Times of Oman - June 14, 2015

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SUNDAY, June 14, 2015 / 26 Sha’aban 1436 AH

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TROPICAL STORM

OMAN

Why women minority in the private sector?

1

Women are a minority in the private sector making up only 21 per cent of the total work force as men continue to dominate various postions. This situation has little improved in the last five years. >A2

OMAN

Kazakhstan ties with Oman growing: Envoy

2

Their lands may be far removed and vastly different, but Oman and Kazakhstan have a lot in common and there is a lot of potential for further ties between the two countries, said Oman’s ambassador. >A3

MARKET

Islamic insurance law approval soon

3

A final approval for the draft takaful or Islamic insurance regulation, which was cleared by the State Council in February, is expected soon. >B1

FLOODED STREETS: Waterlogged roads after Ashobaa hit Oman on Thursday, and right, dark

clouds hover over the Masirah skies. – ONA/Times of Oman

Increase in the sea

REJIMON K

surface temperature

reji@timesofoman.com

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MUSCAT: As tropical storm Ashobaa, which brought heavy rain and strong winds in Sur and Masirah through Thursday and Friday, faded away, the National Committee for Civil Defence (NCCD) also concluded its operations in the affected areas on Saturday.

“We are thankful to all organisations and the public for cooperating with us. Prepara-

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

tions have helped us to overcome the adverse weather conditions without any loss of life,” tweeted the NCCD on its official Twitter handle on Saturday afternoon.

Late on Friday night, Dr Mohammed bin Nasser Al Zaabi, CEO of Public Authority for Civ-

il Aviation (PACA), had said in a statement that direct impact of the tropical depression Ashobaa had faded away. “However, indirect impact will bring isolated rain to South Sharqiyah and Wusta regions and over Dhofar and Al Hajar Mountain during the next 48 hours,” said the statement issued on Friday night. In Sur, life was limping back to normal after a majority of the roads remained waterlogged, disrupting pedestrian and traffic movement, following heavy rains. >A6

reji@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: Six former detainees from the Guantanamo Bay were received by Oman, tweeted the Sultanate’s ministry of foreign affairs on its official Twitter handle on Saturday.

“Considering the circumstances, Oman has received six Yemeni detainees,” said the ministry in its tweet. In a statement,

by two degrees was noticed weeks before severe cyclones Gonu and Phet struck Oman coasts, says SQU scientist

RAHUL DAS

rahuldas@timesofoman.com

Oman receives six Gitmo ex-detainees the US defence department thanked Oman for its humanitarian gesture.

“The US is grateful to Oman for its humanitarian gesture and willingness to support ongoing US efforts to close the Guantanamo Bay centre. The US coordinated with Oman to ensure these transfers took place consistent with appropriate security and humane treatment measures,” said the statement. >A6

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Warming of sea to blame for the rise in cyclones

Rescue operations end as Ashobaa retreats

H U M A N I TA R I A N G E S T U R E

REJIMON K

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MUSCAT: Climatic changes are to be blamed for the rising number of cyclones in the Arabian Sea, a senior scientist has claimed.

“On studying the formation of recent cyclones, it is not possible to predict their trends. But devastating tropical cyclones have been occurring with an utmost regularity in the warming world,” said Dr Anesh Govender from the Sultan Qaboos University’s (SQU) Department of Marine Science and Fisheries.

Dr Anesh recently conducted a study by analysing a 28-year record of the sea surface temperature (SST) off Muscat and Masirah coasts.

Dr Anesh Govender from the Sultan Qaboos University’s Department of Marine Science and Fisheries.

He also said that SQU scientists have discovered significant increase in mean temperature in the Sea of Oman over the last few years. “Sea surface temperatures go up drastically and the ocean and the air work together for the formation of cyclone,” he explained, while adding that there is no need to be alarmed but to pay attention.

Climate changes “Climate changes are happening globally and we need to address this issue as big countries like the US, China and India are pumping a huge amount of carbon dioxide in the air. When the climate changes, everything changes starting from systems on land to that in the oceans and everything else,” he said. >A6

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SU N DAY, JUNE 14, 2015

OMAN

To recall the words of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said he made in the 1978 National Day speech, “If we don’t give a chance to Omani women then we are using only fifty percent of our resources Sunday Beat

C O M M E N TA RY

Why women employees still a minority in the private sector?

W

omen are a minority in the private sector making up only 21 per cent of the total work force as men continue to dominate various positions.

This situation has improved slightly in the last five years. In the period between 2009 and 2014, women made up only 18 per cent in the private sector. However, they have been making impressive progress in the civil service.

They now make up 44 per cent of all civil servants from 31 per cent in 2009. Why then should women lag behind in the private sector? The answer is very simple. The government has always been supporting them by giving them opportunities in the public sector.

However, the private sector companies have been reluctant to do likewise — often blaming women for lack of commitment or ambition. But this has been an excuse for local companies for many years now. The other excuse is that women do not rate themselves high. On the contrary, women make up more than 60 per cent of all degree graduates in the country. Moreover, women earn good grades as well while studying in various disciplines in colleges and universities. No wonder that there are hardly any women holding the positions of Chief Executive Officer or Chairman of the boards in large companies.

The government, however, has tried for years to encourage the private sector to employ more women with the appointments of women cabinet ministers. On the contrary,

In many instances the private sector has to be forced to give women jobs. Even in that situation women have to accept lowly paid jobs even though they are well qualified for the senior posts HAVE YOUR SAY AT TWITTER.COM/ TIMESOFOMAN OR SCAN THE CODE TO INSTANTLY POST YOUR THOUGHTS.

women should have taken a bigger role in the private sector than in the civil service — like in most countries.

The question is, why do we have larger employment of women in only the govern-

ment sector? Is it to say that only the government should take the lead in hiring women while the private sector lags behind?

The answer here is clear: local companies prefer to give jobs to men while ignoring the abundance of talent among women, consistently sidestepping them. We can say very safely — without any prejudice — that the private sector has a very dim view of women considering them second class citizens.

Local companies must realise that women are equal and deserve to work among men in good proportion.

To recall the words of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said in the 1978 National Day speech, “If we don’t give a chance to Omani women then we are using only fifty percent of our resources.”

But it seems that the bosses of the private sector pay no heed to the need to employ women in the workplace.

In many instances, the private sector has to be forced by local manpower situation to give women the jobs. However, even in that situation, women have to accept lowly paid jobs even though they are well qualified for the senior positions.

But we know men are promoted to the top jobs even though they are not qualified to do them. It is a well-known admission of some men who repeatedly say they would not like to work under a female boss. On face value, it seems many Omanis see a woman’s place in the kitchen.

It clearly shows that our traditions rub on with our professional lives too. saleh@timesofoman.com

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Kazakhstan ties with Sultanate growing: Envoy Though relations between the Sultanate and Kazakhistan are still quite new, they have

friendly exchanges

says Oman’s envoy

SARAH MACDONALD sarah@timesofoman.com

RED BULL-MINI COOPER

Car designing skills tested Times News Service MUSCAT: Creative car redesigning skills of university students was put to test at a contest organised by Red Bull-Mini Cooper here.

A total 39 teams participated, submitting designs that were innovative, creative and localised. The designs were then judged based on theme alignment, feasibility and functionality. Each team was required to follow the given criteria as they drafted their design.

Abhijit Lal and Mohammed Sali (Red Bull Riders) from Waljat College of Applied Sciences came out on top as the winners of the event. They received garage space, professional guidance and a budget to re-design the Mini Cooper.

Talking about their win, Abhijit Lal said: “Our interest towards cars and modifying cars inspired us to participate... I was inspired by the reality shows that I watch online and on TV. I always dreamt of being on the spot and modifying a car.”

C I V I L AV I AT I O N

Salalah’s new airport to open on Monday SALALAH: Shifting of air traffic from Salalah’s old airport to the new one will begin on Monday.

The project includes passenger terminal of more than 65,000 square meters, which will accommodate 2 million passengers per annum at the first stage and 4-kmlong and 75-meter wide main runway, which can receive the biggest aircraft including the A 380 plane.

The airport is equipped with the latest air navigation and auto landing devices as per the international standards and regulations in this regard. The project also has a 57-meter high control tower. The new airport has other service utilities that include 29 lifts, 13 escalators and eight tubes for passengers to ascend to the planes.–ONA

OCCI’s new plan to boost entrepreneurs

and increasing trade,

ASTANA, KAZAKHSTAN: Their lands may be far removed and vastly different, but Oman and Kazakhstan have a lot in common and there is a lot of potential for further ties between the two countries, according to Said Mohammed Al Barami, Oman’s ambassador to the Central Asian state.

In April 1992 Oman became the first Arab state to establish diplomatic ties with Kazakhstan, just a few months after Kazakhstan declared independence from the Soviet Union. By 2006 the Embassy of the State of Oman was opened in Astana and in 2014 Al Barami became the Omani ambassador.

Though relations between the countries are still quite new, they have been marked by friendly exchanges and increasing trade.

Speaking to the Times of Oman at the embassy, located in a treefilled residential area of Astana, Al Barami said there is much to unite the countries.

“There are so many similarities: economic development, oil and gas resources, fisheries, agriculture, hospitality and tolerance of the friendly people of Sultanate of Oman and Kazakhstan,” he explained.

Two areas of great interest to Oman are oil and gas exploration and mining, the ambassador said. Oman Oil Company holds a 20 percent share in the Dunga oil field near the Caspian Sea, in partnership with Maersk Oil and Partex Corporation.

MB Holding, a company owned

by Omani businessman Mohammed Al Barwani, has offices in the city of Almaty and has been actively exploring mining opportunities. Its subsidiary Mawarid Mining entered a gold mining joint venture, the Boke Gold Project, in eastern Kazakhstan.

Al Barami said there are great opportunities for the expansion of trade, especially given that both countries have growing

OMAN

‘JA H Z E E N ’ P R O G R A M M E

been marked by

There are so many similarities: economic development, oil and gas resources, fisheries, agriculture, hospitality and tolerance of the friendly people of Sultanate of Oman and Kazakhstan. We see that it is important to businesspeople of both countries to exchange mutual visits Mohammed Al Barami Oman’s ambassador to Kazakhstan

industrial zones. There are 10 industrial areas in Kazakhstan, while Oman has them in Sohar, Duqm and Salalah. “We see that it is important to businesspeople of both countries to exchange mutual visits to find available opportunities in both countries, expanding trading and investment cooperation between them,” said Al Barami.

Developing economy The ambassador said that since Kazakhstan declared independence, its economy has developed strongly thanks in part of support from the Sultanate of Oman, which was one of the first countries to help the former Soviet republic during its difficult financial times. Oman provided funding in the form of a $10 million grant when the Kazakh government was building its new capital, Astana.

“The Celebration Palace ‘Saltanat Saraiy,’ financed by Oman, is one of the most beautiful constructions of Astana,” Al Barami said, referring to an elegant building used to hold official government events, concerts and art exhibitions.

Al Barami, who speaks fluent Russian after having studied in the former Soviet republic of Azerbaijan and lived in Moscow for seven years, said he enjoys his diplomatic posting in Kazakhstan.

“My first impressions were absolutely positive, from the economic growth and international universities, to the beautiful nature. I was also impressed by the hospitality and kindness of the people,” he explained.

He said the Kazakh people, much like the Omani people, are very welcoming and tolerant, not to mention culturally diverse. The country is also very safe and has been actively pursuing a peacebuilding role, similar to that of the Omani government. Together, the countries can be global examples of peace and tolerance, he said.

“I think that the Sultanate of Oman and the Republic of Kazakhstan can be the examples by their principles, politics and legal system, as well as by the fact that they highly appreciate tolerance, and fight against violence and extremism. These are two countries where people live in safety and stability,” Al Barami concluded.

A3

MUSCAT: Entrepreneurs and students of higher education institutions undergoing graduation courses will receive training and guidance as part of a programme.

Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI) will launch ‘Jahzeen’ programme on Monday under the patronage of Minister of Manpower Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser AlBakri.

The programme also targets school students in a bid to promote the culture of entrepreneurship.

OCCI is supervising the programme, which is run by an Omani youth administration led by Mohammed Al Khouri.

The programme includes five different sections according to the targeted category, the content and the period. It aims at attracting experiences and competencies in the field of training and qualifying on entrepreneurship.–ONA

GROWTH AGENDA: The new airport project is designed to provide

high quality services to passengers.–ONA

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S U N DAY, J U N E 1 4 , 2 0 1 5

DAILY GUIDE

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

SITUATION WANTSIT. WANTED ED

SITUATION SITUATION WANTED VACANT

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Contact 98717938 Accounts part time, up to finalization of monthly accounts. Handled by a CA. contact 96293120 Accounts & finance Indian male B.com M.B.A (F) Tally ERP9, 35 years, 8 years experience 1.5 years Oman family visa N.O.C available.

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Contact: 95916769 Email: sikhapadoor@gmail.com

ACCOUNTANT A leading excellent grade company at Muscat looking for Junior Accountant with min.1 year Gulf experience. Please send CV to pmjino@gmail.com

MBA Indian male looking for suitable position having 2 years working experience as an accountant now in Oman a visiting visa. Contact: 99424803

Urgently required Senior Accountant 1 no. atleast 5 yrs experience.

Interested candidates may Email their CV’s at findjobs2015@hotmail. com

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Urgently required Junior Accountant. Please send CV : hr.azatllc@gmail.com Construction Company in Oman urgently requires following candidates: Accountant with minimum 5 years experience with operating knowledge of tally.

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Contact : 92139922 / 92284899 Required Beautician visa available, salary accommodation.

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DOMESTIC HELPER Required looking for full time Housemaid for Omani family at Mabela, visa available. Contact: 92454170 Urgent required House maid in Mabela. Visa available.

Contact 95200180.

ENGINEER

MISCELLANEOUS

A well reputed company is looking for experienced digital Signage Technicians & Managers. Send CV to hr.oman@yahoo.com

Urgently required: (1) female dermatologist with minimum 3 years experience (2) female Omani reception coordinator for a medical center in Qurum.

Contact: 96062933

SALES / MARKETING

A leading Civil construction co. in Muscat requires the following: - Construction Manager, Project Manager, Site Engineer. Please send CV : hr.azatllc@gmail.com Required swimming pool Engineer/ civil /M& P / Draughtsman with D/L, Preferred gulf experience.

Email: jvacancy05@gmail.com Mechanical / Civil Site Supervisor; diploma / ITI fitter; 3-4 year’s exp in supervision of Erection work of sheds, customer coordination, and project execution. Omani D/L is must. Contact: hr@khancogroup.com / 99102383 Urgently Required: Civil Engineer with an experience minimum in 5 years in building construction and MUST have NOC. Apply, fax 00968–24605955, emails sbc@steelbuildingsllc.com, sbeoman@yahoo.com Required full time Social Networker for sites like twitter, LinkedIn, face book.

Email: mhca@mhabibgroup.com

Required light driver, Excavator Operators & heavy drivers.

Contact: 99454425 Required Light duty driver from Kerala with construction experience.

Contact : 98294695

*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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Contact: 99383044

HOSPITALITY Chef for Yacht. International cuisine.

Minimum 15 years chef experience. alibadawy@gmail.com

MEDICAL Required full time Nurse for a residence. Contact: 99014435

Construction Company in Oman urgently requires following candidates: BE Civil Engineer, minimum 3-5 years gulf experience & Civil site foreman, minimum 5 years gulf experience, diploma not required.

Email: applyforoman@gmail.com

Required Gynecology, General Physician, Dentist, Staff Nurses, Lab technicians, Pharmacists, X Ray technicians.

Contact : 95133572 / 96064925 Email: kunoozghala@gmail.com

EDUCATION

Wanted Staff Nurse for a polyclinic in Sohar. Contact :93457270

DRIVER Driver & Business co coordinator speaking English urgently required.

Contact : 95327813

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Contact 99674870 A well known private school is in need of English, Math, Science, Computer and Physics Teachers.

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Email: amanammc@gmail.com

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SITUATION WANTSIT. WANTED ED

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Breast-feeding promotion planned ELHAM POURMOHAMMADI elham@timesofoman.com

This year’s theme is ‘Breast-feeding and work – Let’s make it work!’ It aims to draw attention to the need for maternity protection legislation and practices, workplace breastfeeding support and community breast-feeding initiatives

MUSCAT: Health centres are being visited and evaluated by the Ministry of Health (MOH) as part of the campaign to promote breast-feeding, in the lead-up to breast-feeding week in Oman.

World Breast-feeding Week is celebrated every year from August 1 to August 7 globally and commemorates the Innocenti Declaration signed in August 1990 by government policy makers, the World Health Organisation, Unicef and other organisations to promote and support breast-feeding.

This year’s theme is ‘Breastfeeding and work – Let’s make it work!’ It aims to draw attention to the need for maternity protection legislation and practices, workplace breast-feeding support and community breast-feeding initiatives.

The week is observed in Oman in November for several reasons.

The weather is very hot in August in Oman which makes it difficult to visit health centres and also

many professionals are on leave during this period, said Saada Mohammed Al Mamari from the nutrition department of the MoH. Speaking to the Times of Oman, she said that the ministry has been planning a number of activities to help increase the breast-feeding rate among Omani women, which has gone down in recent years.

As part of the campaign, staff from the nutrition department has started visiting health centres to evaluate the knowledge of the personnel, their services and the equipment they use.

Breast-feeding checklist According to Al Mamari, the MoH staff fills out a breast-feeding checklist during their visit to each health centre based on their observations of the EPI (Expanded Programme on Immunisation) clinics and interviews with staff nurses, non-clinical staff, dieticians and mothers visiting the health centres.

The list related to the EPI clinic includes questions about the equipment available, weight

BOOK LAUNCH

Saada Mohammed Al Mamari from the nutrition department of the MoH.–TIMES OF OMAN

and length measuring practices, availability of educational material and whether nurses provide consultation to mothers about breast-feeding.

“We also ask staff nurses whether they have taken the BFHI (Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative) course and other training courses,”

said Al Mamari, adding that it is important that nurses be well trained on this subject.

Other questions assess their knowledge of the essential information that should be given to mothers about different aspects of breast-feeding including expressing milk, positioning the baby for comfortable breast-feeding and nutrition tips.

“We also visit staff from the antenatal clinic (ANC), where pregnant women are examined,” said Al Mamari.

Medical orderlies are also asked whether they give any advice to mothers about breast-feeding, complementary feeding, malnutrition and other related issues.

In addition, a mother is chosen from the waiting area and is asked some questions about breastfeeding as well as the information and support provided by the health centre to her, she said.

Formula feeding The health official said that during her visits, she has come across many mothers who have opted for

formula feeding, which has many disadvantages.

An interview with a dietician is also part of the visit to each health centre as they play an important role in educating mothers, she added. She noted that the visiting staff meets with the director of the health centre and medical officer and gives them their feedback and tells them that the personnel need orientation on a regular basis to update their information.

Commenting on other programmes of the ministry, Al Mamari said that a conference is scheduled to be held early in November, with the participation of health professionals from different parts of the country.

The conference will provide a platform for them to exchange information, share the result of their activities and progress in the leading months to the breast-feeding week and discuss why the breastfeeding rate has declined, she said.

“Breast milk has many benefits and our advice is that mothers should not miss breast-feeding,” concluded Al Mamari.

ECOSYSTEM

Genetic database to conserve Oman’s biodiversity resource Times News Service

SALUTING WOMEN: Whispers of Oman is a tribute to the achievements of the Omani people, says

Oman-based Belgian Maria Dekeersmaeker.– Supplied photos

‘Whispers of Oman’ pays tribute to women’s feats Whispers of Oman, with 94 pages, and 42 portraits with lot of pictures, is available in Muscat and Salalah, in Al Batra Bookshop and the Family Bookshop. An ebook is on the way.

Times News Service MUSCAT: Whispers of Oman, a book about women in the Sultanate, written by Oman-based Belgian Maria Dekeersmaeker has been launched in Oman.

Speaking about the book, Maria said, “My research for the books ‘The DNA of Salalah-Dhofar,’ published in 2011, Treasure Chest Salalah-Dhofar, published in 2012 and the blogmagazine, https://alarba.wordpress.com gave me the opportunity to meet people in the Sultanate and to listen to their stories.”

She added, “stories from mainly women that I met by coincidence or that were brought to me by other women became the backbone of Whispers of Oman.

Women and also some men have shared their thoughts, and the efforts they have made, and still continue to do to become the people they want to be,” she said.

Saying that Whispers of Oman is a tribute to the achievements of the Omani people, she said, “After 1970, when His Majesty Sultan Qaboos took over, they gratefully took the opportunities

AUTHOR: Oman-based Belgian

Maria Dekeersmaeker.

their country offered them to develop their skills and pursue the things they were good at. Whispers of Oman is a tribute to their achievements. The choice of the portraits is mine.”

Stating that she hopes the readers enjoy reading Whispers of Oman, like she enjoyed writing it, Maria said, “My achievement is that I carefully brought all this collected information together. Every whisper in my ear touched my heart and soul and became a precious diamond in my writings.”

Writer’s inspiration About herself she says, “Writing is a microbe. Being a freelance journalist and author is a pleasure. Writing books is a dream come true. As a Belgium journalist and author my ideas and writings have given me the opportunity to travel extensively through Europe and China, which has resulted in many articles in several magazines and journals throughout Europe, an international Journalism Award in Italy, three travel books and a book on modern Eastern European art. And last but not least, in 2008 there was my first novel ‘he Earth has Fever’, which is still an actual theme.

“My writings have also put me on the road to the Sultanate, to Salalah in Dhofar, and the Southern region. Still, the place and the country inspire me to write books.”

MUSCAT: The rate at which the world is losing its genetic diversity, from micro-organisms and plants to animals and marine life, is being further accelerated because of urbanisation, global deforestation, climate change, and overexploitation of the world’s fisheries and marine ecosystems along with industrial agricultural expansion.

To combat this dangerous biodiversity loss, the Oman Animal and Plant Genetic Resources Centre (OAPGRC), in partnership with Bioversity International and key national stakeholders, is building the Genetic Resources Information Platform (GRIP), a comprehensive database of Oman’s plant and animal species.

Recognised as one of the most ambitious and comprehensive animal and plant gene banks in the Middle East, GRIP will, on completion, be accessible to anyone in the world, free of charge via OAPGRC’s website.

NATURE’S ASSETS: Broadening access to genetic resources is considered a major step in biodiversity conservation.–File photo

“There are many more of us today than ever before, and we are overdrawing on the Earth’s renewable supplies and eating heavily into its natural capital. That is why we have developed GRIP, the ultimate goal of which is to support and preserve indigenous plants and livestock and empower Oman to respond to bio-security issues, environmental changes and food risks,” said Dr Nadiya Al Saady, executive director, OAPGRC.

Meanwhile, involving specialists from the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Ministry of Environment and Climate Affairs, Ministry of Culture and Heritage (Natural History Museum) and Oman Botanic Garden, the OAPGRC is running a 10-day GRIP training programme designed to review the process of capturing, compiling, digitising and integrating relevant biodiversity information.

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SU N DAY, JUNE 14, 2015

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This is a chance for the students to represent Oman on the international stage, as well as a chance for them to take the next step forward to travel the world Issa Al Lamki, Omani chef

Aspiring chefs showcase their dishes for Iftar menu This is a chance for the students to represent Oman on the international stage, as well as a chance for them to take the next step forward to travel across the world

TARIQ AL HAREMI

tariqh@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: Three teams of three culinary students each competed with each other in a cooking competition at the Al Bustan Palace Hotel on Tuesday in the hope of having their dishes featured in this year’s Iftar menu.

The nine aspiring chefs from the Ritz-Carlton Culinary Academy had to prepare and cook a pre-set menu consisting of an appetiser, entrée and dessert before presenting it to a panel of judges comprising eminent chefs includ-

CULINARY DELIGHT: Nine budding chefs from the Ritz-Carlton Culinary Academy had to prepare and cook a pre-set menu consisting of

an appetiser, entrée and dessert. –Supplied photo

ing Omani chef Issa Al Lamki and Al Bustan Executive Chef Jörgen Sodemann.

Heading the judging panel, Chef Issa said, “This is a chance for the students to represent Oman on the international stage, as well as a chance for them to take the next step forward to travel the world. I am trying to provide the platform to aspiring local talent, which I could not get in my early days.”

Omani cuisine Chef Issa said it was necessary that such initiatives be taken to categorise and promote popular Omani cuisine on the inter-

national level, “Everyone talks about Dubai and Qatar all the time, but why is no one talking about Oman? Even in Oman we talk about Dubai, but now we want Dubai to talk about Oman,” he said, and added that the chefs were taking the first step to promote themselves and the Sultanate in the culinary world.

Competing in the three categories, appetiser, entrée and dessert, each team got lucky in one category. While Team One grabbed the top honours in desserts, Team Two took the top spot in appetiser and Team Three scored in the entrée. The winning

recipes will be highlighted on this year’s iftar menu at Al Bustan’s Al Khiran restaurant. However, the highlight of the Ritz-Carlton iftar menu will be Al Lamki’s own Shuwa Madrooba dish, created exclusively for guests of the Al Bustan Palace Hotel. Based on the art of fusion cuisine, the dish transfuses Omani and Italian cooking methods utilising breads, sauces and traditional Omani shuwa.

Katrin Herz, Ritz-Carlton’s general manager, said on the occasion, “We wanted to create a unique experience for both our students and guests to celebrate Ramadan this year, and we are de-

lighted to have Chef Issa on board to help provide Omani authenticity as well as the very best Ramadan cuisine. Our students are feeling incredibly inspired, and I am enormously excited to be part of such a memorable initiative for my first Ramadan in Sultanate.”

Iftar timings: Sunset – 10 p.m.

OMR18 for adults, including Ramadan beverages Al Khiran OMR9 for children between 6 and 12 Sohour: 9pm – 2am OMR10 for adults.

Beach Pavilion OMR5 for children between 6 and 12 years Maserati Ramadan Lounge

D E S T I NAT I O N O M A N

Salalah Rotana Resort hosts German tour operators Times News Service SALALAH: More than 400 representatives from Germany’s largest tour operators and travel agencies to the Ministry of Tourism’s FTI Destination Pro and ReiseLand Conferences were welcomed by the Salalah Rotana Resort welcomed over.

Held for the first time in the Sultanate, the conferences promoted Oman and specifically the Governorate of Dhofar as a yearround destination for German and European holidaymakers.

Hossam Kamal, general manager of Salalah Rotana Resort said, “We believe an accumulative effort is required to put the Governorate of Dhofar on the world tourism and business map. Our aim since opening in 2014 has been to complement Dhofar’s tourism development plans, and hosting these conferences enabled us to further reinforce Oman’s position as the Middle East’s destination of

PROMOTING TOURISM: Held for the first time in the Sultanate, the conferences promoted Oman and specifically the Governorate of Dhofar as a year-round destination for German and European holidaymakers. - Supplied photo

choice. This was all made possible with the support, vision and guidance of the Ministry of Tourism.”

He added, “Our 400-room property was built to accommodate the

expected rise in tourists as well as the growth of business events. We are setting the standard high with our 250-seat, private outdoor amphitheatre, the first-of-its-kind

in the Governorate, five fullyequipped meeting rooms, state of the art Business Centre and Grand Ballroom.”

Thomas Bösl, the managing

G UA N TA N A M O B AY

director of ReiseLand, and head of Europe’s biggest alliance of travel agencies said, “We are overwhelmed with the warm welcome and hospitality received, we are very pleased to have held our annual conference in Oman. I am certain that all the travel agencies grabbed the opportunity to explore Salalah as it has great potential to become one of the next big destinations for European travellers with its cultural authenticity and natural wonders.”

The Salalah Rotana Resort offers the best in world-class service infused with traditional Omani hospitality, and its vast range of facilities was designed for every type of traveller.

Promising a treasured time, the resort features a 400-metre private beach, three temperature controlled swimming pools, tennis courts, four food and beverage venues, ‘Zen the spa at Rotana’, ‘Bodylines Fitness and Wellness Club’ and the ‘Flipper’s Kids Club’.

STUDY

< FROM

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Warming leads to algal blooms

In the study, he investigated the changes in the sea surface temperatures (SST) and associated environmental parameters such as rainfall and sea surface height in the sea of Oman and the western Arabian Sea off Masirah Island.

During studies, he found that the sea surface height (SSH) anomalies showed large variability at sea level that occurred simultaneously in the Sea of Oman and along the east coast of Oman.

“Analysis of algal blooms indicate that during the post-1990s the large fluctuations in the SSH are associated with harmful algal blooms that resulted in fish mortality in the region,” according to study. The variability of SST was fairly constant in the Sea of Oman while it was declining off Masirah after 1981-1991. The decadal signal of SST in both areas indicates a regime shift in the SST towards warmer ocean surface.

The researchers explained that the local weather and marine environmental factors changed around Oman in recent years making it imperative to investigate the SST dynamics of the seas around Oman.

Weather systems “Anomalous increase in the sea surface temperature (SST), by two degree Celsius, was noticed weeks before intense weather systems striking Oman coast during 2007 (Gonu) and 2009 (Phet),”, said the report.

In the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea, tropical cyclones usually occur from April to June, and September to November.

“The impact of a tropical cyclone and the expected damage depend not just on wind speed, but also on factors such as the landfall point, moving speed, duration of strong wind and accumulated rainfall during and after landfall, sudden change of moving direction and intensity, the structure (for example size and intensity), of the tropical cyclone, as well as human response to tropical cyclone disasters,” said the scientists.

For this work, three cases of the tropical cyclone paths in the northern Indian Ocean from 2003 to 2008 were investigated. In all the above cases, anomalously warm sea surface temperatures developed and persisted before and during the cyclone passage.

“The cyclones appeared to have been towed along the high sea surface temperature corridor.

“The anomalous sea surface temperature pools have even retarded their movement for as many as four days and changed their paths,” he added.

ASHOBAA

A1 Water starts receding < FROM

DETENTION CAMP: The US coordinated with Oman to ensure

these transfers took place as per appropriate security and humane treatment measures.

Oman receives A1 six Yemenis < FROM

According to the US Defence Department statement, Idris Ahmad ‘Abd Al Qadir Idris, Sharaf Ahmad Muhammad Mas’ud, Jalal Salam Awad Awad, and Saa’d Nasser Moqbil Al Azani, along with Emad Abdallah Hassan, and Muhammad Ali Salem Al Zarnuki are the six Yemenis who were transferred from the detention facility at Guantan-

amo Bay to Oman. Last January, four Guantanamo prisoners from Yemen had arrived in the Sultanate. Those sent to Oman in January were Al Khadr Abdallah Muhammad Al Yafi, Abdul Rahaman Atah Mahmood Shubatti, Fadil Husayn Salih Hintif and Mohammed Ahmed Salam. Presently, there are 116 detainees remaining at Guantanamo Bay.

DAMAGED ROADS: Many areas in Sur like Bilad village and its

surrounding areas are still waterlogged. – ONA

Sur recorded 53.2 millimetres of rain on Friday.

“Water has slowly started draining out. However, several localities in badly affected areas like Bilad village and its surrounding areas are still waterlogged. With the weather remaining dry during the past 12 hours the water level on waterlogged roads has decreased.

“However, vehicles are still finding it difficult because of

muddy and slippery roads,” said residents in Sur. Meanwhile, residents in Masirah said that

by Saturday evening skies were cloudy and it had started to rain again.

“Water has drained out in many areas, life is returning to normal, and ferry services have resumed.

However, it has started to rain again,” said residents in Masirah.

Masirah recorded 231mm of rain, which was reportedly very high.

S U N DAY, JU N E 14, 2 0 1 5 The opening... for three days is a positive indicator, it comes after another good decision taken by the court. We hope Egypt opens the crossing permanently and can regain its role in Gaza and Palestine Fawzi Barhoum, Hamas spokesman

Relief as Egypt opens Rafah border crossing move, allowing travel in both directions, might signal a cautious improvement in relations between Cairo and Hamas after two years of high tension

GAZA: Egypt opened the Rafah border crossing on Saturday to allow Palestinians to travel in and out of the Gaza Strip for the first time in three months, in a possible sign of easing tension between Cairo and Gaza’s dominant extremist Hamas movement.

Gaza, a small impoverished coastal enclave, is under blockade by neighbouring Israel and Egypt has kept its Rafah crossing largely shut since Cairo’s the country’s president was toppled by the army in 2013.

Cautious improvement Two weeks ago, Egypt reopened Rafah for three days but only in one direction — for Palestinians stranded outside Gaza to return home. But Saturday’s move, allowing travel in both directions, might signal a cautious improvement in relations between Cairo and Hamas after two years of high tension. Local residents said an initial bus with passengers had crossed into Egypt and a source at Cairo international airport said Palestinians were flying in to

REGION YEMEN

Nine killed in air raid on area inhabited by relatives of Saleh SANAA: Nine people were killed when Saudi-led coalition warplanes bombed a district in the Yemeni capital Sanaa inhabited by relatives of ex-president Ali Abdullah Saleh, residents and medics said.

The air raid, which also wounded at least 60 people, came ahead of planned U.N.-sponsored talks in Geneva aimed at ending Yemen’s civil war that has drawn in regional powers, including the world’s top oil exporter Saudi Arabia.

Residents said the warplanes had targeted vacant houses in Bait Me’yad, a district near the heart of Sanaa that is home to a number of relatives of Saleh, whose loyalists are allied with Houthi forces, the dominant armed faction in the conflict.

Mohammed Yahya, an eyewitness, said two missiles struck two Saleh relatives’ houses while the

Saturday’s

ANXIOUS WAIT: Palestinians gather at the Rafah border crossing in the southern Gaza Strip, as they await permission to enter Egypt on Saturday. -AFP

set out overland for Gaza.

Border officials said the new opening would last for three days and some Palestinian sources said it could be extended, although there was no immediate Egyptian confirmation. Egypt has occasionally opened Rafah to allow passengers with foreign passports as well as students and hospital patients to travel.

Israel, which waged war with Hamas in July and August last year, allows travel between it and Gaza largely only on humanitarian grounds such as relief aid and medical treatment.

Cairo has accused Hamas, which is close to the Muslim Brotherhood, of helping militants

in Egypt’s Sinai desert, which borders on Gaza, attack its security forces. Hamas denies this.

But a decision by an Egyptian court earlier this month to cancel a previous ruling labelling Hamas a terrorist group was praised by Palestinian extremist and raised speculation that relations between Egypt and Gaza may improve.

Positive indicator “The opening... for three days is a positive indicator, it comes after another good decision taken by the court. We hope Egypt opens the crossing permanently and can regain its role in Gaza and Palestine,” Hamas spokesman Fawzi

Barhoum told Reuters.

Gaza officials said 15,000 people had registered to travel via Rafah, including at least 3,000 patients, and hundreds of students who study in Egypt and elsewhere in the Arab world.

Ahmed Abu Taeima, 34, a Palestinian accountant who lives in Saudi Arabia, said he had waited for four months to be able to return from Gaza to the kingdom and was lucky he could get back before his Saudi residency permit expires in two weeks’ time.

“I was fearing I could lose my residency and my work. Thank God the crossing has opened and I can leave,” he told Reuters at the Rafah passport hall. -Reuters

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third crashed in the middle of the neighbourhood, causing several casualties. Another witness said three explosions shook the neighbourhood. “We felt as if the house was going to collapse over our heads,” said the man, identified as Ali Ahmed. “We ran, with the children, and hid under the stairwell.

It was terrifying.”

Died in hospital Medical sources said nine people who had suffered severe injuries died on arrival at hospital while 60 others were under care at three hospitals in the capital.

The Houthi-controlled Saba news agency said most of the victims were women and children.

In the southern port of Aden, residents said a dozen people were killed or wounded by Houthi shells fired into districts in in the north of the city. -Reuters

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SU N DAY, JUNE 14, 2015

INDIA DANGEROUS ROADS

The Congress created obstacles...what fear they have. The party did all to postpone the elections before the Supreme Court ordered to hold the elections in three months. What was bothering the Congress to do so?

HD Deve Gowda, Former prime minister of India

RSS mouthpiece: Yoga Day row ‘unfortunate’ Yoga is meant for

ACCIDENT PRONE: A bus rams into a tree after an accident in

Pune. India’s roads are sometimes described as some of the world’s most dangerous. -PTI

Two accidents claim 40 lives NEW DELHI: Two accidents killed nearly 40 people in India on Saturday, including one in which a van full of pilgrims plunged into a river, in the latest deadly crashes on some of the world’s most dangerous roads.

Twenty-two people, including seven children, were killed when a van carrying Hindus returning from a pilgrimage to the famous Tirupati-Tirumala temple in southeastern Andhra Pradesh state lost control on a bridge.

“The vehicle hit a railing, which broke under the impact of the collision, and fell off the bridge,” a senior state administrator Arun Kumar told the Press Trust of India (PTI). “It’s purely (a case of ) negligent and rash driving. It was not a vulnerable point of the road and neither was there any traffic,” the officer said.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu expressed his grief on Twitter and promised that authorities were “providing all help possible”.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi followed suit and conveyed his condolences on the microblogging site, calling the incident “saddening and unfortunate”.

A head-on collision between a truck and two tractors carrying dozens heading to a prayer ceremony killed another 17 people, including five children, in northern Uttar Pradesh state, PTI cited senior state official Amit Gupta as saying.

The crash, which left 30 others injured, sparked anger among local residents who blocked roads and pelted stones at police near Harchandpur, some 60 kilometres (40 miles) from state capital Lucknow.

India has some of the world’s deadliest roads, with more than 200,000 fatalities annually, according to the World Health Organization. Transport analysts attribute the huge number of accidents to poor roads, badly maintained vehicles and reckless driving. -PTI

streamlining human consciousness which will ultimately nurture the sense of inherent unity and equanimity among all beings, says RSS mouthpiece

NEW DELHI: Terming as “unfortunate” the row over International Yoga Day celebrations, RSS mouthpiece ‘Organiser’ on Saturday said the opposition to Yoga is an echo of “fractured mindsets” and lauded Darul Uloom for its whole-hearted support to the event.

An editorial titled “Streamlining Human Consciousness” in the latest edition of ‘Organiser’ hoped the “secular brigade” recognises the spiritual significance of Yoga while advocating the introduction of Yoga as a part of curriculum.

“It is unfortunate that while the whole world is recognising Yoga as India’s civilisational contribution to humanity, some people in India are trying to rake up controversies by bringing in religious connotations. It is beyond doubt that Yoga is the Indian way of holistic life.

INTERNATIONAL YOGA DAY: Participants of ‘The Sun Never Sets on Yoga’ practice yoga at The Art of Living in Bangalore on Saturday. The event is being held in about 108 cities around the globe as a prelude to International Yoga Day to be celebrated on June 21. Yoga enthusiasts will be performing at New York, Rio De Janerio, Budapest, Berlin, St. Petersburg, London, Istanbul, Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Agra, Sydney, Auckland and in many other cities around the world. -AFP

That does not mean Yoga is limited to a religion or certain religious practices. Denouncing the celebration on the ground of opposing certain hymns or celebrating it on Sunday only echo our fractured mindset and all the more highlight the need for Yogic life,” the editorial said.

It said ‘Surya Namaskar’ is not a form of worship but well known as a capsuled form of Yoga which anyone can practice in a short span of time. “If leading a healthy life is a human right then it should be available to all human beings, irrespective of religion,” it said.

Darul Uloom praised The ‘Organiser’ said, a call by the Islamic religious and educational institution from Deoband — Darul Uloom, is significant as it has not only whole-hearted supported the

celebration but clearly delinked Yoga from religion. “Hope other members of secular brigade recognise the spiritual significance of Yoga,” it said.

The RSS mouthpiece also invoked Swami Vivekananda and said when humanity is going through worst kind of strife and stress, Yoga should be seen as a way of life, leading to the union of body mind, intellect and soul as envisaged by sages.

Acceptable with changes Meanwhile, prominent Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind leader Maulana Mahmood Madani has said that Muslims have no problem with Yoga provided certain modifications are made to it.

He, however, alleged that a concerted effort is being made to give a particular colour to yoga and “that

is what is creating problems”.

“We Muslims have no problem with Yoga but there are certain words that need to be corrected.

As a physical exercise and as a way of life, yoga has great benefits but it has been given a particular colour and that is not correct. Yoga should not be associated with any particular religion,” he told Rajat Sharma on India TV’s ‘Aap Ki Adalat’.

“If certain changes are made, then more and more people will start practicing yoga... and it may become a medium for uniting people in the country,” he said according to a press release issued by the channel. Elaborating his reservations concerning ‘Surya Namaskar’, Madani said, “Considering sun as god is against the basic tenets of Islam. It should not be made a part of government- organised functions.” - PTI

CONTROVERSY

Film institute appointment angers students PUNE: After going on a flash strike, students of the prestigious Film and Television Institute of India on Saturday decided to continue their protests against the appointment of Bharatiya Janata Party member and TV actor Gajendra Chauhan as the new chairman of its governing council.

Chauhan, who played the role of ‘Yudhishthir’ in popular television serial “Mahabharata”, on his part said he should be given a chance and allowed to work.

