Russian relations at their lowest ebb since the Cold War. Kerry met Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov for more than four hours before he sat down with Putin in the Black Sea resort of Sochi in what was the highestlevel US visit to Russia since the Ukraine crisis began in the autumn of 2013.

“Had frank discussions with President #Putin & FM #Lavrov on key issues including #IranTalks, #Syria, #Ukraine,” Kerry said on his official Twitter feed.

“Important to keep lines of communication between the U.S. and #Russia open as we address pressing global issues,” he said.

Positive step Speaking before the talks began, Putin’s spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, welcomed the meeting as a positive step.

“Through dialogue, it is possible to find ways for a normalisation, closer coordination in dealing with international problems,” he said, although adding: “Russia was never the initiator of this cooling of relations.”

Russian Foreign Minister also presented John Kerry with a T-shirt with ‘Victory’ and ‘1945-2015’, a reference the 70th anniversary of victory over war-time Germany.

The West boycotted Saturday’s Moscow parade to mark the occasion because of its role in Ukraine crisis

Ties between Washington and Moscow have deteriorated since Russia annexed Ukraine’s Crimea Peninsula in March 2014 and backed pro-Russian separatist rebels in eastern Ukraine. Moscow accuses Washington of orches-

trating last year’s overthrow of a Ukrainian president who was supported by Russia.

The United States has accused Russia of failing to withdraw heavy equipment such as air defence systems, tanks and artillery

from eastern Ukraine in violation of a peace plan agreed in February and known as Minsk 2.

Russia denies Western and Ukrainian accusations that it is arming the pro-Russian separatists battling the government and supporting them with its own military forces. More than 6,100 people have been killed since April 2014 in the Ukraine crisis.

The United States and European Union imposed economic sanctions on Russia after it took over Crimea and have intensified them since. The US official hinted they could be eased if Russia complied with the Minsk plan, which calls for withdrawing heavy weaponry and respecting Ukraine’s border.

Despite the strains, Putin smiled as he met Kerry, and the US

secretary of state and the Russian foreign minister earlier in the day placed wreaths at a memorial to World War II victims.

However, Russia’s foreign ministry spokeswoman said Lavrov gave Kerry baskets of fresh tomatoes and potatoes, a possible allusion to Russia’s decision last year to ban imports of European fruit and vegetables in response to Western sanctions.

He also presented Kerry with a T-shirt with “Victory” and “19452015”, a reference the 70th anniversary of victory over war-time Germany. Western leaders boycotted Saturday’s Moscow parade to mark the occasion because of its role in the Ukraine crisis.

Kerry gave Lavrov a leather portfolio, US officials said. — Reuters

W E D N E S DAY, MAY 1 3, 2 0 1 5 At least 20 people were killed in a Syrian regime barrel bomb attack on a mini-bus stand in a rebel-held part of Syria’s Aleppo city The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights group

A1 5

WORLD

WA R W I T H I N C O U N T RY

‘2m children among Syrians at risk from explosive weapons’ BEIRUT: The lives of more than five million Syrians, including two million children, are at risk from explosive weapons used in the conflict, a non-governmental organisation said on Tuesday.

Also on Tuesday, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights group said at least 20 people were killed in a regime barrel bomb attack on a mini-bus stand in a rebel-held part

of Syria’s Aleppo city. Handicap International warned that explosive weapons were being widely used in heavily populated areas in violation of international law, and that unexploded ordnance posed a long-term threat. “In total, 5.1 million people — including two million children — are living in areas highly affected by the use of explosive weapons, creating an immedi-

Another blogger is murdered Ananta Bijoy Das was killed in broad daylight as he headed to work at a bank in Sylhet, Bangladesh

DHAKA: A masked gang wielding machetes hacked a blogger to death on Tuesday in northeastern Bangladesh in the third such deadly attack by suspected hardliners since February.

Police said Ananta Bijoy Das was murdered in broad daylight as he headed to work at a local bank in the city of Sylhet, an attack that fellow writers said highlighted a culture of impunity.

Kamrul Hasan, commissioner of Sylhet police, said a group of around four masked men had

attacked Das with machetes at around 8.30am on a busy street in Bangladesh’s fifth largest city.

“They chased him down the street and first attacked his head with their machetes and then attacked him all over his body,” Hasan said. After the attackers fled into the crowds, Das was rushed to hospital but declared dead on arrival, police and medics said. Police commissioner Hasan would not comment on the motive for the attack but fellow writers said Das had been on a hit-list drawn up by militants who were behind the recent killing of blogger Avijit Roy. Imran Sarker, head of a Bangladeshi bloggers’ association, confirmed to AFP that Das was regularly blogging for Mukto-Mona.

The website used to be moderated by Roy, a Bangladeshi-born US citizen who was hacked to death in Dhaka in February. “We condemn this heinous killing. It once again confirms our fear that there is a culture of impunity in Bangladesh. Anyone can now get away with killing a progressive free thinker,” Sarker said. — AFP

ate and long-term threat to their lives,” the NGO said. It said use of the weapons by all parties to the conflict was having “dreadful consequences for civilians”.

“Because of their blast or fragmentation effects, explosive weapons kill or generate complex injuries,” the group’s regional coordinator Anne Garella said.

“The wide use of explosive

weapons combined with the lack of appropriate surgical care in Syria has a devastating impact on people’s lives.”

The group’s study found explosive weapons had been “massively used” by all parties to the conflict, accounting for more than 80 per cent of all recorded incidents of violence.

Three-quarters of incidents

involving the weapons were in densely populated areas, suggesting “that the belligerents have no intention of effectively distinguishing between civilians and combatants, a violation of international humanitarian law,” the report said.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights group said, “Helicopters committed a massacre,

dropping a barrel bomb on a mini-bus station in the Fardous district of Aleppo, killing 20 civilians, among them children, and injuring 30 more.”

The Britain-based monitor said the toll was expected to rise because of the number of serious injuries among the wounded.

The group said most of bodies of those killed “were charred”. — AFP

B

WWW.TIMESOFOMAN.COM WEDNESDAY, MAY 13, 2015

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Enhanced oil recovery projects key for PDO’s sustainability plan Enhanced oil recovery projects to contribute one-fourth of the company’s total crude oil output by 2019 and one-third by 2025

A E JAMES

businesseditor@timesofoman.com

ROBUST FORECAST: PDO’s forecast of crude output is 600,000 barrels

per day this year, which is higher than last year.

— Times file picture

MUSCAT: Petroleum Development Oman (PDO), the Sultanate’s national oil company, will continue to focus on enhanced oil

recovery projects, which is expected to contribute one-fourth of the company’s total crude oil output by 2019 and one-third by 2025, a top-level official of the company told journalists here on Tuesday.

PDO managing director Raoul

Restucci said that the company’s current crude oil output from enhanced oil recovery project is just 11 per cent. He was talking to the media on the sidelines of an event to mark the second anniversary of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said’s visit to the company’s headquarters in Muscat.

PDO’s forecast of crude output is 600,000 barrels per day this year, which is higher than last year.

Referring to major EOR projects, he said the second phase of Marmul Polymer project was commissioned recently and produces between 60,000 to 70,000 barrels of oil per day. “We have installed 19

pumps from the first 26 we had in the first phase. (We are) expanding polymer application across the field,” added Restucci. He said in the last two years, the field is producing more than it has in the previous three decades, thanks to better technology. Polymer and other enhanced oil recovery techniques are allowing the copany to sustain or maintain production.

“We are testing polymer application in Nimr and looking at optimizing steam injection in Al Amal,” he said adding; “Harweel is going from strength to strength and is nor producing 50,000 barrels a day. It is a great success.”

AL KAMIL POWER

S E C O N D P D O D AY

PDO Day celebration theme highlights GDF Suez appoints efforts to improve efficiency, cut waste first Omani as CEO Times News Service

Times News Service MUSCAT: Some of the leading figures from Oman’s political, economic and social world attended PDO Day, an event marking the second anniversary of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said’s visit to the company’s headquarters in Muscat.

The dignitaries, all former PDO employees, feature in a new alumni book which was launched at the event titled “The Excellence Academy” and charts their individual career success stories.

Attendees included Dr Mohammed bin Hamed Al Rumhy, Minister of Oil and Gas and chairman of the PDO Board, who started his career as a PD0 trainee, Mohammed bin Salim Al Tobi, Minister of Environment and Climate Affairs, who worked in finance, administration and health, safety and environment at the company and Dr Ali bin Saud Al Bimani, Vice Chancellor of Sultan Qaboos University, who joined PDO in 1980 as a petroleum engineer.

The overall theme for the day was lean, a continuous business improvement technique implemented by PDO to improve efficiency, cut waste and create more value for all its stakeholders.

The special guests were given presentations on Lean and shown examples of best practice where PDO has been able to realise millions of rials in savings and incremental value.

PDO managing director Raoul Restucci paid tribute to the distinguished visitors and said he hoped they might be able to learn

CLOSE LOOK: Dignitaries, all former PDO employees, feature in a new alumni book ,which was launched at the event titled ‘The Excellence Academy.’ — Cio Datan/Times of Oman

from the company’s lean journey and apply similar measures in their own organisations.

Shining stars of Oman “We were delighted to welcome back some of the shining stars of Oman, who laid the foundations for their successful careers at PDO, to celebrate our annual PDO Day in honour of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said,” he said.

“Over the years, the company has built a reputation as the seedbed for some of the country’s brightest and best, educating, training and developing exceptional individuals who have progressed to become government ministers, undersecretaries, members of the State Council, company chief executive officers

or heads of non-governmental organisations. “In turn, these outstanding leaders remain part of PDO’s family and help and challenge us to continuously raise our performance and standards while offering us unswerving support and guidance.”

Thousands of PDO staff also flocked to the event which featured more than 50 displays on lean, a business process improvement technique and set of tools initially developed by Toyota to continuously improve its production system.

PDO is implementing the concept in six business areas – or value streams – well delivery, operate and maintain, well and reservoir management, contracting and procurement, people and

health, safety and environment (HSE). This had led to progress in minimising waste by optimising, among many other examples, PDO’s surveillance and forecasting processes, increasing the effectiveness of company’s maintenance workshops, improving contract work processes, reducing recruitment timelines, and cutting the execution time of various drilling activities.

“In a tough economic climate, it is incumbent on all of us to concertedly address more effective ways of working, and lean is an excellent way of operating more efficiently and creating more value across every facet in our business.

We have now reached a tipping point in PDO where it is transforming the way we do things by removing bureaucracy and empowering staff to think and work smarter,” Restucci said.

“Simply put, it’s about ‘doing more with less.’”

The company also marked the occasion of PDO Day with the online launch of a goodwill book enabling thousands of its staff to write messages of support and appreciation to His Majesty, which will be presented to His Majesty at a later date.

The inaugural PDO Day was held on May 12, 2014, to celebrate the first anniversary of His Majesty’s visit to the headquarters building.

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MUSCAT: In a historic development, GDF Suez has appointed Yaqoub Harbi Salem Al Harthi as the first Omani CEO of a GDF Suez related power asset.

Yaqoub heads the Al Kamil Power Company, an independent power generation company established to build, own and operate the 277MW power plant located north-west of Al Kamil, in the central Sharqiya region of Oman.

A graduate from the Sultan Qaboos University’s Department of Mechanical Engineering, Yaqoub began his career as trainee engineer in the Oman National Electricity Company (ONEC) at the Rusail Power Plant (RPP).

Today, Omanisation remains one of the Government’s highest priorities, not only to ensure sustainable employment to its citizens, but also to gradually reduce dependence on expatriates in search of self-reliant human resources capital.

Yaqoub Harbi Salem Al Harthi.

— Supplied picture

After its presence in the Sultanate which has spanned over two decades, GDF Suez has developed a strong relationship with Oman as an investor, a partner and a corporate citizen. To nurture that relationship, the company commits to employing talented, qualified and experienced Omani citizens throughout every level of the organisation. > B4

C A P I TA L - B O O S T I N G P L A N

BankDhofar to issue dollar bonds MUSCAT: BankDhofar, the Sultanate’s second-largest lender by assets, has picked three banks to arrange fixed income meetings starting on Thursday for a potential capital-boosting perpetual bond issue, a document from lead arrangers showed.

The lender, rated BBB-plus by Fitch and A3 by Moody’s, chose National Bank of Abu Dhabi and Standard Chartered Bank as global

coordinators. They are joined by Emirates NBD Capital as lead arrangers for the fixed income meetings. US dollar bonds would boost the bank’s Tier 1 capital, the document showed. The size and tenor of the bonds were not specified.

Investor meetings will be held in Hong Kong on Thursday, Singapore on Friday and the UAE on Sunday, concluding in London on Monday. – Agencies

B2

W EDN ESDAY, MAY 13, 2015

MARKET UK sells more shares in Lloyds the Conservatives sent the bank’s shares soaring to multi-year highs.

Finance Minister George Osborne has said the government plans to sell at least another nine billion pounds worth of shares over the next year

LONDON: Britain has sold another 500 million pounds ($779 million) worth of shares in Lloyds Banking Group and has now raised more than 10 billion pounds through the sale of more

than half its stake in the bailedout bank. The Treasury said on Tuesday that it had reduced its stake by a further one percentage point to 19.93 per cent, days after a surprise election triumph for

Financial crisis Lloyds was rescued during the 2007-9 financial crisis at a cost of 20 billion pounds to taxpayers, leaving Britain with a 41 per cent stake.

UK Financial Investments (UKFI), which manages the share-holding, began selling Lloyds shares to institutional investors such as pension funds and insurers in September 2013.

Finance Minister George Osborne has said the government plans to sell at least another nine billion pounds worth of the shares

over the next year, including a sale at a discount to private retail investors. “These sales have only been made possible by our long term economic plan, and we are determined to build on this success, and to continue to return Lloyds to the private sector and reduce our national debt,” Osborne said on Tuesday.

The latest sale was through a “pre-arranged trading plan”, which UKFI appointed US investment bank Morgan Stanley to undertake. The government’s stake has been cut from 24.9 per cent through the plan, which was launched last December, raising over 2.5 billion pounds for tax-

payers. Britain’s remaining stake in Lloyds is valued at about 12 billion pounds, based on current share prices.

Osborne is expected to press ahead with a plan to sell Lloyds shares to private investors later this year and the government could sell around 4 billion pounds worth of stock through a retail offer, sources said.

The government has said the retail offer would be sold at a five per cent discount to market value.

Investors would be able to buy between 250 pounds and 10,000 pounds worth of Lloyds shares, with priority going to orders of up to 1,000 pounds. — Reuters

B O A R D A P P R O VA L

Al Madina’s subsidiaries agree to merge Times News Service MUSCAT: Al Madina Investment Co board on Monday agreed with recommendation of the board member of Shaden Development (which is 70 per cent owned by Al Madina Investment) and recommendation of the boards member of National Mass Housing (which is 7 per cent owned by Al Madina) that they will be merged together.

The board of Al Madina Investment also recommended a cash dividend of 5 per cent.

ECONOMY

Yanis Varoufakis — Bloomberg file picture

Greece makes progress but warns of cash crunch BRUSSELS: Greece won limited support from the eurozone on Monday for the progress it has made in difficult bailout talks, but warned that Athens faced a cash crunch within two weeks without a deal.

Athens’s radical new government scraped together enough cash to order the repayment to the IMF of 750 million euros ($840 million) and avoid a default which could send it crashing out of the euro.

But eurozone finance ministers meeting in Brussels kept their tough line, saying Greece could not hope for any of the final 7.2-billion-euro tranche of its 240-billion-euro EUIMF bailout until they make key reforms.

Welcomed the progress “We welcomed the progress that has been achieved so far...

At the same time, we acknowledged that more time and effort are needed to bridge the gaps on the remaining open issues,” the Eurogroup statement said after talks in Brussels.

Greek Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis — leading the charge for the anti-austerity government of Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras — admitted Athens faced an imminent crisis.

“The liquidity issue is a terribly urgent issue. It’s common knowledge, let’s not beat around the bush,” said the shaven-headed former economics professor, who has been at loggerheads with his international counterparts.

“From the perspective (of timing), we are talking about the next couple of weeks.”

Repayments Greece faces a punishing debt repayment schedule in coming weeks, owing another 1.5 billion euros to the IMF in June and then another three billion euros to the European Central Bank (ECB) in July and August.

Athens has been squeezing funds from the central and local governments to be able to meet its payments, but mayors are beginning to resist.

World stock markets fell in response to the news, with Wall Street snapping a two-day rally to close lower on Monday, while the euro dipped to $1.1154 in New York from $1.1208 on Friday.

Led by Germany, the Europeans still expect a rigorous regime of reforms from Athens including cuts to pensions, but Tsipras’s leftist government in power since January has so far refused to deliver on the terms of the bailout. — AFP

W E D N E S DAY, MAY 1 3, 2 0 1 5

B3

MARKET C O R P O R AT E

ONIC Holding set to seek shareholders’ nod for merger, swap ratio Times News Service MUSCAT: Oman National Investment Corporation (ONIC) Holding will seek approval from its shareholders for the proposed merger of the company with Oman International Development and Investment Company.

The company is also seeking approval from shareholders on a swap ratio of 1.052 shares for every share help by the shareholder in the company and authorise the board to determine an effective date of the merger, said a disclosure statement posted by ONIC Holding on MSM website,.

Shareholders are entitled to give a written proxy to another person to attend the meeting and vote on his/her behalf at the EGM, provided that such delegation be stated on the proxy form enclosed with the EGM notice. With regards to natural persons, they must enclose with the proxy form a copy of the identity card for adults, or of the passport for females and minors who do not have an identity card; as for non-Omanis, a copy of the resident card or passport is required.

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Infosys plans acquisitions to meet $20b revenue target Since Sikka’s arrival, Infosys has made two acquisitions — in March it spent $200m on automation technology company Panaya and on April 24 it announced a $120m deal to buy San Francisco-based Kallidus Inc

Infosys is searching for deals to expand its geographic reach in Japan, Latin America and Europe and to build its expertise in healthcare

NEW DELHI: Infosys plans to step up acquisitions and venture capital investments as it tries to more than double sales to $20 billion by 2020 amid a slowdown in the technology services industry.

The Bengaluru, India-based company is forecasting about $1.5 billion of that projected revenue will come through acquisitions with the rest from organic growth, Chief Operating Officer U.B. Pravin Rao said in an interview on Monday at the company’s headquarters. Infosys is searching for deals to expand its geographic reach in Japan, Latin America and Europe and to build its expertise in health care.

Infosys brought in Vishal Sikka as chief executive officer from German software maker SAP last August in a bid to revive the company’s fortunes. It has been struggling with an industrywide slowdown in growth that has created

U.B. Pravin Rao. — Bloomberg News

challenges for companies from International Business Machines (IBM) to Computer Sciences Corp.

Industry growth “The industry growth rates are coming down and with the pace at which technology is changing, sometimes it takes longer for you to build capability internally,” Rao said. “It becomes a lot easier and probably inevitable for you, if there are ways and means to acquire the capability much faster.”

Since Sikka’s arrival, Infosys has made two acquisitions — in March it spent $200 million on automation technology company Panaya and on April 24 it announced a $120 million deal to buy San

Francisco-based Kallidus Inc. The company, which had completed just $425 million of acquisitions over the five previous years according to data compiled by Bloomberg, has also created a $500 million fund for investing in startups.

‘More aggressive’ Shares of Infosys have climbed 18 percent since Sikka took the helm, outperforming the 6.2 per cent increase in the benchmark S&P BSE India Sensex.

“Many things we have done that probably we have not done as aggressively in the past,” Rao said.

“It’s a combination of things. A new strategy, new thinking, and also it’s

what’s happening around us which is also making us do things in a more aggressive manner.”

Some analysts including Diviya Nagarajan at UBS Group, who has a sell rating on the stock, see Sikka’s growth plans as being too ambitious. Achieving $20 billion in sales by 2020, would entail a significant challenge, with Infosys needing to spend at least $6 billion on acquisitions to meet the goal, the Economic Times reported May 8, citing Nagarajan. An e-mail and a call to Nagarajan outside of office hours in Hong Kong weren’t immediately returned.

Information technology services companies globally trade at an average 4.7 times sales, data com-

piled by Bloomberg show. Infosys had cash and near cash of $5.2 billion as of March 31.

Sales slowdown “We see it as a vision statement and not an indicator of growth prospects,” Sandeep Muthangi and Nandish Dalal, analysts at IIFL Institutional Equities in Mumbai, wrote in an April 27 report titled “Still early for a leap of faith.”

The urgency to push for acquisitions is highlighted by a sharp deceleration in sales at Infosys.

Revenue increased 6.4 per cent to Rs533.2 billion ($8.3 billion) in the 12 months ended March, with growth slowing from an average 18.5 per cent in the preceding five years. India’s second-largest software-services provider April 24 forecast sales in the year started April 1 will rise by a maximum 8.2 per cent in dollar terms, missing analysts’s projections for growth of as much as 10 per cent.

Infosys expects the new investments in startups to help strengthen its technology capabilities. The company, which has set aside $250 million each for domestic entrepreneurs and for firms outside India, has so far backed two overseas startups. “With the pace at which technology is changing it is practically impossible for a single company to provide all the technologies that a client is looking at,” Rao said. “When we look at startups, many of them have interesting technologies” and over a period of time the firms Infosys invests in may become potential acquisition candidates, he said. - Bloomberg News

OVERSEAS SALES

Gulf refined products exports throw lifeline to tankers as demand surges LONDON: With Arab Gulf diesel exports poised to exceed imports for the first time, owners of fuel tankers are ordering more ships.

Overseas sales of refined products from the Gulf may rise 45 per cent over the next decade, outpacing a 13 per cent increase in crude exports. The region will become a net exporter of diesel next year, according to JBC Energy. Scorpio Tankers Inc. is adding 15 fuel tankers to its fleet while D’Amico International Shipping ordered two more to meet demand it expects from longer shipping routes to service the surge.

Seeking to extract more value from their resources by processing them, Saudi Arabia and other Gulf producers will add at least 1.4 million barrels a day of refining capacity over the next five years, according to BMI Research, a unit of the Fitch Group. After meeting domestic demand they will ship the more-lucrative fuels abroad, boosting product tankers whose

– Bloomberg file picture

average rates this year are the highest since 2011.

“As more and more new refineries in the Middle East go into production, there will be need for more product carriers,” Park Moo Hyun, an analyst at Hana Daetoo Securities Co. said by phone from Seoul on May 6. “It’s only a matter of time before product carriers become a bigger business there.”

Oil producers including Saudi Arabia, Abu Dhabi and Kuwait are expanding refining capacity to reduce imports of fuel needed

to meet rising domestic demand and to produce cleaner-burning diesel that fetches premium prices compared with crude oil in overseas markets.

To cope with the rising exports, D’Amico International ordered two Long Range product tankers from Hyundai Mipo Dockyard for $44 million each, it said in an April 27 statement. The vessels are due to be delivered in 2017 from the South Korean company’s Vietnam shipyard.

The shipping company, whose

fleet includes Handymax and Medium Range tankers, is buying the Long Range vessels because their larger cargo capacity “will be in great demand in the years to come,” Marco Fiori, chief executive officer of D’Amico, said in the statement.

Scorpio, based in Monaco, and Ireland’s Ardmore Shipping Corp. are among companies to benefit, said Hana Daetoo’s Park. Middle Eastern refinery operators may also consider creating new shipping units to haul their own products, further boosting demand for tankers, he said.

Capacity grows “Scorpio is the primary beneficiary of the increase in Middle East exports,” Robert Bugbee, the firm’s president, said by phone May 6.

The company, which owns and operates 88 product tankers, has 12 on order and is buying at least three more, he said. — Bloomberg News

B4

W EDN ESDAY, MAY 13, 2015

MARKET OMAN STOCKS

MUSCAT SECURITIES MARKET

INDICES Index .................................................High .................Low..................... Value ............... Prev . Value.......... Diff ...............Diff % MSM30 Index ....................................... 6,324.03 ...............6,312.74 ...................6,322.59 ................... 6,313.84.................... 8.75 ................... 0.14 Financial Index ..................................... 7,720.01 ............... 7,661.32 ....................7,720.01 ................... 7,661.32................. 58.69 ................... 0.77 Industrial Index ................................... 8,326.27 ...............8,310.58 ................... 8,326.13 ................... 8,313.23................. 12.90 ................... 0.16 Services Index ...................................... 3,444.64 ...............3,441.30 ....................3,442.11 ...................3,440.29.................... 1.82 ................... 0.05 MSM SHARIAH INDEX.......................973.96 ..................972.67 .......................973.73 ...................... 973.08....................0.65 ................... 0.07 Trading Summary Volume ................Turnover ..........Trades .............. Market Cap............. Up............Down ............. Equal .........Sec. Traded 18,988,326 ..................4,624,771 .....................966 ...............14,712,423,242 ................24 ........................8 .................... 14 .........................46

SHARE PRICE BULLETIN FOR TUESDAY, MAY 12 ISIN ..................................................SECURITY NAME ...............................................................................................VOLUME ..............TURNOVER...................TRADES ...........OPEN PRICE............. HIGH....................LOW...............CLOSE PR. ..........PREV. CLOSE..........DIFF (RO) .................DIFF %......................LAST PR...............LAST BID.....................LAST OFFER .................MARKET CAP ........PAR VALUE