About 150 students pursuing various streams of film- related courses at the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) went on a flash strike on Friday, boycotting classes and shutting down administrative offices on the campus.

They demanded that the appoint-

ment of Chauhan be revoked, calling it a “political appointment”.

Asserting that they would continue their protest till the demand is met, the students body alleged that it was purely out of consideration of his affiliation with BJP that Chauhan was chosen.

“A person who has an official affiliation with the ruling BJP and who lacks the vision and stature of the past chairpersons in film-making, has put a question mark on the process of selection for the post earlier held by eminent people like Girish Karnad, Shyam Benegal and Adoor Gopalkrishnan,” Harikrishnan Nachimuthu, who heads the FTII students’ association, told PTI. Chauhan has been a member of the BJP for over two decades,

the student leaders said. “Please give me a chance. Let me work.

My only agenda will be the betterment of the FTII,” he said. Chauhan said that he wanted to speak to the students and tell them that without knowing his background and capabilities it was not fair to protest his appointment.

Chauhan’s take “Let’s meet across the table and discuss. After that we can decide what to do.” Chauhan said, adding that his name was recommended by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and it must have been done after due diligence.

“It is not only that I am associated with the party(BJP). I have been working for Film and Television industry for 34 years and

I know the in and outs,” he added.

FTII director D Narayanan told PTI that the institute authorities have opened the channels for dialogue with the students. “We are having a dialogue with the students to find a way out amicably”.

A final year student pursuing course in film direction said Chauhan lacked the “experience and stature and quality” of his predecessors to merit his new posting, which is “politically coloured”.

Meanwhile, the students’ association has decided to send their representation on the issue objecting to Chauhan’s appointment to Information & Broadcasting ministry. “We will re-look the current protest only after getting a positive response to our demand by the authorities,” Nachiputhu said. -PTI

POLITICS

Bihar alliance strong; it won’t be easy for BJP, says Gowda BENGALURU: Former Prime Minister and Janata Dal-S (JDS) chief H D Deve Gowda on Saturday said “secular” parties had formed a “formidable” alliance in east Indian state of Bihar and it would not be an easy task for the Bharatiya Janata Party to win the Assembly polls there.

“The secular parties which have come together in Bihar are a formidable alliance. It is a tough task for the BJP (to win Bihar assembly elections),” he told reporters at a meet the press organised

by Bangalore Reporters Guild and the Press Club of Bangalore here.

Asked about Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s rule, Gowda said people are getting disappointed with it for not meeting their expectations.

“Modi had promised a lot during his Lok Sabha election campaign, but during the one-year rule so far, there is a sense of disappointment among people who had expected a lot from the Prime Minister’” he said.

Scam-free year He however, lauded the Modi government for giving scam-free one year in office unlike the Congress rule which was ‘infested’ with various corruption charges.

Asked whether JD-S has struck an understanding with BJP during his meeting with Modi at New Delhi, Gowda said, “There is no question of we joining hands

gress to do so?” he asked.

Meanwhile, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Saturday expressed concern over raising of flags of terror IS group and Pakistan in Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir and referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi asked, “What happened to his 56 inch chest?” a PTI report from Patna said.

Nitish’s poser to Modi “The person who had boasted of having 56-inch chest is in power in Delhi when flags of IS and Pakistan are being hoisted in Jammu and Kashmir. What happened to his 56 inch chest? What happened to the person who used MAN OF MASSES: Bihar Chief to utter such tall talks?” Kumar Minister Nitish Kumar blesses asked. a bride during a mass marriage Modi, as BJP’s prime minisfunction held in Patna on Friday terial candidate in January last night. -PTI year had said it required a 56inch chest to make a Gujarat.

Kumar said raising of IS and with either BJP or Congress.”

Referring to Karnataka, Gowda Pakistan flags in at least two placslammed the ruling Congress for es in Kashmir on Friday is a matcreating obstacles to conduct ter of concern.

Kumar also charged the BJP Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike polls, before the Supreme with compromising the ideolCourt ordered the government to ogy of Shyama Prasad Mukherjee for forming a coalition governhold elections in three months.

“The Congress created obsta- ment in Jammu and Kashmir with PDP. cles...what fear they have.

To a question on his protege “The party did all to postpone the elections before the Supreme turned detractor Jitan Ram Court ordered to hold the elec- Manjhi joining hands with BJP, Kumar refused to make tions in three months.

“What was bothering the Con- any comment. -PTI

S U N DAY, JU N E 14, 2 0 1 5

INDIA

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Panel for private players in railways; end of separate budget of an independent regulator -Railway Regulatory Authority of India (RRAI) -- with a separate budget and to be independent of the Ministry.

NEW DELHI: A whole set of reforms like entry of private players, separation of off-line activities from core business, establishment of a regulator to decide on tariffs and an end to the practice of a separate budget have been recommended to revamp the cashstrapped railways.

Holding that the railway finances were in a precarious situation, the committee headed by Niti Aayog member Bibek Debroy, says that there is need not only to improve the internal resource generation and explore varied methods of financing but also to improve utilisation of available resources.

The committee, a brainchild Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has in its over 300 page report, says it does not recommend privatisation of Railways but railway unions have attacked the report saying it is a clear road map for privatisation of Railways which would endanger safety and increase financial burden.

Private players “It does, however, endorse private entry, which is not ab initio but ab hinc -- as this is already part of the Indian Railway policy -- with the proviso of an independent regulator. “This committee prefers use of the word liberalisation and not privatisation or deregulation, as both the latter are apt to misinterpretation,” it said.

RIPE FOR REFORM: Commuters and passengers on a train wait to depart from a railway platform at Parel railway station in Mumbai, on Saturday. A panel formed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called for reforms in the cash-strapped railways. -Bloomberg file photo

Separation of activities In a major recommendation, it has proposed separation of activities like running of hospitals, schools, catering, real estate development, manufacturing of locomotives,

coaches and wagons from the core business of running trains. State governments should be asked to entirely fund Government Railway Police (GRP) and the general managers should have the freedom

to choose between private security guards and Railway Protection Force, better known as its acronym RPF for security on trains.

The committee has strongly recommended establishment

Government launches nuclear insurance pool of (Rs5 billion) was filled in by the British Nuclear Insurance Pool,” he said.

Mandated under the nuclear liability law, the Rs15 billion pool would help the government triple nuclear energy generation in five years, said minister Jitendra Singh

NEW DELHI: The government has launched an insurance pool to the tune of Rs15 billion which is mandatory under the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act (CLND) in a bid to offset financial burden of foreign nuclear suppliers.

This was announced by Minister of State in the Department of Atomic Energy Jitendra Singh here on Saturday, noting that several projects such as the longpending Gorakhpur Haryana Anu Vidyut Pariyojna (GHAVP) that were held up in its absence, are now expected to move forward af-

BIG PUSH: Minister of State, Department of Atomic Energy, Jitendra Singh and Secretary, Department of Atomic Energy, Ratan Kumar Sinha at a press conference in New Delhi on Saturday. -PTI

ter setting up of the pool.

Clauses in the CLND Act, which give the operator the Right to Recourse and allow it to sue the suppliers in case of any accident were seen as being a major hindrance to the growth of the nuclear industry.

These concerns led to to the formation of the Indian nuclear insurance pool. R K Sinha, Secretary in the Department of Atomic Energy, said this would be a solution for suppliers’ concerns about liability from nuclear risks.

Under the Rs15 billion pool, set up by General Insurance Corporation of India (GIC) and 11 other

non-life insurers including New India, Oriental Insurance, National Insurance and United India Insurance from the public sector apart from private insurance companies, policies offered will be a nuclear operators liability insurance policy and a nuclear suppliers’ special contingency (against right to recourse) insurance policy.

Y Ramulu, General Manager of of General Insurance Corporation (GIC), the fund operator, told PTI that the “shortfall of Rs6 billion” was met when a domestic insurance company chipped in with Rs1 billion more.”Remaining gap

POLICE ACTION

Geelani put under house arrest on eve of controversial seminar SRINAGAR: Several leaders of hardline Hurriyat Conference including chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani were on Saturday put under house arrest by authorities to foil the plans of the amalgam to hold a controversial seminar on Sunday that was dubbed as ‘anti-national’.

A posse of policemen has been deployed outside the residence of Geelani and no one is allowed to enter or leave the premises, a spokesman of the Hurriyat said.

The police action came even as the Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir government said it will not allow “anti-India” activities in the state.

“No such rally or seminar will be allowed in the land of Jammu and Kashmir since we feel it will be anti-national activity,” Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh said.

“The law will take its own course,” he said, adding, “no antinational activity can be allowed on any part of the country.”

A Hurriyat spokesman said

BIG RALLY: Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed addresses a huge gathering at Kargil Park, in Kargil, on Friday. -PTI

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Muhammad Ashruf Sehrai, Ayaz Akbar and Raja Mehraj-ud-din were the others who were placed under house arrest on the eve of the planned seminar. Police

officials refused to confirm or deny the house arrest of the separatist leaders.

Geelani, while condemning the move, said the government has shown intolerance even to peaceful programmes. “The government has completely buried the ‘Battle of Ideas’ slogan of the (Chief Minister) Mufti Mohammad Sayeed,” Geelani said in a statement here. -PTI

Suppliers’ concern “This will address the concern of the suppliers like that of the Gorakhpur Haryana project and also of foreign players. Now we have a policy for the entire nuclear industry of the country,” he said, adding that foreign contribution “would not result in foreign inspector inspecting the plants”.

“The GHAVP was supposed to be a pressurised heavy water reactor which was sanctioned by the previous government. It had met with some problems there were problems of tenders not getting matured due to absence of an insurance pool. The launch of the pool would now enable the concerned parties to come forward for the project,” Singh said.

Highlighting “another aspect” of the move, Singh said that it would also help in bringing North Indian states into the fold of the nuclear industry. “This would give the atomic energy programme a pan-Indian image.” Singh, who is also the Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office, said the pool would help the government in achieving Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “vision of tripling energy generation from nuclear sector in the next five years”. -PTI

Independent regulator “The RRAI will have the powers and objectives of economic regulation, including wherever necessary tariff regulation, safety regulation, pair access regulation, service standard regulation, licencing and enhancing compensation and setting technical standards.

“Once the changes of the first five years are implemented, including the resolution of the social cost issue, the Railway Budget should be phased out with gross budgetary support to Indian Railways mentioned as a paragraph in the Union Budget and no more,” it said.

The committee has strongly recommended establishment of an independent regulator -Railway Regulatory Authority of India (RRAI) -- with a separate budget and to be independent of the Ministry.

“The RRAI will have the powers and objectives of economic regulation, including wherever necessary tariff regulation, safety regulation, pair access regulation, service standard regulation, licencing and enhancing compensation and setting technical standards.

“It will possess quasi judicial powered, with appointment and removal of members, distance

from Ministry of Railways. Issues like consumer complaints, including class action complaints, will not be addressed by RRAI,” it said.

The committee said once RRAI begins to function and resolves the access to track for private train operators and Indian Railway zones, a case for bifurcation may be considered between the Indian Railways Infrastructure Corporation and rest of Indian Railways as train operators in competition with private operators.

The report also recommends leasing of parcel vans in trains through auction of carrying capacity, private parcel trains and concessioning of train services as considered viable options.

Asking the Railways to look at other extra budgetary sources such as multilateral funding agencies, committee suggested changing investment strategy through ring fenced investments in high yield projects. “It is recommended that the funds borrowed from the market should be used for capacity generation instead of assets replacement.

“In respect of development of railway stations, this committee recommends that expression of interest may be invited from potential users of land around each station and a partnership agreement worked out with selected bidders following a transparent process,” it said. The report also recommended reforms in accounting and human resources management. -PTI

HOPE

Signals from Coast Guard’s missing plane detected CHENNAI: Hopes for locating the Coast Guard Dornier aircraft that went missing on June 8 brightened on Saturday with a naval ship picking up signals besides spotting oil spills that are being tested to determine whether they are from the illfated plane.

“INS Sandhyak has detected intermittent Tx, likely to be from the SLB (Sonar Locating Beacon) of the missing aircraft,” Defence Ministry spokesperson Sitanshu Kar tweeted. “Multi-coloured oil seen in concentric circles indicating oozing of oil in area under focus,” he said.

Intermittent transmission Meanwhile, in a statement here, the Coast Guard said, “INS Sandhyak undertaking sub-surface search, detected intermittent transmission of 37.5 Khz, likely to be from the Sonar Locator Beacon (SLB) of the missing aircraft.”

The transmission is around the position (coastal Tamil Nadu somewhere around KaraikkalCuddalore) where the Air Traffic Control (ATC) radar had lost contact of the aircraft.

“Efforts to search and locate the missing ICG Aircraft by the ICG and IN ships in area of probability continues for the past 110 hrs,” the statement said. A

multi-coloured sheen of oil in concentric circles was sighted which indicated oozing of oil, it said adding the sample of oil has been sent to the laboratory for analysis.

On Thursday, a similar sample tested by IOC turned out to be only sea water with no traces of oil in it. Submarine INS Sindhudhvaj is likely to arrive in the area late in the evening for further augmentation of sub-surface search, the Coast Guard said.

Also, National Institute of Ocean Technology has diverted its research vessel ‘Sagar Nidhi’, which is likely to arrive in the area for augmenting underwater search by tomorrow.

In addition to this, Reliance India Limited has been approached to extend services of its Multi Support Vessel (MSV) with Remotely Operable Underwater Vehicle (ROV) for underwater operations.

A total of 10 CG and IN ships with two aircraft are undertaking the search for the missing aircraft till now, the Coast Guard statement said. Earlier, Coast Guard (East) Commander, Inspector General S P Sharma, said “further tests are being done to get into the location of the missing aircraft more precisely”. -PTI

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SU N DAY, JUNE 14, 2015

PAKISTAN

We have no evidence that there are any links at all between the students and any criminal organisation, so news that there is a link between IS and the students is not true Sansern Kaewkamnerd, Thailand spokesman

PISTOL SEIZED

Detained Thai pupils not linked to IS: Bangkok

INDIAN SIKH PILGRIMS HEAD TO LAHORE

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Indian Sikh pilgrims pose for a picture with Pakistani policemen at the Wagah border, the joint Pakistan-India checkpost outside Lahore, Pakistan, on Saturday. Sikhs will commemorate the 409th Martyrdom Day of the fifth Guru of Sikhism, Arjun Dev, on June 16 at Gurdwara Dera Sahib in Lahore. — Reuters

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

BANGKOK: Five Thai students detained in Pakistan for trying to board a plane with a pistol and ammunition have no links to the IS militant group or any criminal organisation, a Thai government spokesman said on Friday.

The men, who had been studying at a religious school in Pakistan, were trying to catch a flight on Monday night when they were intercepted.

“We have no evidence that there are any links at all between the students and any criminal organisation, so news that there is a link between IS and the students is not true,” said Sansern Kaewkamnerd, a deputy government spokesman.

On Saturday, Thailand’s Foreign Ministry said the five Thais were still being held in Pakistan, contrary to earlier reports that one was being held and four had been freed.

Thai national security chief Anusit Kunakorn said on Friday that four of the group were being sent back to Thailand.

On Friday, Thai newspaper the Bangkok Post reported that two of the five were suspected of having links to IS. The report cited intelligence sources. An probe into their families found no links with violence in Thailand’s south, where there has been a long-running Muslim insurgency, Army Chief Udomdej Sitabutr said on Friday. — Reuters

Top counter-terror police official survives bid on life A senior police official confirmed the incident in Karachi and said the attackers, who belonged to Taliban, were wanted for several attacks on law enforcement agencies

KARACHI: Pakistani police on Saturday foiled an attack on a senior counter-terrorism official and killed four militants in the southern port city of Karachi, police said. “Militants started chasing me in a vehicle and a motorbike as I left home with a police escort,” Rao Anwar, who has survived at least two other attempts on his life, told AFP. He said militants opened fire as police intercepted the car and bike. The police also retaliated, killing one of the militants on the spot. He added the three others

PRIME TARGET: Pakistani security personnel rush towards the venue of firing incident near Karachi airport. Pakistani police yesterday foiled an attack on a senior counter-terrorism official Rao Anwar and killed four militants in Karachi, police said. — AFP file photo

ran away but police killed them later in an exchange of fire.

Another senior police official, Najeeb Khan, confirmed the incident and said the militants who belonged to Taliban were wanted for several attacks on law enforcement agencies in Karachi.

It was second attempt on Anwar in little over a month. He survived a gun and grenade attack in early

May in which five of the attackers were killed. Anwar was also attacked by a suicide bomber in April 2012 while travelling home from his office. Four of his security personnel were killed in that incident.

As the top counter-terrorism police officer in Karachi, dozens of Taliban militants have been killed in operations under his command in the past few months, according

to local officials. Police and paramilitary Rangers have been carrying out a major cleanup in the city since 2013 which has reduced the level of violent crime.

Pakistan has also been battling a homegrown extremist insurgency which flared following the US-led invasion of neighbouring Afghanistan in 2001. The military said on Saturday “2,763 terrorists”

had been killed since the launch of a major offensive against militants in a northwest tribal border region a year ago.

Initially confined to the western border areas, the insurgency later spread to major cities and has claimed thousands of civilian lives since 2004. Gunmen stormed a bus in Karachi carrying members of the Ismaili minority community last month, killing 45 people in the first attack in the country officially claimed by the Islamic State group. Karachi, Pakistan’s economic heart and home to some 18 million people, is rife with criminal, ethnic, political and sectarian killings which claim hundreds of lives each year.

In other violence, gunmen shot dead four Punjabi speaking people in two incidents on Saturday in Quetta, capital of oil and gas rich Balochistan province, officials said.

Earlier, the military said it killed 20 militants on Saturday in air strikes on a tribal region near the Afghan border, as part of a major offensive against insurgents that began last year.

The attack took place near the Datta Khel area in North Waziristan tribal region. “At least 20 terrorists were killed in aerial strikes,” the military said in a statement, without giving the identity of those killed or who they fought for. No militant group said it had been hit. — Agencies

H AW K E S B AY

Two siblings drown in sea off Karachi KARACHI: Two siblings drowned on Saturday when they ventured into the sea near Hawkes Bay in Karachi, Express News reported.

The deceased were identified as 40-year-old Danish and 30-yearold Sadaf.

Earlier, swimming or stepping into the sea in Karachi was banned for six months, keeping in view the tragedy that struck last year and claimed 40 lives.

“The ban has been imposed for six months from June till November due to the weather changes and high tides in the sea,” commissioner Shoaib Ahmed Siddiqui had told The Express Tribune.

“This is the time every year when the tides are really high and dangerous even for professional swimmers.” The ban has been imposed just to avoid any mishap like last year’s,” he added. “It is a wise step to ban swimming before any incident happens and a precious life is lost.”

Drowning off Clifton Earlier on Wednesday, as many as 12 people drowned while venturing into the sea at Clifton beach in Karachi, Express News reported.

According to rescue sources, bodies of eight people have been recovered who had drowned in the sea near Clifton beach.

Witnesses have said that at least 10 more people are missing.

Edhi officials have said that twelve bodies were pulled out. — Express Tribune

MARGINALISED GROUP

‘Make public transport accessible for people with disabilities’ KARACHI: In a city where using public transport is a nightmare for everyone, commuters with disabilities have an even tougher time. While the old, rusty minibuses briefly come to a halt for women to embark and slow down a little for men to jump off, they often simply ignore passengers with disabilities.

The Network of Organisations Working with People with Disabilities, Pakistan (NOWPDP), held a session in collaboration with ‘I Am Karachi’ to highlight this issue, which limits mobility and, therefore, progress.

Inclusive society The network, an initiative of the Aga Khan National Council, aims to create an inclusive society that

We came across a worker at Karachi Cantonment Station who, in reply to a question about ramps, said, ‘Forget about ramps, we have six people who can carry anyone’, said Ramiz Baig, the honorary secretary of the Institute of Architects Pakistan

upholds the rights of people with disabilities.

“We can have large, inclusive schools and inclusive hospitals but if someone cannot reach them, they are useless,” pointed out development professional Reem

Khan, addressing a small group of people who had gathered to celebrate the start of NOWPDP’s campaign ‘Mainstreaming People with Disabilities’, which focuses on accessible transport in Karachi.

Seeking mobility for everyone,

Khan urged communities to come together to resolve issues that hinder growth. “Questions about access and barriers to access are something we all must ask.”

As the participants discussed the problems with public trans-

port in the metropolis, Amin Andani, the head of NOWPDP’s The Rickshaw Project, shared a story about his physically challenged colleague.

“I asked Imran bhai (brother) how he would commute if he did not have his customised threewheeler,” he narrated. “He replied that he wouldn’t be coming to work. His skills would have remained buried in Baldia if he could not travel with ease.”

Considerate While having facilities for people with disabilities is crucial, Andani also stressed the need for changing attitudes. “A disability will not go away when people are considerate but the feeling of being disabled might,” he pointed out.

What is common in Pakistan, however, is an attitude of helping people with disabilities, rather than letting them help themselves.

Ramiz Baig, the honorary secretary of the Institute of Architects, Pakistan, recalled when his firm, as part of NOWPDP’s Yaqeen project, began to assess buildings in Karachi for accessibility.

Work with them “We came across a worker at Karachi Cantonment Station who, in reply to a question about ramps, said, ‘Forget about ramps, we have six people who can carry anyone.’”

Emphasising the need to end dependence, Baig pointed out, “We don’t have to work for them – we have to work with them. — Express Tribune

S U N DAY, JU N E 14, 2 0 1 5

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Taliban rebels storm Afghanistan outpost killing 17 policemen KANDAHAR (AFGHANISTAN): At least 17 Afghan policemen were killed on Saturday when dozens of Taliban militants stormed their outpost in the country’s volatile south, the latest attack of an increasingly deadly summer fighting season.

The pre-dawn raid occurred in Helmand province as the Taliban intensify their countrywide summer offensive despite repeated government attempts to reopen peace negotiations.

“Dozens of armed Taliban attacked a police checkpoint in Musa Qala district of Helmand,” provincial police chief Nabi Jan Mullahkhil told AFP. “In the attack, 17 police forces were killed, and three others were wounded.”

Omar Zwak, the spokesman for the Helmand provincial governor, confirmed the death toll from the raid that occurred just after midnight and lasted several hours. The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack, saying they seized several weapons, ammunition and other military hardware from the checkpost.

“We have attacked police checkpoint in Musa Qala district,” Taliban spokesman Qari Yousuf Ahmadi told AFP. “In the attack, 25 police forces were killed and 13 others were wounded.”

The Taliban, who were toppled from power in a 2001 USled invasion of Afghanistan, are known to make exaggerated battlefield claims.

The insurgents launched a countrywide offensive in late April, stepping up attacks on government and foreign targets in what is expected to be the bloodiest fighting season in a decade.

Saturday’s attack marks another grim setback for Afghan forces, facing their first fighting season without full NATO support.

NATO combat mission NATO’s combat mission formally ended in December but a small follow-up foreign force of about 12,500 mainly US troops has stayed on to train and support local security personnel.

Afghan authorities have repeatedly tried to jumpstart talks with the Taliban in the hope of ending the 13-year conflict,

Omar Zwak, the spokesman for the Helmand provincial governor, confirmed the death toll from the raid that occurred just after midnight and lasted several hours. The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack, saying they seized several weapons, ammunition and other military hardware from the checkpost

South’s CIQ (Customs, Immigration, Quarantine) gate connecting North Korea’s Kaesong Industrial Complex at the inter-Korean transit office in Paju on Saturday. — AFP

but the militants have set tough conditions, including the withdrawal of all foreign troops in Afghanistan.

Afghan security forces, many of them poorly equipped, have increasingly borne the brunt of the fighting around Afghanistan.

In early May Taliban militants killed at least 13 policemen after storming security outposts in the remote mountainous province of Badakhshan.

The attack came just weeks after a similar Taliban raid on army checkpoints in the northeast province in which 18 soldiers were killed -- including some who were beheaded.

Earlier this year a US watchdog said in a report that Afghan security forces were suffering heavy casualties on the battlefield and large numbers of troops were resigning or deserting their units.

Between October 2013 and September 2014, more than 1,300 Afghan army soldiers were killed in action and 6,200 were wounded, the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) said in its report.

Between September 2013 and September 2014, more than 40,000 personnel were dropped from Afghan National Army rolls, it added. — AFP

ANSWERS OF SALE

Morocco arrests 57 in exams scandal RABAT: Dozens of people have been arrested in Morocco for selling answers to high school leaving exams in a racket that even saw two pages of answers posted on Facebook, authorities said Saturday.

The General Directorate of National Security said 57 people were arrested in 15 towns across the kingdom in a cash-foranswers scandal that saw other test responses sent to students via SMS. Those detained were accused of providing “written an-

PRECAUTIONS: An official, left, shows a thermal scanner to South Korean Unification Minister Hong Yong-Pyo, right, as he visits the

swers to students in exchange for money,” the GDNS said.

According to news site Medias 24, two pages of an exam paper were posted on Facebook the night before the test.

Leaked online The scandal erupted after answers for a mathematics test at the Academy of Casablanca, in Morocco’s financial capital, were leaked online, forcing the education ministry to order a resit of the exam. — AFP

WHO to host meet over ‘large’ MERS outbreak The UN health agency said more

The practice of seeking care at many different medical facilities, so-called ‘doctor shopping’, may have been a contributing factor. At present, the mission has found no evidence to indicate there is an ongoing transmission in the community

cases should be anticipated in South Korea, but that the disease was confined to hospitals, with no sign it was spreading

Keiji Fukud

in the community

SEOUL: The World Health Organisation (WHO) said on Saturday it would hold an emergency meeting on Tuesday to consider South Korea’s outbreak of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), which it described as “large and complex”.

The UN health agency said more cases should be anticipated, but that the disease was confined to hospitals, with no sign it was spreading in the community.

There was also no indication that the MERS virus in South Korea had changed to become more transmissible, the WHO’s assistant director general, Keiji Fukuda, told a news conference at the Health Ministry in Sejong, south of the capital, Seoul.

The virus has infected 138 people in South Korea and killed 14 of them since it was first diagnosed on May 20 in a businessman who had returned from a trip to the Middle East.

The 12 new cases reported on

WHO’s assistant director general

Saturday included an ambulance driver who transported an infected person.

The meeting on Tuesday of the MERS emergency committee, which comprises international health experts from WHO member states, will provide technical updates on epidemiology and provide advice on future actions to be taken in response to the outbreak, the WHO said.

Outside Saudi Arabia The outbreak is the largest outside Saudi Arabia, where the disease was first identified in humans in 2012, and has stirred fears in Asia of a repeat of a 2002-2003 scare when Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) killed about 800 people worldwide.

MERS is caused by a coronavirus from the same family as the one that caused SARS. It is more deadly than SARS but does not spread as easily, at least for now.

There is no cure or vaccine.

“Because the outbreak has been large and is complex, more cases should be anticipated,” said Fukuda, who is leading a WHO team conducting a joint review with South Korean officials of the country’s response to the outbreak.

He said he was encouraged that South Korea’s control measures were having an impact.

Cough, fever The businessman who brought MERS back to South Korea visited several health centres for a cough and fever before he was diagnosed, leaving a trail of infection in his wake.

Fukuda cited crowded emergency units and wards, together with the custom of friends and family visiting patients as aggravating a less than optimal initial response to an unfamiliar infection.

A tendency for sick people to visit more than one health facility, as the business man did, was also likely to have been a factor, he said.

“The practice of seeking care at many different medical facilities, so-called ‘doctor shopping’, may have been a contributing factor,” he said. But so far, all of South Korea’s cases have been linked to health facilities. “At present, the mission has found no evidence to indicate there is an ongoing transmission in the community,” Fukuda said.

Authorities have sealed off at least two hospitals and about 4,000 people are in quarantine, either at home or in medical facilities.

Two weeks Experts predict more cases will emerge until the incubation period, which is believed to be up to two weeks for everyone exposed to an infected person, is over.

A 67-year-old woman became the 14th person to die in the outbreak, according to the health ministry. All of those who have died have been elderly or people suffering from existing ailments. — Reuters

NO LINKS TO TERRORISM

US city police headquarters bomb plot suspect shot DALLAS: Snipers shot and presumably killed a man Saturday after he attacked the police headquarters in Dallas and planted bombs in a dramatic rampage in the Texas city, though there were no known links to terrorism.

Officers from the Dallas Police Department’s specialised SWAT unit shot the suspect through the front windshield of the armoured van he used in his attack, then shortly afterward opened fire on the man, Police Chief David Brown said.

Police sent in a bomb disposal robot to examine the vehicle and determine whether the suspect was dead.

“After the robot clears the van and we’re able to identify the deceased, what we believe is the deceased, inside the van,” technicians will collect evidence, Brown said.

The apparent culmination of a

stunning night of violence began just after midnight when a van, described by witnesses as an armored vehicle, rammed into police squad cars at the headquarters and someone inside opened fire.

Police had earlier suggested there may have been up to four suspects, but Brown said police now believed that only one suspect shot from different angles and positions.

Custody of child Brown said there was no connection to terrorism and that the incident was related to the custody of the suspect’s child. “He doesn’t show to be in our databases on any terrorism watch list or anything like that,” Brown said. “So it may have just been a rant.”

The suspect identified himself as James Boulware, but police were not immediately able to confirm his identity. The Dallas

Police Association, which represents Dallas officers, tweeted that the suspect “had three family violence cases against him. (He) was very disgruntled against law enforcement and the criminal justice system.”

The suspect also planted at least one pipe bomb, which detonated as a bomb robot tried to move it.

No one was injured, but photographs published by police showed several vehicles were damaged in the blast.

Brown earlier said other pipe bombs had been found in one of four duffle bags that were “dispersed throughout the front and side of police headquarters.”

“I believe we’re blessed that our officers survived this ordeal,” Brown said.

“There are bullet holes in squad cars where officers were sitting.

There are bullet holes in the front lobby where staff was sitting.”

RAMPAGE: Police vehicles are seen in the city of Hutchins, south of Dallas, Texas on Saturday. — Reuters

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Greece today is indeed in a big financial mess

G

reece and the other countries in the eurozone are once again at an impasse days ahead of a crucial deadline. If the two sides do not reach an agreement on how to extend a 240 billion euro ($270 billion) loan program beyond June 30, Greece will most likely default on its debts and would probably be forced to abandon the euro. European leaders have been in a similar situation before and have managed to strike a deal to avoid default and Greek exit from the euro. But those agreements have only put off the moment of reckoning without resolving Greece’s fundamental economic and financial problems. To break the cycle, European officials need to produce a realistic plan to revive the devastated Greek economy and put the government’s shaky finances in order.

Here is what such a plan would look like: The 18 other members of the eurozone would agree to forgive or delay the repayment of some of Greece’s crushing debt, which is equal to 177 percent of gross domestic product. In exchange, the government of Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras must agree to changes that would increase tax collection, make the government more efficient and to boost economic growth by making it easier to start new businesses.

For any arrangement to work, the leaders of Germany and other eurozone nations have to be willing to lose some of the money they put up to repay Greece’s private lenders, many of whom were banks and investment firms in their own countries. But if the eurozone does not make this relatively small sacrifice now, it will suffer greater losses if Greece defaults and exits from the euro. To get better terms on repaying the country’s debt, Tsipras would also have to make concessions, which would not go down well with his left-wing party, Syriza. For example, he needs to end early-retirement options that are a drain on the public pension system.

His government will have to do a lot more to crack down on tax evasion and end cumbersome business and licensing regulations that create perfect opportunities for corruption. Many eurozone leaders don’t trust Tsipras’s government to carry out such changes, and he and his team haven’t helped with their posturing, including demanding that Germany pay reparations for World War II. But officials in the rest of the eurozone have made the Greek crisis worse since the first loan was made in 2010, by demanding senseless austerity policies that have inflicted suffering on individuals, contracted the economy and pushed the unemployment rate in Greece to 25 per cent with about half of its young people looking for work. Whether Greece will have to go on in this zombie financial condition will also depend on the International Monetary Fund and the European Central Bank, both of which have lent money to Greece. - The New York Times News Service

Bombs, but no boots

R

ight now, President Barack Obama said to some astonishment this week, the US does not have a “complete strategy” to defeat Isis in Iraq and Syria — and the figures released by the Pentagon this week appear to support that admission. Since last August, when air strikes against the would-be caliphate began, the total cost of operations has been some $2.7bn (£1.7bn), an average of $9.1m per day. That sum may sound imposing, but by the standards of recent American wars, and a Pentagon budget of $600bn-plus, it is chicken feed. Spending will increase somewhat with the dispatch of 450 additional US troops just announced by the administration, and the possibility that more military trainers will be sent — and more bases opened in the months ahead — to advise and help the Iraqis.

But this approach raises more questions than it answers. A few hundred extra boots on the ground will not change the war’s course.

Rather, it is the minimum required to show US support for Iraq’s beleaguered premier, Haider al-Abadi, after the stinging remarks of a top Pentagon commander that the Iraqi army, despite a clear advantage in men and equipment, did not have the will to defend Ramadi, capital of the Sunni Anbar province when it fell to Isis in May. But to defeat Isis, a far larger and more robust US intervention would be needed. That is a step the American public, if not some trigger-happy Republican presidential candidates, firmly oppose.

At this point, it becomes clear that Obama does have a strategy. It is precisely to do the bare minimum to preserve US credibility, while keeping his country out of another ruinous ground war in the Middle East — and this one in defence of a sectarian and ethnically splintered country that, to borrow Metternich’s description of mid-19th century Italy, is now little more than a geographical expression. - The Independent

The use of child soldiers in conflicts has increased The use of child soldiers is driven primarily by tactical considerations of government militaries and rebel forces rather than the deviance of individual leaders.

In a global study of 109 civil wars from 1987 to 2007, it has been found that child soldiers (under 15 years old) were used in 81 per cent of those conflicts. Within these conflicts, rebel groups employed child soldiers nearly 71 per cent of the time, while government forces employed them roughly 55 per cent of the time. Thus, supposedly lawless rebel groups are not the only parties responsible for the use of child soldiers. The use of child soldiers is not Africa-centric either. Children have been pulled into numerous battles in Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and South

America as well. We have seen similar forcible conscription of children practised in Sri Lanka by the LTTE. Eric Stromayer Qurum

Indian minister Rathore’s comments were immature There is always a danger in coopting an army officer into politics and in the cabinet of ministers that rules a nation. India’s Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Rajyavardhan Rathore has proved it beyond all doubt. His statement following India’s successful cross-boarder operation in Myanmar against a rogue Naga insurgent faction NSCN (Khaplang) was tongue in cheek and unwarranted. His breast thumping about the strike betrayed his immaturity.

A POSSIBLE CONFLICT

How to avoid a future Sino-American war MINGHAO ZHAO

Strategic mistrust between China and the US extends far beyond maritime issues. Despite troubling situations in the Middle East and Eastern Europe, America has remained focused on reshaping its hub-and-spoke alliances into a more networked security system across the Indo-Pacific theatre

I

n a few weeks’ time, senior US and Chinese leaders will sit down in Washington for their annual “strategic dialogue.”

Given rising tensions in the South China Sea, that dialogue is taking on increasing importance. In 2001, when an American EP-3 spy aircraft operating over the South China Sea collided with a Chinese air force interceptor jet near Hainan Island, Chinese and US leaders managed to defuse the situation and avoid a military confrontation. Today, such an incident in the South China Sea, where China and several southeast Asian countries have competing territorial claims, would almost certainly lead to an armed clash — one that could quickly escalate into open war.

Last month, at the annual Shangri-La Dialogue security conference, Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong conveyed the deep apprehension of the countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations about the potential for an armed conflict between China and the United States. The good news is that US and Chinese representatives took the conference as an opportunity to signal subtly their willingness to ease tensions and continue to engage with each other. US Secretary of Defence Ashton Carter, in an effort to limit the scope for provocation, called on all claimants to territories in the South China Sea to stop island-building and land-reclamation efforts there. He also proposed a regional security architecture that gives all countries and people in the AsiaPacific region the “right to rise.”

From China’s side, Admiral Sun Jianguo, a deputy chief of staff of the People’s Liberation Army, reiterated his country’s commitment to resolving disputes through “peaceful negotiations, while preventing conflicts and confrontation.” He added that all countries, big and small, have an equal right to participate in regional security affairs and share a responsibility to maintain regional stability.

But such mollifying rhetoric cannot obscure the defining role that great-power rivalry is playing in the South China Sea. China interprets US intervention there as an explicit attempt to contain China by stoking conflict between it and its neighbours. The US views China’s maritime claims as an effort to challenge US primacy in the Asia-Pacific region.

In a sense, both countries have a point. China does aspire to be a maritime power, but its coasts are, to some extent, encircled by Japan and the Philippines, both US allies, and Taiwan, with which the US maintains security ties.

But strategic mistrust between China and the US extends far beyond maritime issues. Despite troubling situations in the Middle East and Eastern Europe, America has remained focused on reshaping its hub-and-spoke alliances into a more networked security system across the Indo-Pacific theatre, capitalising on the web of intra-Asian military ties among

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The greater the ignorance the greater the dogmatism SIR WILLIAM OSLER

old allies and new partners such as India and Vietnam. In particular, the US-Japan alliance is undergoing historic transformation, with renewed guidelines for defence cooperation that allow for greater Japanese autonomy in security affairs — and that present China as the main adversary.

Add to that the potential deployment of a US-led missile-defence system in South Korea and the prospect of a US military presence in Vietnam, and it is not difficult to understand China’s anxiety.

The US is placing economic pressure on China as well — at a time, no less, when China is struggling to implement risky domestic reforms amid slowing growth. The US recently attempted to block the establishment of the China-led Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, and then to stop its allies from joining. Moreover, by repeatedly calling the proposed Trans-Pacific Partnership a “strategic” project, it has politicised the trade deal, which, as the economist Arvind Subramanian has pointed out, will place Chinese firms at a disadvantage in the US and in Asian markets. This effort undoubtedly deserves to be described as “containment.”

For Chinese policymakers, America is not the status quo power it claims to be. In the face of US attempts to reshuffle regional security and economic arrangements, China feels that it has no choice but to prepare for worst-case scenarios — an approach that is reflected in Chinese President Xi Jinping’s socalled “bottom-line concept.”

With a new round of policy debate about China unfolding in the US, tensions may be about to increase.

Most American strategists are not only pessimistic about the future of the bilateral relationship; they also identify China as a potent threat to America’s role in Asia. A recent report for the relatively moderate Council on Foreign Relations states that America’s effort “to ‘integrate’ China into the liberal international order” has generated “new threats” not only to US primacy in Asia, but also to America’s global power. Given this, the report’s authors argue, the US needs “a new grand strategy” toward China that focuses on balancing — rather than supporting — the country’s ascendancy. Ensuring stable peace and continued prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region will require both China and the US to replace their selfserving interpretations of the other’s strategic intentions with more sober assessments.

In the short term, that means recognizing that the challenge of navigating complex maritime issues involving so many ambitious regional players must be addressed in a pragmatic and cooperative manner.

By activating top-level diplomacy, building strong crisis-management mechanisms, and enriching the rules of engagement in the South China Sea, a war between the US and China can be avoided. Given the vast damage that such a conflict could cause, this approach is less an option than a necessity. - Project Syndicate

He should have kept his mouth shut and restrained from the jingoism for he does not understand the nuances of diplomacy.

Parvathi Ponambalam Muscat

lihood and security. Over the years they have become integral parts of the Zionist society rendering invaluable service and yet living like animals in ghettos in fear, which is quite ironical.

Anu Shaikh Wadi Kabir

Life of African immigrants in Israel is in great peril In sharp repudiation of whatever it claims, the life of the African immigrants in Israel is in unprecedented peril. They are increasingly being hounded and persecuted, often without reason, looted, beaten, and even killed. The recent anti-immigrant riot in South Tel Aviv has torn apart Israel’s façade of liberal democracy. An already racist Jewish society is increasingly turning hostile against these hapless African immigrants who came decades ago in search of live-

Conflict between AAP and BJP is escalating further The arrest of AAP leader and Delhi law minister Jitender Singh Tomar looks like a dirty chapter into an escalating conflict between the state of Delhi and India’s union government. It is now more than evident that BJP is still licking the wounds AAP inflicted by routing it in Delhi. The BJP government is now out to take revenge.

Vikram Rajput Azaiba

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)

TIMES O F OMAN

S U N DAY, JU N E 14, 2 0 1 5

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PERSPEC IVE Rudderless PPP is looking down the barrel of a gun O

ne of the major disappointments surrounding Pakistani polity today is the erosion of a more inclusive power base. It is becoming all the more pronounced with the rapid decline of the secular Pakistan People’s Party (PPP). Some detractors even suggest the party has been rendered politically irrelevant.

The steep slope began following the 2013 general elections where the PPP presided over the first democratic transition in the country’s chequered political history. But that milestone was of little consequence as a crushing defeat confined the party to its home base in the Sindh province.

The PPP has since lost several bye-election seats, cantonment board polls, local government elections in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province last month and the just concluded Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) elections for its legislative assembly.

To get a gist of how rudderless the ship is, consider the fact that it won only one seat in GB this time, where it had ruled as the majority party previously!

If the unraveling was limited to a few politicos losing their way, there would have been less cause for grief, for, individuals no matter how much of a power halo they wear do not matter as much in the larger scheme of things, but when the crumbling cookie itself is a party such as the PPP, Pakistan is the ultimate loser, in more ways than one.

Not too long ago, the only party with representation in all the federating units, the PPP is now a pale shadow of its former self, lurching from crisis to crisis and struggling even to stay viable on its home turf, where its latest stint has become a pantomime under an octogenarian chief minister remote-controlled by Asif Zardari, the former president and party co-chairman.

Surrounded by the domineering centre-right, both the inveterate jiala — as the diehard PPP supporter is referred to in popular parlance — and liberal elements fear for the party’s very survival in the rough and tumble of an unforgiving polity.

Why the survival and prosperity of a party boasting a glorious past — its first chairman, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, was a charismatic leader of global standing and his daughter Benazir later became the Muslim world’s first woman head of government — is crucial to Project Democracy is because of its countervail-

KAMRAN REHMAT

The PPP has effectively been replaced by Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) despite having more seats in the national parliament

ing force, so much more now that the power pendulum has tilted to the right of centre. Pakistan of course, is not the only country in the region or even the world at large undergoing an uneasy shift back to conservative forces dyed in a ‘nationalist’ avatar.

In a demagogic neighbourhood, the need for a party like the PPP to play an effective role — even as opposition — is instructive. Sadly, it has been reduced to little more than a glorified also-ran; only this time, it cannot blame the security establishment for failing to make itself count.

Consider the downward slope. After being trounced right royally in the 2013 general elections thanks to grossly inept governance, it has made no effort to resurrect its fortunes despite the initial brouhaha surrounding the-now aborted rites of passage for Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari to assume the mantle of leadership.

The young scion did make an attempt to infuse a new verve — sometimes studied, and at other times, impromptu — but it fell on the wayside after one such burst aimed at the ethnic Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) backfired tremendously, leading to an eventual split with the PPP’s coalition ally — and a furious father, who forced the chairman son to take a sabbatical. Bilawal has since returned home — albeit quietly — after several failed attempts at father-son rapprochement since last October, but clearly remains out of decision-making, leaving the party in the trusted but stained hands of Zardari. The party cadres aren’t too enamoured of the PPP supremo, whose reputation for alleged abuse of power and ill-gotten wealth is legendary.

The PPP has effectively been replaced by Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) despite having more seats in the national parliament. The reason is not too difficult to comprehend; the urban-based outfit led by a legendary former World Cup winning captain in a cricket-mad country with a neat record of public service resonates strongly with the country’s predominant youth, who appear heartily tired of old faces and the even older — and crumbling — order they represent.

The author is a senior journalist based in Islamabad.

All the views and opinions expressed in the article are solely his and not of Times of Oman.

An entire year for the women writers

W

hy, 20 years after the Women’s Prize for Fiction was launched in protest at an all-male Booker Prize shortlist, are so few women winning the big book prizes?

This was the question Kamila Shamsie asked in an article published last week. One of the reasons she felt was behind the worrying trend, was a bias against women writers. This, she argued, has led to fewer women being put forward for prizes or even being published in the first place. So she decided to issue a “provocation” — a call for publishers to sign up to a Year of Publishing Women in 2018, the centenary of female suffrage. Here at And Other Stories, the publisher I work for, we have decided to accept Shamsie’s challenge. Here’s why.

And Other Stories was founded in 2010 to provide a space in which the great, daring literature we were reading from all over the world could be published — and read — in English translation.

We’ve become known for our innovative approach to finding and funding great books that our readers love. But I think we have a problem at And Other Stories: even though most of us are women, most of our books are by male authors. Fascinating, experimental male authors, but still male.

We have been putting it about,

SOPHIE LEWIS

gently, for the last few years, that we’re particularly looking for fiction by women. They could be from anywhere really. And what do people send us? Why, more exciting, boundary-pushing men, of course.

Reading Kamila Shamsie’s timely “provocation”, I was relieved. It provided the push we needed to do a bit more. Although we’re not interested in simply bunging a few more women on our list and shouting about it.

Yes, electing 2018 as a womenonly year will initially have that effect. We will have to start now, hunting for the women we want to publish, commissioning translations, and scheduling in the editing sessions. We will end up, we hope, publishing a few excellent women writers we might not otherwise have discovered. This will be a step in the right direction, and a source of pride for us. More women’s voices will be published, meaning that more will be eligible for awards. And if they’re successful in winning any of them, this will provide much greater visibility for female writers, and help inspire more creative women to follow in their footsteps.

But our reasons behind only publishing female writers for a year doesn’t stop there. It’s not just about helping create a women’s writing boom. But our

reasons behind only publishing female writers for a year doesn’t stop there. It’s not just about helping create a women’s writing boom. Only publishing women in 2018 means we will be able to carry out a thorough investigation of how different books reach us, and how we can encourage more underrepresented voices to be heard.

It’s time to ask why it is that our women editors and the many women translators and agents and publishers are urging us to publish men more often than women. Because it’s not just us — this is happening across the publishing industry. But why?

Could it be to do with the way in which creative writing courses are being approached? Or going back further, literature classes at school? Through our acquisitions meetings and campaign planning — which will be solely focused on obtaining and promoting female writing — we’ll be able to examine these issues, and have a chance to better understand women’s routes to publication in so much more detail.

I hope And Other Stories will provide a small-scale test case that the rest of the publishing industry will be able to draw on.

We will find out more about the challenges facing women writers, from first submission to festival platform. - The Independent

Open display of weaponry GAIL COLLINS

L

ife in America requires a lot of advance preparation. For instance, when you’re getting ready for a plane trip you imagine what you’ll do if a problem arises — flight delay, long lines at security.

But I bet you haven’t considered the best way to react if the man in front of you on the airport escalator has a gun dangling from his shoulder.

That very thing happened recently in Atlanta, when a Georgia resident named Jim Cooley came strutting through the airport lobby with a loaded assault rifle.

Cooley — who was taping the whole encounter and posted it on YouTube — corrected the police officer who stopped him. (“It’s not an automatic!

It’s a semi-automatic!”)

Then he declined to respond when she asked if he had a permit. (“Am I being detained? …

If you’re detaining me then I’m going to have to file a lawsuit.”)

And, in the end, he walked away in triumph.

We’ve moved from the right to bear arms to the right to flaunt arms.

While the airport setting gives the incident a particular flair, this kind of thing has been happening quite a bit.

In Michigan, the City of Grand Rapids has been in a legal battle with a man who took umbrage when police stopped him while he was walking down a residential street on a Sunday morning wearing camouflage, with a pistol strapped to his leg and singing “Hakuna Matata” from “The Lion King.”

Very few states have flat-out rules against openly carrying guns in public. It’s just something that never came up.

“It’s not a practical thing to do,” said Laura Cutilletta of the Law Centre to Prevent Gun Violence.

But it turns out that anyone with the legal right to carry a concealed weapon — which, in some states, doesn’t even require a permit — generally also has the legal right to walk into a McDonald’s with a gun sticking out of his waistband.

The open display of weaponry freaks out average citizens, especially the ones with children. It outrages police. At one point, even the National Rifle Association said the open carry demonstrations were “downright weird.”

But the organization quickly backtracked, apologized, blamed the post on an errant staffer, and averred that “our job is not to criticize the lawful behaviour of fellow gun owners.”

You’d think that lawmakers would move quickly to make it illegal, but with a few exceptions, there’s more enabling going on than anything else. After a Kalamazoo man walked into the public li-

brary’s summer reading party for children with a 9-millimeter gun strapped to his waist, worried officials asked the State Legislature to add libraries to a very small list of gunfree zones. The Legislature did nothing.

“Look, I got a gun!” yelled a man who walked into a park where kids were playing baseball in — yes! — Georgia.

“There’s nothing you can do about it.”

The police, who were summoned, determined he was absolutely right.

The Georgia State Legislature passed a law a few years back that made it legal for citizens to take their guns into the airport. At the time, then-Gov. Sonny Perdue was expressing concern about giving his wife the option of toting a pistol when she was “walking from one of those parking lots to pick up a grandchild or something like that.”

He did not mention middleage guys toting semiautomatic assault rifles past the check-in counter. But here we are.

In Texas, where open carry had been banned since the post-Civil War era, protesters staged demonstrations all around the state, toting their guns to family restaurants and storming the State Capitol, where they confronted one unsympathetic lawmaker in his office.

In response, the Legislature enabled House members to install panic buttons in their offices, and then legalized open carry for Texans with gun permits.

Some commentators have attributed the whole opencarry phenomenon to white American men trying to work out their insecurities. We’ve got to stop blaming white men for everything. Really, they’ve contributed a lot to the country.

Still, you can’t help but notice that there’s a certain demographic consistency to the people who are making a scene over their right to display arms.

It wasn’t always that way.

California passed its first ban on open carry in the 1960s in response to the Black Panther Party.

“The Legislature was debating an open-carry law when 30 Black Panthers showed up at the Statehouse with their guns,” said Adam Winkler, a professor of law at U.C.L.A. and the author of “Gunfight: The Battle Over the Right to Bear Arms in America.”

“The same day Gov. Ronald Reagan made a speech, saying there’s no reason why a lawabiding person should be carrying a gun on the street.”

Maybe the way to turn this debate around would bring new recruits into the gun rights movement. “If opencarry advocates today were Marxist-leaning black radicals,” said Winkler, “we might have a very different situation.” - The New York Times News Service

US sends more troops to train Iraqi army US President Barack Obama has ordered hundreds of extra troops to Iraq to train local forces and lay the groundwork to retake Ramadi and other key cities Under full or partial IS control as of June 7

TURKEY LEBANON Kobane

IRAN Aleppo

Kurdish control

Irbil

Sinjar Raqqa Baiji

Deir al-Zawr

Palmyra SYRIA Damascus

IS support zones Syrian regime control

TODAY IN HISTORY

Mosul

Hasakah

Kirkuk Tikrit

FROM OUR ARCHIVES

Qaim Al Asad

IRAQ 100km JORDAN

SAUDI ARABIA

ANBAR PROVINCE

Baghdad

US training camps

20km Taji Habbaniya Ramadi

Besmaya

Fallujah BAGHDAD

Taqqadum: US to send 450 troops, bringing total number in Iraq to 3,550 Source: Institute for the Study of War, wire agencies

Graphic News /

Graphics

SYMPOSIUM HELD ECONOMIC RESOURCES

MUSCAT: A symposium on economic resources in Arab and Islamic world was organised at the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI) under the auspices of Sheikh Abdul Malik bin Abdullah Al Hinai, undersecretary for economic affairs.

Dr Burham Al Dajjani, secretary general of the General Union of Arab Chambers of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture spoke at the symposium. Outlining the potentials in the Arab and Islamic world, he urged for the utilisation of natural and human resources and financial capitals to create a strong Arab economy capable of competing in a changing world economy characterised by the drive for globalisation. Al Dajjani also called for the establishment of research centers all fields of economic activities. On the Pan Arab free trade zone he said all administrative barriers imposed by some Arab countries had been removed and that an agreement had been made to reduce customs tariffs by 30 per cent at a reduction rate of 10 per cent annually starting with 1998, the year during which the zone was established.

1381

The Peasant’s Revolt, led by Wat Tyler, climaxes when rebels plunder and burn the Tower of London and kill the Archbishop of Canterbury.

1645

Oliver Cromwell’s army routs the king’s army at Naseby.

1777

The Continental Congress authorizes the “stars and stripes” flag for the new United States.

1907

Women in Norway win the right to vote.

1927

Nicaraguan President Porfirio Diaz signs a treaty with the U.S. allowing American intervention in his country.

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Sweden’s Princess Sofia, right, and Sweden’s Prince Carl Philip wave to the crowds after their wedding ceremony at Stockholm Palace on Saturday. The 36-year-old prince, third in line to the throne, was visibly nervous during the ceremony, which was attended by royals from around the world including Princess Takamado of Japan, Queen Mathilde of Belgium and the Earl and Countess of Wessex from Britain. — AFP

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Still ‘many differences’ in Iran nuclear talks: Rouhani TEHRAN: There are still “many differences over details” of a nuclear deal Iran and world powers are trying to conclude by June 30, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said on Saturday.

Iranian negotiators and those of the P5+1 group (Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia and the United States) are meeting in Vienna to clinch a deal that would guarantee the strictly peaceful nature of Tehran’s nuclear programme in exchange for a lifting of punishing international sanctions.

“The general framework that the Islamic Republic of Iran wants is accepted by the P5+1 group but there are still many differences in the details that must be addressed,” Rouhani told a press conference on the occasion of the second anniversary of his election.

“We are very serious in the negotiations. We do not seek to gain time, but at the same time we are not captives of time. We are not in a hurry but we try to use every opportunity to reach a good deal,” he added.

On Friday, a senior Russian official said there had been a “very worrying” slowdown in progress in the talks. “This is very worrying to us because there is very little time before the deadline and we urgently need to enter the final stage,” said chief Moscow negotiator Sergei Ryabkov.

Haggle permanently Rouhani criticised Western countries which he said “haggle” permanently on the terms of the nuclear deal. “In a meeting we come to a framework agreement with the other party but the next time they start to haggle, causing delays in the negotiation,” said Rouhani. “If the other party respects the agreed framework and does not add other demands, the differences can be resolved, but if they choose the path of haggling then it can prolong the negotiations,” he added.

The Iranian president also said that “several months will pass” be-

R I VA L E X T R E M I S T S

Suicide blast kills three in Libyan city BENGHAZI: A suicide bomber blew himself up in the Libyan city of Derna on Saturday, killing at least three people and wounding five more as rival militants fought on the streets, local residents said.

Officials could not confirm the blast in Derna, which is at the centre of internecine fighting between IS militants and a rival brigade of extremist groups battling for control of the city.

Residents said IS supporters and an extremist umbrella group named Majlis Al Shura had been fighting since last week.

IS has thrived in the North African countrysince two rival governments began fighting for control, leaving a security vacuum four years after the civil war that ended the rule of Muammar Gaddafi.

European states have grown particularly alarmed at IS’ expansion beyond its strongholds in Iraq and Syria to a chaotic country just over the Mediterranean.

Nine suspected IS rebels were killed during separate clashes on Friday with other extremist groups, a source in one of those movements said. Seven people were also shot dead on Friday at a protest against IS. Foreign fighters Demonstrators, angered at foreign fighters coming in to join the militant group, started marching towards its main base when gunmen opened fire into the crowd, several residents told Reuters.

The fighting in Derna, a long-time gathering point for jihadists, erupted last week after a Majlis Al Shura leader was killed.

The group, which is linked to former rebel groups who fought Gaddafi and enjoys local support going back to the revolution, responded by declaring war against IS in the city. — Reuters

WORRYING SLOWDOWN: Iranian President Hassan Rouhani speaks during his press conference in Tehran on Saturday. — AFP

A UN Security Council resolution to cancel previous resolutions on nuclear matters will be the first major step and a guarantee for the implementation of the agreement, said Iranian President Rouhani

tween the signing of the agreement until its implementation. “We are currently discussing it,” said Rouhani asked about the timing of the lifting of international sanctions.

A UN Security Council resolution to cancel previous resolutions on nuclear matters “will be the first major step and a guarantee for the implementation of the agreement,” he said.

“Then it will take several

months to implement all the commitments,” he added, referring to the sanctions imposed by the European Union and the United States.

These sanctions, implemented in 2012, targeted the oil and financial sectors of Iran and plunged the country into a deep economic crisis. Rouhani said the talks were “so far a great victory for the Iranian nation”. — AFP

Hillary courts working class citizens at her kickoff rally Speaking on New York’s Roosevelt Island, within sight of Manhattan’s skyscrapers, Hillary Clinton promised to ‘make the economy work for everyday Americans, not just those at the top’ if elected president in 2016

NEW YORK: Democratic frontrunner Hillary Clinton promised on Saturday to fight for ordinary Americans who have been left behind as the economy recovers, appealing to working families at the first major rally of her 2016 White House campaign.

Speaking on New York’s Roosevelt Island, within sight of Manhattan’s skyscrapers, Hillary promised would “make the economy work for everyday Americans, not just those at the top” if elected president.

The gathering of several thousand people cheered as Hillary said working people are asking why wealth is reserved for chief executives and hedge fund managers.

“You have to wonder, when does my hard work pay off? When does my family get ahead? When? I say now,” she said.

The big outdoor rally marked a change in gear for Hillary.

The former secretary of state,

FRONTRUNNER: US Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton is joined on stage by her husband former president Bill Clinton and

daughter Chelsea after she delivered her ‘official launch speech’ at a campaign kickoff rally in Franklin D. Roosevelt Four Freedoms Park on Roosevelt Island in New York City, on Saturday. — Reuters

who launched her election campaign in low-key fashion in April, has so far held small events with selected participants.

Her focus has been on states such as Iowa that hold early contests in the party process of picking a candidate for the November 2016 election. Hillary, who is running to be America’s first woman president, trumpeted her record on women’s rights and talked about her mother’s tough upbringing.

“I may not be the youngest candidate, but I will be the youngest woman president in the history of the United States,” said Hillary, 67.

She named President Barack Obama and former Democratic presidents Bill Clinton, her husband, and Franklin D. Roosevelt as examples of the kind of leader she admires.

Hillary, a former New York senator, has started the race with huge name recognition.

Independent Senator Bernie Sanders and former Democratic Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley are challenging her from the left for the nomination as party candidate. Although Hillary is well ahead of the pair in polls, Sanders appears to be gaining traction in Iowa. — Reuters

KICKOFF RALLY: People cheer as Democratic Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton speaks at her official kickoff rally at the Four Freedoms Park on Roosevelt Island in Manhattan on Saturday in New York City. — Spencer Platt/Getty Images/AFP

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Final approval for key Islamic insurance law expected soon Takaful business constitutes six per cent of the overall gross direct premium of OMR397 million posted in 2014 in Oman

A E JAMES

businesseditor@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: A final approval for the draft takaful or Islamic insurance regulation, which was cleared by the State Council in February, is expected soon. The draft Takaful Insurance Law, which was prepared by the insurance regulator, Capital Market Authority (CMA), is expected to give the much-needed impetus to the development of the Islamic financial sector.

The law, which was drafted with the assistance of a consultant in

line with the principles of the Islamic Financial services Board, was circulated among all related parties, especially insurance firms for their feedback, before seeking approval from various entities like the Ministerial Council and the Ministry of Legal Affairs.

Ahmed Ali Al Mamari, who heads the Directorate of Insurance Supervision at CMA, said that the minimum capital for a Sharia compliant insurance firm is fixed at OMR10 million and the company should float an initial public offering to list its shares on the

local bourse. Unlike the banking sector, window operations are not allowed in takaful business.

The draft law sets out the regulatory code for takaful operators, including oversight and reporting requirements, product standards and liquidity levels.

Al Maamari, who was addressing a workshop on key regulatory and market entry strategies of the takaful industry, also noted that the draft regulation was prepared to provide consumer protection in risk and disclosures. It is also aimed at maintaining confidence in Sharia-compliance and maintaining fair and healthy competition as well as reducing risk. This will help build a reliable and commercially successful market for Sharia-compliant financial products. Al Mamari said that the decisions are completely implemented by the operator, adding, “Our role as a regulator assures that there will be qualified regulation.”

Takaful business growth Al Mamari also noted that the takaful business constitutes 6 per cent of the overall gross direct premium of OMR397 million posted in 2014 in Oman. Also, it is 4 per cent of total paid claims in the local insurance market last year.

“The Islamic banking and capital market will contribute toward the growth of takaful industry. We will be able to bench our regulation and drive our market forward,” he said.

“Islamic finance has emerged as one of the fastest growing segments, especially after issuing the banking regulatory framework (for Islamic banks).”

Al Mamari added that ever since Oman allowed Islamic finance, the country witnessed formation of two Islamic banks, six conventional banks, three Shariacompliant funds, a new Sharia index, a corporate sukuk issue and two takaful firms.

MAKING A POINT: Draft law sets out the regulatory code for takaful operators, including oversight and reporting requirements, product standards and liquidity levels. — A R Rajkumar/Times of Oman

S U N DAY, JU N E 14, 2 0 1 5

B3

MARKET OIL

Petrofac wins PDO contract Times News Service

SIGNING SESSION: Said Al Badai, DGM – Branches, and Ahmed Al Lawati, managing director of Ara-

bian Properties, signed the memorandum of understanding at the bank’s head office. baituna home finance will finance the Al Firdous project in Al Azaiba, Baushar, which comprises 20 modern villas and is expected to be handed over in January 2016. – Supplied photo

Bank Muscat to fund Al Firdous housing project Attractive features of baituna home finance include low interest rates with maximum loan tenure of up to 25 years for Omanis

Times News Service MUSCAT: Bank Muscat, the flagship financial services provider in the Sultanate, and Arabian Properties signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to provide attractive baituna home finance for Al Firdous project in Al Azaiba, Baushar.

Said Al Badai, DGM – Branches, and Ahmed Al Lawati, managing director of Arabian Properties, signed the MoU at the bank’s head office.

“Bank Muscat is proud to be associated with Al Firdous project and facilitate attractive baituna finance for prospective home buyers. The real estate sector is a major component of the national economy and Bank Muscat is committed to extending all possible support to achieve the objective of a ‘home for every family’, especially youth. baituna home

finance is aimed at offering citizens and residents easy access to mortgage finance, thereby contributing to revitalisation of the real estate sector and enhancing its role in the national economy,” said Said Al Badai.

“We are happy to join hands with Bank Muscat to provide attractive home deals for citizens.

The association between the two institutions will give a boost to the real estate sector and benefit citizens across Oman to fulfill their dream homes,” said Ahmed Al Lawati.

Al Firdous project comprises 20 modern villas and is expected to be handed over in January 2016.

The attractive features of baituna home finance include low interest rates with maximum loan tenure up to 25 years for Omani customers.

With extended loan tenure and low interest rate, Bank Muscat

facilitates the best home finance deals in the Sultanate. Citizens and residents can avail easy and convenient credit approval across the bank’s 140 branches in the Sultanate of Oman.

Flexible repayment baituna home finance is designed to help families fulfill their dream homes, offering convenient mortgage plans to suit everyone’s needs with simplified documentation, flexible repayment options, insurance coverage and processing across the bank’s extensive network of branches.

All leading property developers are associated with the bank, hence baituna facilitates access to prime residential projects in the Sultanate of Oman. baituna home finance facilitates purchase and construction of new homes as well as land for residential use. Finance is offered to Omani nationals, Gulf Cooperation Council nationals and expatriates. The bank also undertakes refinancing of housing loans.

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MUSCAT: Petrofac, a petroleum oil servicing firm based in the UK, said it has won a $900 million engineering and procurement contract from Petroleum Development Oman (PDO) to provide services for its Yibal Khuff oilfield, located around 350km south west of Muscat.

The UK-based firm will provide detailed engineering, and construction and commissioning management support services, as well as procurement on an incentivised pass-through basis for four and a half years. “This will extend throughout construction and during start-up of the integrated oil AV I AT I O N

Paris Airshow from Monday PARIS: After years of bigticket plane orders, next week’s Paris Airshow will see rather fewer multi-billion-dollar deals and rather more nervous expressions as planemakers face the daunting task of producing $1.8 trillion of jets already sold.

The world’s biggest aerospace gathering will still have its fair share of announcements, including a potential 100-plane leasing order for Boeing, as well as the showmanship that goes with any public contest with European arch-rival Airbus.

Low interest rates and high oil prices created a stampede of orders for new planes and fuelsaving spin-offs of existing ones in recent years. - Reuters

and sour gas facility,” said the company statement. $900 million deal The total contract value is expected to be around $900 million with around one-quarter of the revenues relating to professional services (engineering, construction and commissioning management). The development of the field will add to PDO’s future oil production while the associated gas will be utilised for power generation and enhanced oil recovery developments.

“This contract builds on the Rabab Harweel Integrated Project, which we are already executing alongside PDO and represents a

further milestone in the development of our EPCm delivery strategy. Furthermore, it reinforces our presence in Oman where we have a number of ongoing projects and a local engineering office, and where this project will further complement our agenda for increasing in country value. We will continue to maintain a strong focus on this aspect of our delivery by accessing the local supply chain and recruitment of local resources, and we are very much looking forward to growing and strengthening the team working alongside PDO to deliver this project,” said Craig Muir, managing director for Petrofac’s Engineering and Consulting Services.

B4

SU N DAY, JUNE 14, 2015

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M U S C AT S E C U R I T I E S M A R K E T

Task force to ensure effective communications in MSM MUSCAT: The Investor-Relations Task Force in the Sultanate is seeking to ensure effective communications between the investor and the companies listed on the Muscat Securities Market (MSM).

The team, comprising representatives from companies, “Ooredoo”, “Omantel”, “Bank Muscat”, “al Nahdha Services” and “Ominvest”, in addition to the MSM, is

looking to encourage and act on and encouraging policies of disclosure and through that the development of investor relations to ensure an attractive investment environment at the regional level.

Ra’ed bin Hussein Al Hooti, director director of media media and awareness department department at the MSM, stressed the importance of having a specialised

department or specialised personnel who would be the link between the public shareholding companies and investors.

He said that the existence of such sections or the availability of personnel ensure that all information, about the company and its management is provided to the investors.

This would increase the interac-

tion of the company’s shareholders and also allow them to find experienced investors with whom they can build a strategic relationship, he added.

He explained that the MSM adopted this step in cooperation with the Middle East Investor Relations Society, through the Investor-Relations Task Force in the Sultanate, which had been

inaugurated earlier and is affiliated to the Middle East investor relations society.

He added that the task force is the fifth of its kind in the Middle East after ones in Qatar, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates and Palestine. Apart from regulating the relationship between investors and companies it also promotes best investor relations and cor-

Galfar, Phoenix Power lead investor sentiment on MSM Galfar’s return to trading on Wednesday after several days off and the initial public offering of Phoenix Power Company led to generate investor sentiments on MSM

MUSCAT: The resumption of trading in the Galfar Engineering and Contracting stock and the Phoenix Power Company share offer influenced investor sentiment on the Muscat Securities Market (MSM) last week.

Al Anwar Holding Company’s plans to distribute a cash dividend of 10 per cent and bonus shares of 15 per cent to shareholders also propped up market activity.

The IPO of the Phoenix Power Company put pressure on the MSM on Sunday with investors selling off shares in a bid to ensure liquidity to subscribe in the company. The market was expected to resume its rise starting on Monday, but the approach of tropical storm “Ashobaa” had its impact on investor sentiment, resulting in calmness in the market’s subsequent trading.

However, Galfar’s return to trading on Wednesday after several days off, prompted investors to turn to the purchase.

The company said in a meeting with journalists and analysts that it would not accept the settlement offered by the Muscat Municipality for the Muscat Expressway pro-

STOCK TRADING: Market was expected to resume its rise starting on Monday, but the approach of tropical storm ‘Ashobaa’ had its im-

pact on investor sentiment, resulting in calmness in the market’s subsequent trading. — Times file picture

ject and the Central corridor. The claims exceeds OMR100 million, while Muscat Municipality was offering just OMR29.9 million as a settlement, said the company.

The company added that its board, on studying the report of an independent technical and legal consultancy and after careful consideration, had decided not to accept the municipality’s offer, and had decided to recover the amount owed to the company

through the contract mechanism.

Galfar shares rose by 14 per cent last week and closed at 0.137 BZ, up 0.17 BZ, in just two days of trading.

Trading on the stock value amounting to about OMR1.7 million, representing 9.9 per cent of the total OMR16.7 million trading witnessed by the MSM last week, resulted in Galfar becoming the most actively traded company in terms of turnover after Omantel

(OMR4.9 million) and Bank Muscat (about OMR1.9 million).

At the level of indicators, the manufacturing sector index jumped to 8432 points, up 101 points or 1.2 per cent, while the main index of the market trimmed its rise last week and closed at 6482 points, up 20 points, lower than its previous week rise of 71 points.

The shares of 31 companies rose last week against 17 that de-

clined and 18 that remained unchanged. It is expected that in this week’s trading investors will turn to the share of Al Anwar Holding Company. The volume on its stock last week was OMR264.000. — ONA

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Send us your comments at facebook.com/timesofoman blog.timesofoman.com haveyoursay@timesofoman.com

porate governance practices. The task force will launch a number of training courses for the rehabilitation of customer relations officials approved by them, in cooperation with the Middle East Investor Relations Society, and distribute brochures and information material as well as clarify the role of the team and how companies can join it. — ONA ECONOMY

Greek banks ratings lowered PARIS: Standard & Poor’s (S&P) lowered the rating of Greece’s biggest four banks on Friday, two days after cutting its already deep-junk rating for Greek bonds.

Alpha Bank, Eurobank, the National Bank of Greece and Piraeus Bank saw their rating drop from CCC+ to CCC, S&P said in a statement.

“The downgrade reflects our view that Greek banks will likely default within the next 12 months in the absence of an agreement between the Greek government and its official creditors while the end of the extension of the current programme is approaching,” the ratings agency said.

“In this context, we see increasing likelihood that capital controls will be imposed to staunch further deposit outflows.”

S&P said Greek banks had suffered from plummeting deposits as panicked Greeks withdraw their money, with 20 per cent of total deposits, around 35 billion euros ($40 billion) lost between the end of November 2014 and the end of April 2015. S&P added that the banks’ negative outlook reflects the possibility that it could lower their ratings again “if we anticipate that capital controls will be put in place or that the European authorities will no longer offer support to Greek banks.”

S&P had already lowered Greek bonds from CCC+ to CCC on Wednesday after the cashstrapped country delayed a debt payment to the International Monetary Fund last week.

Sources said Friday that Eurozone officials have discussed the possibility of a dreaded Greek default if it fails to reach a debt deal, piling further pressure on Athens to seal an agreement with its EUIMF creditors and avoid crashing out of the euro.

The Athens stock market dropped six per cent after it emerged that senior eurozone officials meeting in Bratislava on Thursday had war-gamed “worstcase” scenarios of Greece not being able to pay its bills. - AFP

e-SPORTS TREND

DRIVE SLOWER LIVE LONGER

YouTube getting into new game play SAN FRANCISCO: YouTube on Friday said it is creating an online arena devoted to video game play, jumping onto a hot “e-sports” trend and challenging Amazon-owned Twitch.

YouTube Gaming will debut in Britain and the United States in the coming months, according to product manager Alan Joyce.

– Bloomberg file picture

Favourite games “YouTube Gaming is built to be all about your favorite games and gamers, with more videos than anywhere else,” Joyce said in a blog post.

“From ‘Asteroids’ to ‘Zelda,’ more than 25,000 games will each have their own page, a single place for all the best videos and live streams about that title.”

YouTube Gaming will also have channels devoted to specific game publishers or personalities.

A preview of the new YouTube offering, including game content creators such as ‘iHasCupquake’ and ‘NadeShot,’ will be showcased at a major Electronic Entertainment Expo extravaganza next week in Los Angeles. “Live streams bring the gaming community closer together, so they’ve put them front-and-centre on the YouTube Gaming homepage,” Joyce said. “In the coming weeks, YouTube will launch an improved live experience that makes it simpler to broadcast your game play to YouTube.”

Google vs Amazon The popularity of gaming has given rise to new genres of YouTube videos including watching play, speed-runs, walk-throughs, and even segments on cooking gamer-themed delectables.

Along with the YouTube Gaming website accessible through web browsers, there will be an application for mobile devices.

Leading video game play broadcasting platform Twitch will have a strong presence at E3, with plans to live stream press conferences, demos, interviews and more. Twitch will augment its English-language broadcast with regionalised shows from partners including Rocket Beans TV in German and Jeuxvideo in French.

US online retail giant Amazon last year bolstered its Internet video presence, whistling past Google to snatch up Twitch and its huge audience for livestreamed gaming. - AFP

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B5

ROUND-UP

Bouquet of benefits with Nissan cars This year Nissan has also introduced

will receive special interest privilege card and also be eligible for any trade-in beneďŹ ts. Ä&#x160;Ĺ&#x2014; * # &Ĺ&#x2014; Ĺ&#x2014;, . Ĺ&#x2014;)(Ĺ&#x2014; "Ĺ&#x2014;) Ĺ&#x2014;." Ĺ&#x2014; sedan model

Grand raffle The grand raffle draw from Nissan is being held in association with Al Wisal and Merge FM where line-up of Ramadan participants can enter the draw to win a sleek Nissan Altima (2 vebeneďŹ ts for their "# & -Ĺ&#x2014; .)Ĺ&#x2014; Ĺ&#x2014; 1)(ĢÄ&#x2021;Ĺ&#x2014; $/-.Ĺ&#x2014; Ĺ&#x2014; Ĺ&#x2020; Ĺ&#x2014; Ĺ&#x2021;Ĺ&#x2014; .)Ĺ&#x2014; Ä&#x192;úÞÞÄ&#x201A;Ä&#x201E;Ĺ&#x2014; " Ĺ&#x2014; Nissan Micra valued customers lucky winner can walk away with a #."Ĺ&#x2014; Ĺ&#x2014; -. ,.#(!Ĺ&#x2014; ,)'Ĺ&#x2014; Ä ĂťÄ&#x2026;Ĺ&#x2014; the Nissan Micra aims to attract a brand new Nissan Altima. wider audience with its contemporary good looks, eye-catching exMUSCAT: With the launch of the Easy ďŹ nancing options 'Big Jackpot Offer' by Nissan Oman SBA designed the Ramadan terior colour range, spacious and from the house of Suhail Bahwan scheme to add to the pleasure and fashionable interior, in addition to Automobiles (SBA), purchasing convenience of owning a Nissan a powerful high performance enany new Nissan vehicle during model and ensure hassle and wor- gine and a range of other options to make city driving easier. The new Ramadan will now give the cus- ry-free driving at all times.

Nissan customers can also avail keyless entry feature makes the tomer a host of exciting incentives easy ďŹ nancing option of a loan Micra an appealing choice for its which are hard to resist.

The offer lasts till July 31, says a term up to eight years with at- customers.

Key features of the new Micra tractive interest rates from Bank press release.

Sedan range offers the following /- .Ä&#x201E;Ĺ&#x2014; & 2# & Ĺ&#x2014; Ä&#x201C;-Ĺ&#x2014; (Ĺ&#x2014; &-)Ĺ&#x2014; include a characterful, sleek extebe tailor-made for any individual rior design, eye-catching exterior beneďŹ ts: Ä&#x160;Ĺ&#x2014; , . "Ĺ&#x2014; ( Ĺ&#x2014; #(Ĺ&#x2014;ÄĄ.1)Ĺ&#x2014; --/, Ĺ&#x2014; requirement from in-house Auto colour range, user-friendly equipment and interior designed with gifts): Customers buying any Nis- Finance team.

Nissan Oman has always made convenience in mind, highly-versan vehicle will receive a â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Scratch & Winâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; card which will entitle pioneering efforts to offer world satile interior seat/stowage conďŹ gthem to two assured gifts com- class facilities and services to its urations, efficient, largest-in-class 1.5-litre engine, nimble handling prising free service up to lifetime valued customers.

As the month of Ramadan is just with best-in-class turning circle of the car (minimum assured 1 year/10,000km PMS) and free fuel few weeks away, Nissan Oman has â&#x20AC;&#x201C; ideal for city driving, high levels up to OMR1,000 (minimum as- launched this unique way to shop. of safety equipment including dual Customers can also get unlimited airbags, ABS, EBD & Brake Assist. sured of OMR50) Ä&#x160;Ĺ&#x2014; -"Ĺ&#x2014; !# .-Ä&#x2020;Ĺ&#x2014; /-.)' ,-Ĺ&#x2014; 1#&&Ĺ&#x2014; access to Nissanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s prestigious ve- The new Micra with trim level â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;SVâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; also walk away with assured cash hicle line-up at the comfort of their is available in Oman. gifts up to OMR1,000 (minimum homes or offices.

Simply visit Nissan Facebook Nissan Sunny assured of OMR500) on purchasing any vehicle from the Nissan page i.e http://www.facebook. The Nissan Sunny is now available com/Sbanissanoman or send an 1#."Ĺ&#x2014; Ĺ&#x2014; -. ,.#(!Ĺ&#x2014; ,)'Ĺ&#x2014; Ä Ä&#x20AC;Ä&#x201E;Ĺ&#x2014; sedan range. Ä&#x160;Ĺ&#x2014; (&#'#. Ĺ&#x2014; ( Ă°.-Ä&#x2020;Ĺ&#x2014; #-- (Ĺ&#x2014; -- SMS to get updated information The Nissan Sunny SL Grade comes sures customers free registration, on any of the vehicles from the with a unique feature like the Nissix yearsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; extended warranty, easy house of Nissan. sanConnect that uses hands-free ďŹ nancing options, a loan term up technology, smartphone, and the to eight years and attractive inter- Product line-up Nissanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s display screen to help The Nissan sedan range provides customers stay in touch with the est rates. Ä&#x160;Ĺ&#x2014; #.#)( &Ĺ&#x2014; ' (Ĺ&#x2014;"#!"&#!".Ĺ&#x2014; customers with a comprehensive outside world from inside their of 2015: This year Nissan has in- product line up and an opportu- 0 "# & Ä&#x201E;Ĺ&#x2014; .Ä&#x201C;-Ĺ&#x2014; &) Ĺ&#x2014; 1#."Ĺ&#x2014; ./, -Ĺ&#x2014; troduced another exciting line up nity to choose from. and compatibility with a growing Nissan Omanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s world-class ser- list of apps that allows customof Ramadan beneďŹ t for their valued customers. Customers who vice facilities, equipped with ers play music, keep tabs on social already own a Nissan model and state-of-the-art diagnostic tools network, and navigate any city want to buy a second one will re- and trained manpower enable like a local. ceive additional incentives from them to fulďŹ l the promise of ulWith the NissanConnect Apps, SBA where customers enjoy timate ownership experience to- the car becomes a smartphoneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 10,000km additional service, they wards their valued customers. best friend. Music, information

another exciting

I N S TA G R A M C O N T E S T

Diners enjoy fusion of food, photography at Semsom

MUSCAT: Diners across Muscat enjoyed a fusion of photography and food as part of an exciting (-. !, 'Ĺ&#x2014; )(. -.Ĺ&#x2014; .Ĺ&#x2014; '-)'Ä&#x2026;Ĺ&#x2014; the brainchild of Omanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s newest Lebanese Restaurant.

Clientele enjoying a meal at the Semsom outlet at Muscat Grand Mall were encouraged to take a photo of their favourite dish and *)-.Ĺ&#x2014; ." 'Ĺ&#x2014; )(Ĺ&#x2014; (-. !, 'Ĺ&#x2014; /-#(!Ĺ&#x2014; the #SemsomOmanhashtag for a " ( Ĺ&#x2014;.)Ĺ&#x2014;1#(Ĺ&#x2014; (Ĺ&#x2014;# ")( Ĺ&#x2014;Ä&#x20AC;Ä&#x2026;Ĺ&#x2014;- 3-Ĺ&#x2014; Ĺ&#x2014; press release.

The photo contest is a global initiative and includes the brandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s branches in Kuwait, Beirut and Jeddah. Omanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s branch opened recently in Muscat Grand Mall and is proving very popular with

diners across the Sultanate with a love of the tastes and ďŹ&#x201A;avours of quality Lebanese food.

The competition ran until June 11 and will celebrate a winner every week and has already seen two happy winners walk away with their prizes; Yasir Al Abdullah, who happened to be a professional photographer and Budoor Abdullah, a Visual Artist. Semsom created the competition to give their guests the opportunity to have some fun with their dining experience and share it with their foodie friends.

Over the course of the competition judges, in Beirut are assessing and choosing the winning photos.

Semsom has an assortment of signature dishes that add a modern spin to the classics.

Lebanese spices like sumac, thyme and rosemary, transform traditional hummus into a dip ďŹ t for the best and the orangeblossom water imparts a whiff of spring-time in Lebanon. The speciality drinks and desserts bring a never before sweet indulgence to the Sultanate.

Semsom is committed to delivering high quality ingredients that reďŹ&#x201A;ect the authenticity of Lebanese cuisine and showcase a ') ,(Ĺ&#x2014; Ăł , Ä&#x201E;Ĺ&#x2014; ( )'* , & Ĺ&#x2014; - ,vice, robust ďŹ&#x201A;avours and extraordinary experience form the pillars of this successful food brand.

R E C R E AT I O NA L T I M E

Harmony Centre's summer camp to begin tomorrow MUSCAT: .Ä&#x201C;-Ĺ&#x2014; ().Ĺ&#x2014; .))Ĺ&#x2014; ,&3Ĺ&#x2014; .)Ĺ&#x2014; plan where to send children to camp this summer. Harmony Music, Art & Karate Training Centre, who has done summer camps successfully for the past 10 years, is organising this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s camp from tomorrow till July 13, says a press release.