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

OM0000001962............AL MADINA INVESTMENT ................................... 2,912,761.......220,704..................... 89 ........... 0.073 ........... 0.077 ...........0.073........... 0.076 .............0.070 ........... 0.006............. 8.571 ................0.077..............0.077...................0.000 .................. 15,743,505 .........0.100 OM0000002820 ...........GULF INVESTMENT SERVICES ......................... 1,587,038 ...... 219,606..................... 75 ............0.133 ........... 0.140 ...........0.133 ............0.138 .............0.130............ 0.008............. 6.154 ................0.140.............. 0.139...................0.140....................8,120,364 ..........0.100 OM0000002366 ...........AL BATINAH DEV. INV. HOLDING ...................... 488,454 ........... 63,882.....................42 ............0.126 ........... 0.134 ...........0.126............0.131 ............. 0.125............ 0.006.............4.800 ................0.133 ..............0.132...................0.134....................3,930,000 ..........0.100 OM0000001681 ............OMAN AND EMIRATES INV. HOLDING........... 1,814,146.......201,609................... 101 ............0.106 ........... 0.114............0.105 ............0.111..............0.107............ 0.004............. 3.738 ................ 0.111 ...............0.111................... 0.112 ................... 13,528,125 .........0.100 OM0000002440 ...........AL SHARQIA INVESTMENT HOLDING ..............17,627 ...............2,458........................6 ............0.139 ........... 0.142 ...........0.138 ............0.139 .............0.134............ 0.005..............3.731.................0.140.............. 0.138...................0.142...................12,510,000 .........0.100 OM0000004768 ...........AL MADINA TAKAFUL............................................. 313,324 ............27,263..................... 23 ........... 0.086 ...........0.088 ...........0.086........... 0.087 .............0.085 ........... 0.002............. 2.353 ................0.087..............0.087...................0.089...................15,225,000 .........0.100 OM0000001772 ............AL ANWAR HOLDING............................................... 519,696 .......... 124,794..................... 74 ........... 0.235 ...........0.245 ...........0.235........... 0.240 .............0.235 ........... 0.005............. 2.128 ................0.241..............0.241...................0.246 ..................31,320,000.........0.100 OM0000001087............OMAN UNITED INSURANCE ............................... 188,640 ........... 56,602......................18 ........... 0.300...........0.302 ...........0.300 .......... 0.300 .............0.296 ........... 0.004..............1.351.................0.300 .............0.296...................0.300 ..................30,000,000 ........0.100 OM0000002028 ...........GULF INTERNATIONAL CHEMICALS ..............30,670 ...............6,952........................6 ........... 0.227 ...........0.227 ...........0.225........... 0.227 .............0.225 ........... 0.002............. 0.889 ................0.227..............0.225...................0.227 ................... 4,767,000 ..........0.100 OM0000001525 ............OMAN INVESTMENT AND FINANCE.............. 242,073 ............56,159..................... 25 ........... 0.232 ...........0.233 ...........0.230........... 0.232 .............0.230 ........... 0.002............. 0.870 ................0.230..............0.229...................0.230 ..................46,400,000 ........0.100 OM0000002374............UNITED FINANCE ..................................................... 212,000 ...........26,500........................6 ............0.125 ........... 0.125 ...........0.125 ............0.125 .............0.124 ............0.001 .............0.806 ................0.125 .............. 0.125...................0.126...................38,845,618 .........0.100 OM0000003521 ............GALFAR ENGINEERING AND CON. .................. 1,359,475 .......177,702..................... 67 ............0.130 ........... 0.132 ...........0.130............0.131 .............0.130.............0.001 ............. 0.769 ................0.131 ...............0.131...................0.132................... 37,987,463 .........0.100 OM0000001517 ............HSBC BANK OMAN .................................................... 296,162 ........... 40,387......................14 ............0.133 ........... 0.138 ...........0.133 ............0.136 ............. 0.135.............0.001 ..............0.741.................0.137 .............. 0.137...................0.138................. 272,042,539 .......0.100 OM0000003224 ...........RENAISSANCE SERVICES ..................................... 556,038 ......... 199,646......................15 ........... 0.360 ...........0.360 ...........0.352........... 0.360 .............0.358 ........... 0.002............. 0.559 ................0.360..............0.358...................0.360 .................101,554,003........0.100 OM0000004925 ...........AL BATINAH POWER................................................ 2,754,143 ......525,984........................4 ............0.190 ........... 0.191............0.190............0.191 .............0.190 ............0.001 ............. 0.526 ................0.191 .............. 0.177................... 0.191 ..................128,903,499........0.100 OM0000004933 ...........AL SUWADI POWER ................................................... 60,000 ............. 11,455........................3 ............0.190 ........... 0.191............0.190............0.191 .............0.190 ............0.001 ............. 0.526 ................0.191 .............. 0.191...................0.192.................. 136,451,611 ........0.100 OM0000002168............AL ANWAR CERAMIC TILES ............................... 479,074 ..........197,054..................... 23 ........... 0.408 ........... 0.412 ...........0.408........... 0.412 .............0.410............ 0.002............. 0.488 ................0.412 ..............0.412...................0.418..................122,040,037........0.100 OM0000002200 ...........AHLI BANK ......................................................................51,000 .............10,752........................5 ............0.210 ........... 0.212 ...........0.210............0.211 .............0.210 ............0.001 ............. 0.476 ................0.212..............0.210...................0.212................. 300,682,626 .......0.100 OM0000002176 ............AL JAZEERA STEEL PRODUCTS ...........................11,155 ...............2,910........................5 ........... 0.260...........0.262 ...........0.260 .......... 0.261 .............0.260 ............0.001 ............. 0.385 ................0.260..............0.257...................0.260 ..................32,598,368.........0.100 OM0000003026 ...........OMAN TELECOMMUNICATION ........................ 450,734 .........743,550......................41 ............1.650 ........... 1.650 ...........1.645 ............1.650 ............. 1.645............ 0.005.............0.304 ................1.645 .............. 1.645...................1.650................1,237,500,000 ......0.100 OM0000001319 ............NATIONAL ALUMINIUM PRODUCTS ...............83,840 .............26,156......................14 ........... 0.308 ........... 0.312 ...........0.308........... 0.312 .............0.312............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.312 ..............0.312...................0.318...................10,474,292 .........0.100 OM0000001509............DHOFAR INT.DEV.AND INV. HOLD.................... 128,261............ 62,078.....................22 ........... 0.484 ...........0.484 ...........0.484........... 0.484 .............0.484 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.484..............0.484...................0.494 .................119,257,600 ........0.100 OM0000001749 ............OMAN CEMENT .......................................................... 111,086 .............57,872........................8 ........... 0.520 ...........0.522 ...........0.520........... 0.520 .............0.520 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.522..............0.522...................0.528..................172,053,809........0.100 OM0000002226 ...........AL JAZEERA SERVICES ..............................................3,000 ............... 1,036........................2 ........... 0.346 ...........0.346 ...........0.344 .......... 0.344 .............0.344 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.344..............0.344...................0.348 ..................21,054,270 .........0.100 OM0000002549 ...........BANK DHOFAR .................................................................3,134 ..................890........................1 ........... 0.284 ...........0.284 ...........0.284 .......... 0.280 .............0.280 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.284..............0.276...................0.284 .................432,523,993 .......0.100 OM0000002614............ONIC. HOLDING .......................................................... 165,545............. 76,151......................17 ........... 0.460 ...........0.460 ...........0.460........... 0.460 .............0.460 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.460..............0.450...................0.470................... 79,774,695 .........0.100 OM0000002796 ...........BANK MUSCAT ............................................................ 2,137,618 .... 1,141,488..................... 78 ........... 0.534 ...........0.534 ...........0.534........... 0.534 .............0.534 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.534..............0.534...................0.536................1,223,833,267 ......0.100 OM0000003398 ...........BANK SOHAR................................................................ 137,894 ............ 24,959........................6 ............0.181 ........... 0.181............0.181 ............0.181 ............. 0.181 ............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.181 .............. 0.179................... 0.181 ................. 260,900,640 .......0.100 OM0000003968 ...........OOREDOO............................................................................2,174 ...............1,609........................3 ............0.740 ........... 0.740 ...........0.740........... 0.740 .............0.740 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.740..............0.736...................0.740..................481,698,730........0.100 OM0000005005 ...........ALMAHA CERAMICS ..................................................62,610 ............ 33,078.....................22 ........... 0.528 ...........0.530 ...........0.528........... 0.528 .............0.530 ...........-0.002 ........... -0.377 ...............0.528.............. 0.512...................0.528...................27,720,000 .........0.100 OM0000003000 ...........ALMAHA PETROLEUM PRODUCTS MAR. ....... 16,323 .............35,747........................4 ............2.190 ........... 2.190 ...........2.190........... 2.190 .............2.200 ...........-0.010 ........... -0.455 ...............2.190..............2.180...................2.190.................. 151,110,000 ........0.100 OM0000001418 ............RAYSUT CEMENT ........................................................ 49,787 ..............77,171........................3 ............1.560 ........... 1.560 ...........1.550 ............1.550 .............1.560............-0.010 ........... -0.641 ...............1.550 .............. 1.575...................0.000 ................ 310,000,000 .......0.100 OM0000003125 ............GLOBAL FINANCIAL INVESTMENT ................. 30,000 ...............3,420........................3 ............0.114 ........... 0.114............0.114 ............0.114 ............. 0.115 ............-0.001 ........... -0.870 ...............0.114 ..............0.108................... 0.115 .................. 22,800,000 ........0.100 OM0000001483............NATIONAL BANK OF OMAN ...................................91,246 ............ 28,553........................7 ............0.314 ........... 0.316 ...........0.312 ........... 0.312 ............. 0.316............-0.004 ........... -1.266 ...............0.316 ..............0.312...................0.316..................418,301,598 ........0.100 .............................................SUM: .................................................................................. 17,366,728 .4,486,177...................832 ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. ........................................................................................................................................... TRADED SEC. ......34........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

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

OM0000001368 ............CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS IND. .................. 349,467 ............13,979..................... 27 ........... 0.040...........0.040 ...........0.040 .......... 0.040 .............0.039 ............0.001 .............2.564 ................0.040 .............0.039...................0.040 ...................3,400,000 ..........0.100 OM0000001566 ............OMAN FISHERIES .......................................................80,684 ...............4,334......................16 ........... 0.052 ...........0.054 ...........0.052........... 0.054 .............0.053 ............0.001 ............. 1.887 ................0.054..............0.054...................0.055....................6,750,000 ..........0.100 OM0000004420 ...........BANK NIZWA ................................................................ 440,808............33,055..................... 25 ............0.075 ........... 0.075 ...........0.074........... 0.075 .............0.074 ............0.001 ..............1.351.................0.075..............0.074...................0.075..................112,500,000........0.100 OM0000002564 ...........AL HASSAN ENGINEERING.................................. 237,092 ........... 24,010......................31 ............0.101 ........... 0.102 ...........0.100............0.101 .............0.100 ............0.001 ............. 1.000 ................0.102..............0.102...................0.103.................... 7,596,008 ..........0.100 OM0000001152 ............OMAN NATIONAL ENGINE. INVT. .........................1,474 .................. 376........................2 ........... 0.255 ........... 0.255 ...........0.255........... 0.260 .............0.260 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.255..............0.255...................0.000 ..................23,400,000 ........0.100 OM0000001400 ...........OMAN FLOUR MILLS ................................................... 1,600 .................. 807........................7 ........... 0.502 ...........0.506 ...........0.502........... 0.502 .............0.502 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.504..............0.504...................0.506 ..................79,065,000.........0.100 OM0000004511 ............ALIZZ ISLAMIC BANK................................................10,000 ..................800........................2 ........... 0.080 ...........0.080 ...........0.080........... 0.080 .............0.080 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.080..............0.078...................0.084 ..................80,000,000 ........0.100 OM0000004776 ...........TAKAFUL OMAN INSURANCE .............................. 29,213 ............... 3,213........................4 ............0.110 ........... 0.110............0.110 ............0.110 ............. 0.110............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.110 .............. 0.110................... 0.112 ...................11,000,000 .........0.100 OM0000001301 ............DHOFAR CATTLE FEED ...............................................7,216 ...............1,299........................2 ............0.180 ........... 0.180 ...........0.180........... 0.180 ............. 0.181 ............-0.001 ........... -0.552 ...............0.180..............0.180...................0.187...................13,860,000 .........0.100 .............................................SUM: .................................................................................. 1,157,554 ..........81,873....................116 ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. ........................................................................................................................................... TRADED SEC. ........ 9........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

B0NDS MARKET .................................................................................................................................................................................

OM0000004867 ...........BANK MUSCAT C C B 4.5 ......................................... 321,557............ 32,477........................8 ............0.101 ........... 0.101............0.101 ............0.101 ............. 0.101............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.101 ..............0.103...................0.105...................32,283,910 .........0.100 OM0000003810............BANK MUSCAT SUBORDINATED BONDS ........10,000 ............ 10,500........................1 ............1.050 ........... 1.050 ...........1.050 ........... 1.050 .............1.060 ...........-0.010 ........... -0.943 ...............1.050 ..............1.040...................1.060...................78,750,000 .........1.000 OM0000004602 ...........BANK MUSCAT CONV. BONDS 4.5 ...................... 132,487 ............13,744........................9 ............0.104 ........... 0.104 ...........0.103........... 0.104 .............0.109 ...........-0.005 ........... -4.587 ...............0.103 ..............0.104...................0.109...................31,485,908 .........0.100 .............................................SUM: .................................................................................. 464,044............56,721......................18 ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. ........................................................................................................................................... TRADED SEC. ........ 3........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Muscat bourse edges up Tuesday’s top gainer was Al Madina Investment, up by 8.5 per cent, while Global Financial Investment, down by 0.87 per cent, was the top loser of the day

MUSCAT: Muscat bourse’s general index — MSM30 Index — closed at 6,322.59 points, up by 0.14 per cent. The MSM Shariah Index was up by 0.07 per cent to close at 973.73 points. Al Madina Investment was the most active in terms of volume while Bank Muscat was the most active in terms of turnover. Tuesday’s top gainer was Al Madina Investment, up by

8.5 per cent while Global Financial Investment down by 0.87 per cent was the top loser for the day.

As many as 966 trades were executed during the day’s trading session generating turnover of OMR4.62 million with more than 18.988 million shares changing hands. Out of 46 traded securities, 24 advanced, eight declined and 14 remained unchanged.

Omani investors switched to net buyers for OMR228,000 followed

by GCC and Arab investors for OMR58,000 while foreign investors switched to net sellers for OMR264,000 worth of shares.

Financial Index edged up 0.77 per cent to close at 7,720.01 points.

Al Madina Investments, Gulf Investment Services, DBIH and Oman& Emirates rose 8.57 per cent, 6.15 per cent, 4.80 per cent and 3.74 per cent, respectively.

NBO and Global Financial Investment declined by 1.27 per cent and 0.87 per cent, respectively.

Industrial Index closed at 8,326.13 points, up by 0.16 per cent. Construction Material Industries, Oman Fisheries, Al Hassan Engineering and Gulf International Chemicals increased by 2.56 per cent, 1.89 per cent, 1 per cent and 0.89 per cent, respec-

tively. Raysut Cement, Dhofar Cattlefeed and Al Maha Ceramics fell 0.64 per cent, 0.55 per cent and 0.38 per cent, respectively.

Services Sector Index increased 0.05 per cent to end the day at 3,442.11 points. OIFC, Renaissance Services, Al Suwadi Power and Al Batinah Power increased by 0.87 per cent, 0.56 per cent, 0.53 per cent and 0.53 per cent, respectively. Al Maha Petroleum declined by 0.45 per cent to close at OMR2.190.

Emerging markets fall Emerging-market stocks fell for the first time in three days as a global rout in bonds reduced the appeal of equities relative to debt yields. Russia’s rouble advanced, limiting losses on a gauge of developing-nation currencies.

– United Securities/Bloomberg News

NEW APPOINTMENT

< FROM

B1 Power sector key for economy Commenting on his appointment as CEO, Yaqoub said, “The opportunity provided by GDF Suez allowed me to broaden my managerial skills in the arena of human resource development and in finance. The experience I gained in Al Kamil Construction & Services (AKCS), the operations and the maintenance company of Al Kamil Power, paved the

way for me to take up yet another challenge. I was very proud to be named CEO of the Al Kamil Power Company this year.”

Power sector Yakoub explains that the power sector is the backbone of a country. As a skilled professional in the field, he believes that the Sultanate’s human capital has

the creativity and talent to take up challenges in the sector and emerge successful in their endeavours. The Omani staff ratio at the Al Kamil Power Company currently stands at 70 per cent, and he strongly believes that the citizens employed have proved themselves as a vital player, performing excellently throughout all levels of the organisation.

W E D N E S DAY, MAY 1 3, 2 0 1 5

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ROUND-UP U N I QU E I N I T I AT I V E

A’Saffa Foods’ new Facebook competition rewards children MUSCAT: A unique initiative launched by A’Saffa Foods — ‘Let us achieve their dreams -2’ — will help make dreams come true for 10 children with special care living in special care homes.

A’Saffa Foods has been committed to helping children within the Sultanate with hope and opportunity right from the time of its inception, as the company believes that children are an integral part of society and the future of tomorrow. The organisation’s social outreach programme – ‘Let us achieve their dreams’ hence focuses its efforts on helping children live better lives by making their dreams come true, says a press release.

“This 45-day campaign will work towards the incredible mile-

ISC celebrates HM's return to Oman in style

On this happy occasion a 45kg cake was cut to pay tribute to His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said and celebrate his return to Oman in Sultan Qaboos Multipurpose auditorium

SALALAH: The Indian Social Club Salalah celebrated the happy occasion of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said’s return to Oman in its Sultan Qaboos Multipurpose auditorium. The event was attended by Dr. Rahma Al Mahrooqi, Associate Professor at the Department of English, Sultan Qaboos University as the chief guest, says a press release.

General Secretary, Dr Khadernawaz Khan invited the guests and the audience. The Adan group led by Jawhar performed different traditional dances of Dhofar region like Rubaba and Bara.

Later, Manpreet Singh, ISC chairman, honoured the guests with bouquets and mementos.

On this happy occasion a 45kg cake was cut to pay tribute to His Majesty the Sultan. The star per-

TRADITIONAL SPORT

BankDhofar supports camel race festival in Al Mudhaibi MUSCAT: Extending its support to community initiatives and various events that aim to promote Omani cultural heritage and traditional sports, BankDhofar recently sponsored the Al Abiyadh 6th Annual Camel Race Festival in Al Mudhaibi.

The three-day event wrapped up with a closing ceremony under the patronage of His Highness Sayyid Kamil bin Fahad bin Mahmoud Al Said, assistant secretary-general of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister for Cabinet Affairs, and was attended by Fuad bin Jaffer Al Sajwani, Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, as well as a number of highprofile guests, members of the Shura Council, members of the State Council, sheikhs and dignitaries, says a press release.

“We at BankDhofar believe that we are an integral component of the society and that we have a proactive role to play in order to support the community development and the various initiatives that aim to extend

our outreach and social involvement. In addition to promoting Omani cultural heritage and traditional sports, the festival also contributes to the local economy by enriching the tourism sector in Al Sharqiya Region,” said Sami Omar Al Zadjali, head of Marketing & Corporate Communications at BankDhofar Al Abiyadh Camel Race Festival brings together camel sports fans from all parts of Oman and across the region. In addition to the 55 racing sessions, the festival included various activities such as heritage village, handicrafts exhibition, poetry sessions and traditional folklore music and dances.

former of the day, Mohammad Vakil, a ghazal singer from India, was introduced by Dr Khan.

Powerful performance Dr Rahma said she was happy to be part of this august occasion being celebrated by the Indian Social Club, Salalah. Mohammad Vakil mesmerised the audience with his powerful performance, singing superhit songs like Chaudvinkachand ho, damadam mast qalandar and Jagjit Singh’s Vo kaghaz ki kashti, vo barish ka pani, ending with melodramatic song Chithi aayee hai that made the audience reminisce about their homeland. The audience left the hall high on emotions and a feeling of satisfaction.

Mohandas presented the vote of thanks.

The organisation’s social outreach programme – ‘Let us achieve their dreams’ focuses its efforts on helping children live better lives by making their dreams come true stone of positively impacting the lives of 10 children this year. We began the initiative with helping five children achieve their dreams last year, and decided to extend the same to 10 children this year – five boys and five girls in the age group of 7 years to 10 years,” said Sidhartha Lenka, head of Sales and Marketing, A’Saffa Foods.

Online users are requested to ‘Like’ the A’ Saffa Foods Facebook post from May 10 to June 25. Every

‘Like’ will generate 100 baisa that will be donated by A’Saffa Foods towards presents for 10 selected children; presents that the children choose and feel would help achieve their dreams. The fortunate kids, to get closer to their dreams, are: Farida, Anjum, Hassan, Nasreen, Sameera, Shahid and Tabassum who will be getting an iPad each; and Sumair, Saleh and Ahmed who will be getting a Play Station each.

A’Saffa Foods’ social media initiative is a step towards further engaging and interacting with their consumers, and informing them about the goodness, purity, freshness, halal and 100 percent natural attribute of the brand. Through the A’Saffa Facebook page, online users have access to all information related to the brands under A’Saffa Foods’ umbrella.

“Each child helped and each life impacted is a testament to the incredible giving spirit of A’Saffa Foods. We are inspired by children as they continue to make a difference around the world, one child at a time, and we hope we are able to positively impact the lives of at least 10 children that have been chosen this year,” added Lenka.

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W EDNESDAY, MAY 13, 2015

ROUND-UP New, elegant 2016 Renault Megane comes with excellent safety features The 2016 Renault Megane hatch’s lively design makes the car feel agile and responsive, exuding vitality, charm and sturdiness

MUSCAT: Renault from the house of Suhail Bahwan Automobiles is committed to providing excellent safety features with their range of vehicles.

The Renault Megane collection is a primary example of this commitment, being the first vehicle in its class to achieve five-stars at the Euro NCAP safety trials. The Megane, despite its compact appeal, has an interior layout that provides a roomy driving atmosphere with exceptional road handling, says a press release.

The 2016 Renault Megane hatch’s lively design makes the car feel agile and responsive, exuding vitality, charm and sturdiness.

The car’s charismatic impressions borne of its sleek look, sharpened lines and harmonious proportions are meant for the adventure seeking and outdoorsy individuals.

Enhanced features The hatchback comes with 100% touchscreen that opens up to a world of multimedia functions, the vehicle features hands-free card to unlock, start and remotely lock the car. The electrochrome rearview mirror gradually darkens as light levels increase to prevent dazzling.

The Digital speedometer offers enhanced readability and optimized ergonomics. The 2016 Megane also features Electronic Stability Control (ESC or ESP) with ASR anti-skid system and understeer control giving guaranteed vehicle stability.

Before taking to the road, every Renault vehicle engine is tested out on the racetrack: the most demanding high-tech laboratory, with unique benefits to ensure driving pleasure for the owner.

Renault’s 12 World Championship titles and unrivalled list of hon-

analogue for the rev counter, digital for the speedometer and information from the trip computer.

Not only does the Renault Megane exude a sporty personality with an energetic dynamic that is often seen in Renault cars, but its design also stands out from the crowd of cars found in its segment.

Technology at its best The new Megane Hatch is as pleasant as it is efficient. Its technology gives a great feeling of musical freedom, the New Megane Hatch is equipped with an Arkamys CD radio with high-quality sound. A USB socket for MP3 player gives direct access to personal favourites. The vehicle comes with USB and jack, steering wheel control, Bluetooth for phone and audio and a remote screen.

ours in Formula 1 are victories for excellence and innovation, ensuring that your Renault vehicle gives drivers outstanding driving pleasure, peace of mind and energy efficiency, every single day.

Classic features The Megane hatch is equipped with dual side-impact sensors, which make it an incredibly ef-

ficient option for any safety-conscious Renault purchaser. With its unique aesthetic that turns heads at its sporty seduction, the 2016 Renault Megane 1.6 is a meeting place of practicality and passion for design.

The Hatchback boasts a stateof-the-art lower chassis, which allows for maximum responsiveness — keeping you in complete control

A D VA N C E D T E C H N O L O G Y

on even the toughest of roads. The new high-performance braking system optimises your reflexes, with one of the shortest braking distances on the market.

A sporty affair The display panel in Megane cars is a true innovation. Drawing inspiration from the world of professional motor sports, it features

Enhanced comfort options The interior features a driving environment that provides both feeling of pleasure and feeling of control. All the controls have been accurately and comfortably positioned — either close to the steering wheel or on the centre console — with a view to freeing up as much space as possible for an even roomier cabin.

Some of its key features are: Hands-Free Renault Card for access and start-up, a smoker’s kit,

12V outlet (in the rear of the centre console), one-touch front and rear electric window winders with anti-trapping device, electric child safety device, day/night rearview mirror and split leather steering wheel. Spacious passenger compartment, ergonomic seats, refined dashboard, refrigerated glove box and elegant finishes are its strengths.

Great care has gone into the quality and fit-and-finish of the materials employed, at all equipment levels.

The dashboard benefits from an elegant finish which is not only soft to touch but also resistant to the adverse effects of sunlight.

The windscreen wipers are aesthetically concealed beneath the bonnet line, a design which favours acoustic and aerodynamic performance.

The interior trim has been carefully thought through, to produce a range of distinct ambiences depending on equipment level.

Customers can choose between a relaxing, light, elegant trim that exudes travelling comfort or a darker ambience with a sportier feel.

As far as performance is concerned, the new Renault Megane Hatch is powered by a choice of three engines and three transmissions, catering to every driver’s need. With a 1.6 L 115hp featuring a 4-speed automatic transmission with CVT gearbox, all tastes and requirements of the driving enthusiasts are covered.

Optimal driving experience For a more precision driving experience — the new 4-speed sequential mode automatic gearbox optimizes gear shifts for a smoother drive and great sensations while accelerating. The new X-tronic continuous variation transmission which as a result of the alliance between Renault and Nissan, the transmission is very fluid as there are no gear changes which results in no breaks in acceleration.

SBA is largely committed to supporting Renault Oman’s growth in the Sultanate through major emphasis on customer satisfaction and by providing world-class after-sales services in Oman.

With a national network of more than 40 showrooms, service centres and parts outlets, SBA has further built upon its legacy of trust, excellent customer service and providing value for money to each of its customers.

C O M E D Y P L AY

Ooredoo starts delivering upgraded network security for businesses

Renowned artist Devdas Kapikad to stage Tulu play

MUSCAT: Ooredoo is set to raise the bar for network security in Oman by providing protection against DDoS attacks. The system will tighten network security for Ooredoo Internet Enterprise corporate customers and maintain a strong defence against cyber threats.

This new security will enhance Ooredoo’s 24/7 network surveillance and provide customers with access to Ooredoo’s IT security professionals as well as a secure chest that allows identified threats to be monitored.

Using advanced technology, the DDoS Managed Security shield is also equipped with early detection and elimination capabilities, says a press release.

MUSCAT: Tuluvaites in Oman have an opportunity to enjoy a comedy play, Paniyere Aavandina (That which cannot be told) to be staged by renowned artist Devdas Kapikad.

This Tulu comedy drama, penned by the well known, Thelikede Bolli (Light of Laughter) Devdas Kapikad along with the talented Cha Parka Team, Mangalore, will be presented by Majan Events on Friday, May 22 at Grand Hall, Al Falaj Hotel at 6.30pm, says a press release.

Majan Events, in association with Kudla Friends, Muscat, will present this humorous and message-embedded play and an evening to remember. The story, creation, direction, acting and vocal

“We live in a world where companies need watertight security systems to protect their business interests from malicious threats.

With the rise of Internet attacks, it is essential for our corporate customers to have the very best security on the market. Network

RECRUIT

attacks can result in significant loss of revenue and downtime,” said Abdul Aziz Jaffar, director of IT and Information Systems Management at Ooredoo.

“Our upgraded system is the answer to those threats, keeping the corporate information of our clients safe and sound,” he added.

Ooredoo continues to provide clients with service of the highest quality by delivering the latest technology through safe and dependable networks.

The enhanced system will use Ooredoo’s technological expertise to lock corporate data in a vault and neutralise threats to corporate security. Ooredoo’s network security system ensures that all traffic is clean and secure.

music, for this play is by Devdas Kapikad. His talent is well appreciated by all drama lovers and the Cha Parka Team is no stranger to the Tulu drama lovers here.

Devdas Kapikad and his tryst

with drama and its various nuances in the form of acting, singing, directing, penning scriptlines, span three decades or more.

Barely 14 years old, Kapikad penned a short drama, Ananda Baashpa for the school stage.

His love for theatre and his laudable efforts in popularising Tulu theatre have always attracted many a drama enthusiast. Though most of the dramas staged by the team have a major element of comedy, they do exhibit a strong social message interspersed with striking emotions.

“This is my 49th play and am sure our esteemed audience will enjoy it till the end and the evening will be an entertaining outing,” said Kapikad.

WWW.TIMESOFOMAN.COM WEDNESDAY, MAY 13, 2015

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RECRUI

Courage is the first of human qualities because it is the quality which guarantees all others.

— Winston Churchill

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There is no royal road to anything. One thing at a time, all things in succession. That which grows fast, withers as rapidly. That which grows slowly, endures.

— Josiah Gilbert Holland Look at the sparrows; they do not know what they will do in the next moment. Let us literally live from moment to moment.

— Mahatma Gandhi

B8

W EDN ESDAY, MAY 13, 2015

ROUND-UP

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Bank Muscat launches Zeinah card promotion Up to 50 per cent discounts are available in more than 60 merchant outlets, including premium health and beauty centres, fine dining restaurants, travel, shopping

C O O L G E TAWAY S

MUSCAT: Bank Muscat, the flagship financial services provider in the Sultanate, as part of continuing efforts to provide value added banking services for women, has launched a promotion offering attractive deals and discounts to Zeinah cardholders at leading merchants and retailers, says a press release.

The discounts ranging up to 50 per cent are available in more than 60 merchant outlets, including premium health and beauty centres, fine dining restaurants, travel, shopping etc. The Zeinah card promotion runs till December 31 and the list of outlets offering the discounts can be viewed on www. bankmuscat.com/cards.

With women comprising a ma-

jor customer segment, Bank Muscat offers unique products and services aimed at enriching women’s lives at different levels. The Zeinah suite of products and services is based on the premise that women prefer to use special banking services that preserve their privacy.

Catering to the unique needs, Zeinah offers privacy and a relaxed banking atmosphere for women at Bank Muscat branches.

Exclusive tie-ups The Zeinah suite of products include exclusive cards, designated counters at branches and specially designed products. Exclusive tieups with leading merchants and retailers offer the best deals and discounts to Zeinah cardholders.

Oman is witnessing the increasing role of women in workplace and education. As women manage their financial responsibility, the need for new and specific banking products and services has emerged. Zeinah addresses this need offering a personal and comfortable banking environment for women.

The unique products available for women include Zeinah auto finance offering low interest rate.

The main features of Zeinah auto finance include low monthly payment option, low interest rates, financing up to eight years for new vehicles, on-the-spot approvals and motor insurance funding with one of the lowest monthly payments in the market.

SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

Millennium Resort offers exclusive holiday packages

Oman LNG set to provide gear for over 900 disabled

MUSANNAH: As the summer sun returns to the Sultanate, Millennium Resort Musannah has devised some cool getaways to contribute to Oman’s flourishing travel accommodation market.

With bed and breakfast for two from OMR 53 (net), the resort is offering a one night stay in a Deluxe Room, with the option of dinner at the fabulous Mydan restaurant for just OMR 70 (net). The Family Favourite package brings two guests a night in a Deluxe Room, inclusive of breakfast for OMR 59 (net), with a free upgrade to a Sea View Room, and 50% discount for a second Family Room for U-16 children. Guests can also choose Summer Value Meal promotion that offers half board service with the option of a full board upgrade which includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner for only OMR 76 (net).

MUSCAT: Over 900 people living with disabilities across the Sultanate will soon receive some respite through using modern medical equipment that make life more comfortable and easier for the handicapped. This relief comes under the auspices of an agreement signed between Oman LNG and the Oman Association for the Disabled.

Oman LNG, the Sultanate’s liquefied natural gas entity and a major contributor to national economy has allocated OMR273,200 towards the association’s procurement of 905 various prosthetic devices.