The activities for this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s camp include introduction to keyboard, guitar and drums, rudimental music theory, singing, dancing, karate, art and craft, painting, storytelling, public speaking, party, animated movies, games and lots more. Harmony provides children an experience

that they will not get in the classroom or at home. The camp will be held from Sunday to Thursday ,)'Ĺ&#x2014; Ä&#x192;Ä&#x201E;ýú 'Ĺ&#x2014; .)Ĺ&#x2014; ÝßÄ&#x201E;ýú*'Ä&#x201E;Ĺ&#x2014; ")- Ĺ&#x2014; interested can come and register at their office in Ruwi centre (Next to Central Bank Of Oman) and Wadi Kabir centre (Next to ( # (Ĺ&#x2014;- "))&Ĺ&#x2014; ,#' ,3Ĺ&#x2014; .#)(ĢÄ&#x201E;

and the apps that keep car owners connected to the world all work together seamlessly through the audio system. And it keeps on getting better; the app alerts the owner with updates to the latest version, and the basic app package is free for the ďŹ rst three years.

Nissan Altima The Nissan Altima, which breaks new ground for the mid-size sedan segment is hands-down the most engaging vehicle in its class.

And if youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve never driven an Altima before, get ready to have your notion of a mid-size sedan redeĂ°( Ä&#x201E; )1Ĺ&#x2014; 1#."Ĺ&#x2014; (Ĺ&#x2014; Ĺ&#x2014; -. ,.#(!Ĺ&#x2014; from OMR130, the Altimaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s many Nissan Tiida The Nissan Tiida has won â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Best new features, perhaps the one Hatchback of the yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; in the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Mid- that stands out most is its â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;class dle East Car of the Yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; awards, aboveâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; appeal. The Altimaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s extebringing another prestigious tro- rior design starts with its wide, phy to the Japanese automakerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s aggressive stance and dramatic bulging showcase. The vehicle front end styling.

This technology allows owners ()1Ĺ&#x2014; )' -Ĺ&#x2014; 1#."Ĺ&#x2014; Ĺ&#x2014; -. ,.#(!Ĺ&#x2014; from OMR100. With dynamic to lock and unlock the door just by styling looksand class-leading spa- pressing the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Request Switchâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; on ciousness, the second generation the door while just simply carrying of the Middle Eastâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best-selling the key. Drivers can also open and compact hatchback has everything close the trunk, and can start the to build on the Tiida nameplateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s engine without having to insert the key, making departure seamestablished success. less. By cutting out the trouble of putting in the key, there is no need Nissan Sentra #."Ĺ&#x2014; (Ĺ&#x2014; Ĺ&#x2014; -. ,.#(!Ĺ&#x2014; ,)'Ĺ&#x2014; to search for the key inside a bag or Ä&#x192;Ä&#x20AC;Ä&#x2026;Ĺ&#x2014;." Ĺ&#x2014; #-- (Ĺ&#x2014; (., Ĺ&#x2014; ) /-- *) % .Ä&#x201E;Ĺ&#x2014; .Ĺ&#x2014; &-)Ĺ&#x2014; &#'#( . -Ĺ&#x2014; ." Ĺ&#x2014; ,Ĺ&#x2014; es on class-above design standards of accidentally shutting the key ininside and out. Automatic dual- side the vehicle or trunk. zone climate control system with rear passenger air vents, naviga- Nissan Maxima tion system, rearview camera, in- #."Ĺ&#x2014; (Ĺ&#x2014; Ĺ&#x2014; -. ,.#(!Ĺ&#x2014; ,)'Ĺ&#x2014; telligent key and Push engine start, ĂťÄ ĂťÄ&#x2026;Ĺ&#x2014; ." Ĺ&#x2014; #-- (Ĺ&#x2014; 2#' Ĺ&#x2014; #-Ĺ&#x2014; Ĺ&#x2014; and leather seats on selected mod- great fusion between a sedan and els are just some of the features the soul of a sports car. And this Sentra introduces to the segment. combination of sports sedan stylThe models also come with ex- ing along with ample comfort and clusive LED headlights that make luxury that the Maxima provides it a notch superior than the other has made it a favourite among the models in its segment. However, youngsters in the Sultanate.

The breakthrough exterior deall models beneďŹ t from the standard ďŹ tment of soft interior trims, sign of the Maxima imparts a feeland a wide range of safety equip- ing of powerful driving motion ment including dual airbags, ABS which combines an aggressive (anti-lock Braking System), EBD -. ( Ĺ&#x2014; ( Ĺ&#x2014; ." Ĺ&#x2014; *)1 , /&Ĺ&#x2014; Ă˝Ä&#x201E;Ăż Ä&#x2026;Ĺ&#x2014; Ä&#x20AC;Ĺ&#x2014; (Electronic Brake- force Distribu- (!#( Ĺ&#x2014; 1#."Ĺ&#x2014; ĂźÄ&#x192;ĂşĹ&#x2014; Ä&#x17E;Ä&#x20AC;ÞúúúĹ&#x2014; Ĺ&#x2014; Xtronic CVT transmission. The tion), and BA (Brake Assist).

new Nissan Maxima delivers quick acceleration and lasting euphoria with Paddle shifter, Cruise control and Bluetooth technology for a better driving experience. Taking into consideration the driverâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s comfort, the vehicles comes with auto A/C with dual zone climate )(.,)&Ä&#x2026;Ĺ&#x2014; -.3&#-"Ĺ&#x2014; -/(,)) Ĺ&#x2014; ( Ĺ&#x2014; ĂťÄ&#x192;Ä&#x2018;Ĺ&#x2014; alloy wheels. The vehicle is enhanced by features like intelligent key push start button, ABS, EBD, BA, Vehicle dynamic control (VDC) with Traction control system (TCS) and xenon lights.

A decade of promise Suhail Bahwan Automobiles is largely committed to supporting Nissanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s growth in the Sultanate through major emphasis on customer satisfaction and by providing world-class after-sales services in Oman. With a national ( .1),%Ĺ&#x2014; ) Ĺ&#x2014; '), Ĺ&#x2014; ." (Ĺ&#x2014; ĂťÄ&#x192;Ĺ&#x2014; -")1rooms, 22 service centres and 35 spare parts outlets, SBA has further built upon its legacy of trust, excellent customer service and providing value for money to each of its customers.

Nationwide presence Suhail Bahwan Automobiles, the exclusive importers and distributors of all Nissan vehicles in Oman, have their Nissan showrooms spread across the Sultanate.

Their showrooms are strategically located all across the country in Muscat, Sohar, Sur, Salalah, "#( -Ä&#x2026;Ĺ&#x2014; ' #&Ä&#x2026;Ĺ&#x2014; , Ä&#x2026;Ĺ&#x2014; ,#Ä&#x2026;Ĺ&#x2014; #41 Ä&#x2026;Ĺ&#x2014; Buraimi, Barka, Bahla, Jaalan Bani Bu Ali, Seeb, Mabella, Sinaw, Adam and Bidiya. This goes to show that Nissan Oman has been successfully growing in operations and is consistently spreading its network throughout the Sultanate of Oman.

For every customer purchasing a Nissan vehicle, it is the beginning of a fulďŹ lling experience as Nissanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s top class after sales service makes sure every customer is happy and satisďŹ ed.

Nissanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s after sales service provider for all Nissan cars in Oman ensures customers get the advantage of factory trained expertise and genuine Nissan replacement parts always.

B6

SUN DAY, JUNE 14, 2015

ROUND-UP First Nesto hypermarket inaugurated in Sultanate Nesto has always been offering the complete shopping experience and Nesto Mabelah will continue the tradition offering the best in quality, range, service and price

MUSCAT: Nesto Hypermarket, the fastest growing retail chain in the region, inaugurated its 36th outlet in Mabelah, Al Seeb on June 10 at 6pm.

The outlet was inaugurated by Ahmed bin Abdullah Al Shehhi, Minister of Regional Municipalities and Water Resources, in the presence of K. P. Basheer, chairman, Western International Group and dignitaries from the group and various walks of life, says a press release.

Basheer emphasised this is part of Nesto’s overall expansion plans in the region and will set new benchmarks by being the first Nesto outlet in Oman with a spread of 240,000 sq. feet. ‘’We are extremely happy to note that a huge number of people chose to visit our outlet on the inauguration day. Nesto Mabelah is our latest state-of-the-art facility servic-

ing several residential catchments in Mabelah. The hypermarket also has easy access from all nearby areas. This is part of our ambitious expansion plans for Oman with a plan of 15 more hypermarkets and is also part of our plan to be closer to various residential and new developments,” he said.

The new Nesto outlet has two levels of shopping as well as 500,000 plus SKU assortments across diverse categories including fresh foods, grocery and household items, health and beauty products, fashion accessories as well as consumer electronics. Nesto Mabelah also has an assortment of ready-to-eat food items thereby bringing variety, quality and its signature excellence in customer service to customers.

Nesto has always been offering the complete shopping experience and Nesto Mabelah will continue the tradition offering the best in

quality, range, service and price.

There is also ample car parking facility and needless to add, Nesto Mabelah will provide the best prices and offers in town. Nesto was established in the year 2004 with a vision of being a ‘String of Pearls’ of departmental stores, supermarkets and hypermarkets. Their vision is to create a retail chain which is as friendly and accessible as your next door shop and at the same time provide the best quality products at the most competitive prices. Over the years, Nesto has grown to become the trusted and preferred choice for shoppers across the GCC. Cost effectiveness is Nesto’s guiding principle. They believe in providing their customers a wide range of products at the best possible price in a great shopping ambience. Their scale efficiencies, direct sourcing approach with minimum intermediaries,

and supply chain spanning across South Asia, S.E Asia and Europe make it possible for them to generate cost efficiencies that are passed on to their customers in the form of attractive pricing.

Nesto Mabelah’s fashion section is stacked with the latest trends in apparel, accessories and footwear.

They have a wide selection catering to men, women and children.

The electronics section showcases everything from state-of-the-art home theatre systems to white goods and laptops and mobile phones. There is a school supplies section, a separate department for home accessories, home fabrics, décor and furniture.

Customers will also get the freshest fruits and vegetables from around the world, the best cuts of meat and a wide range of local and imported fish in a very clean and hygienic environment.

“We have a strong vision for the future. We want to be among the top players in the region and we aim to have a 100 store presence in the next five years. These stores will be a mix of hypermarkets and supermarkets. As per our two year strategic business plan, we plan to open 14 more stores in next two years and that will enhance our presence to 50 stores in the region by the year 2017.

“The support that we have received from our customers is ample testimony to the fact that our expansion plans are on track. Nesto Mabelah is a grand initiative to support Omani localisation by providing them with jobs and nurture their future with high class training standards and also to be the best solution for all their grocery and lifestyle needs,” added Basheer.

FA S H I O N

twenty4 launches summer collection MUSCAT: The new summer collection has arrived at twenty4 outlets across the region bringing a fresh approach to high-end style at affordable prices.

Inspired by laid back bohemian summer days the value fashion brand’s collection features tribal prints and vintage-inspired separates. Embellishment adds a sparkle to everyday classics and floral casuals provide stylish summer staples as temperatures soar throughout the Middle East, says a press release.

Offering catwalk trends with designer-inspired pieces at value prices in over 22 stores across the region, the twenty4 summer collection features adult, children and contemporary youth ranges.

Full of lively statements, the collection features the versatile jumpsuit in a selection of floral tributes splashed on ocean coloured backgrounds, along with floral print joggers and jersey pants- both wardrobe staples which have continued from previous seasons.

The contemporary womenswear and female youth ranges include seasonal trends such as popular tribal and geometrical

prints brought to life in unstructured casual kaftans and skater dresses. Bold colours give a striking edge to flowing feminine button down blouses with primary hues consistent throughout each story in the collection.

The twenty4 men’s collection is a cool balance of smart casual with shirts and pants in muted khaki and basic white. Key wardrobe pieces in the menswear summer collection also include retro button down shirts and slogan tees. Denim gets interesting with the stylish jogger vibe influencing the classic masculine cut.

Ice-cream tones and soft pastel colours with adorable flower prints give the twenty4 summer collection for children a touch of energy and fun for little girls along with classic stripes, soft denim and bold prints in easycare linen for boys.

The summer collection is now available across the twenty4 store network of 28 outlets in Bahrain, Oman, Kuwait, KSA, Qatar and the UAE. Twenty4 combines all the benefits of a speciality store under one roof with on-trend, affordable fashion at your fingertips.

F U N PAC K AG E

WOMEN EMPOWERMENT

Ooredoo graduates 87 women First PSM summer camp from Springboard Programme sharpens students’ skills MUSCAT: Ooredoo recently graduated 87 women working at various ministries and government authorities from the world-renowned Springboard programme.

The event was held under the patronage of Sayyid Salim bin Musalam Al Busaidi, Undersecretary at the Ministry of Civil Service for Administrative Development Affairs, and attended

by Ooredoo CEO Greg Young and several Ooredoo family members.

The programme, run by Ooredoo in collaboration with the British Council, is designed to empower Oman’s female workforce and enhance their skill-sets and confidence to develop in their careers, says a press release.

“At Ooredoo, we look for opportunities to spur growth and empowerment in professional women. The Springboard programme encourages development and fulfils our goal of building and nurturing the capabilities of women to achieve rewarding careers,” said Raed Dawood, Director of Government

Relations and Corporate Affairs at Ooredoo. “The success of this initiative has been overwhelming.

A total of 87 females from different ministries from across Oman have been trained and now enjoy greater potential, enhanced skillsets, and the confidence to achieve their career objectives as well as personal success,” Raed added.

This milestone graduation was a result of 22 Memoranda of Understanding signed by Ooredoo and governmental organisations to bring women from multiple sec-

tors together for a holistic developmental programme. Trainees were divided into five groups and taught essential skills such as prioritisation, assertiveness, goal setting, health improvement, stress management and communication skills alongside training in public speaking, self-awareness, selfmanagement, and self-empowerment. Additionally, groups were further divided into two teams, each given the goal of delivering a project, with the top three honoured at the graduation ceremony.

MUSCAT: Pakistan School Muscat (PSM) for the very first time in its history arranged a summer camp for the students of Grade III to Grade VIII. The whole package comprised swimming at Al Falaj Hotel, English language course and martial arts.

The swimming classes helped the students learn and practice swimming techniques thus adding to their skills. The English language course was conducted to sharpen the students’ skill of the language. It was based on the IELTS pattern of acquiring reading, listening, speaking and writing skills. The martial arts session on the other hand kept the students charged up for learning.

The whole idea behind this camp was to make learning fun, says a press release.

The enthusiasm of the students was evident from their interaction with the instructors, teachers and each other. The camp helped them in becoming confident,

well-rounded critical thinkers.

Above 40 students participated in the summer camp. Their success is a shared responsibility. Teachers and administrators worked together with parents to ensure that all the students were ready to take their place in a cohesive and productive society.

Students who attended this

summer camp enjoyed a variety of experiences inside and outside the classroom, all shared with other students. Activities included watching videos for learning’ sake and socialising during break time.

The closing ceremony was organised by the school displaying the presentations prepared by the students for their parents.

M I D D L E E A S T E X PA N S I O N

Qatar Airways begins flights to Abha from September 2 DOHA: Qatar Airways announced that it will begin flights to Abha, in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, beginning September 2. The nonstop service from Doha will operate four times a week.

The city of Abha is the capital of Asir, a south-western province in the Kingdom and is gaining popularity in the region as a tourist destination due to attractions such as

its mild seasonal weather and fertile mountains.

Qatar Airways currently operates 82 weekly flights to seven key cities in Saudi Arabia. The airline recently announced an increase in frequency of flights to Gassim with 10 flights a week from eight, beginning July 17. The addition of Abha will increase the number of Qatar Airways’ weekly flights to Saudi

Arabia from 84 to 88 non-stop flights, says a press release.

Qatar Airways has been continuously expanding its services to Saudi Arabia since it began in 1997 with non-stop flights to Jeddah.

Since then the airline has added Riyadh, Dammam, Madinah and Gassim, Ta’if and Al Hofuf to its portfolio of destinations.

“We have been steadily growing

our presence and services to Saudi Arabia,” said Akbar Al Baker, Chief Executive, Qatar Airways Group.

“As our eighth destination, Abha will bring additional flexibility for passengers connecting from Asia, the Middle East, Europe and the Americas. From Abha, passengers will be able to travel seamlessly through our Doha hub to popular cities such as London, Paris, Bang-

kok, Singapore, New York and Washington, and at the same time this will provide passengers travelling to Saudi Arabia the convenience of another gateway within the same country.”

The Doha - Abha route will be operated by an Airbus A320 with an average travel duration time of just over two hours. The aircraft will feature 144 seats in a two-

class configuration of 12 seats in Business Class and 132 seats in Economy. Selected aircraft will feature seatback TV screens, providing passengers with the next generation interactive on board entertainment system, featuring a choice of more than 900 audio and video on-demand options, together with an SMS text messaging service from each seat.

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ROUND-UP

Bank Sohar ranked No. 2 in ‘Top 5 Large Corporates’ at AIWA Awards Receiving this recognition is a resounding endorsement of the bank’s performance yearon-year, its high customer service standards and the successful integration of its sound business strategies and growth plans

MUSCAT: Adding to the bouquet of recognitions received by Bank Sohar in 2015, it is celebrating yet another remarkable achievement for a fourth consecutive year in being recognised as one of the ‘Top 5 Large Corporate Enterprises’ within the Sultanate and more specifically been ranked as the second under ‘Top Large Corporate Enterprise’ and on the first level as

a bank at the recent Alam Al Iktisad Wal Amaal (AIWA) Awards.

Receiving this recognition is a resounding endorsement of the bank’s performance year-on-year, its high customer service standards and the successful integration of its sound business strategies and growth plans, says a press release.

The glittering awards ceremony was recently held at the Shangri

BOUTIQUE

La’s Barr Al Jissah Resort under the auspices of Nasser bin Khamis Al Jashmi, Undersecretary at the Ministry of Finance. Representing Bank Sohar and receiving the award at the ceremony was Rashad Al Musafir, acting CEO, accompanied by Mazin Mahmood

Al Raisi, AGM-Head of Marketing and Publicity, Bank Sohar.

The awards ceremony also saw attendance from top business leaders, CEOs and senior government officials from a cross section of industries, ministries and government bodies.

Expressing his contentment at being placed amongst the ‘Top 5 Large Corporate Enterprises’, for the fourth consecutive year, Rashad Al Musafir commented: “It is an honour to receive such a prestigious recognition for the fourth consecutive year in addition to securing the first position in the banking sector.

“This recognition, awarded after a thorough scrutiny of our financial performance in the past year, together with many others awards we have received in 2014, are demonstrative of the industry’s recognition of our rapid growth and profitability. It is also a testament of our deep commitment towards customers, service excellence and progressive development of the banking sector in Oman.”

The awards were presented to 15 top corporate performers selected in a survey conducted by leading brokerage firm Gulf Baader Capi-

tal Markets (GBCM) based on the top corporate performers listed on the Muscat Securities Market (MSM); with the results independently verified by KPMG. The winners represent the benchmark of achievement and best practice in the corporate and banking world.

“We would like to thank United Media Services for pioneering the AIWA Awards which have become a highly anticipated annual event that recognises the best in the industry year on year.

“Furthermore, on behalf of Bank Sohar, I would like to take this opportunity to thank our respected Board of Directors for their guidance, the bank’s management and staff for their hard work and our customers who inspire us to achieve new milestones in our journey towards excellence,” added Rashad Al Musafir.

This is the sixth award for the bank in 2015.

PROMOTION

Arushi Fashion: Dubai’s much-loved designer wear launched in Oman

MUSCAT: One of Dubai’s most exquisite and much loved designer boutiques opened its first store in the Sultanate of Oman.

The introduction of Arushi Fashion Design to the country was a special initiative taken by Lujaina Mohsin Darwish and Areej Mohsin Darwish.

This exclusive store witnessed a grand opening ceremony recently. Located in the posh Shatti area, Arushi Fashion Design has some of the most desirous bridal and evening gowns that have found much admiration amongst a very elite clientele, says a press release.

Known to be a visionary, Mireille Aloughlin, owner and founder of Arushi, has worked on perfecting the concept of luminous wedding dresses. Today, Arushi can boast of being a pioneer in the wedding couture market and has become a much revered brand in the Middle East.

Backed by a team that shares the same passion as the owner, each dress is said to be a unique piece in itself and reflects an individuality of its own. Every bit of the wedding dress, from seams to embellishments is sewn by hand.

With due attention paid to the intricacy of designs, Arushi speaks of expert workmanship.

Arushi Fashion Design house will also bring to Oman a very impressive line of evening gowns as well as their signature designs.

Keeping in mind the rich taste of the local market, the evening gowns are bound to capture the keen attention of the fashion

conscious. They radiate sophistication and can occasionally take on a bolder style statement.

With designs in crystals and beadwork trending in the market, Arushi’s signature creation exploits their traditional craftsmen skills, blending rich colours with intricate patterns and Swarovski elements to produce truly enchanting and distinctive works of art.

Lujaina and Areej took on a journey to explore, find and bring to Oman a truly magnificent designer label that would set a new benchmark in the elite fashion industry. “Arushi breathes elegance, class and grace. Their collection exudes the magical combination of talent, passion and love. Each dress seems to have a story to tell and embraces the personality of the wearer so beautifully. Arushi Fashion Design understands the desires of the bride-to-be and we make sure that we deliver the dream wedding gown,” said Lujaina.

“Arushi has been around for more than three decades; they have seen the changing styles of the extremely dynamic fashion world. Their designs don’t need to follow trends; they make a statement on their own. Arushi has consistently conceptualised and produced one amazing masterpiece after another. This is what we wanted Muscat to experience, a new dimension of the finest wedding and evening gowns; and Arushi Fashion Design House has done absolute justice to our demands,” said Areej.

Al Jenaibi brings exceptional MINI seasonal offers to Oman MUSCAT: With the summer season coming Al Jenaibi International Automobiles, the BMW Group importer in Oman, has launched its annual offers valid till July 31; with new and exciting offers creating a hassle-free and a host of additional benefits across the entire MINI model line-up.

Customers who purchase a new MINI during the promotion pe-

riod will receive a complimentary MINI Service Inclusive XL Package covering major servicing for the first three years or 50,000km (whichever comes first).

In addition, registration costs in the first year will be covered by the importer, ensuring a convenient and hassle-free start to the customers’ MINI ownership, says a press release.

Additional benefits include: 3-year unlimited mileage manufacturer’s warranty, 1 year complimentary insurance (with cash payments or regular finance options) and a 16GB Wi-Fi 4G Apple iPad Air as a complimentary gift.

Commenting on the promotion, Divyendu Kumar, managing director of Al Jenaibi International Automobiles said: “We are delighted

to be able to offer a premium ownership experience with unmatched value for money this summer season on our complete MINI model line-up, something that our customers have come to expect from Al Jenaibi International Automobiles. We will continually look into new ways to elevate our customers experience with every purchase they make with us.”

B8

SU N DAY, JUNE 14, 2015

ROUND-UP

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Renault Oman launches exciting Ramadan package for customers Renaultâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s exclusive Ramadan offer comprises a plethora of beneďŹ ts on most of their top selling models as well as their newly launched models in 2015

MUSCAT: Renault Oman from Suhail Bahwan Group announced its unique Ramadan offer for customers who purchase Renault vehicles till August 6.

Renaultâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s exclusive Ramadan offer comprises a plethora of beneďŹ ts on most of their top selling models as well as their newly launched models in 2015, says a press release.

Renaultâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sedan segment comprises a prestigious lineup of cars that include the sleek Renault Fluence, the strikingly good looking Renault Safrane and the newly launched Renault Symbol and Renault Megane. The SUV range comprises the Renault Duster, Renault Koleos and the all-new 2015 Renault Captur.

ĂťÄ&#x201E;Ĺ&#x2014; #."Ĺ&#x2014; Ĺ&#x2014;/(#+/ Ĺ&#x2014;- , . "Ĺ&#x2014; ( Ĺ&#x2014;1#(Ĺ&#x2014; card, customers are eligible to win assured high value gifts from any one of the products comprising LG 65â&#x20AC;? Ultra High DeďŹ nition LED Curve TV, Apple Iphone 6-16GB, Lenovo Laptop-Intel Core i5 or a LG 42â&#x20AC;? LED TV. 2. Customers will also be eligible to win an assured service package gift up to ďŹ ve years/ 100,000km Periodic Maintenance Service ÄĄ1#."Ĺ&#x2014; '#(#'/'Ĺ&#x2014; --/, Ĺ&#x2014; - ,0# Ĺ&#x2014; package of two years/30,000km ,#) # Ĺ&#x2014; #(. ( ( Ĺ&#x2014; ,0# Ģ Ä&#x160;Ĺ&#x2014; -"Ĺ&#x2014;!# .-Ä&#x2020;Ĺ&#x2014; /-.)' ,-Ĺ&#x2014;1#&&Ĺ&#x2014; &-)Ĺ&#x2014; walk away with assured cash gifts /*Ĺ&#x2014; .)Ĺ&#x2014; ĂťÄ&#x2026;úúúĹ&#x2014; ÄĄ'#(#'/'Ĺ&#x2014; --/, Ĺ&#x2014;) Ĺ&#x2014; ÞúúĢĹ&#x2014;)(Ĺ&#x2014;*/, " -#(!Ĺ&#x2014; select models from Renault. Ä&#x160;Ĺ&#x2014; ." ,Ĺ&#x2014; ( Ă°.-Ä&#x2020;Ĺ&#x2014; /-.)' ,-Ĺ&#x2014;1#&&Ĺ&#x2014; be entitled to receive free registration for ďŹ rst year for Oman only and free extended warranty period of up to six years / unlimited mileage. Further, customers will also receive AAA Roadside Assistance card for the ďŹ rst year only and as supported by AAA Oman. Ä&#x160;Ĺ&#x2014; , ( Ĺ&#x2014;, Ăš Ĺ&#x2014; , 1 Customers purchasing any of the Renault models during the Ramadan month will also get a " ( Ĺ&#x2014;.)Ĺ&#x2014; (. ,Ĺ&#x2014; Ĺ&#x2014;' ! Ĺ&#x2014;, Ăš Ĺ&#x2014; , 1Ĺ&#x2014; which will be held on August 23.

The grand prize winner will walk away with a new 2015 Renault Duster 2L PE.

Easy ďŹ nancing options Suhail Bahwan Automobiles designed the Ramadan scheme to add to the pleasure and convenience of owning a Renault model and en2015 Ramadan highlights Ä&#x160;Ĺ&#x2014; , . "Ĺ&#x2014;Ä&#x2039;Ĺ&#x2014; #(Ĺ&#x2014;ÄĄĂźĹ&#x2014; --/, Ĺ&#x2014;!# .-ĢĹ&#x2014; sure hassle and worry-free driving

at all times. Customers can also avail easy ďŹ nancing option with attractive interest rates.

The alluring Fluence The Renault Fluence offers more generous passenger space than other vehicles in the same class.

Interior measurements are highly impressive, with elbow room of 1,480mm in the front and 1,475mm at the rear.

Rear passengers enjoy classleading legroom, with 238mm of knee space, with access to more than 23 litres of in-cabin storage.

The luxurious Safrane The Renault Safrane 3.5 V6 ďŹ tted with an automatic six-speed transmission comes equipped with the Carminat TomTom navigation system, a solution as efficient as it is easy to update and use, with the intuitive joystick.

The hands-free card allows you to open and close the doors as well as start the engine, without even leaving your pocket. Bluetooth technology allows you to make calls in perfect safety. The Safrane has an efficient new chassis

GO GREEN

The soulful Symbol The Renault Symbol is a statusenhancing yet affordable family sedan. Its modern design and attractive equipment package, combined with its low fuel consumption make the new Renault Symbol the perfect sedan for families looking for value for money along with status and style. Competitive advantages such as roominess, boot space, modern equipment and engine displacement ensure it has everything required to make it a hit with customers in the region.

The captivating Captur It is a crossover packed with a turbocharged engine for those occasional bursts of controlled fun. The engine producing 120 BHP and 190 Nm of torque is mated to a 6-speed automatic gearbox. Made in Spain, the Renault Captur stands out from the crowd by delivering the best of .", Ĺ&#x2014; #ĂŽ , (.Ĺ&#x2014;1),& -Ä&#x2020;Ĺ&#x2014; " Ĺ&#x2014; 2*, -sive styling and driving position of

an SUV, the cabin space and modular interior of an MPV and the agility and driving enjoyment of a compact saloon car.

The amazing Duster The Renault Duster, a strong and reliable SUV with genuine off-road The mesmerising Megane ability is versatile and combines a The Megane hatch is equipped spacious interior with saloon-car with dual side-impact sensors, comfort. The Dusterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s compact which make it an incredibly ef- footprint and high ground clearďŹ cient option for any safety-con- ance ensures that it is meant for all - #)/-Ĺ&#x2014; ( /&.Ĺ&#x2014;*/, " - ,Ä&#x201E;Ĺ&#x2014; #."Ĺ&#x2014;#.-Ĺ&#x2014; kinds of roads. The Renault Duster unique aesthetic that turns heads is designed to face all types of terat its sporty seduction, the 2016 rain, globally.

Renault Megane 1.6 is a meeting place of practicality and passion A world class brand for design.

Renault is a world class brand toThe Hatchback boasts a state- day, focusing mainly on the imporof-the-art lower chassis, which al- tant aspects such as safety, style, lows for maximum responsiveness performance, value and reliabilkeeping you in complete control ity â&#x20AC;&#x201D; keeping alive the motoring on even the toughest of roads. The heritage of Renault. This yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new high-performance braking unique Ramadan scheme allows system optimises your reďŹ&#x201A;exes, easy ďŹ nance options for customers with one of the shortest braking which in turn offer peace of mind distances on the market. and a hassle free way to own a desired Renault vehicle.

The impressive Koleos SBA is largely committed to supThe key highlights are the Renault porting Renault Omanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s growth Koleos reliability, with its power in the Sultanate through major train of 2.5L engine, CVT trans- emphasis on customer satisfacmission and 170 horse power is- tion and by providing world-class sued from the Renault Nissan Al- after-sales services in Oman.

RECOGNITION

ISD observes World Environment Day MUSCAT: It was indeed a day to be cherished for long when, members of the Souhridha Club ) Ĺ&#x2014; ( # (Ĺ&#x2014; "))&Ĺ&#x2014; ,- #.Ĺ&#x2014; ÄĄ ĢĹ&#x2014; ) - ,0 Ĺ&#x2014; ." Ĺ&#x2014; ),& Ĺ&#x2014; (0#,)(ment Day recently in the primary school auditorium.

The registered members around 385 students from Classes IV and V declared their dedication and pledged their oath to join the race of making the world a better place, in the presence of principal, vice

including the Nissan multi-link rear suspension arrangement for enhanced ride comfort and driving pleasure.

liance; added safety, with its six airbags; hill start assistance and hill slope control; ESP with Anti Slip Regulation; comfort, with its dual zone air-conditioning, leather interior and electric panoramic sunroof; advanced technology, with Bose sound system; digital media connectivity- USB and iPod docks; bluetooth capabilities, Renault key-less smart card; naviga.#)(Ĺ&#x2014; --#-. ( Ä&#x2021;Ĺ&#x2014; Ăž Ĺ&#x2014; #ĂŽ , (.# &Ĺ&#x2014; lock, and roominess, with a segment-topping cabin space.

principal, supervisor, coordinators and teachers, says a press release. "#& Ĺ&#x2014; -)' Ĺ&#x2014; ) Ĺ&#x2014; ." Ĺ&#x2014; *, 0#)/-Ĺ&#x2014; members shared their colourful and rich experience of the past one fruitful year, few of the present members from various committees briefed their action plan for the academic year 2015-16.

The inspiring song on â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Save the Earthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, placards and the visual treat with the objectives of each sub-committee, created an aware-

ness among the students and gave them an insight into their role in the club. The slogan, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Billion Trees for Billion Peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; kept echoing in the corridors and minds of each one present. Vice-Principal, Leena Francis enlightened the students on the history and the annual theme for the occasion.

The assembly concluded with a motivational message by the venerable Principal Dr Sridevi P Thashnath.

Shell is now BMW Groupâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s recommended oil supplier MUSCAT: Shell announced that #.Ĺ&#x2014;" -Ĺ&#x2014; (Ĺ&#x2014; ")- (Ĺ&#x2014; 3Ĺ&#x2014; Ĺ&#x2014; Ĺ&#x2014; -Ĺ&#x2014; its only recommended global supplier for aftermarket engine oils ),Ĺ&#x2014; ." Ĺ&#x2014; )&&)1#(!Ĺ&#x2014; Ĺ&#x2014; , ( -Ä&#x2020;Ĺ&#x2014; Ä&#x2026;Ĺ&#x2014; Ĺ&#x2014; #Ä&#x2026;Ĺ&#x2014; Ĺ&#x2014; Ä&#x2026;Ĺ&#x2014; Ĺ&#x2014; ( Ĺ&#x2014; Ĺ&#x2014; ).),, Ä&#x201E; From the start of 2015, premium engine oils manufactured by Shell will be available to custom ,-Ĺ&#x2014; .Ĺ&#x2014; Ĺ&#x2014; ,)/*Ä&#x201C;-Ĺ&#x2014; ( .1),%Ĺ&#x2014; ) Ĺ&#x2014; more than 3,500 dealers, in more than 140 countries, including China, Germany, Russia, South Africa, South Korea, the UK and the USA, says a press release.

The collaboration means that Shell will produce and sup*&3Ĺ&#x2014; Ä&#x201C;-Ĺ&#x2014; , ( Ĺ&#x2014; (!#( Ĺ&#x2014; )#&-Ä&#x201E;Ĺ&#x2014; These products will meet the & . -.Ĺ&#x2014; Ĺ&#x2014; (!#( Ĺ&#x2014; -* #Ă° tions and are underpinned by Shellâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s PurePlus Technology.

Shell PurePlus Technology is a breakthrough in how engine oils are formulated. It is a patented ! -Ä&#x161;.)Ä&#x161;&#+/# ÄĄ ĢĹ&#x2014; *,) --Ä&#x2026;Ĺ&#x2014; veloped over 40 years of research, which converts natural gas into a crystal-clear base oil.

Base oil, usually made from crude oil, is the main component of ďŹ nished oils and plays a vital role in the quality of the ďŹ nished engine oil. The base oil is produced at the Pearl GTL plant in Qatar, a partnership between Shell and Qa. ,Ĺ&#x2014; .,)& /'Ä&#x201E;Ĺ&#x2014; ,)'Ĺ&#x2014; ßúÝÿÄ&#x2026;Ĺ&#x2014; Ĺ&#x2014; service customers beneďŹ t from the integration of Shellâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s global lubricants supply chain with its gas value chain in Qatar. Ä? Ĺ&#x2014; , Ĺ&#x2014; ")()/, Ĺ&#x2014; .)Ĺ&#x2014; )' Ĺ&#x2014; ." Ĺ&#x2014; Ĺ&#x2014; ,)/*Ä&#x201C;-Ĺ&#x2014;, )'' ( Ĺ&#x2014; supplier of aftermarket engine oil. Ĺ&#x2014;&))%Ĺ&#x2014; ),1 , Ĺ&#x2014;.)Ĺ&#x2014;$)#(.&3Ĺ&#x2014;-/**&3ing, distributing and marketing these oils, as of start 2015. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This is recognition of the ben-

eďŹ ts of Shellâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s engine oil expertise and cutting-edge technology by one of the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leading premium manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This includes an acknowledgment of the value of our most re (.Ĺ&#x2014; #(()0 .#)(Ä&#x2020;Ĺ&#x2014; " &&Ĺ&#x2014; /, &/-Ĺ&#x2014; Technology for premium engine oils. This deal brings two leading brands together to offer the best of performance and technology .)Ĺ&#x2014; Ĺ&#x2014;- ,0# Ĺ&#x2014; /-.)' ,-Ä&#x201E;Ĺ&#x2014; )."Ĺ&#x2014; companies have a very strong commitment to premium products and services, giving us much in common,â&#x20AC;? said, Mark Gainsborough, executive vice president for Shell Lubricants.

MINISTERIAL VISIT

Rumhy reviews progress of community company

MUSCAT: Dr Mohammed bin Hamad Al Rumhy, Minister of Oil and Gas, recently visited Seeh Al Sarya Engineering Services Company in Muscat to review the company experience and achievements as one of the local community companies, says a press release.

The minister met with Mohammed bin Said Al Durâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ei, chairman of the Board of Directors, members of the Board, executive management and staff.

The visit programme included a presentation on the companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s activities at the concession area,

the achievements made and challenges that faced it.

Dr Rumhy affirmed that Seeh Al Sarya Engineering Services, which contributes directly to the growth of the national economy, achieved good Omanisation rates in administration and other technical functions as well. The company was established in 1999 with a local capital.

It is one of the local community companies, which were established in response to His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Saidâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s directives to support local communities at the concession areas.

C

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SPOR YOUR GAME

S

NADAL EYES HISTORY ON STUTTGART GRASS Rafael Nadal moved into the position to become a dual-surface champion at the Stuttgart Open on Saturday with his 6-3, 6-4 grass-court semifinal defeat of Gael Monfils. >C4

Le Guen will ‘of course’ stay as Oman coach Asked whether OFA’s version, dismissing the reports of Le Guen leaving for UAE’s Al Wahda, can be taken as correct, Oman coach replied ‘Yes. Of course’

A SESHAGIRI RAO

raoas@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: Paul Le Guen has confirmed that he will stay as the coach of Oman national team even as Oman Football Association (OFA) finally came out with a statement putting to rest the ‘rumours’ that the Frenchman is heading to the neighbouring United Arab EmirCRICKET

Holder saves Windies from follow-on, Aussies build the lead KINGSTON: Jason Holder blazed an unbeaten 82 to save the West Indies from the followon, but Australia were still in command at 22-0 for an overall lead of 201 at lunch on the third day of the second and final Test on Saturday.

With the home side starting the morning in deep trouble at 143 for eight, in reply to the tourists’ first innings total of 399, Holder stole the spotlight with a brilliant, counter-attacking innings that lifted them to a final score of 220.

He belted 12 fours and two sixes at Sabina Park, the second taking him to his second Test half-century, off just 63 deliveries and seemed well on course for a second hundred at the highest level of the game.

However, Josh Hazlewood wrapped up the innings after an hour’s play with the wickets of Kemar Roach and Jerome Taylor off consecutive deliveries to finish with his best Test innings figures of five for 38 off 15.5 overs.

Roach, who partnered Holder to the middle at the start of play after Veerasammy Permaul was dismissed off the last ball of the second day, played sensibly in a 77-run ninth-wicket partnership with his fellow Barbadian.

He contributed just seven runs but his defiance for 55 minutes, during which he faced 36 deliveries, allowed his fluent partner to enhance his already growing reputation as a batting all-rounder.

Seven weeks after a maiden Test hundred, a defiant unbeaten 103, saved the West Indies from defeat in the first Test against England in Antigua, Holder showed the more attacking side to his batting repertoire.

Most of his boundaries came from fluent drives and extravagant slashes through the off-side.

Another hundred looked his for the taking until Hazlewood was summoned by Australian captain Michael Clarke for a second spell.

The bowler responded immediately by drawing Roach into edging a drive to wicketkeeper Brad Haddin and then immediately trapping Taylor lbw when the last man offered no shot to his first delivery.

Both Taylor and Roach produced a handful of challenging deliveries to Australia’s opening pair of David Warner and Shaun Marsh at the start of the second innings. But they survived the examination and were poised, with the rest of a formidable batting line-up to follow, to build on an already impressive lead heading into the afternoon.

Brief scores: Australia 1st innings 399 and Australia 2nd innings (at lunch) 22 for no loss in 11 overs (S. Marsh 14 n.o., D. Warner 8 n.o.) vs West Indies 1st innings 220 all out in 59.5 overs (J. Holder 82 n.o., J. Blackwood 51; Hazlewood 5/38, Lyon 3/55). - AFP

ates (UAE) to take over the reigns of Al Wahda Club.

The OFA took almost four days to react to the news reported in the UAE media which said Le Guen has agreed to a one-year contract with Al Wahda Club.

In a brief statement, the OFA said on their official twitter account: “OFA denies the rumour about Paul Le Guen signing for a

club in the Gulf. Le Guen continues his duties as the head coach of Oman national team.”

The OFA’s tweet came after the UAE media reported on Saturday on how Al Wahda is ‘working with Paul Le Guen to target the right players’, including Brazilian midfielder Denilson.

Reacting to a Times Sport query whether one can go with the OFA’s version, Le Guen said “Yes. Of course” indicating that he will stay as Oman coach.

When Times Sport persuaded him further, Le Guen, while refusing to go into the details, assured he will stay as Oman coach.

“Don’t worry,” Le Gue, who was apparently busy at the OFA, said, conveying that he is not leaving.

Al Wahda Club first tweeted about their talks with Le Guen on the eve of Oman’s World Cup and

Asian Cup qualifier against India on Wednesday. And then the news was widely reported by the UAE media.

However, the OFA did not react till Friday when the association retweeted OFA chief Sayyid Khalid Al Busaidy’s comment expressing ‘surprise’ at media’s attempt ‘to promote their stories and rumours to mislead people and create confusion without making sure of the official sources of news’.

Le Guen has been the coach of Oman since June 2011.

The Frenchman guided the Sultanate squad to the finals of the 2015 Asian Cup in Australia, where they failed to make it to the knockout stages. However, on Thursday Le Guen’s wards started their 2018 World Cup and 2016 Asian Cup qualification campaign with a 2-1 away win over India.

RUMOURS REJECTED: Paul Le Guen

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SU N DAY, JUNE 14, 2015

SPORTS

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New Zealand ‘perfect’ opponents for England, says coach Farbrace The Black Caps

Bad news for Anderson as Kiwis level exciting series

levelled their fivematch one-day series with England at 1-1 following a rain-affected 13-run victory under the Duckworth/Lewis method at The Oval on Friday

LONDON: England caretaker coach Paul Farbrace has said New Zealand are the ideal opponents for his side as they look to bounce back from an embarrassing firstround exit at this year’s World Cup. The Black Caps levelled their five-match one-day series with England at 1-1 following a rainaffected 13-run victory under the Duckworth/Lewis (D/L) method at The Oval on Friday.

England — set an initial target of 399 for victory — were 345 for seven and needing 54 more runs from 37 balls when rain stopped play.

When the match resumed, their target had been adjusted to 34 off 13 balls; in the end they fell short but still finished on a hugely creditable 365 for nine.

This latest display of bold batting came just days after England set two national records in making 408 for nine and beating World Cup finalists New Zealand by 210

LONDON: A thrilling victory over England in the second match of their one-day series was tempered for New Zealand with the news that all-rounder Corey Anderson would be sent home to investigate a stress fracture in his back.

The 24-year-old Anderson has not played for Mike Hesson’s team since the first test loss at Lord’s last month, with the hope the big-hitting lefthander would be able to recover to play some part during the five-match one-day series.

“Corey has been working hard to get back to full fitness for the one day series but he hasn’t been able to overcome this

runs in the series opener at Edgbaston on Tuesday.

It was all a far cry from their lacklustre efforts during this year’s World Cup, where they failed to defeat a single Test nation and suffered several convincing reverses, including an eight-wicket thrashing by New Zealand in Wellington in February.

The Blackcaps’ attacking approach won plenty of plaudits and Farbrace was happy to add his own tribute. “It’s almost the perfect series for us, playing against a team that play the way they do — because we’re learning all the time,” Farbrace said.

“It makes it a little bit easier for us to try and match them, because they’re setting standards we want

injury,” Hesson said. “We felt the best course of action was to send him back to New Zealand for further assessment.”

Anderson had a MRI scan which revealed a new stress fracture in his back and would need further testing on the injury. Anderson’s absence could cause some issues for New Zealand in the future with fellow all-rounder Jimmy Neesham also unavailable due to a stress fracture in his back.

All-rounders Neesham and Anderson provide balance to Brendon McCullum’s team with their batting at number six and operating as a fourth seamer in either tests or one-

to achieve,” added Farbrace, who’s set to hand over the reins to Australia’s Trevor Bayliss ahead of next month’s home Ashes series.

England captain Eoin Morgan suggested the(D/L) method needed to be “looked at” given what happened at The Oval.

Unlike previous systems for revising targets in rain-affected matches, Duckworth/Lewis takes into account the number of wickets a side have lost.

‘Huge ask’ As a result, New Zealand were ‘in credit’ for scoring 398 for the loss of just five wickets at The Oval, thanks mainly to Ross Taylor’s unbeaten 119, Kane Williamson’s 93 and Martin Guptill’s even 50.

day internationals.

Anderson has recently filled the role in the limitedovers format, with Neesham preferred in the longer form of the game.

Grant Elliott and rookie leftarm spinner Mitchell Santner have filled the hole in the two games of the enthralling oneday series with England so far.

After being hammered for more than 400 runs in the first match at Edgbaston, New Zealand blasted 398 for five against England in the second game at the Oval with Ross Taylor stroking his 13th oneday international century. Eoin Morgan’s side were positioned

“It’s a huge ask, probably not only to chase down 399 but to have 34 to chase in 13 balls — given we set it up so deep, and the guys were in and momentum was with us,” said Morgan, who himself made a blistering 88 off just 47 balls at The Oval.

“I think, as the game evolves — particularly as much as it has done in 50-over cricket — Duckworth/ Lewis could certainly be looked at,” the left-handed batsman explained. “But we were glad to get back out there and get a result.

There’s nothing more frustrating than rain ending the game.”

But Morgan, England’s skipper at the World Cup, was delighted by the way his side were now tackling the 50-over game.

“We’re enjoying playing this

to chase it down before rain forced them off when they needed another 54 runs from 37 balls and with Adil Rashid and Liam Plunkett well set at the crease.

When the players returned, the Duckworth/Lewis calculation had made the remaining run chase a virtually impossible 34 runs from 13 balls and New Zealand won by 13 runs as England finished on 365 for nine from 46 overs.

The third match is on Sunday at the Rose Bowl in Southampton and New Zealand were yet to make a decision on whether they would call a replacement for Anderson. - Reuters

brand of cricket,” he said. “The guys can play it naturally, and it’s not such a big deal.”

England’s current line-up bat a long way down and Morgan said: “We’ve identified that as a huge strength of ours, and that was part of selection for this side.

“We like to think we’re never out of the game — and if we are, we’re going down swinging.”

Taylor for one, noticed the difference. “The way they played was outstanding, they put themselves in a great position,” he said.

“When we came off I thought it was just in our favour, they’d still have had to bat well but the rain helped us out,” Taylor added.

The series continues at Southampton on Sunday. - AFP

CRICKET

Pakistan to review Bangladesh cricket rout KARACHI: Pakistan cricket authorities on Saturday said they would include the national team’s shambolic whitewash against Bangladesh this year as part of a review to improve its performance.

Pakistan were humiliated during Bangladesh April-May tour

this year, which saw them slump to their lowest ever ranking in the ICC one-day international table of ninth after losing the one-day series in a 3-0 rout.

The defeat — accompanied by another in a single Twenty20 international — put Pakistan’s par-

ticipation in 2017 Champions Trophy in England in doubt as only the top eight teams will compete.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had already put together a committee to review the national team’s below-par performance in the 2015 World Cup, where they

crashed out in the quarterfinals.

During a meeting on Friday, the PCB unanimously decided to include the Bangladesh tour in the committee’s scope. “Some of the areas highlighted and agreed by the committee which require strengthening were strategic thinking, field-

ing and fitness, pick and stick policy and positive team culture,” the PCB said in a statement on Saturday.

The PCB committee will review the performance of the players and support staff after every tour to improve accountability at every stage, the release added. - AFP

TENNIS

Murray ready for Queen’s despite illness LONDON: Andy Murray has recovered from an illness picked up at the French Open and will begin his preparations for Wimbledon at the Aegon International at Queen’s Club next week.

The world No. 3, whose 15-match unbeaten run was ended by Novak Djokovic in the semifinals at Roland Garros, is the top seed at the traditional grass-court warm-up event that has this year attracted a stellar field.

“I took three and a half days off after Paris and then practised the last couple of days at Wimbledon then came here today; this is the first day I’ve practised here,” the 2013 Wimbledon champion told reporters on Saturday.

“They were three full days off any training or anything. I needed to rest and recover. I was actually sick for about a week, really, so I needed to recover from that too.

“To be honest, I actually felt okay, but the day I played (David) Ferrer (in the quarter-finals) I didn’t feel great.”

“When I got on the court and started running around it was fine, but when I got back my left eye closed up, and I had a bad cough for a couple of days,” added three-times Queen’s Club champion Murray.

With Bjorkman Murray, who plays a qualifier in the first round, will have Jonas Bjorkman working with him this week rather than his regular coach Amelie Mauresmo, but she will be back for Wimbledon which starts on June 29 despite being pregnant.

“Amelie is not here but she will be with me at Wimbledon.

It was never the plan for her to come to Queen’s,” Murray added.

“And I think it’s good as well that before she is away for a few months from the team that her and Jonas can spend some time together as well.”

The Queen’s cast includes French Open champion Stanislas Wawrinka, Rafa Nadal, Milos Raonic and defending champion Grigor Dimitrov. - Reuters

CRICKET

Lyon claims Aussie record with 142nd wicket KINGSTON: Nathan Lyon says he still has plenty to learn despite becoming Australia’s most prolific off-spinner by removing Kraigg Brathwaite on the second day of the second Test against West Indies in Kingston on Friday.

The 27-year-old’s 142nd Test wicket, the first of three he took at the cost of 35 runs, not only helped Australia to a dominant position at Sabina Park but also took him past the career tally of Hugh Trumble.

Trumble had held the title of Australia’s most effective offspinner since he retired in 1904 with 141 victims in 32 Tests, then a record haul for any bowler in the nascent international game.

“I’m pretty proud. It’s a big moment,” Lyon said. “As I keep saying, and always say, I’ll look back at these things at the end of my career. I am proud of the achievement that’s for sure. It’s a big record to break. Hopefully I can add to it.”

Lyon’s is an unlikely success story and he has been dropped with a regularity that would severely damage the morale of many a bowler.

I’ll look back at these things at the end of my career.

I am proud of the achievement that’s for sure.

It’s a big record to break. Hopefully I can add to it Nathan Lyon Unassuming and physically unprepossessing, Lyon is pretty much the antithesis of leg-spinner Shane Warne, the player to whom every Australian slow bowler will be compared.

Lyon was not considered when Australia were looking for a spinner to replace the dumped Nathan Hauritz in the 2010-11 Ashes series because at the time he was a groundsman at Adelaide Oval and had not yet played first-class

cricket. He played his maiden Test just a few months after his first-class debut on the tour of Sri Lanka in August 2011 and took the wicket of Kumar Sangakkara with his very first ball on his way to 5-34.

His 144 wickets in 41 Tests have cost 35 runs apiece and Lyon accepts that he can still improve his game.

“I’m still learning. I feel like I’m learning each time I go out into

the nets,” he added. “Each time I walk out into the nets and in the middle I try to get better each and every day.

“I’ve got a lot of learning to do and I’m really enjoying it and hopefully it’s just the start.

“I want to keep getting better at my bowling. I want to keep getting a better stock ball.

“The day I stop learning and don’t want to get better is the day I’ll give it up.” - Reuters

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SPORTS Tamim on pole as rain wrecks Fatullah Test

CRICKET

GOOD STAND: Shikhar Dhawan, rignt, and Murali Vijay.

You will see bigger stands between me and Vijay: Dhawan

LEADING SCORER: Tamim Iqbal of Bangladesh plays a shot during the fourth day of their Test match against India at Khan Shaheb Osman

Ali Stadium in Fatullah, Narayanganj on Saturday. – AFP SCOREBOARD

Bangladesh were 111 for three in 30.1 overs in reply at lunch before rain wiped out the remaining two sessions at the waterlogged Khan Shaheb Osman Ali stadium

FATULLAH: Tamim Iqbal became Bangladesh’s leading runscorer in Tests as the rain-ruined one-off match against India lurched towards a draw on Saturday after bad weather disrupted the fourth day’s play in Fatullah.

India declared their first innings at their overnight score of 462 for six in a bid to force a result in a match in

India 1st innings: 462 for 6 decl Bangladesh 1st innings: Tamim Iqbal st Saha b Ashwin 19 Imrul Kayes not out 59 Mominul Haque c Yadav b Harbhajan 30 Mushfiqur Rahim c R. Sharma b Ashwin 2

which just 103.3 overs were bowled over the first three days.

Bangladesh were 111 for three in 30.1 overs in reply at lunch before rain wiped out the remaining two sessions at the water-logged Khan Shaheb Osman Ali stadium.

With just one day left and not even two innings completed, only a dramatic Bangladeshi collapse will liven up play on Sunday.

Bangladesh opener Imrul Kayes hit an unbeaten 59 to thwart India’s bowlers, who claimed three quick wickets before the rains set in. Lefthanded Tamim took the top spot among Bangladesh’s Test batsmen when, on seven, he surpassed former captain Habibul Bashar’s tally of 3,026 runs in 50 matches.

Shakib Al Hasan not out 0 Extras (nb-1) 1 Total (3 wickets; 30.1 overs) 111 Fall of wickets: 1-27, 2-108, 3-110.

Bowling: Sharma 4-0-13-0, Ashwin 11.1-230-2, Yadav 4-0-34-0, Aaron 4-0-11-0 (nb-1), Harbhajan 7-0-23-1.

Tamim, playing his 40th Test, moved to 19 before he was stumped smartly by Wriddhiman Saha off a delivery from spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, who shared the new ball with seamer Ishant Sharma.

Mominul Haque missed a chance to equal a world record when he was caught in the deep off Harbhajan Singh after making 30.

The left-hander fell 20 runs short of drawing level with South African AB de Villiers’ feat of scoring a half century in 12 consecutive Tests.

But Mominul still has a remote chance to join De Villiers if the hosts are required to bat a second time on Sunday.

Bangladesh captain Mushfiqur

Rahim fell for two just before rain interrupted play when he edged Ashwin to Rohit Sharma at leg slip.

Indian opener Shikhar Dhawan, who hit 173 in the match, laughed when asked what he expected from the final day’s play.

“According to the forecast, we expect more rain,” he said. “But if we get to play, it will be good for us and for the spectators too. If we had played a full game, we may have realised our aim to win the Test. But you can’t control the weather, so you can’t do anything about it.”

Tamim warned against taking a draw for granted, insisting that much could still happen if there was no more rain.

“The first half-an-hour will be very important,” he said. “If we can build a partnership, then we can safely say the Test is over.

“But cricket is a funny game and anything can happen. We are very relaxed because we know what we need to do and that is to build a good partnership.”

The Test will be followed by three One-day Internationals in Dhaka on June 18, 21 and 24. - AFP

CRICKET

Concussion a ‘wake-up call’ for Rogers SYDNEY: Australia’s Chris Rogers is still dealing with headaches and dizzy spells after being hit on the head in training before the first Test against West Indies, and the opening batsman says the lingering symptoms have been a wake-up call to the dangers of concussion.

Rogers, who was ruled out of both Tests in the Caribbean after suffering the blow to the head in Dominica, said he did not initially think it was overly serious.

“To be honest, I didn’t think much of the hit on the head. I’ve been hit on the head quite a few times (and) I thought it was just another one,” he told Cricket Australia’s website.

“But then I just didn’t start to feel great. I spoke to the doc and didn’t expect him to rule me out of the Test, but he did.

“I was a little bit surprised at the time but since then I still haven’t quite recovered. I’ve had some pretty bad days so I think the doc was right. He made the right call.”

The 37-year-old left-hander said it had been a new experience for him. “I’ve never really had symptoms like this, I must admit,” he added. “Even just running and taking a few catches and then feeling terrible for the rest of the day.

“I just didn’t really think I’d have the headaches and the dizziness that have come with it.

“The only thing for me is that the symptoms have gone for so long. That’s been a bit worrying but I’m assured by the doctor that’s fine. Its been a bit of a

I’ve never really had symptoms like this, I must admit. Even just running and taking a few catches and then feeling terrible for the rest of the day. I just didn’t really think I’d have the headaches and the dizziness that have come with it Chris Rogers Australian cricketer

wake-up call.” Rogers, who has indicated the Ashes series in England would probably mark his Australia swan song, added that he felt he was about a week away from being able to play again.

He is keen to get the chance to produce on the field in warm-up

matches and ensure he can resume his opening partnership with David Warner for the first test at Sophia Gardens in Cardiff from July 8.

“A couple of weeks off in the Caribbean isn’t the worst but you want to be out there playing,”

Rogers added. “There’s still a fair bit of time, but first and foremost it’s getting back into this side, and it (the team) is going pretty well.

That’s the challenge.

“There’s a bit of time and a few practice games before that, so hopefully I’m right.” - Reuters

FATULLAH: Claiming to be a much-improved batsman, India’s Shikhar Dhawan, who returned to form with a blazing 173 in the ongoing one-off Test against Bangladesh, on Saturday said that many more big stands are in store with his opening partner Murali Vijay.

Dhawan added 283 runs for the first wicket with Vijay (150), laying the foundation for India’s formidable first-innings score of 462 for six declared in the rain-interrupted Test match that is headed for a tame draw with Bangladesh placed at 111 for three at stumps on the fourth and penultimate day.

“This is my 14th Test match and I have learnt quite a few things from my previous tours and now you will see bigger partnerships between me and Vijay because once we spend more time in the middle and get exposed to different attacks, automatically the runs start flowing,” Dhawan told reporters at end of fourth day of the Test.

The 29-year-old Dhawan was all praise for Virat Kohli’s captaincy.

“Virat is a very good captain because he holds on to this belief that the team is going to win. It doesn’t matter how it turns out eventually because our aim is to always go for the victory. Virat believes in this funda, he talks to us like a friend and this helps us in understanding him better,” the left-handed batsman said.

With more than 200 overs lost due to frequent rain interruptions in the previous three days, the Kohli-led visitors came out all guns blazing and picked up the first opposition wicket quite early today only to see a bit of resistance from the second-wicket batting pair.

Asked about the flat deck at the Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium, Dhawan said shot-making was easy here.

“It’s more of a batting wicket but our bowlers have been performing well. They got three wickets. During the World Cup the pitches we played on had bounce and swing. But here within two-three overs I realised that I could start playing my shots and after that everything automatically fell in place,” he insisted. - PTI

CRICKET

Overton in England ODI team LONDON: England have added uncapped Somerset all-rounder Craig Overton to their squad for the remainder of the one-day series with New Zealand as cover for the injured Chris Jordan, it was announced on Saturday.

Jordan, whose figures of one for 97 against New Zealand at The Oval on Friday were the second worst by an England player in all One-day Internationals (ODI), has a side strain and will be assessed before the third match on

Sunday. “Craig Overton has been called up as cover while we wait for an update on Chris Jordan’s side injury,” said a tweet from @ englandcricket.

The 21-year-old Overton has played just 15 senior one-day matches for Somerset and while his figures may not be that impressive — he averages just 10.54 with the bat and 54.20 with the ball — he is regarded as one of the most promising young talents in the English game. - AFP

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SU N DAY, JUNE 14, 2015

SPORTS A N N UA L AWA R D S G A L A

OAA honours achievers of 2014-15 season

(Photo by SHABIN E/Times of Oman)

MUSCAT: The Oman Automobile Association (OAA) organised the annual OAA Awards Gala at Hormuz Grand Hotel on Friday night to the honour all those who excelled in various motorsports disciplines during 2014-15 season.

Omani rally legend Hamed Al Wahaibi was among the awardees.

The Sultanate’s racing star Ahmad Al Harthy was also presented with a special award. During the ceremony, the OAA also announced the formation of a medial team for the

first time, the Omani marshals and launch of the website.

List of awardees Oman Rotax Max Challenge: DD2: 1. Sanad Al Rawahi 551 pts; 2.

Hussain Umad Ali 404; 3. Hamed Al Wahaibi 379. Juniors: 1. Khalid Al Wahaibi 458; 2. Marcus Lee Marker 421; 3. Taymour Kermanshahchi 400. Micromax: 1. Mohamed Al Habsi 428; 2. Ziggy Kermanshahchi 369; 3. Theo Kekati 310. Minimak: 1. Shihab Al Habsi 489; 2. Annas Alrawahi

367; 3. Liam Crystal 168. Senior: 1.

Patrick Hannah 552; 2. Alfaisal Al Zubair 319; 3. Tom Bale 200.

Oman motocross: Expert class: 1. Ben Menzies (UAE) 344; 2. Luke Bassett 288; 3. Rich Russell 275.

Clubman class: 1. Miguel Lope 143; 2.

Billy Doyle 100; 3. Mohd Al Hashmi 75. Junior 85cc class: 1. Hood Busaidi 167; 2. Eugenio Babaglia (UAE) 150; 3. Abdulla Al Naimi (UAE) 132.

Youth 125cc class: 1. Tiaan Nolan 275; 2. Maysen Greenwood 257; 3.

Eugene Nolan 62. Pee wee class: 1.

Ahmed Al Naimi 150; 2. Faisal Busaidi 141; 3. Joey Mortada 60.

SWS RT8: 1. Ali Al Moosa 9788; 2.

Umid Ai Hussain 8108; 3. Wade’e Al Kharusi 8248.

Endurance Cup: 1. Motorsport Solutions 4123; 2. OKT Endurance 3409; 3. Max Team Racing 2 1827.

SWS LR4: 1. Assad Al Rawahi 8265; 2. Annas Al Rawahi 7538; 3. Firas Al Lamki 6597.

Oman Drift Challange: 1. Tariq Al Shihani 500; 2. Ali Al Shihani 390; 3. Abdullah Al Manari 350.

Oman National Rally: Drivers: 1. Sheikh Abdullah Al Qassimi 86; 2. Khalid Somar Al Zadjali 75; 3.

Said Saleh Dhahi Al Minji 52. Codrivers: 1. Carthy Derousseaux 86; 2.

Taha Somar Al Zadjali 75; 3. Nasser Al Minji 52.

Time attack: 1. Mannan Al Rawahi 103; 2. Layth Al Mawali 99; 3.

Ammar Al Balushi 96.

AWDM: 1. Layth Al Mawali 99; 2. Wail Al Shaibani 85; 3. Issam Al Busaidi 22.

AWDS: 1. Faisal Al Zubair

Sultan Ahmed to lead Oman at ICC World T20 Qualifier While Oman Cricket has appointed Sultan Ahmed as the captain, former England star Derek Pringle is set to join the Sultanate’s team in Ireland as a technical advisor

MUSCAT: Experienced campaigner Sultan Ahmed has been appointed the captain of the Oman national senior team for the ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier 2015 to be held in Ireland and Scotland from July 3 to 26, according to a press release issued by Oman Cricket (OC) on Saturday.

Syed Aamir Kaleem will be Sultan’s deputy on the tour, the statement added.

Fourteen teams will be participating in the tournament which is divided into two groups. Group A consists of Ireland, Nepal, Hong Kong, Papua New Guinea (PNG), Namibia, USA and Jersey whilse Group B includes Afghanistan, the UAE, Netherlands, Scotland, Canada, Kenya and Oman.

READY FOR THE CHALLENGE: A group photo of Oman cricket team that will take part in the ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier. – Supplied photo

The top six teams will qualify for the World Twenty20 tournament to be held in India from March 11 to April 3.

Besides Sultan Ahmed and Sayed Amir Kaleem, the 15-member member also comprises Yousuf Abdulrahim Mahmood Al Balushi, Sufyan Mahmood Muslim Mahmood, Vaibhav Wategaonkar, Jatinder Singh, Rajesh Ranpura, Syed Amir Ali, Zeeshan Ahmed Siddiqui, Ajay Lalcheta, Zeeshan Maqsood, Mehran Khan, Muham-

mad Nadeem, Munis Ansari and Khawar Ali. Issa Rahim Bakhsh, Arun Poulose and Sindo Michael have been selected as reservers.

The officials for the tour will be Oman Cricket’s Chief Development Officer and national coach Duleep Mendis. Mazhar Saleem Khan will be his assistant. Jagnathan Premnath will be the physio on tour while Syed Jameel Zaidi will be the manager.

Derek Pringle, a former England

Test player will join the team in Ireland, as a technical advisor.

The team was announced by the Selection Committee Chairman Syed Anwar Ahsan and also present was OC Secretary Madhu Jesrani.

The Oman team will travel to Cork, Ireland on June 15 where practice games and net sessions have been arranged.

The team will thereafter move to Belfast where two warm-up matches arranged by International Cricket Council - the first match

Nepal on July 6 and the second against Ireland on July 7.

In the ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier, Oman team will face Kenya in the opening encounter on July 11. Then they will play Canada on July 12, the Netherlands on July 14, Afghanistan on July 15, UAE on July 17 and Canada on July 18.

The Oman team has received tremendous support from the Ministry of Sports Affairs, the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), and the International Cricket Council (ICC).

71; 2. Ali Moosa 66; 3. Abdullah Al Zubair 44.

FWDM: 1. Anas Al Raisi 81; 2.

Radad Samir 73; 3. Zaher Nasser Al Shaqsi 20.

FWDS: 1. Mannan Al Rawahi 103; 2. Ghassan Nasser Al Harthy 24; 3. Al Mutasim Al Housti 24.

RWDM: 1. Mohammed Al Balushi 62; 2. Abdullah Al Ghailani 14; 3. Said AL Harthy 1.

RWDS: 1. Ammar Al Balushi 96; 2. Faris Adawi 24; 3. Shady Younes 12.

TENNIS

Kokkinakis gets Queen’s wild card LONDON: Australian teenager Thanasi Kokkinakis was given a wild card into the Wimbledon warm-up event at Queen’s Club on Saturday.

Rising star Kokkinakis was granted the late entry into the west London grass-court tournament, which begins on Monday, after Britain’s Kyle Edmund was forced to withdraw due to an abdominal injury.

The 19-year-old broke into the world’s top 100 recently and is now at a career-high 69 in the ATP Tour rankings.

Kokkinakis demonstrated his vast potential by reaching the second round of the Australian Open and the last 16 in Indian Wells earlier this year, while also winning his first challenger title in Bordeaux.

He joins a strong Queen’s Club line-up which contains eight of the world’s top 14 players, including Andy Murray, Rafael Nadal, Stan Wawrinka and Marin Cilic.

“Kyle desperately wanted to play, and we were looking forward to seeing him, but he hasn’t quite returned to full fitness in time to compete at this level. We wish him a full and speedy recovery,” Tournament Director Stephen Farrow said.

“At the same time, Thanasi has posted some impressive results this year, he’s an exciting prospect and this is a great opportunity to show what he can do.”

Kokkinakis will play French world No. 37 Jeremy Chardy in the first round at Queen’s. - AFP

TENNIS

Nadal lines up for history on Stuttgart grass STUTTGART: Rafael Nadal moved into the position to become a dual-surface champion at the Stuttgart Open on Saturday with his 6-3, 6-4 grass-court semifinal defeat of Gael Monfils.

Victory in less than 90 minutes on the newly laid grass courts of the pre-Wimbledon event paved a path for Nadal to lift his third in Stuttgart after winning in 2005 and 2007 when the event was played on clay.

But in 2012, officials and orgnanisers at the Weissenhof club made the decision to work with the ATP to switch over to grass as part of an expanded three-week Wimbledon run-up which began this week.

Nadal owns two Wimbledon crowns and also won at Queen’s in his grass glory year of 2008.

The 29-year-old will be bidding for the 66th trophy of his career but only the second this season.

Nadal came through over Monfils on the first of two match points as the French fourth seed sailed a forehand over the baseline.

Unable to find an ace in the contest, Nadal however made no double-faults and saved all four

‘PLAYING WELL’: Spain’s Rafael Nadal hits a return against France’s Gael Monfils during their semifi-

nal match at the Stuttgart Open in Stuttgart on Saturday. – AFP

of the break points he faced as he beat Monfils for the 11h time in 13 meetings.

The win was effortless in contrast to the struggles Nadal went through in his first two matches this week, spending a combined five hours on court to win six sets.

“I think I’m playing well,” the Spaniard said on Sky Sports.

“It’s important for me after losing at Roland Garros to keep going and have the right attitude, the right level of tennis in the next couple of weeks and that is what I am trying.

“I’m practising every day with a very positive attitude, working a lot of hours on court.

“I had a tough first three months

and a half — very bad for me — but I felt that the last month and a half was better.

“I’m enjoying again the tennis and every victory is important and being in the final is great news.”

Nadal has won the Stuttgart title two times in 2005 and 2007, when the tournament was played on clay. - Agencies

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FOOTBALL

Bale lost for words after historic Wales victory CARDIFF: Gareth Bale struggled to express his emotions after scoring the goal against Belgium that took Wales to within sight of their first major tournament since the 1958 World Cup. The Real Madrid forward pounced on a misdirected header

by Radja Nainggolan to put Wales ahead in the 25th minute at the Cardiff City Stadium on Friday and the hosts held firm to open up a three-point lead over Belgium in 2016 European Championship qualifying Group B. It was the perfect way to crown his 50th international appearance and having endured a difficult season in Madrid, the 25-year-old will go into the close season with a smile on his face.

“It’s hard to put it into words,”

Bale told Sky Sports. “We prepared well, played some good football and battled in every area.

“After 70 minutes, I was gone.

The gaffer (Chris Coleman) said to leave nothing out there on the pitch and we did that. Now we can enjoy our summer.

“We know the position we’re in and we’ll enjoy this (Friday) evening. There’s a long way to go, but when the next game comes along we’ll be ready to do the business.”

Bale also posted a pair of pictures on Twitter, one of him celebrating his goal, the other showing him alongside six of his grinning team-mates in the changing room after the match.

“Unbelievable result!!” he wrote.

“Huge thanks to all the fans for making it such a special night.

Can’t wait for the next 50 caps.

“Not going to forget tonight!”

Wales’s qualification campaign resumes in September, when they visit Cyprus before hosting Israel, both of whom are five points below them in the race for the two automatic qualifying berths.

“The stadium was bouncing from the warm-up,” said Wales captain Ashley Williams, who marshalled a defence that kept Belgium’s stellar attack of Christian Benteke, Eden Hazard and Kevin De Bruyne at bay.

“When you work that hard, you’ve got to enjoy these moments.

“I said to the players at the end that we’ve come this far, but we need to stay focused and we’ve given ourselves a great chance of qualification.” - AFP

UNBELIEVABLE: Wales’s midfielder Gareth Bale, right, gestures to the crowd after the final whistle of

their Euro 2016 qualifying Group B match against Belgium in Cardiff on Friday. – AFP

Coach Conte pleased with Italian team’s seamless formation shift With several key players out injured, Conte had to revert from a preferred 3-5-2 and the

We had a well defined style of play and although we can still revert to the old formation, I think this one will be a success in the future

Italians held the upper hand for long spells in the match played behind closed doors in Split

SPLIT: Italy coach Antonio Conte praised his injury-hit team for a smooth shift to an adventurous 4-3-3 formation in Friday’s 1-1 draw at Croatia in their Euro 2016 Group H qualifier.

With several key players out injured, Conte had to revert from a preferred 3-5-2 and the Italians held the upper hand for long spells in the match played behind closed doors in Split.

“The 4-3-3 allows us to exploit space out wide with the best wingers that the Serie A currently has to offer,” the 45-year old coach told the Italian football federation website. “We had a well defined style of play and although we can still revert to the old formation, I think this one will be a success in the future.”

Antonio Candreva, who scored Italy’s equaliser with a dinked penalty, gave his markers a roasting on the right flank all evening and Stephan El Shaarawy also had a fine game on the left behind lone striker Graziano Pelle.

Shaarawy had a goal wrongly disallowed for offside seconds before Mario Mandzukic’s opener for Croatia and Conte blasted English referee Martin Atkinson for allowing the home side to restart play with the visitors celebrating in vain.

“We were a little bit naive but we were sure that our disallowed goal was good and as a matter of fact it was good,” he said.

“So when Croatia took the lead immediately after it was a big shock and the referee should not have allowed them to restart

Antonio Conte Italy coach

play while we were still celebrating,” he added.

With Mandzukic missing an early penalty and giving away the spot-kick to Italy, Croatia had little to cheer about after the game

C ATA L U N YA G P

Espargaro takes surprise pole

SECOND EVER POLE: Team Suzuki Ecstar’s rider Aleix Espargaro, centrel, celebrates his pole position with teammate Maverick Vinales, left, and Movistar Yamaha’s Jorge Lorenzo after the Catalunya Grand Prix MotoGP in Montmelo, near Barcelona, on Saturday. – AFP

BARCELONA: Aleix Espargaro broke the lap record to take pole position at the Catalunya Grand Prix with Maverick Vinales behind him on Saturday in a surprise Suzuki pairing at the front of the MotoGP grid.

A blistering time of one minute and 40.546 seconds gave Spaniard Espargaro only his second ever pole position in MotoGP and Suzuki’s first since 2007.

His compatriot Vinales was 0.083 seconds behind and Yamaha’s Jorge Lorenzo, who has won the last three races, took third place. “With the first tyre I pushed but not to the limit. On the second I nearly crashed at the last corner, I was pushing so hard,” Espargaro, who lies 11th in the world championship standings, told reporters.

“This is a present for Suzuki,

they have worked so hard for this and now hopefully tomorrow I can be on the podium.

World champion Marc Marquez, who has struggled with his Honda this year, was down in fourth and Yamaha’s Valentino Rossi, who leads the standings with 118 points from six races, continued his poor qualifying form and was down in seventh place. - Reuters

as it also produced a bizarre racism scandal.

A swastika cross imprinted into the grass of Poljud stadium through a chemical agent by still unidentified perpetrators days before the

kickoff became visible during the match, which was played behind closed doors for earlier offences by Croatian supporters.

Croatia had been handed a onematch ban for racist chants by

their fans in a 5-1 home win over Norway in Zagreb in March, which came on the back of incidents they caused in a 1-1 draw against Italy in Milan last November when they hurled flares on to the pitch.

The swastika incident left Croatia’s players fearing drastic punishment from governing body Uefa after the result left them top of the section in Group H on 14 points from six games, two ahead of Italy and four more than thirdplaced Norway.

“Of course we discussed it and we can only hope that Uefa will show us some mercy,” defender Domagoj Vida was quoted as saying by Croatian media.

“We regret what happened but as players we can only do our job on the pitch.”

The Croatian Football Association (HNS) issued an apology to the Italians and both sets of fans watching the game on television while also condemning the incident.

“This is sabotage and a felony, hence we expect police to identify the perpetrators and we have also notified UEFA,” HNS spokesman Tomislav Pacak said.

“It is a disgrace not just for the HNS but for the whole of Croatia,” he said. - Reuters

C6

SU N DAY, JUNE 14, 2015

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England seek restorative victory against Slovenia

EURO 2016 QUALIFIER

Hiddink relieved after the Dutch win in Latvia

With a six-point lead over Slovenia and Switzerland in Group E, England already have one foot in next year’s tournament in France

WATFORD: Stung by recent criticism, England hope to end the season with victory and a rousing performance when they tackle Slovenia in Ljubljana on Sunday in a 2016 European Championship qualifier.

With five straight wins behind them and a six-point lead over Slovenia and Switzerland in Group E, England already have one foot in next year’s tournament in France and are bidding to finish a season unbeaten for the first time in 24 years.

Roy Hodgson’s men were lambasted for an insipid display in last weekend’s 0-0 friendly draw with the Republic of Ireland in Dublin, but midfielder Jack Wilshere feels the outing did England a world of good.

“We don’t take any notice of it (the criticism),” he told reporters at England’s team hotel in Watford, north of London, this week.

“I said after the game that we needed the game and a few of the players had not played since the last game of the season. They had been away with their families, and they deserved to — they played 40, 50 games. So they deserved that week to switch off. Then we came back on Tuesday. We trained a few days and training went well, but we always felt we needed a game.

“You can’t get to the levels in training that you do in a game. We felt like we needed that game and we would be ready for the big one in Slovenia.”

Slovenia took a 1-0 lead courtesy of a Jordan Henderson own goal when the teams met at Wem-

‘READY FOR BIG ONE IN SOLOVENIA’: England’s manager Roy Hodgson looks on as England’s striker

Wayne Rooney takes part in a team training session ahead of their Uefa Euro 2016 Group E qualifying match againt Slovenia. – AFP

bley last November — the only goal England have conceded in the qualifying campaign to date —but a Wayne Rooney penalty and a Danny Welbeck brace saw the hosts to a 3-1 victory.

Arsenal forward Welbeck is currently sidelined due to a knee injury and with Daniel Sturridge also injured and Harry Kane, Saido Berahino and Danny Ings on duty with England’s under-21s, Hodgson’s attacking options are diminished.

Skipper Rooney, still two goals shy of Bobby Charlton’s all-time England record of 49, is certain to start, but Liverpool pair Adam Lallana and Raheem Sterling could lose their places after ineffective turns at the Aviva Stadium.

Tottenham Hotspur winger An-

dros Townsend and Arsenal’s Theo Walcott, who ended the season with a flurry of goals, are among the players vying for a starting place, while Queens Park Rangers striker Charlie Austin will hope to make his debut after spending the game in Dublin on the bench.

Slovenia crushed San Marino 6-0 on their last outing at Stadion Stozice in March, leaving them neck-and-neck with Switzerland in a likely battle for the group’s second automatic qualifying berth behind England. Right-back Petar Stojanovic and experienced striker Zlatan Ljubijankic, who scored against England in a Wembley friendly six years ago, are both out, but coach Srecko Katanec has an otherwise fully-fit squad.

“We all know who we are playing against,” centre-back Branko Ilic told the Football Association of Slovenia’s website.

“Even though there is no Welbeck, we will have to be focused, as they have other players who can take chances. Rooney is one of England’s best players and Wilshere will also be dangerous. We will have to pay attention to everything.

“We didn’t play well in England, but we scored the opening goal. We conceded from our own mistakes, but it’s true that it’s more difficult to play at Wembley.

“Now we will play at home, we will be able to press their back line more and stop them playing. We will also have to keep possession, which we failed to do in England.” - AFP

FOOTBALL

‘Chicharito’ in strong Mexico squad MEXICO CITY: Mexico on Friday named striker Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez, Real Sociedad star Carlos Vela and Watford fullback Miguel Layun in a strong 23-man squad for next month’s Gold Cup. Coach Miguel Herrera an-

nounced the squad the same night that a different roster — seen as a B-team — was playing Bolivia in the Copa America tournament in Chile, which ends July 4.

Herrera saved his biggest stars for the July 7-July 26 Gold Cup,

which is hosted by defending champions the USA. The squad: Guillermo Ochoa, Moises Munoz, Jonathan Orozco; Francisco Javier Rodreguez, Miguel Angel Herrera, Diego Reyes, Yasser Corona, Hector Moreno, Paul Aguilar, Miguel Layun,

Jorge Torres Nilo; Midfielders: Hector Herrera, Jonathan Dos Santos, Antonio Rios, Jesus Duenas, Andres Guardado, Jose Juan Vazquez, Jesus Corona, Carlos Esquivel; Carlos Vela, Oribe Peralta, Giovani dos Santos, Javier Hernandez. Reuters

RIGA: Netherlands coach Guus Hiddink was a relieved man after his team won their Euro 2016 qualifier in Latvia 2-0 on Friday to retain hope of an automatic berth at next year’s finals.

“Of course, I’m relieved, we had to win here. After a positive World Cup last year, this side has had setbacks. But now new, younger players are profiling themselves and the older payers are still doing what they should be doing,” Hiddink told reporters, referring to the role Wesley Sneijder played in setting up the opening goal and twice hitting the woodwork.

“We are in a rebuilding phase but according to me it’s going in the right direction. I want to compliment the team.”

“Not only for the performance in the match but also in training where they gave everything,” Hiddink added.

Two second-half goals, which followed quickly after the substitution of captain Robin van Persie, kept the Dutch third in Group A, five points behind leaders Iceland and three adrift of the Czech Republic, who lost 1-0 in Reykjavik.

With four qualifiers left, and home games to come against Iceland and the Czechs, the Dutch can still qualify automatically despite losing to both teams at the start of the campaign and dropping home points against Turkey.

The patchy form of the Dutch

We are in a rebuilding phase but according to me it’s going in the right direction Guus Hiddink

Netherlands coach

side has been in sharp contrast to the team’s excellent third-place finish at last year’s World Cup in Brazil under Hiddink’s predecessor Louis van Gaal. - Reuters

FOOTBALL

QPR’s Adel Taarabt leaves for Benfica LONDON: Morocco’s controversial midfielder Adel Taarabt has joined Benfica on a five-year deal after his Queen’s Park Rangers contract was terminated by mutual consent.

“I don’t think it’s necessary to explain why I chose Benfica. It’s a great club that have produced great players over the years and they were champions last season,” he told Benfica TV. “When my manager told me of Benfica, I said I was ready to change because this is a great opportunity for me”, the 26-year-old Taarabt was quoted as saying on the club’s official website.

Taarabt made 164 appearances for QPR, scoring 34 goals, after joining in March 2009 from

Tottenham Hotspur, initially on loan before a permanent move the following year. In 2010-11, he captained QPR to the Championship (second tier) title and was the division’s Player of the Year after a season in which he scored 19 goals and had 19 assists, helping the club return to the Premier League after a 15-year absence.

The next season he helped QPR retain their Premier League status, scoring crucial goals in wins over Arsenal and Spurs.

Taarabt, who had loan spells in 2013-14 at Fulham and AC Milan, has courted controversy during his career and was criticised by thenQPR manager Harry Redknapp in October last year for being “about three stone overweight”. - Reuters

FOOTBALL

Berger Paints to sponsor Ramadan football

MUSCAT: If you thought the summer months of June, July and August are too hot for outdoor sports, think again. Berger Paints have come forward to add colour to the Holy month of Ramadan by sponsoring the Ramadan football bonanza, according to a press release issued by the organisers.

The tournament kicks off at the Rustaq Stadium on 11 June while the official inauguration will be held on the first day of Ramadan

by Hamdan bin Nasser Al Rumaidhi, member of the Shura Council, Nizwa. The final match will be played on July 11 that will decide the winners of this year.