The list of devices comprises 595 wheelchairs of the electronic, comfort, sport and standard variants, 60 hearing aids, 50 electric beds and mattresses, 100 commode chairs and 100 air cushions

with pump.

Commode chairs are portable bathroom facilities, placed at the bedside of persons whose movements are limited, and can be used when the individual is too debilitated to reach the bathroom. The receptacle for waste can be removed and emptied conveniently.

“We are happy to continue playing our social responsible role as a corporate citizen that offers result-oriented support as a way of improving the quality of life

for everyone in the country. This agreement demonstrates our ongoing commitment towards our beloved country where we are investing in schemes that will have an immediate, measurable impact on the lives of people with disabilities. We believe our support to the association in funding the procurement of these pieces of equipment bring some ease to their daily lives and help them to cope better,” said Khalid Al Massan, Oman LNG’s chief corporate affairs officer soon after inking the accord.

The pact was signed under the patronage of Sheikh Mohammed bin Said Al Kalbani, Minister of Social Development. Yahya bin Abdullah Al Amri, president of Oman Association for Disabled, and Khalid bin Abdullah Al Massan signed the agreement.

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RECOGNITION

Oman UAE Exchange wins key CFI Award MUSCAT: Oman UAE Exchange, the largest exchange company in Oman, bagged the coveted award for Best Foreign Currency Services in Oman from CFI.co (Capital Finance International).

Oman UAE Exchange is the first Exchange Company in Oman to have a Foreign Currency Bank Notes Wholesale Division which caters to the requirements of the corporates across Oman in addition to the 50 outlets of the company, says a press release.

“While the company has received numerous awards for the brand strength as well as for services as a whole, this is the first time one of the product specific services of the company is recognised,” said Tonny George Alexander, CEO of Oman UAE Exchange.

Oman UAE Exchange is the only exchange company in Oman to be IMS certified which include ISO 9001:2008 for Quality, ISO 14001:2004 for environment and OHSAS 18001:2007 for Occupational Health and Safety respectively. The company has been chosen as a Superbrand consecutively from the Year 2009 and is also a recipient of BIZZ Awards for the Year 2012, 2013 & 2014.

Oman UAE Exchange has been adjudged 7th best brand and No.1 brand among Exchange compa-

nies in Oman by a survey conducted by one of the prominent publishers in Oman in the year 2011 & 2015.

CFI.co, a print journal and online resource reporting on business, economics and finance headquartered in London, brings coverage and analysis of the drivers behind change.

According to the Judge’s Report in finalising the award, the panel of Judges reiterated that the company indeed lives up to its tagline “Service is Our Currency” and thus fully merits the Best Foreign Currency Services Oman 2015 Award. Each year, CFI.co seeks out individuals and organisations that contribute significantly to the convergence of economies and truly add value for all stakeholders.

U N I QU E P L AT F O R M

Woman Conclave on May 19 MUSCAT: Thinking, reasoning, careful contemplation and making informed decisions are integral parts of a modern woman’s life. At The Woman Conclave, to be held on May 19 at the InterContinental Muscat, inspiring women from all sectors will come together to share their experiences and expertise and to reinforce the importance of women being the change they wish to see, says a press release.

The mission of The Woman Conclave, brought to you by The Woman, Oman’s leading magazine for women, is to educate, inspire and empower women to be architects of change. The Conclave wishes to bring to the local community women of substance from different fields who will address various topics and issues that influence and impact the lives of women, both in the region and all over the world.

APPOINTMENT

KIMS welcomes new cardiologist on board MUSCAT: KIMS Oman Hospital has welcomed Dr. Praveen Kumar, consultant cardiologist, as a member of its professional medical team at the hospital’s Cardiology Department. He comes equipped with a rich experience of more than 20 years, says a press release.

“It is my great honour and privilege to be part of the Omani healthcare providers,” said Dr. Kumar.

“We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Praveen Kumar in KIMS Oman Hospital’s family, I am confident that Dr. Kumar is a great addition to our Cardiology Department specially with his wide experience and top notch education,” said Dr Hussam Al Akoum, Chief Operating Officer of KOH. Dr. Kumar is available at KOH’s Cardiology Department from 9am to 1pm and from 5pm to 9pm.

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S

‘TRUST ISSUE’ REASON FOR KEVIN PIETERSEN EXILE

England director of cricket Andrew Strauss said Tuesday that Kevin Pietersen was “not part of our plans for the summer”, saying there was a “massive trust issue” between the England and Wales Cricket Board and the controversial batsman >C3

CONFIDENT BUNCH: Juventus’ players take part in a training session on the eve of the Champions League semifinal second-leg football match against Real Madrid. – AFP

Real staring down the barrel Ending the season without winning the Champions League, the La Liga title or the Spanish Cup would be a disaster for the world’s richest club by income but such a scenario is a real possibility for Carlo Ancelotti’s men

MADRID: Stuttering holders Real Madrid could see their last chance of silverware slip away if they are unable to overturn a 2-1 deficit in Wednesday’s Champions League semi-final, second leg at home to Juventus.

Ending the season without winning the Champions League, the La Liga title or the Spanish Cup would be a disaster for the world’s richest club by income but such a scenario is a real possibility for Carlo Ancelotti’s men.

Saturday’s 2-2 La Liga home draw with Valencia left them four points behind leaders Barcelona with two games left and they were dumped out of the King’s Cup

by Atletico, the team they beat 4-1 after extra time to secure a record-extending 10th European Cup last term.

Elimination from the latest edition could prompt drastic action from Real’s notoriously impatient — and deep-pocketed — president Florentino Perez, who has rarely

Hold your tongue, Real coach Ancelotti tells Bale’s agent MADRID: Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti launched an attack on Gareth Bale’s agent for claiming the Welshman’s poor form this season is because his teammates don’t pass him the ball.

Jonathan Barnett, who oversaw Bale’s world record transfer to Madrid in September 2013, responded to fierce criticism of his star client’s performance in Real’s 2-1 Champions League semifinal, first leg defeat to Juventus last week by saying: “Real have to work with Gareth and pass the ball to him more.”

However, Ancelotti responded angrily to those comments, whilst also defending Bale’s output this season despite a return of just three goals since January.

“I think that Bale has had a good season. Last season he scored in the important moments, in the finals, and it could be that with some luck he will have the opportunity to do the same again,” Ancelotti said on Tuesday ahead of his side’s return leg against the Italian champions.

“We are happy with Bale’s season. There are many people in this world that like to talk and at times they do so too much.

“Bale’s agent has never been to one of our training sessions, he doesn’t know our atmosphere and he is talking from the outside. Bale has never had a problem with his teammates, neither have they with him. Bale loves his

teammates and they love him.

It would have been better for him not to say anything.”

World Cup star James Rodriguez denied that Bale is treated any differently to his Madrid teammates and called for unity as they look to get back to the Champions League final for a second consecutive season. “Gareth is a good player, we all want to play with him, but not just him with Cristiano (Ronaldo), Chicharito and many more,” said the Colombian.

“I think that this is a team and we all have to be united.”

Madrid’s only Realistic hope of a major title this season rests with becoming the first side to retain the Champions League after Barcelona opened up a four-point lead at the top of La Liga with just two games remaining on Saturday.

“The team is concentrated and desperate to play a great semi-final to have the chance to return to the final of this competition,” added Ancelotti, who could become the first coach to ever win the European Cup four times.

“It is the most important moment of the season because we are very close to playing another final and entering into the history of this competition.” Ancelotti confirmed that striker Karim Benzema would be fit to feature after a month out with a knee problem, but didn’t say whether he or Javier Hernandez would start up front.- AFP

TOUGH TASK: Real Madrid’s James Rodriguez, Gareth Bale, Lucas Silva, Pepe, Cristiano Ronaldo and Marcelo during a training session. – Reuters

stuck by his coaches for long if they do not deliver trophies on a regular basis.

An exodus of players is also a possibility, with local media spec-

ulating that top scorer Cristiano Ronaldo and captain and goalkeeper Iker Casillas could be on their way.

Real Madrid’s hopes of getting

past Juventus into June’s showpiece in Berlin hinge on cutting out the errors and inconsistency that have dogged them in recent weeks.

Injuries have also played their part and Ancelotti is hoping to have France striker Karim Benzema back for the clash at the Bernabeu, while a suspected injury to Germany midfielder Toni Kroos on Saturday looks to have been nothing more than a scare.

“Above all we need to keep a cool head, be patient, and not go crazy,” defender Dani Carvajal, who conceded the penalty Carlos Tevez converted to win the first leg, said on Real’s website (www.realmadrid.es) on Monday.

“We have to try to make time go really slowly for Juve so that they suffer without the ball,” added the Spain international.

“They created danger when we lost the ball or because of our errors. I believe that if we stay calm, remain really patient and make them move then the game will go our way.”

The successful side is likely to meet Barca in the final after they thumped 2013 winners Bayern Munich 3-0 in their first leg last week, with the return in Munich on Tuesday. - Reuters

REAL MADRID V JUVENTUS

Factfile on Real Madrid and Juventus ahead of the Champions League semifinal, second leg between the clubs in Madrid on Wednesday (Juventus lead 2-1): Form: Real Madrid’s La Liga title hopes all but ended on Saturday as Cristiano Ronaldo saw a penalty saved in a 2-2 draw at home to Valencia. The European champions now trail Barcelona by four points with just two league games remaining. A point also extended Madrid’s poor run against the other sides in La Liga’s top four as they took just four points from a possible 18 against Barca, Atletico Madrid and Valencia this year. Moreover, it was the fourth time in their last five games in which Carlo Ancelotti’s men have conceded twice. Juventus had already clinched their 31st Italian title before beating Real 2-1 in last week’s first leg. A 1-1 draw at home to relegation-threatened Cagliari at the weekend was most notable for the return of French star Paul Pogba after two months out through injury as he scored his 10th goal of the season.

Coaches: Real Madrid — Carlo Ancelotti (ITA) — 55 yrs Juventus — Massimiliano Allegri (ITA) — 47 yrs Domestic league performance: Real Madrid — Second in La Liga, four points adrift of Barcelona.

Juventus — Top of Serie A, already crowned champions with three games left to play.

Road to quarterfinals: Real Madrid — Winners of Group B ahead of Basel. Beat Schalke 5-4 on aggregate in the last 16 and Atletico Madrid 1-0 in the quarterfinals.

Juventus — Runners-up in Group A behind Atletico Madrid. Beat Borussia Dortmund 5-1 on aggregate in the last 16 and Monaco 1-0 in the quarterfinals.

European Cup/Champions League best performances: Real Madrid — winners 1956, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960, 1966, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2014 Juventus — winners 1985, 1996

Other honours: Real Madrid — 32 x Spanish champions, 19 x Spanish Cup winners, 10 x Spanish Super Cup winners, 2 x Uefa Cup winners, 2 x Uefa Super Cup winners, 3 x Intercontinental Cup winners, 1 x Club World Cup winners Juventus — 31 x Italian champions, 9 x Coppa Italia winners, 6 x Italian Supercup winners, 1 x Cup Winners’ Cup winners, 3 x Uefa Cup winners, 2 x Uefa Supercup winners, 2 x Intercontinental Cup winners Previous meetings: Juventus 0 Real Madrid 1 — 1961/62 European Cup quarterfinal, first leg Real Madrid 0 Juventus 1 — 1961/62 European Cup quarter-final, second leg Real Madrid 3 Juventus 1 — 1961/62 European Cup quarter-final replay Real Madrid 1 Juventus 0 — 1986/87 European Cup second round, first leg Juventus 1 Real Madrid 0 (after extra time, Madrid win 3-1 on pens) — 1986/87 European Cup second round, second leg Real Madrid 1 Juventus 0 — 1995/96 Champions League quarterfinal, first leg Juventus 2 Real Madrid 0 — 1995/96 Champions League quarter-final, second leg Juventus 0 Real Madrid 1 — 1997/98 Champions League final Real Madrid 2 Juventus 1 — 2002/03 Champions League semifinal, first leg Juventus 3 Real Madrid 1 — 2002/03 Champions League semifinal, second leg Real Madrid 1 Juventus 0 — 2004/05 Champions League round of 16, first leg Juventus 2 Real Madrid 0 (after extra time) — 2004/05 Champions League round of 16, second leg Juventus 2 Real Madrid 1 — 2008/09 Champions League group stage Real Madrid 0 Juventus 2 — 2008/09 Champions League group stage Real Madrid 2 Juventus 1 — 2013/14 Champions League group stage Juventus 2 Real Madrid 2 — 2013/14 Champions League group stage Juventus 2 Real Madrid 1 — 2014/15 Champions League semifinal, first leg

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W EDN ESDAY, MAY 13, 2015

SPORTS

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Zaheer, Shreyas help Delhi stun Chennai

HIGH HOPES

SCOREBOARD

CHENNAI SUPER KINGS D. Smith lbw b Morkel 18 B. McCullum c Duminy b Khan 11 S. Raina c Duminy b Yadav 11 F. du Plessis b Morkel 29 MS Dhoni c Nadeem b Khan 27 D. Bravo c Duminy b Sandhu 8 P. Negi not out 5 R. Jadeja not out 3 Extras (lb-7) 7 Total (6 wickets; 20 overs) 119 Fall of wickets: 1-16, 2-34, 3-46, 4-83, 5-105 Bowling: S. Nadeem 4-1-18-0; Z. Khan 4-1-9-2; G.S. Sandhu 4-0-33-1; A. Morkel 3-0-21-2; J. Yadav 2-0-8-1; Yuvraj Singh 3-0-23-0 DELHI DAREDEVILS Q de Kock c Ashwin b Pandey 3 S. Iyer not out 70 JP Duminy b Pandey 6 Y. Singh c Sharma b Negi 32 A. Morkel c Pandey b Negi 8 K. Jadhav not out 1 Total (4 wickets; 16.4 overs) 120 Fall of wickets: 1-16, 2-24, 3-93, 4-114 Bowling: I. Pandey 4-1-27-2; M. Sharma 2-0-17-0; R. Ashwin 4-0-24-0; R. Jadeja 2.4-0-16-0; S. Raina 1-0-8-0; P. Negi 3-0-28-2 Man of the match: Zaheer Khan

Opener Shreyas Iyer struck an unbeaten 70 after veteran pacer Zaheer Khan led a brilliant bowling show as Delhi Daredevils notched up a comprehensive six-wicket win over table toppers Chennai Super Kings

RAIPUR: Opener Shreyas Iyer struck an unbeaten 70 after veteran pacer Zaheer Khan led a brilliant bowling show as Delhi Daredevils notched up a comprehensive six-wicket win over table toppers Chennai Super Kings in their Indian Premier League cricket match here on Tuesday.

Electing to bat, Chennai scored just 119 for 6 with Zaheer returning with superb figures of 2 for 9 from his four overs and Albie Morkel chipping in with two wickets as Delhi produced a disciplined bowling show at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium.

Chasing the small target of 120, Delhi, who are already out of contention for a play-off berth, lost two quick wickets to be reduced to 24 for two in the fifth over as opener Quinton de Kock (3) and captain JeanPaul Duminy (6) were out cheaply.

But young Iyer and veteran Yuvraj Singh (32) repaired the Delhi innings with a 69-run stand for the third wicket and set up the easy victory with 3.2 overs to spare.

20-year-old Iyer, who was dropped on 32 in the ninth over, hit 10 fours and a six in his 49-ball unbeaten knock on a slowish track while Yuvraj, who was out in the 14th over, struck four boundaries and a six in his 28-ball innings.

Iyer hit the winning run, a single, as Delhi reached 120 for 4 in 16.4 overs. For Chennai, Ishwar

MAN OF THE MATCH: Zaheer Khan was at his menacing best as

Chennai batters struggled to get runs. – BCCI

Pandey and Pawan Negi took two wickets apiece.

Today’s win was Delhi’s fifth from 13 matches and in the process they snapped their four-match losing streak this season though the victory did not have much significance as they remain on seventh spot in the league table with 10 points with one match left to play.

Interestingly, Delhi snapped their seven-match losing streak against Chennai in the IPL. For Chennai, the loss means they are yet to seal a play-off berth though they still remain on top of league table with 16 points from 13 matches with one match left to play.

Earlier, Delhi produced a disciplined bowling show to restrict Chennai to 119 for six. Chennai found scoring difficult as they failed to build partnerships while losing wickets at regular intervals.

Chennai, one of the most consistent IPL sides, made a slow start and lost three wickets by the halfway mark before top-scorer Faf du Plessis (29 off 23 balls) and captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni (27 off 24 balls) tried to repair the innings with a 36-run stand for the fourth wicket but in vain.

For Delhi, Zaheer (2/9) and Morkel (2/21) were the top bowlers while Gurinder Sandhu and Jayant Yadav took a wicket apiece.

In-form opener Brendon McCullum struggled at the crease and was the first Chennai batsman to be dismissed in the sixth over bowled by Zaheer for just 11. The Kiwi drove into the hands of Delhi captain Jean-Paul Duminy at mid-off off a fuller ball outside the off-stump.

The other opener Dwayne Smith (18) and one-down Suresh Raina (11) followed McCullum to

the dressing room in the ninth and 10th over respectively as Chennai suffered jolts in quick succession to be reduced to 46 for 3 at the halfway mark. Smith fell to Morkel’s first delivery of the match as he was rapped on the pads in front of middle and off stumps from a pitched-up delivery.

Next over, Raina was out off a soft dismissal as he came down the track only to chip the ball straight down the throat of Duminy again off the bowling of Jayant Yadav.

Du Plessis and Dhoni tried to stitch a partnership but they separated in the 16th over. The South African dragged a Morkel delivery onto his stumps after facing 23 balls from which he hit three boundaries.

Dhoni hoisted Yuvraj Singh for a six and then got a four as Chennai took 13 runs from the 17th over.

Bravo followed suit of his captain by smacking a six in the next over but perished while attempting another big hit off the bowling of Gurinder Sandhu. Dhoni, who hit three fours and a six, was out in the penultimate over and Chennai ended their innings on a below par score. - PTI

Hyderabad need to keep momentum going in IPL 2015, says Muralitharan HYDERABAD: Having improved its play-off chances following three consecutive wins, Sunrisers Hyderabad bowling coach Muttiah Muralitharan said the team needs to keep up the momentum to ensure its place in the last-four stage of the ongoing Indian Premier League.

Sunrisers pulled off a close five-run win over Kings XI Punjab last night to jump to the third position in the points table with 14 points from 12 games.

And with just two more games to go against Royal Challengers Bangalore and Mumbai Indians, Muralitharan feels Sunrisers are just one win away from sealing its place in the play-offs.

“We have been winning in the last 3-4 matches. We have the momentum with us. It’s all about momentum and we need to keep this going,” Muralitharan told reporters after the win over Kings XI last night.

“I think it’s very good at the moment because we have two more matches. If we can win one, we can be through to the playoffs,” he said.

Sunrisers’ remaining two matches are at home and Muralitharan said it augurs well for the team. “It’s an advantage for

us. We know the wicket so we can field the team as per combination,” he said.

Sunrisers scored a close win over Kings XI last night with David Miller going berserk with a blistering 89 runs off 44 balls. But the South African’s knock failed to take his side home.

“IPL is all about close wins because every team has got very good players. What matters is results it doesn’t matter whether you win by one run or two runs. At the end of the day, you need points to qualify,” Muralitharan said. Asked to compare the knocks by Sunrisers skipper David Warner (81 off 51 balls) and Miller, Muralitharan said: “I think they were great knocks from Warner and Miller. Everyone knows that Miller is dangerous. Warner’s knock helped us put up a big total.”

Meanwhile, a disappointed Miller said Kings XI lacked consistency in this year’s IPL. “I think Twenty20 can witness up and downs. We were very consistent last year. A couple of guys did very well last year. But this year, I think it’s not really clicking. We are trying hard. It’s disappointing to have won just two matches,” he said. — PTI

IPL PREVIEW

Bangalore face bottom-placed Punjab MOHALI: With eyes firmly set on a play-off berth, Royals Challengers Bangalore will start as overwhelming favourites against bottom-placed Kings XI Punjab in an Indian Premier League cricket match here on Wednesday.

RCB would settle for nothing less than a win on Wednesday which will not only enable them get past fourth-place Rajasthan Royals but also give a boost to their chances of progressing to the play-off stage. RCB is presently lying at the fifth spot with 13 points from 11 games, while Kings XI are out of play-off reckoning with just four points 12 matches.

Having thrashed Kings XI by a huge 138-run margin in their previous meeting in Bangalore, RCB would definitely fancy their chances against the struggling hosts. A star-studded RCB have strong a batting line up in the form of dangerous Chris Gayle, AB de Villiers and skipper Virat Kohli.

RCB have two batsmen in top five highest run-getters list in De Villiers (436 runs) and Kohli (417). Gayle too is not far behind

EYEING PLAY OFFS: Royal Challengers Bangalore players cel-

ebrate after beating Kings XI Punjab at home. – BCCI

and is seventh in the chart, amassing 370 runs. In fact, besides Chennai Super Kings’ Brendon McCullum, Gayle and De Villiers are the only other two batsmen to have struck centuries in the ongoing edition of the tournament.

While Gayle smashed 117 off just 57 balls against Kings XI in their previous meeting, De Villiers clobbered Mumbai Indians bowlers to all parts of the ground to score an unbeaten 133 off just 59 balls in RCB’s 39-run win on

Sunday. And going by the form of RCB’s batsmen, things look ominous for Kings XI. On the bowling front, Australian Mitchell Starc is leading the RCB attack brilliantly. He is the fourth highest wicket-taker so far with 16 scalps from just eight games. Besides, the likes of Sreenath Aravind, David Wiese and Harshal Patel has also performed well in the pace department under Starc’s leadership.

RCB’s lone warrior in the spin

department is Yuzvendra Chahal and he too has lived up to his skipper’s expectations, picking up 15 wickets from 10 games so far in the tournament. For last year’s runners-up Kings XI, the IPL 8 has been a big disappointment. The George Bailey-led side managed just two wins out of 12 games, the last of which came last month against Rajasthan Royals.

Since then they have suffered seven straight defeats to crash out of the play-off race.

But from here on, Kings XI have nothing to lose and they could turn the party spoiler.

The Punjab side has not been able to play to its full potential despite having some big names.

With just two matches left in the tournament, Kings XI would like to salvage some pride by registering wins in their remaining encounters. In Murali Vijay, Manan Vohra, Wriddhiman Saha, Shaun Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, David Miller and skipper Bailey, Punjab too has a formidable batting lineup but they never fired in unison and that failed the side. — PTI

W E D N E S DAY, MAY 1 3, 2 0 1 5

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SPORTS EYEING RETURN

Aamir focused on World T20 return for Pakistan FAISALABAD: Fast bowler Mohammed Aamir said on Tuesday he was focused on joining Pakistan’s national side for next year’s World Twenty20 tournament after impressive bowling in a key domestic event.

The 23-year-old, who was banned with then Pakistan Test captain Salman Butt and pace partner Mohammed Asif in a spot-fixing case in England in 2010, has been allowed to play in domestic matches before his five-year ban ends on September 2. On Monday, the left-armer picked up a wicket for the Rawalpindi Rams in a Twenty20 match, on his first legitimate ball after earlier delivering a wide.

“I enjoyed bowling in the match and picking up a wicket so early was exciting,” Aamir told AFP on Tuesday.

“My focus is on returning for Pakistan in the World Twenty20 in India next year.”

Aamir took 22 wickets in last month’s Patron’s Trophy, which is one level below domestic first-class cricket. It marked an impressive return since the International Cricket Council (ICC) relaxed his five-year ban in January this year.

The decision came after the Pakistan Cricket Board requested the ICC allow him to play domestic cricket a few months before his ban officially expires in September. At that point, the PCB will decide on his comeback to the national team.

At the time of his ban, Aamer was one of the best bowlers in international cricket, having taken 51 wickets in Tests, 25 in one-day internationals and 23 in Twenty20 matches. - AFP

Strauss says ‘trust issue’ reason for Pietersen exile Hours after he made his maiden first-class triple century for Surrey on Monday, Pietersen was told there was no prospect of him being selected

by England in the immediate future

LONDON: England director of cricket Andrew Strauss said Tuesday that Kevin Pietersen was “not part of our plans for the summer”, saying there was a “massive trust issue” between the England and Wales Cricket Board and the controversial batsman.

However, Strauss stopped short of saying there was no way back into the international set-up for fellow former England captain Pietersen, adding: “He is not banned from the side but I can give him no guarantees for the future.”

Pietersen, 34, England’s leading all-time run-scorer across all formats, was sent into international exile last year following the team’s 5-0 Ashes thrashing in Australia.

But the South Africa-born batsman was given hope of an international recall when new ECB chairman Colin Graves said there could be a way back if he scored enough runs in county cricket.

Yet just hours after he made his maiden first-class triple century for Surrey on Monday, Pietersen

POSING AT LORD’S: ECB Director Andrew Strauss and Chief Executive Tom Harrison pose at the Lord’s before a press conference. – Reuters

was told there was no prospect of him being selected by England in the immediate future.

As England captain, Strauss infamously had his own issues of “trust” with Pietersen in 2012 when the star batsman sent “provocative” texts critical of his skipper to opposition South Africa players.

It was a theme the former opening batsman returned to on Tuesday when, in his first press conference since being appointed to the director role after the ECB sacked former managing director Paul Downton, Strauss told Sky Sports: “I think the first thing to say is that now is the time for honest conversation about Kevin Pietersen.

“No one is doubting his ability.

His record stacks up and he should be proud of that,” added Strauss, with Pietersen’s tally of 23 Test hundreds just shy of the England record of 26 held by current captain Alastair Cook.

‘Not apportioning blame’ “But over months and years the trust has eroded between him and the ECB and there is a massive trust issue between Kevin and me.

“I wish that wasn’t the case.

I’m not apportioning blame -- it’s just a fact.

“That is the reality - and because of that, we’ve decided it is not in the best short-term interests of the side for him to be in it.

“I went to see him last night to let him know he’s not part of

CRICKET

to become his vice-captain, while Eoin Morgan would continue as one-day skipper.

He added that former Australia fast bowler Jason Gillespie was “one of the candidates” to replace the sacked Peter Moores as England coach.

Strauss insisted his would not be a “tracksuit” role but said he had still to decide if he would be a selector.

As Strauss was speaking, on the other side of London, Pietersen, 326 not out overnight, took his score to an unbeaten 355 before last man Matt Dunn was dismissed in a Surrey total of 557 against Leicestershire in a Second Division County Championship match at The Oval. - AFP

ANNOUNCEMENT

IPL is best place to prove one’s worth, says Lendl Simmons MUMBAI: Mumbai Indians batsman Lendl Simmons hailed Indian Premier League (IPL) as the best Twenty20 tournament in the world, adding that the cashrich league is the best platform where a cricketer can prove one’s worth.

“IPL is the biggest and best Twenty20 tournament. And there’s no better way out than proving yourself and proving one’s worth at the IPL,” Simmons told IANS at a Kingfisher Bowl Out event here on Monday.

On Sunday, against his team Mumbai, Royal Challengers Bangalore’s (RCB) AB de Villiers struck an unbeaten 133 off just 59 balls, making a mockery of Mumbai’s bowling attack. Simmons praised De Villiers’ effort, saying “he is a world class player who is someone out of this world”.

“AB is a world class player. We see that at different levels, in Test cricket and One-Day-International (ODI) cricket. It doesn’t matter what format he plays, he is still a world class player. He is someone out of this world. When he finishes with the game of cricket, everyone will remember him,” the West Indian said.

Simmons has been consistent with the bat this IPL season, scoring 345 runs from nine games at an average of 43, which include four half-centuries, highlight being 71 off 56 balls against Kings XI Punjab.

In the 2014 IPL too he was a regular contributor with the bat, scoring 394 runs from eight games, smashing a match-winning century off 61 balls against Kings XI Punjab.

The right-handed opening batsman, besides his individual runs, has also been part of some healthy opening partnerships with Parthiv Patel, which has helped the team put on big runs on the board.

Speaking on his good run, Simmons said, “It’s just about getting good start to my innings. I do what it is required off me. I want to get my team off to a good start and in a good position. So far things are going good for me and I hope to deliver for Mumbai back again in the upcoming matches.”

Known to be an excellent fielder

our plans for the summer,” added Strauss as he ruled Pietersen out of the upcoming two-Test series against New Zealand, which starts next week, or the ensuing Ashes campaign as well as England’s home limited overs internationals in 2015.

“Trust is imperative in any team environment. My job is to look to the future of English cricket and develop a side capable of winning tournaments over the next four years. “He (Pietersen) is not barred from playing for England but he is not part of our plans for this summer.”

Meanwhile Strauss confirmed his support for former opening partner Cook to continue as Test captain, with rising star Joe Root

FULL OF PRAISE: Mumbai Indians opener Lendl Simmons says Indian Premier League is the biggest and best Twenty20 tournament. – BCCI

and an occasional wicket-keeper, Simmons came into limelight when he represented the West Indies in the 2002 and 2004 Under-19 World Cups. He received his Test cap against England in March 2009, playing eight matches, 68 One-Day Internationals (ODIs) and 34 T20 Internationals.

The 30-year-old has taken some spectacular catches in the ongoing IPL, most recently against Delhi Daredevils when he pulled off a one-handed stunner at backward point to dismiss Yuvraj Singh. Simmons, who threw himself into the air to grab the ball, not only stunned Yuvraj but also the spectators present at the Wankhede Stadium.

“It’s about getting the ball into the hands properly and holding onto it. You drop some easy ones and catch some hard ones, that’s how the game goes,” he said.

The Trinidad-born cricketer said he learned a lot by watching legends like Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid play in Indian conditions, and added he tries to emulate some of their skills in the IPL. “I have watched Tendulkar and Dravid play in the previous IPL. I have learned a lot and try to emulate their skills at the start of an innings. Like when you play in the first six overs it’s about hitting the ball in the gaps and get valuable runs,” he said.

Mumbai, after Sunday’s loss to RCB, dropped to the sixth position and are in a must-win situation in their remaining two matches against Kolkata Knight Riders and Sunrisers Hyderabad to qualify for play-offs.

“We can call it two finals for us.

We have to do our basics right.

I will look to do my part for the team that is to get a good start and

get them into a good position. At the top we need a good foundation and force the score to a position which will be comparative to win,” Simmons said.

Simmons said former West Indies coach Stuart Williams is someone he looks up to when it comes to aggressive hitting and shot selection as an opener.

“My role model has always been Stuart Williams who was West Indies coach. Phil Simmons took over now. But I have looked upon Stuart’s aggressive way of opening the batting and his shots selection,” he said.

Caribbean players have performed well so far in the tournament. Talking about his international teammates success here, Simmons said, “I think we love the challenge, being in the world stage. We always look to perform on the best of our ability.” — IANS

Zimbabwe announces team for Pakistan tour HARARE: Zimbabwe on Tuesday announced a 16-man squad to tour Pakistan for three one-day and two T20 internationals.

The tour beginning on March 22 is the first by a Test-playing nation since terror attacks on the Sri Lankan team bus in March 2009 in which six Pakistani policemen and two civilians were killed and six members of the Sri Lanka team injured. Zimbabwe is going on the tour despite security warnings by

the Federation of International Cricket Associations. Last week a delegation from Zimbabwe Cricket visited Lahore to assess security arrangements.

The squad: Elton Chigumbura (Captain), Sikandar Raza Butt, Chamunorwa Chibhabha, Charles Coventry, Graeme Cremer, Craig Ervine, Roy Kaia, Hamilton Masakadza, Christopher Mpofu, Tawanda Mupariwa, Richmond Mutumbami, Tinashe Panyangara, Vusimuzi Sibanda, Prosper Utseya, Brian Vitori, Sean Williams. Coach: D. Whatmore. - AFP

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W EDN ESDAY, MAY 13, 2015

SPORTS AFC CUP

Four-goal Al Wehdat end Al Nahda’s last 16 hopes MUSCAT: Jordan’s Al Wehdat confirmed their passage to the last 16 of the AFC Cup as Group A winners as they defeated Al Nahda 4-0 at Prince Hassan Stadium, Irbid on Tuesday.

According to news posted on the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) website, goals in the 34th and 36th minutes from Amer Deeb and Ahmad Elias gave the hosts a 2-0 lead at half-time, before Mohammad Al Basha’s close-range flick with 11 minutes remaining and then a header from substitute Mahmoud Zatara just before the final whistle cemented the result and Al Wehdat’s position at the top of the group.

Al Nahda had not only needed to avoid defeat to Al Wehdat but also hope that Lebanese club Salam

Zgharta would avoid defeat to Syria’s Al Wahda in the group’s other tie on Tuesday.

However, with the Syrian club winning 3-1 in Beirut the result in Irbid was ultimately inconsequential to the Omanis’ hopes of a place in the knockout stages, with Al Wahda joining Al Wehdat in the Round of 16 to be played in a fortnight’s time.

“Our targets were clear in the competition as we promised our fans to finish on top of the group, and this will be a big push for us in order to continue our good results in the competition and fight for the title,” said Al Wehdat coach Abdallah Abu Zema. “We didn’t have the desired performance in the first half but the two goals made things easier for us. We created more chances in the second half and

managed to add two goals which helped us to win the match.”

Needing to go on the offensive from the start, the visitors showed the greater attacking urgency in the opening spell and on 19 minutes Al Nahda forward Asaad Al Marzouqi tested Amer Shafi with a rising effort from the left-hand side of the penalty area that almost caught the Al Wehdat goalkeeper off-guard at his near post, needing a second attempt to collect the shot.

Shafi was forced into another sprawling save with his feet shortly after but the one-way traffic was brought to a halt in definitive fashion with 11 minutes of the half remaining.

Monther Abu Amara’s free-kick deep into the heart of the Al Nahda penalty area found captain Deeb

rising highest and, despite facing away from goal, the midfielder jerked his neck backwards to send a header past the visitors’ goalkeeper Abdullah Al Mamari.

And two minutes later Al Wehdat’s advantage was doubled as Elias was played into the penalty area after linking-up with Ahmad Hisham, and he stroked the ball across Al Mamari into the bottom right-hand corner.

After the interval the Jordanian club remained on top and they extended their lead on 79 minutes as Al Basha diverted in Deeb’s goalbound shot from close-range.

The Al Wahda skipper would also have a hand in the game’s fourth and final goal as it was his cross from the right that was headed home in emphatic fashion by

Djokovic starts with win, Murray to play It was the first competitive outing for Djokovic since winning Monte Carlo almost a month ago.

The Serb is now riding an 18-match victory streak

ROME: Holder Novak Djokovic needed a late break in the final set to beat Nicolas Almagro 6-1, 6-7 (5/7), 6-3 in an opening match at the Italian Open on Tuesday.

The Serb world No. 1 rank took his record on the clay of the capital to a 30-5 career record here, with titles in 2008, 2011 and a year ago over Rafael Nadal.

Djokovic broke for 5-3 against his Spanish opponent and served out the victory, finishing with 11 aces and just one break of serve.

It was the first competitive outing for Djokovic since winning Monte Carlo almost a month ago. The Serb is now riding an 18-match win streak.

Andy Murray will take to the court on Wednesday after agonising with his team as to whether he should play. The back-to-back titleholder at Munich and Madrid will start against France’s Jeremy Chardy. Murray’s team was split on whether he should compete or rest, with the competition view

second-half substitute Mahmoud Zatara with one minute remaining.

“We knew that the match would be very hard and it would be very difficult to qualify to the knockout stage,” said Al Nahda coach Bernardo Tavares. “We tried to stop Al Wehdat in the first half but our defensive mistakes cost us two consecutive goals which affected the players mentally. Al Wehdat are a strong team and they deserved to win tonight.”

In Beirut, a brace from forward Mohamd Jaafr and a late strike from Osama Omari helped Al Wahda to a comfortable 3-1 win over Lebanon’s Salam Zgharta and secured second place in Group A. The Syrians went into the game at the Salam Zgharta Stadium knowing victory would guarantee

qualification for the next phase, but that a loss would see them eliminated should Oman’s Al Nahda avoid defeat against Al Wehdat of Jordan.

Jaafr calmed Al Walda’s nerves, though, when he put his side in front in the 43rd minute before Salam forward Mahmoud Marcouch was sent off on the stroke of half time for a second bookable offence.

A second for Jaafr 12 minutes after the restart and a late strike by midfielder Omari put the game beyond doubt before substitute Yehya El Jasem grabbed a stoppage-time consolation for Salam, but with group leaders Al Wehdat storming to a 4-0 victory over Al Nahda, there was to be no change in the final standings from the start of the day’s proceedings.

SECOND MEET

Al Zubair to preside over OOC meeting MUSCAT: Sheikh Khalid bin Mohammed Al Zubair, the chairman of Oman Olympic Committee (OOC), will preside over the OOC board’s second meeting of the year scheduled to be held today.

Before the meeting, the OOC board members are also scheduled to meet the legal team entrusted with the task of preparing draft regulations for the formation of Sports Disputes Settlement Committee.

During the meeting, the members will discuss a number of issues including the reports on the Sultanate’s participation in the 2nd GCC Beach Games organised in Qatar in April when Oman has bagged the first place with 13 medals. The board will also review the recommendations of the Executive Office of OOC issued in its previous meeting and the min-

Sheikh Khalid Al Zubair

utes of the ordinary general meeting of OOC held last March along with the minutes of the OOC extraordinary general meeting.

Meanwhile, OOC chief Sheikh Khalid congratulated the newly elected Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) chairman Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani while wishing him all success in enriching the Olympic Movement and sports activities in Qatar.

I S C TA B L E T E N N I S

Allan, Sanskar shine WINNING START: Serbia’s Novak Djokovic hits a return to Nicolas Almagro of Spain during their Ital-

ian Open tournament in Rome on Tuesday. – AFP

winning out. Murray, who defeated Nadal in the shock Madrid final, said that his preparation for Roland Garros seems to be on track.

“This year I feel a lot healthier on the clay, I have to thank my team, which has made some big changes in my clay preparation. That’s helped for sure,” the Scot said. “I also didn’t feel much pressure last week, I didn’t have very high expectations. I just played and felt better and better in each match.”

As the complex scheduling of the event proceeded, results were

all over the charts. In the women’s first round, Spanish tenth seed Carla Suarez Navarro beat German Mona Barthel 6-4, 2-6, 6-3 while Frenchwoman Kristina Mladenovic defeated Monica Puig 7-5, 6-3.

Former No. 1 Victoria Azarenka, finalist two years ago against Serena Williams, continued her revival after 2014 injuries, advancing over Czech Lucie Hradecka 7-5, 2-6, 6-1. Third seed Maria Sharapova became the first into the third round as she advanced when Aus-

tralian Jarmila Gajdosova retired trailing 6-2, 3-1. In the men’s first round, Guillermo Garcia-Lopez beat slumping US Open winner Marin Cilic, the Croatian ninth seed going down 6-4, 6-3.

Australian hopes met a quick end a week after Nick Kyrgios beat Roger Federer in Madrid: Spanish 11th seed Feliciano Lopez won his first-round match over Kyrgios 6-4, 7-6 (7/4). Bernard Tomic was then eliminated in a battle, Serb Viktor Troicki advancing 7-6 (7/3), 6-7 (4/7), 7-6 (7/4). - AFP

MUSCAT: Allan Thiyagaseelan and Sanskar Dubey scored impressive victories in the ISC Junior Table Tennis League sponsored by New Makha Enterprises and organised by the Indian Social Club Muscat.

In the boys under-12 singles event, Allan Thiyagaseelan qualified for the semifinal after recording three impressive victories in the round-robin league. In his first match, Allan routed Sri Ranganathan 11-1, 11-3, 11-8 and followed it up with a 15-13, 9-11, 1-11, 11-9, 11-8 victory over fancied Niranjan Raman.

In the third match, Allan faced stiff resistance before downing

Arjun Sriram 11-6, 11-9, 14-12 to go to the top of Group A. Sanskar Dubey took the early lead in Group B with two victories in as many matches. Sanskar rallied to defeat Vedant Bahirat 7-11, 116, 11-4, 11-9 and then overcame Aditya Sairam 11-8, 11-7, 11-8.

In other under-12 matches, Niranjan Raman had to dig deep into his resources and fought back from two games down to stun Arjun Sriram 6-11, 9-11, 17-15, 11-8, 13-11, Aditya Sairam defeated Abhishek Kumar 11-4, 11-7, 11-4, Arjun Sriram defeated Sri Ranganathan 11-0, 11-8, 11-6 and Vedant Bahirat registered a 22-5, 22-6, 222-5 win over Abhishek Kumar.

FOOTBALL

Arsenal legend Wright urges Walcott to weather ‘rough’ patch SINGAPORE: Arsenal legend Ian Wright urged England international Theo Walcott not to quit the club on Tuesday despite a “rough” patch and speculation over his future.

Wright, speaking ahead of the Barclays Asia Trophy in Singapore, said Walcott, 26, needed to work hard and regain his place after a season plagued by injury.

The former teenage star, whose contract expires next year, is feeling his way back to form and manager Arsene Wenger says he hopes he will blossom into a centre-forward.

However, he was ineffective from the bench as Arsenal lost 1-0 to Swansea on Tuesday, a defeat

which undermined their push for next year’s Champions League.

“As a professional he’s just got to wait his time... and push himself to make sure he starts in the first team for the start of next season,” Wright told reporters. “That is what you’re meant to do as a professional, you’re not meant to, as soon as the going gets rough, you go to the exit, and that’s not what Theo wants to do.”

Wenger has backed Walcott to make the switch from wing to striker, following in the footsteps of Arsenal’s record scorer Thierry Henry. Talks for Walcott’s new contract are under way at the end of a

Premier League season in which he has made just three starts after returning from a serious knee injury.

But Wright, who scored 185 goals for the Gunners, said: “We need people like Theo in the team, we need him in the squad, and so hopefully he’ll finish the season well.

“Fingers crossed we’ll win the FA cup and finish as high as we can. Theo will have a great preseason, start the season well and this will all be forgotten.”

Wright added that he was “tired” about the debate over Wenger’s position at the club as Arsenal head for an 11th season without winning the Premier League.

But he said Arsenal, who play Aston Villa in the FA Cup final on May 30, need to strengthen with a new goalkeeper and defender in the July transfer window.

“He (Wenger)’s got another two to three years left (on his contract) and he is now in the position where he has got the financial clout to go into the market and buy the same players any of the top teams will try to buy,” said Wright.

Arsenal are one of three Premier League teams playing at the Barclays Asia Trophy in Singapore on July 15 and 18, along with Everton and Stoke City, plus a Singapore XI. - AFP

ASIA FOCUS: Former Everton midfielder Graham Stuart, left, former Stoke striker Mamady Sidebe, cetnre, and former Arsenal forward Ian Wright pose during a press briefing for the launch of the Barclays Asia Trophy 2015 football tournament at the Marina Bay floating platform in Singapore on Tuesday. – AFP

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Force India aiming to sign reserve driver LONDON: Force India expect to sign a reserve driver now that Formula One has kicked off its European season, according to deputy principal Bob Fernley.

“We are looking. And sometime in the European bit now we will sign someone,” the Briton told Reuters before a two-day test at Barcelona’s Circuit de Catalunya that started on Tuesday.

Mercedes-powered Force India, who failed to score points in Sunday’s Spanish Grand Prix and have had cash-flow problems, will have French teenager Esteban Ocon in their car on Wednesday.

They had planned to test Pascal Wehrlein, who is also the Mercedes F1 reserve, on Tuesday but he was unwell and Britain’s Nick Yelloly, who has been doing simulator work with the team, took his place instead.

Ocon, the 18-year-old European F3 champion, is competing in GP3 with Mercedes support and was also recently appointed test and reserve driver for the Mercedes AMG team in the German Touring Car (DTM) series.

Fernley said the team would have been able to find a reserve easily enough if they had needed an emergency replacement for

Mexican Sergio Perez or Germany’s Nico Hulkenberg but the role was more than just that.

“We’ve always run a reserve driver in an integral role,” he said.

“The fact that we haven’t got that at the moment doesn’t mean we couldn’t find somebody if we had to. That would be something we could achieve.”

Several drivers, including Hulkenberg, have in the past used the Force India reserve seat as a stepping stone to a full F1 race drive.

Fernley shrugged off any concern about Hulkenberg who has already completed a six-hour endurance race with Porsche at Spa in Belgium this season and is due to compete in next month’s Le Mans 24 Hours as well as his full F1 programme.

The race at the Sarthe circuit has seen some big accidents in the past, with current endurance world champion Anthony Davidson breaking two vertebrae in a 2012 crash.

“Things can happen but if that happens we’ll deal with it,” said Fernley. “We’ll just have to look at it when the thing comes but equally it’s an opportunity for Nico that we shouldn’t deprive him of.” - Reuters

MEDAL WINNERS: Oman women’s team members pose with their medals after winning the team silver at the ISSF International Tennis

Championship in Indonesia. – Supplied photo

Omani girls win silver at ISSF tourney MUSCAT: Oman women’s team won the silver medal in the team competition of the ongoing Islamic Solidarity Sports Federation (ISSF) International Tennis Championships in the Indonesian city of Palembang.

The Omani girls settled for sil-

Fiorentina hoping to get past Sevilla

TOUGH TASK: Fiorentina’s Mario Gomez (bottom left) takes part in a training session. – AFP

Fiorentina were thumped 3-0 by the Andalusian club in their semifinal, first leg in Seville last week

MADRID: Fiorentina must pull off a feat that has only been achieved once before if they are to get past Sevilla into the final of the Europa League when the holders visit the Tuscan capital on Thursday.

Florence-based Fiorentina were thumped 3-0 by the Andalusian club in their semifinal, first leg in Seville last week and will have to match another Spanish side, Valencia, if they are to make the showpiece in Warsaw on May 27.

Valencia hammered FC Basel 5-0 after extra-time in the second leg of their quarterfinal last season to become the only team to overturn a 3-0 first-leg deficit in a knockout tie in Europe’s

second-tier club competition.

“We know it’s a difficult task but it’s not impossible,” Fiorentina Sporting Director Daniele Prade said after Sunday’s 3-2 Serie A win at Empoli.

“This is a team that always manages to bounce back and always shows the necessary sacrifice,” he added. “Our stadium has been our strength in recent years and we’ll need the fans more than ever on Thursday.”

Sevilla, meanwhile, are firmly on course to win a record fourth Uefa Cup/Europa League title, eclipsing Inter Milan, Juventus and Liverpool, who all have three.

The La Liga side won back-to-

back Uefa Cups in 2006 and 2007 and beat Benfica on penalties in Turin to secure the renamed trophy last term.

Another triumph would secure them a lucrative berth in the group stage of next season’s Champions League.

Sevilla are fifth in La Liga with two games left and still have a chance of overhauling Valencia and securing fourth, which carries a place in the playoff round of Europe’s elite club competition.

“There are two ways we can get into the Champions League and we’ll just take each game at a time,” Sevilla forward Kevin Gameiro said after Sunday’s 1-1 La Liga draw at Celta Vigo.

“Anything can happen in football and we know we are going to have to suffer (on Thursday),” added the Frenchman.

Fiorentina’s Serie A rivals Napoli play at Ukrainian side Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk in Thursday’s other semifinal, second leg after last week’s clash in Naples ended 1-1. - Reuters

ver after losing their final tie to eventual gold winners Indonesia.

In the first singles, Samar bint Madani Al Bakri lost to Indonesia’s Iah by 0-6, 0-6.

In the second singles involving, an injured Fatma Al Nabhani conceded the match to Lavina Trenta.

The Indonesian was leading 6-2, 2-1 when Fatma pulled out with a hand injury.

Meanwhile, action began in the men’s singles competition where two of the Omani players suffered first round defeats.

Saleh bin Ghazi Al Zadjali lost

to Syria’s Amer Al Nawah 1-6, 1-6 while Fawwaz bin Al Al Manzari was handed a 3-6, 1-6 defeat by by Indonesia’s Fahi.

Oman’s Younis bin Tufail Al Rawahi and compatriot Omran bin Mohammed Al Balushi received a bye into the second round.

CLOSE TO FINAL

Dnirpo near end of marathon journey KIEV: Seventeen matches, nearly 10 months and eight countries after setting out, Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk are tantalising close to reaching their first European final after a campaign which has been resourceful, even if not pretty.

A goalless draw, or one-goal win, against Napoli in the second leg of their semifinal in Kiev on Thursday will see the Ukrainians through to the Europa League final in Warsaw after a campaign which started against FC Copenhagen on July 31.

Dnipro, who have never won the Ukrainian league but were twice winners of the old Soviet league, have overcome a limited budget and the disadvantage of staging home games in Kiev due to Dnipropetrovsk’s proximity to the conflict in eastern Ukraine.

Although everyone loves an underdog, Dnipro’s pragmatic style,

based on a defence built around Brazilian Douglas and ever-present goalkeeper Denys Boyko, means they are likely to have won grudging respect rather than joyful admiration.

Their performance in last Thursday’s first leg was typical as they set out to frustrate Napoli, clung on grimly in the second half after falling behind and then snatched a late equaliser against the run of play.

According to Uefa statistics, they have committed 226 fouls and suffered 214 in the competition, more than anyone else in both categories, and also top the yellow card charts with 45 received.

They have mustered only 14 goals and have made a habit of muddling through ever since they began by losing 2-0 on aggregate to FC Copenhagen in the third

qualifying round of the Champions League.

That defeat allowed them to qualify for the Europa League playoff round where they beat Hajduk Split 2-1 on aggregate.

After that, they snatched a second-placed finish in Group F by beating St Etienne 1-0 at home in their final game to leapfrog both the French side and Qarabag, having managed four goals and conceded five in their six matches.

A sudden goal flurry saw them beat Olympiakos 4-2 on aggregate in the round of 32, before they beat Ajax on away goals and Club Bruges 1-0 on aggregate in the last eight.

This under coach Myron Markevych, who briefly coached Ukraine in 2010 and has earned a reputation for attacking football during a lengthy stint at Metalist Kharkiv. - Reuters

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Arsenal manager Wenger irked by Swansea ‘accident’ LONDON: Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger brushed off his side’s 1-0 loss to Swansea City as “an accident” and challenged his players to atone when they visit Manchester United on Sunday.

Arsenal dominated Monday’s game at the Emirates Stadium, but having been kept at bay by their former goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski, they capitulated in the 85th minute when David Ospina was unable to keep out a header from Swansea substitute Bafetimbi Gomis.

United can dislodge third-place

Arsenal from the automatic Champions League qualifying positions if they beat them at the weekend and Wenger’s annoyance was plain during a post-match press conference in which he said Swansea had “refused to play completely and just defended”.

“We have still a game in hand,” said the Frenchman, whose team play host to Sunderland on May 20 before tackling West Bromwich Albion on the season’s final day.

“What is crucial is to respond on Sunday and show it is an accident

today (Monday). That is the most important (thing).”

Arsenal had won nine of their previous 10 games, only dropping points in a goalless draw with Chelsea, and fielded an unchanged team for the fifth game in succession for the first time since January 1994.

It took until the 59th minute for them to register a shot on target and although they mustered eight more, there was no way past Fabianski, who saved from Olivier Giroud, Santi Cazorla, Theo Walcott, twice, Nacho Monreal, Aaron

Ramsey and Alexis Sanchez.

“We scored plenty of goals until recently,” added Wenger, who felt that his forwards had been guilty of “rushing” their finishing.

“In the last two home games we didn’t score and that’s of course frustrating when you have so much of the ball, as we did tonight, and you play with such accuracy around the box.

“But they defended well. They came just to defend, with four defenders and six midfielders. They defended, that’s it. If you win,

Toure hails Fifa’s new anti-racism measures Fifa will send independent

Football is about togetherness and happiness. We need to show them that they need to change or they will face radical sanctions

observers to qualifying matches.

The monitors will report any incidents of discrimination to Fifa, which will be able to impose sanctions

Yaya Toure

Manchester City midfielder LONDON: Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure on Tuesday welcomed the creation of a new antidiscrimination monitoring system for the 2018 World Cup qualifiers by world governing body Fifa.

Fifa will send independent observers trained by the European anti-discrimination organisation FARE to qualifying matches where there is felt to be a high risk of racist behaviour from fans.

The monitors will report any incidents of discrimination to Fifa, which will be able to impose sanctions such as fines or stadium bans upon the countries concerned.

“I’m very satisfied to see that Fifa is taking this issue very seriously and putting in place concrete measures to stop behaviour which goes against the spirit of our sport,” said Toure, who was the victim of racist abuse during a Champions League match against CSKA Moscow in 2013.

Earlier that year, Ghana mid-

fielder Kevin-Prince Boateng walked off the pitch after being racially abused during a friendly game with AC Milan and Toure said he sympathised with players who might feel like doing the same.

“Sometimes it’s difficult,” said the Ivory Coast international, who is a four-time African Footballer of the Year.

“I’ve experienced that, when I was in Russia and different countries. I’ve heard monkey chants or abuse,” he said.

“It’s difficult to deal with that.

As a sportsman, you want to finish the game, you want to continue to the end. But when you hear that, it breaks you. It’s not easy to experience that.”

Toure, who is a consultant to FIFA’s anti-discrimination and racism taskforce, was speaking at the launch of the monitoring system at London’s Wembley Stadium.

‘Positive impact’ He added: “We have to take sanctions. Something strong has to be done, to show they have to stop.

“Football is about togetherness and happiness. We need to show them that they need to change or they will face radical sanctions.”

Russia, which will host the 2018 World Cup, has pledged to tackle racism in its football after a succession of incidents involving supporters of Russian clubs in recent years.

While the Russian national team will not play any qualifying matches, Fifa’s head of sustainability, Federico Addiechi, said that “matches outside of the qualifiers could also be tackled (monitored)”.

Earlier this year, former Russian federation president Vyacheslav Koloskov questioned why monkey chants were considered racist during an interview with the BBC. But despite campaign groups

warning of the dangers of racist behaviour at the World Cup, Addiechi dismissed the notion that Russia could be stripped of the tournament. “The Fifa World Cup was entrusted to Russia on condition of delivery of the World Cup in the way we expect it to be delivered,” he said.

“We believe in the positive impact the World Cup can have, not just on the discrimination issue, but many other issues in the host country, in Russia, but also in Brazil (hosts in 2014), in South Africa (hosts in 2010), and in Qatar in 2022.

“The World Cup will take place in 2018 in Russia. There has been a commitment from the Russian government and football authorities to make the best possible effort to host an inclusive World Cup and make sure everyone feels safe, comfortable and welcome in the country.” - AFP

you’re fantastic. If you lose people say to you, ‘Why did you not play?’”

Having beaten Arsenal 2-1 at the Liberty Stadium in November, Swansea became only the second team to do the double over the London club and Manchester United in the Premier League era after West Ham United (2006-07) and Chelsea (2009-10).

Swansea manager Garry Monk took exception to Wenger’s criticism of his side’s approach and said their victory proved that they have become a more multi-faceted team.

“If we didn’t play, I don’t know how we got three points,” he said.

“If you watched all our games, we’ve won games totally dominating possession. The number one thing for me is that we try to do that in as many games as possible. The players know that. But there are times where you have to be adaptable and we’ve shown that time and time again this season.

“That’s the double over Arsenal.

We’ve done the double over Manchester United. So if people don’t like it, it’s not my problem.” - AFP

FOOTBALL

Hazard doubles up with Footballer of the Year honour LONDON: Eden Hazard was named England’s Footballer of the Year on Tuesday after his consistently outstanding performances throughout the season helped Chelsea win the Premier League title.

Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane was second in the voting by members of the English Football Writers Association with Hazard’s Chelsea club mate and captain John Terry third.

The 24-year-old Belgian international midfielder adds the award to the Professional Footballers Association (PFA) honour he collected last month and becomes the first player from his country to claim the accolade since it was launched in 1948.

Only two other Chelsea players have won England’s most prestigious and soccer’s oldest individual honour — Gianfranco Zola in 1997 and Frank Lampard in 2005.

Kane, who has scored 30 goals in his first full season for Spurs and was awarded his first England cap, was named the PFA’s Young Player of the Year last month, while defensive rock Terry has played every minute of every Premier League game to date.

FWA chairman Andy Dunn told Reuters: “The list of truly world class players on the Football Writers’ Association roll of honour is a long one and Eden Hazard is a worthy addition.

“A creator, a goalscorer and the hardest of workers, he has been a constant source of threat for the champions.

“He has started all 36 Premier League matches Chelsea have played so far and, considering the particularly close attention he receives from opponents, that is a feat in itself.

“His electrifying, attacking tal-

ANOTHER AWARD:

Eden Hazard

ent has made him the first Belgian to win the Footballer of the Year award.

“He is a brilliant successor to Luis Suarez and we just hope he stays in the Premier League for a lot longer than Luis did after collecting the trophy.”

Uruguay striker Suarez, who won the award after scoring 31 goals for Liverpool last season, joined Spanish giants Barcelona before the start of this campaign.

Hazard collected 53 percent of the vote making him a comfortable winner, while he and Terry’s Chelsea team mates Cesc Fabregas, Branislav Ivanovic and goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois also featured in the top 10.

Four other players received votes: Alexis Sanchez of Arsenal, David De Gea of Manchester United, Sergio Aguero of Manchester City and Esteban Cambiasso of Leicester City. - Reuters

TRAGIC BLAZE

DRIVE SLOWER LIVE LONGER

Police reveal new information about Bradford fire LONDON: Police investigating the fire which killed 56 fans at a Bradford City match knew who dropped the cigarette thought to have started the tragic blaze, according to a new documentary.