Berger Paints have left no stone

unturned to ensure the event will be not only the most talked about but also the most followed in football circles with prominent local clubs participating and 32 teams playing across Nizwa, Al Ashkara, Rushtaq and Khabourah. Cash prizes, trophies, medals, complimentary T-shirts and lots more will be additional attractions for the teams that will vie with each other for the top spot that will include a trophy and cash award as well.

There will be eight teams from four regions of which the top two teams from each region will come together for the quarter final matches that will be held after sunset at Rushtaq that will also be the

venue for the semifinal and final matches. Apart from teams walking home richer, there will also be prizes for individual players.

The tournament will be held under the auspices of Hamid Sulaiman Al Jabri, Chairman of the Referees Committee of Oman Football Association (OFA).

The sponsors will also honour the player that scores the maximum number of goals in the tournament. Prizes will also go to the best goalkeeper of the tournament and the best player in the final.

Berger Paints General Manager, P.K. Raj said: “As a global corporate citizen, we at Berger Paints are actively involved in the

passion and future of the communities who have given us so much.

“We believe the best way to give back something to Oman is by investing in the youth. Ramadan football not only embodies the passion of Oman but also symbolises the spirit of the month,” he added.

The stadiums will be draped in an array of Berger Paints colours and the company has taken steps to ensure free wi-fi connectivity for viewers to send instant photographs and updates to their friends and family.

Random viewers will be selected from the crowd and handed over Berger Paints T-shirts as mementos.

C

SECTION

hroughout history, people have always been interested in making the most of their looks. But it’s clear that not only is that interest growing, but that the appearance ‘ideals’ which many of us strive toward are becoming more extreme.

Researchers are noting that the ‘unremitting’ pressure to conform to high appearance standards has escalated alarmingly in recent decades. The growth of digital media has even allowed for the same appearance standards to be shared across the world, reducing the diversity that used to be celebrated among different cultures.

This shift in attitudes toward appearance has created a very different world in which being dissatisfied with the way you look is considered ‘normal’. In the early 2000s, large scale studies estimated that between 61 per cent and 82 per cent of adult men and women had ‘significant’ appearance concerns. That figure is now believed to be even higher.

According to studies such as those conducted by Dr Soloman and colleagues, the ideal facial appearance for both men and women is one which is symmetrical, with large eyes, unblemished skin, full lips and high cheekbones. The anxiety of not matching up to appearance ideals can have a range of negative impacts on our physical health, our social relationships and our psychological wellbeing.

Worse still, is the notion that what is beautiful is good. We are informed, directly or implicitly, that beauty is synonymous with success, happiness and fulfilling relationships. Magazine features, TV makeover shows and airbrushed advertisements bring the flaws in our appearance into sharp focus and contribute to the idea that, if only we invested in a few nips and tucks or the latest lotions and potions, we could feel happier too. It should follow then, that those with ‘good looks’ would naturally go further in life. Yet is that really the case? Although some evidence suggests that physically attractive people are initially viewed more positively by others, research has in fact found few associations between attractiveness and intelligence, ability or success. Thus, beauty may open a few doors, but it takes a lot more than good looks to make it to the top.

LIFE & STYLE

In our appearanceobsessed world where being dissatisfied with the way you look is considered ‘normal’, it can seem as though those with good looks are the only ones who make it

WWW.TIMESOFOMAN.COM S U N DAY, J U N E 14 , 2 0 1 5

Similarly, when meeting someone for the first time, appearance is only central for the first 15-20 seconds, after which other characteristics, such as warmth, eye contact and conversational skills become more important in making a good impression. Research has also addressed the myth that long-term relationships are based on mutual attractiveness, instead highlighting the relative importance of sharing similar interests and values. Further, the majority of people report low levels of satisfaction with their appearance, suggesting that attractive people are no more satisfied with their appearance than anyone else.

In fact, those who worry about their appearance and invest more time into looking good often have lower self-esteem and report lower levels of happiness. What about those whose appearance differs not only from the ideal, but from the ‚norm‘?

Over one million people in the UK are living with a ‘significant disfigurement to the face and/or body’ occurring as a result of a congenital or acquired condition, such as a birth mark, a cleft lip, burns scarring or cancer treatment, according to the charity Changing Faces.

Surveys carried out among members of the public suggest that 9 out of 10 people implicitly assume those with an unusual appearance will be disadvantaged throughout life. However, research carried out at the Centre for Appearance Research indicates that the majority of people adjust well to their condition, often reporting superior wellbeing to that of the general population.

Further, the studies demonstrated that the size and severity of the disfigurement has little bearing over the individual’s quality of life. Instead, it is psychological factors, such as the relative value we place on appearance over other personal qualities, which affect our wellbeing.

Today, girls as young as five are aware of how different they look to women in the media, and the pressure on boys and men is increasing too. With progressively high appearance standards becoming unattainable for all, and with people affected by appearance-altering conditions living happy and fulfilling lives, perhaps it is time that we stopped aspiring to appearance ideals, and invested more in our interests and relationships.

— Nicola Marie Stock/The Independent

C8

SU N DAY, JUNE 14, 2015

EXTRA He has become the most admired and loathed for his addictive brand of political Web journalism

B

enny Johnson needed to escape the Internet. In less than two years, he had built himself up into a Washington media-insider celebrity: one of the most trafficked news writers on one of the most trafficked web sites in the world, Buzzfeed.com. He wrote light but irresistible stories that were more like lists: “9 Times American Politicians Tried to Look Normal and Failed”; “The 17 Most Canadian Things About Ted Cruz.”

People began to recognise Benny from his Twitter avatar. They called him Buzzfeed Benny.

Then he was exposed as a plagiarist. Forty-one of his articles were based on the work of other writers, unattributed. He lost his job and an identity that had opened doors and put him on guest lists all over Washington.

“This is what happens when it all collapses,” he says now. “It’s a jarring moment.”

His friends rescued him, he tells me. When the Twitter mob was crucifying him as the symbol of everything wrong with Internet journalism, they whisked him out of D.C., lured him onto a boat, and hit the open waters to hunt for crabs. They confiscated his phone, he says, and locked it in a safe to buffer him from the angry roar of social media.

Less than a year later Benny is back on the Internet, this time as a boss — a “content director,” for the conservative-leaning Web site IJReview.com. The website isn’t yet three years old and already has monthly traffic rivalling Fox News.

Other disgraced journalists have found forgiveness too. But Benny rebounded unusually quickly, fielding offers within weeks of his dismissal from media organizations eager to get a piece of the addictive new breed of storytelling perfected by this 29-year-old. D.C. has always been the city of second chances, now it just moves at meme speed.

And no one can ride a meme like Benny Johnson.

Benny’s brand of journalism is taking over. Even if you don’t recognize his name you’ve seen his type of work infiltrating your Facebook feed. As “viral politics editor” at Buzzfeed Benny worked to make the wonky world of D.C. interesting to the kinds of people who favour articles like “The 25 Most Awkward Cat Sleeping Positions.” He compared members of Congress to characters from the television show “Arrested Development.” He documented the seven ugliest federal buildings in D.C. He walked 3.5 million readers through the Army’s “Spectacular Hidden Treasure Room.”

“I have this incredible access, and all I’ve ever wanted was to bring people along,” Benny says.

Benny wears his hair long on top and short on the side, a style made popular by the Seattle rapper Macklemore. Square-jawed, with eyes that dart back and forth under thick glasses, he looks like a skittish Clark Kent. He likes pipe tobacco, wearing suits patterned like American flags, and making fun of people for being hipsters. He grins so much, through criticism and compliments alike, that he can seem like the personification of the shruggie guy that started showing up in your Twitter feed last year.

(You know: ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ That’s Benny for you.)

If you’re on a constant search for viral topics, it’s helpful not to know

boundaries. Benny breezes uninvited into parties. He sidles up to strangers and starts a conversation like they’re old friends.

“When I went through my divorce, he acted like a brother to me,” says Jill Collins, a public-relations specialist who has worked with Benny but isn’t exactly close with him. “He would call me up, say he was going to take me out. He even offered to let me stay at his place. He’s either the nicest, most genuine person I’ve ever met, or the best actor.”

The shamelessness is part of Benny’s charm, but it can also be his blind spot.

Traditional journalists scoffed at his lists of photos and animated GIFs, but they’d kill for Benny’s reach. But Benny isn’t content just sitting behind a computer. At the Supreme Court, he noticed the funny way interns sprint down the steps to carry a big ruling to their media bosses and turned that into a story. He found the secret Dunkin Donuts inside the Library of Congress. He assigned his team to parade a cardboard cutout of Hillary Clinton through a conservative conference to film the reaction of the rambunctious crowd. He doesn’t care if you think it’s dumb as long as you check it out.

“A hate click is just as valuable as a love click,” he says.

When Benny joined Buzzfeed in 2013, the site was trying to transcend its reputation for jokey popculture riffs and feel-good articles (“13 Simple Steps to Get You Through a Rough Day”) by adding political reporters and narrative journalists. Benny straddled the two Buzzfeed identities.

A University of Iowa chemistry major, he got into media not through the student newspaper but his activism as a campus Republican. After working in a German lab, he began contributing to the conservative website Breitbart.com in 2010 and adopted its firebrand tone.

“Sometimes I was just writing a lot for the audience,” Benny says. “I knew well what they wanted to read.

Even if I didn’t believe it.”

It paid off. Benny landed a fulltime gig at Glenn Beck’s The Blaze in 2011. Soon he was mimicking the work of his favourite website — Buzzfeed. “I just loved everything they were doing,” he says. He started a correspondence with Ben Smith, the former New York Daily

Sometimes I was just writing a lot for the audience. I knew well what they wanted to read, even if I didn’t believe it.

News and Politico journalist whom Buzzfeed hired to run a serious media enterprise, and talked himself into a job in 2013.

He rose quickly, writing more than 500 posts in less than a year and a half, and racking up some major Web traffic hits with posts on political topics, a rare score for Buzzfeed. Even with the investment in serious reporting, recent reports suggest that little of its traffic comes from its news stories.

Benny became a known quantity, a guy about town. He threw a July 4th barbecue where he served his guests shark meat, then paraded them over to the Capitol to crash a private party. His online persona had just as much swagger. He wasn’t afraid to pick a fight.

“Repeat after me: Copying and pasting someone’s work is called ‘plagiarism,’“ Benny tweeted last July, after seeing an IJR article about George H.W. Bush’s colourful socks that resembled one of his posts.

Some found this a surprising charge. Buzzfeed had its own repu-

tation for cribbing other people’s work. A post that got more than 15 million page views, “21 pictures that will restore your faith in humanity,” was widely criticised for being a clip job from Reddit and a site called Nedhardy.com.

And Benny had a particularly big target on his back. Many found his style grating. There was the time he tweeted that he was eating fried chicken and waffles to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday, and his overheated post revealing that Sen. Cory Booker had once replied to a Twitter messages from a stripper. After just one year at BuzzFeed, Salon.com made him No. 3 on their annual “Hack List.”

“Repeat after me,” tweeted someone going by @Blippoblappo, echoing Benny’s rebuke to IJR about the socks article, “@bennyjohnson shouldn’t call out plagiarism be-

The first person through the wall’s going to get bloody, but somebody’s got to make the first Joe Biden GIF listicle. cause he does it all the time.”

On a blog called Our Bad Media, Blippoblappo and another Twitter personality, @Crushingbort, named three examples of Benny’s work that cribbed from Wikipedia, Yahoo! Answers, and other sources. “It was so easy to spot this stuff, you have to conclude that there was essentially no editorial oversight,” they wrote in an e-mail to The Post.

Smith, his BuzzFeed boss, defended him, telling Gawker that Benny was “one of the Web’s deeply original writers.” But after an internal review found that almost 10 percent of his work — such as “DC’s Version Of The Royal Baby Is A Gigantic Flower That Smells Like” — included plagiarized passages, Smith fired him. (Smith declined to comment for this story.)

The Twitter shaming came on in a fury. To describe Benny’s work as “viral,” sniped Guardian contributor Jeb Lund, “does an allusive disservice to more noble organisms like the AIDS virus.”

Benny took the hit.“If I had it to do over again, I would have attributed and appropriated. It would have been easy,” he says now. “But there is a culture of ‘get this piece out, get this out now.’ ” BuzzFeed brass did their own soul-searching and removed more than 4,000 old posts that they said no longer met their standards. Other than Benny, though, no one was fired.

“The first person through the wall’s going to get bloody,” Benny says. “But somebody’s got to make the first Joe Biden GIF listicle.”

And so, Benny found himself out to sea. Or, you know, something like that. “Well, we weren’t on the boat the whole time,” Benny clarifies the next time he tells me the story of his getaway.

His girlfriend had brought him out to Virginia’s Chincoteague Island, he says now, a place famous for its population of wild horses. She’s the one who locked the phone in the safe, he acknowledges in the retelling. They stayed in a condo. Friends came and went.

Maybe not as epic as a soulcleansing boat expedition with friends, but Benny’s ready with a new headline. “What could be more BuzzFeed than soothing your soul on an island filled with ponies?” he says.

Within weeks of being fired, Benny landed a job at the National Review Online. A few months later, IJR — the same site that had copied his socks story — stole him away.

IJR might not sound prestigious, but it’s a sleeping giant. The site

gets about 20 million monthly visitors, according to recent searches on Quantcast, occasionally beating Fox News or the Drudge Report.

The site was founded in 2012 by a former Republican staffer, Alex Skatell, who wagered there was a big audience whose political worldview was not being represented by viral news sites. Last year he had 10 staffers. This year he moved a team of 50 into a 9,000-square-foot office in Alexandria.

So when they reached out to Benny with a pitch about wanting more original content, Benny didn’t just see a Web site that had once ripped him off. He saw conservative BuzzFeed. “I get to be the Ben Smith,” he says.

Depending on how you look at it, Benny is either the problem with Internet media, or the solution. He is both the content monkey recycling old videos of the time Hillary Clinton did a Forrest Gump parody and the journalist driving to Baltimore to track down the business owner whose pizza shop was burned to the ground by protesters.

Either way, IJR is right about something — This particular moment in Internet media is all about his brand of pithy, grabby, irreverent stuff. Even politicians are taking a page from this playbook, as they use the Web to bypass journalists and communicate directly with voters. When Obama was selling his health-care bill, he sat between two ferns for an interview with the comedian Zach Galifianakis. When House Speaker John Boehner was attacking the president’s free community college proposal, he used Taylor Swift GIFs. To Benny, this isn’t a sign of the decline of media.

It’s an opportunity.

“The thing that really got to me was that people said Benny wasn’t creative, that he needed to take from other people to be creative,” says Benny’s girlfriend, Katelyn Rieley. “He’s the most creative person I’ve ever met.”

Sometimes that creativity can get him a little carried away. Here’s Rieley’s version of the trip to Chincoteague: They spent the vacation alone, she says; there were no other friends. Nor was there much boating, though they did some crabbing from the dock. Rieley says she didn’t lock his phone in a safe; she simply powered it down and stowed it in her bag.

As a journalist who has now fully investigated the story of the boat and the safe, I am inclined to believe her account. But I have to admit that his packaging of the anecdote is far more compelling. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ -Ben Terris/The Washington Post

S U N DAY, JU N E 14, 2 0 1 5

C9

ENTERTAINMENT CINEMA SCHEDULE

BAHJA CINEMA Jurassic World (Action / Adventure) Cast: Chris Pratt, Judy Greer, Ty Simkins 3:00, 5:15, 7:30, 9:45 & 11:55 pm CP No: 1495 (PG12)

Jurassic World (Act, Adv) (3D) (PG12) Cast: Chris Pratt, Bryce Dallas Howard, Ty Simpkins 9:15, 11:45 pm Jurassic World (Act, Adv) (2D) (PG12) Cast : Chris Pratt, Bryce Dallas Howard, 2:00, 6:45 pm Spy (Action, Comedy) (18+) Cast: Jude Law, Raad Rawi, 7:15, 9:30 pm Dil Dhadakne Do (Drama, Rom) (TBC) Cast: Farhan Akhtar, Anil Kapoor, Shefali Shetty, Priyanka Chopra 5:00, 8:15 pm Insidious Chapter 3 (Horror) (15+) Cast: Dermot Mulroney, Stefanie Scott, Angus Sampson 3:00, 11:30 pm Better Living Through Chemistry (Comedy, Drama) (15+) Cast: Sam Rockwell, Olivia Wilde 5:30 pm San Andreas (Act, Adv) (3D) PG Cast: Dwayne Johnson, Carla Gugino 4:30, 11:45 pm A Mouse Tale (Animation) (PG) Cast: Tom Arnold, Drake Bell, Miranda Cosgrove 2:00, 3:45 pm

Hamara Adhuri Kahani (2D)(Dra) (PG) Cast: Emraan Hashmi, Vidya Balan 9:00pm San Andreas (3D) (Act) (PG) Cast: Dwayne Johnson, Carla Gugino, Alexandra Daddario 12:15 & 5:00pm Jurassic World (3D) (Act/Adv) (PG12)

Cast: Chris Pratt, Bryce Dallas Howard 9:30 & 11:45pm Gold Class: 8:45 & 11:15 pm Jurassic World (2D) (Act/Adv) (PG12) Cast: Chris Pratt, Bryce Dallas Howard 10:30am; Gold Class: 12:45pm Spy (2D) (Action/Comedy) (18+) Cast: Jude Law, Raad Rawi, Melissa McCarthy 2:45 & 7:15pm; Gold Class: 3:15 pm Insidious Chapter 3 (2D) (Horror) (15+) Cast: Dermot Mulroney, Stefanie Scott 11:45 pm Dil Dhadakne Do (2D) (Dra) (PG12) Cast: Farhan Akhtar, Anil Kapoor, Shefali Shetty, Priyanka Chopra 6:00 pm; Gold Class: 5:30 pm A Mouse Tale (2D) (Animation) (PG) Cast: Tom Arnold, Drake Bell, 10:30 am, 12:45 & 2:30 pm Better Living Through Chemistry (2D) (Comedy/Drama) (15+) Cast: Sam Rockwell, Olivia Wilde, Michelle Monaghan 4:15 pm

SCREEN 1 Hamari Adhori Kahani (Rom/Drama) – PG Cast: Emraan Hashmi, Vidya Balan and Rajkummar Rao 3:30, 9.45 pm Dil Dhadakne Do (Rom/Dra ) – PG12 Cast: Anil Kapoor, Ranveer Singh, Shefali Shetty, Anushka Sharma, Priyanka Chopra 6:45 pm SCREEN 2 Dil Dhadakne Do (Rom/Dra ) – PG12 3:30, 9:45 pm Hamari Adhori Kahani (Rom/Dra) – PG Cast: Emraan Hashmi, Vidya Balan and Rajkummar Rao 6:45 pm

SCREEN 3 Tanu Weds Manu Returns (Romance/Drama/Comedy ) – PG Cast: Kangana Ranaut, R. Madhavan, Jimmy Shergill, Deepak Dobriyal 3.45, 6.45, 9.45 pm

San Andreas - 3D (PG) (Action | Drama) Cast: Dwayne Johnson, Carla Gugino, Alexandra Daddario 9:15, 11:30 pm Spy - 2D (18+) (Action | Comedy) Cast: Jude Law, Raad Rawi, Melissa McCarthy 6:30, 11:45 pm Dil Dhadakne Do - 2D (PG12) (Drama) Cast: Farhan Akhtar, Anil Kapoor, Shefali Shetty, Priyanka Chopra 3:00 pm Jurassic World - 2D (PG12) (Action) Cast: Chris Pratt, Bryce Dallas Howard, Ty Simpkins 2:40 pm Jurassic World - 3D (PG12) (Act | Sci- ) Cast: Chris Pratt, Bryce Dallas Howard, 6:45, 9:15, 11:45 pm Better Living Through Chemistry 2D (15+) (Comedy| Drama) Cast: Sam Rockwell, Olivia Wilde 3:00, 7:25pm Preservation - 2D (15+) (Horror) Cast: Wrenn Schmidt, Pablo Schreiber, Aaron Staton 5:00, 11:50pm A Mouse Tale - 2D (PG) (Animation) Cast: Tom Arnold, Drake Bell, Miranda 3:00, 4:45pm Hamari Adhuri Kahaani - 2D (PG) (Drama | Romance) Cast: Emraan Hashmi, Vidya Balan, Rajkummar Rao, Sara Khan 4:45, 9:10 pm

Premam - 2D (M) (TBC) (Com | Romance) Cast: Nivin Pauly, Anupama Parameshwaran 8:45 pm Romeo Juliet - 2D (T) (PG) (Com) Cast: Jayam Ravi, Hansika Motwani, Vamsi Krishna, 6:15 pm

Jurassic World - 2D (Act/Adv) (PG12) Cast: Chris Pratt, Ty Simpkins 3:00 pm Jurassic World - 3D (Act/ Fi) (PG12) 4:45, 9:15, 11:30 pm A Mouse Tale – 2D (Animation) (PG) 3:00, 5:05pm San Andreas – 3D (PG) (Act, Dr) 6:45, 11:45pm Premam – 2D (Com, Romance) (TBC) Cast: Nivin Pauly, Anupama Parameshwaran; 8:45pm Dil Dhadakne Do – 2D (PG12) (Drama) Cast: Ranveer Singh, Priyanka Chopra 3:30pm Romeo Juliet – 2D (Tamil) (Dr) (PG) Cast: Jayam Ravi, Hansika Motwani, Vamsi Krishna 6:30pm Hamari Adhuri Kahaani - 2D (Drama) (TBC) Cast: Emraan Hashmi, Vidya Balan 9:15 pm Spy - 2D (18+) (Action, Comedy) Cast: Jude Law, Raad Rawi 7:00, 11:45pm

Jurassic World (3D) (Action) (PG12) Cast: Chris Pratt, Bryce Dallas Howard, Ty Simpkins, 4:15, 9:30, 11:45 pm Jurassic World (2D) (Act | Adv) (PG12) Cast: Chris Pratt, Bryce Dallas Howard, Ty Simpkins 2:45pm

A Mouse Tale (Animation) (PG) Cast: Tom Arnold, Drake Bell 11:30 AM, 5:00 pm Spy (Action | Comedy) (18+) Cast: Jason Statham, Jude Law, Melissa McCarthy 6:45pm Hamari Adhuri Kahaani (Hindi) (Drama | Romance) (PG); 9:00 pm Cast: Emraan Hashmi, Vidya Balan Dil Dhadakne Do (Hindi) (Dra) (TBC) 01:15pm Premam (Mal) (Com| Rom) (TBC) 11:45 AM, 6:30 pm

San Andreas (3D) (12+) (Act, Dra, ) Cast: Dwayne Johnson, 5:15, 11:55pm Spy (2D) (18+) (Action, Comedy) Cast: Jude Law, Raad Rawi, 12:30, 11:30 pm Insidious: Chapter 3 (2D) (15+) (Hor) Cast: Dermot Mulroney, Stefanie Scott, 2:00, 10:05pm Dil Dhadakne Do (2D) (PG12) (Dra) Cast: Farhan Akhtar, Anil Kapoor, Priyanka Chopra; 2:15pm Jurassic World (3D) (PG12) (Sci-Fi ) Cast: Chris Pratt, Bryce Dallas Howard, 7:15, 9:30, 11:45pm Jurassic World (2D) (PG12) (Sci-Fi ) Cast: Chris Pratt, Bryce Dallas Howard, 12:00 pm Romeo Juliet (2D) (PG) (Com) Cast: Jayam Ravi, Hansika Motwani, Vamsi Krishna, 5:45pm Hamari Adhuri Kahaani (2D) (PG) (Drama, Romance) Cast: Emraan Hashmi, Vidya Balan, 7:30pm Better Living Through Chemistry (2D) (15+) (Comedy, Drama) Cast: Sam Rockwell, 5:45pm A Mouse Tale (2D) (PG) (Animation) Cast: Tom Arnold, Drake Bell, 12:15, 4:00 pm

Preservation ( Horror /Thriller) Cast: Wren Schimidth, Pablo Schrieber, Aron Staton 1:15 & 11:55 pm CP No: 1496 (15+) San Andreas (Action / Thriller) Cast: Dwayne Johnson, Alexandra Deddario, Carla Gugino 1:00 & 5:15 pm CP No: 1381 (PG) Hamara Adhuri Kahani (Romance) Cast: Emraan Hashmi, Vidya Balan, Rajkumar Rao 3:00, 7:15 & 9:30 pm CP No: 1497 (PG)

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

STARS CINEMA Film information 24791641 / 24786776 Premam (Mal) (Com) Cast: Nivin Pauly, Anupama Parameshwaran & Sai Pallavi 3:30, 6:30, 9:00 pm at Cinema Main Romeo & Juliet (Tamil) (Act/Rom) Cast: Jayam Ravi & Hansika Motwani 3:30, 6:30 & 9:30pm at Cinema -2 Hamari Adhuri Kahani (Hindi) (Rom) Cast: Emraan Hashmi, Vidya Balan, Rajkummar Rao, Sara Khan 3:45, 6:45 & 9:45 pm at Cinema-3 Chandrettan Evideya (Mal) (Rom/Com) Cast: Dileep, Namitha and Anu Sree 3:45, 6:45, 9:45 pm Cinema -4 Next Change: Laila O Laila ( Mal ) Eli (Tamil) Kakka (Tamil) (Subject to change)

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

WITH LOVE

ACES ON BRIDGE

The race is on for the winners DAMON Runyon, a newspaperman and author who died in 1946, said, “It may be that the race is not always to the swift, nor the battle to the strong — but that is the way to bet.”

No-trump contracts are races. Both sides are trying to establish tricks, and the first to succeed usually wins — but only if once those winners can be cashed, the player holding them is either on lead or can take a timely trick.

How is that relevant to this deal? South is in three no-trump, and West leads the spade eight.

How should the play go?

South starts with eight top tricks — one spade (given the lead), four diamonds and three clubs. Maybe clubs will break 3-3, but that is unlikely.

If the clubs are not 3-3, South will have to knock out the heart ace. But then maybe East will run his spade suit.

What should happen at trick one?

East needs to realise that if West has led a singleton, the defenders have no chance.

Also, if West holds two spades, declarer has only one spade stopper. And

there is an important principle — If declarer has one trick in the suit you are trying to establish, make him take it as quickly as possible — trick one is not too early.

Here, East should play an encouraging spade nine at trick one. South will win, try the clubs, and either cash out for down one or turn to hearts and lose one heart, one club and five spades for down three.

Note that if East wins the first trick, declarer romps home with an overtrick or two.

- Phillip Alder MARMADUKE

CROSSWORD

B I G NAT E

Answer to previous puzzle

ACROSS 1 5 8 12 13 14 15 16 18 20 21 24 27 28 31

Squishy Hanks film Gouda cousin Hickory or sycamore Mekong native Hoop’s place Fictional plantation Huge Parliament members Ventricle neighbor Naval officer Zoologist’s study Came down with Instant grass Zest

32 33 34 35 36 37 39 43 46 49 51 52 53 54

Diamond org.

Ready to eat Join on Beijing name Goose-down items Wrinkle-free Sketches Old anesthetic Lawyer Pennsylvania port Outperforms Moppet In a frenzy “Who — was there?”

55 Singer Grant or author Tan 56 See each other

DOWN 1 Slugger of yore Mel — 2 Pertaining to the mouth 3 Absolute — 4 Kind of sale (hyph.)

5 Post-sneeze word 6 Fleming or McKellen 7 Gunk 8 Red Muppet 9 Kind of prize 10 Border on 11 Geologic formation 17 Diatribe 19 Forensic science tool 22 Ice structure 23 Tar

24 25 26 28 29 30 32 33 35 36 38 39 40 41 42 44 45 47 48 50

Monastery dweller Bail out Sturm — Drang Fam. member Cast a vote — Moines Deface Carrot-top File folder label Poodle’s doc Flat broke Past due Temple image Baseball honourees A — for news “Cope Book” aunt Kind of squad Police-blotter info Bob Cratchit’s son Barely make it

BORN LOSER

AZMEENA ERUM June 14, 2007

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

SUN DAY, JUNE 14, 2015

PRAYER TIMINGS

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

BORN today, you are not always what you seem to be — and this may prove to be a major frustration to those who try to second-guess you, outmaneuver you or otherwise set themselves against you in some way. The truth is, they can never truly gain the advantage over someone they can only pretend to know! You are likely to recognise, early in life, that you can get far by concealing certain aspects of your personality from the world at large; indeed, this is sure to remain a key strategy of yours in the face of both opportunity and adversity, throughout your lifetime. You do run the risk of becoming a rather shadowy, nefarious character, but it is a small risk, and it needn’t cause any real harm.

Your creative energies are remarkable to behold; when you set yourself to a creative task, you are likely to be the wonder of many who cannot understand where such ability and passion can possibly come from!

You get great pleasure out of doing things that others mistakenly think cannot be done!

Also born on this date are: Donald Trump, entrepreneur; Yasmine Bleeth, actress; Boy George, singer; Che Guevara, revolutionary; Marla Gibbs, actress; Harriet Beecher Stowe, author; Steffi Graf, tennis player; Burl Ives, singer and actor; Eric Heiden, Olympic speed skater; Will Patton, actor; Lang Lang, pianist; Gene Barry, actor; Pierre Salinger, politician; Jerzy Kosinski, author.

W E AT H E R

P

WORLD

Max 36 Min 30 Max 27 Min 19

Max 38 Min 29

Max 32 Min 28 Max 22 Min 11

Max 35 Min 29

Max 31 Min 19

Max 39 Min 31

Max 40 Min 30

Max 41 Min 31

Max 30 Min 25

Max 34 Min 29

[MAY 21-JUNE 20] Max 32 Min 28

Max 25 Min 17

-www.met.gov.om

Max 35 Min 26 Max 21 Min 11

Min

GULF Abu Dhabi Doha Dubai Kuwait Manama Riyadh

39 39 39 46 37 42

29 29 30 31 29 28

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

32 43 31 23 22 33 32 27 31 27 20 31 21 28 19 32 23 18

23 27 19 12 16 19 28 13 27 19 4 24 15 19 8 28 19 16

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)

[JUNE 21-JULY 22] You may be looking for help of a certain kind that could be quite difficult to find. Still, it can be yours by day’s end.

LEO [JULY 23-AUG. 22] You are able to do much that others think cannot be done, and it all depends on starting in exactly the right place.

VIRGO [AUG. 23-SEPT. 22] You don’t have to keep many secrets, but you may want to keep one particular thing under wraps for at least a little longer.

LIBRA L [[SEPT. [S S 23-OCT. 22] You’re chasing down a mystery of sorts, and today’s journey leads you in an unusual — but exciting — direction.

SCORPIO S [[OCT. 23-NOV. 21] You are worrying just a bit too much about what your critics are saying about you, but in fact they’re likely to have little impact.

SAGITTARIUS S [[NOV. 22-DEC. 21] You don’t want to make any careless mistakes, so be sure you understand and follow the instructions you are given to the letter.

CAPRICORN [DEC. 22-JAN 19] You are eager to see where things will lead you — but you should be sure to allow yourself some companionship along the way.

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

AQUARIUS [JAN. 20-FEB. 18] Now is a good time to risk more than usual in order to gain a bit more than you originally expected. The odds are in your favour for now.

PISCES [Feb. 19-March 20] You want others to find your work interesting enough to warrant support — both psychological and financial.

ARIES [March 21-APRIL 19] You are very close to solving a mystery that you’ve been working on for some time. One final clue waits to be uncovered nearby.

TAURUS [APRIL 20-MAY 20] You’re facing a rather complex situation that will require you to apply all you know of a certain topic in order to prevail.

Sunset Sunrise (Tomorrow)

6:54pm 5:20am

High tide Low tide

6:24pm 1:29am

7:27am 12:51pm

SEA STATE: Rough to very rough along southeastern coast with a maximum wave height between 3.0 to 5.0 metres and slight to moderate along rest of Oman’s coast with a maximum wave height 1.5 metres.

HORIZONTAL VISIBILITY: Good over most of the Sultanate becoming poor during thundershower.

THE NEXT 48 HOURS OUTLOOK: Partly cloudy to cloudy skies over governorates of south Al-Sharqiya, Al-Wusta and Dhofar with chances of rain. Chance of convective cloud development and rain over the Al-Hajar mountains during afternoon.

Max

OMAN

CANCER

12.12pm 3.30pm 6.59pm 8.22pm 3.52am

AIRLINES

artly cloudy to cloudy skies over most of the Sultanate with chances of isolated rain and thundershower associated with fresh wind over governorates of south Al-Sharqiya, Al-Wusta and Dhofar. Chances of convective clouds developments and rain over Al-Hajar mountains and adjoining areas.

EXPECTED WIND: Wind will blow southwesterly — moderate to fresh along the coastal areas of Dhofar governorate and over rest of the Sultanate it will be northeasterly to easterly light to moderate, occasionally fresh.

GEMINI You should be able to avoid the widening of a small rift between friends. In fact, what you say can have a lasting impact.

Dhuhr Asr Maghrib Isha Fajr (Tomorrow)

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: 4537080 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 Sifawy Hotel +968 24749111 Juweira Hotel +968 23239600 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 Sat to Wed: 8am to 1:30pm, Thurs: 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

SUNDAY FLT NO

ARRIVALS FROM

WY406 WY648 WY676 WY672 WY682 WY914 WY916 WY910 TK774 4H585 NL669 PK225 GF560 QR1132 ET624 EK866 EY384 FZ041 WY114 4H586 CV732 WY658 WY638 WY902 WY326 WY644 G9841 WY686 WY154 WY144 WY692 WY668 WY674 WY132 WY102 FZ043 WY602 NL768 WY272 WY202 WY3932 WY236 G9114 WY282 WY226 EK862 WY210 WY242 WY212 WY252 IX549 QR1128 IX817 EY382 IX443 9W530 WY3922 WY3302 WY604 WY918 GF562 FZ037 IX337 WY384 WY822 WY818 WY634 WY904 WY670 WY324 WY332 WY652 WY606 KU677 WY906 WY920 WY348 FZ045 WY3304 WY344 QR1126 WY204 WY632 WY292 WY264 WY664 EK864 WY246 WY232 WY610 GF564 WY656 TG507 G9116 WY374 WY646 FZ047 WY908 WY614 WY848 WY338 WY386 WY434 FZ049 WY124 9W534 AI973 6.00E+81 WY254 BA073 WY624 UL205 AI907 WY312 QR1134 LX242 GF566 LH616 EY388 WY414 WY910 9W540 AI985 WY662 WY654 WY636 WY928 WY816 WY696 WY612

MONDAY ETA

FLT NO

ARRIVALS FROM

CAIRO 0005 KUWAIT 0005 JEDDAH 0005 MEDINA 0005 RIYADH 0010 SALALAH 0020 SALALAH 0120 SALALAH 0130 ISTANBUL 0135 DACCA 0200 SIALKOT 0200 KARACHI 0210 BAHRAIN 0325 DOHA 0345 ADDIS ABABA 0350 DUBAI 0350 ABU DHABI 0400 DUBAI 0415 FRANKFURT 0515 DOHA 0600 LUXORE 0635 BAHRAIN 0635 ABU DHABI 0640 SALALAH 0645 KARACHI 0650 KUWAIT 0650 RAS AL KHAIMA 0655 RIYADH 0655 ZURICH 0700 MALPENSA 0705 DAMMAM 0715 DOHA 0715 JEDDAH 0735 PARIS 0735 LONDON HEATHROW 0740 DUBAI 0800 DUBAI 0805 LAHORE 0830 JAIPUR 0830 BOMBAY 0835 SOHAR 0840 HYDERABAD 0900 SHARJAH 0905 BANGALORE 0910 COCHIN 0920 DUBAI 0930 GOA 0935 DELHI 0935 TRIVANDRUM 0950 MADRAS 0955 TRIVANDRUM 0955 DOHA 1000 MANGALORE 1010 ABU DHABI 1010 COCHIN 1020 TRIVANDRUM 1045 DUQUM OMAN 1045 MUKHAIZNA 1110 DUBAI 1110 KHASAB 1115 BAHRAIN 1130 DUBAI 1140 CALICUT 1155 MALE 1210 KUALA LUMPUR-SINGAPORE 1215 BANGKOK 1220 ABU DHABI 1220 SALALAH 1230 DOHA 1250 KARACHI 1300 KATHMANDU 1305 BAHRAIN 1330 DUBAI 1340 KUWAIT 1405 SALALAH 1440 KHASAB 1445 ISLAM ABBAD 1515 DUBAI 1535 MUKHAIZNA 1550 LAHORE 1605 DOHA 1650 BOMBAY 1655 ABU DHABI 1710 CALICUT 1710 LUCKNOW 1740 DOHA 1745 DUBAI 1745 DELHI 1750 HYDERABAD 1750 DUBAI 1800 BAHRAIN 1810 BAHRAIN 1820 BANGKOK-KARACHI 1900 SHARJAH 1905 COLOMBO 1915 KUWAIT 1920 DUBAI 1940 SALALAH 2000 DUBAI 2025 JAKARTA 2035 KATHMANDU 2040 MALE 2045 TEHRAN 2055 DUBAI 2100 MUNICH 2105 COCHIN 2115 DELHI 2125 BOMBAY 2130 MADRAS 2135 LONDON HEATHROW-ABU DHABI 2140 DUBAI 2150 COLOMBO 2155 MADRAS 2200 CHITTAGONG 2210 DOHA 2225 ZURICH-DUBAI 2225 BAHRAIN 2240 FRANKFURT-DOHA 2245 ABU DHABI 2300 AMMAN 2300 SALALAH 2310 BOMBAY 2315 BOMBAY 2325 DOHA 2335 BAHRAIN 2340 ABU DHABI 2340 SALALAH 2345 BANGKOK 2350 DAMMAM 2355 DUBAI 2355

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

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

FLT NO

DEPARTURES TO

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DEPARTURES TO

AI986 9W539 WY657 WY225 WY637 WY235 WY281 WY211 WY685 WY201 WY643 WY251 WY271 WY601 WY123 WY325 WY847 WY241 WY901 WY691 WY667 WY383 TK775 WY209 4H585 PK260 NL772 WY331 ET625 EK867 EY385 FZ042 QR1133 WY3931 4H586 GF561 WY3921 G9842 WY903 WY603 WY3301 CV732 WY917 WY347 WY669 WY323 FZ044 WY373 WY815 WY291 WY343 NL769 WY651 WY263 WY821 WY843 G9115 WY231 WY605 WY905 WY203 WY385 WY245 EK863 IX554 WY337 QR1129 IX818 EY383 IX442 WY311 9W533 WY919 GF563 FZ038 WY3303 WY253 IX350 WY633 WY113 WY663 WY631 WY143 WY645 WY655 WY101 WY153 WY927 WY405 WY413 WY433 WY609 KU678 WY907 WY675 FZ046 WY671 WY613 QR1127 WY623 WY681 WY647 WY909 GF565 EK865 WY695 WY653 WY661 G9117 WY913 TG508 WY635 FZ048 WY611 WY915 FZ050 WY421 WY817 9W529 6.00E+82 AI908 UL206 AI974 WY705 GF567 LX243 QR1135 BA072 WY673 EY381 LH617

BOMBAY 0020 BOMBAY 0020 BAHRAIN 0055 COCHIN 0105 ABU DHABI 0105 HYDERABAD 0110 BANGALORE 0110 TRIVANDRUM 0110 RIYADH 0115 BOMBAY 0115 KUWAIT 0120 MADRAS 0120 JAIPUR 0135 DUBAI 0145 MUNICH 0200 KARACHI 0210 JAKARTA 0215 DELHI 0215 SALALAH 0215 DAMMAM 0225 DOHA 0225 MALE 0230 ISTANBUL 0230 GOA 0255 DOHA 0300 PESHAWAR 0310 PESHAWAR 0330 KATHMANDU 0350 ADDIS ABABA 0450 DUBAI 0450 ABU DHABI 0500 DUBAI 0510 DOHA 0515 SOHAR 0635 DACCA 0700 BAHRAIN 0715 DUQUM OMAN 0745 RAS AL KHAIMA 0745 SALALAH 0750 DUBAI 0750 MUKHAIZNA 0800 HONG KONG 0800 KHASAB 0815 ISLAM ABBAD 0830 DOHA 0835 KARACHI 0835 DUBAI 0845 COLOMBO 0900 BANGKOK 0905 CALICUT 0915 LAHORE 0915 LAHORE 0930 BAHRAIN 0935 LUCKNOW 0940 SINGAPORE-KUALA LUMPUR 0945 MANILA 0955 SHARJAH 0955 HYDERABAD 1000 DUBAI 1020 SALALAH 1020 BOMBAY 1025 MALE 1040 DELHI 1040 DUBAI 1045 TRIVANDRUM 1045 KATHMANDU 1050 DOHA 1100 MANGALORE 1100 ABU DHABI 1105 COCHIN 1120 CHITTAGONG 1140 COCHIN 1145 KHASAB 1145 BAHRAIN 1215 DUBAI 1225 MUKHAIZNA 1230 MADRAS 1255 CALICUT 1255 ABU DHABI 1300 FRANKFURT 1320 DOHA 1330 ABU DHABI 1345 MALPENSA 1350 KUWAIT 1350 BAHRAIN 1400 LONDON HEATHROW 1400 ZURICH 1420 SALALAH 1430 CAIRO 1440 AMMAN 1440 TEHRAN 1445 DUBAI 1445 ABU DHABI-KUWAIT 1505 SALALAH 1540 JEDDAH 1615 DUBAI 1620 MEDINA 1705 DUBAI 1710 DOHA 1750 DUBAI 1840 RIYADH 1840 KUWAIT 1845 SALALAH 1850 BAHRAIN 1855 DUBAI 1910 DAMMAM 1915 BAHRAIN 1920 DOHA 1920 SHARJAH 1955 SALALAH 2000 KARACHI-BANGKOK 2005 ABU DHABI 2015 DUBAI 2025 DUBAI 2035 SALALAH 2100 DUBAI 2145 BEIRUT 2215 BANGKOK 2225 TRIVANDRUM 2230 BOMBAY 2245 MADRAS 2300 COLOMBO 2305 DELHI 2310 DARESSLAM-ZANZIBAR 2310 BAHRAIN 2325 DUBAI-ZURICH 2325 DOHA 2330 ABU DHABI-LONDON HEATHROW 2330 JEDDAH 2350 ABU DHABI 2355 DOHA-FRANKFURT 2355

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

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

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EXTRA TECH

NASA lander to carry spacecraft for Mars fly-by

Trends move so fast, so what does it really mean to be new?