The official inquiry into the tragedy on May 11, 1985 concluded that the fire was an accident and was probably started by a spectator dropping a cigarette into rubbish that had accumulated under the old timber stand.

But a retired detective has told the BBC how officers believe it was a man visiting from Australia called Eric Bennett who accidentally started the fire, with a decision taken at the time not to release his name.

The blaze ripped through the wooden structure in just a few minutes as Bradford played Lincoln, leaving many fans unable to get out. Fifty-four Bradford supporters lost their lives in the fire, along with two Lincoln fans, while more than 200 people were taken to hospital.

Raymond Falconer, the retired detective, told the BBC documentary that Bennett, who travelled to the English Football League fixture from Australia with his nephew, admitted he had dropped a cigarette in the area where the blaze started.

“He said he’d been at the match, he’d been sat in the stand, right where we knew the seat of the fire had taken place,” Falconer said on the 30th anniversary of the disaster.

“He said he smoked a cigarette, dropped the cigarette onto the floor in front of him, went to put his foot on it, but it had unfortunately dropped through, he said.”

Bennett, who has since died, told officers that he tried to extinguish the fire by pouring coffee onto it but, within minutes, smoke and then flames took hold.

“They (the two men) rushed to the back of the stand. Got hold of some policemen. He told them what was happening,” Falconer said. “The policeman very quickly started to evacuate the stand.

But the rest... Well, we know the tragic result of what happened.

The truth is, that he dropped a cigarette and he was quite unequivocal about it. He’d dropped the cigarette that started the fire.

“He was obviously troubled.

And I felt extremely sorry for him.

And this would be weighing on his mind for the rest of his life.”

Relatives of Bennett have confirmed many of the details of that day to the BBC but said he never told them he had dropped the cigarette that started the fire. - AFP

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LIFE & STYLE

SECTION

Beyoncé and Jay Z are planning to make the world go

VEGAN It was the day before Jay Z’s 44th birthday that the couple became partners

in a vegan food company founded by Marco Borges, their trainer and life coach

T

his company, roughly a year old, 22 Days Nutrition, as their company is called, debuted a vegan meal delivery service (about $600 for the full 22 days), which Borges said grew out of demand for help when the pair shared the challenge on social media. (22 Days is so named because psychology holds that it takes 21 days to make a habit, so by 22 you’re on your way.)

The meals are just one soy-dairy and gluten-free morsel of their plans to turn us all vegan — or at least, to make us “lean toward it,” as Borges said, which is what the couple now do. (“First it’s important that you know I am not a vegan,” Beyonce wrote in an email.)

22 Days already sells protein bars and powders. The partners are currently testing which fruits and vegetables — besides the kale Borges makes the couple — can be turned into “chiplike substances” for packaged snacks. It’s Borges and the couple’s chef doing the experimenting. “I don’t really cook, but I’m a really good taste tester,” Beyonce said.

The company is also talking juices and — for those of us without a chef who can pop over to Nobu to brush up on his Japanese sauce-making for the vegetables (as Beyonce and Jay Z’s chef did) — grab-and-go meals in supermarkets and in stand-alone stores or stores-within-stores. This revolution, it seems, will be spiralised and served over quinoa, with meals available worldwide, in theory as easy to buy as a Coke.

“We know that people want to be healthy, but for some reason, convenience trumps health,” said Borges, a vegan for more than 10 years, though he is reluctant to put a date on it because he feels that then people dismiss him as too hard-core to be relatable. “We have this human nature of making everything competitionbased,” he said. (The company’s plans, by the way, also include re branding the word “vegan”; its partners prefer “plant-based” because with vegan, “you picture someone who lives in Colorado that doesn’t wear deodorant.

There’s a negative stereotype,” Borges said.) Beyonce and Jay Z obviously have a few things going on already, so why this foray into the often-lampooned world of the celebrity lifestyle guru and veganism?

In an email, Beyonce wrote “at first it’s the little things I noticed: I had more energy” — though, sadly, not enough to deal with a reporter asking about it on the phone, as had been promised for more than a month. Beyonce, a representative explained, has not answered any direct questions for more than a year. Just back from vacation in Hawaii, she politely responded by email, sounding rather less fiery than the company’s South American fiesta lentils.

“The benefits of a plant-based diet need to be known,” Beyonce wrote. “We should spend more time loving ourselves, which means taking better care of ourselves with good nutrition and making healthier food choices.” Scarlet beet brown rice with kabocha, anyone?

Not everything Beyonce and Jay Z have touched turns to gold. Beyonce’s fashion line, House of Dereon, for example, has a defunct website, and Jay Z recently took to Twitter to defend Tidal, his streaming music service. To help take the food brand both big and international, the company recently brought on Anne McKevitt, who has advised companies like Wal-Mart and Mercedes. McKevitt, a vegan herself for some 30 years, emailed Borges, intrigued that two not-quite-vegan celebrities were so involved in the company.

“When I became vegan, people at home thought that had something to do with Star Trek,” recalled McKevitt, who grew up in the north of Scotland.-Courtney Rubin/The New York Times News Service

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EXTRA

TIC WE ARE OPTIMIS TIAL N E T O P E H T T U O AB OVE OF DATA TO IMPR THE T U B .

S E IV L N A HUM DIBLY WORLD IS INCRE O ONE COMPLICATED. N R DATA, NO MATTE G HOW BIG, IS GOIN TLY TO TELL US EXAC WHAT WE NEED

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g budget is scoutin h d se a re inc e years. through th perts can also help Human ex figure out what sts data analy or decades, scouts F r. fo k o ased on to lo catchers b ches d e g d it p have ju y to frame their abilit pitch appear more e to make th to a watching ume k ri st a ved data like ks to impro pire. Than tion, analysts have ca on pitch lo cked this hypothehe recently c rmed that catchers fi sis and con ntly in this skill. ifica differ sign , despite all the Education test scores, the out e d bate ab re and value-added o C n o oving in Comm actually m seball is s, d o th e m as ba direction a similar s. ompanie and tech c less press en much tt o g It’s ebate, but d st score te l e th n a th e nationa lso a hug there is a llect and evaluate co surveys effort to . Student o have ta a d S small . st ferated fa have proli eys and teacher rv su ther exparent s, where o atch a n o ti a rv se w ob educators perienced ng a lesson. ri teacher du ane, a professor of Thomas K arvard, told us, at H education lise they tricts rea lely on is d “School g so be focusin shouldn’t ” test scores. ar study by the Bill e -y e re th A oundation da Gates F and Melin e value of both big th bears out ta. The authors anda ls, stuand small dded mode ser-a e lu a v d alyse her ob ys and teac dent surve y tested how to best e vations. Th ent outcomes on ud st t ic d re tests and p ional state both tradit ively demanding nit more cog math and English. in s e g n e measchalle put the thre posite y e th n e h m W o er into a c ures togeth ot the best results. g score, they re adds something su “Each mea report concluded. e th ,” e lu a v in baseof ebook and ll data c a F t As a a sm offices, ball front s in the big data. If le o h d udents’ can fin ises her st ra r e h c a a te

ts say she but studen outside s re o sc st te nd t of time, a wastes a lo nk her poorly, this ra observers estions. Conversequ raises big r does not improve he c a te a if , ly ts say she but studen ncipals s re o ri test sc p em and inspires th parting profound im think she is may give her the e w s, n o less Most imthe doubt. benefit of e big data can tell hil portant, w ertain teachers are c r e th small us whe students, ir e th g in o h pe to help us the best data gives rucial question — c answer a ? ey doing it How are th timists about the p We are o ata to improve of d potential e world is es. But th . No one v li n a hum d te ca compli incredibly matter how big, is o tly what data set, n ll us exac going to te e new mountains Th we need. ke human ta sets ma of blunt da dgment, intuition ju creativity, e more valuable, is rt e p x e d n a . ss considnot le l James is At 65, Bil of the data revther ered the fa aseball. His irrevb olution in etters and books sl w e n erent 0s, which 0s and 198 merical 7 19 e th u in a more n , were supported game e th to approach al, even mocking, tic highly cri ard. u g ld o e th James, of e talked to Boston w n Whe e th works for who now emphasised an ime h , x merical Red So t: The nu d was in o p t n a port ade he spearhe revolution putting traditional t never abou of business. It was t experts ou wledging our ignoo about ackn gathering and testn rance, the tever its source. ha ing data, w nderstand - as I “Scouts u that they don’t d understan the world,” he said. d n at none understa derstand th ut. And n u ll a o “We d re this figu of us has rking on the same o w ll Seth a ch and we’re ysakhovi -Alex Pe .” mes m Ti le b rk ro Yo p New itz/The Davidow Stephens rvice Se s w Ne

W E D N E S DAY, MAY 1 3, 2 0 1 5

C9

ENTERTAINMENT CINEMA SCHEDULE

BAHJA CINEMA GOOD KILL (Drama, Thriller) (12+) Cast: Ethan Hawke, January Jones, Zoë Kravitz 09:30 PM AVENGERS AGE OF ULTRON (3D) (Action, Adventure) (PG12) Cast: Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, 02:15 pm /06:10 pm /08:50 pm /11:30 pm HOT PURSUIT (Comedy) (12+) Cast: Reese Witherspoon, Sofía Vergara, Matthew Del 3:50, 7:45, 10:00 PM ABSOLUTION (Act, Adventure) (15+) Cast : Steven Seagal, Byron Mann 2:00 pm /02:20 pm /07:00 pm /11:30 pm PIKU (Comedy, Drama)(PG) Cast : Amitabh Bachchan, Deepika Padukone, Irrfan Khan 07:35 pm KAJAKI (Adventure, Drama) (15+) Cast: Mark Stanley, David Elliot 5:30 /11:45 pm WORDS & PICTURES (Com, Dr) (12+) Cast: Clive Owen, Juliette Binoche 05:30 pm KAHLIL GIBRAN’S THE PROPHET (Animation)(PG12) Cast : Liam Neeson, Salma Hayek, John Krasinski 02:00 pm /03:45 pm

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

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

KAJAKI (15+) Cast : Mark Stanley, David Elliot 12:15 pm /09:40 pm BACKCOUNTRY (15+) Cast : Missy Peregrym, Eric Balfour 3:40 pm KAHLIL GIBRAN’S THE PROPHET (PG12) Cast : Liam Neeson, Salma Hayek, John Krasinski 10:30 am /12:15 pm /02:00 pm WORDS & PICTURES (12+) Cast : Clive Owen, Juliette Binoche, Bruce Davison 05:25 pm HOT PURSUIT (12+) Cast : Reese Witherspoon, Sofía Vergara, Matthew Del 10:30 am /07:35 pm

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

Hot Pursuit - 2D (12+) Action |Comedy Cas : Reese Witherspoon, Sofía Vergara, Matthew Del. 3:15 , 7:00 pm Absolution – 2D (15+)Act, Adv, Crime Cast: Steven Seagal, Byron Mann, Josh Barnett 5:00 , 7:00 ,11:45 pm Avengers: Age of Ultron – 3D (PG12) Action |Adventure |Sci-Fi Cast: Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo 2:15 ,8:45 ,11:30 pm Words and Pictures - 2D (12+) Com, Dra Cast: Clive Owen, Juliette Binoche, Bruce Davison 4:50, 7:20 pm Piku -2D (PG) Comedy, Drama Cast: Amitabh Bachchan, Deepika Padukone, Irrfan Khan 9:00 , 11:20 pm It Follows - 2D (15+) Horror | Mystery Cast: Maika Monroe, Keir Gilchrist, Olivia Luccardi 3:15 , 11:45 pm Kajaki – 2D (15+) Adventure, Drama, Thriller Cast: Mark Stanley, David Elliot, Malachi Kirby 5:15 pm Kahlil Gibran’s The Prophet - 2D (PG12) Animation Cast: Liam Neeson, Salma Hayek, John Krasinski, 2:30 , 4:10 pm Oru Vadakkan Selfie - 2D (M)(PG) Com Cast: Nivin Pauly, Aju Varghese, 06:30 pm

Gabbar - 2D (PG) Action |Crime |Drama Cast: Akshay Kumar, Shruti K. Haasan, Kareena Kapoor . 9:15 pm Good Kill - 2D (12+) Drama, Thriller Cast: Ethan Hawke, January Jones, Zoë Kravitz 9:30 pm

Avengers: Age of Ultron- 3D (PG12) Cast: Robert Dwney Jr,Chris Evan, 04:45/09:00 PM Kajaki - 2D (15+) Cast: Mark Stanley, David Elliot.

3:00/11:45 PM Good Kill - 2D (15+) Cast: Ethan Hawke, January Jones, Zoë Kravitz. 11:00 PM Hot Pursuit-2D (12+) Cast: Reese Witherspoon, Sofía Vergara 05:15/07:15 PM Backcountry 2D (15+) Cast: Missy Peregrym, 05:00/09:15 PM Absolution 2D (15+) 07:00/11:15 PM Gabbar is Back 2D (PG) Cast: Akshay Kumar, Shruti K. Haasan, Kareena Kapoor. 9:00 PM Kahlil Gibran’s the Prophet (2D)(PG12) Cast: Liam Neeson, Salma Hayek. 3:15 pm Revenge for Jolly! 2D (15+) Cast: Brian Petsos, Kristen Wiig, 3:30 pm Piku (2D) (PG) Cast: Amitabh Bachchan, Deepika Padukone, Irrfan Khan. 7:00pm

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

ACES ON BRIDGE

Watch out for and eliminate losers

O

gden Nash said, “A family is a unit composed not only of children but of men, women, an occasional animal and the common cold.”

A bridge contract is a unit composed not only of tricks but also bidding, declarer play, defence, winners and losers. In today’s deal, South is in four spades. What happens after West leads the spade king?

Note that North might raise one heart to two hearts with only threecard support. If he has a minimum opening with 1-3-5-4 distribution, a

rebid of two hearts is preferable to two clubs.

So South’s jump to four hearts promises at least a five-card suit. With only four hearts, he should make a different rebid, perhaps three no-trump with stoppers in the unbid suits, or in one of the other three suits.

South must first count his losers. Here, he has four: two spades, one heart and one club. Then, if he can do it in a reasonable length of time — five or 10 minutes! — he should also count winners. He can see 11 — one spade, four hearts, four diamonds and two clubs. So, declarer can

make his contract as long as he does not lose those four tricks first. Since he cannot avoid losing tricks to the rounded-suit aces, he must eliminate a spade loser.

Before leading a trump, South must play a diamond to his queen, overtake the diamond jack with dummy’s king, and discard a spade on the diamond ace. Now, with his loser count down to three, he should draw trumps as quickly as possible.

Have you worked out the peculiar theme to this week’s deals? All will be revealed tomorrow.

— By Phillip Alder MARMADUKE

CROSSWORD

B I G NAT E

Answer to previous puzzle

ACROSS 1 “To a Skylark,” for example 4 Horrid-tasting 8 Bump or knot 12 Professional charge 13 Statue of a god 14 Crooked 15 Untamed town?

17 Rip 18 Desert art colony 19 Mountain range 20Souvenir buy (hyph.)

23 Race the engine 24Catcalls 25 Regal 29 That girl 30 Fight the

establishment 32 Debt memo 33 Web forum contributors 35 Unwanted email 36 Narrow inlet 37 Swamp vapor 39 Refuge 42Short skirt 43 Eclipse, to an ancient 44Uranium has one (hyph.)

48Fibbed 49Culture dish goo 50 Rank above maj.

51 Glimpse 52 Ms. Foch 53 Finish a dress

DOWN 1 Slightly gamy 2 Fiddle-de- — 3 Poetic adverb 4 Country parson 5 — box 6 Bushels 7 Isle of —, England 8 Born there 9 Felt grateful 10 Party pooper 11 Fictional governess 16 Elevator guy 19 Tackle-box item 20Recipe meas.

21 London district 22Weed whackers 23 Wish undone 25 Montana and Flutie

26 Defeats narrowly 27 Good dirt 28 Van Heflin oater “3:10 to —” 30Curb 31 Big Band — 34 Chic 35 Go yachting 37 La Scala site 38 Prefix with red 39 Doughnut centre 40 “Jake’s Thing” writer 41 Second-in-command 42Pageant figures 44Leia’s rescuer 45 Wolfgang, to himself 46Gaul, to a Roman 47 Horror-film street

BORN LOSER

WITH LOVE SAANVIKA PREMJEET May 13

ISHAN SILJITH

AARAV SANAL KUMAR

MARWAN QURESHI

May 14, 2008

May 13

May 14, 2004

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

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

C10

W EDNESDAY, MAY 13, 2015

PRAYER TIMINGS

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

BORN today, you have a creative streak a mile wide, and you could not curb your artistic energies even if you tried!

Also, you have been endowed with a current of emotion that runs deep and swift, and it is a very important part of everything you do. Though you are able to think very carefully when necessary, the truth is that you are ruled by your heart — but willingly so. You aren’t the kind to force yourself to live in any way that is foreign to your own nature, and you are, by nature, a feeling individual.

You have also been endowed with a tremendous sense of humour, and you have no qualms about pointing it at anything and everything and opening fire with jokes that could, by some, be considered inappropriate. Ah, so be it!

There may be times when you find yourself yearning for the good old days.

Indeed, you may have good reason to remember fondly things you did in the past, and the rewards they brought you.

But there is never a reason to think that those good times cannot be equalled or surpassed by the times to come!

Also born on this date are: Debby Ryan, actress; Stevie Wonder, singer-songwriter; Darius Rucker, singer; Dennis Rodman, basketball player; Ritchie Valens, singer; Stephen Colbert, comedian and television host; Bea Arthur, actress; Joe Louis, boxer; Harvey Keitel, actor; Mary Wells, singer; Zoe Wanamaker, actress; Barry Zito, baseball player; Pope Pius IX; Alan Ball, writer and producer; Sir Arthur Sullivan, composer; Bobby Valentine, baseball coach.

W E AT H E R

M

EXPECTED WIND: Along the coastal areas of Oman Sea wind will be northeasterly light to moderate during day becoming variable light at night, and along the coastal areas of Arabian Sea wind will be southeasterly moderate to fresh while over rest of the Sultanate it will be northwesterly light to moderate.

WORLD

Max 39 Min 27 Max 19 Min 10

Max 42 Min 24

Max 39 Min 30 Max 20 Min 8

Max 41 Min 29

Max 20 Min 12

Max 42 Min 27

Max 43 Min 28

Max 43 Min 23

Max 42 Min 29

Max 38 Min 26

[APRIL 20-MAY 20] Max 32 Min 27

Max 22 Min 14

Max 35 Min 27 Max 16 Min 11

—www.met.gov.om

Min

GULF Abu Dhabi Doha Dubai Kuwait Manama Riyadh

37 40 38 43 37 40

25 22 22 31 24 24

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

26 40 25 17 19 31 29 21 28 19 22 31 30 20 25 32 27 11

15 21 15 7 8 16 26 8 24 16 6 25 14 13 14 27 17 6

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

FROM MUSCAT (RUWI)

TO MUSCAT (RUWI)

[MAY 21-JUNE 20] You can learn much from someone who is going through the same experience as you. Keep an eye on each other, and make adjustments in tandem.

CANCER [JUNE 21-JULY 22] You’re worrying too much about being on time, when the most important issue is turning in work that exceeds expectations.

LEO [JULY 23-AUG. 22] You may be called upon to settle a dispute that hinges on an issue that you don’t completely understand — yet.

VIRGO [AUG. 23-SEPT. 22] Express yourself openly, but know that not everyone is ready to hear what you have to say. Tensions may rise for a while at home.

LIBRA L [[SEPT. [S S 23-OCT. 22] You must ready yourself for some disagreement, and recognise that disagreement is not, in and of itself, an argument!

SCORPIO S [[OCT. 23-NOV. 21] Your attitude may seem a bit too cavalier for some, but others realise that this is just your way of protecting yourself.

SAGITTARIUS S [[NOV. 22-DEC. 21] Carelessness is not likely to be quickly forgiven, though you’ll surely have the chance to correct any genuine errors.

CAPRICORN [DEC. 22-JAN 19] You’re learning a great deal from someone who has taken it upon himself to do the impossible. You know that it’s only a matter of time!

AQUARIUS [JAN. 20-FEB. 18] You may be suffering from an environmental malady of some sort.

You’ll soon have to make a change that reduces any serious threats.

PISCES [Feb. 19-March 20] In the afternoon, you’ll have a chance to do something you skipped over in the morning — but your window will be very small, indeed.

ARIES [March 21-APRIL 19] Things are likely to be interconnected in ways that you had not anticipated. Names and dates will prove important as you sort matters out.

Sunset Sunrise (Tomorrow) High tide Low tide

4:18pm 11:04pm

6.40pm 5.27am 4:57am 10:50am

SEA STATE: Moderate to rough along the Arabian Sea coastal area with maximum wave height of 2.5 metres, and slight along the rest of the coasts with a maximum wave height of 1.25 metres.

HORIZONTAL VISIBILITY: Good over most of the Sultanate becoming poor during fog formation.

THE NEXT 48 HOURS OUTLOOK: Mainly clear skies over most of the Sultanate. Chance of late night to early morning low level clouds or fog patches along the coastal areas of Arabian Sea.

Max

OMAN

GEMINI

12.08pm 3.32pm 6.45pm 8.03pm 4.04am

AIRLINES

ainly clear skies over most of the Sultanate with chance of cloud development over Al-Hajar mountains during afternoon and chance of early morning low level clouds or fog patches over the coastal areas of Arabian Sea.

TAURUS Your search for something that fits into the changes you are planning may prove time-consuming but productive.

Dhuhr Asr Maghrib Isha Fajr (Tomorrow)

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

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

16:50 19:30

Daily Daily

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

10:20 12:30

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

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

Daily Daily Daily via Ibri Daily Daily Daily Daily

10:25

Daily

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

08:40 11:00

Daily Daily

Daily Daily

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

17:55 20:20

Daily Daily

12:00 18:45

Daily Daily

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

10:45 19:00

Daily Daily

10:30 11:15

Daily Daily

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

13:15 17:30

Daily Daily

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

Daily Daily Daily Daily

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

Daily Daily Daily Daily

TO MARMUL (Route 101) 06:00 Marmul

Daily

TO MARMUL (Route 101) 06:00 Marmul

16:30

Daily

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:

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

THURSDAY FLT NO

ARRIVALS FROM

KUWAIT 0005 CAIRO 0005 JEDDAH 0005 MEDINA 0005 RIYADH 0010 SALALAH 0020 SALALAH 0120 ISTANBUL 0135 DACCA 0200 LAHORE 0215 BAHRAIN 0325 DUBAI 0340 DOHA 0345 DUBAI 0350 ADDIS ABABA 0350 ABU DHABI 0400 FRANKFURT 0515 AMMAN 0635 BAHRAIN 0635 ABU DHABI 0640 SALALAH 0645 KUWAIT 0650 RIYADH 0655 RAS AL KHAIMA 0655 MALPENSA 0705 DOHA 0715 JEDDAH 0735 PARIS 0735 LONDON HEATHROW 0740 DUBAI 0800 TEHRAN 0805 BEIRUT 0805 DUBAI 0805 LAHORE 0825 LAHORE 0830 BOMBAY 0835 HYDERABAD 0900 SHARJAH 0905 BANGALORE 0910 COCHIN 0920 DUBAI 0930 DELHI 0935 TRIVANDRUM 0955 MADRAS 0955 DOHA 1000 ABU DHABI 1010 COCHIN 1020 DOHA 1035 DUQUM OMAN 1035 BAHRAIN 1040 TRIVANDRUM 1045 KHASAB 1115 DUBAI 1115 MUKHAIZNA 1120 BAHRAIN 1130 DUBAI 1140 COLOMBO 1140 CALICUT 1155 LAHORE 1215 KUALA LUMPUR-SINGAPORE 1215 BANGKOK 1220 ABU DHABI 1220 SALALAH 1230 DOHA 1250 KARACHI 1300 KATHMANDU 1305 DUBAI 1340 SALALAH 1440 KHASAB 1445 ISLAM ABBAD 1515 SHARJAH 1525 DUBAI 1535 MUKHAIZNA 1550 BAHRAIN 1610 DOHA 1650 BOMBAY 1655 CALICUT 1710 LUCKNOW 1740 DOHA 1745 DUBAI 1745 HYDERABAD 1750 DELHI 1750 MADRAS 1750 DUBAI 1800 BAHRAIN 1810 TRIVANDRUM 1820 SHARJAH 1905 JAIPUR 1910 KUWAIT 1920 DUBAI 1940 SALALAH 2000 ABU DHABI 2005 ABU DHABI 2005 MALE 2020 DUBAI 2025 JAKARTA 2035 KATHMANDU 2040 DUBAI 2100 BANGALORE-HYDERABAD 2105 AMSTERDAM-DOHA 2105 MUNICH 2105 COCHIN 2115 DELHI 2125 BOMBAY 2130 LONDON HEATHROW-ABU DHABI 2140 DUBAI 2150 MADRAS 2200 CHITTAGONG 2210 ZURICH-DUBAI 2225 DOHA 2225 BAHRAIN 2240 FRANKFURT-DOHA 2245 ZANZIBAR-DARESSLAM 2250 KARACHI 2250 ABU DHABI 2300 AMMAN 2300 SALALAH 2310 BOMBAY 2315 BOMBAY 2325 DOHA 2335 ABU DHABI 2340 BAHRAIN 2340 SALALAH 2345 BANGKOK 2350 DUBAI 2355 DAMMAM 2355

WY424 WY676 WY648 WY682 WY914 BG021 CV610 WY916 TK774 4H585 PK225 GF560 QR1132 EK866 ET624 EY384 PK291 MS930 FZ041 WY114 4H586 WY658 WY638 WY902 WY644 WY686 WY154 WY144 WY678 WY668 WY674 WY102 FZ043 WY602 WY346 NL768 WY272 WY202 WY236 G9114 WY226 EK862 WY210 WY242 WY212 WY252 QR1128 EY382 IX817 IX443 WY652 9W530 WY604 WY918 GF562 WY372 FZ037 IX337 WY822 WY818 WY634 WY904 BG023 WY670 WY332 PA950 CV611 WY606 WY3302 WY632 WY906 WY920 WY3922 FZ045 KU677 SV530 WY344 QR1126 WY204 WY292 WY264 WY664 EK864 WY254 WY232 WY246 WY284 WY3932 GF564 TG507 G9116 WY374 WY646 FZ047 WY908 RG125 WY614 WY848 WY338 WY434 FZ049 KL441 WY124 4H561 9W534 AI973 6.00E+81 BA073 WY624 UL205 AI907 WY312 LX242 QR1134 GF566 LH616 WY414 SG061 EY388 WY910 WY910 9W540 AI985 WY662 WY662 WY636 WY654 WY816 WY612 WY696 WY612

BEIRUT 0005 JEDDAH 0005 KUWAIT 0005 RIYADH 0010 SALALAH 0020 DACCA 0100 LUXORE 0115 SALALAH 0120 ISTANBUL 0135 DACCA 0200 KARACHI 0215 BAHRAIN 0325 DOHA 0345 DUBAI 0350 ADDIS ABABA 0350 ABU DHABI 0400 ISLAM ABBAD 0410 CAIRO 0410 DUBAI 0415 FRANKFURT 0515 DOHA 0600 BAHRAIN 0635 ABU DHABI 0640 SALALAH 0645 KUWAIT 0650 RIYADH 0655 ZURICH 0700 MALPENSA 0705 MEDINA 0710 DOHA 0715 JEDDAH 0735 LONDON HEATHROW 0740 DUBAI 0800 DUBAI 0805 ISLAM ABBAD 0815 LAHORE 0830 JAIPUR 0830 BOMBAY 0835 HYDERABAD 0900 SHARJAH 0905 COCHIN 0920 DUBAI 0930 GOA 0935 DELHI 0935 TRIVANDRUM 0950 MADRAS 0955 DOHA 1000 ABU DHABI 1010 MANGALORE 1010 COCHIN 1020 BAHRAIN 1040 TRIVANDRUM 1045 DUBAI 1115 KHASAB 1115 BAHRAIN 1130 COLOMBO 1140 DUBAI 1140 CALICUT 1155 KUALA LUMPUR-SINGAPORE 1215 BANGKOK 1220 ABU DHABI 1220 SALALAH 1230 DACCA-CHITTAGONG 1230 DOHA 1250 KATHMANDU 1305 SIALKOT 1310 MADRAS 1315 DUBAI 1340 MUKHAIZNA 1350 ABU DHABI 1355 SALALAH 1440 KHASAB 1445 DUQUM OMAN 1510 DUBAI 1535 KUWAIT-ABU DHABI 1540 JEDDAH 1550 LAHORE 1605 DOHA 1650 BOMBAY 1655 CALICUT 1710 LUCKNOW 1740 DOHA 1745 DUBAI 1745 MADRAS 1750 HYDERABAD 1750 DELHI 1750 BANGALORE 1750 SOHAR 1805 BAHRAIN 1810 BANGKOK-KARACHI 1900 SHARJAH 1905 COLOMBO 1915 KUWAIT 1920 DUBAI 1940 SALALAH 2000 ABU DHABI 2005 DUBAI 2025 JAKARTA 2035 KATHMANDU 2040 TEHRAN 2055 DUBAI 2100 AMSTERDAM-DOHA 2105 MUNICH 2105 DACCA 2115 COCHIN 2115 DELHI 2125 BOMBAY 2130 LONDON HEATHROW-ABU DHABI 2140 DUBAI 2150 COLOMBO 2155 MADRAS 2200 CHITTAGONG 2210 ZURICH-DUBAI 2225 DOHA 2225 BAHRAIN 2240 FRANKFURT-DOHA 2245 AMMAN 2300 AHMEDABAD 2300 ABU DHABI 2300 SALALAH 2310 SALALAH 2310 BOMBAY 2315 BOMBAY 2325 DOHA 2335 DOHA 2335 ABU DHABI 2340 BAHRAIN 2340 BANGKOK 2350 DUBAI 2355 DAMMAM 2355 DUBAI 2355

FLT NO

DEPARTURES TO

FLT NO

DEPARTURES TO

9W539 AI986 WY657 WY637 WY235 WY281 WY201 WY685 WY643 WY251 WY341 WY601 WY431 WY371 WY123 WY847 WY241 WY901 WY667 TK775 4H584 PK230 WY331 EK867 ET625 EY385 FZ036 QR1133 WY651 GF561 WY3921 G9842 WY603 WY903 WY3301 WY917 WY347 WY669 WY323 FZ044 WY633 WY815 WY291 WY215 WY253 NL769 WY717 WY263 WY385 WY821 WY843 G9115 WY231 WY905 WY605 WY203 WY245 EK863 IX554 WY337 QR1129 EY383 IX442 WY311 9W533 WY919 QR8550 WY655 GF563 WY273 FZ038 WY3303 IX350 PA451 WY113 WY663 WY143 WY645 WY101 WY423 WY153 WY927 WY413 WY405 WY609 WY907 WY675 G9110 FZ046 WY631 WY613 QR1127 WY327 WY623 WY681 WY647 WY909 GF565 EK865 WY695 WY661 WY653 G9117 WY913 WY635 FZ048 WY611 RG126 WY915 FZ050 AI978 KL442 WY817 9W529 6.00E+82 AI908 AI974 WY677 GF567 LX243 BA072 QR1135 WY673 EY381 LH617

BOMBAY 0020 BOMBAY 0020 BAHRAIN 0055 ABU DHABI 0105 HYDERABAD 0110 BANGALORE 0110 BOMBAY 0115 RIYADH 0115 KUWAIT 0120 MADRAS 0120 LAHORE 0145 DUBAI 0145 TEHRAN 0155 COLOMBO 0155 MUNICH 0200 JAKARTA 0215 DELHI 0215 SALALAH 0215 DOHA 0225 ISTANBUL 0230 DACCA 0300 LAHORE 0315 KATHMANDU 0350 DUBAI 0450 ADDIS ABABA 0450 ABU DHABI 0500 DUBAI 0510 DOHA 0515 BAHRAIN 0645 BAHRAIN 0715 DUQUM OMAN 0740 RAS AL KHAIMA 0745 DUBAI 0750 SALALAH 0750 MUKHAIZNA 0800 KHASAB 0815 ISLAM ABBAD 0830 DOHA 0835 KARACHI 0835 DUBAI 0845 ABU DHABI 0900 BANGKOK 0905 CALICUT 0915 TRIVANDRUM 0915 MADRAS 0915 LAHORE 0930 ZANZIBAR-DARESSLAM 0940 LUCKNOW 0940 MALE 0945 SINGAPORE-KUALA LUMPUR 0945 MANILA 0955 SHARJAH 0955 HYDERABAD 1000 SALALAH 1020 DUBAI 1020 BOMBAY 1025 DELHI 1040 DUBAI 1045 TRIVANDRUM 1045 KATHMANDU 1050 DOHA 1100 ABU DHABI 1105 COCHIN 1120 CHITTAGONG 1140 COCHIN 1145 KHASAB 1145 DUBAI WORLD CENTRE-DOHA 1205 BAHRAIN 1215 BAHRAIN 1215 JAIPUR 1220 DUBAI 1225 MUKHAIZNA 1230 CALICUT 1255 LAHORE 1315 FRANKFURT 1320 DOHA 1330 MALPENSA 1350 KUWAIT 1350 LONDON HEATHROW 1400 BEIRUT 1415 ZURICH 1420 SALALAH 1430 AMMAN 1440 CAIRO 1440 DUBAI 1445 SALALAH 1540 JEDDAH 1615 SHARJAH 1615 DUBAI 1620 ABU DHABI 1640 DUBAI 1710 DOHA 1750 KARACHI 1810 DUBAI 1840 RIYADH 1840 KUWAIT 1845 SALALAH 1850 BAHRAIN 1855 DUBAI 1910 DAMMAM 1915 DOHA 1920 BAHRAIN 1920 SHARJAH 1955 SALALAH 2000 ABU DHABI 2015 DUBAI 2025 DUBAI 2035 ABU DHABI 2045 SALALAH 2100 DUBAI 2145 HYDERABAD-BANGALORE 2200 DOHA-AMSTERDAM 2220 BANGKOK 2225 TRIVANDRUM 2230 BOMBAY 2245 MADRAS 2300 DELHI 2310 MEDINA 2310 BAHRAIN 2325 DUBAI-ZURICH 2325 ABU DHABI-LONDON HEATHROW 2330 DOHA 2330 JEDDAH 2350 ABU DHABI 2355 DOHA-FRANKFURT 2355

9W539 AI986 WY657 WY637 WY225 WY235 WY211 WY685 WY201 WY643 WY251 WY345 WY601 WY371 WY123 WY901 WY241 WY847 WY667 BG022 TK775 WY209 4H585 PK226 WY331 CV610 EK867 ET625 EY385 FZ042 MS931 PK292 QR1133 WY651 4H586 GF561 WY903 WY603 WY917 WY669 FZ044 WY633 WY373 WY815 WY343 WY253 WY291 NL769 WY263 WY821 G9115 WY231 WY283 WY3301 WY905 WY605 WY203 WY631 WY245 EK863 WY337 QR1129 IX818 EY383 IX442 WY311 9W533 WY919 WY3921 WY655 GF563 FZ038 IX350 WY113 WY663 WY645 WY143 WY101 BG024 PA951 WY927 WY405 WY413 CV611 WY433 WY907 WY3931 WY675 FZ046 KU678 SV531 WY613 QR1127 WY623 WY681 WY647 WY909 GF565 EK865 WY695 WY661 WY653 G9117 WY913 TG508 WY635 FZ048 WY611 RG126 WY915 FZ050 WY411 4H561 KL442 WY817 9W529 6.00E+82 AI908 UL206 WY705 WY677 AI974 GF567 LX243 QR1135 BA072 WY673 EY381 LH617

BOMBAY 0020 BOMBAY 0020 BAHRAIN 0055 ABU DHABI 0105 COCHIN 0105 HYDERABAD 0110 TRIVANDRUM 0110 RIYADH 0115 BOMBAY 0115 KUWAIT 0120 MADRAS 0120 ISLAM ABBAD 0125 DUBAI 0145 COLOMBO 0155 MUNICH 0200 SALALAH 0215 DELHI 0215 JAKARTA 0215 DOHA 0225 CHITTAGONG-DACCA 0230 ISTANBUL 0230 GOA 0255 DOHA 0300 KARACHI 0315 KATHMANDU 0350 MADRAS 0355 DUBAI 0450 ADDIS ABABA 0450 ABU DHABI 0500 DUBAI 0510 CAIRO 0510 ISLAM ABBAD 0510 DOHA 0515 BAHRAIN 0645 DACCA 0700 BAHRAIN 0715 SALALAH 0750 DUBAI 0750 KHASAB 0815 DOHA 0835 DUBAI 0845 ABU DHABI 0900 COLOMBO 0900 BANGKOK 0905 LAHORE 0915 MADRAS 0915 CALICUT 0915 LAHORE 0930 LUCKNOW 0940 SINGAPORE-KUALA LUMPUR 0945 SHARJAH 0955 HYDERABAD 1000 BANGALORE 1000 MUKHAIZNA 1000 SALALAH 1020 DUBAI 1020 BOMBAY 1025 ABU DHABI 1030 DELHI 1040 DUBAI 1045 KATHMANDU 1050 DOHA 1100 MANGALORE 1100 ABU DHABI 1105 COCHIN 1120 CHITTAGONG 1140 COCHIN 1145 KHASAB 1145 DUQUM OMAN 1210 BAHRAIN 1215 BAHRAIN 1215 DUBAI 1225 CALICUT 1255 FRANKFURT 1320 DOHA 1330 KUWAIT 1350 MALPENSA 1350 LONDON HEATHROW 1400 CHITTAGONG-DACCA 1400 SIALKOT 1430 SALALAH 1430 CAIRO 1440 AMMAN 1440 LUXORE 1445 TEHRAN 1445 SALALAH 1540 SOHAR 1600 JEDDAH 1615 DUBAI 1620 KUWAIT 1640 MEDINA-JEDDAH 1650 DUBAI 1710 DOHA 1750 DUBAI 1840 RIYADH 1840 KUWAIT 1845 SALALAH 1850 BAHRAIN 1855 DUBAI 1910 DAMMAM 1915 DOHA 1920 BAHRAIN 1920 SHARJAH 1955 SALALAH 2000 KARACHI-BANGKOK 2005 ABU DHABI 2015 DUBAI 2025 DUBAI 2035 ABU DHABI 2045 SALALAH 2100 DUBAI 2145 AMMAN 2205 JEDDAH 2215 DOHA-AMSTERDAM 2220 BANGKOK 2225 TRIVANDRUM 2230 BOMBAY 2245 MADRAS 2300 COLOMBO 2305 DARESSLAM-ZANZIBAR 2310 MEDINA 2310 DELHI 2310 BAHRAIN 2325 DUBAI-ZURICH 2325 DOHA 2330 ABU DHABI-LONDON HEATHROW 2330 JEDDAH 2350 ABU DHABI 2355 DOHA-FRANKFURT 2355

FLT NO

ARRIVALS FROM

WY648 WY406 WY676 WY672 WY682 WY914 WY916 TK774 4H583 PK229 GF560 FZ035 QR1132 EK866 ET624 EY384 WY114 WY412 WY658 WY638 WY902 WY644 WY686 G9841 WY144 WY668 WY674 WY132 WY102 FZ043 WY432 WY422 WY602 WY342 NL768 WY202 WY236 G9114 WY282 WY226 EK862 WY242 IX549 WY252 QR1128 EY382 IX443 QR8550 WY3922 WY652 9W530 WY918 WY604 WY3302 GF562 FZ037 WY372 IX337 PA450 WY822 WY818 WY634 WY904 WY670 WY324 WY332 WY606 WY906 WY920 WY348 G9119 FZ045 WY3304 WY656 QR1126 WY204 WY292 WY264 WY664 EK864 WY232 WY246 WY254 WY610 GF564 WY216 G9116 WY274 WY646 FZ047 WY908 RG125 WY632 WY386 WY614 WY848 WY338 FZ049 AI977 KL441 WY124 9W534 AI973 6.00E+81 BA073 WY624 AI907 WY312 LX242 QR1134 GF566 LH616 WY717 WY328 EY388 WY414 WY910 9W540 AI985 WY662 WY636 WY654 WY928 WY816 WY612 WY696

ETA

ETD

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W E D N E S DAY, MAY 1 3, 2 0 1 5

C 11

EXTRA B O L LY W O O D

Mallika Sherawat gears up for Cannes festival MALLIKA SHERAWAT is headed to Cannes in France to be a part of the 68th Cannes International Film Festival. She says she feels honoured to be a part of the film gala. “Honoured to be invited by #Ficci at the 68th Cannes film festival :) #mallikaincannes @Festival_Cannes @FICCIFRAMES,” Mallika tweeted on Tuesday. The Dirty Politics actress has been invited to be on the discussion panel of “Co-Produce in India” by FICCI on behalf of the Information & Broadcasting Ministry to be held on May 14. The Cannes International Film Festival is scheduled to be held from May 13 to May 24. “Cannes , here I come:) http:// www.pinkvilla.com/entertainmenttags/mallika-sherawat/ mallika-sherwat-attend-cannes-2015... @Festival_Cannes @ FICCIFRAMES,” she further posted. On being a part of the discussion panels, Mallika said: “I am delighted to be a part of the discussion.” Mallika is not the only Bollywood actress to be attending the gala. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Sonam Kapoor and Katrina Kaif will also doll up for the red carpet of Festival De Cannes.

No wedding bells yet for Katrina, says spokesperson KATRINA KAIF’S spokesperson has clarified that there’s no truth to rumours about the actress’ wedding plans. This has come in the wake of reports that Katrina’s rumoured beau Ranbir Kapoor has revealed that they will wed next year. Rumour mills are also abuzz with news that the duo may get engaged later in May. Katrina’s spokesperson said: “There is no truth to these wedding dates, there are no plans as yet.” Meanwhile, Katrina, who has films like Abhishek Kapoor’s Fitoor and Anurag Basu’s Jagga Jasoos in her kitty, has gone to the French Riviera to make her debut at the 68th Cannes International Film Festival. Post that, she will dive into her film and brand commitments.

‘Helen’ will transform actress Poonam’s career: Director

VYING FOR THE TROPHY This year, 19 films are entering the main competition at Cannes International Film Festival

E

leven contenders are from Europe, more than half of them from France and Italy. Three movies hail from the United States and Canada and another three from Asia. The remaining two are by Mexican and Australian directors.

Here is the list of this year’s contenders for the prize: ‘Sicario’ Set on the Mexican border and starring Emily Blunt, Benicio Del Toro and Josh Brolin, this thriller is about a CIA operation to bring down a drug lord.

It was directed by Canada’s Denis Villeneuve, who made the critically acclaimed Prisoners in 2013 starring Hugh Jackman — and who has been tapped to film a sequel to the sci-fi classic Blade Runner.

‘Carol’ Two-time Oscar winner Cate Blanchett stars with Rooney Mara in this love story set in New York in the 1950s, adapted by US director Todd Haynes from a novel by Patricia Highsmith, who wrote The Talented Mr Ripley.

‘The Sea of Trees’ Oscar winner Matthew McConaughey and Naomi Watts star in this movie about an American who meets a Japanese man in a mysterious suicide forest at the foot of Mount Fuji. US director Gus Van Sant, who made Good Will Hunting and Milk, won the Palme d’Or in 2003 with Elephant.

‘Macbeth’ Michael Fassbender and Marion Cotillard lead the cast in this new

big-screen adaptation of Shakespeare’s tragedy. The film was largely filmed in Britain by Australian director Justin Kurzel, who will soon start shooting a movie based on the hit computer game Assassin’s Creed.

‘Valley of Love’ Gerard Depardieu and Isabelle Huppert play an estranged couple who lose their son to suicide but decide six months later to honour his written request to meet him in California’s Death Valley.

‘The Lobster’ Colin Farrell and Rachel Weisz star in this bizarre sci-fi story by Greek director Yorgos Lanthimos about single people sequestered in a hotel and given 45 days to find a partner, or be transformed into animals.

‘Louder Than Bombs’ Jesse Eisenberg, Gabriel Byrne and Isabelle Huppert star in this English-language movie from Norway’s Joachim Trier, about a family drama told from multiple points of view.

‘Youth’ Michael Caine, Rachel Weisz, Jane Fonda, Harvey Keitel and Paul Dano star in this tale about two old friends, a filmmaker and a retired music composer, who grapple with family issues and fading careers during a holiday in an Alpine hotel. It was made in English by Italian director Paolo Sorrentino, who won an Oscar last year for his story of Italian decay, The Great Beauty.

‘The Tale of Tales’ Starring Salma Hayek and Vincent Cassel and directed by Italy’s Matteo Garrone, this English-language, special effects-driven fantasy is inspired from a collection of 17th-century Italian fairy tales.

‘Mon Roi’ Vincent Cassel stars in a French story about a passionate but complicated couple. The film was directed

by Maiwenn, who won Cannes’ Jury Prize in 2011 for the cop drama Polisse, which The Hollywood Reporter compared to the vaunted US TV series The Wire.

‘The Assassin’ Fifteen years after Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, Taiwan brings to Cannes a new period martial arts film by director Hou Hsiao-Hsien. A leader of Taiwan’s New Wave cinema movement, his movies have been nominated six times for the Palme d’Or, but he has never won. However in 1993, he picked up the Cannes Jury Prize for In the Hands of a Puppet Master.

‘Mountains May Depart’ Chinese director Jia Zhangke won Cannes’ best screenplay award in 2013 for his A Touch of Sin. He’s back with a three-part tale spanning several decades that begins with separated lovers in China and ends up in a future Australia.

‘Chronic’ Tim Roth plays a male nurse who confronts his guilt as he helps terminally ill patients to die in this English-language movie by Mexico’s Michel Franco.

‘Marguerite & Julien’ France’s Valerie Donzelli pre-

sents a story about a brother and sister, based on a real 17th-century relationship that resulted in the execution of the siblings.

‘My Mother’ Nanni Moretti is an Italian filmmaker loved by Cannes. In 2001, he won the Palme d’Or for The Son’s Room. Now, he stars alongside John Turturro in this semiautobiographical film, which is about a director suffering personal and professional crises.

‘Our Little Sister’ A Japanese manga comic gets a cinematic adaptation in this movie from Hirokazu Koreeda, who won the Cannes Jury award two years ago.

The story is about three sisters living in a house left by their grandmother who go to their father’s funeral. There, they meet their orphaned stepsister and invite her to stay with them.

‘The Measure of a Man’ This French movie by Stephane Brize is about a newly-hired supermarket security guard who is asked to spy on his colleagues.

‘Dheepan’ French director Jacques Audiard presents a drama about a Sri Lankan refugee struggling to start a new life in a tough Paris suburb.

‘Son of Saul’ Hungarian director Laszlo Nemes brings his first feature film to Cannes. The story is a Holocaust drama about an Auschwitz prisoner who tries to save the corpse of a boy he believes to be his son from incineration. -AFP

ACTRESS Poonam Pandey’s career is poised for a transformation after Helen, says the film’s director Ajit Rajpal. Rajpal told IANS: “When a title like Helen gets attached with Poonam, it automatically creates curiosity and entertainment. I’m confident that Poonam’s career will be completely transformed after Helen. “The way she is working right now, I have no doubts that a few years down the line, she will be someone who everybody will be looking forward to work with.” Rajpal earlier wrote Nasha — which also starred Poonam. -IANS

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W EDN ESDAY, MAY 13, 2015

EXTRA The modern-day ‘Yuppie’ Of all the family-newspaper-appropriate socioeconomic slurs, one that was ubiquitous in the 1980s and 1990s, is slowly on its way out in this millennium — yuppie

BRIEFS

Nano memory stores data like a human brain AUSTRALIAN SCIENTISTS have developed nano memory capable of storing information in a way similar to a human brain - a significant step towards the creation of a bionic brain, Australian media reported. The device, 10,000 times thinner than a human hair, imitates the complex engineering of the brain with its twisted mass of nerve pathways, according to the team from RMIT University in Melbourne that created it. “The development of these nano memory cells is a prerequisite for building these artificial neuron networks that are capable of matching the performance and functionality of their biological counterparts,” research leader Hussein Nili said. Unlike digital storage devices that record data in binary streams, a nano memory cell can store information in multiple states because it is analogue.

Father’s age linked to blood cancer risk in children A NEW study links a father’s age at the birth of his child to the risk that the child will develop blood and immune system cancers as an adult, particularly for single children.

However, the study found no association between having an older mother and these cancers. “The lifetime risk of these cancers is fairly low — about one in 20 men. Still, the study does highlight the need for more research to confirm these findings and to clarify the biologic underpinning for this association,” said lead author Lauren Teras from American Cancer Society. The researchers analysed data from women and men enrolled in the American Cancer Society Cancer Prevention Study-II Nutrition Cohort.

Near wins may actually boost our motivation

T

he moderately derogatory term for young urban professionals, or young upwardly mobile professionals , is believed to have first appeared in print in a 1980 Chicago magazine article by Dan Rottenberg, though he does not take credit for coining it. A Google Ngram search reveals that the word’s usage in books began ascending steeply in 1983 and reached its apex a decade later.

It’s no surprise that the yuppie flourished after the gloomy ‘70s had yielded to easy money in the stock market (until 1987, at least) for post collegiate brokers and boomers eager to invest after their youthful fling with the counterculture. Television and movies amply reflected the proliferating demographic. The yuppie apotheosis on the small screen was “Thirtysomething” and Seinfeld; in the multiplex, there were too many to mention, but The Big Chill and When Harry Met Sally would be a good start, and, on the darker side, Michael Douglas’ 1987 filmography (Wall Street and Fatal Attraction).

We have plenty of equivalents today, such as This Is 40 (and nearly every other romantic comedy) and TV’s Togetherness and the recently departed Parenthood and

The yuppie has shifted from standing on the prow of his yacht in an attitude of rapaciously aspirational entitlement to a defensive crouch of financial and existential insecurity

How I Met Your Mother (and most other dramedies and sitcoms).

Their organic-buying, gym-going, home owning characters, however, aren’t tagged as yuppies as readily as those from the previous era were. It’s not because they aren’t from the narcissistic upper middle class; they certainly are. But they look different now.

The yuppie has shifted from standing on the prow of his yacht in an attitude of rapaciously aspirational entitlement to a defensive crouch of financial and existential insecurity. This instability has fragmented the yuppie’s previously coherent identity into a number of personae, each of which can trace its lineage to its ‘80s paterfamilias.

Collectively, these microyuppies are just as strong in their ranks as their progenitors, if not more so.

Three decades ago, the yuppie was viewed as a self-interested alien invader in an America that had experienced a solid 20 years of radical activism and meaningful progress in civil rights and women’s liberation. A generation and a half later, we have so deeply internalised the values of the yuppie that we have ceased to notice when one is in our midst — or when we have become one ourselves.

(This generalisation about those with ample economic and social capital doesn’t factor in, of course, the massive swath of Americans who lack the opportunity to become yuppies in the first place.)

The film critic Dominic Corry of The New Zealand Herald has described a genre of ‘80s and ‘90s films as “yuppies in peril” movies, and, since their affluent protagonists lack any real-world problems, their improbable crises revolve around murder and a preponderance of stalking. While Hollywood still likes a good crazed villain making life miserable for an upstanding protagonist, a fictional yuppie hero nowadays is more likely to be plagued by a layoff or the crash of his mutual fund.

And that may be the starkest difference. Unbridled acquisitiveness was the central trait of the ‘80s yuppie; the dread of losing one’s property and dropping down a tax bracket may define the contemporary one. Fiercely protecting one’s existing money seems less gauche than plotting ways to grab more, even if it’s just a circumstantial response.

But we have fooled ourselves into thinking we aren’t as moneyoriented as the ‘80s yuppie by scapegoating a perennially convenient villain — bankers. Placing all the blame for the 2008 financial crisis on this easily scorned group allows us to overlook our own overreaching transactions.-Teddy Wayne/The New York Times News Service

LOSING OUT by a whisker, or the “near wins”, may actually boost our motivation to achieve other wins, says a new study led by an Indianorigin researcher. “Our research suggests that at least in some cases, losing has positive power,” said lead researcher Monica Wadhwa from INSEAD, a business school based in Fontainebleau, France. While it may seem like losing might put a damper on motivation, Wadhwa and colleagues hypothesised that losing out by only a narrow margin might have the opposite effect. A near win, they speculated, intensifies but doesn’t satisfy our motivational state, and so the drive to win is extended to the next task or goal we encounter. The study was published in the journal Psychological Science.

‘Smart’ helmet can turn any room into virtual battlefield DO YOU want to experience the real battlefield without being harmed? Well, a new Google Glassstyle pair of glasses can create a virtual battlefield for you anywhere.

Developed by London-based defence equipment giant BAE Systems in collaboration with Birmingham University, the glasses can turn almost any surface into a virtual command centre. Similar to Microsoft’s HoloLens headset, BAE’s creates what it calls a ‘mixed reality’ combining the real world with a virtual interface that can project a battlefield onto any surface combined with realtime video chat and live feeds, Huffington Post reported. -IANS

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W W W.T I M E S O F O M A N . C O M W E D N E S DAY, M AY 1 3 , 2 0 1 5

SECTION

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

RENT

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W E D N E S DAY, M AY 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

3000 sq mtrs Industrial landß, in Barka Sanaiya, with electricity 400KW, shed, staff accommodation and office. Ready to start any kind of factory. Contact 99384255.

New one B/R directly from owner.

Bausher. Contact – 92158031 Showroom for rent 200 m in Al Misfah, Bousher facing the main road. Contact 95202430 New building, residential apartments and offices, in Al Khoud Souq. Contact 95202340 Deluxe 1, 2 BHK flats in Darsait, AL Khuwair 1deal for office & residence.# 99369081 /99142314 2BHK with split AC in W. K behind Sana Fashion. contact 96708000 4 bedroom villa at Al Ansab area.

Contact: 96788070 2 & 3 BHK in Qurum, with split AC, Near PDO Gate 2.

Contact 94057023 2BHK flats in Al Khuwair-33 with split AC. Contact: 94057023 Independent villa in Darsait (OPP .

KIMS hospital, behind Khimji mart) for rent 4 bedrooms, big hall and 1 kitchen + 1 pantry. Please call Ms Hiba Shaikh. Contact 98048210/ Mr Anil Kumar 99261773 Villa for rent in Azaiba near well roundabout & Umm AL Qura Mosque, 5 bedrooms, two hall , kitchen. Contact : Mr Sunil 92887809/ Mr Habib 98048207 Flats for rent in Wadi Kabeer.

Contact : 92800007 Full storey at Al Khuwair, 3BHK 525/- R.O. Contact: 94232344 Villa for rent in Khuwair 33, 8 bedrooms, 5 Bathrooms with parking area near Taimur Mosque.

Contact 99366624

New 3 bedroom flats split AC, attached toilets available behind Kims Oman hospital.

Contact 95225662 1 Villa & 4 big apartments of 3 BHK with big hall & Kitchen Al Khoudh 6. Tel 97600322 alnehang@gmail.com Office premises available in Ruwi and double bed room flats available in Mabellah for rent.

Contact tel nos 24833972/ 24833974/24450361 gsm 99367448 1,2,3 BHK apartments for rent. , 4,5 BHK villas for rent.

Contact 95178930 3 flats for rent 3 bedrooms include A/C, near the highway (Bowshar Amerat). Contact 97777911 / 95533777 Mabella residential area flat 3 bedroom, toilet 33 inside of the compound wall ground level, children playground excellent area.

Contact 99879872 Flat 1 BHK for rent near Al Tajaweed furniture way no. 5917 Hamriya, Rent 160/- PM. Contact 99350946 1st floor flat in Amerat Phase 5, 4 rooms, bathrooms (3), kitchen with A/C for family. Contact 95522405 2 & 3 BHK flat in Al Khuwair.

Contact 99792181 2BHK at Al Azaiba, 2bedrooms, 1 hall & dinning , 3 bathrooms.

Contact : 99224748 / 99425665

2 BHK (with split AC) residential flat at Honda road.

Contact 98087644 / 99795241 Ground + Mezzanine floor, suitable for A grade Restaurant next to Pizza hut, MBD. Contact 24714625 / 94460790 Flats shops and store for rent in Ruwi, MBD Honda road.

Contact 97293708 / 92433127 2 & 3 BHK , A/C Qurum.

Contact 99024730 2& 3 BHK , Madinat Sultan Qaboos.

Contact: 99024730 For rent flat 2 BHK 350/- R.O in North Al Ghubrah.

Contact 97004127 For rent flat 3BHK 390/-R.O in North Al Ghubrah.

Contact 97004127 New flat at Al Qurum, 2 BHK 450/R.O . Contact: 94232344 Studio & 1BHK flat in Wadi Kabir.

Contact: 99376454 1BHK R.O 250/-, Bldg # 1690 way # 6926 near to ISWK Kindergarten Wadi Kabir. Contact : 99476728 1 & 2BHK at Honda road, 2 bedrooms, 1 hall, 2 bath rooms.

Contact 99224748 / 99332297 Labour Camp for Rent in Wadi Kabir. Contact 99792181 2 BHK flat in Rex Road.

Contact 99792181 1 BHK flat in Honda Road (Ruwi).