WHEN NASA launches its next mission on the journey to Mars — a stationary lander in 2016 — the flight will include two revolutionary CubeSats.

CubeSats are a class of spacecraft based on a standardised small size and modular use of off-the-shelf technologies. Several such CubeSats have been made by university students and dozens have been launched into Earth orbit using extra payload mass available on launches of larger spacecraft.

If the flyby demonstration is successful, the technology will provide NASA the ability to transmit status information about the main spacecraft after it lands on Mars.

Smartphone overuse is bad for your hand

FREQUENT smartphone users are more likely to have an enlarged median nerve and have their hand function and pinch strength impaired, says a new study. However, the study, published online in Muscle & Nerve, doesn’t clearly link heavy smartphone use to carpal tunnel syndrome. “The exact relevance of the study findings is not known. Future studies are warranted to address the clinical relevance of median nerve enlargement in high smartphone users,” author Esra Erkol Inal, Suleyman Demirel University, Turkey said.

I am a shy person, says Shraddha Kapoor

F

ashion, it’s frequently said, should reflect the times in which it is created. And, despite its naysayers, it usually does. Look at the 1980s — the postmodern mishmash of Memphis’s furniture, Philip Johnson’s architecture and Julian Schnabel’s plate paintings found a counterpart in the clothes of Christian Lacroix and Karl Lagerfeld. In the 1990s, the brutalism of the Young British Artists was reflected in the harsh, visceral designs of Alexander McQueen and Hussein Chalayan.

Today? Well, with incessantly rising and falling stock markets and civil unrest, these are uncertain times. Maybe that’s why there’s an increasing degree of

uncertainty to the propositions we’re seeing. Trends are an odd notion – there’s either famine, or a surfeit: indeed, it’s difficult to pinpoint which are important and which just constitute half a dozen designers having the same harebrained idea at the same time.

Or, indeed, half a dozen designers looking at the same reference points. The main trend of spring/ summer was, after all, the 1970s.

Again. For autumn/winter? It’s the 1980s! And there was something from the 1990s in between, for the pre-fall collections, in all that nylon and Prada Sport-y stuff (at Prada and elsewhere), and the era’s rehashed baby-doll dresses.

They didn’t even bother going back to the originals.

Uncertain times, it seems, call

Uncertain times, it seems, call for desperate measures.

That’s why, perhaps, we’re seeing this ever-faster cycle of retro

for desperate measures. That’s why, perhaps, we’re seeing this ever-faster cycle of retro referencing. As opposed to the 1990s — an entire decade dominated, by and large, by 1970s revivalism — our current revivals don’t even seem to last a season. Though with the pre-collections, there are now twice as many of those.

Maybe it’s not about uncertainty. Maybe it’s about ADHD. Who doesn’t read a magazine, while watching television, possibly online, with half a dozen tabs open?

Sound healthy? Hell, no! But that’s how we get our fashion today, borne of odd juxtapositions, meaningless anti-chronological mashing of decades, and a search for the next, which, it’s presumed, is the next best thing. Every fashion

chief executive I talk to places an emphasis on the idea of “newness”.

That’s the word that’s parroted again and again around the precollections, which are rolling out as we speak in New York City. What they really mean, of course, is novelty. It doesn’t have to be “new” in the sense of original, but “new” in the sense of sort-of-forgot-aboutthat. New as in recently acquired, rather than freshly made.

That sounds negative. It’s not – as long as designers are eager to push through to find something different in that which seems familiar, rather than presenting collections that resemble a Google Images search of stuff we already knew was out there. No one should want to define their time as boring. — Alexander Fury/The Independent

SHE is known for portraying outgoing and expressive characters on-screen but actress Shraddha Kapoor says in real life she is a reserved person. The 26-year-old actress made lukewarm debut with Amitabh Bachchan starrer “Teen Patti” in 2010 but she got fame two years back with her stint as a budding singer in “Aashiqui 2”, opposite rumoured boyfriend Aditya Roy Kapur. Shraddha, however, feels fame has not changed her reserved self much. — Agencies

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SU N DAY, JUNE 14, 2015

EXTRA B O L LY W O O D

Jacqueline moved by Rajkumar, Vidya’s role ACTRESS Jacqueline Fernandez, who went for the screening of Mohit Suri’s Hamari Adhuri Kahani was moved by actors Rajkumar Rao and Vidya Balan’s “realistic” performances in the film. The 29-year-old actress, who is currently gearing up for her upcoming film Brothers, took to micro-blogging website Twitter to compliment the stars.

“And #VidyaBalan and @RajkumarRao are so real! You guys truly broke my heart, loved it,” Jacqueline tweeted on Friday. The film, released on Friday, also features actor Emraan Hashmi.

Varun Dhawan sweating it out for his next movie

JURASSIC WORLD: WHAT DO THE PALAEONTOLOGISTS THINK? The movie may be super entertaining, but how many dinosaurs have we really discovered is another matter, say palaeontologists

E

xplaining the concept of this review is like explaining a dream. “I went to go see Jurassic World before the film was in theatres, but instead of my friends, I brought two top palaeontologists.”

Based on a small sample size, the Jurassic Park film franchise has a special place in the heart of palaeontologists. This is probably why I was able to convince the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History Director Kirk Johnson and Curator of Dinosauria Matthew Carrano, both palaeontologists, to come to a screening of Jurassic World. The reaction? Jurassic World is super entertaining — but it could have used more herbivores.

Here is the palaeontologists’ review, in the form of a condensed and edited conversation. There are, as you would imagine, mild — but not devastating — spoilers.

You two seemed to really enjoy watching this film. What did you like about it?

Kirk Johnson: Ultimately, at the end of the day, I’m a big kid. Running a museum is a big child’s job.

To do a good job with this museum, you have to be curious about all sorts of things, which means I love a children’s movies. I enjoyed the whole absurdity of it. I tend to fall asleep in movies when they’re not interesting or exciting. This was funny. It had a nice pace to it.

Matthew Carrano: Especially in a franchise like this, where it’s not the first movie. In the first movie, you don’t know what you’re gonna

get yet. So there’s the build up and there’s like little reveals and then there’s the T. Rex scene, and then there’s a pause, and then there’s raptors. As soon as you’re done with that movie, you can’t do that anymore. Everybody wants to know “where are the dinosaurs?” from the moment the movie starts.

So they acknowledge it.

In the other two sequels, there are long stretches of boring conversation about things you don’t care about it. In Jurassic World, the conversations are almost telegraphic. There’s probably about 5 1/2 minutes of conversation between Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard in the entire movie.

KJ: I did enjoy the addition of the Pterosaurs and the Mesosaur.

MC: Right, a few non-dinosaurs.

That’s true, having more than just peripheral role.

KJ: They definitely supercharged the Mesosaur and made the Pterosaurs way stronger than they would have been in real life.

MC: Yeah. Pterosours could do you damage, but it’s hard to believe a Pterosaur could lift a person. They’re not that strong. Their bones are like paper. It’s hard to imagine not being able to get away from a Pterosaur. You could crush one, probably.

KJ: And their claws aren’t like that.

MC: They’re not eagles. That’s the other thing, too. They’re not actually animals that run around and grab things with their claws the way raptors do today. They’re mouth predators. If they can’t pick you up with their mouth, they’re

‘Jurassic World’ is super entertaining — but it could have used more herbivores.We’ve probably discovered about 4 per cent of all the dinosaurs that ever existed

not going to eat you. And a lot of Pterosaurs, their neck bones are not thick. They probably can’t pick up a person. Their feet are not — I wouldn’t imagine it to be the equivalent of an eagle. They basically are flat footed.

KJ: They’re fishing.

MC: Bug eating. The average Pterosaur is much smaller. It’s the same thing as the Velociraptor. And the Mesosaur is substantially larger than most Mesosaurs.

KJ: Twice-ish.

MC: Nice to see some marine things.

Although I’d love to know how you get (a Mesosaur) out of a mosquito.

How do you get the blood out of a sea

creature out of a mosquito?

What’s changed in dinosaur science between ‘Jurassic Park’ and ‘Jurassic World’?

KJ: The number of dinosaurs we know has just, like, skyrocketed.

MC: Every six or seven weeks, you get a new dinosaur. And that pace has been going up for 20 years.

KJ: If you drive a direct connection between places putting value in dinosaurs and hiring dinosaur scientists, and then dinosaur science finding new dinosaurs, there’s almost something like a direct cause and effect between something like Jurassic Park and this incredible number of new dinosaurs.

Of all those newly discovered dinosaurs since the last installment of the series, which one should have been in ‘Jurassic World’?

KJ: Deinocheirus. A gigantic clawed duck thing. A lot of the cool weird ones are herbivores.

MC: Every single kind of carnivore is in there, right? With the herbivores, it’s “we’ve got our horns one, we have our armour one, we have our longneck one, and we don’t really care how many.” We’ve probably discovered about 4 per cent of all the dinosaurs that ever existed.

They should be just making these dinosaurs like “holy cow, what’s that?” And they would all be dinosaurs you’ve never heard of. They could say, “Well it’s kind of like a stegosaurus, but it’s got all this other junk on it. I guess they could just start naming new dinosaurs.

-Abby Ohlheiser/The Independent

VARUN DHAWAN who is waiting for the release of his forthcoming dance movie ABCD 2, has shared a video of himself while working out. The Badlapur actor took to photo-sharing website Instagram to share the video where he was seen sporting just a pair of shorts.

Varun was sitting on a machine, and was working out for abs. The 28-year-old captioned the video: “#tbt #abcd2 work out. Train drain @prashantsixpack @robodysculptor. #chunar 6am workout”. Directed by Remo D’Souza ABCD 2 is a sequel to the 2013 dance-based 3D film ABCD — AnyBody Can Dance. The film also features Shraddha Kapoor, choreographer-director Prabhudheva and international dancer Lauren Gottlieb. It is slated to release on June 19.

Kriti Sanon can’t wait for the release of ‘ABCD 2’ KRITI SANON is looking forward to watch actor Varun Dhawan’s forthcoming film ABCD 2 which is scheduled to release on June 19. Kriti who is also starring in (director) Rohit Shetty’s “Dilwale” opposite Varun, is looking forward to watch the film as she has always been interested in dance, according to a source. “The promos look really nice. I have always been very fond of dance. Looking forward to watching the film,” said Kriti in a statement. Kriti debuted in romantic-action film Heropanti which also had actor Tiger Shroff making his debut in the Sabbir Khan directorial.

Aftab finds dubbing for ‘Kyaa Kool...3’ difficult AFTAB SHIVDASANI finds dubbing for the third instalment of the adult comedy Kyaa Kool Hain Hum franchise difficult. The actor, who is going to be a part of the film, took to micro-blogging website Twitter to share his views. “The only thing more difficult than shooting a film like #KyaaKoolHainHum3 is dubbing for it! #crazy #mad,” the 36-year-old tweeted on Saturday. The film also features Tusshar Kapoor. The film is a sequel to Kyaa Kool Hai Hum and Kyaa Super Kool Hain Hum, and is the third installment of Kyaa Kool Hain Hum film series. Aftab Shivdasani will be replacing Ritesh Deshmukh’s character. -IANS

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Contact: 92144045 1BHK Mumtaz R.O 250/-.

Contact: 97799175 2BHK flats in Al Khuwair.

Contact: 97616158 Deluxe 4 bedrooms, living, dining 4 bathrooms with split AC in Ghubra.

Contact: 95282986 / 24707340

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.

2BHK in Ghoubra South behind Extra (350/- R.O). Contact: 99342661 1BHK in Darsait near ISM (220/R.O). Contact: 99342661 1BHK in Ghoubra South behind Extra (280/- R.O). Contact : 99342661 2 bedroom flat at Hamriya, main road with A/C. Contact 99331448 Flat in South Al Hail, 2 bedrooms, Majlis, 2 bathrooms, kitchen RO 250/-. Contact 93221474 Flat in Ruwi Mumtaz 2 BHK RO 300 or 1 BHK 250 RO. Contact 98588240 Flats for rent behind Indian School.

Contact 99777122 3BHK 8 Nos flats in Ghobrah.

Contact: 97616158 2 BHK apartments AL Khuwair with Balcony 350/- & 4 BHK villa Al Khuwair with Garden 800/-.

Contact: 95178930 2BHK flat for rent near Muscat Municipality, Darsait, big terrace, nice location, rent OMR 325/-.

Contact: 96241707 Two air-condition flats in excellent condition behind City Center Carrefour Al Seeb no 1: 4 bedrooms & family hall No 2, 2 bedroom & family hall. Contact: 93366421 2 BHK, 2 baths, Split A/C, Wadi kabeer, Near Indian Elementary School.

Contact 99441193, 93004802

Villa for rent villa at Al Fay Housing Complex near Al Khodh main police station 4 bedrooms, servant quarter.

Contact: 96419690 Shop/Office, 56 SQM, Wadikabeer, Opposite Al-Hassan.

Contact 99441193, 93004802 500 sq mtrs office space on mezzanine floor near Royal Hospital. OMR 6.500 per sq mtr. Tel: 99333479 or 95215360

Deluxe 1, 2 BHK flats in Darsait, AL Khuwair 1deal for office & residence. Contact 99369081 /99142314 Flats and shops for rent in rent, Honda road and Rex Read.

Contact: 97293708/ 94579531 /94141943 Flat in Amerat, Phase 5, 4 rooms, 3 bathrooms, kitchen with A/C. Contact : 95522405

Flats for rent in Muttrah near Oman house 2 BHK. Contact: 97009734 / 92629232

2 BHK flat in Al Ansab with split A/C. RO.250/- Contact – 93191111

For rent in Darsait new flats.

Contact: 99777351

Flats for rent Al Ansab (Ghala) 2 bedrooms, 2 toilets, 1sitting room & kitchen. Contact: 94229023

For rent in Darsait, new flats.

Contact: 99311525

Luxury 3 BHK flat in Al Wattaya with split A/C & private parking.

RO.500/- Contact – 93191111 2BHK at Al Azaiba, 2bedrooms, 1 hall & dinning , 3 bathrooms.

Contact : 99224748 / 99425665 3 bedroom at Al Khuwair 33. House No. 866, Way No. 4712. Contact Mohamed : 99580484, Ahmed : 99486805, Awadh 95525509

MBD area, fully equipped AC Executive office @ RO 200 pm with conference room. Unlimited local calls & internet services. Contact 99451845 / 99232271.

Well maintained spacious 2 BHK at Rex Road. Contact 92227165 3 BHK Flat in Azaiba. Contact 99792181

Commercial 3 BHK flat in Al Ghobra 18 Nov Street. RO 700/- #93191111

Shop/Office 68 SQM, Wadi kabeer, Opposite Al-Hassan. Contact 99441193, 93004802

2 BHK Flat in Al Khuwair. Contact 99792181

2 BHK flat in Al Azaiba near sea, with split A/C. RO.340/Contact – 93191111

1BHK flats at Muttrah near Oman House. Contact: 93231403 4 BHK single villa in Al Khuwair.

Contact: 97616158 Labour Camp or store in Wadi Kabir.

Contact 99792181

3 bedroom well maintained flat (villa type – only 2 flats in one Bldg) in Al Khuwair, Behind Al Akhtam restaurant villa No 1839, Way No 3922, block No 239. Contact: 99462980

4 Ware house at Barka Falaij.

Contact: 99337857

Villa of 5 BHK in Al Ansab with split A/C. RO.650/- Contact – 93191111

1BHK, 2BHK, 3BHK new flat available at Mabela in front of Modern English School Contact: 96239126

Flats in Wadi Al Kabir Lulu Height Street. Contact: 92022816/ 99468133/ 99719471

Flat at Darsait. Contact 99326879

Brand new 6 BHK villa in Al Azaiba with split A/C & lift. RO.1200/Contact – 93191111 Villa for rent in Al Khuwair 33, 8 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms with parking area near Taimur Mosque.

Contact: 99366624

Flats/villas owned by ROP pension fund available for rent in Muscat. Contact 99349526 Furnished flats for rent in Al Buraimi, daily, weekly, monthly.

Contact 97819981 / 93593336 Villa for rent : 4 bedroom villa with kitchen available in Azaiba. Sharing / Family. Contact : 98048207/99261773 2BHK Darsait R.O 325/-, 300/-.

Contact: 92144045 1BHK Ghubra R.O 275/-.

Contact 92144045 3 BHK villa and 2 BHK flat with A/ Cs at Muttrah, near Oman house.

Contact : 95915154 Flat 1BHK for rent, Opp Omani School near Al Tajaweed Furniture, bldg No 1057, Way 5917, Hamriya.

Rent 150/- P.M. Contact: 99350946 Villa for rent - Al Seeb/Al Mawelah - Block 5 - 4 bedrooms with attached bathrooms, Majlis, 2 halls, kitchen and storeroom. split Ac and carpark.

Contact 99564616

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DAILY GUIDE

FOR RENT 1 BHK Flat in Wadi Kabir.

Contact 92275454

Flats for rent in Wadi Kabeer.

Contact : 92800007

Flat for rent in Al Khuwair 33.

Contact: 92277419

Bath attached room for rent Al Khuwair. Contact 99743569

3 flats for rent 3 bedrooms include A/C, near the highway (Bowshar Amerat). Contact 97777911 / 95533777

Labor camp available with all facilities at Sohar Falaij (Near Sohar Sea port) - Contact – 92982172

3 rooms with attached bath room, hall Brand new in Mabelah near Sharahe Noor. Contact 99663905/ 99415119 For rent 3 industrial land.

Contact 92702891/ 95490842 506 sqm space with mezzanine available for rent in Al Wadi Al Kabir. Suitable for carpentry / auto workshop and /or electrical shop.

Interested parties may Contact 24703981 1BHK Mumtaz R.O 250/-.

Contact: 97799175 Flats shops and store for rent in Ruwi, MBD Honda road.

Contact 97293708 / 92433127

Ice cream & juices shop in Ruwi, good location for sale, 1.5 mt fish display machine for sale.

Contact 92150455 Well running Bricks Factory for Lease in Seeb. Contact. 99711003 Porta cabin for sale good condition size 12x 3.70x 3.00 meter.

Contact : Deepak 99231715 Beauty parlor for sale near Muscat Palace monthly rent 350/- OMR serious buyers.

Contact: 91902154

Technical Trading Co. LLC is looking for a bachelor accommodation for their 150 staff in Al Hail, Seeb, Maabela, Mawaleh area on immediate basis. Interested parties please contact Mr. Qais Al Rashdi on 99421323

Running business material shop for sale good location & profitable business. Contact : 92249983

FOR SALE Running computer shop for sale Souq Sohar. Contact 99420543

ACC. WANTED

4000 sqm building ware house area for sale or rent next to Express highway also used 40 ft seaworthy container for sale in very good condition. Contact 99771466

FOR SALE

Super market in (Hairoon Hairithi) Thamrith road. Contact 98189810 / 99675190.

Training center with license.

Contact: 91121277

Shop for sale in Ibra and Bid Bid. Contact: 95304693

Indian restaurant fully furnished and equipped with banquet hall and spacious parking opposite Naseem Garden for sale. Contact Eng: 99771466 Arabic: 99454415

We have planned industrial lands in a prime location (Bowshar / Al Misfah) the space 8575 SQ. M for each plot, meter price 120/- OMR only. Contact: 99883338

Commercial land for sale 3000 m in quriyat road main high way can use as a petrol station license available asking price 350,000 For more information please call on 99070701 with out name

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

ACC. AVAILABLE Sharing flat in Wadi Kabir.

Contact: 99335057

AVAILABLE Party & Wedding equipment rentals.

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

Furnished single / sharing room for Exe. Bachelor at Rex Road with WIFI available. Contact : 98646514 Furnished single rooms available for Executive bachelors at Ruwi.

Contact: 98049288 Fully furnished 1 BHK Flat available in Ruwi 2 months only (July/August) Contact: 99369081 CNTD Pg on 6

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DAILY GUIDE

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

SITUATION WANTSIT. WANTED ED

SITUATION SITUATION WANTED VACANT

ACCOUNT. & FINANCE Male 24, B.Com /PGD having 2 years experience in accounts and inventory field looking for suitable job on visit visa. Contact: 94129550 Experienced up-to finalization accountant looking for part time job.

Contact : 99002390 Indian male, well experienced in Accounts & Admin looking for a suitable vacancy. NOC available.

Contact 98717938 Accounts part time, up to finalization of monthly accounts. Handled by a CA. contact 96293120 Accounts & finance Indian male B.com M.B.A (F) Tally ERP9, 35 years, 8 years experience 1.5 years Oman family visa N.O.C available.

Contact: 93257426 Email: sibigeorp@gmail.com B.com graduate with NOC more than 4 years of experience in Oman with valid Oman driving license for a suitable job ready to join immediately.

Contact: 98976252 Senior Accountant 13 years experience FMCG & retail Noc available.

Contact: 93473942 Indian male B.Com Accountant 10 years in Oman experience in accounts (upto finalization) & Admin knowledge of tally ERP9, focus RT. Having NOC & D/L looking for suitable job in Muscat. Contact: 93086105 Indian female 25 years married, MBA Finance, Diploma in foreign accounting 3 months experience in a CA firm on family visa.

Contact: 95916769 Email: sikhapadoor@gmail.com

ACCOUNTANT A leading excellent grade company at Muscat looking for Junior Accountant with min.1 year Gulf experience. Please send CV to pmjino@gmail.com

MBA Indian male looking for suitable position having 2 years working experience as an accountant now in Oman a visiting visa. Contact: 99424803

Urgently required Senior Accountant 1 no. atleast 5 yrs experience.

Interested candidates may Email their CV’s at findjobs2015@hotmail. com

Young, energetic 24 yrs, ACCA finalist, Advanced diploma in Accounting and business, seeking suitable placement in accounts, finance or audit. Contact : 92430152, Email: rau_dey@yahoo.com

Urgently required Junior Accountant. Please send CV : hr.azatllc@gmail.com Construction Company in Oman urgently requires following candidates: Accountant with minimum 5 years experience with operating knowledge of tally.

Email: applyforoman@gmail.com A reputed shipping and forwarding company urgently require following personals 1) Accountant 2) Operations Executive valid Omani D/L is must. Experienced hands in shipping field are preferred. Send your CV to applymd2015@gmail.com

BEAUTICIAN Urgently required Indian experience Beautician (good package) in Al Hail, visa available.

Contact : 92139922 / 92284899 Required Beautician visa available, salary accommodation.

Contact: 91902154

CATERING Family in Muscat seeking to hire an experienced butler. Hotel experience is preferred. Candidate must hold a valid driver’s license. Please send CV’s on vacancyinmuscat@gmail.com

DOMESTIC HELPER Required looking for full time Housemaid for Omani family at Mabela, visa available. Contact: 92454170 Urgent required House maid in Mabela. Visa available.

Contact 95200180.

ENGINEER

MISCELLANEOUS

A well reputed company is looking for experienced digital Signage Technicians & Managers. Send CV to hr.oman@yahoo.com

Urgently required: (1) female dermatologist with minimum 3 years experience (2) female Omani reception coordinator for a medical center in Qurum.

Contact: 96062933

SALES / MARKETING

A leading Civil construction co. in Muscat requires the following: - Construction Manager, Project Manager, Site Engineer. Please send CV : hr.azatllc@gmail.com Required swimming pool Engineer/ civil /M& P / Draughtsman with D/L, Preferred gulf experience.

Email: jvacancy05@gmail.com Mechanical / Civil Site Supervisor; diploma / ITI fitter; 3-4 year’s exp in supervision of Erection work of sheds, customer coordination, and project execution. Omani D/L is must. Contact: hr@khancogroup.com / 99102383 Urgently Required: Civil Engineer with an experience minimum in 5 years in building construction and MUST have NOC. Apply, fax 00968–24605955, emails sbc@steelbuildingsllc.com, sbeoman@yahoo.com Required full time Social Networker for sites like twitter, LinkedIn, face book.

Email: mhca@mhabibgroup.com

Required light driver, Excavator Operators & heavy drivers.

Contact: 99454425 Required Light duty driver from Kerala with construction experience.

Contact : 98294695

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

A company from UAE require 2 merchandisers in retail food supply, store keeper with English and invoicing experience. Email: yesterdaysun@hotmail.com Mason, C.C.T.V, Technician, Electrician cum Plumber.

Contact: 99383044

HOSPITALITY Chef for Yacht. International cuisine.

Minimum 15 years chef experience. alibadawy@gmail.com

MEDICAL Required full time Nurse for a residence. Contact: 99014435

Construction Company in Oman urgently requires following candidates: BE Civil Engineer, minimum 3-5 years gulf experience & Civil site foreman, minimum 5 years gulf experience, diploma not required.

Email: applyforoman@gmail.com

Required Gynecology, General Physician, Dentist, Staff Nurses, Lab technicians, Pharmacists, X Ray technicians.

Contact : 95133572 / 96064925 Email: kunoozghala@gmail.com

EDUCATION

Wanted Staff Nurse for a polyclinic in Sohar. Contact :93457270

DRIVER Driver & Business co coordinator speaking English urgently required.

Contact : 95327813

Well established and premier music Educational Group in Oman invites teachers in drawing , karnatic vocals, piano and drums interested can candidates can mail their portfolio CV to musicjoboman@gmail.com

Required professional Teachers for teaching Science, Mathematics, Accountancy, Business Studies & English IELTS/ TOFEL in schools & Universities.

Contact 99674870 A well known private school is in need of English, Math, Science, Computer and Physics Teachers.

Contact: 96910649 Teachers required (B.A, BEd, BSc, and B.ed) for Omani Pvt. School Al Hail (North).Contact: 95141554/ 96653118

Required a MOH licensed female Nurse for a private clinic near Al-Suwaiq. Call 93746086 Urgent required staff Nurse in Mabela. Contact- 95200180.

Email: amanammc@gmail.com

SKILLED Urgently required a silk Screen printer with good knowledge and release letter or NOC. Contact: 93280288 or send CV to albayanstamps@gmail.com

Omani male Sales Executive with Degree/Diploma in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering Age : 25-35 years. Minimum 2-5 years experience in Sales of Industrial machinery. Apply to careers@teejanequipment.com Fax : 24560806 Urgently required Sales Executive atleast 3 yrs experience in the field & having Oman driving license. Interested candidates may Email their CV’s at findjobs2015@hotmail.com Looking for Outdoor Salesman for heavy equipment spare parts.

Contact - 93292015, Email: mail.om@gulfcenter.co Required male or female candidate with 5 years experience in renting of properties. Interested candidates may please mail to alqurumprop@gmail.com Urgently required Sales & Marketing Executive for Electrical & lighting products with Oman driving license. Send CV at Email : albasilinternational@gmail.com Urgently required outdoor Sales Executive for furnishing company with valid Oman D/L and minimum 3 years experience.

Contact 93231403 / rainbowfurnishing156@gmail.com Required male candidates to work full / part time in an international Café “franchise”. They will be trained for the job. Contact 97673395 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 Sales Coordinator : Mechanical Diploma holder with 3-4 yrs exp. in sales department preferably in Metal fabrication Company. Omani D/L is must. Contact: 99102383 hr@khancogroup.com Urgently required Advertising & Media Sales Executives with Oman D/L. Trainee positions available for Freshers.

Email: jobs@interacoman.com

Required Sales man - 1 Person Qualification. Gulf Experienced - Minimum 5 Years with Oman Driving Licence Language - English Education:- Any Degree Further Contact :Mr. Abdul Hameed Nashabat - Mobile No: 97414307 and -92807399 amn@yaqeeneng.com A leading tissue paper and food stuffs company requires Sales and Marketing person with minimum 5 years exp in Oman with good communication skills & valid Oman D/L. Candidate with Interior market knowledge & experience preferable.

Send CV: allub@alhosnigroup.com Fax: 24451430 Required urgently energetic Marketing Executive for acquiring new customers. Should possess a Valid Omani D/L. Contact 96545020.

Urgently required Sales and Marketing Executive for Graphic designing company. Contact: 96727631 mail: smartgraphic518@gmail.com Sales man required for printing press preferable with car.

Contact : 97842797

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

SITUATION WANTSIT. WANTED ED

Indian female 23 yrs BBM Graduate, diploma in computer application and qualified e-finance in computer, having well knowledge in tally, peach tree, busy software etc. 2 yrs exp in account, looking for suitable placement in any field. Contact: 95601158 Indian Female 25 MBA looking for a suitable opening in Accounts, Admin/ Hr. Contact 97013375 Indian male, B.Com, 1 year Exp in Accounts/ Sales, on Visit Visa,..

Contact – 98295101 Indian / Keralite – CMA (US) , CAInter , M.Com, total 20 years experience with 11 years M/ East experience as Finance / A/ Cs Manager, seeks suitable offers from reputed companies in Oman. Sunil V.S. Contact : +91-9526756488 Email: sunil_ramanin@yahoo.co.in Sudanese Accountant seeking job in Nizwa state experience 10 years 3 years in Saudi Arabia, 7 yrs in Sudan.

Contact : 97796394 / 94003247 Senior Accountant 10 years experience 4 years experience in GCC now working with trading & project based concern holding Oman driving license. Well experience all accounting software’s. Contact: 94079432 Indian male B.Com MBA (HR), 2 yrs experience in HR & Accounts department, on visiting visa seeking for job in any field. Contact: 96491347 Email: aswinsajeev@hotmail.com Indian male Graduate 26 yrs 5 yrs experience in Accounts and Administration looking for suitable placement.

Contact: 91301983 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

ACCOUNT. & FINANCE M.Com, CA (Article ship), 15 years Gulf experience looking for suitable position in finance & accounts on visit visa valid up to 10/7/2015.

Contact: 97767828, knowledge of quickbooks, Tally 9, Focus V.5 Email: altabhossain2008@hotmail.com An Indian lady Chartered Accountant with five years experience (including article ship) on family visa in Oman looking for a suitable job. Please Contact 9621 0347 / 9943 5346, shincycrajan@gmail.com

ACCA & B.Com with Noc more than 5 years of experience in accounts & finance looking for a suitable job can join immediately. # 97012146 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 Accounts part time works up to finalization on monthly basis. Profit & loss A/C and financial statements, MS Reports Etc. Contact: 96247295

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DAILY GUIDE SITUATION WANTED

ACCOUNT. & FINANCE Indian CA with 15 yrs exp working as Finance Head for MNC looking for suitable job. NOC available. 94047434 Tanzanian male, 25 yrs Accountant successful experience in Tanzania looking for suitable placement in any field. Contact : 96710154 Tunisian lady has Professorship in social and economical sciences and accounting, diploma in Experimental Sciences degree in English for media. Contact 95391050, aysser2013@gmail.com ACCA affiliate , BSc Honors in applied Accountancy advance diploma in Accounting and Business, CAT Affiliate 1 year hand on working experience of Oman, with Oman driving license looking for a suitable placement in Audit firm. Having NOC can join immediately.

Contact : 98989970 Indian male, 32 years, M. Com. 7 out of 9 years experience in Oman in Accounts/finance. Having NOC and valid Oman D/L. Contact 98277143, Email: anzarks@gmail.com Indian male 25 yrs B.com having experience in accounts for 3 yrs currently on visit looking to job.

Contact: 97937868 Email: rehman.naseer999@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 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 Indian Accountant: Male, M com, 7 Yrs experience in Accounts up to finalization, having knowledge of ERP, Tally, seeks suitable placment. contact 93950138 Email: lijinrajan123@gmail.com

ADMIN Indian Female M.C.A 4 years of experience looking for suitable position as as programmer/lecturer/ Web Designer/Admin. Contact No: 99486374.

Indian male 2+yrs oman exp in HR. joing immediatly. release available.

Contact :93671437 Over 14 years of gulf experience in Admin /HR /Logistics, fluent in Arabic & English with D/L looking for suitable position.Contact 95824598 Filipino Female, 30 yrs, with 8yrs experience in Payroll/Admin/HR and 2yrs experience as Technical Support/Cashier/Secretary. Currently in Muscat on Family Visit Visa, Seeking for suitable placement. # 96708114 Email: lucy08_tm@yahoo.com Indian, male, 26, Commerce graduate, three years experience as Administrative Assistant in UAE, seeks a suitable job in Oman.

Contact: tkjasbeer@gmail.com; +971-558291437.

Indian female, Postgraduate in HR, with 8 years working experience in Oman(HR and administration), looking for suitable placement.

Contact 97411008 Indian female 29 MBA (HR) BSc, 4 yrs exp in HR& Admin looking suitable placement. Contact : 95619537 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 MBA (international business) from London, 4 years of UK experience in operations with D/L, looking for suitable position. Contact 91710075 Indian female MBA – HR 1 and half years experience seeking suitable job. Contact : 99257214

BEAUTICIAN Indian Beautician looking for job in Oman, with 5 yrs Oman experience.

Contact: 98869716

Beautician exp Gulf, looking job from India. Contact 99531802

DRIVER We are looking for personal driver with experience in Oman. We want him to be driver for home and farm.

Please contact 96060344 Pakistani, male light vehicle driver looking for job. Contact 97943750 Driver light with 5 yrs experience, knowing English, Arabic, Hindi, education B.A. Contact 98522914 Light driver valid GCC license looking for job. Contact 99531802 Indian male, 3 yrs exp. as Driver in Oman looking for job.

Contact 98238043 Light duty driver looking for job.

Contact: 94040926 Light duty driver looking for vacancy NOC available. Contact: 97319564 Driver with car. Contact: 97705694/98988208 Looking for job driving Bangladeshi.

Contact : 94077119 Bangladeshi Driver seeks suitable job K. S.A 12 years Oman 3 years 42 yrs. Contact 95796030 Looking for job driving Bangladeshi.

Contact: 97418036 Pick up and drop anytime.

Contact: 96748967 Light driver for job. Contact: 95779594 Light vehicle driver looking for job.

Contact: 91452930 Driver looking for job, light vehicle.

Contact: 95446207 Driver light. Contact: 91020999 Pakistani driving available.

Contact : 96913836 Light Driver having own visa looking for job as driver. Contact: 97073429 Driver available with or without car.

Contact 96771598 L.T.V driver language, Hindi, Arabic & English. Contact: 98802079 Heavy duty driver valid license Omani need job & visa.

Contact: 91139936 Driver looking for job with visa, release available, 5 yrs driving experience. Contact: 96261895 Faruqu.

Light Driver needs Job. Contact: 93284327

DOMESTIC HELPER Looking for job for House maid.

Contact : 93599302 Laundry Housekeeping professional looking for a opening in Oman with 18 years experience.

Contact : 91957861

DRAUGHTSMAN Indian female 23 yrs, Autocad Civil Draftsman with 3ds max & rivet, 3 yrs exp. looking for suitable vacancy in Muscat now on visit visa.

Contact: 95601266.

DESIGNER Graphics Designer/ prepress C.T.P Pagination 3 yrs exp. in Muscat Photoshop Illustrator, Indesign, CorelDraw autocad premier preps appoge Indian male now on visit visa.

Contact 97436606

IT

ENGG. / TECHNICAL

BEAUTICIAN Quantity Surveyor with 5 Years experience (one year in Oman) looking for job. Contact 91090036 Mechanical Engineer, Indian, 24 years with Piping Engineering, Autocad, Ansys NX- Cad, pro-e, Catia & PDMS now on visiting visa seek suitable placement. Contact: 99168054 / 96684345 Email: : mbkishore@hotmail.com BE Mechanical Engineer 2 years experience in fabrication and erection of heavy structures as project Engineer in India, now on visiting visa seeks suitable placement.

Contact: 92151818 B.Tech Civil Engineer Indian male 13 year’s exp seeking suitable job.

Contact 0091 9640973798 Email: firozbakhtiar2@gmail.com Indian male, 28 yrs, Electronics & Instrumentation Engineer with 4 yrs experience in Industrial Automation (SCADA) seeking suitable job.

Contact 93154156 / 98416190 Indian male 23 yrs B.Tech Civil having 2 years exp, currently on visit visa looking for suitable job.

Contact: 98031034 Email: musheer786.mm@gmail.com B.Tech in Electronics Engineering, Indian male 26 years with around 5 years of experience (Including work experience in Japan) looking for a job in any field & can join immediately. Contact: 91902646 Email: ajumalmajeed@gmail.com Indian male Diploma in Mechanical Engineer with 14 years Gulf experience in heavy equipments and vehicles valid Oman driving license.

NOC available looking for a suitable placement. Contact: 91985028 / 95463430 BS Electronics & Communication Engineer, Cisco (CCNA) Certified N / 1 yr experience in outside broadcasting, networking & knowledgeable in VOIP systems, looking for suitable placement presently on family joining visa. Contact: 93937026 Email: ron2_55@yahoo.com Indian male 47 years DM Civil, PG PGDMM, I& M, having 25 years of experience Manager in Civil, Stores Purchase, Inventory, cargo, transports, Admin , looking for best job in Muscat. Currently on visit visa. Contact: 91170749 / 97672647 Email: gdp4767@gmail.com BE (Electrical), MBA, certified PMP and Chartered Engineer with 10 years experience in EPC Project management for substation construction (onshore/offshore) GCC employed Indian, seeking opportunity to lead challenging projects, position in managerial role.

Email ID: jacobmval@gmail.com Site Engineer(Civil) Diploma in Civil Engineering / Supervisor 6 years experience (with N.O.C).

Contact : 99512416.

Indian M 25 yrs B.E Mechanical, 3 yrs exp in Oil & Gas project Engineer now on visit visa. # 96487013 Email: riarun.007@gmail.com B.Tech Mechanical Engineer Indian 1 year experience HVAC (MEP) available in Muscat on visit visa seeking suitable job. Contact : 93670280 Email: jinv.avm@gmail.com Iraqi female Communication Engineer having 5 yrs of exp in teaching computer program.

Contact : 99132159 Email: marwan.saad39@yahoo.com Iraqi male Medical Equipment Engineer one year of exp in Iraq looking for suitable job in Oman.

Contact: 99132159 Email: marwan.saad39@yahoo.com

ENGG. / TECHNICAL

Electrical Engineer Pakistani male 4 years B. Tech & 3 years’ diploma seeking a suitable placement.

Contact: 96752080 Email: ilyasoader97@gmail.com

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

Interior Architecture Engineer, 7 years experience (5 years in Oman) expert in exterior & interior architecture designs presented by 3D MAX- V ray AutoCAD Photoshop, fluent in Arabic & English.

Contact: 96519172 Email: eng.interiorarchitect@gmail.com

Sr Manager, B.Tech, MBA, PRINCE-2, British National. 24 yrs exp in EPC Project Management of Oil & Gas, Pipelines, Refineries & Power Plants.

Seeking job immediately/on visit/ Contact- 00968-91263952/ josececy25@gmail.com BE Mechanical Engineer 4/5 years experience in Planning Engineer.

Interested companies kindly contact 95403146 / 99426840 candidate available till 12.06.2015 Civil Engineer 7 years experience valid Omani D/L looking for job immediately, ready to join.

Contact : 96936406 Electronics and Instrumentation Engineer, Indian female, B. Tech (AE & I), M.Tech (VLSI design), asp.net, c#, c++, core java, android java, presently on visit visa, looking for a suitable placement. contact : 95906935, amalpktu@gmail.com B.E (Civil Engineer) with 5 yrs experience, valid Omani driving license.

Noc available. Contact: 91693008 Iraqi Civil Engineer 12 years experience, resident having Omani driving license. Contact : 94695595 Land Surveyor, one and half year experience in India, well handle total station, auto level and AutoCAD. Looking for suitable placement.

Contact: 95140761 / 99208290 Email: binu.brijiv@gmail.com

Electrical Eng. Degree (MEP) need suitable job of construction 12 yrs exp. Email: mohd.ateeq.khan@gmail. com Engineer with 3 yrs experience in Indian in MEP, HVAC& mechanical maintained field on visit visa looking for suitable job. Contact 99191535 Email: fareed029@gmail.com Indian female, B.Tech biotechnology with strong computer skills and 2 years experience as associate research analyst (Media Monitoring) in Nasdaq Oman seeking growth oriented jobs. Contact 92044603 /918056169148 or angeline.babithac@gmail.com.