Contact 99792181

One BHK flat for rent in Ghobra with attach and common bathroom.

For Indian family.

Contact - 92322096 2 bedroom apartment in Ruwi for rent or sale for information.

Contact: 99360303 Well maintained spacious, 2BHK at Rex Road from 1st August.

Contact: 92227165 We have flats for rent in South Al Mabella stage -8 along the highway. Contact 95121222 2 BHK in Muttrah, 2 bedrooms, 1 hall, 1 bathroom & 1 kitchen.

Contact 99342790 2BHK Muttrah behind Oman house. Contact 95915154 1BHK A.C Mumtaz.

Contact 97799175 2 BHK with A.C, M.B.D, R.O 325/-.

Contact: 92144045 2 BHK with A.C Ghubra R.O 350/-.

Contact: 92144045 2BHK without A.C Mumtaz R.O 275/-. Contact 92144045 1BHK Ghubra R.O 350/-.

Contact 92144045 2BHK flat with very big balcony for rent at MBD, rent R.O 400/-Month.

Contact 94273529 1& 2BHK for rent at Wadi Kabir, Hilal Al Sad and Al Khoud areas .

Contact Office: 24834644 Mobile: 93994401/02/03

Villa for rent with 4 bedroom at Al Khodh, Rent 600/-RO.#92888115 Flat at Darsait. Contact 99326879

3 Office space available between 120-142 sqm, with data cable, pantry, cassette AC, parking, @ RO. 5/- per/sqm. At Jibroo Muttrah. 2 BHK flat at Azaiba, behind Al Meera Hypermarket. RO. 330/-.Contact: 93221054, 99229263, 95215289

3 bedroom flat for rent in Al Hamria Contact: 99341112

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

Contact 92811110

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

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

Contact 99319880

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

1BHK flat near star cinema with split A/C 230/- O.R. Contact - 99358589/ 97079146/95570288

200 Sqr mtrs office space in CBD. Contact 99792181 Two bedroom Flat Available at Darsait/Near Muscat Municipality/ Call 99107588 Ground floor flat in Mabela South with 2 big room & living room, 3 toilets, kitchen, small store & hall.

Contact 93295953 If require flats for rent in Wadi Kabir please send me messages through whatsapp or call 99376454

Bath attached room for rent Al Khuwair. Contact 99743569 Furnished flats for rent in Al Buraimi, daily, weekly, monthly.

Contact 97819981 / 93593336 Labour camp for Rent in Wadi Kabir. Contact 99797422 2 BHK & studio flat at Darsait 1SM. Contact 99024730 Room main road, Al Khuwair R.O 110/-. Contact 97799175

1 BHK new bldg with A/C, curtains near Khimji Mart MBD. Contact: 99061408 / 99024039

Room with attached bathroom Al Khuwair 33 area.

Contact 96059431

Studio flat Wadi Kabeer 160/-O.R. Contact - 99358589 / 97079146/ 95570288

Big flat in Al Khuwair 33, 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, sitting, dining, family lounge, kitchen, store with A/C, rent 550/- OMR. Contact 97278169

2BHK Al Khuwair.

Contact : 99024730 Ware House & office space.

Contact 99024730 C.B.D 2BHK. Contact 99024730

Apartments for rent Ghubra : near Indian School Ghubra & Al Maha International Hotel (2BHK with 5 split A/C units).Contact 99273774 / 99202278 /94652485

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DAILY GUIDE

BUYING / SELLING Used household & office furniture and electronic items.

Contact 99834373, 97102699

NRI

13 Cent prime plot at Cochin at Ravipuram, Shipyard very near M.G. Road . Contact 00968 - 92726558 Email: kochiplot4sale@gmail.com

FOR SALE

42 cents land at walkable distance from Kovalm Jn.,Trivandrum for sale in whole or plots. Res./ Comm. Plot on main road side(Bus route),suitable for villas,resorts etc.

Call 00968-95036240, 0091-9961034763 or email- cfhd1@ yahoo.com

FOR SALE

One B/R- Best Western Qupem Goa. Contact – 97094797

Residential land for sale 21000 sqm, best for housing complex at Al Harm – Barka, opp to Khimji logistic. Contact 99438397

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

Contact Qamruddin : 91273414

Beauty salon for sale with all its equipments in Al Khuwair.

Contact 99827772

Residential land for sale in Chennai Kundrathur and Poonamaalee, we construct house in your budget.

Contact 98753366

WANTED Sub Contractors required, SME contractors interested in telecom side – Civil and underground telephone cable laying work may contact – Mr. S Ravi (99424605) or Mr. Sayed Mohd (99358733) of National Telephonic Services Co. LLC

FOR RENT Villa in Al Khuwair and Seeb.

Contact 95250300/ 99119699 / 92125648 Ghubra near Al Maha hotel & Indian school (2BHK with 5 split ac units). Contact 94652485/ 99273774 / 99202278 1,000 sq mtrs industrial land in Misfah Industrial area near to Khanco. OMR 1,500 Monthly.

Electricity and boundary wall will be provided. Tel: 99333479 or 95215360 Industrial land for rent in Wadi Kabir 7000 Sq mtrs.

Contact 99354340 1 Bedroom flat in Azaiba.

Contact 99385835/99428143 Flat for rent 1 & 2 bedroom available behind Zaker Mall Al Khuwair.

Contact - 99530405 For rent 3 industrial land.

Contact 92702891/ 95490842 Flats/villas owned by ROP pension fund available for rent in Muscat. Contact 99349526 Spacious 2 BHK flats in Ruwi MBD area only on 350/- OMR. Contact – 95122188 / 96441499

For running beauty saloon for sale.

Contact 97786792 / 96914627

40 FT Seaworthy used containers for sale located in Sur and Sohar in very good condition. # 99771466

60,000 Sq Mtrs Agriculture Land in Misfah, can be changed to Industrial Land. OMR 27 Per Square Meter.

Tel: 99333479 or 95215360

A well equipped running dental clinic in Ruwi for sale.

Contact 93769963

All the fittings and equipment for sale from a closed restaurant.

Contact : 99425461

Coffee shop equipment and furniture for sale call 95207741 .

1BHK Ruwi & Wadi Kabir.

Contact 99024730

Used Furniture of Ready made showroom for Sale.contact 24704370, 99798452 (Ashwin)

Shopping center for sale at Bousher by good price 400 m2 with all equipment. Reason for selling part-time. Contact 92916490

Port cabin new & refurbished – porta cabin for sale & rent.

Contact 96723468 / 97775501 / 97775502 One shop OPP Oman house at Muttrah for sale R.O 600/- and monthly rent R.O 100/- (One hundred) Contact S.Q . Hussaini 97089387 / 97704905 Coffee shop for sale in North Al Ghubra. Contact 95256009 Restaurant for sale in Wadi Kabir.

Contact : 99425461 2,560 sq mtrs industrial land Wadi Kabir Main Road, First line on way to Al Bustan hotel. Possible to make petrol station or hotel. OMR 990 Thousand Tel: 99333479 or 95215360 558 Sq mtrs residential land in Barka (Al Jenainah) near Lulu and near to school. OMR 32 Thousand.

Tel: 99333479 or 95215360 We have flats for sale in south Al Mabella stage -8 along the highway. Contact 95121222 Shfandish & tables for sale.

Contact 99368907 Well established coffee shop & BBQ with open parking along with 5 clearance located in Wadi Kabir.

Contact 97161811

5 Flats of 1 bedroom for Sale in Bousher: OMR 35 Thousand each.

Monthly income OMR 270 Tel: 99333479 or 95215360 2 residential Lands together, one 610 and the other 600 sq mtrs, in Al Haram on way to Barka. OMR 49 Thousand both. Tel: 99333479 or 95215360 23,886 Sq Mtrs Agriculture land with water well in Al Salwa, Barka.

OMR 260 Thousand. Tel: 99333479 or 95215360 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 Restaurant for sale well running with open area and good parking area. 3 new clearance also in Wadi Kabeer near Mars hyper market.

Contact 99656863

ACC. AVAILABLE Room for rent in Wattaya for executive Bachelor. Contact 99036715 Sharing family accommodation in Wadi Kabir. Contact 99335057

AVAILABLE

M.V. FOR SALE

Party & Wedding equipment rentals.

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

ACC. AVAILABLE Furnished room in Ruwi for non cooking Executive bachelor.

Contact 94412557 Sharing accommodation available opposite Mars at Al Ghubra for Executive bachelor or small family sharing, kitchen. Contact 94474351 / 96237050 For family room available near Al Khamis Shoes Hamriya.

Contact 99793785 Furnished sharing room with sharing kitchen for Executive bachelor near Mars Hypermarket Ghubrah.

Contact 98851806 Al Khuwair one villa room with toilet. Indians only.

Contact 99382008

Toyota Yaris 2007, fully automatic, expat lady driven. #99045803 Toyota Yaris model 2007 manual very good condition accident free full service history 210000 km. Contact: 94223132 expat leaving.

Pajero 2010, GCC, 230000 km white 6200/- R.O. Contact 92857111 Land Cruiser 2012. Contact 99336093 Nissan Sunny 2007, 1.6, automatic, good condition km 1,48000.

Contact 99781671 Mercedes delivery van 2002.

Contact 99755644

ACC. WANTED

Furnished single/sharing room for Exe bachelor at Rex Road (Kannada, Telugu, Tamil). Contact 92873832

I BHK Wanted In MBD Or CBD area (R0. 200 or 230) Contact : 93262152

Executive bachelor room with attached toilet near Al Nahda Hospital, Hamriya. Contact 9647313

Looking for 2 BHK flat in Ruwi, Darsait or surrounding areas.

Contact 96027403

Single room for Executive bachelor near Al Falaj hotel. Contact 99643845 Room for rent Ex- bachelor / working lady in Ruwi.

Contact : 99777496 Single furnished room in Ruwi.

Contact: 24833609 room, with A/C kitchen available near ONTC Bus station (Ruwi).

Contact 95569740 Sharing for non-cooking Executive bachelor in CBD area wi fi free, advance deposit. Contact 95934642 Accommodation available for South Indian family, one bedroom with attached toilet, kitchen, hall in a villa, Al Ghubrah. Contact 99209160

ACC. AVAILABLE Room for rent with fully furnished available for non-cooking executive bachelor (preferably Indian/ Srilanka).near to GMC’ behind Bausher Baladiya. Price OMR: 175/inclusive of Wifi, Elect & water.

Contact 97373888.

Family room available for rent at Muttrah Souk. Contact 24712088 / 99022790 Single room & AC attached bath at Mumtaz area. Contact 95212017 & 93103337 Sharing acc. Available in Muttrah behind Oman house.

Contact 99354340

2 Prime Movers Man 2008 with 40 ton petrol tank each working at the moment in Al Maha. Price OMR 35 Thousand each. Contact 97000155 or 92688692

MATRIMONIAL Alliance invited for a Nair girl 24 yrs, 5ft, 1”, fair, slim, B.Tech graduate reputed family of Ernakulam dist. (Star Thiruvonam Sudhajathakam) financially sound, from parents of B.Tech nair boys from Trissur, Palakkad and Eranakulam dist. . Contact :00919495924302 email: raveendrandr@yahoo.com Kerala Exhava girl (presently in Oman) 25 yrs, 167 cm, B.Tech, Star Pururutathi, (Sudhajathakam) upper middle class, seeking suitable alliance from professionals.

Contact 93881787 Hindu Ezhava family, settled in Muscat looking for suitable groom working within Oman for their daughter 25 yrs (MBA) working with a reputed company in Muscat.

Contact : 98689663 We are Muslim family seeking alliance for our son interested families. Contact 97664009

LOST Mhmmed Hsakhawat has lost Bangladeshi Passport No. AG 3077555. Finder please handover to ROP

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

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DAILY GUIDE

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

SITUATION SITUATION WANTED VACANT

SITUATION WANTED SIT. WANTED ACCOUNT. & FINANCE Indian male 22 yrs B. Com Graduate 1 year exp in Accounts, currently on visit visa. Looking for suitable job.

Contact 94341848 / Email – mohdhaji7272@gmail.com

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

NOC available. Contact 96209331

Indian Female 25 MBA looking for a suitable opening in Accounts, Admin/Hr. Contact 97013375

Indian male with total 5 year experience (2 years experience in Accountant cum sales co ordinator in a FMCG Company in Oman) in accounts field and NOC available Looking for suitable job Contact 92130188

Accounting professional having B.com, ILM with 11 years of Gulf experience includes Islamic Banking/ Trading etc looking for Chief/Senior Accountant . Contact:95312688 Certified Public Accountant with 2 yrs experience in big 4 auditing firm as Senior IT Auditor on visit visa.

Contact 92051688 Male 26, MBA in Accounts and Finance. 2 years Experience in Management, and Accounts Fields, and One year experience in Sales and Operation in Oman, looking for a suitable job. Contact 94374745 Indian male, B.Com experience in Accounts, looking for Accountant job or in Sales on visit visa.

Contact- 98295101

ACCOUNTANT Urgently required Tally ERP9 experienced Accountant. Send CV to ali@blueoceanmea.com

Indian male 25 yrs B.Com PGDBM currently on visit visa, looking for suitable opening in accounts, store and Admin. Contact: 96986349 Email: gafoordawre@gmail.com

Urgently required female Accountant, should have 3 -5 years experience. Send CV with passport size Photo and experience salary on cv.hrcharity@gmail.com

7 years experience (2 yrs in Oman) MBA (Fin), B.Com, C.A (Found.) currently looking for suitable placement. Contact +968 - 97736404 Email: adnantahir1990@gmail.com

Urgently required Accountant with valid Oman D/L. Send your CV to accounts@progroupoman.com Cosmetic leading company is looking for: professionally qualified and experienced Accountant.

Please email your CV at maryanaoman@hotmail.com Urgently required for a newly opened shopping center in Ghubra: 1) Omani Lady – as Cashier, 2) Part time Accountant. Send CV to info@dolphin-oman.com or fax to 24492718

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

DRIVER Wanted tipper drivers for Road works.

Contact 95565039 / 98878989 Looking for freelance driver with car in Mabela industrial area.

Contact 24460287 / 96220165

DOMESTIC HELPER Company GM requires a capable house keeper (preferably Philipina) to keep the house spotless and a gardener cum cleaner on full/ part time basis. Handsome salary & flexible timings. Contact 98458542 Urgently Required Full time Housemaid for a respectable Omani Family. Contact: 99845838 / 99357273, Email: ijaz.beaver@gmail.com Wanted an Indian family in Al Ghubra requires a full time living housemaid. Contact 97084023

DESIGNER Required 3 D Designer for interior design with relevant experience, full time or part time. # 95766844

EDUCATION Assignments help? watsapp98347864 Wanted Graduate in Electronics / Mechatronics for teaching position for school students. Send CV to info@iiriss.com A school requires teachers for English, Science, Math, IT and Science Laboratory technician minimum requirements masters degree IELTS (band6).

Contact send CV to: 96606121.

Email: fred-cate2@yahoo.com Physics, Chemistry Edexcel ‘A’ level board teacher urgently required to teach a student of 12th standard. Teacher’s experience preferred. Contact: 99349076.

Pakistani male B.Com /PGD having 2 years experience in Accounting and Inventory field seeking suitable job, on visit visa. Contact 94129550

ENGI./ELECT./TECH..

Urgently required experienced LED TV Technician. Send CV to ali@blueoceanmea.com Urgently required Maintenance Supervisor (Civil) with valid Oman D/L. Send your CV to cv.hrcharity@gmail.com Required Graduate Electrical Engineer experience in HT & LT works. Contact 99760596, Email : info@npgoman.com Quantity Surveyor 1 No Civil Engineer – 1No. with seven years minimum Gulf construction experience.

Email: omaniantrad@gmail.com

MEDICAL

SALES / MARKETING

Wanted a Staff Nurse to work in a private clinic in IBRI preference will be given to candidates who have cleared their prometric exam.

Contact: 99502851

Required Sales man - 1 Person Qualification. Gulf Experienced - Minimum 5 Years with Oman Driving Licence Language - English Education:- Any Degree Further Contact :Mr. Abdul Hameed Nashabat - Mobile No: 97414307 and -92807399 amn@yaqeeneng.com

Wanted Medical Lab Technician (male or female) for a reputed polyclinic. Contact 97101062 or send Email : arunjeni11@gmail.com Immediate placement ( with or without MOH) A. Pharmacist 3 nos B. Asst.pharmacist - 2 nos Contact Tel.99338219 , 93240949

MEDICAL MISCELLANEOUS Medical CARE Centre, Al Seeb, requires Gynecologist, General Practitioners and Medical Lab Technicians. Mail CVsarita_h23@yahoo.com or call 97884856 We are looking for a Staff Nurse, who is having 60% or above in prometric exam. Contact : 99235643 /99463609 Email: abuahamedclinic@gmail.com Urgently required female Nurse of India or Philippines origin to work at residence from 8.00 am to 8.00 pm from Saturday to Thursday for a period of two to four weeks. Remuneration for this service is negotiable with individual experience. Candidate meeting the above requirements call at 99880712 or 99440935 Clinical Dietician for Weight Management Center, utilizing the “Eurodiet” method. Experienced in individual counseling along with excellent communication skills.

Arabic speaking would be an advantage. Tel. 9749 7777, thanae@eurodiet.com Urgently required (All female only) Radiographer, Physiotherapist, Echo Technician, EEG technician & Nurses.

Contact: 99374223, 22081700 email: hr@gshoman.com Wanted doctor or any person to run a medical complex & pharmacy in Salalah. Contact 95675488 / 99480068 Aesthetic and laser center in Oman seeking full time dermatologist with experience in cosmetology (Botox Fillers) good English as MOH license required. Package upon the experience and skills. For more information. Contact 00968 95233442 email: history@omantel.net.om Urgently required Staff Nurse, Pharmacist and endodontist Female Staff nurse, Pharmacist and endodntist with MOH License/Prometric exam passed with 60% and above.# 24780088, 97374459 Email : karamadental@gmail.com

Required salesman, Tailor and Barber. Contact 96964767

MANAGER One of the leading business groups in Oman is looking for a Manager for their transport division. Candidates with 7-10 years experience in transport industry may forward their CV to kumar@muscatsteel.com The following vacancies are urgently required for a printing press in Wadi Al Kabir. Must have at least 10 yrs exp. Printing press Manager, Sales Manager, Sales Representative, Account Manager with well knowledge & experience in printing press, holding valid driving license.

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

SALES / MARKETING Situations vacant at a reputed company in Oman for their TLB(Tires, Lubes & Battery) division. 1. Sales Executives. 2. Showroom Executives. 3. Sales Co-ordinators.

4. Store Keepers. Minimum 3-5 yrs experience in the same field or from the Automotive industry with market exposure, holding valid Omani driving license or GCC. Rush your CV’s to careers@diamondwealth.org Software company is recruiting minimum 3-5 years experienced Omanis for Sales Manager position.

Interested candidates are requested to send their resume to omansupport@gmail.com Salesman experienced 5 yrs in Oman, in the field of industrial & oilfield service, garage equipment tools & spares, safety wears & rescue equipments. Please forward your CV to almaadhi.trd@gmail.com

Urgently required Sales Executive for leading building material company holding license.

Contact 98650936 / 95928480 A Leading FMCG Company require Sales Executives (Graduates) & Merchandisers, with Omani D/L. Candidates with local release only apply. Send CV to FAX: 24501542 or e-mail: fmcgsaleshr@gmail.com Reputed building materials company looking for Outdoor Sales Executive having valid Omani driving license with more than 2 years local sales experience tiles / sanitary ware. Fax your CV to 24798709 Email: united@omantel.net.om Looking for Electrical Salesman with diploma certificate.

Contact 97616265 email: brightsilverllc@gmail.com, Wanted Salesman with Oman driving license for Advertising Company.

Contact 96440587 Urgently required 26 yrs & above with 2 +years experience in sales, marketing, Business development / production controlling in FMCG. Contact : 98989620 Email: contact@sixarfoods.com Sales Executives for Media Enterprise. Oman D/L. Contact: essential. jobs@interacoman.com

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

TOURS & TRAVELS

Finance Manager (M.Com. MBA) with start-up skill & group consolidation, Baking,corporate funding, restructuring of finance and accounts with new system and procedure.amritaa.m2002@gmail.com 3 yrs experience, Indian female, 26 years, Masters in Financial Management, B.com, Seeking suitable placement. Contact: 99345132 Email: Sandhya1735@gmail.com Finance / Accounts Manager 12 years experience at senior position in leading companies 9 years in Oman CPA – USA& modern accounting certificate from AUC. Contact 99139926 Egyptian Accountant using ERP system on visit visa 1year experience. Contact: 96019233 MBA (international business) from London, 4 years of UK experience in banking operational, looking for suitable position. Contact 91710075 Sri Lankan male qualified CIMA (UK) Accountant & bachelor degree in accountancy with over 10 years experience in various industries looking for job position as Senior Accountant / Finance Manager currently in Muscat available on visit visa. Contact 97299017 Email: mnm_ruzan79@yahoo.com Indian Male, 25, CA, CMA, ACMA, looking for a challenging assignment in finance or Investment Banking field. Contact +917567122122 or umang@snthakar.com Indian male, B.Com Graduate having 10 years exp 6 years in Oman looking for an Accountant job.

Contact : 93830171 Email: nidbivtl@yahoo.com Indian male M.Com, 5 years experience in finance /HR and Purchase department in Oman companies having valid D/L available to join immediately with NOC. Contact 98363897 Email: prince9496@hotmail.com Part – time accountant qualified experience accountant available.

Contact 96759385

Urgently require experience male for travel agency knowing SABRE & Galileo reservation & ticketing systems. Contact 95878812

27, male ACCA with 4 years of work experience in a reputed company looking for a suitable position in accounts / finance. Contact 98489141

Counter staff male/female experience 2 years of travel agency experience. Interested candidate shall send his / her CV to officer1_ajyad@yahoo.com

India Accountant: Male, M com, 7 Yrs experience in Accounts up to finalization, having knowledge of ERP, Tally, seeks suitable placment. contact 93950138 Email: lijinrajan123@gmail.com

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

Indian male, 32 years, M. Com. 7 out of 9 years experience in Oman in Accounts/finance. Having NOC and valid Oman D/L. # 98277143, Email: anzarks@gmail.com

Timing 8 am To 5 Pm

Tanzanian male, 25 yrs Accountant 3 month successful experience in Tanzania looking for suitable placement in any field. Contact : 96710154

Finance Manager, 16 + years Gulf exp. in accounts , MIS, budgets, strategic planning, cost control, working capital management, seeks job pls call 95379211 e mail :- vijay.564@hotmail.com Indian male 27 M.Com, MBA, 4.5 years experience in finance & accounts, Tally & SAP currently on visit visa. Contact: 93484048 Indian female 32 yrs MCA having, 3 years experience in Muscat and having driving license seeks suitable placement. Contact: 96124929 MBA Graduate with 6 yrs exp in finance/accounts/ auditing. Specialized in accounts payable dept, Oracle app user, proficient in Sap (fico) end user & tally 9.0. lean &six sigma certified trainer on visit visa.

Contact – 91967213 / 99064780 Part time Accountant with 15 years experience in accounts, finance tax, audit management.

Contact 95857199

AUTO CAD AUTOCAD D MAN, Gulf Exp In Major Projects, knows ARCH, Structural, MEP, Noc available PH: 98225740 Draughtsman-Civil: Diploma in Architecture with 3 years experience. Proficient in AutoCAD, Google Sketchup, Photoshop and MS Office.

Email: dilshadmayas@gmail.com Mob: +91 9645124241, 93004426 Indian male draft man, 3 D visualiser, 18 month experience in Oman driving license.

Contact 96285891 / 98414107 Email: prasadvv4u@gmail.com

ADMIN/HR India Female MBA 3 Year Experience in Admin MIS. Contact 98234427, jkjsmith01@gmail.com Indian male 2+yrs oman exp in HR. joing immediatly. release available.

Contact :93671437 Young Indian male with masters in business admin from UK & 4+ years Oman experience in purchase & admin (current working as assistant purchase manager) seeks placement. Posses valid Driving License.

Ph:94400671 Indian female, 29 yrs, MBA (HR) 4 yrs exp. India & Oman in HR & Admin, seeks suitable placement.

Contact 96759820 Omani national fluent in English looking for suitable placement.

Contact 91908052 Indian Female, 34 yrs, B.Com, Knowledge in MS Office & Tally, exp in accounting & admin seek suitable placement 99199710/96744965 Indian female Post Graduate with 5 years experience in HR & Admin looking for good opportunity.

Contact 94692244 Omani experience in the legal, administrative, public relations, education. Contact 97243393 Email: mwm3003@gmail.com Over 15 years of gulf experience in Admin /HR /Logistics, fluent in Arabic & English with D/L looking for suitable position.

Contact 95824598 B.A graduate with 8 years experience (2 years in Oman) in admin / business development and sustainably (green buildings) on visit visa. Contact 91626216 Indian female with 10 yrs of experience in HR/Banking/Operations seeks a suitable placement.

Can be contacted on 98919015 or sherianne.coelho@gmail.com Female 26, 3 yrs exp in HR & Admin, with Oman D/L, looking for a suitable opening. Contact 98236033

W E D N E S DAY, M AY 1 3 , 2 0 1 5

D5

DAILY GUIDE SITUATION WANTED MEDICAL

DRIVER Indian male looking for job as driver. Have 08 years experience in Oman. Contact 95256489

Lab Technician, Civil (8yrs Gulf experience) looking for a suitable job (NOC available) Contact-93344378

Pakistani male having Oman driving license looking for driving jobs, having 2 years experience in vehicle driving presently staying in Oman.

Contact 96549406 Heavy Duty Driver looking job & visa. 3 years experience. Release Available. 96238930/92744341 Light duty driver with car looking for job. Contact: 99365092 Malayalee driver, 8 yrs exp. in Oman seeking job. Contact 93526254 / 94615610 Looking for job, driving 8 yrs experience languages Hindi, Arabic & English & civil construction foreman. Contact 96288587

MISCELLANEOUS ENGG. / TECHNICAL Indian male 26 yrs B.Com PGDM, IETS-6, 2 yrs exp. Contact : 91694170 Indian male, B.E ( computer science engineer), MBA (finance), OCA certified, having 5 years of experience in oracle Dba/ oracle apps Dba, seeks a suitable position in the field of IT. Contact: 96212062 email: zubairkhan11@gmail.com Indian male, Mechanical Engineer, 2 years experience in fabrication & erection of heavy structures as Project Engineer in India, now on visiting visa seek suitable placement. Contact: 91251818 Email: krishnakumarkk9@gmail.com

Driver need job. Contact 98056148 Driver with car looking for part & full time job. Contact 96692774 Bangladeshi male looking for driving job, knows speaking English, Arabic & Hindi. Contact 93098895 Light duty driver seek job.

Contact 95546316 Heavy driver valid license Omani need job & visa. Contact 91139936 Light Vehicle Driver requires job in any transportation / private co.

Contact 96015617 Driver looking for job.

Contact 94195818 Driver with car and electrician, 3 years experience looking for job.

Contact 92041902 Need job LTV exp driver Pakistani.

Contact 94436276 Driver looking for job.

Contact 92137431 Light duty driver looking job experience 4years Oman.

Contact 96088707

DESIGNER Interior Designer Syrian Nationality one year experience in design.

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

EDUCATION Indian female MSc, MPHIL Chemistry currently on visit visa, 3 years teaching experience seeks immediate placement. Contact 96916534 Sudanese male BSC electronic Engineer 2 years experience in GSM, 10 years experience in oil industry (Drilling & Measurements).

Contact 91198104 Email: husseintalat@hotmail.com Sudanese BSC industrial Engineer experience 4 yrs in QA /QC and 8 yrs in production. Contact 94041960 Email: mekkimedani@hotmail.com / mekkimedani78@gmail.com

ENGG. / TECHNICAL Omani Mechanical Engineer, has 3 years experience ,has HSE, H2S, Riggers/Banks men Permit, Drawing / cad, SCBA, Safety Leadership and Initial Fire Response Courses. good with computer and English language looking for suitable job. Contact 99224319-98454500 Indian male 22 Mechanical Diploma holder Engg with HVAC certified, having 1 year exp. seeking suitable position. Currently available on visit visa. Contact - 92835952 Electrical and Electronics Engineer (BE) 1+ year of experience now on visit visa seeking suitable opportunities Email: djnitheesh@gmail.com Contact 99254469 Diploma in electronics & Telecom, Engineering with 5 years experience in Engineering & sales, marketing.

Contact 95932219 Indian Male, IT Support Engineer, 2 yrs in Oman & 5 yrs Indian experience. Contact 97311847 Electrical Eng. Degree (MEP) need suitable job of construction 12 yrs exp.