EDUCATION Experienced, competent, English teacher for high school and college.

Contact: 91954541 Indian female MCA, Three years experience in teaching field, seeks placement currently on visit visa.

Contact: 93431567 Email: fivona.mel@gmail.com English Teacher female (M. A. B. Ed) Having 14 years experience with 11 years experience in Oman with reputed institute and school.

Contact: 92289080 / 99318276 Email: babujosev@yahoo.com

HOSPITALITY

Indian, male, Civil Engineering graduate with 8 years Dubai experience in Estimation, Project/Design Co-ordination seeks suitable job in Oman. Hold UAE driving license.

Contact: shibupnbr@ gmail.com; +971-501426982

4 yrs exp (Money Exch. Services & hospitality services in Oman& India) Indian male 27, Graduate in Hospitality Science, fluent in English, Hindi & Arabic seeks job.

Contact 91383167

Indian male Electronics & Instrumentation Engineer having 5 yrs exp with valid Omani D/L & NOC. Contact: 96082604

Indian male fresher BCA young and energetic, seeking good opportunites.email: jlaxmimenon@gmail. com, Contact 00919567722270

Civil Engineer, Indian Female, 3 yrs experience, on visit visa seeking suitable placement.

Contact: 99195433

IT

B.Tech Civil Engineer, Indian female 2 yrs experience in Oman, looking for suitable position.

Contact 91690345 B. Tech Instrumentation Engineer more than 4 year experience SCADA, PLC, DCS, ESD (Honeywell, Yokagawa). Contact: 93670890 Email: mojin.a.kabeer@gmail.com Structural Engineer 4 years experience Indian, will handle projects independently, able to get Municipality approvals easily.

Contact: 91668044 Quantity Surveyor (Civil Diploma) 2 yrs experience in Oman, looking for full/ part-time job.Contact 96936793 Indian male diploma in Computer Engineering seeking suitable placement immediately now on visiting visa .Contact 97317844 / 92580948 Indian male 29 years Civil Engineer diploma 4 years Oman experience, 2 years road construction looking placement. Contact: 93298395 N.O.C available Instrumentation Engineer, Indian male having 2 years experience in process instruments and sales seeks suitable placement on visit visa.

Contact: 95954385 Email: irfancisinn@gmail.com Sudanese Industrial Engineering & Management, experience 12 years in QA/QC and production. Contact: 94041960 / 94044784, Email: mekkimedani@hotmail.com / mekkimedani78@gmail.com Indian Male, IT Support Engineer, 2 yrs in Oman & 5 yrs Indian experience. Contact 9731 Indian male, B.Tech Mechanical having 4 years experience with QA/ QC / CSWIP looking for a suitable position. Contact: 99447106 Email: dhanubhasi87@gmail.com Btech computer science graduate 2015 passout.. Android application marketing.. Having good communication skills and mindset to work in a team. Contact 91024385

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 Omani Citizen searching a job in the field of computer especially in data base professional in operating Oracle SQL, PL/ SQL, form6i, Report 6i. Contact 96977368 Email: talaloml@yahoo.com Indian female MCA, experience in C#.Net, SQL Server, ORACLE with 4.5 years experience seeking suitable positions.

Contact: 96485923, 99886271. prathibhakp07@gmail.com IT Desktop Support Engineer 2 years Oman 3 years in Indian Exp. Contact 91937060 M.C.A Indian male 36 yrs experience in IT Support/ customer serving support with 5 yrs experience seeking suitable position.

Contact: 92041909 Male 26 completed acter MBA and have 1.5 years experience, good knowledge of computer, software’s, looking for job in procurement / warehousing. On visit visa till 5th Sep /2015.

Contact: 00968 91795092 Email: jameel6345@gmail.com Computer Networking/Facility Mgmt 5 Yrs of Exp Holds B.E(ECE), CCNA Looking for Good Opportunity, Indian - Visit Visa. Contact 91911792/ arafakdnl@gmail.com IT & Media Sales specialist looking for job opportunities also decent exposure to H.R & customer relations currently in Muscat on visit visa kindly. Contact : 96238199 or 99874205 Email Id: m_cadri@rediffmail.com Net work Technician CCTV, UTP, OFC, Flooring work 6 yrs experience (GCC). Contact: +91 9526888134 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

MCA Indian male 24 yrs seeking suitable placement in software / Database support currently on visit visa. Contact 96785261 Email: sudheesh.edakkadan@gmail.com

LOGISTICS 10 yrs exp in Oman in logisticshave Oman D/L-looking for suitable placement-contact 96410767 .

Contact email: harishkts@yahoo.com

MEDICAL Well experienced MOH Licensed Indian GP Doctor looking for locum / permanent position in the Capital area. Contact 98140024 email:drgpoman@yahoo.com Staff Nurse male Nurse 6 years above experience prometry exam 71%, express visa last date 21/06/2015. Contact: 95118841 BSc Staff Nurse with license.

Contact 92765457 Indian female Dentist MOH Oman passed seeking a suitable placement in capital region. Contact– 91377681 hashimsarawat@gmail.com Dentist with MOH license looking for locum post. Contact 93571021.

Indian male Nurse, 31 years Oman prometric passed 6 yrs ICU experience. Contact : 94195150 / 92758895 Lab Technician, Civil (8yrs Gulf experience) looking for a suitable job (NOC available) Contact-93344378

MISCELLANEOUS MCA, BCA with 2 yrs relevant experience seeking suitable opportunity.

Contact: 96377039 Looking for job building maintenance electric and plumbing.

Contact: 99365092 Ware house In charge or store keeper 27 yrs Gulf experience 4 yrs in Oman NOC available.

Contact: 97657823 Email: rusaikmzm_2009@yahoo.com In search of job. Qualification b.com, key skills- MS office, Tally, Internet with valid Oman light driving license. *NOC available.

Contact:92239065 Indian Female with over 9 yrs experience with good communication skills seeks jobs in customer service or sales field. Contact : 96108289, shijipaul84@gmail.com Part- Time Accountant, well experience senior accountant ,doing all type of accounting works, Finalization, Budgeting available.

Contact 98803439 13 Years UAE experienced in MNC & reputed firms logistics distribution looking for a suitable placement, on visit visa contact 99838743, gani.dawood@gmail.com

MANAGER/ SUPERVISOR Highly Qualified & Experienced Finance Manager Pakistani with USA , UK & Canadian Degrees, CPA , ACCA-UK . MBA-USA ,IFA- Financial Consultants Canada , Corporate Analyst USA Professional of Banking , Audits ,ERPs & Profit Maximizations (NOC available) call 94 504505 – 94403270 MSc qualified female on female joining visa good experience in Administration, Advertising media and branding at managerial level with 13 years experience. Good knowledge in the field of marketing looking for a suitable position. Contact : 91980400 Sr Manager, B.Tech, MBA, Prince -2 from UK. 24 yrs exp in EPC project management of oil & gas pipelines, refineries & power plants. Seeking job immediately / on visit/ Contact: + 00968912639 Email: josececy25@gmail.com

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S U N DAY, J U N E 1 4 , 2 0 1 5

DAILY GUIDE

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

SITUATION WANTED PROJECT Indian male, with 8 yrs exp. in Oman (BA- Graduate) working as a project Sales Coordinator, with Oman D/L, looking for suitable job, ready to join immediately with NOC. Contact 95245057

SALES / MARKETING Indian Male, M.B.A. (U.K) 10 Yrs of Experience, looking for suitable position in Sales/Marketing/Retail/ H.R/ Admin. Contact No: 99271903.

Indian male MBA 7 years experience in Hospitality industry, operation, sales & marketing looking for suitable vacancy. Contact 92115860 Email vibin.py@gmail.com Graduate having 6 yrs experience Lubricant sales looking for sales job with D/L. Contact : 93410723 Asst. Manager Purchase / Logistics / Warehouse, B.Com, Diploma in Material Management with 12 yrs experience. NOC available.

Contact 96477638 Indian male, MBA with 5 yrs of experience as a Lecturer in Department of Marketing & Business Management, looking for suitable position. Contact 93126770 Sales & marketing professional having 5 yrs exp with D/L. Contact 92262680 Outdoor salesman with car looking for job. Contact 91615715 Indian male, 34 yrs, 10 yrs exp. in UAE in sales & merchandise with valid GCC license, looking for suitable position. Contact 93438747 / 93033252 Pakistani Female Bachelor of Information Technology with 8 years’ experience in Banking, Sales, business development, retail & customer service seeking for a suitable placement. Having valid D/L& NOC available. Contact 94699970 shehla. chohan@gmail.com Indian male, 39 yrs having 15 yrs Gulf experience (UAE, Qatar, Oman) in sales & marketing looking for a suitable position with NOC. Contact 94054730 M.B.S (Management) looking for suitable Marketing job.

Contact: 96487152 Indian male over 5 years experience in media marketing sales collection looking for suitable job.

Contact : 95064202 Indian male, 27 yrs, Post Graduate, 5+ yrs exp in Oman in Sales & Credit Control, with valid Oman driving License, NOC available, looking for suitable placements.

Ph: 91993376 Indian male MBA Marketing currently on visit visa seeking for Sales & marketing job 2 years experience.

Contact: 94460405 Email: arshidmohammed222@gmail.com Sales man looking for a opening in Oman with 18 years Gulf experience.

Contact: 91957861 An Indian male having rich experience in procurement, Sales marketing and office administration seeking suitable position.

Contact: 93689602 8 years store experience Indian male looking for placement. N.O.C available. Contact: 98456535 Indian 23 years B.Com Graduate, 2 years experience in Sales knowledge of TALLY, ERP & MS Office.

Contact: 93134643 Email : syedismailnoor@gmail.com

SALES / MARKETING 8 years purchase experienced Indian male looking for job. N.O.C. available. Contact: 98161323 Indian Male, B.Com Graduate, 23, with experience in Sales looking for suitable placements.

Contact 98371144 Indian female B.Com Graduate having 8 yrs experience in India & 2 yrs experience in Oman as Customer Service, Office Asst, Sales Coordinator, Secretary seeks suitable placement. Contact: 95433987 Indian male, B.Sc (Mathematics) PGDBM (Marketing). 9 yrs of Oman experience in sales in midlevel management, NOC available.

Valid Oman D/L. Contact: 95278838 Email: anup2p4p@yahoo.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 Pakistani male 34 yrs Intermediate 2 yrs exp in sales & marketing in Oman. Looking for suitable job.

Contact - 92146864

SKILLED/UNSKILLED Mason, sh/carpenter, steel fitter, looking job. Contact 95175192 Electrician, Plumber, Welder , exp gulf and india looking job.

Contact 99531802 Helper /cleaner looking for job.

Contact 95175192

SECRETARIAL/OFFICE Indian female completed computer literacy program (patiently fundamental, MS Office, word processing) and offset printing, seeking suitable job in Muscat. Contact : 97236545 Email: sun2giri@gmail.com Indian male MBA having 10 years experience in Oman as Document controller and 2+ Years experience as Project Assistant / Executive Secretary seeks suitable placement.

NOC available Contact: 95373198, email: sydnvrng@yahoo.com

TOURS & TRAVELS 25 Indian female B.S.C. Fashion Technology. 5 years experience in textile industry as a merchandiser and good in fashion marketing.

Currently available on visit visa, seeking for a suitable job.

Contact 96990368.

Email: simmy.missy@gmail.com

MISCELLANEOUS M.Sc 3+ years exp from France & India in IT Support Engineer / Hardware & Networking / Server support / scientific system support looking for suitable positions. Indian, male on visit visa, contact 98898781/ anoopys@gmail.com Indian male, 34years having 10 years of experience in Sales, Sales Coordination and Administration.

Experienced in SAP and MS Office.

NOC available. Contact # 94686594 British Beauty Therapist looking for suitable position. please contact :97175240 Indian male seeking suitable vacancy in office works 30 years Muscat experience. Contact: 99024055 Indain Male MBA Marketing/HRM 3 year experience with Omani D/L, seeking suitable jobs.

Contact: 97424188 email: dharwesh@gmail.com Indian, Male, 23 years, BE Electrical, having 2 years experience in Electrical Works-H.T. cabling etc, & Construction, looking for a suitable placement. # +968 96927880 (Oman), +91 9765376109 (India), Email: rahulrevi6@gmail.com Indian Female M.Com with Computer Skills and Four Month Experience as Accountant ,Currently On Family Visa Looking for a Suitable Placement, Available Immediately.

Contact : 95846642, Email : dhanyashree91@yahoo.com ACCA Affiliate, Experience in audit/ finance of 2.5 years in Big 6 Firm and Oil industry, looking for suitable permanent placement, Release NOC available. Contact: #95140445 a.saran891@gmail.com B.Tech Computer Engineer Wanted job to work on(IT/Banking/Administrator/Technical/Office works) having NOC with the limited time from (04/06/2015 to 13/06/2015).

Mobile:98402389 email:naresh6672@gmail.com MCA IT Professional Indian Female seek placement in Teaching/ Non Teaching field. Presently on visit visa. 9588 7051, ashwininakod@gmail.com Highly Qualified & Experienced Finance Manager Pakistani with USA , UK & Canadian Degrees , CPA ,ACCA-UK . MBA-USA ,IFA- Financial Consultants Canada , Corporate Analyst USA Professional of Banking , Audits ,ERPs & Profit Maximizations ( NOC available ) call 94 504505 – 94403270

ACC. AVAILABLE 2 Rooms with separate bathroom & kitchen for executive bachelors.

Gsm 942-888-63 Family sharing villa room available at Al Khuwair.

Contact: 99382008

27 year Indian female who has 4 years of experience with logistics function in distribution of spares for both heavy machinery & wind turbine parts. Kindly contact me on +91 9790769104 E-mail: joemohana@yahoo.co.in

Single bedroom available for veg. family/bachelor at Wadi Kabir, behind Mars. Contact 99877845.

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

Looking for managerial post (full time ), More than Ten years of experience in Team Development ,Training, planning, Administration, Sales & Marketing, Advertisement and Credit Control and Logistics. Contact 91076608 / 99322748. RELEASE & NOC AVAILABLE

3bedrooms Al Hail. Contact 92817777

Indian Male, Graduate, 11 years Sales experience in Lighting / Industrial products, ready to join immediately. GSM: 9710 5356

Indian male MBA (U.K), 10 Years of experience in Admin, Sales, HR, stores and logistics seeks suitable placement. Contact 99271903.

Indian heavy duty driver with 8 years experience in oman available with NOC. GSM : 93601943 GSM : 94496457

Indian Female MCA, 4 plus Years of experience in Web designing, Admin, P.A, seeks suitable placement.

Contact 99486374

Over 15 years experience in Gulf.

Interior Architect, Lebanese Nationality, on visit visa seeking a suitable Placement. 96268005.

7 and half years experience working accounts / inventory manager looking suitable job. Contact: 96991782 Email: srinivasu.sp@gmail.com

MISCELLANEOUS

Furnished room attached bath for lady in Wadikabir (Mars Hypermarket) – 95941515

Semi furnished single room for Executive bachelors behind Kamat Restaurant Al Khuwair. #94271085 Single room at Walja, opposite MBD area available for Executive bachelors inclusive of electricity and water for OMR100/-. Contact: 93079877 Family room available at Muttrah.

Contact: 24712088 / 99022790

MOTOR VEHICLE FOR SALE

Room for rent 130/-RO, A/C, E/W kitchen Including bachelor only.

Contact: 95423391 Excellent big room, with A/C kitchen available near Ontc busstation (Ruwi). Conatct 95569740 Semi furnished room with attached bathroom for Executive bachelors at CBD area behind chamber of commerce. Contact: 96389375/93554942

MATRIMONIAL Muslim family seeking alliance for our son interested families. Contact 97664009 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

TRANSPORTATION Pick & drop with car & driver available any time. Contact: 9615828/96502406/92218001

Suzuki Celerio 2012 fully auto 75000 km. Contact: 92588458

Peugeot 206-2007 Model, expat driven. Contact 99209285

Swift Desire 2013 manual.

Contact: 97385534

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

Toyota Yaris 2006, 1.3 cc Automatic, Gray, 101000 k.m, accident free, well maintained & sparingly used by diplomat. All services done through Toyota.

R.O. 2000. Contact 96530053 2014 model Toyota Yaris 1.5 fully automatic with power window expat driven Mulkya valid till Nov. 2015 for sale. Contact: 93581825

TRANSPORTATION

Land Cruiser 2012.

Contact GSM- 99336093 Hyundai Accent 2004, fully automatic. Contact: 99045803

TRANSPORTATION Pick & drop available. Contact 96913836.

Driver with vehicle. Contact: 99159277

Transportation. Contact: 95190627

Pick & Drop any time. Contact: 97014786

Pick & Drop anytime Contact: 91653903

S U N DAY, J U N E 1 4 , 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

RENT A CAR

Butter cup rent a car presents fantastic offers all vehicles are model 2016.

Contact : 97249449

GOOD NEWS Ayurvedic massage backache, joint pain & neck pain etc.

Contact: 98254909 Ayurvedic treatment for joint pain, backache, paralysis massage, steam bath, obesity, spondylitis IDEAL , CARE Ayurvedic Clinic 18 November street, Azaiba. Contact 99639695 / 99117987 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

FREE INFORMATION ABOUT ISLAM. If you would like to know more about Islam, please call: 99425598, 96050000, 99353988, 99253818, 99341395, and 99379133.

For ladies: 99415818, 99321360, 99730723 Orvisit: www.islamfact.com Ayurvedic treatment for backache, paralysis, arthritis etc & massage, All Season (Vaidyaratnam).

Contact 24475280 / 95371554 / 92504980 www.siddhayur.com Genuine Ayurvedic treatments & massage, Ayurvedic clinic at Al Khuwair. Contact 24478618 / 97263637 /93309131

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S U N DAY, J U N E 1 4 , 2 0 1 5

DAILY GUIDE

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

SITUATION WANTED SERVICES

ACCOUNTANTS AND CONSULTANTS

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

WEBSITE

BUSINESS

General Investors. Contact 99674870 Scrap business running scrap business sale with 60 Ton Weighing Bridge in Mabellah.

Contact 92295780 New Construction Company required investors for financial project.

Contact: 92959251

Wanted Sub Contractors : Shuttering work, steel, concrete block work, plastering, tile fixing for Buraimi, School project.

Contact : 99427674/ 24700373/ Fax: 24701368

CLASSES

SITUATION WANTSIT. WANTED ED Indian male, 28 yrs MBA (HR/M) 2 years experience in Indian Oman in HR & admin seeks suitable placements. NOC available.

Contact 97484159 Email: rameshkapa86@gmail.com

Indian female , MCA BCA, certification PL SQL , 6months training PHP, date warehouse looking for suitable placement. Contact : 95694330 Email: mondkashyapodl@gmail.com B.Com with more than 5 yrs exp. looking for an accounts part tome job work. know with tally.

Email-shilpa_62@yahoo.com Part- time accountant, well experience senior accountant , doing all type of accounting works, finalization, budgeting available.

Contact : 98803439

WEB, ERP and Business Intelligence (BI) creation and management at rock bottom price.

Contact: http//webviewoman

COMPUTER Learn Cup cakes, exotic cakes, Icing decorations, handicrafts.

Contact 95941515

SITUATION WANTMANPOWER

Indian male, looking for a part time accounting job. Having additional knowledge & experience in HR admin & purchase. Contact 99196621 HSE Advisor, NEBOSH IGC, Indian male, 4 years experience in construction and oil fields, seeking suitable jobs. Gsm: 97458900, Mail: miroshbabu@gmail.com Highly Experienced Finance Manager, CPA ,ACCA-UK . MBA-USA , Professional of Banking, Audits , ERPs Sap , Management as Team Leader and Problem Solver call 94 504505 / 94403270

Available for longer period : Mig Welder 5 nos, General worker with PDO pass 10 nos, Helper 10 nos, Mason 8 nos. Contact 99610703

NRI

Specialist available for explosive growth in term of restructuring all modules of businesses with over 30 years of experience across continents with a decade in Oman.

Contact 96733578 Email : profitoman@gmail.com

GUARANTEED CLEANING: Carpet & sofa shampooing, Contact 99314807/24792998

Split & window A.C servicing & maintenance. Contact 93769089 / 95323517

House shifting. Contact 99708138

Indian male MBA Finance presently OMAN IN visit visa, 26 years, looking for an accountant job.

Contact 95240641, email Id mohammadabdulazharuddin@ gmail.com

A/C maintenance split A/C servicing. RO. 10 only. Contact 94217681/ 99210141

Admin Executive, 31, Indian Male, having 9+ years exp. in reputed companies. Seeking suitable placement in any gulf region. Contact +968 99276601 & 97693456. email : muralimahdav77@gmail.com

Carpet & sofa cleaning, house cleaning. Contact 99542979 / 98855815

House shifting & transporting.

Contact 92490422

DRIVING

Split & window A.C servicing & maintenance. Contact: 96236476 Window & split unit A.C servicing & repairing. Contact 99557080

Indian male Executive Secretary having vast experience in admin, logistics & procurement well versed with computer .seek suitable placement. Contact : 99514286 MEP Quantity Surveyor-Estimation-Project, 10 Years Experience (3 years in Oman). Having NOC & Oman D/L, looking for suitable job, Contact - 98291626

Split & window A.C servicing & maintenance. Contact 93769089/95323517 House shifting packing.

99657644 / 98518013 Ready / under construction apartments / villas. Near guruvayur.

Contact: 00919846877773

Learn driving with professional only automatic. Contact 94022250

Water proofing ABUQABASContact 99320217/24788722

MARBLE CRYSTALLIZATION restore the original shine of your marble. #24793614/ 99314807

Air condition maintenance split and window services AC specialist ducted and package type unites.

Contact: 98667326 Marble Restoration, Mosaic tiles polishing, carpet shampooing, maintenance.Contact ABU QABAS99320217 /24788722 Carpet Shampoo, marble & tile polishing, pest control & anti-termite treatment, general cleaning painting, Plumbing, Electrical, shifting. Contact Mundhir Al-Rizaiqi trading. L.L.C. # 24810137, 99450130 A/C maintenance & servicing. Fridge, washing machine & dish washer repairing. Painting & cleaning services & electrical & plumbing. Contact 99447257/97014234/ 24504281

CHANGE OF NAME I Himanshu Madan Sharma (holder of Indian Passport No. J 4812357) son of Madan Sharma having permanent residence in opposite D.P.A.P Store, Gajner Road, Bikaner, Rajasthan (complete postal address in India) and presently residing in Bahwan Engineering Company, P.O. Box 703, Ruwi-112,Sultanate of Oman, (complete postal address in Oman), intend to change my name from Himanshu Madan Sharma (old name) to Himanshu (given name) Sharma (sur name) for all practical purposes. Any objection towards my name change may please be communicated to Embassy of India, Muscat, Diplomatic Quarters, Al Khuwair, P. Box No. 1727, PC 112, Ruwi, Sultanate of Oman.

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

The Philippine Embassy Muscat joins the nation in celebrating the 117th Anniversary of Philippine Independence S U N D AY, J U N E 1 4 , 2 0 1 5 - W W W.T I M E S O F O M A N . C O M

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Let’s all work unitedly to build a progressive nation PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

Visit Philippines 2 this year for ultimate fun and shopping

Philippine most improved 3 country in AsiaPacific for PPP readiness

I

join all Filipinos across the globe in celebrating the 117th Anniversary of the proclamation of the Philippine Independence. Today, our shared heritage comes to the fore, as our hearts swell with pride to commemorate this pivotal milestone in our history.

We honour the courage, selflessness, grit, resolve and passion of our forefathers that won us our liberty and marked our identity as a people. One hundred and seventeen years later, we stand humbled by, and grateful for, their gift of sovereignty.

We are reminded that ours is a democracy earned through the valiant sacrifices of our predecessors, and a relentless pursuit of

Benigno S. Aquino III

President of the Philippines peace, development, and solidarity. Though the tides of fate have brought us to different shores, our rallying cry resonates with the

same dream for our countrymen: An inclusive, progressive nation.

We call on you to exercise the rights and freedom borne from the toil of our ancestors and contribute towards shaping a more proactive and mature discourse, perpetuating positive change to the broader spectrum of society, and emancipating our citizenry from the shackles of poverty, corruption, and greed. Together, let us weave our own voices of compassion and hope into a narrative of resilience and empowerment, and make tangible the legacy we are crafting: The Philippines we will all be proud to bequeath to coming generations.

May we all have a meaningful Independence Day. — Benigno S. Aquino III, President of Philippines.

F O R E I G N S E C R E TA RY ’ S M E S S A G E

We've never been more confident about our future

Philippine Trade Mission in GCC 4 engages Omani food companies

AS WE celebrate the 117th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence with pride and poignant remembrance, we honour the sacrifices of our heroes who fought with incredible courage to secure our freedom as a nation.

From Dr. Jose Rizal, to Andres Bonifacio and Apolinario Mabini, our timeless champions continue to inspire the Philippines to be proud of its past, faithful to the present and confident about its future.

In the last five years under the Aquino administration’s reform agenda dubbed, “Tuwid na Daan,”

our country has never been more optimistic about its future. Now, more than ever, the Philippines is assured of its role in the community of responsible nations.

This year’s theme, “Kalayaan 2015: Tagumpay sa Pagbabagong Nasimulan, Abot-Kamay na ng Bayan” (Independence 2015: Triumphs through reforms, within nation’s reach), therefore, comes with renewed international confidence in the Philippines’ potential not only as one of Asia’s growth engines but also in its emerging role as a lead advocate in the region when it comes to the primacy of

AMBASSADOR’S MESSAGE

Future of bilateral ties with Oman looks bright: Philippine Ambassador

Narciso T. Castañeda

Ambassador of Philippines THE PHILIPPINES once again finds itself celebrating the heroism of our forefathers who gave so much to ensure that the Filipino nation is born. Each year that passes also provides us with another chance to build upon all the accomplishments of the generations before us.

We, as a nation, have seen its share of ups and downs. We had moments of glory that have exemplified our talents. We have also gone through moments of sadness, where our collective will has been tested to its limits.

All throughout, the Filipino soul has become stronger and more determined.

The theme for this year’s celebration of the 117th Anniversary of the Declaration of Philippine Independence is “Tagumpay sa Pagbabagong Nasimulan, AbotKamay na ng Bayan (Triumphs through reforms, within nation’s reach).” While we remember the glorious history our people have gone through in its struggle, not just to be a free nation but also a strong and prosperous one, we now can also savour the fact that our efforts of the past years to stamp out corruption, boost our economy, and find peace and

As the two countries work towards closer cooperation, with emphasis on the fields of trade, culture, and labour. Just recently, a new avenue for Filipino-Omani friendship was opened as Oman Air has begun to fly directly to Manila. The year 2016 will see us elect new leaders who will forge a path for us for the years to come.

harmony among our people, are indisputably paying off.

“Daang Matuwid” has seen the Philippines continue to succeed in the fight against corruption, as evidenced by the latest results of Transparency International’s “Corruption Perception Index,” where it has been seen that we are one of the countries that have continued to improve their status for the past several years.

The Philippine economy has also grown by 6.1 per cent in 2014, based on the gross domestic product, compared to 2013, led by growth in the country’s agriculture, industry, service, export, and business process outsourcing sectors.

The Philippine government has also striven greatly to bring about lasting and equitable peace at home, particularly in the Muslim areas of Mindanao, through the campaign to pass the “Bangsamoro Basic Law” in

our legislature.

On the relations between the Philippines and Oman, the future also looks bright, as we work towards closer cooperation, with emphasis on the fields of trade, culture, and labour.

Just recently, a new avenue for Filipino-Omani friendship was opened as Oman Air has begun to fly directly to Manila.

Next year, a crossroad will once again appear on our journey as a nation. The year 2016 will see us elect new leaders who will forge a path for us for the years to come. We have to remember that where we go from here will also depend on the character and wisdom of the people whom we will entrust with our governance. The heroes that we honour on our Independence Day gave so much to ensure that we can determine our own fate through the ballot. Let us use their gift wisely.

Albert F. Del Rosario

Secretary of Foreign Affairs

the rule of law.

For its part, as the ‘Department that never sleeps,’ the Department of Foreign Affairs continues to embrace the ideals of our heroes in pursuing a principled, focused and forward-looking foreign policy; whether in terms of preserving national security, enhancing economic diplomacy or protecting the rights and promoting the welfare of our overseas Filipinos.

We continue to call on all our kababayan to do their share in building a progressive Philippines. We encourage investors and development partners to help us achieve

a truly inclusive Filipino society.

We envision the current and the next generation of Filipino leaders and social entrepreneurs to continue the reform agenda so that, in the words of President Benigno S. Aquino III, “no one is left behind.”

In commemorating this year’s Independence Day, let the lives of our national heroes remind us of the powerful lessons of choice, inclusiveness, and above all, the very nature that makes us all human — the capacity to do good and to achieve greatness.

— Albert F. Del Rosario, Secretary of Foreign Affairs

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SU N DAY, JUNE 14, 2015

“Kalayaan 2015: Tagumpay sa Pagbabagong Nasimulan, Abot-Kamay na ng Bayan PROMOTING PHILIPPINES

Ambassador delivers lecture at Oman’s Diplomatic Institute MUSCAT: THE Philippines’ Ambassador to the Sultanate of Oman, Narciso T. Castañeda, was the speaker at the 36th Diplomatic Session held on May 19, 2015 at the Diplomatic Institute of the Oman Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA).

The session was attended by more than 40 participants from the Oman’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other agencies. Ambassador Castañeda’s lecture highlighted important information on the Philippines, milestones in the Philippines’ and Oman’s relations, and the promotion of the Philippines’ economic development.

Philippines to host APEC conclave in November

Ambassador Castañeda highlighted important information on the Philippines.

After almost two decades, the Philippines will host and chair the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC). The Philippines hosted APEC meetings for the first time in 1996. The most highprofile event, the APEC leaders’ meeting, was held in Subic Bay, Zambales in November of that year.

On November 17-18, 2015, the leaders, senior officials, top businessmen, and industry experts of and from the group’s 21 membereconomies will once again come together in the Philippines.

Under the Philippines’ leadership, the overall subject of APEC 2015 is the promotion and advancement of inclusive growth in the Asia-Pacific region, hence the APEC 2015 theme, “Building Inclusive Economies, Building a Better World.” Accordingly, inclusive growth can be defined, described, and analyzed in three stages –domestic/national, regional, and macro levels.

HIGHLIGHTS

APEC consists of 21 member-economies that have diverse economic capabilities

Philippines first hosted APEC meeting in 1996, will host one in November 2015

Investing in human capital development will be on the agenda

In APEC 2015, the Philippines as Host Economy shall seek to mainstream and pursue its priorities into the agenda and economic policy thrusts of the member economies in the Asia-Pacific region. Specifically, the priorities were identified as follows: Investing in Human Capital

Development; Fostering Small and Medium Enterprises’ (SMEs) Participation in Regional and Global Markets; Building Sustainable and Resilient Communities; and Enhancing the Regional Economic Integration Agenda.

APEC backgrounder The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, or APEC, was established in 1989. It started as an informal ministerial level dialogue group with 12 members comprising Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Canada, and the United States.

The APEC was initiated as an annual meeting of foreign and trade ministers to sustain the momentum of market opening and economic cooperation which are vital to the growth and prosperity

of the Asia-Pacific region.

The primary reason and purpose behind the APEC’s establishment is the desire to have a forum that helps enhance economic conditions of states. This would entail the facilitation of economic growth, promotion of cooperation among states, liberalization of trade, and creation of opportunities for investments in the Asia-Pacific community.

Currently, the APEC consists of 21 member-economies that have diverse economic capabilities. Member economies include both developed and developing countries. The 21 member economies are Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Canada, United States, Chinese Taipei, People’s Republic of China, Hong Kong, Mexico, Papua New Guinea, Chile, Peru, Russia, and Vietnam.

UNLIMITED FUN

Visit Philippines this year for ultimate fun and shopping WHETHER you’re a thrillseeker or a soul-searcher, you can find something to your taste among the activities featuring in the Philippine events this 2015.

Discover your rhythm in music, find your taste in arts, or immerse yourself in a sea of entertainment with concerts, musicals, exhibits, and more.

Or if it’s shopping and special events you want, head over to the lifestyle section where you can learn, play, and connect with

things that interest you.

Unearth Philippine history and culture with walking tours, food trips, and festivities. With 7,107 islands to explore, you can get a more fun workout even if you’re here for work. Visit Philippines Year 2015 is your official calendar guide to year-round activities. Plan ahead, book a flight, and experience a more fun year!

For more information, check this link: http://itsmorefuninthephilippines.com/

S U N DAY, JU N E 14, 2 0 1 5

“Kalayaan 2015: Tagumpay sa Pagbabagong Nasimulan, Abot-Kamay na ng Bayan P O P U L A R D E S T I NAT I O N

Filipino tour operators aim to promote tourism exchange with Sultanate of Oman MUSCAT: The representatives of two well-established Filipino travel and tour companies — CCT.168 Travel & Tours and Profil Holidays Tours & Travel Corporation — visited Muscat last year to explore the idea of promoting two-way tourism exchange between the Philippine and Oman. Individually, both companies have 30 years’ of experience in the travel business and a strong exposure in the Middle East market.

During their courtesy call on Narciso T. Castaneda, Philip-

pine Ambassador to Oman, they informed the embassy of their plans to work with Oman-based travel operators to offer tour packages that will encourage Omani tourists to travel to the Philippines. They also consulted with contacts at the Oman Ministry of Tourism (MoT) to explore Filipino inbound tourism to Oman. Profil Holidays, in particular, is interested in promoting Oman for the growing Filipino travel market.

Ambassador Castaneda welcomed this private sector ini-

tiative as this will boost tourism exchange between the two countries. The embassy believes there is great potential in developing the market, especially in the high-end spectrum. Talks are currently underway with their Oman-based partners to launch the first tour group package by June this year.

The tour programme, billed “Yallah Philippines” (Let’s go, Philippines), will include Manila and Boracay, as well as medical tourism and investment promotion.

Philippine most improved country in Asia-Pacific for PPP readiness THE PHILIPPINES has been recognized as most improved country in Asia-Pacific for PPP readiness in the recent report by The Economist Intelligence Unit, issued last April, entitled “Evaluating the environment for publicprivate partnerships in Asia-Pacific: The 2014 Infrascope.”

Ranked at number seven among the 21 countries included in the study, The Economist pointed out that the Philippines “recorded the most-improved regulatory and institutional frameworks” which is “the result of significant regulatory reform in recent years, new biddings and selection procedures, and better dispute resolution mechanisms”.

The PPP Center’s “wider role” in the implementation of the PPP program was also identified as a significant factor in the country’s improvement. It added that “institutional roles have been further streamlined under the new PPP regime”.

The Philippines was also recognized for its “improved investment climate and financial facilities.” As one of the countries in the Asia-Pacific region with one of the oldest Build-OperateTransfer (BOT) policies, “it has introduced a new sub-national regulatory framework,” the report mentioned.

HIGHLIGHTS

Philippines fastest improver in Asia-Pacific for PPP readiness: The Economist Intelligence Unit

Recorded the most-improved regulatory and institutional frameworks

EIU called it “one of the leading countries” for improved investment climate and financial facilities

Hailed for having one of the oldest Build-OperateTransfer policies in Asia-Pacific

It also highlighted the country’s efforts in sharing with other countries its experiences and good practices in implementing the PPP programme.

“The Philippines has used its increased capacity and transactional experience in recent years to promote capacity-building in emerging PPP markets within the region,” the report stated.

For the past years, foreign governments such as Vietnam, Bhutan, China, Tonga and other countries have visited the PPP Centre to study the Philippines’ PPP programme.

Officials of the Centre have also accepted several invitations in the Asia-Pacific Region to share and promote the programme and the PPP projects.

The overall results of the 2014 Asia Infrascope show country rankings are based on the weighted sum of the six category scores which are regulatory framework, institutional framework, operational maturity, investment climate, financial facilities and subnational adjustment.

In the 2011 study, the Philippines was categorized in the emerging PPP market groups and ranked number 8 with 47.1 overall scores. But this year it was moved up and is now a part of the “developed PPP markets group” and ranked number 7 with total 64.6 points. “This group includes the Republic of Korea, Japan, and India. It is one of the biggest improvers in the emerging market group of countries.”

Don’t litter a beautiful country like OMAN.

Ensure proper disposal of garbage.

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SU N DAY, JUNE 14, 2015

“Kalayaan 2015: Tagumpay sa Pagbabagong Nasimulan, Abot-Kamay na ng Bayan

Philippine trade team in GCC engages leading Omani food companies

MUSCAT: The Philippine Department of Trade and Industry – Export Marketing Bureau, in cooperation with the Philippine Embassy in Oman, successfully conducted the first ever Outbound Business Mission (OBM) on Food in Oman from October 18-20, 2014. Oman was the first stop in the OBM Tour of five countries in the Gulf region.

The delegation comprised 10 delegates from six major Filipino food companies and the government sector, headed by Paisal D. Abdullah, Commercial Attaché of the Philippine Trade and Investment Center (PTIC) Middle East.

HIGHLIGHTS

Philippines’ delegation embarked on an Outbound Business Mission on Food

First business to business meet was held in Oman last October

OBM involved a tour of five Gulf countries

Next OBM in Oman scheduled for October 2015.

The Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI) hosted the business-to-business (B2B) meetings on its premises on October 19, 2014. Ayman Abdullah Al Hasani, OCCI vice chairman, warmly welcomed the delegation and some OCCI member companies’ representatives who attended the business matching meetings.

Minister and Consul General Hjayceelyn M. Quintana, who joined the OBM participants, gave some insights on the nature of the Omani market and on how to do business in Oman.

After the B2B meetings at the

OCCI, the OBM delegation visited various hypermarkets in Muscat to do some market surveys.

Meetings with reputed Omani and foreign companies were also arranged by the embassy on the sidelines.

During the courtesy call of the delegation on Ambassador Narciso T. Castañeda, the ambassador hailed the OBM’s success in strengthening ties and establishing new business relationship between Oman and the Philippines in the food sector.

The next OBM in Oman is scheduled to be held in October 2015.

GROWING INTEREST

Filipino workers in Sultanate attend seminar on agribusiness MUSCAT: Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) in Oman showed a strong interest in engaging in various agribusiness opportunities in the Philippines as they participated in the agriculture investment forum jointly conducted by the Philippine Embassy in Muscat and the Philippine Department of Agriculture.

The seminar, held on March 27, 2015 at the embassy’s Sentro Rizal, was aired via live streaming/ video conference, making it possible for Filipino communities from distant areas of Duqm and Salalah to actively participate in the forum.

The seminar brought together more than 70 attendees from the Muscat and Sohar areas and more than 30 participants from the far areas of Duqm and Salalah via online access.

Resource speaker Gil Herico,

Agriculture Attaché, briefed the attendees on the agribusiness opportunities in the Philippines that they may explore. He also informed them of the possible support and assistance that the DA could extend to overseas Filipinos

who wish to start their own agribusiness in the Philippines.

The forum attendees expressed their appreciation for the agribusiness seminar and requested for similar activities to be regularly conducted by the embassy.

MEDICAL TOURISM

Health and wellness tourism Here’s a list of common myths about medical tourism. Knowing the facts can help you make an informed decision about traveling to the Philippines for medical reasons.

MYTH 1: Because it’s part of the tourism industry, medical tourism lacks credibility and shouldn’t be taken seriously.

FACT: First of all, the emphasis in the phrase is more on the medical aspect. It’s really about getting high-quality cost-effective healthcare services overseas, rather than obtaining treatments when you happen to be on vacation. If you decide to travel to the Philippines to seek medical treatment, be assured that Filipino doctors and health professionals have your safety and well-being as their top concerns. When you’ve recovered and received a clean bill of health from your doc-

tor, you can then explore different destinations in the Philippines.

MYTH 2: Low cost means low quality.

FACT: Not in the Philippines.

Because of the low cost of living in the country compared to developed nations, the top medical facilities — visited by the Filipino elite and upper-class themselves — offer very affordable rates for expatriates and tourists. These hospitals offer state-of-the-art equipment that are at par with topnotch institutions in the US and Europe. Many of their doctors are internationally trained and have accumulated extensive experience in their medical specialties.

You’ll certainly receive the highest level of healthcare—without the staggering bills.

MYTH 3: Medical tourism is new in the Philippines.

FACT: For decades, people have been travelling to the Philippines to seek medical treatment, but only in recent years has the country become well-known as healthcare destination.

This is because of the phenomenal growth of travellers visiting the country for medical and health-related reasons. It’s surely a growing industry, but the Philippines has long achieved medical breakthroughs and milestones, making it one of Asia’s most advanced nations in the field of healthcare.

Moreover, leading hospitals are accredited by the Joint Commission International (JCI) or certified by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).

With expert medical knowledge and the latest infrastructure in place, your health in the Philippines is in good hands.