Email: mohd.ateeq.khan@gmail.com

Electrical Engineer, 5 years experience in E& I commissioning, construction and maintenance wastewater with Oman D/L. Contact : 97753382 Indian- B.E.-MBA having 25 years Experience. Last 12 years in Oil & Gas Sector in Oman. Business Development /Sales. Looking opening in Oil Gas Trading/Drilling Service Companies as GM/ Country Manager/ Business Development Manager. gmbdm2015oilandgas@gmail.com; Contact -94688594

Indian Male ,4 year experience as Safety Officer with NEBOSH currently on visit visa.

Contact 9565910,email: yadavchandan287@gmail.com Indian male 24 years, Mechanical Engineer,pdms.1 yr experience in pipeline,16years in oman seeking immediate placement Contact 95775742 B.E (Mechanical), Indian male 8 years experience (HVAC – 4 years, operation / production / maintenance, 4 years) looking suitable position. Contact 96696190 Email: faisalmnz@gmail.com Electronics & Communication Engg.

(37) 14+ yrs (10 yrs Oman) experience in sales/marketing product development, project execution within information & communication technology industry.

Contact 99771815 Sudanese Petroleum Engineer, 4 yrs experience looking for job, MC office, C, Exlips. Contact 96039290

Iraqi Civil Engineer with more than 25 years experience in (Iraq ,U.A.E. and Oman) looking for a job, (N.O.C.) is available. Contact No. 94043735, amin.sarim007@gmail.com

Network / system Engineer B.E / ECE + CCNA & Ms certified with 4+ yrs exp looking for a job, currently in Oman on visit visa. Contact : 92589502 / 96216397, Email : jeganscareer@gmail.com

Indian male 26, B. Tech Electronics Engineer having 4 years experience (2 year in Oman) seeking suitable position. Contact 93171420 Email: manujk2015@gmail.com

Indian M, 25yrs, B.E Mechanical 3 yr exp in Oil & Gas now on visit visa seeking jobs in project, sales and marketing. Contact: 96487013 Email: riarun.007@gmail.com

BE. Mechanical Engg in search of job primavera P6 and AutoCAD 2 year’s experience. Contact 99288785.

Email: gvnvictor@gmail.com

Indian male 29 yrs, on visit visa, Diploma Mechanical Engineering and 1 ADC Rig Pass looking for a job in oil field drilling department experience, 4 years in India. Contact: 91926005 Email: ossubeesh83@gmail.com

Chemical Engineer, 5 years Industrial experience looking for job.

Contact: 91380787 Indian male 27 yrs, Instrumentation / Automation Engineer having 5 years exp in Oil & Gas and wastewater with valid Omani D/L, looking for a suitable job NOC available.

Contact : 96082604 Civil Engineer Female, 3 yrs experience in structural design, on visit visa seeking suitable placement.

Contact: 99195433 Electrical Engineer : Indian male 29 years , having 5 years of experience in industrial automation and utility maintenance in India (MRF Tyres) seeking suitable placement.

Contact 92789995, Email: akhilabrahamlktr@gmail.com Sr. Instrumentation Engineer: 8+ years Exp. (Oman 6+ Yrs) OIL & GAS, Sales & Marketing in Automation, Instrumentation, Calibration, BMS & FOC - Project Planning, Erection, Commissioning, O & M. NOC Available Oman D/L G: +968 97296534 M: jaganmohan_ks@yahoo.com Indian male with ITI certification in Mechanical Drafting with good Experience Looking for good opportunity contact 9194 9181 Electrical Engineer B.Tech with 4 yrs exp. looking for suitable vacancies. Contact – 96752080 Diploma in Civil Engineer having 9 yrs experience, 7 yrs in Oman, 2 yrs in home country, searching for suitable placement, valid Oman D/L. NOC available. Contact 97430353 Indian, B.Tech Electronics & Instrumentation Engineer, more than 4 yrs experience in Honeywell, Yokogava Project, good exposure in DCS, PLC, SCADA & ESD & field Instruments of refinery, fertilizer, steel plant, chemical factory in India & Middle East looking for good openings.

Contact 93670890 / 24702588, Email : mojin.a.kabeer@gmail.com Electronics Engineer with 4 years experience in embedded product development seeking for suitable job in Oman now in visit visa.

Contact: 95218030 Sudanese Civil Engineer, 2 yrs experience. Contact 96077482, Email : ebraheemann@gmail.com Civil Engineer (B.E) having 5 yrs experience in building construction looking for a suitable placement. D/L available. Contact 91253392

Indian male 29 years Diploma in Petrochemical 06 yrs, experience in EPS company and piping of oil & gas and maintenance valid D/L also available. Contact 93330817 Email: shahidk8448@yahoo.com Indian male B.Tech Mechanical three years varietal experience in piping Engineering & management of retail mobile phone shops seeking sales engineering job with Oman D/L. Contact 94401234 Young Energetic Indian male, 7 years Oman experience in retail wholesale, sales including electronics, building materials with Oman D/L. Contact: 98465550 B.Tech Mechanical Engineer on visit visa looking for job, two years experience as QC Engineer, NDT level-2 certified. Contact: 98386074 Email: jayeshthilakan@gmail.com Indian male 55 diploma Electrical Engineering 21 years experience Oman project estimation MEP valid Omani driving license having NOC from present employer seeks suitable placement.

Contact 99052900 BE Mechanical Engineer -NDT level 2, Quality Control (Oil & Gas) . 1 year exp ph: 95908293 Graduate Civil Engineer, Indian, Total 16+ Yrs exp., 7+ GCC seeking suitable Senior/Mid level Job in PMC/Contracting, NOC Available & Valid GCC Driving License.

Contact : GSM: 94363574; E-mail : Crashu_78@yahoo.com Male 26, B.Tech in Electronics & Communication Engineering having 4.8 years experience (including experience in Japan) seeks suitable placement & can join immediately.

Contact: 91902646 Email: ajumalmajeed@gmail.com Procurement Officer 7 years experience in Oman construction civil & structural steel NOC, ITI & driving license in Oman.

Contact: 92023761 QA/QC inspector 5 yrs exp in O&G Industry with diploma mechanical & NDT level 2 on visit. Contact : 91231007 sf.aseem@gmail.com Indian male 29, Mechanical Engineer CSWIP3.1 certified having 5.5 years experience in steel structural construction projects seeking suitable position. Contact: 91078780 Email: nikhilhai@gmail.com

Mechanical Design Engineer, 7 years of experience in Piping Design & Development, with good sound knowledge of AutoCAD, AUTOPLANT 3D,CATIA/ V5,SOLIDWORKS,etc Looking for a suitable position. NOC available.

Contact :+968-94549776, ashrafvpt@yahoo.co.in Indian male B.Tech Mechanical having 4 years experience with QA/ QC & CWSIP looking for suitable position. Contact 99447106 / 24483297 Electrical Engineer (B.E) : 5 years of experience (4 years in Oman) with valid Omani D/L. NOC available.

GSM: 92260391 Mechanical Engineer (B.E) : Four years of experience (3 years in Oman). NOC available. #:92530471 B.Tech biomedical Engineering having Omani driving license.

Contact 91352248

Graduate 1 yr experience in India, Clerk now in Oman on visit visa.

Contact 92933431, princemathew2813@gmail.com

MANAGER/ SUPERVISOR Indian male, Graduate, with 12yrs solid exp in construction & building materials purchase / logistics/ warehouse seeks suitable placement.

NOC available. Contact: 94657319 Warehouse In charge or store keeper 26 yrs. Gulf exp 4 yrs in Oman. NOC available. Contact 97657823 / Email:rusaikmzm_2009@yahoo.com Hotel field diploma in Computer B.Com, Indian, Diploma in Hotel Management MBA in hospital management at pursuant operation manager in a resort India. Contact 97864635 / 91815776074

Indian male, 24 yrs B.Tech (MECH) on visit 1 year experience as PPC Engineer looking for suitable placement. Has, HVAC, AutoCAD and CATIA designing skills.

Contact 98925685

Projects/ contracts Manager 31 yrs (26 yrs Oman) experience in management & coordination of multi-million R.O projects of government & private sector, Post Graduate Structural Engineer with structural & QS Background looking for senior position. Contact +00968-91400599

Indian male Instrumentation Engineer having 2 years experience in process instruments, seeks suitable placement. Contact 95954385

Experience Restaurant Manager with valid driving license and NOC for immediate placement.

Contact: 92953199

Indian male Senior Site Engineer (Diploma) having total 11 years experience in GCC, 7 years in Dubai and 4 years Oman. With valid Omani driving license, seeking for suitable position in building construction field, NOC available.

Contact 97943703 / 93458841 Email: georgesaji77@gmail.com Sudanese looking for job as Desktop Support Engineering good experience in UAE and Saudi Arabia.

Contact: 94519363 PIPE fitter 3 years experience CS pipe DSS pipe, SS PIPE, P.D.O permit holder seeks suitable placement in only P.D.O areas seeking urgently.

Contact 92533253 Civil Engineer (DCE) Indian male with 20 years experience, 10 years in Oman worked with reputed consultancy and contracting companies as RE, PE, PM and did projects for MOD and PDO with D/L Seeks suitable position. Contact 93251720 Indian male I.T.I diesel mechanic experience 4 yrs Qatar (11 yrs in India) seeking for suitable placement carpentry on visiting visa.

Contact 91969224 Email: anilk6102@gmail.com Bachelor degree B.SC (Honours) Telecommunication Engineering CCNA , CISCO, Certified network associate experience installation operation maintenance, ATMS & Electronics, Surveillance Security systems Nationality Sudanese age 25.

Contact: 92617282 B.Tech, instrumentation Engineer, Indian male with 4 yr experience in EPC and Sales / 2 yr Oman experience having valid Oman driving license. Contact 94145460 Email: jgeevarughese@gmail.com Male civil Engineer 6yrs experience 4 yrs in Oman (B.B.S and steel shop drawing prepare, M.Q.C sit management, D, W, M report) with valid Oman D/L NOC available. #99870370 Indian female, B.Tech biotechnology with strong computer skills and 2 years experience as associate research analyst (Media Monitoring) in Nasdaq Oman seeking growth oriented jobs. Contact 92044603 /918056169148 or angeline.babithac@gmail.com.

MEDICAL Well experienced MOH Licensed Indian GP Doctor looking for locum / permanent position in the Capital area. Contact 98140024 email:drgpoman@yahoo.com Indian, BINU. M Scaria medical lab technician, 15 years experience prometric passed BSc, MLT+ pursuing Msc MLT. Contact 97850841 / 97864635/ 919447935234

HOSPITALITY Indian male/30years with hotel management degree, 02 years experience in F&B service at 5 star hotel in Dubai and 05 years in American 6 star cruseliner as butler.

Contact No 911 35371.

IT Indian male fresher BCA young and energetic, seeking good opportunites.email: jlaxmimenon@gmail. com, Contact 00919567722270 Indian 25 yrs male diploma Computer Engineer 5yrs experience in hardware and networking, looking for another jobs in oman.

Contact: 91082046, renston34@gmail.com Indian male B.Sc, IT Graduate, MCSE, CCNA, RHCE, Certified seeking job at good company.

Contact 96974352 Email: niyas.mohammed1@gmail.com Network system Engineer B.E / ECE + CCNA & Ms certified with 4+ yrs exp looking for a job. Currently in Oman on visit visa. Contact: 92589502 Email: careersjegan@gmail.com IT Network and Security Engineer with a master degree, CISCO and Linux red hat certified seeking a suitable job in a good company.

Contact 99818601 Indian female MCA seeks suitable position as IT Administrator.

Contact: 94133849 / 95215272

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

SALES / MARKETING Indian male looking job in sales or marketing having 2 years experience. Contact 96660936 37 years male 15 years experience in facility superior & specialized in fitness equipment maintenance, excellent skill in English on visit visa. Contact: 94514883 / 99679306 Email: jobin163@gmail.com Indian male 45+ yrs , 20 yrs exp as sales supervisor in India looking for indoor sales /stores /cashier or any suitable placement can speak Hindi , English, Malayalam, Tamil, kannada can join immediately on visit visa.

Contact 93086105/33016546

SALES / MARKETING Indian male 10 years experience in Welding Supervisor NDT Technician, MIG Welding specialist seeking suitable job. Contact 96771841 Egyptian male 11 years in five stars international hotels management sales marketing D/L available residency visa. Contact 93577497 Email: elkomy82@hotmail.com MBA Marketing professional with 05 years experience in sales and distribution looking for job in Oman currently on visit visa.

Contact: 97006353 Email: ashhadhm@hotmail.com Indian male Sales Manager looking for suitable position, 9 years experience in Oman. Contact: 97986445 MBA supply chain professional with 03 years experience in freight forwarding and distribution looking for job in Oman currently on visit visa. Contact: 97089944 Email: ali_shayan340@hotmail.com Indian male 3 years experience Media Hospitality Sales Marketing looking for suitable job valid driving license car, NOC available.

Contact 96054202 Indian male 31 years, MBA, 7yrs experience in sales & marketing with valid driving license seeking suitable placement. Contact 98719219.

EMAIL: recruitme1984@gmail.com Stores In Charge / Purchase coordinator with 6 years oman experience seeking placement. Contact 95439645 or storeoman@gmail. com Release / NOC available.

Indian male 24 years, MBA in Marketing looking for suitable placement currently in Muscat on visit visa. Contact: 93507063 Email: zamer_124@yahoo.com Indian 23 years B.Com Graduate, 2 years experience in sales knowledge of tally E.R.P & MS Office.

Contact 93134643 Pakistani male 34 yrs Intermediate 2 yrs exp in sales & marketing in Oman. Looking for suitable job.

Contact - 92146864 Indian male MBA 7 years experience in Hospitality industry, operation, sales & marketing looking for suitable vacancy. Contact 92115860 Email vibin.py@gmail.com

SKILLED LABOUR Indian male & female (couple) looking for job in hospital / caretaker. Contact 91299288

TOURS & TRAVELS 25 Indian female B.S.C. Fashion Technology. 5 years experience in textile industry as a merchandiser and good in fashion marketing. Currently available on visit visa, seeking for a suitable job. # 96990368.

Email: simmy.missy@gmail.com

MISCELLANEOUS Male, 19 years of experience in Finance and Administration currently on visit visa seeks suitable placement. Contact: 99720132/ abidrafi33@hotmail.com Sudanese male BSC Telecommunications Engineer, 4 years experience in telecom field.# 97783092, Email: alrsheed88@hotmail.com Civil autocad draughtsman part time work for job mob :96023726 Piping Design Engineer, Indian male 27, looking for suitable placement in Piping Design & Engineering. Having 7 years of experience in AutoCAD. Also familiar with PDMS (11.6 Version),CAESAR ll. Contact : 97351786 / 96143708, E-mail : mohammednazeer07@gmail.com Indian female, B.Com. knowledge of MS Office &Tally, 4yrs experience in Accounts &admin dept. looking for good placement in any field.

Contact.98928220 Indian female MBA Finance currently on visit visa. Seeks immediate placement. Phone: 968-98430089 Indian female MBA finance currently on visit visa, seeks immediate placement. Contact +(968) 9843 0089 Sudanese/Diploma/Electronics Engineering Communication/Optical Fiber Cable/Installation and Survey new towers/Experience 3 years.

Contact 00968 95932219

D6

W E D N E S DAY, M AY 1 3 , 2 0 1 5

DAILY GUIDE

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

SITUATION WANTSIT. WANTED MISCELLANEOUS Key Account Executive , currently working with a reputed FMCG company Oman is looking for a placement asap, NOC available, valid Omani driving license.

Total experience in Oman is 12yrs and particularly in Sales is 8 1/2 years. Contact 95589765 Email : agnelfrancis@yahoo.co.in Senior IT Professional, Indian Male, more than 17 yrs. of experience in software development(PB, Oracle, SAP ABAP) and IT Support with valid Oman DL and NOC available Contact : 92193867, Email : cp.prasad@gmail.com 23,Male, ACCA with 2.5 years experience in Big6 audit firm and Oil/ Gas,looking for permanent placement in Accounts/Audit. Contact #95140445 a.saran891@gmail.com Indian female MBA Finance currently on visit visa, seeks immediate placement. Phone- 98430089 Indian Male 34 years Mechanical Engineer 3 years of Experience seeking suitable placement immediately Contact: 91991435, 93310821 Female British Beauty Therapist looking for suitable situation.

Contact 97175240 Indian Male 34 years Mechanical Engineer 3 years of Experience seeking suitable placement immediately contact: 91991435, 93310821 Indian female BA graduate. My total experience is 4 and half year in Call Center looking for jobs in admin and HR. Contact : 96089143, Email: sharanjit_kaur2009@yahoo.com Civil supervisor-8 year’s experience in commercial and residential building, including portable cabin, natural and artificial play ground’s, and Oxy petroleum field, at sultanate of Oman. GSM :91249005. Mail :sandeep88joseph@gmail.com

SITUATION WANTED

Indian Male 28yr age having 6year gulf+ Indian experience in HR field.

Looking for suitable placement.

Contact: 97914340, Email: rajkv3086@gmail.com

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

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

Indian male, 28 years, 7 years experience in transporting & heavy equipment renting company. Having Omani driving license seeks suitable positions. Contact 94410485

Sudanese / 29 years old / Bsc English language and Translation / 3 years experience in Oman teaching & translation / have driving license.

94211377. hosam.karar.1@gmail.com

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

Indian male 27, looking for suitable placement in Piping Design & Engineering. Having 7 years of experience in AutoCAD. Also familiar with PDMS (11.6 Version),CAESAR ll. Contact : 97351786 / 96143708, E-mail : mohammednazeer07@gmail.com

Indian Male 27, Piping Design Engineer looking for suitable placement in Piping Design & Engineering. Also familiar with PDMS (11.6 Version),CAESAR ll, AutoCAD. Contact : 97351786 / 96143708, E-mail : mohammednazeer07@gmail.com

Indian male, 34 yrs, ca inter pass, with 14 yrs experience, is seeking suitable placement, currently on visit visa & ready to join immediately. Contact: 95585069 or 95630747

ACCA affiliate & Bsc (Oxford Brookes University), 2.5 years experience in oilfield & audit/finance in Big6 firm, seeking permanent placement. Release available. #95140445, a.saran891@gmail.com

Mechanical Engineer B.E fresher (QA, QC , Piping & NDT + 1 month practical training in production & oil field) seeking immediate placement currently on visit visa. Contact – 0096896107833, Email albinalbin.thomas@gmail.com

Civil Autocad draughtsman looking for part time job. Mobile: 95218737 Indian male 21 Diploma in Mechanical Eng with HVAC certified having 6 yrsexp and seeking job in HVAC field as a supervisor. Currently on visit visa. Contact 92835952/ 92734863 Indian Female: MCA, 3 Years Exp. as Asst. Professor, Specialization in C # (sharp).net, Data Comm.& Networking, Knowledge about Web Development, ASP.Net, Oracle, SQL,VB.net.

Seek Immediate Placement. Now on Visit Visa.9588 7051 ashwininakod@gmail.com Indian female, B.Com. Knowledge of MS Office &Tally, 4yrs experience in accounting & admin dept. looking for good placement in any field.

Contact.98928220

Indian Male 33 looking for Scaffolding Supervisor vacancy in Oil & Gas field in Oman. Having 5 years experience in CCC Qatar and 3 years in Saudi” Contact 96155921 fysal.nellaya@gmail.com or

26 years Indian male with MBA & PGDFM, Total 3.8 years experience in Administration, seeking suitable placement in any gulf region.

Holding Oman valid driving license.

Contact :93359371 ACCA affiliate,male,2.5 years experience in an audit firm in Finance & Audit, looking for suitable immediate placement. Release available. # 95140445, a.saran891@gmail.com 23 yrs old Pakistani bachelor in accounts and marketing 3.5 yrsexp 2 yrsexp in Oman, looking for a job.

Contact- 99374062

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

Indian male 21 IT Engineer Networking & Computer hardware course 01 yr experience currently on visit visa looking for suitable job.

Contact 96036273, E mail faizanfarooqui23@gmail.com

30 years Indian male with hotel management degree, 02 years experience in F&B service at five star hotel in Dubai and 05 years in American 6 star cruiseliner as Butler . Currently in Muscat on visit visa. Contact 91075704

Sales/ Marketing Executive : 35 years old Indian male, MBA, having experiences in UAE and India in sales and marketing field, presently on visit visa, looking for a suitable job in Salalah or in Oman.

Contact 91233648

SITUATION WANTED Well experienced hair dresser/ beautician required, visa available.

Contact – 96524717 Indian male, 14 yrs Experience in Maintenance & Supervisor in hotel field ( Electrical . Ac Mechanical & Plumber ) N O C available mob : 95 25 36 40 . email = hareeshma24@yahoo.com Indian female 25 yrs MBA finance currently on visit visa seeks immediate placement. # 9843 0089 Part- Time Accountant, well versed with all accounting, Finalization, Budgeting available.

Contact 98803439 Indian female MBA finance currently on visit visa seeks immediate placement.Contact (968) 9843 0089 Indian female, B.Com graduate, 2 years experience in admin department looking for a suitable placement. Contact 92531929 ACCA affiliate, male, 23, 2.5years of vast experience in finance & audit in audit firm,seeking suitable placement immediately. # 96895140445, a.saran891@gmail.com Indian Female looking for an Internship or Part time opportunity in any Interior Design, Architectural or Design Firm . Contact 95811820 Male - B.E Mechanical Engineer fresher( QA, QC , Piping & NDT + 1 month practical training in production & oil field ) seeking immediate placement currently on visit visa.

Contact - 0096896107833 Email albinalbin.thomas@gmail.com Senior Accounts Professional, Indian Male, 35 years, M.Com, MBA (Fin) 8 years in Oman, with valid Oman DL and NOC available. Capable to handle accounts up to finalization.

Contact 9602 3965.

Indian male, 14 yrs Experience in Maintenance & Supervisor in hotel field (Electrical, Ac Mechanical & Plumber) N O C available.

Contact 95253640 Indian female,available on visit visa,knowledge in AutoCAD 2012,Revit 2012,Adobe photoshop C3, Google sketchup, seeking suitable position.

Email:dhiyana.mhmd@gmail.com.

25yrs experienced indian marketing mangr seeking suitable position. .presently working as a General Manager one of the leading Hyper Market Group in Oman.valid omani driving licence. Release available . contact number.92205026. aparayath@Gmail.Com Indian male executive secretary having vast experience in admin, logistics & procurement well versed with computer seeks suitable placement. Contact : 99514286 Young male, 22 years, B. Arch.

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

Contact 92791678 Indian Male, B.Tech Mechanical Engg 29 Yrs old,4 year experience,2.5 year experience as Lifting Inspection Engineer in Qatar.

Looking for suitable placement.

NOC available.

Contact No.93269839, Email: saneersainu@gmail.com Indian male experience in electrical and plumbing looking for a suitable position. Contact 92282845 Indian female Looking for an Accounts part time job, preferred to do from home. Well versed with TALLY , Accounting software.

Contact 95482970.

Diploma in Fire and Safety Engineering, Completed IOSH and have PDO passport. Having experience of 3.5 years as Safety Advisor in Oman. Have valid Omani driving license. For further information please contact me on 96896176872, 9689808527 Indian Male, B.Tech Mechanical Engg 29 Yrs old, 4 year experience, 2.5 year experience as Lifting Inspection Engineer in Qatar. Looking for suitable placement.

NOC available#93269839/ Email: saneersainu@gmail.com Female B. Sc Maths, B. Tech, Computer science CCNA, RHCE, MCP 7 years experience.

Email : devi2571997@gmail.com

Indian male, 29 yrs, MBA in Marketing, 6 yrs exp. in Marketing/ Sales presently on family visa seeks suitable placement. #92345569, Email : tapankumarupadhyay@gmail.com Indian Accounts / Audit assistant with 2 years of experience currently on a visit visa looking for suitable job openings.

Contact 94677338, 97041086 Email: ajeeshkcy1989@gmail.com A Fresh ACCA Affiliate, Pakistani male, 24 yrs, open for positions of Accounts, Audit and finance.

Contact : 94541539 email: wasiqnasir_3@yahoo.com ACCA finalist and BSc from Oxford Brookes University UK, having 18 months working experience, currently in Muscat on visit, seeking immediate and suitable position.

Contact : 95375282 Indian Male, 27 yrs MBA (Fin), SAP, 4 Yrs Exp in Finance Seeking Suitable Job with a Reputed Firm Currently on Visit Visa #92481230 22 years of experience in Multinational Companies & reputed firms in Financial Management, Project Management, Budgeting and Cost control, seeking a strategic Financial/Management Accounting role in a dynamic organization .

Contact : +971-506178139, Email.georg_vargis01@yahoo.com Tunisian women looking for job, knows english, frensh, Italian and arabic. Contact: 91171838 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 Indian female, well experienced in secretarial, administration, customer care & supervisory jobs. 5 years experience in Muscat. Immediately available for joining. Contact 92139298 M.Tech Civil (structure) with 3 yrs experience looking for a suitable job with reputed consultants or contracting companies.

Contact 93137035, Email : mdshahzar.khan@gmail.com Experienced female Electrical Engineer. Contact 93800906

W E D N E S DAY, M AY 1 3 , 2 0 1 5

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DAILY GUIDE SITUATION WANTED CARGO

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

TOURS

RENT A CAR

GOOD NEWS Ayurvedic treatment for backache, paralysis, arthritis etc & massage, All Season (Vaidyaratnam).

Contact 24475280 / 95371554 / 92504980 www.siddhayur.com Ayurvedic treatment for joint pain, backache, paralysis massage, steam bath, obesity, spondylitis IDEAL , CARE Ayurvedic Clinic 18 November street, Azaiba. Contact 99639695 / 99117987 FREE INFORMATION ABOUT ISLAM. If you would like to know more about Islam, please call: 99425598, 96050000, 99353988, 99253818, 99341395, and 99379133.

For ladies: 99415818, 99321360, 99730723 Orvisit: www.islamfact.com Taimour Ayurvedic Clinic, Ruwi offers genuine & effective treatment for back pain, paralysis, cervical and lumbar spondylitis, osteoarthritis, joint pains, sinusitis, migraine, allergic problems, varicose vein and all other health related problems. Kerala massage and rejuvenation package available. For details please Contact 92197920/ 24799689

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W E D N E S DAY, M AY 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

WEBSITE

ACCOUNTANTS AND CONSULTANTS

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

WEB, ERP and Business Intelligence (BI) creation and management at rock bottom price.

Contact: http//webviewoman

CLASSES

BUSINESS

MANPOWER

COMPUTER

CANADIAN MANPOWER CO. based in Oman Recruitment for legal jobs - Hotel staff ,Construction staff, Medical staff ,Gas & Oil Free consultancy, 2 years contract, work visa, free tickets, accommodation, social & medical ins. Contact us on 93392630 , pls send CV to margholdingoman@yahoo.com WINDOW & SPLIT unit A.C servicing & repairing. Contact 99557080

FOR LADIES

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

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

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

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

Contact 97423932 We have some companies for rent with the following activities: press publishing & advertising, information consultancy, organizing event management & conference, real estate, landscaping, maintenance etc. Contact 93946622 / 91408005

Pick & drop anytime. Contact 96692774

A/C maintenance & servicing.

Fridge, washing machine & dish washer repairing. Painting & cleaning services & electrical & plumbing. Contact 99447257/97014234/ 24504281

Transportation Contact 99159277

We do building maintenance all kind of works. Contact 99247663

Transportation. Contact: 98505294

P.R.O services.

Contact 99368907

Transportation. Contact 99542393

DRIVING

House shifting & transporting.

Contact 92490422

Electric, Plumbing, painting & all kinds of building maintenance.

Contact 93896787 / 97924862

Transportation. Contact 99508282

Required business Researcher. contact 99229700 Email: kjaaraimi@hotmail.com

Transport to ISWK. Contact 93172589

Business Consultant, feasibility study. Contact 99229700

Pick & Drop any time. Contact 97014786

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

Learn driving with professional only automatic. Contact 94022250

Marble Restoration, Mosaic tiles polishing, carpet shampooing, maintenance.#ABU QABAS99320217 /24788722

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

Contact 99657644/ 98518013 Water proofing ABUQABASContact 99320217/24788722 Carpet & sofa shampooing. Ocean Centre LLC. Contact 99884591 / 92682970 Carpet Shampoo, marble & tile polishing, pest control & anti-termite treatment, general cleaning painting, Plumbing, Electrical, shifting. Contact Mundhir Al-Rizaiqi trading. L.L.C. # 24810137, 99450130

Split & window A.C servicing & maintenance. Contact 93769089 / 95323517 A/C maintenance split A/C servicing. RO. 10 only. Contact 94217681/ 99210141 House shifting. Contact 99708138 Pest Control Treatments, Termites, Cockroaches, Bedbugs.

Contact Ocean Centre LLC. Contact 99344723

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